Abstract

Since tubulin is a known anticancer and anthelmintic drug target, the investigation of protozoal tubulin could lead to the development of new antiparasitic drugs. This review outlines the current state of knowledge concerning drug-mammalian tubulin interactions, the effects of antimicrotubule agents on parasites and parasite tubulin, and our current hypotheses regarding the development of selective ligands for protozoal tubulin as antiparasitic drug candidates.

Keywords: tubulin, antiprotozoal drug target, anticancer, anthellmintic, drug-mammalian tubulin interactions, antiparasitic drug candidates, microtubules, protozoan parasites, taxol-site agents, photoaffinity labeling experiments