1
|
Hargrove T, Lamb DC, Wawrzak Z, Hull M, Kelly SL, Guengerich FP, Lepesheva GI. Identification of Potent and Selective Inhibitors of Acanthamoeba: Structural Insights into Sterol 14α-Demethylase as a Key Drug Target. J Med Chem 2024; 67:7443-7457. [PMID: 38683753 PMCID: PMC11089504 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.4c00303] [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: 02/02/2024] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
Acanthamoeba are free-living pathogenic protozoa that cause blinding keratitis, disseminated infection, and granulomatous amebic encephalitis, which is generally fatal. The development of efficient and safe drugs is a critical unmet need. Acanthamoeba sterol 14α-demethylase (CYP51) is an essential enzyme of the sterol biosynthetic pathway. Repurposing antifungal azoles for amoebic infections has been reported, but their inhibitory effects on Acanthamoeba CYP51 enzymatic activity have not been studied. Here, we report catalytic properties, inhibition, and structural characterization of CYP51 from Acanthamoeba castellanii. The enzyme displays a 100-fold substrate preference for obtusifoliol over lanosterol, supporting the plant-like cycloartenol-based pathway in the pathogen. The strongest inhibition was observed with voriconazole (1 h IC50 0.45 μM), VT1598 (0.25 μM), and VT1161 (0.20 μM). The crystal structures of A. castellanii CYP51 with bound VT1161 (2.24 Å) and without an inhibitor (1.95 Å), presented here, can be used in the development of azole-based scaffolds to achieve optimal amoebicidal effectiveness.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tatiana
Y. Hargrove
- Department
of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University School
of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
| | - David C. Lamb
- Faculty
of Medicine, Health and Life Science, Swansea
University, Swansea SA2 8PP, U.K.
| | - Zdzislaw Wawrzak
- Synchrotron
Research Center, Life Science Collaborative Access Team, Northwestern University, Argonne, Illinois 60439, United States
| | - Marcus Hull
- Faculty
of Medicine, Health and Life Science, Swansea
University, Swansea SA2 8PP, U.K.
| | - Steven L. Kelly
- Faculty
of Medicine, Health and Life Science, Swansea
University, Swansea SA2 8PP, U.K.
| | - F. Peter Guengerich
- Department
of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University School
of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
| | - Galina I. Lepesheva
- Department
of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University School
of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
- Vanderbilt
Institute of Chemical Biology, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
- Center
for Structural Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Hargrove TY, Wawrzak Z, Rachakonda G, Nes WD, Villalta F, Guengerich FP, Lepesheva GI. Relaxed Substrate Requirements of Sterol 14α-Demethylase from Naegleria fowleri Are Accompanied by Resistance to Inhibition. J Med Chem 2021; 64:17511-17522. [PMID: 34842434 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c01710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Naegleria fowleri is the protozoan pathogen that causes primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), with the death rate exceeding 97%. The amoeba makes sterols and can be targeted by sterol biosynthesis inhibitors. Here, we characterized N. fowleri sterol 14-demethylase, including catalytic properties and inhibition by clinical antifungal drugs and experimental substituted azoles with favorable pharmacokinetics and low toxicity. None of them inhibited the enzyme stoichiometrically. The highest potencies were displayed by posaconazole (IC50 = 0.69 μM) and two of our compounds (IC50 = 1.3 and 0.35 μM). Because both these compounds penetrate the brain with concentrations reaching minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) values in an N. fowleri cellular assay, we report them as potential drug candidates for PAM. The 2.1 Å crystal structure, in complex with the strongest inhibitor, provides an explanation connecting the enzyme weaker substrate specificity with lower sensitivity to inhibition. It also provides insight into the enzyme/ligand molecular recognition process and suggests directions for the design of more potent inhibitors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tatiana Y Hargrove
- Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
| | - Zdzislaw Wawrzak
- Synchrotron Research Center, Life Science Collaborative Access Team, Northwestern University, Argonne, Illinois 60439, United States
| | - Girish Rachakonda
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Physiology, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, Tennessee 37208, United States
| | - W David Nes
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas 79409, United States
| | - Fernando Villalta
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Physiology, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, Tennessee 37208, United States
| | - F Peter Guengerich
- Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
| | - Galina I Lepesheva
- Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States.,Center for Structural Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Kim K, Christov PP, Romaine I, Tian J, Jana S, Lamers AP, Dutter BF, Scaggs T, Jeon K, Guttentag B, Weaver CD, Lindsley CW, Waterson AG, Sulikowski GA. Ten-Year Retrospective of the Vanderbilt Institute of Chemical Biology Chemical Synthesis Core. ACS Chem Biol 2021; 16:787-793. [PMID: 33877812 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.0c00818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Chemical synthesis has been described as a central science. Its practice provides access to the chemical structures of known and/or designed function. In particular, human health is greatly impacted by synthesis that enables advancements in both basic science discoveries in chemical biology as well as translational research that can lead to new therapeutics. To support the chemical synthesis needs of investigators across campus, the Vanderbilt Institute of Chemical Biology established a chemical synthesis core as part of its foundation in 2008. Provided in this Review are examples of synthetic products, known and designed, produced in the core over the past 10 years.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kwangho Kim
- Vanderbilt Institute of Chemical Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
- Department of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37235, United States
| | - Plamen P. Christov
- Vanderbilt Institute of Chemical Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
| | - Ian Romaine
- Vanderbilt Institute of Chemical Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
| | - Jianhua Tian
- Vanderbilt Institute of Chemical Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
| | - Somnath Jana
- Vanderbilt Institute of Chemical Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
| | - Alexander P. Lamers
- Vanderbilt Institute of Chemical Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
| | - Brendan F. Dutter
- Vanderbilt Institute of Chemical Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
| | - Toya Scaggs
- Vanderbilt Institute of Chemical Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
| | - Kyouk Jeon
- Vanderbilt Institute of Chemical Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
| | - Benjamin Guttentag
- Vanderbilt Institute of Chemical Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
| | - C. David Weaver
- Vanderbilt Institute of Chemical Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
- Department of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37235, United States
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
| | - Craig W. Lindsley
- Vanderbilt Institute of Chemical Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
- Department of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37235, United States
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
- Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
- Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
| | - Alex G. Waterson
- Vanderbilt Institute of Chemical Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
- Department of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37235, United States
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
| | - Gary A. Sulikowski
- Vanderbilt Institute of Chemical Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
- Department of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37235, United States
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Maksimov AY, Balandina SY, Topanov PA, Mashevskaya IV, Chaudhary S. Organic Antifungal Drugs and Targets of Their Action. Curr Top Med Chem 2021; 21:705-736. [PMID: 33423647 DOI: 10.2174/1568026621666210108122622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2020] [Revised: 08/20/2020] [Accepted: 09/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
In recent decades, there has been a significant increase in the number of fungal diseases. This is due to a wide spectrum of action, immunosuppressants and other group drugs. In terms of frequency, rapid spread and globality, fungal infections are approaching acute respiratory infections. Antimycotics are medicinal substances endorsed with fungicidal or fungistatic properties. For the treatment of fungal diseases, several groups of compounds are used that differ in their origin (natural or synthetic), molecular targets and mechanism of action, antifungal effect (fungicidal or fungistatic), indications for use (local or systemic infections), and methods of administration (parenteral, oral, outdoor). Several efforts have been made by various medicinal chemists around the world for the development of antifungal drugs with high efficacy with the least toxicity and maximum selectivity in the area of antifungal chemotherapy. The pharmacokinetic properties of the new antimycotics are also important: the ability to penetrate biological barriers, be absorbed and distributed in tissues and organs, get accumulated in tissues affected by micromycetes, undergo drug metabolism in the intestinal microflora and human organs, and in the kinetics of excretion from the body. There are several ways to search for new effective antimycotics: - Obtaining new derivatives of the already used classes of antimycotics with improved activity properties. - Screening of new chemical classes of synthetic antimycotic compounds. - Screening of natural compounds. - Identification of new unique molecular targets in the fungal cell. - Development of new compositions and dosage forms with effective delivery vehicles. The methods of informatics, bioinformatics, genomics and proteomics were extensively investigated for the development of new antimycotics. These techniques were employed in finding and identification of new molecular proteins in a fungal cell; in the determination of the selectivity of drugprotein interactions, evaluation of drug-drug interactions and synergism of drugs; determination of the structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies; determination of the molecular design of the most active, selective and safer drugs for the humans, animals and plants. In medical applications, the methods of information analysis and pharmacogenomics allow taking into account the individual phenotype of the patient, the level of expression of the targets of antifungal drugs when choosing antifungal agents and their dosage. This review article incorporates some of the most significant studies covering the basic structures and approaches for the synthesis of antifungal drugs and the directions for their further development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Yu Maksimov
- Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Faculty of Chemistry, Perm State University, Perm 614990, Russian Federation
| | - Svetlana Yu Balandina
- Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Faculty of Chemistry, Perm State University, Perm 614990, Russian Federation
| | - Pavel A Topanov
- Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Faculty of Chemistry, Perm State University, Perm 614990, Russian Federation
| | - Irina V Mashevskaya
- Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Faculty of Chemistry, Perm State University, Perm 614990, Russian Federation
| | - Sandeep Chaudhary
- Laboratory of Organic and Medicinal Chemistry (OMC lab), Department of Chemistry, Malaviya National Institute of Technology Jaipur, Jawaharlal Nehru Marg, Jaipur 302017, India
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
The Clinically Approved Antifungal Drug Posaconazole Inhibits Human Cytomegalovirus Replication. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2020; 64:AAC.00056-20. [PMID: 32690644 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00056-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Posaconazole (PCZ) is a clinically approved drug used predominantly for prophylaxis and salvage therapy of fungal infections. Here, we report its previously undescribed anti-human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) activity. By using antiviral assays, we demonstrated that PCZ, along with other azolic antifungals, has a broad anti-HCMV activity, being active against different strains, including low-passage-number clinical isolates and strains resistant to viral DNA polymerase inhibitors. Using a pharmacological approach, we identified the inhibition of human cytochrome P450 51 (hCYP51), or lanosterol 14α demethylase, a cellular target of posaconazole in infected cells, as a mechanism of anti-HCMV activity of the drug. Indeed, hCYP51 expression was stimulated upon HCMV infection, and the inhibition of its enzymatic activity by either the lanosterol analog VFV {(R)-N-(1-(3,4'-difluoro-[1,1'-biphenyl]-4-yl)-2-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)ethyl)-4-(5-phenyl-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl)benzamide} or PCZ decreased HCMV yield and infectivity of released virus particles. Importantly, we observed that the activity of the first-line anti-HCMV drug ganciclovir was boosted tenfold by PCZ and that ganciclovir (GCV) and PCZ act synergistically in inhibiting HCMV replication. Taken together, these findings suggest that this clinically approved drug deserves further investigation in the development of host-directed antiviral strategies as a candidate anti-HCMV drug with a dual antimicrobial effect.
Collapse
|
6
|
Synthesis and Biological Activity of Sterol 14α-Demethylase and Sterol C24-Methyltransferase Inhibitors. Molecules 2018; 23:molecules23071753. [PMID: 30018257 PMCID: PMC6099924 DOI: 10.3390/molecules23071753] [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: 06/20/2018] [Revised: 07/13/2018] [Accepted: 07/15/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Sterol 14α-demethylase (SDM) is essential for sterol biosynthesis and is the primary molecular target for clinical and agricultural antifungals. SDM has been demonstrated to be a valid drug target for antiprotozoal therapies, and much research has been focused on using SDM inhibitors to treat neglected tropical diseases such as human African trypanosomiasis (HAT), Chagas disease, and leishmaniasis. Sterol C24-methyltransferase (24-SMT) introduces the C24-methyl group of ergosterol and is an enzyme found in pathogenic fungi and protozoa but is absent from animals. This difference in sterol metabolism has the potential to be exploited in the development of selective drugs that specifically target 24-SMT of invasive fungi or protozoa without adversely affecting the human or animal host. The synthesis and biological activity of SDM and 24-SMT inhibitors are reviewed herein.
Collapse
|