Plasmodium falciparum cGMP-Dependent Protein Kinase – A Novel Chemotherapeutic Target

Abstract

The primary effector of cGMP signaling in Plasmodium is the cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG). Work in human-infective Plasmodium falciparum and rodent-infective Plasmodium berghei has provided biological validation of P. falciparum PKG (PfPKG) as a drug target for treating and/or protecting against malaria. PfPKG is essential in the asexual erythrocytic and sexual cycles as well as the pre-erythrocytic cycle. Medicinal chemistry efforts, both target-based and phenotype-based, have targeted PfPKG in the past few years. This review provides a brief overview of their results and challenges.

Document Details

Document Type
Pub Defense Publication
Publication Date
Feb 03, 2021
Source ID
10.3389/fmicb.2020.610408

Entities

People

  • David P. Rotella
  • John Siekierka
  • Purnima Bhanot

Organizations

  • National Institutes of Health
  • United States Department of Defense

Tags

Fields of Study

  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Medicine

Readers

  • Molecular Biology and Genetics
  • Parasitology and Pharmacology of Malaria.