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Springer AL, Agrawal S, Chang EP. Malate dehydrogenase in parasitic protozoans: roles in metabolism and potential therapeutic applications. Essays Biochem 2024:EBC20230075. [PMID: 38938216 DOI: 10.1042/ebc20230075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2024] [Revised: 05/31/2024] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024]
Abstract
The role of malate dehydrogenase (MDH) in the metabolism of various medically significant protozoan parasites is reviewed. MDH is an NADH-dependent oxidoreductase that catalyzes interconversion between oxaloacetate and malate, provides metabolic intermediates for both catabolic and anabolic pathways, and can contribute to NAD+/NADH balance in multiple cellular compartments. MDH is present in nearly all organisms; isoforms of MDH from apicomplexans (Plasmodium falciparum, Toxoplasma gondii, Cryptosporidium spp.), trypanosomatids (Trypanosoma brucei, T. cruzi) and anaerobic protozoans (Trichomonas vaginalis, Giardia duodenalis) are presented here. Many parasitic species have complex life cycles and depend on the environment of their hosts for carbon sources and other nutrients. Metabolic plasticity is crucial to parasite transition between host environments; thus, the regulation of metabolic processes is an important area to explore for therapeutic intervention. Common themes in protozoan parasite metabolism include emphasis on glycolytic catabolism, substrate-level phosphorylation, non-traditional uses of common pathways like tricarboxylic acid cycle and adapted or reduced mitochondria-like organelles. We describe the roles of MDH isoforms in these pathways, discuss unusual structural or functional features of these isoforms relevant to activity or drug targeting, and review current studies exploring the therapeutic potential of MDH and related genes. These studies show that MDH activity has important roles in many metabolic pathways, and thus in the metabolic transitions of protozoan parasites needed for success as pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy L Springer
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, U.S.A
| | - Swati Agrawal
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Mary Washington, Fredericksburg, VA, U.S.A
| | - Eric P Chang
- Department of Chemistry and Physical Sciences, Pace University, New York, NY, U.S.A
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Kim YJ, Shin JS, Lee KW, Eom HJ, Jo BG, Lee JW, Kim JH, Kim SY, Kang JH, Choi JW. Expression, Purification, and Characterization of Plasmodium vivax Lactate Dehydrogenase from Bacteria without Codon Optimization. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:11083. [PMID: 37446261 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241311083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium vivax is the most widespread cause of malaria, especially in subtropical and temperate regions such as Asia-Pacific and America. P. vivax lactate dehydrogenase (PvLDH), an essential enzyme in the glycolytic pathway, is required for the development and reproduction of the parasite. Thus, LDH from these parasites has garnered attention as a diagnostic biomarker for malaria and as a potential molecular target for developing antimalarial drugs. In this study, we prepared a transformed Escherichia coli strain for the overexpression of PvLDH without codon optimization. We introduced this recombinant plasmid DNA prepared by insertion of the PvLDH gene in the pET-21a(+) expression vector, into the Rosetta(DE3), an E. coli strain suitable for eukaryotic protein expression. The time, temperature, and inducer concentration for PvLDH expression from this E. coli Rosetta(DE3), containing the original PvLDH gene, were optimized. We obtained PvLDH with a 31.0 mg/L yield and high purity (>95%) from this Rosetta(DE3) strain. The purified protein was characterized structurally and functionally. The PvLDH expressed and purified from transformed bacteria without codon optimization was successfully demonstrated to exhibit its potential tetramer structure and enzyme activity. These findings are expected to provide valuable insights for research on infectious diseases, metabolism, diagnostics, and therapeutics for malaria caused by P. vivax.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeon-Jun Kim
- Department of Biomedical Science, Cheongju University, Cheongju 28160, Republic of Korea
| | - Jun-Seop Shin
- Department of Biomedical Science, Cheongju University, Cheongju 28160, Republic of Korea
| | - Kang Woo Lee
- Department of Biomedical Science, Cheongju University, Cheongju 28160, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyo-Ji Eom
- Department of Biomedical Science, Cheongju University, Cheongju 28160, Republic of Korea
| | - Byung Gwan Jo
- Department of Biomedical Science, Cheongju University, Cheongju 28160, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin Woo Lee
- College of Pharmacy, Duksung Women's University, Seoul 01369, Republic of Korea
| | - Jun Hyoung Kim
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Chungbuk National University Hospital, Cheongju 28644, Republic of Korea
| | - So Yeon Kim
- Department of Dental Hygiene, Cheongju University, Cheongju 28503, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung Hoon Kang
- Department of Biomedical Science, Cheongju University, Cheongju 28160, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biopharmaceutical Sciences, Cheongju University, Cheongju 28160, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae-Won Choi
- Department of Biomedical Science, Cheongju University, Cheongju 28160, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biopharmaceutical Sciences, Cheongju University, Cheongju 28160, Republic of Korea
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Heikal MF, Putra WE, Sustiprijatno, Rifa’i M, Hidayatullah A, Ningsih FN, Widiastuti D, Shuib AS, Zulfiani BF, Hanasepti AF. In Silico Screening and Molecular Dynamics Simulation of Potential Anti-Malarial Agents from Zingiberaceae as Potential Plasmodium falciparum Lactate Dehydrogenase (PfLDH) Enzyme Inhibitors. Trop Life Sci Res 2023; 34:1-20. [PMID: 38144376 PMCID: PMC10735256 DOI: 10.21315/tlsr2023.34.2.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Malaria continues to be a major public health issue in a number of countries, particularly in tropical regions-the emergence of drug-resistant Plasmodium falciparum encourages new drug discovery research. The key to Plasmodium falciparum survival is energy production up to 100 times greater than other parasites, primarily via the PfLDH. This study targets PfLDH with natural bioactive compounds from the Zingiberaceae family through molecular docking and molecular dynamic studies. Sulcanal, quercetin, shogosulfonic acid C, galanal A and naringenin are the Top 5 compounds with a lower binding energy value than chloroquine, which was used as a control in this study. By binding to NADH and substrate binding site residues, the majority of them are expected to inhibit pyruvate conversion to lactate and NAD+ regeneration. When compared to sulcanal and control drugs, the molecular dynamics (MD) simulation study indicated that quercetin may be the most stable molecule when interacting with PfLDH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Fikri Heikal
- Tropical Medicine International Program, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, 123, Mittraparp Highway, Muang District Khon Kaen 40002 Thailand
| | - Wira Eka Putra
- Biotechnology Study Program, Department of Applied Sciences, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Negeri Malang, Jl. Cakrawala No.5, Sumbersari, Kec. Lowokwaru, Kota Malang, 65145 East Java. Indonesia
| | - Sustiprijatno
- Research Center for Plant Conservation, Botanic Gardens and Forestry, National Research and Innovation Agency, Cibinong-Bogor, West Java, Indonesia
| | - Muhaimin Rifa’i
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Brawijaya University, Jl. Veteran, Ketawanggede, Kec. Lowokwaru, Kota Malang, 65145 East Java, Indonesia
| | - Arief Hidayatullah
- Health Governance Initiative, United Nations Development Programme Indonesia, Eijkman-RSCM Building, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Febby Nurdiya Ningsih
- Research Center for Vaccine and Drug, National Research and Innovation Agency, South Tangerang, Indonesia
| | - Diana Widiastuti
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Science, Universitas Pakuan, Jl. Pakuan, Tegallega. Kecamatan Bogor Tengah, Kota Bogor, 16143 West Java, Indonesia
| | - Adawiyah Suriza Shuib
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Universiti Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Baiq Feby Zulfiani
- Biotechnology Study Program, Department of Applied Sciences, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Negeri Malang, Jl. Cakrawala No.5, Sumbersari, Kec. Lowokwaru, Kota Malang, 65145 East Java. Indonesia
| | - Afrabias Firyal Hanasepti
- Biotechnology Study Program, Department of Applied Sciences, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Negeri Malang, Jl. Cakrawala No.5, Sumbersari, Kec. Lowokwaru, Kota Malang, 65145 East Java. Indonesia
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Kim YJ, Choi JW. Enzyme-linked aptamer-based sandwich assay (ELASA) for detecting Plasmodium falciparum lactate dehydrogenase, a malarial biomarker. RSC Adv 2022; 12:29535-29542. [PMID: 36320752 PMCID: PMC9562052 DOI: 10.1039/d2ra03796c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Herein, we report a sensitive and selective enzyme-linked aptamer-based sandwich assay (ELASA) to detect Plasmodium falciparum lactate dehydrogenase (PfLDH), which is an attractive biomarker for malaria diagnosis and antimalarial medication. We performed the sandwich assay with a single aptamer sequence, called 2008s, owing to the structural properties of the PfLDH tetramer instead of using a conventional sandwich assay with two different aptamers (or antibodies) for capturing and probing a target molecule. First, the biotinylated PfLDH aptamer was linked with immobilized streptavidin on a microwell plate for binding flexibility, and then PfLDH was bound to the aptamer. Next, a horseradish peroxidase-conjugated aptamer of the same sequence was used to analyze PfLDH quantitatively. Using this approach, the limit of detection (LOD) of PfLDH with the naked eye was 100 ng mL-1, and the LOD and limit of quantification from the absorbance measurements were 34.9 ng mL-1 and 95.5 ng mL-1, respectively, based on PfLDH spiked blood samples. Our proposed method selectively binds PfLDH, not human lactate dehydrogenase. Therefore, this method may be a valuable tool for diagnosing, monitoring, and quarantining malaria cases easily and rapidly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeon-Jun Kim
- Department of Biomedical Science, Cheongju UniversityCheongju 28160Republic of Korea
| | - Jae-Won Choi
- Department of Biomedical Science, Cheongju UniversityCheongju 28160Republic of Korea,Department of Bioindustrial EngineeringCheongju 28503Republic of Korea
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Lactate dehydrogenase and malate dehydrogenase: Potential antiparasitic targets for drug development studies. Bioorg Med Chem 2021; 50:116458. [PMID: 34687983 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2021.116458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2021] [Revised: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Parasitic diseases remain a major public health concern for humans, claiming millions of lives annually. Although different treatments are required for these diseases, drug usage is limited due to the development of resistance and toxicity, which necessitate alternative therapies. It has been shown in the literature that parasitic lactate dehydrogenases (LDH) and malate dehydrogenases (MDH) have unique pharmacological selective and specificity properties compared to other isoforms, thus highlighting them as viable therapeutic targets involved in aerobic and anaerobic glycolytic pathways. LDH and MDH are important therapeutic targets for invasive parasites because they play a critical role in the progression and development of parasitic diseases. Any strategy to impede these enzymes would be fatal to the parasites, paving the way to develop and discover novel antiparasitic agents. This review aims to highlight the importance of parasitic LDH and MDH as therapeutic drug targets in selected obligate apicoplast parasites. To the best of our knowledge, this review presents the first comprehensive review of LDH and MDH as potential antiparasitic targets for drug development studies.
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Khrapunov S, Waterman A, Persaud R, Chang EP. Structure, Function, and Thermodynamics of Lactate Dehydrogenases from Humans and the Malaria Parasite P. falciparum. Biochemistry 2021; 60:3582-3595. [PMID: 34747601 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.1c00470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Temperature adaptation is ubiquitous among all living organisms, yet the molecular basis for this process remains poorly understood. It can be assumed that for parasite-host systems, the same enzymes found in both organisms respond to the same selection factor (human body temperature) with similar structural changes. Herein, we report the existence of a reversible temperature-dependent structural transition for the glycolytic enzyme lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) from the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum (pfLDH) and human heart (hhLDH) occurring in the temperature range of human fever. This transition is observed for LDHs from psychrophiles, mesophiles, and moderate thermophiles in their operating temperature range. Thermodynamic analysis reveals unique thermodynamic signatures of the LDH-substrate complexes defining a specific temperature range to which human LDH is adapted and parasite LDH is not, despite their common mesophilic nature. The results of spectroscopic analysis combined with the available crystallographic data reveal the existence of an active center within pfLDH that imparts psychrophilic structural properties to the enzyme. This center consists of two pockets, one formed by the five amino acids (5AA insert) within the substrate specificity loop and the other by the active site, that mutually regulate one another in response to temperature and induce structural and functional changes in the Michaelis complex. Our findings pave the way toward a new strategy for malaria treatments and drug design using therapeutic agents that inactivate malarial LDH selectively at a specific temperature range of the cyclic malaria paroxysm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergei Khrapunov
- Department of Biochemistry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Avenue, Bronx, New York 10461, United States
| | - Akiba Waterman
- Department of Chemistry and Physical Sciences, Pace University, 1 Pace Plaza, New York, New York 10038, United States
| | - Rudra Persaud
- Department of Chemistry and Physical Sciences, Pace University, 1 Pace Plaza, New York, New York 10038, United States
| | - Eric P Chang
- Department of Chemistry and Physical Sciences, Pace University, 1 Pace Plaza, New York, New York 10038, United States
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Karpe AV, Hutton ML, Mileto SJ, James ML, Evans C, Shah RM, Ghodke AB, Hillyer KE, Metcalfe SS, Liu JW, Walsh T, Lyras D, Palombo EA, Beale DJ. Cryptosporidiosis Modulates the Gut Microbiome and Metabolism in a Murine Infection Model. Metabolites 2021; 11:metabo11060380. [PMID: 34208228 PMCID: PMC8230837 DOI: 10.3390/metabo11060380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Revised: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Cryptosporidiosis is a major human health concern globally. Despite well-established methods, misdiagnosis remains common. Our understanding of the cryptosporidiosis biochemical mechanism remains limited, compounding the difficulty of clinical diagnosis. Here, we used a systems biology approach to investigate the underlying biochemical interactions in C57BL/6J mice infected with Cryptosporidium parvum. Faecal samples were collected daily following infection. Blood, liver tissues and luminal contents were collected 10 days post infection. High-resolution liquid chromatography and low-resolution gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry were used to analyse the proteomes and metabolomes of these samples. Faeces and luminal contents were additionally subjected to 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Univariate and multivariate statistical analysis of the acquired data illustrated altered host and microbial energy pathways during infection. Glycolysis/citrate cycle metabolites were depleted, while short-chain fatty acids and D-amino acids accumulated. An increased abundance of bacteria associated with a stressed gut environment was seen. Host proteins involved in energy pathways and Lactobacillus glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase were upregulated during cryptosporidiosis. Liver oxalate also increased during infection. Microbiome–parasite relationships were observed to be more influential than the host–parasite association in mediating major biochemical changes in the mouse gut during cryptosporidiosis. Defining this parasite–microbiome interaction is the first step towards building a comprehensive cryptosporidiosis model towards biomarker discovery, and rapid and accurate diagnostics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Avinash V. Karpe
- Land and Water, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, Ecosciences Precinct, Dutton Park, QLD 4102, Australia; (A.V.K.); (R.M.S.); (K.E.H.); (S.S.M.)
| | - Melanie L. Hutton
- Infection and Immunity Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia; (M.L.H.); (S.J.M.); (M.L.J.); (C.E.); (D.L.)
| | - Steven J. Mileto
- Infection and Immunity Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia; (M.L.H.); (S.J.M.); (M.L.J.); (C.E.); (D.L.)
| | - Meagan L. James
- Infection and Immunity Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia; (M.L.H.); (S.J.M.); (M.L.J.); (C.E.); (D.L.)
| | - Chris Evans
- Infection and Immunity Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia; (M.L.H.); (S.J.M.); (M.L.J.); (C.E.); (D.L.)
| | - Rohan M. Shah
- Land and Water, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, Ecosciences Precinct, Dutton Park, QLD 4102, Australia; (A.V.K.); (R.M.S.); (K.E.H.); (S.S.M.)
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, VIC 3122, Australia;
| | - Amol B. Ghodke
- Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, Department of Horticulture, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia;
- BIO21 Institute, School of Biosciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Katie E. Hillyer
- Land and Water, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, Ecosciences Precinct, Dutton Park, QLD 4102, Australia; (A.V.K.); (R.M.S.); (K.E.H.); (S.S.M.)
| | - Suzanne S. Metcalfe
- Land and Water, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, Ecosciences Precinct, Dutton Park, QLD 4102, Australia; (A.V.K.); (R.M.S.); (K.E.H.); (S.S.M.)
| | - Jian-Wei Liu
- Land and Water, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization Research and Innovation Park, Acton, ACT 2601, Australia; (J.-W.L.); (T.W.)
| | - Tom Walsh
- Land and Water, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization Research and Innovation Park, Acton, ACT 2601, Australia; (J.-W.L.); (T.W.)
| | - Dena Lyras
- Infection and Immunity Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia; (M.L.H.); (S.J.M.); (M.L.J.); (C.E.); (D.L.)
| | - Enzo A. Palombo
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, VIC 3122, Australia;
| | - David J. Beale
- Land and Water, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, Ecosciences Precinct, Dutton Park, QLD 4102, Australia; (A.V.K.); (R.M.S.); (K.E.H.); (S.S.M.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +61-7-3833-5774
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Martin LJ, Cairns EA, Heblinski M, Fletcher C, Krycer JR, Arnold JC, McGregor IS, Bowen MT, Anderson LL. Cannabichromene and Δ 9-Tetrahydrocannabinolic Acid Identified as Lactate Dehydrogenase-A Inhibitors by in Silico and in Vitro Screening. JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS 2021; 84:1469-1477. [PMID: 33887133 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.0c01281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Cannabis sativa contains >120 phytocannabinoids, but our understanding of these compounds is limited. Determining the molecular modes of action of the phytocannabinoids may assist in their therapeutic development. Ligand-based virtual screening was used to suggest novel protein targets for phytocannabinoids. The similarity ensemble approach, a virtual screening tool, was applied to target identification for the phytocannabinoids as a class and predicted a possible interaction with the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) family of enzymes. In order to evaluate this in silico prediction, a panel of 18 phytocannabinoids was screened against two LDH isozymes (LDHA and LDHB) in vitro. Cannabichromene (CBC) and Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (Δ9-THCA) inhibited LDHA via a noncompetitive mode of inhibition with respect to pyruvate, with Ki values of 8.5 and 6.5 μM, respectively. In silico modeling was then used to predict the binding site for CBC and Δ9-THCA. Both were proposed to bind within the nicotinamide pocket, overlapping the binding site of the cofactor NADH, which is consistent with the noncompetitive modes of inhibition. Stemming from our in silico screen, CBC and Δ9-THCA were identified as inhibitors of LDHA, a novel molecular target that may contribute to their therapeutic effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lewis J Martin
- Brain and Mind Centre, The Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
- Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
- Faculty of Science, School of Psychology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Elizabeth A Cairns
- Brain and Mind Centre, The Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
- Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
- Faculty of Science, School of Psychology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Marika Heblinski
- Brain and Mind Centre, The Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
- Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Discipline of Pharmacology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Charlotte Fletcher
- Brain and Mind Centre, The Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
- Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Discipline of Pharmacology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - James R Krycer
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD 4006, Australia
| | - Jonathon C Arnold
- Brain and Mind Centre, The Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
- Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Discipline of Pharmacology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Iain S McGregor
- Brain and Mind Centre, The Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
- Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
- Faculty of Science, School of Psychology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Michael T Bowen
- Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
- Faculty of Science, School of Psychology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Lyndsey L Anderson
- Brain and Mind Centre, The Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
- Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Discipline of Pharmacology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
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Mahapatra RK, Das M. A computational approach to validate novel drug targets of gentianine from Swertiya chirayita in Plasmodium falciparum. Biosystems 2020; 196:104175. [PMID: 32593550 DOI: 10.1016/j.biosystems.2020.104175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2019] [Revised: 05/25/2020] [Accepted: 05/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Gentianine is one of the compounds found in the plant Swertiya chirayita that is known for its antimalarial activity. However, its exact molecular mechanism of action is yet to be understood. In our present study, we applied several computational approaches to filter out and determine possible targets of gentianine in Plasmodium falciparum 3D7. Protein-protein networks formed the basis of one of our strategies along with orthologous protein analysis to establish essentiality. Out of 6 essential proteins from unique pathways, haloacid dehalogenase like-hydrolase (PfHAD1), phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PfPEPCK) and fumarate hydratase (PfFH) were screened as drug targets through this approach. Through our other strategy we established the predicted IC50 (PIC50) value of gentianine with a set of molecular descriptors from 123 Pathogen Box anti-malarial compounds. Afterwards through 2D structural similarity, L-lactate dehydrogenase (PfLDH) was established as another possible target. In our work, we performed in silico docking and analysed the binding of gentianine to the proteins. All of the proteins were reported with favourable binding results and were considered for complex molecular dynamics simulation approach. Our research clears up the molecular mechanism of antimalarial activity of gentianine to some extent paving way for experimental validation of the same in future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajani Kanta Mahapatra
- School of Biotechnology, KIIT Deemed to Be University, Bhubaneswar, 751024, Odisha, India.
| | - Mahin Das
- School of Biotechnology, KIIT Deemed to Be University, Bhubaneswar, 751024, Odisha, India
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Tewari SG, Swift RP, Reifman J, Prigge ST, Wallqvist A. Metabolic alterations in the erythrocyte during blood-stage development of the malaria parasite. Malar J 2020; 19:94. [PMID: 32103749 PMCID: PMC7045481 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-020-03174-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2019] [Accepted: 02/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Human blood cells (erythrocytes) serve as hosts for the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum during its 48-h intraerythrocytic developmental cycle (IDC). Established in vitro protocols allow for the study of host–parasite interactions during this phase and, in particular, high-resolution metabolomics can provide a window into host–parasite interactions that support parasite development. Methods Uninfected and parasite-infected erythrocyte cultures were maintained at 2% haematocrit for the duration of the IDC, while parasitaemia was maintained at 7% in the infected cultures. The parasite-infected cultures were synchronized to obtain stage-dependent information of parasite development during the IDC. Samples were collected in quadruplicate at six time points from the uninfected and parasite-infected cultures and global metabolomics was used to analyse cell fractions of these cultures. Results In uninfected and parasite-infected cultures during the IDC, 501 intracellular metabolites, including 223 lipid metabolites, were successfully quantified. Of these, 19 distinct metabolites were present only in the parasite-infected culture, 10 of which increased to twofold in abundance during the IDC. This work quantified approximately five times the metabolites measured in previous studies of similar research scope, which allowed for more detailed analyses. Enrichment in lipid metabolism pathways exhibited a time-dependent association with different classes of lipids during the IDC. Specifically, enrichment occurred in sphingolipids at the earlier stages, and subsequently in lysophospholipid and phospholipid metabolites at the intermediate and end stages of the IDC, respectively. In addition, there was an accumulation of 18-, 20-, and 22-carbon polyunsaturated fatty acids, which produce eicosanoids and promote gametocytogenesis in infected erythrocyte cultures. Conclusions The current study revealed a number of heretofore unidentified metabolic components of the host–parasite system, which the parasite may exploit in a time-dependent manner to grow over the course of its development in the blood stage. Notably, the analyses identified components, such as precursors of immunomodulatory molecules, stage-dependent lipid dynamics, and metabolites, unique to parasite-infected cultures. These conclusions are reinforced by the metabolic alterations that were characterized during the IDC, which were in close agreement with those known from previous studies of blood-stage infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shivendra G Tewari
- Department of Defense Biotechnology High Performance Computing Software Applications Institute, Telemedicine and Advanced Technology Research Center, U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command, Ft. Detrick, MD, USA. .,The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc. (HJF), Bethesda, MD, USA.
| | - Russell P Swift
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jaques Reifman
- Department of Defense Biotechnology High Performance Computing Software Applications Institute, Telemedicine and Advanced Technology Research Center, U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command, Ft. Detrick, MD, USA
| | - Sean T Prigge
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Anders Wallqvist
- Department of Defense Biotechnology High Performance Computing Software Applications Institute, Telemedicine and Advanced Technology Research Center, U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command, Ft. Detrick, MD, USA.
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