Studying the canonical and non-canonical functions of Hsp90 in Plasmodium falciparum chromatin biology

Abstract

Malaria is one of the most ancient and deadliest infectious diseases. It still possesses a threat to mankind as half of the world population lives in the endemic regions and are at risk of malaria. According to the WHO report, in 2020 there were 241 million cases recorded worldwide, accounting for 6,27,000 deaths (1). Malaria is prevalent in more than 100 countries and territories of Africa, south Asia, southern and central parts of America, Middle East and Oceania. The causative agent of malaria is a protozoan parasite Plasmodium. The five species responsible for the manifestation of disease in human are P. falciparum, P. vivax, P. malariae, P. ovale, and P. knowlesi. P. falciparum is the deadliest among all the species, also causes the cerebral malaria and is responsible for maximum number of deaths due to malaria. The transmission of disease occurs through bite of the infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. A sub population is at greater risk of succumbing to the disease which includes children under age of 5 years, pregnant women, patients with HIV and immune compromised migrants. The initial symptoms of the disease include fever, chills, headache, vomiting and diarrhoea. If not treated, severity of the disease can increase and might lead to other complications like severe anaemia, respiratory distress, multiple organ failure, seizures, coma and death. The alarming scenario is that till date, there is no potent and commercial vaccine available and the emergence and spread of drug resistance in the parasites.