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Salcedo, Enrique and Ward, Stephen 
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2331-3192
(2013)
'The folate metabolic network of Falciparum malaria.'. Molecular and Biochemical Parasitology, Vol 188, Issue 1, pp. 51-62.
Abstract
The targeting of key enzymes in the folate pathway continues to be an effective chemotherapeutic approach that has earned antifolate drugs a valuable position in the medical pharmacopoeia. The successful therapeutic use of antifolates as antimalarials has been a catalyst for ongoing research into the biochemistry of folate and pterin biosynthesis in malaria parasites. However, our understanding of the parasites folate metabolism remains partial and patchy, especially in relation to the shikimate pathway, the folate cycle, and folate salvage. A sizeable number of potential folate targets remain to be characterised. Recent reports on the parasite specific transport of folate precursors that would normally be present in the human host awaken previous hypotheses on the salvage of folate precursors or by-products. As the parasite progresses through its life-cycle it encounters very contrasting host cell environments that present radically different metabolic milieus and biochemical challenges. It would seem probable that as the parasite encounters differing environments it would need to modify its biochemistry. This would be reflected in the folate homeostasis in Plasmodium. Recent drug screening efforts and insights into folate membrane transport substantiate the argument that folate metabolism may still offer unexplored opportunities for therapeutic attack.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Subjects: | QU Biochemistry > Cells and Genetics > QU 350 Cellular structures QV Pharmacology > Anti-Inflammatory Agents. Anti-Infective Agents. Antineoplastic Agents > QV 256 Antimalarials QX Parasitology > Protozoa > QX 135 Plasmodia QX Parasitology > QX 45 Host-parasite relations WC Communicable Diseases > Tropical and Parasitic Diseases > WC 750 Malaria |
| Faculty: Department: | Biological Sciences > Department of Tropical Disease Biology |
| Digital Object Identifer (DOI): | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molbiopara.2013.02.003 |
| Depositing User: | Mary Creegan |
| Date Deposited: | 31 Jul 2014 10:37 |
| Last Modified: | 17 Jul 2020 10:59 |
| URI: | https://archive.lstmed.ac.uk/id/eprint/3815 |
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