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Lefranc M, Accoceberry I, Fitton-Ouhabi V, Biteau N, Noël T. Rapamycin and caspofungin show synergistic antifungal effects in caspofungin-susceptible and caspofungin-resistant Candida strains in vitro. J Antimicrob Chemother 2024; 79:151-156. [PMID: 37991226 DOI: 10.1093/jac/dkad359] [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: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Caspofungin is an echinocandin antifungal agent that inhibits synthesis of glucan required for the fungal cell wall. Resistance is mediated by mutation of Fks1 glucan synthase, among which S645P is the most common resistance-associated polymorphism. Rapamycin is a macrolide that inhibits the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) protein kinase activity. This study investigated the interaction between rapamycin and caspofungin in inhibiting the growth of WT Candida albicans and Fks1 S645P mutant clinical isolate, and WT Candida lusitaniae and genetically engineered isogenic strain with Fks1 S645P mutation at equivalent position. METHODS Interactions between caspofungin and rapamycin were evaluated using the microdilution chequerboard method in liquid medium. The results were analysed using the Loewe additivity model (FIC index, FICI) and the Bliss independence model (response surface, RS, analysis). RESULTS Synergy between rapamycin and caspofungin was shown for C. albicans and C. lusitaniae strains by RS analysis of the chequerboard tests. Synergy was observed in strains susceptible and resistant to caspofungin. Weak subinhibitory concentrations of rapamycin were sufficient to restore caspofungin susceptibility. CONCLUSIONS We report here, for the first time, synergy between caspofungin and rapamycin in Candida species. Synergy was shown for strains susceptible and resistant to caspofungin. This study highlights the possible implication of the TOR pathway in sensing antifungal-mediated cell wall stress and in modulating the cellular response to echinocandins in Candida yeasts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maxime Lefranc
- University Bordeaux, CNRS, Microbiologie Fondamentale et Pathogénicité, UMR 5234, 33000 Bordeaux, France
- University Bordeaux, CNRS, Microbiologie Fondamentale et Pathogénicité, UMR 5234, CHU Bordeaux, 33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - Isabelle Accoceberry
- University Bordeaux, CNRS, Microbiologie Fondamentale et Pathogénicité, UMR 5234, 33000 Bordeaux, France
- University Bordeaux, CNRS, Microbiologie Fondamentale et Pathogénicité, UMR 5234, CHU Bordeaux, 33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - Valérie Fitton-Ouhabi
- University Bordeaux, CNRS, Microbiologie Fondamentale et Pathogénicité, UMR 5234, 33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - Nicolas Biteau
- University Bordeaux, CNRS, Microbiologie Fondamentale et Pathogénicité, UMR 5234, 33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - Thierry Noël
- University Bordeaux, CNRS, Microbiologie Fondamentale et Pathogénicité, UMR 5234, 33000 Bordeaux, France
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Joshi DC, Gosse C, Huang SY, Lin JH. A Curvilinear-Path Umbrella Sampling Approach to Characterizing the Interactions Between Rapamycin and Three FKBP12 Variants. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:879000. [PMID: 35874613 PMCID: PMC9304761 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.879000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Rapamycin is an immunosuppressant macrolide that exhibits anti-proliferative properties through inhibiting the mTOR kinase. In fact, the drug first associates with the FKBP12 enzyme before interacting with the FRB domain of its target. Despite the availability of structural and thermodynamic information on the interaction of FKBP12 with rapamycin, the energetic and mechanistic understanding of this process is still incomplete. We recently reported a multiple-walker umbrella sampling simulation approach to characterizing the protein–protein interaction energetics along curvilinear paths. In the present paper, we extend our investigations to a protein-small molecule duo, the FKBP12•rapamycin complex. We estimate the binding free energies of rapamycin with wild-type FKBP12 and two mutants in which a hydrogen bond has been removed, D37V and Y82F. Furthermore, the underlying mechanistic details are analyzed. The calculated standard free energies of binding agree well with the experimental data, and the roles of the hydrogen bonds are shown to be quite different for each of these two mutated residues. On one hand, removing the carboxylate group of D37 strongly destabilizes the association; on the other hand, the hydroxyl group of Y82 is nearly unnecessary for the stability of the complex because some nonconventional, cryptic, indirect interaction mechanisms seem to be at work.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Charlie Gosse
- Institut de Biologie de l’Ecole Normale Supérieure, ENS, CNRS, INSERM, PSL Research University, Paris, France
| | - Shu-Yu Huang
- Research Center for Applied Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jung-Hsin Lin
- Research Center for Applied Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
- Biomedical Translation Research Center, National Biotechnology Research Park, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
- School of Pharmacy, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
- College of Engineering Sciences, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- *Correspondence: Jung-Hsin Lin,
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3
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Continuous flow organocatalyzed methoxycarbonylation of benzyl alcohol derivatives with dimethyl carbonate. J Flow Chem 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s41981-022-00216-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Bebbington MWP. Natural product analogues: towards a blueprint for analogue-focused synthesis. Chem Soc Rev 2017; 46:5059-5109. [DOI: 10.1039/c6cs00842a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
A review of approaches to natural product analogues leads to the suggestion of new methods for the generation of biologically active natural product-like scaffolds.
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Medina Marrero R, Marrero-Ponce Y, Barigye SJ, Echeverría Díaz Y, Acevedo-Barrios R, Casañola-Martín GM, García Bernal M, Torrens F, Pérez-Giménez F. QuBiLs-MAS method in early drug discovery and rational drug identification of antifungal agents. SAR AND QSAR IN ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2015; 26:943-58. [PMID: 26567876 DOI: 10.1080/1062936x.2015.1104517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
The QuBiLs-MAS approach is used for the in silico modelling of the antifungal activity of organic molecules. To this effect, non-stochastic (NS) and simple-stochastic (SS) atom-based quadratic indices are used to codify chemical information for a comprehensive dataset of 2478 compounds having a great structural variability, with 1087 of them being antifungal agents, covering the broadest antifungal mechanisms of action known so far. The NS and SS index-based antifungal activity classification models obtained using linear discriminant analysis (LDA) yield correct classification percentages of 90.73% and 92.47%, respectively, for the training set. Additionally, these models are able to correctly classify 92.16% and 87.56% of 706 compounds in an external test set. A comparison of the statistical parameters of the QuBiLs-MAS LDA-based models with those for models reported in the literature reveals comparable to superior performance, although the latter were built over much smaller and less diverse datasets, representing fewer mechanisms of action. It may therefore be inferred that the QuBiLs-MAS method constitutes a valuable tool useful in the design and/or selection of new and broad spectrum agents against life-threatening fungal infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Medina Marrero
- a Computer-Aided Molecular 'Biosilico' Discovery and Bioinformatic Research International Network (CAMD-BIR-IN) , Cartagena de Indias , Bolivar , Colombia
- b Department of Microbiology , Chemical Bioactive Center, Central University of Las Villas , Villa Clara , Cuba
| | - Y Marrero-Ponce
- a Computer-Aided Molecular 'Biosilico' Discovery and Bioinformatic Research International Network (CAMD-BIR-IN) , Cartagena de Indias , Bolivar , Colombia
- c Grupo de Investigación en Estudios Químicos y Biológicos, Facultad de Ciencias Básicas , Universidad Tecnológica de Bolívar , Cartagena de Indias , Bolívar , Colombia
- d Unidad de Investigación de Diseño de Fármacos y Conectividad Molecular, Departamento de Química Física, Facultad de Farmacia , Universitat de València , Valencia , Spain
- h Grupo de Investigación Microbiología y Ambiente (GIMA) . Programa de Bacteriología, Facultad Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de San Buenaventura , Calle Real de Ternera, 130010, Cartagena (Bolivar) , Colombia
| | - S J Barigye
- a Computer-Aided Molecular 'Biosilico' Discovery and Bioinformatic Research International Network (CAMD-BIR-IN) , Cartagena de Indias , Bolivar , Colombia
- e Departamento de Química , Universidade Federal de Lavras , Lavras , MG , Brazil
| | - Y Echeverría Díaz
- a Computer-Aided Molecular 'Biosilico' Discovery and Bioinformatic Research International Network (CAMD-BIR-IN) , Cartagena de Indias , Bolivar , Colombia
| | - R Acevedo-Barrios
- c Grupo de Investigación en Estudios Químicos y Biológicos, Facultad de Ciencias Básicas , Universidad Tecnológica de Bolívar , Cartagena de Indias , Bolívar , Colombia
| | - G M Casañola-Martín
- a Computer-Aided Molecular 'Biosilico' Discovery and Bioinformatic Research International Network (CAMD-BIR-IN) , Cartagena de Indias , Bolivar , Colombia
- d Unidad de Investigación de Diseño de Fármacos y Conectividad Molecular, Departamento de Química Física, Facultad de Farmacia , Universitat de València , Valencia , Spain
- f Facultad de Ingeniería Ambiental , Universidad Estatal Amazónica , Puyo , Ecuador
| | - M García Bernal
- b Department of Microbiology , Chemical Bioactive Center, Central University of Las Villas , Villa Clara , Cuba
| | - F Torrens
- g Institut Universitari de Ciència Molecular, Universitat de València , Valencia , Spain
| | - F Pérez-Giménez
- d Unidad de Investigación de Diseño de Fármacos y Conectividad Molecular, Departamento de Química Física, Facultad de Farmacia , Universitat de València , Valencia , Spain
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Rational design of a ligand-controlled protein conformational switch. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2013; 110:6800-4. [PMID: 23569285 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1218319110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Design of a regulatable multistate protein is a challenge for protein engineering. Here we design a protein with a unique topology, called uniRapR, whose conformation is controlled by the binding of a small molecule. We confirm switching and control ability of uniRapR in silico, in vitro, and in vivo. As a proof of concept, uniRapR is used as an artificial regulatory domain to control activity of kinases. By activating Src kinase using uniRapR in single cells and whole organism, we observe two unique phenotypes consistent with its role in metastasis. Activation of Src kinase leads to rapid induction of protrusion with polarized spreading in HeLa cells, and morphological changes with loss of cell-cell contacts in the epidermal tissue of zebrafish. The rational creation of uniRapR exemplifies the strength of computational protein design, and offers a powerful means for targeted activation of many pathways to study signaling in living organisms.
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Graziani EI. Recent advances in the chemistry, biosynthesis and pharmacology of rapamycin analogs. Nat Prod Rep 2009; 26:602-9. [DOI: 10.1039/b804602f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
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Combination antifungal therapy involving amphotericin B, rapamycin and 5-fluorocytosine using PEG-phospholipid micelles. Pharm Res 2008; 25:2056-64. [PMID: 18415047 DOI: 10.1007/s11095-008-9588-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2007] [Accepted: 04/02/2008] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Rapamycin and 5-fluorocytosine (5-FC) are antifungal agents with unique mechanisms of activity, with potential for cooperative interaction with AmB. Combination antifungal therapy involving conventional AmB has been restricted by poor physical stability and compatibility with antifungal drugs and vehicles. METHODS AmB and rapamycin were encapsulated in 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine-N-methoxy poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG-DSPE) micelles using a solvent evaporation method. The physical stability of micelle encapsulated AmB and rapamycin with 5-FC and saline was evaluated using dynamic light scattering (DLS). In vitro susceptibility of Candida albicans isolates to 5-FC and PEG-DSPE micelle solubilized AmB and rapamycin has been evaluated. Interactive effects have been quantified using a checkerboard layout. RESULTS In contrast with conventional AmB, PEG-DSPE micelles encapsulating AmB and rapamycin are compatible with saline and 5-FC over 12 h. The solubilized drugs retain high level of potency in vitro. The combination of solubilized AmB and rapamycin was indifferent, as fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) index and combination index (CI) values were approximately 1. Combinations of solubilized AmB or rapamycin with 5-FC, and the three-drug combination were moderately synergistic since the FIC index and CI values were consistent less than 1. CONCLUSIONS These results indicate that AmB solubilized in PEG-DSPE micelles is compatible with solubilized rapamycin and 5-FC. The indifferent or moderately synergistic activity of combinations is encouraging and warrants further investigation in appropriate rodent models.
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Steinbach WJ, Schell WA, Blankenship JR, Onyewu C, Heitman J, Perfect JR. In vitro interactions between antifungals and immunosuppressants against Aspergillus fumigatus. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2004; 48:1664-9. [PMID: 15105118 PMCID: PMC400573 DOI: 10.1128/aac.48.5.1664-1669.2004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The optimal treatment for invasive aspergillosis remains elusive, despite the increased efficacy of newer agents. The immunosuppressants cyclosporine (CY), tacrolimus (FK506), and sirolimus (formerly called rapamycin) exhibit in vitro and in vivo activity against Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae, including fungicidal synergy with azole antifungals. We report here that both FK506 and CY exhibit a clear in vitro positive interaction with caspofungin against Aspergillus fumigatus by disk diffusion, microdilution checkerboard, and gross and microscopic morphological analyses. Microscopic morphological analyses indicate that the calcineurin inhibitors delay filamentation, and in combination with caspofungin there is a positive interaction. Our findings suggest a potential role for combination therapy with calcineurin pathway inhibitors and existing antifungal agents to augment activity against A. fumigatus.
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Affiliation(s)
- William J Steinbach
- Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina 27710, USA.
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Cruz MC, Goldstein AL, Blankenship J, Del Poeta M, Perfect JR, McCusker JH, Bennani YL, Cardenas ME, Heitman J. Rapamycin and less immunosuppressive analogs are toxic to Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans via FKBP12-dependent inhibition of TOR. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2001; 45:3162-70. [PMID: 11600372 PMCID: PMC90798 DOI: 10.1128/aac.45.11.3162-3170.2001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans cause both superficial and disseminated infections in humans. Current antifungal therapies for deep-seated infections are limited to amphotericin B, flucytosine, and azoles. A limitation is that commonly used azoles are fungistatic in vitro and in vivo. Our studies address the mechanisms of antifungal activity of the immunosuppressive drug rapamycin (sirolimus) and its analogs with decreased immunosuppressive activity. C. albicans rbp1/rbp1 mutant strains lacking a homolog of the FK506-rapamycin target protein FKBP12 were found to be viable and resistant to rapamycin and its analogs. Rapamycin and analogs promoted FKBP12 binding to the wild-type Tor1 kinase but not to a rapamycin-resistant Tor1 mutant kinase (S1972R). FKBP12 and TOR mutations conferred resistance to rapamycin and its analogs in C. albicans, C. neoformans, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Our findings demonstrate the antifungal activity of rapamycin and rapamycin analogs is mediated via conserved complexes with FKBP12 and Tor kinase homologs in divergent yeasts. Taken together with our observations that rapamycin and its analogs are fungicidal and that spontaneous drug resistance occurs at a low rate, these mechanistic findings support continued investigation of rapamycin analogs as novel antifungal agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- M C Cruz
- Department of Genetics, The Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina 27710, USA
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