A comparative analysis of Hsp90 and its possible role in drug resistance in nematode parasites

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Nematode parasites are round worms that infect humans and domestic animals. They can cause illness and a variety of symptoms in their hosts and are very important both economically in farm animals and in public health terms, particularly in poorer areas of the world. A major problem with nematode parasites of farm animals is the spread of drug resistance. There are three different types of drugs available to treat infected animals, but some nematodes are now resistant to all three classes of drug. In this study we will investigate whether a protein called Hsp90 is a good target for new drugs. This protein is of great interest in the field of cancer research and many new compounds are being prepared which inhibit its function. In addition we will test a hypothesis that Hsp90 might also be involved in drug resistance in nematodes. It has recently been shown to be very important in fungi that have become resistant to drugs and we will investigate whether it may have a similar function in nematodes. As there are many new inhibitors of Hsp90, this approach could offer the potential to reverse drug resistance.