Structural characterization of the ACDC domain from ApiAP2 proteins, a potential molecular target against apicomplexan parasites.

The apicomplexan AP2 (ApiAP2) proteins are the best characterized family of DNA-binding proteins in Plasmodium spp. malaria parasites. Apart from the AP2 DNA-binding domain, there is little sequence similarity between ApiAP2 proteins.

Metabolite profiling of Artemisia afra and Artemisia annua extracts reveals divergent effects on Plasmodium falciparum.

Background: Artemisia spp. have been used for millennia in traditional medicine to treat a variety of ailments, including malaria. Extracts of Artemisia afra and A.

MULTIPLE, REDUNDANT CARBOXYLIC ACID TRANSPORTERS SUPPORT MITOCHONDRIAL METABOLISM IN .

Unlabelled: The mitochondrion of the deadliest human malaria parasite, is an essential source of cellular acetyl-CoA during the asexual blood-stage of the parasite life cycle. Blocking mitochondrial acetyl-CoA synthesis leads to a hypoacetylated proteome and parasite death. We previously determined that mitochondrial acetyl-CoA is primarily synthesized from glucose-derived pyruvate by α-ketoacid dehydrogenases.

Unraveling the complexities of ApiAP2 regulation in Plasmodium falciparum.

The regulation of gene expression in Plasmodium spp., the causative agents of malaria, relies on precise transcriptional control. Malaria parasites encode a limited repertoire of sequence-specific transcriptional regulators dominated by the apicomplexan APETALA 2 (ApiAP2) protein family.

A MORC protein complex modulates epigenetic control of gene expression through interaction with heterochromatin.

Dynamic control of gene expression is critical for blood stage development of malaria parasites. Here, we used multi-omic analyses to investigate transcriptional regulation by the chromatin-associated microrchidia protein, MORC, during asexual blood stage development of the human malaria parasite . We show that MORC (PF3D7_1468100) interacts with a suite of nuclear proteins, including APETALA2 (ApiAP2) transcription factors (AP2-G5, AP2-O5, AP2-I, PF3D7_0420300, PF3D7_0613800, PF3D7_1107800, and PF3D7_1239200), a DNA helicase DS60 (PF3D7_1227100), and other chromatin remodelers (CHD1 and EELM2).