A prokaryotic-like Cardiolipin Synthase is essential to maintain mitochondrial function, lipid homeostasis and survival of blood stage malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum - PubMed
an hour ago
- #malaria
- #lipid homeostasis
- #mitochondria
- The malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum requires a prokaryotic-like cardiolipin synthase (PfCLS) for survival in the blood stage.
- Knocking down PfCLS disrupts parasite development, reduces cardiolipin levels, and impairs mitochondrial respiratory super-complex assembly.
- PfCLS depletion leads to hypersensitivity to antimalarial drugs targeting mitochondrial electron transport chain, such as Atovaquone.
- Lipidomics shows cardiolipin loss and widespread phospholipid homeostasis perturbations in the parasite.
- Metabolomics reveals disruptions in the TCA cycle and amino acid levels upon PfCLS ablation.
- PfCLS is essential for mitochondrial function, membrane biogenesis, and lipid homeostasis in P. falciparum.