1
|
Gaona-López C, Méndez-Álvarez D, Moreno-Rodríguez A, Bautista-Martínez JL, De Fuentes-Vicente JA, Nogueda-Torres B, García-Torres I, López-Velázquez G, Rivera G. TATA-Binding Protein-Based Virtual Screening of FDA Drugs Identified New Anti-Giardiasis Agents. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:6238. [PMID: 38892424 PMCID: PMC11172525 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25116238] [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: 05/01/2024] [Revised: 05/27/2024] [Accepted: 06/01/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Parasitic diseases, predominantly prevalent in developing countries, are increasingly spreading to high-income nations due to shifting migration patterns. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates approximately 300 million annual cases of giardiasis. The emergence of drug resistance and associated side effects necessitates urgent research to address this growing health concern. In this study, we evaluated over eleven thousand pharmacological compounds sourced from the FDA database to assess their impact on the TATA-binding protein (TBP) of the early diverging protist Giardia lamblia, which holds medical significance. We identified a selection of potential pharmacological compounds for combating this parasitic disease through in silico analysis, employing molecular modeling techniques such as homology modeling, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics simulations. Notably, our findings highlight compounds DB07352 and DB08399 as promising candidates for inhibiting the TBP of Giardia lamblia. Also, these compounds and DB15584 demonstrated high efficacy against trophozoites in vitro. In summary, this study identifies compounds with the potential to combat giardiasis, offering the prospect of specific therapies and providing a robust foundation for future research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Gaona-López
- Laboratorio de Biotecnología Farmacéutica, Centro de Biotecnología Genómica, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Reynosa 88710, Mexico;
| | - Domingo Méndez-Álvarez
- Laboratorio de Biotecnología Farmacéutica, Centro de Biotecnología Genómica, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Reynosa 88710, Mexico;
| | - Adriana Moreno-Rodríguez
- Laboratorio de Estudios Epidemiológicos, Clínicos, Diseños Experimentales e Investigación, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma “Benito Juárez” de Oaxaca, Oaxaca 68120, Mexico; (A.M.-R.); (J.L.B.-M.)
| | - Juan Luis Bautista-Martínez
- Laboratorio de Estudios Epidemiológicos, Clínicos, Diseños Experimentales e Investigación, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma “Benito Juárez” de Oaxaca, Oaxaca 68120, Mexico; (A.M.-R.); (J.L.B.-M.)
| | | | - Benjamín Nogueda-Torres
- Departamento de Parasitología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México 11340, Mexico;
| | - Itzhel García-Torres
- Laboratorio de Biomoléculas y Salud Infantil, Instituto Nacional de Pediatría, Ciudad de México 04530, Mexico; (I.G.-T.); (G.L.-V.)
| | - Gabriel López-Velázquez
- Laboratorio de Biomoléculas y Salud Infantil, Instituto Nacional de Pediatría, Ciudad de México 04530, Mexico; (I.G.-T.); (G.L.-V.)
| | - Gildardo Rivera
- Laboratorio de Biotecnología Farmacéutica, Centro de Biotecnología Genómica, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Reynosa 88710, Mexico;
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Simoes-Barbosa A, Pinheiro J. Unconventional features in the transcription and processing of spliceosomal small nuclear RNAs in the protozoan parasite Trichomonas vaginalis. Int J Parasitol 2024; 54:257-266. [PMID: 38452964 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2024.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 03/03/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
Trichomonas vaginalis is a medically important protozoan parasite, and a deep-branching, evolutionarily divergent unicellular eukaryote that has conserved several key features of eukaryotic gene expression. Trichomonas vaginalis possesses a metazoan/plant-like capping apparatus, mRNAs with a cap 1 structure and spliceosomes containing the five small nuclear RNAs (snRNAs). However, in contrast to metazoan and plant snRNAs, the structurally conserved T. vaginalis snRNAs were initially identified as lacking the canonical guanosine cap nucleotide. To explain this unusual condition, we sought to investigate transcriptional and processing features of the spliceosomal snRNAs in this protist. Here, we show that T. vaginalis spliceosomal snRNA genes mostly lack typical eukaryotic promoters. In contrast to other eukaryotes, the putative TATA box in the T. vaginalis U6 snRNA gene was found to be dispensable for transcription or RNA polymerase selectivity. Moreover, U6 transcription in T. vaginalis was virtually insensitive to tagetitoxin compared with other cellular transcripts produced by the same RNA polymerase III. Most important and unexpected, snRNA transcription in T. vaginalis appears to bypass capping as we show that these transcripts retain their original 5'-triphosphate groups. In conclusion, transcription and processing of spliceosomal snRNAs in T. vaginalis deviate considerably from the conventional rules of other eukaryotes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Augusto Simoes-Barbosa
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Auckland, Auckland 1010, New Zealand.
| | - Jully Pinheiro
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Auckland, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Rojas DA, Urbina F, Valenzuela-Pérez L, Leiva L, Miralles VJ, Maldonado E. Initiator-Directed Transcription: Fission Yeast Nmtl Initiator Directs Preinitiation Complex Formation and Transcriptional Initiation. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:genes13020256. [PMID: 35205301 PMCID: PMC8871863 DOI: 10.3390/genes13020256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 01/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The initiator element is a core promoter element encompassing the transcription start site, which is found in yeast, Drosophila, and human promoters. This element is observed in TATA-less promoters. Several studies have defined transcription factor requirements and additional cofactors that are needed for transcription initiation of initiator-containing promoters. However, those studies have been performed with additional core promoters in addition to the initiator. In this work, we have defined the pathway of preinitiation complex formation on the fission yeast nmt1 gene promoter, which contains a functional initiator with striking similarity to the initiator of the human dihydrofolate reductase (hDHFR) gene and to the factor requirement for transcription initiation of the nmt1 gene promoter. The results show that the nmt1 gene promoter possesses an initiator encompassing the transcription start site, and several conserved base positions are required for initiator function. A preinitiation complex formation on the nmt1 initiator can be started by TBP/TFIIA or TBP/TFIIB, but not TBP alone, and afterwards follows the same pathway as preinitiation complex formation on TATA-containing promoters. Transcription initiation is dependent on the general transcription factors TBP, TFIIB, TFIIE, TFIIF, TFIIH, RNA polymerase II, Mediator, and a cofactor identified as transcription cofactor for initiator function (TCIF), which is a high-molecular-weight protein complex of around 500 kDa. However, the TAF subunits of TFIID were not required for the nmt1 initiator transcription, as far as we tested. We also demonstrate that other initiators of the nmt1/hDHFR family can be transcribed in fission yeast whole-cell extracts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Diego A. Rojas
- Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Santiago 8910132, Chile
- Correspondence: address: (D.A.R.); (E.M.)
| | - Fabiola Urbina
- Programa de Biología Celular y Molecular, ICBM, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8380492, Chile; (F.U.); (L.V.-P.); (L.L.)
| | - Lucía Valenzuela-Pérez
- Programa de Biología Celular y Molecular, ICBM, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8380492, Chile; (F.U.); (L.V.-P.); (L.L.)
| | - Lorenzo Leiva
- Programa de Biología Celular y Molecular, ICBM, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8380492, Chile; (F.U.); (L.V.-P.); (L.L.)
| | - Vicente J. Miralles
- Departamento Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain;
| | - Edio Maldonado
- Programa de Biología Celular y Molecular, ICBM, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8380492, Chile; (F.U.); (L.V.-P.); (L.L.)
- Correspondence: address: (D.A.R.); (E.M.)
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Walters HA, Temesvari LA. Target acquired: transcriptional regulators as drug targets for protozoan parasites. Int J Parasitol 2021; 51:599-611. [PMID: 33722681 PMCID: PMC8169582 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2020.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2020] [Revised: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Protozoan parasites are single-celled eukaryotic organisms that cause significant human disease and pose a substantial health and socioeconomic burden worldwide. They are responsible for at least 1 million deaths annually. The treatment of such diseases is hindered by the ability of parasites to form latent cysts, develop drug resistance, or be transmitted by insect vectors. Additionally, these pathogens have developed complex mechanisms to alter host gene expression. The prevalence of these diseases is predicted to increase as climate change leads to the augmentation of ambient temperatures, insect ranges, and warm water reservoirs. Therefore, the discovery of novel treatments is necessary. Transcription factors lie at the junction of multiple signalling pathways in eukaryotes and aberrant transcription factor function contributes to the progression of numerous human diseases including cancer, diabetes, inflammatory disorders and cardiovascular disease. Transcription factors were previously thought to be undruggable. However, due to recent advances, transcription factors now represent appealing drug targets. It is conceivable that transcription factors, and the pathways they regulate, may also serve as targets for anti-parasitic drug design. Here, we review transcription factors and transcriptional modulators of protozoan parasites, and discuss how they may be useful in drug discovery. We also provide information on transcription factors that play a role in stage conversion of parasites, TATA box-binding proteins, and transcription factors and cofactors that participate with RNA polymerases I, II and III. We also highlight a significant gap in knowledge in that the transcription factors of some of parasites have been under-investigated. Understanding parasite transcriptional pathways and how parasites alter host gene expression will be essential in discovering innovative drug targets.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- H A Walters
- Department of Biological Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, United States; Eukaryotic Pathogens Innovation Center, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, United States
| | - L A Temesvari
- Department of Biological Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, United States; Eukaryotic Pathogens Innovation Center, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Abstract
Trichomonas vaginalis is an anaerobic/microaerophilic protist parasite which causes trichomoniasis, one of the most prevalent sexually transmitted diseases worldwide. T. vaginalis not only is important as a human pathogen but also is of great biological interest because of its peculiar cell biology and metabolism, in earlier times fostering the erroneous notion that this microorganism is at the root of eukaryotic evolution. This review summarizes the major advances in the last five years in the T. vaginalis field with regard to genetics, molecular biology, ecology, and pathogenicity of the parasite.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David Leitsch
- Department of Specific Prophylaxis and Tropical Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Lizarraga A, Muñoz D, Strobl-Mazzulla PH, de Miguel N. Toward incorporating epigenetics into regulation of gene expression in the parasite Trichomonas vaginalis. Mol Microbiol 2021; 115:959-967. [PMID: 33599017 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.14704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Accepted: 02/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Trichomonas vaginalis is an extracellular parasite that colonizes the human urogenital tract, causing a highly prevalent sexually transmitted infection. The parasite must change its transcriptional profile in order to establish and maintain infection. However, few core regulatory elements and transcription factors have been identified to date and little is known about other mechanisms that may control these rapid changes in gene expression during parasite infection. In the last years, epigenetic mechanisms involved in the regulation of gene expression have been gaining major attention in this parasite. In this review, we summarize and discuss the major advances of the last few years with regard to epigenetics (DNA methylation, post-translational histone modifications, and histone variants) in the parasite T. vaginalis. These studies can shed light into our current understanding of this parasite's biology with far-reaching implications for the prognosis and treatment of trichomoniasis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ayelen Lizarraga
- Laboratorio de Parásitos Anaerobios, Instituto Tecnológico Chascomús (INTECH), CONICET-UNSAM, Chascomús, Argentina
| | - Daniela Muñoz
- Laboratorio de Parásitos Anaerobios, Instituto Tecnológico Chascomús (INTECH), CONICET-UNSAM, Chascomús, Argentina
| | - Pablo H Strobl-Mazzulla
- Laboratorio de Biología del Desarrollo, Instituto Tecnológico Chascomús (INTECH), CONICET-UNSAM, Chascomús, Argentina
| | - Natalia de Miguel
- Laboratorio de Parásitos Anaerobios, Instituto Tecnológico Chascomús (INTECH), CONICET-UNSAM, Chascomús, Argentina
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Parra-Marín O, López-Pacheco K, Hernández R, López-Villaseñor I. The highly diverse TATA box-binding proteins among protists: A review. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2020; 239:111312. [PMID: 32771681 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2020.111312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2020] [Revised: 06/28/2020] [Accepted: 07/22/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Transcription is the first step of gene expression regulation and is a fundamental mechanism for establishing the viability and development of a cell. The TATA box-binding protein (TBP) interaction with a TATA box in a promoter is one of the best studied mechanisms in transcription initiation. TBP is a transcription factor that is highly conserved from archaea to humans and is essential for the transcription initiated by each of the three RNA polymerases. In addition, the discovery of TBP-related factor 1 (TRF1) and other factors related to TBP shed light on the variability among transcription initiation complexes, thus demonstrating that the compositions of these complexes are, in fact, more complicated than originally believed. Despite these facts, the majority of studies on transcription have been performed on animal, plant and fungal cells, which serve as canonical models, and information regarding protist cells is relatively scarce. The aim of this work is to review the diversity of the TBPs that have been documented in protists and describe some of the specific features that differentiate them from their counterparts in higher eukaryotes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Olivia Parra-Marín
- Departamento de Biología Molecular y Biotecnología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, 04510, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Karla López-Pacheco
- Departamento de Biología Molecular y Biotecnología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, 04510, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Roberto Hernández
- Departamento de Biología Molecular y Biotecnología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, 04510, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Imelda López-Villaseñor
- Departamento de Biología Molecular y Biotecnología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, 04510, Ciudad de México, Mexico.
| |
Collapse
|