Download MendeleyStructural insights into thioredoxin-2: a component of malaria parasite protein secretion machinery.
Sharma, A., Sharma, A., Dixit, S., Sharma, A.(2011) Sci Rep 1: 179-179
- PubMed: 22355694
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/srep00179
- Primary Citation of Related Structures:
3UL3 - PubMed Abstract:
Thioredoxins are vital components of Plasmodium proteome and act as both reducing agents and protein disulfide reductases. The malaria parasite P. falciparum thioredoxin-2 (PfTrx-2) is part of the multi-protein complex embedded within the parasite parasitophorous vacuolar membrane (PVM) which purportedly directs protein secretion. We have characterized structural and enzymatic features of PfTrx-2, and we show that PfTrx-2 adopts a canonical thioredoxin fold but with significant structural differences in its N-terminus. Our confocal localization data suggest distinct PVM residency of PfTrx-2. Based on the crystal structure of PfTrx-2, we screened and tested small molecule drug-like libraries for compounds which target unique structural features of PfTrx-2. Disruption of PfTrx-2 interactions using specific inhibitors may result in a dysfunctional parasite translocon that is rendered unable to secrete pathogenic proteins into hosts. This approach therefore offers a new focus for anti-malarial drug development.
Organizational Affiliation:
Structural and Computational Biology Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) , Aruna Asaf Ali Road, New Delhi, 110067, India.
