Intraerythrocytic stages of Plasmodium falciparum biosynthesize menaquinone

Renata Tonhosolo, Heloisa B Gabriel, Miriam Y Matsumura, Fernanda J Cabral, Márcio M Yamamoto, Fábio L D'Alexandri, Rodrigo A C Sussmann, Rodrigo Belmonte, Valnice J Peres, Dean C Crick, Gerhard Wunderlich, Emília A Kimura, Alejandro M Katzin

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

29 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Herein, we show that intraerythrocytic stages of Plasmodium falciparum have an active pathway for biosynthesis of menaquinone. Kinetic assays confirmed that plasmodial menaquinone acts at least in the electron transport. Similarly to Escherichia coli, we observed increased levels of menaquinone in parasites kept under anaerobic conditions. Additionally, the mycobacterial inhibitor of menaquinone synthesis Ro 48-8071 also suppressed menaquinone biosynthesis and growth of parasites, although off-targets may play a role in this growth-inhibitory effect. Due to its absence in humans, the menaquinone biosynthesis can be considered an important drug target for malaria.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)4761-4768
Number of pages8
JournalFEBS Letters
Volume584
Issue number23
Early online date29 Oct 2010
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2010

Keywords

  • anaerobiosis
  • animals
  • benzophenones
  • electrons
  • erythrocytes
  • life cycle stages
  • malaria
  • molecular targeted therapy
  • Plasmodium falciparum
  • vitamin K 2

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