title: Intraerythrocytic stages of Plasmodium falciparum biosynthesize vitamin E.
abstract: The 2-C-methyl-D-erythritol-4-phosphate and shikimate pathways were found to be active in Plasmodium falciparum and both can result in vitamin E biosynthesis in plants and algae. This study biochemically confirmed vitamin E biosynthesis in the malaria parasite, which can be inhibited by usnic acid. Furthermore, we found evidence pointing to a role of this vitamin in infected erythrocytes. These findings not only contribute to current understanding of P. falciparum biology but also reveal a pathway that could serve as a chemotherapeutic target.
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Rodrigo A C
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Sussmann
authors.forename: Cláudia B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Angeli
authors.forename: Valnice J
authors.initials: VJ
authors.lastname: Peres
authors.forename: Emilia A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Kimura
authors.forename: Alejandro M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Katzin
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001572:Benzofurans / Q000494:pharmacology; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000469:parasitology*; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D008018:Life Cycle Stages / Q000187:drug effects; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D052939:Schizonts / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D024504:gamma-Tocopherol / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D001572:Benzofurans; C073339:usnic acid; D014810:Vitamin E; D024504:gamma-Tocopherol; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol