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Sharma S, Singh M, Chiranjivi AK, Dadwal A, Ahmed S, Asthana S, Das S. Structural insights into trypanosomatid Mnk kinase orthologues (kMnks) suggest altered mechanism in the kinase domain. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 277:134428. [PMID: 39097052 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.134428] [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: 05/03/2024] [Revised: 07/31/2024] [Accepted: 07/31/2024] [Indexed: 08/05/2024]
Abstract
Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) interacting protein kinases (Mnk1 and Mnk2) mediated phosphorylation of the eukaryotic initiation factor eIF4E is an important translation initiation control, in Mnk-mediated oncogenic activity and other disease conditions. Thus, Mnk kinases are an important target for therapy. Trypanosomatids are a class of kinetoplastids, some of which are protozoan parasites and cause diseases in humans. While protein translation initiation is well understood in eukaryotes and prokaryotes, there is a lack of sufficient structural information of this process in trypanosomatids. Here, we report that trypanosomatids have one orthologue of Mnk kinase with low overall sequence homology but high homology in the kinase domain and an additional C-terminal domain containing putative calmodulin binding site(s). We show that while many of the domains and motifs are conserved, homology modeling/structure prediction, docking analysis and molecular dynamics simulation studies suggest that trypanosomatid kMnk kinases, kinase domains are present in DFG-in conformation as opposed to the auto-inhibited DFD-out conformation of un-phosphorylated human Mnk1. Furthermore, we observed that several regulatory features are different in trypanosomatid kMnk kinases. Our study indicates that mechanism and regulation in the kinase domain of trypanosomatid kMnks are likely to be altered, and that they can be important drug targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shilpa Sharma
- Computational Biophysics and CADD Group, Computational and Mathematical Biology Center (CMBC), Translational Health Science and Technology Institute, Faridabad 121001, Haryana, India
| | - Mrityunjay Singh
- Computational Biophysics and CADD Group, Computational and Mathematical Biology Center (CMBC), Translational Health Science and Technology Institute, Faridabad 121001, Haryana, India
| | | | - Anica Dadwal
- Translational Health Science and Technology Institute, Faridabad 121001, Haryana, India
| | - Shubbir Ahmed
- Centralized Core Research Facility (CCRF), All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS), New Delhi 110029, India
| | - Shailendra Asthana
- Computational Biophysics and CADD Group, Computational and Mathematical Biology Center (CMBC), Translational Health Science and Technology Institute, Faridabad 121001, Haryana, India.
| | - Supratik Das
- Translational Health Science and Technology Institute, Faridabad 121001, Haryana, India.
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2
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Ogolla KO, Mugunieri LG, Mdachi RE, Wanjala KB, Mireji PO, Mang'era CM, Kurgat RK, Alusi PM, Malimo KN, Chemuliti JK. Quality, supply chain, and use of Trypanocidal drugs among camel keepers in north-eastern Kenya: A cross-sectional study. Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports 2024; 54:101095. [PMID: 39237236 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2024.101095] [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: 03/14/2024] [Revised: 07/27/2024] [Accepted: 08/02/2024] [Indexed: 09/07/2024]
Abstract
The non-cyclic trypanosomiasis (surra), caused by Trypanosoma evansi, and mechanically transmitted by biting flies, hinders camel productivity in Kenya. Trypanocides are the most commonly used drugs to control surra. However, emergence of drug resistance by the parasites is a major limitation to control efforts. There is limited information on the quality of trypanocides, the supply chain and drug-use practices among camel keepers potentially contributing to development of drug resistance in Kenya. We sought to fill this gap by conducting a cross-sectional study among camel keepers in Isiolo and Marsabit counties, Kenya. We mapped the trypanocide drugs supply chain through quantitative and qualitative surveys. We administered a semi-structured questionnaire to camel keepers to generate data on trypanocides-use practices, including the types, sources, person who administers treatment, reconstitution, dosage, route and frequency of administration, among others. Additionally, we tested the quality of trypanocidal drugs retailed in the region. We mapped a total of 55 and 49 agro-veterinary outlets and general (ordinary) shops retailing veterinary drugs in the two counties, respectively. These comprised of 29 and 26 agro-veterinary outlets, as well as 24 and 25 general shops in Isiolo and Marsabit counties, respectively. Overall, the respondents experienced 283 surra cases in the three-month recall period, which were treated with trypanocides. The majority of these cases were diagnosed by camel owners (71.7%) and herders (24.1%). A significant proportion of the cases were treated by camel owners (54.8%), herders (35.3%), the owner's son (3.2%) and veterinary personnel (1.1%) (χ2 = 24.99, p = 0.000). Most of the households sourced the drugs from agro-veterinary outlets (59.0%), followed by general shops (19.8%), veterinary personnel (2.1%), and open-air markets (0.4%) (χ2 = 319.24, p = 0.000). Quinapyramine was the most (56.9%) predominantly used trypanocide in treatment of surra, followed by homidium (19.8%), isometamidium (15.9%), diminazene aceturate (6.7%), and ethidium (0.7%) (χ2 = 340.75, p < 0.000). Only a meager proportion of respondents (15.2%) used the drugs correctly as instructed by the manufacturers. We recorded an association between correct drug usage, with the person who administers the treatment (χ2 = 17.7, p = 0.003), and the type of trypanocide used (χ2 = 19.4, p < 0.001). All the drug samples tested had correct concentrations of active ingredient (100.0%), and therefore of good quality. We have demonstrated that whereas the trypanocides retailed in the region by authorized vendors are of good quality, there is widespread incorrect handling and use of the drugs by unqualified individuals, which may contribute to treatment failure and emergence of trypanocide resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kennedy O Ogolla
- Biotechnology Research Institute, KALRO, P.O. Box 362, -00902, Kikuyu, Kenya.
| | | | - Raymond E Mdachi
- Biotechnology Research Institute, KALRO, P.O. Box 362, -00902, Kikuyu, Kenya
| | - Kennedy B Wanjala
- Biotechnology Research Institute, KALRO, P.O. Box 362, -00902, Kikuyu, Kenya
| | - Paul O Mireji
- Biotechnology Research Institute, KALRO, P.O. Box 362, -00902, Kikuyu, Kenya
| | - Clarence M Mang'era
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Egerton University, Njoro, Kenya
| | - Richard K Kurgat
- Biotechnology Research Institute, KALRO, P.O. Box 362, -00902, Kikuyu, Kenya
| | - Phylis M Alusi
- Biotechnology Research Institute, KALRO, P.O. Box 362, -00902, Kikuyu, Kenya
| | - Kelvin N Malimo
- Biotechnology Research Institute, KALRO, P.O. Box 362, -00902, Kikuyu, Kenya
| | - Judith K Chemuliti
- Biotechnology Research Institute, KALRO, P.O. Box 362, -00902, Kikuyu, Kenya
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3
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Paoli-Lombardo R, Primas N, Vanelle P. DprE1 and Ddn as promising therapeutic targets in the development of novel anti-tuberculosis nitroaromatic drugs. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 274:116559. [PMID: 38850856 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2024.116559] [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: 02/21/2024] [Revised: 05/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/10/2024]
Abstract
Tuberculosis remains the second deadliest infectious disease in humans and a public health threat due to the emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR-TB) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR-TB) strains. Therefore, it is urgent to identify new anti-tuberculosis treatments and novel therapeutic targets to prevent the emergence of resistance. In recent years, the study of anti-tuberculosis properties of nitroaromatic compounds has led to the identification of two novel biological targets, the deazaflavin (F420)-dependent nitroreductase Ddn and the decaprenylphosphoryl-β-d-ribose 2'-epimerase DprE1. This review aims to show why Ddn and DprE1 are promising therapeutic targets and highlight nitroaromatic compounds interest in developing new anti-tuberculosis treatments active against MDR-TB and XDR-TB. Despite renewed interest in the development of new anti-tuberculosis nitroaromatic compounds, pharmaceutical companies often exclude nitro-containing molecules from their drug discovery programs because of their toxic and mutagenic potential. This exclusion results in missed opportunities to identify new nitroaromatic compounds and promising therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romain Paoli-Lombardo
- Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, ICR UMR 7273, Laboratoire de Pharmaco-Chimie Radicalaire, 13385, Marseille, France; AP-HM, Service Central de la Qualité et de l'Information Pharmaceutiques, 13005, Marseille, France
| | - Nicolas Primas
- Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, ICR UMR 7273, Laboratoire de Pharmaco-Chimie Radicalaire, 13385, Marseille, France; AP-HM, Service Central de la Qualité et de l'Information Pharmaceutiques, 13005, Marseille, France
| | - Patrice Vanelle
- Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, ICR UMR 7273, Laboratoire de Pharmaco-Chimie Radicalaire, 13385, Marseille, France; AP-HM, Service Central de la Qualité et de l'Information Pharmaceutiques, 13005, Marseille, France.
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4
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Fytas G, Zoidis G, Drakopoulos A, Taylor MC, Kelly JM, Tsatsaroni A, Tsotinis A. New Lipophilic Hydroxamates as Promising Trypanocidal Agents: Design, Synthesis, SAR, and Conformational Behavior Studies. ACS Med Chem Lett 2024; 15:1041-1048. [PMID: 39015276 PMCID: PMC11247629 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.4c00111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2024] [Revised: 05/24/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/18/2024] Open
Abstract
A series of novel hydroxamic acid derivatives was designed and synthesized, and their growth inhibitory activity against bloodstream form Trypanosoma brucei was evaluated. These compounds are based on conformationally constrained, lipophilic, spiro carbocyclic 2,6-diketopiperazine (2,6-DKP) scaffolds and bear a side pharmacophoric functionality that contains an acetohydroxamic acid moiety (CH2CONHOH) linked with the imidic nitrogen atom of the 2,6-DKP ring via an acetamido portion [CH2CON(R), R = H, CH3]. Most of these analogues were active in the midnanomolar to low micromolar range against T. brucei. (S)-Isobutyl- or (S)-benzyl-substitution on the methylene carbon located between the amine nitrogen atom and carbonyl of the 2,6-DKP ring was studied. The effect of the methyl-substitution on the nitrogen atom of the acetamido portion in the side pharmacophoric functionality was also examined. Compounds 22 and 23, bearing an isobutyl- or benzyl-substituent, respectively, and concurrently a methyl-substituent, were found to be the most potent hydroxamates of this series (IC50 = 34 and 53 nM, respectively). Both had promising selectivity over the parasite compared to mammalian cells (SI = 940 and 470, respectively). Moreover, an E/Z conformational behavior study on hydroxamic acid 18 and its methyl-substituted counterpart 21 was undertaken using NMR spectroscopy and theoretical calculations.
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Affiliation(s)
- George Fytas
- Faculty
of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis-Zografou, GR-15771 Athens, Greece
| | - Grigoris Zoidis
- Faculty
of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis-Zografou, GR-15771 Athens, Greece
| | - Antonios Drakopoulos
- Department
of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University
of Gothenburg, Göteborg SE-412 96, Sweden
| | - Martin C. Taylor
- Department
of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene
and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, U.K.
| | - John M. Kelly
- Department
of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene
and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, U.K.
| | - Alexandra Tsatsaroni
- Faculty
of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis-Zografou, GR-15771 Athens, Greece
| | - Andrew Tsotinis
- Faculty
of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis-Zografou, GR-15771 Athens, Greece
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5
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Salem FM, Martin WR, Zhao X, Adbus Sayeed SK, Ighneim S, Greene M, Mohamed E, Orahoske CM, Zhang W, Li B, Su B. Synthesis and biological evaluation of orally active anti-Trypanosoma agents. Bioorg Med Chem 2024; 107:117751. [PMID: 38762979 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2024.117751] [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: 02/27/2024] [Revised: 05/01/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 05/21/2024]
Abstract
In previous studies, we developed anti-trypanosome tubulin inhibitors with promising in vitro selectivity and activity against Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT). However, for such agents, oral activity is crucial. This study focused on further optimizing these compounds to enhance their ligand efficiency, aiming to reduce bulkiness and hydrophobicity, which should improve solubility and, consequently, oral bioavailability. Using Trypanosoma brucei brucei cells as the parasite model and human normal kidney cells and mouse macrophage cells as the host model, we evaluated 30 new analogs synthesized through combinatorial chemistry. These analogs have fewer aromatic moieties and lower molecular weights than their predecessors. Several new analogs demonstrated IC50s in the low micromolar range, effectively inhibiting trypanosome cell growth without harming mammalian cells at the same concentration. We conducted a detailed structure-activity relationship (SAR) analysis and a docking study to assess the compounds' binding affinity to trypanosome tubulin homolog. The results revealed a correlation between binding energy and anti-Trypanosoma activity. Importantly, compound 7 displayed significant oral activity, effectively inhibiting trypanosome cell proliferation in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatma M Salem
- Department of Chemistry, Center for Gene Regulation in Health and Disease, College of Arts and Sciences, Cleveland State University, 2121 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH 44115, USA
| | - William R Martin
- Department of Chemistry, Center for Gene Regulation in Health and Disease, College of Arts and Sciences, Cleveland State University, 2121 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH 44115, USA; Genomic Medicine Institute, Cleveland Clinic Genome Center, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | - Xiaotong Zhao
- Department of Chemistry, Center for Gene Regulation in Health and Disease, College of Arts and Sciences, Cleveland State University, 2121 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH 44115, USA
| | - S K Adbus Sayeed
- Department of Biology, Geo. & Env. Sciences, Center for Gene Regulation in Health and Disease, College of Arts and Sciences, Cleveland State University, 2121 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH 44115, USA
| | - Sabreena Ighneim
- Department of Chemistry, Center for Gene Regulation in Health and Disease, College of Arts and Sciences, Cleveland State University, 2121 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH 44115, USA
| | - McKenna Greene
- Department of Chemistry, Center for Gene Regulation in Health and Disease, College of Arts and Sciences, Cleveland State University, 2121 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH 44115, USA
| | - Eman Mohamed
- Department of Chemistry, Center for Gene Regulation in Health and Disease, College of Arts and Sciences, Cleveland State University, 2121 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH 44115, USA
| | - Cody M Orahoske
- Department of Chemistry, Center for Gene Regulation in Health and Disease, College of Arts and Sciences, Cleveland State University, 2121 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH 44115, USA
| | - Wenjing Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, Center for Gene Regulation in Health and Disease, College of Arts and Sciences, Cleveland State University, 2121 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH 44115, USA
| | - Bibo Li
- Department of Biology, Geo. & Env. Sciences, Center for Gene Regulation in Health and Disease, College of Arts and Sciences, Cleveland State University, 2121 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH 44115, USA.
| | - Bin Su
- Department of Chemistry, Center for Gene Regulation in Health and Disease, College of Arts and Sciences, Cleveland State University, 2121 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH 44115, USA.
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6
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Chirwa KA, Francisco KR, Dube PS, Park H, Legoabe LJ, Teixeira TR, Caffrey CR, Beteck RM. Tractable Quinolone Hydrazides Exhibiting Sub-Micromolar and Broad Spectrum Antitrypanosomal Activities. ChemMedChem 2024; 19:e202300667. [PMID: 38326914 PMCID: PMC11076157 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202300667] [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: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
Nagana and Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT), caused by (sub)species of Trypanosoma, are diseases that impede human and animal health, and economic growth in Africa. The few drugs available have drawbacks including suboptimal efficacy, adverse effects, drug resistance, and difficult routes of administration. New drugs are needed. A series of 20 novel quinolone compounds with affordable synthetic routes was made and evaluated in vitro against Trypanosoma brucei and HEK293 cells. Of the 20 compounds, 12 had sub-micromolar potencies against the parasite (EC50 values=0.051-0.57 μM), and most were non-toxic to HEK293 cells (CC50 values>5 μM). Two of the most potent compounds presented sub-micromolar activities against other trypanosome (sub)species (T. cruzi and T. b. rhodesiense). Although aqueous solubility is poor, both compounds possess good logD values (2-3), and either robust or poor microsomal stability profiles. These varying attributes will be addressed in future reports.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kgothatso A Chirwa
- Centre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences, North-West University, Potchefstroom, 2520, South Africa
| | - Karol R Francisco
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Phelelisiwe S Dube
- Centre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences, North-West University, Potchefstroom, 2520, South Africa
| | - Hayoung Park
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Lesetja J Legoabe
- Centre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences, North-West University, Potchefstroom, 2520, South Africa
| | - Thaiz Rodrigues Teixeira
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Conor R Caffrey
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Richard M Beteck
- Centre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences, North-West University, Potchefstroom, 2520, South Africa
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7
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Di Chio C, Starvaggi J, Totaro N, Previti S, Natale B, Cosconati S, Bogacz M, Schirmeister T, Legac J, Rosenthal PJ, Zappalà M, Ettari R. Development of Novel Peptidyl Nitriles Targeting Rhodesain and Falcipain-2 for the Treatment of Sleeping Sickness and Malaria. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4410. [PMID: 38673995 PMCID: PMC11050014 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25084410] [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: 03/22/2024] [Revised: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
In recent decades, neglected tropical diseases and poverty-related diseases have become a serious health problem worldwide. Among these pathologies, human African trypanosomiasis, and malaria present therapeutic problems due to the onset of resistance, toxicity problems and the limited spectrum of action. In this drug discovery process, rhodesain and falcipain-2, of Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense and Plasmodium falciparum, are currently considered the most promising targets for the development of novel antitrypanosomal and antiplasmodial agents, respectively. Therefore, in our study we identified a novel lead-like compound, i.e., inhibitor 2b, which we proved to be active against both targets, with a Ki = 5.06 µM towards rhodesain and an IC50 = 40.43 µM against falcipain-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Di Chio
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno d’Alcontres, 98166 Messina, Italy; (C.D.C.); (J.S.); (N.T.); (S.P.); (M.Z.)
| | - Josè Starvaggi
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno d’Alcontres, 98166 Messina, Italy; (C.D.C.); (J.S.); (N.T.); (S.P.); (M.Z.)
| | - Noemi Totaro
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno d’Alcontres, 98166 Messina, Italy; (C.D.C.); (J.S.); (N.T.); (S.P.); (M.Z.)
| | - Santo Previti
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno d’Alcontres, 98166 Messina, Italy; (C.D.C.); (J.S.); (N.T.); (S.P.); (M.Z.)
| | - Benito Natale
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy; (B.N.); (S.C.)
| | - Sandro Cosconati
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy; (B.N.); (S.C.)
| | - Marta Bogacz
- Institute of Organic Chemistry & Macromolecular Chemistry, Friedrich Schiller University of Jena, Humboldtstraße, 10, DE 07743 Jena, Germany;
| | - Tanja Schirmeister
- Institute of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Mainz, Staudingerweg 5, DE 55128 Mainz, Germany;
| | - Jenny Legac
- Department of Medicine, San Francisco General Hospital, University of California, 1001 Potrero Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94110, USA; (J.L.); (P.J.R.)
| | - Philip J. Rosenthal
- Department of Medicine, San Francisco General Hospital, University of California, 1001 Potrero Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94110, USA; (J.L.); (P.J.R.)
| | - Maria Zappalà
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno d’Alcontres, 98166 Messina, Italy; (C.D.C.); (J.S.); (N.T.); (S.P.); (M.Z.)
| | - Roberta Ettari
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno d’Alcontres, 98166 Messina, Italy; (C.D.C.); (J.S.); (N.T.); (S.P.); (M.Z.)
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8
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Varghese S, Srivastava A, Wong SW, Le T, Pitcher N, Mesnard M, Lallemand C, Rahmani R, Moawad SR, Huang F, He T, Sleebs BE, Barrett MP, Sykes ML, Avery VM, Creek DJ, Baell JB. Novel aroyl guanidine anti-trypanosomal compounds that exert opposing effects on parasite energy metabolism. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 268:116162. [PMID: 38394930 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2024.116162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
Human African trypanosomiasis (HAT), or sleeping sickness, is a neglected tropical disease with current treatments marred by severe side effects or delivery issues. To identify novel classes of compounds for the treatment of HAT, high throughput screening (HTS) had previously been conducted on bloodstream forms of T. b. brucei, a model organism closely related to the human pathogens T. b. gambiense and T. b. rhodesiense. This HTS had identified a number of structural classes with potent bioactivity against T. b. brucei (IC50 ≤ 10 μM) with selectivity over mammalian cell-lines (selectivity index of ≥10). One of the confirmed hits was an aroyl guanidine derivative. Deemed to be chemically tractable with attractive physicochemical properties, here we explore this class further to develop the SAR landscape. We also report the influence of the elucidated SAR on parasite metabolism, to gain insight into possible modes of action of this class. Of note, two sub-classes of analogues were identified that generated opposing metabolic responses involving disrupted energy metabolism. This knowledge may guide the future design of more potent inhibitors, while retaining the desirable physicochemical properties and an excellent selectivity profile of the current compound class.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swapna Varghese
- Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia
| | - Anubhav Srivastava
- Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia
| | - Siu Wai Wong
- Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia
| | - Thuy Le
- Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia
| | - Noel Pitcher
- Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia
| | - Mathilda Mesnard
- Ensemble Scientifique des Cézeaux, 24 avenue des Landais, 63170, Aubière, France
| | - Camille Lallemand
- Ensemble Scientifique des Cézeaux, 24 avenue des Landais, 63170, Aubière, France
| | - Raphael Rahmani
- Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia
| | - Sarah R Moawad
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, 3052, Victoria, Australia
| | - Fei Huang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nanjing Tech University, No. 30 South Puzhu Road, Nanjing, 211816, China
| | - Tiantong He
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nanjing Tech University, No. 30 South Puzhu Road, Nanjing, 211816, China
| | - Brad E Sleebs
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, 3052, Victoria, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3010, Australia
| | - Michael P Barrett
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Melissa L Sykes
- Discovery Biology, Centre for Cellular Phenomics, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland, 4111, Australia
| | - Vicky M Avery
- Discovery Biology, Centre for Cellular Phenomics, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland, 4111, Australia; School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD, 4111, Australia
| | - Darren J Creek
- Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia.
| | - Jonathan B Baell
- Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia; School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nanjing Tech University, No. 30 South Puzhu Road, Nanjing, 211816, China.
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9
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Janse van Rensburg HD, N'Da DD, Suganuma K. In vitro trypanocidal potency and in vivo treatment efficacy of oligomeric ethylene glycol-tethered nitrofurantoin derivatives. Eur J Pharm Sci 2024; 192:106668. [PMID: 38065268 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejps.2023.106668] [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: 10/24/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/22/2023]
Abstract
African trypanosomiasis is a significant vector-borne disease of humans and animals in the tsetse fly belt of Africa, particularly affecting production animals such as cattle, and thus, hindering food security. Trypanosoma congolense (T. congolense), the causative agent of nagana, is livestock's most virulent trypanosome species. There is currently no vaccine against trypanosomiasis; its treatment relies solely on chemotherapy. However, pathogenic resistance has been established against trypanocidal agents in clinical use. This underscores the need to develop new therapeutics to curb trypanosomiasis. Many nitroheterocyclic drugs or compounds, including nitrofurantoin, possess antiparasitic activities in addition to their clinical use as antibiotics. The current study evaluated the in vitro trypanocidal potency and in vivo treatment efficacy of previously synthesized antileishmanial active oligomeric ethylene glycol derivatives of nitrofurantoin. The trypanocidal potency of analogues 2a-o varied among the trypanosome species; however, T. congolense strain IL3000 was more susceptible to these drug candidates than the other human and animal trypanosomes. The arylated analogues 2k (IC50 0.04 µM; SI >6365) and 2l (IC50 0.06 µM; SI 4133) featuring 4-chlorophenoxy and 4-nitrophenoxy moieties, respectively, were revealed as the most promising antitrypanosomal agents of all analogues against T. congolense strain IL3000 trypomastigotes with nanomolar activities. In a preliminary in vivo study involving T. congolense strain IL3000 infected BALB/c mice, the oral administration of 100 mg/kg/day of 2k caused prolonged survival up to 18 days post-infection relative to the infected but untreated control mice which survived 9 days post-infection. However, no cure was achieved due to its poor solubility in the in vivo testing medium, assumably leading to low oral bioavailability. These results confirm the importance of the physicochemical properties lipophilicity and water solubility in attaining not only in vitro trypanocidal potency but also in vivo treatment efficacy. Future work will focus on the chemical optimization of 2k through the investigation of analogues containing solubilizing groups at certain positions on the core structure to improve solubility in the in vivo testing medium which, in the current investigation, is the biggest stumbling block in successfully treating either animal or human Trypanosoma infections.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - David D N'Da
- Centre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences, North-West University, Potchefstroom 2520, South Africa
| | - Keisuke Suganuma
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan
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10
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Pan Z, Zhou C, Bai X, Wang F, Hong J, Fang JY, Huang Y, Sheng C. Discovery of New Fusobacterium nucleatum Inhibitors to Attenuate Migratory Capability of Colon Cancer Cells by the Drug Repositioning Strategy. J Med Chem 2023; 66:15699-15714. [PMID: 37983010 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c00281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2023]
Abstract
Recent studies revealed that intestinal microbiota played important roles in colorectal cancer (CRC) carcinogenesis. Particularly, Fusobacterium nucleatum was confirmed to promote the proliferation and metastasis of CRC. Therefore, targeting F. nucleatum may be a potential preventive and therapeutic approach for CRC. Herein, 2,272 off-patent drugs were screened inhibitory activity against F. nucleatum. Among the hits, nitisinone was identified as a promising anti-F. nucleatum lead compound. Further optimization of nitisinone led to the discovery of more potent derivatives. Particularly, compounds 19q and 22c showed potent anti-F. nucleatum activity (MIC50 = 1 and 2 μg/mL, respectively) with low cytotoxicity. Among them, compound 19q effectively attenuated the migratory ability of MC-38 cells induced by F. nucleatum. Preliminary mechanism studies suggested that nitisinone and its derivatives might act by downregulating nitroreductase and tryptophanase. Thus, the development of small molecule F. nucleatum inhibitors represents an effective strategy to treat CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhizhi Pan
- College of Pharmacy, Dali University, Xueren Road 2, Dali 671000, China
| | - Chenchen Zhou
- College of Pharmacy, Dali University, Xueren Road 2, Dali 671000, China
| | - Xuexin Bai
- The Center for Basic Research and Innovation of Medicine and Pharmacy (MOE), School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University (Naval Medical University), 325 Guohe Road, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Fangfang Wang
- The Center for Basic Research and Innovation of Medicine and Pharmacy (MOE), School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University (Naval Medical University), 325 Guohe Road, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Jie Hong
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Shanghai Institute of Digestive Disease, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Jing-Yuan Fang
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Shanghai Institute of Digestive Disease, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Yahui Huang
- The Center for Basic Research and Innovation of Medicine and Pharmacy (MOE), School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University (Naval Medical University), 325 Guohe Road, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Chunquan Sheng
- The Center for Basic Research and Innovation of Medicine and Pharmacy (MOE), School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University (Naval Medical University), 325 Guohe Road, Shanghai 200433, China
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11
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Ribeiro R, Costa L, Pinto E, Sousa E, Fernandes C. Therapeutic Potential of Marine-Derived Cyclic Peptides as Antiparasitic Agents. Mar Drugs 2023; 21:609. [PMID: 38132930 PMCID: PMC10745025 DOI: 10.3390/md21120609] [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: 11/02/2023] [Revised: 11/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Parasitic diseases still compromise human health. Some of the currently available therapeutic drugs have limitations considering their adverse effects, questionable efficacy, and long treatment, which have encouraged drug resistance. There is an urgent need to find new, safe, effective, and affordable antiparasitic drugs. Marine-derived cyclic peptides have been increasingly screened as candidates for developing new drugs. Therefore, in this review, a systematic analysis of the scientific literature was performed and 25 marine-derived cyclic peptides with antiparasitic activity (1-25) were found. Antimalarial activity is the most reported (51%), followed by antileishmanial (27%) and antitrypanosomal (20%) activities. Some compounds showed promising antiparasitic activity at the nM scale, being active against various parasites. The mechanisms of action and targets for some of the compounds have been investigated, revealing different strategies against parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo Ribeiro
- Laboratório de Química Orgânica e Farmacêutica, Departamento de Ciências Químicas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; (R.R.); (L.C.); (E.S.)
- Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR), Edifício do Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Av. General Norton de Matos s/n, 4050-208 Matosinhos, Portugal;
| | - Lia Costa
- Laboratório de Química Orgânica e Farmacêutica, Departamento de Ciências Químicas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; (R.R.); (L.C.); (E.S.)
| | - Eugénia Pinto
- Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR), Edifício do Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Av. General Norton de Matos s/n, 4050-208 Matosinhos, Portugal;
- Laboratório de Microbiologia, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - Emília Sousa
- Laboratório de Química Orgânica e Farmacêutica, Departamento de Ciências Químicas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; (R.R.); (L.C.); (E.S.)
- Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR), Edifício do Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Av. General Norton de Matos s/n, 4050-208 Matosinhos, Portugal;
| | - Carla Fernandes
- Laboratório de Química Orgânica e Farmacêutica, Departamento de Ciências Químicas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; (R.R.); (L.C.); (E.S.)
- Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR), Edifício do Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Av. General Norton de Matos s/n, 4050-208 Matosinhos, Portugal;
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12
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Carvalho DB, Costa PAN, Portapilla GB, das Neves AR, Shiguemoto CYK, Pelizaro BI, Silva F, Piranda EM, Arruda CCP, Gaspari PDM, Cardoso IA, Luccas PH, Nonato MC, Lopes NP, de Albuquerque S, Baroni ACM. Design, synthesis and antitrypanosomatid activity of 2-nitroimidazole-3,5-disubstituted isoxazole compounds based on benznidazole. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 260:115451. [PMID: 37573209 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Revised: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/14/2023]
Abstract
Chagas disease and leishmaniasis are neglected diseases of high priority as a public health problem. Pharmacotherapy is based on the administration of a few drugs, which exhibit hazardous adverse effects and toxicity to the patients. Thus, the search for new antitrypanosomatid drugs is imperative to overcome the limitations of the treatments. In this work, 46 2-nitroimidazole 3,5-disubstituted isoxazole compounds were synthesized in good yields by [3 + 2] cycloaddition reaction between terminal acetylene (propargyl-2-nitroimidazole) and chloro-oximes. The compounds were non-toxic to LLC-MK2 cells. Compounds 30, 35, and 44 showed in vitro antichagasic activity, 15-fold, 12-fold, and 10-fold, respectively, more active than benznidazole (BZN). Compounds 30, 35, 44, 45, 53, and 61 acted as substrates for the TcNTR enzyme, indicating that this might be one of the mechanisms of action involved in their antiparasitic activity. Piperazine series and 4-monosubstituted compounds were potent against T. cruzi parasites. Besides the in vitro activity observed in compound 45, the in vivo assay showed that the compound only reduced the parasitemia levels by the seventh-day post-infection (77%, p > 0.001) compared to the control group. However, 45 significantly reduced the parasite load in cardiac tissue (p < 0.01) 11 days post-infection. Compounds 49, 52, and 54 showed antileishmanial activity against intracellular amastigotes of Leishmania (L.) amazonensis at the same range as amphotericin B. These findings highlight the antitrypanosomatid properties of 2-nitroimidazole 3,5-disubstituted isoxazole compounds and the possibility in using them as antitrypanosomatid agents in further studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego B Carvalho
- Laboratório de Síntese e Química Medicinal (LASQUIM), Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Alimentos e Nutrição, Universidade Federal de Mato Grossso do Sul- UFMS, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, CEP 79051-470, Brazil
| | - Pedro A N Costa
- Laboratório de Síntese e Química Medicinal (LASQUIM), Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Alimentos e Nutrição, Universidade Federal de Mato Grossso do Sul- UFMS, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, CEP 79051-470, Brazil; Laboratório de Parasitologia Humana, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal de Mato Grossso do Sul- UFMS, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, CEP 79070-900, Brazil
| | - Gisele B Portapilla
- Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Toxicológicas e Bromatológicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto - Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, CEP 14040-900, Brazil
| | - Amarith R das Neves
- Laboratório de Síntese e Química Medicinal (LASQUIM), Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Alimentos e Nutrição, Universidade Federal de Mato Grossso do Sul- UFMS, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, CEP 79051-470, Brazil; Laboratório de Parasitologia Humana, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal de Mato Grossso do Sul- UFMS, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, CEP 79070-900, Brazil
| | - Cristiane Y K Shiguemoto
- Laboratório de Síntese e Química Medicinal (LASQUIM), Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Alimentos e Nutrição, Universidade Federal de Mato Grossso do Sul- UFMS, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, CEP 79051-470, Brazil
| | - Bruno I Pelizaro
- Laboratório de Síntese e Química Medicinal (LASQUIM), Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Alimentos e Nutrição, Universidade Federal de Mato Grossso do Sul- UFMS, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, CEP 79051-470, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Silva
- Laboratório de Parasitologia Humana, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal de Mato Grossso do Sul- UFMS, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, CEP 79070-900, Brazil
| | - Eliane M Piranda
- Laboratório de Parasitologia Humana, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal de Mato Grossso do Sul- UFMS, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, CEP 79070-900, Brazil
| | - Carla C P Arruda
- Laboratório de Parasitologia Humana, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal de Mato Grossso do Sul- UFMS, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, CEP 79070-900, Brazil
| | - Priscyla D M Gaspari
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Avenida do Café s/n Monte Alegre, CEP 14040-903, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Iara A Cardoso
- Laboratório de Cristalografia de Proteínas, Departamento de Ciências BioMoleculares, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Avenida do Café s/n Monte Alegre, CEP 14040-903, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Pedro H Luccas
- Laboratório de Cristalografia de Proteínas, Departamento de Ciências BioMoleculares, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Avenida do Café s/n Monte Alegre, CEP 14040-903, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - M Cristina Nonato
- Laboratório de Cristalografia de Proteínas, Departamento de Ciências BioMoleculares, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Avenida do Café s/n Monte Alegre, CEP 14040-903, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Norberto P Lopes
- Núcleo de Pesquisas em Produtos Naturais e Sintéticos, Departamento de Ciências Biomoleculares, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Avenida do Café s/n Monte Alegre, Ribeirão Preto, SP, CEP 14040-903, Brazil
| | - Sergio de Albuquerque
- Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Toxicológicas e Bromatológicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto - Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, CEP 14040-900, Brazil
| | - Adriano C M Baroni
- Laboratório de Síntese e Química Medicinal (LASQUIM), Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Alimentos e Nutrição, Universidade Federal de Mato Grossso do Sul- UFMS, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, CEP 79051-470, Brazil.
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13
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Possart K, Herrmann FC, Jose J, Schmidt TJ. In Silico and In Vitro Search for Dual Inhibitors of the Trypanosoma brucei and Leishmania major Pteridine Reductase 1 and Dihydrofolate Reductase. Molecules 2023; 28:7526. [PMID: 38005256 PMCID: PMC10673058 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28227526] [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: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The parasites Trypanosoma brucei (Tb) and Leishmania major (Lm) cause the tropical diseases sleeping sickness, nagana, and cutaneous leishmaniasis. Every year, millions of humans, as well as animals, living in tropical to subtropical climates fall victim to these illnesses' health threats. The parasites' frequent drug resistance and widely spread natural reservoirs heavily impede disease prevention and treatment. Due to pteridine auxotrophy, trypanosomatid parasites have developed a peculiar enzyme system consisting of dihydrofolate reductase-thymidylate synthase (DHFR-TS) and pteridine reductase 1 (PTR1) to support cell survival. Extending our previous studies, we conducted a comparative study of the T. brucei (TbDHFR, TbPTR1) and L. major (LmDHFR, LmPTR1) enzymes to identify lead structures with a dual inhibitory effect. A pharmacophore-based in silico screening of three natural product databases (approximately 4880 compounds) was performed to preselect possible inhibitors. Building on the in silico results, the inhibitory potential of promising compounds was verified in vitro against the recombinant DHFR and PTR1 of both parasites using spectrophotometric enzyme assays. Twelve compounds were identified as dual inhibitors against the Tb enzymes (0.2 μM < IC50 < 85.1 μM) and ten against the respective Lm enzymes (0.6 μM < IC50 < 84.5 μM). These highly promising results may represent the starting point for the future development of new leads and drugs utilizing the trypanosomatid pteridine metabolism as a target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Possart
- University of Muenster, Institute for Pharmaceutical Biology and Phytochemistry (IPBP), PharmaCampus, Corrensstrasse 48, D-48149 Muenster, Germany; (K.P.); (F.C.H.)
| | - Fabian C. Herrmann
- University of Muenster, Institute for Pharmaceutical Biology and Phytochemistry (IPBP), PharmaCampus, Corrensstrasse 48, D-48149 Muenster, Germany; (K.P.); (F.C.H.)
| | - Joachim Jose
- University of Muenster, Institute of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, PharmaCampus, Corrensstrasse 48, D-48149 Muenster, Germany;
| | - Thomas J. Schmidt
- University of Muenster, Institute for Pharmaceutical Biology and Phytochemistry (IPBP), PharmaCampus, Corrensstrasse 48, D-48149 Muenster, Germany; (K.P.); (F.C.H.)
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14
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Poli ANR, Blyn RC, Buenconsejo GY, Hodanu M, Tang E, Danh C, Cassel J, Debler EW, Schulz D, Salvino JM. Synthesis and characterization of I-BET151 derivatives for use in identifying protein targets in the African trypanosome. CURRENT RESEARCH IN CHEMICAL BIOLOGY 2023; 3:100047. [PMID: 38152610 PMCID: PMC10751876 DOI: 10.1016/j.crchbi.2023.100047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
Trypanosoma brucei, the causative agent of Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT) and animal trypanosomiases, cycles between a bloodstream form in mammals and a procyclic form in the gut of its insect vector. We previously discovered that the human bromodomain inhibitor I-BET151 causes transcriptome changes that resemble the transition from the bloodstream to the procyclic form. In particular, I-BET151 induces replacement of variant surface glycoprotein (VSG) with procyclin protein. While modest binding of I-BET151 to TbBdf2 and TbBdf3 has been demonstrated, it is unknown whether I-BET151 binds to other identified T. brucei bromodomain proteins and/or other targets. To identify target(s) in T. brucei, we have synthesized I-BET151 derivatives maintaining the key pharmacophoric elements with functionality useful for chemoproteomic approaches. We identified compounds that are potent in inducing expression of procyclin, delineating a strategy towards the design of drugs against HAT and other trypanosomiases. Furthermore, these derivatives represent useful chemical probes to elucidate the molecular mechanism underlying I-BET151-induced differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rebecca C. Blyn
- Department of Biology, Harvey Mudd College, Claremont, CA, 91711, United States
| | | | - Melvin Hodanu
- Department of Biology, Harvey Mudd College, Claremont, CA, 91711, United States
| | - Eric Tang
- Department of Biology, Harvey Mudd College, Claremont, CA, 91711, United States
| | - Channy Danh
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, United States
| | - Joel Cassel
- The Wistar Cancer Center Molecular Screening, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, United States
| | - Erik W. Debler
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, United States
| | - Danae Schulz
- Department of Biology, Harvey Mudd College, Claremont, CA, 91711, United States
| | - Joseph M. Salvino
- Medicinal Chemistry, Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis (MCO) Program, United States
- The Wistar Cancer Center Molecular Screening, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, United States
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15
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Rogers I, Berg K, Ramirez H, Hovel-Miner GA. Fexinidazole induced cytotoxicity is distinct from related anti-trypanosome nitroaromatic drugs. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.10.09.561529. [PMID: 37873123 PMCID: PMC10592674 DOI: 10.1101/2023.10.09.561529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
Nitroaromatic drugs are of critical importance for the treatment of trypanosome infections in Africa and the Americas. Fexinidazole recently joined benznidazole and nifurtimox in this family when it was approved as the first oral therapy against Human African trypanosomiasis (HAT). Nitroaromatic prodrugs are bioactivated by the trypanosome-specific type I nitroreductase (NTR) enzyme that renders the compounds trypanocidal. A caveat to the specificity of NTR activation is the potential for drug resistance and cross-resistance that can arise if NTR expression or functionality is altered through mutation. The outcomes of NTR bioactivation of nitroaromatic compounds is variable but can include the formation highly reactive open chain nitriles that can damage biomolecules including DNA. A proposed mechanism of action of nitroaromatic compounds is the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) resulting in the formation of trypanocidal levels of DNA damage. Fexinidazole made its way to clinical approval without a significant interrogation of its effects on trypanosome biology and a limited understanding of its mechanism of action. Early reports mentioned fexinidazole potentially affects DNA synthesis but without supporting data. In this study, we evaluated and compared the cytotoxic effects of nifurtimox, benznidazole, and fexinidazole on Trypanosoma brucei using in vitro analyses. Specifically, we sought to differentiate between the proposed effects of nitroaromatics on DNA damage and DNA synthesis. Toward this goal we generated a novel γH2A-based flow cytometry assay that reports DNA damage formation in conjunction with cell cycle progression. Here we report that fexinidazole's cytotoxic outcomes are distinct from the related drugs nifurtimox and benznidazole. Specifically, we show that fexinidazole treatment results in a pronounced defect in DNA synthesis that reduces the population of parasites in S phase. In contrast, treatment with nifurtimox and benznidazole appear accumulate DNA damage early in cell cycle and result in a defective G 2 population. The findings presented here bring us closer to understanding the anti-trypanosomatid mechanisms of action of nitroaromatic compounds, which will promote improved drug design and help combat potential drug resistance in the future. Our findings also highlight DNA synthesis inhibition as a powerful anti-parasitic drug target.
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Orlando LMR, Lara LDS, Lechuga GC, Rodrigues GC, Pandoli OG, de Sá DS, Pereira MCDS. Antitrypanosomal Activity of 1,2,3-Triazole-Based Hybrids Evaluated Using In Vitro Preclinical Translational Models. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:1222. [PMID: 37759621 PMCID: PMC10525445 DOI: 10.3390/biology12091222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 07/08/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
Chagas disease therapy still relies on two nitroderivatives, nifurtimox and benznidazole (Bz), which have important limitations and serious adverse effects. New therapeutic alternatives for this silent disease, which has become a worldwide public health problem, are essential for its control and elimination. In this study, 1,2,3-triazole analogues were evaluated for efficacy against T. cruzi. Three triazole derivatives, 1d (0.21 µM), 1f (1.23 µM), and 1g (2.28 µM), showed potent activity against trypomastigotes, reaching IC50 values 10 to 100 times greater than Bz (22.79 µM). Promising candidates are active against intracellular amastigotes (IC50 ≤ 6.20 µM). Treatment of 3D cardiac spheroids, a translational in vitro model, significantly reduced parasite load, indicating good drug diffusion and efficacy. Oral bioavailability was predicted for triazole derivatives. Although infection was significantly reduced without drug pressure in a washout assay, the triazole derivatives did not inhibit parasite resurgence. An isobologram analysis revealed an additive interaction when 1,2,3-triazole analogs and Bz were combined in vitro. These data indicate a strengthened potential of the triazole scaffold and encourage optimization based on an analysis of the structure-activity relationship aimed at identifying new compounds potentially active against T. cruzi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorraine Martins Rocha Orlando
- Laboratório de Ultraestrutura Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz Av. Brasil 4365, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil; (L.M.R.O.); (L.d.S.L.); (G.C.L.)
| | - Leonardo da Silva Lara
- Laboratório de Ultraestrutura Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz Av. Brasil 4365, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil; (L.M.R.O.); (L.d.S.L.); (G.C.L.)
| | - Guilherme Curty Lechuga
- Laboratório de Ultraestrutura Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz Av. Brasil 4365, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil; (L.M.R.O.); (L.d.S.L.); (G.C.L.)
| | - Giseli Capaci Rodrigues
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ensino das Ciências, Unigranrio Rua Prof. José de Souza Herdy, Duque de Caxias, Rio de Janeiro 25071-970, Brazil;
| | - Omar Ginoble Pandoli
- Departamento de Química, Pontifícia Universidade Católica, Rua Marquês de São Vincente, 225, Rio de Janeiro 22451-900, Brazil; (O.G.P.); (D.S.d.S.)
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università degli Studi di Genova, Viale Cembrano 4, 16126 Genova, Italy
| | - Druval Santos de Sá
- Departamento de Química, Pontifícia Universidade Católica, Rua Marquês de São Vincente, 225, Rio de Janeiro 22451-900, Brazil; (O.G.P.); (D.S.d.S.)
| | - Mirian Claudia de Souza Pereira
- Laboratório de Ultraestrutura Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz Av. Brasil 4365, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil; (L.M.R.O.); (L.d.S.L.); (G.C.L.)
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Cherif MS, Keita M, Dahal P, Guilavogui T, Beavogui AH, Diassy L, Conde M, Touré A, Delamou A. Neglected tropical diseases in Republic of Guinea: disease endemicity, case burden and the road towards the 2030 target. Int Health 2023; 15:490-504. [PMID: 37232124 PMCID: PMC10472893 DOI: 10.1093/inthealth/ihad036] [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: 07/07/2022] [Revised: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) predominantly affect vulnerable and marginalized populations in tropical and subtropical areas and globally affect more than one billion people. In Guinea, the burden of NTDs is estimated to be >7.5 disability-adjusted life years per million inhabitants. Currently the Guinea NTDs master plan (2017-2020) has identified eight diseases as public health problems: onchocerciasis, lymphatic filariasis, trachoma, schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis, leprosy, human African trypanosomiasis and Buruli ulcer. In this review we discuss the past and the current case burden of the priority NTDs in Guinea, highlight the major milestones and discuss current and future areas of focus for achieving the 2030 target outlined by the World Health Organization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahamoud Sama Cherif
- Faculty of Sciences and Health Technics, Gamal Abdel Nasser University of Conakry, Conakry, Guinea
- Direction Regionale de la Santé de Faranah, Ministère de la santé et de l'hygiène publique, Faranah, Guinea
- Service de Pediatrie, Hospital National Ignace Deen, Ministère de la santé et de l'Hygiène Publique, Conakry, Guinea
| | - Mory Keita
- World Health Organization, Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean, Cairo, Egypt
- Institute of Global Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Prabin Dahal
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Timothé Guilavogui
- Management and Programmes Coordination, Ministry of Health, Conakry, Guinea
| | - Abdoul Habib Beavogui
- Faculty of Sciences and Health Technics, Gamal Abdel Nasser University of Conakry, Conakry, Guinea
- Centre National de Formation et Recherche en Sante Rurale de Maferinyah, Maferinyah, Guinea
| | - Lamine Diassy
- World Health Organization, Guinea office, Landreah, Corniche Nord, Boîte postale 817, Conakry, Guinea
| | - Mohamed Conde
- Service de Pediatrie, Hospital National Ignace Deen, Ministère de la santé et de l'Hygiène Publique, Conakry, Guinea
| | - Abdoulaye Touré
- Faculty of Sciences and Health Technics, Gamal Abdel Nasser University of Conakry, Conakry, Guinea
- Institut National de Santé Publique, Ministère de la Santé et de l'Hygiène Publique, Conakry, Guinea
| | - Alexandre Delamou
- Faculty of Sciences and Health Technics, Gamal Abdel Nasser University of Conakry, Conakry, Guinea
- Centre National de Formation et Recherche en Sante Rurale de Maferinyah, Maferinyah, Guinea
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18
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McInturff EL, France SP, Leverett CA, Flick AC, Lindsey EA, Berritt S, Carney DW, DeForest JC, Ding HX, Fink SJ, Gibson TS, Gray K, Hubbell AK, Johnson AM, Liu Y, Mahapatra S, McAlpine IJ, Watson RB, O'Donnell CJ. Synthetic Approaches to the New Drugs Approved During 2021. J Med Chem 2023; 66:10150-10201. [PMID: 37528515 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c00501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/03/2023]
Abstract
Each year, new drugs are introduced to the market, representing structures that have affinity for biological targets implicated in human diseases and conditions. These new chemical entities (NCEs), particularly small molecules and antibody-drug conjugates, provide insight into molecular recognition and serve as potential leads for the design of future medicines. This annual review is part of a continuing series highlighting the most likely process-scale synthetic approaches to 35 NCEs that were first approved anywhere in the world during 2021.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma L McInturff
- Groton Laboratories, Pfizer Worldwide Research and Development, 445 Eastern Point Road, Groton, Connecticut 06340, United States
| | - Scott P France
- Process Research & Development, Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, New Jersey 07065, United States
| | - Carolyn A Leverett
- Groton Laboratories, Pfizer Worldwide Research and Development, 445 Eastern Point Road, Groton, Connecticut 06340, United States
| | - Andrew C Flick
- Takeda Pharmaceuticals, 9625 Towne Centre Drive, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Erick A Lindsey
- Takeda Pharmaceuticals, 9625 Towne Centre Drive, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Simon Berritt
- Groton Laboratories, Pfizer Worldwide Research and Development, 445 Eastern Point Road, Groton, Connecticut 06340, United States
| | - Daniel W Carney
- Takeda Pharmaceuticals, 9625 Towne Centre Drive, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Jacob C DeForest
- La Jolla Laboratories, Pfizer Worldwide Research and Development, 10777 Science Center Drive, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Hong X Ding
- Pharmacodia (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Beijing, 100085, China
| | - Sarah J Fink
- Takeda Pharmaceuticals, 125 Binney Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
| | - Tony S Gibson
- Takeda Pharmaceuticals, 9625 Towne Centre Drive, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Kaitlyn Gray
- Groton Laboratories, Pfizer Worldwide Research and Development, 445 Eastern Point Road, Groton, Connecticut 06340, United States
| | - Aran K Hubbell
- Groton Laboratories, Pfizer Worldwide Research and Development, 445 Eastern Point Road, Groton, Connecticut 06340, United States
| | - Amber M Johnson
- Groton Laboratories, Pfizer Worldwide Research and Development, 445 Eastern Point Road, Groton, Connecticut 06340, United States
| | - Yiyang Liu
- Groton Laboratories, Pfizer Worldwide Research and Development, 445 Eastern Point Road, Groton, Connecticut 06340, United States
| | - Subham Mahapatra
- Groton Laboratories, Pfizer Worldwide Research and Development, 445 Eastern Point Road, Groton, Connecticut 06340, United States
| | - Indrawan J McAlpine
- Genesis Therapeutics, 11568 Sorrento Valley Road, Suite 8, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Rebecca B Watson
- La Jolla Laboratories, Pfizer Worldwide Research and Development, 10777 Science Center Drive, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Christopher J O'Donnell
- Groton Laboratories, Pfizer Worldwide Research and Development, 445 Eastern Point Road, Groton, Connecticut 06340, United States
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19
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Jamabo M, Mahlalela M, Edkins AL, Boshoff A. Tackling Sleeping Sickness: Current and Promising Therapeutics and Treatment Strategies. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12529. [PMID: 37569903 PMCID: PMC10420020 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241512529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Revised: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Human African trypanosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease caused by the extracellular protozoan parasite Trypanosoma brucei, and targeted for eradication by 2030. The COVID-19 pandemic contributed to the lengthening of the proposed time frame for eliminating human African trypanosomiasis as control programs were interrupted. Armed with extensive antigenic variation and the depletion of the B cell population during an infectious cycle, attempts to develop a vaccine have remained unachievable. With the absence of a vaccine, control of the disease has relied heavily on intensive screening measures and the use of drugs. The chemotherapeutics previously available for disease management were plagued by issues such as toxicity, resistance, and difficulty in administration. The approval of the latest and first oral drug, fexinidazole, is a major chemotherapeutic achievement for the treatment of human African trypanosomiasis in the past few decades. Timely and accurate diagnosis is essential for effective treatment, while poor compliance and resistance remain outstanding challenges. Drug discovery is on-going, and herein we review the recent advances in anti-trypanosomal drug discovery, including novel potential drug targets. The numerous challenges associated with disease eradication will also be addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miebaka Jamabo
- Biotechnology Innovation Centre, Rhodes University, Makhanda 6139, South Africa; (M.J.); (M.M.)
| | - Maduma Mahlalela
- Biotechnology Innovation Centre, Rhodes University, Makhanda 6139, South Africa; (M.J.); (M.M.)
| | - Adrienne L. Edkins
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Biomedical Biotechnology Research Centre (BioBRU), Rhodes University, Makhanda 6139, South Africa;
| | - Aileen Boshoff
- Biotechnology Innovation Centre, Rhodes University, Makhanda 6139, South Africa; (M.J.); (M.M.)
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20
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Lemos JM, Brito da Silva MF, Dos Santos Carvalho AM, Vicente Gil HP, Fiaia Costa VA, Andrade CH, Braga RC, Grellier P, Muratov EN, Charneau S, Moreira-Filho JT, Dourado Bastos IM, Neves BJ. Multitask learning-driven identification of novel antitrypanosomal compounds. Future Med Chem 2023; 15:1449-1467. [PMID: 37701989 DOI: 10.4155/fmc-2023-0074] [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] [Indexed: 09/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Chagas disease and human African trypanosomiasis cause substantial death and morbidity, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, making the need for novel drugs urgent. Methodology & results: Therefore, an explainable multitask pipeline to profile the activity of compounds against three trypanosomes (Trypanosoma brucei brucei, Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense and Trypanosoma cruzi) were created. These models successfully discovered four new experimental hits (LC-3, LC-4, LC-6 and LC-15). Among them, LC-6 showed promising results, with IC50 values ranging 0.01-0.072 μM and selectivity indices >10,000. Conclusion: These results demonstrate that the multitask protocol offers predictivity and interpretability in the virtual screening of new antitrypanosomal compounds and has the potential to improve hit rates in Chagas and human African trypanosomiasis projects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jade Milhomem Lemos
- LabChem - Laboratory of Cheminformatics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia,74605-170, GO, Brazil
| | - Meryck Felipe Brito da Silva
- LabChem - Laboratory of Cheminformatics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia,74605-170, GO, Brazil
| | - Alexandra Maria Dos Santos Carvalho
- Pathogen-Host Interface Laboratory, Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, 70910-900, DF, Brazil
| | - Henric Pietro Vicente Gil
- LabChem - Laboratory of Cheminformatics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia,74605-170, GO, Brazil
| | - Vinícius Alexandre Fiaia Costa
- LabChem - Laboratory of Cheminformatics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia,74605-170, GO, Brazil
| | - Carolina Horta Andrade
- LabMol - Laboratory for Molecular Modeling & Drug Design, Faculty of Pharmacy, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, 74605-170, GO, Brazil
| | - Rodolpho Campos Braga
- InsilicAll Ltda, Av. Eng. Luis Carlos Berrini,1748 - Itaim Bibi, 04571-010, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Philippe Grellier
- UMR 7245 Molécules de Communication et Adaptation des Micro-organismes, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Équipe Parasites et Protistes Libres, Paris, 0575231, France
| | - Eugene N Muratov
- Laboratory for Molecular Modeling, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, 27599, NC, USA
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Paraiba, Joao Pessoa, 58059-900, PB, Brazil
| | - Sébastien Charneau
- Department of Cell Biology, Laboratory of Biochemistry & Protein Chemistry, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, 70910-900, DF, Brazil
| | - José Teófilo Moreira-Filho
- LabMol - Laboratory for Molecular Modeling & Drug Design, Faculty of Pharmacy, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, 74605-170, GO, Brazil
| | - Izabela Marques Dourado Bastos
- Pathogen-Host Interface Laboratory, Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, 70910-900, DF, Brazil
| | - Bruno Junior Neves
- LabChem - Laboratory of Cheminformatics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia,74605-170, GO, Brazil
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21
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Pardali V, Giannakopoulou E, Mpekoulis G, Tsopela V, Panos G, Taylor MC, Kelly JM, Vassilaki N, Zoidis G. Novel Lipophilic Hydroxamates Based on Spirocarbocyclic Hydantoin Scaffolds with Potent Antiviral and Trypanocidal Activity. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:1046. [PMID: 37513957 PMCID: PMC10385743 DOI: 10.3390/ph16071046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Revised: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Flaviviridae infections, such as those caused by hepatitis C (HCV) and dengue viruses (DENVs), represent global health risks. Infected people are in danger of developing chronic liver failure or hemorrhagic fever, both of which can be fatal if not treated. The tropical parasites Trypanosoma brucei and Trypanosoma cruzi cause enormous socioeconomic burdens in Sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America. Anti-HCV chemotherapy has severe adverse effects and is expensive, whereas dengue has no clinically authorized treatment. Antiparasitic medicines are often toxic and difficult to administer, and treatment failures are widely reported. There is an urgent need for new chemotherapies. Based on our previous research, we have undertaken structural modification of lead compound V with the goal of producing derivatives with both antiviral and trypanocidal activity. The novel spirocarbocyclic-substituted hydantoin analogs were designed, synthesized, and tested for antiviral activity against three HCV genotypes (1b, 3a, 4a), DENV, yellow fever virus (YFV), and two trypanosome species (T. brucei, T. cruzi). The optimization was successful and led to compounds with significant antiviral and trypanocidal activity and exceptional selectivity. Several modifications were made to further investigate the structure-activity relationships (SARs) and confirm the critical role of lipophilicity and conformational degrees of freedom.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vasiliki Pardali
- School of Health Sciences, Department of Pharmacy, Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis Zografou, 15771 Athens, Greece
| | - Erofili Giannakopoulou
- School of Health Sciences, Department of Pharmacy, Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis Zografou, 15771 Athens, Greece
| | - George Mpekoulis
- Molecular Virology Laboratory, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Vas. Sofias Avenue, 11521 Athens, Greece
| | - Vassilina Tsopela
- Molecular Virology Laboratory, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Vas. Sofias Avenue, 11521 Athens, Greece
| | - Georgios Panos
- Molecular Virology Laboratory, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Vas. Sofias Avenue, 11521 Athens, Greece
| | - Martin C Taylor
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - John M Kelly
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Niki Vassilaki
- Molecular Virology Laboratory, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Vas. Sofias Avenue, 11521 Athens, Greece
| | - Grigoris Zoidis
- School of Health Sciences, Department of Pharmacy, Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis Zografou, 15771 Athens, Greece
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22
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Ettari R. Cysteine Proteases as Validated Targets for the Treatment of Neglected and Poverty-Related Parasitic Diseases. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:10097. [PMID: 37373243 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241210097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) include 20 diverse infections mainly prevalent in tropical areas that mostly affect disadvantaged communities and women and children [...].
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Ettari
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno d'Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy
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23
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Di Chio C, Previti S, Totaro N, De Luca F, Allegra A, Schirmeister T, Zappalà M, Ettari R. Dipeptide Nitrile CD34 with Curcumin: A New Improved Combination Strategy to Synergistically Inhibit Rhodesain of Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24108477. [PMID: 37239824 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24108477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/07/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Rhodesain is the main cysteine protease of Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense, the parasite causing the acute lethal form of Human African Trypanosomiasis. Starting from the dipeptide nitrile CD24, the further introduction of a fluorine atom in the meta position of the phenyl ring spanning in the P3 site and the switch of the P2 leucine with a phenylalanine led to CD34, a synthetic inhibitor that shows a nanomolar binding affinity towards rhodesain (Ki = 27 nM) and an improved target selectivity with respect to the parent dipeptide nitrile CD24. In the present work, following the Chou and Talalay method, we carried out a combination study of CD34 with curcumin, a nutraceutical obtained from Curcuma longa L. Starting from an affected fraction (fa) of rhodesain inhibition of 0.5 (i.e., the IC50), we observed an initial moderate synergistic action, which became a synergism for fa values ranging from 0.6 to 0.7 (i.e., 60-70% inhibition of the trypanosomal protease). Interestingly, at 80-90% inhibition of rhodesain proteolytic activity, we observed a strong synergism, resulting in 100% enzyme inhibition. Overall, in addition to the improved target selectivity of CD34 with respect to CD24, the combination of CD34 + curcumin resulted in an increased synergistic action with respect to CD24 + curcumin, thus suggesting that it is desirable to use CD34 and curcumin in combination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Di Chio
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical, and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno d'Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Via C. Valeria, 98125 Messina, Italy
| | - Santo Previti
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical, and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno d'Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Noemi Totaro
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical, and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno d'Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Fabiola De Luca
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical, and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno d'Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Alessandro Allegra
- Department of Human Pathology in Adulthood and Childhood "Gaetano Barresi", University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria 1, 98125 Messina, Italy
| | - Tanja Schirmeister
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Mainz, Staudingerweg 5, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Maria Zappalà
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical, and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno d'Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Roberta Ettari
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical, and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno d'Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy
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24
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Abirami M, Karan Kumar B, Dey S, Johri S, Reguera RM, Balaña-Fouce R, Gowri Chandra Sekhar KV, Sankaranarayanan M. Molecular-level strategic goals and repressors in Leishmaniasis - Integrated data to accelerate target-based heterocyclic scaffolds. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 257:115471. [PMID: 37257213 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a complex of neglected tropical diseases caused by various species of leishmanial parasites that primarily affect the world's poorest people. A limited number of standard medications are available for this disease that has been used for several decades, these drugs have many drawbacks such as resistance, higher cost, and patient compliance, making it difficult to reach the poor. The search for novel chemical entities to treat leishmaniasis has led to target-based scaffold research. Among several identified potential molecular targets, enzymes involved in the purine salvage pathway include polyamine biosynthetic process, such as arginase, ornithine decarboxylase, S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase, spermidine synthase, trypanothione reductase as well as enzymes in the DNA cell cycle, such as DNA topoisomerases I and II plays vital role in the life cycle survival of leishmanial parasite. This review mainly focuses on various heterocyclic scaffolds, and their specific inhibitory targets against leishmaniasis, particularly those from the polyamine biosynthesis pathway and DNA topoisomerases with estimated activity studies of various heterocyclic analogs in terms of their IC50 or EC50 value, reported molecular docking analysis from available published literatures.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Abirami
- Medicinal Chemistry Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, Birla Institute of Technology and Science Pilani, Pilani Campus, Pilani, 333031, India
| | - Banoth Karan Kumar
- Medicinal Chemistry Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, Birla Institute of Technology and Science Pilani, Pilani Campus, Pilani, 333031, India; Department of Pharmacy, Koneru Lakshmaiah Education Foundation, Vaddeswaram, AP, India
| | - Sanchita Dey
- Medicinal Chemistry Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, Birla Institute of Technology and Science Pilani, Pilani Campus, Pilani, 333031, India
| | - Samridhi Johri
- Medicinal Chemistry Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, Birla Institute of Technology and Science Pilani, Pilani Campus, Pilani, 333031, India
| | - Rosa M Reguera
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of León, 24071, León, Spain
| | | | - Kondapalli Venkata Gowri Chandra Sekhar
- Department of Chemistry, Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani, Hyderabad Campus, Jawahar Nagar, Kapra Mandal, Hyderabad, 500078, Telangana, India
| | - Murugesan Sankaranarayanan
- Medicinal Chemistry Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, Birla Institute of Technology and Science Pilani, Pilani Campus, Pilani, 333031, India.
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25
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García-Estrada C, Pérez-Pertejo Y, Domínguez-Asenjo B, Holanda VN, Murugesan S, Martínez-Valladares M, Balaña-Fouce R, Reguera RM. Further Investigations of Nitroheterocyclic Compounds as Potential Antikinetoplastid Drug Candidates. Biomolecules 2023; 13:biom13040637. [PMID: 37189384 DOI: 10.3390/biom13040637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Revised: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Due to the lack of specific vaccines, management of the trypanosomatid-caused neglected tropical diseases (sleeping sickness, Chagas disease and leishmaniasis) relies exclusively on pharmacological treatments. Current drugs against them are scarce, old and exhibit disadvantages, such as adverse effects, parenteral administration, chemical instability and high costs which are often unaffordable for endemic low-income countries. Discoveries of new pharmacological entities for the treatment of these diseases are scarce, since most of the big pharmaceutical companies find this market unattractive. In order to fill the pipeline of compounds and replace existing ones, highly translatable drug screening platforms have been developed in the last two decades. Thousands of molecules have been tested, including nitroheterocyclic compounds, such as benznidazole and nifurtimox, which had already provided potent and effective effects against Chagas disease. More recently, fexinidazole has been added as a new drug against African trypanosomiasis. Despite the success of nitroheterocycles, they had been discarded from drug discovery campaigns due to their mutagenic potential, but now they represent a promising source of inspiration for oral drugs that can replace those currently on the market. The examples provided by the trypanocidal activity of fexinidazole and the promising efficacy of the derivative DNDi-0690 against leishmaniasis seem to open a new window of opportunity for these compounds that were discovered in the 1960s. In this review, we show the current uses of nitroheterocycles and the novel derived molecules that are being synthesized against these neglected diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos García-Estrada
- Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, Campus de Vegazana s/n, 24071 León, Spain
| | - Yolanda Pérez-Pertejo
- Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, Campus de Vegazana s/n, 24071 León, Spain
| | - Bárbara Domínguez-Asenjo
- Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, Campus de Vegazana s/n, 24071 León, Spain
| | - Vanderlan Nogueira Holanda
- Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, Campus de Vegazana s/n, 24071 León, Spain
| | - Sankaranarayanan Murugesan
- Medicinal Chemistry Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, Birla Institute of Technology and Science Pilani, Pilani Campus, Pilani 333031, India
| | - María Martínez-Valladares
- Instituto de Ganadería de Montaña (IGM), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas-Universidad de León, Carretera León-Vega de Infanzones, Vega de Infanzones, 24346 León, Spain
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, Campus de Vegazana s/n, 24071 León, Spain
| | - Rafael Balaña-Fouce
- Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, Campus de Vegazana s/n, 24071 León, Spain
| | - Rosa M. Reguera
- Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, Campus de Vegazana s/n, 24071 León, Spain
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26
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Rojas-Pirela M, Kemmerling U, Quiñones W, Michels PAM, Rojas V. Antimicrobial Peptides (AMPs): Potential Therapeutic Strategy against Trypanosomiases? Biomolecules 2023; 13:biom13040599. [PMID: 37189347 DOI: 10.3390/biom13040599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Revised: 03/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Trypanosomiases are a group of tropical diseases that have devastating health and socio-economic effects worldwide. In humans, these diseases are caused by the pathogenic kinetoplastids Trypanosoma brucei, causing African trypanosomiasis or sleeping sickness, and Trypanosoma cruzi, causing American trypanosomiasis or Chagas disease. Currently, these diseases lack effective treatment. This is attributed to the high toxicity and limited trypanocidal activity of registered drugs, as well as resistance development and difficulties in their administration. All this has prompted the search for new compounds that can serve as the basis for the development of treatment of these diseases. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are small peptides synthesized by both prokaryotes and (unicellular and multicellular) eukaryotes, where they fulfill functions related to competition strategy with other organisms and immune defense. These AMPs can bind and induce perturbation in cell membranes, leading to permeation of molecules, alteration of morphology, disruption of cellular homeostasis, and activation of cell death. These peptides have activity against various pathogenic microorganisms, including parasitic protists. Therefore, they are being considered for new therapeutic strategies to treat some parasitic diseases. In this review, we analyze AMPs as therapeutic alternatives for the treatment of trypanosomiases, emphasizing their possible application as possible candidates for the development of future natural anti-trypanosome drugs.
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Weinmann J, Kirchner L, Engstler M, Meinel L, Holzgrabe U. Design, synthesis and biological evaluations of quinolone amides against African trypanosomiasis with improved solubility. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 250:115176. [PMID: 36805945 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The human African trypanosomiasis is a devastating parasitic infection, which is caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma brucei and transmitted by the bite of the tsetse fly. An untreated infection usually results in death and only few drugs with significant drawbacks are currently available for treatment. Previous investigations revealed the quinolone amide MB007 as a lead compound with an excellent selectivity for T. b. brucei. Here, new quinolone amides were synthesized for deeper insights into the structure-activity relationship. Furthermore, the aqueous solubility of the compounds was analyzed, as the poor solubility of previous quinolone amides impeded in vivo studies for target identification. The biological evaluation led to the new lead structure 9f, which exhibits a promising in vitro activity against T. b. brucei (IC50 = 22 nM) and showed no cytotoxicity against macrophages. Moreover, compounds 10b and 10c were discovered, which possessed an improved solubility combined with a decent selectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua Weinmann
- Institute of Pharmacy and Food Chemistry, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Lukas Kirchner
- Institute of Pharmacy and Food Chemistry, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Markus Engstler
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Lorenz Meinel
- Institute of Pharmacy and Food Chemistry, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Ulrike Holzgrabe
- Institute of Pharmacy and Food Chemistry, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074, Würzburg, Germany.
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Urán Landaburu L, Didier Garnham M, Agüero F. Targeting trypanosomes: how chemogenomics and artificial intelligence can guide drug discovery. Biochem Soc Trans 2023; 51:195-206. [PMID: 36606702 DOI: 10.1042/bst20220618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2022] [Revised: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Trypanosomatids are protozoan parasites that cause human and animal neglected diseases. Despite global efforts, effective treatments are still much needed. Phenotypic screens have provided several chemical leads for drug discovery, but the mechanism of action for many of these chemicals is currently unknown. Recently, chemogenomic screens assessing the susceptibility or resistance of parasites carrying genome-wide modifications started to define the mechanism of action of drugs at large scale. In this review, we discuss how genomics is being used for drug discovery in trypanosomatids, how integration of chemical and genomics data from these and other organisms has guided prioritisations of candidate therapeutic targets and additional chemical starting points, and how these data can fuel the expansion of drug discovery pipelines into the era of artificial intelligence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lionel Urán Landaburu
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas (IIB), Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), San Martín, Argentina
- Escuela de Bio y Nanociencias (EByN), Universidad Nacional de San Martín, San Martín, Argentina
| | - Mercedes Didier Garnham
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas (IIB), Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), San Martín, Argentina
- Escuela de Bio y Nanociencias (EByN), Universidad Nacional de San Martín, San Martín, Argentina
| | - Fernán Agüero
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas (IIB), Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), San Martín, Argentina
- Escuela de Bio y Nanociencias (EByN), Universidad Nacional de San Martín, San Martín, Argentina
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Damasio DSDN, Antunes PA, Lages EB, Morais-Teixeira ED, Vital KD, Cardoso VN, Fernandes SOA, Aguiar MG, Ferreira LAM. A new oral self-emulsifying drug delivery system improves the antileishmania efficacy of fexinidazole in vivo. Int J Pharm 2023; 631:122505. [PMID: 36549405 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2022.122505] [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: 09/04/2022] [Revised: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to develop, characterize and evaluate the in vivo oral efficacy of self-emulsifying drug delivery systems (SEDDS) containing fexinidazole (FEX) in the experimental treatment of visceral leishmaniasis (VL). The developed FEX-SEDDS formulation presented as a clear, yellowish liquid, with absence of precipitate. The droplet size, polydispersion index and zeta potential after dilution in water (1:200) was of 91 ± 3 nm, 0.242 ± 0.005 and -16.7 ± 0.2, respectively. In the simulated gastric and intestinal media, the FEX-SEDDS had a size of 97 ± 1 and 106 ± 9 nm, respectively. The FEX retention in droplet after SEDDS dilution in simulated gastrointestinal media was almost 100 %. Antileishmanial efficacy studies showed that FEX-SEDDS was the only treatment able to significantly (p < 0.05) reduce the parasite burden in the liver and spleen of animals experimentally infected with Leishmania infantum. Our intestinal permeability data suggest that FEX-SEDDS showed no evidence of injury to the intestinal mucosa. These findings suggest that FEX-SEDDS can be a promising oral alternative for the treatment of VL caused by L. infantum.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Patrícia Andrade Antunes
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
| | - Eduardo Burgarelli Lages
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
| | - Eliane de Morais-Teixeira
- Clinical Research and Public Policy Group on Infectious and Parasitic Diseases - René Rachou Institute - Fundação Oswaldo Cruz - FIOCRUZ, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
| | - Kátia Duarte Vital
- Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analysis, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
| | - Valbert Nascimento Cardoso
- Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analysis, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
| | - Simone Odılia Antunes Fernandes
- Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analysis, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
| | - Marta Gontijo Aguiar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
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Structure-based design, synthesis and evaluation of a novel family of PEX5-PEX14 interaction inhibitors against Trypanosoma. Eur J Med Chem 2022; 243:114778. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.114778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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Zuma AA, de Souza W. Fexinidazole interferes with the growth and structural organization of Trypanosoma cruzi. Sci Rep 2022; 12:20388. [PMID: 36437273 PMCID: PMC9701812 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-23941-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Fexinidazole (FEX) is a heterocyclic compound and constitutes the first 100% oral treatment drug for African trypanosomiasis. Its effectiveness against Trypanosoma brucei encouraged the investigation of its antiparasitic potential against T. cruzi, the aetiological agent of Chagas disease. Although previous studies addressed the antitrypanosomal effects of FEX, none used electron microscopy to identify the main target structures of T. brucei or T. cruzi. In this work, we used microscopy techniques to analyze the ultrastructural alterations caused by FEX in different developmental stages of T. cruzi. In addition to inhibiting T. cruzi proliferation, with IC50 of 1 µM for intracellular amastigotes, FEX promoted massive disorganization of reservosomes, the detachment of the plasma membrane, unpacking of nuclear heterochromatin, mitochondrial swelling, Golgi disruption and alterations in the kinetoplast-mitochondrion complex. Together, these observations point to FEX as a potential drug leader for further developing of chemotherapy against Chagas disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aline Araujo Zuma
- grid.8536.80000 0001 2294 473XLaboratorio de Ultraestrutura Celular Hertha Meyer, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal Do Rio de Janeiro, Av. Carlos Chagas Filho, 373, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Cidade Universitária, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21491-590 Brazil
| | - Wanderley de Souza
- grid.8536.80000 0001 2294 473XLaboratorio de Ultraestrutura Celular Hertha Meyer, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal Do Rio de Janeiro, Av. Carlos Chagas Filho, 373, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Cidade Universitária, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21491-590 Brazil ,grid.412290.c0000 0000 8024 0602Centro Multidisciplinar de Pesquisas Biológica-CMABio, Escola Superior de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas-UEA, Av. Carvalho Leal, 1777-Cachoeirinha, Manaus, AM 69065-000 Brazil
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Drug Combination Studies of the Dipeptide Nitrile CD24 with Curcumin: A New Strategy to Synergistically Inhibit Rhodesain of Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232214470. [PMID: 36430948 PMCID: PMC9698140 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232214470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Revised: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Rhodesain is a cysteine protease that is crucial for the life cycle of Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense, a parasite causing the lethal form of Human African Trypanosomiasis. CD24 is a recently developed synthetic inhibitor of rhodesain, characterized by a nanomolar affinity towards the trypanosomal protease (Ki = 16 nM), and acting as a competitive inhibitor. In the present work, we carried out a combination study of CD24 with curcumin, the multitarget nutraceutical obtained from Curcuma longa L., which we demonstrated to inhibit rhodesain in a non-competitive manner. By applying the Chou and Talalay method, we obtained an initial additive effect at IC50 (fa = 0.5, Combination Index = 1), while for the most relevant fa values, ranging from 0.6 to 1, i.e., from 60% to 100% of rhodesain inhibition, we obtained a combination index < 1, thus suggesting that an increasingly synergistic action occurred for the combination of the synthetic inhibitor CD24 and curcumin. Furthermore, the combination of the two inhibitors showed an antitrypanosomal activity better than that of CD24 alone (EC50 = 4.85 µM and 10.1 µM for the combination and CD24, respectively), thus suggesting the use of the two inhibitors in combination is desirable.
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Mabille D, Dirkx L, Thys S, Vermeersch M, Montenye D, Govaerts M, Hendrickx S, Takac P, Van Weyenbergh J, Pintelon I, Delputte P, Maes L, Pérez-Morga D, Timmermans JP, Caljon G. Impact of pulmonary African trypanosomes on the immunology and function of the lung. Nat Commun 2022; 13:7083. [PMID: 36400767 PMCID: PMC9674601 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-34757-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Approximately 20% of sleeping sickness patients exhibit respiratory complications, however, with a largely unknown role of the parasite. Here we show that tsetse fly-transmitted Trypanosoma brucei parasites rapidly and permanently colonize the lungs and occupy the extravascular spaces surrounding the blood vessels of the alveoli and bronchi. They are present as nests of multiplying parasites exhibiting close interactions with collagen and active secretion of extracellular vesicles. The local immune response shows a substantial increase of monocytes, macrophages, dendritic cells and γδ and activated αβ T cells and a later influx of neutrophils. Interestingly, parasite presence results in a significant reduction of B cells, eosinophils and natural killer cells. T. brucei infected mice show no infection-associated pulmonary dysfunction, mirroring the limited pulmonary clinical complications during sleeping sickness. However, the substantial reduction of the various immune cells may render individuals more susceptible to opportunistic infections, as evident by a co-infection experiment with respiratory syncytial virus. Collectively, these observations provide insights into a largely overlooked target organ, and may trigger new diagnostic and supportive therapeutic approaches for sleeping sickness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorien Mabille
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene, Infla-Med Centre of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Laura Dirkx
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene, Infla-Med Centre of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Sofie Thys
- Laboratory of Cell Biology and Histology, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Marjorie Vermeersch
- Center for Microscopy and Molecular Imaging, Université libre de Bruxelles, Gosselies, Belgium
- Laboratory of Molecular Parasitology, IBMM, Université libre de Bruxelles, Gosselies, Belgium
| | - Daniel Montenye
- Center for Microscopy and Molecular Imaging, Université libre de Bruxelles, Gosselies, Belgium
- Laboratory of Molecular Parasitology, IBMM, Université libre de Bruxelles, Gosselies, Belgium
| | - Matthias Govaerts
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene, Infla-Med Centre of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Sarah Hendrickx
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene, Infla-Med Centre of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Peter Takac
- Institute of Zoology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, 84506, Bratislava, Slovakia
- Scientica, Ltd., 83106, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Johan Van Weyenbergh
- Clinical and Epidemiological Virology, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute of Medical Research, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Isabel Pintelon
- Laboratory of Cell Biology and Histology, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Peter Delputte
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene, Infla-Med Centre of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Louis Maes
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene, Infla-Med Centre of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - David Pérez-Morga
- Center for Microscopy and Molecular Imaging, Université libre de Bruxelles, Gosselies, Belgium
- Laboratory of Molecular Parasitology, IBMM, Université libre de Bruxelles, Gosselies, Belgium
| | - Jean-Pierre Timmermans
- Laboratory of Cell Biology and Histology, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Guy Caljon
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene, Infla-Med Centre of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium.
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Yuan S, Wang DS, Liu H, Zhang SN, Yang WG, Lv M, Zhou YX, Zhang SY, Song J, Liu HM. New drug approvals for 2021: Synthesis and clinical applications. Eur J Med Chem 2022; 245:114898. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.114898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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From rational design to serendipity: Discovery of novel thiosemicarbazones as potent trypanocidal compounds. Eur J Med Chem 2022; 244:114876. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.114876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2022] [Revised: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Jamabo M, Bentley SJ, Macucule-Tinga P, Tembo P, Edkins AL, Boshoff A. In silico analysis of the HSP90 chaperone system from the African trypanosome, Trypanosoma brucei. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:947078. [PMID: 36213128 PMCID: PMC9538636 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.947078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
African trypanosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease caused by Trypanosoma brucei (T. brucei) and spread by the tsetse fly in sub-Saharan Africa. The trypanosome relies on heat shock proteins for survival in the insect vector and mammalian host. Heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) plays a crucial role in the stress response at the cellular level. Inhibition of its interactions with chaperones and co-chaperones is being explored as a potential therapeutic target for numerous diseases. This study provides an in silico overview of HSP90 and its co-chaperones in both T. brucei brucei and T. brucei gambiense in relation to human and other trypanosomal species, including non-parasitic Bodo saltans and the insect infecting Crithidia fasciculata. A structural analysis of T. brucei HSP90 revealed differences in the orientation of the linker and C-terminal domain in comparison to human HSP90. Phylogenetic analysis displayed the T. brucei HSP90 proteins clustering into three distinct groups based on subcellular localizations, namely, cytosol, mitochondria, and endoplasmic reticulum. Syntenic analysis of cytosolic HSP90 genes revealed that T. b. brucei encoded for 10 tandem copies, while T. b. gambiense encoded for three tandem copies; Leishmania major (L. major) had the highest gene copy number with 17 tandem copies. The updated information on HSP90 from recently published proteomics on T. brucei was examined for different life cycle stages and subcellular localizations. The results show a difference between T. b. brucei and T. b. gambiense with T. b. brucei encoding a total of twelve putative HSP90 genes, while T. b. gambiense encodes five HSP90 genes. Eighteen putative co-chaperones were identified with one notable absence being cell division cycle 37 (Cdc37). These results provide an updated framework on approaching HSP90 and its interactions as drug targets in the African trypanosome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miebaka Jamabo
- Biotechnology Innovation Centre, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa
| | | | | | - Praise Tembo
- Biotechnology Innovation Centre, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa
| | - Adrienne Lesley Edkins
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Biomedical Biotechnology Research Unit (BioBRU), Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa
| | - Aileen Boshoff
- Biotechnology Innovation Centre, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa
- *Correspondence: Aileen Boshoff,
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Pinheiro AC, de Souza MVN. Current leishmaniasis drug discovery. RSC Med Chem 2022; 13:1029-1043. [PMID: 36324493 PMCID: PMC9491386 DOI: 10.1039/d1md00362c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a complex protozoan infectious disease and, associated with malnutrition, poor health services and unavailability of prophylactic control measures, neglected populations are particularly affected. Current drug regimens are outdated and associated with some drawbacks, such as cytotoxicity and resistance, and the development of novel, efficacious and less toxic drug regimens is urgently required. In addition, leishmanial pathogenesis is not well established or understood, and a prophylactic vaccine is an unfulfilled goal. Human kinetoplastid protozoan infections, including leishmaniasis, have been neglected for many years, and in an attempt to overcome this situation, some new drug targets were recently identified, enabling the development of new drugs and vaccines. Compounds from new drug classes have also shown excellent antileishmanial activities, some of the most promising ones included in clinical trials, and could be a hope to control the disease burden of this endemic disease in the near future. In this review, we discuss the limitations of current control methods, explore the wide range of compounds that are being screened and identified as antileishmanial drug prototypes, summarize the advances in identifying new drug targets aiming at innovative treatments and explore the state-of-art vaccine development field, including immunomodulation strategies.
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Panecka-Hofman J, Poehner I, Wade R. Anti-trypanosomatid structure-based drug design - lessons learned from targeting the folate pathway. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2022; 17:1029-1045. [PMID: 36073204 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2022.2113776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Trypanosomatidic parasitic infections of humans and animals caused by Trypanosoma brucei, Trypanosoma cruzi, and Leishmania species pose a significant health and economic burden in developing countries. There are few effective and accessible treatments for these diseases, and the existing therapies suffer from problems such as parasite resistance and side effects. Structure-based drug design (SBDD) is one of the strategies that has been applied to discover new compounds targeting trypanosomatid-borne diseases. AREAS COVERED We review the current literature (mostly over the last 5 years, searched in PubMed database on Nov 11th 2021) on the application of structure-based drug design approaches to identify new anti-trypanosomatidic compounds that interfere with a validated target biochemical pathway, the trypanosomatid folate pathway. EXPERT OPINION The application of structure-based drug design approaches to perturb the trypanosomatid folate pathway has successfully provided many new inhibitors with good selectivity profiles, most of which are natural products or their derivatives or have scaffolds of known drugs. However, the inhibitory effect against the target protein(s) often does not translate to anti-parasitic activity. Further progress is hampered by our incomplete understanding of parasite biology and biochemistry, which is necessary to complement SBDD in a multiparameter optimization approach to discovering selective anti-parasitic drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Panecka-Hofman
- Division of Biophysics, Institute of Experimental Physics, Faculty of Physics, University of Warsaw, Pasteura 5a, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Ina Poehner
- School of Pharmacy, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Yliopistonranta 1C, PO Box 1627, FI-70211 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Rebecca Wade
- Center for Molecular Biology (ZMBH), Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 282, Heidelberg 69120, Germany.,Heidelberg Institute for Theoretical Studies (HITS), Schloß-Wolfsbrunnenweg 35, Heidelberg 69118, Germany.,DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance and Interdisciplinary Center for Scientific Computing (IWR), Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 205, Heidelberg 69120, Germany
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Small molecule mediated inhibition of protein cargo recognition by peroxisomal transport receptor PEX5 is toxic to Trypanosoma. Sci Rep 2022; 12:14705. [PMID: 36038611 PMCID: PMC9424529 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-18841-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Trypanosomiases are life-threatening infections of humans and livestock, and novel effective therapeutic approaches are needed. Trypanosoma compartmentalize glycolysis into specialized organelles termed glycosomes. Most of the trypanosomal glycolytic enzymes harbor a peroxisomal targeting signal-1 (PTS1) which is recognized by the soluble receptor PEX5 to facilitate docking and translocation of the cargo into the glycosomal lumen. Given its pivotal role in the glycosomal protein import, the PEX5–PTS1 interaction represents a potential target to inhibit import of glycolytic enzymes and thus kill the parasite. We developed a fluorescence polarization (FP)-based assay for monitoring the PEX5–PTS1 interaction and performed a High Throughput Screening (HTS) campaign to identify small molecule inhibitors of the interaction. Six of the identified hits passed orthogonal selection criteria and were found to inhibit parasite growth in cell culture. Our results validate PEX5 as a target for small molecule inhibitors and provide scaffolds suitable for further pre-clinical development of novel trypanocidal compounds.
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Mousavi A, Foroumadi P, Emamgholipour Z, Mäser P, Kaiser M, Foroumadi A. 2-(Nitroaryl)-5-Substituted-1,3,4-Thiadiazole Derivatives with Antiprotozoal Activities: In Vitro and In Vivo Study. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27175559. [PMID: 36080325 PMCID: PMC9457997 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27175559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Revised: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Nitro-containing compounds are a well-known class of anti-infective agents, especially in the field of anti-parasitic drug discovery. HAT or sleeping sickness is a neglected tropical disease caused by a protozoan parasite, Trypanosoma brucei. Following the approval of fexinidazole as the first oral treatment for both stages of T. b. gambiense HAT, there is an increased interest in developing new nitro-containing compounds against parasitic diseases. In our previous projects, we synthesized several megazole derivatives that presented high activity against Leishmania major promastigotes. Here, we screened and evaluated their trypanocidal activity. Most of the compounds showed submicromolar IC50 against the BSF form of T. b. rhodesiense (STIB 900). To the best of our knowledge, compound 18c is one of the most potent nitro-containing agents reported against HAT in vitro. Compound 18g revealed an acceptable cure rate in the acute mouse model of HAT, accompanied with noteworthy in vitro activity against T. brucei, T. cruzi, and L. donovani. Taken together, these results suggest that these compounds are promising candidates to evaluate their pharmacokinetic and biological profiles in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alireza Mousavi
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1417614411, Iran
| | - Parham Foroumadi
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, International Campus, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1417614411, Iran
| | - Zahra Emamgholipour
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1417614411, Iran
| | - Pascal Mäser
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, 4123 Allschwil, Switzerland
- Faculty of Science, University of Basel, 4002 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Marcel Kaiser
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, 4123 Allschwil, Switzerland
- Faculty of Science, University of Basel, 4002 Basel, Switzerland
- Correspondence: (M.K.); (A.F.)
| | - Alireza Foroumadi
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1417614411, Iran
- Drug Design and Development Research Center, The Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (TIPS), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1417614411, Iran
- Correspondence: (M.K.); (A.F.)
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Kushwaha V, Capalash N. Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase (AARS) as an attractive drug target in neglected tropical trypanosomatid diseases-Leishmaniasis, Human African Trypanosomiasis and Chagas disease. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2022; 251:111510. [PMID: 35988745 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2022.111510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Revised: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
Abstract
TriTryp diseases (Leishmaniasis, Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT), and Chagas disease) are devastating parasitic neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) that affect billions of people in developing countries, cause high mortality in humans, and impose a large socio-economic burden. The current treatment options against tritryp diseases are suboptimal and challenging due to the emergence of resistance against available tritryp drugs. Hence, designing and developing effective anti-tritryp drugs with novel targets are required. Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (AARSs) involved in specific aminoacylation of transfer RNAs (tRNAs), interrupt protein synthesis through inhibitors, and retard the parasite growth. AaRSs have long been studied as therapeutic targets in bacteria, and three aaRS inhibitors, mupirocin (against IleRS), tavaborole AN2690 (against LeuRS), and halofuginone (against ProRS), are already in clinical practice. The structural differences between tritryp and human aaRSs and the presence of unique sequences (N-terminal domain/C-terminal domain/catalytic domain) make them potential target for developing selective inhibitors. Drugs based on a single aaRS target developed by high-throughput screening (HTS) are less effective due to the emergence of resistance. However, designing multi-targeted drugs may be a better strategy for resistance development. In this perspective, we discuss the characteristics of tritryp aaRSs, sequence conservation in their orthologs and their peculiarities, recent advancements towards the single-target and multi-target aaRS inhibitors developed through rational design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vikas Kushwaha
- Department of Biotechnology, Panjab University, Sector-25, South Campus, Chandigarh 160025, India.
| | - Neena Capalash
- Department of Biotechnology, Panjab University, Sector-25, South Campus, Chandigarh 160025, India.
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Paoli-Lombardo R, Primas N, Bourgeade-Delmas S, Hutter S, Sournia-Saquet A, Boudot C, Brenot E, Castera-Ducros C, Corvaisier S, Since M, Malzert-Fréon A, Courtioux B, Valentin A, Verhaeghe P, Azas N, Rathelot P, Vanelle P. Improving Aqueous Solubility and In Vitro Pharmacokinetic Properties of the 3-Nitroimidazo[1,2- a]pyridine Antileishmanial Pharmacophore. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15080998. [PMID: 36015146 PMCID: PMC9415646 DOI: 10.3390/ph15080998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Revised: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 10/25/2022] Open
Abstract
An antileishmanial structure−activity relationship (SAR) study focused on positions 2 and 8 of the imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine ring was conducted through the synthesis of 22 new derivatives. After being screened on the promatigote and axenic amastigote stages of Leishmania donovani and L. infantum, the best compounds were tested against the intracellular amastigote stage of L. infantum and evaluated regarding their in vitro physicochemical and pharmacokinetic properties, leading to the discovery of a new antileishmanial6-chloro-3-nitro-8-(pyridin-4-yl)-2-[(3,3,3-trifluoropropylsulfonyl)methyl]imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine hit. It displayed low cytotoxicities on both HepG2 and THP1 cell lines (CC50 > 100 µM) associated with a good activity against the intracellular amastigote stage of L. infantum (EC50 = 3.7 µM versus 0.4 and 15.9 µM for miltefosine and fexinidazole, used as antileishmanial drug references). Moreover, in comparison with previously reported derivatives in the studied series, this compound displayed greatly improved aqueous solubility, good mouse microsomal stability (T1/2 > 40 min) and high gastrointestinal permeability in a PAMPA model, making it an ideal candidate for further in vivo studies on an infectious mouse model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romain Paoli-Lombardo
- CNRS, ICR UMR 7273, Team Pharmaco-Chimie Radicalaire, Faculté de Pharmacie, Aix Marseille University, 27 Boulevard Jean Moulin, CS30064, CEDEX 05, 13385 Marseille, France
| | - Nicolas Primas
- CNRS, ICR UMR 7273, Team Pharmaco-Chimie Radicalaire, Faculté de Pharmacie, Aix Marseille University, 27 Boulevard Jean Moulin, CS30064, CEDEX 05, 13385 Marseille, France
- Service Central de la Qualité et de l’Information Pharmaceutiques, Hôpital de la Conception, AP-HM, 13005 Marseille, France
- Correspondence: (N.P.); (S.B.-D.); (P.V.)
| | - Sandra Bourgeade-Delmas
- UMR 152 PHARMA-DEV, IRD, UPS, Université de Toulouse, 31062 Toulouse, France
- Correspondence: (N.P.); (S.B.-D.); (P.V.)
| | - Sébastien Hutter
- IHU Méditerranée Infection, UMR VITROME-Tropical Eukaryotic Pathogens, Aix Marseille University, 19–21 Boulevard Jean Moulin, 13005 Marseille, France
| | | | - Clotilde Boudot
- UMR Inserm 1094, Neuroépidémiologie Tropicale, Faculté de Pharmacie, Université de Limoges, 2 Rue Du Dr. Marcland, 87025 Limoges, France
| | - Emilie Brenot
- UMR Inserm 1094, Neuroépidémiologie Tropicale, Faculté de Pharmacie, Université de Limoges, 2 Rue Du Dr. Marcland, 87025 Limoges, France
| | - Caroline Castera-Ducros
- CNRS, ICR UMR 7273, Team Pharmaco-Chimie Radicalaire, Faculté de Pharmacie, Aix Marseille University, 27 Boulevard Jean Moulin, CS30064, CEDEX 05, 13385 Marseille, France
- Service Central de la Qualité et de l’Information Pharmaceutiques, Hôpital de la Conception, AP-HM, 13005 Marseille, France
| | | | - Marc Since
- UNICAEN, CERMN, Normandie University, 14000 Caen, France
| | | | - Bertrand Courtioux
- UMR Inserm 1094, Neuroépidémiologie Tropicale, Faculté de Pharmacie, Université de Limoges, 2 Rue Du Dr. Marcland, 87025 Limoges, France
| | - Alexis Valentin
- UMR 152 PHARMA-DEV, IRD, UPS, Université de Toulouse, 31062 Toulouse, France
| | - Pierre Verhaeghe
- CNRS, UPS, LCC-CNRS, Université de Toulouse, 31077 Toulouse, France
- Service de Pharmacie, CHU de Nîmes, 30029 Nîmes, France
| | - Nadine Azas
- IHU Méditerranée Infection, UMR VITROME-Tropical Eukaryotic Pathogens, Aix Marseille University, 19–21 Boulevard Jean Moulin, 13005 Marseille, France
| | - Pascal Rathelot
- CNRS, ICR UMR 7273, Team Pharmaco-Chimie Radicalaire, Faculté de Pharmacie, Aix Marseille University, 27 Boulevard Jean Moulin, CS30064, CEDEX 05, 13385 Marseille, France
- Service Central de la Qualité et de l’Information Pharmaceutiques, Hôpital de la Conception, AP-HM, 13005 Marseille, France
| | - Patrice Vanelle
- CNRS, ICR UMR 7273, Team Pharmaco-Chimie Radicalaire, Faculté de Pharmacie, Aix Marseille University, 27 Boulevard Jean Moulin, CS30064, CEDEX 05, 13385 Marseille, France
- Service Central de la Qualité et de l’Information Pharmaceutiques, Hôpital de la Conception, AP-HM, 13005 Marseille, France
- Correspondence: (N.P.); (S.B.-D.); (P.V.)
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Kayki-Mutlu G, Aksoyalp ZS, Wojnowski L, Michel MC. A year in pharmacology: new drugs approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in 2021. NAUNYN-SCHMIEDEBERG'S ARCHIVES OF PHARMACOLOGY 2022; 395:867-885. [PMID: 35543739 PMCID: PMC9091141 DOI: 10.1007/s00210-022-02250-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The second year of the COVID-19 pandemic had no adverse effect on the number of new drug approvals by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Quite the contrary, with a total of 50 new drugs, 2021 belongs to the most successful FDA years. We assign these new drugs to one of three levels of innovation: (1) first drug against a condition ("first-in-indication"), (2) first drug using a novel molecular mechanism ("first-in-class"), and (3) "next-in-class", i.e., a drug using an already exploited molecular mechanism. We identify 21 first-in-class, 28 next-in-class, and only one first-in-indication drugs. By treatment area, the largest group is once again cancer drugs, many of which target specific genetic alterations. Every second drug approved in 2021 targets an orphan disease, half of them being cancers. Small molecules continue to dominate new drug approvals, followed by antibodies and non-antibody biopharmaceuticals. In 2021, the FDA continued to approve drugs without strong evidence of clinical effects, best exemplified by the aducanumab controversy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gizem Kayki-Mutlu
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Zinnet Sevval Aksoyalp
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Izmir Katip Celebi University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Leszek Wojnowski
- Department of Pharmacology, University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg University, Langenbeckstr. 1, 55118 Mainz, Germany
| | - Martin C. Michel
- Department of Pharmacology, University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg University, Langenbeckstr. 1, 55118 Mainz, Germany
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Previti S, Ettari R, Calcaterra E, Di Chio C, Ravichandran R, Zimmer C, Hammerschmidt S, Wagner A, Bogacz M, Cosconati S, Schirmeister T, Zappalà M. Development of Urea-Bond-Containing Michael Acceptors as Antitrypanosomal Agents Targeting Rhodesain. ACS Med Chem Lett 2022; 13:1083-1090. [PMID: 35859868 PMCID: PMC9290002 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.2c00084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
![]()
Human African Trypanosomiasis
(HAT) is a neglected tropical disease
widespread in sub-Saharan Africa. Rhodesain, a cysteine protease of Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense, has been identified as a
valid target for the development of anti-HAT agents. Herein, we report
a series of urea-bond-containing Michael acceptors, which were demonstrated
to be potent rhodesain inhibitors with Ki values ranging from 0.15 to 2.51 nM, and five of them showed comparable k2nd values to that of K11777, a potent antitrypanosomal
agent. Moreover, most of the urea derivatives exhibited single-digit
micromolar activity against the protozoa, and the presence of substituents
at the P3 position appears to be essential for the antitrypanosomal
effect. Replacement of Phe with Leu at the P2 site kept unchanged
the inhibitory properties. Compound 7 (SPR7) showed the
best compromise in terms of rhodesain inhibition, selectivity, and
antiparasitic activity, thus representing a new lead compound for
future SAR studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santo Previti
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno d’Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Roberta Ettari
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno d’Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Elsa Calcaterra
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno d’Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Carla Di Chio
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno d’Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Rahul Ravichandran
- DiSTABiF, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Collin Zimmer
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Mainz, Staudingerweg 5, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Stefan Hammerschmidt
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Mainz, Staudingerweg 5, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Annika Wagner
- Institute of Organic Chemistry & Macromolecular Chemistry, Friedrich-Schiller-University of Jena, Humboldtstraße 10, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Marta Bogacz
- Institute of Organic Chemistry & Macromolecular Chemistry, Friedrich-Schiller-University of Jena, Humboldtstraße 10, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Sandro Cosconati
- DiSTABiF, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Tanja Schirmeister
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Mainz, Staudingerweg 5, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Maria Zappalà
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno d’Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy
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Venturelli A, Tagliazucchi L, Lima C, Venuti F, Malpezzi G, Magoulas GE, Santarem N, Calogeropoulou T, Cordeiro-da-Silva A, Costi MP. Current Treatments to Control African Trypanosomiasis and One Health Perspective. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10071298. [PMID: 35889018 PMCID: PMC9321528 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10071298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT, sleeping sickness) and Animal African Trypanosomiasis (AAT) are neglected tropical diseases generally caused by the same etiological agent, Trypanosoma brucei. Despite important advances in the reduction or disappearance of HAT cases, AAT represents a risky reservoir of the infections. There is a strong need to control AAT, as is claimed by the European Commission in a recent document on the reservation of antimicrobials for human use. Control of AAT is considered part of the One Health approach established by the FAO program against African Trypanosomiasis. Under the umbrella of the One Health concepts, in this work, by analyzing the pharmacological properties of the therapeutic options against Trypanosoma brucei spp., we underline the need for clearer and more defined guidelines in the employment of drugs designed for HAT and AAT. Essential requirements are addressed to meet the challenge of drug use and drug resistance development. This approach shall avoid inter-species cross-resistance phenomena and retain drugs therapeutic activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Venturelli
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy; (A.V.); (L.T.); (F.V.); (G.M.)
| | - Lorenzo Tagliazucchi
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy; (A.V.); (L.T.); (F.V.); (G.M.)
- Doctorate School in Clinical and Experimental Medicine (CEM), University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Clara Lima
- Host-Parasite Interactions Group, Institute of Research and Innovation in Health, University of Porto, 4099-002 Porto, Portugal; (C.L.); (N.S.); (A.C.-d.-S.)
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, 4099-002 Porto, Portugal
| | - Federica Venuti
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy; (A.V.); (L.T.); (F.V.); (G.M.)
| | - Giulia Malpezzi
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy; (A.V.); (L.T.); (F.V.); (G.M.)
| | - George E. Magoulas
- Institute of Chemical Biology, National Hellenic Research Foundation, 11635 Athens, Greece; (G.E.M.); (T.C.)
| | - Nuno Santarem
- Host-Parasite Interactions Group, Institute of Research and Innovation in Health, University of Porto, 4099-002 Porto, Portugal; (C.L.); (N.S.); (A.C.-d.-S.)
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, 4099-002 Porto, Portugal
| | - Theodora Calogeropoulou
- Institute of Chemical Biology, National Hellenic Research Foundation, 11635 Athens, Greece; (G.E.M.); (T.C.)
| | - Anabela Cordeiro-da-Silva
- Host-Parasite Interactions Group, Institute of Research and Innovation in Health, University of Porto, 4099-002 Porto, Portugal; (C.L.); (N.S.); (A.C.-d.-S.)
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, 4099-002 Porto, Portugal
| | - Maria Paola Costi
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy; (A.V.); (L.T.); (F.V.); (G.M.)
- Correspondence:
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Temporal and Wash-Out Studies Identify Medicines for Malaria Venture Pathogen Box Compounds with Fast-Acting Activity against Both Trypanosoma cruzi and Trypanosoma brucei. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10071287. [PMID: 35889006 PMCID: PMC9317670 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10071287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Revised: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi is endemic to 21 countries in the Americas, effects approximately 6 million people and on average results in 12,000 deaths annually. Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT) is caused by the Trypanosoma brucei sub-species, endemic to 36 countries within sub-Saharan Africa. Treatment regimens for these parasitic diseases are complicated and not effective against all disease stages; thus, there is a need to find improved treatments. To identify new molecules for the drug discovery pipelines for these diseases, we have utilised in vitro assays to identify compounds with selective activity against both T. cruzi and T.b. brucei from the Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV) Pathogen Box compound collection. To prioritise these molecules for further investigation, temporal and wash off assays were utilised to identify the speed of action and cidality of compounds. For translational relevance, compounds were tested against clinically relevant T.b. brucei subspecies. Compounds with activity against T. cruzi cytochrome P450 (TcCYP51) have not previously been successful in clinical trials for chronic Chagas disease; thus, to deprioritise compounds with this activity, they were tested against recombinant TcCYP51. Compounds with biological profiles warranting progression offer important tools for drug and target development against kinetoplastids.
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Previti S, Ettari R, Di Chio C, Ravichandran R, Bogacz M, Hellmich UA, Schirmeister T, Cosconati S, Zappalà M. Development of Reduced Peptide Bond Pseudopeptide Michael Acceptors for the Treatment of Human African Trypanosomiasis. Molecules 2022; 27:3765. [PMID: 35744891 PMCID: PMC9229991 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27123765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT) is an endemic protozoan disease widespread in the sub-Saharan region that is caused by T. b. gambiense and T. b. rhodesiense. The development of molecules targeting rhodesain, the main cysteine protease of T. b. rhodesiense, has led to a panel of inhibitors endowed with micro/sub-micromolar activity towards the protozoa. However, whilst impressive binding affinity against rhodesain has been observed, the limited selectivity towards the target still remains a hard challenge for the development of antitrypanosomal agents. In this paper, we report the synthesis, biological evaluation, as well as docking studies of a series of reduced peptide bond pseudopeptide Michael acceptors (SPR10-SPR19) as potential anti-HAT agents. The new molecules show Ki values in the low-micro/sub-micromolar range against rhodesain, coupled with k2nd values between 1314 and 6950 M-1 min-1. With a few exceptions, an appreciable selectivity over human cathepsin L was observed. In in vitro assays against T. b. brucei cultures, SPR16 and SPR18 exhibited single-digit micromolar activity against the protozoa, comparable to those reported for very potent rhodesain inhibitors, while no significant cytotoxicity up to 70 µM towards mammalian cells was observed. The discrepancy between rhodesain inhibition and the antitrypanosomal effect could suggest additional mechanisms of action. The biological characterization of peptide inhibitor SPR34 highlights the essential role played by the reduced bond for the antitrypanosomal effect. Overall, this series of molecules could represent the starting point for further investigations of reduced peptide bond-containing analogs as potential anti-HAT agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santo Previti
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Stagno d’Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy; (R.E.); (C.D.C.)
| | - Roberta Ettari
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Stagno d’Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy; (R.E.); (C.D.C.)
| | - Carla Di Chio
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Stagno d’Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy; (R.E.); (C.D.C.)
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Via C. Valeria, 98125 Messina, Italy
| | - Rahul Ravichandran
- DiSTABiF, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy; (R.R.); (S.C.)
| | - Marta Bogacz
- Institute of Organic Chemistry & Macromolecular Chemistry, Friedrich-Schiller-University of Jena, Humboldtstraße 10, 07743 Jena, Germany; (M.B.); (U.A.H.)
| | - Ute A. Hellmich
- Institute of Organic Chemistry & Macromolecular Chemistry, Friedrich-Schiller-University of Jena, Humboldtstraße 10, 07743 Jena, Germany; (M.B.); (U.A.H.)
- Centre for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance (BMRZ), Goethe University Frankfurt, Max von Laue Str. 9, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Tanja Schirmeister
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Mainz, Staudingerweg 5, 55128 Mainz, Germany;
| | - Sandro Cosconati
- DiSTABiF, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy; (R.R.); (S.C.)
| | - Maria Zappalà
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Stagno d’Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy; (R.E.); (C.D.C.)
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Curvicollide D Isolated from the Fungus Amesia sp. Kills African Trypanosomes by Inhibiting Transcription. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23116107. [PMID: 35682786 PMCID: PMC9181715 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23116107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Sleeping sickness or African trypanosomiasis is a serious health concern with an added socio-economic impact in sub-Saharan Africa due to direct infection in both humans and their domestic livestock. There is no vaccine available against African trypanosomes and its treatment relies only on chemotherapy. Although the current drugs are effective, most of them are far from the modern concept of a drug in terms of toxicity, specificity and therapeutic regime. In a search for new molecules with trypanocidal activity, a high throughput screening of 2000 microbial extracts was performed. Fractionation of one of these extracts, belonging to a culture of the fungus Amesia sp., yielded a new member of the curvicollide family that has been designated as curvicollide D. The new compound showed an inhibitory concentration 50 (IC50) 16-fold lower in Trypanosoma brucei than in human cells. Moreover, it induced cell cycle arrest and disruption of the nucleolar structure. Finally, we showed that curvicollide D binds to DNA and inhibits transcription in African trypanosomes, resulting in cell death. These results constitute the first report on the activity and mode of action of a member of the curvicollide family in T. brucei.
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Ibrahim EAA, Elmahal MGEM, Ahmed KAHM, Hasabo EA, Omer MEA. Unusual neurological presentation of second stage African trypanosomiasis in a young boy: a case report. BMC Pediatr 2022; 22:265. [PMID: 35549908 PMCID: PMC9097424 DOI: 10.1186/s12887-022-03313-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In South Sudan, sleeping sickness is a frequent condition caused by human African trypanosomiasis. There are two stages that are well-known. When the CNS is affected, especially with Trypanosoma gambiense infection, the early hemolymphatic stage and the late encephalitic stage have been observed, including mental, motor, and sensory symptoms. In this case, second-stage African trypanosomiasis manifested itself in an atypical neurological manner. CASE PRESENTATION A 16-year-old boy from South Sudan referred to Sudan National Centre for Neurological Sciences, Khartoum, Sudan suffering from non-convulsive status epilepticus, mental deterioration and behavioral changes for the last nine months. He was conscious but disorientated. Low hemoglobin concentration, elevated ESR, enlarged spleen and positive card agglutination test for trypanosomiasis was found in this patient. Electro-encephalogram (EEG) found an on-going generalized seizure activity. The patient showed improvement after management with carbamazepine and tonic. CONCLUSION Our case highlights that late second stage African trypanosomiasis with neurological complications such as non-convulsive status epilepticus should be suspected in any patient who developed progressive cognitive decline and behavioral changes following long standing history of African Trypanosomiasis and routine Electro-encephalogram EEG is the best tool to diagnose non convulsive status epilepticus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Etedal Ahmed A Ibrahim
- Consultant Neurologist, National Center of Neurological Sciences, Khartoum, Sudan.,Associate Professor of Neurology, Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Neelain University, Khartoum, Sudan
| | | | | | | | - Mohammed Eltahier Abdalla Omer
- Teaching Assistant, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Gadarif University, Gadarif, Sudan
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Lara LDS, Lechuga GC, Orlando LMR, Ferreira BS, Souto BA, dos Santos MS, Pereira MCDS. Bioactivity of Novel Pyrazole-Thiazolines Scaffolds against Trypanosoma cruzi: Computational Approaches and 3D Spheroid Model on Drug Discovery for Chagas Disease. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:995. [PMID: 35631581 PMCID: PMC9146228 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14050995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Revised: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease, a century-old disease that mainly affects the impoverished population in Latin America, causes high morbidity and mortality in endemic countries. The available drugs, benznidazole (Bz) and nifurtimox, have limited effectiveness and intense side effects. Drug repurposing, and the development of new chemical entities with potent activity against Trypanosoma cruzi, are a potential source of therapeutic options. The present study describes the biological activity of two new series of pyrazole-thiazoline derivatives, based on optimization of a hit system 5-aminopyrazole-imidazoline previously identified, using structure−activity relationship exploration, and computational and phenotype-based strategies. Promising candidates, 2c, 2e, and 2i derivatives, showed good oral bioavailability and ADMET properties, and low cytotoxicity (CC50 > 100 µM) besides potent activity against trypomastigotes (0.4−2.1 µM) compared to Bz (19.6 ± 2.3 µM). Among them, 2c also stands out, with greater potency against intracellular amastigotes (pIC50 = 5.85). The selected pyrazole-thiazoline derivatives showed good permeability and effectiveness in the 3D spheroids system, but did not sustain parasite clearance in a washout assay. The compounds’ mechanism of action is still unknown, since the treatment neither increased reactive oxygen species, nor reduced cysteine protease activity. This new scaffold will be targeted to optimize in order to enhance its biological activity to identify new drug candidates for Chagas disease therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo da Silva Lara
- Laboratório de Ultraestrutura Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Av. Brasil 4365, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil; (L.d.S.L.); (G.C.L.); (L.M.R.O.)
| | - Guilherme Curty Lechuga
- Laboratório de Ultraestrutura Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Av. Brasil 4365, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil; (L.d.S.L.); (G.C.L.); (L.M.R.O.)
| | - Lorraine Martins Rocha Orlando
- Laboratório de Ultraestrutura Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Av. Brasil 4365, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil; (L.d.S.L.); (G.C.L.); (L.M.R.O.)
| | - Byanca Silva Ferreira
- Laboratório de Síntese de Sistemas Heterocíclicos (LaSSH), Instituto de Física e Química, Universidade Federal de Itajubá, Avenida BPS, 1303, Pinheirinho, Itajubá 37500-903, Brazil; (B.S.F.); (B.A.S.); (M.S.d.S.)
| | - Bernardo Araújo Souto
- Laboratório de Síntese de Sistemas Heterocíclicos (LaSSH), Instituto de Física e Química, Universidade Federal de Itajubá, Avenida BPS, 1303, Pinheirinho, Itajubá 37500-903, Brazil; (B.S.F.); (B.A.S.); (M.S.d.S.)
| | - Maurício Silva dos Santos
- Laboratório de Síntese de Sistemas Heterocíclicos (LaSSH), Instituto de Física e Química, Universidade Federal de Itajubá, Avenida BPS, 1303, Pinheirinho, Itajubá 37500-903, Brazil; (B.S.F.); (B.A.S.); (M.S.d.S.)
| | - Mirian Claudia de Souza Pereira
- Laboratório de Ultraestrutura Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Av. Brasil 4365, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil; (L.d.S.L.); (G.C.L.); (L.M.R.O.)
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