Isolation and sequence analysis of a cDNA encoding an adenine nucleotide translocator from Plasmodium falciparum

A cDNA clone encoding the polypeptide for Plasmodium falciparum adenine nucleotide translocator (ANT) was isolated by screening a cDNA library with a 150 base pair fragment of genomic DNA which had been enzymatically amplified using two oligonucleotide primers designed from conserved regions of ANT's from other sources. The deduced amino acid sequence of the P. falciparum cloned insert was highly homologous to ANT of other organisms. Features of the sequence are discussed with reference to the targeting and membrane insertion of ANT. The protein has a molecular mass of 35 kDa as predicted from the 303 amino acids encoded in the open reading frame.