Toxoplasma gondii calcium-dependent protein kinase 1 is a target for selective kinase inhibitors

family of calcium-dependent protein kinases (CDPK) is present in apicomplexan parasites but not in animals, indicating their potential as targets for anti-parasitic drugs. Structural and functional studies on Toxoplasma gondii CDPK1 now reveal that this kinase is sensitive to a class of drugs called bumped kinase inhibitors, which can inhibit the parasite's growth and host cell invasion.