1
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Voss TS, Brancucci NM. Regulation of sexual commitment in malaria parasites - a complex affair. Curr Opin Microbiol 2024; 79:102469. [PMID: 38574448 DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2024.102469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Abstract
Malaria blood stage parasites commit to either one of two distinct cellular fates while developing within erythrocytes of their mammalian host: they either undergo another round of asexual replication or they differentiate into nonreplicative transmissible gametocytes. Depending on the state of infection, either path may support or impair the ultimate goal of human-to-human transmission via the mosquito vector. Malaria parasites therefore evolved strategies to control investments into asexual proliferation versus gametocyte formation. Recent work provided fascinating molecular insight into shared and unique mechanisms underlying the control and environmental modulation of sexual commitment in the two most widely studied malaria parasite species, Plasmodium falciparum and P. berghei. With this review, we aim at placing these findings into a comparative mechanistic context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Till S Voss
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, 4123 Allschwil, Switzerland; University of Basel, 4001 Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Nicolas Mb Brancucci
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, 4123 Allschwil, Switzerland; University of Basel, 4001 Basel, Switzerland.
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2
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Chahine Z, Abel S, Hollin T, Chung JH, Barnes GL, Daub ME, Renard I, Choi JY, Pratap V, Pal A, Alba-Argomaniz M, Banks CAS, Kirkwood J, Saraf A, Camino I, Castaneda P, Cuevas MC, De Mercado-Arnanz J, Fernandez-Alvaro E, Garcia-Perez A, Ibarz N, Viera-Morilla S, Prudhomme J, Joyner CJ, Bei AK, Florens L, Ben Mamoun C, Vanderwal CD, Le Roch KG. A Potent Kalihinol Analogue Disrupts Apicoplast Function and Vesicular Trafficking in P. falciparum Malaria. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.11.21.568162. [PMID: 38045341 PMCID: PMC10690269 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.21.568162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
Here we report the discovery of MED6-189, a new analogue of the kalihinol family of isocyanoterpene (ICT) natural products. MED6-189 is effective against drug-sensitive and -resistant P. falciparum strains blocking both intraerythrocytic asexual replication and sexual differentiation. This compound was also effective against P. knowlesi and P. cynomolgi. In vivo efficacy studies using a humanized mouse model of malaria confirms strong efficacy of the compound in animals with no apparent hemolytic activity or apparent toxicity. Complementary chemical biology, molecular biology, genomics and cell biological analyses revealed that MED6-189 primarily targets the parasite apicoplast and acts by inhibiting lipid biogenesis and cellular trafficking. Genetic analyses in P. falciparum revealed that a mutation in PfSec13, which encodes a component of the parasite secretory machinery, reduced susceptibility to the drug. The high potency of MED6-189 in vitro and in vivo, its broad range of efficacy, excellent therapeutic profile, and unique mode of action make it an excellent addition to the antimalarial drug pipeline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Z Chahine
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, University of California Riverside, CA, USA
| | - S Abel
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, University of California Riverside, CA, USA
| | - T Hollin
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, University of California Riverside, CA, USA
| | - JH Chung
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, California, 92617, USA
| | - GL Barnes
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, California, 92617, USA
| | - ME Daub
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, California, 92617, USA
| | - I Renard
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - JY Choi
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - V Pratap
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - A Pal
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - M Alba-Argomaniz
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
- Center for Vaccines and Immunology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - CAS Banks
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, 1000 E. 50th Street, Kansas City, MO 64110, USA
| | - J Kirkwood
- Metabolomics Core Facility, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
| | - A Saraf
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, 1000 E. 50th Street, Kansas City, MO 64110, USA
| | - I Camino
- GSK, C/ Severo Ochoa, 2 PTM, 28760 Tres Cantos (Madrid), Spain
| | - P Castaneda
- GSK, C/ Severo Ochoa, 2 PTM, 28760 Tres Cantos (Madrid), Spain
| | - MC Cuevas
- GSK, C/ Severo Ochoa, 2 PTM, 28760 Tres Cantos (Madrid), Spain
| | | | | | - A Garcia-Perez
- GSK, C/ Severo Ochoa, 2 PTM, 28760 Tres Cantos (Madrid), Spain
| | - N Ibarz
- GSK, C/ Severo Ochoa, 2 PTM, 28760 Tres Cantos (Madrid), Spain
| | - S Viera-Morilla
- GSK, C/ Severo Ochoa, 2 PTM, 28760 Tres Cantos (Madrid), Spain
| | - J Prudhomme
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, University of California Riverside, CA, USA
| | - CJ Joyner
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
- Center for Vaccines and Immunology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - AK Bei
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - L Florens
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, 1000 E. 50th Street, Kansas City, MO 64110, USA
| | - C Ben Mamoun
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - CD Vanderwal
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, California, 92617, USA
| | - KG Le Roch
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, University of California Riverside, CA, USA
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3
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Zhang Y, Jen FEC, Edwards JL, Jennings MP. Analysis of Bacterial Phosphorylcholine-Related Genes Reveals an Association between Type-Specific Biosynthesis Pathways and Biomolecules Targeted for Phosphorylcholine Modification. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0158323. [PMID: 37436144 PMCID: PMC10434233 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01583-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Many bacterial surface proteins and carbohydrates are modified with phosphorylcholine (ChoP), which contributes to host mimicry and can also promote colonization and survival in the host. However, the ChoP biosynthetic pathways that are used in bacterial species that express ChoP have not been systematically studied. For example, the well-studied Lic-1 pathway is absent in some ChoP-expressing bacteria, such as Neisseria meningitidis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae. This raises a question as to the origin of the ChoP used for macromolecule biosynthesis in these species. In the current study, we used in silico analyses to identify the potential pathways involved in ChoP biosynthesis in genomes of the 26 bacterial species reported to express a ChoP-modified biomolecule. We used the four known ChoP biosynthetic pathways and a ChoP transferase as search terms to probe for their presence in these genomes. We found that the Lic-1 pathway is primarily associated with organisms producing ChoP-modified carbohydrates, such as lipooligosaccharide. Pilin phosphorylcholine transferase A (PptA) homologs were detected in all bacteria that express ChoP-modified proteins. Additionally, ChoP biosynthesis pathways, such as phospholipid N-methyltransferase (PmtA), phosphatidylcholine synthase (Pcs), or the acylation-dependent phosphatidylcholine biosynthesis pathway, which generate phosphatidylcholine, were also identified in species that produce ChoP-modified proteins. Thus, a major finding of this study is the association of a particular ChoP biosynthetic pathway with a cognate, target ChoP-modified surface factor; i.e., protein versus carbohydrate. This survey failed to identify a known biosynthetic pathway for some species that express ChoP, indicating that a novel ChoP biosynthetic pathway(s) may remain to be identified. IMPORTANCE The modification of bacterial surface virulence factors with phosphorylcholine (ChoP) plays an important role in bacterial virulence and pathogenesis. However, the ChoP biosynthetic pathways in bacteria have not been fully understood. In this study, we used in silico analysis to identify potential ChoP biosynthetic pathways in bacteria that express ChoP-modified biomolecules and found the association between a specific ChoP biosynthesis pathway and the cognate target ChoP-modified surface factor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Zhang
- Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University, Southport, Australia
| | - Freda E.-C. Jen
- Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University, Southport, Australia
| | - Jennifer L. Edwards
- Center for Microbial Pathogenesis, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
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4
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Schneider V, Visone J, Harris C, Florini F, Hadjimichael E, Zhang X, Gross M, Rhee K, Ben Mamoun C, Kafsack B, Deitsch K. The human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum can sense environmental changes and respond by antigenic switching. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2302152120. [PMID: 37068249 PMCID: PMC10151525 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2302152120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The primary antigenic and virulence determinant of the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum is a variant surface protein called PfEMP1. Different forms of PfEMP1 are encoded by a multicopy gene family called var, and switching between active genes enables the parasites to evade the antibody response of their human hosts. var gene switching is key for the maintenance of chronic infections; however, what controls switching is unknown, although it has been suggested to occur at a constant frequency with little or no environmental influence. var gene transcription is controlled epigenetically through the activity of histone methyltransferases (HMTs). Studies in model systems have shown that metabolism and epigenetic control of gene expression are linked through the availability of intracellular S-adenosylmethionine (SAM), the principal methyl donor in biological methylation modifications, which can fluctuate based on nutrient availability. To determine whether environmental conditions and changes in metabolism can influence var gene expression, P. falciparum was cultured in media with altered concentrations of nutrients involved in SAM metabolism. We found that conditions that influence lipid metabolism induce var gene switching, indicating that parasites can respond to changes in their environment by altering var gene expression patterns. Genetic modifications that directly modified expression of the enzymes that control SAM levels similarly led to profound changes in var gene expression, confirming that changes in SAM availability modulate var gene switching. These observations directly challenge the paradigm that antigenic variation in P. falciparum follows an intrinsic, programed switching rate, which operates independently of any external stimuli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria M. Schneider
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY14853
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Microbial Pathogenesis, Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065
| | - Joseph E. Visone
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY14853
| | - Chantal T. Harris
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY14853
| | - Francesca Florini
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY14853
| | - Evi Hadjimichael
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY14853
| | - Xu Zhang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY14853
| | - Mackensie R. Gross
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY14853
| | - Kyu Y. Rhee
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY14853
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY14853
| | - Choukri Ben Mamoun
- Section of Infectious Disease, Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University New Haven, CT 06510
| | - Björn F. C. Kafsack
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY14853
| | - Kirk W. Deitsch
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY14853
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5
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Sheokand PK, Yamaryo-Botté Y, Narwal M, Arnold CS, Thakur V, Islam MM, Banday MM, Asad M, Botté CY, Mohmmed A. A Plasmodium falciparum lysophospholipase regulates host fatty acid flux via parasite lipid storage to enable controlled asexual schizogony. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112251. [PMID: 37015228 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Phospholipid metabolism is crucial for membrane biogenesis and homeostasis of Plasmodium falciparum. To generate such phospholipids, the parasite extensively scavenges, recycles, and reassembles host lipids. P. falciparum possesses an unusually large number of lysophospholipases, whose roles and importance remain to be elucidated. Here, we functionally characterize one P. falciparum lysophospholipase, PfLPL3, to reveal its key role in parasite propagation during asexual blood stages. PfLPL3 displays a dynamic localization throughout asexual stages, mainly localizing in the host-parasite interface. Inducible knockdown of PfLPL3 disrupts parasite development from trophozoites to schizont, inducing a drastic reduction in merozoite progenies. Detailed lipidomic analyses show that PfLPL3 generates fatty acids from scavenged host lipids to generate neutral lipids. These are then timely mobilized to allow schizogony and merozoite formation. We then identify inhibitors of PfLPL3 from Medicine for Malaria Venture (MMV) with potent antimalarial activity, which could also serve as pertinent chemical tools to study parasite lipid synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pradeep Kumar Sheokand
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi 110 067, India
| | - Yoshiki Yamaryo-Botté
- ApicoLipid Team, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, CNRS UMR5309, Université Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, Grenoble, France
| | - Monika Narwal
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi 110 067, India
| | - Christophe-Sébastien Arnold
- ApicoLipid Team, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, CNRS UMR5309, Université Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, Grenoble, France
| | - Vandana Thakur
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi 110 067, India
| | - Md Muzahidul Islam
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi 110 067, India
| | - Mudassir M Banday
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi 110 067, India
| | - Mohd Asad
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi 110 067, India
| | - Cyrille Y Botté
- ApicoLipid Team, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, CNRS UMR5309, Université Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, Grenoble, France.
| | - Asif Mohmmed
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi 110 067, India.
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6
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Kwarteng DO, Gangoda M, Kooijman EE. The effect of methylated phosphatidylethanolamine derivatives on the ionization properties of signaling phosphatidic acid. Biophys Chem 2023; 296:107005. [PMID: 36934676 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpc.2023.107005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023]
Abstract
Phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) and Phosphatidylcholine (PC) are the most abundant glycerophospholipids in eukaryotic membranes. The differences in the physicochemical properties of their headgroups have contrasting modulatory effects on their interaction with intracellular macromolecules. As such, their overall impact on membrane structure and function differs significantly. Enzymatic methylation of PE's amine headgroup produces two methylated derivatives namely monomethyl PE (MMPE) and dimethyl PE (DMPE) which have physicochemical properties that generally range between that of PE and PC. Additionally, their influence on membrane properties differs from both PE and PC. Although variations in headgroup methylation have been reported to affect signaling pathways, the direct influence that these differences exert on the ionization properties of signaling phospholipids have not been investigated. Here, we briefly review membrane function and structure that are mediated by the differences in headgroup methylation between PE, MMPE, DMPE and PC. In addition, using 31P MAS NMR, we investigate the effect of these four phospholipids on the ionization properties of the ubiquitous signaling anionic lipid phosphatidic acid (PA). Our results show that PA's ionization properties are differentially affected by changes in phospholipid headgroup methylation. This could have important implications for PA-protein binding and hence physiological functions in cells where signaling events lead to changes in abundance of methylated PE derivatives in the membrane.
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Affiliation(s)
- Desmond Owusu Kwarteng
- Department of Biological Sciences, Kent State University, P.O. Box 5190, Kent, OH 44242, USA.
| | - Mahinda Gangoda
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Kent State University, P.O. Box 5190, Kent, OH 44242, USA
| | - Edgar E Kooijman
- Department of Biological Sciences, Kent State University, P.O. Box 5190, Kent, OH 44242, USA.
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7
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Bare A, Thomas J, Etoroma D, Lee SG. Functional analysis of phosphoethanolamine N-methyltransferase in plants and parasites: Essential S-adenosylmethionine-dependent methyltransferase in choline and phospholipid metabolism. Methods Enzymol 2023; 680:101-137. [PMID: 36710008 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mie.2022.08.028] [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: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Phospholipids play an essential role as a barrier between cell content and the extracellular environment and regulate various cell signaling processes. Phosphatidylcholine (PtdCho) is one of the most abundant phospholipids in plant, animal, and some prokaryote cell membranes. In plants and some parasites, the biosynthesis of PtdCho begins with the amino acid serine, followed mainly through a phosphoethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PMT)-mediated biosynthetic pathway to phosphocholine (pCho). Because the PMT-mediated pathway, referred to as the phosphobase methylation pathway, produces a series of important primary and specialized metabolites for plant development and stress response, understanding the PMT enzyme is a key aspect of engineering plants with improved stress tolerance and fortified nutrients. Importantly, given the very limited phylogenetic distribution of PMTs, functional analysis and the identification of inhibitors targeting PMTs have potential and positive impacts in humans and in veterinary and agricultural fields. Here, we describe detailed basic knowledge and practical research methods to enable the systematic study of the biochemical and biophysical functions of PMT. The research methods described in this chapter are also applicable to the studies of other ubiquitous S-adenosyl-l-methionine (SAM)-dependent methyltransferases in all kingdoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex Bare
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of North Carolina Wilmington, Wilmington, NC, United States
| | - Jaime Thomas
- Department of Chemistry, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Daniel Etoroma
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of North Carolina Wilmington, Wilmington, NC, United States
| | - Soon Goo Lee
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of North Carolina Wilmington, Wilmington, NC, United States.
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8
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Wang F, Song J, Yan Y, Zhou Q, Li X, Wang P, Yang Z, Zhang Q, Zhang H. Integrated Network Pharmacology Analysis and Serum Metabolomics to Reveal the Anti-malaria Mechanism of Artesunate. ACS OMEGA 2022; 7:31482-31494. [PMID: 36092633 PMCID: PMC9453802 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.2c04157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Artesunate is a widely used drug in clinical treatment of malaria. The aim of this study was to investigate the therapeutic mechanism of artesunate on malaria using an integrated strategy of network pharmacology and serum metabolomics. The mice models of malaria were established using 2 × 107 red blood cells infected with Plasmodium berghei ANKA injection. Giemsa and hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining were used to evaluate the efficacy of artesunate on malaria. Next, network pharmacology analysis was applied to identify target genes. Then, a metabolomics strategy has been developed to find the possible significant serum metabolites and metabolic pathways induced by artesunate. Additionally, two parts of the results were integrated to confirm each other. Giemsa and HE staining results showed that artesunate significantly inhibited the proliferation of Plasmodium and reduced liver and spleen inflammation. Based on metabolomics, 18 differential endogenous metabolites were identified as potential biomarkers related to the artesunate for treating malaria. These metabolites were mainly involved in the relevant pathways of biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids; aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis; valine, leucine, and isoleucine biosynthesis; and phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan biosynthesis. The results of the network pharmacology analysis showed 125 potential target genes related to the treatment of malaria with artesunate. The functional enrichment was mainly associated with lipid and atherosclerosis; pathways of prostate cancer and proteoglycans in cancer; and PI3K-Akt, apoptosis, NF-κB, Th17 cell, and AGE-RAGE signaling pathways. These findings were partly consistent with the findings of the metabolism. Our results further suggested that artesunate could correct the inflammatory response caused by malaria through Th17 cell and NF-κB pathways. Meanwhile, our work revealed that cholesterol needed by Plasmodium berghei came directly from serum. Cholesterol and palmitic acid may be essential in the growth and reproduction of Plasmodium berghei. In summary, artesunate may have an effect on anti-malarial properties through multiple targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feiran Wang
- Shandong
University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250355, P. R. China
- Shandong
Academy of Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250014, P. R. China
| | - Jian Song
- Shandong
University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250355, P. R. China
| | - Yingying Yan
- Shandong
University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250355, P. R. China
| | - Qian Zhou
- Shandong
Academy of Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250014, P. R. China
| | - Xiaojing Li
- Shandong
Academy of Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250014, P. R. China
| | - Ping Wang
- Shandong
Academy of Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250014, P. R. China
| | - Zongtong Yang
- Shandong
Academy of Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250014, P. R. China
| | - Qiuhong Zhang
- Jinan
Center for Food and Drug Control, Jinan 250102, P. R. China
| | - Huimin Zhang
- Shandong
Academy of Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250014, P. R. China
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9
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Anwar O, Islam M, Thakur V, Kaur I, Mohmmed A. Defining ER-mitochondria contact dynamics in Plasmodium falciparum by targeting component of phospholipid synthesis pathway, Phosphatidylserine synthase (PfPSS). Mitochondrion 2022; 65:124-138. [PMID: 35623558 DOI: 10.1016/j.mito.2022.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Revised: 05/14/2022] [Accepted: 05/22/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
The malaria parasite completes the asexual cycle inside the host erythrocyte, which requires extensive membrane biogenesis for its development and multiplication. Metabolic pathways for the synthesis of membrane phospholipids (PL), including phosphatidylcholine (PC), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) and phosphatidylserine (PS), are crucial for parasite survival. Here, we have studied the P. falciparum enzyme responsible for PS synthesis, Phosphatidylserine synthase (PfPSS), GFP targeting approach confirmed it to be localized in the parasite ER as well as in ER-protrusions. Detailed high resolution microscopy, using these transgenic parasites expressing PfPSS-GFP, redefined the dynamics of ER during the intraerythrocytic life cycle and its association with the mitochondria. We report for the first time presence of ER-mitochondria contact (ERMC) in Plasmodium; ERMC is formed by PfPSS containing ER-protrusions, which associate with the mitochondria surface throughout the parasite growth cycle. Further, ERMC is found to be stable and refractory to ER and mitochondrial stresses, suggesting that it is formed through strong tethering complexes. PfPSS was found to interact with other major key enzyme involved in PL synthesis, choline/Etn-phosphotransferase (CEPT), which suggest that ER is the major site for PL biosynthesis. Overall, this study defines the morphological organisation of ERMC which mediates PL synthesis/transport in the Plasmodium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omair Anwar
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi 110 067, India
| | - Muzahidul Islam
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi 110 067, India
| | - Vandana Thakur
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi 110 067, India
| | - Inderjeet Kaur
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi 110 067, India
| | - Asif Mohmmed
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi 110 067, India.
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10
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Chambrion C, Depond M, Angella L, Mouri O, Kendjo E, Fricot-Monsinjon A, Roussel C, Biligui S, Tantaoui I, Taieb A, Argy N, Houzé S, Piarroux R, Siriez JY, Jaureguiberry S, Larréché S, Théllier M, Cenac N, Buffet P, Ndour PA. Altered Subpopulations of Red Blood Cells and Post-treatment Anemia in Malaria. Front Physiol 2022; 13:875189. [PMID: 35480048 PMCID: PMC9037233 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.875189] [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: 02/13/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In acute malaria, the bulk of erythrocyte loss occurs after therapy, with a nadir of hemoglobin generally observed 3–7 days after treatment. The fine mechanisms leading to this early post-treatment anemia are still elusive. We explored pathological changes in RBC subpopulations by quantifying biochemical and mechanical alterations during severe malaria treated with artemisinin derivatives, a drug family that induce “pitting” in the spleen. In this study, the hemoglobin concentration dropped by 1.93 G/dl during therapy. During the same period, iRBC accounting for 6.12% of all RBC before therapy (BT) were replaced by pitted-RBC, accounting for 5.33% of RBC after therapy (AT). RBC loss was thus of 15.9%, of which only a minor part was due to the loss of iRBC or pitted-RBC. When comparing RBC BT and AT to normal controls, lipidomics revealed an increase in the cholesterol/phosphatidylethanolamine ratio (0.17 versus 0.24, p < 0.001) and cholesterol/phosphatidylinositol ratio (0.36 versus 0.67, p = 0.001). Using ektacytometry, we observed a reduced deformability of circulating RBC, similar BT and AT, compared to health control donors. The mean Elongation Index at 1.69Pa was 0.24 BT and 0.23 AT vs. 0.28 in controls (p < 0.0001). At 30Pa EI was 0.56 BT and 0.56 AT vs. 0.60 in controls (p < 0.001). The retention rate (rr) of RBC subpopulations in spleen-mimetic microsphere layers was higher for iRBC (rr = 20% p = 0.0033) and pitted-RBC (rr = 19%, p = 0.0031) than for healthy RBC (0.12%). Somewhat surprisingly, the post-treatment anemia in malaria results from the elimination of RBC that were never infected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Chambrion
- Biologie Intégrée du Globule Rouge, Université de Paris, Université des Antilles, Paris, France
| | - Mallorie Depond
- Biologie Intégrée du Globule Rouge, Université de Paris, Université des Antilles, Paris, France
| | - Lucia Angella
- Biologie Intégrée du Globule Rouge, Université de Paris, Université des Antilles, Paris, France
| | - Oussama Mouri
- Centre National de Référence du Paludisme, Hôpital Pitié Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | - Eric Kendjo
- Centre National de Référence du Paludisme, Hôpital Pitié Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | | | - Camille Roussel
- Biologie Intégrée du Globule Rouge, Université de Paris, Université des Antilles, Paris, France
- Laboratoire d'Hématologie, Hôpital Universitaire Necker-Enfants Malades, Paris, France
| | - Sylvestre Biligui
- Centre National de Référence du Paludisme, Hôpital Pitié Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | - Ilhame Tantaoui
- Centre National de Référence du Paludisme, Hôpital Pitié Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | - Aida Taieb
- Centre National de Référence du Paludisme, Hôpital Pitié Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | - Nicolas Argy
- Centre National de Référence du Paludisme, Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Hôpital Bichat-Claude Bernard, Paris, France
| | - Sandrine Houzé
- Centre National de Référence du Paludisme, Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Hôpital Bichat-Claude Bernard, Paris, France
| | - Renaud Piarroux
- Sorbonne Université, Centre National de Référence du Paludisme, Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtriére, Paris, France
| | - Jean-Yves Siriez
- Service d'accueil des Urgences Pédiatriques, Hôpital Robert Debré, Paris, France
| | | | - Sébastien Larréché
- Département de Biologie Médicale, Hôpital d’Instruction Des Armées Bégin, Saint-Mandé, France
| | - Marc Théllier
- Sorbonne Université, Centre National de Référence du Paludisme, Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtriére, Paris, France
| | - Nicolas Cenac
- IRSD, INSERM, INRA, INPENVT, Université de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - Pierre Buffet
- Biologie Intégrée du Globule Rouge, Université de Paris, Université des Antilles, Paris, France
| | - Papa Alioune Ndour
- Biologie Intégrée du Globule Rouge, Université de Paris, Université des Antilles, Paris, France
- *Correspondence: Papa Alioune Ndour,
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11
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Aucamp J, N’Da DD. SHORT COMMUNICATION: In vitro antileishmanial efficacy of antiplasmodial active aminoquinoline-chalcone hybrids. Exp Parasitol 2022; 236-237:108249. [DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2022.108249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2021] [Revised: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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12
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Ramaprasad A, Burda PC, Calvani E, Sait AJ, Palma-Duran SA, Withers-Martinez C, Hackett F, Macrae J, Collinson L, Gilberger TW, Blackman MJ. A choline-releasing glycerophosphodiesterase essential for phosphatidylcholine biosynthesis and blood stage development in the malaria parasite. eLife 2022; 11:82207. [PMID: 36576255 PMCID: PMC9886279 DOI: 10.7554/elife.82207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum synthesizes significant amounts of phospholipids to meet the demands of replication within red blood cells. De novo phosphatidylcholine (PC) biosynthesis via the Kennedy pathway is essential, requiring choline that is primarily sourced from host serum lysophosphatidylcholine (lysoPC). LysoPC also acts as an environmental sensor to regulate parasite sexual differentiation. Despite these critical roles for host lysoPC, the enzyme(s) involved in its breakdown to free choline for PC synthesis are unknown. Here, we show that a parasite glycerophosphodiesterase (PfGDPD) is indispensable for blood stage parasite proliferation. Exogenous choline rescues growth of PfGDPD-null parasites, directly linking PfGDPD function to choline incorporation. Genetic ablation of PfGDPD reduces choline uptake from lysoPC, resulting in depletion of several PC species in the parasite, whilst purified PfGDPD releases choline from glycerophosphocholine in vitro. Our results identify PfGDPD as a choline-releasing glycerophosphodiesterase that mediates a critical step in PC biosynthesis and parasite survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhinay Ramaprasad
- Malaria Biochemistry Laboratory, The Francis Crick InstituteLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Paul-Christian Burda
- Centre for Structural Systems BiologyHamburgGermany,Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical MedicineHamburgGermany,University of HamburgHamburgGermany
| | - Enrica Calvani
- Metabolomics Science Technology Platform, The Francis Crick InstituteLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Aaron J Sait
- Electron Microscopy Science Technology Platform, The Francis Crick InstituteLondonUnited Kingdom
| | | | | | - Fiona Hackett
- Malaria Biochemistry Laboratory, The Francis Crick InstituteLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - James Macrae
- Metabolomics Science Technology Platform, The Francis Crick InstituteLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Lucy Collinson
- Electron Microscopy Science Technology Platform, The Francis Crick InstituteLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Tim Wolf Gilberger
- Centre for Structural Systems BiologyHamburgGermany,Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical MedicineHamburgGermany,University of HamburgHamburgGermany
| | - Michael J Blackman
- Malaria Biochemistry Laboratory, The Francis Crick InstituteLondonUnited Kingdom,Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical MedicineLondonUnited Kingdom
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13
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Usui M, Williamson KC. Stressed Out About Plasmodium falciparum Gametocytogenesis. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:790067. [PMID: 34926328 PMCID: PMC8674873 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.790067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Blocking malaria transmission is critical to malaria control programs but remains a major challenge especially in endemic regions with high levels of asymptomatic infections. New strategies targeting the transmissible sexual stages of the parasite, called gametocytes, are needed. This review focuses on P. falciparum gametocytogenesis in vivo and in vitro. Highlighting advances made elucidating genes required for gametocyte production and identifying key questions that remain unanswered such as the factors and regulatory mechanisms that contribute to gametocyte induction, and the mechanism of sequestration. Tools available to begin to address these issues are also described to facilitate advances in our understanding of this important stage of the life cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miho Usui
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Kim C Williamson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, United States
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14
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Yerlikaya S, Owusu EDA, Frimpong A, DeLisle RK, Ding XC. A Dual, Systematic Approach to Malaria Diagnostic Biomarker Discovery. Clin Infect Dis 2021; 74:40-51. [PMID: 34718455 PMCID: PMC8752250 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciab251] [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: 11/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The emergence and spread of Plasmodium falciparum parasites that lack HRP2/3 proteins and the resulting decreased utility of HRP2-based malaria rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) prompted the World Health Organization and other global health stakeholders to prioritize the discovery of novel diagnostic biomarkers for malaria. Methods To address this pressing need, we adopted a dual, systematic approach by conducting a systematic review of the literature for publications on diagnostic biomarkers for uncomplicated malaria and a systematic in silico analysis of P. falciparum proteomics data for Plasmodium proteins with favorable diagnostic features. Results Our complementary analyses led us to 2 novel malaria diagnostic biomarkers compatible for use in an RDT format: glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase and dihydrofolate reductase-thymidylate synthase. Conclusions Overall, our results pave the way for the development of next-generation malaria RDTs based on new antigens by identifying 2 lead candidates with favorable diagnostic features and partially de-risked product development prospects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seda Yerlikaya
- Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Ewurama D A Owusu
- Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics, Geneva, Switzerland.,Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, School of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Augustina Frimpong
- West Africa Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens (WACCBIP), Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana.,Immunology Department, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana.,African Institute for Mathematical Sciences, Accra, Ghana
| | | | - Xavier C Ding
- Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics, Geneva, Switzerland
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15
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Zhang C, Sultan SA, T R, Chen X. Biotechnological applications of S-adenosyl-methionine-dependent methyltransferases for natural products biosynthesis and diversification. BIORESOUR BIOPROCESS 2021; 8:72. [PMID: 38650197 PMCID: PMC10992897 DOI: 10.1186/s40643-021-00425-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 07/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
In the biosynthesis of natural products, methylation is a common and essential transformation to alter molecules' bioavailability and bioactivity. The main methylation reaction is performed by S-adenosylmethionine (SAM)-dependent methyltransferases (MTs). With advancements in genomic and chemical profiling technologies, novel MTs have been discovered to accept complex substrates and synthesize industrially valuable natural products. However, to achieve a high yield of small molecules in microbial hosts, many methyltransferase activities have been reported to be insufficient. Moreover, inadequate co-factor supplies and feedback inhibition of the by-product, S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH), further limit MTs' activities. Here, we review recent advances in SAM-dependent MTs to produce and diversify natural products. First, we surveyed recently identified novel methyltransferases in natural product biosynthesis. Second, we summarized enzyme engineering strategies to improve methyltransferase activity, with a particular focus on high-throughput assay design and application. Finally, we reviewed innovations in co-factor regeneration and diversification, both in vitro and in vivo. Noteworthily, many MTs are able to accept multiple structurally similar substrates. Such promiscuous methyltransferases are versatile and can be tailored to design de novo pathways to produce molecules whose biosynthetic pathway is unknown or non-existent in nature, thus broadening the scope of biosynthesized functional molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Congqiang Zhang
- Singapore Institute of Food and Biotechnology Innovation (SIFBI), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 61 Biopolis Drive, Singapore, 138673, Singapore
| | - Stella Amelia Sultan
- Singapore Institute of Food and Biotechnology Innovation (SIFBI), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 61 Biopolis Drive, Singapore, 138673, Singapore
| | - Rehka T
- Singapore Institute of Food and Biotechnology Innovation (SIFBI), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 61 Biopolis Drive, Singapore, 138673, Singapore
| | - Xixian Chen
- Singapore Institute of Food and Biotechnology Innovation (SIFBI), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 61 Biopolis Drive, Singapore, 138673, Singapore.
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16
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Ji X, Wu X, Chen W, Yuan Q, Shen Y, Chi Y. Cloning and Functional Identification of Phosphoethanolamine Methyltransferase in Soybean ( Glycine max). FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2021; 12:612158. [PMID: 34386021 PMCID: PMC8353235 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.612158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Phosphoethanolamine methyltransferase (PEAMT), a kind of S-adenosylmethionine-dependent methyltransferases, plays an essential role in many biological processes of plants, such as cell metabolism, stress response, and signal transduction. It is the key rate-limiting enzyme that catalyzes the three-step methylation of ethanolamine-phosphate (P-EA) to phosphocholine (P-Cho). To understand the unique function of PEAMT in soybean (Glycine max) lipid synthesis, we cloned two phosphoethanolamine methyltransferase genes GmPEAMT1 and GmPEAMT2, and performed functional identification. Both GmPEAMT1 and GmPEAMT2 contain two methyltransferase domains. GmPEAMT1 has the closest relationship with MtPEAMT2, and GmPEAMT2 has the closest relationship with CcPEAMT. GmPEAMT1 and GmPEAMT2 are located in the nucleus and endoplasmic reticulum. There are many light response elements and plant hormone response elements in the promoters of GmPEAMT1 and GmPEAMT2, indicating that they may be involved in plant stress response. The yeast cho2 opi3 mutant, co-expressing Arabidopsis thaliana phospholipid methyltransferase (PLMT) and GmPEAMT1 or GmPEAMT2, can restore normal growth, indicating that GmPEAMTs can catalyze the methylation of phosphoethanolamine to phosphate monomethylethanolamine. The heterologous expression of GmPEAMT1 and GmPEAMT2 can partially restore the short root phenotype of the Arabidopsis thaliana peamt1 mutant, suggesting GmPEAMTs have similar but different functions to AtPEAMT1.
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17
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GlmS mediated knock-down of a phospholipase expedite alternate pathway to generate phosphocholine required for phosphatidylcholine synthesis in Plasmodium falciparum. Biochem J 2021; 478:3429-3444. [PMID: 34133721 DOI: 10.1042/bcj20200549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Revised: 06/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Phospholipid synthesis is crucial for membrane proliferation in malaria parasites during the entire cycle in the host cell. The major phospholipid of parasite membranes, phosphatidylcholine (PC), is mainly synthesized through the Kennedy pathway. The phosphocholine required for this synthetic pathway is generated by phosphorylation of choline derived from catabolism of the lyso-phosphatidylcholine (LPC) scavenged from the host milieu. Here we have characterized a Plasmodium falciparum lysophospholipase (PfLPL20) which showed enzymatic activity on LPC substrate to generate choline. Using GFP- targeting approach, PfLPL20 was localized in vesicular structures associated with the neutral lipid storage bodies present juxtaposed to the food-vacuole. The C-terminal tagged glmS mediated inducible knock-down of PfLPL20 caused transient hindrance in the parasite development, however, the parasites were able to multiply efficiently, suggesting that PfLPL20 is not essential for the parasite. However, in PfLPL20 depleted parasites, transcript levels of enzyme of SDPM pathway (Serine Decarboxylase-Phosphoethanolamine Methyltransferase) were altered along with upregulation of phosphocholine and SAM levels; these results show upregulation of alternate pathway to generate the phosphocholine required for PC synthesis through the Kennedy pathway. Our study highlights presence of alternate pathways for lipid homeostasis/membrane-biogenesis in the parasite; these data could be useful to design future therapeutic approaches targeting phospholipid metabolism in the parasite.
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18
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Lacal JC, Zimmerman T, Campos JM. Choline Kinase: An Unexpected Journey for a Precision Medicine Strategy in Human Diseases. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:788. [PMID: 34070409 PMCID: PMC8226952 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13060788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Revised: 05/13/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Choline kinase (ChoK) is a cytosolic enzyme that catalyzes the phosphorylation of choline to form phosphorylcholine (PCho) in the presence of ATP and magnesium. ChoK is required for the synthesis of key membrane phospholipids and is involved in malignant transformation in a large variety of human tumours. Active compounds against ChoK have been identified and proposed as antitumor agents. The ChoK inhibitory and antiproliferative activities of symmetrical bispyridinium and bisquinolinium compounds have been defined using quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSARs) and structural parameters. The design strategy followed in the development of the most active molecules is presented. The selective anticancer activity of these structures is also described. One promising anticancer compound has even entered clinical trials. Recently, ChoKα inhibitors have also been proposed as a novel therapeutic approach against parasites, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory processes, and pathogenic bacteria. The evidence for ChoKα as a novel drug target for approaches in precision medicine is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Carlos Lacal
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, CSIC, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital La Paz, IDIPAZ, 28046 Madrid, Spain
| | - Tahl Zimmerman
- Food Microbiology and Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Family and Consumer Sciences, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, North Carolina University, 1601 East Market Street, Greensboro, NC 27411, USA;
| | - Joaquín M. Campos
- Departamento de Química Farmacéutica y Orgánica, Facultad de Farmacia, c/Campus de Cartuja, s/n, Universidad de Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
- Instituto Biosanitario de Granada (ibs. GRANADA), SAS-Universidad de Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
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19
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Jeong TY, Simpson MJ. Endocrine Disruptor Exposure Causes Infochemical Dysregulation and an Ecological Cascade from Zooplankton to Algae. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2021; 55:3845-3854. [PMID: 33617259 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.0c07847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Endocrine disruption is intimately linked to controlling the population of pollutant-exposed organisms through reproduction and development dysregulation. This study investigated how endocrine disruption in a predator organism could affect prey species biology through infochemical communication. Daphnia magna and Chlorella vulgaris were chosen as model prey and predator planktons, respectively, and fenoxycarb was used for disrupting the endocrine system of D. magna. Hormones as well as endo- and exometabolomes were extracted from daphnids and algal cells and their culture media and analyzed using liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. Biomolecular perturbations of D. magna under impaired offspring production and hormone dysregulation were observed. Differential biomolecular responses of the prey C. vulgaris, indicating changes in methylation and infochemical communication, were subsequently observed under the exposure to predator culture media, containing infochemicals released from the reproducibly normal and abnormal D. magna, as results of fenoxycarb exposure. The observed cross-species transfer of the endocrine disruption consequences, initiated from D. magna, and mediated through infochemical communication, demonstrates a novel discovery and emphasizes the broader ecological risk of endocrine disruptors beyond reproduction disruption in target organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tae-Yong Jeong
- Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, 1265 Military Trail, Toronto, Ontario M1C1A4, Canada
| | - Myrna J Simpson
- Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, 1265 Military Trail, Toronto, Ontario M1C1A4, Canada
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20
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Nakamura Y. Headgroup biosynthesis of phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine in seed plants. Prog Lipid Res 2021; 82:101091. [PMID: 33503494 DOI: 10.1016/j.plipres.2021.101091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2020] [Revised: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Phospholipid biosynthesis is crucial for plant growth and development. It involves attachment of fatty acids to a phospho-diacylglycerol backbone and modification of the phospho-group into an amino alcohol. The biochemistry and molecular biology of the former has been well established, but a number of enzymes responsible for the latter have only recently been cloned and functionally characterized in Arabidopsis and some other model plant species. The metabolism involving the polar head groups of phospholipids established by past biochemical studies can now be validated by available gene knockout models. Moreover, gene knockout studies have revealed emerging functions of phospholipids in regulating plant growth and development. This review aims to revisit the old questions of polar headgroup biosynthesis of plant phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine by giving an overview of recent advances in the field and beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuki Nakamura
- Institute of Plant and Microbial Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan.
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21
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Dousti M, Manzano-Román R, Rashidi S, Barzegar G, Ahmadpour NB, Mohammadi A, Hatam G. A proteomic glimpse into the effect of antimalarial drugs on Plasmodium falciparum proteome towards highlighting possible therapeutic targets. Pathog Dis 2021; 79:ftaa071. [PMID: 33202000 DOI: 10.1093/femspd/ftaa071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2020] [Accepted: 11/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
There is no effective vaccine against malaria; therefore, chemotherapy is to date the only choice to fight against this infectious disease. However, there is growing evidences of drug-resistance mechanisms in malaria treatments. Therefore, the identification of new drug targets is an urgent need for the clinical management of the disease. Proteomic approaches offer the chance of determining the effects of antimalarial drugs on the proteome of Plasmodium parasites. Accordingly, we reviewed the effects of antimalarial drugs on the Plasmodium falciparum proteome pointing out the relevance of several proteins as possible drug targets in malaria treatment. In addition, some of the P. falciparum stage-specific altered proteins and parasite-host interactions might play important roles in pathogenicity, survival, invasion and metabolic pathways and thus serve as potential sources of drug targets. In this review, we have identified several proteins, including thioredoxin reductase, helicases, peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase, endoplasmic reticulum-resident calcium-binding protein, choline/ethanolamine phosphotransferase, purine nucleoside phosphorylase, apical membrane antigen 1, glutamate dehydrogenase, hypoxanthine guanine phosphoribosyl transferase, heat shock protein 70x, knob-associated histidine-rich protein and erythrocyte membrane protein 1, as promising antimalarial drugs targets. Overall, proteomic approaches are able to partially facilitate finding possible drug targets. However, the integration of other 'omics' and specific pharmaceutical techniques with proteomics may increase the therapeutic properties of the critical proteins identified in the P. falciparum proteome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Majid Dousti
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Raúl Manzano-Román
- Proteomics Unit, Cancer Research Centre (IBMCC/CSIC/USAL/IBSAL), 37007, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Sajad Rashidi
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Gholamreza Barzegar
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | | | - Alireza Mohammadi
- Department of Disease Control, Komijan Treatment and Health Network, Arak University of Medical Science, Iran
| | - Gholamreza Hatam
- Basic Sciences in Infectious Diseases Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
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22
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Kumar M, Skillman K, Duraisingh MT. Linking nutrient sensing and gene expression in Plasmodium falciparum blood-stage parasites. Mol Microbiol 2020; 115:891-900. [PMID: 33236377 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.14652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2020] [Revised: 11/17/2020] [Accepted: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Malaria is one of the most life-threatening infectious diseases worldwide, caused by infection of humans with parasites of the genus Plasmodium. The complex life cycle of Plasmodium parasites is shared between two hosts, with infection of multiple cell types, and the parasite needs to adapt for survival and transmission through significantly different metabolic environments. Within the blood-stage alone, parasites encounter changing levels of key nutrients, including sugars, amino acids, and lipids, due to differences in host dietary nutrition, cellular tropism, and pathogenesis. In this review, we consider the mechanisms that the most lethal of malaria parasites, Plasmodium falciparum, uses to sense nutrient levels and elicit changes in gene expression during blood-stage infections. These changes are brought about by several metabolic intermediates and their corresponding sensor proteins. Sensing of distinct nutritional signals can drive P. falciparum to alter the key blood-stage processes of proliferation, antigenic variation, and transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manish Kumar
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kristen Skillman
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Manoj T Duraisingh
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
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23
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O'Neal AJ, Butler LR, Rolandelli A, Gilk SD, Pedra JH. Lipid hijacking: a unifying theme in vector-borne diseases. eLife 2020; 9:61675. [PMID: 33118933 PMCID: PMC7595734 DOI: 10.7554/elife.61675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Vector-borne illnesses comprise a significant portion of human maladies, representing 17% of global infections. Transmission of vector-borne pathogens to mammals primarily occurs by hematophagous arthropods. It is speculated that blood may provide a unique environment that aids in the replication and pathogenesis of these microbes. Lipids and their derivatives are one component enriched in blood and are essential for microbial survival. For instance, the malarial parasite Plasmodium falciparum and the Lyme disease spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi, among others, have been shown to scavenge and manipulate host lipids for structural support, metabolism, replication, immune evasion, and disease severity. In this Review, we will explore the importance of lipid hijacking for the growth and persistence of these microbes in both mammalian hosts and arthropod vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anya J O'Neal
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, United States
| | - L Rainer Butler
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, United States
| | - Agustin Rolandelli
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, United States
| | - Stacey D Gilk
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States
| | - Joao Hf Pedra
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, United States
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24
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Repurposing Drugs to Fight Hepatic Malaria Parasites. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25153409. [PMID: 32731386 PMCID: PMC7435416 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25153409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Revised: 07/23/2020] [Accepted: 07/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria remains one of the most prevalent infectious diseases worldwide, primarily affecting some of the most vulnerable populations around the globe. Despite achievements in the treatment of this devastating disease, there is still an urgent need for the discovery of new drugs that tackle infection by Plasmodium parasites. However, de novo drug development is a costly and time-consuming process. An alternative strategy is to evaluate the anti-plasmodial activity of compounds that are already approved for other purposes, an approach known as drug repurposing. Here, we will review efforts to assess the anti-plasmodial activity of existing drugs, with an emphasis on the obligatory and clinically silent liver stage of infection. We will also review the current knowledge on the classes of compounds that might be therapeutically relevant against Plasmodium in the context of other communicable diseases that are prevalent in regions where malaria is endemic. Repositioning existing compounds may constitute a faster solution to the current gap of prophylactic and therapeutic drugs that act on Plasmodium parasites, overall contributing to the global effort of malaria eradication.
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25
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Boonkaew T, Mongkol W, Prasert S, Paochan P, Yoneda S, Nguitragool W, Kumpitak C, Sattabongkot J, Kubera A. Transcriptome analysis of Anopheles dirus and Plasmodium vivax at ookinete and oocyst stages. Acta Trop 2020; 207:105502. [PMID: 32320680 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2020.105502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2020] [Revised: 04/15/2020] [Accepted: 04/15/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Malaria is transmitted by Plasmodium parasites through the bite of female Anopheles mosquitoes. One of the most important mosquito vectors in the Greater Mekong Subregion is Anopheles dirus. This study reports RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) transcriptome analysis of An. dirus at 18 hours and 7 days after a P. vivax-infected blood meal, which represent infection at the ookinete and oocyst parasite developmental stages, respectively. Following infection, 582 An. dirus transcripts were modulated. The 2,408 P. vivax transcripts could be classified into ookinete-specific, two-stage, and oocyst-specific groups. Results were validated by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Gene ontology analysis of the vector and parasite revealed several biological pathways for both, providing a better understanding of Anopheles-Plasmodium interactions at the ookinete and oocyst stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tippawan Boonkaew
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, 10900, Thailand
| | - Watcharakorn Mongkol
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, 10900, Thailand
| | - Sureerat Prasert
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, 10900, Thailand
| | - Pattaweeya Paochan
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, 10900, Thailand
| | - Saki Yoneda
- Department of Biotechnology, Graduate school of Engineering, Osaka University, Japan
| | - Wang Nguitragool
- Department of Molecular Tropical Medicine and Genetics, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
| | - Chalermpon Kumpitak
- Mahidol Vivax Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
| | - Jetsumon Sattabongkot
- Mahidol Vivax Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
| | - Anchanee Kubera
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, 10900, Thailand; Centre for Advanced Studies in Tropical Natural Resources, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, 10900, Thailand.
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Lee SG, Chung MS, DeMarsilis AJ, Holland CK, Jaswaney RV, Jiang C, Kroboth JHP, Kulshrestha K, Marcelo RZW, Meyyappa VM, Nelson GB, Patel JK, Petronio AJ, Powers SK, Qin PR, Ramachandran M, Rayapati D, Rincon JA, Rocha A, Ferreira JGRN, Steinbrecher MK, Yao K, Zhang EJ, Zou AJ, Gang M, Sparks M, Cascella B, Cruz W, Jez JM. Structural and biochemical analysis of phosphoethanolamine methyltransferase from the pine wilt nematode Bursaphelenchus xylophilus. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2020; 238:111291. [PMID: 32479776 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2020.111291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2020] [Revised: 05/11/2020] [Accepted: 05/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
In free-living and parasitic nematodes, the methylation of phosphoethanolamine to phosphocholine provides a key metabolite to sustain phospholipid biosynthesis for growth and development. Because the phosphoethanolamine methyltransferases (PMT) of nematodes are essential for normal growth and development, these enzymes are potential targets of inhibitor design. The pine wilt nematode (Bursaphelenchus xylophilus) causes extensive damage to trees used for lumber and paper in Asia. As a first step toward testing BxPMT1 as a potential nematicide target, we determined the 2.05 Å resolution x-ray crystal structure of the enzyme as a dead-end complex with phosphoethanolamine and S-adenosylhomocysteine. The three-dimensional structure of BxPMT1 served as a template for site-directed mutagenesis to probe the contribution of active site residues to catalysis and phosphoethanolamine binding using steady-state kinetic analysis. Biochemical analysis of the mutants identifies key residues on the β1d-α6 loop (W123F, M126I, and Y127F) and β1e-α7 loop (S155A, S160A, H170A, T178V, and Y180F) that form the phosphobase binding site and suggest that Tyr127 facilitates the methylation reaction in BxPMT1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soon Goo Lee
- Department of Biology, Washington University in St. Louis, One Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO, 63130, United States
| | - Michelle S Chung
- Department of Biology, Washington University in St. Louis, One Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO, 63130, United States
| | - Antea J DeMarsilis
- Department of Biology, Washington University in St. Louis, One Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO, 63130, United States
| | - Cynthia K Holland
- Department of Biology, Washington University in St. Louis, One Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO, 63130, United States
| | - Rohit V Jaswaney
- Department of Biology, Washington University in St. Louis, One Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO, 63130, United States
| | - Cherry Jiang
- Department of Biology, Washington University in St. Louis, One Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO, 63130, United States
| | - Jakob H P Kroboth
- Department of Biology, Washington University in St. Louis, One Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO, 63130, United States
| | - Kevin Kulshrestha
- Department of Biology, Washington University in St. Louis, One Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO, 63130, United States
| | - Raymundo Z W Marcelo
- Department of Biology, Washington University in St. Louis, One Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO, 63130, United States
| | - Vidhya M Meyyappa
- Department of Biology, Washington University in St. Louis, One Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO, 63130, United States
| | - Grant B Nelson
- Department of Biology, Washington University in St. Louis, One Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO, 63130, United States
| | - Janki K Patel
- Department of Biology, Washington University in St. Louis, One Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO, 63130, United States
| | - Alex J Petronio
- Department of Biology, Washington University in St. Louis, One Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO, 63130, United States
| | - Samantha K Powers
- Department of Biology, Washington University in St. Louis, One Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO, 63130, United States
| | - Peter R Qin
- Department of Biology, Washington University in St. Louis, One Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO, 63130, United States
| | - Mythili Ramachandran
- Department of Biology, Washington University in St. Louis, One Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO, 63130, United States
| | - Divya Rayapati
- Department of Biology, Washington University in St. Louis, One Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO, 63130, United States
| | - John A Rincon
- Department of Biology, Washington University in St. Louis, One Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO, 63130, United States
| | - Andreia Rocha
- Department of Biology, Washington University in St. Louis, One Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO, 63130, United States
| | | | - Micah K Steinbrecher
- Department of Biology, Washington University in St. Louis, One Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO, 63130, United States
| | - Kaisen Yao
- Department of Biology, Washington University in St. Louis, One Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO, 63130, United States
| | - Eric J Zhang
- Department of Biology, Washington University in St. Louis, One Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO, 63130, United States
| | - Angela J Zou
- Department of Biology, Washington University in St. Louis, One Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO, 63130, United States
| | - Margery Gang
- Department of Biology, Washington University in St. Louis, One Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO, 63130, United States
| | - Melanie Sparks
- Department of Biology, Washington University in St. Louis, One Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO, 63130, United States
| | - Barrie Cascella
- Department of Biology, Washington University in St. Louis, One Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO, 63130, United States
| | - Wilhelm Cruz
- Department of Biology, Washington University in St. Louis, One Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO, 63130, United States
| | - Joseph M Jez
- Department of Biology, Washington University in St. Louis, One Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO, 63130, United States.
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27
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Flammersfeld A, Panyot A, Yamaryo-Botté Y, Aurass P, Przyborski JM, Flieger A, Botté C, Pradel G. A patatin-like phospholipase functions during gametocyte induction in the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. Cell Microbiol 2019; 22:e13146. [PMID: 31734953 DOI: 10.1111/cmi.13146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2019] [Revised: 10/28/2019] [Accepted: 11/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Patatin-like phospholipases (PNPLAs) are highly conserved enzymes of prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms with major roles in lipid homeostasis. The genome of the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum encodes four putative PNPLAs with predicted functions during phospholipid degradation. We here investigated the role of one of the plasmodial PNPLAs, a putative PLA2 termed PNPLA1, during blood stage replication and gametocyte development. PNPLA1 is present in the asexual and sexual blood stages and here localizes to the cytoplasm. PNPLA1-deficiency due to gene disruption or conditional gene-knockdown had no effect on intraerythrocytic growth, gametocyte development and gametogenesis. However, parasites lacking PNPLA1 were impaired in gametocyte induction, while PNPLA1 overexpression promotes gametocyte formation. The loss of PNPLA1 further leads to transcriptional down-regulation of genes related to gametocytogenesis, including the gene encoding the sexual commitment regulator AP2-G. Additionally, lipidomics of PNPLA1-deficient asexual blood stage parasites revealed overall increased levels of major phospholipids, including phosphatidylcholine (PC), which is a substrate of PLA2 . PC synthesis is known to be pivotal for erythrocytic replication, while the reduced availability of PC precursors drives the parasite into gametocytogenesis; we thus hypothesize that the higher PC levels due to PNPLA1-deficiency prevent the blood stage parasites from entering the sexual pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ansgar Flammersfeld
- Division of Cellular and Applied Infection Biology, Institute of Zoology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Atscharah Panyot
- Division of Cellular and Applied Infection Biology, Institute of Zoology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Yoshiki Yamaryo-Botté
- ApicoLipid Team, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Université Grenoble Alpes, La Tronche, France
| | - Philipp Aurass
- Centre for Infectious Diseases, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jude M Przyborski
- Division of Enteropathogenic Bacteria and Legionella, Robert Koch-Institute, Wernigerode, Germany
| | - Antje Flieger
- Centre for Infectious Diseases, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Cyrille Botté
- ApicoLipid Team, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Université Grenoble Alpes, La Tronche, France
| | - Gabriele Pradel
- Division of Cellular and Applied Infection Biology, Institute of Zoology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
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Oyelade J, Isewon I, Aromolaran O, Uwoghiren E, Dokunmu T, Rotimi S, Aworunse O, Obembe O, Adebiyi E. Computational Identification of Metabolic Pathways of Plasmodium falciparum using the k-Shortest Path Algorithm. Int J Genomics 2019; 2019:1750291. [PMID: 31662957 PMCID: PMC6791207 DOI: 10.1155/2019/1750291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2018] [Revised: 11/28/2018] [Accepted: 07/29/2019] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium falciparum, a malaria pathogen, has shown substantial resistance to treatment coupled with poor response to some vaccines thereby requiring urgent, holistic, and broad approach to prevent this endemic disease. Understanding the biology of the malaria parasite has been identified as a vital approach to overcome the threat of malaria. This study is aimed at identifying essential proteins unique to malaria parasites using a reconstructed iPfa genome-scale metabolic model (GEM) of the 3D7 strain of Plasmodium falciparum by filling gaps in the model with nineteen (19) metabolites and twenty-three (23) reactions obtained from the MetaCyc database. Twenty (20) currency metabolites were removed from the network because they have been identified to produce shortcuts that are biologically infeasible. The resulting modified iPfa GEM was a model using the k-shortest path algorithm to identify possible alternative metabolic pathways in glycolysis and pentose phosphate pathways of Plasmodium falciparum. Heuristic function was introduced for the optimal performance of the algorithm. To validate the prediction, the essentiality of the reactions in the reconstructed network was evaluated using betweenness centrality measure, which was applied to every reaction within the pathways considered in this study. Thirty-two (32) essential reactions were predicted among which our method validated fourteen (14) enzymes already predicted in the literature. The enzymatic proteins that catalyze these essential reactions were checked for homology with the host genome, and two (2) showed insignificant similarity, making them possible drug targets. In conclusion, the application of the intelligent search technique to the metabolic network of P. falciparum predicts potential biologically relevant alternative pathways using graph theory-based approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jelili Oyelade
- Department of Computer & Information Sciences, Covenant University, Ota, Nigeria
- Covenant University Bioinformatics Research Cluster (CUBRe), Ota, Nigeria
| | - Itunuoluwa Isewon
- Department of Computer & Information Sciences, Covenant University, Ota, Nigeria
- Covenant University Bioinformatics Research Cluster (CUBRe), Ota, Nigeria
| | - Olufemi Aromolaran
- Department of Computer & Information Sciences, Covenant University, Ota, Nigeria
- Covenant University Bioinformatics Research Cluster (CUBRe), Ota, Nigeria
| | - Efosa Uwoghiren
- Department of Computer & Information Sciences, Covenant University, Ota, Nigeria
- Covenant University Bioinformatics Research Cluster (CUBRe), Ota, Nigeria
| | - Titilope Dokunmu
- Covenant University Bioinformatics Research Cluster (CUBRe), Ota, Nigeria
- Department of Biochemistry, Covenant University, Ota, Nigeria
| | - Solomon Rotimi
- Covenant University Bioinformatics Research Cluster (CUBRe), Ota, Nigeria
- Department of Biochemistry, Covenant University, Ota, Nigeria
| | | | - Olawole Obembe
- Department of Biological Sciences, Covenant University, Ota, Nigeria
| | - Ezekiel Adebiyi
- Department of Computer & Information Sciences, Covenant University, Ota, Nigeria
- Covenant University Bioinformatics Research Cluster (CUBRe), Ota, Nigeria
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29
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Guerra ED, Baakdah F, Gourgas O, Tam M, Stevenson MM, Georges E, Bohle DS, Cerruti M. Inorganic ions on hemozoin surface provide a glimpse into Plasmodium biology. J Inorg Biochem 2019; 200:110808. [PMID: 31487576 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinorgbio.2019.110808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2019] [Revised: 08/23/2019] [Accepted: 08/24/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
In malaria, Plasmodium parasites produce hemozoin (Hz) as a route to detoxify free heme released from the catabolism of hemoglobin. Hz isolated from the parasites is encapsulated in an organic layer constituted by parasite and host components. This organic coating may play a role in Hz formation and in the immunomodulatory properties attributed to Hz, and they may influence the mode of action of antimalarials that block Hz formation. In this work, we analyze the organic layer adhered to Hz, and find Na, Cl, Si, Ca and P present, in addition to organic material. Our results suggest that Na, Cl, and P adsorb during Hz release from the red blood cells, while Si and Ca derive from components present during Hz biomineralization within the digestive vacuole of the parasite. Overall, we show that inorganic elements associated with Hz surface provide insights into the biological functions of Plasmodium parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Danae Guerra
- Department of Mining and Materials Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 2B2, Canada
| | - Fadi Baakdah
- Institute of Parasitology, McGill University, Ste Anne de Bellevue, Quebec H9X 3V9, Canada
| | - Ophélie Gourgas
- Department of Mining and Materials Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 2B2, Canada
| | - Mifong Tam
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Mary M Stevenson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 2B4, Canada; Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - Elias Georges
- Institute of Parasitology, McGill University, Ste Anne de Bellevue, Quebec H9X 3V9, Canada
| | - D Scott Bohle
- Department of Chemistry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 0C5, Canada
| | - Marta Cerruti
- Department of Mining and Materials Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 2B2, Canada.
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30
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Computational and experimental elucidation of Plasmodium falciparum phosphoethanolamine methyltransferase inhibitors: Pivotal drug target. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0221032. [PMID: 31437171 PMCID: PMC6705855 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0221032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2019] [Accepted: 07/29/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Plasmodium falciparum synthesizes phosphatidylcholine for the membrane development through serine decarboxylase-phosphoethanolamine methyltransferase pathway for growth in human host. Phosphoethanolamine-methyltransferase (PfPMT) is a crucial enzyme for the synthesis of phosphocholine which is a precursor for phosphatidylcholine synthesis and is considered as a pivotal drug target as it is absent in the host. The inhibition of PfPMT may kill malaria parasite and hence is being considered as potential target for rational antimalarial drug designing. METHODS In this study, we have used computer aided drug designing (CADD) approaches to establish potential PfPMT inhibitors from Asinex compound library virtually screened for ADMET and the docking affinity. The selected compounds were tested for in-vitro schizonticidal, gametocidal and cytotoxicity activity. Nontoxic compounds were further studied for PfPMT enzyme specificity and antimalarial efficacy for P. berghei in albino mice model. RESULTS Our results have identified two nontoxic PfPMT competitive inhibitors ASN.1 and ASN.3 with better schizonticidal and gametocidal activity which were found to inhibit PfPMT at IC50 1.49μM and 2.31μM respectively. The promising reduction in parasitaemia was found both in orally (50 & 10 mg/kg) and intravenous (IV) (5& 1 mg/kg) however, the better growth inhibition was found in intravenous groups. CONCLUSION We report that the compounds containing Pyridinyl-Pyrimidine and Phenyl-Furan scaffolds as the potential inhibitors of PfPMT and thus may act as promising antimalarial inhibitor candidates which can be further optimized and used as leads for template based antimalarial drug development.
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31
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Hillier C, Pardo M, Yu L, Bushell E, Sanderson T, Metcalf T, Herd C, Anar B, Rayner JC, Billker O, Choudhary JS. Landscape of the Plasmodium Interactome Reveals Both Conserved and Species-Specific Functionality. Cell Rep 2019; 28:1635-1647.e5. [PMID: 31390575 PMCID: PMC6693557 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2019.07.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2018] [Revised: 05/28/2019] [Accepted: 07/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria represents a major global health issue, and the identification of new intervention targets remains an urgent priority. This search is hampered by more than one-third of the genes of malaria-causing Plasmodium parasites being uncharacterized. We report a large-scale protein interaction network in Plasmodium schizonts, generated by combining blue native-polyacrylamide electrophoresis with quantitative mass spectrometry and machine learning. This integrative approach, spanning 3 species, identifies >20,000 putative protein interactions, organized into 600 protein clusters. We validate selected interactions, assigning functions in chromatin regulation to previously unannotated proteins and suggesting a role for an EELM2 domain-containing protein and a putative microrchidia protein as mechanistic links between AP2-domain transcription factors and epigenetic regulation. Our interactome represents a high-confidence map of the native organization of core cellular processes in Plasmodium parasites. The network reveals putative functions for uncharacterized proteins, provides mechanistic and structural insight, and uncovers potential alternative therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles Hillier
- Developmental Biology Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Mercedes Pardo
- Functional Proteomics, The Institute of Cancer Research, London SW7 3RP, UK.
| | - Lu Yu
- Functional Proteomics, The Institute of Cancer Research, London SW7 3RP, UK
| | - Ellen Bushell
- Department of Molecular Biology, The Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden, Umeå University, 901 87 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Theo Sanderson
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Tom Metcalf
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Colin Herd
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Burcu Anar
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Julian C Rayner
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Oliver Billker
- Department of Molecular Biology, The Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden, Umeå University, 901 87 Umeå, Sweden.
| | - Jyoti S Choudhary
- Functional Proteomics, The Institute of Cancer Research, London SW7 3RP, UK.
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32
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Tanaka TQ, Tokuoka SM, Nakatani D, Hamano F, Kawazu SI, Wellems TE, Kita K, Shimizu T, Tokumasu F. Polyunsaturated fatty acids promote Plasmodium falciparum gametocytogenesis. Biol Open 2019; 8:bio.042259. [PMID: 31221627 PMCID: PMC6679406 DOI: 10.1242/bio.042259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The molecular triggers of sexual differentiation into gametocytes by blood stage Plasmodium falciparum, the most malignant human malaria parasites, are subject of much investigation for potential transmission-blocking strategies. The parasites are readily grown in vitro with culture media supplemented by the addition of human serum (10%) or by a commercially available substitute (0.5% AlbuMAX). We found better gametocytemia with serum than AlbuMAX, suggesting suboptimal concentrations of some components in the commercial product; consistent with this hypothesis, substantial concentration differences of multiple fatty acids were detected between serum- and AlbuMAX-supplemented media. Mass spectroscopy analysis distinguished the lipid profiles of gametocyte- and asexual stage-parasite membranes. Delivery of various combinations of unsaturated fatty-acid-containing phospholipids to AlbuMAX-supported gametocyte cultures improved gametocyte production to the levels achieved with human-serum-supplemented media. Maturing gametocytes readily incorporated externally supplied d5-labeled glycerol with fatty acids into unsaturated phospholipids. Phospholipids identified in this work thus may be taken up from extracellular sources or generated internally for important steps of gametocyte development. Further study of polyunsaturated fatty-acid metabolism and phospholipid profiles will improve understanding of gametocyte development and malaria parasite transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takeshi Q Tanaka
- International Medical Zoology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kagawa University, Kagawa, 761-0793, Japan.,Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Vector Research, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892-8132, USA.,Research Unit of Advanced Preventive Medicine, National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan
| | - Suzumi M Tokuoka
- Department of Lipidomics, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, 103-0033, Japan
| | - Daichi Nakatani
- Research Unit of Advanced Preventive Medicine, National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan
| | - Fumie Hamano
- Lipid Signaling Project, Research Institute National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo, 162-8655, Japan
| | - Shin-Ichiro Kawazu
- Research Unit of Advanced Preventive Medicine, National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan
| | - Thomas E Wellems
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Vector Research, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892-8132, USA
| | - Kiyoshi Kita
- School of Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, 852-8523, Japan
| | - Takao Shimizu
- Department of Lipidomics, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, 103-0033, Japan.,Lipid Signaling Project, Research Institute National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo, 162-8655, Japan
| | - Fuyuki Tokumasu
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Vector Research, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892-8132, USA .,Department of Lipidomics, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, 103-0033, Japan
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33
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Abstract
Sexual differentiation of the malaria parasite is a pre-requisite for transmission from humans to the mosquito vector and has emerged as a target for intervention in eradication efforts. In this issue of Cell, a study from Marti, Clardy, and colleagues (Brancucci et al., 2017) describes a host-derived lipid lysophosphatidylcholine (LysoPC) that regulates sexual commitment.
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34
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Chen W, Taylor MC, Barrow RA, Croyal M, Masle J. Loss of Phosphoethanolamine N-Methyltransferases Abolishes Phosphatidylcholine Synthesis and Is Lethal. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2019; 179:124-142. [PMID: 30381317 PMCID: PMC6324220 DOI: 10.1104/pp.18.00694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2018] [Accepted: 10/19/2018] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Plants use several pathways to synthesize phosphatidylcholine (PC), the major phospholipid of eukaryotic cells. PC has important structural and signaling roles. One pathway plants use for synthesis is the phospho-base methylation pathway, which forms the head-group phosphocholine through the triple methylation of phosphoethanolamine (PEA) catalyzed by phosphoethanolamine N-methyltransferases (PEAMTs). Our understanding of that pathway and its physiological importance remains limited. We recently reported that disruption of Arabidopsis thaliana PEAMT1/NMT1 and PEAMT3/NMT3 induces severe PC deficiency leading to dwarfism and impaired development. However, the double nmt1 nmt3 knock-out mutant is viable. Here, we show that this is enabled by residual PEAMT activity through a third family member, NMT2. The triple nmt1 nmt2 nmt3 knock-out mutant cannot synthesize PC from PEA and is lethal. This shows that, unlike mammals and yeast, Arabidopsis cannot form PC from phosphatidyl ethanolamine (PE), and demonstrates that methylation of PEA is the sole, and vital, entry point to PC synthesis. We further show that Arabidopsis has evolved an expanded family of four nonredundant PEAMTs through gene duplication and alternate use of the NMT2 promoter. NMT2 encodes two PEAMT variants, which greatly differ in their ability to perform the initial phospho-base methylation of PEA. Five amino acids at the N terminus of PEAMTs are shown to each be critical for the catalysis of that step committing to PC synthesis. As a whole, these findings open new avenues for enzymatic engineering and the exploration of ways to better tune phosphocholine and PC synthesis to environmental conditions for improved plant performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weihua Chen
- Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2601, Australia
| | - Matthew C Taylor
- Land and Water Flagship, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2601, Australia
| | - Russell A Barrow
- Research School of Chemistry, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2601, Australia
| | - Mikaël Croyal
- CRNH Nantes, Mass Spectrometry Core facility, 8 Quai Moncousu BP-70721, Nantes cedex 1, France
| | - Josette Masle
- Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2601, Australia
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35
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Liu YC, Lin YC, Kanehara K, Nakamura Y. A pair of phospho-base methyltransferases important for phosphatidylcholine biosynthesis in Arabidopsis. THE PLANT JOURNAL : FOR CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2018; 96:1064-1075. [PMID: 30218542 DOI: 10.1111/tpj.14090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2018] [Revised: 08/13/2018] [Accepted: 08/20/2018] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Phosphatidylcholine (PtdCho) is a predominant membrane lipid class in eukaryotes. Phospho-base N-methyltransferase (PMT) catalyzes a critical step in PtdCho biosynthesis. However, in Arabidopsis thaliana, the discovery of involvement of the specific PMT isoform in PtdCho biosynthesis remains elusive. Here, we show that PMT1 and PMT3 redundantly play an essential role in phosphocholine (PCho) biosynthesis, a prerequisite for PtdCho production. A pmt1 pmt3 double mutant was devoid of PCho, which affected PtdCho biosynthesis in vivo, showing severe growth defects in post-embryonic development. PMT1 and PMT3 were both highly expressed in the vasculature. The pmt1 pmt3 mutants had specifically affected leaf vein development and showed pale-green seedlings that were rescued by exogenous supplementation of PCho. We suggest that PMT1 and PMT3 are the primary enzymes for PCho biosynthesis and are involved in PtdCho biosynthesis and vascular development in Arabidopsis seedlings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Chi Liu
- Institute of Plant and Microbial Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan
| | - Ying-Chen Lin
- Institute of Plant and Microbial Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan
- Molecular and Biological Agricultural Sciences Program, Academia Sinica, Taiwan International Graduate Program, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Biotechnology, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, 402, Taiwan
| | - Kazue Kanehara
- Institute of Plant and Microbial Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan
| | - Yuki Nakamura
- Institute of Plant and Microbial Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan
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36
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Kilian N, Choi JY, Voelker DR, Ben Mamoun C. Role of phospholipid synthesis in the development and differentiation of malaria parasites in the blood. J Biol Chem 2018; 293:17308-17316. [PMID: 30287688 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.r118.003213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The life cycle of malaria parasites in both their mammalian host and mosquito vector consists of multiple developmental stages that ensure proper replication and progeny survival. The transition between these stages is fueled by nutrients scavenged from the host and fed into specialized metabolic pathways of the parasite. One such pathway is used by Plasmodium falciparum, which causes the most severe form of human malaria, to synthesize its major phospholipids, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, and phosphatidylserine. Much is known about the enzymes involved in the synthesis of these phospholipids, and recent advances in genetic engineering, single-cell RNA-Seq analyses, and drug screening have provided new perspectives on the importance of some of these enzymes in parasite development and sexual differentiation and have identified targets for the development of new antimalarial drugs. This Minireview focuses on two phospholipid biosynthesis enzymes of P. falciparum that catalyze phosphoethanolamine transmethylation (PfPMT) and phosphatidylserine decarboxylation (PfPSD) during the blood stages of the parasite. We also discuss our current understanding of the biochemical, structural, and biological functions of these enzymes and highlight efforts to use them as antimalarial drug targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Kilian
- From the Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520 and
| | - Jae-Yeon Choi
- the Basic Science Section, Department of Medicine, National Jewish Health, Denver, Colorado 80206
| | - Dennis R Voelker
- the Basic Science Section, Department of Medicine, National Jewish Health, Denver, Colorado 80206
| | - Choukri Ben Mamoun
- From the Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520 and
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37
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Wein S, Ghezal S, Buré C, Maynadier M, Périgaud C, Vial HJ, Lefebvre-Tournier I, Wengelnik K, Cerdan R. Contribution of the precursors and interplay of the pathways in the phospholipid metabolism of the malaria parasite. J Lipid Res 2018; 59:1461-1471. [PMID: 29853527 PMCID: PMC6071779 DOI: 10.1194/jlr.m085589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2018] [Revised: 05/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, develops and multiplies in the human erythrocyte. It needs to synthesize considerable amounts of phospholipids (PLs), principally phosphatidylcholine (PC), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), and phosphatidylserine (PS). Several metabolic pathways coexist for their de novo biosynthesis, involving a dozen enzymes. Given the importance of these PLs for the survival of the parasite, we sought to determine their sources and to understand the connections and dependencies between the multiple pathways. We used three deuterated precursors (choline-d9, ethanolamine-d4, and serine-d3) to follow and quantify simultaneously their incorporations in the intermediate metabolites and the final PLs by LC/MS/MS. We show that PC is mainly derived from choline, itself provided by lysophosphatidylcholine contained in the serum. In the absence of choline, the parasite is able to use both other precursors, ethanolamine and serine. PE is almost equally synthesized from ethanolamine and serine, with both precursors being able to compensate for each other. Serine incorporated in PS is mainly derived from the degradation of host cell hemoglobin by the parasite. P. falciparum thus shows an unexpected adaptability of its PL synthesis pathways in response to different disturbances. These data provide new information by mapping the importance of the PL metabolic pathways of the malaria parasite and could be used to design future therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharon Wein
- Dynamique des Interactions Membranaires Normales et Pathologiques, UMR 5235, CNRS-Université de Montpellier, 34095 Montpellier Cedex 05, France
| | - Salma Ghezal
- Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron, UMR 5247, CNRS-Université de Montpellier, 34095 Montpellier Cedex 05, France
| | - Corinne Buré
- Chimie et Biologie des Membranes et des Nanoobjets, UMR 5248, Centre de Génomique Fonctionnelle, Université Bordeaux 2, 33076 Bordeaux Cedex, France
| | - Marjorie Maynadier
- Dynamique des Interactions Membranaires Normales et Pathologiques, UMR 5235, CNRS-Université de Montpellier, 34095 Montpellier Cedex 05, France
| | - Christian Périgaud
- Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron, UMR 5247, CNRS-Université de Montpellier, 34095 Montpellier Cedex 05, France
| | - Henri J Vial
- Dynamique des Interactions Membranaires Normales et Pathologiques, UMR 5235, CNRS-Université de Montpellier, 34095 Montpellier Cedex 05, France
| | - Isabelle Lefebvre-Tournier
- Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron, UMR 5247, CNRS-Université de Montpellier, 34095 Montpellier Cedex 05, France
| | - Kai Wengelnik
- Dynamique des Interactions Membranaires Normales et Pathologiques, UMR 5235, CNRS-Université de Montpellier, 34095 Montpellier Cedex 05, France
| | - Rachel Cerdan
- Dynamique des Interactions Membranaires Normales et Pathologiques, UMR 5235, CNRS-Université de Montpellier, 34095 Montpellier Cedex 05, France
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38
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Zhao Y, Feng Y, Li J, Guo Y, Chen L, Liu S. Insight into the Aggregation Capacity of Anammox Consortia during Reactor Start-Up. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2018; 52:3685-3695. [PMID: 29505708 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.7b06553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Anammox aggregates have been extensively observed in high-efficiency nitrogen-removal reactors, yet the variation and inherent cause of its aggregation capacity related to reactor operation are still unknown. Here, we used microbial detection, metabolomics, extended Derjaguin-Landau-Verwey-Overbeek theory, and multivariate statistical analysis to address this issue. The aggregation capacity of anammox consortia varied periodically during reactor operation, which was determined by the hydrophobic force and the ratio of extracellular protein (PN) to extracellular polysaccharides (PS). Fundamentally, it related to the variation of polysaccharides degradation bacteria abundance and the discrepancy of consortia metabolism. Specifically, the distinguishable up-regulation of the amino acids Phe, Leu, Ala, Thr, Gly, Glu, and Val potentially contributed to the high biosynthesis of extracellular PN. Together with the reduced extracellular PS production that was regulated via the uridine diphosphate (UDP)- N-acetyl-d-glucosamine and UDP- N-acetyl-d-galactosamine pathways, the elevated extracellular PN-to-PS ratio resulted in the obviously increased extracellular hydrophobicity and aggregation capacity. Additionally, the overtly enriched phosphatidylethanolamine biosynthesis pathway was also vital to increasing extracellular hydrophobicity to accelerate aggregation. Understanding aggregation capacity variation is useful for advancing anammox aggregation for its application in wastewater treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunpeng Zhao
- Department of Environmental Engineering , Peking University , Beijing 100871 , China
- Key Laboratory of Water and Sediment Sciences , Ministry of Education of China , Beijing 100871 , China
| | - Ying Feng
- Department of Environmental Engineering , Peking University , Beijing 100871 , China
- Key Laboratory of Water and Sediment Sciences , Ministry of Education of China , Beijing 100871 , China
| | - Jianqi Li
- Key Laboratory of Water and Sediment Sciences , Ministry of Education of China , Beijing 100871 , China
- School of Environment and Energy , Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School , Shenzhen 518055 , China
| | - Yongzhao Guo
- Key Laboratory of Water and Sediment Sciences , Ministry of Education of China , Beijing 100871 , China
- School of Environment and Energy , Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School , Shenzhen 518055 , China
| | - Liming Chen
- Department of Environmental Engineering , Peking University , Beijing 100871 , China
- Key Laboratory of Water and Sediment Sciences , Ministry of Education of China , Beijing 100871 , China
| | - Sitong Liu
- Department of Environmental Engineering , Peking University , Beijing 100871 , China
- Key Laboratory of Water and Sediment Sciences , Ministry of Education of China , Beijing 100871 , China
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39
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Antimalarial agents against both sexual and asexual parasites stages: structure-activity relationships and biological studies of the Malaria Box compound 1-[5-(4-bromo-2-chlorophenyl)furan-2-yl]-N-[(piperidin-4-yl)methyl]methanamine (MMV019918) and analogues. Eur J Med Chem 2018; 150:698-718. [PMID: 29571157 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2018.03.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2017] [Revised: 03/06/2018] [Accepted: 03/08/2018] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Therapies addressing multiple stages of Plasmodium falciparum life cycle are highly desirable for implementing malaria elimination strategies. MMV019918 (1, 1-[5-(4-bromo-2-chlorophenyl)furan-2-yl]-N-[(piperidin-4-yl)methyl]methanamine) was selected from the MMV Malaria Box for its dual activity against both asexual stages and gametocytes. In-depth structure-activity relationship studies and cytotoxicity evaluation led to the selection of 25 for further biological investigation. The potential transmission blocking activity of 25 versus P. falciparum was confirmed through the standard membrane-feeding assay. Both 1 and 25 significantly prolonged atrioventricular conduction time in Langendorff-isolated rat hearts, and showed inhibitory activity of Ba2+ current through Cav1.2 channels. An in silico target-fishing study suggested the enzyme phosphoethanolamine methyltransferase (PfPMT) as a potential target. However, compound activity against PfPMT did not track with the antiplasmodial activity, suggesting the latter activity relies on a different molecular target. Nevertheless, 25 showed interesting activity against PfPMT, which could be an important starting point for the identification of more potent inhibitors active against both sexual and asexual stages of the parasite.
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40
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Krause RGE, Goldring JPD. Phosphoethanolamine-N-methyltransferase is a potential biomarker for the diagnosis of P. knowlesi and P. falciparum malaria. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0193833. [PMID: 29505599 PMCID: PMC5837800 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0193833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2017] [Accepted: 02/20/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Plasmodium knowlesi is recognised as the main cause of human malaria in Southeast Asia. The disease is often misdiagnosed as P. falciparum or P. malariae infections by microscopy, and the disease is difficult to eliminate due to its presence in both humans and monkeys. P. knowlesi infections can rapidly cause severe disease and require prompt diagnosis and treatment. No protein biomarker exists for the rapid diagnostic test (RDT) detection of P. knowlesi infections. Plasmodium knowlesi infections can be diagnosed by PCR. METHODS AND PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Phosphoethanolamine-N-methyltransferase (PMT) is involved in malaria lipid biosynthesis and is not found in the human host. The P. falciparum, P. vivax and P. knowlesi PMT proteins were recombinantly expressed in BL21(DE3) Escherichia coli host cells, affinity purified and used to raise antibodies in chickens. Antibodies against each recombinant PMT protein all detected all three recombinant proteins and the native 29 kDa P. falciparum PMT protein on western blots and in ELISA. Antibodies against a PMT epitope (PLENNQYTDEGVKC) common to all three PMT orthologues detected all three proteins. Antibodies against unique peptides from each orthologue of PMT, PfCEVEHKYLHENKE, PvVYSIKEYNSLKDC, PkLYPTDEYNSLKDC detected only the parent protein in western blots and P. falciparum infected red blood cell lysates or blood lysates spiked with the respective proteins. Similar concentrations of PfPMT and the control, PfLDH, were detected in the same parasite lysate. The recombinant PfPMT protein was detected by a human anti-malaria antibody pool. CONCLUSION PMT, like the pan-specific LDH biomarker used in RDT tests, is both soluble, present at comparable concentrations in the parasite and constitutes a promising antimalarial drug target. PMT is absent from the human proteome. PMT has the potential as a biomarker for human malaria and in particular as the first P. knowlesi specific protein with diagnostic potential for the identification of a P. knowlesi infection.
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41
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Brancucci NMB, De Niz M, Straub TJ, Ravel D, Sollelis L, Birren BW, Voss TS, Neafsey DE, Marti M. Probing Plasmodium falciparum sexual commitment at the single-cell level. Wellcome Open Res 2018; 3:70. [PMID: 30320226 PMCID: PMC6143928 DOI: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.14645.3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/29/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Malaria parasites go through major transitions during their complex life cycle, yet the underlying differentiation pathways remain obscure. Here we apply single cell transcriptomics to unravel the program inducing sexual differentiation in Plasmodium falciparum. Parasites have to make this essential life-cycle decision in preparation for human-to-mosquito transmission. Methods: By combining transcriptional profiling with quantitative imaging and genetics, we defined a transcriptional signature in sexually committed cells. Results: We found this transcriptional signature to be distinct from general changes in parasite metabolism that can be observed in response to commitment-inducing conditions. Conclusions: This proof-of-concept study provides a template to capture transcriptional diversity in parasite populations containing complex mixtures of different life-cycle stages and developmental programs, with important implications for our understanding of parasite biology and the ongoing malaria elimination campaign.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas M B Brancucci
- Wellcome Centre for Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity & Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.,Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Mariana De Niz
- Wellcome Centre for Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity & Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Timothy J Straub
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Deepali Ravel
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Lauriane Sollelis
- Wellcome Centre for Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity & Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Bruce W Birren
- The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Till S Voss
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Daniel E Neafsey
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Matthias Marti
- Wellcome Centre for Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity & Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.,Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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42
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Brancucci NMB, De Niz M, Straub TJ, Ravel D, Sollelis L, Birren BW, Voss TS, Neafsey DE, Marti M. Probing Plasmodium falciparum sexual commitment at the single-cell level. Wellcome Open Res 2018; 3:70. [PMID: 30320226 PMCID: PMC6143928 DOI: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.14645.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/06/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Malaria parasites go through major transitions during their complex life cycle, yet the underlying differentiation pathways remain obscure. Here we apply single cell transcriptomics to unravel the program inducing sexual differentiation in Plasmodium falciparum. Parasites have to make this essential life-cycle decision in preparation for human-to-mosquito transmission. Methods: By combining transcriptional profiling with quantitative imaging and genetics, we defined a transcriptional signature in sexually committed cells. Results: We found this transcriptional signature to be distinct from general changes in parasite metabolism that can be observed in response to commitment-inducing conditions. Conclusions: This proof-of-concept study provides a template to capture transcriptional diversity in parasite populations containing complex mixtures of different life-cycle stages and developmental programs, with important implications for our understanding of parasite biology and the ongoing malaria elimination campaign.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas M B Brancucci
- Wellcome Centre for Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity & Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.,Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Mariana De Niz
- Wellcome Centre for Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity & Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Timothy J Straub
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Deepali Ravel
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Lauriane Sollelis
- Wellcome Centre for Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity & Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Bruce W Birren
- The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Till S Voss
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Daniel E Neafsey
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Matthias Marti
- Wellcome Centre for Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity & Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.,Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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43
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Brancucci NMB, De Niz M, Straub TJ, Ravel D, Sollelis L, Birren BW, Voss TS, Neafsey DE, Marti M. Probing Plasmodium falciparum sexual commitment at the single-cell level. Wellcome Open Res 2018; 3:70. [PMID: 30320226 PMCID: PMC6143928 DOI: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.14645.4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/16/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Malaria parasites go through major transitions during their complex life cycle, yet the underlying differentiation pathways remain obscure. Here we apply single cell transcriptomics to unravel the program inducing sexual differentiation in Plasmodium falciparum. Parasites have to make this essential life-cycle decision in preparation for human-to-mosquito transmission. Methods: By combining transcriptional profiling with quantitative imaging and genetics, we defined a transcriptional signature in sexually committed cells. Results: We found this transcriptional signature to be distinct from general changes in parasite metabolism that can be observed in response to commitment-inducing conditions. Conclusions: This proof-of-concept study provides a template to capture transcriptional diversity in parasite populations containing complex mixtures of different life-cycle stages and developmental programs, with important implications for our understanding of parasite biology and the ongoing malaria elimination campaign.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas M B Brancucci
- Wellcome Centre for Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity & Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.,Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Mariana De Niz
- Wellcome Centre for Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity & Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Timothy J Straub
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Deepali Ravel
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Lauriane Sollelis
- Wellcome Centre for Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity & Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Bruce W Birren
- The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Till S Voss
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Daniel E Neafsey
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Matthias Marti
- Wellcome Centre for Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity & Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.,Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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44
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Brancucci NMB, De Niz M, Straub TJ, Ravel D, Sollelis L, Birren BW, Voss TS, Neafsey DE, Marti M. Probing Plasmodium falciparum sexual commitment at the single-cell level. Wellcome Open Res 2018; 3:70. [PMID: 30320226 PMCID: PMC6143928 DOI: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.14645.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/24/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Malaria parasites go through major transitions during their complex life cycle, yet the underlying differentiation pathways remain obscure. Here we apply single cell transcriptomics to unravel the program inducing sexual differentiation in Plasmodium falciparum. Parasites have to make this essential life-cycle decision in preparation for human-to-mosquito transmission. Methods: By combining transcriptional profiling with quantitative imaging and genetics, we defined a transcriptional signature in sexually committed cells. Results: We found this transcriptional signature to be distinct from general changes in parasite metabolism that can be observed in response to commitment-inducing conditions. Conclusions: This proof-of-concept study provides a template to capture transcriptional diversity in parasite populations containing complex mixtures of different life-cycle stages and developmental programs, with important implications for our understanding of parasite biology and the ongoing malaria elimination campaign.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas M B Brancucci
- Wellcome Centre for Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity & Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.,Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Mariana De Niz
- Wellcome Centre for Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity & Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Timothy J Straub
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Deepali Ravel
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Lauriane Sollelis
- Wellcome Centre for Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity & Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Bruce W Birren
- The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Till S Voss
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Daniel E Neafsey
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Matthias Marti
- Wellcome Centre for Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity & Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.,Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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45
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Barycki JJ. Covering their bases: The phosphobase methylation pathway in plants. J Biol Chem 2017; 292:21703-21704. [PMID: 29288241 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.h117.000712] [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: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Phosphoethanolamine methyltransferases add three methyl groups successively to their substrate to produce phosphocholine, an important precursor for phospholipid biosynthesis in diverse organisms. New work from Lee and Jez reveals critical domain movements that explain how multiple methylation reactions are uniquely coordinated by plant methyltransferases and provides insights into the evolution of this class of enzymes. As opposed to closely related family members, the intermediates in this pathway are likely shuttled between two tethered domains to ensure complete methylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph J Barycki
- From the Department of Molecular and Structural Biochemistry, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695
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46
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Choi JY, Surovtseva YV, Van Sickle SM, Kumpf J, Bunz UHF, Ben Mamoun C, Voelker DR. A novel fluorescence assay for measuring phosphatidylserine decarboxylase catalysis. J Biol Chem 2017; 293:1493-1503. [PMID: 29247006 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra117.000525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2017] [Revised: 12/07/2017] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Phosphatidylserine decarboxylases (PSDs) are central enzymes in phospholipid metabolism that produce phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) in bacteria, protists, plants, and animals. We developed a fluorescence-based assay for selectively monitoring production of PE in reactions using a maltose-binding protein fusion with Plasmodium knowlesi PSD (MBP-His6-Δ34PkPSD) as the enzyme. The PE detection by fluorescence (λex = 403 nm, λem = 508 nm) occurred after the lipid reacted with a water-soluble distyrylbenzene-bis-aldehyde (DSB-3), and provided strong discrimination against the phosphatidylserine substrate. The reaction conditions were optimized for enzyme, substrate, product, and DSB-3 concentrations with the purified enzyme and also tested with crude extracts and membrane fractions from bacteria and yeast. The assay is readily amenable to application in 96- and 384-well microtiter plates and should prove useful for high-throughput screening for inhibitors of PSD enzymes across diverse phyla.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jae-Yeon Choi
- From the Basic Science Section, Department of Medicine, National Jewish Health, Denver, Colorado 80206
| | | | - Sam M Van Sickle
- From the Basic Science Section, Department of Medicine, National Jewish Health, Denver, Colorado 80206
| | - Jan Kumpf
- the Organisch-Chemisches Institut, Ruprecht-Karls-Universitat, Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 270, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Uwe H F Bunz
- the Organisch-Chemisches Institut, Ruprecht-Karls-Universitat, Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 270, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Choukri Ben Mamoun
- the Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, and
| | - Dennis R Voelker
- From the Basic Science Section, Department of Medicine, National Jewish Health, Denver, Colorado 80206,
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47
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Brancucci NMB, Gerdt JP, Wang C, De Niz M, Philip N, Adapa SR, Zhang M, Hitz E, Niederwieser I, Boltryk SD, Laffitte MC, Clark MA, Grüring C, Ravel D, Blancke Soares A, Demas A, Bopp S, Rubio-Ruiz B, Conejo-Garcia A, Wirth DF, Gendaszewska-Darmach E, Duraisingh MT, Adams JH, Voss TS, Waters AP, Jiang RHY, Clardy J, Marti M. Lysophosphatidylcholine Regulates Sexual Stage Differentiation in the Human Malaria Parasite Plasmodium falciparum. Cell 2017; 171:1532-1544.e15. [PMID: 29129376 PMCID: PMC5733390 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2017.10.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 192] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2017] [Revised: 07/17/2017] [Accepted: 10/12/2017] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Transmission represents a population bottleneck in the Plasmodium life cycle and a key intervention target of ongoing efforts to eradicate malaria. Sexual differentiation is essential for this process, as only sexual parasites, called gametocytes, are infective to the mosquito vector. Gametocyte production rates vary depending on environmental conditions, but external stimuli remain obscure. Here, we show that the host-derived lipid lysophosphatidylcholine (LysoPC) controls P. falciparum cell fate by repressing parasite sexual differentiation. We demonstrate that exogenous LysoPC drives biosynthesis of the essential membrane component phosphatidylcholine. LysoPC restriction induces a compensatory response, linking parasite metabolism to the activation of sexual-stage-specific transcription and gametocyte formation. Our results reveal that malaria parasites can sense and process host-derived physiological signals to regulate differentiation. These data close a critical knowledge gap in parasite biology and introduce a major component of the sexual differentiation pathway in Plasmodium that may provide new approaches for blocking malaria transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas M B Brancucci
- Wellcome Centre for Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity & Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK; Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Boston, MA 02155, USA
| | - Joseph P Gerdt
- Harvard Medical School, Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Boston, MA 02155, USA
| | - ChengQi Wang
- Center for Global Health & Infectious Diseases Research, Department of Global Health, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33620, USA
| | - Mariana De Niz
- Wellcome Centre for Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity & Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK; Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Boston, MA 02155, USA
| | - Nisha Philip
- Wellcome Centre for Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity & Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK; Centre for Immunity, Infection and Evolution, Institute for Immunology and Infection Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3FL, UK
| | - Swamy R Adapa
- Center for Global Health & Infectious Diseases Research, Department of Global Health, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33620, USA
| | - Min Zhang
- Center for Global Health & Infectious Diseases Research, Department of Global Health, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33620, USA
| | - Eva Hitz
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, 4051 Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, 4001 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Igor Niederwieser
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, 4051 Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, 4001 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Sylwia D Boltryk
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, 4051 Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, 4001 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Marie-Claude Laffitte
- Wellcome Centre for Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity & Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Martha A Clark
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Boston, MA 02155, USA
| | - Christof Grüring
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Boston, MA 02155, USA
| | - Deepali Ravel
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Boston, MA 02155, USA
| | - Alexandra Blancke Soares
- Wellcome Centre for Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity & Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Allison Demas
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Boston, MA 02155, USA
| | - Selina Bopp
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Boston, MA 02155, USA
| | - Belén Rubio-Ruiz
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Granada, 18010 Granada, Spain
| | - Ana Conejo-Garcia
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Granada, 18010 Granada, Spain
| | - Dyann F Wirth
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Boston, MA 02155, USA
| | - Edyta Gendaszewska-Darmach
- Institute of Technical Biochemistry, Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Sciences, Lodz University of Technology, 90-924 Lodz, Poland
| | - Manoj T Duraisingh
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Boston, MA 02155, USA
| | - John H Adams
- Center for Global Health & Infectious Diseases Research, Department of Global Health, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33620, USA
| | - Till S Voss
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, 4051 Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, 4001 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Andrew P Waters
- Wellcome Centre for Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity & Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Rays H Y Jiang
- Center for Global Health & Infectious Diseases Research, Department of Global Health, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33620, USA
| | - Jon Clardy
- Harvard Medical School, Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Boston, MA 02155, USA.
| | - Matthias Marti
- Wellcome Centre for Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity & Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK; Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Boston, MA 02155, USA.
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48
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Lee SG, Jez JM. Conformational changes in the di-domain structure of Arabidopsis phosphoethanolamine methyltransferase leads to active-site formation. J Biol Chem 2017; 292:21690-21702. [PMID: 29084845 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra117.000106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2017] [Revised: 10/20/2017] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Phosphocholine (pCho) is a precursor for phosphatidylcholine and osmoprotectants in plants. In plants, de novo synthesis of pCho relies on the phosphobase methylation pathway. Phosphoethanolamine methyltransferase (PMT) catalyzes the triple methylation of phosphoethanolamine (pEA) to pCho. The plant PMTs are di-domain methyltransferases that divide the methylation of pEA in one domain from subsequent methylations in the second domain. To understand the molecular basis of this architecture, we examined the biochemical properties of three Arabidopsis thaliana PMTs (AtPMT1-3) and determined the X-ray crystal structures of AtPMT1 and AtPMT2. Although each isoform synthesizes pCho from pEA, their physiological roles differ with AtPMT1 essential for normal growth and salt tolerance, whereas AtPMT2 and AtPMT3 overlap functionally. The structures of AtPMT1 and AtPMT2 reveal unique features in each methyltransferase domain, including active sites that use different chemical mechanisms for phosphobase methylation. These structures also show how rearrangements in both the active sites and the di-domain linker form catalytically competent active sites and provide insight on the evolution of the PMTs in plants, nematodes, and apicomplexans. Connecting conformational changes with catalysis in modular enzymes, like the PMT, provides new insights on interdomain communication in biosynthetic systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soon Goo Lee
- From the Department of Biology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri 63130
| | - Joseph M Jez
- From the Department of Biology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri 63130
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49
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Chiu JE, Thekkiniath J, Choi JY, Perrin BA, Lawres L, Plummer M, Virji AZ, Abraham A, Toh JY, Zandt MV, Aly ASI, Voelker DR, Mamoun CB. The antimalarial activity of the pantothenamide α-PanAm is via inhibition of pantothenate phosphorylation. Sci Rep 2017; 7:14234. [PMID: 29079738 PMCID: PMC5660193 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-14074-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2017] [Accepted: 10/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The biosynthesis of the major acyl carrier Coenzyme A from pantothenic acid (PA) is critical for survival of Plasmodium falciparum within human erythrocytes. Accordingly, a PA analog α-PanAm showed potent activity against blood stage parasites in vitro; however, its efficacy in vivo and its mode of action remain unknown. We developed a new synthesis route for α-PanAm and showed that the compound is highly effective against blood stages of drug-sensitive and -resistant P. falciparum strains, inhibits development of P. berghei in hepatocytes, and at doses up to 100 mg/kg also inhibits blood stage development of P. chabaudi in mice. We used yeast and its pantothenate kinase Cab1 as models to characterize mode of action of α-PanAm and found that α-PanAm inhibits yeast growth in a PA-dependent manner, and its potency increases dramatically in a yeast mutant with defective pantothenate kinase activity. Biochemical analyses using 14C-PA as a substrate demonstrated that α-PanAm is a competitive inhibitor of Cab1. Interestingly, biochemical and mass spectrometry analyses also showed that the compound is phosphorylated by Cab1. Together, these data suggest that α-PanAm exerts its antimicrobial activity by direct competition with the natural substrate PA for phosphorylation by the pantothenate kinase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joy E Chiu
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Jose Thekkiniath
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Jae-Yeon Choi
- Basic Science Section, Department of Medicine, National Jewish Health, 1400 Jackson St, Denver, Colorado, 80206, USA
| | - Benjamin A Perrin
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Lauren Lawres
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Mark Plummer
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Azan Z Virji
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Amanah Abraham
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, LA, 70112, USA
| | - Justin Y Toh
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | | | - Ahmed S I Aly
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, LA, 70112, USA
| | - Dennis R Voelker
- Basic Science Section, Department of Medicine, National Jewish Health, 1400 Jackson St, Denver, Colorado, 80206, USA
| | - Choukri Ben Mamoun
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA.
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50
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Biagiotti M, Dominguez S, Yamout N, Zufferey R. Lipidomics and anti-trypanosomatid chemotherapy. Clin Transl Med 2017; 6:27. [PMID: 28766182 PMCID: PMC5539062 DOI: 10.1186/s40169-017-0160-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2017] [Accepted: 07/26/2017] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Trypanosomatids such as Leishmania, Trypanosoma brucei and Trypanosoma cruzi belong to the order Kinetoplastida and are the source of many significant human and animal diseases. Current treatment is unsatisfactory and is compromised by the rising appearance of drug resistant parasites. Novel and more effective chemotherapeutics are urgently needed to treat and prevent these devastating diseases, which relies on the identification of essential, parasite specific targets that are absent in the host. Lipids constitute essential components of the cell and carry out multiple critical functions from building blocks of biological membranes to regulatory roles in signal transduction, organellar biogenesis, energy storage, and virulence. The recent technological advances of lipidomics has facilitated the broadening of our knowledge in the field of cellular lipid content, structure, functions, and metabolic pathways. MAIN BODY This review highlights the application of lipidomics (i) in the characterization of the lipidome of kinetoplastid parasites or of their subcellular structure(s), (ii) in the identification of unique lipid species or metabolic pathways that can be targeted for novel drug therapies, (iii) as an analytic tool to gain a deeper insight into the roles of specific enzymes in lipid metabolism using genetically modified microorganisms, and (iv) in deciphering the mechanism of action of anti-microbial drugs on lipid metabolism. Lastly, an outlook stating where the field is evolving is presented. CONCLUSION Lipidomics has contributed to the expanding knowledge related to lipid metabolism, mechanism of drug action and resistance, and pathogen-host interaction of trypanosomatids, which provides a solid basis for the development of better anti-parasitic pharmaceuticals.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Nader Yamout
- St John's University, 8000 Utopia Parkway, Queens, NY, 11439, USA
| | - Rachel Zufferey
- St John's University, 8000 Utopia Parkway, Queens, NY, 11439, USA.
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