Abstract

Introduction: The family of calcium-dependent protein kinases (CDPKs) carries a kinase domain fused to a calmodulin-like domain. The presence of protein kinases devoid of clear mammalian eukaryotic protein kinase orthologues makes them potential targets for therapeutic development. Recent studies on CDPKs have inspired an important primary regulator of calcium (intracellular Ca2+ signaling), which is extensively reported to play a critical role in various stages of the apicomplexan life cycle such as microneme secretion of adhesions, cell invasion, gamete maturation, gliding motility and egress of Plasmodium Spp.

Conclusion: Understanding and identifying these essential cytoregulatory components of the parasite is important for drug targets development and therapeutic intervention.

Keywords: CDPK, Calcium signalling, Plasmodium parasites, drug target, Malaria, CDPK.