Thursday, November 3, 2016 - 4:00pm
The Department of Chemistry cordially invites you to a research talk on
Targeting Epigenetic Regulation in Plasmodium Falciparum by Inhibiting PfHP1: A Novel Therapeutic Approach in Malaria
Speaker: Ms. Aniqa Sardar, MRes Imperial College London
Date: November 3, 2016
Time: 4:00 PM-5:00 PM
Venue: Chemistry Conference Room, 4th floor, SBASSE
Abstract
Plasmodium falciparum is the primary cause of mortality among malaria patients. PfHP1 (Plasmodium falciparum heterochromatin protein 1), a reader protein of the malarial parasite, is crucial in silencing antigenic genes by detecting the tri-methyl mark on lysine residue 9 of histone 3, H3K9me3. This allows the parasite to express only one antigenic gene at one particular time, aiding the Plasmodium parasite to ‘hide’ from the host. By inhibiting PfHP1, it is hypothesized that the parasite will express all antigenic genes, allowing the host to elicit an immune response. My research project has been aimed at synthesizing hit compounds received from an antimalarial library that was screened against PfHP1, and validating their activity through an orthogonal 1H-15N HSQC NMR assay. A peptide-based approach was also taken to synthesize alanine mutant peptides of the key motif sequence of the H3 protein that binds to PfHP1 in order to identify hotspots. The HSQC NMR assay was used to observe the binding of the peptides and obtain a dose dependence curve for the wild type peptide, and these NMR results were also used to predict key residues in the binding site of PfHP1’s chromodomain, both of which have not been done till now. This analysis will be valuable for designing inhibitors against the protein in future studies.
About the Speaker
Ms. Aniqa Sardar recently completed her MRes (Master’s by Research) programme at Imperial College London in drug discovery and development. During her time at Imperial, she undertook a nine-month long project focused on malaria. Prior to meeting the challenge of attempting to fight the ever so resilient Plasmodium parasite, she completed her undergraduate studies in Chemistry at SBASSE, LUMS from where she graduated in 2014, with a Gold Medal in Chemistry. While LUMS was where she developed an interest in organic chemistry, it was also where she discovered her enthusiasm for Sufi literature. With a passion to discover other realms beyond that of Chemistry, she took out a year to learn Persian and study mystical literature. While it is a major side activity, she soon returned to her true calling, Chemistry, eager to share her passion for the subject. She is also a candidate for a teaching fellow position at the department.
