Functional consequences of perturbing polyamine metabolism in the malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum. 2010

K Clark, and J Niemand, and S Reeksting, and S Smit, and A C van Brummelen, and M Williams, and A I Louw, and L Birkholtz
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Science, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa.

Inhibition of polyamine biosynthesis and/or the perturbation of polyamine functionality have been exploited with success against parasitic diseases such as Trypanosoma infections. However, when the classical polyamine biosynthesis inhibitor, alpha-difluoromethylornithine, is used against the human malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, it results in only a cytostatic growth arrest. Polyamine metabolism in this parasite has unique properties not shared by any other organism. These include the bifunctional arrangement of the catalytic decarboxylases and an apparent absence of the typical polyamine interconversion pathways implying different mechanisms for the regulation of polyamine homeostasis that includes the uptake of exogenous polyamines at least in vitro. These properties make polyamine metabolism an enticing drug target in P. falciparum provided that the physiological and functional consequences of polyamine metabolism perturbation are understood. This review highlights our current understanding of the biological consequences of inhibition of the biosynthetic enzymes in the polyamine pathway in P. falciparum as revealed by several global analytical approaches. Ultimately, the evidence suggests that polyamine metabolism in P. falciparum is a validated drug target worth exploiting.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D010963 Plasmodium falciparum A species of protozoa that is the causal agent of falciparum malaria (MALARIA, FALCIPARUM). It is most prevalent in the tropics and subtropics. Plasmodium falciparums,falciparums, Plasmodium
D011073 Polyamines Amine compounds that consist of carbon chains or rings containing two or more primary amino groups. Polyamine
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D015800 Protozoan Proteins Proteins found in any species of protozoan. Proteins, Protozoan
D016778 Malaria, Falciparum Malaria caused by PLASMODIUM FALCIPARUM. This is the severest form of malaria and is associated with the highest levels of parasites in the blood. This disease is characterized by irregularly recurring febrile paroxysms that in extreme cases occur with acute cerebral, renal, or gastrointestinal manifestations. Plasmodium falciparum Malaria,Malaria, Plasmodium falciparum

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