Identification of telomerase activity in gametocytes of Plasmodium falciparum.
Biochem Biophys Res Commun
; 309(3): 685-8, 2003 Sep 26.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-12963045
ABSTRACT
Telomerase, a specialized cellular reverse transcriptase, compensates the chromosome shortening during the replication of most eukaryotic cells and contributes to cellular immortalization in cell culture (in vitro) and cancerous cell (in vivo). In the present study, the telomerase activity in the gametocytes of Plasmodium falciparum was investigated. Here, we report for the first time, the presence of telomerase activity in the gametocytes of P. falciparum using P. falciparum telomere repeat amplification protocol (Pf-TRAP) assay and Southern blot hybridization. Telomerase inhibitors such as 7-deaza-dGTP and AZT-TP, when used with the cytoplasmic extract of gametocytes in the Pf-TRAP assay, efficiently inhibit the product, which confirms the presence of telomerase in the gametocytes. The presence of telomerase activity in the laboratory adapted local (eastern India) isolates of P. falciparum indicates that telomerase might be the major player in chromosomal end protection during replication. The finding suggests that telomerase can be a potent target for the transmission blocking vaccine and drugs for combating malaria caused by P. falciparum.
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Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Plasmodium falciparum
/
Telomerase
/
Células Germinativas
Tipo de estudo:
Diagnostic_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
Limite:
Animals
/
Humans
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Biochem Biophys Res Commun
Ano de publicação:
2003
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Índia