Plasmodium gametocyte inhibition identified from a natural-product-based fragment library

Fragment-based screening is commonly used to identify compounds with relatively weak but efficient localized binding to protein surfaces. We used mass spectrometry to study fragment-sized three-dimensional natural products. We identified seven securinine-related compounds binding to Plasmodium falciparum 2′-deoxyuridine 5′-triphosphate nucleotidohydrolase (PfdUTPase). Securinine bound allosterically to PfdUTPase, enhancing enzyme activity and inhibiting viability of both P. falciparum gametocyte (sexual) and blood (asexual) stage parasites. Our results provide a new insight into mechanisms that may be applicable to transmission-blocking agents.