Five-layer systems analysis of <i>Leishmania</i> stage differentiation reveals an essential role for protein degradation in parasite development

Vector-borne, protist parasites have evolved complex developmental programs to adapt to very distinct host environments. How these important pathogens transition between insect and mammalian stages is only poorly understood. Here, we investigated stage differentiation in Leishmania donovani , a trypanosomatid parasite with constitutive gene transcription, offering a model to study…