title: Defining the role of PfCRT in Plasmodium falciparum chloroquine resistance.
abstract: Recent studies have highlighted the importance of a parasite protein referred to as the chloroquine resistance transporter (PfCRT) in the molecular basis of Plasmodium falciparum resistance to the quinoline antimalarials. PfCRT, an integral membrane protein with 10 predicted transmembrane domains, is a member of the drug/metabolite transporter superfamily and is located on the membrane of the intra-erythrocytic parasite's digestive vacuole. Specific polymorphisms in PfCRT are tightly correlated with chloroquine resistance. Transfection studies have now proven that pfcrt mutations confer verapamil-reversible chloroquine resistance in vitro and reveal their important role in resistance to quinine. Available evidence is consistent with the view that PfCRT functions as a transporter directly mediating the efflux of chloroquine from the digestive vacuole.
authors.affiliation: Molecular and Biochemical Parasitology Group, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK.
authors.forename: Patrick G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Bray
authors.forename: Rowena E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: Leann
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tilley
authors.forename: Stephen A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Ward
authors.forename: Kiaran
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kirk
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Fidock
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002738:Chloroquine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004351:Drug Resistance / Q000502:physiology*; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology*; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics; D015800:Protozoan Proteins
chemical_list: D007473:Ion Channels; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins; C416369:PfCRT protein, Plasmodium falciparum; D015800:Protozoan Proteins; D002738:Chloroquine