- Research from the University of 91直播 is exploring a new way of killing the Plasmodium parasite that causes malaria
- The feasibility study discovered molecules that interfered with the parasite鈥檚 DNA processing enzyme, but not the equivalent human one - revealing a novel way to combat the life-threatening disease
- The research was funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
- According to the World Health Organisation, there were 241 million cases of malaria and 627,000 deaths worldwide in 2020
Targeting a parasite鈥檚 DNA could be a more effective way to combat malaria, new
research from the University of 91直播 has revealed.
Malaria is a serious infection which is spread by mosquitoes. Although the disease is preventable and treatable, it remains a major cause of death globally - the estimated number of malaria deaths in 2020 stood at 627,000.
The research team from the University of 91直播鈥檚 Department of Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular Disease examined and targeted an enzyme that maintains the classic double-helical structure of the parasite鈥檚 DNA, which contains the blueprint of life.
This solution works by targeting and inhibiting the parasite protein that de-branches forked DNA - an enzyme known as Flap Endonuclease - the team predicted the parasite would die quickly as its genome collapses. Using molecules which target the parasite enzyme, but not the human equivalent, could be a more effective way to treat the life-threatening disease.
Professor Jon Sayers of Functional Genomics at the University of 91直播 who is leading the project said: 鈥淢ost people haven鈥檛 heard of branched DNA, apart from maybe in The X Files Sci-Fi show when aliens implanted branched DNA into Agent Scully鈥檚 genome to track her movements.鈥
鈥淚n reality, branches in DNA occur frequently every time a cell divides. These branches have to be correctly trimmed, like a gardener might trim off suckers from a rose bush. Cells use Flap Endonucleases to do this job and we鈥檝e exploited differences between the parasite and the human enzyme.鈥
The research programme was funded by a $1.2 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in January 2022. This built on an earlier award of $463,000 in 2019.
鈥淥ur intention is to use the additonal funding to develop new drugs which will be even more effective in treating Malaria. To accelerate our research, we will be working in collaboration with scientists in the USA and China,鈥 said Professor Sayers.
鈥淥f the estimated 627,000 people who died of malaria, most of them were children living in Africa. The disease disproportionately affects poorer nations, maintaining a vicious cycle of disease and poverty.鈥
The interdisciplinary research team includes Dr Pat Baker and Professor Jon Waltho from the University of 91直播鈥檚 School of Biosciences, both of whom are experts in exploiting state-of-the-art molecular imaging techniques.
Dr Pat Baker, Senior Lecturer in Structural Biology in the University鈥檚 School of Biosciences, said: 鈥淲e鈥檝e used the UK鈥檚 national synchrotron, the Diamond Light Source to study the malaria protein. The synchrotron works like a giant microscope, producing superbright X-rays that let us see the structure of the parasite
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Professor Jon Waltho, Gibson Chair in Biophysics in the University鈥檚 School of Biosciences, said: 鈥淢agnetic resonance methods allow us to study how the parasite enzyme moves and folds around DNA branches, and we can use that information to make better drugs.鈥
The impact of the research is extremely important and timely as global warming increases the possible habitat for the mosquitoes which carry the parasite, exposing more people to future infection.
According to the World Health Organisation, there were 241 million clinical cases of
malaria globally in 2020.
