A study of the PfNT3 in Plasmodium falciparum
- Author:
Sahu Pratima Kumari
;
Panda Kaheswar
;
Patra Satyajit
;
Das Sidhartha
;
Satyamoorthy K
;
Mohanty Dipika
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
equilibrative nucleoside transporter;
malaria;
PfNT3 gene;
Plasmodium falciparum;
purines
- MeSH:
Plasmodium falciparum
- From:Medicine and Health
2015;10(2):123-136
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Previous genetic studies demonstrated that survival and proliferation of Plasmodium
falciparum parasites is dependent on salvage of essential purines from the host.
Plasmodium falciparum, the causative agent of the most lethal form of human
malaria lacks the enzymes required for de novo synthesis of purines. Analysis of
the hypothetical nucleoside/nucleobase transporter protein, the gene product of
PfNT3 (PF14_0662) gene in P. falciparum parasites was carried out by localisation,
in view of a novel chemotherapeutic target. Immunoblotting, immunofluorescent
and immunoelectron microscopic localization of PfNT3 was demonstrated
using polyclonal antiserum in in vitro cultured Plasmodium falciparum parasites,
propagated in human red blood cells. PfNT3 protein, the translated product of
PfNT3 gene was detected in intraerythrocytic ring, trophozoite, and schizont
stages. PfNT3 was localized primarily to the PPM (Parasite Plasma Membrane). The
endogenous PfNT3 putative nucleoside transporter with the predominant location
to the parasite plasma membrane may serve not only as routes for targeting of
purine analogs/cytotoxic agents into the intracellular parasite but may also serve as
drug targets. Being genome encoded the vital transporter protein can be prevented
from expression by silencing of the gene, validating it to be a novel drug target.
- Full text:P020151118528106320409.pdf
