Effects of Mitochondrial Inhibitors on Intraerythrocytic Plasmodium falciparum in In Vitro Cultures

ABSTRACT. Malarial parasites infecting mammalian hosts are considered to be homolactate fermentors at their asexual intraerythrocytic developmental stage; however, existing ultrastructural and biochemical evidence suggest that their acristate mitochondria could be involved in energy metabolism. In the present study, inhibitors of mitochondrial function including compounds which act on NADH and succinate dehydrogenases, electron transport and mitochondrial ATPase, as well as uncouplers, were found to inhibit the growth and propagation of the human parasite Plasmodium falciparum in in vitro cultures at concentrations that specifically affect mitochondrial functions. Direct measurement of parasite protein and nucleic acid synthesis in synchronized cultures showed that throughout the parasite life cycle both processes were inhibited, the latter process being more sensitive. These results strongly suggest that intraerythrocytic malarial parasites require mitochondrial energy production.