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The pathway of hemoglobin degradation in malaria parasites

1992; Elsevier BV; Volume: 8; Issue: 8 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/0169-4758(92)90146-s

1873-1473

Daniel E. Goldberg, A.F.G. Slater,

Mosquito-borne diseases and control

Hemoglobin degradation in malaria parasites appears to be a vital and massive undertaking during introerythrocytic development. An ordered pathway exists that efficiently cotobolizes hemoglobin to yield amino acids that the parasite uses as a nutrient source, and that co-ordinates the resultant heme into a remarkable crystalline structure called hemozoin. Daniel Goldberg and Andrew Slater explain that the enzymes involved are specific and present prime targets for chemotherapeutic intervention.