The shikimate pathway in apicomplexan parasites: implications for drug development.

The shikimate pathway provides basic building blocks for a variety of aromatic compounds including aromatic amino acids, ubiquinone, folate and compounds of the secondary metabolism. The seven enzymatic reactions of the pathway lead to the generation of chorismate from simple products of the carbohydrate metabolism, namely erythrose 4-phosphate and phosphoenolpyruvate. The shikimate pathway is present in plants, bacteria, fungi and chromalveolata to which the apicomplexan parasites belong. As it is absent from humans, the enzymes of the shikimate pathway are attractive targets for antimicrobial drug development. Inhibition of the pathway is effective in controlling growth of certain apicomplexan parasites including the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. Yet, despite being an attractive drug target, our knowledge of the shikimate pathway in this parasite group is lacking. The current review summarizes the available information and discusses aspects of the genetic organization of the shikimate pathway in apicomplexan parasites. Compounds acting on shikimate pathway enzymes will be presented and discussed in light of their impact for antiapicomplexan/antiplasmodial drug development.