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Regulation of DNA replication proteins in parasitic protozoans: possible role of CDK-like kinases

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Abstract

Regulatory roles of CDKs in fundamental processes including cell cycle progression and transcription are well conserved in metazoans. This family of proteins has undergone significant evolutionary divergence and specialization. Several CDK-like kinases have been identified and characterized in parasitic protozoans. However, clear functional role and physiological relevance of these proteins in protozoans still remain elusive. In continuation with the recent finding that CDK-like protein PfPK5 regulates important DNA replication protein like origin recognition complex subunit 1 in Plasmodium falciparum, here we have discussed the emerging significance of CDK1/2 homologs in DNA replication of parasitic protozoans. In fact, involvement of these proteins in crucial cellular processes projects them as potential drug targets. The possibilities that CDKs offer as potential therapeutic targets in controlling parasite progression have also been explored.

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Acknowledgments

Authors acknowledge DST-PURSE, DBT-Builder, DBT-CoE in Parasitology and UGC-SAP for funding and thank Sabyasachi Pradhan for his assistance with designing the model. Meetu Agarwal acknowledges CSIR, India, for fellowship. Abhijit S. Deshmukh acknowledges the Department of Science and Technology, India, for INSPIRE fellowship.

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    Authors and Affiliations

    1. National Institute of Animal Biotechnology, Hyderabad, India

      Abhijit S. Deshmukh

    2. Special Centre for Molecular Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India

      Meetu Agarwal & Suman Kumar Dhar

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    1. Abhijit S. Deshmukh
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    2. Meetu Agarwal
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    3. Suman Kumar Dhar
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    Correspondence to Suman Kumar Dhar.

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    Communicated by M. Kupiec.

    A. S. Deshmukh and M. Agarwal contributed equally to this review.

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    Deshmukh, A.S., Agarwal, M. & Dhar, S.K. Regulation of DNA replication proteins in parasitic protozoans: possible role of CDK-like kinases. Curr Genet 62, 481–486 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00294-015-0562-2

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