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Host cell CRISPR genomics and modelling reveal shared metabolic vulnerabilities in the intracellular development of Plasmodium falciparum and related hemoparasites

Author

Listed:
  • Marina Maurizio

    (University of Bern)

  • Maria Masid

    (University of Lausanne and Lausanne University Teaching Hospital (CHUV)
    École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL))

  • Kerry Woods

    (University of Bern)

  • Reto Caldelari

    (University of Bern)

  • John G. Doench

    (Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard)

  • Arunasalam Naguleswaran

    (University of Bern)

  • Denis Joly

    (École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL))

  • Martín González-Fernández

    (University of Bern)

  • Jonas Zemp

    (University of Bern
    University of Bern)

  • Mélanie Borteele

    (École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL))

  • Vassily Hatzimanikatis

    (École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL))

  • Volker Heussler

    (University of Bern)

  • Sven Rottenberg

    (University of Bern)

  • Philipp Olias

    (University of Bern
    Justus Liebig University)

Abstract

Parasitic diseases, particularly malaria (caused by Plasmodium falciparum) and theileriosis (caused by Theileria spp.), profoundly impact global health and the socioeconomic well-being of lower-income countries. Despite recent advances, identifying host metabolic proteins essential for these auxotrophic pathogens remains challenging. Here, we generate a novel metabolic model of human hepatocytes infected with P. falciparum and integrate it with a genome-wide CRISPR knockout screen targeting Theileria-infected cells to pinpoint shared vulnerabilities. We identify key host metabolic enzymes critical for the intracellular survival of both of these lethal hemoparasites. Remarkably, among the metabolic proteins identified by our synergistic approach, we find that host purine and heme biosynthetic enzymes are essential for the intracellular survival of P. falciparum and Theileria, while other host enzymes are only essential under certain metabolic conditions, highlighting P. falciparum’s adaptability and ability to scavenge nutrients selectively. Unexpectedly, host porphyrins emerge as being essential for both parasites. The shared vulnerabilities open new avenues for developing more effective therapies against these debilitating diseases, with the potential for broader applicability in combating apicomplexan infections.

Suggested Citation

  • Marina Maurizio & Maria Masid & Kerry Woods & Reto Caldelari & John G. Doench & Arunasalam Naguleswaran & Denis Joly & Martín González-Fernández & Jonas Zemp & Mélanie Borteele & Vassily Hatzimanikati, 2024. "Host cell CRISPR genomics and modelling reveal shared metabolic vulnerabilities in the intracellular development of Plasmodium falciparum and related hemoparasites," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-15, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:15:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-024-50405-x
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-50405-x
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Andrea Galmozzi & Bernard P. Kok & Arthur S. Kim & J. Rafael Montenegro-Burke & Jae Y. Lee & Roberto Spreafico & Sarah Mosure & Verena Albert & Rigo Cintron-Colon & Cristina Godio & William R. Webb & , 2019. "PGRMC2 is an intracellular haem chaperone critical for adipocyte function," Nature, Nature, vol. 576(7785), pages 138-142, December.
    2. Maria Masid & Meric Ataman & Vassily Hatzimanikatis, 2020. "Analysis of human metabolism by reducing the complexity of the genome-scale models using redHUMAN," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 11(1), pages 1-12, December.
    3. Maria Masid & Meric Ataman & Vassily Hatzimanikatis, 2020. "Author Correction: Analysis of human metabolism by reducing the complexity of the genome-scale models using redHUMAN," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 11(1), pages 1-1, December.
    4. Adil Mardinoglu & Rasmus Agren & Caroline Kampf & Anna Asplund & Mathias Uhlen & Jens Nielsen, 2014. "Genome-scale metabolic modelling of hepatocytes reveals serine deficiency in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 5(1), pages 1-11, May.
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