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Yadav A, Verma K, Singh K, Tyagi S, Kori L, Bharti PK. Analysis of Diagnostic Biomarkers for Malaria: Prospects on Rapid diagnostic test development. Microb Pathog 2024:106978. [PMID: 39321969 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2024.106978] [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: 01/02/2024] [Revised: 06/20/2024] [Accepted: 09/22/2024] [Indexed: 09/27/2024]
Abstract
Accurate malaria diagnosis remains a formidable challenge in remote regions of malaria-endemic areas globally. Existing diagnostic methods predominantly rely on microscopy and rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs). While RDTs offer advantages such as rapid results and reduced dependence on highly skilled technicians compared to microscopy, persistent challenges emphasize the critical need to identify novel diagnostic biomarkers to further enhance RDT based malaria diagnosis. This comprehensive review presents a range of promising diagnostic targets. These targets could be useful in developing more robust, accurate, and effective diagnostic tools. Such tools are crucial for the detection of the Plasmodium falciparum malaria parasite. The potential biomarkers discussed here significantly address the challenges posed by HRP2 gene deletion in P.falciparum. Researchers, RDT manufacturers, industrial and other stakeholders involved in malaria diagnosis can harness the crucial information describe in this article, to drive the development of advanced RDTs as viable alternatives. The potential biomarkers discussed here significantly in address the challenges posed by HRP2 gene deletion in P.falciparum. By diversifying the available tools for diagnosis, we can attempt to enhance our ability to knock out malaria effectively and contribute to better health outcomes for peoples residing in malaria-endemic regions. This review serves as a valuable resource for advancing research and development in the field of malaria diagnostics, ultimately aiding to the global fight against this devastating ancient disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ankit Yadav
- Department of Molecular Epidemiology, ICMR-NIMR, Dwarka-Delhi-110077
| | - Kanika Verma
- Department of Molecular Epidemiology, ICMR-NIMR, Dwarka-Delhi-110077
| | - Kuldeep Singh
- Department of Molecular Epidemiology, ICMR-NIMR, Dwarka-Delhi-110077
| | - Suchi Tyagi
- Department of Molecular Epidemiology, ICMR-NIMR, Dwarka-Delhi-110077
| | - Lokesh Kori
- Department of Molecular Epidemiology, ICMR-NIMR, Dwarka-Delhi-110077
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Maurya P, Kumar M, Jain R, Abdulhameed Almuqdadi HT, Singh H, Gupta A, Arenz C, Gaur NA, Singh S. Expression of Plasmodium major facilitator superfamily protein in transporters - Δ Candida identifies a drug transporter. Future Microbiol 2024:1-15. [PMID: 39235058 DOI: 10.1080/17460913.2024.2389750] [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: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 08/05/2024] [Indexed: 09/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Aim: To assess the functional relevance of a putative Major Facilitator Superfamily protein (PF3D7_0210300; 'PfMFSDT') as a drug transporter, using Candida glabrata for orthologous protein expression.Methods: Complementary Determining Sequence encoding PfMFSDT was integrated into the genome of genetically engineered C. glabrata strain MSY8 via homologous recombination, followed by assessing its functional relevance as a drug transporter.Results & conclusion: The modified C. glabrata strain exhibited plasma membrane localization of PfMFSDT and characteristics of an Major Facilitator Superfamily transporter, conferring resistance to antifungals, ketoconazole and itraconazole. The nanomolar inhibitory effects of the drugs on the intra-erythrocytic growth of Plasmodium falciparum highlight their antimalarial properties. This study proposes PfMFSDT as a drug transporter, expanding the repertoire of the currently known antimalarial 'resistome'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Preeti Maurya
- Special Centre for Molecular Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067, India
| | - Mohit Kumar
- Yeast Biofuel Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology, New Delhi, 110067, India
| | - Ravi Jain
- Special Centre for Molecular Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067, India
| | - Haider Thaer Abdulhameed Almuqdadi
- Medicinal Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Bioscience, Jamia Millia Islamia, Jamia Nagar, New Delhi, 110025, India
- Department of Chemistry, College of Science, Al-Nahrain University, Baghdad, Iraq
| | - Harshita Singh
- Special Centre for Molecular Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067, India
- Institut für Chemie, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, 12489, Germany
| | - Aashima Gupta
- Special Centre for Molecular Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067, India
| | - Christoph Arenz
- Institut für Chemie, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, 12489, Germany
| | - Naseem A Gaur
- Yeast Biofuel Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology, New Delhi, 110067, India
| | - Shailja Singh
- Special Centre for Molecular Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067, India
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Ali Albsheer MM, Hubbard A, Dieng CC, Gebremeskel EI, Ahmed S, Rougeron V, Ibrahim ME, Lo E, Abdel Hamid MM. Extensive genetic diversity in Plasmodium vivax from Sudan and its genetic relationships with other geographical isolates. INFECTION, GENETICS AND EVOLUTION : JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR EPIDEMIOLOGY AND EVOLUTIONARY GENETICS IN INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2024; 123:105643. [PMID: 39053565 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2024.105643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2024] [Revised: 07/03/2024] [Accepted: 07/13/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
Plasmodium vivax, traditionally overlooked has experienced a notable increase in cases in East Africa. This study investigated the geographical origin and genetic diversity of P. vivax in Sudan using 14 microsatellite markers. A total of 113 clinical P. vivax samples were collected from two different ecogeographical zones, New Halfa and Khartoum, in Sudan. Additionally, 841 geographical samples from the database were incorporated for a global genetic analysis to discern genetic relationships among P. vivax isolates on regional and worldwide scales. On the regional scale, our findings revealed 91 unique and 8 shared haplotypes among the Sudan samples, showcasing a remarkable genetic diversity compared to other geographical isolates and supporting the hypothesis that P. vivax originated from Africa. On a global scale, distinct genetic clustering of P. vivax isolates from Africa, South America, and Asia (including Papua New Guinea and Solomon Island) was observed, with limited admixture among the three clusters. Principal component analysis emphasized the substantial contribution of African isolates to the observed global genetic variation. The Sudanese populations displayed extensive genetic diversity, marked by significant multi-locus linkage disequilibrium, suggesting an ancestral source of P. vivax variation globally and frequent recombination among the isolates. Notably, the East African P. vivax exhibited similarity with some Asian isolates, indicating potential recent introductions. Overall, our results underscore the effectiveness of utilizing microsatellite markers for implementing robust control measures, given their ability to capture extensive genetic diversity and linkage disequilibrium patterns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Musab M Ali Albsheer
- Department of Parasitology and Medical Entomology, Institute of Endemic Diseases, University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan; Faculty of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Sinnar University, Sudan
| | - Alfred Hubbard
- Department of Bioinformatics and Genomics, University of North Carolina, Charlotte, NC 28223, USA
| | - Cheikh Cambel Dieng
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19129, USA
| | | | - Safaa Ahmed
- Department of Parasitology and Medical Entomology, Institute of Endemic Diseases, University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan
| | - Virginie Rougeron
- Laboratoire MIVEGEC (Université de Montpellier-CNRS-IRD), CREES, 34394 Montpellier, France
| | - Muntaser E Ibrahim
- Department of Parasitology and Medical Entomology, Institute of Endemic Diseases, University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan
| | - Eugenia Lo
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19129, USA.
| | - Muzamil M Abdel Hamid
- Department of Parasitology and Medical Entomology, Institute of Endemic Diseases, University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan.
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Kalbskopf V, Aželytė J, Palinauskas V, Hellgren O. Genomic variation in Plasmodium relictum (lineage SGS1) and its implications for avian malaria infection outcomes: insights from experimental infections and genome-wide analysis. Malar J 2024; 23:260. [PMID: 39210339 PMCID: PMC11360878 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-024-05061-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2024] [Accepted: 07/27/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The globally transmitted avian malaria parasite Plasmodium relictum (lineage SGS1) has been found to infect hundreds of different bird species with differences in infection outcomes ranging from more or less latent to potentially mortal. However, to date basic knowledge about the links between genetic differentiation and variation in infection outcome within this single malaria parasite species is lacking. METHODS In this study, two different isolates of SGS1, obtained in the wild from two different host species, were used to investigate differences in their development in the blood and virulence in the experimentally infected canaries. Simultaneously, 258 kb of the parasite genome was screened for genetic differences using parasite mRNA and compared between experimental groups. RESULTS The two isolates showed differences in development and caused mortality as well as effects on the blood parameters of their hosts. Although previous studies using single genes have shown very limited within lineage genetic diversity in the European population of SGS1, 226 SNPs were found across 322 genes, which separated the two experimental groups with a total of 23 SNPs that were fixed in either of the experimental groups. Moreover, genetic variation was found within each experimental group, hinting that each avian malaria infection harbours standing genetic variation that might be selected during each individual infection episode. CONCLUSION These results highlight extensive genetic variation within the SGS1 population that is transferred into individual infections, thus adding to the complexity of the infection dynamics seen in these host-parasite interactions. Simultaneously, the results open up the possibility of understanding how genetic variation within the parasite populations is linked to the commonly observed differences in infection outcomes, both in experimental settings and in the wild.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor Kalbskopf
- Evolutionary Ecology and Infection biology, Department of Biology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Justė Aželytė
- Nature Research Centre, Akademijos 2, 08412, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | | | - Olof Hellgren
- Evolutionary Ecology and Infection biology, Department of Biology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.
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Rashpa R, Smith C, Artavanis-Tsakonas K, Brochet M. A multistage Plasmodium CRL4 WIG1 ubiquitin ligase is critical for the formation of functional microtubule organization centers in microgametocytes. mBio 2024:e0167224. [PMID: 39207167 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01672-24] [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: 06/05/2024] [Accepted: 07/24/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Malaria is a mosquito-borne infectious disease caused by unicellular eukaryotic parasites of the Plasmodium genus. Protein ubiquitination by E3 ligases is a critical post-translational modification required for various cellular processes during the lifecycle of Plasmodium parasites. However, little is known about the repertoire and function of these enzymes in Plasmodium. Here, we show that Plasmodium expresses a conserved cullin RING E3 ligase (CRL) complex that is functionally related to CRL4 in other eukaryotes. In P. falciparum asexual blood stages, a cullin-4 scaffold interacts with the RING protein RBX1, the adaptor protein DDB1, and a set of putative receptor proteins that may determine substrate specificity for ubiquitination. These receptor proteins contain WD40-repeat domains and include WD-repeat protein important for gametogenesis 1 (WIG1). This CRL4-related complex is also expressed in P. berghei gametocytes, with WIG1 being the only putative receptor detected in both the schizont and gametocyte stages. WIG1 disruption leads to a complete block in microgamete formation. Proteomic analyses indicate that WIG1 disruption alters proteostasis of ciliary proteins and components of the DNA replication machinery during gametocytogenesis. Further analysis by ultrastructure expansion microscopy (U-ExM) indicates that WIG1-dependent depletion of ciliary proteins is associated with impaired the formation of the microtubule organization centers that coordinate mitosis with axoneme formation and altered DNA replication during microgametogenesis. This work identifies a CRL4-related ubiquitin ligase in Plasmodium that is critical for the formation of microgametes by regulating proteostasis of ciliary and DNA replication proteins.IMPORTANCEPlasmodium parasites undergo fascinating lifecycles with multiple developmental steps, converting into morphologically distinct forms in both their mammalian and mosquito hosts. Protein ubiquitination by ubiquitin ligases emerges as an important post-translational modification required to control multiple developmental stages in Plasmodium. Here, we identify a cullin RING E3 ubiquitin ligase (CRL) complex expressed in the replicating asexual blood stages and in the gametocyte stages that mediate transmission to the mosquito. WIG1, a putative substrate recognition protein of this ligase complex, is essential for the maturation of microgametocytes into microgametes upon ingestion by a mosquito. More specifically, WIG1 is required for proteostasis of ciliary proteins and components of the DNA replication machinery during gametocytogenesis. This requirement is linked to DNA replication and microtubule organization center formation, both critical to the development of flagellated microgametes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ravish Rashpa
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Cameron Smith
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | | | - Mathieu Brochet
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
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Tebben K, Yirampo S, Coulibaly D, Koné AK, Laurens MB, Stucke EM, Dembélé A, Tolo Y, Traoré K, Niangaly A, Berry AA, Kouriba B, Plowe CV, Doumbo OK, Lyke KE, Takala-Harrison S, Thera MA, Travassos MA, Serre D. Immune gene expression changes more during a malaria transmission season than between consecutive seasons. Microbiol Spectr 2024:e0096024. [PMID: 39162546 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00960-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2024] [Accepted: 07/08/2024] [Indexed: 08/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium parasites, the causative organism of malaria, caused over 600,000 deaths in 2022. In Mali, Plasmodium falciparum causes the majority of malaria cases and deaths and is transmitted seasonally. Anti-malarial immunity develops slowly over repeated exposures to P. falciparum and some aspects of this immunity (e.g., antibody titers) wane during the non-transmission, dry season. Here, we sequenced RNA from 33 pediatric blood samples collected during P. falciparum infections at the beginning or end of a transmission season, and characterized the host and parasite gene expression profiles for paired, consecutive infections. We found that human gene expression changes more over the course of one transmission season than between seasons, with signatures of partial development of an adaptive immune response during one transmission season and stability in gene expression during the dry season. Additionally, we found that P. falciparum gene expression did not vary with timing during the season and remained stable both across and between seasons, despite varying human immune pressures. Our results provide insights into the dynamics of anti-malarial immune response development over short time frames that could be exploited by future vaccine and prevention efforts. IMPORTANCE Our work seeks to understand how the immune response to Plasmodium falciparum malaria changes between infections that occur during low and high malaria transmission seasons, and highlights that immune gene expression changes more during the high transmission season. This provides important insight into the dynamics of the anti-malarial immune response that are important to characterize over these short time frames to better understand how to exploit this immune response with future vaccine efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kieran Tebben
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Salif Yirampo
- Malaria Research and Training Center, University of Sciences, Techniques and Technologies, Bamako, Mali
| | - Drissa Coulibaly
- Malaria Research and Training Center, University of Sciences, Techniques and Technologies, Bamako, Mali
| | - Abdoulaye K Koné
- Malaria Research and Training Center, University of Sciences, Techniques and Technologies, Bamako, Mali
| | - Matthew B Laurens
- Malaria Research Program, Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Emily M Stucke
- Malaria Research Program, Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Ahmadou Dembélé
- Malaria Research and Training Center, University of Sciences, Techniques and Technologies, Bamako, Mali
| | - Youssouf Tolo
- Malaria Research and Training Center, University of Sciences, Techniques and Technologies, Bamako, Mali
| | - Karim Traoré
- Malaria Research and Training Center, University of Sciences, Techniques and Technologies, Bamako, Mali
| | - Amadou Niangaly
- Malaria Research and Training Center, University of Sciences, Techniques and Technologies, Bamako, Mali
| | - Andrea A Berry
- Malaria Research Program, Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Bourèma Kouriba
- Malaria Research and Training Center, University of Sciences, Techniques and Technologies, Bamako, Mali
| | - Christopher V Plowe
- Malaria Research Program, Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Ogobara K Doumbo
- Malaria Research and Training Center, University of Sciences, Techniques and Technologies, Bamako, Mali
| | - Kirsten E Lyke
- Malaria Research Program, Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Shannon Takala-Harrison
- Malaria Research Program, Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Mahamadou A Thera
- Malaria Research and Training Center, University of Sciences, Techniques and Technologies, Bamako, Mali
| | - Mark A Travassos
- Malaria Research Program, Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - David Serre
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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Nagar R, Garcia Castillo SS, Pinzon-Ortiz M, Patray S, Coppi A, Kanatani S, Moritz RL, Swearingen KE, Ferguson MAJ, Sinnis P. The major surface protein of malaria sporozoites is GPI-anchored to the plasma membrane. J Biol Chem 2024; 300:107557. [PMID: 39002668 PMCID: PMC11359735 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2024.107557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2024] [Revised: 06/27/2024] [Accepted: 06/30/2024] [Indexed: 07/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchor protein modification in Plasmodium species is well known and represents the principal form of glycosylation in these organisms. The structure and biosynthesis of GPI anchors of Plasmodium spp. has been primarily studied in the asexual blood stage of Plasmodium falciparum and is known to contain the typical conserved GPI structure of EtN-P-Man3GlcN-PI. Here, we have investigated the circumsporozoite protein (CSP) for the presence of a GPI anchor. CSP is the major surface protein of Plasmodium sporozoites, the infective stage of the malaria parasite. While it is widely assumed that CSP is a GPI-anchored cell surface protein, compelling biochemical evidence for this supposition is absent. Here, we employed metabolic labeling and mass-spectrometry-based approaches to confirm the presence of a GPI anchor in CSP. Biosynthetic radiolabeling of CSP with [3H]-palmitic acid and [3H]-ethanolamine, with the former being base-labile and therefore ester-linked, provided strong evidence for the presence of a GPI anchor on CSP, but these data alone were not definitive. To provide further evidence, immunoprecipitated CSP was analyzed for the presence of myo-inositol (a characteristic component of GPI anchor) using strong acid hydrolysis and GC-MS for highly sensitive and quantitative detection. The single ion monitoring (SIM) method for GC-MS analysis confirmed the presence of the myo-inositol component in CSP. Taken together, these data provide confidence that the long-assumed presence of a GPI anchor on this important parasite protein is correct.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rupa Nagar
- Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Stefano S Garcia Castillo
- Department of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Johns Hopkins Malaria Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Maria Pinzon-Ortiz
- Department of Medical Parsitology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Sharon Patray
- Department of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Alida Coppi
- Department of Medical Parsitology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Sachie Kanatani
- Department of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | | | | | - Michael A J Ferguson
- Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK.
| | - Photini Sinnis
- Department of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Johns Hopkins Malaria Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
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8
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Zhou C, Zhao D, Wu C, Wu Z, Zhang W, Chen S, Zhao X, Wu S. Role of histone deacetylase inhibitors in non-neoplastic diseases. Heliyon 2024; 10:e33997. [PMID: 39071622 PMCID: PMC11283006 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e33997] [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: 10/04/2023] [Revised: 06/28/2024] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Epigenetic dysregulation has been implicated in the development and progression of a variety of human diseases, but epigenetic changes are reversible, and epigenetic enzymes and regulatory proteins can be targeted using small molecules. Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACis), as a class of epigenetic drugs, are widely used to treat various cancers and other diseases involving abnormal gene expression. Results Specially, HDACis have emerged as a promising strategy to enhance the therapeutic effect of non-neoplastic conditions, including neurological disorders, cardiovascular diseases, renal diseases, autoimmune diseases, inflammatory diseases, infectious diseases and rare diseases, along with their related mechanisms. However, their clinical efficacy has been limited by drug resistance and toxicity. Conclusions To date, most clinical trials of HDAC inhibitors have been related to the treatment of cancer rather than the treatment of non-cancer diseases, for which experimental studies are gradually underway. Discussions regarding non-neoplastic diseases often concentrate on specific disease types. Therefore, this review highlights the development of HDACis and their potential therapeutic applications in non-neoplastic diseases, either as monotherapy or in combination with other drugs or therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunxiao Zhou
- College of Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266000, China
| | - Dengke Zhao
- Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150000, China
| | - Chunyan Wu
- College of Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266000, China
| | - Zhimin Wu
- College of Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266000, China
| | - Wen Zhang
- College of Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266000, China
| | - Shilv Chen
- College of Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266000, China
| | - Xindong Zhao
- College of Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266000, China
| | - Shaoling Wu
- Department of Hematology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266000, China
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Kanyal A, Deshmukh B, Davies H, Mamatharani DV, Farheen D, Treeck M, Karmodiya K. PfHDAC1 is an essential regulator of P. falciparum asexual proliferation and host cell invasion genes with a dynamic genomic occupancy responsive to artemisinin stress. mBio 2024; 15:e0237723. [PMID: 38709067 PMCID: PMC11237754 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02377-23] [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: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium falciparum, the deadly protozoan parasite responsible for malaria, has a tightly regulated gene expression profile closely linked to its intraerythrocytic development cycle. Epigenetic modifiers of the histone acetylation code have been identified as key regulators of the parasite's transcriptome but require further investigation. In this study, we map the genomic distribution of Plasmodium falciparum histone deacetylase 1 (PfHDAC1) across the erythrocytic asexual development cycle and find it has a dynamic occupancy over a wide array of developmentally relevant genes. Overexpression of PfHDAC1 results in a progressive increment in parasite load over consecutive rounds of the asexual infection cycle and is associated with enhanced gene expression of multiple families of host cell invasion factors (merozoite surface proteins, rhoptry proteins, etc.) and with increased merozoite invasion efficiency. With the use of class-specific inhibitors, we demonstrate that PfHDAC1 activity in parasites is crucial for timely intraerythrocytic development. Interestingly, overexpression of PfHDAC1 results in decreased sensitivity to frontline-drug dihydroartemisinin in parasites. Furthermore, we identify that artemisinin exposure can interfere with PfHDAC1 abundance and chromatin occupancy, resulting in enrichment over genes implicated in response/resistance to artemisinin. Finally, we identify that dihydroartemisinin exposure can interrupt the in vitro catalytic deacetylase activity and post-translational phosphorylation of PfHDAC1, aspects that are crucial for its genomic function. Collectively, our results demonstrate PfHDAC1 to be a regulator of critical functions in asexual parasite development and host invasion, which is responsive to artemisinin exposure stress and deterministic of resistance to it. IMPORTANCE Malaria is a major public health problem, with the parasite Plasmodium falciparum causing most of the malaria-associated mortality. It is spread by the bite of infected mosquitoes and results in symptoms such as cyclic fever, chills, and headache. However, if left untreated, it can quickly progress to a more severe and life-threatening form. The World Health Organization currently recommends the use of artemisinin combination therapy, and it has worked as a gold standard for many years. Unfortunately, certain countries in southeast Asia and Africa, burdened with a high prevalence of malaria, have reported cases of drug-resistant infections. One of the major problems in controlling malaria is the emergence of artemisinin resistance. Population genomic studies have identified mutations in the Kelch13 gene as a molecular marker for artemisinin resistance. However, several reports thereafter indicated that Kelch13 is not the main mediator but rather hinted at transcriptional deregulation as a major determinant of drug resistance. Earlier, we identified PfGCN5 as a global regulator of stress-responsive genes, which are known to play a central role in artemisinin resistance generation. In this study, we have identified PfHDAC1, a histone deacetylase as a cell cycle regulator, playing an important role in artemisinin resistance generation. Taken together, our study identified key transcriptional regulators that play an important role in artemisinin resistance generation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhishek Kanyal
- Department of Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Dr. Homi Bhabha Road, Pashan, Pune, Maharashtra, India
| | - Bhagyashree Deshmukh
- Department of Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Dr. Homi Bhabha Road, Pashan, Pune, Maharashtra, India
| | - Heledd Davies
- Signalling in Apicomplexan Parasites Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - D. V. Mamatharani
- Department of Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Dr. Homi Bhabha Road, Pashan, Pune, Maharashtra, India
| | - Dilsha Farheen
- Department of Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Dr. Homi Bhabha Road, Pashan, Pune, Maharashtra, India
| | - Moritz Treeck
- Signalling in Apicomplexan Parasites Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Krishanpal Karmodiya
- Department of Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Dr. Homi Bhabha Road, Pashan, Pune, Maharashtra, India
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10
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Bhalerao P, Singh S, Prajapati VK, Bhatt TK. Exploring malaria parasite surface proteins to devise highly immunogenic multi-epitope subunit vaccine for Plasmodium falciparum. J Genet Eng Biotechnol 2024; 22:100377. [PMID: 38797552 PMCID: PMC11089370 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgeb.2024.100377] [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: 12/12/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 04/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Malaria has remained a major health concern for decades among people living in tropical and sub-tropical countries. Plasmodium falciparum is one of the critical species that cause severe malaria and is responsible for major mortality. Moreover, the parasite has generated resistance against all WHO recommended drugs and therapies. Therefore, there is an urgent need for preventive measures in the form of reliable vaccines to achieve the target of a malaria-free world. Surface proteins are the preferable choice for subunit vaccine development because they are rapidly detected and engaged by host immune cells and vaccination-induced antibodies. Additionally, abundant surface or membrane proteins may contribute to the opsonization of pathogens by vaccine-induced antibodies. RESULTS In our study, we have listed all those surface proteins from the literature that could be functionally important and essential for infection and immune evasion of the malaria parasite. Eight Plasmodium surface and membrane proteins from the pre-erythrocyte and erythrocyte stages were shortlisted. Thirty-seven epitopes (B-cell, CTL, and HTL epitopes) from these proteins were predicted using immune-informatic tools and joined with suitable peptide linkers to design a vaccine construct. A TLR-4 agonist peptide adjuvant was added at the N-terminus of the multi-epitope series, followed by the PADRE sequence and EAAAK linker. The TLR-4 receptor was docked with the construct's anticipated model structure. The complex of vaccine and TLR-4, with the lowest energy -1514, was found to be stable under simulated physiological settings. CONCLUSION This study has provided a novel multi-epitope construct that may be exploited further for the development of an efficient vaccine for malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Preshita Bhalerao
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Central University of Rajasthan, Bandar Sindri, Kishangarh, Ajmer 305817, Rajasthan, India
| | - Satyendra Singh
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, Central University of Rajasthan, Bandar Sindri, Kishangarh, Ajmer 305817, Rajasthan, India
| | - Vijay Kumar Prajapati
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Delhi South Campus, Benito Juarez Road, Dhaula Kuan, New Delhi 110021, India
| | - Tarun Kumar Bhatt
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Central University of Rajasthan, Bandar Sindri, Kishangarh, Ajmer 305817, Rajasthan, India.
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11
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Morano AA, Ali I, Dvorin JD. Elucidating the spatio-temporal dynamics of the Plasmodium falciparum basal complex. PLoS Pathog 2024; 20:e1012265. [PMID: 38829893 PMCID: PMC11175456 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1012265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2024] [Revised: 06/13/2024] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Asexual replication of Plasmodium falciparum occurs via schizogony, wherein 16-36 daughter cells are produced within the parasite during one semi-synchronized cytokinetic event. Schizogony requires a divergent contractile ring structure known as the basal complex. Our lab has previously identified PfMyoJ (PF3D7_1229800) and PfSLACR (PF3D7_0214700) as basal complex proteins recruited midway through segmentation. Using ultrastructure expansion microscopy, we localized both proteins to a novel basal complex subcompartment. While both colocalize with the basal complex protein PfCINCH upon recruitment, they form a separate, more basal subcompartment termed the posterior cup during contraction. We also show that PfSLACR is recruited to the basal complex prior to PfMyoJ, and that both proteins are removed unevenly as segmentation concludes. Using live-cell microscopy, we show that actin dynamics are dispensable for basal complex formation, expansion, and contraction. We then show that EF-hand containing P. falciparum Centrin 2 partially localizes to this posterior cup of the basal complex and that it is essential for growth and replication, with variable defects in basal complex contraction and synchrony. Finally, we demonstrate that free intracellular calcium is necessary but not sufficient for basal complex contraction in P. falciparum. Thus, we demonstrate dynamic spatial compartmentalization of the Plasmodium falciparum basal complex, identify an additional basal complex protein, and begin to elucidate the unique mechanism of contraction utilized by P. falciparum, opening the door for further exploration of Apicomplexan cellular division.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander A. Morano
- Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Ilzat Ali
- Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Jeffrey D. Dvorin
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
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12
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Nagar R, Garcia Castillo SS, Pinzon-Ortiz M, Patray S, Coppi A, Kanatani S, Moritz RL, Swearingen KE, Ferguson MAJ, Sinnis P. The major surface protein of malaria sporozoites is GPI-anchored to the plasma membrane. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.21.595204. [PMID: 38826328 PMCID: PMC11142060 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.21.595204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2024]
Abstract
Glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchor protein modification in Plasmodium species is well known and represents the principal form of glycosylation in these organisms. The structure and biosynthesis of GPI anchors of Plasmodium spp. has been primarily studied in the asexual blood stage of P. falciparum and is known to contain the typical conserved GPI structure of EtN-P-Man3GlcN-PI. Here, we have investigated the circumsporozoite protein (CSP) for the presence of a GPI-anchor. CSP is the major surface protein of Plasmodium sporozoites, the infective stage of the malaria parasite. While it is widely assumed that CSP is a GPI-anchored cell surface protein, compelling biochemical evidence for this supposition is absent. Here, we employed metabolic labeling and mass-spectrometry based approaches to confirm the presence of a GPI anchor in CSP. Biosynthetic radiolabeling of CSP with [ 3 H]-palmitic acid and [ 3 H]-ethanolamine, with the former being base-labile and therefore ester-linked, provided strong evidence for the presence of a GPI anchor on CSP, but these data alone were not definitive. To provide further evidence, immunoprecipitated CSP was analyzed for presence of myo -inositol (a characteristic component of GPI anchor) using strong acid hydrolysis and GC-MS for a highly sensitive and quantitative detection. The single ion monitoring (SIM) method for GC-MS analysis confirmed the presence of the myo -inositol component in CSP. Taken together, these data provide confidence that the long-assumed presence of a GPI anchor on this important parasite protein is correct.
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13
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Schwake CJ, Krueger RM, Hanada T, Chishti AH. Plasmodium falciparum Glutamic Acid-Rich Protein-Independent Polyclonal Antibodies Inhibit Malaria Parasite Growth in Human Erythrocytes. J Infect Dis 2024; 229:1565-1573. [PMID: 38298126 PMCID: PMC11095539 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiae050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium falciparum glutamic acid-rich protein (PfGARP) is a recently characterized cell surface antigen encoded by Plasmodium falciparum, the causative agent of severe human malaria pathophysiology. Previously, we reported that the human erythrocyte band 3 (SLC4A1) serves as a host receptor for PfGARP. Antibodies against PfGARP did not affect parasite invasion and growth. We surmised that PfGARP may play a role in the rosetting and adhesion of malaria. Another study reported that antibodies targeting PfGARP exhibit potent inhibition of parasite growth. This inhibition occurred without the presence of any immune or complement components, suggesting the activation of an inherent density-dependent regulatory system. Here, we used polyclonal antibodies against PfGARP and a monoclonal antibody mAb7899 to demonstrate that anti-PfGARP polyclonal antibodies, but not mAb7899, exerted potent inhibition of parasite growth in infected erythrocytes independent of PfGARP. These findings suggest that an unknown malaria protein(s) is the target of growth arrest by polyclonal antibodies raised against PfGARP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J Schwake
- Program in Cellular, Molecular, and Developmental Biology, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Rachel M Krueger
- Department of Developmental, Molecular, and Chemical Biology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Toshihiko Hanada
- Department of Developmental, Molecular, and Chemical Biology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Athar H Chishti
- Program in Cellular, Molecular, and Developmental Biology, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Developmental, Molecular, and Chemical Biology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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14
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Gurung P, McGee JP, Dvorin JD. PfCAP-H is essential for assembly of condensin I complex and karyokinesis during asexual proliferation of Plasmodium falciparum. mBio 2024; 15:e0285023. [PMID: 38564676 PMCID: PMC11078010 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02850-23] [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: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Condensin I is a pentameric complex that regulates the mitotic chromosome assembly in eukaryotes. The kleisin subunit CAP-H of the condensin I complex acts as a linchpin to maintain the structural integrity and loading of this complex on mitotic chromosomes. This complex is present in all eukaryotes and has recently been identified in Plasmodium spp. However, how this complex is assembled and whether the kleisin subunit is critical for this complex in these parasites are yet to be explored. To examine the role of PfCAP-H during cell division within erythrocytes, we generated an inducible PfCAP-H knockout parasite. We find that PfCAP-H is dynamically expressed during mitosis with the peak expression at the metaphase plate. PfCAP-H interacts with PfCAP-G and is a non-SMC member of the condensin I complex. Notably, the absence of PfCAP-H does not alter the expression of PfCAP-G but affects its localization at the mitotic chromosomes. While mitotic spindle assembly is intact in PfCAP-H-deficient parasites, duplicated centrosomes remain clustered over the mass of unsegmented nuclei with failed karyokinesis. This failure leads to the formation of an abnormal nuclear mass, while cytokinesis occurs normally. Altogether, our data suggest that PfCAP-H plays a crucial role in maintaining the structural integrity of the condensin I complex on the mitotic chromosomes and is essential for the asexual development of malarial parasites. IMPORTANCE Mitosis is a fundamental process for Plasmodium parasites, which plays a vital role in their survival within two distinct hosts-human and Anopheles mosquitoes. Despite its great significance, our comprehension of mitosis and its regulation remains limited. In eukaryotes, mitosis is regulated by one of the pivotal complexes known as condensin complexes. The condensin complexes are responsible for chromosome condensation, ensuring the faithful distribution of genetic material to daughter cells. While condensin complexes have recently been identified in Plasmodium spp., our understanding of how this complex is assembled and its precise functions during the blood stage development of Plasmodium falciparum remains largely unexplored. In this study, we investigate the role of a central protein, PfCAP-H, during the blood stage development of P. falciparum. Our findings reveal that PfCAP-H is essential and plays a pivotal role in upholding the structure of condensin I and facilitating karyokinesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pratima Gurung
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - James P. McGee
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jeffrey D. Dvorin
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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15
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Behrens HM, Spielmann T. Identification of domains in Plasmodium falciparum proteins of unknown function using DALI search on AlphaFold predictions. Sci Rep 2024; 14:10527. [PMID: 38719885 PMCID: PMC11079077 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-60058-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium falciparum, the causative agent of malaria, poses a significant global health challenge, yet much of its biology remains elusive. A third of the genes in the P. falciparum genome lack annotations regarding their function, impeding our understanding of the parasite's biology. In this study, we employ structure predictions and the DALI search algorithm to analyse proteins encoded by uncharacterized genes in the reference strain 3D7 of P. falciparum. By comparing AlphaFold predictions to experimentally determined protein structures in the Protein Data Bank, we found similarities to known domains in 353 proteins of unknown function, shedding light on their potential functions. The lowest-scoring 5% of similarities were additionally validated using the size-independent TM-align algorithm, confirming the detected similarities in 88% of the cases. Notably, in over 70 P. falciparum proteins the presence of domains resembling heptatricopeptide repeats, which are typically involvement in RNA binding and processing, was detected. This suggests this family, which is important in transcription in mitochondria and apicoplasts, is much larger in Plasmodium parasites than previously thought. The results of this domain search provide a resource to the malaria research community that is expected to inform and enable experimental studies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tobias Spielmann
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, 20359, Hamburg, Germany.
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16
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Dogga SK, Rop JC, Cudini J, Farr E, Dara A, Ouologuem D, Djimdé AA, Talman AM, Lawniczak MKN. A single cell atlas of sexual development in Plasmodium falciparum. Science 2024; 384:eadj4088. [PMID: 38696552 DOI: 10.1126/science.adj4088] [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: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/04/2024]
Abstract
The developmental decision made by malaria parasites to become sexual underlies all malaria transmission. Here, we describe a rich atlas of short- and long-read single-cell transcriptomes of over 37,000 Plasmodium falciparum cells across intraerythrocytic asexual and sexual development. We used the atlas to explore transcriptional modules and exon usage along sexual development and expanded it to include malaria parasites collected from four Malian individuals naturally infected with multiple P. falciparum strains. We investigated genotypic and transcriptional heterogeneity within and among these wild strains at the single-cell level, finding differential expression between different strains even within the same host. These data are a key addition to the Malaria Cell Atlas interactive data resource, enabling a deeper understanding of the biology and diversity of transmission stages.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jesse C Rop
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton CB10 1SA, UK
| | | | - Elias Farr
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton CB10 1SA, UK
- Institute for Computational Biomedicine, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 130.3, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Antoine Dara
- Malaria Research and Training Center (MRTC), Faculty of Pharmacy, Université des Sciences, des Techniques et des Technologies de Bamako (USTTB), Point G, P.O. Box, 1805 Bamako, Mali
| | - Dinkorma Ouologuem
- Malaria Research and Training Center (MRTC), Faculty of Pharmacy, Université des Sciences, des Techniques et des Technologies de Bamako (USTTB), Point G, P.O. Box, 1805 Bamako, Mali
| | - Abdoulaye A Djimdé
- Malaria Research and Training Center (MRTC), Faculty of Pharmacy, Université des Sciences, des Techniques et des Technologies de Bamako (USTTB), Point G, P.O. Box, 1805 Bamako, Mali
| | - Arthur M Talman
- MIVEGEC, University of Montpellier, IRD, CNRS, Montpellier, France
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17
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Chou RT, Ouattara A, Adams M, Berry AA, Takala-Harrison S, Cummings MP. Positive-unlabeled learning identifies vaccine candidate antigens in the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. NPJ Syst Biol Appl 2024; 10:44. [PMID: 38678051 PMCID: PMC11055854 DOI: 10.1038/s41540-024-00365-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Malaria vaccine development is hampered by extensive antigenic variation and complex life stages of Plasmodium species. Vaccine development has focused on a small number of antigens, many of which were identified without utilizing systematic genome-level approaches. In this study, we implement a machine learning-based reverse vaccinology approach to predict potential new malaria vaccine candidate antigens. We assemble and analyze P. falciparum proteomic, structural, functional, immunological, genomic, and transcriptomic data, and use positive-unlabeled learning to predict potential antigens based on the properties of known antigens and remaining proteins. We prioritize candidate antigens based on model performance on reference antigens with different genetic diversity and quantify the protein properties that contribute most to identifying top candidates. Candidate antigens are characterized by gene essentiality, gene ontology, and gene expression in different life stages to inform future vaccine development. This approach provides a framework for identifying and prioritizing candidate vaccine antigens for a broad range of pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renee Ti Chou
- Center for Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, University of Maryland, College Park, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Amed Ouattara
- Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Matthew Adams
- Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Andrea A Berry
- Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Shannon Takala-Harrison
- Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - Michael P Cummings
- Center for Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, University of Maryland, College Park, College Park, MD, USA.
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18
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Tebben K, Yirampo S, Coulibaly D, Koné AK, Laurens MB, Stucke EM, Dembélé A, Tolo Y, Traoré K, Niangaly A, Berry AA, Kouriba B, Plowe CV, Doumbo OK, Lyke KE, Takala-Harrison S, Thera MA, Travassos MA, Serre D. Gene expression analyses reveal differences in children's response to malaria according to their age. Nat Commun 2024; 15:2021. [PMID: 38448421 PMCID: PMC10918175 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46416-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024] Open
Abstract
In Bandiagara, Mali, children experience on average two clinical malaria episodes per year. However, even in the same transmission area, the number of uncomplicated symptomatic infections, and their parasitemia, can vary dramatically among children. We simultaneously characterize host and parasite gene expression profiles from 136 Malian children with symptomatic falciparum malaria and examine differences in the relative proportion of immune cells and parasite stages, as well as in gene expression, associated with infection and or patient characteristics. Parasitemia explains much of the variation in host and parasite gene expression, and infections with higher parasitemia display proportionally more neutrophils and fewer T cells, suggesting parasitemia-dependent neutrophil recruitment and/or T cell extravasation to secondary lymphoid organs. The child's age also strongly correlates with variations in gene expression: Plasmodium falciparum genes associated with age suggest that older children carry more male gametocytes, while variations in host gene expression indicate a stronger innate response in younger children and stronger adaptive response in older children. These analyses highlight the variability in host responses and parasite regulation during P. falciparum symptomatic infections and emphasize the importance of considering the children's age when studying and treating malaria infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kieran Tebben
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Salif Yirampo
- Malaria Research and Training Center, University of Sciences, Techniques and Technologies, Bamako, Mali
| | - Drissa Coulibaly
- Malaria Research and Training Center, University of Sciences, Techniques and Technologies, Bamako, Mali
| | - Abdoulaye K Koné
- Malaria Research and Training Center, University of Sciences, Techniques and Technologies, Bamako, Mali
| | - Matthew B Laurens
- Malaria Research Program, Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Emily M Stucke
- Malaria Research Program, Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Ahmadou Dembélé
- Malaria Research and Training Center, University of Sciences, Techniques and Technologies, Bamako, Mali
| | - Youssouf Tolo
- Malaria Research and Training Center, University of Sciences, Techniques and Technologies, Bamako, Mali
| | - Karim Traoré
- Malaria Research and Training Center, University of Sciences, Techniques and Technologies, Bamako, Mali
| | - Amadou Niangaly
- Malaria Research and Training Center, University of Sciences, Techniques and Technologies, Bamako, Mali
| | - Andrea A Berry
- Malaria Research Program, Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Bourema Kouriba
- Malaria Research and Training Center, University of Sciences, Techniques and Technologies, Bamako, Mali
| | - Christopher V Plowe
- Malaria Research Program, Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Ogobara K Doumbo
- Malaria Research and Training Center, University of Sciences, Techniques and Technologies, Bamako, Mali
| | - Kirsten E Lyke
- Malaria Research Program, Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Shannon Takala-Harrison
- Malaria Research Program, Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Mahamadou A Thera
- Malaria Research and Training Center, University of Sciences, Techniques and Technologies, Bamako, Mali
| | - Mark A Travassos
- Malaria Research Program, Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - David Serre
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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19
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Pietsch E, Niedermüller K, Andrews M, Meyer BS, Lenz TL, Wilson DW, Gilberger TW, Burda PC. Disruption of a Plasmodium falciparum patatin-like phospholipase delays male gametocyte exflagellation. Mol Microbiol 2024; 121:529-542. [PMID: 38131156 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.15211] [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: 04/28/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/03/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
An essential process in transmission of the malaria parasite to the Anopheles vector is the conversion of mature gametocytes into gametes within the mosquito gut, where they egress from the red blood cell (RBC). During egress, male gametocytes undergo exflagellation, leading to the formation of eight haploid motile microgametes, while female gametes retain their spherical shape. Gametocyte egress depends on sequential disruption of the parasitophorous vacuole membrane and the host cell membrane. In other life cycle stages of the malaria parasite, phospholipases have been implicated in membrane disruption processes during egress, however their importance for gametocyte egress is relatively unknown. Here, we performed comprehensive functional analyses of six putative phospholipases for their role during development and egress of Plasmodium falciparum gametocytes. We localize two of them, the prodrug activation and resistance esterase (PF3D7_0709700) and the lysophospholipase 1 (PF3D7_1476700), to the parasite plasma membrane. Subsequently, we show that disruption of most of the studied phospholipase genes does neither affect gametocyte development nor egress. The exception is the putative patatin-like phospholipase 3 (PF3D7_0924000), whose gene deletion leads to a delay in male gametocyte exflagellation, indicating an important, albeit not essential, role of this enzyme in male gametogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Pietsch
- Centre for Structural Systems Biology, Hamburg, Germany
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
- University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Korbinian Niedermüller
- Centre for Structural Systems Biology, Hamburg, Germany
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
- University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Mia Andrews
- Research Centre for Infectious Diseases, School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Britta S Meyer
- Research Unit for Evolutionary Immunogenomics, Department of Biology, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Tobias L Lenz
- Research Unit for Evolutionary Immunogenomics, Department of Biology, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Danny W Wilson
- Research Centre for Infectious Diseases, School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Tim-Wolf Gilberger
- Centre for Structural Systems Biology, Hamburg, Germany
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
- University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Paul-Christian Burda
- Centre for Structural Systems Biology, Hamburg, Germany
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
- University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
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20
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Farrukh A, Musabyimana JP, Distler U, Mahlich VJ, Mueller J, Bick F, Tenzer S, Pradel G, Ngwa CJ. The Plasmodium falciparum CCCH zinc finger protein MD3 regulates male gametocytogenesis through its interaction with RNA-binding proteins. Mol Microbiol 2024; 121:543-564. [PMID: 38148574 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.15215] [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: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023]
Abstract
The transmission of malaria parasites to mosquitoes is dependent on the formation of gametocytes. Once fully matured, gametocytes are able to transform into gametes in the mosquito's midgut, a process accompanied with their egress from the enveloping erythrocyte. Gametocyte maturation and gametogenesis require a well-coordinated gene expression program that involves a wide spectrum of regulatory proteins, ranging from histone modifiers to transcription factors to RNA-binding proteins. Here, we investigated the role of the CCCH zinc finger protein MD3 in Plasmodium falciparum gametocytogenesis. MD3 was originally identified as an epigenetically regulated protein of immature gametocytes and recently shown to be involved in male development in a barcode-based screen in P. berghei. We report that MD3 is mainly present in the cytoplasm of immature male P. falciparum gametocytes. Parasites deficient of MD3 are impaired in gametocyte maturation and male gametocytogenesis. BioID analysis in combination with co-immunoprecipitation assays unveiled an interaction network of MD3 with RNA-binding proteins like PABP1 and ALBA3, with translational initiators, regulators and repressors like elF4G, PUF1, NOT1 and CITH, and with further regulators of gametocytogenesis, including ZNF4, MD1 and GD1. We conclude that MD3 is part of a regulator complex crucial for post-transcriptional fine-tuning of male gametocytogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Afia Farrukh
- Division of Cellular and Applied Infection Biology, Institute of Zoology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Jean Pierre Musabyimana
- Division of Cellular and Applied Infection Biology, Institute of Zoology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Ute Distler
- Core Facility for Mass Spectrometry, Institute of Immunology, University Medical Centre of the Johannes-Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Vanessa Jil Mahlich
- Division of Cellular and Applied Infection Biology, Institute of Zoology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Julius Mueller
- Division of Cellular and Applied Infection Biology, Institute of Zoology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Fabian Bick
- Division of Cellular and Applied Infection Biology, Institute of Zoology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Stefan Tenzer
- Core Facility for Mass Spectrometry, Institute of Immunology, University Medical Centre of the Johannes-Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Gabriele Pradel
- Division of Cellular and Applied Infection Biology, Institute of Zoology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Che Julius Ngwa
- Division of Cellular and Applied Infection Biology, Institute of Zoology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
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21
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Cassiano GC, Martinelli A, Mottin M, Neves BJ, Andrade CH, Ferreira PE, Cravo P. Whole genome sequencing identifies novel mutations in malaria parasites resistant to artesunate (ATN) and to ATN + mefloquine combination. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2024; 14:1353057. [PMID: 38495651 PMCID: PMC10940360 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2024.1353057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction The global evolution of resistance to Artemisinin-based Combination Therapies (ACTs) by malaria parasites, will severely undermine our ability to control this devastating disease. Methods Here, we have used whole genome sequencing to characterize the genetic variation in the experimentally evolved Plasmodium chabaudi parasite clone AS-ATNMF1, which is resistant to artesunate + mefloquine. Results and discussion Five novel single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified, one of which was a previously undescribed E738K mutation in a 26S proteasome subunit that was selected for under artesunate pressure (in AS-ATN) and retained in AS-ATNMF1. The wild type and mutated three-dimensional (3D) structure models and molecular dynamics simulations of the P. falciparum 26S proteasome subunit Rpn2 suggested that the E738K mutation could change the toroidal proteasome/cyclosome domain organization and change the recognition of ubiquitinated proteins. The mutation in the 26S proteasome subunit may therefore contribute to altering oxidation-dependent ubiquitination of the MDR-1 and/or K13 proteins and/or other targets, resulting in changes in protein turnover. In light of the alarming increase in resistance to artemisin derivatives and ACT partner drugs in natural parasite populations, our results shed new light on the biology of resistance and provide information on novel molecular markers of resistance that may be tested (and potentially validated) in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gustavo Capatti Cassiano
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine (GHTM), Associate Laboratory in Translation and Innovation Towards Global Health, (LA-REAL), Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, (IHMT), Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, (UNL), Lisbon, Portugal
| | | | - Melina Mottin
- Laboratory for Molecular Modeling and Drug Design (LabMol), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, Brazil
| | - Bruno Junior Neves
- Laboratory or Cheminformatics (LabChem), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, Brazil
| | - Carolina Horta Andrade
- Laboratory for Molecular Modeling and Drug Design (LabMol), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, Brazil
- Center for the Research and Advancement in Fragments and Molecular Targets (CRAFT), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences at Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Pedro Eduardo Ferreira
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
| | - Pedro Cravo
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine (GHTM), Associate Laboratory in Translation and Innovation Towards Global Health, (LA-REAL), Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, (IHMT), Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, (UNL), Lisbon, Portugal
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22
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Sassmannshausen J, Bennink S, Distler U, Küchenhoff J, Minns AM, Lindner SE, Burda PC, Tenzer S, Gilberger TW, Pradel G. Comparative proteomics of vesicles essential for the egress of Plasmodium falciparum gametocytes from red blood cells. Mol Microbiol 2024; 121:431-452. [PMID: 37492994 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.15125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2023] [Revised: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/27/2023]
Abstract
Transmission of malaria parasites to the mosquito is mediated by sexual precursor cells, the gametocytes. Upon entering the mosquito midgut, the gametocytes egress from the enveloping erythrocyte while passing through gametogenesis. Egress follows an inside-out mode during which the membrane of the parasitophorous vacuole (PV) ruptures prior to the erythrocyte membrane. Membrane rupture requires exocytosis of specialized egress vesicles of the parasites; that is, osmiophilic bodies (OBs) involved in rupturing the PV membrane, and vesicles that harbor the perforin-like protein PPLP2 (here termed P-EVs) required for erythrocyte lysis. While some OB proteins have been identified, like G377 and MDV1/Peg3, the majority of egress vesicle-resident proteins is yet unknown. Here, we used high-resolution imaging and BioID methods to study the two egress vesicle types in Plasmodium falciparum gametocytes. We show that OB exocytosis precedes discharge of the P-EVs and that exocytosis of the P-EVs, but not of the OBs, is calcium sensitive. Both vesicle types exhibit distinct proteomes with the majority of proteins located in the OBs. In addition to known egress-related proteins, we identified novel components of OBs and P-EVs, including vesicle-trafficking proteins. Our data provide insight into the immense molecular machinery required for the inside-out egress of P. falciparum gametocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliane Sassmannshausen
- Division of Cellular and Applied Infection Biology, Institute of Zoology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Sandra Bennink
- Division of Cellular and Applied Infection Biology, Institute of Zoology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Ute Distler
- Core Facility for Mass Spectrometry, Institute of Immunology, University Medical Centre of the Johannes-Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Juliane Küchenhoff
- Division of Cellular and Applied Infection Biology, Institute of Zoology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Allen M Minns
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Huck Center for Malaria Research, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Scott E Lindner
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Huck Center for Malaria Research, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Paul-Christian Burda
- Centre for Structural Systems Biology, Hamburg, Germany
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
- Biology Department, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Stefan Tenzer
- Core Facility for Mass Spectrometry, Institute of Immunology, University Medical Centre of the Johannes-Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Tim W Gilberger
- Centre for Structural Systems Biology, Hamburg, Germany
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
- Biology Department, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Gabriele Pradel
- Division of Cellular and Applied Infection Biology, Institute of Zoology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
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23
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Letcher B, Maciuca S, Iqbal Z. Role for gene conversion in the evolution of cell-surface antigens of the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. PLoS Biol 2024; 22:e3002507. [PMID: 38451924 PMCID: PMC10919680 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3002507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
While the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum has low average genome-wide diversity levels, likely due to its recent introduction from a gorilla-infecting ancestor (approximately 10,000 to 50,000 years ago), some genes display extremely high diversity levels. In particular, certain proteins expressed on the surface of human red blood cell-infecting merozoites (merozoite surface proteins (MSPs)) possess exactly 2 deeply diverged lineages that have seemingly not recombined. While of considerable interest, the evolutionary origin of this phenomenon remains unknown. In this study, we analysed the genetic diversity of 2 of the most variable MSPs, DBLMSP and DBLMSP2, which are paralogs (descended from an ancestral duplication). Despite thousands of available Illumina WGS datasets from malaria-endemic countries, diversity in these genes has been hard to characterise as reads containing highly diverged alleles completely fail to align to the reference genome. To solve this, we developed a pipeline leveraging genome graphs, enabling us to genotype them at high accuracy and completeness. Using our newly- resolved sequences, we found that both genes exhibit 2 deeply diverged lineages in a specific protein domain (DBL) and that one of the 2 lineages is shared across the genes. We identified clear evidence of nonallelic gene conversion between the 2 genes as the likely mechanism behind sharing, leading us to propose that gene conversion between diverged paralogs, and not recombination suppression, can generate this surprising genealogy; a model that is furthermore consistent with high diversity levels in these 2 genes despite the strong historical P. falciparum transmission bottleneck.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brice Letcher
- EMBL-EBI, Hinxton, United Kingdom
- Laboratory of Biology and Modelling of the Cell, CNRS UMR 5239, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Lyon, France
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24
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Dawood WA, Fisher GM, Kinnen FJM, Anzenhofer C, Skinner-Adams T, Alves Avelar L, Asfaha Y, Kurz T, Andrews KT. Activity of alkoxyamide-based histone deacetylase inhibitors against Plasmodium falciparum malaria parasites. Exp Parasitol 2024; 258:108716. [PMID: 38340779 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2024.108716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
There are more than 240 million cases of malaria and 600,000 associated deaths each year, most due to infection with Plasmodium falciparum parasites. While malaria treatment options exist, new drugs with novel modes of action are needed to address malaria parasite drug resistance. Protein lysine deacetylases (termed HDACs) are important epigenetic regulatory enzymes and prospective therapeutic targets for malaria. Here we report the antiplasmodial activity of a panel of 17 hydroxamate zinc binding group HDAC inhibitors with alkoxyamide linkers and different cap groups. The two most potent compounds (4a and 4b) were found to inhibit asexual P. falciparum growth with 50% inhibition concentrations (IC50's) of 0.07 μM and 0.09 μM, respectively, and demonstrated >200-fold more selectivity for P. falciparum parasites versus human neonatal foreskin fibroblasts (NFF). In situ hyperacetylation studies demonstrated that 4a, 4b and analogs caused P. falciparum histone H4 hyperacetylation, suggesting HDAC inhibition, with structure activity relationships providing information relevant to the design of new Plasmodium-specific aliphatic chain hydroxamate HDAC inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wisam A Dawood
- Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Queensland, Australia
| | - Gillian M Fisher
- Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Queensland, Australia
| | - Franziska J M Kinnen
- Institut für Pharmazeutische und Medizinische Chemie, Heinrich-Heine Universität, Germany
| | - Christian Anzenhofer
- Institut für Pharmazeutische und Medizinische Chemie, Heinrich-Heine Universität, Germany
| | - Tina Skinner-Adams
- Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Queensland, Australia
| | - Leandro Alves Avelar
- Institut für Pharmazeutische und Medizinische Chemie, Heinrich-Heine Universität, Germany
| | - Yodita Asfaha
- Institut für Pharmazeutische und Medizinische Chemie, Heinrich-Heine Universität, Germany
| | - Thomas Kurz
- Institut für Pharmazeutische und Medizinische Chemie, Heinrich-Heine Universität, Germany.
| | - Katherine T Andrews
- Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Queensland, Australia.
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25
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Gurung P, McGee JP, Dvorin JD. PfCAP-H is essential for assembly of condensin I complex and karyokinesis during asexual proliferation of Plasmodium falciparum. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.02.26.582160. [PMID: 38464281 PMCID: PMC10925219 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.26.582160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
Condensin I is a pentameric complex that regulates the mitotic chromosome assembly in eukaryotes. The kleisin subunit CAP-H of the condensin I complex acts as a linchpin to maintain the structural integrity and loading of this complex on mitotic chromosomes. This complex is present in all eukaryotes and has recently been identified in Plasmodium spp. However, how this complex is assembled and whether the kleisin subunit is critical for this complex in these parasites is yet to be explored. To examine the role of PfCAP-H during cell division within erythrocytes, we generated an inducible PfCAP-H knockout parasite. We find that PfCAP-H is dynamically expressed during mitosis with the peak expression at the metaphase plate. PfCAP-H interacts with PfCAP-G and is a non-SMC member of the condensin I complex. Notably, the absence of PfCAP-H does not alter the expression of PfCAP-G but affects its localization at the mitotic chromosomes. While mitotic spindle assembly is intact in PfCAP-H deficient parasites, duplicated centrosomes remain clustered over the mass of unsegmented nuclei with failed karyokinesis. This failure leads to the formation of an abnormal nuclear mass, while cytokinesis occurs normally. Altogether, our data suggest that PfCAP-H plays a crucial role in maintaining the structural integrity of the condensin I complex on the mitotic chromosomes and is essential for the asexual development of malarial parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pratima Gurung
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, M.A
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, M.A
| | - James P. McGee
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, M.A
| | - Jeffrey D. Dvorin
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, M.A
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, M.A
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26
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de Cesare M, Mwenda M, Jeffreys AE, Chirwa J, Drakeley C, Schneider K, Mambwe B, Glanz K, Ntalla C, Carrasquilla M, Portugal S, Verity RJ, Bailey JA, Ghinai I, Busby GB, Hamainza B, Hawela M, Bridges DJ, Hendry JA. Flexible and cost-effective genomic surveillance of P. falciparum malaria with targeted nanopore sequencing. Nat Commun 2024; 15:1413. [PMID: 38360754 PMCID: PMC10869361 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45688-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Genomic surveillance of Plasmodium falciparum malaria can provide policy-relevant information about antimalarial drug resistance, diagnostic test failure, and the evolution of vaccine targets. Yet the large and low complexity genome of P. falciparum complicates the development of genomic methods, while resource constraints in malaria endemic regions can limit their deployment. Here, we demonstrate an approach for targeted nanopore sequencing of P. falciparum from dried blood spots (DBS) that enables cost-effective genomic surveillance of malaria in low-resource settings. We release software that facilitates flexible design of amplicon sequencing panels and use this software to design two target panels for P. falciparum. The panels generate 3-4 kbp reads for eight and sixteen targets respectively, covering key drug-resistance associated genes, diagnostic test antigens, polymorphic markers and the vaccine target csp. We validate our approach on mock and field samples, demonstrating robust sequencing coverage, accurate variant calls within coding sequences, the ability to explore P. falciparum within-sample diversity and to detect deletions underlying rapid diagnostic test failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariateresa de Cesare
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, Oxford, UK
| | | | - Anna E Jeffreys
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, Oxford, UK
| | - Jacob Chirwa
- National Malaria Elimination Centre, Chainama, Lusaka, Zambia
| | | | | | | | - Karolina Glanz
- Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology, Berlin, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | - Jeffrey A Bailey
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and Center for Computational Molecular Biology, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Isaac Ghinai
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, Oxford, UK
| | - George B Busby
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, Oxford, UK
| | - Busiku Hamainza
- National Malaria Elimination Centre, Chainama, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Moonga Hawela
- National Malaria Elimination Centre, Chainama, Lusaka, Zambia
| | | | - Jason A Hendry
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, Oxford, UK.
- Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology, Berlin, Germany.
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27
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Hollin T, Abel S, Banks C, Hristov B, Prudhomme J, Hales K, Florens L, Stafford Noble W, Le Roch KG. Proteome-Wide Identification of RNA-dependent proteins and an emerging role for RNAs in Plasmodium falciparum protein complexes. Nat Commun 2024; 15:1365. [PMID: 38355719 PMCID: PMC10866993 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45519-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Ribonucleoprotein complexes are composed of RNA, RNA-dependent proteins (RDPs) and RNA-binding proteins (RBPs), and play fundamental roles in RNA regulation. However, in the human malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, identification and characterization of these proteins are particularly limited. In this study, we use an unbiased proteome-wide approach, called R-DeeP, a method based on sucrose density gradient ultracentrifugation, to identify RDPs. Quantitative analysis by mass spectrometry identifies 898 RDPs, including 545 proteins not yet associated with RNA. Results are further validated using a combination of computational and molecular approaches. Overall, this method provides the first snapshot of the Plasmodium protein-protein interaction network in the presence and absence of RNA. R-DeeP also helps to reconstruct Plasmodium multiprotein complexes based on co-segregation and deciphers their RNA-dependence. One RDP candidate, PF3D7_0823200, is functionally characterized and validated as a true RBP. Using enhanced crosslinking and immunoprecipitation followed by high-throughput sequencing (eCLIP-seq), we demonstrate that this protein interacts with various Plasmodium non-coding transcripts, including the var genes and ap2 transcription factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Hollin
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Steven Abel
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Charles Banks
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, MO, USA
| | - Borislav Hristov
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Jacques Prudhomme
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Kianna Hales
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | - William Stafford Noble
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Karine G Le Roch
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA, USA.
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28
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Gowda DC, Miller LH. Glycosylation in malaria parasites: what do we know? Trends Parasitol 2024; 40:131-146. [PMID: 38262838 PMCID: PMC10923157 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2023.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2024]
Abstract
In malaria parasites, although post-translational modification of proteins with N-. O-, and C-glycosidic bond-linked glycans is limited, it is confined to relatively fewer proteins in which the glycans are present at significant levels and may have important functions. Furthermore, several proteins are modified with glycosylphosphatidylinositols (GPIs) which represent the predominant glycan synthesized by parasites. Modification of proteins with GPIs is obligatory for parasite survival as GPI-anchored proteins (GPI-APs) play essential roles in all life cycle stages of the parasites, including development, egress, gametogenesis, motility, and host cell adhesion and invasion. Here, we discuss the current knowledge on the structures and potential functions of the glycan moieties of parasite proteins. The knowledge has important implications for the development of drugs and vaccines for malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Channe Gowda
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Rockville, MD 20852, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA 17033, USA.
| | - Louis H Miller
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Rockville, MD 20852, USA.
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29
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Ruybal-Pesántez S, McCann K, Vibin J, Siegel S, Auburn S, Barry AE. Molecular markers for malaria genetic epidemiology: progress and pitfalls. Trends Parasitol 2024; 40:147-163. [PMID: 38129280 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2023.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Revised: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Over recent years, progress in molecular markers for genotyping malaria parasites has enabled informative studies of epidemiology and transmission dynamics. Results have highlighted the value of these tools for surveillance to support malaria control and elimination strategies. There are many different types and panels of markers available for malaria parasite genotyping, and for end users, the nuances of these markers with respect to 'use case', resolution, and accuracy, are not well defined. This review clarifies issues surrounding different molecular markers and their application to malaria control and elimination. We describe available marker panels, use cases, implications for different transmission settings, limitations, access, cost, and data accuracy. The information provided can be used as a guide for molecular epidemiology and surveillance of malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shazia Ruybal-Pesántez
- MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College London, London, UK; Institute of Microbiology, Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Kirsty McCann
- Life Sciences Discipline, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Centre for Innovation in Infectious Disease and Immunology Research (CIIDIR), Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation (IMPACT) and School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jessy Vibin
- Life Sciences Discipline, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Centre for Innovation in Infectious Disease and Immunology Research (CIIDIR), Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation (IMPACT) and School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Sarah Auburn
- Menzies School of Health Research and Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia; Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Alyssa E Barry
- Life Sciences Discipline, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Centre for Innovation in Infectious Disease and Immunology Research (CIIDIR), Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation (IMPACT) and School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia.
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30
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Bennink S, Pradel G. The Multiple Roles of LCCL Domain-Containing Proteins for Malaria Parasite Transmission. Microorganisms 2024; 12:279. [PMID: 38399683 PMCID: PMC10892792 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12020279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Multi-protein complexes are crucial for various essential biological processes of the malaria parasite Plasmodium, such as protein synthesis, host cell invasion and adhesion. Especially during the sexual phase of the parasite, which takes place in the midgut of the mosquito vector, protein complexes are required for fertilization, sporulation and ultimately for the successful transmission of the parasite. Among the most noticeable protein complexes of the transmission stages are the ones formed by the LCCL domain-containing protein family that play critical roles in the generation of infective sporozoites. The six members of this protein family are characterized by numerous adhesive modules and domains typically found in secreted proteins. This review summarizes the findings of expression and functional studies on the LCCL domain-containing proteins of the human pathogenic P. falciparum and the rodent-infecting P. berghei and discusses the common features and differences of the homologous proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gabriele Pradel
- Division of Cellular and Applied Infection Biology, Institute of Zoology, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52074 Aachen, Germany;
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31
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De Meulenaere K, Cuypers WL, Gauglitz JM, Guetens P, Rosanas-Urgell A, Laukens K, Cuypers B. Selective whole-genome sequencing of Plasmodium parasites directly from blood samples by nanopore adaptive sampling. mBio 2024; 15:e0196723. [PMID: 38054750 PMCID: PMC10790762 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01967-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Malaria is caused by parasites of the genus Plasmodium, and reached a global disease burden of 247 million cases in 2021. To study drug resistance mutations and parasite population dynamics, whole-genome sequencing of patient blood samples is commonly performed. However, the predominance of human DNA in these samples imposes the need for time-consuming laboratory procedures to enrich Plasmodium DNA. We used the Oxford Nanopore Technologies' adaptive sampling feature to circumvent this problem and enrich Plasmodium reads directly during the sequencing run. We demonstrate that adaptive nanopore sequencing efficiently enriches Plasmodium reads, which simplifies and shortens the timeline from blood collection to parasite sequencing. In addition, we show that the obtained data can be used for monitoring genetic markers, or to generate nearly complete genomes. Finally, owing to its inherent mobility, this technology can be easily applied on-site in endemic areas where patients would benefit the most from genomic surveillance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katlijn De Meulenaere
- Department of Computer Science, Adrem Data Lab, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Malariology Unit, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Wim L. Cuypers
- Department of Computer Science, Adrem Data Lab, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Julia M. Gauglitz
- Department of Computer Science, Adrem Data Lab, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Pieter Guetens
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Malariology Unit, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Anna Rosanas-Urgell
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Malariology Unit, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Kris Laukens
- Department of Computer Science, Adrem Data Lab, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
- Excellence centre for Microbial Systems Technology, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Bart Cuypers
- Department of Computer Science, Adrem Data Lab, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
- Excellence centre for Microbial Systems Technology, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
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32
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Kaur J, Mishra PC, Hora R. Molecular Players at the Sorting Stations of Malaria Parasite 'Plasmodium falciparum'. Curr Protein Pept Sci 2024; 25:427-437. [PMID: 38409726 DOI: 10.2174/0113892037282522240130090156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
The apicomplexan pathogenic parasite 'Plasmodium falciparum' (Pf) is responsible for most of the malaria related mortality. It resides in and refurbishes the infected red blood cells (iRBCs) for its own survival and to suffice its metabolic needs. Remodeling of host erythrocytes involves alteration of physical and biochemical properties of the membrane and genesis of new parasite induced structures within the iRBCs. The generated structures include knobs and solute ion channels on the erythrocyte surface and specialized organelles i.e. Maurer's clefts (MCs) in the iRBC cytosol. The above processes are mediated by exporting a large repertoire of proteins to the host cell, most of which are transported via MCs, the sorting stations in parasitized erythrocytes. Information about MC biogenesis and the molecules involved in maintaining MC architecture remains incompletely elucidated. Here, we have compiled a list of experimentally known MC resident proteins, several of which have roles in maintaining its architecture and function. Our short review covers available data on the domain organization, orthologues, topology and specific roles of these proteins. We highlight the current knowledge gaps in our understanding of MCs as crucial organelles involved in parasite biology and disease pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasweer Kaur
- Department of Biochemistry, Govt. College for Girls, Ludhiana, Punjab, India (Affiliated to Panjab University, Chandigarh), India
| | | | - Rachna Hora
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Guru Nanak Dev University Amritsar, Punjab, India
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Nainani KC, Upadhyay V, Singh B, Sandhu KK, Kaur S, Hora R, Mishra PC. Analyzing Interaction of Rhodacyanine Inhibitor 'MKT-077' with Plasmodium falciparum HSP70s. DRUG METABOLISM AND BIOANALYSIS LETTERS 2024; 17:34-41. [PMID: 38231055 DOI: 10.2174/0118723128279697231226044406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2023] [Revised: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION MKT-077 and its derivatives are rhodacyanine inhibitors that hold potential in the treatment of cancer, neurodegenerative diseases and malaria. These allosteric drugs act by inhibiting the ATPase action of heat shock proteins of 70 kDa (HSP70). MKT-077 accumulates in the mitochondria and displays differential activity against HSP70 homologs. METHODS The four Plasmodium falciparum HSP70s (PfHSP70) are present in various subcellular locations to perform distinct functions. In the present study, we have used bioinformatics tools to understand the interaction of MKT-077 at the ADP and HEW (2-amino 4 bromopyridine) binding sites on PfHSP70s. Our molecular docking experiments predict that the mitochondrial and endoplasmic reticulum PfHSP70 homologs are likely to bind MKT-077 with higher affinities at their ADP binding sites. RESULTS Binding analysis indicates that the nature of the identified interactions is primarily hydrophobic. We have also identified specific residues of PfHSP70s that are involved in interacting with the ligand. CONCLUSION Information obtained in this study may form the foundation for the design and development of MKT-077-based drugs against malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Vipul Upadhyay
- Department of Biotechnology, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, Punjab, 143005, India
| | - Bikramjit Singh
- Department of Biotechnology, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, Punjab, 143005, India
| | | | - Satinder Kaur
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, Punjab, 143005, India
| | - Rachna Hora
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, Punjab, 143005, India
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Pance A, Ng BL, Mwikali K, Koutsourakis M, Agu C, Rouhani FJ, Montandon R, Law F, Ponstingl H, Rayner JC. Novel stem cell technologies are powerful tools to understand the impact of human factors on Plasmodium falciparum malaria. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1287355. [PMID: 38173794 PMCID: PMC10762799 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1287355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium falciparum parasites have a complex life cycle, but the most clinically relevant stage of the disease is the invasion of erythrocytes and the proliferation of the parasite in the blood. The influence of human genetic traits on malaria has been known for a long time, however understanding the role of the proteins involved is hampered by the anuclear nature of erythrocytes that makes them inaccessible to genetic tools. Here we overcome this limitation using stem cells to generate erythroid cells with an in-vitro differentiation protocol and assess parasite invasion with an adaptation of flow cytometry to detect parasite hemozoin. We combine this strategy with reprogramming of patient cells to Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells and genome editing to understand the role of key genes and human traits in malaria infection. We show that deletion of basigin ablates invasion while deletion of ATP2B4 has a minor effect and that erythroid cells from reprogrammed patient-derived HbBart α-thalassemia samples poorly support infection. The possibility to obtain patient-secific and genetically modifed erythoid cells offers an unparalleled opportunity to study the role of human genes and polymorphisms in malaria allowing preservation of the genomic background to demonstrate their function and understand their mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alena Pance
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, United Kingdom
| | - Bee L. Ng
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Kioko Mwikali
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Bioscience Department, KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Kilifi, Kenya
| | | | - Chukwuma Agu
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | | | - Ruddy Montandon
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Wellcome Centre of Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Frances Law
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | | | - Julian C. Rayner
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
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Valleau D, Sidik SM, Godoy LC, Acevedo‐Sánchez Y, Pasaje CFA, Huynh M, Carruthers VB, Niles JC, Lourido S. A conserved complex of microneme proteins mediates rhoptry discharge in Toxoplasma. EMBO J 2023; 42:e113155. [PMID: 37886905 PMCID: PMC10690463 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2022113155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2022] [Revised: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Apicomplexan parasites discharge specialized organelles called rhoptries upon host cell contact to mediate invasion. The events that drive rhoptry discharge are poorly understood, yet essential to sustain the apicomplexan parasitic life cycle. Rhoptry discharge appears to depend on proteins secreted from another set of organelles called micronemes, which vary in function from allowing host cell binding to facilitation of gliding motility. Here we examine the function of the microneme protein CLAMP, which we previously found to be necessary for Toxoplasma gondii host cell invasion, and demonstrate its essential role in rhoptry discharge. CLAMP forms a distinct complex with two other microneme proteins, the invasion-associated SPATR, and a previously uncharacterized protein we name CLAMP-linked invasion protein (CLIP). CLAMP deficiency does not impact parasite adhesion or microneme protein secretion; however, knockdown of any member of the CLAMP complex affects rhoptry discharge. Phylogenetic analysis suggests orthologs of the essential complex components, CLAMP and CLIP, are ubiquitous across apicomplexans. SPATR appears to act as an accessory factor in Toxoplasma, but despite incomplete conservation is also essential for invasion during Plasmodium falciparum blood stages. Together, our results reveal a new protein complex that mediates rhoptry discharge following host-cell contact.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Luiz C Godoy
- Department of Biological EngineeringMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridgeMAUSA
| | | | | | - My‐Hang Huynh
- Department of Microbiology and ImmunologyUniversity of Michigan Medical SchoolAnn ArborMIUSA
| | - Vern B Carruthers
- Department of Microbiology and ImmunologyUniversity of Michigan Medical SchoolAnn ArborMIUSA
| | - Jacquin C Niles
- Department of Biological EngineeringMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridgeMAUSA
| | - Sebastian Lourido
- Whitehead InstituteCambridgeMAUSA
- Biology DepartmentMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridgeMAUSA
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Craven HM, Nettesheim G, Cicuta P, Blagborough AM, Merrick CJ. Effects of the G-quadruplex-binding drugs quarfloxin and CX-5461 on the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. Int J Parasitol Drugs Drug Resist 2023; 23:106-119. [PMID: 38041930 PMCID: PMC10711401 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2023.11.007] [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: 08/15/2023] [Revised: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/04/2023]
Abstract
Plasmodium falciparum is the deadliest causative agent of human malaria. This parasite has historically developed resistance to most drugs, including the current frontline treatments, so new therapeutic targets are needed. Our previous work on guanine quadruplexes (G4s) in the parasite's DNA and RNA has highlighted their influence on parasite biology, and revealed G4 stabilising compounds as promising candidates for repositioning. In particular, quarfloxin, a former anticancer agent, kills blood-stage parasites at all developmental stages, with fast rates of kill and nanomolar potency. Here we explored the molecular mechanism of quarfloxin and its related derivative CX-5461. In vitro, both compounds bound to P. falciparum-encoded G4 sequences. In cellulo, quarfloxin was more potent than CX-5461, and could prevent establishment of blood-stage malaria in vivo in a murine model. CX-5461 showed clear DNA damaging activity, as reported in human cells, while quarfloxin caused weaker signatures of DNA damage. Both compounds caused transcriptional dysregulation in the parasite, but the affected genes were largely different, again suggesting different modes of action. Therefore, CX-5461 may act primarily as a DNA damaging agent in both Plasmodium parasites and mammalian cells, whereas the complete antimalarial mode of action of quarfloxin may be parasite-specific and remains somewhat elusive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Holly M Craven
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QP, UK
| | - Guilherme Nettesheim
- Department of Physics, Cavendish Laboratory University of Cambridge, J.J. Thomson Avenue, Cambridge, CB3 0HE, UK
| | - Pietro Cicuta
- Department of Physics, Cavendish Laboratory University of Cambridge, J.J. Thomson Avenue, Cambridge, CB3 0HE, UK
| | - Andrew M Blagborough
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QP, UK
| | - Catherine J Merrick
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QP, UK.
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Schmidt S, Wichers-Misterek JS, Behrens HM, Birnbaum J, Henshall IG, Dröge J, Jonscher E, Flemming S, Castro-Peña C, Mesén-Ramírez P, Spielmann T. The Kelch13 compartment contains highly divergent vesicle trafficking proteins in malaria parasites. PLoS Pathog 2023; 19:e1011814. [PMID: 38039338 PMCID: PMC10718435 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Single amino acid changes in the parasite protein Kelch13 (K13) result in reduced susceptibility of P. falciparum parasites to artemisinin and its derivatives (ART). Recent work indicated that K13 and other proteins co-localising with K13 (K13 compartment proteins) are involved in the endocytic uptake of host cell cytosol (HCCU) and that a reduction in HCCU results in reduced susceptibility to ART. HCCU is critical for parasite survival but is poorly understood, with the K13 compartment proteins among the few proteins so far functionally linked to this process. Here we further defined the composition of the K13 compartment by analysing more hits from a previous BioID, showing that MyoF and MCA2 as well as Kelch13 interaction candidate (KIC) 11 and 12 are found at this site. Functional analyses, tests for ART susceptibility as well as comparisons of structural similarities using AlphaFold2 predictions of these and previously identified proteins showed that vesicle trafficking and endocytosis domains were frequent in proteins involved in resistance or endocytosis (or both), comprising one group of K13 compartment proteins. While this strengthened the link of the K13 compartment to endocytosis, many proteins of this group showed unusual domain combinations and large parasite-specific regions, indicating a high level of taxon-specific adaptation of this process. Another group of K13 compartment proteins did not influence endocytosis or ART susceptibility and lacked detectable vesicle trafficking domains. We here identified the first protein of this group that is important for asexual blood stage development and showed that it likely is involved in invasion. Overall, this work identified novel proteins functioning in endocytosis and at the K13 compartment. Together with comparisons of structural predictions it provides a repertoire of functional domains at the K13 compartment that indicate a high level of adaption of endocytosis in malaria parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabine Schmidt
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | | | - Jakob Birnbaum
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | - Jana Dröge
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ernst Jonscher
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Sven Flemming
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | | | - Tobias Spielmann
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
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Thommen BT, Dziekan JM, Achcar F, Tjia S, Passecker A, Buczak K, Gumpp C, Schmidt A, Rottmann M, Grüring C, Marti M, Bozdech Z, Brancucci NMB. Genetic validation of PfFKBP35 as an antimalarial drug target. eLife 2023; 12:RP86975. [PMID: 37934560 PMCID: PMC10629825 DOI: 10.7554/elife.86975] [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] [Indexed: 11/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium falciparum accounts for the majority of over 600,000 malaria-associated deaths annually. Parasites resistant to nearly all antimalarials have emerged and the need for drugs with alternative modes of action is thus undoubted. The FK506-binding protein PfFKBP35 has gained attention as a promising drug target due to its high affinity to the macrolide compound FK506 (tacrolimus). Whilst there is considerable interest in targeting PfFKBP35 with small molecules, a genetic validation of this factor as a drug target is missing and its function in parasite biology remains elusive. Here, we show that limiting PfFKBP35 levels are lethal to P. falciparum and result in a delayed death-like phenotype that is characterized by defective ribosome homeostasis and stalled protein synthesis. Our data furthermore suggest that FK506, unlike the action of this drug in model organisms, exerts its antiproliferative activity in a PfFKBP35-independent manner and, using cellular thermal shift assays, we identify putative FK506-targets beyond PfFKBP35. In addition to revealing first insights into the function of PfFKBP35, our results show that FKBP-binding drugs can adopt non-canonical modes of action - with major implications for the development of FK506-derived molecules active against Plasmodium parasites and other eukaryotic pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Basil T Thommen
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical and Public Health InstituteAllschwilSwitzerland
- University of BaselBaselSwitzerland
| | - Jerzy M Dziekan
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological UniversitySingaporeSingapore
| | - Fiona Achcar
- Wellcome Center for Integrative Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of GlasgowGlasgowUnited Kingdom
- Institute for Parasitology, University of ZurichZurichSwitzerland
| | - Seth Tjia
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological UniversitySingaporeSingapore
| | - Armin Passecker
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical and Public Health InstituteAllschwilSwitzerland
- University of BaselBaselSwitzerland
| | | | - Christin Gumpp
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical and Public Health InstituteAllschwilSwitzerland
- University of BaselBaselSwitzerland
| | | | - Matthias Rottmann
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical and Public Health InstituteAllschwilSwitzerland
- University of BaselBaselSwitzerland
| | - Christof Grüring
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical and Public Health InstituteAllschwilSwitzerland
- University of BaselBaselSwitzerland
| | - Matthias Marti
- Wellcome Center for Integrative Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of GlasgowGlasgowUnited Kingdom
- Institute for Parasitology, University of ZurichZurichSwitzerland
| | - Zbynek Bozdech
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological UniversitySingaporeSingapore
| | - Nicolas MB Brancucci
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical and Public Health InstituteAllschwilSwitzerland
- University of BaselBaselSwitzerland
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D'Agostino I, Zara S, Carradori S, De Luca V, Capasso C, Kocken CHM, Zeeman AM, Angeli A, Carta F, Supuran CT. Antimalarial Agents Targeting Plasmodium falciparum Carbonic Anhydrase: Towards Artesunate Hybrid Compounds with Dual Mechanism of Action. ChemMedChem 2023; 18:e202300267. [PMID: 37697903 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202300267] [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: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/13/2023]
Abstract
Malaria continues to be a major public health challenge worldwide and, as part of the global effort toward malaria eradication, plasmodium carbonic anhydrases (CAs) have recently been proposed as potential targets for malaria treatment. In this study, a series of eight hybrid compounds combining the Artesunate core with a sulfonamide moiety were synthesized and evaluated for their inhibition potency against the widely expressed human (h) CAs I, II and the isoform from P. falciparum (PfCA). All derivatives demonstrated high inhibition potency against PfCA, achieving a KI value in the sub-nanomolar range (0.35 nM). Two Compounds showed a selectivity index of 4.1 and 3.1, respectively, against this protozoan isoform compared to hCA II. Three Derivatives showed no cytotoxic effects on human gingival fibroblasts at 50 μM with a high killing rate against both P. falciparum and P. knowlesi strains with IC50 in the sub-nanomolar range, providing a wide therapeutic window. Our findings suggest that these compounds may serve as promising leads for developing new antimalarial drugs and warrant further investigation, including activity against antimalarial-resistant strains, mode of action studies, and in vivo efficacy assessment in preclinical mouse models of malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria D'Agostino
- Department of Pharmacy "G. d'Annunzio", University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100, Chieti, Italy
| | - Susi Zara
- Department of Pharmacy "G. d'Annunzio", University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100, Chieti, Italy
| | - Simone Carradori
- Department of Pharmacy "G. d'Annunzio", University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100, Chieti, Italy
| | - Viviana De Luca
- Istituto di Bioscienze e Biorisorse CNR, 80131, Napoli, Italy
| | | | - Clemens H M Kocken
- Department of Parasitology, Biomedical Primate Research Center, 2288, Rijswijk, The Netherlands
| | - Anne-Marie Zeeman
- Department of Parasitology, Biomedical Primate Research Center, 2288, Rijswijk, The Netherlands
| | - Andrea Angeli
- Neurofarba Department, University of Florence, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino FL, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Carta
- Neurofarba Department, University of Florence, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino FL, Italy
| | - Claudiu T Supuran
- Neurofarba Department, University of Florence, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino FL, Italy
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Tebben K, Yirampo S, Coulibaly D, Koné A, Laurens M, Stucke E, Dembélé A, Tolo Y, Traoré K, Niangaly A, Berry A, Kouriba B, Plowe C, Doumbo O, Lyke K, Takala-Harrison S, Thera M, Travassos M, Serre D. Gene expression analyses reveal differences in children's response to malaria according to their age. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-3487114. [PMID: 37961587 PMCID: PMC10635353 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3487114/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
In Bandiagara, Mali, children experience on average two clinical malaria episodes per season. However, even in the same transmission area, the number of uncomplicated symptomatic infections, and their parasitemia, vary dramatically among children. To examine the factors contributing to these variations, we simultaneously characterized the host and parasite gene expression profiles from 136 children with symptomatic falciparum malaria and analyzed the expression of 9,205 human and 2,484 Plasmodium genes. We used gene expression deconvolution to estimate the relative proportion of immune cells and parasite stages in each sample and to adjust the differential gene expression analyses. Parasitemia explained much of the variation in both host and parasite gene expression and revealed that infections with higher parasitemia had more neutrophils and fewer T cells, suggesting parasitemia-dependent neutrophil recruitment and/or T cell extravasation to secondary lymphoid organs. The child's age was also strongly correlated with gene expression variations. Plasmodium falciparum genes associated with age suggested that older children carried more male gametocytes, while host genes associated with age indicated a stronger innate response (through TLR and NLR signaling) in younger children and stronger adaptive immunity (through TCR and BCR signaling) in older children. These analyses highlight the variability in host responses and parasite regulation during P. falciparum symptomatic infections and emphasize the importance of considering the children's age when studying and treating malaria infections.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Salif Yirampo
- Universite des Sciences des Techniques et des Technologies de Bamako
| | - Drissa Coulibaly
- Universite des Sciences des Techniques et des Technologies de Bamako
| | - Abdoulaye Koné
- Universite des Sciences des Techniques et des Technologies de Bamako
| | | | | | - Ahmadou Dembélé
- Universite des Sciences des Techniques et des Technologies de Bamako
| | - Youssouf Tolo
- Universite des Sciences des Techniques et des Technologies de Bamako
| | - Karim Traoré
- Universite des Sciences des Techniques et des Technologies de Bamako
| | - Ahmadou Niangaly
- Universite des Sciences des Techniques et des Technologies de Bamako
| | | | - Bourema Kouriba
- Universite des Sciences des Techniques et des Technologies de Bamako
| | | | - Ogobara Doumbo
- Universite des Sciences des Techniques et des Technologies de Bamako
| | | | | | - Mahamadou Thera
- Malaria Research and Training Centre-International Center for Excellence in Research (MRTC-ICER)
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41
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Tebben K, Yirampo S, Coulibaly D, Koné AK, Laurens MB, Stucke EM, Dembélé A, Tolo Y, Traoré K, Niangaly A, Berry AA, Kouriba B, Plowe CV, Doumbo OK, Lyke KE, Takala-Harrison S, Thera MA, Travassos MA, Serre D. Gene expression analyses reveal differences in children's response to malaria according to their age. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.10.24.563751. [PMID: 37961701 PMCID: PMC10634788 DOI: 10.1101/2023.10.24.563751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
In Bandiagara, Mali, children experience on average two clinical malaria episodes per season. However, even in the same transmission area, the number of uncomplicated symptomatic infections, and their parasitemia, vary dramatically among children. To examine the factors contributing to these variations, we simultaneously characterized the host and parasite gene expression profiles from 136 children with symptomatic falciparum malaria and analyzed the expression of 9,205 human and 2,484 Plasmodium genes. We used gene expression deconvolution to estimate the relative proportion of immune cells and parasite stages in each sample and to adjust the differential gene expression analyses. Parasitemia explained much of the variation in both host and parasite gene expression and revealed that infections with higher parasitemia had more neutrophils and fewer T cells, suggesting parasitemia-dependent neutrophil recruitment and/or T cell extravasation to secondary lymphoid organs. The child's age was also strongly correlated with gene expression variations. Plasmodium falciparum genes associated with age suggested that older children carried more male gametocytes, while host genes associated with age indicated a stronger innate response (through TLR and NLR signaling) in younger children and stronger adaptive immunity (through TCR and BCR signaling) in older children. These analyses highlight the variability in host responses and parasite regulation during P. falciparum symptomatic infections and emphasize the importance of considering the children's age when studying and treating malaria infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kieran Tebben
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine; Baltimore, USA
| | - Salif Yirampo
- Malaria Research and Training Center, University of Sciences, Techniques and Technologies; Bamako, Mali
| | - Drissa Coulibaly
- Malaria Research and Training Center, University of Sciences, Techniques and Technologies; Bamako, Mali
| | - Abdoulaye K. Koné
- Malaria Research and Training Center, University of Sciences, Techniques and Technologies; Bamako, Mali
| | - Matthew B. Laurens
- Malaria Research Program, Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine; Baltimore, USA
| | - Emily M. Stucke
- Malaria Research Program, Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine; Baltimore, USA
| | - Ahmadou Dembélé
- Malaria Research and Training Center, University of Sciences, Techniques and Technologies; Bamako, Mali
| | - Youssouf Tolo
- Malaria Research and Training Center, University of Sciences, Techniques and Technologies; Bamako, Mali
| | - Karim Traoré
- Malaria Research and Training Center, University of Sciences, Techniques and Technologies; Bamako, Mali
| | - Amadou Niangaly
- Malaria Research and Training Center, University of Sciences, Techniques and Technologies; Bamako, Mali
| | - Andrea A. Berry
- Malaria Research Program, Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine; Baltimore, USA
| | - Bourema Kouriba
- Malaria Research and Training Center, University of Sciences, Techniques and Technologies; Bamako, Mali
| | - Christopher V. Plowe
- Malaria Research Program, Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine; Baltimore, USA
| | - Ogobara K Doumbo
- Malaria Research and Training Center, University of Sciences, Techniques and Technologies; Bamako, Mali
| | - Kirsten E. Lyke
- Malaria Research Program, Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine; Baltimore, USA
| | - Shannon Takala-Harrison
- Malaria Research Program, Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine; Baltimore, USA
| | - Mahamadou A. Thera
- Malaria Research and Training Center, University of Sciences, Techniques and Technologies; Bamako, Mali
| | - Mark A. Travassos
- Malaria Research Program, Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine; Baltimore, USA
| | - David Serre
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine; Baltimore, USA
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Plaza DF, Zerebinski J, Broumou I, Lautenbach MJ, Ngasala B, Sundling C, Färnert A. A genomic platform for surveillance and antigen discovery in Plasmodium spp. using long-read amplicon sequencing. CELL REPORTS METHODS 2023; 3:100574. [PMID: 37751696 PMCID: PMC10545912 DOI: 10.1016/j.crmeth.2023.100574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Revised: 06/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023]
Abstract
Many vaccine candidate proteins in the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum are under strong immunological pressure and confer antigenic diversity. We present a sequencing and data analysis platform for the genomic surveillance of the insertion or deletion (indel)-rich antigens merozoite surface protein 1 (MSP1), MSP2, glutamate-rich protein (GLURP), and CSP from P. falciparum using long-read circular consensus sequencing (CCS) in multiclonal malaria isolates. Our platform uses 40 PCR primers per gene to asymmetrically barcode and identify multiclonal infections in pools of up to 384 samples. With msp2, we validated the method using 235 mock infections combining 10 synthetic variants at different concentrations and infection complexities. We applied this strategy to P. falciparum isolates from a longitudinal cohort in Tanzania. Finally, we constructed an analysis pipeline that streamlines the processing and interpretation of epidemiological and antigenic diversity data from demultiplexed FASTQ files. This platform can be easily adapted to other polymorphic antigens of interest in Plasmodium or any other human pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Fernando Plaza
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine Solna and Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Infectious Diseases, Karolinska University Hospital, 17176 Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Julia Zerebinski
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine Solna and Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Infectious Diseases, Karolinska University Hospital, 17176 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ioanna Broumou
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine Solna and Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Infectious Diseases, Karolinska University Hospital, 17176 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Maximilian Julius Lautenbach
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine Solna and Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Infectious Diseases, Karolinska University Hospital, 17176 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Billy Ngasala
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam 57RF+V8, Tanzania
| | - Christopher Sundling
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine Solna and Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Infectious Diseases, Karolinska University Hospital, 17176 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anna Färnert
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine Solna and Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Infectious Diseases, Karolinska University Hospital, 17176 Stockholm, Sweden
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Davies H, Belda H, Broncel M, Dalimot J, Treeck M. PerTurboID, a targeted in situ method reveals the impact of kinase deletion on its local protein environment in the cytoadhesion complex of malaria-causing parasites. eLife 2023; 12:e86367. [PMID: 37737226 PMCID: PMC10564455 DOI: 10.7554/elife.86367] [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: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Reverse genetics is key to understanding protein function, but the mechanistic connection between a gene of interest and the observed phenotype is not always clear. Here we describe the use of proximity labeling using TurboID and site-specific quantification of biotinylated peptides to measure changes to the local protein environment of selected targets upon perturbation. We apply this technique, which we call PerTurboID, to understand how the Plasmodium falciparum-exported kinase, FIKK4.1, regulates the function of the major virulence factor of the malaria-causing parasite, PfEMP1. We generated independent TurboID fusions of two proteins that are predicted substrates of FIKK4.1 in a FIKK4.1 conditional KO parasite line. Comparing the abundance of site-specific biotinylated peptides between wildtype and kinase deletion lines reveals the differential accessibility of proteins to biotinylation, indicating changes to localization, protein-protein interactions, or protein structure which are mediated by FIKK4.1 activity. We further show that FIKK4.1 is likely the only FIKK kinase that controls surface levels of PfEMP1, but not other surface antigens, on the infected red blood cell under standard culture conditions. We believe PerTurboID is broadly applicable to study the impact of genetic or environmental perturbation on a selected cellular niche.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heledd Davies
- Signalling in Apicomplexan Parasites Laboratory, The Francis Crick InstituteLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Hugo Belda
- Signalling in Apicomplexan Parasites Laboratory, The Francis Crick InstituteLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Malgorzata Broncel
- Signalling in Apicomplexan Parasites Laboratory, The Francis Crick InstituteLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Jill Dalimot
- Signalling in Apicomplexan Parasites Laboratory, The Francis Crick InstituteLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Moritz Treeck
- Signalling in Apicomplexan Parasites Laboratory, The Francis Crick InstituteLondonUnited Kingdom
- Cell Biology of Host-Pathogen Interaction Laboratory, Gulbenkian Institute of ScienceOeirasPortugal
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Lin J, Zeng S, Chen Q, Liu G, Pan S, Liu X. Identification of disease-related genes in Plasmodium berghei by network module analysis. BMC Microbiol 2023; 23:264. [PMID: 37735351 PMCID: PMC10512555 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-023-03019-0] [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: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Plasmodium berghei has been used as a preferred model for studying human malaria, but only a limited number of disease-associated genes of P. berghei have been reported to date. Identification of new disease-related genes as many as possible will provide a landscape for better understanding the pathogenesis of P. berghei. METHODS Network module analysis method was developed and applied to identify disease-related genes in P. berghei genome. Sequence feature identification, gene ontology annotation, and T-cell epitope analysis were performed on these genes to illustrate their functions in the pathogenesis of P. berghei. RESULTS 33,314 genes were classified into 4,693 clusters. 4,127 genes shared by six malaria parasites were identified and are involved in many aspects of biological processes. Most of the known essential genes belong to shared genes. A total of 63 clusters consisting of 405 P. berghei genes were enriched in rodent malaria parasites. These genes participate in various stages of parasites such as liver stage development and immune evasion. Combination of these genes might be responsible for P. berghei infecting mice. Comparing with P. chabaudi, none of the clusters were specific to P. berghei. P. berghei lacks some proteins belonging to P. chabaudi and possesses some specific T-cell epitopes binding by class-I MHC, which might together contribute to the occurrence of experimental cerebral malaria (ECM). CONCLUSIONS We successfully identified disease-associated P. berghei genes by network module analysis. These results will deepen understanding of the pathogenesis of P. berghei and provide candidate parasite genes for further ECM investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junhao Lin
- Department of Neurology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Shan Zeng
- Department of Neurology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Qiong Chen
- Department of Neurology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Guanghui Liu
- Department of Neurology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Suyue Pan
- Department of Neurology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China.
| | - Xuewu Liu
- Department of Neurology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China.
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Borba JB, de Azevedo BR, Ferreira LA, Rimoldi A, Salazar Alvarez LC, Calit J, Bargieri DY, Costa FTM, Andrade CH. Transcriptomics-Guided In Silico Drug Repurposing: Identifying New Candidates with Dual-Stage Antiplasmodial Activity. ACS OMEGA 2023; 8:34084-34090. [PMID: 37744849 PMCID: PMC10515587 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c05138] [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: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
In tropical and subtropical areas, malaria stands as a profound public health challenge, causing an estimated 247 million cases worldwide annually. Given the absence of a viable vaccine, the timely and effective treatment of malaria remains a critical priority. However, the growing resistance of parasites to currently utilized drugs underscores the critical need for the identification of new antimalarial therapies. Here, we aimed to identify potential new drug candidates against Plasmodium falciparum, the main causative agent of malaria, by analyzing the transcriptomes of different life stages of the parasite and identifying highly expressed genes. We searched for genes that were expressed in all stages of the parasite's life cycle, including the asexual blood stage, gametocyte stage, liver stage, and sexual stages in the insect vector, using transcriptomics data from publicly available databases. From this analysis, we found 674 overlapping genes, including 409 essential ones. By searching through drug target databases, we discovered 70 potential drug targets and 75 associated bioactive compounds. We sought to expand this analysis to similar compounds to known drugs. So, we found a list of 1557 similar compounds, which we predicted as actives and inactives using previously developed machine learning models against five life stages of Plasmodium spp. From this analysis, two compounds were selected, and the reactions were experimentally evaluated. The compounds HSP-990 and silvestrol aglycone showed potent inhibitory activity at nanomolar concentrations against the P. falciparum 3D7 strain asexual blood stage. Moreover, silvestrol aglycone exhibited low cytotoxicity in mammalian cells, transmission-blocking potential, and inhibitory activity comparable to those of established antimalarials. These findings warrant further investigation of silvestrol aglycone as a potential dual-acting antimalarial and transmission-blocking candidate for malaria control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joyce
V. B. Borba
- Laboratory
for Molecular Modeling and Drug Design (LabMol), Faculdade de Farmacia, Universidade Federal de Goias, 74605-170 Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
- Laboratory
of Tropical Diseases—Prof. Dr. Luiz Jacintho da Silva, Department
of Genetics Evolution, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Campinas, 13083-970 Campinas, São
Paulo, Brazil
| | - Beatriz Rosa de Azevedo
- Laboratory
for Molecular Modeling and Drug Design (LabMol), Faculdade de Farmacia, Universidade Federal de Goias, 74605-170 Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
| | - Larissa A. Ferreira
- Laboratory
of Tropical Diseases—Prof. Dr. Luiz Jacintho da Silva, Department
of Genetics Evolution, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Campinas, 13083-970 Campinas, São
Paulo, Brazil
| | - Aline Rimoldi
- Laboratory
of Tropical Diseases—Prof. Dr. Luiz Jacintho da Silva, Department
of Genetics Evolution, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Campinas, 13083-970 Campinas, São
Paulo, Brazil
| | - Luís C. Salazar Alvarez
- Laboratory
of Tropical Diseases—Prof. Dr. Luiz Jacintho da Silva, Department
of Genetics Evolution, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Campinas, 13083-970 Campinas, São
Paulo, Brazil
| | - Juliana Calit
- Department
of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, 05508-000 São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Daniel Y. Bargieri
- Department
of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, 05508-000 São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Fabio T. M. Costa
- Laboratory
of Tropical Diseases—Prof. Dr. Luiz Jacintho da Silva, Department
of Genetics Evolution, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Campinas, 13083-970 Campinas, São
Paulo, Brazil
| | - Carolina Horta Andrade
- Laboratory
for Molecular Modeling and Drug Design (LabMol), Faculdade de Farmacia, Universidade Federal de Goias, 74605-170 Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
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Nicholas J, De SL, Thawornpan P, Brashear AM, Kolli SK, Subramani PA, Barnes SJ, Cui L, Chootong P, Ntumngia FB, Adams JH. Preliminary characterization of Plasmodium vivax sporozoite antigens as pre-erythrocytic vaccine candidates. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2023; 17:e0011598. [PMID: 37703302 PMCID: PMC10519608 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium vivax pre-erythrocytic (PE) vaccine research has lagged far behind efforts to develop Plasmodium falciparum vaccines. There is a critical gap in our knowledge of PE antigen targets that can induce functionally inhibitory neutralizing antibody responses. To overcome this gap and guide the selection of potential PE vaccine candidates, we considered key characteristics such as surface exposure, essentiality to infectivity and liver stage development, expression as recombinant proteins, and functional immunogenicity. Selected P. vivax sporozoite antigens were surface sporozoite protein 3 (SSP3), sporozoite microneme protein essential for cell traversal (SPECT1), sporozoite surface protein essential for liver-stage development (SPELD), and M2 domain of MAEBL. Sequence analysis revealed little variation occurred in putative B-cell and T-cell epitopes of the PE candidates. Each antigen was tested for expression as refolded recombinant proteins using an established bacterial expression platform and only SPELD failed. The successfully expressed antigens were immunogenic in vaccinated laboratory mice and were positively reactive with serum antibodies of P. vivax-exposed residents living in an endemic region in Thailand. Vaccine immune antisera were tested for reactivity to native sporozoite proteins and for their potential vaccine efficacy using an in vitro inhibition of liver stage development assay in primary human hepatocytes quantified on day 6 post-infection by high content imaging analysis. The anti-PE sera produced significant inhibition of P. vivax sporozoite invasion and liver stage development. This report provides an initial characterization of potential new PE candidates for a future P. vivax vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin Nicholas
- Center for Global Health and Interdisciplinary Research, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, United States of America
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, United States of America
| | - Sai Lata De
- Center for Global Health and Interdisciplinary Research, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, United States of America
| | - Pongsakorn Thawornpan
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Applied Technology, Faculty of Medical Technology, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Awtum M. Brashear
- Center for Global Health and Interdisciplinary Research, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, United States of America
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, United States of America
| | - Surendra Kumar Kolli
- Center for Global Health and Interdisciplinary Research, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, United States of America
| | - Pradeep Annamalai Subramani
- Center for Global Health and Interdisciplinary Research, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, United States of America
| | - Samantha J. Barnes
- Center for Global Health and Interdisciplinary Research, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, United States of America
| | - Liwang Cui
- Center for Global Health and Interdisciplinary Research, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, United States of America
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, United States of America
| | - Patchanee Chootong
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Applied Technology, Faculty of Medical Technology, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Francis Babila Ntumngia
- Center for Global Health and Interdisciplinary Research, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, United States of America
| | - John H. Adams
- Center for Global Health and Interdisciplinary Research, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, United States of America
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Burda PC, Ramaprasad A, Bielfeld S, Pietsch E, Woitalla A, Söhnchen C, Singh MN, Strauss J, Sait A, Collinson LM, Schwudke D, Blackman MJ, Gilberger TW. Global analysis of putative phospholipases in Plasmodium falciparum reveals an essential role of the phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C in parasite maturation. mBio 2023; 14:e0141323. [PMID: 37489900 PMCID: PMC10470789 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01413-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023] Open
Abstract
For its replication within red blood cells, the malaria parasite depends on a highly active and regulated lipid metabolism. Enzymes involved in lipid metabolic processes such as phospholipases are, therefore, potential drug targets. Here, using reverse genetics approaches, we show that only 1 out of the 19 putative phospholipases expressed in asexual blood stages of Plasmodium falciparum is essential for proliferation in vitro, pointing toward a high level of redundancy among members of this enzyme family. Using conditional mislocalization and gene disruption techniques, we show that this essential phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C (PI-PLC, PF3D7_1013500) has a previously unrecognized essential role during intracellular parasite maturation, long before its previously perceived role in parasite egress and invasion. Subsequent lipidomic analysis suggests that PI-PLC mediates cleavage of phosphatidylinositol bisphosphate (PIP2) in schizont-stage parasites, underlining its critical role in regulating phosphoinositide levels in the parasite. IMPORTANCE The clinical symptoms of malaria arise due to repeated rounds of replication of Plasmodium parasites within red blood cells (RBCs). Central to this is an intense period of membrane biogenesis. Generation of membranes not only requires de novo synthesis and acquisition but also the degradation of phospholipids, a function that is performed by phospholipases. In this study, we investigate the essentiality of the 19 putative phospholipase enzymes that the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum expresses during its replication within RBCs. We not only show that a high level of functional redundancy exists among these enzymes but, at the same time, also identify an essential role for the phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C in parasite development and cleavage of the phospholipid phosphatidylinositol bisphosphate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul-Christian Burda
- Centre for Structural Systems Biology, Hamburg, Germany
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
- University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Abhinay Ramaprasad
- Malaria Biochemistry Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sabrina Bielfeld
- Centre for Structural Systems Biology, Hamburg, Germany
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
- University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Emma Pietsch
- Centre for Structural Systems Biology, Hamburg, Germany
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
- University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Anna Woitalla
- Division of Bioanalytical Chemistry, Research Center Borstel, Leibniz Lung Center, Borstel, Germany
| | - Christoph Söhnchen
- Centre for Structural Systems Biology, Hamburg, Germany
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
- University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Mehar Nihal Singh
- Malaria Biochemistry Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
- Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jan Strauss
- Centre for Structural Systems Biology, Hamburg, Germany
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
- University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Aaron Sait
- Electron Microscopy Science Technology Platform, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Lucy M. Collinson
- Electron Microscopy Science Technology Platform, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Dominik Schwudke
- Division of Bioanalytical Chemistry, Research Center Borstel, Leibniz Lung Center, Borstel, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research, Thematic Translational Unit Tuberculosis, Partner Site Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Riems, Borstel, Germany
- German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Airway Research Center North (ARCN), Research Center Borstel, Leibniz Lung Center, Borstel, Germany
| | - Michael J. Blackman
- Malaria Biochemistry Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Tim-Wolf Gilberger
- Centre for Structural Systems Biology, Hamburg, Germany
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
- University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
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Gao J, Jiang N, Zhang Y, Chen R, Feng Y, Sang X, Chen Q. A heparin-binding protein of Plasmodium berghei is associated with merozoite invasion of erythrocytes. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:277. [PMID: 37563696 PMCID: PMC10416508 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05896-w] [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: 04/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/23/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Malaria caused by Plasmodium species is a prominent public health concern worldwide, and the infection of a malarial parasite is transmitted to humans through the saliva of female Anopheles mosquitoes. Plasmodium invasion is a rapid and complex process. A critical step in the blood-stage infection of malarial parasites is the adhesion of merozoites to red blood cells (RBCs), which involves interactions between parasite ligands and receptors. The present study aimed to investigate a previously uncharacterized protein, PbMAP1 (encoded by PBANKA_1425900), which facilitates Plasmodium berghei ANKA (PbANKA) merozoite attachment and invasion via the heparan sulfate receptor. METHODS PbMAP1 protein expression was investigated at the asexual blood stage, and its specific binding activity to both heparan sulfate and RBCs was analyzed using western blotting, immunofluorescence, and flow cytometry. Furthermore, a PbMAP1-knockout parasitic strain was established using the double-crossover method to investigate its pathogenicity in mice. RESULTS The PbMAP1 protein, primarily localized to the P. berghei membrane at the merozoite stage, is involved in binding to heparan sulfate-like receptor on RBC surface of during merozoite invasion. Furthermore, mice immunized with the PbMAP1 protein or passively immunized with sera from PbMAP1-immunized mice exhibited increased immunity against lethal challenge. The PbMAP1-knockout parasite exhibited reduced pathogenicity. CONCLUSIONS PbMAP1 is involved in the binding of P. berghei to heparan sulfate-like receptors on RBC surface during merozoite invasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junying Gao
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Infectious Diseases, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, 120 Dongling Road, Shenyang, 110866, China
- Research Unit for Pathogenic Mechanisms of Zoonotic Parasites, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 120 Dongling Road, Shenyang, 110866, China
| | - Ning Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Infectious Diseases, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, 120 Dongling Road, Shenyang, 110866, China
- Research Unit for Pathogenic Mechanisms of Zoonotic Parasites, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 120 Dongling Road, Shenyang, 110866, China
| | - Yiwei Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Infectious Diseases, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, 120 Dongling Road, Shenyang, 110866, China
- Research Unit for Pathogenic Mechanisms of Zoonotic Parasites, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 120 Dongling Road, Shenyang, 110866, China
| | - Ran Chen
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Infectious Diseases, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, 120 Dongling Road, Shenyang, 110866, China
- Research Unit for Pathogenic Mechanisms of Zoonotic Parasites, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 120 Dongling Road, Shenyang, 110866, China
| | - Ying Feng
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Infectious Diseases, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, 120 Dongling Road, Shenyang, 110866, China
- Research Unit for Pathogenic Mechanisms of Zoonotic Parasites, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 120 Dongling Road, Shenyang, 110866, China
| | - Xiaoyu Sang
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Infectious Diseases, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, 120 Dongling Road, Shenyang, 110866, China
- Research Unit for Pathogenic Mechanisms of Zoonotic Parasites, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 120 Dongling Road, Shenyang, 110866, China
| | - Qijun Chen
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Infectious Diseases, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, 120 Dongling Road, Shenyang, 110866, China.
- Research Unit for Pathogenic Mechanisms of Zoonotic Parasites, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 120 Dongling Road, Shenyang, 110866, China.
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Perrotti E, L'Episcopia M, Menegon M, Soares IS, Rosas-Aguirre A, Speybroeck N, LLanos-Cuentas A, Menard D, Ferreira MU, Severini C. Reduced polymorphism of Plasmodium vivax early transcribed membrane protein (PvETRAMP) 11.2. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:238. [PMID: 37461081 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05851-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND ETRAMP11.2 (PVX_003565) is a well-characterized protein with antigenic potential. It is considered to be a serological marker for diagnostic tools, and it has been suggested as a potential vaccine candidate. Despite its immunological relevance, the polymorphism of the P. vivax ETRAMP11.2 gene (pvetramp11.2) remains undefined. The genetic variability of an antigen may limit the effectiveness of its application as a serological surveillance tool and in vaccine development and, therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the genetic diversity of pvetramp11.2 in parasite populations from Amazonian regions and worldwide. We also evaluated amino acid polymorphism on predicted B-cell epitopes. The low variability of the sequence encoding PvETRAMP11.2 protein suggests that it would be a suitable marker in prospective serodiagnostic assays for surveillance strategies or in vaccine design against P. vivax malaria. METHODS The pvetramp11.2 of P. vivax isolates collected from Brazil (n = 68) and Peru (n = 36) were sequenced and analyzed to assess nucleotide polymorphisms, allele distributions, population differentiation, genetic diversity and signature of selection. In addition, sequences (n = 104) of seven populations from different geographical regions were retrieved from the PlasmoDB database and included in the analysis to study the worldwide allele distribution. Potential linear B-cell epitopes and their polymorphisms were also explored. RESULTS The multiple alignments of 208 pvetramp11.2 sequences revealed a low polymorphism and a marked geographical variation in allele diversity. Seven polymorphic sites and 11 alleles were identified. All of the alleles were detected in isolates from the Latin American region and five alleles were detected in isolates from the Southeast Asia/Papua New Guinea (SEA/PNG) region. Three alleles were shared by all Latin American populations (H1, H6 and H7). The H1 allele (reference allele from Salvador-1 strain), which was absent in the SEA/PNG populations, was the most represented allele in populations from Brazil (54%) and was also detected at high frequencies in populations from all other Latin America countries (range: 13.0% to 33.3%). The H2 allele was the major allele in SEA/PNG populations, but was poorly represented in Latin America populations (only in Brazil: 7.3%). Plasmodium vivax populations from Latin America showed a marked inter-population genetic differentiation (fixation index [Fst]) in contrast to SEA/PNG populations. Codon bias measures (effective number of codons [ENC] and Codon bias index [CBI]) indicated preferential use of synonymous codons, suggesting selective pressure at the translation level. Only three amino acid substitutions, located in the C-terminus, were detected. Linear B-cell epitope mapping predicted two epitopes in the Sal-1 PvETRAMP11.2 protein, one of which was fully conserved in all of the parasite populations analyzed. CONCLUSIONS We provide an overview of the allele distribution and genetic differentiation of ETRAMP11.2 antigen in P. vivax populations from different endemic areas of the world. The reduced polymorphism and the high degree of protein conservation supports the application of PvETRAMP11.2 protein as a reliable antigen for application in serological assays or vaccine design. Our findings provide useful information that can be used to inform future study designs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edvige Perrotti
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore Di Sanità, Rome, Italy.
| | | | - Michela Menegon
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore Di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Irene S Soares
- Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analyses, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Angel Rosas-Aguirre
- Research Institute of Health and Society (IRSS), Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical "Alexander Von Humboldt", Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
| | - Niko Speybroeck
- Research Institute of Health and Society (IRSS), Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Alejandro LLanos-Cuentas
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical "Alexander Von Humboldt", Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
| | - Didier Menard
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie Et Mycologie Médicale, Les Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
- Institut de Parasitologie Et Pathologie Tropicale, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
- Malaria Genetics and Resistance Unit-INSERM U1201, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Marcelo Urbano Ferreira
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Carlo Severini
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore Di Sanità, Rome, Italy.
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Morano AA, Rudlaff RM, Dvorin JD. A PPP-type pseudophosphatase is required for the maintenance of basal complex integrity in Plasmodium falciparum. Nat Commun 2023; 14:3916. [PMID: 37400439 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-39435-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/05/2023] Open
Abstract
During its asexual blood stage, P. falciparum replicates via schizogony, wherein dozens of daughter cells are formed within a single parent. The basal complex, a contractile ring that separates daughter cells, is critical for schizogony. In this study, we identify a Plasmodium basal complex protein essential for basal complex maintenance. Using multiple microscopy techniques, we demonstrate that PfPPP8 is required for uniform basal complex expansion and maintenance of its integrity. We characterize PfPPP8 as the founding member of a novel family of pseudophosphatases with homologs in other Apicomplexan parasites. By co-immunoprecipitation, we identify two additional new basal complex proteins. We characterize the unique temporal localizations of these new basal complex proteins (late-arriving) and of PfPPP8 (early-departing). In this work, we identify a novel basal complex protein, determine its specific role in segmentation, identify a new pseudophosphatase family, and establish that the P. falciparum basal complex is a dynamic structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander A Morano
- Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Rachel M Rudlaff
- Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Jeffrey D Dvorin
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
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