title: Parasite annexins--new molecules with potential for drug and vaccine development.
abstract: In the last few years, annexins have been discovered in several nematodes and other parasites, and distinct differences between the parasite annexins and those of the hosts make them potentially attractive targets for anti-parasite therapeutics. Annexins are ubiquitous proteins found in almost all organisms across all kingdoms.Here, we present an overview of novel annexins from parasitic organisms, and summarize their phylogenetic and biochemical properties, with a view to using them as drug or vaccine targets. Building on structural and biological information that has been accumulated for mammalian and plant annexins, we describe a predicted additional secondary structure element found in many parasite annexins that may confer unique functional properties, and present a specific antigenic epitope for use as a vaccine.
authors.affiliation: Structural Chemistry Program, Eskitis Institute for Cell and Molecular Therapies, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland, Australia. a.hofmann@griffith.edu.au
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hofmann
authors.forename: Asiah
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Osman
authors.forename: Chiuan Yee
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Leow
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Driguez
authors.forename: Donald P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: McManus
authors.forename: Malcolm K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Jones
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D017302:Annexins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000737:chemistry; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D004194:Disease; D055808:Drug Discovery; D006801:Humans; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010271:Parasites / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D014612:Vaccines / Q000096:biosynthesis*
chemical_list: D017302:Annexins; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D014612:Vaccines