AI Article Synopsis
- Melatonin, a circadian hormone found in almost all species, plays a significant role in the cell biology of parasites and influences host physiology.
- In the Plasmodium parasite, melatonin affects calcium and cAMP levels, which regulate important processes like kinase activity and the cell cycle.
- For Trypanosoma infections, melatonin is crucial for modulating the immune response, and it also impacts inflammation during Toxoplasma gondii infections, indicating complex interactions in the parasite-host relationship.
Article Abstract
Regarded as the circadian hormone in mammals, melatonin is a highly conserved molecule, present in nearly all species. In this review, we discuss the role of this indolamine and its precursors in the cell biology of parasites and the role of the molecule in the physiology of the host. In Plasmodium, melatonin can modulate intracellular concentrations of calcium and cAMP, which in turn can regulate kinase activity and cell cycle. In Trypanosoma infections, modulation of the immune system by melatonin is extremely important in controlling the parasite population. Melatonin also contributes to the inflammatory response to Toxoplasma gondii infection. Thus, there are a number of unique adaptations involving intricate connections between melatonin and the biology of the parasite-host relationship.
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| http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.molbiopara.2011.09.010 | DOI Listing |
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