Folate and cobalamin metabolism in Plasmodium falciparum.

During the past several years, Jerapan Krungkrai, H. Kyle Webster and Yongyuth Yuthavong have characterized the metabolic pathway of folate biosynthesis and folate-dependent reactions, including the cobalamin-dependent activity of methionine synthase, in P. falciparum grown in vitro. In this review, they discuss the implications of this work for understanding the mechanism of pyrimethamine resistance and the importance of cloning the dihydrofolate reductase gene. In addition, the role of cobalamin in P. falciparum will be considered. Interference with cobalamin use may represent a new target for combating the parasite.