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Pérez-Pertejo Y, García-Estrada C, Martínez-Valladares M, Murugesan S, Reguera RM, Balaña-Fouce R. Polyamine Metabolism for Drug Intervention in Trypanosomatids. Pathogens 2024; 13:79. [PMID: 38251386 PMCID: PMC10820115 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens13010079] [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: 12/12/2023] [Revised: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Neglected tropical diseases transmitted by trypanosomatids include three major human scourges that globally affect the world's poorest people: African trypanosomiasis or sleeping sickness, American trypanosomiasis or Chagas disease and different types of leishmaniasis. Different metabolic pathways have been targeted to find antitrypanosomatid drugs, including polyamine metabolism. Since their discovery, the naturally occurring polyamines, putrescine, spermidine and spermine, have been considered important metabolites involved in cell growth. With a complex metabolism involving biosynthesis, catabolism and interconversion, the synthesis of putrescine and spermidine was targeted by thousands of compounds in an effort to produce cell growth blockade in tumor and infectious processes with limited success. However, the discovery of eflornithine (DFMO) as a curative drug against sleeping sickness encouraged researchers to develop new molecules against these diseases. Polyamine synthesis inhibitors have also provided insight into the peculiarities of this pathway between the host and the parasite, and also among different trypanosomatid species, thus allowing the search for new specific chemical entities aimed to treat these diseases and leading to the investigation of target-based scaffolds. The main molecular targets include the enzymes involved in polyamine biosynthesis (ornithine decarboxylase, S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase and spermidine synthase), enzymes participating in their uptake from the environment, and the enzymes involved in the redox balance of the parasite. In this review, we summarize the research behind polyamine-based treatments, the current trends, and the main challenges in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yolanda Pérez-Pertejo
- Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas, Campus de Vegazana s/n, Universidad de León, 24071 León, Spain; (Y.P.-P.); (C.G.-E.); (R.M.R.)
- Instituto de Biomedicina (IBIOMED), Campus de Vegazana s/n, Universidad de León, 24071 León, Spain
| | - Carlos García-Estrada
- Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas, Campus de Vegazana s/n, Universidad de León, 24071 León, Spain; (Y.P.-P.); (C.G.-E.); (R.M.R.)
- Instituto de Biomedicina (IBIOMED), Campus de Vegazana s/n, Universidad de León, 24071 León, Spain
| | | | - Sankaranarayanan Murugesan
- Medicinal Chemistry Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, Birla Institute of Technology and Science-Pilani, Pilani 333031, India;
| | - Rosa M. Reguera
- Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas, Campus de Vegazana s/n, Universidad de León, 24071 León, Spain; (Y.P.-P.); (C.G.-E.); (R.M.R.)
- Instituto de Biomedicina (IBIOMED), Campus de Vegazana s/n, Universidad de León, 24071 León, Spain
| | - Rafael Balaña-Fouce
- Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas, Campus de Vegazana s/n, Universidad de León, 24071 León, Spain; (Y.P.-P.); (C.G.-E.); (R.M.R.)
- Instituto de Biomedicina (IBIOMED), Campus de Vegazana s/n, Universidad de León, 24071 León, Spain
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Kina UY, Kamil M, Deveci G, Rafiqi AM, Matuschewski K, Aly ASI. A Candidate Bacterial-Type Amino Acid Decarboxylase Is Essential for Male Gamete Exflagellation and Mosquito Transmission of the Malaria Parasite. Infect Immun 2023; 91:e0016723. [PMID: 37260388 PMCID: PMC10353352 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00167-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023] Open
Abstract
A frequent side effect of chemotherapy against malaria parasite blood infections is a dramatic induction of the sexual blood stages, thereby enhancing the risk of future malaria transmissions. The polyamine biosynthesis pathway has been suggested as a candidate target for transmission-blocking anti-malarial drug development. Herein, we describe the role of a bacterial-type amino acid decarboxylase (AAD) in the life cycle of the malaria model parasite Plasmodium yoelii. Hallmarks of AAD include a conserved catalytic lysine residue and high-level homology to arginine/lysine/ornithine decarboxylases of pathogenic bacteria. By targeted gene deletion, we show that AAD plays an essential role in the exflagellation of microgametes, resulting in complete absence of sporozoites in the mosquito vector. These data highlight the central role of the biosysthesis of polyamines in the final steps of male gamete sexual development of the malaria parasite and, hence, onward transmission to mosquitoes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Umit Y. Kina
- Aly lab, Beykoz Institute of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Bezmialem Vakif University, Istanbul, Turkey
- Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Health Sciences, Bezmialem Vakif University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Mohd Kamil
- Aly lab, Beykoz Institute of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Bezmialem Vakif University, Istanbul, Turkey
- Center for Global Infectious Disease Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Gozde Deveci
- Aly lab, Beykoz Institute of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Bezmialem Vakif University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ab. Matteen Rafiqi
- Aly lab, Beykoz Institute of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Bezmialem Vakif University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Kai Matuschewski
- Department of Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Biology, Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ahmed S. I. Aly
- Aly lab, Beykoz Institute of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Bezmialem Vakif University, Istanbul, Turkey
- School of Science and Engineering, Al Akhawayn University, Ifrane, Morocco
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Mitochondrial Spermidine Synthase is Essential for Blood-stage growth of the Malaria Parasite. Microbiol Res 2022; 265:127181. [PMID: 36162149 DOI: 10.1016/j.micres.2022.127181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Revised: 08/14/2022] [Accepted: 08/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Positively-charged polyamines are essential molecules for the replication of eukaryotic cells and are particularly important for the rapid proliferation of parasitic protozoa and cancer cells. Unlike in Trypanosoma brucei, the inhibition of the synthesis of intermediate polyamine Putrescine caused only partial defect in malaria parasite blood-stage growth. In contrast, reducing the intracellular concentrations of Spermidine and Spermine by polyamine analogs caused significant defects in blood-stage growth in Plasmodium yoelii and P. falciparum. However, little is known about the synthesizing enzyme of Spermidine and Spermine in the malaria parasite. Herein, malaria parasite conserved Spermidine Synthase (SpdS) gene was targeted for deletion/complementation analyses by knockout/knock-in constructs in P. yoelii. SpdS was found to be essential for blood-stage growth. Live fluorescence imaging in blood-stages and sporozoites confirmed a specific mitochondrial localization, which is not known for any polyamine-synthesizing enzyme so far. This study identifies SpdS as an excellent drug targeting candidate against the malaria parasite, which is localized to the parasite mitochondrion.
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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.
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Grube CD, Gill CP, Roy H. Development of a continuous assay for high throughput screening to identify inhibitors of the purine salvage pathway in Plasmodium falciparum. SLAS DISCOVERY : ADVANCING LIFE SCIENCES R & D 2022; 27:114-120. [PMID: 35058189 DOI: 10.1016/j.slasd.2021.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Malaria, an infectious disease caused by protozoan parasites from the genus Plasmodium, represents a serious global health threat. The continued emergence of drug resistant strains has severely decreased current antimalarial drug efficacy and led to a perpetual race for drug discovery. Most protozoan parasites, including Plasmodium spp., are unable to synthesize purines de novo and instead rely on an essential purine salvage pathway for acquisition of purines from the infected host. Because purines are essential for Plasmodium growth and survival, the enzymes of the purine salvage pathway represent promising targets for drug discovery. Target-based high-throughput screening (HTS) assays traditionally focus on a single target, which severely limits the screening power of this type of approach. To circumvent this limitation, we have reconstituted the purine salvage pathway from Plasmodium falciparum in an assay combining four drug targets. This assay was developed for HTS and optimized to detect partial inhibition of any of the four enzymes in the pathway. Inhibitors of several enzymes in the pathway were identified in a pilot screen, with several compounds exhibiting effective inhibition when provided in micromolar amounts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher D Grube
- Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida, USA
| | - Cameron P Gill
- Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida, USA
| | - Hervé Roy
- Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida, USA.
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Jeelani G, Nozaki T. Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 5A and its posttranslational modifications play an important role in proliferation and potentially in differentiation of the human enteric protozoan parasite Entamoeba histolytica. PLoS Pathog 2021; 17:e1008909. [PMID: 33592076 PMCID: PMC7909649 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1008909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2020] [Revised: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The eukaryotic translation initiation factor 5A (eIF5A) is a highly conserved protein and is essential in all eukaryotes. However, the specific roles of eIF5A in translation and in other biological processes remain elusive. In the present study, we described the role of eIF5A, its posttranslational modifications (PTM), and the biosynthetic pathway needed for the PTM in Entamoeba histolytica, the protozoan parasite responsible for amoebic dysentery and liver abscess in humans. E. histolytica encodes two isotypes of eIF5A and two isotypes of enzymes, deoxyhypusine synthase (DHS), responsible for their PTM. Both of the two eIF5A isotypes are functional, whereas only one DHS (EhDHS1, but not EhDHS2), is catalytically active. The DHS activity increased ~2000-fold when EhDHS1 was co-expressed with EhDHS2 in Escherichia coli, suggesting that the formation of a heteromeric complex is needed for full enzymatic activity. Both EhDHS1 and 2 genes were required for in vitro growth of E. histolytica trophozoites, indicated by small antisense RNA-mediated gene silencing. In trophozoites, only eIF5A2, but not eIF5A1, gene was actively transcribed. Gene silencing of eIF5A2 caused compensatory induction of expression of eIF5A1 gene, suggesting interchangeable role of the two eIF5A isotypes and also reinforcing the importance of eIF5As for parasite proliferation and survival. Furthermore, using a sibling species, Entamoeba invadens, we found that eIF5A1 gene was upregulated during excystation, while eIF5A2 was downregulated, suggesting that eIF5A1 gene plays an important role during differentiation. Taken together, these results have underscored the essentiality of eIF5A and DHS, for proliferation and potentially in the differentiation of this parasite, and suggest that the hypusination associated pathway represents a novel rational target for drug development against amebiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ghulam Jeelani
- Department of Biomedical Chemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tomoyoshi Nozaki
- Department of Biomedical Chemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Japan
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Reeder SM, Reuschel EL, Bah MA, Yun K, Tursi NJ, Kim KY, Chu J, Zaidi FI, Yilmaz I, Hart RJ, Perrin B, Xu Z, Humeau L, Weiner DB, Aly ASI. Synthetic DNA Vaccines Adjuvanted with pIL-33 Drive Liver-Localized T Cells and Provide Protection from Plasmodium Challenge in a Mouse Model. Vaccines (Basel) 2020; 8:vaccines8010021. [PMID: 31936739 PMCID: PMC7157753 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines8010021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2019] [Revised: 01/03/2020] [Accepted: 01/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The need for a malaria vaccine is indisputable. A single vaccine for Plasmodium pre-erythrocytic stages targeting the major sporozoite antigen circumsporozoite protein (CSP) has had partial success. Additionally, CD8+ T cells targeting liver-stage (LS) antigens induced by live attenuated sporozoite vaccines were associated with protection in human challenge experiments. To further evaluate protection mediated by LS antigens, we focused on exported pre-erythrocytic proteins (exported protein 1 (EXP1), profilin (PFN), exported protein 2 (EXP2), inhibitor of cysteine proteases (ICP), transmembrane protein 21 (TMP21), and upregulated in infective sporozoites-3 (UIS3)) expressed in all Plasmodium species and designed optimized, synthetic DNA (synDNA) immunogens. SynDNA antigen cocktails were tested with and without the molecular adjuvant plasmid IL-33. Immunized animals developed robust T cell responses including induction of antigen-specific liver-localized CD8+ T cells, which were enhanced by the co-delivery of plasmid IL-33. In total, 100% of mice in adjuvanted groups and 71%–88% in non-adjuvanted groups were protected from blood-stage disease following Plasmodium yoelii sporozoite challenge. This study supports the potential of synDNA LS antigens as vaccine components for malaria parasite infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophia M. Reeder
- The Vaccine Center, Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Emma L. Reuschel
- The Vaccine Center, Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Mamadou A. Bah
- The Vaccine Center, Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Kun Yun
- The Vaccine Center, Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | | | - Kevin Y. Kim
- The Vaccine Center, Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Jacqueline Chu
- The Vaccine Center, Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Faraz I. Zaidi
- The Vaccine Center, Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Ilknur Yilmaz
- Beykoz Institute of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Bezmialem Vakif University, Istanbul 34820, Turkey
| | - Robert J. Hart
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Benjamin Perrin
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Ziyang Xu
- The Vaccine Center, Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Laurent Humeau
- Inovio Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462, USA
| | - David B. Weiner
- The Vaccine Center, Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Correspondence: (D.B.W.); (A.S.I.A.)
| | - Ahmed S. I. Aly
- Beykoz Institute of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Bezmialem Vakif University, Istanbul 34820, Turkey
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
- Correspondence: (D.B.W.); (A.S.I.A.)
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Highly Sensitive and Rapid Characterization of the Development of Synchronized Blood Stage Malaria Parasites Via Magneto-Optical Hemozoin Quantification. Biomolecules 2019; 9:biom9100579. [PMID: 31591333 PMCID: PMC6843464 DOI: 10.3390/biom9100579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2019] [Revised: 08/23/2019] [Accepted: 09/02/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The rotating-crystal magneto-optical diagnostic (RMOD) technique was developed as a sensitive and rapid platform for malaria diagnosis. Herein, we report a detailed in vivo assessment of the synchronized Plasmodium vinckei lentum strain blood-stage infections by the RMOD method and comparing the results to the unsynchronized Plasmodium yoelii 17X-NL (non-lethal) infections. Furthermore, we assess the hemozoin production and clearance dynamics in chloroquine-treated compared to untreated self-resolving infections by RMOD. The findings of the study suggest that the RMOD signal is directly proportional to the hemozoin content and closely follows the actual parasitemia level. The lack of long-term accumulation of hemozoin in peripheral blood implies a dynamic equilibrium between the hemozoin production rate of the parasites and the immune system’s clearing mechanism. Using parasites with synchronous blood stage cycle, which resemble human malaria parasite infections with Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax, we are demonstrating that the RMOD detects both hemozoin production and clearance rates with high sensitivity and temporal resolution. Thus, RMOD technique offers a quantitative tool to follow the maturation of the malaria parasites even on sub-cycle timescales.
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Santana RAG, Oliveira MC, Cabral I, Junior RCAS, de Sousa DRT, Ferreira L, Lacerda MVG, Monteiro WM, Abrantes P, Guerra MDGVB, Silveira H. Anopheles aquasalis transcriptome reveals autophagic responses to Plasmodium vivax midgut invasion. Parasit Vectors 2019; 12:261. [PMID: 31126324 PMCID: PMC6534896 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-019-3506-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2018] [Accepted: 05/14/2019] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Elimination of malaria depends on mastering transmission and understanding the biological basis of Plasmodium infection in the vector. The first mosquito organ to interact with the parasite is the midgut and its transcriptomic characterization during infection can reveal effective antiplasmodial responses able to limit the survival of the parasite. The vector response to Plasmodium vivax is not fully characterized, and its specificities when compared with other malaria parasites can be of fundamental interest for specific control measures. Methods Experimental infections were performed using a membrane-feeding device. Three groups were used: P. vivax-blood-fed, blood-fed on inactivated gametocytes, and unfed mosquitoes. Twenty-four hours after feeding, the mosquitoes were dissected and the midgut collected for transcriptomic analysis using RNAseq. Nine cDNA libraries were generated and sequenced on an Illumina HiSeq2500. Readings were checked for quality control and analysed using the Trinity platform for de novo transcriptome assembly. Transcript quantification was performed and the transcriptome was functionally annotated. Differential expression gene analysis was carried out. The role of the identified mechanisms was further explored using functional approaches. Results Forty-nine genes were identified as being differentially expressed with P. vivax infection: 34 were upregulated and 15 were downregulated. Half of the P. vivax-related differentially expressed genes could be related to autophagy; therefore, the effect of the known inhibitor (wortmannin) and activator (spermidine) was tested on the infection outcome. Autophagic activation significantly reduced the intensity and prevalence of infection. This was associated with transcription alterations of the autophagy regulating genes Beclin, DRAM and Apg8. Conclusions Our data indicate that P. vivax invasion of An. aquasalis midgut epithelium triggers an autophagic response and its activation reduces infection. This suggests a novel mechanism that mosquitoes can use to fight Plasmodium infection. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13071-019-3506-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosa Amélia Gonçalves Santana
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Tropical, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas/Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, Brazil
| | - Maurício Costa Oliveira
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Tropical, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas/Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, Brazil
| | - Iria Cabral
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Tropical, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas/Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, Brazil
| | - Rubens Celso Andrade Silva Junior
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Tropical, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas/Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, Brazil
| | - Débora Raysa Teixeira de Sousa
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Tropical, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas/Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, Brazil
| | - Lucas Ferreira
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Tropical, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas/Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, Brazil
| | - Marcus Vinícius Guimarães Lacerda
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Tropical, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas/Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, Brazil.,Instituto Leônidas & Maria Deane, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Manaus, Brazil
| | - Wuelton Marcelo Monteiro
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Tropical, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas/Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, Brazil
| | - Patrícia Abrantes
- Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Global Health and Tropical Medicine, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Maria das Graças Vale Barbosa Guerra
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Tropical, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas/Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, Brazil
| | - Henrique Silveira
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Tropical, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas/Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, Brazil. .,Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Global Health and Tropical Medicine, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal.
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Schrevens S, Van Zeebroeck G, Riedelberger M, Tournu H, Kuchler K, Van Dijck P. Methionine is required for cAMP-PKA-mediated morphogenesis and virulence of Candida albicans. Mol Microbiol 2018; 108:258-275. [PMID: 29453849 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.13933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Candida albicans is a major human fungal pathogen, causing superficial, as well as life-threatening invasive infections. Therefore, it has to adequately sense and respond to the host defense by expressing appropriate virulence attributes. The most important virulence factor of C. albicans is the yeast-to-hyphae morphogenetic switch, which can be induced by numerous environmental cues, including the amino acid methionine. Here, we show an essential role for methionine permease Mup1 in methionine-induced morphogenesis, biofilm formation, survival inside macrophages and virulence. Furthermore, we demonstrate that this process requires conversion of methionine into S-adenosyl methionine (SAM) and its decarboxylation by Spe2. The resulting amino-propyl group is then used for biosynthesis of polyamines, which have been shown to activate adenylate cyclase. Inhibition of the SPE2 SAM decarboxylase gene strongly impairs methionine-induced morphogenesis on specific media and significantly delays virulence in the mouse systemic infection model system. Further proof of the connection between methionine uptake and initial metabolism and the cAMP-PKA pathway was obtained by showing that both Mup1 and Spe2 are required for cAMP production in response to methionine. Our results suggest that amino acid transport and further metabolism are interesting therapeutic targets as inhibitors of this may prevent the morphogenetic switch, thereby preventing virulence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanne Schrevens
- VIB - KU Leuven Center for Microbiology, Leuven 3001, Belgium.,Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven 3001, Belgium
| | - Griet Van Zeebroeck
- VIB - KU Leuven Center for Microbiology, Leuven 3001, Belgium.,Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven 3001, Belgium
| | - Michael Riedelberger
- Medical University of Vienna, Center of Medical Biochemistry, Max F. Perutz Laboratories, Campus Vienna Biocenter, Vienna, Austria
| | - Hélène Tournu
- VIB - KU Leuven Center for Microbiology, Leuven 3001, Belgium.,Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven 3001, Belgium
| | - Karl Kuchler
- Medical University of Vienna, Center of Medical Biochemistry, Max F. Perutz Laboratories, Campus Vienna Biocenter, Vienna, Austria
| | - Patrick Van Dijck
- VIB - KU Leuven Center for Microbiology, Leuven 3001, Belgium.,Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven 3001, Belgium
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11
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Gazanion E, Vergnes B. Protozoan Parasite Auxotrophies and Metabolic Dependencies. EXPERIENTIA SUPPLEMENTUM (2012) 2018; 109:351-375. [PMID: 30535605 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-74932-7_9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Diseases caused by protozoan parasites have a major impact on world health. These early branching eukaryotes cause significant morbidity and mortality in humans and livestock. During evolution, protozoan parasites have evolved toward complex life cycles in multiple host organisms with different nutritional resources. The conservation of functional metabolic pathways required for these successive environments is therefore a prerequisite for parasitic lifestyle. Nevertheless, parasitism drives genome evolution toward gene loss and metabolic dependencies (including strict auxotrophy), especially for obligatory intracellular parasites. In this chapter, we will compare and contrast how protozoan parasites have perfected this metabolic adaptation by focusing on specific auxotrophic pathways and scavenging strategies used by clinically relevant apicomplexan and trypanosomatid parasites to access host's nutritional resources. We will further see how these metabolic dependencies have in turn been exploited for therapeutic purposes against these human pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elodie Gazanion
- MIVEGEC, IRD, CNRS, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Baptiste Vergnes
- MIVEGEC, IRD, CNRS, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France.
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Chiu JE, Thekkiniath J, Choi JY, Perrin BA, Lawres L, Plummer M, Virji AZ, Abraham A, Toh JY, Zandt MV, Aly ASI, Voelker DR, Mamoun CB. The antimalarial activity of the pantothenamide α-PanAm is via inhibition of pantothenate phosphorylation. Sci Rep 2017; 7:14234. [PMID: 29079738 PMCID: PMC5660193 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-14074-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2017] [Accepted: 10/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The biosynthesis of the major acyl carrier Coenzyme A from pantothenic acid (PA) is critical for survival of Plasmodium falciparum within human erythrocytes. Accordingly, a PA analog α-PanAm showed potent activity against blood stage parasites in vitro; however, its efficacy in vivo and its mode of action remain unknown. We developed a new synthesis route for α-PanAm and showed that the compound is highly effective against blood stages of drug-sensitive and -resistant P. falciparum strains, inhibits development of P. berghei in hepatocytes, and at doses up to 100 mg/kg also inhibits blood stage development of P. chabaudi in mice. We used yeast and its pantothenate kinase Cab1 as models to characterize mode of action of α-PanAm and found that α-PanAm inhibits yeast growth in a PA-dependent manner, and its potency increases dramatically in a yeast mutant with defective pantothenate kinase activity. Biochemical analyses using 14C-PA as a substrate demonstrated that α-PanAm is a competitive inhibitor of Cab1. Interestingly, biochemical and mass spectrometry analyses also showed that the compound is phosphorylated by Cab1. Together, these data suggest that α-PanAm exerts its antimicrobial activity by direct competition with the natural substrate PA for phosphorylation by the pantothenate kinase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joy E Chiu
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Jose Thekkiniath
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Jae-Yeon Choi
- Basic Science Section, Department of Medicine, National Jewish Health, 1400 Jackson St, Denver, Colorado, 80206, USA
| | - Benjamin A Perrin
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Lauren Lawres
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Mark Plummer
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Azan Z Virji
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Amanah Abraham
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, LA, 70112, USA
| | - Justin Y Toh
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | | | - Ahmed S I Aly
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, LA, 70112, USA
| | - Dennis R Voelker
- Basic Science Section, Department of Medicine, National Jewish Health, 1400 Jackson St, Denver, Colorado, 80206, USA
| | - Choukri Ben Mamoun
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA.
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Hart RJ, Abraham A, Aly ASI. Genetic Characterization of Coenzyme A Biosynthesis Reveals Essential Distinctive Functions during Malaria Parasite Development in Blood and Mosquito. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2017; 7:260. [PMID: 28676844 PMCID: PMC5476742 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2017.00260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2017] [Accepted: 06/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Coenzyme A (CoA) is an essential universal cofactor for all prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. In nearly all non-photosynthetic cells, CoA biosynthesis depends on the uptake and phosphorylation of vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid or pantothenate). Recently, putative pantothenate transporter (PAT) and pantothenate kinases (PanKs) were functionally characterized in P. yoelii. PAT and PanKs were shown to be dispensable for blood stage development, but they were essential for mosquito stages development. Yet, little is known about the cellular functions of the other enzymes of the CoA biosynthesis pathway in malaria parasite life cycle stages. All enzymes of this pathway were targeted for deletion or deletion/complementation analyses by knockout/knock-in plasmid constructs to reveal their essential roles in P. yoelii life cycle stages. The intermediate enzymes PPCS (Phosphopantothenylcysteine Synthase), PPCDC (Phosphopantothenylcysteine Decarboxylase) were shown to be dispensable for asexual and sexual blood stage development, but they were essential for oocyst development and the production of sporozoites. However, the last two enzymes of this pathway, PPAT (Phosphopantetheine Adenylyltransferase) and DPCK (Dephospho-CoA Kinase), were essential for blood stage development. These results indicate alternative first substrate requirement for the malaria parasite, other than the canonical pantothenate, for the synthesis of CoA in the blood but not inside the mosquito midgut. Collectively, our data shows that CoA de novo biosynthesis is essential for both blood and mosquito stages, and thus validates the enzymes of this pathway as potential antimalarial targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert J Hart
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Tulane UniversityNew Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Amanah Abraham
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Tulane UniversityNew Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Ahmed S I Aly
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Tulane UniversityNew Orleans, LA, United States
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Hart RJ, Cornillot E, Abraham A, Molina E, Nation CS, Ben Mamoun C, Aly ASI. Genetic Characterization of Plasmodium Putative Pantothenate Kinase Genes Reveals Their Essential Role in Malaria Parasite Transmission to the Mosquito. Sci Rep 2016; 6:33518. [PMID: 27644319 PMCID: PMC5028760 DOI: 10.1038/srep33518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2016] [Accepted: 08/30/2016] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The metabolic machinery for the biosynthesis of Coenzyme A (CoA) from exogenous pantothenic acid (Vitamin B5) has long been considered as an excellent target for the development of selective antimicrobials. Earlier studies in the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum have shown that pantothenate analogs interfere with pantothenate phosphorylation and block asexual blood stage development. Although two eukaryotic-type putative pantothenate kinase genes (PanK1 and PanK2) have been identified in all malaria parasite species, their role in the development of Plasmodium life cycle stages remains unknown. Here we report on the genetic characterization of PanK1 and PanK2 in P. yoelii. We show that P. yoelii parasites lacking either PanK1 or PanK2 undergo normal asexual stages development and sexual stages differentiation, however they are severely deficient in ookinete, oocyst and sporozoite formation inside the mosquito vector. Quantitative transcriptional analyses in wild-type and knockout parasites demonstrate an important role for these genes in the regulation of expression of other CoA biosynthesis genes. Together, our data provide the first genetic evidence for the importance of the early steps of pantothenate utilization in the regulation of CoA biosynthesis and malaria parasite transmission to Anopheles mosquitoes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert J Hart
- Tulane University, Department of Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Emmanuel Cornillot
- Institut de Biologie Computationnelle, Université Montpellier, 34095 Montpellier, France
| | - Amanah Abraham
- Tulane University, Department of Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Emily Molina
- Tulane University, Department of Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Catherine S Nation
- Tulane University, Department of Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Choukri Ben Mamoun
- Yale University School of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Ahmed S I Aly
- Tulane University, Department of Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
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