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Chahine Z, Le Roch KG. Decrypting the complexity of the human malaria parasite biology through systems biology approaches. FRONTIERS IN SYSTEMS BIOLOGY 2022; 2:940321. [PMID: 37200864 PMCID: PMC10191146 DOI: 10.3389/fsysb.2022.940321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
The human malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, is a unicellular protozoan responsible for over half a million deaths annually. With a complex life cycle alternating between human and invertebrate hosts, this apicomplexan is notoriously adept at evading host immune responses and developing resistance to all clinically administered treatments. Advances in omics-based technologies, increased sensitivity of sequencing platforms and enhanced CRISPR based gene editing tools, have given researchers access to more in-depth and untapped information about this enigmatic micro-organism, a feat thought to be infeasible in the past decade. Here we discuss some of the most important scientific achievements made over the past few years with a focus on novel technologies and platforms that set the stage for subsequent discoveries. We also describe some of the systems-based methods applied to uncover gaps of knowledge left through single-omics applications with the hope that we will soon be able to overcome the spread of this life-threatening disease.
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Kolluri N, Klapperich CM, Cabodi M. Towards lab-on-a-chip diagnostics for malaria elimination. LAB ON A CHIP 2017; 18:75-94. [PMID: 29125615 DOI: 10.1039/c7lc00758b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Malaria continues to be one of the most devastating diseases impacting global health. Although there have been significant reductions in global malaria incidence and mortality rates over the past 17 years, the disease remains endemic throughout the world, especially in low- and middle-income countries. The World Health Organization has put forth ambitious milestones moving toward a world free of malaria as part of the United Nations Millennium Goals. Mass screening and treatment of symptomatic and asymptomatic malaria infections in endemic regions is integral to these goals and requires diagnostics that are both sensitive and affordable. Lab-on-a-chip technologies provide a path toward sensitive, portable, and affordable diagnostic platforms. Here, we review and compare currently-available and emerging lab-on-a-chip diagnostic approaches in three categories: (1) protein-based tests, (2) nucleic acid tests, and (3) cell-based detection. For each category, we highlight the opportunities and challenges in diagnostics development for malaria elimination, and comment on their applicability to different phases of elimination strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Kolluri
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA.
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The Atlantic salmon genome provides insights into rediploidization. Nature 2016; 533:200-5. [PMID: 27088604 PMCID: PMC8127823 DOI: 10.1038/nature17164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 638] [Impact Index Per Article: 79.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2015] [Accepted: 01/26/2016] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
The whole-genome duplication 80 million years ago of the common ancestor of salmonids (salmonid-specific fourth vertebrate whole-genome duplication, Ss4R) provides unique opportunities to learn about the evolutionary fate of a duplicated vertebrate genome in 70 extant lineages. Here we present a high-quality genome assembly for Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar), and show that large genomic reorganizations, coinciding with bursts of transposon-mediated repeat expansions, were crucial for the post-Ss4R rediploidization process. Comparisons of duplicate gene expression patterns across a wide range of tissues with orthologous genes from a pre-Ss4R outgroup unexpectedly demonstrate far more instances of neofunctionalization than subfunctionalization. Surprisingly, we find that genes that were retained as duplicates after the teleost-specific whole-genome duplication 320 million years ago were not more likely to be retained after the Ss4R, and that the duplicate retention was not influenced to a great extent by the nature of the predicted protein interactions of the gene products. Finally, we demonstrate that the Atlantic salmon assembly can serve as a reference sequence for the study of other salmonids for a range of purposes. The genome sequence is presented for the Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar), providing information about a rediploidization following a salmonid-specific whole-genome duplication event that resulted in an autotetraploidization. William Davidson and colleagues report sequencing and assembly of the Atlantic salmon genome, which they demonstrate as a useful reference to also improve the genome assembly of other salmanoids. Their analyses provide insights into duplicate retention patterns across two rounds of whole-genome duplication that have occurred in this lineage.
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Gunawardena S, Karunaweera ND. Advances in genetics and genomics: use and limitations in achieving malaria elimination goals. Pathog Glob Health 2016; 109:123-41. [PMID: 25943157 DOI: 10.1179/2047773215y.0000000015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Success of the global research agenda towards eradication of malaria will depend on the development of new tools, including drugs, vaccines, insecticides and diagnostics. Genetic and genomic information now available for the malaria parasites, their mosquito vectors and human host, can be harnessed to both develop these tools and monitor their effectiveness. Here we review and provide specific examples of current technological advances and how these genetic and genomic tools have increased our knowledge of host, parasite and vector biology in relation to malaria elimination and in turn enhanced the potential to reach that goal. We then discuss limitations of these tools and future prospects for the successful achievement of global malaria elimination goals.
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Modak SS, Barber CA, Geva E, Abrams WR, Malamud D, Ongagna YSY. Rapid Point-of-Care Isothermal Amplification Assay for the Detection of Malaria without Nucleic Acid Purification. Infect Dis (Lond) 2016; 9:1-9. [PMID: 26819557 PMCID: PMC4721682 DOI: 10.4137/idrt.s32162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2015] [Revised: 11/25/2015] [Accepted: 11/27/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria remains one of the most prevalent infectious diseases and results in significant mortality. Isothermal amplification (loop-mediated isothermal amplification) is used to detect malarial DNA at levels of ~1 parasite/µL blood in ≤30 minutes without the isolation of parasite nucleic acid from subject’s blood or saliva. The technique targets the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 gene and is capable of distinguishing Plasmodium falciparum from Plasmodium vivax. Malarial diagnosis by the gold standard microscopic examination of blood smears is generally carried out only after moderate-to-severe symptoms appear. Rapid diagnostic antigen tests are available but generally require infection levels in the range of 200–2,000 parasites/µL for a positive diagnosis and cannot distinguish if the disease has been cleared due to the persistence of circulating antigen. This study describes a rapid and simple molecular assay to detect malarial genes directly from whole blood or saliva without DNA isolation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sayli S Modak
- Department of Basic Science, New York University College of Dentistry, New York, NY, USA
| | - Cheryl A Barber
- Department of Basic Science, New York University College of Dentistry, New York, NY, USA
| | - Eran Geva
- Department of Basic Science, New York University College of Dentistry, New York, NY, USA
| | - William R Abrams
- Department of Basic Science, New York University College of Dentistry, New York, NY, USA
| | - Daniel Malamud
- Department of Basic Science, New York University College of Dentistry, New York, NY, USA.; Department of Medicine, New York University Langone School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
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Awasthi G, Das A. Genetics of chloroquine-resistant malaria: a haplotypic view. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2015; 108:947-61. [PMID: 24402147 PMCID: PMC4005552 DOI: 10.1590/0074-0276130274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2013] [Accepted: 09/26/2013] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The development and rapid spread of chloroquine resistance (CQR) in
Plasmodium falciparum have triggered the identification of
several genetic target(s) in the P. falciparum genome. In
particular, mutations in the Pfcrt gene, specifically, K76T and
mutations in three other amino acids in the region adjoining K76 (residues 72, 74, 75
and 76), are considered to be highly related to CQR. These various mutations form
several different haplotypes and Pfcrt gene polymorphisms and the
global distribution of the different CQR- Pfcrt haplotypes in
endemic and non-endemic regions of P. falciparum malaria have been
the subject of extensive study. Despite the fact that the Pfcrt gene
is considered to be the primary CQR gene in P. falciparum , several
studies have suggested that this may not be the case. Furthermore, there is a poor
correlation between the evolutionary implications of the Pfcrt
haplotypes and the inferred migration of CQR P. falciparum based on
CQR epidemiological surveillance data. The present paper aims to clarify the existing
knowledge on the genetic basis of the different CQR- Pfcrt
haplotypes that are prevalent in worldwide populations based on the published
literature and to analyse the data to generate hypotheses on the genetics and
evolution of CQR malaria.
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Deep profiling of the novel intermediate-size noncoding RNAs in intraerythrocytic Plasmodium falciparum. PLoS One 2014; 9:e92946. [PMID: 24713982 PMCID: PMC3979661 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0092946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2013] [Accepted: 02/27/2014] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Intermediate-size noncoding RNAs (is-ncRNAs) have been shown to play important regulatory roles in the development of several eukaryotic organisms. However, they have not been thoroughly explored in Plasmodium falciparum, which is the most virulent malaria parasite infecting human being. By using Illumina/Solexa paired-end sequencing of an is-ncRNA-specific library, we performed a systematic identification of novel is-ncRNAs in intraerythrocytic P. falciparum, strain 3D7. A total of 1,198 novel is-ncRNA candidates, including antisense, intergenic, and intronic is-ncRNAs, were identified. Bioinformatics analyses showed that the intergenic is-ncRNAs were the least conserved among different Plasmodium species, and antisense is-ncRNAs were more conserved than their sense counterparts. Twenty-two novel snoRNAs were identified, and eight potential novel classes of P. falciparum is-ncRNAs were revealed by clustering analysis. The expression of randomly selected novel is-ncRNAs was confirmed by RT-PCR and northern blotting assays. An obvious different expressional profile of the novel is-ncRNA between the early and late intraerythrocytic developmental stages of the parasite was observed. The expression levels of the antisense RNAs correlated with those of their cis-encoded sense RNA counterparts, suggesting that these is-ncRNAs are involved in the regulation of gene expression of the parasite. In conclusion, we accomplished a deep profiling analysis of novel is-ncRNAs in P. falciparum, analysed the conservation and structural features of these novel is-ncRNAs, and revealed their differential expression patterns during the development of the parasite. These findings provide important information for further functional characterisation of novel is-ncRNAs during the development of P. falciparum.
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Analysis of antibodies to newly described Plasmodium falciparum merozoite antigens supports MSPDBL2 as a predicted target of naturally acquired immunity. Infect Immun 2013; 81:3835-42. [PMID: 23897617 PMCID: PMC3811751 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00301-13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Prospective studies continue to identify malaria parasite genes with particular patterns of polymorphism which indicate they may be under immune selection, and the encoded proteins require investigation. Sixteen new recombinant protein reagents were designed to characterize three such polymorphic proteins expressed in Plasmodium falciparum schizonts and merozoites: MSPDBL1 (also termed MSP3.4) and MSPDBL2 (MSP3.8), which possess Duffy binding-like (DBL) domains, and SURFIN4.2, encoded by a member of the surface-associated interspersed (surf) multigene family. After testing the antigenicities of these reagents by murine immunization and parasite immunofluorescence, we analyzed naturally acquired antibody responses to the antigens in two cohorts in coastal Kenya in which the parasite was endemic (Chonyi [n = 497] and Ngerenya [n = 461]). As expected, the prevalence and levels of serum antibodies increased with age. We then investigated correlations with subsequent risk of clinical malaria among children <11 years of age during 6 months follow-up surveillance. Antibodies to the polymorphic central region of MSPDBL2 were associated with reduced risk of malaria in both cohorts, with statistical significance remaining for the 3D7 allelic type after adjustment for individuals' ages in years and antibody reactivity to whole-schizont extract (Chonyi, risk ratio, 0.51, and 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.28 to 0.93; Ngerenya, risk ratio, 0.38, and 95% CI, 0.18 to 0.82). For the MSPDBL1 Palo Alto allelic-type antigen, there was a protective association in one cohort (Ngerenya, risk ratio, 0.53, and 95% CI, 0.32 to 0.89), whereas the other antigens showed no protective associations after adjustment. These findings support the prediction that antibodies to the polymorphic region of MSPDBL2 contribute to protective immunity.
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Cai H, Zhou Z, Gu J, Wang Y. Comparative Genomics and Systems Biology of Malaria Parasites Plasmodium.. Curr Bioinform 2012; 7. [PMID: 24298232 DOI: 10.2174/157489312803900965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Malaria is a serious infectious disease that causes over one million deaths yearly. It is caused by a group of protozoan parasites in the genus Plasmodium. No effective vaccine is currently available and the elevated levels of resistance to drugs in use underscore the pressing need for novel antimalarial targets. In this review, we survey omics centered developments in Plasmodium biology, which have set the stage for a quantum leap in our understanding of the fundamental processes of the parasite life cycle and mechanisms of drug resistance and immune evasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Cai
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78249, USA
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Price RN, Auburn S, Marfurt J, Cheng Q. Phenotypic and genotypic characterisation of drug-resistant Plasmodium vivax. Trends Parasitol 2012; 28:522-9. [PMID: 23044287 PMCID: PMC4627502 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2012.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2012] [Revised: 08/15/2012] [Accepted: 08/15/2012] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
In this review we present recent developments in the analysis of Plasmodium vivax clinical trials and ex vivo drug-susceptibility assays, as well approaches currently being used to identify molecular markers of drug resistance. Clinical trials incorporating the measurement of in vivo drug concentrations and parasite clearance times are needed to detect early signs of resistance. Analysis of P. vivax growth dynamics ex vivo have defined the criteria for acceptable assay thresholds for drug susceptibility testing, and their subsequent interpretation. Genotyping and next-generation sequencing studies in P. vivax field isolates are set to transform our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ric N Price
- Global and Tropical Health Division, Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Australia.
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PfCRT and its role in antimalarial drug resistance. Trends Parasitol 2012; 28:504-14. [PMID: 23020971 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2012.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 185] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2012] [Revised: 08/09/2012] [Accepted: 08/13/2012] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Plasmodium falciparum resistance to chloroquine, the former gold standard antimalarial drug, is mediated primarily by mutant forms of the chloroquine resistance transporter (PfCRT). These mutations impart upon PfCRT the ability to efflux chloroquine from the intracellular digestive vacuole, the site of drug action. Recent studies reveal that PfCRT variants can also affect parasite fitness, protect immature gametocytes against chloroquine action, and alter P. falciparum susceptibility to current first-line therapies. These results highlight the need to be vigilant in screening for the appearance of novel pfcrt alleles that could contribute to new multi-drug resistance phenotypes.
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A quantitative liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method for metabolomic analysis of Plasmodium falciparum lipid related metabolites. Anal Chim Acta 2012; 739:47-55. [PMID: 22819049 DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2012.06.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2012] [Revised: 06/07/2012] [Accepted: 06/09/2012] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Plasmodium falciparum is the causative agent of malaria, a deadly infectious disease for which treatments are scarce and drug-resistant parasites are now increasingly found. A comprehensive method of identifying and quantifying metabolites of this intracellular parasite could expand the arsenal of tools to understand its biology, and be used to develop new treatments against the disease. Here, we present two methods based on liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry for reliable measurement of water-soluble metabolites involved in phospholipid biosynthesis, as well as several other metabolites that reflect the metabolic status of the parasite including amino acids, carboxylic acids, energy-related carbohydrates, and nucleotides. A total of 35 compounds was quantified. In the first method, polar compounds were retained by hydrophilic interaction chromatography (amino column) and detected in negative mode using succinic acid-(13)C(4) and fluorovaline as internal standards. In the second method, separations were carried out using reverse phase (C18) ion-pair liquid chromatography, with heptafluorobutyric acid as a volatile ion pairing reagent in positive detection mode, using d(9)-choline and 4-aminobutanol as internal standards. Standard curves were performed in P. falciparum-infected and uninfected red blood cells using standard addition method (r(2)>0.99). The intra- and inter-day accuracy and precision as well as the extraction recovery of each compound were determined. The lower limit of quantitation varied from 50pmol to 100fmol/3×10(7)cells. These methods were validated and successfully applied to determine intracellular concentrations of metabolites from uninfected host RBCs and isolated Plasmodium parasites.
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Rettig M, Germann MW, Ismail MA, Batista-Parra A, Munde M, Boykin DW, Wilson WD. Microscopic rearrangement of bound minor groove binders detected by NMR. J Phys Chem B 2012; 116:5620-7. [PMID: 22530735 DOI: 10.1021/jp301143e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Thermodynamic and structural studies are commonly utilized to optimize small molecules for specific DNA interactions, and, thus, a significant amount of binding data is available. However, the dynamic processes that are involved in minor groove complex formation and maintenance are not fully understood. To help define the processes involved, we have conducted 1D and 2D NMR in conjunction with biosensor-SPR experiments with a variety of compounds and symmetric, as well as asymmetric, AT tract DNA sequences. Surprisingly, the NMR data clearly show exchange between equivalent binding sites for strongly binding compounds like netropsin and DB921 (Ka > 10(8) M(-1)) that does not involve dissociation off the DNA. A quantitative analysis of the data revealed that these bound exchange rates are indeed much faster than the macroscopic dissociation rates which were independently determined by biosensor-SPR. Additionally, we could show the existence of at least two 1:1 compound DNA complexes at the same site for the interaction of these compounds with an asymmetric DNA sequence. To explain this behavior we introduced a model in which the ligand is rapidly flipping between two orientations while in close association with the DNA. The ligand reorientation will contribute favorably to the binding entropy. As the potential of minor groove binders to form more than a single complex with asymmetric, as well as symmetric, duplexes is widely unknown, the consequences for binding thermodynamics and compound design are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Rettig
- Department of Chemistry, Georgia State University , Atlanta, Georgia 30303, United States
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Liu Y, Chai Y, Kumar A, Tidwell RR, Boykin DW, Wilson WD. Designed compounds for recognition of 10 base pairs of DNA with two at binding sites. J Am Chem Soc 2012; 134:5290-9. [PMID: 22369366 DOI: 10.1021/ja211628j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Short AT base pair sequences that are separated by a small number of GCs are common in eukaryotic parasite genomes. Cell-permeable compounds that bind effectively and selectively to such sequences present an attractive therapeutic approach. Compounds with linked, one or two amidine-benzimidazole-phenyl (ABP) motifs were designed, synthesized, and evaluated for binding to adjacent AT sites by biosensor-surface plasmon resonance (SPR). A surprising feature of the linked ABP motifs is that a set of six similar compounds has three different minor groove binding modes with the target sequences. Compounds with one ABP bind independently to two separated AT sites. Unexpectedly, compounds with two ABP motifs can bind strongly either as monomers or as cooperative dimers to the full site. The results are supported by mass spectrometry and circular dichroism, and models to explain the different binding modes are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Liu
- Department of Chemistry, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia 30302-4098, United States
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Riley MC, Kirkup BC, Johnson JD, Lesho EP, Ockenhouse CF. Rapid whole genome optical mapping of Plasmodium falciparum. Malar J 2011; 10:252. [PMID: 21871093 PMCID: PMC3173401 DOI: 10.1186/1475-2875-10-252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2011] [Accepted: 08/26/2011] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Immune evasion and drug resistance in malaria have been linked to chromosomal recombination and gene copy number variation (CNV). These events are ideally studied using comparative genomic analyses; however in malaria these analyses are not as common or thorough as in other infectious diseases, partly due to the difficulty in sequencing and assembling complete genome drafts. Recently, whole genome optical mapping has gained wide use in support of genomic sequence assembly and comparison. Here, a rapid technique for producing whole genome optical maps of Plasmodium falciparum is described and the results of mapping four genomes are presented. Methods Four laboratory strains of P. falciparum were analysed using the Argus™ optical mapping system to produce ordered restriction fragment maps of all 14 chromosomes in each genome. Plasmodium falciparum DNA was isolated directly from blood culture, visualized using the Argus™ system and assembled in a manner analogous to next generation sequence assembly into maps (AssemblyViewer™, OpGen Inc.®). Full coverage maps were generated for P. falciparum strains 3D7, FVO, D6 and C235. A reference P. falciparum in silico map was created by the digestion of the genomic sequence of P. falciparum with the restriction enzyme AflII, for comparisons to genomic optical maps. Maps were then compared using the MapSolver™ software. Results Genomic variation was observed among the mapped strains, as well as between the map of the reference strain and the map derived from the putative sequence of that same strain. Duplications, deletions, insertions, inversions and misassemblies of sizes ranging from 3,500 base pairs up to 78,000 base pairs were observed. Many genomic events occurred in areas of known repetitive sequence or high copy number genes, including var gene clusters and rifin complexes. Conclusions This technique for optical mapping of multiple malaria genomes allows for whole genome comparison of multiple strains and can assist in identifying genetic variation and sequence contig assembly. New protocols and technology allowed us to produce high quality contigs spanning four P. falciparum genomes in six weeks for less than $1,000.00 per genome. This relatively low cost and quick turnaround makes the technique valuable compared to other genomic sequencing technologies for studying genetic variation in malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew C Riley
- Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Division of Malaria Vaccine Development, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA.
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Grimberg BT, Mehlotra RK. Expanding the Antimalarial Drug Arsenal-Now, But How? Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2011; 4:681-712. [PMID: 21625331 PMCID: PMC3102560 DOI: 10.3390/ph4050681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2011] [Revised: 04/09/2011] [Accepted: 04/19/2011] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The number of available and effective antimalarial drugs is quickly dwindling. This is mainly because a number of drug resistance-associated mutations in malaria parasite genes, such as crt, mdr1, dhfr/dhps, and others, have led to widespread resistance to all known classes of antimalarial compounds. Unfortunately, malaria parasites have started to exhibit some level of resistance in Southeast Asia even to the most recently introduced class of drugs, artemisinins. While there is much need, the antimalarial drug development pipeline remains woefully thin, with little chemical diversity, and there is currently no alternative to the precious artemisinins. It is difficult to predict where the next generation of antimalarial drugs will come from; however, there are six major approaches: (i) re-optimizing the use of existing antimalarials by either replacement/rotation or combination approach; (ii) repurposing drugs that are currently used to treat other infections or diseases; (iii) chemically modifying existing antimalarial compounds; (iv) exploring natural sources; (v) large-scale screening of diverse chemical libraries; and (vi) through parasite genome-based ("targeted") discoveries. When any newly discovered effective antimalarial treatment is used by the populus, we must maintain constant vigilance for both parasite-specific and human-related factors that are likely to hamper its success. This article is neither comprehensive nor conclusive. Our purpose is to provide an overview of antimalarial drug resistance, associated parasite genetic factors (1. Introduction; 2. Emergence of artemisinin resistance in P. falciparum), and the antimalarial drug development pipeline (3. Overview of the global pipeline of antimalarial drugs), and highlight some examples of the aforementioned approaches to future antimalarial treatment. These approaches can be categorized into "short term" (4. Feasible options for now) and "long term" (5. Next generation of antimalarial treatment-Approaches and candidates). However, these two categories are interrelated, and the approaches in both should be implemented in parallel with focus on developing a successful, long-lasting antimalarial chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian T. Grimberg
- Center for Global Health and Diseases, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA; E-Mails: (B.T.G.); (R.K.M.); Tel.: +1-216-368-6328 or +1-216-368-6172, Fax: +1-216-368-4825
| | - Rajeev K. Mehlotra
- Center for Global Health and Diseases, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA; E-Mails: (B.T.G.); (R.K.M.); Tel.: +1-216-368-6328 or +1-216-368-6172, Fax: +1-216-368-4825
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