Targeting a large family of parasites
Potential drug target is identified
Jan Slapeta
In this study, the research team scanned the genome of P. falciparum and six other representative species of the phylum with the aim of identifying genes with GNA1-like activity. They identified and isolated a gene family with GNA1 function, which was confirmed by enzyme activity assays in vitro and by its capacity to restore growth in yeasts lacking GNA1. Furthermore, gene disruption by gene editing techniques such as CRISPR-CAS resulted in the absence of growth of parasites carrying the mutated gene, indicating that the protein is required for parasite viability. Sequence analyses indicate that the gene family has a single origin and evolved independently and parallel to its GNA1 counterpart (present in all other eukaryote organisms).
"Our results indicate that this enzyme is common to all members of the Apicomplexa phllyum and is likely essential for parasite growth. We are now analysing in detail its differences with human GNA1", explains lead author Marta Cova. "Because of its different origin, this enzyme could represent a good therapeutic target with selective action against all apicomplexans" adds Luis Izquierdo, ISGlobal researcher and coordinator of the study.
Original publication
Marta Cova, Borja López-Gutiérrez, Sara Artigas-Jerónimo, Aida González-Díaz, Giulia Bandini, Steven Maere, Lorenzo Carretero-Paulet & Luis Izquierdo; "The Apicomplexa-specific glucosamine-6-phosphate N-acetyltransferase gene family encodes a key enzyme for glycoconjugate synthesis with potential as therapeutic target"; Scientific Reports; 2018
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Original publication
Marta Cova, Borja López-Gutiérrez, Sara Artigas-Jerónimo, Aida González-Díaz, Giulia Bandini, Steven Maere, Lorenzo Carretero-Paulet & Luis Izquierdo; "The Apicomplexa-specific glucosamine-6-phosphate N-acetyltransferase gene family encodes a key enzyme for glycoconjugate synthesis with potential as therapeutic target"; Scientific Reports; 2018
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