Functional annotation of serine hydrolases in the asexual erythrocytic stage of Plasmodium falciparum

Sci Rep. 2019 Nov 26;9(1):17532. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-54009-0.

Abstract

Enzymes of the serine hydrolase superfamily are ubiquitous, highly versatile catalysts that mediate a wide variety of metabolic reactions in eukaryotic cells, while also being amenable to selective inhibition. We have employed a fluorophosphonate-based affinity capture probe and mass spectrometry to explore the expression profile and metabolic roles of the 56-member P. falciparum serine hydrolase superfamily in the asexual erythrocytic stage of P. falciparum. This approach provided a detailed census of active serine hydrolases in the asexual parasite, with identification of 21 active serine hydrolases from α/β hydrolase, patatin, and rhomboid protease families. To gain insight into their functional roles and substrates, the pan-lipase inhibitor isopropyl dodecylfluorophosphonate was employed for competitive activity-based protein profiling, leading to the identification of seven serine hydrolases with potential lipolytic activity. We demonstrated how a chemoproteomic approach can provide clues to the specificity of serine hydrolases by using a panel of neutral lipase inhibitors to identify an enzyme that reacts potently with a covalent monoacylglycerol lipase inhibitor. In combination with existing phenotypic data, our studies define a set of serine hydrolases that likely mediate critical metabolic reactions in asexual parasites and enable rational prioritization of future functional characterization and inhibitor development efforts.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Biotin / analogs & derivatives
  • Erythrocytes / parasitology*
  • Humans
  • Hydrolases / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Hydrolases / metabolism*
  • Life Cycle Stages
  • Lipolysis
  • Plasmodium falciparum / enzymology*
  • Plasmodium falciparum / growth & development
  • Proteomics
  • Protozoan Proteins / metabolism*
  • Serine / metabolism

Substances

  • Protozoan Proteins
  • Serine
  • Biotin
  • desthiobiotin
  • Hydrolases