Identifying Drug Targets for Schistosomiasis
Author Information
Author(s): Caffrey Conor R., Rohwer Andreas, Oellien Frank, Marhöfer Richard J., Braschi Simon, Oliveira Guilherme, McKerrow James H., Selzer Paul M.
Primary Institution: Sandler Center for Basic Research in Parasitic Diseases, California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, University of California San Francisco
Hypothesis
Can a comparative chemogenomics approach identify potential drug targets in Schistosoma mansoni?
Conclusion
The study successfully identified 35 candidate proteins in Schistosoma mansoni that could serve as potential drug targets.
Supporting Evidence
- Schistosomiasis affects over 200 million people worldwide.
- Current treatment relies on a single drug, praziquantel, raising concerns about drug resistance.
- The study identified 35 S. mansoni proteins with druggable characteristics.
Takeaway
Researchers looked at the genes of a parasite that makes people sick and found some that could be good targets for new medicines.
Methodology
The study used comparative genomics to analyze the proteomes of Schistosoma mansoni and two model organisms, identifying essential genes through in silico workflows.
Limitations
The study relies on in silico predictions and may not account for all biological complexities of the parasite.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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