Can a proteomics strategy be used to identify the anti-malarial activity of chloroquine?

Trends Pharmacol Sci. 2003 May;24(5):210-2; discussion 212-3. doi: 10.1016/S0165-6147(03)00071-3.

Abstract

Interest in the mechanism of action of chloroquine is intense partly because of the emergence of drug-resistant parasites. Chloroquine resistance has been genetically linked to mutations in a parasite protein (PfCRT) that might confer resistance by inhibiting chloroquine accumulation in infected erythrocytes. Now chloroquine-binding proteins in malaria-infected erythrocytes, surprisingly, have been identified as human aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 and quinone reductase 2, raising the interesting possibility that the target of the anti-malarial activity of chloroquine might be a host enzyme.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antimalarials / therapeutic use*
  • Chloroquine / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Malaria / drug therapy
  • Malaria / genetics
  • Proteomics / methods*

Substances

  • Antimalarials
  • Chloroquine