Malaria Parasites in a Hungry Host: Kinases and Host Caloric Restriction Brought Together

Trends Parasitol. 2017 Nov;33(11):831-832. doi: 10.1016/j.pt.2017.08.007. Epub 2017 Sep 8.

Abstract

A study recently published in Nature links reduced calorie nutritional intake of host mice with (i) reduced severity of cerebral malaria, (ii) decreased parasitemia, and (iii) activation of a nutrient-sensing pathway that regulates the parasite's proliferation rate. Here, we discuss these findings in the context of human malaria pathology and Plasmodium kinomics.

Publication types

  • Comment

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Caloric Restriction*
  • Host-Parasite Interactions*
  • Humans
  • Inflammation
  • Malaria / parasitology*
  • Malaria / pathology
  • Phosphotransferases / genetics
  • Phosphotransferases / metabolism
  • Plasmodium / enzymology*
  • Plasmodium / genetics
  • Plasmodium / metabolism
  • Protozoan Proteins / genetics
  • Protozoan Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • Protozoan Proteins
  • Phosphotransferases