Abstract 1068 Targeting Pyrimidine Biosynthesis in Entamoeba histolytica: Structural and Biochemical Insights into UMP-CMP Kinase

Amoebiasis, caused by Entamoeba histolytica, remains a global health burden, affecting over 30 million individuals annually. Current treatments face growing challenges due to emerging drug resistance, necessitating the development of new therapeutic targets. In this study, we characterize uridine monophosphate-cytidine monophosphate kinase (EhUMPK), an enzyme essential for nucleotide biosynthesis in E. histolytica. UMPKs are involved in the phosphorylation of UMP and CMP, which are crucial for nucleic acid synthesis, making them attractive targets for drug development.