Thymine distribution in genes provides novel insight into the functional significance of the proteome of the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum 3D7.

Plasmodium falciparum (Pf)-mediated malaria is one of the most devastating diseases in the world, and the search for suitable antimalarial drugs remains an extraordinary challenge for scientists working in this area. Novel unconventional approaches could reveal new potential targets that may be useful for the treatment of malaria. We used a bioinformatics approach to analyze the entire genome of the Pf3D7 strain. Because the carbon (C-) content is a pivotal parameter that determines the hydrophobicity of a protein, which in turn controls protein folding and function, we analyzed the entire Pf3D7 proteome based on the gene's thymine (T)-controlled amino acid expression. Our data disclose a total of 14 proteins encoded by chromosome-4 and chromosome-9 that have an outstanding T-encoded and C-controlled hydrophobic character. The identification of these proteins could open new pivotal drug-targeting avenues.

Oxygen distribution in proteins defines functional significance of the genome and proteome of the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum 3D7.

Although GlaxoSmithKline is on the way to launch the new vaccine candidate 'RTS, S', the search for suitable antimalarial drugs still remains an exceeding challenge because Plasmodium falciparum-mediated malaria is one of the most lethal diseases in the world. Novel innovative ideas are required to identify new potential molecular targets to be able to fight this lethal parasite efficiently. We used an unconventional bioinformatics approach to analyze the entire genome and proteome of the Pf3D7 strain. Because the oxygen (O-) content is a decisive parameter that determines the function of a protein, we analyzed the entire Pf3D7 proteome based on O-containing amino acid expression. Our data disclose a total of four proteins encoded by chromosome (Chr)-4 and Chr-9 that have an outstanding O-controlled character. The identification of the biological significance of these proteins could eventually lead to new vital drug targets.