Does PITP dependant PtdIns-4-P production promote encystation in Giardia duodenalis?

Abstract

Giardia duodenalis is a parasite responsible for intestinal infection worldwide. This study, investigates the developmental process responsible for infection, termed of encystation. Here we investigated a protein which highly-conserved across eukaryotes, yet uncharacterized in G. duodenalis, Phosphatidylinositol Transfer Protein (PITP). We have developed a system to determine the binding activity of this protein to determine its function in the lifecycle of G. duodenalis which may aid in the identification of a novel pharmaceutical target.