title: DNA topoisomerases: a new twist for antiparasitic chemotherapy?
abstract: The parasitic protozoa are notorious for their bizarre cellular structures and metabolic pathways, a characteristic also true for their nucleic acids. Despite these florid differences from mammalian cells, however, it has proven surprisingly difficult to devise novel chemotherapy against these pathogens. In recent years, the DNA topoisomerases from parasites have been the focus of considerable study, not only because they are intrinsically interesting, but also because they may provide a target for much-needed new antiparasitic chemotherapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, 303 Hunterian Building, 725 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21205-2186, USA.
authors.forename: E C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Nenortas
authors.forename: A L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Bodley
authors.forename: T A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Shapiro
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000977:Antiparasitic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004250:DNA Topoisomerases, Type II / Q000235:genetics; D005047:Etoposide / Q000494:pharmacology; D056890:Eukaryota / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000469:parasitology; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000201:enzymology / Q000469:parasitology; D059004:Topoisomerase I Inhibitors; D059005:Topoisomerase II Inhibitors; D014345:Trypanosoma / Q000201:enzymology / Q000469:parasitology
chemical_list: D000977:Antiparasitic Agents; D059004:Topoisomerase I Inhibitors; D059005:Topoisomerase II Inhibitors; D005047:Etoposide; D004250:DNA Topoisomerases, Type II