Study of distribution and function of tocopherol and phylloquinone BIOSYNTHETIZED by Plasmodium falciparum

• Grant number: 12/00297-0
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Effective date (Start): May 01, 2012
• Effective date (End): March 31, 2015
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Biochemistry
• Principal Investigator: Alejandro Miguel Katzin
• Grantee: Rodrigo Antonio Ceschini Sussmann
• Home Institution: Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

In my master thesis, supported by FAPESP, I characterized the vitamin E biosynthesis in P. falciparum and its inhibition by the drug usnic acid. Using a fluorescent probe to assess lipid peroxidation, we observed that inhibition of the vitamin E biosynthesis increased the lipid peroxidation of infected erythrocytes. Preliminary results indicated the presence of vitamin K1 and phytol in radioactive extracts of parasites and both compounds may be related to the vitamin E biosynthesis. This project aims to complement the studies of our laboratory studying the distribution and function of vitamin E biosynthesized by the parasite, analyzing it separately from infected erythrocytes. We intend to identify oxidized products of vitamin E, levels of reactive oxygen species and total antioxidant capacity to determine if this vitamin participates in the antioxidant defense system of the parasite and the infected erythrocyte. Through radioactive precursors, RP-HPLC analysis and mass spectrometry, we intend to characterize biochemically the vitamin K1 biosynthesis and assess whether there is an alternative pathway for the recycling of phytol, as well as in plants.

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

SUSSMANN, Rodrigo Antonio Ceschini. Estudy of vitamin E function and of vitamin K1 biosynthesis in Plasmodium falciparum.. 2015. Doctoral Thesis - Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas São Paulo.