Glycobiology of the Leishmania parasite and emerging targets for antileishmanial drug discovery.
BACKGROUND
Parasitic diseases that pose a threat to human life include leishmaniasis - caused by protozoa of Leishmania species. Existing drugs have limitations due to deleterious side effects like teratogenicity and factors like cost and drug resistance, thus furthering the need to develop this area of research.


METHODS
We came across drug targets, very recently characterised, cloned and validated by genomics and bioinformatics. We bring these promising drug targets into focus so that they can be explored to their fullest.


RESULTS
In an effort to bridge the gaps between existing knowledge and future prospects of drug discovery, we found interesting studies validating drug targets and paving the way for better experiments to be designed. In a few cases, novel pathways have been characterized, while in others, well established pathways when probed further, led to the discovery of new drug targets.


CONCLUSIONS
The review constitutes a comprehensive report on upcoming drug targets, with emphasis on glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored glycoconjugates along with related biochemistry of enolase, glycosome and purine salvage pathways, as we strive to bring ourselves a step closer to being able to combat this deadly disease.
National Institute of Immunology, Bio-organic Chemistry Lab, JNU Complex, New Delhi 110067, India.
Sunandini
S
Chandra
Dipali
D
Ruhela
Anindita
A
Deb
Ram A
RA
Vishwakarma
D000818:Animals; D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D050260:Carbohydrate Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects*; D055808:Drug Discovery / Q000379:methods*; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006001:Glycoconjugates / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000502:physiology*; D006028:Glycosphingolipids / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D017261:Glycosylphosphatidylinositols / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008658:Inactivation, Metabolic; D007891:Leishmania / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism*; D007896:Leishmaniasis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008830:Microbodies / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology / Q000502:physiology; D010751:Phosphopyruvate Hydratase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D011687:Purines / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D011765:Pyruvaldehyde / Q000493:pharmacokinetics
D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D006001:Glycoconjugates; D006028:Glycosphingolipids; D017261:Glycosylphosphatidylinositols; D011687:Purines; C008290:lipophosphonoglycan; D011765:Pyruvaldehyde; D010751:Phosphopyruvate Hydratase