The Plasmodium HU homolog, which binds the plastid DNA sequence-independent manner, is essential for the parasite's survival.
The nuclear genome of the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum encodes a homolog of the bacterial HU protein (PfHU). In this study, we characterised PfHU's physiological function. PfHU, which is targeted exclusively to the parasite's plastid, bound its natural target--the plastid DNA--sequence-independently and complemented lack of HU in Escherichia coli. The HU gene could not be knocked-out from the genome of Plasmodium berghei, implying that HU is important for the parasite's survival. As the human cell lacks the HU homolog, PfHU is a potential target for drugs to control malaria.
Sasaki
Narie
N
Division of Biological Science, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Nagoya 464-8602, Japan.
Hirai
Makoto
M
Maeda
Katsura
K
Yui
Ryoko
R
Itoh
Kie
K
Namiki
Syoko
S
Morita
Teppei
T
Hata
Masayuki
M
Murakami-Murofushi
Kimiko
K
Matsuoka
Hiroyuki
H
Kita
Kiyoshi
K
Sato
Shigeharu
S
D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D017931:DNA Primers; D016054:DNA, Protozoan / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D055786:Gene Knockout Techniques; D005816:Genetic Complementation Test; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D018087:Plastids / Q000378:metabolism*; D015800:Protozoan Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*
D017931:DNA Primers; D016054:DNA, Protozoan; D015800:Protozoan Proteins