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Preparation and Evaluation of Physicochemical Properties and Anti-leishmanial Activity of Zirconium/Tioxolone Niosomes Against Leishmania major. ARAB J CHEM 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.arabjc.2022.104156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
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2
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Abstract
Leishmaniases still represent a global scourge and new therapeutic tools are necessary to replace the current expensive, difficult to administer treatments that induce numerous adverse effects and for which resistance is increasingly worrying. In this context, the particularly original organization of the Leishmania parasite in comparison to higher eukaryotes is a great advantage. It allows for the development of new, very specific, and thus non-cytotoxic treatments. Among these originalities, Leishmania cell death can be cited. Despite a classic pattern of apoptosis, key mammalian apoptotic proteins are not present in Leishmania, such as caspases, cell death receptors, and anti-apoptotic molecules. Recent studies have helped to develop a better understanding of parasite cell death, identifying new proteins or even new apoptotic pathways. This review provides an overview of the current knowledge on Leishmania cell death, describing its physiological roles and its phenotype, and discusses the involvement of various proteins: endonuclease G, metacaspase, aquaporin Li-BH3AQP, calpains, cysteine proteinase C, LmjHYD36 and Lmj.22.0600. From these data, potential apoptotic pathways are suggested. This review also offers tools to identify new Leishmania cell death effectors. Lastly, different approaches to use this knowledge for the development of new therapeutic tools are suggested: either inhibition of Leishmania cell death or activation of cell death for instance by treating cells with proteins or peptides involved in parasite death fused to a cell permeant peptide or encapsulated into a lipidic vector to target intra-macrophagic Leishmania cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise Basmaciyan
- UMR PAM A, Valmis Team, 2 rue Angélique Ducoudray, BP 37013, 21070 Dijon Cedex, France
| | - Magali Casanova
- Aix-Marseille University, CNRS, LISM, Institut de Microbiologie de la Méditerranée, 13402 Marseille Cedex 09, France
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3
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Eyssen LEA, Coetzer THT. Expression, purification and characterisation of Trypanosoma congolense metacaspase 5 (TcoMCA5) - a potential drug target for animal African trypanosomiasis. Protein Expr Purif 2019; 164:105465. [PMID: 31377239 DOI: 10.1016/j.pep.2019.105465] [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: 06/28/2019] [Revised: 07/31/2019] [Accepted: 07/31/2019] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
The metacaspases (MCAs) are attractive drug targets for the treatment of African trypanosomiasis as they are not found in the metazoan kingdom and their action has been implicated in cell cycle and cell death pathways in kinetoplastid parasites. Here we report the biochemical characterisation of MCA5 from T. congolense. Upon recombinant expression in E. coli, autoprocessing is evident, and MCA5 further autoprocesses when purified using nickel affinity chromatography, which we term nickel-induced over autoprocessing. When both the catalytic His and Cys residues were mutated (TcoMCA5H147A/C202G), no nickel-induced over autoprocessing was observed and was enzymatically active, suggesting the existence of a secondary catalytic Cys residue, Cys81. Immunoaffinity purification of native TcoMCA5 from the total parasite proteins was achieved using chicken anti-TcoMCA5 IgY antibodies. The full length native TcoMCA5 and the autoprocessed products of recombinant TcoMCA5H147A/C202G were shown to possess gelatinolytic activity, the first report for that of a MCA. Both the native and recombinant enzyme were calcium independent, had a preference for Arg over Lys at the P1 site and were active over a pH range between 6.5 and 9. Partial inhibition (23%) of enzymatic activity was only achieved with leupeptin and antipain. These findings are the first step in the biochemical characterisation of the single copy MCAs from animal infective trypanosomes towards the design of novel trypanocides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren E-A Eyssen
- Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal (Pietermaritzburg Campus), Private Bag X01, Scottsville, 3209, South Africa
| | - Theresa H T Coetzer
- Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal (Pietermaritzburg Campus), Private Bag X01, Scottsville, 3209, South Africa.
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4
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Mostafavi M, Sharifi I, Farajzadeh S, Khazaeli P, Sharifi H, Pourseyedi E, Kakooei S, Bamorovat M, Keyhani A, Parizi MH, Khosravi A, Khamesipour A. Niosomal formulation of amphotericin B alone and in combination with glucantime: In vitro and in vivo leishmanicidal effects. Biomed Pharmacother 2019; 116:108942. [PMID: 31152929 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2019.108942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2019] [Revised: 04/22/2019] [Accepted: 04/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of glucantime and amphotericin B (AmB) encapsulated in niosome against cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) using in vitro and in vivo models. The niosomal formulations of the drugs alone and in combination were prepared and characterized. Subsequent to the examination of their cytotoxicity, their efficacy was evaluated using an in vitro MTT assay, macrophage model, flow cytometry, and gene expression profiling. For evaluation of therapeutic effect of niosomal combination on the lesion induced by Leishmania major in inbred BALB/c mice, the size of lesions and number of parasites in spleen was assessed. The niosomal formulations demonstrated significantly greater inhibitory effects compared with the non-niosomal forms when the IC50 was considered. The niosomal combination showed an increase in the apoptotic values and gene expression levels of IL-12 and metacaspase and a decrease in the levels of IL-10 with a dose-response effect. The niosomal combination was also effective in reducing the lesion size and splenic parasite burden in mice. Our findings indicated that there is a synergistic effect between AmB and glucantime in niosomal form in the inhibition of intracellular and extracellular forms of L. tropica. Additionally, the in vivo results on L. major suggest that topical niosomal formulation could be useful in the treatment of CL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahshid Mostafavi
- Leishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Iraj Sharifi
- Leishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
| | - Saeedeh Farajzadeh
- Department of Pediatric dermatology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Payam Khazaeli
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Hamid Sharifi
- HIV/STI Surveillance Research Center, and WHO Collaborating Center for HIV Surveillance, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Elnaz Pourseyedi
- Pharmaceutics Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Sina Kakooei
- Oral and Dental Diseases Research Center, Dental School, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Mehdi Bamorovat
- Center of Tropical and Infectious Diseases, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Alireza Keyhani
- Leishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Maryam Hakimi Parizi
- Leishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Ahmad Khosravi
- Leishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Ali Khamesipour
- Center for Research and Training in Skin Diseases and Leprosy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Mostafavi M, Khazaeli P, Sharifi I, Farajzadeh S, Sharifi H, Keyhani A, Parizi MH, Kakooei S. A Novel Niosomal Combination of Selenium Coupled with Glucantime against Leishmania tropica. THE KOREAN JOURNAL OF PARASITOLOGY 2019; 57:1-8. [PMID: 30840792 PMCID: PMC6409218 DOI: 10.3347/kjp.2019.57.1.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2018] [Revised: 01/16/2019] [Accepted: 01/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
There is no effective treatment modality available against different forms of leishmaniasis. Therefore, the aim of this study was to improve the penetration and efficacy of selenium and glucantime coupled with niosomes and compared them with their simple forms alone on in vitro susceptibility assays. In this study, the niosomal formulations of selenium and in combination with glucantime were prepared. The size and morphology of the niosomal formulations were characterized and the effectivity of the new formulation was also evaluated using in vitro MTT assay, intra-macrophage model, and gene expression profile. From the results obtained, no cytotoxicity effect was observed for niosomal and simple forms of drugs, as alone or in combination. Niosomal formulations of the drugs significantly showed more inhibitory effects (P ≤ 0.001) than the simple drugs when the selectivity index was considered. The gene expression levels of Interleukin (IL-10) significantly decreased, while the level of IL-12 and metacaspase significantly increased (P ≤ 0.001). The results of the present study showed that selenium plus glucantime niosome possess a potent anti-leishmanial effect and enhanced their lethal activity as evidenced by the in vitro experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahshid Mostafavi
- Leishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Payam Khazaeli
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Iraj Sharifi
- Leishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Saeedeh Farajzadeh
- Department of Pediatric Dermatology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Hamid Sharifi
- HIV/STI Surveillance Research Center, and WHO Collaborating Center for HIV Surveillance, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Alireza Keyhani
- Leishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Maryam Hakimi Parizi
- Leishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Sina Kakooei
- Leishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
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Mostafavi M, Farajzadeh S, Sharifi I, Khazaeli P, Sharifi H. Leishmanicidal effects of amphotericin B in combination with selenium loaded on niosome against Leishmania tropica. J Parasit Dis 2019; 43:176-185. [PMID: 31263321 DOI: 10.1007/s12639-018-1071-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2018] [Accepted: 12/10/2018] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The strategy for improving the treatment of leishmaniasis by the World Health Organization, is the development of new drugs and combination therapy. The aim of this survey was to investigate the effect of amphotericin B (AmB) in combination with selenium, in a simple or niosomal form, on Leishmania tropica (L. tropica) by in vitro advanced assays. In this study, a niosomal formulation of AmB with selenium was prepared and characterized based on size and morphology. Using MTT assay, macrophage model, flow cytometry, and qPCR, the cytotoxicity and efficiency of the niosomal formulation and simple form of combination were evaluated. No toxicity was reported for both the niosomal and simple form of the combination. The niosomal formulation significantly showed higher inhibitory effect on the promastigote and amastigote forms of L. tropica than simple combination form. Interleukin (IL)-10 significantly decreased while the level of IL-12 and metacasoase as Th-1 activator significantly increased (P < 0.001). The findings of this study indicated that niosomes are the stable carriers for this combination, easy to produce and provide promising results as an effective formulation in the inhibition of extracellular and intracellular forms of L. tropica in compared with simple combination form.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahshid Mostafavi
- 1Leishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Saeedeh Farajzadeh
- 2Department of Pediatric Dermatology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, 76169-14115 Iran
| | - Iraj Sharifi
- 1Leishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Payam Khazaeli
- 3Pharmaceutical Research Center, School of Pharmacy, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Hamid Sharifi
- 4HIV/STI Surveillance Research Center, and WHO Collaborating Center for HIV Surveillance, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
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7
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Zhang S, Ai G, Li M, Ye Z, Zhang J. Tomato LrgB regulates heat tolerance and the assimilation and partitioning of carbon. PLANT SCIENCE : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL PLANT BIOLOGY 2018; 274:309-319. [PMID: 30080617 DOI: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2018.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2018] [Revised: 05/28/2018] [Accepted: 06/02/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The impact of extreme and sustained high temperatures on plant growth has become increasingly prominent. Heat shock cognate 70-kDa proteins play an important role in plant heat tolerance. In this study, we identified and characterized the tomato ortholog of LrgB (SlLrgB), and demonstrate that it interacts with Hsc70.1. Similar to other genes that encode chloroplast-localized proteins, the expression of SlLrgB is upregulated in green tissues and suppressed by heat shock. Functional analyses utilizing transgenic plants indicate that SlLrgB contributes to chlorophyll metabolism. Both the overexpression and the RNA interference-mediated suppression of SlLrgB led to chlorotic leaves, reduced plant height, smaller size and decreases in pigment levels in ripening fruits. However, the starch levels in the SlLrgB-RNAi lines were significantly increased and the heat tolerance of SlLrgB-RNAi was obvious elevated. Downregulating the expression of Hsc70.1 by VIGS in tomato led to retarded growth, chlorotic leaves, and increased expression of SlLrgB. Based on these data, we suggest that SlLrgB regulates chlorophyll metabolism and the assimilation and partitioning of carbon. We also suggest that Hsc70.1 and SlLrgB contribute to heat tolerance and that Hsc70.1 negatively regulates SlLrgB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiwen Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Biology, Ministry of Education, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China.
| | - Guo Ai
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Biology, Ministry of Education, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China.
| | - Miao Li
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Biology, Ministry of Education, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China.
| | - Zhibiao Ye
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Biology, Ministry of Education, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China; National Center for Vegetable Improvement (Central China), Wuhan, 430070, China.
| | - Junhong Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Biology, Ministry of Education, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China; National Center for Vegetable Improvement (Central China), Wuhan, 430070, China.
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8
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Krishnan KM, Williamson KC. The proteasome as a target to combat malaria: hits and misses. Transl Res 2018; 198:40-47. [PMID: 30009761 PMCID: PMC6422032 DOI: 10.1016/j.trsl.2018.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2018] [Revised: 04/26/2018] [Accepted: 04/30/2018] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
The proteasome plays a vital role throughout the life cycle as Plasmodium parasites quickly adapt to a new host and undergo a series of morphologic changes during asexual replication and sexual differentiation. Plasmodium carries 3 different types of protease complexes: typical eukaryotic proteasome (26S) that resides in the cytoplasm and the nucleus, a prokaryotic proteasome homolog ClpQ that resides in the mitochondria, and a caseinolytic protease complex ClpP that resides in the apicoplast. In silico prediction in conjunction with immunoprecipitation analysis of ubiquitin conjugates have suggested that over half of the Plasmodium falciparum proteome during asexual reproduction are potential targets for ubiquitination. The marked potency of multiple classes of proteasome inhibitors against all stages of the life cycle, synergy with the current frontline antimalarial, artemisinin, and recent advances identifying differences between Plasmodium and human proteasomes strongly support further drug development efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kim C Williamson
- Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland.
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION Parasitic diseases that pose a threat to human life include leishmaniasis - caused by protozoan parasite Leishmania species. Existing drugs have limitations due to deleterious side effects like teratogenicity, high cost and drug resistance. This calls for the need to have an insight into therapeutic aspects of disease. Areas covered: We have identified different drug targets via. molecular, imuunological, metabolic as well as by system biology approaches. We bring these promising drug targets into light so that they can be explored to their maximum. In an effort to bridge the gaps between existing knowledge and prospects of drug discovery, we have compiled interesting studies on drug targets, thereby paving the way for establishment of better therapeutic aspects. Expert opinion: Advancements in technology shed light on many unexplored pathways. Further probing of well established pathways led to the discovery of new drug targets. This review is a comprehensive report on current and emerging drug targets, with emphasis on several metabolic targets, organellar biochemistry, salvage pathways, epigenetics, kinome and more. Identification of new targets can contribute significantly towards strengthening the pipeline for disease elimination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shyam Sundar
- Department of Medicine, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi-221 005, UP, India
| | - Bhawana Singh
- Department of Medicine, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi-221 005, UP, India
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10
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Bibo-Verdugo B, Jiang Z, Caffrey CR, O'Donoghue AJ. Targeting proteasomes in infectious organisms to combat disease. FEBS J 2017; 284:1503-1517. [PMID: 28122162 DOI: 10.1111/febs.14029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2016] [Revised: 12/21/2016] [Accepted: 01/23/2017] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Proteasomes are multisubunit, energy-dependent, proteolytic complexes that play an essential role in intracellular protein turnover. They are present in eukaryotes, archaea, and in some actinobacteria species. Inhibition of proteasome activity has emerged as a powerful strategy for anticancer therapy and three drugs have been approved for treatment of multiple myeloma. These compounds react covalently with a threonine residue located in the active site of a proteasome subunit to block protein degradation. Proteasomes in pathogenic organisms such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Plasmodium falciparum also have a nucleophilic threonine residue in the proteasome active site and are therefore sensitive to these anticancer drugs. This review summarizes efforts to validate the proteasome in pathogenic organisms as a therapeutic target. We describe several strategies that have been used to develop inhibitors with increased potency and selectivity for the pathogen proteasome relative to the human proteasome. In addition, we highlight a cell-based chemical screening approach that identified a potent, allosteric inhibitor of proteasomes found in Leishmania and Trypanosoma species. Finally, we discuss the development of proteasome inhibitors as anti-infective agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Betsaida Bibo-Verdugo
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.,Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Zhenze Jiang
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.,Chemistry & Biochemistry Graduate Program, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Conor R Caffrey
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.,Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Anthony J O'Donoghue
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.,Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
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Antileishmanial and immunomodulatory potential of Ocimumsanctum Linn. and Cocosnucifera Linn. in murine visceral leishmaniasis. J Parasit Dis 2016; 41:76-85. [PMID: 28316391 DOI: 10.1007/s12639-016-0753-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2014] [Accepted: 03/08/2016] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The role of immunomodulation in the therapeutic treatment of visceral leishmaniasis has gained eminence in view of moderate to severe drawbacks of the currently available drugs like toxicity, drug resistance and prohibitive costs. The potential for modulation of the immune system of many herbal plants can be tapped to address these problems. We conducted the present research study to investigate the antileishmanial and immunomodulatory effects of Ocimum sanctum Linn. and Cocos nucifera Linn. during the progression of visceral leishmaniasis in BALB/c mouse model. The IC50 values of the ethanolic leaf extract of O. sanctum and that of the aqueous husk-fibre extract of C. nucifera against the sodium stibogluconate (SSG) susceptible strain (MHOM/IN/80/Dd8) were found to be 73.3 and 62 µg/ml respectively. On treatment of infected BALB/c mice with the extracts, we observed a reduction in hepatic parasite load by 43.63 % (O. sanctum), 65.42 % (C. nucifera) and 75.61 % (O. sanctum + C. nucifera) at 1st post treatment day (p.t.d.), while at 15th p.t.d., the reduction was 73.61 % (O. sanctum), 76.59 % (C. nucifera) and 94.12 % (O. sanctum + C. nucifera). This was accompanied by an up-scaling of the DTH response, skewing of the humoral response towards Th1 type and hepatoprotection in the form of normalization of liver function tests. Overall, administration of the extracts of these two plants in combination as compared to their administration alone rescued the affected mice from the disease greatly, which can be attributed to their antileishmanial and immunomodulatory activities.
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12
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Rajasekaran R, Chen YPP. Potential therapeutic targets and the role of technology in developing novel antileishmanial drugs. Drug Discov Today 2015; 20:958-68. [PMID: 25936844 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2015.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2014] [Revised: 03/25/2015] [Accepted: 04/20/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is the most prevalent pathogenic disease in many countries around the world, but there are few drugs available to treat it. Most antileishmanial drugs available are highly toxic, have resistance issues or require hospitalization for their use; therefore, they are not suitable for use in most of the affected countries. Over the past decade, the completion of the genomes of many human pathogens, including that of Leishmania spp., has opened new doors for target identification and validation. Here, we focus on the potential drug targets that can be used for the treatment of leishmaniasis and bring to light how recent technological advances, such as structure-based drug design, structural genomics, and molecular dynamics (MD), can be used to our advantage to develop potent and affordable antileishmanial drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yi-Ping Phoebe Chen
- College of Science, Health and Engineering, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
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13
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Pawar H, Renuse S, Khobragade SN, Chavan S, Sathe G, Kumar P, Mahale KN, Gore K, Kulkarni A, Dixit T, Raju R, Prasad TSK, Harsha HC, Patole MS, Pandey A. Neglected Tropical Diseases and Omics Science: Proteogenomics Analysis of the Promastigote Stage ofLeishmania majorParasite. OMICS-A JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE BIOLOGY 2014; 18:499-512. [DOI: 10.1089/omi.2013.0159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Harsh Pawar
- Institute of Bioinformatics, International Technology Park, Bangalore, India
- Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Bangalore, India
| | - Santosh Renuse
- Institute of Bioinformatics, International Technology Park, Bangalore, India
- Department of Biotechnology, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Kollam, India
| | | | - Sandip Chavan
- Institute of Bioinformatics, International Technology Park, Bangalore, India
- Manipal University, Madhav Nagar, Manipal, India
| | - Gajanan Sathe
- Institute of Bioinformatics, International Technology Park, Bangalore, India
- Manipal University, Madhav Nagar, Manipal, India
| | - Praveen Kumar
- Institute of Bioinformatics, International Technology Park, Bangalore, India
| | | | | | | | - Tanwi Dixit
- National Centre for Cell Sciences, Pune, India
| | - Rajesh Raju
- Institute of Bioinformatics, International Technology Park, Bangalore, India
| | | | - H. C. Harsha
- Institute of Bioinformatics, International Technology Park, Bangalore, India
| | | | - Akhilesh Pandey
- McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
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14
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Induction of mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress in Leishmania donovani by orally active clerodane diterpene. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2014; 58:5916-28. [PMID: 25070112 DOI: 10.1128/aac.02459-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
This study was performed to investigate the mechanistic aspects of cell death induced by a clerodane diterpene (K-09) in Leishmania donovani promastigotes that was previously demonstrated to be safe and orally active against visceral leishmaniasis (VL). K-09 caused depolarization of the mitochondrion and the generation of reactive oxygen species, triggering an apoptotic response in L. donovani promastigotes. Mitochondrial dysfunction subsequently resulted in the release of cytochrome c into the cytosol, impairing ATP production. Oxidative stress caused the depletion of reduced glutathione, while pretreatment with antioxidant N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) was able to abrogate oxidative stress. However, NAC failed to restore the mitochondrial membrane potential or intracellular calcium homeostasis after K-09 treatment, suggesting that the generation of oxidative stress is a downstream event relative to the other events. Caspase-3/-7-like protease activity and genomic DNA fragmentation were observed. Electron microscopy studies revealed gross morphological alterations typical of apoptosis, including severe mitochondrial damage, pyknosis of the nucleus, structural disruption of the mitochondrion-kinetoplast complex, flagellar pocket alterations, and the displacement of organelles. Moreover, an increased number of lipid droplets was detected after K-09 treatment, which is suggestive of altered lipid metabolism. Our results indicate that K-09 induces mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress-mediated apoptotic cell death in L. donovani promastigotes, sharing many features with metazoan apoptosis. These mechanistic insights provide a basis for further investigation toward the development of K-09 as a potential drug candidate for VL.
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15
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Ramírez C, Dea-Ayuela M, Gutiérrez-Blázquez M, Bolas-Fernández F, Requena J, Puerta C. Identification of proteins interacting with HSP70 mRNAs in Leishmania braziliensis. J Proteomics 2013; 94:124-37. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2013.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2013] [Revised: 07/09/2013] [Accepted: 09/11/2013] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
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16
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Castanys-Muñoz E, Brown E, Coombs GH, Mottram JC. Leishmania mexicana metacaspase is a negative regulator of amastigote proliferation in mammalian cells. Cell Death Dis 2012; 3:e385. [PMID: 22951982 PMCID: PMC3461358 DOI: 10.1038/cddis.2012.113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Metacaspases (MCAs) are caspase family cysteine peptidases that have been implicated in cell death processes in plants, fungi and protozoa. MCAs have also been suggested to be involved in cell cycle control, differentiation and clearance of aggregates; they are virulence factors. Dissecting the function of MCAs has been complicated by the presence in many organisms of multiple MCA genes or limitations on genetic manipulation. We describe here the creation of a MCA gene-deletion mutant (Δmca) in the protozoan parasite Leishmania mexicana, which has allowed us to dissect the role of the parasite's single MCA gene in cell growth and cell death. Δmca parasites are viable as promastigotes, and differentiate normally to the amastigote form both in in vitro macrophages infection and in mice. Δmca promastigotes respond to cell death inducers such as the drug miltefosine and H2O2 similarly to wild-type (WT) promastigotes, suggesting that MCAs do not have a caspase-like role in execution of L. mexicana cell death. Δmca amastigotes replicated significantly faster than WT amastigotes in macrophages and in mice, but not as axenic culture in vitro. We propose that the Leishmania MCA acts as a negative regulator of amastigote proliferation, thereby acting to balance cell growth and cell death.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Castanys-Muñoz
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK
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