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Chemogenomics identifies acetyl-coenzyme A synthetase as a target for malaria treatment and prevention
Name
1-s2.0-S2451945621003500-main.pdf
Description
Published version
Size
2.87 MB
Format
Adobe PDF
Checksum (MD5)
1f8bd3d4f0f89625e5eb997b0822b739
Date Issued
August 2021
Journal
Cell Chemical Biology
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Version
Final published version
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.
Terms of Use
Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license
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DOI of Published Version
10.1016/j.chembiol.2021.07.010
