Objective: To compare the protein patterns from the extracts of the mutant clone T9/94-M1-1(b3) induced by pyrimethamine, and the original parent clone T9/94 following separation of parasite extracts by two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE). Methods: Proteins were solubilized and separated according to their charges and sizes. The separated protein spots were then detected by silver staining and analyzed for protein density by the powerful image analysis software. Results:Differentially expressed protein patterns (up- or down-regulation) were separated from the extracts from the two clones. A total of 223 and 134 protein spots were detected from the extracts of T9/94 and T9/94-M1-1(b3) clones, respectively. Marked reduction in density of protein expression was observed with the extract from the mutant (resistant) clone compared with the parent (sensitive) clone. A total of 25 protein spots showed at least two-fold difference in density, some of which exhibited as high as ten-fold difference. Conclusions: These proteins may be the molecular targets of resistance of Plasmodium falciparum to pyrimethamine. Further study to identify the chemical structures of these proteins by mass spectrometry is required.

Objective: To investigate the distribution and patterns of pfcrt and pfmdr1 polymorphisms in Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum) isolates collected from the malaria endemic area of Thailand along Thai-Myanmar border.
Methods: Dried blood spot samples were collected from 172 falciparum malaria patients prior received treatment. The samples were extracted using chelex to obtain parasite DNA. PCR-RFLP was employed to detect pfcrt mutation at codons 76, 220, 271, 326, 356 and 371, and the pfmdr1 mutation at codon 86. Pfmdr1 gene copy number was determined by SYBR Green I real-time PCR.
Results:Mutant alleles of pfcrt and wild type allele of pfmdr1 were found in almost all samples. Pfmdr1 gene copy number in isolates collected from all areas ranged from 1.0 to 5.0 copies and proportion of isolates carrying>1 gene copies was 38.1%. The distribution and patterns of pfcrt and pfmdr1 mutations were similar in P. falciparum isolates from all areas. However, significant differences in both number of pfmdr1 copies and prevalence of isolates carrying>1 gene copies were observed among isolates collected from different areas. The median pfmdr1 copy number in P. falciparum collected from Kanchanaburi and Mae Hongson were 2.5 and 2.0, respectively and more than half of the isolates carried>1 gene copies.

Objective: To investigate possible protein targets for antimalarial activity of Garcinia mangostana Linn. (G. mangostana) (pericarp) in 3D7 Plasmodium falciparum clone using 2-dimensional electrophoresis and liquid chromatography mass-spectrometry (LC/MS/MS). Methods: 3D7 Plasmodium falciparum was exposed to the crude ethanolic extract of G.mangostana Linn. (pericarp) at the concentrations of 12μg/mL (IC50 level: concentration that inhibits parasite growth by 50%) and 30 μg/mL (IC90 level: concentration that inhibits parasite growth by 90%) for 12 h. Parasite proteins were separated by 2-dimensional electrophoresis and identified by LC/MS/MS.Results:At the IC50 concentration, about 82% of the expressed parasite proteins were matched with the control (non-exposed), while at the IC90 concentration, only 15% matched proteins were found. The selected protein spots from parasite exposed to the plant extract at the concentration of 12 μg/mL were identified as enzymes that play role in glycolysis pathway, i.e., phosphoglycerate mutase putative, L-lactate dehydrogenase/glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, and fructose-bisphosphate aldolase/phosphoglycerate kinase. The proteosome was found in parasite exposed to 30 μg/mL of the extract.Conclusions:Results suggest that proteins involved in the glycolysis pathway may be the targets for antimalarial activity of G. mangostana Linn. (pericarp).

OBJECTIVE To identify potential cell signaling pathways and protein targets of the active compound isolated from Atracylodes lancea "atractylodin" in cholangiocarcinoma, using proteomics approach. METHODS The holangiocar- cinoma cell line was exposed with atractylodin for 3 and 6 h and the proteins from both intra- and extra- cellular components were extracted. The extract proteins were separated by SDS-PAGE and digested with trypsin.The LC-MS/MS was applied to identify proteins. Signaling pathways and protein expression were analyzed by MASCOT and STITCH software.RESULTS A total of 4,323 and 4,318 proteins were identified from intra-and extracellular components,respectively. Six intracellular proteins were linked with the signaling pathways (apoptosis, cell cycle control, and PI3K-AKT).Four extracellular proteins were linked with the signaling pathways(NF-κB and PI3K-AKT). CONCLUSION All these proteins will further study to confirm the link to the anticholangiocarcinoma ac-tivity of actractylodin.

The aim of the study was to explore the possible molecular markers of chloroquine resistance in Plasmodium vivax isolates in Thailand. A total of 30 P. vivax isolates were collected from a malaria endemic area along the Thai-Myanmar border in Mae Sot district of Thailand. Dried blood spot samples were collected for analysis of Pvmdr1 and Pvcrt-o polymorphisms. Blood samples (100 mul) were collected by finger-prick for in vitro chloroquine susceptibility testing by schizont maturation inhibition assay. Based on the cut-off IC50 of 100 nM, 19 (63.3%) isolates were classified as chloroquine resistant P. vivax isolates. Seven non-synonymous mutations and 2 synonymous were identified in Pvmdr1 gene. Y976F and F1076L mutations were detected in 7 (23.3%) and 16 isolates (53.3%), respectively. Analysis of Pvcrt-o gene revealed that all isolates were wild-type. Our results suggest that chloroquine resistance gene is now spreading in this area. Monitoring of chloroquine resistant molecular markers provide a useful tool for future control of P. vivax malaria.
Amino Acid Substitution ; Antimalarials/*pharmacology ; Chloroquine/*pharmacology ; *Drug Resistance ; Humans ; Inhibitory Concentration 50 ; Malaria, Vivax/*parasitology ; Membrane Transport Proteins/*genetics ; Multidrug Resistance-Associated Proteins/*genetics ; Mutation, Missense ; Myanmar ; Parasitic Sensitivity Tests ; Plasmodium vivax/*drug effects/genetics ; Protozoan Proteins/*genetics ; Thailand

The aim of the study was to explore the possible molecular markers of chloroquine resistance in Plasmodium vivax isolates in Thailand. A total of 30 P. vivax isolates were collected from a malaria endemic area along the Thai-Myanmar border in Mae Sot district of Thailand. Dried blood spot samples were collected for analysis of Pvmdr1 and Pvcrt-o polymorphisms. Blood samples (100 mul) were collected by finger-prick for in vitro chloroquine susceptibility testing by schizont maturation inhibition assay. Based on the cut-off IC50 of 100 nM, 19 (63.3%) isolates were classified as chloroquine resistant P. vivax isolates. Seven non-synonymous mutations and 2 synonymous were identified in Pvmdr1 gene. Y976F and F1076L mutations were detected in 7 (23.3%) and 16 isolates (53.3%), respectively. Analysis of Pvcrt-o gene revealed that all isolates were wild-type. Our results suggest that chloroquine resistance gene is now spreading in this area. Monitoring of chloroquine resistant molecular markers provide a useful tool for future control of P. vivax malaria.
Amino Acid Substitution ; Antimalarials/*pharmacology ; Chloroquine/*pharmacology ; *Drug Resistance ; Humans ; Inhibitory Concentration 50 ; Malaria, Vivax/*parasitology ; Membrane Transport Proteins/*genetics ; Multidrug Resistance-Associated Proteins/*genetics ; Mutation, Missense ; Myanmar ; Parasitic Sensitivity Tests ; Plasmodium vivax/*drug effects/genetics ; Protozoan Proteins/*genetics ; Thailand

Plasmodium falciparum malaria is a major public health problem in Thailand due to the emergence of multidrug resistance. The understanding of genetic diversity of malaria parasites is essential for developing effective drugs and vaccines. The genetic diversity of the merozoite surface protein-1 (PfMSP-1) and merozoite surface protein-2 (PfMSP-2) genes was investigated in a total of 145 P. falciparum isolates collected from Mae Sot District, Tak Province, Thailand during 3 different periods (1997-1999, 2005-2007, and 2009-2010). Analysis of genetic polymorphisms was performed to track the evolution of genetic change of P. falciparum using PCR. Both individual genes and their combination patterns showed marked genetic diversity during the 3 study periods. The results strongly support that P. falciparum isolates in Thailand are markedly diverse and patterns changed with time. These 2 polymorphic genes could be used as molecular markers to detect multiple clone infections and differentiate recrudescence from reinfection in P. falciparum isolates in Thailand.
Antigens, Protozoan/*genetics ; DNA, Protozoan/genetics ; Evolution, Molecular ; Humans ; Malaria, Falciparum/parasitology ; Merozoite Surface Protein 1/*genetics ; Plasmodium falciparum/*classification/*genetics/isolation & purification ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; *Polymorphism, Genetic ; Protozoan Proteins/*genetics ; Thailand

Microscopy is considered as the gold standard for malaria diagnosis although its wide application is limited by the requirement of highly experienced microscopists. PCR and serological tests provide efficient diagnostic performance and have been applied for malaria diagnosis and research. The aim of this study was to investigate the diagnostic performance of nested PCR and a recently developed an ELISA-based new rapid diagnosis test (RDT), NovaLisa test kit, for diagnosis of malaria infection, using microscopic method as the gold standard. The performance of nested-PCR as a malaria diagnostic tool is excellent with respect to its high accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and ability to discriminate Plasmodium species. The sensitivity and specificity of nested-PCR compared with the microscopic method for detection of Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium vivax, and P. falciparum/P. vivax mixed infection were 71.4 vs 100%, 100 vs 98.7%, and 100 vs 95.0%, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of the ELISA-based NovaLisa test kit compared with the microscopic method for detection of Plasmodium genus were 89.0 vs 91.6%, respectively. NovaLisa test kit provided comparable diagnostic performance. Its relatively low cost, simplicity, and rapidity enables large scale field application.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Coinfection/*diagnosis/epidemiology ; Endemic Diseases ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay/methods ; Female ; Humans ; Malaria, Falciparum/*diagnosis/epidemiology ; Malaria, Vivax/*diagnosis/epidemiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Molecular Diagnostic Techniques/*methods ; Polymerase Chain Reaction/*methods ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Serologic Tests/methods ; Thailand/epidemiology ; Young Adult

Prompt and accurate diagnosis of malaria is the key to prevent disease morbidity and mortality. This study was carried out to evaluate diagnostic performance of 3 commercial rapid detection tests (RDTs), i.e., Malaria Antigen Pf/Pantrade mark, Malaria Ag-Pftrade mark, and Malaria Ag-Pvtrade mark tests, in comparison with the microscopic and PCR methods. A total of 460 blood samples microscopically positive for Plasmodium falciparum (211 samples), P. vivax (218), mixed with P. falciparum and P. vivax (30), or P. ovale (1), and 124 samples of healthy subjects or patients with other fever-related infections, were collected. The sensitivities of Malaria Ag-Pftrade mark and Malaria Antigen Pf/Pantrade mark compared with the microscopic method for P. falciparum or P. vivax detection were 97.6% and 99.0%, or 98.6% and 99.0%, respectively. The specificities of Malaria Ag-Pftrade mark, Malaria Ag-Pvtrade mark, and Malaria Antigen Pf/Pantrade mark were 93.3%, 98.8%, and 94.4%, respectively. The sensitivities of Malaria Ag-Pftrade mark, Malaria Antigen Pf/Pantrade mark, and microscopic method, when PCR was used as a reference method for P. falciparum or P. vivax detection were 91.8%, 100%, and 96.7%, or 91.9%, 92.6%, and 97.3%, respectively. The specificities of Malaria Ag-Pftrade mark, Malaria Ag-Pvtrade mark, Malaria Antigen Pf/Pantrade mark, and microscopic method were 66.2%, 92.7%, 73.9%, and 78.2%, respectively. Results indicated that the diagnostic performances of all the commercial RDTs are satisfactory for application to malaria diagnosis.
Antigens, Protozoan/blood ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; *Diagnostic Techniques and Procedures/instrumentation ; Endemic Diseases/statistics & numerical data ; Humans ; Malaria/*diagnosis/epidemiology/parasitology ; Malaria, Vivax ; Plasmodium falciparum/genetics/immunology/*isolation & purification ; Reagent Kits, Diagnostic ; Thailand/epidemiology

OBJECTIVETo compare the protein patterns from the extracts of the mutant clone T9/94-M1-1(b3) induced by pyrimethamine, and the original parent clone T9/94 following separation of parasite extracts by two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE).

METHODSProteins were solubilized and separated according to their charges and sizes. The separated protein spots were then detected by silver staining and analyzed for protein density by the powerful image analysis software.

RESULTSDifferentially expressed protein patterns (up- or down-regulation) were separated from the extracts from the two clones. A total of 223 and 134 protein spots were detected from the extracts of T9/94 and T9/94-M1-1(b3) clones, respectively. Marked reduction in density of protein expression was observed with the extract from the mutant (resistant) clone compared with the parent (sensitive) clone. A total of 25 protein spots showed at least two-fold difference in density, some of which exhibited as high as ten-fold difference.

CONCLUSIONSThese proteins may be the molecular targets of resistance of Plasmodium falciparum to pyrimethamine. Further study to identify the chemical structures of these proteins by mass spectrometry is required.

Antimalarials ; metabolism ; Drug Resistance ; Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Mutation ; Plasmodium falciparum ; chemistry ; drug effects ; genetics ; Proteome ; analysis ; Protozoan Proteins ; analysis ; Pyrimethamine ; metabolism ; Staining and Labeling