RUVBLs constitute a conserved group of ATPase proteins that play significant role in a variety of cellular processes including transcriptional regulation, cell cycle and DNA damage repair. Three RUVBL homologues, namely, PfRUVBL1, PfRUVBL2 and PfRUVBL3 have been identified in P. falciparum, unlike its eukaryotic counterparts, which have two RUVBL proteins (RUVBL1 & RUVBL2). The present study expands our understanding of PfRUVBL3 protein and thereby basic biology of Plasmodium in general. Here, we have shown that parasite PfRUVBL3 is a true homolog of human/yeast RUVBL2 protein. Our result show that PfRUVBL3 constitutively expresses throughout the stages of intra-erythrocytic cycle (IDC) with varied localization. In addition to ATPase and oligomerization activity, we have for the first time shown that PfRUVBL3 possess DNA cleavage activity which interestingly is dependent on its insertion domain. Furthermore, we have also identified RUVBL3 to be an interacting partner of an essential chromatin remodeling protein PfMYST and together they colocalize with H3K9me1 histone in parasitophorous vacuole during the ring stage of IDC suggesting their potential involvement in chromatin remodeling and gene transcription.

One of the major barrier in the prevention & control of malaria programs worldwide is the growing emergence of multidrug-resistance in Plasmodium parasite and demands continued efforts to discover & develop effective drug molecules targeting novel proteins essential for parasite survival. In recent years, epigenetic regulators have evolved as an attractive drug target option owing to their crucial role in survival and development of Plasmodium at different stages of its life cycle. PfMYST, a histone acetyltransferase protein, is known to regulate key cellular processes such as cell-cycle progression, DNA damage repair & antigenic variation that facilitates parasite growth, adaptation & survival inside its host. With an aim to assess the therapeutic potential of PfMYST as a novel drug target, we have examined the effect of NU9056 (a HsTIP60 inhibitor) on the rate of parasite growth and survival. In the present study, by using yeast complementation assay we have established that PfMYST is a true homolog of TIP60 protein and have shown that NU9056 can inhibit PfMYST catalytic activity and kill P. falciparum parasite in culture. Inhibiting the catalytic activity of PfMYST, arrests the parasite in trophozoite stage and inhibits its further transition to schizont stage, eventually leading to its death. Overall, our study provides proof of concept that PfMYST catalytic activity is essential for parasite growth & survival and PfMYST can be a potential target for anti-malarial therapy.

Background Despite numerous efforts to eradicate the disease, malaria continues to remain one of the most dangerous infectious diseases plaguing the world. In the absence of any effective vaccines and with emerging drug resistance in the parasite against the majority of anti-malarial drugs, the search for new drugs is urgently needed for effective malaria treatment. Methods The goal of the present study was to examine the compound library, based on indoles generated through diversity-oriented synthesis belonging to four different architecture, i.e., 1-aryltetrahydro/dihydro-β-carbolines and piperidine/pyrrolidine-fused indole derivatives, for their in vitro anti-plasmodial activity. Trifluoroacetic acid catalyzed transformation involving tryptamine and various aldehydes/ketones provided the library. Results Among all the compounds screened, 1-aryltetrahydro-β-carbolines 2 and 3 displayed significant anti-plasmodial activity against both the artemisinin-sensitive and artemisinin-resistant strain of Plasmodium falciparum. It was observed that these compounds inhibited the overall parasite growth in intra-erythrocytic developmental cycle (IDC) via reactive oxygen species-mediated parasitic death and thus could be potential anti-malarial compounds. Conclusion Overall the compounds 2 and 3 identified in this study shows promising anti-plasmodial activity that can kill both artemisinin-sensitive and artemisinin-resistant strains of P. falciparum.

No abstract

Triplex forming oligonucleotide DNA triple helices offer new perspectives towards oligonucleotide-directed gene regulation. Triple helix forming oligonucleotides, which bind to double-stranded DNA, are of special interest since they are targeted to the gene itself rather than to its mRNA product (as in the antisense strategy). However, the poor stability of some of these structures might limit their use under physiological conditions. Specific ligands can intercalate into DNA triple helices and stabilize them. This review summarizes recent advances in this field while also highlighting major obstacles that remain to be overcome, before the application of triplex technology to therapeutic gene repair can be achieved. TFOs can also be used in gene therapy where they