Oleic acid is indispensable for intraerythrocytic proliferation of Plasmodium falciparum.
Serum-derived fatty acids are essential for the intraerythrocytic proliferation of Plasmodium falciparum in humans. We previously reported that only limited combinations of fatty acids can support long-term parasite culture, and palmitic acid (C16:0)/oleic acid (C18:1, n-9), palmitic acid (C16:0)/vaccenic acid (C18:1, n-7), or stearic acid (C18:0) are required in these combinations, implying that these fatty acids are key molecules for intraerythrocytic parasite growth (Mi-Ichi et al. 2006). Here, we analysed profiles of parasitaemia changes as well as morphologies during the erythrocytic cycle and confirmed the importance of C16:0 and C18:1, n-9. We also provide evidence that C18:1, n-9 but not other C18 monoenoic or dienoic acids maintain the synchronicity of parasite development in serum-free medium when paired with C16:0, resulting in maintained exponential growth. Thus, C18:1, n-9 is indispensable for the intraerythrocytic proliferation of P. falciparum.
Mi-Ichi
F
F
Department of Molecular Protozoology, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, 3-1 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan.
Kano
S
S
Mitamura
T
T
D000818:Animals; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000469:parasitology*; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D008018:Life Cycle Stages; D019301:Oleic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development*; D013997:Time Factors
D005227:Fatty Acids; D019301:Oleic Acid