ATPe dynamics in protozoan parasites. Adapt or perish

NATALIA LAURI; ZAHER BAZZI; CORA ALVAREZ; MF LEAL DENIS; JULIETA SCHACHTER; VANESA HERLAX; MARIANO OSTUNI; PABLO J SCHWARZBAUM

GENES

MDPI

Lugar: Basilea; Año: 2019

2073-4425

Abstract: In most animals, transient increases of extracellularATP (ATPe) are used for physiological signalling or as a danger signal in pathologicalconditions. ATPe dynamics is controlled by ATP release from viable cells andcell lysis, ATPe degradation and interconversion by ecto-nucleotidases,interaction of ATPe and byproducts with cell surface purinergic receptors andpurine salvage mechanisms.Infection by protozoan parasites may alter at least oneof the mechanisms controlling [ATPe]. Protozoan parasites display their own setof proteins directly altering ATPe dynamics, or control the activity of hostproteins. Parasite dependent activation of ATPe conduits of the host maypromote infection and systemic responses that are beneficial or detrimental tothe parasite. For instance, activation of organic solute permeability at thehost membrane can support the elevated metabolism of the parasite. On the otherhand ecto-nucleotidases of protozoan parasites, by promoting ATPe degradationand purine/pyrimidine salvage, may be involved in parasite growth, infectivityand virulence. In this review, we will describe the complex dynamics of ATPeregulation in the context of protozoan parasite-host interactions. Particularfocus will be given to features of parasite membrane proteins stronglycontrolling ATPe dynamics. This includes evolutionary, genetic and cellularmechanisms, as well as structural-functional relationships.