title: Plasmodium falciparum kelch 13: a potential molecular marker for tackling artemisinin-resistant malaria parasites.
abstract: Although artemisinin combination therapies have been deployed as a first-line treatment for uncomplicated malaria in almost all endemic countries, artemisinin-resistant parasites have emerged and have gradually spread across the Greater Mekong subregions. There is growing concern that the resistant parasites may migrate to or emerge indigenously in sub-Saharan Africa, which might provoke a global increase in malaria-associated morbidity and mortality. Therefore, development of molecular markers that enable identification of artemisinin resistance with high sensitivity is urgently required to combat this issue. In 2014, a potential artemisinin-resistance responsible gene, Plasmodium falciparum kelch13, was discovered. Here, we review the genetic features of P. falciparum kelch13 and discuss its related resistant mechanisms and potential as a molecular marker.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Molecular and Cellular Parasitology , Juntendo University School of Medicine , Tokyo , Japan.
authors.forename: Toshihiro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mita
authors.affiliation: a Department of Molecular and Cellular Parasitology , Juntendo University School of Medicine , Tokyo , Japan.
authors.forename: Shin-Ichiro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tachibana
authors.affiliation: a Department of Molecular and Cellular Parasitology , Juntendo University School of Medicine , Tokyo , Japan.
authors.forename: Muneaki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hashimoto
authors.affiliation: a Department of Molecular and Cellular Parasitology , Juntendo University School of Medicine , Tokyo , Japan.
authors.forename: Makoto
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hirai
mesh_terms: D017954:Africa South of the Sahara / Q000453:epidemiology; D000962:Antimalarials / Q000494:pharmacology*; D037621:Artemisinins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001210:Asia, Southeastern / Q000453:epidemiology; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D004351:Drug Resistance / Q000235:genetics; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D016778:Malaria, Falciparum / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology; D058539:Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D046988:Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex / Q000378:metabolism; D015800:Protozoan Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction; D025801:Ubiquitin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D056811:Unfolded Protein Response / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D000962:Antimalarials; D037621:Artemisinins; D015415:Biomarkers; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D015800:Protozoan Proteins; D025801:Ubiquitin; D058539:Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase; D046988:Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex
keywords: Artemisinin resistance; Plasmodium; kelch13; phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase; ubiquitin/proteasome system; unfolded protein response pathway