Synthetic Heme Antimalarial Adducts; Synthesis and Electrochemistry

Presenter

Jack F. Gangemi

Campus

Fitchburg State University

Sponsor

Dennis Awasabisah, Department of Biology and Chemistry, Fitchburg State University

Schedule

Session 4, 2:30 PM - 3:15 PM [Schedule by Time][Poster Grid for Time/Location]

Location

Poster Board A68, Campus Center Auditorium, Row 4 (A61-A80) [Poster Location Map]

Abstract

Gangemi, Jack; Easter, Asher; Lin, Guoxing; Powell, Douglas, R.; Awasabisah, Dennis*

Presenter in bold

*Faculty Sponsor

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Independent Research Program

Fitchburg State University

02/12/2024

 

Synthetic Heme-antimalarial Adducts; Synthesis and Electrochemistry

 

 

Abstract:

Malaria remains a significant global health challenge, with millions of clinical cases and hundreds of thousands of deaths annually. A key aspect of malaria pathogenesis involves the detoxification of heme released during hemoglobin digestion by the Plasmodium parasite, which converts it into a crystalline insoluble malarial pigment called hemozoin. This detoxification process is a target for quinoline-based antimalarial drugs, yet the precise mechanism of these drugs’ interaction is disputed. This study focuses on revealing the role of the prosthetic heme group in activating antimalarial drugs through observation of a structurally similar compound. Synthetic heme model compounds were prepared and their interactions with quinoline-based drugs were investigated. The resulting data suggests a specific binding motif between heme and antimalarial drugs, a process crucial for inhibiting hemozoin production. Additionally, the redox properties of these compounds were explored, providing insight into their reactivities. Experimental techniques including IR, NMR and X-ray crystallography were employed to characterize the synthesized compounds, revealing the formation of heme-drug adduct. Cyclic voltammetry was used to investigate the redox behavior of the compounds, highlighting oxidations occurring on the porphyrin ring. Overall, this research contributes to our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying antimalarial drug action and provides a foundation for further studies aimed at developing treatment strategies against malaria.

Keywords

Antimalarial Drug Study , Hemozoin Complex, Binding Mechanisms

Research Area

Chemistry and Materials Science

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