1
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He TY, Li YT, Liu ZD, Cheng H, Bao YF, Zhang JL. Lipid metabolism: the potential targets for toxoplasmosis treatment. Parasit Vectors 2024; 17:111. [PMID: 38448975 PMCID: PMC10916224 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-024-06213-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is a zoonosis caused by Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii). The current treatment for toxoplasmosis remains constrained due to the absence of pharmaceutical interventions. Thus, the pursuit of more efficient targets is of great importance. Lipid metabolism in T. gondii, including fatty acid metabolism, phospholipid metabolism, and neutral lipid metabolism, assumes a crucial function in T. gondii because those pathways are largely involved in the formation of the membranous structure and cellular processes such as division, invasion, egress, replication, and apoptosis. The inhibitors of T. gondii's lipid metabolism can directly lead to the disturbance of various lipid component levels and serious destruction of membrane structure, ultimately leading to the death of the parasites. In this review, the specific lipid metabolism pathways, correlative enzymes, and inhibitors of lipid metabolism of T. gondii are elaborated in detail to generate novel ideas for the development of anti-T. gondii drugs that target the parasites' lipid metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tian-Yi He
- Health Science Center, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Ye-Tian Li
- Health Science Center, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Zhen-Di Liu
- Health Science Center, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Hao Cheng
- Health Science Center, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Yi-Feng Bao
- Health Science Center, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Ji-Li Zhang
- Health Science Center, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China.
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2
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Hughes K, Le TB, Van Der Smissen P, Tyteca D, Mingeot-Leclercq MP, Quetin-Leclercq J. The Antileishmanial Activity of Eugenol Associated with Lipid Storage Reduction Rather Than Membrane Properties Alterations. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28093871. [PMID: 37175277 PMCID: PMC10179746 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28093871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 04/29/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a neglected tropical disease that still infects thousands of people per year throughout the world. The occurrence of resistance against major treatments for this disease causes a healthcare burden in low-income countries. Eugenol is a phenylpropanoid that has shown in vitro antileishmanial activity against Leishmania mexicana mexicana (Lmm) promastigotes with an IC50 of 2.72 µg/mL and a high selectivity index. Its specific mechanism of action has yet to be studied. We prepared large unilamellar vesicles (LUVs), mimicking Lmm membranes, and observed that eugenol induced an increase in membrane permeability and a decrease in membrane fluidity at concentrations much higher than IC50. The effect of eugenol was similar to the current therapeutic antibiotic, amphotericin B, although the latter was effective at lower concentrations than eugenol. However, unlike amphotericin B, eugenol also affected the permeability of LUVs without sterol. Its effect on the membrane fluidity of Lmm showed that at high concentrations (≥22.5× IC50), eugenol increased membrane fluidity by 20-30%, while no effect was observed at lower concentrations. Furthermore, at concentrations below 10× IC50, a decrease in metabolic activity associated with the maintenance of membrane integrity revealed a leishmaniostatic effect after 24 h of incubation with Lmm promastigotes. While acidocalcisomes distribution and abundance revealed by Trypanosoma brucei vacuolar H+ pyrophosphatase (TbVP1) immunolabeling was not modified by eugenol, a dose-dependent decrease of lipid droplets assessed by the Nile Red assay was observed. We hereby demonstrate that the antileishmanial activity of eugenol might not directly involve plasma membrane sterols such as ergosterol, but rather target the lipid storage of Lmm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristelle Hughes
- Pharmacognosy Research Group, Louvain Drug Research Institute, Université Catholique de Louvain, Avenue E. Mounier 72, B1.72.03, B-1200 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Thanh Binh Le
- Pharmacognosy Research Group, Louvain Drug Research Institute, Université Catholique de Louvain, Avenue E. Mounier 72, B1.72.03, B-1200 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Patrick Van Der Smissen
- CELL Unit and PICT Imaging Platform, de Duve Institute, Université Catholique de Louvain, Avenue Hippocrate 75, B1.75.05, B-1200 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Donatienne Tyteca
- CELL Unit and PICT Imaging Platform, de Duve Institute, Université Catholique de Louvain, Avenue Hippocrate 75, B1.75.05, B-1200 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Marie-Paule Mingeot-Leclercq
- Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology Unit (FACM), Louvain Drug Research Institute, Université Catholique de Louvain, Avenue E. Mounier 73, B1.73.05, B-1200 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Joëlle Quetin-Leclercq
- Pharmacognosy Research Group, Louvain Drug Research Institute, Université Catholique de Louvain, Avenue E. Mounier 72, B1.72.03, B-1200 Brussels, Belgium
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3
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Leroux M, Luquain-Costaz C, Lawton P, Azzouz-Maache S, Delton I. Fatty Acid Composition and Metabolism in Leishmania Parasite Species: Potential Biomarkers or Drug Targets for Leishmaniasis? Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24054702. [PMID: 36902138 PMCID: PMC10003364 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24054702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2022] [Revised: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Fatty acids have received growing interest in Leishmania biology with the characterization of the enzymes allowing the complete fatty acid synthesis of this trypanosomatid parasite. This review presents a comparative analysis of the fatty acid profiles of the major classes of lipids and phospholipids in different species of Leishmania with cutaneous or visceral tropism. Specificities relating to the parasite forms, resistance to antileishmanial drugs, and host/parasite interactions are described as well as comparisons with other trypanosomatids. Emphasis is placed on polyunsaturated fatty acids and their metabolic and functional specificities, in particular, their conversion into oxygenated metabolites that are inflammatory mediators able to modulate metacyclogenesis and parasite infectivity. The impact of lipid status on the development of leishmaniasis and the potential of fatty acids as therapeutic targets or candidates for nutritional interventions are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marine Leroux
- CNRS 5007, LAGEPP, Université of Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, 69100 Villeurbanne, France
| | - Céline Luquain-Costaz
- CNRS 5007, LAGEPP, Université of Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, 69100 Villeurbanne, France
- Department of Biosciences, INSA Lyon, 69100 Villeurbanne, France
| | - Philippe Lawton
- CNRS 5007, LAGEPP, Université of Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, 69100 Villeurbanne, France
| | - Samira Azzouz-Maache
- CNRS 5007, LAGEPP, Université of Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, 69100 Villeurbanne, France
| | - Isabelle Delton
- CNRS 5007, LAGEPP, Université of Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, 69100 Villeurbanne, France
- Department of Biosciences, INSA Lyon, 69100 Villeurbanne, France
- Correspondence:
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4
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Bouabid C, Yamaryo-Botté Y, Rabhi S, Bichiou H, Hkimi C, Bouglita W, Chaouach M, Eddaikra N, Ghedira K, Guizani-Tabbane L, Botté CY, Rabhi I. Fatty Acid Profiles of Leishmania major Derived from Human and Rodent Hosts in Endemic Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Areas of Tunisia and Algeria. Pathogens 2022; 11:92. [PMID: 35056040 PMCID: PMC8781279 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11010092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Revised: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a protozoal vector-borne disease that affects both humans and animals. In the Mediterranean Basin, the primary reservoir hosts of Leishmania spp. are mainly rodents and canids. Lipidomic approaches have allowed scientists to establish Leishmania spp. lipid profiles for the identification of cell stage specific biomarkers, drug mechanisms of action, and host immune response. Using an in silico approach of global network interaction between genes involved in fatty acid (FA) synthesis followed by the GC-MS approach, we were able to characterize the fatty acid profiles of L. major derived from human and rodent hosts. Our results revealed that the lipid profile of L. major showed similarities and differences with those already reported for other Leishmania species. Phospholipids are the predominant lipid class. FA composition of rodent parasites was characterized by a lower abundance of the precursor C18:2(n-6). One of the rodent clones, which also expressed the lowest lipid abundance in PL and TAG, was the least sensitive clone to the miltefosine drug and has the lowest infection efficiency. Our findings suggest that the lipid composition variation may explain the response of the parasite toward treatment and their ability to infect their host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cyrine Bouabid
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie Médicale, Biotechnologies et Biomolécules (LR16IPT06), Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université Tunis El-Manar, 13 Place Pasteur-BP74, Tunis 1002, Tunisia
| | - Yoshiki Yamaryo-Botté
- ApicoLipid Team, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, CNRS UMR5309, INSERM-National Institute for Health and Medical Research, Université Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, 38000 Grenoble, France
| | - Sameh Rabhi
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie Médicale, Biotechnologies et Biomolécules (LR16IPT06), Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université Tunis El-Manar, 13 Place Pasteur-BP74, Tunis 1002, Tunisia
| | - Haifa Bichiou
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie Médicale, Biotechnologies et Biomolécules (LR16IPT06), Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université Tunis El-Manar, 13 Place Pasteur-BP74, Tunis 1002, Tunisia
| | - Chaima Hkimi
- Laboratory of Bioinformatics, BioMathematics and Biostatistics, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, 13 Place Pasteur-BP74, Tunis 1002, Tunisia
| | - Wafa Bouglita
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie Médicale, Biotechnologies et Biomolécules (LR16IPT06), Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université Tunis El-Manar, 13 Place Pasteur-BP74, Tunis 1002, Tunisia
- Higher Institute of Biotechnology of Sidi Thabet, University of Manouba, Tunis 2050, Tunisia
| | - Melek Chaouach
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie Médicale, Biotechnologies et Biomolécules (LR16IPT06), Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université Tunis El-Manar, 13 Place Pasteur-BP74, Tunis 1002, Tunisia
| | - Naouel Eddaikra
- Laboratory of Eco-Epidemiology Parasitic Population Genetics, Pasteur Institute of Algiers, Algiers 16000, Algeria
| | - Kais Ghedira
- Laboratory of Bioinformatics, BioMathematics and Biostatistics, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, 13 Place Pasteur-BP74, Tunis 1002, Tunisia
| | - Lamia Guizani-Tabbane
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie Médicale, Biotechnologies et Biomolécules (LR16IPT06), Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université Tunis El-Manar, 13 Place Pasteur-BP74, Tunis 1002, Tunisia
| | - Cyrille Y Botté
- ApicoLipid Team, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, CNRS UMR5309, INSERM-National Institute for Health and Medical Research, Université Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, 38000 Grenoble, France
| | - Imen Rabhi
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie Médicale, Biotechnologies et Biomolécules (LR16IPT06), Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université Tunis El-Manar, 13 Place Pasteur-BP74, Tunis 1002, Tunisia
- Higher Institute of Biotechnology of Sidi Thabet, University of Manouba, Tunis 2050, Tunisia
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Sangenito LS, Rodrigues HD, Santiago SO, Bombaça ACS, Menna-Barreto RFS, Reddy A, Branquinha MH, Velasco-Torrijos T, Santos ALS. In vitro effects of bis(N-[4-(hydroxyphenyl)methyl]-2-pyridinemethamine)zinc perchlorate monohydrate 4 on the physiology and interaction process of Leishmania amazonensis. Parasitol Int 2021; 84:102376. [PMID: 33951539 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2021.102376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Revised: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is one of the most relevant neglected tropical diseases in the world, affecting 14 million people. Despite the high morbidity, mortality and socio-economic impact, few therapeutic options are available for this disease. To make matters worse, the available molecules have several limitations such as limited efficacy, high cost, side effects and increased resistance. In this context, our group previously synthesized new compounds with anti-leishmania potential being the bis(N-[4-(hydroxyphenyl)methyl]-2-pyridinemethamine)zinc perchlorate monohydrate 4 (complex 4) the most promising one. Therefore, this present work revealed some morphological and physiological changes promoted by complex 4 on Leishmania amazonensis promastigotes as well as it was evidenced its potential against intramacrophage amastigotes. Complex 4 promoted a progressive reduction on the promastigotes size and a remarkable increase on the granularity/complexity as judged by flow cytometry. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis revealed extensive mitochondrial and plasma membrane alterations, although plasma membrane integrity remained. The mitochondrial changes observed by TEM were accompanied by a decrease in the activity of mitochondrial dehydrogenases with increased production of reactive oxygen species. Interestingly, promastigotes also showed changes in lipid metabolism. Besides the very low toxicity to macrophages, complex 4 had a great effect on intramacrophage amastigotes, displaying an IC50 of 3.91 μM. Collectively, the data presented here reinforce the potential of aminopyridyl compounds complexed to zinc against L. amazonensis. Thus, our work serves as a basis for in vivo assays to be designed or even the synthesis of more selective/effective compounds with lower cost.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leandro S Sangenito
- Laboratório de Estudos Avançados de Microrganismos Emergentes e Resistentes, Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
| | - Hallana D Rodrigues
- Laboratório de Estudos Avançados de Microrganismos Emergentes e Resistentes, Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Simone O Santiago
- Laboratório de Estudos Avançados de Microrganismos Emergentes e Resistentes, Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Ana Cristina S Bombaça
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Rubem F S Menna-Barreto
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Andrew Reddy
- Department of Chemistry, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, Ireland
| | - Marta H Branquinha
- Laboratório de Estudos Avançados de Microrganismos Emergentes e Resistentes, Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Trinidad Velasco-Torrijos
- Department of Chemistry, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, Ireland; The Kathleen Lonsdale Institute for Human Health Research, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, Ireland
| | - André L S Santos
- Laboratório de Estudos Avançados de Microrganismos Emergentes e Resistentes, Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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6
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Papadaki A, Tziouvara O, Kotopouli A, Koumarianou P, Doukas A, Rios P, Tardieux I, Köhn M, Boleti H. The Leishmania donovani LDBPK_220120.1 Gene Encodes for an Atypical Dual Specificity Lipid-Like Phosphatase Expressed in Promastigotes and Amastigotes; Substrate Specificity, Intracellular Localizations, and Putative Role(s). Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:591868. [PMID: 33842381 PMCID: PMC8027504 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.591868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2020] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The intracellular protozoan parasites of the Leishmania genus are responsible for Leishmaniases, vector borne diseases with a wide range of clinical manifestations. Leishmania (L.) donovani causes visceral leishmaniasis (kala azar), the most severe of these diseases. Along their biological cycle, Leishmania parasites undergo distinct developmental transitions including metacyclogenesis and differentiation of metacyclic promastigotes (MPs) to amastigotes. Metacyclogenesis inside the phlebotomine sandfly host's midgut converts the procyclic dividing promastigotes to non-dividing infective MPs eventually injected into the skin of mammalian hosts and phagocytosed by macrophages where the MPs are converted inside modified phagolysosomes to the intracellular amastigotes. These developmental transitions involve dramatic changes in cell size and shape and reformatting of the flagellum requiring thus membrane and cytoskeleton remodeling in which phosphoinositide (PI) signaling and metabolism must play central roles. This study reports on the LDBPK_220120.1 gene, the L. donovani ortholog of LmjF.22.0250 from L. major that encodes a phosphatase from the "Atypical Lipid Phosphatases" (ALPs) enzyme family. We confirmed the expression of the LDBPK_220120.1 gene product in both L. donovani promastigotes and axenic amastigotes and showed that it behaves in vitro as a Dual Specificity P-Tyr and monophosphorylated [PI(3)P and PI(4)P] PI phosphatase and therefore named it LdTyrPIP_22 (Leishmaniad onovani Tyrosine PI Phosphatase, gene locus at chromosome 22). By immunofluorescence confocal microscopy we localized the LdTyrPIP_22 in several intracellular sites in the cell body of L. donovani promastigotes and amastigotes and in the flagellum. A temperature and pH shift from 25°C to 37°C and from pH 7 to 5.5, induced a pronounced recruitment of LdTyrPIP_22 epitopes to the flagellar pocket and a redistribution around the nucleus. These results suggest possible role(s) for this P-Tyr/PI phosphatase in the regulation of processes initiated or upregulated by this temperature/pH shift that contribute to the developmental transition from MPs to amastigotes inside the mammalian host macrophages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amalia Papadaki
- Intracellular Parasitism Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece
| | - Olympia Tziouvara
- Intracellular Parasitism Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece
| | - Anastasia Kotopouli
- Intracellular Parasitism Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece
| | - Petrina Koumarianou
- Intracellular Parasitism Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece.,Light Microscopy Unit, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece
| | - Anargyros Doukas
- Intracellular Parasitism Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece
| | - Pablo Rios
- Genome Biology Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Heidelberg, Germany.,Signalling Research Centres BIOSS and CIBSS, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Isabelle Tardieux
- Team «Biomechanics of Host Parasite Interactions», Institut for Advanced BioSciences, Univ. Grenoble Alpes, Inserm U1209 - CNRS UMR 5309, 38700 La Tronche, France
| | - Maja Köhn
- Genome Biology Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Heidelberg, Germany.,Signalling Research Centres BIOSS and CIBSS, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Haralabia Boleti
- Intracellular Parasitism Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece.,Light Microscopy Unit, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece
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7
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Moitra S, Basu S, Pawlowic M, Hsu FF, Zhang K. De Novo Synthesis of Phosphatidylcholine Is Essential for the Promastigote But Not Amastigote Stage in Leishmania major. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:647870. [PMID: 33777852 PMCID: PMC7996062 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.647870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Phosphatidylcholine (PC) is the most abundant type of phospholipids in eukaryotes constituting ~30% of total lipids in Leishmania. PC synthesis mainly occurs via the choline branch of the Kennedy pathway (choline ⇒ choline-phosphate ⇒ CDP-choline ⇒ PC) and the N-methylation of phosphatidylethanolamine (PE). In addition, Leishmania parasites can acquire PC and other lipids from the host or culture medium. In this study, we assessed the function and essentiality of choline ethanolamine phosphotransferase (CEPT) in Leishmania major which is responsible for the final step of the de novo synthesis of PC and PE. Our data indicate that CEPT is localized in the endoplasmic reticulum and possesses the activity to generate PC from CDP-choline and diacylglycerol. Targeted deletion of CEPT is only possible in the presence of an episomal CEPT gene in the promastigote stage of L. major. These chromosomal null parasites require the episomal expression of CEPT to survive in culture, confirming its essentiality during the promastigote stage. In contrast, during in vivo infection of BALB/c mice, these chromosomal null parasites appeared to lose the episomal copy of CEPT while maintaining normal levels of virulence, replication and cellular PC. Therefore, while the de novo synthesis of PC/PE is indispensable for the proliferation of promastigotes, intracellular amastigotes appear to acquire most of their lipids through salvage and remodeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samrat Moitra
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, United States
| | - Somrita Basu
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, United States
| | - Mattie Pawlowic
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, United States
| | - Fong-Fu Hsu
- Mass Spectrometry Resource, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, Metabolism, and Lipid research, Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Kai Zhang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, United States
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8
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Menghini L, Ferrante C, Carradori S, D’Antonio M, Orlando G, Cairone F, Cesa S, Filippi A, Fraschetti C, Zengin G, Ak G, Tacchini M, Iqbal K. Chemical and Bioinformatics Analyses of the Anti-Leishmanial and Anti-Oxidant Activities of Hemp Essential Oil. Biomolecules 2021; 11:biom11020272. [PMID: 33673274 PMCID: PMC7917915 DOI: 10.3390/biom11020272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2021] [Revised: 02/04/2021] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Industrial hemp is a multiuse crop that has been widely cultivated to produce fibers and nutrients. The capability of the essential oil (EO) from inflorescences as antimicrobial agent has been reported. However, literature data are still lacking about the hemp EO antiprotozoal efficacy in vivo. The present study aims to unravel this concern through the evaluation of the efficacy of hemp EOs (2.5 mL/kg, intraperitoneally) of three different cultivars, namely Futura 75, Carmagnola selezionata and Eletta campana, in mice intraperitoneally infected with Leishmania tropica. A detailed description of EO composition and targets-components analysis is reported. Myrcene, α-pinene and E-caryophyllene were the main components of the EOs, as indicated by the gas-chromatographic analysis. However, a prominent position in the scenario of the theoretical interactions underlying the bio-pharmacological activity was also occupied by selina-3,7(11)-diene, which displayed affinities in the micromolar range (5.4–28.9) towards proliferator-activated receptor α, cannabinoid CB2 receptor and acetylcholinesterase. The content of this compound was higher in Futura 75 and Eletta campana, in accordance with their higher scavenging/reducing properties and efficacy against the tissue wound, induced by L. tropica. Overall, the present study recommends hemp female inflorescences, as sources of biomolecules with potential pharmacological applications, especially towards infective diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luigi Menghini
- Department of Pharmacy, Università degli Studi “Gabriele d’Annunzio”, Via dei Vestini 31, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (L.M.); (S.C.); (G.O.)
| | - Claudio Ferrante
- Department of Pharmacy, Università degli Studi “Gabriele d’Annunzio”, Via dei Vestini 31, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (L.M.); (S.C.); (G.O.)
- Correspondence: (C.F.); (M.T.); Tel./Fax: +39-0871-355-4753 (C.F.)
| | - Simone Carradori
- Department of Pharmacy, Università degli Studi “Gabriele d’Annunzio”, Via dei Vestini 31, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (L.M.); (S.C.); (G.O.)
| | | | - Giustino Orlando
- Department of Pharmacy, Università degli Studi “Gabriele d’Annunzio”, Via dei Vestini 31, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (L.M.); (S.C.); (G.O.)
| | - Francesco Cairone
- Department of Drug Chemistry and Technology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (F.C.); (S.C.); (A.F.); (C.F.)
| | - Stefania Cesa
- Department of Drug Chemistry and Technology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (F.C.); (S.C.); (A.F.); (C.F.)
| | - Antonello Filippi
- Department of Drug Chemistry and Technology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (F.C.); (S.C.); (A.F.); (C.F.)
| | - Caterina Fraschetti
- Department of Drug Chemistry and Technology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (F.C.); (S.C.); (A.F.); (C.F.)
| | - Gokhan Zengin
- Department of Biology, Science Faculty, Selcuk University, Campus, 42130 Konya, Turkey; (G.Z.); (G.A.)
| | - Gunes Ak
- Department of Biology, Science Faculty, Selcuk University, Campus, 42130 Konya, Turkey; (G.Z.); (G.A.)
| | - Massimo Tacchini
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology (SVeB), UR7 Terra&Acqua Tech, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
- Correspondence: (C.F.); (M.T.); Tel./Fax: +39-0871-355-4753 (C.F.)
| | - Kashif Iqbal
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Lahore, Islamabad Campus, Islamabad 54590, Pakistan;
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9
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Ligtenberg AJM, Bikker FJ, Bolscher JGM. LFchimera: a synthetic mimic of the two antimicrobial domains of bovine lactoferrin. Biochem Cell Biol 2021; 99:128-137. [PMID: 33560169 DOI: 10.1139/bcb-2020-0285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Saliva is essential for the maintenance of oral health. When salivary flow is impaired, the risk of various oral diseases such as caries and candidiasis increases drastically. Under healthy conditions, saliva provides effective protection against microbial colonization by the collaborative action of numerous host-defense molecules. This review describes how saliva has been the guideline for the design and characterization of a heterodimeric antimicrobial construct called LFchimera. This construct mimics the helical parts of two antimicrobial domains in the crystal structure of bovine lactoferrin. It shows high antimicrobial activity against a broad spectrum of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, fungi, and parasites including biowarfare agents such as Bacillus anthracis, Burkholderia pseudomallei, and Yersinia pestis. Further, sublethal concentrations of LFchimera inhibited biofilm formation, the invasiveness of HeLa cells by Yersinia spp., and prevented haemolysis of enteropathogenic Escherichia coli, demonstrating the versatility of these peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- A J M Ligtenberg
- Department of Oral Biochemistry, Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam, Free University and University of Amsterdam, G. Mahlerlaan 3004, 1081LA Amsterdam, the Netherlands.,Department of Oral Biochemistry, Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam, Free University and University of Amsterdam, G. Mahlerlaan 3004, 1081LA Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - F J Bikker
- Department of Oral Biochemistry, Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam, Free University and University of Amsterdam, G. Mahlerlaan 3004, 1081LA Amsterdam, the Netherlands.,Department of Oral Biochemistry, Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam, Free University and University of Amsterdam, G. Mahlerlaan 3004, 1081LA Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - J G M Bolscher
- Department of Oral Biochemistry, Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam, Free University and University of Amsterdam, G. Mahlerlaan 3004, 1081LA Amsterdam, the Netherlands.,Department of Oral Biochemistry, Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam, Free University and University of Amsterdam, G. Mahlerlaan 3004, 1081LA Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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10
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Quinolizidine-Derived Lucanthone and Amitriptyline Analogues Endowed with Potent Antileishmanial Activity. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2020; 13:ph13110339. [PMID: 33113777 PMCID: PMC7694037 DOI: 10.3390/ph13110339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2020] [Revised: 10/21/2020] [Accepted: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniases are neglected diseases that are endemic in many tropical and sub-tropical Countries. Therapy is based on different classes of drugs which are burdened by severe side effects, occurrence of resistance and high costs, thereby creating the need for more efficacious, safer and inexpensive drugs. Herein, sixteen 9-thioxanthenone derivatives (lucanthone analogues) and four compounds embodying the diarylethene substructure of amitriptyline (amitriptyline analogues) were tested in vitro for activity against Leishmania tropica and L. infantum promastigotes. All compounds were characterized by the presence of a bulky quinolizidinylalkyl moiety. All compounds displayed activity against both species of Leishmania with IC50 values in the low micromolar range, resulting in several fold more potency than miltefosine, comparable to that of lucanthone, and endowed with substantially lower cytotoxicity to Vero-76 cells, for the best of them. Thus, 4-amino-1-(quinolizidinylethyl)aminothioxanthen-9-one (14) and 9-(quinolizidinylmethylidene)fluorene (17), with selectivity index (SI) in the range 16-24, represent promising leads for the development of improved antileishmanial agents. These two compounds also exhibited comparable activity against intramacrophagic amastigotes of L. infantum. Docking studies have suggested that the inhibition of trypanothione reductase (TryR) may be at the basis (eventually besides other mechanisms) of the observed antileishmanial activity. Therefore, these investigated derivatives may deserve further structural improvements and more in-depth biological studies of their mechanisms of action in order to develop more efficient antiparasitic agents.
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11
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Moitra S, Pawlowic MC, Hsu FF, Zhang K. Phosphatidylcholine synthesis through cholinephosphate cytidylyltransferase is dispensable in Leishmania major. Sci Rep 2019; 9:7602. [PMID: 31110206 PMCID: PMC6527706 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-44086-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2018] [Accepted: 05/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Phosphatidylcholine (PC) is a major cell membrane constituent and precursor of important second messengers. In Leishmania parasites, PC synthesis can occur via the choline branch of the Kennedy pathway, the N-methylation of phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), or the remodeling of exogenous phospholipids. To investigate the role of de novo PC synthesis in Leishmania major, we focused on the cholinephosphate cytidylyltransferase (CPCT) which catalyzes the formation of CDP-choline, a key intermediate in the choline branch of the Kennedy pathway. Without CPCT, L. major parasites cannot incorporate choline into PC, yet the CPCT-null mutants contain similar levels of PC and PE as wild type parasites. Loss of CPCT does not affect the growth of parasites in complete medium or their virulence in mice. These results suggest that other mechanisms of PC synthesis can compensate the loss of CPCT. Importantly, CPCT-null parasites exhibited severe growth defects when ethanolamine and exogenous lipids became limited or when they were co-cultured with certain bacteria that are known to be members of sandfly midgut microbiota. These findings suggest that Leishmania employ multiple PC synthesis pathways to utilize a diverse pool of nutrients, which may be crucial for their survival and development in the sandfly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samrat Moitra
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, 79409, USA
| | - Mattie C Pawlowic
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, 79409, USA
- Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research (WCAIR), Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Fong-Fu Hsu
- Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, 660S. Euclid Ave., Saint Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Kai Zhang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, 79409, USA.
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12
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Kong P, Lehmann MJ, Helms JB, Brouwers JF, Gupta N. Lipid analysis of Eimeria sporozoites reveals exclusive phospholipids, a phylogenetic mosaic of endogenous synthesis, and a host-independent lifestyle. Cell Discov 2018; 4:24. [PMID: 29844921 PMCID: PMC5964319 DOI: 10.1038/s41421-018-0023-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2017] [Revised: 02/27/2018] [Accepted: 03/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Successful inter-host transmission of most apicomplexan parasites requires the formation of infective sporozoites within the oocysts. Unlike all other infective stages that are strictly intracellular and depend on host resources, the sporozoite stage develops outside the host cells, but little is known about its self-governing metabolism. This study deployed Eimeria falciformis, a parasite infecting the mouse as its natural host, to investigate the process of phospholipid biogenesis in sporozoites. Lipidomic analyses demonstrated the occurrence of prototypical phospholipids along with abundant expression of at least two exclusive lipids, phosphatidylthreonine (PtdThr) and inositol phosphorylceramide with a phytosphingosine backbone, in sporozoites. To produce them de novo, the parasite harbors nearly the entire biogenesis network, which is an evolutionary mosaic of eukaryotic-type and prokaryotic-type enzymes. Notably, many have no phylogenetic counterpart or functional equivalent in the mammalian host. Using Toxoplasma gondii as a gene-tractable surrogate to examine Eimeria enzymes, we show a highly compartmentalized network of lipid synthesis spread primarily in the apicoplast, endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondrion, and Golgi complex. Likewise, trans-genera complementation of a Toxoplasma mutant with the PtdThr synthase from Eimeria reveals a convergent role of PtdThr in fostering the lytic cycle of coccidian parasites. Taken together, our work establishes a model of autonomous membrane biogenesis involving significant inter-organelle cooperation and lipid trafficking in sporozoites. Phylogenetic divergence of certain pathways offers attractive drug targets to block the sporulation and subsequent transmission. Not least, our results vindicate the possession of an entire de novo lipid synthesis network in a representative protist adapted to an obligate intracellular parasitic lifestyle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengfei Kong
- Department of Molecular Parasitology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Humboldt University, Berlin, 10115 Germany
| | - Maik J. Lehmann
- Department of Molecular Parasitology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Humboldt University, Berlin, 10115 Germany
- Present Address: Department of Life Sciences and Engineering, University of Applied Sciences, Bingen, 55411 Germany
| | - J. Bernd Helms
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomembranes, Utrecht University, Utrecht, 3584CM The Netherlands
| | - Jos F. Brouwers
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomembranes, Utrecht University, Utrecht, 3584CM The Netherlands
| | - Nishith Gupta
- Department of Molecular Parasitology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Humboldt University, Berlin, 10115 Germany
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13
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Armitage EG, Alqaisi AQI, Godzien J, Peña I, Mbekeani AJ, Alonso-Herranz V, López-Gonzálvez Á, Martín J, Gabarro R, Denny PW, Barrett MP, Barbas C. Complex Interplay between Sphingolipid and Sterol Metabolism Revealed by Perturbations to the Leishmania Metabolome Caused by Miltefosine. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2018; 62:e02095-17. [PMID: 29463533 PMCID: PMC5923112 DOI: 10.1128/aac.02095-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2017] [Accepted: 01/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
With the World Health Organization reporting over 30,000 deaths and 200,000 to 400,000 new cases annually, visceral leishmaniasis is a serious disease affecting some of the world's poorest people. As drug resistance continues to rise, there is a huge unmet need to improve treatment. Miltefosine remains one of the main treatments for leishmaniasis, yet its mode of action (MoA) is still unknown. Understanding the MoA of this drug and parasite response to treatment could help pave the way for new and more successful treatments for leishmaniasis. A novel method has been devised to study the metabolome and lipidome of Leishmania donovani axenic amastigotes treated with miltefosine. Miltefosine caused a dramatic decrease in many membrane phospholipids (PLs), in addition to amino acid pools, while sphingolipids (SLs) and sterols increased. Leishmania major promastigotes devoid of SL biosynthesis through loss of the serine palmitoyl transferase gene (ΔLCB2) were 3-fold less sensitive to miltefosine than wild-type (WT) parasites. Changes in the metabolome and lipidome of miltefosine-treated L. major mirrored those of L. donovani A lack of SLs in the ΔLCB2 mutant was matched by substantial alterations in sterol content. Together, these data indicate that SLs and ergosterol are important for miltefosine sensitivity and, perhaps, MoA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily G Armitage
- Centre for Metabolomics and Bioanalysis (CEMBIO), Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad CEU San Pablo, Campus Montepríncipe, Boadilla del Monte, Madrid, Spain
- GSK I+D Diseases of the Developing World (DDW), Parque Tecnológico de Madrid, Tres Cantos, Madrid, Spain
- Wellcome Centre for Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences & Glasgow Polyomics, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Amjed Q I Alqaisi
- Department of Biosciences, Durham University, Lower Mountjoy, Durham, United Kingdom
- University of Baghdad, College of Science, Biology Department, Baghdad, Iraq
| | - Joanna Godzien
- Centre for Metabolomics and Bioanalysis (CEMBIO), Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad CEU San Pablo, Campus Montepríncipe, Boadilla del Monte, Madrid, Spain
| | - Imanol Peña
- GSK I+D Diseases of the Developing World (DDW), Parque Tecnológico de Madrid, Tres Cantos, Madrid, Spain
| | - Alison J Mbekeani
- Department of Biosciences, Durham University, Lower Mountjoy, Durham, United Kingdom
| | - Vanesa Alonso-Herranz
- Centre for Metabolomics and Bioanalysis (CEMBIO), Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad CEU San Pablo, Campus Montepríncipe, Boadilla del Monte, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ángeles López-Gonzálvez
- Centre for Metabolomics and Bioanalysis (CEMBIO), Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad CEU San Pablo, Campus Montepríncipe, Boadilla del Monte, Madrid, Spain
| | - Julio Martín
- GSK I+D Diseases of the Developing World (DDW), Parque Tecnológico de Madrid, Tres Cantos, Madrid, Spain
| | - Raquel Gabarro
- GSK I+D Diseases of the Developing World (DDW), Parque Tecnológico de Madrid, Tres Cantos, Madrid, Spain
| | - Paul W Denny
- Department of Biosciences, Durham University, Lower Mountjoy, Durham, United Kingdom
| | - Michael P Barrett
- Wellcome Centre for Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences & Glasgow Polyomics, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Coral Barbas
- Centre for Metabolomics and Bioanalysis (CEMBIO), Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad CEU San Pablo, Campus Montepríncipe, Boadilla del Monte, Madrid, Spain
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14
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Effect of antimicrobial peptides from Galleria mellonella on molecular models of Leishmania membrane. Thermotropic and fluorescence anisotropy study. J Antibiot (Tokyo) 2018; 71:642-652. [PMID: 29679042 DOI: 10.1038/s41429-018-0050-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2017] [Accepted: 02/28/2018] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides are molecules of natural origin, produced by organisms such as insects, which have focused attention as potential antiparasitic agents. They can cause the death of parasites such Leishmania by interacting with their membrane. In this study, additional information was obtained on how the anionic peptide 2 and cecropin D-like peptide derived from Galleria mellonella interact with liposomes that mimic the composition of the Leishmania membrane. In order to do this, lipid bilayers consisting of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine, dipalmitoylphosphatidylethanolamine, dimyristoylphosphatidylserine, and dimyristoylphosphatidylglycerol were constructed. The effect of the peptides on these membranes was evaluated using calorimetry analysis and fluorescence spectroscopy. The results obtained using differential scanning calorimetry indicated a concentration-dependent effect on membranes composed of phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylglycerol, showing a preference of both peptides for anionic lipids. The binding of the peptides drastically reduced the transition enthalpy in the phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylglycerol liposomes. The results suggest that the mode of action of anionic peptide 2 and cecropin D-like peptide is different, with a higher effect of cecropin D-like on the anionic lipids, which led to changes in the main transition temperature and a complete solubilization of the vesicles. Interactions between peptides and phosphatidylcholine, which is the most abundant lipid on the surface of Leishmania cells, were evaluated using isothermal titration calorimetry and the anisotropy of fluorescence of DPH. The peptides had a slight effect on the gel phase of the phosphatidylcholine, with changes in the anisotropy correlated with that observed by DSC. The results showed a selectivity of these peptides toward some lipids, which will direct the study of the development of new drugs.
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15
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Martins DB, Vieira MR, Fadel V, Santana VAC, Guerra MER, Lima ML, Tempone AG, dos Santos Cabrera MP. Membrane targeting peptides toward antileishmanial activity: Design, structural determination and mechanism of interaction. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2017; 1861:2861-2871. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2017.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2017] [Revised: 08/01/2017] [Accepted: 08/01/2017] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
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16
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Enterocin AS-48 as Evidence for the Use of Bacteriocins as New Leishmanicidal Agents. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2017; 61:AAC.02288-16. [PMID: 28167557 DOI: 10.1128/aac.02288-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2016] [Accepted: 02/02/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
We report the feasibility of enterocin AS-48, a circular cationic peptide produced by Enterococcus faecalis, as a new leishmanicidal agent. AS-48 is lethal to Leishmania promastigotes as well as to axenic and intracellular amastigotes at low micromolar concentrations, with scarce cytotoxicity to macrophages. AS-48 induced a fast bioenergetic collapse of L. donovani promastigotes but only a partial permeation of their plasma membrane with limited entrance of vital dyes, even at concentrations beyond its full lethality. Fluoresceinated AS-48 was visualized inside parasites by confocal microscopy and seen to cause mitochondrial depolarization and reactive oxygen species production. Altogether, AS-48 appeared to have a mixed leishmanicidal mechanism that includes both plasma membrane permeabilization and additional intracellular targets, with mitochondrial dysfunctionality being of special relevance. This complex leishmanicidal mechanism of AS-48 persisted even for the killing of intracellular amastigotes, as evidenced by transmission electron microscopy. We demonstrated the potentiality of AS-48 as a new and safe leishmanicidal agent, expanding the growing repertoire of eukaryotic targets for bacteriocins, and our results provide a proof of mechanism for the search of new leishmanicidal bacteriocins, whose diversity constitutes an almost endless source for new structures at moderate production cost and whose safe use on food preservation is well established.
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17
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Bouazizi-Ben Messaoud H, Guichard M, Lawton P, Delton I, Azzouz-Maache S. Changes in Lipid and Fatty Acid Composition During Intramacrophagic Transformation of Leishmania donovani Complex Promastigotes into Amastigotes. Lipids 2017; 52:433-441. [PMID: 28161835 PMCID: PMC5427136 DOI: 10.1007/s11745-017-4233-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2016] [Accepted: 01/10/2017] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Leishmania sp., are trypanosomatid parasites that are phagocytized by human and animal macrophages. Transformation from the vector promastigote stage to the intracellular amastigote host cell stage is mandatory, since development in the host depends on the internalization of the parasite. We identified and analyzed the lipids involved in the promastigote to amastigote transformation process in the Leishmania donovani complex. Four lipid classes, phospholipids, free fatty acids, triglycerides and sterols were studied. The derivatization method of Bligh and Dyer was used to establish the fatty acid composition in each stage of the parasite. To stay within the context of Leishmania infection, we used amastigotes extracted from macrophages after experimental in vitro infection. The purification process was checked by electronic microscopy, the absence of major contamination by host-cell debris and a correct purification yield validated our experimental model. Our results show that free fatty acids and cholesterol increased, whereas triglycerides and ergosterol decreased during the transition between promastigotes to amastigotes. With respect to phospholipid classes, we found increased proportion of sphingomyelin and phosphatidylserine and lowered proportion of phosphatidylinositol and lysophosphatidylethanolamine. Regarding fatty acid composition, a significant increase of n-7 fatty acids was observed in amastigotes. Overall, the total n-6 fatty acids were decreased in PL. Several of the changes were also observed in TG and free fatty acids. Particularly, n-7 fatty acids and 20:4n-6 were highly increased, whereas n-9 fatty acid and n-6 precursors decreased.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hana Bouazizi-Ben Messaoud
- Institut de recherche pour le développement (IRD), UMR InterTryp IRD/CIRAD, campus international de Baillarguet, Montpellier, France.,Department of Parasitology and Medical Mycology, Lyon University, Lyon, France.,Inserm U1060 CarMeN Laboratory, INSA-Lyon, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Marion Guichard
- Institut de recherche pour le développement (IRD), UMR InterTryp IRD/CIRAD, campus international de Baillarguet, Montpellier, France.,Department of Parasitology and Medical Mycology, Lyon University, Lyon, France
| | - Philippe Lawton
- Institut de recherche pour le développement (IRD), UMR InterTryp IRD/CIRAD, campus international de Baillarguet, Montpellier, France.,Department of Parasitology and Medical Mycology, Lyon University, Lyon, France
| | - Isabelle Delton
- Inserm U1060 CarMeN Laboratory, INSA-Lyon, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Samira Azzouz-Maache
- Institut de recherche pour le développement (IRD), UMR InterTryp IRD/CIRAD, campus international de Baillarguet, Montpellier, France. .,Department of Parasitology and Medical Mycology, Lyon University, Lyon, France.
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18
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Reddy A, Sangenito LS, Guedes ADA, Branquinha MH, Kavanagh K, McGinley J, dos Santos ALS, Velasco-Torrijos T. Glycosylated metal chelators as anti-parasitic agents with tunable selectivity. Dalton Trans 2017; 46:5297-5307. [DOI: 10.1039/c6dt04615k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Metal complexation imparts selective anti-parasitic activity to aminopyridyl ligands: Zn(ii) and Cu(ii) complexes show potent activity and remarkable selectivity indexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Reddy
- Department of Chemistry
- Maynooth University
- Maynooth
- Ireland
| | - Leandro Stefano Sangenito
- Department of General Microbiology
- Microbiology Institute Paulo de Góes
- Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ)
- Rio de Janeiro
- Brazil
| | - Arthur de Azevedo Guedes
- Department of General Microbiology
- Microbiology Institute Paulo de Góes
- Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ)
- Rio de Janeiro
- Brazil
| | - Marta Helena Branquinha
- Department of General Microbiology
- Microbiology Institute Paulo de Góes
- Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ)
- Rio de Janeiro
- Brazil
| | | | - John McGinley
- Department of Chemistry
- University of Copenhagen
- Copenhagen
- Denmark
| | - André Luis Souza dos Santos
- Department of General Microbiology
- Microbiology Institute Paulo de Góes
- Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ)
- Rio de Janeiro
- Brazil
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19
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Rice DR, Clear KJ, Smith BD. Imaging and therapeutic applications of zinc(ii)-dipicolylamine molecular probes for anionic biomembranes. Chem Commun (Camb) 2016; 52:8787-801. [PMID: 27302091 PMCID: PMC4949593 DOI: 10.1039/c6cc03669d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
This feature article describes the development of synthetic zinc(ii)-dipicolylamine (ZnDPA) receptors as selective targeting agents for anionic membranes in cell culture and living subjects. There is a strong connection between anionic cell surface charge and disease, and ZnDPA probes have been employed extensively for molecular imaging and targeted therapeutics. Fluorescence and nuclear imaging applications include detection of diseases such as cancer, neurodegeneration, arthritis, and microbial infection, and also quantification of cell death caused by therapy. Therapeutic applications include selective targeting of cytotoxic agents and drug delivery systems, photodynamic inactivation, and modulation of the immune system. The article concludes with a summary of expected future directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Douglas R Rice
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, 236 Nieuwland Science Hall, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, 46556 IN, USA.
| | - Kasey J Clear
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, 236 Nieuwland Science Hall, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, 46556 IN, USA.
| | - Bradley D Smith
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, 236 Nieuwland Science Hall, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, 46556 IN, USA.
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20
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Pawlowic M, Hsu FF, Moitra S, Biyani N, Zhang K. Plasmenylethanolamine synthesis in Leishmania major. Mol Microbiol 2016; 101:238-49. [PMID: 27062077 PMCID: PMC4935589 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.13387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/28/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Ethanolamine glycerophospholipids are ubiquitous cell membrane components. Trypanosomatid parasites of the genus Leishmania synthesize the majority of their ethanolamine glycerophospholipids as 1-O-alk-1'-enyl-2-acyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine or plasmenylethanolamine (PME) through the Kennedy pathway. PME is a subtype of ether phospholipids also known as ethanolamine plasmalogen whose functions are not well characterized. In this study, we investigated the role of PME synthesis in Leishmania major through the characterization of an ethanolamine phosphotransferase (EPT) mutant. EPT-null parasites are largely devoid of PME and fully viable in regular medium but fail to proliferate in the absence of fetal bovine serum. They exhibit significant abnormalities in the synthesis and localization of GPI-anchored surface molecules. EPT-null mutants also show attenuated virulence in BALB/c mice. Furthermore, in addition to PME synthesis, ethanolamine also contributes to the production of phosphatidylcholine, the most abundant class of lipids in Leishmania. Together, these findings suggest that ethanolamine production is likely required for Leishmania promastigotes to generate bulk phospholipids, to handle stress, and to control the expression of membrane bound virulence factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mattie Pawlowic
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
| | - Fong-fu Hsu
- Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 S. Euclid Ave., Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Samrat Moitra
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
| | - Neha Biyani
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
| | - Kai Zhang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
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21
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Pretzel J, Mohring F, Rahlfs S, Becker K. Antiparasitic peptides. ADVANCES IN BIOCHEMICAL ENGINEERING/BIOTECHNOLOGY 2016; 135:157-92. [PMID: 23615879 DOI: 10.1007/10_2013_191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/20/2023]
Abstract
: The most important parasitic diseases, malaria, leishmaniasis, trypanosomiasis, and schistosomiasis, are a great burden to mankind, threatening the life of millions of people worldwide and mostly affecting the poorest. Because drug resistance is increasing and vaccines are rarely available, novel chemotherapeutic compounds are necessary in order to treat these devastating diseases. Insects serve as vectors of many human parasitic diseases and have been shown to express a huge variety of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). Therefore, research activity on insect-derived AMPs has been increasing in the last 40 years. This chapter summarizes the current state of research on the possible role of AMPs as potential chemotherapeutic compounds against human parasitic diseases. As a representative antimicrobial peptide with antiparasitic activity, the structure of insect defensin A is shown [PDB accession code: 1ICA]. The molecule is surrounded by schematic representations of the human pathogenic parasites Plasmodium, Leishmania and Trypanosoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jette Pretzel
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Interdisciplinary Research Center, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32, 35392, Giessen, Germany
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22
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Zinc(II)-Dipicolylamine Coordination Complexes as Targeting and Chemotherapeutic Agents for Leishmania major. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2016; 60:2932-40. [PMID: 26926632 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00410-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2016] [Accepted: 02/25/2016] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Cutaneous leishmaniasis is a neglected tropical disease that causes painful lesions and severe disfigurement. Modern treatment relies on a few chemotherapeutics with serious limitations, and there is a need for more effective alternatives. This study describes the selective targeting of zinc(II)-dipicolylamine (ZnDPA) coordination complexes toward Leishmania major, one of the species responsible for cutaneous leishmaniasis. Fluorescence microscopy of L. major promastigotes treated with a fluorescently labeled ZnDPA probe indicated rapid accumulation of the probe within the axenic promastigote cytosol. The antileishmanial activities of eight ZnDPA complexes were measured using an in vitro assay. All tested complexes exhibited selective toxicity against L. major axenic promastigotes, with 50% effective concentration values in the range of 12.7 to 0.3 μM. Similar toxicity was observed against intracellular amastigotes, but there was almost no effect on the viability of mammalian cells, including mouse peritoneal macrophages. In vivo treatment efficacy studies used fluorescence imaging to noninvasively monitor changes in the red fluorescence produced by an infection of mCherry-L. major in a mouse model. A ZnDPA treatment regimen reduced the parasite burden nearly as well as the reference care agent, potassium antimony(III) tartrate, and with less necrosis in the local host tissue. The results demonstrate that ZnDPA coordination complexes are a promising new class of antileishmanial agents with potential for clinical translation.
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In vitro activities of hexaazatrinaphthylenes against Leishmania spp. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2015; 59:2867-74. [PMID: 25753635 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00226-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2015] [Accepted: 03/01/2015] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The in vitro activity of a novel group of compounds, hexaazatrinaphthylene derivatives, against two species of Leishmania is described in this study. These compounds showed a significant dose-dependent inhibition effect on the proliferation of the parasites, with 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC(50)s) ranging from 1.23 to 25.05 μM against the promastigote stage and 0.5 to 0.7 μM against intracellular amastigotes. Also, a cytotoxicity assay was carried out to in order to evaluate the possible toxic effects of these compounds. Moreover, different assays were performed to determine the type of cell death induced after incubation with these compounds. The obtained results highlight the potential use of hexaazatrinaphthylene derivatives against Leishmania species, and further studies should be undertaken to establish them as novel leishmanicidal therapeutic agents.
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Rochael NC, Lima LG, Oliveira SMPD, Barcinski MA, Saraiva EM, Monteiro RQ, Pinto-da-Silva LH. Leishmania amazonensis exhibits phosphatidylserine-dependent procoagulant activity, a process that is counteracted by sandfly saliva. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2014; 108:679-85. [PMID: 24037188 PMCID: PMC3970692 DOI: 10.1590/0074-0276108062013002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2013] [Accepted: 07/02/2013] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmania parasites expose phosphatidylserine (PS) on their
surface, a process that has been associated with regulation of host's immune
responses. In this study we demonstrate that PS exposure by metacyclic
promastigotes of Leishmania amazonensis favours blood
coagulation. L. amazonensis accelerates in vitro coagulation of
human plasma. In addition, L. amazonensis supports the assembly
of the prothrombinase complex, thus promoting thrombin formation. This process
was reversed by annexin V which blocks PS binding sites. During blood meal,
Lutzomyia longipalpis sandfly inject saliva in the bite
site, which has a series of pharmacologically active compounds that inhibit
blood coagulation. Since saliva and parasites are co-injected in the host during
natural transmission, we evaluated the anticoagulant properties of sandfly
saliva in counteracting the procoagulant activity of L.
amazonensis . Lu. longipalpis saliva reverses
plasma clotting promoted by promastigotes. It also inhibits thrombin formation
by the prothrombinase complex assembled either in phosphatidylcholine (PC)/PS
vesicles or in L. amazonensis . Sandfly saliva inhibits factor
X activation by the intrinsic tenase complex assembled on PC/PS vesicles and
blocks factor Xa catalytic activity. Altogether our results show that metacyclic
promastigotes of L. amazonensis are procoagulant due to PS
exposure. Notably, this effect is efficiently counteracted by sandfly
saliva.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Cadaxo Rochael
- Departamento de Imunologia, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de JaneiroRJ, Brasil
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25
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Bibis SS, Dahlstrom K, Zhu T, Zufferey R. Characterization of Leishmania major phosphatidylethanolamine methyltransferases LmjPEM1 and LmjPEM2 and their inhibition by choline analogs. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2014; 196:90-9. [PMID: 25176160 PMCID: PMC4252796 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2014.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2014] [Revised: 08/21/2014] [Accepted: 08/24/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Phosphatidylcholine (PC) is the most abundant phospholipid in the membranes of the human parasite Leishmania. It is synthesized via two metabolic routes, the de novo pathway that starts with the uptake of choline, and the threefold methylation of phosphatidylethanolamine. Choline was shown to be dispensable for Leishmania; thus, the methylation pathway likely represents the primary route for PC production. Here, we have identified and characterized two phosphatidylethanolamine methyltransferases, LmjPEM1 and LmjPEM2. Both enzymes are expressed in promastigotes as well as in the vertebrate form amastigotes, suggesting that these methyltransferases are important for the development of the parasite throughout its life cycle. These enzymes are maximally expressed during the log phase of growth which correlates with the demand of PC synthesis during cell multiplication. Immunofluorescence studies combined with cell fractionation have shown that both methyltransferases are localized at the endoplasmic reticulum membrane. Heterologous expression in yeast has demonstrated that LmjPEM1 and LmjPEM2 complement the choline auxotrophy phenotype of a yeast double null mutant lacking phosphatidylethanolamine methyltransferase activity. LmjPEM1 catalyzes the first, and to a lesser extent, the second methylation reaction. In contrast, LmjPEM2 has the capacity to add the second and third methyl group onto phosphatidylethanolamine to yield (lyso)PC; it can also add the first methyl group, albeit with very low efficiency. Finally, we have demonstrated using inhibition studies with choline analogs that miltefosine and octadecyltrimethylammonium bromide are potent inhibitors of this metabolic pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stergios S Bibis
- Department of Biological Sciences, St John's University, 8000 Utopia Parkway, Jamaica, NY 11439, USA
| | - Kelly Dahlstrom
- Department of Biochemistry, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
| | - Tongtong Zhu
- Department of Biological Sciences, St John's University, 8000 Utopia Parkway, Jamaica, NY 11439, USA
| | - Rachel Zufferey
- Department of Biological Sciences, St John's University, 8000 Utopia Parkway, Jamaica, NY 11439, USA; Department of Biochemistry, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA.
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26
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The antiacetylcholinesterase and antileishmanial activities of Canarium patentinervium Miq. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2014; 2014:903529. [PMID: 24949478 PMCID: PMC4053261 DOI: 10.1155/2014/903529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2014] [Accepted: 04/22/2014] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
In continuation of our natural and medicinal research programme on tropical rainforest plants, a bioassay guided fractionation of ethanolic extract of leaves of Canarium patentinervium Miq. (Burseraceae Kunth.) led to the isolation of scopoletin (1), scoparone (2), (+)-catechin (3), vomifoliol (4), lioxin (5), and syringic acid (6). All the compounds exhibited antiacetylcholinesterase activity with syringic acid, a phenolic acid exhibiting good AChE inhibition (IC50 29.53 ± 0.19 μ g/mL). All compounds displayed moderate antileishmanial activity with scopoletin having the highest antileishmanial activity (IC50 163.30 ± 0.32 μ g/mL). Given the aforementioned evidence, it is tempting to speculate that Canarium patentinervium Miq. represents an exciting scaffold from which to develop leads for treatment of neurodegenerative and parasitic diseases.
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Hsu FF, Kuhlmann FM, Turk J, Beverley SM. Multiple-stage linear ion-trap with high resolution mass spectrometry towards complete structural characterization of phosphatidylethanolamines containing cyclopropane fatty acyl chain in Leishmania infantum. JOURNAL OF MASS SPECTROMETRY : JMS 2014; 49:201-9. [PMID: 24619546 PMCID: PMC4007172 DOI: 10.1002/jms.3327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2013] [Revised: 12/06/2013] [Accepted: 12/11/2013] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
The structures of phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) in Leishmania infantum are unique in that they consist of a rare cyclopropane fatty acid (CFA) containing PE subfamily, including CFA-containing plasmalogen PE species. In this contribution, we applied multiple-stage linear ion-trap combined with high-resolution mass spectrometry to define the structures of PEs that were desorbed as [M - H](-) and [M - H + 2Li](+) ions by ESI, respectively. The structural information arising from MS(n) on both the molecular species are complimentary, permitting complete determination of PE structures, including the identities of the fatty acid substituents and their location on the glycerol backbone, more importantly, the positions of the double bond(s) and of the cyclopropane chain of the fatty acid chain, directing to the realization of the CFA biosynthesis pathways that were reported previously. We also uncovered the presence of a minor dimethyl-PE subclass that has not been previously reported in L. infantum. This LIT MS(n) mass spectrometric approach led to unambiguous identification of PE molecules including many isomers in complex mixture that would otherwise be very difficult to define using other analytical approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fong-Fu Hsu
- Mass Spectrometry Resource, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, Metabolism and Lipid Research, USA
| | - F. Matthew Kuhlmann
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - John Turk
- Mass Spectrometry Resource, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, Metabolism and Lipid Research, USA
| | - Stephen M. Beverley
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
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Lipid synthesis in protozoan parasites: a comparison between kinetoplastids and apicomplexans. Prog Lipid Res 2013; 52:488-512. [PMID: 23827884 DOI: 10.1016/j.plipres.2013.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2013] [Revised: 06/16/2013] [Accepted: 06/17/2013] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Lipid metabolism is of crucial importance for pathogens. Lipids serve as cellular building blocks, signalling molecules, energy stores, posttranslational modifiers, and pathogenesis factors. Parasites rely on a complex system of uptake and synthesis mechanisms to satisfy their lipid needs. The parameters of this system change dramatically as the parasite transits through the various stages of its life cycle. Here we discuss the tremendous recent advances that have been made in the understanding of the synthesis and uptake pathways for fatty acids and phospholipids in apicomplexan and kinetoplastid parasites, including Plasmodium, Toxoplasma, Cryptosporidium, Trypanosoma and Leishmania. Lipid synthesis differs in significant ways between parasites from both phyla and the human host. Parasites have acquired novel pathways through endosymbiosis, as in the case of the apicoplast, have dramatically reshaped substrate and product profiles, and have evolved specialized lipids to interact with or manipulate the host. These differences potentially provide opportunities for drug development. We outline the lipid pathways for key species in detail as they progress through the developmental cycle and highlight those that are of particular importance to the biology of the pathogens and/or are the most promising targets for parasite-specific treatment.
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29
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Silva T, Adão R, Nazmi K, Bolscher JG, Funari SS, Uhríková D, Bastos M. Structural diversity and mode of action on lipid membranes of three lactoferrin candidacidal peptides. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2013; 1828:1329-39. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2013.01.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2012] [Revised: 01/25/2013] [Accepted: 01/28/2013] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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30
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Marr AK, McGwire BS, McMaster WR. Modes of action of Leishmanicidal antimicrobial peptides. Future Microbiol 2013; 7:1047-59. [PMID: 22953706 DOI: 10.2217/fmb.12.85] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is one of the major neglected tropical diseases of the world. It is present in 88 countries with an estimated number of 500,000 cases of visceral leishmaniasis and 1.5 million cases of cutaneous disease. No effective vaccinations are available against leishmaniasis and the efficacy of existing treatments is compromised due to the emergence of drug resistance. Thus, there is an urgent need to develop new compounds with antileishmanial activity. Antimicrobial peptides have potential as novel antileishmanial therapy, either for use alone or in combination with current drug regimens. The modes of action of these peptides against Leishmania includes: membrane disruption leading to necrotic cell death; induction of apoptosis; binding to intracellular target(s); and indirect effects via immunomodulation of host immune cells. This article reviews the mechanisms of action of antimicrobial peptides with leishmanicidal activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra K Marr
- Immunity & Infection Research Centre, Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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31
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Vila-Nova NS, Morais SM, Falcão MJ, Bevilaqua CM, Rondon FC, Wilson ME, Vieira IG, Andrade HF. Leishmanicidal and cholinesterase inhibiting activities of phenolic compounds of Dimorphandra gardneriana and Platymiscium floribundum, native plants from Caatinga biome. PESQUISA VETERINARIA BRASILEIRA 2012. [DOI: 10.1590/s0100-736x2012001100015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
In recent years, the Brazilian Health Ministry and the World Health Organization have supported research into new technologies that may contribute to the surveillance, new treatments, and control of visceral leishmaniasis within the country. In light of this, the aim of this study was to isolate compounds from plants of the Caatinga biome, and to investigate their toxicity against promastigote and amastigote forms of Leishmania infantum chagasi, the main responsible parasite for South American visceral leishmaniasis, and evaluate their ability to inhibit acetylcholinesterase enzyme (AChE). A screen assay using luciferase-expressing promastigote form and an in situ ELISA assay were used to measure the viability of promastigote and amastigote forms, respectively, after exposure to these substances. The MTT colorimetric assay was performed to determine the toxicity of these compounds in murine monocytic RAW 264.7 cell line. All compounds were tested in vitro for their anti-cholinesterase properties. A coumarin, scoparone, was isolated from Platymiscium floribundum stems, and the flavonoids rutin and quercetin were isolated from Dimorphandra gardneriana beans. These compounds were purified using silica gel column chromatography, eluted with organic solvents in mixtures of increasing polarity, and identified by spectral analysis. In the leishmanicidal assays, the compounds showed dose-dependent efficacy against the extracellular promastigote forms, with an EC50 for scoporone of 21.4µg/mL, quercetin and rutin 26 and 30.3µg/mL, respectively. The flavonoids presented comparable results to the positive control drug, amphotericin B, against the amastigote forms with EC50 for quercetin and rutin of 10.6 and 43.3µg/mL, respectively. All compounds inhibited AChE with inhibition zones varying from 0.8 to 0.6, indicating a possible mechanism of action for leishmacicidal activity.
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32
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Weingärtner A, Kemmer G, Müller FD, Zampieri RA, Gonzaga dos Santos M, Schiller J, Pomorski TG. Leishmania promastigotes lack phosphatidylserine but bind annexin V upon permeabilization or miltefosine treatment. PLoS One 2012; 7:e42070. [PMID: 22870283 PMCID: PMC3411662 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0042070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2012] [Accepted: 07/02/2012] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The protozoan parasite Leishmania is an intracellular pathogen infecting and replicating inside vertebrate host macrophages. A recent model suggests that promastigote and amastigote forms of the parasite mimic mammalian apoptotic cells by exposing phosphatidylserine (PS) at the cell surface to trigger their phagocytic uptake into host macrophages. PS presentation at the cell surface is typically analyzed using fluorescence-labeled annexin V. Here we show that Leishmania promastigotes can be stained by fluorescence-labeled annexin V upon permeabilization or miltefosine treatment. However, combined lipid analysis by thin-layer chromatography, mass spectrometry and 31P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy revealed that Leishmania promastigotes lack any detectable amount of PS. Instead, we identified several other phospholipid classes such phosphatidic acid, phosphatidylethanolamine; phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylinositol as candidate lipids enabling annexin V staining.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrien Weingärtner
- Institute of Biology, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Helmholtz Center for Infektion Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Gerdi Kemmer
- Department of Plant Biology and Biotechnology, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg C, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Ricardo Andrade Zampieri
- Instituto de Biociências, Departamento de Fisiologia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Jürgen Schiller
- Institute of Medical Physics and Biophysics, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Thomas Günther Pomorski
- Department of Plant Biology and Biotechnology, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg C, Copenhagen, Denmark
- * E-mail:
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Silva T, Abengózar MÁ, Fernández-Reyes M, Andreu D, Nazmi K, Bolscher JGM, Bastos M, Rivas L. Enhanced leishmanicidal activity of cryptopeptide chimeras from the active N1 domain of bovine lactoferrin. Amino Acids 2012; 43:2265-77. [PMID: 22543751 DOI: 10.1007/s00726-012-1304-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2012] [Accepted: 04/17/2012] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Two antimicrobial cryptopeptides from the N1 domain of bovine lactoferrin, lactoferricin (LFcin17-30) and lactoferrampin (LFampin265-284), together with a hybrid version (LFchimera), were tested against the protozoan parasite Leishmania. All peptides were leishmanicidal against Leishmania donovani promastigotes, and LFchimera showed a significantly higher activity over its two composing moieties. Besides, it was the only peptide active on Leishmania pifanoi axenic amastigotes, already showing activity below 10 μM. To investigate their leishmanicidal mechanism, promastigote membrane permeabilization was assessed by decrease of free ATP levels in living parasites, entrance of the vital dye SYTOX Green (MW = 600 Da) and confocal and transmission electron microscopy. The peptides induced plasma membrane permeabilization and bioenergetic collapse of the parasites. To further clarify the structural traits underlying the increased leishmanicidal activity of LFchimera, the activity of several analogues was assessed. Results revealed that the high activity of these hybrid peptides seems to be related to the order and sequence orientation of the two cryptopeptide moieties, rather than to their particular linkage through an additional lysine, as in the initial LFchimera. The incorporation of both antimicrobial cryptopeptide motifs into a single linear sequence facilitates chemical synthesis and should help in the potential clinical application of these optimized analogues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tânia Silva
- Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências, Centro Investigação em Química CIQ(UP), Universidade do Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre, 4169-007, Porto, Portugal
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Characterization of a compensatory mutant of Leishmania major that lacks ether lipids but exhibits normal growth, and G418 and hygromycin resistance. Exp Parasitol 2012; 130:200-4. [PMID: 22306069 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2012.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2011] [Revised: 12/23/2011] [Accepted: 01/10/2012] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Ether glycerolipid biosynthesis in Leishmania major initiates with the acylation of dihydroxyacetonephosphate by the glycosomal dihydroxyacetonephosphate acyltransferase LmDAT. We previously reported that a null mutant of LmDAT is severely affected in logarithmic growth, survival during stationary phase, and in virulence in mice. In addition, it lacks all ether glycerolipids, produces altered forms of the ether-lipid based virulence factors lipophosphoglycan and increased levels of GPI-anchored protein gp63. Here, we describe the characterization of a compensatory mutant of a null strain of LmDAT, Δlmdat/Δlmdat(rev). Similarly to the null mutant, the Δlmdat/Δlmdat(rev) strain formed altered forms of lipophosphoglycan and increased levels of gp63, and was avirulent in mice infection. Further, dihydroxyacetonephosphate acyltransferase activity was absent in the revertant clone, indicating that a mutation in another acyltransferase gene did not confer dihydroxyacetonephosphate specificity. In contrast, the revertant grew normally but still exhibited poor survival during stationary phase. In addition, agarose gel analysis of its genomic DNA failed to detect any amplified DNA. Surprisingly, its sensitivity to aminoglycoside based antibiotics G418 and hygromycin was lower than that of the null mutant, wild type and complemented line.
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35
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Kaur S, Dhillon GS, Brar SK, Vallad GE, Chand R, Chauhan VB. Emerging phytopathogen Macrophomina phaseolina: biology, economic importance and current diagnostic trends. Crit Rev Microbiol 2012; 38:136-51. [PMID: 22257260 DOI: 10.3109/1040841x.2011.640977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Macrophomina phaseolina (Tassi) Goid. is an important phytopathogenic fungus, infecting a large number of plant species and surviving for up to 15 years in the soil as a saprophyte. Although considerable research related to the biology and ecology of Macrophomina has been conducted, it continues to cause huge economic losses in many crops. Research is needed to improve the identification and characterization of genetic variability within their epidemiological and pathological niches. Better understanding of the variability within the pathogen population for traits that influence fitness and soil survival will certainly lead to improved management strategies for Macrophomina. In this context, the present review discusses various biological aspects and distribution of M. phaseolina throughout the world and their importance to different plant species. Accurate identification of the fungus has been aided with the use of nucleic acid-based molecular techniques. The development of PCR-based methods for identification and detection of M. phaseolina are highly sensitive and specific. Early diagnosis and accurate detection of pathogens is an essential step in plant disease management as well as quarantine. The progress in the development of various molecular tools used for the detection, identification and characterization of Macrophomina isolates were also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Surinder Kaur
- Department of Mycology & Plant Pathology, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi, India.
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36
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Silva AM, Cordeiro-da-Silva A, Coombs GH. Metabolic variation during development in culture of Leishmania donovani promastigotes. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2011; 5:e1451. [PMID: 22206037 PMCID: PMC3243725 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0001451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2011] [Accepted: 11/10/2011] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The genome sequencing of several Leishmania species has provided immense amounts of data and allowed the prediction of the metabolic pathways potentially operating. Subsequent genetic and proteomic studies have identified stage-specific proteins and putative virulence factors but many aspects of the metabolic adaptations of Leishmania remain to be elucidated. In this study, we have used an untargeted metabolomics approach to analyze changes in the metabolite profile as promastigotes of L. donovani develop during in vitro cultures from logarithmic to stationary phase. The results show that the metabolomes of promastigotes on days 3–6 of culture differ significantly from each other, consistent with there being distinct developmental changes. Most notable were the structural changes in glycerophospholipids and increase in the abundance of sphingolipids and glycerolipids as cells progress from logarithmic to stationary phase. Leishmania infections are considered neglected tropical diseases as the parasites affect millions of people worldwide but there are limited research efforts aimed at obtaining vaccines and new drugs. Leishmania has a digenetic life cycle alternating between promastigote forms, which develop in the sand-fly, the vector of the disease, and an amastigote form, which grows in mammals after being bitten by an infected sand-fly. In vitro studies with the promastigote forms are routinely used to gain insights about the parasite's cell biology. Little is known about how the different promastigotes forms are metabolically adapted to their particular micro-environment in the host or how they are pre-adapted metabolically for infecting a mammal, thus we have undertaken a study of the metabolite profile of L. donovani promastigotes in order to gain an understanding of the changes that occur during promastigote development. The analysis has revealed that the changes in promastigotes' metabolome between days 3 and 6 take place in a progressive manner; however major differences were observed when comparing the promastigotes on days 3 and 6. An increase in lipid abundance as promastigote development occurred was notable and is likely to reflect remodelling of the parasite's surface in readiness for infecting a mammal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Marta Silva
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom
- Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Laboratório de Ciências Biológicas, Faculdade de Farmácia da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Anabela Cordeiro-da-Silva
- Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Laboratório de Ciências Biológicas, Faculdade de Farmácia da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Graham H. Coombs
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
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37
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Al-Ani GK, Patel N, Pirani KA, Zhu T, Dhalladoo S, Zufferey R. The N-terminal domain and glycosomal localization of Leishmania initial acyltransferase LmDAT are important for lipophosphoglycan synthesis. PLoS One 2011; 6:e27802. [PMID: 22114698 PMCID: PMC3219689 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0027802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2011] [Accepted: 10/25/2011] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Ether glycerolipids of Leishmania major are important membrane components as well as building blocks of various virulence factors. In L. major, the first enzyme of the ether glycerolipid biosynthetic pathway, LmDAT, is an unusual, glycosomal dihydroxyacetonephosphate acyltransferase important for parasite's growth and survival during the stationary phase, synthesis of ether lipids, and virulence. The present work extends our knowledge of this important biosynthetic enzyme in parasite biology. Site-directed mutagenesis of LmDAT demonstrated that an active enzyme was critical for normal growth and survival during the stationary phase. Deletion analyses showed that the large N-terminal extension of this initial acyltransferase may be important for its stability or activity. Further, abrogation of the C-terminal glycosomal targeting signal sequence of LmDAT led to extraglycosomal localization, did not impair its enzymatic activity but affected synthesis of the ether glycerolipid-based virulence factor lipophosphoglycan. In addition, expression of this recombinant form of LmDAT in a null mutant of LmDAT did not restore normal growth and survival during the stationary phase. These results emphasize the importance of this enzyme's compartmentalization in the glycosome for the generation of lipophosphoglycan and parasite's biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gada K. Al-Ani
- Department of Biochemistry, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, United States of America
| | - Nipul Patel
- Department of Biological Sciences, St. John's University, Jamaica, New York, United States of America
| | - Karim A. Pirani
- Department of Biochemistry, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, United States of America
| | - Tongtong Zhu
- Department of Biological Sciences, St. John's University, Jamaica, New York, United States of America
| | - Subbhalakshmi Dhalladoo
- Department of Biological Sciences, St. John's University, Jamaica, New York, United States of America
| | - Rachel Zufferey
- Department of Biochemistry, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, United States of America
- Department of Biological Sciences, St. John's University, Jamaica, New York, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Salay LC, Nobre TM, Colhone MC, Zaniquelli MED, Ciancaglini P, Stabeli RG, Leite JRSA, Zucolotto V. Dermaseptin 01 as antimicrobial peptide with rich biotechnological potential: study of peptide interaction with membranes containing Leishmania amazonensis lipid-rich extract and membrane models. J Pept Sci 2011; 17:700-7. [PMID: 21805539 DOI: 10.1002/psc.1392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2011] [Revised: 05/27/2011] [Accepted: 06/10/2011] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
This article addresses the interactions of the synthetic antimicrobial peptide dermaseptin 01 (GLWSTIKQKGKEAAIAAA- KAAGQAALGAL-NH(2) , DS 01) with phospholipid (PL) monolayers comprising (i) a lipid-rich extract of Leishmania amazonensis (LRE-La), (ii) zwitterionic PL (dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine, DPPC), and (iii) negatively charged PL (dipalmitoylphosphatidylglycerol, DPPG). The degree of interaction of DS 01 with the different biomembrane models was quantified from equilibrium and dynamic liquid-air interface parameters. At low peptide concentrations, interactions between DS 01 and zwitterionic PL, as well as with the LRE-La monolayers were very weak, whereas with negatively charged PLs the interactions were stronger. For peptide concentrations above 1 µg/ml, a considerable expansion of negatively charged monolayers occurred. In the case of DPPC, it was possible to return to the original lipid area in the condensed phase, suggesting that the peptide was expelled from the monolayer. However, in the case of DPPG, the average area per lipid molecule in the presence of DS 01 was higher than pure PLs even at high surface pressures, suggesting that at least part of DS 01 remained incorporated in the monolayer. For the LRE-La monolayers, DS 01 also remained in the monolayer. This is the first report on the antiparasitic activity of AMPs using Langmuir monolayers of a natural lipid extract from L. amazonensis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luiz C Salay
- Instituto de Física de São Carlos, IFSC, Universidade de São Paulo, USP, 13560-970 São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil.
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Mangoni ML, Shai Y. Short native antimicrobial peptides and engineered ultrashort lipopeptides: similarities and differences in cell specificities and modes of action. Cell Mol Life Sci 2011; 68:2267-80. [PMID: 21573781 PMCID: PMC11114904 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-011-0718-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 119] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2011] [Revised: 04/26/2011] [Accepted: 04/26/2011] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Due to the rapid emergence of resistant microbes to the currently available antibiotics, cationic antimicrobial peptides have attracted considerable interest as a possible new generation of anti-infective compounds. However, low cost development for therapeutic or industrial purposes requires, among other properties, that the peptides will be small and with simple structure. Therefore, considerable research has been devoted to optimizing peptide length combined with a simple design. This review focuses on the similarities and differences in the mode of action and target cell specificity of two families of small peptides: the naturally occurring temporins from the skin of amphibia and the engineered ultrashort lipopeptides. We will also discuss the finding that acylation of cationic peptides results in molecules with a more potent spectrum of activity and a higher resistance to proteolytic degradation. Conjugation of fatty acids to linear native peptide sequences is a powerful strategy to engineer novel successful anti-infective drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Luisa Mangoni
- Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, La Sapienza University of Rome, 00185, Rome, Italy,
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40
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Metabolomics to unveil and understand phenotypic diversity between pathogen populations. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2010; 4:e904. [PMID: 21152055 PMCID: PMC2994915 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0000904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2010] [Accepted: 11/01/2010] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a debilitating disease caused by the parasite Leishmania. There is extensive clinical polymorphism, including variable responsiveness to treatment. We study Leishmania donovani parasites isolated from visceral leishmaniasis patients in Nepal that responded differently to antimonial treatment due to differing intrinsic drug sensitivity of the parasites. Here, we present a proof-of-principle study in which we applied a metabolomics pipeline specifically developed for L. donovani to characterize the global metabolic differences between antimonial-sensitive and antimonial-resistant L. donovani isolates. Clones of drug-sensitive and drug-resistant parasite isolates from clinical samples were cultured in vitro and harvested for metabolomics analysis. The relative abundance of 340 metabolites was determined by ZIC-HILIC chromatography coupled to LTQ-Orbitrap mass spectrometry. Our measurements cover approximately 20% of the predicted core metabolome of Leishmania and additionally detected a large number of lipids. Drug-sensitive and drug-resistant parasites showed distinct metabolic profiles, and unsupervised clustering and principal component analysis clearly distinguished the two phenotypes. For 100 metabolites, the detected intensity differed more than three-fold between the 2 phenotypes. Many of these were in specific areas of lipid metabolism, suggesting that the membrane composition of the drug-resistant parasites is extensively modified. Untargeted metabolomics has been applied on clinical Leishmania isolates to uncover major metabolic differences between drug-sensitive and drug-resistant isolates. The identified major differences provide novel insights into the mechanisms involved in resistance to antimonial drugs, and facilitate investigations using targeted approaches to unravel the key changes mediating drug resistance.
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Moore B, Miles AJ, Guerra-Giraldez C, Simpson P, Iwata M, Wallace BA, Matthews SJ, Smith DF, Brown KA. Structural basis of molecular recognition of the Leishmania small hydrophilic endoplasmic reticulum-associated protein (SHERP) at membrane surfaces. J Biol Chem 2010; 286:9246-56. [PMID: 21106528 PMCID: PMC3059043 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m110.130427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The 57-residue small hydrophilic endoplasmic reticulum-associated protein (SHERP) shows highly specific, stage-regulated expression in the non-replicative vector-transmitted stages of the kinetoplastid parasite, Leishmania major, the causative agent of human cutaneous leishmaniasis. Previous studies have demonstrated that SHERP localizes as a peripheral membrane protein on the cytosolic face of the endoplasmic reticulum and on outer mitochondrial membranes, whereas its high copy number suggests a critical function in vivo. However, the absence of defined domains or identifiable orthologues, together with lack of a clear phenotype in transgenic parasites lacking SHERP, has limited functional understanding of this protein. Here, we use a combination of biophysical and biochemical methods to demonstrate that SHERP can be induced to adopt a globular fold in the presence of anionic lipids or SDS. Cross-linking and binding studies suggest that SHERP has the potential to form a complex with the vacuolar type H(+)-ATPase. Taken together, these results suggest that SHERP may function in modulating cellular processes related to membrane organization and/or acidification during vector transmission of infective Leishmania.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Moore
- Division of Cell and Molecular Biology, Centre for Molecular Microbiology and Infection, Imperial College London, Exhibition Road, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
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Coimbra ES, Libong D, Cojean S, Saint-Pierre-Chazalet M, Solgadi A, Le Moyec L, Duenas-Romero AM, Chaminade P, Loiseau PM. Mechanism of interaction of sitamaquine with Leishmania donovani. J Antimicrob Chemother 2010; 65:2548-55. [PMID: 20956354 DOI: 10.1093/jac/dkq371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study focuses on the mechanism of interaction of sitamaquine with Leishmania donovani membranes, and its accumulation within the parasites. METHODS A biomimetic model of the outer layer of a Leishmania plasma membrane was used to examine the interactions of sitamaquine with lipids. The plasma membranes of L. donovani promastigotes were depleted of sterol using cholesterol oxidase, in order to assess the importance of sterols in drug-membrane interactions. Sterols were quantified and sitamaquine susceptibility was assessed using the MTT test. Kinetics of sitamaquine accumulation and efflux were measured under different conditions. RESULTS Sitamaquine interacts first with phospholipid anionic polar head groups and then with phospholipid acyl chains to insert within biological membranes and accumulates rapidly in the Leishmania cytosol according to a sterol-independent process. The rapid sitamaquine efflux observed was related to an energy-dependent mechanism since the intracellular amount of sitamaquine was enhanced three times in the absence of glucose and the efflux was inhibited in energy-depleted conditions. (1)H NMR analysis of motile lipid showed that sitamaquine did not affect lipid trafficking in Leishmania. CONCLUSIONS We propose that sitamaquine rapidly accumulates in Leishmania by diffusion along an electrical gradient and is concentrated in the cytosol by an energy- and sterol-independent process. The affinity of sitamaquine for membranes was transitory and an energy-dependent efflux was demonstrated, suggesting the presence of an as yet uncharacterized transporter.
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Affiliation(s)
- E S Coimbra
- Université Paris-Sud, UMR 8076, Chimiothérapie Antiparasitaire, Faculté de Pharmacie, Chatenay-Malabry, France
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Shakarian AM, McGugan GC, Joshi MB, Stromberg M, Bowers L, Ganim C, Barowski J, Dwyer DM. Identification, characterization, and expression of a unique secretory lipase from the human pathogen Leishmania donovani. Mol Cell Biochem 2010; 341:17-31. [PMID: 20349119 PMCID: PMC4014072 DOI: 10.1007/s11010-010-0433-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2009] [Accepted: 02/26/2010] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Lipases have been implicated to be of importance in the life cycle development, virulence, and transmission of a variety of parasitic organisms. Potential functions include the acquisition of host resources for energy metabolism and as simple building blocks for the synthesis of complex parasite lipids important for membrane remodeling and structural purposes. Using a molecular approach, we identified and characterized the structure of an LdLip3-lipase gene from the primitive trypanosomatid pathogen of humans, Leishmania donovani. The LdLip3 encodes a approximately 33 kDa protein, with a well-conserved substrate-binding and catalytic domains characteristic of members of the serine lipase-protein family. Further, we showed that LdLip3 mRNA is constitutively expressed by both the insect vector (i.e., promastigote) and mammalian (i.e., amastigote) life cycle developmental forms of this protozoan parasite. Moreover, a homologous episomal expression system was used to express an HA epitope-tagged LdLip3 chimeric construct (LdLip3::HA) in these parasites. Expression of the LdLip3 chimera was verified in these transfectants by Western blots and indirect immuno-fluorescence analyses. Results of coupled immuno-affinity purification and enzyme activity experiments demonstrated that the LdLip3::HA chimeric protein was secreted/released by transfected L. donovani parasites and that it possessed functional lipase enzyme activity. Taken together these observations suggest that this novel secretory lipase might play essential role(s) in the survival, growth, and development of this important group of human pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison M Shakarian
- The Department of Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Salve Regina University, Newport, RI 02840, USA.
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Lara D, Feng Y, Bader J, Savage PB, Maldonado RA. Anti-trypanosomatid activity of ceragenins. J Parasitol 2010; 96:638-42. [PMID: 19958044 DOI: 10.1645/ge-2329.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Cationic steroid antibiotics (CSAs), or ceragenins, are amphiphilic compounds consisting of a cholic acid backbone that is attached to several cationic amines. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that CSAs possess antiparasitic activities with minimal to no effects on mammalian cells, and thus could be used as potential therapeutic agents against pathogenic trypanosomatids. To investigate this notion, we synthesized CSAs and determined their trypanocidal and leishmanicidal activities in vitro. The 3 ceragenins assayed, i.e., CSA-8, CSA-13, and CSA-54, showed several degrees of parasiticidal activity. CSA-13 was the most effective compound against Leishmania major promastigotes and Trypanosoma cruzi trypomastigotes, at LD(50) 4.9 and 9 microM, respectively. The trypanocidal activities of these ceragenins were also assessed by infectivity experiments. We found CSA-8 was more effective on T. cruzi intracellular amastigotes when the infected host cells were treated for 24 hr (LD(50), 6.7 microM). Macrophages and LLC-MK(2) (treated for 72 hr) showed relative low susceptibility to these compounds. Our results suggest that ceragenins are indeed promising chemotherapeutic agents against trypanosomatids, but they require further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Lara
- Department of Biological Sciences, The Border Biomedical Research Center, The University of Texas at El Paso, 500 W University Avenue, El Paso, Texas 79968, USA
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Lipid metabolism in Trypanosoma brucei. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2010; 172:66-79. [PMID: 20382188 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2010.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2010] [Revised: 03/31/2010] [Accepted: 04/01/2010] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Trypanosoma brucei membranes consist of all major eukaryotic glycerophospholipid and sphingolipid classes. These are de novo synthesized from precursors obtained either from the host or from catabolised endocytosed lipids. In recent years, substantial progress has been made in the molecular and biochemical characterisation of several of these lipid biosynthetic pathways, using gene knockout or RNA interference strategies or by enzymatic characterization of individual reactions. Together with the completed genome, these studies have highlighted several possible differences between mammalian and trypanosome lipid biosynthesis that could be exploited for the development of drugs against the diseases caused by these parasites.
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Zhang K, Bangs JD, Beverley SM. Sphingolipids in Parasitic Protozoa. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2010; 688:238-48. [DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4419-6741-1_17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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Zhang K, Beverley SM. Phospholipid and sphingolipid metabolism in Leishmania. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2009; 170:55-64. [PMID: 20026359 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2009.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2009] [Revised: 12/09/2009] [Accepted: 12/09/2009] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
In many eukaryotes, phospholipids (PLs) and sphingolipids (SLs) are abundant membrane components and reservoirs for important signaling molecules. In Leishmania, the composition, metabolism, and function of PLs and SLs differ significantly from those in mammalian cells. Although only a handful of enzymes have been experimentally characterized, available data suggest many steps of PL/SL metabolism are critical for Leishmania viability and/or virulence, and could be a source for new drug targets. Further studies of genes involved in the synthesis (de novo and salvage) and degradation of PLs and SLs will reveal their diverse effects on Leishmania pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Zhang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA.
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Zufferey R, Al-Ani GK, Dunlap K. Leishmania dihydroxyacetonephosphate acyltransferase LmDAT is important for ether lipid biosynthesis but not for the integrity of detergent resistant membranes. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2009; 168:177-85. [PMID: 19720088 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2009.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2009] [Revised: 08/11/2009] [Accepted: 08/21/2009] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Glycerolipid biosynthesis in Leishmania initiates with the acylation of glycerol-3-phosphate by a single glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase, LmGAT, or of dihydroxyacetonephosphate by a dihydroxyacetonephosphate acyltransferase, LmDAT. We previously reported that acylation of the precursor dihydroxyacetonephosphate rather than glycerol-3-phosphate is the physiologically relevant pathway for Leishmania parasites. We demonstrated that LmDAT is important for normal growth, survival during the stationary phase, and for virulence. Here, we assessed the role of LmDAT in glycerolipid metabolism and metacyclogenesis. LmDAT was found to be implicated in the biosynthesis of ether glycerolipids, including the ether lipid derived virulence factor lipophosphoglycan and glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored proteins. The null mutant produced longer lipophosphoglycan molecules that were not released in the medium, and augmented levels of glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored proteins. In addition, the integrity of detergent resistant membranes was not affected by the absence of the LmDAT gene. Further, our genetic analyses strongly suggest that LmDAT was synthetic lethal with the glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase encoding gene LmGAT, implying that Leishmania expresses only two acyltransferases that initiate the biosynthesis of its cellular glycerolipids. Last, despite the fact that LmDAT is important for virulence the null mutant still exhibited the typical characteristics of metacyclics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Zufferey
- Department of Biological Sciences, St John's University, 8000 Utopia Parkway, Jamaica, NY 11439, USA.
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49
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Monoquaternary ammonium derivatives inhibit growth of protozoan parasites. Parasitol Int 2008; 57:132-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2007.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2007] [Revised: 09/27/2007] [Accepted: 09/28/2007] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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50
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Biswas S, Haque R, Bhuyan NR, Bera T. Participation of chlorobiumquinone in the transplasma membrane electron transport system of Leishmania donovani promastigote: Effect of near-ultraviolet light on the redox reaction of plasma membrane. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2008; 1780:116-27. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2007.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2007] [Revised: 09/08/2007] [Accepted: 09/10/2007] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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