Toxoplasma and Plasmodium protein kinases: Roles in invasion and host cell remodelling

Int J Parasitol. 2011 Dec 4. [Epub ahead of print]

Toxoplasma and Plasmodium protein kinases: Roles in invasion and host cell remodelling.

Lim DC, Cooke BM, Doerig C, Saeij JP.

SourceDavid H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.

Abstract
Some apicomplexan parasites have evolved distinct protein kinase families to modulate host cell structure and function. Toxoplasma gondii rhoptry protein kinases and pseudokinases (ROPKs) are involved in virulence and modulation of host cell signalling. The proteome of Plasmodium falciparum contains a family of putative kinases called FIKKs, some of which are exported to the host red blood cell and might play a role in erythrocyte remodelling. In this review we will discuss kinases known to be critical for host cell invasion, intracellular growth and egress, focusing on (i) calcium-dependent protein kinases (CDPKs) and (ii) the secreted kinases that are unique to Toxoplasma (ROPKs) and Plasmodium (FIKKs).

Copyright © 2011. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

PMID:22154850[PubMed - as supplied by publisher]