1
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Wu D, Yang Y, Yang Y, Li L, Fu S, Wang L, Tan L, Lu X, Zhang W, Di W. An insulin-like signalling pathway model for Fasciola gigantica. BMC Vet Res 2024; 20:252. [PMID: 38851737 PMCID: PMC11162077 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-024-04107-7] [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: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 06/10/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The insulin/insulin-like signalling (IIS) pathway is common in mammals and invertebrates, and the IIS pathway is unknown in Fasciola gigantica. In the present study, the IIS pathway was reconstructed in F. gigantica. We defined the components involved in the IIS pathway and investigated the transcription profiles of these genes for all developmental stages of F. gigantica. In addition, the presence of these components in excretory and secretory products (ESPs) was predicted via signal peptide annotation. RESULTS The core components of the IIS pathway were detected in F. gigantica. Among these proteins, one ligand (FgILP) and one insulin-like molecule binding protein (FgIGFBP) were analysed. Interestingly, three receptors (FgIR-1/FgIR-2/FgIR-3) were detected, and a novel receptor, FgIR-3, was screened, suggesting novel functions. Fg14-3-3ζ, Fgirs, and Fgpp2a exhibited increased transcription in 42-day-old juveniles and 70-day-old juveniles, while Fgilp, Fgigfb, Fgsgk-1, Fgakt-1, Fgir-3, Fgpten, and Fgaap-1 exhibited increased transcription in metacercariae. FgILP, FgIGFBP, FgIR-2, FgIR-3, and two transcription factors (FgHSF-1 and FgSKN-1) were predicted to be present in FgESPs, indicating their exogenous roles. CONCLUSIONS This study helps to elucidate the signal transduction pathway of IIS in F. gigantica, which will aid in understanding the interaction between flukes and hosts, as well as in understanding fluke developmental regulation, and will also lay a foundation for further characterisation of the IIS pathways of trematodes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongqi Wu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Yuqing Yang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Yankun Yang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Liang Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Shishi Fu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Lei Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Li Tan
- Wuhan Keqian Biology Limited Company, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Xiuhong Lu
- Nanning Animal Disease Prevention and Control Center, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Weiyu Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Wenda Di
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi, China.
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2
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Caña-Bozada VH, Ovando-Vázquez C, Flores-Méndez LC, Martínez-Brown JM, Morales-Serna FN. Identifying potential drug targets in the kinomes of two monogenean species. Helminthologia 2024; 61:142-150. [PMID: 39040804 PMCID: PMC11260314 DOI: 10.2478/helm-2024-0020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Protein kinases are enzymes involved in essential biological processes such as signal transduction, transcription, metabolism, and the cell cycle. Human kinases are targets for several drugs approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. Therefore, the identification and classification of kinases in other organisms, including pathogenic parasites, is an interesting subject of study. Monogeneans are platyhelminths, mainly ectoparasites, capable of causing health problems in farmed fish. Although some genomes and transcriptomes are available for monogenean species, their full repertoire of kinases is unknown. The aim of this study was to identify and classify the putative kinases in the transcriptomes of two monogeneans, Rhabdosynochus viridisi and Scutogyrus longicornis, and then to predict potential monogenean drug targets (MDTs) and selective inhibitor drugs using computational approaches. Monogenean kinases having orthologs in the lethal phenotype of C. elegans but not in fish or humans were considered MDTs. A total of 160 and 193 kinases were identified in R. viridisi and S. longicornis, respectively. Of these, 22 kinases, belonging mainly to the major groups CAMK, AGC, and TK, were classified as MDTs, five of which were evaluated further. Molecular docking analysis indicated that dihydroergotamine, ergotamine, and lomitapide have the highest affinity for the kinases BRSK and MEKK1. These well-known drugs could be evaluated in future studies for potential repurposing as anti-monogenean agents. The present study contributes valuable data for the development of new antiparasitic candidates for finfish aquaculture.
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Affiliation(s)
- V. H. Caña-Bozada
- Centro de Investigación en Alimentación y Desarrollo, A.C., Mazatlán, Sinaloa82112, Mexico
| | - C. Ovando-Vázquez
- Centro Nacional de Supercómputo, Instituto Potosino de investigación Científica y Tecnológica, San Luis Potosí78216, Mexico
- Consejo Nacional de Humanidades, Ciencias y Tecnologías (CONAHCYT), Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - L. C. Flores-Méndez
- Centro de Investigación en Alimentación y Desarrollo, A.C., Mazatlán, Sinaloa82112, Mexico
- Present address:Universidad Autónoma de Occidente, Unidad Regional Mazatlán, Mazatlán, 82100, Sinaloa, Mexico
| | - J. M. Martínez-Brown
- Centro de Investigación en Alimentación y Desarrollo, A.C., Mazatlán, Sinaloa82112, Mexico
| | - F. N. Morales-Serna
- Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mazatlán82040, Sinaloa, Mexico
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3
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Stadler KA, Ortiz-Joya LJ, Singh Sahrawat A, Buhlheller C, Gruber K, Pavkov-Keller T, O'Hagan TB, Guarné A, Pulido S, Marín-Villa M, Zangger K, Gubensäk N. Structural investigation of Trypanosoma cruzi Akt-like kinase as drug target against Chagas disease. Sci Rep 2024; 14:10039. [PMID: 38693166 PMCID: PMC11063076 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-59654-8] [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: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024] Open
Abstract
According to the World Health Organization, Chagas disease (CD) is the most prevalent poverty-promoting neglected tropical disease. Alarmingly, climate change is accelerating the geographical spreading of CD causative parasite, Trypanosoma cruzi, which additionally increases infection rates. Still, CD treatment remains challenging due to a lack of safe and efficient drugs. In this work, we analyze the viability of T. cruzi Akt-like kinase (TcAkt) as drug target against CD including primary structural and functional information about a parasitic Akt protein. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance derived information in combination with Molecular Dynamics simulations offer detailed insights into structural properties of the pleckstrin homology (PH) domain of TcAkt and its binding to phosphatidylinositol phosphate ligands (PIP). Experimental data combined with Alpha Fold proposes a model for the mechanism of action of TcAkt involving a PIP-induced disruption of the intramolecular interface between the kinase and the PH domain resulting in an open conformation enabling TcAkt kinase activity. Further docking experiments reveal that TcAkt is recognized by human inhibitors PIT-1 and capivasertib, and TcAkt inhibition by UBMC-4 and UBMC-6 is achieved via binding to TcAkt kinase domain. Our in-depth structural analysis of TcAkt reveals potential sites for drug development against CD, located at activity essential regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karina A Stadler
- Institute of Chemistry/Organic and Bioorganic Chemistry, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Lesly J Ortiz-Joya
- Institute of Chemistry/Organic and Bioorganic Chemistry, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- Programa de Estudio y Control de Enfermedades Tropicales (PECET), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
- Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Amit Singh Sahrawat
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- Innophore GmbH, Graz, Austria
| | | | - Karl Gruber
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- Innophore GmbH, Graz, Austria
- Field of Excellence BioHealth, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- BioTechMed-Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Tea Pavkov-Keller
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- Field of Excellence BioHealth, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- BioTechMed-Graz, Graz, Austria
| | | | - Alba Guarné
- Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Sergio Pulido
- Programa de Estudio y Control de Enfermedades Tropicales (PECET), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
- LifeFactors ZF SAS, Rionegro, Colombia
| | - Marcel Marín-Villa
- Programa de Estudio y Control de Enfermedades Tropicales (PECET), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Klaus Zangger
- Institute of Chemistry/Organic and Bioorganic Chemistry, University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
- Field of Excellence BioHealth, University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
- BioTechMed-Graz, Graz, Austria.
| | - Nina Gubensäk
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
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4
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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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5
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Parkman GL, Foth M, Kircher DA, Holmen SL, McMahon M. The role of PI3'-lipid signalling in melanoma initiation, progression and maintenance. Exp Dermatol 2022; 31:43-56. [PMID: 34717019 PMCID: PMC8724390 DOI: 10.1111/exd.14489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Revised: 09/11/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Phosphatidylinositol-3'-kinases (PI3Ks) are a family of lipid kinases that phosphorylate the 3' hydroxyl (OH) of the inositol ring of phosphatidylinositides (PI). Through their downstream effectors, PI3K generated lipids (PI3K-lipids hereafter) such as PI(3,4,5)P3 and PI(3,4)P2 regulate myriad biochemical and biological processes in both normal and cancer cells including responses to growth hormones and cytokines; the cell division cycle; cell death; cellular growth; angiogenesis; membrane dynamics; and autophagy and many aspects of cellular metabolism. Engagement of receptor tyrosine kinase by their cognate ligands leads to activation of members of the Class I family of PI3'-kinases (PI3Kα, β, δ & γ) leading to accumulation of PI3K-lipids. Importantly, PI3K-lipid accumulation is antagonized by the hydrolytic action of a number of PI3K-lipid phosphatases, most notably the melanoma suppressor PTEN (lipid phosphatase and tensin homologue). Downstream of PI3K-lipid production, the protein kinases AKT1-3 are believed to be key effectors of PI3'-kinase signalling in cells. Indeed, in preclinical models, activation of the PI3K→AKT signalling axis cooperates with alterations such as expression of the BRAFV600E oncoprotein kinase to promote melanoma progression and metastasis. In this review, we describe the different classes of PI3K-lipid effectors, and how they may promote melanomagenesis, influence the tumour microenvironment, melanoma maintenance and progression to metastatic disease. We also provide an update on both FDA-approved or experimental inhibitors of the PI3K→AKT pathway that are currently being evaluated for the treatment of melanoma either in preclinical models or in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gennie L. Parkman
- Department of Oncological Sciences, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Mona Foth
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - David A. Kircher
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Sheri L. Holmen
- Department of Oncological Sciences, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
- Department of Surgery, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Martin McMahon
- Department of Oncological Sciences, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
- Department of Dermatology, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
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6
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Review: Schistosoma mansoni phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3K)/Akt/mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway. Comp Biochem Physiol B Biochem Mol Biol 2021; 256:110632. [PMID: 34119651 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpb.2021.110632] [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: 02/12/2021] [Revised: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Schistosoma mansoni worms are under a milieu of external and internal signaling pathways. The life-cycle stages are exposed to enormous stimuli within the mammalian and the snail hosts and as free-living stages in the fresh water. Furthermore, there is a unique interplay between the male and the female worms involving many stimuli from the male essential for full development of the female. PI3K/Akt/mTOR is an evolutionarily divergent signal transduction pathway universal to nearly every multicellular organism. This work reviews the Schistosoma mansoni PI3K/Akt/mTOR signal pathways and the involvement of the signal in the worms' physiology concerning the uptake of glucose, reproduction and survival. The inhibitors of the signal pathway used against Schistosoma mansoni were summarized. Given the importance of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signal pathway, its inhibition could be a promising control strategy against schistosomiasis.
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7
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Knox J, Joly N, Linossi EM, Carmona-Negrón JA, Jura N, Pintard L, Zuercher W, Roy PJ. A survey of the kinome pharmacopeia reveals multiple scaffolds and targets for the development of novel anthelmintics. Sci Rep 2021; 11:9161. [PMID: 33911106 PMCID: PMC8080662 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-88150-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2020] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Over one billion people are currently infected with a parasitic nematode. Symptoms can include anemia, malnutrition, developmental delay, and in severe cases, death. Resistance is emerging to the anthelmintics currently used to treat nematode infection, prompting the need to develop new anthelmintics. Towards this end, we identified a set of kinases that may be targeted in a nematode-selective manner. We first screened 2040 inhibitors of vertebrate kinases for those that impair the model nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. By determining whether the terminal phenotype induced by each kinase inhibitor matched that of the predicted target mutant in C. elegans, we identified 17 druggable nematode kinase targets. Of these, we found that nematode EGFR, MEK1, and PLK1 kinases have diverged from vertebrates within their drug-binding pocket. For each of these targets, we identified small molecule scaffolds that may be further modified to develop nematode-selective inhibitors. Nematode EGFR, MEK1, and PLK1 therefore represent key targets for the development of new anthelmintic medicines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Knox
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 1A8, Canada.,The Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 3E1, Canada
| | - Nicolas Joly
- Programme Équipe Labellisée Ligue Contre Le Cancer, Institut Jacques Monod, UMR7592, Université de Paris, CNRS, Paris, France
| | - Edmond M Linossi
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA
| | - José A Carmona-Negrón
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA
| | - Natalia Jura
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA.,Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA
| | - Lionel Pintard
- Programme Équipe Labellisée Ligue Contre Le Cancer, Institut Jacques Monod, UMR7592, Université de Paris, CNRS, Paris, France
| | - William Zuercher
- School of Pharmacy, UNC Eshelman, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Peter J Roy
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 1A8, Canada. .,The Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 3E1, Canada. .,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 1A8, Canada.
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8
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Morawietz CM, Houhou H, Puckelwaldt O, Hehr L, Dreisbach D, Mokosch A, Roeb E, Roderfeld M, Spengler B, Haeberlein S. Targeting Kinases in Fasciola hepatica: Anthelminthic Effects and Tissue Distribution of Selected Kinase Inhibitors. Front Vet Sci 2020; 7:611270. [PMID: 33409299 PMCID: PMC7779637 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2020.611270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2020] [Accepted: 11/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein kinases have been discussed as promising druggable targets in various parasitic helminths. New drugs are also needed for control of fascioliasis, a food-borne trematode infection and worldwide spread zoonosis, caused by the liver fluke Fasciola hepatica and related species. In this study, we intended to move protein kinases more into the spotlight of Fasciola drug research and characterized the fasciolicidal activity of two small-molecule inhibitors from human cancer research: the Abelson tyrosine kinase (ABL-TK) inhibitor imatinib and the polo-like 1 (PLK1) inhibitor BI2536. BI2536 reduced viability of 4-week-old immature flukes in vitro, while adult worms showed a blockade of egg production. Together with a significantly higher transcriptional expression of PLK1 in adult compared to immature worms, this argues for a role of PLK1 in fluke reproduction. Both fluke stages expressed ABL1-TK transcripts at similar high levels and were affected by imatinib. To study the uptake kinetic and tissue distribution of imatinib in F. hepatica, we applied matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) for the first time in this parasite. Drug imaging revealed the accumulation of imatinib in different fluke tissues from 20 min to 12 h of exposure. Furthermore, we show that imatinib is metabolized to N-desmethyl imatinib by F. hepatica, a bioactive metabolite also found in humans. Besides the vitellarium, gastrodermal tissue showed strong signal intensities. In situ hybridization demonstrated the gastrodermal presence of abl1 transcripts. Finally, we assessed transcriptional changes of physiologically important genes in imatinib-treated flukes. Moderately increased transcript levels of a gene encoding a multidrug resistance protein were detected, which may reflect an attempt to defend against imatinib. Increased expression levels of the cell cycle dependently expressed histone h2b and of two genes encoding superoxide dismutases (SODs) were also observed. In summary, our pilot study demonstrated cross-stage activity of imatinib but not BI2536 against immature and adult F. hepatica in vitro; a fast incorporation of imatinib within minutes, probably via the oral route; and imatinib-induced expression changes of physiologically relevant genes. We conclude that kinases are worth analyzing in more detail to evaluate the potential as therapeutic targets in F. hepatica.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolin M Morawietz
- Institute of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Hicham Houhou
- Biomedical Research Center Seltersberg (BFS), Institute of Parasitology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Oliver Puckelwaldt
- Biomedical Research Center Seltersberg (BFS), Institute of Parasitology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Laura Hehr
- Department of Gastroenterology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Domenic Dreisbach
- Institute of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Annika Mokosch
- Institute of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Elke Roeb
- Department of Gastroenterology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Martin Roderfeld
- Department of Gastroenterology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Bernhard Spengler
- Institute of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Simone Haeberlein
- Biomedical Research Center Seltersberg (BFS), Institute of Parasitology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
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9
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Muhedier M, Li J, Liu H, Ma G, Amahong K, Lin R, Lü G. Tacrolimus, a rapamycin target protein inhibitor, exerts anti-cystic echinococcosis effects both in vitro and in vivo. Acta Trop 2020; 212:105708. [PMID: 32956634 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2020.105708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2019] [Revised: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 09/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
In view of a growing need for new treatment options for human cystic echinococcosis (CE), we aimed to investigate the efficacy of mTOR pathway inhibitors against CE in vitro and in vivo. Among the seven mTOR inhibitors evaluated, tacrolimus (TAC) showed significant dose- and time-dependent killing of cultured protoscoleces and cysts in vitro. Notably, the oral administration of TAC (4 mg/kg/day) to CE mice model highly effectively reduced both the weight and number of parasitic cysts. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that TAC destroys the ultrastructure of cysts, both in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, TAC had no significant effect on blood glucose, body weight, liver, or kidney functions in mice. We further observed that the ATP levels and glucose content of cysts reduced upon TAC treatment, indicating that inhibiting mTORC1 activity possibly affects glucose metabolism in the cysts of mice. Based on our experimental data, TAC emerged as a promising anti-cyst drug that efficiently inhibits the growth of cysts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muzhabaier Muhedier
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Prevention, and Treatment of Central Asian High Incidence Diseases, Clinical Medical Research Institute, First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, China; Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Echinococcosis, Clinical Medicine Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China; Kashi maternal and child health care hospital, Kashi, Xinjiang, China
| | - Jintian Li
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Prevention, and Treatment of Central Asian High Incidence Diseases, Clinical Medical Research Institute, First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, China; Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Echinococcosis, Clinical Medicine Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China; College of pharmacy, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China
| | - Hui Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Prevention, and Treatment of Central Asian High Incidence Diseases, Clinical Medical Research Institute, First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, China; Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Echinococcosis, Clinical Medicine Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China
| | - Guizhi Ma
- College of pharmacy, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China
| | - Kuerbannisha Amahong
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Prevention, and Treatment of Central Asian High Incidence Diseases, Clinical Medical Research Institute, First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, China; Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Echinococcosis, Clinical Medicine Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China
| | - Renyong Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Prevention, and Treatment of Central Asian High Incidence Diseases, Clinical Medical Research Institute, First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, China; Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Echinococcosis, Clinical Medicine Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China.
| | - Guodong Lü
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Prevention, and Treatment of Central Asian High Incidence Diseases, Clinical Medical Research Institute, First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, China; Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Echinococcosis, Clinical Medicine Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China; College of pharmacy, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China.
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10
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In Vitro and In Vivo Efficacies of the EGFR/MEK/ERK Signaling Inhibitors in the Treatment of Alveolar Echinococcosis. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2020; 64:AAC.00341-20. [PMID: 32482675 PMCID: PMC7526812 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00341-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2020] [Accepted: 05/25/2020] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Alveolar echinococcosis (AE), caused by the larval stage of the cestode Echinococcus multilocularis, is a lethal disease in humans. Novel therapeutic options are urgently needed since the current chemotherapy displays limited efficiency in AE treatment. In this study, we assessed the in vitro and in vivo effects of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)/MEK/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling inhibitors, including BIBW2992, CI-1033, and U0126, on E. multilocularis. Alveolar echinococcosis (AE), caused by the larval stage of the cestode Echinococcus multilocularis, is a lethal disease in humans. Novel therapeutic options are urgently needed since the current chemotherapy displays limited efficiency in AE treatment. In this study, we assessed the in vitro and in vivo effects of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)/MEK/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling inhibitors, including BIBW2992, CI-1033, and U0126, on E. multilocularis. Our data showed that BIBW2992, CI-1033, and U0126 all displayed in vitro effects on the viability of the E. multilocularis metacestode. These inhibitors also showed protoscolicidal activities and caused severe ultrastructural alterations in the parasite. Moreover, BIBW2992 and CI-1033 exhibited potent proapoptotic effects on E. multilocularis metacestodes. Strikingly, a large portion of the apoptotic cells were found to be the germinative cells. In vivo studies showed that BIBW2992 and U0126 significantly reduced parasite burden, and the parasite obtained from BIBW2992-treated mice displayed impaired structural integrity of the germinal layer. In conclusion, these findings demonstrate the potential of EGFR-mediated signaling as a target for the development of novel anti-AE agents. The EGFR inhibitor BIBW2992 represents a promising drug candidate and/or a lead compound for anti-AE chemotherapy.
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11
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Huang Y, Wu Q, Zhao L, Xiong C, Xu Y, Dong X, Wen Y, Cao J. UHPLC-MS-Based Metabolomics Analysis Reveals the Process of Schistosomiasis in Mice. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:1517. [PMID: 32760365 PMCID: PMC7371968 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.01517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2019] [Accepted: 06/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Metabolomics, as an emerging technology, has been demonstrated to be a very powerful tool in the study of the host metabolic responses to infections by parasites. Schistosomiasis is a parasitic infection caused by schistosoma worm via the direct contact with the water containing cercaria, among which Schistosoma japonicum (S. japonicum) is endemic in Asia. In order to characterize the schistosome-induced changes in the host metabolism and further to develop the strategy for early diagnosis of schistosomiasis, we performed comprehensive LC-MS-based metabolomics analysis of serum from mice infected by S. japonicum for 5 weeks. With the developed diagnosis strategy based on our metabolomics data, we were able to successfully detect schistosomiasis at the first week post-infection, which was 3 weeks earlier than "gold standard" methods and 2 weeks earlier than the methods based on 1H NMR spectroscopy. Our metabolomics study revealed that S. japonicum infection induced the metabolic changes involved in a variety of metabolic pathways including amino acid metabolism, DNA and RNA biosynthesis, phospholipid metabolism, depression of energy metabolism, glucose uptake and metabolism, and disruption of gut microbiota metabolism. In addition, we identified seventeen specific metabolites whose down-regulated profiles were closely correlated with the time-course of schistosomiasis progression and can also be used as an indicator for the worm-burdens. Interestingly, the decrease of these seventeen metabolites was particularly remarkable at the first week post-infection. Thus, our findings on mechanisms of host-parasite interaction during the disease process pave the way for the development of an early diagnosis tool and provide more insightful understandings of the potential metabolic process associated with schistosomiasis in mice. Furthermore, the diagnosis strategy developed in this work is cost-effective and is superior to other currently used diagnosis methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuzheng Huang
- National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Parasitic Disease Control and Prevention, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory on Parasite and Vector Control Technology, Jiangsu Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Wuxi, China
- Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Public Health Research Center, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
| | - Qiong Wu
- Department of Pharmacy, General Hospital of Southern Theater Command, Guangzhou, China
| | - Liang Zhao
- Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Chunrong Xiong
- National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Parasitic Disease Control and Prevention, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory on Parasite and Vector Control Technology, Jiangsu Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Wuxi, China
- Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Public Health Research Center, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
| | - Yongliang Xu
- National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Parasitic Disease Control and Prevention, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory on Parasite and Vector Control Technology, Jiangsu Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Wuxi, China
- Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Public Health Research Center, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
| | - Xin Dong
- School of Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China
- Institute of Translation Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yan Wen
- Department of Pharmacy, Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jun Cao
- National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Parasitic Disease Control and Prevention, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory on Parasite and Vector Control Technology, Jiangsu Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Wuxi, China
- Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Public Health Research Center, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
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12
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Munday JC, Kunz S, Kalejaiye TD, Siderius M, Schroeder S, Paape D, Alghamdi AH, Abbasi Z, Huang SX, Donachie AM, William S, Sabra AN, Sterk GJ, Botros SS, Brown DG, Hoffman CS, Leurs R, de Koning HP. Cloning and functional complementation of ten Schistosoma mansoni phosphodiesterases expressed in the mammalian host stages. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020; 14:e0008447. [PMID: 32730343 PMCID: PMC7430754 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2019] [Revised: 08/17/2020] [Accepted: 06/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Only a single drug against schistosomiasis is currently available and new drug development is urgently required but very few drug targets have been validated and characterised. However, regulatory systems including cyclic nucleotide metabolism are emerging as primary candidates for drug discovery. Here, we report the cloning of ten cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase (PDE) genes of S. mansoni, out of a total of 11 identified in its genome. We classify these PDEs by homology to human PDEs. Male worms displayed higher expression levels for all PDEs, in mature and juvenile worms, and schistosomula. Several functional complementation approaches were used to characterise these genes. We constructed a Trypanosoma brucei cell line in which expression of a cAMP-degrading PDE complements the deletion of TbrPDEB1/B2. Inhibitor screens of these cells expressing only either SmPDE4A, TbrPDEB1 or TbrPDEB2, identified highly potent inhibitors of the S. mansoni enzyme that elevated the cellular cAMP concentration. We further expressed most of the cloned SmPDEs in two pde1Δ/pde2Δ strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and some also in a specialised strain of Schizosacharomyces pombe. Five PDEs, SmPDE1, SmPDE4A, SmPDE8, SmPDE9A and SmPDE11 successfully complemented the S. cerevisiae strains, and SmPDE7var also complemented to a lesser degree, in liquid culture. SmPDE4A, SmPDE8 and SmPDE11 were further assessed in S. pombe for hydrolysis of cAMP and cGMP; SmPDE11 displayed considerable preferrence for cGMP over cAMP. These results and tools enable the pursuit of a rigorous drug discovery program based on inhibitors of S. mansoni PDEs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jane C. Munday
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Stefan Kunz
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Amsterdam Institute for Molecules, Medicines and Systems, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Titilola D. Kalejaiye
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Marco Siderius
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Amsterdam Institute for Molecules, Medicines and Systems, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Daniel Paape
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Ali H. Alghamdi
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Zainab Abbasi
- Biology Department, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Sheng Xiang Huang
- Biology Department, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Anne-Marie Donachie
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Samia William
- Department of Pharmacology, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Warrak El-Hadar, Imbaba, Egypt
| | - Abdel Nasser Sabra
- Department of Pharmacology, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Warrak El-Hadar, Imbaba, Egypt
| | - Geert Jan Sterk
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Amsterdam Institute for Molecules, Medicines and Systems, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Sanaa S. Botros
- Department of Pharmacology, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Warrak El-Hadar, Imbaba, Egypt
| | - David G. Brown
- School of Biosciences, University of Kent, United Kingdom
| | - Charles S. Hoffman
- Biology Department, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Rob Leurs
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Amsterdam Institute for Molecules, Medicines and Systems, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Harry P. de Koning
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, United Kingdom
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13
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Hirst NL, Nebel JC, Lawton SP, Walker AJ. Deep phosphoproteome analysis of Schistosoma mansoni leads development of a kinomic array that highlights sex-biased differences in adult worm protein phosphorylation. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020; 14:e0008115. [PMID: 32203512 PMCID: PMC7089424 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2019] [Accepted: 02/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Although helminth parasites cause enormous suffering worldwide we know little of how protein phosphorylation, one of the most important post-translational modifications used for molecular signalling, regulates their homeostasis and function. This is particularly the case for schistosomes. Herein, we report a deep phosphoproteome exploration of adult Schistosoma mansoni, providing one of the richest phosphoprotein resources for any parasite so far, and employ the data to build the first parasite-specific kinomic array. Complementary phosphopeptide enrichment strategies were used to detect 15,844 unique phosphopeptides mapping to 3,176 proteins. The phosphoproteins were predicted to be involved in a wide range of biological processes and phosphoprotein interactome analysis revealed 55 highly interconnected clusters including those enriched with ribosome, proteasome, phagosome, spliceosome, glycolysis, and signalling proteins. 93 distinct phosphorylation motifs were identified, with 67 providing a ‘footprint’ of protein kinase activity; CaMKII, PKA and CK1/2 were highly represented supporting their central importance to schistosome function. Within the kinome, 808 phosphorylation sites were matched to 136 protein kinases, and 68 sites within 37 activation loops were discovered. Analysis of putative protein kinase-phosphoprotein interactions revealed canonical networks but also novel interactions between signalling partners. Kinomic array analysis of male and female adult worm extracts revealed high phosphorylation of transformation:transcription domain associated protein by both sexes, and CDK and AMPK peptides by females. Moreover, eight peptides including protein phosphatase 2C gamma, Akt, Rho2 GTPase, SmTK4, and the insulin receptor were more highly phosphorylated by female extracts, highlighting their possible importance to female worm function. We envision that these findings, tools and methodology will help drive new research into the functional biology of schistosomes and other helminth parasites, and support efforts to develop new therapeutics for their control. Schistosomes are formidable parasites that cause the debilitating and life-threatening disease human schistosomiasis. We need to better understand the cellular biology of these parasites to develop novel strategies for their control. Within cells, a process called protein phosphorylation controls many aspects of molecular communication or ‘signalling’ and is central to cellular function and homeostasis. Here, using complementary strategies, we have performed the first in-depth characterisation and functional annotation of protein phosphorylation events in schistosomes, providing one of the richest phosphoprotein resources for any parasite to date. Using this knowledge, we have developed a novel tool to simultaneously evaluate signalling processes in these worms and highlight sex-biased differences in adult worm protein phosphorylation. Several proteins were found to be more greatly phosphorylated by female worm extracts, suggesting their possible importance to female worm function. This work will help drive new research into the fundamental biology of schistosomes, as well as related parasites, and will support efforts to develop new drug or vaccine-based therapeutics for their control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natasha L. Hirst
- School of Life Sciences Pharmacy and Chemistry, Kingston University, Penrhyn Road, Kingston upon Thames, United Kingdom
| | - Jean-Christophe Nebel
- School of Computer Science and Mathematics, Kingston University, Penrhyn Road, Kingston upon Thames, United Kingdom
| | - Scott P. Lawton
- School of Life Sciences Pharmacy and Chemistry, Kingston University, Penrhyn Road, Kingston upon Thames, United Kingdom
| | - Anthony J. Walker
- School of Life Sciences Pharmacy and Chemistry, Kingston University, Penrhyn Road, Kingston upon Thames, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
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14
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Di W, Gasser RB, He L, Li F, Liu X, Zhou C, Zhou Y, Fang R, Zhao J, Hu M. A serine/threonine-specific protein kinase of Haemonchus contortus with a role in the development. FASEB J 2019; 34:2075-2086. [PMID: 31907982 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201900888rr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2019] [Revised: 11/05/2019] [Accepted: 11/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
In the free-living nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, the serine/threonine-specific protein kinase, AKT, is known to play a key role in dauer formation, life-span, and stress-resistance through the insulin-like signaling pathway. Although the structure and function of AKT-coding genes of C. elegans are understood, this is not the case for homologous genes in parasitic nematodes. In the present study, we explored a C. elegans akt-1 gene homolog in the parasitic nematode Haemonchus contortus, investigated its transcript isoforms (Hc-akt-1a and Hc-akt-1b), and studied expression and function using both homologous and heterologous functional genomic tools. In C. elegans, we showed that the predicted promoter of Hc-akt-1 drives substantial expression in ASJ neurons of the N2 (wild-type) strain. In H. contortus (Haecon-5 stain), RNAi (soaking) led to a significantly decreased transcript abundance for both Hc-akt-1a and Hc-akt-1b, and reduced larval development in larval stages in vitro. Chemical inhibition was also shown to block larval development. Taken together, the evidence from this study points to a key functional role for Hc-akt-1 in H. contortus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenda Di
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Key Laboratory of Development of Veterinary Products, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Robin B Gasser
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Key Laboratory of Development of Veterinary Products, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China.,Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, Department of Veterinary Biosciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Li He
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Key Laboratory of Development of Veterinary Products, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Fangfang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Key Laboratory of Development of Veterinary Products, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiaofang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Key Laboratory of Development of Veterinary Products, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Caixian Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Key Laboratory of Development of Veterinary Products, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yanqin Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Key Laboratory of Development of Veterinary Products, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Rui Fang
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Key Laboratory of Development of Veterinary Products, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Junlong Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Key Laboratory of Development of Veterinary Products, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Min Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Key Laboratory of Development of Veterinary Products, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
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15
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Reference gene analysis and its use for kinase expression profiling in Fasciola hepatica. Sci Rep 2019; 9:15867. [PMID: 31676853 PMCID: PMC6825121 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-52416-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2019] [Accepted: 10/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The liver fluke Fasciola hepatica causes fasciolosis, a foodborne zoonosis affecting humans and livestock worldwide. A reliable quantification of gene expression in all parasite life stages relevant for targeting by anthelmintics in the mammalian host is fundamental. The aim of this study was to define a set of stably expressed reference genes for qRT-PCR in Fasciola studies. We determined the expression stabilities of eight candidate reference genes by the algorithms NormFinder, geNorm, BestKeeper, and comparative ΔCT method. The most stably expressed reference genes for the comparison of intra-mammalian life stages were glutamyl-prolyl-tRNA synthetase (Fheprs) and tubulin-specific chaperone D (Fhtbcd). The two best reference genes for analysis of in vitro-cultured juveniles were Fhtbcd and proteasome subunit beta type-7 (Fhpsmb7). These genes should replace the housekeeping gene gapdh which is used in most Fasciola studies to date, but in fact was differentially expressed in our analysis. Based on the new reference genes, we quantified expression of five kinases (Abl1, Abl2, PKC, Akt1, Plk1) discussed as targets in other parasitic flatworms. Distinct expression patterns throughout development were revealed and point to interesting biological functions. We like to motivate using this set of validated reference genes for future F. hepatica research, such as studies on drug targets or parasite development.
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16
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McKenzie M, Kirk RS, Walker AJ. Glucose Uptake in the Human Pathogen Schistosoma mansoni Is Regulated Through Akt/Protein Kinase B Signaling. J Infect Dis 2019; 218:152-164. [PMID: 29309602 PMCID: PMC5989616 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jix654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2017] [Accepted: 12/19/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background In Schistosoma mansoni, the facilitated glucose transporter SGTP4, which is expressed uniquely in the apical surface tegumental membranes of the parasite, imports glucose from host blood to support its growth, development, and reproduction. However, the molecular mechanisms that underpin glucose uptake in this blood fluke are not understood. Methods In this study we employed techniques including Western blotting, immunolocalization, confocal laser scanning microscopy, pharmacological assays, and RNA interference to functionally characterize and map activated Akt in S mansoni. Results We find that Akt, which could be activated by host insulin and l-arginine, was active in the tegument layer of both schistosomules and adult worms. Blockade of Akt attenuated the expression and evolution of SGTP4 at the surface of the host-invading larval parasite life-stage, and suppressed SGTP4 expression at the tegument in adults; concomitant glucose uptake by the parasite was also attenuated in both scenarios. Conclusions These findings shed light on crucial mechanistic signaling processes that underpin the energetics of glucose uptake in schistosomes, which may open up novel avenues for antischistosome drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maxine McKenzie
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences Pharmacy and Chemistry, Kingston University, Kingston upon Thames, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | - Ruth S Kirk
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences Pharmacy and Chemistry, Kingston University, Kingston upon Thames, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | - Anthony J Walker
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences Pharmacy and Chemistry, Kingston University, Kingston upon Thames, Surrey, United Kingdom
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17
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Rugel A, Tarpley RS, Lopez A, Menard T, Guzman MA, Taylor AB, Cao X, Kovalskyy D, Chevalier FD, Anderson TJC, Hart PJ, LoVerde PT, McHardy SF. Design, Synthesis, and Characterization of Novel Small Molecules as Broad Range Antischistosomal Agents. ACS Med Chem Lett 2018; 9:967-973. [PMID: 30344901 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.8b00257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2018] [Accepted: 09/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Schistosomiasis is a major human parasitic disease afflicting more than 250 million people, historically treated with chemotherapies praziquantel or oxamniquine. Since oxamniquine is species-specific, killing Schistosoma mansoni but not other schistosome species (S. haematobium or S. japonicum) and evidence for drug resistant strains is growing, research efforts have focused on identifying novel approaches. Guided by data from X-ray crystallographic studies and Schistosoma worm killing assays on oxamniquine, our structure-based drug design approach produced a robust structure-activity relationship (SAR) program that identified several new lead compounds with effective worm killing. These studies culminated in the discovery of compound 12a, which demonstrated broad-species activity in killing S. mansoni (75%), S. haematobium (40%), and S. japonicum (83%).
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Reid S. Tarpley
- Center for Innovative
Drug Discovery, University of Texas at San Antonio, Department of Chemistry, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, Texas 78249, United States
| | - Ambrosio Lopez
- Center for Innovative
Drug Discovery, University of Texas at San Antonio, Department of Chemistry, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, Texas 78249, United States
| | - Travis Menard
- Center for Innovative
Drug Discovery, University of Texas at San Antonio, Department of Chemistry, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, Texas 78249, United States
| | | | - Alexander B. Taylor
- X-ray Crystallography Core Laboratory,Institutional Research Cores, UT Health San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, Texas 78229, United States
| | | | | | - Frédéric D. Chevalier
- Texas BioMedical Research Institute, 7620 NW Loop 410, San Antonio, Texas 78227-5301, United States
| | - Timothy J. C. Anderson
- Texas BioMedical Research Institute, 7620 NW Loop 410, San Antonio, Texas 78227-5301, United States
| | - P. John Hart
- X-ray Crystallography Core Laboratory,Institutional Research Cores, UT Health San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, Texas 78229, United States
- Department of Veterans Affairs, South Texas Veterans Health Care System, San Antonio, Texas 78229, United States
| | | | - Stanton F. McHardy
- Center for Innovative
Drug Discovery, University of Texas at San Antonio, Department of Chemistry, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, Texas 78249, United States
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18
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Pasche V, Laleu B, Keiser J. Screening a repurposing library, the Medicines for Malaria Venture Stasis Box, against Schistosoma mansoni. Parasit Vectors 2018; 11:298. [PMID: 29764454 PMCID: PMC5952519 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-2855-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2018] [Accepted: 04/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The development of new treatments against schistosomiasis is imperative but lacks commercial interest. Drug repurposing represents a suitable strategy to identify potential treatments, which have already unblocked several essential steps along the drug development path, hence reducing costs and timelines. Promoting this approach, the Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV) recently distributed a drug repurposing library of 400 advanced lead candidates (Stasis Box). Methods All 400 compounds were initially tested in vitro against the larval stage of Schistosoma mansoni at 10 μM. Hits progressed to screening on adult worms and were further characterised for IC50, cytotoxicity and selectivity. Ten lead compounds were tested in mice harbouring a chronic S. mansoni infection. Results Eleven of the 37 compounds active on the larval stage were also highly active on adult worms in vitro (IC50 = 2.0–7.5 μM). IC50 values on adult S. mansoni decreased substantially in the presence of albumin (7.5–123.5 μM). Toxicity to L6 and MRC cells was moderate. A moderate worm burden reduction of 51.6% was observed for MMV690534, while the other 9 compounds showed low activity. None of the in vivo results were statistically significant (P > 0.05). Conclusions Phenotypic screening of advanced lead compounds is a simple and resource-low method to identify novel anthelminthics. None of the promising hits of the Stasis Box identified in vitro against S. mansoni yielded acceptable worm burden reductions in vivo, which might be due to the high plasma protein binding. Since the in vitro hits interfere with different drug targets, they might provide a starting point for target based screening and structure-activity relationship studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valérian Pasche
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, P.O. Box, CH-4002, Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel, P.O. Box, CH-4003, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Benoît Laleu
- Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV), PO Box 1826, 20, Route de Pré-Bois, 1215, Geneva 15, Switzerland
| | - Jennifer Keiser
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, P.O. Box, CH-4002, Basel, Switzerland. .,University of Basel, P.O. Box, CH-4003, Basel, Switzerland.
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19
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Signalling pathways in schistosomes: novel targets for control interventions against schistosomiasis. Emerg Top Life Sci 2017; 1:633-639. [PMID: 33525854 DOI: 10.1042/etls20170093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2017] [Revised: 10/24/2017] [Accepted: 10/31/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Over the last decade, there has been accumulating evidence showing that signalling pathways are involved in extensive biological and physiological processes in the human blood fluke schistosomes, playing essential roles in environmental sensing, host penetration, growth, development, maturation, embryogenesis, tissue self-renewal and survival. Owing to the likelihood of resistance developing against praziquantel, the only drug currently available that is effective against all the human schistosome species, there is an urgent requirement for an alternative treatment, arguing for continuing research into novel or repurposed anti-schistosomal drugs. An increasing number of anticancer drugs are being developed which block abnormal signalling pathways, a feature that has stimulated interest in developing novel interventions against human schistosomiasis by targeting key cell signalling components. In this review, we discuss the functional characterization of signal transduction pathways in schistosomes and consider current challenges and future perspectives in this important area of research.
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20
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Kinases: Molecular Stage Directors for Schistosome Development and Differentiation. Trends Parasitol 2017; 34:246-260. [PMID: 29276074 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2017.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2017] [Revised: 12/01/2017] [Accepted: 12/01/2017] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Understanding schistosome biology is still a challenging mission. The reproductive biology of this parasitic trematode is closely associated with the pathologic consequences of schistosomiasis, the devastating infectious disease caused by members of the family Schistosomatidae worldwide. Recent studies of signaling mechanisms confirmed the prominent roles of protein kinases (PKs) in directing schistosome biology, and first evidence was obtained for an additional contribution of kinases with substrates different from proteins (non-PKs). This review provides an overview of the Schistosoma mansoni kinome in the context of male-female interaction and summarizes recent studies of kinases controlling development and differentiation. Due to their importance for schistosome biology, kinases represent Achilles' heels and are therefore of high value also for translational research.
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Abongwa M, Baber KE, Martin RJ, Robertson AP. The cholinomimetic morantel as an open channel blocker of the Ascaris suum ACR-16 nAChR. INVERTEBRATE NEUROSCIENCE 2016; 16:10. [DOI: 10.1007/s10158-016-0193-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2016] [Accepted: 11/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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Wangchuk P, Pearson MS, Giacomin PR, Becker L, Sotillo J, Pickering D, Smout MJ, Loukas A. Compounds Derived from the Bhutanese Daisy, Ajania nubigena, Demonstrate Dual Anthelmintic Activity against Schistosoma mansoni and Trichuris muris. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2016; 10:e0004908. [PMID: 27490394 PMCID: PMC4973903 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0004908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2016] [Accepted: 07/15/2016] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Whipworms and blood flukes combined infect almost one billion people in developing countries. Only a handful of anthelmintic drugs are currently available to treat these infections effectively; there is therefore an urgent need for new generations of anthelmintic compounds. Medicinal plants have presented as a viable source of new parasiticides. Ajania nubigena, the Bhutanese daisy, has been used in Bhutanese traditional medicine for treating various diseases and our previous studies revealed that small molecules from this plant have antimalarial properties. Encouraged by these findings, we screened four major compounds isolated from A. nubigena for their anthelmintic properties. Methodology/Principal Findings Here we studied four major compounds derived from A. nubigena for their anthelmintic properties against the nematode whipworm Trichuris muris and the platyhelminth blood fluke Schistosoma mansoni using the xWORM assay technique. Of four compounds tested, two compounds—luteolin (3) and (3R,6R)-linalool oxide acetate (1)—showed dual anthelmintic activity against S. mansoni (IC50 range = 5.8–36.9 μg/mL) and T. muris (IC50 range = 9.7–20.4 μg/mL). Using scanning electron microscopy, we determined luteolin as the most efficacious compound against both parasites and additionally was found effective against the schistosomula, the infective stage of S. mansoni (IC50 = 13.3 μg/mL). Luteolin induced tegumental damage to S. mansoni and affected the cuticle, bacillary bands and bacillary glands of T. muris. Our in vivo assessment of luteolin (3) against T. muris infection at a single oral dosing of 100 mg/kg, despite being significantly (27.6%) better than the untreated control group, was markedly weaker than mebendazole (93.1%) in reducing the worm burden in mice. Conclusions/Significance Among the four compounds tested, luteolin demonstrated the best broad-spectrum activity against two different helminths—T. muris and S. mansoni—and was effective against juvenile schistosomes, the stage that is refractory to the current gold standard drug, praziquantel. Medicinal chemistry optimisation including cytotoxicity analysis, analogue development and structure-activity relationship studies are warranted and could lead to the identification of more potent chemical entities for the control of parasitic helminths of humans and animals. Schistosomiasis and trichuriasis affects millions of people worldwide and are caused by blood flukes and whipworms, respectively. Only a handful of anthelmintic drugs exist to treat these infections and the pipeline for the next generation of anthelmintic drugs is sparse, precipitating the need for new drug development. In this context, medicinal plants present a viable source of novel anthelmintic compounds. This inspired us to study the selected naturally occurring compounds derived from a Bhutanese daisy medicinal plant, Ajania nubigena for their anthelmintic activities. Here, using the xWORM motility assay, we demonstrate that two compounds, luteolin (3) and (3R,6R)-linalool oxide acetate (1), display significant broad-spectrum anthelmintic activity against two of the most important genera of human helminth parasites, the nematode whipworm and the platyhelminth blood fluke. Luteolin exhibited the best activities with IC50 values of 5.8 μg/mL against schistosomes and 9.7 μg/mL against whipworms. Using scanning electron microscopy we showed that luteolin damages the tegument of blood flukes and induces abnormalities in the bacillary bands/glands and cuticles of whipworms. Intriguingly, our previous study showed that luteolin (3) was effective against multi-drug resistant Plasmodium falciparum malaria. Due to its broad-spectrum anti-parasitic activities, luteolin (3) is a desirable drug lead scaffold, which could be used for developing effective compounds to control and treat numerous tropical diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phurpa Wangchuk
- Centre for Biodiscovery and Molecular Development of Therapeutics, Queensland Tropical Health Alliance, Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns Campus, Cairns, Australia
- * E-mail:
| | - Mark S. Pearson
- Centre for Biodiscovery and Molecular Development of Therapeutics, Queensland Tropical Health Alliance, Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns Campus, Cairns, Australia
| | - Paul R. Giacomin
- Centre for Biodiscovery and Molecular Development of Therapeutics, Queensland Tropical Health Alliance, Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns Campus, Cairns, Australia
| | - Luke Becker
- Centre for Biodiscovery and Molecular Development of Therapeutics, Queensland Tropical Health Alliance, Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns Campus, Cairns, Australia
| | - Javier Sotillo
- Centre for Biodiscovery and Molecular Development of Therapeutics, Queensland Tropical Health Alliance, Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns Campus, Cairns, Australia
| | - Darren Pickering
- Centre for Biodiscovery and Molecular Development of Therapeutics, Queensland Tropical Health Alliance, Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns Campus, Cairns, Australia
| | - Michael J. Smout
- Centre for Biodiscovery and Molecular Development of Therapeutics, Queensland Tropical Health Alliance, Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns Campus, Cairns, Australia
| | - Alex Loukas
- Centre for Biodiscovery and Molecular Development of Therapeutics, Queensland Tropical Health Alliance, Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns Campus, Cairns, Australia
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Repurposing pharma assets: an accelerated mechanism for strengthening the schistosomiasis drug development pipeline. Future Med Chem 2016; 7:727-35. [PMID: 25996066 DOI: 10.4155/fmc.15.26] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Schistosomiasis, one of 17 diseases deemed to be neglected by the World Health Organization, has received little attention from the biopharmaceutical industry. Due to this, only a handful of drugs have been developed to treat schistosomiasis, with only one, praziquantel, used in most endemic regions. Growing concern over resistance coupled with praziquantel's incomplete efficacy across all stages of the Schistosoma platyhelminth life cycle highlights the urgent need for new drugs. The WIPO Re:Search consortium is a platform whereupon biopharmaceutical company compounds are being repurposed to efficiently and cost-effectively develop new drugs for neglected diseases such as schistosomiasis. This article summarizes recent clinical-stage efforts to identify new antischistosomals and highlights biopharmaceutical company compounds with potential for repurposing to treat schistosomiasis.
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Long T, Neitz RJ, Beasley R, Kalyanaraman C, Suzuki BM, Jacobson MP, Dissous C, McKerrow JH, Drewry DH, Zuercher WJ, Singh R, Caffrey CR. Structure-Bioactivity Relationship for Benzimidazole Thiophene Inhibitors of Polo-Like Kinase 1 (PLK1), a Potential Drug Target in Schistosoma mansoni. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2016; 10:e0004356. [PMID: 26751972 PMCID: PMC4709140 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0004356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2015] [Accepted: 12/13/2015] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Schistosoma flatworm parasites cause schistosomiasis, a chronic and debilitating disease of poverty in developing countries. Praziquantel is employed for treatment and disease control. However, its efficacy spectrum is incomplete (less active or inactive against immature stages of the parasite) and there is a concern of drug resistance. Thus, there is a need to identify new drugs and drug targets. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS We show that RNA interference (RNAi) of the Schistosoma mansoni ortholog of human polo-like kinase (huPLK)1 elicits a deleterious phenotypic alteration in post-infective larvae (schistosomula or somules). Phenotypic screening and analysis of schistosomula and adult S. mansoni with small molecule inhibitors of huPLK1 identified a number of potent anti-schistosomals. Among these was a GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) benzimidazole thiophene inhibitor that has completed Phase I clinical trials for treatment of solid tumor malignancies. We then obtained GSKs Published Kinase Inhibitor Sets (PKIS) 1 and 2, and phenotypically screened an expanded series of 38 benzimidazole thiophene PLK1 inhibitors. Computational analysis of controls and PLK1 inhibitor-treated populations of somules demonstrated a distinctive phenotype distribution. Using principal component analysis (PCA), the phenotypes exhibited by these populations were mapped, visualized and analyzed through projection to a low-dimensional space. The phenotype distribution was found to have a distinct shape and topology, which could be elicited using cluster analysis. A structure-activity relationship (SAR) was identified for the benzimidazole thiophenes that held for both somules and adult parasites. The most potent inhibitors produced marked phenotypic alterations at 1-2 μM within 1 h. Among these were compounds previously characterized as potent inhibitors of huPLK1 in cell assays. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE The reverse genetic and chemical SAR data support a continued investigation of SmPLK1 as a possible drug target and/or the prosecution of the benzimidazole thiophene chemotype as a source of novel anti-schistosomals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thavy Long
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - R. Jeffrey Neitz
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Small Molecule Discovery Center, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Rachel Beasley
- Department of Computer Science, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Chakrapani Kalyanaraman
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Brian M. Suzuki
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Matthew P. Jacobson
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Colette Dissous
- Center of Infection and Immunity of Lille, Université Lille Nord de France, Inserm U1019, CNRS-UMR 8204, Institut Pasteur de Lille, Lille, France
| | - James H. McKerrow
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - David H. Drewry
- Department of Chemical Biology, GlaxoSmithKline, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - William J. Zuercher
- Department of Chemical Biology, GlaxoSmithKline, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Rahul Singh
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Department of Computer Science, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Conor R. Caffrey
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
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Stroehlein AJ, Young ND, Jex AR, Sternberg PW, Tan P, Boag PR, Hofmann A, Gasser RB. Defining the Schistosoma haematobium kinome enables the prediction of essential kinases as anti-schistosome drug targets. Sci Rep 2015; 5:17759. [PMID: 26635209 PMCID: PMC4669435 DOI: 10.1038/srep17759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2015] [Accepted: 08/26/2015] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The blood fluke Schistosoma haematobium causes urogenital schistosomiasis, a neglected tropical disease (NTD) that affects more than 110 million people. Treating this disease by targeted or mass administration with a single chemical, praziquantel, carries the risk that drug resistance will develop in this pathogen. Therefore, there is an imperative to search for new drug targets in S. haematobium and other schistosomes. In this regard, protein kinases have potential, given their essential roles in biological processes and as targets for drugs already approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in humans. In this context, we defined here the kinome of S. haematobium using a refined bioinformatic pipeline. We classified, curated and annotated predicted kinases, and assessed the developmental transcription profiles of kinase genes. Then, we prioritised a panel of kinases as potential drug targets and inferred chemicals that bind to them using an integrated bioinformatic pipeline. Most kinases of S. haematobium are very similar to those of its congener, S. mansoni, offering the prospect of designing chemicals that kill both species. Overall, this study provides a global insight into the kinome of S. haematobium and should assist the repurposing or discovery of drugs against schistosomiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas J. Stroehlein
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Neil D. Young
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Aaron R. Jex
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Paul W. Sternberg
- HHMI, Division of Biology, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, USA
| | - Patrick Tan
- Genome Institute of Singapore, Republic of Singapore
- Cancer and Stem Cell Biology, Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School, Republic of Singapore
| | - Peter R. Boag
- Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Andreas Hofmann
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Structural Chemistry Program, Eskitis Institute, Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Robin B. Gasser
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
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Yepes E, Varela-M RE, López-Abán J, Rojas-Caraballo J, Muro A, Mollinedo F. Inhibition of Granulomatous Inflammation and Prophylactic Treatment of Schistosomiasis with a Combination of Edelfosine and Praziquantel. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2015; 9:e0003893. [PMID: 26191954 PMCID: PMC4507859 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0003893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2014] [Accepted: 06/09/2015] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Schistosomiasis is the third most devastating tropical disease worldwide caused by blood flukes of the genus Schistosoma. This parasitic disease is due to immunologic reactions to Schistosoma eggs trapped in tissues. Egg-released antigens stimulate tissue-destructive inflammatory and granulomatous reactions, involving different immune cell populations, including T cells and granulocytes. Granulomas lead to collagen fibers deposition and fibrosis, resulting in organ damage. Praziquantel (PZQ) is the drug of choice for treating all species of schistosomes. However, PZQ kills only adult Schistosoma worms, not immature stages. The inability of PZQ to abort early infection or prevent re-infection, and the lack of prophylactic effect prompt the need for novel drugs and strategies for the prevention of schistosomiasis. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Using in vitro and in vivo approaches, we have found that the alkylphospholipid analog edelfosine kills schistosomula, and displays anti-inflammatory activity. The combined treatment of PZQ and edelfosine during a few days before and after cercariae infection in a schistosomiasis mouse model, simulating a prophylactic treatment, led to seven major effects: a) killing of Schistosoma parasites at early and late development stages; b) reduction of hepatomegaly; c) granuloma size reduction; d) down-regulation of Th1, Th2 and Th17 responses at late post-infection times, thus inhibiting granuloma formation; e) upregulation of IL-10 at early post-infection times, thus potentiating anti-inflammatory actions; f) down-regulation of IL-10 at late post-infection times, thus favoring resistance to re-infection; g) reduction in the number of blood granulocytes in late post-infection times as compared to infected untreated animals. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE Taken together, these data suggest that the combined treatment of PZQ and edelfosine promotes a high decrease in granuloma formation, as well as in the cellular immune response that underlies granuloma development, with changes in the cytokine patterns, and may provide a promising and effective strategy for a prophylactic treatment of schistosomiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward Yepes
- IBSAL-CIETUS (Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca-Centro de Investigación de Enfermedades Tropicales de la Universidad de Salamanca), Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Centro de Investigación del Cáncer, CSIC-Universidad de Salamanca, Campus Miguel de Unamuno, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Rubén E. Varela-M
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Centro de Investigación del Cáncer, CSIC-Universidad de Salamanca, Campus Miguel de Unamuno, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Julio López-Abán
- IBSAL-CIETUS (Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca-Centro de Investigación de Enfermedades Tropicales de la Universidad de Salamanca), Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Jose Rojas-Caraballo
- IBSAL-CIETUS (Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca-Centro de Investigación de Enfermedades Tropicales de la Universidad de Salamanca), Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Antonio Muro
- IBSAL-CIETUS (Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca-Centro de Investigación de Enfermedades Tropicales de la Universidad de Salamanca), Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Faustino Mollinedo
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Centro de Investigación del Cáncer, CSIC-Universidad de Salamanca, Campus Miguel de Unamuno, Salamanca, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
- * E-mail:
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Dissous C. Venus Kinase Receptors at the Crossroads of Insulin Signaling: Their Role in Reproduction for Helminths and Insects. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2015; 6:118. [PMID: 26284029 PMCID: PMC4522560 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2015.00118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2015] [Accepted: 07/17/2015] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Venus kinase receptors (VKRs) are invertebrate receptor tyrosine kinases (TKs) first discovered in the human parasite Schistosoma. They contain an extracellular Venus FlyTrap module similar to the ligand-binding domain of G protein-coupled receptors of class C and an intracellular TK domain similar to that of insulin receptors. VKRs are present from cnidarians to echinoderms. They were shown to be activated by amino-acids, to induce insulin-like intracellular pathways, and to be highly expressed in larvae and in gonads of helminths and insects. The function of VKR in gametogenesis was demonstrated in schistosomes by VKR silencing and recent studies in Aedes aegypti have confirmed the importance of VKR in mosquito egg formation. AaeVKR was shown to bind to ovary ecdysteroidogenic hormone and to activate the production of ecdysteroids by the ovary, independently of signaling mediated by insulin-like peptides. These new data confirm and specify the function of VKRs in the reproduction of helminths and insects and they open interesting perspectives for elucidating the role of VKRs in other models. VKR targeting would also provide opportunities for the control of parasites and various vector-borne infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colette Dissous
- Center for Infection and Immunity of Lille, INSERM U1019, University Lille Nord de France, Lille, France
- CNRS-UMR 8204, Institut Pasteur de Lille, University Lille Nord de France, Lille, France
- *Correspondence: Colette Dissous,
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Wolstenholme AJ, Martin RJ. Anthelmintics - from discovery to resistance. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-DRUGS AND DRUG RESISTANCE 2014; 4:218-9. [PMID: 25516831 PMCID: PMC4266783 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2014.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Special Issue from the “Anthelmintics: From Discovery to Resistance” meeting, San Francisco, February 2014. Meeting themes: drug discovery, modes of action and resistance. Human and veterinary parasites covered. Academic and industrial attendees.
The scientific meeting entitled ‘Anthelmintics: From Discovery to Resistance’ was held in San Francisco in February 2014. The themes of the meeting were drug discovery, modes of action and resistance. Both human and veterinary parasites were covered in the oral and poster presentations. The attendees were from both academic and industrial backgrounds. In the present article we introduce a number of the papers that emerged from the meeting. Several of the papers covered current drug discovery efforts underway worldwide, with some specific examples focusing on ion channels, protein kinases and cysteine proteases. These efforts included the repurposing of known drugs as well as the discovery of novel actives. Two papers described recently-developed whole-organism screening techniques. Finally, we introduce several papers looking at mechanisms and management of drug resistance in human and veterinary parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrian J Wolstenholme
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA ; Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Richard J Martin
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
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