Dual role of an essential HtrA2/Omi protease in the human malaria parasite: Maintenance of mitochondrial homeostasis and induction of apoptosis-like cell death under cellular stress.

ABSTRACT: Members of the HtrA family of serine proteases are known to play roles in mitochondrial homeostasis as well as in programmed cell death. Mitochondrial homeostasis and metabolism are crucial for the survival and propagation of the malaria parasite within the host. Here we have functionally characterized a Plasmodium falciparum HtrA2 (PfHtrA2) protein, which harbours trypsin-like protease activity that can be inhibited by its specific inhibitor, ucf-101. A transgenic parasite line was generated, using the HA-glmS C-terminal tagging approach, for localization as well as for inducible knock-down of PfHtrA2. The PfHtrA2 was localized in the parasite mitochondrion during the asexual life cycle. Genetic ablation of PfHtrA2 caused significant parasite growth inhibition, decreased replication of mt

SUBMITTER: Singh S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9645662 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature