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Parasitic apicomplexans harbor a chlorophyll a-D1 complex, the potential target for therapeutic triazines

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Abstract

Ultrastructural evidence is presented for the presence of plastid-like organelles inToxoplasma gondii, Sarcocystis muris, Babesia ovis, andPlasmodium falciparum. In addition, it was shown that merozoites ofT. gondii contain protochlorophyllidaea and traces of chlorophylla bound to the photosynthetic reaction centers I PS I and PS II. ApsbA gene was isolated from merozoites ofS. muris by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Partial sequencing of the PCR product revealed that the herbicide-binding region is highly conserved. Therefore, it is likely that the sensitivity of apicomplexans to the herbicide toltrazuril depends on the interaction of the herbicide with the D1 protein of the photosynthetic reaction center of the parasite's organelles.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dept. Microbiology and Evolutionary Biology, Fac. Sci., Catholic University of Nijmegen, Toernooiveld, NL-6525 ED, Nijmegen, The Netherlands

    Johannes H. P. Hackstein

  2. Lehrstuhl für Spezielle Zoologie und Parasitologie, Ruhr-Universität-Bochum, Postfach 102148, D-44780, Bochum, Germany

    Ute Mackenstedt & Heinz Mehlhorn

  3. Dept. Haematology, University Hospital Nijmegen, Geert-Groote-Plein-Zuid 8, NL-6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands

    Jules P. P. Meijerink

  4. Institut für Ökologie, Fachbereich Biologie, Universität Rostock, Freiligrathstrasse 7/8, D-18051, Rostock, Germany

    Hendrik Schubert

  5. CAOS/CAMM Center, Catholic University of Nijmegen, Toernooiveld, NL-6525 ED, Nijmegen, The Netherlands

    Jack A. M. Leunissen

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  1. Johannes H. P. Hackstein
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  2. Ute Mackenstedt
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  3. Heinz Mehlhorn
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  4. Jules P. P. Meijerink
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  5. Hendrik Schubert
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  6. Jack A. M. Leunissen
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Hackstein, J.H.P., Mackenstedt, U., Mehlhorn, H. et al. Parasitic apicomplexans harbor a chlorophyll a-D1 complex, the potential target for therapeutic triazines. Parasitol Res 81, 207–216 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00937111

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00937111

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