title: The heat shock protein 40 family of the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum.
abstract: Few diseases have had such a profound influence on human evolution and history as malaria. Despite intense efforts malaria infection continues to be a major killer. The causative agent of malaria, the unicellular eukaryote Plasmodium, displays a fascinating biology in which ubiquitous cellular concepts are modified to serve the particular needs of the malaria parasite. In this review, we explore how Plasmodium utilizes the heat shock protein 40 system, a chaperone system that ensures correct protein folding under normal and stress conditions. We highlight the peculiarities of the Plasmodium system and discuss whether any components of the system might be exploited for intervention strategies against this debilitating disease.
authors.affiliation: The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne,VIC, Australia.
authors.forename: Melanie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rug
authors.forename: Alexander G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Maier
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D050956:HSP40 Heat-Shock Proteins / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D016778:Malaria, Falciparum / Q000469:parasitology; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D021381:Protein Transport / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D050956:HSP40 Heat-Shock Proteins