Human dihydrofolate reductase influences the sensitivity of the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum to ketotifen - A cautionary tale in screening transgenic parasites.

Ketotifen has recently been reported to inhibit the growth of both asexual and sexual malaria parasites. A parasite transporter, PfgABCG2, has been implicated in its mechanism of action. Human dihydrofolate reductase (hDHFR) is the most commonly used selectable marker to create transgenic Plasmodium falciparum cell lines.