Effect of physostigmine on Plasmodium falciparum in culture.
Human erythrocytes contain 7 electrophoretically different alpha-naphthyl acetate esterases. Their solubility properties indicate that 5 are present in the erythrocyte cytoplasm and 2 are tightly bound to the stroma; the stroma-bound esterases can be inhibited by 10(-5) M physostigmine. No additional physostigmine-sensitive enzymes were detectable in Plasmodium falciparum-infected cells. Addition of physostigmine to malaria parasites in culture killed the parasites rapidly.
D000110:Acetylcholinesterase / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology / Q000469:parasitology; D006801:Humans; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000378:metabolism; D008288:Malaria / Q000097:blood; D009283:Naphthol AS D Esterase / Q000378:metabolism; D010830:Physostigmine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000187:drug effects*
D007527:Isoenzymes; D010830:Physostigmine; D009283:Naphthol AS D Esterase; D000110:Acetylcholinesterase