Investigating serum factors promoting erythrocytic growth of Plasmodium falciparum.
The elucidation of factors inducing the growth of Plasmodium falciparum can provide critical information about the developmental mechanisms of this parasite and open the way to search for novel targets for malaria chemotherapy. The ability of components of a growth-promoting factor derived from bovine serum and various related substances to sustain growth of P. falciparum was characterized. A simple total lipid fraction (GFS-C) containing non-esterified fatty acids (NEFAs) as essential factors was noted to promote the parasite's growth. Various proteins from a variety of animals were tested, indicating the importance not only of GFS-C, but also of specific proteins, such as bovine and human albumin, in the parasite growth. Several combinations of the NEFAs tested sustained low parasite growth. Among various phospholipids and lysophospholipids tested, lysophosphatidylcholine containing C-18 unsaturated fatty acids was found to sustain the complete development of the parasite in the presence of bovine albumin. Several other lysophospholipids can partially support growth of P. falciparum.
Asahi
Hiroko
H
Department of Parasitology, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 23-1 Toyama 1-chome, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8640, Japan. asahih@nih.go.jp
Kanazawa
Tamotsu
T
Hirayama
Nakami
N
Kajihara
Yousei
Y
D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D003470:Culture Media; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000469:parasitology*; D005230:Fatty Acids, Nonesterified / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase / Q000032:analysis; D008244:Lysophosphatidylcholines / Q000378:metabolism*; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000201:enzymology / Q000254:growth & development*; D044967:Serum / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000502:physiology*
D003470:Culture Media; D005230:Fatty Acids, Nonesterified; D008244:Lysophosphatidylcholines; D012709:Serum Albumin; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase