DNA topoisomerases of leishmania: The Potential targets for anti-leishmanial therapy

Abstract

Protozoan parasites of the genus Leishmania cause severe diseases that threaten human beings, both for the high mortality rates involved and the economic loss resulting from morbidity, primarily in the tropical and subtropical areas. This ancient eukaryote shows variable genetic diversity in their life cycle, wherein DNA topoisomerases play a key role in cellular processes affecting the topology and organization of intracellular DNA. Kinetoplastid topoisomerases offer most attractive targets for their structural diversity from other eukaryotic counterparts and their indispensable function in cell biology. Therefore, understanding the biology of kinetoplastid topoisomerases and the components and steps involved in this intricate process provide opportunities for target based drug designing against protozoan parasitic diseases. © 2008 Landes Bioscience and Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.