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Mahanta PJ, Lhouvum K. Plasmodium falciparum proteases as new drug targets with special focus on metalloproteases. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2024; 258:111617. [PMID: 38554736 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2024.111617] [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: 10/17/2023] [Revised: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
Malaria poses a significant global health threat particularly due to the prevalence of Plasmodium falciparum infection. With the emergence of parasite resistance to existing drugs including the recently discovered artemisinin, ongoing research seeks novel therapeutic avenues within the malaria parasite. Proteases are promising drug targets due to their essential roles in parasite biology, including hemoglobin digestion, merozoite invasion, and egress. While exploring the genomic landscape of Plasmodium falciparum, it has been revealed that there are 92 predicted proteases, with only approximately 14 of them having been characterized. These proteases are further distributed among 26 families grouped into five clans: aspartic proteases, cysteine proteases, metalloproteases, serine proteases, and threonine proteases. Focus on metalloprotease class shows further role in organelle processing for mitochondria and apicoplasts suggesting the potential of metalloproteases as viable drug targets. Holistic understanding of the parasite intricate life cycle and identification of potential drug targets are essential for developing effective therapeutic strategies against malaria and mitigating its devastating global impact.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kimjolly Lhouvum
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Technology, Arunachal Pradesh, India.
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2
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Triglia T, Scally SW, Seager BA, Pasternak M, Dagley LF, Cowman AF. Plasmepsin X activates the PCRCR complex of Plasmodium falciparum by processing PfRh5 for erythrocyte invasion. Nat Commun 2023; 14:2219. [PMID: 37072430 PMCID: PMC10113190 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37890-2] [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: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 04/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium falciparum causes the most severe form of malaria in humans. The protozoan parasite develops within erythrocytes to mature schizonts, that contain more than 16 merozoites, which egress and invade fresh erythrocytes. The aspartic protease plasmepsin X (PMX), processes proteins and proteases essential for merozoite egress from the schizont and invasion of the host erythrocyte, including the leading vaccine candidate PfRh5. PfRh5 is anchored to the merozoite surface through a 5-membered complex (PCRCR), consisting of Plasmodium thrombospondin-related apical merozoite protein, cysteine-rich small secreted protein, Rh5-interacting protein and cysteine-rich protective antigen. Here, we show that PCRCR is processed by PMX in micronemes to remove the N-terminal prodomain of PhRh5 and this activates the function of the complex unmasking a form that can bind basigin on the erythrocyte membrane and mediate merozoite invasion. The ability to activate PCRCR at a specific time in merozoite invasion most likely masks potential deleterious effects of its function until they are required. These results provide an important understanding of the essential role of PMX and the fine regulation of PCRCR function in P. falciparum biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tony Triglia
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Stephen W Scally
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
- University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Benjamin A Seager
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
- University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Michał Pasternak
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
- University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Laura F Dagley
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
- University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Alan F Cowman
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia.
- University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, 3010, Australia.
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3
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Smith NA, Clarke OB, Lee M, Hodder AN, Smith BJ. Structure of the Plasmodium falciparum PfSERA5 pseudo-zymogen. Protein Sci 2020; 29:2245-2258. [PMID: 32955133 PMCID: PMC7586913 DOI: 10.1002/pro.3956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2020] [Revised: 09/17/2020] [Accepted: 09/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
PfSERA5, a significantly abundant protein present within the parasitophorous vacuole (PV) and essential for normal growth during the blood-stage life cycle of the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum, displays structural similarity to many other cysteine proteases. However, PfSERA5 does not exhibit any detectable protease activity and therefore the role of the PfSERA5 papain-like domain (PfSERA5E), thought to remain bound to its cognate prodomain, remains unknown. In this study, we present a revised structure of the central PfSERA5E domain at a resolution of 1.2 Å, and the first structure of the "zymogen" of this papain-like domain including its cognate prodomain (PfSERA5PE) to 2.2 Å resolution. PfSERA5PE is somewhat structurally similar to that of other known proenzymes, retaining the conserved overall folding and orientation of the prodomain through, and occluding, the archetypal papain-like catalytic triad "active-site" cleft, in the same reverse direction as conventional prodomains. Our findings are congruent with previously identified structures of PfSERA5E and of similar "zymogens" and provide a foundation for further investigation into the function of PfSERA5.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas A. Smith
- Department of Chemistry and Physics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular ScienceLa Trobe UniversityMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - Oliver B. Clarke
- Department of AnesthesiologyColumbia UniversityNew YorkNew YorkUSA
- Department of Physiology and Molecular BiophysicsColumbia UniversityNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - Mihwa Lee
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular ScienceLa Trobe UniversityMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - Anthony N. Hodder
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical ResearchMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - Brian J. Smith
- Department of Chemistry and Physics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular ScienceLa Trobe UniversityMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
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4
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Silva JV, Santos SDS, Machini MT, Giarolla J. Neglected tropical diseases and infectious illnesses: potential targeted peptides employed as hits compounds in drug design. J Drug Target 2020; 29:269-283. [PMID: 33059502 DOI: 10.1080/1061186x.2020.1837843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) and infectious illnesses, such as malaria, tuberculosis and Zika fever, represent a major public health concern in many countries and regions worldwide, especially in developing ones. They cause thousands of deaths per year, and certainly compromise the life of affected patients. The drugs available for therapy are toxic, have considerable adverse effects, and are obsolete, especially with respect to resistance. In this context, targeted peptides are considered promising in the design of new drugs, since they have specific action and reduced toxicity. Indeed, there is a rising interest in these targeted compounds within the pharmaceutical industry, proving their importance to the Pharmaceutical Sciences field. Many have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to be used as medicines, plus there are more than 300 peptides currently in clinical trials. The main purpose of this review is to show the most promising potential targeted peptides acting as hits molecules in NTDs and other infectious illnesses. We hope to contribute to the discovery of medicines in this relatively neglected area, which will be extremely useful in improving the health of many suffering people.
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Affiliation(s)
- João Vitor Silva
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Soraya da Silva Santos
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - M Teresa Machini
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Jeanine Giarolla
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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5
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Favuzza P, de Lera Ruiz M, Thompson JK, Triglia T, Ngo A, Steel RWJ, Vavrek M, Christensen J, Healer J, Boyce C, Guo Z, Hu M, Khan T, Murgolo N, Zhao L, Penington JS, Reaksudsan K, Jarman K, Dietrich MH, Richardson L, Guo KY, Lopaticki S, Tham WH, Rottmann M, Papenfuss T, Robbins JA, Boddey JA, Sleebs BE, Sabroux HJ, McCauley JA, Olsen DB, Cowman AF. Dual Plasmepsin-Targeting Antimalarial Agents Disrupt Multiple Stages of the Malaria Parasite Life Cycle. Cell Host Microbe 2020; 27:642-658.e12. [PMID: 32109369 PMCID: PMC7146544 DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2020.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2019] [Revised: 12/22/2019] [Accepted: 02/11/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Artemisin combination therapy (ACT) is the main treatment option for malaria, which is caused by the intracellular parasite Plasmodium. However, increased resistance to ACT highlights the importance of finding new drugs. Recently, the aspartic proteases Plasmepsin IX and X (PMIX and PMX) were identified as promising drug targets. In this study, we describe dual inhibitors of PMIX and PMX, including WM382, that block multiple stages of the Plasmodium life cycle. We demonstrate that PMX is a master modulator of merozoite invasion and direct maturation of proteins required for invasion, parasite development, and egress. Oral administration of WM382 cured mice of P. berghei and prevented blood infection from the liver. In addition, WM382 was efficacious against P. falciparum asexual infection in humanized mice and prevented transmission to mosquitoes. Selection of resistant P. falciparum in vitro was not achievable. Together, these show that dual PMIX and PMX inhibitors are promising candidates for malaria treatment and prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Favuzza
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | | | - Jennifer K Thompson
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Tony Triglia
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Anna Ngo
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Ryan W J Steel
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Marissa Vavrek
- Merck & Co., Inc., 770 Sumneytown Pike, West Point, PA 19486, USA
| | - Janni Christensen
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Julie Healer
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | | | - Zhuyan Guo
- Merck & Co., Inc., 770 Sumneytown Pike, West Point, PA 19486, USA
| | - Mengwei Hu
- Merck & Co., Inc., 770 Sumneytown Pike, West Point, PA 19486, USA
| | - Tanweer Khan
- Merck & Co., Inc., 770 Sumneytown Pike, West Point, PA 19486, USA
| | - Nicholas Murgolo
- Merck & Co., Inc., 770 Sumneytown Pike, West Point, PA 19486, USA
| | - Lianyun Zhao
- Merck & Co., Inc., 770 Sumneytown Pike, West Point, PA 19486, USA
| | | | - Kitsanapong Reaksudsan
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Kate Jarman
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Melanie H Dietrich
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Lachlan Richardson
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Kai-Yuan Guo
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Sash Lopaticki
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Wai-Hong Tham
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | | | - Tony Papenfuss
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | | | - Justin A Boddey
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Brad E Sleebs
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Hélène Jousset Sabroux
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - John A McCauley
- Merck & Co., Inc., 770 Sumneytown Pike, West Point, PA 19486, USA
| | - David B Olsen
- Merck & Co., Inc., 770 Sumneytown Pike, West Point, PA 19486, USA.
| | - Alan F Cowman
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia.
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6
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Arisue N, Palacpac NMQ, Tougan T, Horii T. Characteristic features of the SERA multigene family in the malaria parasite. Parasit Vectors 2020; 13:170. [PMID: 32252804 PMCID: PMC7132891 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04044-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2019] [Accepted: 03/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Serine repeat antigen (SERA) is conserved among species of the genus Plasmodium. Sera genes form a multigene family and are generally tandemly clustered on a single chromosome. Although all Plasmodium species encode multiple sera genes, the number varies between species. Among species, the members share similar sequences and gene organization. SERA possess a central papain-like cysteine protease domain, however, in some members, the active site cysteine residue is substituted with a serine. Recent studies implicate this gene family in a number of aspects in parasite biology and induction of protective immune response. This review summarizes the current understanding on this important gene family in several Plasmodium species. The Plasmodium falciparum (Pf)-sera family, for example, consists of nine gene members. Unlike other multigene families in Plasmodium species, Pf-sera genes do not exhibit antigenic variation. Pf-sera5 nucleotide diversity is also low. Moreover, although Pf-sera5 is highly transcribed during the blood stage of malaria infection, and a large amount is released into the host blood following schizont rupture, in malaria endemic countries the sero-positive rates for Pf-SERA5 are low, likely due to Pf-SERA5 binding of host proteins to avoid immune recognition. As an antigen, the N-terminal 47 kDa domain of Pf-SERA5 is a promising vaccine candidate currently undergoing clinical trials. Pf-SERA5 and Pf-SERA6, as well as P. berghei (Pb)-SERA3, and Pb-SERA5, have been investigated for their roles in parasite egress. Two P. yoelii SERA, which have a serine residue at the protease active center, are implicated in parasite virulence. Overall, these studies provide insight that during the evolution of the Plasmodium parasite, the sera gene family members have increased by gene duplication, and acquired various functions that enable the parasite to survive and successfully maintain infection in the host.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Nobuko Arisue
- Research Center for Infectious Disease Control, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan.
| | - Nirianne M Q Palacpac
- Department of Malaria Vaccine Development, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Takahiro Tougan
- Research Center for Infectious Disease Control, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Toshihiro Horii
- Department of Malaria Vaccine Development, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
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7
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Singh S, Chitnis CE. Molecular Signaling Involved in Entry and Exit of Malaria Parasites from Host Erythrocytes. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med 2017; 7:cshperspect.a026815. [PMID: 28507195 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a026815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
During the blood stage, Plasmodium spp. merozoites invade host red blood cells (RBCs), multiply, exit, and reinvade uninfected RBCs in a continuing cycle that is responsible for all the clinical symptoms associated with malaria. Entry into (invasion) and exit from (egress) RBCs are highly regulated processes that are mediated by an array of parasite proteins with specific functional roles. Many of these parasite proteins are stored in specialized apical secretory vesicles, and their timely release is critical for successful invasion and egress. For example, the discharge of parasite protein ligands to the apical surface of merozoites is required for interaction with host receptors to mediate invasion, and the timely discharge of proteases and pore-forming proteins helps in permeabilization and dismantling of limiting membranes during egress. This review focuses on our understanding of the signaling mechanisms that regulate apical organelle secretion during host cell invasion and egress by malaria parasites. The review also explores how understanding key signaling mechanisms in the parasite can open opportunities to develop novel strategies to target Plasmodium parasites and eliminate malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shailja Singh
- Department of Parasites and Insect Vectors, Institut Pasteur, 75015 Paris, France.,Shiv Nadar University, Gautam Buddha Nagar, Uttar Pradesh 201314, India
| | - Chetan E Chitnis
- Department of Parasites and Insect Vectors, Institut Pasteur, 75015 Paris, France.,Malaria Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), New Delhi 110067, India
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Antwi-Baffour S, Adjei JK, Agyemang-Yeboah F, Annani-Akollor M, Kyeremeh R, Asare GA, Gyan B. Proteomic analysis of microparticles isolated from malaria positive blood samples. Proteome Sci 2017; 15:5. [PMID: 28352210 PMCID: PMC5366142 DOI: 10.1186/s12953-017-0113-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2016] [Accepted: 03/17/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Malaria continues to be a great public health concern due to the significant mortality and morbidity associated with the disease especially in developing countries. Microparticles (MPs), also called plasma membrane derived extracellular vesicles (PMEVs) are subcellular structures that are generated when they bud off the plasma membrane. They can be found in healthy individuals but the numbers tend to increase in pathological conditions including malaria. Although, various studies have been carried out on the protein content of specific cellular derived MPs, there seems to be paucity of information on the protein content of circulating MPs in malaria and their association with the various signs and symptoms of the disease. The aim of this study was therefore to carry out proteomic analyses of MPs isolated from malaria positive samples and compare them with proteins of MPs from malaria parasite culture supernatant and healthy controls in order to ascertain the role of MPs in malaria infection. Methods Plasma samples were obtained from forty-three (43) malaria diagnosed patients (cases) and ten (10) healthy individuals (controls). Malaria parasite culture supernatant was obtained from our laboratory and MPs were isolated from them and confirmed using flow cytometry. 2D LC-MS was done to obtain their protein content. Resultant data were analyzed using SPSS Ver. 21.0 statistical software, Kruskal Wallis test and Spearman’s correlation coefficient r. Results In all, 1806 proteins were isolated from the samples. The MPs from malaria positive samples recorded 1729 proteins, those from culture supernatant were 333 while the control samples recorded 234 proteins. The mean number of proteins in MPs of malaria positive samples was significantly higher than that in the control samples. Significantly, higher quantities of haemoglobin subunits were seen in MPs from malaria samples and culture supernatant compared to control samples. Conclusion A great number of proteins were observed to be carried in the microparticles (MPs) from malaria samples and culture supernatant compared to controls. The greater loss of haemoglobin from erythrocytes via MPs from malaria patients could serve as the initiation and progression of anaemia in P.falciparum infection. Also while some proteins were upregulated in circulating MPs in malaria samples, others were down regulated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Antwi-Baffour
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, School of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, P. O. Box KB 143, Korle-Bu, Accra, Ghana
| | - Jonathan Kofi Adjei
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, School of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, P. O. Box KB 143, Korle-Bu, Accra, Ghana.,Department of Molecular Medicine, School of Medical Sciences Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Francis Agyemang-Yeboah
- Department of Molecular Medicine, School of Medical Sciences Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Max Annani-Akollor
- Department of Molecular Medicine, School of Medical Sciences Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Ransford Kyeremeh
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, School of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, P. O. Box KB 143, Korle-Bu, Accra, Ghana
| | - George Awuku Asare
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, School of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, P. O. Box KB 143, Korle-Bu, Accra, Ghana
| | - Ben Gyan
- Noguchi Memorial Institute of Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana
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9
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Jackson AP. Gene family phylogeny and the evolution of parasite cell surfaces. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2016; 209:64-75. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2016.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2016] [Revised: 03/18/2016] [Accepted: 03/19/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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10
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Stallmach R, Kavishwar M, Withers-Martinez C, Hackett F, Collins CR, Howell SA, Yeoh S, Knuepfer E, Atid AJ, Holder AA, Blackman MJ. Plasmodium falciparum SERA5 plays a non-enzymatic role in the malarial asexual blood-stage lifecycle. Mol Microbiol 2015; 96:368-87. [PMID: 25599609 PMCID: PMC4671257 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.12941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/18/2015] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
The malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum replicates in an intraerythrocytic parasitophorous vacuole (PV). The most abundant P. falciparum PV protein, called SERA5, is essential in blood stages and possesses a papain-like domain, prompting speculation that it functions as a proteolytic enzyme. Unusually however, SERA5 possesses a Ser residue (Ser596) at the position of the canonical catalytic Cys of papain-like proteases, and the function of SERA5 or whether it performs an enzymatic role is unknown. In this study, we failed to detect proteolytic activity associated with the Ser596-containing parasite-derived or recombinant protein. However, substitution of Ser596 with a Cys residue produced an active recombinant enzyme with characteristics of a cysteine protease, demonstrating that SERA5 can bind peptides. Using targeted homologous recombination in P. falciparum, we substituted Ser596 with Ala with no phenotypic consequences, proving that SERA5 does not perform an essential enzymatic role in the parasite. We could also replace an internal segment of SERA5 with an affinity-purification tag. In contrast, using almost identical targeting constructs, we could not truncate or C-terminally tag the SERA5 gene, or replace Ser596 with a bulky Arg residue. Our findings show that SERA5 plays an indispensable but non-enzymatic role in the P. falciparum blood-stage life cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Stallmach
- Division of Parasitology, MRC National Institute for Medical ResearchLondon, NW7 1AA, UK
| | - Manoli Kavishwar
- Division of Parasitology, MRC National Institute for Medical ResearchLondon, NW7 1AA, UK
| | | | - Fiona Hackett
- Division of Parasitology, MRC National Institute for Medical ResearchLondon, NW7 1AA, UK
| | - Christine R Collins
- Division of Parasitology, MRC National Institute for Medical ResearchLondon, NW7 1AA, UK
| | - Steven A Howell
- Division of Molecular Structure, MRC National Institute for Medical ResearchLondon, NW7 1AA, UK
| | - Sharon Yeoh
- Division of Parasitology, MRC National Institute for Medical ResearchLondon, NW7 1AA, UK
| | - Ellen Knuepfer
- Division of Parasitology, MRC National Institute for Medical ResearchLondon, NW7 1AA, UK
| | - Avshalom J Atid
- Division of Parasitology, MRC National Institute for Medical ResearchLondon, NW7 1AA, UK
| | - Anthony A Holder
- Division of Parasitology, MRC National Institute for Medical ResearchLondon, NW7 1AA, UK
| | - Michael J Blackman
- Division of Parasitology, MRC National Institute for Medical ResearchLondon, NW7 1AA, UK
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11
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Kanodia S, Kumar G, Rizzi L, Pedretti A, Hodder AN, Romeo S, Malhotra P. Synthetic peptides derived from the C-terminal 6kDa region of Plasmodium falciparum SERA5 inhibit the enzyme activity and malaria parasite development. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2014; 1840:2765-75. [PMID: 24769454 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2014.04.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2013] [Revised: 03/21/2014] [Accepted: 04/15/2014] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Plasmodium falciparum serine repeat antigen 5 (PfSERA5) is an abundant blood stage protein that plays an essential role in merozoite egress and invasion. The native protein undergoes extensive proteolytic cleavage that appears to be tightly regulated. PfSERA5 N-terminal fragment is being developed as vaccine candidate antigen. Although PfSERA5 belongs to papain-like cysteine protease family, its catalytic domain has a serine in place of cysteine at the active site. METHODS In the present study, we synthesized a number of peptides from the N- and C-terminal regions of PfSERA5 active domain and evaluated their inhibitory potential. RESULTS The final proteolytic step of PfSERA5 involves removal of a C-terminal ~6kDa fragment that results in the generation of a catalytically active ~50kDa enzyme. In the present study, we demonstrate that two of the peptides derived from the C-terminal ~6kDa region inhibit the parasite growth and also cause a delay in the parasite development. These peptides reduced the enzyme activity of the recombinant protein and co-localized with the PfSERA5 protein within the parasite, thereby indicating the specific inhibition of PfSERA5 activity. Molecular docking studies revealed that the inhibitory peptides interact with the active site of the protein. Interestingly, the peptides did not have an effect on the processing of PfSERA5. CONCLUSIONS Our observations indicate the temporal regulation of the final proteolytic cleavage step that occurs just prior to egress. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE These results reinforce the role of PfSERA5 for the intra-erythrocytic development of malaria parasite and show the role of carboxy terminal ~6kDa fragments in the regulation of PfSERA5 activity. The results also suggest that final cleavage step of PfSERA5 can be targeted for the development of new anti-malarials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shivani Kanodia
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi 110067, India
| | - Gautam Kumar
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi 110067, India
| | - Luca Rizzi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Facoltà di Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via L. Mangiagalli 25, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandro Pedretti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Facoltà di Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via L. Mangiagalli 25, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Anthony N Hodder
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3050, Australia
| | - Sergio Romeo
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Facoltà di Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via L. Mangiagalli 25, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Pawan Malhotra
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi 110067, India
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12
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Tonelli RR, Colli W, Alves MJM. Selection of binding targets in parasites using phage-display and aptamer libraries in vivo and in vitro. Front Immunol 2013; 3:419. [PMID: 23316203 PMCID: PMC3540409 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2012.00419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2012] [Accepted: 12/20/2012] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Parasite infections are largely dependent on interactions between pathogen and different host cell populations to guarantee a successful infectious process. This is particularly true for obligatory intracellular parasites as Plasmodium, Toxoplasma, and Leishmania, to name a few. Adhesion to and entry into the cell are essential steps requiring specific parasite and host cell molecules. The large amount of possible involved molecules poses additional difficulties for their identification by the classical biochemical approaches. In this respect, the search for alternative techniques should be pursued. Among them two powerful methodologies can be employed, both relying upon the construction of highly diverse combinatorial libraries of peptides or oligonucleotides that randomly bind with high affinity to targets on the cell surface and are selectively displaced by putative ligands. These are, respectively, the peptide-based phage display and the oligonucleotide-based aptamer techniques. The phage display technique has been extensively employed for the identification of novel ligands in vitro and in vivo in different areas such as cancer, vaccine development, and epitope mapping. Particularly, phage display has been employed in the investigation of pathogen–host interactions. Although this methodology has been used for some parasites with encouraging results, in trypanosomatids its use is, as yet, scanty. RNA and DNA aptamers, developed by the SELEX process (Systematic Evolution of Ligands by Exponential Enrichment), were described over two decades ago and since then contributed to a large number of structured nucleic acids for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes or for the understanding of the cell biology. Similarly to the phage display technique scarce use of the SELEX process has been used in the probing of parasite–host interaction. In this review, an overall survey on the use of both phage display and aptamer technologies in different pathogenic organisms will be discussed. Using these techniques, recent results on the interaction of Trypanosoma cruzi with the host will be highlighted focusing on members of the 85 kDa protein family, a subset of the gp85/TS superfamily.
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Affiliation(s)
- R R Tonelli
- Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de São Paulo São Paulo, Brazil
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13
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Alam A, Goyal M, Iqbal MS, Pal C, Dey S, Bindu S, Maity P, Bandyopadhyay U. Novel antimalarial drug targets: hope for new antimalarial drugs. Expert Rev Clin Pharmacol 2012; 2:469-89. [PMID: 22112223 DOI: 10.1586/ecp.09.28] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Malaria is a major global threat, that results in more than 2 million deaths each year. The treatment of malaria is becoming extremely difficult due to the emergence of drug-resistant parasites, the absence of an effective vaccine, and the spread of insecticide-resistant vectors. Thus, malarial therapy needs new chemotherapeutic approaches leading to the search for new drug targets. Here, we discuss different approaches to identifying novel antimalarial drug targets. We have also given due attention to the existing validated targets with a view to develop novel, rationally designed lead molecules. Some of the important parasite proteins are claimed to be the targets; however, further in vitro or in vivo structure-function studies of such proteins are crucial to validate these proteins as suitable targets. The interactome analysis among apicoplast, mitochondrion and genomic DNA will also be useful in identifying vital pathways or proteins regulating critical pathways for parasite growth and survival, and could be attractive targets. Molecules responsible for parasite invasion to host erythrocytes and ion channels of infected erythrocytes, essential for intra-erythrocyte survival and stage progression of parasites are also becoming attractive targets. This review will discuss and highlight the current understanding regarding the potential antimalarial drug targets, which could be utilized to develop novel antimalarials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Athar Alam
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, 4, Raja S.C. Mullick Road, Jadavpur, Kolkata-700032, West Bengal, India.
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14
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Alam A, Chauhan VS. Inhibitory potential of prodomain of Plasmodium falciparum protease serine repeat antigen 5 for asexual blood stages of parasite. PLoS One 2012; 7:e30452. [PMID: 22291957 PMCID: PMC3265493 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0030452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2011] [Accepted: 12/16/2011] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium falciparum serine repeat antigen 5 (SERA5) is a target for both drug and vaccine intervention against malaria. SERA5 is secreted in the parasitophorous vacuole where it is proteolytically processed before schizont rupture. Among the processed products is a 50.8-kDa central domain of the protease, which possesses chymotrypsin-like activity and consists of a 28.9-kDa catalytic domain with a 21.9-kDa N-terminal prodomain, which remain attached together. Because SERA5 has been implicated in merozoite egress from host erythrocytes, the effect of the prodomain and a heptapeptide derived from its C-terminus spanning from D(560) to F(566) (DNSDNMF) on parasite growth was studied. When E. coli-expressed prodomain was incubated with parasite culture, a significant delay in transition from schizont to ring stages was observed up to nanomolar concentrations. The peptide, DNSDNMF also showed similar effects but at nearly 1000-fold higher concentrations. The peptide was also found to interact with the catalytic domain. These data demonstrate the crucial role of SERA5 prodomain for the egress process. Given the inhibitory potential of the prodomain for the parasite, we suggest that peptidomimetic inhibitors based on SERA5 prodomain sequences can be developed as future therapeutics against malaria.
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MESH Headings
- Amino Acid Sequence
- Animals
- Antigens, Protozoan/chemistry
- Antigens, Protozoan/genetics
- Antigens, Protozoan/pharmacology
- Antiprotozoal Agents/chemistry
- Antiprotozoal Agents/pharmacology
- Cloning, Molecular
- Humans
- Life Cycle Stages/drug effects
- Life Cycle Stages/genetics
- Life Cycle Stages/physiology
- Malaria, Falciparum/blood
- Malaria, Falciparum/genetics
- Malaria, Falciparum/parasitology
- Models, Biological
- Molecular Sequence Data
- Peptide Hydrolases/chemistry
- Peptide Hydrolases/genetics
- Peptide Hydrolases/pharmacology
- Plasmodium falciparum/drug effects
- Plasmodium falciparum/growth & development
- Plasmodium falciparum/physiology
- Protein Precursors/chemistry
- Protein Precursors/genetics
- Protein Precursors/pharmacology
- Protein Structure, Tertiary/genetics
- Protein Structure, Tertiary/physiology
- Reproduction, Asexual/drug effects
- Reproduction, Asexual/genetics
- Reproduction, Asexual/physiology
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Affiliation(s)
- Asrar Alam
- Malaria Research Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi, India
| | - Virander S. Chauhan
- Malaria Research Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi, India
- * E-mail:
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15
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Li H, Child MA, Bogyo M. Proteases as regulators of pathogenesis: examples from the Apicomplexa. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA 2012; 1824:177-85. [PMID: 21683169 PMCID: PMC3232290 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2011.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2011] [Revised: 06/01/2011] [Accepted: 06/02/2011] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The diverse functional roles that proteases play in basic biological processes make them essential for virtually all organisms. Not surprisingly, proteolysis is also a critical process required for many aspects of pathogenesis. In particular, obligate intracellular parasites must precisely coordinate proteolytic events during their highly regulated life cycle inside multiple host cell environments. Advances in chemical, proteomic and genetic tools that can be applied to parasite biology have led to an increased understanding of the complex events centrally regulated by proteases. In this review, we outline recent advances in our knowledge of specific proteolytic enzymes in two medically relevant apicomplexan parasites: Plasmodium falciparum and Toxoplasma gondii. Efforts over the last decade have begun to provide a map of key proteotolyic events that are essential for both parasite survival and propagation inside host cells. These advances in our molecular understanding of proteolytic events involved in parasite pathogenesis provide a foundation for the validation of new networks and enzyme targets that could be exploited for therapeutic purposes. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Proteolysis 50 years after the discovery of lysosome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Li
- Departments of Pathology and Microbiology and Immunology and Graduate program in Chemical and Systems Biology, Stanford University, 300 Pasteur Dr. Stanford, CA. 94305
| | - Matthew A. Child
- Departments of Pathology and Microbiology and Immunology and Graduate program in Chemical and Systems Biology, Stanford University, 300 Pasteur Dr. Stanford, CA. 94305
| | - Matthew Bogyo
- Departments of Pathology and Microbiology and Immunology and Graduate program in Chemical and Systems Biology, Stanford University, 300 Pasteur Dr. Stanford, CA. 94305
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16
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Plasmodium falciparum serine repeat antigen 5 (SE36) as a malaria vaccine candidate. Vaccine 2011; 29:5837-45. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2011.06.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2011] [Revised: 05/31/2011] [Accepted: 06/14/2011] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
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17
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Moneriz C, Mestres J, Bautista JM, Diez A, Puyet A. Multi-targeted activity of maslinic acid as an antimalarial natural compound. FEBS J 2011; 278:2951-61. [PMID: 21689375 DOI: 10.1111/j.1742-4658.2011.08220.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Most drugs against malaria that are available or under development target a single process of the parasite infective cycle, favouring the appearance of resistant mutants which are easily spread in areas under chemotherapeutic treatments. Maslinic acid (MA) is a low toxic natural pentacyclic triterpene for which a wide variety of biological and therapeutic activities have been reported. Previous work revealed that Plasmodium falciparum erythrocytic cultures were inhibited by MA, which was able to hinder the maturation from ring to schizont stage and, as a consequence, prevent the release of merozoites and the subsequent invasion. We show here that MA effectively inhibits the proteolytic processing of the merozoite surface protein complex, probably by inhibition of PfSUB1. In addition, MA was also found to inhibit metalloproteases of the M16 family by a non-chelating mechanism, suggesting the possible hindrance of plasmodial metalloproteases belonging to that family, such as falcilysin and apicoplast peptide-processing proteases. Finally, in silico target screening was used to search for other potential binding targets that may have remained undetected. Among the targets identified, the method recovered two for which experimental activity could be confirmed, and suggested several putative new targets to which MA could have affinity. One of these unreported targets, phospholipase A2, was shown to be partially inhibited by MA. These results suggest that MA may behave as a multi-targeted drug against the intra-erythrocytic cycle of Plasmodium, providing a new tool to investigate the synergistic effect of inhibiting several unrelated processes with a single compound, a new concept in antimalarial research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Moneriz
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular IV, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain
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18
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Abstract
Egress is a pivotal step in the life cycle of intracellular pathogens initiating the transition from an expiring host cell to a fresh target cell. While much attention has been focused on understanding cell invasion by intracellular pathogens, recent work is providing a new appreciation of mechanisms and therapeutic potential of microbial egress. This review highlights recent insight into cell egress by apicomplexan parasites and emerging contributions of membranolytic and proteolytic secretory products, along with host proteases. New findings suggest that Toxoplasma gondii secretes a pore-forming protein, TgPLP1, during egress that facilitates parasite escape from the cell by perforating the parasitophorous membrane. Also, in a cascade of proteolytic events, Plasmodium falciparum late-stage schizonts activate and secrete a subtilisin, PfSUB1, which processes enigmatic putative proteases called serine-repeat antigens that contribute to merozoite egress. A new report also suggests that calcium-activated host proteases called calpains aid parasite exit, possibly by acting upon the host cytoskeleton. Together these discoveries reveal important new molecular players involved in the principal steps of egress by apicomplexans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marijo S Roiko
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, 48109, USA
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19
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Hodder AN, Malby RL, Clarke OB, Fairlie WD, Colman PM, Crabb BS, Smith BJ. Structural insights into the protease-like antigen Plasmodium falciparum SERA5 and its noncanonical active-site serine. J Mol Biol 2009; 392:154-65. [PMID: 19591843 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2009.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2009] [Revised: 06/30/2009] [Accepted: 07/02/2009] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The sera genes of the malaria-causing parasite Plasmodium encode a family of unique proteins that are maximally expressed at the time of egress of parasites from infected red blood cells. These multi-domain proteins are unique, containing a central papain-like cysteine-protease fragment enclosed between the disulfide-linked N- and C-terminal domains. However, the central fragment of several members of this family, including serine repeat antigen 5 (SERA5), contains a serine (S596) in place of the active-site cysteine. Here we report the crystal structure of the central protease-like domain of Plasmodium falciparum SERA5, revealing a number of anomalies in addition to the putative nucleophilic serine: (1) the structure of the putative active site is not conducive to binding substrate in the canonical cysteine-protease manner; (2) the side chain of D594 restricts access of substrate to the putative active site; and (3) the S(2) specificity pocket is occupied by the side chain of Y735, reducing this site to a small depression on the protein surface. Attempts to determine the structure in complex with known inhibitors were not successful. Thus, despite having revealed its structure, the function of the catalytic domain of SERA5 remains an enigma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony N Hodder
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Australia
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