2026-04-13T00:56:36Zhttps://recercat.cat/oai/request

oai:recercat.cat:2072/4708742025-04-03T09:47:17Zcom_2072_98col_2072_378192

00925njm 22002777a 4500 dc Roca, Carlota author Avalos-Padilla, Yunuen author Prieto-Simón, Beatriz author Iglesias, Valentin author Ramírez Moreno, Miriam author Imperial, Santiago author Fernàndez-Busquets, Xavier author Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Departament de Bioquímica i de Biologia Molecular author 2022 The methyl erythritol phosphate (MEP) pathway of isoprenoid biosynthesis is essential for malaria parasites and also for several human pathogenic bacteria, thus representing an interesting target for future antimalarials and antibiotics and for diagnostic strategies. We have developed a DNA aptamer (D10) against Plasmodium falciparum 1-deoxy-D-xylulose-5-phosphate reductoisomerase (DXR), the second enzyme of this metabolic route. D10 binds in vitro to recombinant DXR from P. falciparum and Escherichia coli, showing at 10 µM a ca. 50% inhibition of the bacterial enzyme. In silico docking analysis indicates that D10 associates with DXR in solvent-exposed regions outside the active center pocket. According to fluorescence confocal microscopy data, this aptamer specifically targets in P. falciparum in vitro cultures the apicoplast organelle where the MEP pathway is localized and is, therefore, a highly specific marker of red blood cells parasitized by Plasmodium vs. naïve erythrocytes. D10 is also selective for the detection of MEP+ bacteria (e.g., E. coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) vs. those lacking DXR (e.g., Enterococcus faecalis). Based on these results, we discuss the potential of DNA aptamers in the development of ligands that can outcompete the performance of the well-established antibody technology for future therapeutic and diagnostic approaches. Plasmodium DNA aptamers Methyl erythritol phosphate pathway 1-deoxy-D-xylulose-5-phosphate reductoisomerase Selection of an Aptamer against the Enzyme 1-deoxy-D-xylulose-5-phosphate Reductoisomerase from Plasmodium falciparum