Beta-tubulin (parasitic) (β-tubulin)

Parasitic β-tubulin is a core component of microtubules in protozoan and helminth parasites, structurally similar to β-tubulin in other eukaryotes. Together with α-tubulin, it forms obligate α/β heterodimers, which polymerize to build dynamic microtubules essential for mitosis, morphology, intracellular transport, motility, and cell division[3][4][6]. β-Tubulin's essentiality makes it a validated target for antiparasitic drugs, especially benzimidazoles, which selectively disrupt parasite microtubules by binding to β-tubulin and inhibiting polymerization, leading to cytoskeletal collapse and parasite death[6][4]. β-Tubulin can elicit protective immune responses and serve as a biomarker for infection[4]. Drug efficacy and toxicity are influenced by the high degree of evolutionary conservation between parasitic and host β-tubulin, underlying challenges of drug selectivity and resistance mutations[6][4].

Other names

Beta-tubulinβ-tubulinparasite β-tubulinTrypanosoma β-tubulinPlasmodium β-tubulinToxoplasma β-tubulinEchinococcus β-tubulinapicomplexan β-tubulin

Drugs such as benzimidazoles bind to β-tubulin, inhibiting microtubule polymerization, disrupting cytoskeleton assembly, and blocking cell division in parasites[6][4].