Structural insights into a key carotenogenesis related enzyme phytoene synthase of P. falciparum: a novel drug target for malaria.

ABSTRACT: Carotenoids represent a diverse group of pigments derived from the common isoprenoid precursors and fulfill a variety of critical functions in plants and animals. Phytoene synthase (PSY), a transferase enzyme that catalyzes the first specific step in carotenoid biosynthesis plays a central role in the regulation of a number of essential functions mediated via carotenoids. PSYs have been deeply investigated in plants, bacteria and algae however in apicomplexans it is poorly studied. In an effort to characterize PSY in apicomplexans especially the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum), a detailed bioinformatics analysis is undertaken. We have analysed the Phylogenetic relationship of PSY also referred to as octaprenyl pyrophosphate synthase (OPPS) in P. falciparum with other

SUBMITTER: Agarwal S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4688404 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature