Evaluation of CAAX prenyl protease II of Leishmania donovani as potential drug target: Infectivity and growth of the parasite is significantly lowered after the gene knockout.

Prenylation pathway is responsible for post translational modification of various signal proteins, including proteins of Ras superfamily. CAAX prenyl proteases are known to be key players in prenylation pathway. In the current study, we have evaluated CAAX prenyl protease II as a possible drug target against Leishmania donovani parasite, the causative agent of visceral leishmaniasis. Gene knockout strategy was employed to target CAAX prenyl protease II and subsequent effects were studied. CAAX prenyl protease II knockout resulted in significant decrease in growth and infectivity.