As opposed to organism-based drug screening approaches, protein-based strategies have the distinct advantage of providing insights into the molecular mechanisms of chemical effectors and thus afford a precise targeting. Capitalising on the increasing number of genome and transcriptome datasets, novel targets in pathogens for therapeutic intervention can be identified in a more rational manner when compared with conventional organism-based methodologies. Trehalose-6-phosphate phosphatases (TPPs) are structurally and functionally conserved enzymes of the trehalose biosynthesis pathway which play a critical role for pathogen survival, in particular, in parasites. The absence of these enzymes and trehalose biosynthesis from mammalian hosts has recently given rise to increasing interest in TPPs as novel therapeutic targets for drugs and vaccines. Here, we summarise some key aspects of the current state of research towards novel therapeutics targeting, in particular, nematode TPPs.
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Cover Image
Cover Image
Trypanosoma brucei, the causative agent of African sleeping sickness. Among the parasitology topics covered in this issue are perspectives on various aspects of trypanosome biology: Kemmerling et al. (pages 573–577) look at the immune response against Trypanosoma cruzi in the human placenta, while Maya et al. (pages 579–584) discuss therapeutic strategies in chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy, which is caused by T. cruzi. In addition, McCulloch et al. (pages 585–592) and Ooi and Rudenko (pages 593–600) explore antigenic variation in trypanosomes. Image credit: Kateryna Kon (Shutterstock ID: 520410646).
Trehalose-6-phosphate phosphatase as a broad-spectrum therapeutic target against eukaryotic and prokaryotic pathogens
Roberto Docampo, Megan Cross, Siji Rajan, Sonja Biberacher, Suk-Youl Park, Mark J. Coster, Ewa Długosz, Jeong-Sun Kim, Robin B. Gasser, Andreas Hofmann; Trehalose-6-phosphate phosphatase as a broad-spectrum therapeutic target against eukaryotic and prokaryotic pathogens. Emerg Top Life Sci 22 December 2017; 1 (6): 675–683. doi: https://doi.org/10.1042/ETLS20170106
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