title: Pyruvate kinase deficiency and malaria.
abstract: Malaria that is caused by Plasmodium falciparum is a significant global health problem. Genetic characteristics of the host influence the severity of disease and the ultimate outcome of infection, and there is evidence of coevolution of the plasmodium parasite with its host. In humans, pyruvate kinase deficiency is the second most common erythrocyte enzyme disorder. Here, we show that pyruvate kinase deficiency provides protection against infection and replication of P. falciparum in human erythrocytes, raising the possibility that mutant pyruvate kinase alleles may confer a protective advantage against malaria in human populations in areas where the disease is endemic.
authors.affiliation: McLaughlin-Rotman Centre for Global Health, University Health Network-Toronto General Hospital, Toronto.
authors.forename: Kodjo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ayi
authors.forename: Gundula
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Min-Oo
authors.forename: Lena
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Serghides
authors.forename: Maryanne
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Crockett
authors.forename: Melanie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kirby-Allen
authors.forename: Ian
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Quirt
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gros
authors.forename: Kevin C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Kain
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000201:enzymology / Q000469:parasitology*; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D016778:Malaria, Falciparum / Q000097:blood / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D009154:Mutation; D010587:Phagocytosis; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D011770:Pyruvate Kinase / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D011770:Pyruvate Kinase