1
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Maenpuen S, Mee-Udorn P, Pinthong C, Athipornchai A, Phiwkaow K, Watchasit S, Pimviriyakul P, Rungrotmongkol T, Tinikul R, Leartsakulpanich U, Chitnumsub P. Mangiferin is a new potential antimalarial and anticancer drug for targeting serine hydroxymethyltransferase. Arch Biochem Biophys 2023; 745:109712. [PMID: 37543353 DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2023.109712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/07/2023]
Abstract
Mangiferin, a polyphenolic xanthone glycoside found in various botanical sources, including mango (Mangifera indica L.) leaves, can exhibit a variety of bioactivities. Although mangiferin has been reported to inhibit many targets, none of the studies have investigated the inhibition of serine hydroxymethyltransferase (SHMT), an attractive target for antimalarial and anticancer drugs. SHMT, one of the key enzymes in the deoxythymidylate synthesis cycle, catalyzes the reversible conversion of l-serine and (6S)-tetrahydrofolate (THF) into glycine and 5,10-methylene THF. Here, in vitro and in silico studies were used to probe how mangiferin isolated from mango leaves inhibits Plasmodium falciparum and human cytosolic SHMTs. The inhibition kinetics at pH 7.5 revealed that mangiferin is a competitive inhibitor against THF for enzymes from both organisms. Molecular docking and molecular dynamic (MD) simulations demonstrated the inhibitory effects of the deprotonated forms of mangiferin, specifically the C6-O- species and its resonance C9-O- species appearing at pH 7.5, combined with two docked poses, either a xanthone or glucose moiety, placed inside the THF-binding pocket. The MD analysis revealed that both C6-O- and its resonance-stabilized C9-O- species can favorably bind to SHMT in a similar fashion to THF, supporting the THF competitive inhibition of mangiferin. In addition, characterization of the proton dissociation equilibria of isolated mangiferin revealed that only three hydroxy groups of the xanthone moiety, C6-OH, C3-OH, and C7-OH, underwent varying degrees of deprotonation with pKa values of 6.38 ± 0.11, 8.21 ± 0.35, and 12.37 ± 0.30, respectively, while C1-OH remained protonated. Altogether, our findings demonstrate a new bioactivity of mangiferin and provide the basis for the future development of mangiferin as a potent antimalarial and anticancer drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- Somchart Maenpuen
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Burapha University, Chonburi, 20131, Thailand.
| | - Pitchayathida Mee-Udorn
- National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), 113 Thailand Science Park, Phahonyothin road, Khlong Nueng, Khlong Luang, Pathum Thani, 12120, Thailand
| | - Chatchadaporn Pinthong
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Srinakharinwirot University, Bangkok, 10110, Thailand
| | - Anan Athipornchai
- The Research Unit in Synthetic Compounds and Synthetic Analogues from Natural Product for Drug Discovery, Center of Excellence for Innovation in Chemistry and Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Burapha University, Chonburi, 20131, Thailand
| | - Kochakorn Phiwkaow
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Burapha University, Chonburi, 20131, Thailand
| | - Sarayut Watchasit
- Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopic Laboratory, Science Innovation Facility, Faculty of Science, Burapha University, Chonburi, 20131, Thailand
| | - Panu Pimviriyakul
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, 10900, Thailand
| | - Thanyada Rungrotmongkol
- Center of Excellence in Biocatalyst and Sustainable Biotechnology, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
| | - Ruchanok Tinikul
- Department of Biochemistry and Center for Excellence in Protein and Enzyme Technology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
| | - Ubolsree Leartsakulpanich
- National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), 113 Thailand Science Park, Phahonyothin road, Khlong Nueng, Khlong Luang, Pathum Thani, 12120, Thailand
| | - Penchit Chitnumsub
- National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), 113 Thailand Science Park, Phahonyothin road, Khlong Nueng, Khlong Luang, Pathum Thani, 12120, Thailand
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2
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Mee-udorn P, Nutho B, Chootrakool R, Maenpuen S, Leartsakulpanich U, Chitnumsub P, Rungrotmongkol T. Structural dynamics and in silico design of pyrazolopyran-based inhibitors against Plasmodium serine hydroxymethyltransferases. J Mol Liq 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molliq.2022.119737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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3
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Cobbold SA, V Tutor M, Frasse P, McHugh E, Karnthaler M, Creek DJ, Odom John A, Tilley L, Ralph SA, McConville MJ. Non-canonical metabolic pathways in the malaria parasite detected by isotope-tracing metabolomics. Mol Syst Biol 2021; 17:e10023. [PMID: 33821563 PMCID: PMC8022201 DOI: 10.15252/msb.202010023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2020] [Revised: 02/02/2021] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, proliferates rapidly in human erythrocytes by actively scavenging multiple carbon sources and essential nutrients from its host cell. However, a global overview of the metabolic capacity of intraerythrocytic stages is missing. Using multiplex 13 C-labelling coupled with untargeted mass spectrometry and unsupervised isotopologue grouping, we have generated a draft metabolome of P. falciparum and its host erythrocyte consisting of 911 and 577 metabolites, respectively, corresponding to 41% of metabolites and over 70% of the metabolic reaction predicted from the parasite genome. An additional 89 metabolites and 92 reactions were identified that were not predicted from genomic reconstructions, with the largest group being associated with metabolite damage-repair systems. Validation of the draft metabolome revealed four previously uncharacterised enzymes which impact isoprenoid biosynthesis, lipid homeostasis and mitochondrial metabolism and are necessary for parasite development and proliferation. This study defines the metabolic fate of multiple carbon sources in P. falciparum, and highlights the activity of metabolite repair pathways in these rapidly growing parasite stages, opening new avenues for drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon A Cobbold
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyBio21 Institute of Molecular Science and BiotechnologyUniversity of MelbourneParkvilleVic.Australia
| | - Madel V Tutor
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyBio21 Institute of Molecular Science and BiotechnologyUniversity of MelbourneParkvilleVic.Australia
| | - Philip Frasse
- Department of MedicineWashington University School of MedicineSt. LouisMOUSA
| | - Emma McHugh
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyBio21 Institute of Molecular Science and BiotechnologyUniversity of MelbourneParkvilleVic.Australia
| | - Markus Karnthaler
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyBio21 Institute of Molecular Science and BiotechnologyUniversity of MelbourneParkvilleVic.Australia
| | - Darren J Creek
- Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical SciencesMonash UniversityParkvilleVic.Australia
| | - Audrey Odom John
- The Children’s Hospital of PhiladelphiaUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPAUSA
| | - Leann Tilley
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyBio21 Institute of Molecular Science and BiotechnologyUniversity of MelbourneParkvilleVic.Australia
| | - Stuart A Ralph
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyBio21 Institute of Molecular Science and BiotechnologyUniversity of MelbourneParkvilleVic.Australia
| | - Malcolm J McConville
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyBio21 Institute of Molecular Science and BiotechnologyUniversity of MelbourneParkvilleVic.Australia
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4
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Guiducci G, Paone A, Tramonti A, Giardina G, Rinaldo S, Bouzidi A, Magnifico MC, Marani M, Menendez JA, Fatica A, Macone A, Armaos A, Tartaglia GG, Contestabile R, Paiardini A, Cutruzzolà F. The moonlighting RNA-binding activity of cytosolic serine hydroxymethyltransferase contributes to control compartmentalization of serine metabolism. Nucleic Acids Res 2019; 47:4240-4254. [PMID: 30809670 PMCID: PMC6486632 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkz129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2018] [Revised: 02/01/2019] [Accepted: 02/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Enzymes of intermediary metabolism are often reported to have moonlighting functions as RNA-binding proteins and have regulatory roles beyond their primary activities. Human serine hydroxymethyltransferase (SHMT) is essential for the one-carbon metabolism, which sustains growth and proliferation in normal and tumour cells. Here, we characterize the RNA-binding function of cytosolic SHMT (SHMT1) in vitro and using cancer cell models. We show that SHMT1 controls the expression of its mitochondrial counterpart (SHMT2) by binding to the 5'untranslated region of the SHMT2 transcript (UTR2). Importantly, binding to RNA is modulated by metabolites in vitro and the formation of the SHMT1-UTR2 complex inhibits the serine cleavage activity of the SHMT1, without affecting the reverse reaction. Transfection of UTR2 in cancer cells controls SHMT1 activity and reduces cell viability. We propose a novel mechanism of SHMT regulation, which interconnects RNA and metabolites levels to control the cross-talk between cytosolic and mitochondrial compartments of serine metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Guiducci
- Department of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome - P. le Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Alessio Paone
- Department of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome - P. le Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Angela Tramonti
- Department of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome - P. le Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy.,Istituto di Biologia e Patologia Molecolari, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Giorgio Giardina
- Department of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome - P. le Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Serena Rinaldo
- Department of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome - P. le Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Amani Bouzidi
- Department of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome - P. le Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Maria C Magnifico
- Department of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome - P. le Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Marina Marani
- Department of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome - P. le Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Javier A Menendez
- Program Against Cancer Therapeutic Resistance (ProCURE), Metabolism and Cancer Group, Catalan Institute of Oncology, 17007 Girona, Catalonia, Spain.,Molecular Oncology Group, Girona Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBGI), 17190 Girona, Spain
| | - Alessandro Fatica
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology 'C. Darwin', Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Alberto Macone
- Department of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome - P. le Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Alexandros Armaos
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute for Science and Technology, Dr. Aiguader 88, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Gian G Tartaglia
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology 'C. Darwin', Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy.,Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute for Science and Technology, Dr. Aiguader 88, 08003 Barcelona, Spain.,Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, 08003 Barcelona, Spain.,Institucio Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Department of Life and Medical Sciences, 23 Passeig Lluıs Companys, 08010 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Roberto Contestabile
- Department of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome - P. le Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandro Paiardini
- Department of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome - P. le Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Cutruzzolà
- Department of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome - P. le Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
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5
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Schwertz G, Witschel MC, Rottmann M, Leartsakulpanich U, Chitnumsub P, Jaruwat A, Amornwatcharapong W, Ittarat W, Schäfer A, Aponte RA, Trapp N, Chaiyen P, Diederich F. Potent Inhibitors ofPlasmodialSerine Hydroxymethyltransferase (SHMT) Featuring a Spirocyclic Scaffold. ChemMedChem 2018; 13:931-943. [DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.201800053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2018] [Revised: 02/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Geoffrey Schwertz
- Laboratorium für Organische Chemie; ETH Zürich; Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 3 8093 Zürich Switzerland
| | | | - Matthias Rottmann
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (SwissTPH); Socinstrasse 57 4051 Basel Switzerland
- Universität Basel; Petersplatz 1 4003 Basel Switzerland
| | - Ubolsree Leartsakulpanich
- National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology; 113 Thailand Science Park, Phahonyothin Road Pathumthani 12120 Thailand
| | - Penchit Chitnumsub
- National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology; 113 Thailand Science Park, Phahonyothin Road Pathumthani 12120 Thailand
| | - Aritsara Jaruwat
- National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology; 113 Thailand Science Park, Phahonyothin Road Pathumthani 12120 Thailand
| | - Watcharee Amornwatcharapong
- Department of Biochemistry and Center for Excellence in Protein and Enzyme Technology, Faculty of Science; Mahidol University; 272 Rama VI Road Bangkok 10400 Thailand
| | - Wanwipa Ittarat
- National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology; 113 Thailand Science Park, Phahonyothin Road Pathumthani 12120 Thailand
| | - Anja Schäfer
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (SwissTPH); Socinstrasse 57 4051 Basel Switzerland
- Universität Basel; Petersplatz 1 4003 Basel Switzerland
| | | | - Nils Trapp
- Laboratorium für Organische Chemie; ETH Zürich; Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 3 8093 Zürich Switzerland
| | - Pimchai Chaiyen
- Department of Biochemistry and Center for Excellence in Protein and Enzyme Technology, Faculty of Science; Mahidol University; 272 Rama VI Road Bangkok 10400 Thailand
- Department of Biomolecular Science and Engineering, School of Biomolecular Science & Engineering; Vidyasirimedhi Institute of Science and Technology (VISTEC); Wangchan Valley Rayong 21210 Thailand
| | - François Diederich
- Laboratorium für Organische Chemie; ETH Zürich; Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 3 8093 Zürich Switzerland
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6
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Computational elucidation of novel antagonists and binding insights by structural and functional analyses of serine hydroxymethyltransferase and interaction with inhibitors. GENE REPORTS 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.genrep.2017.10.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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7
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Schwertz G, Frei MS, Witschel MC, Rottmann M, Leartsakulpanich U, Chitnumsub P, Jaruwat A, Ittarat W, Schäfer A, Aponte RA, Trapp N, Mark K, Chaiyen P, Diederich F. Conformational Aspects in the Design of Inhibitors for Serine Hydroxymethyltransferase (SHMT): Biphenyl, Aryl Sulfonamide, and Aryl Sulfone Motifs. Chemistry 2017; 23:14345-14357. [DOI: 10.1002/chem.201703244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2017] [Revised: 08/15/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Geoffrey Schwertz
- Laboratorium für Organische Chemie; ETH Zurich; Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 3 8093 Zurich Switzerland
| | - Michelle S. Frei
- Laboratorium für Organische Chemie; ETH Zurich; Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 3 8093 Zurich Switzerland
| | | | - Matthias Rottmann
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (SwissTPHI); Socinstrasse 57 4051 Basel Switzerland
- Universität Basel; Petersplatz 1 4003 Basel Switzerland
| | - Ubolsree Leartsakulpanich
- National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology; 113 Thailand Science Park, Phahonyothin Road Pathumthani 12120 Thailand
| | - Penchit Chitnumsub
- National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology; 113 Thailand Science Park, Phahonyothin Road Pathumthani 12120 Thailand
| | - Aritsara Jaruwat
- National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology; 113 Thailand Science Park, Phahonyothin Road Pathumthani 12120 Thailand
| | - Wanwipa Ittarat
- National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology; 113 Thailand Science Park, Phahonyothin Road Pathumthani 12120 Thailand
| | - Anja Schäfer
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (SwissTPHI); Socinstrasse 57 4051 Basel Switzerland
- Universität Basel; Petersplatz 1 4003 Basel Switzerland
| | | | - Nils Trapp
- Laboratorium für Organische Chemie; ETH Zurich; Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 3 8093 Zurich Switzerland
| | - Kerstin Mark
- Laboratorium für Organische Chemie; ETH Zurich; Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 3 8093 Zurich Switzerland
| | - Pimchai Chaiyen
- Department of Biochemistry and Center for Excellence in Protein and Enzyme Technology; Faculty of Science Mahidol University; 272 Rama VI Road Bangkok 10400 Thailand
- Department of Biomolecular Science and Engineering; School of Biomolecular Science & Engineering; Vidyasirimedhi Institute of Science and Technology (VISTEC), Wangchan Valley; Rayong 21210 Thailand
| | - François Diederich
- Laboratorium für Organische Chemie; ETH Zurich; Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 3 8093 Zurich Switzerland
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8
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Schwertz G, Witschel MC, Rottmann M, Bonnert R, Leartsakulpanich U, Chitnumsub P, Jaruwat A, Ittarat W, Schäfer A, Aponte RA, Charman SA, White KL, Kundu A, Sadhukhan S, Lloyd M, Freiberg GM, Srikumaran M, Siggel M, Zwyssig A, Chaiyen P, Diederich F. Antimalarial Inhibitors Targeting Serine Hydroxymethyltransferase (SHMT) with in Vivo Efficacy and Analysis of their Binding Mode Based on X-ray Cocrystal Structures. J Med Chem 2017; 60:4840-4860. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.7b00008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Geoffrey Schwertz
- Laboratorium für
Organische Chemie, ETH Zurich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 3, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Matthias Rottmann
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (SwissTPH), Socinstrasse
57, 4051 Basel, Switzerland
- Universität Basel, Petersplatz 1, 4003 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Roger Bonnert
- Medicines for Malaria Venture, Route de Pré-Bois 20, CH-1215 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Ubolsree Leartsakulpanich
- National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, 113 Thailand Science Park, Phahonyothin Road, Pathumthni 12120, Thailand
| | - Penchit Chitnumsub
- National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, 113 Thailand Science Park, Phahonyothin Road, Pathumthni 12120, Thailand
| | - Aritsara Jaruwat
- National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, 113 Thailand Science Park, Phahonyothin Road, Pathumthni 12120, Thailand
| | - Wanwipa Ittarat
- National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, 113 Thailand Science Park, Phahonyothin Road, Pathumthni 12120, Thailand
| | - Anja Schäfer
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (SwissTPH), Socinstrasse
57, 4051 Basel, Switzerland
- Universität Basel, Petersplatz 1, 4003 Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Susan A. Charman
- Centre for Drug Candidate Optimisation, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Karen L. White
- Centre for Drug Candidate Optimisation, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Abhijit Kundu
- TCG Lifesciences Private Limited, Block BN, Plot 7, Saltlake Electronics Complex, Sector V, Kolkata 700091, West Bengal India
| | - Surajit Sadhukhan
- TCG Lifesciences Private Limited, Block BN, Plot 7, Saltlake Electronics Complex, Sector V, Kolkata 700091, West Bengal India
| | - Mel Lloyd
- Covance Laboratories Ltd., Otley Road, Harrogate HG3 1PY, United Kingdom
| | - Gail M. Freiberg
- Molecular
Characterization, Department R4AE, AbbVie, 1 North Waukegan Road, North Chicago, Illinois 60064-6217, United States
| | - Myron Srikumaran
- Molecular
Characterization, Department R4AE, AbbVie, 1 North Waukegan Road, North Chicago, Illinois 60064-6217, United States
| | - Marc Siggel
- Laboratorium für
Organische Chemie, ETH Zurich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 3, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Adrian Zwyssig
- Laboratorium für
Organische Chemie, ETH Zurich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 3, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Pimchai Chaiyen
- Department of
Biochemistry and Center for Excellence in Protein and Enzyme Technology, Faculty of Science Mahidol University, 272 Rama VI Road, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - François Diederich
- Laboratorium für
Organische Chemie, ETH Zurich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 3, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
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9
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Nyíri K, Vértessy BG. Perturbation of genome integrity to fight pathogenic microorganisms. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2016; 1861:3593-3612. [PMID: 27217086 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2016.05.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2016] [Revised: 05/05/2016] [Accepted: 05/18/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Resistance against antibiotics is unfortunately still a major biomedical challenge for a wide range of pathogens responsible for potentially fatal diseases. SCOPE OF REVIEW In this study, we aim at providing a critical assessment of the recent advances in design and use of drugs targeting genome integrity by perturbation of thymidylate biosynthesis. MAJOR CONCLUSION We find that research efforts from several independent laboratories resulted in chemically highly distinct classes of inhibitors of key enzymes within the routes of thymidylate biosynthesis. The present article covers numerous studies describing perturbation of this metabolic pathway in some of the most challenging pathogens like Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Plasmodium falciparum, and Staphylococcus aureus. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE Our comparative analysis allows a thorough summary of the current approaches to target thymidylate biosynthesis enzymes and also include an outlook suggesting novel ways of inhibitory strategies. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled "Science for Life" Guest Editor: Dr. Austen Angell, Dr. Salvatore Magazù and Dr. Federica Migliardo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kinga Nyíri
- Dept. Biotechnology, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, 4 Szent Gellért tér, Budapest HU 1111, Hungary; Institute of Enzymology, RCNS, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, 2 Magyar tudósok körútja, Budapest HU 1117, Hungary.
| | - Beáta G Vértessy
- Dept. Biotechnology, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, 4 Szent Gellért tér, Budapest HU 1111, Hungary; Institute of Enzymology, RCNS, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, 2 Magyar tudósok körútja, Budapest HU 1117, Hungary.
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10
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Mudeppa DG, Kumar S, Kokkonda S, White J, Rathod PK. Topoisomerase II from Human Malaria Parasites: EXPRESSION, PURIFICATION, AND SELECTIVE INHIBITION. J Biol Chem 2015; 290:20313-24. [PMID: 26055707 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m115.639039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2015] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Historically, type II topoisomerases have yielded clinically useful drugs for the treatment of bacterial infections and cancer, but the corresponding enzymes from malaria parasites remain understudied. This is due to the general challenges of producing malaria proteins in functional forms in heterologous expression systems. Here, we express full-length Plasmodium falciparum topoisomerase II (PfTopoII) in a wheat germ cell-free transcription-translation system. Functional activity of soluble PfTopoII from the translation lysates was confirmed through both a plasmid relaxation and a DNA decatenation activity that was dependent on magnesium and ATP. To facilitate future drug discovery, a convenient and sensitive fluorescence assay was established to follow DNA decatenation, and a stable, truncated PfTopoII was engineered for high level enzyme production. PfTopoII was purified using a DNA affinity column. Existing TopoII inhibitors previously developed for other non-malaria indications inhibited PfTopoII, as well as malaria parasites in culture at submicromolar concentrations. Even before optimization, inhibitors of bacterial gyrase, GSK299423, ciprofloxacin, and etoposide exhibited 15-, 57-, and 3-fold selectivity for the malarial enzyme over human TopoII. Finally, it was possible to use the purified PfTopoII to dissect the different modes by which these varying classes of TopoII inhibitors could trap partially processed DNA. The present biochemical advancements will allow high throughput chemical screening of compound libraries and lead optimization to develop new lines of antimalarials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Devaraja G Mudeppa
- From the Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195
| | - Shiva Kumar
- From the Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195
| | - Sreekanth Kokkonda
- From the Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195
| | - John White
- From the Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195
| | - Pradipsinh K Rathod
- From the Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195
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11
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Witschel MC, Rottmann M, Schwab A, Leartsakulpanich U, Chitnumsub P, Seet M, Tonazzi S, Schwertz G, Stelzer F, Mietzner T, McNamara C, Thater F, Freymond C, Jaruwat A, Pinthong C, Riangrungroj P, Oufir M, Hamburger M, Mäser P, Sanz-Alonso LM, Charman S, Wittlin S, Yuthavong Y, Chaiyen P, Diederich F. Inhibitors of Plasmodial Serine Hydroxymethyltransferase (SHMT): Cocrystal Structures of Pyrazolopyrans with Potent Blood- and Liver-Stage Activities. J Med Chem 2015; 58:3117-30. [DOI: 10.1021/jm501987h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Matthias Rottmann
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH), Socinstrasse 57, 4051 Basel, Switzerland
- Universität Basel, Petersplatz 1, 4003 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Anatol Schwab
- Laboratorium
für Organische Chemie, ETH Zurich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 3, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ubolsree Leartsakulpanich
- National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, 113 Thailand Science Park, Phahonyothin Road, Khlong Nueng, Khlong Luang, Pathum Thani 12120, Thailand
| | - Penchit Chitnumsub
- National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, 113 Thailand Science Park, Phahonyothin Road, Khlong Nueng, Khlong Luang, Pathum Thani 12120, Thailand
| | - Michael Seet
- Laboratorium
für Organische Chemie, ETH Zurich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 3, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Sandro Tonazzi
- Laboratorium
für Organische Chemie, ETH Zurich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 3, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Geoffrey Schwertz
- Laboratorium
für Organische Chemie, ETH Zurich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 3, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Frank Stelzer
- BASF SE, Carl-Bosch-Strasse
38, 67056 Ludwigshafen, Germany
| | | | - Case McNamara
- California Institute for Biomedical Research (Calibr), 11119 North Torrey Pines Road, Suite 100, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Frank Thater
- BASF SE, Carl-Bosch-Strasse
38, 67056 Ludwigshafen, Germany
| | - Céline Freymond
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH), Socinstrasse 57, 4051 Basel, Switzerland
- Universität Basel, Petersplatz 1, 4003 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Aritsara Jaruwat
- National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, 113 Thailand Science Park, Phahonyothin Road, Khlong Nueng, Khlong Luang, Pathum Thani 12120, Thailand
| | - Chatchadaporn Pinthong
- Department
of Biochemistry and Center of Excellence in Protein Structure and
Function, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, 272 Rama VI Road, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Pinpunya Riangrungroj
- National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, 113 Thailand Science Park, Phahonyothin Road, Khlong Nueng, Khlong Luang, Pathum Thani 12120, Thailand
| | - Mouhssin Oufir
- Pharmaceutical
Biology, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Basel, Klingelbergstrasse 50, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Matthias Hamburger
- Pharmaceutical
Biology, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Basel, Klingelbergstrasse 50, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Pascal Mäser
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH), Socinstrasse 57, 4051 Basel, Switzerland
- Universität Basel, Petersplatz 1, 4003 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Laura M. Sanz-Alonso
- Diseases of the
Developing World (DDW), GlaxoSmithKline, C. Severo Ochoa, 2, 28760 Tres Cantos, Spain
| | - Susan Charman
- Centre
for Drug Candidate Optimisation, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Sergio Wittlin
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH), Socinstrasse 57, 4051 Basel, Switzerland
- Universität Basel, Petersplatz 1, 4003 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Yongyuth Yuthavong
- National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, 113 Thailand Science Park, Phahonyothin Road, Khlong Nueng, Khlong Luang, Pathum Thani 12120, Thailand
| | - Pimchai Chaiyen
- Department
of Biochemistry and Center of Excellence in Protein Structure and
Function, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, 272 Rama VI Road, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - François Diederich
- Laboratorium
für Organische Chemie, ETH Zurich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 3, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
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12
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Maenpuen S, Amornwatcharapong W, Krasatong P, Sucharitakul J, Palfey BA, Yuthavong Y, Chitnumsub P, Leartsakulpanich U, Chaiyen P. Kinetic mechanism and the rate-limiting step of Plasmodium vivax serine hydroxymethyltransferase. J Biol Chem 2015; 290:8656-65. [PMID: 25678710 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m114.612275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Serine hydroxymethyltransferase (SHMT) is a pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP)-dependent enzyme that catalyzes a hydroxymethyl group transfer from L-serine to tetrahydrofolate (H4folate) to yield glycine and 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate (CH2-H4folate). SHMT is crucial for deoxythymidylate biosynthesis and a target for antimalarial drug development. Our previous studies indicate that PvSHMT catalyzes the reaction via a ternary complex mechanism. To define the kinetic mechanism of this catalysis, we explored the PvSHMT reaction by employing various methodologies including ligand binding, transient, and steady-state kinetics as well as product analysis by rapid-quench and HPLC/MS techniques. The results indicate that PvSHMT can bind first to either L-serine or H4folate. The dissociation constants for the enzyme·L-serine and enzyme·H4folate complexes were determined as 0.18 ± 0.08 and 0.35 ± 0.06 mM, respectively. The amounts of glycine formed after single turnovers of different preformed binary complexes were similar, indicating that the reaction proceeds via a random-order binding mechanism. In addition, the rate constant of glycine formation measured by rapid-quench and HPLC/MS analysis is similar to the kcat value (1.09 ± 0.05 s(-1)) obtained from the steady-state kinetics, indicating that glycine formation is the rate-limiting step of SHMT catalysis. This information will serve as a basis for future investigation on species-specific inhibition of SHMT for antimalarial drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Somchart Maenpuen
- From the Department of Biochemistry and Center of Excellence in Protein Structure and Function, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand 10400, the Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Burapha University, Chonburi, Thailand 20131
| | - Watcharee Amornwatcharapong
- From the Department of Biochemistry and Center of Excellence in Protein Structure and Function, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand 10400
| | - Pasupat Krasatong
- the Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Burapha University, Chonburi, Thailand 20131
| | - Jeerus Sucharitakul
- the Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand 10300
| | - Bruce A Palfey
- the Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, and
| | - Yongyuth Yuthavong
- the National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, National Science and Technology Development Agency, Pathumthani, Thailand 12120
| | - Penchit Chitnumsub
- the National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, National Science and Technology Development Agency, Pathumthani, Thailand 12120
| | - Ubolsree Leartsakulpanich
- the National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, National Science and Technology Development Agency, Pathumthani, Thailand 12120
| | - Pimchai Chaiyen
- From the Department of Biochemistry and Center of Excellence in Protein Structure and Function, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand 10400,
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Plasmodium berghei glycine cleavage system T-protein is non-essential for parasite survival in vertebrate and invertebrate hosts. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2014; 197:50-5. [PMID: 25454081 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2014.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2014] [Revised: 10/13/2014] [Accepted: 10/14/2014] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
T-protein, an aminomethyltransferase, represents one of the four components of glycine cleavage system (GCS) and catalyzes the transfer of methylene group from H-protein intermediate to tetrahydrofolate (THF) forming N(5), N(10)-methylene THF (CH2-THF) with the release of ammonia. The malaria parasite genome encodes T-, H- and L-proteins, but not P-protein which is a glycine decarboxylase generating the aminomethylene group. A putative GCS has been considered to be functional in the parasite mitochondrion despite the absence of a detectable P-protein homologue. In the present study, the mitochondrial localization of T-protein in the malaria parasite was confirmed by immunofluorescence and its essentiality in the entire parasite life cycle was studied by targeting the T-protein locus in Plasmodium berghei (Pb). PbT knock out parasites did not show any growth defect in asexual, sexual and liver stages indicating that the T-protein is dispensable for parasite survival in vertebrate and invertebrate hosts. The absence of P-protein homologue and the non-essentiality of T protein suggest the possible redundancy of GCS activity in the malaria parasite. Nevertheless, the H- and L-proteins of GCS could be essential for malaria parasite because of their involvement in α-ketoacid dehydrogenase reactions.
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Chitnumsub P, Ittarat W, Jaruwat A, Noytanom K, Amornwatcharapong W, Pornthanakasem W, Chaiyen P, Yuthavong Y, Leartsakulpanich U. The structure of Plasmodium falciparum serine hydroxymethyltransferase reveals a novel redox switch that regulates its activities. ACTA CRYSTALLOGRAPHICA. SECTION D, BIOLOGICAL CRYSTALLOGRAPHY 2014; 70:1517-27. [PMID: 24914963 PMCID: PMC4051499 DOI: 10.1107/s1399004714005598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2013] [Accepted: 03/11/2014] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Plasmodium falciparum serine hydroxymethyltransferase (PfSHMT), an enzyme in the dTMP synthesis cycle, is an antimalarial target because inhibition of its expression or function has been shown to be lethal to the parasite. As the wild-type enzyme could not be crystallized, protein engineering of residues on the surface was carried out. The surface-engineered mutant PfSHMT-F292E was successfully crystallized and its structure was determined at 3 Å resolution. The PfSHMT-F292E structure is a good representation of PfSHMT as this variant revealed biochemical properties similar to those of the wild type. Although the overall structure of PfSHMT is similar to those of other SHMTs, unique features including the presence of two loops and a distinctive cysteine pair formed by Cys125 and Cys364 in the tetrahydrofolate (THF) substrate binding pocket were identified. These structural characteristics have never been reported in other SHMTs. Biochemical characterization and mutation analysis of these two residues confirm that they act as a disulfide/sulfhydryl switch to regulate the THF-dependent catalytic function of the enzyme. This redox switch is not present in the human enzyme, in which the cysteine pair is absent. The data reported here can be further exploited as a new strategy to specifically disrupt the activity of the parasite enzyme without interfering with the function of the human enzyme.
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Affiliation(s)
- Penchit Chitnumsub
- National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, 113 Thailand Science Park, Paholyothin Road, Klong 1, Klong Luang, Pathumthani 12120, Thailand
| | - Wanwipa Ittarat
- National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, 113 Thailand Science Park, Paholyothin Road, Klong 1, Klong Luang, Pathumthani 12120, Thailand
| | - Aritsara Jaruwat
- National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, 113 Thailand Science Park, Paholyothin Road, Klong 1, Klong Luang, Pathumthani 12120, Thailand
| | - Krittikar Noytanom
- National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, 113 Thailand Science Park, Paholyothin Road, Klong 1, Klong Luang, Pathumthani 12120, Thailand
| | - Watcharee Amornwatcharapong
- Department of Biochemistry and Center for Excellence in Protein Structure and Function, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Wichai Pornthanakasem
- National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, 113 Thailand Science Park, Paholyothin Road, Klong 1, Klong Luang, Pathumthani 12120, Thailand
| | - Pimchai Chaiyen
- Department of Biochemistry and Center for Excellence in Protein Structure and Function, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Yongyuth Yuthavong
- National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, 113 Thailand Science Park, Paholyothin Road, Klong 1, Klong Luang, Pathumthani 12120, Thailand
| | - Ubolsree Leartsakulpanich
- National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, 113 Thailand Science Park, Paholyothin Road, Klong 1, Klong Luang, Pathumthani 12120, Thailand
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15
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Vitamin B6-dependent enzymes in the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum: a druggable target? BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2014; 2014:108516. [PMID: 24524072 PMCID: PMC3912857 DOI: 10.1155/2014/108516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2013] [Revised: 10/24/2013] [Accepted: 11/28/2013] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Malaria is a deadly infectious disease which affects millions of people each year in tropical regions. There is no effective vaccine available and the treatment is based on drugs which are currently facing an emergence of drug resistance and in this sense the search for new drug targets is indispensable. It is well established that vitamin biosynthetic pathways, such as the vitamin B6 de novo synthesis present in Plasmodium, are excellent drug targets. The active form of vitamin B6, pyridoxal 5-phosphate, is, besides its antioxidative properties, a cofactor for a variety of essential enzymes present in the malaria parasite which includes the ornithine decarboxylase (ODC, synthesis of polyamines), the aspartate aminotransferase (AspAT, involved in the protein biosynthesis), and the serine hydroxymethyltransferase (SHMT, a key enzyme within the folate metabolism).
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16
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Expression of functional Plasmodium falciparum enzymes using a wheat germ cell-free system. EUKARYOTIC CELL 2013; 12:1653-63. [PMID: 24123271 DOI: 10.1128/ec.00222-13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
One decade after the sequencing of the Plasmodium falciparum genome, 95% of malaria proteins in the genome cannot be expressed in traditional cell-based expression systems, and the targets of the best new leads for antimalarial drug discovery are either not known or not available in functional form. For a disease that kills up to 1 million people per year, routine expression of recombinant malaria proteins in functional form is needed both for the discovery of new therapeutics and for identification of targets of new drugs. We tested the general utility of cell-free systems for expressing malaria enzymes. Thirteen test enzyme sequences were reverse amplified from total RNA, cloned into a plant-like expression vector, and subjected to cell-free expression in a wheat germ system. Protein electrophoresis and autoradiography confirmed the synthesis of products of expected molecular masses. In rare problematic cases, truncated products were avoided by using synthetic genes carrying wheat codons. Scaled-up production generated 39 to 354 μg of soluble protein per 10 mg of translation lysate. Compared to rare proteins where cell-based systems do produce functional proteins, the cell-free yields are comparable or better. All 13 test products were enzymatically active, without failure. This general path to produce functional malaria proteins should now allow the community to access new tools, such as biologically active protein arrays, and lead to the discovery of new chemical functions, structures, and inhibitors of previously inaccessible malaria gene products.
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Completing the folate biosynthesis pathway in Plasmodium falciparum: p-aminobenzoate is produced by a highly divergent promiscuous aminodeoxychorismate lyase. Biochem J 2013; 455:149-55. [DOI: 10.1042/bj20130896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
We identified the aminodeoxychorismate lyase from Plasmodium falciparum. This enzyme participates in the biosynthesis of folate and could be a new target for antimalarial therapy. The enzyme has little similarity to its bacterial counterparts and shows a minor D-amino acid transaminase activity.
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18
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Folate metabolism in human malaria parasites—75 years on. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2013; 188:63-77. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2013.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2012] [Revised: 02/15/2013] [Accepted: 02/19/2013] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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Salcedo-Sora JE, Ward SA. The folate metabolic network of Falciparum malaria. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2013; 188:51-62. [PMID: 23454873 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2013.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2012] [Revised: 02/04/2013] [Accepted: 02/11/2013] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
The targeting of key enzymes in the folate pathway continues to be an effective chemotherapeutic approach that has earned antifolate drugs a valuable position in the medical pharmacopoeia. The successful therapeutic use of antifolates as antimalarials has been a catalyst for ongoing research into the biochemistry of folate and pterin biosynthesis in malaria parasites. However, our understanding of the parasites folate metabolism remains partial and patchy, especially in relation to the shikimate pathway, the folate cycle, and folate salvage. A sizeable number of potential folate targets remain to be characterised. Recent reports on the parasite specific transport of folate precursors that would normally be present in the human host awaken previous hypotheses on the salvage of folate precursors or by-products. As the parasite progresses through its life-cycle it encounters very contrasting host cell environments that present radically different metabolic milieus and biochemical challenges. It would seem probable that as the parasite encounters differing environments it would need to modify its biochemistry. This would be reflected in the folate homeostasis in Plasmodium. Recent drug screening efforts and insights into folate membrane transport substantiate the argument that folate metabolism may still offer unexplored opportunities for therapeutic attack.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Enrique Salcedo-Sora
- Department of Parasitology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK.
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20
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Pornthanakasem W, Kongkasuriyachai D, Uthaipibull C, Yuthavong Y, Leartsakulpanich U. Plasmodium serine hydroxymethyltransferase: indispensability and display of distinct localization. Malar J 2012; 11:387. [PMID: 23173711 PMCID: PMC3521198 DOI: 10.1186/1475-2875-11-387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2012] [Accepted: 11/20/2012] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Serine hydroxymethyltransferase (SHMT), a pyridoxal phosphate-dependent enzyme, plays a vital role in the de novo pyrimidine biosynthesis pathway in malaria parasites. Two genes have been identified in Plasmodium spp. encoding a cytosolic SHMT (cSHMT) and putative mitochondria SHMT (mSHMT), but their roles have not been fully investigated. Methods The presence of Plasmodium SHMT isoforms in the intra-erythrocytic stage was assessed based on their gene expression using reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR). Localization studies of Plasmodium SHMT isoforms were performed by transfection of fluorescent-tagged gene constructs into P. falciparum and expressions of fluorescent fusion proteins in parasites were observed using a laser scanning confocal microscope. Genetic targeting through homologous recombination was used to study the essentiality of SHMT in Plasmodium spp. Results Semi-quantitative RT-PCR revealed the expression of these two genes throughout intra-erythrocytic development. Localization studies using P. falciparum expressing fluorescent-tagged SHMT showed that PfcSHMT-red fluorescent fusion protein (PfcSHMT-DsRed) is localized in the cytoplasm, while PfmSHMT-green fluorescent fusion protein (PfmSHMT-GFP) co-localized with Mitotracker™-labelled mitochondria as predicted. The essentiality of plasmodial cSHMT was inferred from transfection experiments where recovery of viable knock-out parasites was not achieved, unless complemented with a functional equivalent copy of shmt. Conclusions Distinct compartment localizations of PfSHMT were observed between cytoplasmic and mitochondrial isoforms, and evidence was provided for the indispensable role of plasmodial cSHMT indicating it as a valid target for development of novel anti-malarials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wichai Pornthanakasem
- National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, 113 Phahonyothin Road, Khlong Nueng, Khlong Luang, Pathum Thani, 12120, Thailand
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21
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Storm J, Müller S. Lipoic acid metabolism of Plasmodium--a suitable drug target. Curr Pharm Des 2012; 18:3480-9. [PMID: 22607141 PMCID: PMC3426790 DOI: 10.2174/138161212801327266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2012] [Accepted: 03/12/2012] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
α-Lipoic acid (6,8-thioctic acid; LA) is a vital co-factor of α-ketoacid dehydrogenase complexes and the glycine cleavage system. In recent years it was shown that biosynthesis and salvage of LA in Plasmodium are necessary for the parasites to complete their complex life cycle. LA salvage requires two lipoic acid protein ligases (LplA1 and LplA2). LplA1 is confined to the mitochondrion while LplA2 is located in both the mitochondrion and the apicoplast. LplA1 exclusively uses salvaged LA and lipoylates α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase, branched chain α-ketoacid dehydrogenase and the H-protein of the glycine cleavage system. LplA2 cannot compensate for the loss of LplA1 function during blood stage development suggesting a specific function for LplA2 that has yet to be elucidated. LA salvage is essential for the intra-erythrocytic and liver stage development of Plasmodium and thus offers great potential for future drug or vaccine development. LA biosynthesis, comprising octanoyl-acyl carrier protein (ACP) : protein N-octanoyltransferase (LipB) and lipoate synthase (LipA), is exclusively found in the apicoplast of Plasmodium where it generates LA de novo from octanoyl-ACP, provided by the type II fatty acid biosynthesis (FAS II) pathway also present in the organelle. LA is the co-factor of the acetyltransferase subunit of the apicoplast located pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH), which generates acetyl-CoA, feeding into FAS II. LA biosynthesis is not vital for intra-erythrocytic development of Plasmodium, but the deletion of several genes encoding components of FAS II or PDH was detrimental for liver stage development of the parasites indirectly suggesting that the same applies to LA biosynthesis. These data provide strong evidence that LA salvage and biosynthesis are vital for different stages of Plasmodium development and offer potential for drug and vaccine design against malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janet Storm
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity & Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, 120 University Place, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK
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22
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Sopitthummakhun K, Thongpanchang C, Vilaivan T, Yuthavong Y, Chaiyen P, Leartsakulpanich U. Plasmodium serine hydroxymethyltransferase as a potential anti-malarial target: inhibition studies using improved methods for enzyme production and assay. Malar J 2012; 11:194. [PMID: 22691309 PMCID: PMC3502260 DOI: 10.1186/1475-2875-11-194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2012] [Accepted: 05/30/2012] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background There is an urgent need for the discovery of new anti-malarial drugs. Thus, it is essential to explore different potential new targets that are unique to the parasite or that are required for its viability in order to develop new interventions for treating the disease. Plasmodium serine hydroxymethyltransferase (SHMT), an enzyme in the dTMP synthesis cycle, is a potential target for such new drugs, but convenient methods for producing and assaying the enzyme are still lacking, hampering the ability to screen inhibitors. Methods Production of recombinant Plasmodium falciparum SHMT (PfSHMT) and Plasmodium vivax SHMT (PvSHMT), using auto-induction media, were compared to those using the conventional Luria Bertani medium with isopropyl thio-β-D-galactoside (LB-IPTG) induction media. Plasmodium SHMT activity, kinetic parameters, and response to inhibitors were measured spectrophotometrically by coupling the reaction to that of 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase (MTHFD). The identity of the intermediate formed upon inactivation of Plasmodium SHMTs by thiosemicarbazide was investigated by spectrophotometry, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). The active site environment of Plasmodium SHMT was probed based on changes in the fluorescence emission spectrum upon addition of amino acids and folate. Results Auto-induction media resulted in a two to three-fold higher yield of Pf- and PvSHMT (7.38 and 29.29 mg/L) compared to that produced in cells induced in LB-IPTG media. A convenient spectrophotometric activity assay coupling Plasmodium SHMT and MTHFD gave similar kinetic parameters to those previously obtained from the anaerobic assay coupling SHMT and 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR); thus demonstrating the validity of the new assay procedure. The improved method was adopted to screen for Plasmodium SHMT inhibitors, of which some were originally designed as inhibitors of malarial dihydrofolate reductase. Plasmodium SHMT was slowly inactivated by thiosemicarbazide and formed a covalent intermediate, PLP-thiosemicarbazone. Conclusions Auto-induction media offers a cost-effective method for the production of Plasmodium SHMTs and should be applicable for other Plasmodium enzymes. The SHMT-MTHFD coupled assay is equivalent to the SHMT-MTHFR coupled assay, but is more convenient for inhibitor screening and other studies of the enzyme. In addition to inhibitors of malarial SHMT, the development of species-specific, anti-SHMT inhibitors is plausible due to the presence of differential active sites on the Plasmodium enzymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kittipat Sopitthummakhun
- Department of Biochemistry and Center of Excellence in Protein Structure & Function, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Rama 6 Road Bangkok 10400, Thailand
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Kappes B, Tews I, Binter A, Macheroux P. PLP-dependent enzymes as potential drug targets for protozoan diseases. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA 2011; 1814:1567-76. [PMID: 21884827 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2011.07.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2011] [Revised: 07/01/2011] [Accepted: 07/18/2011] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The chemical properties of the B(6) vitamers are uniquely suited for wide use as cofactors in essential reactions, such as decarboxylations and transaminations. This review addresses current efforts to explore vitamin B(6) dependent enzymatic reactions as drug targets. Several current targets are described that are found amongst these enzymes. The focus is set on diseases caused by protozoan parasites. Comparison across a range of these organisms allows insight into the distribution of potential targets, many of which may be of interest in the development of broad range anti-protozoan drugs. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Pyridoxal Phosphate Enzymology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Kappes
- University Hospital Heidelberg, Department of Infectious Diseases, Parasitology, Im Neuenheimer Feld 324, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
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24
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Read M, Müller IB, Mitchell SL, Sims PFG, Hyde JE. Dynamic subcellular localization of isoforms of the folate pathway enzyme serine hydroxymethyltransferase (SHMT) through the erythrocytic cycle of Plasmodium falciparum. Malar J 2010; 9:351. [PMID: 21129192 PMCID: PMC3014972 DOI: 10.1186/1475-2875-9-351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2010] [Accepted: 12/03/2010] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The folate pathway enzyme serine hydroxymethyltransferase (SHMT) converts serine to glycine and 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate and is essential for the acquisition of one-carbon units for subsequent transfer reactions. 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate is used by thymidylate synthase to convert dUMP to dTMP for DNA synthesis. In Plasmodium falciparum an enzymatically functional SHMT (PfSHMTc) and a related, apparently inactive isoform (PfSHMTm) are found, encoded by different genes. Here, patterns of localization of the two isoforms during the parasite erythrocytic cycle are investigated. Methods Polyclonal antibodies were raised to PfSHMTc and PfSHMTm, and, together with specific markers for the mitochondrion and apicoplast, were employed in quantitative confocal fluorescence microscopy of blood-stage parasites. Results As well as the expected cytoplasmic occupancy of PfSHMTc during all stages, localization into the mitochondrion and apicoplast occurred in a stage-specific manner. Although early trophozoites lacked visible organellar PfSHMTc, a significant percentage of parasites showed such fluorescence during the mid-to-late trophozoite and schizont stages. In the case of the mitochondrion, the majority of parasites in these stages at any given time showed no marked PfSHMTc fluorescence, suggesting that its occupancy of this organelle is of limited duration. PfSHMTm showed a distinctly more pronounced mitochondrial location through most of the erythrocytic cycle and GFP-tagging of its N-terminal region confirmed the predicted presence of a mitochondrial signal sequence. Within the apicoplast, a majority of mitotic schizonts showed a marked concentration of PfSHMTc, whose localization in this organelle was less restricted than for the mitochondrion and persisted from the late trophozoite to the post-mitotic stages. PfSHMTm showed a broadly similar distribution across the cycle, but with a distinctive punctate accumulation towards the ends of elongating apicoplasts. In very late post-mitotic schizonts, both PfSHMTc and PfSHMTm were concentrated in the central region of the parasite that becomes the residual body on erythrocyte lysis and merozoite release. Conclusions Both PfSHMTc and PfSHMTm show dynamic, stage-dependent localization among the different compartments of the parasite and sequence analysis suggests they may also reversibly associate with each other, a factor that may be critical to folate cofactor function, given the apparent lack of enzymic activity of PfSHMTm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Read
- Manchester Interdisciplinary Biocentre, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Manchester, 131 Princess Street, Manchester M1 7DN, UK
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Wang P, Wang Q, Yang Y, Coward JK, Nzila A, Sims PF, Hyde JE. Characterisation of the bifunctional dihydrofolate synthase-folylpolyglutamate synthase from Plasmodium falciparum; a potential novel target for antimalarial antifolate inhibition. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2010; 172:41-51. [PMID: 20350571 PMCID: PMC2877875 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2010.03.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2010] [Revised: 03/15/2010] [Accepted: 03/16/2010] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Unusually for a eukaryote, the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum expresses dihydrofolate synthase (DHFS) and folylpolyglutamate synthase (FPGS) as a single bifunctional protein. The two activities contribute to the essential pathway of folate biosynthesis and modification. The DHFS activity of recombinant PfDHFS–FPGS exhibited non-standard kinetics at high co-substrate (glutamate and ATP) concentrations, being partially inhibited by increasing concentrations of its principal substrate, dihydropteroate (DHP). Binding of DHP to the catalytic and inhibitory sites exhibited dissociation constants of 0.50 μM and 1.25 μM, respectively. DHFS activity measured under lower co-substrate concentrations, where data fitted the Michaelis–Menten equation, yielded apparent Km values of 0.88 μM for DHP, 22.8 μM for ATP and 5.97 μM for glutamate. Of the substrates tested in FPGS assays, only tetrahydrofolate (THF) was efficiently converted to polyglutamylated forms, exhibiting standard kinetics with an apparent Km of 0.96 μM; dihydrofolate, folate and the folate analogue methotrexate (MTX) were negligibly processed, emphasising the importance of the oxidation state of the pterin moiety. Moreover, MTX inhibited neither DHFS nor FPGS, even at high concentrations. Conversely, two phosphinate analogues of 7,8-dihydrofolate that mimic tetrahedral intermediates formed during DHFS- and FPGS-catalysed glutamylation were powerfully inhibitory. The Ki value of an aryl phosphinate analogue against DHFS was 0.14 μM and for an alkyl phosphinate against FPGS 0.091 μM, with each inhibitor showing a high degree of specificity. This, combined with the absence of DHFS activity in humans, suggests PfDHFS–FPGS might represent a potential new drug target in the previously validated folate pathway of P. falciparum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Wang
- Manchester Interdisciplinary Biocentre, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Manchester, 131 Princess Street, Manchester M1 7DN, UK
| | - Qi Wang
- Manchester Interdisciplinary Biocentre, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Manchester, 131 Princess Street, Manchester M1 7DN, UK
| | - Yonghong Yang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Michigan, 930 N. University, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1055, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of Michigan, 930 N. University, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1055, USA
| | - James K. Coward
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Michigan, 930 N. University, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1055, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of Michigan, 930 N. University, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1055, USA
| | - Alexis Nzila
- KEMRI, Wellcome Trust Collaborative Research Programme, Kilifi 80108, Kenya
| | - Paul F.G. Sims
- Manchester Interdisciplinary Biocentre, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Manchester, 131 Princess Street, Manchester M1 7DN, UK
| | - John E. Hyde
- Manchester Interdisciplinary Biocentre, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Manchester, 131 Princess Street, Manchester M1 7DN, UK
- Corresponding author at: University of Manchester, Faculty of Life Sciences, Manchester Interdisciplinary Biocentre, 131 Princess St, Manchester M1 7DN, UK. Tel.: +44 161 306 4185; fax: +44 161 306 5201.
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Müller IB, Hyde JE, Wrenger C. Vitamin B metabolism in Plasmodium falciparum as a source of drug targets. Trends Parasitol 2009; 26:35-43. [PMID: 19939733 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2009.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2009] [Revised: 09/25/2009] [Accepted: 10/22/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
The malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum depends primarily on nutrient sources from its human host. Most compounds, such as glucose, purines, amino acids, as well as cofactors and vitamins, are abundantly available in the host cell, and can be readily salvaged by the parasite. However, in some cases the parasite can also synthesize cofactors de novo in reactions that appear to be essential. Importantly, the three biosynthetic pathways that produce vitamins B(1), B(6) and B(9) are absent from the host, but are well established in P. falciparum. This review summarizes and updates the current knowledge of vitamin B de novo synthesis and salvage in P. falciparum and focuses on their potential as targets for drug intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingrid B Müller
- Department of Biochemistry, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany.
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