Genomewide scan reveals amplification of mdr1 as a common denominator of resistance to mefloquine, lumefantrine, and artemisinin in Plasmodium chabaudi malaria parasites

Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2011 Oct;55(10):4858-65. doi: 10.1128/AAC.01748-10. Epub 2011 Jun 27.

Abstract

Multidrug-resistant Plasmodium falciparum malaria parasites pose a threat to effective drug control, even to artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs). Here we used linkage group selection and Solexa whole-genome resequencing to investigate the genetic basis of resistance to component drugs of ACTs. Using the rodent malaria parasite P. chabaudi, we analyzed the uncloned progeny of a genetic backcross between the mefloquine-, lumefantrine-, and artemisinin-resistant mutant AS-15MF and a genetically distinct sensitive clone, AJ, following drug treatment. Genomewide scans of selection showed that parasites surviving each drug treatment bore a duplication of a segment of chromosome 12 (translocated to chromosome 04) present in AS-15MF. Whole-genome resequencing identified the size of the duplicated segment and its position on chromosome 4. The duplicated fragment extends for ∼393 kbp and contains over 100 genes, including mdr1, encoding the multidrug resistance P-glycoprotein homologue 1. We therefore show that resistance to chemically distinct components of ACTs is mediated by the same genetic mutation, highlighting a possible limitation of these therapies.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antimalarials / pharmacology*
  • Artemisinins / pharmacology
  • Base Sequence
  • Chromosome Mapping
  • Drug Resistance, Multiple / genetics*
  • Ethanolamines / pharmacology
  • Fluorenes / pharmacology
  • Genetic Linkage
  • Genome, Protozoan
  • Lumefantrine
  • Malaria / drug therapy*
  • Mefloquine / pharmacology
  • Multidrug Resistance-Associated Proteins / genetics*
  • Plasmodium chabaudi / drug effects*
  • Plasmodium chabaudi / genetics*
  • Plasmodium chabaudi / metabolism
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA

Substances

  • Antimalarials
  • Artemisinins
  • Ethanolamines
  • Fluorenes
  • Multidrug Resistance-Associated Proteins
  • artemisinin
  • Lumefantrine
  • Mefloquine