A fine balance between oxidised and reduced haem controls the survival of intraerythrocytic plasmodia.
Taramelli D., Monti D., Basilico N., Parapini S., Omodeo-Salé F., Olliaro P.
The polymerisation of haemoglobin-derived ferri-protoporphyrin IX (Fe(III)PPIX) to haemozoin (malaria pigment) is a crucial process for intraerythrocytic plasmodia to prevent haem toxicity. It is also the target of in-use antimalarial drugs and newer compounds. This reaction and the inhibition thereof can be reproduced and studied in vitro.