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Peer-reviewedCC BY 4.0PLOS One

Characterization of the dual functions of Leishmania CK1.2 in both the parasite and the macrophage

  • Daniel Martel1
  • Olivier Leclercq2
  • Florent Dingli3
  • Victor Laigle
  • Nawal Hajj Sleiman
  • Damarys Loew
  • Gerald F. Späth
  • Najma Rachidi
  1. 1Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité and INSERM U1347, Groupe de signalisation et interactions hôte-parasite, Paris, France
  2. 2Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité and INSERM U1347, Unité de Parasitologie moléculaire et Signalisation, Paris, France
  3. 3Laboratoire de Spectrométrie de Masse Protéomique (LSMP), Centre de Recherche, Institut Curie, PSL Research University, Paris, France
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Abstract

Leishmania CK1.2 (L-CK1.2) is a serine/threonine protein kinase essential for the survival of the protozoan parasite Leishmania, the causative agent of leishmaniasis. This study investigates the dynamic localization pattern of L-CK1.2 and the broad spectrum of its interacting partners within the parasite. Using proteomic analysis and confocal microscopy, we identified 230 L-CK1.2-associated proteins across the major parasite life stages. This analysis revealed the ubiquitous presence of L-CK1.2 in various cellular structures, including the cytoskeleton, basal body, and flagellum. Using an in vitro system, sixty-four host proteins, involved in critical host biological processes such as immune response, apoptosis, and purine biosynthesis, were identified as potential interacting partners of L-CK1.2. These processes are known to be regulated by Leishmania during infection. The study highlights the potential dual function of L-CK1.2, in the parasite (cis) and within the host cell (trans), positioning this kinase as a key player in host-pathogen interactions. This work provides a comprehensive map of L-CK1.2 interactions and suggests its potential importance in regulating intracellular Leishmania survival, providing potential targets for leishmaniasis therapy. Furthermore, given the evolutionary conservation of CK1.2 across other parasitic organisms, our findings may have broader implications for understanding and managing parasitic infections.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{martel2026characterization,
  title = {{Characterization of the dual functions of Leishmania CK1.2 in both the parasite and the macrophage}},
  author = {Daniel Martel and Olivier Leclercq and Florent Dingli and Victor Laigle and Nawal Hajj Sleiman and Damarys Loew and Gerald F. Späth and Najma Rachidi},
  journal = {PLOS One},
  year = {2026},
  month = oct,
  doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0356818},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0356818},
  note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Characterization of the dual functions of Leishmania CK1.2 in both the parasite and the macrophage
AU  - Daniel Martel
AU  - Olivier Leclercq
AU  - Florent Dingli
AU  - Victor Laigle
AU  - Nawal Hajj Sleiman
AU  - Damarys Loew
AU  - Gerald F. Späth
AU  - Najma Rachidi
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/10/05
JO  - PLOS One
DO  - 10.1371/journal.pone.0356818
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0356818
AB  - Leishmania CK1.2 (L-CK1.2) is a serine/threonine protein kinase essential for the survival of the protozoan parasite Leishmania, the causative agent of leishmaniasis. This study investigates the dynamic localization pattern of L-CK1.2 and the broad spectrum of its interacting partners within the parasite. Using proteomic analysis and confocal microscopy, we identified 230 L-CK1.2-associated proteins across the major parasite life stages. This analysis revealed the ubiquitous presence of L-CK1.2 in various cellular structures, including the cytoskeleton, basal body, and flagellum. Using an in vitro system, sixty-four host proteins, involved in critical host biological processes such as immune response, apoptosis, and purine biosynthesis, were identified as potential interacting partners of L-CK1.2. These processes are known to be regulated by Leishmania during infection. The study highlights the potential dual function of L-CK1.2, in the parasite (cis) and within the host cell (trans), positioning this kinase as a key player in host-pathogen interactions. This work provides a comprehensive map of L-CK1.2 interactions and suggests its potential importance in regulating intracellular Leishmania survival, providing potential targets for leishmaniasis therapy. Furthermore, given the evolutionary conservation of CK1.2 across other parasitic organisms, our findings may have broader implications for understanding and managing parasitic infections.
SN  - 1932-6203
ER  -