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  • Chemogenomics identifies acetyl-coenzyme A synthetase as a target for malaria treatment and prevention.

Chemogenomics identifies acetyl-coenzyme A synthetase as a target for malaria treatment and prevention.

Cell chemical biology (2021-08-05)
Robert L Summers, Charisse Flerida A Pasaje, Joao P Pisco, Josefine Striepen, Madeline R Luth, Krittikorn Kumpornsin, Emma F Carpenter, Justin T Munro, De Lin, Andrew Plater, Avinash S Punekar, Andrew M Shepherd, Sharon M Shepherd, Manu Vanaerschot, James M Murithi, Kelly Rubiano, Aslı Akidil, Sabine Ottilie, Nimisha Mittal, A Hazel Dilmore, Madalyn Won, Rebecca E K Mandt, Kerry McGowen, Edward Owen, Chris Walpole, Manuel Llinás, Marcus C S Lee, Elizabeth A Winzeler, David A Fidock, Ian H Gilbert, Dyann F Wirth, Jacquin C Niles, Beatriz Baragaña, Amanda K Lukens
ABSTRACT

We identify the Plasmodium falciparum acetyl-coenzyme A synthetase (PfAcAS) as a druggable target, using genetic and chemical validation. In vitro evolution of resistance with two antiplasmodial drug-like compounds (MMV019721 and MMV084978) selects for mutations in PfAcAS. Metabolic profiling of compound-treated parasites reveals changes in acetyl-CoA levels for both compounds. Genome editing confirms that mutations in PfAcAS are sufficient to confer resistance. Knockdown studies demonstrate that PfAcAS is essential for asexual growth, and partial knockdown induces hypersensitivity to both compounds. In vitro biochemical assays using recombinantly expressed PfAcAS validates that MMV019721 and MMV084978 directly inhibit the enzyme by preventing CoA and acetate binding, respectively. Immunolocalization studies reveal that PfAcAS is primarily localized to the nucleus. Functional studies demonstrate inhibition of histone acetylation in compound-treated wild-type, but not in resistant parasites. Our findings identify and validate PfAcAS as an essential, druggable target involved in the epigenetic regulation of gene expression.

MATERIALS
Product Number
Brand
Product Description

Sigma-Aldrich
Anti-HA antibody, Mouse monoclonal, clone HA-7, purified from hybridoma cell culture
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n-Propionyl coenzyme A lithium salt, ≥85%
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Anti-acetyl-Histone H4 Antibody, serum, Upstate®
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Sf9 Insect Cells - Novagen, Serum-free, adapted Sf9 cells
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Chloroquine diphosphate salt, powder or crystals, 98.5-101.0% (EP)
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Trichostatin A, ≥98% (HPLC), from Streptomyces sp.