1
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Rossi M, Martinengo B, Diamanti E, Salerno A, Rizzardi N, Fato R, Bergamini C, Souza de Oliveira A, de Araújo Marques Ferreira T, Andrade Holanda C, Romeiro LAS, Soeiro MDNC, Nunes K, Ferreira de Almeida Fiuza L, Meuser Batista M, Fraga CAM, E A Alkhalaf H, Elmahallawy EK, Ebiloma GU, De Koning HP, Vittorio S, Vistoli G, Blanquart C, Bertrand P, Bolognesi ML. Benign-by-Design SAHA Analogues for Human and Animal Vector-Borne Parasitic Diseases. ACS Med Chem Lett 2024; 15:1506-1515. [PMID: 39291036 PMCID: PMC11403742 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.4c00242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2024] [Revised: 07/24/2024] [Accepted: 08/08/2024] [Indexed: 09/19/2024] Open
Abstract
The search for new drugs fulfilling One Health and Green Chemistry requirements is an urgent call. Here, for the first time, we envisaged developing SAHA analogues by starting from the cashew nutshell liquid (CNSL) agro-industrial waste and employing a metathesis approach. This sustainable combination (comprising principles #7 and #9) allowed a straightforward synthesis of compounds 13-20. All of them were found to not be toxic on HepG2, IMR-32, and L929 cell lines. Then, their potential against major human and animal vector-borne parasitic diseases (VBPDs) was assessed. Compound 13 emerged as a green hit against the trypomastigote forms of T. b. brucei. In silico studies showed that the T. b. brucei HDAC (TbDAC) catalytic pocket could be occupied with a similar binding mode by both SAHA and 13, providing a putative explanation for its antiparasitic mechanism of action (13, EC50 = 0.7 ± 0.2 μM).
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele Rossi
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, Bologna 40126, Italy
| | - Bianca Martinengo
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, Bologna 40126, Italy
| | - Eleonora Diamanti
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, Bologna 40126, Italy
| | - Alessandra Salerno
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, Bologna 40126, Italy
| | - Nicola Rizzardi
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, Bologna 40126, Italy
| | - Romana Fato
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, Bologna 40126, Italy
| | - Christian Bergamini
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, Bologna 40126, Italy
| | - Andressa Souza de Oliveira
- Laboratório de Desenvolvimento de Inovações Terapêuticas, Núcleo de Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília 70910-900, Brazil
| | - Thais de Araújo Marques Ferreira
- Laboratório de Desenvolvimento de Inovações Terapêuticas, Núcleo de Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília 70910-900, Brazil
| | - Cleonice Andrade Holanda
- Laboratório de Desenvolvimento de Inovações Terapêuticas, Núcleo de Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília 70910-900, Brazil
| | - Luiz Antonio Soares Romeiro
- Laboratório de Desenvolvimento de Inovações Terapêuticas, Núcleo de Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília 70910-900, Brazil
| | - Maria de Nazaré Correia Soeiro
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz. Avenida Brasil 4365, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro CEP 21040360, Brazil
| | - Krislayne Nunes
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz. Avenida Brasil 4365, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro CEP 21040360, Brazil
| | - Ludmila Ferreira de Almeida Fiuza
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz. Avenida Brasil 4365, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro CEP 21040360, Brazil
| | - Marcos Meuser Batista
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz. Avenida Brasil 4365, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro CEP 21040360, Brazil
| | - Carlos A M Fraga
- Laboratório de Avaliação e Síntese de Substâncias Bioativas (LASSBio), Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil
| | - Hamed E A Alkhalaf
- School of Infection and Immunity, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G43 2DX, United Kingdom
| | - Ehab Kotb Elmahallawy
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Zoonosis (GISAZ), Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba 14014, Spain
- Department of Zoonoses, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Sohag University, Sohag 82524, Egypt
| | - Godwin U Ebiloma
- School of Science, Engineering & Environment, University of Salford, Manchester M5 4NT, United Kingdom
| | - Harry P De Koning
- School of Infection and Immunity, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G43 2DX, United Kingdom
| | - Serena Vittorio
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Milan, Via Mangiagalli 25, Milan 20133, Italy
| | - Giulio Vistoli
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Milan, Via Mangiagalli 25, Milan 20133, Italy
| | - Christophe Blanquart
- Nantes Université, Inserm UMR 1307, CNRS UMR 6075, Université d'Angers, Nantes CRCI2NA, France
| | - Philippe Bertrand
- University of Poitiers IC2MP UMR CNRS 7285, 4, rue Michel Brunet - TSA 51106. B27, Poitiers cedex 9 86073, France
| | - Maria Laura Bolognesi
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, Bologna 40126, Italy
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2
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Fiorentino F, Fabbrizi E, Raucci A, Noce B, Fioravanti R, Valente S, Paolini C, De Maria R, Steinkühler C, Gallinari P, Rotili D, Mai A. Uracil- and Pyridine-Containing HDAC Inhibitors Displayed Cytotoxicity in Colorectal and Glioblastoma Cancer Stem Cells. ChemMedChem 2024; 19:e202300655. [PMID: 38529661 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202300655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024]
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a niche of highly tumorigenic cells featuring self-renewal, activation of pluripotency genes, multidrug resistance, and ability to cause cancer relapse. Seven HDACi (1-7), showing either hydroxamate or 2'-aminoanilide function, were tested in colorectal cancer (CRC) and glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) CSCs to determine their effects on cell proliferation, H3 acetylation levels and in-cell HDAC activity. Two uracil-based hydroxamates, 5 and 6, which differ in substitution at C5 and C6 positions of the pyrimidine ring, exhibited the greatest cytotoxicity in GBM (5) and CRC (6) CSCs, followed by the pyridine-hydroxamate 2, with 2- to 6-fold higher potency than the positive control SAHA. Finally, increased H3 acetylation as well as HDAC inhibition directly in cells by selected 2'-aminoanilide 4 and hydroxamate 5 confirmed target engagement. Further investigation will be conducted into the broad-spectrum anticancer properties of the most potent derivatives and their effects in combination with approved, conventional anticancer drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Fiorentino
- Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo, Moro n. 5, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Emanuele Fabbrizi
- Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo, Moro n. 5, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessia Raucci
- Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo, Moro n. 5, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Beatrice Noce
- Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo, Moro n. 5, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Rossella Fioravanti
- Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo, Moro n. 5, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Sergio Valente
- Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo, Moro n. 5, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Chantal Paolini
- IRBM S.p.A., Via Pontina km 30.600, 00071, Pomezia, Rome, Italy
| | - Ruggero De Maria
- Dipartimento di Medicina e Chirurgia Traslazionale, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168, Rome, Italy
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168, Rome, Italy
| | - Christian Steinkühler
- Research and Development, Italfarmaco Group, Via dei Lavoratori 54, 20092, Cinisello Balsamo, Italy
| | - Paola Gallinari
- Exiris S.r.l., Tecnopolo Castel, Romano, Via Castel Romano 100, 00128, Rome, Italy
| | - Dante Rotili
- Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo, Moro n. 5, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonello Mai
- Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo, Moro n. 5, 00185, Rome, Italy
- Pasteur Institute, Cenci-Bolognetti Foundation, Sapienza University of Rome, P. de Aldo Moro n. 5, 00185, Rome, Italy
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3
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Rossi S, Tudino V, Carullo G, Butini S, Campiani G, Gemma S. Metalloenzyme Inhibitors against Zoonotic Infections: Focus on Leishmania and Schistosoma. ACS Infect Dis 2024; 10:1520-1535. [PMID: 38669567 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.4c00163] [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] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
The term "zoonosis" denotes diseases transmissible among vertebrate animals and humans. These diseases constitute a significant public health challenge, comprising 61% of human pathogens and causing an estimated 2.7 million deaths annually. Zoonoses not only affect human health but also impact animal welfare and economic stability, particularly in low- and middle-income nations. Leishmaniasis and schistosomiasis are two important neglected tropical diseases with a high prevalence in tropical and subtropical areas, imposing significant burdens on affected regions. Schistosomiasis, particularly rampant in sub-Saharan Africa, lacks alternative treatments to praziquantel, prompting concerns regarding parasite resistance. Similarly, leishmaniasis poses challenges with unsatisfactory treatments, urging the development of novel therapeutic strategies. Effective prevention demands a One Health approach, integrating diverse disciplines to enhance diagnostics and develop safer drugs. Metalloenzymes, involved in parasite biology and critical in different biological pathways, emerged in the last few years as useful drug targets for the treatment of human diseases. Herein we have reviewed recent reports on the discovery of inhibitors of metalloenzymes associated with zoonotic diseases like histone deacetylases (HDACs), carbonic anhydrase (CA), arginase, and heme-dependent enzymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Rossi
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Valeria Tudino
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Gabriele Carullo
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Stefania Butini
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Campiani
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
- Bioinformatics Research Center, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan 81746-7346, Iran
| | - Sandra Gemma
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
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4
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Abbasi Shiran J, Kaboudin B, Panahi N, Razzaghi-Asl N. Privileged small molecules against neglected tropical diseases: A perspective from structure activity relationships. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 271:116396. [PMID: 38643671 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2024.116396] [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: 12/17/2023] [Revised: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/06/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024]
Abstract
Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) comprise diverse infections with more incidence in tropical/sub-tropical areas. In spite of preventive and therapeutic achievements, NTDs are yet serious threats to the public health. Epidemiological reports of world health organization (WHO) indicate that more than 1.5 billion people are afflicted with at least one NTD type. Among NTDs, leishmaniasis, chagas disease (CD) and human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) result in substantial morbidity and death, particularly within impoverished countries. The statistical facts call for robust efforts to manage the NTDs. Currently, most of the anti-NTD drugs are engaged with drug resistance, lack of efficient vaccines, limited spectrum of pharmacological effect and adverse reactions. To circumvent the issue, numerous scientific efforts have been directed to the synthesis and pharmacological development of chemical compounds as anti-infectious agents. A survey of the anti-NTD agents reveals that the majority of them possess privileged nitrogen, sulfur and oxygen-based heterocyclic structures. In this review, recent achievements in anti-infective small molecules against parasitic NTDs are described, particularly from the SAR (Structure activity relationship) perspective. We also explore current advocating strategies to extend the scope of anti-NTD agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Abbasi Shiran
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, PO Code: 5618953141, Iran
| | - B Kaboudin
- Department of Chemistry, Institute for Advanced Studies in Basic Sciences (IASBS), Zanjan, Iran
| | - N Panahi
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran
| | - N Razzaghi-Asl
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, PO Code: 5618953141, Iran; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran.
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5
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Villares M, Lourenço N, Ktorza I, Berthelet J, Panagiotou A, Richard A, Amo A, Koziy Y, Medjkane S, Valente S, Fioravanti R, Pioche-Durieu C, Lignière L, Chevreux G, Mai A, Weitzman JB. Theileria parasites sequester host eIF5A to escape elimination by host-mediated autophagy. Nat Commun 2024; 15:2235. [PMID: 38472173 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45022-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Intracellular pathogens develop elaborate mechanisms to survive within the hostile environments of host cells. Theileria parasites infect bovine leukocytes and cause devastating diseases in cattle in developing countries. Theileria spp. have evolved sophisticated strategies to hijack host leukocytes, inducing proliferative and invasive phenotypes characteristic of cell transformation. Intracellular Theileria parasites secrete proteins into the host cell and recruit host proteins to induce oncogenic signaling for parasite survival. It is unknown how Theileria parasites evade host cell defense mechanisms, such as autophagy, to survive within host cells. Here, we show that Theileria annulata parasites sequester the host eIF5A protein to their surface to escape elimination by autophagic processes. We identified a small-molecule compound that reduces parasite load by inducing autophagic flux in host leukocytes, thereby uncoupling Theileria parasite survival from host cell survival. We took a chemical genetics approach to show that this compound induced host autophagy mechanisms and the formation of autophagic structures via AMPK activation and the release of the host protein eIF5A which is sequestered at the parasite surface. The sequestration of host eIF5A to the parasite surface offers a strategy to escape elimination by autophagic mechanisms. These results show how intracellular pathogens can avoid host defense mechanisms and identify a new anti-Theileria drug that induces autophagy to target parasite removal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Villares
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS, UMR7126 Epigenetics and Cell Fate, Paris, 75013, France
| | - Nelly Lourenço
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS, UMR7126 Epigenetics and Cell Fate, Paris, 75013, France
| | - Ivan Ktorza
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS, UMR7126 Epigenetics and Cell Fate, Paris, 75013, France
| | - Jérémy Berthelet
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS, UMR7126 Epigenetics and Cell Fate, Paris, 75013, France
| | - Aristeidis Panagiotou
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS, UMR7126 Epigenetics and Cell Fate, Paris, 75013, France
| | - Aurélie Richard
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS, UMR7126 Epigenetics and Cell Fate, Paris, 75013, France
| | - Angélique Amo
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS, UMR7126 Epigenetics and Cell Fate, Paris, 75013, France
| | - Yulianna Koziy
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS, UMR7126 Epigenetics and Cell Fate, Paris, 75013, France
| | - Souhila Medjkane
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS, UMR7126 Epigenetics and Cell Fate, Paris, 75013, France
| | - Sergio Valente
- Department of Drug Chemistry & Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, 00185, Italy
| | - Rossella Fioravanti
- Department of Drug Chemistry & Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, 00185, Italy
| | | | - Laurent Lignière
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS, UMR 7592 Institut Jacques Monod, Paris, 75013, France
| | - Guillaume Chevreux
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS, UMR 7592 Institut Jacques Monod, Paris, 75013, France
| | - Antonello Mai
- Department of Drug Chemistry & Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, 00185, Italy
- Pasteur Institute, Cenci-Bolognetti Foundation, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, 00185, Italy
| | - Jonathan B Weitzman
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS, UMR7126 Epigenetics and Cell Fate, Paris, 75013, France.
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Boissavy T, Rotili D, Mouveaux T, Roger E, Aliouat EM, Pierrot C, Valente S, Mai A, Gissot M. Hydroxamate-based compounds are potent inhibitors of Toxoplasma gondii HDAC biological activity. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2023; 67:e0066123. [PMID: 37850734 PMCID: PMC10648960 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00661-23] [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: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is a critical health issue for immune-deficient individuals and the offspring of newly infected mothers. It is caused by a unicellular intracellular parasite called Toxoplasma gondii that is found worldwide. Although efficient drugs are commonly used to treat toxoplasmosis, serious adverse events are common. Therefore, new compounds with potent anti-T. gondii activity are needed to provide better suited treatments. We have tested compounds designed to target specifically histone deacetylase enzymes. Among the 55 compounds tested, we identified three compounds showing a concentration of drug required for 50% inhibition (IC50) in the low 100 nM range with a selectivity index of more than 100. These compounds are not only active at inhibiting the growth of the parasite in vitro but also at preventing some of the consequences of the acute disease in vivo. Two of these hydroxamate based compound also induce a hyper-acetylation of the parasite histones while the parasitic acetylated tubulin level remains unchanged. These findings suggest that the enzymes regulating histone acetylation are potent therapeutic targets for the treatment of acute toxoplasmosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom Boissavy
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019 - UMR 9017 - CIIL - Center for Infection and Immunity of Lille, Lille, France
| | - Dante Rotili
- Dipartimento di Chimica e Tecnologie del Farmaco "Sapienza" Università di Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - Thomas Mouveaux
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019 - UMR 9017 - CIIL - Center for Infection and Immunity of Lille, Lille, France
| | - Emmanuel Roger
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019 - UMR 9017 - CIIL - Center for Infection and Immunity of Lille, Lille, France
| | - El Moukthar Aliouat
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019 - UMR 9017 - CIIL - Center for Infection and Immunity of Lille, Lille, France
| | - Christine Pierrot
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019 - UMR 9017 - CIIL - Center for Infection and Immunity of Lille, Lille, France
| | - Sergio Valente
- Dipartimento di Chimica e Tecnologie del Farmaco "Sapienza" Università di Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonello Mai
- Dipartimento di Chimica e Tecnologie del Farmaco "Sapienza" Università di Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - Mathieu Gissot
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019 - UMR 9017 - CIIL - Center for Infection and Immunity of Lille, Lille, France
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7
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Ashby EC, Havens JL, Rollosson LM, Hardin J, Schulz D. Chemical Inhibition of Bromodomain Proteins in Insect-Stage African Trypanosomes Perturbs Silencing of the Variant Surface Glycoprotein Repertoire and Results in Widespread Changes in the Transcriptome. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0014723. [PMID: 37097159 PMCID: PMC10269879 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00147-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 04/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The eukaryotic protozoan parasite Trypanosoma brucei is transmitted by the tsetse fly to both humans and animals, where it causes a fatal disease called African trypanosomiasis. While the parasite lacks canonical DNA sequence-specific transcription factors, it does possess histones, histone modifications, and proteins that write, erase, and read histone marks. Chemical inhibition of chromatin-interacting bromodomain proteins has previously been shown to perturb bloodstream specific trypanosome processes, including silencing of the variant surface glycoprotein (VSG) genes and immune evasion. Transcriptomic changes that occur in bromodomain-inhibited bloodstream parasites mirror many of the changes that occur as parasites developmentally progress from the bloodstream to the insect stage. We performed transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq) time courses to determine the effects of chemical bromodomain inhibition in insect-stage parasites using the compound I-BET151. We found that treatment with I-BET151 causes large changes in the transcriptome of insect-stage parasites and also perturbs silencing of VSG genes. The transcriptomes of bromodomain-inhibited parasites share some features with early metacyclic-stage parasites in the fly salivary gland, implicating bromodomain proteins as important for regulating transcript levels for developmentally relevant genes. However, the downregulation of surface procyclin protein that typically accompanies developmental progression is absent in bromodomain-inhibited insect-stage parasites. We conclude that chemical modulation of bromodomain proteins causes widespread transcriptomic changes in multiple trypanosome life cycle stages. Understanding the gene-regulatory processes that facilitate transcriptome remodeling in this highly diverged eukaryote may shed light on how these mechanisms evolved. IMPORTANCE The disease African trypanosomiasis imposes a severe human and economic burden for communities in sub-Saharan Africa. The parasite that causes the disease is transmitted to the bloodstream of a human or ungulate via the tsetse fly. Because the environments of the fly and the bloodstream differ, the parasite modulates the expression of its genes to accommodate two different lifestyles in these disparate niches. Perturbation of bromodomain proteins that interact with histone proteins around which DNA is wrapped (chromatin) causes profound changes in gene expression in bloodstream-stage parasites. This paper reports that gene expression is also affected by chemical bromodomain inhibition in insect-stage parasites but that the genes affected differ depending on life cycle stage. Because trypanosomes diverged early from model eukaryotes, an understanding of how trypanosomes regulate gene expression may lend insight into how gene-regulatory mechanisms evolved. This could also be leveraged to generate new therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ethan C. Ashby
- Department of Biology, Harvey Mudd College, Claremont, California, USA
| | | | | | - Johanna Hardin
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Pomona College, Claremont, California, USA
| | - Danae Schulz
- Department of Biology, Harvey Mudd College, Claremont, California, USA
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8
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Gaona-López C, Vazquez-Jimenez LK, Gonzalez-Gonzalez A, Delgado-Maldonado T, Ortiz-Pérez E, Nogueda-Torres B, Moreno-Rodríguez A, Vázquez K, Saavedra E, Rivera G. Advances in Protozoan Epigenetic Targets and Their Inhibitors for the Development of New Potential Drugs. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:ph16040543. [PMID: 37111300 PMCID: PMC10143871 DOI: 10.3390/ph16040543] [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: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Protozoan parasite diseases cause significant mortality and morbidity worldwide. Factors such as climate change, extreme poverty, migration, and a lack of life opportunities lead to the propagation of diseases classified as tropical or non-endemic. Although there are several drugs to combat parasitic diseases, strains resistant to routinely used drugs have been reported. In addition, many first-line drugs have adverse effects ranging from mild to severe, including potential carcinogenic effects. Therefore, new lead compounds are needed to combat these parasites. Although little has been studied regarding the epigenetic mechanisms in lower eukaryotes, it is believed that epigenetics plays an essential role in vital aspects of the organism, from controlling the life cycle to the expression of genes involved in pathogenicity. Therefore, using epigenetic targets to combat these parasites is foreseen as an area with great potential for development. This review summarizes the main known epigenetic mechanisms and their potential as therapeutics for a group of medically important protozoal parasites. Different epigenetic mechanisms are discussed, highlighting those that can be used for drug repositioning, such as histone post-translational modifications (HPTMs). Exclusive parasite targets are also emphasized, including the base J and DNA 6 mA. These two categories have the greatest potential for developing drugs to treat or eradicate these diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Gaona-López
- Laboratorio de Biotecnología Farmacéutica, Centro de Biotecnología Genómica, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Reynosa 88710, Mexico
| | - Lenci K Vazquez-Jimenez
- Laboratorio de Biotecnología Farmacéutica, Centro de Biotecnología Genómica, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Reynosa 88710, Mexico
| | - Alonzo Gonzalez-Gonzalez
- Laboratorio de Biotecnología Farmacéutica, Centro de Biotecnología Genómica, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Reynosa 88710, Mexico
| | - Timoteo Delgado-Maldonado
- Laboratorio de Biotecnología Farmacéutica, Centro de Biotecnología Genómica, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Reynosa 88710, Mexico
| | - Eyrá Ortiz-Pérez
- Laboratorio de Biotecnología Farmacéutica, Centro de Biotecnología Genómica, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Reynosa 88710, Mexico
| | - Benjamín Nogueda-Torres
- Departamento de Parasitología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City 11340, Mexico
| | - Adriana Moreno-Rodríguez
- Laboratorio de Estudios Epidemiológicos, Clínicos, Diseños Experimentales e Investigación, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma "Benito Juárez" de Oaxaca, Avenida Universidad S/N, Ex Hacienda Cinco Señores, Oaxaca 68120, Mexico
| | - Karina Vázquez
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Francisco Villa 20, General Escobedo 66054, Mexico
| | - Emma Saavedra
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto Nacional de Cardiología Ignacio Chávez, Mexico City 14080, Mexico
| | - Gildardo Rivera
- Laboratorio de Biotecnología Farmacéutica, Centro de Biotecnología Genómica, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Reynosa 88710, Mexico
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Di Bello E, Sian V, Bontempi G, Zwergel C, Fioravanti R, Noce B, Castiello C, Tomassi S, Corinti D, Passeri D, Pellicciari R, Mercurio C, Varasi M, Altucci L, Tripodi M, Strippoli R, Nebbioso A, Valente S, Mai A. Novel pyridine-containing histone deacetylase inhibitors strongly arrest proliferation, induce apoptosis and modulate miRNAs in cancer cells. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 247:115022. [PMID: 36549114 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.115022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Revised: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
After over 30 years of research, the development of HDAC inhibitors led to five FDA/Chinese FDA-approved drugs and many others under clinical or preclinical investigation to treat cancer and non-cancer diseases. Herein, based on our recent development of pyridine-based isomers as HDAC inhibitors, we report a series of novel 5-acylamino-2-pyridylacrylic- and -picolinic hydroxamates and 2'-aminoanilides 5-8 as anticancer agents. The hydroxamate 5d proved to be quite HDAC3/6-selective exhibiting IC50 values of 80 and 11 nM, respectively, whereas the congener 5e behaved as inhibitor of HDAC1-3, -6, -8, and -10 (class I/IIb-selective inhibitor) at nanomolar level. Compound 5e provided a huge antiproliferative activity (nanomolar IC50 values) against both haematological and solid cancer cell lines. In leukaemia U937 cells, the hydroxamate 5d and the 2'-aminoanilide 8f induced remarkable cell death after 48 h, with 76% and 100% pre-G1 phase arrest, respectively, showing a stronger effect with respect to SAHA and MS-275 used as reference compounds. In U937 cells, the highest dose- and time-dependent cytodifferentiation was obtained by the 2'-aminoanilide 8d (up to 35% of CD11c positive/propidium iodide negative cells at 5 μM for 48 h). The same 8d and the hydroxamates 5d and 5e were the most effective in inducing p21 protein expression in the same cell line. Mechanistically, 5d, 5e, 8d and 8f increased mRNA expression of p21, BAX and BAK, downregulated cyclin D1 and BCL-2 and modulated pro- and anti-apoptotic microRNAs towards apoptosis induction. Finally, 5e strongly arrested proliferation in nine different haematological cancer cell lines, with dual-digit nanomolar potency towards MV4-11, Kasumi-1, and NB4, being more potent than mocetinostat, used as reference drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabetta Di Bello
- Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Veronica Sian
- Department of Precision Medicine, "Luigi Vanvitelli" University of Campania, Via L. De Crecchio 7, 80138, Naples, Italy
| | - Giulio Bontempi
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185, Rome, Italy; Gene Expression Laboratory, National Institute for Infectious Diseases, Lazzaro Spallanzani IRCCS, Via Portuense, 292, 00149, Rome, Italy
| | - Clemens Zwergel
- Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Rossella Fioravanti
- Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Beatrice Noce
- Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Carola Castiello
- Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Stefano Tomassi
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II", Via D. Montesano 49, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Davide Corinti
- Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Daniela Passeri
- TES Pharma S.r.l., Via P. Togliatti 20, Corciano, 06073, Perugia, Italy
| | | | - Ciro Mercurio
- IFOM ETS, The AIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, Via Adamello 16, 20139, Milan, Italy
| | - Mario Varasi
- IFOM ETS, The AIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, Via Adamello 16, 20139, Milan, Italy
| | - Lucia Altucci
- Department of Precision Medicine, "Luigi Vanvitelli" University of Campania, Via L. De Crecchio 7, 80138, Naples, Italy
| | - Marco Tripodi
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185, Rome, Italy; Gene Expression Laboratory, National Institute for Infectious Diseases, Lazzaro Spallanzani IRCCS, Via Portuense, 292, 00149, Rome, Italy
| | - Raffaele Strippoli
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185, Rome, Italy; Gene Expression Laboratory, National Institute for Infectious Diseases, Lazzaro Spallanzani IRCCS, Via Portuense, 292, 00149, Rome, Italy.
| | - Angela Nebbioso
- Department of Precision Medicine, "Luigi Vanvitelli" University of Campania, Via L. De Crecchio 7, 80138, Naples, Italy.
| | - Sergio Valente
- Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185, Rome, Italy.
| | - Antonello Mai
- Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185, Rome, Italy; Pasteur Institute, Cenci-Bolognetti Foundation, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185, Rome, Italy
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10
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Aldrich CC, Calderón F, Conway SJ, He C, Hooker JM, Huryn DM, Lindsley CW, Liotta DC, Müller CE. Virtual Special Issue: Epigenetics 2022. ACS Chem Biol 2022; 17:2673-2678. [PMID: 36268572 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.2c00661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
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Aldrich CC, Calderón F, Conway SJ, He C, Hooker JM, Huryn DM, Lindsley CW, Liotta DC, Müller CE. Virtual Special Issue: Epigenetics 2022. ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci 2022; 5:829-834. [PMID: 36268124 PMCID: PMC9578134 DOI: 10.1021/acsptsci.2c00169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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12
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Aldrich CC, Calderón F, Conway SJ, He C, Hooker JM, Huryn DM, Lindsley CW, Liotta DC, Müller CE. Virtual Special Issue: Epigenetics 2022. ACS Infect Dis 2022; 8:1975-1980. [PMID: 36073808 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.2c00434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
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13
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Aldrich CC, Calderón F, Conway SJ, He C, Hooker JM, Huryn DM, Lindsley CW, Liotta DC, Müller CE. Virtual Special Issue: Epigenetics 2022. ACS Med Chem Lett 2022; 13:1524-1529. [PMID: 36262399 PMCID: PMC9575161 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.2c00393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
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14
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Aldrich CC, Calderón F, Conway SJ, He C, Hooker JM, Huryn DM, Lindsley CW, Liotta DC, Müller CE. Virtual Special Issue: Epigenetics 2022. J Med Chem 2022; 65:11894-11899. [PMID: 36073827 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c01386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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15
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Aldrich CC, Calderón F, Conway SJ, He C, Hooker JM, Huryn DM, Lindsley CW, Liotta DC, Müller CE. Virtual Special Issue: Epigenetics 2022. ACS Chem Neurosci 2022. [PMID: 36067366 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.2c00501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
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