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Shrivastava D, Jha A, Kabrambam R, Vishwakarma J, Mitra K, Ramachandran R, Habib S. Plasmodium falciparum ZIP1 Is a Zinc-Selective Transporter with Stage-Dependent Targeting to the Apicoplast and Plasma Membrane in Erythrocytic Parasites. ACS Infect Dis 2024; 10:155-169. [PMID: 38163252 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.3c00426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Replication of the malarial parasite in human erythrocytes requires massive zinc fluxes, necessitating the action of zinc transporters across the parasite plasma and organellar membranes. Although genetic knockout studies have been conducted on a few "orphan" zinc transporters in Plasmodium spp., none of them have been functionally characterized. We used the recombinant Plasmodium falciparum Zrt-/Irt-like protein (PfZIP1) and specific antibodies generated against it to explore the subcellular localization, function, metal-ion selectivity, and response to cellular zinc levels. PfZIP1 expression was enhanced upon the depletion of cytosolic Zn2+. The protein transitioned from the processed to unprocessed form through blood stages, localizing to the apicoplast in trophozoites and to the parasite plasma membrane in schizonts and gametocytes, indicating stage-specific functional role. The PfZIP1 dimer mediated Zn2+ influx in proteoliposomes. It exhibited preferential binding to Zn2+ compared to Fe2+, with the selectivity for zinc being driven by a C-terminal histidine-rich region conserved only in primate-infecting Plasmodium species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deepti Shrivastava
- Division of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow 226031, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - Akanksha Jha
- Division of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow 226031, India
| | - Rajlakshmi Kabrambam
- Division of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow 226031, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - Jyoti Vishwakarma
- Division of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow 226031, India
| | - Kalyan Mitra
- Sophisticated Analytical Instrument Facility and Research Division, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow 226031, India
| | - Ravishankar Ramachandran
- Division of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow 226031, India
| | - Saman Habib
- Division of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow 226031, India
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3
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Asahi H, Niikura M, Inoue SI, Sendo F, Kobayashi F, Wada A. Dihydroartemisinin Disrupts Zinc Homeostasis in Plasmodium falciparum To Potentiate Its Antimalarial Action via Pyknosis. ACS Infect Dis 2023; 9:1303-1309. [PMID: 37321567 PMCID: PMC10353546 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.3c00031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Artemisinins have been used as first-line drugs worldwide to treat malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum; however, its underlying mechanism is still unclear. This study aimed to identify the factors inducing growth inhibition via pyknosis, a state of intraerythrocytic developmental arrest, when exposing the parasite to dihydroartemisinin (DHA). Changes in the expression of genome-wide transcripts were assessed in the parasites treated with antimalarials, revealing the specific downregulation of zinc-associated proteins by DHA. The quantification of zinc levels in DHA-treated parasite indicated abnormal zinc depletion. Notably, the zinc-depleted condition in the parasite produced by a zinc chelator induced the generation of a pyknotic form and the suppression of its proliferation. The evaluation of the antimalarial activity of DHA or a glutathione-synthesis inhibitor in the zinc-depleted state showed that the disruption of zinc and glutathione homeostasis synergistically potentiated the growth inhibition of P. falciparum through pyknosis. These findings could help further understand the antimalarial actions of artemisinins for advancing malaria therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroko Asahi
- Laboratory
for Nonnatural Amino Acid Technology, RIKEN
Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, 1-7-22 Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 230-0045, Japan
| | - Mamoru Niikura
- Division
of Tropical Diseases and Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases, Kyorin University School of Medicine, 6-20-2 Shinkawa, Mitaka, Tokyo 181-8611, Japan
| | - Shin-Ichi Inoue
- Division
of Immunology, Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology,
Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, 1-12-4 Sakamoto, Nagasaki, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan
| | - Fujiro Sendo
- Kojunosato,
Geriatric Health Service Facilities, 8-1 Azahonmaru, Oazamizonobe, Kahoku-cho, Yamagata 999-3522, Japan
| | - Fumie Kobayashi
- Department
of Environmental Science, School of Life and Environmental Science, Azabu University, 1-17-71 Fuchinobe, Chuo-ku, Sagamihara, Kanagawa 252-5201, Japan
| | - Akira Wada
- Laboratory
for Nonnatural Amino Acid Technology, RIKEN
Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, 1-7-22 Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 230-0045, Japan
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Wang C, Yu L, Zhang J, Zhou Y, Sun B, Xiao Q, Zhang M, Liu H, Li J, Li J, Luo Y, Xu J, Lian Z, Lin J, Wang X, Zhang P, Guo L, Ren R, Deng D. Structural basis of the substrate recognition and inhibition mechanism of Plasmodium falciparum nucleoside transporter PfENT1. Nat Commun 2023; 14:1727. [PMID: 36977719 PMCID: PMC10050424 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37411-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
By lacking de novo purine biosynthesis enzymes, Plasmodium falciparum requires purine nucleoside uptake from host cells. The indispensable nucleoside transporter ENT1 of P. falciparum facilitates nucleoside uptake in the asexual blood stage. Specific inhibitors of PfENT1 prevent the proliferation of P. falciparum at submicromolar concentrations. However, the substrate recognition and inhibitory mechanism of PfENT1 are still elusive. Here, we report cryo-EM structures of PfENT1 in apo, inosine-bound, and inhibitor-bound states. Together with in vitro binding and uptake assays, we identify that inosine is the primary substrate of PfENT1 and that the inosine-binding site is located in the central cavity of PfENT1. The endofacial inhibitor GSK4 occupies the orthosteric site of PfENT1 and explores the allosteric site to block the conformational change of PfENT1. Furthermore, we propose a general "rocker switch" alternating access cycle for ENT transporters. Understanding the substrate recognition and inhibitory mechanisms of PfENT1 will greatly facilitate future efforts in the rational design of antimalarial drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Wang
- Department of Obstetrics, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Disease of Women and Children of MOE, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Second Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Metabolic Remodeling and Health, Institute of Metabolism and Integrative Biology, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Leiye Yu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Metabolic Remodeling and Health, Institute of Metabolism and Integrative Biology, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China
- Warshal Institute of Computational Biology, School of Life and Health Sciences, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518172, China
| | - Jiying Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Disease of Women and Children of MOE, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Second Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Yanxia Zhou
- Department of Obstetrics, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Disease of Women and Children of MOE, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Second Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Bo Sun
- Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility, Shanghai Advanced Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201204, China
| | - Qingjie Xiao
- Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility, Shanghai Advanced Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201204, China
| | - Minhua Zhang
- National Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics, Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Huayi Liu
- Department of Obstetrics, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Disease of Women and Children of MOE, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Second Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Jinhong Li
- Department of Obstetrics, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Disease of Women and Children of MOE, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Second Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Jialu Li
- Department of Obstetrics, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Disease of Women and Children of MOE, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Second Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Yunzi Luo
- Frontier Science Center for Synthetic Biology and Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering of MOE, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
| | - Jie Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Zhong Lian
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Jingwen Lin
- Department of Obstetrics, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Disease of Women and Children of MOE, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Second Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Xiang Wang
- Department of Obstetrics, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Disease of Women and Children of MOE, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Second Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Peng Zhang
- National Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics, Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Li Guo
- Department of Obstetrics, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Disease of Women and Children of MOE, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Second Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
| | - Ruobing Ren
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Metabolic Remodeling and Health, Institute of Metabolism and Integrative Biology, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China.
- Shanghai Qi Zhi Institute, Shanghai, 200030, China.
| | - Dong Deng
- Department of Obstetrics, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Disease of Women and Children of MOE, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Second Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
- NHC key Laboratory of Chronobiology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
- Development and Related Diseases of Women and Children Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
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