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Malaria research identifies new molecule with therapeutic potential
![KNX-002 inhibits PfMyoA. a KNX-002 inhibits actin-activated (filled red circles, IC50 = 7.2 µM, (95% CI, 5.8–9.0 µM), n = 3) and basal ATPase activity (open red circles, IC50 = 3.6 µM (95% CI, 3.0–4.5 µM), n = 3). KNX-002 has little effect on the actin-activated ATPase of skeletal myosin (SkMyo2, black squares, IC50 > 200 µM, n = 2) or cardiac myosin (black triangles, IC50 > 100 µM, n = 2). PfMyoA data are represented as mean values ± SD. b The constituent groups of the KNX-002 structure are indicated. c The inhibition of asexual parasite blood stage growth by KNX-002 was quantified (IC50 = 18.2 µM, n = 2). Source data are provided as a Source Data file. Credit: Nature Communications (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-38976-7 Malaria: New molecule with therapeutic potential](https://scx1.b-cdn.net/csz/news/800a/2023/malaria-new-molecule-w.jpg)
For the first time ever, a molecule able to prevent the invasion of blood cells by parasites of the genus Plasmodium, responsible for malaria, has been identified and described by CNRS scientists, in collaboration with American and English colleagues.
Their findings, which have just been published in Nature Communications, confirm the key role that myosin A—the 'molecular motor' of Plasmodium—plays in their infiltration of human hosts and penetration of their red blood cells, which triggers malarial attacks. Myosin A is found in all forms adopted by Plasmodium during the course of an infection, which makes it a convenient target for an inhibitor.
That inhibitor is now known to exist: dubbed KNX-002, its structure and mode of binding have been determined using crystallography, and its effects tested in vitro on red blood cells. Its discovery paves the way for the development of a new class of antimalarials.
More information: Dihia Moussaoui et al, Mechanism of small molecule inhibition of Plasmodium falciparum myosin A informs antimalarial drug design, Nature Communications (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-38976-7