1
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Giannangelo C, Challis MP, Siddiqui G, Edgar R, Malcolm TR, Webb CT, Drinkwater N, Vinh N, Macraild C, Counihan N, Duffy S, Wittlin S, Devine SM, Avery VM, De Koning-Ward T, Scammells P, McGowan S, Creek DJ. Chemoproteomics validates selective targeting of Plasmodium M1 alanyl aminopeptidase as an antimalarial strategy. eLife 2024; 13:RP92990. [PMID: 38976500 PMCID: PMC11230628 DOI: 10.7554/elife.92990] [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] [Indexed: 07/10/2024] Open
Abstract
New antimalarial drug candidates that act via novel mechanisms are urgently needed to combat malaria drug resistance. Here, we describe the multi-omic chemical validation of Plasmodium M1 alanyl metalloaminopeptidase as an attractive drug target using the selective inhibitor, MIPS2673. MIPS2673 demonstrated potent inhibition of recombinant Plasmodium falciparum (PfA-M1) and Plasmodium vivax (PvA-M1) M1 metalloaminopeptidases, with selectivity over other Plasmodium and human aminopeptidases, and displayed excellent in vitro antimalarial activity with no significant host cytotoxicity. Orthogonal label-free chemoproteomic methods based on thermal stability and limited proteolysis of whole parasite lysates revealed that MIPS2673 solely targets PfA-M1 in parasites, with limited proteolysis also enabling estimation of the binding site on PfA-M1 to within ~5 Å of that determined by X-ray crystallography. Finally, functional investigation by untargeted metabolomics demonstrated that MIPS2673 inhibits the key role of PfA-M1 in haemoglobin digestion. Combined, our unbiased multi-omic target deconvolution methods confirmed the on-target activity of MIPS2673, and validated selective inhibition of M1 alanyl metalloaminopeptidase as a promising antimalarial strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Giannangelo
- Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash UniversityParkvilleAustralia
| | - Matthew P Challis
- Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash UniversityParkvilleAustralia
| | - Ghizal Siddiqui
- Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash UniversityParkvilleAustralia
| | - Rebecca Edgar
- School of Medicine, Deakin UniversityGeelongAustralia
- The Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, Deakin UniversityGeelongAustralia
| | - Tess R Malcolm
- Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Microbiology, Monash UniversityClaytonAustralia
- Centre to Impact AMR, Monash UniversityClaytonAustralia
| | - Chaille T Webb
- Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Microbiology, Monash UniversityClaytonAustralia
- Centre to Impact AMR, Monash UniversityClaytonAustralia
| | - Nyssa Drinkwater
- Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Microbiology, Monash UniversityClaytonAustralia
- Centre to Impact AMR, Monash UniversityClaytonAustralia
| | - Natalie Vinh
- Medicinal Chemistry, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash UniversityParkvilleAustralia
| | - Christopher Macraild
- Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash UniversityParkvilleAustralia
| | - Natalie Counihan
- School of Medicine, Deakin UniversityGeelongAustralia
- The Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, Deakin UniversityGeelongAustralia
| | - Sandra Duffy
- Discovery Biology, Centre for Cellular Phenomics, Griffith UniversityNathanAustralia
| | - Sergio Wittlin
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health InstituteAllschwilSwitzerland
- University of BaselBaselSwitzerland
| | - Shane M Devine
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical ResearchParkvilleAustralia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of MelbourneParkvilleAustralia
| | - Vicky M Avery
- Discovery Biology, Centre for Cellular Phenomics, Griffith UniversityNathanAustralia
- School of Environment and Science, Griffith UniversityNathanAustralia
| | - Tania De Koning-Ward
- School of Medicine, Deakin UniversityGeelongAustralia
- The Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, Deakin UniversityGeelongAustralia
| | - Peter Scammells
- Medicinal Chemistry, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash UniversityParkvilleAustralia
| | - Sheena McGowan
- Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Microbiology, Monash UniversityClaytonAustralia
- Centre to Impact AMR, Monash UniversityClaytonAustralia
| | - Darren J Creek
- Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash UniversityParkvilleAustralia
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2
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Creek D, Giannangelo C, Challis M, Siddiqui G, Edgar R, Malcolm T, Webb C, Drinkwater N, Vinh N, MacRaild C, Counihan N, Duffy S, Wittlin S, Devine S, Avery V, de Koning-Ward T, Scammells P, McGowan S. Chemoproteomics validates selective targeting of Plasmodium M1 alanyl aminopeptidase as an antimalarial strategy. RESEARCH SQUARE 2024:rs.3.rs-3251230. [PMID: 38746424 PMCID: PMC11092810 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3251230/v3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
New antimalarial drug candidates that act via novel mechanisms are urgently needed to combat malaria drug resistance. Here, we describe the multi-omic chemical validation of Plasmodium M1 alanyl metalloaminopeptidase as an attractive drug target using the selective inhibitor, MIPS2673. MIPS2673 demonstrated potent inhibition of recombinant Plasmodium falciparum ( Pf A-M1) and Plasmodium vivax ( Pv A-M1) M1 metalloaminopeptidases, with selectivity over other Plasmodium and human aminopeptidases, and displayed excellent in vitro antimalarial activity with no significant host cytotoxicity. Orthogonal label-free chemoproteomic methods based on thermal stability and limited proteolysis of whole parasite lysates revealed that MIPS2673 solely targets Pf A-M1 in parasites, with limited proteolysis also enabling estimation of the binding site on Pf A-M1 to within ~5 Å of that determined by X-ray crystallography. Finally, functional investigation by untargeted metabolomics demonstrated that MIPS2673 inhibits the key role of Pf A-M1 in haemoglobin digestion. Combined, our unbiased multi-omic target deconvolution methods confirmed the on-target activity of MIPS2673, and validated selective inhibition of M1 alanyl metalloaminopeptidase as a promising antimalarial strategy.
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3
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Lindblom JR, Zhang X, Lehane AM. A pH Fingerprint Assay to Identify Inhibitors of Multiple Validated and Potential Antimalarial Drug Targets. ACS Infect Dis 2024; 10:1185-1200. [PMID: 38499199 PMCID: PMC11019546 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.3c00588] [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: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024]
Abstract
New drugs with novel modes of action are needed to safeguard malaria treatment. In recent years, millions of compounds have been tested for their ability to inhibit the growth of asexual blood-stage Plasmodium falciparum parasites, resulting in the identification of thousands of compounds with antiplasmodial activity. Determining the mechanisms of action of antiplasmodial compounds informs their further development, but remains challenging. A relatively high proportion of compounds identified as killing asexual blood-stage parasites show evidence of targeting the parasite's plasma membrane Na+-extruding, H+-importing pump, PfATP4. Inhibitors of PfATP4 give rise to characteristic changes in the parasite's internal [Na+] and pH. Here, we designed a "pH fingerprint" assay that robustly identifies PfATP4 inhibitors while simultaneously allowing the detection of (and discrimination between) inhibitors of the lactate:H+ transporter PfFNT, which is a validated antimalarial drug target, and the V-type H+ ATPase, which was suggested as a possible target of the clinical candidate ZY19489. In our pH fingerprint assays and subsequent secondary assays, ZY19489 did not show evidence for the inhibition of pH regulation by the V-type H+ ATPase, suggesting that it has a different mode of action in the parasite. The pH fingerprint assay also has the potential to identify protonophores, inhibitors of the acid-loading Cl- transporter(s) (for which the molecular identity(ies) remain elusive), and compounds that act through inhibition of either the glucose transporter PfHT or glycolysis. The pH fingerprint assay therefore provides an efficient starting point to match a proportion of antiplasmodial compounds with their mechanisms of action.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Adele M. Lehane
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital
Territory 2600, Australia
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4
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Redway A, Spry C, Brown A, Wiedemann U, Fathoni I, Garnie LF, Qiu D, Egan TJ, Lehane AM, Jackson Y, Saliba KJ, Downer-Riley N. Discovery of antiplasmodial pyridine carboxamides and thiocarboxamides. Int J Parasitol Drugs Drug Resist 2024; 25:100536. [PMID: 38663046 PMCID: PMC11068522 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2024.100536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Revised: 03/30/2024] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024]
Abstract
Malaria continues to be a significant burden, particularly in Africa, which accounts for 95% of malaria deaths worldwide. Despite advances in malaria treatments, malaria eradication is hampered by insecticide and antimalarial drug resistance. Consequently, the need to discover new antimalarial lead compounds remains urgent. To help address this need, we evaluated the antiplasmodial activity of twenty-two amides and thioamides with pyridine cores and their non-pyridine analogues. Twelve of these compounds showed in vitro anti-proliferative activity against the intraerythrocytic stage of Plasmodium falciparum, the most virulent species of Plasmodium infecting humans. Thiopicolinamide 13i was found to possess submicromolar activity (IC50 = 142 nM) and was >88-fold less active against a human cell line. The compound was equally effective against chloroquine-sensitive and -resistant parasites and did not inhibit β-hematin formation, pH regulation or PfATP4. Compound 13i may therefore possess a novel mechanism of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexa Redway
- Department of Chemistry, The University of the West Indies, Mona, Kingston 7, Jamaica; Chemistry Divison, University of Technology, 237 Old Hope Road, Kingston 6, Jamaica
| | - Christina Spry
- Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
| | - Ainka Brown
- Department of Chemistry, The University of the West Indies, Mona, Kingston 7, Jamaica
| | - Ursula Wiedemann
- Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
| | - Imam Fathoni
- Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
| | - Larnelle F Garnie
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, 7701, South Africa
| | - Deyun Qiu
- Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
| | - Timothy J Egan
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, 7701, South Africa; Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Observatory, 7925, South Africa
| | - Adele M Lehane
- Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
| | - Yvette Jackson
- Department of Chemistry, The University of the West Indies, Mona, Kingston 7, Jamaica
| | - Kevin J Saliba
- Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
| | - Nadale Downer-Riley
- Department of Chemistry, The University of the West Indies, Mona, Kingston 7, Jamaica.
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5
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Siqueira-Neto JL, Wicht KJ, Chibale K, Burrows JN, Fidock DA, Winzeler EA. Antimalarial drug discovery: progress and approaches. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2023; 22:807-826. [PMID: 37652975 PMCID: PMC10543600 DOI: 10.1038/s41573-023-00772-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
Recent antimalarial drug discovery has been a race to produce new medicines that overcome emerging drug resistance, whilst considering safety and improving dosing convenience. Discovery efforts have yielded a variety of new molecules, many with novel modes of action, and the most advanced are in late-stage clinical development. These discoveries have led to a deeper understanding of how antimalarial drugs act, the identification of a new generation of drug targets, and multiple structure-based chemistry initiatives. The limited pool of funding means it is vital to prioritize new drug candidates. They should exhibit high potency, a low propensity for resistance, a pharmacokinetic profile that favours infrequent dosing, low cost, preclinical results that demonstrate safety and tolerability in women and infants, and preferably the ability to block Plasmodium transmission to Anopheles mosquito vectors. In this Review, we describe the approaches that have been successful, progress in preclinical and clinical development, and existing challenges. We illustrate how antimalarial drug discovery can serve as a model for drug discovery in diseases of poverty.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kathryn J Wicht
- Holistic Drug Discovery and Development (H3D) Centre, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, South Africa
- South African Medical Research Council Drug Discovery and Development Research Unit, Department of Chemistry and Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, South Africa
| | - Kelly Chibale
- Holistic Drug Discovery and Development (H3D) Centre, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, South Africa
- South African Medical Research Council Drug Discovery and Development Research Unit, Department of Chemistry and Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, South Africa
| | | | - David A Fidock
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology and Center for Malaria Therapeutics and Antimicrobial Resistance, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
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6
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Mandt REK, Luth MR, Tye MA, Mazitschek R, Ottilie S, Winzeler EA, Lafuente-Monasterio MJ, Gamo FJ, Wirth DF, Lukens AK. Diverse evolutionary pathways challenge the use of collateral sensitivity as a strategy to suppress resistance. eLife 2023; 12:e85023. [PMID: 37737220 PMCID: PMC10695565 DOI: 10.7554/elife.85023] [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: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Drug resistance remains a major obstacle to malaria control and eradication efforts, necessitating the development of novel therapeutic strategies to treat this disease. Drug combinations based on collateral sensitivity, wherein resistance to one drug causes increased sensitivity to the partner drug, have been proposed as an evolutionary strategy to suppress the emergence of resistance in pathogen populations. In this study, we explore collateral sensitivity between compounds targeting the Plasmodium dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH). We profiled the cross-resistance and collateral sensitivity phenotypes of several DHODH mutant lines to a diverse panel of DHODH inhibitors. We focus on one compound, TCMDC-125334, which was active against all mutant lines tested, including the DHODH C276Y line, which arose in selections with the clinical candidate DSM265. In six selections with TCMDC-125334, the most common mechanism of resistance to this compound was copy number variation of the dhodh locus, although we did identify one mutation, DHODH I263S, which conferred resistance to TCMDC-125334 but not DSM265. We found that selection of the DHODH C276Y mutant with TCMDC-125334 yielded additional genetic changes in the dhodh locus. These double mutant parasites exhibited decreased sensitivity to TCMDC-125334 and were highly resistant to DSM265. Finally, we tested whether collateral sensitivity could be exploited to suppress the emergence of resistance in the context of combination treatment by exposing wildtype parasites to both DSM265 and TCMDC-125334 simultaneously. This selected for parasites with a DHODH V532A mutation which were cross-resistant to both compounds and were as fit as the wildtype parent in vitro. The emergence of these cross-resistant, evolutionarily fit parasites highlights the mutational flexibility of the DHODH enzyme.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca EK Mandt
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public HealthBostonUnited States
| | - Madeline R Luth
- Division of Host Pathogen Systems and Therapeutics, Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San DiegoSan DiegoUnited States
| | - Mark A Tye
- Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General HospitalBostonUnited States
- Harvard Graduate School of Arts and SciencesCambridgeUnited States
| | - Ralph Mazitschek
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public HealthBostonUnited States
- Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General HospitalBostonUnited States
| | - Sabine Ottilie
- Division of Host Pathogen Systems and Therapeutics, Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San DiegoSan DiegoUnited States
| | - Elizabeth A Winzeler
- Division of Host Pathogen Systems and Therapeutics, Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San DiegoSan DiegoUnited States
- Skaggs School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San DiegoLa JollaUnited States
| | | | - Francisco Javier Gamo
- Tres Cantos Medicines Development Campus, Diseases of the Developing World, GlaxoSmithKlineMadridSpain
| | - Dyann F Wirth
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public HealthBostonUnited States
- Infectious Disease and Microbiome Program, The Broad InstituteCambridgeUnited States
| | - Amanda K Lukens
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public HealthBostonUnited States
- Infectious Disease and Microbiome Program, The Broad InstituteCambridgeUnited States
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7
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Umumararungu T, Nkuranga JB, Habarurema G, Nyandwi JB, Mukazayire MJ, Mukiza J, Muganga R, Hahirwa I, Mpenda M, Katembezi AN, Olawode EO, Kayitare E, Kayumba PC. Recent developments in antimalarial drug discovery. Bioorg Med Chem 2023; 88-89:117339. [PMID: 37236020 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2023.117339] [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: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Although malaria remains a big burden to many countries that it threatens their socio-economic stability, particularly in the countries where malaria is endemic, there have been great efforts to eradicate this disease with both successes and failures. For example, there has been a great improvement in malaria prevention and treatment methods with a net reduction in infection and mortality rates. However, the disease remains a global threat in terms of the number of people affected because it is one of the infectious diseases that has the highest prevalence rate, especially in Africa where the deadly Plasmodium falciparum is still widely spread. Methods to fight malaria are being diversified, including the use of mosquito nets, the target candidate profiles (TCPs) and target product profiles (TPPs) of medicine for malarial venture (MMV) strategy, the search for newer and potent drugs that could reverse chloroquine resistance, and the use of adjuvants such as rosiglitazone and sevuparin. Although these adjuvants have no antiplasmodial activity, they can help to alleviate the effects which result from plasmodium invasion such as cytoadherence. The list of new antimalarial drugs under development is long, including the out of ordinary new drugs MMV048, CDRI-97/78 and INE963 from South Africa, India and Novartis, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Théoneste Umumararungu
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, Rwanda.
| | - Jean Bosco Nkuranga
- Department of Chemistry, School of Science, College of Science and Technology, University of Rwanda, Rwanda
| | - Gratien Habarurema
- Department of Chemistry, School of Science, College of Science and Technology, University of Rwanda, Rwanda
| | - Jean Baptiste Nyandwi
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, Rwanda
| | - Marie Jeanne Mukazayire
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, Rwanda
| | - Janvier Mukiza
- Department of Mathematical Science and Physical Education, School of Education, College of Education, University of Rwanda, Rwanda; Rwanda Food and Drugs Authority, Nyarutarama Plaza, KG 9 Avenue, Kigali, Rwanda
| | - Raymond Muganga
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, Rwanda; Rwanda Food and Drugs Authority, Nyarutarama Plaza, KG 9 Avenue, Kigali, Rwanda
| | - Innocent Hahirwa
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, Rwanda
| | - Matabishi Mpenda
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, Rwanda
| | - Alain Nyirimigabo Katembezi
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, Rwanda; Rwanda Food and Drugs Authority, Nyarutarama Plaza, KG 9 Avenue, Kigali, Rwanda
| | - Emmanuel Oladayo Olawode
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Larkin University, 18301 N Miami Ave #1, Miami, FL 33169, USA
| | - Egide Kayitare
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, Rwanda
| | - Pierre Claver Kayumba
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, Rwanda
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8
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Ashton TD, Dans MG, Favuzza P, Ngo A, Lehane AM, Zhang X, Qiu D, Chandra Maity B, De N, Schindler KA, Yeo T, Park H, Uhlemann AC, Churchyard A, Baum J, Fidock DA, Jarman KE, Lowes KN, Baud D, Brand S, Jackson PF, Cowman AF, Sleebs BE. Optimization of 2,3-Dihydroquinazolinone-3-carboxamides as Antimalarials Targeting PfATP4. J Med Chem 2023; 66:3540-3565. [PMID: 36812492 PMCID: PMC10009754 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c02092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/24/2023]
Abstract
There is an urgent need to populate the antimalarial clinical portfolio with new candidates because of resistance against frontline antimalarials. To discover new antimalarial chemotypes, we performed a high-throughput screen of the Janssen Jumpstarter library against the Plasmodium falciparum asexual blood-stage parasite and identified the 2,3-dihydroquinazolinone-3-carboxamide scaffold. We defined the SAR and found that 8-substitution on the tricyclic ring system and 3-substitution of the exocyclic arene produced analogues with potent activity against asexual parasites equivalent to clinically used antimalarials. Resistance selection and profiling against drug-resistant parasite strains revealed that this antimalarial chemotype targets PfATP4. Dihydroquinazolinone analogues were shown to disrupt parasite Na+ homeostasis and affect parasite pH, exhibited a fast-to-moderate rate of asexual kill, and blocked gametogenesis, consistent with the phenotype of clinically used PfATP4 inhibitors. Finally, we observed that optimized frontrunner analogue WJM-921 demonstrates oral efficacy in a mouse model of malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trent D Ashton
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville 3052, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville 3010, Australia
| | - Madeline G Dans
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville 3052, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville 3010, Australia
| | - Paola Favuzza
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville 3052, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville 3010, Australia
| | - Anna Ngo
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville 3052, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville 3010, Australia
| | - Adele M Lehane
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra 2601, Australia
| | - Xinxin Zhang
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra 2601, Australia
| | - Deyun Qiu
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra 2601, Australia
| | | | - Nirupam De
- TCG Lifesciences Pvt. Ltd., Saltlake Sec-V, Kolkata 700091, West Bengal, India
| | - Kyra A Schindler
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Columbia University, Irving Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, United States
| | - Tomas Yeo
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Columbia University, Irving Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, United States
| | - Heekuk Park
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Columbia University, Irving Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, United States
| | - Anne-Catrin Uhlemann
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Columbia University, Irving Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, United States
| | - Alisje Churchyard
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington SW7 2AZ U.K
| | - Jake Baum
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington SW7 2AZ U.K.,School of Biomedical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney 2031, Australia
| | - David A Fidock
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Columbia University, Irving Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, United States.,Center for Malaria Therapeutics and Antimicrobial Resistance, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Columbia University, Irving Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, United States
| | - Kate E Jarman
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville 3052, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville 3010, Australia
| | - Kym N Lowes
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville 3052, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville 3010, Australia
| | - Delphine Baud
- Medicines for Malaria Venture, ICC, Route de Pré-Bois 20, 1215 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Stephen Brand
- Medicines for Malaria Venture, ICC, Route de Pré-Bois 20, 1215 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Paul F Jackson
- Global Public Health, Janssen R&D LLC, La Jolla, California 92121, United States
| | - Alan F Cowman
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville 3052, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville 3010, Australia
| | - Brad E Sleebs
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville 3052, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville 3010, Australia
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9
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Tewari SG, Elahi R, Kwan B, Rajaram K, Bhatnagar S, Reifman J, Prigge ST, Vaidya AB, Wallqvist A. Metabolic responses in blood-stage malaria parasites associated with increased and decreased sensitivity to PfATP4 inhibitors. Malar J 2023; 22:56. [PMID: 36788578 PMCID: PMC9930341 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-023-04481-x] [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: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Spiroindolone and pyrazoleamide antimalarial compounds target Plasmodium falciparum P-type ATPase (PfATP4) and induce disruption of intracellular Na+ homeostasis. Recently, a PfATP4 mutation was discovered that confers resistance to a pyrazoleamide while increasing sensitivity to a spiroindolone. Transcriptomic and metabolic adaptations that underlie this seemingly contradictory response of P. falciparum to sublethal concentrations of each compound were examined to understand the different cellular accommodation to PfATP4 disruptions. METHODS A genetically engineered P. falciparum Dd2 strain (Dd2A211V) carrying an Ala211Val (A211V) mutation in PfATP4 was used to identify metabolic adaptations associated with the mutation that results in decreased sensitivity to PA21A092 (a pyrazoleamide) and increased sensitivity to KAE609 (a spiroindolone). First, sublethal doses of PA21A092 and KAE609 causing substantial reduction (30-70%) in Dd2A211V parasite replication were identified. Then, at this sublethal dose of PA21A092 (or KAE609), metabolomic and transcriptomic data were collected during the first intraerythrocytic developmental cycle. Finally, the time-resolved data were integrated with a whole-genome metabolic network model of P. falciparum to characterize antimalarial-induced physiological adaptations. RESULTS Sublethal treatment with PA21A092 caused significant (p < 0.001) alterations in the abundances of 91 Plasmodium gene transcripts, whereas only 21 transcripts were significantly altered due to sublethal treatment with KAE609. In the metabolomic data, a substantial alteration (≥ fourfold) in the abundances of carbohydrate metabolites in the presence of either compound was found. The estimated rates of macromolecule syntheses between the two antimalarial-treated conditions were also comparable, except for the rate of lipid synthesis. A closer examination of parasite metabolism in the presence of either compound indicated statistically significant differences in enzymatic activities associated with synthesis of phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylserine, and phosphatidylinositol. CONCLUSION The results of this study suggest that malaria parasites activate protein kinases via phospholipid-dependent signalling in response to the ionic perturbation induced by the Na+ homeostasis disruptor PA21A092. Therefore, targeted disruption of phospholipid signalling in PA21A092-resistant parasites could be a means to block the emergence of resistance to PA21A092.
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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, Fort Detrick, MD, USA. .,The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc., Bethesda, MD, USA.
| | - Rubayet Elahi
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Bobby Kwan
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Krithika Rajaram
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Suyash Bhatnagar
- Center for Molecular Parasitology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,Office of Vaccines Research and Review, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, 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, Fort Detrick, MD, USA
| | - Sean T Prigge
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Akhil B Vaidya
- Center for Molecular Parasitology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 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, Fort Detrick, MD, USA.
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10
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Wells M, Fossépré M, Hambye S, Surin M, Blankert B. Uncovering the antimalarial potential of toad venoms through a bioassay-guided fractionation process. Int J Parasitol Drugs Drug Resist 2022; 20:97-107. [PMID: 36343571 PMCID: PMC9772263 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2022.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Revised: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Malaria remains to date one of the most devastating parasitic diseases worldwide. The fight against this disease is rendered more difficult by the emergence and spread of drug-resistant strains. The need for new therapeutic candidates is now greater than ever. In this study, we investigated the antiplasmodial potential of toad venoms. The wide array of bioactive compounds present in Bufonidae venoms has allowed researchers to consider many potential therapeutic applications, especially for cancers and infectious diseases. We focused on small molecules, namely bufadienolides, found in the venom of Rhinella marina (L.). The developed bio-guided fractionation process includes a four solvent-system extraction followed by fractionation using flash chromatography. Sub-fractions were obtained through preparative TLC. All samples were characterized using chromatographic and spectrometric techniques and then underwent testing on in vitro Plasmodium falciparum cultures. Two strains were considered: 3D7 (chloroquine-sensitive) and W2 (chloroquine-resistant). This strategy highlighted a promising activity for one compound named resibufogenin. With IC50 values of (29 ± 8) μg/mL and (23 ± 1) μg/mL for 3D7 and W2 respectively, this makes it an interesting candidate for further investigation. A molecular modelling approach proposed a potential binding mode of resibufogenin to Plasmodium falciparum adenine-triphosphate 4 pump as antimalarial drug target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathilde Wells
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Analysis, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Research Institute for Health Sciences and Technology, University of Mons - UMONS, Place du Parc 20, 7000, Mons, Belgium
| | - Mathieu Fossépré
- Laboratory for Chemistry of Novel Materials, Faculty of Sciences, Research Institute for Biosciences and Research Institute for Materials, University of Mons - UMONS, Place du Parc 20, 7000, Mons, Belgium
| | - Stéphanie Hambye
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Analysis, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Research Institute for Health Sciences and Technology, University of Mons - UMONS, Place du Parc 20, 7000, Mons, Belgium
| | - Mathieu Surin
- Laboratory for Chemistry of Novel Materials, Faculty of Sciences, Research Institute for Biosciences and Research Institute for Materials, University of Mons - UMONS, Place du Parc 20, 7000, Mons, Belgium
| | - Bertrand Blankert
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Analysis, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Research Institute for Health Sciences and Technology, University of Mons - UMONS, Place du Parc 20, 7000, Mons, Belgium.
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11
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Barnes CBG, Dans MG, Jonsdottir TK, Crabb BS, Gilson PR. PfATP4 inhibitors in the Medicines for Malaria Venture Malaria Box and Pathogen Box block the schizont-to-ring transition by inhibiting egress rather than invasion. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:1060202. [PMID: 36530423 PMCID: PMC9747762 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.1060202] [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: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
The cation efflux pump Plasmodium falciparum ATPase 4 (PfATP4) maintains Na+ homeostasis in malaria parasites and has been implicated in the mechanism of action of many structurally diverse antimalarial agents, including >7% of the antimalarial compounds in the Medicines for Malaria Venture's 'Malaria Box' and 'Pathogen Box'. Recent screens of the 'Malaria Box' and 'Pathogen Box' revealed that many PfATP4 inhibitors prevent parasites from exiting their host red blood cell (egress) or entering new host cells (invasion), suggesting that these compounds may have additional molecular targets involved in egress or invasion. Here, we demonstrate that five PfATP4 inhibitors reduce egress but not invasion. These compounds appear to inhibit egress by blocking the activation of protein kinase G, an enzyme that, once stimulated, rapidly activates parasite egress. We establish a direct link between egress and PfATP4 function by showing that the inhibition of egress is attenuated in a Na+-depleted environment and in parasites with a mutation in pfatp4. Finally, we show that PfATP4 inhibitors induce host cell lysis when administered prior to the completion of parasite replication. Since host cell lysis mimics egress but is not followed by invasion, this phenomenon likely explains why several PfATP4 inhibitors were previously classified as invasion inhibitors. Collectively, our results confirm that PfATP4-mediated Na+ efflux is critical to the regulation of parasite egress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia B. G. Barnes
- Life Sciences, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia,Department of Medicine, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Madeline G. Dans
- Life Sciences, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia,School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia
| | - Thorey K. Jonsdottir
- Life Sciences, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia,Department of Immunology and Pathology, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Brendan S. Crabb
- Life Sciences, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia,Department of Immunology and Pathology, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Paul R. Gilson
- Life Sciences, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia,*Correspondence: Paul R. Gilson,
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12
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Challis MP, Devine SM, Creek DJ. Current and emerging target identification methods for novel antimalarials. Int J Parasitol Drugs Drug Resist 2022; 20:135-144. [PMID: 36410177 PMCID: PMC9771836 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2022.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
New antimalarial compounds with novel mechanisms of action are urgently needed to combat the recent rise in antimalarial drug resistance. Phenotypic high-throughput screens have proven to be a successful method for identifying new compounds, however, do not provide mechanistic information about the molecular target(s) responsible for antimalarial action. Current and emerging target identification methods such as in vitro resistance generation, metabolomics screening, chemoproteomic approaches and biophysical assays measuring protein stability across the whole proteome have successfully identified novel drug targets. This review provides an overview of these techniques, comparing their strengths and weaknesses and how they can be utilised for antimalarial target identification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew P. Challis
- Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia
| | - Shane M. Devine
- Medicinal Chemistry, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia
| | - Darren J. Creek
- Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia,Corresponding author. Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia.
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13
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Mohring F, van Schalkwyk DA, Henrici RC, Blasco B, Leroy D, Sutherland CJ, Moon RW. Cation ATPase (ATP4) Orthologue Replacement in the Malaria Parasite Plasmodium knowlesi Reveals Species-Specific Responses to ATP4-Targeting Drugs. mBio 2022; 13:e0117822. [PMID: 36190127 PMCID: PMC9600963 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01178-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Several unrelated classes of antimalarial compounds developed against Plasmodium falciparum target a parasite-specific P-type ATP-dependent Na+ pump, PfATP4. We have previously shown that other malaria parasite species infecting humans are less susceptible to these compounds. Here, we generated a series of transgenic Plasmodium knowlesi orthologue replacement (OR) lines in which the endogenous pkatp4 locus was replaced by a recodonized P. knowlesi atp4 (pkatp4) coding region or the orthologous coding region from P. falciparum, Plasmodium malariae, Plasmodium ovale subsp. curtisi, or Plasmodium vivax. Each OR transgenic line displayed a similar growth pattern to the parental P. knowlesi line. We found significant orthologue-specific differences in parasite susceptibility to three chemically unrelated ATP4 inhibitors, but not to comparator drugs, among the P. knowlesi OR lines. The PfATP4OR transgenic line of P. knowlesi was significantly more susceptible than our control PkATP4OR line to three ATP4 inhibitors: cipargamin, PA21A092, and SJ733. The PvATP4OR and PmATP4OR lines were similarly susceptible to the control PkATP4OR line, but the PocATP4OR line was significantly less susceptible to all ATP4 inhibitors than the PkATP4OR line. Cipargamin-induced inhibition of Na+ efflux was also significantly greater with the P. falciparum orthologue of ATP4. This confirms that species-specific susceptibility differences previously observed in ex vivo studies of human isolates are partly or wholly enshrined in the primary amino acid sequences of the respective ATP4 orthologues and highlights the need to monitor efficacy of investigational malaria drugs against multiple species. P. knowlesi is now established as an important in vitro model for studying drug susceptibility in non-falciparum malaria parasites. IMPORTANCE Effective drugs are vital to minimize the illness and death caused by malaria. Development of new drugs becomes ever more urgent as drug resistance emerges. Among promising compounds now being developed to treat malaria are several unrelated molecules that each inhibit the same protein in the malaria parasite-ATP4. Here, we exploited the genetic tractability of P. knowlesi to replace its own ATP4 genes with orthologues from five human-infective species to understand the drug susceptibility differences among these parasites. We previously estimated the susceptibility to ATP4-targeting drugs of each species using clinical samples from malaria patients. These estimates closely matched those of the corresponding "hybrid" P. knowlesi parasites carrying introduced ATP4 genes. Thus, species-specific ATP4 inhibitor efficacy is directly determined by the sequence of the gene. Our novel approach to understanding cross-species susceptibility/resistance can strongly support the effort to develop antimalarials that effectively target all human malaria parasite species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franziska Mohring
- Department of Infection Biology, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Donelly A. van Schalkwyk
- Department of Infection Biology, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ryan C. Henrici
- Center for Global Health, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | | | - Didier Leroy
- Medicines for Malaria Venture, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Colin J. Sutherland
- Department of Infection Biology, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- UK Health Security Agency Malaria Reference Laboratory, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Robert W. Moon
- Department of Infection Biology, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
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14
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Qiu D, Pei JV, Rosling JEO, Thathy V, Li D, Xue Y, Tanner JD, Penington JS, Aw YTV, Aw JYH, Xu G, Tripathi AK, Gnadig NF, Yeo T, Fairhurst KJ, Stokes BH, Murithi JM, Kümpornsin K, Hasemer H, Dennis ASM, Ridgway MC, Schmitt EK, Straimer J, Papenfuss AT, Lee MCS, Corry B, Sinnis P, Fidock DA, van Dooren GG, Kirk K, Lehane AM. A G358S mutation in the Plasmodium falciparum Na + pump PfATP4 confers clinically-relevant resistance to cipargamin. Nat Commun 2022; 13:5746. [PMID: 36180431 PMCID: PMC9525273 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-33403-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Diverse compounds target the Plasmodium falciparum Na+ pump PfATP4, with cipargamin and (+)-SJ733 the most clinically-advanced. In a recent clinical trial for cipargamin, recrudescent parasites emerged, with most having a G358S mutation in PfATP4. Here, we show that PfATP4G358S parasites can withstand micromolar concentrations of cipargamin and (+)-SJ733, while remaining susceptible to antimalarials that do not target PfATP4. The G358S mutation in PfATP4, and the equivalent mutation in Toxoplasma gondii ATP4, decrease the sensitivity of ATP4 to inhibition by cipargamin and (+)-SJ733, thereby protecting parasites from disruption of Na+ regulation. The G358S mutation reduces the affinity of PfATP4 for Na+ and is associated with an increase in the parasite's resting cytosolic [Na+]. However, no defect in parasite growth or transmissibility is observed. Our findings suggest that PfATP4 inhibitors in clinical development should be tested against PfATP4G358S parasites, and that their combination with unrelated antimalarials may mitigate against resistance development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deyun Qiu
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 2600, Australia
| | - Jinxin V Pei
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 2600, Australia
| | - James E O Rosling
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 2600, Australia
| | - Vandana Thathy
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Dongdi Li
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 2600, Australia
| | - Yi Xue
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 2600, Australia
| | - John D Tanner
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 2600, Australia
| | - Jocelyn Sietsma Penington
- Bioinformatic Division, The Walter & Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Yi Tong Vincent Aw
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 2600, Australia
| | - Jessica Yi Han Aw
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 2600, Australia
| | - Guoyue Xu
- Department of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology and Johns Hopkins Malaria Institute, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Abhai K Tripathi
- Department of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology and Johns Hopkins Malaria Institute, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Nina F Gnadig
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Tomas Yeo
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Kate J Fairhurst
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Barbara H Stokes
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - James M Murithi
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | | | - Heath Hasemer
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 2600, Australia
| | - Adelaide S M Dennis
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 2600, Australia
| | - Melanie C Ridgway
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 2600, Australia
| | | | - Judith Straimer
- Novartis Institute for Tropical Diseases, Emeryville, CA, 94608, USA
| | - Anthony T Papenfuss
- Bioinformatic Division, The Walter & Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Marcus C S Lee
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Ben Corry
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 2600, Australia
| | - Photini Sinnis
- Department of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology and Johns Hopkins Malaria Institute, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - David A Fidock
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA
- Center for Malaria Therapeutics and Antimicrobial Resistance, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Giel G van Dooren
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 2600, Australia
| | - Kiaran Kirk
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 2600, Australia
| | - Adele M Lehane
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 2600, Australia.
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15
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Lopes EA, Mestre R, Fontinha D, Legac J, Pei JV, Sanches-Vaz M, Mori M, Lehane AM, Rosenthal PJ, Prudêncio M, Santos MM. Discovery of spirooxadiazoline oxindoles with dual-stage antimalarial activity. Eur J Med Chem 2022; 236:114324. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.114324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Revised: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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16
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Tewari SG, Kwan B, Elahi R, Rajaram K, Reifman J, Prigge ST, Vaidya AB, Wallqvist A. Metabolic adjustments of blood-stage Plasmodium falciparum in response to sublethal pyrazoleamide exposure. Sci Rep 2022; 12:1167. [PMID: 35064153 PMCID: PMC8782945 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-04985-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Due to the recurring loss of antimalarial drugs to resistance, there is a need for novel targets, drugs, and combination therapies to ensure the availability of current and future countermeasures. Pyrazoleamides belong to a novel class of antimalarial drugs that disrupt sodium ion homeostasis, although the exact consequences of this disruption in Plasmodium falciparum remain under investigation. In vitro experiments demonstrated that parasites carrying mutations in the metabolic enzyme PfATP4 develop resistance to pyrazoleamide compounds. However, the underlying mechanisms that allow mutant parasites to evade pyrazoleamide treatment are unclear. Here, we first performed experiments to identify the sublethal dose of a pyrazoleamide compound (PA21A092) that caused a significant reduction in growth over one intraerythrocytic developmental cycle (IDC). At this drug concentration, we collected transcriptomic and metabolomic data at multiple time points during the IDC to quantify gene- and metabolite-level alterations in the treated parasites. To probe the effects of pyrazoleamide treatment on parasite metabolism, we coupled the time-resolved omics data with a metabolic network model of P. falciparum. We found that the drug-treated parasites adjusted carbohydrate metabolism to enhance synthesis of myoinositol-a precursor for phosphatidylinositol biosynthesis. This metabolic adaptation caused a decrease in metabolite flux through the pentose phosphate pathway, causing a decreased rate of RNA synthesis and an increase in oxidative stress. Our model analyses suggest that downstream consequences of enhanced myoinositol synthesis may underlie adjustments that could lead to resistance emergence in P. falciparum exposed to a sublethal dose of a pyrazoleamide drug.
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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, Fort Detrick, MD, USA.
- The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc., Bethesda, MD, USA.
| | - Bobby Kwan
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Rubayet Elahi
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Krithika Rajaram
- 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, Fort Detrick, MD, USA
| | - Sean T Prigge
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Akhil B Vaidya
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Center for Molecular Parasitology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 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, Fort Detrick, MD, USA.
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17
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Assessment
in vitro
of the antimalarial and transmission blocking activities of Cipargamin and Ganaplacide in artemisinin resistant
Plasmodium falciparum. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2022; 66:e0148121. [DOI: 10.1128/aac.01481-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Artemisinin resistance in
Plasmodium falciparum
has emerged and spread widely in the Greater Mekong Subregion threatening current first line artemisinin combination treatments. New antimalarial drugs are needed urgently. Cipargamin (KAE609) and ganaplacide (KAF156) are promising novel antimalarial compounds in advanced stages of development. Both compounds have potent asexual blood stage activities, inhibit
P. falciparum
gametocytogenesis and reduce oocyst development in anopheline mosquitoes. In this study, we compared the asexual and sexual stage activities of cipargamin, ganaplacide and artesunate in artemisinin resistant
P. falciparum
isolates (N=7, K13 mutation; C580Y, G449A and R539T) from Thailand and Cambodia. Asexual blood stage antimalarial activity was evaluated in a SYBR-green I based 72h
in vitro
assay, and the effects on male and female mature stage V gametocytes were assessed in the
P. falciparum
dual gamete formation assay. Ganaplacide had higher activities when compared to cipargamin and artesunate, with a mean (SD) IC50 against asexual stages of 5.5 (1.1) nM, 7.8 (3.9) nM for male gametocytes and 57.9 (59.6) nM for female gametocytes. Cipargamin had a similar potency against male and female gametocytes, with a mean (SD) IC50 of 123.1 (80.2) nM for male gametocytes, 88.5 (52.7) nM for female gametocytes and 2.4 (0.6) nM for asexual stages. Both cipargamin and ganaplacide showed significant transmission-blocking activities against artemisinin resistant
P. falciparum
in vitro
.
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18
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Hai Y, Cai ZM, Li PJ, Wei MY, Wang CY, Gu YC, Shao CL. Trends of antimalarial marine natural products: progresses, challenges and opportunities. Nat Prod Rep 2022; 39:969-990. [DOI: 10.1039/d1np00075f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
This review provides an overview of the antimalarial marine natural products, focusing on their chemistry, malaria-related targets and mechanisms, and highlighting their potential for drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Hai
- Key Laboratory of Marine Drugs, The Ministry of Education of China, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, China
| | - Zi-Mu Cai
- Key Laboratory of Marine Drugs, The Ministry of Education of China, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, China
| | - Peng-Jie Li
- Key Laboratory of Marine Drugs, The Ministry of Education of China, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, China
| | - Mei-Yan Wei
- Key Laboratory of Marine Drugs, The Ministry of Education of China, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, China
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, China
| | - Chang-Yun Wang
- Key Laboratory of Marine Drugs, The Ministry of Education of China, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, China
- Laboratory for Marine Drugs and Bioproducts, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology (Qingdao), Qingdao, 266237, China
| | - Yu-Cheng Gu
- Syngenta Jealott's Hill International Research Centre, Bracknell, Berkshire, RG42 6EY, UK
| | - Chang-Lun Shao
- Key Laboratory of Marine Drugs, The Ministry of Education of China, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, China
- Laboratory for Marine Drugs and Bioproducts, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology (Qingdao), Qingdao, 266237, China
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19
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Kreutzfeld O, Rasmussen SA, Ramanathan AA, Tumwebaze PK, Byaruhanga O, Katairo T, Asua V, Okitwi M, Orena S, Legac J, Conrad MD, Nsobya SL, Aydemir O, Bailey J, Duffey M, Bayles BR, Vaidya AB, Cooper RA, Rosenthal PJ. Associations between Varied Susceptibilities to PfATP4 Inhibitors and Genotypes in Ugandan Plasmodium falciparum Isolates. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2021; 65:e0077121. [PMID: 34339273 PMCID: PMC8448140 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00771-21] [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: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Among novel compounds under recent investigation as potential new antimalarial drugs are three independently developed inhibitors of the Plasmodium falciparum P-type ATPase (PfATP4): KAE609 (cipargamin), PA92, and SJ733. We assessed ex vivo susceptibilities to these compounds of 374 fresh P. falciparum isolates collected in Tororo and Busia districts, Uganda, from 2016 to 2019. Median IC50s were 65 nM for SJ733, 9.1 nM for PA92, and 0.5 nM for KAE609. Sequencing of pfatp4 for 218 of these isolates demonstrated many nonsynonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms; the most frequent mutations were G1128R (69% of isolates mixed or mutant), Q1081K/R (68%), G223S (25%), N1045K (16%), and D1116G/N/Y (16%). The G223S mutation was associated with decreased susceptibility to SJ733, PA92, and KAE609. The D1116G/N/Y mutations were associated with decreased susceptibility to SJ733, and the presence of mutations at both codons 223 and 1116 was associated with decreased susceptibility to PA92 and SJ733. In all of these cases, absolute differences in susceptibilities of wild-type (WT) and mutant parasites were modest. Analysis of clones separated from mixed field isolates consistently identified mutant clones as less susceptible than WT. Analysis of isolates from other sites demonstrated the presence of the G223S and D1116G/N/Y mutations across Uganda. Our results indicate that malaria parasites circulating in Uganda have a number of polymorphisms in PfATP4 and that modestly decreased susceptibility to PfATP4 inhibitors is associated with some mutations now present in Ugandan parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oriana Kreutzfeld
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | | | - Aarti A. Ramanathan
- Center for Molecular Parasitology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | | | | | - Thomas Katairo
- Infectious Diseases Research Collaboration, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Victor Asua
- Infectious Diseases Research Collaboration, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Martin Okitwi
- Infectious Diseases Research Collaboration, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Stephen Orena
- Infectious Diseases Research Collaboration, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Jennifer Legac
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Melissa D. Conrad
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Brett R. Bayles
- Dominican University of California, San Rafael, California, USA
| | - Akhil B. Vaidya
- Center for Molecular Parasitology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | | | - Philip J. Rosenthal
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
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20
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Schmitt EK, Ndayisaba G, Yeka A, Asante KP, Grobusch MP, Karita E, Mugerwa H, Asiimwe S, Oduro A, Fofana B, Doumbia S, Su G, Csermak Renner K, Venishetty VK, Sayyed S, Straimer J, Demin I, Barsainya S, Boulton C, Gandhi P. Efficacy of cipargamin (KAE609) in a randomized, Phase II dose-escalation study in adults in sub-Saharan Africa with uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria. Clin Infect Dis 2021; 74:1831-1839. [PMID: 34410358 PMCID: PMC9155642 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciab716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Cipargamin (KAE609) is a potent antimalarial in a phase II trial. Here we report efficacy, pharmacokinetics, and resistance marker analysis across a range of cipargamin doses. These were secondary endpoints from a study primarily conducted to assess the hepatic safety of cipargamin (hepatic safety data are reported elsewhere). Methods This phase II, multicenter, randomized, open-label, dose-escalation trial was conducted in sub-Saharan Africa in adults with uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria. Cipargamin monotherapy was given as single doses up to 150 mg or up to 50 mg once daily for 3 days, with artemether-lumefantrine as control. Key efficacy endpoints were parasite clearance time (PCT), and polymerase chain reaction (PCR)–corrected and uncorrected adequate clinical and parasitological response (ACPR) at 14 and 28 days. Pharmacokinetics and molecular markers of drug resistance were also assessed. Results All single or multiple cipargamin doses ≥50 mg were associated with rapid parasite clearance, with median PCT of 8 hours versus 24 hours for artemether-lumefantrine. PCR-corrected ACPR at 14 and 28 days was >75% and 65%, respectively, for each cipargamin dose. A treatment-emerging mutation in the Pfatp4 gene, G358S, was detected in 65% of treatment failures. Pharmacokinetic parameters were consistent with previous data, and approximately dose proportional. Conclusions Cipargamin, at single doses of 50 to 150 mg, was associated with very rapid parasite clearance, PCR-corrected ACPR at 28 days of >65% in adults with uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria, and recrudescent parasites frequently harbored a treatment-emerging mutation. Cipargamin will be further developed with a suitable combination partner. Clinical Trials Registration ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03334747).
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Adoke Yeka
- Infectious Diseases Research Collaboration, Busia, Uganda
| | | | - Martin P Grobusch
- Centre de Recherches Médicales en Lambaréné, Lambaréné, Gabon, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | | | | | - Stephen Asiimwe
- Kabwohe Clinical Research Center and Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | | | | | | | - Guoqin Su
- Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, East Hanover, New Jersey, USA
| | | | | | | | - Judith Straimer
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Emeryville, California, USA
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21
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Yang T, Ottilie S, Istvan ES, Godinez-Macias KP, Lukens AK, Baragaña B, Campo B, Walpole C, Niles JC, Chibale K, Dechering KJ, Llinás M, Lee MCS, Kato N, Wyllie S, McNamara CW, Gamo FJ, Burrows J, Fidock DA, Goldberg DE, Gilbert IH, Wirth DF, Winzeler EA. MalDA, Accelerating Malaria Drug Discovery. Trends Parasitol 2021; 37:493-507. [PMID: 33648890 PMCID: PMC8261838 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2021.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2020] [Revised: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The Malaria Drug Accelerator (MalDA) is a consortium of 15 leading scientific laboratories. The aim of MalDA is to improve and accelerate the early antimalarial drug discovery process by identifying new, essential, druggable targets. In addition, it seeks to produce early lead inhibitors that may be advanced into drug candidates suitable for preclinical development and subsequent clinical testing in humans. By sharing resources, including expertise, knowledge, materials, and reagents, the consortium strives to eliminate the structural barriers often encountered in the drug discovery process. Here we discuss the mission of the consortium and its scientific achievements, including the identification of new chemically and biologically validated targets, as well as future scientific directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tuo Yang
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego (UCSD), La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Sabine Ottilie
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego (UCSD), La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Eva S Istvan
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63130, USA; Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63130, USA
| | - Karla P Godinez-Macias
- Bioinformatics and Systems Biology Graduate Program, University of California, San Diego (UCSD), La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Amanda K Lukens
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Infectious Disease and Microbiome Program, Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Beatriz Baragaña
- Wellcome Center for Anti-Infectives Research, Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Brice Campo
- Medicines for Malaria Venture, 1215 Geneva 15, Switzerland
| | - Chris Walpole
- Structural Genomics Consortium, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - Jacquin C Niles
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Building 56-341, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge MA 02139-4307, USA
| | - Kelly Chibale
- Drug Discovery and Development Centre (H3D), University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa; South African Medical Research Council Drug Discovery and Development Research Unit, Department of Chemistry and Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa
| | | | - Manuel Llinás
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Department of Chemistry, Huck Center for Malaria Research, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16082, USA
| | - Marcus C S Lee
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, UK
| | - Nobutaka Kato
- Global Health Drug Discovery Institute, Zhongguancun Dongsheng International Science Park, 1 North Yongtaizhuang Road, Beijing 100192, China
| | - Susan Wyllie
- Wellcome Center for Anti-Infectives Research, Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Case W McNamara
- Calibr, a division of The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Francisco Javier Gamo
- Tres Cantos Medicines Development Campus, Diseases of the Developing World, GlaxoSmithKline, Tres Cantos, 28760, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jeremy Burrows
- Medicines for Malaria Venture, 1215 Geneva 15, Switzerland
| | - David A Fidock
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology and Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Daniel E Goldberg
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63130, USA; Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63130, USA
| | - Ian H Gilbert
- Wellcome Center for Anti-Infectives Research, Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Dyann F Wirth
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Infectious Disease and Microbiome Program, Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Elizabeth A Winzeler
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego (UCSD), La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.
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22
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Surur AS, Huluka SA, Mitku ML, Asres K. Indole: The After Next Scaffold of Antiplasmodial Agents? Drug Des Devel Ther 2020; 14:4855-4867. [PMID: 33204071 PMCID: PMC7666986 DOI: 10.2147/dddt.s278588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria remains a global public health problem due to the uphill fight against the causative Plasmodium parasites that are relentless in developing resistance. Indole-based antiplasmodial compounds are endowed with multiple modes of action, of which inhibition of hemozoin formation is the major mechanism of action reported for compounds such as cryptolepine, flinderoles, and isosungucine. Indole-based compounds exert their potent activity against chloroquine-resistant Plasmodium strains by inhibiting hemozoin formation in a mode of action different from that of chloroquine or through a novel mechanism of action. For example, dysregulating the sodium and osmotic homeostasis of Plasmodium through inhibition of PfATP4 is the novel mechanism of cipargamin. The potential of developing multi-targeted compounds through molecular hybridization ensures the existence of indole-based compounds in the antimalarial pipeline.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Solomon Assefa Huluka
- Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | | | - Kaleab Asres
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
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23
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Madhav H, Hoda N. An insight into the recent development of the clinical candidates for the treatment of malaria and their target proteins. Eur J Med Chem 2020; 210:112955. [PMID: 33131885 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2020.112955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2020] [Revised: 10/08/2020] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Malaria is an endemic disease, prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions which cost half of million deaths annually. The eradication of malaria is one of the global health priority nevertheless, current therapeutic efforts seem to be insufficient due to the emergence of drug resistance towards most of the available drugs, even first-line treatment ACT, unavailability of the vaccine, and lack of drugs with a new mechanism of action. Intensification of antimalarial research in recent years has resulted into the development of single dose multistage therapeutic agents which has advantage of overcoming the antimalarial drug resistance. The present review explored the current progress in the development of new promising antimalarials against prominent target proteins that have the potential to be a clinical candidate. Here, we also reviewed different aspects of drug resistance and highlighted new drug candidates that are currently in a clinical trial or clinical development, along with a few other molecules with excellent antimalarial activity overs ACTs. The summarized scientific value of previous approaches and structural features of antimalarials related to the activity are highlighted that will be helpful for the development of next-generation antimalarials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hari Madhav
- Drug Design and Synthesis Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Jamia Millia Islamia (A Central University), New Delhi, 110025, India.
| | - Nasimul Hoda
- Drug Design and Synthesis Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Jamia Millia Islamia (A Central University), New Delhi, 110025, India.
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24
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The Functioning of Na +-ATPases from Protozoan Parasites: Are These Pumps Targets for Antiparasitic Drugs? Cells 2020; 9:cells9102225. [PMID: 33023071 PMCID: PMC7600311 DOI: 10.3390/cells9102225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2020] [Revised: 09/16/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The ENA ATPases (from exitus natru: the exit of sodium) belonging to the P-type ATPases are structurally very similar to the sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA); they exchange Na+ for H+ and, therefore, are also known as Na+-ATPases. ENA ATPases are required in alkaline milieu, as in the case for Aspergillus, where other transporters cannot mediate an uphill Na+ efflux. They are also important for salt tolerance, as described for Arabidopsis. During their life cycles, protozoan parasites might encounter a high pH environment, thus allowing consideration of ENA ATPases as possible targets for controlling certain severe parasitic diseases, such as Chagas' Disease. Phylogenetic analysis has now shown that, besides the types IIA, IIB, IIC, and IID P-type ATPases, there exists a 5th subgroup of ATPases classified as ATP4-type ATPases, found in Plasmodium falciparum and Toxoplasma gondii. In malaria, for example, some drugs targeting PfATP4 destroy Na+ homeostasis; these drugs, which include spiroindolones, are now in clinical trials. The ENA P-type (IID P-type ATPase) and ATP4-type ATPases have no structural homologue in mammalian cells, appearing only in fungi, plants, and protozoan parasites, e.g., Trypanosoma cruzi, Leishmania sp., Toxoplasma gondii, and Plasmodium falciparum. This exclusivity makes Na+-ATPase a potential candidate for the biologically-based design of new therapeutic interventions; for this reason, Na+-ATPases deserves more attention.
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25
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Antileishmanial Aminopyrazoles: Studies into Mechanisms and Stability of Experimental Drug Resistance. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2020; 64:AAC.00152-20. [PMID: 32601168 PMCID: PMC7449183 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00152-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2020] [Accepted: 06/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Current antileishmanial treatment is hampered by limitations, such as drug toxicity and the risk of treatment failure, which may be related to parasitic drug resistance. Given the urgent need for novel drugs, the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi) has undertaken a drug discovery program, which has resulted in the identification of aminopyrazoles, a highly promising antileishmanial chemical series. Multiple experiments have been performed to anticipate the propensity for resistance development. Current antileishmanial treatment is hampered by limitations, such as drug toxicity and the risk of treatment failure, which may be related to parasitic drug resistance. Given the urgent need for novel drugs, the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi) has undertaken a drug discovery program, which has resulted in the identification of aminopyrazoles, a highly promising antileishmanial chemical series. Multiple experiments have been performed to anticipate the propensity for resistance development. Resistance selection was performed by successive exposure of Leishmania infantum promastigotes (in vitro) and intracellular amastigotes (both in vitro and in golden Syrian hamsters). The stability of the resistant phenotypes was assessed after passage in mice and Lutzomyia longipalpis sandflies. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) was performed to identify mutated genes, copy number variations (CNVs), and somy changes. The potential role of efflux pumps (the MDR and MRP efflux pumps) in the development of resistance was assessed by coincubation of aminopyrazoles with specific efflux pump inhibitors (verapamil, cyclosporine, and probenecid). Repeated drug exposure of amastigotes did not result in the emergence of drug resistance either in vitro or in vivo. Selection at the promastigote stage, however, was able to select for parasites with reduced susceptibility (resistance index, 5.8 to 24.5). This phenotype proved to be unstable after in vivo passage in mice and sandflies, suggesting that nonfixed alterations are responsible for the elevated resistance. In line with this, single nucleotide polymorphisms and indels identified by whole-genome sequencing could not be directly linked to the decreased drug susceptibility. Copy number variations were absent, whereas somy changes were detected, which may have accounted for the transient acquisition of resistance. Finally, aminopyrazole activity was not influenced by the MDR and MRP efflux pump inhibitors tested. The selection performed does not suggest the rapid development of resistance against aminopyrazoles in the field. Karyotype changes may confer elevated levels of resistance, but these do not seem to be stable in the vertebrate and invertebrate hosts. MDR/MRP efflux pumps are not likely to significantly impact the activity of the aminopyrazole leads.
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26
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Brullo C, Rapetti F, Bruno O. Pyrazolyl-Ureas as Interesting Scaffold in Medicinal Chemistry. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25153457. [PMID: 32751358 PMCID: PMC7435939 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25153457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2020] [Revised: 07/27/2020] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The pyrazole nucleus has long been known as a privileged scaffold in the synthesis of biologically active compounds. Within the numerous pyrazole derivatives developed as potential drugs, this review is focused on molecules characterized by a urea function directly linked to the pyrazole nucleus in a different position. In the last 20 years, the interest of numerous researchers has been especially attracted by pyrazolyl-ureas showing a wide spectrum of biological activities, ranging from the antipathogenic activities (bacteria, plasmodium, toxoplasma, and others) to the anticarcinogenic activities. In particular, in the anticancer field, pyrazolyl-ureas have been shown to interact at the intracellular level on many pathways, in particular on different kinases such as Src, p38-MAPK, TrKa, and others. In addition, some of them evidenced an antiangiogenic potential that deserves to be explored. This review therefore summarizes all these biological data (from 2000 to date), including patented compounds.
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27
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Dziekan JM, Wirjanata G, Dai L, Go KD, Yu H, Lim YT, Chen L, Wang LC, Puspita B, Prabhu N, Sobota RM, Nordlund P, Bozdech Z. Cellular thermal shift assay for the identification of drug-target interactions in the Plasmodium falciparum proteome. Nat Protoc 2020; 15:1881-1921. [PMID: 32341577 DOI: 10.1038/s41596-020-0310-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2019] [Accepted: 01/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Despite decades of research, little is known about the cellular targets and the mode of action of the vast majority of antimalarial drugs. We recently demonstrated that the cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA) protocol in its two variants: the melt curve and the isothermal dose-response, represents a comprehensive strategy for the identification of antimalarial drug targets. CETSA enables proteome-wide target screening for unmodified antimalarial compounds with undetermined mechanisms of action, providing quantitative evidence about direct drug-protein interactions. The experimental workflow involves treatment of P. falciparum-infected erythrocytes with a compound of interest, heat exposure to denature proteins, soluble protein isolation, enzymatic digestion, peptide labeling with tandem mass tags, offline fractionation, and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analysis. Methodological optimizations necessary for the analysis of this intracellular parasite are discussed, including enrichment of parasitized cells and hemoglobin depletion strategies to overcome high hemoglobin abundance in the host red blood cells. We outline an effective data processing workflow using the mineCETSA R package, which enables prioritization of drug-target candidates for follow-up studies. The entire protocol can be completed within 2 weeks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jerzy Michal Dziekan
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Grennady Wirjanata
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Lingyun Dai
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore.,The Second Clinical Medical College of Jinan University, First Affiliated Hospital of Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen People's Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Ka Diam Go
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Han Yu
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Yan Ting Lim
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore.,Functional Proteomics Laboratory, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Liyan Chen
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore.,Functional Proteomics Laboratory, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Loo Chien Wang
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore.,Functional Proteomics Laboratory, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Brenda Puspita
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Nayana Prabhu
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Radoslaw M Sobota
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore. .,Functional Proteomics Laboratory, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore.
| | - Pär Nordlund
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore. .,Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore. .,Department of Oncology and Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Zbynek Bozdech
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore.
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28
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Dangi P, Jain R, Mamidala R, Sharma V, Agarwal S, Bathula C, Thirumalachary M, Sen S, Singh S. Natural Product Inspired Novel Indole based Chiral Scaffold Kills Human Malaria Parasites via Ionic Imbalance Mediated Cell Death. Sci Rep 2019; 9:17785. [PMID: 31780808 PMCID: PMC6882913 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-54339-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2017] [Accepted: 06/28/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural products offer an abundant source of diverse novel scaffolds that inspires development of next generation anti-malarials. With this vision, a library of scaffolds inspired by natural biologically active alkaloids was synthesized from chiral bicyclic lactams with steps/scaffold ratio of 1.7:1. On evaluation of library of scaffolds for their growth inhibitory effect against malaria parasite we found one scaffold with IC50 in low micro molar range. It inhibited parasite growth via disruption of Na+ homeostasis. P-type ATPase, PfATP4 is responsible for maintaining parasite Na+ homeostasis and is a good target for anti-malarials. Molecular docking with our scaffold showed that it fits well in the binding pocket of PfATP4. Moreover, inhibition of Na+-dependent ATPase activity by our potent scaffold suggests that it targets parasite by inhibiting PfATP4, leading to ionic imbalance. However how ionic imbalance attributes to parasite's death is unclear. We show that ionic imbalance caused by scaffold 7 induces autophagy that leads to onset of apoptosis in the parasite evident by the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) and DNA degradation. Our study provides a novel strategy for drug discovery and an insight into the molecular mechanism of ionic imbalance mediated death in malaria parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Poonam Dangi
- Department of Life Science, Shiv Nadar University, Gautam Buddha Nagar, 201314, India
| | - Ravi Jain
- Department of Life Science, Shiv Nadar University, Gautam Buddha Nagar, 201314, India
| | | | - Vijeta Sharma
- Department of Life Science, Shiv Nadar University, Gautam Buddha Nagar, 201314, India
| | - Shalini Agarwal
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi, 110067, India
| | - Chandramohan Bathula
- Department of Chemistry, Shiv Nadar University, Gautam Buddha Nagar, 201314, India
| | - M Thirumalachary
- Jawaharlal Technological University, Kukatpally, 500072, Hyderabad, India
| | - Subhabrata Sen
- Department of Chemistry, Shiv Nadar University, Gautam Buddha Nagar, 201314, India
| | - Shailja Singh
- Department of Life Science, Shiv Nadar University, Gautam Buddha Nagar, 201314, India.
- Special Centre for Molecular Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067, India.
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29
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Martin RE. The transportome of the malaria parasite. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2019; 95:305-332. [PMID: 31701663 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2019] [Revised: 10/02/2019] [Accepted: 10/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Membrane transport proteins, also known as transporters, control the movement of ions, nutrients, metabolites, and waste products across the membranes of a cell and are central to its biology. Proteins of this type also serve as drug targets and are key players in the phenomenon of drug resistance. The malaria parasite has a relatively reduced transportome, with only approximately 2.5% of its genes encoding transporters. Even so, assigning functions and physiological roles to these proteins, and ascertaining their contributions to drug action and drug resistance, has been very challenging. This review presents a detailed critique and synthesis of the disruption phenotypes, protein subcellular localisations, protein functions (observed or predicted), and links to antimalarial drug resistance for each of the parasite's transporter genes. The breadth and depth of the gene disruption data are particularly impressive, with at least one phenotype determined in the parasite's asexual blood stage for each transporter gene, and multiple phenotypes available for 76% of the genes. Analysis of the curated data set revealed there to be relatively little redundancy in the Plasmodium transportome; almost two-thirds of the parasite's transporter genes are essential or required for normal growth in the asexual blood stage of the parasite, and this proportion increased to 78% when the disruption phenotypes available for the other parasite life stages were included in the analysis. These observations, together with the finding that 22% of the transportome is implicated in the parasite's resistance to existing antimalarials and/or drugs within the development pipeline, indicate that transporters are likely to serve, or are already serving, as drug targets. Integration of the different biological and bioinformatic data sets also enabled the selection of candidates for transport processes known to be essential for parasite survival, but for which the underlying proteins have thus far remained undiscovered. These include potential transporters of pantothenate, isoleucine, or isopentenyl diphosphate, as well as putative anion-selective channels that may serve as the pore component of the parasite's 'new permeation pathways'. Other novel insights into the parasite's biology included the identification of transporters for the potential development of antimalarial treatments, transmission-blocking drugs, prophylactics, and genetically attenuated vaccines. The syntheses presented herein set a foundation for elucidating the functions and physiological roles of key members of the Plasmodium transportome and, ultimately, to explore and realise their potential as therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rowena E Martin
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
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30
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Ashton TD, Devine SM, Möhrle JJ, Laleu B, Burrows JN, Charman SA, Creek DJ, Sleebs BE. The Development Process for Discovery and Clinical Advancement of Modern Antimalarials. J Med Chem 2019; 62:10526-10562. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.9b00761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Trent D. Ashton
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Shane M. Devine
- Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Jörg J. Möhrle
- Medicines for Malaria Venture, ICC, Route de Pré-Bois 20, 1215 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Benoît Laleu
- Medicines for Malaria Venture, ICC, Route de Pré-Bois 20, 1215 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Jeremy N. Burrows
- Medicines for Malaria Venture, ICC, Route de Pré-Bois 20, 1215 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Susan A. Charman
- Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Darren J. Creek
- Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Brad E. Sleebs
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
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31
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Gilson PR, Kumarasingha R, Thompson J, Zhang X, Penington JS, Kalhor R, Bullen HE, Lehane AM, Dans MG, de Koning-Ward TF, Holien JK, Soares da Costa TP, Hulett MD, Buskes MJ, Crabb BS, Kirk K, Papenfuss AT, Cowman AF, Abbott BM. A 4-cyano-3-methylisoquinoline inhibitor of Plasmodium falciparum growth targets the sodium efflux pump PfATP4. Sci Rep 2019; 9:10292. [PMID: 31311978 PMCID: PMC6635429 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-46500-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2019] [Accepted: 06/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
We developed a novel series of antimalarial compounds based on a 4-cyano-3-methylisoquinoline. Our lead compound MB14 achieved modest inhibition of the growth in vitro of the human malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum. To identify its biological target we selected for parasites resistant to MB14. Genome sequencing revealed that all resistant parasites bore a single point S374R mutation in the sodium (Na+) efflux transporter PfATP4. There are many compounds known to inhibit PfATP4 and some are under preclinical development. MB14 was shown to inhibit Na+ dependent ATPase activity in parasite membranes, consistent with the compound targeting PfATP4 directly. PfATP4 inhibitors cause swelling and lysis of infected erythrocytes, attributed to the accumulation of Na+ inside the intracellular parasites and the resultant parasite swelling. We show here that inhibitor-induced lysis of infected erythrocytes is dependent upon the parasite protein RhopH2, a component of the new permeability pathways that are induced by the parasite in the erythrocyte membrane. These pathways mediate the influx of Na+ into the infected erythrocyte and their suppression via RhopH2 knockdown limits the accumulation of Na+ within the parasite hence protecting the infected erythrocyte from lysis. This study reveals a role for the parasite-induced new permeability pathways in the mechanism of action of PfATP4 inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul R Gilson
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, 3004, Australia. .,Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, 3800, Australia.
| | | | - Jennifer Thompson
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia
| | - Xinxin Zhang
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
| | | | - Robabeh Kalhor
- La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, 3086, Australia
| | | | - Adele M Lehane
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
| | - Madeline G Dans
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, 3004, Australia.,School of Medicine, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, Victoria, 3216, Australia
| | | | - Jessica K Holien
- St. Vincent's Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Victoria, 3065, Australia
| | | | - Mark D Hulett
- La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, 3086, Australia
| | | | - Brendan S Crabb
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, 3004, Australia.,Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, 3800, Australia.,University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Kiaran Kirk
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
| | - Anthony T Papenfuss
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia.,University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Alan F Cowman
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia.,University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, 3010, Australia
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32
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Lehane AM, Dennis ASM, Bray KO, Li D, Rajendran E, McCoy JM, McArthur HM, Winterberg M, Rahimi F, Tonkin CJ, Kirk K, van Dooren GG. Characterization of the ATP4 ion pump in Toxoplasma gondii. J Biol Chem 2019; 294:5720-5734. [PMID: 30723156 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra118.006706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2018] [Revised: 01/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The Plasmodium falciparum ATPase PfATP4 is the target of a diverse range of antimalarial compounds, including the clinical drug candidate cipargamin. PfATP4 was originally annotated as a Ca2+ transporter, but recent evidence suggests that it is a Na+ efflux pump, extruding Na+ in exchange for H+ Here we demonstrate that ATP4 proteins belong to a clade of P-type ATPases that are restricted to apicomplexans and their closest relatives. We employed a variety of genetic and physiological approaches to investigate the ATP4 protein of the apicomplexan Toxoplasma gondii, TgATP4. We show that TgATP4 is a plasma membrane protein. Knockdown of TgATP4 had no effect on resting pH or Ca2+ but rendered parasites unable to regulate their cytosolic Na+ concentration ([Na+]cyt). PfATP4 inhibitors caused an increase in [Na+]cyt and a cytosolic alkalinization in WT but not TgATP4 knockdown parasites. Parasites in which TgATP4 was knocked down or disrupted exhibited a growth defect, attributable to reduced viability of extracellular parasites. Parasites in which TgATP4 had been disrupted showed reduced virulence in mice. These results provide evidence for ATP4 proteins playing a key conserved role in Na+ regulation in apicomplexan parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adele M Lehane
- From the Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia,
| | - Adelaide S M Dennis
- From the Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Katherine O Bray
- From the Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Dongdi Li
- From the Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Esther Rajendran
- From the Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - James M McCoy
- the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia, and.,the Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Hillary M McArthur
- From the Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Markus Winterberg
- From the Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Farid Rahimi
- From the Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Christopher J Tonkin
- the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia, and.,the Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Kiaran Kirk
- From the Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia,
| | - Giel G van Dooren
- From the Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia,
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33
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Veale CGL. Unpacking the Pathogen Box-An Open Source Tool for Fighting Neglected Tropical Disease. ChemMedChem 2019; 14:386-453. [PMID: 30614200 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.201800755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The Pathogen Box is a 400-strong collection of drug-like compounds, selected for their potential against several of the world's most important neglected tropical diseases, including trypanosomiasis, leishmaniasis, cryptosporidiosis, toxoplasmosis, filariasis, schistosomiasis, dengue virus and trichuriasis, in addition to malaria and tuberculosis. This library represents an ensemble of numerous successful drug discovery programmes from around the globe, aimed at providing a powerful resource to stimulate open source drug discovery for diseases threatening the most vulnerable communities in the world. This review seeks to provide an in-depth analysis of the literature pertaining to the compounds in the Pathogen Box, including structure-activity relationship highlights, mechanisms of action, related compounds with reported activity against different diseases, and, where appropriate, discussion on the known and putative targets of compounds, thereby providing context and increasing the accessibility of the Pathogen Box to the drug discovery community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clinton G L Veale
- School of Chemistry and Physics, Pietermaritzburg Campus, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X01, Scottsville, 3209, South Africa
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34
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Mathews ES, Odom John AR. Tackling resistance: emerging antimalarials and new parasite targets in the era of elimination. F1000Res 2018; 7. [PMID: 30135714 PMCID: PMC6073090 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.14874.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria remains a significant contributor to global human mortality, and roughly half the world’s population is at risk for infection with
Plasmodium spp. parasites. Aggressive control measures have reduced the global prevalence of malaria significantly over the past decade. However, resistance to available antimalarials continues to spread, including resistance to the widely used artemisinin-based combination therapies. Novel antimalarial compounds and therapeutic targets are greatly needed. This review will briefly discuss several promising current antimalarial development projects, including artefenomel, ferroquine, cipargamin, SJ733, KAF156, MMV048, and tafenoquine. In addition, we describe recent large-scale genetic and resistance screens that have been instrumental in target discovery. Finally, we highlight new antimalarial targets, which include essential transporters and proteases. These emerging antimalarial compounds and therapeutic targets have the potential to overcome multi-drug resistance in ongoing efforts toward malaria elimination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily S Mathews
- Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Audrey R Odom John
- Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA.,Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
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35
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Rosling JEO, Ridgway MC, Summers RL, Kirk K, Lehane AM. Biochemical characterization and chemical inhibition of PfATP4-associated Na +-ATPase activity in Plasmodium falciparum membranes. J Biol Chem 2018; 293:13327-13337. [PMID: 29986883 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra118.003640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2018] [Revised: 06/26/2018] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The antimalarial activity of chemically diverse compounds, including the clinical candidate cipargamin, has been linked to the ATPase PfATP4 in the malaria-causing parasite Plasmodium falciparum The characterization of PfATP4 has been hampered by the inability thus far to achieve its functional expression in a heterologous system. Here, we optimized a membrane ATPase assay to probe the function of PfATP4 and its chemical sensitivity. We found that cipargamin inhibited the Na+-dependent ATPase activity present in P. falciparum membranes from WT parasites and that its potency was reduced in cipargamin-resistant PfATP4-mutant parasites. The cipargamin-sensitive fraction of membrane ATPase activity was inhibited by all 28 of the compounds in the "Malaria Box" shown previously to disrupt ion regulation in P. falciparum in a cipargamin-like manner. This is consistent with PfATP4 being the direct target of these compounds. Characterization of the cipargamin-sensitive ATPase activity yielded data consistent with PfATP4 being a Na+ transporter that is sensitive to physiologically relevant perturbations of pH, but not of [K+] or [Ca2+]. With an apparent Km for ATP of 0.2 mm and an apparent Km for Na+ of 16-17 mm, the protein is predicted to operate at below its half-maximal rate under normal physiological conditions, allowing the rate of Na+ efflux to increase in response to an increase in cytosolic [Na+]. In membranes from a cipargamin-resistant PfATP4-mutant line, the apparent Km for Na+ is slightly elevated. Our study provides new insights into the biochemical properties and chemical sensitivity of an important new antimalarial drug target.
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Affiliation(s)
- James E O Rosling
- From the Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2601, Australia
| | - Melanie C Ridgway
- From the Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2601, Australia
| | - Robert L Summers
- From the Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2601, Australia
| | - Kiaran Kirk
- From the Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2601, Australia
| | - Adele M Lehane
- From the Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2601, Australia
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36
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Dennis ASM, Rosling JEO, Lehane AM, Kirk K. Diverse antimalarials from whole-cell phenotypic screens disrupt malaria parasite ion and volume homeostasis. Sci Rep 2018; 8:8795. [PMID: 29892073 PMCID: PMC5995868 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-26819-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2017] [Accepted: 05/14/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Four hundred structurally diverse drug-like compounds comprising the Medicines for Malaria Venture's 'Pathogen Box' were screened for their effect on a range of physiological parameters in asexual blood-stage malaria (Plasmodium falciparum) parasites. Eleven of these compounds were found to perturb parasite Na+, pH and volume in a manner consistent with inhibition of the putative Na+ efflux P-type ATPase PfATP4. All eleven compounds fell within the subset of 125 compounds included in the Pathogen Box on the basis of their having been identified as potent inhibitors of the growth of asexual blood-stage P. falciparum parasites. All eleven compounds inhibited the Na+-dependent ATPase activity of parasite membranes and showed reduced efficacy against parasites carrying mutations in PfATP4. This study increases the number of chemically diverse structures known to show a 'PfATP4-associated' phenotype, and adds to emerging evidence that a high proportion (7-9%) of the structurally diverse antimalarial compounds identified in whole cell phenotypic screens share the same mechanism of action, exerting their antimalarial effect via an interaction with PfATP4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adelaide S M Dennis
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - James E O Rosling
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Adele M Lehane
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia.
| | - Kiaran Kirk
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia.
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37
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Cell Swelling Induced by the Antimalarial KAE609 (Cipargamin) and Other PfATP4-Associated Antimalarials. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2018; 62:AAC.00087-18. [PMID: 29555632 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00087-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2018] [Accepted: 02/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
For an increasing number of antimalarial agents identified in high-throughput phenotypic screens, there is evidence that they target PfATP4, a putative Na+ efflux transporter on the plasma membrane of the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum For several such "PfATP4-associated" compounds, it has been noted that their addition to parasitized erythrocytes results in cell swelling. Here we show that six structurally diverse PfATP4-associated compounds, including the clinical candidate KAE609 (cipargamin), induce swelling of both isolated blood-stage parasites and intact parasitized erythrocytes. The swelling of isolated parasites is dependent on the presence of Na+ in the external environment and may be attributed to the osmotic consequences of Na+ uptake. The swelling of the parasitized erythrocyte results in an increase in its osmotic fragility. Countering cell swelling by increasing the osmolarity of the extracellular medium reduces the antiplasmodial efficacy of PfATP4-associated compounds, consistent with cell swelling playing a role in the antimalarial activity of this class of compounds.
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38
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Gerry CJ, Schreiber SL. Chemical probes and drug leads from advances in synthetic planning and methodology. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2018; 17:333-352. [PMID: 29651105 PMCID: PMC6707071 DOI: 10.1038/nrd.2018.53] [Citation(s) in RCA: 150] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Screening of small-molecule libraries is a productive method for identifying both chemical probes of disease-related targets and potential starting points for drug discovery. In this article, we focus on strategies such as diversity-oriented synthesis that aim to explore novel areas of chemical space efficiently by populating small-molecule libraries with compounds containing structural features that are typically under-represented in commercially available screening collections. Drawing from more than a decade's worth of examples, we highlight how the design and synthesis of such libraries have been enabled by modern synthetic chemistry, and we illustrate the impact of the resultant chemical probes and drug leads in a wide range of diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J Gerry
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- The Broad Institute of Harvard & MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Stuart L Schreiber
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- The Broad Institute of Harvard & MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
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39
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Ross LS, Lafuente-Monasterio MJ, Sakata-Kato T, Mandt REK, Gamo FJ, Wirth DF, Lukens AK. Identification of Collateral Sensitivity to Dihydroorotate Dehydrogenase Inhibitors in Plasmodium falciparum. ACS Infect Dis 2018; 4:508-515. [PMID: 29336544 PMCID: PMC5899019 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.7b00217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
![]()
Drug
resistance has been reported for every antimalarial in use highlighting
the need for new strategies to protect the efficacy of therapeutics
in development. We have previously shown that resistance can be suppressed
with a population biology trap: by identifying situations where resistance
to one compound confers hypersensitivity to another (collateral sensitivity),
we can design combination therapies that not only kill the parasite
but also guide its evolution away from resistance. We applied this
concept to the Plasmodium falciparum dihydroorotate
dehydrogenase (PfDHODH) enzyme, a well validated
antimalarial target with inhibitors in the development pipeline. Here,
we report a high-throughput screen to identify compounds specifically
active against PfDHODH resistant mutants. We additionally
perform extensive cross-resistance profiling allowing us to identify
compound pairs demonstrating the potential for mutually incompatible
resistance. These combinations represent promising starting points
for exploiting collateral sensitivity to extend the useful lifespan
of new antimalarial therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leila Saxby Ross
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, 665 Huntington Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Maria José Lafuente-Monasterio
- Tres Cantos Medicines Development Campus, Diseases of the Developing World, GlaxoSmithKline, Tres Cantos, 28760, Madrid, Spain
| | - Tomoyo Sakata-Kato
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, 665 Huntington Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Rebecca E. K. Mandt
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, 665 Huntington Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Francisco Javier Gamo
- Tres Cantos Medicines Development Campus, Diseases of the Developing World, GlaxoSmithKline, Tres Cantos, 28760, Madrid, Spain
| | - Dyann F. Wirth
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, 665 Huntington Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
- Infectious Disease and Microbiome Program, The Broad Institute, 415 Main Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
| | - Amanda K. Lukens
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, 665 Huntington Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
- Infectious Disease and Microbiome Program, The Broad Institute, 415 Main Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
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40
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Luth MR, Gupta P, Ottilie S, Winzeler EA. Using in Vitro Evolution and Whole Genome Analysis To Discover Next Generation Targets for Antimalarial Drug Discovery. ACS Infect Dis 2018; 4:301-314. [PMID: 29451780 PMCID: PMC5848146 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.7b00276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
![]()
Although
many new anti-infectives have been discovered and developed solely
using phenotypic cellular screening and assay optimization, most researchers
recognize that structure-guided drug design is more practical and
less costly. In addition, a greater chemical space can be interrogated
with structure-guided drug design. The practicality of structure-guided
drug design has launched a search for the targets of compounds discovered
in phenotypic screens. One method that has been used extensively in
malaria parasites for target discovery and chemical validation is in vitro evolution and whole genome analysis (IVIEWGA).
Here, small molecules from phenotypic screens with demonstrated antiparasitic
activity are used in genome-based target discovery methods. In this
Review, we discuss the newest, most promising druggable targets discovered
or further validated by evolution-based methods, as well as some exceptions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madeline R. Luth
- Division of Host Pathogen Systems and Therapeutics, Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Purva Gupta
- Division of Host Pathogen Systems and Therapeutics, Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Sabine Ottilie
- Division of Host Pathogen Systems and Therapeutics, Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Elizabeth A. Winzeler
- Division of Host Pathogen Systems and Therapeutics, Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
- Skaggs School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
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41
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Cowell AN, Istvan ES, Lukens AK, Gomez-Lorenzo MG, Vanaerschot M, Sakata-Kato T, Flannery EL, Magistrado P, Owen E, Abraham M, LaMonte G, Painter HJ, Williams RM, Franco V, Linares M, Arriaga I, Bopp S, Corey VC, Gnädig NF, Coburn-Flynn O, Reimer C, Gupta P, Murithi JM, Moura PA, Fuchs O, Sasaki E, Kim SW, Teng CH, Wang LT, Akidil A, Adjalley S, Willis PA, Siegel D, Tanaseichuk O, Zhong Y, Zhou Y, Llinás M, Ottilie S, Gamo FJ, Lee MCS, Goldberg DE, Fidock DA, Wirth DF, Winzeler EA. Mapping the malaria parasite druggable genome by using in vitro evolution and chemogenomics. Science 2018; 359:191-199. [PMID: 29326268 PMCID: PMC5925756 DOI: 10.1126/science.aan4472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 166] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2017] [Accepted: 11/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Chemogenetic characterization through in vitro evolution combined with whole-genome analysis can identify antimalarial drug targets and drug-resistance genes. We performed a genome analysis of 262 Plasmodium falciparum parasites resistant to 37 diverse compounds. We found 159 gene amplifications and 148 nonsynonymous changes in 83 genes associated with drug-resistance acquisition, where gene amplifications contributed to one-third of resistance acquisition events. Beyond confirming previously identified multidrug-resistance mechanisms, we discovered hitherto unrecognized drug target-inhibitor pairs, including thymidylate synthase and a benzoquinazolinone, farnesyltransferase and a pyrimidinedione, and a dipeptidylpeptidase and an arylurea. This exploration of the P. falciparum resistome and druggable genome will likely guide drug discovery and structural biology efforts, while also advancing our understanding of resistance mechanisms available to the malaria parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annie N Cowell
- School of Medicine, University of California San Diego (UCSD), 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Eva S Istvan
- Departments of Medicine and Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Amanda K Lukens
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Disease, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 665 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Infectious Disease Program, The Broad Institute, 415 Main Street, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Maria G Gomez-Lorenzo
- Tres Cantos Medicines Development Campus, Malaria Discovery Performance Unit, GlaxoSmithKline, Severo Ochoa 2, Tres Cantos 28760, Madrid, Spain
| | - Manu Vanaerschot
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Tomoyo Sakata-Kato
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Disease, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 665 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Erika L Flannery
- School of Medicine, University of California San Diego (UCSD), 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Pamela Magistrado
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Disease, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 665 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Edward Owen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Matthew Abraham
- School of Medicine, University of California San Diego (UCSD), 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Gregory LaMonte
- School of Medicine, University of California San Diego (UCSD), 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Heather J Painter
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Roy M Williams
- School of Medicine, University of California San Diego (UCSD), 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Virginia Franco
- Tres Cantos Medicines Development Campus, Malaria Discovery Performance Unit, GlaxoSmithKline, Severo Ochoa 2, Tres Cantos 28760, Madrid, Spain
| | - Maria Linares
- Tres Cantos Medicines Development Campus, Malaria Discovery Performance Unit, GlaxoSmithKline, Severo Ochoa 2, Tres Cantos 28760, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ignacio Arriaga
- Tres Cantos Medicines Development Campus, Malaria Discovery Performance Unit, GlaxoSmithKline, Severo Ochoa 2, Tres Cantos 28760, Madrid, Spain
| | - Selina Bopp
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Disease, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 665 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Victoria C Corey
- School of Medicine, University of California San Diego (UCSD), 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Nina F Gnädig
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Olivia Coburn-Flynn
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Christin Reimer
- School of Medicine, University of California San Diego (UCSD), 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Purva Gupta
- School of Medicine, University of California San Diego (UCSD), 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - James M Murithi
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Pedro A Moura
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Olivia Fuchs
- School of Medicine, University of California San Diego (UCSD), 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Erika Sasaki
- School of Medicine, University of California San Diego (UCSD), 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Sang W Kim
- School of Medicine, University of California San Diego (UCSD), 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Christine H Teng
- School of Medicine, University of California San Diego (UCSD), 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Lawrence T Wang
- School of Medicine, University of California San Diego (UCSD), 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Aslı Akidil
- Malaria Programme, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Sophie Adjalley
- Malaria Programme, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Paul A Willis
- Medicines for Malaria Venture, Post Office Box 1826, 20 Route de Pre-Bois, 1215 Geneva 15, Switzerland
| | - Dionicio Siegel
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, UCSD, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Olga Tanaseichuk
- Genomics Institute of the Novartis Research Foundation, 10675 John J Hopkins Drive, San Diego, CA 92121, USA
| | - Yang Zhong
- Genomics Institute of the Novartis Research Foundation, 10675 John J Hopkins Drive, San Diego, CA 92121, USA
| | - Yingyao Zhou
- Genomics Institute of the Novartis Research Foundation, 10675 John J Hopkins Drive, San Diego, CA 92121, USA
| | - Manuel Llinás
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Sabine Ottilie
- School of Medicine, University of California San Diego (UCSD), 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Francisco-Javier Gamo
- Tres Cantos Medicines Development Campus, Malaria Discovery Performance Unit, GlaxoSmithKline, Severo Ochoa 2, Tres Cantos 28760, Madrid, Spain
| | - Marcus C S Lee
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY 10032, USA
- Malaria Programme, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Daniel E Goldberg
- Departments of Medicine and Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - David A Fidock
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY 10032, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Dyann F Wirth
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Disease, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 665 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Infectious Disease Program, The Broad Institute, 415 Main Street, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Elizabeth A Winzeler
- School of Medicine, University of California San Diego (UCSD), 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, UCSD, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
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Transmembrane solute transport in the apicomplexan parasite Plasmodium. Emerg Top Life Sci 2017; 1:553-561. [PMID: 33525850 DOI: 10.1042/etls20170097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2017] [Revised: 11/12/2017] [Accepted: 11/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Apicomplexa are a large group of eukaryotic, single-celled parasites, with complex life cycles that occur within a wide range of different microenvironments. They include important human pathogens such as Plasmodium, the causal agent of malaria, and Toxoplasma, which causes toxoplasmosis most often in immunocompromised individuals. Despite environmental differences in their life cycles, these parasites retain the ability to obtain nutrients, remove waste products, and control ion balances. They achieve this flexibility by relying on proteins that can deliver and remove solutes. This reliance on transport proteins for essential functions makes these pathways excellent potential targets for drug development programmes. Transport proteins are frequently key mediators of drug resistance by their ability to remove drugs from their sites of action. The study of transport processes mediated by integral membrane proteins and, in particular, identification of their physiological functions and localisation, and differentiation from host orthologues has already established new validated drug targets. Our understanding of how apicomplexan parasites have adapted to changing environmental challenges has also increased through the study of their transporters. This brief introduction to membrane transporters of apicomplexans highlights recent discoveries focusing on Plasmodium and emphasises future directions.
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Blasco B, Leroy D, Fidock DA. Antimalarial drug resistance: linking Plasmodium falciparum parasite biology to the clinic. Nat Med 2017; 23:917-928. [PMID: 28777791 DOI: 10.1038/nm.4381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 325] [Impact Index Per Article: 46.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2017] [Accepted: 06/30/2017] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The global adoption of artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) in the early 2000s heralded a new era in effectively treating drug-resistant Plasmodium falciparum malaria. However, several Southeast Asian countries have now reported the emergence of parasites that have decreased susceptibility to artemisinin (ART) derivatives and ACT partner drugs, resulting in increasing rates of treatment failures. Here we review recent advances in understanding how antimalarials act and how resistance develops, and discuss new strategies for effectively combatting resistance, optimizing treatment and advancing the global campaign to eliminate malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Didier Leroy
- Medicines for Malaria Venture, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - David A Fidock
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York, USA.,Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
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The Candidate Antimalarial Drug MMV665909 Causes Oxygen-Dependent mRNA Mistranslation and Synergizes with Quinoline-Derived Antimalarials. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2017; 61:AAC.00459-17. [PMID: 28652237 PMCID: PMC5571370 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00459-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2017] [Accepted: 06/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
To cope with growing resistance to current antimalarials, new drugs with novel modes of action are urgently needed. Molecules targeting protein synthesis appear to be promising candidates. We identified a compound (MMV665909) from the Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV) Malaria Box of candidate antimalarials that could produce synergistic growth inhibition with the aminoglycoside antibiotic paromomycin, suggesting a possible action of the compound in mRNA mistranslation. This mechanism of action was substantiated with a Saccharomyces cerevisiae model using available reporters of mistranslation and other genetic tools. Mistranslation induced by MMV665909 was oxygen dependent, suggesting a role for reactive oxygen species (ROS). Overexpression of Rli1 (a ROS-sensitive, conserved FeS protein essential in mRNA translation) rescued inhibition by MMV665909, consistent with the drug's action on translation fidelity being mediated through Rli1. The MMV drug also synergized with major quinoline-derived antimalarials which can perturb amino acid availability or promote ROS stress: chloroquine, amodiaquine, and primaquine. The data collectively suggest translation fidelity as a novel target of antimalarial action and support MMV665909 as a promising drug candidate.
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Crawford ED, Quan J, Horst JA, Ebert D, Wu W, DeRisi JL. Plasmid-free CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing in Plasmodium falciparum confirms mutations conferring resistance to the dihydroisoquinolone clinical candidate SJ733. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0178163. [PMID: 28542423 PMCID: PMC5439709 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0178163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2017] [Accepted: 05/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic manipulation of the deadly malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum remains challenging, but the rise of CRISPR/Cas9-based genome editing tools is increasing the feasibility of altering this parasite’s genome in order to study its biology. Of particular interest is the investigation of drug targets and drug resistance mechanisms, which have major implications for fighting malaria. We present a new method for introducing drug resistance mutations in P. falciparum without the use of plasmids or the need for cloning homologous recombination templates. We demonstrate this method by introducing edits into the sodium efflux channel PfATP4 by transfection of a purified CRISPR/Cas9-guide RNA ribonucleoprotein complex and a 200-nucleotide single-stranded oligodeoxynucleotide (ssODN) repair template. Analysis of whole genome sequencing data with the variant-finding program MinorityReport confirmed that only the intended edits were made, and growth inhibition assays confirmed that these mutations confer resistance to the antimalarial SJ733. The method described here is ideally suited for the introduction of mutations that confer a fitness advantage under selection conditions, and the novel finding that an ssODN can function as a repair template in P. falciparum could greatly simplify future editing attempts regardless of the nuclease used or the delivery method.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily D. Crawford
- Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Jenai Quan
- Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Jeremy A. Horst
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Daniel Ebert
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Wesley Wu
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Joseph L. DeRisi
- Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, Maryland, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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46
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Tarique M, Chauhan M, Tuteja R. ATPase activity of Plasmodium falciparum MLH is inhibited by DNA-interacting ligands and dsRNAs of MLH along with UvrD curtail malaria parasite growth. PROTOPLASMA 2017; 254:1295-1305. [PMID: 27624787 DOI: 10.1007/s00709-016-1021-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2016] [Accepted: 09/01/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum is the major disease burden all over the world. Recently, the situation has deteriorated because the malarial parasites are becoming progressively more resistant to numerous commonly used antimalarial drugs. Thus, there is a critical requirement to find other means to restrict and eliminate malaria. The mismatch repair (MMR) machinery of parasite is quite unique in several ways, and it can be exploited for finding new drug targets. MutL homolog (MLH) is one of the major components of MMR machinery, and along with UvrD, it helps in unwinding the DNA. We have screened several DNA-interacting ligands for their effect on intrinsic ATPase activity of PfMLH protein. This screening suggested that several ligands such as daunorubicin, etoposide, ethidium bromide, netropsin, and nogalamycin are inhibitors of the ATPase activity of PfMLH, and their apparent IC50 values range from 2.1 to 9.35 μM. In the presence of nogalamycin and netropsin, the effect was significant because in their presence, the V max value dropped from 1.024 μM of hydrolyzed ATP/min to 0.596 and 0.643 μM of hydrolyzed ATP/min, respectively. The effect of double-stranded RNAs of PfMLH and PfUvrD on growth of P. falciparum 3D7 strain was studied. The parasite growth was significantly inhibited suggesting that these components belonging to MMR pathway are crucial for the survival of the parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed Tarique
- Parasite Biology Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, P. O. Box 10504, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi, 110067, India
| | - Manish Chauhan
- Parasite Biology Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, P. O. Box 10504, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi, 110067, India
| | - Renu Tuteja
- Parasite Biology Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, P. O. Box 10504, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi, 110067, India.
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47
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Lin W, Zhan G, Shi M, Du W, Chen Y. [3 + 3] Formal Cycloadditions of Nitrones from Isatins and Azaoxyallyl Cations for Construction of Spirooxindoles. CHINESE J CHEM 2017. [DOI: 10.1002/cjoc.201600864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Weijia Lin
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, West China School of Pharmacy; Sichuan University; Chengdu Sichuan 610041 China
| | - Gu Zhan
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, West China School of Pharmacy; Sichuan University; Chengdu Sichuan 610041 China
| | - Minglin Shi
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, West China School of Pharmacy; Sichuan University; Chengdu Sichuan 610041 China
| | - Wei Du
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, West China School of Pharmacy; Sichuan University; Chengdu Sichuan 610041 China
| | - Yingchun Chen
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, West China School of Pharmacy; Sichuan University; Chengdu Sichuan 610041 China
- College of Pharmacy; Third Military Medical University; Shapingba Chongqing 400038 China
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48
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Gomes AR, Ravenhall M, Benavente ED, Talman A, Sutherland C, Roper C, Clark TG, Campino S. Genetic diversity of next generation antimalarial targets: A baseline for drug resistance surveillance programmes. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-DRUGS AND DRUG RESISTANCE 2017; 7:174-180. [PMID: 28376349 PMCID: PMC5379905 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2017.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2017] [Revised: 03/02/2017] [Accepted: 03/06/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Drug resistance is a recurrent problem in the fight against malaria. Genetic and epidemiological surveillance of antimalarial resistant parasite alleles is crucial to guide drug therapies and clinical management. New antimalarial compounds are currently at various stages of clinical trials and regulatory evaluation. Using ∼2000 Plasmodium falciparum genome sequences, we investigated the genetic diversity of eleven gene-targets of promising antimalarial compounds and assessed their potential efficiency across malaria endemic regions. We determined if the loci are under selection prior to the introduction of new drugs and established a baseline of genetic variance, including potential resistant alleles, for future surveillance programmes. Genetic diversity of 11gene-targets of new antimalarial compounds was investigated. Genetic data was analysed for 18 malaria endemic countries. No signals of selective pressure was observed. A mutation linked to resistance to a new antimalarial was found in African parasites. Amino-acid changes close to reported antimalarial resistant mutations were detected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Rita Gomes
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Matt Ravenhall
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Ernest Diez Benavente
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Arthur Talman
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton Cambridge, UK
| | - Colin Sutherland
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Cally Roper
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Taane G Clark
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK; Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Susana Campino
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
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Burrows JN, Duparc S, Gutteridge WE, Hooft van Huijsduijnen R, Kaszubska W, Macintyre F, Mazzuri S, Möhrle JJ, Wells TNC. New developments in anti-malarial target candidate and product profiles. Malar J 2017; 16:26. [PMID: 28086874 PMCID: PMC5237200 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-016-1675-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 305] [Impact Index Per Article: 43.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2016] [Accepted: 12/30/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
A decade of discovery and development of new anti-malarial medicines has led to a renewed focus on malaria elimination and eradication. Changes in the way new anti-malarial drugs are discovered and developed have led to a dramatic increase in the number and diversity of new molecules presently in pre-clinical and early clinical development. The twin challenges faced can be summarized by multi-drug resistant malaria from the Greater Mekong Sub-region, and the need to provide simplified medicines. This review lists changes in anti-malarial target candidate and target product profiles over the last 4 years. As well as new medicines to treat disease and prevent transmission, there has been increased focus on the longer term goal of finding new medicines for chemoprotection, potentially with long-acting molecules, or parenteral formulations. Other gaps in the malaria armamentarium, such as drugs to treat severe malaria and endectocides (that kill mosquitoes which feed on people who have taken the drug), are defined here. Ultimately the elimination of malaria requires medicines that are safe and well-tolerated to be used in vulnerable populations: in pregnancy, especially the first trimester, and in those suffering from malnutrition or co-infection with other pathogens. These updates reflect the maturing of an understanding of the key challenges in producing the next generation of medicines to control, eliminate and ultimately eradicate malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy N Burrows
- Medicines for Malaria Venture, Route de Pré Bois 20, 1215, Geneva 15, Switzerland
| | - Stephan Duparc
- Medicines for Malaria Venture, Route de Pré Bois 20, 1215, Geneva 15, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Wiweka Kaszubska
- Medicines for Malaria Venture, Route de Pré Bois 20, 1215, Geneva 15, Switzerland
| | - Fiona Macintyre
- Medicines for Malaria Venture, Route de Pré Bois 20, 1215, Geneva 15, Switzerland
| | | | - Jörg J Möhrle
- Medicines for Malaria Venture, Route de Pré Bois 20, 1215, Geneva 15, Switzerland
| | - Timothy N C Wells
- Medicines for Malaria Venture, Route de Pré Bois 20, 1215, Geneva 15, Switzerland.
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50
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Fletcher S, Lucantoni L, Sykes ML, Jones AJ, Holleran JP, Saliba KJ, Avery VM. Biological characterization of chemically diverse compounds targeting the Plasmodium falciparum coenzyme A synthesis pathway. Parasit Vectors 2016; 9:589. [PMID: 27855724 PMCID: PMC5114727 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-016-1860-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2016] [Accepted: 10/27/2016] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Background In the fight against malaria, the discovery of chemical compounds with a novel mode of action and/or chemistry distinct from currently used drugs is vital to counteract the parasite’s known ability to develop drug resistance. Another desirable aspect is efficacy against gametocytes, the sexual developmental stage of the parasite which enables the transmission through Anopheles vectors. Using a chemical rescue approach, we previously identified compounds targeting Plasmodium falciparum coenzyme A (CoA) synthesis or utilization, a promising target that has not yet been exploited in anti-malarial drug development. Results We report on the outcomes of a series of biological tests that help to define the species- and stage-specificity, as well as the potential targets of these chemically diverse compounds. Compound activity against P. falciparum gametocytes was determined to assess stage-specificity and transmission-reducing potential. Against early stage gametocytes IC50 values ranging between 60 nM and 7.5 μM were obtained. With the exception of two compounds with sub-micromolar potencies across all intra-erythrocytic stages, activity against late stage gametocytes was lower. None of the compounds were specific pantothenate kinase inhibitors. Chemical rescue profiling with CoA pathway intermediates demonstrated that most compounds acted on either of the two final P. falciparum CoA synthesis enzymes, phosphopantetheine adenylyltransferase (PPAT) or dephospho CoA kinase (DPCK). The most active compound targeted either phosphopantothenoylcysteine synthetase (PPCS) or phosphopantothenoylcysteine decarboxylase (PPCDC). Species-specificity was evaluated against Trypanosoma cruzi and Trypanosoma brucei brucei. No specific activity against T. cruzi amastigotes was observed; however three compounds inhibited the viability of trypomastigotes with sub-micromolar potencies and were confirmed to act on T. b. brucei CoA synthesis. Conclusions Utilizing the compounds we previously identified as effective against asexual P. falciparum, we demonstrate for the first time that gametocytes, like the asexual stages, depend on CoA, with two compounds exhibiting sub-micromolar potencies across asexual forms and all gametocytes stages tested. Furthermore, three compounds inhibited the viability of T. cruzi and T. b. brucei trypomastigotes with sub-micromolar potencies and were confirmed to act on T. b. brucei CoA synthesis, indicating that the CoA synthesis pathway might represent a valuable new drug target in these parasite species. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13071-016-1860-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabine Fletcher
- Discovery Biology, Eskitis Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD, Australia
| | - Leonardo Lucantoni
- Discovery Biology, Eskitis Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD, Australia
| | - Melissa L Sykes
- Discovery Biology, Eskitis Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD, Australia
| | - Amy J Jones
- Discovery Biology, Eskitis Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD, Australia
| | - John P Holleran
- Discovery Biology, Eskitis Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD, Australia
| | - Kevin J Saliba
- Medical School and Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Vicky M Avery
- Discovery Biology, Eskitis Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD, Australia.
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