Microtubular cytoskeletons of parasitic protozoa.
Shape, motility and division of eukaryotic cells are all determined to some extent by intracellular microtubules. Parasites, particularly protozoan parasites, offer important models for the study of microtubule organization, which may also provide useful leads for novel chemotherapeutic agents against parasite-specific forms of these organelles. Research on the biology of microtubules has advanced rapidly in the last 2-3 years, from purely descriptive studies to on understanding of some of the genetic and biochemical aspects. In this article, David Russell and Jean-François Dubremetz summarize the progress and discuss the potential of tubulin as a drug target for antiprotozool chemotherapy.
Max-Planck-Institut für Biologie, 7400 Tübingen, FRG.
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Russell
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Dubremetz