1
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Silva M, Malmberg M, Otienoburu SD, Björkman A, Ngasala B, Mårtensson A, Gil JP, Veiga MI. Plasmodium falciparum Drug Resistance Genes pfmdr1 and pfcrt In Vivo Co-Expression During Artemether-Lumefantrine Therapy. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:868723. [PMID: 35685627 PMCID: PMC9171324 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.868723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) are the global mainstay treatment of uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum infections. PfMDR1 and PfCRT are two transmembrane transporters, associated with sensitivity to several antimalarials, found in the parasite food vacuole. Herein, we explore if their relatedness extends to overlapping patterns of gene transcriptional activity before and during ACT administration. Methods: In a clinical trial performed in Tanzania, we explored the pfmdr1 and pfcrt transcription levels from 48 patients with uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria infections who underwent treatment with artemether-lumefantrine (AL). Samples analyzed were collected before treatment initiation and during the first 24 h of treatment. The frequency of PfMDR1 N86Y and PfCRT K76T was determined through PCR-RFLP or direct amplicon sequencing. Gene expression was analyzed by real-time quantitative PCR. Results: A wide range of pre-treatment expression levels was observed for both genes, approximately 10-fold for pfcrt and 50-fold for pfmdr1. In addition, a significant positive correlation demonstrates pfmdr1 and pfcrt co-expression. After AL treatment initiation, pfmdr1 and pfcrt maintained the positive co-expression correlation, with mild downregulation throughout the 24 h post-treatment. Additionally, a trend was observed for PfMDR1 N86 alleles and higher expression before treatment initiation. Conclusion:pfmdr1 and pfcrt showed significant co-expression patterns in vivo, which were generally maintained during ACT treatment. This observation points to relevant related roles in the normal parasite physiology, which seem essential to be maintained when the parasite is exposed to drug stress. In addition, keeping the simultaneous expression of both transporters might be advantageous for responding to the drug action.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Silva
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B’s–PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Portugal
| | - M. Malmberg
- SLU Global Bioinformatics Centre, Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
- Section of Virology, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - S. D. Otienoburu
- College of STEM, Johnson C. Smith University, Charlotte, NC, United States
| | - A. Björkman
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - B. Ngasala
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - A. Mårtensson
- Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, International Maternal and Child Health (IMCH), Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - J. P. Gil
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Center for Biodiversity, Functional & Integrative Genomics, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine, Institute of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Nova University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
- *Correspondence: J. P. Gil,
| | - M. I. Veiga
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B’s–PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Portugal
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2
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Gil JP, Fançony C. Plasmodium falciparum Multidrug Resistance Proteins ( pfMRPs). Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:759422. [PMID: 34790129 PMCID: PMC8591188 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.759422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The capacity of the lethal Plasmodium falciparum parasite to develop resistance against anti-malarial drugs represents a central challenge in the global control and elimination of malaria. Historically, the action of drug transporters is known to play a pivotal role in the capacity of the parasite to evade drug action. MRPs (Multidrug Resistance Protein) are known in many phylogenetically diverse groups to be related to drug resistance by being able to handle a large range of substrates, including important endogenous substances as glutathione and its conjugates. P. falciparum MRPs are associated with in vivo and in vitro altered drug response, and might be important factors for the development of multi-drug resistance phenotypes, a latent possibility in the present, and future, combination therapy environment. Information on P. falciparum MRPs is scattered in the literature, with no specialized review available. We herein address this issue by reviewing the present state of knowledge.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Pedro Gil
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Faculty of Sciences, BioISI-Biosystems and Integrative Sciences Institute, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal.,Global Health and Tropical Medicine, Institute of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Nova University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Cláudia Fançony
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Angola (CISA)/Instituto Nacional de Investigação em Saúde (INIS), Caxito, Angola
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3
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The Novel bis-1,2,4-Triazine MIPS-0004373 Demonstrates Rapid and Potent Activity against All Blood Stages of the Malaria Parasite. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2021; 65:e0031121. [PMID: 34460304 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00311-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Novel bis-1,2,4-triazine compounds with potent in vitro activity against Plasmodium falciparum parasites were recently identified. The bis-1,2,4-triazines represent a unique antimalarial pharmacophore and are proposed to act by a novel but as-yet-unknown mechanism of action. This study investigated the activity of the bis-1,2,4-triazine MIPS-0004373 across the mammalian life cycle stages of the parasite and profiled the kinetics of activity against blood and transmission stage parasites in vitro and in vivo. MIPS-0004373 demonstrated rapid and potent activity against P. falciparum, with excellent in vitro activity against all asexual blood stages. Prolonged in vitro drug exposure failed to generate stable resistance de novo, suggesting a low propensity for the emergence of resistance. Excellent activity was observed against sexually committed ring stage parasites, but activity against mature gametocytes was limited to inhibiting male gametogenesis. Assessment of liver stage activity demonstrated good activity in an in vitro P. berghei model but no activity against Plasmodium cynomolgi hypnozoites or liver schizonts. The bis-1,2,4-triazine MIPS-0004373 efficiently cleared an established P. berghei infection in vivo, with efficacy similar to that of artesunate and chloroquine and a recrudescence profile comparable to that of chloroquine. This study demonstrates the suitability of bis-1,2,4-triazines for further development toward a novel treatment for acute malaria.
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4
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Silva M, Ferreira PE, Otienoburu SD, Calçada C, Ngasala B, Björkman A, Mårtensson A, Gil JP, Veiga MI. Plasmodium falciparum K13 expression associated with parasite clearance during artemisinin-based combination therapy. J Antimicrob Chemother 2020; 74:1890-1893. [PMID: 30869127 DOI: 10.1093/jac/dkz098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2018] [Revised: 02/01/2019] [Accepted: 02/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Delayed parasite clearance and, consequently, reduced efficacy of artemisinin-based combination therapies have been linked with Plasmodium falciparum K13 gene SNPs in Southeast Asia. In Africa, significantly prolonged clearance has not yet been observed and the presently restricted variation in parasite clearance cannot be explained by K13 polymorphisms. OBJECTIVES Our aim was to study the in vivo pfK13 transcriptional response in patients treated with artemether-lumefantrine and explore whether the pfk13 transcripts can explain the patients' parasite clearance outcomes. PATIENTS AND METHODS A total of 47 Tanzanian children with microscopically confirmed uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria were hospitalized and received artemether-lumefantrine treatment (clinical trial ID: NCT00336375). RNA was extracted from venous blood samples collected before treatment initiation and at five more timepoints after treatment. cDNA was synthesized and pfk13 transcripts measured by real-time PCR. RESULTS A wide range of pfk13 transcript variation was observed throughout all timepoints after artemether-lumefantrine treatment. Taking parasite clearance data together with the pfk13 transcripts profile, we observed a negative correlation inferring that pfk13 down-regulation is associated with longer parasite clearance time. CONCLUSIONS The findings suggest that a reduced PfK13 transcriptional response may represent a first step towards artemisinin tolerance/resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Silva
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Campus de Gualtar, Braga, Portugal
| | - P E Ferreira
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Campus de Gualtar, Braga, Portugal
| | - S D Otienoburu
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Johnson C. Smith University, Charlotte, NC, USA
| | - C Calçada
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Campus de Gualtar, Braga, Portugal
| | - B Ngasala
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.,Department of Women's and Children's Health, International Maternal and Child Health (IMCH), Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - A Björkman
- Malaria Research Unit, Department of Microbiology, Tumour and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - A Mårtensson
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, International Maternal and Child Health (IMCH), Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - J P Gil
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, International Maternal and Child Health (IMCH), Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.,Division of Pharmacogenetics, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Center for Biodiversity, Functional & Integrative Genomics, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - M I Veiga
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Campus de Gualtar, Braga, Portugal
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5
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Burgert L, Rottmann M, Wittlin S, Gobeau N, Krause A, Dingemanse J, Möhrle JJ, Penny MA. Ensemble modeling highlights importance of understanding parasite-host behavior in preclinical antimalarial drug development. Sci Rep 2020; 10:4410. [PMID: 32157151 PMCID: PMC7064600 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-61304-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2019] [Accepted: 02/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Emerging drug resistance and high-attrition rates in early and late stage drug development necessitate accelerated development of antimalarial compounds. However, systematic and meaningful translation of drug efficacy and host-parasite dynamics between preclinical testing stages is missing. We developed an ensemble of mathematical within-host parasite growth and antimalarial action models, fitted to extensive data from four antimalarials with different modes of action, to assess host-parasite interactions in two preclinical drug testing systems of murine parasite P. berghei in mice, and human parasite P. falciparum in immune-deficient mice. We find properties of the host-parasite system, namely resource availability, parasite maturation and virulence, drive P. berghei dynamics and drug efficacy, whereas experimental constraints primarily influence P. falciparum infection and drug efficacy. Furthermore, uninvestigated parasite behavior such as dormancy influences parasite recrudescence following non-curative treatment and requires further investigation. Taken together, host-parasite interactions should be considered for meaningful translation of pharmacodynamic properties between murine systems and for predicting human efficacious treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lydia Burgert
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Matthias Rottmann
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Sergio Wittlin
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Andreas Krause
- Idorsia Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Clinical Pharmacology, Allschwil, Switzerland
| | - Jasper Dingemanse
- Idorsia Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Clinical Pharmacology, Allschwil, Switzerland
| | - Jörg J Möhrle
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Medicines for Malaria Venture, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Melissa A Penny
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland. .,University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
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6
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Martin RE. The transportome of the malaria parasite. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2019; 95:305-332. [PMID: 31701663 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2019] [Revised: 10/02/2019] [Accepted: 10/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Membrane transport proteins, also known as transporters, control the movement of ions, nutrients, metabolites, and waste products across the membranes of a cell and are central to its biology. Proteins of this type also serve as drug targets and are key players in the phenomenon of drug resistance. The malaria parasite has a relatively reduced transportome, with only approximately 2.5% of its genes encoding transporters. Even so, assigning functions and physiological roles to these proteins, and ascertaining their contributions to drug action and drug resistance, has been very challenging. This review presents a detailed critique and synthesis of the disruption phenotypes, protein subcellular localisations, protein functions (observed or predicted), and links to antimalarial drug resistance for each of the parasite's transporter genes. The breadth and depth of the gene disruption data are particularly impressive, with at least one phenotype determined in the parasite's asexual blood stage for each transporter gene, and multiple phenotypes available for 76% of the genes. Analysis of the curated data set revealed there to be relatively little redundancy in the Plasmodium transportome; almost two-thirds of the parasite's transporter genes are essential or required for normal growth in the asexual blood stage of the parasite, and this proportion increased to 78% when the disruption phenotypes available for the other parasite life stages were included in the analysis. These observations, together with the finding that 22% of the transportome is implicated in the parasite's resistance to existing antimalarials and/or drugs within the development pipeline, indicate that transporters are likely to serve, or are already serving, as drug targets. Integration of the different biological and bioinformatic data sets also enabled the selection of candidates for transport processes known to be essential for parasite survival, but for which the underlying proteins have thus far remained undiscovered. These include potential transporters of pantothenate, isoleucine, or isopentenyl diphosphate, as well as putative anion-selective channels that may serve as the pore component of the parasite's 'new permeation pathways'. Other novel insights into the parasite's biology included the identification of transporters for the potential development of antimalarial treatments, transmission-blocking drugs, prophylactics, and genetically attenuated vaccines. The syntheses presented herein set a foundation for elucidating the functions and physiological roles of key members of the Plasmodium transportome and, ultimately, to explore and realise their potential as therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rowena E Martin
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
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7
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Maslachah L, Widiyatno TV, Yustinasari LR, Plumeriastuti H. Phenotypic approach artemisinin resistance in malaria rodent as in vivo model. Vet World 2017; 10:790-797. [PMID: 28831224 PMCID: PMC5553149 DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2017.790-797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2017] [Accepted: 06/05/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim: The aim of this study is to prove the development of artemisinin resistance phenotypically in malaria rodent as an in vivo resistance development model in humans. Materials and Methods: Plasmodium berghei was infected intraperitoneally in mice, then artemisinin was given with “4-day-test” with effective dose (ED) 99% dose for 3 days which begins 48 h after infection (D2, D3, and D4). Parasite development was followed during 5th until 10th days of infection. After parasitemia >2% of red blood cell which contains parasites on 1 mice, that mice were used as donor to be passaged on the new 5 mice. After that, parasitemia was calculated. ED50 and ED90 were examined with parasite clearance time (PCT), recrudescence time (RT), and also morphology development examination of intraerythrocytic cycle of P. berghei with transmission electron microscope. Results: Among the control group compare with the treatment group showed significant differences at α=0.05 on 5th day (D5) until 10th day (D10). The control group of 4th passage (K4) with passage treatment group of 4th passage (P4) on the 10th days (D10) post infection showed no significant differences in the α=0.05. The average percentage of inhibition growth was decreasing which is started from 5th to 10th day post infection in P1, P2, P3, and P4. On the development of P. berghei stage, which is given repeated artemisinin and repeated passage, there was a formation of dormant and also vacuoles in Plasmodium that exposed to the drug. Conclusion: Exposure to artemisinin with repeated passages in mice increased the value of ED50 and ED90, decreased the PCT and RT and also changes in morphology dormant and vacuole formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lilik Maslachah
- Department of Basic Medicine, Veterinary Pharmacy Laboratory, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Airlangga University Surabaya, Indonesia
| | - Thomas V Widiyatno
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Airlangga University Surabaya, Indonesia
| | - Lita Rakhma Yustinasari
- Department of Veterinary Anatomy, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Airlangga University Surabaya, Indonesia
| | - Hani Plumeriastuti
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Airlangga University Surabaya, Indonesia
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8
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Gil JP, Krishna S. pfmdr1 (Plasmodium falciparum multidrug drug resistance gene 1): a pivotal factor in malaria resistance to artemisinin combination therapies. Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther 2017; 15:527-543. [DOI: 10.1080/14787210.2017.1313703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- J. Pedro Gil
- Physiology and Pharmacology Department, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - S. Krishna
- St George’s University Hospital, Institute for Infection and Immunity, London, United Kingdom
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9
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Parallel inhibition of amino acid efflux and growth of erythrocytic Plasmodium falciparum by mefloquine and non-piperidine analogs: Implication for the mechanism of antimalarial action. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2016; 26:4846-4850. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2016.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2016] [Revised: 08/01/2016] [Accepted: 08/02/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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10
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Ménard S, Ben Haddou T, Ramadani AP, Ariey F, Iriart X, Beghain J, Bouchier C, Witkowski B, Berry A, Mercereau-Puijalon O, Benoit-Vical F. Induction of Multidrug Tolerance in Plasmodium falciparum by Extended Artemisinin Pressure. Emerg Infect Dis 2016; 21:1733-41. [PMID: 26401601 PMCID: PMC4593447 DOI: 10.3201/eid2110.150682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Tolerance is not detected by current assays and represents a major threat to antimalarial drug policy. Plasmodium falciparum resistance to artemisinin derivatives in Southeast Asia threatens global malaria control strategies. Whether delayed parasite clearance, which exposes larger parasite numbers to artemisinins for longer times, selects higher-grade resistance remains unexplored. We investigated whether long-lasting artemisinin pressure selects a novel multidrug-tolerance profile. Although 50% inhibitory concentrations for 10 antimalarial drugs tested were unchanged, drug-tolerant parasites showed higher recrudescence rates for endoperoxides, quinolones, and an antifolate, including partner drugs of recommended combination therapies, but remained susceptible to atovaquone. Moreover, the age range of intraerythrocytic stages able to resist artemisinin was extended to older ring forms and trophozoites. Multidrug tolerance results from drug-induced quiescence, which enables parasites to survive exposure to unrelated antimalarial drugs that inhibit a variety of metabolic pathways. This novel resistance pattern should be urgently monitored in the field because this pattern is not detected by current assays and represents a major threat to antimalarial drug policy.
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11
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Characterization of native PfABCG protein in Plasmodium falciparum. Biochem Pharmacol 2015; 97:137-46. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2015.06.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2015] [Accepted: 06/29/2015] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
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12
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Veiga MI, Osório NS, Ferreira PE, Franzén O, Dahlstrom S, Lum JK, Nosten F, Gil JP. Complex polymorphisms in the Plasmodium falciparum multidrug resistance protein 2 gene and its contribution to antimalarial response. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2014; 58:7390-7. [PMID: 25267670 PMCID: PMC4249497 DOI: 10.1128/aac.03337-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2014] [Accepted: 09/22/2014] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium falciparum has the capacity to escape the actions of essentially all antimalarial drugs. ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter proteins are known to cause multidrug resistance in a large range of organisms, including the Apicomplexa parasites. P. falciparum genome analysis has revealed two genes coding for the multidrug resistance protein (MRP) type of ABC transporters: Pfmrp1, previously associated with decreased parasite drug susceptibility, and the poorly studied Pfmrp2. The role of Pfmrp2 polymorphisms in modulating sensitivity to antimalarial drugs has not been established. We herein report a comprehensive account of the Pfmrp2 genetic variability in 46 isolates from Thailand. A notably high frequency of 2.8 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs)/kb was identified for this gene, including some novel SNPs. Additionally, we found that Pfmrp2 harbors a significant number of microindels, some previously not reported. We also investigated the potential association of the identified Pfmrp2 polymorphisms with altered in vitro susceptibility to several antimalarials used in artemisinin-based combination therapy and with parasite clearance time. Association analysis suggested Pfmrp2 polymorphisms modulate the parasite's in vitro response to quinoline antimalarials, including chloroquine, piperaquine, and mefloquine, and association with in vivo parasite clearance. In conclusion, our study reveals that the Pfmrp2 gene is the most diverse ABC transporter known in P. falciparum with a potential role in antimalarial drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Isabel Veiga
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Guimarães, Braga, Portugal Malaria Research Laboratory, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Nuno S Osório
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Guimarães, Braga, Portugal
| | - Pedro Eduardo Ferreira
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore Drug Resistance and Pharmacogenetics, Center for Biodiversity, Functional and Integrative Genomics, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Oscar Franzén
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sabina Dahlstrom
- Malaria Research Laboratory, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - J Koji Lum
- Harpur College of Arts and Sciences, Binghamton University, The State University of New York, Binghamton, New York, USA
| | - Francois Nosten
- Shoklo Malaria Research Unit, Mae Sot, Tak, Thailand Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand Centre for Clinical Vaccinology and Tropical Medicine, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - José Pedro Gil
- Drug Resistance and Pharmacogenetics, Center for Biodiversity, Functional and Integrative Genomics, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal Harpur College of Arts and Sciences, Binghamton University, The State University of New York, Binghamton, New York, USA Division of Pharmacogenetics, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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13
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Paulo A, Figueiras M, Machado M, Charneira C, Lavrado J, Santos SA, Lopes D, Gut J, Rosenthal PJ, Nogueira F, Moreira R. Bis-alkylamine Indolo[3,2-b]quinolines as Hemozoin Ligands: Implications for Antimalarial Cytostatic and Cytocidal Activities. J Med Chem 2014; 57:3295-313. [DOI: 10.1021/jm500075d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Paulo
- Instituto
de Investigação do Medicamento (iMed.ULisboa), Faculdade
de Farmácia, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Marta Figueiras
- Instituto
de Investigação do Medicamento (iMed.ULisboa), Faculdade
de Farmácia, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Marta Machado
- UEI
Malaria, Centro da Malária e Doenças Tropicais, IHMT, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Rua da Junqueira, 100, P-1349-008 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Catarina Charneira
- Instituto
de Investigação do Medicamento (iMed.ULisboa), Faculdade
de Farmácia, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - João Lavrado
- Instituto
de Investigação do Medicamento (iMed.ULisboa), Faculdade
de Farmácia, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Sofia A. Santos
- Instituto
de Investigação do Medicamento (iMed.ULisboa), Faculdade
de Farmácia, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Dinora Lopes
- UEI
Malaria, Centro da Malária e Doenças Tropicais, IHMT, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Rua da Junqueira, 100, P-1349-008 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Jiri Gut
- Department
of Medicine, San Francisco General Hospital, University of California, San Francisco, Box 0811, San Francisco, California 94143, United States
| | - Philip J. Rosenthal
- Department
of Medicine, San Francisco General Hospital, University of California, San Francisco, Box 0811, San Francisco, California 94143, United States
| | - Fátima Nogueira
- UEI
Malaria, Centro da Malária e Doenças Tropicais, IHMT, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Rua da Junqueira, 100, P-1349-008 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Rui Moreira
- Instituto
de Investigação do Medicamento (iMed.ULisboa), Faculdade
de Farmácia, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
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14
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Abstract
As it grows and replicates within the erythrocytes of its host the malaria parasite takes up nutrients from the extracellular medium, exports metabolites and maintains a tight control over its internal ionic composition. These functions are achieved via membrane transport proteins, integral membrane proteins that mediate the passage of solutes across the various membranes that separate the biochemical machinery of the parasite from the extracellular environment. Proteins of this type play a key role in antimalarial drug resistance, as well as being candidate drug targets in their own right. This review provides an overview of recent work on the membrane transport biology of the malaria parasite-infected erythrocyte, encompassing both the parasite-induced changes in the membrane transport properties of the host erythrocyte and the cell physiology of the intracellular parasite itself.
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Repeat polymorphisms in the low-complexity regions of Plasmodium falciparum ABC transporters and associations with in vitro antimalarial responses. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2013; 57:6196-204. [PMID: 24080667 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01465-13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The Plasmodium falciparum genome is rich in regions of low amino acid complexity which evolve with few constraints on size. To explore the extent of diversity in these loci, we sequenced repeat regions in pfmdr1, pfmdr5, pfmdr6, pfmrp2, and the antigenic locus pfmsp8 in laboratory and cultured-adapted clinical isolates. We further assessed associations between the repeats and parasite in vitro responses to 7 antimalarials to determine possible adaptive roles of these repeats in drug tolerance. Our results show extensive repeat variations in the reference and clinical isolates in all loci. We also observed a modest increase in dihydroartemisinin activity in parasites harboring the pfmdr1 sequence profile 7-2-10 (reflecting the number of asparagine repeats, number of aspartate repeats, and number of asparagine repeats in the final series of the gene product) (P = 0.0321) and reduced sensitivity to chloroquine, mefloquine, quinine, and dihydroartemisinin in those with the 7-2-11 profile (P = 0.0051, 0.0068, 0.0011, and 0.0052, respectively). Interestingly, we noted an inverse association between two drugs whereby isolates with 6 asparagine repeats encoded by pfmdr6 were significantly more susceptible to piperaquine than those with 8 (P = 0.0057). Against lumefantrine, those with 8 repeats were, however, more sensitive (P = 0.0144). In pfmrp2, the 7-DNNNTS/NNNNTS (number of DNNNTS or NNNNTS motifs; underlining indicates dimorphism) repeat group was significantly associated with a higher lumefantrine 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) (P = 0.008) than in those without. No associations were observed with pfmsp8. These results hint at the probable utility of some repeat conformations as markers of in vitro antimalarial response; hence, biochemical functional studies to ascertain their role in P. falciparum are required.
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Antiplasmodial activity and mechanism of action of RSM-932A, a promising synergistic inhibitor of Plasmodium falciparum choline kinase. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2013; 57:5878-88. [PMID: 24041883 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00920-13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
We have investigated the mechanism of action of inhibition of the choline kinase of P. falciparum (p.f.-ChoK) by two inhibitors of the human ChoKα, MN58b and RSM-932A, which have previously been shown to be potent antitumoral agents. The efficacy of these inhibitors against p.f.-ChoK is investigated using enzymatic and in vitro assays. While MN58b may enter the choline/phosphocholine binding site, RSM-932A appears to have an altogether novel mechanism of inhibition and is synergistic with respect to both choline and ATP. A model of inhibition for RSM-932A in which this inhibitor traps p.f.-ChoK in a phosphorylated intermediate state blocking phosphate transfer to choline is presented. Importantly, MN58b and RSM-932A have in vitro inhibitory activity in the low nanomolar range and are equally effective against chloroquine-sensitive and chloroquine-resistant strains. RSM-932A and MN58b significantly reduced parasitemia and induced the accumulation of trophozoites and schizonts, blocking intraerythrocytic development and interfering with parasite egress or invasion, suggesting a delay of the parasite maturation stage. The present data provide two new potent structures for the development of antimalarial compounds and validate p.f.-ChoK as an accessible drug target against the parasite.
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Miller LH, Ackerman HC, Su XZ, Wellems TE. Malaria biology and disease pathogenesis: insights for new treatments. Nat Med 2013; 19:156-67. [PMID: 23389616 DOI: 10.1038/nm.3073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 380] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2012] [Accepted: 12/17/2012] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Plasmodium falciparum malaria, an infectious disease caused by a parasitic protozoan, claims the lives of nearly a million children each year in Africa alone and is a top public health concern. Evidence is accumulating that resistance to artemisinin derivatives, the frontline therapy for the asexual blood stage of the infection, is developing in southeast Asia. Renewed initiatives to eliminate malaria will benefit from an expanded repertoire of antimalarials, including new drugs that kill circulating P. falciparum gametocytes, thereby preventing transmission. Our current understanding of the biology of asexual blood-stage parasites and gametocytes and the ability to culture them in vitro lends optimism that high-throughput screenings of large chemical libraries will produce a new generation of antimalarial drugs. There is also a need for new therapies to reduce the high mortality of severe malaria. An understanding of the pathophysiology of severe disease may identify rational targets for drugs that improve survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louis H Miller
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Rockville, Maryland, USA.
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18
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION The relict plastid, or apicoplast, is a characteristic feature of Plasmodium spp. and reflects the unusual evolutionary origins of these parasites. The essential role this organelle plays in the life of the parasite, and its unusual, non-mammalian metabolism, make the apicoplast an excellent drug target. AREAS COVERED This review focuses on the biological role of the apicoplast in the erythrocytic life cycle and what that reveals about existing drug targets. We also discuss the future of the apicoplast in the development of anti-malarials, emphasizing those pathways with greatest potential as a source of novel drug targets and emphasizing the need to understand in vitro drug responses to optimize eventual use of these drugs to treat malaria. EXPERT OPINION More than a decade of research on the apicoplast has confirmed the promise of this organelle as a source of drug targets. It is now possible to rationally assess the value of existing drugs and new drug targets, and to understand the role these drugs can play in the arsenal of anti-malarial treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher D Goodman
- University of Melbourne, School of Botany, Professor's Walk, Parkville, Vic, 3010, Australia.
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19
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Mefloquine exposure induces cell cycle delay and reveals stage-specific expression of the pfmdr1 gene. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2012. [PMID: 23208721 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01006-12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Drug-resistant Plasmodium falciparum malaria is a major public health problem. An elevated pfmdr1 gene copy number (CN) is known to decrease parasite sensitivity to the commonly used antimalarial mefloquine (MFQ). To understand the relationship between pfmdr1 CN and mefloquine resistance, we evaluated pfmdr1 transcript levels in three P. falciparum strains with different CNs in the presence and absence of MFQ. Parasite strains with multiple pfmdr1 gene copies exhibited higher relative transcript levels than single-copy parasites, and MFQ induced pfmdr1 expression above the levels without treatment in all three strains evaluated. Concomitant morphology analyses of the sampled cultures revealed that MFQ treatment of synchronized ring-stage parasites induced a delay in parasite maturation through the intraerythrocytic cycle. pfmdr1 expression peaks in the ring stage, and MFQ could be causing increased transcription by delaying parasite maturation. However, pretreatment with mefloquine did not affect the artemisinin in vitro half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC(50)). These results suggest that MFQ-induced increases in pfmdr1 expression are the direct result of the maturation delay at the ring stage but that this change in expression does not affect the antimalarial activity of artemisinin.
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Bohórquez EB, Chua M, Meshnick SR. Quinine localizes to a non-acidic compartment within the food vacuole of the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. Malar J 2012; 11:350. [PMID: 23088166 PMCID: PMC3520729 DOI: 10.1186/1475-2875-11-350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2012] [Accepted: 10/18/2012] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The naturally fluorescent compound quinine has long been used to treat malaria infections. Although some evidence suggests that quinine acts in the parasite food vacuole, the mechanism of action of quinine has not yet been resolved. The Plasmodium falciparum multidrug resistance (pfmdr1) gene encodes a food vacuolar membrane transporter and has been linked with parasite resistance to quinine. The effect of multiple pfmdr1 copies on the subcellular localization of quinine was explored. METHODS Fluorescence microscopy was used to evaluate the subcellular localization of quinine in parasites containing different pfmdr1 copy numbers to determine if copy number of the gene affects drug localization. The acidotropic dye LysoTracker Red was used to label the parasite food vacuole. Time-lapse images were taken to determine quinine localization over time following quinine exposure. RESULTS Regardless of pfmdr1 copy number, quinine overlapped with haemozoin but did not colocalize with LysoTracker Red, which labeled the acidic parasite food vacuole. CONCLUSIONS Quinine localizes to a non-acidic compartment within the food vacuole possibly haemozoin. Pfmdr1 copy number does not affect quinine subcellular localization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elaine B Bohórquez
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Campus Box 7435, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7435, USA
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Schneider P, Bell AS, Sim DG, O'Donnell AJ, Blanford S, Paaijmans KP, Read AF, Reece SE. Virulence, drug sensitivity and transmission success in the rodent malaria, Plasmodium chabaudi. Proc Biol Sci 2012; 279:4677-85. [PMID: 23015626 PMCID: PMC3479731 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2012.1792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Here, we test the hypothesis that virulent malaria parasites are less susceptible to drug treatment than less virulent parasites. If true, drug treatment might promote the evolution of more virulent parasites (defined here as those doing more harm to hosts). Drug-resistance mechanisms that protect parasites through interactions with drug molecules at the sub-cellular level are well known. However, parasite phenotypes associated with virulence might also help parasites survive in the presence of drugs. For example, rapidly replicating parasites might be better able to recover in the host if drug treatment fails to eliminate parasites. We quantified the effects of drug treatment on the in-host survival and between-host transmission of rodent malaria (Plasmodium chabaudi) parasites which differed in virulence and had never been previously exposed to drugs. In all our treatment regimens and in single- and mixed-genotype infections, virulent parasites were less sensitive to pyrimethamine and artemisinin, the two antimalarial drugs we tested. Virulent parasites also achieved disproportionately greater transmission when exposed to pyrimethamine. Overall, our data suggest that drug treatment can select for more virulent parasites. Drugs targeting transmission stages (such as artemisinin) may minimize the evolutionary advantage of virulence in drug-treated infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petra Schneider
- Centre for Immunity, Infection and Evolution, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3JT, UK.
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Moneriz C, Marín-García P, García-Granados A, Bautista JM, Diez A, Puyet A. Parasitostatic effect of maslinic acid. I. Growth arrest of Plasmodium falciparum intraerythrocytic stages. Malar J 2011; 10:82. [PMID: 21477369 PMCID: PMC3087696 DOI: 10.1186/1475-2875-10-82] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2011] [Accepted: 04/10/2011] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Natural products have played an important role as leads for the development of new drugs against malaria. Recent studies have shown that maslinic acid (MA), a natural triterpene obtained from olive pomace, which displays multiple biological and antimicrobial activities, also exerts inhibitory effects on the development of some Apicomplexan, including Eimeria, Toxoplasma and Neospora. To ascertain if MA displays anti-malarial activity, the main objective of this study was to asses the effect of MA on Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes in vitro. Methods Synchronized P. falciparum-infected erythrocyte cultures were incubated under different conditions with MA, and compared to chloroquine and atovaquone treated cultures. The effects on parasite growth were determined by monitoring the parasitaemia and the accumulation of the different infective stages visualized in thin blood smears. Results MA inhibits the growth of P. falciparum Dd2 and 3D7 strains in infected erythrocytes in, dose-dependent manner, leading to the accumulation of immature forms at IC50 concentrations, while higher doses produced non-viable parasite cells. MA-treated infected-erythrocyte cultures were compared to those treated with chloroquine or atovaquone, showing significant differences in the pattern of accumulation of parasitic stages. Transient MA treatment at different parasite stages showed that the compound targeted intra-erythrocytic processes from early-ring to schizont stage. These results indicate that MA has a parasitostatic effect, which does not inactivate permanently P. falciparum, as the removal of the compound allowed the infection to continue Conclusions MA displays anti-malarial activity at multiple intraerythrocytic stages of the parasite and, depending on the dose and incubation time, behaves as a plasmodial parasitostatic compound. This novel parasitostatic effect appears to be unrelated to previous mechanisms proposed for current anti-malarial drugs, and may be relevant to uncover new prospective plasmodial targets and opens novel possibilities of therapies associated to host immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Moneriz
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular IV, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Facultad de Veterinaria, E28040 Madrid, Spain
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O'Donnell AJ, Schneider P, McWatters HG, Reece SE. Fitness costs of disrupting circadian rhythms in malaria parasites. Proc Biol Sci 2011; 278:2429-36. [PMID: 21208950 PMCID: PMC3125626 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2010.2457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Circadian biology assumes that biological rhythms maximize fitness by enabling organisms to coordinate with their environment. Despite circadian clocks being such a widespread phenomenon, demonstrating the fitness benefits of temporal coordination is challenging and such studies are rare. Here, we tested the consequences--for parasites--of being temporally mismatched to host circadian rhythms using the rodent malaria parasite, Plasmodium chabaudi. The cyclical nature of malaria infections is well known, as the cell cycles across parasite species last a multiple of approximately 24 h, but the evolutionary explanations for periodicity are poorly understood. We demonstrate that perturbation of parasite rhythms results in a twofold cost to the production of replicating and transmission stages. Thus, synchronization with host rhythms influences in-host survival and between-host transmission potential, revealing a role for circadian rhythms in the evolution of host-parasite interactions. More generally, our results provide a demonstration of the adaptive value of circadian rhythms and the utility of using an evolutionary framework to understand parasite traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aidan J O'Donnell
- Institute of Evolution, Institute of Immunology and Infection Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3JT, UK
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