Disruption of the Plasmodium falciparum life cycle through transcriptional reprogramming by inhibitors of Jumonji demethylases.

Little is known about the role of the three Jumonji C (JmjC) enzymes in Plasmodium falciparum (Pf). Here we show that JIB-04 and other established inhibitors of mammalian JmjC histone demethylases kill asexual blood stage parasites and are even more potent at blocking gametocyte development and gamete formation. In late stage parasites, JIB-04 increased levels of tri-methylated lysine residues on histones suggesting inhibition of P. falciparum Jumonji demethylase activity. These epigenetic defects coincide with deregulation of invasion, cell motor, and sexual development gene programs, including gene targets coregulated by the PfAP2-I transcription factor and chromatin-binding factor, PfBDP1. Mechanistically, we demonstrate that PfJmj3 converts 2-oxoglutarate to succinate in an iron-dependent manner consistent with mammalian Jumonji enzymes, and this catalytic activity is inhibited by JIB-04 and other Jumonji inhibitors. Our pharmacological studies of Jumonji activity in the malaria parasite provides evidence that inhibition of these enzymatic activities is detrimental to the parasite.