Purine and pyrimidine transporters of pathogenic protozoa – conduits for therapeutic agents

Campagnaro, G. D. and De Koning, H. P. (2020) Purine and pyrimidine transporters of pathogenic protozoa – conduits for therapeutic agents. Medicinal Research Reviews, 40(5), pp. 1679-1714. (doi: 10.1002/med.21667) (PMID:32144812)

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Abstract

Purines and pyrimidines are essential nutrients for any cell. Most organisms are able to synthesize their own purines and pyrimidines, but this ability was lost in protozoans that adapted to parasitism, leading to a great diversification in transporter activities in these organisms, especially for the acquisition of amino acids and nucleosides from their hosts throughout their life cycles. Many of these transporters have been shown to have sufficiently different substrate affinities from mammalian transporters, making them good carriers for therapeutic agents. In this review, we summarize the knowledge obtained on purine and pyrimidine activities identified in protozoan parasites to date and discuss their importance for the survival of these parasites and as drug carriers, as well as the perspectives of developments in the field.

Item Type:Articles
Additional Information:Gustavo D. Campagnaro received a PhD scholarship from Science Without Borders (206385/2014-5, CNPq, Brazil).
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Campagnaro, Gustavo and De Koning, Professor Harry
Authors: Campagnaro, G. D., and De Koning, H. P.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences
College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity
Journal Name:Medicinal Research Reviews
Publisher:Wiley
ISSN:0198-6325
ISSN (Online):1098-1128
Published Online:07 March 2020

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