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Scheiner M, Burda PC, Ingmundson A. Moving on: How malaria parasites exit the liver. Mol Microbiol 2024; 121:328-340. [PMID: 37602900 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.15141] [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: 06/12/2023] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023]
Abstract
An essential step in the life cycle of malaria parasites is their egress from hepatocytes, which enables the transition from the asymptomatic liver stage to the pathogenic blood stage of infection. To exit the liver, Plasmodium parasites first disrupt the parasitophorous vacuole membrane that surrounds them during their intracellular replication. Subsequently, parasite-filled structures called merosomes emerge from the infected cell. Shrouded by host plasma membrane, like in a Trojan horse, parasites enter the vasculature undetected by the host immune system and travel to the lung where merosomes rupture, parasites are released, and the blood infection stage begins. This complex, multi-step process must be carefully orchestrated by the parasite and requires extensive manipulation of the infected host cell. This review aims to outline the known signaling pathways that trigger exit, highlight Plasmodium proteins that contribute to the release of liver-stage merozoites, and summarize the accompanying changes to the hepatic host cell.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mattea Scheiner
- Molecular Parasitology, Humboldt University Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Paul-Christian Burda
- Centre for Structural Systems Biology, Hamburg, Germany
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
- University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
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2
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Gowda DC, Miller LH. Glycosylation in malaria parasites: what do we know? Trends Parasitol 2024; 40:131-146. [PMID: 38262838 PMCID: PMC10923157 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2023.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2024]
Abstract
In malaria parasites, although post-translational modification of proteins with N-. O-, and C-glycosidic bond-linked glycans is limited, it is confined to relatively fewer proteins in which the glycans are present at significant levels and may have important functions. Furthermore, several proteins are modified with glycosylphosphatidylinositols (GPIs) which represent the predominant glycan synthesized by parasites. Modification of proteins with GPIs is obligatory for parasite survival as GPI-anchored proteins (GPI-APs) play essential roles in all life cycle stages of the parasites, including development, egress, gametogenesis, motility, and host cell adhesion and invasion. Here, we discuss the current knowledge on the structures and potential functions of the glycan moieties of parasite proteins. The knowledge has important implications for the development of drugs and vaccines for malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Channe Gowda
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Rockville, MD 20852, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA 17033, USA.
| | - Louis H Miller
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Rockville, MD 20852, USA.
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3
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Cheuka PM, Njaria P, Mayoka G, Funjika E. Emerging Drug Targets for Antimalarial Drug Discovery: Validation and Insights into Molecular Mechanisms of Function. J Med Chem 2024; 67:838-863. [PMID: 38198596 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c01828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
Approximately 619,000 malaria deaths were reported in 2021, and resistance to recommended drugs, including artemisinin-combination therapies (ACTs), threatens malaria control. Treatment failure with ACTs has been found to be as high as 93% in northeastern Thailand, and parasite mutations responsible for artemisinin resistance have already been reported in some African countries. Therefore, there is an urgent need to identify alternative treatments with novel targets. In this Perspective, we discuss some promising antimalarial drug targets, including enzymes involved in proteolysis, DNA and RNA metabolism, protein synthesis, and isoprenoid metabolism. Other targets discussed are transporters, Plasmodium falciparum acetyl-coenzyme A synthetase, N-myristoyltransferase, and the cyclic guanosine monophosphate-dependent protein kinase G. We have outlined mechanistic details, where these are understood, underpinning the biological roles and hence druggability of such targets. We believe that having a clear understanding of the underlying chemical interactions is valuable to medicinal chemists in their quest to design appropriate inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Mubanga Cheuka
- Department of Chemistry, School of Natural Sciences, University of Zambia, P.O. Box 32379, Lusaka 10101, Zambia
| | - Paul Njaria
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Kenyatta University, P.O. Box 14548-00400, Nairobi 00100, Kenya
| | - Godfrey Mayoka
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, P.O. Box 62000-00200, Nairobi 00100, Kenya
| | - Evelyn Funjika
- Department of Chemistry, School of Natural Sciences, University of Zambia, P.O. Box 32379, Lusaka 10101, Zambia
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Takashima E, Otsuki H, Morita M, Ito D, Nagaoka H, Yuguchi T, Hassan I, Tsuboi T. The Need for Novel Asexual Blood-Stage Malaria Vaccine Candidates for Plasmodium falciparum. Biomolecules 2024; 14:100. [PMID: 38254700 PMCID: PMC10813614 DOI: 10.3390/biom14010100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2023] [Revised: 12/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Extensive control efforts have significantly reduced malaria cases and deaths over the past two decades, but in recent years, coupled with the COVID-19 pandemic, success has stalled. The WHO has urged the implementation of a number of interventions, including vaccines. The modestly effective RTS,S/AS01 pre-erythrocytic vaccine has been recommended by the WHO for use in sub-Saharan Africa against Plasmodium falciparum in children residing in moderate to high malaria transmission regions. A second pre-erythrocytic vaccine, R21/Matrix-M, was also recommended by the WHO on 3 October 2023. However, the paucity and limitations of pre-erythrocytic vaccines highlight the need for asexual blood-stage malaria vaccines that prevent disease caused by blood-stage parasites. Few asexual blood-stage vaccine candidates have reached phase 2 clinical development, and the challenges in terms of their efficacy include antigen polymorphisms and low immunogenicity in humans. This review summarizes the history and progress of asexual blood-stage malaria vaccine development, highlighting the need for novel candidate vaccine antigens/molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eizo Takashima
- Division of Malaria Research, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Matsuyama 790-8577, Japan; (M.M.); (H.N.); (T.Y.); (I.H.)
| | - Hitoshi Otsuki
- Division of Medical Zoology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, Yonago 683-8503, Japan; (H.O.); (D.I.)
| | - Masayuki Morita
- Division of Malaria Research, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Matsuyama 790-8577, Japan; (M.M.); (H.N.); (T.Y.); (I.H.)
| | - Daisuke Ito
- Division of Medical Zoology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, Yonago 683-8503, Japan; (H.O.); (D.I.)
| | - Hikaru Nagaoka
- Division of Malaria Research, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Matsuyama 790-8577, Japan; (M.M.); (H.N.); (T.Y.); (I.H.)
| | - Takaaki Yuguchi
- Division of Malaria Research, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Matsuyama 790-8577, Japan; (M.M.); (H.N.); (T.Y.); (I.H.)
| | - Ifra Hassan
- Division of Malaria Research, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Matsuyama 790-8577, Japan; (M.M.); (H.N.); (T.Y.); (I.H.)
| | - Takafumi Tsuboi
- Division of Cell-Free Sciences, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Matsuyama 790-8577, Japan
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Lee SK, Nguyen TK, Mohring F, Han JH, Firdaus ER, Na SH, Park WS, Moon RW, Han ET. Merozoite surface protein 1 paralog is involved in the human erythrocyte invasion of a zoonotic malaria, Plasmodium knowlesi. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1314533. [PMID: 38111629 PMCID: PMC10726050 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1314533] [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: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The zoonotic malaria parasite Plasmodium knowlesi is an important public health concern in Southeast Asia. Invasion of host erythrocytes is essential for parasite growth, and thus, understanding the repertoire of parasite proteins that enable this process is vital for identifying vaccine candidates and how some species are able to cause zoonotic infection. Merozoite surface protein 1 (MSP1) is found in all malaria parasite species and is perhaps the most well-studied as a potential vaccine candidate. While MSP1 is encoded by a single gene in P. falciparum, all other human infective species (P. vivax, P. knowlesi, P. ovale, and P. malariae) additionally encode a divergent paralogue known as MSP1P, and little is known about its role or potential functional redundancy with MSP1. We, therefore, studied the function of P. knowlesi merozoite surface protein 1 paralog (PkMSP1P), using both recombinant protein and CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing. The recombinant 19-kDa C-terminus of PkMSP1P (PkMSP1P-19) was shown to bind specifically to human reticulocytes. However, immunoblotting data suggested that PkMSP1P-19-induced antibodies can recognize PkMSP1-19 and vice versa, confounding our ability to separate the properties of these two proteins. Targeted disruption of the pkmsp1p gene profoundly impacts parasite growth, demonstrating for the first time that PkMSP1P is important in in vitro growth of P. knowlesi and likely plays a distinct role from PkMSP1. Importantly, the MSP1P KO also enabled functional characterization of the PkMSP1P-19 antibodies, revealing clear immune cross-reactivity between the two paralogues, highlighting the vital importance of genetic studies in contextualizing recombinant protein studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seong-Kyun Lee
- Department of Medical Environmental Biology and Tropical Medicine, School of Medicine, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Tuyet Kha Nguyen
- Department of Medical Environmental Biology and Tropical Medicine, School of Medicine, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Franziska Mohring
- Department of Infection Biology, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jin-Hee Han
- Department of Medical Environmental Biology and Tropical Medicine, School of Medicine, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Egy Rahman Firdaus
- Department of Medical Environmental Biology and Tropical Medicine, School of Medicine, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung-Hun Na
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Won-Sun Park
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Robert W. Moon
- Department of Infection Biology, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Eun-Taek Han
- Department of Medical Environmental Biology and Tropical Medicine, School of Medicine, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea
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Rosenkranz M, Fürle K, Hibbert J, Ulmer A, Ali A, Giese T, Blank A, Haefeli WE, Böhnlein E, Lanzer M, Thomson-Luque R. Multifunctional IgG/IgM antibodies and cellular cytotoxicity are elicited by the full-length MSP1 SumayaVac-1 malaria vaccine. NPJ Vaccines 2023; 8:112. [PMID: 37558673 PMCID: PMC10412566 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-023-00701-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Radical control of malaria likely requires a vaccine that targets both the asymptomatic liver stages and the disease-causing blood stages of the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. While substantial progress has been made towards liver stage vaccines, the development of a blood stage vaccine is lagging behind. We have recently conducted a first-in-human clinical trial to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of the recombinant, full-length merozoite surface protein 1 (MSP1FL) formulated with GLA-SE as adjuvant. Here, we show that the vaccine, termed SumayaVac-1, elicited both a humoral and cellular immune response as well as a recall T cell memory. The induced IgG and IgM antibodies were able to stimulate various Fc-mediated effector mechanisms associated with protection against malaria, including phagocytosis, release of reactive oxygen species, production of IFN-γ as well as complement activation and fixation. The multifunctional activity of the humoral immune response remained for at least 6 months after vaccination and was comparable to that of naturally acquired anti-MSP1 antibodies from semi-immune adults from Kenya. We further present evidence of SumayaVac-1 eliciting a recallable cellular cytotoxicity by IFN-γ producing CD8+ T cells. Our study revitalizes MSP1FL as a relevant blood stage vaccine candidate and warrants further evaluation of SumayaVac-1 in a phase II efficacy trial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Micha Rosenkranz
- Center for Infectious Diseases-Parasitology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Kristin Fürle
- Center for Infectious Diseases-Parasitology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Julia Hibbert
- Center for Infectious Diseases-Parasitology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Anne Ulmer
- Center for Infectious Diseases-Parasitology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Arin Ali
- Center for Infectious Diseases-Parasitology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Thomas Giese
- Institute for Immunology, Heidelberg University Hospital and German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Antje Blank
- Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacoepidemiology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Walter E Haefeli
- Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacoepidemiology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | - Michael Lanzer
- Center for Infectious Diseases-Parasitology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Richard Thomson-Luque
- Center for Infectious Diseases-Parasitology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany.
- Sumaya-Biotech GmbH & Co. KG, Heidelberg, Germany.
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7
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Mukherjee S, Nasamu AS, Rubiano KC, Goldberg DE. Activation of the Plasmodium Egress Effector Subtilisin-Like Protease 1 Is Mediated by Plasmepsin X Destruction of the Prodomain. mBio 2023; 14:e0067323. [PMID: 37036362 PMCID: PMC10128010 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00673-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Following each round of replication, daughter merozoites of the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum escape (egress) from the infected host red blood cell (RBC) by rupturing the parasitophorous vacuole membrane (PVM) and the RBC membrane (RBCM). A proteolytic cascade orchestrated by a parasite serine protease, subtilisin-like protease 1 (SUB1), regulates the membrane breakdown. SUB1 activation involves primary autoprocessing of the 82-kDa zymogen to a 54-kDa (p54) intermediate that remains bound to its inhibitory propiece (p31) postcleavage. A second processing step converts p54 to the terminal 47-kDa (p47) form of SUB1. Although the aspartic protease plasmepsin X (PM X) has been implicated in the activation of SUB1, the mechanism remains unknown. Here, we show that upon knockdown of PM X, the inhibitory p31-p54 complex of SUB1 accumulates in the parasites. Using recombinant PM X and SUB1, we show that PM X can directly cleave both p31 and p54. We have mapped the cleavage sites on recombinant p31. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the conversion of p54 to p47 can be effected by cleavage at either SUB1 or PM X cleavage sites that are adjacent to one another. Importantly, once the p31 is removed, p54 is fully functional inside the parasites, suggesting that the conversion to p47 is dispensable for SUB1 activity. Relief of propiece inhibition via a heterologous protease is a novel mechanism for subtilisin activation. IMPORTANCE Malaria parasites replicate inside a parasitophorous vacuole within the host red blood cells. The exit of mature progeny from the infected host cells is essential for further dissemination. Parasite exit is a highly regulated, explosive process that involves membrane breakdown. To do this, the parasite utilizes a serine protease called SUB1 that proteolytically activates various effector proteins. SUB1 activity is dependent on an upstream protease called PM X, although the mechanism was unknown. Here, we describe the molecular basis for PM X-mediated SUB1 activation. PM X proteolytically degrades the inhibitory segment of SUB1, thereby activating it. The involvement of a heterologous protease is a novel mechanism for subtilisin activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumit Mukherjee
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, and Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Armiyaw S. Nasamu
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, and Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Kelly C. Rubiano
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, and Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Daniel E. Goldberg
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, and Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
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Munjal A, Kannan D, Singh S. A C2 domain containing plasma membrane protein of Plasmodium falciparum merozoites mediates calcium-dependent binding and invasion to host erythrocytes. JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY, IMMUNOLOGY, AND INFECTION = WEI MIAN YU GAN RAN ZA ZHI 2023; 56:139-149. [PMID: 35995671 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmii.2022.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Revised: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Invasion of red blood cells by Plasmodium falciparum merozoites is governed by multiple receptor-ligand interactions which are critical for bridging the two cells together. The critical function of these ligands for invasion and their direct exposure to the host immune system makes them lucrative vaccine candidates. This necessitates the discovery of new adhesins with less redundancy that mediates the binding of merozoite to the red cell, and furthermore invasion into it. Here we have identified a novel membrane associated antigen (PfC2DMA) that is conserved throughout the Plasmodium species and has a membrane targeting C2 domain at its extreme N-terminal region. METHODS Recombinant C2dom was expressed heterologously in bacteria and purified to homogeneity. Mice antisera against C2dom was raised and used to check the expression and intraparasitic localization of the protein. RBC and Ca2+ ion binding activity of C2dom was also checked. RESULTS C2dom exhibited specific binding to Ca2+ ions and not to Mg2+ ions. PfC2DMA localized to the surface of merozoite and recombinant C2dom bound to the surface of human RBCs. RBC receptor modification by treatment with different enzymes showed that binding of C2dom to RBC surface is neuraminidase sensitive. Mice antisera raised against C2dom of Pf C2DMA showed invasion inhibitory effects. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that C2dom of PfC2DMA binds to surface of red cell in a Ca2+-dependent manner, advocating a plausible role in invasion and can serve as a potential novel blood stage vaccine candidate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akshay Munjal
- Special Centre for Molecular Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
| | - Deepika Kannan
- Special Centre for Molecular Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India; The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Shailja Singh
- Special Centre for Molecular Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India.
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9
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Mukherjee S, Nasamu AS, Rubiano K, Goldberg DE. Activation of the Plasmodium egress effector subtilisin-like protease 1 is achieved by plasmepsin X destruction of the propiece. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.01.13.524002. [PMID: 36712005 PMCID: PMC9882241 DOI: 10.1101/2023.01.13.524002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Following each round of replication, daughter merozoites of the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum escape (egress) from the infected host red blood cell (RBC) by rupturing the parasitophorous vacuole membrane (PVM) and the RBC membrane (RBCM). A proteolytic cascade orchestrated by the parasite’s serine protease, subtilisin-like protease 1 (SUB1) regulates the membrane breakdown. SUB1 activation involves primary auto-processing of the 82 kDa zymogen to a 54 kDa (p54) intermediate that remains bound to its inhibitory propiece (p31) post cleavage. A second processing step converts p54 to the terminal 47 kDa (p47) form of SUB1. Although the aspartic protease plasmepsin X (PM X) has been implicated in the activation of SUB1, the mechanism remains unknown. Here, we show that upon knockdown of PM X the inhibitory p31/p54 complex of SUB1 accumulates in the parasites. Using recombinant PM X and SUB1, we show that PM X can directly cleave both p31 and p54. We have mapped the cleavage sites on recombinant p31. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the conversion of p54 to p47 can be effected by cleavage at either a SUB1 or PM X cleavage site that are adjacent to one another. Importantly once the p31 is removed, p54 is fully functional inside the parasites suggesting that the conversion to p47 is dispensable for SUB1 activity. Relief of propiece inhibition via a heterologous protease is a novel mechanism for subtilisin activation. Significance Statement Malaria parasites replicate inside a parasitophorous vacuole within the host red blood cells. Exit of mature progeny from the infected host cells is essential for further dissemination. Parasite exit is a highly regulated, explosive process that involves membrane breakdown. To do this, the parasite utilizes a serine protease, called the subtilisin-like protease 1 or SUB1 that proteolytically activates various effector proteins. SUB1 activity is dependent on an upstream protease, called plasmepsin X (PM X), although the mechanism was unknown. Here we describe the molecular basis for PM X mediated SUB1 activation. PM X proteolytically degrades the inhibitory segment of SUB1, thereby activating it. Involvement of a heterologous protease is a novel mechanism for subtilisin activation.
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10
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Balbin JM, Heinemann GK, Yeoh LM, Gilberger TW, Armstrong M, Duffy MF, Gilson PR, Wilson DW. Characterisation of PfCZIF1 and PfCZIF2 in Plasmodium falciparum asexual stages. Int J Parasitol 2023; 53:27-41. [PMID: 36400305 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2022.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Revised: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Plasmodium falciparum exerts strong temporal control of gene expression across its lifecycle. Proteins expressed exclusively during late schizogony of blood stages, for example, often have a role in facilitating merozoite invasion of the host red blood cell (RBC), through merozoite development, egress, invasion or early establishment of infection in the RBC. Here, we characterise P. falciparum C3H1 zinc finger 1 (PfCZIF1, Pf3D7_1468400) and P. falciparum C3H1 zinc finger 2 (PfCZIF2, Pf3D7_0818100) which we identified as the only C3H1-type zinc finger proteins with peak expression at schizogony. Previous studies reported that antibodies against PfCZIF1 inhibit merozoite invasion, suggesting this protein may have a potential role during RBC invasion. We show using C-terminal truncations and gene knockouts of each of Pfczif1 and Pfczif2 that neither are essential for blood stage growth. However, they could not both be knocked out simultaneously, suggesting that at least one is needed for parasite growth in vitro. Immunofluorescence localisation of PfCZIF1 and PfCZIF2 indicated that both proteins occur in discrete foci on the periphery of the parasite's cytosol and biochemical assays suggest they are peripherally associated to a membrane. Transcriptomic analyses for the C-terminal truncation mutants reveal no significant expression perturbations with PfCZIF1 truncation. However, modification of PfCZIF2 appears to modify the expression for some exported proteins including PfKAHRP. This study does not support a role for PfCZIF1 or PfCZIF2 in merozoite invasion of the RBC and suggests that these proteins may help regulate the expression of proteins exported into the RBC cytosol after merozoite invasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan M Balbin
- Research Centre for Infectious Diseases, School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide 5005, Australia. https://twitter.com/jmiguel_balbin
| | - Gary K Heinemann
- Experimental Therapeutics Laboratory, Clinical and Health Science Unit, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
| | - Lee M Yeoh
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne 3004, Victoria, Australia; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne 3010, Victoria, Australia
| | - Tim-Wolf Gilberger
- Centre for Structural Systems Biology, 22607 Hamburg, Germany; Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, 20359 Hamburg, Germany; University of Hamburg, 20146 Hamburg, Germany
| | | | - Michael F Duffy
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne 3010, Victoria, Australia
| | - Paul R Gilson
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne 3004, Victoria, Australia; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne 3010, Victoria, Australia
| | - Danny W Wilson
- Research Centre for Infectious Diseases, School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide 5005, Australia; Burnet Institute, Melbourne 3004, Victoria, Australia; Institute for Photonics and Advanced Sensing (IPAS), University of Adelaide, 5005 SA, Australia.
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11
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Niaré K, Chege T, Rosenkranz M, Mwai K, Saßmannshausen Z, Odera D, Nyamako L, Tuju J, Alfred T, Waitumbi JN, Ogutu B, Sirima SB, Awandare G, Kouriba B, Rayner JC, Osier FHA. Characterization of a novel Plasmodium falciparum merozoite surface antigen and potential vaccine target. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1156806. [PMID: 37122725 PMCID: PMC10140549 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1156806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Detailed analyses of genetic diversity, antigenic variability, protein localization and immunological responses are vital for the prioritization of novel malaria vaccine candidates. Comprehensive approaches to determine the most appropriate antigen variants needed to provide broad protection are challenging and consequently rarely undertaken. Methods Here, we characterized PF3D7_1136200, which we named Asparagine-Rich Merozoite Antigen (ARMA) based on the analysis of its sequence, localization and immunogenicity. We analyzed IgG and IgM responses against the common variants of ARMA in independent prospective cohort studies in Burkina Faso (N = 228), Kenya (N = 252) and Mali (N = 195) using a custom microarray, Div-KILCHIP. Results We found a marked population structure between parasites from Africa and Asia. African isolates shared 34 common haplotypes, including a dominant pair although the overall selection pressure was directional (Tajima's D = -2.57; Fu and Li's F = -9.69; P < 0.02). ARMA was localized to the merozoite surface, IgG antibodies induced Fc-mediated degranulation of natural killer cells and strongly inhibited parasite growth in vitro. We found profound serological diversity, but IgG and IgM responses were highly correlated and a hierarchical clustering analysis identified only three major serogroups. Protective IgG and IgM antibodies appeared to target both cross-reactive and distinct epitopes across variants. However, combinations of IgG and IgM antibodies against selected variants were associated with complete protection against clinical episodes of malaria. Discussion Our systematic strategy exploits genomic data to deduce the handful of antigen variants with the strongest potential to induce broad protection and may be broadly applicable to other complex pathogens for which effective vaccines remain elusive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karamoko Niaré
- Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
- Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI)-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Centre for Geographic Medicine Research—Coast, Kilifi, Kenya
- Malaria Research and Training Centre (MRTC), Department of Epidemiology of Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Sciences, Techniques and Technologies of Bamako, Bamako, Mali
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Brown University, Providence, RI, United States
- *Correspondence: Karamoko Niaré, ; Faith H. A. Osier,
| | - Timothy Chege
- Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI)-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Centre for Geographic Medicine Research—Coast, Kilifi, Kenya
| | - Micha Rosenkranz
- Centre for Infectious Diseases, Parasitology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Kennedy Mwai
- Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI)-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Centre for Geographic Medicine Research—Coast, Kilifi, Kenya
- Epidemiology and Biostatistics Division, School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Zoe Saßmannshausen
- Centre for Infectious Diseases, Parasitology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Dennis Odera
- Centre for Infectious Diseases, Parasitology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Lydia Nyamako
- Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI)-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Centre for Geographic Medicine Research—Coast, Kilifi, Kenya
| | - James Tuju
- Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI)-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Centre for Geographic Medicine Research—Coast, Kilifi, Kenya
| | - Tiono Alfred
- Public Health Department, Centre National de Recherche et de Formation sur le Paludisme (CNRFP), Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | - John N. Waitumbi
- Basic Science Laboratory, US Army Medical Research Directorate-Africa/Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Bernhards Ogutu
- Kenya Medical Research Institute, Centre for Clinical Research, Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | - Gordon Awandare
- Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Bourema Kouriba
- Malaria Research and Training Centre (MRTC), Department of Epidemiology of Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Sciences, Techniques and Technologies of Bamako, Bamako, Mali
- Centre d’Infectiologie Charles Mérieux-Mali, Bamako, Mali
| | - Julian C. Rayner
- Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Faith H. A. Osier
- Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI)-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Centre for Geographic Medicine Research—Coast, Kilifi, Kenya
- Centre for Infectious Diseases, Parasitology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
- *Correspondence: Karamoko Niaré, ; Faith H. A. Osier,
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12
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Catacalos C, Krohannon A, Somalraju S, Meyer KD, Janga SC, Chakrabarti K. Epitranscriptomics in parasitic protists: Role of RNA chemical modifications in posttranscriptional gene regulation. PLoS Pathog 2022; 18:e1010972. [PMID: 36548245 PMCID: PMC9778586 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1010972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
"Epitranscriptomics" is the new RNA code that represents an ensemble of posttranscriptional RNA chemical modifications, which can precisely coordinate gene expression and biological processes. There are several RNA base modifications, such as N6-methyladenosine (m6A), 5-methylcytosine (m5C), and pseudouridine (Ψ), etc. that play pivotal roles in fine-tuning gene expression in almost all eukaryotes and emerging evidences suggest that parasitic protists are no exception. In this review, we primarily focus on m6A, which is the most abundant epitranscriptomic mark and regulates numerous cellular processes, ranging from nuclear export, mRNA splicing, polyadenylation, stability, and translation. We highlight the universal features of spatiotemporal m6A RNA modifications in eukaryotic phylogeny, their homologs, and unique processes in 3 unicellular parasites-Plasmodium sp., Toxoplasma sp., and Trypanosoma sp. and some technological advances in this rapidly developing research area that can significantly improve our understandings of gene expression regulation in parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cassandra Catacalos
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Alexander Krohannon
- Department of BioHealth Informatics, School of Informatics and Computing, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI), Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Sahiti Somalraju
- Department of BioHealth Informatics, School of Informatics and Computing, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI), Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Kate D. Meyer
- Department of Biochemistry, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Sarath Chandra Janga
- Department of BioHealth Informatics, School of Informatics and Computing, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI), Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Kausik Chakrabarti
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, North Carolina, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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13
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Neutralizing and interfering human antibodies define the structural and mechanistic basis for antigenic diversion. Nat Commun 2022; 13:5888. [PMID: 36202833 PMCID: PMC9537153 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-33336-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Defining mechanisms of pathogen immune evasion and neutralization are critical to develop potent vaccines and therapies. Merozoite Surface Protein 1 (MSP-1) is a malaria vaccine antigen and antibodies to MSP-1 are associated with protection from disease. However, MSP-1-based vaccines performed poorly in clinical trials in part due to a limited understanding of the protective antibody response to MSP-1 and of immune evasion by antigenic diversion. Antigenic diversion was identified as a mechanism wherein parasite neutralization by a MSP-1-specific rodent antibody was disrupted by MSP-1-specific non-inhibitory blocking/interfering antibodies. Here, we investigated a panel of MSP-1-specific naturally acquired human monoclonal antibodies (hmAbs). Structures of multiple hmAbs with diverse neutralizing potential in complex with MSP-1 revealed the epitope of a potent strain-transcending hmAb. This neutralizing epitope overlaps with the epitopes of high-affinity non-neutralizing hmAbs. Strikingly, the non-neutralizing hmAbs outcompete the neutralizing hmAb enabling parasite survival. These findings demonstrate the structural and mechanistic basis for a generalizable pathogen immune evasion mechanism through neutralizing and interfering human antibodies elicited by antigenic diversion, and provides insights required to develop potent and durable malaria interventions. The Plasmodium falciparum Merozoite Surface Protein 1 (MSP-1) is a prime vaccine candidate for malaria. Here, the authors structurally and functionally characterise a panel of naturally acquired MSP-1 specific antibodies to identify one with potent broadly neutralising activity and better understand immune evasion mechanisms.
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14
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Putaporntip C, Kuamsab N, Rojrung R, Seethamchai S, Jongwutiwes S. Structural organization and sequence diversity of the complete nucleotide sequence encoding the Plasmodium malariae merozoite surface protein-1. Sci Rep 2022; 12:15591. [PMID: 36114242 PMCID: PMC9481586 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-19049-z] [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: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The merozoite surface protein-1 (MSP1) is a prime candidate for an asexual blood stage vaccine against malaria. However, polymorphism in this antigen could compromise the vaccine’s efficacy. Although the extent of sequence variation in MSP1 has been analyzed from various Plasmodium species, little is known about structural organization and diversity of this locus in Plasmodium malariae (PmMSP1). Herein, we have shown that PmMSP1 contained five conserved and four variable blocks based on analysis of the complete coding sequences. Variable blocks were characterized by short insertion and deletion variants (block II), polymorphic nonrepeat sequences (block IV), complex repeat structure with size variation (block VI) and degenerate octapeptide repeats (block VIII). Like other malarial MSP1s, evidences of intragenic recombination have been found in PmMSP1. The rate of nonsynonymous nucleotide substitutions significantly exceeded that of synonymous nucleotide substitutions in block IV, suggesting positive selection in this region. Codon-based analysis of deviation from neutrality has identified a codon under purifying selection located in close proximity to the homologous region of the 38 kDa/42 kDa cleavage site of P. falciparum MSP1. A number of predicted linear B-cell epitopes were identified across both conserved and variable blocks of the protein. However, polymorphism in repeat-containing blocks resulted in alteration of the predicted linear B-cell epitope scores across variants. Although a number of predicted HLA-class II-binding peptides were identified in PmMSP1, all variants of block IV seemed not to be recognized by common HLA-class II alleles among Thai population, suggesting that diversity in this positive selection region could probably affect host immune recognition. The data on structural diversity in PmMSP1 could be useful for further studies such as vaccine development and strain characterization of this neglected malaria parasite.
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15
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Wang R, Li Q, Liu F, Dang X, Sun Q, Sheng X, Hu M, Bao J, Chen J, Pan G, Zhou Z. Maturation of subtilisin-like protease NbSLP1 from microsporidia Nosema bombycis. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:897509. [PMID: 36046739 PMCID: PMC9421246 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.897509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Microsporidia are obligate intracellular parasites and possess a unique way of invading hosts, namely germination. Microsporidia are able to infect almost all animal cells by germination. During the process, the polar tube extrudes from the spores within, thus injecting infectious sporoplasm into the host cells. Previous studies indicated that subtilisin-like protease 1 (NbSLP1) of microsporidia Nosema bombycis were located at the polar cap of germinated spores where the polar tube extrusion. We hypothesized that NbSLP1 is an essential player in the germination process. Normally, SLP need to be activated by autoproteolysis under conditions. In this study, we found that the signal peptide of NbSLP1 affected the activation of protease, two self-cleavage sites were involved in NbSLP1 maturation between Ala104Asp105 and Ala124Asp125 respectively. Mutants at catalytic triad of NbSLP1 confirmed the decreasing of autoproteolysis. This study demonstrates that intramolecular proteolysis is required for NbSLP1 maturation. The protease undergoes a series of sequential N-terminal cleavage events to generate the mature enzyme. Like other subtilisin-like enzymes, catalytic triad of NbSLP1 are significant for the self-activation of NbSLP1. In conclusion, clarifying the maturation of NbSLP1 will be valuable for understanding the polar tube ejection mechanism of germination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Microsporidia Infection and Control, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Qingyan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Microsporidia Infection and Control, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Fangyan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Microsporidia Infection and Control, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiaoqun Dang
- College of Life Sciences, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, China
| | - Quan Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Microsporidia Infection and Control, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiaotian Sheng
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Microsporidia Infection and Control, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Mingyu Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Microsporidia Infection and Control, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jialing Bao
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Microsporidia Infection and Control, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jie Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Microsporidia Infection and Control, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Guoqing Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Microsporidia Infection and Control, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Zeyang Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Microsporidia Infection and Control, Southwest University, Chongqing, China.,College of Life Sciences, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, China
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16
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Abstract
Human malaria, caused by infection with Plasmodium parasites, remains one of the most important global public health problems, with the World Health Organization reporting more than 240 million cases and 600,000 deaths annually as of 2020 (World malaria report 2021). Our understanding of the biology of these parasites is critical for development of effective therapeutics and prophylactics, including both antimalarials and vaccines. Plasmodium is a protozoan organism that is intracellular for most of its life cycle. However, to complete its complex life cycle and to allow for both amplification and transmission, the parasite must egress out of the host cell in a highly regulated manner. This review discusses the major pathways and proteins involved in the egress events during the Plasmodium life cycle-merozoite and gametocyte egress out of red blood cells, sporozoite egress out of the oocyst, and merozoite egress out of the hepatocyte. The similarities, as well as the differences, between the various egress pathways of the parasite highlight both novel cell biology and potential therapeutic targets to arrest its life cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey D Dvorin
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA;
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Daniel E Goldberg
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine; and Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA;
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17
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Mukherjee S, Nguyen S, Sharma E, Goldberg DE. Maturation and substrate processing topography of the Plasmodium falciparum invasion/egress protease plasmepsin X. Nat Commun 2022; 13:4537. [PMID: 35927261 PMCID: PMC9352755 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-32271-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
The malaria parasite Plasmodium invades a host erythrocyte, multiplies within a parasitophorous vacuole (PV) and then ruptures the PV and erythrocyte membranes in a process known as egress. Both egress and invasion are controlled by effector proteins discharged from specialized secretory organelles. The aspartic protease plasmepsin X (PM X) regulates activity for many of these effectors, but it is unclear how PM X accesses its diverse substrates that reside in different organelles. PM X also autoprocesses to generate different isoforms. The function of this processing is not understood. We have mapped the self-cleavage sites and have constructed parasites with cleavage site mutations. Surprisingly, a quadruple mutant that remains full-length retains in vitro activity, is trafficked normally, and supports normal egress, invasion and parasite growth. The N-terminal half of the prodomain stays bound to the catalytic domain even after processing and is required for proper intracellular trafficking of PM X. We find that this enzyme cleaves microneme and exoneme substrates before discharge, while the rhoptry substrates that are dependent on PM X activity are cleaved after exoneme discharge into the PV. The data give insight into the temporal, spatial and biochemical control of this unusual but important aspartic protease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumit Mukherjee
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, and Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Suong Nguyen
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, and Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Eashan Sharma
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, and Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Daniel E Goldberg
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, and Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.
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18
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Activity-Based Protein Profiling of Human and Plasmodium Serine Hydrolases and Interrogation of Potential Antimalarial Targets. iScience 2022; 25:104996. [PMID: 36105595 PMCID: PMC9464883 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.104996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Revised: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria remains a global health issue requiring the identification of novel therapeutic targets to combat drug resistance. Metabolic serine hydrolases are druggable enzymes playing essential roles in lipid metabolism. However, very few have been investigated in malaria-causing parasites. Here, we used fluorophosphonate broad-spectrum activity-based probes and quantitative chemical proteomics to annotate and profile the activity of more than half of predicted serine hydrolases in P. falciparum across the erythrocytic cycle. Using conditional genetics, we demonstrate that the activities of four serine hydrolases, previously annotated as essential (or important) in genetic screens, are actually dispensable for parasite replication. Of importance, we also identified eight human serine hydrolases that are specifically activated at different developmental stages. Chemical inhibition of two of them blocks parasite replication. This strongly suggests that parasites co-opt the activity of host enzymes and that this opens a new drug development strategy against which the parasites are less likely to develop resistance. P. falciparum has 48 predicted metabolic SHs. Many react with the ABP, FP-N3 The activity of 25 PfSHs and 8 HsSHs was profiled throughout the asexual life cycle Catalytic mutants of 4 PfSHs (formerly held essential) had no parasite growth effect Selective inhibitors for 2 HsSHs (APEH and LPLA2) affected parasite growth
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19
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Abugri J, Ayariga J, Sunwiale SS, Wezena CA, Gyamfi JA, Adu-Frimpong M, Agongo G, Dongdem JT, Abugri D, Dinko B. Targeting the Plasmodium falciparum proteome and organelles for potential antimalarial drug candidates. Heliyon 2022; 8:e10390. [PMID: 36033316 PMCID: PMC9398786 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e10390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2021] [Revised: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
There is an unmet need to unearth alternative treatment options for malaria, wherein this quest is more pressing in recent times due to high morbidity and mortality data arising mostly from the endemic countries coupled with partial diversion of attention from the disease in view of the SARS-Cov-2 pandemic. Available therapeutic options for malaria have been severely threatened with the emergence of resistance to almost all the antimalarial drugs by the Plasmodium falciparum parasite in humans, which is a worrying situation. Artemisinin combination therapies (ACT) that have so far been the mainstay of malaria have encountered resistance by malaria parasite in South East Asia, which is regarded as a notorious ground zero for the emergence of resistance to antimalarial drugs. This review analyzes a few key druggable targets for the parasite and the potential of specific inhibitors to mitigate the emerging antimalarial drug resistance problem by providing a concise assessment of the essential proteins of the malaria parasite that could serve as targets. Moreover, this work provides a summary of the advances made in malaria parasite biology and the potential to leverage these findings for antimalarial drug production.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Abugri
- Department of Biochemistry and Forensic Sciences, School of Chemical and Biochemical Sciences, C. K. Tedam University of Technology and Applied Sciences (CKT-UTAS), Navrongo, Ghana
| | - Joseph Ayariga
- The Biomedical Engineering Programme, Alabama State University, Montgomery, AL, 36104, USA
| | - Samuel Sunyazi Sunwiale
- Department of Biochemistry and Forensic Sciences, School of Chemical and Biochemical Sciences, C. K. Tedam University of Technology and Applied Sciences (CKT-UTAS), Navrongo, Ghana
| | - Cletus Adiyaga Wezena
- Department of Microbiology, School of Biosciences, University for Development Studies (UDS), Nyankpala Campus, Tamale, Ghana
| | - Julien Agyemang Gyamfi
- Department of Biochemistry and Forensic Sciences, School of Chemical and Biochemical Sciences, C. K. Tedam University of Technology and Applied Sciences (CKT-UTAS), Navrongo, Ghana
| | - Michael Adu-Frimpong
- Department of Biochemistry and Forensic Sciences, School of Chemical and Biochemical Sciences, C. K. Tedam University of Technology and Applied Sciences (CKT-UTAS), Navrongo, Ghana
| | - Godfred Agongo
- Department of Biochemistry and Forensic Sciences, School of Chemical and Biochemical Sciences, C. K. Tedam University of Technology and Applied Sciences (CKT-UTAS), Navrongo, Ghana
| | - Julius Tieroyaare Dongdem
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine. School of Medicine. University for Development Studies (UDS), Tamale-Campus, Ghana
| | - Daniel Abugri
- Department of Biological Sciences, Microbiology PhD Programme, Laboratory of Ethnomedicine, Parasitology, and Drug Discovery, College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, Alabama State University, Montgomery, USA
| | - Bismarck Dinko
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Basic and Biomedical Sciences, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho. Ghana
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20
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A multi-epitope vaccine designed against blood-stage of malaria: an immunoinformatic and structural approach. Sci Rep 2022; 12:11683. [PMID: 35804032 PMCID: PMC9266094 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-15956-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria is a complex disease caused by parasites of the genus Plasmodium and is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The most severe form of malaria disease is caused by Plasmodium falciparum. Thus, a combination of different approaches is needed to control malaria. Resistance to first-line drugs and insecticides, on the other hand, makes the need for an effective vaccination more urgent than ever. Because erythrocyte parasites cause the most clinical symptoms, developing a vaccination for this stage of infection might be highly beneficial. In this research, we employed various bioinformatics methods to create an efficient multi-epitope vaccine that induces antibodies against the blood stage of malaria infection. For this purpose, we selected the malaria PfGARP protein as the target here. The B, HTL epitopes, and epitope conservation were predicted. The predicted epitopes (including 5 B and 5 HTL epitopes) were connected using suitable linkers, and the flagellin molecule was used as an adjuvant to improve its immunogenicity. The final construct vaccine with 414 amino acids long was designed. The vaccine's allergenicity, antigenicity, solubility, physicochemical characteristics, 2D and 3D structure modeling, molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulation, in silico cloning, and immunological simulation were tested. In silico immune simulation results showed significantly elevated IgG1 and IgM and T helper cells, INF γ, IL 2, and B-cell populations after the injection of the designed vaccine. These significant computational analyses indicated that our proposed vaccine candidate might activate suitable immune responses against malaria. However, in vitro and in vivo studies are essential for further validation.
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21
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Bernard MM, Mohanty A, Rajendran V. Title: A Comprehensive Review on Classifying Fast-acting and Slow-acting Antimalarial Agents Based on Time of Action and Target Organelle of Plasmodium sp. Pathog Dis 2022; 80:6589403. [PMID: 35588061 DOI: 10.1093/femspd/ftac015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2021] [Revised: 03/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The clinical resistance towards malarial parasites has rendered many antimalarials ineffective, likely due to a lack of understanding of time of action and stage specificity of all life stages. Therefore, to tackle this problem a more incisive comprehensive analysis of the fast and slow-acting profile of antimalarial agents relating to parasite time-kill kinetics and the target organelle on the progression of blood-stage parasites was carried out. It is evident from numerous findings that drugs targeting food vacuole, nuclear components, and endoplasmic reticulum mainly exhibit a fast-killing phenotype within 24h affecting first-cycle activity. Whereas drugs targeting mitochondria, apicoplast, microtubules, parasite invasion and egress exhibit a largely slow-killing phenotype within 96-120h, affecting second-cycle activity with few exemptions as moderately fast-killing. It is essential to understand the susceptibility of drugs on rings, trophozoites, schizonts, merozoites, and the appearance of organelle at each stage of 48h intraerythrocytic parasite cycle. Therefore, these parameters may facilitate the paradigm for understanding the timing of antimalarials action in deciphering its precise mechanism linked with time. Thus, classifying drugs based on the time of killing may promote designing new combination regimens against varied strains of P. falciparum and evaluating potential clinical resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Marie Bernard
- Department of Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, Pondicherry University, Puducherry 605014, India
| | - Abhinab Mohanty
- Department of Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, Pondicherry University, Puducherry 605014, India
| | - Vinoth Rajendran
- Department of Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, Pondicherry University, Puducherry 605014, India
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22
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Gomes PS, Carneiro MPD, Machado PDA, de Andrade-Neto VV, da Fonseca-Martins AM, Goundry A, Pereira da Silva JVM, Gomes DCO, Lima APCDA, Ennes-Vidal V, Sodero ACR, De-Simone SG, de Matos Guedes HL. Subtilisin of Leishmania amazonensis as Potential Druggable Target: Subcellular Localization, In Vitro Leishmanicidal Activity and Molecular Docking of PF-429242, a Subtilisin Inhibitor. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2022; 44:2089-2106. [PMID: 35678670 PMCID: PMC9164065 DOI: 10.3390/cimb44050141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Revised: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Subtilisin proteases, found in all organisms, are enzymes important in the post-translational steps of protein processing. In Leishmania major and L. donovani, this enzyme has been described as essential to their survival; however, few compounds that target subtilisin have been investigated for their potential as an antileishmanial drug. In this study, we first show, by electron microscopy and flow cytometry, that subtilisin has broad localization throughout the cytoplasm and membrane of the parasite in the promastigote form with foci in the flagellar pocket. Through in silico analysis, the similarity between subtilisin of different Leishmania species and that of humans were determined, and based on molecular docking, we evaluated the interaction capacity of a serine protease inhibitor against both life cycle forms of Leishmania. The selected inhibitor, known as PF-429242, has already been used against the dengue virus, arenaviruses, and the hepatitis C virus. Moreover, it proved to have antilipogenic activity in a mouse model and caused hypolipidemia in human cells in vitro. Here, PF-429242 significantly inhibited the growth of L. amazonensis promastigotes of four different strains (IC50 values = 3.07 ± 0.20; 0.83 ± 0.12; 2.02 ± 0.27 and 5.83 ± 1.2 µM against LTB0016, PH8, Josefa and LV78 strains) whilst having low toxicity in the host macrophages (CC50 = 170.30 µM). We detected by flow cytometry that there is a greater expression of subtilisin in the amastigote form; however, PF-429242 had a low effect against this intracellular form with an IC50 of >100 µM for intracellular amastigotes, as well as against axenic amastigotes (94.12 ± 2.8 µM for the LV78 strain). In conclusion, even though PF-429242 does not affect the intracellular forms, this drug will serve as a tool to explore pharmacological and potentially leishmanicidal targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pollyanna Stephanie Gomes
- Laboratório de Imunologia Clínica, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz—Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, Brazil; (P.S.G.); (M.P.D.C.); (P.d.A.M.); (A.M.d.F.-M.)
- Laboratório Interdisciplinar de Pesquisas Médicas, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, Brazil
- Laboratório de Imunofarmacologia, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho IBCCF, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-170, Brazil
- Laboratório de Imunobiotecnologia, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Goés, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil
| | - Monique Pacheco Duarte Carneiro
- Laboratório de Imunologia Clínica, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz—Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, Brazil; (P.S.G.); (M.P.D.C.); (P.d.A.M.); (A.M.d.F.-M.)
- Laboratório de Imunobiotecnologia, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Goés, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil
- Laboratório de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular de Proteases, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho IBCCF, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-170, Brazil; (A.G.); (A.P.C.d.A.L.)
| | - Patrícia de Almeida Machado
- Laboratório de Imunologia Clínica, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz—Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, Brazil; (P.S.G.); (M.P.D.C.); (P.d.A.M.); (A.M.d.F.-M.)
- Laboratório Interdisciplinar de Pesquisas Médicas, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, Brazil
- Laboratório de Imunobiotecnologia, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Goés, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil
| | - Valter Viana de Andrade-Neto
- Laboratório de Bioquímica de Tripanossomatídeos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, Brazil;
| | - Alessandra Marcia da Fonseca-Martins
- Laboratório de Imunologia Clínica, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz—Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, Brazil; (P.S.G.); (M.P.D.C.); (P.d.A.M.); (A.M.d.F.-M.)
- Laboratório Interdisciplinar de Pesquisas Médicas, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, Brazil
- Laboratório de Imunofarmacologia, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho IBCCF, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-170, Brazil
- Laboratório de Imunobiotecnologia, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Goés, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil
| | - Amy Goundry
- Laboratório de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular de Proteases, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho IBCCF, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-170, Brazil; (A.G.); (A.P.C.d.A.L.)
| | | | | | - Ana Paula Cabral de Araujo Lima
- Laboratório de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular de Proteases, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho IBCCF, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-170, Brazil; (A.G.); (A.P.C.d.A.L.)
| | - Vítor Ennes-Vidal
- Laboratório de Estudos Integrados em Protozoologia, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, Brazil;
| | - Ana Carolina Rennó Sodero
- Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-170, Brazil; (J.V.M.P.d.S.); (A.C.R.S.)
| | - Salvatore Giovanni De-Simone
- Center for Technological Development in Health (CDTS), National Institute of Science and Technology for Innovation on Diseases Neglected Population (INCT-IDPN), FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil;
- Epidemiology and Molecular Systematic Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Department, Biology Institute, Federal Fluminense University, Niterói 24020-141, Brazil
| | - Herbert L. de Matos Guedes
- Laboratório de Imunologia Clínica, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz—Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, Brazil; (P.S.G.); (M.P.D.C.); (P.d.A.M.); (A.M.d.F.-M.)
- Laboratório Interdisciplinar de Pesquisas Médicas, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, Brazil
- Laboratório de Imunofarmacologia, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho IBCCF, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-170, Brazil
- Laboratório de Imunobiotecnologia, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Goés, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil
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23
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Aleshnick M, Florez-Cuadros M, Martinson T, Wilder BK. Monoclonal antibodies for malaria prevention. Mol Ther 2022; 30:1810-1821. [PMID: 35395399 PMCID: PMC8979832 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2022.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Revised: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Monoclonal antibodies are highly specific proteins that are cloned from a single B cell and bind to a single epitope on a pathogen. These laboratory-made molecules can serve as prophylactics or therapeutics for infectious diseases and have an impressive capacity to modulate the progression of disease, as demonstrated for the first time on a large scale during the COVID-19 pandemic. The high specificity and natural starting point of monoclonal antibodies afford an encouraging safety profile, yet the high cost of production remains a major limitation to their widespread use. While a monoclonal antibody approach to abrogating malaria infection is not yet available, the unique life cycle of the malaria parasite affords many opportunities for such proteins to act, and preliminary research into the efficacy of monoclonal antibodies in preventing malaria infection, disease, and transmission is encouraging. This review examines the current status and future outlook for monoclonal antibodies against malaria in the context of the complex life cycle and varied antigenic targets expressed in the human and mosquito hosts, and provides insight into the strengths and limitations of this approach to curtailing one of humanity’s oldest and deadliest diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maya Aleshnick
- Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, Oregon, USA
| | | | - Thomas Martinson
- Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, Oregon, USA
| | - Brandon K Wilder
- Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, Oregon, USA; Department of Parasitology, U.S. Naval Medical Research 6 (NAMRU-6), Lima, Peru
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24
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Molina-Franky J, Patarroyo ME, Kalkum M, Patarroyo MA. The Cellular and Molecular Interaction Between Erythrocytes and Plasmodium falciparum Merozoites. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:816574. [PMID: 35433504 PMCID: PMC9008539 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.816574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium falciparum is the most lethal human malaria parasite, partly due to its genetic variability and ability to use multiple invasion routes via its binding to host cell surface receptors. The parasite extensively modifies infected red blood cell architecture to promote its survival which leads to increased cell membrane rigidity, adhesiveness and permeability. Merozoites are initially released from infected hepatocytes and efficiently enter red blood cells in a well-orchestrated process that involves specific interactions between parasite ligands and erythrocyte receptors; symptoms of the disease occur during the life-cycle’s blood stage due to capillary blockage and massive erythrocyte lysis. Several studies have focused on elucidating molecular merozoite/erythrocyte interactions and host cell modifications; however, further in-depth analysis is required for understanding the parasite’s biology and thus provide the fundamental tools for developing prophylactic or therapeutic alternatives to mitigate or eliminate Plasmodium falciparum-related malaria. This review focuses on the cellular and molecular events during Plasmodium falciparum merozoite invasion of red blood cells and the alterations that occur in an erythrocyte once it has become infected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Molina-Franky
- Molecular Biology and Immunology Department, Fundación Instituto de Inmunología de Colombia (FIDIC), Bogotá, Colombia
- Department of Immunology and Theranostics, Arthur Riggs Diabetes and Metabolism Research Institute, Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope, Duarte, CA, United States
- PhD Programme in Biotechnology, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Manuel Elkin Patarroyo
- Molecular Biology and Immunology Department, Fundación Instituto de Inmunología de Colombia (FIDIC), Bogotá, Colombia
- Health Sciences Division, Universidad Santo Tomás, Bogotá, Colombia
- Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Markus Kalkum
- Department of Immunology and Theranostics, Arthur Riggs Diabetes and Metabolism Research Institute, Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope, Duarte, CA, United States
- *Correspondence: Markus Kalkum, ; Manuel Alfonso Patarroyo,
| | - Manuel Alfonso Patarroyo
- Molecular Biology and Immunology Department, Fundación Instituto de Inmunología de Colombia (FIDIC), Bogotá, Colombia
- Health Sciences Division, Universidad Santo Tomás, Bogotá, Colombia
- Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia
- *Correspondence: Markus Kalkum, ; Manuel Alfonso Patarroyo,
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25
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Frasse PM, Miller JJ, Polino AJ, Soleimani E, Zhu JS, Jakeman DL, Jez JM, Goldberg DE, Odom John AR. Enzymatic and structural characterization of HAD5, an essential phosphomannomutase of malaria-causing parasites. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:101550. [PMID: 34973333 PMCID: PMC8808168 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2021.101550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2021] [Revised: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
The malaria-causing parasite Plasmodium falciparum is responsible for over 200 million infections and 400,000 deaths per year. At multiple stages during its complex life cycle, P. falciparum expresses several essential proteins tethered to its surface by glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchors, which are critical for biological processes such as parasite egress and reinvasion of host red blood cells. Targeting this pathway therapeutically has the potential to broadly impact parasite development across several life stages. Here, we characterize an upstream component of parasite GPI anchor biosynthesis, the putative phosphomannomutase (PMM) (EC 5.4.2.8), HAD5 (PF3D7_1017400). We confirmed the PMM and phosphoglucomutase activities of purified recombinant HAD5 by developing novel linked enzyme biochemical assays. By regulating the expression of HAD5 in transgenic parasites with a TetR-DOZI-inducible knockdown system, we demonstrated that HAD5 is required for malaria parasite egress and erythrocyte reinvasion, and we assessed the role of HAD5 in GPI anchor synthesis by autoradiography of radiolabeled glucosamine and thin layer chromatography. Finally, we determined the three-dimensional X-ray crystal structure of HAD5 and identified a substrate analog that specifically inhibits HAD5 compared to orthologous human PMMs in a time-dependent manner. These findings demonstrate that the GPI anchor biosynthesis pathway is exceptionally sensitive to inhibition in parasites and that HAD5 has potential as a specific, multistage antimalarial target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip M Frasse
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Departments of Medicine and Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Justin J Miller
- Department of Biology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Alexander J Polino
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Departments of Medicine and Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Ebrahim Soleimani
- College of Pharmacy, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada; Department of Chemistry, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Jian-She Zhu
- College of Pharmacy, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - David L Jakeman
- College of Pharmacy, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada; Department of Chemistry, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Joseph M Jez
- Department of Biology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Daniel E Goldberg
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Departments of Medicine and Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Audrey R Odom John
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
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26
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Fenollar À, Ros-Lucas A, Pía Alberione M, Martínez-Peinado N, Ramírez M, Ángel Rosales-Motos M, Y. Lee L, Alonso-Padilla J, Izquierdo L. Compounds targeting GPI biosynthesis or N-glycosylation are active against Plasmodium falciparum. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2022; 20:850-863. [PMID: 35222844 PMCID: PMC8841962 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2022.01.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/29/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Compounds targeting key steps in GPI biosynthesis abrogate P. falciparum growth. N-glycosylation disruption halts parasite development and induces delayed death. Tunicamycin-induced delayed death is not linked with the synthesis of isoprenoids. In summary, two metabolic pathways are outlined for further drug target exploration.
The emergence of resistance to first-line antimalarials, including artemisinin, the last effective malaria therapy in some regions, stresses the urgent need to develop new effective treatments against this disease. The identification and validation of metabolic pathways that could be targeted for drug development may strongly contribute to accelerate this process. In this study, we use fully characterized specific inhibitors targeting glycan biosynthetic pathways as research tools to analyze their effects on the growth of the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum and to validate these metabolic routes as feasible chemotherapeutic targets. Through docking simulations using models predicted by AlphaFold, we also shed new light into the modes of action of some of these inhibitors. Molecules inhibiting N-acetylglucosaminyl-phosphatidylinositol de-N-acetylase (GlcNAc-PI de-N-acetylase, PIGL/GPI12) or the inositol acyltransferase (GWT1), central for glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) biosynthesis, halt the growth of intraerythrocytic asexual parasites during the trophozoite stages of the intraerythrocytic developmental cycle (IDC). Remarkably, the nucleoside antibiotic tunicamycin, which targets UDP-N-acetylglucosamine:dolichyl-phosphate N-acetylglucosaminephosphotransferase (ALG7) and N-glycosylation in other organisms, induces a delayed-death effect and inhibits parasite growth during the second IDC after treatment. Our data indicate that tunicamycin induces a specific inhibitory effect, hinting to a more substantial role of the N-glycosylation pathway in P. falciparum intraerythrocytic asexual stages than previously thought. To sum up, our results place GPI biosynthesis and N-glycosylation pathways as metabolic routes with potential to yield much-needed therapeutic targets against the parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Àngel Fenollar
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic—University of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Albert Ros-Lucas
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic—University of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - María Pía Alberione
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic—University of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Nieves Martínez-Peinado
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic—University of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Miriam Ramírez
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic—University of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Miguel Ángel Rosales-Motos
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic—University of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ling Y. Lee
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic—University of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Julio Alonso-Padilla
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic—University of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Madrid, Spain
| | - Luis Izquierdo
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic—University of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Madrid, Spain
- Corresponding author at: Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic—University of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain.
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27
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Anton L, Cobb DW, Ho CM. Structural parasitology of the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. Trends Biochem Sci 2021; 47:149-159. [PMID: 34887149 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibs.2021.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2021] [Revised: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The difficulty of faithfully recapitulating malarial protein complexes in heterologous expression systems has long impeded structural study for much of the Plasmodium falciparum proteome. However, recent advances in single-particle cryo electron microscopy (cryoEM) now enable structure determination at atomic resolution with significantly reduced requirements for both sample quantity and purity. Combined with recent developments in gene editing, these advances open the door to structure determination and structural proteomics of macromolecular complexes enriched directly from P. falciparum parasites. Furthermore, the combination of cryoEM with the rapidly emerging use of in situ cryo electron tomography (cryoET) to directly visualize ultrastructures and protein complexes in the native cellular context will yield exciting new insights into the molecular machinery underpinning malaria parasite biology and pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonie Anton
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - David W Cobb
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Chi-Min Ho
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.
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28
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Bahl V, Chaddha K, Mian SY, Holder AA, Knuepfer E, Gaur D. Genetic disruption of Plasmodium falciparum Merozoite surface antigen 180 (PfMSA180) suggests an essential role during parasite egress from erythrocytes. Sci Rep 2021; 11:19183. [PMID: 34584166 PMCID: PMC8479079 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-98707-0] [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: 03/11/2021] [Accepted: 09/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium falciparum, the parasite responsible for severe malaria, develops within erythrocytes. Merozoite invasion and subsequent egress of intraerythrocytic parasites are essential for this erythrocytic cycle, parasite survival and pathogenesis. In the present study, we report the essential role of a novel protein, P. falciparum Merozoite Surface Antigen 180 (PfMSA180), which is conserved across Plasmodium species and recently shown to be associated with the P. vivax merozoite surface. Here, we studied MSA180 expression, processing, localization and function in P. falciparum blood stages. Initially we examined its role in invasion, a process mediated by multiple ligand-receptor interactions and an attractive step for targeting with inhibitory antibodies through the development of a malaria vaccine. Using antibodies specific for different regions of PfMSA180, together with a parasite containing a conditional pfmsa180-gene knockout generated using CRISPR/Cas9 and DiCre recombinase technology, we demonstrate that this protein is unlikely to play a crucial role in erythrocyte invasion. However, deletion of the pfmsa180 gene resulted in a severe egress defect, preventing schizont rupture and blocking the erythrocytic cycle. Our study highlights an essential role of PfMSA180 in parasite egress, which could be targeted through the development of a novel malaria intervention strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanndita Bahl
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vaccine Research, School of Biotechnology, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067, India.
| | - Kritika Chaddha
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vaccine Research, School of Biotechnology, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067, India
| | - Syed Yusuf Mian
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vaccine Research, School of Biotechnology, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067, India
| | - Anthony A Holder
- Malaria Parasitology Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London, NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Ellen Knuepfer
- Malaria Parasitology Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London, NW1 1AT, UK. .,The Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, Hatfield, AL9 7TA, Hertfordshire, UK.
| | - Deepak Gaur
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vaccine Research, School of Biotechnology, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067, India
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Plasmepsin-like Aspartyl Proteases in Babesia. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10101241. [PMID: 34684190 PMCID: PMC8540915 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10101241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Revised: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Apicomplexan genomes encode multiple pepsin-family aspartyl proteases (APs) that phylogenetically cluster to six independent clades (A to F). Such diversification has been powered by the function-driven evolution of the ancestral apicomplexan AP gene and is associated with the adaptation of various apicomplexan species to different strategies of host infection and transmission through various invertebrate vectors. To estimate the potential roles of Babesia APs, we performed qRT-PCR-based expressional profiling of Babesia microti APs (BmASP2, 3, 5, 6), which revealed the dynamically changing mRNA levels and indicated the specific roles of individual BmASP isoenzymes throughout the life cycle of this parasite. To expand on the current knowledge on piroplasmid APs, we searched the EuPathDB and NCBI GenBank databases to identify and phylogenetically analyse the complete sets of APs encoded by the genomes of selected Babesia and Theileria species. Our results clearly determine the potential roles of identified APs by their phylogenetic relation to their homologues of known function—Plasmodium falciparum plasmepsins (PfPM I–X) and Toxoplasma gondii aspartyl proteases (TgASP1–7). Due to the analogies with plasmodial plasmepsins, piroplasmid APs represent valuable enzymatic targets that are druggable by small molecule inhibitors—candidate molecules for the yet-missing specific therapy for babesiosis.
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30
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Production and Immunogenicity of a Tag-Free Recombinant Chimera Based on PfMSP-1 and PfMSP-3 Using Alhydrogel and Dipeptide-Based Hydrogels. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:vaccines9070782. [PMID: 34358198 PMCID: PMC8310097 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9070782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Revised: 05/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
A fusion chimeric vaccine comprising multiple protective domains of different blood-stage Plasmodium falciparum antigens is perhaps necessary for widening the protective immune responses and reducing the morbidity caused by the disease. Here we continue to build upon the prior work of developing a recombinant fusion chimera protein, His-tagged PfMSP-Fu24, by producing it as a tag-free recombinant protein. In this study, tag-free recombinant PfMSPFu24 (rFu24) was expressed in Escherichia coli, and the soluble protein was purified using a three-step purification involving ammonium sulphate precipitation followed by 2-step ion exchange chromatography procedures and shown that it was highly immunogenic with the human-compatible adjuvant Alhydrogel. We further investigated two dipeptides, phenylalanine-α, β-dehydrophenylalanine (FΔF) and Leucine-α, β-dehydrophenylalanine (LΔF) based hydrogels as effective delivery platforms for rFu24. These dipeptides self-assembled spontaneously to form a highly stable hydrogel under physiological conditions. rFu24 was efficiently entrapped in both the F∆F and L∆F hydrogels, and the three-dimensional (3D) mesh-like structures of the hydrogels remained intact after the entrapment of the antigen. The two hydrogels significantly stimulated rFu24-specific antibody titers, and the sera from the immunized mice showed an invasion inhibitory activity comparable to that of Alhydrogel. Easily synthesized dipeptide hydrogels can be used as an effective antigen delivery platform to induce immune responses.
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31
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Naturally Acquired Antibodies against Plasmodium falciparum: Friend or Foe? Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10070832. [PMID: 34357982 PMCID: PMC8308493 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10070832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2021] [Revised: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Antibodies are central to acquired immunity against malaria. Plasmodium falciparum elicits antibody responses against many of its protein components, but there is also formation of antibodies against different parts of the red blood cells, in which the parasites spend most of their time. In the absence of a decisive intervention such as a vaccine, people living in malaria endemic regions largely depend on naturally acquired antibodies for protection. However, these antibodies do not confer sterile immunity and the mechanisms of action are still unclear. Most studies have focused on the inhibitory effect of antibodies, but here, we review both the beneficial as well as the potentially harmful roles of naturally acquired antibodies, as well as autoantibodies formed in malaria. We discuss different studies that have sought to understand acquired antibody responses against P. falciparum antigens, and potential problems when different antibodies are combined, such as in naturally acquired immunity.
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32
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Dijkman PM, Marzluf T, Zhang Y, Chang SYS, Helm D, Lanzer M, Bujard H, Kudryashev M. Structure of the merozoite surface protein 1 from Plasmodium falciparum. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2021; 7:7/23/eabg0465. [PMID: 34078606 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abg0465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 04/14/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The merozoite surface protein 1 (MSP-1) is the most abundant protein on the surface of the erythrocyte-invading Plasmodium merozoite, the causative agent of malaria. MSP-1 is essential for merozoite formation, entry into and escape from erythrocytes, and is a promising vaccine candidate. Here, we present monomeric and dimeric structures of full-length MSP-1. MSP-1 adopts an unusual fold with a large central cavity. Its fold includes several coiled-coils and shows structural homology to proteins associated with membrane and cytoskeleton interactions. MSP-1 formed dimers through these domains in a concentration-dependent manner. Dimerization is affected by the presence of the erythrocyte cytoskeleton protein spectrin, which may compete for the dimerization interface. Our work provides structural insights into the possible mode of interaction of MSP-1 with erythrocytes and establishes a framework for future investigations into the role of MSP-1 in Plasmodium infection and immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia M Dijkman
- Max-Planck-Institute of Biophysics, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
- Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (BMLS), Goethe University of Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Tanja Marzluf
- Centre for Infectious Diseases, Parasitology Unit, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
- MS-based Protein Analysis Unit, Genomics and Proteomics Core Facility, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Yingyi Zhang
- Max-Planck-Institute of Biophysics, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (BMLS), Goethe University of Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Shih-Ying Scott Chang
- Max-Planck-Institute of Biophysics, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (BMLS), Goethe University of Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Dominic Helm
- MS-based Protein Analysis Unit, Genomics and Proteomics Core Facility, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Michael Lanzer
- Centre for Infectious Diseases, Parasitology Unit, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Hermann Bujard
- Sumaya Biotech GmbH & Co. KG, Heidelberg, Germany
- Centre for Molecular Biology Heidelberg, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Mikhail Kudryashev
- Max-Planck-Institute of Biophysics, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
- Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (BMLS), Goethe University of Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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33
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A single-cell atlas of Plasmodium falciparum transmission through the mosquito. Nat Commun 2021; 12:3196. [PMID: 34045457 PMCID: PMC8159942 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-23434-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Malaria parasites have a complex life cycle featuring diverse developmental strategies, each uniquely adapted to navigate specific host environments. Here we use single-cell transcriptomics to illuminate gene usage across the transmission cycle of the most virulent agent of human malaria - Plasmodium falciparum. We reveal developmental trajectories associated with the colonization of the mosquito midgut and salivary glands and elucidate the transcriptional signatures of each transmissible stage. Additionally, we identify both conserved and non-conserved gene usage between human and rodent parasites, which point to both essential mechanisms in malaria transmission and species-specific adaptations potentially linked to host tropism. Together, the data presented here, which are made freely available via an interactive website, provide a fine-grained atlas that enables intensive investigation of the P. falciparum transcriptional journey. As well as providing insights into gene function across the transmission cycle, the atlas opens the door for identification of drug and vaccine targets to stop malaria transmission and thereby prevent disease. Here the authors use single-cell RNA-seq to profile the transmission stages of the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum as it progresses through the Anopheles mosquito. They highlight unique patterns of gene usage throughout this development and identify potential pleiotropic genes that function at multiple life cycle stages.
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Peptidic boronic acids are potent cell-permeable inhibitors of the malaria parasite egress serine protease SUB1. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2022696118. [PMID: 33975947 PMCID: PMC8157947 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2022696118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria is a devastating infectious disease, which causes over 400,000 deaths per annum and impacts the lives of nearly half the world's population. The causative agent, a protozoan parasite, replicates within red blood cells (RBCs), eventually destroying the cells in a lytic process called egress to release a new generation of parasites. These invade fresh RBCs to repeat the cycle. Egress is regulated by an essential parasite subtilisin-like serine protease called SUB1. Here, we describe the development and optimization of substrate-based peptidic boronic acids that inhibit Plasmodium falciparum SUB1 with low nanomolar potency. Structural optimization generated membrane-permeable, slow off-rate inhibitors that prevent Pfalciparum egress through direct inhibition of SUB1 activity and block parasite replication in vitro at submicromolar concentrations. Our results validate SUB1 as a potential target for a new class of antimalarial drugs designed to prevent parasite replication and disease progression.
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35
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Abstract
Malaria, caused by infection with Plasmodium parasites, remains a significant global health concern. For decades, genetic intractability and limited tools hindered our ability to study essential proteins and pathways in Plasmodium falciparum, the parasite associated with the most severe malaria cases. However, recent years have seen major leaps forward in the ability to genetically manipulate P. falciparum parasites and conditionally control protein expression/function. The conditional knockdown systems used in P. falciparum target all 3 components of the central dogma, allowing researchers to conditionally control gene expression, translation, and protein function. Here, we review some of the common knockdown systems that have been adapted or developed for use in P. falciparum. Much of the work done using conditional knockdown approaches has been performed in asexual, blood-stage parasites, but we also highlight their uses in other parts of the life cycle and discuss new ways of applying these systems outside of the intraerythrocytic stages. With the use of these tools, the field’s understanding of parasite biology is ever increasing, and promising new pathways for antimalarial drug development are being discovered.
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36
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Abstract
All intracellular pathogens must escape (egress) from the confines of their host cell to disseminate and proliferate. The malaria parasite only replicates in an intracellular vacuole or in a cyst, and must undergo egress at four distinct phases during its complex life cycle, each time disrupting, in a highly regulated manner, the membranes or cyst wall that entrap the parasites. This Cell Science at a Glance article and accompanying poster summarises our current knowledge of the morphological features of egress across the Plasmodium life cycle, the molecular mechanisms that govern the process, and how researchers are working to exploit this knowledge to develop much-needed new approaches to malaria control. ![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele S Y Tan
- Malaria Biochemistry Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Michael J Blackman
- Malaria Biochemistry Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, UK .,Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK
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37
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Singh SK, Reddy MS. Computational prediction of the effects of non-synonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms on the GPI-anchor transamidase subunit GPI8p of Plasmodium falciparum. Comput Biol Chem 2021; 92:107461. [PMID: 33667975 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiolchem.2021.107461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2019] [Revised: 11/03/2020] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Drug resistance is increasingly evolving in malaria parasites; hence, it is important to discover and establish alternative drug targets. In this context, GPI-anchor transamidase (GPI-T) is a potential drug target primarily of its crucial role in the development and survival of the parasite in the GPI anchor biosynthesis pathway. The present investigation was undertaken to explore the plausible effects of nsSNP on the structure and functions of GPI-T subunit GPI8p of Plasmodium falciparum. The GPI8p (PF3D7_1128700) was analyzed using various sequence-based and structure-based computational tools such as SIFT, PROVEAN, PredictSNP, SNAP2, I-Mutant, MuPro, ConSurf, NetSurfP, MUSTER, COACH server and STRING server. Of the 34 nsSNPs submitted for functional analysis, 18 nsSNPs (R124 L, N143 K, Y145 F, V157I, T195S, K379E, I392 K, I437 T, Y438H, N439D, Y441H, N442D, N448D, N451D, D457A, D457Y, I458 L and N460 K) were predicted to have deleterious effects on the protein GPI8p. Additionally, I-Mutant 2.0 and MuPro both showed a decrease in stability after mutation as a result of these nsSNPs, suggesting the destabilization of protein. ConSurf findings suggest that most of the regions were highly conserved. In addition, COACH server was used to predict the ligand binding sites. It was found that no mutation was present at the predicted ligand binding site. The results of the STRING database showed that the protein GPI8p interacts with those proteins which either involve the biosynthetic process of attaching GPI anchor to protein or GPI anchor. The present study suggested that the GPI8p could be a novel target for anti-malarial drugs, which provides significant details for further experimentation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanjay Kumar Singh
- Department of Biotechnology, Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology, Patiala, 147004, Punjab, India.
| | - M Sudhakara Reddy
- Department of Biotechnology, Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology, Patiala, 147004, Punjab, India.
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38
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Balestra AC, Koussis K, Klages N, Howell SA, Flynn HR, Bantscheff M, Pasquarello C, Perrin AJ, Brusini L, Arboit P, Sanz O, Castaño LPB, Withers-Martinez C, Hainard A, Ghidelli-Disse S, Snijders AP, Baker DA, Blackman MJ, Brochet M. Ca 2+ signals critical for egress and gametogenesis in malaria parasites depend on a multipass membrane protein that interacts with PKG. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2021; 7:7/13/eabe5396. [PMID: 33762339 PMCID: PMC7990342 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abe5396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2020] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Calcium signaling regulated by the cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG) controls key life cycle transitions in the malaria parasite. However, how calcium is mobilized from intracellular stores in the absence of canonical calcium channels in Plasmodium is unknown. Here, we identify a multipass membrane protein, ICM1, with homology to transporters and calcium channels that is tightly associated with PKG in both asexual blood stages and transmission stages. Phosphoproteomic analyses reveal multiple ICM1 phosphorylation events dependent on PKG activity. Stage-specific depletion of Plasmodium berghei ICM1 prevents gametogenesis due to a block in intracellular calcium mobilization, while conditional loss of Plasmodium falciparum ICM1 is detrimental for the parasite resulting in severely reduced calcium mobilization, defective egress, and lack of invasion. Our findings suggest that ICM1 is a key missing link in transducing PKG-dependent signals and provide previously unknown insights into atypical calcium homeostasis in malaria parasites essential for pathology and disease transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aurélia C Balestra
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, CH-1211 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Konstantinos Koussis
- Malaria Biochemistry Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, UK.
| | - Natacha Klages
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, CH-1211 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Steven A Howell
- Mass Spectrometry Proteomics Platform, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Helen R Flynn
- Mass Spectrometry Proteomics Platform, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Marcus Bantscheff
- Cellzome GmbH, Molecular Discovery Research, GlaxoSmithKline, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Carla Pasquarello
- Proteomics Core Facility, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, CH-1211 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Abigail J Perrin
- Malaria Biochemistry Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Lorenzo Brusini
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, CH-1211 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Patrizia Arboit
- Proteomics Core Facility, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, CH-1211 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Olalla Sanz
- Diseases of the Developing World Global Health Pharma Unit, GlaxoSmithKline, 28760 Tres Cantos, Spain
| | | | | | - Alexandre Hainard
- Proteomics Core Facility, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, CH-1211 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Sonja Ghidelli-Disse
- Cellzome GmbH, Molecular Discovery Research, GlaxoSmithKline, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | - David A Baker
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Michael J Blackman
- Malaria Biochemistry Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, UK.
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Mathieu Brochet
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, CH-1211 Geneva, Switzerland.
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39
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Jahnmatz P, Sundling C, Yman V, Widman L, Asghar M, Sondén K, Stenström C, Smedman C, Ndungu F, Ahlborg N, Färnert A. Memory B-Cell Responses Against Merozoite Antigens After Acute Plasmodium falciparum Malaria, Assessed Over One Year Using a Novel Multiplexed FluoroSpot Assay. Front Immunol 2021; 11:619398. [PMID: 33679707 PMCID: PMC7928423 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.619398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Memory B cells (MBCs) are believed to be important for the maintenance of immunity to malaria, and these cells need to be explored in the context of different parasite antigens and their breadth and kinetics after natural infections. However, frequencies of antigen-specific MBCs are low in peripheral blood, limiting the number of antigens that can be studied, especially when small blood volumes are available. Here, we developed a multiplexed reversed B-cell FluoroSpot assay capable of simultaneously detecting MBCs specific for the four Plasmodium falciparum blood-stage antigens, MSP-119, MSP-2, MSP-3 and AMA-1. We used the assay to study the kinetics of the MBC response after an acute episode of malaria and up to one year following treatment in travelers returning to Sweden from sub-Saharan Africa. We show that the FluoroSpot assay can detect MBCs to all four merozoite antigens in the same well, and that the breadth and kinetics varied between individuals. We further found that individuals experiencing a primary infection could mount and maintain parasite-specific MBCs to a similar extent as previously exposed adults, already after a single infection. We conclude that the multiplexed B-cell FluoroSpot is a powerful tool for assessing antigen-specific MBC responses to several antigens simultaneously, and that the kinetics of MBC responses against merozoite surface antigens differ over the course of one year. These findings contribute to the understanding of acquisition and maintenance of immune responses to malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Jahnmatz
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine Solna, Karolinska Institutet and Center for Molecular Medicine, Stockholm, Sweden.,Mabtech AB, Nacka Strand, Sweden
| | - Christopher Sundling
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine Solna, Karolinska Institutet and Center for Molecular Medicine, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Infectious Diseases, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Victor Yman
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine Solna, Karolinska Institutet and Center for Molecular Medicine, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Linnea Widman
- Division of Biostatistics, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Muhammad Asghar
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine Solna, Karolinska Institutet and Center for Molecular Medicine, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Infectious Diseases, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Klara Sondén
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine Solna, Karolinska Institutet and Center for Molecular Medicine, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Infectious Diseases, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Christine Stenström
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Francis Ndungu
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine Solna, Karolinska Institutet and Center for Molecular Medicine, Stockholm, Sweden.,Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI)/Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Kilifi, Kenya
| | - Niklas Ahlborg
- Mabtech AB, Nacka Strand, Sweden.,Department of Molecular Biosciences, The Wenner-Gren Institute, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anna Färnert
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine Solna, Karolinska Institutet and Center for Molecular Medicine, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Infectious Diseases, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
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40
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Cobb DW, Kudyba HM, Villegas A, Hoopmann MR, Baptista RP, Bruton B, Krakowiak M, Moritz RL, Muralidharan V. A redox-active crosslinker reveals an essential and inhibitable oxidative folding network in the endoplasmic reticulum of malaria parasites. PLoS Pathog 2021; 17:e1009293. [PMID: 33534803 PMCID: PMC7886143 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1009293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2020] [Revised: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria remains a major global health problem, creating a constant need for research to identify druggable weaknesses in P. falciparum biology. As important components of cellular redox biology, members of the Thioredoxin (Trx) superfamily of proteins have received interest as potential drug targets in Apicomplexans. However, the function and essentiality of endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-localized Trx-domain proteins within P. falciparum has not been investigated. We generated conditional mutants of the protein PfJ2—an ER chaperone and member of the Trx superfamily—and show that it is essential for asexual parasite survival. Using a crosslinker specific for redox-active cysteines, we identified PfJ2 substrates as PfPDI8 and PfPDI11, both members of the Trx superfamily as well, which suggests a redox-regulatory role for PfJ2. Knockdown of these PDIs in PfJ2 conditional mutants show that PfPDI11 may not be essential. However, PfPDI8 is required for asexual growth and our data suggest it may work in a complex with PfJ2 and other ER chaperones. Finally, we show that the redox interactions between these Trx-domain proteins in the parasite ER and their substrates are sensitive to small molecule inhibition. Together these data build a model for how Trx-domain proteins in the P. falciparum ER work together to assist protein folding and demonstrate the suitability of ER-localized Trx-domain proteins for antimalarial drug development. One of the leading and persistent causes of childhood mortality in the world is malaria, which is caused by parasites from the genus Plasmodium. Unfortunately, the parasite has developed resistance to all available drugs, making the discovery of new drug targets and potential small molecule inhibitors of essential parasite biology a top priority. A critical pathway required for many different biological processes in the parasite is oxidative folding which requires members of the Thioredoxin (Trx) superfamily of proteins. But we know almost nothing about the function and essentiality of Trx-domain proteins that localize to the endoplasmic reticulum, the origin of the secretory pathway, within P. falciparum. Here we show that a network of Trx-domain containing proteins function together and are essential for parasite survival within human red blood cells. Further, we identify a small molecule inhibitor of the redox activities of these Trx-domain containing proteins. This study demonstrates the suitability of this pathway for future antimalarial drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- David W. Cobb
- Department of Cellular Biology, University of Georgia, Georgia, United States of America
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Heather M. Kudyba
- Department of Cellular Biology, University of Georgia, Georgia, United States of America
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Alejandra Villegas
- Department of Cellular Biology, University of Georgia, Georgia, United States of America
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Michael R. Hoopmann
- Institute for Systems Biology, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Rodrigo P. Baptista
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Georgia, United States of America
- Institute of Bioinformatics, University of Georgia, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Baylee Bruton
- Department of Cellular Biology, University of Georgia, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Michelle Krakowiak
- Department of Cellular Biology, University of Georgia, Georgia, United States of America
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Robert L. Moritz
- Institute for Systems Biology, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Vasant Muralidharan
- Department of Cellular Biology, University of Georgia, Georgia, United States of America
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Georgia, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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41
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Nofal SD, Patel A, Blackman MJ, Flueck C, Baker DA. Plasmodium falciparum Guanylyl Cyclase-Alpha and the Activity of Its Appended P4-ATPase Domain Are Essential for cGMP Synthesis and Blood-Stage Egress. mBio 2021; 12:e02694-20. [PMID: 33500341 PMCID: PMC7858053 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02694-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Guanylyl cyclases (GCs) synthesize cyclic GMP (cGMP) and, together with cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases, are responsible for regulating levels of this intracellular messenger which mediates myriad functions across eukaryotes. In malaria parasites (Plasmodium spp), as well as their apicomplexan and ciliate relatives, GCs are associated with a P4-ATPase-like domain in a unique bifunctional configuration. P4-ATPases generate membrane bilayer lipid asymmetry by translocating phospholipids from the outer to the inner leaflet. Here, we investigate the role of Plasmodium falciparum guanylyl cyclase alpha (GCα) and its associated P4-ATPase module, showing that asexual blood-stage parasites lacking both the cyclase and P4-ATPase domains are unable to egress from host erythrocytes. GCα-null parasites cannot synthesize cGMP or mobilize calcium, a cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG)-driven requirement for egress. Using chemical complementation with a cGMP analogue and point mutagenesis of a crucial conserved residue within the P4-ATPase domain, we show that P4-ATPase activity is upstream of and linked to cGMP synthesis. Collectively, our results demonstrate that GCα is a critical regulator of PKG and that its associated P4-ATPase domain plays a primary role in generating cGMP for merozoite egress.IMPORTANCE The clinical manifestations of malaria arise due to successive rounds of replication of Plasmodium parasites within red blood cells. Once mature, daughter merozoites are released from infected erythrocytes to invade new cells in a tightly regulated process termed egress. Previous studies have shown that the activation of cyclic GMP (cGMP) signaling is critical for initiating egress. Here, we demonstrate that GCα, a unique bifunctional enzyme, is the sole enzyme responsible for cGMP production during the asexual blood stages of Plasmodium falciparum and is required for the cellular events leading up to merozoite egress. We further demonstrate that in addition to the GC domain, the appended ATPase-like domain of GCα is also involved in cGMP production. Our results highlight the critical role of GCα in cGMP signaling required for orchestrating malaria parasite egress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie D Nofal
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Avnish Patel
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Michael J Blackman
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Malaria Biochemistry Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Christian Flueck
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - David A Baker
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
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42
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Collins CR, Hackett F, Howell SA, Snijders AP, Russell MRG, Collinson LM, Blackman MJ. The malaria parasite sheddase SUB2 governs host red blood cell membrane sealing at invasion. eLife 2020; 9:e61121. [PMID: 33287958 PMCID: PMC7723409 DOI: 10.7554/elife.61121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Red blood cell (RBC) invasion by malaria merozoites involves formation of a parasitophorous vacuole into which the parasite moves. The vacuole membrane seals and pinches off behind the parasite through an unknown mechanism, enclosing the parasite within the RBC. During invasion, several parasite surface proteins are shed by a membrane-bound protease called SUB2. Here we show that genetic depletion of SUB2 abolishes shedding of a range of parasite proteins, identifying previously unrecognized SUB2 substrates. Interaction of SUB2-null merozoites with RBCs leads to either abortive invasion with rapid RBC lysis, or successful entry but developmental arrest. Selective failure to shed the most abundant SUB2 substrate, MSP1, reduces intracellular replication, whilst conditional ablation of the substrate AMA1 produces host RBC lysis. We conclude that SUB2 activity is critical for host RBC membrane sealing following parasite internalisation and for correct functioning of merozoite surface proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine R Collins
- Malaria Biochemistry Laboratory, The Francis Crick InstituteLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Fiona Hackett
- Malaria Biochemistry Laboratory, The Francis Crick InstituteLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Steven A Howell
- Protein Analysis and Proteomics Platform, The Francis Crick InstituteLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Ambrosius P Snijders
- Protein Analysis and Proteomics Platform, The Francis Crick InstituteLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Matthew RG Russell
- Electron Microscopy Science Technology Platform, The Francis Crick InstituteLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Lucy M Collinson
- Electron Microscopy Science Technology Platform, The Francis Crick InstituteLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Michael J Blackman
- Malaria Biochemistry Laboratory, The Francis Crick InstituteLondonUnited Kingdom
- Faculty of Infectious Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical MedicineLondonUnited Kingdom
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43
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Wang J, Jiang N, Sang X, Yang N, Feng Y, Chen R, Wang X, Chen Q. Protein Modification Characteristics of the Malaria Parasite Plasmodium falciparum and the Infected Erythrocytes. Mol Cell Proteomics 2020; 20:100001. [PMID: 33517144 PMCID: PMC7857547 DOI: 10.1074/mcp.ra120.002375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Accepted: 11/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria elimination is still pending on the development of novel tools that rely on a deep understanding of parasite biology. Proteins of all living cells undergo myriad posttranslational modifications (PTMs) that are critical to multifarious life processes. An extensive proteome-wide dissection revealed a fine PTM map of most proteins in both Plasmodium falciparum, the causative agent of severe malaria, and the infected red blood cells. More than two-thirds of proteins of the parasite and its host cell underwent extensive and dynamic modification throughout the erythrocytic developmental stage. PTMs critically modulate the virulence factors involved in the host-parasite interaction and pathogenesis. Furthermore, P. falciparum stabilized the supporting proteins of erythrocyte origin by selective demodification. Collectively, our multiple omic analyses, apart from having furthered a deep understanding of the systems biology of P. falciparum and malaria pathogenesis, provide a valuable resource for mining new antimalarial targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianhua Wang
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Infectious Diseases in Northeast China, Ministry of Education, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shengyang, China; The Research Unit for Pathogenic Mechanisms of Zoonotic Parasites, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shenyang, China; College of Food Science, Shenyang Agricultural Sciences, Shenyang, China
| | - Ning Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Infectious Diseases in Northeast China, Ministry of Education, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shengyang, China; The Research Unit for Pathogenic Mechanisms of Zoonotic Parasites, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shenyang, China
| | - Xiaoyu Sang
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Infectious Diseases in Northeast China, Ministry of Education, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shengyang, China; The Research Unit for Pathogenic Mechanisms of Zoonotic Parasites, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shenyang, China
| | - Na Yang
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Infectious Diseases in Northeast China, Ministry of Education, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shengyang, China; The Research Unit for Pathogenic Mechanisms of Zoonotic Parasites, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shenyang, China
| | - Ying Feng
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Infectious Diseases in Northeast China, Ministry of Education, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shengyang, China; The Research Unit for Pathogenic Mechanisms of Zoonotic Parasites, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shenyang, China
| | - Ran Chen
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Infectious Diseases in Northeast China, Ministry of Education, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shengyang, China; The Research Unit for Pathogenic Mechanisms of Zoonotic Parasites, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shenyang, China
| | - Xinyi Wang
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Infectious Diseases in Northeast China, Ministry of Education, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shengyang, China; College of Basic Sciences, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China
| | - Qijun Chen
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Infectious Diseases in Northeast China, Ministry of Education, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shengyang, China; The Research Unit for Pathogenic Mechanisms of Zoonotic Parasites, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shenyang, China.
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44
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Metabolomics profiling reveals new aspects of dolichol biosynthesis in Plasmodium falciparum. Sci Rep 2020; 10:13264. [PMID: 32764679 PMCID: PMC7414040 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-70246-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2020] [Accepted: 07/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The cis-polyisoprenoid lipids namely polyprenols, dolichols and their derivatives are linear polymers of several isoprene units. In eukaryotes, polyprenols and dolichols are synthesized as a mixture of four or more homologues of different length with one or two predominant species with sizes varying among organisms. Interestingly, co-occurrence of polyprenols and dolichols, i.e. detection of a dolichol along with significant levels of its precursor polyprenol, are unusual in eukaryotic cells. Our metabolomics studies revealed that cis-polyisoprenoids are more diverse in the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum than previously postulated as we uncovered active de novo biosynthesis and substantial levels of accumulation of polyprenols and dolichols of 15 to 19 isoprene units. A distinctive polyprenol and dolichol profile both within the intraerythrocytic asexual cycle and between asexual and gametocyte stages was observed suggesting that cis-polyisoprenoid biosynthesis changes throughout parasite’s development. Moreover, we confirmed the presence of an active cis-prenyltransferase (PfCPT) and that dolichol biosynthesis occurs via reduction of the polyprenol to dolichol by an active polyprenol reductase (PfPPRD) in the malaria parasite.
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Ressurreição M, Thomas JA, Nofal SD, Flueck C, Moon RW, Baker DA, van Ooij C. Use of a highly specific kinase inhibitor for rapid, simple and precise synchronization of Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium knowlesi asexual blood-stage parasites. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0235798. [PMID: 32673324 PMCID: PMC7365400 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0235798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
During the course of the asexual erythrocytic stage of development, Plasmodium spp. parasites undergo a series of morphological changes and induce alterations in the host cell. At the end of this stage, the parasites egress from the infected cell, after which the progeny invade a new host cell. These processes are rapid and occur in a time-dependent manner. Of particular importance, egress and invasion of erythrocytes by the parasite are difficult to capture in an unsynchronized culture, or even a culture that has been synchronized within a window of one to several hours. Therefore, precise synchronization of parasite cultures is of paramount importance for the investigation of these processes. Here we describe a method for synchronizing Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium knowlesi asexual blood stage parasites with ML10, a highly specific inhibitor of the cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG) that arrests parasite growth approximately 15 minutes prior to egress. This inhibitor allows parasite cultures to be synchronized so that all parasites are within a window of development of several minutes, with a simple wash step. Furthermore, we show that parasites remain viable for several hours after becoming arrested by the compound and that ML10 has advantages, owing to its high specificity and low EC50, over the previously used PKG inhibitor Compound 2. Here, we demonstrate that ML10 is an invaluable tool for the study of Plasmodium spp. asexual blood stage biology and for the routine synchronization of P. falciparum and P. knowlesi cultures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margarida Ressurreição
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - James A. Thomas
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Stephanie D. Nofal
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Christian Flueck
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Robert W. Moon
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - David A. Baker
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Christiaan van Ooij
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
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Roller RF, Malik A, Carillo MA, Garg M, Rella A, Raulf M, Lepenies B, Seeberger PH, Varón Silva D. Semisynthesis of Functional Glycosylphosphatidylinositol‐Anchored Proteins. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202002479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Renée F. Roller
- Department of Biomolecular Systems Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces 14424 Potsdam Germany
- Institute of Chemistry and Biochemistry Freie Universität Berlin Arnimallee 22 14195 Berlin Germany
| | - Ankita Malik
- Department of Biomolecular Systems Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces 14424 Potsdam Germany
- Institute of Chemistry and Biochemistry Freie Universität Berlin Arnimallee 22 14195 Berlin Germany
| | - Maria A. Carillo
- Department of Biomolecular Systems Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces 14424 Potsdam Germany
| | - Monika Garg
- Department of Biomolecular Systems Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces 14424 Potsdam Germany
- Institute of Chemistry and Biochemistry Freie Universität Berlin Arnimallee 22 14195 Berlin Germany
| | - Antonella Rella
- Department of Biomolecular Systems Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces 14424 Potsdam Germany
- Institute of Chemistry and Biochemistry Freie Universität Berlin Arnimallee 22 14195 Berlin Germany
| | - Marie‐Kristin Raulf
- Immunology Unit and Research Center for Emerging Infections and Zoonoses University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover Bünteweg 17 30559 Hannover Germany
- Institute for Parasitology, Center for infection Medicine University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover Bünteweg 17 30559 Hannover Germany
| | - Bernd Lepenies
- Immunology Unit and Research Center for Emerging Infections and Zoonoses University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover Bünteweg 17 30559 Hannover Germany
| | - Peter H. Seeberger
- Department of Biomolecular Systems Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces 14424 Potsdam Germany
- Institute of Chemistry and Biochemistry Freie Universität Berlin Arnimallee 22 14195 Berlin Germany
| | - Daniel Varón Silva
- Department of Biomolecular Systems Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces 14424 Potsdam Germany
- Institute of Chemistry and Biochemistry Freie Universität Berlin Arnimallee 22 14195 Berlin Germany
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A malaria parasite subtilisin propeptide-like protein is a potent inhibitor of the egress protease SUB1. Biochem J 2020; 477:525-540. [PMID: 31942933 PMCID: PMC6993865 DOI: 10.1042/bcj20190918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2019] [Revised: 01/14/2020] [Accepted: 01/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Subtilisin-like serine peptidases (subtilases) play important roles in the life cycle of many organisms, including the protozoan parasites that are the causative agent of malaria, Plasmodium spp. As with other peptidases, subtilase proteolytic activity has to be tightly regulated in order to prevent potentially deleterious uncontrolled protein degradation. Maturation of most subtilases requires the presence of an N-terminal propeptide that facilitates folding of the catalytic domain. Following its proteolytic cleavage, the propeptide acts as a transient, tightly bound inhibitor until its eventual complete removal to generate active protease. Here we report the identification of a stand-alone malaria parasite propeptide-like protein, called SUB1-ProM, encoded by a conserved gene that lies in a highly syntenic locus adjacent to three of the four subtilisin-like genes in the Plasmodium genome. Template-based modelling and ab initio structure prediction showed that the SUB1-ProM core structure is most similar to the X-ray crystal structure of the propeptide of SUB1, an essential parasite subtilase that is discharged into the parasitophorous vacuole (PV) to trigger parasite release (egress) from infected host cells. Recombinant Plasmodium falciparum SUB1-ProM was found to be a fast-binding, potent inhibitor of P. falciparum SUB1, but not of the only other essential blood-stage parasite subtilase, SUB2, or of other proteases examined. Mass-spectrometry and immunofluorescence showed that SUB1-ProM is expressed in the PV of blood stage P. falciparum, where it may act as an endogenous inhibitor to regulate SUB1 activity in the parasite.
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Bemani P, Amirghofran Z, Mohammadi M. Designing a multi-epitope vaccine against blood-stage of Plasmodium falciparum by in silico approaches. J Mol Graph Model 2020; 99:107645. [PMID: 32454399 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmgm.2020.107645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2019] [Revised: 05/05/2020] [Accepted: 05/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Plasmodium falciparum causes the most severe form of malaria disease and is the major cause of infection-related mortalities in the world. Due to increasing in P. falciparum resistance to the first-line antimalarial drugs, an effective vaccine for the control and elimination of malaria infection is urgent. Because the pathogenesis of malaria disease results from blood-stage infection, and all of the symptoms and clinical illness of malaria occur during this stage, there is a strong rationale to develop vaccine against this stage. In the present study, different structural-vaccinology and immuno informatics tools were applied to design an effective antibody-inducing multi-epitope vaccine against the blood-stage of P. falciparum. The designed multi-epitope vaccine was composed of three main parts including B cell epitopes, T helper (Th) cell epitopes, and two adjuvant motives (HP91 and RS09), which were linked to each other via proper linkers. B cell and T cell epitopes were derived from four protective antigens expressed on the surface of merozoites, which are critical to invade the erythrocytes. HP91 and RS09 adjuvants and Th cell epitopes were used to induce, enhance and direct the best form of humoral immune-response against P. falciparum surface merozoite antigens. The vaccine construct was modeled, and after model quality evaluation and refinement by different software, the high-quality 3D-structure model of the vaccine was achieved. Analysis of immunological and physicochemical features of the vaccine showed acceptable results. We believe that this multi-epitope vaccine can be effective for preventing malaria disease caused by P. falciparum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peyman Bemani
- Applied Biotechnology Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
| | - Zahra Amirghofran
- Autoimmune Diseases Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
| | - Mozafar Mohammadi
- Applied Biotechnology Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Roller RF, Malik A, Carillo MA, Garg M, Rella A, Raulf MK, Lepenies B, Seeberger PH, Varón Silva D. Semisynthesis of Functional Glycosylphosphatidylinositol-Anchored Proteins. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2020; 59:12035-12040. [PMID: 32307806 PMCID: PMC7383966 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202002479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2020] [Revised: 03/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Glypiation is a common posttranslational modification of eukaryotic proteins involving the attachment of a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) glycolipid. GPIs contain a conserved phosphoglycan that is modified in a cell‐ and tissue‐specific manner. GPI complexity suggests roles in biological processes and effects on the attached protein, but the difficulties to get homogeneous material have hindered studies. We disclose a one‐pot intein‐mediated ligation (OPL) to obtain GPI‐anchored proteins. The strategy enables the glypiation of folded and denatured proteins with a natural linkage to the glycolipid. Using the strategy, glypiated eGFP, Thy1, and the Plasmodium berghei protein MSP119 were prepared. Glypiation did not alter the structure of eGFP and MSP119 proteins in solution, but it induced a strong pro‐inflammatory response in vitro. The strategy provides access to glypiated proteins to elucidate the activity of this modification and for use as vaccine candidates against parasitic infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renée F Roller
- Department of Biomolecular Systems, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, 14424, Potsdam, Germany.,Institute of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Freie Universität Berlin, Arnimallee 22, 14195, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ankita Malik
- Department of Biomolecular Systems, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, 14424, Potsdam, Germany.,Institute of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Freie Universität Berlin, Arnimallee 22, 14195, Berlin, Germany
| | - Maria A Carillo
- Department of Biomolecular Systems, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, 14424, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Monika Garg
- Department of Biomolecular Systems, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, 14424, Potsdam, Germany.,Institute of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Freie Universität Berlin, Arnimallee 22, 14195, Berlin, Germany
| | - Antonella Rella
- Department of Biomolecular Systems, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, 14424, Potsdam, Germany.,Institute of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Freie Universität Berlin, Arnimallee 22, 14195, Berlin, Germany
| | - Marie-Kristin Raulf
- Immunology Unit and Research Center for Emerging Infections and Zoonoses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Bünteweg 17, 30559, Hannover, Germany.,Institute for Parasitology, Center for infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Bünteweg 17, 30559, Hannover, Germany
| | - Bernd Lepenies
- Immunology Unit and Research Center for Emerging Infections and Zoonoses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Bünteweg 17, 30559, Hannover, Germany
| | - Peter H Seeberger
- Department of Biomolecular Systems, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, 14424, Potsdam, Germany.,Institute of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Freie Universität Berlin, Arnimallee 22, 14195, Berlin, Germany
| | - Daniel Varón Silva
- Department of Biomolecular Systems, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, 14424, Potsdam, Germany.,Institute of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Freie Universität Berlin, Arnimallee 22, 14195, Berlin, Germany
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50
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Koussis K, Withers-Martinez C, Baker DA, Blackman MJ. Simultaneous multiple allelic replacement in the malaria parasite enables dissection of PKG function. Life Sci Alliance 2020; 3:e201900626. [PMID: 32179592 PMCID: PMC7081069 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.201900626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2019] [Revised: 03/06/2020] [Accepted: 03/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Over recent years, a plethora of new genetic tools has transformed conditional engineering of the malaria parasite genome, allowing functional dissection of essential genes in the asexual and sexual blood stages that cause pathology or are required for disease transmission, respectively. Important challenges remain, including the desirability to complement conditional mutants with a correctly regulated second gene copy to confirm that observed phenotypes are due solely to loss of gene function and to analyse structure-function relationships. To meet this challenge, here we combine the dimerisable Cre (DiCre) system with the use of multiple lox sites to simultaneously generate multiple recombination events of the same gene. We focused on the Plasmodium falciparum cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG), creating in parallel conditional disruption of the gene plus up to two allelic replacements. We use the approach to demonstrate that PKG has no scaffolding or adaptor role in intraerythrocytic development, acting solely at merozoite egress. We also show that a phosphorylation-deficient PKG is functionally incompetent. Our method provides valuable new tools for analysis of gene function in the malaria parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - David A Baker
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Michael J Blackman
- Malaria Biochemistry Laboratory, Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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