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World Malaria Day – A Single Protein Opens the Way for Drug Screening

SelectScience
27 Apr 2014
Kerry Parker
CEO

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A recent Nature paper revealed how the discovery of a novel protein, AP-2G, has opened the way for improvements in specific drug development to fight the deadly disease malaria. The AP-2G protein acts as a master switch that triggers the development of sexual forms of the malaria parasite, a stage essential for the spread of the disease.

Completion of sexual development is essential for Plasmodium malariae parasites to be transmitted through mosquitoes. Sexual reproduction is a vulnerable stage of the parasite's complicated lifecycle. This stage can only occur in the gut of the mosquito after it has sucked the precursor parasite cells out of a person's blood. Until publication of this new research, the molecular mechanism of the commitment and completion of the parasite’s sexual development was unknown. The novel protein, PbAP2-G, a member of the apicomplexan AP2 (ApiAP2) family of DNA-binding proteins, is essential for the commitment of asexually replicating forms to sexual development.

Preventing transmission
Data from this research suggests a positive feedback loop mechanism in gametocytogenesis in Plasmodium. This mechanism is consistent with involvement of PbAP2-G and demonstrates that the mechanism could be exploited to prevent the transmission of this destructive parasite.

Researchers involved in this study, from the Welcome Trust Sanger Institute, the University of Glasgow and Penn State University, believe that the discovery of PbAP2-G opens the way to the development of screens for effective drugs that could disable commitment to sexual development and prevent transmission.

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ProteomicsProteomics is the systemic bioinformatics study of proteins and amino acids, including their structure, size, function and identification. Tools used in proteomics include chromatography, blotting and gels, protein arrays, mass spectrometry and ELISA and associated analysis software. Analyzers and proteomic systems should be sensitive, high resolution, fast and may be automated for high-throughput.High-Throughput ScreeningHigh-throughput screening (HTS) is an automated drug discovery technique for identification of active compounds against a compound library. Use HTS readers and integrated assay preparation / analysis workstations to screen your compounds. Identify active compounds against various HTS libraries, including membranes, proteins and peptides and HTS cell lines. Find the best high-throughput screening products in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.HematologyIn Haematology / Hematology, complete blood cell counts (or full blood counts) are obtained using automated blood count analyzers to enumerate blood cell types.  Hematology also encompasses haemostasis and coagulation, thrombophilia and hemophilia, plasma viscosity and ESR analysis, hemoglobinopathies, cell morphology and haematinic measurement.ImmunologyImmunological techniques measure and characterize immune responses. Immunology kits and analysis systems often use techniques such as ELISA, radioimmunoassay (RIA) and immunodiffusion assays, Immunohistochemistry, and flow cytometry. Immunologists use equipment such as flow Cytometers, plate readers, plate washers and fluorescent microscopes.High-Content ScreeningHigh-content screening (HCS), also known as high-content analysis (HCA), is a high-throughput technique used in drug discovery to identify substances that alter the phenotype of cells. HCS uses fluorescent microscopic imaging and automated image analysis to investigate cellular events such as apoptosis, cell viability, GPCR activation, oxide production, neurite outgrowth, and cell signaling. Find the best fluorescent labeling reagents, cellular assays, and high-content imaging systems in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.Protein PurificationProtein purification is a vital step in drug discovery, therapeutics, biotech and life science research. The purification process typically involves subcellular or membrane protein extraction with cell lysis kits, separation of proteins from cell debris by filtration or spin columns, and the isolation of proteins of interest from other proteins and impurities with affinity purification (including fusion protein tags and antibody binding proteins A, G and L), immunoprecipitation or chromatographic methods, such as ion exchange, size exclusion and immobilized metal affinity chromatography. All purification methods come in multiple formats for your laboratory needs, including agarose or magnetic beads, resins, columns and filter plates. Find the best protein purification equipment in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.BiomarkersBiomarkers are biological markers which can be measured and evaluated to indicate a biological state. The use of biomarkers in research and diagnosis can indicate a normal or disease state or drug response of cells / tissues. Biomarkers include genetic markers, cell surface markers such as antigens, antibodies or receptors and secreted molecules such as cytokines. An assay system is required for identification of biomarkers. :Clinical MicrobiologyMicrobiology is the study of microorganisms including protists, prokaryotes, fungi, and, often, viruses. Microorganisms are a useful research tool as genetic vectors and, in immunology, for antibiotic susceptibility testing, cellular biology and genetics. Microorganisms commonly grow readily in incubators with microbial culture media; this can contain chromogenic supplements to differentiate between cell lines. Estimate your culture’s density of microorganisms with colony counters, or screen and select colonies for desirable clones with automated colony pickers. Additionally, equipment is available to monitor environments for the presence of microbes and identify with microbial identification instruments. Find the best microbiology products in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.MalariaProtein InteractionsProtein interactions are essential for understanding cellular processes, as proteins work together to carry out biological functions. Studying protein interactions can provide insights into disease mechanisms, drug development, and cell signaling pathways. Explore the best tools for protein interaction research in our peer-reviewed product directory; compare products, check reviews, and get pricing directly from manufacturers.ScreeningUsing robotics, data processing and control software, liquid handling devices and sensitive detectors, screening allows a researcher to quickly conduct millions of chemical, genetic or pharmacological tests.

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World Malaria Day – A Single Protein Opens the Way for Drug Screening