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Based on new insights into
the mechanism of allosteric modulation of myosin
motor activity by small chemical compounds,
KINARIS
is focusing on the treatment of parasitic
diseases in humans and animals.
Apicomplexa and Flagellata parasites cause
diseases such as Malaria, Toxoplasmosis,
Coccidiosis and Leishmaniosis. Approximately one
million people per year die of malaria, with a
pronounced mortality rate among children.
Infections with Toxoplasma gondii and
Eimeria cause in hundreds of thousands of
immunosuppressive patients extremely dangerous
forms of neurological diseases. Disease patters
of Leishmaniosis in humans and animals include
internal infestations of organs, skin
degeneration, and lethal complications. Eimeria
and Theileria infections in cattle cause
considerable economic and financial damage.
Parasitic infections relie on gliding motility
of the parasite across biological barriers and
for host cell invasion and egress. The invasion
process involves the concerted action of
secretory adhesins, myosin motors, factors
regulating actin dynamics and proteases.
Blocking the invasion pathway of the parasites
by inhibiting the essential myosin function in
this process is a promising and new approach to
address these diseases.
KINARIS
develops drugs that target specifically
parasitic myosins without compromising the
endogenous myosins. |
