Biology subjects

Chaurasiya, A.

Publications and source records attributed to Chaurasiya, A..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

A distal CTCF-binding site drives MYC expression plasticity in a negative feed-forward loop

Oncogene expression heterogeneity systemically diversifies cancer cell phenotypes, enabling selection and cancer evolution. Here we document that the level of MYC expression variation is coordinated by a negative feed-forward loop involving the non-coding CCAT1 eRNA and the MYC gating process. While CCAT1 eRNA indirectly antagonizes MYC gating by promoting MYC transcriptional initiation and elongation, the MYC protein promotes gated MYC expression in a feedback loop by inhibiting both MYC transcription and CCAT1 expression. This entire process is coordinated by a CTCF binding site positioned within CCAT1 at a distal, oncogenic super-enhancer, which functions as a master switch by coordinating both CCAT1 and gated MYC expression to diversify cells toward both low and high MYC levels, as determined by heterogeneity metrics. As hallmarks of this principle are frequent in breast cancer and colorectal tumors, the dynamics of this new principle may underlie transitions between therapy-resistant low-MYC, and proliferative high-MYC tumor cells. Highlights- Transcriptional rate regulates MYC gating frequency - CCAT1 expression indirectly inhibits MYC gating by promoting MYC transcription - High MYC protein levels promote gated expression by inhibiting both MYC transcription and CCAT1 expression - These features are controlled by a single CTCF binding in the distant super-enhancer to drive expression plasticity in colorectal cancer cells

cancer biology↗

bioRxiv2023

Identification of merozoite secreted repertoire and immuno-pharmacological inhibition of a novel host-parasite interaction to block malarial infection

BackgroundDuring the intra-erythrocytic proliferation of Plasmodium falciparum, the host erythrocyte invasion is regarded as a complex and tightly regulated process comprising multiple receptor-ligand interactions, and numerous secretory molecules. Proteins secreted sequentially from apical organelles of merozoites serve as adhesins that play a crucial role in RBC invasion and can serve as vaccine and therapeutic targets. MethodsPurified merozoites were triggered to discharge apical organelle contents by exposure to ionic conditions mimicking that of blood plasma. The secreted proteins were subjected to tandem mass spectrometry, and a well-characterized invasion ligand, RhopH3, was identified. A novel RhopH3 receptor, 14-3-3{square} was unearthed using a Bacterial two-hybrid approach. This interaction was confirmed using multiple biophysical and biochemical approaches. We were successful in disrupting this interaction using a de novo peptide binder of 14-3-3{square}, and we subsequently assessed its effect on merozoite invasion. ResultsA total of 66 proteins were identified in the secretory fraction with apical organellar or merozoite membrane localization. The well-known adhesin, RhopH3 was also identified and its interaction with the host phosphopeptide-binding protein, 14-3-3{square} was established. We also discovered a de novo peptide with the potency to disrupt this crucial interaction, thereby blocking merozoite invasion. ConclusionWe, for the first time, report the secretory repertoire of plasmodium merozoite. Our study shows the importance of the erythrocyte protein, 14-3-3{square} during the invasion process and paves the way for developing anti-malarial peptides or small molecules that inhibit the host-pathogen interaction, hence abrogating the invasion process.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2021

Targeting the artemisinin resistant malaria by repositioning of the anti-Hepatitis C Virus drug Alisporivir

The rapid emergence of P. falciparum-resistant strains raises an urgent need to find new antimalarial drug candidates. This study reports the rational repositioning of the anti-Hepatitis C Virus drug, Alisporivir, a non-immunosuppressive analog of cyclosporin A (CsA) against multiple, drug-resistant strains of P. falciparum. Alisporivir being non-hemolytic has been proven to be a better drug than CsA. Indeed, our study also demonstrated the same. Alisporivir inhibited chloroquine-sensitive parasite growth with an IC50 of 196.6nM. Alisporivir also inhibited the growth of chloroquine-resistant parasites with an IC50 of 422.1nM. Alisporivir exhibited, anti-malarial activity in in vivo. Further, we exploited the Cyclophilins targeting potential of Alisporivir against artemisinin-resistant malaria parasite owing to the fact that PfCyP-19B is one of the genes that is overexpressed in artemisinin-resistant parasite revealed by a population transcriptomic study. Our semiquantitative real-time transcript and immunofluorescence analysis confirmed the overexpression of PfCyP-19B in Artemisinin-resistant P. falciparum (PfKelch13R539T). Artemisinin resistance is attributed to slow clearance of ring stage parasites. Ring survival assay (RSA) is designed to access the potency of compounds on these dormant slow clearing parasites leading to drug resistance. Thus, the potency of Alisporivir against PfKelch13R539T was evaluated by RSA. A 2.5-fold decrease in parasite survival was detected with Alisporivir. Further, combination of Alisporivir with DHA found to potentiate the efficacy of DHA by 4.55-fold. These results support the hypothesis that targeting of resistance mechanism is a potential approach to deal with resistant parasite. Overall, this study demonstrates the rational reposition of Alisporivir against resistant malaria resistance.

microbiology↗