Anti-malarial drug targets: Screening for inhibitors of 2C-methyl-d-erythritol 4-phosphate synthase (IspC protein) in Mediterranean plants

J. Kaiser, M. Yassin, S. Prakash, N. Safi, M. Agami, S. Lauw, E. Ostrozhenkova, A. Bacher, F. Rohdich, W. Eisenreich*, J. Safi, A. Golan-Goldhirsh

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

20 Scopus citations

Abstract

The recently discovered non-mevalonate pathway of isoprenoid biosynthesis serves as the unique source of terpenoids in numerous pathogenic eubacteria and in apicoplast-type protozoa, most notably Plasmodium, but is absent in mammalian cells. It is therefore an attractive target for anti-infective chemotherapy. The first committed step of the non-mevalonate pathway is catalyzed by 2C-methyl-d-erythritol 4-phosphate synthase (IspC). Using photometric and NMR spectroscopic assays, we screened extracts of Mediterranean plants for inhibitors of the enzyme. Strongest inhibitory activity was found in leaf extracts of Cercis siliquastrum.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)242-249
Number of pages8
JournalPhytomedicine
Volume14
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - 10 Apr 2007

Funding

FundersFunder number
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft

    Keywords

    • Antibiotic
    • Cercis siliquastrum
    • Deoxyxylulose inhibitors of 2C-methyl-D-erythritol 4-phosphate sythase (IspCprotein)
    • Malaria
    • Terpene

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