title: Heat shock protein 90 from neglected protozoan parasites.
abstract: Significant advances have been made in our understanding of heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) in terms of its structure, biochemical characteristics, post-translational modifications, interactomes, regulation and functions. In addition to yeast as a model several new systems have now been examined including flies, worms, plants as well as mammalian cells. This review discusses themes emerging out of studies reported on Hsp90 from infectious disease causing protozoa. A common theme of sensing and responding to host cell microenvironment emerges out of analysis of Hsp90 in Malaria, Trypanosmiasis as well as Leishmaniasis. In addition to their functional roles, the potential of Hsp90 from these infectious disease causing organisms to serve as drug targets and the current status of this drug development endeavor are discussed. Finally, a unique and the only known example of a split Hsp90 gene from another disease causing protozoan Giardia lamblia and its evolutionary significance are discussed. Clearly studies on Hsp90 from protozoan parasites promise to reveal important new paradigms in Hsp90 biology while exploring its potential as an anti-infective drug target. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Heat Shock Protein 90 (HSP90).
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India.
authors.forename: Nainita
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Roy
authors.forename: Rishi Kumar
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Nageshan
authors.forename: Shatakshi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ranade
authors.forename: Utpal
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Tatu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D060833:Cellular Microenvironment; D018841:HSP90 Heat-Shock Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D010271:Parasites / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D011528:Protozoan Infections / Q000469:parasitology
chemical_list: D018841:HSP90 Heat-Shock Proteins