Projects per year
Abstract
Aquaglyceroporins (AQPs) are membrane proteins that function in osmoregulation and the uptake of low molecular weight solutes, in particular glycerol and urea. The AQP family is highly conserved, with two major subfamilies having arisen very early in prokaryote evolution and retained by eukaryotes. A complex evolutionary history indicates multiple lineage-specific expansions, losses and not uncommonly a complete loss. Consequently, the AQP family is highly evolvable and has been associated with significant events in life on Earth. In the African trypanosomes, a role for the AQP2 paralogue, in sensitivity to two chemotherapeutic agents, pentamidine and melarsoprol, is well established, albeit with the mechanisms for cell entry and resistance unclear until very recently. Here, we discuss AQP evolution, structure and mechanisms by which AQPs impact drug sensitivity, suggesting that AQP2 stability is highly sensitive to mutation while serving as the major uptake pathway for pentamidine.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 1137-1142 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Parasitology |
Volume | 148 |
Issue number | 10 |
Early online date | 19 Feb 2021 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Sept 2021 |
Keywords
- Aquaglyceroporin
- membrane trafficking
- pentamidine
- drug resistance
- Trypanosoma brucei
- sleeping sickness
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Infectious Diseases
- Animal Science and Zoology
- Parasitology
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Dive into the research topics of 'Evolution, function and roles in drug sensitivity of trypanosome aquaglyceroporins'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.Projects
- 1 Finished
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A Systems Approach for Understanding Cell Surface Dynamics in Trypanosomes (Investigator Award)
Field, M. (Investigator)
1/10/17 → 31/03/24
Project: Research