Degrade to survive: The intricate world of piroplasmid proteases

Authors: FLORIN-CHRISTENSEN, MONICA - Centro De Investigaciones En Ciencias Veterinarias Y Agronómicas (CICVYA); SOJKA, DANIEL - Academy Of Sciences Of The Czech Republic (ASCR); GANZINELLI, SABRINA - Centro De Investigaciones En Ciencias Veterinarias Y Agronómicas (CICVYA); ŠNEBERGEROVÁ, PAVLA - Academy Of Science Of Czech Republic; Suarez, Carlos; SCHNITTGER, LEONHARD - Centro De Investigaciones En Ciencias Veterinarias Y Agronómicas (CICVYA)

Submitted to: Trends in Parasitology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/3/2023
Publication Date: 6/2/2023
Citation: Florin-Christensen, M., Sojka, D., Ganzinelli, S., Šnebergerová, P., Suarez, C.E., Schnittger, L. 2023. Degrade to survive: The intricate world of piroplasmid proteases. Trends in Parasitology. 39(7):532-546. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pt.2023.04.010.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pt.2023.04.010

Interpretive Summary: Piroplasmids of the genus Babesia, Theileria and Cytauxzoon are tick-transmitted parasites with high impact on animals and humans. They have complex life cycles in their definitive arthropod and intermediate vertebrate hosts involving numerous processes, including invasion of and egress from host cells, parasite growth, transformation and migration. Like other parasitic protozoa, piroplasmids are equipped with different types of enzymes that can degrade proteins, known as proteases. These enzymes are needed to fulfill many of such essential processes, and are targets for drug therapies and vaccine development. A better understanding of the functional significance of these enzymes will contribute to the development of improved control measures for the devastating animal and human diseases caused by these pathogens.

Technical Abstract: Piroplasmids of the genus Babesia, Theileria and Cytauxzoon are tick-transmitted parasites with high impact on animals and humans. They have complex life cycles in their definitive arthropod and intermediate vertebrate hosts involving numerous processes, including invasion of and egress from host cells, parasite growth, transformation and migration. Like other parasitic protozoa, piroplasmids are equipped with different types of proteases to fulfill many of such essential processes. Blockade of some key proteases using inhibitors or antibodies hinders piroplasmid growth, highlighting their potential usefulness in drug therapies and vaccine development. A better understanding of the functional significance of these enzymes will contribute to the development of improved control measures for the devastating animal and human diseases caused by these pathogens.