The aspartic proteinase from the rodent parasite Plasmodium berghei as a potential model for plasmepsins from the human malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum

The gene encoding an aspartic proteinase precursor (proplasmepsin) from the rodent malaria parasite Plasmodium berghei has been cloned. Recombinant P. berghei plasmepsin hydrolysed a synthetic peptide substrate and this cleav age nas prevented by the general aspartic proteinase inhibitor, isovaleryl pepstatin and by Ro40-3388, a lead compound for the inhibition of plasmepsi ns from the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. Southern blotting detected only one proplasmepsin gene in P, berghei. Two plasmepsins have p reviously been reported in P, falciparum. Here, we describe two further pro plasmepsin genes from this species. The suitability of P, berghei as a mode l for the in vivo evaluation of plasmepsin inhibitors is discussed. (C) 199 9 Federation of European Biochemical Societies.