title: Homologues of Arabidopsis Microtubule-Associated AIR9 in Trypanosomatid Parasites: Hints on Evolution and Function.
abstract: AIR9 is an essential microtubule-associated protein from Arabidopsis. Sequence similarity searches indicate homologues of AIR9 in land plants and in excavate protists, including trypanosomatid parasites and Trichomonas. The AIR9-like protein from Trypanosoma brucei was recently detected in the proteome of the trypanosome flagellum, raising the possibility that trypanosomatid AIR9-like proteins also associate with microtubules. Because microtubule functions are essential to the viability of trypanosomatid parasites AIR9-like proteins may be exploited as drug targets without homology in humans. We further discuss the unexpected phylogeny of AIR9-like proteins from plants and protozoans.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cell and Developmental Biology; John Innes Centre; Norwich UK.
authors.forename: Henrik
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Buschmann
authors.forename: Luis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sanchez-Pulido
authors.forename: Miguel A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Andrade-Navarro
authors.forename: Clive W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Lloyd
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