Plasmodium falciparum protein kinase as a potential therapeutic target for antimalarial drugs development

@#Malaria is one of the most dangerous infectious diseases due to its high infection and mortality rates, especially in the tropical belt. Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum), the most virulent malaria parasite in humans, was recently reported to develop resistance against the final efficient antimalarial drug, artemisinin. Little is known about the resistance mechanisms, which further complicates the problem as a proper counteraction is unable to be taken. Hence, the understanding of drug mode of action and its molecular target is valuable knowledge that needs to be considered to develop the next generation of antimalarial drugs. P. falciparum protein kinase (Pf PK) is an attractive target for antimalarial chemotherapy due to its vital roles in all P. falciparum life stages. Moreover, overall structural differences and the presence of unique Pf PKs that are absent in human kinome, suggesting specific inhibition of Pf PK without affecting human cells is achievable. To date, at least 86 eukaryotic protein kinases have been identified in P. falciparum kinome, by which less than 40 were validated as potential targets at the erythrocytes stage. In this review, recent progress of the furthest validated Pf PKs; Pf Nek-1, Pf CDPK1, Pf CDPK4, Pf PKG, and Pf CLK-3 will be briefly discussed.

incidence of erytheme multiforme with special emphasis on its possible provoking factors in Iraq

A total of 83 patients attending the out-patient clinic of the Dermatology Department of the Medical City presenting with clinically typical of Erythema multiforme were examined during the period between Nov., 1988 and May, 1989. The aim of the study was to find the age and sex of the patients, distribution of the lesion with a special emphasis on the possible provoking factors and rate of previous attacks and to create awareness about Leishmania tropica as a new possible cause for Erythema multiforme. The study showed that the incidence of Erythema multiforme was found to be 0.32% [83 per 25724], with an age ranging form one to 65 years with mean age of 23.7 years with sex ratio of [51 Females / 32 Males]. The commonest provoking factor was Herpes Simplex [45%], followed by drugs [17%] like Acetyl salicylic acid, ampicillin, paracetamol, co-trimoxazol and probanthin, 9.6% of the cases followed a respiratory illness, tonsillitis accounted for 7.2% of the cases. Orf for 3.6%. helminthic infestations for 2.4% of the cases, other provoking factors were Leishmania tropica, Trichomonas Vaginalis, otitis media, dental sepsis and mumps, in 14% of the patients no factor could be incriminated. In 41% of the cases there was history of previous attacks, 50% of these followed Herpes simplex. The number of the attacks ranged from one to fifteen attacks. In 96% of the cases the lesions were distributed on the limbs. 95% of the investigated patients showed the Simplex variety