Associate Professor, Department of Biochemistry
Program Focus
Biochemistry of the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum
Malaria is one of the most devastating infectious diseases in the world today. The objective of my research is to understand how the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum thrives in its host red blood cell. We employ biochemical and cell biological approaches to study:
- endocytosis and catabolism of erythrocyte hemoglobin by the parasite
- lipid catabolism and utilization of host lipid species for fatty acid scavenging
- protein sorting and trafficking to the parasite’s vacuole and specialized apical secretory organelles
- mechanisms of action of anti-malarial compounds
Selected Publications
- Denloye, T., S. Dalal, and M. Klemba. 2012. Characterization of a glycerophosphodiesterase with an unusual tripartite distribution and an important role in the asexual blood stages of Plasmodium falciparum. Mol. Biochem. Parasitol. 186:29-37. Publication Link (PDF)
- Dalal, S., D.R. Ragheb, and M. Klemba. 2012. Engagement of the S1, S1’ and S2’ subsites drives efficient catalysis of peptide bond hydrolysis by the M1-family aminopeptidase from Plasmodium falciparum. Mol. Biochem. Parasitol. 183:70-7. Publication Link (PDF)
- Ragheb, D., S. Dalal, K.M. Bompiani, W.K. Ray, and M. Klemba. 2011. Distribution and biochemical properties of an M1-family aminopeptidase in Plasmodium falciparum indicate a role in vacuolar hemoglobin catabolism. J. Biol. Chem. 286:27255-65. Publication Link (PDF)
- Harbut, M.B., G. Velmourougane, S. Dalal, G. Reiss, J.C. Whisstock, O. Onder, D. Brisson, S. McGowan, M. Klemba, and D.C. Greenbaum. 2011. Bestatin-based chemical biology strategy reveals distinct roles for malaria M1- and M17-family aminopeptidases. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 108:E526-34. Publication Link (PDF)
- Velmourougane, G., M. Harbut, S. Dalal, S. McGowan, C.A. Oellig, J.C. Whisstock, M. Klemba, and D.C. Greenbaum. 2011. Synthesis of new (-)-Bestatin-based inhibitor libraries reveals a novel binding mode in the S1 pocket of the essential malaria M1 metalloaminopeptidase. J. Med. Chem. 54:1655-66. Publication Link (PDF)
- Wang, F., P. Krai, E. Deu, B. Bibb, C. Lauritzen, J. Pedersen, M. Bogyo and M. Klemba. 2011. Biochemical characterization of Plasmodium falciparum dipeptidyl aminopeptidase I. Mol. Biochem. Parasitol. 175:10-20. Publication Link (PDF)
- Ragheb, D., K. Bompiani, S. Dalal, and M. Klemba. 2009. Evidence for catalytic roles for Plasmodium falciparum aminopeptidase P in the food vacuole and cytosol. J. Biol. Chem. 284:24806-15. Publication Link (PDF)
- Dalal, S. and M. Klemba. 2007. Roles for two aminopeptidases in vacuolar hemoglobin catabolism in Plasmodium falciparum. J. Biol. Chem. 282:35978-87. Publication Link (PDF)