Institutional development · Research, innovation and assessment · Brazil
Two-decade USP research identifies first melatonin receptor found in parasites
Research reported by the University of São Paulo identifies the first melatonin receptor in parasites, opening a route to investigate new drug targets against the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum.
Why it matters: Researchers seeking drug targets against Plasmodium falciparum have a newly identified parasite melatonin receptor to investigate, according to the university's report.
The University of São Paulo (USP) reported on research, spanning two decades, into how the malaria parasite uses melatonin to tap into the human biological clock.
According to USP, the work identifies the first melatonin receptor found in parasites.
The university said the finding opens the way to investigating new drug targets against Plasmodium falciparum.
Editor’s view
Scott James, Research and Innovation Editor
For malaria researchers, the University of São Paulo reports that its two-decade research has identified the first melatonin receptor in parasites; if that receptor proves tractable, it could become a starting point for investigating new drug targets against Plasmodium falciparum.
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