DEAD/DExH-Box RNA Helicases in Selected Human Parasites.
10.3347/kjp.2015.53.5.583
- Author:
Laurence A MARCHAT
1
;
Silvia I ARZOLA-RODRIGUEZ
;
Olga HERNANDEZ-DE LA CRUZ
;
Itzel LOPEZ-ROSAS
;
Cesar LOPEZ-CAMARILLO
Author Information
1. Institutional Program of Molecular Biomedicine, Biotechnology Program, National School of Medicine and Homeopathy of the National Polytechnic Institute, Mexico City, CP 07320, Mexico. lmarchat@gmail.com
- Publication Type:Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't ; Review
- Keywords:
RNA helicase;
protozoa;
nematode;
RNA metabolism
- MeSH:
Animals;
Eukaryota/*enzymology;
*Gene Expression Regulation;
Parasites/*enzymology;
RNA/*metabolism;
RNA Helicases/*metabolism
- From:The Korean Journal of Parasitology
2015;53(5):583-595
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
DEAD/DExH-box RNA helicases catalyze the folding and remodeling of RNA molecules in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, as well as in many viruses. They are characterized by the presence of the helicase domain with conserved motifs that are essential for ATP binding and hydrolysis, RNA interaction, and unwinding activities. Large families of DEAD/DExH-box proteins have been described in different organisms, and their role in all molecular processes involving RNA, from transcriptional regulation to mRNA decay, have been described. This review aims to summarize the current knowledge about DEAD/DExH-box proteins in selected protozoan and nematode parasites of medical importance worldwide, such as Plasmodium falciparum, Leishmania spp., Trypanosoma spp., Giardia lamblia, Entamoeba histolytica, and Brugia malayi. We discuss the functional characterization of several proteins in an attempt to understand better the molecular mechanisms involving RNA in these pathogens. The current data also highlight that DEAD/DExH-box RNA helicases might represent feasible drug targets due to their vital role in parasite growth and development.
