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New Findings in Malaria Research: Targeting a Cholesterol-Related Protein
Malaria remains a significant global health threat, primarily caused by a parasite that is spread through the bite of infected mosquitoes. This disease is particularly dangerous for pregnant women, children, and displaced populations in developing nations, as emphasized by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The challenge of effectively treating malaria is primarily due to the resilience of Plasmodium falciparum, the most lethal strain of the malaria parasite, which exhibits resistance to a wide range of antimalarial medications.
In a groundbreaking study recently published in Science Advances, researchers from Case Western Reserve University have proposed a potential new avenue for treatment by focusing on a unique protein known as PfNCR1, which plays a crucial role in managing cholesterol levels within the parasite.
According to Edward Yu, a pharmacology professor and lead researcher of the study, cholesterol is vital for the survival and proliferation of malaria parasites within their hosts. PfNCR1 functions as a cholesterol transporter, ensuring that the parasite’s cellular membrane remains stable by regulating its cholesterol intake.
The research team discovered that a compound named MMV009108 can effectively obstruct the PfNCR1 transporter. By inhibiting its function, the compound disrupts the parasite’s ability to maintain its cholesterol balance, which could potentially lead to the parasite’s demise.
“This discovery represents a significant advancement in our efforts to create new treatments for malaria,” Yu remarked. “By concentrating on PfNCR1, researchers could formulate medications that are less likely to result in the parasite developing resistance, thus enhancing our combat against this persistent and deadly disease.”
The next phase of their research involves investigating the structure of PfNCR1 and identifying various proteins that interact with it. By understanding these interactions, the team aims to design innovative drugs that can combat malaria more effectively and efficiently.
Source
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