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García-Guerrero AE, Marvin RG, Blackwell AM, Sigala PA. Biogenesis of cytochromes c and c 1 in the electron transport chain of malaria parasites. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.02.01.575742. [PMID: 38352463 PMCID: PMC10862854 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.01.575742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
Plasmodium malaria parasites retain an essential mitochondrional electron transport chain (ETC) that is critical for growth within humans and mosquitoes and a key antimalarial drug target. ETC function requires cytochromes c and c 1 that are unusual among heme proteins due to their covalent binding to heme via conserved CXXCH sequence motifs. Heme attachment to these proteins in most eukaryotes requires the mitochondrial enzyme holocytochrome c synthase (HCCS) that binds heme and the apo cytochrome to facilitate biogenesis of the mature cytochrome c or c 1. Although humans encode a single bifunctional HCCS that attaches heme to both proteins, Plasmodium parasites are like yeast and encode two separate HCCS homologs thought to be specific for heme attachment to cyt c (HCCS) or cyt c 1 (HCC1S). To test the function and specificity of P. falciparum HCCS and HCC1S, we used CRISPR/Cas9 to tag both genes for conditional expression. HCC1S knockdown selectively impaired cyt c 1 biogenesis and caused lethal ETC dysfunction that was not reversed by over-expression of HCCS. Knockdown of HCCS caused a more modest growth defect but strongly sensitized parasites to mitochondrial depolarization by proguanil, revealing key defects in ETC function. These results and prior heterologous studies in E. coli of cyt c hemylation by P. falciparum HCCS and HCC1S strongly suggest that both homologs are essential for mitochondrial ETC function and have distinct specificities for biogenesis of cyt c and c 1, respectively, in parasites. This study lays a foundation to develop novel strategies to selectively block ETC function in malaria parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rebecca G. Marvin
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Amanda Mixon Blackwell
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Paul A. Sigala
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
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Rios KT, McGee JP, Sebastian A, Moritz RL, Feric M, Absalon S, Swearingen KE, Lindner SE. Global Release of Translational Repression Across Plasmodium's Host-to-Vector Transmission Event. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.02.01.577866. [PMID: 38352447 PMCID: PMC10862809 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.01.577866] [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: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
Malaria parasites must be able to respond quickly to changes in their environment, including during their transmission between mammalian hosts and mosquito vectors. Therefore, before transmission, female gametocytes proactively produce and translationally repress mRNAs that encode essential proteins that the zygote requires to establish a new infection. This essential regulatory control requires the orthologues of DDX6 (DOZI), LSM14a (CITH), and ALBA proteins to form a translationally repressive complex in female gametocytes that associates with many of the affected mRNAs. However, while the release of translational repression of individual mRNAs has been documented, the details of the global release of translational repression have not. Moreover, the changes in spatial arrangement and composition of the DOZI/CITH/ALBA complex that contribute to translational control are also not known. Therefore, we have conducted the first quantitative, comparative transcriptomics and DIA-MS proteomics of Plasmodium parasites across the host-to-vector transmission event to document the global release of translational repression. Using female gametocytes and zygotes of P. yoelii, we found that nearly 200 transcripts are released for translation soon after fertilization, including those with essential functions for the zygote. However, we also observed that some transcripts remain repressed beyond this point. In addition, we have used TurboID-based proximity proteomics to interrogate the spatial and compositional changes in the DOZI/CITH/ALBA complex across this transmission event. Consistent with recent models of translational control, proteins that associate with either the 5' or 3' end of mRNAs are in close proximity to one another during translational repression in female gametocytes and then dissociate upon release of repression in zygotes. This observation is cross-validated for several protein colocalizations in female gametocytes via ultrastructure expansion microscopy and structured illumination microscopy. Moreover, DOZI exchanges its interaction from NOT1-G in female gametocytes to the canonical NOT1 in zygotes, providing a model for a trigger for the release of mRNAs from DOZI. Finally, unenriched phosphoproteomics revealed the modification of key translational control proteins in the zygote. Together, these data provide a model for the essential translational control mechanisms used by malaria parasites to promote their efficient transmission from their mammalian host to their mosquito vector.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly T. Rios
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802
- Center for Eukaryotic Gene Regulation, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802
| | - James P. McGee
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802
- Center for Eukaryotic Gene Regulation, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802
| | - Aswathy Sebastian
- Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802
| | | | - Marina Feric
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802
| | - Sabrina Absalon
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202
| | | | - Scott E. Lindner
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802
- Huck Center for Malaria Research, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802
- Center for Eukaryotic Gene Regulation, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802
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Olajiga OM, Jameson SB, Carter BH, Wesson DM, Mitzel D, Londono-Renteria B. Artificial Feeding Systems for Vector-Borne Disease Studies. BIOLOGY 2024; 13:188. [PMID: 38534457 DOI: 10.3390/biology13030188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2024] [Revised: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
This review examines the advancements and methodologies of artificial feeding systems for the study of vector-borne diseases, offering a critical assessment of their development, advantages, and limitations relative to traditional live host models. It underscores the ethical considerations and practical benefits of such systems, including minimizing the use of live animals and enhancing experimental consistency. Various artificial feeding techniques are detailed, including membrane feeding, capillary feeding, and the utilization of engineered biocompatible materials, with their respective applications, efficacy, and the challenges encountered with their use also being outlined. This review also forecasts the integration of cutting-edge technologies like biomimicry, microfluidics, nanotechnology, and artificial intelligence to refine and expand the capabilities of artificial feeding systems. These innovations aim to more accurately simulate natural feeding conditions, thereby improving the reliability of studies on the transmission dynamics of vector-borne diseases. This comprehensive review serves as a foundational reference for researchers in the field, proposing a forward-looking perspective on the potential of artificial feeding systems to revolutionize vector-borne disease research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olayinka M Olajiga
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Samuel B Jameson
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Brendan H Carter
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Dawn M Wesson
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Dana Mitzel
- Animal Diseases Research Unit, National Bio- and Agro-Defense Facility, United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
| | - Berlin Londono-Renteria
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
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N'Guessan R, Camara S, Rowland M, Ahoua Alou LP, Wolie RZ, Zoh MG, N'Guessan B, Tia IZ, Oumbouke WA, Thomas MB, Koffi AA. Attractive targeted sugar bait: the pyrrole insecticide chlorfenapyr and the anti-malarial pharmaceutical artemether-lumefantrine arrest Plasmodium falciparum development inside wild pyrethroid-resistant Anopheles gambiae s.s. mosquitoes. Malar J 2023; 22:344. [PMID: 37946208 PMCID: PMC10636997 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-023-04758-1] [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: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Attractive targeted sugar bait (ATSB) is a novel approach to vector control, offering an alternative mode of insecticide delivery via the insect alimentary canal, with potential to deliver a variety of compounds new to medical entomology and malaria control. Its potential to control mosquitoes was recently demonstrated in major field trials in Africa. The pyrrole chlorfenapyr is an insecticide new to malaria vector control, and through its unique mode of action-disruption of ATP mediated energy transfer in mitochondria-it may have direct action on energy transfer in the flight muscle cells of mosquitoes. It may also have potential to disrupt mitochondrial function in malarial parasites co-existing within the infected mosquito. However, little is known about the impact of such compounds on vector competence in mosquitoes responsible for malaria transmission. METHODS In this study, ATSBs containing chlorfenapyr insecticide and, as a positive control, the anti-malarial drugs artemether/lumefantrine (A/L) were compared for their effect on Plasmodium falciparum development in wild pyrethroid-resistant Anopheles gambiae sensu stricto (s.s.) and for their capacity to reduce vector competence. Female mosquitoes were exposed to ATSB containing either sublethal dose of chlorfenapyr (CFP: 0.025%) or concentrations of A/L ranging from 0.4/2.4 mg/ml to 2.4/14.4 mg/ml, either shortly before or after taking infective blood meals. The impact of their component compounds on the prevalence and intensity of P. falciparum infection were compared between treatments. RESULTS Both the prevalence and intensity of infection were significantly reduced in mosquitoes exposed to either A/L or chlorfenapyr, compared to unexposed negative control mosquitoes. The A/L dose (2.4/14.4 mg/ml) totally erased P. falciparum parasites: 0% prevalence of infection in female mosquitoes exposed compared to 62% of infection in negative controls (df = 1, χ2 = 31.23 p < 0.001). The dose of chlorfenapyr (0.025%) that killed < 20% females in ATSB showed a reduction in oocyte density of 95% per midgut (0.18/3.43 per midgut). CONCLUSION These results are evidence that chlorfenapyr, in addition to its direct killing effect on the vector, has the capacity to block Plasmodium transmission by interfering with oocyte development inside pyrethroid-resistant mosquitoes, and through this dual action may potentiate its impact under field conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raphael N'Guessan
- Institut Pierre Richet (IPR), Institut National de Santé Publique (INSP), Bouaké, Côte d'Ivoire. Raphael.N'
- Vector Control Product Evaluation Centre (VCPEC)-Institut Pierre Richet (VCPEC-IPR)/INSP, Bouaké, Côte d'Ivoire. Raphael.N'
- Department of Disease Control, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK. Raphael.N'
| | - Soromane Camara
- Institut Pierre Richet (IPR), Institut National de Santé Publique (INSP), Bouaké, Côte d'Ivoire.
- Vector Control Product Evaluation Centre (VCPEC)-Institut Pierre Richet (VCPEC-IPR)/INSP, Bouaké, Côte d'Ivoire.
| | - Mark Rowland
- Department of Disease Control, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Ludovic P Ahoua Alou
- Institut Pierre Richet (IPR), Institut National de Santé Publique (INSP), Bouaké, Côte d'Ivoire
- Vector Control Product Evaluation Centre (VCPEC)-Institut Pierre Richet (VCPEC-IPR)/INSP, Bouaké, Côte d'Ivoire
| | - Rosine Z Wolie
- Vector Control Product Evaluation Centre (VCPEC)-Institut Pierre Richet (VCPEC-IPR)/INSP, Bouaké, Côte d'Ivoire
- Université Nangui Abrogoua, UFR Des Sciences de la Nature, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire
| | - Marius G Zoh
- Vector Control Product Evaluation Centre (VCPEC)-Institut Pierre Richet (VCPEC-IPR)/INSP, Bouaké, Côte d'Ivoire
| | - Brou N'Guessan
- Vector Control Product Evaluation Centre (VCPEC)-Institut Pierre Richet (VCPEC-IPR)/INSP, Bouaké, Côte d'Ivoire
| | - Innocent Z Tia
- Vector Control Product Evaluation Centre (VCPEC)-Institut Pierre Richet (VCPEC-IPR)/INSP, Bouaké, Côte d'Ivoire
| | - Welbeck A Oumbouke
- Vector Control Product Evaluation Centre (VCPEC)-Institut Pierre Richet (VCPEC-IPR)/INSP, Bouaké, Côte d'Ivoire
- Innovative Vector Control Consortium, IVCC, Liverpool, UK
| | - Matthew B Thomas
- Department of Entomology & Nematology, The University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Alphonsine A Koffi
- Institut Pierre Richet (IPR), Institut National de Santé Publique (INSP), Bouaké, Côte d'Ivoire
- Vector Control Product Evaluation Centre (VCPEC)-Institut Pierre Richet (VCPEC-IPR)/INSP, Bouaké, Côte d'Ivoire
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Jiang Y, Gao H, Wang L, Hu W, Wang G, Wang S. Quorum sensing-activated phenylalanine metabolism drives OMV biogenesis to enhance mosquito commensal colonization resistance to Plasmodium. Cell Host Microbe 2023; 31:1655-1667.e6. [PMID: 37738984 DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2023.08.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/27/2023] [Indexed: 09/24/2023]
Abstract
Gut microbiota and its symbiotic relationship with the host are crucial for preventing pathogen infection. However, little is known about the mechanisms that drive commensal colonization. Serratia bacteria, commonly found in Anopheles mosquitoes, potentially mediate mosquito resistance to Plasmodium. Using S. ureilytica Su_YN1 as a model, we show that a quorum sensing (QS) circuit is crucial for stable colonization. After blood ingestion, the QS synthase SueI generates the signaling molecule N-hexanoyl-L-homoserine lactone (C6-HSL). Once C6-HSL binds to the QS receptor SueR, repression of the phenylalanine-to-acetyl-coenzyme A (CoA) conversion pathway is lifted. This pathway regulates outer membrane vesicle (OMV) biogenesis and promotes Serratia biofilm-like aggregate formation, facilitating gut adaptation and colonization. Notably, exposing Serratia Su_YN1-carrying Anopheles mosquitoes to C6-HSL increases Serratia gut colonization and enhances Plasmodium transmission-blocking efficacy. These findings provide insights into OMV biogenesis and commensal gut colonization and identify a powerful strategy for enhancing commensal resistance to pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongmao Jiang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China; CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Han Gao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China; CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Lihua Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China; CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Wenqian Hu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China; CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Guandong Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China; CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Sibao Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China; CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
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Kweyamba PA, Hofer LM, Kibondo UA, Mwanga RY, Sayi RM, Matwewe F, Austin JW, Stutz S, Moore SJ, Müller P, Tambwe MM. Sub-lethal exposure to chlorfenapyr reduces the probability of developing Plasmodium falciparum parasites in surviving Anopheles mosquitoes. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:342. [PMID: 37789458 PMCID: PMC10546750 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05963-2] [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: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pyrethroid resistance in the key malaria vectors threatens the success of pyrethroid-treated nets. To overcome pyrethroid resistance, Interceptor® G2 (IG2), a 'first-in-class' dual insecticidal net that combines alpha-cypermethrin with chlorfenapyr, was developed. Chlorfenapyr is a pro-insecticide, requiring bio-activation by oxidative metabolism within the insect's mitochondria, constituting a mode of action preventing cross-resistance to pyrethroids. Recent epidemiological trials conducted in Benin and Tanzania confirm IG2's public health value in areas with pyrethroid-resistant Anopheles mosquitoes. As chlorfenapyr might also interfere with the metabolic mechanism of the Plasmodium parasite, we hypothesised that chlorfenapyr may provide additional transmission-reducing effects even if a mosquito survives a sub-lethal dose. METHODS We tested the effect of chlorfenapyr netting to reduce Plasmodium falciparum transmission using a modified WHO tunnel test with a dose yielding sub-lethal effects. Pyrethroid-resistant Anopheles gambiae s.s. with L1014F and L1014S knockdown resistance alleles and expression levels of pyrethroid metabolisers CYP6P3, CYP6M2, CYP4G16 and CYP6P1 confirmed by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) prior to conducting experiments were exposed to untreated netting and netting treated with 200 mg/m3 chlorfenapyr for 8 h overnight and then fed on gametocytemic blood meals from naturally infected individuals. Prevalence and intensity of oocysts and sporozoites were determined on day 8 and day 16 after feeding. RESULTS Both prevalence and intensity of P. falciparum infection in the surviving mosquitoes were substantially reduced in the chlorfenapyr-exposed mosquitoes compared to untreated nets. The odds ratios in the prevalence of oocysts and sporozoites were 0.33 (95% confidence interval; 95% CI 0.23-0.46) and 0.43 (95% CI 0.25-0.73), respectively, while only the incidence rate ratio for oocysts was 0.30 (95% CI 0.22-0.41). CONCLUSION We demonstrated that sub-lethal exposure of pyrethroid-resistant mosquitoes to chlorfenapyr substantially reduces the proportion of infected mosquitoes and the intensity of the P. falciparum infection. This will likely also contribute to the reduction of malaria in communities beyond the direct killing of mosquitoes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prisca A Kweyamba
- Vector Control Product Testing Unit (VCPTU), Environmental Health and Ecological Sciences, Ifakara Health Institute, P.O. Box 74, Bagamoyo, Tanzania.
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Kreuzstrasse 2, 4123, Allschwil, Switzerland.
- University of Basel, Petersplatz 1, 4001, Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Lorenz M Hofer
- Vector Control Product Testing Unit (VCPTU), Environmental Health and Ecological Sciences, Ifakara Health Institute, P.O. Box 74, Bagamoyo, Tanzania
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Kreuzstrasse 2, 4123, Allschwil, Switzerland
| | - Ummi A Kibondo
- Vector Control Product Testing Unit (VCPTU), Environmental Health and Ecological Sciences, Ifakara Health Institute, P.O. Box 74, Bagamoyo, Tanzania
| | - Rehema Y Mwanga
- Vector Control Product Testing Unit (VCPTU), Environmental Health and Ecological Sciences, Ifakara Health Institute, P.O. Box 74, Bagamoyo, Tanzania
| | - Rajabu M Sayi
- Vector Control Product Testing Unit (VCPTU), Environmental Health and Ecological Sciences, Ifakara Health Institute, P.O. Box 74, Bagamoyo, Tanzania
| | - Fatuma Matwewe
- Vector Control Product Testing Unit (VCPTU), Environmental Health and Ecological Sciences, Ifakara Health Institute, P.O. Box 74, Bagamoyo, Tanzania
| | - James W Austin
- Professional & Specialty Solutions, BASF Corporation, Global Development, Public Health Insecticides, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709, USA
| | - Susanne Stutz
- Professional & Specialty Solutions, BASF SE, Public Health, 67117, Limburgerhof, Germany
| | - Sarah J Moore
- Vector Control Product Testing Unit (VCPTU), Environmental Health and Ecological Sciences, Ifakara Health Institute, P.O. Box 74, Bagamoyo, Tanzania
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Kreuzstrasse 2, 4123, Allschwil, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Petersplatz 1, 4001, Basel, Switzerland
- The Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology (NM-AIST), Tengeru, P.O. Box 447, Arusha, Tanzania
| | - Pie Müller
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Kreuzstrasse 2, 4123, Allschwil, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Petersplatz 1, 4001, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Mgeni M Tambwe
- Vector Control Product Testing Unit (VCPTU), Environmental Health and Ecological Sciences, Ifakara Health Institute, P.O. Box 74, Bagamoyo, Tanzania
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Siqueira-Neto JL, Wicht KJ, Chibale K, Burrows JN, Fidock DA, Winzeler EA. Antimalarial drug discovery: progress and approaches. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2023; 22:807-826. [PMID: 37652975 PMCID: PMC10543600 DOI: 10.1038/s41573-023-00772-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
Recent antimalarial drug discovery has been a race to produce new medicines that overcome emerging drug resistance, whilst considering safety and improving dosing convenience. Discovery efforts have yielded a variety of new molecules, many with novel modes of action, and the most advanced are in late-stage clinical development. These discoveries have led to a deeper understanding of how antimalarial drugs act, the identification of a new generation of drug targets, and multiple structure-based chemistry initiatives. The limited pool of funding means it is vital to prioritize new drug candidates. They should exhibit high potency, a low propensity for resistance, a pharmacokinetic profile that favours infrequent dosing, low cost, preclinical results that demonstrate safety and tolerability in women and infants, and preferably the ability to block Plasmodium transmission to Anopheles mosquito vectors. In this Review, we describe the approaches that have been successful, progress in preclinical and clinical development, and existing challenges. We illustrate how antimalarial drug discovery can serve as a model for drug discovery in diseases of poverty.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kathryn J Wicht
- Holistic Drug Discovery and Development (H3D) Centre, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, South Africa
- South African Medical Research Council Drug Discovery and Development Research Unit, Department of Chemistry and Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, South Africa
| | - Kelly Chibale
- Holistic Drug Discovery and Development (H3D) Centre, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, South Africa
- South African Medical Research Council Drug Discovery and Development Research Unit, Department of Chemistry and Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, South Africa
| | | | - David A Fidock
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology and Center for Malaria Therapeutics and Antimicrobial Resistance, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
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Wang L, Sanon A, Khoiriyah Z, Verwimp S, Abdelnabi R, Delang L. Tarsal exposure to atovaquone inhibits chikungunya virus transmission by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, but not the transmission of Zika virus. Antiviral Res 2023; 217:105694. [PMID: 37532005 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2023.105694] [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: 05/09/2023] [Revised: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/30/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023]
Abstract
The antimalarial drug atovaquone was recently reported to inhibit the in vitro replication of different arboviruses, including chikungunya virus (CHIKV) and Zika virus (ZIKV). Furthermore, atovaquone was shown to block Plasmodium parasite transmission by Anopheles mosquitoes when the mosquitoes were exposed to low concentrations on treated surfaces (i.e. tarsal exposure). Therefore, we evaluated the anti-CHIKV and -ZIKV effects of atovaquone via tarsal exposure in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. We first confirmed that atovaquone exerted a dose-dependent antiviral effect on CHIKV and ZIKV replication in mosquito-derived cells. The modest antiviral effect could be rescued by adding exogenous uridine. Next, we assessed the effect of tarsal exposure to atovaquone on the fitness of Ae. aegypti. Concentrations up to 100 μmol/m2 did not affect the fecundity and egg-hatching rate. No significant effect on mosquito survival was observed when mosquitoes were exposed to concentrations up to 25 μmol/m2. To evaluate the antiviral effect of atovaquone against CHIKV, we exposed female mosquitoes to 100 μmol/m2 atovaquone for 1h, after which the mosquitoes were immediately infected with CHIKV or ZIKV via bloodmeal. Atovaquone did not significantly reduce ZIKV or CHIKV infection in Ae. aegypti, but successfully blocked the transmission of CHIKV in saliva. Tarsal exposure to antiviral drugs could therefore be a potential new strategy to reduce virus transmission by mosquitoes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lanjiao Wang
- KU Leuven Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Herestraat 49, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Aboubakar Sanon
- KU Leuven Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Herestraat 49, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium; Laboratoire d'Entomologie Fondamentale et Appliquée, Université Joseph Ki-Zerbo, Burkina Faso
| | - Zakiyatul Khoiriyah
- KU Leuven Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Herestraat 49, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium; Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University and Research, 6708 PB, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Sam Verwimp
- KU Leuven Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Herestraat 49, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Rana Abdelnabi
- KU Leuven Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Herestraat 49, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Leen Delang
- KU Leuven Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Herestraat 49, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium.
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Huang W, Rodrigues J, Bilgo E, Tormo JR, Challenger JD, De Cozar-Gallardo C, Pérez-Victoria I, Reyes F, Castañeda-Casado P, Gnambani EJ, Hien DFDS, Konkobo M, Urones B, Coppens I, Mendoza-Losana A, Ballell L, Diabate A, Churcher TS, Jacobs-Lorena M. Delftia tsuruhatensis TC1 symbiont suppresses malaria transmission by anopheline mosquitoes. Science 2023; 381:533-540. [PMID: 37535741 DOI: 10.1126/science.adf8141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
Malaria control demands the development of a wide range of complementary strategies. We describe the properties of a naturally occurring, non-genetically modified symbiotic bacterium, Delftia tsuruhatensis TC1, which was isolated from mosquitoes incapable of sustaining the development of Plasmodium falciparum parasites. D. tsuruhatensis TC1 inhibits early stages of Plasmodium development and subsequent transmission by the Anopheles mosquito through secretion of a small-molecule inhibitor. We have identified this inhibitor to be the hydrophobic molecule harmane. We also found that, on mosquito contact, harmane penetrates the cuticle, inhibiting Plasmodium development. D. tsuruhatensis TC1 stably populates the mosquito gut, does not impose a fitness cost on the mosquito, and inhibits Plasmodium development for the mosquito's life. Contained field studies in Burkina Faso and modeling showed that D. tsuruhatensis TC1 has the potential to complement mosquito-targeted malaria transmission control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Huang
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Malaria Research Institute, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | | | - Etienne Bilgo
- Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé (IRSS), Bobo-Dioulasso BP: 545, Burkina Faso
| | | | - Joseph D Challenger
- MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College London, London W2 1PG, UK
| | | | | | | | - Pablo Castañeda-Casado
- Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics (DMPK) Discovery, In Vitro/In Vivo Translation (IVIVT), GSK, 28760 Tres Cantos, Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | - Maurice Konkobo
- Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé (IRSS), Bobo-Dioulasso BP: 545, Burkina Faso
| | - Beatriz Urones
- Global Health Medicines R&D, GSK, Tres Cantos, 28760 Madrid, Spain
| | - Isabelle Coppens
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Malaria Research Institute, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | | | - Lluís Ballell
- Global Health Medicines R&D, GSK, Tres Cantos, 28760 Madrid, Spain
| | - Abdoulaye Diabate
- Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé (IRSS), Bobo-Dioulasso BP: 545, Burkina Faso
| | - Thomas S Churcher
- MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College London, London W2 1PG, UK
| | - Marcelo Jacobs-Lorena
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Malaria Research Institute, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
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10
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B Henry N, Soulama I, S Sermé S, Bolscher JM, T G Huijs T, S Coulibaly A, Sombié S, Ouédraogo N, Diarra A, Zongo S, Guelbéogo WM, Nébié I, Sirima SB, Tiono AB, Pietro A, Collins KA, Dechering KJ, Bousema T. Assessment of the transmission blocking activity of antimalarial compounds by membrane feeding assays using natural Plasmodium falciparum gametocyte isolates from West-Africa. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0284751. [PMID: 37494413 PMCID: PMC10370769 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0284751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Antimalarial drugs that can block the transmission of Plasmodium gametocytes to mosquito vectors would be highly beneficial for malaria elimination efforts. Identifying transmission-blocking drugs currently relies on evaluation of their activity against gametocyte-producing laboratory parasite strains and would benefit from a testing pipeline with genetically diverse field isolates. The aims of this study were to develop a pipeline to test drugs against P. falciparum gametocyte field isolates and to evaluate the transmission-blocking activity of a set of novel compounds. Two assays were designed so they could identify both the overall transmission-blocking activity of a number of marketed and experimental drugs by direct membrane feeding assays (DMFA), and then also discriminate between those that are active against the gametocytes (gametocyte killing or sterilizing) or those that block development in the mosquito (sporontocidal). These DMFA assays used venous blood samples from naturally infected Plasmodium falciparum gametocyte carriers and locally reared Anopheles gambiae s.s. mosquitoes. Overall transmission-blocking activity was assessed following a 24 hour incubation of compound with gametocyte infected blood (TB-DMFA). Sporontocidal activity was evaluated following addition of compound directly prior to feeding, without incubation (SPORO-DMFA); Gametocyte viability was retained during 24-hour incubation at 37°C when gametocyte infected red blood cells were reconstituted in RPMI/serum. Methylene-blue, MMV693183, DDD107498, atovaquone and P218 showed potent transmission-blocking activity in the TB-DMFA, and both atovaquone and the novel antifolate P218 were potent inhibitors of sporogonic development in the SPORO-DMA. This work establishes a pipeline for the integral use of field isolates to assess the transmission-blocking capacity of antimalarial drugs to block transmission that should be validated in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noëlie B Henry
- Groupe de Recherche Action en Santé, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
- Centre National de Recherche et de Formation sur le Paludisme, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | - Issiaka Soulama
- Centre National de Recherche et de Formation sur le Paludisme, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
- Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé (IRSS)/CNRST, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | - Samuel S Sermé
- Groupe de Recherche Action en Santé, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
- Centre National de Recherche et de Formation sur le Paludisme, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | | | | | - Aboubacar S Coulibaly
- Centre National de Recherche et de Formation sur le Paludisme, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | - Salif Sombié
- Centre National de Recherche et de Formation sur le Paludisme, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | - Nicolas Ouédraogo
- Centre National de Recherche et de Formation sur le Paludisme, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | - Amidou Diarra
- Groupe de Recherche Action en Santé, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
- Centre National de Recherche et de Formation sur le Paludisme, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | - Soumanaba Zongo
- Centre National de Recherche et de Formation sur le Paludisme, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | - Wamdaogo M Guelbéogo
- Centre National de Recherche et de Formation sur le Paludisme, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | - Issa Nébié
- Groupe de Recherche Action en Santé, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | | | - Alfred B Tiono
- Centre National de Recherche et de Formation sur le Paludisme, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | - Alano Pietro
- Dipartimento di Malattie Infettive, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Roma, Italy
| | - Katharine A Collins
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, Netherland
| | | | - Teun Bousema
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, Netherland
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11
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Espino-Sanchez T, Wienkers H, Marvin R, Nalder SA, García-Guerrero A, VanNatta P, Jami-Alahmadi Y, Mixon Blackwell A, Whitby F, Wohlschlegel J, Kieber-Emmons M, Hill C, A. Sigala P. Direct tests of cytochrome c and c1 functions in the electron transport chain of malaria parasites. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2301047120. [PMID: 37126705 PMCID: PMC10175771 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2301047120] [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: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC) of Plasmodium malaria parasites is a major antimalarial drug target, but critical cytochrome (cyt) functions remain unstudied and enigmatic. Parasites express two distinct cyt c homologs (c and c-2) with unusually sparse sequence identity and uncertain fitness contributions. P. falciparum cyt c-2 is the most divergent eukaryotic cyt c homolog currently known and has sequence features predicted to be incompatible with canonical ETC function. We tagged both cyt c homologs and the related cyt c1 for inducible knockdown. Translational repression of cyt c and cyt c1 was lethal to parasites, which died from ETC dysfunction and impaired ubiquinone recycling. In contrast, cyt c-2 knockdown or knockout had little impact on blood-stage growth, indicating that parasites rely fully on the more conserved cyt c for ETC function. Biochemical and structural studies revealed that both cyt c and c-2 are hemylated by holocytochrome c synthase, but UV-vis absorbance and EPR spectra strongly suggest that cyt c-2 has an unusually open active site in which heme is stably coordinated by only a single axial amino acid ligand and can bind exogenous small molecules. These studies provide a direct dissection of cytochrome functions in the ETC of malaria parasites and identify a highly divergent Plasmodium cytochrome c with molecular adaptations that defy a conserved role in eukaryotic evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Henry Wienkers
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT84112
| | - Rebecca G. Marvin
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT84112
| | - Shai-anne Nalder
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT84112
| | | | - Peter E. VanNatta
- Department of Chemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT84112
| | | | - Amanda Mixon Blackwell
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT84112
| | - Frank G. Whitby
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT84112
| | | | | | - Christopher P. Hill
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT84112
| | - Paul A. Sigala
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT84112
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12
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Yoshinaga M, Niu G, Yoshinaga-Sakurai K, Nadar VS, Wang X, Rosen BP, Li J. Arsinothricin Inhibits Plasmodium falciparum Proliferation in Blood and Blocks Parasite Transmission to Mosquitoes. Microorganisms 2023; 11:1195. [PMID: 37317169 PMCID: PMC10222646 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11051195] [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: 03/28/2023] [Revised: 05/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Malaria, caused by Plasmodium protozoal parasites, remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. The Plasmodium parasite has a complex life cycle, with asexual and sexual forms in humans and Anopheles mosquitoes. Most antimalarials target only the symptomatic asexual blood stage. However, to ensure malaria eradication, new drugs with efficacy at multiple stages of the life cycle are necessary. We previously demonstrated that arsinothricin (AST), a newly discovered organoarsenical natural product, is a potent broad-spectrum antibiotic that inhibits the growth of various prokaryotic pathogens. Here, we report that AST is an effective multi-stage antimalarial. AST is a nonproteinogenic amino acid analog of glutamate that inhibits prokaryotic glutamine synthetase (GS). Phylogenetic analysis shows that Plasmodium GS, which is expressed throughout all stages of the parasite life cycle, is more closely related to prokaryotic GS than eukaryotic GS. AST potently inhibits Plasmodium GS, while it is less effective on human GS. Notably, AST effectively inhibits both Plasmodium erythrocytic proliferation and parasite transmission to mosquitoes. In contrast, AST is relatively nontoxic to a number of human cell lines, suggesting that AST is selective against malaria pathogens, with little negative effect on the human host. We propose that AST is a promising lead compound for developing a new class of multi-stage antimalarials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masafumi Yoshinaga
- Department of Cellular Biology and Pharmacology, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th St., Miami, FL 33199, USA
| | - Guodong Niu
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Arts, Sciences & Education, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th St., Miami, FL 33199, USA
| | - Kunie Yoshinaga-Sakurai
- Department of Cellular Biology and Pharmacology, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th St., Miami, FL 33199, USA
| | - Venkadesh S. Nadar
- Department of Cellular Biology and Pharmacology, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th St., Miami, FL 33199, USA
| | - Xiaohong Wang
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Arts, Sciences & Education, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th St., Miami, FL 33199, USA
| | - Barry P. Rosen
- Department of Cellular Biology and Pharmacology, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th St., Miami, FL 33199, USA
| | - Jun Li
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Arts, Sciences & Education, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th St., Miami, FL 33199, USA
- Biomolecular Sciences Institute, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA
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13
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Carson J, Erriah B, Herodotou S, Shtukenberg AG, Smith L, Ryazanskaya S, Ward MD, Kahr B, Lees RS. Overcoming insecticide resistance in Anopheles mosquitoes by using faster-acting solid forms of deltamethrin. Malar J 2023; 22:129. [PMID: 37081532 PMCID: PMC10120210 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-023-04554-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 04/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Controlling malaria-transmitting Anopheles mosquitoes with pyrethroid insecticides is becoming increasingly challenging because of widespread resistance amongst vector populations. The development of new insecticides and insecticidal formulations is time consuming and costly, however. A more active crystalline form of deltamethrin, prepared by heating the commercial crystalline form, previously was reported to be 12-times faster acting against susceptible North American Anopheles quadrimaculatus mosquitoes. Herein the potential for heat-activated deltamethrin dispersed on chalk to overcome various resistance mechanisms amongst five West African Anopheles strains is investigated, and its long-term sustained lethality evaluated. METHODS The more active deltamethrin form was generated in a commercial dust containing deltamethrin by heating the material as purchased. Tarsal contact bioassays were conducted to investigate its efficacy, potency, and speed of action against resistant Anopheles populations compared to the commercially available form of deltamethrin dust. RESULTS In all cases, D-Fense Dust heated to generate the more active form of deltamethrin was substantially more effective than the commercially available formulation. 100% of both Banfora M and Kisumu populations were knocked down 10 min post-exposure with no recovery afterwards. Gaoua-ara and Tiefora strains exhibited 100% knockdown within 15 min, and the VK7 2014 strain exhibited 100% knockdown within 20 min. In all cases, 100% mortality was observed 24 h post-exposure. Conversely, the commercial formulation (unheated) resulted in less than 4% mortality amongst VK7 2014, Banfora, and Gaoua-ara populations by 24 h, and Tiefora and Kisumu mosquitoes experienced 14 and 47% mortality by 24 h, respectively. The heat-activated dust maintained comparable efficacy 13 months after heating. CONCLUSIONS The heat-activated form of commercial deltamethrin D-Fense Dust outperformed the material as purchased, dramatically increasing efficacy against all tested pyrethroid-resistant strains. This increase in lethality was retained for 13 months of storage under ambient conditions in the laboratory. Higher energy forms of commonly used insecticides may be employed to overcome various resistance mechanisms seen in African Anopheles mosquitoes through more rapid uptake of insecticide molecules from their respective solid surfaces. That is, resistant mosquitoes can be killed with an insecticide to which they are resistant without altering the molecular composition of the insecticide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Carson
- Vector Biology Department, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool, L3 5QA, UK
| | - Bryan Erriah
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Design Institute, New York University, 29 Washington Place, New York, 10003, NY, USA
| | - Stephania Herodotou
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Innovative Vector Control Consortium, Pembroke Place, Liverpool, L3 5QA, UK
| | - Alexander G Shtukenberg
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Design Institute, New York University, 29 Washington Place, New York, 10003, NY, USA
| | - Leilani Smith
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Design Institute, New York University, 29 Washington Place, New York, 10003, NY, USA
| | - Svetlana Ryazanskaya
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Innovative Vector Control Consortium, Pembroke Place, Liverpool, L3 5QA, UK
| | - Michael D Ward
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Design Institute, New York University, 29 Washington Place, New York, 10003, NY, USA
| | - Bart Kahr
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Design Institute, New York University, 29 Washington Place, New York, 10003, NY, USA
| | - Rosemary Susan Lees
- Vector Biology Department, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool, L3 5QA, UK.
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14
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Calit J, Araújo JE, Deng B, Miura K, Gaitán XA, Araújo MDS, Medeiros JF, Long CA, Simeonov A, Eastman RT, Bargieri DY. Novel Transmission-Blocking Antimalarials Identified by High-Throughput Screening of Plasmodium berghei Ookluc. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2023; 67:e0146522. [PMID: 36856421 PMCID: PMC10112123 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01465-22] [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: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Safe and effective malaria transmission-blocking chemotherapeutics would allow a community-level approach to malaria control and eradication efforts by targeting the mosquito sexual stage of the parasite life cycle. However, only a single drug, primaquine, is currently approved for use in reducing transmission, and drug toxicity limits its widespread implementation. To address this limitation in antimalarial chemotherapeutics, we used a recently developed transgenic Plasmodium berghei line, Ookluc, to perform a series of high-throughput in vitro screens for compounds that inhibit parasite fertilization, the initial step of parasite development within the mosquito. Screens of antimalarial compounds, approved drug collections, and drug-like molecule libraries identified 185 compounds that inhibit parasite maturation to the zygote form. Seven compounds were further characterized to block gametocyte activation or to be cytotoxic to formed zygotes. These were further validated in mosquito membrane-feeding assays using Plasmodium falciparum and P. vivax. This work demonstrates that high-throughput screens using the Ookluc line can identify compounds that are active against the two most relevant human Plasmodium species and provides a list of compounds that can be explored for the development of new antimalarials to block transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliana Calit
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Jessica E. Araújo
- Plataforma de Produção e Infecção de Vetores da Malária-PIVEM, Laboratório de Entomologia, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz Rondônia, Porto Velho, Rondônia, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Biologia Experimental, Universidade Federal de Rondônia/Fiocruz Rondônia, Porto Velho, Rondônia, Brazil
| | - Bingbing Deng
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - Kazutoyo Miura
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - Xiomara A. Gaitán
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Maisa da Silva Araújo
- Plataforma de Produção e Infecção de Vetores da Malária-PIVEM, Laboratório de Entomologia, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz Rondônia, Porto Velho, Rondônia, Brazil
| | - Jansen F. Medeiros
- Plataforma de Produção e Infecção de Vetores da Malária-PIVEM, Laboratório de Entomologia, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz Rondônia, Porto Velho, Rondônia, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Biologia Experimental, Universidade Federal de Rondônia/Fiocruz Rondônia, Porto Velho, Rondônia, Brazil
| | - Carole A. Long
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - Anton Simeonov
- Division of Preclinical Innovation, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - Richard T. Eastman
- Division of Preclinical Innovation, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - Daniel Y. Bargieri
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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15
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Perugini E, Guelbeogo WM, Guglielmo F, Poggi C, Gabrieli E, Ranson H, Della Torre A, Pombi M. The interplay between malaria vectors and human activity accounts for high residual malaria transmission in a Burkina Faso village with universal ITN coverage. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:101. [PMID: 36922855 PMCID: PMC10015820 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05710-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mosquito and human behaviour interaction is a key determinant of the maximum level of protection against malaria that can be provided by insecticide-treated nets (ITNs). Nevertheless, scant literature focuses on this interaction, overlooking a fundamental factor for efficient malaria control. This study aims to estimate malaria transmission risk in a Burkina Faso village by integrating vector biting rhythms with some key information about human habits. METHODS Indoor/outdoor human landing catches were conducted for 16 h (16:00-08:00) during 8 nights (September 2020) in Goden village. A survey about net usage and sleeping patterns was submitted to half the households (October-December 2020). A subsample of collected specimens of Anopheles gambiae sensu lato was molecularly processed for species identification, Plasmodium detection from heads-thoraxes and L1014F pyrethroid-resistance allele genotyping. Hourly mosquito abundance was statistically assessed by GLM/GAM, and the entomological inoculation rate (EIR) was corrected for the actual ITN usage retrieved from the questionnaire. RESULTS Malaria transmission was mainly driven by Anopheles coluzzii (68.7%) followed by A. arabiensis (26.2%). The overall sporozoite rate was 2% with L1014F estimated frequency of 0.68 (N = 1070 out of 15,201 A. gambiae s.l. collected). No major shift in mosquito biting rhythms in response to ITN or differences between indoor and outdoor catches were detected. Impressive high biting pressure (mean 30.3 mosquitoes/person/hour) was exerted from 20:00 to 06:00 with a peak at 4:00. Human survey revealed that nearly all inhabitants were awake before 20:00 and after 7:00 and at least 8.7% had no access to bednets. Adjusting for anthropological data, the EIR dropped from 6.7 to 1.2 infective bites/person/16 h. In a scenario of full net coverage and accounting only for the human sleeping patterns, the daily malaria transmission risk not targetable by ITNs was 0.69 infective bites. CONCLUSIONS The high mosquito densities and interplay between human/vector activities means that an estimated 10% of residual malaria transmission cannot be prevented by ITNs in the village. Locally tailored studies, like the current one, are essential to explore the heterogeneity of human exposure to infective bites and, consequently, to instruct the adoption of new vector control tools strengthening individual and community protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleonora Perugini
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Wamdaogo M Guelbeogo
- Centre National de Recherche et Formation sur le Paludisme, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | - Federica Guglielmo
- Department of Vector Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | - Cristiana Poggi
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Eugenio Gabrieli
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Hilary Ranson
- Department of Vector Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | | | - Marco Pombi
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy.
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16
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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.
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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
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17
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First person – Sabrina Yahiya. Dis Model Mech 2023. [DOI: 10.1242/dmm.050069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT
First Person is a series of interviews with the first authors of a selection of papers published in Disease Models & Mechanisms, helping researchers promote themselves alongside their papers. Sabrina Yahiya is first author on ‘ A novel class of sulphonamides potently block malaria transmission by targeting a Plasmodium vacuole membrane protein’, published in DMM. Sabrina conducted the research described in this article while a PhD candidate in Prof. Jake Baum's lab at Imperial College London, UK. She is now a scientist in the Infectious Diseases & Vaccines Group at Kymab, a Sanofi company, in Cambridge, UK, and is interested in the development of therapeutics targeting infectious diseases, with a focus on blocking malaria transmission.
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18
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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.
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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
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Espino-Sanchez TJ, Wienkers H, Marvin RG, Nalder SA, García-Guerrero AE, VanNatta PE, Jami-Alahmadi Y, Blackwell AM, Whitby FG, Wohlschlegel JA, Kieber-Emmons MT, Hill CP, Sigala PA. Direct Tests of Cytochrome Function in the Electron Transport Chain of Malaria Parasites. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.01.23.525242. [PMID: 36747727 PMCID: PMC9900762 DOI: 10.1101/2023.01.23.525242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
The mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC) of Plasmodium malaria parasites is a major antimalarial drug target, but critical cytochrome functions remain unstudied and enigmatic. Parasites express two distinct cyt c homologs ( c and c -2) with unusually sparse sequence identity and uncertain fitness contributions. P. falciparum cyt c -2 is the most divergent eukaryotic cyt c homolog currently known and has sequence features predicted to be incompatible with canonical ETC function. We tagged both cyt c homologs and the related cyt c 1 for inducible knockdown. Translational repression of cyt c and cyt c 1 was lethal to parasites, which died from ETC dysfunction and impaired ubiquinone recycling. In contrast, cyt c -2 knockdown or knock-out had little impact on blood-stage growth, indicating that parasites rely fully on the more conserved cyt c for ETC function. Biochemical and structural studies revealed that both cyt c and c -2 are hemylated by holocytochrome c synthase, but UV-vis absorbance and EPR spectra strongly suggest that cyt c -2 has an unusually open active site in which heme is stably coordinated by only a single axial amino-acid ligand and can bind exogenous small molecules. These studies provide a direct dissection of cytochrome functions in the ETC of malaria parasites and identify a highly divergent Plasmodium cytochrome c with molecular adaptations that defy a conserved role in eukaryotic evolution. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Mitochondria are critical organelles in eukaryotic cells that drive oxidative metabolism. The mitochondrion of Plasmodium malaria parasites is a major drug target that has many differences from human cells and remains poorly studied. One key difference from humans is that malaria parasites express two cytochrome c proteins that differ significantly from each other and play untested and uncertain roles in the mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC). Our study revealed that one cyt c is essential for ETC function and parasite viability while the second, more divergent protein has unusual structural and biochemical properties and is not required for growth of blood-stage parasites. This work elucidates key biochemical properties and evolutionary differences in the mitochondrial ETC of malaria parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanya J. Espino-Sanchez
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
| | - Henry Wienkers
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
| | - Rebecca G. Marvin
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
| | - Shai-anne Nalder
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
| | - Aldo E. García-Guerrero
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
| | - Peter E. VanNatta
- Department of Chemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
| | - Yasaman Jami-Alahmadi
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Amanda Mixon Blackwell
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
| | - Frank G. Whitby
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
| | - James A. Wohlschlegel
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | | | - Christopher P. Hill
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
| | - Paul A. Sigala
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, United States,Corresponding author: Paul Sigala
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20
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Hu B, Yan W, Jiang P, Jiang L, Yuan X, Lin J, Jiao Y, Jin Y. Switchable synthesis of natural-product-like lawsones and indenopyrazoles through regioselective ring-expansion of indantrione. Commun Chem 2023; 6:17. [PMID: 36697885 PMCID: PMC9849474 DOI: 10.1038/s42004-022-00807-z] [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: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Lawsones and indenopyrazoles are the prevalent structural motifs and building blocks in pharmaceuticals and bioactive molecules, but their synthesis has always remained challenging as no comprehensive protocol has been outlined to date. Herein, a metal-free, ring-expansion reaction of indantrione with diazomethanes, generated in situ from the N-tosylhydrazones, has been developed for the synthesis of lawsone and indenopyrazole derivatives in acetonitrile and alcohol solvents, respectively. It provides these valuable lawsone and pyrazole skeletons in good yields and high levels of diastereoselectivity from simple and readily available starting materials. DFT calculations were used to explore the mechanism in different solutions. The synthetic application example also showed the prospects of this method for the preparation of valuable compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bingwei Hu
- grid.440773.30000 0000 9342 2456Key Laboratory of Medicinal for Natural Resource, Ministry of Education and Yunnan Province, School of Pharmacy, Yunnan University, 650091 Kunming, China
| | - Wenxin Yan
- grid.411429.b0000 0004 1760 6172School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Key Laboratory of Theoretical Organic Chemistry and Functional Molecular, Ministry of Education, Hunan University of Science and Technology, 411201 Xiangtan, China
| | - Peiyun Jiang
- grid.440773.30000 0000 9342 2456Key Laboratory of Medicinal for Natural Resource, Ministry of Education and Yunnan Province, School of Pharmacy, Yunnan University, 650091 Kunming, China
| | - Ling Jiang
- grid.440773.30000 0000 9342 2456Key Laboratory of Medicinal for Natural Resource, Ministry of Education and Yunnan Province, School of Pharmacy, Yunnan University, 650091 Kunming, China
| | - Xu Yuan
- grid.440773.30000 0000 9342 2456Key Laboratory of Medicinal for Natural Resource, Ministry of Education and Yunnan Province, School of Pharmacy, Yunnan University, 650091 Kunming, China
| | - Jun Lin
- grid.440773.30000 0000 9342 2456Key Laboratory of Medicinal for Natural Resource, Ministry of Education and Yunnan Province, School of Pharmacy, Yunnan University, 650091 Kunming, China
| | - Yinchun Jiao
- grid.411429.b0000 0004 1760 6172School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Key Laboratory of Theoretical Organic Chemistry and Functional Molecular, Ministry of Education, Hunan University of Science and Technology, 411201 Xiangtan, China
| | - Yi Jin
- grid.440773.30000 0000 9342 2456Key Laboratory of Medicinal for Natural Resource, Ministry of Education and Yunnan Province, School of Pharmacy, Yunnan University, 650091 Kunming, China
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21
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Habtamu K, Petros B, Yan G. Plasmodium vivax: the potential obstacles it presents to malaria elimination and eradication. Trop Dis Travel Med Vaccines 2022; 8:27. [PMID: 36522671 PMCID: PMC9753897 DOI: 10.1186/s40794-022-00185-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Initiatives to eradicate malaria have a good impact on P. falciparum malaria worldwide. P. vivax, however, still presents significant difficulties. This is due to its unique biological traits, which, in comparison to P. falciparum, pose serious challenges for malaria elimination approaches. P. vivax's numerous distinctive characteristics and its ability to live for weeks to years in liver cells in its hypnozoite form, which may elude the human immune system and blood-stage therapy and offer protection during mosquito-free seasons. Many malaria patients are not fully treated because of contraindications to primaquine use in pregnant and nursing women and are still vulnerable to P. vivax relapses, although there are medications that could radical cure P. vivax. Additionally, due to CYP2D6's highly variable genetic polymorphism, the pharmacokinetics of primaquine may be impacted. Due to their inability to metabolize PQ, some CYP2D6 polymorphism alleles can cause patients to not respond to treatment. Tafenoquine offers a radical treatment in a single dose that overcomes the potentially serious problem of poor adherence to daily primaquine. Despite this benefit, hemolysis of the early erythrocytes continues in individuals with G6PD deficiency until all susceptible cells have been eliminated. Field techniques such as microscopy or rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) miss the large number of submicroscopic and/or asymptomatic infections brought on by reticulocyte tropism and the low parasitemia levels that accompany it. Moreover, P. vivax gametocytes grow more quickly and are much more prevalent in the bloodstream. P. vivax populations also have a great deal of genetic variation throughout their genome, which ensures evolutionary fitness and boosts adaptation potential. Furthermore, P. vivax fully develops in the mosquito faster than P. falciparum. These characteristics contribute to parasite reservoirs in the human population and facilitate faster transmission. Overall, no genuine chance of eradication is predicted in the next few years unless new tools for lowering malaria transmission are developed (i.e., malaria elimination and eradication). The challenging characteristics of P. vivax that impede the elimination and eradication of malaria are thus discussed in this article.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kassahun Habtamu
- Department of Microbial, Cellular & Molecular Biology, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
- Menelik II Medical & Health Science College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Beyene Petros
- Department of Microbial, Cellular & Molecular Biology, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Guiyun Yan
- Program in Public Health, University of California at Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697 USA
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22
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Saison N, Franetich JF, Pinilla YT, Hoffmann A, Boussougou-Sambe ST, Ngossanga B, Tefit M, Ashraf K, Amanzougaghene N, Tajeri S, Adegnika AA, Mazier D, Borrmann S. Rapid and Specific Action of Methylene Blue against Plasmodium Transmission Stages. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14122794. [PMID: 36559287 PMCID: PMC9786052 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14122794] [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] [Received: 10/02/2022] [Revised: 12/04/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Methylene blue (MB) is the oldest synthetic anti-infective. Its high potency against asexual and sexual stages of malaria parasites is well documented. This study aimed to investigate possible additional activities of MB in interfering with parasite transmission and determine target stages in Anopheles vectors and humans. MB's transmission-blocking activity was first evaluated by an ex vivo direct membrane feeding assay (DMFA) using Plasmodium falciparum field isolates. To investigate anti-mosquito stage activity, Plasmodium berghei-infected Anopheles stephensi mosquitoes were fed a second blood meal on mice that had been treated with methylene blue, 3, 6- and 15-days after the initial infectious blood meal. Anti-sporozoite and liver stage activities were evaluated in vitro and in vivo via sporozoite invasion and liver stage development assays, respectively. MB exhibited a robust inhibition of P. falciparum transmission in An. gambiae, even when added shortly before the DMFA but only a moderate effect against P. berghei oocyst development. Exposure of mature P. berghei and P. falciparum sporozoites to MB blocked hepatocyte invasion, yet P. berghei liver stage development was unaffected by MB. Our results indicate previously underappreciated rapid specific activities of methylene blue against Plasmodium transmission stages, preventing the establishment of both mosquito midgut and liver infections as the first essential steps in both hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathanaël Saison
- Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné, Lambaréné 1437, Gabon
- Institute for Tropical Medicine, University of Tübingen, 72074 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Jean-François Franetich
- Centre d’Immunologie et des Maladies Infectieuses, Inserm, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, U1135, ERL8255, CIMI-Paris, F-75013 Paris, France
| | - Yudi T. Pinilla
- Institute for Tropical Medicine, University of Tübingen, 72074 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Anton Hoffmann
- Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné, Lambaréné 1437, Gabon
- Institute for Tropical Medicine, University of Tübingen, 72074 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Stravensky T. Boussougou-Sambe
- Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné, Lambaréné 1437, Gabon
- Institute for Tropical Medicine, University of Tübingen, 72074 Tübingen, Germany
| | | | - Maurel Tefit
- Centre d’Immunologie et des Maladies Infectieuses, Inserm, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, U1135, ERL8255, CIMI-Paris, F-75013 Paris, France
| | - Kutub Ashraf
- Centre d’Immunologie et des Maladies Infectieuses, Inserm, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, U1135, ERL8255, CIMI-Paris, F-75013 Paris, France
| | - Nadia Amanzougaghene
- Centre d’Immunologie et des Maladies Infectieuses, Inserm, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, U1135, ERL8255, CIMI-Paris, F-75013 Paris, France
| | - Shahin Tajeri
- Centre d’Immunologie et des Maladies Infectieuses, Inserm, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, U1135, ERL8255, CIMI-Paris, F-75013 Paris, France
| | - Ayola A. Adegnika
- Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné, Lambaréné 1437, Gabon
- Institute for Tropical Medicine, University of Tübingen, 72074 Tübingen, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Tübingen, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Dominique Mazier
- Centre d’Immunologie et des Maladies Infectieuses, Inserm, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, U1135, ERL8255, CIMI-Paris, F-75013 Paris, France
| | - Steffen Borrmann
- Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné, Lambaréné 1437, Gabon
- Institute for Tropical Medicine, University of Tübingen, 72074 Tübingen, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Tübingen, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-707129-85428
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23
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Kamiya T, Paton DG, Catteruccia F, Reece SE. Targeting malaria parasites inside mosquitoes: ecoevolutionary consequences. Trends Parasitol 2022; 38:1031-1040. [PMID: 36209032 PMCID: PMC9815470 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2022.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Revised: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Proof-of-concept studies demonstrate that antimalarial drugs designed for human treatment can also be applied to mosquitoes to interrupt malaria transmission. Deploying a new control tool is ideally undertaken within a stewardship programme that maximises a drug's lifespan by minimising the risk of resistance evolution and slowing its spread once emerged. We ask: what are the epidemiological and evolutionary consequences of targeting parasites within mosquitoes? Our synthesis argues that targeting parasites inside mosquitoes (i) can be modelled by readily expanding existing epidemiological frameworks; (ii) provides a functionally novel control method that has potential to be more robust to resistance evolution than targeting parasites in humans; and (iii) could extend the lifespan and clinical benefit of antimalarials used exclusively to treat humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsukushi Kamiya
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Biology, Collège de France, Paris, France; HRB Clinical Research Facility, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland; Institute of Ecology and Evolution, and Institute of Immunology and Infection Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
| | - Douglas G Paton
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Disease, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Flaminia Catteruccia
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Disease, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sarah E Reece
- Institute of Ecology and Evolution, and Institute of Immunology and Infection Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
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24
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Saucedo O, Tien JH. Host movement, transmission hot spots, and vector-borne disease dynamics on spatial networks. Infect Dis Model 2022; 7:742-760. [DOI: 10.1016/j.idm.2022.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Revised: 09/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
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25
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Inhibitors of ApiAP2 protein DNA binding exhibit multistage activity against Plasmodium parasites. PLoS Pathog 2022; 18:e1010887. [PMID: 36223427 PMCID: PMC9591056 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1010887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Revised: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium parasites are reliant on the Apicomplexan AP2 (ApiAP2) transcription factor family to regulate gene expression programs. AP2 DNA binding domains have no homologs in the human or mosquito host genomes, making them potential antimalarial drug targets. Using an in-silico screen to dock thousands of small molecules into the crystal structure of the AP2-EXP (Pf3D7_1466400) AP2 domain (PDB:3IGM), we identified putative AP2-EXP interacting compounds. Four compounds were found to block DNA binding by AP2-EXP and at least one additional ApiAP2 protein. Our top ApiAP2 competitor compound perturbs the transcriptome of P. falciparum trophozoites and results in a decrease in abundance of log2 fold change > 2 for 50% (46/93) of AP2-EXP target genes. Additionally, two ApiAP2 competitor compounds have multi-stage anti-Plasmodium activity against blood and mosquito stage parasites. In summary, we describe a novel set of antimalarial compounds that interact with AP2 DNA binding domains. These compounds may be used for future chemical genetic interrogation of ApiAP2 proteins or serve as starting points for a new class of antimalarial therapeutics. Plasmodium parasites are the causative agent of malaria, which resulted in over 600,000 deaths in 2021. Due to resistance arising for every antimalarial therapeutic deployed to date, new drug targets and druggable pathways must be explored. To address this concern, we used a molecular docking screen to predict competitors of DNA binding by the parasite specific family of Apicomplexan AP2 (ApiAP2) transcription factor proteins for testing in vitro and in vivo. We find that ApiAP2 competing compounds have antimalarial activity consistent with the disruption of gene regulation. This work will further our understanding of both the biological role and targetability of parasite transcriptional regulation.
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26
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Barillas-Mury C, Ribeiro JMC, Valenzuela JG. Understanding pathogen survival and transmission by arthropod vectors to prevent human disease. Science 2022; 377:eabc2757. [PMID: 36173836 DOI: 10.1126/science.abc2757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Many endemic poverty-associated diseases, such as malaria and leishmaniasis, are transmitted by arthropod vectors. Pathogens must interact with specific molecules in the vector gut, the microbiota, and the vector immune system to survive and be transmitted. The vertebrate host, in turn, is infected when the pathogen and vector-derived factors, such as salivary proteins, are delivered into the skin by a vector bite. Here, we review recent progress in our understanding of the biology of pathogen transmission from the human to the vector and back, from the vector to the host. We also highlight recent advances in the biology of vector-borne disease transmission, which have translated into additional strategies to prevent human disease by either reducing vector populations or by disrupting their ability to transmit pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Barillas-Mury
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Rockville, MD 20852, USA
| | - José M C Ribeiro
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Rockville, MD 20852, USA
| | - Jesus G Valenzuela
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Rockville, MD 20852, USA
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27
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Kanai M, Hagenah LM, Ashley EA, Chibale K, Fidock DA. Keystone Malaria Symposium 2022: a vibrant discussion of progress made and challenges ahead from drug discovery to treatment. Trends Parasitol 2022; 38:711-718. [PMID: 35864072 PMCID: PMC9631389 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2022.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
In recent years, the field of malaria research has made substantial progress in the areas of antimalarial drug resistance and discovery. These efforts are essential to combatting the devastating impact of malaria, which, in 2020, resulted in an estimated 241 million cases and 627 000 deaths. Recent advances in this area were presented at a Keystone Symposium entitled ‘Malaria: Confronting Challenges from Drug Discovery to Treatment’, held in person in Breckenridge, Colorado, in April 2022. Herein, we present a summary of the proceedings of this vibrant scientific exchange, which brought together a superb group of faculty, postdocs, and students from around the globe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariko Kanai
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Laura M. Hagenah
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA,Co-first authors
| | - Elizabeth A. Ashley
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK,Lao-Oxford-Mahosot Hospital-Wellcome Trust Research Unit, Mahosot Hospital, Vientiane, Laos
| | - Kelly Chibale
- Drug Discovery and Development (H3D) Centre, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, South Africa; Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Observatory, South Africa; South African Medical Research Council Drug Discovery and Development Research Unit, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, South Africa; Department of Chemistry, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, South Africa.
| | - David A. Fidock
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA,Center for Malaria Therapeutics and Antimicrobial Resistance, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA,Correspondence: (D.A. Fidock)
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Muema JM, Bargul JL, Obonyo MA, Njeru SN, Matoke-Muhia D, Mutunga JM. Contemporary exploitation of natural products for arthropod-borne pathogen transmission-blocking interventions. Parasit Vectors 2022; 15:298. [PMID: 36002857 PMCID: PMC9404607 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05367-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
An integrated approach to innovatively counter the transmission of various arthropod-borne diseases to humans would benefit from strategies that sustainably limit onward passage of infective life cycle stages of pathogens and parasites to the insect vectors and vice versa. Aiming to accelerate the impetus towards a disease-free world amid the challenges posed by climate change, discovery, mindful exploitation and integration of active natural products in design of pathogen transmission-blocking interventions is of high priority. Herein, we provide a review of natural compounds endowed with blockade potential against transmissible forms of human pathogens reported in the last 2 decades from 2000 to 2021. Finally, we propose various translational strategies that can exploit these pathogen transmission-blocking natural products into design of novel and sustainable disease control interventions. In summary, tapping these compounds will potentially aid in integrated combat mission to reduce disease transmission trends.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jackson M Muema
- Department of Biochemistry, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), P.O. Box 62000, Nairobi, 00200, Kenya.
| | - Joel L Bargul
- Department of Biochemistry, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), P.O. Box 62000, Nairobi, 00200, Kenya.,International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (Icipe), P.O. Box 30772, Nairobi, 00100, Kenya
| | - Meshack A Obonyo
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Egerton University, P.O. Box 536, Egerton, 20115, Kenya
| | - Sospeter N Njeru
- Centre for Traditional Medicine and Drug Research (CTMDR), Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), P.O. Box 54840, Nairobi, 00200, Kenya
| | - Damaris Matoke-Muhia
- Centre for Biotechnology Research Development (CBRD), Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), P.O. Box 54840, Nairobi, 00200, Kenya
| | - James M Mutunga
- Department of Biological Sciences, Mount Kenya University (MKU), P.O. Box 54, Thika, 01000, Kenya.,School of Engineering Design, Technology and Professional Programs, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
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29
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Larvicidal property of the extracts of the seaweeds; Sargassum wightii, S. ilicifolium and Gelidiella acerosa against Anopheles stephensi, Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus. BIOCATALYSIS AND AGRICULTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bcab.2022.102436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
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30
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Kehrer J, Formaglio P, Muthinja JM, Weber S, Baltissen D, Lance C, Ripp J, Grech J, Meissner M, Funaya C, Amino R, Frischknecht F. Plasmodium
sporozoite disintegration during skin passage limits malaria parasite transmission. EMBO Rep 2022; 23:e54719. [PMID: 35403820 PMCID: PMC9253755 DOI: 10.15252/embr.202254719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Revised: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
During transmission of malaria‐causing parasites from mosquitoes to mammals, Plasmodium sporozoites migrate rapidly in the skin to search for a blood vessel. The high migratory speed and narrow passages taken by the parasites suggest considerable strain on the sporozoites to maintain their shape. Here, we show that the membrane‐associated protein, concavin, is important for the maintenance of the Plasmodium sporozoite shape inside salivary glands of mosquitoes and during migration in the skin. Concavin‐GFP localizes at the cytoplasmic periphery and concavin(−) sporozoites progressively round up upon entry of salivary glands. Rounded concavin(−) sporozoites fail to pass through the narrow salivary ducts and are rarely ejected by mosquitoes, while normally shaped concavin(−) sporozoites are transmitted. Strikingly, motile concavin(−) sporozoites disintegrate while migrating through the skin leading to parasite arrest or death and decreased transmission efficiency. Collectively, we suggest that concavin contributes to cell shape maintenance by riveting the plasma membrane to the subtending inner membrane complex. Interfering with cell shape maintenance pathways might hence provide a new strategy to prevent a malaria infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Kehrer
- Integrative Parasitology Center for Infectious Diseases Heidelberg University Medical School Heidelberg Germany
- Infectious Diseases Imaging Platform Center for Infectious Diseases Heidelberg University Medical School Heidelberg Germany
| | - Pauline Formaglio
- Malaria Infection and Immunity Unit Department of Parasites and Insect Vectors Institut Pasteur Paris France
| | - Julianne Mendi Muthinja
- Integrative Parasitology Center for Infectious Diseases Heidelberg University Medical School Heidelberg Germany
| | - Sebastian Weber
- Electron Microscopy Core Facility Heidelberg University Heidelberg Germany
| | - Danny Baltissen
- Integrative Parasitology Center for Infectious Diseases Heidelberg University Medical School Heidelberg Germany
| | - Christopher Lance
- Integrative Parasitology Center for Infectious Diseases Heidelberg University Medical School Heidelberg Germany
| | - Johanna Ripp
- Integrative Parasitology Center for Infectious Diseases Heidelberg University Medical School Heidelberg Germany
| | - Janessa Grech
- Experimental Parasitology Ludwig Maximilian University Munich Planegg‐Martinsried Germany
| | - Markus Meissner
- Experimental Parasitology Ludwig Maximilian University Munich Planegg‐Martinsried Germany
| | - Charlotta Funaya
- Electron Microscopy Core Facility Heidelberg University Heidelberg Germany
| | - Rogerio Amino
- Malaria Infection and Immunity Unit Department of Parasites and Insect Vectors Institut Pasteur Paris France
| | - Friedrich Frischknecht
- Integrative Parasitology Center for Infectious Diseases Heidelberg University Medical School Heidelberg Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Heidelberg Heidelberg Germany
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31
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Chemical and Pharmacological Properties of Decoquinate: A Review of Its Pharmaceutical Potential and Future Perspectives. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14071383. [PMID: 35890280 PMCID: PMC9315532 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14071383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2022] [Revised: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Decoquinate (DQ) is an antimicrobial agent commonly used as a feed additive for birds for human consumption. Its use as an additive is well established, but DQ has the potential for therapy as an antimicrobial drug for veterinary treatment and its optimized derivatives and/or formulations, mainly nanoformulations, have antimicrobial activity against pathogens that infect humans. However, DQ has a high partition coefficient and low solubility in aqueous fluids, and these biopharmaceutical properties have limited its use in humans. In this review, we highlight the antimicrobial activity and pharmacokinetic properties of DQ and highlight the solutions currently under investigation to overcome these drawbacks. A literature search was conducted focusing on the use of decoquinate against various infectious diseases in humans and animals. The search was conducted in several databases, including scientific and patent databases. Pharmaceutical nanotechnology and medicinal chemistry are the tools of choice to achieve human applications, and most of these applications have been able to improve the biopharmaceutical properties and pharmacokinetic profile of DQ. Based on the results presented here, DQ prototypes could be tested in clinical trials for human application in the coming years.
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32
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van der Watt ME, Reader J, Birkholtz LM. Adapt or Die: Targeting Unique Transmission-Stage Biology for Malaria Elimination. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:901971. [PMID: 35755845 PMCID: PMC9218253 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.901971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium parasites have a complex life cycle that includes development in the human host as well as the Anopheles vector. Successful transmission of the parasite between its host and vector therefore requires the parasite to balance its investments in asexual replication and sexual reproduction, varying the frequency of sexual commitment to persist within the human host and generate future opportunities for transmission. The transmission window is extended further by the ability of stage V gametocytes to circulate in peripheral blood for weeks, whereas immature stage I to IV gametocytes sequester in the bone marrow and spleen until final maturation. Due to the low gametocyte numbers in blood circulation and with the ease of targeting such life cycle bottlenecks, transmission represents an efficient target for therapeutic intervention. The biological process of Plasmodium transmission is a multistage, multifaceted process and the past decade has seen a much deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms and regulators involved. Clearly, specific and divergent processes are used during transmission compared to asexual proliferation, which both poses challenges but also opportunities for discovery of transmission-blocking antimalarials. This review therefore presents an update of our molecular understanding of gametocyte and gamete biology as well as the status of transmission-blocking activities of current antimalarials and lead development compounds. By defining the biological components associated with transmission, considerations for the development of new transmission-blocking drugs to target such untapped but unique biology is suggested as an important, main driver for transmission-blocking drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariëtte E van der Watt
- Institute for Sustainable Malaria Control, School of Health Systems and Public Health, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Janette Reader
- Institute for Sustainable Malaria Control, School of Health Systems and Public Health, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa.,Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Lyn-Marié Birkholtz
- Institute for Sustainable Malaria Control, School of Health Systems and Public Health, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa.,Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
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33
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Paton DG, Probst AS, Ma E, Adams KL, Shaw WR, Singh N, Bopp S, Volkman SK, Hien DFS, Paré PSL, Yerbanga RS, Diabaté A, Dabiré RK, Lefèvre T, Wirth DF, Catteruccia F. Using an antimalarial in mosquitoes overcomes Anopheles and Plasmodium resistance to malaria control strategies. PLoS Pathog 2022; 18:e1010609. [PMID: 35687594 PMCID: PMC9223321 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1010609] [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: 02/25/2022] [Revised: 06/23/2022] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The spread of insecticide resistance in Anopheles mosquitoes and drug resistance in Plasmodium parasites is contributing to a global resurgence of malaria, making the generation of control tools that can overcome these roadblocks an urgent public health priority. We recently showed that the transmission of Plasmodium falciparum parasites can be efficiently blocked when exposing Anopheles gambiae females to antimalarials deposited on a treated surface, with no negative consequences on major components of mosquito fitness. Here, we demonstrate this approach can overcome the hurdles of insecticide resistance in mosquitoes and drug resistant in parasites. We show that the transmission-blocking efficacy of mosquito-targeted antimalarials is maintained when field-derived, insecticide resistant Anopheles are exposed to the potent cytochrome b inhibitor atovaquone, demonstrating that this drug escapes insecticide resistance mechanisms that could potentially interfere with its function. Moreover, this approach prevents transmission of field-derived, artemisinin resistant P. falciparum parasites (Kelch13 C580Y mutant), proving that this strategy could be used to prevent the spread of parasite mutations that induce resistance to front-line antimalarials. Atovaquone is also highly effective at limiting parasite development when ingested by mosquitoes in sugar solutions, including in ongoing infections. These data support the use of mosquito-targeted antimalarials as a promising tool to complement and extend the efficacy of current malaria control interventions. Effective control of malaria is hampered by resistance to vector-targeted insecticides and parasite-targeted drugs. This situation is exacerbated by a critical lack of chemical diversity in both interventions and, as such, new interventions are urgently needed. Recent laboratory studies have shown that an alternative approach based on treating Anopheles mosquitoes directly with antimalarial compounds can make mosquitoes incapable of transmitting the Plasmodium parasites that cause malaria. While promising, showing that mosquito-targeted antimalarials remain effective against wild parasites and mosquitoes, including drug- and insecticide-resistant populations in malaria-endemic countries, is crucial to the future viability of this approach. In this study, carried out in the US and Burkina Faso, we show that insecticide-resistance mechanisms found in highly resistant, natural Anopheles mosquito populations do not interfere with the transmission blocking activity of tarsal exposure to the antimalarial atovaquone, and that mosquito-targeted antimalarial exposure can block transmission of parasites resistant to the main therapeutic antimalarial drug artemisinin. By combining lab, and field-based studies in this way we have demonstrated that this novel approach can be effective in areas where conventional control measures are no longer as effective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Douglas G. Paton
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Boston, United States of America
- * E-mail: (DGP); (FC)
| | - Alexandra S. Probst
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Boston, United States of America
| | - Erica Ma
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Boston, United States of America
| | - Kelsey L. Adams
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Boston, United States of America
| | - W. Robert Shaw
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Boston, United States of America
| | - Naresh Singh
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Boston, United States of America
| | - Selina Bopp
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Boston, United States of America
| | - Sarah K. Volkman
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Boston, United States of America
| | - Domombele F. S. Hien
- Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé/Centre Muraz, Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
| | - Prislaure S. L. Paré
- Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé/Centre Muraz, Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
| | - Rakiswendé S. Yerbanga
- Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé/Centre Muraz, Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
| | - Abdoullaye Diabaté
- Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé/Centre Muraz, Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
| | - Roch K. Dabiré
- Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé/Centre Muraz, Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
| | - Thierry Lefèvre
- MIVEGEC, IRD, CNRS, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
- Laboratoire mixte international sur les vecteurs (LAMIVECT), Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
- Centre de Recherche en Écologie et Évolution de la Santé (CREES), Montpellier, France
| | - Dyann F. Wirth
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Boston, United States of America
| | - Flaminia Catteruccia
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Boston, United States of America
- * E-mail: (DGP); (FC)
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Standard Selection Treatments with Sulfadiazine Limit Plasmodium yoelii Host-to-Vector Transmission. mSphere 2022; 7:e0010622. [PMID: 35586987 PMCID: PMC9241536 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00106-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Some antimalarial drugs that have lost clinical usefulness have been repurposed for experimental applications. One example is sulfadiazine, an analog of p-aminobenzoic acid (pABA), which inhibits the parasite's folate synthesis pathway to block DNA synthesis. Sulfadiazine treatment of mice infected with Plasmodium yoelii and P. berghei is routinely used to enrich for gametocytes by killing asexual blood-stage parasites, but it is not well known if there are downstream effects on transmission. To determine if there was a significant effect of sulfadiazine exposure upon transmission, we transmitted Plasmodium yoelii (17XNL strain) parasites to Anopheles stephensi mosquitoes and evaluated the prevalence and intensity of infection under different sulfadiazine treatment conditions. We observed that there was a reduction in both the number of mosquitoes that became infected and in the intensity of infection if parasites were exposed to sulfadiazine in the mouse host or mosquito vector. Sulfadiazine treatment could be marginally overcome if mosquitoes were provided fresh pABA. In contrast, we determined that gametocytes exposed to sulfadiazine could develop into morphologically mature ookinetes in vitro, thus sulfadiazine exposure in the host may be reversible if the drug is washed out and the parasites are supplemented with pABA in the culture media. Overall, this indicates that sulfadiazine dampens host-to-vector transmission and that this inhibition can only be partially overcome by exposure to fresh pABA in vivo and in vitro. Because gametocytes are of great interest for developing transmission-blocking interventions, we recommend the use of less disruptive approaches for gametocyte enrichment. IMPORTANCE In this work, we have uncovered a substantial problem with how many studies of the sexual stages of rodent malaria parasites are conducted. Briefly, the isolation of sexual blood-stage Plasmodium parasites, or gametocytes, is essential to study pretransmission and transmission-stage biology of malaria. A routine method for the isolation of this specific stage in rodent-infectious malaria models is drug treatment with sulfadiazine, an antifolate that selectively kills actively replicating asexual blood-stage parasites but not gametocytes. Thus, researchers use this as a convenient way to produce highly enriched gametocyte samples. However, in this work, we describe how this standard drug selection with sulfadiazine not only kills asexual blood-stage parasites but also substantially impacts host-to-vector transmission.
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35
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Erriah B, Zhu X, Hu CT, Kahr BE, Shtukenberg A, Ward MD. Crystallography of Contemporary Contact Insecticides. INSECTS 2022; 13:insects13030292. [PMID: 35323590 PMCID: PMC8949367 DOI: 10.3390/insects13030292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Revised: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
The active forms of contact insecticides used for combatting mosquito-borne infectious diseases are typically crystalline solids. Numerous molecular crystals are polymorphic, crystallizing in several solid forms characterized by different physicochemical properties, including bioavailability. Our laboratory recently found that the activity of crystalline contact insecticides is inversely dependent on the thermodynamic stability of their polymorphs, suggesting that efficacy can be enhanced by the manipulation of the solid-state structure. This paper argues that crystallography should be central to the development of contact insecticides, particularly because their efficacy continues to be compromised by insecticide resistance, especially among Anopheles mosquito populations that spread malaria. Although insecticidal compounds with new modes of action have been introduced to overcome resistance, new insecticides are expensive to develop and implement. The repurposing of existing chemical agents in metastable, more active crystalline forms provides an inexpensive and efficient method for ‘evergreening’ compounds whose risks are already well-established. We report herein seven new single-crystal structures of insecticides used for controlling infectious disease vectors. The structures reported herein include pyrethroid insecticides recommended by the WHO for indoor residual spraying (IRS)-bifenthrin, β-cyfluthrin, etofenprox, α-cypermethrin, and λ-cyhalothrin as well as the neonicotinoid insecticide thiacloprid.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Bart E. Kahr
- Correspondence: (B.E.K.); (M.D.W.); Tel.: +1-212-992-9579 (B.E.K.)
| | | | - Michael D. Ward
- Correspondence: (B.E.K.); (M.D.W.); Tel.: +1-212-992-9579 (B.E.K.)
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36
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Consalvi S, Tammaro C, Appetecchia F, Biava M, Poce G. Malaria transmission blocking compounds: a patent review. Expert Opin Ther Pat 2022; 32:649-666. [PMID: 35240899 DOI: 10.1080/13543776.2022.2049239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Despite substantial progress in the field, malaria remains a global health issue and currently available control strategies are not sufficient to achieve eradication. Agents able to prevent transmission are likely to have a strong impact on malaria control and have been prioritized as a primary objective to reduce the number of secondary infections. Therefore, there is an increased interest in finding novel drugs targeting sexual stages of Plasmodium and innovative methods to target malaria transmission from host to vector, and vice versa. AREAS COVERED This review covers innovative transmission-blocking inventions patented between 2015 and October 2021. The focus is on chemical interventions which could be used as "chemical vaccines" to prevent transmission (small molecules, carbohydrates, and polypeptides). EXPERT OPINION Even though the development of novel strategies to block transmission still requires fundamental additional research and a deeper understanding of parasite sexual stages biology, the research in this field has significantly accelerated. Among innovative inventions patented over the last six years, the surface-delivery of antimalarial drugs to kill transmission-stages parasites in mosquitoes holds the highest promise for success in malaria control strategies, opening completely new scenarios in malaria transmission-blocking drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Consalvi
- Department of Chemistry and Technologies of Drug, Sapienza University of Rome, piazzale A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Chiara Tammaro
- Department of Chemistry and Technologies of Drug, Sapienza University of Rome, piazzale A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Federico Appetecchia
- Department of Chemistry and Technologies of Drug, Sapienza University of Rome, piazzale A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Mariangela Biava
- Department of Chemistry and Technologies of Drug, Sapienza University of Rome, piazzale A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanna Poce
- Department of Chemistry and Technologies of Drug, Sapienza University of Rome, piazzale A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
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37
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Shaw WR, Marcenac P, Catteruccia F. Plasmodium development in Anopheles: a tale of shared resources. Trends Parasitol 2022; 38:124-135. [PMID: 34548252 PMCID: PMC8758519 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2021.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Revised: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Interactions between the Anopheles mosquito vector and Plasmodium parasites shape how malaria is transmitted in endemic regions. The long association of these two organisms has led to evolutionary processes that minimize fitness costs of infection and benefit both players through shared nutrient resources, parasite immune suppression, and mosquito tolerance to infection. In this review we explore recent data describing how Plasmodium falciparum, the deadliest malaria parasite, associates with one of its most important natural mosquito hosts, Anopheles gambiae, and we discuss the implications of these findings for parasite transmission and vector control strategies currently in development.
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Affiliation(s)
- W Robert Shaw
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Perrine Marcenac
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Flaminia Catteruccia
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.
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38
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Birkholtz LM, Alano P, Leroy D. Transmission-blocking drugs for malaria elimination. Trends Parasitol 2022; 38:390-403. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2022.01.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2021] [Revised: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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39
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Hien DFDS, Paré PSL, Cooper A, Koama BK, Guissou E, Yaméogo KB, Yerbanga RS, Farrell IW, Ouédraogo JB, Gnankiné O, Ignell R, Cohuet A, Dabiré RK, Stevenson PC, Lefèvre T. Contrasting effects of the alkaloid ricinine on the capacity of Anopheles gambiae and Anopheles coluzzii to transmit Plasmodium falciparum. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:479. [PMID: 34526119 PMCID: PMC8444468 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-04992-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 09/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Besides feeding on blood, females of the malaria vector Anopheles gambiae sensu lato readily feed on natural sources of plant sugars. The impact of toxic secondary phytochemicals contained in plant-derived sugars on mosquito physiology and the development of Plasmodium parasites remains elusive. The focus of this study was to explore the influence of the alkaloid ricinine, found in the nectar of the castor bean Ricinus communis, on the ability of mosquitoes to transmit Plasmodium falciparum. Methods Females of Anopheles gambiae and its sibling species Anopheles coluzzii were exposed to ricinine through sugar feeding assays to assess the effect of this phytochemical on mosquito survival, level of P. falciparum infection and growth rate of the parasite. Results Ricinine induced a significant reduction in the longevity of both Anopheles species. Ricinine caused acceleration in the parasite growth rate with an earlier invasion of the salivary glands in both species. At a concentration of 0.04 g l−1 in An. coluzzii, ricinine had no effect on mosquito infection, while 0.08 g l−1 ricinine-5% glucose solution induced a 14% increase in An. gambiae infection rate. Conclusions Overall, our findings reveal that consumption of certain nectar phytochemicals can have unexpected and contrasting effects on key phenotypic traits that govern the intensity of malaria transmission. Further studies will be required before concluding on the putative role of ricinine as a novel control agent, including the development of ricinine-based toxic and transmission-blocking sugar baits. Testing other secondary phytochemicals in plant nectar will provide a broader understanding of the impact which plants can have on the transmission of vector-borne diseases. Graphical abstract ![]()
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13071-021-04992-z.
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Affiliation(s)
- Domonbabele F D S Hien
- Institut de Recherche en Sciences de La Santé (IRSS), Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso. .,Laboratoire Mixte International Sur Les Vecteurs (LAMIVECT), Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso. .,MIVEGEC, Université de Montpellier, IRD, CNRS, Montpellier, France.
| | - Prisca S L Paré
- Institut de Recherche en Sciences de La Santé (IRSS), Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso.,MIVEGEC, Université de Montpellier, IRD, CNRS, Montpellier, France.,Université Joseph KI-ZERBO, Ougadougou, Burkina Faso
| | - Amanda Cooper
- Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Surrey, Richmond, TW9 3AE, UK
| | - Benjamin K Koama
- Institut de Recherche en Sciences de La Santé (IRSS), Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso.,Institut Des Sciences Et Techniques, Université Nazi Boni, Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
| | - Edwige Guissou
- Institut de Recherche en Sciences de La Santé (IRSS), Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso.,Laboratoire Mixte International Sur Les Vecteurs (LAMIVECT), Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso.,MIVEGEC, Université de Montpellier, IRD, CNRS, Montpellier, France
| | - Koudraogo B Yaméogo
- Institut de Recherche en Sciences de La Santé (IRSS), Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso.,Laboratoire Mixte International Sur Les Vecteurs (LAMIVECT), Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
| | - Rakiswendé S Yerbanga
- Institut de Recherche en Sciences de La Santé (IRSS), Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso.,Laboratoire Mixte International Sur Les Vecteurs (LAMIVECT), Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
| | - Iain W Farrell
- Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Surrey, Richmond, TW9 3AE, UK
| | - Jean B Ouédraogo
- Institut de Recherche en Sciences de La Santé (IRSS), Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
| | | | - Rickard Ignell
- Department of Plant Protection Biology, Unit of Chemical Ecology, Disease Vector Group, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Anna Cohuet
- Laboratoire Mixte International Sur Les Vecteurs (LAMIVECT), Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso.,MIVEGEC, Université de Montpellier, IRD, CNRS, Montpellier, France
| | - Roch K Dabiré
- Institut de Recherche en Sciences de La Santé (IRSS), Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso.,Laboratoire Mixte International Sur Les Vecteurs (LAMIVECT), Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
| | - Philip C Stevenson
- Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Surrey, Richmond, TW9 3AE, UK.,Natural Resources Institute, University of Greenwich, Kent, ME4 4TB, UK
| | - Thierry Lefèvre
- Laboratoire Mixte International Sur Les Vecteurs (LAMIVECT), Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso.,MIVEGEC, Université de Montpellier, IRD, CNRS, Montpellier, France.,Centre de Recherche en Écologie Et Évolution de La Santé (CREES), Montpellier, France
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Yang Y, Tang T, Li X, Michel T, Ling L, Huang Z, Mulaka M, Wu Y, Gao H, Wang L, Zhou J, Meunier B, Ke H, Jiang L, Rao Y. Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of multiple targeting antimalarials. Acta Pharm Sin B 2021; 11:2900-2913. [PMID: 34589403 PMCID: PMC8463279 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2021.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2020] [Revised: 03/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Malaria still threatens global health seriously today. While the current discoveries of antimalarials are almost totally focused on single mode-of-action inhibitors, multi-targeting inhibitors are highly desired to overcome the increasingly serious drug resistance. Here, we performed a structure-based drug design on mitochondrial respiratory chain of Plasmodium falciparum and identified an extremely potent molecule, RYL-581, which binds to multiple protein binding sites of P. falciparum simultaneously (allosteric site of type II NADH dehydrogenase, Qo and Qi sites of cytochrome bc1). Antimalarials with such multiple targeting mechanism of action have never been reported before. RYL-581 kills various drug-resistant strains in vitro and shows good solubility as well as in vivo activity. This structure-based strategy for designing RYL-581 from starting compound may be helpful for other medicinal chemistry projects in the future, especially for drug discovery on membrane-associated targets.
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Makhanthisa TI, Braack L, Lutermann H. The effect of cattle-administered ivermectin and fipronil on the mortality and fecundity of Anopheles arabiensis Patton. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:349. [PMID: 34215295 PMCID: PMC8254271 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-04846-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 06/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Malaria control primarily depends on two vector control strategies: indoor residual spraying (IRS) and long-lasting insecticide-treated nets (LLINs). Both IRS and LLIN target indoor-biting mosquitoes. However, some of the most important malaria vectors have developed resistance against the chemical compounds used in IRS and LLINs. Insecticide-induced behavioural changes in vectors, such as increased outdoor feeding on cattle and other animals, also limit the effectiveness of these strategies. Novel vector control strategies must therefore be found to complement IRS and LLINs. A promising tool is the use of cattle-applied endectocides. Endectocides are broad-spectrum systemic drugs that are effective against a range of internal nematodes parasites and blood-feeding arthropods. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of two endectocide drugs, injectable ivermectin and topical fipronil, on the survival and fecundity of zoophilic Anopheles arabiensis. Methods Laboratory-reared mosquitoes were allowed to feed on cattle treated with either injectable ivermectin (0.2 mg/kg), topical fipronil (1.0 mg/kg) or saline (control) on days 0, 1, 4, 7, 13, 21 and 25 post-treatment, and mortality and egg production were recorded daily. Results Compared to controls, the mortality of An. arabiensis increased by 3.52- and 2.43-fold with injectable ivermectin and topical fipronil, respectively. The overall fecundity of mosquitoes that fed on both ivermectin- and fipronil-treated cattle was significantly reduced by up to 90 and 60%, respectively, compared to the control group. The effects of both drugs attenuated over a period of 3 weeks. Injectable ivermectin was more effective than topical fipronil and increased mosquito mortality by a risk factor of 1.51 higher than fipronil. Similarly, both drugs significantly reduced the fecundity of An. arabiensis. Conclusions This study demonstrates that injectable ivermectin and topical fipronil are able to suppress An. arabiensis density and could help to reduce outdoor malaria transmission. Data from the present study as well as from other similar studies suggest that current-generation endectocides have a limited duration of action and are expensive. However, new-generation, sustained-release formulations of ivermectin have a multi-week, high mortality impact on vector populations, thus holding promise of an effective reduction of outdoor malaria transmission. Graphical abstract ![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Takalani I Makhanthisa
- Mammal Research Institute, Department of Zoology & Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa.,UP Institute for Sustainable Malaria Control, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Leo Braack
- UP Institute for Sustainable Malaria Control, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa.,Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Malaria Consortium, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Heike Lutermann
- Mammal Research Institute, Department of Zoology & Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa.
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A Yeast-Based Drug Discovery Platform To Identify Plasmodium falciparum Type II NADH Dehydrogenase Inhibitors. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2021; 65:AAC.02470-20. [PMID: 33722883 DOI: 10.1128/aac.02470-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2020] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Conventional methods utilizing in vitro protein activity assay or in vivo parasite survival to screen for malaria inhibitors suffer from high experimental background and/or inconvenience. Here, we introduce a yeast-based system to facilitate chemical screening for specific protein or pathway inhibitors. The platform comprises several isogeneic Pichia strains that differ only in the target of interest, so that a compound which inhibits one strain but not the other is implicated in working specifically against the target. We used Plasmodium falciparum NDH2 (PfNDH2), a type II NADH dehydrogenase, as a proof of principle to show how well this works. Three isogenic Pichia strains harboring, respectively, exogeneously introduced PfNDH2, its own complex I (a type I NADH dehydrogenase), and PfNDH2 with its own complex I, were constructed. In a pilot screen of more than 2,000 compounds, we identified a highly specific inhibitor that acts on PfNDH2. This compound poorly inhibits the parasites at the asexual blood stage; however, is highly effective in repressing oocyst maturation in the mosquito stage. Our results demonstrate that the yeast cell-based screen platform is feasible, efficient, economical, and has very low background noise. Similar strategies could be extended to the functional screen for interacting molecules of other targets.
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43
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Memariani H, Memariani M. Melittin as a promising anti-protozoan peptide: current knowledge and future prospects. AMB Express 2021; 11:69. [PMID: 33983454 PMCID: PMC8119515 DOI: 10.1186/s13568-021-01229-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Accepted: 05/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Protozoan diseases such as malaria, leishmaniasis, Chagas disease, and sleeping sickness still levy a heavy toll on human lives. Deplorably, only few classes of anti-protozoan drugs have thus far been developed. The problem is further compounded by their intrinsic toxicity, emergence of drug resistance, and the lack of licensed vaccines. Thus, there is a genuine exigency to develop novel anti-protozoan medications. Over the past years, melittin, the major constituent in the venom of European honeybee Apis mellifera, has gathered the attention of researchers due to its potential therapeutic applications. Insofar as we are aware, there has been no review pertinent to anti-protozoan properties of melittin. The present review outlines the current knowledge about anti-protozoan effects of melittin and its underlying mechanisms. The peptide has proven to be efficacious in killing different protozoan parasites such as Leishmania, Plasmodium, Toxoplasma, and Trypanosoma in vitro. Apart from direct membrane-disruptive activity, melittin is capable of destabilizing calcium homeostasis, reducing mitochondrial membrane potential, disorganizing kinetoplast DNA, instigating apoptotic cell death, and induction of autophagy in protozoan pathogens. Emerging evidence suggests that melittin is a promising candidate for future vaccine adjuvants. Transmission-blocking activity of melittin against vector-borne pathogens underscores its potential utility for both transgenic and paratransgenic manipulations. Nevertheless, future research should focus upon investigating anti-microbial activities of melittin, alone or in combination with the current anti-protozoan medications, against a far broader spectrum of protozoan parasites as well as pre-clinical testing of the peptide in animal models.
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44
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Dessens JT, Tremp AZ, Saeed S. Crystalloids: Fascinating Parasite Organelles Essential for Malaria Transmission. Trends Parasitol 2021; 37:581-584. [PMID: 33941493 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2021.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Revised: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Crystalloids are malaria parasite organelles exclusive to the ookinete and young oocyst life stages that infect the mosquito. The organelles have key roles in sporozoite development and infectivity but the way this is facilitated on a molecular level remains poorly understood. Recent discoveries have shed new light on these processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes T Dessens
- Department of Infection Biology, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, UK.
| | - Annie Z Tremp
- Department of Infection Biology, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Sadia Saeed
- Department of Infection Biology, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, UK
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45
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Favipiravir Does Not Inhibit Chikungunya Virus Replication in Mosquito Cells and Aedes aegypti Mosquitoes. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9050944. [PMID: 33925738 PMCID: PMC8145424 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9050944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2021] [Revised: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Favipiravir (T-705) is a broad-spectrum antiviral drug that inhibits RNA viruses after intracellular conversion into its active form, T-705 ribofuranosyl 5'-triphosphate. We previously showed that T-705 is able to significantly inhibit the replication of chikungunya virus (CHIKV), an arbovirus transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, in mammalian cells and in mouse models. In contrast, the effect of T-705 on CHIKV infection and replication in the mosquito vector is unknown. Since the antiviral activity of T-705 has been shown to be cell line-dependent, we studied here its antiviral efficacy in Aedes-derived mosquito cells and in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. Interestingly, T-705 was devoid of anti-CHIKV activity in mosquito cells, despite being effective against CHIKV in Vero cells. By investigating the metabolic activation profile, we showed that, unlike Vero cells, mosquito cells were not able to convert T-705 into its active form. To explore whether alternative metabolization pathways might exist in vivo, Aedes aegypti mosquitoes were infected with CHIKV and administered T-705 via an artificial blood meal. Virus titrations of whole mosquitoes showed that T-705 was not able to reduce CHIKV infection in mosquitoes. Combined, these in vitro and in vivo data indicate that T-705 lacks antiviral activity in mosquitoes due to inadequate metabolic activation in this animal species.
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46
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Niu G, Wang X, Hao Y, Kandel S, Niu G, Raptis RG, Li J. A novel fungal metabolite inhibits Plasmodium falciparum transmission and infection. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:177. [PMID: 33761961 PMCID: PMC7992847 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-04677-7] [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: 07/03/2020] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Malaria transmission depends on infected mosquitoes and can be controlled by transmission-blocking drugs. The recently discovered FREP1-mediated malaria transmission pathway is an excellent target to screen drugs for limiting transmission. Methods To identify candidate small molecules, we used an ELISA-based approach to analyze extracts from a fungal library for inhibition of the FREP1–parasite interaction. We isolated and determined one active compound by chromatography and crystallography, respectively. We measured the effects of the bioactive compound on malaria transmission to mosquitoes through standard membrane-feeding assays (SMFA) and on parasite proliferation in blood by culturing. Results We discovered the ethyl acetate extract of the fungus Purpureocillium lilacinum that inhibited Plasmodium falciparum transmission to mosquitoes. Pre-exposure to the extract rendered Anopheles gambiae resistant to Plasmodium infection. Furthermore, we isolated one novel active compound from the extract and identified it as 3-amino-7,9-dihydroxy-1-methyl-6H-benzo[c]chromen-6-one, or “pulixin.” Pulixin prevented FREP1 from binding to P. falciparum-infected cell lysate. Pulixin blocked the transmission of the parasite to mosquitoes with an EC50 (the concentration that gave half-maximal response) of 11 µM based on SMFA. Notably, pulixin also inhibited the proliferation of asexual-stage P. falciparum with an EC50 of 47 nM. The compound did not show cytotoxic effects at a concentration of 116 µM or lower. Conclusion By targeting the FREP1–Plasmodium interaction, we discovered that Purpureocillium lilacinum extract blocked malaria transmission. We isolated and identified the bioactive agent pulixin as a new compound capable of stopping malaria transmission to mosquitoes and inhibiting parasite proliferation in blood culture.![]() Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13071-021-04677-7.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guodong Niu
- Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th St, Miami, FL, 33199, USA
| | - Xiaohong Wang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th St, Miami, FL, 33199, USA
| | - Yue Hao
- Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th St, Miami, FL, 33199, USA.,College of Public Health, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Shambhu Kandel
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th St, Miami, FL, 33199, USA
| | - Guomin Niu
- Department of Hematology, Southern Medical University Affiliated Nanhai Hospital, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Raphael G Raptis
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th St, Miami, FL, 33199, USA.,Biomolecular Sciences Institute, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th St, Miami, FL, 33199, USA
| | - Jun Li
- Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th St, Miami, FL, 33199, USA. .,Biomolecular Sciences Institute, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th St, Miami, FL, 33199, USA.
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Feng Y, Chen L, Gao L, Dong L, Wen H, Song X, Luo F, Cheng G, Wang J. Rapamycin inhibits pathogen transmission in mosquitoes by promoting immune activation. PLoS Pathog 2021; 17:e1009353. [PMID: 33626094 PMCID: PMC7939355 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1009353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Revised: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Repeated blood meals provide essential nutrients for mosquito egg development and routes for pathogen transmission. The target of rapamycin, the TOR pathway, is essential for vitellogenesis. However, its influence on pathogen transmission remains to be elucidated. Here, we show that rapamycin, an inhibitor of the TOR pathway, effectively suppresses Plasmodium berghei infection in Anopheles stephensi. An. stephensi injected with rapamycin or feeding on rapamycin-treated mice showed increased resistance to P. berghei infection. Exposing An. stephensi to a rapamycin-coated surface not only decreased the numbers of both oocysts and sporozoites but also impaired mosquito survival and fecundity. Transcriptome analysis revealed that the inhibitory effect of rapamycin on parasite infection was through the enhanced activation of immune responses, especially the NF-κB transcription factor REL2, a regulator of the immune pathway and complement system. Knockdown of REL2 in rapamycin-treated mosquitoes abrogated the induction of the complement-like proteins TEP1 and SPCLIP1 and abolished rapamycin-mediated refractoriness to Plasmodium infection. Together, these findings demonstrate a key role of the TOR pathway in regulating mosquito immune responses, thereby influencing vector competence. Anautogenous mosquitoes must consume vertebrate blood meals to complete oogenesis. Repeated blood feeding makes the mosquitoes efficient disease-transmitting vectors. The TOR pathway activated by ingested blood is known as an important regulator for vitellogenesis in mosquitoes. Herein, we show that the protein kinase TOR is involved in the regulation of mosquitoes’ susceptibility to Plasmodium infection. Inhibition of the TOR pathway by rapamycin upregulates the expression of REL2, a transcription factor controlling the expression of a variety of immune effectors. The enhanced immune responses in turn promote parasite elimination. Therefore, the TOR pathway plays a dual role in not only regulating mosquito reproduction but also in their vector potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuebiao Feng
- The State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Contemporary Anthropology, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lu Chen
- Tsinghua-Peking Joint Center for Life Sciences, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Structural Biology, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Li Gao
- The State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Contemporary Anthropology, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Li Dong
- The State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Contemporary Anthropology, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Han Wen
- The State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Contemporary Anthropology, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiumei Song
- The State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Contemporary Anthropology, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Fang Luo
- The State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Contemporary Anthropology, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Gong Cheng
- Tsinghua-Peking Joint Center for Life Sciences, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Structural Biology, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- * E-mail: (GC); (JW)
| | - Jingwen Wang
- The State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Contemporary Anthropology, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- * E-mail: (GC); (JW)
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Jones RT, Pretorius E, Ant TH, Bradley J, Last A, Logan JG. The use of islands and cluster-randomized trials to investigate vector control interventions: a case study on the Bijagós archipelago, Guinea-Bissau. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2021; 376:20190807. [PMID: 33357055 PMCID: PMC7776941 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2019.0807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Vector-borne diseases threaten the health of populations around the world. While key interventions continue to provide protection from vectors, there remains a need to develop and test new vector control tools. Cluster-randomized trials, in which the intervention or control is randomly allocated to clusters, are commonly selected for such evaluations, but their design must carefully consider cluster size and cluster separation, as well as the movement of people and vectors, to ensure sufficient statistical power and avoid contamination of results. Island settings present an opportunity to conduct these studies. Here, we explore the benefits and challenges of conducting intervention studies on islands and introduce the Bijagós archipelago of Guinea-Bissau as a potential study site for interventions intended to control vector-borne diseases. This article is part of the theme issue 'Novel control strategies for mosquito-borne diseases'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert T. Jones
- Department of Disease Control, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, Bloomsbury, London WC1E 7HT, UK
- ARCTEC, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, Bloomsbury, London WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Elizabeth Pretorius
- Department of Disease Control, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, Bloomsbury, London WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Thomas H. Ant
- Centre for Virus Research, Bearsden Road, Bearsden, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK
| | - John Bradley
- MRC International Statistics and Epidemiology Group, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, Bloomsbury, London WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Anna Last
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, Bloomsbury, London WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - James G. Logan
- Department of Disease Control, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, Bloomsbury, London WC1E 7HT, UK
- ARCTEC, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, Bloomsbury, London WC1E 7HT, UK
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Ekoka E, Maharaj S, Nardini L, Dahan-Moss Y, Koekemoer LL. 20-Hydroxyecdysone (20E) signaling as a promising target for the chemical control of malaria vectors. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:86. [PMID: 33514413 PMCID: PMC7844807 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04558-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Accepted: 12/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
With the rapid development and spread of resistance to insecticides among anopheline malaria vectors, the efficacy of current World Health Organization (WHO)-approved insecticides targeting these vectors is under threat. This has led to the development of novel interventions, including improved and enhanced insecticide formulations with new targets or synergists or with added sterilants and/or antimalarials, among others. To date, several studies in mosquitoes have revealed that the 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) signaling pathway regulates both vector abundance and competence, two parameters that influence malaria transmission. Therefore, insecticides which target 20E signaling (e.g. methoxyfenozide and halofenozide) may be an asset for malaria vector control. While such insecticides are already commercially available for lepidopteran and coleopteran pests, they still need to be approved by the WHO for malaria vector control programs. Until recently, chemicals targeting 20E signaling were considered to be insect growth regulators, and their effect was mostly studied against immature mosquito stages. However, in the last few years, promising results have been obtained by applying methoxyfenozide or halofenozide (two compounds that boost 20E signaling) to Anopheles populations at different phases of their life-cycle. In addition, preliminary studies suggest that methoxyfenozide resistance is unstable, causing the insects substantial fitness costs, thereby potentially circumventing one of the biggest challenges faced by current vector control efforts. In this review, we first describe the 20E signaling pathway in mosquitoes and then summarize the mechanisms whereby 20E signaling regulates the physiological processes associated with vector competence and vector abundance. Finally, we discuss the potential of using chemicals targeting 20E signaling to control malaria vectors.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Elodie Ekoka
- WITS Research Institute for Malaria, School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa. .,Centre for Emerging, Zoonotic & Parasitic Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, Johannesburg, South Africa.
| | - Surina Maharaj
- WITS Research Institute for Malaria, School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.,Centre for Emerging, Zoonotic & Parasitic Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Luisa Nardini
- WITS Research Institute for Malaria, School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.,Centre for Emerging, Zoonotic & Parasitic Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Yael Dahan-Moss
- WITS Research Institute for Malaria, School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.,Centre for Emerging, Zoonotic & Parasitic Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Lizette L Koekemoer
- WITS Research Institute for Malaria, School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.,Centre for Emerging, Zoonotic & Parasitic Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, Johannesburg, South Africa
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50
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Villa M, Buysse M, Berthomieu A, Rivero A. The transmission-blocking effects of antimalarial drugs revisited: fitness costs and sporontocidal effects of artesunate and sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine. Int J Parasitol 2021; 51:279-289. [PMID: 33508331 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2020.09.012] [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: 07/18/2020] [Revised: 09/22/2020] [Accepted: 09/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Assays used to evaluate the transmission-blocking activity of antimalarial drugs are largely focused on their potential to inhibit or reduce the infectivity of gametocytes, the blood stages of the parasite that are responsible for the onward transmission to the mosquito vector. For this purpose, the drug is administered concomitantly with gametocyte-infected blood, and the results are evaluated as the percentage of reduction in the number of oocysts in the mosquito midgut. We report the results of a series of experiments that explore the transmission-blocking potential of two key antimalarial drugs, artesunate and sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine, when administered to mosquitoes already infected from a previous blood meal. For this purpose, uninfected mosquitoes and mosquitoes carrying a 6 day old Plasmodium relictum infection (early oocyst stages) were allowed to feed either on a drug-treated or an untreated host in a fully factorial experiment. This protocol allowed us to bypass the gametocyte stages and establish whether the drugs have a sporontocidal effect, i.e. whether they are able to arrest the ongoing development of oocysts and sporozoites, as would be the case when a mosquito takes a post-infection treated blood meal. In a separate experiment, we also explored whether a drug-treated blood meal impacted key life history traits of the mosquito relevant for transmission, and if this depended on their infection status. Our results showed that feeding on an artesunate- or sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine-treated hosts has no epidemiologically relevant effects on the fitness of infected or uninfected mosquitoes. In contrast, when infected mosquitoes fed on an sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine-treated host, we observed both a significant increase in the number of oocysts in the midgut, and a drastic decrease in both sporozoite prevalence (-30%) and burden (-80%) compared with the untreated controls. We discuss the potential mechanisms underlying these seemingly contradictory results and contend that, provided the results are translatable to human malaria, the potential epidemiological and evolutionary consequences of the current preventive use of sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine in malaria-endemic countries could be substantial.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Villa
- MIVEGEC (CNRS - IRD - Université de Montpellier), France.
| | - M Buysse
- MIVEGEC (CNRS - IRD - Université de Montpellier), France
| | - A Berthomieu
- MIVEGEC (CNRS - IRD - Université de Montpellier), France; CREES (Centre d'Écologie et Évolution de la Santé, Montpellier), 911 avenue Agropolis, 34394 Montpellier, France
| | - A Rivero
- MIVEGEC (CNRS - IRD - Université de Montpellier), France; CREES (Centre d'Écologie et Évolution de la Santé, Montpellier), 911 avenue Agropolis, 34394 Montpellier, France
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