tRNA modification reprogramming contributes to artemisinin resistance in Plasmodium falciparum
Jennifer L. Small-Saunders, Ameya Sinha, Talia S. Bloxham, Laura M. Hagenah, Guangxin Sun, Peter R. Preiser, Peter C. Dedon, David A. Fidock
Abstract
Abstract Plasmodium falciparum artemisinin (ART) resistance is driven by mutations in kelch-like protein 13 (PfK13). Quiescence, a key aspect of resistance, may also be regulated by a yet unidentified epigenetic pathway. Transfer RNA modification reprogramming and codon bias translation is a conserved epitranscriptomic translational control mechanism that allows cells to rapidly respond to stress. We report a role for this mechanism in ART-resistant parasites by combining tRNA modification, proteomic and codon usage analyses in ring-stage ART-sensitive and ART-resistant parasites in response to drug. Post-drug, ART-resistant parasites differentially hypomodify mcm 5 s 2 U on tRNA and possess a subset of proteins, including PfK13, that are regulated by Lys codon-biased translation. Conditional knockdown of the terminal s 2 U thiouridylase, PfMnmA, in an ART-sensitive parasite background led to increased ART survival, suggesting that hypomodification can alter the parasite ART response. This study describes an epitranscriptomic pathway via tRNA s 2 U reprogramming that ART-resistant parasites may employ to survive ART-induced stress.