In spite of the recent increase in endoperoxide antimalarials under development, it remains unclear if all these chemotypes share a common mechanism of action. This is important since it will influence cross-resistance risks between the different classes. Here we investigate this proposition using novel clickable 1,2,4-trioxolane activity based protein-profiling probes (ABPPs). ABPPs with potent antimalarial activity were able to alkylate protein target(s) within the asexual erythrocytic stage of Plasmodium falciparum (3D7). Importantly, comparison of the alkylation fingerprint with that generated from an artemisinin ABPP equivalent confirms a highly conserved alkylation profile, with both endoperoxide classes targeting proteins in the glycolytic, hemoglobin degradation, antioxidant defence, protein synthesis and protein stress pathways, essential biological processes for plasmodial survival. The alkylation signatures of the two chemotypes show significant overlap (ca. 90 %) both qualitatively and semi-quantitatively, suggesting a common mechanism of action that raises concerns about potential cross-resistance liabilities.
„Klickbare” 1,2,4‐Trioxolan‐Proteinprofilingsonden (ABPPs) wurden so entworfen, dass sie ihre Aktivität gegen Malaria behalten und die molekularen Targets des Blutstadiums von Plasmodium falciparum in situ alkylieren. Ein Vergleich ihrer Proteinalkylierungssignatur mit den entsprechenden Artemisinin‐ABPPs zeigt, dass beide Wirkstoffklassen Schlüsselproteine in verschiedenen Stoffwechselwegen angreifen.
Keywords: Antimalariamittel; Artemisinin; Chemische Biologie; Sonden.