Multiple genetic loci define Ca++ utilization by bloodstream malaria parasites.

BACKGROUND: Bloodstream malaria parasites require Ca++ for their development, but the sites and mechanisms of Ca++ utilization are not well understood. We hypothesized that there may be differences in Ca++ uptake or utilization by genetically distinct lines of P. falciparum. These differences, if identified, may provide insights into molecular mechanisms. RESULTS: Dose response studies with the Ca++ chelator EGTA (ethylene glycol-bis(ß-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid) revealed stable differences in Ca++ requirement for six geographically divergent parasite lines used in previous genetic crosses, with the largest difference seen between the parents of the HB3 x Dd2 cross. Genetic mapping of Ca++ requirement yielded complex inheritance in 34 progeny clones with a single significant locus on chromosome 7 and possible contributions from other loci. Although encoded by a gene in the significant locus and a proposed Ca++ target, PfCRT (P. falciparum chloroquine resistance transporter), the primary determinant of clinical resistance to the antimalarial drug chloroquine, does not appear to contribute to this quantitative trait. Stage-specific application of extracellular EGTA also excluded determinants associated with merozoite egress and erythrocyte reinvasion. CONCLUSIONS: We have identified differences in Ca++ utilization amongst P. falciparum lines. These differences are under genetic regulation, segregating as a complex trait in genetic cross progeny. Ca++ uptake and utilization throughout the bloodstream asexual cycle of malaria parasites represents an unexplored target for therapeutic intervention.

Increased Ca++ uptake by erythrocytes infected with malaria parasites: Evidence for exported proteins and novel inhibitors.

Malaria parasites export many proteins into their host erythrocytes and increase membrane permeability to diverse solutes. Although most solutes use a broad-selectivity channel known as the plasmodial surface anion channel, increased Ca++ uptake is mediated by a distinct, poorly characterised mechanism that appears to be essential for the intracellular parasite. Here, we examined infected cell Ca++ uptake with a kinetic fluorescence assay and the virulent human pathogen, Plasmodium falciparum. Cell surface labelling with N-hydroxysulfosuccinimide esters revealed differing effects on transport into infected and uninfected cells, indicating that Ca++ uptake at the infected cell surface is mediated by new or altered proteins at the host membrane. Conditional knockdown of PTEX, a translocon for export of parasite proteins into the host cell, significantly reduced infected cell Ca++ permeability, suggesting involvement of parasite-encoded proteins trafficked to the host membrane. A high-throughput chemical screen identified the first Ca++ transport inhibitors active against Plasmodium-infected cells. These novel chemical scaffolds inhibit both uptake and parasite growth; improved in vitro potency at reduced free [Ca++ ] is consistent with parasite killing specifically via action on one or more Ca++ transporters. These inhibitors should provide mechanistic insights into malaria parasite Ca++ transport and may be starting points for new antimalarial drugs.

How do antimalarial drugs reach their intracellular targets?

Drugs represent the primary treatment available for human malaria, as caused by Plasmodium spp. Currently approved drugs and antimalarial drug leads generally work against parasite enzymes or activities within infected erythrocytes. To reach their specific targets, these chemicals must cross at least three membranes beginning with the host cell membrane. Uptake at each membrane may involve partitioning and diffusion through the lipid bilayer or facilitated transport through channels or carriers. Here, we review the features of available antimalarials and examine whether transporters may be required for their uptake. Our computational analysis suggests that most antimalarials have high intrinsic membrane permeability, obviating the need for uptake via transporters; a subset of compounds appear to require facilitated uptake. We also review parasite and host transporters that may contribute to drug uptake. Broad permeability channels at the erythrocyte and parasitophorous vacuolar membranes of infected cells relax permeability constraints on antimalarial drug design; however, this uptake mechanism is prone to acquired resistance as the parasite may alter channel activity to reduce drug uptake. A better understanding of how antimalarial drugs reach their intracellular targets is critical to prioritizing drug leads for antimalarial development and may reveal new targets for therapeutic intervention.

Determining the role of metal binding in protein cage assembly.

Assembly of protein cages may require structural metal ions to nucleate or stabilize association of protein subunits. We describe here an approach to establishing the role of metal ions in protein cage assembly and stability, focusing on detecting the presence of structural metal ions as well as establishing oligomeric state. A colorimetric assay for detection of metal is described, along with a gel filtration assay to assess protein cage assembly and a fluorescence-based method for determining protein stability.

A moonlighting function of Mycobacterium smegmatis Ku in zinc homeostasis?

Ku protein participates in DNA double-strand break repair via the nonhomologous end-joining pathway. The three-dimensional structure of eukaryotic Ku reveals a central core consisting of a ß-barrel domain and pillar and bridge regions that combine to form a ring-like structure that encircles DNA. Homologs of Ku are encoded by a subset of bacterial species, and they are predicted to conserve this core domain. In addition, the bridge region of Ku from some bacteria is predicted from homology modeling and sequence analyses to contain a conventional HxxC and CxxC (where x is any residue) zinc-binding motif. These potential zinc-binding sites have either deteriorated or been entirely lost in Ku from other organisms. Using an in vitro metal binding assay, we show that Mycobacterium smegmatis Ku binds two zinc ions. Zinc binding modestly stabilizes the Ku protein (by ∼3°C) and prevents cysteine oxidation, but it has little effect on DNA binding. In vivo, zinc induces significant upregulation of the gene encoding Ku (∼sixfold) as well as a divergently oriented gene encoding a predicted zinc-dependent MarR family transcription factor. Notably, overexpression of Ku confers zinc tolerance on Escherichia coli. We speculate that zinc-binding sites in Ku proteins from M. smegmatis and other mycobacterial species have been evolutionarily retained to provide protection against zinc toxicity without compromising the function of Ku in DNA double-strand break repair.

Mycobacterium smegmatis Ku binds DNA without free ends.

Ku is central to the non-homologous end-joining pathway of double-strand-break repair in all three major domains of life, with eukaryotic homologues being associated with more diversified roles compared with prokaryotic and archaeal homologues. Ku has a conserved central 'ring-shaped' core domain. While prokaryotic homologues lack the N- and C-terminal domains that impart functional diversity to eukaryotic Ku, analyses of Ku from certain prokaryotes such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Mycobacterium smegmatis have revealed the presence of distinct C-terminal extensions that modulate DNA-binding properties. We report in the present paper that the lysine-rich C-terminal extension of M. smegmatis Ku contacts the core protein domain as evidenced by an increase in DNA-binding affinity and a decrease in thermal stability and intrinsic tryptophan fluorescence upon its deletion. Ku deleted for this C-terminus requires free DNA ends for binding, but translocates to internal DNA sites. In contrast, full-length Ku can directly bind DNA without free ends, suggesting that this property is conferred by its C-terminus. Such binding to internal DNA sites may facilitate recruitment to sites of DNA damage. The results of the present study also suggest that extensions beyond the shared core domain may have independently evolved to expand Ku function.

C-terminal low-complexity sequence repeats of Mycobacterium smegmatis Ku modulate DNA binding.

Ku protein is an integral component of the NHEJ (non-homologous end-joining) pathway of DSB (double-strand break) repair. Both eukaryotic and prokaryotic Ku homologues have been characterized and shown to bind DNA ends. A unique feature of Mycobacterium smegmatis Ku is its basic C-terminal tail that contains several lysine-rich low-complexity PAKKA repeats that are absent from homologues encoded by obligate parasitic mycobacteria. Such PAKKA repeats are also characteristic of mycobacterial Hlp (histone-like protein) for which they have been shown to confer the ability to appose DNA ends. Unexpectedly, removal of the lysine-rich extension enhances DNA-binding affinity, but an interaction between DNA and the PAKKA repeats is indicated by the observation that only full-length Ku forms multiple complexes with a short stem-loop-containing DNA previously designed to accommodate only one Ku dimer. The C-terminal extension promotes DNA end-joining by T4 DNA ligase, suggesting that the PAKKA repeats also contribute to efficient end-joining. We suggest that low-complexity lysine-rich sequences have evolved repeatedly to modulate the function of unrelated DNA-binding proteins.

New functionalized 1,2,4-trioxepanes: synthesis and antimalarial activity against multi-drug resistant P. yoelii in mice.

A series of new amino functionalized 1,2,4-trioxepanes 8-16 and ester functionalized 1,2,4-trioxepanes 17-19 have been synthesized and evaluated against multi-drug resistant Plasmodium yoelii in Swiss mice. Amino functionalized trioxepanes 14, the most active compound of the series, showed 100% clearance of parasitaemia by oral route on day 4 and 75% protection to the treated mice beyond day 28.