Polyamine synthesis and salvage pathways in the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum.

Abstract

We demonstrate, for the first time, a functional polyamine biosynthetic pathway in the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum that culminates in the synthesis of spermine. Additionally, we also report putrescine and spermidine salvage in the malaria parasite. Putrescine and spermidine transport in P. falciparum infected red blood cells is a highly specific, carrier mediated and active process, mediated by new transporters that differ from the transporters of uninfected red blood cells in their kinetic parameters, Vmax and km, as well as in their activation energy.

• Authors: T N C Ramya, Namita Surolia, Avadhesha Surolia
• Journal: Biochemical and biophysical research communications (Biochem Biophys Res Commun) Vol. 348 Issue 2 Pg. 579-84 (Sep 22 2006) ISSN: 0006-291X [Print] United States
• PMID: 16890916 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Polyamines
• Spermine
• Spermidine
• Putrescine

Topics

• Animals
• Biological Transport
• Erythrocytes (metabolism, parasitology)
• Humans
• Jurkat Cells
• Plasmodium falciparum (metabolism)
• Polyamines (blood, metabolism)
• Putrescine (metabolism)
• Spermidine (metabolism)
• Spermine (biosynthesis)