In silico characterization of an atypical MAPK phosphatase of Plasmodium falciparum as a suitable target for drug discovery.

ABSTRACT: Plasmodium falciparum, the causative agent of malaria, contributes to significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. Forward genetic analysis of the blood-stage asexual cycle identified the putative phosphatase from PF3D7_1305500 as an important element of intraerythrocytic development expressed throughout the life cycle. Our preliminary evaluation identified it as an atypical mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphatase. Additional bioinformatic analysis delineated a conserved signature motif and three residues with potential importance to functional activity of the atypical dual-specificity phosphatase domain. A homology model of the dual-specificity phosphatase domain was developed for use in high-throughput in silico screening of the available library of antimalarial compounds from ChE

SUBMITTER: Campbell CO 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4497549 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature