自引率: 4.4%
被引量: 5506
通过率: 暂无数据
审稿周期: 2
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投稿须知/期刊简介:
The journal provides a medium for the rapid publication of investigations of the molecular biology, molecular immunology and biochemistry of parasitic protozoa and helminths and their interactions with both the definitive and intermediate host. The main subject areas covered are: chemical structure, biosynthesis, degradation, properties and function of small molecular weight substances, DNA, RNA, proteins, lipids and carbohydrates - intermediary metabolism and bioenergetics - molecular and biochemical studies on the mode of action of antiparasitic drugs - molecular and biochemical aspects of membrane structure and function - molecular and biochemical aspects of host-parasite relationships including analysis of parasitic escape mechanisms - characterisation of parasite antigen and parasite and host cell surface receptors - characterisation of genes by biophysical and biochemical methods, including recombinant DNA technology - analysis of gene structure, function and expression - mechanisms of genetic recombination.Papers will only be accepted for publication if they fall within these areas, if they contain original work of high scientific quality, and if they are well presented.The table of contents for this journal is now available pre-publication, via e-mail, as part of the free ContentsDirect service from Elsevier Science. Please send an e-mail message to cdhelp@elsevier.co.uk for further information about this service.
期刊描述简介:
The journal provides a medium for rapid publication of investigations of the molecular biology and biochemistry of parasitic protozoa and helminths and their interactions with both the definitive and intermediate host. The main subject areas covered are: • the structure, biosynthesis, degradation, properties and function of DNA, RNA, proteins, lipids, carbohydrates and small molecular-weight substances • intermediary metabolism and bioenergetics • drug target characterization and the mode of action of antiparasitic drugs • molecular and biochemical aspects of membrane structure and function • host-parasite relationships that focus on the parasite, particularly as related to specific parasite molecules. • analysis of genes and genome structure, function and expression • analysis of variation in parasite populations relevant to genetic exchange, pathogenesis, drug and vaccine target characterization, and drug resistance. • parasite protein trafficking, organelle biogenesis, and cellular structure especially with reference to the roles of specific molecules • parasite programmed cell death, development, and cell division at the molecular level Papers will only be accepted for publication if they fall within these areas, if they contain original and complete work of high scientific quality, and if they are well presented. Papers solely confirming the conserved functions of genes previously studied in other organisms will not be considered. Additionally the following areas of work are better suited to other journals: • studies predominantly focused on the host response (e.g. immunology) • surveys reporting allele or strain frequencies in various regions • in silico modeling or computational work without biological experiments • surveys reporting allele or strain frequencies not linked to biological relevance (e.g., drug resistance, or pathogenesis)
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Using machine learning to dissect host kinases required for Leishmania internalization and development.
The Leishmania life cycle alternates between promastigotes, found in the sandfly, and amastigotes, found in mammals. When an infected sandfly bites a host, promastigotes are engulfed by phagocytes (i.e., neutrophils, dendritic cells, and macrophages) to establish infection. When these phagocytes die or break down, amastigotes must be re-internalized to survive within the acidic phagolysosome and establish disease. To define host kinase regulators of Leishmania promastigote and amastigote uptake and survival within macrophages, we performed an image-based kinase regression screen using a panel of 38 kinase inhibitors with unique yet overlapping kinase targets. We also targeted inert beads to complement receptor 3 (CR3) or Fcγ receptors (FcR) as controls by coating them with complement/C3bi or IgG respectively. Through this approach, we identified several putative host kinases that regulate receptor-mediated phagocytosis and/or the uptake of L. amazonensis. Findings included kinases previously implicated in Leishmania uptake (such as Src family kinases (SFK), Abl family kinases (ABL1/c-Abl, ABL2/Arg), and spleen tyrosine kinase (SYK)), but we also uncovered many novel kinases. Our methods also predicted host kinases necessary for promastigotes to convert to amastigotes or for amastigotes to survive within macrophages. Overall, our results suggest that the concerted action of multiple interconnected networks of host kinases are needed over the course of Leishmania infection, and that the kinases required for the parasite's life cycle may differ substantially depending on which receptors are bound and the life cycle stage that is internalized. In addition, using our screen, we identified kinases that appear to preferentially regulate the uptake of parasites over beads, indicating that the methods required for Leishmania to be internalized by macrophages may differ from generalized phagocytic mechanisms. Our findings are intended to be used as a hypothesis generation resource for the broader scientific community studying the roles of kinases in host-pathogen interactions.
被引量：- 发表：1970
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Neuroprotective effects of CysLT2R antagonist on Angiostrongylus cantonensis-induced edema and meningoencephalitis.
Cysteinyl leukotrienes (CysLTs) can induce a disruption of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), and this reaction is mediated by cysteinyl-leukotriene receptors. In this study, we used A. cantonensis-induced eosinophilic meningoencephalitis as a model to investigate whether the CysLT2 receptor involved in the pathogenesis of angiostrongyliasis meningoencephalitis. The present study provides evidence that the CysLT2 receptor antagonist HAMI3379 reduced the number of infiltrated eosinophils and brain edema in eosinophilic meningoencephalitis. Additionally, we found that HAMI3379 significantly decreased the protein levels of M1 polarisation markers (CD80, iNOS, IL-5 and TNF-α), increased the expression of M2 polarisation markers (CD206, IL-10 and TGF-β) both in vivo and in vitro. Matrix metalloproteinase-9, S100B, GFAP, fibronectin, and claudin-5 were markedly lower after HAMI3379 treatment. Therefore, HAMI3379 reduced the BBB dysfunction in angiostrongyliasis meningoencephalitis. We have identified microRNA-155 as a BBB dysfunction marker in eosinophilic meningoencephalitis. The results showed that microRNA-155 was 15-fold upregulated in eosinophilic meningoencephalitis and 20-fold upregulated after HAMI3379 treatment. Our results suggest that CysLT2R may be involved in A. cantonensis-induced brain edema and eosinophilic meningoencephalitis and that down-regulation of CysLT2R could be a novel and potential therapeutic strategy for the treatment of angiostrongyliasis meningoencephalitis.
被引量：- 发表：1970
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Target screening using RNA interference in the sheep abomasal nematode parasite Haemonchus contortus.
RNA interference (RNAi) on parasitic nematodes has been described as a valuable tool for screening putative targets that could be used as novel drug and/or vaccine candidates. This study aimed to set up a pipeline to identify potential targets using RNAi for vaccine/anti-parasite therapy development against Haemonchus contortus, a blood-feeding abomasal nematode parasite. The available H. contortus sequence data was mined for targets, which were tested for essentiality using RNAi electroporation assays. A total of 56 genes were identified and tested for knockdown using electroporation of first-stage larvae (L1) H. contortus with the target double-stranded RNA. Electroporation of L1 proved to be effective overall; 17 targets had a strong phenotype and significant reduction in alive H. contortus, and another 24 had a moderate phenotype with a significant reduction in larvae development. A total of 28 targets showed a significant reduction in the development of H. contortus larvae to the infective stage (L3) following the RNAi assay. Down-regulation of target transcript levels was evaluated in some targets by semi-quantitative PCR. Four out of five genes tested showed complete knockdown of mRNA levels via semi-quantitative PCR, whereas the knockdown was partial for one. In conclusion, the results indicate that the RNAi pathway is confirmed in H. contortus and that several target genes have the potential to be investigated further as possible vaccine candidates.
被引量：- 发表：1970
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Pyridopyrimidinones as a new chemotype of calcium dependent protein kinase 1 (CDPK1) inhibitors for Cryptosporidium.
The protozoan protein kinase calcium-dependent protein kinase 1 (CDPK1) has emerged as a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of cryptosporidiosis. A focused screen of known kinase inhibitors identified a pyridopyrimidinone as a new chemotype of Cryptosporidium parvum (Cp) CDPK1 inhibitors. Structural comparison of CpCDPK1 to two representative human kinases, RIPK2 and Src, revealed differences in the positioning of the αC-helix that was used in the design of a potent pyridopyrimidinone-based CpCDPK1 inhibitor 7 (a.k.a. UH15-16, IC50 = 10 nM), which blocked the growth of three C. parvum strains (EC50 = 12-40 nM) as well as C. hominis (EC50 = 85 nM) in HCT-8 host cells. Pharmacokinetic and tissue distribution analyses indicated that 7 had low systemic exposure after oral administration, but high gastrointestinal concentration, as well as good Caco-2 cell permeability. Finally, 7 demonstrated partial efficacy in an IL-12 knock-out mouse model of acute cryptosporidiosis.
被引量：1 发表：1970
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MicroRNAs in opisthorchiids and their definitive hosts: Current Status and Perspectives.
Opisthorchis felineus, Opisthorchis viverrini, and Clonorchis sinensis (family Opisthorchiidae) are parasitic flatworms that pose serious threats to humans in certain countries and cause opisthorchiasis/clonorchiasis. Opisthorchiid flukes parasitize the biliary tract of the host, causing cholangitis, cholecystitis, cholelithiasis and cholangiocarcinoma. In this review, we primarily focus on recent microRNAs (miRNAs) studies of opisthorchiid flukes and their definitive hosts. Many miRNAs are conserved and expressed in a developmentally stage specific manner in the three opisthorchiid flukes, which play important roles in the growth and development of Opisthorchiidae spp., as well as host-pathogen interactions. Some miRNAs might be potential biomarkers related to carcinogenesis of cholangiocarcinoma. Therefore, this review provides the basis for further investigating the roles of miRNAs in opisthorchiid flukes and their definitive hosts, as well as promoting the development of novel approaches to prevent and treat opisthorchiasis/clonorchiasis.
被引量：- 发表：1970
