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XB-ART-57294
Nat Commun 2020 Aug 06;111:3922. doi: 10.1038/s41467-020-17781-6.
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The natural function of the malaria parasite's chloroquine resistance transporter.

Shafik SH, Cobbold SA, Barkat K, Richards SN, Lancaster NS, Llinás M, Hogg SJ, Summers RL, McConville MJ, Martin RE.


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The Plasmodium falciparum chloroquine resistance transporter (PfCRT) is a key contributor to multidrug resistance and is also essential for the survival of the malaria parasite, yet its natural function remains unresolved. We identify host-derived peptides of 4-11 residues, varying in both charge and composition, as the substrates of PfCRT in vitro and in situ, and show that PfCRT does not mediate the non-specific transport of other metabolites and/or ions. We find that drug-resistance-conferring mutations reduce both the peptide transport capacity and substrate range of PfCRT, explaining the impaired fitness of drug-resistant parasites. Our results indicate that PfCRT transports peptides from the lumen of the parasite's digestive vacuole to the cytosol, thereby providing a source of amino acids for parasite metabolism and preventing osmotic stress of this organelle. The resolution of PfCRT's native substrates will aid the development of drugs that target PfCRT and/or restore the efficacy of existing antimalarials.

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Species referenced: Xenopus laevis
Genes referenced: akr1c2 gpt
GO keywords: cytosol [+]

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References [+] :
Agarwal, Both P-gp and MRP2 mediate transport of Lopinavir, a protease inhibitor. 2007, Pubmed