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Silva ARST, Costa AMB, Scher R, Andrade-Neto VV, Sarmento VHV, Santos ADJ, Torres-Santos EC, Jain S, Nunes RDS, Menna-Barreto RFS, Dolabella SS. Effect of 3-Carene and the Micellar Formulation on Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis. Trop Med Infect Dis 2023; 8:324. [PMID: 37368742 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed8060324] [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: 04/12/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniases are neglected tropical diseases caused by obligate intracellular protozoa of the genus Leishmania. The drugs used in treatment have a high financial cost, a long treatment time, high toxicity, and variable efficacy. 3-Carene (3CR) is a hydrocarbon monoterpene that has shown in vitro activity against some Leishmania species; however, it has low water solubility and high volatility. This study aimed to develop Poloxamer 407 micelles capable of delivering 3CR (P407-3CR) to improve antileishmanial activity. The micelles formulated presented nanometric size, medium or low polydispersity, and Newtonian fluid rheological behavior. 3CR and P407-3CR inhibited the growth of L. (L.) amazonensis promastigote with IC50/48h of 488.1 ± 3.7 and 419.9 ±1.5 mM, respectively. Transmission electron microscopy analysis showed that 3CR induces multiple nuclei and kinetoplast phenotypes and the formation of numerous cytosolic invaginations. Additionally, the micelles were not cytotoxic to L929 cells or murine peritoneal macrophages, presenting activity on intracellular amastigotes. P407-3CR micelles (IC50/72 h = 0.7 ± 0.1 mM) increased the monoterpene activity by at least twice (3CR: IC50/72 h >1.5 mM). These results showed that P407 micelles are an effective nanosystem for delivering 3CR and potentiating antileishmanial activity. More studies are needed to evaluate this system as a potential therapeutic option for leishmaniases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ricardo Scher
- Departamento de Morfologia, Universidade Federal de Sergipe, São Cristóvão 49100-000, Sergipe, Brazil
| | - Valter Viana Andrade-Neto
- Laboratório de Bioquímica de Tripanosomatídeos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil
| | | | - Adriana de Jesus Santos
- Departamento de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Sergipe, São Cristóvão 49100-000, Sergipe, Brazil
| | - Eduardo Caio Torres-Santos
- Laboratório de Bioquímica de Tripanosomatídeos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil
| | - Sona Jain
- Programa de Biotecnologia Industrial, Universidade Tiradentes, Aracaju 49032-490, Sergipe, Brazil
| | - Rogéria de Souza Nunes
- Departamento de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Sergipe, São Cristóvão 49100-000, Sergipe, Brazil
| | | | - Silvio Santana Dolabella
- Departamento de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Sergipe, São Cristóvão 49100-000, Sergipe, Brazil
- Departamento de Morfologia, Universidade Federal de Sergipe, São Cristóvão 49100-000, Sergipe, Brazil
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Iriarte LS, Martinez CI, de Miguel N, Coceres VM. Tritrichomonas foetus Cell Division Involves DNA Endoreplication and Multiple Fissions. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0325122. [PMID: 36728437 PMCID: PMC10100903 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.03251-22] [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: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Tritrichomonas foetus and Trichomonas vaginalis are extracellular flagellated parasites that inhabit animals and humans, respectively. Cell division is a crucial process in most living organisms that leads to the formation of 2 daughter cells from a single mother cell. It has been assumed that T. vaginalis and T. foetus modes of reproduction are exclusively by binary fission. However, here, we showed that multinuclearity is a phenomenon regularly observed in different T. foetus and T. vaginalis strains in standard culture conditions. Additionally, we revealed that nutritional depletion or nutritional deprivation led to different dormant phenotypes. Although multinucleated T. foetus are mostly observed during nutritional depletion, numerous cells with 1 larger nucleus have been observed under nutritional deprivation conditions. In both cases, when the standard culture media conditions are restored, the cytoplasm of these multinucleated cells separates, and numerous parasites are generated in a short period of time by the fission multiple. We also revealed that DNA endoreplication occurs both in large and multiple nuclei of parasites under nutritional deprivation and depletion conditions, suggesting an important function in stress nutritional situations. These results provide valuable data about the cell division process of these extracellular parasites. IMPORTANCE Nowadays, it's known that T. foetus and T. vaginalis generate daughter cells by binary fission. Here, we report that both parasites are also capable of dividing by multiple fission under stress conditions. We also demonstrated, for the first time, that T. foetus can increase its DNA content per parasite without concluding the cytokinesis process (endoreplication) under stress conditions, which represents an efficient strategy for subsequent fast multiplication when the context becomes favorable. Additionally, we revealed the existence of novel dormant forms of resistance (multinucleated or mononucleated polyploid parasites), different than the previously described pseudocysts, that are formed under stress conditions. Thus, it is necessary to evaluate the role of these structures in the parasites' transmission in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucrecia S. Iriarte
- Laboratorio de Parásitos Anaerobios, Instituto Tecnológico Chascomús (INTECH), CONICET-UNSAM, Chascomús, Argentina
- Escuela de Bio y Nanotecnologías, Universidad Nacional de San Martin (UNSAM), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Cristian I. Martinez
- Laboratorio de Parásitos Anaerobios, Instituto Tecnológico Chascomús (INTECH), CONICET-UNSAM, Chascomús, Argentina
- Escuela de Bio y Nanotecnologías, Universidad Nacional de San Martin (UNSAM), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Natalia de Miguel
- Laboratorio de Parásitos Anaerobios, Instituto Tecnológico Chascomús (INTECH), CONICET-UNSAM, Chascomús, Argentina
- Escuela de Bio y Nanotecnologías, Universidad Nacional de San Martin (UNSAM), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Veronica M. Coceres
- Laboratorio de Parásitos Anaerobios, Instituto Tecnológico Chascomús (INTECH), CONICET-UNSAM, Chascomús, Argentina
- Escuela de Bio y Nanotecnologías, Universidad Nacional de San Martin (UNSAM), Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Synthesis of cinnamic acid derivatives and leishmanicidal activity against Leishmania braziliensis. Eur J Med Chem 2019; 183:111688. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2019.111688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2019] [Revised: 08/21/2019] [Accepted: 09/06/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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Fonseca TH, Gomes JM, Alacoque M, Vannier-Santos MA, Gomes MA, Busatti HG. Transmission electron microscopy revealing the mechanism of action of photodynamic therapy on Trichomonas vaginalis. Acta Trop 2019; 190:112-118. [PMID: 30447179 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2018.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2018] [Revised: 10/18/2018] [Accepted: 11/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Trichomonas vaginalis is an amitochondrial parasite that causes human trichomoniasis. Despite metronidazole effectiveness, resistant cases are becoming more frequent. This scenario reveals the need to develop new therapeutic options. Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) is an experimental treatment that involves the activation of photosensitive substances and the generation of cytotoxic oxygen species and free radicals to promote the selective destruction of target tissues. In previous work, we identified an excellent in vitro PDT activity using methylene blue and light emitting diode against metronidazole sensitive and resistant strains of T. vaginalis. Here, we evaluated the efficacy of PDT in vivo and its high trichomonicidal activity was assessed through transmission electron microscopy. Female Balb/c mice were infected intravaginally with T. vaginalis trophozoites. On the third day of infection, methylene blue was introduced into the vaginal canal, which then received 68.1 J/cm2 of radiation for 35.6 s. Twenty-four hours after treatment the vaginal canal of the animals was scraped and the samples processed by the immunocytochemistry technique. Besides that, in vitro photodynamic treatment was performed and T. vaginalis trophozoites were processed by transmission electron microscopy. PDT significantly reduced infection in animals treated, compared to control groups, being as efficient as metronidazole. Morphological changes observed have suggested that PDT activity on T. vaginalis was due to necrosis. These results, added to the high trichomonicidal activity of PDT confirm its feasibility for trichomoniasis treatment.
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Magalhães LS, Bomfim LG, Mota SG, Cruz GS, Corrêa CB, Tanajura DM, Lipscomb MW, Borges VM, Jesus ARD, Almeida RPD, Moura TRD. Increased thiol levels in antimony-resistant Leishmania infantum isolated from treatment-refractory visceral leishmaniasis in Brazil. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2018; 113:119-125. [PMID: 29236925 PMCID: PMC5722267 DOI: 10.1590/0074-02760170289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2017] [Accepted: 10/06/2017] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Treatment-refractory visceral leishmaniasis (VL) has become an important
problem in many countries. OBJECTIVES We evaluated the antimony-resistance mechanisms of Leishmania
infantum isolated from VL patients refractory or responsive to
treatment with pentavalent antimony. METHODS Strains isolated from antimony-refractory patients (in vitro
antimony-resistant isolates) and antimony-responsive patients (in
vitro antimony-sensitive isolates) were examined. Morphological
changes were evaluated by transmission electron microscopy after trivalent
antimony exposure. P-glycoprotein (P-gp) efflux pump activity was evaluated
using the pump-specific inhibitor verapamil hydrochloride, and the role of
thiol in trivalent antimony resistance was investigated using the enzymatic
inhibitor L-buthionine sulfoximine. FINDINGS Antimony treatment induced fewer alterations in the cellular structure of
L. infantum resistant isolates than in that of
sensitive isolates. P-gp efflux activity was not involved in antimony
resistance in these isolates. Importantly, the resistant isolates contained
higher levels of thiol compared to the sensitive isolates, and inhibition of
thiol synthesis in the resistant isolates recovered their sensitivity to
trivalent antimony treatment, and enhanced the production of reactive oxygen
species in promastigotes exposed to the drug. MAIN CONCLUSIONS Our results demonstrate that isolates from patients with antimony-refractory
VL exhibited higher thiol levels than antimony-sensitive isolates. This
indicates that redox metabolism plays an important role in the
antimony-resistance of New World VL isolates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas S Magalhães
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular, Hospital Universitário, Universidade Federal de Sergipe, Aracaju, SE, Brasil
| | - Lays Gs Bomfim
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular, Hospital Universitário, Universidade Federal de Sergipe, Aracaju, SE, Brasil
| | - Sthefanne G Mota
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular, Hospital Universitário, Universidade Federal de Sergipe, Aracaju, SE, Brasil
| | - Geydson S Cruz
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular, Hospital Universitário, Universidade Federal de Sergipe, Aracaju, SE, Brasil
| | - Cristiane B Corrêa
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular, Hospital Universitário, Universidade Federal de Sergipe, Aracaju, SE, Brasil
| | - Diego M Tanajura
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular, Hospital Universitário, Universidade Federal de Sergipe, Aracaju, SE, Brasil
| | - Michael W Lipscomb
- Department of Biology, Howard University, Washington DC, United States of America
| | - Valéria M Borges
- Instituto Gonçalo Moniz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Salvador, BA, Brasil
| | - Amélia R de Jesus
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular, Hospital Universitário, Universidade Federal de Sergipe, Aracaju, SE, Brasil
| | - Roque P de Almeida
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular, Hospital Universitário, Universidade Federal de Sergipe, Aracaju, SE, Brasil
| | - Tatiana R de Moura
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular, Hospital Universitário, Universidade Federal de Sergipe, Aracaju, SE, Brasil
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Dos Anjos DO, Sobral Alves ES, Gonçalves VT, Fontes SS, Nogueira ML, Suarez-Fontes AM, Neves da Costa JB, Rios-Santos F, Vannier-Santos MA. Effects of a novel β-lapachone derivative on Trypanosoma cruzi: Parasite death involving apoptosis, autophagy and necrosis. Int J Parasitol Drugs Drug Resist 2016; 6:207-219. [PMID: 27770751 PMCID: PMC5078628 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2016.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2014] [Revised: 10/07/2016] [Accepted: 10/10/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Natural products comprise valuable sources for new antiparasitic drugs. Here we tested the effects of a novel β-lapachone derivative on Trypanosoma cruzi parasite survival and proliferation and used microscopy and cytometry techniques to approach the mechanism(s) underlying parasite death. The selectivity index determination indicate that the compound trypanocidal activity was over ten-fold more cytotoxic to epimastigotes than to macrophages or splenocytes. Scanning electron microscopy analysis revealed that the R72 β-lapachone derivative affected the T. cruzi morphology and surface topography. General plasma membrane waving and blebbing particularly on the cytostome region were observed in the R72-treated parasites. Transmission electron microscopy observations confirmed the surface damage at the cytostome opening vicinity. We also observed ultrastructural evidence of the autophagic mechanism termed macroautophagy. Some of the autophagosomes involved large portions of the parasite cytoplasm and their fusion/confluence may lead to necrotic parasite death. The remarkably enhanced frequency of autophagy triggering was confirmed by quantitating monodansylcadaverine labeling. Some cells displayed evidence of chromatin pycnosis and nuclear fragmentation were detected. This latter phenomenon was also indicated by DAPI staining of R72-treated cells. The apoptotis induction was suggested to take place in circa one-third of the parasites assessed by annexin V labeling measured by flow cytometry. TUNEL staining corroborated the apoptosis induction. Propidium iodide labeling indicate that at least 10% of the R72-treated parasites suffered necrosis within 24 h. The present data indicate that the β-lapachone derivative R72 selectively triggers T. cruzi cell death, involving both apoptosis and autophagy-induced necrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle Oliveira Dos Anjos
- Lab. Biologia Parasitária, Instituto Gonçalo Moniz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz - FIOCRUZ, Brazil; Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz UESC, Brazil
| | | | | | - Sheila Suarez Fontes
- Lab. Biologia Parasitária, Instituto Gonçalo Moniz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz - FIOCRUZ, Brazil
| | - Mateus Lima Nogueira
- Lab. Biologia Parasitária, Instituto Gonçalo Moniz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz - FIOCRUZ, Brazil
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7
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Sueth-Santiago V, Moraes JDBB, Sobral Alves ES, Vannier-Santos MA, Freire-de-Lima CG, Castro RN, Mendes-Silva GP, Del Cistia CDN, Magalhães LG, Andricopulo AD, Sant´Anna CMR, Decoté-Ricardo D, Freire de Lima ME. The Effectiveness of Natural Diarylheptanoids against Trypanosoma cruzi: Cytotoxicity, Ultrastructural Alterations and Molecular Modeling Studies. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0162926. [PMID: 27658305 PMCID: PMC5033595 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0162926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2016] [Accepted: 08/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Curcumin (CUR) is the major constituent of the rhizomes of Curcuma longa and has been widely investigated for its chemotherapeutic properties. The well-known activity of CUR against Leishmania sp., Trypanosoma brucei and Plasmodium falciparum led us to investigate its activity against Trypanosoma cruzi. In this work, we tested the cytotoxic effects of CUR and other natural curcuminoids on different forms of T. cruzi, as well as the ultrastructural changes induced in epimastigote form of the parasite. CUR was verified as the curcuminoid with more significant trypanocidal properties (IC50 10.13 μM on epimastigotes). Demethoxycurcumin (DMC) was equipotent to CUR (IC50 11.07 μM), but bisdemethoxycurcumin (BDMC) was less active (IC50 45.33 μM) and cyclocurcumin (CC) was inactive. In the experiment with infected murine peritoneal macrophages all diarylheptanoids were more active than the control in the inhibition of the trypomastigotes release. The electron microscopy images showed ultrastructural changes associated with the cytoskeleton of the parasite, indicating tubulin as possible target of CUR in T. cruzi. The results obtained by flow cytometry analysis of DNA content of the parasites treated with natural curcuminoids suggested a mechanism of action on microtubules related to the paclitaxel`s mode of action. To better understand the mechanism of action highlighted by electron microscopy and flow cytometry experiments we performed the molecular docking of natural curcuminoids on tubulin of T. cruzi in a homology model and the results obtained showed that the observed interactions are in accordance with the IC50 values found, since there CUR and DMC perform similar interactions at the binding site on tubulin while BDMC do not realize a hydrogen bond with Lys163 residue due to the absence of methoxyl groups. These results indicate that trypanocidal properties of CUR may be related to the cytoskeletal alterations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vitor Sueth-Santiago
- Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Ciências Exatas, Departamento de Química, BR 465, Km 07, CEP: 23.890-000, Seropédica, RJ, Brazil
| | - Julliane de B. B. Moraes
- Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Veterinária, Departamento de Microbiologia e Imunologia Veterinária, BR 465, Km 07, CEP: 23.890-000, Seropédica, RJ, Brazil
| | - Eliomara Sousa Sobral Alves
- Laboratório de Biologia Parasitária, Centro de Pesquisas Gonçalo Moniz (CPqGM-Fiocruz), Rua Waldemar Falcão, 121, Candeal, CEP: 40.296-710, Salvador, BA, Brazil
| | - Marcos André Vannier-Santos
- Laboratório de Biologia Parasitária, Centro de Pesquisas Gonçalo Moniz (CPqGM-Fiocruz), Rua Waldemar Falcão, 121, Candeal, CEP: 40.296-710, Salvador, BA, Brazil
| | - Célio G. Freire-de-Lima
- Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Ilha do Fundão, Cidade Universitária, CEP: 21.941-902, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Rosane N. Castro
- Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Ciências Exatas, Departamento de Química, BR 465, Km 07, CEP: 23.890-000, Seropédica, RJ, Brazil
| | - Gustavo Peron Mendes-Silva
- Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Ciências Exatas, Departamento de Química, BR 465, Km 07, CEP: 23.890-000, Seropédica, RJ, Brazil
| | - Catarina de Nigris Del Cistia
- Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Ciências Exatas, Departamento de Matemática, BR 465, Km 07, CEP: 23.890-000, Seropédica, RJ, Brazil
| | - Luma Godoy Magalhães
- Laboratório de Química Medicinal e Computacional, Centro de Pesquisa e Inovação em Biodiversidade e Fármacos, Instituto de Física de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, CP 396, CEP: 13.560-970, São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - Adriano Defini Andricopulo
- Laboratório de Química Medicinal e Computacional, Centro de Pesquisa e Inovação em Biodiversidade e Fármacos, Instituto de Física de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, CP 396, CEP: 13.560-970, São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - Carlos Mauricio R. Sant´Anna
- Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Ciências Exatas, Departamento de Química, BR 465, Km 07, CEP: 23.890-000, Seropédica, RJ, Brazil
| | - Debora Decoté-Ricardo
- Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Veterinária, Departamento de Microbiologia e Imunologia Veterinária, BR 465, Km 07, CEP: 23.890-000, Seropédica, RJ, Brazil
- * E-mail: (MEFL); (DDR)
| | - Marco Edilson Freire de Lima
- Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Ciências Exatas, Departamento de Química, BR 465, Km 07, CEP: 23.890-000, Seropédica, RJ, Brazil
- * E-mail: (MEFL); (DDR)
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Niño CH, Forero-Baena N, Contreras LE, Sánchez-Lancheros D, Figarella K, Ramírez MH. Identification of the nicotinamide mononucleotide adenylyltransferase of Trypanosoma cruzi. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2016; 110:890-7. [PMID: 26560979 PMCID: PMC4660618 DOI: 10.1590/0074-02760150175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2015] [Accepted: 08/05/2015] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The intracellular parasite Trypanosoma cruzi is the aetiological agent of Chagas disease, a public health concern with an increasing incidence rate. This increase is due, among other reasons, to the parasite's drug resistance mechanisms, which require nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+). Furthermore, this molecule is involved in metabolic and intracellular signalling processes necessary for the survival of T. cruzi throughout its life cycle. NAD+biosynthesis is performed by de novo and salvage pathways, which converge on the step that is catalysed by the enzyme nicotinamide mononucleotide adenylyltransferase (NMNAT) (enzyme commission number: 2.7.7.1). The identification of the NMNAT of T. cruzi is important for the development of future therapeutic strategies to treat Chagas disease. In this study, a hypothetical open reading frame (ORF) for NMNAT was identified in the genome of T. cruzi.The corresponding putative protein was analysed by simulating structural models. The ORF was amplified from genomic DNA by polymerase chain reaction and was further used for the construction of a corresponding recombinant expression vector. The expressed recombinant protein was partially purified and its activity was evaluated using enzymatic assays. These results comprise the first identification of an NMNAT in T. cruzi using bioinformatics and experimental tools and hence represent the first step to understanding NAD+ metabolism in these parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos H Niño
- Laboratorio de Investigaciones Básicas en Bioquímica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Nicolás Forero-Baena
- Laboratorio de Investigaciones Básicas en Bioquímica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Luis E Contreras
- Laboratorio de Investigaciones Básicas en Bioquímica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Diana Sánchez-Lancheros
- Laboratorio de Investigaciones Básicas en Bioquímica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia
| | | | - María H Ramírez
- Laboratorio de Investigaciones Básicas en Bioquímica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia
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9
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de Mello TF, Cardoso BM, Bitencourt HR, Donatti L, Aristides SM, Lonardoni MV, Silveira TG. Ultrastructural and morphological changes in Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis treated with synthetic chalcones. Exp Parasitol 2016; 160:23-30. [DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2015.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2015] [Revised: 06/16/2015] [Accepted: 11/23/2015] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
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10
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N-butyl-[1-(4-methoxy)phenyl-9H-β-carboline]-3-carboxamide prevents cytokinesis in Leishmania amazonensis. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2014; 58:7112-20. [PMID: 25224005 DOI: 10.1128/aac.03340-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis, a complex of diseases caused by protozoa of the genus Leishmania, is endemic in 98 countries, affecting approximately 12 million people worldwide. Current treatments for leishmaniasis have many disadvantages, such as toxicity, high costs, and prolonged treatment, making the development of new treatment alternatives highly relevant. Several studies have verified the antileishmanial activity of β-carboline compounds. In the present study, we investigated the in vitro antileishmanial activity of N-butyl-[1-(4-methoxy)phenyl-9H-β-carboline]-3-carboxamide (β-CB) against Leishmania amazonensis. The compound was active against promastigote, axenic amastigote, and intracellular amastigote forms of L. amazonensis, exhibiting high selectivity for the parasite. Moreover, β-CB did not exhibit hemolytic or mutagenic potential. Promastigotes treated with the alkaloid presented rounding of the body cell, cell membrane projections, an increase in the number of promastigotes presenting two flagella, and parasites of abnormal phenotype, with three or more flagella and/or nuclei. Furthermore, we observed an increase in the subpopulation of cells in the G2/M stage of the cell cycle. Altogether, these results suggest that β-CB likely prevents cytokinesis, although it does not interfere with the duplication of cell structures. We also verified an increase in O2(·-) production and the accumulation of lipid storage bodies. Cell membrane integrity was maintained, in addition to the absence of phosphatidylserine externalization, DNA fragmentation, and autophagosomes. Although the possibility of an apoptotic process cannot be discarded, β-CB likely exerts its antileishmanial activity through a cytostatic effect, thus preventing cellular proliferation.
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11
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Giarola NLL, Silveira TS, Inacio JDF, Vieira LP, Almeida-Amaral EE, Meyer-Fernandes JR. Leishmania amazonensis: Increase in ecto-ATPase activity and parasite burden of vinblastine-resistant protozoa. Exp Parasitol 2014; 146:25-33. [PMID: 25176449 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2014.08.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2013] [Revised: 07/21/2014] [Accepted: 08/22/2014] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Leishmania amazonensis is a protozoan parasite that induces mucocutaneous and diffuse cutaneous lesions upon infection. An important component in treatment failure is the emergence of drug-resistant parasites. It is necessary to clarify the mechanism of resistance that occurs in these parasites to develop effective drugs for leishmaniasis treatment. Promastigote forms of L. amazonensis were selected by gradually increasing concentrations of vinblastine and were maintained under continuous drug pressure (resistant cells). Vinblastine-resistant L. amazonensis proliferated similarly to control parasites. However, resistant cells showed changes in the cell shape, irregular flagella and a decrease in rhodamine 123 accumulation, which are factors associated with the development of resistance, suggesting the MDR phenotype. The Mg-dependent-ecto-ATPase, an enzyme located on cell surface of Leishmania parasites, is involved in the acquisition of purine and participates in the adhesion and infectivity process. We compared control and resistant L. amazonensis ecto-enzymatic activities. The control and resistant Leishmania ecto-ATPase activities were 16.0 ± 1.5 nmol Pi × h(-1) × 10(-7) cells and 40.0 ± 4.4 nmol Pi × h(-1) × 10(-7)cells, respectively. Interestingly, the activity of other ecto-enzymes present on the L. amazonensis cell surface, the ecto-5' and 3'-nucleotidases and ecto-phosphatase, did not increase. The level of ecto-ATPase modulation is related to the degree of resistance of the cell. Cells resistant to 10 μM and 60 μM of vinblastine have ecto-ATPase activities of 22.7 ± 0.4 nmol Pi × h(-1) × 10(-7) cells and 33.8 ± 0.8 nmol Pi × h(-1) × 10(-7)cells, respectively. In vivo experiments showed that both lesion size and parasite burden in mice infected with resistant parasites are greater than those of L. amazonensis control cells. Furthermore, our data established a relationship between the increase in ecto-ATPase activity and greater infectivity and severity of the disease caused by vinblastine-resistant L. amazonensis promastigotes. Taken together, these data suggest that ecto-enzymes could be potential therapeutic targets in the struggle against the spread of leishmaniasis, a neglected world-wide public health problem.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naira Lígia Lima Giarola
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro - UFRJ, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia de Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagem, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro - UFRJ, Brazil
| | - Thaís Souza Silveira
- Instituto de Microbiologia Professor Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro - UFRJ, Brazil; Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia do Rio de Janeiro IFRJ, Brazil
| | | | - Lisvane Paes Vieira
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro - UFRJ, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia de Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagem, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro - UFRJ, Brazil
| | | | - José Roberto Meyer-Fernandes
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro - UFRJ, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia de Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagem, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro - UFRJ, Brazil.
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da Silva MS, Monteiro JP, Nunes VS, Vasconcelos EJ, Perez AM, Freitas-Júnior LDH, Elias MC, Cano MIN. Leishmania amazonensis promastigotes present two distinct modes of nucleus and kinetoplast segregation during cell cycle. PLoS One 2013; 8:e81397. [PMID: 24278433 PMCID: PMC3836779 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0081397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2013] [Accepted: 10/11/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Here, we show the morphological events associated with organelle segregation and their timing in the cell cycle of a reference strain of Leishmania (L.) amazonensis promastigotes, the main causative agent of Tegumentary leishmaniasis in the Americas. We show evidences that during the cell cycle, L. amazonensis promastigotes present two distinct modes of nucleus and kinetoplast segregation, which occur in different temporal order in different proportions of cells. We used DAPI-staining and EdU-labeling to monitor the segregation of DNA-containing organelles and DNA replication in wild-type parasites. The emergence of a new flagellum was observed using a specific monoclonal antibody. The results show that L. amazonensis cell cycle division is peculiar, with 65% of the dividing cells duplicating the kinetoplast before the nucleus, and the remaining 35% doing the opposite or duplicating both organelles concomitantly. In both cases, the new flagellum appeared during S to G2 phase in 1N1K cells and thus before the segregation of both DNA-containing organelles; however, we could not determine the exact timing of flagellar synthesis. Most of these results were confirmed by the synchronization of parasites using hydroxyurea. Altogether, our data show that during the cell cycle of L. amazonensis promastigotes, similarly to L. donovani, the segregation of nucleus and kinetoplast do not follow a specific order, especially when compared to other trypanosomatids, reinforcing the idea that this characteristic seems to be species-specific and may represent differences in cellular biology among members of the Leishmania genus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcelo Santos da Silva
- Departamento de Genética, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
- Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Jomar Patrício Monteiro
- Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária (Embrapa) Caprinos e Ovinos, Sobral, Ceará, Brazil
| | - Vinícius Santana Nunes
- Departamento de Genética, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Arina Marina Perez
- Departamento de Genética, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Lúcio de Holanda Freitas-Júnior
- Laboratório Nacional de Biociências (LNBio), Centro Nacional de Pesquisa em Energia e Materiais, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Maria Carolina Elias
- Center of Toxins, Immune Response and Cell Signaling (CeTICS), Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Maria Isabel Nogueira Cano
- Departamento de Genética, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
- * E-mail:
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13
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Morphological events during the cell cycle of Leishmania major. EUKARYOTIC CELL 2011; 10:1429-38. [PMID: 21926331 DOI: 10.1128/ec.05118-11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The morphological events involved in the Leishmania major promastigote cell cycle have been investigated in order to provide a detailed description of the chronological processes by which the parasite replicates its set of single-copy organelles and generates a daughter cell. Immunofluorescence labeling of β-tubulin was used to follow the dynamics of the subcellular cytoskeleton and to monitor the division of the nucleus via visualization of the mitotic spindle, while RAB11 was found to be a useful marker to track flagellar pocket division and to follow mitochondrial DNA (kinetoplast) segregation. Classification and quantification of these morphological events were used to determine the durations of phases of the cell cycle. Our results demonstrate that in L. major promastigotes, the extrusion of the daughter flagellum precedes the onset of mitosis, which in turn ends after kinetoplast segregation, and that significant remodelling of cell shape accompanies mitosis and cytokinesis. These findings contribute to a more complete foundation for future studies of cell cycle control in Leishmania.
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Duncan R, Gannavaram S, Dey R, Debrabant A, Lakhal-Naouar I, Nakhasi HL. Identification and characterization of genes involved in leishmania pathogenesis: the potential for drug target selection. Mol Biol Int 2011; 2011:428486. [PMID: 22091403 PMCID: PMC3200065 DOI: 10.4061/2011/428486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2011] [Revised: 03/26/2011] [Accepted: 04/28/2011] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Identifying and characterizing Leishmania donovani genes and the proteins they encode for their role in pathogenesis can reveal the value of this approach for finding new drug targets. Effective drug targets are likely to be proteins differentially expressed or required in the amastigote life cycle stage found in the patient. Several examples and their potential for chemotherapeutic disruption are presented. A pathway nearly ubiquitous in living cells targeted by anticancer drugs, the ubiquitin system, is examined. New findings in ubiquitin and ubiquitin-like modifiers in Leishmania show how disruption of those pathways could point to additional drug targets. The programmed cell death pathway, now recognized among protozoan parasites, is reviewed for some of its components and evidence that suggests they could be targeted for antiparasitic drug therapy. Finally, the endoplasmic reticulum quality control system is involved in secretion of many virulence factors. How disruptions in this pathway reduce virulence as evidence for potential drug targets is presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Duncan
- Division of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, FDA, Bethesda, MD 20852, USA
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Monte Neto RL, Sousa LMA, Dias CS, Barbosa Filho JM, Oliveira MR, Figueiredo RCBQ. Morphological and physiological changes in Leishmania promastigotes induced by yangambin, a lignan obtained from Ocotea duckei. Exp Parasitol 2010; 127:215-21. [PMID: 20691682 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2010.07.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2010] [Revised: 07/13/2010] [Accepted: 07/30/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
We have previously demonstrated that yangambin, a lignan obtained from Ocotea duckei Vattimo (Lauraceae), shows antileishmanial activity against promastigote forms of Leishmania chagasi and Leishmania amazonensis. The aim of this study was to determine the in vitro effects of yangambin against these parasites using electron and confocal microscopy. L. chagasi and L. amazonensis promastigotes were incubated respectively with 50 μg/mL and 65 μg/mL of pure yangambin and stained with acridine orange. Treated-parasites showed significant alterations in fluorescence emission pattern and cell morphology when compared with control cells, including the appearance of abnormal round-shaped cells, loss of cell motility, nuclear pyknosis, cytoplasm acidification and increased number of acidic vesicular organelles (AVOs), suggesting important physiological changes. Ultrastructural analysis of treated-promatigotes showed characteristics of cell death by apoptosis as well as by autophagy. The presence of parasites exhibiting multiples nuclei suggests that yangambin may also affect the microtubule dynamic in both Leishmania species. Taken together our results show that yangambin is a promising agent against Leishmania.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rubens L Monte Neto
- Laboratório de Tecnologia Farmacêutica, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, 58051-970 João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil
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