PLASMODIUM PROTOZOA PHOSPHODIESTERASE, NUCLEIC ACID ENCODING THE PHOSPHODIESTERASE, AND TREATMENT OF MALARIA USING INHIBITOR OF THE PHOSPHODIESTERASE

摘要

The present invention relates to a novel cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase (PDE) of Plasmodium protozoa and a nucleic acid encoding the cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase, more specifically, a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6 or 8, or a conservative substitution variant or a naturally occurring allelic variant thereof. Also, there is provided a nucleic acid encoding the above polypeptide or a complement thereof. There are provided a recombinant vector comprising the above nucleic acid; a host cell into which the above recombinant vector has been introduced; a method of producing a polypeptide comprising culturing the above host cell. Further, there are provided a method of characterizing, identifying or selecting an inhibitor of a cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase using the above pollypeptide; a pharmaceutical composition for treatment of malaria comprising, as an active ingredient, a compound having an inhibitory activity against a cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase of Plasmodium protozoa; and a method of treating malaria using the compound. The novel PDE, the novel nucleic acid encoding the PDE and the like according to the present invention are useful for research of mechanisms of intracellular signal transduction or the like in Plasmodium. Also, the method of characterizing, identifying and selecting an inhibitor using the novel PDE and a gene thereof is useful for research and development for a highly selective inhibitor or an excellent pharmaceutical (for instance, a therapeutic agent for malaria) with a high therapeutic effect and little side effects.