title: DNA topoisomerases as targets for antiprotozoal therapy.
abstract: Diseases caused by parasitic protozoa present a health problem of immense magnitude, and there is an urgent need for safe and effective new therapies. DNA topoisomerases are clinically relevant targets for anti-cancer and anti-bacterial agents. Inhibitor studies on parasite topoisomerases have revealed that these enzymes have great promise as molecular targets for anti-parasitics, and have helped to dissect the basic biology of DNA topoisomerases in these organisms. This review provides a brief introduction to DNA topoisomerases and anti-topoisomerase drugs, and an overview of studies on protozoal DNA topoisomerases and their inhibitors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
authors.forename: R P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Bakshi
authors.forename: T A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Shapiro
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D026942:DNA Topoisomerases / Q000378:metabolism; D016054:DNA, Protozoan / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D056890:Eukaryota / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology; D006801:Humans; D011528:Protozoan Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000469:parasitology; D059003:Topoisomerase Inhibitors
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents; D016054:DNA, Protozoan; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D059003:Topoisomerase Inhibitors; D026942:DNA Topoisomerases