Beruflich Dokumente
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Review
The thioredoxin system of Plasmodium falciparum
and other parasites
S. Rahlfs a, R. H. Schirmer b and K. Becker a, *
a
Interdisciplinary Research Center, Gieen University, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 2632, 35392 Gieen (Germany)
Fax + 49 (0)641 9939129, e-mail: becker.katja@gmx.de
b Biochemistry Center, Ruprecht-Karls-University, Heidelberg, Germany
Received 21 November 2001; received after revision 2 January 2002; accepted 7 January 2002
Introduction
Oxidative stress
Toxic derivatives of oxygen and nitrogen, like hydrogen
peroxide, nitric oxide, superoxide radicals, peroxynitrite
and hydroxyl radicals, are continuously generated in living organisms. These so called reactive oxygen species
(ROS) or reactive nitrogen species (RNS) are produced as
a by-product in cell respiration, as defence agents against
infections, during detoxification of xenobiotics and by ultraviolet (UV)-radiation. ROS and NOS directly or indirectly damage biological macromolecules. Oxidation of
proteins can impair enzyme function and induce false
* Corresponding author.
cross-linking, lipid peroxidation disturbs membrane integrity, and oxidative DNA damage can impair protein
synthesis and cell division. Against this oxidative stress
as a whole but also against individual ROS, a number of
antioxidant defence systems have evolved which include
antioxidant enzymes and low molecular weight antioxidants [1].
Many parasites multiply rapidly in an environment of
high oxygen tension. The blood stages of the malarial parasite Plasmodium falciparum, e.g. produce up to 16
merozoites within 48 h [2]. This is impressively reflected
by the fact that glucose uptake and utilization of a parasitized erythrocyte is increased by a factor of 100 when
compared with noninfected cells. Furthermore, malarial
parasites degrade and metabolize 6080% of their host