Scientists find key to malaria growth

The key to malaria’s rampant growth has been explained by scientists.

They say it is down to protein molecules called cyclins which cause cells to divide rapidly in the malaria parasite.

The study, led by a team from the University of Nottingham, could lead to new treatments for malaria, the researchers said.

Malaria is responsible for nearly half a million deaths a year, according to BBC.

A cyclin is one of the most important protein molecules needed for cell division.

They have been well studied in humans, yeasts and plants – but until now, little has been known about cyclins in the malaria parasite and how they affect cell development.

Dr Bill Wickstead, from the University of Nottingham’s School of Life Sciences, identified three different types of cyclin genes in the malaria parasite.

This is far fewer cyclins than are present in humans – and compared with other sets of cyclins, he said, they caused an “exciting type of cell division”.

She worked out that the cyclins found in malaria parasites made cells divide very quickly and enabled them to spread quickly in blood cells.

Working out why this happens could aid understanding of how the malaria parasite thrives within the mosquito and its human host, and lead to new treatments.

Dr Magali Roques, lead author of the study, said the research “will definitely further our understanding of parasite cell division, which I hope will lead to the elimination of this disease in the future.”

 

H.Z

 

 

You might also like
Latest news
Amman Chamber of Commerce: Syria tops the list of countries importing Jordanian products with 1,665 ... WHO Supports the Nawa National Hospital in Daraa province 290,000 Syrians Return through Land Crossings After the Fall of the Regime Malaysian Prime Minister Congratulates President al-Sharaa on Forming the new Syrian Government  Ministry of Health in Gaza: Health situation has reached dangerous catastrophic levels A volunteer of the Syrian Arab Red Crescent wins third place in the Best Humanitarian Action Photo C... Syrian community in Netherlands organizes a demonstration to lift sanctions on Syria Governor of Sweidah visits the Diocese of Bosra, Hauran, and Jabal Al-Arab for the Greek Orthodox Ch... The Syrian community in Germany organizes a demonstration in front of the US embassy in Berlin to de... The Fact-Finding Committee Arrives in Tartous and Hears Testimonies from the Governor and Interior a... Reality of wheat and barley crops in Daraa province (OPCW) Warns of the difficulty of locating chemical weapons sites in Syria Wall Street Journal: Israel has established buffer zone in Al Hamidiyah village Minister of Defense meets with a delegation from the " Rijal Al-Karameh" (Men of Dignity) Movement British Mission in Syria posted on platform “X” on the anniversary of the chemical attack on the cit... Press Release Issued by the Government of the Syrian Arab Republic Regarding the Amnesty Internation... President Al-Sharaa receives a message of congratulations from the Director of the Organization for ... The Secretary General of the Arab League warns of the consequences of the Israeli riot in the region Britain calls on Israel to respect the territorial integrity of Syria The U.S. Embassy in Syria praises the civilized role of Syrians living in America