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Ma CI, Tirtorahardjo JA, Schweizer SS, Zhang J, Fang Z, Xing L, Xu M, Herman DA, Kleinman MT, McCullough BS, Barrios AM, Andrade RM. Gold(I) ion and the phosphine ligand are necessary for the anti- Toxoplasma gondii activity of auranofin. Microbiol Spectr 2024; 12:e0296823. [PMID: 38206030 PMCID: PMC10845965 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02968-23] [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: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Auranofin, an FDA-approved drug for rheumatoid arthritis, has emerged as a promising antiparasitic medication in recent years. The gold(I) ion in auranofin is postulated to be responsible for its antiparasitic activity. Notably, aurothiomalate and aurothioglucose also contain gold(I), and, like auranofin, they were previously used to treat rheumatoid arthritis. Whether they have antiparasitic activity remains to be elucidated. Herein, we demonstrated that auranofin and similar derivatives, but not aurothiomalate and aurothioglucose, inhibited the growth of Toxoplasma gondii in vitro. We found that auranofin affected the T. gondii biological cycle (lytic cycle) by inhibiting T. gondii's invasion and triggering its egress from the host cell. However, auranofin could not prevent parasite replication once T. gondii resided within the host. Auranofin treatment induced apoptosis in T. gondii parasites, as demonstrated by its reduced size and elevated phosphatidylserine externalization (PS). Notably, the gold from auranofin enters the cytoplasm of T. gondii, as demonstrated by scanning transmission electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (STEM-EDS) and Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS).IMPORTANCEToxoplasmosis, caused by Toxoplasma gondii, is a devastating disease affecting the brain and the eyes, frequently affecting immunocompromised individuals. Approximately 60 million people in the United States are already infected with T. gondii, representing a population at-risk of developing toxoplasmosis. Recent advances in treating cancer, autoimmune diseases, and organ transplants have contributed to this at-risk population's exponential growth. Paradoxically, treatments for toxoplasmosis have remained the same for more than 60 years, relying on medications well-known for their bone marrow toxicity and allergic reactions. Discovering new therapies is a priority, and repurposing FDA-approved drugs is an alternative approach to speed up drug discovery. Herein, we report the effect of auranofin, an FDA-approved drug, on the biological cycle of T. gondii and how both the phosphine ligand and the gold molecule determine the anti-parasitic activity of auranofin and other gold compounds. Our studies would contribute to the pipeline of candidate anti-T. gondii agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- C. I. Ma
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of California at Irvine, Irvine, California, USA
| | - J. A. Tirtorahardjo
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California at Irvine, Irvine, California, USA
| | - S. S. Schweizer
- School of Biological Sciences; University of California at Irvine, Irvine, California, USA
| | - J. Zhang
- School of Biological Sciences; University of California at Irvine, Irvine, California, USA
| | - Z. Fang
- School of Biological Sciences; University of California at Irvine, Irvine, California, USA
| | - L. Xing
- Irvine Materials Research Institute; University of California at Irvine, Irvine, California, USA
| | - M. Xu
- Irvine Materials Research Institute; University of California at Irvine, Irvine, California, USA
| | - D. A. Herman
- Department of Medicine, Occupational and Environmental Medicine, University of California at Irvine, Irvine, California, USA
| | - M. T. Kleinman
- Department of Medicine, Occupational and Environmental Medicine, University of California at Irvine, Irvine, California, USA
| | - B. S. McCullough
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Utah College of Pharmacy, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - A. M. Barrios
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Utah College of Pharmacy, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - R. M. Andrade
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of California at Irvine, Irvine, California, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California at Irvine, Irvine, California, USA
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Pillay CS, John N, Barry CJ, Mthethwa LMDC, Rohwer JM. Atypical network topologies enhance the reductive capacity of pathogen thiol antioxidant defense networks. Redox Biol 2023; 65:102802. [PMID: 37423162 PMCID: PMC10338151 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2023.102802] [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: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Infectious diseases are a significant health burden for developing countries, particularly with the rise of multidrug resistance. There is an urgent need to elucidate the factors underlying the persistence of pathogens such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Plasmodium falciparum and Trypanosoma brucei. In contrast to host cells, these pathogens traverse multiple and varied redox environments during their infectious cycles, including exposure to high levels of host-derived reactive oxygen species. Pathogen antioxidant defenses such as the peroxiredoxin and thioredoxin systems play critical roles in the redox stress tolerance of these cells. However, many of the kinetic rate constants obtained for the pathogen peroxiredoxins are broadly similar to their mammalian homologs and therefore, their contributions to the redox tolerances within these cells are enigmatic. Using graph theoretical analysis, we show that compared to a canonical Escherichia coli redoxin network, pathogen redoxin networks contain unique network connections (motifs) between their thioredoxins and peroxiredoxins. Analysis of these motifs reveals that they increase the hydroperoxide reduction capacity of these networks and, in response to an oxidative insult, can distribute fluxes into specific thioredoxin-dependent pathways. Our results emphasize that the high oxidative stress tolerance of these pathogens depends on both the kinetic parameters for hydroperoxide reduction and the connectivity within their thioredoxin/peroxiredoxin systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ché S Pillay
- School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Scottsville, South Africa.
| | - Nolyn John
- School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Scottsville, South Africa
| | - Christopher J Barry
- Laboratory for Molecular Systems Biology, Department of Biochemistry, University of Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | | | - Johann M Rohwer
- Laboratory for Molecular Systems Biology, Department of Biochemistry, University of Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch, South Africa
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Berneburg I, Stumpf M, Velten AS, Rahlfs S, Przyborski J, Becker K, Fritz-Wolf K. Structure of Leishmania donovani 6-Phosphogluconate Dehydrogenase and Inhibition by Phosphine Gold(I) Complexes: A Potential Approach to Leishmaniasis Treatment. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24108615. [PMID: 37239962 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24108615] [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: 03/28/2023] [Revised: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
As unicellular parasites are highly dependent on NADPH as a source for reducing equivalents, the main NADPH-producing enzymes glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6PGD) of the pentose phosphate pathway are considered promising antitrypanosomatid drug targets. Here we present the biochemical characterization and crystal structure of Leishmania donovani 6PGD (Ld6PGD) in complex with NADP(H). Most interestingly, a previously unknown conformation of NADPH is visible in this structure. In addition, we identified auranofin and other gold(I)-containing compounds as efficient Ld6PGD inhibitors, although it has so far been assumed that trypanothione reductase is the sole target of auranofin in Kinetoplastida. Interestingly, 6PGD from Plasmodium falciparum is also inhibited at lower micromolar concentrations, whereas human 6PGD is not. Mode-of-inhibition studies indicate that auranofin competes with 6PG for its binding site followed by a rapid irreversible inhibition. By analogy with other enzymes, this suggests that the gold moiety is responsible for the observed inhibition. Taken together, we identified gold(I)-containing compounds as an interesting class of inhibitors against 6PGDs from Leishmania and possibly from other protozoan parasites. Together with the three-dimensional crystal structure, this provides a valid basis for further drug discovery approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabell Berneburg
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Interdisciplinary Research Center, Justus Liebig University, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Michaela Stumpf
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Interdisciplinary Research Center, Justus Liebig University, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Ann-Sophie Velten
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Interdisciplinary Research Center, Justus Liebig University, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Stefan Rahlfs
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Interdisciplinary Research Center, Justus Liebig University, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Jude Przyborski
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Interdisciplinary Research Center, Justus Liebig University, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Katja Becker
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Interdisciplinary Research Center, Justus Liebig University, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Karin Fritz-Wolf
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Interdisciplinary Research Center, Justus Liebig University, 35392 Giessen, Germany
- Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
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A Broad Spectrum Antiparasitic Activity of Organotin (IV) Derivatives and Its Untargeted Proteomic Profiling Using Leishmania donovani. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11121424. [PMID: 36558759 PMCID: PMC9785441 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11121424] [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: 10/30/2022] [Revised: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Metals have been used in medicine since ancient times for the treatment of different ailments with various elements such as iron, gold and arsenic. Metal complexes have also been reported to show antibiotic and antiparasitic activity. In this context, we tested the antiparasitic potential of 10 organotin (IV) derivatives from 4-(4-methoxyphenylamino)-4 oxobutanoic acid (MS26) against seven eukaryotic pathogens of medical importance: Leishmania donovani, Trypanosoma cruzi, Trypanosoma brucei, Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia lamblia, Naegleria fowleri and Schistosoma mansoni. Among the compounds with and without antiparasitic activity, compound MS26Et3 stood out with a 50% effective concentration (EC50) of 0.21 and 0.19 µM against promastigotes and intracellular amastigotes of L. donovani, respectively, 0.24 µM against intracellular amastigotes of T. cruzi, 0.09 µM against T. brucei, 1.4 µM against N. fowleri and impaired adult S. mansoni viability at 1.25 µM. In terms of host/pathogen selectivity, MS26Et3 demonstrated relatively mild cytotoxicity toward host cells with a 50% viability concentration of 4.87 µM against B10R cells (mouse monocyte cell line), 2.79 µM against C2C12 cells (mouse myoblast cell line) and 1.24 µM against HEK923 cells (human embryonic kidney cell line). The selectivity index supports this molecule as a therapeutic starting point for a broad spectrum antiparasitic alternative. Proteomic analysis of host cells infected with L. donovani after exposure to MS26Et3 showed a reduced expression of Rab7, which may affect the fusion of the endosome with the lysosome, and, consequently, impairing the differentiation of L. donovani to the amastigote form. Future studies to investigate the molecular target(s) and mechanism of action of MS26Et3 will support its chemical optimization.
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Köhsler M, Leitsch D, Loufouma Mbouaka A, Wekerle M, Walochnik J. Transcriptional changes of proteins of the thioredoxin and glutathione systems in Acanthamoeba spp. under oxidative stress - an RNA approach. Parasite 2022; 29:24. [PMID: 35532265 PMCID: PMC9083255 DOI: 10.1051/parasite/2022025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The thioredoxin (Trx) and the glutathione (GSH) systems represent important antioxidant systems in cells and in particular thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) has been shown to constitute a promising drug target in parasites. For the facultative protozoal pathogen Acanthamoeba, it was demonstrated that a bacterial TrxR as well as a TrxR, characteristic of higher eukaryotes, mammals and humans is expressed on the protein level. However, only bacterial TrxR is strongly induced by oxidative stress in Acanthamoeba castellanii. In this study, the impact of oxidative stress on key enzymes involved in the thioredoxin and the glutathione system of A. castellanii under different culture conditions and of clinical Acanthamoeba isolates was evaluated on the RNA level employing RT-qPCR. Additionally, the effect of auranofin, a thioredoxin reductase inhibitor, already established as a potential drug in other parasites, on target enzymes in A. castellanii was investigated. Oxidative stress induced by hydrogen peroxide led to significant stimulation of bacterial TrxR and thioredoxin, while diamide had a strong impact on all investigated enzymes. Different strains displayed distinct transcriptional responses, rather correlating to sensitivity against the respective stressor than to respective pathogenic potential. Culture conditions appear to have a major effect on transcriptional changes in A. castellanii. Treatment with auranofin led to transcriptional activation of the GSH system, indicating its role as a potential backup for the Trx system. Altogether, our data provide more profound insights into the complex redox system of Acanthamoeba, preparing the ground for further investigations on this topic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Köhsler
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Institute of Specific Prophylaxis and Tropical Medicine, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna 1090 Vienna Austria
| | - David Leitsch
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Institute of Specific Prophylaxis and Tropical Medicine, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna 1090 Vienna Austria
| | - Alvie Loufouma Mbouaka
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Institute of Specific Prophylaxis and Tropical Medicine, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna 1090 Vienna Austria
| | - Maximilian Wekerle
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Institute of Specific Prophylaxis and Tropical Medicine, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna 1090 Vienna Austria
| | - Julia Walochnik
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Institute of Specific Prophylaxis and Tropical Medicine, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna 1090 Vienna Austria
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Repurposing auranofin for treatment of Experimental Cerebral Toxoplasmosis. Acta Parasitol 2021; 66:827-836. [PMID: 33555553 DOI: 10.1007/s11686-021-00337-z] [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: 05/28/2020] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSES Evaluate the effect of auranofin on the early and late stages of chronic infection with Toxoplasma gondii avirulent ME49 strain. METHODS Swiss albino mice were orally inoculated with 10 cysts of Toxoplasma gondii, and orally treated with auranofin or septazole in daily doses of 20 mg/kg or 100 mg /kg, respectively, for 30 days. Treatment began either on the same day of infection and mice were sacrificed at the 60th day postinfection or the treatment started after 60 days of infection and mice were sacrificed at the 90th day postinfection. RESULTS Auranofin significantly reduced the brain cyst burden and inflammatory reaction at both stages of infection compared to the infected non-treated control. More remarkably, auranofin significant reduced the brain cyst burden in the late stage, while septazole failed. Hydrogen peroxide level was significantly increased in the brain homogenate of mice treated with auranofin only at the early stage of infection. Ultrastructral studies revealed that the anti-Toxoplasma effect of auranofin is achieved by changing the membrane permeability and inducing apoptosis. CONCLUSIONS Thus, auranofin could be an alternative for the standard treatment regimen of toxoplasmosis and these results are considered another achievement for the drug against parasitic infection. Being a FDA-approved drug, it can be rapidly evaluated in clinical trials.
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Abstract
Gold compounds have been employed throughout history to treat various types of disease, from ancient times to the present day. In the year 1985, auranofin, a gold-containing compound, was approved by U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a therapeutic agent to target rheumatoid arthritis that would facilitate easy oral drug administration as opposed to conventional intramuscular injection used in treatments. Furthermore, auranofin demonstrates promising results for the treatment of various diseases beyond rheumatoid arthritis, including cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, acquired immune deficiency syndrome, and bacterial and parasitic infections. Various potential novel applications for auranofin have been proposed for treating human diseases. Auranofin has previously been demonstrated to inhibit thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) involved within the thioredoxin (Trx) system that comprises one of the critical cellular redox systems within the body. TrxR comprises the sole known enzyme that catalyzes Trx reduction. With cancers in particular, TrxR inhibition facilitates an increase in cellular oxidative stress and suppresses tumor growth. In this review, we describe the potential of auranofin to serve as an anticancer agent and further drug repurposing to utilize this as a strategy for further appropriate drug developments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isao Momose
- Institute of Microbial Chemistry (BIKAKEN), Numazu, Microbial Chemistry Research Foundation
| | - Takefumi Onodera
- Institute of Microbial Chemistry (BIKAKEN), Numazu, Microbial Chemistry Research Foundation
| | - Manabu Kawada
- Institute of Microbial Chemistry (BIKAKEN), Numazu, Microbial Chemistry Research Foundation
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Mazzeti AL, Capelari-Oliveira P, Bahia MT, Mosqueira VCF. Review on Experimental Treatment Strategies Against Trypanosoma cruzi. J Exp Pharmacol 2021; 13:409-432. [PMID: 33833592 PMCID: PMC8020333 DOI: 10.2147/jep.s267378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 03/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease is a neglected tropical disease caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi. Currently, only nitroheterocyclic nifurtimox (NFX) and benznidazole (BNZ) are available for the treatment of Chagas disease, with limitations such as variable efficacy, long treatment regimens and toxicity. Different strategies have been used to discover new active molecules for the treatment of Chagas disease. Target-based and phenotypic screening led to thousands of compounds with anti-T. cruzi activity, notably the nitroheterocyclic compounds, fexinidazole and its metabolites. In addition, drug repurposing, drug combinations, re-dosing regimens and the development of new formulations have been evaluated. The CYP51 antifungal azoles, as posaconazole, ravuconazole and its prodrug fosravuconazole presented promising results in experimental Chagas disease. Drug combinations of nitroheterocyclic and azoles were able to induce cure in murine infection. New treatment schemes using BNZ showed efficacy in the experimental chronic stage, including against dormant forms of T. cruzi. And finally, sesquiterpene lactone formulated in nanocarriers displayed outstanding efficacy against different strains of T. cruzi, susceptible or resistant to BNZ, the reference drug. These pre-clinical results are encouraging and provide interesting evidence to improve the treatment of patients with Chagas disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Lia Mazzeti
- Laboratório de Desenvolvimento Galênico e Nanotecnologia, Escola de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, 35400-000, Brazil.,Laboratório de Biologia Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, 21040-360, Brazil.,Laboratório de Doenças Parasitárias, Escola de Medicina & Núcleo de Pesquisas em Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, 35400-000, Brazil
| | - Patricia Capelari-Oliveira
- Laboratório de Desenvolvimento Galênico e Nanotecnologia, Escola de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, 35400-000, Brazil
| | - Maria Terezinha Bahia
- Laboratório de Doenças Parasitárias, Escola de Medicina & Núcleo de Pesquisas em Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, 35400-000, Brazil
| | - Vanessa Carla Furtado Mosqueira
- Laboratório de Desenvolvimento Galênico e Nanotecnologia, Escola de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, 35400-000, Brazil
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Ma CI, Tirtorahardjo JA, Jan S, Schweizer SS, Rosario SAC, Du Y, Zhang JJ, Morrissette NS, Andrade RM. Auranofin Resistance in Toxoplasma gondii Decreases the Accumulation of Reactive Oxygen Species but Does Not Target Parasite Thioredoxin Reductase. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:618994. [PMID: 33816332 PMCID: PMC8017268 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.618994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2020] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Auranofin, a reprofiled FDA-approved drug originally designed to treat rheumatoid arthritis, has emerged as a promising anti-parasitic drug. It induces the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in parasites, including Toxoplasma gondii. We generated auranofin resistant T. gondii lines through chemical mutagenesis to identify the molecular target of this drug. Resistant clones were confirmed with a competition assay using wild-type T. gondii expressing yellow fluorescence protein (YFP) as a reference strain. The predicted auranofin target, thioredoxin reductase, was not mutated in any of our resistant lines. Subsequent whole genomic sequencing analysis (WGS) did not reveal a consensus resistance locus, although many have point mutations in genes encoding redox-relevant proteins such as superoxide dismutase (TgSOD2) and ribonucleotide reductase. We investigated the SOD2 L201P mutation and found that it was not sufficient to confer resistance when introduced into wild-type parasites. Resistant clones accumulated less ROS than their wild type counterparts. Our results demonstrate that resistance to auranofin in T. gondii enhances its ability to abate oxidative stress through diverse mechanisms. This evidence supports a hypothesized mechanism of auranofin anti-parasitic activity as disruption of redox homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher I. Ma
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - James A. Tirtorahardjo
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Sharon Jan
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Sakura S. Schweizer
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
- School of Biological Sciences, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Shawn A. C. Rosario
- School of Biological Sciences, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Yanmiao Du
- School of Biological Sciences, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Jerry J. Zhang
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Naomi S. Morrissette
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Rosa M. Andrade
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
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Zuma AA, de Souza W. Chagas Disease Chemotherapy: What Do We Know So Far? Curr Pharm Des 2021; 27:3963-3995. [PMID: 33593251 DOI: 10.2174/1381612827666210216152654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Chagas disease is a Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD), and although endemic in Latin America, affects around 6-7 million people infected worldwide. The treatment of Chagas disease is based on benznidazole and nifurtimox, which are the only available drugs. However, they are not effective during the chronic phase and cause several side effects. Furthermore, BZ promotes cure in 80% of the patients in the acute phase, but the cure rate drops to 20% in adults in the chronic phase of the disease. In this review, we present several studies published in the last six years, which describes the antiparasitic potential of distinct drugs, from the synthesis of new compounds aiming to target the parasite, as well as the repositioning and the combination of drugs. We highlight several compounds for having shown results that are equivalent or superior to BZ, which means that they should be further studied, either in vitro or in vivo. Furthermore, we stand out the differences in the effects of BZ on the same strain of T. cruzi, which might be related to methodological differences such as parasite and cell ratios, host cell type and the time of adding the drug. In addition, we discuss the wide variety of strains and also the cell types used as a host cell, which makes it difficult to compare the trypanocidal effect of the compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aline Araujo Zuma
- Laboratorio 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, 21491-590, Rio de Janeiro, RJ. Brazil
| | - Wanderley de Souza
- Laboratorio 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, 21491-590, Rio de Janeiro, RJ. Brazil
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Feng L, Pomel S, Latre de Late P, Taravaud A, Loiseau PM, Maes L, Cho-Ngwa F, Bulman CA, Fischer C, Sakanari JA, Ziniel PD, Williams DL, Davioud-Charvet E. Repurposing Auranofin and Evaluation of a New Gold(I) Compound for the Search of Treatment of Human and Cattle Parasitic Diseases: From Protozoa to Helminth Infections. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25215075. [PMID: 33139647 PMCID: PMC7663263 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25215075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2020] [Revised: 10/25/2020] [Accepted: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Neglected parasitic diseases remain a major public health issue worldwide, especially in tropical and subtropical areas. Human parasite diversity is very large, ranging from protozoa to worms. In most cases, more effective and new drugs are urgently needed. Previous studies indicated that the gold(I) drug auranofin (Ridaura®) is effective against several parasites. Among new gold(I) complexes, the phosphole-containing gold(I) complex {1-phenyl-2,5-di(2-pyridyl)phosphole}AuCl (abbreviated as GoPI) is an irreversible inhibitor of both purified human glutathione and thioredoxin reductases. GoPI-sugar is a novel 1-thio-β-d-glucopyranose 2,3,4,6-tetraacetato-S-derivative that is a chimera of the structures of GoPI and auranofin, designed to improve stability and bioavailability of GoPI. These metal-ligand complexes are of particular interest because of their combined abilities to irreversibly target the essential dithiol/selenol catalytic pair of selenium-dependent thioredoxin reductase activity, and to kill cells from breast and brain tumors. In this work, screening of various parasites—protozoans, trematodes, and nematodes—was undertaken to determine the in vitro killing activity of GoPI-sugar compared to auranofin. GoPI-sugar was found to efficiently kill intramacrophagic Leishmania donovani amastigotes and adult filarial and trematode worms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liwen Feng
- UMR 7042 CNRS-Université de Strasbourg-Université Haute-Alsace, Laboratoire d’Innovation Moléculaire et Applications (LIMA), Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry Team, European School of Chemistry, Polymers and Materials (ECPM), 25, rue Becquerel, F-67087 Strasbourg, France;
| | - Sébastien Pomel
- BioCIS, Faculty of Pharmacy, Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, 92290 Châtenay-Malabry, France; (S.P.); (A.T.); (P.M.L.)
| | - Perle Latre de Late
- INSERM U1016, CNRS UMR 8104, Laboratoire de Biologie Cellulaire Comparative des Apicomplexes, Cochin Institute, Faculté de Medecine, Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, 75014 Paris, France;
| | - Alexandre Taravaud
- BioCIS, Faculty of Pharmacy, Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, 92290 Châtenay-Malabry, France; (S.P.); (A.T.); (P.M.L.)
| | - Philippe M. Loiseau
- BioCIS, Faculty of Pharmacy, Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, 92290 Châtenay-Malabry, France; (S.P.); (A.T.); (P.M.L.)
| | - Louis Maes
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH), Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610 Antwerp, Belgium;
| | - Fidelis Cho-Ngwa
- Biotechnology Unit, Faculty of Science, University of Buea, Buea P.O. Box 63, Cameroon;
| | - Christina A. Bulman
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; (C.A.B.); (C.F.); (J.A.S.)
| | - Chelsea Fischer
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; (C.A.B.); (C.F.); (J.A.S.)
| | - Judy A. Sakanari
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; (C.A.B.); (C.F.); (J.A.S.)
| | - Peter D. Ziniel
- Department of Microbial Pathogens and Immunity, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA;
| | - David L. Williams
- Department of Microbial Pathogens and Immunity, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA;
- Correspondence: (D.L.W.); (E.D.-C.)
| | - Elisabeth Davioud-Charvet
- UMR 7042 CNRS-Université de Strasbourg-Université Haute-Alsace, Laboratoire d’Innovation Moléculaire et Applications (LIMA), Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry Team, European School of Chemistry, Polymers and Materials (ECPM), 25, rue Becquerel, F-67087 Strasbourg, France;
- Correspondence: (D.L.W.); (E.D.-C.)
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12
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Escrig JI, Hahn HJ, Debnath A. Activity of Auranofin against Multiple Genotypes of Naegleria fowleri and Its Synergistic Effect with Amphotericin B In Vitro. ACS Chem Neurosci 2020; 11:2464-2471. [PMID: 32392039 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.0c00165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Primary amebic meningoencephalitis, caused by brain infection with a free-living ameba, Naegleria fowleri, leads to extensive inflammation of the brain and death within 3-7 days after symptoms begin. Treatment of primary amebic meningoencephalitis relies on amphotericin B in combination with other drugs, but use of amphotericin B is associated with severe adverse effects. Despite a fatality rate of over 97%, economic incentive to invest in development of antiamebic drugs by the pharmaceutical industry is lacking. Development of safe and rapidly acting drugs remains a critical unmet need to avert future deaths. Since FDA-approved anti-inflammatory and antiarthritic drug auranofin is a known inhibitor of selenoprotein synthesis and thioredoxin reductase and the genome of N. fowleri encodes genes for both selenocysteine biosynthesis and thioredoxin reductases, we tested the effect of auranofin against N. fowleri strains of different genotypes from the USA, Europe, and Australia. Auranofin was equipotent against all tested strains with an EC50 of 1-2 μM. Our growth inhibition study at different time points demonstrated that auranofin is fast-acting, and ∼90% growth inhibition was achieved within 16 h of drug exposure. A short exposure of N. fowleri to auranofin led to the accumulation of intracellular reactive oxygen species. This is consistent with auranofin's role in inhibiting antioxidant pathways. Further, combination of auranofin and amphotericin B led to 95% of growth inhibition with 2-9-fold dose reduction for amphotericin B and 3-20-fold dose reduction for auranofin. Auranofin has the potential to be repurposed for the treatment of primary amebic meningoencephalitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose Ignacio Escrig
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093-0756, United States
| | - Hye Jee Hahn
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093-0756, United States
| | - Anjan Debnath
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093-0756, United States
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13
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Canever MF, Miletti LC. Screening and Identification of Pathogen Box® Compounds with anti-Trypanosoma evansi Activity. Acta Trop 2020; 206:105421. [PMID: 32112721 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2020.105421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2019] [Revised: 02/06/2020] [Accepted: 02/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The development of new drugs targeting neglected animal diseases is imperative. In Asia and South America, Trypanosoma evansi is a pathogen that affects horses and other species, causing economic losses associated with reduced animal productivity and death. In order to accelerate the identification of drugs with activity against neglected diseases, Medicines for Malaria Venture has developed Pathogen Box®, a library of 400 different molecules. The present work aimed to identify compounds present in the Pathogen Box® library, measuring in vitro activity against T. evansi. Among the 400 compounds, 5 showed anti-T.evansi activity: pentamidine, MMV688410, MMV687273, MMV022478 and auranofin. Suramin, a trypanocidal activity molecule present on the Pathogen Box® reference compound list, demonstrated no anti-T. evansi activity in the in vitro assays. MMV688410 is the most promising candidate because it induces death and reduces the number of parasites in cell culture, and mainly because its mechanism of action is probably associated with inhibition of trypanosomal reductase enzyme, an exclusive target of trypanosomatides. Further in vitro and in vivo assays are needed to determine the efficacy of the compounds identified in this work, especially by associating tissue distribution and the ability of drugs to cross the blood brain barrier, as T. evansi is able to invade the central nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Feltrin Canever
- Departamento de Produção Animal e Alimentos, Centro de Ciências Agroveterinárias (CAV), Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina (UDESC), Av. Luís de Camões, 2090, Lages, SC 88520-000 Brazil
| | - Luiz Claudio Miletti
- Departamento de Produção Animal e Alimentos, Centro de Ciências Agroveterinárias (CAV), Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina (UDESC), Av. Luís de Camões, 2090, Lages, SC 88520-000 Brazil.
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14
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Abutaleb NS, Seleem MN. Auranofin, at clinically achievable dose, protects mice and prevents recurrence from Clostridioides difficile infection. Sci Rep 2020; 10:7701. [PMID: 32382070 PMCID: PMC7206065 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-64882-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2020] [Accepted: 04/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Clostridioides difficile is the leading cause of nosocomial infections and a worldwide urgent public health threat. Without doubt, there is an urgent need for new effective anticlostridial agents due to the increasing incidence and severity of C. difficile infection (CDI). The aim of the present study is to investigate the in vivo efficacy of auranofin (rheumatoid arthritis FDA-approved drug) in a CDI mouse model and establish an adequate dosage for treatment. The effects of increased C. difficile inoculum, and pre-exposure to simulated gastric intestinal fluid (SGF) and simulated intestinal fluid (SIF), on the antibacterial activity of auranofin were investigated. Auranofin's in vitro antibacterial activity was stable in the presence of high bacterial inoculum size compared to vancomycin and fidaxomicin. Moreover, it maintained its anti-C. difficile activity after being exposed to SGF and SIF. Upon testing in a CDI mouse model, auranofin at low clinically achievable doses (0.125 mg/kg and 0.25 mg/kg) significantly protected mice against CDI with 100% and 80% survival, respectively. Most importantly, auranofin (0.125 mg/kg and 0.25 mg/kg) significantly prevented CDI recurrence when compared with vancomycin. Collectively, these results indicate that auranofin could potentially provide an effective, safe and quick supplement to the current approaches for treating CDI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nader S Abutaleb
- Department of Comparative Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
| | - Mohamed N Seleem
- Department of Comparative Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA.
- Purdue Institute of Inflammation, Immunology, and Infectious Disease, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA.
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15
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Auranofin Rapidly Eradicates Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in an Infected Pressure Ulcer Mouse Model. Sci Rep 2020; 10:7251. [PMID: 32350417 PMCID: PMC7190694 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-64352-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2020] [Accepted: 04/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Pressure ulcers (PUs) frequently occur in individuals with limited mobility including patients that are hospitalized or obese. PUs are challenging to resolve when infected by antibiotic-resistant bacteria, particularly methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). In this study, we investigated the potential of repurposing auranofin to treat pressure ulcers infected with MRSA. Auranofin’s in vitro activity against strains of S. aureus (including MRSA) was not affected in the presence of higher bacterial inoculum (107 CFU/mL) or by lowering the pH in standard media to simulate the environment present on the surface of the skin. Additionally, S. aureus did not develop resistance to auranofin after repeated exposure for two weeks via a multi-step resistance selection experiment. In contrast, S. aureus resistance to mupirocin emerged rapidly. Moreover, auranofin exhibited a long postantibiotic effect (PAE) in vitro against three strains of S. aureus tested. Remarkably, topical auranofin completely eradicated MRSA (8-log10 reduction) in infected PUs of obese mice after just four days of treatment. This was superior to both topical mupirocin (1.96-log10 reduction) and oral clindamycin (1.24-log10 reduction), which are used to treat infected PUs clinically. The present study highlights auranofin’s potential to be investigated further as a treatment for mild-to-moderate PUs infected with S. aureus.
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16
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Ribeiro V, Dias N, Paiva T, Hagström-Bex L, Nitz N, Pratesi R, Hecht M. Current trends in the pharmacological management of Chagas disease. Int J Parasitol Drugs Drug Resist 2020; 12:7-17. [PMID: 31862616 PMCID: PMC6928327 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2019.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2019] [Revised: 11/06/2019] [Accepted: 11/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Chagas disease (CD) is a tropical neglected illness, affecting mainly populations of low socioeconomic status in Latin America. An estimated 6 to 8 million people worldwide are infected with Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiological agent of CD. Despite being one of the main global health problems, this disease continues without effective treatment during the chronic phase of the infection. The limitation of therapeutic strategies has been one of the biggest challenges on the fight against CD. Nifurtimox and benznidazole, developed in the 1970s, are still the only commercial options with established efficacy on CD. However, the efficacy of these drugs have a proven efficacy only during early infection and the benefits in the chronic phase are questionable. Consequently, there is a growing need for new pharmacological alternatives, either by optimization of existing drugs or by the formulation of new compounds. In the present study, a literature review of the currently adopted therapy, its concomitant combination with other drugs, and potential future treatments for CD was performed, considering articles published from 2012. The revised articles were selected according to the protocol of treatment: evaluation of drug association, drug repositioning and research of new drugs. As a result of the present revision, it was possible to conclude that the use of benznidazole in combination with other compounds showed better results when compared with its use as a single therapy. The search of new drugs has been the strategy most used in pursuing more effective forms of treatment for CD. However, studies have still focused on basic research, that is, they are still in a pre-clinical stage, using methodologies based on in vitro or in animal studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Ribeiro
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Biosciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Federal District, Brazil.
| | - Nayra Dias
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Biosciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Federal District, Brazil.
| | - Taís Paiva
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Biosciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Federal District, Brazil.
| | - Luciana Hagström-Bex
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Biosciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Federal District, Brazil.
| | - Nadjar Nitz
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Biosciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Federal District, Brazil.
| | - Riccardo Pratesi
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Biosciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Federal District, Brazil.
| | - Mariana Hecht
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Biosciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Federal District, Brazil.
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17
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Bie P, Yang X, Zhang C, Wu Q. Identification of Small-Molecule Inhibitors of Brucella Diaminopimelate Decarboxylase by Using a High-Throughput Screening Assay. Front Microbiol 2020; 10:2936. [PMID: 32038511 PMCID: PMC6986272 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.02936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2019] [Accepted: 12/06/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Brucellosis, caused by intracellular gram-negative pathogens of the genus Brucella, continues to be one of the most pandemic zoonotic diseases in most countries. At present, the therapeutic treatment of brucellosis relies on a combination of multiple antibiotics that involves a long course of treatment, easy relapse, and high side effects from the use of certain antibiotics (such as streptomycin). Thus, the need to identify novel drugs or targets to control this disease is urgent. Diaminopimelate decarboxylase (DAPDC), a key enzyme involved in the bacterial diaminopimelate (DAP) biosynthetic pathway, was suggested to be a promising anti-Brucella target in our previous study. In this work, the biological activity of Brucella melitensis DAPDC was characterized, and a library of 1,591 compounds was screened for inhibitors of DAPDC. The results of a high-throughput screening (HTS) assay showed that 24 compounds inhibited DAPDC activity. In a further in vitro bacterial inhibition experiment, five compounds exhibited anti-Brucella activity (SID3, SID4, SID14, SID15, and SID20). These results suggested that the identified compounds can be used as potent molecules against brucellosis and that the application ranges of these approved drugs can be expanded in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengfei Bie
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaowen Yang
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Cunrui Zhang
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Qingmin Wu
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
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18
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Abhishek S, Sivadas S, Satish M, Deeksha W, Rajakumara E. Dynamic Basis for Auranofin Drug Recognition by Thiol-Reductases of Human Pathogens and Intermediate Coordinated Adduct Formation with Catalytic Cysteine Residues. ACS OMEGA 2019; 4:9593-9602. [PMID: 31460050 PMCID: PMC6649031 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.9b00529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2019] [Accepted: 05/14/2019] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
In all the living systems, reactive oxygen species (ROS) metabolism provides resistance against internal and external oxidative stresses. Auranofin (AF), an FDA-approved gold [Au(I)]-conjugated drug, is known to selectively target thiol-reductases, key enzymes involved in ROS metabolism. AF has been successfully tested for its inhibitory activity through biochemical studies, both in vitro and in vivo, against a diverse range of pathogens including protozoa, nematodes, bacteria, and so forth. Cocrystal structures of thiol-reductases complexed with AF revealed that Au(I) was coordinately linked to catalytic cysteines, but the mechanism of transfer of Au(I) from AF to catalytic cysteines still remains unknown. In this study, we have employed computational approaches to understand the interaction of AF with thiol-reductases of selected human pathogens. A similar network of interactions of AF was observed in all the studied enzymes. Also, we have shown that tailor-made analogues of AF can be designed against selective thiol-reductases for targeted inhibition. Molecular dynamics studies show that the AF-intermediates, tetraacetylthioglucose (TAG)-gold, and triethylphosphine (TP)-gold, coordinately linked to one of catalytic cysteines, remain stable in the binding pocket of thiol-reductases for Leishmania infantum and Plasmodium falciparum (PfTrxR). This suggests that the TP and TAG moieties of AF may be sequentially eliminated during the transfer of Au(I) to catalytic cysteines of the receptor.
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19
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Organometallic compounds in the discovery of new agents against kinetoplastid-caused diseases. Eur J Med Chem 2018; 155:459-482. [PMID: 29908440 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2018.05.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2018] [Revised: 04/21/2018] [Accepted: 05/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The development of safe and affordable antiparasitic agents effective against neglected tropical diseases is a big challenge of the drug discovery. The drugs currently employed have limitations such as poor efficacy, drug resistance or side effects. Thus, the search for new promising drugs is more and more crucial. Metal complexes and, in particular, organometallic compounds may expand the list of the drug candidates due to the peculiar attributes that the presence of the metal core add to the organic fragment (e.g., redox and structural features, ability to interact with DNA or protein targets, etc.). To date, most organometallic compounds tested as anti-neglected tropical diseases are based on similarities or activity of the organic ligands against other diseases or parasites and/or consist in modification of existing drugs combining the features of the metal moiety and the organic ligands. This review focuses on recent studies (2012-2017) on organometallic compounds in treating kinetoplastid-caused diseases such as Human African trypanosomiasis, Chagas disease and leishmaniasis. This field of research, however, still lacks exhaustive studies to identify of parasitic targets and quantitative structure-activity relationships for a rational drug design.
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20
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Patel NB, Patel JN, Purohit AC, Patel VM, Rajani DP, Moo-Puc R, Lopez-Cedillo JC, Nogueda-Torres B, Rivera G. In vitro and in vivo assessment of newer quinoxaline-oxadiazole hybrids as antimicrobial and antiprotozoal agents. Int J Antimicrob Agents 2017; 50:413-418. [PMID: 28687457 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2017.04.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2016] [Revised: 03/29/2017] [Accepted: 04/05/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
A new series of N-(substituted-phenyl)-2-[5-(quinoxalin-2-yloxymethyl)-[1,3,4] oxadiazol-2-ylsulfanyl]-acetamides (5a-o) was designed and synthesised from the parent compound 2-hydroxy quinoxaline (1) through a multistep reaction sequence and was characterised by spectral and elemental analyses. All of the compounds synthesised were evaluated for their antimicrobial and antiprotozoal activities. The results revealed that quinoxaline-based 1,3,4-oxadiazoles displayed promising antibacterial, antifungal and anti-Trypanosoma cruzi activities compared with reference drugs, particularly the lead compound 5l in a short-term in vivo model in T. cruzi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Navin B Patel
- Organic Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Veer Narmad South Gujarat University, Udhana-Magdalla Road, Surat 395 007, Gujarat, India.
| | - Jignesh N Patel
- Organic Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Veer Narmad South Gujarat University, Udhana-Magdalla Road, Surat 395 007, Gujarat, India
| | - Amit C Purohit
- Organic Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Veer Narmad South Gujarat University, Udhana-Magdalla Road, Surat 395 007, Gujarat, India
| | - Vatsal M Patel
- Organic Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Veer Narmad South Gujarat University, Udhana-Magdalla Road, Surat 395 007, Gujarat, India
| | - Dhanji P Rajani
- Microcare Laboratory and Tuberculosis Diagnosis & Research Center, Surat, India
| | - Rosa Moo-Puc
- Unidad Médica de Alta Especialidad, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Mérida 97150, Mexico
| | - Julio Cesar Lopez-Cedillo
- Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México 11340, Mexico
| | - Benjamin Nogueda-Torres
- Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México 11340, Mexico
| | - Gildardo Rivera
- Centro de Biotecnología Genómica, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Reynosa 88710, Mexico
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21
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Trypanocidal Activity of Quinoxaline 1,4 Di-N-oxide Derivatives as Trypanothione Reductase Inhibitors. Molecules 2017; 22:molecules22020220. [PMID: 28157150 PMCID: PMC6155662 DOI: 10.3390/molecules22020220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2016] [Accepted: 01/13/2017] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease or American trypanosomiasis is a worldwide public health problem. In this work, we evaluated 26 new propyl and isopropyl quinoxaline-7-carboxylate 1,4-di-N-oxide derivatives as potential trypanocidal agents. Additionally, molecular docking and enzymatic assays on trypanothione reductase (TR) were performed to provide a basis for their potential mechanism of action. Seven compounds showed better trypanocidal activity on epimastigotes than the reference drugs, and only four displayed activity on trypomastigotes; T-085 was the lead compound with an IC50 = 59.9 and 73.02 µM on NINOA and INC-5 strain, respectively. An in silico analysis proposed compound T-085 as a potential TR inhibitor with better affinity than the natural substrate. Enzymatic analysis revealed that T-085 inhibits parasite TR non-competitively. Compound T-085 carries a carbonyl, a CF3, and an isopropyl carboxylate group at 2-, 3- and 7-position, respectively. These results suggest the chemical structure of this compound as a good starting point for the design and synthesis of novel trypanocidal derivatives with higher TR inhibitory potency and lower toxicity.
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22
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Halder A, Das S, Bera T, Mukherjee A. Rapid synthesis for monodispersed gold nanoparticles in kaempferol and anti-leishmanial efficacy against wild and drug resistant strains. RSC Adv 2017. [DOI: 10.1039/c6ra28632a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Synthesis of monodispersed gold nanoparticles using kaempferol and antileishmanial activity with high macrophage uptake capacity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asim Halder
- Department of Chemical Technology
- University of Calcutta
- Kolkata-700 009
- India
| | - Suvadra Das
- Department of Chemical Technology
- University of Calcutta
- Kolkata-700 009
- India
| | - Tanmoy Bera
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology
- Jadavpur University
- Kolkata-700 032
- India
| | - Arup Mukherjee
- Department of Chemical Technology
- University of Calcutta
- Kolkata-700 009
- India
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23
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Parsonage D, Sheng F, Hirata K, Debnath A, McKerrow JH, Reed SL, Abagyan R, Poole LB, Podust LM. X-ray structures of thioredoxin and thioredoxin reductase from Entamoeba histolytica and prevailing hypothesis of the mechanism of Auranofin action. J Struct Biol 2016; 194:180-90. [PMID: 26876147 PMCID: PMC5003402 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsb.2016.02.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2016] [Revised: 02/09/2016] [Accepted: 02/11/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The anti-arthritic gold-containing drug Auranofin is lethal to the protozoan intestinal parasite Entamoeba histolytica, the causative agent of human amebiasis, in both culture and animal models of the disease. A putative mechanism of Auranofin action proposes that monovalent gold, Au(I), released from the drug, can bind to the redox-active dithiol group of thioredoxin reductase (TrxR). Au(I) binding in the active site is expected to prevent electron transfer to the downstream substrate thioredoxin (Trx), thus interfering with redox homeostasis in the parasite. To clarify the molecular mechanism of Auranofin action in more detail, we determined a series of atomic resolution X-ray structures for E. histolytica thioredoxin (EhTrx) and thioredoxin reductase (EhTrxR), the latter with and without Auranofin. Only the disulfide-bonded form of the active site dithiol (Cys(140)-Cys(143)) was invariably observed in crystals of EhTrxR in spite of the addition of reductants in various crystallization trials, and no gold was found associated with these cysteines. Non-catalytic Cys(286) was identified as the only site of modification, but further mutagenesis studies using the C286Q mutant demonstrated that this site was not responsible for inhibition of EhTrxR by Auranofin. Interestingly, we obtained both of the catalytically-relevant conformations of this bacterial-like, low molecular weight TrxR in crystals without requiring an engineered disulfide linkage between Cys mutants of TrxR and Trx (as was originally done with Escherichia coli TrxR and Trx). We note that the -CXXC- catalytic motif, even if reduced, would likely not provide space sufficient to bind Au(I) by both cysteines of the dithiol group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Derek Parsonage
- Department of Biochemistry, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Fang Sheng
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Ken Hirata
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Department of Pathology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Anjan Debnath
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - James H McKerrow
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Sharon L Reed
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Ruben Abagyan
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Leslie B Poole
- Department of Biochemistry, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Larissa M Podust
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
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