Plasmodium parasites, responsible for malaria in humans, have a complex lifecycle that is dependent on mosquito and human hosts. In human blood, the merozoite stage of the parasite invades red blood cells (erythrocytes), growing and multiplying before rupturing the cell…
Blog Archives
New Malaria Target: Blocking Protein Transport
The lifecycle of all Plasmodium species is complex and involves a round of replication in host erythrocytes. The clinical manifestations of malaria are linked to this stage in the lifecycle and are associated with rupture of the infected erythrocytes. During…
Histamine Signalling in Cerebral Malaria
Histamine is a biogenic amine which acts as a mediator of immune responses as well as acting as a neurotransmitter in the CNS. Histamine plays a role in a variety of physiological processes including allergic reactions, gastric acid secretion, bronchoconstriction…
Keeping Malaria Locked Up
Animal parasites such as malaria have complex life cycles and, so far, most attempts to control infection have centred on preventing the parasite from entering host cells. Writing in the journal Science, a team led by Dr Doron Greenbaum at…
Sweet Synthesis – Automated Carbohydrate Production
Although carbohydrates were previously thought of as little more than an energy source, it is now recognised that they play a key role in many biochemical processes including intercellular recognition, immune function, fertilisation and certain types of cancer. From a…
X-ray Structure of Malaria Peptidase Solved
The malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, has limited capacity for de novo amino acid synthesis and relies on degradation of host haemoglobin for a supply of these essential building blocks. Haemoglobin is first degraded into di- and tri-peptides by the action…
Malaria Uses Cholesterol Receptor to Enter Liver Cells
Malaria is a global health problem and causes 2 – 3 million deaths each year. Mosquito bites allow malaria parasites to enter the bloodstream. Within 30 minutes, the parasites are transported to the liver where they enter cells and start…
