Fig. 9: The M-833 series blocks the conversion of newly invaded merozoites into ring-stage parasites by inhibiting the PfSTART1 protein and reducing the expansion of the parasitophorous vacuole membrane (PVM). | Nature Communications

Fig. 9: The M-833 series blocks the conversion of newly invaded merozoites into ring-stage parasites by inhibiting the PfSTART1 protein and reducing the expansion of the parasitophorous vacuole membrane (PVM).

From: Aryl amino acetamides prevent Plasmodium falciparum ring development via targeting the lipid-transfer protein PfSTART1

Fig. 9

(Top) After invasion, the merozoite begins to spin and produce pseudopodia before differentiating into an amoeboid ring-stage parasite. (Bottom) After invasion PfSTART1, is delivered into the vacuole space possibly via secretory organelles fusing with the parasite plasma membrane (PPM). Here PfSTART1 could transfer phospholipids from the PPM to the PVM to allow the latter to expand to accommodate the growing ring-stage parasite. The M-833 compound series tightly binds to PfSTART1, probably displacing the phospholipids and thereby preventing the expansion of the PVM and arresting parasite growth.

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