Towards a new conceptual approach to "parasitoproteomics"

Trends Parasitol. 2005 Apr;21(4):162-8. doi: 10.1016/j.pt.2005.02.009.

Abstract

Many parasitologists are betting heavily on proteomic studies to explain biochemical host-parasite interactions and, thus, to contribute to disease control. However, many "parasitoproteomic" studies are performed with powerful techniques but without a conceptual approach to determine whether the host genomic responses during a parasite infection represent a nonspecific response that might be induced by any parasite or any other stress. In this article, a new conceptual approach, based on evolutionary concepts of immune responses of a host to a parasite, is suggested for parasitologists to study the host proteome reaction after parasite invasion. Also, this new conceptual approach can be used to study other host-parasite interactions such as behavioral manipulation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Host-Parasite Interactions*
  • Humans
  • Parasites / genetics*
  • Proteomics / methods*