1
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Alpizar-Sosa E, Zimbres FM, Mantilla BS, Dickie EA, Wei W, Burle-Caldas GA, Filipe LNS, Van Bocxlaer K, Price HP, Ibarra-Meneses AV, Beaudry F, Fernandez-Prada C, Whitfield PD, Barrett MP, Denny PW. Evaluation of the Leishmania Inositol Phosphorylceramide Synthase as a Drug Target Using a Chemical and Genetic Approach. ACS Infect Dis 2024; 10:2913-2928. [PMID: 39023360 PMCID: PMC11320567 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.4c00284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2024] [Revised: 07/01/2024] [Accepted: 07/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
The lack of effective vaccines and the development of resistance to the current treatments highlight the urgent need for new anti-leishmanials. Sphingolipid metabolism has been proposed as a promising source of Leishmania-specific targets as these lipids are key structural components of the eukaryotic plasma membrane and are involved in distinct cellular events. Inositol phosphorylceramide (IPC) is the primary sphingolipid in the Leishmania species and is the product of a reaction mediated by IPC synthase (IPCS). The antihistamine clemastine fumarate has been identified as an inhibitor of IPCS in L. major and a potent anti-leishmanial in vivo. Here we sought to further examine the target of this compound in the more tractable species L. mexicana, using an approach combining genomic, proteomic, metabolomic and lipidomic technologies, with molecular and biochemical studies. While the data demonstrated that the response to clemastine fumarate was largely conserved, unexpected disturbances beyond sphingolipid metabolism were identified. Furthermore, while deletion of the gene encoding LmxIPCS had little impact in vitro, it did influence clemastine fumarate efficacy and, importantly, in vivo pathogenicity. Together, these data demonstrate that clemastine does inhibit LmxIPCS and cause associated metabolic disturbances, but its primary target may lie elsewhere.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Flavia M. Zimbres
- Department
of Biosciences, University of Durham, South Road, Durham, DH1 3LE, U.K.
| | - Brian S. Mantilla
- Department
of Biosciences, University of Durham, South Road, Durham, DH1 3LE, U.K.
| | - Emily A. Dickie
- School
of Infection and Immunity, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life
Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, U.K.
| | - Wenbin Wei
- Department
of Biosciences, University of Durham, South Road, Durham, DH1 3LE, U.K.
| | - Gabriela A. Burle-Caldas
- Department
of Biosciences, University of Durham, South Road, Durham, DH1 3LE, U.K.
- Departamento
de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Universidade
Federal de Minas Gerais, Caixa Postal 486 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Laura N. S. Filipe
- Department
of Biosciences, University of Durham, South Road, Durham, DH1 3LE, U.K.
| | - Katrien Van Bocxlaer
- York
Biomedical Research Institute, Hull York Medical School, University of York, York YO10 5NG, U.K.
| | - Helen P. Price
- School
of Life Sciences, Keele University, Staffordshire, ST5 5BG, U.K.
| | - Ana V. Ibarra-Meneses
- Département
de Pathologie et Microbiologie, Faculté de Médecine
Vétérinaire, Université
de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec J2S 2M2, Canada
| | - Francis Beaudry
- Département
de Biomédecine, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec J2S 2M2, Canada
| | - Christopher Fernandez-Prada
- Département
de Pathologie et Microbiologie, Faculté de Médecine
Vétérinaire, Université
de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec J2S 2M2, Canada
| | - Philip D. Whitfield
- School
of Infection and Immunity, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life
Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, U.K.
| | - Michael P. Barrett
- School
of Infection and Immunity, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life
Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, U.K.
| | - Paul W. Denny
- Department
of Biosciences, University of Durham, South Road, Durham, DH1 3LE, U.K.
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2
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Casasampere M, Ung J, Iñáñez A, Dufau C, Tsuboi K, Casas J, Tan SF, Feith DJ, Andrieu-Abadie N, Segui B, Loughran TP, Abad JL, Fabrias G. A fluorogenic substrate for the detection of lipid amidases in intact cells. J Lipid Res 2024; 65:100520. [PMID: 38369184 PMCID: PMC10956054 DOI: 10.1016/j.jlr.2024.100520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Lipid amidases of therapeutic relevance include acid ceramidase (AC), N-acylethanolamine-hydrolyzing acid amidase, and fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH). Although fluorogenic substrates have been developed for the three enzymes and high-throughput methods for screening have been reported, a platform for the specific detection of these enzyme activities in intact cells is lacking. In this article, we report on the coumarinic 1-deoxydihydroceramide RBM1-151, a 1-deoxy derivative and vinilog of RBM14-C12, as a novel substrate of amidases. This compound is hydrolyzed by AC (appKm = 7.0 μM; appVmax = 99.3 nM/min), N-acylethanolamine-hydrolyzing acid amidase (appKm = 0.73 μM; appVmax = 0.24 nM/min), and FAAH (appKm = 3.6 μM; appVmax = 7.6 nM/min) but not by other ceramidases. We provide proof of concept that the use of RBM1-151 in combination with reported irreversible inhibitors of AC and FAAH allows the determination in parallel of the three amidase activities in single experiments in intact cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mireia Casasampere
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Research Unit on BioActive Molecules, Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC-CSIC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Johnson Ung
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA; Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Alejandro Iñáñez
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Research Unit on BioActive Molecules, Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC-CSIC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carine Dufau
- INSERM UMR 1037, Cancer Research Center of Toulouse (CRCT), Toulouse, France; Equipe Labellisée Fondation ARC pour la recherche sur le cancer, Toulouse, France
| | - Kazuhito Tsuboi
- Department of Pharmacology, Kawasaki Medical School, Kurashiki, Okayama, Japan
| | - Josefina Casas
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Research Unit on BioActive Molecules, Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC-CSIC), Barcelona, Spain; CIBEREHD, Madrid, Spain
| | - Su-Fern Tan
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA; University of Virginia Cancer Center, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - David J Feith
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA; University of Virginia Cancer Center, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Nathalie Andrieu-Abadie
- INSERM UMR 1037, Cancer Research Center of Toulouse (CRCT), Toulouse, France; Equipe Labellisée Fondation ARC pour la recherche sur le cancer, Toulouse, France
| | - Bruno Segui
- INSERM UMR 1037, Cancer Research Center of Toulouse (CRCT), Toulouse, France; Equipe Labellisée Fondation ARC pour la recherche sur le cancer, Toulouse, France; Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - Thomas P Loughran
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA; University of Virginia Cancer Center, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - José Luis Abad
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Research Unit on BioActive Molecules, Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC-CSIC), Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Gemma Fabrias
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Research Unit on BioActive Molecules, Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC-CSIC), Barcelona, Spain; CIBEREHD, Madrid, Spain; Spanish National Research Council (CSIC)'s Cancer Hub, Madrid, Spain.
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3
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Koutsogiannis Z, Mina JG, Albus CA, Kol MA, Holthuis JM, Pohl E, Denny PW. Toxoplasma ceramide synthases: Gene duplication, functional divergence, and roles in parasite fitness. FASEB J 2023; 37:e23229. [PMID: 37795915 PMCID: PMC10946778 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202201603rrr] [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: 10/05/2022] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate, intracellular apicomplexan protozoan parasite of both humans and animals that can cause fetal damage and abortion and severe disease in the immunosuppressed. Sphingolipids have indispensable functions as signaling molecules and are essential and ubiquitous components of eukaryotic membranes that are both synthesized and scavenged by the Apicomplexa. Ceramide is the precursor for all sphingolipids, and here we report the identification, localization and analyses of the Toxoplasma ceramide synthases TgCerS1 and TgCerS2. Interestingly, we observed that while TgCerS1 was a fully functional orthologue of the yeast ceramide synthase (Lag1p) capable of catalyzing the conversion of sphinganine to ceramide, in contrast TgCerS2 was catalytically inactive. Furthermore, genomic deletion of TgCerS1 using CRISPR/Cas-9 led to viable but slow-growing parasites indicating its importance but not indispensability. In contrast, genomic knock out of TgCerS2 was only accessible utilizing the rapamycin-inducible Cre recombinase system. Surprisingly, the results demonstrated that this "pseudo" ceramide synthase, TgCerS2, has a considerably greater role in parasite fitness than its catalytically active orthologue (TgCerS1). Phylogenetic analyses indicated that, as in humans and plants, the ceramide synthase isoforms found in Toxoplasma and other Apicomplexa may have arisen through gene duplication. However, in the Apicomplexa the duplicated copy is hypothesized to have subsequently evolved into a non-functional "pseudo" ceramide synthase. This arrangement is unique to the Apicomplexa and further illustrates the unusual biology that characterize these protozoan parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - John G. Mina
- Department of BiosciencesDurham UniversityDurhamUK
| | | | - Matthijs A. Kol
- Molecular Cell Biology Division, Department of Biology/ChemistryUniversity of OsnabrückOsnabrückGermany
| | - Joost C. M. Holthuis
- Molecular Cell Biology Division, Department of Biology/ChemistryUniversity of OsnabrückOsnabrückGermany
| | - Ehmke Pohl
- Department of BiosciencesDurham UniversityDurhamUK
- Department of ChemistryDurham UniversityDurhamUK
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4
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Wang X, Zhang Z, Peng W, Huang J, Yan X, Yao W, Ouyang J, Li S. Inositolphosphorylceramide synthases, OsIPCSs, regulate plant height in rice. PLANT SCIENCE : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL PLANT BIOLOGY 2023; 335:111798. [PMID: 37467787 DOI: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2023.111798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2023] [Revised: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Abstract
Inositolphosphorylceramide synthase (IPCS) catalyses ceramides and phosphatidylinositol (PI) into inositolphosphorylceramide (IPC), which is involved in the regulation of plant growth and development. A total of three OsIPCS family genes have been identified in rice. However, most of their functions remain unknown. Here, the functions of OsIPCSs were analyzed by CRISPR/Cas9 technology, lipidomics analysis, and transcriptomics analysis. Single-gene mutation of OsIPCSs resulted in dwarf phenotype. Among them, the phenotype of osipcs3 mutant was more severe. Multi-gene mutation of OsIPCS genes led to more severe phenotypes, indicating the additive effects of OsIPCSs. We further determined that a significant decrease in epidermal cell elongation of internode in the mutants. There was a significant decrease in the content of IPC detected in the osipcs2/3 and osipcs1/2/3 mutants. The contents of glycosyl inositol phosphoryl ceramide (GIPC) were also decreased by 20% and 10% in osipcs2/3 and osipcs1/2/3, respectively. The results of RNA-seq showed that numerous DEGs found to be associated with cellular component organization, anatomical structure morphogenesis, and cell growth in the osipcs2, osipcs2/3, and osipcs1/2/3. Taken together, OsIPCSs may be involved in the regulation of plant height through affecting cell growth and sphingolipid metabolism in rice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Wang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering of Jiangxi Province, School of Life Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China; Research Faculty of Agriculture, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-8589, Japan
| | - Zongfei Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering of Jiangxi Province, School of Life Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China
| | - Wei Peng
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering of Jiangxi Province, School of Life Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China
| | - Jinqiu Huang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering of Jiangxi Province, School of Life Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China
| | - Xin Yan
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering of Jiangxi Province, School of Life Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China
| | - Wen Yao
- National Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science, College of Life Sciences, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China
| | - Jiexiu Ouyang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering of Jiangxi Province, School of Life Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China.
| | - Shaobo Li
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering of Jiangxi Province, School of Life Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China.
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5
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Izquierdo E, López-Corrales M, Abad-Montero D, Rovira A, Fabriàs G, Bosch M, Abad JL, Marchán V. Fluorescently Labeled Ceramides and 1-Deoxyceramides: Synthesis, Characterization, and Cellular Distribution Studies. J Org Chem 2022; 87:16351-16367. [PMID: 36441972 PMCID: PMC9764360 DOI: 10.1021/acs.joc.2c02019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Ceramides (Cer) are bioactive sphingolipids that have been proposed as potential disease biomarkers since they are involved in several cellular stress responses, including apoptosis and senescence. 1-Deoxyceramides (1-deoxyCer), a particular subtype of noncanonical sphingolipids, have been linked to the pathogenesis of type II diabetes. To investigate the metabolism of these bioactive lipids, as well as to have a better understanding of the signaling processes where they participate, it is essential to expand the toolbox of fluorescent sphingolipid probes exhibiting complementary subcellular localization. Herein, we describe a series of new sphingolipid probes tagged with two different organic fluorophores, a far-red/NIR-emitting coumarin derivative (COUPY) and a green-emitting BODIPY. The assembly of the probes involved a combination of olefin cross metathesis and click chemistry reactions as key steps, and these fluorescent ceramide analogues exhibited excellent emission quantum yields, being the Stokes' shifts of the COUPY derivatives much higher than those of the BODIPY counterparts. Confocal microscopy studies in HeLa cells confirmed an excellent cellular permeability for these sphingolipid probes and revealed that most of the vesicles stained by COUPY probes were either lysosomes or endosomes, whereas BODIPY probes accumulated either in Golgi apparatus or in nonlysosomal intracellular vesicles. The fact that the two sets of fluorescent Cer probes have such different staining patterns indicates that their subcellular distribution is not entirely defined by the sphingolipid moiety but rather influenced by the fluorophore.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo Izquierdo
- Departament
de Química Inorgànica i Orgànica, Secció
de Química Orgànica, Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Martí i Franquès 1-11, 08028Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marta López-Corrales
- Departament
de Química Inorgànica i Orgànica, Secció
de Química Orgànica, Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Martí i Franquès 1-11, 08028Barcelona, Spain
| | - Diego Abad-Montero
- Departament
de Química Inorgànica i Orgànica, Secció
de Química Orgànica, Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Martí i Franquès 1-11, 08028Barcelona, Spain,Research
Unit on BioActive Molecules, Departament de Química Biològica, Institut de Química Avançada de Catalunya
(IQAC-CSIC), Jordi Girona
18-26, 08034Barcelona, Spain
| | - Anna Rovira
- Departament
de Química Inorgànica i Orgànica, Secció
de Química Orgànica, Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Martí i Franquès 1-11, 08028Barcelona, Spain
| | - Gemma Fabriàs
- Research
Unit on BioActive Molecules, Departament de Química Biològica, Institut de Química Avançada de Catalunya
(IQAC-CSIC), Jordi Girona
18-26, 08034Barcelona, Spain
| | - Manel Bosch
- Unitat
de Microscòpia Òptica Avanc̨ada, Centres Científics
i Tecnològics, Universitat de Barcelona
(UB), Av. Diagonal, 643, 08028Barcelona, Spain
| | - José Luís Abad
- Research
Unit on BioActive Molecules, Departament de Química Biològica, Institut de Química Avançada de Catalunya
(IQAC-CSIC), Jordi Girona
18-26, 08034Barcelona, Spain,
| | - Vicente Marchán
- Departament
de Química Inorgànica i Orgànica, Secció
de Química Orgànica, Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Martí i Franquès 1-11, 08028Barcelona, Spain,Institut
de Biomedicina de la Universitat de Barcelona (IBUB), 08028Barcelona, Spain,
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6
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Kuhlmann FM, Key PN, Hickerson SM, Turk J, Hsu FF, Beverley SM. Inositol phosphorylceramide synthase null Leishmania are viable and virulent in animal infections where salvage of host sphingomyelin predominates. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:102522. [PMID: 36162499 PMCID: PMC9637897 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.102522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Revised: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Many pathogens synthesize inositol phosphorylceramide (IPC) as the major sphingolipid (SL), differing from the mammalian host where sphingomyelin (SM) or more complex SLs predominate. The divergence between IPC synthase and mammalian SL synthases has prompted interest as a potential drug target. However, in the trypanosomatid protozoan Leishmania, cultured insect stage promastigotes lack de novo SL synthesis (Δspt2-) and SLs survive and remain virulent, as infective amastigotes salvage host SLs and continue to produce IPC. To further understand the role of IPC, we generated null IPCS mutants in Leishmania major (Δipcs-). Unexpectedly and unlike fungi where IPCS is essential, Δipcs- was remarkably normal in culture and highly virulent in mouse infections. Both IPCS activity and IPC were absent in Δipcs- promastigotes and amastigotes, arguing against an alternative route of IPC synthesis. Notably, salvaged mammalian SM was highly abundant in purified amastigotes from both WT and Δipcs-, and salvaged SLs could be further metabolized into IPC. SM was about 7-fold more abundant than IPC in WT amastigotes, establishing that SM is the dominant amastigote SL, thereby rendering IPC partially redundant. These data suggest that SM salvage likely plays key roles in the survival and virulence of both WT and Δipcs- parasites in the infected host, confirmation of which will require the development of methods or mutants deficient in host SL/SM uptake in the future. Our findings call into question the suitability of IPCS as a target for chemotherapy, instead suggesting that approaches targeting SM/SL uptake or catabolism may warrant further emphasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- F. Matthew Kuhlmann
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri, USA,Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Phillip N. Key
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Suzanne M. Hickerson
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - John Turk
- Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Fong-Fu Hsu
- Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Stephen M. Beverley
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri, USA,For correspondence: Stephen M. Beverley
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7
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Hassan AHE, Phan TN, Yoon S, Lee CJ, Jeon HR, Kim SH, No JH, Lee YS. Pyrrolidine-based 3-deoxysphingosylphosphorylcholine analogs as possible candidates against neglected tropical diseases (NTDs): identification of hit compounds towards development of potential treatment of Leishmania donovani. J Enzyme Inhib Med Chem 2021; 36:1922-1930. [PMID: 34425714 PMCID: PMC8386730 DOI: 10.1080/14756366.2021.1969385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
A rational-based process was adopted for repurposing pyrrolidine-based 3-deoxysphingosylphosphorylcholine analogs bearing variable acyl chains, different stereochemical configuration and/or positional relationships. Structural features were highly influential on activity. Amongst, enantiomer 1e having 1,2-vicinal relationship for the -CH2O- and the N-acyl moieties, a saturated palmitoyl chain and an opposite stereochemical configuration to natural sphingolipids was the most potent hit compound against promastigotes showing IC50 value of 28.32 µM. The corresponding enantiomer 1a was 2-fold less potent showing a eudismic ratio of 0.54 in promastigotes. Compounds 1a and 1e inhibited the growth of amastigotes more potently relative to promastigotes. Amongst, enantiomer 1a as the more selective and safer. In silico docking study using a homology model of Leishmania donovani inositol phosphoceramide synthase (IPCS) provided plausible reasoning for the molecular factors underlying the found activity. Collectively, this study suggests compounds 1a and 1e as potential hit compounds for further development of new antileishmanial agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed H E Hassan
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt.,Medicinal Chemistry Laboratory, College of Pharmacy, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Trong-Nhat Phan
- Leishmania Research Laboratory, Institut Pasteur Korea, Seongnam-si, Korea
| | - Seolmin Yoon
- Department of Life and Nanopharmaceutical Sciences, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Cheol Jung Lee
- Department of Life and Nanopharmaceutical Sciences, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hye Rim Jeon
- Department of Life and Nanopharmaceutical Sciences, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung-Hwan Kim
- Department of Life and Nanopharmaceutical Sciences, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Joo Hwan No
- Leishmania Research Laboratory, Institut Pasteur Korea, Seongnam-si, Korea
| | - Yong Sup Lee
- Medicinal Chemistry Laboratory, College of Pharmacy, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,Department of Life and Nanopharmaceutical Sciences, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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8
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Izquierdo E, Casasampere M, Fabriàs G, Abad JL, Casas J, Delgado A. Synthesis and characterization of bichromophoric 1-deoxyceramides as FRET probes. Org Biomol Chem 2021; 19:2456-2467. [PMID: 33650618 DOI: 10.1039/d1ob00113b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The suitability as FRET probes of two bichromophoric 1-deoxydihydroceramides containing a labelled spisulosine derivative as a sphingoid base and two differently ω-labelled fluorescent palmitic acids has been evaluated. The ceramide synthase (CerS) catalyzed metabolic incorporation of ω-azido palmitic acid into the above labeled spisulosine to render the corresponding ω-azido 1-deoxyceramide has been studied in several cell lines. In addition, the strain-promoted click reaction between this ω-azido 1-deoxyceramide and suitable fluorophores has been optimized to render the target bichromophoric 1-deoxydihydroceramides. These results pave the way for the development of FRET-based assays as a new tool to study sphingolipid metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo Izquierdo
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Medicinal Chemistry, Unit of Pharmaceutical Chemistry (Associated Unit to CSIC). Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences. University of Barcelona (UB), Joan XXIII 27-31, 08028 Barcelona, Spain.
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9
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Mina JGM, Charlton RL, Alpizar-Sosa E, Escrivani DO, Brown C, Alqaisi A, Borsodi MPG, Figueiredo CP, de Lima EV, Dickie EA, Wei W, Coutinho-Silva R, Merritt A, Smith TK, Barrett MP, Rossi-Bergmann B, Denny PW, Steel PG. Antileishmanial Chemotherapy through Clemastine Fumarate Mediated Inhibition of the Leishmania Inositol Phosphorylceramide Synthase. ACS Infect Dis 2021; 7:47-63. [PMID: 33291887 PMCID: PMC7802075 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.0c00546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Current chemotherapeutics for leishmaniasis have multiple deficiencies, and there is a need for new safe, efficacious, and affordable medicines. This study describes a successful drug repurposing approach that identifies the over-the-counter antihistamine, clemastine fumarate, as a potential antileishmanial drug candidate. The screening for inhibitors of the sphingolipid synthase (inositol phosphorylceramide synthase, IPCS) afforded, following secondary screening against Leishmania major (Lmj) promastigotes, 16 active compounds. Further refinement through the dose response against LmjIPCS and intramacrophage L. major amastigotes identified clemastine fumarate with good activity and selectivity with respect to the host macrophage. On target engagement was supported by diminished sensitivity in a sphingolipid-deficient L. major mutant (ΔLmjLCB2) and altered phospholipid and sphingolipid profiles upon treatment with clemastine fumarate. The drug also induced an enhanced host cell response to infection indicative of polypharmacology. The activity was sustained across a panel of Old and New World Leishmania species, displaying an in vivo activity equivalent to the currently used drug, glucantime, in a mouse model of L. amazonensis infection. Overall, these data validate IPCS as an antileishmanial drug target and indicate that clemastine fumarate is a candidate for repurposing for the treatment of leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- John G. M. Mina
- Departments of Chemistry, University of Durham, Science Laboratories, South Road, Durham DH1 3LE, United Kingdom
| | - Rebecca L. Charlton
- Departments of Chemistry, University of Durham, Science Laboratories, South Road, Durham DH1 3LE, United Kingdom
- Institute of Biophysics Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, 21941-902 Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Edubiel Alpizar-Sosa
- Department of Biosciences, University of Durham, South Road, Durham DH1 3LE, United Kingdom
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology and Glasgow Polyomics, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, United Kingdom
| | - Douglas O. Escrivani
- Departments of Chemistry, University of Durham, Science Laboratories, South Road, Durham DH1 3LE, United Kingdom
- Institute of Biophysics Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, 21941-902 Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Christopher Brown
- Departments of Chemistry, University of Durham, Science Laboratories, South Road, Durham DH1 3LE, United Kingdom
| | - Amjed Alqaisi
- Department of Biosciences, University of Durham, South Road, Durham DH1 3LE, United Kingdom
- Department of Biology, College of Science, University of Baghdad, Baghdad 10071, Iraq
| | - Maria Paula G. Borsodi
- Institute of Biophysics Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, 21941-902 Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Claudia P. Figueiredo
- School of Pharmacy, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, 21944-590 Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Emanuelle V. de Lima
- School of Pharmacy, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, 21944-590 Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Emily A. Dickie
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology and Glasgow Polyomics, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, United Kingdom
| | - Wenbin Wei
- Department of Biosciences, University of Durham, South Road, Durham DH1 3LE, United Kingdom
| | - Robson Coutinho-Silva
- Institute of Biophysics Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, 21941-902 Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Andy Merritt
- LifeArc, Open Innovation Campus, Stevenage SG1 2FX, United Kingdom
| | - Terry K. Smith
- BSRC, Schools of Biology and Chemistry, University of St Andrews, North Haugh, St Andrews KY16 9ST, United Kingdom
| | - Michael P. Barrett
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology and Glasgow Polyomics, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, United Kingdom
| | - Bartira Rossi-Bergmann
- Institute of Biophysics Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, 21941-902 Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Paul W. Denny
- Department of Biosciences, University of Durham, South Road, Durham DH1 3LE, United Kingdom
| | - Patrick G. Steel
- Departments of Chemistry, University of Durham, Science Laboratories, South Road, Durham DH1 3LE, United Kingdom
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10
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Pinneh EC, Mina JG, Stark MJR, Lindell SD, Luemmen P, Knight MR, Steel PG, Denny PW. The identification of small molecule inhibitors of the plant inositol phosphorylceramide synthase which demonstrate herbicidal activity. Sci Rep 2019; 9:8083. [PMID: 31147620 PMCID: PMC6542793 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-44544-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2019] [Accepted: 05/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Resistance to 157 different herbicides and 88% of known sites of action has been observed, with many weeds resistant to two or more modes. Coupled with tighter environmental regulation, this demonstrates the need to identify new modes of action and novel herbicides. The plant sphingolipid biosynthetic enzyme, inositol phosphorylceramide synthase (IPCS), has been identified as a novel, putative herbicide target. The non-mammalian nature of this enzyme offers the potential of discovering plant specific inhibitory compounds with minimal impact on animals and humans, perhaps leading to the development of new non-toxic herbicides. The best characterised and most highly expressed isoform of the enzyme in the model-dicot Arabidopsis, AtIPCS2, was formatted into a yeast-based assay which was then utilized to screen a proprietary library of over 11,000 compounds provided by Bayer AG. Hits from this screen were validated in a secondary in vitro enzyme assay. These studies led to the identification of a potent inhibitor that showed selectivity for AtIPCS2 over the yeast orthologue, and activity against Arabidopsis seedlings. This work highlighted the use of a yeast-based screening assay to discover herbicidal compounds and the status of the plant IPCS as a novel herbicidal target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth C Pinneh
- Department of Biosciences, Durham University, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK
- Department of Chemistry, Durham University, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK
| | - John G Mina
- Department of Biosciences, Durham University, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK
| | - Michael J R Stark
- Centre for Gene Regulation and Expression, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Stephen D Lindell
- Bayer AG, Crop Science Division, Industriepark Höchst, 65926, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Peter Luemmen
- Bayer AG, Crop Science Division, Industriepark Höchst, 65926, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Marc R Knight
- Department of Biosciences, Durham University, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK
| | - Patrick G Steel
- Department of Chemistry, Durham University, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK.
| | - Paul W Denny
- Department of Biosciences, Durham University, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK.
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11
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Laha B, Verma AK, Biswas B, Sengodan SK, Rastogi A, Willard B, Ghosh M. Detection and characterization of an albumin-like protein in Leishmania donovani. Parasitol Res 2019; 118:1609-1623. [PMID: 30903348 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-019-06286-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2018] [Accepted: 03/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The protozoan parasite, Leishmania donovani, undergoes several molecular adaptations and secretes many effector molecules for host cell manipulation and successful parasitism. The current study identifies an albumin-like secretory protein, expressed in its extracellular promastigote forms. A leishmanial complementary DNA sequence of a partial gene has been cloned, and the encoded peptide (14 kD) is used for the production of polyclonal antibody. This targeted antibody identifies a large native protein (66.421 kD), expressed stage-specifically in promastigotes. Through electron microscopic studies, the native protein is found to be localized in the flagellar pocket and flagella and at the surface of the promastigotes. This native protein is purified with the same customized antibody for future characterization and sequencing. The sequence analysis reveals its homology with the mammalian serum albumin. It is evidenced from in silico studies that this albumin-like protein remains associated with long-chain fatty acids while in vitro studies indicate its close association with membrane cholesterol. Since antibody-mediated blocking compromises the parasite infectivity, these leishmanial albumin-like molecules are hereby proposed to play an instrumental role in the infectivity of L. donovani to peripheral blood monocyte cells. Thus, identification and characterization of an albumin-like protein in L. donovani promastigotes may be interpreted as a molecular adaptation candidate. It may be hypothesized that the parasite mimics the mammalian system for importing fatty acids into the intracellular amastigotes, facilitating its host cell infectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bhakti Laha
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Technology Durgapur, Mahatma Gandhi Avenue, Durgapur, West Bengal, 713209, India
| | - Amit Kumar Verma
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Technology Durgapur, Mahatma Gandhi Avenue, Durgapur, West Bengal, 713209, India
| | - Bapi Biswas
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Technology Durgapur, Mahatma Gandhi Avenue, Durgapur, West Bengal, 713209, India
| | - Satheesh Kumar Sengodan
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Technology Durgapur, Mahatma Gandhi Avenue, Durgapur, West Bengal, 713209, India
| | - Akanksha Rastogi
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Technology Durgapur, Mahatma Gandhi Avenue, Durgapur, West Bengal, 713209, India
| | - Belinda Willard
- Mass Spectrometry Laboratory for Protein Sequencing, Cleveland Clinic - Lerner Research Institute, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH, 44195, USA
| | - Monidipa Ghosh
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Technology Durgapur, Mahatma Gandhi Avenue, Durgapur, West Bengal, 713209, India.
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12
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Gonda J, Fazekašová S, Martinková M, Mitríková T, Roman D, Pilátová MB. Synthesis and biological activity of sphingosines with integrated azobenzene switches. Org Biomol Chem 2019; 17:3361-3373. [DOI: 10.1039/c9ob00137a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The synthesis of photochromic active sphingosine analogues and their antiproliferative activity against seven human cancer cell lines is reported.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jozef Gonda
- Department of Organic Chemistry
- P.J. Šafárik University
- Sk-040 01 Košice
- Slovak Republic
| | - Simona Fazekašová
- Department of Organic Chemistry
- P.J. Šafárik University
- Sk-040 01 Košice
- Slovak Republic
| | - Miroslava Martinková
- Department of Organic Chemistry
- P.J. Šafárik University
- Sk-040 01 Košice
- Slovak Republic
| | - Tatiana Mitríková
- Department of Organic Chemistry
- P.J. Šafárik University
- Sk-040 01 Košice
- Slovak Republic
| | - Dávid Roman
- Chemical Biology of Microbe-Host Interactions
- Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology e.V
- Hans-Knöll-Institute (HKI)
- 07745 Jena
- Germany
| | - Martina Bago Pilátová
- Institute of Pharmacology
- Faculty of Medicine
- P.J. Šafárik University
- 040 66 Košice
- Slovak Republic
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13
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Trinconi CT, Miguel DC, Silber AM, Brown C, Mina JGM, Denny PW, Heise N, Uliana SRB. Tamoxifen inhibits the biosynthesis of inositolphosphorylceramide in Leishmania. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-DRUGS AND DRUG RESISTANCE 2018; 8:475-487. [PMID: 30399513 PMCID: PMC6216108 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2018.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2018] [Revised: 09/21/2018] [Accepted: 10/23/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Previous work from our group showed that tamoxifen, an oral drug that has been in use for the treatment of breast cancer for over 40 years, is active both in vitro and in vivo against several species of Leishmania, the etiological agent of leishmaniasis. Using a combination of metabolic labeling with [3H]-sphingosine and myo-[3H]-inositol, alkaline hydrolysis, HPTLC fractionations and mass spectrometry analyses, we observed a perturbation in the metabolism of inositolphosphorylceramides (IPCs) and phosphatidylinositols (PIs) after treatment of L. amazonensis promastigotes with tamoxifen, with a significant reduction in the biosynthesis of the major IPCs (composed of d16:1/18:0-IPC, t16:0/C18:0-IPC, d18:1/18:0-IPC and t16:0/20:0-IPC) and PIs (sn-1-O-(C18:0)alkyl -2-O-(C18:1)acylglycerol-3-HPO4-inositol and sn-1-O-(C18:0)acyl-2-O-(C18:1)acylglycerol-3-HPO4-inositol) species. Substrate saturation kinetics of myo-inositol uptake analyses indicated that inhibition of inositol transport or availability were not the main reasons for the reduced biosynthesis of IPC and PI observed in tamoxifen treated parasites. An in vitro enzymatic assay was used to show that tamoxifen was able to inhibit the Leishmania IPC synthase with an IC50 value of 8.48 μM (95% CI 7.68–9.37), suggesting that this enzyme is most likely one of the targets for this compound in the parasites. Tamoxifen alters the sphingolipid metabolism of L. amazonensis. Tamoxifen treated parasites show a significant reduction of IPC and PI species. Tamoxifen-treated parasites present a reduction of inositol transport. Tamoxifen is an inhibitor of L. major's IPC synthase in a micromolar range.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristiana T Trinconi
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, 1374, São Paulo, SP, 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Danilo C Miguel
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, 1374, São Paulo, SP, 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Ariel M Silber
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, 1374, São Paulo, SP, 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Christopher Brown
- Department of Biosciences, Durham University, Stockton Road, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK
| | - John G M Mina
- Department of Biosciences, Durham University, Stockton Road, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK
| | - Paul W Denny
- Department of Biosciences, Durham University, Stockton Road, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK
| | - Norton Heise
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Av. Carlos Chagas Filho, 373, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21941-902, Brazil
| | - Silvia R B Uliana
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, 1374, São Paulo, SP, 05508-000, Brazil.
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14
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Saied EM, Le TLS, Hornemann T, Arenz C. Synthesis and characterization of some atypical sphingoid bases. Bioorg Med Chem 2018; 26:4047-4057. [PMID: 29960730 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2018.06.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2018] [Revised: 06/19/2018] [Accepted: 06/23/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Sphingolipids are ubiquitous and abundant components of all eukaryotic and some prokaryotic organisms. Sphingolipids show a large structural variety not only between the different species, but also within an individual cell. This variety is not limited to alterations in the polar headgroups of e.g. glycosphingolipids, but also affects the lipophilic anchors comprised of different fatty acids on the one hand and different sphingoid bases on the other hand. The structural variations within different sphingoid bases e.g. in pathogens can be used to identify novel biomarkers and drug targets and the specific change in the profile of common and uncommon sphingolipids are associated with pathological conditions like diabetes or cancer. Therefore, the emerging field of sphingolipidomics is dedicated to collect data on the sphingolipidome of a cell and hence to assign changes therein to certain states of a cell or to pathological conditions. This powerful tool however is still limited by the availability of structural information about the individual lipid species as well as by the availability of appropriate internal standards for quantification. Herein we describe the synthesis of a variety of 1-deoxy-sphingoid bases. 1-DeoxySphingolipids have recently acquired significant attention due to its pathological role in the rare inherited neuropathy, HSAN1 but also as predictive biomarkers in diabetes type II. Some of the compounds synthesized and characterized herein, have been used and will be used to elucidate the correct structure of these disease-related lipids and their metabolites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Essa M Saied
- Institute for Chemistry, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Brook-Taylor-Str. 2, 12489 Berlin, Germany; Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt
| | - Thuy Linh-Stella Le
- Institute for Chemistry, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Brook-Taylor-Str. 2, 12489 Berlin, Germany
| | - T Hornemann
- University of Zurich; University Hospital of Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Christoph Arenz
- Institute for Chemistry, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Brook-Taylor-Str. 2, 12489 Berlin, Germany.
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15
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Norcliffe JL, Mina JG, Alvarez E, Cantizani J, de Dios-Anton F, Colmenarejo G, Valle SGD, Marco M, Fiandor JM, Martin JJ, Steel PG, Denny PW. Identifying inhibitors of the Leishmania inositol phosphorylceramide synthase with antiprotozoal activity using a yeast-based assay and ultra-high throughput screening platform. Sci Rep 2018; 8:3938. [PMID: 29500420 PMCID: PMC5834442 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-22063-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2017] [Accepted: 02/16/2018] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a Neglected Tropical Disease caused by the insect-vector borne protozoan parasite, Leishmania species. Infection affects millions of the world’s poorest, however vaccines are absent and drug therapy limited. Recently, public-private partnerships have developed to identify new modes of controlling leishmaniasis. Drug discovery is a significant part of these efforts and here we describe the development and utilization of a novel assay to identify antiprotozoal inhibitors of the Leishmania enzyme, inositol phosphorylceramide (IPC) synthase. IPC synthase is a membrane-bound protein with multiple transmembrane domains, meaning that a conventional in vitro assay using purified protein in solution is highly challenging. Therefore, we utilized Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a vehicle to facilitate ultra-high throughput screening of 1.8 million compounds. Antileishmanial benzazepanes were identified and shown to inhibit the enzyme at nanomolar concentrations. Further chemistry produced a benzazepane that demonstrated potent and specific inhibition of IPC synthase in the Leishmania cell.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer L Norcliffe
- Department of Biosciences, Durham University, Stockton Road, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK.,Department of Chemistry, Durham University, Stockton Road, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK
| | - John G Mina
- Department of Biosciences, Durham University, Stockton Road, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK.,Department of Chemistry, Durham University, Stockton Road, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK
| | - Emilio Alvarez
- GlaxoSmithKline Investigacion y Desarrollo, Parque Tecnologico de Madrid, 28760, Tres Cantos, Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan Cantizani
- GlaxoSmithKline Investigacion y Desarrollo, Parque Tecnologico de Madrid, 28760, Tres Cantos, Madrid, Spain
| | - Francisco de Dios-Anton
- GlaxoSmithKline Investigacion y Desarrollo, Parque Tecnologico de Madrid, 28760, Tres Cantos, Madrid, Spain
| | - Gonzalo Colmenarejo
- GlaxoSmithKline Investigacion y Desarrollo, Parque Tecnologico de Madrid, 28760, Tres Cantos, Madrid, Spain.,Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Unit, IMDEA Food Institute, CEI UAM and CSIC, Carretera de Cantoblanco 8, 28049, Madrid, Spain
| | - Silva Gonzalez-Del Valle
- GlaxoSmithKline Investigacion y Desarrollo, Parque Tecnologico de Madrid, 28760, Tres Cantos, Madrid, Spain
| | - Maria Marco
- GlaxoSmithKline Investigacion y Desarrollo, Parque Tecnologico de Madrid, 28760, Tres Cantos, Madrid, Spain
| | - José M Fiandor
- GlaxoSmithKline Investigacion y Desarrollo, Parque Tecnologico de Madrid, 28760, Tres Cantos, Madrid, Spain
| | - Julio J Martin
- GlaxoSmithKline Investigacion y Desarrollo, Parque Tecnologico de Madrid, 28760, Tres Cantos, Madrid, Spain
| | - Patrick G Steel
- Department of Chemistry, Durham University, Stockton Road, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK.
| | - Paul W Denny
- Department of Biosciences, Durham University, Stockton Road, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK.
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16
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Denny PW. Microbial protein targets: towards understanding and intervention. Parasitology 2018; 145:111-115. [PMID: 29143719 PMCID: PMC5817423 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182017002037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2017] [Revised: 10/06/2017] [Accepted: 10/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The rise of antimicrobial resistance, coupled with a lack of industrial focus on antimicrobial discovery over preceding decades, has brought the world to a crisis point. With both human and animal health set to decline due to increased disease burdens caused by near untreatable microbial pathogens, there is an urgent need to identify new antimicrobials. Central to this is the elucidation of new, robustly validated, drug targets. Informed by industrial practice and concerns, the use of both biological and chemical tools in validation is key. In parallel, repurposing approved drugs for use as antimicrobials may provide both new treatments and identify new targets, whilst improved understanding of pharmacology will help develop and progress good 'hits' with the required rapidity. In recognition of the need to increase research efforts in these areas, in 14-16 September 2017, the British Society for Parasitology (BSP) Autumn Symposium was hosted at Durham University with the title: Microbial Protein Targets: towards understanding and intervention. Staged in collaboration with the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) Chemistry Biology Interface Division (CBID), the core aim was to bring together leading researchers working across disciplines to imagine novel approaches towards combating infection and antimicrobial resistance. Sessions were held on: 'Anti-infective discovery, an overview'; 'Omic approaches to target validation'; 'Genetic approaches to target validation'; 'Drug target structure and drug discovery'; 'Fragment-based approaches to drug discovery'; and 'Chemical approaches to target validation'. Here, we introduce a series of review and primary research articles from selected contributors to the Symposium, giving an overview of progress in understanding antimicrobial targets and developing new drugs. The Symposium was organized by Paul Denny (Durham) for the BSP and Patrick Steel (Durham) for RSC CBID.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul W Denny
- Department of Biosciences,Durham University,Lower Mountjoy, Stockton Road, Durham DH1 3LE,UK
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17
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Charlton RL, Rossi-Bergmann B, Denny PW, Steel PG. Repurposing as a strategy for the discovery of new anti-leishmanials: the-state-of-the-art. Parasitology 2018; 145:219-236. [PMID: 28805165 PMCID: PMC5964475 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182017000993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2017] [Revised: 05/23/2017] [Accepted: 05/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a vector-borne neglected tropical disease caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Leishmania for which there is a paucity of effective viable non-toxic drugs. There are 1·3 million new cases each year causing considerable socio-economic hardship, best measured in 2·4 million disability adjusted life years, with greatest impact on the poorest communities, which means that desperately needed new antileishmanial treatments have to be both affordable and accessible. Established medicines with cheaper and faster development times may hold the cure for this neglected tropical disease. This concept of using old drugs for new diseases may not be novel but, with the ambitious target of controlling or eradicating tropical diseases by 2020, this strategy is still an important one. In this review, we will explore the current state-of-the-art of drug repurposing strategies in the search for new treatments for leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca L Charlton
- Department of Chemistry,University Science Laboratories,South Road,Durham DH1 3LE,UK
| | - Bartira Rossi-Bergmann
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho,Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro,Ilha do Fundão,CEP 21·949-900 Rio de Janeiro,RJ,Brazil
| | - Paul W Denny
- Department of Biosciences,University Science Laboratories,South Road,Durham DH1 3LE,UK
| | - Patrick G Steel
- Department of Chemistry,University Science Laboratories,South Road,Durham DH1 3LE,UK
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18
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Mathur A, Wang B, Smith D, Li J, Pawluczyk J, Sun JH, Wong MK, Krishnananthan S, Wu DR, Sun D, Li P, Yip S, Chen BC, Baran PS, Chen Q, Lopez OD, Yong Z, Bender JA, Nguyen VN, Romine JL, Laurent DRS, Wang G, Kadow JF, Meanwell NA, Belema M, Zhao R. Development of the Large-Scale Synthesis of Tetrahydropyran Glycine, a Precursor to the HCV NS5A Inhibitor BMS-986097. J Org Chem 2017; 82:10376-10387. [PMID: 28877441 DOI: 10.1021/acs.joc.7b01852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
An efficient large-scale synthesis of acid 1, a penultimate precursor to the HCV NS5A inhibitor BMS-986097, along with the final API step are described. Three routes were devised for the synthesis of 1 at the various stages of the program. The third generation route, the one that proved scalable and is the main subject of this paper, features a one-step Michael addition of t-butyl 2-((diphenylmethylene)amino)acetate (24) to (E)-benzyl 4-(1-hydroxycyclopropyl)but-2-enoate (28) followed by cyclization and chiral separation to form 27c, the core skeleton of cap piece 1. The epimerization and chiral resolution of 27c followed by further synthetic manipulations involving the carbamate formation, lactone reduction and cyclization, afforded cyclopropyl pyran 1. A detailed study of diphenylmethane deprotection via acid hydrolysis as well as a key lactone to tetrahydropyran conversion, in order to avoid a side reaction that afforded an alternative cyclization product, are discussed. This synthesis was applied to the preparation of more than 100 g of the final API BMS-986097 for toxicology studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arvind Mathur
- Discovery Chemistry, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Pharmaceutical Research and Development , PO Box 4000, Princeton, New Jersey 08543, United States
| | - Bei Wang
- Discovery Chemistry, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Pharmaceutical Research and Development , PO Box 4000, Princeton, New Jersey 08543, United States
| | - Daniel Smith
- Discovery Chemistry, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Pharmaceutical Research and Development , PO Box 4000, Princeton, New Jersey 08543, United States
| | - Jianqing Li
- Discovery Chemistry, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Pharmaceutical Research and Development , PO Box 4000, Princeton, New Jersey 08543, United States
| | - Joseph Pawluczyk
- Discovery Chemistry, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Pharmaceutical Research and Development , PO Box 4000, Princeton, New Jersey 08543, United States
| | - Jung-Hui Sun
- Discovery Chemistry, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Pharmaceutical Research and Development , PO Box 4000, Princeton, New Jersey 08543, United States
| | - Michael Kwok Wong
- Discovery Chemistry, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Pharmaceutical Research and Development , PO Box 4000, Princeton, New Jersey 08543, United States
| | - Subramaniam Krishnananthan
- Discovery Chemistry, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Pharmaceutical Research and Development , PO Box 4000, Princeton, New Jersey 08543, United States
| | - Dauh-Rurng Wu
- Discovery Chemistry, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Pharmaceutical Research and Development , PO Box 4000, Princeton, New Jersey 08543, United States
| | - Dawn Sun
- Discovery Chemistry, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Pharmaceutical Research and Development , PO Box 4000, Princeton, New Jersey 08543, United States
| | - Peng Li
- Discovery Chemistry, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Pharmaceutical Research and Development , PO Box 4000, Princeton, New Jersey 08543, United States
| | - Shiuhang Yip
- Discovery Chemistry, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Pharmaceutical Research and Development , PO Box 4000, Princeton, New Jersey 08543, United States
| | - Bang-Chi Chen
- Discovery Chemistry, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Pharmaceutical Research and Development , PO Box 4000, Princeton, New Jersey 08543, United States
| | - Phil S Baran
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute , 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Qi Chen
- Discovery Chemistry, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Research and Development , 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, Connecticut 06492, United States
| | - Omar D Lopez
- Discovery Chemistry, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Research and Development , 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, Connecticut 06492, United States
| | - Zhong Yong
- Discovery Chemistry, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Research and Development , 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, Connecticut 06492, United States
| | - John A Bender
- Discovery Chemistry, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Research and Development , 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, Connecticut 06492, United States
| | - Van N Nguyen
- Discovery Chemistry, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Research and Development , 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, Connecticut 06492, United States
| | - Jeffrey L Romine
- Discovery Chemistry, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Research and Development , 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, Connecticut 06492, United States
| | - Denis R St Laurent
- Discovery Chemistry, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Research and Development , 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, Connecticut 06492, United States
| | - Gan Wang
- Discovery Chemistry, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Research and Development , 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, Connecticut 06492, United States
| | - John F Kadow
- Discovery Chemistry, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Research and Development , 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, Connecticut 06492, United States
| | - Nicholas A Meanwell
- Discovery Chemistry, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Research and Development , 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, Connecticut 06492, United States
| | - Makonen Belema
- Discovery Chemistry, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Research and Development , 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, Connecticut 06492, United States
| | - Rulin Zhao
- Discovery Chemistry, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Pharmaceutical Research and Development , PO Box 4000, Princeton, New Jersey 08543, United States
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The antifungal Aureobasidin A and an analogue are active against the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii but do not inhibit sphingolipid biosynthesis. Parasitology 2017; 145:148-155. [PMID: 28486997 PMCID: PMC5964465 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182017000506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite of the
phylum Apicomplexa, and toxoplasmosis is an important disease of both humans and
economically important animals. With a limited array of drugs available there is a need to
identify new therapeutic compounds. Aureobasidin A (AbA) is an antifungal that targets the
essential inositol phosphorylceramide (IPC, sphingolipid) synthase in pathogenic fungi.
This natural cyclic depsipeptide also inhibits Toxoplasma proliforation,
with the protozoan IPC synthase orthologue proposed as the target. The data presented here
show that neither AbA nor an analogue (Compound 20), target the protozoan IPC synthase
orthologue or total parasite sphingolipid synthesis. However, further analyses confirm
that AbA exhibits significant activity against the proliferative tachyzoite form of
Toxoplasma, and Compound 20, whilst effective, has reduced efficacy.
This difference was more evident on analyses of the direct effect of these compounds
against isolated Toxoplasma, indicating that AbA is rapidly microbicidal.
Importantly, the possibility of targeting the encysted, bradyzoite, form of the parasite
with AbA and Compound 20 was demonstrated, indicating that this class of compounds may
provide the basis for the first effective treatment for chronic toxoplasmosis.
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Jain VK, Ramapanicker R. Diastereoselective synthesis of D-threo-sphinganine, L-erythro-sphinganine and (−)-spisulosine through asymmetric α-hydroxylation of a higher homologue of Garner's aldehyde. Tetrahedron 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tet.2017.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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Martinková M, Gonda J, Jacková D. Simple marine 1-deoxysphingoid bases: biological activity and syntheses. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tetasy.2016.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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A Multiplatform Metabolomic Approach to the Basis of Antimonial Action and Resistance in Leishmania infantum. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0130675. [PMID: 26161866 PMCID: PMC4498920 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0130675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2014] [Accepted: 01/25/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
There is a rising resistance against antimony drugs, the gold-standard for treatment until some years ago. That is a serious problem due to the paucity of drugs in current clinical use. In a research to reveal how these drugs affect the parasite during treatment and to unravel the underlying basis for their resistance, we have employed metabolomics to study treatment in Leishmania infantum promastigotes. This was accomplished first through the untargeted analysis of metabolic snapshots of treated and untreated parasites both resistant and responders, utilizing a multiplatform approach to give the widest as possible coverage of the metabolome, and additionally through novel monitoring of the origin of the detected alterations through a 13C traceability experiment. Our data stress a multi-target metabolic alteration with treatment, affecting in particular the cell redox system that is essential to cope with detoxification and biosynthetic processes. Additionally, relevant changes were noted in amino acid metabolism. Our results are in agreement with other authors studying other Leishmania species.
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Denny PW, Steel PG. Yeast as a potential vehicle for neglected tropical disease drug discovery. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014; 20:56-63. [PMID: 25121554 DOI: 10.1177/1087057114546552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
High-throughput screening (HTS) efforts for neglected tropical disease (NTD) drug discovery have recently received increased attention because several initiatives have begun to attempt to reduce the deficit in new and clinically acceptable therapies for this spectrum of infectious diseases. HTS primarily uses two basic approaches, cell-based and in vitro target-directed screening. Both of these approaches have problems; for example, cell-based screening does not reveal the target or targets that are hit, whereas in vitro methodologies lack a cellular context. Furthermore, both can be technically challenging, expensive, and difficult to miniaturize for ultra-HTS [(u)HTS]. The application of yeast-based systems may overcome some of these problems and offer a cost-effective platform for target-directed screening within a eukaryotic cell context. Here, we review the advantages and limitations of the technologies that may be used in yeast cell-based, target-directed screening protocols, and we discuss how these are beginning to be used in NTD drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- P W Denny
- Biophysical Sciences Institute, Department of Chemistry and School of Biological Sciences, University Science Laboratories, Durham, UK School of Medicine, Pharmacy and Health, Durham University, Durham, UK
| | - P G Steel
- Biophysical Sciences Institute, Department of Chemistry and School of Biological Sciences, University Science Laboratories, Durham, UK
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Abad JL, Nieves I, Rayo P, Casas J, Fabriàs G, Delgado A. Straightforward access to spisulosine and 4,5-dehydrospisulosine stereoisomers: probes for profiling ceramide synthase activities in intact cells. J Org Chem 2013; 78:5858-66. [PMID: 23679346 DOI: 10.1021/jo400440z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
A stereoselective synthesis of spisulosine (ES285) and 4,5-dehydrospisulosine stereoisomers is described. Hydrozirconation of 1-pentadecyne with Schwartz reagent, followed by diastereocontrolled addition to L- or D-alaninal afforded the required 2-amino-1,3-diol framework. The resulting sphingoid bases revealed as excellent probes for the profiling of ceramide synthase activity in intact cells. Among the sphingoid bases described in this work, spisulosine (ES285), RBM1-77, and RBM1-73 were the most suitable ones because of their highest acylation rates. These molecules should prove useful to study the role of the different ceramide synthases and the resulting N-acyl (dihydro)ceramides in cell fate.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Luis Abad
- Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Institut de Química Avançada de Catalunya (IQAC-CSIC), Research Unit on Bioactive Molecules (RUBAM), Jordi Girona 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Spain.
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Obijalska E, Mlostoń G, Six A. Enantioselective additions of (trifluoromethyl)trimethylsilane to α-imino ketones derived from aryl glyoxals. Tetrahedron Lett 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tetlet.2013.02.093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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The utility of yeast as a tool for cell-based, target-directed high-throughput screening. Parasitology 2013; 141:8-16. [PMID: 23611102 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182013000425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Many Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) have recently been subject of increased focus, particularly with relation to high-throughput screening (HTS) initiatives. These vital endeavours largely rely of two approaches, in vitro target-directed screening using biochemical assays or cell-based screening which takes no account of the target or targets being hit. Despite their successes both of these approaches have limitations; for example, the production of soluble protein and a lack of cellular context or the problems and expense of parasite cell culture. In addition, both can be challenging to miniaturize for ultra (u)HTS and expensive to utilize. Yeast-based systems offer a cost-effective approach to study and screen protein targets in a direct-directed manner within a eukaryotic cellular context. In this review, we examine the utility and limitations of yeast cell-based, target-directed screening. In particular we focus on the currently under-explored possibility of using such formats in uHTS screening campaigns for NTDs.
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Sphingolipid and ceramide homeostasis: potential therapeutic targets. Biochem Res Int 2012; 2012:248135. [PMID: 22400113 PMCID: PMC3286894 DOI: 10.1155/2012/248135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2011] [Accepted: 10/20/2011] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Sphingolipids are ubiquitous in eukaryotic cells where they have been attributed a plethora of functions from the formation of structural domains to polarized cellular trafficking and signal transduction. Recent research has identified and characterised many of the key enzymes involved in sphingolipid metabolism and this has led to a heightened interest in the possibility of targeting these processes for therapies against cancers, Alzheimer's disease, and numerous important human pathogens. In this paper we outline the major pathways in eukaryotic sphingolipid metabolism and discuss these in relation to disease and therapy for both chronic and infectious conditions.
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Endocytosis and Sphingolipid Scavenging in Leishmania mexicana Amastigotes. Biochem Res Int 2011; 2012:691363. [PMID: 21941657 PMCID: PMC3177366 DOI: 10.1155/2012/691363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2011] [Revised: 07/18/2011] [Accepted: 07/22/2011] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Leishmania species are the causative agents of the leishmaniases, a spectrum of neglected tropical diseases. Amastigote stage parasites exist within macrophages and scavenge host factors for survival, for example, Leishmania species utilise host sphingolipid for synthesis of complex sphingolipid. In this study L. mexicana endocytosis was shown to be significantly upregulated in amastigotes, indicating that sphingolipid scavenging may be enhanced. However, inhibition of host sphingolipid biosynthesis had no significant effect on amastigote proliferation within a macrophage cell line. In addition, infection itself did not directly influence host biosynthesis. Notably, in contrast to L. major, L. mexicana amastigotes are indicated to possess a complete biosynthetic pathway suggesting that scavenged sphingolipids may be nonessential for proliferation. This suggested that Old and New World species differ in their interactions with the macrophage host. This will need to be considered when targeting the Leishmania sphingolipid biosynthetic pathway with novel therapeutics.
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