Isoprenoid precursor synthesis is an ancient and fundamental function of plastid organelles and a critical metabolic activity of the apicoplast in Plasmodium malaria parasites [1–3]. Over the past decade, our understanding of apicoplast properties and functions has increased enormously [4], due in large part to our ability to rescue blood-stage parasites from apicoplast-specific dysfunctions by supplementing cultures with isopentenyl pyrophosphate (IPP), a key output of this organelle [5,6]. In this Pearl, we explore the interdependence between isoprenoid metabolism and apicoplast biogenesis in P. falciparum and highlight critical future questions to answer.

中文翻译：

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疟疾寄生虫中类异戊二烯合成与顶质体生物发生的相互依赖性


类异戊二烯前体合成是质体细胞器的一项古老且基本的功能，也是疟原虫疟疾寄生虫中顶质体的关键代谢活动[1-3]。在过去的十年中，我们对顶质体特性和功能的了解已大大增加 [4]，这在很大程度上是由于我们能够通过用异戊烯焦磷酸 (IPP) 补充培养物来拯救血期寄生虫免受顶质体特异性功能障碍的能力，异戊烯焦磷酸 (IPP) 是一种关键成果这个细胞器的[5,6]。在这篇文章中，我们探讨了恶性疟原虫中类异戊二烯代谢与顶端质体生物发生之间的相互依赖性，并强调了未来需要回答的关键问题。