ApiAP2 Transcription Factors in Apicomplexan Parasites

Abstract

Apicomplexan parasites are protozoan organisms that are characterised by complex life cycles and they include medically important species, such as the malaria parasite Plasmodium and the causative agents of toxoplasmosis (Toxoplasma gondii) and cryptosporidiosis (Cryptosporidium spp.). Apicomplexan parasites can infect one or more hosts, in which they differentiate into several morphologically and metabolically distinct life cycle stages. These developmental transitions rely on changes in gene expression. In the last few years, the important roles of different members of the ApiAP2 transcription factor family in regulating life cycle transitions and other aspects of parasite biology have become apparent. Here, we review recent progress in our understanding of the different members of the ApiAP2 transcription factor family in apicomplexan parasites.

Keywords: ApiAP2; Apicomplexa; Cryptosporidium; Plasmodium; Toxoplasma; differentiation; gene regulation; malaria; transcription factor.

Figure 1

Apicomplexan AP2 (ApiAP2)-domain-containig proteins in P. falciparum. The proteins are organised by size, ApiAP2-domains are marked in red, ACDC (AP2-coincident domain mainly at the C-terminus) domains in pink, AT hooks in black, zinc finger in blue, Acyl-CoA-N-acyltransferase in light blue, pentapeptide-repeat-like domains in yellow.

Figure 2

Simplified schematic life cycle depicting major developmental transitions during apicomplexan parasite development, which involve regulation by ApiAP2 transcription factors (TFs).