Comparative gene expression profiling of P. falciparum malaria parasites exposed to three different histone deacetylase inhibitors

ABSTRACT: Background Histone deacetylase (HDACs) inhibitors are being intensively pursued as potential new antimalarial drugs, and are also emerging as valuable tools for investigating transcriptional control in malaria parasites. In this study, the genome-wide transcriptional effects of three structurally related hydroxamate HDAC inhibitors were profiled in Plasmodium falciparum, the most lethal of the malaria parasite species that infects humans. Results Following 2h exposure to trichostatin A (TSA), suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA) or a 2-aminosuberic acid derivative (2-ASA-9), ~18-28% of genes in P. falciparum trophozoite-stage parasites were regulated greater than two fold. This global induction was transitory, with fewer genes (3-5%) regulated after removing the compounds and culturing for a further 2h. Just nine genes, including alpha-II-tubulin, were up-regulated by all three compounds. Despite structural similarity, the three inhibitors caused quite diverse transcriptional effects, possibly reflecting subtle differences in mode of action or cellular distribution. Conclusions Three structurally related HDAC inhibitors have been found to cause profound, genome-wide, transcriptional changes in P. falciparum parasites, but most effects were transitory. This highlights the dynamic and exquisitely controlled nature of transcription in these malaria parasites. We also identified a small subset of nine genes over-expressed by all three HDAC inhibitors that may represent the first recognized set of transcriptional markers that signify HDAC inhibition in malaria parasites. This data set is an important contribution to our understanding of gene regulation in malaria parasites and supports growing evidence for the potential of HDAC inhibitors as new antimalarial agents.

ORGANISM(S): Plasmodium falciparum

PROVIDER: GSE25642 | GEO | 2012/05/01

SECONDARY ACCESSION(S): PRJNA133955

REPOSITORIES: GEO