Method of screening for anti-malarial compounds

摘要

The plastid DNA of the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum has been sequenced and found to contain a gene encoding an EF-Tu protein. Inhibitors of the protein are effective as anti-malarial compounds and the protein can be used to screen for such inhibitors. Furthermore, the 23S ribosomal RNA encoded on the malaria parasite plastid DNA is a target for anti-malarial compounds and the antibiotic thiostrepton acts as an anti-malarial by binding to the RNA.