1
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Godinez-Macias KP, Winzeler EA. CACTI: an in silico chemical analysis tool through the integration of chemogenomic data and clustering analysis. J Cheminform 2024; 16:84. [PMID: 39049122 PMCID: PMC11270953 DOI: 10.1186/s13321-024-00885-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 07/14/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024] Open
Abstract
It is well-accepted that knowledge of a small molecule's target can accelerate optimization. Although chemogenomic databases are helpful resources for predicting or finding compound interaction partners, they tend to be limited and poorly annotated. Furthermore, unlike genes, compound identifiers are often not standardized, and many synonyms may exist, especially in the biological literature, making batch analysis of compounds difficult. Here, we constructed an open-source annotation and target hypothesis prediction tool that explores some of the largest chemical and biological databases, mining these for both common name, synonyms, and structurally similar molecules. We used this Chemical Analysis and Clustering for Target Identification (CACTI) tool to analyze the Pathogen Box collection, an open-source set of 400 drug-like compounds active against a variety of microbial pathogens. Our analysis resulted in 4,315 new synonyms, 35,963 pieces of new information and target prediction hints for 58 members.Scientific contributionsWith the employment of this tool, a comprehensive report with known evidence, close analogs and drug-target prediction can be obtained for large-scale chemical libraries that will facilitate their evaluation and future target validation and optimization efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karla P Godinez-Macias
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Elizabeth A Winzeler
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.
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2
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McLellan JL, Hanson KK. Differential effects of translation inhibitors on Plasmodium berghei liver stage parasites. Life Sci Alliance 2024; 7:e202302540. [PMID: 38575357 PMCID: PMC10994859 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202302540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Increasing numbers of antimalarial compounds are being identified that converge mechanistically at inhibition of cytoplasmic translation, regardless of the molecular target or mechanism. A deeper understanding of how their effectiveness as liver stage translation inhibitors relates to their chemoprotective potential could prove useful. Here, we probed that relationship using the Plasmodium berghei-HepG2 liver stage infection model. After determining translation inhibition EC50s for five compounds, we tested them at equivalent effective concentrations to compare the parasite response to, and recovery from, a brief period of translation inhibition in early schizogony, followed by parasites to 120 h post-infection to assess antiplasmodial effects of the treatment. We show compound-specific heterogeneity in single parasite and population responses to translation inhibitor treatment, with no single metric strongly correlated to the release of hepatic merozoites for all compounds. We also demonstrate that DDD107498 is capable of exerting antiplasmodial effects on translationally arrested liver stage parasites and uncover unexpected growth dynamics during the liver stage. Our results demonstrate that translation inhibition efficacy does not determine antiplasmodial efficacy for these compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- James L McLellan
- https://ror.org/01kd65564 Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology and STCEID, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Kirsten K Hanson
- https://ror.org/01kd65564 Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology and STCEID, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
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3
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McLellan JL, Morales-Hernandez B, Saeger S, Hanson KK. A high content imaging assay for identification of specific inhibitors of native Plasmodium liver stage protein synthesis. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.29.596519. [PMID: 38854116 PMCID: PMC11160711 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.29.596519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
Plasmodium parasite resistance to antimalarial drugs is a serious threat to public health in malaria-endemic areas. Compounds that target core cellular processes like translation are highly desirable, as they should be multistage actives, capable of killing parasites in the liver and blood, regardless of molecular target or mechanism. Assays that can identify these compounds are thus needed. Recently, specific quantification of native Plasmodium berghei liver stage protein synthesis as well as that of the hepatoma cells supporting parasite growth, was achieved via automated confocal feedback microscopy of the o-propargyl puromycin (OPP)-labeled nascent proteome, but this imaging modality is limited in throughput. Here, we developed and validated a miniaturized high content imaging (HCI) version of the OPP assay that increases throughput, before deploying this approach to screen the Pathogen Box. We identified only two hits, both of which are parasite-specific quinoline-4-carboxamides, and analogues of the clinical candidate and known inhibitor of blood and liver stage protein synthesis, DDD107498/cabamiquine. We further show that these compounds have strikingly distinct relationships between their antiplasmodial and translation inhibition efficacies. These results demonstrate the utility and reliability of the P. berghei liver stage OPP HCI assay for specific, single-well quantification of Plasmodium and human protein synthesis in the native cellular context, allowing identification of selective Plasmodium translation inhibitors with the highest potential for multistage activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- James L. McLellan
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, and the South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Beatriz Morales-Hernandez
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, and the South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Sarah Saeger
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, and the South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Kirsten K. Hanson
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, and the South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
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4
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Wirjanata G, Lin J, Dziekan JM, El Sahili A, Chung Z, Tjia S, Binte Zulkifli NE, Boentoro J, Tham R, Jia LS, Go KD, Yu H, Partridge A, Olsen D, Prabhu N, Sobota RM, Nordlund P, Lescar J, Bozdech Z. Identification of an inhibitory pocket in falcilysin provides a new avenue for malaria drug development. Cell Chem Biol 2024; 31:743-759.e8. [PMID: 38593807 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2024.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 09/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Identification of new druggable protein targets remains the key challenge in the current antimalarial development efforts. Here we used mass-spectrometry-based cellular thermal shift assay (MS-CETSA) to identify potential targets of several antimalarials and drug candidates. We found that falcilysin (FLN) is a common binding partner for several drug candidates such as MK-4815, MMV000848, and MMV665806 but also interacts with quinoline drugs such as chloroquine and mefloquine. Enzymatic assays showed that these compounds can inhibit FLN proteolytic activity. Their interaction with FLN was explored systematically by isothermal titration calorimetry and X-ray crystallography, revealing a shared hydrophobic pocket in the catalytic chamber of the enzyme. Characterization of transgenic cell lines with lowered FLN expression demonstrated statistically significant increases in susceptibility toward MK-4815, MMV000848, and several quinolines. Importantly, the hydrophobic pocket of FLN appears amenable to inhibition and the structures reported here can guide the development of novel drugs against malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grennady Wirjanata
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technology University, Singapore 637551, Singapore
| | - Jianqing Lin
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technology University, Singapore 637551, Singapore; NTU Institute of Structural Biology, Nanyang Technology University, Singapore 637551, Singapore; Infectious Diseases Labs & Singapore Immunology Network, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, 138648 Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jerzy Michal Dziekan
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technology University, Singapore 637551, Singapore
| | - Abbas El Sahili
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technology University, Singapore 637551, Singapore; NTU Institute of Structural Biology, Nanyang Technology University, Singapore 637551, Singapore
| | - Zara Chung
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technology University, Singapore 637551, Singapore
| | - Seth Tjia
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technology University, Singapore 637551, Singapore
| | | | - Josephine Boentoro
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technology University, Singapore 637551, Singapore
| | - Roy Tham
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technology University, Singapore 637551, Singapore
| | - Lai Si Jia
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technology University, Singapore 637551, Singapore
| | - Ka Diam Go
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technology University, Singapore 637551, Singapore
| | - Han Yu
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technology University, Singapore 637551, Singapore
| | | | - David Olsen
- Merck & Co., Inc., West Point, PA 19486, USA
| | - Nayana Prabhu
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technology University, Singapore 637551, Singapore
| | - Radoslaw M Sobota
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology, and Research (A∗STAR), Singapore 138673, Singapore; Functional Proteomics Laboratory, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A∗STAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Pär Nordlund
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technology University, Singapore 637551, Singapore; Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology, and Research (A∗STAR), Singapore 138673, Singapore; Department of Oncology and Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Julien Lescar
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technology University, Singapore 637551, Singapore; NTU Institute of Structural Biology, Nanyang Technology University, Singapore 637551, Singapore; Antimicrobial Resistance Interdisciplinary Research Group, Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology, Singapore 637551, Singapore.
| | - Zbynek Bozdech
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technology University, Singapore 637551, Singapore.
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5
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Jia H, Hu L, Zhang J, Huang X, Jiang Y, Dong G, Liu C, Liu X, Kim M, Zhan P. Recent advances of phenotypic screening strategies in the application of anti-influenza virus drug discovery. RSC Med Chem 2024; 15:70-80. [PMID: 38283223 PMCID: PMC10809416 DOI: 10.1039/d3md00513e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Seasonal and pandemic influenza virus infections not only pose a serious threat to human health but also cause tremendous economic losses and social burdens. However, due to the inherent high variability of influenza virus RNA genomes, the existing anti-influenza virus drugs have been frequently faced with the clinical issue of emerging drug-resistant mutants. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop efficient and broad-spectrum antiviral agents against wild-type and drug-resistant mutant strains. Phenotypic screening has been widely employed as a reliable strategy to evaluate antiviral efficacy of novel agents independent of their modes of action, either directly targeting viral proteins or regulating cellular factors involved in the virus life cycle. Here, from the point of view of medicinal chemistry, we review the research progress of phenotypic screening strategies by focusing direct acting antivirals against influenza virus. It could provide scientific insights into discovery of a distinctive class of therapeutic candidates that ensure high efficiency but low cytotoxicity, and address issues from circulation of drug-resistant influenza viruses in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huinan Jia
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University 44 West Culture Road 250012 Jinan Shandong P.R. China
| | - Lide Hu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University 44 West Culture Road 250012 Jinan Shandong P.R. China
| | - Jiwei Zhang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University 44 West Culture Road 250012 Jinan Shandong P.R. China
| | - Xing Huang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University 44 West Culture Road 250012 Jinan Shandong P.R. China
| | - Yuanmin Jiang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University 44 West Culture Road 250012 Jinan Shandong P.R. China
| | - Guanyu Dong
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University 44 West Culture Road 250012 Jinan Shandong P.R. China
| | - Chuanfeng Liu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University 44 West Culture Road 250012 Jinan Shandong P.R. China
- Suzhou Research Institute of Shandong University Room 607, Building B of NUSP, No. 388 Ruoshui Road, SIP Suzhou Jiangsu 215123 P.R. China
| | - Xinyong Liu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University 44 West Culture Road 250012 Jinan Shandong P.R. China
| | - Meehyein Kim
- Infectious Diseases Therapeutic Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT) Daejeon 34114 Korea
| | - Peng Zhan
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University 44 West Culture Road 250012 Jinan Shandong P.R. China
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6
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Chung Z, Lin J, Wirjanata G, Dziekan JM, El Sahili A, Preiser PR, Bozdech Z, Lescar J. Identification and structural validation of purine nucleoside phosphorylase from Plasmodium falciparum as a target of MMV000848. J Biol Chem 2024; 300:105586. [PMID: 38141766 PMCID: PMC10911062 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.105586] [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: 09/30/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/25/2023] Open
Abstract
About 247 million cases of malaria occurred in 2021 with Plasmodium falciparum accounting for the majority of 619,000 deaths. In the absence of a widely available vaccine, chemotherapy remains crucial to prevent, treat, and contain the disease. The efficacy of several drugs currently used in the clinic is likely to suffer from the emergence of resistant parasites. A global effort to identify lead compounds led to several initiatives such as the Medicine for Malaria Ventures (MMV), a repository of compounds showing promising efficacy in killing the parasite in cell-based assays. Here, we used mass spectrometry coupled with cellular thermal shift assay to identify putative protein targets of MMV000848, a compound with an in vitro EC50 of 0.5 μM against the parasite. Thermal shift assays showed a strong increase of P. falciparum purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PfPNP) melting temperature by up to 15 °C upon incubation with MMV000848. Binding and enzymatic assays returned a KD of 1.52 ± 0.495 μM and an IC50 value of 21.5 ± 2.36 μM. The inhibition is competitive with respect to the substrate, as confirmed by a cocrystal structure of PfPNP bound with MMV000848 at the active site, determined at 1.85 Å resolution. In contrast to transition states inhibitors, MMV000848 specifically inhibits the parasite enzyme but not the human ortholog. An isobologram analysis shows subadditivity with immucillin H and with quinine respectively, suggesting overlapping modes of action between these compounds. These results point to PfPNP as a promising antimalarial target and suggest avenues to improve inhibitor potency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zara Chung
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore; NTU Institute of Structural Biology, Experimental Medicine Building (EMB), Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jianqing Lin
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore; NTU Institute of Structural Biology, Experimental Medicine Building (EMB), Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Grennady Wirjanata
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jerzy M Dziekan
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Abbas El Sahili
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore; NTU Institute of Structural Biology, Experimental Medicine Building (EMB), Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Peter R Preiser
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore; Antimicrobial Resistance Interdisciplinary Research Group, Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology Centre, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Zbynek Bozdech
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore; NTU Institute of Structural Biology, Experimental Medicine Building (EMB), Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore.
| | - Julien Lescar
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore; NTU Institute of Structural Biology, Experimental Medicine Building (EMB), Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore; Antimicrobial Resistance Interdisciplinary Research Group, Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology Centre, Singapore, Singapore.
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7
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Assawapanumat W, Roobsoong W, Chotivanich K, Sattabongkot J, Kampaengtip A, Sungkarat W, Sunintaboon P, Nasongkla N. In Vitro Tracking of Sporozoites via Fluorescence Imaging and MRI Using Multifunctional Micelles. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2023; 6:5324-5332. [PMID: 38039355 DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.3c00596] [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] [Indexed: 12/03/2023]
Abstract
Early detection could increase the treatment efficiency and prevent the recurrence of malaria disease. To track and detect malarial sporozoites, novel drug delivery systems have been explored for their ability to target these parasites specifically. This study investigates the potential of micelles to track Plasmodium vivax by targeting the Plasmodium vivax hexose transporter using glucose-based interactions. In vitro experiments were conducted using glucose/SPIO/Nile red (targeted) micelles and methoxy/SPIO/Nile red (nontargeted) micelles, revealing that the targeted micelles exhibited stronger fluorescence with the sporozoites and higher relative R2* values compared to the nontargeted micelles. These findings suggest that targeted micelles could be used for the specific detection of Plasmodium sporozoites using fluorescence imaging and MRI techniques, offering a promising approach for efficient malaria parasite detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wirat Assawapanumat
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom 73170, Thailand
| | - Wanlapa Roobsoong
- Mahidol Vivax Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Kesinee Chotivanich
- Department of Clinical Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Jetsumon Sattabongkot
- Mahidol Vivax Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Adun Kampaengtip
- Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Witaya Sungkarat
- Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
- Faculty of Health Science Technology, Chulabhorn Royal Academy, Bangkok 10210, Thailand
| | - Panya Sunintaboon
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom 73170, Thailand
| | - Norased Nasongkla
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom 73170, Thailand
- Department of Chemistry and Center of Excellence for Innovation in Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
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8
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Luo AP, Giannangelo C, Siddiqui G, Creek DJ. Promising antimalarial hits from phenotypic screens: a review of recently-described multi-stage actives and their modes of action. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1308193. [PMID: 38162576 PMCID: PMC10757594 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1308193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Over the last two decades, global malaria cases caused by Plasmodium falciparum have declined due to the implementation of effective treatments and the use of insecticides. However, the COVID-19 pandemic caused major disruption in the timely delivery of medical goods and diverted public health resources, impairing malaria control. The emergence of resistance to all existing frontline antimalarials underpins an urgent need for new antimalarials with novel mechanisms of action. Furthermore, the need to reduce malaria transmission and/or prevent malaria infection has shifted the focus of antimalarial research towards the discovery of compounds that act beyond the symptomatic blood stage and also impact other parasite life cycle stages. Phenotypic screening has been responsible for the majority of new antimalarial lead compounds discovered over the past 10 years. This review describes recently reported novel antimalarial hits that target multiple parasite stages and were discovered by phenotypic screening during the COVID-19 pandemic. Their modes of action and targets in blood stage parasites are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ghizal Siddiqui
- Drug Delivery Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Darren J. Creek
- Drug Delivery Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC, Australia
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9
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McLellan JL, Hanson KK. Translation inhibition efficacy does not determine the Plasmodium berghei liver stage antiplasmodial efficacy of protein synthesis inhibitors. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.12.07.570699. [PMID: 38106175 PMCID: PMC10723475 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.07.570699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Protein synthesis is a core cellular process, necessary throughout the complex lifecycle of Plasmodium parasites, thus specific translation inhibitors would be a valuable class of antimalarial drugs, capable of both treating symptomatic infections in the blood and providing chemoprotection by targeting the initial parasite population in the liver, preventing both human disease and parasite transmission back to the mosquito host. As increasing numbers of antiplasmodial compounds are identified that converge mechanistically at inhibition of cytoplasmic translation, regardless of molecular target or mechanism, it would be useful to gain deeper understanding of how their effectiveness as liver stage translation inhibitors relates to their chemoprotective potential. Here, we probed that relationship using the P. berghei-HepG2 liver stage infection model. Using o-propargyl puromycin-based labeling of the nascent proteome in P. berghei-infected HepG2 monolayers coupled with automated confocal feedback microscopy to generate unbiased, single parasite image sets of P. berghei liver stage translation, we determined translation inhibition EC50s for five compounds, encompassing parasite-specific aminoacyl tRNA synthetase inhibitors, compounds targeting the ribosome in both host and parasite, as well as DDD107498, which targets Plasmodium eEF2, and is a leading antimalarial candidate compound being clinically developed as cabamiquine. Compounds were then tested at equivalent effective concentrations to compare the parasite response to, and recovery from, a brief period of translation inhibition in early schizogony, with parasites followed up to 120 hours post-infection to assess liver stage antiplasmodial effects of the treatment. Our data conclusively show that translation inhibition efficacy per se does not determine a translation inhibitor's antiplasmodial efficacy. DDD107498 was the least effective translation inhibitor, yet exerted the strongest antimalarial effects at both 5x- and 10x EC50 concentrations. We show compound-specific heterogeneity in single parasite and population responses to translation inhibitor treatment, with no single metric strongly correlated to release of hepatic merozoites for all compound, demonstrate that DDD107498 is capable of exerting antiplasmodial effects on translationally arrested liver stage parasites, and uncover unexpected growth dynamics during the liver stage. Our results demonstrate that translation inhibition efficacy cannot function as a proxy for antiplasmodial effectiveness, and highlight the importance of exploring the ultimate, as well as proximate, mechanisms of action of these compounds on liver stage parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- James L. McLellan
- University of Texas at San Antonio, Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology and STCEID, San Antonio TX, USA
| | - Kirsten K. Hanson
- University of Texas at San Antonio, Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology and STCEID, San Antonio TX, USA
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10
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Moyo P, Invernizzi L, Mianda SM, Rudolph W, Andayi WA, Wang M, Crouch NR, Maharaj VJ. Leveraging off higher plant phylogenetic insights for antiplasmodial drug discovery. NATURAL PRODUCTS AND BIOPROSPECTING 2023; 13:35. [PMID: 37798547 PMCID: PMC10555984 DOI: 10.1007/s13659-023-00396-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 09/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
The antimalarial drug-resistance conundrum which threatens to reverse the great strides taken to curb the malaria scourge warrants an urgent need to find novel chemical scaffolds to serve as templates for the development of new antimalarial drugs. Plants represent a viable alternative source for the discovery of unique potential antiplasmodial chemical scaffolds. To expedite the discovery of new antiplasmodial compounds from plants, the aim of this study was to use phylogenetic analysis to identify higher plant orders and families that can be rationally prioritised for antimalarial drug discovery. We queried the PubMed database for publications documenting antiplasmodial properties of natural compounds isolated from higher plants. Thereafter, we manually collated compounds reported along with plant species of origin and relevant pharmacological data. We systematically assigned antiplasmodial-associated plant species into recognised families and orders, and then computed the resistance index, selectivity index and physicochemical properties of the compounds from each taxonomic group. Correlating the generated phylogenetic trees and the biological data of each clade allowed for the identification of 3 'hot' plant orders and families. The top 3 ranked plant orders were the (i) Caryophyllales, (ii) Buxales, and (iii) Chloranthales. The top 3 ranked plant families were the (i) Ancistrocladaceae, (ii) Simaroubaceae, and (iii) Buxaceae. The highly active natural compounds (IC50 ≤ 1 µM) isolated from these plant orders and families are structurally unique to the 'legacy' antimalarial drugs. Our study was able to identify the most prolific taxa at order and family rank that we propose be prioritised in the search for potent, safe and drug-like antimalarial molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phanankosi Moyo
- Biodiscovery Center, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X 20, Hatfield, Pretoria, 0028, South Africa
| | - Luke Invernizzi
- Biodiscovery Center, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X 20, Hatfield, Pretoria, 0028, South Africa
| | - Sephora M Mianda
- Biodiscovery Center, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X 20, Hatfield, Pretoria, 0028, South Africa
| | - Wiehan Rudolph
- Biodiscovery Center, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X 20, Hatfield, Pretoria, 0028, South Africa
| | - Warren A Andayi
- Department of Physical and Biological Sciences, Murang'a University of Technology, Murang'a, Kenya
| | - Mingxun Wang
- Computer Science and Engineering, University of California Riverside, 900 University Ave, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA
| | - Neil R Crouch
- Biodiversity Research and Monitoring Directorate, South African National Biodiversity Institute, Berea Road, P.O. Box 52099, Durban, 4007, South Africa
- School of Chemistry and Physics, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 4041, South Africa
| | - Vinesh J Maharaj
- Biodiscovery Center, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X 20, Hatfield, Pretoria, 0028, South Africa.
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11
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Siqueira-Neto JL, Wicht KJ, Chibale K, Burrows JN, Fidock DA, Winzeler EA. Antimalarial drug discovery: progress and approaches. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2023; 22:807-826. [PMID: 37652975 PMCID: PMC10543600 DOI: 10.1038/s41573-023-00772-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
Recent antimalarial drug discovery has been a race to produce new medicines that overcome emerging drug resistance, whilst considering safety and improving dosing convenience. Discovery efforts have yielded a variety of new molecules, many with novel modes of action, and the most advanced are in late-stage clinical development. These discoveries have led to a deeper understanding of how antimalarial drugs act, the identification of a new generation of drug targets, and multiple structure-based chemistry initiatives. The limited pool of funding means it is vital to prioritize new drug candidates. They should exhibit high potency, a low propensity for resistance, a pharmacokinetic profile that favours infrequent dosing, low cost, preclinical results that demonstrate safety and tolerability in women and infants, and preferably the ability to block Plasmodium transmission to Anopheles mosquito vectors. In this Review, we describe the approaches that have been successful, progress in preclinical and clinical development, and existing challenges. We illustrate how antimalarial drug discovery can serve as a model for drug discovery in diseases of poverty.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kathryn J Wicht
- Holistic Drug Discovery and Development (H3D) Centre, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, South Africa
- South African Medical Research Council Drug Discovery and Development Research Unit, Department of Chemistry and Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, South Africa
| | - Kelly Chibale
- Holistic Drug Discovery and Development (H3D) Centre, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, South Africa
- South African Medical Research Council Drug Discovery and Development Research Unit, Department of Chemistry and Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, South Africa
| | | | - David A Fidock
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology and Center for Malaria Therapeutics and Antimicrobial Resistance, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
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12
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Umumararungu T, Nkuranga JB, Habarurema G, Nyandwi JB, Mukazayire MJ, Mukiza J, Muganga R, Hahirwa I, Mpenda M, Katembezi AN, Olawode EO, Kayitare E, Kayumba PC. Recent developments in antimalarial drug discovery. Bioorg Med Chem 2023; 88-89:117339. [PMID: 37236020 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2023.117339] [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: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Although malaria remains a big burden to many countries that it threatens their socio-economic stability, particularly in the countries where malaria is endemic, there have been great efforts to eradicate this disease with both successes and failures. For example, there has been a great improvement in malaria prevention and treatment methods with a net reduction in infection and mortality rates. However, the disease remains a global threat in terms of the number of people affected because it is one of the infectious diseases that has the highest prevalence rate, especially in Africa where the deadly Plasmodium falciparum is still widely spread. Methods to fight malaria are being diversified, including the use of mosquito nets, the target candidate profiles (TCPs) and target product profiles (TPPs) of medicine for malarial venture (MMV) strategy, the search for newer and potent drugs that could reverse chloroquine resistance, and the use of adjuvants such as rosiglitazone and sevuparin. Although these adjuvants have no antiplasmodial activity, they can help to alleviate the effects which result from plasmodium invasion such as cytoadherence. The list of new antimalarial drugs under development is long, including the out of ordinary new drugs MMV048, CDRI-97/78 and INE963 from South Africa, India and Novartis, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Théoneste Umumararungu
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, Rwanda.
| | - Jean Bosco Nkuranga
- Department of Chemistry, School of Science, College of Science and Technology, University of Rwanda, Rwanda
| | - Gratien Habarurema
- Department of Chemistry, School of Science, College of Science and Technology, University of Rwanda, Rwanda
| | - Jean Baptiste Nyandwi
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, Rwanda
| | - Marie Jeanne Mukazayire
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, Rwanda
| | - Janvier Mukiza
- Department of Mathematical Science and Physical Education, School of Education, College of Education, University of Rwanda, Rwanda; Rwanda Food and Drugs Authority, Nyarutarama Plaza, KG 9 Avenue, Kigali, Rwanda
| | - Raymond Muganga
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, Rwanda; Rwanda Food and Drugs Authority, Nyarutarama Plaza, KG 9 Avenue, Kigali, Rwanda
| | - Innocent Hahirwa
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, Rwanda
| | - Matabishi Mpenda
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, Rwanda
| | - Alain Nyirimigabo Katembezi
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, Rwanda; Rwanda Food and Drugs Authority, Nyarutarama Plaza, KG 9 Avenue, Kigali, Rwanda
| | - Emmanuel Oladayo Olawode
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Larkin University, 18301 N Miami Ave #1, Miami, FL 33169, USA
| | - Egide Kayitare
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, Rwanda
| | - Pierre Claver Kayumba
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, Rwanda
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13
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Imlay LS, Lawong AK, Gahalawat S, Kumar A, Xing C, Mittal N, Wittlin S, Churchyard A, Niederstrasser H, Crespo-Fernandez B, Posner BA, Gamo FJ, Baum J, Winzeler EA, LALEU B, Ready JM, Phillips MA. Fast-Killing Tyrosine Amide (( S)-SW228703) with Blood- and Liver-Stage Antimalarial Activity Associated with the Cyclic Amine Resistance Locus ( PfCARL). ACS Infect Dis 2023; 9:527-539. [PMID: 36763526 PMCID: PMC10053980 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.2c00527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
Current malaria treatments are threatened by drug resistance, and new drugs are urgently needed. In a phenotypic screen for new antimalarials, we identified (S)-SW228703 ((S)-SW703), a tyrosine amide with asexual blood and liver stage activity and a fast-killing profile. Resistance to (S)-SW703 is associated with mutations in the Plasmodium falciparum cyclic amine resistance locus (PfCARL) and P. falciparum acetyl CoA transporter (PfACT), similarly to several other compounds that share features such as fast activity and liver-stage activity. Compounds with these resistance mechanisms are thought to act in the ER, though their targets are unknown. The tyramine of (S)-SW703 is shared with some reported PfCARL-associated compounds; however, we observed that strict S-stereochemistry was required for the activity of (S)-SW703, suggesting differences in the mechanism of action or binding mode. (S)-SW703 provides a new chemical series with broad activity for multiple life-cycle stages and a fast-killing mechanism of action, available for lead optimization to generate new treatments for malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leah S. Imlay
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Aloysus K. Lawong
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Suraksha Gahalawat
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Ashwani Kumar
- Eugene McDermott Center for Human Growth and Development, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Chao Xing
- Eugene McDermott Center for Human Growth and Development, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
- Department of Bioinformatics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Nimisha Mittal
- Division of Host-Microbe Systems and Therapeutics, Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Sergio Wittlin
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, 4002, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, 4002, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Alisje Churchyard
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Hanspeter Niederstrasser
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | | | - Bruce A. Posner
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | | | - Jake Baum
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW, Australia
| | - Elizabeth A. Winzeler
- Division of Host-Microbe Systems and Therapeutics, Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Benoît LALEU
- Medicines for Malaria Venture, 1215 Geneva 15, Switzerland
| | - Joseph M. Ready
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Margaret A. Phillips
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
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14
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Challis MP, Devine SM, Creek DJ. Current and emerging target identification methods for novel antimalarials. Int J Parasitol Drugs Drug Resist 2022; 20:135-144. [PMID: 36410177 PMCID: PMC9771836 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2022.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
New antimalarial compounds with novel mechanisms of action are urgently needed to combat the recent rise in antimalarial drug resistance. Phenotypic high-throughput screens have proven to be a successful method for identifying new compounds, however, do not provide mechanistic information about the molecular target(s) responsible for antimalarial action. Current and emerging target identification methods such as in vitro resistance generation, metabolomics screening, chemoproteomic approaches and biophysical assays measuring protein stability across the whole proteome have successfully identified novel drug targets. This review provides an overview of these techniques, comparing their strengths and weaknesses and how they can be utilised for antimalarial target identification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew P. Challis
- Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia
| | - Shane M. Devine
- Medicinal Chemistry, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia
| | - Darren J. Creek
- Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia,Corresponding author. Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia.
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15
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Lu KY, Mansfield CR, Fitzgerald MC, Derbyshire ER. Chemoproteomics for Plasmodium Parasite Drug Target Discovery. Chembiochem 2021; 22:2591-2599. [PMID: 33999499 PMCID: PMC8373781 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202100155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 05/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Emerging Plasmodium parasite drug resistance is threatening progress towards malaria control and elimination. While recent efforts in cell-based, high-throughput drug screening have produced first-in-class drugs with promising activities against different Plasmodium life cycle stages, most of these antimalarial agents have elusive mechanisms of action. Though challenging to address, target identification can provide valuable information to facilitate lead optimization and preclinical drug prioritization. Recently, proteome-wide methods for direct assessment of drug-protein interactions have emerged as powerful tools in a number of systems, including Plasmodium. In this review, we will discuss current chemoproteomic strategies that have been adapted to antimalarial drug target discovery, including affinity- and activity-based protein profiling and the energetics-based techniques thermal proteome profiling and stability of proteins from rates of oxidation. The successful application of chemoproteomics to the Plasmodium blood stage highlights the potential of these methods to link inhibitors to their molecular targets in more elusive Plasmodium life stages and intracellular pathogens in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuan-Yi Lu
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, 213 Research Drive, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Christopher R Mansfield
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, 213 Research Drive, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Michael C Fitzgerald
- Department of Chemistry, Duke University, 124 Science Drive, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Emily R Derbyshire
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, 213 Research Drive, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Department of Chemistry, Duke University, 124 Science Drive, Durham, NC 27708, USA
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16
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Lande DH, Nasereddin A, Alder A, Gilberger TW, Dzikowski R, Grünefeld J, Kunick C. Synthesis and Antiplasmodial Activity of Bisindolylcyclobutenediones. Molecules 2021; 26:4739. [PMID: 34443327 PMCID: PMC8402075 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26164739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Revised: 07/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria is one of the most dangerous infectious diseases. Because the causative Plasmodium parasites have developed resistances against virtually all established antimalarial drugs, novel antiplasmodial agents are required. In order to target plasmodial kinases, novel N-unsubstituted bisindolylcyclobutenediones were designed as analogs to the kinase inhibitory bisindolylmaleimides. Molecular docking experiments produced favorable poses of the unsubstituted bisindolylcyclobutenedione in the ATP binding pocket of various plasmodial protein kinases. The synthesis of the title compounds was accomplished by sequential Friedel-Crafts acylation procedures. In vitro screening of the new compounds against transgenic NF54-luc P. falciparum parasites revealed a set of derivatives with submicromolar activity, of which some displayed a reasonable selectivity profile against a human cell line. Although the molecular docking studies suggested the plasmodial protein kinase PfGSK-3 as the putative biological target, the title compounds failed to inhibit the isolated enzyme in vitro. As selective submicromolar antiplasmodial agents, the N-unsubstituted bisindolylcyclobutenediones are promising starting structures in the search for antimalarial drugs, albeit for a rational development, the biological target addressed by these compounds has yet to be identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Duc Hoàng Lande
- Institut für Medizinische und Pharmazeutische Chemie, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Beethoven straße 55, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany; (D.H.L.); (J.G.)
| | - Abed Nasereddin
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, IMRIC, The Kuvin Center for the Study of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, The Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem 91120, Israel; (A.N.); (R.D.)
- Genomics Applications Laboratory, Core Research Facility, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem 91120, Israel
| | - Arne Alder
- Centre for Structural Systems Biology, 22607 Hamburg, Germany; (A.A.); (T.W.G.)
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, 20359 Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Biology, University of Hamburg, 20146 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Tim W. Gilberger
- Centre for Structural Systems Biology, 22607 Hamburg, Germany; (A.A.); (T.W.G.)
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, 20359 Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Biology, University of Hamburg, 20146 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ron Dzikowski
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, IMRIC, The Kuvin Center for the Study of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, The Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem 91120, Israel; (A.N.); (R.D.)
| | - Johann Grünefeld
- Institut für Medizinische und Pharmazeutische Chemie, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Beethoven straße 55, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany; (D.H.L.); (J.G.)
| | - Conrad Kunick
- Institut für Medizinische und Pharmazeutische Chemie, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Beethoven straße 55, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany; (D.H.L.); (J.G.)
- Zentrum für Pharmaverfahrenstechnik (PVZ), Technische Universität Braunschweig, Franz-Liszt-Straße 35A, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany
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17
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High-content approaches to anthelmintic drug screening. Trends Parasitol 2021; 37:780-789. [PMID: 34092518 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2021.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Revised: 05/03/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Most anthelmintics were discovered through in vivo screens using animal models of infection. Developing in vitro assays for parasitic worms presents several challenges. The lack of in vitro life cycle culture protocols requires harvesting worms from vertebrate hosts or vectors, limiting assay throughput. Once worms are removed from the host environment, established anthelmintics often show no obvious phenotype - raising concerns about the predictive value of many in vitro assays. However, with recent progress in understanding how anthelmintics subvert host-parasite interactions, and breakthroughs in high-content imaging and machine learning, in vitro assays have the potential to discern subtle cryptic parasite phenotypes. These may prove better endpoints than conventional in vitro viability assays.
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18
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Lawong A, Gahalawat S, Okombo J, Striepen J, Yeo T, Mok S, Deni I, Bridgford JL, Niederstrasser H, Zhou A, Posner B, Wittlin S, Gamo FJ, Crespo B, Churchyard A, Baum J, Mittal N, Winzeler E, Laleu B, Palmer MJ, Charman SA, Fidock DA, Ready JM, Phillips MA. Novel Antimalarial Tetrazoles and Amides Active against the Hemoglobin Degradation Pathway in Plasmodium falciparum. J Med Chem 2021; 64:2739-2761. [PMID: 33620219 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c02022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Malaria control programs continue to be threatened by drug resistance. To identify new antimalarials, we conducted a phenotypic screen and identified a novel tetrazole-based series that shows fast-kill kinetics and a relatively low propensity to develop high-level resistance. Preliminary structure-activity relationships were established including identification of a subseries of related amides with antiplasmodial activity. Assaying parasites with resistance to antimalarials led us to test whether the series had a similar mechanism of action to chloroquine (CQ). Treatment of synchronized Plasmodium falciparum parasites with active analogues revealed a pattern of intracellular inhibition of hemozoin (Hz) formation reminiscent of CQ's action. Drug selections yielded only modest resistance that was associated with amplification of the multidrug resistance gene 1 (pfmdr1). Thus, we have identified a novel chemical series that targets the historically druggable heme polymerization pathway and that can form the basis of future optimization efforts to develop a new malaria treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aloysus Lawong
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390, United States
| | - Suraksha Gahalawat
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390, United States
| | - John Okombo
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, United States
| | - Josefine Striepen
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, United States
| | - Tomas Yeo
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, United States
| | - Sachel Mok
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, United States
| | - Ioanna Deni
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, United States
| | - Jessica L Bridgford
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, United States
| | - Hanspeter Niederstrasser
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390, United States
| | - Anwu Zhou
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390, United States
| | - Bruce Posner
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390, United States
| | - Sergio Wittlin
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, 4002 Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel, 4002 Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Benigno Crespo
- Medicines Development Campus, GlaxoSmithKline, Tres Cantos, 28760 Madrid, Spain
| | - Alisje Churchyard
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, SW7 2AZ South Kensington, U.K
| | - Jake Baum
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, SW7 2AZ South Kensington, U.K
| | - Nimisha Mittal
- Division of Host-Microbe Systems and Therapeutics, Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Elizabeth Winzeler
- Division of Host-Microbe Systems and Therapeutics, Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Benoît Laleu
- Medicines for Malaria Venture, 1215 Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | - Susan A Charman
- Centre for Drug Candidate Optimisation, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - David A Fidock
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, United States.,Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, United States
| | - Joseph M Ready
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390, United States
| | - Margaret A Phillips
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390, United States
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19
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Evaluation of 1,1-cyclopropylidene as a thioether isostere in the 4-thio-thienopyrimidine (TTP) series of antimalarials. Bioorg Med Chem 2020; 28:115758. [PMID: 33007559 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2020.115758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2020] [Revised: 09/02/2020] [Accepted: 09/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
The 4-(heteroarylthio)thieno[2,3-d]pyrimidine (TTP) series of antimalarials, represented by 1 and 17, potently inhibit proliferation of the 3D7 strain of P. falciparum (EC50 70-100 nM), but suffer from oxidative metabolism. The 1,1-cyclopropylidene isosteres 6 and 16 were designed to obviate this drawback. They were prepared by a short route that features a combined Peterson methylenation / cyclopropanation transformation of, e. g., ketone 7. Isosteres 6 and 16 possess significantly attenuated antimalarial potency relative to parents 1 and 17. This outcome can be rationalized based on the increased out-of-plane steric demands of the latter two. In support of this hypothesis, the relatively flat ketone 7 retains some of the potency of 1, even though it appears to be a comparatively inferior mimic with respect to electronics and bond lengths and angles. We also demonstrate crystallographically and computationally an apparent increase in the strength of the intramolecular sulfur hole interaction of 1 upon protonation.
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20
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Toro-Moreno M, Derbyshire ER. It's about Time: Insights into the Modes of Action of Antimalarials. Cell Chem Biol 2020; 27:139-141. [PMID: 32084336 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2020.01.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
In this issue of Cell Chemical Biology, Murithi et al. (2020) integrate stage-specific phenotypic screening and metabolomics to uncover modes of action of antimalarials. This work highlights compounds with potent activity against all asexual blood stages, as well as compounds with unique stage specificity and metabolic profiles.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Emily R Derbyshire
- Department of Chemistry, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA; Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.
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21
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Johansson NG, Turku A, Vidilaseris K, Dreano L, Khattab A, Ayuso Pérez D, Wilkinson A, Zhang Y, Tamminen M, Grazhdankin E, Kiriazis A, Fishwick CWG, Meri S, Yli-Kauhaluoma J, Goldman A, Boije af Gennäs G, Xhaard H. Discovery of Membrane-Bound Pyrophosphatase Inhibitors Derived from an Isoxazole Fragment. ACS Med Chem Lett 2020; 11:605-610. [PMID: 32292570 PMCID: PMC7153278 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.9b00537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2019] [Accepted: 02/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
![]()
Membrane-bound
pyrophosphatases (mPPases) regulate energy homeostasis
in pathogenic protozoan parasites and lack human homologues, which
makes them promising targets in e.g. malaria. Yet
only few nonphosphorus inhibitors have been reported so far. Here,
we explore an isoxazole fragment hit, leading to the discovery of
small mPPase inhibitors with 6–10 μM IC50 values
in the Thermotoga maritima test system. Promisingly,
the compounds retained activity against Plasmodium falciparum mPPase in membranes and inhibited parasite growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niklas G. Johansson
- Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 56 (Viikinkaari 5 E), FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Ainoleena Turku
- Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 56 (Viikinkaari 5 E), FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Keni Vidilaseris
- Department of Biosciences, Division of Biochemistry, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 56
(Viikinkaari 9), FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Loïc Dreano
- Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 56 (Viikinkaari 5 E), FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Ayman Khattab
- Malaria Research Laboratory, Translational Immunology Research Program, Department of Bacteriology and Immunology, Haartman Institute, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 21
(Haartmaninkatu 3), FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Daniel Ayuso Pérez
- Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 56 (Viikinkaari 5 E), FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Aaron Wilkinson
- School of Chemistry, University of Leeds, Woodhouse Lane, Leeds LS2 9JT, United Kingdom
| | - Yuezhou Zhang
- Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 56 (Viikinkaari 5 E), FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Matti Tamminen
- Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 56 (Viikinkaari 5 E), FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Evgeni Grazhdankin
- Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 56 (Viikinkaari 5 E), FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Alexandros Kiriazis
- Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 56 (Viikinkaari 5 E), FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Colin W. G. Fishwick
- School of Chemistry, University of Leeds, Woodhouse Lane, Leeds LS2 9JT, United Kingdom
| | - Seppo Meri
- Malaria Research Laboratory, Translational Immunology Research Program, Department of Bacteriology and Immunology, Haartman Institute, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 21
(Haartmaninkatu 3), FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jari Yli-Kauhaluoma
- Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 56 (Viikinkaari 5 E), FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Adrian Goldman
- Department of Biosciences, Division of Biochemistry, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 56
(Viikinkaari 9), FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds, Clarendon Way, Leeds LS2 9JT, United Kingdom
| | - Gustav Boije af Gennäs
- Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 56 (Viikinkaari 5 E), FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Henri Xhaard
- Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 56 (Viikinkaari 5 E), FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland
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22
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Álvarez-Bardón M, Pérez-Pertejo Y, Ordóñez C, Sepúlveda-Crespo D, Carballeira NM, Tekwani BL, Murugesan S, Martinez-Valladares M, García-Estrada C, Reguera RM, Balaña-Fouce R. Screening Marine Natural Products for New Drug Leads against Trypanosomatids and Malaria. Mar Drugs 2020; 18:E187. [PMID: 32244488 PMCID: PMC7230869 DOI: 10.3390/md18040187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2020] [Revised: 03/24/2020] [Accepted: 03/25/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) represent a serious threat to humans, especially for those living in poor or developing countries. Almost one-sixth of the world population is at risk of suffering from these diseases and many thousands die because of NTDs, to which we should add the sanitary, labor and social issues that hinder the economic development of these countries. Protozoan-borne diseases are responsible for more than one million deaths every year. Visceral leishmaniasis, Chagas disease or sleeping sickness are among the most lethal NTDs. Despite not being considered an NTD by the World Health Organization (WHO), malaria must be added to this sinister group. Malaria, caused by the apicomplexan parasite Plasmodium falciparum, is responsible for thousands of deaths each year. The treatment of this disease has been losing effectiveness year after year. Many of the medicines currently in use are obsolete due to their gradual loss of efficacy, their intrinsic toxicity and the emergence of drug resistance or a lack of adherence to treatment. Therefore, there is an urgent and global need for new drugs. Despite this, the scant interest shown by most of the stakeholders involved in the pharmaceutical industry makes our present therapeutic arsenal scarce, and until recently, the search for new drugs has not been seriously addressed. The sources of new drugs for these and other pathologies include natural products, synthetic molecules or repurposing drugs. The most frequent sources of natural products are microorganisms, e.g., bacteria, fungi, yeasts, algae and plants, which are able to synthesize many drugs that are currently in use (e.g. antimicrobials, antitumor, immunosuppressants, etc.). The marine environment is another well-established source of bioactive natural products, with recent applications against parasites, bacteria and other pathogens which affect humans and animals. Drug discovery techniques have rapidly advanced since the beginning of the millennium. The combination of novel techniques that include the genetic modification of pathogens, bioimaging and robotics has given rise to the standardization of High-Performance Screening platforms in the discovery of drugs. These advancements have accelerated the discovery of new chemical entities with antiparasitic effects. This review presents critical updates regarding the use of High-Throughput Screening (HTS) in the discovery of drugs for NTDs transmitted by protozoa, including malaria, and its application in the discovery of new drugs of marine origin.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Álvarez-Bardón
- Department of Biomedical Sciences; University of León, 24071 León, Spain; (M.Á.-B.); (Y.P.-P.); (C.O.); (D.S.-C.); (R.M.R.)
| | - Yolanda Pérez-Pertejo
- Department of Biomedical Sciences; University of León, 24071 León, Spain; (M.Á.-B.); (Y.P.-P.); (C.O.); (D.S.-C.); (R.M.R.)
| | - César Ordóñez
- Department of Biomedical Sciences; University of León, 24071 León, Spain; (M.Á.-B.); (Y.P.-P.); (C.O.); (D.S.-C.); (R.M.R.)
| | - Daniel Sepúlveda-Crespo
- Department of Biomedical Sciences; University of León, 24071 León, Spain; (M.Á.-B.); (Y.P.-P.); (C.O.); (D.S.-C.); (R.M.R.)
| | - Nestor M. Carballeira
- Department of Chemistry, University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras 00925-2537, San Juan, Puerto Rico;
| | - Babu L. Tekwani
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Division of Drug Discovery, Southern Research, Birmingham, AL 35205, USA;
| | - Sankaranarayanan Murugesan
- Department of Pharmacy, Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani Campus, Vidya Vihar, Pilani 333031, India;
| | - Maria Martinez-Valladares
- Department of Animal Health, Instituto de Ganadería de Montaña (CSIC-Universidad de León), Grulleros, 24346 León, Spain;
| | - Carlos García-Estrada
- INBIOTEC (Instituto de Biotecnología de León), Avda. Real 1-Parque Científico de León, 24006 León, Spain;
| | - Rosa M. Reguera
- Department of Biomedical Sciences; University of León, 24071 León, Spain; (M.Á.-B.); (Y.P.-P.); (C.O.); (D.S.-C.); (R.M.R.)
| | - Rafael Balaña-Fouce
- Department of Biomedical Sciences; University of León, 24071 León, Spain; (M.Á.-B.); (Y.P.-P.); (C.O.); (D.S.-C.); (R.M.R.)
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23
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Srivastava A, Creek DJ. Using the IDEOM Workflow for LCMS-Based Metabolomics Studies of Drug Mechanisms. Methods Mol Biol 2020; 2104:419-445. [PMID: 31953829 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-0239-3_21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Rapid advancements in metabolomics technologies have allowed for application of liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LCMS)-based metabolomics to investigate a wide range of biological questions. In addition to an important role in studies of cellular biochemistry and biomarker discovery, an exciting application of metabolomics is the elucidation of mechanisms of drug action (Creek et al., Antimicrob Agents Chemother 60:6650-6663, 2016; Allman et al., Antimicrob Agents Chemother 60:6635-6649, 2016). Although it is a very useful technique, challenges in raw data processing, extracting useful information out of large noisy datasets, and identifying metabolites with confidence, have meant that metabolomics is still perceived as a highly specialized technology. As a result, metabolomics has not yet achieved the anticipated extent of uptake in laboratories around the world as genomics or transcriptomics. With a view to bring metabolomics within reach of a nonspecialist scientist, here we describe a routine workflow with IDEOM, which is a graphical user interface within Microsoft Excel, which almost all researchers are familiar with. IDEOM consists of custom built algorithms that allow LCMS data processing, automatic noise filtering and identification of metabolite features (Creek et al., Bioinformatics 28:1048-1049, 2012). Its automated interface incorporates advanced LCMS data processing tools, mzMatch and XCMS, and requires R for complete functionality. IDEOM is freely available for all researchers and this chapter will focus on describing the IDEOM workflow for the nonspecialist researcher in the context of studies designed to elucidate mechanisms of drug action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anubhav Srivastava
- Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Darren J Creek
- Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
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24
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Cowell AN, Winzeler EA. Advances in omics-based methods to identify novel targets for malaria and other parasitic protozoan infections. Genome Med 2019; 11:63. [PMID: 31640748 PMCID: PMC6805675 DOI: 10.1186/s13073-019-0673-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2019] [Accepted: 09/13/2019] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
A major advance in antimalarial drug discovery has been the shift towards cell-based phenotypic screening, with notable progress in the screening of compounds against the asexual blood stage, liver stage, and gametocytes. A primary method for drug target deconvolution in Plasmodium falciparum is in vitro evolution of compound-resistant parasites followed by whole-genome scans. Several of the most promising antimalarial drug targets, such as translation elongation factor 2 (eEF2) and phenylalanine tRNA synthetase (PheRS), have been identified or confirmed using this method. One drawback of this method is that if a mutated gene is uncharacterized, a substantial effort may be required to determine whether it is a drug target, a drug resistance gene, or if the mutation is merely a background mutation. Thus, the availability of high-throughput, functional genomic datasets can greatly assist with target deconvolution. Studies mapping genome-wide essentiality in P. falciparum or performing transcriptional profiling of the host and parasite during liver-stage infection with P. berghei have identified potentially druggable pathways. Advances in mapping the epigenomic regulation of the malaria parasite genome have also enabled the identification of key processes involved in parasite development. In addition, the examination of the host genome during infection has identified novel gene candidates associated with susceptibility to severe malaria. Here, we review recent studies that have used omics-based methods to identify novel targets for interventions against protozoan parasites, focusing on malaria, and we highlight the advantages and limitations of the approaches used. These approaches have also been extended to other protozoan pathogens, including Toxoplasma, Trypanosoma, and Leishmania spp., and these studies highlight how drug discovery efforts against these pathogens benefit from the utilization of diverse omics-based methods to identify promising drug targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annie N Cowell
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Health, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.
| | - Elizabeth A Winzeler
- Division of Host-Microbe Systems and Therapeutics, Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
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25
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Ivasiv V, Albertini C, Gonçalves AE, Rossi M, Bolognesi ML. Molecular Hybridization as a Tool for Designing Multitarget Drug Candidates for Complex Diseases. Curr Top Med Chem 2019; 19:1694-1711. [DOI: 10.2174/1568026619666190619115735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2019] [Revised: 06/07/2019] [Accepted: 06/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Molecular hybridization is a well-exploited medicinal chemistry strategy that aims to combine
two molecules (or parts of them) in a new, single chemical entity. Recently, it has been recognized
as an effective approach to design ligands able to modulate multiple targets of interest. Hybrid compounds
can be obtained by linking (presence of a linker) or framework integration (merging or fusing)
strategies. Although very promising to combat the multifactorial nature of complex diseases, the development
of molecular hybrids faces the critical issues of selecting the right target combination and the
achievement of a balanced activity towards them, while maintaining drug-like-properties. In this review,
we present recent case histories from our own research group that demonstrate why and how molecular
hybridization can be carried out to address the challenges of multitarget drug discovery in two therapeutic
areas that are Alzheimer’s and parasitic diseases. Selected examples spanning from linker- to fragment-
based hybrids will allow to discuss issues and consequences relevant to drug design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viktoriya Ivasiv
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum − University of Bologna, I-40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Claudia Albertini
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum − University of Bologna, I-40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Ana E. Gonçalves
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum − University of Bologna, I-40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Michele Rossi
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum − University of Bologna, I-40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Maria L. Bolognesi
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum − University of Bologna, I-40126, Bologna, Italy
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26
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Chua ACY, Ong JJY, Malleret B, Suwanarusk R, Kosaisavee V, Zeeman AM, Cooper CA, Tan KSW, Zhang R, Tan BH, Abas SN, Yip A, Elliot A, Joyner CJ, Cho JS, Breyer K, Baran S, Lange A, Maher SP, Nosten F, Bodenreider C, Yeung BKS, Mazier D, Galinski MR, Dereuddre-Bosquet N, Le Grand R, Kocken CHM, Rénia L, Kyle DE, Diagana TT, Snounou G, Russell B, Bifani P. Robust continuous in vitro culture of the Plasmodium cynomolgi erythrocytic stages. Nat Commun 2019; 10:3635. [PMID: 31406175 PMCID: PMC6690977 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-11332-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2018] [Accepted: 06/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The ability to culture pathogenic organisms substantially enhances the quest for fundamental knowledge and the development of vaccines and drugs. Thus, the elaboration of a protocol for the in vitro cultivation of the erythrocytic stages of Plasmodium falciparum revolutionized research on this important parasite. However, for P. vivax, the most widely distributed and difficult to treat malaria parasite, a strict preference for reticulocytes thwarts efforts to maintain it in vitro. Cultivation of P. cynomolgi, a macaque-infecting species phylogenetically close to P. vivax, was briefly reported in the early 1980s, but not pursued further. Here, we define the conditions under which P. cynomolgi can be adapted to long term in vitro culture to yield parasites that share many of the morphological and phenotypic features of P. vivax. We further validate the potential of this culture system for high-throughput screening to prime and accelerate anti-P. vivax drug discovery efforts. Present understanding of Plasmodium vivax biology is hampered by its inability to grow in vitro. Here, the authors developed an in vitro culture of its simian counterpart, P. cynomolgi, which shares morphological and phenotypic similarities with P. vivax, initiating a new phase in vivax research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adeline C Y Chua
- Singapore Immunology Network, A*STAR, Singapore, 138648, Singapore.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, Dunedin, 9054, New Zealand.,Novartis Institute for Tropical Diseases, Singapore, 138670, Singapore
| | - Jessica Jie Ying Ong
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, Dunedin, 9054, New Zealand.,Novartis Institute for Tropical Diseases, Singapore, 138670, Singapore
| | - Benoit Malleret
- Singapore Immunology Network, A*STAR, Singapore, 138648, Singapore.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 119077, Singapore
| | - Rossarin Suwanarusk
- Singapore Immunology Network, A*STAR, Singapore, 138648, Singapore.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, Dunedin, 9054, New Zealand
| | - Varakorn Kosaisavee
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 119077, Singapore.,Department of Parasitology and Entomology, Faculty of Public Health, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
| | - Anne-Marie Zeeman
- Department of Parasitology, Biomedical Primate Research Centre, Rijswijk, 2288, The Netherlands
| | - Caitlin A Cooper
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, 30602, USA
| | - Kevin S W Tan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 119077, Singapore
| | - Rou Zhang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 119077, Singapore
| | - Bee Huat Tan
- Novartis Institute for Tropical Diseases, Singapore, 138670, Singapore
| | | | - Andy Yip
- Novartis Institute for Tropical Diseases, Singapore, 138670, Singapore
| | - Anne Elliot
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, 30602, USA
| | - Chester J Joyner
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, 30322, USA.,Emory Vaccine Center, Emory University, Atlanta, 30317, USA
| | - Jee Sun Cho
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 119077, Singapore
| | - Kate Breyer
- Laboratory Animal Services, Scientific Operations, Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, East Hanover, 07936-1080, USA
| | - Szczepan Baran
- Laboratory Animal Services, Scientific Operations, Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, East Hanover, 07936-1080, USA
| | - Amber Lange
- Laboratory Animal Services, Scientific Operations, Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, East Hanover, 07936-1080, USA
| | - Steven P Maher
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, 30602, USA
| | - François Nosten
- Shoklo Malaria Research Unit, Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Mae Sot, 63110, Thailand.,Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine Research Building, University of Oxford Old Road Campus, Oxford, OX3 7FZ, UK
| | | | - Bryan K S Yeung
- Novartis Institute for Tropical Diseases, Singapore, 138670, Singapore
| | - Dominique Mazier
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, CR7, Centre d'Immunologie et des Maladies Infectieuses (CIMI-Paris), Paris, F-75013, France.,CIMI-Paris, INSERM, U1135, CNRS, Paris, F-75013, France
| | - Mary R Galinski
- Emory Vaccine Center, Emory University, Atlanta, 30317, USA.,Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, 30322, USA
| | - Nathalie Dereuddre-Bosquet
- CEA-Université Paris Sud 11-INSERM U1184, Immunology of Viral Infections and Autoimmune Diseases (IMVA), IDMIT Department, IBJF, DRF, Fontenay-aux-Roses, 92265, France
| | - Roger Le Grand
- CEA-Université Paris Sud 11-INSERM U1184, Immunology of Viral Infections and Autoimmune Diseases (IMVA), IDMIT Department, IBJF, DRF, Fontenay-aux-Roses, 92265, France
| | - Clemens H M Kocken
- Department of Parasitology, Biomedical Primate Research Centre, Rijswijk, 2288, The Netherlands
| | - Laurent Rénia
- Singapore Immunology Network, A*STAR, Singapore, 138648, Singapore.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 119077, Singapore
| | - Dennis E Kyle
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, 30602, USA
| | - Thierry T Diagana
- Novartis Institute for Tropical Diseases, Singapore, 138670, Singapore
| | - Georges Snounou
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, CR7, Centre d'Immunologie et des Maladies Infectieuses (CIMI-Paris), Paris, F-75013, France.,CIMI-Paris, INSERM, U1135, CNRS, Paris, F-75013, France.,CEA-Université Paris Sud 11-INSERM U1184, Immunology of Viral Infections and Autoimmune Diseases (IMVA), IDMIT Department, IBJF, DRF, Fontenay-aux-Roses, 92265, France
| | - Bruce Russell
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, Dunedin, 9054, New Zealand.
| | - Pablo Bifani
- Singapore Immunology Network, A*STAR, Singapore, 138648, Singapore. .,Novartis Institute for Tropical Diseases, Singapore, 138670, Singapore. .,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 119077, Singapore. .,Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, WC1E 7HT, UK.
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27
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Yadav DK, Kumar S, Teli MK, Yadav R, Chaudhary S. Molecular Targets for Malarial Chemotherapy: A Review. Curr Top Med Chem 2019; 19:861-873. [DOI: 10.2174/1568026619666190603080000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2019] [Revised: 02/08/2019] [Accepted: 02/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The malaria parasite resistance to the existing drugs is a serious problem to the currently used
antimalarials and, thus, highlights the urgent need to develop new and effective anti-malarial molecules.
This could be achieved either by the identification of the new drugs for the validated targets or by further
refining/improving the existing antimalarials; or by combining previously effective agents with
new/existing drugs to have a synergistic effect that counters parasite resistance; or by identifying novel
targets for the malarial chemotherapy. In this review article, a comprehensive collection of some of the
novel molecular targets has been enlisted for the antimalarial drugs. The targets which could be deliberated
for developing new anti-malarial drugs could be: membrane biosynthesis, mitochondrial system,
apicoplasts, parasite transporters, shikimate pathway, hematin crystals, parasite proteases, glycolysis,
isoprenoid synthesis, cell cycle control/cycline dependent kinase, redox system, nucleic acid metabolism,
methionine cycle and the polyamines, folate metabolism, the helicases, erythrocyte G-protein, and
farnesyl transferases. Modern genomic tools approaches such as structural biology and combinatorial
chemistry, novel targets could be identified followed by drug development for drug resistant strains providing
wide ranges of novel targets in the development of new therapy. The new approaches and targets
mentioned in the manuscript provide a basis for the development of new unique strategies for antimalarial
therapy with limited off-target effects in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dharmendra K. Yadav
- College of Pharmacy, Gachon University of Medicine and Science, Hambakmoeiro, 191, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon 406-799, South Korea
| | - Surendra Kumar
- College of Pharmacy, Gachon University of Medicine and Science, Hambakmoeiro, 191, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon 406-799, South Korea
| | - Mahesh K. Teli
- College of Pharmacy, Gachon University of Medicine and Science, Hambakmoeiro, 191, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon 406-799, South Korea
| | - Ravikant Yadav
- Laboratory of Organic and Medicinal Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Malaviya National Institute of Technology, Jawaharlal Nehru Marg, Jaipur-302017, India
| | - Sandeep Chaudhary
- Laboratory of Organic and Medicinal Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Malaviya National Institute of Technology, Jawaharlal Nehru Marg, Jaipur-302017, India
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28
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Yahiya S, Rueda-Zubiaurre A, Delves MJ, Fuchter MJ, Baum J. The antimalarial screening landscape-looking beyond the asexual blood stage. Curr Opin Chem Biol 2019; 50:1-9. [PMID: 30875617 PMCID: PMC6591700 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2019.01.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2018] [Revised: 01/28/2019] [Accepted: 01/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
In recent years, the research agenda to tackle global morbidity and mortality from malaria disease has shifted towards innovation, in the hope that efforts at the frontiers of scientific research may re-invigorate gains made towards eradication. Discovery of new antimalarial drugs with novel chemotypes or modes of action lie at the heart of these efforts. There is a particular interest in drug candidates that target stages of the malaria parasite lifecycle beyond the symptomatic asexual blood stages. This is especially important given the spectre of emerging drug resistance to all current frontline antimalarials. One approach gaining increased interest is the potential of designing novel drugs that target parasite passage from infected individual to feeding mosquito and back again. Action of such therapeutics is geared much more at the population level rather than just concerned with the infected individual. The search for novel drugs active against these stages has been helped by improvements to in vitro culture of transmission and pre-erythrocytic parasite lifecycle stages, robotic automation and high content imaging, methodologies that permit the high-throughput screening (HTS) of compound libraries for drug discovery. Here, we review recent advances in the antimalarial screening landscape, focussed on transmission blocking as a key aim for drug-treatment campaigns of the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Yahiya
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Sir Alexander Fleming Building, Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Ainoa Rueda-Zubiaurre
- Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, White City Campus, Wood Lane, London W12 OBZ, UK
| | - Michael J Delves
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Matthew J Fuchter
- Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, White City Campus, Wood Lane, London W12 OBZ, UK
| | - Jake Baum
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Sir Alexander Fleming Building, Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London SW7 2AZ, UK.
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29
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Douglas RG, Reinig M, Neale M, Frischknecht F. Screening for potential prophylactics targeting sporozoite motility through the skin. Malar J 2018; 17:319. [PMID: 30170589 PMCID: PMC6119338 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-018-2469-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2018] [Accepted: 08/27/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anti-malarial compounds have not yet been identified that target the first obligatory step of infection in humans: the migration of Plasmodium sporozoites in the host dermis. This movement is essential to find and invade a blood vessel in order to be passively transported to the liver. Here, an imaging screening pipeline was established to screen for compounds capable of inhibiting extracellular sporozoites. METHODS Sporozoites expressing the green fluorescent protein were isolated from infected Anopheles mosquitoes, incubated with compounds from two libraries (MMV Malaria Box and a FDA-approved library) and imaged. Effects on in vitro motility or morphology were scored. In vivo efficacy of a candidate drug was investigated by treating mice ears with a gel prior to infectious mosquito bites. Motility was analysed by in vivo imaging and the progress of infection was monitored by daily blood smears. RESULTS Several compounds had a pronounced effect on in vitro sporozoite gliding or morphology. Notably, monensin sodium potently affected sporozoite movement while gramicidin S resulted in rounding up of sporozoites. However, pre-treatment of mice with a topical gel containing gramicidin did not reduce sporozoite motility and infection. CONCLUSIONS This approach shows that it is possible to screen libraries for inhibitors of sporozoite motility and highlighted the paucity of compounds in currently available libraries that inhibit this initial step of a malaria infection. Screening of diverse libraries is suggested to identify more compounds that could serve as leads in developing 'skin-based' malaria prophylactics. Further, strategies need to be developed that will allow compounds to effectively penetrate the dermis and thereby prevent exit of sporozoites from the skin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ross G Douglas
- Integrative Parasitology, Center for Infectious Diseases, Heidelberg University Medical School, Im Neuenheimer Feld 324, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Miriam Reinig
- Integrative Parasitology, Center for Infectious Diseases, Heidelberg University Medical School, Im Neuenheimer Feld 324, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Matthew Neale
- Integrative Parasitology, Center for Infectious Diseases, Heidelberg University Medical School, Im Neuenheimer Feld 324, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Friedrich Frischknecht
- Integrative Parasitology, Center for Infectious Diseases, Heidelberg University Medical School, Im Neuenheimer Feld 324, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.
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Macedo TS, Villarreal W, Couto CC, Moreira DRM, Navarro M, Machado M, Prudêncio M, Batista AA, Soares MBP. Platinum(ii)-chloroquine complexes are antimalarial agents against blood and liver stages by impairing mitochondrial function. Metallomics 2018; 9:1548-1561. [PMID: 28960224 DOI: 10.1039/c7mt00196g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Chloroquine is an antimalarial agent with strong activity against the blood stage of Plasmodium infection, but with low activity against the parasite's liver stage. In addition, the resistance to chloroquine limits its clinical use. The discovery of new molecules possessing multistage activity and overcoming drug resistance is needed. One possible strategy to achieve this lies in combining antimalarial quinolones with the pharmacological effects of transition metals. We investigated the antimalarial activity of four platinum(ii) complexes composed of chloroquine and phosphine ligands, denoted as WV-90, WV-92, WV-93 and WV-94. In comparison with chloroquine, the complexes were less potent against the chloroquine-sensitive 3D7 strain but they were as active as chloroquine in inhibiting the chloroquine-resistant W2 strain of P. falciparum. Regarding selectivity, the complexes WV-90 and WV-93 displayed higher indexes. Unlike chloroquine, the complexes act as irreversible parasiticidal agents against trophozoites and the WV-93 complex displayed activity against the hepatic stage of P. berghei. The in vivo suppression activity against P. berghei in the Peters 4 day test displayed by the complexes was similar to that of chloroquine. However, the efficacy in an established P. berghei infection in the Thompson test was superior for the WV-93 complex compared to chloroquine. The complexes' antimalarial mechanism of action is initiated by inhibiting the hemozoin formation. While chloroquine efficiently inhibits hemozoin, parasites treated with the platinum complexes display residual hemozoin crystals. This is explained since the interaction of the platinum complexes with ferriprotoporphyrin is weaker than that of chloroquine. However, the complexes caused a loss of mitochondrial integrity and subsequent reduction in mitochondrial activity, and their effects on mitochondria were more pronounced than those in the chloroquine-treated parasites. The dual effect of the platinum complexes may explain their activity against the hemozoin-lacking parasites (hepatic stage), where chloroquine has no activity. Our findings indicate that the platinum(ii)-chloroquine complexes are multifunctional antimalarial compounds and reinforce the importance of metal complexes in antimalarial drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taís S Macedo
- FIOCRUZ, Instituto Gonçalo Moniz, CEP 40296-710, Salvador, BA, Brazil.
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31
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Duffy S, Avery VM. Routine In Vitro Culture of Plasmodium falciparum: Experimental Consequences? Trends Parasitol 2018; 34:564-575. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2018.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2018] [Revised: 04/20/2018] [Accepted: 04/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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De Rycker M, Baragaña B, Duce SL, Gilbert IH. Challenges and recent progress in drug discovery for tropical diseases. Nature 2018; 559:498-506. [PMID: 30046073 PMCID: PMC6129172 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-018-0327-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 130] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2018] [Accepted: 05/02/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Infectious tropical diseases have a huge effect in terms of mortality and morbidity, and impose a heavy economic burden on affected countries. These diseases predominantly affect the world's poorest people. Currently available drugs are inadequate for the majority of these diseases, and there is an urgent need for new treatments. This Review discusses some of the challenges involved in developing new drugs to treat these diseases and highlights recent progress. While there have been notable successes, there is still a long way to go.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manu De Rycker
- Drug Discovery Unit, Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Beatriz Baragaña
- Drug Discovery Unit, Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Suzanne L Duce
- Medicines Monitoring Unit (MEMO), Division of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Ian H Gilbert
- Drug Discovery Unit, Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK.
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33
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Abstract
The last two decades have seen a surge in antimalarial drug development with product development partnerships taking a leading role. Resistance of Plasmodium falciparum to the artemisinin derivatives, piperaquine and mefloquine in Southeast Asia means new antimalarials are needed with some urgency. There are at least 13 agents in clinical development. Most of these are blood schizonticides for the treatment of uncomplicated falciparum malaria, under evaluation either singly or as part of two-drug combinations. Leading candidates progressing through the pipeline are artefenomel-ferroquine and lumefantrine-KAF156, both in Phase 2b. Treatment of severe malaria continues to rely on two parenteral drugs with ancient forebears: artesunate and quinine, with sevuparin being evaluated as an adjuvant therapy. Tafenoquine is under review by stringent regulatory authorities for approval as a single-dose treatment for Plasmodium vivax relapse prevention. This represents an advance over standard 14-day primaquine regimens; however, the risk of acute haemolytic anaemia in patients with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency remains. For disease prevention, several of the newer agents show potential but are unlikely to be recommended for use in the main target groups of pregnant women and young children for some years. Latest predictions are that the malaria burden will continue to be high in the coming decades. This fact, coupled with the repeated loss of antimalarials to resistance, indicates that new antimalarials will be needed for years to come. Failure of the artemisinin-based combinations in Southeast Asia has stimulated a reappraisal of current approaches to combination therapy for malaria with incorporation of three or more drugs in a single treatment under consideration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth A Ashley
- Myanmar Oxford Clinical Research Unit, Yangon, Myanmar.
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
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Cortopassi WA, Celmar Costa Franca T, Krettli AU. A systems biology approach to antimalarial drug discovery. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2018; 13:617-626. [DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2018.1471056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Wilian Augusto Cortopassi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, CA, USA
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35
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Abstract
Basic science holds enormous power for revealing the biological mechanisms of disease and, in turn, paving the way toward new, effective interventions. Recognizing this power, the 2011 Research Agenda for Malaria Eradication included key priorities in fundamental research that, if attained, could help accelerate progress toward disease elimination and eradication. The Malaria Eradication Research Agenda (malERA) Consultative Panel on Basic Science and Enabling Technologies reviewed the progress, continuing challenges, and major opportunities for future research. The recommendations come from a literature of published and unpublished materials and the deliberations of the malERA Refresh Consultative Panel. These areas span multiple aspects of the Plasmodium life cycle in both the human host and the Anopheles vector and include critical, unanswered questions about parasite transmission, human infection in the liver, asexual-stage biology, and malaria persistence. We believe an integrated approach encompassing human immunology, parasitology, and entomology, and harnessing new and emerging biomedical technologies offers the best path toward addressing these questions and, ultimately, lowering the worldwide burden of malaria.
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36
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Bule MH, Ahmed I, Maqbool F, Zia MA. Quinazolinone Derivatives as a Potential Class of Compounds in Malaria Drug Discovery. INT J PHARMACOL 2017. [DOI: 10.3923/ijp.2017.818.831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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37
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Deu E. Proteases as antimalarial targets: strategies for genetic, chemical, and therapeutic validation. FEBS J 2017; 284:2604-2628. [PMID: 28599096 PMCID: PMC5575534 DOI: 10.1111/febs.14130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2017] [Revised: 04/29/2017] [Accepted: 06/06/2017] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Malaria is a devastating parasitic disease affecting half of the world's population. The rapid emergence of resistance against new antimalarial drugs, including artemisinin-based therapies, has made the development of drugs with novel mechanisms of action extremely urgent. Proteases are enzymes proven to be well suited for target-based drug development due to our knowledge of their enzymatic mechanisms and active site structures. More importantly, Plasmodium proteases have been shown to be involved in a variety of pathways that are essential for parasite survival. However, pharmacological rather than target-based approaches have dominated the field of antimalarial drug development, in part due to the challenge of robustly validating Plasmodium targets at the genetic level. Fortunately, over the last few years there has been significant progress in the development of efficient genetic methods to modify the parasite, including several conditional approaches. This progress is finally allowing us not only to validate essential genes genetically, but also to study their molecular functions. In this review, I present our current understanding of the biological role proteases play in the malaria parasite life cycle. I also discuss how the recent advances in Plasmodium genetics, the improvement of protease-oriented chemical biology approaches, and the development of malaria-focused pharmacological assays, can be combined to achieve a robust biological, chemical and therapeutic validation of Plasmodium proteases as viable drug targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edgar Deu
- Chemical Biology Approaches to Malaria LaboratoryThe Francis Crick InstituteLondonUK
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38
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LaMonte GM, Almaliti J, Bibo-Verdugo B, Keller L, Zou BY, Yang J, Antonova-Koch Y, Orjuela-Sanchez P, Boyle CA, Vigil E, Wang L, Goldgof GM, Gerwick L, O'Donoghue AJ, Winzeler EA, Gerwick WH, Ottilie S. Development of a Potent Inhibitor of the Plasmodium Proteasome with Reduced Mammalian Toxicity. J Med Chem 2017; 60:6721-6732. [PMID: 28696697 PMCID: PMC5554889 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.7b00671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
![]()
Naturally derived chemical compounds
are the foundation of much
of our pharmacopeia, especially in antiproliferative and anti-infective
drug classes. Here, we report that a naturally derived molecule called
carmaphycin B is a potent inhibitor against both the asexual and sexual
blood stages of malaria infection. Using a combination of in silico
molecular docking and in vitro directed evolution in a well-characterized
drug-sensitive yeast model, we determined that these compounds target
the β5 subunit of the proteasome. These studies were validated
using in vitro inhibition assays with proteasomes isolated from Plasmodium falciparum. As carmaphycin B is toxic to mammalian
cells, we synthesized a series of chemical analogs that reduce host
cell toxicity while maintaining blood-stage and gametocytocidal antimalarial
activity and proteasome inhibition. This study describes a promising
new class of antimalarial compound based on the carmaphycin B scaffold,
as well as several chemical structural features that serve to enhance
antimalarial specificity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory M LaMonte
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego , La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Jehad Almaliti
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego , La Jolla, California 92093, United States.,Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, The University of Jordan , Amman 11942, Jordan
| | - Betsaida Bibo-Verdugo
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, and School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego , La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Lena Keller
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego , La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Bing Yu Zou
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego , La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Jennifer Yang
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego , La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Yevgeniya Antonova-Koch
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego , La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Pamela Orjuela-Sanchez
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego , La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Colleen A Boyle
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego , La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Edgar Vigil
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego , La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Lawrence Wang
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego , La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Gregory M Goldgof
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego , La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Lena Gerwick
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, and School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego , La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Anthony J O'Donoghue
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, and School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego , La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Elizabeth A Winzeler
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego , La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - William H Gerwick
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, and School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego , La Jolla, California 92093, United States.,Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego , La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Sabine Ottilie
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego , La Jolla, California 92093, United States
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39
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The need to compare: assessing the level of agreement of three high-throughput assays against Plasmodium falciparum mature gametocytes. Sci Rep 2017; 7:45992. [PMID: 28378767 PMCID: PMC5380998 DOI: 10.1038/srep45992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2016] [Accepted: 03/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Whole-cell High-Throughput Screening (HTS) is a key tool for the discovery of much needed malaria transmission blocking drugs. Discrepancies in the reported outcomes from various HTS Plasmodium falciparum gametocytocidal assays hinder the direct comparison of data and ultimately the interpretation of the transmission blocking potential of hits. To dissect the underlying determinants of such discrepancies and assess the impact that assay-specific factors have on transmission-blocking predictivity, a 39-compound subset from the Medicines for Malaria Venture Malaria Box was tested in parallel against three distinct mature stage gametocytocidal assays, under strictly controlled parasitological, chemical, temporal and analytical conditions resembling the standard membrane feeding assay (SMFA). Apart from a few assay-specific outliers, which highlighted the value of utilizing multiple complementary approaches, good agreement was observed (average ΔpIC50 of 0.12 ± 0.01). Longer compound incubation times improved the ability of the least sensitive assay to detect actives by 2-fold. Finally, combining the number of actives identified by any single assay with those obtained at longer incubation times yielded greatly improved outcomes and agreement with SMFA. Screening compounds using extended incubation times and using multiple in vitro assay technologies are valid approaches for the efficient identification of biologically relevant malaria transmission blocking hits.
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40
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Burrows JN, Duparc S, Gutteridge WE, Hooft van Huijsduijnen R, Kaszubska W, Macintyre F, Mazzuri S, Möhrle JJ, Wells TNC. New developments in anti-malarial target candidate and product profiles. Malar J 2017; 16:26. [PMID: 28086874 PMCID: PMC5237200 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-016-1675-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 305] [Impact Index Per Article: 43.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2016] [Accepted: 12/30/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
A decade of discovery and development of new anti-malarial medicines has led to a renewed focus on malaria elimination and eradication. Changes in the way new anti-malarial drugs are discovered and developed have led to a dramatic increase in the number and diversity of new molecules presently in pre-clinical and early clinical development. The twin challenges faced can be summarized by multi-drug resistant malaria from the Greater Mekong Sub-region, and the need to provide simplified medicines. This review lists changes in anti-malarial target candidate and target product profiles over the last 4 years. As well as new medicines to treat disease and prevent transmission, there has been increased focus on the longer term goal of finding new medicines for chemoprotection, potentially with long-acting molecules, or parenteral formulations. Other gaps in the malaria armamentarium, such as drugs to treat severe malaria and endectocides (that kill mosquitoes which feed on people who have taken the drug), are defined here. Ultimately the elimination of malaria requires medicines that are safe and well-tolerated to be used in vulnerable populations: in pregnancy, especially the first trimester, and in those suffering from malnutrition or co-infection with other pathogens. These updates reflect the maturing of an understanding of the key challenges in producing the next generation of medicines to control, eliminate and ultimately eradicate malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy N Burrows
- Medicines for Malaria Venture, Route de Pré Bois 20, 1215, Geneva 15, Switzerland
| | - Stephan Duparc
- Medicines for Malaria Venture, Route de Pré Bois 20, 1215, Geneva 15, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Wiweka Kaszubska
- Medicines for Malaria Venture, Route de Pré Bois 20, 1215, Geneva 15, Switzerland
| | - Fiona Macintyre
- Medicines for Malaria Venture, Route de Pré Bois 20, 1215, Geneva 15, Switzerland
| | | | - Jörg J Möhrle
- Medicines for Malaria Venture, Route de Pré Bois 20, 1215, Geneva 15, Switzerland
| | - Timothy N C Wells
- Medicines for Malaria Venture, Route de Pré Bois 20, 1215, Geneva 15, Switzerland.
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