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.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1-6 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| Journal | Molecular and Biochemical Parasitology |
| Volume | 181 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Jan 2012 |
Fingerprint
Keywords
- Circadian rhythm
- Malaria
- Melatonin
- Plasmodium chabaudi, Calcium signaling
- Plasmodium falciparum
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Molecular Biology
- Parasitology
Cite this
The role of melatonin in parasite biology. / Bagnaresi, Piero; Nakabashi, Myna; Thomas, Andrew P.; Reiter, Russel J; Garcia, Célia R S.
In: Molecular and Biochemical Parasitology, Vol. 181, No. 1, 01.2012, p. 1-6.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - The role of melatonin in parasite biology
AU - Bagnaresi, Piero
AU - Nakabashi, Myna
AU - Thomas, Andrew P.
AU - Reiter, Russel J
AU - Garcia, Célia R S
PY - 2012/1
Y1 - 2012/1
N2 - 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.
AB - 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.
KW - Circadian rhythm
KW - Malaria
KW - Melatonin
KW - Plasmodium chabaudi, Calcium signaling
KW - Plasmodium falciparum
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=81055157648&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=81055157648&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2011.09.010
DO - 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2011.09.010
M3 - Article
C2 - 21982826
AN - SCOPUS:81055157648
VL - 181
SP - 1
EP - 6
JO - Molecular and Biochemical Parasitology
JF - Molecular and Biochemical Parasitology
SN - 0166-6851
IS - 1
ER -