Institute of Innovative Research, 
Tokyo Institute of Technology.

2023.07.12

Press Release

Understanding the Regulation of Apicoplast Gene Expression in the Malaria Parasite

Gene expression within the apicoplast, an organelle in the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum, is regulated by melatonin (the circadian signaling hormone) in host blood, and intrinsic parasite cues, via a factor called ApSigma, as identified by a recent study aided by Tokyo Tech’s World Research Hub Initiative. The regulatory system highlighted in this study might be a future target for malaria treatment.

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