顶复门寄生虫顶质体的研究进展

Advances in apicoplast of apicomplexan parasites

从顶质体的发现、起源、形态学、基因组以及生物学功能等方面介绍了顶复门寄生虫顶质体的一些研究进展,说明了顶质体对于顶复门寄生虫的存活具有十分重要的作用,它参与了脂肪酸、血红素以及类异戊二烯的生物学合成。提示,顶质体所具有的新陈代谢功能也使其成为研制抗寄生虫药的潜在靶位点。

Advances in apicoplast of apicomplexan parasites were reviewed on its discovery, origin, morphology, genome and functions. It was considered that the apicoplast may play an important role in parasite＇s maintenance, and participate in biosynthesis of fatty acid, heme and isoprenoids. The metabolic processes of the apicoplast present potential therapeutic targets for drug development.