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Caña-Bozada VH, García-Gasca A, Martínez-Brown JM, Morales-Serna FN. Evaluation of bromocriptine and plumbagin against the monogenean Rhabdosynochus viridisi: Computational drug repositioning and in vitro approaches. Exp Parasitol 2024; 261:108748. [PMID: 38593863 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2024.108748] [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: 12/17/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Monogeneans are parasitic platyhelminths that can harm the health of farmed fish. Few treatments are available against monogeneans, and the incentive to develop new antiparasitic agents is similar or even lower than the incentive for neglected parasitic diseases in humans. Considering that searching for and developing new antimonogenean compounds may require enormous investments of time, money, and animal sacrifice, the use of a computer-guided drug repositioning approach is a reasonable alternative. Under this context, this study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of plumbagin and bromocriptine against adults and eggs of the monogenean Rhabdosynochus viridisi (Diplectanidae). Plumbagin is a phytochemical compound that has recently emerged as a potent antimonogenean; however, further investigation is required to determine its effects on different monogenean species. Bromocriptine was selected through a computational approach that included molecular docking analyses of 77 receptors of monogeneans (putative drug targets) and 77 ligands (putative inhibitors). In vitro experiments showed that bromocriptine does not exhibit mortality at concentrations of 0.1, 1, and 10 mg/L whereas plumbagin at 2 and 10 mg/L caused 100% monogenean mortality after 3 h and 30 min, respectively. The most effective concentration of plumbagin (10 mg/L) did not completely inhibit egg hatching. These findings underscore plumbagin as a highly effective agent against adult monogeneans and highlight the need for research to evaluate its effect(s) on fish. Although computational drug repositioning is useful for selecting candidates for experimental testing, it does not guarantee success due to the complexity of biological interactions, as observed here with bromocriptine. Therefore, it is crucial to examine the various compounds proposed by this method.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Juan M Martínez-Brown
- Centro de Investigación en Alimentación y Desarrollo, Mazatlán, Sinaloa, 82112, Mexico
| | - F Neptalí Morales-Serna
- Instituto de Ciencias Del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mazatlán, 82040, Sinaloa, Mexico
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Chen Y, Li Y, Gao J, Yu Q, Zhang Y, Zhang J. Perspectives and challenges in developing small molecules targeting purine nucleoside phosphorylase. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 271:116437. [PMID: 38701712 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2024.116437] [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: 02/22/2024] [Revised: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024]
Abstract
As a cytosolic enzyme involved in the purine salvage pathway metabolism, purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP) plays an important role in a variety of cellular functions but also in immune system, including cell growth, apoptosis and cancer development and progression. Based on its T-cell targeting profile, PNP is a potential target for the treatment of some malignant T-cell proliferative cancers including lymphoma and leukemia, and some specific immunological diseases. Numerous small-molecule PNP inhibitors have been developed so far. However, only Peldesine, Forodesine and Ulodesine have entered clinical trials and exhibited some potential for the treatment of T-cell leukemia and gout. The most recent direction in PNP inhibitor development has been focused on PNP small-molecule inhibitors with better potency, selectivity, and pharmacokinetic property. In this perspective, considering the structure, biological functions, and disease relevance of PNP, we highlight the recent research progress in PNP small-molecule inhibitor development and discuss prospective strategies for designing additional PNP therapeutic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yangyang Chen
- Department of Neurology, Laboratory of Neuro-system and Multimorbidity and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Yang Li
- Department of Neurology, Laboratory of Neuro-system and Multimorbidity and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Jing Gao
- Department of Neurology, Laboratory of Neuro-system and Multimorbidity and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Quanwei Yu
- Department of Neurology, Laboratory of Neuro-system and Multimorbidity and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China; Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Targeted Tracer Research and Development Laboratory, Institute of Respiratory Health, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China.
| | - Yiwen Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Laboratory of Neuro-system and Multimorbidity and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China.
| | - Jifa Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Laboratory of Neuro-system and Multimorbidity and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China.
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3
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Crystallographic approach to fragment-based hit discovery against Schistosoma mansoni purine nucleoside phosphorylase. Biochem J 2021; 478:3655-3670. [PMID: 34529035 DOI: 10.1042/bcj20210041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Revised: 09/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Several Schistosoma species cause Schistosomiasis, an endemic disease in 78 countries that is ranked second amongst the parasitic diseases in terms of its socioeconomic impact and human health importance. The drug recommended for treatment by the WHO is praziquantel (PZQ), but there are concerns associated with PZQ, such as the lack of information about its exact mechanism of action, its high price, its effectiveness - which is limited to the parasite's adult form - and reports of resistance. The parasites lack the de novo purine pathway, rendering them dependent on the purine salvage pathway or host purine bases for nucleotide synthesis. Thus, the Schistosoma purine salvage pathway is an attractive target for the development of necessary and selective new drugs. In this study, the purine nucleotide phosphorylase II (PNP2), a new isoform of PNP1, was submitted to a high-throughput fragment-based hit discovery using a crystallographic screening strategy. PNP2 was crystallized and crystals were soaked with 827 fragments, a subset of the Maybridge 1000 library. X-ray diffraction data was collected and structures were solved. Out of 827-screened fragments we have obtained a total of 19 fragments that show binding to PNP2. Fourteen of these fragments bind to the active site of PNP2, while five were observed in three other sites. Here we present the first fragment screening against PNP2.
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Cardoso FJB, Xavier LP, Santos AV, Pereira HD, Santos LDS, Molfetta FAD. Identification of potential inhibitors of Schistosoma mansoni purine nucleoside phosphorylase from neolignan compounds using molecular modelling approaches. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2021; 40:8248-8260. [PMID: 33830889 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2021.1910073] [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: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Schistosomiasis is a parasitic disease that is part of the neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), which cause significant levels of morbidity and mortality in millions of people throughout the world. The enzyme purine nucleoside phosphorylase from Schistosoma mansoni (SmPNP) represents a potential target for discovering new agents, and neolignans stand out as an important class of compounds. In this work, molecular modeling studies and biological assays of a set of neolignans were conducted against the PNP enzymes of the parasite and the human homologue (HssPNP). The results of the molecular docking described that the neolignans showed good complementarity by the active site of SmPNP. Molecular dynamics (MD) studies revealed that both complexes (Sm/HssPNP - neolignan compounds) were stable by analyzing the root mean square deviation (RMSD) values, and the binding free energy values suggest that the selected structures can interact and inhibit the catalytic activity of the SmPNP. Finally, the biological assay indicated that the selected neolignans presented a better molecular profile of inhibition compared to the human enzyme, as these ligands did not have the capacity to inhibit enzymatic activity, indicating that these compounds are promising candidates and that they can be used in future research in chemotherapy for schistosomiasis.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fábio José Bonfim Cardoso
- Laboratório de Modelagem Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Exatas e Naturais, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Pará, Brazil
| | - Luciana Pereira Xavier
- Laboratório de Biotecnologia de Enzimas e Biotransformação, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém-PA, Brazil
| | - Agenor Valadares Santos
- Laboratório de Biotecnologia de Enzimas e Biotransformação, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém-PA, Brazil
| | - Humberto D'Muniz Pereira
- Laboratório de Biologia Estrutural, Instituto de Física de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, São Carlos-SP, Brazil
| | - Lourivaldo da Silva Santos
- Laboratório de Síntese e Produtos Naturais, Instituto de Ciências Exatas e Naturais, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém-PA, Brazil
| | - Fábio Alberto de Molfetta
- Laboratório de Modelagem Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Exatas e Naturais, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Pará, Brazil
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5
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de Almeida Júnior ASA, de Oliveira JF, da Silva AL, da Rocha RET, Junior NCP, Gouveia ALA, da Silva RMF, de Azevedo Albuquerque MCP, Brayner FA, Alves LC, do Carmo Alves de Lima M. In vitro activity, ultrastructural studies and in silico pharmacokinetic properties of indol-3-yl-thiosemicarbazones derivatives and analogues against juvenile and adult worms of S. mansoni. Eur J Pharm Sci 2019; 138:104985. [PMID: 31283945 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejps.2019.104985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2019] [Revised: 06/21/2019] [Accepted: 07/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The present work aimed to carry out in vitro biological assays of indol-3-yl derivatives thiosemicarbazones (2a-e) and 4-thiazolidinones (3a-d) against juvenile and adult worms of S. mansoni, as well as the in silico determination of pharmacokinetic parameters for the prediction of the oral bioavailability of these derivatives. All compounds were initially screened at a concentration of 200 μM against S. mansoni adult worms and the results evidenced the good activity of compounds 2b, 2d and 3b, which caused 100% mortality after 24, 48 and 72 h, respectively. Subsequent studies with these same compounds revealed that compound 2b was able to reduce the viability of the parasites by 85% and 83% at concentrations of 200 and 100 μM, respectively. In relation to the juvenile worms, all compounds (2b, 2d and 3b) were able to cause mortality, but compound 2b demonstrated better activity causing 100% mortality in 48 h. Additionally, it was possible to observe reduction in the viability of juvenile worms of 85%, 81% and 64% at concentrations of 200, 100 and 50 μM, respectively. Several ultrastructural damages were observed when adult and juvenile S. mansoni worms were exposed to compound 2b (200 μM) that was characterized by extensive destruction by the integument, which may justify the mortality rate of cultured parasites. In the DNA interaction assay, fragmentation of the genetic material of adult worms when treated with compound 2b (200 μM) was evidenced, indicating the apoptosis process as mechanism of parasite death. Regarding pharmacokinetic properties, all derivatives are according to the required parameters, predicting good oral bioavailability for the studied compounds. The results presented in this study reveal the good activity of compound 2b in both adult and juvenile worms of S. mansoni, pointing this compound as promising in the development of further studies on schistosomicidal activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antônio Sérgio Alves de Almeida Júnior
- Universidade Federal de Pernambuco (UFPE), Departamento de Antibióticos, 50670-901 Recife, PE, Brazil; Instituto Aggeu Magalhães, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (IAM-FIOCRUZ), 50670-420 Recife, PE, Brazil
| | | | - Anekécia Lauro da Silva
- Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco (UNIVASF), Departamento de Medicina, 48607-190 Paulo Afonso, BA, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Fábio André Brayner
- Instituto Aggeu Magalhães, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (IAM-FIOCRUZ), 50670-420 Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - Luiz Carlos Alves
- Instituto Aggeu Magalhães, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (IAM-FIOCRUZ), 50670-420 Recife, PE, Brazil
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6
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Torini JR, de Freitas Fernandes A, Balasco Serrão VH, Romanello L, Bird LE, Nettleship JE, Owens RJ, Brandão-Neto J, Zeraik AE, DeMarco R, D'Muniz Pereira H. Characterization of a Schistosoma mansoni NDPK expressed in sexual and digestive organs. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2019; 231:111187. [PMID: 31103556 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2019.111187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2019] [Revised: 05/09/2019] [Accepted: 05/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Nucleoside diphosphate kinases (NDPKs) are crucial to keep the high triphosphate nucleotide levels in the biological process. The enzymatic mechanism has been extensively described; however, the structural characteristics and kinetic parameters have never been fully determined. In Schistosoma mansoni, NDPK (SmNDPK) is directly involved in the pyrimidine and purine salvage pathways, being essential for nucleotide metabolism. The SmNDPK enzymatic activity is the highest of the known purine metabolisms when compared to the mammalian NDPKs, suggesting the importance of this enzyme in the worm metabolism. Here, we report the recombinant expression of SmNDPK that resulted in 1.7 and 1.9 Å apo-form structure in different space-groups, as well as the 2.1 Å SmNDPK.ADP complex. The binding and kinetic assays reveal the ATP-dependence for enzyme activation. Moreover, in situ hybridization showed that SmNDPK transcripts are found in reproductive organs and in the esophagus gland of adult worms, which can be intrinsically related with the oviposition and digestive processes. These results will help us fully understand the crucial participation of this enzyme in Schistosoma mansoni and its importance for the pathology of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliana Roberta Torini
- Laboratório de Biologia Estrutural, Instituto de Física de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, 13563-120, São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - Adriano de Freitas Fernandes
- Laboratório de Biologia Estrutural, Instituto de Física de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, 13563-120, São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - Vitor Hugo Balasco Serrão
- Laboratório de Biologia Estrutural, Instituto de Física de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, 13563-120, São Carlos, SP, Brazil; Department of Medicine Pathobiology, University of Toronto, M5S 1A8, Toronto, Canada.
| | - Larissa Romanello
- Laboratório de Biologia Estrutural, Instituto de Física de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, 13563-120, São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - Louise E Bird
- OPPF-UK, Research Complex at Harwell, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Oxford, OX11 0FA, UK
| | - Joanne E Nettleship
- OPPF-UK, Research Complex at Harwell, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Oxford, OX11 0FA, UK
| | - Raymond J Owens
- OPPF-UK, Research Complex at Harwell, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Oxford, OX11 0FA, UK
| | - José Brandão-Neto
- Diamond Light Source, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, Oxfordshire, OX11 0DE, UK
| | - Ana Eliza Zeraik
- Laboratório de Biologia Estrutural, Instituto de Física de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, 13563-120, São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - Ricardo DeMarco
- Laboratório de Biologia Estrutural, Instituto de Física de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, 13563-120, São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - Humberto D'Muniz Pereira
- Laboratório de Biologia Estrutural, Instituto de Física de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, 13563-120, São Carlos, SP, Brazil
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In vitro and in vivo characterization of the multiple isoforms of Schistosoma mansoni hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferases. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2019; 229:24-34. [PMID: 30772423 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2019.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2018] [Revised: 01/30/2019] [Accepted: 02/12/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Schistosoma mansoni, the parasite responsible for schistosomiasis, lacks the "de novo" purine biosynthetic pathway and depends entirely on the purine salvage pathway for the supply of purines. Numerous reports of praziquantel resistance have been described, as well as stimulated efforts to develop new drugs against schistosomiasis. Hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (HGPRT) is a key enzyme of the purine salvage pathway. Here, we describe a crystallographic structure of the S. mansoni HPGRT-1 (SmHGPRT), complexed with IMP at a resolution of 2.8 Ǻ. Four substitutions were identified in the region of the active site between SmHGPRT-1 and human HGPRT. We also present data from RNA-Seq and WISH, suggesting that some isoforms of HGPRT might be involved in the process related to sexual maturation and reproduction in worms; furthermore, its enzymatic assays show that the isoform SmHGPRT-3 does not present the same catalytic efficiency as other isoforms. Finally, although other studies have previously suggested this enzyme as a potential antischistosomal chemotherapy target, the kinetics parameters reveal the impossibility to use SmHGPRT as an efficient chemotherapeutic target.
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Torini JR, Romanello L, Batista FAH, Serrão VHB, Faheem M, Zeraik AE, Bird L, Nettleship J, Reddivari Y, Owens R, DeMarco R, Borges JC, Brandão-Neto J, Pereira HD. The molecular structure of Schistosoma mansoni PNP isoform 2 provides insights into the nucleoside selectivity of PNPs. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0203532. [PMID: 30192840 PMCID: PMC6128611 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0203532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2018] [Accepted: 08/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Purine nucleoside phosphorylases (PNPs) play an important role in the blood fluke parasite Schistosoma mansoni as a key enzyme of the purine salvage pathway. Here we present the structural and kinetic characterization of a new PNP isoform from S. mansoni, SmPNP2. Thermofluorescence screening of different ligands suggested cytidine and cytosine are potential ligands. The binding of cytosine and cytidine were confirmed by isothermal titration calorimetry, with a KD of 27 μM for cytosine, and a KM of 76.3 μM for cytidine. SmPNP2 also displays catalytic activity against inosine and adenosine, making it the first described PNP with robust catalytic activity towards both pyrimidines and purines. Crystal structures of SmPNP2 with different ligands were obtained and comparison of these structures with the previously described S. mansoni PNP (SmPNP1) provided clues for the unique capacity of SmPNP2 to bind pyrimidines. When compared with the structure of SmPNP1, substitutions in the vicinity of SmPNP2 active site alter the architecture of the nucleoside base binding site thus permitting an alternative binding mode for nucleosides, with a 180° rotation from the canonical binding mode. The remarkable plasticity of this binding site enhances our understanding of the correlation between structure and nucleotide selectivity, thus suggesting new ways to analyse PNP activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliana Roberta Torini
- Laboratório de Biologia Estrutural, Instituto de Física de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Larissa Romanello
- Laboratório de Biologia Estrutural, Instituto de Física de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Aparecida Heleno Batista
- Instituto de Química de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo - USP, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil
- Centro Nacional de Pesquisa em Energia e Materiais, Laboratório Nacional de Biociências, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Vitor Hugo Balasco Serrão
- Laboratório de Biologia Estrutural, Instituto de Física de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Muhammad Faheem
- Programa de Pós Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, Federal District, Brazil
- Laboratório de Biofísica Molecular, Departamento de Biologia Celular, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, Federal District, Brazil
| | - Ana Eliza Zeraik
- Laboratório de Biologia Estrutural, Instituto de Física de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Louise Bird
- OPPF-UK, Research Complex at Harwell, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Joanne Nettleship
- OPPF-UK, Research Complex at Harwell, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Yamini Reddivari
- OPPF-UK, Research Complex at Harwell, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Ray Owens
- OPPF-UK, Research Complex at Harwell, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Ricardo DeMarco
- Laboratório de Biologia Estrutural, Instituto de Física de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Júlio César Borges
- Instituto de Química de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo - USP, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - José Brandão-Neto
- Diamond Light Source, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
| | - Humberto D’Muniz Pereira
- Laboratório de Biologia Estrutural, Instituto de Física de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil
- * E-mail:
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9
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Mariz Gomes da Silva LM, de Oliveira JF, Silva WL, da Silva AL, de Almeida Junior ASA, Barbosa dos Santos VH, Alves LC, Brayner dos Santos FA, Costa VMA, Aires ADL, de Lima MDCA, Albuquerque MCPDA. New 1,3-benzodioxole derivatives: Synthesis, evaluation of in vitro schistosomicidal activity and ultrastructural analysis. Chem Biol Interact 2018; 283:20-29. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2018.01.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2017] [Revised: 12/24/2017] [Accepted: 01/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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FERREIRA LEONARDOG, OLIVA GLAUCIUS, ANDRICOPULO ADRIANOD. From Medicinal Chemistry to Human Health: Current Approaches to Drug Discovery for Cancer and Neglected Tropical Diseases. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018; 90:645-661. [DOI: 10.1590/0001-3765201820170505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2017] [Accepted: 08/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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El Kouni MH. Pyrimidine metabolism in schistosomes: A comparison with other parasites and the search for potential chemotherapeutic targets. Comp Biochem Physiol B Biochem Mol Biol 2017; 213:55-80. [PMID: 28735972 PMCID: PMC5593796 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpb.2017.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2017] [Revised: 06/29/2017] [Accepted: 07/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Schistosomes are responsible for the parasitic disease schistosomiasis, an acute and chronic parasitic ailment that affects >240 million people in 70 countries worldwide. It is the second most devastating parasitic disease after malaria. At least 200,000 deaths per year are associated with the disease. In the absence of the availability of vaccines, chemotherapy is the main stay for combating schistosomiasis. The antischistosomal arsenal is currently limited to a single drug, Praziquantel, which is quite effective with a single-day treatment and virtually no host-toxicity. Recently, however, the question of reduced activity of Praziquantel has been raised. Therefore, the search for alternative antischistosomal drugs merits the study of new approaches of chemotherapy. The rational design of a drug is usually based on biochemical and physiological differences between pathogens and host. Pyrimidine metabolism is an excellent target for such studies. Schistosomes, unlike most of the host tissues, require a very active pyrimidine metabolism for the synthesis of DNA and RNA. This is essential for the production of the enormous numbers of eggs deposited daily by the parasite to which the granulomas response precipitates the pathogenesis of schistosomiasis. Furthermore, there are sufficient differences between corresponding enzymes of pyrimidine metabolism from the host and the parasite that can be exploited to design specific inhibitors or "subversive substrates" for the parasitic enzymes. Specificities of pyrimidine transport also diverge significantly between parasites and their mammalian host. This review deals with studies on pyrimidine metabolism in schistosomes and highlights the unique characteristic of this metabolism that could constitute excellent potential targets for the design of safe and effective antischistosomal drugs. In addition, pyrimidine metabolism in schistosomes is compared with that in other parasites where studies on pyrimidine metabolism have been more elaborate, in the hope of providing leads on how to identify likely chemotherapeutic targets which have not been looked at in schistosomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahmoud H El Kouni
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Center for AIDS Research, Comprehensive Cancer Center, General Clinical Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA.
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Structural and kinetic analysis of Schistosoma mansoni Adenylosuccinate Lyase (SmADSL). Mol Biochem Parasitol 2017; 214:27-35. [PMID: 28347672 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2017.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2017] [Revised: 03/22/2017] [Accepted: 03/23/2017] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Schistosoma mansoni is the parasite responsible for schistosomiasis, a disease that affects about 218 million people worldwide. Currently, both direct treatment and disease control initiatives rely on chemotherapy using a single drug, praziquantel. Concerns over the possibility of resistance developing to praziquantel, have stimulated efforts to develop new drugs for the treatment of schistosomiasis. Schistosomes do not have the de novo purine biosynthetic pathway, and instead depend entirely on the purine salvage pathway to supply its need for purines. The purine salvage pathway has been reported as a potential target for developing new drugs against schistosomiasis. Adenylosuccinate lyase (SmADSL) is an enzyme in this pathway, which cleaves adenylosuccinate (ADS) into adenosine 5'-monophosphate (AMP) and fumarate. SmADSL kinetic characterization was performed by isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) using both ADS and SAICAR as substrates. Structures of SmADSL in Apo form and in complex with AMP were elucidated by x-ray crystallography revealing a highly conserved tetrameric structure required for their function since the active sites are formed from residues of three different subunits. The active sites are also highly conserved between species and it is difficult to identify a potent species-specific inhibitor for the development of new therapeutic agents. In contrast, several mutagenesis studies have demonstrated the importance of dimeric interface residues in the stability of the quaternary structure of the enzyme. The lower conservation of these residues between SmADSL and human ADSL could be used to lead the development of anti-schistosomiasis drugs based on disruption of subunit interfaces. These structures and kinetics data add another layer of information to Schistosoma mansoni purine salvage pathway.
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Crystal Structure of Schistosoma mansoni Adenosine Phosphorylase/5'-Methylthioadenosine Phosphorylase and Its Importance on Adenosine Salvage Pathway. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2016; 10:e0005178. [PMID: 27935959 PMCID: PMC5147791 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0005178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2016] [Accepted: 11/09/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Schistosoma mansoni do not have de novo purine pathways and rely on purine salvage for their purine supply. It has been demonstrated that, unlike humans, the S. mansoni is able to produce adenine directly from adenosine, although the enzyme responsible for this activity was unknown. In the present work we show that S. mansoni 5´-deoxy-5´-methylthioadenosine phosphorylase (MTAP, E.C. 2.4.2.28) is capable of use adenosine as a substrate to the production of adenine. Through kinetics assays, we show that the Schistosoma mansoni MTAP (SmMTAP), unlike the mammalian MTAP, uses adenosine substrate with the same efficiency as MTA phosphorolysis, which suggests that this enzyme is part of the purine pathway salvage in S. mansoni and could be a promising target for anti-schistosoma therapies. Here, we present 13 SmMTAP structures from the wild type (WT), including three single and one double mutant, and generate a solid structural framework for structure description. These crystal structures of SmMTAP reveal that the active site contains three substitutions within and near the active site when compared to it mammalian counterpart, thus opening up the possibility of developing specific inhibitors to the parasite MTAP. The structural and kinetic data for 5 substrates reveal the structural basis for this interaction, providing substract for inteligent design of new compounds for block this enzyme activity. The huge challenge in parasitic chemotherapy development is finding a specific compound to attack the parasite organisms without damaging their host. Schistosoma mansoni, which is the causative agent of schistosomiasis, is one of the major health concerns in the developing world. Purine bases are essential for organisms that make DNA, RNA and energetic molecules during parasitic growth and egg laying. The parasites depend entirely on re-utilizing existing purines, not being able to synthesize them from more simple molecules. The adenosine phosphorylase is an important activity for this process and kinetic assays we performed with this S. mansoni MTAP confirm that it displays this specific activity that is not present in the human metabolism. Therefore, understanding the properties of this enzyme is an important step in achieving an efficient anti-schistosomiasis drug with minimal collateral effects to humans.
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da Silva Neto AM, Torini de Souza JR, Romanello L, Cassago A, Serrão VHB, DeMarco R, Brandão-Neto J, Garratt RC, Pereira HD. Analysis of two Schistosoma mansoni uridine phosphorylases isoforms suggests the emergence of a protein with a non-canonical function. Biochimie 2016; 125:12-22. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2016.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2016] [Accepted: 02/09/2016] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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Evaluation of the anti-Schistosoma mansoni activity of thiosemicarbazones and thiazoles. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2013; 58:352-63. [PMID: 24165185 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01900-13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Schistosomiasis is a chronic and debilitating disease caused by a trematode of the genus Schistosoma and affects over 207 million people. Chemotherapy is the only immediate recourse for minimizing the prevalence of this disease and involves predominately the administration of a single drug, praziquantel (PZQ). Although PZQ has proven efficacy, there is a recognized need to develop new drugs as schistosomicides since studies have shown that repeated use of this drug in areas of endemicity may cause a temporary reduction in susceptibility in isolates of Schistosoma mansoni. Hydrazones, thiosemicarbazones, phthalimides, and thiazoles are thus regarded as privileged structures used for a broad spectrum of activities and are potential candidates for sources of new drug prototypes. The present study determined the in vitro schistosomicidal activity of 10 molecules containing these structures. During the assays, parameters such motility and mortality, oviposition, morphological changes in the tegument, cytotoxicity, and immunomodulatory activity caused by these compounds were evaluated. The results showed that compounds formed of thiazole and phthalimide led to higher mortality of worms, with a significant decline in motility, inhibition of pairing and oviposition, and a mortality rate of 100% starting from 144 h of exposure. These compounds also stimulated the production of nitric oxide and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), thereby demonstrating the presence of immunomodulatory activity. The phthalyl thiazole LpQM-45 caused significant ultrastructural alterations, with destruction of the tegument in both male and female worms. According to the present study, phthalyl thiazole compounds possess antischistosomal activities and should form the basis for future experimental and clinical trials.
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Romanello L, Bachega JFR, Cassago A, Brandão-Neto J, DeMarco R, Garratt RC, Pereira HD. Adenosine kinase from Schistosoma mansoni: structural basis for the differential incorporation of nucleoside analogues. ACTA CRYSTALLOGRAPHICA SECTION D: BIOLOGICAL CRYSTALLOGRAPHY 2012; 69:126-36. [PMID: 23275171 DOI: 10.1107/s0907444912044800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2012] [Accepted: 10/29/2012] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
In adult schistosomes, the enzyme adenosine kinase (AK) is responsible for the incorporation of some adenosine analogues, such as 2-fluoroadenosine and tubercidin, into the nucleotide pool, but not others. In the present study, the structures of four complexes of Schistosoma mansoni AK bound to adenosine and adenosine analogues are reported which shed light on this observation. Two differences in the adenosine-binding site in comparison with the human counterpart (I38Q and T36A) are responsible for their differential specificities towards adenosine analogues, in which the Schistosoma enzyme does not tolerate bulky substituents at the N7 base position. This aids in explaining experimental data which were reported in the literature more than two decades ago. Furthermore, there appears to be considerable plasticity within the substrate-binding sites that affects the side-chain conformation of Ile38 and causes a previously unobserved flexibility within the loop comprising residues 286-299. These results reveal that the latter can be sterically occluded in the absence of ATP. Overall, these results contribute to the body of knowledge concerning the enzymes of the purine salvage pathway in this important human parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larissa Romanello
- Centro de Biotecnologia Molecular Estrutural, Instituto de Física de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil
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