Journal
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
Volume 577, Issue -, Pages 89-94Publisher
ACADEMIC PRESS INC ELSEVIER SCIENCE
DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2021.09.008
Keywords
Tropical malaria; Plasmodium falciparum; Covalent inhibitor; Ferredoxin; Reductase; Enzyme kinetics
Categories
Ask authors/readers for more resources
The protozoan Plasmodium falciparum is the main cause of tropical malaria, with a unique organelle and redox system essential for its survival. This study identified important amino acid residues for PfFNR activity and explored covalent inhibition strategies targeting these residues.
The protozoan Plasmodium falciparum is the main aetiological agent of tropical malaria. Characteristic of the phylum is the presence of a plastid-like organelle which hosts several homologs of plant proteins, including a ferredoxin (PfFd) and its NADPH-dependent reductase (PfFNR). The PfFNR/PfFd redox system is essential for the parasite, while mammals share no homologous proteins, making the enzyme an attractive target for novel and much needed antimalarial drugs. Based on previous findings, three chemically reactive residues important for PfFNR activity were identified: namely, the active-site Cys99, responsible for hydride transfer; Cys284, whose oxidation leads to an inactive dimeric form of the protein; and His286, which is involved in NADPH binding. These amino acid residues were probed by several residue-specific reagents and the two cysteines were shown to be promising targets for covalent inhibition. The quantitative and qualitative description of the reactivity of few compounds, including a repurposed drug, set the bases for the development of more potent and specific antimalarial leads. (c) 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available