Evidence of G-Protein-Coupled Receptors (GPCR) in the Parasitic Protozoa Plasmodium falciparum-Sensing the Host Environment and Coupling within Its Molecular Signaling Toolkit

Autor(es)

Pereira, Pedro H. S. ^[1] ; Garcia, Celia R. S. ^[1]

Afiliação do(s) autor(es)

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Ciencias Farmaceut, Dept Anal Clin & Toxicol, BR-05508900 Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Tipo de documento: Artigo de Revisão
• Fonte: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES; v. 22, n. 22 NOV 2021.
• Citações Web of Science: 0

Resumo

Throughout evolution, the need for single-celled organisms to associate and form a single cluster of cells has had several evolutionary advantages. In complex, multicellular organisms, each tissue or organ has a specialty and function that make life together possible, and the organism as a whole needs to act in balance and adapt to changes in the environment. Sensory organs are essential for connecting external stimuli into a biological response, through the senses: sight, smell, taste, hearing, and touch. The G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are responsible for many of these senses and therefore play a key role in the perception of the cells' external environment, enabling interaction and coordinated development between each cell of a multicellular organism. The malaria-causing protozoan parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, has a complex life cycle that is extremely dependent on a finely regulated cellular signaling machinery. In this review, we summarize strong evidence and the main candidates of GPCRs in protozoan parasites. Interestingly, one of these GPCRs is a sensor for K+ shift in Plasmodium falciparum, PfSR25. Studying this family of proteins in P. falciparum could have a significant impact, both on understanding the history of the evolution of GPCRs and on finding new targets for antimalarials. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 17/08684-7 - Decodificar aspectos da biologia celular e molecular do Plasmodium como uma ferramenta para desenvolver novos antimaláricos
• Beneficiário: Célia Regina da Silva Garcia
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Temático
• Processo FAPESP: 18/07177-7 - EMU concedido no processo 2011/51295-5: image system
• Beneficiário: Célia Regina da Silva Garcia
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Programa Equipamentos Multiusuários