Cell-free synthesis, reconstitution, and characterization of a mitochondrial dicarboxylate-tricarboxylate carrier of Plasmodium falciparum

► We isolated a cDNA encoding an MCF-like protein, PfDTC, from Plasmodium falciparum. ► PfDTC was synthesized with a cell-free system and reconstituted in proteoliposomes. ► The reconstituted PfDTC showed substrate-specific membrane transport activity. ► PfDTC is likely required for the branched-type TCA metabolism of the malaria parasite.