1
|
Voss TS, Brancucci NM. Regulation of sexual commitment in malaria parasites - a complex affair. Curr Opin Microbiol 2024; 79:102469. [PMID: 38574448 DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2024.102469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Abstract
Malaria blood stage parasites commit to either one of two distinct cellular fates while developing within erythrocytes of their mammalian host: they either undergo another round of asexual replication or they differentiate into nonreplicative transmissible gametocytes. Depending on the state of infection, either path may support or impair the ultimate goal of human-to-human transmission via the mosquito vector. Malaria parasites therefore evolved strategies to control investments into asexual proliferation versus gametocyte formation. Recent work provided fascinating molecular insight into shared and unique mechanisms underlying the control and environmental modulation of sexual commitment in the two most widely studied malaria parasite species, Plasmodium falciparum and P. berghei. With this review, we aim at placing these findings into a comparative mechanistic context.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Till S Voss
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, 4123 Allschwil, Switzerland; University of Basel, 4001 Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Nicolas Mb Brancucci
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, 4123 Allschwil, Switzerland; University of Basel, 4001 Basel, Switzerland.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Narwal SK, Mishra A, Devi R, Ghosh A, Choudhary HH, Mishra S. Stearoyl-CoA desaturase regulates organelle biogenesis and hepatic merozoite formation in Plasmodium berghei. Mol Microbiol 2024; 121:940-953. [PMID: 38419272 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.15246] [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: 08/14/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Plasmodium is an obligate intracellular parasite that requires intense lipid synthesis for membrane biogenesis and survival. One of the principal membrane components is oleic acid, which is needed to maintain the membrane's biophysical properties and fluidity. The malaria parasite can modify fatty acids, and stearoyl-CoA Δ9-desaturase (Scd) is an enzyme that catalyzes the synthesis of oleic acid by desaturation of stearic acid. Scd is dispensable in P. falciparum blood stages; however, its role in mosquito and liver stages remains unknown. We show that P. berghei Scd localizes to the ER in the blood and liver stages. Disruption of Scd in the rodent malaria parasite P. berghei did not affect parasite blood stage propagation, mosquito stage development, or early liver-stage development. However, when Scd KO sporozoites were inoculated intravenously or by mosquito bite into mice, they failed to initiate blood-stage infection. Immunofluorescence analysis revealed that organelle biogenesis was impaired and merozoite formation was abolished, which initiates blood-stage infections. Genetic complementation of the KO parasites restored merozoite formation to a level similar to that of WT parasites. Mice immunized with Scd KO sporozoites confer long-lasting sterile protection against infectious sporozoite challenge. Thus, the Scd KO parasite is an appealing candidate for inducing protective pre-erythrocytic immunity and hence its utility as a GAP.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sunil Kumar Narwal
- Division of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, India
| | - Akancha Mishra
- Division of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, India
| | - Raksha Devi
- Division of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, India
| | - Ankit Ghosh
- Division of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, India
| | - Hadi Hasan Choudhary
- Division of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, India
| | - Satish Mishra
- Division of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, India
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Shunmugam S, Quansah N, Flammersfeld A, Islam MM, Sassmannshausen J, Bennink S, Yamaryo-Botté Y, Pradel G, Botté CY. The patatin-like phospholipase PfPNPLA2 is involved in the mitochondrial degradation of phosphatidylglycerol during Plasmodium falciparum blood stage development. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:997245. [PMID: 38089812 PMCID: PMC10711835 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.997245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium falciparum is an Apicomplexa responsible for human malaria, a major disease causing more than ½ million deaths every year, against which there is no fully efficient vaccine. The current rapid emergence of drug resistances emphasizes the need to identify novel drug targets. Increasing evidences show that lipid synthesis and trafficking are essential for parasite survival and pathogenesis, and that these pathways represent potential points of attack. Large amounts of phospholipids are needed for the generation of membrane compartments for newly divided parasites in the host cell. Parasite membrane homeostasis is achieved by an essential combination of parasite de novo lipid synthesis/recycling and massive host lipid scavenging. Latest data suggest that the mobilization and channeling of lipid resources is key for asexual parasite survival within the host red blood cell, but the molecular actors allowing lipid acquisition are poorly characterized. Enzymes remodeling lipids such as phospholipases are likely involved in these mechanisms. P. falciparum possesses an unusually large set of phospholipases, whose functions are largely unknown. Here we focused on the putative patatin-like phospholipase PfPNPLA2, for which we generated an glmS-inducible knockdown line and investigated its role during blood stages malaria. Disruption of the mitochondrial PfPNPLA2 in the asexual blood stages affected mitochondrial morphology and further induced a significant defect in parasite replication and survival, in particular under low host lipid availability. Lipidomic analyses revealed that PfPNPLA2 specifically degrades the parasite membrane lipid phosphatidylglycerol to generate lysobisphosphatidic acid. PfPNPLA2 knockdown further resulted in an increased host lipid scavenging accumulating in the form of storage lipids and free fatty acids. These results suggest that PfPNPLA2 is involved in the recycling of parasite phosphatidylglycerol to sustain optimal intraerythrocytic development when the host resources are scarce. This work strengthens our understanding of the complex lipid homeostasis pathways to acquire lipids and allow asexual parasite survival.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Serena Shunmugam
- Apicolipid Team, Institute for Avanced Biosciences, Centre National pour la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) UMR5309, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | - Nyamekye Quansah
- Apicolipid Team, Institute for Avanced Biosciences, Centre National pour la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) UMR5309, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | - Ansgar Flammersfeld
- Division of Cellular and Applied Infection Biology, Institute of Zoology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Md Muzahidul Islam
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi, India
| | - 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
| | - Yoshiki Yamaryo-Botté
- Apicolipid Team, Institute for Avanced Biosciences, Centre National pour la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) UMR5309, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | - Gabriele Pradel
- Division of Cellular and Applied Infection Biology, Institute of Zoology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Cyrille Y. Botté
- Apicolipid Team, Institute for Avanced Biosciences, Centre National pour la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) UMR5309, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Harris CT, Tong X, Campelo R, Marreiros IM, Vanheer LN, Nahiyaan N, Zuzarte-Luís VA, Deitsch KW, Mota MM, Rhee KY, Kafsack BFC. Sexual differentiation in human malaria parasites is regulated by competition between phospholipid metabolism and histone methylation. Nat Microbiol 2023; 8:1280-1292. [PMID: 37277533 PMCID: PMC11163918 DOI: 10.1038/s41564-023-01396-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
For Plasmodium falciparum, the most widespread and virulent malaria parasite that infects humans, persistence depends on continuous asexual replication in red blood cells, while transmission to their mosquito vector requires asexual blood-stage parasites to differentiate into non-replicating gametocytes. This decision is controlled by stochastic derepression of a heterochromatin-silenced locus encoding AP2-G, the master transcription factor of sexual differentiation. The frequency of ap2-g derepression was shown to be responsive to extracellular phospholipid precursors but the mechanism linking these metabolites to epigenetic regulation of ap2-g was unknown. Through a combination of molecular genetics, metabolomics and chromatin profiling, we show that this response is mediated by metabolic competition for the methyl donor S-adenosylmethionine between histone methyltransferases and phosphoethanolamine methyltransferase, a critical enzyme in the parasite's pathway for de novo phosphatidylcholine synthesis. When phosphatidylcholine precursors are scarce, increased consumption of SAM for de novo phosphatidylcholine synthesis impairs maintenance of the histone methylation responsible for silencing ap2-g, increasing the frequency of derepression and sexual differentiation. This provides a key mechanistic link that explains how LysoPC and choline availability can alter the chromatin status of the ap2-g locus controlling sexual differentiation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chantal T Harris
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Immunology and Microbial Pathogenesis Graduate Program, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Xinran Tong
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- BCMB Allied Graduate Program, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Riward Campelo
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Inês M Marreiros
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar (ICBAS), Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Leen N Vanheer
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Navid Nahiyaan
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Weill Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Vanessa A Zuzarte-Luís
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Kirk W Deitsch
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Maria M Mota
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Kyu Y Rhee
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Weill Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Björn F C Kafsack
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Sheokand PK, Yamaryo-Botté Y, Narwal M, Arnold CS, Thakur V, Islam MM, Banday MM, Asad M, Botté CY, Mohmmed A. A Plasmodium falciparum lysophospholipase regulates host fatty acid flux via parasite lipid storage to enable controlled asexual schizogony. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112251. [PMID: 37015228 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Phospholipid metabolism is crucial for membrane biogenesis and homeostasis of Plasmodium falciparum. To generate such phospholipids, the parasite extensively scavenges, recycles, and reassembles host lipids. P. falciparum possesses an unusually large number of lysophospholipases, whose roles and importance remain to be elucidated. Here, we functionally characterize one P. falciparum lysophospholipase, PfLPL3, to reveal its key role in parasite propagation during asexual blood stages. PfLPL3 displays a dynamic localization throughout asexual stages, mainly localizing in the host-parasite interface. Inducible knockdown of PfLPL3 disrupts parasite development from trophozoites to schizont, inducing a drastic reduction in merozoite progenies. Detailed lipidomic analyses show that PfLPL3 generates fatty acids from scavenged host lipids to generate neutral lipids. These are then timely mobilized to allow schizogony and merozoite formation. We then identify inhibitors of PfLPL3 from Medicine for Malaria Venture (MMV) with potent antimalarial activity, which could also serve as pertinent chemical tools to study parasite lipid synthesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pradeep Kumar Sheokand
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi 110 067, India
| | - Yoshiki Yamaryo-Botté
- ApicoLipid Team, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, CNRS UMR5309, Université Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, Grenoble, France
| | - Monika Narwal
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi 110 067, India
| | - Christophe-Sébastien Arnold
- ApicoLipid Team, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, CNRS UMR5309, Université Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, Grenoble, France
| | - Vandana Thakur
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi 110 067, India
| | - Md Muzahidul Islam
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi 110 067, India
| | - Mudassir M Banday
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi 110 067, India
| | - Mohd Asad
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi 110 067, India
| | - Cyrille Y Botté
- ApicoLipid Team, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, CNRS UMR5309, Université Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, Grenoble, France.
| | - Asif Mohmmed
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi 110 067, India.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
The enemy within: lipid asymmetry in intracellular parasite-host interactions. Emerg Top Life Sci 2023; 7:67-79. [PMID: 36820809 DOI: 10.1042/etls20220089] [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: 10/26/2022] [Revised: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023]
Abstract
Eukaryotic pathogens with an intracellular parasitic lifestyle are shielded from extracellular threats during replication and growth. In addition to many nutrients, parasites scavenge host cell lipids to establish complex membrane structures inside their host cells. To counteract the disturbance of the host cell plasma membrane they have evolved strategies to regulate phospholipid asymmetry. In this review, the function and importance of lipid asymmetry in the interactions of intracellular protozoan parasites with the target and immune cells of the host are highlighted. The malaria parasite Plasmodium infects red blood cells and extensively refurbishes these terminally differentiated cells. Cholesterol depletion and an altered intracellular calcium ion homeostasis can lead to disruption in erythrocyte membrane asymmetry and increased exposure of phosphatidylserine (PS). Binding to the PS receptor on monocytes and macrophages results in phagocytosis and destruction of infected erythrocytes. Leishmania parasites display apoptotic mimicry by actively enhancing PS exposure on their surface to trigger increased infection of macrophages. In extracellular Toxoplasma gondii a P4-type ATPase/CDC50 co-chaperone pair functions as a flippase important for exocytosis of specialised secretory organelles. Identification and functional analysis of parasite lipid-translocating proteins, i.e. flippases, floppases, and scramblases, will be central for the recognition of the molecular mechanisms of parasite/host interactions. Ultimately, a better understanding of parasitic diseases, host immunity, and immune escape by parasites require more research on the dynamics of phospholipid bilayers of parasites and the infected host cell.
Collapse
|
7
|
Sah RK, Anand S, Dar W, Jain R, Kumari G, Madan E, Saini M, Gupta A, Joshi N, Hada RS, Gupta N, Pati S, Singh S. Host-Erythrocytic Sphingosine-1-Phosphate Regulates Plasmodium Histone Deacetylase Activity and Exhibits Epigenetic Control over Cell Death and Differentiation. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0276622. [PMID: 36744922 PMCID: PMC10100792 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02766-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The evolution of resistance to practically all antimalarial drugs poses a challenge to the current malaria elimination and eradication efforts. Given that the epigenome of Plasmodium falciparum governs several crucial parasite functions, pharmaceutical interventions with transmission-blocking potential that target epigenetic molecular markers and regulatory mechanisms are likely to encounter drug resistance. In the malaria parasite, histone deacetylases (HDACs) are essential epigenetic modulators that regulate cellular transcriptional rearrangements, notably the molecular mechanisms underlying parasite proliferation and differentiation. We establish "lipid sequestration" as a mechanism by which sphingolipids, specifically Sphingosine-1-Phosphate (S1P) (a metabolic product of Sphingosine Kinase 1 [SphK-1]), regulate epigenetic reprogramming in the parasite by interacting with, and modulating, the histone-deacetylation activity of PfHDAC-1, thereby regulating Plasmodium pathogenesis. Furthermore, we demonstrate that altering host S1P levels with PF-543, a potent and selective Sphk-1 inhibitor, dysregulates PfHDAC-1 activity, resulting in a significant increase in the global histone acetylation signals and, consequently, transcriptional modulation of genes associated with gametocytogenesis, virulence, and proliferation. Our findings point to a hitherto unrecognized functional role for host S1P-mediated sphingolipid signaling in modulating PfHDAC-1's enzymatic activity and, as a result, the parasite's dynamic genome-wide transcriptional patterns. The epigenetic regulation of parasite proliferation and sexual differentiation offers a novel approach for developing host-targeted therapeutics to combat malaria resistance to conventional regimens. IMPORTANCE Sphingolipid is an 18-carbon amino-alcohol-containing lipid with a sphingosine backbone, which when phosphorylated by sphingosine kinase 1 (SphK-1), generates sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), an essential lipid signaling molecule. Dysregulation of S1P function has been observed in a variety of pathologies, including severe malaria. The malaria parasite Plasmodium acquires a host S1P pool for its growth and survival. Here, we describe the molecular attuning of histone deacetylase-1 (PfHDAC-1), a crucial epigenetic modulator that contributes to the establishment of epigenetic chromatin states and parasite survival, in response to S1P binding. Our findings highlight the host lipid-mediated epigenetic regulation of malaria parasite key genes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Raj Kumar Sah
- Special Centre for Molecular Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
| | - Sakshi Anand
- Special Centre for Molecular Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
| | - Waseem Dar
- School of Natural Sciences, Department of Life Sciences, Shiv Nadar University, Greater Noida, India
| | - Ravi Jain
- Special Centre for Molecular Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
| | - Geeta Kumari
- Special Centre for Molecular Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
| | - Evanka Madan
- Special Centre for Molecular Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
| | - Monika Saini
- Special Centre for Molecular Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
- School of Natural Sciences, Department of Life Sciences, Shiv Nadar University, Greater Noida, India
| | - Aashima Gupta
- Special Centre for Molecular Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
| | - Nishant Joshi
- School of Natural Sciences, Department of Life Sciences, Shiv Nadar University, Greater Noida, India
| | - Rahul Singh Hada
- Special Centre for Molecular Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
- School of Natural Sciences, Department of Life Sciences, Shiv Nadar University, Greater Noida, India
| | - Nutan Gupta
- Special Centre for Molecular Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
| | - Soumya Pati
- School of Natural Sciences, Department of Life Sciences, Shiv Nadar University, Greater Noida, India
| | - Shailja Singh
- Special Centre for Molecular Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Plasmodium falciparum S-Adenosylmethionine Synthetase Is Essential for Parasite Survival through a Complex Interaction Network with Cytoplasmic and Nuclear Proteins. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10071419. [PMID: 35889137 PMCID: PMC9320499 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10071419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
S-adenosylmethionine synthetase (SAMS) is a key enzyme for the synthesis of the lone methyl donor S-adenosyl methionine (SAM), which is involved in transmethylation reactions and hence required for cellular processes such as DNA, RNA, and histone methylation, but also polyamine biosynthesis and proteostasis. In the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum, PfSAMS is encoded by a single gene and has been suggested to be crucial for malaria pathogenesis and transmission; however, to date, PfSAMS has not been fully characterized. To gain deeper insight into the function of PfSAMS, we generated a conditional gene knockdown (KD) using the glmS ribozyme system. We show that PfSAMS localizes to the cytoplasm and the nucleus of blood-stage parasites. PfSAMS-KD results in reduced histone methylation and leads to impaired intraerythrocytic growth and gametocyte development. To further determine the interaction network of PfSAMS, we performed a proximity-dependent biotin identification analysis. We identified a complex network of 1114 proteins involved in biological processes such as cell cycle control and DNA replication, or transcription, but also in phosphatidylcholine and polyamine biosynthesis and proteasome regulation. Our findings highlight the diverse roles of PfSAMS during intraerythrocytic growth and sexual stage development and emphasize that PfSAMS is a potential drug target.
Collapse
|
9
|
Anwar O, Islam M, Thakur V, Kaur I, Mohmmed A. Defining ER-mitochondria contact dynamics in Plasmodium falciparum by targeting component of phospholipid synthesis pathway, Phosphatidylserine synthase (PfPSS). Mitochondrion 2022; 65:124-138. [PMID: 35623558 DOI: 10.1016/j.mito.2022.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Revised: 05/14/2022] [Accepted: 05/22/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
The malaria parasite completes the asexual cycle inside the host erythrocyte, which requires extensive membrane biogenesis for its development and multiplication. Metabolic pathways for the synthesis of membrane phospholipids (PL), including phosphatidylcholine (PC), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) and phosphatidylserine (PS), are crucial for parasite survival. Here, we have studied the P. falciparum enzyme responsible for PS synthesis, Phosphatidylserine synthase (PfPSS), GFP targeting approach confirmed it to be localized in the parasite ER as well as in ER-protrusions. Detailed high resolution microscopy, using these transgenic parasites expressing PfPSS-GFP, redefined the dynamics of ER during the intraerythrocytic life cycle and its association with the mitochondria. We report for the first time presence of ER-mitochondria contact (ERMC) in Plasmodium; ERMC is formed by PfPSS containing ER-protrusions, which associate with the mitochondria surface throughout the parasite growth cycle. Further, ERMC is found to be stable and refractory to ER and mitochondrial stresses, suggesting that it is formed through strong tethering complexes. PfPSS was found to interact with other major key enzyme involved in PL synthesis, choline/Etn-phosphotransferase (CEPT), which suggest that ER is the major site for PL biosynthesis. Overall, this study defines the morphological organisation of ERMC which mediates PL synthesis/transport in the Plasmodium.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Omair Anwar
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi 110 067, India
| | - Muzahidul Islam
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi 110 067, India
| | - Vandana Thakur
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi 110 067, India
| | - Inderjeet Kaur
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi 110 067, India
| | - Asif Mohmmed
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi 110 067, India.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Ramaprasad A, Burda PC, Calvani E, Sait AJ, Palma-Duran SA, Withers-Martinez C, Hackett F, Macrae J, Collinson L, Gilberger TW, Blackman MJ. A choline-releasing glycerophosphodiesterase essential for phosphatidylcholine biosynthesis and blood stage development in the malaria parasite. eLife 2022; 11:82207. [PMID: 36576255 PMCID: PMC9886279 DOI: 10.7554/elife.82207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum synthesizes significant amounts of phospholipids to meet the demands of replication within red blood cells. De novo phosphatidylcholine (PC) biosynthesis via the Kennedy pathway is essential, requiring choline that is primarily sourced from host serum lysophosphatidylcholine (lysoPC). LysoPC also acts as an environmental sensor to regulate parasite sexual differentiation. Despite these critical roles for host lysoPC, the enzyme(s) involved in its breakdown to free choline for PC synthesis are unknown. Here, we show that a parasite glycerophosphodiesterase (PfGDPD) is indispensable for blood stage parasite proliferation. Exogenous choline rescues growth of PfGDPD-null parasites, directly linking PfGDPD function to choline incorporation. Genetic ablation of PfGDPD reduces choline uptake from lysoPC, resulting in depletion of several PC species in the parasite, whilst purified PfGDPD releases choline from glycerophosphocholine in vitro. Our results identify PfGDPD as a choline-releasing glycerophosphodiesterase that mediates a critical step in PC biosynthesis and parasite survival.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Abhinay Ramaprasad
- Malaria Biochemistry Laboratory, The Francis Crick InstituteLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Paul-Christian Burda
- Centre for Structural Systems BiologyHamburgGermany,Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical MedicineHamburgGermany,University of HamburgHamburgGermany
| | - Enrica Calvani
- Metabolomics Science Technology Platform, The Francis Crick InstituteLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Aaron J Sait
- Electron Microscopy Science Technology Platform, The Francis Crick InstituteLondonUnited Kingdom
| | | | | | - Fiona Hackett
- Malaria Biochemistry Laboratory, The Francis Crick InstituteLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - James Macrae
- Metabolomics Science Technology Platform, The Francis Crick InstituteLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Lucy Collinson
- Electron Microscopy Science Technology Platform, The Francis Crick InstituteLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Tim Wolf Gilberger
- Centre for Structural Systems BiologyHamburgGermany,Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical MedicineHamburgGermany,University of HamburgHamburgGermany
| | - Michael J Blackman
- Malaria Biochemistry Laboratory, The Francis Crick InstituteLondonUnited Kingdom,Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical MedicineLondonUnited Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Plasmodium falciparum Calcium-Dependent Protein Kinase 4 is Critical for Male Gametogenesis and Transmission to the Mosquito Vector. mBio 2021; 12:e0257521. [PMID: 34724830 PMCID: PMC8561384 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02575-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Gametocytes of the malaria parasite Plasmodium are taken up by the mosquito vector with an infectious blood meal, representing a critical stage for parasite transmission. Calcium-independent protein kinases (CDPKs) play key roles in calcium-mediated signaling across the complex life cycle of the parasite. We sought to understand their role in human parasite transmission from the host to the mosquito vector and thus investigated the role of the human-infective parasite Plasmodium falciparum CDPK4 in the parasite life cycle. P. falciparumcdpk4− parasites created by targeted gene deletion showed no effect in blood stage development or gametocyte development. However, cdpk4− parasites showed a severe defect in male gametogenesis and the emergence of flagellated male gametes. To understand the molecular underpinnings of this defect, we performed mass spectrometry-based phosphoproteomic analyses of wild-type and Plasmodium falciparumcdpk4− late gametocyte stages to identify key CDPK4-mediated phosphorylation events that may be important for the regulation of male gametogenesis. We further employed in vitro assays to identify these putative substrates of Plasmodium falciparum CDPK4. This indicated that CDPK4 regulates male gametogenesis by directly or indirectly controlling key essential events, such as DNA replication, mRNA translation, and cell motility. Taken together, our work demonstrates that PfCDPK4 is a central kinase that regulates exflagellation and thereby is critical for parasite transmission to the mosquito vector.
Collapse
|
12
|
Ressurreição M, van Ooij C. Lipid transport proteins in malaria, from Plasmodium parasites to their hosts. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Cell Biol Lipids 2021; 1866:159047. [PMID: 34461309 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbalip.2021.159047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2021] [Revised: 08/08/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Eukaryotic unicellular pathogens from the genus Plasmodium are the etiological agents of malaria, a disease that persists over a wide range of vertebrate species, including humans. During its dynamic lifecycle, survival in the different hosts depends on the parasite's ability to establish a suitable environmental milieu. To achieve this, specific host processes are exploited to support optimal growth, including extensive modifications to the infected host cell. These modifications include the formation of novel membranous structures, which are induced by the parasite. Consequently, to maintain a finely tuned and dynamic lipid environment, the organisation and distribution of lipids to different cell sites likely requires specialised lipid transfer proteins (LTPs). Indeed, several parasite and host-derived LTPs have been identified and shown to be essential at specific stages. Here we describe the roles of LTPs in parasite development and adaptation to its host including how the latest studies are profiting from the improved genetic, lipidomic and imaging toolkits available to study Plasmodium parasites. Lastly, a list of predicted Plasmodium LTPs is provided to encourage research in this field.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Margarida Ressurreição
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom.
| | - Christiaan van Ooij
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Asad M, Yamaryo-Botté Y, Hossain ME, Thakur V, Jain S, Datta G, Botté CY, Mohmmed A. An essential vesicular-trafficking phospholipase mediates neutral lipid synthesis and contributes to hemozoin formation in Plasmodium falciparum. BMC Biol 2021; 19:159. [PMID: 34380472 PMCID: PMC8359613 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-021-01042-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2020] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Plasmodium falciparum is the pathogen responsible for the most devastating form of human malaria. As it replicates asexually in the erythrocytes of its human host, the parasite feeds on haemoglobin uptaken from these cells. Heme, a toxic by-product of haemoglobin utilization by the parasite, is neutralized into inert hemozoin in the food vacuole of the parasite. Lipid homeostasis and phospholipid metabolism are crucial for this process, as well as for the parasite’s survival and propagation within the host. P. falciparum harbours a uniquely large family of phospholipases, which are suggested to play key roles in lipid metabolism and utilization. Results Here, we show that one of the parasite phospholipase (P. falciparum lysophospholipase, PfLPL1) plays an essential role in lipid homeostasis linked with the haemoglobin degradation and heme conversion pathway. Fluorescence tagging showed that the PfLPL1 in infected blood cells localizes to dynamic vesicular structures that traffic from the host-parasite interface at the parasite periphery, through the cytosol, to get incorporated into a large vesicular lipid rich body next to the food-vacuole. PfLPL1 is shown to harbour enzymatic activity to catabolize phospholipids, and its transient downregulation in the parasite caused a significant reduction of neutral lipids in the food vacuole-associated lipid bodies. This hindered the conversion of heme, originating from host haemoglobin, into the hemozoin, and disrupted the parasite development cycle and parasite growth. Detailed lipidomic analyses of inducible knock-down parasites deciphered the functional role of PfLPL1 in generation of neutral lipid through recycling of phospholipids. Further, exogenous fatty-acids were able to complement downregulation of PfLPL1 to rescue the parasite growth as well as restore hemozoin levels. Conclusions We found that the transient downregulation of PfLPL1 in the parasite disrupted lipid homeostasis and caused a reduction in neutral lipids essentially required for heme to hemozoin conversion. Our study suggests a crucial link between phospholipid catabolism and generation of neutral lipids (TAGs) with the host haemoglobin degradation pathway. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12915-021-01042-z.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mohd Asad
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi, 110 067, India
| | - Yoshiki Yamaryo-Botté
- ApicoLipid Team, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, CNRS UMR5309, Université Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, Grenoble, France
| | - Mohammad E Hossain
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi, 110 067, India
| | - Vandana Thakur
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi, 110 067, India
| | - Shaifali Jain
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi, 110 067, India
| | - Gaurav Datta
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi, 110 067, India
| | - Cyrille Y Botté
- ApicoLipid Team, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, CNRS UMR5309, Université Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, Grenoble, France
| | - Asif Mohmmed
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi, 110 067, India.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
GlmS mediated knock-down of a phospholipase expedite alternate pathway to generate phosphocholine required for phosphatidylcholine synthesis in Plasmodium falciparum. Biochem J 2021; 478:3429-3444. [PMID: 34133721 DOI: 10.1042/bcj20200549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Revised: 06/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Phospholipid synthesis is crucial for membrane proliferation in malaria parasites during the entire cycle in the host cell. The major phospholipid of parasite membranes, phosphatidylcholine (PC), is mainly synthesized through the Kennedy pathway. The phosphocholine required for this synthetic pathway is generated by phosphorylation of choline derived from catabolism of the lyso-phosphatidylcholine (LPC) scavenged from the host milieu. Here we have characterized a Plasmodium falciparum lysophospholipase (PfLPL20) which showed enzymatic activity on LPC substrate to generate choline. Using GFP- targeting approach, PfLPL20 was localized in vesicular structures associated with the neutral lipid storage bodies present juxtaposed to the food-vacuole. The C-terminal tagged glmS mediated inducible knock-down of PfLPL20 caused transient hindrance in the parasite development, however, the parasites were able to multiply efficiently, suggesting that PfLPL20 is not essential for the parasite. However, in PfLPL20 depleted parasites, transcript levels of enzyme of SDPM pathway (Serine Decarboxylase-Phosphoethanolamine Methyltransferase) were altered along with upregulation of phosphocholine and SAM levels; these results show upregulation of alternate pathway to generate the phosphocholine required for PC synthesis through the Kennedy pathway. Our study highlights presence of alternate pathways for lipid homeostasis/membrane-biogenesis in the parasite; these data could be useful to design future therapeutic approaches targeting phospholipid metabolism in the parasite.
Collapse
|
15
|
Fraser M, Jing W, Bröer S, Kurth F, Sander LE, Matuschewski K, Maier AG. Breakdown in membrane asymmetry regulation leads to monocyte recognition of P. falciparum-infected red blood cells. PLoS Pathog 2021; 17:e1009259. [PMID: 33600495 PMCID: PMC7891792 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1009259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum relies on lipids to survive; this makes its lipid metabolism an attractive drug target. The lipid phosphatidylserine (PS) is usually confined to the inner leaflet of the red blood cell membrane (RBC) bilayer; however, some studies suggest that infection with the intracellular parasite results in the presence of this lipid in the RBC membrane outer leaflet, where it could act as a recognition signal to phagocytes. Here, we used fluorescent lipid analogues and probes to investigate the enzymatic reactions responsible for maintaining asymmetry between membrane leaflets, and found that in parasitised RBCs the maintenance of membrane asymmetry was partly disrupted, and PS was increased in the outer leaflet. We examined the underlying causes for the differences between uninfected and infected RBCs using fluorescent dyes and probes, and found that calcium levels increased in the infected RBC cytoplasm, whereas membrane cholesterol was depleted from the erythrocyte plasma membrane. We explored the resulting effect of PS exposure on enhanced phagocytosis by monocytes, and show that infected RBCs must expend energy to limit phagocyte recognition, and provide experimental evidence that PS exposure contributes to phagocytic recognition of P. falciparum-infected RBCs. Together, these findings underscore the pivotal role for PS exposure on the surface of Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes for in vivo interactions with the host immune system, and provide a rationale for targeted antimalarial drug design.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Merryn Fraser
- Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
- Department of Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Biology, Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany
| | - Weidong Jing
- Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | - Stefan Bröer
- Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | - Florian Kurth
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Pulmonary Medicine, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Medicine, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Leif-Erik Sander
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Pulmonary Medicine, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany
| | - Kai Matuschewski
- Department of Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Biology, Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany
| | - Alexander G. Maier
- Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Erythrocyte sphingosine kinase regulates intraerythrocytic development of Plasmodium falciparum. Sci Rep 2021; 11:1257. [PMID: 33441957 PMCID: PMC7806667 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-80658-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The sphingolipid pool is key regulator of vital cellular functions in Plasmodium falciparum a causative agent for deadly malaria. Erythrocytes, the host for asexual stage of Plasmodium, are major reservoir for Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P). Erythrocyte possesses Sphingosine kinase (SphK) that catalyzed its biosynthesis from sphingosine (Sph). Since, Plasmodium lacks SphK homologous protein it can be envisaged that it co-opts sphingolipids from both intraerythrocytic as well as extracellular pools for its growth and development. Herein, by sphingosine-NBD probing, we report that infected erythrocytes imports Sph from extracellular pool, which is converted to S1P and thereby taken by P. falciparum. Next, by targeting of the SphK through specific inhibitor N,N-Dimethylsphingosine DMS, we show a reduction in erythrocyte endogenous S1P pool and SphK-phosphorylation that led to inhibition in growth and development of ring stage P. falciparum. Owing to the role of S1P in erythrocyte glycolysis we analyzed uptake of NBD-Glucose and production of lactate in DMS treated and untreated plasmodium. DMS treatment led to decreased glycolysis in Plasmodium. Interestingly the host free Plasmodium did not show any effect on glycolysis with DMS treatment indicating its host-mediated effect. Further to understand the in-vivo anti-plasmodial effects of exogenous and endogenous erythrocyte S1P level, Sphingosine-1-phosphate lyase (S1PL) inhibitor (THI), S1P and SphK-1 inhibitor (DMS), were used in Plasmodium berghei ANKA (PbA) mice model. DMS treatment led to reduction of endogenous S1P conferred significant decrease in parasite load, whereas the plasma level S1P modulated by (THI) and exogenous S1P have no effect on growth of Plasmodium. This suggested erythrocyte endogenous S1P pool is important for Plasmodium growth whereas the plasma level S1P has no effect. Altogether, this study provides insight on cellular processes regulated by S1P in P. falciparum and highlights the novel mechanistically distinct molecular target i.e. SphK-1.
Collapse
|
17
|
Kumar M, Skillman K, Duraisingh MT. Linking nutrient sensing and gene expression in Plasmodium falciparum blood-stage parasites. Mol Microbiol 2020; 115:891-900. [PMID: 33236377 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.14652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2020] [Revised: 11/17/2020] [Accepted: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Malaria is one of the most life-threatening infectious diseases worldwide, caused by infection of humans with parasites of the genus Plasmodium. The complex life cycle of Plasmodium parasites is shared between two hosts, with infection of multiple cell types, and the parasite needs to adapt for survival and transmission through significantly different metabolic environments. Within the blood-stage alone, parasites encounter changing levels of key nutrients, including sugars, amino acids, and lipids, due to differences in host dietary nutrition, cellular tropism, and pathogenesis. In this review, we consider the mechanisms that the most lethal of malaria parasites, Plasmodium falciparum, uses to sense nutrient levels and elicit changes in gene expression during blood-stage infections. These changes are brought about by several metabolic intermediates and their corresponding sensor proteins. Sensing of distinct nutritional signals can drive P. falciparum to alter the key blood-stage processes of proliferation, antigenic variation, and transmission.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Manish Kumar
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kristen Skillman
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Manoj T Duraisingh
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Izrael R, Marton L, Nagy GN, Pálinkás HL, Kucsma N, Vértessy BG. Identification of a nuclear localization signal in the Plasmodium falciparum CTP: phosphocholine cytidylyltransferase enzyme. Sci Rep 2020; 10:19739. [PMID: 33184408 PMCID: PMC7665022 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-76829-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The phospholipid biosynthesis of the malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum is a key process for its survival and its inhibition is a validated antimalarial therapeutic approach. The second and rate-limiting step of the de novo phosphatidylcholine biosynthesis is catalysed by CTP: phosphocholine cytidylyltransferase (PfCCT), which has a key regulatory function within the pathway. Here, we investigate the functional impact of the key structural differences and their respective role in the structurally unique pseudo-heterodimer PfCCT protein in a heterologous cellular context using the thermosensitive CCT-mutant CHO-MT58 cell line. We found that a Plasmodium-specific lysine-rich insertion within the catalytic domain of PfCCT acts as a nuclear localization signal and its deletion decreases the nuclear propensity of the protein in the model cell line. We further showed that the putative membrane-binding domain also affected the nuclear localization of the protein. Moreover, activation of phosphatidylcholine biosynthesis by phospholipase C treatment induces the partial nuclear-to-cytoplasmic translocation of PfCCT. We additionally investigated the cellular function of several PfCCT truncated constructs in a CHO-MT58 based rescue assay. In absence of the endogenous CCT activity we observed that truncated constructs lacking the lysine-rich insertion, or the membrane-binding domain provided similar cell survival ratio as the full length PfCCT protein.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Richard Izrael
- Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, 1117, Budapest, Hungary.
- Doctoral School of Multidisciplinary Medical Sciences, University of Szeged, 6720, Szeged, Hungary.
- Department of Applied Biotechnology, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, 1111, Budapest, Hungary.
| | - Lívia Marton
- Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, 1117, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Gergely N Nagy
- Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, 1117, Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Applied Biotechnology, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, 1111, Budapest, Hungary
- Division of Structural Biology, Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7BN, UK
| | - Hajnalka L Pálinkás
- Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, 1117, Budapest, Hungary
- Doctoral School of Multidisciplinary Medical Sciences, University of Szeged, 6720, Szeged, Hungary
- Department of Applied Biotechnology, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, 1111, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Nóra Kucsma
- Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, 1117, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Beáta G Vértessy
- Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, 1117, Budapest, Hungary.
- Department of Applied Biotechnology, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, 1111, Budapest, Hungary.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
O'Neal AJ, Butler LR, Rolandelli A, Gilk SD, Pedra JH. Lipid hijacking: a unifying theme in vector-borne diseases. eLife 2020; 9:61675. [PMID: 33118933 PMCID: PMC7595734 DOI: 10.7554/elife.61675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Vector-borne illnesses comprise a significant portion of human maladies, representing 17% of global infections. Transmission of vector-borne pathogens to mammals primarily occurs by hematophagous arthropods. It is speculated that blood may provide a unique environment that aids in the replication and pathogenesis of these microbes. Lipids and their derivatives are one component enriched in blood and are essential for microbial survival. For instance, the malarial parasite Plasmodium falciparum and the Lyme disease spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi, among others, have been shown to scavenge and manipulate host lipids for structural support, metabolism, replication, immune evasion, and disease severity. In this Review, we will explore the importance of lipid hijacking for the growth and persistence of these microbes in both mammalian hosts and arthropod vectors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anya J O'Neal
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, United States
| | - L Rainer Butler
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, United States
| | - Agustin Rolandelli
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, United States
| | - Stacey D Gilk
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States
| | - Joao Hf Pedra
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, United States
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Neveu G, Beri D, Kafsack BF. Metabolic regulation of sexual commitment in Plasmodium falciparum. Curr Opin Microbiol 2020; 58:93-98. [PMID: 33053503 DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2020.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Accepted: 09/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
For malaria parasites regulating sexual commitment, the frequency with which asexual bloodstream forms differentiate into non-replicative male and female gametocytes, is critical because asexual replication is required to maintain a persistent infection of the human host while gametocytes are essential for infection of the mosquito vector and transmission. Here, we describe recent advances in understanding of the regulatory mechanisms controlling this key developmental decision. These include new insights into the mechanistic roles of the transcriptional master switch AP2-G and the epigenetic modulator GDV1, as well as the identification of defined metabolic signals that modulate their activity. Many of these metabolites are linked to parasite phospholipid biogenesis and we propose a model linking this pathway to the epigenetic regulation underlying sexual commitment in P. falciparum.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gaelle Neveu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10065 USA
| | - Divya Beri
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10065 USA
| | - Björn Fc Kafsack
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10065 USA.
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
He L, Chen J, Xu F, Li J, Li J. Prognostic Implication of a Metabolism-Associated Gene Signature in Lung Adenocarcinoma. MOLECULAR THERAPY-ONCOLYTICS 2020; 19:265-277. [PMID: 33209981 PMCID: PMC7658576 DOI: 10.1016/j.omto.2020.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2020] [Accepted: 09/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Lung cancer is the most common cancer worldwide, leading to high mortality each year. Metabolic pathways play a vital role in the initiation and progression of lung cancer. We aimed to establish a prognostic prediction model for lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) patients based on a metabolism-associated gene (MTG) signature. Differentially expressed (DE)-MTGs were screened from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) LUAD cohorts. Univariate Cox regression analysis was performed on these DE-MTGs to identify genes significantly correlated with prognosis. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression was performed on the resulting genes to establish an optimal risk model. Survival analysis was used to assess the prognostic ability of the model. The prognostic value of the gene signature was further validated in independent Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets. A gene signature with 13 metabolic genes was identified as an independent prognostic factor. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis demonstrated the good performance of the risk model in both TCGA training and GEO validation cohorts. Finally, a nomogram incorporating clinical parameters and the metabolic gene signature was constructed to help individualize outcome predictions. The calibration curves showed excellent agreement between the actual and predicted survival.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lulu He
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China
| | - Jiaxian Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China
| | - Feng Xu
- Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease of Zhejiang Province, Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China
| | - Jun Li
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China
| | - Jun Li
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China.,Precision Medicine Center of Taizhou Central Hospital, Taizhou University Medical School, Taizhou 318000, China
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Paul AS, Miliu A, Paulo JA, Goldberg JM, Bonilla AM, Berry L, Seveno M, Braun-Breton C, Kosber AL, Elsworth B, Arriola JSN, Lebrun M, Gygi SP, Lamarque MH, Duraisingh MT. Co-option of Plasmodium falciparum PP1 for egress from host erythrocytes. Nat Commun 2020; 11:3532. [PMID: 32669539 PMCID: PMC7363832 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-17306-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2019] [Accepted: 06/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Asexual proliferation of the Plasmodium parasites that cause malaria follows a developmental program that alternates non-canonical intraerythrocytic replication with dissemination to new host cells. We carried out a functional analysis of the Plasmodium falciparum homolog of Protein Phosphatase 1 (PfPP1), a universally conserved cell cycle factor in eukaryotes, to investigate regulation of parasite proliferation. PfPP1 is indeed required for efficient replication, but is absolutely essential for egress of parasites from host red blood cells. By phosphoproteomic and chemical-genetic analysis, we isolate two functional targets of PfPP1 for egress: a HECT E3 protein-ubiquitin ligase; and GCα, a fusion protein composed of a guanylyl cyclase and a phospholipid transporter domain. We hypothesize that PfPP1 regulates lipid sensing by GCα and find that phosphatidylcholine stimulates PfPP1-dependent egress. PfPP1 acts as a key regulator that integrates multiple cell-intrinsic pathways with external signals to direct parasite egress from host cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aditya S Paul
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, 02115, MA, USA
| | - Alexandra Miliu
- Laboratory of Pathogen Host Interaction (LPHI), UMR5235, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Université de Montpellier, 34095, Montpellier, France
| | - Joao A Paulo
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, 02115, MA, USA
| | - Jonathan M Goldberg
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, 02115, MA, USA
| | - Arianna M Bonilla
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, 02115, MA, USA
| | - Laurence Berry
- Laboratory of Pathogen Host Interaction (LPHI), UMR5235, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Université de Montpellier, 34095, Montpellier, France
| | - Marie Seveno
- Laboratory of Pathogen Host Interaction (LPHI), UMR5235, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Université de Montpellier, 34095, Montpellier, France
| | - Catherine Braun-Breton
- Laboratory of Pathogen Host Interaction (LPHI), UMR5235, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Université de Montpellier, 34095, Montpellier, France
| | - Aziz L Kosber
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, 02115, MA, USA
| | - Brendan Elsworth
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, 02115, MA, USA
| | - Jose S N Arriola
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, 02115, MA, USA
| | - Maryse Lebrun
- Laboratory of Pathogen Host Interaction (LPHI), UMR5235, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Université de Montpellier, 34095, Montpellier, France
| | - Steven P Gygi
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, 02115, MA, USA
| | - Mauld H Lamarque
- Laboratory of Pathogen Host Interaction (LPHI), UMR5235, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Université de Montpellier, 34095, Montpellier, France.
| | - Manoj T Duraisingh
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, 02115, MA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Montesinos J, Area-Gomez E, Schlame M. Analysis of phospholipid synthesis in mitochondria. Methods Cell Biol 2020; 155:321-335. [PMID: 32183965 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mcb.2019.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Mitochondria and their associated membranes actively participate in biosynthesis, trafficking, and degradation of cellular phospholipids. Two crucial lipid biosynthetic activities of mitochondria include (i) the decarboxylation of phosphatidylserine to phosphatidylethanolamine and (ii) the de novo synthesis of cardiolipin. Here we describe protocols to measure these two activities, applying isotope-labeled or exogenous substrates in combination with thin-layer chromatography or mass spectrometry.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Montesinos
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Estela Area-Gomez
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Michael Schlame
- Departments of Anesthesiology and Cell Biology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Flammersfeld A, Panyot A, Yamaryo-Botté Y, Aurass P, Przyborski JM, Flieger A, Botté C, Pradel G. A patatin-like phospholipase functions during gametocyte induction in the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. Cell Microbiol 2019; 22:e13146. [PMID: 31734953 DOI: 10.1111/cmi.13146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2019] [Revised: 10/28/2019] [Accepted: 11/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Patatin-like phospholipases (PNPLAs) are highly conserved enzymes of prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms with major roles in lipid homeostasis. The genome of the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum encodes four putative PNPLAs with predicted functions during phospholipid degradation. We here investigated the role of one of the plasmodial PNPLAs, a putative PLA2 termed PNPLA1, during blood stage replication and gametocyte development. PNPLA1 is present in the asexual and sexual blood stages and here localizes to the cytoplasm. PNPLA1-deficiency due to gene disruption or conditional gene-knockdown had no effect on intraerythrocytic growth, gametocyte development and gametogenesis. However, parasites lacking PNPLA1 were impaired in gametocyte induction, while PNPLA1 overexpression promotes gametocyte formation. The loss of PNPLA1 further leads to transcriptional down-regulation of genes related to gametocytogenesis, including the gene encoding the sexual commitment regulator AP2-G. Additionally, lipidomics of PNPLA1-deficient asexual blood stage parasites revealed overall increased levels of major phospholipids, including phosphatidylcholine (PC), which is a substrate of PLA2 . PC synthesis is known to be pivotal for erythrocytic replication, while the reduced availability of PC precursors drives the parasite into gametocytogenesis; we thus hypothesize that the higher PC levels due to PNPLA1-deficiency prevent the blood stage parasites from entering the sexual pathway.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ansgar Flammersfeld
- Division of Cellular and Applied Infection Biology, Institute of Zoology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Atscharah Panyot
- Division of Cellular and Applied Infection Biology, Institute of Zoology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Yoshiki Yamaryo-Botté
- ApicoLipid Team, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Université Grenoble Alpes, La Tronche, France
| | - Philipp Aurass
- Centre for Infectious Diseases, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jude M Przyborski
- Division of Enteropathogenic Bacteria and Legionella, Robert Koch-Institute, Wernigerode, Germany
| | - Antje Flieger
- Centre for Infectious Diseases, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Cyrille Botté
- ApicoLipid Team, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Université Grenoble Alpes, La Tronche, France
| | - Gabriele Pradel
- Division of Cellular and Applied Infection Biology, Institute of Zoology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Berger O, Ortial S, Wein S, Denoyelle S, Bressolle F, Durand T, Escale R, Vial HJ, Vo-Hoang Y. Evaluation of amidoxime derivatives as prodrug candidates of potent bis-cationic antimalarials. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2019; 29:2203-2207. [PMID: 31255483 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2019.06.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2019] [Revised: 06/18/2019] [Accepted: 06/22/2019] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Plasmodium falciparum is responsible for most of the cases of malaria and its resistance to established antimalarial drugs is a major issue. Thus, new chemotherapies are needed to fight the emerging multi-drug resistance of P. falciparum malaria, like choline analogues targeting plasmodial phospholipidic metabolism. Here we describe the synthesis of amidoxime derivatives as prodrug candidates of reverse-benzamidines and hybrid compounds able to mimic choline, as well as the design of a new series of asymmetrical bis-cationic compounds. Bioconversion studies were conducted on amidoximes in asymmetrical series and showed that amidoxime prodrug strategy could be applied on C-alkylamidine moieties, like benzamidines and that N-substituents did not alter the bioconversion of amidoximes. The antimalarial activity of the three series of compounds was evaluated in vitro against P. falciparum and in vivo against P. vinckei petteri in mice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Olivier Berger
- Institut des Biomolecules Max Mousseron, UMR 5247, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM, Faculté des Sciences Pharmaceutiques et Biologiques, 15 Avenue Charles Flahault, 34093 Montpellier, France
| | - Stéphanie Ortial
- Institut des Biomolecules Max Mousseron, UMR 5247, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM, Faculté des Sciences Pharmaceutiques et Biologiques, 15 Avenue Charles Flahault, 34093 Montpellier, France
| | - Sharon Wein
- Dynamique Moléculaire des Interactions Membranaires Normales et Pathologiques, Université de Montpellier, UMR 5235 CNRS, Place Eugène Bataillon, 34095 Montpellier, France
| | - Séverine Denoyelle
- Institut des Biomolecules Max Mousseron, UMR 5247, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM, Faculté des Sciences Pharmaceutiques et Biologiques, 15 Avenue Charles Flahault, 34093 Montpellier, France
| | - Françoise Bressolle
- Pharmacocinetique Clinique, EA4215, Faculté des Sciences Pharmaceutiques et Biologiques, 15 Avenue Charles Flahault, 34093 Montpellier, France
| | - Thierry Durand
- Institut des Biomolecules Max Mousseron, UMR 5247, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM, Faculté des Sciences Pharmaceutiques et Biologiques, 15 Avenue Charles Flahault, 34093 Montpellier, France
| | - Roger Escale
- Institut des Biomolecules Max Mousseron, UMR 5247, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM, Faculté des Sciences Pharmaceutiques et Biologiques, 15 Avenue Charles Flahault, 34093 Montpellier, France
| | - Henri J Vial
- Dynamique Moléculaire des Interactions Membranaires Normales et Pathologiques, Université de Montpellier, UMR 5235 CNRS, Place Eugène Bataillon, 34095 Montpellier, France
| | - Yen Vo-Hoang
- Institut des Biomolecules Max Mousseron, UMR 5247, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM, Faculté des Sciences Pharmaceutiques et Biologiques, 15 Avenue Charles Flahault, 34093 Montpellier, France.
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Moitra S, Pawlowic MC, Hsu FF, Zhang K. Phosphatidylcholine synthesis through cholinephosphate cytidylyltransferase is dispensable in Leishmania major. Sci Rep 2019; 9:7602. [PMID: 31110206 PMCID: PMC6527706 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-44086-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2018] [Accepted: 05/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Phosphatidylcholine (PC) is a major cell membrane constituent and precursor of important second messengers. In Leishmania parasites, PC synthesis can occur via the choline branch of the Kennedy pathway, the N-methylation of phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), or the remodeling of exogenous phospholipids. To investigate the role of de novo PC synthesis in Leishmania major, we focused on the cholinephosphate cytidylyltransferase (CPCT) which catalyzes the formation of CDP-choline, a key intermediate in the choline branch of the Kennedy pathway. Without CPCT, L. major parasites cannot incorporate choline into PC, yet the CPCT-null mutants contain similar levels of PC and PE as wild type parasites. Loss of CPCT does not affect the growth of parasites in complete medium or their virulence in mice. These results suggest that other mechanisms of PC synthesis can compensate the loss of CPCT. Importantly, CPCT-null parasites exhibited severe growth defects when ethanolamine and exogenous lipids became limited or when they were co-cultured with certain bacteria that are known to be members of sandfly midgut microbiota. These findings suggest that Leishmania employ multiple PC synthesis pathways to utilize a diverse pool of nutrients, which may be crucial for their survival and development in the sandfly.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Samrat Moitra
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, 79409, USA
| | - Mattie C Pawlowic
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, 79409, USA
- Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research (WCAIR), Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Fong-Fu Hsu
- Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, 660S. Euclid Ave., Saint Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Kai Zhang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, 79409, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Kilian N, Choi JY, Voelker DR, Ben Mamoun C. Role of phospholipid synthesis in the development and differentiation of malaria parasites in the blood. J Biol Chem 2018; 293:17308-17316. [PMID: 30287688 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.r118.003213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The life cycle of malaria parasites in both their mammalian host and mosquito vector consists of multiple developmental stages that ensure proper replication and progeny survival. The transition between these stages is fueled by nutrients scavenged from the host and fed into specialized metabolic pathways of the parasite. One such pathway is used by Plasmodium falciparum, which causes the most severe form of human malaria, to synthesize its major phospholipids, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, and phosphatidylserine. Much is known about the enzymes involved in the synthesis of these phospholipids, and recent advances in genetic engineering, single-cell RNA-Seq analyses, and drug screening have provided new perspectives on the importance of some of these enzymes in parasite development and sexual differentiation and have identified targets for the development of new antimalarial drugs. This Minireview focuses on two phospholipid biosynthesis enzymes of P. falciparum that catalyze phosphoethanolamine transmethylation (PfPMT) and phosphatidylserine decarboxylation (PfPSD) during the blood stages of the parasite. We also discuss our current understanding of the biochemical, structural, and biological functions of these enzymes and highlight efforts to use them as antimalarial drug targets.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Kilian
- From the Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520 and
| | - Jae-Yeon Choi
- the Basic Science Section, Department of Medicine, National Jewish Health, Denver, Colorado 80206
| | - Dennis R Voelker
- the Basic Science Section, Department of Medicine, National Jewish Health, Denver, Colorado 80206
| | - Choukri Ben Mamoun
- From the Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520 and
| |
Collapse
|