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Mishra S, Malhotra N, Laleu B, Chakraborti S, Yogavel M, Sharma A. ATP mimetics targeting prolyl-tRNA synthetases as a new avenue for antimalarial drug development. iScience 2024; 27:110049. [PMID: 39104570 PMCID: PMC11298890 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.110049] [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: 02/15/2023] [Revised: 09/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 08/07/2024] Open
Abstract
The prolyl-tRNA synthetase (PRS) is an essential enzyme for protein translation and a validated target against malaria parasite. We describe five ATP mimetics (L95, L96, L97, L35, and L36) against PRS, exhibiting enhanced thermal stabilities in co-operativity with L-proline. L35 displays the highest thermal stability akin to halofuginone, an established inhibitor of Plasmodium falciparum PRS. Four compounds exhibit nanomolar inhibitory potency against PRS. L35 exhibits the highest potency of ∼1.6 nM against asexual-blood-stage (ABS) and ∼100-fold (effective concentration [EC50]) selectivity for the parasite. The macromolecular structures of PfPRS with L95 and L97 in complex with L-pro reveal their binding modes and catalytic site malleability. Arg401 of PfPRS oscillates between two rotameric configurations when in complex with L95, whereas it is locked in one of the configurations due to the larger size of L97. Harnessing such specific and selective chemical features holds significant promise for designing potential inhibitors and expediting drug development efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siddhartha Mishra
- Molecular Medicine – Structural Parasitology Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi 110067, India
- ICMR-National Institute of Malaria Research (NIMR), Dwarka, New Delhi 110077, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), UP, India
| | - Nipun Malhotra
- Molecular Medicine – Structural Parasitology Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi 110067, India
| | - Benoît Laleu
- Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV), International Center Cointrin (ICC), Route de Pré-Bois 20, 1215 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Soumyananda Chakraborti
- ICMR-National Institute of Malaria Research (NIMR), Dwarka, New Delhi 110077, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), UP, India
| | - Manickam Yogavel
- Molecular Medicine – Structural Parasitology Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi 110067, India
| | - Amit Sharma
- Molecular Medicine – Structural Parasitology Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi 110067, India
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2
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Uddin T, Xia J, Fu Y, McNamara CW, Chatterjee AK, David Sibley L. High Throughput Repurposing Screen Reveals Compounds with Activity Against Toxoplasma gondii Bradyzoites. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.07.01.601569. [PMID: 39005312 PMCID: PMC11244992 DOI: 10.1101/2024.07.01.601569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/16/2024]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii causes widespread chronic infections that are not cured by current treatments due to inability to affect semi-dormant bradyzoite stages within tissue cysts. To identify compounds to eliminate chronic infection, we developed a HTS using a recently characterized strain of T. gondii that undergoes efficient conversion to bradyzoites in intro. Stage-specific expression of luciferase was used to selectively monitor growth inhibition of bradyzoites by the Library of Pharmacological Active Compounds, consisting of 1280 drug-like compounds. We identified 44 compounds with >50% inhibitory effects against bradyzoites, including several new highly potent compounds several of which have precedent for antimicrobial activity. Subsequent characterization of the compound Sanguinarine sulfate revealed potent and rapid killing against in vitro produced bradyzoites and bradyzoites harvested from chronically infected mice. These findings provide a platform for expanded screening and identify promising compounds for further preclinical development against T. gondii bradyzoites responsible for chronic infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taher Uddin
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Jing Xia
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Yong Fu
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | | | | | - L. David Sibley
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
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3
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Chatterjee AK. Discovery of novel anti-infective agents. ADVANCES IN PHARMACOLOGY (SAN DIEGO, CALIF.) 2024; 100:39-117. [PMID: 39034055 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apha.2024.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/23/2024]
Abstract
Academic and other non-profit institutions have a long-term vision to improve human health where commercial interests can be limited for profit organizations. Medicinal chemistry to these diseases with no commercial benefit needs is well suited in the academic environment and this chapter outlines some work conducted at Calibr-Skaggs around antibiotic drug development that has led to initiation of multiple clinical trials over the last decade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arnab K Chatterjee
- Calibr-Skaggs Institute of Innovation Medicines, Scripps Research, La Jolla, CA, United States.
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4
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Müller J, Boubaker G, Müller N, Uldry AC, Braga-Lagache S, Heller M, Hemphill A. Investigating Antiprotozoal Chemotherapies with Novel Proteomic Tools-Chances and Limitations: A Critical Review. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:6903. [PMID: 39000012 PMCID: PMC11241152 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25136903] [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: 05/31/2024] [Revised: 06/17/2024] [Accepted: 06/20/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Identification of drug targets and biochemical investigations on mechanisms of action are major issues in modern drug development. The present article is a critical review of the classical "one drug"-"one target" paradigm. In fact, novel methods for target deconvolution and for investigation of resistant strains based on protein mass spectrometry have shown that multiple gene products and adaptation mechanisms are involved in the responses of pathogens to xenobiotics rather than one single gene or gene product. Resistance to drugs may be linked to differential expression of other proteins than those interacting with the drug in protein binding studies and result in complex cell physiological adaptation. Consequently, the unraveling of mechanisms of action needs approaches beyond proteomics. This review is focused on protozoan pathogens. The conclusions can, however, be extended to chemotherapies against other pathogens or cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joachim Müller
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Länggass-Strasse 122, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Ghalia Boubaker
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Länggass-Strasse 122, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Norbert Müller
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Länggass-Strasse 122, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Anne-Christine Uldry
- Proteomics and Mass Spectrometry Core Facility, Department for BioMedical Research (DBMR), University of Bern, Länggass-Strasse 122, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Sophie Braga-Lagache
- Proteomics and Mass Spectrometry Core Facility, Department for BioMedical Research (DBMR), University of Bern, Länggass-Strasse 122, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Manfred Heller
- Proteomics and Mass Spectrometry Core Facility, Department for BioMedical Research (DBMR), University of Bern, Länggass-Strasse 122, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Andrew Hemphill
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Länggass-Strasse 122, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
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5
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Ence CC, Uddin T, Borrel J, Mittal P, Xie H, Zoller J, Sharma A, Comer E, Schreiber SL, Melillo B, Sibley LD, Chatterjee AK. Bicyclic Pyrrolidine Inhibitors of Toxoplasma gondii Phenylalanine t-RNA Synthetase with Antiparasitic Potency In Vitro and Brain Exposure. ACS Infect Dis 2024; 10:2212-2221. [PMID: 38743643 PMCID: PMC11299587 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.4c00170] [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: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Previous studies have shown that bicyclic azetidines are potent and selective inhibitors of apicomplexan phenylalanine tRNA synthetase (PheRS), leading to parasite growth inhibition in vitro and in vivo, including in models of Toxoplasma infection. Despite these useful properties, additional optimization is required for the development of efficacious treatments of toxoplasmosis from this inhibitor series, in particular, to achieve optimal exposure in the brain. Here, we describe a series of PheRS inhibitors built on a new bicyclic pyrrolidine core scaffold designed to retain the exit-vector geometry of the isomeric bicyclic azetidine core scaffold while offering avenues to sample diverse chemical space. Relative to the parent series, bicyclic pyrrolidines retain reasonable potency and target selectivity for parasite PheRS vs host. Further structure-activity relationship studies revealed that the introduction of aliphatic groups improved potency and ADME and PK properties, including brain exposure. The identification of this new scaffold provides potential opportunities to extend the analogue series to further improve selectivity and potency and ultimately deliver a novel, efficacious treatment of toxoplasmosis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Taher Uddin
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
| | - Julien Borrel
- Chemical Biology and Therapeutics Science Program, Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Payal Mittal
- Molecular Medicine-Structural Parasitology Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi 110067, India
- ICMR-NIMR, Sector-8, Dwarka, New Delhi-110077, India, Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad-201002, India
| | - Han Xie
- Calibr at Scripps Research, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Jochen Zoller
- Chemical Biology and Therapeutics Science Program, Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Amit Sharma
- Molecular Medicine-Structural Parasitology Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi 110067, India
| | - Eamon Comer
- Chemical Biology and Therapeutics Science Program, Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Stuart L. Schreiber
- Chemical Biology and Therapeutics Science Program, Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Bruno Melillo
- Chemical Biology and Therapeutics Science Program, Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - L. David Sibley
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
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Aerts R, Mehra V, Groll AH, Martino R, Lagrou K, Robin C, Perruccio K, Blijlevens N, Nucci M, Slavin M, Bretagne S, Cordonnier C. Guidelines for the management of Toxoplasma gondii infection and disease in patients with haematological malignancies and after haematopoietic stem-cell transplantation: guidelines from the 9th European Conference on Infections in Leukaemia, 2022. THE LANCET. INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2024; 24:e291-e306. [PMID: 38134949 DOI: 10.1016/s1473-3099(23)00495-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
Patients with haematological malignancies might develop life-threatening toxoplasmosis, especially after allogeneic haematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT). Reactivation of latent cysts is the primary mechanism of toxoplasmosis following HSCT; hence, patients at high risk are those who were seropositive before transplantation. The lack of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole prophylaxis and various immune status parameters of the patient are other associated risk factors. The mortality of toxoplasma disease-eg, with organ involvement-can be particularly high in this setting. We have developed guidelines for managing toxoplasmosis in haematology patients, through a literature review and consultation with experts. In allogeneic HSCT recipients seropositive for Toxoplasma gondii before transplant, because T gondii infection mostly precedes toxoplasma disease, we propose weekly blood screening by use of quantitative PCR (qPCR) to identify infection early as a pre-emptive strategy. As trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole prophylaxis might fail, prophylaxis and qPCR screening should be combined. However, PCR in blood can be negative even in toxoplasma disease. The duration of prophylaxis should be a least 6 months and extended during treatment-induced immunosuppression or severe CD4 lymphopenia. If a positive qPCR test occurs, treatment with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, pyrimethamine-sulfadiazine, or pyrimethamine-clindamycin should be started, and a new sample taken. If the second qPCR test is negative, clinical judgement is recommended to either continue or stop therapy and restart prophylaxis. Therapy must be continued until a minimum of two negative PCRs for infection, or for at least 6 weeks for disease. The pre-emptive approach is not indicated in seronegative HSCT recipients, after autologous transplantation, or in non-transplant haematology patients, but PCR should be performed with a high level of clinical suspicion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robina Aerts
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Varun Mehra
- Department of Haematological Medicine, King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Andreas H Groll
- Infectious Disease Research Program, Center for Bone Marrow Transplantation and Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Children's Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Rodrigo Martino
- Servei d'Hematologia, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Katrien Lagrou
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Christine Robin
- Department of Haematology, Assistance Publique des Hôpitaux de Paris, Henri Mondor Hospital, Créteil, France
| | - Katia Perruccio
- Pediatric Oncology Hematology, Mother and Child Health Department, Santa Maria della Misericordia Hospital, Perugia, Italy
| | - Nicole Blijlevens
- Department of Haematology, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Marcio Nucci
- Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Monica Slavin
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Stéphane Bretagne
- Université Paris Cité, and Parasitology and Mycology laboratory, Assistance Publique des Hôpitaux de Paris, Saint Louis Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Catherine Cordonnier
- Department of Haematology, Assistance Publique des Hôpitaux de Paris, Henri Mondor Hospital, Créteil, France; University Paris-Est-Créteil, Créteil, France.
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7
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Ence CC, Uddin T, Borrel J, Mittal P, Xie H, Zoller J, Sharma A, Comer E, Schreiber SL, Melillo B, Sibley LD, Chatterjee AK. Bicyclic pyrrolidine inhibitors of Toxoplasma gondii phenylalanine t-RNA synthetase with antiparasitic potency in vitro and brain exposure. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.02.28.582607. [PMID: 38464220 PMCID: PMC10925249 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.28.582607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
Previous studies have shown that bicyclic azetidines are potent and selective inhibitors of apicomplexan phenylalanine tRNA synthetase (PheRS), leading to parasite growth inhibition in vitro and in vivo, including in models of Toxoplasma infection. Despite these useful properties, additional optimization is required for the development of efficacious treatments of toxoplasmosis from this inhibitor series, in particular to achieve sufficient exposure in the brain. Here, we describe a series of PheRS inhibitors built on a new bicyclic pyrrolidine core scaffold designed to retain the exit-vector geometry of the isomeric bicyclic azetidine core scaffold while offering avenues to sample diverse chemical space. Relative to the parent series, bicyclic pyrrolidines retain reasonable potency and target selectivity for parasite PheRS vs. host. Further structure-activity relationship studies revealed that the introduction of aliphatic groups improved potency, ADME and PK properties, including brain exposure. The identification of this new scaffold provides potential opportunities to extend the analog series to further improve selectivity and potency and ultimately deliver a novel, efficacious treatment of toxoplasmosis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Taher Uddin
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
| | - Julien Borrel
- Chemical Biology and Therapeutics Science Program, Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Payal Mittal
- Molecular Medicine-Structural Parasitology Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi 110067, India
- ICMR-NIMR, Sector-8, Dwarka, New Delhi-110077, India, Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad-201002, India
| | - Han Xie
- Calibr at Scripps Research, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Jochen Zoller
- Chemical Biology and Therapeutics Science Program, Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Amit Sharma
- Molecular Medicine-Structural Parasitology Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi 110067, India
| | - Eamon Comer
- Chemical Biology and Therapeutics Science Program, Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Stuart L. Schreiber
- Chemical Biology and Therapeutics Science Program, Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Bruno Melillo
- Chemical Biology and Therapeutics Science Program, Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - L. David Sibley
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
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8
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Goudarzi F, Jajarmi V, Shojaee S, Mohebali M, Keshavarz H. Formulation and evaluation of atovaquone-loaded macrophage-derived exosomes against Toxoplasma gondii: in vitro and in vivo assessment. Microbiol Spectr 2024; 12:e0308023. [PMID: 38014940 PMCID: PMC10782982 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.03080-23] [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: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE This study is the first of its kind that suggests exosomes as a nano-carrier loaded with atovaquone (ATQ), which could be considered as a new strategy for improving the effectiveness of ATQ against acute and chronic phases of Toxoplasma gondii.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh Goudarzi
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Vahid Jajarmi
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Saeedeh Shojaee
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehdi Mohebali
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Center for Research of Endemic Parasites of Iran (CREPI), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hossein Keshavarz
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Center for Research of Endemic Parasites of Iran (CREPI), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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9
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Matta SK, Kohio HP, Chandra P, Brown A, Doench JG, Philips JA, Ding S, Sibley LD. Genome-wide and targeted CRISPR screens identify RNF213 as a mediator of interferon gamma-dependent pathogen restriction in human cells. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2315865120. [PMID: 38147552 PMCID: PMC10769850 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2315865120] [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: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023] Open
Abstract
To define cellular immunity to the intracellular pathogen Toxoplasma gondii, we performed a genome-wide CRISPR loss-of-function screen to identify genes important for (interferon gamma) IFN-γ-dependent growth restriction. We revealed a role for the tumor suppressor NF2/Merlin for maximum induction of Interferon Stimulated Genes (ISG), which are positively regulated by the transcription factor IRF-1. We then performed an ISG-targeted CRISPR screen that identified the host E3 ubiquitin ligase RNF213 as necessary for IFN-γ-mediated control of T. gondii in multiple human cell types. RNF213 was also important for control of bacterial (Mycobacterium tuberculosis) and viral (Vesicular Stomatitis Virus) pathogens in human cells. RNF213-mediated ubiquitination of the parasitophorous vacuole membrane (PVM) led to growth restriction of T. gondii in response to IFN-γ. Moreover, overexpression of RNF213 in naive cells also impaired growth of T. gondii. Surprisingly, growth inhibition did not require the autophagy protein ATG5, indicating that RNF213 initiates restriction independent of a previously described noncanonical autophagy pathway. Mutational analysis revealed that the ATPase domain of RNF213 was required for its recruitment to the PVM, while loss of a critical histidine in the RZ finger domain resulted in partial reduction of recruitment to the PVM and complete loss of ubiquitination. Both RNF213 mutants lost the ability to restrict growth of T. gondii, indicating that both recruitment and ubiquitination are required. Collectively, our findings establish RNF213 as a critical component of cell-autonomous immunity that is both necessary and sufficient for control of intracellular pathogens in human cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumit K. Matta
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, School of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St Louis, MO63130
| | - Hinissan P. Kohio
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, School of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St Louis, MO63130
| | - Pallavi Chandra
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St Louis, MO63130
| | - Adam Brown
- Broad Institute of Harvard and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA02142
| | - John G. Doench
- Broad Institute of Harvard and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA02142
| | - Jennifer A. Philips
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, School of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St Louis, MO63130
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St Louis, MO63130
| | - Siyuan Ding
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, School of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St Louis, MO63130
| | - L. David Sibley
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, School of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St Louis, MO63130
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10
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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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11
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Xie SC, Griffin MDW, Winzeler EA, Ribas de Pouplana L, Tilley L. Targeting Aminoacyl tRNA Synthetases for Antimalarial Drug Development. Annu Rev Microbiol 2023; 77:111-129. [PMID: 37018842 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-micro-032421-121210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/07/2023]
Abstract
Infections caused by malaria parasites place an enormous burden on the world's poorest communities. Breakthrough drugs with novel mechanisms of action are urgently needed. As an organism that undergoes rapid growth and division, the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum is highly reliant on protein synthesis, which in turn requires aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (aaRSs) to charge tRNAs with their corresponding amino acid. Protein translation is required at all stages of the parasite life cycle; thus, aaRS inhibitors have the potential for whole-of-life-cycle antimalarial activity. This review focuses on efforts to identify potent plasmodium-specific aaRS inhibitors using phenotypic screening, target validation, and structure-guided drug design. Recent work reveals that aaRSs are susceptible targets for a class of AMP-mimicking nucleoside sulfamates that target the enzymes via a novel reaction hijacking mechanism. This finding opens up the possibility of generating bespoke inhibitors of different aaRSs, providing new drug leads.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stanley C Xie
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology and Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; , ,
| | - Michael D W Griffin
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology and Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; , ,
| | - Elizabeth A Winzeler
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA;
| | - Lluis Ribas de Pouplana
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine, The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain;
- Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Leann Tilley
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology and Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; , ,
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12
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Gill J, Sharma A. Exploration of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases from eukaryotic parasites for drug development. J Biol Chem 2022; 299:102860. [PMID: 36596362 PMCID: PMC9978631 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.102860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Revised: 12/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Parasitic diseases result in considerable human morbidity and mortality. The continuous emergence and spread of new drug-resistant parasite strains is an obstacle to controlling and eliminating many parasitic diseases. Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (aaRSs) are ubiquitous enzymes essential for protein synthesis. The design and development of diverse small molecule, drug-like inhibitors against parasite-encoded and expressed aaRSs have validated this enzyme family as druggable. In this work, we have compiled the progress to date towards establishing the druggability of aaRSs in terms of their biochemical characterization, validation as targets, inhibitor development, and structural interpretation from parasites responsible for malaria (Plasmodium), lymphatic filariasis (Brugia,Wuchereria bancrofti), giardiasis (Giardia), toxoplasmosis (Toxoplasma gondii), leishmaniasis (Leishmania), cryptosporidiosis (Cryptosporidium), and trypanosomiasis (Trypanosoma). This work thus provides a robust framework for the systematic dissection of aaRSs from these pathogens and will facilitate the cross-usage of potential inhibitors to jump-start anti-parasite drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasmita Gill
- ICMR-National Institute of Malaria Research, New Delhi, India
| | - Amit Sharma
- ICMR-National Institute of Malaria Research, New Delhi, India; Molecular Medicine Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, India.
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13
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Pan M, Ge CC, Fan YM, Jin QW, Shen B, Huang SY. The determinants regulating Toxoplasma gondii bradyzoite development. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:1027073. [PMID: 36439853 PMCID: PMC9691885 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.1027073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular zoonotic pathogen capable of infecting almost all cells of warm-blooded vertebrates. In intermediate hosts, this parasite reproduces asexually in two forms, the tachyzoite form during acute infection that proliferates rapidly and the bradyzoite form during chronic infection that grows slowly. Depending on the growth condition, the two forms can interconvert. The conversion of tachyzoites to bradyzoites is critical for T. gondii transmission, and the reactivation of persistent bradyzoites in intermediate hosts may lead to symptomatic toxoplasmosis. However, the mechanisms that control bradyzoite differentiation have not been well studied. Here, we review recent advances in the study of bradyzoite biology and stage conversion, aiming to highlight the determinants associated with bradyzoite development and provide insights to design better strategies for controlling toxoplasmosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Pan
- Institute of Comparative Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, China
| | - Ceng-Ceng Ge
- Institute of Comparative Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, China
| | - Yi-Min Fan
- Institute of Comparative Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, China
| | - Qi-Wang Jin
- Institute of Comparative Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, China
| | - Bang Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Si-Yang Huang
- Institute of Comparative Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety, The Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
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