Plasmodium falciparum Mitochondrial Complex III, the Target of Atovaquone, Is Essential for Progression to the Transmissible Sexual Stages.

ABSTRACT: The Plasmodium falciparum mitochondrial electron transport chain (mETC) is responsible for essential metabolic pathways such as de novo pyrimidine synthesis and ATP synthesis. The mETC complex III (cytochrome bc₁ complex) is responsible for transferring electrons from ubiquinol to cytochrome c and generating a proton gradient across the inner mitochondrial membrane, which is necessary for the function of ATP synthase. Recent studies have revealed that the composition of Plasmodium falciparum complex III (PfCIII) is divergent from humans, highlighting its suitability as a target for specific inhibition. Indeed, PfCIII is the target of the clinically used anti-malarial atovaquone and of several inhibitors undergoing pre-clinical trials, yet its role in

SUBMITTER: Sheokand PK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11394760 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature