M. Llinas

Structural characterization of the ACDC domain from ApiAP2 proteins of the malaria parasite

The paper determines the crystal structure of the ACDC domain from ApiAP2 proteins in malaria parasites and identifies a potential inhibitor targeting this domain.

A Plasmodium falciparum MORC protein complex modulates epigenetic control of gene expression through interaction with heterochromatin.

This study identifies PfMORC as a chromatin-associated protein in Plasmodium falciparum that modulates gene expression through interactions with chromatin remodelers and transcription factors.

The mitochondrion of Plasmodium falciparum generates essential acetyl-CoA for protein acetylation

This study shows that mitochondria in Plasmodium falciparum produce essential acetyl-CoA for protein acetylation, highlighting their role in parasite survival.

Preclinical characterization and target validation of the antimalarial pantothenamide MMV693183

This paper characterizes MMV693183, a novel antimalarial compound targeting acetyl-CoA synthetase, showing in vitro and in vivo efficacy against Plasmodium species and transmission blocking.

The PfAP2-HS transcription factor protects malaria parasites from febrile temperatures

This study identifies PfAP2-HS as a transcription factor that enables malaria parasites to survive febrile temperatures by activating chaperone genes.

The PfAP2-G2 transcription factor is a critical regulator of gametocyte maturation

This study identifies PfAP2-G2 as a critical transcription factor for Plasmodium falciparum gametocyte maturation, showing it regulates gene expression and interacts with chromatin remodeling proteins.

Atypical molecular basis for drug resistance to mitochondrial function inhibitors in Plasmodium falciparum

This study identifies a novel mechanism of drug resistance in Plasmodium falciparum involving copy number variation and a SNP in pfdhodh, leading to pan-resistance to mtETC and DHODH inhibitors.

Genetic ablation of the mitochondrial ribosome in Plasmodium falciparum sensitizes the human malaria parasite to antimalarial drugs targeting mitochondrial functions

This study shows that disrupting the mitochondrial ribosome in Plasmodium falciparum makes the parasite more sensitive to drugs targeting mitochondrial functions.

Hierarchical transcriptional control regulates Plasmodium falciparum sexual differentiation

This study provides a high-resolution transcriptome of Plasmodium falciparum during gametocytogenesis, revealing dynamic gene expression shifts and transcriptional control mechanisms.

Regulation of sexual differentiation is linked to invasion in malaria parasites

The paper shows PfAP2-G activates gametocyte genes and also promotes red blood cell invasion genes, linking sexual differentiation to invasion in malaria parasites.

Inducing controlled cell cycle arrest and re-entry during asexual proliferation of Plasmodium falciparum malaria parasites.

This paper induces and reverses cell cycle arrest in Plasmodium falciparum using DFMO and polyamines, revealing gene expression changes linked to cell cycle re-entry.

Plasmodium falciparum Niemann-Pick Type C1-Related Protein is a Druggable Target Required for Parasite Membrane Homeostasis

This study identifies PfNCR1 as a critical protein for Plasmodium falciparum membrane homeostasis and shows it is a potential druggable target for antimalarial drugs.

Real-time in vivo Global Transcriptional Dynamics During Plasmodium falciparum Blood-stage Development

This study uses 4-TU labeling to track real-time transcription dynamics of Plasmodium falciparum during its blood-stage development, revealing transcription timing and stabilization patterns across the IDC.

Antimalarial pantothenamide metabolites target acetyl-CoA synthesis in Plasmodium falciparum

Pantothenamides form antimetabolites that interfere with acetyl-CoA metabolism in the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum.

A Specific Non-Bisphosphonate Inhibitor Of The Bifunctional Farnesyl/Geranylgeranyl Diphosphate Synthase In Malaria Parasites

This paper identifies MMV019313 as a specific non-bisphosphonate inhibitor of PfFPPS/GGPPS in malaria parasites, showing superior properties and selectivity over bisphosphonates.

Capturing in vivo RNA transcriptional dynamics from the malaria parasite P. falciparum

This paper develops a method to capture in vivo RNA transcriptional dynamics in Plasmodium falciparum by engineering parasites to salvage pyrimidines and label nascent mRNAs, revealing transcriptional reprogramming during gametocyte stage transition.