New Vistas in the Biology of the Flagellum—<i>Leishmania</i> Parasites

Abstract

Like other kinetoplastid protozoa, the flagellum in Leishmania parasites plays central roles throughout the life cycle. Discoveries over the past decade have begun to elucidate flagellar functions at the molecular level in both the insect vector stage promastigotes and intra-macrophage amastigotes. This focused review will highlight recent advances that contribute to understanding flagellar function in the various biological contexts encountered by Leishmania parasites.

Keywords

• flagellum
• protein composition and function
• flagellum attachment zone
• flagellar membrane proteins
• protein targeting to flagellum