Vitamin B1 and B6 in the malaria parasite: requisite or dispensable?

Vitamins are essential compounds mainly involved in acting as enzyme co-factors or in response to oxidative stress. In the last two years it became apparent that apicomplexan parasites are able to generate B vitamers such as vitamin B1 and B6 de novo. The biosynthesis pathways responsible for vitami...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Brazilian journal of medical and biological research 2008-02, Vol.41 (2), p.82-88
Main Authors: Wrenger, C, Knöckel, J, Walter, R D, Müller, I B
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Apicomplexa
Apicomplexa - metabolism
BIOLOGY
Malaria
MEDICINE, RESEARCH & EXPERIMENTAL
Plasmodium - parasitology
Pyridoxal phosphate synthase
Thiamine - biosynthesis
Vitamin B 6 - biosynthesis
Vitamin B1
Vitamin B6
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Summary:Vitamins are essential compounds mainly involved in acting as enzyme co-factors or in response to oxidative stress. In the last two years it became apparent that apicomplexan parasites are able to generate B vitamers such as vitamin B1 and B6 de novo. The biosynthesis pathways responsible for vitamin generation are considered as drug targets, since both provide a high degree of selectivity due to their absence in the human host. This report updates the current knowledge about vitamin B1 and B6 biosynthesis in malaria and other apicomplexan parasites. Owing to the urgent need for novel antimalarials, the significance of the biosynthesis and salvage of these vitamins is critically discussed in terms of parasite survival and their exploitation for drug development.
ISSN:0100-879X
1414-431X
1414-431X
DOI:10.1590/S0100-879X2008005000006