Disruption of a mitochondrial protease machinery in Plasmodium falciparum is an intrinsic signal for parasite cell death.

ABSTRACT: The ATP-dependent ClpQY protease system in Plasmodium falciparum is a prokaryotic machinery in the parasite. In the present study, we have identified the complete ClpQY system in P. falciparum and elucidated its functional importance in survival and growth of asexual stage parasites. We characterized the interaction of P. falciparum ClpQ protease (PfClpQ) and PfClpY ATPase components, and showed that a short stretch of residues at the C terminus of PfClpY has an important role in this interaction; a synthetic peptide corresponding to this region antagonizes this interaction and interferes with the functioning of this machinery in the parasite. Disruption of ClpQY function by this peptide caused hindrance in the parasite growth and maturation of asexual stages of parasites. Detailed analyse

SUBMITTER: Rathore S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3223699 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature