Work

Schistosomes contain divergent ligand-gated ion channels with an atypical Cys-loop motif

Year: 2022

Type: article

Abstract: flatworm species that cause the disease schistosomiasis. These have allowed us to comprehensively predict schistosome LGICs, adding to prior annotations. Analysis of LGIC sequences revealed a clade of receptors lacking cysteines at the eponymous Cys-loop region of the channel. Since these atypical channels are divergent from mammalian LGICs, they may be promising targets to treat diseases caused by parasitic flatworms.

Source: PubMed Central

DOI: 10.17912/micropub.biology.000694

Authors: Hailey Johnson, Mia VanHooreweghe, Jack A Satori, John D Chan

Institution: University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh

Language: English

Topic: Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors Study

Subfield: Molecular Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funder: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

Award: Development of non-sedative, parasite-selective benzodiazepines to treat the neglected tropical disease schistosomiasis