Experimentally engineered mutations in a ubiquitin hydrolase, UBP-1, modulate in vivo susceptibility to artemisinin and chloroquine in Plasmodium berghei

Simwela, N., Hughes, K. R., Roberts, A. B., Rennie, M. T., Barrett, M. P. and Waters, A. P. (2020) Experimentally engineered mutations in a ubiquitin hydrolase, UBP-1, modulate in vivo susceptibility to artemisinin and chloroquine in Plasmodium berghei. Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, 64(7), (doi: 10.1128/AAC.02484-19) (PMID:32340987) (PMCID:PMC7318008)

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Abstract

As resistance to artemisinins (current frontline drugs in malaria treatment) emerges in south East Asia, there is an urgent need to identify the genetic determinants and understand the molecular mechanisms underpinning such resistance. Such insights could lead to prospective interventions to contain resistance and prevent the eventual spread to other malaria endemic regions. Artemisinin reduced susceptibility in South East Asia (SEA) has been primarily linked to mutations in P. falciparum Kelch-13, which is currently widely recognised as a molecular marker of artemisinin resistance. However, 2 mutations in a ubiquitin hydrolase, UBP-1, have been previously associated with artemisinin reduced susceptibility in a rodent model of malaria and some cases of UBP-1 mutation variants associating with artemisinin treatment failure have been reported in Africa and SEA. In this study, we have employed CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing and pre-emptive drug pressures to test these artemisinin susceptibility associated mutations in UBP-1 in P. berghei sensitive lines in vivo. Using these approaches, we have shown that the V2721F UBP-1 mutation results in reduced artemisinin susceptibility, while the V2752F mutation results in resistance to chloroquine and moderately impacts tolerance to artemisinins. Genetic reversal of the V2752F mutation restored chloroquine sensitivity in these mutant lines while simultaneous introduction of both mutations could not be achieved and appears to be lethal. Interestingly, these mutations carry a detrimental growth defect, which would possibly explain their lack of expansion in natural infection settings. Our work has provided independent experimental evidence on the role of UBP-1 in modulating parasite responses to artemisinin and chloroquine under in vivo conditions.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Roberts, Dr Brett and Simwela, Nelson and Rennie, Mr Michael and Hughes, Dr Katie and Waters, Professor Andy and Barrett, Professor Michael
Authors: Simwela, N., Hughes, K. R., Roberts, A. B., Rennie, M. T., Barrett, M. P., and Waters, A. P.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity
Journal Name:Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy
Publisher:American Society for Microbiology
ISSN:0066-4804
ISSN (Online):1098-6596
Published Online:27 April 2020
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2020 The Authors
First Published:First published in Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy 64(7)
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

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Project CodeAward NoProject NamePrincipal InvestigatorFunder's NameFunder RefLead Dept
143385Conditional translational repression: a core regulatory mechanism of gene expression during development of the malaria parasite.Andrew WatersWellcome Trust (WELLCOTR)083811/Z/07/ZIII - Parasitology
172459Gene expression in Plasmodium parasites: the molecular mechanics of gametocytogenesis (and variant transcription of genes)Andrew WatersWellcome Trust (WELLCOTR)107046/Z/15/ZIII - Parasitology
170547The Wellcome Centre for Molecular Parasitology ( Core Support )Andrew WatersWellcome Trust (WELLCOTR)104111/Z/14/ZRIII - Parasitology