Open AccessExploring the molecular mechanisms of parasite-host interactions with a view towards new therapeutics and vaccines
Author(s) -
Megan Cross,
Emma Klepzig,
Madeleine A. Dallaston,
Neil D. Young,
Ulla-Maja Bailey,
Lyndel Mason,
Malcolm K. Jones,
Robin B. Gasser,
Andreas Hofmann
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
postępy biochemii
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 0032-5422
DOI - 10.18388/pb.2016_40
Subject(s) - host (biology) , parasite hosting , computational biology , biology , genetics , computer science , world wide web
Despite the massive disease burden worldwide caused by parasitic nematodes and other infectious pathogens, the molecular basis of many infectious diseases caused by these pathogens has been unduly neglected for a long time. Therefore, accelerated progress towards novel therapeutics, and ultimately control of such infectious diseases, is of crucial importance. Capitalising on the wealth of data becoming available from proteomic and genomic studies, new protein targets at the pathogen-host interface can be identified and subjected to protein-based explorations of the molecular basis of pathogen-host interactions. By combining the use of systems and structural biology methodologies, insights into the structural and molecular mechanisms of these interactions can assist in the development of therapeutics and/or vaccines. This brief review examines two different proteins from the body wall of blood flukes â annexins and the stress-induced phosphoprotein 1 â both of which are presently interesting targets for the development of therapeutics.