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Crispim M, Verdaguer IB, Hernández A, Kronenberger T, Fenollar À, Yamaguchi LF, Alberione MP, Ramirez M, de Oliveira SS, Katzin AM, Izquierdo L. Beyond the MEP Pathway: A novel kinase required for prenol utilization by malaria parasites. PLoS Pathog 2024; 20:e1011557. [PMID: 38277417 PMCID: PMC10849223 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 01/28/2024] Open
Abstract
A proposed treatment for malaria is a combination of fosmidomycin and clindamycin. Both compounds inhibit the methylerythritol 4-phosphate (MEP) pathway, the parasitic source of farnesyl and geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate (FPP and GGPP, respectively). Both FPP and GGPP are crucial for the biosynthesis of several essential metabolites such as ubiquinone and dolichol, as well as for protein prenylation. Dietary prenols, such as farnesol (FOH) and geranylgeraniol (GGOH), can rescue parasites from MEP inhibitors, suggesting the existence of a missing pathway for prenol salvage via phosphorylation. In this study, we identified a gene in the genome of P. falciparum, encoding a transmembrane prenol kinase (PolK) involved in the salvage of FOH and GGOH. The enzyme was expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and its FOH/GGOH kinase activities were experimentally validated. Furthermore, conditional knockout parasites (Δ-PolK) were created to investigate the biological importance of the FOH/GGOH salvage pathway. Δ-PolK parasites were viable but displayed increased susceptibility to fosmidomycin. Their sensitivity to MEP inhibitors could not be rescued by adding prenols. Additionally, Δ-PolK parasites lost their capability to utilize prenols for protein prenylation. Experiments using culture medium supplemented with whole/delipidated human plasma in transgenic parasites revealed that human plasma has components that can diminish the effectiveness of fosmidomycin. Mass spectrometry tests indicated that both bovine supplements used in culture and human plasma contain GGOH. These findings suggest that the FOH/GGOH salvage pathway might offer an alternate source of isoprenoids for malaria parasites when de novo biosynthesis is inhibited. This study also identifies a novel kind of enzyme related to isoprenoid metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcell Crispim
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences of the University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic-Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ignasi Bofill Verdaguer
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences of the University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Agustín Hernández
- Center for Biological and Health Sciences, Integrated Unit for Research in Biodiversity (BIOTROP-CCBS), Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos, Brazil
| | - Thales Kronenberger
- Institute of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical/Medicinal Chemistry and Tuebingen Center for Academic Drug Discovery, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
- Excellence Cluster "Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections" (CMFI), Tübingen, Germany
| | - Àngel Fenollar
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic-Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - María Pía Alberione
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic-Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Miriam Ramirez
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic-Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Alejandro Miguel Katzin
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences of the University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Luis Izquierdo
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic-Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Barcelona, Spain
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2
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Gupta D, Singh PK, Yadav PK, Narender T, Patil UK, Jain SK, Chourasia MK. Emerging strategies and challenges of molecular therapeutics in antileishmanial drug development. Int Immunopharmacol 2023; 115:109649. [PMID: 36603357 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2022.109649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Revised: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Molecular therapy refers to targeted therapies based on molecules which have been intelligently directed towards specific biomolecular structures and include small molecule drugs, monoclonal antibodies, proteins and peptides, DNA or RNA-based strategies, targeted chemotherapy and nanomedicines. Molecular therapy is emerging as the most effective strategy to combat the present challenges of life-threatening visceral leishmaniasis, where the successful human vaccine is currently unavailable. Moreover, current chemotherapy-based strategies are associated with the issues of ineffective targeting, unavoidable toxicities, invasive therapies, prolonged treatment, high treatment costs and the development of drug-resistant strains. Thus, the rational approach to antileishmanial drug development primarily demands critical exploration and exploitation of biochemical differences between host and parasite biology, immunocharacteristics of parasite homing, and host-parasite interactions at the molecular/cellular level. Following this, the novel technology-based designing and development of host and/or parasite-targeted therapeutics having leishmanicidal and immunomodulatory activity is utmost essential to improve treatment efficacy. Thus, the present review is focused on immunological and molecular checkpoint targets in host-pathogen interaction, and molecular therapeutic prospects for Leishmania intervention, and the challenges ahead.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deepak Gupta
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Dr. Harisingh Gour Vishwavidyalaya (A Central University), Sagar 470003, M.P., India; Division of Pharmaceutics and Pharmacokinetics, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow 226031, U.P., India
| | - Pankaj K Singh
- Division of Pharmaceutics and Pharmacokinetics, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow 226031, U.P., India; Department of Pharmaceutics, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Hyderabad 500037, Telangana, India
| | - Pavan K Yadav
- Division of Pharmaceutics and Pharmacokinetics, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow 226031, U.P., India
| | - Tadigoppula Narender
- Division of Medicinal and Process Chemistry, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow 226031, U.P., India
| | - Umesh K Patil
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Dr. Harisingh Gour Vishwavidyalaya (A Central University), Sagar 470003, M.P., India
| | - Sanjay K Jain
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Dr. Harisingh Gour Vishwavidyalaya (A Central University), Sagar 470003, M.P., India
| | - Manish K Chourasia
- Division of Pharmaceutics and Pharmacokinetics, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow 226031, U.P., India.
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3
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Guhe V, Ingale P, Tambekar A, Singh S. Systems biology of autophagy in leishmanial infection and its diverse role in precision medicine. Front Mol Biosci 2023; 10:1113249. [PMID: 37152895 PMCID: PMC10160387 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2023.1113249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Autophagy is a contentious issue in leishmaniasis and is emerging as a promising therapeutic regimen. Published research on the impact of autophagic regulation on Leishmania survival is inconclusive, despite numerous pieces of evidence that Leishmania spp. triggers autophagy in a variety of cell types. The mechanistic approach is poorly understood in the Leishmania parasite as autophagy is significant in both Leishmania and the host. Herein, this review discusses the autophagy proteins that are being investigated as potential therapeutic targets, the connection between autophagy and lipid metabolism, and microRNAs that regulate autophagy and lipid metabolism. It also highlights the use of systems biology to develop novel autophagy-dependent therapeutics for leishmaniasis by utilizing artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), mathematical modeling, network analysis, and other computational methods. Additionally, we have shown many databases for autophagy and metabolism in Leishmania parasites that suggest potential therapeutic targets for intricate signaling in the autophagy system. In a nutshell, the detailed understanding of the dynamics of autophagy in conjunction with lipids and miRNAs unfolds larger dimensions for future research.
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4
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Verdaguer IB, Crispim M, Hernández A, Katzin AM. The Biomedical Importance of the Missing Pathway for Farnesol and Geranylgeraniol Salvage. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27248691. [PMID: 36557825 PMCID: PMC9782597 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27248691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Revised: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Isoprenoids are the output of the polymerization of five-carbon, branched isoprenic chains derived from isopentenyl pyrophosphate (IPP) and its isomer, dimethylallyl pyrophosphate (DMAPP). Isoprene units are consecutively condensed to form longer structures such as farnesyl and geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate (FPP and GGPP, respectively), necessary for the biosynthesis of several metabolites. Polyprenyl transferases and synthases use polyprenyl pyrophosphates as their natural substrates; however, it is known that free polyprenols, such as farnesol (FOH), and geranylgeraniol (GGOH) can be incorporated into prenylated proteins, ubiquinone, cholesterol, and dolichols. Furthermore, FOH and GGOH have been shown to block the effects of isoprenoid biosynthesis inhibitors such as fosmidomycin, bisphosphonates, or statins in several organisms. This phenomenon is the consequence of a short pathway, which was observed for the first time more than 25 years ago: the polyprenol salvage pathway, which works via the phosphorylation of FOH and GGOH. Biochemical studies in bacteria, animals, and plants suggest that this pathway can be carried out by two enzymes: a polyprenol kinase and a polyprenyl-phosphate kinase. However, to date, only a few genes have been unequivocally identified to encode these enzymes in photosynthetic organisms. Nevertheless, pieces of evidence for the importance of this pathway abound in studies related to infectious diseases, cancer, dyslipidemias, and nutrition, and to the mitigation of the secondary effects of several drugs. Furthermore, nowadays it is known that both FOH and GGOH can be incorporated via dietary sources that produce various biological effects. This review presents, in a simplified but comprehensive manner, the most important data on the FOH and GGOH salvage pathway, stressing its biomedical importance The main objective of this review is to bring to light the need to discover and characterize the kinases associated with the isoprenoid salvage pathway in animals and pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ignasi Bofill Verdaguer
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences of the University of São Paulo, Av. Lineu Prestes 1374, São Paulo 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Marcell Crispim
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences of the University of São Paulo, Av. Lineu Prestes 1374, São Paulo 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Agustín Hernández
- Integrated Unit for Research in Biodiversity (BIOTROP-CCBS), Center for Biological and Health Sciences, Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos 13565-905, Brazil
| | - Alejandro Miguel Katzin
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences of the University of São Paulo, Av. Lineu Prestes 1374, São Paulo 05508-000, Brazil
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +55-11-3091-7330; Fax: +55-11-3091-7417
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Prasad SR, Kumar P, Mandal S, Mohan A, Chaurasia R, Shrivastava A, Nikhil P, Aishwarya D, Ramalingam P, Gajbhiye R, Singh S, Dasgupta A, Chourasia M, Ravichandiran V, Das P, Mandal D. Mechanistic insight into the role of mevalonate kinase by a natural fatty acid-mediated killing of Leishmania donovani. Sci Rep 2022; 12:16453. [PMID: 36180490 PMCID: PMC9525708 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-20509-9] [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: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
We evaluated the anti-leishmanial efficacy of different saturated medium-chain fatty acids (FAs, C8–C18) where FA containing C8 chain, caprylic acid (CA), was found to be most potent against Leishmania donovani, the causative agent for visceral leishmaniasis (VL). Different analogs of CA with C8 linear chain, but not higher, along with a carboxyl/ester group showed a similar anti-leishmanial effect. Ergosterol depletion was the major cause of CA-mediated cell death. Molecular docking and molecular dynamic simulation studies indicated the enzyme mevalonate kinase (MevK) of the ergosterol biosynthesis pathway as a possible target of CA. Enzyme assays with purified recombinant MevK and CA/CA analogs confirmed the target with a competitive inhibition pattern. Using biochemical and biophysical studies; strong binding interaction between MevK and CA/CA analogs was established. Further, using parasites with overexpressed MevK and proteomics studies of CA-treated parasites the direct role of MevK as the target was validated. We established the mechanism of the antileishmanial effect of CA, a natural product, against VL where toxicity and drug resistance with current chemotherapeutics demand an alternative. This is the first report on the identification of an enzymatic target with kinetic parameters and mechanistic insights against any organism for a natural medium-chain FA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Surendra Rajit Prasad
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Export Promotions Industrial Park (EPIP), Vaishali District, Hajipur, Bihar, 844102, India
| | - Prakash Kumar
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Export Promotions Industrial Park (EPIP), Vaishali District, Hajipur, Bihar, 844102, India
| | - Saptarshi Mandal
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology, Patna Bihta, Bihar, 801106, India
| | - Anu Mohan
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Export Promotions Industrial Park (EPIP), Vaishali District, Hajipur, Bihar, 844102, India
| | - Radhika Chaurasia
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Export Promotions Industrial Park (EPIP), Vaishali District, Hajipur, Bihar, 844102, India
| | - Ashish Shrivastava
- Translational Bioinformatics and Computational Genomics Research Lab, Department of Life Sciences, Shiv Nadar University, G.B. Nagar, Uttar Pradesh, 201314, India
| | - Pallaprolu Nikhil
- Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Hajipur, 844102, India
| | - Dande Aishwarya
- Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Hajipur, 844102, India
| | - P Ramalingam
- Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Hajipur, 844102, India
| | - Rahul Gajbhiye
- Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Hajipur, 844102, India
| | - Shriya Singh
- Molecular Microbiology and Immunology Division, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Sitapur Rd, Sector-10, Jankipuram Extension, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, 226031, India
| | - Arunava Dasgupta
- Molecular Microbiology and Immunology Division, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Sitapur Rd, Sector-10, Jankipuram Extension, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, 226031, India.,Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, India
| | - Mukesh Chourasia
- Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University, Sector 125, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, 201301, India
| | - V Ravichandiran
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Export Promotions Industrial Park (EPIP), Vaishali District, Hajipur, Bihar, 844102, India.,National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Kolkata, 700054, India
| | - Prolay Das
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology, Patna Bihta, Bihar, 801106, India
| | - Debabrata Mandal
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Export Promotions Industrial Park (EPIP), Vaishali District, Hajipur, Bihar, 844102, India.
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6
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Jain S, Sahu U, Kumar A, Khare P. Metabolic Pathways of Leishmania Parasite: Source of Pertinent Drug Targets and Potent Drug Candidates. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14081590. [PMID: 36015216 PMCID: PMC9416627 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14081590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Revised: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a tropical disease caused by a protozoan parasite Leishmania that is transmitted via infected female sandflies. At present, leishmaniasis treatment mainly counts on chemotherapy. The currently available drugs against leishmaniasis are costly, toxic, with multiple side effects, and limitations in the administration route. The rapid emergence of drug resistance has severely reduced the potency of anti-leishmanial drugs. As a result, there is a pressing need for the development of novel anti-leishmanial drugs with high potency, low cost, acceptable toxicity, and good pharmacokinetics features. Due to the availability of preclinical data, drug repurposing is a valuable approach for speeding up the development of effective anti-leishmanial through pointing to new drug targets in less time, having low costs and risk. Metabolic pathways of this parasite play a crucial role in the growth and proliferation of Leishmania species during the various stages of their life cycle. Based on available genomics/proteomics information, known pathways-based (sterol biosynthetic pathway, purine salvage pathway, glycolysis, GPI biosynthesis, hypusine, polyamine biosynthesis) Leishmania-specific proteins could be targeted with known drugs that were used in other diseases, resulting in finding new promising anti-leishmanial therapeutics. The present review discusses various metabolic pathways of the Leishmania parasite and some drug candidates targeting these pathways effectively that could be potent drugs against leishmaniasis in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Surbhi Jain
- Department of Microbiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhopal 462026, Madhya Pradesh, India; (S.J.); (U.S.)
| | - Utkarsha Sahu
- Department of Microbiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhopal 462026, Madhya Pradesh, India; (S.J.); (U.S.)
- Division of Synthetic Biology, Absolute Foods, Plot 68, Sector 44, Gurugram 122003, Haryana, India
| | - Awanish Kumar
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Technology, Raipur 492010, Chhattisgarh, India
- Correspondence: or (A.K.); (P.K.)
| | - Prashant Khare
- Department of Microbiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhopal 462026, Madhya Pradesh, India; (S.J.); (U.S.)
- Division of Synthetic Biology, Absolute Foods, Plot 68, Sector 44, Gurugram 122003, Haryana, India
- Correspondence: or (A.K.); (P.K.)
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Andrade-Neto VV, Manso PPDA, Pereira MG, de Cicco NNT, Atella GC, Pelajo-Machado M, Menna-Barreto RFS, Torres-Santos EC. Host cholesterol influences the activity of sterol biosynthesis inhibitors in Leishmania amazonensis. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2022; 117:e220407. [PMID: 35384972 PMCID: PMC8979231 DOI: 10.1590/0074-02760220407] [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: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
A significant percentage of exogenous cholesterol was found in promastigotes and amastigotes of all studied species of Leishmania, suggesting a biological role for this molecule. Previous studies have shown that promastigotes of Leishmania uptake more low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particles under pharmacological pressure and are more susceptible to ergosterol inhibition in the absence of exogenous sources of cholesterol. This work shows that the host’s LDL is available to intracellular amastigotes and that the absence of exogenous cholesterol enhances the potency of sterol biosynthesis inhibitors in infected macrophages. A complete understanding of cholesterol transport to the parasitophorous vacuole can guide the development of a new drug class to be used in combination with sterol biosynthesis inhibitors for the treatment of leishmaniases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valter Viana Andrade-Neto
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Laboratório de Bioquímica de Tripanossomatídeos, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | - Pedro Paulo de Abreu Manso
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Laboratório de Patologia, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | - Miria Gomes Pereira
- Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Laboratório de Ultraestrutura Celular Hertha Meyer, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | | | - Georgia Corrêa Atella
- Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Bioquímica Médica, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | - Marcelo Pelajo-Machado
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Laboratório de Patologia, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | | | - Eduardo Caio Torres-Santos
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Laboratório de Bioquímica de Tripanossomatídeos, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
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8
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Simvastatin Resistance of Leishmania amazonensis Induces Sterol Remodeling and Cross-Resistance to Sterol Pathway and Serine Protease Inhibitors. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10020398. [PMID: 35208853 PMCID: PMC8877030 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10020398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Revised: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The sterol biosynthesis pathway of Leishmania spp. is used as a pharmacological target; however, available information about the mechanisms of the regulation and remodeling of sterol-related genes is scarce. The present study investigated compensatory mechanisms of the sterol biosynthesis pathway using an inhibitor of HMG-CoA reductase (simvastatin) and by developing drug-resistant parasites to evaluate the impact on sterol remodeling, cross-resistance, and gene expression. Simvastatin-resistant L. amazonensis parasites (LaSimR) underwent reprogramming of sterol metabolism manifested as an increase in cholestane- and stigmastane-based sterols and a decrease in ergostane-based sterols. The levels of the transcripts of sterol 24-C-methyltransferase (SMT), sterol C14-α-demethylase (C14DM), and protease subtilisin (SUB) were increased in LaSimR. LaSimR was cross-resistance to ketoconazole (a C14DM inhibitor) and remained sensitive to terbinafine (an inhibitor of squalene monooxygenase). Sensitivity of the LaSimR mutant to other antileishmanial drugs unrelated to the sterol biosynthesis pathway, such as trivalent antimony and pentamidine, was similar to that of the wild-type strain; however, LaSimR was cross-resistant to miltefosine, general serine protease inhibitor N-p-tosyl-l-phenylalanine chloromethyl ketone (TPCK), subtilisin-specific inhibitor 4-[(diethylamino)methyl]-N-[2-(2-methoxyphenyl)ethyl]-N-(3R)-3-pyrrolidinyl-benzamide dihydrochloride (PF-429242), and tunicamycin. The findings on the regulation of the sterol pathway can support the development of drugs and protease inhibitors targeting this route in parasites.
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Sakyi PO, Amewu RK, Devine RNOA, Bienibuor AK, Miller WA, Kwofie SK. Unravelling the myth surrounding sterol biosynthesis as plausible target for drug design against leishmaniasis. J Parasit Dis 2021; 45:1152-1171. [PMID: 34790000 PMCID: PMC8556451 DOI: 10.1007/s12639-021-01390-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The mortality rate of leishmaniasis is increasing at an alarming rate and is currently second to malaria amongst the other neglected tropical diseases. Unfortunately, many governments and key stakeholders are not investing enough in the development of new therapeutic interventions. The available treatment options targeting different pathways of the parasite have seen inefficiencies, drug resistance, and toxic side effects coupled with longer treatment durations. Numerous studies to understand the biochemistry of leishmaniasis and its pathogenesis have identified druggable targets including ornithine decarboxylase, trypanothione reductase, and pteridine reductase, which are relevant for the survival and growth of the parasites. Another plausible target is the sterol biosynthetic pathway; however, this has not been fully investigated. Sterol biosynthesis is essential for the survival of the Leishmania species because its inhibition could lead to the death of the parasites. This review seeks to evaluate how critical the enzymes involved in sterol biosynthetic pathway are to the survival of the leishmania parasite. The review also highlights both synthetic and natural product compounds with their IC50 values against selected enzymes. Finally, recent advancements in drug design strategies targeting the sterol biosynthesis pathway of Leishmania are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick O. Sakyi
- Department of Chemistry, School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, PMB LG 56, Legon, Accra, Ghana
- Department of Chemical Sciences, School of Sciences, University of Energy and Natural Resources, Box 214, Sunyani, Ghana
| | - Richard K. Amewu
- Department of Chemistry, School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, PMB LG 56, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Robert N. O. A. Devine
- Department of Chemical Sciences, School of Sciences, University of Energy and Natural Resources, Box 214, Sunyani, Ghana
| | - Alfred K. Bienibuor
- Department of Chemical Sciences, School of Sciences, University of Energy and Natural Resources, Box 214, Sunyani, Ghana
| | - Whelton A. Miller
- Department of Medicine, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, IL 60153 USA
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, IL 60153 USA
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, IL 19104 USA
| | - Samuel K. Kwofie
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering Sciences, College of Basic & Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, PMB LG 77, Legon, Accra, Ghana
- West African Center for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
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10
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Pradhan S, Schwartz RA, Patil A, Grabbe S, Goldust M. Treatment options for leishmaniasis. Clin Exp Dermatol 2021; 47:516-521. [PMID: 34480806 DOI: 10.1111/ced.14919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2021] [Revised: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is broadly classified into three types: cutaneous, mucocutaneous and visceral. The visceral form is most dangerous and can result in death. Although leishmaniasis is an ancient disease, its treatment is still challenging. Several drugs, differing in their cost, toxicity, treatment duration and emergence of drug resistance, are used for different types of leishmaniasis. To overcome these limitations, the search for newer drugs and other treatments continues. In this article, we discuss conventional drugs, other treatments, including newer options such as immunotherapy and immunochemotherapy, and future prospects for leishmaniasis treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - R A Schwartz
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
| | - A Patil
- Department of Dermatology, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - S Grabbe
- Department of Pharmacology, DY Patil Deemed, To Be University, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.,Department of Dermatology, University Medical Center Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - M Goldust
- Department of Dermatology, University Medical Center Mainz, Mainz, Germany
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11
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dos Santos Vasconcelos CR, Rezende AM. Systematic in silico Evaluation of Leishmania spp. Proteomes for Drug Discovery. Front Chem 2021; 9:607139. [PMID: 33987166 PMCID: PMC8111926 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2021.607139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2020] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a group of neglected infectious diseases, with approximately 1. 3 million new cases each year, for which the available therapies have serious limitations. Therefore, it is extremely important to apply efficient and low-cost methods capable of selecting the best therapeutic targets to speed up the development of new therapies against those diseases. Thus, we propose the use of integrated computational methods capable of evaluating the druggability of the predicted proteomes of Leishmania braziliensis and Leishmania infantum, species responsible for the different clinical manifestations of leishmaniasis in Brazil. The protein members of those proteomes were assessed based on their structural, chemical, and functional contexts applying methods that integrate data on molecular function, biological processes, subcellular localization, drug binding sites, druggability, and gene expression. These data were compared to those extracted from already known drug targets (BindingDB targets), which made it possible to evaluate Leishmania proteomes for their biological relevance and treatability. Through this methodology, we identified more than 100 proteins of each Leishmania species with druggability characteristics, and potential interaction with available drugs. Among those, 31 and 37 proteins of L. braziliensis and L. infantum, respectively, have never been tested as drug targets, and they have shown evidence of gene expression in the evolutionary stage of pharmacological interest. Also, some of those Leishmania targets showed an alignment similarity of <50% when compared to the human proteome, making these proteins pharmacologically attractive, as they present a reduced risk of side effects. The methodology used in this study also allowed the evaluation of opportunities for the repurposing of compounds as anti-leishmaniasis drugs, inferring potential interaction between Leishmania proteins and ~1,000 compounds, of which only 15 have already been tested as a treatment for leishmaniasis. Besides, a list of potential Leishmania targets to be tested using drugs described at BindingDB, such as the potential interaction of the DEAD box RNA helicase, TRYR, and PEPCK proteins with the Staurosporine compound, was made available to the public.
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Affiliation(s)
- Crhisllane Rafaele dos Santos Vasconcelos
- Bioinformatics Plataform, Microbiology Department, Instituto Aggeu Magalhães, Recife, Brazil
- Posgraduate Program in Genetics, Genetics Department, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil
| | - Antonio Mauro Rezende
- Bioinformatics Plataform, Microbiology Department, Instituto Aggeu Magalhães, Recife, Brazil
- Posgraduate Program in Genetics, Genetics Department, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil
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Natural Products That Target the Arginase in Leishmania Parasites Hold Therapeutic Promise. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9020267. [PMID: 33525448 PMCID: PMC7911663 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9020267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Revised: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Parasites of the genus Leishmania cause a variety of devastating and often fatal diseases in humans worldwide. Because a vaccine is not available and the currently small number of existing drugs are less than ideal due to lack of specificity and emerging drug resistance, the need for new therapeutic strategies is urgent. Natural products and their derivatives are being used and explored as therapeutics and interest in developing such products as antileishmanials is high. The enzyme arginase, the first enzyme of the polyamine biosynthetic pathway in Leishmania, has emerged as a potential therapeutic target. The flavonols quercetin and fisetin, green tea flavanols such as catechin (C), epicatechin (EC), epicatechin gallate (ECG), and epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), and cinnamic acid derivates such as caffeic acid inhibit the leishmanial enzyme and modulate the host’s immune response toward parasite defense while showing little toxicity to the host. Quercetin, EGCG, gallic acid, caffeic acid, and rosmarinic acid have proven to be effective against Leishmania in rodent infectivity studies. Here, we review research on these natural products with a focus on their promise for the development of treatment strategies as well as unique structural and pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic features of the most promising agents.
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Jakkula P, Qureshi R, Iqbal A, Sagurthi SR, Qureshi IA. Leishmania donovani PP2C: Kinetics, structural attributes and in vitro immune response. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2018; 223:37-49. [PMID: 29964060 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2018.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2018] [Revised: 06/15/2018] [Accepted: 06/26/2018] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Most of the signaling pathways are regulated by reversible phosphorylation-dephosphorylation which involves enzymes- kinases and phosphatases. Current knowledge about the protein phosphatases in parasites like Trypanosoma and Leishmania is very minimal despite their enormousity. In present study, full length ORF of Leishmania donovani PP2C was cloned into expression vector followed by purification and molecular weight determination using Ni-NTA affinity and gel giltration chromatography respectively. Purified LdPP2C was found to be enzymatically active, while inhibition study suggested that sanguinarine acts as a non-competitive inhibitor. CD and fluorescence spectroscopy results indicated towards an adequate protein conformation from pH 3.5 to 8.5. The quenching constant (Ksv) and free energy (ΔG) of LdPP2C was found to be 11.1 ± 0.2 mM-1 and 2.0 ± 1.1 kcal mol-1 in presence of acrylamide and urea respectively. The protein was found to elicit the innate immune functions through upregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6) as well as nitric oxide generation. Simultaneously, these cytokines were found to be fairly higher in protein treated cells as compared to untreated cells at transcript level too. These observations advocate that LdPP2C generates a pro-inflammatory environment in macrophages and hence plays important role in immunomodulation. Computational modelling showed similar three-dimensional structure and metal binding sites present in other member of PP2C subfamily, while docking studies revealed its interaction with substrate as well as its specific inhibitor. Our study has provided first time reports on enzyme kinetics, structural features and immune response inside the host macrophage of metal-dependent protein phosphatases from a trypanosomatid parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pranay Jakkula
- Department of Biotechnology & Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Prof. C.R. Rao Road, Hyderabad, 500046, India
| | - Rahila Qureshi
- Department of Genetics, Osmania University, Hyderabad, 500007, India
| | - Atif Iqbal
- Department of Biotechnology & Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Prof. C.R. Rao Road, Hyderabad, 500046, India
| | - S R Sagurthi
- Department of Genetics, Osmania University, Hyderabad, 500007, India
| | - Insaf A Qureshi
- Department of Biotechnology & Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Prof. C.R. Rao Road, Hyderabad, 500046, India.
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION Parasitic diseases that pose a threat to human life include leishmaniasis - caused by protozoan parasite Leishmania species. Existing drugs have limitations due to deleterious side effects like teratogenicity, high cost and drug resistance. This calls for the need to have an insight into therapeutic aspects of disease. Areas covered: We have identified different drug targets via. molecular, imuunological, metabolic as well as by system biology approaches. We bring these promising drug targets into light so that they can be explored to their maximum. In an effort to bridge the gaps between existing knowledge and prospects of drug discovery, we have compiled interesting studies on drug targets, thereby paving the way for establishment of better therapeutic aspects. Expert opinion: Advancements in technology shed light on many unexplored pathways. Further probing of well established pathways led to the discovery of new drug targets. This review is a comprehensive report on current and emerging drug targets, with emphasis on several metabolic targets, organellar biochemistry, salvage pathways, epigenetics, kinome and more. Identification of new targets can contribute significantly towards strengthening the pipeline for disease elimination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shyam Sundar
- Department of Medicine, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi-221 005, UP, India
| | - Bhawana Singh
- Department of Medicine, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi-221 005, UP, India
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Basyoni MMA, Fouad SA, Amer MF, Amer AF, Ismail DI. Atorvastatin: In-Vivo Synergy with Metronidazole as Anti- Blastocystis Therapy. THE KOREAN JOURNAL OF PARASITOLOGY 2018; 56:105-112. [PMID: 29742864 PMCID: PMC5976012 DOI: 10.3347/kjp.2018.56.2.105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2017] [Revised: 04/04/2018] [Accepted: 04/08/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Blastocystis is an enteric Straminopile in tropical, subtropical and developing countries. Metronidazole has been a chemotheraputic for blastocystosis. Failures in its regimens were reported and necessitate new studies searching for alternative therapeutic agents. Aim of current study is to investigate potential effects of Atorvastatin (AVA) compared to the conventional chemotherapeutic MTZ in experimentally Blastocystis-infected mice. Anti-Blastocystis efficacy of AVA was evaluated parasitologically, histopathologically and by transmission electron microscopy using MTZ (10 mg/kg) as a control. Therapeutic efficacy of AVA was apparently dose-dependent. Regimens of AVA (20 and 40 mg/kg) proved effective against Blastocystis infections with high reduction in Blastocystis shedding (93.4–97.9%) compared to MTZ (79.3%). The highest reductions (98.1% and 99.4%) were recorded in groups of combination treatments AVA 20–40 mg/kg and MTZ 10 mg/kg. Blastocystis was nearly eradicated by the 20th day post infection. Genotype analysis revealed that genotype I was most susceptible, genotype III was less. Histopathologic and ultrastructural studies revealed apoptotic changes in Blastocystis and significant improvement of intestinal histopathological changes more remarkable in combinational therapy groups. Thus, the present study offers AVA as a potential candidate for Blastocystis therapy combined with MTZ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maha M A Basyoni
- Medical Parasitology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Egypt
| | - Shawky A Fouad
- Internal Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Egypt
| | - Marwa F Amer
- Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Egypt
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Moreira D, Estaquier J, Cordeiro-da-Silva A, Silvestre R. Metabolic Crosstalk Between Host and Parasitic Pathogens. EXPERIENTIA SUPPLEMENTUM (2012) 2018; 109:421-458. [PMID: 30535608 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-74932-7_12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
A complex network that embraces parasite-host intrinsic factors and the microenvironment regulated the interaction between a parasite and its host. Nutritional pressures exerted by both elements of this duet thus dictate this host-parasite niche. To survive and proliferate inside a host and a harsh nutritional environment, the parasites modulate different nutrient sensing pathways to subvert host metabolic pathways. Such mechanism is able to change the flux of distinct nutrients/metabolites diverting them to be used by the parasites. Apart from this nutritional strategy, the scavenging of nutrients, particularly host fatty acids, constitutes a critical mechanism to fulfil parasite nutritional requirements, ultimately defining the host metabolic landscape. The host metabolic alterations that result from host-parasite metabolic coupling can certainly be considered important targets to improve diagnosis and also for the development of future therapies. Metabolism is in fact considered a key element within this complex interaction, its modulation being crucial to dictate the final infection outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Moreira
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
- i3S-Instituto de Investigacão e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- IBMC-Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Departamento de Ciências Bioloógicas, Faculdade de Farmaácia, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Jérôme Estaquier
- CNRS FR 3636, Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France
- Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
| | - Anabela Cordeiro-da-Silva
- i3S-Instituto de Investigacão e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- IBMC-Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Departamento de Ciências Bioloógicas, Faculdade de Farmaácia, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Ricardo Silvestre
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.
- ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.
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Madbouly Taha N, Salah A. Yousof HA, El-Sayed SH, Younis AI, Ismail Negm MS. Atorvastatin repurposing for the treatment of cryptosporidiosis in experimentally immunosuppressed mice. Exp Parasitol 2017; 181:57-69. [DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2017.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2016] [Revised: 07/08/2017] [Accepted: 07/27/2017] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
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Dinesh N, Neelagiri S, Kumar V, Singh S. Glycyrrhizic acid attenuates growth of Leishmania donovani by depleting ergosterol levels. Exp Parasitol 2017; 176:21-29. [PMID: 28242356 PMCID: PMC7094550 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2017.02.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2016] [Revised: 12/30/2016] [Accepted: 02/23/2017] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
In the present study, glycyrrhizic acid (GA) the main component of Glycyrrhiza glabra was evaluated for its efficacy as antileishmanial agent and its mode of action explored. GA inhibits promastigotes and intracellular amastigotes in a dose dependent manner at an IC50 value of 34 ± 3.0 μM and 20 ± 4.2 μM respectively. GA was non-toxic against THP-1 macrophage host cell line. GA was found to inhibit recombinant Leishmania donovani HMG-CoA reductase (LdHMGR) enzyme at the half-maximum inhibitory concentration of 24 ± 4.3 μM indicating the sensitivity and specificity of GA towards the enzyme. However, GA could cause only 30% reduction in HMGR activity when measured in Leishmania promastigotes treated with 34 μM of GA. Interestingly western blot analysis revealed fivefold reduced HMGR expression in GLA treated promastigotes. To further study the mode of action of GA, we used transgenic parasites overexpressing LdHMGR. Results indicated that ∼2 fold resistance was exhibited by LdHMGR overexpressing promastigotes to GA with an IC50 value of 74 μM compared to the wild type parasite. This explained the specific binding of GA to LdHMGR enzyme. There was ∼2 fold depletion in ergosterol levels in wild type promastigotes compared to the HMGR overexpressors. This data was further validated by exogenous supplementation of GA treated cells with ergosterol and 40% reversal of growth inhibition was observed. The results obtained suggested that GA kills the parasite by affecting sterol biosynthetic pathway, especially by inhibiting the L. donovani HMGR and altering ergosterol levels. The finding from the current study shows that GA is a potential antileishmanial chemotherapeutic agent. Glycyrrhizic acid (GA) kills both promastigote and amastigote forms of Leishmania donovani (Ld). It inhibits recombinant LdHMGR enzyme and native promastigote enzyme. It depletes ergosterol levels in Leishmania promastigotes. Ergosterol supplementation partially rescues GA inhibited promastigotes. HMGR overexpressors are 2 fold resistant to GA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neeradi Dinesh
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, SAS Nagar, Mohali 160062, Punjab, India
| | - Soumya Neelagiri
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, SAS Nagar, Mohali 160062, Punjab, India
| | - Vinay Kumar
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, SAS Nagar, Mohali 160062, Punjab, India
| | - Sushma Singh
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, SAS Nagar, Mohali 160062, Punjab, India.
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No JH. Visceral leishmaniasis: Revisiting current treatments and approaches for future discoveries. Acta Trop 2016; 155:113-23. [PMID: 26748356 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2015.12.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2015] [Revised: 12/24/2015] [Accepted: 12/25/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The current treatments for visceral leishmaniasis are old and toxic with limited routes of administration. The emergence of drug-resistant Leishmania threatens the efficacy of the existing reservoir of antileishmanials, leading to an urgent need to develop new treatments. It is particularly important to review and understand how the current treatments act against Leishmania in order to identify valid drug targets or essential pathways for next-generation antileishmanials. It is equally important to adapt newly emerging biotechnologies to facilitate the current research on the development of novel antileishmanials in an efficient fashion. This review covers the basic background of the current visceral leishmaniasis treatments with an emphasis on the modes of action. It briefly discusses the role of the immune system in aiding the chemotherapy of leishmaniasis, describes potential new antileishmanial drug targets and pathways, and introduces recent progress on the utilization of high-throughput phenotypic screening assays to identify novel antileishmanial compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joo Hwan No
- Institut Pasteur Korea, Leishmania Research Laboratory, 696 Sampyeong-dong, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea.
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Dinesh N, Soumya N, Singh S. Antileishmanial effect of mevastatin is due to interference with sterol metabolism. Parasitol Res 2015; 114:3873-83. [PMID: 26183607 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-015-4618-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2015] [Accepted: 07/02/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is one of the most severe forms of leishmaniasis which is fatal if left untreated. Sterol biosynthetic pathway in Leishmania is currently being explored for its therapeutic potential. In the present study, we have evaluated the antileishmanial efficacy of mevastatin, a known inhibitor of 3-hydroxy-3-methyl glutaryl-CoA reductase (HMGR) enzyme. Mevastatin inhibited Leishmania donovani promastigotes and intracellular amastigotes with an 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) value of 23.8 ± 4.2 and 7.5 ± 1.1 μM, respectively, without exhibiting toxicity towards host cell line. Mevastatin also inhibited recombinant L. donovani HMGR (LdHMGR) enzyme activity with an IC50 value of 42.2 ± 3.0 μM. Kinetic analysis revealed that the inhibition of recombinant LdHMGR activity by mevastatin was competitive with HMG-CoA. Mevastatin-treated parasites exhibited 66% reduction in ergosterol levels with respect to untreated parasites. Incubation of mevastatin-treated L. donovani promastigotes with ergosterol resulted in revival of cell growth, whereas cholesterol supplementation failed to cause reversal in cell death. To further prove the specificity of mevastatin for HMGR enzyme, HMGR-overexpressing parasites were used which showed almost threefold resistance to mevastatin. It also induced morphological changes in the parasite accompanied by lipid body accumulation. Hence, antileishmanial effect of mevastatin was due to the inhibition of HMGR, which eventually leads to reduction in ergosterol levels and hence parasite death. The present study may have implications in the treatment of visceral form of leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neeradi Dinesh
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, SAS Nagar, Mohali, Punjab, 160062, India
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Targeting Ergosterol biosynthesis in Leishmania donovani: essentiality of sterol 14 alpha-demethylase. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2015; 9:e0003588. [PMID: 25768284 PMCID: PMC4359151 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0003588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2014] [Accepted: 02/03/2015] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Leishmania protozoan parasites (Trypanosomatidae family) are the causative agents of cutaneous, mucocutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis worldwide. While these diseases are associated with significant morbidity and mortality, there are few adequate treatments available. Sterol 14alpha-demethylase (CYP51) in the parasite sterol biosynthesis pathway has been the focus of considerable interest as a novel drug target in Leishmania. However, its essentiality in Leishmania donovani has yet to be determined. Here, we use a dual biological and pharmacological approach to demonstrate that CYP51 is indispensable in L. donovani. We show via a facilitated knockout approach that chromosomal CYP51 genes can only be knocked out in the presence of episomal complementation and that this episome cannot be lost from the parasite even under negative selection. In addition, we treated wild-type L. donovani and CYP51-deficient strains with 4-aminopyridyl-based inhibitors designed specifically for Trypanosoma cruzi CYP51. While potency was lower than in T. cruzi, these inhibitors had increased efficacy in parasites lacking a CYP51 allele compared to complemented parasites, indicating inhibition of parasite growth via a CYP51-specific mechanism and confirming essentiality of CYP51 in L. donovani. Overall, these results provide support for further development of CYP51 inhibitors for the treatment of visceral leishmaniasis. Visceral leishmaniasis is the second most lethal parasitic infection after malaria. Other forms of leishmaniasis also cause significant morbidity. However, there are few treatments available, and many cause severe side effects or are associated with the development of resistance. A key difference between mammalian cells and Leishmania parasites is the type of sterol in their membranes: while mammalian cell membranes contain cholesterol, Leishmania parasites use ergosterol. There has therefore been considerable interest in developing inhibitors of sterol biosynthesis pathways to target Leishmania parasites. Sterol 14alpha-demethylase (CYP51) is one of the enzymes in the sterol biosynthesis pathway, and the target of significant drug development research in Leishmania. Here we use a double approach to determine whether this gene is essential in Leishmania donovani, the causative agent of visceral leishmaniasis. We demonstrate via gene knockout and drug targeting approaches that loss or inhibition of CYP51 inhibits L. donovani growth. These results validate CYP51 as a drug target in L. donovani and support further work to develop CYP51-directed therapies for visceral leishmaniasis.
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AMP-acetyl CoA synthetase from Leishmania donovani: identification and functional analysis of 'PX4GK' motif. Int J Biol Macromol 2015; 75:364-72. [PMID: 25660655 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2015.01.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2014] [Revised: 01/23/2015] [Accepted: 01/25/2015] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
An adenosine monophosphate forming acetyl CoA synthetase (AceCS) which is the key enzyme involved in the conversion of acetate to acetyl CoA has been identified from Leishmania donovani for the first time. Sequence analysis of L. donovani AceCS (LdAceCS) revealed the presence of a 'PX4GK' motif which is highly conserved throughout organisms with higher sequence identity (96%) to lower sequence identity (38%). A ∼ 77 kDa heterologous protein with C-terminal 6X His-tag was expressed in Escherichia coli. Expression of LdAceCS in promastigotes was confirmed by western blot and RT-PCR analysis. Immunolocalization studies revealed that it is a cytosolic protein. We also report the kinetic characterization of recombinant LdAceCS with acetate, adenosine 5'-triphosphate, coenzyme A and propionate as substrates. Site directed mutagenesis of residues in conserved PX4GK motif of LdAceCS was performed to gain insight into its potential role in substrate binding, catalysis and its role in maintaining structural integrity of the protein. P646A, G651A and K652R exhibited more than 90% loss in activity signifying its indispensible role in the enzyme activity. Substitution of other residues in this motif resulted in altered substrate specificity and catalysis. However, none of them had any role in modulation of the secondary structure of the protein except G651A mutant.
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Mukherjee M, Basu Ball W, Das PK. Leishmania donovani activates SREBP2 to modulate macrophage membrane cholesterol and mitochondrial oxidants for establishment of infection. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2014; 55:196-208. [PMID: 25218172 DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2014.08.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2014] [Revised: 07/11/2014] [Accepted: 08/23/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Establishment of infection by an intracellular pathogen depends on successful internalization with a concomitant neutralization of host defense machinery. Leishmania donovani, an intramacrophage pathogen, targets host SREBP2, a critical transcription factor, to regulate macrophage plasma membrane cholesterol and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species generation, favoring parasite invasion and persistence. Leishmania infection triggered membrane-raft reorientation-dependent Lyn-PI3K/Akt pathway activation which in turn deactivated GSK3β to stabilize nuclear SREBP2. Moreover, cells perceiving less available intracellular cholesterol due to its sequestration at the plasma membrane resulted in the deregulation of the ER-residing SCAP-SREBP2-Insig circuit thereby assisting increased nuclear translocation of SREBP2. Both increased nuclear transport and stabilization of SREBP2 caused HMGCR-catalyzed cholesterol biosynthesis-mediated plasma membrane cholesterol enrichment leading to decreased membrane-fluidity and plausibly assisting delay in phagosomal acidification. Parasite survival ensuing entry was further ensured by SREBP2-dependent transcriptional up-regulation of UCP2, which suppressed mitochondrial ROS generation, one of the primary microbicidal molecules in macrophages recognized for its efficacy against Leishmania. Functional knock-down of SREBP2 both in vitro and in vivo was associated with reduction in macrophage plasma membrane cholesterol, increased ROS production and lower parasite survival. To our knowledge, this study, for the first time, reveals that Leishmania exploits macrophage cholesterol-dependent SREBP2 circuit to facilitate its entry and survival within the host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madhuchhanda Mukherjee
- Infectious Diseases and Immunology Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Kolkata, India
| | - Writoban Basu Ball
- Infectious Diseases and Immunology Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Kolkata, India
| | - Pijush K Das
- Infectious Diseases and Immunology Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Kolkata, India.
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Resveratrol is active against Leishmania amazonensis: in vitro effect of its association with Amphotericin B. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2014; 58:6197-208. [PMID: 25114129 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00093-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Resveratrol is a polyphenol found in black grapes and red wine and has many biological activities. In this study, we evaluated the effect of resveratrol alone and in association with amphotericin B (AMB) against Leishmania amazonensis. Our results demonstrate that resveratrol possesses both antipromastigote and antiamastigote effects, with 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC50s) of 27 and 42 μM, respectively. The association of resveratrol with AMB showed synergy for L. amazonensis amastigotes, as demonstrated by the mean sums of fractional inhibitory index concentration (mean ΣFIC) of 0.483, although for promastigotes, this association was indifferent. Treatment with resveratrol increased the percentage of promastigotes in the sub-G0/G1 phase of the cell cycle, reduced the mitochondrial potential, and showed an elevated choline peak and CH2-to-CH3 ratio in the nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy analysis; all these features indicate parasite death. Resveratrol also decreased the activity of the enzyme arginase in uninfected and infected macrophages with and without stimulation with interleukin-4 (IL-4), also implicating arginase inhibition in parasite death. The anti-Leishmania effect of resveratrol and its potential synergistic association with AMB indicate that these compounds should be subjected to further studies of drug association therapy in vivo.
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Dinesh N, Kaur PK, Swamy KK, Singh S. Mianserin, an antidepressant kills Leishmania donovani by depleting ergosterol levels. Exp Parasitol 2014; 144:84-90. [PMID: 24950381 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2014.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2014] [Revised: 05/30/2014] [Accepted: 06/02/2014] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
In the present study, we have investigated the antileishmanial potential of mianserin, an antidepressant. Mianserin was found to inhibit both the promastigote and amastigote forms of the parasite in a dose dependant manner. The IC50 values for promastigotes and amastigotes were 21 μM and 46 μM respectively. Interestingly, mianserin failed to inhibit THP-1 differentiated macrophages up to 100 μM concentration thus, exhibiting parasite selectivity. When mianserin was incubated with recombinant Leishmania donovani 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMGR) enzyme, it exhibited an IC50 value of 19.8 μM. Inhibition kinetics revealed competitive mode of enzyme inhibition as the Km increased with no change in Vmax. Further structural investigation of enzyme-inhibitor interaction revealed quenching of HMGR tryptophan intrinsic fluorescence with a K(sv) value of 3.025±0.37 M(-1) and an apparent binding constant of 0.0954 mM. We further estimated ergosterol levels which is a major component of Leishmania cell membrane. It is synthesized by HMGR enzyme, the first rate limiting enzyme of the sterol biosynthetic pathway. Analysis of ergosterol levels by HPLC revealed ∼2.5-fold depletion in mianserin treated promastigotes with respect to untreated parasites. This data was further validated by exogenous supplementation of mianserin treated cells with ergosterol and cholesterol. Reversal of growth inhibition was observed only upon ergosterol addition though it was refractory to cholesterol supplementation. Overall, our results demonstrate the possibility of repositioning of an antidepressant for the treatment of Visceral Leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neeradi Dinesh
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, SAS Nagar, Mohali 160062, Punjab, India
| | - Preet Kamal Kaur
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, SAS Nagar, Mohali 160062, Punjab, India
| | - Kayala Kambagiri Swamy
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, SAS Nagar, Mohali 160062, Punjab, India
| | - Sushma Singh
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, SAS Nagar, Mohali 160062, Punjab, India.
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Ketanserin, an antidepressant, exerts its antileishmanial action via inhibition of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMGR) enzyme of Leishmania donovani. Parasitol Res 2014; 113:2161-8. [PMID: 24728519 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-014-3868-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2014] [Accepted: 03/21/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is one of the major health problems existing globally. The current chemotherapy for leishmaniasis presents several drawbacks like toxicity and increased resistance to existing drugs, and hence, there is a necessity to look out for the novel drug targets and new chemical entities. Current trend in drug discovery arena is the "repurposing" of old drugs for the treatment of diseases. In the present study, an antidepressant, ketanserin, was found lethal to both Leishmania donovani promastigotes and intracellular amastigotes with no apparent toxicity to the cells. Ketanserin killed promastigotes and amastigotes with an IC50 value of 37 μM and 28 μM respectively, in a dose-dependent manner. Ketanserin was found to inhibit L. donovani recombinant 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMGR) enzyme with an IC50 value of 43 μM. Ketanserin treated promastigotes were exogenously supplemented with sterols like ergosterol and cholesterol to rescue cell death. Ergosterol could recover the inhibition partially, whereas cholesterol supplementation completely failed to rescue the inhibited parasites. Further, HMGR-overexpressing parasites were generated by transfecting Leishmania promastigotes with an episomal pspα hygroα-HMGR construct. Wild-type and HMGR overexpressors of L. donovani were used to study the effect and mode of action of this inhibitor. The HMGR overexpressors showed twofold resistance to ketanserin. These observations suggest that the lethal effect of ketanserin is due to inhibition of HMGR, the rate-limiting enzyme of the ergosterol biosynthetic pathway. Since targeting of the sterol biosynthetic pathway enzymes may be useful therapeutically, the present study may have implications in treatment of leishmaniasis.
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