Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 23, 2026

CRISPR/Cas9 Gene Editing to Make Conditional Mutants of Human Malaria Parasite P. falciparum
09:25

CRISPR/Cas9 Gene Editing to Make Conditional Mutants of Human Malaria Parasite P. falciparum

Published on: September 18, 2018

The ATP-binding cassette (ABC) gene family of Plasmodium falciparum

J P Rubio1, A F Cowman

  • 1The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Post Office Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne 3050, Australia.

Parasitology Today (Personal Ed.)
|April 1, 1996
PubMed

Insights

Multidrug resistance (MDR) in malaria parasites may involve proteins similar to those found in mammalian tumors. The pfmdr1 gene in Plasmodium falciparum is linked to resistance against certain antimalarial drugs.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Parasitology

Background:

  • Multidrug resistance (MDR) in mammalian tumor cells is associated with P-glycoproteins.
  • Similarities between MDR and chloroquine resistance in Plasmodium falciparum suggest homologous proteins are involved.
  • P-glycoprotein genes in mammals (mdr) belong to the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter superfamily.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate homologous proteins in Plasmodium falciparum that may be involved in drug resistance.
  • To explore the structure and function of ABC transporter proteins in P. falciparum.
  • To examine the role of the pfmdr1 gene in antimalarial drug resistance.

Main Methods:

  • Identification of three genes in P. falciparum (pfmdr1, pfmdr2, pfef3-rl) homologous to the ABC transporter gene family.
  • Structural analysis of the encoded proteins to infer functional differences.
  • Investigation of the influence of the pfmdr1 gene product on drug resistance phenotypes.

Main Results:

  • Three P. falciparum genes (pfmdr1, pfmdr2, pfef3-rl) show homology to the ABC transporter gene family.
  • Distinct protein structures suggest specialized functions for each encoded protein.
  • Evidence indicates the protein encoded by pfmdr1 influences resistance to quinoline-based antimalarial drugs.

Conclusions:

  • Homologous ABC transporter proteins likely play a role in drug resistance in Plasmodium falciparum.
  • The pfmdr1 gene product is a key factor in mediating resistance to specific antimalarial drugs.
  • Understanding these ABC proteins is crucial for developing strategies against drug-resistant malaria.

More Related Videos

Understanding the Development of Compensatory Pathways in a Mutant Malaria Parasite Harbouring Hypomorphic Allele of Plant-Like Kinases09:13

Understanding the Development of Compensatory Pathways in a Mutant Malaria Parasite Harbouring Hypomorphic Allele of Plant-Like Kinases

Published on: November 22, 2024

Methods to Investigate the Regulatory Role of Small RNAs and Ribosomal Occupancy of Plasmodium falciparum10:22

Methods to Investigate the Regulatory Role of Small RNAs and Ribosomal Occupancy of Plasmodium falciparum

Published on: December 4, 2015

Related Concept Videos

ABC Transporters: Exporter01:31

ABC Transporters: Exporter

ATP-binding cassette or ABC transporter is the largest superfamily of integral membrane proteins. The transporters have transmembrane-binding domains (TMDs) and nucleotide-binding domains (NBDs). The TMDs are specific to their substrates, whereas the NBDs are similar to engines that complete ATP hydrolysis to complete the substrate transport. They can be full transporters consisting of two TMDs and NBDs, half transporters with one TMD and NBD, while some encoded with a single TMD or NBD are...
ABC Transporters: Importer01:27

ABC Transporters: Importer

ATP-binding cassette or ABC transporters are a class of ATP-driven pumps that hydrolyze ATP to move solutes across the membrane. They can be grouped into importers and exporters. While exporters are present in all domains of life, importers exist only in bacteria and some plants.
In bacteria, based on the number of transmembrane helices and the chemical nature of their substrates, the ABC importers can be divided into three types:
ATP Driven Pumps I: An Overview01:27

ATP Driven Pumps I: An Overview

ATP-driven pumps, also known as transport ATPases, are integral membrane proteins. They have binding sites for ATP located on the membrane's cytosolic side and the ion-conducting domain in the transmembrane region. These pumps use the free energy released from ATP hydrolysis to move the solutes across cell membranes against an electrochemical gradient.
There are four main types of ATP-driven pumps - P-type, V-type, F-type, and ABC transporter. All these pumps are of varying complexities and are...
Membrane Asymmetry Regulating Transporters01:19

Membrane Asymmetry Regulating Transporters

Enzymes like flippase, floppase, and scramblase transfer phospholipids from one layer to another in the membrane, thereby affecting membrane asymmetry.
Flippase
Eukaryotic flippases are type-IV P-type ATPases or P4-ATPases belonging to P-type ATPase family proteins that are membrane-bound pumps involved in the ATP-mediated transport of ions and molecules across the membrane. Flippases flip specific phospholipids from the outer to the inner leaflet of a membrane. All P4-ATPases have one...
The ADP/ATP Carrier Protein01:42

The ADP/ATP Carrier Protein

ADP/ATP carrier or AAC protein is the most abundant carrier protein in the inner mitochondrial membrane. It transports large quantities of ADP and ATP, equivalent to the average human body weight, every day. Among other transporters, ACC protein is one of the best-studied members of the mitochondrial carrier protein family. The ADP/ATP carrier protein comprises two transmembrane helices connected to a loop and a single alpha-helix on the matrix side. It switches between two conformational...
Pharmacogenetics of Drug Transporters: P-Glycoprotein and Solute Carrier Transporters01:16

Pharmacogenetics of Drug Transporters: P-Glycoprotein and Solute Carrier Transporters

The pharmacogenetics of drug transporters is increasingly recognized as a critical factor influencing interindividual variability in drug absorption, distribution, and elimination. These membrane-bound proteins regulate drugs' movement across cellular barriers by actively pumping them out (efflux) or facilitating their uptake (influx). Among the major transporter families, ATP-binding cassette (ABC) and solute carrier (SLC) transporters play particularly prominent roles. Genetic polymorphisms...