Plasmodium falciparum heme

Plasmodium falciparum heme refers to the iron-containing prosthetic group released during the parasite’s digestion of host hemoglobin in red blood cells. The parasite uses hemoglobin as its main nutrient source, breaking it down in the acidic food vacuole and releasing heme, which is toxic unless detoxified. To prevent heme toxicity, Plasmodium falciparum polymerizes free heme into inert crystals known as hemozoin, using proteins such as heme detoxification protein (HDP), histidine-rich protein II (HRP II), and other enzymes[1][6]. The unique abundance and biochemical activity of heme inside the parasite are exploited by antimalarial drugs containing an endoperoxide bridge, such as artemisinin and its derivatives. These drugs are activated by heme iron, resulting in cleavage of the endoperoxide bridge and formation of highly reactive radicals. The radicals cause rapid molecular and membrane damage, leading to parasite death[2][4][6]. Heme and heme-related metabolic enzymes are therefore validated therapeutic targets for the selective killing of Plasmodium falciparum by the endoperoxide class of antimalarials.

Other names

Ferriprotoporphyrin IX (heme)Malaria parasite hemeHeminHaem iron

Bioactivation of endoperoxide bridge in antimalarial drugs in the presence of heme iron (Fe2+), forming cytotoxic radicals[2][4][6]; Induction of parasite membrane damage, alkylation, oxidative stress, and cell death; Alkylation of heme and proteins, inhibition of enzymes and nucleic acid synthesis