Affiliation:
1. Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science - BIOCEV, Charles University, Vestec u Prahy, Czech Republic
Abstract
Abstract
It is well known that iron is a crucial micronutrient for all living organisms. Due to its chemical properties, iron is an irreplaceable cofactor of many essential enzymes but is also potentially toxic when present in excess. The acquisition of iron from the environment can be challenging for organisms, especially for parasitic protists that rely solely on the host for available nutrients. One of the host defense mechanisms is to starve parasites by detaining the crucial iron in a form unreachable for pathogens. In this review, we summarize current information about iron homeostasis-related pathways of important human parasites, such as Plasmodium, trypanosomes, Leishmania, pathogenic amoebas and Trichomonas. We focus on the parasites’ strategies of iron acquisition, storage/detoxification, trafficking, and iron-regulated protein expression and address the questions of iron-influenced virulence and anti-parasitic chemotherapeutics targeted to iron metabolism. Finally, we outline the potential of understudied and somewhat neglected iron chelating agents as safe chemotherapeutics against protozoan parasites.
Funder
European Regional Development Fund
Grantová Agentura České Republiky
Horizon 2020 Framework Programme
Ministerstvo Školství, Mládeže a Tělovýchovy
Publisher
Oxford University Press (OUP)
Subject
Metals and Alloys,Biochemistry,Biomaterials,Biophysics,Chemistry (miscellaneous)
Cited by
9 articles.
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