1
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Riske BF, Luckhart S, Riehle MA. Starving the Beast: Limiting Coenzyme A Biosynthesis to Prevent Disease and Transmission in Malaria. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:13915. [PMID: 37762222 PMCID: PMC10530615 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241813915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2023] [Revised: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Malaria parasites must acquire all necessary nutrients from the vertebrate and mosquito hosts to successfully complete their life cycle. Failure to acquire these nutrients can limit or even block parasite development and presents a novel target for malaria control. One such essential nutrient is pantothenate, also known as vitamin B5, which the parasite cannot synthesize de novo and is required for the synthesis of coenzyme A (CoA) in the parasite. This review examines pantothenate and the CoA biosynthesis pathway in the human-mosquito-malaria parasite triad and explores possible approaches to leverage the CoA biosynthesis pathway to limit malaria parasite development in both human and mosquito hosts. This includes a discussion of sources for pantothenate for the mosquito, human, and parasite, examining the diverse strategies used by the parasite to acquire substrates for CoA synthesis across life stages and host resource pools and a discussion of drugs and alternative approaches being studied to disrupt CoA biosynthesis in the parasite. The latter includes antimalarial pantothenate analogs, known as pantothenamides, that have been developed to target this pathway during the human erythrocytic stages. In addition to these parasite-targeted drugs, we review studies of mosquito-targeted allosteric enzymatic regulators known as pantazines as an approach to limit pantothenate availability in the mosquito and subsequently deprive the parasite of this essential nutrient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brendan F. Riske
- Department of Entomology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA;
| | - Shirley Luckhart
- Department of Entomology, Plant Pathology and Nematology, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID 83843, USA;
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID 83843, USA
| | - Michael A. Riehle
- Department of Entomology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA;
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2
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Elahi R, Prigge ST. New insights into apicoplast metabolism in blood-stage malaria parasites. Curr Opin Microbiol 2023; 71:102255. [PMID: 36563485 PMCID: PMC9852000 DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2022.102255] [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: 10/03/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The apicoplast of Plasmodium falciparum is the only source of essential isoprenoid precursors and Coenzyme A (CoA) in the parasite. Isoprenoid precursor synthesis relies on the iron-sulfur cluster (FeS) cofactors produced within the apicoplast, rendering FeS synthesis an essential function of this organelle. Recent reports provide important insights into the roles of FeS cofactors and the use of isoprenoid precursors and CoA both inside and outside the apicoplast. Here, we review the recent insights into the roles of these metabolites in blood-stage malaria parasites and discuss new questions that have been raised in light of these discoveries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rubayet Elahi
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA; The Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Sean T Prigge
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA; The Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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3
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Dephospho-Coenzyme A Kinase Is an Exploitable Drug Target against Plasmodium falciparum: Identification of Selective Inhibitors by High-Throughput Screening of a Large Chemical Compound Library. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2022; 66:e0042022. [DOI: 10.1128/aac.00420-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria is a mosquito-borne fatal infectious disease that affects humans and is caused by
Plasmodium
parasites, primarily
Plasmodium falciparum
. Widespread drug resistance compels us to discover novel compounds and alternative drug discovery targets.
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4
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Thakre N, Simão Gurge RM, Isoe J, Kivi H, Strickland J, Delacruz LR, Rodriguez AM, Haney R, Sadeghi R, Joy T, Chen M, Luckhart S, Riehle MA. Manipulation of pantothenate kinase in Anopheles stephensi suppresses pantothenate levels with minimal impacts on mosquito fitness. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2022; 149:103834. [PMID: 36087890 PMCID: PMC9595603 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2022.103834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Revised: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Pantothenate (Pan) is an essential nutrient required by both the mosquito vector and malaria parasite. We previously demonstrated that increasing pantothenate kinase (PanK) activity and co-enzyme A (CoA) biosynthesis led to significantly decreased parasite infection prevalence and intensity in the malaria mosquito Anopheles stephensi. In this study, we demonstrate that Pan stores in A. stephensi are a limited resource and that manipulation of PanK levels or activity, via small molecule modulators of PanK or transgenic mosquitoes, leads to the conversion of Pan to CoA and an overall reduction in Pan levels with minimal to no effects on mosquito fitness. Transgenic A. stephensi lines with repressed insulin signaling due to PTEN overexpression or repressed c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling due to MAPK phosphatase 4 (MKP4) overexpression exhibited enhanced PanK levels and significant reductions in Pan relative to non-transgenic controls, with the PTEN line also exhibiting significantly increased CoA levels. Provisioning of the PTEN line with the small molecule PanK modulator PZ-2891 increased CoA levels while provisioning Compound 7 decreased CoA levels, affirming chemical manipulation of mosquito PanK. We assessed effects of these small molecules on A. stephensi lifespan, reproduction and metabolism under optimized laboratory conditions. PZ-2891 and Compound 7 had no impact on A. stephensi survival when delivered via bloodmeal throughout mosquito lifespan. Further, PZ-2891 provisioning had no impact on egg production over the first two reproductive cycles. Finally, PanK manipulation with small molecules was associated with minimal impacts on nutritional stores in A. stephensi mosquitoes under optimized rearing conditions. Together with our previous data demonstrating that PanK activation was associated with significantly increased A. stephensi resistance to Plasmodium falciparum infection, the studies herein demonstrate a lack of fitness costs of mosquito Pan depletion as a basis for a feasible, novel strategy to control parasite infection of anopheline mosquitoes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neha Thakre
- Department of Entomology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Raquel M Simão Gurge
- Departrment of Entomology, Plant Pathology and Nematology, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, USA
| | - Jun Isoe
- Department of Entomology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Heather Kivi
- Departrment of Entomology, Plant Pathology and Nematology, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, USA
| | - Jessica Strickland
- Departrment of Entomology, Plant Pathology and Nematology, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, USA
| | | | - Anna M Rodriguez
- Departrment of Entomology, Plant Pathology and Nematology, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, USA
| | - Reagan Haney
- Departrment of Entomology, Plant Pathology and Nematology, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, USA
| | - Rohollah Sadeghi
- Departrment of Entomology, Plant Pathology and Nematology, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, USA
| | - Teresa Joy
- Department of Entomology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Minhao Chen
- Department of Entomology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Shirley Luckhart
- Departrment of Entomology, Plant Pathology and Nematology, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, USA; Department of Biological Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, USA
| | - Michael A Riehle
- Department of Entomology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA.
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5
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de Vries LE, Jansen PAM, Barcelo C, Munro J, Verhoef JMJ, Pasaje CFA, Rubiano K, Striepen J, Abla N, Berning L, Bolscher JM, Demarta-Gatsi C, Henderson RWM, Huijs T, Koolen KMJ, Tumwebaze PK, Yeo T, Aguiar ACC, Angulo-Barturen I, Churchyard A, Baum J, Fernández BC, Fuchs A, Gamo FJ, Guido RVC, Jiménez-Diaz MB, Pereira DB, Rochford R, Roesch C, Sanz LM, Trevitt G, Witkowski B, Wittlin S, Cooper RA, Rosenthal PJ, Sauerwein RW, Schalkwijk J, Hermkens PHH, Bonnert RV, Campo B, Fidock DA, Llinás M, Niles JC, Kooij TWA, Dechering KJ. Preclinical characterization and target validation of the antimalarial pantothenamide MMV693183. Nat Commun 2022; 13:2158. [PMID: 35444200 PMCID: PMC9021288 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-29688-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Drug resistance and a dire lack of transmission-blocking antimalarials hamper malaria elimination. Here, we present the pantothenamide MMV693183 as a first-in-class acetyl-CoA synthetase (AcAS) inhibitor to enter preclinical development. Our studies demonstrate attractive drug-like properties and in vivo efficacy in a humanized mouse model of Plasmodium falciparum infection. The compound shows single digit nanomolar in vitro activity against P. falciparum and P. vivax clinical isolates, and potently blocks P. falciparum transmission to Anopheles mosquitoes. Genetic and biochemical studies identify AcAS as the target of the MMV693183-derived antimetabolite, CoA-MMV693183. Pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic modelling predict that a single 30 mg oral dose is sufficient to cure a malaria infection in humans. Toxicology studies in rats indicate a > 30-fold safety margin in relation to the predicted human efficacious exposure. In conclusion, MMV693183 represents a promising candidate for further (pre)clinical development with a novel mode of action for treatment of malaria and blocking transmission. Here, de Vries et al. perform a pre-clinical characterization of the antimalarial compound MMV693183: the compound targets acetyl-CoA synthetase, has efficacy in humanized mice against Plasmodium falciparum infection, blocks transmission to mosquito vectors, is safe in rats, and pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic modeling informs about a potential oral human dosing regimen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura E de Vries
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboudumc Center for Infectious Diseases, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Patrick A M Jansen
- Department of Dermatology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | | | - Justin Munro
- Department of Chemistry and Huck Center for Malaria Research, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Julie M J Verhoef
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboudumc Center for Infectious Diseases, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | | | - Kelly Rubiano
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Josefine Striepen
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Nada Abla
- Medicines for Malaria Venture, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Luuk Berning
- TropIQ Health Sciences, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | | | | | | | - Tonnie Huijs
- TropIQ Health Sciences, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | | | | | - Tomas Yeo
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Anna C C Aguiar
- Sao Carlos Institute of Physics, University of São Paulo, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil, São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Alisje Churchyard
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jake Baum
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Aline Fuchs
- Medicines for Malaria Venture, Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | - Rafael V C Guido
- Sao Carlos Institute of Physics, University of São Paulo, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil, São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Dhelio B Pereira
- Research Center for Tropical Medicine of Rondonia, Porto Velho, Brazil
| | - Rosemary Rochford
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Camille Roesch
- Malaria Molecular Epidemiology Unit, Institut Pasteur du Cambodge, Phnom Penh, Cambodia.,Malaria Translational Research Unit, Institut Pasteur, Paris & Institut Pasteur du Cambodge, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
| | - Laura M Sanz
- Global Health, GlaxoSmithKline, Tres Cantos, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Benoit Witkowski
- Malaria Molecular Epidemiology Unit, Institut Pasteur du Cambodge, Phnom Penh, Cambodia.,Malaria Translational Research Unit, Institut Pasteur, Paris & Institut Pasteur du Cambodge, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
| | - Sergio Wittlin
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Roland A Cooper
- Department of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Dominican University of California, San Rafael, CA, USA
| | - Philip J Rosenthal
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Robert W Sauerwein
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboudumc Center for Infectious Diseases, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,TropIQ Health Sciences, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Joost Schalkwijk
- Department of Dermatology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | | | | | - Brice Campo
- Medicines for Malaria Venture, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - David A Fidock
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.,Center for Malaria Therapeutics and Antimicrobial Resistance, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Manuel Llinás
- Department of Chemistry and Huck Center for Malaria Research, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA.,Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Jacquin C Niles
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Taco W A Kooij
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboudumc Center for Infectious Diseases, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
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6
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Bender FR, Nagamatsu ST, Delamuta JRM, Ribeiro RA, Nogueira MA, Hungria M. Genetic variation in symbiotic islands of natural variant strains of soybean Bradyrhizobium japonicum and Bradyrhizobium diazoefficiens differing in competitiveness and in the efficiency of nitrogen fixation. Microb Genom 2022; 8:000795. [PMID: 35438622 PMCID: PMC9453064 DOI: 10.1099/mgen.0.000795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Soybean is the most important legume cropped worldwide and can highly benefit from the biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) process. Brazil is recognized for its leadership in the use of inoculants and two strains, Bradyrhizobium japonicum CPAC 15 (=SEMIA 5079) and Bradyrhizobium diazoefficiens CPAC 7 (=SEMIA 5080) compose the majority of the 70 million doses of soybean inoculants commercialized yearly in the country. We studied a collection of natural variants of these two strains, differing in properties of competitiveness and efficiency of BNF. We sequenced the genomes of the parental strain SEMIA 566 of B. japonicum, of three natural variants of this strain (S 204, S 340 and S 370), and compared with another variant of this group, strain CPAC 15. We also sequenced the genome of the parental strain SEMIA 586 of B. diazoefficiens, of three natural variants of this strain (CPAC 390, CPAC 392 and CPAC 394) and compared with the genome of another natural variant, strain CPAC 7. As the main genes responsible for nodulation (nod, noe, nol) and BNF (nif, fix) in soybean Bradyrhizobium are located in symbiotic islands, our objective was to identify genetic variations located in this region, including single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and insertions and deletions (indels), that could be potentially related to their different symbiotic phenotypes. We detected 44 genetic variations in the B. japonicum strains and three in B. diazoefficiens. As the B. japonicum strains have gone through a longer period of adaptation to the soil, the higher number of genetic variations could be explained by survival strategies under the harsh environmental conditions of the Brazilian Cerrado biome. Genetic variations were detected in genes enconding proteins such as a dephospho-CoA kinase, related to the CoA biosynthesis; a glucosamine-fructose-6-phosphate aminotransferase, key regulator of the hexosamine biosynthetic pathway; a LysR family transcriptional regulator related to nodulation genes; and NifE and NifS proteins, directly related to the BNF process. We suggest potential genetic variations related to differences in the symbiotic phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flavia Raquel Bender
- Department of Biotechnology, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, C.P. 10011, 86057-970 Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
- Soil Biotechnology Laboratory, Embrapa Soja, C.P. 4006, 86085-981, Londrina-PR, Brazil
| | - Sheila Tiemi Nagamatsu
- Division of Human Genetics, Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Jakeline Renata Marçon Delamuta
- Soil Biotechnology Laboratory, Embrapa Soja, C.P. 4006, 86085-981, Londrina-PR, Brazil
- CNPq, SHIS QI 1 Conjunto B, Blocos A, B, C e D, Lago Sul, 71605-001, Brasília, Federal District, Brazil
| | - Renan Augusto Ribeiro
- CNPq, SHIS QI 1 Conjunto B, Blocos A, B, C e D, Lago Sul, 71605-001, Brasília, Federal District, Brazil
| | - Marco Antonio Nogueira
- Soil Biotechnology Laboratory, Embrapa Soja, C.P. 4006, 86085-981, Londrina-PR, Brazil
- CNPq, SHIS QI 1 Conjunto B, Blocos A, B, C e D, Lago Sul, 71605-001, Brasília, Federal District, Brazil
| | - Mariangela Hungria
- Department of Biotechnology, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, C.P. 10011, 86057-970 Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
- Soil Biotechnology Laboratory, Embrapa Soja, C.P. 4006, 86085-981, Londrina-PR, Brazil
- CNPq, SHIS QI 1 Conjunto B, Blocos A, B, C e D, Lago Sul, 71605-001, Brasília, Federal District, Brazil
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7
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Lunghi M, Kloehn J, Krishnan A, Varesio E, Vadas O, Soldati-Favre D. Pantothenate biosynthesis is critical for chronic infection by the neurotropic parasite Toxoplasma gondii. Nat Commun 2022; 13:345. [PMID: 35039477 PMCID: PMC8764084 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-27996-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Coenzyme A (CoA) is an essential molecule acting in metabolism, post-translational modification, and regulation of gene expression. While all organisms synthesize CoA, many, including humans, are unable to produce its precursor, pantothenate. Intriguingly, like most plants, fungi and bacteria, parasites of the coccidian subgroup of Apicomplexa, including the human pathogen Toxoplasma gondii, possess all the enzymes required for de novo synthesis of pantothenate. Here, the importance of CoA and pantothenate biosynthesis for the acute and chronic stages of T. gondii infection is dissected through genetic, biochemical and metabolomic approaches, revealing that CoA synthesis is essential for T. gondii tachyzoites, due to the parasite's inability to salvage CoA or intermediates of the pathway. In contrast, pantothenate synthesis is only partially active in T. gondii tachyzoites, making the parasite reliant on its uptake. However, pantothenate synthesis is crucial for the establishment of chronic infection, offering a promising target for intervention against the persistent stage of T. gondii.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Lunghi
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, University of Geneva, CMU, Rue Michel-Servet 1, 1211, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Joachim Kloehn
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, University of Geneva, CMU, Rue Michel-Servet 1, 1211, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Aarti Krishnan
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, University of Geneva, CMU, Rue Michel-Servet 1, 1211, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Emmanuel Varesio
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Western Switzerland (ISPSO), University of Geneva, CMU, Rue Michel-Servet 1, 1211, Geneva, Switzerland
- Mass Spectrometry Core Facility (MZ 2.0), University of Geneva, 1211, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Oscar Vadas
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, University of Geneva, CMU, Rue Michel-Servet 1, 1211, Geneva, Switzerland
- Protein and peptide purification platform, University of Geneva, CMU, Rue Michel-Servet 1, 1211, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Dominique Soldati-Favre
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, University of Geneva, CMU, Rue Michel-Servet 1, 1211, Geneva, Switzerland.
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8
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de Vries LE, Lunghi M, Krishnan A, Kooij TWA, Soldati-Favre D. Pantothenate and CoA biosynthesis in Apicomplexa and their promise as antiparasitic drug targets. PLoS Pathog 2021; 17:e1010124. [PMID: 34969059 PMCID: PMC8717973 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1010124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The Apicomplexa phylum comprises thousands of distinct intracellular parasite species, including coccidians, haemosporidians, piroplasms, and cryptosporidia. These parasites are characterized by complex and divergent life cycles occupying a variety of host niches. Consequently, they exhibit distinct adaptations to the differences in nutritional availabilities, either relying on biosynthetic pathways or by salvaging metabolites from their host. Pantothenate (Pan, vitamin B5) is the precursor for the synthesis of an essential cofactor, coenzyme A (CoA), but among the apicomplexans, only the coccidian subgroup has the ability to synthesize Pan. While the pathway to synthesize CoA from Pan is largely conserved across all branches of life, there are differences in the redundancy of enzymes and possible alternative pathways to generate CoA from Pan. Impeding the scavenge of Pan and synthesis of Pan and CoA have been long recognized as potential targets for antimicrobial drug development, but in order to fully exploit these critical pathways, it is important to understand such differences. Recently, a potent class of pantothenamides (PanAms), Pan analogs, which target CoA-utilizing enzymes, has entered antimalarial preclinical development. The potential of PanAms to target multiple downstream pathways make them a promising compound class as broad antiparasitic drugs against other apicomplexans. In this review, we summarize the recent advances in understanding the Pan and CoA biosynthesis pathways, and the suitability of these pathways as drug targets in Apicomplexa, with a particular focus on the cyst-forming coccidian, Toxoplasma gondii, and the haemosporidian, Plasmodium falciparum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura E. de Vries
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboudumc Center for Infectious Diseases, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Matteo Lunghi
- Department of Microbiology & Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Aarti Krishnan
- Department of Microbiology & Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Taco W. A. Kooij
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboudumc Center for Infectious Diseases, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Dominique Soldati-Favre
- Department of Microbiology & Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
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9
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Simão-Gurge RM, Thakre N, Strickland J, Isoe J, Delacruz LR, Torrevillas BK, Rodriguez AM, Riehle MA, Luckhart S. Activation of Anopheles stephensi Pantothenate Kinase and Coenzyme A Biosynthesis Reduces Infection with Diverse Plasmodium Species in the Mosquito Host. Biomolecules 2021; 11:807. [PMID: 34072373 PMCID: PMC8228300 DOI: 10.3390/biom11060807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Revised: 05/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria parasites require pantothenate from both human and mosquito hosts to synthesize coenzyme A (CoA). Specifically, mosquito-stage parasites cannot synthesize pantothenate de novo or take up preformed CoA from the mosquito host, making it essential for the parasite to obtain pantothenate from mosquito stores. This makes pantothenate utilization an attractive target for controlling sexual stage malaria parasites in the mosquito. CoA is synthesized from pantothenate in a multi-step pathway initiated by the enzyme pantothenate kinase (PanK). In this work, we manipulated A. stephensi PanK activity and assessed the impact of mosquito PanK activity on the development of two malaria parasite species with distinct genetics and life cycles: the human parasite Plasmodium falciparum and the mouse parasite Plasmodium yoelii yoelii 17XNL. We identified two putative A. stephensi PanK isoforms encoded by a single gene and expressed in the mosquito midgut. Using both RNAi and small molecules with reported activity against human PanK, we confirmed that A. stephensi PanK manipulation was associated with corresponding changes in midgut CoA levels. Based on these findings, we used two small molecule modulators of human PanK activity (PZ-2891, compound 7) at reported and ten-fold EC50 doses to examine the effects of manipulating A. stephensi PanK on malaria parasite infection success. Our data showed that oral provisioning of 1.3 nM and 13 nM PZ-2891 increased midgut CoA levels and significantly decreased infection success for both Plasmodium species. In contrast, oral provisioning of 62 nM and 620 nM compound 7 decreased CoA levels and significantly increased infection success for both Plasmodium species. This work establishes the A. stephensi CoA biosynthesis pathway as a potential target for broadly blocking malaria parasite development in anopheline hosts. We envision this strategy, with small molecule PanK modulators delivered to mosquitoes via attractive bait stations, working in concert with deployment of parasite-directed novel pantothenamide drugs to block parasite infection in the human host. In mosquitoes, depletion of pantothenate through manipulation to increase CoA biosynthesis is expected to negatively impact Plasmodium survival by starving the parasite of this essential nutrient. This has the potential to kill both wild type parasites and pantothenamide-resistant parasites that could develop under pantothenamide drug pressure if these compounds are used as future therapeutics for human malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel M. Simão-Gurge
- Department of Entomology, Plant Pathology and Nematology, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID 83843, USA; (R.M.S.-G.); (J.S.); (B.K.T.); (A.M.R.)
| | - Neha Thakre
- Department of Entomology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA; (N.T.); (J.I.); (L.R.D.); (M.A.R.)
| | - Jessica Strickland
- Department of Entomology, Plant Pathology and Nematology, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID 83843, USA; (R.M.S.-G.); (J.S.); (B.K.T.); (A.M.R.)
| | - Jun Isoe
- Department of Entomology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA; (N.T.); (J.I.); (L.R.D.); (M.A.R.)
| | - Lillian R. Delacruz
- Department of Entomology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA; (N.T.); (J.I.); (L.R.D.); (M.A.R.)
| | - Brandi K. Torrevillas
- Department of Entomology, Plant Pathology and Nematology, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID 83843, USA; (R.M.S.-G.); (J.S.); (B.K.T.); (A.M.R.)
| | - Anna M. Rodriguez
- Department of Entomology, Plant Pathology and Nematology, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID 83843, USA; (R.M.S.-G.); (J.S.); (B.K.T.); (A.M.R.)
| | - Michael A. Riehle
- Department of Entomology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA; (N.T.); (J.I.); (L.R.D.); (M.A.R.)
| | - Shirley Luckhart
- Department of Entomology, Plant Pathology and Nematology, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID 83843, USA; (R.M.S.-G.); (J.S.); (B.K.T.); (A.M.R.)
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID 83843, USA
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10
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Swift RP, Rajaram K, Liu HB, Prigge ST. Dephospho-CoA kinase, a nuclear-encoded apicoplast protein, remains active and essential after Plasmodium falciparum apicoplast disruption. EMBO J 2021; 40:e107247. [PMID: 34031901 PMCID: PMC8365264 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2020107247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Revised: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria parasites contain an essential organelle called the apicoplast that houses metabolic pathways for fatty acid, heme, isoprenoid, and iron–sulfur cluster synthesis. Surprisingly, malaria parasites can survive without the apicoplast as long as the isoprenoid precursor isopentenyl pyrophosphate (IPP) is supplemented in the growth medium, making it appear that isoprenoid synthesis is the only essential function of the organelle in blood‐stage parasites. In the work described here, we localized an enzyme responsible for coenzyme A synthesis, DPCK, to the apicoplast, but we were unable to delete DPCK, even in the presence of IPP. However, once the endogenous DPCK was complemented with the E. coli DPCK (EcDPCK), we were successful in deleting it. We were then able to show that DPCK activity is required for parasite survival through knockdown of the complemented EcDPCK. Additionally, we showed that DPCK enzyme activity remains functional and essential within the vesicles present after apicoplast disruption. These results demonstrate that while the apicoplast of blood‐stage P. falciparum parasites can be disrupted, the resulting vesicles remain biochemically active and are capable of fulfilling essential functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Russell P Swift
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Krithika Rajaram
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Hans B Liu
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Sean T Prigge
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
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11
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Shrivastav MT, Malik Z, Somlata. Revisiting Drug Development Against the Neglected Tropical Disease, Amebiasis. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 10:628257. [PMID: 33718258 PMCID: PMC7943716 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.628257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2020] [Accepted: 12/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Amebiasis is a neglected tropical disease which is caused by the protozoan parasite Entamoeba histolytica. This disease is one of the leading causes of diarrhea globally, affecting largely impoverished residents in developing countries. Amebiasis also remains one of the top causes of gastrointestinal diseases in returning international travellers. Despite having many side effects, metronidazole remains the drug of choice as an amebicidal tissue-active agent. However, emergence of metronidazole resistance in pathogens having similar anaerobic metabolism and also in laboratory strains of E. histolytica has necessitated the identification and development of new drug targets and therapeutic strategies against the parasite. Recent research in the field of amebiasis has led to a better understanding of the parasite’s metabolic and cellular pathways and hence has been useful in identifying new drug targets. On the other hand, new molecules effective against amebiasis have been mined by modifying available compounds, thereby increasing their potency and efficacy and also by repurposing existing approved drugs. This review aims at compiling and examining up to date information on promising drug targets and drug molecules for the treatment of amebiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manish T Shrivastav
- Multidisciplinary Centre for Advanced Research and Studies, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, India
| | - Zainab Malik
- Multidisciplinary Centre for Advanced Research and Studies, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, India
| | - Somlata
- Multidisciplinary Centre for Advanced Research and Studies, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, India
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12
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Schalkwijk J, Allman EL, Jansen PAM, de Vries LE, Verhoef JMJ, Jackowski S, Botman PNM, Beuckens-Schortinghuis CA, Koolen KMJ, Bolscher JM, Vos MW, Miller K, Reeves SA, Pett H, Trevitt G, Wittlin S, Scheurer C, Sax S, Fischli C, Angulo-Barturen I, Jiménez-Diaz MB, Josling G, Kooij TWA, Bonnert R, Campo B, Blaauw RH, Rutjes FPJT, Sauerwein RW, Llinás M, Hermkens PHH, Dechering KJ. Antimalarial pantothenamide metabolites target acetyl-coenzyme A biosynthesis in Plasmodium falciparum. Sci Transl Med 2020; 11:11/510/eaas9917. [PMID: 31534021 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aas9917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2018] [Revised: 09/07/2018] [Accepted: 03/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Malaria eradication is critically dependent on new therapeutics that target resistant Plasmodium parasites and block transmission of the disease. Here, we report that pantothenamide bioisosteres were active against blood-stage Plasmodium falciparum parasites and also blocked transmission of sexual stages to the mosquito vector. These compounds were resistant to degradation by serum pantetheinases, showed favorable pharmacokinetic properties, and cleared parasites in a humanized mouse model of P. falciparum infection. Metabolomics revealed that coenzyme A biosynthetic enzymes converted pantothenamides into coenzyme A analogs that interfered with parasite acetyl-coenzyme A anabolism. Resistant parasites generated in vitro showed mutations in acetyl-coenzyme A synthetase and acyl-coenzyme A synthetase 11. Introduction and reversion of these mutations in P. falciparum using CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing confirmed the roles of these enzymes in the sensitivity of the malaria parasites to pantothenamides. These pantothenamide compounds with a new mode of action may have potential as drugs against malaria parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joost Schalkwijk
- Department of Dermatology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands.
| | - Erik L Allman
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Huck Center for Malaria Research, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802 USA
| | - Patrick A M Jansen
- Department of Dermatology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Laura E de Vries
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Julie M J Verhoef
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Karen Miller
- St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Stacy A Reeves
- St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Helmi Pett
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | | | - Sergio Wittlin
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Christian Scheurer
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Sibylle Sax
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Christoph Fischli
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Gabrielle Josling
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Huck Center for Malaria Research, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802 USA
| | - Taco W A Kooij
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | | | - Brice Campo
- Medicines for Malaria Venture, Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Robert W Sauerwein
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands.,TropIQ Health Sciences, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Manuel Llinás
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Huck Center for Malaria Research, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802 USA.,Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802 USA
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13
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Krishnan A, Kloehn J, Lunghi M, Soldati-Favre D. Vitamin and cofactor acquisition in apicomplexans: Synthesis versus salvage. J Biol Chem 2020; 295:701-714. [PMID: 31767680 PMCID: PMC6970920 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.aw119.008150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The Apicomplexa phylum comprises diverse parasitic organisms that have evolved from a free-living ancestor. These obligate intracellular parasites exhibit versatile metabolic capabilities reflecting their capacity to survive and grow in different hosts and varying niches. Determined by nutrient availability, they either use their biosynthesis machineries or largely depend on their host for metabolite acquisition. Because vitamins cannot be synthesized by the mammalian host, the enzymes required for their synthesis in apicomplexan parasites represent a large repertoire of potential therapeutic targets. Here, we review recent advances in metabolic reconstruction and functional studies coupled to metabolomics that unravel the interplay between biosynthesis and salvage of vitamins and cofactors in apicomplexans. A particular emphasis is placed on Toxoplasma gondii, during both its acute and latent stages of infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aarti Krishnan
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva CMU, 1 Rue Michel-Servet, 1211 Geneva 4 Switzerland
| | - Joachim Kloehn
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva CMU, 1 Rue Michel-Servet, 1211 Geneva 4 Switzerland
| | - Matteo Lunghi
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva CMU, 1 Rue Michel-Servet, 1211 Geneva 4 Switzerland
| | - Dominique Soldati-Favre
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva CMU, 1 Rue Michel-Servet, 1211 Geneva 4 Switzerland
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14
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Krishnan A, Kloehn J, Lunghi M, Soldati-Favre D. Vitamin and cofactor acquisition in apicomplexans: Synthesis versus salvage. J Biol Chem 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/s0021-9258(17)49928-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022] Open
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15
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Highly Sensitive and Rapid Characterization of the Development of Synchronized Blood Stage Malaria Parasites Via Magneto-Optical Hemozoin Quantification. Biomolecules 2019; 9:biom9100579. [PMID: 31591333 PMCID: PMC6843464 DOI: 10.3390/biom9100579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2019] [Revised: 08/23/2019] [Accepted: 09/02/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The rotating-crystal magneto-optical diagnostic (RMOD) technique was developed as a sensitive and rapid platform for malaria diagnosis. Herein, we report a detailed in vivo assessment of the synchronized Plasmodium vinckei lentum strain blood-stage infections by the RMOD method and comparing the results to the unsynchronized Plasmodium yoelii 17X-NL (non-lethal) infections. Furthermore, we assess the hemozoin production and clearance dynamics in chloroquine-treated compared to untreated self-resolving infections by RMOD. The findings of the study suggest that the RMOD signal is directly proportional to the hemozoin content and closely follows the actual parasitemia level. The lack of long-term accumulation of hemozoin in peripheral blood implies a dynamic equilibrium between the hemozoin production rate of the parasites and the immune system’s clearing mechanism. Using parasites with synchronous blood stage cycle, which resemble human malaria parasite infections with Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax, we are demonstrating that the RMOD detects both hemozoin production and clearance rates with high sensitivity and temporal resolution. Thus, RMOD technique offers a quantitative tool to follow the maturation of the malaria parasites even on sub-cycle timescales.
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16
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Nurkanto A, Jeelani G, Yamamoto T, Hishiki T, Naito Y, Suematsu M, Hashimoto T, Nozaki T. Biochemical, Metabolomic, and Genetic Analyses of Dephospho Coenzyme A Kinase Involved in Coenzyme A Biosynthesis in the Human Enteric Parasite Entamoeba histolytica. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:2902. [PMID: 30555442 PMCID: PMC6284149 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.02902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2018] [Accepted: 11/13/2018] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Coenzyme A (CoA) is an essential cofactor for numerous cellular reactions in all living organisms. In the protozoan parasite Entamoeba histolytica, CoA is synthesized in a pathway consisting of four enzymes with dephospho-CoA kinase (DPCK) catalyzing the last step. However, the metabolic and physiological roles of E. histolytica DPCK remain elusive. In this study, we took biochemical, reverse genetic, and metabolomic approaches to elucidate role of DPCK in E. histolytica. The E. histolytica genome encodes two DPCK isotypes (EhDPCK1 and EhDPCK2). Epigenetic gene silencing of Ehdpck1 and Ehdpck2 caused significant reduction of DPCK activity, intracellular CoA concentrations, and also led to growth retardation in vitro, suggesting importance of DPCK for CoA synthesis and proliferation. Furthermore, metabolomic analysis showed that suppression of Ehdpck gene expression also caused decrease in the level of acetyl-CoA, and metabolites involved in amino acid, glycogen, hexosamine, nucleic acid metabolisms, chitin, and polyamine biosynthesis. The kinetic properties of E. histolytica and human DPCK showed remarkable differences, e.g., the Km values of E. histolytica and human DPCK were 58-114 and 5.2 μM toward dephospho-CoA and 15-20 and 192 μM for ATP, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis also supported the uniqueness of the amebic enzyme compared to the human counterpart. These biochemical, evolutionary features, and physiological importance of EhDPCKs indicate that EhDPCK represents the rational target for the development of anti-amebic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arif Nurkanto
- Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
- Research Center for Biology, Indonesia Institute of Sciences (LIPI), Cibinong, Indonesia
| | - Ghulam Jeelani
- Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takehiro Yamamoto
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takako Hishiki
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan
- Clinical and Translational Research Center, School of Medicine, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoshiko Naito
- Clinical and Translational Research Center, School of Medicine, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Makoto Suematsu
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tetsuo Hashimoto
- Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Tomoyoshi Nozaki
- Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
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17
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Souvannaseng L, Hun LV, Baker H, Klyver JM, Wang B, Pakpour N, Bridgewater JM, Napoli E, Giulivi C, Riehle MA, Luckhart S. Inhibition of JNK signaling in the Asian malaria vector Anopheles stephensi extends mosquito longevity and improves resistance to Plasmodium falciparum infection. PLoS Pathog 2018; 14:e1007418. [PMID: 30496310 PMCID: PMC6264519 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1007418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2018] [Accepted: 10/18/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria is a global health concern caused by infection with Plasmodium parasites. With rising insecticide and drug resistance, there is a critical need to develop novel control strategies, including strategies to block parasite sporogony in key mosquito vector species. MAPK signaling pathways regulated by extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs) and the stress-activated protein kinases (SAPKs) c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNKs) and p38 MAPKs are highly conserved across eukaryotes, including mosquito vectors of the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. Some of these pathways in mosquitoes have been investigated in detail, but the mechanisms of integration of parasite development and mosquito fitness by JNK signaling have not been elucidated. To this end, we engineered midgut-specific overexpression of MAPK phosphatase 4 (MKP4), which targets the SAPKs, and used two potent and specific JNK small molecule inhibitors (SMIs) to assess the effects of JNK signaling manipulations on Anopheles stephensi fecundity, lifespan, intermediary metabolism, and P. falciparum development. MKP4 overexpression and SMI treatment reduced the proportion of P. falciparum-infected mosquitoes and decreased oocyst loads relative to controls. SMI-treated mosquitoes exhibited no difference in lifespan compared to controls, whereas genetically manipulated mosquitoes exhibited extended longevity. Metabolomics analyses of SMI-treated mosquitoes revealed insights into putative resistance mechanisms and the physiology behind lifespan extension, suggesting for the first time that P. falciparum-induced JNK signaling reduces mosquito longevity and increases susceptibility to infection, in contrast to previously published reports, likely via a critical interplay between the invertebrate host and parasite for nutrients that play essential roles during sporogonic development. Malaria is a global health concern caused by infection with Plasmodium parasites. With rising insecticide and drug resistance, there is a critical need to develop novel control strategies. One strategy is to develop a Plasmodium-resistant mosquito through the manipulation of key signaling pathways and processes in the mosquito midgut, a critical tissue for parasite development. MAPK signaling pathways are highly conserved among eukaryotes and regulate development of the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum in the mosquito vector. Here, we investigated how manipulation of Anopheles stephensi JNK signaling affects development of P. falciparum and key mosquito life history traits. We used multiple, complementary approaches to demonstrate that malaria parasite infection activates mosquito JNK signaling for its own benefit at a cost to host lifespan. Notably, these combined effects derive from networked signaling with other transduction pathways and alterations to intermediary metabolism in the mosquito host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lattha Souvannaseng
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, United States of America
- Department of Pathobiology, St. George's University, School of Veterinary Medicine, True Blue, St. George, Grenada, West Indies
| | - Lewis Vibul Hun
- Department of Entomology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States of America
| | - Heather Baker
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, United States of America
| | - John M. Klyver
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, United States of America
| | - Bo Wang
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, United States of America
| | - Nazzy Pakpour
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, United States of America
| | - Jordan M. Bridgewater
- Department of Entomology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States of America
| | - Eleonora Napoli
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA
| | - Cecilia Giulivi
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA
- M.I.N.D. Institute, Sacramento, CA, United States of America
| | - Michael A. Riehle
- Department of Entomology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States of America
| | - Shirley Luckhart
- Department of Entomology, Plant Pathology and Nematology and Department of Biological Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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