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Balau A, Sobral D, Abrantes P, Santos I, Mixão V, Gomes JP, Antunes S, Arez AP. Differential Gene Expression of Malaria Parasite in Response to Red Blood Cell-Specific Glycolytic Intermediate 2,3-Diphosphoglycerate (2,3-DPG). Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:16869. [PMID: 38069204 PMCID: PMC10706422 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242316869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Innovative strategies to control malaria are urgently needed. Exploring the interplay between Plasmodium sp. parasites and host red blood cells (RBCs) offers opportunities for novel antimalarial interventions. Pyruvate kinase deficiency (PKD), characterized by heightened 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (2,3-DPG) concentration, has been associated with protection against malaria. Elevated levels of 2,3-DPG, a specific mammalian metabolite, may hinder glycolysis, prompting us to hypothesize its potential contribution to PKD-mediated protection. We investigated the impact of the extracellular supplementation of 2,3-DPG on the Plasmodium falciparum intraerythrocytic developmental cycle in vitro. The results showed an inhibition of parasite growth, resulting from significantly fewer progeny from 2,3-DPG-treated parasites. We analyzed differential gene expression and the transcriptomic profile of P. falciparum trophozoites, from in vitro cultures subjected or not subjected to the action of 2,3-DPG, using Nanopore Sequencing Technology. The presence of 2,3-DPG in the culture medium was associated with the significant differential expression of 71 genes, mostly associated with the GO terms nucleic acid binding, transcription or monoatomic anion channel. Further, several genes related to cell cycle control were downregulated in treated parasites. These findings suggest that the presence of this RBC-specific glycolytic metabolite impacts the expression of genes transcribed during the parasite trophozoite stage and the number of merozoites released from individual schizonts, which supports the potential role of 2,3-DPG in the mechanism of protection against malaria by PKD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Balau
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine (GHTM), Associate Laboratory in Translation and Innovation towards Global Health (LA-REAL), Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical (IHMT), Universidade NOVA de Lisboa (UNL), 1349-008 Lisbon, Portugal; (A.B.); (P.A.); (I.S.); (S.A.)
| | - Daniel Sobral
- Genomics and Bioinformatics Unit, Department of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge (INSA), 1649-016 Lisbon, Portugal; (D.S.); (V.M.); (J.P.G.)
| | - Patrícia Abrantes
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine (GHTM), Associate Laboratory in Translation and Innovation towards Global Health (LA-REAL), Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical (IHMT), Universidade NOVA de Lisboa (UNL), 1349-008 Lisbon, Portugal; (A.B.); (P.A.); (I.S.); (S.A.)
| | - Inês Santos
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine (GHTM), Associate Laboratory in Translation and Innovation towards Global Health (LA-REAL), Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical (IHMT), Universidade NOVA de Lisboa (UNL), 1349-008 Lisbon, Portugal; (A.B.); (P.A.); (I.S.); (S.A.)
| | - Verónica Mixão
- Genomics and Bioinformatics Unit, Department of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge (INSA), 1649-016 Lisbon, Portugal; (D.S.); (V.M.); (J.P.G.)
| | - João Paulo Gomes
- Genomics and Bioinformatics Unit, Department of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge (INSA), 1649-016 Lisbon, Portugal; (D.S.); (V.M.); (J.P.G.)
- Veterinary and Animal Research Centre (CECAV), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Lusófona University, 1749-024 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Sandra Antunes
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine (GHTM), Associate Laboratory in Translation and Innovation towards Global Health (LA-REAL), Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical (IHMT), Universidade NOVA de Lisboa (UNL), 1349-008 Lisbon, Portugal; (A.B.); (P.A.); (I.S.); (S.A.)
| | - Ana Paula Arez
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine (GHTM), Associate Laboratory in Translation and Innovation towards Global Health (LA-REAL), Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical (IHMT), Universidade NOVA de Lisboa (UNL), 1349-008 Lisbon, Portugal; (A.B.); (P.A.); (I.S.); (S.A.)
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