Intracellular Ca2+ Signaling in Protozoan Parasites: An Overview with a Focus on Mitochondria |
| |
Authors: | Pedro H Scarpelli Mateus F Pecenin Celia R S Garcia |
| |
Affiliation: | Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analyses, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, Avenida Professor Lineu Prestes, 580, bloco 17, São Paulo 05508-000, Brazil; (P.H.S.); (M.F.P.) |
| |
Abstract: | Ca2+ signaling has been involved in controling critical cellular functions such as activation of proteases, cell death, and cell cycle control. The endoplasmatic reticulum plays a significant role in Ca2+ storage inside the cell, but mitochondria have long been recognized as a fundamental Ca2+ pool. Protozoan parasites such as Plasmodium falciparum, Toxoplasma gondii, and Trypanosoma cruzi display a Ca2+ signaling toolkit with similarities to higher eukaryotes, including the participation of mitochondria in Ca2+-dependent signaling events. This review summarizes the most recent knowledge in mitochondrial Ca2+ signaling in protozoan parasites, focusing on the mechanism involved in mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake by pathogenic protists. |
| |
Keywords: | mitochondria calcium signaling protozoan parasites |
|
|