Advances in drug discovery and biochemical studies.
Japanese researchers continue to discover new means to combat parasites and make important contributions toward developing tools for global control of parasitic diseases. Streptomyces avermectinius, the source of ivermectin, was discovered in Japan in the early 1970s and renewed and vigorous screening of microbial metabolites in recent years has led to the discovery of new antiprotozoals and anthelminthics, including antimalarial drugs. Intensive studies of parasite energy metabolism, such as NADH-fumarate reductase systems and the synthetic pathways of nucleic acids and amino acids, also contribute to the identification of novel and unique drug targets.
Kita
Kiyoshi
K
Department of Biomedical Chemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan.
Shiomi
Kazuro
K
Omura
Satoshi
S
D000818:Animals; D000962:Antimalarials / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000977:Antiparasitic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001419:Bacteria / Q000378:metabolism*; D001688:Biological Products / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D035843:Biomedical Research; D015195:Drug Design; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D010272:Parasitic Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations; D013678:Technology, Pharmaceutical
D000962:Antimalarials; D000977:Antiparasitic Agents; D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents; D001688:Biological Products; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations