Recent advances in understanding the mechanism of hemozoin (malaria pigment) formation

• Published in: Journal of inorganic biochemistry Vol. 102; no. 5-6; pp. 1288 - 1299
• Main Author: Egan, Timothy J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01-05-2008
• Subjects: Animals; Heme - chemistry; Heme - metabolism; Hemeproteins - biosynthesis; Hemeproteins - chemical synthesis; Hemozoin; Kinetics; Lipid Metabolism; Malaria pigment; Plasmodium falciparum - metabolism; Rhodnius - metabolism; Schistosoma mansoni - metabolism; Schistosoma pigment; Thermodynamics; β-Hematin; β-Hematin; Schistosoma pigment; Malaria pigment; Hemozoin
• ISSN: 0162-0134; 1873-3344
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jinorgbio.2007.12.004

The recent literature on hemozoin/β-hematin formation is reviewed, with an emphasis on the mechanism of its formation. Recent findings from unrelated organisms that produce hemozoin, namely the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum, the worm Schistosoma mansoni and the kissing bug Rhodnius prolixus all of which consume human hemoglobin show that the formation of this crystalline substance occurs within or at the surface of lipids. Biomimetic experimental models of the lipid–water interface as well as computational studies indicate that these lipid environments are probably extraordinarily efficient at producing hemozoin. A rethink is now needed, with a new emphasis on Fe(III)PPIX in non-aqueous environments that mimic lipids and indeed within the lipid environment itself. These findings are explored and discussed in the context of earlier studies on β-hematin formation.