ATP-diphosphohydrolases (EC 3.6.1.5), also known as ATPDases, NTPases, NTPDases, EATPases
or apyrases, are enzymes that hydrolyze a variety of nucleoside tri- and diphosphates to their
respective nucleosides, being their activities dependent on the presence of divalent cations, such as calcium
and magnesium. Recently, ATP-diphosphohydrolases were identified on the surface of several
parasites, such as Trypanosoma sp, Leishmania sp and Schistosoma sp. In parasites, the activity of ATPdiphosphohydrolases
has been associated with the purine recuperation and/or as a protective mechanism
against the host organism under conditions that involve ATP or ADP, such as immune responses and
platelet activation. These proteins have been suggested as possible targets for the development of new
antiparasitic drugs. In this review, we will comprehensively address the main aspects of the location and
function of ATP-diphosphohydrolase in parasites. Also, we performed a detailed research in scientific
database of recent developments in new natural and synthetic inhibitors of the ATPdiphosphohydrolases
in parasites.
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