title: PfPDE1, a novel cGMP-specific phosphodiesterase from the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum.
abstract: This is the first report of molecular characterization of a novel cyclic nucleotide PDE (phosphodiesterase), isolated from the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum and designated PfPDE1. PfPDE1 cDNA encodes an 884-amino-acid protein, including six putative transmembrane domains in the N-terminus followed by a catalytic domain. The PfPDE1 gene is a single-copy gene consisting of two exons and a 170 bp intron. PfPDE1 transcripts were abundant in the ring form of the asexual blood stages of the parasite. The C-terminal catalytic domain of PfPDE1, produced in Escherichia coli, specifically hydrolysed cGMP with a K(m) value of 0.65 microM. Among the PDE inhibitors tested, a PDE5 inhibitor, zaprinast, was the most effective, having an IC50 value of 3.8 microM. The non-specific PDE inhibitors IBMX (3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine), theophylline and the antimalarial chloroquine had IC50 values of over 100 microM. Membrane fractions prepared from P. falciparum at mixed asexual blood stages showed potent cGMP hydrolytic activity compared with cytosolic fractions. This hydrolytic activity was sensitive to zaprinast with an IC50 value of 4.1 microM, but insensitive to IBMX and theophylline. Furthermore, an in vitro antimalarial activity assay demonstrated that zaprinast inhibited the growth of the asexual blood parasites, with an ED50 value of 35 microM. The impact of cyclic nucleotide signalling on the cellular development of this parasite has previously been discussed. Thus this enzyme is suggested to be a novel potential target for the treatment of the disease malaria.
authors.affiliation: Discovery Research Laboratories, Tanabe Seiyaku Co. Ltd., 2-50, Kawagishi 2-chome, Toda, Saitama 335-8505, Japan.
authors.forename: Keizo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yuasa
authors.forename: Fumika
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mi-Ichi
authors.forename: Tamaki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kobayashi
authors.forename: Masaya
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yamanouchi
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kotera
authors.forename: Kiyoshi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kita
authors.forename: Kenji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Omori
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D006152:Cyclic GMP / Q000378:metabolism*; D004912:Erythrocytes; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D015971:Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic; D006801:Humans; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010727:Phosphoric Diester Hydrolases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D010802:Phylogeny; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000201:enzymology*; D012333:RNA, Messenger
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger; D010727:Phosphoric Diester Hydrolases; D006152:Cyclic GMP