Harnessing cholesterol uptake of malaria parasites for therapeutic applications

ABSTRACT: Parasites, such as the malaria parasite P. falciparum, are critically dependent on host nutrients. Interference with nutrient uptake can lead to parasite death and, therefore, serve as a successful treatment strategy. P. falciparum parasites cannot synthesise cholesterol, and instead source this lipid from the host. Here, we tested whether cholesterol uptake pathways could be 'hijacked' for optimal drug delivery to the intracellular parasite. We found that fluorescent cholesterol analogues were delivered from the extracellular environment to the intracellular parasite. We investigated the uptake and inhibitory effects of conjugate compounds, where proven antimalarial drugs (primaquine and artesunate) were attached to steroids which mimic the structure of cholesterol. These conjugated antim

SUBMITTER: Dr. Merryn Fraser 

PROVIDER: S-SCDT-10_1038-S44321-024-00087-1 | biostudies-other |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-other