Virulence and drug resistance in malaria parasites.
Virulence and drug resistance are traits that pathogens can acquire independently, albeit these traits can influence each other. A recent publication has reported on the co-evolution of virulence and pyrimethamine resistance in malaria parasites. Here, we discuss this finding in the context of the folate biosynthesis pathway and explain how mutational changes in this pathway can affect both parasite replication rates and the development of drug resistance.
Stein
Wilfred D
WD
Biological Chemistry, Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Givat Ram, Jerusalem 91904, Israel.
Sanchez
Cecilia P
CP
Lanzer
Michael
M
D000818:Animals; D000962:Antimalarials / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004351:Drug Resistance; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D009097:Multienzyme Complexes / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D021261:Parasitic Sensitivity Tests; D010961:Plasmodium / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology / Q000254:growth & development / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D011739:Pyrimethamine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013762:Tetrahydrofolate Dehydrogenase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D013940:Thymidylate Synthase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D014774:Virulence
D000962:Antimalarials; D009097:Multienzyme Complexes; C056930:thymidylate synthase-dihydrofolate reductase; D005492:Folic Acid; D013762:Tetrahydrofolate Dehydrogenase; D013940:Thymidylate Synthase; D011739:Pyrimethamine