Biosynthesis of glycosphingolipids de-novo by the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum

Glycolipids are important components of cellular membranes involved in vari ous biological functions. In this report we describe the identification of the de-novo synthesis of glycosphingolipids by intraerythrocytic, asexual s tages of the malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum. Parasite-specific gly colipids were identified in organic solvent extracts of parasites metabolic ally labeled with tritiated serine and glucosamine and characterised as sph ingolipids based on their insensitivity towards alkaline treatment. While t he de-novo synthesis of parasite glycosphingolipids was affected by fumonis m B1, threo-PPMP, cyclo-serine and myriocin, these well established inhibit ors of de-novo ceramide biosynthesis were unable to arrest the intraerythro cytic development of the parasites in culture. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B. V. All rights reserved.