Transition state analogue inhibitors of purine nucleoside phosphorylase from Plasmodium falciparum.

Immucillins are logically designed transition-state analogue inhibitors of mammalian purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP) that induce purine-less death of Plasmodium falciparum in cultured erythrocytes (Kicska, G. A., Tyler, P. C., Evans, G. B., Furneaux, R. H., Schramm, V. L., and Kim, K. (2002) J. Biol. Chem. 277, 3226-3231). PNP is present at high levels in human erythrocytes and in P. falciparum, but the Plasmodium enzyme has not been characterized. A search of the P. falciparum genome data base yielded an open reading frame similar to the PNP from Escherichia coli. PNP from P. falciparum (P. falciparum PNP) was cloned, overexpressed in E. coli, purified, and characterized. The primary amino acid sequence has 26% identity with E. coli PNP, has 20% identity with human PNP, and is phylogenetically unique among known PNPs with equal genetic distance between PNPs and uridine phosphorylases. Recombinant P. falciparum PNP is catalytically active for inosine and guanosine but is less active for uridine. The immucillins are powerful inhibitors of P. falciparum PNP. Immucillin-H is a slow onset tight binding inhibitor with a K(i)* value of 0.6 nm. Eight related immucillins are also powerful inhibitors with dissociation constants from 0.9 to 20 nm. The K(m)/K(i)* value for immucillin-H is 9000, making this inhibitor the most powerful yet reported for P. falciparum PNP. The PNP from P. falciparum differs from the human enzyme by a lower K(m) for inosine, decreased preference for deoxyguanosine, and reduced affinity for the immucillins, with the exception of 5'-deoxy-immucillin-H. These properties of P. falciparum PNP are consistent with a metabolic role in purine salvage and provide an explanation for the antibiotic effect of the immucillins on P. falciparum cultured in human erythrocytes.     

DNA polymerase delta: gene sequences from Plasmodium falciparum indicate that this enzyme is more highly conserved than DNA polymerase alpha.

Genes encoding proteins homologous to the catalytic subunits of DNA polymerase alpha and delta have been cloned from the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. These are among the first cellular replicative DNA polymerase genes to be cloned and their sequences allow us to make new statements about the relative degrees of conservation of these two enzymes. The most important finding was that P. falciparum Pol delta showed considerable homology to the only other Pol delta enzyme for which published sequence is available, that of S. cerevisiae, displaying an overall amino acid identity of 45% and identity over a highly conserved central region of 59%. In contrast, the level of identity shown over the equivalent central region of Pol alpha between the P. falciparum and S. cerevisiae sequences is only 32%. The sequence data also allowed us to examine the degree of conservation in putative exonuclease domains of Pol delta. The Pol delta gene of P. falciparum maps to chromosome 10 and evidence is presented for the presence of different sized Pol delta mRNA's in the asexual and sexual erythrocytic stages of parasite development.     

Plasmodium falciparum carbonic anhydrase is a possible target for malaria chemotherapy

Plasmodiumfalciparum is responsible for the majority of life-threatening cases of human malaria. The global emergence of drug-resistant malarial parasites necessitates identification and characterization of novel drug targets. Carbonic anhydrase (CA) is present at high levels in human red cells and in P. falciparum. Existence of at least three isozymes of the alpha < class was demonstrated in P. falciparum and a rodent malarial parasite Plasmodium berghei. The major isozyme CA1 was purified and partially characterized from P. falciparum (PfCA1). A search of the malarial genome database yielded an open reading frame similar to the alpha-CAs from various organisms, including human. The primary amino acid sequence of the PfCA1 has 60% identity with a rodent parasite Plasmodium yoelii enzyme (PyCA). The single open reading frames encoded 235 and 252 amino acid proteins for PfCA1 and PyCA, respectively. The highly conserved active site residues were also found among organisms having alpha-CAs. The PfCA1 gene was cloned, sequenced and expressed in Escherichia coli. The purified recombinant PfCA1 enzyme was catalytically active. It was sensitive to acetazolamide and sulfanilamide inhibition. Kinetic properties of the recombinant PfCA1 revealed the authenticity to the wild type enzyme purified from P. falciparum in vitro culture. Furthermore, the PfCA1 inhibitors acetazolamide and sulfanilamide showed good antimalarial effect on the in vitro growth of P. falciparum. Our molecular tools developed for the recombinant enzyme expression will be useful for developing potential antimalarials directed at P. falciparum carbonic anhydrase.     

A novel enzyme complex of orotate phosphoribosyltransferase and orotidine 5'-monophosphate decarboxylase in human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum: physical association, kinetics, and inhibition characterization

Human malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, can only synthesize pyrimidine nucleotides using the de novo pathway, whereas mammalian cells obtain pyrimidine nucleotides from both the de novo and salvage pathways. The parasite's orotate phosphoribosyltransferase (PfOPRT) and orotidine 5'-monophosphate decarboxylase (PfOMPDC) of the de novo pyrimidine pathway are attractive targets for antimalarial drug development. Previously, we have reported that the two enzymes in P. falciparum exist as a multienzyme complex containing two subunits each of 33-kDa PfOPRT and 38-kDa PfOMPDC. In this report, the gene encoding PfOPRT has been cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. An open reading frame of PfOMPDC gene was identified in the malaria genome database, and PfOMPDC was cloned from P. falciparum cDNA, functionally expressed in E. coli, purified, and characterized. The protein sequence has <20% identity with human OMPDC and four microbial OMPDC for which crystal structures are known. Recombinant PfOMPDC was catalytically active in a dimeric form. Both recombinant PfOPRT and PfOMPDC monofunctional enzymes were kinetically different from the native multienzyme complex purified from P. falciparum. Oligomerization of PfOPRT and PfOMPDC cross-linked by dimethyl suberimidate indicated that they were tightly associated as the heterotetrameric 140-kDa complex, (PfOPRT)2(PfOMPDC)2. Kinetic analysis of the PfOPRT-PfOMPDC associated complex was similar to that of the native P. falciparum enzymes and was different from that of the bifunctional human enzymes. Interestingly, a nanomolar inhibitor of the yeast OMPDC, 6-thiocarboxamido-uridine 5'-monophosphate, was about 5 orders of magnitude less effective on the PfOMPDC than on the yeast enzyme. Our results support that the malaria parasite has unique structural and functional properties, sharing characteristics of the monofunctional pyrimidine-metabolizing enzymes in prokaryotes and bifunctional complexes in eukaryotes.     

Kinetic and mutational studies of the number of interacting divalent cations required by bacterial and human methionine aminopeptidases

Methionine aminopeptidases (MetAP) are responsible for the proteolytic removal of the initiator methionine from nascent proteins. This processing permits multiple posttranslational modifications and protein turnover. We have cloned, expressed in Escherichia coli, and purified the recombinant human mitochondrial MetAP isoform (MetAP1D). The full-length enzyme and a truncated form lacking the mitochondrial targeting sequence (residues 1-55) have been characterized as metal-requiring proteases, with Co2+ being the best activator. At the optimal pH (8.0), the kcat of MetAP1D of 0.39 min-1 is 280-fold lower, and the Km of the substrate Met-Pro-p-nitroanilide (576 microM) is 3-fold greater, than the respective kinetic parameters obtained with MetAP from E. coli, although MetAP1D is 61% homologous to E. coli MetAP and their circular dichroic spectra are nearly identical. MetAP1D thus appears to be a less efficient enzyme than other known MetAPs in vitro. At saturating substrate concentrations, a plot of Vmax versus free Co2+ shows sigmoidal metal activation of MetAP1D, both with and without an N-terminal His-tag, with a Hill coefficient (n) of 1.9 and a K0.5 of 0.40 microM. Similarly, E. coli MetAP shows n = 2.1 and K0.5 = 0.2 microM. Hence, at least two Co2+ ions, which may act cooperatively, are needed to promote catalysis, providing kinetic evidence for the functioning of both Co2+ ions of the binuclear complex found in the X-ray structure of E. coli MetAP [Roderick, S. L. and Matthews, B. W. (1993) Biochemistry 32, 3907-3912] and resolving a disagreement in the literature. The X-ray structure of the human cytosolic MetAP1 showed three Co2+ ions at the active site, with the third Co2+ coordinated by the conserved residue His 212 [Addlagatta, A., Hu, X., Liu, J. O., and Matthews, B. W. (2005) Biochemistry 44, 14741-14749]. Consistent with the structure, kinetic studies of the human cytosolic MetAP1 yielded a Hill coefficient (n) of 2.9 and a K0.5 of 0.26 microM for activation by Co2+, as well as a kcat of 25.5 min-1 and a Km of 740 microM for the substrate Met-Pro-p-nitroanilide. The H212A mutation decreased n to 2.2, decreased kcat 60-fold to 0.42 min-1, and increased K0.5 6.5-fold to 1.8 microM. The H212K mutation further decreased n to 1.4, decreased kcat 1800-fold to 0.014 min-1, and increased K0.5 158-fold to 41 microM. Hence, at least three Co2+ ions are needed to promote optimal catalysis by human MetAP1. Both mutations of His212 abolished the binding and/or the cooperativity of the third Co2+ ion, as indicated by the decreases in n and the increases in K0.5 of the remaining two Co2+ ions, but did not affect the Km of the substrate. The more damaging effects of the H212K mutation on both the Hill coefficient for Co2+ binding and the catalysis suggest that Lys 212 might directly compete with Co2+ for the third metal-binding site. Together, these results suggest that human MetAP1 is distinct from other members of the MetAP superfamily in the number of metal ions employed and likely mechanism of catalysis.     

Plasmodium falciparum protein phosphatase type 1 functionally complements a glc7 mutant in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

We have identified a new homologue of protein phosphatase type 1 from Plasmodium falciparum, designated PfPP1, which shows 83-87% sequence identity with yeast and mammalian PP1s at the amino acid level. The PfPP1 sequence is strikingly different from all other P. falciparum Ser/Thr phosphatases cloned so far. The deduced 304 amino acid sequence revealed the signature sequence of Ser/Thr phosphatase LRGNHE, and two putative protein kinase C and five putative casein kinase II phosphorylation sites. Calyculin A, a potent inhibitor of Ser/Thr phosphatase 1 and 2A showed hyperphosphorylation of a 51kDa protein among other parasite proteins. Okadaic acid on the other hand, was without any effect suggesting that PP1 activity might predominate over PP2A activity in intra-erythrocytic P. falciparum. Complementation studies showed that PfPP1 could rescue low glycogen phenotype of Saccharomyces cerevisiae glc7 (PP1) mutant, strongly suggesting functional interaction of PfPP1 and yeast proteins involved in glycogen metabolism.     

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase-6-phosphogluconolactonase. A novel bifunctional enzyme in malaria parasites.

Plasmodium falciparum glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (Pf Glc6PD), compared to other Glc6PDs has an additional 300 amino acids at the N-terminus. They are not related to Glc6PD but are similar to a family of proteins (devb) of unknown function, some of which are encoded next to Glc6PD in certain bacteria. The human devb homologue has recently been shown to have 6-phosphogluconolactonase (6PGL) activity. This suggests Pf Glc6PD may be a bifunctional enzyme, the evolution of which has involved the fusion of adjacent genes. Further functional analysis of Pf Glc6PD has been hampered because parts of the gene could not be cloned. We have isolated and sequenced the corresponding Plasmodium berghei gene and shown it encodes an enzyme (Pb Glc6PD) with the same structure as the P. falciparum enzyme. Pb Glc6PD is 950 amino acids long with significant sequence similarity in both the devb and Glc6PD domains with the P. falciparum enzyme. The P. berghei enzyme does not have an asparagine-rich segment between the N and C halves and it contains an insertion at the same point in the Glc6PD region as the P. falciparum enzyme but the insertion in the P. berghei is longer (110 versus 62 amino acids) and unrelated in sequence to the P. falciparum insertion. Though expression of this enzyme in bacteria produced largely insoluble protein, conditions were found where the full-length enzyme was produced in a soluble form which was purified via a histidine tag. We show that this enzyme has both Glc6PD and 6PGL activities. Thus the first two steps of the pentose phosphate pathway are catalysed by a single novel bifunctional enzyme in these parasites.     

cDNA cloning of a novel cysteine protease of Plasmodium falciparum

The cDNA for a novel Plasmodium cysteine protease (falcipain-2) has been isolated from a Plasmodium falciparum cDNA library. A 602 bp fragment was amplified from P. falciparum by PCR using degenerate oligonucleotide primers. The primers were designed based upon the amino acids flanking the active site cysteine and asparagine residues that are conserved in the eukaryotic cysteine proteases. This fragment was used to screen a P. falciparum cDNA library and isolated a 2.1 kb clone that encoded a novel cysteine protease. The sequence of the 2.1 kb clone predicted a 56 kDa protein containing a typical signal sequence, a prosequence and a 24.7 kDa mature protease with 37% identity to falcipain-1, a hemoglobin-degrading cysteine protease of P. falciparum. Northern blot analysis detected a 2.1 kb message in trophozoites. Taken together, we have isolated a novel cysteine protease of P. falciparum, which may play an important role at the late stages of the erythrocytic cycle of the parasite.     

Physiologically relevant metal cofactor for methionine aminopeptidase-2 is manganese

The identity of the physiological metal cofactor for human methionine aminopeptidase-2 (MetAP2) has not been established. To examine this question, we first investigated the effect of eight divalent metal ions, including Ca(2+), Co(2+), Cu(2+), Fe(2+), Mg(2+), Mn(2+), Ni(2+), and Zn(2+), on recombinant human methionine aminopeptidase apoenzymes in releasing N-terminal methionine from three peptide substrates: MAS, MGAQFSKT, and (3)H-MASK(biotin)G. The activity of MetAP2 on either MAS or MGAQFSKT was enhanced 15-25-fold by Co(2+) or Mn(2+) metal ions in a broad concentration range (1-1000 microM). In the presence of reduced glutathione to mimic the cellular environment, Co(2+) and Mn(2+) were also the best stimulators (approximately 30-fold) for MetAP2 enzyme activity. To determine which metal ion is physiologically relevant, we then tested inhibition of intracellular MetAP2 with synthetic inhibitors selective for MetAP2 with different metal cofactors. A-310840 below 10 microM did not inhibit the activity of MetAP2-Mn(2+) but was very potent against MetAP2 with other metal ions including Co(2+), Fe(2+), Ni(2+), and Zn(2+) in the in vitro enzyme assays. In contrast, A-311263 inhibited MetAP2 with Mn(2+), as well as Co(2+), Fe(2+), Ni(2+), and Zn(2+). In cell culture assays, A-310840 did not inhibit intracellular MetAP2 enzyme activity and did not inhibit cell proliferation despite its ability to permeate and accumulate in cytosol, while A-311263 inhibited both intracellular MetAP2 and proliferation in a similar concentration range, indicating cellular MetAP2 is functioning as a manganese enzyme but not as a cobalt, zinc, iron, or nickel enzyme. We conclude that MetAP2 is a manganese enzyme and that therapeutic MetAP2 inhibitors should inhibit MetAP2-Mn(2+).     

Identification and isolation of Cryptosporidium parvum genes encoding microtubule and microfilament proteins.

Microtubules and microfilaments are highly conserved cytoskeletal polymers hypothesized to play essential biomechanical roles in the unusual gliding motility of Apicomplexan zoites and in their invasion of, and development within, host epithelial cells. We have identified and isolated Cryptosporidium parvum genes encoding the microtubule proteins alpha- and beta-tubulin and the microfilament protein actin by screening a lambda gt11 C. parvum genomic DNA library with degenerate oligonucleotide and heterologous cDNA hybridization probes respectively. The alpha- and beta-tubulin genes have been partially sequenced and the deduced peptide sequences show greatest homology with the tubulins of the related parasites, T. gondii and P. falciparum. The complete nucleic acid sequence of the actin gene predicts a 376 amino acid, 42 kDa protein having 85% sequence identity with the P. falciparum actin I and the human gamma-actin proteins. Each of these cytoskeletal protein genes was demonstrated to be of cryptosporidial origin by Southern analyses of C. parvum chromosomes fractionated by pulsed field gel electrophoresis; the cloned alpha- and beta-tubulin genes hybridized with chromosomes of ca. 1,200 and 1,500 kb respectively and the cloned actin gene also hybridized with a 1,200 kb chromosome.     

Genomic organization, structure and possible function of histidine-rich proteins of malaria parasites

The current status of histidine-rich proteins in malaria parasites with regard to their genomic organization, protein structure and function is discussed, one of such protein present in an avian malaria parasite Plasmodium lophurae contains about 73% histidine and called as HRP (histidine-rich protein). Among human malaria parasites, in Plasmodium falciparum, only three such proteins have been described, namely knob protein also known as knob associated histidine-rich protein (KP or KAHRP), soluble histidine-alanine rich protein (soluble HARP or PfHRP II) and small histidine-alanine rich protein (SHARP) containing 8, 35 and 30% histidine contents respectively. With rapid emergence of powerful tools in molecular biology the genes of all these histidine-rich proteins have been cloned and sequenced within a short period of time. The genomic organizations of all these proteins are very much similar to each other, in each case the gene contains a signal peptide coding sequence (exon 1) followed by an intron. This intron is followed by the main coding region (exon 2) which has no further intervening sequences. In the main coding region of each gene, the histidine-rich sequences start after 25-30 amino acids from N-terminal end (75-90 nucleotides from 5' in exon 2). All the three histidine-rich proteins of P. falciparum share some homology with the HRP of P. lophurae; they all cross react with anti HRP and incorporate higher amount of exogenous histidine. The relationship between KP and HRP resides in the repeated polyhistidine sequences, (His) 6-9, from the core of the multiple tandem repeats of HRP, whereas, the peptide Ala-His-His is commonly shared by HRP and two other proteins of P. falciparum (soluble HARP and SHARP).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Thymidylate synthase-dihydrofolate reductase in protozoa

In protozoa, thymidylate synthase (TS) and dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) exist on the same polypeptide. The DHFR domain is on the amino terminus, TS is on the carboxy terminus, and the domains are separated by a junction peptide of varying size depending on the source. The native protein is a dimer of two such subunits and is 110-140 kDa. Most studies of bifunctional TS-DHFR have been performed with the protein from anti-folate resistant strains of Leishmania major, which show amplification of the TS-DHFR gene and overproduction of the bifunctional protein. The Leishmania TS-DHFR has also been highly expressed in heterologous systems. There is extensive communication between domains, and channeling of the H2folate product of TS to DHFR. Anti-folates commonly used to treat microbial infections are poor inhibitors of L. major DHFR. However, selective inhibitors of L. major vs human DHFR have been found. The TS-DHFR from Plasmodium falciparum has also been cloned and sequenced. Interestingly, pyrimethamine-resistant strains of P. falciparum have a common point mutation in the DHFR coding sequence which causes decreased binding of the folate analog. A detailed knowledge of the structure and function of protozoan TS-DHFRs will soon be available.     

Cloning metabolic pathway genes by complementation in Escherichia coli. Isolation and expression of Plasmodium falciparum glucose phosphate isomerase

Genetic complementation of an Escherichia coli double mutant was used to isolate and express the gene coding for Plasmodium falciparum glucose phosphate isomerase. The gene contains a 1773-base pair open reading frame, has no introns, and maps to P. falciparum chromosome 14. 34% of the deduced amino acid sequence is identical to human glucose phosphate isomerase, with highest similarity in regions of the proposed active sites. The putative initiation site of translation was determined by deletional and oligonucleotide mediated, site-specific mutageneses. Our data suggest that key metabolic enzymes of Plasmodia can be cloned and expressed in E. coli without prior knowledge of the primary amino acid or nucleic acid structure.     

Discovery of a New Genetic Variant of Methionine Aminopeptidase from Streptococci with Possible Post-Translational Modifications: Biochemical and Structural Characterization

Protein N-terminal methionine excision is an essential co-translational process that occurs in the cytoplasm of all organisms. About 60-70% of the newly synthesized proteins undergo this modification. Enzyme responsible for the removal of initiator methionine is methionine aminopeptidase (MetAP), which is a dinuclear metalloprotease. This protein is conserved through all forms of life from bacteria to human except viruses. MetAP is classified into two isoforms, Type I and II. Removal of the map gene or chemical inhibition is lethal to bacteria and to human cell lines, suggesting that MetAP could be a good drug target. In the present study we describe the discovery of a new genetic variant of the Type I MetAP that is present predominantly in the streptococci bacteria. There are two inserts (insert one: 27 amino acids and insert two: four residues) within the catalytic domain. Possible glycosylation and phosphorylation posttranslational modification sites are identified in the ‘insert one’. Biochemical characterization suggests that this enzyme behaves similar to other MetAPs in terms of substrate specificity. Crystal structure Type Ia MetAP from Streptococcus pneumoniae (SpMetAP1a) revealed that it contains two molecules in the asymmetric unit and well ordered inserts with structural features that corroborate the possible posttranslational modification. Both the new inserts found in the SpMetAP1a structurally align with the P-X-X-P motif found in the M. tuberculosis and human Type I MetAPs as well as the 60 amino acid insert in the human Type II enzyme suggesting possible common function. In addition, one of the β-hairpins within in the catalytic domain undergoes a flip placing a residue which is essential for enzyme activity away from the active site and the β-hairpin loop of this secondary structure in the active site obstructing substrate binding. This is the first example of a MetAP crystallizing in the inactive form.     

Structure of the angiogenesis inhibitor ovalicin bound to its noncognate target, human Type 1 methionine aminopeptidase

Methionine aminopeptidases (MetAPs) remove the initiator methionine during protein biosynthesis. They exist in two isoforms, MetAP1 and MetAP2. The anti-angiogenic compound fumagillin binds tightly to the Type 2 MetAPs but only weakly to Type 1. High-affinity complexes of fumagillin and its relative ovalicin with Type 2 human MetAP have been reported. Here we describe the crystallographic structure of the low-affinity complex between ovalicin and Type 1 human MetAP at 1.1 A resolution. This provides the first opportunity to compare the structures of ovalicin or fumagillin bound to a Type 1 and a Type 2 MetAP. For both Type 1 and Type 2 human MetAPs the inhibitor makes a covalent adduct with a corresponding histidine. At the same time there are significant differences in the alignment of the inhibitors within the respective active sites. It has been argued that the lower affinity of ovalicin and fumagillin for the Type 1 MetAPs is due to the smaller size of their active sites relative to the Type 2 enzymes. Comparison with the uncomplexed structure of human Type 1 MetAP indicates that there is some truth to this. Several active site residues have to move "outward" by 0.5 Angstroms or so to accommodate the inhibitor. Other residues move "inward." There are, however, other factors that come into play. In particular, the side chain of His310 rotates by 134 degrees into a different position where (together with Glu128 and Tyr195) it coordinates a metal ion not seen at this site in the native enzyme.     

Molecular cloning and expression of human neurochondrin-1 and -2.

Human neurochondrins have been cloned from a brain cDNA library. The human neurochondrin-1 and -2 predict leucine-rich (15.8 and 15.9%) proteins of 729 and 712 amino acid residues, with molecular weights of 78.9 and 77.2 kDa, respectively. The deduced amino acid sequence indicates 98% identity among human, mouse and rat species. Northern analysis indicates that about 4 kb human neurochondrin mRNAs are abundant in the fetal and the adult brain.     

Bifunctional thymidylate synthase-dihydrofolate reductase in protozoa

Protozoa contain thymidylate synthase (TS) and dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) on the same polypeptide. In the bifunctional protein, the DHFR domain is on the amino terminus, TS is on the carboxyl terminus, and the two domains are separated by a junction peptide of varying size depending on the source. The native protein is composed of a dimer of two such subunits and is 110-140 kDa. Most studies of the bifunctional TS-DHFR have been performed with the protein from anti-folate resistant strains of Leishmania major, which show amplification of the TS-DHFR gene and overproduction of the bifunctional protein. The Leishmania TS-DHFR has also been highly expressed in heterologous systems. There appears to be extensive communication among domains and channeling of the H2folate product of TS to DHFR. Anti-folates commonly used to treat microbial infections are poor inhibitors of L. major DHFR. However, selective inhibition of L. major vs. human DHFR does not appear difficult to achieve, and selective inhibitors are known. The TS-DHFR from Plasmodium falciparum has also been cloned and has recently been expressed in Escherichia coli, albeit in small amounts. Interestingly, pyrimethamine-resistant strains of P. falciparum all have a common point mutation in the DHFR coding sequence (Thr/Ser 108 to Asn), which causes decreased binding of the folate analog. It is suggested that if an appropriate inhibitor of the pyrimethamine-resistant P. falciparum DHFRs can be found, it may serve in combination with pyrimethamine as an antimalarial regimen with low propensity for the development of resistance. In the future, we project that we will have a detailed knowledge of the structure and function of TS-DHFRs, and have the essential tools necessary for a molecular-based approach to drug design.     

Nucleotide sequence of cDNA and primary structure for hard tail growth hormone

Full-length cDNA for hard tail growth hormone (htGH) has been cloned, and the nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences have been analyzed. htGH is composed of 188 amino acid residues, and it shows 79, 74, 72, 59, 56, 37, 33 and 30% identity of amino acid with yellow tail, tuna, sea bream, flounder, salmon, blue shark, bullfrog and human GHs, respectively.     

Cloning, over-expression, purification and characterization of Plasmodium falciparum enolase.

We have cloned, over-expressed and purified enolase from Plasmodium falciparum strain NF54 in Escherichia coli in active form, as an N-terminal His6-tagged protein. The sequence of the cloned enolase from the NF54 strain is identical to that of strain 3D7 used in full genome sequencing. The recombinant enolase (r-Pfen) could be obtained in large quantities (approximately 50 mg per litre of culture) in a highly purified form (> 95%). The purified protein gave a single band at approximately 50 kDa on SDS/PAGE. MALDI-TOF analysis gave a mean +/- SD mass of 51396 +/- 16 Da, which is in good agreement with the mass calculated from the sequence. The molecular mass of r-Pfen determined in gel-filtration experiments was approximately 100 kDa, indicating that P. falciparum enolase is a homodimer. Kinetic measurements using 2-phosphoglycerate as substrate gave a specific activity of approximately 30 U.mg(-1) and K(m2PGA) = 0.041 +/- 0.004 mm. The Michaelis constant for the reverse reaction (K(mPEP)) is 0.25 +/- 0.03 mm. pH-dependent activity measurements gave a maximum at pH 7.4-7.6 irrespective of the direction of catalysis. The activity of this enzyme is inhibited by Na+, whereas K+ has a slight activating effect. The cofactor Mg2+ has an apparent activation constant of 0.18 +/-0.02 mm. However, at higher concentrations, it has an inhibitory effect. Polyclonal antibody raised against pure recombinant P. falciparum enolase in rabbit showed high specificity towards recombinant protein and is also able to recognize enolase from the murine malarial parasite, Plasmodium yoelii, which shares 90% identity with the P. falciparum protein.     

The aspartic proteinase from the rodent parasite Plasmodium berghei as a potential model for plasmepsins from the human malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum

The gene encoding an aspartic proteinase precursor (proplasmepsin) from the rodent malaria parasite Plasmodium berghei has been cloned. Recombinant P. berghei plasmepsin hydrolysed a synthetic peptide substrate and this cleavage was prevented by the general aspartic proteinase inhibitor, isovaleryl pepstatin and by Ro40-4388, a lead compound for the inhibition of plasmepsins from the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. Southern blotting detected only one proplasmepsin gene in P. berghei. Two plasmepsins have previously been reported in P. falciparum. Here, we describe two further proplasmepsin genes from this species. The suitability of P. berghei as a model for the in vivo evaluation of plasmepsin inhibitors is discussed.