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Branched tricarboxylic acid metabolism in Plasmodium falciparum

Author

Listed:
  • Kellen L. Olszewski

    (Princeton University)

  • Michael W. Mather

    (Center for Molecular Parasitology, Drexel University College of Medicine)

  • Joanne M. Morrisey

    (Center for Molecular Parasitology, Drexel University College of Medicine)

  • Benjamin A. Garcia

    (Princeton University)

  • Akhil B. Vaidya

    (Center for Molecular Parasitology, Drexel University College of Medicine)

  • Joshua D. Rabinowitz

    (Princeton University)

  • Manuel Llinás

    (Princeton University)

Abstract

No cycling in malaria parasite The tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle is a central hub of carbon metabolism, connecting glycolysis, gluconeogenesis, respiration, amino-acid synthesis and other biosynthetic pathways. TCA metabolism in the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum is now shown to be largely disconnected from glycolysis, and is organized along fundamentally different lines. In the parasite, glutamine and glutamate are the principal carbon sources for TCA metabolism in a pathway that is branched rather than cyclic. Glucose-derived carbon is virtually absent from the pathway. The results provide a mechanistic explanation for many long-standing observations regarding basic central carbon metabolism in Plasmodium spp., and suggest new targets for antimalarial therapeutic intervention.

Suggested Citation

  • Kellen L. Olszewski & Michael W. Mather & Joanne M. Morrisey & Benjamin A. Garcia & Akhil B. Vaidya & Joshua D. Rabinowitz & Manuel Llinás, 2010. "Branched tricarboxylic acid metabolism in Plasmodium falciparum," Nature, Nature, vol. 466(7307), pages 774-778, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:466:y:2010:i:7307:d:10.1038_nature09301
    DOI: 10.1038/nature09301
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