Researchers Discover Key Gene-Causing Malaria Parasites Resistant to Artemisinins

Molecular mechanism responsible for making malaria parasites resistant to artemisinins, a key group of anti-malarial drug, was identified recently.

A team of researchers, including Indian-American scientist Souvik Bhattacharjee has discovered an important gene that is used to track the malaria parasites resistant to artemisinin. Mutation in the gene increases the kinase or enzyme levels, which in turn increases the levels of a particular lipid, called PI3P.

The higher the level of this lipid present in the parasite, the greater is the level of artemisinin resistance. Artemisinin combination therapies (ACTs) are the standard treatment worldwide for P. falciparum malaria. Though artemisinins have been used and investigated widely, it was not known how they worked or why clinical resistance has emerged.

Malaria - Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Prevention, Treatment
Malaria is caused by a parasite that enters blood through the bite of an infected mosquito. It is characterized by fever, vomiting, shivering, sweating and other symptoms.

"Our results are especially significant because, we studied clinical parasites from Cambodia, where artemisinin resistance is highly prevalent," explained Souvik Bhattacharjee, research assistant professor of biological sciences, University of Notre Dame and co-first author of the paper.

"We collaborated with researchers and clinicians in Asia, Europe and the US," Bhattacharjee noted.

"We observed that levels of a lipid called phosphatidylinositol-3-phosphate (PI3P) were higher in artemisinin-resistant P. falciparum than artemisinin-sensitive strains," said Alassane Mbengue, a postdoctoral associate in biological sciences and co-first author on the study.

Quiz on Malaria
Malaria is a common parasitic disease of the tropics, resulting in a million deaths every year. It is most commonly found in tropical countries. The symptoms of malaria include fever with chills, headache, muscle aches, tiredness, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Malaria fatalities can be reduced if they are detected early and treated appropriately

The paper appeared in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society .

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