Plasmodium falciparum elongation factor 2 (PfeEF2)

Plasmodium falciparum elongation factor 2 (PfeEF2) is an essential enzyme that catalyzes the GTP-dependent translocation of the ribosome along messenger RNA, a critical step in protein synthesis. PfeEF2 plays a central role in the parasite's cytoplasmic translation machinery and is conserved among eukaryotes. It has been validated as a druggable target for antimalarial therapy; inhibitors such as DDD107498 disrupt parasite protein synthesis and kill multiple life cycle stages, supporting its use for both treatment and transmission blocking. Selectivity versus the host eEF2 is a design priority due to sequence homology, but successful selective inhibition demonstrates its value as a target for antimalarial drug development[3][4][6].

Other names

elongation factor 2eEF2EF2PF14_0486PF3D7_1451100Q8IKW5

Inhibition of protein synthesis via inhibition of GTP-dependent ribosomal translocation[3][4]