Small-molecule drugs targeting the malaria parasite's calcium pump
Development of phenolic small molecule inhibitors of PfATP6, a Plasmodium calcium ATPase
['FUNDING_OTHER'] · CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY SACRAMENTO · NIH-11327268
Developing new small, easy-to-make compounds that block an important malaria parasite enzyme to help people with malaria, including drug-resistant cases.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_OTHER'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY SACRAMENTO (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (SACRAMENTO, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11327268 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
This project focuses on designing and testing simple phenolic chemicals that can block PfATP6, a calcium-transporting enzyme in Plasmodium falciparum. Researchers will synthesize hydroquinone and naphthoquinone scaffold compounds and test them in lab bioassays and binding experiments, including model systems like yeast. The goal is to find compounds with strong, specific activity against the parasite enzyme and favorable properties for future drug development. Promising candidates will be characterized in detail to understand how they interact with PfATP6 at the molecular level.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Eventually, people infected with Plasmodium falciparum—especially those with drug-resistant malaria—would be the intended candidates for treatments developed from this work.
Not a fit: Because this is early laboratory research, patients will not get direct benefit now, and people with non-falciparum malaria may not benefit from PfATP6-targeted drugs.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to a new class of antimalarial drugs that are simpler and cheaper to make and effective against resistant parasites.
How similar studies have performed: Only a few PfATP6 inhibitors are known and some simple phenolic compounds have shown activity in lab screens, but this approach has not yet produced clinically proven drugs.
Where this research is happening
SACRAMENTO, UNITED STATES
- CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY SACRAMENTO — SACRAMENTO, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: PAULA, STEFAN FRANZ — CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY SACRAMENTO
- Study coordinator: PAULA, STEFAN FRANZ
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.