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Goettig P, Koch NG, Budisa N. Non-Canonical Amino Acids in Analyses of Protease Structure and Function. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14035. [PMID: 37762340 PMCID: PMC10531186 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241814035] [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] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/20/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
All known organisms encode 20 canonical amino acids by base triplets in the genetic code. The cellular translational machinery produces proteins consisting mainly of these amino acids. Several hundred natural amino acids serve important functions in metabolism, as scaffold molecules, and in signal transduction. New side chains are generated mainly by post-translational modifications, while others have altered backbones, such as the β- or γ-amino acids, or they undergo stereochemical inversion, e.g., in the case of D-amino acids. In addition, the number of non-canonical amino acids has further increased by chemical syntheses. Since many of these non-canonical amino acids confer resistance to proteolytic degradation, they are potential protease inhibitors and tools for specificity profiling studies in substrate optimization and enzyme inhibition. Other applications include in vitro and in vivo studies of enzyme kinetics, molecular interactions and bioimaging, to name a few. Amino acids with bio-orthogonal labels are particularly attractive, enabling various cross-link and click reactions for structure-functional studies. Here, we cover the latest developments in protease research with non-canonical amino acids, which opens up a great potential, e.g., for novel prodrugs activated by proteases or for other pharmaceutical compounds, some of which have already reached the clinical trial stage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Goettig
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy, Paracelsus Medical University, Strubergasse 21, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Nikolaj G. Koch
- Biocatalysis Group, Technische Universität Berlin, 10623 Berlin, Germany;
- Bioanalytics Group, Institute of Biotechnology, Technische Universität Berlin, 10623 Berlin, Germany;
| | - Nediljko Budisa
- Bioanalytics Group, Institute of Biotechnology, Technische Universität Berlin, 10623 Berlin, Germany;
- Department of Chemistry, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada
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2
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Ribeiro JFR, Cianni L, Li C, Warwick TG, de Vita D, Rosini F, Dos Reis Rocho F, Martins FCP, Kenny PW, Lameira J, Leitão A, Emsley J, Montanari CA. Crystal structure of Leishmania mexicana cysteine protease B in complex with a high-affinity azadipeptide nitrile inhibitor. Bioorg Med Chem 2020; 28:115743. [PMID: 33038787 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2020.115743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2020] [Revised: 08/20/2020] [Accepted: 08/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Leishmania mexicana is an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite that causes the cutaneous form of leishmaniasis affecting South America and Mexico. The cysteine protease LmCPB is essential for the virulence of the parasite and therefore, it is an appealing target for antiparasitic therapy. A library of nitrile-based cysteine protease inhibitors was screened against LmCPB to develop a treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis. Several compounds are sufficiently high-affinity LmCPB inhibitors to serve both as starting points for drug discovery projects and as probes for target validation. A 1.4 Å X ray crystal structure, the first to be reported for LmCPB, was determined for the complex of this enzyme covalently bound to an azadipeptide nitrile ligand. Mapping the structure-activity relationships for LmCPB inhibition revealed superadditive effects for two pairs of structural transformations. Therefore, this work advances our understanding of azadipeptidyl and dipeptidyl nitrile structure-activity relationships for LmCPB structure-based inhibitor design. We also tested the same series of inhibitors on related cysteine proteases cathepsin L and Trypanosoma cruzi cruzain. The modulation of these mammalian and protozoan proteases represents a new framework for targeting papain-like cysteine proteases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean F R Ribeiro
- Medicinal and Biological Chemistry Group, Institute of Chemistry of São Carlos, University of São Paulo, São Carlos, Brazil
| | - Lorenzo Cianni
- Medicinal and Biological Chemistry Group, Institute of Chemistry of São Carlos, University of São Paulo, São Carlos, Brazil
| | - Chan Li
- School of Pharmacy, Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Thomas G Warwick
- School of Pharmacy, Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Daniela de Vita
- Medicinal and Biological Chemistry Group, Institute of Chemistry of São Carlos, University of São Paulo, São Carlos, Brazil
| | - Fabiana Rosini
- Medicinal and Biological Chemistry Group, Institute of Chemistry of São Carlos, University of São Paulo, São Carlos, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Dos Reis Rocho
- Medicinal and Biological Chemistry Group, Institute of Chemistry of São Carlos, University of São Paulo, São Carlos, Brazil
| | - Felipe C P Martins
- Medicinal and Biological Chemistry Group, Institute of Chemistry of São Carlos, University of São Paulo, São Carlos, Brazil
| | - Peter W Kenny
- Medicinal and Biological Chemistry Group, Institute of Chemistry of São Carlos, University of São Paulo, São Carlos, Brazil
| | - Jeronimo Lameira
- Medicinal and Biological Chemistry Group, Institute of Chemistry of São Carlos, University of São Paulo, São Carlos, Brazil; Laboratory of Design and Development of Pharmaceuticals, Federal University of Pará, Belém, Brazil
| | - Andrei Leitão
- Medicinal and Biological Chemistry Group, Institute of Chemistry of São Carlos, University of São Paulo, São Carlos, Brazil
| | - Jonas Emsley
- School of Pharmacy, Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.
| | - Carlos A Montanari
- Medicinal and Biological Chemistry Group, Institute of Chemistry of São Carlos, University of São Paulo, São Carlos, Brazil.
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3
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Matos TKB, Batista PHJ, Dos Reis Rocho F, de Vita D, Pearce N, Kellam B, Montanari CA, Leitão A. Synthesis and matched molecular pair analysis of covalent reversible inhibitors of the cysteine protease CPB. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2020; 30:127439. [PMID: 32717373 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2020.127439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2020] [Revised: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Cysteine protease B (CPB) can be targeted by reversible covalent inhibitors that could serve as antileishmanial compounds. Here, sixteen dipeptidyl nitrile derivatives were synthesized, tested against CPB, and analyzed using matched molecular pairs to determine the effects of stereochemistry and p-phenyl substitution on enzyme inhibition. The compound (S)-2-(((S)-1-(4-bromophenyl)-2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)amino)-N-(1-cyanocyclopropyl)-3-phenylpropanamide (5) was the most potent CPB inhibitor (pKi = 6.82), which was also selective for human cathepsin B (pKi < 5). The inversion of the stereochemistry from S to R was more detrimental to potency when placed at the P2 position than at P3. The p-Br derivatives were more potent than the p-CH3 and p-OCH3 derivatives, probably due to intermolecular interactions with the S3 subsite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thiago Kelvin Brito Matos
- Medicinal & Biological Chemistry Group (NEQUIMED), São Carlos Institute of Chemistry-University of São Paulo (IQSC-USP), São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - Pedro Henrique Jatai Batista
- Medicinal & Biological Chemistry Group (NEQUIMED), São Carlos Institute of Chemistry-University of São Paulo (IQSC-USP), São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Dos Reis Rocho
- Medicinal & Biological Chemistry Group (NEQUIMED), São Carlos Institute of Chemistry-University of São Paulo (IQSC-USP), São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - Daniela de Vita
- Medicinal & Biological Chemistry Group (NEQUIMED), São Carlos Institute of Chemistry-University of São Paulo (IQSC-USP), São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - Nicholas Pearce
- School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Barrie Kellam
- School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Carlos Alberto Montanari
- Medicinal & Biological Chemistry Group (NEQUIMED), São Carlos Institute of Chemistry-University of São Paulo (IQSC-USP), São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - Andrei Leitão
- Medicinal & Biological Chemistry Group (NEQUIMED), São Carlos Institute of Chemistry-University of São Paulo (IQSC-USP), São Carlos, SP, Brazil.
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Cianni L, Feldmann CW, Gilberg E, Gütschow M, Juliano L, Leitão A, Bajorath J, Montanari CA. Can Cysteine Protease Cross-Class Inhibitors Achieve Selectivity? J Med Chem 2019; 62:10497-10525. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.9b00683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Cianni
- Medicinal Chemistry Group, Institute of Chemistry of São Carlos, University of São Paulo, Avenue Trabalhador Sancarlense, 400, 23566-590 São Carlos, SP, Brazil
- Pharmaceutical Institute, Pharmaceutical Chemistry I, University of Bonn, An der Immenburg 4, D-53121 Bonn, Germany
- Department of Life Science Informatics, B-IT, LIMES Program Unit Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität, Endenicher Allee 19c, D-53115 Bonn, Germany
| | - Christian Wolfgang Feldmann
- Department of Life Science Informatics, B-IT, LIMES Program Unit Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität, Endenicher Allee 19c, D-53115 Bonn, Germany
| | - Erik Gilberg
- Pharmaceutical Institute, Pharmaceutical Chemistry I, University of Bonn, An der Immenburg 4, D-53121 Bonn, Germany
- Department of Life Science Informatics, B-IT, LIMES Program Unit Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität, Endenicher Allee 19c, D-53115 Bonn, Germany
| | - Michael Gütschow
- Pharmaceutical Institute, Pharmaceutical Chemistry I, University of Bonn, An der Immenburg 4, D-53121 Bonn, Germany
| | - Luiz Juliano
- A. C. Camargo Cancer Center and São Paulo Medical School of Federal University of São Paulo, Rua Professor Antônio Prudente, 211, 01509-010 São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Andrei Leitão
- Medicinal Chemistry Group, Institute of Chemistry of São Carlos, University of São Paulo, Avenue Trabalhador Sancarlense, 400, 23566-590 São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - Jürgen Bajorath
- Department of Life Science Informatics, B-IT, LIMES Program Unit Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität, Endenicher Allee 19c, D-53115 Bonn, Germany
| | - Carlos A. Montanari
- Medicinal Chemistry Group, Institute of Chemistry of São Carlos, University of São Paulo, Avenue Trabalhador Sancarlense, 400, 23566-590 São Carlos, SP, Brazil
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5
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Fey P, Chartomatsidou R, Kiefer W, Mottram JC, Kersten C, Schirmeister T. New aziridine-based inhibitors of cathepsin L-like cysteine proteases with selectivity for the Leishmania cysteine protease LmCPB2.8. Eur J Med Chem 2018; 156:587-597. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2018.07.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2018] [Revised: 07/03/2018] [Accepted: 07/06/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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6
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Yoonuan T, Nuamtanong S, Dekumyoy P, Phuphisut O, Adisakwattana P. Molecular and immunological characterization of cathepsin L-like cysteine protease of Paragonimus pseudoheterotremus. Parasitol Res 2016; 115:4457-4470. [PMID: 27562899 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-016-5232-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2016] [Accepted: 08/12/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Cathepsin L is a cysteine protease belonging to the papain family. In parasitic trematodes, cathepsin L plays essential roles in parasite survival and host-parasite interactions. In this study, cathepsin L of the lung fluke Paragonimus pseudoheterotremus (PpsCatL) was identified and its molecular biological and immunological features characterized. A sequence analysis of PpsCatL showed that the gene encodes a 325-amino-acid protein that is most similar to P. westermani cathepsin L. The in silico three-dimensional structure suggests that PpsCatL is a pro-enzyme that becomes active when the propeptide is cleaved. A recombinant pro-PpsCatL lacking the signal peptide (rPpsCatL), with a molecular weight of 35 kDa, was expressed in E. coli and reacted with P. pseudoheterotremus-infected rat sera. The native protein was detected in crude worm antigens and excretory-secretory products and was localized in the cecum and in the lamellae along the intestinal tract of the adult parasite. Enzymatic activity of rPpsCatL showed that the protein could cleave the fluorogenic substrate Z-Phe-Arg-AMC after autocatalysis but was inhibited with E64. The immunodiagnostic potential of the recombinant protein was evaluated with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and suggested that rPpsCatL can detect paragonimiasis with high sensitivity and specificity (100 and 95.6 %, respectively). This supports the further development of an rPpsCatL-ELISA as an immunodiagnostic tool.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tippayarat Yoonuan
- Department of Helminthology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Ratchathewi, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
| | - Supaporn Nuamtanong
- Department of Helminthology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Ratchathewi, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
| | - Paron Dekumyoy
- Department of Helminthology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Ratchathewi, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
| | - Orawan Phuphisut
- Department of Helminthology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Ratchathewi, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
| | - Poom Adisakwattana
- Department of Helminthology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Ratchathewi, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand.
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Vital DG, Damasceno FS, Rapado LN, Silber AM, Vilella FS, Ferreira RS, Maltarollo VG, Trossini GHG. Application of bioisosterism in design of the semicarbazone derivatives as cruzain inhibitors: a theoretical and experimental study. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2016; 35:1244-1259. [DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2016.1176603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Drielli G. Vital
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Flávia S. Damasceno
- Laboratory of Biochemistry of Tryps - LaBTryps - Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ludmila N. Rapado
- Laboratory of Biochemistry of Tryps - LaBTryps - Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ariel M. Silber
- Laboratory of Biochemistry of Tryps - LaBTryps - Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Filipe S. Vilella
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Rafaela S. Ferreira
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
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8
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de Almeida L, Alves KF, Maciel-Rezende CM, Jesus LDOP, Pires FR, Junior CV, Izidoro MA, Júdice WADS, dos Santos MH, Marques MJ. Benzophenone derivatives as cysteine protease inhibitors and biological activity against Leishmania(L.) amazonensis amastigotes. Biomed Pharmacother 2015; 75:93-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2015.08.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2015] [Revised: 07/08/2015] [Accepted: 08/23/2015] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
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9
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Heparin modulates the endopeptidase activity of Leishmania mexicana cysteine protease cathepsin L-Like rCPB2.8. PLoS One 2013; 8:e80153. [PMID: 24278253 PMCID: PMC3836952 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0080153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2013] [Accepted: 09/28/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Cysteine protease B is considered crucial for the survival and infectivity of the Leishmania in its human host. Several microorganism pathogens bind to the heparin-like glycosaminoglycans chains of proteoglycans at host-cell surface to promote their attachment and internalization. Here, we have investigated the influence of heparin upon Leishmania mexicana cysteine protease rCPB2.8 activity. Methodology/Principal Findings The data analysis revealed that the presence of heparin affects all steps of the enzyme reaction: (i) it decreases 3.5-fold the k1 and 4.0-fold the k−1, (ii) it affects the acyl-enzyme accumulation with pronounced decrease in k2 (2.7-fold), and also decrease in k3 (3.5-fold). The large values of ΔG = 12 kJ/mol for the association and dissociation steps indicate substantial structural strains linked to the formation/dissociation of the ES complex in the presence of heparin, which underscore a conformational change that prevents the diffusion of substrate in the rCPB2.8 active site. Binding to heparin also significantly decreases the α-helix content of the rCPB2.8 and perturbs the intrinsic fluorescence emission of the enzyme. The data strongly suggest that heparin is altering the ionization of catalytic (Cys25)-S−/(His163)-Im+ H ion pair of the rCPB2.8. Moreover, the interaction of heparin with the N-terminal pro-region of rCPB2.8 significantly decreased its inhibitory activity against the mature enzyme. Conclusions/Significance Taken together, depending on their concentration, heparin-like glycosaminoglycans can either stimulate or antagonize the activity of cysteine protease B enzymes during parasite infection, suggesting that this glycoconjugate can anchor parasite cysteine protease at host cell surface.
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Blau L, Menegon RF, Trossini GH, Molino JVD, Vital DG, Cicarelli RMB, Passerini GD, Bosquesi PL, Chin CM. Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of new aryl thiosemicarbazone as antichagasic candidates. Eur J Med Chem 2013; 67:142-51. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2013.04.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2013] [Revised: 03/29/2013] [Accepted: 04/08/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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11
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Maddumage R, Nieuwenhuizen NJ, Bulley SM, Cooney JM, Green SA, Atkinson RG. Diversity and relative levels of actinidin, kiwellin, and thaumatin-like allergens in 15 varieties of kiwifruit (Actinidia). JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2013; 61:728-739. [PMID: 23289429 DOI: 10.1021/jf304289f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
In the last 30 years the incidence of kiwifruit allergy has increased with the three major allergenic proteins being identified as actinidin, kiwellin, and thaumatin-like protein (TLP). We report wide variation in the levels of actinidin and TLP in 15 kiwifruit varieties from the four most widely cultivated Actinidia species. Acidic and basic isoforms of actinidin were identified in Actinidia deliciosa 'Hayward' and Actinidia arguta 'Hortgem Tahi', while only a basic isoform of actinidin was identified in Actinidia chinensis 'Hort16A'. One isoform each of kiwellin and TLP were identified in ripe fruit. The cysteine protease activity of actinidin correlated with protein levels in all species except A. arguta. Protein modeling suggested that modifications to the S2 binding pocket influenced substrate specificity of the A. arguta enzyme. Our results indicate that care is necessary when extrapolating allergenicity results from single varieties to others within the same and between different Actinidia species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ratnasiri Maddumage
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant & Food Research Limited (PFR), Auckland, New Zealand
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12
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Leishmania (L.) amazonensis peptidase activities inside the living cells and in their lysates. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2012; 184:82-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2012.04.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2011] [Revised: 03/13/2012] [Accepted: 04/27/2012] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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13
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Nicoll-Griffith DA. Use of cysteine-reactive small molecules in drug discovery for trypanosomal disease. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2012; 7:353-66. [PMID: 22458506 DOI: 10.1517/17460441.2012.668520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The roles of cysteine protease (CP) enzymes in the biochemistry and infectivity of the three trypanosomal parasitic infections, Chagas' disease, leishmaniasis and human African trypanosomiasis, which have been elucidated over the last three decades are summarized. Inhibitors of these enzymes, which act through trapping the active site cysteine with an electrophilic warhead, hold huge potential as therapeutic agents but the promise of these has yet to be realized in clinical studies. The article addresses aspects that ought to be considered in order to develop orally active CP inhibitors that are safe and effective therapies for trypanosomiasis. AREAS COVERED This article reviews learnings from CP research in the trypanosomal field and recent advances in developing cysteine protease inhibitors (CPIs) of human cathepsin K, a related enzyme. Considerations such as intra- and extracellular localization of the CPs, off-target activities against human cathepsin enzymes, basic versus neutral and potential pro-drug inhibitors are reviewed. A description of odanacatib, a cathepsin K inhibitor currently in late stage development, is made to illustrate the attributes of a clinically viable CPI. EXPERT OPINION The emerging role of CPs in a wide array of parasitic diseases is highlighted with the vision that CP inhibitors could become the 'β-lactams' of anti-parasitic treatments in the coming decades. New CPI research will see the optimization of intra- and extracellular enzyme targeting, reduction of off-target activities and better understanding of pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic interactions which will all lead to compounds with much improved efficacy and viability as clinical therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deborah A Nicoll-Griffith
- Infectious Diseases Franchise, Discovery and Pre-clinical Sciences, Merck and Co., Office K11-2047B, 2000 Galloping Hill Road, Kenilworth, NJ 07033, USA.
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Identification of lead compounds targeting the cathepsin B-like enzyme of Eimeria tenella. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2011; 56:1190-201. [PMID: 22143531 DOI: 10.1128/aac.05528-11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Cysteine peptidases have been implicated in the development and pathogenesis of Eimeria. We have identified a single-copy cathepsin B-like cysteine peptidase gene in the genome database of Eimeria tenella (EtCatB). Molecular modeling of the predicted protein suggested that it differs significantly from host enzymes and could be a good drug target. EtCatB was expressed and secreted as a soluble, active, glycosylated mature enzyme from Pichia pastoris. Biochemical characterization of the recombinant enzyme confirmed that it is cathepsin B-like. Screening of a focused library against the enzyme identified three inhibitors (a nitrile, a thiosemicarbazone, and an oxazolone) that can be used as leads for novel drug discovery against Eimeria. The oxazolone scaffold is a novel cysteine peptidase inhibitor; it may thus find widespread use.
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15
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Sajid M, Robertson SA, Brinen LS, McKerrow JH. Cruzain : the path from target validation to the clinic. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2011; 712:100-15. [PMID: 21660661 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4419-8414-2_7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Cruzain is the major papain-like cysteine protease of Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiological agent causing Chagas' disease in humans in South America. Cruzain is indispensable for the survival and propagation of this protozoan parasite and therefore, it has attracted considerable interest as a potential drug target. This chapter charts the path from the initial identification of this proteases activity and its validation as a bone fide drug target to the arduous task of the discovery of an inhibitor targeting this protease and finally the path towards the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed Sajid
- Afd. Parasitologie, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
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16
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Trossini GHG, Malvezzi A, T.-do Amaral A, Rangel-Yagui CO, Izidoro MA, Cezari MHS, Juliano L, Chin CM, Menezes CMS, Ferreira EI. Cruzain inhibition by hydroxymethylnitrofurazone and nitrofurazone: investigation of a new target in Trypanosoma cruzi. J Enzyme Inhib Med Chem 2009; 25:62-7. [DOI: 10.3109/14756360902941058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Alberto Malvezzi
- Departamento de Química Fundamental, Instituto de Química, USP, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Antonia T.-do Amaral
- Departamento de Química Fundamental, Instituto de Química, USP, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Mario A. Izidoro
- Departamento de Biofísica, INFAR, Escola Paulista de Medicina, UNIFESP, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Maria Helena S. Cezari
- Departamento de Biofísica, INFAR, Escola Paulista de Medicina, UNIFESP, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Luiz Juliano
- Departamento de Biofísica, INFAR, Escola Paulista de Medicina, UNIFESP, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Chung Man Chin
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêutica, UNESP, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Carla M. S. Menezes
- Departamento de Farmácia, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, USP, São Paulo, Brazil
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17
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Judice WAS, Mottram JC, Coombs GH, Juliano MA, Juliano L. Specific negative charges in cysteine protease isoforms of Leishmaniamexicana are highly influential on the substrate binding and hydrolysis. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2005; 144:36-43. [PMID: 16125801 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2005.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2005] [Revised: 07/15/2005] [Accepted: 07/20/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
We focused on the importance of the electrostatic environment on the catalytic properties of the Leishmania mexicana CPB recombinant isoenzymes (rCPB2.8, rCPB3 and its mutant rH84Y), by investigating the influence of pH and NaCl on their hydrolytic activities. rCPB2.8 contains the residues Asn60, Asp61 and Asp64; rCPB3 presents the three variant residues Asp60, Asn61 and Ser64 and the mutant of the latter isoform, rH84Y, has a mutation on the outer loop residue (His84 to Tyr). Synthetic fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) peptides, which contain different positive charge distribution in their sequences were used as substrates. The results show that hydrolytic efficiency is dependent of the positive charge distribution in the substrates and that NaCl activated rCPB2.8 and rCPB3 in acidic pH but inhibited them at pH higher than 5. The rate constants of substrate diffusion (k1), substrate dissociation (k-1), acylation (k2) and deacylation (k3) and the corresponding activation energies and entropies were derived. Significant differences in the kinetic rate constants (k) and entropies were found between the CPB isoforms, and the diffusion process seems to be the limiting step. The activation energy of denaturation (Ea-Den) and entropy of denaturation (DeltaSDen) of rCPB3 were higher than those for rCPB2.8, suggesting higher salvation and protein structure for rCPB3. Thus the findings suggest that the two CPB isoenzymes with a few negative charge modifications provide the parasite with an array of hydrolytic activity and enzymatic adaptation to pH, salinity and temperature that may be needed for its interaction with the mammalian host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wagner A S Judice
- Department of Biophysics, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Rua Tres de Maio 100, 04044-20 São Paulo, Brazil
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18
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Juliano MA, Brooks DR, Selzer PM, Pandolfo HL, Judice WAS, Juliano L, Meldal M, Sanderson SJ, Mottram JC, Coombs GH. Differences in substrate specificities between cysteine protease CPB isoforms of Leishmania mexicana are mediated by a few amino acid changes. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2004; 271:3704-14. [PMID: 15355348 DOI: 10.1111/j.1432-1033.2004.04311.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The CPB genes of the protozoan parasite Leishmania mexicana encode stage-regulated cathepsin L-like cysteine proteases that are important virulence factors and are in a tandem array of 19 genes. In this study, we have compared the substrate preferences of two CPB isoforms, CPB2.8 and CPB3, and a H84Y mutant of the latter enzyme, to analyse the roles played by the few amino acid differences between the isoenzymes in determining substrate specificity. CPB3 differs from CPB2.8 at just three residues (N60D, D61N and D64S) in the mature domain. The H84Y mutation mimics an additional change present in another isoenzyme, CPB18. The active recombinant CPB isoenzymes and mutant were produced using Escherichia coli and the S1-S3 and S1'-S3' subsite specificities determined using a series of fluorogenic peptide derivatives in which substitutions were made on positions P3 to P3' by natural amino acids. Carboxydipeptidase activities of CPB3 and H84Y were also observed using the peptide Abz-FRAK(Dnp)-OH and some of its analogues. The kinetic parameters of hydrolysis by CPB3, H84Y and CPB2.8 of the synthetic substrates indicates that the specificity of S3 to S3' subsites is influenced greatly by the modifications at amino acids 60, 61, 64 and 84. Particularly noteworthy was the large preference for Pro in the P2' position for the hydrolytic activity of CPB3, which may be relevant to a role in the activation mechanism of the L. mexicana CPBs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria A Juliano
- Department of Biophysics, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Brazil
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Judice WAS, Puzer L, Cotrin SS, Carmona AK, Coombs GH, Juliano L, Juliano MA. Carboxydipeptidase activities of recombinant cysteine peptidases. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2004; 271:1046-53. [PMID: 15009216 DOI: 10.1111/j.1432-1033.2004.04008.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
The recombinant cysteine peptidases, cruzain from Trypanosoma cruzi and CPB2.8DeltaCTE from Leishmania mexicana, are cathepsin L-like and characteristically endopeptidases. In this study, we characterized the carboxydipeptidase activities of these enzymes and compared them with those of human recombinant cathepsin B and cathepsin L. The analysis used the internally quenched fluorescent peptide Abz-FRFK*-OH and some of its analogues, where Abz is ortho-aminobenzoic acid and K* is (2,4-dinitrophenyl)-epsilon-NH2-lysine. These peptides were demonstrated to be very sensitive substrates, due to the strong quenching effect of K* on the fluorescence of the Abz group. The carboxydipeptidase activity of cruzain was shown to be very similar to that of cathepsin B, while that of CPB2.8DeltaCTE is closer to the carboxydipeptidase activity of cathepsin L. The S2 subsite architecture of cruzain and the nature of the amino acid at the P2 position of the substrates determine its carboxydipeptidase activity and gives further and direct support to the notion that the carboxydipeptidase activity of the papain family cysteine peptidases rely on the S2-P2 interaction [Nägler D. K., Tam, W., Storer, A.C., Krupa, J.C., Mort, J.S. & Menard, R. (1999) Biochemistry38, 4868-4874]. Cruzain and CPB2.8DeltaCTE presented a broad pH-range for both the endo- and exo-peptidase activities, although the later is approximately one order of magnitude lower. This feature, that is not common in related mammalian cysteine peptidases, is consistent with the enzymes being exposed to different environmental conditions and having different locations during parasite development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wagner A S Judice
- Department of Biophysics, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, 04044-20 São Paulo, Brazil
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20
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Lecaille F, Kaleta J, Brömme D. Human and parasitic papain-like cysteine proteases: their role in physiology and pathology and recent developments in inhibitor design. Chem Rev 2002; 102:4459-88. [PMID: 12475197 DOI: 10.1021/cr0101656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 393] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Fabien Lecaille
- Mount Sinai School of Medicine, Department of Human Genetics, Fifth Avenue at 100th Street, New York, New York 10029, USA
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21
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Cezari MHS, Puzer L, Juliano MA, Carmona AK, Juliano L. Cathepsin B carboxydipeptidase specificity analysis using internally quenched fluorescent peptides. Biochem J 2002; 368:365-9. [PMID: 12201820 PMCID: PMC1222986 DOI: 10.1042/bj20020840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2002] [Revised: 08/12/2002] [Accepted: 08/29/2002] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
We have examined in detail the specificity of the subsites S1, S2, S1' and S2' for the carboxydipeptidase activity of cathepsin B by synthesizing and assaying four series of internally quenched fluorescent peptides based on the sequence Dnp-GFRFW-OH, where Dnp (2,4-dinitrophenyl) is the quenching group of the fluorescence of the tryptophan residue. Each position, except the glycine, was substituted with 15 different naturally occurring amino acids. Based on the results we obtained, we also synthesized efficient and sensitive substrates that contained o -aminobenzoic acid and 3-Dnp-(2,3-diaminopropionic acid), or epsilon-amino-Dnp-Lys, as the fluorescence donor-receptor pair. The higher kinetic parameter values for the carboxydipeptidase compared with the endopeptidase activity of cathepsin B allowed an accurate analysis of its specificity. The subsite S1 accepted preferentially basic amino acids for hydrolysis; however, substrates with phenylalanine and aliphatic side-chain-containing amino acids at P1 had lower K m values. Despite the presence of Glu245 at S2, this subsite presented clear preference for aromatic amino acid residues, and the substrate with a lysine residue at P2 was hydrolysed better than that containing an arginine residue. S1' is essentially a hydrophobic subsite, and S2' has particular preference for phenylalanine or tryptophan residues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Helena S Cezari
- Department of Biophysics, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Rua Três de Maio, 100, São Paulo 04044-020, Brazil
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Hernandez AA, Roush WR. Recent advances in the synthesis, design and selection of cysteine protease inhibitors. Curr Opin Chem Biol 2002; 6:459-65. [PMID: 12133721 DOI: 10.1016/s1367-5931(02)00345-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Inhibition of cysteine proteases is emerging as an important strategy for the treatment of a variety of human diseases. Intense efforts involving structure-based inhibitor design have been directed toward several cysteine proteases, including cathepsin K, calpain, human rhinovirus 3C protease and several parasitic cysteine protease targets. Other successful recent efforts have involved combinatorial synthesis and screening for identification of new inhibitor templates.
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