de novo biosynthesis of heme offers a new chemotherapeutic target in the human malarial parasite

Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 1992 Sep 16;187(2):744-50. doi: 10.1016/0006-291x(92)91258-r.

Abstract

The human malarial parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, has been found to synthesize heme de novo, despite the accumulation of large quantities of polymeric heme derived from the hemoglobin of the red cell host. The parasite delta-aminolevulinate dehydrase level is significantly lower than that of the host and its inhibition by succinylacetone leads to inhibition of parasite protein synthesis and viability.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 5-Aminolevulinate Synthetase / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Aminolevulinic Acid / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Glutamates / metabolism
  • Glutamic Acid
  • Heme / biosynthesis*
  • Heptanoates / pharmacology*
  • Isoleucine / metabolism
  • Plasmodium falciparum / drug effects*
  • Plasmodium falciparum / enzymology
  • Porphobilinogen Synthase / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Protein Biosynthesis

Substances

  • Glutamates
  • Heptanoates
  • Isoleucine
  • Glutamic Acid
  • Heme
  • succinylacetone
  • Aminolevulinic Acid
  • 5-Aminolevulinate Synthetase
  • Porphobilinogen Synthase