Stage specificity of Plasmodium falciparum telomerase and its inhibition by berberine.
Telomerase activity in synchronized Plasmodium falciparum during its erythrocytic cycle was examined using the TRAP assay. Telomerase activity was detected at all stages of the parasite intraerythrocyte development, with higher activity in trophozoite and schizont stages compared with ring form. Berberine, extracted from Arcangelisia flava (L.) Merr., inhibited telomerase activity in a dose-dependent manner over a range of 30-300 microM, indicating that P. falciparum telomerase might be a potential target for future malaria chemotherapy.
Sriwilaijareon
N
N
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Rama 6 Road, Bangkok 10400, Thailand.
Petmitr
S
S
Mutirangura
A
A
Ponglikitmongkol
M
M
Wilairat
P
P
D000818:Animals; D001599:Berberine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000469:parasitology*; D016778:Malaria, Falciparum / Q000469:parasitology*; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000254:growth & development; D019098:Telomerase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000378:metabolism
D001599:Berberine; D019098:Telomerase