Transport processes in Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes: potential as new drug targets.
Plasmodium falciparum infection induces alterations in the transport properties of infected erythrocytes that have recently been defined using electrophysiological techniques. Mechanisms responsible for transport of substrates into intraerythrocytic parasites have also been clarified by studies of three substrate-specific (hexose, nucleoside and aquaglyceroporin) parasite plasma membrane transporters. These have been characterised functionally using the Xenopus laevis oocyte heterologous expression system. The same expression system is currently being used to define the function of parasite 'P' type ATPases responsible for intraparasitic [Ca(2+)] homeostasis. We review studies on these transport processes and examine their potential as novel drug targets.
Krishna
Sanjeev
S
Department of Infectious Diseases, St. George's Hospital Medical School, Cranmer Terrace, London, UK. s.krishna@sghms.ac.uk
Eckstein-Ludwig
Ursula
U
Joët
Thierry
T
Uhlemann
Anne-Catrin
AC
Morin
Christophe
C
Webb
Richard
R
Woodrow
Charles
C
Kun
Jürgen F J
JF
Kremsner
Peter G
PG
D000251:Adenosine Triphosphatases / Q000187:drug effects; D000818:Animals; D001692:Biological Transport / Q000187:drug effects; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000378:metabolism / Q000469:parasitology*; D006790:Host-Parasite Interactions; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins / Q000187:drug effects*; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000378:metabolism*
D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins; D000251:Adenosine Triphosphatases