In this work the DBL3x domain of the erythrocyte membrane protein from Plasmodium Falciparum (PfEMP1), was revisited as a potential molecular target for the development of new drugs against malaria. This protein interacts with chondroitin sulfate A (CSA), a glycosaminoglycan present in the substance fundamental for connective tissues of vertebrates and is implicated in malaria complications in pregnant women. We performed molecular docking and molecular dynamic studies of DBL3x complexed with CSA and five analogues, where the sulfate group was replaced by phosphate, in order to evaluate if the better electrostatic interactions provided by phosphate groups could afford better binders capable of preventing the binding of CSA to DBL3x. Results suggest that all proposed compounds have high affinity towards DBL3x and could bind better to the DBL3x domain of PfEMP1 than CSA, qualifying as potential inhibitors of this protein and, therefore, new potential leads for the drug design against malaria.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
- MeSH
- antigeny protozoální chemie MeSH
- chondroitin sulfáty chemie metabolismus farmakologie MeSH
- erytrocyty metabolismus MeSH
- fosfáty MeSH
- glykosaminoglykany metabolismus MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- malárie * komplikace metabolismus MeSH
- membránové proteiny metabolismus MeSH
- parazitární komplikace těhotenství * metabolismus MeSH
- placenta metabolismus MeSH
- Plasmodium falciparum chemie MeSH
- protozoální proteiny chemie MeSH
- simulace molekulární dynamiky MeSH
- simulace molekulového dockingu MeSH
- sírany metabolismus MeSH
- těhotenství MeSH
- tropická malárie * farmakoterapie MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- těhotenství MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH