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Lamba S, Roy A. Demystifying the potential of inhibitors targeting DNA topoisomerases in unicellular protozoan parasites. Drug Discov Today 2023; 28:103574. [PMID: 37003515 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2023.103574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/25/2023] [Indexed: 04/01/2023]
Abstract
DNA topoisomerases are a group of enzymes omnipresent in all organisms. They maintain the DNA topology during replication, repair, recombination, and transcription. However, the structure of topoisomerase in protozoan parasites differs significantly from that of human topoisomerases; thus, this enzyme acts as a crucial target in drug development against parasitic diseases. Although the therapeutic potential of drugs targeting the parasitic topoisomerase is well known, to manage the shortcomings of currently available therapeutics and the emergence of drug resistance, the discovery of novel antiparasitic molecules is an urgent need. In this review, we describe various investigational and repurposed topoisomerase inhibitors developed against protozoan parasites over the past few years. Teaser: Fatal parasitic diseases are an increasing cause for concern; here, we provide a compilation of different inhibitors targeting DNA topoisomerases, enzymes that are essential for, and unique to, protozoan parasites; therefore, inhibitors are efficient and have few adverse effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swati Lamba
- Department of Biotechnology, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Ganeshkhind Road, Pune 411007, India
| | - Amit Roy
- Department of Biotechnology, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Ganeshkhind Road, Pune 411007, India.
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Reguera RM, Elmahallawy EK, García-Estrada C, Carbajo-Andrés R, Balaña-Fouce R. DNA Topoisomerases of Leishmania Parasites; Druggable Targets for Drug Discovery. Curr Med Chem 2019; 26:5900-5923. [DOI: 10.2174/0929867325666180518074959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2017] [Revised: 03/15/2018] [Accepted: 05/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
DNA topoisomerases (Top) are a group of isomerase enzymes responsible for controlling the topological problems caused by DNA double helix in the cell during the processes of replication, transcription and recombination. Interestingly, these enzymes have been known since long to be key molecular machines in several cellular processes through overwinding or underwinding of DNA in all living organisms. Leishmania, a trypanosomatid parasite responsible for causing fatal diseases mostly in impoverished populations of low-income countries, has a set of six classes of Top enzymes. These are placed in the nucleus and the single mitochondrion and can be deadly targets of suitable drugs. Given the fact that there are clear differences in structure and expression between parasite and host enzymes, numerous studies have reported the therapeutic potential of Top inhibitors as antileishmanial drugs. In this regard, numerous compounds have been described as Top type IB and Top type II inhibitors in Leishmania parasites, such as camptothecin derivatives, indenoisoquinolines, indeno-1,5- naphthyridines, fluoroquinolones, anthracyclines and podophyllotoxins. The aim of this review is to highlight several facts about Top and Top inhibitors as potential antileishmanial drugs, which may represent a promising strategy for the control of this disease of public health importance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosa M. Reguera
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Leon (ULE), Leon, Spain
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Tejería A, Pérez-Pertejo Y, Reguera RM, Balaña-Fouce R, Alonso C, González M, Rubiales G, Palacios F. Substituted 1,5-naphthyridine derivatives as novel antileishmanial agents. Synthesis and biological evaluation. Eur J Med Chem 2018; 152:137-147. [PMID: 29704722 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2018.04.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2018] [Revised: 04/11/2018] [Accepted: 04/16/2018] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Visceral leishmaniasis is a parasitic disease that affects, among other areas, both sides of the Mediterranean Basin. The drugs classically used in clinical practice are pentavalent antimonials (SbV) and amphotericin B, which are nephrotoxic, require parenteral administration, and increasing drug resistance in visceral leishmaniasis has been observed. These circumstances justify the search of new families of compounds to find effective drugs against the disease. Eukaryotic type I DNA topoisomerase (TopIB) has been found essential for the viability of the parasites, and therefore represents a promising target in the development of an antileishmanial therapy. In this search, heterocyclic compounds, such as 1,5-naphthyridines, have been prepared by cycloaddition reaction between N-(3-pyridyl)aldimines and acetylenes and their antileishmanial activity on promastigotes and amastigote-infected splenocytes of Leishmania infantum has been evaluated. In addition, the cytotoxic effects of newly synthesized compounds were assessed on host murine splenocytes in order to calculate the corresponding selective indexes (SI). Excellent antileishmanial activity of 1,5-naphthyridine 19, 21, 22, 24 and 27 has been observed with similar activity than the standard drug amphotericin B and higher selective index (SI > 100) towards L. infantum amastigotes than amphotericin B (SI > 62.5). Special interest shows the 1,5-naphthyridine 22 with an IC50 value (0.58 ± 0.03 μM) similar to the standard drug amphotericin B (0.32 ± 0.05 μM) and with the highest selective index (SI = 271.5). In addition, this compound shows remarkable inhibition on leishmanial TopIB. However, despite these interesting results, further studies are needed to disclose other potential targets involved in the antileishmanial effect of these novel compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Tejería
- Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad de León, Campus de Vegazana s/n, 24071, León, Spain
| | - Yolanda Pérez-Pertejo
- Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad de León, Campus de Vegazana s/n, 24071, León, Spain
| | - Rosa M Reguera
- Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad de León, Campus de Vegazana s/n, 24071, León, Spain
| | - Rafael Balaña-Fouce
- Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad de León, Campus de Vegazana s/n, 24071, León, Spain
| | - Concepción Alonso
- Departamento de Química Orgánica I, Facultad de Farmacia and Centro de Investigación Lascaray (Lascaray Research Center), Universidad del País Vasco/Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea (UPV/EHU), Paseo de la Universidad 7, 01006, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
| | - María González
- Departamento de Química Orgánica I, Facultad de Farmacia and Centro de Investigación Lascaray (Lascaray Research Center), Universidad del País Vasco/Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea (UPV/EHU), Paseo de la Universidad 7, 01006, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
| | - Gloria Rubiales
- Departamento de Química Orgánica I, Facultad de Farmacia and Centro de Investigación Lascaray (Lascaray Research Center), Universidad del País Vasco/Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea (UPV/EHU), Paseo de la Universidad 7, 01006, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
| | - Francisco Palacios
- Departamento de Química Orgánica I, Facultad de Farmacia and Centro de Investigación Lascaray (Lascaray Research Center), Universidad del País Vasco/Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea (UPV/EHU), Paseo de la Universidad 7, 01006, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain.
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Balaña-Fouce R, Alvarez-Velilla R, Fernández-Prada C, García-Estrada C, Reguera RM. Trypanosomatids topoisomerase re-visited. New structural findings and role in drug discovery. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-DRUGS AND DRUG RESISTANCE 2014; 4:326-37. [PMID: 25516844 PMCID: PMC4266802 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2014.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
There is an urgent need of new treatments against trypanosomatids-borne diseases. DNA topoisomerases are pointed as potential drug targets against unicellular parasites. Trypanosomatids have a full set of DNA topoisomerases in both nucleus and kinetoplast. TopII and TopIII are located in the kinetoplast and fully involved in kDNA replication. Tritryps TopIB differ in structure from mammalian’s pointing to an attractive target.
The Trypanosomatidae family, composed of unicellular parasites, causes severe vector-borne diseases that afflict human populations worldwide. Chagas disease, sleeping sickness, as well as different sorts of leishmaniases are amongst the most important infectious diseases produced by Trypanosoma cruzi, Trypanosoma brucei and Leishmania spp., respectively. All these infections are closely related to weak health care services in low-income populations of less developed and least economically developed countries. Search for new therapeutic targets in order to hit these pathogens is of paramount priority, as no effective vaccine is currently in use against any of these parasites. Furthermore, present-day chemotherapy comprises old-fashioned drugs full of important side effects. Besides, they are prone to produce tolerance and resistance as a consequence of their continuous use for decades. DNA topoisomerases (Top) are ubiquitous enzymes responsible for solving the torsional tensions caused during replication and transcription processes, as well as in maintaining genomic stability during DNA recombination. As the inhibition of these enzymes produces cell arrest and triggers cell death, Top inhibitors are among the most effective and most widely used drugs in both cancer and antibacterial therapies. Top relaxation and decatenation activities, which are based on a common nicking–closing cycle involving one or both DNA strands, have been pointed as a promising drug target. Specific inhibitors that bind to the interface of DNA-Top complexes can stabilize Top-mediated transient DNA breaks. In addition, important structural differences have been found between Tops from the Trypanosomatidae family members and Tops from the host. Such dissimilarities make these proteins very interesting for drug design and molecular intervention. The present review is a critical update of the last findings regarding trypanosomatid’s Tops, their new structural features, their involvement both in the physiology and virulence of these parasites, as well as their use as promising targets for drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Balaña-Fouce
- Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad de León, Campus de Vegazana s/n, 24071 León, Spain
| | - Raquel Alvarez-Velilla
- Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad de León, Campus de Vegazana s/n, 24071 León, Spain
| | | | - Carlos García-Estrada
- Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad de León, Campus de Vegazana s/n, 24071 León, Spain
| | - Rosa M Reguera
- Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad de León, Campus de Vegazana s/n, 24071 León, Spain
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A pentapeptide signature motif plays a pivotal role in Leishmania DNA topoisomerase IB activity and camptothecin sensitivity. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2012; 1820:2062-71. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2012.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2012] [Revised: 09/03/2012] [Accepted: 09/07/2012] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
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Balaña-Fouce R, García-Estrada C, Pérez-Pertejo Y, Reguera RM. Gene disruption of the DNA topoisomerase IB small subunit induces a non-viable phenotype in the hemoflagellate Leishmania major. BMC Microbiol 2008; 8:113. [PMID: 18611247 PMCID: PMC2492870 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2180-8-113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2008] [Accepted: 07/08/2008] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The unusual heterodimeric leishmanial DNA topoisomerase IB consists of a large subunit containing the phylogenetically conserved "core" domain, and a small subunit harboring the C-terminal region with the characteristic tyrosine residue in the active site. RNAi silencing of any of both protomers induces a non-viable phenotype in the hemoflagelate Trypanosoma brucei. Unfortunately, this approach is not suitable in Leishmania where gene replacement with an antibiotic marker is the only approach to generate lack-of-function mutants. In this work, we have successfully generated null mutants in the small subunit of the L. major DNA topoisomerase IB using two selection markers, each conferring resistance to hygromycin B and puromycin, respectively. Results We have successfully replaced both topS loci with two selection markers. However, to achieve the second transfection round, we have had to rescue the null-homozygous with an episomal vector carrying the Leishmania major topS gene. Phenotypic characterization of the L. major rescued strain and a L. major strain, which co-overexpresses both subunits, shows few differences in DNA relaxation and camptothecin cytotoxicity when it was compared to the wild-type strain. Studies on phosphatidylserine externalization show a poor incidence of camptothecin-induced programmed cell death in L. major, but an effective cell-cycle arrest occurs within the first 24 h. S-Phase delay and G2/M reversible arrest was the main outcome at lower concentrations, but irreversible G2 arrest was detected at higher camptothecin pressure. Conclusion Results obtained in this work evidence the essentiality of the topS gene encoding the L. major DNA topoisomerase IB small subunit. Reversibility of the camptothecin effect points to the existence of effective checkpoint mechanisms in Leishmania parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Balaña-Fouce
- Departamento de Farmacología y Toxicología (INTOXCAL), Universidad de León, Campus de Vegazana s/n; 24071 León, Spain.
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Mutational study of the "catalytic tetrad" of DNA topoisomerase IB from the hemoflagellate Leishmania donovani: Role of Asp-353 and Asn-221 in camptothecin resistance. Biochem Pharmacol 2008; 76:608-19. [PMID: 18655776 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2008.06.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2008] [Revised: 06/22/2008] [Accepted: 06/24/2008] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Leishmania donovani, the causative organism for visceral leishmaniasis, contains a unique bisubunit DNA-topoisomerase IB (LdTopIB). The catalytically active enzyme is a heterodimer constituted by a large subunit (LdTopIL) containing a non-conserved N-terminal end and the phylogenetically conserved core domain, whereas the small subunit (LdTopIS) harbors the C-terminal domain with the characteristic tyrosine residue in the active site. Site-directed mutagenesis was used to substitute the basic amino acid (Arg-314, Lys-352, Arg-410 and His-453) of the LdTopIL subunit by the neutral amino acid alanine. The expression of these mutants in a topoisomerase-free yeast strain produced inactive proteins. Similarly, when the Tyr-222 from small subunit, involved in DNA cleavage, was substituted by Phe no topoisomerase activity was detected in yeast overexpressing extracts. In addition two substitutions involved in camptothecin inhibition were also analyzed. Asp-353 located in the core domain of the large subunit and Asn-221 which heads Tyr-222 in the small subunit, were replaced by Ala and Ser, respectively. These mutants were insensitive to the inhibitor; despite they displayed significant relaxation activity.
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Díaz González R, Pérez Pertejo Y, Ordóñez D, Balaña-Fouce R, Reguera RM. Deletion study of DNA topoisomerase IB from Leishmania donovani: searching for a minimal functional heterodimer. PLoS One 2007; 2:e1177. [PMID: 18000548 PMCID: PMC2063514 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0001177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2007] [Accepted: 10/26/2007] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The substantial differences between trypanosomal and leishmanial DNA topoisomerase IB concerning to their homologues in mammals have provided a new lead in the study of the structural determinants that can be effectively targeted. Leishmania donovani, the causative agent of visceral leishmaniasis, contains an unusual heterodimeric DNA topoisomerase IB. The catalytically active enzyme consists of a large subunit (LdTopIL), which contains the non-conserved N-terminal end and the phylogenetically conserved “core” domain, and of a small subunit (LdTopIS) which harbors the C-terminal region with the characteristic tyrosine residue in the active site. Heterologous co-expression of LdTopIL and LdTopIS genes in a topoisomerase I deficient yeast strain, reconstitutes a fully functional enzyme LdTopIL/S which can be used for structural studies. An approach by combinatorial cloning of deleted genes encoding for truncated versions of both subunits was used in order to find out structural insights involved in enzyme activity or protein-protein interaction. The role played by the non-conserved N-terminal extension of LdTopIL in both relaxation activity and CPT sensitivity has been examined co-expressing the full-length LdTopIS and a fully active LdTopIΔS deletion with several deletions of LdTopIL lacking growing sequences of the N-terminal end. The sequential deletion study shows that the first 26 amino acids placed at the N-terminal end and a variable region comprised between Ala548 to end of the C-terminal extension of LdTopIL were enzymatically dispensable. Altogether this combinatorial approach provides important structural insights of the regions involved in relaxation activity and for understanding the atypical structure of this heterodimeric enzyme.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosario Díaz González
- Departamento de Farmacología y Toxicología (INTOXCAL), Universidad de León, León, Spain
| | - Yolanda Pérez Pertejo
- Departamento de Farmacología y Toxicología (INTOXCAL), Universidad de León, León, Spain
| | - David Ordóñez
- Departamento de Farmacología y Toxicología (INTOXCAL), Universidad de León, León, Spain
| | - Rafael Balaña-Fouce
- Departamento de Farmacología y Toxicología (INTOXCAL), Universidad de León, León, Spain
- * To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail:
| | - Rosa M. Reguera
- Departamento de Farmacología y Toxicología (INTOXCAL), Universidad de León, León, Spain
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