Inhibition of mitochondrial and plastid activity of Plasmodium falciparum by minocycline.
We previously reported the superior effect of minocycline against drug-resistant Plasmodium falciparum in vitro. Here, we report that RT-PCR for falciparum parasites treated with minocycline revealed reduced levels of RNA transcripts of the mitochondrion-encoded genes such as the COI and Cyb genes, as well as the plastid-encoded RNA polymerase subunit (rpoB/C) gene. However, we detected no apparent effects of the antibiotic on the transcription of merozoite surface antigen and small subunit rRNA genes encoded by the nucleus. In addition, treatment with chloroquine and pyrimethamine showed no substantial reduction of any RT-PCR products. These findings suggest that tetracycline antibiotics selectively inhibit both mitochondrial and plastid activity.
Lin
Qinghua
Q
Department of Parasitology, Gunma University School of Medicine, 3-39-22 Showa-machi, 371-8511, Maebashi, Japan.
Katakura
Ken
K
Suzuki
Mamoru
M
D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000962:Antimalarials / Q000494:pharmacology; D001059:Apoproteins / Q000235:genetics; D003573:Cytochrome b Group / Q000235:genetics; D045303:Cytochromes b; D012321:DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases / Q000235:genetics; D004351:Drug Resistance; D003576:Electron Transport Complex IV / Q000235:genetics; D020459:Genes, rRNA / Q000235:genetics; D020066:Merozoite Surface Protein 1 / Q000235:genetics; D008911:Minocycline / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D018087:Plastids / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D021122:Protein Subunits; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D014158:Transcription, Genetic / Q000187:drug effects
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000962:Antimalarials; D001059:Apoproteins; D003573:Cytochrome b Group; D020066:Merozoite Surface Protein 1; D021122:Protein Subunits; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D045303:Cytochromes b; D003576:Electron Transport Complex IV; D012321:DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases; D008911:Minocycline