1
|
Ashton T, Calic PPS, Dans MG, Ooi ZK, Zhou Q, Palandri J, Loi K, Jarman KE, Qiu D, Lehane AM, Maity BC, De N, Giannangelo C, MacRaild CA, Creek DJ, Mao EY, Gancheva MR, Wilson DW, Chowdury M, de Koning-Ward TF, Famodimu MT, Delves MJ, Pollard H, Sutherland CJ, Baud D, Brand S, Jackson PF, Cowman AF, Sleebs BE. Property and Activity Refinement of Dihydroquinazolinone-3-carboxamides as Orally Efficacious Antimalarials that Target PfATP4. J Med Chem 2024; 67:14493-14523. [PMID: 39134060 PMCID: PMC11345840 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.4c01241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2024] [Revised: 07/24/2024] [Accepted: 07/25/2024] [Indexed: 08/23/2024]
Abstract
To contribute to the global effort to develop new antimalarial therapies, we previously disclosed initial findings on the optimization of the dihydroquinazolinone-3-carboxamide class that targets PfATP4. Here we report on refining the aqueous solubility and metabolic stability to improve the pharmacokinetic profile and consequently in vivo efficacy. We show that the incorporation of heterocycle systems in the 8-position of the scaffold was found to provide the greatest attainable balance between parasite activity, aqueous solubility, and metabolic stability. Optimized analogs, including the frontrunner compound S-WJM992, were shown to inhibit PfATP4-associated Na+-ATPase activity, gave rise to a metabolic signature consistent with PfATP4 inhibition, and displayed altered activities against parasites with mutations in PfATP4. Finally, S-WJM992 showed appreciable efficacy in a malaria mouse model and blocked gamete development preventing transmission to mosquitoes. Importantly, further optimization of the dihydroquinazolinone class is required to deliver a candidate with improved pharmacokinetic and risk of resistance profiles.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Trent
D. Ashton
- The
Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville 3052, Australia
- Department
of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville 3010, Australia
| | - Petar P. S. Calic
- The
Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville 3052, Australia
- Department
of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville 3010, Australia
| | - Madeline G. Dans
- The
Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville 3052, Australia
- Department
of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville 3010, Australia
| | - Zi Kang Ooi
- The
Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville 3052, Australia
| | - Qingmiao Zhou
- The
Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville 3052, Australia
| | - Josephine Palandri
- The
Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville 3052, Australia
- Department
of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville 3010, Australia
| | - Katie Loi
- The
Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville 3052, Australia
- Department
of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville 3010, Australia
| | - Kate E. Jarman
- The
Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville 3052, Australia
- Department
of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville 3010, Australia
| | - Deyun Qiu
- Research
School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra 2601, Australia
| | - Adele M. Lehane
- Research
School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra 2601, Australia
| | | | - Nirupam De
- TCG
Lifesciences, Kolkata, West Bengal 700091, India
| | - Carlo Giannangelo
- Monash
Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash
University, 381 Royal
Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Christopher A. MacRaild
- Monash
Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash
University, 381 Royal
Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Darren J. Creek
- Monash
Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash
University, 381 Royal
Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Emma Y. Mao
- Research
Centre for Infectious Diseases, School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide 5005, Australia
| | - Maria R. Gancheva
- Research
Centre for Infectious Diseases, School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide 5005, Australia
| | - Danny W. Wilson
- Research
Centre for Infectious Diseases, School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide 5005, Australia
| | - Mrittika Chowdury
- School
of Medicine, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, Victoria 3216, Australia
- Institute
for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria 3216, Australia
| | - Tania F. de Koning-Ward
- School
of Medicine, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, Victoria 3216, Australia
- Institute
for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria 3216, Australia
| | - Mufuliat T. Famodimu
- Department
of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene
and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, U.K.
| | - Michael J. Delves
- Department
of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene
and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, U.K.
| | - Harry Pollard
- Department
of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene
and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, U.K.
| | - Colin J. Sutherland
- Department
of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene
and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, U.K.
| | - Delphine Baud
- MMV Medicines for Malaria Venture, ICC, Route de Pré-Bois 20, Geneva 1215, Switzerland
| | - Stephen Brand
- MMV Medicines for Malaria Venture, ICC, Route de Pré-Bois 20, Geneva 1215, Switzerland
| | - Paul F. Jackson
- Emerging Science & Innovation, Discovery
Sciences, Janssen R&D LLC, La Jolla, California 92121, United States
| | - Alan F. Cowman
- The
Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville 3052, Australia
- Department
of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville 3010, Australia
| | - Brad E. Sleebs
- The
Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville 3052, Australia
- Department
of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville 3010, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Dans MG, Boulet C, Watson GM, Nguyen W, Dziekan JM, Evelyn C, Reaksudsan K, Mehra S, Razook Z, Geoghegan ND, Mlodzianoski MJ, Goodman CD, Ling DB, Jonsdottir TK, Tong J, Famodimu MT, Kristan M, Pollard H, Stewart LB, Brandner-Garrod L, Sutherland CJ, Delves MJ, McFadden GI, Barry AE, Crabb BS, de Koning-Ward TF, Rogers KL, Cowman AF, Tham WH, Sleebs BE, Gilson PR. Aryl amino acetamides prevent Plasmodium falciparum ring development via targeting the lipid-transfer protein PfSTART1. Nat Commun 2024; 15:5219. [PMID: 38890312 PMCID: PMC11189555 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49491-8] [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: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
With resistance to most antimalarials increasing, it is imperative that new drugs are developed. We previously identified an aryl acetamide compound, MMV006833 (M-833), that inhibited the ring-stage development of newly invaded merozoites. Here, we select parasites resistant to M-833 and identify mutations in the START lipid transfer protein (PF3D7_0104200, PfSTART1). Introducing PfSTART1 mutations into wildtype parasites reproduces resistance to M-833 as well as to more potent analogues. PfSTART1 binding to the analogues is validated using organic solvent-based Proteome Integral Solubility Alteration (Solvent PISA) assays. Imaging of invading merozoites shows the inhibitors prevent the development of ring-stage parasites potentially by inhibiting the expansion of the encasing parasitophorous vacuole membrane. The PfSTART1-targeting compounds also block transmission to mosquitoes and with multiple stages of the parasite's lifecycle being affected, PfSTART1 represents a drug target with a new mechanism of action.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Madeline G Dans
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia.
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia.
- Institute of Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation (IMPACT) and School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, 3220, Australia.
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia.
| | - Coralie Boulet
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, 1206, Switzerland
| | - Gabrielle M Watson
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - William Nguyen
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Jerzy M Dziekan
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Cindy Evelyn
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Kitsanapong Reaksudsan
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Somya Mehra
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
- Institute of Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation (IMPACT) and School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, 3220, Australia
| | - Zahra Razook
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
- Institute of Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation (IMPACT) and School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, 3220, Australia
| | - Niall D Geoghegan
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Michael J Mlodzianoski
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | | | | | - Thorey K Jonsdottir
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
- Department of Molecular Biology, Umeå University, Umeå, 901 87, Sweden
- The Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS), Umeå, Sweden
| | - Joshua Tong
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Mufuliat Toyin Famodimu
- Department of Infection Biology, Faculty of Infectious Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, WC1E 7HT, London, UK
| | - Mojca Kristan
- Wellcome Trust Human Malaria Transmission Facility, Faculty of Infectious & Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Harry Pollard
- Wellcome Trust Human Malaria Transmission Facility, Faculty of Infectious & Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Lindsay B Stewart
- Wellcome Trust Human Malaria Transmission Facility, Faculty of Infectious & Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Luke Brandner-Garrod
- Wellcome Trust Human Malaria Transmission Facility, Faculty of Infectious & Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Colin J Sutherland
- Department of Infection Biology, Faculty of Infectious Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, WC1E 7HT, London, UK
- Wellcome Trust Human Malaria Transmission Facility, Faculty of Infectious & Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Michael J Delves
- Department of Infection Biology, Faculty of Infectious Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, WC1E 7HT, London, UK
| | - Geoffrey I McFadden
- School of Biosciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Alyssa E Barry
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
- Institute of Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation (IMPACT) and School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, 3220, Australia
| | - Brendan S Crabb
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
- Monash University, 3800, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Tania F de Koning-Ward
- Institute of Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation (IMPACT) and School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, 3220, Australia
| | - Kelly L Rogers
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Alan F Cowman
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Wai-Hong Tham
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Brad E Sleebs
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Paul R Gilson
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia.
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Omorou R, Delabie B, Lavoignat A, Chaker V, Bonnot G, Traore K, Bienvenu AL, Picot S. Nanoparticle tracking analysis of natural hemozoin from Plasmodium parasites. Acta Trop 2024; 250:107105. [PMID: 38135133 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2023.107105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hemozoin is a byproduct of hemoglobin digestion crucial for parasite survival. It forms crystals that can be of interest as drug targets or biomarkers of malaria infection. However, hemozoin has long been considered as an amorphous crystal of simple morphology. Studying the consequences of biomineralization of this crystal during the parasite growth may provide more comprehensive evidence of its role during malaria. OBJECTIVES This study aimed to investigate the interest of nanoparticles tracker analysis for measuring the concentration and size of hemozoin particles produced from different parasite sources and conditions. METHODS Hemozoin was extracted from several clones of Plasmodium falciparum both asexual and sexual parasites. Hemozoin was also extracted from blood samples of malaria patients and from saliva of asymptomatic malaria carriers. Nanoparticles tracking analysis (NTA) was performed to assess the size and concentration of hemozoin. RESULTS NTA data showed variation in hemozoin concentration, size, and crystal clusters between parasite clones, species, and stages. Among parasite clones, hemozoin concentration ranged from 131 to 2663 particles/infected red blood cell (iRBC) and size ranged from 149.6 ± 6.3 nm to 234.8 ± 40.1 nm. The mean size was lower for Plasmodium vivax (176 ± 79.2 nm) than for Plasmodium falciparum (254.8 ± 74.0 nm). Sexual NF54 parasites showed a 7.5-fold higher concentration of hemozoin particles (28.7 particles/iRBC) compared to asexual parasites (3.8 particles/iRBC). In addition, the mean hemozoin size also increased by approximately 60 % for sexual parasites. Compared to in vitro cultures of parasites, blood samples showed low hemozoin concentrations. CONCLUSIONS This study highlights the potential of NTA as a useful method for analyzing hemozoin, demonstrating its ability to provide detailed information on hemozoin characterization. However, further research is needed to adapt the NTA for hemozoin analysis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Roukayatou Omorou
- Malaria Research Unit, UMR 5246 CNRS-INSA-CPE, University Lyon1, University Lyon, Villeurbanne 69100, France.
| | - Blanche Delabie
- Malaria Research Unit, UMR 5246 CNRS-INSA-CPE, University Lyon1, University Lyon, Villeurbanne 69100, France
| | - Adeline Lavoignat
- Malaria Research Unit, UMR 5246 CNRS-INSA-CPE, University Lyon1, University Lyon, Villeurbanne 69100, France
| | - Victorien Chaker
- Malaria Research Unit, UMR 5246 CNRS-INSA-CPE, University Lyon1, University Lyon, Villeurbanne 69100, France
| | - Guillaume Bonnot
- Malaria Research Unit, UMR 5246 CNRS-INSA-CPE, University Lyon1, University Lyon, Villeurbanne 69100, France
| | - Karim Traore
- Malaria Research and Training Center, University of Sciences, Techniques and Technologies, Bamako, Mali
| | - Anne-Lise Bienvenu
- Malaria Research Unit, UMR 5246 CNRS-INSA-CPE, University Lyon1, University Lyon, Villeurbanne 69100, France; Service Pharmacie, Groupement Hospitalier Nord, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon 69004, France
| | - Stephane Picot
- Malaria Research Unit, UMR 5246 CNRS-INSA-CPE, University Lyon1, University Lyon, Villeurbanne 69100, France; Institute of Parasitology and Medical Mycology, Hôpital de la Croix-Rousse, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon 69004, France
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Bailey BL, Nguyen W, Cowman AF, Sleebs BE. Chemo-proteomics in antimalarial target identification and engagement. Med Res Rev 2023; 43:2303-2351. [PMID: 37232495 PMCID: PMC10947479 DOI: 10.1002/med.21975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Revised: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Humans have lived in tenuous battle with malaria over millennia. Today, while much of the world is free of the disease, areas of South America, Asia, and Africa still wage this war with substantial impacts on their social and economic development. The threat of widespread resistance to all currently available antimalarial therapies continues to raise concern. Therefore, it is imperative that novel antimalarial chemotypes be developed to populate the pipeline going forward. Phenotypic screening has been responsible for the majority of the new chemotypes emerging in the past few decades. However, this can result in limited information on the molecular target of these compounds which may serve as an unknown variable complicating their progression into clinical development. Target identification and validation is a process that incorporates techniques from a range of different disciplines. Chemical biology and more specifically chemo-proteomics have been heavily utilized for this purpose. This review provides an in-depth summary of the application of chemo-proteomics in antimalarial development. Here we focus particularly on the methodology, practicalities, merits, and limitations of designing these experiments. Together this provides learnings on the future use of chemo-proteomics in antimalarial development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Brodie L. Bailey
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical ResearchMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
- Department of Medical BiologyThe University of MelbourneMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - William Nguyen
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical ResearchMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
- Department of Medical BiologyThe University of MelbourneMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - Alan F. Cowman
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical ResearchMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
- Department of Medical BiologyThe University of MelbourneMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - Brad E. Sleebs
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical ResearchMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
- Department of Medical BiologyThe University of MelbourneMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Balta VA, Stiffler D, Sayeed A, Tripathi AK, Elahi R, Mlambo G, Bakshi RP, Dziedzic AG, Jedlicka AE, Nenortas E, Romero-Rodriguez K, Canonizado MA, Mann A, Owen A, Sullivan DJ, Prigge ST, Sinnis P, Shapiro TA. Clinically relevant atovaquone-resistant human malaria parasites fail to transmit by mosquito. Nat Commun 2023; 14:6415. [PMID: 37828012 PMCID: PMC10570281 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-42030-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Long-acting injectable medications, such as atovaquone, offer the prospect of a "chemical vaccine" for malaria, combining drug efficacy with vaccine durability. However, selection and transmission of drug-resistant parasites is of concern. Laboratory studies have indicated that atovaquone resistance disadvantages parasites in mosquitoes, but lack of data on clinically relevant Plasmodium falciparum has hampered integration of these variable findings into drug development decisions. Here we generate atovaquone-resistant parasites that differ from wild type parent by only a Y268S mutation in cytochrome b, a modification associated with atovaquone treatment failure in humans. Relative to wild type, Y268S parasites evidence multiple defects, most marked in their development in mosquitoes, whether from Southeast Asia (Anopheles stephensi) or Africa (An. gambiae). Growth of asexual Y268S P. falciparum in human red cells is impaired, but parasite loss in the mosquito is progressive, from reduced gametocyte exflagellation, to smaller number and size of oocysts, and finally to absence of sporozoites. The Y268S mutant fails to transmit from mosquitoes to mice engrafted with human liver cells and erythrocytes. The severe-to-lethal fitness cost of clinically relevant atovaquone resistance to P. falciparum in the mosquito substantially lessens the likelihood of its transmission in the field.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Victoria A Balta
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- The Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Deborah Stiffler
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- The Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Abeer Sayeed
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- The Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Abhai K Tripathi
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- The Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Rubayet Elahi
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- The Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Godfree Mlambo
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- The Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Rahul P Bakshi
- The Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Departments of Medicine and of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21205-2186, USA
| | - Amanda G Dziedzic
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Anne E Jedlicka
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Elizabeth Nenortas
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Departments of Medicine and of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21205-2186, USA
| | - Keyla Romero-Rodriguez
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Departments of Medicine and of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21205-2186, USA
| | - Matthew A Canonizado
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Departments of Medicine and of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21205-2186, USA
| | - Alexis Mann
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- The Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Andrew Owen
- Centre of Excellence in Long-acting Therapeutics (CELT), Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L69 3BX, UK
| | - David J Sullivan
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- The Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Sean T Prigge
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- The Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Photini Sinnis
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- The Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Theresa A Shapiro
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
- The Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Departments of Medicine and of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21205-2186, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Tsebriy O, Khomiak A, Miguel-Blanco C, Sparkes PC, Gioli M, Santelli M, Whitley E, Gamo FJ, Delves MJ. Machine learning-based phenotypic imaging to characterise the targetable biology of Plasmodium falciparum male gametocytes for the development of transmission-blocking antimalarials. PLoS Pathog 2023; 19:e1011711. [PMID: 37801466 PMCID: PMC10584170 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Revised: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Preventing parasite transmission from humans to mosquitoes is recognised to be critical for achieving elimination and eradication of malaria. Consequently developing new antimalarial drugs with transmission-blocking properties is a priority. Large screening campaigns have identified many new transmission-blocking molecules, however little is known about how they target the mosquito-transmissible Plasmodium falciparum stage V gametocytes, or how they affect their underlying cell biology. To respond to this knowledge gap, we have developed a machine learning image analysis pipeline to characterise and compare the cellular phenotypes generated by transmission-blocking molecules during male gametogenesis. Using this approach, we studied 40 molecules, categorising their activity based upon timing of action and visual effects on the organisation of tubulin and DNA within the cell. Our data both proposes new modes of action and corroborates existing modes of action of identified transmission-blocking molecules. Furthermore, the characterised molecules provide a new armoury of tool compounds to probe gametocyte cell biology and the generated imaging dataset provides a new reference for researchers to correlate molecular target or gene deletion to specific cellular phenotype. Our analysis pipeline is not optimised for a specific organism and could be applied to any fluorescence microscopy dataset containing cells delineated by bounding boxes, and so is potentially extendible to any disease model.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Penny C. Sparkes
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Edgar Whitley
- Department of Management, London School of Economics and Political Science, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Michael J. Delves
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Ling DB, Nguyen W, Looker O, Razook Z, McCann K, Barry AE, Scheurer C, Wittlin S, Famodimu MT, Delves MJ, Bullen HE, Crabb BS, Sleebs BE, Gilson PR. A Pyridyl-Furan Series Developed from the Open Global Health Library Block Red Blood Cell Invasion and Protein Trafficking in Plasmodium falciparum through Potential Inhibition of the Parasite's PI4KIIIB Enzyme. ACS Infect Dis 2023; 9:1695-1710. [PMID: 37639221 PMCID: PMC10496428 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.3c00138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023]
Abstract
With the resistance increasing to current antimalarial medicines, there is an urgent need to discover new drug targets and to develop new medicines against these targets. We therefore screened the Open Global Health Library of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, of 250 compounds against the asexual blood stage of the deadliest malarial parasite Plasmodium falciparum, from which eight inhibitors with low micromolar potency were found. Due to its combined potencies against parasite growth and inhibition of red blood cell invasion, the pyridyl-furan compound OGHL250 was prioritized for further optimization. The potency of the series lead compound (WEHI-518) was improved 250-fold to low nanomolar levels against parasite blood-stage growth. Parasites selected for resistance to a related compound, MMV396797, were also resistant to WEHI-518 as well as KDU731, an inhibitor of the phosphatidylinositol kinase PfPI4KIIIB, suggesting that this kinase is the target of the pyridyl-furan series. Inhibition of PfPI4KIIIB blocks multiple stages of the parasite's life cycle and other potent inhibitors are currently under preclinical development. MMV396797-resistant parasites possess an E1316D mutation in PfPKI4IIIB that clusters with known resistance mutations of other inhibitors of the kinase. Building upon earlier studies that showed that PfPI4KIIIB inhibitors block the development of the invasive merozoite parasite stage, we show that members of the pyridyl-furan series also block invasion and/or the conversion of merozoites into ring-stage intracellular parasites through inhibition of protein secretion and export into red blood cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dawson B. Ling
- Burnet Institute,
Melbourne, Victoria3004, Australia
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology,
University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria3010,
Australia
| | - William Nguyen
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of
Medical Research, Melbourne, Victoria3052,
Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The
University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria3010,
Australia
| | - Oliver Looker
- Burnet Institute,
Melbourne, Victoria3004, Australia
| | - Zahra Razook
- Burnet Institute,
Melbourne, Victoria3004, Australia
- School of Medicine and Institute for Mental and
Physical Health and Clinical Translation, Deakin University,
Waurn Ponds, Victoria3216, Australia
| | - Kirsty McCann
- Burnet Institute,
Melbourne, Victoria3004, Australia
- School of Medicine and Institute for Mental and
Physical Health and Clinical Translation, Deakin University,
Waurn Ponds, Victoria3216, Australia
| | - Alyssa E. Barry
- Burnet Institute,
Melbourne, Victoria3004, Australia
- School of Medicine and Institute for Mental and
Physical Health and Clinical Translation, Deakin University,
Waurn Ponds, Victoria3216, Australia
| | - Christian Scheurer
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health
Institute, Allschwil, 4123Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel,
4001Switzerland
| | - Sergio Wittlin
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health
Institute, Allschwil, 4123Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel,
4001Switzerland
| | - Mufuliat Toyin Famodimu
- Department of Infection Biology, Faculty of Infectious
Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Kepel
Street, London, WC1E 7HT, U.K.
| | - Michael J Delves
- Department of Infection Biology, Faculty of Infectious
Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Kepel
Street, London, WC1E 7HT, U.K.
| | - Hayley E. Bullen
- Burnet Institute,
Melbourne, Victoria3004, Australia
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology,
University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria3010,
Australia
| | - Brendan S. Crabb
- Burnet Institute,
Melbourne, Victoria3004, Australia
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology,
University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria3010,
Australia
- Department of Immunology and Pathology,
Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria3800,
Australia
| | - Brad E. Sleebs
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of
Medical Research, Melbourne, Victoria3052,
Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The
University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria3010,
Australia
| | - Paul R. Gilson
- Burnet Institute,
Melbourne, Victoria3004, Australia
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology,
University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria3010,
Australia
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Muema JM, Mutunga JM, Obonyo MA, Getahun MN, Mwakubambanya RS, Akala HM, Cheruiyot AC, Yeda RA, Juma DW, Andagalu B, Johnson JL, Roth AL, Bargul JL. Isoliensinine from Cissampelos pariera rhizomes exhibits potential gametocytocidal and anti-malarial activities against Plasmodium falciparum clinical isolates. Malar J 2023; 22:161. [PMID: 37208735 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-023-04590-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The unmet demand for effective malaria transmission-blocking agents targeting the transmissible stages of Plasmodium necessitates intensive discovery efforts. In this study, a bioactive bisbenzylisoquinoline (BBIQ), isoliensinine, from Cissampelos pariera (Menispermaceae) rhizomes was identified and characterized for its anti-malarial activity. METHODS Malaria SYBR Green I fluorescence assay was performed to evaluate the in vitro antimalarial activity against D6, Dd2, and F32-ART5 clones, and immediate ex vivo (IEV) susceptibility for 10 freshly collected P. falciparum isolates. To determine the speed- and stage-of-action of isoliensinine, an IC50 speed assay and morphological analyses were performed using synchronized Dd2 asexuals. Gametocytocidal activity against two culture-adapted gametocyte-producing clinical isolates was determined using microscopy readouts, with possible molecular targets and their binding affinities deduced in silico. RESULTS Isoliensinine displayed a potent in vitro gametocytocidal activity at mean IC50gam values ranging between 0.41 and 0.69 µM for Plasmodium falciparum clinical isolates. The BBIQ compound also inhibited asexual replication at mean IC50Asexual of 2.17 µM, 2.22 µM, and 2.39 µM for D6, Dd2 and F32-ART5 respectively, targeting the late-trophozoite to schizont transition. Further characterization demonstrated a considerable immediate ex vivo potency against human clinical isolates at a geometric mean IC50IEV = 1.433 µM (95% CI 0.917-2.242). In silico analyses postulated a probable anti-malarial mechanism of action by high binding affinities for four mitotic division protein kinases; Pfnek1, Pfmap2, Pfclk1, and Pfclk4. Additionally, isoliensinine was predicted to possess an optimal pharmacokinetics profile and drug-likeness properties. CONCLUSION These findings highlight considerable grounds for further exploration of isoliensinine as an amenable scaffold for malaria transmission-blocking chemistry and target validation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jackson M Muema
- Department of Biochemistry, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), Nairobi, Kenya.
- U.S. Army Medical Research Directorate-Africa (USAMRD-A), Centre for Global Health Research (CGHR), Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Kisumu, Kenya.
| | - James M Mutunga
- U.S. Army Medical Research Directorate-Africa (USAMRD-A), Centre for Global Health Research (CGHR), Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Kisumu, Kenya
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Pure and Applied Sciences, Mount Kenya University, Thika, Kenya
- School of Engineering Design, Technology and Professional Programs, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
| | - Meshack A Obonyo
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Egerton University, Egerton, Kenya
| | - Merid N Getahun
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (Icipe), Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | - Hoseah M Akala
- U.S. Army Medical Research Directorate-Africa (USAMRD-A), Centre for Global Health Research (CGHR), Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Agnes C Cheruiyot
- U.S. Army Medical Research Directorate-Africa (USAMRD-A), Centre for Global Health Research (CGHR), Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Redemptah A Yeda
- U.S. Army Medical Research Directorate-Africa (USAMRD-A), Centre for Global Health Research (CGHR), Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Dennis W Juma
- U.S. Army Medical Research Directorate-Africa (USAMRD-A), Centre for Global Health Research (CGHR), Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Ben Andagalu
- U.S. Army Medical Research Directorate-Africa (USAMRD-A), Centre for Global Health Research (CGHR), Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Jaree L Johnson
- U.S. Army Medical Research Directorate-Africa (USAMRD-A), Centre for Global Health Research (CGHR), Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Amanda L Roth
- U.S. Army Medical Research Directorate-Africa (USAMRD-A), Centre for Global Health Research (CGHR), Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Joel L Bargul
- Department of Biochemistry, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), Nairobi, Kenya.
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (Icipe), Nairobi, Kenya.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Behl A, Shoaib R, De Leon F, Kumari G, Saini M, Madan E, Kumar V, Singh H, Kumari J, Maurya P, Garg S, Chandra Mishra P, Arenz C, Singh S. Targeting an essential Plasmodium cold shock protein to block growth and transmission of malaria parasite. iScience 2023; 26:106637. [PMID: 37192974 PMCID: PMC10182332 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.106637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Revised: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Cold shock proteins are characterized by the presence of one or more cold shock domains that bestow them with nucleic acid binding ability. Although cold shock proteins are well characterized in bacteria, plants and humans, there is no information on their existence and role in malaria parasite. Here, we have identified and delineated the function of a cold shock protein of Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) 'PfCoSP'. We demonstrate that PfCoSP exhibits nucleic acid binding properties and regulates gene expression. PfCoSP promotes microtubule assembly by interacting with Pf α/β tubulin. We identified a human cold shock protein LIN28A inhibitor 'LI71' as a binding partner of PfCoSP which inhibited PfCoSP-DNA and α/β tubulin interactions and, also inhibited the development of asexual blood stages and gametocyte stage of malaria parasite. Because PfCoSP is essential for parasite survival, characterization of its interacting partners may form the basis for development of future anti-malarials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ankita Behl
- Special Centre for Molecular Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
| | - Rumaisha Shoaib
- Special Centre for Molecular Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
- Department of Biosciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, India
| | | | - Geeta Kumari
- Special Centre for Molecular Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
| | - Monika Saini
- Special Centre for Molecular Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
- Department of Life Sciences, Shiv Nadar University, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Evanka Madan
- Special Centre for Molecular Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
| | - Vikash Kumar
- Special Centre for Molecular Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
| | - Harshita Singh
- Special Centre for Molecular Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
| | - Jyoti Kumari
- Department of Life Sciences, Shiv Nadar University, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Preeti Maurya
- Special Centre for Molecular Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
| | - Swati Garg
- Special Centre for Molecular Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
| | | | - Christoph Arenz
- Institute for Chemistry, Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany
| | - Shailja Singh
- Special Centre for Molecular Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
- Corresponding author
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Imlay LS, Lawong AK, Gahalawat S, Kumar A, Xing C, Mittal N, Wittlin S, Churchyard A, Niederstrasser H, Crespo-Fernandez B, Posner BA, Gamo FJ, Baum J, Winzeler EA, LALEU B, Ready JM, Phillips MA. Fast-Killing Tyrosine Amide (( S)-SW228703) with Blood- and Liver-Stage Antimalarial Activity Associated with the Cyclic Amine Resistance Locus ( PfCARL). ACS Infect Dis 2023; 9:527-539. [PMID: 36763526 PMCID: PMC10053980 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.2c00527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
Current malaria treatments are threatened by drug resistance, and new drugs are urgently needed. In a phenotypic screen for new antimalarials, we identified (S)-SW228703 ((S)-SW703), a tyrosine amide with asexual blood and liver stage activity and a fast-killing profile. Resistance to (S)-SW703 is associated with mutations in the Plasmodium falciparum cyclic amine resistance locus (PfCARL) and P. falciparum acetyl CoA transporter (PfACT), similarly to several other compounds that share features such as fast activity and liver-stage activity. Compounds with these resistance mechanisms are thought to act in the ER, though their targets are unknown. The tyramine of (S)-SW703 is shared with some reported PfCARL-associated compounds; however, we observed that strict S-stereochemistry was required for the activity of (S)-SW703, suggesting differences in the mechanism of action or binding mode. (S)-SW703 provides a new chemical series with broad activity for multiple life-cycle stages and a fast-killing mechanism of action, available for lead optimization to generate new treatments for malaria.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Leah S. Imlay
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Aloysus K. Lawong
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Suraksha Gahalawat
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Ashwani Kumar
- Eugene McDermott Center for Human Growth and Development, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Chao Xing
- Eugene McDermott Center for Human Growth and Development, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
- Department of Bioinformatics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Nimisha Mittal
- Division of Host-Microbe Systems and Therapeutics, Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Sergio Wittlin
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, 4002, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, 4002, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Alisje Churchyard
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Hanspeter Niederstrasser
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | | | - Bruce A. Posner
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | | | - Jake Baum
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW, Australia
| | - Elizabeth A. Winzeler
- Division of Host-Microbe Systems and Therapeutics, Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Benoît LALEU
- Medicines for Malaria Venture, 1215 Geneva 15, Switzerland
| | - Joseph M. Ready
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Margaret A. Phillips
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Nguyen W, Dans MG, Currie I, Awalt JK, Bailey BL, Lumb C, Ngo A, Favuzza P, Palandri J, Ramesh S, Penington J, Jarman KE, Mukherjee P, Chakraborty A, Maier AG, van Dooren GG, Papenfuss T, Wittlin S, Churchyard A, Baum J, Winzeler EA, Baud D, Brand S, Jackson PF, Cowman AF, Sleebs BE. 7- N-Substituted-3-oxadiazole Quinolones with Potent Antimalarial Activity Target the Cytochrome bc1 Complex. ACS Infect Dis 2023; 9:668-691. [PMID: 36853190 PMCID: PMC10012268 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.2c00607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/01/2023]
Abstract
The development of new antimalarials is required because of the threat of resistance to current antimalarial therapies. To discover new antimalarial chemotypes, we screened the Janssen Jumpstarter library against the P. falciparum asexual parasite and identified the 7-N-substituted-3-oxadiazole quinolone hit class. We established the structure-activity relationship and optimized the antimalarial potency. The optimized analog WJM228 (17) showed robust metabolic stability in vitro, although the aqueous solubility was limited. Forward genetic resistance studies uncovered that WJM228 targets the Qo site of cytochrome b (cyt b), an important component of the mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC) that is essential for pyrimidine biosynthesis and an established antimalarial target. Profiling against drug-resistant parasites confirmed that WJM228 confers resistance to the Qo site but not Qi site mutations, and in a biosensor assay, it was shown to impact the ETC via inhibition of cyt b. Consistent with other cyt b targeted antimalarials, WJM228 prevented pre-erythrocytic parasite and male gamete development and reduced asexual parasitemia in a P. berghei mouse model of malaria. Correcting the limited aqueous solubility and the high susceptibility to cyt b Qo site resistant parasites found in the clinic will be major obstacles in the future development of the 3-oxadiazole quinolone antimalarial class.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- William Nguyen
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville 3052, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville 3010, Australia
| | - Madeline G Dans
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville 3052, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville 3010, Australia
| | - Iain Currie
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville 3052, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville 3010, Australia
| | - Jon Kyle Awalt
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville 3052, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville 3010, Australia
| | - Brodie L Bailey
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville 3052, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville 3010, Australia
| | - Chris Lumb
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville 3052, Australia
| | - Anna Ngo
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville 3052, Australia
| | - Paola Favuzza
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville 3052, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville 3010, Australia
| | - Josephine Palandri
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville 3052, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville 3010, Australia
| | - Saishyam Ramesh
- Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra 2600, Australia
| | - Jocelyn Penington
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville 3052, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville 3010, Australia
| | - Kate E Jarman
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville 3052, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville 3010, Australia
| | | | | | - Alexander G Maier
- Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra 2600, Australia
| | - Giel G van Dooren
- Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra 2600, Australia
| | - Tony Papenfuss
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville 3052, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville 3010, Australia
| | - Sergio Wittlin
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Kreuzstrasse 2, 4123 Allschwil, Switzerland.,University of Basel, 4003 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Alisje Churchyard
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington, SW7 2AZ U.K
| | - Jake Baum
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington, SW7 2AZ U.K.,School of Biomedical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney 2031, Australia
| | - Elizabeth A Winzeler
- School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive 0760, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Delphine Baud
- Medicines for Malaria Venture, Geneva 1215, Switzerland
| | - Stephen Brand
- Medicines for Malaria Venture, Geneva 1215, Switzerland
| | - Paul F Jackson
- Global Public Health, Janssen R&D LLC, La Jolla, California 92121, United States
| | - Alan F Cowman
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville 3052, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville 3010, Australia
| | - Brad E Sleebs
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville 3052, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville 3010, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Ashton TD, Dans MG, Favuzza P, Ngo A, Lehane AM, Zhang X, Qiu D, Chandra Maity B, De N, Schindler KA, Yeo T, Park H, Uhlemann AC, Churchyard A, Baum J, Fidock DA, Jarman KE, Lowes KN, Baud D, Brand S, Jackson PF, Cowman AF, Sleebs BE. Optimization of 2,3-Dihydroquinazolinone-3-carboxamides as Antimalarials Targeting PfATP4. J Med Chem 2023; 66:3540-3565. [PMID: 36812492 PMCID: PMC10009754 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c02092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/24/2023]
Abstract
There is an urgent need to populate the antimalarial clinical portfolio with new candidates because of resistance against frontline antimalarials. To discover new antimalarial chemotypes, we performed a high-throughput screen of the Janssen Jumpstarter library against the Plasmodium falciparum asexual blood-stage parasite and identified the 2,3-dihydroquinazolinone-3-carboxamide scaffold. We defined the SAR and found that 8-substitution on the tricyclic ring system and 3-substitution of the exocyclic arene produced analogues with potent activity against asexual parasites equivalent to clinically used antimalarials. Resistance selection and profiling against drug-resistant parasite strains revealed that this antimalarial chemotype targets PfATP4. Dihydroquinazolinone analogues were shown to disrupt parasite Na+ homeostasis and affect parasite pH, exhibited a fast-to-moderate rate of asexual kill, and blocked gametogenesis, consistent with the phenotype of clinically used PfATP4 inhibitors. Finally, we observed that optimized frontrunner analogue WJM-921 demonstrates oral efficacy in a mouse model of malaria.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Trent D Ashton
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville 3052, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville 3010, Australia
| | - Madeline G Dans
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville 3052, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville 3010, Australia
| | - Paola Favuzza
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville 3052, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville 3010, Australia
| | - Anna Ngo
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville 3052, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville 3010, Australia
| | - Adele M Lehane
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra 2601, Australia
| | - Xinxin Zhang
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra 2601, Australia
| | - Deyun Qiu
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra 2601, Australia
| | | | - Nirupam De
- TCG Lifesciences Pvt. Ltd., Saltlake Sec-V, Kolkata 700091, West Bengal, India
| | - Kyra A Schindler
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Columbia University, Irving Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, United States
| | - Tomas Yeo
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Columbia University, Irving Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, United States
| | - Heekuk Park
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Columbia University, Irving Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, United States
| | - Anne-Catrin Uhlemann
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Columbia University, Irving Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, United States
| | - Alisje Churchyard
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington SW7 2AZ U.K
| | - Jake Baum
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington SW7 2AZ U.K.,School of Biomedical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney 2031, Australia
| | - David A Fidock
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Columbia University, Irving Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, United States.,Center for Malaria Therapeutics and Antimicrobial Resistance, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Columbia University, Irving Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, United States
| | - Kate E Jarman
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville 3052, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville 3010, Australia
| | - Kym N Lowes
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville 3052, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville 3010, Australia
| | - Delphine Baud
- Medicines for Malaria Venture, ICC, Route de Pré-Bois 20, 1215 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Stephen Brand
- Medicines for Malaria Venture, ICC, Route de Pré-Bois 20, 1215 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Paul F Jackson
- Global Public Health, Janssen R&D LLC, La Jolla, California 92121, United States
| | - Alan F Cowman
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville 3052, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville 3010, Australia
| | - Brad E Sleebs
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville 3052, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville 3010, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Mohammed M, Dziedziech A, Sekar V, Ernest M, Alves E Silva TL, Balan B, Emami SN, Biryukova I, Friedländer MR, Jex A, Jacobs-Lorena M, Henriksson J, Vega-Rodriguez J, Ankarklev J. Single-Cell Transcriptomics To Define Plasmodium falciparum Stage Transition in the Mosquito Midgut. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0367122. [PMID: 36847501 PMCID: PMC10100735 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.03671-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 02/05/2023] [Indexed: 03/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Malaria inflicts the highest rate of morbidity and mortality among the vector-borne diseases. The dramatic bottleneck of parasite numbers that occurs in the gut of the obligatory mosquito vector provides a promising target for novel control strategies. Using single-cell transcriptomics, we analyzed Plasmodium falciparum development in the mosquito gut, from unfertilized female gametes through the first 20 h after blood feeding, including the zygote and ookinete stages. This study revealed the temporal gene expression of the ApiAP2 family of transcription factors and of parasite stress genes in response to the harsh environment of the mosquito midgut. Further, employing structural protein prediction analyses, we found several upregulated genes predicted to encode intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs), a category of proteins known for their importance in regulation of transcription, translation, and protein-protein interactions. IDPs are known for their antigenic properties and may serve as suitable targets for antibody- or peptide-based transmission suppression strategies. In total, this study uncovers the P. falciparum transcriptome from early to late parasite development in the mosquito midgut, inside its natural vector, which provides an important resource for future malaria transmission-blocking initiatives. IMPORTANCE The malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum causes more than half a million deaths per year. The current treatment regimen targets the symptom-causing blood stage inside the human host. However, recent incentives in the field call for novel interventions to block parasite transmission from humans to the mosquito vector. Therefore, we need to better understand the parasite biology during its development inside the mosquito, including a deeper understanding of the expression of genes controlling parasite progression during these stages. Here, we have generated single-cell transcriptome data, covering P. falciparum's development, from gamete to ookinete inside the mosquito midgut, uncovering previously untapped parasite biology, including a repertoire of novel biomarkers to be explored in future transmission-blocking efforts. We anticipate that our study provides an important resource, which can be further explored to improve our understanding of the parasite biology as well as aid in guiding future malaria intervention strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mubasher Mohammed
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The Wenner-Gren Institute, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Alexis Dziedziech
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The Wenner-Gren Institute, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Vaishnovi Sekar
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Molecular Biosciences, The Wenner-Gren Institute, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Medard Ernest
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - Thiago Luiz Alves E Silva
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - Balu Balan
- Population Health and Immunity Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - S. Noushin Emami
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The Wenner-Gren Institute, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Inna Biryukova
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Molecular Biosciences, The Wenner-Gren Institute, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Marc R. Friedländer
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Molecular Biosciences, The Wenner-Gren Institute, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Aaron Jex
- Population Health and Immunity Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Marcelo Jacobs-Lorena
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Johan Henriksson
- Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS), Department of Molecular Biology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Joel Vega-Rodriguez
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - Johan Ankarklev
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The Wenner-Gren Institute, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
- Microbial Single Cell Genomics, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology and Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Patterns of Heterochromatin Transitions Linked to Changes in the Expression of Plasmodium falciparum Clonally Variant Genes. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0304922. [PMID: 36515553 PMCID: PMC9927496 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.03049-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The survival of malaria parasites in the changing human blood environment largely depends on their ability to alter gene expression by epigenetic mechanisms. The active state of Plasmodium falciparum clonally variant genes (CVGs) is associated with euchromatin characterized by the histone mark H3K9ac, whereas the silenced state is characterized by H3K9me3-based heterochromatin. Expression switches are linked to euchromatin-heterochromatin transitions, but these transitions have not been characterized for the majority of CVGs. To define the heterochromatin distribution patterns associated with the alternative transcriptional states of CVGs, we compared H3K9me3 occupancy at a genome-wide level among several parasite subclones of the same genetic background that differed in the transcriptional state of many CVGs. We found that de novo heterochromatin formation or the complete disruption of a heterochromatin domain is a relatively rare event, and for the majority of CVGs, expression switches can be explained by the expansion or retraction of heterochromatin domains. We identified different modalities of heterochromatin changes linked to transcriptional differences, but despite this complexity, heterochromatin distribution patterns generally enable the prediction of the transcriptional state of specific CVGs. We also found that in some subclones, several var genes were simultaneously in an active state. Furthermore, the heterochromatin levels in the putative regulatory region of the gdv1 antisense noncoding RNA, a regulator of sexual commitment, varied between parasite lines with different sexual conversion rates. IMPORTANCE The malaria parasite P. falciparum is responsible for more than half a million deaths every year. P. falciparum clonally variant genes (CVGs) mediate fundamental host-parasite interactions and play a key role in parasite adaptation to fluctuations in the conditions of the human host. The expression of CVGs is regulated at the epigenetic level by changes in the distribution of a type of chromatin called heterochromatin. Here, we describe at a genome-wide level the changes in the heterochromatin distribution associated with the different transcriptional states of CVGs. Our results also reveal a likely role for heterochromatin at a particular locus in determining the parasite investment in transmission to mosquitoes. Additionally, this data set will enable the prediction of the transcriptional state of CVGs from epigenomic data, which is important for the study of parasite adaptation to the conditions of the host in natural malaria infections.
Collapse
|
15
|
Balta VA, Stiffler D, Sayeed A, Tripathi AK, Elahi R, Mlambo G, Bakshi RP, Dziedzic AG, Jedlicka AE, Nenortas E, Romero-Rodriguez K, Canonizado MA, Mann A, Owen A, Sullivan DJ, Prigge ST, Sinnis P, Shapiro TA. Transmissibility of clinically relevant atovaquone-resistant Plasmodium falciparum by anopheline mosquitoes. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.02.07.527535. [PMID: 36798298 PMCID: PMC9934642 DOI: 10.1101/2023.02.07.527535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
Abstract
Rising numbers of malaria cases and deaths underscore the need for new interventions. Long-acting injectable medications, such as those now in use for HIV prophylaxis, offer the prospect of a malaria "chemical vaccine", combining the efficacy of a drug (like atovaquone) with the durability of a biological vaccine. Of concern, however, is the possible selection and transmission of drug-resistant parasites. We addressed this question by generating clinically relevant, highly atovaquone-resistant, Plasmodium falciparum mutants competent to infect mosquitoes. Isogenic paired strains, that differ only by a single Y268S mutation in cytochrome b, were evaluated in parallel in southeast Asian (Anopheles stephensi) or African (Anopheles gambiae) mosquitoes, and thence in humanized mice. Fitness costs of the mutation were evident along the lifecycle, in asexual parasite growth in vitro and in a progressive loss of parasites in the mosquito. In numerous independent experiments, microscopic exam of salivary glands from hundreds of mosquitoes failed to detect even one Y268S sporozoite, a defect not rescued by coinfection with wild type parasites. Furthermore, despite uniformly successful transmission of wild type parasites from An. stephensi to FRG NOD huHep mice bearing human hepatocytes and erythrocytes, multiple attempts with Y268S-fed mosquitoes failed: there was no evidence of parasites in mouse tissues by microscopy, in vitro culture, or PCR. These studies confirm a severe-to-lethal fitness cost of clinically relevant atovaquone-resistant P. falciparum in the mosquito, and they significantly lessen the likelihood of their transmission in the field.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Victoria A. Balta
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, 21205
- The Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute, Baltimore, MD, 21205
| | - Deborah Stiffler
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, 21205
- The Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute, Baltimore, MD, 21205
| | - Abeer Sayeed
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, 21205
- The Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute, Baltimore, MD, 21205
| | - Abhai K. Tripathi
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, 21205
- The Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute, Baltimore, MD, 21205
| | - Rubayet Elahi
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, 21205
- The Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute, Baltimore, MD, 21205
| | - Godfree Mlambo
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, 21205
- The Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute, Baltimore, MD, 21205
| | - Rahul P. Bakshi
- The Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute, Baltimore, MD, 21205
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Departments of Medicine and of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21205-2186
| | - Amanda G. Dziedzic
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, 21205
| | - Anne E. Jedlicka
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, 21205
| | - Elizabeth Nenortas
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Departments of Medicine and of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21205-2186
| | - Keyla Romero-Rodriguez
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Departments of Medicine and of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21205-2186
| | - Matthew A. Canonizado
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Departments of Medicine and of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21205-2186
| | - Alexis Mann
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, 21205
- The Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute, Baltimore, MD, 21205
| | - Andrew Owen
- Centre of Excellence in Long-acting Therapeutics (CELT), Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 3BX, UK
| | - David J. Sullivan
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, 21205
- The Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute, Baltimore, MD, 21205
| | - Sean T. Prigge
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, 21205
- The Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute, Baltimore, MD, 21205
| | - Photini Sinnis
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, 21205
- The Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute, Baltimore, MD, 21205
| | - Theresa A. Shapiro
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, 21205
- The Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute, Baltimore, MD, 21205
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Departments of Medicine and of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21205-2186
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Yahiya S, Saunders CN, Hassan S, Straschil U, Fischer OJ, Rueda-Zubiaurre A, Haase S, Vizcay-Barrena G, Famodimu MT, Jordan S, Delves MJ, Tate EW, Barnard A, Fuchter MJ, Baum J. A novel class of sulphonamides potently block malaria transmission by targeting a Plasmodium vacuole membrane protein. Dis Model Mech 2023; 16:dmm049950. [PMID: 36715290 PMCID: PMC9934914 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.049950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Phenotypic cell-based screens are critical tools for discovering candidate drugs for development, yet identification of the cellular target and mode of action of a candidate drug is often lacking. Using an imaging-based screen, we recently discovered an N-[(4-hydroxychroman-4-yl)methyl]-sulphonamide (N-4HCS) compound, DDD01035881, that blocks male gamete formation in the malaria parasite life cycle and subsequent transmission of the parasite to the mosquito with nanomolar activity. To identify the target(s) of DDD01035881, and of the N-4HCS class of compounds more broadly, we synthesised a photoactivatable derivative, probe 2. Photoaffinity labelling of probe 2 coupled with mass spectrometry identified the 16 kDa Plasmodium falciparum parasitophorous vacuole membrane protein Pfs16 as a potential parasite target. Complementary methods including cellular thermal shift assays confirmed that the parent molecule DDD01035881 stabilised Pfs16 in lysates from activated mature gametocytes. Combined with high-resolution, fluorescence and electron microscopy data, which demonstrated that parasites inhibited with N-4HCS compounds phenocopy the targeted deletion of Pfs16 in gametocytes, these data implicate Pfs16 as a likely target of DDD01035881. This finding establishes N-4HCS compounds as being flexible and effective starting candidates from which transmission-blocking antimalarials can be developed in the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Yahiya
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Sir Alexander Fleming Building, Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Charlie N. Saunders
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Sir Alexander Fleming Building, Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London SW7 2AZ, UK
- Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, White City Campus, Wood Lane, London W12 OBZ, UK
| | - Sarah Hassan
- Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, White City Campus, Wood Lane, London W12 OBZ, UK
| | - Ursula Straschil
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Sir Alexander Fleming Building, Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Oliver J. Fischer
- Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, White City Campus, Wood Lane, London W12 OBZ, UK
| | - Ainoa Rueda-Zubiaurre
- Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, White City Campus, Wood Lane, London W12 OBZ, UK
| | - Silvia Haase
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Sir Alexander Fleming Building, Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Gema Vizcay-Barrena
- Centre for Ultrastructural Imaging, New Hunt's House, Guy's Campus, King's College London, London SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Mufuliat Toyin Famodimu
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Sir Alexander Fleming Building, Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Sarah Jordan
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Sir Alexander Fleming Building, Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Michael J. Delves
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Sir Alexander Fleming Building, Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Edward W. Tate
- Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, White City Campus, Wood Lane, London W12 OBZ, UK
| | - Anna Barnard
- Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, White City Campus, Wood Lane, London W12 OBZ, UK
| | - Matthew J. Fuchter
- Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, White City Campus, Wood Lane, London W12 OBZ, UK
| | - Jake Baum
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Sir Alexander Fleming Building, Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Cruz Camacho A, Kiper E, Oren S, Zaharoni N, Nir N, Soffer N, Noy Y, Ben David B, Rivkin A, Rotkopf R, Michael D, Carvalho TG, Regev-Rudzki N. High-throughput analysis of the transcriptional patterns of sexual genes in malaria. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:14. [PMID: 36639683 PMCID: PMC9838061 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05624-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) is the leading protozoan causing malaria, the most devastating parasitic disease. To ensure transmission, a small subset of Pf parasites differentiate into the sexual forms (gametocytes). Since the abundance of these essential parasitic forms is extremely low within the human host, little is currently known about the molecular regulation of their sexual differentiation, highlighting the need to develop tools to investigate Pf gene expression during this fundamental mechanism. METHODS We developed a high-throughput quantitative Reverse-Transcription PCR (RT-qPCR) platform to robustly monitor Pf transcriptional patterns, in particular, systematically profiling the transcriptional pattern of a large panel of gametocyte-related genes (GRG). Initially, we evaluated the technical performance of the systematic RT-qPCR platform to ensure it complies with the accepted quality standards for: (i) RNA extraction, (ii) cDNA synthesis and (iii) evaluation of gene expression through RT-qPCR. We then used this approach to monitor alterations in gene expression of a panel of GRG upon treatment with gametocytogenesis regulators. RESULTS We thoroughly elucidated GRG expression profiles under treatment with the antimalarial drug dihydroartemisinin (DHA) or the metabolite choline over the course of a Pf blood cycle (48 h). We demonstrate that both significantly alter the expression pattern of PfAP2-G, the gametocytogenesis master regulator. However, they also markedly modify the developmental rate of the parasites and thus might bias the mRNA expression. Additionally, we screened the effect of the metabolites lactate and kynurenic acid, abundant in severe malaria, as potential regulators of gametocytogenesis. CONCLUSIONS Our data demonstrate that the high-throughput RT-qPCR method enables studying the immediate transcriptional response initiating gametocytogenesis of the parasites from a very low volume of malaria-infected RBC samples. The obtained data expand the current knowledge of the initial alterations in mRNA profiles of GRG upon treatment with reported regulators. In addition, using this method emphasizes that asexual parasite stage composition is a crucial element that must be considered when interpreting changes in GRG expression by RT-qPCR, specifically when screening for novel compounds that could regulate Pf sexual differentiation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Abel Cruz Camacho
- grid.13992.300000 0004 0604 7563Faculty of Biochemistry, Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, 7610001 Rehovot, Israel
| | - Edo Kiper
- grid.13992.300000 0004 0604 7563Faculty of Biochemistry, Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, 7610001 Rehovot, Israel
| | - Sonia Oren
- grid.13992.300000 0004 0604 7563Faculty of Biochemistry, Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, 7610001 Rehovot, Israel
| | - Nir Zaharoni
- grid.13992.300000 0004 0604 7563Faculty of Biochemistry, Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, 7610001 Rehovot, Israel
| | - Netta Nir
- grid.13992.300000 0004 0604 7563Faculty of Biochemistry, Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, 7610001 Rehovot, Israel
| | - Noam Soffer
- grid.13992.300000 0004 0604 7563Faculty of Biochemistry, Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, 7610001 Rehovot, Israel
| | - Yael Noy
- grid.13992.300000 0004 0604 7563Faculty of Biochemistry, Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, 7610001 Rehovot, Israel
| | - Bar Ben David
- grid.13992.300000 0004 0604 7563Faculty of Biochemistry, Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, 7610001 Rehovot, Israel
| | - Anna Rivkin
- grid.13992.300000 0004 0604 7563Faculty of Biochemistry, Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, 7610001 Rehovot, Israel
| | - Ron Rotkopf
- grid.13992.300000 0004 0604 7563Department of Life Sciences Core Facilities, Weizmann Institute of Science, 7610001 Rehovot, Israel
| | - Dan Michael
- grid.13992.300000 0004 0604 7563Feinberg Graduate School, Weizmann Institute of Science, 7610001 Rehovot, Israel
| | - Teresa G. Carvalho
- grid.1018.80000 0001 2342 0938Department of Microbiology, Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086 Australia
| | - Neta Regev-Rudzki
- grid.13992.300000 0004 0604 7563Faculty of Biochemistry, Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, 7610001 Rehovot, Israel
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Nanobodies against Pfs230 block Plasmodium falciparum transmission. Biochem J 2022; 479:2529-2546. [PMID: 36520108 PMCID: PMC9788556 DOI: 10.1042/bcj20220554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Revised: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Transmission blocking interventions can stop malaria parasite transmission from mosquito to human by inhibiting parasite infection in mosquitos. One of the most advanced candidates for a malaria transmission blocking vaccine is Pfs230. Pfs230 is the largest member of the 6-cysteine protein family with 14 consecutive 6-cysteine domains and is expressed on the surface of gametocytes and gametes. Here, we present the crystal structure of the first two 6-cysteine domains of Pfs230. We identified high affinity Pfs230-specific nanobodies that recognized gametocytes and bind to distinct sites on Pfs230, which were isolated from immunized alpacas. Using two non-overlapping Pfs230 nanobodies, we show that these nanobodies significantly blocked P. falciparum transmission and reduced the formation of exflagellation centers. Crystal structures of the transmission blocking nanobodies with the first 6-cysteine domain of Pfs230 confirm that they bind to different epitopes. In addition, these nanobodies bind to Pfs230 in the absence of the prodomain, in contrast with the binding of known Pfs230 transmission blocking antibodies. These results provide additional structural insight into Pfs230 domains and elucidate a mechanism of action of transmission blocking Pfs230 nanobodies.
Collapse
|
19
|
A Novel Ex Vivo Drug Assay for Assessing the Transmission-Blocking Activity of Compounds on Field-Isolated Plasmodium falciparum Gametocytes. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2022; 66:e0100122. [PMID: 36321830 PMCID: PMC9764978 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01001-22] [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: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The discovery and development of transmission-blocking therapies challenge malaria elimination and necessitate standard and reproducible bioassays to measure the blocking properties of antimalarial drugs and candidate compounds. Most of the current bioassays evaluating the transmission-blocking activity of compounds rely on laboratory-adapted Plasmodium strains. Transmission-blocking data from clinical gametocyte isolates could help select novel transmission-blocking candidates for further development. Using freshly collected Plasmodium falciparum gametocytes from asymptomatic individuals, we first optimized ex vivo culture conditions to improve gametocyte viability and infectiousness by testing several culture parameters. We next pre-exposed ex vivo field-isolated gametocytes to chloroquine, dihydroartemisinin, primaquine, KDU691, GNF179, and oryzalin for 48 h prior to direct membrane feeding. We measured the activity of the drug on the ability of gametocytes to resume the sexual life cycle in Anopheles after drug exposure. Using 57 blood samples collected from Malian volunteers aged 6 to 15 years, we demonstrate that the infectivity of freshly collected field gametocytes can be preserved and improved ex vivo in a culture medium supplemented with 10% horse serum at 4% hematocrit for 48 h. Moreover, our optimized drug assay displays the weak transmission-blocking activity of chloroquine and dihydroartemisinin, while primaquine and oryzalin exhibited a transmission-blocking activity of ~50% at 1 μM. KDU691 and GNF179 both interrupted Plasmodium transmission at 1 μM and 5 nM, respectively. This new approach, if implemented, has the potential to accelerate the screening of compounds with transmission-blocking activity.
Collapse
|
20
|
Omorou R, Bin Sa'id I, Delves M, Severini C, Kouakou YI, Bienvenu AL, Picot S. Protocols for Plasmodium gametocyte production in vitro: an integrative review and analysis. Parasit Vectors 2022; 15:451. [PMID: 36471426 PMCID: PMC9720971 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05566-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The production of Plasmodium gametocytes in vitro is a real challenge. Many protocols have been described, but few have resulted in the production of viable and infectious gametocytes in sufficient quantities to conduct research on-but not limited to-transmission-blocking drug and vaccine development. The aim of this review was to identify and discuss gametocyte production protocols that have been developed over the last two decades. METHODS We analyzed the original gametocyte production protocols published from 2000 onwards based on a literature search and a thorough review. A systematic review was performed of relevant articles identified in the PubMed, Web of Sciences and ScienceDirect databases. RESULTS A total 23 studies on the production of Plasmodium gametocytes were identified, 19 involving in vitro Plasmodium falciparum, one involving Plasmodium knowlesi and three involving ex vivo Plasmodium vivax. Of the in vitro studies, 90% used environmental stressors to trigger gametocytogenesis. Mature gametocytemia of up to 4% was reported. CONCLUSIONS Several biological parameters contribute to an optimal production in vitro of viable and infectious mature gametocytes. The knowledge gained from this systematic review on the molecular mechanisms involved in gametocytogenesis enables reproducible gametocyte protocols with transgenic parasite lines to be set up. This review highlights the need for additional gametocyte production protocols for Plasmodium species other than P. falciparum.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Roukayatou Omorou
- Malaria Research Unit, UMR 5246 CNRS-INSA-CPE-University Lyon1, University of Lyon, 69100, Villeurbanne, France.
| | - Ibrahim Bin Sa'id
- Malaria Research Unit, UMR 5246 CNRS-INSA-CPE-University Lyon1, University of Lyon, 69100, Villeurbanne, France.,Institut Agama Islam Negeri (IAIN) Kediri, 64127, Kota Kediri, Jawa Timur, Indonesia
| | - Michael Delves
- Department of Infection Biology, Faculty of Infectious Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1A 7HT, UK
| | - Carlo Severini
- Dipartimento Di Malattie Infettive, Istituto Superiore Di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Yobouet Ines Kouakou
- Malaria Research Unit, UMR 5246 CNRS-INSA-CPE-University Lyon1, University of Lyon, 69100, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Anne-Lise Bienvenu
- Malaria Research Unit, UMR 5246 CNRS-INSA-CPE-University Lyon1, University of Lyon, 69100, Villeurbanne, France.,Service Pharmacie, Groupement Hospitalier Nord, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Stephane Picot
- Malaria Research Unit, UMR 5246 CNRS-INSA-CPE-University Lyon1, University of Lyon, 69100, Villeurbanne, France.,Institut de Parasitologie Et Mycologie Médicale, Groupement Hospitalier Nord, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Dynamics of DNA Replication during Male Gametogenesis in the Malaria Parasite Plasmodium Falciparum. Cell Microbiol 2022. [DOI: 10.1155/2022/2701868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Malaria parasites undergo a single phase of sexual reproduction in their complex lifecycle. It involves specialised, sexually committed cells called gametocytes, which develop rapidly into mature gametes and mate upon entering the mosquito midgut. Gamete development is unique, involving unprecedentedly fast replication to produce male gametes. Within ~15 minutes a male gametocyte replicates its ~23 Mb genome three times to produce 8 genomes, segregates these into newly-assembled flagellated gametes and releases them to seek female gametes. Here, for the first time, we use fluorescent labelling of de novo DNA synthesis to follow this process at the whole-cell and single-molecule levels. We make several novel observations, including characterising the origin recognition complex protein Orc1 for the first time in gametocytes, finding that cytokinesis is uncoupled from DNA replication (implying a lack of cell cycle checkpoints), and that the single-molecule dynamics of DNA replication are entirely different from the dynamics in asexual schizogony.
Collapse
|
22
|
Tryptophan C-mannosylation is critical for Plasmodium falciparum transmission. Nat Commun 2022; 13:4400. [PMID: 35906227 PMCID: PMC9338275 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-32076-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Tryptophan C-mannosylation stabilizes proteins bearing a thrombospondin repeat (TSR) domain in metazoans. Here we show that Plasmodium falciparum expresses a DPY19 tryptophan C-mannosyltransferase in the endoplasmic reticulum and that DPY19-deficiency abolishes C-glycosylation, destabilizes members of the TRAP adhesin family and inhibits transmission to mosquitoes. Imaging P. falciparum gametogenesis in its entirety in four dimensions using lattice light-sheet microscopy reveals defects in ΔDPY19 gametocyte egress and exflagellation. While egress is diminished, ΔDPY19 microgametes still fertilize macrogametes, forming ookinetes, but these are abrogated for mosquito infection. The gametogenesis defects correspond with destabilization of MTRAP, which we show is C-mannosylated in P. falciparum, and the ookinete defect is concordant with defective CTRP secretion on the ΔDPY19 background. Genetic complementation of DPY19 restores ookinete infectivity, sporozoite production and C-mannosylation activity. Therefore, tryptophan C-mannosylation by DPY19 ensures TSR protein quality control at two lifecycle stages for successful transmission of the human malaria parasite. Here, Lopaticki et al. show that Plasmodium falciparum expresses a Dpy19 C-mannosyltransferase in the endoplasmic reticulum that glycosylates TSR domains. Functional characterization shows that PfDpy19 plays a critical role in transmission through mosquitoes as PfDpy19-deficiency abolishes C-glycosylation and destabilizes proteins relevant for gametogenesis and oocyst formation.
Collapse
|
23
|
Vimonpatranon S, Roytrakul S, Phaonakrop N, Lekmanee K, Atipimonpat A, Srimark N, Sukapirom K, Chotivanich K, Khowawisetsut L, Pattanapanyasat K. Extracellular Vesicles Derived from Early and Late Stage Plasmodium falciparum-Infected Red Blood Cells Contain Invasion-Associated Proteins. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11144250. [PMID: 35888014 PMCID: PMC9318397 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11144250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Revised: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
In infectious diseases, extracellular vesicles (EVs) released from a pathogen or pathogen-infected cells can transfer pathogen-derived biomolecules, especially proteins, to target cells and consequently regulate these target cells. For example, malaria is an important tropical infectious disease caused by Plasmodium spp. Previous studies have identified the roles of Plasmodium falciparum-infected red blood cell-derived EVs (Pf-EVs) in the pathogenesis, activation, and modulation of host immune responses. This study investigated the proteomic profiles of Pf-EVs isolated from four P. falciparum strains. We also compared the proteomes of EVs from (i) different EV types (microvesicles and exosomes) and (ii) different parasite growth stages (early- and late-stage). The proteomic analyses revealed that the human proteins carried in the Pf-EVs were specific to the type of Pf-EVs. By contrast, most of the P. falciparum proteins carried in Pf-EVs were common across all types of Pf-EVs. As the proteomics results revealed that Pf-EVs contained invasion-associated proteins, the effect of Pf-EVs on parasite invasion was also investigated. Surprisingly, the attenuation of parasite invasion efficiency was found with the addition of Pf-MVs. Moreover, this effect was markedly increased in culture-adapted isolates compared with laboratory reference strains. Our evidence supports the concept that Pf-EVs play a role in quorum sensing, which leads to parasite growth-density regulation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sinmanus Vimonpatranon
- Graduate Program in Immunology, Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand;
| | - Sittiruk Roytrakul
- Functional Ingredients and Food Innovation Research Group, National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Pathumthani 12120, Thailand; (S.R.); (N.P.)
| | - Narumon Phaonakrop
- Functional Ingredients and Food Innovation Research Group, National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Pathumthani 12120, Thailand; (S.R.); (N.P.)
| | - Kittima Lekmanee
- Siriraj Center of Research Excellence for Microparticle and Exosome in Diseases, Research Department, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand; (K.L.); (N.S.); (K.S.)
| | - Anyapat Atipimonpat
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medical Science, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok 65000, Thailand;
| | - Narinee Srimark
- Siriraj Center of Research Excellence for Microparticle and Exosome in Diseases, Research Department, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand; (K.L.); (N.S.); (K.S.)
| | - Kasama Sukapirom
- Siriraj Center of Research Excellence for Microparticle and Exosome in Diseases, Research Department, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand; (K.L.); (N.S.); (K.S.)
| | - Kesinee Chotivanich
- Department of Clinical Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand;
| | - Ladawan Khowawisetsut
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand
- Correspondence: (L.K.); (K.P.); Tel.: +66-2419-6477 (L.K. & K.P.)
| | - Kovit Pattanapanyasat
- Siriraj Center of Research Excellence for Microparticle and Exosome in Diseases, Research Department, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand; (K.L.); (N.S.); (K.S.)
- Correspondence: (L.K.); (K.P.); Tel.: +66-2419-6477 (L.K. & K.P.)
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
ApiAP2 Gene-Network Regulates Gametocytogenesis in Plasmodium Parasites. Cell Microbiol 2022. [DOI: 10.1155/2022/5796578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Malaria is a mosquito-borne infectious disease, caused by unicellular Apicomplexan protozoa of the genus Plasmodium. The sexual stage of Plasmodium is one of the most fascinating aspects of the Plasmodium life cycle, yet relatively less explored until now. The production of sexually fit gametocytes through gametocytogenesis is essential to the transmission of the Plasmodium parasite into an anopheline mosquito vector. Understanding how gametocytogenesis is regulated promotes the identification of novel drug targets and also the development of transmission-blocking vaccines that would help reduce the disease burden in endemic areas. Transcriptional regulation in Plasmodium parasites is primarily controlled by a family of twenty-seven Apicomplexan Apetela 2 (ApiAP2) genes which act in a cascade to enable the parasite to progress through its asexual replication as well as gametocytogenesis. Here, we review the latest progress made on members of the ApiAP2 family characterized as key players of the transcriptional machinery of gametocytes. Further, we will highlight the transcriptional regulation network of ApiAP2 genes at each stage of gametocytogenesis.
Collapse
|
25
|
5-methylcytosine modification by Plasmodium NSUN2 stabilizes mRNA and mediates the development of gametocytes. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:2110713119. [PMID: 35210361 PMCID: PMC8892369 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2110713119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
5-methylcytosine (m5C) is an important epitranscriptomic modification involved in messenger RNA (mRNA) stability and translation efficiency in various biological processes. However, it remains unclear if m5C modification contributes to the dynamic regulation of the transcriptome during the developmental cycles of Plasmodium parasites. Here, we characterize the landscape of m5C mRNA modifications at single nucleotide resolution in the asexual replication stages and gametocyte sexual stages of rodent (Plasmodium yoelii) and human (Plasmodium falciparum) malaria parasites. While different representations of m5C-modified mRNAs are associated with the different stages, the abundance of the m5C marker is strikingly enhanced in the transcriptomes of gametocytes. Our results show that m5C modifications confer stability to the Plasmodium transcripts and that a Plasmodium ortholog of NSUN2 is a major mRNA m5C methyltransferase in malaria parasites. Upon knockout of P. yoelii nsun2 (pynsun2), marked reductions of m5C modification were observed in a panel of gametocytogenesis-associated transcripts. These reductions correlated with impaired gametocyte production in the knockout rodent malaria parasites. Restoration of the nsun2 gene in the knockout parasites rescued the gametocyte production phenotype as well as m5C modification of the gametocytogenesis-associated transcripts. Together with the mRNA m5C profiles for two species of Plasmodium, our findings demonstrate a major role for NSUN2-mediated m5C modifications in mRNA transcript stability and sexual differentiation in malaria parasites.
Collapse
|
26
|
Thommen BT, Passecker A, Buser T, Hitz E, Voss TS, Brancucci NMB. Revisiting the Effect of Pharmaceuticals on Transmission Stage Formation in the Malaria Parasite Plasmodium falciparum. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:802341. [PMID: 35223540 PMCID: PMC8873190 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.802341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria parasites rely on specialized stages, called gametocytes, to ensure human-to-human transmission. The formation of these sexual precursor cells is initiated by commitment of blood stage parasites to the sexual differentiation pathway. Plasmodium falciparum, the most virulent of six parasite species infecting humans, employs nutrient sensing to control the rate at which sexual commitment is initiated, and the presence of stress-inducing factors, including antimalarial drugs, has been linked to increased gametocyte production in vitro and in vivo. These observations suggest that therapeutic interventions may promote gametocytogenesis and malaria transmission. Here, we engineered a P. falciparum reporter line to quantify sexual commitment rates after exposure to antimalarials and other pharmaceuticals commonly prescribed in malaria-endemic regions. Our data reveal that some of the tested drugs indeed have the capacity to elevate sexual commitment rates in vitro. Importantly, however, these effects are only observed at drug concentrations that inhibit parasite survival and only rarely result in a net increase of gametocyte production. Using a drug-resistant parasite reporter line, we further show that the gametocytogenesis-promoting effect of drugs is linked to general stress responses rather than to compound-specific activities. Altogether, we did not observe evidence for mechanistic links between the regulation of sexual commitment and the activity of commonly used pharmaceuticals in vitro. Our data hence does not support scenarios in which currently applied therapeutic interventions would promote the spread of drug-resistant parasites or malaria transmission in general.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Basil T. Thommen
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Armin Passecker
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Tamara Buser
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Eva Hitz
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Till S. Voss
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- *Correspondence: Till S. Voss, ; Nicolas M. B. Brancucci,
| | - Nicolas M. B. Brancucci
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- *Correspondence: Till S. Voss, ; Nicolas M. B. Brancucci,
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Yahiya S, Jordan S, Smith HX, Gaboriau DCA, Famodimu MT, Dahalan FA, Churchyard A, Ashdown GW, Baum J. Live-cell fluorescence imaging of microgametogenesis in the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. PLoS Pathog 2022; 18:e1010276. [PMID: 35130301 PMCID: PMC8853644 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1010276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2021] [Revised: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Formation of gametes in the malaria parasite occurs in the midgut of the mosquito and is critical to onward parasite transmission. Transformation of the male gametocyte into microgametes, called microgametogenesis, is an explosive cellular event and one of the fastest eukaryotic DNA replication events known. The transformation of one microgametocyte into eight flagellated microgametes requires reorganisation of the parasite cytoskeleton, replication of the 22.9 Mb genome, axoneme formation and host erythrocyte egress, all of which occur simultaneously in <20 minutes. Whilst high-resolution imaging has been a powerful tool for defining stages of microgametogenesis, it has largely been limited to fixed parasite samples, given the speed of the process and parasite photosensitivity. Here, we have developed a live-cell fluorescence imaging workflow that captures the entirety of microgametogenesis. Using the most virulent human malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, our live-cell approach captured early microgametogenesis with three-dimensional imaging through time (4D imaging) and microgamete release with two-dimensional (2D) fluorescence microscopy. To minimise the phototoxic impact to parasites, acquisition was alternated between 4D fluorescence, brightfield and 2D fluorescence microscopy. Combining live-cell dyes specific for DNA, tubulin and the host erythrocyte membrane, 4D and 2D imaging together enables definition of the positioning of newly replicated and segregated DNA. This combined approach also shows the microtubular cytoskeleton, location of newly formed basal bodies, elongation of axonemes and morphological changes to the erythrocyte membrane, the latter including potential echinocytosis of the erythrocyte membrane prior to microgamete egress. Extending the utility of this approach, the phenotypic effects of known transmission-blocking inhibitors on microgametogenesis were confirmed. Additionally, the effects of bortezomib, an untested proteasomal inhibitor, revealed a clear block of DNA replication, full axoneme nucleation and elongation. Thus, as well as defining a framework for broadly investigating microgametogenesis, these data demonstrate the utility of using live imaging to validate potential targets for transmission-blocking antimalarial drug development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Yahiya
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sarah Jordan
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Holly X. Smith
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - David C. A. Gaboriau
- Facility for Imaging by Light Microscopy, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Farah A. Dahalan
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Alisje Churchyard
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - George W. Ashdown
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jake Baum
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- * E-mail: ,
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Assessment
in vitro
of the antimalarial and transmission blocking activities of Cipargamin and Ganaplacide in artemisinin resistant
Plasmodium falciparum. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2022; 66:e0148121. [DOI: 10.1128/aac.01481-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Artemisinin resistance in
Plasmodium falciparum
has emerged and spread widely in the Greater Mekong Subregion threatening current first line artemisinin combination treatments. New antimalarial drugs are needed urgently. Cipargamin (KAE609) and ganaplacide (KAF156) are promising novel antimalarial compounds in advanced stages of development. Both compounds have potent asexual blood stage activities, inhibit
P. falciparum
gametocytogenesis and reduce oocyst development in anopheline mosquitoes. In this study, we compared the asexual and sexual stage activities of cipargamin, ganaplacide and artesunate in artemisinin resistant
P. falciparum
isolates (N=7, K13 mutation; C580Y, G449A and R539T) from Thailand and Cambodia. Asexual blood stage antimalarial activity was evaluated in a SYBR-green I based 72h
in vitro
assay, and the effects on male and female mature stage V gametocytes were assessed in the
P. falciparum
dual gamete formation assay. Ganaplacide had higher activities when compared to cipargamin and artesunate, with a mean (SD) IC50 against asexual stages of 5.5 (1.1) nM, 7.8 (3.9) nM for male gametocytes and 57.9 (59.6) nM for female gametocytes. Cipargamin had a similar potency against male and female gametocytes, with a mean (SD) IC50 of 123.1 (80.2) nM for male gametocytes, 88.5 (52.7) nM for female gametocytes and 2.4 (0.6) nM for asexual stages. Both cipargamin and ganaplacide showed significant transmission-blocking activities against artemisinin resistant
P. falciparum
in vitro
.
Collapse
|
29
|
Raz A, Ilbeigi Khamseh Nejad M. In Vitro Culture of Plasmodium falciparum for the Production of Mature Gametocytes for Performing Standard Membrane Feeding Assay and Infection of Anopheles spp. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2410:581-587. [PMID: 34914069 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1884-4_30] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Plasmodium falciparum is the parasite responsible for the disease malaria. In vitro cultivation of mature gametocytes of P. falciparum plays a central role in evaluating and developing the transmission-blocking drugs and sexual stage vaccines. These types of preventive molecules are crucial for controlling malaria in the future. Among different Plasmodium species that are involved in human malaria, only P. falciparum is cultivable. Therefore, an efficient method is required for in vitro culture of P. falciparum producing mature and infective gametocytes. This chapter describes a reliable and efficient protocol for the production of adult and infective gametocytes that is suitable for small- and large-scale culture.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Abbasali Raz
- Malaria and Vector Research Group (MVRG), Biotechnology Research Center (BRC), Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.
| | | |
Collapse
|
30
|
Lopez-Perez M, Seidu Z. Establishing and Maintaining In Vitro Cultures of Asexual Blood Stages of Plasmodium falciparum. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2470:37-49. [PMID: 35881337 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2189-9_5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
In vitro culture of asexual blood stages of Plasmodium falciparum is essential to study the parasite biology, and several aspects need to be addressed to successfully cultivate the parasites, including the requirements for red blood cells and specific nutrients. Since Trager and Jensen established the technique in 1976, some modifications have been introduced to improve the growth rate and yield. In brief, the method is based on the use of human red blood cells suspended in RPMI-1640 culture medium supplemented with a source of lipids and maintained at 37 °C in a low-oxygen atmosphere. In this protocol, a description of thawing, culturing, and cryopreservation of asexual blood stages of P. falciparum is presented.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mary Lopez-Perez
- Centre for Medical Parasitology, Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Zakaria Seidu
- Centre for Medical Parasitology, Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Immunology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
- West Africa Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Usui M, Williamson KC. Stressed Out About Plasmodium falciparum Gametocytogenesis. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:790067. [PMID: 34926328 PMCID: PMC8674873 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.790067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Blocking malaria transmission is critical to malaria control programs but remains a major challenge especially in endemic regions with high levels of asymptomatic infections. New strategies targeting the transmissible sexual stages of the parasite, called gametocytes, are needed. This review focuses on P. falciparum gametocytogenesis in vivo and in vitro. Highlighting advances made elucidating genes required for gametocyte production and identifying key questions that remain unanswered such as the factors and regulatory mechanisms that contribute to gametocyte induction, and the mechanism of sequestration. Tools available to begin to address these issues are also described to facilitate advances in our understanding of this important stage of the life cycle.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Miho Usui
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Kim C Williamson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, United States
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Hitz E, Wiedemar N, Passecker A, Graça BAS, Scheurer C, Wittlin S, Brancucci NMB, Vakonakis I, Mäser P, Voss TS. The 3-phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase 1 is an essential upstream activator of protein kinase A in malaria parasites. PLoS Biol 2021; 19:e3001483. [PMID: 34879056 PMCID: PMC8687544 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3001483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2021] [Revised: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)-dependent protein kinase A (PKA) signalling is essential for the proliferation of Plasmodium falciparum malaria blood stage parasites. The mechanisms regulating the activity of the catalytic subunit PfPKAc, however, are only partially understood, and PfPKAc function has not been investigated in gametocytes, the sexual blood stage forms that are essential for malaria transmission. By studying a conditional PfPKAc knockdown (cKD) mutant, we confirm the essential role for PfPKAc in erythrocyte invasion by merozoites and show that PfPKAc is involved in regulating gametocyte deformability. We furthermore demonstrate that overexpression of PfPKAc is lethal and kills parasites at the early phase of schizogony. Strikingly, whole genome sequencing (WGS) of parasite mutants selected to tolerate increased PfPKAc expression levels identified missense mutations exclusively in the gene encoding the parasite orthologue of 3-phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase-1 (PfPDK1). Using targeted mutagenesis, we demonstrate that PfPDK1 is required to activate PfPKAc and that T189 in the PfPKAc activation loop is the crucial target residue in this process. In summary, our results corroborate the importance of tight regulation of PfPKA signalling for parasite survival and imply that PfPDK1 acts as a crucial upstream regulator in this pathway and potential new drug target.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eva Hitz
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Natalie Wiedemar
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Armin Passecker
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Beatriz A. S. Graça
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Christian Scheurer
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Sergio Wittlin
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Nicolas M. B. Brancucci
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Ioannis Vakonakis
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Pascal Mäser
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Till S. Voss
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
The Novel bis-1,2,4-Triazine MIPS-0004373 Demonstrates Rapid and Potent Activity against All Blood Stages of the Malaria Parasite. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2021; 65:e0031121. [PMID: 34460304 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00311-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Novel bis-1,2,4-triazine compounds with potent in vitro activity against Plasmodium falciparum parasites were recently identified. The bis-1,2,4-triazines represent a unique antimalarial pharmacophore and are proposed to act by a novel but as-yet-unknown mechanism of action. This study investigated the activity of the bis-1,2,4-triazine MIPS-0004373 across the mammalian life cycle stages of the parasite and profiled the kinetics of activity against blood and transmission stage parasites in vitro and in vivo. MIPS-0004373 demonstrated rapid and potent activity against P. falciparum, with excellent in vitro activity against all asexual blood stages. Prolonged in vitro drug exposure failed to generate stable resistance de novo, suggesting a low propensity for the emergence of resistance. Excellent activity was observed against sexually committed ring stage parasites, but activity against mature gametocytes was limited to inhibiting male gametogenesis. Assessment of liver stage activity demonstrated good activity in an in vitro P. berghei model but no activity against Plasmodium cynomolgi hypnozoites or liver schizonts. The bis-1,2,4-triazine MIPS-0004373 efficiently cleared an established P. berghei infection in vivo, with efficacy similar to that of artesunate and chloroquine and a recrudescence profile comparable to that of chloroquine. This study demonstrates the suitability of bis-1,2,4-triazines for further development toward a novel treatment for acute malaria.
Collapse
|
34
|
Lu KY, Mansfield CR, Fitzgerald MC, Derbyshire ER. Chemoproteomics for Plasmodium Parasite Drug Target Discovery. Chembiochem 2021; 22:2591-2599. [PMID: 33999499 PMCID: PMC8373781 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202100155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 05/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Emerging Plasmodium parasite drug resistance is threatening progress towards malaria control and elimination. While recent efforts in cell-based, high-throughput drug screening have produced first-in-class drugs with promising activities against different Plasmodium life cycle stages, most of these antimalarial agents have elusive mechanisms of action. Though challenging to address, target identification can provide valuable information to facilitate lead optimization and preclinical drug prioritization. Recently, proteome-wide methods for direct assessment of drug-protein interactions have emerged as powerful tools in a number of systems, including Plasmodium. In this review, we will discuss current chemoproteomic strategies that have been adapted to antimalarial drug target discovery, including affinity- and activity-based protein profiling and the energetics-based techniques thermal proteome profiling and stability of proteins from rates of oxidation. The successful application of chemoproteomics to the Plasmodium blood stage highlights the potential of these methods to link inhibitors to their molecular targets in more elusive Plasmodium life stages and intracellular pathogens in the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kuan-Yi Lu
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, 213 Research Drive, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Christopher R Mansfield
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, 213 Research Drive, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Michael C Fitzgerald
- Department of Chemistry, Duke University, 124 Science Drive, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Emily R Derbyshire
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, 213 Research Drive, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Department of Chemistry, Duke University, 124 Science Drive, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
CRISPR/Cas9-engineered inducible gametocyte producer lines as a valuable tool for Plasmodium falciparum malaria transmission research. Nat Commun 2021; 12:4806. [PMID: 34376675 PMCID: PMC8355313 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-24954-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2020] [Accepted: 07/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum replicates inside erythrocytes in the blood of infected humans. During each replication cycle, a small proportion of parasites commits to sexual development and differentiates into gametocytes, which are essential for parasite transmission via the mosquito vector. Detailed molecular investigation of gametocyte biology and transmission has been hampered by difficulties in generating large numbers of these highly specialised cells. Here, we engineer P. falciparum NF54 inducible gametocyte producer (iGP) lines for the routine mass production of synchronous gametocytes via conditional overexpression of the sexual commitment factor GDV1. NF54/iGP lines consistently achieve sexual commitment rates of 75% and produce viable gametocytes that are transmissible by mosquitoes. We also demonstrate that further genetic engineering of NF54/iGP parasites is a valuable tool for the targeted exploration of gametocyte biology. In summary, we believe the iGP approach developed here will greatly expedite basic and applied malaria transmission stage research.
Collapse
|
36
|
Shang X, Shen S, Tang J, He X, Zhao Y, Wang C, He X, Guo G, Liu M, Wang L, Zhu Q, Yang G, Jiang C, Zhang M, Yu X, Han J, Culleton R, Jiang L, Cao J, Gu L, Zhang Q. A cascade of transcriptional repression determines sexual commitment and development in Plasmodium falciparum. Nucleic Acids Res 2021; 49:9264-9279. [PMID: 34365503 PMCID: PMC8450074 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2021] [Revised: 07/25/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Gametocytogenesis, the process by which malaria parasites produce sexual forms that can infect mosquitoes, is essential for the transmission of malaria. A transcriptional switch of the pfap2-g gene triggers sexual commitment, but how the complex multi-step process is precisely programed remains largely unknown. Here, by systematic functional screening of a panel of ApiAP2 transcription factors, we identify six new ApiAP2 members associated with gametocytogenesis in Plasmodium falciparum. Among these, PfAP2-G5 (PF3D7_1139300) was found to be indispensable for gametocytogenesis. This factor suppresses the transcriptional activity of the pfap2-g gene via binding to both the upstream region and exonic gene body, the latter is linked to the maintenance of local heterochromatin structure, thereby preventing initiation of sexual commitment. Removal of this repressive effect through pfap2-g5 knockout disrupts the asexual replication cycle and promotes sexual commitment accompanied by upregulation of pfap2-g expression. However, the gametocytes produced fail to mature fully. Further analyses show that PfAP2-G5 is essential for gametocyte maturation, and causes the down-regulation of pfap2-g and a set of early gametocyte genes activated by PfAP2-G prior to gametocyte development. Collectively, our findings reveal a regulation cascade of gametocyte production in malaria parasites, and provide a new target for transmission blocking interventions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaomin Shang
- Laboratory of Molecular Parasitology, Research Center for Translational Medicine, Key Laboratory of Arrhythmias of the Ministry of Education of China, East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200120, China
| | - Shijun Shen
- Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury Repair and Regeneration of Ministry of Education, Orthopaedic Department of Tongji Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, the School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Jianxia Tang
- National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Parasitic Disease Control and Prevention, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory on Parasite and Vector Control Technology, Jiangsu Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Wuxi 214064, China
| | - Xiaoqin He
- National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Parasitic Disease Control and Prevention, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory on Parasite and Vector Control Technology, Jiangsu Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Wuxi 214064, China
| | - Yuemeng Zhao
- Laboratory of Molecular Parasitology, Research Center for Translational Medicine, Key Laboratory of Arrhythmias of the Ministry of Education of China, East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200120, China.,Unit of Human Parasite Molecular and Cell Biology, Key Laboratory of Molecular Virology and Immunology, Institut Pasteur of Shanghai, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Changhong Wang
- Laboratory of Molecular Parasitology, Research Center for Translational Medicine, Key Laboratory of Arrhythmias of the Ministry of Education of China, East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200120, China
| | - Xiaohui He
- Laboratory of Molecular Parasitology, Research Center for Translational Medicine, Key Laboratory of Arrhythmias of the Ministry of Education of China, East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200120, China
| | - Gangqiang Guo
- Laboratory of Molecular Parasitology, Research Center for Translational Medicine, Key Laboratory of Arrhythmias of the Ministry of Education of China, East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200120, China.,Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury Repair and Regeneration of Ministry of Education, Orthopaedic Department of Tongji Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, the School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Meng Liu
- Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury Repair and Regeneration of Ministry of Education, Orthopaedic Department of Tongji Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, the School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Liping Wang
- Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury Repair and Regeneration of Ministry of Education, Orthopaedic Department of Tongji Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, the School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Qianshu Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury Repair and Regeneration of Ministry of Education, Orthopaedic Department of Tongji Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, the School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Guang Yang
- Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury Repair and Regeneration of Ministry of Education, Orthopaedic Department of Tongji Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, the School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Cizhong Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury Repair and Regeneration of Ministry of Education, Orthopaedic Department of Tongji Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, the School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Meihua Zhang
- National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Parasitic Disease Control and Prevention, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory on Parasite and Vector Control Technology, Jiangsu Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Wuxi 214064, China
| | - Xinyu Yu
- National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Parasitic Disease Control and Prevention, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory on Parasite and Vector Control Technology, Jiangsu Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Wuxi 214064, China
| | - Jiping Han
- Unit of Human Parasite Molecular and Cell Biology, Key Laboratory of Molecular Virology and Immunology, Institut Pasteur of Shanghai, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Richard Culleton
- Division of Molecular Parasitology, Proteo-Science Centre, Ehime University, Matsuyama, Ehime 790-8577, Japan.,Department of Protozoology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Lubin Jiang
- Unit of Human Parasite Molecular and Cell Biology, Key Laboratory of Molecular Virology and Immunology, Institut Pasteur of Shanghai, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Jun Cao
- National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Parasitic Disease Control and Prevention, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory on Parasite and Vector Control Technology, Jiangsu Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Wuxi 214064, China.,Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China.,Public Health Research Center, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
| | - Liang Gu
- Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury Repair and Regeneration of Ministry of Education, Orthopaedic Department of Tongji Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, the School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Qingfeng Zhang
- Laboratory of Molecular Parasitology, Research Center for Translational Medicine, Key Laboratory of Arrhythmias of the Ministry of Education of China, East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200120, China
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Murithi JM, Pascal C, Bath J, Boulenc X, Gnädig NF, Pasaje CFA, Rubiano K, Yeo T, Mok S, Klieber S, Desert P, Jiménez-Díaz MB, Marfurt J, Rouillier M, Cherkaoui-Rbati MH, Gobeau N, Wittlin S, Uhlemann AC, Price RN, Wirjanata G, Noviyanti R, Tumwebaze P, Cooper RA, Rosenthal PJ, Sanz LM, Gamo FJ, Joseph J, Singh S, Bashyam S, Augereau JM, Giraud E, Bozec T, Vermat T, Tuffal G, Guillon JM, Menegotto J, Sallé L, Louit G, Cabanis MJ, Nicolas MF, Doubovetzky M, Merino R, Bessila N, Angulo-Barturen I, Baud D, Bebrevska L, Escudié F, Niles JC, Blasco B, Campbell S, Courtemanche G, Fraisse L, Pellet A, Fidock DA, Leroy D. The antimalarial MMV688533 provides potential for single-dose cures with a high barrier to Plasmodium falciparum parasite resistance. Sci Transl Med 2021; 13:13/603/eabg6013. [PMID: 34290058 PMCID: PMC8530196 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.abg6013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
The emergence and spread of Plasmodium falciparum resistance to first-line antimalarials creates an imperative to identify and develop potent preclinical candidates with distinct modes of action. Here, we report the identification of MMV688533, an acylguanidine that was developed following a whole-cell screen with compounds known to hit high-value targets in human cells. MMV688533 displays fast parasite clearance in vitro and is not cross-resistant with known antimalarials. In a P. falciparum NSG mouse model, MMV688533 displays a long-lasting pharmacokinetic profile and excellent safety. Selection studies reveal a low propensity for resistance, with modest loss of potency mediated by point mutations in PfACG1 and PfEHD. These proteins are implicated in intracellular trafficking, lipid utilization, and endocytosis, suggesting interference with these pathways as a potential mode of action. This preclinical candidate may offer the potential for a single low-dose cure for malaria.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- James M. Murithi
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Cécile Pascal
- Sanofi, Infectious Diseases Therapeutic Area, Marcy l'Etoile, France
| | - Jade Bath
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Nina F. Gnädig
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Kelly Rubiano
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Tomas Yeo
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sachel Mok
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sylvie Klieber
- Sanofi R&D, Translational Medicine & Early Development, Montpellier, France
| | | | | | - Jutta Marfurt
- Global and Tropical Health Division, Menzies School of Health Research and Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Australia
| | | | | | | | - Sergio Wittlin
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland.,Universität Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Anne-Catrin Uhlemann
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ric N. Price
- Global and Tropical Health Division, Menzies School of Health Research and Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Australia.,Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.,Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Grennady Wirjanata
- Global and Tropical Health Division, Menzies School of Health Research and Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Australia
| | | | | | - Roland A. Cooper
- Department of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Dominican University of California, San Rafael, CA, USA
| | | | - Laura M. Sanz
- Global Health Pharma Research Unit, GSK, Tres Cantos, Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Elie Giraud
- Sanofi, Infectious Diseases Therapeutic Area, Marcy l'Etoile, France
| | - Tanguy Bozec
- Sanofi, Infectious Diseases Therapeutic Area, Marcy l'Etoile, France
| | - Thierry Vermat
- Sanofi, Infectious Diseases Therapeutic Area, Marcy l'Etoile, France
| | - Gilles Tuffal
- Sanofi R&D, Translational Medicine & Early Development, Montpellier, France
| | | | - Jérôme Menegotto
- Sanofi, Infectious Diseases Therapeutic Area, Marcy l'Etoile, France
| | - Laurent Sallé
- Sanofi R&D, Translational Medicine & Early Development, Montpellier, France
| | | | - Marie-José Cabanis
- Sanofi R&D, Translational Medicine & Early Development, Montpellier, France
| | | | | | - Rita Merino
- Sanofi, Infectious Diseases Therapeutic Area, Marcy l'Etoile, France
| | - Nadir Bessila
- Sanofi, Infectious Diseases Therapeutic Area, Marcy l'Etoile, France
| | | | | | | | | | - Jacquin C. Niles
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | | | | | - Laurent Fraisse
- Sanofi, Infectious Diseases Therapeutic Area, Marcy l'Etoile, France
| | - Alain Pellet
- Sanofi, Infectious Diseases Therapeutic Area, Marcy l'Etoile, France
| | - David A. Fidock
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.,Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.,Corresponding author. (D.A.F.); (D.L.)
| | - Didier Leroy
- Medicines for Malaria Venture, Geneva, Switzerland.,Corresponding author. (D.A.F.); (D.L.)
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Kaur R, Gorki V, Katare OP, Dhingra N, Chauhan M, Kaur R, Nirmalan N, Singh B. Improved biopharmaceutical attributes of lumefantrine using choline mimicking drug delivery system: preclinical investigation on NK-65 P.berghei murine model. Expert Opin Drug Deliv 2021; 18:1533-1552. [PMID: 34176411 DOI: 10.1080/17425247.2021.1946512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lumefantrine (LMF) is first-line antimalarial drug, possesses activity against almost all human malarial parasites, but the in vivo activity of this molecule gets thwarted due to its low and inconsistent oral bioavailability (i.e. 4-12%) owing to poor biopharmaceutical attributes. METHODS Lumefantrine phospholipid complex (LMF-PC) was prepared by rota-evaporation method following job's plot technique for the selection of apt stoichiometric ratios. Docking studies were carried out to determine the possible interaction(s) of LMF with phosphatidylcholine analogue. Comparative in vitro physiochemical, solid-state characterization, MTT assay, dose-response on P. falciparum, in vivo efficacy studies including pharmacokinetic and chemosuppression on NK-65 P. berghei infected mice were carried out. RESULTS Aqueous solubility was distinctly improved (i.e. 345 times) with phospholipid complex of LMF. Cytotoxicity studies on Hela and fibroblast cell lines demonstrated safety of LMF-PC with selectivity indices of 4395 and 5139, respectively. IC50 value was reduced almost 2.5 folds. Significant enhancement in Cmax (3.3-folds) and AUC (2.7-folds) of rat plasma levels indicated notable pharmacokinetic superiority of LMF-PC over LMF suspension. Differential leukocytic count and cytokine assay delineated plausible immunoregulatory role of LMF-PC with nearly 98% chemosuppression and over 30 days of post-survival. CONCLUSION Superior antimalarial efficacy and survival time with full recovery of infected mice revealed through histopathological studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ripandeep Kaur
- UGC Centre of Advanced Studies, University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India.,School of Science, Engineering & Environment, University of Salford, Manchester, UK.,UGC-Centre of Excellence in Nano Applications (Biomedical Sciences), Panjab University, Chandigarh, India
| | - Varun Gorki
- Parasitology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India
| | - O P Katare
- UGC Centre of Advanced Studies, University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India
| | - Neelima Dhingra
- UGC Centre of Advanced Studies, University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India
| | - Monika Chauhan
- UGC Centre of Advanced Studies, University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India
| | - Ranjot Kaur
- UGC Centre of Advanced Studies, University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India
| | - Niroshini Nirmalan
- School of Science, Engineering & Environment, University of Salford, Manchester, UK
| | - Bhupinder Singh
- UGC Centre of Advanced Studies, University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India.,UGC-Centre of Excellence in Nano Applications (Biomedical Sciences), Panjab University, Chandigarh, India
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Blight J, Sala KA, Atcheson E, Kramer H, El-Turabi A, Real E, Dahalan FA, Bettencourt P, Dickinson-Craig E, Alves E, Salman AM, Janse CJ, Ashcroft FM, Hill AV, Reyes-Sandoval A, Blagborough AM, Baum J. Dissection-independent production of Plasmodium sporozoites from whole mosquitoes. Life Sci Alliance 2021; 4:e202101094. [PMID: 34135099 PMCID: PMC8321652 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202101094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Revised: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Progress towards a protective vaccine against malaria remains slow. To date, only limited protection has been routinely achieved following immunisation with either whole-parasite (sporozoite) or subunit-based vaccines. One major roadblock to vaccine progress, and to pre-erythrocytic parasite biology in general, is the continued reliance on manual salivary gland dissection for sporozoite isolation from infected mosquitoes. Here, we report development of a multi-step method, based on batch processing of homogenised whole mosquitoes, slurry, and density-gradient filtration, which combined with free-flow electrophoresis rapidly produces a pure, infective sporozoite inoculum. Human-infective Plasmodium falciparum and rodent-infective Plasmodium berghei sporozoites produced in this way are two- to threefold more infective than salivary gland dissection sporozoites in in vitro hepatocyte infection assays. In an in vivo rodent malaria model, the same P. berghei sporozoites confer sterile protection from mosquito-bite challenge when immunisation is delivered intravenously or 60-70% protection when delivered intramuscularly. By improving purity, infectivity, and immunogenicity, this method represents a key advancement in capacity to produce research-grade sporozoites, which should impact delivery of a whole-parasite based malaria vaccine at scale in the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joshua Blight
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Sir Alexander Fleming Building, London, UK
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Oxford, UK
| | - Katarzyna A Sala
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Sir Alexander Fleming Building, London, UK
| | - Erwan Atcheson
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Oxford, UK
| | - Holger Kramer
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, Henry Wellcome Building for Gene Function, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Medical Research Council London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK
| | - Aadil El-Turabi
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Oxford, UK
| | - Eliana Real
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Sir Alexander Fleming Building, London, UK
| | - Farah A Dahalan
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Sir Alexander Fleming Building, London, UK
| | - Paulo Bettencourt
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Oxford, UK
| | - Emma Dickinson-Craig
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Oxford, UK
| | - Eduardo Alves
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Oxford, UK
| | - Ahmed M Salman
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Oxford, UK
| | - Chris J Janse
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden Malaria Research Group, Center of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, (LUMC, L4-Q), Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Frances M Ashcroft
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, Henry Wellcome Building for Gene Function, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Adrian Vs Hill
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Oxford, UK
| | - Arturo Reyes-Sandoval
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Oxford, UK
- Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Andrew M Blagborough
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Sir Alexander Fleming Building, London, UK
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Jake Baum
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Sir Alexander Fleming Building, London, UK
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Okaniwa M, Shibata A, Ochida A, Akao Y, White KL, Shackleford DM, Duffy S, Lucantoni L, Dey S, Striepen J, Yeo T, Mok S, Aguiar ACC, Sturm A, Crespo B, Sanz LM, Churchyard A, Baum J, Pereira DB, Guido RVC, Dechering KJ, Wittlin S, Uhlemann AC, Fidock DA, Niles JC, Avery VM, Charman SA, Laleu B. Repositioning and Characterization of 1-(Pyridin-4-yl)pyrrolidin-2-one Derivatives as Plasmodium Cytoplasmic Prolyl-tRNA Synthetase Inhibitors. ACS Infect Dis 2021; 7:1680-1689. [PMID: 33929818 PMCID: PMC8204304 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.1c00020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
![]()
Prolyl-tRNA synthetase
(PRS) is a clinically validated antimalarial
target. Screening of a set of PRS ATP-site binders, initially designed
for human indications, led to identification of 1-(pyridin-4-yl)pyrrolidin-2-one
derivatives representing a novel antimalarial scaffold. Evidence designates
cytoplasmic PRS as the drug target. The frontrunner 1 and its active enantiomer 1-S exhibited low-double-digit nanomolar activity against resistant Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) laboratory strains
and development of liver schizonts. No cross-resistance with strains
resistant to other known antimalarials was noted. In addition, a similar
level of growth inhibition was observed against clinical field isolates
of Pf and P. vivax. The slow killing
profile and the relative high propensity to develop resistance in vitro (minimum inoculum resistance of 8 × 105 parasites at a selection pressure of 3 × IC50) constitute unfavorable features for treatment of malaria. However,
potent blood stage and antischizontal activity are compelling for
causal prophylaxis which does not require fast onset of action. Achieving
sufficient on-target selectivity appears to be particularly challenging
and should be the primary focus during the next steps of optimization
of this chemical series. Encouraging preliminary off-target profile
and oral efficacy in a humanized murine model of Pf malaria allowed us to conclude that 1-(pyridin-4-yl)pyrrolidin-2-one
derivatives represent a promising starting point for the identification
of novel antimalarial prophylactic agents that selectively target Plasmodium PRS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Masanori Okaniwa
- Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, 26-1, Muraoka-Higashi 2-chome, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 251-8555, Japan
| | - Akira Shibata
- Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, 26-1, Muraoka-Higashi 2-chome, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 251-8555, Japan
| | - Atsuko Ochida
- Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, 26-1, Muraoka-Higashi 2-chome, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 251-8555, Japan
| | - Yuichiro Akao
- Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, 26-1, Muraoka-Higashi 2-chome, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 251-8555, Japan
| | - Karen L. White
- Centre for Drug Candidate Optimisation, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - David M. Shackleford
- Centre for Drug Candidate Optimisation, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Sandra Duffy
- Discovery Biology, Griffith University, Brisbane Innovation Park, Don Young Road, Nathan, Queensland 4111, Australia
| | - Leonardo Lucantoni
- Discovery Biology, Griffith University, Brisbane Innovation Park, Don Young Road, Nathan, Queensland 4111, Australia
| | - Sumanta Dey
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Josefine Striepen
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, United States
| | - Tomas Yeo
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, United States
| | - Sachel Mok
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, United States
| | - Anna Caroline C. Aguiar
- Sao Carlos Institute of Physics, University of São Paulo, Av. João Dagnone, 1100, São Carlos, São Paulo 13563-120, Brazil
| | - Angelika Sturm
- TropIQ Health Sciences, Transistorweg 5-C02, 6534 AT Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Benigno Crespo
- Global Health, GlaxoSmithKline R&D, Tres Cantos, Madrid 28760, Spain
| | - Laura M. Sanz
- Global Health, GlaxoSmithKline R&D, Tres Cantos, Madrid 28760, Spain
| | - Alisje Churchyard
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington, London, SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
| | - Jake Baum
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington, London, SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
| | - Dhelio B. Pereira
- Tropical Medicine Research Center of Rondonia, Av. Guaporé, 215, Porto Velho, Rondonia 76812-329, Brazil
| | - Rafael V. C. Guido
- Sao Carlos Institute of Physics, University of São Paulo, Av. João Dagnone, 1100, São Carlos, São Paulo 13563-120, Brazil
| | - Koen J. Dechering
- TropIQ Health Sciences, Transistorweg 5-C02, 6534 AT Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Sergio Wittlin
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Socinstrasse 57, 4002 Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, 4002 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Anne-Catrin Uhlemann
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, United States
| | - David A. Fidock
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, United States
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, United States
| | - Jacquin C. Niles
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Vicky M. Avery
- Discovery Biology, Griffith University, Brisbane Innovation Park, Don Young Road, Nathan, Queensland 4111, Australia
| | - Susan A. Charman
- Centre for Drug Candidate Optimisation, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Benoît Laleu
- Medicines for Malaria Venture, ICC, Route de Pré-Bois 20, 1215 Geneva, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
A single-cell atlas of Plasmodium falciparum transmission through the mosquito. Nat Commun 2021; 12:3196. [PMID: 34045457 PMCID: PMC8159942 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-23434-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Malaria parasites have a complex life cycle featuring diverse developmental strategies, each uniquely adapted to navigate specific host environments. Here we use single-cell transcriptomics to illuminate gene usage across the transmission cycle of the most virulent agent of human malaria - Plasmodium falciparum. We reveal developmental trajectories associated with the colonization of the mosquito midgut and salivary glands and elucidate the transcriptional signatures of each transmissible stage. Additionally, we identify both conserved and non-conserved gene usage between human and rodent parasites, which point to both essential mechanisms in malaria transmission and species-specific adaptations potentially linked to host tropism. Together, the data presented here, which are made freely available via an interactive website, provide a fine-grained atlas that enables intensive investigation of the P. falciparum transcriptional journey. As well as providing insights into gene function across the transmission cycle, the atlas opens the door for identification of drug and vaccine targets to stop malaria transmission and thereby prevent disease. Here the authors use single-cell RNA-seq to profile the transmission stages of the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum as it progresses through the Anopheles mosquito. They highlight unique patterns of gene usage throughout this development and identify potential pleiotropic genes that function at multiple life cycle stages.
Collapse
|
42
|
Abstract
Malaria is a mosquito-borne disease caused by apicomplexan parasites of the genus Plasmodium. Completion of the parasite’s life cycle depends on the transmission of sexual stages, the gametocytes, from an infected human host to the mosquito vector. Sexual commitment occurs in only a small fraction of asexual blood-stage parasites and is initiated by external cues. The gametocyte development protein 1 (GDV1) has been described as a key facilitator to trigger sexual commitment. GDV1 interacts with the silencing factor heterochromatin protein 1 (HP1), leading to its dissociation from heterochromatic DNA at the genomic locus encoding AP2-G, the master transcription factor of gametocytogenesis. How this process is regulated is not known. In this study, we have addressed the role of protein kinases implicated in gametocyte development. From a pool of available protein kinase knockout (KO) lines, we identified two kinase knockout lines which fail to produce gametocytes. However, independent genetic verification revealed that both kinases are not required for gametocytogenesis but that both lines harbor the same mutation that leads to a truncation in the extreme C terminus of GDV1. Introduction of the identified nonsense mutation into the genome of wild-type parasite lines replicates the observed phenotype. Using a GDV1 overexpression line, we show that the truncation in the GDV1 C terminus does not interfere with the nuclear import of GDV1 or its interaction with HP1 in vitro but appears to be important to sustain GDV1 protein levels and thereby sexual commitment. IMPORTANCE Transmission of malaria-causing Plasmodium species by mosquitos requires the parasite to change from a continuously growing asexual parasite form growing in the blood to a sexually differentiated form, the gametocyte. Only a small subset of asexual parasites differentiates into gametocytes that are taken up by the mosquito. Transmission represents a bottleneck in the life cycle of the parasite, so a molecular understanding of the events that lead to stage conversion may identify novel intervention points. Here, we screened a subset of kinases we hypothesized to play a role in this process. While we did not identify kinases required for sexual conversion, we identified a mutation in the C terminus of the gametocyte development 1 protein (GDV1), which abrogates sexual development. The mutation destabilizes the protein but not its interaction with its cognate binding partner HP1. This suggests an important role for the GDV1 C terminus beyond trafficking and protein stability.
Collapse
|
43
|
Duffey M, Blasco B, Burrows JN, Wells TNC, Fidock DA, Leroy D. Assessing risks of Plasmodium falciparum resistance to select next-generation antimalarials. Trends Parasitol 2021; 37:709-721. [PMID: 34001441 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2021.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Revised: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Strategies to counteract or prevent emerging drug resistance are crucial for the design of next-generation antimalarials. In the past, resistant parasites were generally identified following treatment failures in patients, and compounds would have to be abandoned late in development. An early understanding of how candidate therapeutics lose efficacy as parasites evolve resistance is important to facilitate drug design and improve resistance detection and monitoring up to the postregistration phase. We describe a new strategy to assess resistance to antimalarial compounds as early as possible in preclinical development by leveraging tools to define the Plasmodium falciparum resistome, predict potential resistance risks of clinical failure for candidate therapeutics, and inform decisions to guide antimalarial drug development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Benjamin Blasco
- Medicines for Malaria Venture, Geneva, Switzerland; Global Antibiotic Research and Development Partnership, Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | | | - David A Fidock
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA; Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Didier Leroy
- Medicines for Malaria Venture, Geneva, Switzerland.
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Hitz E, Grüninger O, Passecker A, Wyss M, Scheurer C, Wittlin S, Beck HP, Brancucci NMB, Voss TS. The catalytic subunit of Plasmodium falciparum casein kinase 2 is essential for gametocytogenesis. Commun Biol 2021; 4:336. [PMID: 33712726 PMCID: PMC7954856 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-021-01873-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Casein kinase 2 (CK2) is a pleiotropic kinase phosphorylating substrates in different cellular compartments in eukaryotes. In the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum, PfCK2 is vital for asexual proliferation of blood-stage parasites. Here, we applied CRISPR/Cas9-based gene editing to investigate the function of the PfCK2α catalytic subunit in gametocytes, the sexual forms of the parasite that are essential for malaria transmission. We show that PfCK2α localizes to the nucleus and cytoplasm in asexual and sexual parasites alike. Conditional knockdown of PfCK2α expression prevented the transition of stage IV into transmission-competent stage V gametocytes, whereas the conditional knockout of pfck2a completely blocked gametocyte maturation already at an earlier stage of sexual differentiation. In summary, our results demonstrate that PfCK2α is not only essential for asexual but also sexual development of P. falciparum blood-stage parasites and encourage studies exploring PfCK2α as a potential target for dual-active antimalarial drugs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eva Hitz
- grid.416786.a0000 0004 0587 0574Department of Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, 4051 Basel, Switzerland ,grid.6612.30000 0004 1937 0642University of Basel, 4001 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Olivia Grüninger
- grid.416786.a0000 0004 0587 0574Department of Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, 4051 Basel, Switzerland ,grid.6612.30000 0004 1937 0642University of Basel, 4001 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Armin Passecker
- grid.416786.a0000 0004 0587 0574Department of Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, 4051 Basel, Switzerland ,grid.6612.30000 0004 1937 0642University of Basel, 4001 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Matthias Wyss
- grid.416786.a0000 0004 0587 0574Department of Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, 4051 Basel, Switzerland ,grid.6612.30000 0004 1937 0642University of Basel, 4001 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Christian Scheurer
- grid.416786.a0000 0004 0587 0574Department of Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, 4051 Basel, Switzerland ,grid.6612.30000 0004 1937 0642University of Basel, 4001 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Sergio Wittlin
- grid.416786.a0000 0004 0587 0574Department of Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, 4051 Basel, Switzerland ,grid.6612.30000 0004 1937 0642University of Basel, 4001 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Hans-Peter Beck
- grid.416786.a0000 0004 0587 0574Department of Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, 4051 Basel, Switzerland ,grid.6612.30000 0004 1937 0642University of Basel, 4001 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Nicolas M. B. Brancucci
- grid.416786.a0000 0004 0587 0574Department of Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, 4051 Basel, Switzerland ,grid.6612.30000 0004 1937 0642University of Basel, 4001 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Till S. Voss
- grid.416786.a0000 0004 0587 0574Department of Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, 4051 Basel, Switzerland ,grid.6612.30000 0004 1937 0642University of Basel, 4001 Basel, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Posayapisit N, Pengon J, Prommana P, Shoram M, Yuthavong Y, Uthaipibull C, Kamchonwongpaisan S, Jupatanakul N. Transgenic pyrimethamine-resistant plasmodium falciparum reveals transmission-blocking potency of P218, a novel antifolate candidate drug. Int J Parasitol 2021; 51:635-642. [PMID: 33713651 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2020.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2020] [Revised: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Antimalarial drugs capable of targeting multiple parasite stages, particularly the transmissible stages, can be valuable tools for advancing the malaria elimination agenda. Current antifolate drugs such as pyrimethamine can inhibit replicative parasite stages in both humans and mosquitoes, but antifolate resistance remains a challenge. The lack of reliable gametocyte-producing, antifolate-resistant Plasmodium falciparum laboratory strain hinders the study of new antifolate compounds that can overcome antifolate resistance including development stages in the mosquito. We used clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats-Cas9 genome editing to develop a transgenic gametocyte-producing strain of P. falciparum with quadruple mutations (N51I, C59R, S108N, I164L) in the dihydrofolate reductase (dhfr) gene, using NF54 as a parental strain. The transgenic parasites exhibited pyrimethamine resistance while maintaining their gametocyte-producing activity. We then demonstrated that pyrimethamine could no longer inhibit male gametocyte exflagellation in the transgenic parasite. In contrast, P218, the novel antifolate, designed to overcome antifolate resistance, potently inhibited exflagellation. The exflagellation IC50 of P218 was five times lower than the asexual stage half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50), suggesting a strong barrier for transmission of P218-resistant parasites. The transgenic gametocyte-producing, pyrimethamine-resistant parasite is a robust system for evaluating novel antifolate compounds against non-asexual stage development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Navaporn Posayapisit
- National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), Pathum Thani 12120, Thailand
| | - Jutharat Pengon
- National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), Pathum Thani 12120, Thailand
| | - Parichat Prommana
- National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), Pathum Thani 12120, Thailand
| | - Molnipha Shoram
- National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), Pathum Thani 12120, Thailand
| | - Yongyuth Yuthavong
- National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), Pathum Thani 12120, Thailand
| | - Chairat Uthaipibull
- National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), Pathum Thani 12120, Thailand
| | | | - Natapong Jupatanakul
- National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), Pathum Thani 12120, Thailand.
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Lawong A, Gahalawat S, Okombo J, Striepen J, Yeo T, Mok S, Deni I, Bridgford JL, Niederstrasser H, Zhou A, Posner B, Wittlin S, Gamo FJ, Crespo B, Churchyard A, Baum J, Mittal N, Winzeler E, Laleu B, Palmer MJ, Charman SA, Fidock DA, Ready JM, Phillips MA. Novel Antimalarial Tetrazoles and Amides Active against the Hemoglobin Degradation Pathway in Plasmodium falciparum. J Med Chem 2021; 64:2739-2761. [PMID: 33620219 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c02022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Malaria control programs continue to be threatened by drug resistance. To identify new antimalarials, we conducted a phenotypic screen and identified a novel tetrazole-based series that shows fast-kill kinetics and a relatively low propensity to develop high-level resistance. Preliminary structure-activity relationships were established including identification of a subseries of related amides with antiplasmodial activity. Assaying parasites with resistance to antimalarials led us to test whether the series had a similar mechanism of action to chloroquine (CQ). Treatment of synchronized Plasmodium falciparum parasites with active analogues revealed a pattern of intracellular inhibition of hemozoin (Hz) formation reminiscent of CQ's action. Drug selections yielded only modest resistance that was associated with amplification of the multidrug resistance gene 1 (pfmdr1). Thus, we have identified a novel chemical series that targets the historically druggable heme polymerization pathway and that can form the basis of future optimization efforts to develop a new malaria treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aloysus Lawong
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390, United States
| | - Suraksha Gahalawat
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390, United States
| | - John Okombo
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, United States
| | - Josefine Striepen
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, United States
| | - Tomas Yeo
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, United States
| | - Sachel Mok
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, United States
| | - Ioanna Deni
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, United States
| | - Jessica L Bridgford
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, United States
| | - Hanspeter Niederstrasser
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390, United States
| | - Anwu Zhou
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390, United States
| | - Bruce Posner
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390, United States
| | - Sergio Wittlin
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, 4002 Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel, 4002 Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Benigno Crespo
- Medicines Development Campus, GlaxoSmithKline, Tres Cantos, 28760 Madrid, Spain
| | - Alisje Churchyard
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, SW7 2AZ South Kensington, U.K
| | - Jake Baum
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, SW7 2AZ South Kensington, U.K
| | - Nimisha Mittal
- Division of Host-Microbe Systems and Therapeutics, Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Elizabeth Winzeler
- Division of Host-Microbe Systems and Therapeutics, Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Benoît Laleu
- Medicines for Malaria Venture, 1215 Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | - Susan A Charman
- Centre for Drug Candidate Optimisation, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - David A Fidock
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, United States.,Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, United States
| | - Joseph M Ready
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390, United States
| | - Margaret A Phillips
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390, United States
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Transmission of Artemisinin-Resistant Malaria Parasites to Mosquitoes under Antimalarial Drug Pressure. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2020; 65:AAC.00898-20. [PMID: 33139275 PMCID: PMC7927852 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00898-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Resistance to artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) in the Plasmodium falciparum parasite is threatening to reverse recent gains in reducing global deaths from malaria. While resistance manifests as delayed parasite clearance in patients, the phenotype can only spread geographically via the sexual stages and mosquito transmission. In addition to their asexual killing properties, artemisinin and its derivatives sterilize sexual male gametocytes. Whether resistant parasites overcome this sterilizing effect has not, however, been fully tested. Resistance to artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) in the Plasmodium falciparum parasite is threatening to reverse recent gains in reducing global deaths from malaria. While resistance manifests as delayed parasite clearance in patients, the phenotype can only spread geographically via the sexual stages and mosquito transmission. In addition to their asexual killing properties, artemisinin and its derivatives sterilize sexual male gametocytes. Whether resistant parasites overcome this sterilizing effect has not, however, been fully tested. Here, we analyzed P. falciparum clinical isolates from the Greater Mekong Subregion, each demonstrating delayed clinical clearance and known resistance-associated polymorphisms in the Kelch13 (PfK13var) gene. As well as demonstrating reduced asexual sensitivity to drug, certain PfK13var isolates demonstrated a marked reduction in sensitivity to artemisinin in an in vitro male gamete formation assay. Importantly, this same reduction in sensitivity was observed when the most resistant isolate was tested directly in mosquito feeds. These results indicate that, under artemisinin drug pressure, while sensitive parasites are blocked, resistant parasites continue transmission. This selective advantage for resistance transmission could favor acquisition of additional host-specificity or polymorphisms affecting partner drug sensitivity in mixed infections. Favored resistance transmission under ACT coverage could have profound implications for the spread of multidrug-resistant malaria beyond Southeast Asia.
Collapse
|
48
|
Portugaliza HP, Miyazaki S, Geurten FJ, Pell C, Rosanas-Urgell A, Janse CJ, Cortés A. Artemisinin exposure at the ring or trophozoite stage impacts Plasmodium falciparum sexual conversion differently. eLife 2020; 9:60058. [PMID: 33084568 PMCID: PMC7577739 DOI: 10.7554/elife.60058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria transmission is dependent on the formation of gametocytes in the human blood. The sexual conversion rate, the proportion of asexual parasites that convert into gametocytes at each multiplication cycle, is variable and reflects the relative parasite investment between transmission and maintaining the infection. The impact of environmental factors such as drugs on sexual conversion rates is not well understood. We developed a robust assay using gametocyte-reporter parasite lines to accurately measure the impact of drugs on sexual conversion rates, independently from their gametocytocidal activity. We found that exposure to subcurative doses of the frontline antimalarial drug dihydroartemisinin (DHA) at the trophozoite stage resulted in a ~ fourfold increase in sexual conversion. In contrast, no increase was observed when ring stages were exposed or in cultures in which sexual conversion was stimulated by choline depletion. Our results reveal a complex relationship between antimalarial drugs and sexual conversion, with potential public health implications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Harvie P Portugaliza
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clinic - Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium.,Department of Global Health, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, location Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Shinya Miyazaki
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Fiona Ja Geurten
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Christopher Pell
- Department of Global Health, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, location Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands.,Amsterdam Institute for Global Health and Development (AIGHD), Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Anna Rosanas-Urgell
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Chris J Janse
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Alfred Cortés
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clinic - Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,ICREA, Barcelona, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Eagon S, Hammill JT, Sigal M, Ahn KJ, Tryhorn JE, Koch G, Belanger B, Chaplan CA, Loop L, Kashtanova AS, Yniguez K, Lazaro H, Wilkinson SP, Rice AL, Falade MO, Takahashi R, Kim K, Cheung A, DiBernardo C, Kimball JJ, Winzeler EA, Eribez K, Mittal N, Gamo FJ, Crespo B, Churchyard A, García-Barbazán I, Baum J, Anderson MO, Laleu B, Guy RK. Synthesis and Structure-Activity Relationship of Dual-Stage Antimalarial Pyrazolo[3,4- b]pyridines. J Med Chem 2020; 63:11902-11919. [PMID: 32945666 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c01152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Malaria remains one of the most deadly infectious diseases, causing hundreds of thousands of deaths each year, primarily in young children and pregnant mothers. Here, we report the discovery and derivatization of a series of pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridines targeting Plasmodium falciparum, the deadliest species of the malaria parasite. Hit compounds in this series display sub-micromolar in vitro activity against the intraerythrocytic stage of the parasite as well as little to no toxicity against the human fibroblast BJ and liver HepG2 cell lines. In addition, our hit compounds show good activity against the liver stage of the parasite but little activity against the gametocyte stage. Parasitological profiles, including rate of killing, docking, and molecular dynamics studies, suggest that our compounds may target the Qo binding site of cytochrome bc1.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Scott Eagon
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, California 93407, United States
| | - Jared T Hammill
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Kentucky , Lexington, Kentucky 40508, United States
| | - Martina Sigal
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, United States
| | - Kevin J Ahn
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, California 93407, United States
| | - Julia E Tryhorn
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, California 93407, United States
| | - Grant Koch
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California 95064, United States
| | - Briana Belanger
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, California 93407, United States
| | - Cory A Chaplan
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, California 93407, United States
| | - Lauren Loop
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, California 93407, United States
| | - Anna S Kashtanova
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, California 93407, United States
| | - Kenya Yniguez
- SRI International, 333 Ravenswood Avenue, Menlo Park, California 94025, United States
| | - Horacio Lazaro
- Promega Biosciences, 277 Granada Drive, San Luis Obispo, California 93401, United States
| | - Steven P Wilkinson
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, California 93407, United States
| | - Amy L Rice
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Kentucky , Lexington, Kentucky 40508, United States
| | - Mofolusho O Falade
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Kentucky , Lexington, Kentucky 40508, United States
| | - Rei Takahashi
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, California 93407, United States
| | - Katie Kim
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, California 93407, United States
| | - Ashley Cheung
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, California 93407, United States
| | - Celine DiBernardo
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, California 93407, United States
| | - Joshua J Kimball
- Promega Biosciences, 277 Granada Drive, San Luis Obispo, California 93401, United States
| | - Elizabeth A Winzeler
- School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Korina Eribez
- School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Nimisha Mittal
- School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | | | - Benigno Crespo
- GlaxoSmithKline, Global Health, DDW, Tres Cantos, Madrid 28760, Spain
| | - Alisje Churchyard
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
| | - Irene García-Barbazán
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
| | - Jake Baum
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
| | - Marc O Anderson
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, California 94132, United States
| | - Benoît Laleu
- Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV), P.O. Box 1826, 20, Route de Pré-Bois, Geneva 1215, Switzerland
| | - R Kiplin Guy
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Kentucky , Lexington, Kentucky 40508, United States
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Jennison C, Lucantoni L, O'Neill MT, McConville R, Erickson SM, Cowman AF, Sleebs BE, Avery VM, Boddey JA. Inhibition of Plasmepsin V Activity Blocks Plasmodium falciparum Gametocytogenesis and Transmission to Mosquitoes. Cell Rep 2020; 29:3796-3806.e4. [PMID: 31851913 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2019.11.073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2019] [Revised: 10/14/2019] [Accepted: 11/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium falciparum gametocytes infect mosquitoes and are responsible for malaria transmission. New interventions that block transmission could accelerate malaria elimination. Gametocytes develop within erythrocytes and activate protein export pathways that remodel the host cell. Plasmepsin V (PMV) is an aspartyl protease that is required for protein export in asexual parasites, but its function and essentiality in gametocytes has not been definitively proven, nor has PMV been assessed as a transmission-blocking drug target. Here, we show that PMV is expressed and can be inhibited specifically in P. falciparum stage I-II gametocytes. PMV inhibitors block processing and export of gametocyte effector proteins and inhibit development of stage II-V gametocytes. Gametocytogenesis in the presence of sublethal inhibitor concentrations results in stage V gametocytes that fail to infect mosquitoes. Therefore, PMV primes gametocyte effectors for export, which is essential for the development and fitness of gametocytes for transmission to mosquitoes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Charlie Jennison
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville 3052, VIC, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville 3010, VIC, Australia
| | - Leonardo Lucantoni
- Discovery Biology, Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Nathan 4111, QLD, Australia
| | - Matthew T O'Neill
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville 3052, VIC, Australia
| | - Robyn McConville
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville 3052, VIC, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville 3010, VIC, Australia
| | - Sara M Erickson
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville 3052, VIC, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville 3010, VIC, Australia
| | - Alan F Cowman
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville 3052, VIC, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville 3010, VIC, Australia
| | - Brad E Sleebs
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville 3052, VIC, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville 3010, VIC, Australia
| | - Vicky M Avery
- Discovery Biology, Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Nathan 4111, QLD, Australia
| | - Justin A Boddey
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville 3052, VIC, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville 3010, VIC, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|