The calcium-dependent protein kinase 1 from Toxoplasma gondii as target for structure-based drug design

Summary The apicomplexan protozoan parasites include the causative agents of animal and human diseases ranging from malaria ( Plasmodium spp.) to toxoplasmosis ( Toxoplasma gondii ). The complex life cycle of T. gondii is regulated by a unique family of calcium-dependent protein kinases (CDPKs) that have become the target of intensive efforts to develop new therapeutics. In this review, we will summarize structure-based strategies, recent successes and future directions in the pursuit of specific and selective inhibitors of T. gondii CDPK1.