Intraerythrocytic stages of Plasmodium falciparum biosynthesize vitamin E.

Abstract

The 2-C-methyl-D-erythritol-4-phosphate and shikimate pathways were found to be active in Plasmodium falciparum and both can result in vitamin E biosynthesis in plants and algae. This study biochemically confirmed vitamin E biosynthesis in the malaria parasite, which can be inhibited by usnic acid. Furthermore, we found evidence pointing to a role of this vitamin in infected erythrocytes. These findings not only contribute to current understanding of P. falciparum biology but also reveal a pathway that could serve as a chemotherapeutic target.

• Authors: Rodrigo A C Sussmann, Cláudia B Angeli, Valnice J Peres, Emilia A Kimura, Alejandro M Katzin
• Journal: FEBS letters (FEBS Lett) Vol. 585 Issue 24 Pg. 3985-91 (Dec 15 2011) ISSN: 1873-3468 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 22085796 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2011 Federation of European Biochemical Societies. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Benzofurans
• usnic acid
• Vitamin E
• gamma-Tocopherol
• alpha-Tocopherol

Topics

• Animals
• Benzofurans (pharmacology)
• Erythrocytes (parasitology)
• Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
• Life Cycle Stages (drug effects)
• Lipid Peroxidation (drug effects)
• Plasmodium falciparum (drug effects, growth & development, metabolism, physiology)
• Schizonts (drug effects, metabolism)
• Vitamin E (analysis, biosynthesis)
• alpha-Tocopherol (analysis, metabolism)
• gamma-Tocopherol (analysis, metabolism)