1
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Aldfer MM, Hulpia F, van Calenbergh S, De Koning HP. Mapping the transporter-substrate interactions of the Trypanosoma cruzi NB1 nucleobase transporter reveals the basis for its high affinity and selectivity for hypoxanthine and guanine and lack of nucleoside uptake. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2024; 258:111616. [PMID: 38401850 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2024.111616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Revised: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 02/26/2024]
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi is a protozoan parasite and the etiological agent of Chagas disease, a debilitating and sometimes fatal disease that continues to spread to new areas. Yet, Chagas disease is still only treated with two related nitro compounds that are insufficiently effective and cause severe side effects. Nucleotide metabolism is one of the known vulnerabilities of T. cruzi, as they are auxotrophic for purines, and nucleoside analogues have been shown to have genuine promise against this parasite in vitro and in vivo. Since purine antimetabolites require efficient uptake through transporters, we here report a detailed characterisation of the T. cruzi NB1 nucleobase transporter with the aim of elucidating the interactions between TcrNB1 and its substrates and finding the positions that can be altered in the design of novel antimetabolites without losing transportability. Systematically determining the inhibition constants (Ki) of purine analogues for TcrNB1 yielded their Gibbs free energy of interaction, ΔG0. Pairwise comparisons of substrate (hypoxanthine, guanine, adenine) and analogues allowed us to determine that optimal binding affinity by TcrNB1 requires interactions with all four nitrogen residues of the purine ring, with N1 and N9, in protonation state, functioning as presumed hydrogen bond donors and unprotonated N3 and N7 as hydrogen bond acceptors. This is the same interaction pattern as we previously described for the main nucleobase transporters of Trypanosoma brucei spp. and Leishmania major and makes it the first of the ENT-family genes that is functionally as well as genetically conserved between the three main kinetoplast pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mustafa M Aldfer
- School of Infection and Immunity, Sir Graeme Davies Building, 120 University Place, University of Glasgow, GlasgowG12 8TA, UK
| | - Fabian Hulpia
- Laboratory for Medicinal Chemistry (Campus Heymans), Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000 Gent, Belgium
| | - Serge van Calenbergh
- Laboratory for Medicinal Chemistry (Campus Heymans), Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000 Gent, Belgium
| | - Harry P De Koning
- School of Infection and Immunity, Sir Graeme Davies Building, 120 University Place, University of Glasgow, GlasgowG12 8TA, UK.
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2
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Elati HAA, Goerner AL, Martorelli Di Genova B, Sheiner L, de Koning HP. Pyrimidine salvage in Toxoplasma gondii as a target for new treatment. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1320160. [PMID: 38162577 PMCID: PMC10755004 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1320160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is a common protozoan infection that can have severe outcomes in the immunocompromised and during pregnancy, but treatment options are limited. Recently, nucleotide metabolism has received much attention as a target for new antiprotozoal agents and here we focus on pyrimidine salvage by Toxoplasma gondii as a drug target. Whereas uptake of [3H]-cytidine and particularly [3H]-thymidine was at most marginal, [3H]-uracil and [3H]-uridine were readily taken up. Kinetic analysis of uridine uptake was consistent with a single transporter with a Km of 3.3 ± 0.8 µM, which was inhibited by uracil with high affinity (Ki = 1.15 ± 0.07 µM) but not by thymidine or 5-methyluridine, showing that the 5-Me group is incompatible with uptake by T. gondii. Conversely, [3H]-uracil transport displayed a Km of 2.05 ± 0.40 µM, not significantly different from the uracil Ki on uridine transport, and was inhibited by uridine with a Ki of 2.44 ± 0.59 µM, also not significantly different from the experimental uridine Km. The reciprocal, complete inhibition, displaying Hill slopes of approximately -1, strongly suggest that uridine and uracil share a single transporter with similarly high affinity for both, and we designate it uridine/uracil transporter 1 (TgUUT1). While TgUUT1 excludes 5-methyl substitutions, the smaller 5F substitution was tolerated, as 5F-uracil inhibited uptake of [3H]-uracil with a Ki of 6.80 ± 2.12 µM (P > 0.05 compared to uracil Km). Indeed, we found that 5F-Uridine, 5F-uracil and 5F,2'-deoxyuridine were all potent antimetabolites against T. gondii with EC50 values well below that of the current first line treatment, sulfadiazine. In vivo evaluation also showed that 5F-uracil and 5F,2'-deoxyuridine were similarly effective as sulfadiazine against acute toxoplasmosis. Our preliminary conclusion is that TgUUT1 mediates potential new anti-toxoplasmosis drugs with activity superior to the current treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamza A. A. Elati
- School of Infection and Immunity, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Pharmacy College, University of Elmergib, Al Khums, Libya
| | - Amber L. Goerner
- Larner College of Medicine at The University of Vermont, Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Burlington, VT, United States
| | - Bruno Martorelli Di Genova
- Larner College of Medicine at The University of Vermont, Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Burlington, VT, United States
| | - Lilach Sheiner
- School of Infection and Immunity, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Harry P. de Koning
- School of Infection and Immunity, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
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Zhang Z, Song X, Deng Y, Li Y, Li F, Sheng W, Tian X, Yang Z, Mei X, Wang S. Trichomonas vaginalis adhesion protein 65 (TvAP65) modulates parasite pathogenicity by interacting with host cell proteins. Acta Trop 2023; 246:106996. [PMID: 37536435 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2023.106996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Revised: 07/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
Trichomonas vaginalis (T. vaginalis) is a widespread and important sexually transmitted pathogen. Adherence to the surface of the host cell is the precondition forthis parasite's parasitism and pathogenicity. Adhesion protein 65 (TvAP65) plays a key role in the process of adhesion. However, how TvAP65 mediates the adhesion and pathogenicity of T. vaginalis to host cellsis unclear. In this study, we knocked down the expression of TvAP65 in trophozoites by small RNA interference. The number of T. vaginalis trophozoites adhering to VK2/E6E7 cells was decreased significantly, and the inhibition of VK2/E6E7 cells proliferation and VK2/E6E7 cells apoptosis and death induced by T. vaginalis were reduced, after the expression of TvAP65 was knocked down. Animal challenge experiments showed that the pathogenicity of trophozoites was decreased by passive immunization with anti-rTvAP65 PcAbs or blocking the TvAP65 protein. Immunofluorescence analysis showed that TvAP65 could bind to VK2/E6E7 cells. In order to screen the molecules interacting with TvAP65 on the host cells, we successfully constructed the cDNA library of VK2/E6E7 cells, and thirteen protein molecules interacting with TvAP65 were screened by yeast two-hybrid system. The interaction between TvAP65 and BNIP3 was further confirmed by coimmunoprecipitation and colocalization. When both TvAP65 and BNIP3 were knocked down by small RNA interference, the number of T. vaginalis adhering to VK2/E6E7 cells and the inhibition of VK2/E6E7 cells proliferation were significantly lower than those of the group with knockdown of TvAP65 or BNIP3 alone. Therefore, the interaction of TvAP65 and BNIP3 in the pathogenesis of T. vaginalis infecting host cells is not unique and involves other molecules. Our study elucidated that the interaction between TvAP65 and BNIP3 mediated the adhesion and pathogenicity of T. vaginalis to host cells, provided a basis for searching for the drug targets of anti-T. vaginalis, and afforded new ideas for the prevention and treatment of trichomoniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenchao Zhang
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan, 453003, PR China; Xinxiang Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan, 453003, PR China
| | - Xiaoxiao Song
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan, 453003, PR China; Xinxiang Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan, 453003, PR China
| | - Yangyang Deng
- The Third Affiliated Hospital Of Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan, 453003, PR China
| | - Yuhua Li
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan, 453003, PR China; Xinxiang Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan, 453003, PR China
| | - Fakun Li
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan, 453003, PR China; Xinxiang Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan, 453003, PR China
| | - Wanxin Sheng
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan, 453003, PR China; Xinxiang Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan, 453003, PR China
| | - Xiaowei Tian
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan, 453003, PR China; Xinxiang Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan, 453003, PR China
| | - Zhenke Yang
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan, 453003, PR China; Xinxiang Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan, 453003, PR China
| | - Xuefang Mei
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan, 453003, PR China; Xinxiang Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan, 453003, PR China.
| | - Shuai Wang
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan, 453003, PR China; Xinxiang Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan, 453003, PR China.
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4
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Zhang Z, Deng Y, Sheng W, Song X, Li Y, Li F, Pan Y, Tian X, Yang Z, Wang S, Wang M, Mei X. The interaction between adhesion protein 33 (TvAP33) and BNIP3 mediates the adhesion and pathogenicity of Trichomonas vaginalis to host cells. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:210. [PMID: 37344876 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05798-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Trichomonas vaginalis is a widespread and important sexually transmitted pathogen. Adherence to the surface of the host cell is the precondition for the parasitism and pathogenicity of this parasite. Trichomonas vaginalis adhesion protein 33 (TvAP33) plays a key role in the process of adhesion, but how this protein mediates the adhesion and pathogenicity of T. vaginalis to host cells is unclear. METHODS The expression of TvAP33 in trophozoites was knocked down by small interfering RNA. VK2/E6E7 cells and mice infected with T. vaginalis were used to evaluate the pathogenicity of T. vaginalis. We constructed a complementary DNA library of VK2/E6E7 cells and screened the protein molecules interacting with TvAP33 by the yeast two-hybrid system. The interaction between TvAP33 and BNIP3 (Bcl-2 interacting protein 3) was analyzed by co-immunoprecipitation and colocalization. RESULTS Following knockdown of TvAP33 expression, the number of T. vaginalis trophozoites adhering to VK2/E6E7 cells decreased significantly, and the inhibition of VK2/E6E7 cell proliferation and VK2/E6E7 cell apoptosis and death induced by T. vaginalis were reduced. Animal challenge experiments showed that the pathogenicity of trophozoites decreased following passive immunization with TvAP33 antiserum or blocking of the TvAP33 protein. Immunofluorescence analysis revealed that TvAP33 could bind to VK2/E6E7 cells. Eighteen protein molecules interacting with TvAP33 were identified by the yeast two-hybrid system. The interaction between TvAP33 and BNIP3 was further confirmed by co-immunoprecipitation and colocalization. When the expression of both TvAP33 and BNIP3 in trophozoites was knocked down by small RNA interference, the number of T. vaginalis adhering to VK2/E6E7 cells and the inhibition of VK2/E6E7 cell proliferation were significantly lower compared to trophozoites with only knockdown of TvAP33 or only BNIP3. Therefore, the interaction of TvAP33 and BNIP3 in the pathogenesis of T. vaginalis infecting host cells is not unique and involves other molecules. CONCLUSIONS Our study showed that the interaction between TvAP33 and BNIP3 mediated the adhesion and pathogenicity of T. vaginalis to host cells, providing a basis for searching for drug targets for T. vaginalis as well as new ideas for the prevention and treatment of trichomoniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenchao Zhang
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, 453003, Henan, People's Republic of China
- Xinxiang Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, 453003, Henan, People's Republic of China
| | - Yangyang Deng
- The Third Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, 453003, Henan, People's Republic of China
| | - Wanxin Sheng
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, 453003, Henan, People's Republic of China
- Xinxiang Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, 453003, Henan, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoxiao Song
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, 453003, Henan, People's Republic of China
- Xinxiang Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, 453003, Henan, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuhua Li
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, 453003, Henan, People's Republic of China
- Xinxiang Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, 453003, Henan, People's Republic of China
| | - Fakun Li
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, 453003, Henan, People's Republic of China
- Xinxiang Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, 453003, Henan, People's Republic of China
| | - Ying Pan
- The Third Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, 453003, Henan, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaowei Tian
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, 453003, Henan, People's Republic of China
- Xinxiang Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, 453003, Henan, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhenke Yang
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, 453003, Henan, People's Republic of China
- Xinxiang Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, 453003, Henan, People's Republic of China
| | - Shuai Wang
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, 453003, Henan, People's Republic of China
- Xinxiang Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, 453003, Henan, People's Republic of China
| | - Mingyong Wang
- Xinxiang Key Laboratory of Immunoregulation and Molecular Diagnostics, School of Laboratory Medicine, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, 453003, China.
- School of Medical Technology, Shangqiu Medical College, Shangqiu, 476100, China.
| | - Xuefang Mei
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, 453003, Henan, People's Republic of China.
- Xinxiang Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, 453003, Henan, People's Republic of China.
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Ungogo MA, Aldfer MM, Natto MJ, Zhuang H, Chisholm R, Walsh K, McGee M, Ilbeigi K, Asseri JI, Burchmore RJS, Caljon G, Van Calenbergh S, De Koning HP. Cloning and Characterization of Trypanosoma congolense and T. vivax Nucleoside Transporters Reveal the Potential of P1-Type Carriers for the Discovery of Broad-Spectrum Nucleoside-Based Therapeutics against Animal African Trypanosomiasis. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043144. [PMID: 36834557 PMCID: PMC9960827 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
African Animal Trypanosomiasis (AAT), caused predominantly by Trypanosoma brucei brucei, T. vivax and T. congolense, is a fatal livestock disease throughout Sub-Saharan Africa. Treatment options are very limited and threatened by resistance. Tubercidin (7-deazaadenosine) analogs have shown activity against individual parasites but viable chemotherapy must be active against all three species. Divergence in sensitivity to nucleoside antimetabolites could be caused by differences in nucleoside transporters. Having previously characterized the T. brucei nucleoside carriers, we here report the functional expression and characterization of the main adenosine transporters of T. vivax (TvxNT3) and T. congolense (TcoAT1/NT10), in a Leishmania mexicana cell line ('SUPKO') lacking adenosine uptake. Both carriers were similar to the T. brucei P1-type transporters and bind adenosine mostly through interactions with N3, N7 and 3'-OH. Expression of TvxNT3 and TcoAT1 sensitized SUPKO cells to various 7-substituted tubercidins and other nucleoside analogs although tubercidin itself is a poor substrate for P1-type transporters. Individual nucleoside EC50s were similar for T. b. brucei, T. congolense, T. evansi and T. equiperdum but correlated less well with T. vivax. However, multiple nucleosides including 7-halogentubercidines displayed pEC50>7 for all species and, based on transporter and anti-parasite SAR analyses, we conclude that nucleoside chemotherapy for AAT is viable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marzuq A. Ungogo
- School of Infection and Immunity, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK
- Department of Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria 810107, Kaduna State, Nigeria
- Roslin Institute, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Midlothian EH25 9RG, UK
| | - Mustafa M. Aldfer
- School of Infection and Immunity, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK
| | - Manal J. Natto
- School of Infection and Immunity, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK
| | - Hainan Zhuang
- School of Infection and Immunity, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK
| | - Robyn Chisholm
- School of Infection and Immunity, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK
| | - Katy Walsh
- School of Infection and Immunity, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK
| | - MarieClaire McGee
- School of Infection and Immunity, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK
| | - Kayhan Ilbeigi
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH), University of Antwerp, B-2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Jamal Ibrahim Asseri
- School of Infection and Immunity, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK
| | - Richard J. S. Burchmore
- School of Infection and Immunity, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK
| | - Guy Caljon
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH), University of Antwerp, B-2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Serge Van Calenbergh
- Laboratory for Medicinal Chemistry (Campus Heymans), Ghent University, B-9000 Gent, Belgium
| | - Harry P. De Koning
- School of Infection and Immunity, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK
- Correspondence:
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6
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Fiuza LFDA, Batista DGJ, Girão RD, Hulpia F, Finamore-Araújo P, Aldfer MM, Elmahallawy EK, De Koning HP, Moreira O, Van Calenbergh S, Soeiro MDNC. Phenotypic Evaluation of Nucleoside Analogues against Trypanosoma cruzi Infection: In Vitro and In Vivo Approaches. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27228087. [PMID: 36432189 PMCID: PMC9695592 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27228087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease, caused by Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi), is a serious public health problem. Current treatment is restricted to two drugs, benznidazole and nifurtimox, displaying serious efficacy and safety drawbacks. Nucleoside analogues represent a promising alternative as protozoans do not biosynthesize purines and rely on purine salvage from the hosts. Protozoan transporters often present different substrate specificities from mammalian transporters, justifying the exploration of nucleoside analogues as therapeutic agents. Previous reports identified nucleosides with potent trypanocidal activity; therefore, two 7-derivatized tubercidins (FH11706, FH10714) and a 3′-deoxytubercidin (FH8513) were assayed against T. cruzi. They were highly potent and selective, and the uptake of the tubercidin analogues appeared to be mediated by the nucleoside transporter TcrNT2. At 10 μM, the analogues reduced parasitemia >90% in 2D and 3D cardiac cultures. The washout assays showed that FH10714 sterilized the infected cultures. Given orally, the compounds did not induce noticeable mouse toxicity (50 mg/kg), suppressed the parasitemia of T. cruzi-infected Swiss mice (25 mg/kg, 5 days) and presented DNA amplification below the limit of detection. These findings justify further studies with longer treatment regimens, as well as evaluations in combination with nitro drugs, aiming to identify more effective and safer therapies for Chagas disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ludmila F. de A. Fiuza
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Av. Brasil, 4365 Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, Brazil
| | - Denise G. J. Batista
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Av. Brasil, 4365 Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, Brazil
| | - Roberson D. Girão
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Av. Brasil, 4365 Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, Brazil
| | - Fabian Hulpia
- Laboratory for Medicinal Chemistry (Campus Heymans), Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Paula Finamore-Araújo
- Laboratório de Virologia Molecular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 20000-000, Brazil
| | - Mustafa M. Aldfer
- School of Infection and Immunity, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow 62694, UK
| | - Ehab Kotb Elmahallawy
- School of Infection and Immunity, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow 62694, UK
- Department of Zoonoses, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Sohag University, Sohag 82524, Egypt
| | - Harry P. De Koning
- School of Infection and Immunity, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow 62694, UK
| | - Otacílio Moreira
- Laboratório de Virologia Molecular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 20000-000, Brazil
| | - Serge Van Calenbergh
- Laboratory for Medicinal Chemistry (Campus Heymans), Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Maria de Nazaré C. Soeiro
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Av. Brasil, 4365 Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, Brazil
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +55-21-2562-1368
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7
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The Trypanosoma cruzi TcrNT2 Nucleoside Transporter Is a Conduit for the Uptake of 5-F-2'-Deoxyuridine and Tubercidin Analogues. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27228045. [PMID: 36432150 PMCID: PMC9693223 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27228045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2022] [Revised: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Among the scarce validated drug targets against Chagas disease (CD), caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, the parasite's nucleoside salvage system has recently attracted considerable attention. Although the trypanocidal activity of tubercidin (7-deazapurine) has long been known, the identification of a class of 7-substituted tubercidin analogs with potent in vitro and in vivo activity and much-enhanced selectivity has made nucleoside analogs among the most promising lead compounds against CD. Here, we investigate the recently identified TcrNT2 nucleoside transporter and its potential role in antimetabolite chemotherapy. TcrNT2, expressed in a Leishmania mexicana cell line lacking the NT1 nucleoside transporter locus, displayed very high selectivity and affinity for thymidine with a Km of 0.26 ± 0.05 µM. The selectivity was explained by interactions of 2-oxo, 4-oxo, 5-Me, 3'-hydroxy and 5'-hydroxy with the transporter binding pocket, whereas a hydroxy group at the 2' position was deleterious to binding. This made 5-halogenated 2'-deoxyuridine analogues good substrates but 5-F-2'-deoxyuridine displayed disappointing activity against T. cruzi trypomastigotes. By comparing the EC50 values of tubercidin and its 7-substituted analogues against L. mexicana Cas9, Cas9ΔNT1 and Cas9ΔNT1+TcrNT2 it was shown that TcrNT2 can take up tubercidin and, at a minimum, a subset of the analogs.
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Nucleoside Transport and Nucleobase Uptake Null Mutants in Leishmania mexicana for the Routine Expression and Characterization of Purine and Pyrimidine Transporters. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23158139. [PMID: 35897714 PMCID: PMC9331716 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23158139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Revised: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The study of transporters is highly challenging, as they cannot be isolated or studied in suspension, requiring a cellular or vesicular system, and, when mediated by more than one carrier, difficult to interpret. Nucleoside analogues are important drug candidates, and all protozoan pathogens express multiple equilibrative nucleoside transporter (ENT) genes. We have therefore developed a system for the routine expression of nucleoside transporters, using CRISPR/cas9 to delete both copies of all three nucleoside transporters from Leishmania mexicana (ΔNT1.1/1.2/2 (SUPKO)). SUPKO grew at the same rate as the parental strain and displayed no apparent deficiencies, owing to the cells’ ability to synthesize pyrimidines, and the expression of the LmexNT3 purine nucleobase transporter. Nucleoside transport was barely measurable in SUPKO, but reintroduction of L. mexicana NT1.1, NT1.2, and NT2 restored uptake. Thus, SUPKO provides an ideal null background for the expression and characterization of single ENT transporter genes in isolation. Similarly, an LmexNT3-KO strain provides a null background for transport of purine nucleobases and was used for the functional characterization of T. cruzi NB2, which was determined to be adenine-specific. A 5-fluorouracil-resistant strain (Lmex5FURes) displayed null transport for uracil and 5FU, and was used to express the Aspergillus nidulans uracil transporter FurD.
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Vaňková K, Doleželová E, Tloušťová E, Hocková D, Zíková A, Janeba Z. Synthesis and anti-trypanosomal evaluation of novel N-branched acyclic nucleoside phosphonates bearing 7-aryl-7-deazapurine nucleobase. Eur J Med Chem 2022; 239:114559. [PMID: 35763869 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.114559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2022] [Revised: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
A series of novel 7-aryl-7-deazaadenine-based N-branched acyclic nucleoside phosphonates (aza-ANPs) has been prepared using the optimized Suzuki cross-coupling reaction as the key synthetic step. The final free phosphonates 15a-h were inactive, due to their inefficient transport across cell membranes, but they inhibited Trypanosoma brucei adenine phosphoribosyltransferase (TbrAPRT1) with Ki values of 1.7-14.1 μM. The corresponding phosphonodiamidate prodrugs 14a-h exhibited anti-trypanosomal activity in the Trypanosoma brucei brucei cell-based assay with EC50 values in the range of 0.58-6.8 μM. 7-(4-Methoxy)phenyl-7-deazapurine derivative 14h, containing two phosphonate moieties, was the most potent anti-trypanosomal agent from the series, with EC50 = 0.58 μM and SI = 16. Finally, phosphonodiamidate prodrugs 14a-h exerted low micromolar cytotoxicity against leukemia and/or cancer cell lines tested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karolína Vaňková
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo nám. 2, 166 10, Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Eva Doleželová
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, Branišovská 31, České Budějovice, 37005, Czech Republic
| | - Eva Tloušťová
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo nám. 2, 166 10, Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Dana Hocková
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo nám. 2, 166 10, Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Alena Zíková
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, Branišovská 31, České Budějovice, 37005, Czech Republic; Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branišovská 31, České Budějovice, 37005, Czech Republic.
| | - Zlatko Janeba
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo nám. 2, 166 10, Prague 6, Czech Republic.
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Campagnaro GD, Elati HAA, Balaska S, Martin Abril ME, Natto MJ, Hulpia F, Lee K, Sheiner L, Van Calenbergh S, de Koning HP. A Toxoplasma gondii Oxopurine Transporter Binds Nucleobases and Nucleosides Using Different Binding Modes. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23020710. [PMID: 35054895 PMCID: PMC8776092 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23020710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 01/06/2022] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is unable to synthesize purines de novo, instead salvages them from its environment, inside the host cell, for which they need high affinity carriers. Here, we report the expression of a T. gondii Equilibrative Nucleoside Transporter, Tg244440, in a Trypanosoma brucei strain from which nucleobase transporters have been deleted. Tg244440 transported hypoxanthine and guanine with similar affinity (Km ~1 µM), while inosine and guanosine displayed Ki values of 4.05 and 3.30 µM, respectively. Low affinity was observed for adenosine, adenine, and pyrimidines, classifying Tg244440 as a high affinity oxopurine transporter. Purine analogues were used to probe the substrate-transporter binding interactions, culminating in quantitative models showing different binding modes for oxopurine bases, oxopurine nucleosides, and adenosine. Hypoxanthine and guanine interacted through protonated N1 and N9, and through unprotonated N3 and N7 of the purine ring, whereas inosine and guanosine mostly employed the ribose hydroxy groups for binding, in addition to N1H of the nucleobase. Conversely, the ribose moiety of adenosine barely made any contribution to binding. Tg244440 is the first gene identified to encode a high affinity oxopurine transporter in T. gondii and, to the best of our knowledge, the first purine transporter to employ different binding modes for nucleosides and nucleobases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gustavo D. Campagnaro
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK; (G.D.C.); (H.A.A.E.); (S.B.); (M.E.M.A.); (M.J.N.); (K.L.); (L.S.)
| | - Hamza A. A. Elati
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK; (G.D.C.); (H.A.A.E.); (S.B.); (M.E.M.A.); (M.J.N.); (K.L.); (L.S.)
| | - Sofia Balaska
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK; (G.D.C.); (H.A.A.E.); (S.B.); (M.E.M.A.); (M.J.N.); (K.L.); (L.S.)
| | - Maria Esther Martin Abril
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK; (G.D.C.); (H.A.A.E.); (S.B.); (M.E.M.A.); (M.J.N.); (K.L.); (L.S.)
| | - Manal J. Natto
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK; (G.D.C.); (H.A.A.E.); (S.B.); (M.E.M.A.); (M.J.N.); (K.L.); (L.S.)
| | - Fabian Hulpia
- Laboratory for Medicinal Chemistry, Campus Heymans, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, B-9000 Gent, Belgium; (F.H.); (S.V.C.)
| | - Kelly Lee
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK; (G.D.C.); (H.A.A.E.); (S.B.); (M.E.M.A.); (M.J.N.); (K.L.); (L.S.)
| | - Lilach Sheiner
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK; (G.D.C.); (H.A.A.E.); (S.B.); (M.E.M.A.); (M.J.N.); (K.L.); (L.S.)
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK
| | - Serge Van Calenbergh
- Laboratory for Medicinal Chemistry, Campus Heymans, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, B-9000 Gent, Belgium; (F.H.); (S.V.C.)
| | - Harry P. de Koning
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK; (G.D.C.); (H.A.A.E.); (S.B.); (M.E.M.A.); (M.J.N.); (K.L.); (L.S.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +44-141-3303753
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Natto MJ, Miyamoto Y, Munday JC, AlSiari TA, Al-Salabi MI, Quashie NB, Eze AA, Eckmann L, De Koning HP. Comprehensive characterization of purine and pyrimidine transport activities in Trichomonas vaginalis and functional cloning of a trichomonad nucleoside transporter. Mol Microbiol 2021; 116:1489-1511. [PMID: 34738285 PMCID: PMC8688338 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.14840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2021] [Revised: 10/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Trichomoniasis is a common and widespread sexually-transmitted infection, caused by the protozoan parasite Trichomonas vaginalis. T. vaginalis lacks the biosynthetic pathways for purines and pyrimidines, making nucleoside metabolism a drug target. Here we report the first comprehensive investigation into purine and pyrimidine uptake by T. vaginalis. Multiple carriers were identified and characterized with regard to substrate selectivity and affinity. For nucleobases, a high-affinity adenine transporter, a possible guanine transporter and a low affinity uracil transporter were found. Nucleoside transporters included two high affinity adenosine/guanosine/uridine/cytidine transporters distinguished by different affinities to inosine, a lower affinity adenosine transporter, and a thymidine transporter. Nine Equilibrative Nucleoside Transporter (ENT) genes were identified in the T. vaginalis genome. All were expressed equally in metronidazole-resistant and -sensitive strains. Only TvagENT2 was significantly upregulated in the presence of extracellular purines; expression was not affected by co-culture with human cervical epithelial cells. All TvagENTs were cloned and separately expressed in Trypanosoma brucei. We identified the main broad specificity nucleoside carrier, with high affinity for uridine and cytidine as well as purine nucleosides including inosine, as TvagENT3. The in-depth characterization of purine and pyrimidine transporters provides a critical foundation for the development of new anti-trichomonal nucleoside analogues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manal J. Natto
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Yukiko Miyamoto
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Jane C. Munday
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Tahani A. AlSiari
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Mohammed I. Al-Salabi
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Neils B. Quashie
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
- Centre for Tropical Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Ghana Medical School, University of Ghana
| | - Anthonius A. Eze
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
- Current affiliation: Department of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Enugu, Nigeria
| | - Lars Eckmann
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Harry P. De Koning
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
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