Real-time measurements of ATP dynamics via ATeams in Plasmodium falciparum reveal drug-class-specific response patterns

Malaria tropica, caused by the parasite Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum), remains one of the greatest public health burdens for humankind. Due to its pivotal role in parasite survival, the energy metabolism of P. falciparum is an interesting target for drug design. To this end, analysis of the central metabolite adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is of great interest. So far, only cell-disruptive or intensiometric ATP assays have been available in this system, with various drawbacks for mechanistic interpretation and partly inconsistent results. To address this, we have established fluorescent probes, based on Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) and known as ATeam, for use in blood-stage parasites. ATeams are capable of measuring MgATP2- levels in a ratiometric manner, thereby facilitating in cellulo measurements of ATP dynamics in real-time using fluorescence microscopy and plate reader detection and overcoming many of the obstacles of established ATP analysis methods. Additionally, we established a superfolder variant of the ratiometric pH sensor pHluorin (sfpHluorin) in P. falciparum to monitor pH homeostasis and control for pH fluctuations, which may affect ATeam measurements. We characterized recombinant ATeam and sfpHluorin protein in vitro and stably integrated the sensors into the genome of the P. falciparum NF54attB cell line. Using these new tools, we found distinct sensor response patterns caused by several different drug classes. Arylamino alcohols increased and redox cyclers decreased ATP; doxycycline caused first-cycle cytosol alkalization; and 4-aminoquinolines caused aberrant proteolysis. Our results open up a completely new perspective on drugs' mode of action, with possible implications for target identification and drug development.

Medienart:

E-Artikel

Erscheinungsjahr:

2024

Erschienen:

2024

Enthalten in:

Zur Gesamtaufnahme - year:2024

Enthalten in:

Antimicrobial agents and chemotherapy - (2024) vom: 19. März, Seite e0169023

Sprache:

Englisch

Beteiligte Personen:

Springer, Eric [VerfasserIn]
Heimsch, Kim C [VerfasserIn]
Rahlfs, Stefan [VerfasserIn]
Becker, Katja [VerfasserIn]
Przyborski, Jude M [VerfasserIn]

Links:

Volltext

Themen:

4-aminoquinolines
ATP
ATeam1.03-nD/nA
ATeam1.03YEMK
Amodiaquine
Arylamino alcohols
Chloroquine
Cycloheximide
Cytosol alkalization
Doxycycline
Journal Article
Lumefantrine
Malaria
Mefloquine
Methylene blue
Plasmodione
Plasmodium falciparum
Pyronaridine
Quinine
SBI-750
SfpHluorin

Anmerkungen:

Date Revised 19.03.2024

published: Print-Electronic

Citation Status Publisher

doi:

10.1128/aac.01690-23

funding:

Förderinstitution / Projekttitel:

PPN (Katalog-ID):

NLM369914473