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Evbuomwan IO, Alejolowo OO, Elebiyo TC, Nwonuma CO, Ojo OA, Edosomwan EU, Chikwendu JI, Elosiuba NV, Akulue JC, Dogunro FA, Rotimi DE, Osemwegie OO, Ojo AB, Ademowo OG, Adeyemi OS, Oluba OM. In silico modeling revealed phytomolecules derived from Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) leaf extract as promising candidates for malaria therapy. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2024; 42:101-118. [PMID: 36974933 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2023.2192799] [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: 01/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
Abstract
The emergence of varying levels of resistance to currently available antimalarial drugs significantly threatens global health. This factor heightens the urgency to explore bioactive compounds from natural products with a view to discovering and developing newer antimalarial drugs with novel mode of actions. Therefore, we evaluated the inhibitory effects of sixteen phytocompounds from Cymbopogon citratus leaf extract against Plasmodium falciparum drug targets such as P. falciparum circumsporozoite protein (PfCSP), P. falciparum merozoite surface protein 1 (PfMSP1) and P. falciparum erythrocyte membrane protein 1 (PfEMP1). In silico approaches including molecular docking, pharmacophore modeling and 3D-QSAR were adopted to analyze the inhibitory activity of the compounds under consideration. The molecular docking results indicated that a compound swertiajaponin from C. citratus exhibited a higher binding affinity (-7.8 kcal/mol) to PfMSP1 as against the standard artesunate-amodiaquine (-6.6 kcal/mol). Swertiajaponin also formed strong hydrogen bond interactions with LYS29, CYS30, TYR34, ASN52, GLY55 and CYS28 amino acid residues. In addition, quercetin another compound from C. citratus exhibited significant binding energies -6.8 and -8.3 kcal/mol with PfCSP and PfEMP1, respectively but slightly lower than the standard artemether-lumefantrine with binding energies of -7.4 kcal/mol against PfCSP and -8.7 kcal/mol against PfEMP1. Overall, the present study provides evidence that swertiajaponin and other phytomolecules from C. citratus have modulatory properties toward P. falciparum drug targets and thus may warrant further exploration in early drug discovery efforts against malaria. Furthermore, these findings lend credence to the folkloric use of C. citratus for malaria treatment.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ikponmwosa Owen Evbuomwan
- SDG #03 Group - Good Health and Well-Being Research Cluster, Landmark University, Omu-Aran, Nigeria
- Department of Biochemistry, Landmark University, Omu-Aran, Nigeria
- Department of Food Science and Microbiology, Landmark University, Omu-Aran, Nigeria
| | - Omokolade Oluwaseyi Alejolowo
- SDG #03 Group - Good Health and Well-Being Research Cluster, Landmark University, Omu-Aran, Nigeria
- Department of Biochemistry, Landmark University, Omu-Aran, Nigeria
| | | | - Charles Obiora Nwonuma
- SDG #03 Group - Good Health and Well-Being Research Cluster, Landmark University, Omu-Aran, Nigeria
- Department of Biochemistry, Landmark University, Omu-Aran, Nigeria
| | - Oluwafemi Adeleke Ojo
- Phytomedicine, Molecular Toxicology and Computational Biochemistry Research Group, Department of Biochemistry, Bowen University, Iwo, Nigeria
| | - Evelyn Uwa Edosomwan
- Department of Animal and Environmental Biology, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria
| | | | | | | | | | - Damilare Emmanuel Rotimi
- SDG #03 Group - Good Health and Well-Being Research Cluster, Landmark University, Omu-Aran, Nigeria
- Department of Biochemistry, Landmark University, Omu-Aran, Nigeria
| | | | | | - Olusegun George Ademowo
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
- Drug Research Laboratory, Institute of Advanced Medical Research and Training (IMRAT), College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - Oluyomi Stephen Adeyemi
- SDG #03 Group - Good Health and Well-Being Research Cluster, Landmark University, Omu-Aran, Nigeria
- Department of Biochemistry, Landmark University, Omu-Aran, Nigeria
- Laboratory of Sustainable Animal Environment, Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tohoku University, Osaki, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Olarewaju Michael Oluba
- SDG #03 Group - Good Health and Well-Being Research Cluster, Landmark University, Omu-Aran, Nigeria
- Department of Biochemistry, Landmark University, Omu-Aran, Nigeria
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Swift RP, Elahi R, Rajaram K, Liu HB, Prigge ST. The Plasmodium falciparum apicoplast cysteine desulfurase provides sulfur for both iron-sulfur cluster assembly and tRNA modification. eLife 2023; 12:e84491. [PMID: 37166116 PMCID: PMC10219651 DOI: 10.7554/elife.84491] [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: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Iron-sulfur clusters (FeS) are ancient and ubiquitous protein cofactors that play fundamental roles in many aspects of cell biology. These cofactors cannot be scavenged or trafficked within a cell and thus must be synthesized in any subcellular compartment where they are required. We examined the FeS synthesis proteins found in the relict plastid organelle, called the apicoplast, of the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. Using a chemical bypass method, we deleted four of the FeS pathway proteins involved in sulfur acquisition and cluster assembly and demonstrated that they are all essential for parasite survival. However, the effect that these deletions had on the apicoplast organelle differed. Deletion of the cysteine desulfurase SufS led to disruption of the apicoplast organelle and loss of the organellar genome, whereas the other deletions did not affect organelle maintenance. Ultimately, we discovered that the requirement of SufS for organelle maintenance is not driven by its role in FeS biosynthesis, but rather, by its function in generating sulfur for use by MnmA, a tRNA modifying enzyme that we localized to the apicoplast. Complementation of MnmA and SufS activity with a bacterial MnmA and its cognate cysteine desulfurase strongly suggests that the parasite SufS provides sulfur for both FeS biosynthesis and tRNA modification in the apicoplast. The dual role of parasite SufS is likely to be found in other plastid-containing organisms and highlights the central role of this enzyme in plastid biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Russell P Swift
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
- The Johns Hopkins Malaria Research InstituteBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Rubayet Elahi
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
- The Johns Hopkins Malaria Research InstituteBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Krithika Rajaram
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
- The Johns Hopkins Malaria Research InstituteBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Hans B Liu
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
- The Johns Hopkins Malaria Research InstituteBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Sean T Prigge
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
- The Johns Hopkins Malaria Research InstituteBaltimoreUnited States
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Elahi R, Prigge ST. New insights into apicoplast metabolism in blood-stage malaria parasites. Curr Opin Microbiol 2023; 71:102255. [PMID: 36563485 PMCID: PMC9852000 DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2022.102255] [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: 10/03/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The apicoplast of Plasmodium falciparum is the only source of essential isoprenoid precursors and Coenzyme A (CoA) in the parasite. Isoprenoid precursor synthesis relies on the iron-sulfur cluster (FeS) cofactors produced within the apicoplast, rendering FeS synthesis an essential function of this organelle. Recent reports provide important insights into the roles of FeS cofactors and the use of isoprenoid precursors and CoA both inside and outside the apicoplast. Here, we review the recent insights into the roles of these metabolites in blood-stage malaria parasites and discuss new questions that have been raised in light of these discoveries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rubayet Elahi
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA; The Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Sean T Prigge
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA; The Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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Schulz V, Basu S, Freibert SA, Webert H, Boss L, Mühlenhoff U, Pierrel F, Essen LO, Warui DM, Booker SJ, Stehling O, Lill R. Functional spectrum and specificity of mitochondrial ferredoxins FDX1 and FDX2. Nat Chem Biol 2023; 19:206-217. [PMID: 36280795 PMCID: PMC10873809 DOI: 10.1038/s41589-022-01159-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Ferredoxins comprise a large family of iron-sulfur (Fe-S) proteins that shuttle electrons in diverse biological processes. Human mitochondria contain two isoforms of [2Fe-2S] ferredoxins, FDX1 (aka adrenodoxin) and FDX2, with known functions in cytochrome P450-dependent steroid transformations and Fe-S protein biogenesis. Here, we show that only FDX2, but not FDX1, is involved in Fe-S protein maturation. Vice versa, FDX1 is specific not only for steroidogenesis, but also for heme a and lipoyl cofactor biosyntheses. In the latter pathway, FDX1 provides electrons to kickstart the radical chain reaction catalyzed by lipoyl synthase. We also identified lipoylation as a target of the toxic antitumor copper ionophore elesclomol. Finally, the striking target specificity of each ferredoxin was assigned to small conserved sequence motifs. Swapping these motifs changed the target specificity of these electron donors. Together, our findings identify new biochemical tasks of mitochondrial ferredoxins and provide structural insights into their functional specificity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vinzent Schulz
- Institute for Cytobiology, Philipps University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Somsuvro Basu
- Institute for Cytobiology, Philipps University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
- Freelance Medical Communications Consultant, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Sven-A Freibert
- Institute for Cytobiology, Philipps University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Holger Webert
- Institute for Cytobiology, Philipps University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Linda Boss
- Institute for Cytobiology, Philipps University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Ulrich Mühlenhoff
- Institute for Cytobiology, Philipps University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Fabien Pierrel
- Univ. of Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, UMR 5525, VetAgro Sup, Grenoble INP, TIMC, Grenoble, France
| | - Lars-O Essen
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Philipps University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Douglas M Warui
- Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Squire J Booker
- Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
- The Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Oliver Stehling
- Institute for Cytobiology, Philipps University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany.
- Centre for Synthetic Microbiology, Synmikro, Marburg, Germany.
| | - Roland Lill
- Institute for Cytobiology, Philipps University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany.
- Centre for Synthetic Microbiology, Synmikro, Marburg, Germany.
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Kampoun T, Koonyosying P, Ruangsuriya J, Prommana P, Shaw PJ, Kamchonwongpaisan S, Suwito H, Puspaningsih NNT, Uthaipibull C, Srichairatanakool S. Antagonistic antimalarial properties of a methoxyamino chalcone derivative and 3-hydroxypyridinones in combination with dihydroartemisinin against Plasmodium falciparum. PeerJ 2023; 11:e15187. [PMID: 37131988 PMCID: PMC10149052 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.15187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The spread of artemisinin (ART)-resistant Plasmodium falciparum threatens the control of malaria. Mutations in the propeller domains of P. falciparum Kelch13 (k13) are strongly associated with ART resistance. Ferredoxin (Fd), a component of the ferredoxin/NADP+ reductase (Fd/FNR) redox system, is essential for isoprenoid precursor synthesis in the plasmodial apicoplast, which is important for K13-dependent hemoglobin trafficking and ART activation. Therefore, Fd is an antimalarial drug target and fd mutations may modulate ART sensitivity. We hypothesized that loss of Fd/FNR function enhances the effect of k13 mutation on ART resistance. Methods In this study, methoxyamino chalcone (C3), an antimalarial compound that has been reported to inhibit the interaction of recombinant Fd and FNR proteins, was used as a chemical inhibitor of the Fd/FNR redox system. We investigated the inhibitory effects of dihydroartemisinin (DHA), C3, and iron chelators including deferiprone (DFP), 1-(N-acetyl-6-aminohexyl)-3-hydroxy-2-methylpyridin-4-one (CM1) and deferiprone-resveratrol hybrid (DFP-RVT) against wild-type (WT), k13 mutant, fd mutant, and k13 fd double mutant P. falciparum parasites. Furthermore, we investigated the pharmacological interaction of C3 with DHA, in which the iron chelators were used as reference ART antagonists. Results C3 showed antimalarial potency similar to that of the iron chelators. As expected, combining DHA with C3 or iron chelators exhibited a moderately antagonistic effect. No differences were observed among the mutant parasites with respect to their sensitivity to C3, iron chelators, or the interactions of these compounds with DHA. Discussion The data suggest that inhibitors of the Fd/FNR redox system should be avoided as ART partner drugs in ART combination therapy for treating malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanyaluck Kampoun
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Pimpisid Koonyosying
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Jetsada Ruangsuriya
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Parichat Prommana
- Medical Molecular Biotechnology Research Group, National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), National Science and Technology Development Agency, Pathum Thani, Thailand
| | - Philip J. Shaw
- Medical Molecular Biotechnology Research Group, National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), National Science and Technology Development Agency, Pathum Thani, Thailand
| | - Sumalee Kamchonwongpaisan
- Medical Molecular Biotechnology Research Group, National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), National Science and Technology Development Agency, Pathum Thani, Thailand
| | - Hery Suwito
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, Airlangga University, Surabaya, Indonesia
| | - Ni Nyoman Tri Puspaningsih
- Laboratory of Proteomics, University-CoE Research Center for Bio-Molecule Engineering, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia
| | - Chairat Uthaipibull
- Medical Molecular Biotechnology Research Group, National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), National Science and Technology Development Agency, Pathum Thani, Thailand
- Thailand Center of Excellence for Life Sciences (TCELS), Bangkok, Thailand
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Selection of an Aptamer against the Enzyme 1-deoxy-D-xylulose-5-phosphate Reductoisomerase from Plasmodium falciparum. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14112515. [PMID: 36432706 PMCID: PMC9695703 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14112515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Revised: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The methyl erythritol phosphate (MEP) pathway of isoprenoid biosynthesis is essential for malaria parasites and also for several human pathogenic bacteria, thus representing an interesting target for future antimalarials and antibiotics and for diagnostic strategies. We have developed a DNA aptamer (D10) against Plasmodium falciparum 1-deoxy-D-xylulose-5-phosphate reductoisomerase (DXR), the second enzyme of this metabolic route. D10 binds in vitro to recombinant DXR from P. falciparum and Escherichia coli, showing at 10 µM a ca. 50% inhibition of the bacterial enzyme. In silico docking analysis indicates that D10 associates with DXR in solvent-exposed regions outside the active center pocket. According to fluorescence confocal microscopy data, this aptamer specifically targets in P. falciparum in vitro cultures the apicoplast organelle where the MEP pathway is localized and is, therefore, a highly specific marker of red blood cells parasitized by Plasmodium vs. naïve erythrocytes. D10 is also selective for the detection of MEP+ bacteria (e.g., E. coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) vs. those lacking DXR (e.g., Enterococcus faecalis). Based on these results, we discuss the potential of DNA aptamers in the development of ligands that can outcompete the performance of the well-established antibody technology for future therapeutic and diagnostic approaches.
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Duffy S, Avery VM. Naturally Acquired Kelch13 Mutations in Plasmodium falciparum Strains Modulate In Vitro Ring-Stage Artemisinin-Based Drug Tolerance and Parasite Survival in Response to Hyperoxia. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0128221. [PMID: 36094220 PMCID: PMC9602862 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01282-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The ring-stage survival assay was utilized to assess the impact of physiological hyperoxic stress on dihydroartemisinin (DHA) tolerance for a panel of Plasmodium falciparum strains with and without Kelch13 mutations. Strains without naturally acquired Kelch13 mutations or the postulated genetic background associated with delayed parasite clearance time demonstrated reduced proliferation under hyperoxic conditions in the subsequent proliferation cycle. Dihydroartemisinin tolerance in three isolates with naturally acquired Kelch13 mutations but not two genetically manipulated laboratory strains was modulated by in vitro hyperoxic stress exposure of early-ring-stage parasites in the cycle before drug exposure. Reduced parasite tolerance to additional derivatives, including artemisinin, artesunate, and OZ277, was observed within the second proliferation cycle. OZ439 and epoxomicin completely prevented parasite survival under both hyperoxia and normoxic in vitro culture conditions, highlighting the unique relationship between DHA tolerance and Kelch13 mutation-associated genetic background. IMPORTANCE Artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) for treating malaria is under intense scrutiny following treatment failures in the Greater Mekong subregion of Asia. This is further compounded by the potential for extensive loss of life if treatment failures extend to the African continent. Although Plasmodium falciparum has become resistant to all antimalarial drugs, artemisinin "resistance" does not present in the same way as resistance to other antimalarial drugs. Instead, a partial resistance or tolerance is demonstrated, associated with the parasite's genetic profile and linked to a molecular marker referred to as K13. It is suggested that parasites may have adapted to drug treatment, as well as the presence of underlying population health issues such as hemoglobinopathies, and/or environmental pressures, resulting in parasite tolerance to ACT. Understanding parasite evolution and control of artemisinin tolerance will provide innovative approaches to mitigate the development of artemisinin tolerance and thereby artemisinin-based drug treatment failure and loss of life globally to malaria infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Duffy
- Discovery Biology, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland, Australia
| | - Vicky M. Avery
- Discovery Biology, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland, Australia
- School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland, Australia
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Akuh OA, Elahi R, Prigge ST, Seeber F. The ferredoxin redox system - an essential electron distributing hub in the apicoplast of Apicomplexa. Trends Parasitol 2022; 38:868-881. [PMID: 35999149 PMCID: PMC9481715 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2022.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2022] [Revised: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The apicoplast, a relict plastid found in most species of the phylum Apicomplexa, harbors the ferredoxin redox system which supplies electrons to enzymes of various metabolic pathways in this organelle. Recent reports in Toxoplasma gondii and Plasmodium falciparum have shown that the iron-sulfur cluster (FeS)-containing ferredoxin is essential in tachyzoite and blood-stage parasites, respectively. Here we review ferredoxin's crucial contribution to isoprenoid and lipoate biosynthesis as well as tRNA modification in the apicoplast, highlighting similarities and differences between the two species. We also discuss ferredoxin's potential role in the initial reductive steps required for FeS synthesis as well as recent evidence that offers an explanation for how NADPH required by the redox system might be generated in Plasmodium spp.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ojo-Ajogu Akuh
- FG16 Parasitology, Robert Koch-Institute, Berlin, Germany; Division of Biomedical Science and Biochemistry, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | - Rubayet Elahi
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA; The Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Sean T Prigge
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA; The Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - Frank Seeber
- FG16 Parasitology, Robert Koch-Institute, Berlin, Germany.
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Disrupting the plastidic iron-sulfur cluster biogenesis pathway in Toxoplasma gondii has pleiotropic effects irreversibly impacting parasite viability. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:102243. [PMID: 35810787 PMCID: PMC9386495 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.102243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Revised: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Like many other apicomplexan parasites, Toxoplasma gondii contains a plastid harboring key metabolic pathways, including the sulfur utilization factor (SUF) pathway that is involved in the biosynthesis of iron-sulfur clusters. These cofactors are crucial for a variety of proteins involved in important metabolic reactions, potentially including plastidic pathways for the synthesis of isoprenoid and fatty acids. It was shown previously that impairing the NFS2 cysteine desulfurase, involved in the first step of the SUF pathway, leads to an irreversible killing of intracellular parasites. However, the metabolic impact of disrupting the pathway remained unexplored. Here, we generated another mutant of this pathway, deficient in the SUFC ATPase, and investigated in details the phenotypic consequences of TgNFS2 and TgSUFC depletion on the parasites. Our analysis confirms that Toxoplasma SUF mutants are severely and irreversibly impacted in division and membrane homeostasis, and suggests a defect in apicoplast-generated fatty acids. However, we show that increased scavenging from the host or supplementation with exogenous fatty acids do not fully restore parasite growth, suggesting that this is not the primary cause for the demise of the parasites and that other important cellular functions were affected. For instance, we also show that the SUF pathway is key for generating the isoprenoid-derived precursors necessary for the proper targeting of GPI-anchored proteins and for parasite motility. Thus, we conclude plastid-generated iron-sulfur clusters support the functions of proteins involved in several vital downstream cellular pathways, which implies the SUF machinery may be explored for new potential anti-Toxoplasma targets.
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Saggu GS. Apicoplast Journey and Its Essentiality as a Compartment for Malaria Parasite Survival. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:881825. [PMID: 35463632 PMCID: PMC9022174 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.881825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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