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Villani S, Fallarini S, Rezzi SJ, Di Martino RMC, Aprile S, Del Grosso E. Selective inhibition of indoleamine and tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenases: Comparative study on kynurenine pathway in cell lines via LC-MS/MS-based targeted metabolomics. J Pharm Biomed Anal 2024; 237:115750. [PMID: 37804639 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpba.2023.115750] [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: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/09/2023]
Abstract
In the last decade, the kynurenine pathway, which is the primary metabolic route for tryptophan (TRP) catabolism, has sparked great interest in the pharmaceutical sciences due to its role in immune regulation and cancer immunoediting. In this context, the development of cell-based assays might represent a tool to: i) characterize the cell secretome according to cell types; ii) gain more insight into the role of kynurenines in different disease scenarios; iii) screen hIDO1 (human indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase) inhibitors and evaluate their effect on downstream TRP-catabolizing enzymes. This paper reports a validated Liquid Chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method to simultaneously quantify TRP, L-kynurenine (KYN), xanthurenic acid (XA), 3-hydroxykynurenine (3OHKYN), kynurenic acid (KA), 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid (3OHAA), anthranilic acid (AA), 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin, 5HT) and tryptamine (TRYP) in Dulbecco's Modified Eagle and Eagle's Minimum Essential Media (DMEM and EMEM, respectively). The quantitative method was validated according to FDA, ICH and EMA guidelines, later applied: i) to assess the impact of selective inhibition of hIDO1 or hTDO (human tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase) on the kynurenine pathway in A375 (melanoma), MDA-MB-231 (breast cancer), and U87 (glioblastoma) cell lines using multivariate analysis (MVA); ii) to determine the IC50 values of both well-known (i.e., epacadostat, linrodostat) and the novel hIDO1 inhibitor (i.e., BL5) in the aforementioned cell lines. The proposed LC-MS/MS method is reliable and robust. Furthermore, it is highly versatile and suitable for applications in the preclinical drug research and in vitro assays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salvatore Villani
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Piemonte Orientale, Largo Donegani 2, 28100, Novara, Italy
| | - Silvia Fallarini
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Piemonte Orientale, Largo Donegani 2, 28100, Novara, Italy
| | - Sarah Jane Rezzi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Piemonte Orientale, Largo Donegani 2, 28100, Novara, Italy
| | | | - Silvio Aprile
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Piemonte Orientale, Largo Donegani 2, 28100, Novara, Italy
| | - Erika Del Grosso
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Piemonte Orientale, Largo Donegani 2, 28100, Novara, Italy.
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Esposito Verza A, Miggiano R, Lombardo F, Fiorillo C, Arcà B, Purghé B, Del Grosso E, Galli U, Rizzi M, Rossi F. Biochemical and structural analysis of a cytosolic sulfotransferase of the malaria vector Anopheles gambiae overexpressed in the reproductive tissues. Curr Res Struct Biol 2022; 4:246-255. [PMID: 35941867 PMCID: PMC9356239 DOI: 10.1016/j.crstbi.2022.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Revised: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
The temporary or permanent chemical modification of biomolecules is a crucial aspect in the physiology of all living species. However, while some modules are well characterised also in insects, others did not receive the same attention. This holds true for sulfo-conjugation that is catalysed by cytosolic sulfotransferases (SULT), a central component of the metabolism of endogenous low molecular weight molecules and xenobiotics. In particular, limited information is available about the functional roles of the mosquito predicted enzymes annotated as SULTs in genomic databases. The herein described research is the first example of a biochemical and structural study of a SULT of a mosquito species, in general, and of the malaria vector Anopheles gambiae in particular. We confirmed that the AGAP001425 transcript displays a peculiar expression pattern that is suggestive of a possible involvement in modulating the mosquito reproductive tissues physiology, a fact that could raise attention on the enzyme as a potential target for insect-containment strategies. The crystal structures of the enzyme in alternative ligand-bound states revealed elements distinguishing AgSULT-001425 from other characterized SULTs, including a peculiar conformational plasticity of a discrete region that shields the catalytic cleft and that could play a main role in the dynamics of the reaction and in the substrate selectivity of the enzyme. Along with further in vitro biochemical studies, our structural investigations could provide a framework for the discovery of small-molecule inhibitors to assess the effect of interfering with AgSULT-001425-mediated catalysis at the organismal level. Mosquito cytosolic sulfotransferases (SULT) are poorly characterized. A SULT-encoding gene is highly transcribed in Anopheles male reproductive system. The corresponding enzyme is a genuine SULT acting on small phenolic molecules. We solved the AgSULT crystal structure in its substrate-free and ligand-bound states. The peculiar features of AgSULT could drive the design of isozyme-specific inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arianna Esposito Verza
- University of Piemonte Orientale, DSF Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Largo Donegani, 2, Novara, Italy
| | - Riccardo Miggiano
- University of Piemonte Orientale, DSF Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Largo Donegani, 2, Novara, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Lombardo
- Sapienza University of Rome, Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases – Division of Parasitology, Piazzale Aldo Moro, 5, Rome, Italy
| | - Carmine Fiorillo
- Sapienza University of Rome, Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases – Division of Parasitology, Piazzale Aldo Moro, 5, Rome, Italy
| | - Bruno Arcà
- Sapienza University of Rome, Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases – Division of Parasitology, Piazzale Aldo Moro, 5, Rome, Italy
| | - Beatrice Purghé
- University of Piemonte Orientale, DSF Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Largo Donegani, 2, Novara, Italy
| | - Erika Del Grosso
- University of Piemonte Orientale, DSF Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Largo Donegani, 2, Novara, Italy
| | - Ubaldina Galli
- University of Piemonte Orientale, DSF Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Largo Donegani, 2, Novara, Italy
| | - Menico Rizzi
- University of Piemonte Orientale, DSF Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Largo Donegani, 2, Novara, Italy
| | - Franca Rossi
- University of Piemonte Orientale, DSF Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Largo Donegani, 2, Novara, Italy
- Corresponding author. University of Piemonte Orientale DSF - Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Largo Donegani, 2 - 28100, Novara, Italy.
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Adedeji EO, Ogunlana OO, Fatumo S, Beder T, Ajamma Y, Koenig R, Adebiyi E. Anopheles metabolic proteins in malaria transmission, prevention and control: a review. Parasit Vectors 2020; 13:465. [PMID: 32912275 PMCID: PMC7488410 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04342-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2020] [Accepted: 09/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The increasing resistance to currently available insecticides in the malaria vector, Anopheles mosquitoes, hampers their use as an effective vector control strategy for the prevention of malaria transmission. Therefore, there is need for new insecticides and/or alternative vector control strategies, the development of which relies on the identification of possible targets in Anopheles. Some known and promising targets for the prevention or control of malaria transmission exist among Anopheles metabolic proteins. This review aims to elucidate the current and potential contribution of Anopheles metabolic proteins to malaria transmission and control. Highlighted are the roles of metabolic proteins as insecticide targets, in blood digestion and immune response as well as their contribution to insecticide resistance and Plasmodium parasite development. Furthermore, strategies by which these metabolic proteins can be utilized for vector control are described. Inhibitors of Anopheles metabolic proteins that are designed based on target specificity can yield insecticides with no significant toxicity to non-target species. These metabolic modulators combined with each other or with synergists, sterilants, and transmission-blocking agents in a single product, can yield potent malaria intervention strategies. These combinations can provide multiple means of controlling the vector. Also, they can help to slow down the development of insecticide resistance. Moreover, some metabolic proteins can be modulated for mosquito population replacement or suppression strategies, which will significantly help to curb malaria transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eunice Oluwatobiloba Adedeji
- Covenant University Bioinformatics Research (CUBRe), Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State Nigeria
- Department of Biochemistry, Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State Nigeria
| | - Olubanke Olujoke Ogunlana
- Covenant University Bioinformatics Research (CUBRe), Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State Nigeria
- Department of Biochemistry, Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State Nigeria
| | - Segun Fatumo
- Department of Non-Communicable Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel St, Bloomsbury, London, UK
| | - Thomas Beder
- Integrated Research and Treatment Center, Center for Sepsis Control and Care (CSCC), Jena University Hospital, Am Klinikum 1, 07747 Jena, Germany
| | - Yvonne Ajamma
- Covenant University Bioinformatics Research (CUBRe), Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State Nigeria
| | - Rainer Koenig
- Integrated Research and Treatment Center, Center for Sepsis Control and Care (CSCC), Jena University Hospital, Am Klinikum 1, 07747 Jena, Germany
| | - Ezekiel Adebiyi
- Covenant University Bioinformatics Research (CUBRe), Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State Nigeria
- Computer and Information Sciences, Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State Nigeria
- Division of Applied Bioinformatics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), G200, Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
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Abstract
The enzyme 3-hydroxykynurenine transaminase (HKT) acts as an important enzyme in tryptophan catabolism of disease-carrier insects, e.g. Aedes aegypti and Anopheles gambiae. HKT is a detoxification enzyme that converts 3-hydroxykynurenine (a precursor for reactive nitrogen and oxygen species) into xanthurenic acid (stable and nontoxic compound). We have previously synthesized eleven new oxadiazole derivatives and demonstrated their noncompetitive inhibitory activity towards HKT from A. aegypti (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bmc.2019.115252). These findings are presented in a research paper accompanying the present technical report on a new assay to overcome the fact that the substrate and product of the HKT-catalyzed reaction exhibit maximum absorption at very near wavelength (370 and 369 nm, respectively). The methods previously described in the literature rely on chromatographic separation prior to absorbance quantification, which limits their use for inhibitor screening. Due to HKT attractive features as a molecular target for larvicidal compounds, we report herein a new, faster and affordable methodology to evaluate the enzymatic activity of recombinant HKT, and therefore allow for the fast screening of potential HKT inhibitors via absorbance spectrophotometer. The advantages of the proposed methodology to previously described ones are:It is faster and cheaper than HPLC-based assays because it does not require the use of chromatography columns and solvents to separate reaction components; It uses of 96-well plates, enabling the simultaneous quantification of samples; It can be applied to all transaminases that have xanthurenic acid as a product.
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Maciel LG, Oliveira AA, Romão TP, Leal LLL, Guido RVC, Silva-Filha MHNL, Dos Anjos JV, Soares TA. Discovery of 1,2,4-oxadiazole derivatives as a novel class of noncompetitive inhibitors of 3-hydroxykynurenine transaminase (HKT) from Aedes aegypti. Bioorg Med Chem 2019; 28:115252. [PMID: 31864777 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2019.115252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2019] [Revised: 12/05/2019] [Accepted: 12/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The mosquito Aedes aegypti is the vector of arboviruses such as Zika, Chikungunya, dengue and yellow fever. These infectious diseases have a major impact on public health. The unavailability of effective vaccines or drugs to prevent or treat most of these diseases makes vector control the main form of prevention. One strategy to promote mosquito population control is the use of synthetic insecticides to inhibit key enzymes in the metabolic pathway of these insects, particularly during larval stages. One of the main targets of the kynurenine detoxification pathway in mosquitoes is the enzyme 3-hydroxykynurenine transaminase (HKT), which catalyzes the conversion of 3-hydroxykynurenine (3-HK) into xanthurenic acid (XA). In this work, we report eleven newly synthesized oxadiazole derivatives and demonstrate that these compounds are potent noncompetitive inhibitors of HKT from Ae. aegypti. The present data provide direct evidence that HKT can be explored as a molecular target for the discovery of novel larvicides against Ae. aegypti. More importantly, it ensures that structural information derived from the HKT 3D-structure can be used to guide the development of more potent inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larissa G Maciel
- Department of Fundamental Chemistry - Federal University of Pernambuco, Av. Jornalista Aníbal Fernandes, s/n°Cidade Universitária - Recife, PE 50740-560, Brazil
| | - Andrew A Oliveira
- Sao Carlos Institute of Physics - University of São Paulo, Av. Joao Dagnone, 1100 Jardim Santa Angelina, São Carlos, SP 13563-120, Brazil
| | - Tatiany P Romão
- Institute Aggeu Magalhães (IAM) - FIOCRUZ, Av. Professor Moraes Rego s/n°, Recife, PE 50740-560 Brazil
| | - Laylla L L Leal
- Department of Fundamental Chemistry - Federal University of Pernambuco, Av. Jornalista Aníbal Fernandes, s/n°Cidade Universitária - Recife, PE 50740-560, Brazil
| | - Rafael V C Guido
- Sao Carlos Institute of Physics - University of São Paulo, Av. Joao Dagnone, 1100 Jardim Santa Angelina, São Carlos, SP 13563-120, Brazil
| | | | - Janaína V Dos Anjos
- Department of Fundamental Chemistry - Federal University of Pernambuco, Av. Jornalista Aníbal Fernandes, s/n°Cidade Universitária - Recife, PE 50740-560, Brazil.
| | - Thereza A Soares
- Department of Fundamental Chemistry - Federal University of Pernambuco, Av. Jornalista Aníbal Fernandes, s/n°Cidade Universitária - Recife, PE 50740-560, Brazil.
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