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Fernández-Rubio C, Rubio-Hernández M, Alcolea V, Burguete-Mikeo A, Nguewa PA, Pérez-Silanes S. Promising aryl selenoate derivatives as antileishmanial agents and their effects on gene expression. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2024; 68:e0155923. [PMID: 38497616 PMCID: PMC10994822 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01559-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis remains one of the main public health problems worldwide, with special incidence in the poorest populations. Selenium and its derivatives can be potent therapeutic options against protozoan parasites. In this work, 17 aryl selenoates were synthesized and screened against three species of Leishmania (Leishmania major, Leishmania amazonensis, and Leishmania infantum). Initial screening in promastigotes showed L. infantum species was more sensitive to selenoderivatives than the others. The lead Se-(2-selenocyanatoethyl) thiophene-2-carboselenoate (16) showed a half-maximal effective concentration of 3.07 µM and a selectivity index > 32.57 against L. infantum promastigotes. It was also the most effective of all 17 compounds, decreasing the infection ratio by 90% in L. infantum-infected macrophages with amastigotes at 10 µM. This aryl selenoate did not produce a hemolytic effect on human red blood cells at the studied doses (10-100 µM). Furthermore, the gene expression of infected murine macrophages related to cell death, the cell cycle, and the selenoprotein synthesis pathway in amastigotes was altered, while no changes were observed in their murine homologs, supporting the specificity of Compound 16 against the parasite. Therefore, this work reveals the possible benefits of selenoate derivatives for the treatment of leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Celia Fernández-Rubio
- ISTUN Institute of Tropical Health, Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Universidad de Navarra, IdiSNA (Navarra Institute for Health Research), Navarra, Spain
| | - Mercedes Rubio-Hernández
- ISTUN Institute of Tropical Health, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universidad de Navarra, IdiSNA (Navarra Institute for Health Research), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Verónica Alcolea
- ISTUN Institute of Tropical Health, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universidad de Navarra, IdiSNA (Navarra Institute for Health Research), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Aroia Burguete-Mikeo
- ISTUN Institute of Tropical Health, Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Universidad de Navarra, IdiSNA (Navarra Institute for Health Research), Navarra, Spain
| | - Paul A. Nguewa
- ISTUN Institute of Tropical Health, Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Universidad de Navarra, IdiSNA (Navarra Institute for Health Research), Navarra, Spain
| | - Silvia Pérez-Silanes
- ISTUN Institute of Tropical Health, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universidad de Navarra, IdiSNA (Navarra Institute for Health Research), Pamplona, Spain
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Yadav K, Kuldeep J, Shabeer Ali H, Siddiqi MI, Tripathi R. Metacaspase (Pf MCA-1) as antimalarial drug target: An in silico approach and their biological validation. Life Sci 2023; 335:122271. [PMID: 37977356 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2023.122271] [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: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
AIMS Acquired drug resistance of Plasmodium is a global issue for the treatment of malaria. There are various proteases in the genome of Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum) including metacaspase-1 (PfMCA-1) that are essential and are being considered as an attractive drug target. It is aimed to identify novel therapeutics against malaria and their action on PfMCA-1 along with other apoptotic pathway events. MAIN METHODS High throughput virtual screening of 55,000 compounds derived from Maybridge library was performed against PfMCA-1. Based on the docking score, sixteen compounds were selected for in vitro antimalarial screening against drug sensitive and resistant strains of P. falciparum using SYBR green-based assay. Subsequently, three lead molecules were selected and subjected to the evaluation of cytotoxicity, caspase like protease activity, mitochondrial membrane potential, ROS generation and DNA fragmentation via TUNEL assay. KEY FINDINGS The in silico and in vitro approaches have brought forward some Maybridge library compounds with antiplasmodial activity most likely by enhancing the metacaspase activity. The compound CD11095 has shown better antimalarial efficacy, and KM06591 depicted higher caspase mediated killing, elevated TUNEL positive cells and moderate ROS generation. Mitochondrial membrane depolarization was augmented by RJC0069. Exposure of P. falciparum to CD11095, KM06591 and RJC0069 has ended up in parasite growth arrest via multiple mechanisms. SIGNIFICANCE It is proposed that the Maybridge molecules CD11095, KM06591 and RJC0069 have antimalarial activity. Their mechanism of action was found to be by enhancing the metacaspases-like protease activity, mitochondrial depolarization and DNA fragmentation which stipulates significant insights towards promising candidates for drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kanchan Yadav
- Molecular Microbiology and Immunology Division, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow 226031, India; Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Jitendra Kuldeep
- Division of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow 226031, India
| | - H Shabeer Ali
- Molecular Microbiology and Immunology Division, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow 226031, India
| | - Mohammad Imran Siddiqi
- Division of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow 226031, India
| | - Renu Tripathi
- Molecular Microbiology and Immunology Division, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow 226031, India.
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Hassan AH, Bayoumi WA, El-Sayed SM, Phan TN, Oh T, Ham G, Mahmoud K, No JH, Lee YS. Design, Synthesis, and Repurposing of Rosmarinic Acid-β-Amino-α-Ketoamide Hybrids as Antileishmanial Agents. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:1594. [PMID: 38004459 PMCID: PMC10675174 DOI: 10.3390/ph16111594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Revised: 11/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
A series of rosmarinic acid-β-amino-α-ketoamide hybrids were synthesized and rationally repurposed towards the identification of new antileishmanial hit compounds. Two hybrids, 2g and 2h, showed promising activity (IC50 values of 9.5 and 8.8 μM against Leishmania donovani promastigotes, respectively). Their activities were comparable to erufosine. In addition, cytotoxicity evaluation employing human THP-1 cells revealed that the two hybrids 2g and 2h possess no cytotoxic effects up to 100 µM, while erufosine possessed cytotoxicity with CC50 value of 19.4 µM. In silico docking provided insights into structure-activity relationship emphasizing the importance of the aliphatic chain at the α-carbon of the cinnamoyl carbonyl group establishing favorable binding interactions with LdCALP and LARG in both hybrids 2g and 2h. In light of these findings, hybrids 2g and 2h are suggested as potential safe antileishmanial hit compounds for further development of anti-leishmanial agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed H.E. Hassan
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt
- Medicinal Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea
| | - Waleed A. Bayoumi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt
| | - Selwan M. El-Sayed
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt
| | - Trong-Nhat Phan
- Institute of Applied Science and Technology, School of Technology, Van Lang University, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Vietnam
- Faculty of Applied Technology, School of Technology, Van Lang University, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Vietnam
| | - Taegeun Oh
- Department of Fundamental Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea
| | - Gyeongpyo Ham
- Department of Fundamental Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea
| | - Kazem Mahmoud
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Egyptian Russian University, Badr City 11829, Egypt
| | - Joo Hwan No
- Host-Parasite Research Laboratory, Institut Pasteur Korea, Seongnam-si 13488, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Yong Sup Lee
- Medicinal Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea
- Department of Fundamental Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea
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Hassan AHE, Mahmoud K, Phan TN, Shaldam MA, Lee CH, Kim YJ, Cho SB, Bayoumi WA, El-Sayed SM, Choi Y, Moon S, No JH, Lee YS. Bestatin analogs-4-quinolinone hybrids as antileishmanial hits: Design, repurposing rational, synthesis, in vitro and in silico studies. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 250:115211. [PMID: 36827952 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023]
Abstract
Amongst different forms of leishmaniasis, visceral leishmaniasis caused by L. donovani is highly mortal. Identification of new hit compounds might afford new starting points to develop novel therapeutics. In this lieu, a rationally designed small library of bestatin analogs-4-quinolone hybrids were prepared and evaluated. Analysis of SAR unveiled distinct profiles for hybrids type 1 and type 2, which might arise from their different molecular targets. Amongst type 1 bestatin analog-4-quinolone hybrids, hybrid 1e was identified as potential hit inhibiting growth of L. donovani promastigotes by 91 and 53% at 50 and 25 μM concentrations, respectively. Meanwhile, hybrid 2j was identified amongst type 2 bestatin analog-4-quinolone hybrids as potential hit compound inhibiting growth of L. donovani promastigotes by 50 and 38% at 50 and 25 μM concentrations, respectively. Preliminary safety evaluation of the promising hit compounds showed that they are 50-100 folds safer against human derived monocytic THP-1 cells relative to the drug erufosine. In silico study was conducted to predict the possible binding of hybrid 1e with methionine aminopeptidases 1 and 2 of L. donovani. Molecular dynamic simulations verified the predicted binding modes and provide more in depth understanding of the impact of hybrid 1e on LdMetAP-1 and LdMetAP-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed H E Hassan
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura, 35516, Egypt; Medicinal Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, 02447, Republic of Korea.
| | - Kazem Mahmoud
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Egyptian Russian University, Badr City, Cairo, 11829, Egypt
| | - Trong-Nhat Phan
- Host-Parasite Research Laboratory, Institut Pasteur Korea, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, 13488, Republic of Korea
| | - Moataz A Shaldam
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafrelsheikh, 33516, Egypt
| | - Chae Hyeon Lee
- Department of Fundamental Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, 02447, Republic of Korea
| | - Yeon Ju Kim
- Department of Fundamental Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, 02447, Republic of Korea
| | - Soo Bin Cho
- Department of Fundamental Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, 02447, Republic of Korea
| | - Waleed A Bayoumi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura, 35516, Egypt
| | - Selwan M El-Sayed
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura, 35516, Egypt
| | - Yeonwoo Choi
- Department of Fundamental Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, 02447, Republic of Korea
| | - Suyeon Moon
- Department of Fundamental Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, 02447, Republic of Korea
| | - Joo Hwan No
- Host-Parasite Research Laboratory, Institut Pasteur Korea, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, 13488, Republic of Korea
| | - Yong Sup Lee
- Medicinal Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, 02447, Republic of Korea; Department of Fundamental Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, 02447, Republic of Korea.
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Mohseni F, Sharifi I, Oliaee RT, Babaei Z, Mostafavi M, Almani PGN, Keyhani A, Salarkia E, Sharifi F, Nave HH, Bamorovat M, Alahdin S, Sarlak M, Tavakoly R. Antiproliferative properties of Turmerone on Leishmania major: Modes of action confirmed by antioxidative and immunomodulatory roles. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2022; 84:101797. [PMID: 35325685 DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2022.101797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Revised: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Treatment of leishmaniasis by conventional synthetic compounds has faced a serious challenge worldwide. This study was performed to evaluate the effect and modes of action of aromatic Turmerone on the Leishmania major intra-macrophage amastigotes, the causative agent of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis in the Old World. In the findings, the mean numbers of L. major amastigotes in macrophages were significantly decreased in exposure to Turmerone plus meglumine antimoniate (Glucantime®; MA) than MA alone, especially at 50 µg/mL. In addition, Turmerone demonstrated no cytotoxicity as the selectivity index (SI) was 21.1; while it induced significant apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner on L. major promastigotes. In silico molecular docking analyses indicated an affinity of Turmerone to IL-12, with the MolDock score of - 96.8 kcal/mol; which may explain the increased levels of Th1 cytokines and decreased level of IL-10. The main mechanism of action is more likely associated with stimulating a powerful antioxidant and promoting the immunomodulatory roles in the killing of the target organism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fahimeh Mohseni
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Iraj Sharifi
- Leishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
| | | | - Zahra Babaei
- Leishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Mahshid Mostafavi
- Leishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | | | - Alireza Keyhani
- Leishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Ehsan Salarkia
- Leishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Sharifi
- Research Center of Tropical and Infectious Diseases, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Hossein Hosseini Nave
- Department of Microbiology and Virology, School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Mehdi Bamorovat
- Leishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Sodabeh Alahdin
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Meysam Sarlak
- Department of Biotechnology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Rahele Tavakoly
- Student Research Committee, School of Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
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Ramu D, Singh S. Potential molecular targets of Leishmania pathways in developing novel antileishmanials. Future Microbiol 2021; 17:41-57. [PMID: 34877877 DOI: 10.2217/fmb-2021-0094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The illness known as leishmaniasis has not become a household name like malaria, although it stands as the second-largest parasitic disease, surpassed only by malaria. As no licensed vaccine is available, treatment for leishmaniasis mostly relies on chemotherapy. Inefficiency and drug resistance are the major impediments in current therapeutics. In this scenario, identification of novel molecular drug candidates is indispensable to develop robust antileishmanials. The exploration of structure-based drugs to target enzymes/molecules of Leishmania which differ structurally/functionally from their equivalents in mammalian hosts not only helps in developing a new class of antileishmanials, but also paves the way to understand Leishmania biology. This review provides a comprehensive overview on possible drug candidates relating to various Leishmania molecular pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dandugudumula Ramu
- Department of Life Sciences, School of Natural Sciences, Shiv Nadar University, Greater Noida, 201314, India
| | - Shailja Singh
- Special Centre for Molecular Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067, India
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Cysteine proteases as potential targets for anti-trypanosomatid drug discovery. Bioorg Med Chem 2021; 46:116365. [PMID: 34419821 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2021.116365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Revised: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Leishmaniasis and trypanosomiasis are endemic neglected disease in South America and Africa and considered a significant public health problem, mainly in poor communities. The limitations of the current available therapeutic options, including the lack of specificity, relatively high toxicity, and the drug resistance acquiring, drive the constant search for new targets and therapeutic options. Advances in knowledge of parasite biology have revealed essential enzymes involved in the replication, survival, and pathogenicity of Leishmania and Trypanosoma species. In this scenario, cysteine proteases have drawn the attention of researchers and they are being proposed as promising targets for drug discovery of antiprotozoal drugs. In this systematic review, we will provide an update on drug discovery strategies targeting the cysteine proteases as potential targets for chemotherapy against protozoal neglected diseases.
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Elamin M, Al-Olayan E, Abdel-Gaber R, Yehia RS. Anti-proliferative and apoptosis induction activities of curcumin on Leishmania major. Rev Argent Microbiol 2021; 53:240-247. [PMID: 33531168 DOI: 10.1016/j.ram.2020.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2019] [Revised: 06/05/2020] [Accepted: 08/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a major vector-borne disease triggered by an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite of the genus Leishmania and transmitted by the bite of phlebotomine female sand flies. This parasite causes a wide range of human diseases, from localized self-healing cutaneous lesions to fatal visceral infections. The aim of this study was to investigate the cytotoxic, antiproliferative, and apoptotic effects of curcumin on Leishmania major promastigotes (MHOM/SA/84/JISH) and to assess these effects on the cell cycle of promastigotes. The MTT colorimetric assay was used to evaluate the cytotoxicity and proliferation of promastigotes. Additionally, flow cytometry was used to analyze the cell cycle. The Annexin V/propidium iodide staining technique followed by flow cytometry was used to study the cell death induced by curcumin. In this study curcumin showed a potent antileishmanial effect, exhibiting cytotoxicity against L. major promastigotes. At 80μM, the survival in curcumin treated promastigotes reached 22%; however, the median lethal concentration of curcumin (LC50) was 35μM. The drug exerted its cytotoxic effect by inducing apoptosis. Curcumin-induced cell death in promastigotes reached 82.5% at 80μM concentration. In addition, curcumin delayed the cell cycle in the S-phase inhibiting cell proliferation. Thus, curcumin was shown to be effective against L. major promastigotes. Therefore, curcumin merits further research studies to demonstrate its efficacy in treating cutaneous leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maha Elamin
- Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Ebtsam Al-Olayan
- Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Rewaida Abdel-Gaber
- Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia; Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Cairo 12613, Egypt
| | - Ramy S Yehia
- Department of Botany and Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Cairo 12613, Egypt
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The ultimate fate determinants of drug induced cell-death mechanisms in Trypanosomatids. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-DRUGS AND DRUG RESISTANCE 2021; 15:81-91. [PMID: 33601284 PMCID: PMC7900639 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2021.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2020] [Revised: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Chemotherapy constitutes a major part of modern-day therapy for infectious and chronic diseases. A drug is said to be effective if it can inhibit its target, induce stress, and thereby trigger an array of cell death pathways in the form of programmed cell death, autophagy, necrosis, etc. Chemotherapy is the only treatment choice against trypanosomatid diseases like Leishmaniasis, Chagas disease, and sleeping sickness. Anti-trypanosomatid drugs can induce various cell death phenotypes depending upon the drug dose and growth stage of the parasites. The mechanisms and pathways triggering cell death in Trypanosomatids serve to help identify potential targets for the development of effective anti-trypanosomatids. Studies show that the key proteins involved in cell death of trypanosomatids are metacaspases, Endonuclease G, Apoptosis-Inducing Factor, cysteine proteases, serine proteases, antioxidant systems, etc. Unlike higher eukaryotes, these organisms either lack the complete set of effectors involved in cell death pathways, or are yet to be deciphered. A detailed summary of the existing knowledge of different drug-induced cell death pathways would help identify the lacuna in each of these pathways and therefore open new avenues for research and thereby new therapeutic targets to explore. The cell death pathway associated complexities in metazoans are absent in trypanosomatids; hence this summary can also help understand the trigger points as well as cross-talk between these pathways. Here we provide an in-depth overview of the existing knowledge of these drug-induced trypanosomatid cell death pathways, describe their associated physiological changes, and suggest potential interconnections amongst them.
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Lin Y, Jones ML. Silencing ATG6 and PI3K accelerates petal senescence and reduces flower number and shoot biomass in petunia. PLANT SCIENCE : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL PLANT BIOLOGY 2021; 302:110713. [PMID: 33288020 DOI: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2020.110713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2020] [Revised: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 10/03/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Petal senescence is a form of developmental programmed cell death (PCD) that is regulated by internal and environmental signals. Autophagy, a metabolic pathway that regulates intercellular nutrient recycling, is thought to play an important role in the regulation of petal senescence-associated PCD. To characterize the function of two central autophagy genes in petal senescence, we down-regulated Autophagy Gene 6 (PhATG6) and Phosphoinositide 3-Kinase (PhPI3K) using Virus-Induced Gene Silencing (VIGS) in Petunia × hybrida. The silencing of PhATG6 and PhPI3K accelerated petal senescence, thereby reducing flower longevity. Both PhATG6- and PhPI3K-silenced petunias had reduced flower numbers, flower biomass, and vegetative shoot biomass. These phenotypes were intensified when plants were grown under low nutrient conditions. Additionally, two important regulators of senescence, an ethylene biosynthesis gene (PhACS) and a type I metacaspase gene (PhMC1), were suppressed in senescing petals of PhATG6- and PhPI3K-silenced plants. In conclusion, our study identified PhATG6 and PhPI3K as negative regulators of flower senescence and demonstrated the influence of nutrient limitation on the function of autophagy during petal senescence. Our study also found that autophagy genes potentially influence the transcriptional regulation of metacaspases and ethylene biosynthetic genes during petal senescence. The results of this project will be fundamental for future studies of petal senescence and will provide genetic information for future crop improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiyun Lin
- Department of Horticulture and Crop Science, The Ohio State University, Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center (OARDC), 1680 Madison Avenue, Wooster, OH, 44691, USA
| | - Michelle L Jones
- Department of Horticulture and Crop Science, The Ohio State University, Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center (OARDC), 1680 Madison Avenue, Wooster, OH, 44691, USA.
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11
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Correa R, Caballero Z, De León LF, Spadafora C. Extracellular Vesicles Could Carry an Evolutionary Footprint in Interkingdom Communication. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2020; 10:76. [PMID: 32195195 PMCID: PMC7063102 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.00076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2019] [Accepted: 02/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are minute particles secreted by the cells of living organisms. Although the functional role of EVs is not yet clear, recent work has highlighted their role in intercellular communication. Here, we expand on this view by suggesting that EVs can also mediate communication among interacting organisms such as hosts, pathogens and vectors. This inter-kingdom communication via EVs is likely to have important evolutionary consequences ranging from adaptation of parasites to specialized niches in the host, to host resistance and evolution and maintenance of parasite virulence and transmissibility. A potential system to explore these consequences is the interaction among the human host, the mosquito vector and Plasmodium parasite involved in the malaria disease. Indeed, recent studies have found that EVs derived from Plasmodium infected red blood cells in humans are likely mediating the parasite's transition from the asexual to sexual stage, which might facilitate transmission to the mosquito vector. However, more work is needed to establish the adaptive consequences of this EV signaling among different taxa. We suggest that an integrative molecular approach, including a comparative phylogenetic analysis of the molecules (e.g., proteins and nucleic acids) derived from the EVs of interacting organisms (and their closely-related species) in the malaria system will prove useful for understanding interkingdom communication. Such analyses will also shed light on the evolution and persistence of host, parasite and vector interactions, with implications for the control of vector borne infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo Correa
- Center of Cellular and Molecular Biology of Diseases, Instituto de Investigaciones Cientificas y Servicios de Alta Tecnologia (INDICASAT AIP), Panama, Panama.,Department of Biotechnology, Acharya Nagarjuna University, Guntur, India
| | - Zuleima Caballero
- Center of Cellular and Molecular Biology of Diseases, Instituto de Investigaciones Cientificas y Servicios de Alta Tecnologia (INDICASAT AIP), Panama, Panama
| | - Luis F De León
- Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Carmenza Spadafora
- Center of Cellular and Molecular Biology of Diseases, Instituto de Investigaciones Cientificas y Servicios de Alta Tecnologia (INDICASAT AIP), Panama, Panama
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Cardozo Pinto de Arruda C, de Jesus Hardoim D, Silva Rizk Y, da Silva Freitas de Souza C, Zaverucha do Valle T, Bento Carvalho D, Nosomi Taniwaki N, de Morais Baroni AC, da Silva Calabrese K. A Triazole Hybrid of Neolignans as a Potential Antileishmanial Agent by Triggering Mitochondrial Dysfunction. Molecules 2019; 25:molecules25010037. [PMID: 31861910 PMCID: PMC6983227 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25010037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2019] [Revised: 10/15/2019] [Accepted: 10/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In the search for new compounds with antileishmanial activity, we synthesized a triazole hybrid analogue of the neolignans grandisin and machilin G (LASQUIM 25), which was previously found highly active against both promastigotes and intracellular amastigote forms of Leishmania amazonensis. In this work, we investigated the leishmanicidal effects of LASQUIM 25 to identify the mechanisms involved in the cell death of L. amazonensis promastigotes. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis showed marked effects of LASQUIM 25 (IC50 = 7.2 µM) on the morphology of promastigote forms, notably on mitochondria. The direct action of the triazole derivative on the parasite was noticed over time from 2 h to 48 h, and cells displayed several ultrastructural alterations characteristic of apoptotic cells. Also, flow cytometric analysis (FACS) after TMRE staining detected changes in mitochondrial membrane potential after LASQUIM 25 treatment (64.83% labeling versus 83.38% labeling in nontreated cells). On the other hand, FACS after PI staining in 24 h-treatment showed a slight alteration in the integrity of the cell membrane, a necrotic event (16.76% necrotic cells versus 3.19% staining in live parasites). An abnormal secretion of lipids was observed, suggesting an exocytic activity. Another striking finding was the presence of autophagy-related lysosome-like vacuoles, suggesting an autophagic cell death that may arise as consequence of mitochondrial stress. Taken together, these results suggest that LASQUIM 25 leishmanicidal mechanisms involve some degree of mitochondrial dysregulation, already evidenced by the treatment with the IC50 of this compound. This effect may be due to the presence of a methylenedioxy group originated from machilin G, whose toxicity has been associated with the capacity to generate electrophilic intermediates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Cardozo Pinto de Arruda
- Laboratório de Parasitologia Humana, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, 79070-900 Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brasil
- Correspondence: (C.C.P.d.A.); (K.d.S.C.); Tel.: +55-67-3345-7369 (C.C.P.d.A.); +55-21-2562-1879 (K.d.S.C.)
| | - Daiana de Jesus Hardoim
- Laboratório de Imunomodulação e Protozoologia (LIMP), Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (IOC), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), 21040-360 Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil; (D.d.J.H.); (Y.S.R.); (C.d.S.F.d.S.); (T.Z.d.V.)
| | - Yasmin Silva Rizk
- Laboratório de Imunomodulação e Protozoologia (LIMP), Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (IOC), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), 21040-360 Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil; (D.d.J.H.); (Y.S.R.); (C.d.S.F.d.S.); (T.Z.d.V.)
| | - Celeste da Silva Freitas de Souza
- Laboratório de Imunomodulação e Protozoologia (LIMP), Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (IOC), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), 21040-360 Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil; (D.d.J.H.); (Y.S.R.); (C.d.S.F.d.S.); (T.Z.d.V.)
| | - Tânia Zaverucha do Valle
- Laboratório de Imunomodulação e Protozoologia (LIMP), Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (IOC), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), 21040-360 Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil; (D.d.J.H.); (Y.S.R.); (C.d.S.F.d.S.); (T.Z.d.V.)
| | - Diego Bento Carvalho
- Laboratório de Síntese e Química Medicinal (LASQUIM), Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Alimentos e Nutrição, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, 79070-900 Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brasil; (D.B.C.); (A.C.d.M.B.)
| | - Noemi Nosomi Taniwaki
- Núcleo de Microscopia Eletrônica, Instituto Adolfo Lutz, 01246-000 São Paulo, São Paulo, Brasil;
| | - Adriano Cesar de Morais Baroni
- Laboratório de Síntese e Química Medicinal (LASQUIM), Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Alimentos e Nutrição, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, 79070-900 Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brasil; (D.B.C.); (A.C.d.M.B.)
| | - Kátia da Silva Calabrese
- Laboratório de Imunomodulação e Protozoologia (LIMP), Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (IOC), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), 21040-360 Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil; (D.d.J.H.); (Y.S.R.); (C.d.S.F.d.S.); (T.Z.d.V.)
- Correspondence: (C.C.P.d.A.); (K.d.S.C.); Tel.: +55-67-3345-7369 (C.C.P.d.A.); +55-21-2562-1879 (K.d.S.C.)
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Abstract
Leishmaniases still represent a global scourge and new therapeutic tools are necessary to replace the current expensive, difficult to administer treatments that induce numerous adverse effects and for which resistance is increasingly worrying. In this context, the particularly original organization of the Leishmania parasite in comparison to higher eukaryotes is a great advantage. It allows for the development of new, very specific, and thus non-cytotoxic treatments. Among these originalities, Leishmania cell death can be cited. Despite a classic pattern of apoptosis, key mammalian apoptotic proteins are not present in Leishmania, such as caspases, cell death receptors, and anti-apoptotic molecules. Recent studies have helped to develop a better understanding of parasite cell death, identifying new proteins or even new apoptotic pathways. This review provides an overview of the current knowledge on Leishmania cell death, describing its physiological roles and its phenotype, and discusses the involvement of various proteins: endonuclease G, metacaspase, aquaporin Li-BH3AQP, calpains, cysteine proteinase C, LmjHYD36 and Lmj.22.0600. From these data, potential apoptotic pathways are suggested. This review also offers tools to identify new Leishmania cell death effectors. Lastly, different approaches to use this knowledge for the development of new therapeutic tools are suggested: either inhibition of Leishmania cell death or activation of cell death for instance by treating cells with proteins or peptides involved in parasite death fused to a cell permeant peptide or encapsulated into a lipidic vector to target intra-macrophagic Leishmania cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise Basmaciyan
- UMR PAM A, Valmis Team, 2 rue Angélique Ducoudray, BP 37013, 21070 Dijon Cedex, France
| | - Magali Casanova
- Aix-Marseille University, CNRS, LISM, Institut de Microbiologie de la Méditerranée, 13402 Marseille Cedex 09, France
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14
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Grewal JS, Catta-Preta CM, Brown E, Anand J, Mottram JC. Evaluation of clan CD C11 peptidase PNT1 and other Leishmania mexicana cysteine peptidases as potential drug targets. Biochimie 2019; 166:150-160. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2019.08.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2019] [Accepted: 08/26/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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15
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Eyssen LEA, Coetzer THT. Expression, purification and characterisation of Trypanosoma congolense metacaspase 5 (TcoMCA5) - a potential drug target for animal African trypanosomiasis. Protein Expr Purif 2019; 164:105465. [PMID: 31377239 DOI: 10.1016/j.pep.2019.105465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2019] [Revised: 07/31/2019] [Accepted: 07/31/2019] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
The metacaspases (MCAs) are attractive drug targets for the treatment of African trypanosomiasis as they are not found in the metazoan kingdom and their action has been implicated in cell cycle and cell death pathways in kinetoplastid parasites. Here we report the biochemical characterisation of MCA5 from T. congolense. Upon recombinant expression in E. coli, autoprocessing is evident, and MCA5 further autoprocesses when purified using nickel affinity chromatography, which we term nickel-induced over autoprocessing. When both the catalytic His and Cys residues were mutated (TcoMCA5H147A/C202G), no nickel-induced over autoprocessing was observed and was enzymatically active, suggesting the existence of a secondary catalytic Cys residue, Cys81. Immunoaffinity purification of native TcoMCA5 from the total parasite proteins was achieved using chicken anti-TcoMCA5 IgY antibodies. The full length native TcoMCA5 and the autoprocessed products of recombinant TcoMCA5H147A/C202G were shown to possess gelatinolytic activity, the first report for that of a MCA. Both the native and recombinant enzyme were calcium independent, had a preference for Arg over Lys at the P1 site and were active over a pH range between 6.5 and 9. Partial inhibition (23%) of enzymatic activity was only achieved with leupeptin and antipain. These findings are the first step in the biochemical characterisation of the single copy MCAs from animal infective trypanosomes towards the design of novel trypanocides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren E-A Eyssen
- Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal (Pietermaritzburg Campus), Private Bag X01, Scottsville, 3209, South Africa
| | - Theresa H T Coetzer
- Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal (Pietermaritzburg Campus), Private Bag X01, Scottsville, 3209, South Africa.
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16
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Vandana, Dixit R, Tiwari R, Katyal A, Pandey KC. Metacaspases: Potential Drug Target Against Protozoan Parasites. Front Pharmacol 2019; 10:790. [PMID: 31379569 PMCID: PMC6657590 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2019.00790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2019] [Accepted: 06/18/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Among the numerous strategies/targets for controlling infectious diseases, parasites-derived proteases receive prime attention due to their essential contribution to parasite growth and development. Parasites produce a broad array of proteases, which are required for parasite entry/invasion, modification/degradation of host proteins for their nourishment, and activation of inflammation that ensures their survival to maintain infection. Presently, extensive research is focused on unique proteases termed as "metacaspases" (MCAs) in relation to their versatile functions in plants and non-metazoans. Such unique MCAs proteases could be considered as a potential drug target against parasites due to their absence in the human host. MCAs are cysteine proteases, having Cys-His catalytic dyad present in fungi, protozoa, and plants. Studies so far indicated that MCAs are broadly associated with apoptosis-like cell death, growth, and stress regulation in different protozoa. The present review comprises the important research outcomes from our group and published literature, showing the variable properties and function of MCAs for therapeutic purpose against infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vandana
- Host-Parasite Interaction Biology Group, ICMR-National Institute of Malaria Research, New Delhi, India.,Dr Ambedkar Center for Biomedical Research, Delhi University, New Delhi, India
| | - Rajnikant Dixit
- Host-Parasite Interaction Biology Group, ICMR-National Institute of Malaria Research, New Delhi, India
| | - Rajnarayan Tiwari
- Department of Biochemistry, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Environmental Health, Bhopal, India
| | - Anju Katyal
- Dr Ambedkar Center for Biomedical Research, Delhi University, New Delhi, India
| | - Kailash C Pandey
- Host-Parasite Interaction Biology Group, ICMR-National Institute of Malaria Research, New Delhi, India.,Department of Biochemistry, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Environmental Health, Bhopal, India
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17
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(+)-Spectaline and Iso-6-Spectaline Induce a Possible Cross-Talk between Autophagy and Apoptosis in Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense. Trop Med Infect Dis 2019; 4:tropicalmed4030098. [PMID: 31266222 PMCID: PMC6789500 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed4030098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2019] [Revised: 06/23/2019] [Accepted: 06/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
In our previous study, two known piperidine alkaloids (+)-spectaline (1) and iso-6-spectaline (2) were isolated from the leaves of Senna spectabilis and showed no toxic effect on L6 cells. In view of the potential use of piperidine alkaloids in S. spectabilis for the treatment of sleeping sickness, further investigation on the cell death actions of the parasite after treatment with compound 1 and 2 suggested that the treated parasites died by a process of autophagy based on the characteristic morphological alterations observed in intracellular T. b. rhodesiense. In search for apoptosis, interestingly, trypanosomes treated with high concentration of compound 1 and 2 after 72 h significantly induced an early apoptosis-like programmed cell death (PCD) such as phosphatidylserine (PS) exposure, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and caspases activation. No DNA laddering discriminated late apoptosis event. Taken together, these findings demonstrated the potential of compound 1 and 2 as a natural chemotherapeutic capable of inducing a possible cross-talk between autophagy and apoptosis in T. b. rhodesiense.
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18
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Yu J, Yu M, Song T, Cao H, Pan X, Yong M, Qi Z, Du Y, Zhang R, Yin X, Liu Y. A Homeobox Transcription Factor UvHOX2 Regulates Chlamydospore Formation, Conidiogenesis, and Pathogenicity in Ustilaginoidea virens. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:1071. [PMID: 31281290 PMCID: PMC6596325 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.01071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2018] [Accepted: 04/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Rice false smut fungus (teleomorph: Villosiclava virens; anamorph: Ustilaginoidea virens) can generate chlamydospores and survive winter under field conditions. The chlamydospore is considered as an important infection source of the disease. However, little is known about the regulatory mechanism of the chlamydospore production. In this study, we identified a defective homeobox transcription factor (designated as UvHOX2) gene in a U. virens random insertional mutant B-766 that could not form chlamydospores. To confirm the regulatory function of UvHOX2, an Agrobacterium tumefaciens mediated transformation- and CRISPR/Cas9- based targeted gene replacement method was developed. The UvHox2 deletion mutants completely failed to produce chlamydospores, showed reduced conidia production and decreased virulence, and was hyper-sensitive to oxidative, osmotic, and cell wall stresses. We confirmed that UvHOX2 is located in the nuclei of U. virens, and the expression of UvHox2 was the strongest during the early stage of chlamydospore and conidium formation. Global transcription pattern of UvHOX2 was also determined by RNA-seq in this study, and several genes that might be down-stream of UvHOX2 regulation were identified. The results will better our understanding of the molecular mechanism of chlamydospore formation in U. virens as a model fungus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junjie Yu
- Institute of Plant Protection, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, China
| | - Mina Yu
- Institute of Plant Protection, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, China
| | - Tianqiao Song
- Institute of Plant Protection, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, China
| | - Huijuan Cao
- Institute of Plant Protection, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiayan Pan
- Institute of Plant Protection, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, China
| | - Mingli Yong
- Institute of Plant Protection, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhongqiang Qi
- Institute of Plant Protection, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, China
| | - Yan Du
- Institute of Plant Protection, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, China
| | - Rongsheng Zhang
- Institute of Plant Protection, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaole Yin
- Institute of Plant Protection, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, China
| | - Yongfeng Liu
- Institute of Plant Protection, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, China.,School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhengjiang, China
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19
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Basmaciyan L, Azas N, Casanova M. A potential acetyltransferase involved in Leishmania major metacaspase-dependent cell death. Parasit Vectors 2019; 12:266. [PMID: 31133064 PMCID: PMC6537415 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-019-3526-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2018] [Accepted: 05/23/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Currently, there is no satisfactory treatment for leishmaniases, owing to the cost, mode of administration, side effects and to the increasing emergence of drug resistance. As a consequence, the proteins involved in Leishmania apoptosis seem a target of choice for the development of new therapeutic tools against these neglected tropical diseases. Indeed, Leishmania cell death, while phenotypically similar to mammalian apoptosis, is very peculiar, involving no homologue of the key mammalian apoptotic proteins such as caspases and death receptors. Furthermore, very few proteins involved in Leishmania apoptosis have been identified. RESULTS We identified a protein involved in Leishmania apoptosis from a library of genes overexpressed during Leishmania differentiation during which autophagy occurs. Indeed, the gene was overexpressed when L. major cell death was induced by curcumin or miltefosine. Furthermore, its overexpression increased L. major curcumin- and miltefosine-induced apoptosis. This gene, named LmjF.22.0600, whose expression is dependent on the expression of the metacaspase, another apoptotic protein, encodes a putative acetyltransferase. CONCLUSIONS This new protein, identified as being involved in Leishmania apoptosis, will contribute to a better understanding of Leishmania death, which is needed owing to the absence of a satisfactory treatment against leishmaniases. It will also allow a better understanding of the original apoptotic pathways of eukaryotes in general, while evidence of the existence of such pathways is accumulating.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise Basmaciyan
- UMR PAM A, Valmis team, 2 rue Angélique Ducoudray, BP 37013, 21070 Dijon Cedex, France
| | - Nadine Azas
- Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, AP-HM, SSA, VITROME, Marseille, France
- IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - Magali Casanova
- Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, AP-HM, SSA, VITROME, Marseille, France
- IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
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20
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A novel hydrolase with a pro-death activity from the protozoan parasite Leishmania major. Cell Death Discov 2019; 5:99. [PMID: 31149349 PMCID: PMC6534544 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-019-0178-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2018] [Revised: 01/16/2019] [Accepted: 01/31/2019] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Apoptosis is a cell death process generally described as involving a cascade of caspase activation, death receptors and/or pro- and antiapoptotic molecules from the BcL-2 family. But about 20 years ago, a caspase-independent apoptotic pathway has been described. Regarding this pathway, we can learn a lot from Leishmania parasites. Indeed, these parasitic protozoa enter, in response to different stimuli, in a form of cell death phenotypically similar to mammalian apoptosis but without involving caspases or death receptors. So far, only two proteins have been clearly identified as being involved in Leishmania-regulated cell death: the metacaspase and the endonuclease G. We report here the identification of a new protein modeled as a potential hydrolase, highly conserved among Leishmania species and absent in the very close parasite Trypanosoma brucei. This protein is involved in L. major-regulated cell death induced by curcumin, miltefosine and pentamidine, after gene overexpression and/or protein translocation to the nucleus. The identification of proteins involved in Leishmania-regulated cell death will provide a better understanding of nonconventional apoptotic pathways in higher eukaryotes. It will also allow the development of new therapeutic tools via the identification of new specific targets.
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21
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SADUQI M, SHARIFI I, BABAEI Z, KEYHANI A, MOSTAFAVI M, HAKIMI PARIZI M, GHASEMIAN M, BAMOROVAT M, SHARIFI F, AFLATOONIAN MR, SHARIFIFAR F, GHASEMI NEJAD P, KHOSRAVI A, SALARKIA E, VARMA RS. Anti-Leishmanial and Immunomodulatory Effects of Epigallocatechin 3-O-Gallate on Leishmania tropica: Apoptosis and Gene Expression Profiling. IRANIAN JOURNAL OF PARASITOLOGY 2019; 14:521-533. [PMID: 32099555 PMCID: PMC7028242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pentavalent antimonials such as meglumine antimoniate (MA, Glucantime), are the first-line treatment against leishmaniasis, but at present, they have basically lost their efficacy. This study was aimed to explore epigallocatechin 3-O-gallate (EGCG), alone or in combination with MA against Leishmania tropica stages. METHODS All experiments were carried out in triplicate using colorimetric assay, macrophage model, flow cytometry and quantitative real-time PCR. This experimental study was carried out in 2017 in Leishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran. RESULTS Promastigotes and amastigotes were more susceptible to EGCG than MA alone, but the effect was more profound when used in combination. EGCG exhibited high antioxidant level with a remarkable potential to induce apoptosis. Furthermore, the results showed that the level of gene expression pertaining to Th-1 was significantly up-regulated (P<0.001). CONCLUSION EGCG demonstrated a potent anti-leishmanial effect alone and more enhanced lethal activity in combination. The principal mode of action entails the stimulation of a synergistic response and up-regulation of the immunomodulatory role towards Th-1 response against L. tropica.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morteza SADUQI
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Iraj SHARIFI
- Leishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran,Correspondence
| | - Zahra BABAEI
- Leishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Alireza KEYHANI
- Leishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Mahshid MOSTAFAVI
- Leishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Maryam HAKIMI PARIZI
- Leishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Mahdiyeh GHASEMIAN
- Leishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Mehdi BAMOROVAT
- Leishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Fatemeh SHARIFI
- Pharmaceutics Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Mohammad Reza AFLATOONIAN
- Research Center of Tropical and Infectious Diseases, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Fariba SHARIFIFAR
- Herbal and Traditional Medicines Research Center, Department of Pharmacognosy, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Pooya GHASEMI NEJAD
- Leishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Ahmad KHOSRAVI
- Leishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Ehsan SALARKIA
- Leishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Rajender S. VARMA
- Regional Center of Advanced Technologies and Materials, Faculty of Science, Palacký University in Olomouc, Šlechtitelů 27, 783 71 Olomouc, Czech Republic
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22
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Basmaciyan L, Azas N, Casanova M. Different apoptosis pathways in Leishmania parasites. Cell Death Discov 2018; 4:27. [PMID: 30155277 PMCID: PMC6102309 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-018-0092-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2018] [Revised: 07/23/2018] [Accepted: 07/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Louise Basmaciyan
- UMR PAM A, Valmis Team, 2 rue Angélique Ducoudray, BP 37013, 21070 Dijon Cedex, France
| | - Nadine Azas
- 2Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, AP-HM, SSA, VITROME, IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - Magali Casanova
- 2Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, AP-HM, SSA, VITROME, IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
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23
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Basmaciyan L, Berry L, Gros J, Azas N, Casanova M. Temporal analysis of the autophagic and apoptotic phenotypes in Leishmania parasites. MICROBIAL CELL 2018; 5:404-417. [PMID: 30280103 PMCID: PMC6167523 DOI: 10.15698/mic2018.09.646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The leishmaniases are worldwide neglected tropical diseases caused by parasitic protozoa of the Leishmania genus. Different stimuli induce Leishmania cell death, but the proteins involved remain poorly understood. Furthermore, confusion often appears between cell death and the cell survival process autophagy, whose phenotype is not clearly defined. In this article, we present a comprehensive and temporal analysis of the cellular events occurring during miltefosine-induced cell death and autophagy in L. major. We also provide a list of features in order to clearly identify apoptotic cells, autophagic cells and to distinguish both processes. Furthermore, we demonstrate that autophagy is followed by apoptosis in the absence of nutrients. Finally, we show that cells treated with the generic kinase inhibitor staurosporine express apoptotic as well as autophagic markers and therefore cannot be used as an apoptosis inducer in Leishmania. These descriptions lead to a better recognition and understanding of apoptosis and autophagy, enabling their targeting in the development of new anti-leishmanial drugs. These researches also make it possible to better understand these processes in general, through the study of an ancestral eukaryote.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise Basmaciyan
- UMR PAM A, Valmis team, 2 rue Angélique Ducoudray, BP 37013, 21070 Dijon Cedex, France
| | - Laurence Berry
- Dynamique des Interactions Membranaires Normales et Pathologiques, CNRS UMR 5235, University of Montpellier, France
| | - Julie Gros
- Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, AP-HM, SSA, VITROME, IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - Nadine Azas
- Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, AP-HM, SSA, VITROME, IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - Magali Casanova
- Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, AP-HM, SSA, VITROME, IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
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Jones NG, Catta-Preta CMC, Lima APCA, Mottram JC. Genetically Validated Drug Targets in Leishmania: Current Knowledge and Future Prospects. ACS Infect Dis 2018; 4:467-477. [PMID: 29384366 PMCID: PMC5902788 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.7b00244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
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There has been a very limited number
of high-throughput screening campaigns carried out with Leishmania drug targets. In part, this is due to the small number of suitable
target genes that have been shown by genetic or chemical methods to
be essential for the parasite. In this perspective, we discuss the
state of genetic target validation in the field of Leishmania research and review the 200 Leishmania genes and
36 Trypanosoma cruzi genes for which gene deletion
attempts have been made since the first published case in 1990. We
define a quality score for the different genetic deletion techniques
that can be used to identify potential drug targets. We also discuss
how the advances in genome-scale gene disruption techniques have been
used to assist target-based and phenotypic-based drug development
in other parasitic protozoa and why Leishmania has
lacked a similar approach so far. The prospects for this scale of
work are considered in the context of the application of CRISPR/Cas9
gene editing as a useful tool in Leishmania.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathaniel G. Jones
- Centre for Immunology and Infection, Department of Biology, University of York, Wentworth Way, Heslington, York YO10 5DD, U.K
| | - Carolina M. C. Catta-Preta
- Centre for Immunology and Infection, Department of Biology, University of York, Wentworth Way, Heslington, York YO10 5DD, U.K
| | - Ana Paula C. A. Lima
- Instituto de Biofisica Carlos Chagas Filho, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Cidade Universitária, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21941-902, Brazil
| | - Jeremy C. Mottram
- Centre for Immunology and Infection, Department of Biology, University of York, Wentworth Way, Heslington, York YO10 5DD, U.K
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Garcia FP, Henrique da Silva Rodrigues J, Din ZU, Rodrigues-Filho E, Ueda-Nakamura T, Auzély-Velty R, Nakamura CV. A3K2A3-induced apoptotic cell death of Leishmania amazonensis occurs through caspase- and ATP-dependent mitochondrial dysfunction. Apoptosis 2018; 22:57-71. [PMID: 27761752 DOI: 10.1007/s10495-016-1308-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a neglected tropical disease that affects millions of people worldwide. Current therapies mainly rely on antimonial drugs that are inadequate because of their high toxicity and increased drug resistance. An urgent need exists to discover new, more effective, more affordable, and more target-specific drugs. Pathways that are associated with apoptosis-like cell death have been identified in unicellular eukaryotes, including protozoan parasites. In the present study, we studied the mechanism of cell death that is induced by A3K2A3 against L. amazonensis. A3K2A3 is a dibenzylideneacetone that has an acyclic dienone that is attached to aryl groups in both β-positions, which is similar to curcuminoids and chalcone structures. This compound was previously shown to be safe with regard to cytotoxicity and active against the parasite. Biochemical and morphological approaches were used in the present study. The results suggested that A3K2A3 caused mitochondrial dysfunction in L. amazonensis promastigotes, leading to mechanisms of cell death that share some common phenotypic features with metazoan apoptosis, such as an increase in reactive oxygen species production, a decrease in the adenosine triphosphate ratio, phosphatidylserine exposure, a decrease in cell volume, caspase production, and DNA fragmentation. Altogether, these findings indicate that apoptosis can indeed be triggered by chemotherapeutic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francielle Pelegrin Garcia
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Biológicas, Laboratório de Inovação Tecnológica no Desenvolvimento de Fármacos e Cosméticos, Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Bloco B-08, Av. Colombo 5790, Maringá, PR, CEP 87020-900, Brazil
| | - Jean Henrique da Silva Rodrigues
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Biológicas, Laboratório de Inovação Tecnológica no Desenvolvimento de Fármacos e Cosméticos, Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Bloco B-08, Av. Colombo 5790, Maringá, PR, CEP 87020-900, Brazil
| | - Zia Ud Din
- LaBioMMi, Departamento de Química, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, CP 676, São Carlos, SP, 13.565-905, Brazil
| | - Edson Rodrigues-Filho
- LaBioMMi, Departamento de Química, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, CP 676, São Carlos, SP, 13.565-905, Brazil
| | - Tânia Ueda-Nakamura
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Biológicas, Laboratório de Inovação Tecnológica no Desenvolvimento de Fármacos e Cosméticos, Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Bloco B-08, Av. Colombo 5790, Maringá, PR, CEP 87020-900, Brazil
| | | | - Celso Vataru Nakamura
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Biológicas, Laboratório de Inovação Tecnológica no Desenvolvimento de Fármacos e Cosméticos, Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Bloco B-08, Av. Colombo 5790, Maringá, PR, CEP 87020-900, Brazil.
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26
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Bouvier LA, Niemirowicz GT, Salas‐Sarduy E, Cazzulo JJ, Alvarez VE. DNA
‐damage inducible protein 1 is a conserved metacaspase substrate that is cleaved and further destabilized in yeast under specific metabolic conditions. FEBS J 2018; 285:1097-1110. [DOI: 10.1111/febs.14390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2017] [Revised: 11/29/2017] [Accepted: 01/17/2018] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- León A. Bouvier
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas ‐ Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús (IIB‐INTECH) Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM) ‐ Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) Buenos Aires Argentina
| | - Gabriela T. Niemirowicz
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas ‐ Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús (IIB‐INTECH) Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM) ‐ Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) Buenos Aires Argentina
| | - Emir Salas‐Sarduy
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas ‐ Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús (IIB‐INTECH) Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM) ‐ Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) Buenos Aires Argentina
| | - Juan José Cazzulo
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas ‐ Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús (IIB‐INTECH) Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM) ‐ Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) Buenos Aires Argentina
| | - Vanina E. Alvarez
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas ‐ Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús (IIB‐INTECH) Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM) ‐ Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) Buenos Aires Argentina
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27
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Vandana, Singh AP, Singh J, Sharma R, Akhter M, Mishra PK, Saxena AK, Dixit R, Rathi B, Katyal A, Pandey KC. Biochemical characterization of unusual cysteine protease of P. falciparum, metacaspase-2 (MCA-2). Mol Biochem Parasitol 2018; 220:28-41. [PMID: 29317266 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2018.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2017] [Revised: 01/02/2018] [Accepted: 01/03/2018] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Earlier studies on Plasmodium apoptosis revealed the presence of proteases with caspases like- activity, which are known as "metacaspases". Although this family of cysteine proteases is structurally similar to caspases with Cys-His dyad but their evolutionary significance and functional relevance remains largely unknown. These proteases are considered to be an important target against malaria due to their absence in humans. In this report, we have biochemically characterized metacaspase-2 (PfMCA-2) of P.falciparum. Enzymatic assay showed that PfMCA-2 efficiently cleaved arginine/lysine specific peptide, but not caspase-specific substrate. Consistently, PfMCA-2 activity was sensitive to effector caspases inhibitor, Z-FA-FMK, and mildly inhibited by aprotinin and E-64. However, general caspase inhibitors such as Z-VAD-FMK and Z-DEVD-FMK had no effect on PfMCA-2 activity. Z-FA-FMK inhibits parasite growth with an IC50 value of 2.7 μM along with the notable morphological changes. PfMCA-2 specifically expressed in schizonts and gametocyte stages and there was a notable depletion of PfMCA-2 expression in Z-FA-FMK treated schizonts and gametocytes stages of parasite. Notably, PfMCA-2 cleaves a phylogenetically conserved protein, TSN (Tudor staphylococcal nuclease) and the proteolysis of PfTSN did not occur after treatment with the Z-FA-FMK. The production of large amount of reactive oxygen species in presence of Z-FA-FMK caused oxidative stress which in turn leads to loss of cell viability. The oxidative stress further generates positive feedback for the occurrence of cell death in term of phosphatidylserine externalization and DNA fragmentation in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vandana
- National Institute of Malaria Research, New Delhi, 110077, India; Dr B. R. Ambedkar Centre for Biomedical Research, Delhi University, New Delhi, 110007, India
| | - Agam P Singh
- National Institute of Immunology, New Delhi, 110067, India
| | - Jitendra Singh
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, 110062, India
| | - Ruby Sharma
- Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067, India
| | - Mymoona Akhter
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, 110062, India
| | - Pradyumna K Mishra
- National Institute for Research in Environmental Health, Bhopal 462001, India
| | - Ajay K Saxena
- Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067, India
| | - Rajnikant Dixit
- National Institute of Malaria Research, New Delhi, 110077, India
| | - Brijesh Rathi
- Dept of Chemistry, Hans Raj College, Delhi University, India
| | - Anju Katyal
- Dr B. R. Ambedkar Centre for Biomedical Research, Delhi University, New Delhi, 110007, India
| | - Kailash C Pandey
- National Institute for Research in Environmental Health, Bhopal 462001, India.
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28
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Belkhelfa-Slimani R, Djerdjouri B. Caffeic acid and quercetin exert caspases-independent apoptotic effects on Leishmania major promastigotes, and reactivate the death of infected phagocytes derived from BALB/c mice. Asian Pac J Trop Biomed 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.apjtb.2017.01.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
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29
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Processing of metacaspase 2 from Trypanosoma brucei (TbMCA2) broadens its substrate specificity. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-PROTEINS AND PROTEOMICS 2017; 1865:388-394. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2017.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2016] [Revised: 12/28/2016] [Accepted: 01/05/2017] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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30
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Peña MS, Cabral GC, Fotoran WL, Perez KR, Stolf BS. Metacaspase-binding peptide inhibits heat shock-induced death in Leishmania (L.) amazonensis. Cell Death Dis 2017; 8:e2645. [PMID: 28252649 PMCID: PMC5386556 DOI: 10.1038/cddis.2017.59] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2016] [Revised: 12/05/2016] [Accepted: 01/18/2017] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis is an important agent of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Brazil. This parasite faces cell death in some situations during transmission to the vertebrate host, and this process seems to be dependent on the activity of metacaspase (MCA), an enzyme bearing trypsin-like activity present in protozoans, plants and fungi. In fact, the association between MCA expression and cell death induced by different stimuli has been demonstrated for several Leishmania species. Regulators and natural substrates of MCA are poorly known. To fulfill this gap, we have employed phage display over recombinant L. (L.) amazonensis MCA to identify peptides that could interact with the enzyme and modulate its activity. Four peptides were selected for their capacity to specifically bind to MCA and interfere with its activity. One of these peptides, similar to ecotin-like ISP3 of L. (L.) major, decreases trypsin-like activity of promastigotes under heat shock, and significantly decreases parasite heat shock-induced death. These findings indicate that peptide ligands identified by phage display affect trypsin-like activity and parasite death, and that an endogenous peptidase inhibitor is a possible natural regulator of the enzyme.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mauricio S Peña
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Guilherme C Cabral
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Wesley L Fotoran
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Katia R Perez
- Department of Biophysics, Federal University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Beatriz S Stolf
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
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31
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Genes CM, de Lucio H, Sánchez-Murcia PA, Gago F, Jiménez-Ruiz A. Pro-death activity of a BH3 domain in an aquaporin from the protozoan parasite Leishmania. Cell Death Dis 2016; 7:e2318. [PMID: 27468694 PMCID: PMC4973364 DOI: 10.1038/cddis.2016.229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Mario Genes
- Departamento de Biología de Sistemas, Universidad de Alcalá, Alcalá de Henares, 28805 Spain
| | - Héctor de Lucio
- Departamento de Biología de Sistemas, Universidad de Alcalá, Alcalá de Henares, 28805 Spain
| | | | - Federico Gago
- Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad de Alcalá, Alcalá de Henares, 28805 Spain
| | - Antonio Jiménez-Ruiz
- Departamento de Biología de Sistemas, Universidad de Alcalá, Alcalá de Henares, 28805 Spain
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32
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Genes CM, de Lucio H, González VM, Sánchez-Murcia PA, Rico E, Gago F, Fasel N, Jiménez-Ruiz A. A functional BH3 domain in an aquaporin from Leishmania infantum. Cell Death Discov 2016; 2:16043. [PMID: 27551533 PMCID: PMC4979448 DOI: 10.1038/cddiscovery.2016.43] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2016] [Accepted: 05/15/2016] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite the absence of sequences showing significant similarity to any of the members of the Bcl-2 family of proteins in protozoa, experiments carried out in yeast or trypanosomatids have demonstrated that ectopic expression of some of these members alters their response to different death stimuli. Because the BH3 domain is the smallest common signature in all the proteins of this family of apoptosis regulators and also because they are essential for molecular interactions between antagonistic members, we looked for sequences with significant similarity to the BH3 motif in the Leishmania infantum genome. Among the top scoring ones, we found the MYLALQNLGDEV amino-acid stretch at the C terminus of a previously described aquaporin, now renamed as Li-BH3AQP. This motif is highly conserved in homologous proteins from other species of the Leishmania genus. The association of Li-BH3AQP with human Bcl-XL was demonstrated by both co-immunoprecipitation and yeast two-hybrid experiments. Ectopic expression of Li-BH3AQP reduced viability of HeLa cells and this deleterious effect was abrogated by the simultaneous overexpression of Bcl-XL. Although we were not able to demonstrate a reduction in parasite viability when the protein was overexpressed in Leishmania promastigotes, a prodeath effect could be observed when the parasites overexpressing Li-BH3AQP were treated with staurosporine or antimycin A. Surprisingly, these parasites were more resistant, compared with wild-type parasites, to hypotonic stress or nutrient deprivation. The prodeath activity was abolished upon replacement of two highly conserved amino acids in this BH3 domain. Taken together, these results point to Li-BH3AQP as the first non-enzymatic protein ever described in trypanosomatids that is involved in cell death.
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Affiliation(s)
- C M Genes
- Departamento de Biología de Sistemas, Universidad de Alcalá, Alcalá de Henares 28805, Spain
| | - H de Lucio
- Departamento de Biología de Sistemas, Universidad de Alcalá, Alcalá de Henares 28805, Spain
| | - V M González
- Laboratory of aptamers, Departamento de Bioquímica-Investigación, IRYCIS-Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain
| | - P A Sánchez-Murcia
- Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad de Alcalá, Facultad de Medicina, Alcalá de Henares 28805, Spain
| | - E Rico
- Departamento de Biología de Sistemas, Universidad de Alcalá, Alcalá de Henares 28805, Spain
| | - F Gago
- Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad de Alcalá, Facultad de Medicina, Alcalá de Henares 28805, Spain
| | - N Fasel
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Lausanne, 155 Chemin des Boveresses, Epalinges 1066, Switzerland
| | - A Jiménez-Ruiz
- Departamento de Biología de Sistemas, Universidad de Alcalá, Alcalá de Henares 28805, Spain
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