The phenotype of biosynthetic violacein treatment on cytoplasmic GFP expressing
3D7 parasites suggests modulation of the actin cytoskeleton through indirect action.
(a) 3D7 parasites expressing cytoplasmic GFP, treated with DMSO have a diffuse actin signal. (b) Parasites treated with 2 μM Jasplakinolide (JAS), which stabilises filament formation, have clearly formed actin filament structures that localise to the parasite cell periphery. (c) Parasites treated with 2 μM biosynthetic violacein have increased local actin concentrations both around the outside of the cell and in the centre.
Wilkinson MD, Lai HE, Freemont PS, Baum J. A biosynthetic platform for
antimalarial drug discovery. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2020 Mar 9. pii:
AAC.02129-19.
PubMed Article: A Biosynthetic Platform for Antimalarial Drug Discovery