Inorganic ions on hemozoin surface provide a glimpse into Plasmodium biology

E Danae Guerra; Fadi Baakdah; Ophélie Gourgas; Mifong Tam; Mary M Stevenson; Elias Georges; D Scott Bohle; Marta Cerruti

doi:10.1016/j.jinorgbio.2019.110808

Inorganic ions on hemozoin surface provide a glimpse into Plasmodium biology

J Inorg Biochem. 2019 Nov:200:110808. doi: 10.1016/j.jinorgbio.2019.110808. Epub 2019 Aug 27.

Authors

E Danae Guerra¹, Fadi Baakdah², Ophélie Gourgas¹, Mifong Tam³, Mary M Stevenson⁴, Elias Georges², D Scott Bohle⁵, Marta Cerruti⁶

Affiliations

¹ Department of Mining and Materials Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 2B2, Canada.
² Institute of Parasitology, McGill University, Ste Anne de Bellevue, Quebec H9X 3V9, Canada.
³ Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 2B4, Canada.
⁴ Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 2B4, Canada; Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H4A 3J1, Canada.
⁵ Department of Chemistry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 0C5, Canada.
⁶ Department of Mining and Materials Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 2B2, Canada. Electronic address: marta.cerruti@mcgill.ca.

PMID: 31487576
DOI: 10.1016/j.jinorgbio.2019.110808

Abstract

In malaria, Plasmodium parasites produce hemozoin (Hz) as a route to detoxify free heme released from the catabolism of hemoglobin. Hz isolated from the parasites is encapsulated in an organic layer constituted by parasite and host components. This organic coating may play a role in Hz formation and in the immunomodulatory properties attributed to Hz, and they may influence the mode of action of antimalarials that block Hz formation. In this work, we analyze the organic layer adhered to Hz, and find Na, Cl, Si, Ca and P present, in addition to organic material. Our results suggest that Na, Cl, and P adsorb during Hz release from the red blood cells, while Si and Ca derive from components present during Hz biomineralization within the digestive vacuole of the parasite. Overall, we show that inorganic elements associated with Hz surface provide insights into the biological functions of Plasmodium parasites.

Keywords: Biomineralization; Hemozoin; Immune response; Inorganic ions; Malaria pigment; Surface composition.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Animals
Erythrocytes* / metabolism
Erythrocytes* / parasitology
Hemeproteins / metabolism*
Humans
Ions / pharmacology
Mice
Plasmodium chabaudi / metabolism*
Plasmodium falciparum / metabolism*

Substances

Hemeproteins
Ions
hemozoin