Identification of a protein phosphatase 2A family member that regulates cell cycle progression in Trypanosoma brucei.

The cell cycle consists of an orderly sequence of events, whose purpose is to faithfully replicate and segregate cellular components. Many events in the cell cycle are triggered by protein kinases and counteracting phosphoprotein phosphatases (PPP). In Trypanosoma brucei, RNAi has been used to characterize numerous regulatory kinases, while the role of protein phosphatases has primarily been deduced with inhibitors such as okadaic acid and calyculin.

The cell cycle as a therapeutic target against Trypanosoma brucei: Hesperadin inhibits Aurora kinase-1 and blocks mitotic progression in bloodstream forms.

Aurora kinase family members co-ordinate a range of events associated with mitosis and cytokinesis. Anti-cancer therapies are currently being developed against them. Here, we evaluate whether Aurora kinase-1 (TbAUK1) from pathogenic Trypanosoma brucei might be targeted in anti-parasitic therapies as well.

The RACK1 homologue from Trypanosoma brucei is required for the onset and progression of cytokinesis.

The receptor for activated C kinase 1 (RACK1) is a conserved scaffold protein that helps regulate a range of cell activities including cell growth, shape, and protein translation. We report that a homologue of RACK1 is required for cytokinesis in pathogenic Trypanosoma brucei. The protein, referred to as TRACK, is comprised of WD repeat elements and can complement cpc2 null mutants of Schizosaccharomyces pombe.