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

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 DilmoreMadalyn 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*

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    38 Citations (Scopus)

    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.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)191-201.e8
    JournalCell Chemical Biology
    Volume29
    Issue number2
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 17 Feb 2022

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