1
|
Lucero B, Francisco KR, Varricchio C, Liu LJ, Yao Y, Brancale A, Brunden KR, Caffrey CR, Ballatore C. Design, Synthesis, and Evaluation of An Anti-trypanosomal [1,2,4]Triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine Probe for Photoaffinity Labeling Studies. ChemMedChem 2024; 19:e202300656. [PMID: 38277231 PMCID: PMC11031298 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202300656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 01/28/2024]
Abstract
Studies have shown that depending on the substitution pattern, microtubule (MT)-targeting 1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines (TPDs) can produce different cellular responses in mammalian cells that may be due to these compounds interacting with distinct binding sites within the MT structure. Selected TPDs are also potently bioactive against the causative agent of human African trypanosomiasis, Trypanosoma brucei, both in vitro and in vivo. So far, however, there has been no direct evidence of tubulin engagement by these TPDs in T. brucei. Therefore, to enable further investigation of anti-trypanosomal TPDs, a TPD derivative amenable to photoaffinity labeling (PAL) was designed, synthesized, and evaluated in PAL experiments using HEK293 cells and T. brucei. The data arising confirmed specific labeling of T. brucei tubulin. In addition, proteomic data revealed differences in the labeling profiles of tubulin between HEK293 and T. brucei, suggesting structural differences between the TPD binding site(s) in mammalian and trypanosomal tubulin.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bobby Lucero
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Karol R Francisco
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Carmine Varricchio
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF103NB, U.K
| | - Lawrence J Liu
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Yuemang Yao
- Center for Neurodegenerative Disease Research, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3600 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104, USA
| | - Andrea Brancale
- Vysoká Škola Chemicko-Technologická v Praze, Department of Organic Chemistry, Technická 5, Prague, 16628, Czech Republic
| | - Kurt R Brunden
- Center for Neurodegenerative Disease Research, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3600 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104, USA
| | - Conor R Caffrey
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Carlo Ballatore
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Ballesteros-Casallas A, Quiroga C, Ortiz C, Benítez D, Denis PA, Figueroa D, Salas CO, Bertrand J, Tapia RA, Sánchez P, Miscione GP, Comini MA, Paulino M. Mode of action of p-quinone derivatives with trypanocidal activity studied by experimental and in silico models. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 246:114926. [PMID: 36508970 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.114926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Revised: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Quinones are attractive pharmacological scaffolds for developing new agents for the treatment of different transmissible and non-transmissible human diseases due to their capacity to alter the cell redox homeostasis. The bioactivity and potential mode of action of 19 p-quinone derivatives fused to different aromatic rings (carbo or heterocycles) and harboring distinct substituents were investigated in infective Trypanosoma brucei brucei. All the compounds, except for a furanequinone (EC50=38 μM), proved to be similarly or even more potent (EC50 = 0.5-5.5 μM) than the clinical drug nifurtimox (EC50 = 5.3 μM). Three furanequinones and one thiazolequinone displayed a higher selectivity than nifurtimox. Two of these selective hits resulted potent inhibitors of T. cruzi proliferation (EC50=0.8-1.1 μM) but proved inactive against Leishmania infantum amastigotes. Most of the p-quinones induced a rapid and marked intracellular oxidation in T. b. brucei. DFT calculations on the oxidized quinone (Q), semiquinone (Q•-) and hydroquinone (QH2) suggest that all quinones have negative ΔG for the formation of Q•-. Qualitative and quantitative structure-activity relationship analyses in two or three dimensions of different electronic and biophysical descriptors of quinones and their corresponding bioactivities (killing potency and oxidative capacity) were performed. Charge distribution over the quinone ring carbons of Q and Q.- and the frontier orbitals energies of SUMO (Q.-) and LUMO (Q) correlate with their oxidative and trypanocidal activity. QSAR analysis also highlighted that both bromine substitution in the p-quinone ring and a bulky phenyl group attached to the furane and thiazole rings (which generates a negative charge due to the π electron system polarized by the nearby heteroatoms) are favorable for activity. By combining experimental and in silico procedures, this study disclosed important information about p-quinones that may help to rationally tune their electronic properties and biological activities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andres Ballesteros-Casallas
- COBO, Computational Bio-Organic Chemistry, Chemistry Department, Universidad de Los Andes, Carrera 1 18A-12, Bogotá, 111711, Colombia; Bioinformatics Center, DETEMA Department, Faculty of Chemistry, Universidad de la República, General Flores 2124, Montevideo, 11600, Uruguay
| | - Cristina Quiroga
- Laboratory Redox Biology of Trypanosomes, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Mataojo 2020, Montevideo, 11400, Uruguay
| | - Cecilia Ortiz
- Laboratory Redox Biology of Trypanosomes, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Mataojo 2020, Montevideo, 11400, Uruguay
| | - Diego Benítez
- Laboratory Redox Biology of Trypanosomes, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Mataojo 2020, Montevideo, 11400, Uruguay
| | - Pablo A Denis
- Computational Nanotechnology, DETEMA Department, Faculty of Chemistry, Universidad de la República, General Flores 2124, Montevideo, 11600, Uruguay
| | - David Figueroa
- COBO, Computational Bio-Organic Chemistry, Chemistry Department, Universidad de Los Andes, Carrera 1 18A-12, Bogotá, 111711, Colombia
| | - Cristian O Salas
- Departamento de Química Orgánica, Facultad de Química y de Farmacia, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Av. Vicuña Mackenna 4860, Santiago, 6094411, Chile
| | - Jeanluc Bertrand
- Departamento de Química Orgánica, Facultad de Química y de Farmacia, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Av. Vicuña Mackenna 4860, Santiago, 6094411, Chile
| | - Ricardo A Tapia
- Departamento de Química Orgánica, Facultad de Química y de Farmacia, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Av. Vicuña Mackenna 4860, Santiago, 6094411, Chile
| | - Patricio Sánchez
- Departamento de Química Orgánica, Facultad de Química y de Farmacia, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Av. Vicuña Mackenna 4860, Santiago, 6094411, Chile
| | - Gian Pietro Miscione
- COBO, Computational Bio-Organic Chemistry, Chemistry Department, Universidad de Los Andes, Carrera 1 18A-12, Bogotá, 111711, Colombia.
| | - Marcelo A Comini
- Laboratory Redox Biology of Trypanosomes, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Mataojo 2020, Montevideo, 11400, Uruguay.
| | - Margot Paulino
- Bioinformatics Center, DETEMA Department, Faculty of Chemistry, Universidad de la República, General Flores 2124, Montevideo, 11600, Uruguay.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Yang Z, Shi M, Zhang X, Yao D. Genome-Wide Screening for Pathogenic Proteins and microRNAs Associated with Parasite-Host Interactions in Trypanosoma brucei. INSECTS 2022; 13:968. [PMID: 36354791 PMCID: PMC9695099 DOI: 10.3390/insects13110968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2022] [Revised: 10/16/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Tsetse flies are a type of blood-sucking insect living in diverse locations in sub-Saharan Africa. These insects can transmit the unicellular parasite Trypanosoma brucei (T. brucei) which causes African trypanosomiasis in mammals. There remain huge unmet needs for prevention, early detection, and effective treatments for this disease. Currently, few studies have investigated the molecular mechanisms of parasite-host interactions underlying African trypanosomiasis, mainly due to a lack of understanding of the T. brucei genome. In this study, we dissected the genomic and transcriptomic profiles of T. brucei by annotating the genome and analyzing the gene expression. We found about 5% of T. brucei proteins in the human proteome, while more than 80% of T. brucei protein in other trypanosomes. Sequence alignment analysis showed that 142 protein homologs were shared among T. brucei and mammalian genomes. We identified several novel proteins with pathogenic potential supported by their molecular functions in T. brucei, including 24 RNA-binding proteins and six variant surface glycoproteins. In addition, 26 novel microRNAs were characterized, among which five miRNAs were not found in the mammalian genomes. Topology analysis of the miRNA-gene network revealed three genes (RPS27A, UBA52 and GAPDH) involved in the regulation of critical pathways related to the development of African trypanosomiasis. In conclusion, our work opens a new door to understanding the parasite-host interaction mechanisms by resolving the genome and transcriptome of T. brucei.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhiyuan Yang
- School of Artificial Intelligence, Hangzhou Dianzi University, Hangzhou 310018, China
| | - Mai Shi
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Xiaoli Zhang
- School of Physics and Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Danyu Yao
- School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing 100083, China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Hu J, Sun M, Qi N, Abuzeid AM, Li J, Cai H, Lv M, Lin X, Liao S, Li G. Inhibitory effect of morin on aldolase 2 from Eimeria tenella. Int J Parasitol Drugs Drug Resist 2022; 20:1-10. [PMID: 35952522 PMCID: PMC9385451 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2022.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2022] [Revised: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Eimeria tenella (E. tenella) is a protozoal parasite that can cause severe cecal lesions and death in chickens, seriously harming the chicken industry. Conventional control strategies mainly rely on anticoccidial drugs. However, the emerging problems of anticoccidial resistance and drug residues necessitate exploring potential drug targets for developing new anticoccidial drugs. Fructose-1,6-bisphosphate aldolase (ALD) is an essential enzyme for parasite energy metabolism that has been considered a potential drug target. In this study, we analyzed the molecular and biochemical properties of E. tenella ALD2 (EtALD2). EtALD2 mRNA expression was highest in second-generation merozoites, whereas the protein level was highest in unsporulated oocysts. Indirect immunofluorescence showed that EtALD2 was mainly distributed in sporozoite' cytoplasm. The natural product inhibitor (morin) was screened by computer-aided drug screening. Enzyme kinetic and inhibition kinetic assays showed that morin had a good inhibitory effect on EtALD2 activity (IC50 = 10.37 μM, Ki = 48.97 μM). In vitro inhibition assay demonstrated that morin had an inhibitory effect on E. tenella development, with an IC50 value of 3.98 μM and drug selection index of 177.49. In vivo, morin significantly improved cecal lesions (p < 0.05) and reduced oocyst excretion (p < 0.05) in E. tenella-infected chickens compared with the untreated group. The anticoccidial index of the group receiving 450 mg morin per kg feed was 162, showing a good anticoccidial effect. These findings suggest that EtALD2 could be a novel drug target for E. tenella treatment, and morin should be further evaluated as a therapeutic candidate for chicken coccidiosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Junjing Hu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Prevention and Control, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510542, China,Zhaoqing Branch Center of Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agricultural Science and Technology, Maoming Branch Center of Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agricultural Science and Technology, Key Laboratory of Livestock Disease Prevention of Guangdong Province, Scientific Observation and Experiment Station of Veterinary Drugs and Diagnostic Techniques of Guangdong Province, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Key Laboratory of Avian Influenza and Other Major Poultry Diseases Prevention and Control, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Animal Health, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou, 510640, Guangdong, PR China
| | - Mingfei Sun
- Zhaoqing Branch Center of Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agricultural Science and Technology, Maoming Branch Center of Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agricultural Science and Technology, Key Laboratory of Livestock Disease Prevention of Guangdong Province, Scientific Observation and Experiment Station of Veterinary Drugs and Diagnostic Techniques of Guangdong Province, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Key Laboratory of Avian Influenza and Other Major Poultry Diseases Prevention and Control, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Animal Health, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou, 510640, Guangdong, PR China
| | - Nanshan Qi
- Zhaoqing Branch Center of Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agricultural Science and Technology, Maoming Branch Center of Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agricultural Science and Technology, Key Laboratory of Livestock Disease Prevention of Guangdong Province, Scientific Observation and Experiment Station of Veterinary Drugs and Diagnostic Techniques of Guangdong Province, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Key Laboratory of Avian Influenza and Other Major Poultry Diseases Prevention and Control, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Animal Health, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou, 510640, Guangdong, PR China
| | - Asmaa M.I. Abuzeid
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Prevention and Control, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510542, China,Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, 41522, Egypt
| | - Juan Li
- Zhaoqing Branch Center of Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agricultural Science and Technology, Maoming Branch Center of Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agricultural Science and Technology, Key Laboratory of Livestock Disease Prevention of Guangdong Province, Scientific Observation and Experiment Station of Veterinary Drugs and Diagnostic Techniques of Guangdong Province, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Key Laboratory of Avian Influenza and Other Major Poultry Diseases Prevention and Control, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Animal Health, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou, 510640, Guangdong, PR China
| | - Haiming Cai
- Zhaoqing Branch Center of Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agricultural Science and Technology, Maoming Branch Center of Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agricultural Science and Technology, Key Laboratory of Livestock Disease Prevention of Guangdong Province, Scientific Observation and Experiment Station of Veterinary Drugs and Diagnostic Techniques of Guangdong Province, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Key Laboratory of Avian Influenza and Other Major Poultry Diseases Prevention and Control, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Animal Health, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou, 510640, Guangdong, PR China
| | - Minna Lv
- Zhaoqing Branch Center of Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agricultural Science and Technology, Maoming Branch Center of Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agricultural Science and Technology, Key Laboratory of Livestock Disease Prevention of Guangdong Province, Scientific Observation and Experiment Station of Veterinary Drugs and Diagnostic Techniques of Guangdong Province, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Key Laboratory of Avian Influenza and Other Major Poultry Diseases Prevention and Control, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Animal Health, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou, 510640, Guangdong, PR China
| | - Xuhui Lin
- Zhaoqing Branch Center of Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agricultural Science and Technology, Maoming Branch Center of Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agricultural Science and Technology, Key Laboratory of Livestock Disease Prevention of Guangdong Province, Scientific Observation and Experiment Station of Veterinary Drugs and Diagnostic Techniques of Guangdong Province, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Key Laboratory of Avian Influenza and Other Major Poultry Diseases Prevention and Control, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Animal Health, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou, 510640, Guangdong, PR China
| | - Shenquan Liao
- Zhaoqing Branch Center of Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agricultural Science and Technology, Maoming Branch Center of Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agricultural Science and Technology, Key Laboratory of Livestock Disease Prevention of Guangdong Province, Scientific Observation and Experiment Station of Veterinary Drugs and Diagnostic Techniques of Guangdong Province, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Key Laboratory of Avian Influenza and Other Major Poultry Diseases Prevention and Control, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Animal Health, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou, 510640, Guangdong, PR China,Corresponding author.
| | - Guoqing Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Prevention and Control, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510542, China,Corresponding author.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Dahal S, Gour P, Raghuvanshi S, Prasad YK, Saikia D, Ghatani S. Multi-stage transcriptome profiling of the neglected food-borne echinostome Artyfechinostomum sufrartyfex reveal potential diagnostic and drug targets. Acta Trop 2022; 233:106564. [PMID: 35716764 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2022.106564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Revised: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Lack of effective surveillance and control methods for neglected helminth diseases particularly in context of rural areas in India is a serious concern in terms of public health. With regard to the emerging food-borne echinostomid Artyfechinostomum sufrartyfex infection in the country, the current study is an in silico attempt to screen for plausible diagnostic and drug targets against the trematode. Transcriptome of adult, encysted and excysted metacercaria stages of the parasite was generated using Illumina sequencing platform. A de-novo assembly strategy utilizing transcriptome data generated from the three lifecycle stages was followed to generate the representative transcripts. Longest open reading frames identified for the transcripts were further conceptually translated into their respective protein sequences. Detailed analysis of this dataset through various bioinformatics pipelines and tools eventually identified 14 credible diagnostic and 10 drug targets along with their FDA-approved and ZINC molecules. Some of the important diagnostic candidates include thioredoxin peroxidase, haemoglobinase, cathepsin L, cathepsin L-like and B-like cysteine proteases. Among the drug targets, uncharacterized sodium dependent transporter and bifunctional protein Aas were identified as top targets exhibiting significant interaction with Rifamycin and ZINC02820058 molecule, respectively. Further, B-cell epitope analysis of the diagnostic targets revealed unique epitopes for 10 of them thus indicating their potential role in specific diagnosis of the parasite. The diagnostic candidates along with a number of lesser known drug targets and their ligand molecules identified in this study provides a reasonable basis for evaluation and development of future intervention strategies against A. sufrartyfex.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Suman Dahal
- Department of Zoology, School of Life sciences, Sikkim University, Gangtok, Sikkim, India
| | - Pratibha Gour
- Department of Plant Molecular Biology, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | - Saurabh Raghuvanshi
- Department of Plant Molecular Biology, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | | | - Dipshikha Saikia
- Department of Zoology, School of Life sciences, Sikkim University, Gangtok, Sikkim, India
| | - Sudeep Ghatani
- Department of Zoology, School of Life sciences, Sikkim University, Gangtok, Sikkim, India.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Pirovich DB, Da’dara AA, Skelly PJ. Multifunctional Fructose 1,6-Bisphosphate Aldolase as a Therapeutic Target. Front Mol Biosci 2021; 8:719678. [PMID: 34458323 PMCID: PMC8385298 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2021.719678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/31/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Fructose 1,6-bisphosphate aldolase is a ubiquitous cytosolic enzyme that catalyzes the fourth step of glycolysis. Aldolases are classified into three groups: Class-I, Class-IA, and Class-II; all classes share similar structural features but low amino acid identity. Apart from their conserved role in carbohydrate metabolism, aldolases have been reported to perform numerous non-enzymatic functions. Here we review the myriad "moonlighting" functions of this classical enzyme, many of which are centered on its ability to bind to an array of partner proteins that impact cellular scaffolding, signaling, transcription, and motility. In addition to the cytosolic location, aldolase has been found the extracellular surface of several pathogenic bacteria, fungi, protozoans, and metazoans. In the extracellular space, the enzyme has been reported to perform virulence-enhancing moonlighting functions e.g., plasminogen binding, host cell adhesion, and immunomodulation. Aldolase's importance has made it both a drug target and vaccine candidate. In this review, we note the several inhibitors that have been synthesized with high specificity for the aldolases of pathogens and cancer cells and have been shown to inhibit classical enzyme activity and moonlighting functions. We also review the many trials in which recombinant aldolases have been used as vaccine targets against a wide variety of pathogenic organisms including bacteria, fungi, and metazoan parasites. Most of such trials generated significant protection from challenge infection, correlated with antigen-specific cellular and humoral immune responses. We argue that refinement of aldolase antigen preparations and expansion of immunization trials should be encouraged to promote the advancement of promising, protective aldolase vaccines.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David B. Pirovich
- Molecular Helminthology Laboratory, Department of Infectious Disease and Global Health, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, North Grafton, MA, United States
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
7
|
Michels PAM, Villafraz O, Pineda E, Alencar MB, Cáceres AJ, Silber AM, Bringaud F. Carbohydrate metabolism in trypanosomatids: New insights revealing novel complexity, diversity and species-unique features. Exp Parasitol 2021; 224:108102. [PMID: 33775649 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2021.108102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Revised: 03/13/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The human pathogenic trypanosomatid species collectively called the "TriTryp parasites" - Trypanosoma brucei, Trypanosoma cruzi and Leishmania spp. - have complex life cycles, with each of these parasitic protists residing in a different niche during their successive developmental stages where they encounter diverse nutrients. Consequently, they adapt their metabolic network accordingly. Yet, throughout the life cycles, carbohydrate metabolism - involving the glycolytic, gluconeogenic and pentose-phosphate pathways - always plays a central role in the biology of these parasites, whether the available carbon and free energy sources are saccharides, amino acids or lipids. In this paper, we provide an updated review of the carbohydrate metabolism of the TriTryps, highlighting new data about this metabolic network, the interconnection of its pathways and the compartmentalisation of its enzymes within glycosomes, cytosol and mitochondrion. Differences in the expression of the branches of the metabolic network between the successive life-cycle stages of each of these parasitic trypanosomatids are discussed, as well as differences between them. Recent structural and kinetic studies have revealed unique regulatory mechanisms for some of the network's key enzymes with important species-specific variations. Furthermore, reports of multiple post-translational modifications of trypanosomal glycolytic enzymes suggest that additional mechanisms for stage- and/or environmental cues that regulate activity are operational in the parasites. The detailed comparison of the carbohydrate metabolism of the TriTryps has thus revealed multiple differences and a greater complexity, including for the reduced metabolic network in bloodstream-form T. brucei, than previously appreciated. Although these parasites are related, share many cytological and metabolic features and are grouped within a single taxonomic family, the differences highlighted in this review reflect their separate evolutionary tracks from a common ancestor to the extant organisms. These differences are indicative of their adaptation to the different insect vectors and niches occupied in their mammalian hosts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paul A M Michels
- Centre for Immunity, Infection and Evolution and Centre for Translational and Chemical Biology, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.
| | - Oriana Villafraz
- Laboratoire de Microbiologie Fondamentale et Pathogénicité (MFP), Université de Bordeaux, CNRS UMR-5234, France
| | - Erika Pineda
- Laboratoire de Microbiologie Fondamentale et Pathogénicité (MFP), Université de Bordeaux, CNRS UMR-5234, France
| | - Mayke B Alencar
- Laboratory of Biochemistry of Tryps, Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Ana J Cáceres
- Laboratorio de Enzimología de Parásitos, Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Los Andes, Mérida, 5101, Venezuela.
| | - Ariel M Silber
- Laboratory of Biochemistry of Tryps, Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, 05508-000, Brazil.
| | - Frédéric Bringaud
- Laboratoire de Microbiologie Fondamentale et Pathogénicité (MFP), Université de Bordeaux, CNRS UMR-5234, France.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Seidel T, Wieder O, Garon A, Langer T. Applications of the Pharmacophore Concept in Natural Product inspired Drug Design. Mol Inform 2020; 39:e2000059. [PMID: 32578959 PMCID: PMC7685156 DOI: 10.1002/minf.202000059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2020] [Accepted: 06/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Pharmacophore-based techniques are nowadays an important part of many computer-aided drug design workflows and have been successfully applied for tasks such as virtual screening, lead optimization and de novo design. Natural products, on the other hand, can serve as a valuable source for unconventional molecular scaffolds that stimulate ideas for novel lead compounds in a more diverse chemical space that does not follow the rules of traditional medicinal chemistry. The first part of this review provides a brief introduction to the pharmacophore concept, the methods for pharmacophore model generation, and their applications. The second, concluding part, presents examples for recent, pharmacophore method related research in the field of natural product chemistry. The selected examples show, that pharmacophore-based methods which get mainly applied on synthetic drug-like molecules work equally well in the realm of natural products and thus can serve as a valuable tool for researchers in the field of natural product inspired drug design.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Seidel
- Department of Pharmaceutical ChemistryUniversity of ViennaAlthanstrasse 141090ViennaAustria
| | - Oliver Wieder
- Department of Pharmaceutical ChemistryUniversity of ViennaAlthanstrasse 141090ViennaAustria
| | - Arthur Garon
- Department of Pharmaceutical ChemistryUniversity of ViennaAlthanstrasse 141090ViennaAustria
| | - Thierry Langer
- Department of Pharmaceutical ChemistryUniversity of ViennaAlthanstrasse 141090ViennaAustria
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
de Heuvel E, Singh AK, Boronat P, Kooistra AJ, van der Meer T, Sadek P, Blaazer AR, Shaner NC, Bindels DS, Caljon G, Maes L, Sterk GJ, Siderius M, Oberholzer M, de Esch IJ, Brown DG, Leurs R. Alkynamide phthalazinones as a new class of TbrPDEB1 inhibitors (Part 2). Bioorg Med Chem 2019; 27:4013-4029. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2019.06.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2019] [Revised: 06/12/2019] [Accepted: 06/14/2019] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
|
10
|
Seidel T, Schuetz DA, Garon A, Langer T. The Pharmacophore Concept and Its Applications in Computer-Aided Drug Design. PROGRESS IN THE CHEMISTRY OF ORGANIC NATURAL PRODUCTS 2019; 110:99-141. [PMID: 31621012 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-14632-0_4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Pharmacophore-based techniques currently are an integral part of many computer-aided drug design workflows and have been successfully and extensively applied for tasks such as virtual screening, de novo design, and lead optimization. Pharmacophore models can be derived both in a receptor-based and in a ligand-based manner, and provide an abstract description of essential non-bonded interactions that typically occur between small-molecule ligands and macromolecular targets. Due to their simplistic and abstract nature, pharmacophores are both perfectly suited for efficient computer processing and easy to comprehend by life and physical scientists. As a consequence, they have also proven to be a valuable tool for communicating between computational and medicinal chemists.This chapter aims to provide a short overview of the pharmacophore concept and its applications in modern computer-aided drug design. The chapter is divided into three distinct parts. The first section contains a brief introduction to the pharmacophore concept. The second section provides a description of the most common nonbonded interaction types and their representation as pharmacophoric features. Furthermore, it gives an overview of the various methods for pharmacophore generation and important pharmacophore-based techniques in drug design. This part concludes with examples for recent pharmacophore concept-related research and development. The last section is dedicated to a review of research in the field of natural product chemistry as carried out by employing pharmacophore-based drug design methods.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Seidel
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Doris A Schuetz
- InteLigand GmbH, IRIC-Institut de Recherche en Immunologie et en Cancérologie, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Arthur Garon
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Thierry Langer
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
RNAi-Mediated Specific Gene Silencing as a Tool for the Discovery of New Drug Targets in Giardia lamblia; Evaluation Using the NADH Oxidase Gene. Genes (Basel) 2017; 8:genes8110303. [PMID: 29099754 PMCID: PMC5704216 DOI: 10.3390/genes8110303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2017] [Revised: 10/12/2017] [Accepted: 10/31/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The microaerophilic protozoan Giardia lamblia is the agent causing giardiasis, an intestinal parasitosis of worldwide distribution. Different pharmacotherapies have been employed against giardiasis; however, side effects in the host and reports of drug resistant strains generate the need to develop new strategies that identify novel biological targets for drug design. To support this requirement, we have designed and evaluated a vector containing a cassette for the synthesis of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), which can silence expression of a target gene through the RNA interference (RNAi) pathway. Small silencing RNAs were detected and quantified in transformants expressing dsRNA by a stem-loop RT-qPCR approach. The results showed that, in transformants expressing dsRNA of 100-200 base pairs, the level of NADHox mRNA was reduced by around 30%, concomitant with a decrease in enzyme activity and a reduction in the number of trophozoites with respect to the wild type strain, indicating that NADHox is indeed an important enzyme for Giardia viability. These results suggest that it is possible to induce the G. lamblia RNAi machinery for attenuating the expression of genes encoding proteins of interest. We propose that our silencing strategy can be used to identify new potential drug targets, knocking down genes encoding different structural proteins and enzymes from a wide variety of metabolic pathways.
Collapse
|
12
|
Rondón-Mercado R, Acosta H, Cáceres AJ, Quiñones W, Concepción JL. Subcellular localization of glycolytic enzymes and characterization of intermediary metabolism of Trypanosoma rangeli. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2017. [PMID: 28645481 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2017.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Trypanosoma rangeli is a hemoflagellate protist that infects wild and domestic mammals as well as humans in Central and South America. Although this parasite is not pathogenic for human, it is being studied because it shares with Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiological agent of Chagas' disease, biological characteristics, geographic distribution, vectors and vertebrate hosts. Several metabolic studies have been performed with T. cruzi epimastigotes, however little is known about the metabolism of T. rangeli. In this work we present the subcellular distribution of the T. rangeli enzymes responsible for the conversion of glucose to pyruvate, as determined by epifluorescense immunomicroscopy and subcellular fractionation involving either selective membrane permeabilization with digitonin or differential and isopycnic centrifugation. We found that in T. rangeli epimastigotes the first six enzymes of the glycolytic pathway, involved in the conversion of glucose to 1,3-bisphosphoglycerate are located within glycosomes, while the last four steps occur in the cytosol. In contrast with T. cruzi, where three isoenzymes (one cytosolic and two glycosomal) of phosphoglycerate kinase are expressed simultaneously, only one enzyme with this activity is detected in T. rangeli epimastigotes, in the cytosol. Consistent with this latter result, we found enzymes involved in auxiliary pathways to glycolysis needed to maintain adenine nucleotide and redox balances within glycosomes such as phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, malate dehydrogenase, fumarate reductase, pyruvate phosphate dikinase and glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase. Glucokinase, galactokinase and the first enzyme of the pentose-phosphate pathway, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, were also located inside glycosomes. Furthermore, we demonstrate that T. rangeli epimastigotes growing in LIT medium only consume glucose and do not excrete ammonium; moreover, they are unable to survive in partially-depleted glucose medium. The velocity of glucose consumption is about 40% higher than that of procyclic Trypanosoma brucei, and four times faster than by T. cruzi epimastigotes under the same culture conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rocío Rondón-Mercado
- Laboratorio de Enzimología de Parásitos, Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Los Andes, Mérida 5101, Venezuela
| | - Héctor Acosta
- Laboratorio de Enzimología de Parásitos, Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Los Andes, Mérida 5101, Venezuela
| | - Ana J Cáceres
- Laboratorio de Enzimología de Parásitos, Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Los Andes, Mérida 5101, Venezuela
| | - Wilfredo Quiñones
- Laboratorio de Enzimología de Parásitos, Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Los Andes, Mérida 5101, Venezuela
| | - Juan Luis Concepción
- Laboratorio de Enzimología de Parásitos, Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Los Andes, Mérida 5101, Venezuela.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Bruno S, Uliassi E, Zaffagnini M, Prati F, Bergamini C, Amorati R, Paredi G, Margiotta M, Conti P, Costi MP, Kaiser M, Cavalli A, Fato R, Bolognesi ML. Molecular basis for covalent inhibition of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase by a 2-phenoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone small molecule. Chem Biol Drug Des 2017; 90:225-235. [DOI: 10.1111/cbdd.12941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2016] [Revised: 01/05/2017] [Accepted: 01/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Bruno
- Department of Pharmacy; University of Parma; Parma Italy
| | - Elisa Uliassi
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology; Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna; Bologna Italy
| | - Mirko Zaffagnini
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology; Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna; Bologna Italy
| | - Federica Prati
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology; Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna; Bologna Italy
| | - Christian Bergamini
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology; Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna; Bologna Italy
| | - Riccardo Amorati
- Department of Chemistry “G. Ciamician”; Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna; Bologna Italy
| | | | | | - Paola Conti
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences; University of Milan; Milan Italy
| | - Maria Paola Costi
- Department of Life Sciences; University of Modena and Reggio Emilia; Modena Italy
| | - Marcel Kaiser
- Swiss Tropical & Public Health Institute; Basel Switzerland
- University of Basel; Basel Switzerland
| | - Andrea Cavalli
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology; Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna; Bologna Italy
- CompuNet; Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia; Genova Italy
| | - Romana Fato
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology; Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna; Bologna Italy
| | - Maria Laura Bolognesi
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology; Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna; Bologna Italy
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Evaluation of Antigens for Development of a Serological Test for Human African Trypanosomiasis. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0168074. [PMID: 27936225 PMCID: PMC5148118 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0168074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2016] [Accepted: 11/27/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Control and elimination of human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) can be accelerated through the use of diagnostic tests that are more accurate and easier to deploy. The goal of this work was to evaluate the immuno-reactivity of antigens and identify candidates to be considered for development of a simple serological test for the detection of Trypanosoma brucei gambiense or T. b. rhodesiense infections, ideally both. Methodology/Principal Findings The reactivity of 35 antigens was independently evaluated by slot blot and ELISA against sera from both T. b. gambiense and T. b. rhodesiense infected patients and controls. The antigens that were most reactive by both tests to T. b. gambiense sera were the membrane proteins VSG LiTat 1.3, VSG LiTat 1.5 and ISG64. Reactivity to T. b. rhodesiense sera was highest with VSG LiTat 1.3, VSG LiTat 1.5 and SRA, although much lower than with T. b. gambiense samples. The reactivity of all possible combinations of antigens was also calculated. When the slot blot results of 2 antigens were paired, a VSG LiTat 1.3- ISG75 combination performed best on T. b. gambiense sera, while a VSG LiTat 1.3-VSG LiTat 1.5 combination was the most reactive using ELISA. A combination of SRA and either VSG LiTat 1.3 or VSG LiTat 1.5 had the highest reactivity on T. b. rhodesiense sera according to slot blot, while in ELISA, pairing SRA with either GM6 or VSG LiTat 1.3 yielded the best results. Conclusions This study identified antigens that were highly reactive to T. b. gambiense sera, which could be considered for developing a serological test for gambiense HAT, either individually or in combination. Antigens with potential for inclusion in a test for T. b. rhodesiense HAT were also identified, but because their reactivity was comparatively lower, a search for additional antigens would be required before developing a test for this form of the disease.
Collapse
|
15
|
In silico investigation of morpholines as novel class of trypanosomal triosephosphate isomerase inhibitors. Med Chem Res 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/s00044-016-1739-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
|
16
|
Trypanosoma cruzi contains two galactokinases; molecular and biochemical characterization. Parasitol Int 2016; 65:472-82. [DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2016.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2016] [Revised: 05/20/2016] [Accepted: 06/12/2016] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
|
17
|
Trypanosoma evansi contains two auxiliary enzymes of glycolytic metabolism: Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase and pyruvate phosphate dikinase. Exp Parasitol 2016; 165:7-15. [PMID: 26968775 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2016.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2015] [Revised: 02/11/2016] [Accepted: 03/03/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Trypanosoma evansi is a monomorphic protist that can infect horses and other animal species of economic importance for man. Like the bloodstream form of the closely related species Trypanosoma brucei, T. evansi depends exclusively on glycolysis for its free-energy generation. In T. evansi as in other kinetoplastid organisms, the enzymes of the major part of the glycolytic pathway are present within organelles called glycosomes, which are authentic but specialized peroxisomes. Since T. evansi does not undergo stage-dependent differentiations, it occurs only as bloodstream forms, it has been assumed that the metabolic pattern of this parasite is identical to that of the bloodstream form of T. brucei. However, we report here the presence of two additional enzymes, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase and PPi-dependent pyruvate phosphate dikinase in T. evansi glycosomes. Their colocalization with glycolytic enzymes within the glycosomes of this parasite has not been reported before. Both enzymes can make use of PEP for contributing to the production of ATP within the organelles. The activity of these enzymes in T. evansi glycosomes drastically changes the model assumed for the oxidation of glucose by this parasite.
Collapse
|
18
|
Herrmann FC, Lenz M, Jose J, Kaiser M, Brun R, Schmidt TJ. In Silico Identification and in Vitro Activity of Novel Natural Inhibitors of Trypanosoma brucei Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate-dehydrogenase. Molecules 2015; 20:16154-69. [PMID: 26404225 PMCID: PMC6332274 DOI: 10.3390/molecules200916154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2015] [Revised: 08/19/2015] [Accepted: 08/27/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
As part of our ongoing efforts to identify natural products with activity against pathogens causing neglected tropical diseases, we are currently performing an extensive screening of natural product (NP) databases against a multitude of protozoan parasite proteins. Within this project, we screened a database of NPs from a commercial supplier, AnalytiCon Discovery (Potsdam, Germany), against Trypanosoma brucei glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (TbGAPDH), a glycolytic enzyme whose inhibition deprives the parasite of energy supply. NPs acting as potential inhibitors of the mentioned enzyme were identified using a pharmacophore-based virtual screening and subsequent docking of the identified hits into the active site of interest. In a set of 700 structures chosen for the screening, 13 (1.9%) were predicted to possess significant affinity towards the enzyme and were therefore tested in an in vitro enzyme assay using recombinant TbGAPDH. Nine of these in silico hits (69%) showed significant inhibitory activity at 50 µM, of which two geranylated benzophenone derivatives proved to be particularly active with IC50 values below 10 µM. These compounds also showed moderate in vitro activity against T. brucei rhodesiense and may thus represent interesting starting points for further optimization.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fabian C Herrmann
- Institut für Pharmazeutische Biologie und Phytochemie (IPBP), University of Münster, PharmaCampus, Correnstraße 48, Münster D-48149, Germany.
| | - Mairin Lenz
- Institut für Pharmazeutische Biologie und Phytochemie (IPBP), University of Münster, PharmaCampus, Correnstraße 48, Münster D-48149, Germany.
| | - Joachim Jose
- Institut für Pharmazeutische und Medizinische Chemie, University of Münster, PharmaCampus, Correnstraße 48, Münster D-48149, Germany.
| | - Marcel Kaiser
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH), Socinstraße 57, Basel CH-4002, Switzerland.
- University of Basel, Petersplatz 1, Basel CH-4003, Switzerland.
| | - Reto Brun
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH), Socinstraße 57, Basel CH-4002, Switzerland.
- University of Basel, Petersplatz 1, Basel CH-4003, Switzerland.
| | - Thomas J Schmidt
- Institut für Pharmazeutische Biologie und Phytochemie (IPBP), University of Münster, PharmaCampus, Correnstraße 48, Münster D-48149, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Loureiro I, Faria J, Clayton C, Macedo-Ribeiro S, Santarém N, Roy N, Cordeiro-da-Siva A, Tavares J. Ribose 5-phosphate isomerase B knockdown compromises Trypanosoma brucei bloodstream form infectivity. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2015; 9:e3430. [PMID: 25568941 PMCID: PMC4287489 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0003430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2014] [Accepted: 11/21/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Ribose 5-phosphate isomerase is an enzyme involved in the non-oxidative branch of the pentose phosphate pathway, and catalyzes the inter-conversion of D-ribose 5-phosphate and D-ribulose 5-phosphate. Trypanosomatids, including the agent of African sleeping sickness namely Trypanosoma brucei, have a type B ribose-5-phosphate isomerase. This enzyme is absent from humans, which have a structurally unrelated ribose 5-phosphate isomerase type A, and therefore has been proposed as an attractive drug target waiting further characterization. In this study, Trypanosoma brucei ribose 5-phosphate isomerase B showed in vitro isomerase activity. RNAi against this enzyme reduced parasites' in vitro growth, and more importantly, bloodstream forms infectivity. Mice infected with induced RNAi clones exhibited lower parasitaemia and a prolonged survival compared to control mice. Phenotypic reversion was achieved by complementing induced RNAi clones with an ectopic copy of Trypanosoma cruzi gene. Our results present the first functional characterization of Trypanosoma brucei ribose 5-phosphate isomerase B, and show the relevance of an enzyme belonging to the non-oxidative branch of the pentose phosphate pathway in the context of Trypanosoma brucei infection. Within the non-oxidative branch of the pentose phosphate pathway, ribose 5-phosphate isomerase catalyzes the inter-conversion of ribose 5-phosphate and ribulose 5-phosphate. There are two types of ribose 5-phosphate isomerase, namely A and B. The presence of type B in Trypanosoma brucei, and its absence in humans, make this protein a promising drug target. African sleeping sickness is a serious parasitic disease that relies on limited chemotherapeutic options for control. In our study, a functional characterization of Trypanosoma brucei ribose 5-phosphate isomerase B is reported. Biochemical studies confirmed enzyme isomerase activity and its downregulation by RNAi affected mainly parasites infectivity in vivo. Overall this study shows that ribose 5-phosphate isomerase depletion is detrimental for parasites infectivity under host pressure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Inês Loureiro
- Parasite Disease Group, Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Joana Faria
- Parasite Disease Group, Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Christine Clayton
- Zentrum für Molekulare Biologie der Universität Heidelberg, DKFZ-ZMBH cv Alliance, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sandra Macedo-Ribeiro
- Protein Crystallography Group, Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Nuno Santarém
- Parasite Disease Group, Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Nilanjan Roy
- Ashok & Rita Patel Institute of Integrated Study & Research in Biotechnology & Allied Sciences, New Vallabh Vidyanagar, Dist-Anand, Gujarat, India
| | - Anabela Cordeiro-da-Siva
- Parasite Disease Group, Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Faculdade de Farmácia da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- * E-mail: (ACdS); (JT)
| | - Joana Tavares
- Parasite Disease Group, Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- * E-mail: (ACdS); (JT)
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Kim DW, Yoo WG, Lee MR, Yang HW, Kim YJ, Cho SH, Lee WJ, Ju JW. Transcriptome sequencing and analysis of the zoonotic parasite Spirometra erinacei spargana (plerocercoids). Parasit Vectors 2014; 7:368. [PMID: 25128015 PMCID: PMC4262225 DOI: 10.1186/1756-3305-7-368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2014] [Accepted: 07/22/2014] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although spargana, which are the plerocercoids of Spirometra erinacei, are of biological and clinical importance, expressed sequence tags (ESTs) from this parasite have not been explored. To understand molecular and biological features of this parasite, sparganum ESTs were examined by large-scale EST sequencing and multiple bioinformatics tools. METHODS Total RNA was isolated from spargana and then ESTs were generated, assembled and sequenced. Many biological aspects of spargana were investigated using multi-step bioinformatics tools. RESULTS A total of 5,634 ESTs were collected from spargana. After clustering and assembly, the functions of 1,794 Sparganum Assembled ESTs (SpAEs) including 934 contigs and 860 singletons were analyzed. A total of 1,351 (75%) SpAEs were annotated using a hybrid of BLASTX and InterProScan. Of these genes, 1,041 (58%) SpAEs had high similarity to tapeworms. In the context of the biology of sparganum, our analyses reveal: (i) a highly expressed fibronectin 1, a ubiquitous and abundant glycoprotein; (ii) up-regulation of enzymes related with glycolysis pathway; (iii) most frequent domains of protein kinase and RNA recognition motif domain; (iv) a set of helminth-parasitic and spargana-specific genes that may offer a number of antigen candidates. CONCLUSIONS Our transcriptomic analysis of S. erinacei spargana demonstrates biological aspects of a parasite that invades and travels through subcutaneous tissue in intermediate hosts. Future studies should include comparative analyses using combinations of transcriptome and proteome data collected from the entire life cycle of S. erinacei.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Won-Ja Lee
- Division of Malaria and Parasitic Diseases, Centre for Immunology and Pathology, Korea National Institute of Health, Chungbuk 363-951, Republic of Korea.
| | | |
Collapse
|
21
|
A pharmacophore-based virtual screening approach for the discovery of Trypanosoma cruzi GAPDH inhibitors. Future Med Chem 2014; 5:2019-35. [PMID: 24215344 DOI: 10.4155/fmc.13.166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chagas disease is a major cause of morbidity and death for millions of people in Latin America. The drugs currently available exhibit poor efficacy and severe side effects. Therefore, there is an urgent need for new, safe and effective drugs against Chagas disease. The vital dependence on glycolysis as energy source makes the glycolytic enzymes of Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease, attractive targets for drug design. In this work, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase from T. cruzi (TcGAPDH) was employed as molecular target for the discovery of new inhibitors as hits. RESULTS Integrated protein-based pharmacophore and structure-based virtual screening approaches resulted in the identification of three hits from three chemical classes with moderate inhibitory activity against TcGAPDH. The inhibitors showed IC50 values in the high micromolar range. CONCLUSION The new chemotypes are attractive molecules for future medicinal chemistry efforts aimed at developing new lead compounds for Chagas disease.
Collapse
|
22
|
Gupta R, Kumar V, Kushawaha PK, Tripathi CP, Joshi S, Sahasrabuddhe AA, Mitra K, Sundar S, Siddiqi MI, Dube A. Characterization of glycolytic enzymes--rAldolase and rEnolase of Leishmania donovani, identified as Th1 stimulatory proteins, for their immunogenicity and immunoprophylactic efficacies against experimental visceral leishmaniasis. PLoS One 2014; 9:e86073. [PMID: 24475071 PMCID: PMC3901665 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0086073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2013] [Accepted: 12/04/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Th1 immune responses play an important role in controlling Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL) hence, Leishmania proteins stimulating T-cell responses in host, are thought to be good vaccine targets. Search of such antigens eliciting cellular responses in Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from cured/exposed/Leishmania patients and hamsters led to the identification of two enzymes of glycolytic pathway in the soluble lysate of a clinical isolate of Leishmania donovani--Enolase (LdEno) and aldolase (LdAld) as potential Th1 stimulatory proteins. The present study deals with the molecular and immunological characterizations of LdEno and LdAld. The successfully cloned and purified recombinant proteins displayed strong ability to proliferate lymphocytes of cured hamsters' along with significant nitric-oxide production and generation of Th1-type cytokines (IFN-γ and IL-12) from stimulated PBMCs of cured/endemic VL patients. Assessment of their prophylactic potentials revealed ∼ 90% decrease in parasitic burden in rLdEno vaccinated hamsters against Leishmania challenge, strongly supported by an increase in mRNA expression levels of iNOS, IFN-γ, TNF-α and IL-12 transcripts along with extreme down-regulation of TGF-β, IL-4 and IL-10. However, animals vaccinated with rLdAld showed comparatively lesser prophylactic efficacy (∼ 65%) with inferior immunological response. Further, with a possible implication in vaccine design against VL, identification of potential T-cell epitopes of both the proteins was done using computational approach. Additionally, in-silico 3-D modelling of the proteins was done in order to explore the possibility of exploiting them as potential drug targets. The comparative molecular and immunological characterizations strongly suggest rLdEno as potential vaccine candidate against VL and supports the notion of its being effective T-cell stimulatory protein.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- Amino Acid Sequence
- Animals
- Antigens, Protozoan/immunology
- Cricetinae
- Cytokines/biosynthesis
- Disease Models, Animal
- Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte/chemistry
- Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte/immunology
- Fructose-Bisphosphate Aldolase/chemistry
- Fructose-Bisphosphate Aldolase/genetics
- Fructose-Bisphosphate Aldolase/metabolism
- Glycolysis
- Hypersensitivity, Delayed/immunology
- Immunoglobulin G/immunology
- Leishmania donovani/enzymology
- Leishmania donovani/genetics
- Leishmania donovani/immunology
- Leishmaniasis Vaccines/immunology
- Leishmaniasis, Visceral/immunology
- Leishmaniasis, Visceral/prevention & control
- Leukocytes, Mononuclear/immunology
- Leukocytes, Mononuclear/metabolism
- Lymphocyte Activation/immunology
- Male
- Models, Molecular
- Mycobacterium bovis/immunology
- Nitric Oxide/metabolism
- Phosphopyruvate Hydratase/chemistry
- Phosphopyruvate Hydratase/genetics
- Phosphopyruvate Hydratase/metabolism
- Protein Conformation
- Th1 Cells/immunology
- Th1 Cells/metabolism
- Vaccination
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Reema Gupta
- Divisions of Parasitology, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, India
| | - Vikash Kumar
- Molecular and Structural Biology, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, India
| | | | | | - Sumit Joshi
- Divisions of Parasitology, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, India
| | | | - Kalyan Mitra
- Electron Microscopy, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, India
| | - Shyam Sundar
- Department of Medicine, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India
| | | | - Anuradha Dube
- Divisions of Parasitology, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, India
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Identification of antigenic proteins of Toxoplasma gondii RH strain recognized by human immunoglobulin G using immunoproteomics. J Proteomics 2012; 77:423-32. [PMID: 23026549 DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2012.09.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2012] [Revised: 09/12/2012] [Accepted: 09/16/2012] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii, a ubiquitous intracellular protozoan, infects one third of the world human population. It is of great medical significance, especially for pregnant women and immune-compromised patients. Accurate and early detection of T. gondii infection is crucial in the management of this disease. To obtain potential diagnostic markers, immunoproteomics was employed to identify immunodominant proteins separated by 2-D immunobloting and probed with sera collected from Toxoplasma-positive pregnant women. MALDI-TOF MS and MS/MS analyses identified a total of 18 immunoreactive proteins that were recognized by Toxoplasma-positive sera, whereas none was reactive with the negative-control sera from healthy, Toxoplasma-negative volunteers. Pregnant women showed a diverse immunoreactivity pattern with each serum recognizing one to eight identified tachyzoite proteins. The identified proteins were localized in the membrane, cytoplasm and specific organelles of T. gondii, and are involved in host cell invasion, metabolism and cell structure. Among these 18 proteins, actin, catalase, GAPDH, and three hypothetical proteins had a broad reactivity with Toxoplasma-positive sera, indicating their potential as diagnostic markers for toxoplasmosis. Each of several combinations of the identified proteins offered 100% detection of Toxoplasma infections of all 28 Toxoplasma-positive women. The study findings suggest that Toxoplasma tachyzoites are highly immunogenic and highlights the heterogeneity of host responses to Toxoplasma infection and the importance of using combinations of immunogens as diagnostic antigens. The findings have significant implications to the development of diagnostic reagents with high sensitivity and specificity.
Collapse
|
24
|
Translocation of solutes and proteins across the glycosomal membrane of trypanosomes; possibilities and limitations for targeting with trypanocidal drugs. Parasitology 2012; 140:1-20. [PMID: 22914253 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182012001278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Glycosomes are specialized peroxisomes found in all kinetoplastid organisms. The organelles are unique in harbouring most enzymes of the glycolytic pathway. Matrix proteins, synthesized in the cytosol, cofactors and metabolites have to be transported across the membrane. Recent research on Trypanosoma brucei has provided insight into how these translocations across the membrane occur, although many details remain to be elucidated. Proteins are imported by a cascade of reactions performed by specialized proteins, called peroxins, in which a cytosolic receptor with bound matrix protein inserts itself in the membrane to deliver its cargo into the organelle and is subsequently retrieved from the glycosome to perform further rounds of import. Bulky solutes, such as cofactors and acyl-CoAs, seem to be translocated by specific transporter molecules, whereas smaller solutes such as glycolytic intermediates probably cross the membrane through pore-forming channels. The presence of such channels is in apparent contradiction with previous results that suggested a low permeability of the glycosomal membrane. We propose 3 possible, not mutually exclusive, solutions for this paradox. Glycosomal glycolytic enzymes have been validated as drug targets against trypanosomatid-borne diseases. We discuss the possible implications of the new data for the design of drugs to be delivered into glycosomes.
Collapse
|
25
|
Desvergnes S, Courtiol-Legourd S, Daher R, Dabrowski M, Salmon L, Therisod M. Synthesis and evaluation of malonate-based inhibitors of phosphosugar-metabolizing enzymes: class II fructose-1,6-bis-phosphate aldolases, type I phosphomannose isomerase, and phosphoglucose isomerase. Bioorg Med Chem 2012; 20:1511-20. [PMID: 22269276 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2011.12.050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2011] [Revised: 12/20/2011] [Accepted: 12/22/2011] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
In the design of inhibitors of phosphosugar metabolizing enzymes and receptors with therapeutic interest, malonate has been reported in a number of cases as a good and hydrolytically-stable surrogate of the phosphate group, since both functions are dianionic at physiological pH and of comparable size. We have investigated a series of malonate-based mimics of the best known phosphate inhibitors of class II (zinc) fructose-1,6-bis-phosphate aldolases (FBAs) (e.g., from Mycobacterium tuberculosis), type I (zinc) phosphomannose isomerase (PMI) from Escherichia coli, and phosphoglucose isomerase (PGI) from yeast. In the case of FBAs, replacement of one phosphate by one malonate on a bis-phosphorylated inhibitor (1) led to a new compound (4) still showing a strong inhibition (K(i) in the nM range) and class II versus class I selectivity (up to 8×10(4)). Replacement of the other phosphate however strongly affected binding efficiency and selectivity. In the case of PGI and PMI, 5-deoxy-5-malonate-D-arabinonohydroxamic acid (8) yielded a strong decrease in binding affinities when compared to its phosphorylated parent compound 5-phospho-D-arabinonohydroxamic acid (2). Analysis of the deposited 3D structures of the kinetically evaluated enzymes complexed to the phosphate-based inhibitors indicate that malonate could be a good phosphate surrogate only if phosphate is not tightly bound at the enzyme active site, such as in position 7 of compound 1 for FBAs. These observations are of importance for further design of inhibitors of phosphorylated-compounds metabolizing enzymes with therapeutic interest.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stéphanie Desvergnes
- Univ. Paris-Sud, Laboratoire de Chimie Bioorganique et Bioinorganique, ICMMO, UMR8182, LabEx LERMIT, Orsay F-91405, France
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
26
|
Achcar F, Kerkhoven EJ, Bakker BM, Barrett MP, Breitling R. Dynamic modelling under uncertainty: the case of Trypanosoma brucei energy metabolism. PLoS Comput Biol 2012; 8:e1002352. [PMID: 22379410 PMCID: PMC3269904 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1002352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2011] [Accepted: 11/30/2011] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Kinetic models of metabolism require detailed knowledge of kinetic parameters. However, due to measurement errors or lack of data this knowledge is often uncertain. The model of glycolysis in the parasitic protozoan Trypanosoma brucei is a particularly well analysed example of a quantitative metabolic model, but so far it has been studied with a fixed set of parameters only. Here we evaluate the effect of parameter uncertainty. In order to define probability distributions for each parameter, information about the experimental sources and confidence intervals for all parameters were collected. We created a wiki-based website dedicated to the detailed documentation of this information: the SilicoTryp wiki (http://silicotryp.ibls.gla.ac.uk/wiki/Glycolysis). Using information collected in the wiki, we then assigned probability distributions to all parameters of the model. This allowed us to sample sets of alternative models, accurately representing our degree of uncertainty. Some properties of the model, such as the repartition of the glycolytic flux between the glycerol and pyruvate producing branches, are robust to these uncertainties. However, our analysis also allowed us to identify fragilities of the model leading to the accumulation of 3-phosphoglycerate and/or pyruvate. The analysis of the control coefficients revealed the importance of taking into account the uncertainties about the parameters, as the ranking of the reactions can be greatly affected. This work will now form the basis for a comprehensive Bayesian analysis and extension of the model considering alternative topologies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fiona Achcar
- Institute of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
- Groningen Bioinformatics Centre, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Eduard J. Kerkhoven
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | | | - Barbara M. Bakker
- Department of Liver, Digestive and Metabolic Diseases, University Medical Centre Groningen, University of Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Michael P. Barrett
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Rainer Breitling
- Institute of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
- Groningen Bioinformatics Centre, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Kehr S, Jortzik E, Delahunty C, Yates JR, Rahlfs S, Becker K. Protein S-glutathionylation in malaria parasites. Antioxid Redox Signal 2011; 15:2855-65. [PMID: 21595565 PMCID: PMC4932784 DOI: 10.1089/ars.2011.4029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Protein S-glutathionylation is a widely distributed post-translational modification of thiol groups with glutathione that can function as a redox-sensitive switch to mediate redox regulation and signal transduction. The malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum is exposed to intense oxidative stress and possesses the enzymatic system required to regulate protein S-glutathionylation, but despite its potential importance, protein S-glutathionylation has not yet been studied in malaria parasites. In this work we applied a method based on enzymatic deglutathionylation, affinity purification of biotin-maleimide-tagged proteins, and proteomic analyses to characterize the Plasmodium glutathionylome. RESULTS We identified 493 targets of protein S-glutathionylation in Plasmodium. Functional profiles revealed that the targets are components of central metabolic pathways, such as nitrogen compound metabolism and protein metabolism. Fifteen identified proteins with important functions in metabolic pathways (thioredoxin reductase, thioredoxin, thioredoxin peroxidase 1, glutathione reductase, glutathione S-transferase, plasmoredoxin, mitochondrial dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase, glutamate dehydrogenase 1, glyoxalase I and II, ornithine δ-aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase [GAPDH], pyruvate kinase [PK], and phosphoglycerate mutase) were further analyzed to study their ability to form mixed disulfides with glutathione. We demonstrate that P. falciparum GAPDH, PK, and ornithine δ-aminotransferase are reversibly inhibited by S-glutathionylation. Further, we provide evidence that not only P. falciparum glutaredoxin 1, but also thioredoxin 1 and plasmoredoxin are able to efficiently catalyze protein deglutathionylation. INNOVATION We used an affinity-purification based proteomic approach to characterize the Plasmodium glutathionylome. CONCLUSION Our results indicate a wide regulative use of S-glutathionylation in the malaria parasite and contribute to our understanding of redox-regulatory processes in this pathogen.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Kehr
- Interdisciplinary Research Center, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
28
|
Mabiala-Bassiloua CG, Arthus-Cartier G, Hannaert V, Thérisod H, Sygusch J, Thérisod M. Mannitol Bis-phosphate Based Inhibitors of Fructose 1,6-Bisphosphate Aldolases. ACS Med Chem Lett 2011; 2:804-8. [PMID: 24900268 DOI: 10.1021/ml200129s] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2011] [Accepted: 09/02/2011] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Several 5-O-alkyl- and 5-C-alkyl-mannitol bis-phosphates were synthesized and comparatively assayed as inhibitors of fructose bis-phosphate aldolases (Fbas) from rabbit muscle (taken as surrogate model of the human enzyme) and from Trypanosoma brucei. A limited selectivity was found in several instances. Crystallographic studies confirm that the 5-O-methyl derivative binds competitively with substrate and the 5-O-methyl moiety penetrating deeper into a shallow hydrophobic pocket at the active site. This observation can lead to the preparation of selective competitive or irreversible inhibitors of the parasite Fba.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Véronique Hannaert
- Research Unit for Tropical Diseases, de Duve Institute, TROP 74.39, Avenue Hippocrate 74, B-1200 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Hélène Thérisod
- ECBB, ICMMO (UMR 8182), LabEx LERMIT, Université Paris-Sud, UMR 8182, F-91405 Orsay, France
| | - Jurgen Sygusch
- Biochimie, Université de Montréal, CP 6128, Stn Centre-Ville Montréal, PQ H3C 3J7 Canada
| | - Michel Thérisod
- ECBB, ICMMO (UMR 8182), LabEx LERMIT, Université Paris-Sud, UMR 8182, F-91405 Orsay, France
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Patramool S, Surasombatpattana P, Luplertlop N, Sévéno M, Choumet V, Thomas F, Missé D. Proteomic analysis of an Aedes albopictus cell line infected with Dengue serotypes 1 and 3 viruses. Parasit Vectors 2011; 4:138. [PMID: 21767351 PMCID: PMC3151224 DOI: 10.1186/1756-3305-4-138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2011] [Accepted: 07/18/2011] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Proteomic analysis was performed to identify proteins regulated during infection by Dengue serotypes 1 and 3 in an Aedes albopictus cell line. The potential of these viruses to cause severe disease at primary infection is of interest although few studies have been performed with these two Dengue serotypes. Results The most relevant observation of our study is the significant overexpression of proteins involved in the cellular stress response and the glycolysis pathway after 48 hours of infection. Viral infection activates the translation of some host genes, which may result in stress due to responses involving unfolded proteins. Conclusions Therefore, the oxidation reduction and glycolytic mechanisms could participate in the antiviral response against Dengue virus. The results of our study should help to improve our knowledge of the virus-mosquito interaction at a cellular level with the aim of designing efficient strategies for the control of Dengue virus.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sirilaksana Patramool
- Laboratoire Maladies Infectieuses et Vecteurs: Ecologie, Génétique, Evolution, Contrôle, UMR 5290 CNRS/IRD/UM1, Montpellier, France
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
30
|
Coley AF, Dodson HC, Morris MT, Morris JC. Glycolysis in the african trypanosome: targeting enzymes and their subcellular compartments for therapeutic development. Mol Biol Int 2011; 2011:123702. [PMID: 22091393 PMCID: PMC3195984 DOI: 10.4061/2011/123702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2010] [Accepted: 02/16/2011] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Subspecies of the African trypanosome, Trypanosoma brucei, which cause human African trypanosomiasis, are transmitted by the tsetse fly, with transmission-essential lifecycle stages occurring in both the insect vector and human host. During infection of the human host, the parasite is limited to using glycolysis of host sugar for ATP production. This dependence on glucose breakdown presents a series of targets for potential therapeutic development, many of which have been explored and validated as therapeutic targets experimentally. These include enzymes directly involved in glucose metabolism (e.g., the trypanosome hexokinases), as well as cellular components required for development and maintenance of the essential subcellular compartments that house the major part of the pathway, the glycosomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- April F Coley
- Department of Genetics and Biochemistry, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USA
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
31
|
Zucca M, Savoia D. Current developments in the therapy of protozoan infections. THE OPEN MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY JOURNAL 2011; 5:4-10. [PMID: 21629507 PMCID: PMC3103884 DOI: 10.2174/1874104501105010004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2010] [Revised: 05/25/2010] [Accepted: 06/20/2010] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Protozoan parasites cause serious human and zoonotic infections, including life-threatening diseases such as malaria, African and American trypanosomiasis, and leishmaniasis. These diseases are no more common in the developed world, but together they still threaten about 40% of the world population (WHO estimates). Mortality and morbidity are high in developing countries, and the lack of vaccines makes chemotherapy the only suitable option. However, available antiparasitic drugs are hampered by more or less marked toxic side effects and by the emergence of drug resistance. As the main prevalence of parasitic diseases occurs in the poorest areas of the world, the interest of the pharmaceutical companies in the development of new drugs has been traditionally scarce. The establishment of public-private partnerships focused on tropical diseases is changing this situation, allowing the exploitation of the technological advances that took place during the past decade related to genomics, proteomics, and in silico drug discovery approaches. These techniques allowed the identification of new molecular targets that in some cases are shared by different parasites. In this review we outline the recent developments in the fields of protease and topoisomerase inhibitors, antimicrobial and cell-penetrating peptides, and RNA interference. We also report on the rapidly developing field of new vectors (micro and nano particles, mesoporous materials) that in some cases can cross host or parasite natural barriers and, by selectively delivering new or already in use drugs to the target site, minimize dosage and side effects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mario Zucca
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Torino, Italy
| | | |
Collapse
|
32
|
Vigueira PA, Paul KS. Requirement for acetyl-CoA carboxylase in Trypanosoma brucei is dependent upon the growth environment. Mol Microbiol 2011; 80:117-32. [PMID: 21306439 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2958.2011.07563.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Trypanosoma brucei, the causative agent of human African trypanosomiasis, possesses two fatty acid synthesis pathways: a major de novo synthesis pathway in the ER and a mitochondrial pathway. The 2-carbon donor for both pathways is malonyl-CoA, which is synthesized from acetyl-CoA by Acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC). Here, we show that T. brucei ACC shares the same enzyme architecture and moderate ∼ 30% identity with yeast and human ACCs. ACC is cytoplasmic and appears to be distributed throughout the cell in numerous puncta distinct from glycosomes and other organelles. ACC is active in both bloodstream and procyclic forms. Reduction of ACC activity by RNA interference (RNAi) resulted in a stage-specific phenotype. In procyclic forms, ACC RNAi resulted in 50-75% reduction in fatty acid elongation and a 64% reduction in growth in low-lipid media. In bloodstream forms, ACC RNAi resulted in a minor 15% decrease in fatty acid elongation and no growth defect in culture, even in low-lipid media. However, ACC RNAi did attenuate virulence in a mouse model of infection. Thus the requirement for ACC in T. brucei is dependent upon the growth environment in two different life cycle stages.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Patrick A Vigueira
- Department of Biological Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
33
|
Haanstra JR, Kerkhoven EJ, van Tuijl A, Blits M, Wurst M, van Nuland R, Albert MA, Michels PAM, Bouwman J, Clayton C, Westerhoff HV, Bakker BM. A domino effect in drug action: from metabolic assault towards parasite differentiation. Mol Microbiol 2010; 79:94-108. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2958.2010.07435.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
|
34
|
Crowther GJ, Shanmugam D, Carmona SJ, Doyle MA, Hertz-Fowler C, Berriman M, Nwaka S, Ralph SA, Roos DS, Van Voorhis WC, Agüero F. Identification of attractive drug targets in neglected-disease pathogens using an in silico approach. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2010; 4:e804. [PMID: 20808766 PMCID: PMC2927427 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0000804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 125] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2010] [Accepted: 07/27/2010] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The increased sequencing of pathogen genomes and the subsequent availability of genome-scale functional datasets are expected to guide the experimental work necessary for target-based drug discovery. However, a major bottleneck in this has been the difficulty of capturing and integrating relevant information in an easily accessible format for identifying and prioritizing potential targets. The open-access resource TDRtargets.org facilitates drug target prioritization for major tropical disease pathogens such as the mycobacteria Mycobacterium leprae and Mycobacterium tuberculosis; the kinetoplastid protozoans Leishmania major, Trypanosoma brucei, and Trypanosoma cruzi; the apicomplexan protozoans Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium vivax, and Toxoplasma gondii; and the helminths Brugia malayi and Schistosoma mansoni. Methodology/Principal Findings Here we present strategies to prioritize pathogen proteins based on whether their properties meet criteria considered desirable in a drug target. These criteria are based upon both sequence-derived information (e.g., molecular mass) and functional data on expression, essentiality, phenotypes, metabolic pathways, assayability, and druggability. This approach also highlights the fact that data for many relevant criteria are lacking in less-studied pathogens (e.g., helminths), and we demonstrate how this can be partially overcome by mapping data from homologous genes in well-studied organisms. We also show how individual users can easily upload external datasets and integrate them with existing data in TDRtargets.org to generate highly customized ranked lists of potential targets. Conclusions/Significance Using the datasets and the tools available in TDRtargets.org, we have generated illustrative lists of potential drug targets in seven tropical disease pathogens. While these lists are broadly consistent with the research community's current interest in certain specific proteins, and suggest novel target candidates that may merit further study, the lists can easily be modified in a user-specific manner, either by adjusting the weights for chosen criteria or by changing the criteria that are included. In cell-based drug development, researchers attempt to create drugs that kill a pathogen without necessarily understanding the details of how the drugs work. In contrast, target-based drug development entails the search for compounds that act on a specific intracellular target—often a protein known or suspected to be required for survival of the pathogen. The latter approach to drug development has been facilitated greatly by the sequencing of many pathogen genomes and the incorporation of genome data into user-friendly databases. The present paper shows how the database TDRtargets.org can identify proteins that might be considered good drug targets for diseases such as African sleeping sickness, Chagas disease, parasitic worm infections, tuberculosis, and malaria. These proteins may score highly in searches of the database because they are dissimilar to human proteins, are structurally similar to other “druggable” proteins, have functions that are easy to measure, and/or fulfill other criteria. Researchers can use the lists of high-scoring proteins as a basis for deciding which potential drug targets to pursue experimentally.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gregory J. Crowther
- Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
- * E-mail: (GJC); (SAR); (DSR); (WCVV); (FA)
| | - Dhanasekaran Shanmugam
- Department of Biology and Penn Genomics Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Santiago J. Carmona
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas, Universidad Nacional de General San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Maria A. Doyle
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | | | | | - Solomon Nwaka
- Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Stuart A. Ralph
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- * E-mail: (GJC); (SAR); (DSR); (WCVV); (FA)
| | - David S. Roos
- Department of Biology and Penn Genomics Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- * E-mail: (GJC); (SAR); (DSR); (WCVV); (FA)
| | - Wesley C. Van Voorhis
- Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
- * E-mail: (GJC); (SAR); (DSR); (WCVV); (FA)
| | - Fernán Agüero
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas, Universidad Nacional de General San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- * E-mail: (GJC); (SAR); (DSR); (WCVV); (FA)
| |
Collapse
|