Promastigote-to-Amastigote Conversion in Leishmania spp.—A Molecular View
Joachim Clos, Janne Grünebast, Myrine Holm
Abstract
parasites is their conversion from extracellular motile promastigotes into intracellular amastigotes. We discuss the physical and chemical triggers that induce this conversion and the accompanying changes at the molecular level crucial for the survival of these intracellular parasites. Special emphasis is given to the reliance of these trypanosomatids on the post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression but also to the role played by protein kinases, chaperone proteins and proteolytic enzymes. Lastly, we offer a model to integrate the transduction of different stress signals for the induction of stage conversion.
Topics & Concepts
AmastigoteIntracellularLeishmaniaBiologyCell biologyExtracellularKinaseGeneIntracellular parasiteGene expressionBiochemistryParasite hostingWorld Wide WebComputer scienceResearch on Leishmaniasis StudiesTrypanosoma species research and implicationsSignaling Pathways in Disease