1
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Forte B, Ottilie S, Plater A, Campo B, Dechering KJ, Gamo FJ, Goldberg DE, Istvan ES, Lee M, Lukens AK, McNamara CW, Niles JC, Okombo J, Pasaje CFA, Siegel MG, Wirth D, Wyllie S, Fidock DA, Baragaña B, Winzeler EA, Gilbert IH. Prioritization of Molecular Targets for Antimalarial Drug Discovery. ACS Infect Dis 2021; 7:2764-2776. [PMID: 34523908 PMCID: PMC8608365 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.1c00322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
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There is a shift
in antimalarial drug discovery from phenotypic
screening toward target-based approaches, as more potential drug targets
are being validated in Plasmodium species. Given
the high attrition rate and high cost of drug discovery, it is important
to select the targets most likely to deliver progressible drug candidates.
In this paper, we describe the criteria that we consider important
for selecting targets for antimalarial drug discovery. We describe
the analysis of a number of drug targets in the Malaria Drug Accelerator
(MalDA) pipeline, which has allowed us to prioritize targets that
are ready to enter the drug discovery process. This selection process
has also highlighted where additional data are required to inform
target progression or deprioritization of other targets. Finally,
we comment on how additional drug targets may be identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Forte
- Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, University of Dundee, Dundee, DD1 5EH, United Kingdom
| | - Sabine Ottilie
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Andrew Plater
- Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, University of Dundee, Dundee, DD1 5EH, United Kingdom
| | - Brice Campo
- Medicines for Malaria Venture, 1215 Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Daniel E. Goldberg
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine and Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, United States
| | - Eva S. Istvan
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine and Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, United States
| | - Marcus Lee
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, CB10 1SA, United Kingdom
| | - Amanda K. Lukens
- Infectious Disease and Microbiome Program, Broad Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Case W. McNamara
- Calibr, a Division of The Scripps Research Institute, 11119 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Jacquin C. Niles
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge Massachusetts 02139-4307, United States
| | - John Okombo
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, United States
| | - Charisse Flerida A. Pasaje
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge Massachusetts 02139-4307, United States
| | | | - Dyann Wirth
- Infectious Disease and Microbiome Program, Broad Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Susan Wyllie
- Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, University of Dundee, Dundee, DD1 5EH, United Kingdom
| | - 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
| | - Beatriz Baragaña
- Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, University of Dundee, Dundee, DD1 5EH, United Kingdom
| | - Elizabeth A. Winzeler
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Ian H. Gilbert
- Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, University of Dundee, Dundee, DD1 5EH, United Kingdom
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2
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Dean S. Basic Biology of Trypanosoma brucei with Reference to the Development of Chemotherapies. Curr Pharm Des 2021; 27:1650-1670. [PMID: 33463458 DOI: 10.2174/1381612827666210119105008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2020] [Revised: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Trypanosoma brucei are protozoan parasites that cause the lethal human disease African sleeping sickness and the economically devastating disease of cattle, Nagana. African sleeping sickness, also known as Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT), threatens 65 million people and animal trypanosomiasis makes large areas of farmland unusable. There is no vaccine and licensed therapies against the most severe, late-stage disease are toxic, impractical and ineffective. Trypanosomes are transmitted by tsetse flies, and HAT is therefore predominantly confined to the tsetse fly belt in sub-Saharan Africa. They are exclusively extracellular and they differentiate between at least seven developmental forms that are highly adapted to host and vector niches. In the mammalian (human) host they inhabit the blood, cerebrospinal fluid (late-stage disease), skin, and adipose fat. In the tsetse fly vector they travel from the tsetse midgut to the salivary glands via the ectoperitrophic space and proventriculus. Trypanosomes are evolutionarily divergent compared with most branches of eukaryotic life. Perhaps most famous for their extraordinary mechanisms of monoallelic gene expression and antigenic variation, they have also been investigated because much of their biology is either highly unconventional or extreme. Moreover, in addition to their importance as pathogens, many researchers have been attracted to the field because trypanosomes have some of the most advanced molecular genetic tools and database resources of any model system. The following will cover just some aspects of trypanosome biology and how its divergent biochemistry has been leveraged to develop drugs to treat African sleeping sickness. This is by no means intended to be a comprehensive survey of trypanosome features. Rather, I hope to present trypanosomes as one of the most fascinating and tractable systems to do discovery biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Dean
- Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, United Kingdom
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3
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Arendse LB, Wyllie S, Chibale K, Gilbert IH. Plasmodium Kinases as Potential Drug Targets for Malaria: Challenges and Opportunities. ACS Infect Dis 2021; 7:518-534. [PMID: 33590753 PMCID: PMC7961706 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.0c00724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Protein and phosphoinositide kinases have been successfully exploited as drug targets in various disease areas, principally in oncology. In malaria, several protein kinases are under investigation as potential drug targets, and an inhibitor of Plasmodium phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase type III beta (PI4KIIIβ) is currently in phase 2 clinical studies. In this Perspective, we review the potential of kinases as drug targets for the treatment of malaria. Kinases are known to be readily druggable, and many are essential for parasite survival. A key challenge in the design of Plasmodium kinase inhibitors is obtaining selectivity over the corresponding human orthologue(s) and other human kinases due to the highly conserved nature of the shared ATP binding site. Notwithstanding this, there are some notable differences between the Plasmodium and human kinome that may be exploitable. There is also the potential for designed polypharmacology, where several Plasmodium kinases are inhibited by the same drug. Prior to starting the drug discovery process, it is important to carefully assess potential kinase targets to ensure that the inhibition of the desired kinase will kill the parasites in the required life-cycle stages with a sufficiently fast rate of kill. Here, we highlight key target attributes and experimental approaches to consider and summarize the progress that has been made targeting Plasmodium PI4KIIIβ, cGMP-dependent protein kinase, and cyclin-dependent-like kinase 3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren B. Arendse
- Drug
Discovery and Development Centre (H3D), 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, Cape Town, Western Cape 7701, South Africa
| | - Susan Wyllie
- Wellcome
Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, Division of Biological Chemistry
and Drug Discovery, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, United Kingdom
| | - Kelly Chibale
- Drug
Discovery and Development Centre (H3D), 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, Cape Town, Western Cape 7701, South Africa
| | - Ian H. Gilbert
- Wellcome
Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, Division of Biological Chemistry
and Drug Discovery, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, United Kingdom
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4
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Assolini JP, da Silva TP, da Silva Bortoleti BT, Gonçalves MD, Tomiotto-Pellissier F, Sahd CS, Carloto ACM, Feuser PE, Cordeiro AP, Sayer C, Hermes de Araújo PH, Costa IN, Conchon-Costa I, Miranda-Sapla MM, Pavanelli WR. 4-nitrochalcone exerts leishmanicidal effect on L. amazonensis promastigotes and intracellular amastigotes, and the 4-nitrochalcone encapsulation in beeswax copaiba oil nanoparticles reduces macrophages cytotoxicity. Eur J Pharmacol 2020; 884:173392. [PMID: 32735985 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2020.173392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2020] [Revised: 07/01/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The Leishmaniasis treatment currently available involves some difficulties, such as high toxicity, variable efficacy, high cost, therefore, it is crucial to search for new therapeutic alternatives. Over the past few years, research on new drugs has focused on the use of natural compounds such as chalcones and nanotechnology. In this context, this research aimed at assessing the in vitro leishmanicidal activity of free 4-nitrochalcone (4NC) on promastigotes and encapsulated 4NC on L. amazonensis-infected macrophages, as well as their action mechanisms. Free 4NC was able to reduce the viability of promastigotes, induce reactive oxygen species production, decrease mitochondrial membrane potential, increase plasma membrane permeability, and expose phosphatidylserine, in addition to altering the morphology and lowering parasite cellular volume. Treatment containing encapsulated 4NC in beeswax-copaiba oil nanoparticles (4NC-beeswax-CO Nps) did not alter the viability of macrophages. Furthermore, 4NC-beeswax-CO Nps reduced the percentage of infected macrophages and the number of amastigotes per macrophages, increasing the production of reactive oxygen species, NO, TNF-α, and IL-10. Therefore, free 4NC proved to exert anti-promastigote effect, while 4NC-beeswax-CO Nps showed a leishmanicidal effect on L. amazonensis-infected macrophages by activating the macrophage microbicidal machinery.
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Affiliation(s)
- João Paulo Assolini
- Department of Pathological Sciences, Center of Biological Sciences, State University of Londrina, PR, Brazil.
| | - Thais Peron da Silva
- Department of Pathological Sciences, Center of Biological Sciences, State University of Londrina, PR, Brazil
| | - Bruna Taciane da Silva Bortoleti
- Department of Pathological Sciences, Center of Biological Sciences, State University of Londrina, PR, Brazil; Biosciences and Biotechnology Postgraduate Program, Carlos Chagas Institute (ICC), Fiocruz, Curitiba, Brazil
| | | | - Fernanda Tomiotto-Pellissier
- Department of Pathological Sciences, Center of Biological Sciences, State University of Londrina, PR, Brazil; Biosciences and Biotechnology Postgraduate Program, Carlos Chagas Institute (ICC), Fiocruz, Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Claudia Stoeglehner Sahd
- Department of Pathological Sciences, Center of Biological Sciences, State University of Londrina, PR, Brazil
| | | | - Paulo Emilio Feuser
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Food Engineering, Federal University of Santa Catarina, SC, Brazil
| | - Arthur Poester Cordeiro
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Food Engineering, Federal University of Santa Catarina, SC, Brazil
| | - Claudia Sayer
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Food Engineering, Federal University of Santa Catarina, SC, Brazil
| | | | - Idessania Nazareth Costa
- Department of Pathological Sciences, Center of Biological Sciences, State University of Londrina, PR, Brazil
| | - Ivete Conchon-Costa
- Department of Pathological Sciences, Center of Biological Sciences, State University of Londrina, PR, Brazil
| | | | - Wander Rogério Pavanelli
- Department of Pathological Sciences, Center of Biological Sciences, State University of Londrina, PR, Brazil; Biosciences and Biotechnology Postgraduate Program, Carlos Chagas Institute (ICC), Fiocruz, Curitiba, Brazil.
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5
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Del Campo C, Leeder WM, Reißig P, Göringer HU. Analyzing editosome function in high-throughput. Nucleic Acids Res 2020; 48:e99. [PMID: 32756897 PMCID: PMC7515698 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkaa658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2020] [Revised: 07/08/2020] [Accepted: 07/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Mitochondrial gene expression in African trypanosomes and other trypanosomatid pathogens requires a U-nucleotide specific insertion/deletion-type RNA-editing reaction. The process is catalyzed by a macromolecular protein complex known as the editosome. Editosomes are restricted to the trypanosomatid clade and since editing is essential for the parasites, the protein complex represents a near perfect target for drug intervention strategies. Here, we report the development of an improved in vitro assay to monitor editosome function. The test system utilizes fluorophore-labeled substrate RNAs to analyze the processing reaction by automated, high-throughput capillary electrophoresis (CE) in combination with a laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) readout. We optimized the assay for high-throughput screening (HTS)-experiments and devised a multiplex fluorophore-labeling regime to scrutinize the U-insertion/U-deletion reaction simultaneously. The assay is robust, it requires only nanogram amounts of materials and it meets all performance criteria for HTS-methods. As such the test system should be helpful in the search for trypanosome-specific pharmaceuticals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristian Del Campo
- Molecular Genetics, Technical University Darmstadt, Schnittspahnstr. 10, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Wolf-Matthias Leeder
- Molecular Genetics, Technical University Darmstadt, Schnittspahnstr. 10, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Paul Reißig
- Molecular Genetics, Technical University Darmstadt, Schnittspahnstr. 10, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - H Ulrich Göringer
- Molecular Genetics, Technical University Darmstadt, Schnittspahnstr. 10, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany
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6
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Abstract
AbstractDuring three decades, only about 20 new drugs have been developed for malaria, tuberculosis and all neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). This critical situation was reached because NTDs represent only 10% of health research investments; however, they comprise about 90% of the global disease burden. Computational simulations applied in virtual screening (VS) strategies are very efficient tools to identify pharmacologically active compounds or new indications for drugs already administered for other diseases. One of the advantages of this approach is the low time-consuming and low-budget first stage, which filters for testing experimentally a group of candidate compounds with high chances of binding to the target and present trypanocidal activity. In this work, we review the most common VS strategies that have been used for the identification of new drugs with special emphasis on those applied to trypanosomiasis and leishmaniasis. Computational simulations based on the selected protein targets or their ligands are explained, including the method selection criteria, examples of successful VS campaigns applied to NTDs, a list of validated molecular targets for drug development and repositioned drugs for trypanosomatid-caused diseases. Thereby, here we present the state-of-the-art of VS and drug repurposing to conclude pointing out the future perspectives in the field.
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7
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González-Chávez Z, Vázquez C, Moreno-Sánchez R, Saavedra E. Metabolic Control Analysis for Drug Target Prioritization in Trypanosomatids. Methods Mol Biol 2020; 2116:689-718. [PMID: 32221950 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-0294-2_41] [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] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
To validate therapeutic targets in metabolic pathways of trypanosomatids, the criterion of enzyme essentiality determined by gene knockout or knockdown is usually being applied. Since, it is often found that most of the enzymes/proteins analyzed are essential, additional criteria have to be implemented for drug target prioritization. Metabolic control analysis (MCA), often in conjunction with kinetic pathway modeling, offers such possibility for prioritization. MCA is a theoretical and experimental approach to analyze how metabolic pathways are controlled. It involves strategies to perform quantitative analyses to determine the degree in which an enzyme controls a pathway flux, a value called flux control coefficient ([Formula: see text]). By determining the [Formula: see text] of individual steps in a metabolic pathway, the distribution of control of the pathway is established, that is, the identification of the main flux-controlling steps. Therefore, MCA can help in ranking pathway enzymes as drug targets from a metabolic perspective. In this chapter, three approaches to determine [Formula: see text] are reviewed: (1) In vitro pathway reconstitution, (2) manipulation of enzyme activities within parasites, and (3) in silico kinetic modeling of the metabolic pathway. To perform these methods, accurate experimental data of enzyme activities, metabolite concentrations and pathway fluxes are necessary. The methodology is illustrated with the example of trypanothione metabolism of Trypanosoma cruzi and protocols to determine such experimental data for this metabolic process are also described. However, the MCA strategy can be applied to any metabolic pathway in the parasite and general directions to perform it are provided in this chapter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zabdi González-Chávez
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto Nacional de Cardiología Ignacio Chávez, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Citlali Vázquez
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto Nacional de Cardiología Ignacio Chávez, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Rafael Moreno-Sánchez
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto Nacional de Cardiología Ignacio Chávez, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Emma Saavedra
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto Nacional de Cardiología Ignacio Chávez, Ciudad de México, Mexico.
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8
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Saavedra E, González-Chávez Z, Moreno-Sánchez R, Michels PA. Drug Target Selection for Trypanosoma cruzi Metabolism by Metabolic Control Analysis and Kinetic Modeling. Curr Med Chem 2019; 26:6652-6671. [DOI: 10.2174/0929867325666180917104242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2018] [Revised: 08/17/2018] [Accepted: 08/17/2018] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
In the search for therapeutic targets in the intermediary metabolism of trypanosomatids
the gene essentiality criterion as determined by using knock-out and knock-down genetic
strategies is commonly applied. As most of the evaluated enzymes/transporters have
turned out to be essential for parasite survival, additional criteria and approaches are clearly
required for suitable drug target prioritization. The fundamentals of Metabolic Control
Analysis (MCA; an approach in the study of control and regulation of metabolism) and kinetic
modeling of metabolic pathways (a bottom-up systems biology approach) allow quantification
of the degree of control that each enzyme exerts on the pathway flux (flux control coefficient)
and metabolic intermediate concentrations (concentration control coefficient). MCA
studies have demonstrated that metabolic pathways usually have two or three enzymes with
the highest control of flux; their inhibition has more negative effects on the pathway function
than inhibition of enzymes exerting low flux control. Therefore, the enzymes with the highest
pathway control are the most convenient targets for therapeutic intervention. In this review,
the fundamentals of MCA as well as experimental strategies to determine the flux control coefficients
and metabolic modeling are analyzed. MCA and kinetic modeling have been applied
to trypanothione metabolism in Trypanosoma cruzi and the model predictions subsequently
validated in vivo. The results showed that three out of ten enzyme reactions analyzed
in the T. cruzi anti-oxidant metabolism were the most controlling enzymes. Hence, MCA and
metabolic modeling allow a further step in target prioritization for drug development against
trypanosomatids and other parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Saavedra
- Departamento de Bioquimica, Instituto Nacional de Cardiologia Ignacio Chavez. Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Zabdi González-Chávez
- Departamento de Bioquimica, Instituto Nacional de Cardiologia Ignacio Chavez. Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Rafael Moreno-Sánchez
- Departamento de Bioquimica, Instituto Nacional de Cardiologia Ignacio Chavez. Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Paul A.M. Michels
- Centre for Immunity, Infection and Evolution (CIIE) and Centre for Translational and Chemical Biology (CTCB), School of Biological Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland
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9
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Bachovchin KA, Sharma A, Bag S, Klug DM, Schneider KM, Singh B, Jalani HB, Buskes MJ, Mehta N, Tanghe S, Momper JD, Sciotti RJ, Rodriguez A, Mensa-Wilmot K, Pollastri MP, Ferrins L. Improvement of Aqueous Solubility of Lapatinib-Derived Analogues: Identification of a Quinolinimine Lead for Human African Trypanosomiasis Drug Development. J Med Chem 2019; 62:665-687. [PMID: 30565932 PMCID: PMC6556231 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.8b01365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Lapatinib, an approved epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor, was explored as a starting point for the synthesis of new hits against Trypanosoma brucei, the causative agent of human African trypanosomiasis (HAT). Previous work culminated in 1 (NEU-1953), which was part of a series typically associated with poor aqueous solubility. In this report, we present various medicinal chemistry strategies that were used to increase the aqueous solubility and improve the physicochemical profile without sacrificing antitrypanosomal potency. To rank trypanocidal hits, a new assay (summarized in a cytocidal effective concentration (CEC50)) was established, as part of the lead selection process. Increasing the sp3 carbon content of 1 resulted in 10e (0.19 μM EC50 against T. brucei and 990 μM aqueous solubility). Further chemical exploration of 10e yielded 22a, a trypanocidal quinolinimine (EC50: 0.013 μM; aqueous solubility: 880 μM; and CEC50: 0.18 μM). Compound 22a reduced parasitemia 109 fold in trypanosome-infected mice; it is an advanced lead for HAT drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly A. Bachovchin
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Amrita Sharma
- Department of Cellular Biology, Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602
| | - Seema Bag
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Dana M. Klug
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115
| | | | - Baljinder Singh
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Hitesh B. Jalani
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Melissa J. Buskes
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Naimee Mehta
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Scott Tanghe
- New York University School of Medicine, Department of Microbiology, 430 E. 29 St. New York, NY 10016
- Anti-Infectives Screening Core, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016
| | - Jeremiah D. Momper
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093
| | - Richard J. Sciotti
- Experimental Therapeutics, Walter Reed Army Institute for Research, 2460 Linden Lane, Silver Spring, MD, 20910
| | - Ana Rodriguez
- New York University School of Medicine, Department of Microbiology, 430 E. 29 St. New York, NY 10016
- Anti-Infectives Screening Core, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016
| | - Kojo Mensa-Wilmot
- Department of Cellular Biology, Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602
| | - Michael P. Pollastri
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Lori Ferrins
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115
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10
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Baker CH, Welburn SC. The Long Wait for a New Drug for Human African Trypanosomiasis. Trends Parasitol 2018; 34:818-827. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2018.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2018] [Revised: 08/07/2018] [Accepted: 08/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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11
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Dehydroabietic acid isolated from Pinus elliottii exerts in vitro antileishmanial action by pro-oxidant effect, inducing ROS production in promastigote and downregulating Nrf2/ferritin expression in amastigote forms of Leishmania amazonensis. Fitoterapia 2018; 128:224-232. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fitote.2018.05.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2018] [Revised: 05/21/2018] [Accepted: 05/22/2018] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
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12
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Berninger M, Schmidt I, Ponte-Sucre A, Holzgrabe U. Novel lead compounds in pre-clinical development against African sleeping sickness. MEDCHEMCOMM 2017; 8:1872-1890. [PMID: 30108710 PMCID: PMC6072528 DOI: 10.1039/c7md00280g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2017] [Accepted: 07/29/2017] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Human African trypanosomiasis (HAT), also known as African sleeping sickness, is caused by parasitic protozoa of the genus Trypanosoma. As the disease progresses, the parasites cross the blood brain barrier and are lethal for the patients if the disease is left untreated. Current therapies suffer from several drawbacks due to e.g. toxicity of the respective compounds or resistance to approved antitrypanosomal drugs. In this review, the different strategies of drug development against HAT are considered, namely the target-based approach, the phenotypic high throughput screening and the drug repurposing strategy. The most promising compounds emerging from these approaches entering an in vivo evaluation are mentioned herein. Of note, it may turn out to be difficult to confirm in vitro activity in an animal model of infection; however, possible reasons for the missing efficacy in unsuccessful in vivo studies are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Berninger
- Institute of Pharmacy and Food Chemistry , University of Würzburg , Am Hubland , 97074 Würzburg , Germany .
| | - Ines Schmidt
- Institute of Pharmacy and Food Chemistry , University of Würzburg , Am Hubland , 97074 Würzburg , Germany .
| | - Alicia Ponte-Sucre
- Laboratory of Molecular Physiology , Institute of Experimental Medicine , Luis Razetti School of Medicine , Faculty of Medicine , Universidad Central de Venezuela Caracas , Venezuela . Tel: +0931 31 85461
| | - Ulrike Holzgrabe
- Institute of Pharmacy and Food Chemistry , University of Würzburg , Am Hubland , 97074 Würzburg , Germany .
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13
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Field MC, Horn D, Fairlamb AH, Ferguson MAJ, Gray DW, Read KD, De Rycker M, Torrie LS, Wyatt PG, Wyllie S, Gilbert IH. Anti-trypanosomatid drug discovery: an ongoing challenge and a continuing need. Nat Rev Microbiol 2017; 15:217-231. [PMID: 28239154 PMCID: PMC5582623 DOI: 10.1038/nrmicro.2016.193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 265] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The WHO recognizes human African trypanosomiasis, Chagas disease and the leishmaniases as neglected tropical diseases. These diseases are caused by parasitic trypanosomatids and range in severity from mild and self-curing to near invariably fatal. Public health advances have substantially decreased the effect of these diseases in recent decades but alone will not eliminate them. In this Review, we discuss why new drugs against trypanosomatids are required, approaches that are under investigation to develop new drugs and why the drug discovery pipeline remains essentially unfilled. In addition, we consider the important challenges to drug discovery strategies and the new technologies that can address them. The combination of new drugs, new technologies and public health initiatives is essential for the management, and hopefully eventual elimination, of trypanosomatid diseases from the human population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark C Field
- Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
| | - David Horn
- Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Alan H Fairlamb
- Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Michael A J Ferguson
- Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
| | - David W Gray
- Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Kevin D Read
- Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Manu De Rycker
- Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Leah S Torrie
- Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Paul G Wyatt
- Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Susan Wyllie
- Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Ian H Gilbert
- Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
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14
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Masand VH, El-Sayed NNE, Mahajan DT, Rastija V. QSAR analysis for 6-arylpyrazine-2-carboxamides as Trypanosoma brucei inhibitors. SAR AND QSAR IN ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2017; 28:165-177. [PMID: 28235390 DOI: 10.1080/1062936x.2017.1292407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2016] [Accepted: 02/04/2017] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) is prevalent in African countries, covering 37 countries, mostly sub-Saharan. A limited number of drugs are available to cure this neglected disease. In the present work, quantitative structure-activity (toxicity) relationships (QSA(T)R) analysis has been performed for a dataset of 54 6-arylpyrazine-2-carboxamides as Trypanosoma brucei inhibitors to identify the important structural features required for future optimization of lead candidates. The QSA(T)R models satisfy OECD guidelines and have high statistical robustness. The QSA(T)R models are based on easily interpretable molecular descriptors. The QSA(T)R models indicate that Trypanosoma brucei inhibitory activity of 6-arylpyrazine-2-carboxamides has correlation with the presence of N-sec-butylformamide and substituted benzene. The results could be beneficial for further optimization of 6-arylpyrazine-2-carboxamides as Trypanosoma brucei inhibitors. Some potential candidate molecules have been proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- V H Masand
- a Department of Chemistry , Vidya Bharati College , Camp, Amravati , Maharashtra , India
| | - N N E El-Sayed
- b Department of Chemistry , College of Science, "Girls Section", King Saud University , Riyadh Saudi Arabia
- c National Organization for Drug Control and Research , Giza , Egypt
| | - D T Mahajan
- a Department of Chemistry , Vidya Bharati College , Camp, Amravati , Maharashtra , India
| | - V Rastija
- d Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Agriculture , Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of P. Svacica 1d , Osijek , Croatia
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15
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Novel Effects of Lapatinib Revealed in the African Trypanosome by Using Hypothesis-Generating Proteomics and Chemical Biology Strategies. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2017; 61:AAC.01865-16. [PMID: 27872081 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01865-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2016] [Accepted: 11/18/2016] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Human African trypanosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma brucei Lapatinib, a human epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitor, can cure 25% of trypanosome-infected mice, although the parasite lacks EGFR-like tyrosine kinases. Four trypanosome protein kinases associate with lapatinib, suggesting that the drug may be a multitargeted inhibitor of phosphoprotein signaling in the bloodstream trypanosome. Phosphoprotein signaling pathways in T. brucei have diverged significantly from those in humans. As a first step in the evaluation of the polypharmacology of lapatinib in T. brucei, we performed a proteome-wide phosphopeptide analysis before and after drug addition to cells. Lapatinib caused dephosphorylation of Ser/Thr sites on proteins predicted to be involved in scaffolding, gene expression, and intracellular vesicle trafficking. To explore the perturbation of phosphotyrosine (pTyr)-dependent signaling by lapatinib, proteins in lapatinib-susceptible pTyr complexes were identified by affinity chromatography; they included BILBO-1, MORN, and paraflagellar rod (PFR) proteins PFR1 and PFR2. These data led us to hypothesize that lapatinib disrupts PFR functions and/or endocytosis in the trypanosome. In direct chemical biology tests of these speculations, lapatinib-treated trypanosomes (i) lost segments of the PFR inside the flagellum, (ii) were inhibited in the endocytosis of transferrin, and (iii) changed morphology from long and slender to rounded. Thus, our hypothesis-generating phosphoproteomics strategy predicted novel physiological pathways perturbed by lapatinib, which were verified experimentally. General implications of this workflow for identifying signaling pathways perturbed by drug hits discovered in phenotypic screens are discussed.
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16
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Masand VH, Mahajan DT, Maldhure AK, Rastija V. Quantitative structure–activity relationships (QSARs) and pharmacophore modeling for human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) activity of pyridyl benzamides and 3-(oxazolo[4,5-b]pyridin-2-yl)anilides. Med Chem Res 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/s00044-016-1664-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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17
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Njogu PM, Guantai EM, Pavadai E, Chibale K. Computer-Aided Drug Discovery Approaches against the Tropical Infectious Diseases Malaria, Tuberculosis, Trypanosomiasis, and Leishmaniasis. ACS Infect Dis 2016; 2:8-31. [PMID: 27622945 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.5b00093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Despite the tremendous improvement in overall global health heralded by the adoption of the Millennium Declaration in the year 2000, tropical infections remain a major health problem in the developing world. Recent estimates indicate that the major tropical infectious diseases, namely, malaria, tuberculosis, trypanosomiasis, and leishmaniasis, account for more than 2.2 million deaths and a loss of approximately 85 million disability-adjusted life years annually. The crucial role of chemotherapy in curtailing the deleterious health and economic impacts of these infections has invigorated the search for new drugs against tropical infectious diseases. The research efforts have involved increased application of computational technologies in mainstream drug discovery programs at the hit identification, hit-to-lead, and lead optimization stages. This review highlights various computer-aided drug discovery approaches that have been utilized in efforts to identify novel antimalarial, antitubercular, antitrypanosomal, and antileishmanial agents. The focus is largely on developments over the past 5 years (2010-2014).
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter M. Njogu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and ‡Division of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, University of Nairobi, P.O. Box 19676-00202, Nairobi, Kenya
- Department of Chemistry, ⊗Institute of Infectious
Disease and Molecular Medicine, and ΘSouth African Medical Research Council Drug
Discovery and Development Research Unit, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa
| | - Eric M. Guantai
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and ‡Division of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, University of Nairobi, P.O. Box 19676-00202, Nairobi, Kenya
- Department of Chemistry, ⊗Institute of Infectious
Disease and Molecular Medicine, and ΘSouth African Medical Research Council Drug
Discovery and Development Research Unit, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa
| | - Elumalai Pavadai
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and ‡Division of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, University of Nairobi, P.O. Box 19676-00202, Nairobi, Kenya
- Department of Chemistry, ⊗Institute of Infectious
Disease and Molecular Medicine, and ΘSouth African Medical Research Council Drug
Discovery and Development Research Unit, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa
| | - Kelly Chibale
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and ‡Division of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, University of Nairobi, P.O. Box 19676-00202, Nairobi, Kenya
- Department of Chemistry, ⊗Institute of Infectious
Disease and Molecular Medicine, and ΘSouth African Medical Research Council Drug
Discovery and Development Research Unit, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa
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18
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Cleghorn LAT, Albrecht S, Stojanovski L, Simeons FRJ, Norval S, Kime R, Collie IT, De Rycker M, Campbell L, Hallyburton I, Frearson JA, Wyatt PG, Read KD, Gilbert IH. Discovery of Indoline-2-carboxamide Derivatives as a New Class of Brain-Penetrant Inhibitors of Trypanosoma brucei. J Med Chem 2015; 58:7695-706. [PMID: 26418485 PMCID: PMC4601051 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.5b00596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
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There is an urgent need for new,
brain penetrant small molecules
that target the central nervous system second stage of human African
trypanosomiasis (HAT). We report that a series of novel indoline-2-carboxamides
have been identified as inhibitors of Trypanosoma brucei from screening of a focused protease library against Trypanosoma brucei brucei in culture. We describe
the optimization and characterization of this series. Potent antiproliferative
activity was observed. The series demonstrated excellent pharmacokinetic
properties, full cures in a stage 1 mouse model of HAT, and a partial
cure in a stage 2 mouse model of HAT. Lack of tolerability prevented
delivery of a fully curative regimen in the stage 2 mouse model and
thus further progress of this series.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura A T Cleghorn
- Drug Discovery Unit, Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, College of Life Sciences, University of Dundee , Sir James Black Centre, Dundee, DD1 5EH, U.K
| | - Sébastien Albrecht
- Drug Discovery Unit, Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, College of Life Sciences, University of Dundee , Sir James Black Centre, Dundee, DD1 5EH, U.K
| | - Laste Stojanovski
- Drug Discovery Unit, Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, College of Life Sciences, University of Dundee , Sir James Black Centre, Dundee, DD1 5EH, U.K
| | - Frederick R J Simeons
- Drug Discovery Unit, Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, College of Life Sciences, University of Dundee , Sir James Black Centre, Dundee, DD1 5EH, U.K
| | - Suzanne Norval
- Drug Discovery Unit, Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, College of Life Sciences, University of Dundee , Sir James Black Centre, Dundee, DD1 5EH, U.K
| | - Robert Kime
- Drug Discovery Unit, Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, College of Life Sciences, University of Dundee , Sir James Black Centre, Dundee, DD1 5EH, U.K
| | - Iain T Collie
- Drug Discovery Unit, Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, College of Life Sciences, University of Dundee , Sir James Black Centre, Dundee, DD1 5EH, U.K
| | - Manu De Rycker
- Drug Discovery Unit, Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, College of Life Sciences, University of Dundee , Sir James Black Centre, Dundee, DD1 5EH, U.K
| | - Lorna Campbell
- Drug Discovery Unit, Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, College of Life Sciences, University of Dundee , Sir James Black Centre, Dundee, DD1 5EH, U.K
| | - Irene Hallyburton
- Drug Discovery Unit, Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, College of Life Sciences, University of Dundee , Sir James Black Centre, Dundee, DD1 5EH, U.K
| | - Julie A Frearson
- Drug Discovery Unit, Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, College of Life Sciences, University of Dundee , Sir James Black Centre, Dundee, DD1 5EH, U.K
| | - Paul G Wyatt
- Drug Discovery Unit, Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, College of Life Sciences, University of Dundee , Sir James Black Centre, Dundee, DD1 5EH, U.K
| | - Kevin D Read
- Drug Discovery Unit, Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, College of Life Sciences, University of Dundee , Sir James Black Centre, Dundee, DD1 5EH, U.K
| | - Ian H Gilbert
- Drug Discovery Unit, Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, College of Life Sciences, University of Dundee , Sir James Black Centre, Dundee, DD1 5EH, U.K
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An essential signal peptide peptidase identified in an RNAi screen of serine peptidases of Trypanosoma brucei. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0123241. [PMID: 25816352 PMCID: PMC4376731 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0123241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2015] [Accepted: 03/01/2015] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The serine peptidases of Trypanosoma brucei have been viewed as potential drug targets. In particular, the S9 prolyl oligopeptidase subfamily is thought to be a good avenue for drug discovery. This is based on the finding that some S9 peptidases are secreted and active in the mammalian bloodstream, and that they are a class of enzyme against which drugs have successfully been developed. We collated a list of all serine peptidases in T. brucei, identifying 20 serine peptidase genes, of which nine are S9 peptidases. We screened all 20 serine peptidases by RNAi to determine which, if any, are essential for bloodstream form T. brucei survival. All S9 serine peptidases were dispensable for parasite survival in vitro, even when pairs of similar genes, coding for oligopeptidase B or prolyl oligopeptidase, were targeted simultaneously. We also found no effect on parasite survival in an animal host when the S9 peptidases oligopeptidase B, prolyl oligopeptidase or dipeptidyl peptidase 8 were targeted. The only serine peptidase to emerge from the RNAi screen as essential was a putative type-I signal peptide peptidase (SPP1). This gene was essential for parasite survival both in vitro and in vivo. The growth defect conferred by RNAi depletion of SPP1 was rescued by expression of a functional peptidase from an RNAi resistant SPP1 gene. However, expression of catalytically inactive SPP1 was unable to rescue cells from the SPP1 depleted phenotype, demonstrating that SPP1 serine peptidase activity is necessary for T. brucei survival.
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20
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Denny PW, Steel PG. Yeast as a potential vehicle for neglected tropical disease drug discovery. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014; 20:56-63. [PMID: 25121554 DOI: 10.1177/1087057114546552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
High-throughput screening (HTS) efforts for neglected tropical disease (NTD) drug discovery have recently received increased attention because several initiatives have begun to attempt to reduce the deficit in new and clinically acceptable therapies for this spectrum of infectious diseases. HTS primarily uses two basic approaches, cell-based and in vitro target-directed screening. Both of these approaches have problems; for example, cell-based screening does not reveal the target or targets that are hit, whereas in vitro methodologies lack a cellular context. Furthermore, both can be technically challenging, expensive, and difficult to miniaturize for ultra-HTS [(u)HTS]. The application of yeast-based systems may overcome some of these problems and offer a cost-effective platform for target-directed screening within a eukaryotic cell context. Here, we review the advantages and limitations of the technologies that may be used in yeast cell-based, target-directed screening protocols, and we discuss how these are beginning to be used in NTD drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- P W Denny
- Biophysical Sciences Institute, Department of Chemistry and School of Biological Sciences, University Science Laboratories, Durham, UK School of Medicine, Pharmacy and Health, Durham University, Durham, UK
| | - P G Steel
- Biophysical Sciences Institute, Department of Chemistry and School of Biological Sciences, University Science Laboratories, Durham, UK
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21
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Drug target identification using a trypanosome overexpression library. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2014; 58:6260-4. [PMID: 25049244 DOI: 10.1128/aac.03338-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Elucidation of molecular targets is very important for lead optimization during the drug development process. We describe a direct method to find targets of antitrypanosomal compounds against Trypanosoma brucei using a trypanosome overexpression library. As proof of concept, we treated the library with difluoromethylornithine and DDD85646 and identified their respective targets, ornithine decarboxylase and N-myristoyltransferase. The overexpression library could be a useful tool to study the modes of action of novel antitrypanosomal drug candidates.
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Abstract
ABSTRACTThe need for new drugs to treat microbial infections is pressing. The great progress made in the middle part of the twentieth Century was followed by a period of relative inactivity as the medical needs relating to infectious disease in the wealthier nations receded. Growing realisation that anti-infectives are needed in many parts of the world, to treat neglected diseases as well as to combat the burgeoning risk of resistance to existing drugs, has galvanised a new wave of research into anti-microbial drugs. The transfer of knowledge from the Pharmaceutical industry relating to the importance of understanding how to target drugs successfully within the body, and improved understanding of how pathogens interact with their hosts, is driving a series of new paradigms in anti-infective drug design. Here we provide an overview of those processes as an introduction to a series of articles from experts in this area that emerged from a meeting entitled “Emerging Paradigms in Anti-Infective Drug Design” held in London on the 17th and 18th September 2012. The symposium was organised jointly by British Society for Parasitology (BSP) and the Biological & Medicinal Chemistry sector of the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) and held at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. The symposium set out to cover all aspects of the identification of new therapeutic modalities for the treatment of neglected and tropical diseases. We aimed to bring together leading scientists from all the disciplines working in this field and cover the pharmacology, medicinal chemistry and drug delivery of potential new medicines. Sessions were held on: “Target diseases and targets for drugs”, “Target based medicinal chemistry”, “Bioavailability and chemistry”, “Targeting intracellular microbes”, “Alternative approaches and models”, and “New anti-infectives – how do we get there?”This symposium was organised by Simon Croft (LSHTM) and Mike Barrett (University of Glasgow) for the BSP, and David Alker (David Alker Associates) and Andrew Stachulski (University of Liverpool) for the Biological & Medicinal Chemistry sector of the RSC.
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