A study of the PfNT3 in Plasmodium falciparum

Previous genetic studies demonstrated that survival and proliferation of Plasmodium falciparum parasites is dependent on salvage of essential purines from the host. Plasmodium falciparum, the causative agent of the most lethal form of human malaria lacks the enzymes required for de novo synthesis of purines. Analysis of the hypothetical nucleoside/nucleobase transporter protein, the gene product of PfNT3 (PF14_0662) gene in P. falciparum parasites was carried out by localisation, in view of a novel chemotherapeutic target. Immunoblotting, immunofluorescent and immunoelectron microscopic localization of PfNT3 was demonstrated using polyclonal antiserum in in vitro cultured Plasmodium falciparum parasites, propagated in human red blood cells. PfNT3 protein, the translated product of PfNT3 gene was detected in intraerythrocytic ring, trophozoite, and schizont stages. PfNT3 was localized primarily to the PPM (Parasite Plasma Membrane). The endogenous PfNT3 putative nucleoside transporter with the predominant location to the parasite plasma membrane may serve not only as routes for targeting of purine analogs/cytotoxic agents into the intracellular parasite but may also serve as drug targets. Being genome encoded the vital transporter protein can be prevented from expression by silencing of the gene, validating it to be a novel drug target.

Combination of drugs in the management of diabetes mellitus.

Combination of drugs or polypharmacy is a therapeutic procedure and this can be needed in diabetes also. To consider the basis of polypharmacy, certain knowledges regarding likely mechanism operating in diabetic patient are to be known. Drugs available in polypharmacy are well elaborated in this article. The drugs can be categorised in three headings: Obese type 2 diabetes mellitus, non-obese or standard weight diabetes and low body weight subjects. Severity of hyperglycaemia is another factor to be looked into while treating type 2 diabetic patients. Besides, certain other situations are narrated where the combination therapy can be helpful.