-
Validation of Plasmodium falciparum deoxyhypusine synthase as an antimalarial target
- Back
Metadata
Document Title
Validation of Plasmodium falciparum deoxyhypusine synthase as an antimalarial target
Author
Aroonsri A., Posayapisit N., Kongsee J., Siripan O., Vitsupakorn D., Utaida S., Uthaipibull C., Kamchonwongpaisan S., Shaw P.J.
Name from Authors Collection
Affiliations
Protein-Ligand Engineering and Molecular Biology Laboratory, Medical Molecular Biology Research Unit, National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), Pathum Thani, Thailand; Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Thammasat University, Pathum Thani, Thailand; Fisheries Industrial Technology Research and Development Division, Department of Fisheries, Bangkok, Thailand
Type
Article
Source Title
PeerJ
ISSN
21678359
Year
2019
Volume
2019
Issue
4
Open Access
Gold, Green
Publisher
PeerJ Inc.
DOI
10.7717/peerj.6713
Abstract
Background: Hypusination is an essential post-translational modification in eukaryotes. The two enzymes required for this modification, namely deoxyhypusine synthase (DHS) and deoxyhypusine hydrolase are also conserved. Plasmodium falciparum human malaria parasites possess genes for both hypusination enzymes, which are hypothesized to be targets of antimalarial drugs. Methods: Transgenic P. falciparum parasites with modification of the PF3D7_1412600 gene encoding Pf DHS enzyme were created by insertion of the glmS riboswitch or the M9 inactive variant. The Pf DHS protein was studied in transgenic parasites by confocal microscopy and Western immunoblotting. The biochemical function of Pf DHS enzyme in parasites was assessed by hypusination and nascent protein synthesis assays. Gene essentiality was assessed by competitive growth assays and chemogenomic profiling. Results: Clonal transgenic parasites with integration of glmS riboswitch downstream of the Pf DHS gene were established. Pf DHS protein was present in the cytoplasm of transgenic parasites in asexual stages. The Pf DHS protein could be attenuated fivefold in transgenic parasites with an active riboswitch, whereas Pf DHS protein expression was unaffected in control transgenic parasites with insertion of the riboswitch-inactive sequence. Attenuation of Pf DHS expression for 72 h led to a significant reduction of hypusinated protein; however, global protein synthesis was unaffected. Parasites with attenuated Pf DHS expression showed a significant growth defect, although their decline was not as rapid as parasites with attenuated dihydrofolate reductase-thymidylate synthase (Pf DHFR-TS) expression. Pf DHS-attenuated parasites showed increased sensitivity to N1-guanyl-1,7-diaminoheptane, a structural analog of spermidine, and a known inhibitor of DHS enzymes. Discussion: Loss of Pf DHS function leads to reduced hypusination, which may be important for synthesis of some essential proteins. The growth defect in parasites with attenuated Pf DHS expression suggests that this gene is essential. However, the slower decline of Pf DHS mutants compared with PfDHFR-TS mutants in competitive growth assays suggests that Pf DHS is less vulnerable as an antimalarial target. Nevertheless, the data validate Pf DHS as an antimalarial target which can be inhibited by spermidine-like compounds. © Copyright 2019 Aroonsri et al.
Keyword
Antimalarial | Deoxyhypusine synthase | Drug target | glmS riboswitch | Hypusination | Pf DHS | PfeIF5A | Plasmodium falciparum
Industrial Classification
Knowledge Taxonomy Level 1
Knowledge Taxonomy Level 2
Knowledge Taxonomy Level 3
Funding Sponsor
National Science and Technology Development Agency; Thailand Research Fund; Thammasat University; National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology
License
CC BY
Rights
Author
Publication Source
Scopus