Chloroquine accumulation by purified plasma membranes from Plasmodium falciparum.
Resistance of Plasmodium falciparum to chloroquine (CQ) has been associated with a decrease in CQ accumulation by parasitized erythrocytes. This study aimed at investigating the role of parasite plasma membranes (PPM) in the mechanism of CQ accumulation. CQ accumulation capabilities of membranes were determined using tritiated CQ. PPM isolated from chloroquine-sensitive parasites were found to accumulate less CQ than those isolated from chloroquine-resistant parasites. However, CQ accumulation was found to be ATP-independent suggesting that this accumulation results from binding rather than transport.
Elandaloussi
Laurence M
LM
Department of Pharmacology, University of Cape Town, South Africa. laurence.elandaloussi@irta.es
Smith
Peter J
PJ
D000818:Animals; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism*; D002738:Chloroquine / Q000378:metabolism*; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism*
D002738:Chloroquine