PfVPS4, an ESCRT AAA-ATPase, is essential for asexual proliferation and gametocyte sexual conversion in Plasmodium falciparum - PubMed
6 hours ago
- #malaria
- #ESCRT pathway
- #Plasmodium falciparum
- PfVPS4, an ESCRT AAA-ATPase, is crucial during the intraerythrocytic stage of Plasmodium falciparum.
- Conditional knockdown of PfVPS4 using CRISPR-Cas9 resulted in an 84% reduction in asexual progeny and a 46% decrease in gametocyte conversion.
- The ATPase activity of PfVPS4 peaked at pH 7.5 and 37°C, required Mg²⁺, and was enhanced by its cofactor PfVta1.
- Key catalytic and species-specific residues in PfVPS4 were validated as essential for its enzymatic function through site-directed mutagenesis.
- PfVPS4 and its regulatory complex are highlighted as potential targets for antimalarial drug development due to their essential role in parasite life cycle and specific characteristics.