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Batista DDGJ, de Almeida Fiuza LF, Klupsch F, da Costa KN, Batista MM, da Conceição K, Bouafia H, Vergoten G, Millet R, Thuru X, Bailly C, Soeiro MDNC. Activity of pyridyl-pyrazolone derivatives against Trypanosoma cruzi. Exp Parasitol 2024; 262:108787. [PMID: 38759776 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2024.108787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2023] [Revised: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024]
Abstract
New affordable drugs are needed for the treatment of infection with the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi responsible for the Chagas disease (CD). Only two old drugs are currently available, nifurtimox and benznidazole (Bz) but they exhibit unwanted side effects and display a weak activity in the late chronic phase of the disease. In this context, we evaluated the activity of a series of aryl-pyrazolone derivatives against T cruzi, using both bloodstream trypomastigote and intracellular amastigote forms of the parasite. The test compounds originate from a series of anticancer agents targeting the immune checkpoint ligand PD-L1 and bear an analogy with known anti-trypanosomal pyrazolones. A first group of 6 phenyl-pyrazolones was tested, revealing the activity of a single pyridyl-pyrazolone derivative. Then a second group of 8 compounds with a common pyridyl-pyrazolone core was evaluated. The in vitro testing process led to the identification of two non-cytotoxic and highly potent molecules against the intracellular form of T. cruzi, with an activity comparable to Bz. Moreover, one compound revealed an activity largely superior to that of Bz against bloodstream trypomastigotes, while being non-cytotoxic (selectivity index >1000). Unfortunately, the compound showed little activity in vivo, most likely due to its very limited plasma stability. However, the study opens novel perspectives for the design of new anti-trypanosomal products and the mechanism of action of the compounds is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denise da Gama Jaen Batista
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, 210360-040, Brazil
| | | | - Frédérique Klupsch
- U1286-INFINITE-Institute for Translational Research in Inflammation, ICPAL, Inserm, University Lille, 59000, Lille, France
| | - Krislayne Nunes da Costa
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, 210360-040, Brazil
| | - Marcos Meuser Batista
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, 210360-040, Brazil
| | - Ketlym da Conceição
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, 210360-040, Brazil
| | - Hassiba Bouafia
- University of Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, UMR9020 - UMR1277 - Canther - Cancer Heterogeneity, Plasticity and Resistance to Therapies, 59000, Lille, France
| | - Gérard Vergoten
- U1286-INFINITE-Institute for Translational Research in Inflammation, ICPAL, Inserm, University Lille, 59000, Lille, France
| | - Régis Millet
- U1286-INFINITE-Institute for Translational Research in Inflammation, ICPAL, Inserm, University Lille, 59000, Lille, France
| | - Xavier Thuru
- University of Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, UMR9020 - UMR1277 - Canther - Cancer Heterogeneity, Plasticity and Resistance to Therapies, 59000, Lille, France
| | - Christian Bailly
- University of Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, UMR9020 - UMR1277 - Canther - Cancer Heterogeneity, Plasticity and Resistance to Therapies, 59000, Lille, France; University of Lille, Faculty of Pharmacy, Institut de Chimie Pharmaceutique Albert Lespagnol (ICPAL), 59000, Lille, France.
| | - Maria de Nazaré Correia Soeiro
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, 210360-040, Brazil.
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Ogola HJO, Ijoma GN, Edokpayi JN. Exploring the dichotomy: Shotgun metagenomics reveals diversity of beneficial and pathogenic protist community in arid wetlands of northeastern South Africa. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 946:174306. [PMID: 38942318 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2024] [Revised: 06/09/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/30/2024]
Abstract
Arid regions harbor seasonal and permanent wetlands, as biodiversity hotspots crucial for ecosystem services despite harsh conditions. These wetlands, typically dependent on episodic intense rainfall, are understudied compared to their humid counterparts. While the diversity of plants and animals in these wetlands is well-known, the microbial communities remain largely unexplored. To address this knowledge gap, we employed metagenome sequencing technologies to profile protist communities, including pathogenic protozoa, and their associated functional pathways, in sediment of permanent and seasonal arid freshwater wetlands across northern South Africa. Results revealed a core community of protists dominated by phylum Apicomplexa (66.73 %), Euglenazoa (19.03 %), Bacillariophyta (5.44 %), Metamonada (4.65 %), Cryptophyta (1.90 %), and Amoebazoa (1.21 %). Seasonal wetlands showed significantly higher protist diversity compared to permanent wetlands (Shannon index, p = 0.019; Chao1, p = 0.0095). A high abundance and diversity of human and zoonotic pathogenic protists (87.67 %) was observed, with lower levels of photoautotrophs (6.69 %) and limited diversity of phagotrophs (5.64 %). Key photoautotrophs identified included diatoms (Thalassiosiraceae and Phaeodactylaceae) and cryptophytes (genus Hemiselmis and Cryptophyta), with consumers/phagotrophs exhibited a correlation with the bacterial community abundance (r2 = 0.218, p < 0.001). Pathogenic protozoans identified, include malaria-causing Plasmodium, kinetoplastids (genus Besnoita, Theilleria, Neospora, Toxoplasma, Encephalitozoon, and Babesia) and waterborne protozoans of public health importance (such as Cryptosporidium parvum and Giardia lamblia). Furthermore, the enrichment of pathogenesis-associated pathways (amino acid biosynthesis, peptidoglycan maturation, heme biosynthesis and degradation, and the Calvin-Benson-Bassham cycle), along with virulence gene families identified, highlighted these wetlands as potential reservoirs for infectious diseases. Our results unveil a baseline protist taxonomic and functional composition within arid wetlands, including beneficial and pathogenic protozoa. The close proximity of these wetlands to human activity raises concern for local and transboundary spread of these pathogens. Thus, continued monitoring is vital for disease control and preserving these unique ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henry Joseph Oduor Ogola
- Department of Environmental Sciences, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, University of South Africa (UNISA), Florida Campus, Roodepoort 1709, South Africa.
| | - Grace Nkechinyere Ijoma
- Department of Environmental Sciences, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, University of South Africa (UNISA), Florida Campus, Roodepoort 1709, South Africa
| | - Joshua Nosa Edokpayi
- Water and Environmental Management Research Group, Faculty of Science, Engineering and Agriculture, University of Venda, Thohoyandou, 0950, South Africa
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Bhattacharjee A, Bagchi A, Sarkar S, Bawali S, Bhattacharya A, Biswas A. Repurposing approved protein kinase inhibitors as potent anti-leishmanials targeting Leishmania MAP kinases. Life Sci 2024; 351:122844. [PMID: 38897344 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2024.122844] [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: 02/23/2024] [Revised: 06/03/2024] [Accepted: 06/12/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
AIMS Leishmaniasis, caused by the protozoan parasite poses a significant health burden globally. With a very few specific drugs, increased drug resistance it is important to look for drug repurposing along with the identification of pre-clinical candidates against visceral leishmaniasis. This study aims to identify potential drug candidates against visceral leishmaniasis by targeting leishmanial MAP kinases and screening FDA approved protein kinase inhibitors. MATERIALS AND METHODS MAP kinases were identified from the Leishmania genome. 12 FDA approved protein kinase inhibitors were screened against Leishmania MAP kinases. Binding affinity, ADME and toxicity of identified drug candidates were profiled. The anti-proliferative effects and mechanism of action were assessed in Leishmania, including changes in cell morphology, flagellar length, cell cycle progression, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and intra-macrophage parasitic burden. KEY FINDINGS 23 MAP kinases were identified from the Leishmania genome. Sorafenib and imatinib emerged as repurposable drug candidates and demonstrated excellent anti-proliferative effects in Leishmania. Treatment with these inhibitors resulted in significant changes in cell morphology, flagellar length, and cell cycle arrest. Furthermore, sorafenib and imatinib promoted ROS generation and reduced intra-macrophage parasitic burden, and elicited anti-leishmanial activity in in vivo experimental VL models. SIGNIFICANCE Collectively, these results imply involvement of MAP kinases in infectivity and survival of the parasite and can pave the avenue for repurposing sorafenib and imatinib as anti-leishmanial agents. These findings contribute to the exploration of new treatment options for visceral leishmaniasis, particularly in the context of emerging drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anindita Bhattacharjee
- Cell and Molecular Biology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Kalyani, Kalyani, Nadia 741235, India
| | - Arka Bagchi
- Cell and Molecular Biology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Kalyani, Kalyani, Nadia 741235, India
| | - Solanki Sarkar
- Cell and Molecular Biology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Kalyani, Kalyani, Nadia 741235, India
| | - Sriparna Bawali
- Cell and Molecular Biology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Kalyani, Kalyani, Nadia 741235, India
| | - Arijit Bhattacharya
- AMR Research Laboratory, Department of Biological Sciences, Adamas University, Kolkata 700126, India.
| | - Arunima Biswas
- Cell and Molecular Biology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Kalyani, Kalyani, Nadia 741235, India.
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Hendrickx S, Feijens PB, Escudié F, Chatelain E, Maes L, Caljon G. In Vivo Bioluminescence Imaging Reveals Differences in Leishmania infantum Parasite Killing Kinetics by Antileishmanial Reference Drugs. ACS Infect Dis 2024; 10:2101-2107. [PMID: 38733389 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.4c00109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/13/2024]
Abstract
The bioluminescent Leishmania infantum BALB/c mouse model was used to evaluate the parasiticidal drug action kinetics of the reference drugs miltefosine, paromomycin, sodium stibogluconate, and liposomal amphotericin B. Infected mice were treated for 5 days starting from 7 days post-infection, and parasite burdens were monitored over time via bioluminescence imaging (BLI). Using nonlinear regression analyses of the BLI signal, the parasite elimination half-life (t1/2) in the liver, bone marrow, and whole body was determined and compared for the different treatment regimens. Significant differences in parasiticidal kinetics were recorded. A single intravenous dose of 0.5 mg/kg liposomal amphotericin B was the fastest acting with a t1/2 of less than 1 day. Intraperitoneal injection of paromomycin at 320 mg/kg for 5 days proved to be the slowest with a t1/2 of about 5 days in the liver and 16 days in the bone marrow. To conclude, evaluation of the cidal kinetics of the different antileishmanial reference drugs revealed striking differences in their parasite elimination half-lives. This BLI approach also enables an in-depth pharmacodynamic comparison between novel drug leads and may constitute an essential tool for the design of potential drug combinations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Hendrickx
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH), University of Antwerp, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Pim-Bart Feijens
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH), University of Antwerp, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Fanny Escudié
- Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative, 1202 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Eric Chatelain
- Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative, 1202 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Louis Maes
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH), University of Antwerp, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Guy Caljon
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH), University of Antwerp, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium
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Sereno D, Oury B, Grijalva MJ. Chagas Disease across the Ages: A Historical View and Commentary on Navigating Future Challenges. Microorganisms 2024; 12:1153. [PMID: 38930535 PMCID: PMC11205636 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12061153] [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: 04/02/2024] [Revised: 05/14/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease, discovered over a century ago, continues to pose a global health challenge, affecting millions mainly in Latin America. This historical review with commentary outlines the disease's discovery, its evolution into a global concern due to migration, and highlights significant advances in diagnostics and treatment strategies. Despite these advancements, the paper discusses ongoing challenges in eradication, including vector control, congenital transmission, the disease's asymptomatic nature, and socioeconomic barriers to effective management. It calls for a multidisciplinary approach, enhanced diagnostics, improved treatment accessibility, and sustained vector control efforts. The review emphasizes the importance of global collaboration and increased funding to reduce Chagas disease's impact.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denis Sereno
- INTERTRYP, University Montpellier, Centre International de Recherche en Agronomie (CIRAD), Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), GloInsect: Global Infectiology and Entomology Research Group, 34032 Montpellier, France;
| | - Bruno Oury
- INTERTRYP, University Montpellier, Centre International de Recherche en Agronomie (CIRAD), Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), GloInsect: Global Infectiology and Entomology Research Group, 34032 Montpellier, France;
| | - Mario J. Grijalva
- Infectious and Tropical Disease Institute, Biomedical Sciences Department, Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, Athens, OH 45701, USA;
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Hartman CB, Dube PS, Legoabe LJ, Van Pelt N, Matheeussen A, Caljon G, Beteck RM. Novel quinoline derivatives with broad-spectrum antiprotozoal activities. Arch Pharm (Weinheim) 2024; 357:e2300319. [PMID: 38396284 DOI: 10.1002/ardp.202300319] [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: 06/12/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
Several quinoline derivatives incorporating arylnitro and aminochalcone moieties were synthesized and evaluated in vitro against a broad panel of trypanosomatid protozoan parasites responsible for sleeping sickness (Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense), nagana (Trypanosoma brucei brucei), Chagas disease (Trypanosoma cruzi), and leishmaniasis (Leishmania infantum). Several of the compounds demonstrated significant antiprotozoal activity. Specifically, compounds 2c, 2d, and 4i displayed submicromolar activity against T. b. rhodesiense with half-maximal effective concentration (EC50) values of 0.68, 0.8, and 0.19 µM, respectively, and with a high selectivity relative to human lung fibroblasts and mouse primary macrophages (∼100-fold). Compounds 2d and 4i also showed considerable activity against T. b. brucei with EC50 values of 1.4 and 0.4 µM, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla B Hartman
- Centre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
| | - Phelelisiwe S Dube
- Centre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
| | - Lesetja J Legoabe
- Centre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
| | - Natascha Van Pelt
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene, Infla-Med Centre of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - An Matheeussen
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene, Infla-Med Centre of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Guy Caljon
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene, Infla-Med Centre of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Richard M Beteck
- Centre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
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Murta SMF, Lemos Santana PA, Jacques Dit Lapierre TJW, Penteado AB, El Hajje M, Navarro Vinha TC, Liarte DB, de Souza ML, Goulart Trossini GH, de Oliveira Rezende Júnior C, de Oliveira RB, Ferreira RS. New drug discovery strategies for the treatment of benznidazole-resistance in Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2024; 19:741-753. [PMID: 38715393 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2024.2349155] [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: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Benznidazole, the drug of choice for treating Chagas Disease (CD), has significant limitations, such as poor cure efficacy, mainly in the chronic phase of CD, association with side effects, and parasite resistance. Understanding parasite resistance to benznidazole is crucial for developing new drugs to treat CD. AREAS COVERED Here, the authors review the current understanding of the molecular basis of benznidazole resistance. Furthermore, they discuss the state-of-the-art methods and critical outcomes employed to evaluate the efficacy of potential drugs against T. cruzi, aiming to select better compounds likely to succeed in the clinic. Finally, the authors describe the different strategies employed to overcome resistance to benznidazole and find effective new treatments for CD. EXPERT OPINION Resistance to benznidazole is a complex phenomenon that occurs naturally among T. cruzi strains. The combination of compounds that inhibit different metabolic pathways of the parasite is an important strategy for developing a new chemotherapeutic protocol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvane Maria Fonseca Murta
- Grupo de Genômica Funcional de Parasitos - Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Pedro Augusto Lemos Santana
- Departamento de Produtos Farmacêuticos, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | | | - André Berndt Penteado
- Departamento de Farmacia, Faculdade de Ciencias Farmacêuticas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marissa El Hajje
- Departamento de Farmacia, Faculdade de Ciencias Farmacêuticas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | - Mariana Laureano de Souza
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | | | | | - Renata Barbosa de Oliveira
- Departamento de Produtos Farmacêuticos, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Rafaela Salgado Ferreira
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Brazil
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8
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Hendrickx R, Melkamu R, Tadesse D, Teferi T, Feijens PB, Vleminckx M, van Henten S, Alves F, Shibru T, van Griensven J, Caljon G, Pareyn M. Spliced-Leader RNA as a Dynamic Marker for Monitoring Viable Leishmania Parasites During and After Treatment. J Infect Dis 2024:jiae219. [PMID: 38804698 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiae219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Accurate detection of viable Leishmania parasites is critical for evaluating visceral leishmaniasis (VL) treatment response at an early timepoint. We compared the decay of kinetoplast DNA (kDNA) and spliced-leader RNA (SL-RNA) in vitro, in vivo, and in a VL patient cohort. An optimized combination of blood preservation and nucleic acid extraction improved efficiency for both targets. SL-RNA degraded more rapidly during treatment than kDNA, and correlated better with microscopic examination. SL-RNA quantitative polymerase chain reaction emerges as a superior method for dynamic monitoring of viable Leishmania parasites. It enables individualized treatment monitoring for improved prognoses and has potential as an early surrogate endpoint in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rik Hendrickx
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Roma Melkamu
- Leishmaniasis Research and Treatment Center, University of Gondar Hospital, Gondar
| | | | - Tedla Teferi
- Malaria and Leishmaniasis Research and Treatment Center, Arba Minch General Hospital, Arba Minch, Ethiopia
| | - Pim-Bart Feijens
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Margot Vleminckx
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Saskia van Henten
- Clinical Sciences Department, Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Fabiana Alves
- Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Tamiru Shibru
- College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Arba Minch University
| | - Johan van Griensven
- Clinical Sciences Department, Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Guy Caljon
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Myrthe Pareyn
- Clinical Sciences Department, Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
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Stadler KA, Ortiz-Joya LJ, Singh Sahrawat A, Buhlheller C, Gruber K, Pavkov-Keller T, O'Hagan TB, Guarné A, Pulido S, Marín-Villa M, Zangger K, Gubensäk N. Structural investigation of Trypanosoma cruzi Akt-like kinase as drug target against Chagas disease. Sci Rep 2024; 14:10039. [PMID: 38693166 PMCID: PMC11063076 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-59654-8] [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: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024] Open
Abstract
According to the World Health Organization, Chagas disease (CD) is the most prevalent poverty-promoting neglected tropical disease. Alarmingly, climate change is accelerating the geographical spreading of CD causative parasite, Trypanosoma cruzi, which additionally increases infection rates. Still, CD treatment remains challenging due to a lack of safe and efficient drugs. In this work, we analyze the viability of T. cruzi Akt-like kinase (TcAkt) as drug target against CD including primary structural and functional information about a parasitic Akt protein. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance derived information in combination with Molecular Dynamics simulations offer detailed insights into structural properties of the pleckstrin homology (PH) domain of TcAkt and its binding to phosphatidylinositol phosphate ligands (PIP). Experimental data combined with Alpha Fold proposes a model for the mechanism of action of TcAkt involving a PIP-induced disruption of the intramolecular interface between the kinase and the PH domain resulting in an open conformation enabling TcAkt kinase activity. Further docking experiments reveal that TcAkt is recognized by human inhibitors PIT-1 and capivasertib, and TcAkt inhibition by UBMC-4 and UBMC-6 is achieved via binding to TcAkt kinase domain. Our in-depth structural analysis of TcAkt reveals potential sites for drug development against CD, located at activity essential regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karina A Stadler
- Institute of Chemistry/Organic and Bioorganic Chemistry, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Lesly J Ortiz-Joya
- Institute of Chemistry/Organic and Bioorganic Chemistry, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- Programa de Estudio y Control de Enfermedades Tropicales (PECET), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
- Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Amit Singh Sahrawat
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- Innophore GmbH, Graz, Austria
| | | | - Karl Gruber
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- Innophore GmbH, Graz, Austria
- Field of Excellence BioHealth, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- BioTechMed-Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Tea Pavkov-Keller
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- Field of Excellence BioHealth, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- BioTechMed-Graz, Graz, Austria
| | | | - Alba Guarné
- Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Sergio Pulido
- Programa de Estudio y Control de Enfermedades Tropicales (PECET), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
- LifeFactors ZF SAS, Rionegro, Colombia
| | - Marcel Marín-Villa
- Programa de Estudio y Control de Enfermedades Tropicales (PECET), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Klaus Zangger
- Institute of Chemistry/Organic and Bioorganic Chemistry, University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
- Field of Excellence BioHealth, University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
- BioTechMed-Graz, Graz, Austria.
| | - Nina Gubensäk
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
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10
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Marín M, López M, Gallego-Yerga L, Álvarez R, Peláez R. Experimental structure based drug design (SBDD) applications for anti-leishmanial drugs: A paradigm shift? Med Res Rev 2024; 44:1055-1120. [PMID: 38142308 DOI: 10.1002/med.22005] [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: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/25/2023]
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a group of neglected tropical diseases caused by at least 20 species of Leishmania protozoa, which are spread by the bite of infected sandflies. There are three main forms of the disease: cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL, the most common), visceral leishmaniasis (VL, also known as kala-azar, the most serious), and mucocutaneous leishmaniasis. One billion people live in areas endemic to leishmaniasis, with an annual estimation of 30,000 new cases of VL and more than 1 million of CL. New treatments for leishmaniasis are an urgent need, as the existing ones are inefficient, toxic, and/or expensive. We have revised the experimental structure-based drug design (SBDD) efforts applied to the discovery of new drugs against leishmaniasis. We have grouped the explored targets according to the metabolic pathways they belong to, and the key achieved advances are highlighted and evaluated. In most cases, SBDD studies follow high-throughput screening campaigns and are secondary to pharmacokinetic optimization, due to the majoritarian belief that there are few validated targets for SBDD in leishmaniasis. However, some SBDD strategies have significantly contributed to new drug candidates against leishmaniasis and a bigger number holds promise for future development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Marín
- Laboratorio de Química Orgánica y Farmacéutica, Departamento de Ciencias Farmacéuticas, Universidad de Salamanca, Campus Miguel de Unamuno, Salamanca, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
- Centro de Investigación de Enfermedades Tropicales de la Universidad de Salamanca (CIETUS), Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Salamanca, Campus Miguel de Unamuno, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Marta López
- Laboratorio de Química Orgánica y Farmacéutica, Departamento de Ciencias Farmacéuticas, Universidad de Salamanca, Campus Miguel de Unamuno, Salamanca, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
- Centro de Investigación de Enfermedades Tropicales de la Universidad de Salamanca (CIETUS), Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Salamanca, Campus Miguel de Unamuno, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Laura Gallego-Yerga
- Laboratorio de Química Orgánica y Farmacéutica, Departamento de Ciencias Farmacéuticas, Universidad de Salamanca, Campus Miguel de Unamuno, Salamanca, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
- Centro de Investigación de Enfermedades Tropicales de la Universidad de Salamanca (CIETUS), Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Salamanca, Campus Miguel de Unamuno, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Raquel Álvarez
- Laboratorio de Química Orgánica y Farmacéutica, Departamento de Ciencias Farmacéuticas, Universidad de Salamanca, Campus Miguel de Unamuno, Salamanca, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
- Centro de Investigación de Enfermedades Tropicales de la Universidad de Salamanca (CIETUS), Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Salamanca, Campus Miguel de Unamuno, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Rafael Peláez
- Laboratorio de Química Orgánica y Farmacéutica, Departamento de Ciencias Farmacéuticas, Universidad de Salamanca, Campus Miguel de Unamuno, Salamanca, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
- Centro de Investigación de Enfermedades Tropicales de la Universidad de Salamanca (CIETUS), Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Salamanca, Campus Miguel de Unamuno, Salamanca, Spain
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11
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Freitas de Lima Hercos G, Gabriela Faleiro de Moura Lodi Cruz M, Clara Cassiano Martinho A, de Melo Resende D, Farago Nascimento D, Derksen Macruz P, Jorge Pilau E, Maria Fonseca Murta S, de Oliveira Rezende Júnior C. Optimization of benzenesulfonyl derivatives as anti-Trypanosomatidae agents: Structural design, synthesis, and pharmacological assessment against Trypanosoma cruzi and Leishmania infantum. Bioorg Med Chem 2024; 105:117736. [PMID: 38677111 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2024.117736] [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: 01/16/2024] [Revised: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024]
Abstract
Leishmaniasis and Chagas disease are neglected tropical diseases caused by Trypanosomatidae parasites. Given the numerous limitations associated with current treatments, such as extended treatment duration, variable efficacy, and severe side effects, there is an urgent imperative to explore novel therapeutic options. This study details the early stages of hit-to-lead optimization for a benzenesulfonyl derivative, denoted as initial hit, against Trypanossoma cruzi (T. cruzi), Leishmania infantum (L. infantum) and Leishmania braziliensis (L. braziliensis). We investigated structure - activity relationships using a series of 26 newly designed derivatives, ultimately yielding potential lead candidates with potent low-micromolar and sub-micromolar activities against T. cruzi and Leishmania spp, respectively, and low in vitro cytotoxicity against mammalian cells. These discoveries emphasize the significant promise of this chemical class in the fight against Chagas disease and leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guilherme Freitas de Lima Hercos
- Laboratório de Síntese de Candidatos a Fármacos (LaSFar), Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia (UFU), Uberlândia, MG 38400-902, Brazil
| | | | - Ana Clara Cassiano Martinho
- Laboratório de Síntese de Candidatos a Fármacos (LaSFar), Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia (UFU), Uberlândia, MG 38400-902, Brazil
| | - Daniela de Melo Resende
- Grupo de Genômica Funcional de Parasitos, Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ Minas), Belo Horizonte, MG 30190-002, Brazil
| | - Danilo Farago Nascimento
- Laboratório de Síntese de Candidatos a Fármacos (LaSFar), Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia (UFU), Uberlândia, MG 38400-902, Brazil
| | - Paula Derksen Macruz
- Laboratório de Biomoléculas e Espectrometria de Massas (LaBioMass), Universidade Estadual de Maringá (UEM), Maringá, PR 807020-900, Brazil
| | - Eduardo Jorge Pilau
- Laboratório de Biomoléculas e Espectrometria de Massas (LaBioMass), Universidade Estadual de Maringá (UEM), Maringá, PR 807020-900, Brazil
| | - Silvane Maria Fonseca Murta
- Grupo de Genômica Funcional de Parasitos, Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ Minas), Belo Horizonte, MG 30190-002, Brazil
| | - Celso de Oliveira Rezende Júnior
- Laboratório de Síntese de Candidatos a Fármacos (LaSFar), Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia (UFU), Uberlândia, MG 38400-902, Brazil.
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12
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Gonçalves RCR, Teixeira F, Peñalver P, Costa SPG, Morales JC, Raposo MMM. Designing Antitrypanosomal and Antileishmanial BODIPY Derivatives: A Computational and In Vitro Assessment. Molecules 2024; 29:2072. [PMID: 38731562 PMCID: PMC11085077 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29092072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2024] [Revised: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis and Human African trypanosomiasis pose significant public health threats in resource-limited regions, accentuated by the drawbacks of the current antiprotozoal treatments and the lack of approved vaccines. Considering the demand for novel therapeutic drugs, a series of BODIPY derivatives with several functionalizations at the meso, 2 and/or 6 positions of the core were synthesized and characterized. The in vitro activity against Trypanosoma brucei and Leishmania major parasites was carried out alongside a human healthy cell line (MRC-5) to establish selectivity indices (SIs). Notably, the meso-substituted BODIPY, with 1-dimethylaminonaphthalene (1b) and anthracene moiety (1c), were the most active against L. major, displaying IC50 = 4.84 and 5.41 μM, with a 16 and 18-fold selectivity over MRC-5 cells, respectively. In contrast, the mono-formylated analogues 2b and 2c exhibited the highest toxicity (IC50 = 2.84 and 6.17 μM, respectively) and selectivity (SI = 24 and 11, respectively) against T. brucei. Further insights on the activity of these compounds were gathered from molecular docking studies. The results suggest that these BODIPYs act as competitive inhibitors targeting the NADPH/NADP+ linkage site of the pteridine reductase (PR) enzyme. Additionally, these findings unveil a range of quasi-degenerate binding complexes formed between the PRs and the investigated BODIPY derivatives. These results suggest a potential correlation between the anti-parasitic activity and the presence of multiple configurations that block the same site of the enzyme.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel C R Gonçalves
- Centre of Chemistry, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- Advanced (Magnetic) Theranostic Nanostructures Lab, International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory, Av. Mestre José Veiga s/n, 4715-330 Braga, Portugal
| | - Filipe Teixeira
- Centre of Chemistry, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Pablo Peñalver
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina López Neyra, CSIC, PTS Granada, Avenida del Conocimiento, 17, 18016 Armilla, Granada, Spain
| | - Susana P G Costa
- Centre of Chemistry, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Juan C Morales
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina López Neyra, CSIC, PTS Granada, Avenida del Conocimiento, 17, 18016 Armilla, Granada, Spain
| | - M Manuela M Raposo
- Centre of Chemistry, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
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13
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Rock KS, Chapman LAC, Dobson AP, Adams ER, Hollingsworth TD. The Hidden Hand of Asymptomatic Infection Hinders Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases: A Modeling Analysis. Clin Infect Dis 2024; 78:S175-S182. [PMID: 38662705 PMCID: PMC11045017 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciae096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neglected tropical diseases are responsible for considerable morbidity and mortality in low-income populations. International efforts have reduced their global burden, but transmission is persistent and case-finding-based interventions rarely target asymptomatic individuals. METHODS We develop a generic mathematical modeling framework for analyzing the dynamics of visceral leishmaniasis in the Indian sub-continent (VL), gambiense sleeping sickness (gHAT), and Chagas disease and use it to assess the possible contribution of asymptomatics who later develop disease (pre-symptomatics) and those who do not (non-symptomatics) to the maintenance of infection. Plausible interventions, including active screening, vector control, and reduced time to detection, are simulated for the three diseases. RESULTS We found that the high asymptomatic contribution to transmission for Chagas and gHAT and the apparently high basic reproductive number of VL may undermine long-term control. However, the ability to treat some asymptomatics for Chagas and gHAT should make them more controllable, albeit over relatively long time periods due to the slow dynamics of these diseases. For VL, the toxicity of available therapeutics means the asymptomatic population cannot currently be treated, but combining treatment of symptomatics and vector control could yield a quick reduction in transmission. CONCLUSIONS Despite the uncertainty in natural history, it appears there is already a relatively good toolbox of interventions to eliminate gHAT, and it is likely that Chagas will need improvements to diagnostics and their use to better target pre-symptomatics. The situation for VL is less clear, and model predictions could be improved by additional empirical data. However, interventions may have to improve to successfully eliminate this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kat S Rock
- Zeeman Institute for Systems Biology and Infectious Disease Epidemiology Research (SBIDER), University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom
- Mathematics Institute, University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom
| | - Lloyd A C Chapman
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Lancaster University, Lancaster, United Kingdom
- Centre for Mathematical Modelling of Infectious Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew P Dobson
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, USA
- Santa Fe Institute, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
| | - Emily R Adams
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - T Déirdre Hollingsworth
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, Big Data Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre for Health Information and Discovery, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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14
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Pinazo MJ, Forsyth C, Losada I, Esteban ET, García-Rodríguez M, Villegas ML, Molina I, Crespillo-Andújar C, Gállego M, Ballart C, Ramirez JC, Aden T, Hoerauf A, Pfarr K, Vaillant M, Marques T, Fernandes J, Blum B, Ribeiro I, Sosa-Estani S, Barreira F, Gascón J. Efficacy and safety of fexinidazole for treatment of chronic indeterminate Chagas disease (FEXI-12): a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, phase 2 trial. THE LANCET. INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2024; 24:395-403. [PMID: 38218194 DOI: 10.1016/s1473-3099(23)00651-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 09/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND More than six million people worldwide, particularly in vulnerable communities in Latin America, are infected with Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease. Only a small portion have access to diagnosis and treatment. Both drugs used to treat this chronic, neglected infection, benznidazole and nifurtimox, were developed more than 50 years ago, and adverse drug reactions during treatment pose a major barrier, causing 20% of patients to discontinue therapy. Fexinidazole proved efficacious in an earlier, interrupted clinical trial, but the doses evaluated were not well tolerated. The present study evaluated fexinidazole at lower doses and for shorter treatment durations. METHODS In this randomised, double-blind, phase 2 trial, we included adult patients (18-60 years old) with confirmed T cruzi infection by serology and PCR and without signs of organ involvement. We evaluated three regimens of fexinidazole-600 mg once daily for 10 days (6·0 g total dose), 1200 mg daily for 3 days (3·6 g), and 600 mg daily for 3 days followed by 1200 mg daily for 4 days (6·6 g)-and compared them with a historical placebo control group (n=47). The primary endpoint was sustained negative results by PCR at end of treatment and on each visit up to four months of follow-up. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03587766, and EudraCT, 2016-004905-15. FINDINGS Between Oct 16, 2017, and Aug 7, 2018, we enrolled 45 patients (n=15 for each group), of whom 43 completed the study. Eight (19%) of 43 fexinidazole-treated patients reached the primary endpoint, compared with six (13%) of 46 in the historical control group. Mean parasite load decreased sharply following treatment but rebounded beginning 10 weeks after treatment. Five participants had seven grade 3 adverse events: carpal tunnel, sciatica, device infection, pneumonia, staphylococcal infection, and joint and device dislocation. Two participants discontinued treatment due to adverse events unrelated to fexinidazole. INTERPRETATION The fexinidazole regimens in this study had an acceptable safety profile but did not prove effective against T cruzi infection. Development of fexinidazole monotherapy for treating T cruzi infection has been stopped. FUNDING The Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria-Jesus Pinazo
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health, ISGlobal-Hospital Clinic, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (CIBERINFEC, ISCIII), Spain.
| | - Colin Forsyth
- Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Irene Losada
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health, ISGlobal-Hospital Clinic, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Elena Trigo Esteban
- Unidad de Patología Importada y Salud Internacional. Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, Spain
| | - Magdalena García-Rodríguez
- Infectious Diseases Service, International Health Unit, Consorcio Hospital General Universitario de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Maria Luz Villegas
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital General de L'Hospitalet, Complex Hospitalari Universitari Moisès Broggi, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Israel Molina
- CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (CIBERINFEC, ISCIII), Spain; Infectious Diseases Department, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, PROSICS Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Clara Crespillo-Andújar
- CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (CIBERINFEC, ISCIII), Spain; Unidad de Patología Importada y Salud Internacional. Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, Spain; National Referral Unit for Tropical Diseases, Infectious Diseases Department, Ramón y Cajal University Hospital, IRYCIS, Madrid, Spain
| | - Montserrat Gállego
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health, ISGlobal-Hospital Clinic, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (CIBERINFEC, ISCIII), Spain; Parasitology Section, Department of Biology, Health, and Environment, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Science, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Cristina Ballart
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health, ISGlobal-Hospital Clinic, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Parasitology Section, Department of Biology, Health, and Environment, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Science, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Juan Carlos Ramirez
- Instituto Multidisciplinario de Investigaciones en Patologías Pediátricas, CONICET-GCBA, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Tilman Aden
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, Germany
| | - Achim Hoerauf
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Bonn-Cologne, Bonn, Germany
| | - Kenneth Pfarr
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Bonn-Cologne, Bonn, Germany
| | - Michel Vaillant
- Competence Centre for Methodology and Statistics, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Strassen, Luxembourg
| | - Tayná Marques
- Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Jayme Fernandes
- Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Bethania Blum
- Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Isabela Ribeiro
- Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Sergio Sosa-Estani
- Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Centro de Investigaciones en Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIESP-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | | | - Joaquim Gascón
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health, ISGlobal-Hospital Clinic, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (CIBERINFEC, ISCIII), Spain
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15
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Mahadevan L, Arya H, Droste A, Schliebs W, Erdmann R, Kalel VC. PEX1 is essential for glycosome biogenesis and trypanosomatid parasite survival. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2024; 14:1274506. [PMID: 38510966 PMCID: PMC10952002 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2024.1274506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Trypanosomatid parasites are kinetoplastid protists that compartmentalize glycolytic enzymes in unique peroxisome-related organelles called glycosomes. The heterohexameric AAA-ATPase complex of PEX1-PEX6 is anchored to the peroxisomal membrane and functions in the export of matrix protein import receptor PEX5 from the peroxisomal membrane. Defects in PEX1, PEX6 or their membrane anchor causes dysfunction of peroxisomal matrix protein import cycle. In this study, we functionally characterized a putative Trypanosoma PEX1 orthologue by bioinformatic and experimental approaches and show that it is a true PEX1 orthologue. Using yeast two-hybrid analysis, we demonstrate that TbPEX1 can bind to TbPEX6. Endogenously tagged TbPEX1 localizes to glycosomes in the T. brucei parasites. Depletion of PEX1 gene expression by RNA interference causes lethality to the bloodstream form trypanosomes, due to a partial mislocalization of glycosomal enzymes to the cytosol and ATP depletion. TbPEX1 RNAi leads to a selective proteasomal degradation of both matrix protein import receptors TbPEX5 and TbPEX7. Unlike in yeast, PEX1 depletion did not result in an accumulation of ubiquitinated TbPEX5 in trypanosomes. As PEX1 turned out to be essential for trypanosomatid parasites, it could provide a suitable drug target for parasitic diseases. The results also suggest that these parasites possess a highly efficient quality control mechanism that exports the import receptors from glycosomes to the cytosol in the absence of a functional TbPEX1-TbPEX6 complex.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Ralf Erdmann
- Department of Systems Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Institute for Biochemistry and Pathobiochemistry, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Vishal C. Kalel
- Department of Systems Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Institute for Biochemistry and Pathobiochemistry, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
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16
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Walesch S, Garcia R, Mahmoud AB, Panter F, Bollenbach S, Mäser P, Kaiser M, Krug D, Müller R. New myxobacteria of the Myxococcaceae clade produce angiolams with antiparasitic activities. Microbiol Spectr 2024; 12:e0368923. [PMID: 38298128 PMCID: PMC10913735 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.03689-23] [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: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
In the past century, microbial natural products have proven themselves to be substantial and fruitful sources of anti-infectives. In addition to the well-studied Actinobacteria, understudied bacterial taxa like the Gram-negative myxobacteria have increasingly gained attention in the ongoing search for novel and biologically active natural products. In the course of a regional sampling campaign to source novel myxobacteria, we recently uncovered new myxobacterial strains MCy12716 and MCy12733 belonging to the Myxococcaceae clade. Early bioactivity screens of the bacterial extracts revealed the presence of bioactive natural products that were identified as angiolam A and several novel derivatives. Sequencing of the corresponding producer strains allowed the identification of the angiolam biosynthetic gene cluster, which was verified by targeted gene inactivation. Based on bioinformatic analysis of the biosynthetic gene cluster, a concise biosynthesis model was devised to explain angiolam biosynthesis. Importantly, novel angiolam derivatives uncovered in this study named angiolams B, C, and D were found to display promising antiparasitic activities against the malaria pathogen Plasmodium falciparum in the 0.3-0.8 µM range.IMPORTANCEThe COVID-19 pandemic and continuously emerging antimicrobial resistance (AMR) have recently raised awareness about limited treatment options against infectious diseases. However, the shortage of treatment options against protozoal parasitic infections, like malaria, is much more severe, especially for the treatment of so-called neglected tropical diseases. The detection of anti-parasitic bioactivities of angiolams produced by MCy12716 and MCy12733 displays the hidden potential of scarcely studied natural products to have promising biological activities in understudied indications. Furthermore, the improved biological activities of novel angiolam derivatives against Plasmodium falciparum and the evaluation of its biosynthesis display the opportunities of the angiolam scaffold on route to treat protozoal parasitic infections as well as possible ways to increase the production of derivatives with improved bioactivities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Walesch
- Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS), Saarland University Campus, Saarbrücken, Germany
- Department of Pharmacy, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
- Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Braunschweig, Germany
- DZIF-German Center for Infection Research, partner site Hannover-Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Ronald Garcia
- Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS), Saarland University Campus, Saarbrücken, Germany
- Department of Pharmacy, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
- Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Braunschweig, Germany
- DZIF-German Center for Infection Research, partner site Hannover-Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Abdelhalim B. Mahmoud
- Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS), Saarland University Campus, Saarbrücken, Germany
- Department of Pharmacy, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
- Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Braunschweig, Germany
- DZIF-German Center for Infection Research, partner site Hannover-Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan
| | - Fabian Panter
- Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS), Saarland University Campus, Saarbrücken, Germany
- Department of Pharmacy, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
- Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Braunschweig, Germany
- DZIF-German Center for Infection Research, partner site Hannover-Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
- Helmholtz International Lab for Anti-Infectives, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Sophie Bollenbach
- Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS), Saarland University Campus, Saarbrücken, Germany
- Department of Pharmacy, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
- Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Braunschweig, Germany
- DZIF-German Center for Infection Research, partner site Hannover-Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Pascal Mäser
- Parasite Chemotherapy Unit, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland
- Faculty of Science, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Marcel Kaiser
- Parasite Chemotherapy Unit, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland
- Faculty of Science, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Daniel Krug
- Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS), Saarland University Campus, Saarbrücken, Germany
- Department of Pharmacy, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
- Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Braunschweig, Germany
- DZIF-German Center for Infection Research, partner site Hannover-Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Rolf Müller
- Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS), Saarland University Campus, Saarbrücken, Germany
- Department of Pharmacy, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
- Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Braunschweig, Germany
- DZIF-German Center for Infection Research, partner site Hannover-Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
- Helmholtz International Lab for Anti-Infectives, Saarbrücken, Germany
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17
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Tannières M, Breugnot D, Bon MC, Grodowitz MJ. Cultivation of monoxenous trypanosomatids: A minireview. J Invertebr Pathol 2024; 203:108047. [PMID: 38142929 DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2023.108047] [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: 04/07/2023] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023]
Abstract
Trypanosomatids are obligatory parasites, some of which are responsible for important human and animal diseases, but the vast majority of trypanosomatids are restricted to invertebrate hosts. Isolation and in vitro cultivation of trypanosomatids from insect hosts enable their description, characterization, and subsequently genetic and genomic studies. However, exact nutritional requirements are still unknown for most trypanosomatids and thus very few defined media are available. This mini review provides information about the role of different ingredients, recommendations and advice on essential supplements and important physicochemical parameters of culture media with the aim of facilitating first attempts to cultivate insect-infesting trypanosomatids, with a focus on monoxenous trypanosomatids.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Tannières
- USDA-ARS European Biological Control Laboratory, 810 avenue du campus Agropolis, 34980 Montferrier sur Lez, France.
| | - D Breugnot
- USDA-ARS European Biological Control Laboratory, 810 avenue du campus Agropolis, 34980 Montferrier sur Lez, France
| | - M C Bon
- USDA-ARS European Biological Control Laboratory, 810 avenue du campus Agropolis, 34980 Montferrier sur Lez, France
| | - M J Grodowitz
- USDA-ARS European Biological Control Laboratory, 810 avenue du campus Agropolis, 34980 Montferrier sur Lez, France; USDA-ARS National Biological Control Laboratory, 59 Lee Road, Stoneville, MS 38776, USA
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18
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Memariani H, Memariani M, Ghasemian A. Quercetin as a Promising Antiprotozoan Phytochemical: Current Knowledge and Future Research Avenues. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 2024:7632408. [PMID: 38456097 PMCID: PMC10919984 DOI: 10.1155/2024/7632408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2023] [Revised: 01/20/2024] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
Despite tremendous advances in the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases, only few antiparasitic drugs have been developed to date. Protozoan infections such as malaria, leishmaniasis, and trypanosomiasis continue to exact an enormous toll on public health worldwide, underscoring the need to discover novel antiprotozoan drugs. Recently, there has been an explosion of research into the antiprotozoan properties of quercetin, one of the most abundant flavonoids in the human diet. In this review, we tried to consolidate the current knowledge on the antiprotozoal effects of quercetin and to provide the most fruitful avenues for future research. Quercetin exerts potent antiprotozoan activity against a broad spectrum of pathogens such as Leishmania spp., Trypanosoma spp., Plasmodium spp., Cryptosporidium spp., Trichomonas spp., and Toxoplasma gondii. In addition to its immunomodulatory roles, quercetin disrupts mitochondrial function, induces apoptotic/necrotic cell death, impairs iron uptake, inhibits multiple enzymes involved in fatty acid synthesis and the glycolytic pathways, suppresses the activity of DNA topoisomerases, and downregulates the expression of various heat shock proteins in these pathogens. In vivo studies also show that quercetin is effective in reducing parasitic loads, histopathological damage, and mortality in animals. Future research should focus on designing effective drug delivery systems to increase the oral bioavailability of quercetin. Incorporating quercetin into various nanocarrier systems would be a promising approach to manage localized cutaneous infections. Nevertheless, clinical trials are needed to validate the efficacy of quercetin in treating various protozoan infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamed Memariani
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mojtaba Memariani
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Abdolmajid Ghasemian
- Noncommunicable Diseases Research Center, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran
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19
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Sozanschi A, Asiki H, Amaral M, de Castro Levatti EV, Tempone AG, Wheeler RJ, Anderson EA. Synthesis and Evaluation of (Bis)benzyltetrahydroisoquinoline Alkaloids as Antiparasitic Agents. JACS AU 2024; 4:847-854. [PMID: 38425909 PMCID: PMC10900488 DOI: 10.1021/jacsau.4c00007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2024] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Visceral leishmaniasis and Chagas disease are neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) that severely impact the developing world. With current therapies suffering from poor efficacy and safety profiles as well as emerging resistance, new drug leads are direly needed. In this work, 26 alkaloids (9 natural and 17 synthetic) belonging to the benzyltetrahydroisoquinoline (BI) family were evaluated against both the pro/trypomastigote and amastigote forms of the parasites Leishmania infantum and Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agents of these diseases. These alkaloids were synthesized via an efficient and modular enantioselective approach based on Bischler-Napieralski cyclization/Noyori asymmetric transfer hydrogenation to build the tetrahydroisoquinoline core. The bis-benzyltetrahydroisoquinoline (BBI) alkaloids were prepared using an Ullmann coupling of two BI units to form the biaryl ether linkage, which enabled a comprehensive survey of the influence of BI stereochemistry on bioactivity. Preliminary studies into the mechanism of action against Leishmania mexicana demonstrate that these compounds interfere with the cell cycle, potentially through inhibition of kinetoplast division, which may offer opportunities to identify a new target/mechanism of action. Three of the synthesized alkaloids showed promising druglike potential, meeting the Drugs for Neglected Disease initiative (DNDi) criteria for a hit against Chagas disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Sozanschi
- Chemistry
Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, 12 Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TA, U.K.
| | - Hannah Asiki
- Chemistry
Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, 12 Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TA, U.K.
- Peter
Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford , OX1 3SY, U.K.
| | - Maiara Amaral
- Laboratory
of Pathophysiology, Butantan Institute, Av. Vital Brazil, 1500, 05503-900 São Paulo, Brazil
- Instituto
de Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, 05403-000 São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Andre G. Tempone
- Laboratory
of Pathophysiology, Butantan Institute, Av. Vital Brazil, 1500, 05503-900 São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Richard J. Wheeler
- Peter
Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford , OX1 3SY, U.K.
| | - Edward A. Anderson
- Chemistry
Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, 12 Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TA, U.K.
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20
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Berhe H, Kumar Cinthakunta Sridhar M, Zerihun M, Qvit N. The Potential Use of Peptides in the Fight against Chagas Disease and Leishmaniasis. Pharmaceutics 2024; 16:227. [PMID: 38399281 PMCID: PMC10892537 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics16020227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2023] [Revised: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease and leishmaniasis are both neglected tropical diseases that affect millions of people around the world. Leishmaniasis is currently the second most widespread vector-borne parasitic disease after malaria. The World Health Organization records approximately 0.7-1 million newly diagnosed leishmaniasis cases each year, resulting in approximately 20,000-30,000 deaths. Also, 25 million people worldwide are at risk of Chagas disease and an estimated 6 million people are infected with Trypanosoma cruzi. Pentavalent antimonials, amphotericin B, miltefosine, paromomycin, and pentamidine are currently used to treat leishmaniasis. Also, nifurtimox and benznidazole are two drugs currently used to treat Chagas disease. These drugs are associated with toxicity problems such as nephrotoxicity and cardiotoxicity, in addition to resistance problems. As a result, the discovery of novel therapeutic agents has emerged as a top priority and a promising alternative. Overall, there is a need for new and effective treatments for Chagas disease and leishmaniasis, as the current drugs have significant limitations. Peptide-based drugs are attractive due to their high selectiveness, effectiveness, low toxicity, and ease of production. This paper reviews the potential use of peptides in the treatment of Chagas disease and leishmaniasis. Several studies have demonstrated that peptides are effective against Chagas disease and leishmaniasis, suggesting their use in drug therapy for these diseases. Overall, peptides have the potential to be effective therapeutic agents against Chagas disease and leishmaniasis, but more research is needed to fully investigate their potential.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Nir Qvit
- The Azrieli Faculty of Medicine in the Galilee, Bar-Ilan University, Safed 1311502, Israel; (H.B.); (M.K.C.S.); (M.Z.)
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21
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Rostamighadi M, Kamelshahroudi A, Mehta V, Zeng FY, Pass I, Chung TDY, Salavati R. High-throughput screening of compounds targeting RNA editing in Trypanosoma brucei: Novel molecular scaffolds with broad trypanocidal effects. Biochem Pharmacol 2024; 219:115937. [PMID: 37995979 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2023.115937] [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: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
Mitochondrial uridine insertion/deletion RNA editing, catalyzed by a multiprotein complex (editosome), is essential for gene expression in trypanosomes and Leishmania parasites. As this process is absent in the human host, a drug targeting this mechanism promises high selectivity and reduced toxicity. Here, we successfully miniaturized our FRET-based full-round RNA editing assay, which replicates the complete RNA editing process, adapting it into a 1536-well format. Leveraging this assay, we screened over 100,000 compounds against purified editosomes derived from Trypanosoma brucei, identifying seven confirmed primary hits. We sourced and evaluated various analogs to enhance the inhibitory and parasiticidal effects of these primary hits. In combination with secondary assays, our compounds marked inhibition of essential catalytic activities, including the RNA editing ligase and interactions of editosome proteins. Although the primary hits did not exhibit any growth inhibitory effect on parasites, we describe eight analog compounds capable of effectively killing T. brucei and/or Leishmania donovani parasites within a low micromolar concentration. Whether parasite killing is - at least in part - due to inhibition of RNA editing in vivo remains to be assessed. Our findings introduce novel molecular scaffolds with the potential for broad antitrypanosomal effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mojtaba Rostamighadi
- Institute of Parasitology, McGill University, Ste. Anne de Bellevue, Quebec H9X 3V9, Canada
| | - Arezou Kamelshahroudi
- Institute of Parasitology, McGill University, Ste. Anne de Bellevue, Quebec H9X 3V9, Canada
| | - Vaibhav Mehta
- Institute of Parasitology, McGill University, Ste. Anne de Bellevue, Quebec H9X 3V9, Canada; Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3G 1Y6, Canada
| | - Fu-Yue Zeng
- Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, Conrad Prebys Center for Chemical Genomics, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Ian Pass
- Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, Conrad Prebys Center for Chemical Genomics, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Thomas D Y Chung
- Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, Conrad Prebys Center for Chemical Genomics, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Reza Salavati
- Institute of Parasitology, McGill University, Ste. Anne de Bellevue, Quebec H9X 3V9, Canada; Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3G 1Y6, Canada.
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22
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Parija SC, Poddar A. Artificial intelligence in parasitic disease control: A paradigm shift in health care. Trop Parasitol 2024; 14:2-7. [PMID: 38444798 PMCID: PMC10911181 DOI: 10.4103/tp.tp_66_23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Parasitic diseases, including malaria, leishmaniasis, and trypanosomiasis, continue to plague populations worldwide, particularly in resource-limited settings and disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations. It has limited the use of conventional health-care delivery and disease control approaches and necessitated exploring innovative strategies. In this direction, artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a transformative tool with immense promise in parasitic disease control, offering the potential for enhanced diagnostics, precision drug discovery, predictive modeling, and personalized treatment. Predictive AI algorithms have assisted in understanding parasite transmission patterns and outbreaks by analyzing vast amounts of epidemiological data, environmental factors, and population demographics. This has strengthened public health interventions, resource allocation, and outbreak preparedness strategies, enabling proactive measures to mitigate disease spread. In diagnostics, AI-enabled accurate and rapid identification of parasites by analyzing microscopic images. This capability is particularly valuable in remote regions with limited access to diagnostic facilities. AI-driven computational methods have also assisted in drug discovery for parasitic diseases by identifying novel drug targets and predicting the efficacy and safety of potential drug candidates. This approach has streamlined drug development, leading to more effective and targeted therapies. This article reviews these current developments and their transformative impacts on the health-care sector. It also assessed the hurdles that require attention before these transformations can be realized in real-life scenarios.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Abhijit Poddar
- Mahatma Gandhi Medical Advanced Research Institute, Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be University), Puducherry, India
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23
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Zauli RC, de Souza Perez IC, de Morais ACC, Ciaccio AC, Vidal AS, Soares RP, Torrecilhas AC, Batista WL, Xander P. Extracellular Vesicles Released by Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis Promastigotes with Distinct Virulence Profile Differently Modulate the Macrophage Functions. Microorganisms 2023; 11:2973. [PMID: 38138117 PMCID: PMC10746037 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11122973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/02/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Leishmania spp. is the aetiologic agent of leishmaniasis, a disease endemic in several developing countries. The parasite expresses and secretes several virulence factors that subvert the macrophage function and immune response. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) can carry molecules of the parasites that show immunomodulatory effects on macrophage activation and disease progression. In the present work, we detected a significantly higher expression of lpg3 and gp63 genes in Leishmania amazonensis promastigotes recovered after successive experimental infections (IVD-P) compared to those cultured for a long period (LT-P). In addition, we observed a significantly higher percentage of infection and internalized parasites in groups of macrophages infected with IVD-P. Macrophages previously treated with EVs from LT-P showed higher percentages of infection and production of inflammatory cytokines after the parasite challenge compared to the untreated ones. However, macrophages infected with parasites and treated with EVs did not reduce the parasite load. In addition, no synergistic effects were observed in the infected macrophages treated with EVs and reference drugs. In conclusion, parasites cultured for a long period in vitro and recovered from animals' infections, differently affected the macrophage response. Furthermore, EVs produced by these parasites affected the macrophage response in the early infection of these cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rogéria Cristina Zauli
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Biologia-Química, Instituto de Ciências Ambientais Químicas e Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Diadema 04021-001, SP, Brazil; (R.C.Z.)
| | - Isabelle Carlos de Souza Perez
- Curso de Ciências Biológicas, Instituto de Ciências Ambientais Químicas e Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Diadema 04021-001, SP, Brazil
| | - Aline Correia Costa de Morais
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Biologia-Química, Instituto de Ciências Ambientais Químicas e Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Diadema 04021-001, SP, Brazil; (R.C.Z.)
| | - Ana Carolina Ciaccio
- Curso de Ciências Biológicas, Instituto de Ciências Ambientais Químicas e Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Diadema 04021-001, SP, Brazil
| | - Andrey Sladkevicius Vidal
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Biologia-Química, Instituto de Ciências Ambientais Químicas e Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Diadema 04021-001, SP, Brazil; (R.C.Z.)
| | - Rodrigo Pedro Soares
- Biotecnologia Aplicada a Patógenos (BAP), Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Belo Horizonte 30190-002, MG, Brazil
| | - Ana Claudia Torrecilhas
- Departamento de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Instituto de Ciências Ambientais Químicas e Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Diadema 04021-001, SP, Brazil (W.L.B.)
| | - Wagner Luiz Batista
- Departamento de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Instituto de Ciências Ambientais Químicas e Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Diadema 04021-001, SP, Brazil (W.L.B.)
| | - Patricia Xander
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Biologia-Química, Instituto de Ciências Ambientais Químicas e Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Diadema 04021-001, SP, Brazil; (R.C.Z.)
- Departamento de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Instituto de Ciências Ambientais Químicas e Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Diadema 04021-001, SP, Brazil (W.L.B.)
- Laboratório de Imunologia Celular e Bioquímica de Fungos e Protozoários, Unidade José Alencar, Universidade Federal de São Paulo campus Diadema, 4° andar, Rua São Nicolau, 210, Centro, Diadema 09913-030, SP, Brazil
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24
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Linciano P, Quotadamo A, Luciani R, Santucci M, Zorn KM, Foil DH, Lane TR, Cordeiro da Silva A, Santarem N, B Moraes C, Freitas-Junior L, Wittig U, Mueller W, Tonelli M, Ferrari S, Venturelli A, Gul S, Kuzikov M, Ellinger B, Reinshagen J, Ekins S, Costi MP. High-Throughput Phenotypic Screening and Machine Learning Methods Enabled the Selection of Broad-Spectrum Low-Toxicity Antitrypanosomatidic Agents. J Med Chem 2023; 66:15230-15255. [PMID: 37921561 PMCID: PMC10683024 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c01322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Revised: 10/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
Broad-spectrum anti-infective chemotherapy agents with activity against Trypanosomes, Leishmania, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis species were identified from a high-throughput phenotypic screening program of the 456 compounds belonging to the Ty-Box, an in-house industry database. Compound characterization using machine learning approaches enabled the identification and synthesis of 44 compounds with broad-spectrum antiparasitic activity and minimal toxicity against Trypanosoma brucei, Leishmania Infantum, and Trypanosoma cruzi. In vitro studies confirmed the predictive models identified in compound 40 which emerged as a new lead, featured by an innovative N-(5-pyrimidinyl)benzenesulfonamide scaffold and promising low micromolar activity against two parasites and low toxicity. Given the volume and complexity of data generated by the diverse high-throughput screening assays performed on the compounds of the Ty-Box library, the chemoinformatic and machine learning tools enabled the selection of compounds eligible for further evaluation of their biological and toxicological activities and aided in the decision-making process toward the design and optimization of the identified lead.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pasquale Linciano
- Department
of Life Sciences, University of Modena and
Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 103, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Antonio Quotadamo
- Department
of Life Sciences, University of Modena and
Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 103, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Rosaria Luciani
- Department
of Life Sciences, University of Modena and
Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 103, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Matteo Santucci
- Department
of Life Sciences, University of Modena and
Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 103, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Kimberley M. Zorn
- Collaborations
Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 840 Main Campus Drive, Lab 3510, Raleigh, North Carolina 27606, United States
| | - Daniel H. Foil
- Collaborations
Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 840 Main Campus Drive, Lab 3510, Raleigh, North Carolina 27606, United States
| | - Thomas R. Lane
- Collaborations
Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 840 Main Campus Drive, Lab 3510, Raleigh, North Carolina 27606, United States
| | - Anabela Cordeiro da Silva
- Institute
for Molecular and Cell Biology, 4150-180 Porto, Portugal
- Instituto
de Investigaçao e Inovaçao em Saúde, Universidade do Porto and Institute for Molecular
and Cell Biology, 4150-180 Porto, Portugal
| | - Nuno Santarem
- Institute
for Molecular and Cell Biology, 4150-180 Porto, Portugal
- Instituto
de Investigaçao e Inovaçao em Saúde, Universidade do Porto and Institute for Molecular
and Cell Biology, 4150-180 Porto, Portugal
| | - Carolina B Moraes
- Brazilian
Biosciences National Laboratory (LNBio), Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), 13083-970 Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Lucio Freitas-Junior
- Brazilian
Biosciences National Laboratory (LNBio), Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), 13083-970 Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ulrike Wittig
- Scientific
Databases and Visualization Group and Molecular and Cellular Modelling
Group, Heidelberg Institute for Theoretical
Studies (HITS), D-69118 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Mueller
- Scientific
Databases and Visualization Group and Molecular and Cellular Modelling
Group, Heidelberg Institute for Theoretical
Studies (HITS), D-69118 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Michele Tonelli
- Department
of Pharmacy, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV n.3, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - Stefania Ferrari
- Department
of Life Sciences, University of Modena and
Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 103, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Alberto Venturelli
- Department
of Life Sciences, University of Modena and
Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 103, 41125 Modena, Italy
- TYDOCK
PHARMA S.r.l., Strada
Gherbella 294/b, 41126 Modena, Italy
| | - Sheraz Gul
- Fraunhofer
Translational Medicine and Pharmacology, Schnackenburgallee 114, D-22525 Hamburg, Germany
- Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence Immune-Mediated Diseases
CIMD, Schnackenburgallee
114, D-22525 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Maria Kuzikov
- Fraunhofer
Translational Medicine and Pharmacology, Schnackenburgallee 114, D-22525 Hamburg, Germany
- Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence Immune-Mediated Diseases
CIMD, Schnackenburgallee
114, D-22525 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Bernhard Ellinger
- Fraunhofer
Translational Medicine and Pharmacology, Schnackenburgallee 114, D-22525 Hamburg, Germany
- Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence Immune-Mediated Diseases
CIMD, Schnackenburgallee
114, D-22525 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jeanette Reinshagen
- Fraunhofer
Translational Medicine and Pharmacology, Schnackenburgallee 114, D-22525 Hamburg, Germany
- Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence Immune-Mediated Diseases
CIMD, Schnackenburgallee
114, D-22525 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Sean Ekins
- Collaborations
Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 840 Main Campus Drive, Lab 3510, Raleigh, North Carolina 27606, United States
| | - Maria Paola Costi
- Department
of Life Sciences, University of Modena and
Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 103, 41125 Modena, Italy
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25
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Baldassarri C, Spinozzi E, Ferrati M, Rossi P, Maggi F, Petrelli R. Editorial for the Special Issue "Antiprotozoal Activity of Natural Products". Antibiotics (Basel) 2023; 12:1650. [PMID: 38136684 PMCID: PMC10741136 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12121650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), a diverse group of infectious diseases, represent the leading cause of morbidity and mortality among the world's low-income populations [...].
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia Baldassarri
- Chemistry Interdisciplinary Project (ChIP) Research Center, School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, Via Madonna delle Carceri, 62032 Camerino, Italy; (C.B.); (E.S.); (M.F.)
| | - Eleonora Spinozzi
- Chemistry Interdisciplinary Project (ChIP) Research Center, School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, Via Madonna delle Carceri, 62032 Camerino, Italy; (C.B.); (E.S.); (M.F.)
| | - Marta Ferrati
- Chemistry Interdisciplinary Project (ChIP) Research Center, School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, Via Madonna delle Carceri, 62032 Camerino, Italy; (C.B.); (E.S.); (M.F.)
| | - Paolo Rossi
- School of Biosciences & Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, Via Gentile III da Varano, 62032 Camerino, Italy;
| | - Filippo Maggi
- Chemistry Interdisciplinary Project (ChIP) Research Center, School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, Via Madonna delle Carceri, 62032 Camerino, Italy; (C.B.); (E.S.); (M.F.)
| | - Riccardo Petrelli
- Chemistry Interdisciplinary Project (ChIP) Research Center, School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, Via Madonna delle Carceri, 62032 Camerino, Italy; (C.B.); (E.S.); (M.F.)
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26
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Carvalho DB, Costa PAN, Portapilla GB, das Neves AR, Shiguemoto CYK, Pelizaro BI, Silva F, Piranda EM, Arruda CCP, Gaspari PDM, Cardoso IA, Luccas PH, Nonato MC, Lopes NP, de Albuquerque S, Baroni ACM. Design, synthesis and antitrypanosomatid activity of 2-nitroimidazole-3,5-disubstituted isoxazole compounds based on benznidazole. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 260:115451. [PMID: 37573209 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Revised: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/14/2023]
Abstract
Chagas disease and leishmaniasis are neglected diseases of high priority as a public health problem. Pharmacotherapy is based on the administration of a few drugs, which exhibit hazardous adverse effects and toxicity to the patients. Thus, the search for new antitrypanosomatid drugs is imperative to overcome the limitations of the treatments. In this work, 46 2-nitroimidazole 3,5-disubstituted isoxazole compounds were synthesized in good yields by [3 + 2] cycloaddition reaction between terminal acetylene (propargyl-2-nitroimidazole) and chloro-oximes. The compounds were non-toxic to LLC-MK2 cells. Compounds 30, 35, and 44 showed in vitro antichagasic activity, 15-fold, 12-fold, and 10-fold, respectively, more active than benznidazole (BZN). Compounds 30, 35, 44, 45, 53, and 61 acted as substrates for the TcNTR enzyme, indicating that this might be one of the mechanisms of action involved in their antiparasitic activity. Piperazine series and 4-monosubstituted compounds were potent against T. cruzi parasites. Besides the in vitro activity observed in compound 45, the in vivo assay showed that the compound only reduced the parasitemia levels by the seventh-day post-infection (77%, p > 0.001) compared to the control group. However, 45 significantly reduced the parasite load in cardiac tissue (p < 0.01) 11 days post-infection. Compounds 49, 52, and 54 showed antileishmanial activity against intracellular amastigotes of Leishmania (L.) amazonensis at the same range as amphotericin B. These findings highlight the antitrypanosomatid properties of 2-nitroimidazole 3,5-disubstituted isoxazole compounds and the possibility in using them as antitrypanosomatid agents in further studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego B Carvalho
- Laboratório de Síntese e Química Medicinal (LASQUIM), Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Alimentos e Nutrição, Universidade Federal de Mato Grossso do Sul- UFMS, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, CEP 79051-470, Brazil
| | - Pedro A N Costa
- Laboratório de Síntese e Química Medicinal (LASQUIM), Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Alimentos e Nutrição, Universidade Federal de Mato Grossso do Sul- UFMS, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, CEP 79051-470, Brazil; Laboratório de Parasitologia Humana, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal de Mato Grossso do Sul- UFMS, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, CEP 79070-900, Brazil
| | - Gisele B Portapilla
- Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Toxicológicas e Bromatológicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto - Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, CEP 14040-900, Brazil
| | - Amarith R das Neves
- Laboratório de Síntese e Química Medicinal (LASQUIM), Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Alimentos e Nutrição, Universidade Federal de Mato Grossso do Sul- UFMS, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, CEP 79051-470, Brazil; Laboratório de Parasitologia Humana, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal de Mato Grossso do Sul- UFMS, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, CEP 79070-900, Brazil
| | - Cristiane Y K Shiguemoto
- Laboratório de Síntese e Química Medicinal (LASQUIM), Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Alimentos e Nutrição, Universidade Federal de Mato Grossso do Sul- UFMS, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, CEP 79051-470, Brazil
| | - Bruno I Pelizaro
- Laboratório de Síntese e Química Medicinal (LASQUIM), Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Alimentos e Nutrição, Universidade Federal de Mato Grossso do Sul- UFMS, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, CEP 79051-470, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Silva
- Laboratório de Parasitologia Humana, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal de Mato Grossso do Sul- UFMS, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, CEP 79070-900, Brazil
| | - Eliane M Piranda
- Laboratório de Parasitologia Humana, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal de Mato Grossso do Sul- UFMS, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, CEP 79070-900, Brazil
| | - Carla C P Arruda
- Laboratório de Parasitologia Humana, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal de Mato Grossso do Sul- UFMS, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, CEP 79070-900, Brazil
| | - Priscyla D M Gaspari
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Avenida do Café s/n Monte Alegre, CEP 14040-903, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Iara A Cardoso
- Laboratório de Cristalografia de Proteínas, Departamento de Ciências BioMoleculares, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Avenida do Café s/n Monte Alegre, CEP 14040-903, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Pedro H Luccas
- Laboratório de Cristalografia de Proteínas, Departamento de Ciências BioMoleculares, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Avenida do Café s/n Monte Alegre, CEP 14040-903, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - M Cristina Nonato
- Laboratório de Cristalografia de Proteínas, Departamento de Ciências BioMoleculares, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Avenida do Café s/n Monte Alegre, CEP 14040-903, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Norberto P Lopes
- Núcleo de Pesquisas em Produtos Naturais e Sintéticos, Departamento de Ciências Biomoleculares, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Avenida do Café s/n Monte Alegre, Ribeirão Preto, SP, CEP 14040-903, Brazil
| | - Sergio de Albuquerque
- Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Toxicológicas e Bromatológicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto - Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, CEP 14040-900, Brazil
| | - Adriano C M Baroni
- Laboratório de Síntese e Química Medicinal (LASQUIM), Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Alimentos e Nutrição, Universidade Federal de Mato Grossso do Sul- UFMS, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, CEP 79051-470, Brazil.
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27
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Janse van Rensburg H, N’Da DD, Suganuma K. In Vitro and In Vivo Trypanocidal Efficacy of Nitrofuryl- and Nitrothienylazines. ACS OMEGA 2023; 8:43088-43098. [PMID: 38024678 PMCID: PMC10652724 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c06508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Revised: 10/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
African trypanosomiasis is a vector-borne disease of animals and humans in the tsetse fly belt of Africa. Trypanosoma congolense ("nagana") is the most pathogenic trypanosome in livestock and causes high morbidity and mortality rates among cattle. In the absence of effective preventative vaccines, the management of trypanosomiasis relies on chemoprophylaxis and/or -therapy. However, the trypanocides in clinical use exhibit poor oral bioavailability and toxicity, and therapeutic failures occur because of resistant strains. Because nitrofurantoin displayed, in addition to its clinical use, promising antiparasitic activity, the current study was conducted to evaluate the in vitro trypanocidal activity and preliminary in vivo treatment efficacy of previously synthesized nitrofuranylazines. The trypanocidal activity of these nitrofuran derivatives varied among the evaluated trypanosome species; however, T. congolense strain IL3000 was more susceptible than other animal and human trypanosomes. The nitrofurylazines 4a (IC50 0.04 μM; SI > 7761) and 7a (IC50 0.03 μM; SI > 9542) as well as the nitrothienylazine 8b (IC50 0.04 μM; SI 232), with nanomolar IC50 values, were revealed as early antitrypanosomal leads. Although these derivatives showed strong trypanocidal activity in vitro, no in vivo treatment efficacy was observed in T. congolense IL3000 infected mice after both oral and intraperitoneal administration in a preliminary study. This was attributed to the poor solubility of the test compounds in the in vivo testing media. Indeed, a challenge in drug discovery is finding a balance between the physicochemical properties of a drug candidate, particularly lipophilicity and water solubility, and maintaining adequate potency to provide an effective dose. Hence, future chemical modifications may be required to generate lead-like to lead-like nitrofuranylazines that possess optimal physicochemical and pharmacokinetic properties while retaining in vitro and, ultimately, in vivo trypanocidal efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - David D. N’Da
- Centre
of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences, North-West University, Potchefstroom 2520, South Africa
| | - Keisuke Suganuma
- National
Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan
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28
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Russell C, Carter JL, Borgia JM, Bush J, Calderón F, Gabarró R, Conway SJ, Mottram JC, Wilkinson AJ, Jones NG. Bromodomain Factor 5 as a Target for Antileishmanial Drug Discovery. ACS Infect Dis 2023; 9:2340-2357. [PMID: 37906637 PMCID: PMC10644352 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.3c00431] [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: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023]
Abstract
Leishmaniases are a collection of neglected tropical diseases caused by kinetoplastid parasites in the genus Leishmania. Current chemotherapies are severely limited, and the need for new antileishmanials is of pressing international importance. Bromodomains are epigenetic reader domains that have shown promising therapeutic potential for cancer therapy and may also present an attractive target to treat parasitic diseases. Here, we investigate Leishmania donovani bromodomain factor 5 (LdBDF5) as a target for antileishmanial drug discovery. LdBDF5 contains a pair of bromodomains (BD5.1 and BD5.2) in an N-terminal tandem repeat. We purified recombinant bromodomains of L. donovani BDF5 and determined the structure of BD5.2 by X-ray crystallography. Using a histone peptide microarray and fluorescence polarization assay, we identified binding interactions of LdBDF5 bromodomains with acetylated peptides derived from histones H2B and H4. In orthogonal biophysical assays including thermal shift assays, fluorescence polarization, and NMR, we showed that BDF5 bromodomains bind to human bromodomain inhibitors SGC-CBP30, bromosporine, and I-BRD9; moreover, SGC-CBP30 exhibited activity against Leishmania promastigotes in cell viability assays. These findings exemplify the potential BDF5 holds as a possible drug target in Leishmania and provide a foundation for the future development of optimized antileishmanial compounds targeting this epigenetic reader protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine
N. Russell
- York
Structural Biology Laboratory and York Biomedical Research Institute,
Department of Chemistry, University of York, York YO10 5DD, U.K.
| | - Jennifer L. Carter
- Department
of Chemistry, Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TA, U.K.
| | - Juliet M. Borgia
- York
Structural Biology Laboratory and York Biomedical Research Institute,
Department of Chemistry, University of York, York YO10 5DD, U.K.
| | - Jacob Bush
- GSK, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, Hertfordshire SG1 2NY, U.K.
| | | | | | - Stuart J. Conway
- Department
of Chemistry, Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TA, U.K.
| | - Jeremy C. Mottram
- York
Biomedical Research Institute, Department of Biology, University of York, York YO10 5NG, U.K.
| | - Anthony J. Wilkinson
- York
Structural Biology Laboratory and York Biomedical Research Institute,
Department of Chemistry, University of York, York YO10 5DD, U.K.
| | - Nathaniel G. Jones
- York
Biomedical Research Institute, Department of Biology, University of York, York YO10 5NG, U.K.
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29
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Poli ANR, Blyn RC, Buenconsejo GY, Hodanu M, Tang E, Danh C, Cassel J, Debler EW, Schulz D, Salvino JM. Synthesis and characterization of I-BET151 derivatives for use in identifying protein targets in the African trypanosome. CURRENT RESEARCH IN CHEMICAL BIOLOGY 2023; 3:100047. [PMID: 38152610 PMCID: PMC10751876 DOI: 10.1016/j.crchbi.2023.100047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
Trypanosoma brucei, the causative agent of Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT) and animal trypanosomiases, cycles between a bloodstream form in mammals and a procyclic form in the gut of its insect vector. We previously discovered that the human bromodomain inhibitor I-BET151 causes transcriptome changes that resemble the transition from the bloodstream to the procyclic form. In particular, I-BET151 induces replacement of variant surface glycoprotein (VSG) with procyclin protein. While modest binding of I-BET151 to TbBdf2 and TbBdf3 has been demonstrated, it is unknown whether I-BET151 binds to other identified T. brucei bromodomain proteins and/or other targets. To identify target(s) in T. brucei, we have synthesized I-BET151 derivatives maintaining the key pharmacophoric elements with functionality useful for chemoproteomic approaches. We identified compounds that are potent in inducing expression of procyclin, delineating a strategy towards the design of drugs against HAT and other trypanosomiases. Furthermore, these derivatives represent useful chemical probes to elucidate the molecular mechanism underlying I-BET151-induced differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rebecca C. Blyn
- Department of Biology, Harvey Mudd College, Claremont, CA, 91711, United States
| | | | - Melvin Hodanu
- Department of Biology, Harvey Mudd College, Claremont, CA, 91711, United States
| | - Eric Tang
- Department of Biology, Harvey Mudd College, Claremont, CA, 91711, United States
| | - Channy Danh
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, United States
| | - Joel Cassel
- The Wistar Cancer Center Molecular Screening, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, United States
| | - Erik W. Debler
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, United States
| | - Danae Schulz
- Department of Biology, Harvey Mudd College, Claremont, CA, 91711, United States
| | - Joseph M. Salvino
- Medicinal Chemistry, Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis (MCO) Program, United States
- The Wistar Cancer Center Molecular Screening, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, United States
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30
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Nué-Martinez JJ, Cisneros D, Moreno-Blázquez MD, Fonseca-Berzal C, Manzano JI, Kraeutler D, Ungogo MA, Aloraini MA, Elati HAA, Ibáñez-Escribano A, Lagartera L, Herraiz T, Gamarro F, de Koning HP, Gómez-Barrio A, Dardonville C. Synthesis and Biophysical and Biological Studies of N-Phenylbenzamide Derivatives Targeting Kinetoplastid Parasites. J Med Chem 2023; 66:13452-13480. [PMID: 37729094 PMCID: PMC10578353 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c00697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023]
Abstract
The AT-rich mitochondrial DNA (kDNA) of trypanosomatid parasites is a target of DNA minor groove binders. We report the synthesis, antiprotozoal screening, and SAR studies of three series of analogues of the known antiprotozoal kDNA binder 2-((4-(4-((4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-3-ium-2-yl)amino)benzamido)phenyl)amino)-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-3-ium (1a). Bis(2-aminoimidazolines) (1) and bis(2-aminobenzimidazoles) (2) showed micromolar range activity against Trypanosoma brucei, whereas bisarylimidamides (3) were submicromolar inhibitors of T. brucei, Trypanosoma cruzi, and Leishmania donovani. None of the compounds showed relevant activity against the urogenital, nonkinetoplastid parasite Trichomonas vaginalis. We show that series 1 and 3 bind strongly and selectively to the minor groove of AT DNA, whereas series 2 also binds by intercalation. The measured pKa indicated different ionization states at pH 7.4, which correlated with the DNA binding affinities (ΔTm) for series 2 and 3. Compound 3a, which was active and selective against the three parasites and displayed adequate metabolic stability, is a fine candidate for in vivo studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- J. Jonathan Nué-Martinez
- Instituto
de Química Médica, IQM−CSIC, Juan de la Cierva 3, E-28006 Madrid, Spain
- PhD
Programme in Medicinal Chemistry, Doctoral School, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - David Cisneros
- Instituto
de Química Médica, IQM−CSIC, Juan de la Cierva 3, E-28006 Madrid, Spain
- PhD
Programme in Medicinal Chemistry, Doctoral School, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Cristina Fonseca-Berzal
- Departamento
de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), Plaza de Ramón y Cajal s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - José Ignacio Manzano
- Instituto
de Parasitología y Biomedicina “Löpez Neyra”,
IPBLN-CSIC, Parque Tecnolögico
de Ciencias de la Salud, 18016 Granada, Spain
| | - Damien Kraeutler
- Instituto
de Química Médica, IQM−CSIC, Juan de la Cierva 3, E-28006 Madrid, Spain
| | - Marzuq A. Ungogo
- Institute
of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary
and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, G12 8TA Glasgow, U.K.
| | - Maha A. Aloraini
- Institute
of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary
and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, G12 8TA Glasgow, U.K.
| | - Hamza A. A. Elati
- Institute
of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary
and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, G12 8TA Glasgow, U.K.
| | - Alexandra Ibáñez-Escribano
- Departamento
de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), Plaza de Ramón y Cajal s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Laura Lagartera
- Instituto
de Química Médica, IQM−CSIC, Juan de la Cierva 3, E-28006 Madrid, Spain
| | - Tomás Herraiz
- Instituto
de Ciencia y Tecnología de Alimentos y Nutrición, ICTAN−CSIC, José Antonio Novais 10, Ciudad
Universitaria, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Francisco Gamarro
- Instituto
de Parasitología y Biomedicina “Löpez Neyra”,
IPBLN-CSIC, Parque Tecnolögico
de Ciencias de la Salud, 18016 Granada, Spain
| | - Harry P. de Koning
- Institute
of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary
and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, G12 8TA Glasgow, U.K.
| | - Alicia Gómez-Barrio
- Departamento
de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), Plaza de Ramón y Cajal s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
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31
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Rogers I, Berg K, Ramirez H, Hovel-Miner GA. Fexinidazole induced cytotoxicity is distinct from related anti-trypanosome nitroaromatic drugs. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.10.09.561529. [PMID: 37873123 PMCID: PMC10592674 DOI: 10.1101/2023.10.09.561529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
Nitroaromatic drugs are of critical importance for the treatment of trypanosome infections in Africa and the Americas. Fexinidazole recently joined benznidazole and nifurtimox in this family when it was approved as the first oral therapy against Human African trypanosomiasis (HAT). Nitroaromatic prodrugs are bioactivated by the trypanosome-specific type I nitroreductase (NTR) enzyme that renders the compounds trypanocidal. A caveat to the specificity of NTR activation is the potential for drug resistance and cross-resistance that can arise if NTR expression or functionality is altered through mutation. The outcomes of NTR bioactivation of nitroaromatic compounds is variable but can include the formation highly reactive open chain nitriles that can damage biomolecules including DNA. A proposed mechanism of action of nitroaromatic compounds is the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) resulting in the formation of trypanocidal levels of DNA damage. Fexinidazole made its way to clinical approval without a significant interrogation of its effects on trypanosome biology and a limited understanding of its mechanism of action. Early reports mentioned fexinidazole potentially affects DNA synthesis but without supporting data. In this study, we evaluated and compared the cytotoxic effects of nifurtimox, benznidazole, and fexinidazole on Trypanosoma brucei using in vitro analyses. Specifically, we sought to differentiate between the proposed effects of nitroaromatics on DNA damage and DNA synthesis. Toward this goal we generated a novel γH2A-based flow cytometry assay that reports DNA damage formation in conjunction with cell cycle progression. Here we report that fexinidazole's cytotoxic outcomes are distinct from the related drugs nifurtimox and benznidazole. Specifically, we show that fexinidazole treatment results in a pronounced defect in DNA synthesis that reduces the population of parasites in S phase. In contrast, treatment with nifurtimox and benznidazole appear accumulate DNA damage early in cell cycle and result in a defective G 2 population. The findings presented here bring us closer to understanding the anti-trypanosomatid mechanisms of action of nitroaromatic compounds, which will promote improved drug design and help combat potential drug resistance in the future. Our findings also highlight DNA synthesis inhibition as a powerful anti-parasitic drug target.
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32
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Padilla‐Mejia NE, Field MC. Evolutionary, structural and functional insights in nuclear organisation and nucleocytoplasmic transport in trypanosomes. FEBS Lett 2023; 597:2501-2518. [PMID: 37789516 PMCID: PMC10953052 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.14747] [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: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023]
Abstract
One of the remarkable features of eukaryotes is the nucleus, delimited by the nuclear envelope (NE), a complex structure and home to the nuclear lamina and nuclear pore complex (NPC). For decades, these structures were believed to be mainly architectural elements and, in the case of the NPC, simply facilitating nucleocytoplasmic trafficking. More recently, the critical roles of the lamina, NPC and other NE constituents in genome organisation, maintaining chromosomal domains and regulating gene expression have been recognised. Importantly, mutations in genes encoding lamina and NPC components lead to pathogenesis in humans, while pathogenic protozoa disrupt the progression of normal development and expression of pathogenesis-related genes. Here, we review features of the lamina and NPC across eukaryotes and discuss how these elements are structured in trypanosomes, protozoa of high medical and veterinary importance, highlighting lineage-specific and conserved aspects of nuclear organisation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mark C. Field
- School of Life SciencesUniversity of DundeeUK
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology CentreCzech Academy of SciencesČeské BudějoviceCzechia
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33
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Deák G, Wapenaar H, Sandoval G, Chen R, Taylor MRD, Burdett H, Watson J, Tuijtel M, Webb S, Wilson M. Histone divergence in trypanosomes results in unique alterations to nucleosome structure. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:7882-7899. [PMID: 37427792 PMCID: PMC10450195 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Eukaryotes have a multitude of diverse mechanisms for organising and using their genomes, but the histones that make up chromatin are highly conserved. Unusually, histones from kinetoplastids are highly divergent. The structural and functional consequences of this variation are unknown. Here, we have biochemically and structurally characterised nucleosome core particles (NCPs) from the kinetoplastid parasite Trypanosoma brucei. A structure of the T. brucei NCP reveals that global histone architecture is conserved, but specific sequence alterations lead to distinct DNA and protein interaction interfaces. The T. brucei NCP is unstable and has weakened overall DNA binding. However, dramatic changes at the H2A-H2B interface introduce local reinforcement of DNA contacts. The T. brucei acidic patch has altered topology and is refractory to known binders, indicating that the nature of chromatin interactions in T. brucei may be unique. Overall, our results provide a detailed molecular basis for understanding evolutionary divergence in chromatin structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gauri Deák
- Wellcome Centre for Cell Biology, University of Edinburgh, Michael Swann Building, Kings Buildings, Mayfield Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JR, UK
| | - Hannah Wapenaar
- Wellcome Centre for Cell Biology, University of Edinburgh, Michael Swann Building, Kings Buildings, Mayfield Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JR, UK
| | - Gorka Sandoval
- Wellcome Centre for Cell Biology, University of Edinburgh, Michael Swann Building, Kings Buildings, Mayfield Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JR, UK
| | - Ruofan Chen
- Wellcome Centre for Cell Biology, University of Edinburgh, Michael Swann Building, Kings Buildings, Mayfield Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JR, UK
| | - Mark R D Taylor
- Wellcome Centre for Cell Biology, University of Edinburgh, Michael Swann Building, Kings Buildings, Mayfield Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JR, UK
| | - Hayden Burdett
- Wellcome Centre for Cell Biology, University of Edinburgh, Michael Swann Building, Kings Buildings, Mayfield Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JR, UK
| | - James A Watson
- Wellcome Centre for Cell Biology, University of Edinburgh, Michael Swann Building, Kings Buildings, Mayfield Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JR, UK
| | - Maarten W Tuijtel
- Wellcome Centre for Cell Biology, University of Edinburgh, Michael Swann Building, Kings Buildings, Mayfield Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JR, UK
- Department of Molecular Sociology, Max Planck Institute of Biophysics, Max-von-Laue-Straße 3, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Shaun Webb
- Wellcome Centre for Cell Biology, University of Edinburgh, Michael Swann Building, Kings Buildings, Mayfield Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JR, UK
| | - Marcus D Wilson
- Wellcome Centre for Cell Biology, University of Edinburgh, Michael Swann Building, Kings Buildings, Mayfield Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JR, UK
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34
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Thomas M, McGonagle K, Rowland P, Robinson DA, Dodd PG, Camino-Díaz I, Campbell L, Cantizani J, Castañeda P, Conn D, Craggs PD, Edwards D, Ferguson L, Fosberry A, Frame L, Goswami P, Hu X, Korczynska J, MacLean L, Martin J, Mutter N, Osuna-Cabello M, Paterson C, Peña I, Pinto EG, Pont C, Riley J, Shishikura Y, Simeons FRC, Stojanovski L, Thomas J, Wrobel K, Young RJ, Zmuda F, Zuccotto F, Read KD, Gilbert IH, Marco M, Miles TJ, Manzano P, De Rycker M. Structure-Guided Design and Synthesis of a Pyridazinone Series of Trypanosoma cruzi Proteasome Inhibitors. J Med Chem 2023; 66:10413-10431. [PMID: 37506194 PMCID: PMC10424187 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c00582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
There is an urgent need for new treatments for Chagas disease, a parasitic infection which mostly impacts South and Central America. We previously reported on the discovery of GSK3494245/DDD01305143, a preclinical candidate for visceral leishmaniasis which acted through inhibition of the Leishmania proteasome. A related analogue, active against Trypanosoma cruzi, showed suboptimal efficacy in an animal model of Chagas disease, so alternative proteasome inhibitors were investigated. Screening a library of phenotypically active analogues against the T. cruzi proteasome identified an active, selective pyridazinone, the development of which is described herein. We obtained a cryo-EM co-structure of proteasome and a key inhibitor and used this to drive optimization of the compounds. Alongside this, optimization of the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) properties afforded a suitable compound for mouse efficacy studies. The outcome of these studies is discussed, alongside future plans to further understand the series and its potential to deliver a new treatment for Chagas disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael
G. Thomas
- Drug
Discovery Unit, University of Dundee, School
of Life Sciences, Dow Street, Dundee, U.K., DD1 5EH
| | - Kate McGonagle
- Drug
Discovery Unit, University of Dundee, School
of Life Sciences, Dow Street, Dundee, U.K., DD1 5EH
| | - Paul Rowland
- GlaxoSmithKline,
Chemistry, Medicines Research Centre, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, U.K., SG1 2NY
| | - David A. Robinson
- Drug
Discovery Unit, University of Dundee, School
of Life Sciences, Dow Street, Dundee, U.K., DD1 5EH
| | - Peter G. Dodd
- Drug
Discovery Unit, University of Dundee, School
of Life Sciences, Dow Street, Dundee, U.K., DD1 5EH
| | - Isabel Camino-Díaz
- GlaxoSmithKline,
Discovery DMPK, IVIVT, Severo Ochoa 2, PTM, Tres Cantos, Madrid ES 28760, Spain
| | - Lorna Campbell
- Drug
Discovery Unit, University of Dundee, School
of Life Sciences, Dow Street, Dundee, U.K., DD1 5EH
| | - Juan Cantizani
- GlaxoSmithKline,
Global Health R&D, Severo Ochoa 2, PTM, Tres Cantos, Madrid ES 28760, Spain
| | - Pablo Castañeda
- GlaxoSmithKline,
Discovery DMPK, IVIVT, Severo Ochoa 2, PTM, Tres Cantos, Madrid ES 28760, Spain
| | - Daniel Conn
- GlaxoSmithKline,
Chemistry, Medicines Research Centre, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, U.K., SG1 2NY
| | - Peter D. Craggs
- GlaxoSmithKline,
Chemistry, Medicines Research Centre, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, U.K., SG1 2NY
| | - Darren Edwards
- Drug
Discovery Unit, University of Dundee, School
of Life Sciences, Dow Street, Dundee, U.K., DD1 5EH
| | - Liam Ferguson
- Drug
Discovery Unit, University of Dundee, School
of Life Sciences, Dow Street, Dundee, U.K., DD1 5EH
| | - Andrew Fosberry
- GlaxoSmithKline,
Chemistry, Medicines Research Centre, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, U.K., SG1 2NY
| | - Laura Frame
- Drug
Discovery Unit, University of Dundee, School
of Life Sciences, Dow Street, Dundee, U.K., DD1 5EH
| | - Panchali Goswami
- GlaxoSmithKline,
Chemistry, Medicines Research Centre, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, U.K., SG1 2NY
| | - Xiao Hu
- Drug
Discovery Unit, University of Dundee, School
of Life Sciences, Dow Street, Dundee, U.K., DD1 5EH
| | - Justyna Korczynska
- GlaxoSmithKline,
Chemistry, Medicines Research Centre, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, U.K., SG1 2NY
| | - Lorna MacLean
- Drug
Discovery Unit, University of Dundee, School
of Life Sciences, Dow Street, Dundee, U.K., DD1 5EH
| | - Julio Martin
- GlaxoSmithKline,
Global Health R&D, Severo Ochoa 2, PTM, Tres Cantos, Madrid ES 28760, Spain
| | - Nicole Mutter
- Drug
Discovery Unit, University of Dundee, School
of Life Sciences, Dow Street, Dundee, U.K., DD1 5EH
| | - Maria Osuna-Cabello
- Drug
Discovery Unit, University of Dundee, School
of Life Sciences, Dow Street, Dundee, U.K., DD1 5EH
| | - Christy Paterson
- Drug
Discovery Unit, University of Dundee, School
of Life Sciences, Dow Street, Dundee, U.K., DD1 5EH
| | - Imanol Peña
- GlaxoSmithKline,
Global Health R&D, Severo Ochoa 2, PTM, Tres Cantos, Madrid ES 28760, Spain
| | - Erika G. Pinto
- Drug
Discovery Unit, University of Dundee, School
of Life Sciences, Dow Street, Dundee, U.K., DD1 5EH
| | - Caterina Pont
- Drug
Discovery Unit, University of Dundee, School
of Life Sciences, Dow Street, Dundee, U.K., DD1 5EH
| | - Jennifer Riley
- Drug
Discovery Unit, University of Dundee, School
of Life Sciences, Dow Street, Dundee, U.K., DD1 5EH
| | - Yoko Shishikura
- Drug
Discovery Unit, University of Dundee, School
of Life Sciences, Dow Street, Dundee, U.K., DD1 5EH
| | - Frederick R. C. Simeons
- Drug
Discovery Unit, University of Dundee, School
of Life Sciences, Dow Street, Dundee, U.K., DD1 5EH
| | - Laste Stojanovski
- Drug
Discovery Unit, University of Dundee, School
of Life Sciences, Dow Street, Dundee, U.K., DD1 5EH
| | - John Thomas
- Drug
Discovery Unit, University of Dundee, School
of Life Sciences, Dow Street, Dundee, U.K., DD1 5EH
| | - Karolina Wrobel
- Drug
Discovery Unit, University of Dundee, School
of Life Sciences, Dow Street, Dundee, U.K., DD1 5EH
| | | | - Filip Zmuda
- Drug
Discovery Unit, University of Dundee, School
of Life Sciences, Dow Street, Dundee, U.K., DD1 5EH
| | - Fabio Zuccotto
- Drug
Discovery Unit, University of Dundee, School
of Life Sciences, Dow Street, Dundee, U.K., DD1 5EH
| | - Kevin D. Read
- Drug
Discovery Unit, University of Dundee, School
of Life Sciences, Dow Street, Dundee, U.K., DD1 5EH
| | - Ian H. Gilbert
- Drug
Discovery Unit, University of Dundee, School
of Life Sciences, Dow Street, Dundee, U.K., DD1 5EH
| | - Maria Marco
- GlaxoSmithKline,
Global Health R&D, Severo Ochoa 2, PTM, Tres Cantos, Madrid ES 28760, Spain
| | - Timothy J. Miles
- GlaxoSmithKline,
Global Health R&D, Severo Ochoa 2, PTM, Tres Cantos, Madrid ES 28760, Spain
| | - Pilar Manzano
- GlaxoSmithKline,
Global Health R&D, Severo Ochoa 2, PTM, Tres Cantos, Madrid ES 28760, Spain
| | - Manu De Rycker
- Drug
Discovery Unit, University of Dundee, School
of Life Sciences, Dow Street, Dundee, U.K., DD1 5EH
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35
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Zheng Y, van den Kerkhof M, van der Meer T, Gul S, Kuzikov M, Ellinger B, de Esch IJP, Siderius M, Matheeussen A, Maes L, Sterk GJ, Caljon G, Leurs R. Discovery of 5-Phenylpyrazolopyrimidinone Analogs as Potent Antitrypanosomal Agents with In Vivo Efficacy. J Med Chem 2023; 66:10252-10264. [PMID: 37471520 PMCID: PMC10424178 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c00161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT), caused by Trypanosoma brucei, is one of the neglected tropical diseases with a continuing need for new medication. We here describe the discovery of 5-phenylpyrazolopyrimidinone analogs as a novel series of phenotypic antitrypanosomal agents. The most potent compound, 30 (NPD-2975), has an in vitro IC50 of 70 nM against T. b. brucei with no apparent toxicity against human MRC-5 lung fibroblasts. Showing good physicochemical properties, low toxicity potential, acceptable metabolic stability, and other pharmacokinetic features, 30 was further evaluated in an acute mouse model of T. b. brucei infection. After oral dosing at 50 mg/kg twice per day for five consecutive days, all infected mice were cured. Given its good drug-like properties and high in vivo antitrypanosomal potential, the 5-phenylpyrazolopyrimidinone analog 30 represents a promising lead for future drug development to treat HAT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Zheng
- Amsterdam
Institute for Molecules, Medicines and Systems, Division of Medicinal
Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit
Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1108, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Magali van den Kerkhof
- Laboratory
of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH), University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Tiffany van der Meer
- Amsterdam
Institute for Molecules, Medicines and Systems, Division of Medicinal
Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit
Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1108, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Sheraz Gul
- Fraunhofer
Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, 22525 Hamburg, Germany
- Fraunhofer
Cluster of Excellence for Immune-Mediated Diseases CIMD, 22525 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Maria Kuzikov
- Fraunhofer
Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, 22525 Hamburg, Germany
- Fraunhofer
Cluster of Excellence for Immune-Mediated Diseases CIMD, 22525 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Bernhard Ellinger
- Fraunhofer
Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, 22525 Hamburg, Germany
- Fraunhofer
Cluster of Excellence for Immune-Mediated Diseases CIMD, 22525 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Iwan J. P. de Esch
- Amsterdam
Institute for Molecules, Medicines and Systems, Division of Medicinal
Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit
Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1108, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Marco Siderius
- Amsterdam
Institute for Molecules, Medicines and Systems, Division of Medicinal
Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit
Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1108, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - An Matheeussen
- Laboratory
of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH), University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Louis Maes
- Laboratory
of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH), University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Geert Jan Sterk
- Amsterdam
Institute for Molecules, Medicines and Systems, Division of Medicinal
Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit
Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1108, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Guy Caljon
- Laboratory
of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH), University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Rob Leurs
- Amsterdam
Institute for Molecules, Medicines and Systems, Division of Medicinal
Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit
Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1108, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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36
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Jamabo M, Mahlalela M, Edkins AL, Boshoff A. Tackling Sleeping Sickness: Current and Promising Therapeutics and Treatment Strategies. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12529. [PMID: 37569903 PMCID: PMC10420020 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241512529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Revised: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Human African trypanosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease caused by the extracellular protozoan parasite Trypanosoma brucei, and targeted for eradication by 2030. The COVID-19 pandemic contributed to the lengthening of the proposed time frame for eliminating human African trypanosomiasis as control programs were interrupted. Armed with extensive antigenic variation and the depletion of the B cell population during an infectious cycle, attempts to develop a vaccine have remained unachievable. With the absence of a vaccine, control of the disease has relied heavily on intensive screening measures and the use of drugs. The chemotherapeutics previously available for disease management were plagued by issues such as toxicity, resistance, and difficulty in administration. The approval of the latest and first oral drug, fexinidazole, is a major chemotherapeutic achievement for the treatment of human African trypanosomiasis in the past few decades. Timely and accurate diagnosis is essential for effective treatment, while poor compliance and resistance remain outstanding challenges. Drug discovery is on-going, and herein we review the recent advances in anti-trypanosomal drug discovery, including novel potential drug targets. The numerous challenges associated with disease eradication will also be addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miebaka Jamabo
- Biotechnology Innovation Centre, Rhodes University, Makhanda 6139, South Africa; (M.J.); (M.M.)
| | - Maduma Mahlalela
- Biotechnology Innovation Centre, Rhodes University, Makhanda 6139, South Africa; (M.J.); (M.M.)
| | - Adrienne L. Edkins
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Biomedical Biotechnology Research Centre (BioBRU), Rhodes University, Makhanda 6139, South Africa;
| | - Aileen Boshoff
- Biotechnology Innovation Centre, Rhodes University, Makhanda 6139, South Africa; (M.J.); (M.M.)
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37
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Lemos JM, Brito da Silva MF, Dos Santos Carvalho AM, Vicente Gil HP, Fiaia Costa VA, Andrade CH, Braga RC, Grellier P, Muratov EN, Charneau S, Moreira-Filho JT, Dourado Bastos IM, Neves BJ. Multitask learning-driven identification of novel antitrypanosomal compounds. Future Med Chem 2023; 15:1449-1467. [PMID: 37701989 DOI: 10.4155/fmc-2023-0074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Chagas disease and human African trypanosomiasis cause substantial death and morbidity, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, making the need for novel drugs urgent. Methodology & results: Therefore, an explainable multitask pipeline to profile the activity of compounds against three trypanosomes (Trypanosoma brucei brucei, Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense and Trypanosoma cruzi) were created. These models successfully discovered four new experimental hits (LC-3, LC-4, LC-6 and LC-15). Among them, LC-6 showed promising results, with IC50 values ranging 0.01-0.072 μM and selectivity indices >10,000. Conclusion: These results demonstrate that the multitask protocol offers predictivity and interpretability in the virtual screening of new antitrypanosomal compounds and has the potential to improve hit rates in Chagas and human African trypanosomiasis projects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jade Milhomem Lemos
- LabChem - Laboratory of Cheminformatics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia,74605-170, GO, Brazil
| | - Meryck Felipe Brito da Silva
- LabChem - Laboratory of Cheminformatics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia,74605-170, GO, Brazil
| | - Alexandra Maria Dos Santos Carvalho
- Pathogen-Host Interface Laboratory, Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, 70910-900, DF, Brazil
| | - Henric Pietro Vicente Gil
- LabChem - Laboratory of Cheminformatics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia,74605-170, GO, Brazil
| | - Vinícius Alexandre Fiaia Costa
- LabChem - Laboratory of Cheminformatics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia,74605-170, GO, Brazil
| | - Carolina Horta Andrade
- LabMol - Laboratory for Molecular Modeling & Drug Design, Faculty of Pharmacy, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, 74605-170, GO, Brazil
| | - Rodolpho Campos Braga
- InsilicAll Ltda, Av. Eng. Luis Carlos Berrini,1748 - Itaim Bibi, 04571-010, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Philippe Grellier
- UMR 7245 Molécules de Communication et Adaptation des Micro-organismes, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Équipe Parasites et Protistes Libres, Paris, 0575231, France
| | - Eugene N Muratov
- Laboratory for Molecular Modeling, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, 27599, NC, USA
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Paraiba, Joao Pessoa, 58059-900, PB, Brazil
| | - Sébastien Charneau
- Department of Cell Biology, Laboratory of Biochemistry & Protein Chemistry, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, 70910-900, DF, Brazil
| | - José Teófilo Moreira-Filho
- LabMol - Laboratory for Molecular Modeling & Drug Design, Faculty of Pharmacy, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, 74605-170, GO, Brazil
| | - Izabela Marques Dourado Bastos
- Pathogen-Host Interface Laboratory, Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, 70910-900, DF, Brazil
| | - Bruno Junior Neves
- LabChem - Laboratory of Cheminformatics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia,74605-170, GO, Brazil
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38
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Porta EOJ, Kalesh K, Steel PG. Navigating drug repurposing for Chagas disease: advances, challenges, and opportunities. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1233253. [PMID: 37576826 PMCID: PMC10416112 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1233253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease is a vector-borne illness caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi). It poses a significant public health burden, particularly in the poorest regions of Latin America. Currently, there is no available vaccine, and chemotherapy has been the traditional treatment for Chagas disease. However, the treatment options are limited to just two outdated medicines, nifurtimox and benznidazole, which have serious side effects and low efficacy, especially during the chronic phase of the disease. Collectively, this has led the World Health Organization to classify it as a neglected disease. To address this problem, new drug regimens are urgently needed. Drug repurposing, which involves the use of existing drugs already approved for the treatment of other diseases, represents an increasingly important option. This approach offers potential cost reduction in new drug discovery processes and can address pharmaceutical bottlenecks in the development of drugs for Chagas disease. In this review, we discuss the state-of-the-art of drug repurposing approaches, including combination therapy with existing drugs, to overcome the formidable challenges associated with treating Chagas disease. Organized by original therapeutic area, we describe significant recent advances, as well as the challenges in this field. In particular, we identify candidates that exhibit potential for heightened efficacy and reduced toxicity profiles with the ultimate objective of accelerating the development of new, safe, and effective treatments for Chagas disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Karunakaran Kalesh
- School of Health and Life Sciences, Teesside University, Middlesbrough, United Kingdom
- National Horizons Centre, Darlington, United Kingdom
| | - Patrick G. Steel
- Department of Chemistry, Durham University, Durham, United Kingdom
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39
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Laureano de Souza M, Lapierre TJWJD, Vitor de Lima Marques G, Ferraz WR, Penteado AB, Henrique Goulart Trossini G, Murta SMF, de Oliveira RB, de Oliveira Rezende C, Ferreira RS. Molecular targets for Chagas disease: validation, challenges and lead compounds for widely exploited targets. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2023; 27:911-925. [PMID: 37772733 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2023.2264512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/30/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Chagas disease (CD) imposes social and economic burdens, yet the available treatments have limited efficacy in the disease's chronic phase and cause serious adverse effects. To address this challenge, target-based approaches are a possible strategy to develop new, safe, and active treatments for both phases of the disease. AREAS COVERED This review delves into target-based approaches applied to CD drug discovery, emphasizing the studies from the last five years. We highlight the proteins cruzain (CZ), trypanothione reductase (TR), sterol 14 α-demethylase (CPY51), iron superoxide dismutase (Fe-SOD), proteasome, cytochrome b (Cytb), and cleavage and polyadenylation specificity factor 3 (CPSF3), chosen based on their biological and chemical validation as drug targets. For each, we discuss its biological relevance and validation as a target, currently related challenges, and the status of the most promising inhibitors. EXPERT OPINION Target-based approaches toward developing potential CD therapeutics have yielded promising leads in recent years. We expect a significant advance in this field in the next decade, fueled by the new options for Trypanosoma cruzi genetic manipulation that arose in the past decade, combined with recent advances in computational chemistry and chemical biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Laureano de Souza
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | | | - Gabriel Vitor de Lima Marques
- Departamento de Produtos Farmacêuticos, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Witor Ribeiro Ferraz
- Departamento de Farmacia, Faculdade de Ciencias Farmacêuticas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - André Berndt Penteado
- Departamento de Farmacia, Faculdade de Ciencias Farmacêuticas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | - Renata Barbosa de Oliveira
- Departamento de Produtos Farmacêuticos, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | | | - Rafaela Salgado Ferreira
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Brazil
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40
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Aphasizhev R, Aphasizheva I. A new class of antiparasitic drugs. Science 2023; 380:1320-1321. [PMID: 37384682 PMCID: PMC10690620 DOI: 10.1126/science.adi5925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/01/2023]
Abstract
Cyanotriazole compounds "poison" topoisomerase II of pathogenic trypanosomatids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruslan Aphasizhev
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Boston University Medical Campus, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Inna Aphasizheva
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Boston University Medical Campus, Boston, MA, USA
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41
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Monti L, Di Antonio M. G-Quadruplexes as Key Transcriptional Regulators in Neglected Trypanosomatid Parasites. Chembiochem 2023; 24:e202300265. [PMID: 37146230 PMCID: PMC10946822 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202300265] [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: 04/01/2023] [Revised: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
G-quadruplexes (G4s) are nucleic acid secondary structures that have been linked to the functional regulation of eukaryotic organisms. G4s have been extensively characterised in humans and emerging evidence suggests that they might also be biologically relevant for human pathogens. This indicates that G4s might represent a novel class of therapeutic targets for tackling infectious diseases. Bioinformatic studies revealed a high prevalence of putative quadruplex-forming sequences (PQSs) in the genome of protozoans, which highlights their potential roles in regulating vital processes of these parasites, including DNA transcription and replication. In this work, we focus on the neglected trypanosomatid parasites, Trypanosoma and Leishmania spp., which cause debilitating and deadly diseases across the poorest populations worldwide. We review three examples where G4-formation might be key to modulate transcriptional activity in trypanosomatids, providing an overview of experimental approaches that can be used to exploit the regulatory roles and relevance of these structures to fight parasitic infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ludovica Monti
- Chemistry Department, Imperial College LondonMolecular Sciences Research Hub82 Wood LaneW12 0BZLondonUK
| | - Marco Di Antonio
- Chemistry Department, Imperial College LondonMolecular Sciences Research Hub82 Wood LaneW12 0BZLondonUK
- The Francis Crick Institute1 Midland RoadNW1 1ATLondonUK
- The Institute of Chemical BiologyMolecular Sciences Research Hub82 Wood LaneW12 0BZLondonUK
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42
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Gabaldón-Figueira JC, Martinez-Peinado N, Escabia E, Ros-Lucas A, Chatelain E, Scandale I, Gascon J, Pinazo MJ, Alonso-Padilla J. State-of-the-Art in the Drug Discovery Pathway for Chagas Disease: A Framework for Drug Development and Target Validation. Res Rep Trop Med 2023; 14:1-19. [PMID: 37337597 PMCID: PMC10277022 DOI: 10.2147/rrtm.s415273] [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: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease is the most important protozoan infection in the Americas, and constitutes a significant public health concern throughout the world. Development of new medications against its etiologic agent, Trypanosoma cruzi, has been traditionally slow and difficult, lagging in comparison with diseases caused by other kinetoplastid parasites. Among the factors that explain this are the incompletely understood mechanisms of pathogenesis of T. cruzi infection and its complex set of interactions with the host in the chronic stage of the disease. These demand the performance of a variety of in vitro and in vivo assays as part of any drug development effort. In this review, we discuss recent breakthroughs in the understanding of the parasite's life cycle and their implications in the search for new chemotherapeutics. For this, we present a framework to guide drug discovery efforts against Chagas disease, considering state-of-the-art preclinical models and recently developed tools for the identification and validation of molecular targets.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nieves Martinez-Peinado
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic—University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Elisa Escabia
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic—University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Albert Ros-Lucas
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic—University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (CIBERINFEC, ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
| | - Eric Chatelain
- Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative (DNDi), Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Ivan Scandale
- Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative (DNDi), Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Joaquim Gascon
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic—University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (CIBERINFEC, ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
| | - María-Jesús Pinazo
- CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (CIBERINFEC, ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
- Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative (DNDi), Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Julio Alonso-Padilla
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic—University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (CIBERINFEC, ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
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43
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Dube P, Angula KT, Legoabe LJ, Jordaan A, Boitz Zarella JM, Warner DF, Doggett JS, Beteck RM. Quinolone-3-amidoalkanol: A New Class of Potent and Broad-Spectrum Antimicrobial Agent. ACS OMEGA 2023; 8:17086-17102. [PMID: 37214682 PMCID: PMC10193574 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c01406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Herein, we describe 39 novel quinolone compounds bearing a hydrophilic amine chain and varied substituted benzyloxy units. These compounds demonstrate broad-spectrum activities against acid-fast bacterium, Gram-positive and -negative bacteria, fungi, and leishmania parasite. Compound 30 maintained antitubercular activity against moxifloxacin-, isoniazid-, and rifampicin-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis, while 37 exhibited low micromolar activities (<1 μg/mL) against World Health Organization (WHO) critical pathogens: Cryptococcus neoformans, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Compounds in this study are metabolically robust, demonstrating % remnant of >98% after 30 min in the presence of human, rat, and mouse liver microsomes. Several compounds thus reported here are promising leads for the treatment of diseases caused by infectious agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phelelisiwe
S. Dube
- Centre
of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences, North-West University, Potchefstroom 2520, South Africa
| | - Klaudia T. Angula
- Centre
of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences, North-West University, Potchefstroom 2520, South Africa
| | - Lesetja J. Legoabe
- Centre
of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences, North-West University, Potchefstroom 2520, South Africa
| | - Audrey Jordaan
- SAMRC/NHLS/UCT
Molecular Mycobacteriology Research Unit, Department of Pathology, University of Cape Town Observatory, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
- Institute
of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, Cape Town 7701, South Africa
| | - Jan M. Boitz Zarella
- Division
of Infectious Diseases, VA Portland Healthcare
System, Portland, Oregon 97239, United States
| | - Digby F. Warner
- SAMRC/NHLS/UCT
Molecular Mycobacteriology Research Unit, Department of Pathology, University of Cape Town Observatory, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
- Institute
of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, Cape Town 7701, South Africa
- Wellcome
Centre for Infectious Diseases Research in Africa (CIDRI-Africa),
Faculty of Health Sciences, University of
Cape Town, Rondebosch, Cape Town 7701, South Africa
| | - J. Stone Doggett
- Division
of Infectious Diseases, VA Portland Healthcare
System, Portland, Oregon 97239, United States
| | - Richard M. Beteck
- Centre
of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences, North-West University, Potchefstroom 2520, South Africa
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44
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Bernal FA, Schmidt TJ. A QSAR Study for Antileishmanial 2-Phenyl-2,3-dihydrobenzofurans †. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28083399. [PMID: 37110632 PMCID: PMC10144340 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28083399] [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: 03/08/2023] [Revised: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis, a parasitic disease that represents a threat to the life of millions of people around the globe, is currently lacking effective treatments. We have previously reported on the antileishmanial activity of a series of synthetic 2-phenyl-2,3-dihydrobenzofurans and some qualitative structure-activity relationships within this set of neolignan analogues. Therefore, in the present study, various quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) models were created to explain and predict the antileishmanial activity of these compounds. Comparing the performance of QSAR models based on molecular descriptors and multiple linear regression, random forest, and support vector regression with models based on 3D molecular structures and their interaction fields (MIFs) with partial least squares regression, it turned out that the latter (i.e., 3D-QSAR models) were clearly superior to the former. MIF analysis for the best-performing and statistically most robust 3D-QSAR model revealed the most important structural features required for antileishmanial activity. Thus, this model can guide decision-making during further development by predicting the activity of potentially new leishmanicidal dihydrobenzofurans before synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Freddy A Bernal
- University of Münster, Institute of Pharmaceutical Biology and Phytochemistry (IPBP), PharmaCampus-Corrensstraße 48, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Thomas J Schmidt
- University of Münster, Institute of Pharmaceutical Biology and Phytochemistry (IPBP), PharmaCampus-Corrensstraße 48, 48149 Münster, Germany
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45
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Lopes MEASA, Ribeiro JM, Teixeira-Carvalho A, Murta SMF, Souza-Fagundes EM. A functional assay using human whole blood and flow cytometry analysis to evaluate cytotoxicity and immunomodulatory effect of anti-Trypanosoma cruzi drugs. Exp Parasitol 2023; 247:108490. [PMID: 36809831 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2023.108490] [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: 07/13/2022] [Revised: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/21/2023]
Abstract
The discovery and development of new drugs for the treatment of Chagas disease is urgent due to the high toxicity and low cure efficacy, mainly during the chronic phase of this disease. Other chemotherapeutic approaches for Chagas disease treatment are being researched and require screening assays suitable for evaluating the effectivity of new biologically active compounds. This study aims to evaluate a functional assay using the internalization of epimastigotes forms of Trypanosoma cruzi by human peripheral blood leukocytes from healthy volunteers and analyses by flow cytometry of cytotoxicity, anti-T. cruzi activity, and immunomodulatory effect of benznidazole, ravuconazole, and posaconazole. The culture supernatant was used to measure cytokines (IL-1-β, IL-6, INF-γ, TNF and IL-10) and chemokines (MCP-1/CCL2, CCL5/RANTES and CXCL8/IL-8). The data showed a reduction in the internalization of T. cruzi epimastigote forms treated with ravuconazole, demonstrating its potential anti-T. cruzi activity. In addition, an increased amount of IL-10 and TNF cytokines was observed in the supernatant of cultures upon the addition of the drug, mainly IL-10 in the presence of benznidazole, ravuconazole and posaconazole, and TNF in the presence of ravuconazole and posaconazole. Moreover, the results revealed a decrease in the MCP-1/CCL2 index in cultures in the presence of benznidazole, ravuconazole, and posaconazole. A decrease in the CCL5/RANTES and CXCL8/IL-8 index in cultures with BZ, when compared to the culture without drugs, was also observed. In conclusion, the innovative functional test proposed in this study may be a valuable tool as a confirmatory test for selecting promising compounds identified in prospecting programs for new drugs for Chagas disease treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Eduarda A S A Lopes
- Grupo de Genômica Funcional de Parasitos, Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-FIOCRUZ, 30190-002, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Juliana M Ribeiro
- Grupo de Genômica Funcional de Parasitos, Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-FIOCRUZ, 30190-002, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Andréa Teixeira-Carvalho
- Grupo Integrado de Pesquisas em Biomarcadores, Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-FIOCRUZ, 30190-001, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Silvane M F Murta
- Grupo de Genômica Funcional de Parasitos, Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-FIOCRUZ, 30190-002, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
| | - Elaine M Souza-Fagundes
- Departamento de Fisiologia e Biofísica, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
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46
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Bhakta S, Bhattacharya A. In silico evolutionary and structural analysis of cAMP response proteins (CARPs) from Leishmania major. Arch Microbiol 2023; 205:125. [PMID: 36941487 DOI: 10.1007/s00203-023-03463-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2023]
Abstract
With unidentified chemical triggers and novel-effectors, cAMP signaling is broadly noncanonical in kinetoplastida parasites. Though novel protein kinase A regulatory subunits (PKAR) have been identified earlier, cAMP Response Proteins (CARPs) have been identified as a unique and definite cAMP effector of trypanosomatids. CARP1-CARP4 emerged as critical regulatory components of cAMP signaling pathway in Trypanosoma with evidences that CARP3 can directly interact with a flagellar adenylate cyclase (AC). CARP-mediated regulations, identified so far, reflects the mechanistic diversity of cAMP signaling. Albeit the function of the orthologous is not yet delineated, in kinetoplastids like Leishmania, presence of CARP1, 2 and 4 orthologues suggests existence of conserved effector mechanisms. Targeting CARP orthologues in Leishmania, a comprehensive evolutionary analysis of CARPs have been aimed in this study which revealed phylogenetic relationship, codon adaptation and structural heterogeneity among the orthologues, warranting functional analysis in future to explore their involvement in infectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swarnav Bhakta
- Department of Biotechnology, Adamas University, Barasat-Barrackpore Rd., Kolkata, 700126, India
| | - Arijit Bhattacharya
- Department of Microbiology, Adamas University, Barasat-Barrackpore Rd., Kolkata, 700126, India.
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47
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Weinmann J, Kirchner L, Engstler M, Meinel L, Holzgrabe U. Design, synthesis and biological evaluations of quinolone amides against African trypanosomiasis with improved solubility. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 250:115176. [PMID: 36805945 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The human African trypanosomiasis is a devastating parasitic infection, which is caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma brucei and transmitted by the bite of the tsetse fly. An untreated infection usually results in death and only few drugs with significant drawbacks are currently available for treatment. Previous investigations revealed the quinolone amide MB007 as a lead compound with an excellent selectivity for T. b. brucei. Here, new quinolone amides were synthesized for deeper insights into the structure-activity relationship. Furthermore, the aqueous solubility of the compounds was analyzed, as the poor solubility of previous quinolone amides impeded in vivo studies for target identification. The biological evaluation led to the new lead structure 9f, which exhibits a promising in vitro activity against T. b. brucei (IC50 = 22 nM) and showed no cytotoxicity against macrophages. Moreover, compounds 10b and 10c were discovered, which possessed an improved solubility combined with a decent selectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua Weinmann
- Institute of Pharmacy and Food Chemistry, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Lukas Kirchner
- Institute of Pharmacy and Food Chemistry, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Markus Engstler
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Lorenz Meinel
- Institute of Pharmacy and Food Chemistry, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Ulrike Holzgrabe
- Institute of Pharmacy and Food Chemistry, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074, Würzburg, Germany.
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48
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Kruse E, Göringer HU. Nanopore-Based Direct RNA Sequencing of the Trypanosoma brucei Transcriptome Identifies Novel lncRNAs. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:genes14030610. [PMID: 36980882 PMCID: PMC10048164 DOI: 10.3390/genes14030610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2023] [Indexed: 03/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Trypanosomatids are single-cell eukaryotic parasites. Unlike higher eukaryotes, they control gene expression post-transcriptionally and not at the level of transcription initiation. This involves all known cellular RNA circuits, from mRNA processing to mRNA decay, to translation, in addition to a large panel of RNA-interacting proteins that modulate mRNA abundance. However, other forms of gene regulation, for example by lncRNAs, cannot be excluded. LncRNAs are poorly studied in trypanosomatids, with only a single lncRNA characterized to date. Furthermore, it is not clear whether the complete inventory of trypanosomatid lncRNAs is known, because of the inherent cDNA-recoding and DNA-amplification limitations of short-read RNA sequencing. Here, we overcome these limitations by using long-read direct RNA sequencing (DRS) on nanopore arrays. We analyze the native RNA pool of the two main lifecycle stages of the African trypanosome Trypanosoma brucei, with a special emphasis on the inventory of lncRNAs. We identify 207 previously unknown lncRNAs, 32 of which are stage-specifically expressed. We also present insights into the complexity of the T. brucei transcriptome, including alternative transcriptional start and stop sites and potential transcript isoforms, to provide a bias-free understanding of the intricate RNA landscape in T. brucei.
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49
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Targeting trypanosomes: how chemogenomics and artificial intelligence can guide drug discovery. Biochem Soc Trans 2023; 51:195-206. [PMID: 36606702 DOI: 10.1042/bst20220618] [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: 10/20/2022] [Revised: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Trypanosomatids are protozoan parasites that cause human and animal neglected diseases. Despite global efforts, effective treatments are still much needed. Phenotypic screens have provided several chemical leads for drug discovery, but the mechanism of action for many of these chemicals is currently unknown. Recently, chemogenomic screens assessing the susceptibility or resistance of parasites carrying genome-wide modifications started to define the mechanism of action of drugs at large scale. In this review, we discuss how genomics is being used for drug discovery in trypanosomatids, how integration of chemical and genomics data from these and other organisms has guided prioritisations of candidate therapeutic targets and additional chemical starting points, and how these data can fuel the expansion of drug discovery pipelines into the era of artificial intelligence.
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50
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Espinoza-Chávez R, Salerno A, Liuzzi A, Ilari A, Milelli A, Uliassi E, Bolognesi ML. Targeted Protein Degradation for Infectious Diseases: from Basic Biology to Drug Discovery. ACS BIO & MED CHEM AU 2023; 3:32-45. [PMID: 37101607 PMCID: PMC10125329 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomedchemau.2c00063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 04/28/2023]
Abstract
Targeted protein degradation (TPD) is emerging as one of the most innovative strategies to tackle infectious diseases. Particularly, proteolysis-targeting chimera (PROTAC)-mediated protein degradation may offer several benefits over classical anti-infective small-molecule drugs. Because of their peculiar and catalytic mechanism of action, anti-infective PROTACs might be advantageous in terms of efficacy, toxicity, and selectivity. Importantly, PROTACs may also overcome the emergence of antimicrobial resistance. Furthermore, anti-infective PROTACs might have the potential to (i) modulate "undruggable" targets, (ii) "recycle" inhibitors from classical drug discovery approaches, and (iii) open new scenarios for combination therapies. Here, we try to address these points by discussing selected case studies of antiviral PROTACs and the first-in-class antibacterial PROTACs. Finally, we discuss how the field of PROTAC-mediated TPD might be exploited in parasitic diseases. Since no antiparasitic PROTAC has been reported yet, we also describe the parasite proteasome system. While in its infancy and with many challenges ahead, we hope that PROTAC-mediated protein degradation for infectious diseases may lead to the development of next-generation anti-infective drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rocío
Marisol Espinoza-Chávez
- Department
of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater
Studiorum - University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Alessandra Salerno
- Department
of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater
Studiorum - University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Anastasia Liuzzi
- Institute
of Molecular Biology and Pathology of the Italian National Research
Council (IBPM-CNR) - Department of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Roma, Italy
| | - Andrea Ilari
- Institute
of Molecular Biology and Pathology of the Italian National Research
Council (IBPM-CNR) - Department of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Roma, Italy
| | - Andrea Milelli
- Department
for Life Quality Studies, Alma Mater Studiorum
- University of Bologna, Corso d’Augusto 237, 47921 Rimini, Italy
| | - Elisa Uliassi
- Department
of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater
Studiorum - University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Maria Laura Bolognesi
- Department
of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater
Studiorum - University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, 40126 Bologna, Italy
- E-mail:
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