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Das S, Manna A, Majumdar O, Dhara L. M- O-M mediated denaturation resistant P2 tetramer on the infected erythrocyte surface of malaria parasite imports serum fatty acids. iScience 2024; 27:109760. [PMID: 38726364 PMCID: PMC11079477 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.109760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 04/01/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
In Plasmodium falciparum, DNA replication, and asynchronous nuclear divisions precede cytokinesis during intraerythrocytic schizogony. Regulation of nuclear division through the import of serum components was largely unknown. At the trophozoite stage, P. falciparum ribosomal protein P2 (PfP2) is exported to the infected erythrocyte (IE) cytosol and the surface as a denaturation-resistant tetramer. The inaccessibility of the IE surface exposed PfP2 to its bona fide ligand led to the arrest of nuclear division. Here, we show that at the onset of schizogony, denaturation-resistant PfP2 tetramer on the IE surface imports fatty acids (FAs). Blockage of import reversibly arrested parasite schizogony. In 11Met-O-Met11 mediated denaturation resistant PfP2 tetramer, the 12/53Cys-Cys12/53 redox switch regulates the binding and release of FAs based on oxidized/reduced state of disulfide linkages. This mechanistic insight of FAs import through PfP2 tetramer reveals a unique regulation of nuclear division at the onset of schizogony.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sudipta Das
- Division of infectious Disease and Immunology, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, 4, Raja S.C Mullick Road, Jadavpur, Kolkata 700032, India
| | - Anwesa Manna
- Division of infectious Disease and Immunology, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, 4, Raja S.C Mullick Road, Jadavpur, Kolkata 700032, India
| | - Oindrila Majumdar
- Division of infectious Disease and Immunology, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, 4, Raja S.C Mullick Road, Jadavpur, Kolkata 700032, India
| | - Lena Dhara
- Division of infectious Disease and Immunology, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, 4, Raja S.C Mullick Road, Jadavpur, Kolkata 700032, India
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Liu J, Fike KR, Dapper C, Klemba M. Metabolism of host lysophosphatidylcholine in Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2320262121. [PMID: 38349879 PMCID: PMC10895272 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2320262121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024] Open
Abstract
The human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum requires exogenous fatty acids to support its growth during the pathogenic, asexual erythrocytic stage. Host serum lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) is a significant fatty acid source, yet the metabolic processes responsible for the liberation of free fatty acids from exogenous LPC are unknown. Using an assay for LPC hydrolysis in P. falciparum-infected erythrocytes, we have identified small-molecule inhibitors of key in situ lysophospholipase activities. Competitive activity-based profiling and generation of a panel of single-to-quadruple knockout parasite lines revealed that two enzymes of the serine hydrolase superfamily, termed exported lipase (XL) 2 and exported lipase homolog (XLH) 4, constitute the dominant lysophospholipase activities in parasite-infected erythrocytes. The parasite ensures efficient exogenous LPC hydrolysis by directing these two enzymes to distinct locations: XL2 is exported to the erythrocyte, while XLH4 is retained within the parasite. While XL2 and XLH4 were individually dispensable with little effect on LPC hydrolysis in situ, loss of both enzymes resulted in a strong reduction in fatty acid scavenging from LPC, hyperproduction of phosphatidylcholine, and an enhanced sensitivity to LPC toxicity. Notably, growth of XL/XLH-deficient parasites was severely impaired when cultured in media containing LPC as the sole exogenous fatty acid source. Furthermore, when XL2 and XLH4 activities were ablated by genetic or pharmacologic means, parasites were unable to proliferate in human serum, a physiologically relevant fatty acid source, revealing the essentiality of LPC hydrolysis in the host environment and its potential as a target for anti-malarial therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiapeng Liu
- Department of Biochemistry, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA24061
| | | | - Christie Dapper
- Department of Biochemistry, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA24061
| | - Michael Klemba
- Department of Biochemistry, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA24061
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3
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Vallintine T, van Ooij C. Distribution of malaria parasite-derived phosphatidylcholine in the infected erythrocyte. mSphere 2023; 8:e0013123. [PMID: 37606582 PMCID: PMC10597409 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00131-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Malaria parasites modify their host erythrocyte in multiple ways, leading to changes in the deformability, adhesiveness, and permeability of the host erythrocyte. Most of these changes are mediated by proteins exported from the parasite to the host erythrocyte, where these proteins interact with the host cell cytoskeleton or form complexes in the plasma membrane of the infected erythrocyte. In addition, malaria parasites induce the formation of membranous compartments-the parasitophorous vacuole, the tubovesicular network (TVN), the Maurer's clefts and small vesicles-within the infected erythrocyte, a cell that is normally devoid of internal membranes. After infection, changes also occur in the composition and asymmetry of the erythrocyte plasma membrane. Although many aspects of the mechanism of export of parasite proteins have become clear, the mechanism by which these membranous compartments are formed and expanded is almost entirely unknown. To determine whether parasite-derived phospholipids play a part in these processes, we applied a metabolic labeling technique that allows phosphatidylcholine to be labeled with a fluorophore. As the host erythrocyte cannot synthesize phospholipids, within infected erythrocytes, only parasite-derived phosphatidylcholine will be labeled with this technique. The results revealed that phosphatidylcholine produced by the parasite is distributed throughout the infected erythrocyte, including the TVN and the erythrocyte plasma membrane, but not Maurer's clefts. Interestingly, labeled phospholipids were also detected in the erythrocyte plasma membrane very soon after invasion of the parasites, indicating that the parasite may add phospholipids to the host erythrocyte during invasion. IMPORTANCE Here, we describe a previously unappreciated way in which the malaria parasite interacts with the host erythrocyte, namely, by the transfer of parasite phospholipids to the erythrocyte plasma membrane. This likely has important consequences for the survival of the parasite in the host cell and the host organism. We show that parasite-derived phospholipids are transferred from the parasite to the host erythrocyte plasma membrane and that other internal membranes that are produced after the parasite has invaded the cell are produced, at least in part, using parasite-derived phospholipids. The one exception to this is the Maurer's cleft, a membranous organelle that is involved in the transport of parasite proteins to the surface of the erythrocyte. This reveals that the Maurer's cleft is produced in a different manner than the other parasite-induced membranes. Overall, these findings provide a platform for the study of a new aspect of the host-parasite interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tansy Vallintine
- Department of Infection Biology, Faculty of Infectious Disease, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Christiaan van Ooij
- Department of Infection Biology, Faculty of Infectious Disease, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
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4
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Liu J, Dapper C, Klemba M. Metabolism of host lysophosphatidylcholine in Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.04.17.537066. [PMID: 37131712 PMCID: PMC10153170 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.17.537066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
The human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum requires exogenous fatty acids to support its growth during the pathogenic, asexual erythrocytic stage. Host serum lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) is a significant fatty acid source, yet the metabolic processes responsible for the liberation of free fatty acids from exogenous LPC are unknown. Using a novel assay for LPC hydrolysis in P. falciparum-infected erythrocytes, we have identified small-molecule inhibitors of key in situ lysophospholipase activities. Competitive activity-based profiling and generation of a panel of single-to-quadruple knockout parasite lines revealed that two enzymes of the serine hydrolase superfamily, termed exported lipase (XL) 2 and exported lipase homolog (XLH) 4, are the dominant lysophospholipase activities in parasite-infected erythrocytes. The parasite ensures efficient exogenous LPC hydrolysis by directing these two enzymes to distinct locations: XL2 is exported to the erythrocyte, while XLH4 is retained within the parasite. While XL2 and XLH4 were individually dispensable with little effect on LPC hydrolysis in situ, loss of both enzymes resulted in a strong reduction in fatty acid scavenging from LPC, hyperproduction of phosphatidylcholine, and an enhanced sensitivity to LPC toxicity. Notably, growth of XL/XLH-deficient parasites was severely impaired when cultured in media containing LPC as the sole exogenous fatty acid source. Furthermore, when XL2 and XLH4 activities were ablated by genetic or pharmacologic means, parasites were unable to proliferate in human serum, a physiologically-relevant fatty acid source, revealing the essentiality of LPC hydrolysis in the host environment and its potential as a target for anti-malarial therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiapeng Liu
- Department of Biochemistry, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061
| | - Christie Dapper
- Department of Biochemistry, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061
| | - Michael Klemba
- Department of Biochemistry, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061
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Sah RK, Anand S, Dar W, Jain R, Kumari G, Madan E, Saini M, Gupta A, Joshi N, Hada RS, Gupta N, Pati S, Singh S. Host-Erythrocytic Sphingosine-1-Phosphate Regulates Plasmodium Histone Deacetylase Activity and Exhibits Epigenetic Control over Cell Death and Differentiation. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0276622. [PMID: 36744922 PMCID: PMC10100792 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02766-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The evolution of resistance to practically all antimalarial drugs poses a challenge to the current malaria elimination and eradication efforts. Given that the epigenome of Plasmodium falciparum governs several crucial parasite functions, pharmaceutical interventions with transmission-blocking potential that target epigenetic molecular markers and regulatory mechanisms are likely to encounter drug resistance. In the malaria parasite, histone deacetylases (HDACs) are essential epigenetic modulators that regulate cellular transcriptional rearrangements, notably the molecular mechanisms underlying parasite proliferation and differentiation. We establish "lipid sequestration" as a mechanism by which sphingolipids, specifically Sphingosine-1-Phosphate (S1P) (a metabolic product of Sphingosine Kinase 1 [SphK-1]), regulate epigenetic reprogramming in the parasite by interacting with, and modulating, the histone-deacetylation activity of PfHDAC-1, thereby regulating Plasmodium pathogenesis. Furthermore, we demonstrate that altering host S1P levels with PF-543, a potent and selective Sphk-1 inhibitor, dysregulates PfHDAC-1 activity, resulting in a significant increase in the global histone acetylation signals and, consequently, transcriptional modulation of genes associated with gametocytogenesis, virulence, and proliferation. Our findings point to a hitherto unrecognized functional role for host S1P-mediated sphingolipid signaling in modulating PfHDAC-1's enzymatic activity and, as a result, the parasite's dynamic genome-wide transcriptional patterns. The epigenetic regulation of parasite proliferation and sexual differentiation offers a novel approach for developing host-targeted therapeutics to combat malaria resistance to conventional regimens. IMPORTANCE Sphingolipid is an 18-carbon amino-alcohol-containing lipid with a sphingosine backbone, which when phosphorylated by sphingosine kinase 1 (SphK-1), generates sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), an essential lipid signaling molecule. Dysregulation of S1P function has been observed in a variety of pathologies, including severe malaria. The malaria parasite Plasmodium acquires a host S1P pool for its growth and survival. Here, we describe the molecular attuning of histone deacetylase-1 (PfHDAC-1), a crucial epigenetic modulator that contributes to the establishment of epigenetic chromatin states and parasite survival, in response to S1P binding. Our findings highlight the host lipid-mediated epigenetic regulation of malaria parasite key genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raj Kumar Sah
- Special Centre for Molecular Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
| | - Sakshi Anand
- Special Centre for Molecular Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
| | - Waseem Dar
- School of Natural Sciences, Department of Life Sciences, Shiv Nadar University, Greater Noida, India
| | - Ravi Jain
- Special Centre for Molecular Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
| | - Geeta Kumari
- Special Centre for Molecular Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
| | - Evanka Madan
- Special Centre for Molecular Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
| | - Monika Saini
- Special Centre for Molecular Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
- School of Natural Sciences, Department of Life Sciences, Shiv Nadar University, Greater Noida, India
| | - Aashima Gupta
- Special Centre for Molecular Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
| | - Nishant Joshi
- School of Natural Sciences, Department of Life Sciences, Shiv Nadar University, Greater Noida, India
| | - Rahul Singh Hada
- Special Centre for Molecular Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
- School of Natural Sciences, Department of Life Sciences, Shiv Nadar University, Greater Noida, India
| | - Nutan Gupta
- Special Centre for Molecular Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
| | - Soumya Pati
- School of Natural Sciences, Department of Life Sciences, Shiv Nadar University, Greater Noida, India
| | - Shailja Singh
- Special Centre for Molecular Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
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Leveraging a Fluorescent Fatty Acid Probe to Discover Cell-Permeable Inhibitors of Plasmodium falciparum Glycerolipid Biosynthesis. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0245622. [PMID: 36314974 PMCID: PMC9769509 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02456-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
A sensitive and quantitative fluorescence-based approach is presented for characterizing fatty acid acquisition and lipid biosynthesis by asexually replicating, intraerythrocytic Plasmodium falciparum. We show that a BODIPY-containing, green-fluorescent fatty acid analog is efficiently and rapidly incorporated into parasite neutral lipids and phospholipids. Prelabeling with a red-fluorescent ceramide analog permits normalization and enables reliable quantitation of glycerolipid labeling. Inhibition of lipid labeling by competition with natural fatty acids and by acyl-coenzyme A synthetase and diacylglycerol acyltransferase inhibitors demonstrates that the fluorescent fatty acid probe is acquired, activated, and transferred to lipids through physiologically-relevant pathways. To assess its utility in discovering small molecules that block parasite lipid biosynthesis, the lipid labeling assay was used to screen a panel of mammalian lipase inhibitors and a selection of compounds from the "Malaria Box" anti-malarial collection. Several compounds were identified that inhibited the incorporation of the fluorescent fatty acid probe into lipids in cultured parasites at low micromolar concentrations. Two contrasting profiles of suppression of neutral lipid and phospholipid synthesis were observed, which implies the inhibition of distinct pathways. IMPORTANCE The human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum relies on fatty acid scavenging to supply this essential precursor of lipid synthesis during its asexual replication cycle in human erythrocytes. This dependence on host fatty acids represents a potential vulnerability that can be exploited to develop new anti-malarial therapies. The quantitative experimental approach described here provides a platform for simultaneously interrogating multiple facets of lipid metabolism- fatty acid uptake, fatty acyl-CoA synthesis, and neutral lipid and phospholipid biosynthesis- and of identifying cell-permeable inhibitors that are active in situ.
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Activity-Based Protein Profiling of Human and Plasmodium Serine Hydrolases and Interrogation of Potential Antimalarial Targets. iScience 2022; 25:104996. [PMID: 36105595 PMCID: PMC9464883 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.104996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Revised: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria remains a global health issue requiring the identification of novel therapeutic targets to combat drug resistance. Metabolic serine hydrolases are druggable enzymes playing essential roles in lipid metabolism. However, very few have been investigated in malaria-causing parasites. Here, we used fluorophosphonate broad-spectrum activity-based probes and quantitative chemical proteomics to annotate and profile the activity of more than half of predicted serine hydrolases in P. falciparum across the erythrocytic cycle. Using conditional genetics, we demonstrate that the activities of four serine hydrolases, previously annotated as essential (or important) in genetic screens, are actually dispensable for parasite replication. Of importance, we also identified eight human serine hydrolases that are specifically activated at different developmental stages. Chemical inhibition of two of them blocks parasite replication. This strongly suggests that parasites co-opt the activity of host enzymes and that this opens a new drug development strategy against which the parasites are less likely to develop resistance. P. falciparum has 48 predicted metabolic SHs. Many react with the ABP, FP-N3 The activity of 25 PfSHs and 8 HsSHs was profiled throughout the asexual life cycle Catalytic mutants of 4 PfSHs (formerly held essential) had no parasite growth effect Selective inhibitors for 2 HsSHs (APEH and LPLA2) affected parasite growth
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Ressurreição M, van Ooij C. Lipid transport proteins in malaria, from Plasmodium parasites to their hosts. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Cell Biol Lipids 2021; 1866:159047. [PMID: 34461309 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbalip.2021.159047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2021] [Revised: 08/08/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Eukaryotic unicellular pathogens from the genus Plasmodium are the etiological agents of malaria, a disease that persists over a wide range of vertebrate species, including humans. During its dynamic lifecycle, survival in the different hosts depends on the parasite's ability to establish a suitable environmental milieu. To achieve this, specific host processes are exploited to support optimal growth, including extensive modifications to the infected host cell. These modifications include the formation of novel membranous structures, which are induced by the parasite. Consequently, to maintain a finely tuned and dynamic lipid environment, the organisation and distribution of lipids to different cell sites likely requires specialised lipid transfer proteins (LTPs). Indeed, several parasite and host-derived LTPs have been identified and shown to be essential at specific stages. Here we describe the roles of LTPs in parasite development and adaptation to its host including how the latest studies are profiting from the improved genetic, lipidomic and imaging toolkits available to study Plasmodium parasites. Lastly, a list of predicted Plasmodium LTPs is provided to encourage research in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margarida Ressurreição
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom.
| | - Christiaan van Ooij
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom.
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Asad M, Yamaryo-Botté Y, Hossain ME, Thakur V, Jain S, Datta G, Botté CY, Mohmmed A. An essential vesicular-trafficking phospholipase mediates neutral lipid synthesis and contributes to hemozoin formation in Plasmodium falciparum. BMC Biol 2021; 19:159. [PMID: 34380472 PMCID: PMC8359613 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-021-01042-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2020] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Plasmodium falciparum is the pathogen responsible for the most devastating form of human malaria. As it replicates asexually in the erythrocytes of its human host, the parasite feeds on haemoglobin uptaken from these cells. Heme, a toxic by-product of haemoglobin utilization by the parasite, is neutralized into inert hemozoin in the food vacuole of the parasite. Lipid homeostasis and phospholipid metabolism are crucial for this process, as well as for the parasite’s survival and propagation within the host. P. falciparum harbours a uniquely large family of phospholipases, which are suggested to play key roles in lipid metabolism and utilization. Results Here, we show that one of the parasite phospholipase (P. falciparum lysophospholipase, PfLPL1) plays an essential role in lipid homeostasis linked with the haemoglobin degradation and heme conversion pathway. Fluorescence tagging showed that the PfLPL1 in infected blood cells localizes to dynamic vesicular structures that traffic from the host-parasite interface at the parasite periphery, through the cytosol, to get incorporated into a large vesicular lipid rich body next to the food-vacuole. PfLPL1 is shown to harbour enzymatic activity to catabolize phospholipids, and its transient downregulation in the parasite caused a significant reduction of neutral lipids in the food vacuole-associated lipid bodies. This hindered the conversion of heme, originating from host haemoglobin, into the hemozoin, and disrupted the parasite development cycle and parasite growth. Detailed lipidomic analyses of inducible knock-down parasites deciphered the functional role of PfLPL1 in generation of neutral lipid through recycling of phospholipids. Further, exogenous fatty-acids were able to complement downregulation of PfLPL1 to rescue the parasite growth as well as restore hemozoin levels. Conclusions We found that the transient downregulation of PfLPL1 in the parasite disrupted lipid homeostasis and caused a reduction in neutral lipids essentially required for heme to hemozoin conversion. Our study suggests a crucial link between phospholipid catabolism and generation of neutral lipids (TAGs) with the host haemoglobin degradation pathway. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12915-021-01042-z.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohd Asad
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi, 110 067, India
| | - Yoshiki Yamaryo-Botté
- ApicoLipid Team, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, CNRS UMR5309, Université Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, Grenoble, France
| | - Mohammad E Hossain
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi, 110 067, India
| | - Vandana Thakur
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi, 110 067, India
| | - Shaifali Jain
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi, 110 067, India
| | - Gaurav Datta
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi, 110 067, India
| | - Cyrille Y Botté
- ApicoLipid Team, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, CNRS UMR5309, Université Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, Grenoble, France
| | - Asif Mohmmed
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi, 110 067, India.
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GlmS mediated knock-down of a phospholipase expedite alternate pathway to generate phosphocholine required for phosphatidylcholine synthesis in Plasmodium falciparum. Biochem J 2021; 478:3429-3444. [PMID: 34133721 DOI: 10.1042/bcj20200549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Revised: 06/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Phospholipid synthesis is crucial for membrane proliferation in malaria parasites during the entire cycle in the host cell. The major phospholipid of parasite membranes, phosphatidylcholine (PC), is mainly synthesized through the Kennedy pathway. The phosphocholine required for this synthetic pathway is generated by phosphorylation of choline derived from catabolism of the lyso-phosphatidylcholine (LPC) scavenged from the host milieu. Here we have characterized a Plasmodium falciparum lysophospholipase (PfLPL20) which showed enzymatic activity on LPC substrate to generate choline. Using GFP- targeting approach, PfLPL20 was localized in vesicular structures associated with the neutral lipid storage bodies present juxtaposed to the food-vacuole. The C-terminal tagged glmS mediated inducible knock-down of PfLPL20 caused transient hindrance in the parasite development, however, the parasites were able to multiply efficiently, suggesting that PfLPL20 is not essential for the parasite. However, in PfLPL20 depleted parasites, transcript levels of enzyme of SDPM pathway (Serine Decarboxylase-Phosphoethanolamine Methyltransferase) were altered along with upregulation of phosphocholine and SAM levels; these results show upregulation of alternate pathway to generate the phosphocholine required for PC synthesis through the Kennedy pathway. Our study highlights presence of alternate pathways for lipid homeostasis/membrane-biogenesis in the parasite; these data could be useful to design future therapeutic approaches targeting phospholipid metabolism in the parasite.
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Kulkeaw K. Progress and challenges in the use of fluorescence-based flow cytometric assays for anti-malarial drug susceptibility tests. Malar J 2021; 20:57. [PMID: 33478496 PMCID: PMC7818911 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-021-03591-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2020] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Drug-resistant Plasmodium is a frequent global threat in malaria eradication programmes, highlighting the need for new anti-malarial drugs and efficient detection of treatment failure. Plasmodium falciparum culture is essential in drug discovery and resistance surveillance. Microscopy of Giemsa-stained erythrocytes is common for determining anti-malarial effects on the intraerythrocytic development of cultured Plasmodium parasites. Giemsa-based microscopy use is conventional but laborious, and its accuracy depends largely on examiner skill. Given the availability of nucleic acid-binding fluorescent dyes and advances in flow cytometry, the use of various fluorochromes has been frequently attempted for the enumeration of parasitaemia and discrimination of P. falciparum growth in drug susceptibility assays. However, fluorochromes do not meet the requirements of being fast, simple, reliable and sensitive. Thus, this review revisits the utility of fluorochromes, notes previously reported hindrances, and highlights the challenges and opportunities for using fluorochromes in flow cytometer-based drug susceptibility tests. It aims to improve drug discovery and support a resistance surveillance system, an essential feature in combatting malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kasem Kulkeaw
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, 2, Wanglang Road, Bangkoknoi, 10700, Bangkok, Thailand.
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Erythrocyte sphingosine kinase regulates intraerythrocytic development of Plasmodium falciparum. Sci Rep 2021; 11:1257. [PMID: 33441957 PMCID: PMC7806667 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-80658-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The sphingolipid pool is key regulator of vital cellular functions in Plasmodium falciparum a causative agent for deadly malaria. Erythrocytes, the host for asexual stage of Plasmodium, are major reservoir for Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P). Erythrocyte possesses Sphingosine kinase (SphK) that catalyzed its biosynthesis from sphingosine (Sph). Since, Plasmodium lacks SphK homologous protein it can be envisaged that it co-opts sphingolipids from both intraerythrocytic as well as extracellular pools for its growth and development. Herein, by sphingosine-NBD probing, we report that infected erythrocytes imports Sph from extracellular pool, which is converted to S1P and thereby taken by P. falciparum. Next, by targeting of the SphK through specific inhibitor N,N-Dimethylsphingosine DMS, we show a reduction in erythrocyte endogenous S1P pool and SphK-phosphorylation that led to inhibition in growth and development of ring stage P. falciparum. Owing to the role of S1P in erythrocyte glycolysis we analyzed uptake of NBD-Glucose and production of lactate in DMS treated and untreated plasmodium. DMS treatment led to decreased glycolysis in Plasmodium. Interestingly the host free Plasmodium did not show any effect on glycolysis with DMS treatment indicating its host-mediated effect. Further to understand the in-vivo anti-plasmodial effects of exogenous and endogenous erythrocyte S1P level, Sphingosine-1-phosphate lyase (S1PL) inhibitor (THI), S1P and SphK-1 inhibitor (DMS), were used in Plasmodium berghei ANKA (PbA) mice model. DMS treatment led to reduction of endogenous S1P conferred significant decrease in parasite load, whereas the plasma level S1P modulated by (THI) and exogenous S1P have no effect on growth of Plasmodium. This suggested erythrocyte endogenous S1P pool is important for Plasmodium growth whereas the plasma level S1P has no effect. Altogether, this study provides insight on cellular processes regulated by S1P in P. falciparum and highlights the novel mechanistically distinct molecular target i.e. SphK-1.
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Usman MA, Ibrahim MA, Salman AA, Sallau AB. Depletion of cholesterol could be associated with modulation of progesterone but not other sex hormone levels during Plasmodium falciparum infection in humans: a cross-sectional study from Zaria, Nigeria. Parasitol Res 2020; 119:4143-4150. [PMID: 32951142 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-020-06826-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
In order for Plasmodium falciparum to grow and survive in its host, membrane biogenesis, fueled by host cholesterol, is essential for these processes. Consistent with this essential role, more insights into the cholesterol pathway would enhance the current understanding of the pathophysiology of malaria infection. To explore its broader potential, we conducted a cross-sectional study and assayed for the serum levels of cholesterol, vitamin D, progesterone, testosterone, estradiol and bile acid in both P. falciparum-infected patients and apparently healthy sex-matched participants. Our results revealed that the levels of cholesterol, vitamin D, progesterone, testosterone and estradiol in P. falciparum-infected patients were significantly (p < 0.05) lower compared to those in control groups whereas the level of bile acid in P. falciparum-infected patients was significantly (p < 0.05) higher compared to that in control groups. Additionally, cholesterol and the metabolic products with the exception of bile acid had a significant (p < 0.05) association with the parasite density in P. falciparum-infected patients with moderate and high P. falciparum infections. Furthermore, all the metabolic products of cholesterol had an insignificant (p > 0.05) association with the cholesterol in P. falciparum-infected patients with the exception of progesterone which showed a significant (p < 0.05) association with cholesterol in the malaria-infected female patients. Data from the present study demonstrated that progesterone depletion in P. falciparum-infected female patients could be a consequence of P. falciparum-induced decrease in cholesterol.
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14
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Hayakawa EH, Kato H, Nardone GA, Usukura J. A prospective mechanism and source of cholesterol uptake by Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes co-cultured with HepG2 cells. Parasitol Int 2020; 80:102179. [PMID: 32853776 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2020.102179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2020] [Revised: 06/23/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum) parasites still cause lethal infections worldwide, especially in Africa (https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/world-malaria-report-2019). During P. falciparum blood-stage infections in humans, low-density lipoprotein, high-density lipoprotein and cholesterol levels in the blood become low. Because P. falciparum lacks a de novo cholesterol synthesis pathway, it must import cholesterol from the surrounding environment. However, the origin of the cholesterol and how it is taken up by the parasite across the multiple membranes that surround it is not fully understood. To answer this, we used a cholesterol synthesis inhibiter (simvastatin), a cholesterol transport inhibitor (ezetimibe), and an activating ligand of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α, called ciprofibrate, to investigate the effects of these agents on the intraerythrocytic growth of P. falciparum, both with and without HepG2 cells as the lipoprotein feeders. P. falciparum growth was inhibited in the presence of ezetimibe, but ezetimibe was not very effective at inhibiting P. falciparum growth when used in the co-culture system, unlike simvastatin, which strongly promoted parasite growth in this system. Ezetimibe is known to inhibit cholesterol absorption by blocking the activity of Niemann-Pick C1 like 1 (NPC1L1) protein, and simvastatin is known to enhance NPC1L1 expression in the human body's small intestine. Collectively, our results support the possibility that cholesterol import by P. falciparum involves hepatocytes, and cholesterol uptake into the parasite occurs via NPC1L1 protein or an NPC1L1 homolog during the erythrocytic stages of the P. falciparum lifecycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eri H Hayakawa
- Division of Medical Zoology, Department of Infection and Immunity, Jichi Medical University, Shimotsuke, Tochigi 329-0498, Japan.
| | - Hirotomo Kato
- Division of Medical Zoology, Department of Infection and Immunity, Jichi Medical University, Shimotsuke, Tochigi 329-0498, Japan
| | - Glenn A Nardone
- Research Technology Branch, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892-5766, USA
| | - Jiro Usukura
- Institute of Material and Systems for Sustainability, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya 464-8601, Japan
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Innovative Alternatives for Continuous In Vitro Culture of Babesia bigemina in Medium Free of Components of Animal Origin. Pathogens 2020; 9:pathogens9050343. [PMID: 32370024 PMCID: PMC7281159 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9050343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2020] [Revised: 04/29/2020] [Accepted: 04/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
In this study, we report Babesia bigemina proliferation in culture medium free of components of animal origin supplemented with a lipid mixture. Babesia bigemina continuously proliferated in VP-SFM with a higher percent parasitized erythrocyte as compare to using other animal component-free culture media. Compared with Advanced DMEM/F12 (ADMEM/F12), VP-SFM had a similar percent parasitized erythrocyte (PPE). Supplementation of VP-SF with a lipid acid mixture improved B. bigemina proliferation in vitro culture, with a maximum PPE of 11.3%. Growth of B. bigemina in a perfusion bioreactor using VP-SFM medium supplemented with lipid mixture resulted in a PPE above 28%. In conclusion, we demonstrated that B. bigemina proliferated in an animal component-free medium supplemented with the fatty acid mixture. This innovation to B. bigeminain vitro culture method presented herein is an important source of biological material for live vaccine production and understanding the mechanisms and molecules involved in parasite attachment and invasion of bovine erythrocytes.
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16
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Tougan T, Edula JR, Morita M, Takashima E, Honma H, Tsuboi T, Horii T. The malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum in red blood cells selectively takes up serum proteins that affect host pathogenicity. Malar J 2020; 19:155. [PMID: 32295584 PMCID: PMC7161009 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-020-03229-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2020] [Accepted: 04/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum is a protozoan that develops in red blood cells (RBCs) and requires various host factors. For its development in RBCs, nutrients not only from the RBC cytosol but also from the extracellular milieu must be acquired. Although the utilization of host nutrients by P. falciparum has been extensively analysed, only a few studies have reported its utilization of host serum proteins. Hence, the aim of the current study was to comprehensively identify host serum proteins taken up by P. falciparum parasites and to elucidate their role in pathogenesis. Methods Plasmodium falciparum was cultured with human serum in vitro. Uptake of serum proteins by parasites was comprehensively determined via shotgun liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry and western blotting. The calcium ion concentration in serum was also evaluated, and coagulation activity of the parasite lysate was assessed. Results Three proteins, vitamin K-dependent protein S, prothrombin, and vitronectin, were selectively internalized under sufficient Ca2+ levels in the culture medium. The uptake of these proteins was initiated before DNA replication, and increased during the trophozoite and schizont stages, irrespective of the assembly/disassembly of actin filaments. Coagulation assay revealed that prothrombin was activated and thereby induced blood coagulation. Conclusions Serum proteins were taken up by parasites under culture conditions with sufficient Ca2+ levels. This uptake phenomenon was associated with their pathogenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takahiro Tougan
- Research Centre for Infectious Disease Control, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, 3-1 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan.
| | - Jyotheeswara R Edula
- Department of Molecular Protozoology, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, 3-1 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan.,Cell and Developmental Biology Section, Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Masayuki Morita
- Division of Malaria Research, Proteo-Science Centre, Ehime University, 3 Bunkyo-cho, Matsuyama, Ehime, 790-8577, Japan
| | - Eizo Takashima
- Division of Malaria Research, Proteo-Science Centre, Ehime University, 3 Bunkyo-cho, Matsuyama, Ehime, 790-8577, Japan
| | - Hajime Honma
- Department of International Affairs and Tropical Medicine, Tokyo Women's Medical University, 8-1 Kawada-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 162-8666, Japan
| | - Takafumi Tsuboi
- Division of Malaria Research, Proteo-Science Centre, Ehime University, 3 Bunkyo-cho, Matsuyama, Ehime, 790-8577, Japan
| | - Toshihiro Horii
- Department of Malaria Vaccine Development, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, 3-1 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
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17
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Sah RK, Pati S, Saini M, Boopathi PA, Kochar SK, Kochar DK, Das A, Singh S. Reduction of Sphingosine Kinase 1 Phosphorylation and Activity in Plasmodium-Infected Erythrocytes. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:80. [PMID: 32195246 PMCID: PMC7062701 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.00080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2019] [Accepted: 01/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), a bioactive lipid mediator is involved in an array of biological processes and linked to pathological manifestations. Erythrocyte is known as the major reservoir for S1P as they lack S1P-degrading enzymes (S1P lyase and S1P phosphohydrolase) and harbor sphingosine kinase-1 (SphK-1) essential for sphingosine conversion to S1P. Reduced S1P concentration in serum was correlated with disease severity in patients with Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax infections. Herein, we aimed to identify the underlying mechanism and contribution of host erythrocytes toward depleted S1P levels in Plasmodium-infected patients vs. healthy individuals. The level and activity of SphK-1 were measured in vitro in both uninfected and cultured P. falciparum-infected erythrocytes. Infected erythrocytes demonstrated a significant decrease in SphK-1 level in a time-dependent manner. We found that 10–42 h post invasion (hpi), SphK1 level was predominantly reduced to ∼50% in rings, trophozoites, and schizonts compared to uninfected erythrocytes. We next analyzed the phosphorylation status of SphK-1, a modification responsible for its activity and S1P production, in both uninfected control and Plasmodium-infected erythrocytes. Almost ∼50% decrease in phosphorylation of SphK-1 was observed that could be corroborated with significant reduction in the production and release of S1P in infected erythrocytes. Serum S1P levels were studied in parallel in P. falciparum (N = 15), P. vivax (N = 36)-infected patients, and healthy controls (N = 6). The findings revealed that S1P concentration was significantly depleted in uncomplicated malaria cases and was found to be lowest in complicated malaria and thrombocytopenia in both P. falciparum and P. vivax-infected groups (∗∗p < 0.01). The lower serum S1P level could be correlated with the reduced platelet count defining the role of S1P level in platelet formation. In conclusion, erythrocyte SphK-1 and S1P levels were studied in Plasmodium-infected individuals and erythrocytes that helped in characterizing the complications associated with malaria and thrombocytopenia, providing insights into the contribution of host erythrocyte biology in malaria pathogenesis. Finally, this study proposes the use of S1P and its analog as a novel adjunct therapy for malaria complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raj Kumar Sah
- Special Centre for Molecular Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
| | - Soumya Pati
- Department of Life Sciences, School of Natural Sciences, Shiv Nadar University, Greater Noida, India
| | - Monika Saini
- Special Centre for Molecular Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India.,Department of Life Sciences, School of Natural Sciences, Shiv Nadar University, Greater Noida, India
| | | | | | | | - Ashis Das
- Department of Biological Sciences, Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani, India
| | - Shailja Singh
- Special Centre for Molecular Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
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18
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Thomson-Luque R, Adams JH, Kocken CHM, Pasini EM. From marginal to essential: the golden thread between nutrient sensing, medium composition and Plasmodium vivax maturation in in vitro culture. Malar J 2019; 18:344. [PMID: 31601222 PMCID: PMC6785855 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-019-2949-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2019] [Accepted: 09/06/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Historically neglected, due to its biological peculiarities, the absence of a continuous long-term in vitro blood stage culture system and a propensity towards high morbidity rather than mortality, Plasmodium vivax was put back on the agenda during the last decade by the paradigm shift in the fight against malaria from malaria control to malaria eradication. While the incidence of the deadliest form of malaria, Plasmodium falciparum malaria, has declined since this paradigm shift took hold, the prospects of eradication are now threatened by the increase in the incidence of other human malaria parasite species. Plasmodium vivax is geographically the most widely distributed human malaria parasite, characterized by millions of clinical cases every year and responsible for a massive economic burden. The urgent need to tackle the unique biological challenges posed by this parasite led to renewed efforts aimed at establishing a continuous, long-term in vitro P. vivax blood stage culture. Based on recent discoveries on the role of nutrient sensing in Plasmodium’s pathophysiology, this review article critically assesses the extensive body of literature concerning Plasmodium culture conditions with a specific focus on culture media used in attempts to culture different Plasmodium spp. Hereby, the effect of specific media components on the parasite’s in vitro fitness and the maturation of the parasite’s host cell, the reticulocyte, is analysed. Challenging the wide-held belief that it is sufficient to find the right parasite isolate and give it the right type of cells to invade for P. vivax to grow in vitro, this review contends that a healthy side-by-side maturation of both the parasite and its host cell, the reticulocyte, is necessary in the adaptation of P. vivax to in vitro growth and argues that culture conditions and the media in particular play an essential role in this maturation process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Thomson-Luque
- Center for Infectious Diseases-Parasitology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Im Neuenheimer Feld 324, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - John H Adams
- Center for Global Health, & Infectious Diseases Research, Department of Global Health, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, 3720 Spectrum Blvd, Suite 404 IDRB, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Clemens H M Kocken
- Department of Parasitology, Biomedical Primate Research Centre, Lange Kleiweg, 161, 2288 GJ, Rijswijk, The Netherlands
| | - Erica M Pasini
- Department of Parasitology, Biomedical Primate Research Centre, Lange Kleiweg, 161, 2288 GJ, Rijswijk, The Netherlands.
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19
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Sherling ES, van Ooij C. Host cell remodeling by pathogens: the exomembrane system in Plasmodium-infected erythrocytes. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2017; 40:701-21. [PMID: 27587718 PMCID: PMC5007283 DOI: 10.1093/femsre/fuw016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria is caused by infection of erythrocytes by parasites of the genus Plasmodium. To survive inside erythrocytes, these parasites induce sweeping changes within the host cell, one of the most dramatic of which is the formation of multiple membranous compartments, collectively referred to as the exomembrane system. As an uninfected mammalian erythrocyte is devoid of internal membranes, the parasite must be the force and the source behind the formation of these compartments. Even though the first evidence of the presence these of internal compartments was obtained over a century ago, their functions remain mostly unclear, and in some cases completely unknown, and the mechanisms underlying their formation are still mysterious. In this review, we provide an overview of the different parts of the exomembrane system, describing the parasitophorous vacuole, the tubovesicular network, Maurer's clefts, the caveola-vesicle complex, J dots and other mobile compartments, and the small vesicles that have been observed in Plasmodium-infected cells. Finally, we combine the data into a simplified view of the exomembrane system and its relation to the alterations of the host erythrocyte. Plasmodium parasites remodel the host erythrocyte in various ways, including the formation of several membranous compartments, together referred to as the exomembrane system, within the erythrocyte cytosol that together are key to the sweeping changes in the host cell.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma S Sherling
- The Francis Crick Institute, Mill Hill Laboratory, Mill Hill, London NW7 1AA, UK Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20852, USA
| | - Christiaan van Ooij
- The Francis Crick Institute, Mill Hill Laboratory, Mill Hill, London NW7 1AA, UK
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20
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Profiling molecular factors associated with pyknosis and developmental arrest induced by an opioid receptor antagonist and dihydroartemisinin in Plasmodium falciparum. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0184874. [PMID: 28934264 PMCID: PMC5608265 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0184874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2017] [Accepted: 09/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria continues to be a devastating disease, largely caused by Plasmodium falciparum infection. We investigated the effects of opioid and cannabinoid receptor antagonists on the growth of intraerythrocytic P. falciparum. The delta opioid receptor antagonist 7-benzylidenenaltrexone (BNTX) and the cannabinoid receptor antagonists rimonaband and SR144528 caused growth arrest of the parasite. Notably BNTX and the established antimalarial drug dihydroartemisinin induced prominent pyknosis in parasite cells after a short period of incubation. We compared genome-wide transcriptome profiles in P. falciparum with different degrees of pyknosis in response to drug treatment, and identified 11 transcripts potentially associated with the evoking of pyknosis, of which three, including glutathione reductase (PfGR), triose phosphate transporter (PfoTPT), and a conserved Plasmodium membrane protein, showed markedly different gene expression levels in accordance with the degree of pyknosis. Furthermore, the use of specific inhibitors confirmed PfGR but not PfoTPT as a possible factor contributing to the development of pyknosis. A reduction in total glutathione levels was also detected in association with increased pyknosis. These results further our understanding of the mechanisms responsible for P. falciparum development and the antimalarial activity of dihydroartemisinin, and provide useful information for the development of novel antimalarial agents.
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21
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Asahi H, Kobayashi F, Inoue SI, Niikura M, Yagita K, Tolba MEM. Copper Homeostasis for the Developmental Progression of Intraerythrocytic Malarial Parasite. Curr Top Med Chem 2017; 16:3048-3057. [PMID: 26881705 PMCID: PMC5068492 DOI: 10.2174/1568026616999160215151704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2015] [Revised: 01/10/2016] [Accepted: 02/20/2016] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Malaria is one of the world’s most devastating diseases, particularly in the tropics. In humans, Plasmodium falciparum lives mainly within red blood cells, and malaria pathogenesis depends on the red blood cells being infected with the parasite. Non-esterified fatty acids (NEFAs), including cis-9-octadecenoic acid, and phospholipids have been critical for complete parasite growth in serum-free culture, although the efficacy of NEFAs in sustaining the growth of P. falciparum has varied markedly. Hexadecanoic acid and trans-9-octadecenoic acid have arrested development of the parasite, in association with down-regulation of genes encoding copper-binding proteins. Selective removal of Cu+ ions has blockaded completely the ring–trophozoite–schizont progression of the parasite. The importance of copper homeostasis for the developmental progression of P. falciparum has been confirmed by inhibition of copper-binding proteins that regulate copper physiology and function by associating with copper ions. These data have provided strong evidence for a link between healthy copper homeostasis and successive developmental progression of P. falciparum. Perturbation of copper homeostasis may be, thus, instrumental in drug and vaccine development for the malaria medication. We review the importance of copper homeostasis in the asexual growth of P. falciparum in relation to NEFAs, copper-binding proteins, apoptosis, mitochondria, and gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroko Asahi
- Division of Tropical Diseases and Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases, Kyorin University School of Medicine, Tokyo 181 8611, Japan.
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22
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Orikiiriza J, Surowiec I, Lindquist E, Bonde M, Magambo J, Muhinda C, Bergström S, Trygg J, Normark J. Lipid response patterns in acute phase paediatric Plasmodium falciparum malaria. Metabolomics 2017; 13:41. [PMID: 28286460 PMCID: PMC5323494 DOI: 10.1007/s11306-017-1174-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2016] [Accepted: 02/03/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Several studies have observed serum lipid changes during malaria infection in humans. All of them were focused at analysis of lipoproteins, not specific lipid molecules. The aim of our study was to identify novel patterns of lipid species in malaria infected patients using lipidomics profiling, to enhance diagnosis of malaria and to evaluate biochemical pathways activated during parasite infection. METHODS Using a multivariate characterization approach, 60 samples were representatively selected, 20 from each category (mild, severe and controls) of the 690 study participants between age of 0.5-6 years. Lipids from patient's plasma were extracted with chloroform/methanol mixture and subjected to lipid profiling with application of the LCMS-QTOF method. RESULTS We observed a structured plasma lipid response among the malaria-infected patients as compared to healthy controls, demonstrated by higher levels of a majority of plasma lipids with the exception of even-chain length lysophosphatidylcholines and triglycerides with lower mass and higher saturation of the fatty acid chains. An inverse lipid profile relationship was observed when plasma lipids were correlated to parasitaemia. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates how mapping the full physiological lipid response in plasma from malaria-infected individuals can be used to understand biochemical processes during infection. It also gives insights to how the levels of these molecules relate to acute immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judy Orikiiriza
- Infectious Diseases Institute, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, P.O. Box 22418, Kampala, Uganda
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, St. James’s Hospital, Dublin, 8 Ireland
- Rwanda Military Hospital, P.O. Box: 3377, Kigali, Rwanda
| | - Izabella Surowiec
- Computational Life Science Cluster (CLiC), Department of Chemistry, Umeå University, 901 87 Umeå, Sweden
| | | | - Mari Bonde
- Department of Chemistry, Umeå University, 901 87 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Jimmy Magambo
- Rwanda Military Hospital, P.O. Box: 3377, Kigali, Rwanda
| | - Charles Muhinda
- Rwanda Military Hospital, P.O. Box: 3377, Kigali, Rwanda
- Department of Immmunology and Microbiology, School of Biomedical Sciences College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, P.O Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Sven Bergström
- Department of Molecular Biology, Umeå University, 901 87 Umeå, Sweden
- Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS), 901 87 Umeå, Sweden
- Umeå Center for Microbial Research, 901 87 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Johan Trygg
- Computational Life Science Cluster (CLiC), Department of Chemistry, Umeå University, 901 87 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Johan Normark
- Department of Molecular Biology, Umeå University, 901 87 Umeå, Sweden
- Department of Chemistry, Umeå University, 901 87 Umeå, Sweden
- Umeå Center for Microbial Research, 901 87 Umeå, Sweden
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department Clinical Microbiology, Umeå University, 901 87 Umeå, Sweden
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23
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Sidhaye AA, Bhuran KC, Zambare S, Abubaker M, Nirmalan N, Singh KK. Bio-inspired artemether-loaded human serum albumin nanoparticles for effective control of malaria-infected erythrocytes. Nanomedicine (Lond) 2016; 11:2809-2828. [PMID: 27759489 DOI: 10.2217/nnm-2016-0235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM The intra-erythrocytic development of the malarial parasite is dependent on active uptake of nutrients, including human serum albumin (HSA), into parasitized red blood cells (pRBCs). We have designed HSA-based nanoparticles as a potential drug-delivery option for antimalarials. METHODS Artemether-loaded nanoparticles (AANs) were designed and antimalarial activity evaluated in vitro/in vivo using Plasmodium falciparum/Plasmodium berghei species, respectively. RESULTS Selective internalization of AAN into Plasmodium-infected RBCs in preference to healthy erythrocytes was observed using confocal imaging. In vitro studies showed 50% dose reduction for AAN as compared with drug-only controls to achieve IC50 levels of inhibition. The nanoparticles exhibited twofold higher peak drug concentrations in RBCs with antimalarial activity at 50% of therapeutic doses in P. bergei infected mice. CONCLUSION Novel HSA-based nanoparticles offer safe and effective approach for selective targeting of antimalarial drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aditi A Sidhaye
- CU Shah College of Pharmacy, SNDT Women's University, Santacruz (W), Mumbai 400049, India
| | - Kanchan C Bhuran
- CU Shah College of Pharmacy, SNDT Women's University, Santacruz (W), Mumbai 400049, India
| | - Sneha Zambare
- CU Shah College of Pharmacy, SNDT Women's University, Santacruz (W), Mumbai 400049, India
| | - Munna Abubaker
- School of Environment & Life Sciences, University of Salford, Manchester, M5 4WT, UK
| | - Niroshini Nirmalan
- School of Environment & Life Sciences, University of Salford, Manchester, M5 4WT, UK
| | - Kamalinder K Singh
- CU Shah College of Pharmacy, SNDT Women's University, Santacruz (W), Mumbai 400049, India.,School of Pharmacy & Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, PR1 2HE, UK
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Profiling the Essential Nature of Lipid Metabolism in Asexual Blood and Gametocyte Stages of Plasmodium falciparum. Cell Host Microbe 2016; 18:371-81. [PMID: 26355219 DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2015.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2014] [Revised: 06/29/2015] [Accepted: 08/13/2015] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
During its life cycle, Plasmodium falciparum undergoes rapid proliferation fueled by de novo synthesis and acquisition of host cell lipids. Consistent with this essential role, Plasmodium lipid synthesis enzymes are emerging as potential drug targets. To explore their broader potential for therapeutic interventions, we assayed the global lipid landscape during P. falciparum sexual and asexual blood stage (ABS) development. Using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, we analyzed 304 lipids constituting 24 classes in ABS parasites, infected red blood cell (RBC)-derived microvesicles, gametocytes, and uninfected RBCs. Ten lipid classes were previously uncharacterized in P. falciparum, and 70%-75% of the lipid classes exhibited changes in abundance during ABS and gametocyte development. Utilizing compounds that target lipid metabolism, we affirmed the essentiality of major classes, including triacylglycerols. These studies highlight the interplay between host and parasite lipid metabolism and provide a comprehensive analysis of P. falciparum lipids with candidate pathways for drug discovery efforts.
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25
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Fatty acid metabolism in the Plasmodium apicoplast: Drugs, doubts and knockouts. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2015; 199:34-50. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2015.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2015] [Revised: 03/16/2015] [Accepted: 03/17/2015] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
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Khaw LT, Ball HJ, Mitchell AJ, Grau GE, Stocker R, Golenser J, Hunt NH. Brain endothelial cells increase the proliferation of Plasmodium falciparum through production of soluble factors. Exp Parasitol 2014; 145:34-41. [PMID: 25045850 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2014.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2013] [Revised: 05/06/2014] [Accepted: 07/08/2014] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
We here describe the novel finding that brain endothelial cells in vitro can stimulate the growth of Plasmodium falciparum through the production of low molecular weight growth factors. By using a conditioned medium approach, we show that the brain endothelial cells continued to release these factors over time. If this mirrors the in vivo situation, these growth factors potentially would provide an advantage, in terms of enhanced growth, for sequestered parasitised red blood cells in the brain microvasculature. We observed this phenomenon with brain endothelial cells from several sources as well as a second P. falciparum strain. The characteristics of the growth factors included: <3 kDa molecular weight, heat stable, and in part chloroform soluble. Future efforts should be directed at identifying these growth factors, since blocking their production or actions might be of benefit for reducing parasite load and, hence, malaria pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- L T Khaw
- Molecular Immunopathology Unit, School of Medical Sciences and Bosch Institute, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia; Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - H J Ball
- Molecular Immunopathology Unit, School of Medical Sciences and Bosch Institute, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - A J Mitchell
- Molecular Immunopathology Unit, School of Medical Sciences and Bosch Institute, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia; Immune Imaging Program, Centenary Institute, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia
| | - G E Grau
- Vascular Immunology Unit, School of Medical Sciences and Bosch Institute, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - R Stocker
- Vascular Biology Division, Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Lowy Packer Building, 405 Liverpool Street, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010, Australia
| | - J Golenser
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Kuvin Centre for the Study of Tropical and Infectious Diseases, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - N H Hunt
- Molecular Immunopathology Unit, School of Medical Sciences and Bosch Institute, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
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Melo PM, Bagnaresi P, Paschoalin T, Hirata IY, Gazarini ML, Carmona AK. Plasmodium falciparum proteases hydrolyze plasminogen, generating angiostatin-like fragments. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2014; 193:45-54. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2014.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2013] [Revised: 01/22/2014] [Accepted: 01/25/2014] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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Lipid synthesis in protozoan parasites: a comparison between kinetoplastids and apicomplexans. Prog Lipid Res 2013; 52:488-512. [PMID: 23827884 DOI: 10.1016/j.plipres.2013.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2013] [Revised: 06/16/2013] [Accepted: 06/17/2013] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Lipid metabolism is of crucial importance for pathogens. Lipids serve as cellular building blocks, signalling molecules, energy stores, posttranslational modifiers, and pathogenesis factors. Parasites rely on a complex system of uptake and synthesis mechanisms to satisfy their lipid needs. The parameters of this system change dramatically as the parasite transits through the various stages of its life cycle. Here we discuss the tremendous recent advances that have been made in the understanding of the synthesis and uptake pathways for fatty acids and phospholipids in apicomplexan and kinetoplastid parasites, including Plasmodium, Toxoplasma, Cryptosporidium, Trypanosoma and Leishmania. Lipid synthesis differs in significant ways between parasites from both phyla and the human host. Parasites have acquired novel pathways through endosymbiosis, as in the case of the apicoplast, have dramatically reshaped substrate and product profiles, and have evolved specialized lipids to interact with or manipulate the host. These differences potentially provide opportunities for drug development. We outline the lipid pathways for key species in detail as they progress through the developmental cycle and highlight those that are of particular importance to the biology of the pathogens and/or are the most promising targets for parasite-specific treatment.
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Spry C, Macuamule C, Lin Z, Virga KG, Lee RE, Strauss E, Saliba KJ. Pantothenamides are potent, on-target inhibitors of Plasmodium falciparum growth when serum pantetheinase is inactivated. PLoS One 2013; 8:e54974. [PMID: 23405100 PMCID: PMC3566143 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0054974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2012] [Accepted: 12/21/2012] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Growth of the virulent human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum is dependent on an extracellular supply of pantothenate (vitamin B(5)) and is susceptible to inhibition by pantothenate analogues that hinder pantothenate utilization. In this study, on the hunt for pantothenate analogues with increased potency relative to those reported previously, we screened a series of pantothenamides (amide analogues of pantothenate) against P. falciparum and show for the first time that analogues of this type possess antiplasmodial activity. Although the active pantothenamides in this series exhibit only modest potency under standard in vitro culture conditions, we show that the potency of pantothenamides is selectively enhanced when the parasite culture medium is pre-incubated at 37°C for a prolonged period. We present evidence that this finding is linked to the presence in Albumax II (a serum-substitute routinely used for in vitro cultivation of P. falciparum) of pantetheinase activity: the activity of an enzyme that hydrolyzes the pantothenate metabolite pantetheine, for which pantothenamides also serve as substrates. Pantetheinase activity, and thereby pantothenamide degradation, is reduced following incubation of Albumax II-containing culture medium for a prolonged period at 37°C, revealing the true, sub-micromolar potency of pantothenamides. Importantly we show that the potent antiplasmodial effect of pantothenamides is attenuated with pantothenate, consistent with the compounds inhibiting parasite proliferation specifically by inhibiting pantothenate and/or CoA utilization. Additionally, we show that the pantothenamides interact with P. falciparum pantothenate kinase, the first enzyme involved in converting pantothenate to coenzyme A. This is the first demonstration of on-target antiplasmodial pantothenate analogues with sub-micromolar potency, and highlights the potential of pantetheinase-resistant pantothenamides as antimalarial agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Spry
- Research School of Biology, College of Medicine, Biology and Environment, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Cristiano Macuamule
- Department of Biochemistry, Stellenbosch University, Matieland, Stellenbosch, South África
| | - Zhiyang Lin
- Research School of Biology, College of Medicine, Biology and Environment, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Kristopher G. Virga
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Administrative Sciences, Presbyterian College School of Pharmacy, Clinton, South Carolina, United States of America
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Richard E. Lee
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, United States of America
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Erick Strauss
- Department of Biochemistry, Stellenbosch University, Matieland, Stellenbosch, South África
| | - Kevin J. Saliba
- Research School of Biology, College of Medicine, Biology and Environment, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
- Medical School, College of Medicine, Biology and Environment, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
- * E-mail:
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Kwansa-Bentum B, Izumiyama S, Kitamura K, Obata-Ninomiya K, Ohta N, Asahi H. Comparative studies of serum-free media and detection techniques for <i>in vitro</i> drug sensitivity assessment of <i>Plasmodium falciparum</i>. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2013. [DOI: 10.4236/ojcd.2013.33020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Human serum protein enhances HIV-1 replication and up-regulates the transcription factor AP-1. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2012; 109:17639-44. [PMID: 23047699 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1206893109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
In vitro studies on HIV (HIV-1) replication and neutralization are usually performed in human cell cultures supplemented with FBS instead of human serum (HS). Here we show that in contrast to FBS, addition of increasing amounts of human serum from noninfected donors to the cell culture directly correlates with an increase in HIV-1 replication in vitro. This effect is independent of cell line, virus strain, or batch of pooled human serum used. We found that human serum affects viral transcription in a dose-dependent manner by activating the activator protein-1 (AP-1) member proteins c-FOS, JunD, and JunB in TZM-bl cells. Analysis of the human serum component responsible for this effect indicates that it is a protein having a molecular mass between 250 and 300 kDa. This serum protein, HIV-1 enhancing serum protein (HESP), might promote viral transcription in vivo and consequently play a role in disease progression.
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Kwansa-Bentum B, Ayi I, Suzuki T, Otchere J, Kumagai T, Anyan WK, Osei JHN, Asahi H, Ofori MF, Akao N, Wilson MD, Boakye DA, Ohta N. Plasmodium falciparum isolates from southern Ghana exhibit polymorphisms in the SERCA-type PfATPase6 though sensitive to artesunate in vitro. Malar J 2011; 10:187. [PMID: 21745377 PMCID: PMC3146903 DOI: 10.1186/1475-2875-10-187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2011] [Accepted: 07/11/2011] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In 2005, Ghana replaced chloroquine with artemisinin-based combination therapy as the first-line treatment for uncomplicated malaria. The aim of this work was to determine for the first time, polymorphisms in the putative pfATPase6 and pftctp, pfmdr1, pfcrt genes in Ghanaian isolates, particularly at a time when there is no report on artemisinin resistance in malaria parasites from Ghana. The sensitivity of parasite isolates to anti-malaria drugs were also evaluated for a possible association with polymorphisms in these genes. METHODS The prevalence of point mutations in the above Plasmodium falciparum genes were assessed from filter-paper blood blot samples by DNA sequencing. In vitro drug sensitivity test was carried out on some of the blood samples from volunteers visiting hospitals/clinics in southern Ghana using a modified version of the standard WHO Mark III micro-test. RESULTS All successfully tested parasite isolates were sensitive to artesunate; while 19.4%, 29.0% and 51.6% were resistant to quinine, amodiaquine and chloroquine respectively. The geometric mean of IC50 value for artesunate was 0.73 nM (95% CI, 0.38-1.08), amodiaquine 30.69 nM (95% CI, 14.18-47.20) and chloroquine 58.73 nM (95% CI, 38.08-79.38). Twenty point mutations were observed in pfATPase6 gene, with no L263E and S769N. All mutations found were low in frequency, except D639G which was observed in about half of the isolates but was not associated with artesunate response (p = 0.42). The pftctp gene is highly conserved as no mutation was observed, while CVIET which is chloroquine-resistant genotype at codon 72-76 of the pfcrt gene was identified in about half of the isolates; this was consistent with chloroquine IC50 values (p = 0.001). Mutations were present in pfmdr1 gene but were not associated with artemisinin response (p = 1.00). CONCLUSION The pfATPase6 gene is highly polymorphic with D639G appearing to be fixed in Ghanaian isolates. These may just be spontaneous mutations as all parasite isolates that were tested displayed satisfactory in vitro response to artesunate. However, there is no improvement in susceptibility of the parasites to chloroquine five years after its proscription.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bethel Kwansa-Bentum
- Section of Environmental Parasitology, Department of International Health Development, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 5-45 Yushima 1-chome, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan.
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Asahi H, Izumiyama S, Tolba MEM, Kwansa-Bentum B. Plasmodium falciparum: differing effects of non-esterified fatty acids and phospholipids on intraerythrocytic growth in serum-free medium. Exp Parasitol 2010; 127:708-13. [PMID: 21095186 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2010.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2009] [Revised: 11/04/2010] [Accepted: 11/10/2010] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Different combinations of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) had variable effects on intraerythrocytic growth of Plasmodium falciparum. All stages of the parasite cultured in medium supplemented with cis-9-octadecenoic acid (C18:1-cis-9), hexadecanoic acid (C16:0), phospholipids (Pld) and bovine albumin free of NEFA were similar to those grown in complete growth medium. Three typical growth patterns indicating suppressed schizogony (SS), suppressed formation of merozoites (SMF), and inhibited invasion of merozoites (IMI) resulted from culture in other combinations of lipids. Unsaturated or saturated NEFA with longer or shorter carbon chains than C18:1-cis-9 or C16:0, higher degree of unsaturation, and trans-forms mainly resulted in SS and SMF effects. However, IMI or partial IMI was observed with tetradecanoic acid or octadecanoic acid enriched with C18:1-cis-9, and cis-9-hexadecenoic acid plus C16:0. Isoforms of C18:1-cis-9 also mainly resulted in partial IMI. SMF also occurred with C18:1-cis-9 plus C16:0 in the absence of Pld. Thus different NEFA exerted distinct roles in erythrocytic growth of the parasite by sustaining development at different stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroko Asahi
- Department of Parasitology, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 23-1 Toyama 1-chome, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8640, Japan.
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Déchamps S, Shastri S, Wengelnik K, Vial HJ. Glycerophospholipid acquisition in Plasmodium - a puzzling assembly of biosynthetic pathways. Int J Parasitol 2010; 40:1347-65. [PMID: 20600072 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2010.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2010] [Revised: 05/24/2010] [Accepted: 05/25/2010] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Throughout the Plasmodium life cycle, malaria parasites repeatedly undergo rapid cellular growth and prolific divisions, necessitating intense membrane neogenesis and, in particular, the acquisition of high amounts of phospholipids. At the intraerythrocytic stage, glycerophospholipids are the main parasite membrane constituents, which mostly originate from the Plasmodium-encoded enzymatic machinery. Several proteins and entire pathways have been characterized and their features reported, thereby generating a global view of glycerophospholipid synthesis across Plasmodium spp. The malaria parasite displays a panoply of pathways that are seldom found together in a single organism. The major glycerophospholipids are synthesized via ancestral prokaryotic CDP-diacylglycerol-dependent pathways and eukaryotic-type de novo pathways. The parasite exhibits additional reactions that bridge some of these routes and are otherwise restricted to some organisms, such as plants, while base-exchange mechanisms are largely unexplored in Plasmodium. Marked differences between Plasmodium spp. have also been reported in phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine synthesis. Little is currently known about glycerophospholipid acquisition at non-erythrocytic stages, but recent data reveal that intrahepatocytic parasites, oocysts and sporozoites import various host lipids, and that de novo fatty acid synthesis is only crucial at the late liver stage. More studies on the different Plasmodium developmental stages are needed, to further assemble the different pieces of this glycerophospholipid synthesis puzzle, which contains highly promising therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandrine Déchamps
- Dynamique des Interactions Membranaires Normales et Pathologiques, UMR 5235, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) - Universite Montpellier 2, cc 107, Place Eugene Bataillon, 34095 Montpellier Cedex 05, France
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Plasmodium falciparum: Development and validation of a measure of intraerythrocytic growth using SYBR Green I in a flow cytometer. Exp Parasitol 2009; 121:144-50. [DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2008.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2008] [Revised: 09/04/2008] [Accepted: 10/24/2008] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Asahi H. Plasmodium falciparum: Chemically defined medium for continuous intraerythrocytic growth using lipids and recombinant albumin. Exp Parasitol 2008; 121:22-8. [PMID: 18851965 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2008.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2008] [Revised: 09/14/2008] [Accepted: 09/18/2008] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Dioleoylphosphatidylcholine and other phosphatidylcholines containing different fatty acid moieties were found to increase the ability of nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) to sustain continuous intraerythrocytic growth of Plasmodium falciparum in the presence of specific proteins. Other phospholipids, including phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylserine, and phosphatidic acid, were beneficial to parasite growth. Different combinations and concentrations of NEFA tested in the presence of phospholipids and bovine albumin had variable effects on parasite growth. The most effective combination for promoting parasite growth consisted of 30 microg/ml cis-9-octadecenoic acid (oleic acid) plus 15 microg/ml hexadecanoic acid (palmitic acid). Recombinant human albumin could replace bovine or human albumin in culture media enriched with structurally defined lipids. This study therefore established a chemically defined culture medium suitable for sustaining the growth of P. falciparum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroko Asahi
- Department of Parasitology, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 23-1 Toyama 1-chome, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8640, Japan.
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Frankland S, Elliott SR, Yosaatmadja F, Beeson JG, Rogerson SJ, Adisa A, Tilley L. Serum lipoproteins promote efficient presentation of the malaria virulence protein PfEMP1 at the erythrocyte surface. EUKARYOTIC CELL 2007; 6:1584-94. [PMID: 17644656 PMCID: PMC2043375 DOI: 10.1128/ec.00063-07] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The virulence of the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum is related to its ability to express a family of adhesive proteins known as P. falciparum erythrocyte membrane protein 1 (PfEMP1) at the infected red blood cell surface. The mechanism for the transport and delivery of these adhesins to the erythrocyte membrane is only poorly understood. In this work, we have used specific immune reagents in a flow cytometric assay to monitor the effects of serum components on the surface presentation of PfEMP1. We show that efficient presentation of the A4 and VAR2CSA variants of PfEMP1 is dependent on the presence of serum in the bathing medium during parasite maturation. Lipid-loaded albumin supports parasite growth but allows much less efficient presentation of PfEMP1 at the red blood cell surface. Analysis of the serum components reveals that lipoproteins, especially those of the low-density lipoprotein fraction, promote PfEMP1 presentation. Cytoadhesion of infected erythrocytes to the host cell receptors CD36 and ICAM-1 is also decreased in infected erythrocytes cultured in the absence of serum. The defect appears to be in the transfer of PfEMP1 from parasite-derived structures known as the Maurer's clefts to the erythrocyte membrane or in surface conformation rather than a down-regulation or switching of particular PfEMP1 variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Frankland
- Department of Biochemistry, La Trobe University, Melbourne 3086, Australia
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Mi-Ichi F, Kita K, Mitamura T. IntraerythrocyticPlasmodium falciparumutilize a broad range of serum-derived fatty acids with limited modification for their growth. Parasitology 2006; 133:399-410. [PMID: 16780611 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182006000540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2006] [Revised: 04/19/2006] [Accepted: 04/20/2006] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Plasmodium falciparumcauses the most severe form of malaria. Utilization of fatty acids in serum is thought to be necessary for survival of this parasite in erythrocytes, and thus characterization of the parasite fatty acid metabolism is important in developing a new strategy for controlling malaria. Here, we examined which combinations of fatty acids present in human serum support the continuous culture ofP.falciparumin serum-free medium. Metabolic labelling and gas chromatography analyses revealed that, despite the need for particular fatty acids for the growth of intraerythrocyticP.falciparum, it can metabolize a broad range of serum-derived fatty acids into the major lipid species of their membranes and lipid bodies. In addition, these analyses showed that the parasite's overall fatty acid composition reflects that of the medium, although the parasite has a limited capacity to desaturate and elongate serum-derived fatty acids. These results indicate that thePlasmodiumparasite is distinct from most cells, which maintain their fatty acid composition by coordinatingde novobiosynthesis, scavenging, and modification (desaturation and elongation).
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Affiliation(s)
- F Mi-Ichi
- Department of Molecular Protozoology, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, 3-1 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
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Barrón-González MP, Villarreal-Treviño L, Verduzco-Martínez JA, Mata-Cárdenas BD, Morales-Vallarta MR. Entamoeba invadens: in vitro axenic encystation with a serum substitute. Exp Parasitol 2005; 110:318-21. [PMID: 15955331 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2005.03.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2005] [Revised: 03/18/2005] [Accepted: 03/18/2005] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The current media for axenic cultivation of Entamoeba histolytica and Entamoeba invadens are supplemented with bovine or equine serum, which provides several essential nutrients to amoebas. Serum has also been considered an essential component in encystation media for E. invadens. A substitute of serum, PACSR has been described as an alternative for growth of E. histolytica and also maintains growth of E. invadens. When PACSR was used instead of serum for encystation of E. invadens the efficiency was the same as for serum. Our present data show that PACSR can support the growth and induction of encystation of E. invadens strain IP-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- M P Barrón-González
- Departamento de Biología Celular y Genética, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Mexico
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