Expression of <i>Plasmodium</i> major facilitator superfamily protein in transporters – Δ <i>Candida</i> identifies a drug transporter

<b>Aim:</b> To assess the functional relevance of a putative Major Facilitator Superfamily protein (PF3D7_0210300; '<i>Pf</i>MFSDT') as a drug transporter, using <i>Candida glabrata</i> for orthologous protein expression.<b>Methods:</b> Complementary Determining Sequence encoding <i>Pf</i>MFSDT was integrated into the genome of genetically engineered <i>C. glabrata</i> strain MSY8 via homologous recombination, followed by assessing its functional relevance as a drug transporter.<b>Results & conclusion:</b> The modified <i>C. glabrata</i> strain exhibited plasma membrane localization of <i>Pf</i>MFSDT and characteristics of an Major Facilitator Superfamily transporter, conferring resistance to antifungals, ketoconazole and itraconazole. The nanomolar inhibitory effects of the drugs on the intra-erythrocytic growth of <i>Plasmodium falciparum</i> highlight their antimalarial properties. This study proposes <i>Pf</i>MFSDT as a drug transporter, expanding the repertoire of the currently known antimalarial 'resistome'.