1
|
Liz Belli Cassa Domingues E, Gonçalves-Santos E, Santana Caldas I, Vilela Gonçalves R, Caetano-da-Silva JE, Cardoso Santos E, Mól Pelinsari S, Figueiredo Diniz L, Dias Novaes R. Identification of host antioxidant effectors as thioridazine targets: Impact on cardiomyocytes infection and Trypanosoma cruzi-induced acute myocarditis. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2024; 1870:167264. [PMID: 38806073 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2024.167264] [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: 12/06/2023] [Revised: 05/15/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024]
Abstract
Phenothiazines inhibit antioxidant enzymes in trypanosomatids. However, potential interferences with host cell antioxidant defenses are central concerns in using these drugs to treat Trypanosoma cruzi-induced infectious myocarditis. Thus, the interaction of thioridazine (TDZ) with T. cruzi and cardiomyocytes antioxidant enzymes, and its impact on cardiomyocytes and cardiac infection was investigated in vitro and in vivo. Cardiomyocytes and trypomastigotes in culture, and mice treated with TDZ and benznidazole (Bz, reference antiparasitic drug) were submitted to microstructural, biochemical and molecular analyses. TDZ was more cytotoxic and less selective against T. cruzi than Bz in vitro. TDZ-pretreated cardiomyocytes developed increased infection rate, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, lipid and protein oxidation; similar catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and reduced glutathione's (peroxidase - GPx, S-transferase - GST, and reductase - GR) activity than infected untreated cells. TDZ attenuated trypanothione reductase activity in T. cruzi, and protein antioxidant capacity in cardiomyocytes, making these cells more susceptible to H2O2-based oxidative challenge. In vivo, TDZ potentiated heart parasitism, total ROS production, myocarditis, lipid and protein oxidation; as well as reduced GPx, GR, and GST activities compared to untreated mice. Benznidazole decreased heart parasitism, total ROS production, heart inflammation, lipid and protein oxidation in T. cruzi-infected mice. Our findings indicate that TDZ simultaneously interact with enzymatic antioxidant targets in cardiomyocytes and T. cruzi, potentiating the infection by inducing antioxidant fragility and increasing cardiomyocytes and heart susceptibility to parasitism, inflammation and oxidative damage.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Liz Belli Cassa Domingues
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biociências Aplicadas à Saúde, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Alfenas 37130-001, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Elda Gonçalves-Santos
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biociências Aplicadas à Saúde, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Alfenas 37130-001, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Ivo Santana Caldas
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Alfenas 37130-001, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Alfenas 37130-001, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Reggiani Vilela Gonçalves
- Departamento de Biologia Animal, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Animal, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, 36570-900, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Celular e Estrutural, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa 36570-900, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - José Edson Caetano-da-Silva
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Alfenas 37130-001, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Eliziária Cardoso Santos
- Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri, Diamantina 39100-000, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Silvania Mól Pelinsari
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Celular e Estrutural, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa 36570-900, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Lívia Figueiredo Diniz
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Alfenas 37130-001, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Alfenas 37130-001, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Rômulo Dias Novaes
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biociências Aplicadas à Saúde, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Alfenas 37130-001, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Alfenas 37130-001, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Alfenas 37130-001, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Departamento de Biologia Animal, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Animal, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, 36570-900, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Majhi S, Awasthi BP, Sharma RK, Mitra K. Buparvaquone Induces Ultrastructural and Physiological Alterations Leading to Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Caspase-Independent Apoptotic Cell Death in Leishmania donovani. MICROSCOPY AND MICROANALYSIS : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF MICROSCOPY SOCIETY OF AMERICA, MICROBEAM ANALYSIS SOCIETY, MICROSCOPICAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 2024; 30:521-538. [PMID: 38709559 DOI: 10.1093/mam/ozae034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Revised: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 03/31/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a neglected tropical disease (endemic in 99 countries) caused by parasitic protozoa of the genus Leishmania. As treatment options are limited, there is an unmet need for new drugs. The hydroxynaphthoquinone class of compounds demonstrates broad-spectrum activity against protozoan parasites. Buparvaquone (BPQ), a member of this class, is the only drug licensed for the treatment of theileriosis. BPQ has shown promising antileishmanial activity but its mode of action is largely unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate the ultrastructural and physiological effects of BPQ for elucidating the mechanisms underlying the in vitro antiproliferative activity in Leishmania donovani. Transmission and scanning electron microscopy analyses of BPQ-treated parasites revealed ultrastructural effects characteristic of apoptosis-like cell death, which include alterations in the nucleus, mitochondrion, kinetoplast, flagella, and the flagellar pocket. Using flow cytometry, laser scanning confocal microscopy, and fluorometry, we found that BPQ induced caspase-independent apoptosis-like cell death by losing plasma membrane phospholipid asymmetry and cell cycle arrest at sub-G0/G1 phase. Depolarization of the mitochondrial membrane leads to the generation of oxidative stress and impaired ATP synthesis followed by disruption of intracellular calcium homeostasis. Collectively, these findings provide valuable mechanistic insights and demonstrate BPQ's potential for development as an antileishmanial agent.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Swetapadma Majhi
- Electron Microscopy Unit, Sophisticated Analytical Instrument Facility and Research, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Sector-10, Jankipuram Extension, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 226031, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Sector 19, Kamla Nehru Nagar, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh 201 002, India
| | - Bhanu Priya Awasthi
- Electron Microscopy Unit, Sophisticated Analytical Instrument Facility and Research, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Sector-10, Jankipuram Extension, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 226031, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Sector 19, Kamla Nehru Nagar, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh 201 002, India
| | - Rakesh Kumar Sharma
- Electron Microscopy Unit, Sophisticated Analytical Instrument Facility and Research, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Sector-10, Jankipuram Extension, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 226031, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Sector 19, Kamla Nehru Nagar, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh 201 002, India
| | - Kalyan Mitra
- Electron Microscopy Unit, Sophisticated Analytical Instrument Facility and Research, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Sector-10, Jankipuram Extension, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 226031, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Sector 19, Kamla Nehru Nagar, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh 201 002, India
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Roy PK, Paul A, Lalchhuanawmi S, Babu NK, Singh S. Pyridoxal kinase gene deletion leads to impaired growth, deranged redox metabolism and cell cycle arrest in Leishmania donovani. Biochimie 2024; 222:72-86. [PMID: 38403043 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2024.02.009] [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: 09/14/2023] [Revised: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
Pyridoxal kinase (PdxK) is a vitamin B6 salvage pathway enzyme which produces pyridoxal phosphate. We have investigated the impact of PdxK deletion in Leishmania donovani on parasite survivability, infectivity and cellular metabolism. LdPdxK mutants were generated by gene replacement strategy. All mutants showed significant reduction in growth in comparison to wild type. For PdxK mediated biochemical perturbations, only heterozygous mutants and complementation mutants were used as the growth of null mutants were compromised. Heterozygous mutant showed reduction invitro infectivity and higher cytosolic and mitochondrial ROS levels. Glutathione levels decreased significantly in heterozygous mutant indicating its involvement in cellular oxidative metabolism. Pyridoxal kinase gene deletion resulted in reduced ATP levels in parasites and arrest at G0/G1 phase of cell cycle. All these perturbations were rescued by PdxK gene complementation. This is the first report to confirm that LdPdxK plays an indispensable role in cell survival, pathogenicity, redox metabolism and cell cycle progression of L. donovani parasites. These results provide substantial evidence supporting PdxK as a therapeutic target for the development of specific antileishmanial drug candidates.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pradyot Kumar Roy
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, S.A.S. Nagar, Mohali, 160062, Punjab, India
| | - Anindita Paul
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, S.A.S. Nagar, Mohali, 160062, Punjab, India
| | - Sandra Lalchhuanawmi
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, S.A.S. Nagar, Mohali, 160062, Punjab, India
| | - Neerupudi Kishore Babu
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, S.A.S. Nagar, Mohali, 160062, Punjab, India
| | - Sushma Singh
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, S.A.S. Nagar, Mohali, 160062, Punjab, India.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
González-Montero MC, Andrés-Rodríguez J, García-Fernández N, Pérez-Pertejo Y, Reguera RM, Balaña-Fouce R, García-Estrada C. Targeting Trypanothione Metabolism in Trypanosomatids. Molecules 2024; 29:2214. [PMID: 38792079 PMCID: PMC11124245 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29102214] [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: 04/11/2024] [Revised: 05/06/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Infectious diseases caused by trypanosomatids, including African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness), Chagas disease, and different forms of leishmaniasis, are Neglected Tropical Diseases affecting millions of people worldwide, mainly in vulnerable territories of tropical and subtropical areas. In general, current treatments against these diseases are old-fashioned, showing adverse effects and loss of efficacy due to misuse or overuse, thus leading to the emergence of resistance. For these reasons, searching for new antitrypanosomatid drugs has become an urgent necessity, and different metabolic pathways have been studied as potential drug targets against these parasites. Considering that trypanosomatids possess a unique redox pathway based on the trypanothione molecule absent in the mammalian host, the key enzymes involved in trypanothione metabolism, trypanothione reductase and trypanothione synthetase, have been studied in detail as druggable targets. In this review, we summarize some of the recent findings on the molecules inhibiting these two essential enzymes for Trypanosoma and Leishmania viability.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- María-Cristina González-Montero
- Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, Campus de Vegazana s/n, 24071 León, Spain; (M.-C.G.-M.); (J.A.-R.); (N.G.-F.); (Y.P.-P.); (R.M.R.)
| | - Julia Andrés-Rodríguez
- Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, Campus de Vegazana s/n, 24071 León, Spain; (M.-C.G.-M.); (J.A.-R.); (N.G.-F.); (Y.P.-P.); (R.M.R.)
| | - Nerea García-Fernández
- Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, Campus de Vegazana s/n, 24071 León, Spain; (M.-C.G.-M.); (J.A.-R.); (N.G.-F.); (Y.P.-P.); (R.M.R.)
| | - Yolanda Pérez-Pertejo
- Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, Campus de Vegazana s/n, 24071 León, Spain; (M.-C.G.-M.); (J.A.-R.); (N.G.-F.); (Y.P.-P.); (R.M.R.)
- Instituto de Biomedicina (IBIOMED), Universidad de León, Campus de Vegazana s/n, 24071 León, Spain
| | - Rosa M. Reguera
- Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, Campus de Vegazana s/n, 24071 León, Spain; (M.-C.G.-M.); (J.A.-R.); (N.G.-F.); (Y.P.-P.); (R.M.R.)
- Instituto de Biomedicina (IBIOMED), Universidad de León, Campus de Vegazana s/n, 24071 León, Spain
| | - Rafael Balaña-Fouce
- Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, Campus de Vegazana s/n, 24071 León, Spain; (M.-C.G.-M.); (J.A.-R.); (N.G.-F.); (Y.P.-P.); (R.M.R.)
- Instituto de Biomedicina (IBIOMED), Universidad de León, Campus de Vegazana s/n, 24071 León, Spain
| | - Carlos García-Estrada
- Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, Campus de Vegazana s/n, 24071 León, Spain; (M.-C.G.-M.); (J.A.-R.); (N.G.-F.); (Y.P.-P.); (R.M.R.)
- Instituto de Biomedicina (IBIOMED), Universidad de León, Campus de Vegazana s/n, 24071 León, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Nawaz A, Priya B, Singh K, Ali V. Unveiling the role of serine o-acetyltransferase in drug resistance and oxidative stress tolerance in Leishmania donovani through the regulation of thiol-based redox metabolism. Free Radic Biol Med 2024; 213:371-393. [PMID: 38272324 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2024.01.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2023] [Revised: 12/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
Understanding the unique metabolic pathway of L. donovani is crucial for comprehending its biology under oxidative stress conditions. The de novo cysteine biosynthetic pathway of L. donovani is absent in humans and its product, cysteine regulates the downstream components of trypanothione-based thiol metabolism, important for maintaining cellular redox homeostasis. The role of serine o-acetyl transferase (SAT), the first enzyme of this pathway remains unexplored. In order to investigate the role of SAT protein, we cloned SAT gene into pXG-GFP+ vector for episomal expression of SAT in Amphotericin B sensitive L. donovani promastigotes. The SAT overexpression was confirmed by SAT enzymatic assay, GFP fluorescence, immunoblotting and PCR. Our study unveiled an upregulated expression of both LdSAT and LdCS of cysteine biosynthetic pathway and other downstream thiol pathway proteins in LdSAT-OE promastigotes. Additionally, there was an increase in enzymatic activities of LdSAT and LdCS proteins in LdSAT-OE, which was found similar to the Amp B resistant parasites, indicating a potential role of SAT protein in modulating drug resistance. We observed that the overexpression of SAT in Amp B sensitive parasites increases tolerance to drug pressure and oxidative stress via trypanothione-dependent antioxidant mechanism. Moreover, the in vitro J774A.1 macrophage infectivity assessment showed that SAT overexpression augments parasite infectivity. In LdSAT-OE promastigotes, antioxidant enzyme activities like APx and SOD were upregulated, intracellular reactive oxygen species were reduced with a corresponding increase in thiol level, emphasizing SAT's role in stress tolerance and enhanced infectivity. Additionally, the ROS mediated upregulation in the expression of LdSAT, LdCS, LdTryS and LdcTXNPx proteins reveals an essential cross talk between SAT and proteins of thiol metabolism in combating oxidative stress and maintaining redox homeostasis. Taken together, our results provide the first insight into the role of SAT protein in parasite infectivity and survival under drug pressure and oxidative stress.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Afreen Nawaz
- ICMR - Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences (RMRIMS), Patna, Bihar, 800007, India
| | - Bhawna Priya
- ICMR - Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences (RMRIMS), Patna, Bihar, 800007, India
| | - Kuljit Singh
- Infectious Diseases Division, CSIR - Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jammu, 180001, India
| | - Vahab Ali
- ICMR - Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences (RMRIMS), Patna, Bihar, 800007, India.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Exertier C, Salerno A, Antonelli L, Fiorillo A, Ocello R, Seghetti F, Caciolla J, Uliassi E, Masetti M, Fiorentino E, Orsini S, Di Muccio T, Ilari A, Bolognesi ML. Fragment Merging, Growing, and Linking Identify New Trypanothione Reductase Inhibitors for Leishmaniasis. J Med Chem 2024; 67:402-419. [PMID: 38164929 PMCID: PMC10788915 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c01439] [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: 08/06/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Trypanothione reductase (TR) is a suitable target for drug discovery approaches against leishmaniasis, although the identification of potent inhibitors is still challenging. Herein, we harnessed a fragment-based drug discovery (FBDD) strategy to develop new TR inhibitors. Previous crystallographic screening identified fragments 1-3, which provided ideal starting points for a medicinal chemistry campaign. In silico investigations revealed critical hotspots in the TR binding site, guiding our structure- and ligand-based structure-actvity relationship (SAR) exploration that yielded fragment-derived compounds 4-14. A trend of improvement in Leishmania infantum TR inhibition was detected along the optimization and confirmed by the crystal structures of 9, 10, and 14 in complex with Trypanosoma brucei TR. Compound 10 showed the best TR inhibitory profile (Ki = 0.2 μM), whereas 9 was the best one in terms of in vitro and ex vivo activity. Although further fine-tuning is needed to improve selectivity, we demonstrated the potentiality of FBDD on a classic but difficult target for leishmaniasis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cécile Exertier
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology (IBPM) of the National Research Council of Italy (CNR), c/o Department of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale A. Moro 5, Roma 00185, Italy
| | - Alessandra Salerno
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum─University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, Bologna 40126, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Antonelli
- Department of Biochemical Sciences "A. Rossi Fanelli", Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale A. Moro 5, Roma 00185, Italy
| | - Annarita Fiorillo
- Department of Biochemical Sciences "A. Rossi Fanelli", Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale A. Moro 5, Roma 00185, Italy
| | - Riccardo Ocello
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum─University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, Bologna 40126, Italy
- Computational and Chemical Biology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, via Morego 30, Genova 16163, Italy
| | - Francesca Seghetti
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum─University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, Bologna 40126, Italy
| | - Jessica Caciolla
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum─University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, Bologna 40126, Italy
| | - Elisa Uliassi
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum─University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, Bologna 40126, Italy
| | - Matteo Masetti
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum─University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, Bologna 40126, Italy
| | - Eleonora Fiorentino
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, Roma 00161, Italy
| | - Stefania Orsini
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, Roma 00161, Italy
| | - Trentina Di Muccio
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, Roma 00161, Italy
| | - Andrea Ilari
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology (IBPM) of the National Research Council of Italy (CNR), c/o Department of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale A. Moro 5, Roma 00185, Italy
| | - Maria Laura Bolognesi
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum─University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, Bologna 40126, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Francesconi V, Rizzo M, Schenone S, Carbone A, Tonelli M. State-of-the-art Review on the Antiparasitic Activity of Benzimidazolebased Derivatives: Facing Malaria, Leishmaniasis, and Trypanosomiasis. Curr Med Chem 2024; 31:1955-1982. [PMID: 37718524 PMCID: PMC11071657 DOI: 10.2174/0929867331666230915093928] [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: 05/09/2023] [Revised: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/27/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023]
Abstract
Protozoan parasites represent a significant risk for public health worldwide, afflicting particularly people in more vulnerable categories and cause large morbidity and heavy economic impact. Traditional drugs are limited by their toxicity, low efficacy, route of administration, and cost, reflecting their low priority in global health management. Moreover, the drug resistance phenomenon threatens the positive therapy outcome. This scenario claims the need of addressing more adequate therapies. Among the diverse strategies implemented, the medicinal chemistry efforts have also focused their attention on the benzimidazole nucleus as a promising pharmacophore for the generation of new drug candidates. Hence, the present review provides a global insight into recent progress in benzimidazole-based derivatives drug discovery against important protozoan diseases, such as malaria, leishmaniasis and trypanosomiasis. The more relevant chemical features and structure-activity relationship studies of these molecules are discussed for the purpose of paving the way towards the development of more viable drugs for the treatment of these parasitic infections.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Francesconi
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV, 3, Genoa, 16132, Italy
| | - Marco Rizzo
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV, 3, Genoa, 16132, Italy
| | - Silvia Schenone
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV, 3, Genoa, 16132, Italy
| | - Anna Carbone
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV, 3, Genoa, 16132, Italy
| | - Michele Tonelli
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV, 3, Genoa, 16132, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Barrera-Téllez FJ, Prieto-Martínez FD, Hernández-Campos A, Martínez-Mayorga K, Castillo-Bocanegra R. In Silico Exploration of the Trypanothione Reductase (TryR) of L. mexicana. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:16046. [PMID: 38003236 PMCID: PMC10671491 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242216046] [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: 08/17/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Human leishmaniasis is a neglected tropical disease which affects nearly 1.5 million people every year, with Mexico being an important endemic region. One of the major defense mechanisms of these parasites is based in the polyamine metabolic pathway, as it provides the necessary compounds for its survival. Among the enzymes in this route, trypanothione reductase (TryR), an oxidoreductase enzyme, is crucial for the Leishmania genus' survival against oxidative stress. Thus, it poses as an attractive drug target, yet due to the size and features of its catalytic pocket, modeling techniques such as molecular docking focusing on that region is not convenient. Herein, we present a computational study using several structure-based approaches to assess the druggability of TryR from L. mexicana, the predominant Leishmania species in Mexico, beyond its catalytic site. Using this consensus methodology, three relevant pockets were found, of which the one we call σ-site promises to be the most favorable one. These findings may help the design of new drugs of trypanothione-related diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francisco J. Barrera-Téllez
- Departamento de Farmacia, Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México 04510, Mexico
| | - Fernando D. Prieto-Martínez
- Instituto de Química, Unidad Mérida, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Carretera Mérida-Tetiz, Km. 4.5, Ucú 97357, Mexico
| | - Alicia Hernández-Campos
- Departamento de Farmacia, Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México 04510, Mexico
| | - Karina Martínez-Mayorga
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Matemáticas Aplicadas y en Sistemas, Unidad Mérida, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Sierra Papacal, Mérida 97302, Mexico
| | - Rafael Castillo-Bocanegra
- Departamento de Farmacia, Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México 04510, Mexico
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
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.
Collapse
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.)
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Yoshino R, Yasuo N, Hagiwara Y, Ishida T, Inaoka DK, Amano Y, Tateishi Y, Ohno K, Namatame I, Niimi T, Orita M, Kita K, Akiyama Y, Sekijima M. Discovery of a Hidden Trypanosoma cruzi Spermidine Synthase Binding Site and Inhibitors through In Silico, In Vitro, and X-ray Crystallography. ACS OMEGA 2023; 8:25850-25860. [PMID: 37521650 PMCID: PMC10373461 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c01314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
In drug discovery research, the selection of promising binding sites and understanding the binding mode of compounds are crucial fundamental studies. The current understanding of the proteins-ligand binding model extends beyond the simple lock and key model to include the induced-fit model, which alters the conformation to match the shape of the ligand, and the pre-existing equilibrium model, selectively binding structures with high binding affinity from a diverse ensemble of proteins. Although methods for detecting target protein binding sites and virtual screening techniques using docking simulation are well-established, with numerous studies reported, they only consider a very limited number of structures in the diverse ensemble of proteins, as these methods are applied to a single structure. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulation is a method for predicting protein dynamics and can detect potential ensembles of protein binding sites and hidden sites unobservable in a single-point structure. In this study, to demonstrate the utility of virtual screening with protein dynamics, MD simulations were performed on Trypanosoma cruzi spermidine synthase to obtain an ensemble of dominant binding sites with a high probability of existence. The structure of the binding site obtained through MD simulation revealed pockets in addition to the active site that was present in the initial structure. Using the obtained binding site structures, virtual screening of 4.8 million compounds by docking simulation, in vitro assays, and X-ray analysis was conducted, successfully identifying two hit compounds.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ryunosuke Yoshino
- Transborder
Medical Research Center, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba 305-8577, Japan
- Education
Academy of Computational Life Sciences (ACLS), Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama 226-8501, Japan
| | - Nobuaki Yasuo
- Tokyo
Tech Academy for Convergence of Materials and Informatics (TAC-MI), Tokyo Institute of Technology, Meguro, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan
| | - Yohsuke Hagiwara
- Education
Academy of Computational Life Sciences (ACLS), Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama 226-8501, Japan
- Medicinal
Chemistry Research Labs, Drug Discovery Research, Astellas Pharma Inc, Miyukigaoka, Tsukuba 305-8585, Japan
| | - Takashi Ishida
- School
of Computing, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan
| | - Daniel Ken Inaoka
- School of
Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nagasaki
University, Sakamoto, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan
- Department
of Biomedical Chemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Yasushi Amano
- Medicinal
Chemistry Research Labs, Drug Discovery Research, Astellas Pharma Inc, Miyukigaoka, Tsukuba 305-8585, Japan
| | - Yukihiro Tateishi
- Medicinal
Chemistry Research Labs, Drug Discovery Research, Astellas Pharma Inc, Miyukigaoka, Tsukuba 305-8585, Japan
| | - Kazuki Ohno
- Education
Academy of Computational Life Sciences (ACLS), Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama 226-8501, Japan
- Medicinal
Chemistry Research Labs, Drug Discovery Research, Astellas Pharma Inc, Miyukigaoka, Tsukuba 305-8585, Japan
| | - Ichiji Namatame
- Medicinal
Chemistry Research Labs, Drug Discovery Research, Astellas Pharma Inc, Miyukigaoka, Tsukuba 305-8585, Japan
| | - Tatsuya Niimi
- Medicinal
Chemistry Research Labs, Drug Discovery Research, Astellas Pharma Inc, Miyukigaoka, Tsukuba 305-8585, Japan
| | - Masaya Orita
- Medicinal
Chemistry Research Labs, Drug Discovery Research, Astellas Pharma Inc, Miyukigaoka, Tsukuba 305-8585, Japan
| | - Kiyoshi Kita
- School of
Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nagasaki
University, Sakamoto, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan
- Department
of Biomedical Chemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Yutaka Akiyama
- Education
Academy of Computational Life Sciences (ACLS), Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama 226-8501, Japan
- School
of Computing, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan
| | - Masakazu Sekijima
- Education
Academy of Computational Life Sciences (ACLS), Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama 226-8501, Japan
- School
of Computing, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Nayab S, Alam A, Ahmad N, Khan SW, Khan W, Shams DF, Shah MI, Ateeq M, Shah SK, Lee H. Thiophene-Derived Schiff Base Complexes: Synthesis, Characterization, Antimicrobial Properties, and Molecular Docking. ACS OMEGA 2023; 8:17620-17633. [PMID: 37251197 PMCID: PMC10210233 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.2c08266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Novel thiophene-derived Schiff base ligand DE, where DE is (E)-N1,N1-diethyl-N2-(thiophen-2-ylmethylene)ethane-1,2-diamine, and the corresponding M(II) complexes, [M(DE)X2] (M = Cu or Zn, X = Cl; M = Cd, X = Br), were prepared and structurally characterized. X-ray diffraction studies revealed that the geometry around the center of the M(II) complexes, [Zn(DE)Cl2] and [Cd(DE)Br2], could be best described as a distorted tetrahedral. In vitro antimicrobial screening of DE and its corresponding M(II) complexes, [M(DE)X2], was performed. The complexes were more potent and showed higher activities against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, fungi Candida albicans, and protozoa Leishmania major compared to the ligand. Among the studied complexes, [Cd(DE)Br2] exhibited the most promising antimicrobial activity against all the tested microbes compared to its analogs. These results were further supported by molecular docking studies. We believe that these complexes may significantly contribute to the efficient designing of metal-derived agents to treat microbial infections.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Saira Nayab
- Department
of Chemistry, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University
(SBBU), Sheringal
Upper Dir 18050, Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa, Islamic Republic of Pakistan
- Department
of Chemistry and Green-Nano Materials Research Center, Kyungpook National University, 80 Daehakro, Bukgu, Daegu, 41566, Republic of Korea
| | - Aftab Alam
- Department
of Chemistry, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University
(SBBU), Sheringal
Upper Dir 18050, Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa, Islamic Republic of Pakistan
| | - Nasir Ahmad
- Department
of Chemistry Islamia College University
Peshawar, Peshawar 25000, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Islamic Republic of Pakistan
| | - Sher Wali Khan
- Department
of Chemistry, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University
(SBBU), Sheringal
Upper Dir 18050, Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa, Islamic Republic of Pakistan
| | - Waliullah Khan
- Department
of Chemistry, Abdul Wali Khan University, Mardan 23200, Islamic Republic of Pakistan
| | - Dilawar Farhan Shams
- Department
of Environmental Sciences, Abdul Wali Khan
University, Mardan 23200, Islamic Republic of Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Ishaq
Ali Shah
- Department
of Chemistry, Abdul Wali Khan University, Mardan 23200, Islamic Republic of Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Ateeq
- Department
of Chemistry, Abdul Wali Khan University, Mardan 23200, Islamic Republic of Pakistan
| | - Said Karim Shah
- Department
of Physics, Abdul Wali Khan University, Mardan 23200, Islamic Republic of Pakistan
| | - Hyosun Lee
- Department
of Chemistry and Green-Nano Materials Research Center, Kyungpook National University, 80 Daehakro, Bukgu, Daegu, 41566, Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Inhibition of Leishmania infantum Trypanothione Reductase by New Aminopropanone Derivatives Interacting with the NADPH Binding Site. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28010338. [PMID: 36615531 PMCID: PMC9823735 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28010338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Revised: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND As a result of the paucity of treatment, Leishmaniasis continues to provoke about 60,000 deaths every year worldwide. New molecules are needed, and drug discovery research is oriented toward targeting proteins crucial for parasite survival. Among them, trypanothione reductase (TR) is of remarkable interest owing to its vital role in Leishmania species protozoan parasite life. Our previously identified compound 1 is a novel chemotype endowed with a unique mode of TR inhibition thanks to its binding to a formerly unknown but druggable site at the entrance of the NADPH binding cavity, absent in human glutathione reductase (hGR). METHODS We designed and synthesized new 3-amino-1-arylpropan-1-one derivatives structurally related to compound 1 and evaluated their potential inhibition activity on TR from Leishmania infantum (LiTR). Cluster docking was performed to assess the binding poses of the compounds. RESULTS The newly synthesized compounds were screened at a concentration of 100 μM in in vitro assays and all of them proved to be active with residual activity percentages lower than 75%. CONCLUSIONS Compounds 2a and 2b were the most potent inhibitors found, suggesting that an additional aromatic ring might be promising for enzymatic inhibition. Further structure-activity relationships are needed to optimize our compounds activity.
Collapse
|
13
|
Wagner AS, Vogel AK, Lumsdaine SW, Phillips EK, Willems HME, Peters BM, Reynolds TB. Mucosal Infection with Unmasked Candida albicans Cells Impacts Disease Progression in a Host Niche-Specific Manner. Infect Immun 2022; 90:e0034222. [PMID: 36374100 PMCID: PMC9753624 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00342-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Shielding the immunogenic cell wall epitope β(1, 3)-glucan under an outer layer of mannosylated glycoproteins is an essential virulence factor deployed by Candida albicans during systemic infection. Accordingly, mutants with increased β(1, 3)-glucan exposure (unmasking) display increased immunostimulatory capabilities in vitro and attenuated virulence during systemic infection in mice. However, little work has been done to assess the impact of increased unmasking during the two most common manifestations of candidiasis, namely, oropharyngeal candidiasis (OPC) and vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC). We have shown previously that the expression of a single hyperactive allele of the MAP3K STE11ΔN467 induces unmasking via the Cek1 MAPK pathway, attenuates fungal burden, and prolongs survival during systemic infection in mice. Here, we expand on these findings and show that infection with an unmasked STE11ΔN467 mutant also impacts disease progression during OPC and VVC murine infection models. Male mice sublingually infected with the STE11ΔN467 mutant showed a significant reduction in tongue fungal burden at 2 days postinfection and a modest reduction at 5 days postinfection. However, we find that selection for STE11ΔN467 suppressor mutants that no longer display increased unmasking occurs within the oral cavity and is likely responsible for the restoration of fungal burden trends to wild-type levels later in the infection. In the VVC infection model, no attenuation in fungal burden was observed. However, polymorphonuclear cell recruitment and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) levels within the vaginal lumen, markers of immunopathogenesis, were increased in mice infected with unmasked STE11ΔN467 cells. Thus, our data suggest a niche-specific impact for unmasking on disease progression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrew S. Wagner
- Department of Microbiology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Amanda K. Vogel
- Integrated Program in Biomedical Sciences, College of Graduate Health Sciences, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | | | - Elise K. Phillips
- Department of Microbiology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Hubertine M. E. Willems
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Translational Science, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Brian M. Peters
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Translational Science, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Todd B. Reynolds
- Department of Microbiology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
de Lucio H, Revuelto A, Carriles AA, de Castro S, García-González S, García-Soriano JC, Alcón-Calderón M, Sánchez-Murcia PA, Hermoso JA, Gago F, Camarasa MJ, Jiménez-Ruiz A, Velázquez S. Identification of 1,2,3-triazolium salt-based inhibitors of Leishmania infantum trypanothione disulfide reductase with enhanced antileishmanial potency in cellulo and increased selectivity. Eur J Med Chem 2022; 244:114878. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.114878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Revised: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
|
15
|
Dumitrescu DG, Gordon EM, Kovalyova Y, Seminara AB, Duncan-Lowey B, Forster ER, Zhou W, Booth CJ, Shen A, Kranzusch PJ, Hatzios SK. A microbial transporter of the dietary antioxidant ergothioneine. Cell 2022; 185:4526-4540.e18. [PMID: 36347253 PMCID: PMC9691600 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2022.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Revised: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Low-molecular-weight (LMW) thiols are small-molecule antioxidants required for the maintenance of intracellular redox homeostasis. However, many host-associated microbes, including the gastric pathogen Helicobacter pylori, unexpectedly lack LMW-thiol biosynthetic pathways. Using reactivity-guided metabolomics, we identified the unusual LMW thiol ergothioneine (EGT) in H. pylori. Dietary EGT accumulates to millimolar levels in human tissues and has been broadly implicated in mitigating disease risk. Although certain microorganisms synthesize EGT, we discovered that H. pylori acquires this LMW thiol from the host environment using a highly selective ATP-binding cassette transporter-EgtUV. EgtUV confers a competitive colonization advantage in vivo and is widely conserved in gastrointestinal microbes. Furthermore, we found that human fecal bacteria metabolize EGT, which may contribute to production of the disease-associated metabolite trimethylamine N-oxide. Collectively, our findings illustrate a previously unappreciated mechanism of microbial redox regulation in the gut and suggest that inter-kingdom competition for dietary EGT may broadly impact human health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel G Dumitrescu
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA; Department of Chemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA; Microbial Sciences Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT 06516, USA
| | - Elizabeth M Gordon
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA; Microbial Sciences Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT 06516, USA
| | - Yekaterina Kovalyova
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA; Department of Chemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA; Microbial Sciences Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT 06516, USA
| | - Anna B Seminara
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA; Microbial Sciences Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT 06516, USA; Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Brianna Duncan-Lowey
- Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Emily R Forster
- Department of Molecular Biology and Microbiology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02111, USA; Graduate Program in Molecular Microbiology, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University, Boston, MA 02111, USA
| | - Wen Zhou
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, China
| | - Carmen J Booth
- Department of Comparative Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Aimee Shen
- Department of Molecular Biology and Microbiology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02111, USA
| | - Philip J Kranzusch
- Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Stavroula K Hatzios
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA; Department of Chemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA; Microbial Sciences Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT 06516, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Alpizar-Sosa EA, Ithnin NRB, Wei W, Pountain AW, Weidt SK, Donachie AM, Ritchie R, Dickie EA, Burchmore RJS, Denny PW, Barrett MP. Amphotericin B resistance in Leishmania mexicana: Alterations to sterol metabolism and oxidative stress response. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2022; 16:e0010779. [PMID: 36170238 PMCID: PMC9581426 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Revised: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Amphotericin B is increasingly used in treatment of leishmaniasis. Here, fourteen independent lines of Leishmania mexicana and one L. infantum line were selected for resistance to either amphotericin B or the related polyene antimicrobial, nystatin. Sterol profiling revealed that, in each resistant line, the predominant wild-type sterol, ergosta-5,7,24-trienol, was replaced by other sterol intermediates. Broadly, two different profiles emerged among the resistant lines. Whole genome sequencing then showed that these distinct profiles were due either to mutations in the sterol methyl transferase (C24SMT) gene locus or the sterol C5 desaturase (C5DS) gene. In three lines an additional deletion of the miltefosine transporter gene was found. Differences in sensitivity to amphotericin B were apparent, depending on whether cells were grown in HOMEM, supplemented with foetal bovine serum, or a serum free defined medium (DM). Metabolomic analysis after exposure to AmB showed that a large increase in glucose flux via the pentose phosphate pathway preceded cell death in cells sustained in HOMEM but not DM, indicating the oxidative stress was more significantly induced under HOMEM conditions. Several of the lines were tested for their ability to infect macrophages and replicate as amastigote forms, alongside their ability to establish infections in mice. While several AmB resistant lines showed reduced virulence, at least two lines displayed heightened virulence in mice whilst retaining their resistance phenotype, emphasising the risks of resistance emerging to this critical drug.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Edubiel A. Alpizar-Sosa
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, School of Infection & Immunity, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
- Department of Biosciences, Durham University, Durham, United Kingdom
| | - Nur Raihana Binti Ithnin
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, School of Infection & Immunity, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Wenbin Wei
- Department of Biosciences, Durham University, Durham, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew W. Pountain
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, School of Infection & Immunity, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
- Institute for Computational Medicine, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York City, New York, United States of America
| | - Stefan K. Weidt
- Glasgow Polyomics, College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Garscube Estate, Bearsden, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Anne M. Donachie
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, School of Infection & Immunity, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Ryan Ritchie
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, School of Infection & Immunity, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Emily A. Dickie
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, School of Infection & Immunity, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
- Glasgow Polyomics, College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Garscube Estate, Bearsden, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Richard J. S. Burchmore
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, School of Infection & Immunity, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
- Glasgow Polyomics, College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Garscube Estate, Bearsden, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Paul W. Denny
- Department of Biosciences, Durham University, Durham, United Kingdom
| | - Michael P. Barrett
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, School of Infection & Immunity, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
- Glasgow Polyomics, College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Garscube Estate, Bearsden, Glasgow, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Kumar A, Nimsarkar P, Singh S. Systems pharmacology aiding benzimidazole scaffold as potential lead compounds against leishmaniasis for functional therapeutics. Life Sci 2022; 308:120960. [PMID: 36116527 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2022.120960] [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: 06/22/2022] [Revised: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/10/2022] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
Systems pharmacology helps to understand the complex relationships between biological systems, drugs, and infection model; Leishmania major being one of them. It has aided the drug discovery process by addressing the concerns about economic stress, drug toxicity, and the emergence of resistance. Two million new leishmaniasis cases are reported annually, and >350 million people are at risk globally due to the parasite Leishmania. Trypanothione reductase (TryR) from the parasite-specific redox metabolism is a promising target. In the discipline of medicinal chemistry, benzimidazole is a strong pharmacophore and exhibits a broad range of biological activities. In the current study, benzimidazole derivatives were explored using computational, enzyme kinetics, biological activity, cytotoxic impact characterization, and in-silico ADME-Tox predictions, followed by their confirmation through in-vitro and animal experiments to discover novel inhibitors for TryR from Leishmania major. During rigorous in-silico screening, two benzimidazole derivatives were chosen for further experimentation. In-vitro testing revealed that compound C1 has a higher binding affinity for the TryR protein. Treatment with compound C1 caused significant morphological changes in the parasite, including size reduction, membrane blebbing, loss of motility, and improved anti-leishmanial efficacy. The compound C1 had significant anti-leishmanial potential against L. major promastigotes and demonstrated apoptosis-mediated leishmanicidal activity (apoptosis-like cell death). Furthermore, BALB/c female mice treated with C1 reduced parasite burden. Our findings depicts that C1 successfully lowered the parasite load and has a therapeutic impact on infected mice making C1 as a promising lead compound that, with additional modifications, may be exploited to create novel anti-leishmanial therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anurag Kumar
- National Centre for Cell Science, NCCS Complex, SP Pune University Campus, Ganeshkhind, Pune 411007, India
| | - Prajakta Nimsarkar
- National Centre for Cell Science, NCCS Complex, SP Pune University Campus, Ganeshkhind, Pune 411007, India
| | - Shailza Singh
- National Centre for Cell Science, NCCS Complex, SP Pune University Campus, Ganeshkhind, Pune 411007, India.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Fiorillo A, Colotti G, Exertier C, Liuzzi A, Seghetti F, Salerno A, Caciolla J, Ilari A. Innovative Approach for a Classic Target: Fragment Screening on Trypanothione Reductase Reveals New Opportunities for Drug Design. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:900882. [PMID: 35860359 PMCID: PMC9289546 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.900882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Trypanothione reductase (TR) is a key factor in the redox homeostasis of trypanosomatid parasites, critical for survival in the hostile oxidative environment generated by the host to fight infection. TR is considered an attractive target for the development of new trypanocidal agents as it is essential for parasite survival but has no close homolog in humans. However, the high efficiency and turnover of TR challenging targets since only potent inhibitors, with nanomolar IC50, can significantly affect parasite redox state and viability. To aid the design of effective compounds targeting TR, we performed a fragment-based crystal screening at the Diamond Light Source XChem facility using a library optimized for follow-up synthesis steps. The experiment, allowing for testing over 300 compounds, resulted in the identification of 12 new ligands binding five different sites. Interestingly, the screening revealed the existence of an allosteric pocket close to the NADPH binding site, named the “doorstop pocket” since ligands binding at this site interfere with TR activity by hampering the “opening movement” needed to allow cofactor binding. The second remarkable site, known as the Z-site, identified by the screening, is located within the large trypanothione cavity but corresponds to a region not yet exploited for inhibition. The fragments binding to this site are close to each other and have some remarkable features making them ideal for follow-up optimization as a piperazine moiety in three out of five fragments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Annarita Fiorillo
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology, Italian National Research Council, IBPM-CNR, Rome, Italy
- Department of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
- *Correspondence: Annarita Fiorillo,
| | - Gianni Colotti
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology, Italian National Research Council, IBPM-CNR, Rome, Italy
- Department of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Cécile Exertier
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology, Italian National Research Council, IBPM-CNR, Rome, Italy
| | - Anastasia Liuzzi
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology, Italian National Research Council, IBPM-CNR, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Seghetti
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology (FaBiT), Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Alessandra Salerno
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology (FaBiT), Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Jessica Caciolla
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology (FaBiT), Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Andrea Ilari
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology, Italian National Research Council, IBPM-CNR, Rome, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Ali V, Behera S, Nawaz A, Equbal A, Pandey K. Unique thiol metabolism in trypanosomatids: Redox homeostasis and drug resistance. ADVANCES IN PARASITOLOGY 2022; 117:75-155. [PMID: 35878950 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apar.2022.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Trypanosomatids are mainly responsible for heterogeneous parasitic diseases: Leishmaniasis, Sleeping sickness, and Chagas disease and control of these diseases implicates serious challenges due to the emergence of drug resistance. Redox-active biomolecules are the endogenous substances in organisms, which play important role in the regulation of redox homeostasis. The redox-active substances like glutathione, trypanothione, cysteine, cysteine persulfides, etc., and other inorganic intermediates (hydrogen peroxide, nitric oxide) are very useful as defence mechanism. In the present review, the suitability of trypanothione and other essential thiol molecules of trypanosomatids as drug targets are described in Leishmania and Trypanosoma. We have explored the role of tryparedoxin, tryparedoxin peroxidase, ascorbate peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and glutaredoxins in the anti-oxidant mechanism and drug resistance. Up-regulation of some proteins in trypanothione metabolism helps the parasites in survival against drug pressure (sodium stibogluconate, Amphotericin B, etc.) and oxidative stress. These molecules accept electrons from the reduced trypanothione and donate their electrons to other proteins, and these proteins reduce toxic molecules, neutralize reactive oxygen, or nitrogen species; and help parasites to cope with oxidative stress. Thus, a better understanding of the role of these molecules in drug resistance and redox homeostasis will help to target metabolic pathway proteins to combat Leishmaniasis and trypanosomiases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vahab Ali
- Laboratory of Molecular Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Department of Biochemistry, ICMR-Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences (RMRIMS), Patna, Bihar, India.
| | - Sachidananda Behera
- Laboratory of Molecular Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Department of Biochemistry, ICMR-Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences (RMRIMS), Patna, Bihar, India
| | - Afreen Nawaz
- Laboratory of Molecular Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Department of Biochemistry, ICMR-Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences (RMRIMS), Patna, Bihar, India
| | - Asif Equbal
- Laboratory of Molecular Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Department of Biochemistry, ICMR-Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences (RMRIMS), Patna, Bihar, India; Department of Botany, Araria College, Purnea University, Purnia, Bihar, India
| | - Krishna Pandey
- Department of Clinical Medicine, ICMR-Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences (RMRIMS), Patna, Bihar, India
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Pedra-Rezende Y, Bombaça ACS, Menna-Barreto/ RFS. Is the mitochondrion a promising drug target in trypanosomatids? Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2022; 117:e210379. [PMID: 35195164 PMCID: PMC8862782 DOI: 10.1590/0074-02760210379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
|
21
|
Lima ÂCDO, Conceição RS, Freitas LS, de Carvalho CAL, Conceição ALDS, Freitas HF, Pita SSDR, Ifa DR, Pinheiro AM, Branco A. Hydroxycinnamic acid-spermidine amides from Tetragonisca angustula honey as anti-Neospora caninum: In vitro and in silico studies. Chem Biol Drug Des 2021; 98:1104-1115. [PMID: 34614302 DOI: 10.1111/cbdd.13969] [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: 06/19/2021] [Revised: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 09/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Tetragonisca angustula honey was fractioned in a SiO2 column to furnish three fractions (A-C) in which four hydroxycinnamic acid-Spermidine amides (HCAAs), known as N', N″, N‴-tris-p-coumaroyl spermidine, N', N″-dicaffeoyl, N‴-coumaroyl spermidine, N', N″, N‴-tris-caffeoyl spermidine and N', N″-dicaffeoyl and N‴-feruloyl spermidine were identified in the fractions B and C by electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry. A primary culture model previously infected with Neospora caninum (72 h) was used to evaluate the honey fractions (A-C) for two-time intervals: 24 and 72 h. Parasitic reduction ranged from 38% on fraction C (12.5 µg/ml), after 24 h, to 54% and 41% with fractions B and C (25 µg/ml) after 72 h of treatment, respectively. Additionally, HCAAs did not show any cell toxicity for 24 and 72 h. For infected cultures (72 h), the active fractions B (12.5 µg/ml) and C (25 µg/ml) decreased their NO content. In silico studies suggest that HCAAs may affect the parasite's redox pathway and improve the oxidative effect of NO released from infected cells. Here, we presented for the first time, that HCAAs from T. angustula honey have the potential to inhibit the growth of N. caninum protozoa.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ângela C de O Lima
- Graduate Program in Biotechnology, State University of Feira de Santana - UEFS, Feira de Santana, Brazil
- Veterinary, Biochemistry and Immunology Laboratory, Center for Agricultural, Environmental and Biological Sciences, Federal University of Reconcavo da Bahia, Cruz das Almas, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo S Conceição
- Graduate Program in Biotechnology, State University of Feira de Santana - UEFS, Feira de Santana, Brazil
| | - Luciana S Freitas
- Veterinary, Biochemistry and Immunology Laboratory, Center for Agricultural, Environmental and Biological Sciences, Federal University of Reconcavo da Bahia, Cruz das Almas, Brazil
| | - Carlos A L de Carvalho
- Center for Agricultural, Environmental and Biological Sciences, Federal University of Reconcavo da Bahia, Cruz das Almas, Brazil
| | - Antônio L da S Conceição
- Center for Agricultural, Environmental and Biological Sciences, Federal University of Reconcavo da Bahia, Cruz das Almas, Brazil
| | - Humberto F Freitas
- Laboratory of Bioinformatics and Molecular Modeling (LaBiMM), Pharmacy College, Federal University of Bahia (UFBA), Salvador, Brazil
| | - Samuel S da R Pita
- Laboratory of Bioinformatics and Molecular Modeling (LaBiMM), Pharmacy College, Federal University of Bahia (UFBA), Salvador, Brazil
| | - Demian R Ifa
- Department of Chemistry, Center for Research in Mass Spectrometry, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Alexandre M Pinheiro
- Veterinary, Biochemistry and Immunology Laboratory, Center for Agricultural, Environmental and Biological Sciences, Federal University of Reconcavo da Bahia, Cruz das Almas, Brazil
| | - Alexsandro Branco
- Graduate Program in Biotechnology, State University of Feira de Santana - UEFS, Feira de Santana, Brazil
- Laboratory of Phytochemistry, State University of Feira de Santana - UEFS, Feira de Santana, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Revuelto A, López-Martín I, de Lucio H, García-Soriano JC, Zanda N, de Castro S, Gago F, Jiménez-Ruiz A, Velázquez S, Camarasa MJ. Small Molecule-Peptide Conjugates as Dimerization Inhibitors of Leishmania infantum Trypanothione Disulfide Reductase. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14070689. [PMID: 34358115 PMCID: PMC8308777 DOI: 10.3390/ph14070689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Revised: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Trypanothione disulfide reductase (TryR) is an essential homodimeric enzyme of trypanosomatid parasites that has been validated as a drug target to fight human infections. Using peptides and peptidomimetics, we previously obtained proof of concept that disrupting protein-protein interactions at the dimer interface of Leishmania infantum TryR (LiTryR) offered an innovative and so far unexploited opportunity for the development of novel antileishmanial agents. Now, we show that linking our previous peptide prototype TRL38 to selected hydrophobic moieties provides a novel series of small-molecule-peptide conjugates that behave as good inhibitors of both LiTryR activity and dimerization.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Revuelto
- Instituto de Química Médica (IQM-CSIC), E-28006 Madrid, Spain; (A.R.); (I.L.-M.); (N.Z.); (S.d.C.)
| | - Isabel López-Martín
- Instituto de Química Médica (IQM-CSIC), E-28006 Madrid, Spain; (A.R.); (I.L.-M.); (N.Z.); (S.d.C.)
| | - Héctor de Lucio
- Departamento de Biología de Sistemas, Universidad de Alcalá, E-28805 Alcalá de Henares, Spain; (H.d.L.); (J.C.G.-S.); (A.J.-R.)
| | - Juan Carlos García-Soriano
- Departamento de Biología de Sistemas, Universidad de Alcalá, E-28805 Alcalá de Henares, Spain; (H.d.L.); (J.C.G.-S.); (A.J.-R.)
| | - Nicola Zanda
- Instituto de Química Médica (IQM-CSIC), E-28006 Madrid, Spain; (A.R.); (I.L.-M.); (N.Z.); (S.d.C.)
| | - Sonia de Castro
- Instituto de Química Médica (IQM-CSIC), E-28006 Madrid, Spain; (A.R.); (I.L.-M.); (N.Z.); (S.d.C.)
| | - Federico Gago
- Unidad Asociada al IQM-CSIC, Área de Farmacología, Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad de Alcalá, E-28805 Alcalá de Henares, Spain;
| | - Antonio Jiménez-Ruiz
- Departamento de Biología de Sistemas, Universidad de Alcalá, E-28805 Alcalá de Henares, Spain; (H.d.L.); (J.C.G.-S.); (A.J.-R.)
| | - Sonsoles Velázquez
- Instituto de Química Médica (IQM-CSIC), E-28006 Madrid, Spain; (A.R.); (I.L.-M.); (N.Z.); (S.d.C.)
- Correspondence: (S.V.); (M.-J.C.); Tel.: +34-912-587-458 (M.-J.C.)
| | - María-José Camarasa
- Instituto de Química Médica (IQM-CSIC), E-28006 Madrid, Spain; (A.R.); (I.L.-M.); (N.Z.); (S.d.C.)
- Correspondence: (S.V.); (M.-J.C.); Tel.: +34-912-587-458 (M.-J.C.)
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Identification of 3-Methoxycarpachromene and Masticadienonic Acid as New Target Inhibitors against Trypanothione Reductase from Leishmania Infantum Using Molecular Docking and ADMET Prediction. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26113335. [PMID: 34206087 PMCID: PMC8199445 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26113335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Revised: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Polyphenolic and Terpenoids are potent natural antiparasitic compounds. This study aimed to identify new drug against Leishmania parasites, leishmaniasis’s causal agent. A new in silico analysis was accomplished using molecular docking, with the Autodock vina program, to find the binding affinity of two important phytochemical compounds, Masticadienonic acid and the 3-Methoxycarpachromene, towards the trypanothione reductase as target drugs, responsible for the defense mechanism against oxidative stress and virulence of these parasites. There were exciting and new positive results: the molecular docking results show as elective binding profile for ligands inside the active site of this crucial enzyme. The ADMET study suggests that the 3-Methoxycarpachromene has the highest probability of human intestinal absorption. Through this work, 3-Methoxycarpachromene and Masticadienonic acid are shown to be potentially significant in drug discovery, especially in treating leishmaniasis. Hence, drug development should be completed with promising results.
Collapse
|
24
|
Revuelto A, de Lucio H, García-Soriano JC, Sánchez-Murcia PA, Gago F, Jiménez-Ruiz A, Camarasa MJ, Velázquez S. Efficient Dimerization Disruption of Leishmania infantum Trypanothione Reductase by Triazole-phenyl-thiazoles. J Med Chem 2021; 64:6137-6160. [PMID: 33945281 PMCID: PMC8480782 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c00206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Inhibition of Leishmania infantum trypanothione disulfide reductase (LiTryR) by disruption of its homodimeric interface has proved to be an alternative and unexploited strategy in the search for novel antileishmanial agents. Proof of concept was first obtained by peptides and peptidomimetics. Building on previously reported dimerization disruptors containing an imidazole-phenyl-thiazole scaffold, we now report a new 1,2,3-triazole-based chemotype that yields noncompetitive, slow-binding inhibitors of LiTryR. Several compounds bearing (poly)aromatic substituents dramatically improve the ability to disrupt LiTryR dimerization relative to reference imidazoles. Molecular modeling studies identified an almost unexplored hydrophobic region at the interfacial domain as the putative binding site for these compounds. A subsequent structure-based design led to a symmetrical triazole analogue that displayed even more potent inhibitory activity over LiTryR and enhanced leishmanicidal activity. Remarkably, several of these novel triazole-bearing compounds were able to kill both extracellular and intracellular parasites in cell cultures.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Revuelto
- Instituto
de Química Médica (IQM-CSIC), c/ Juan de la Cierva 3, E-28006 Madrid, Spain
| | - Héctor de Lucio
- Departamento
de Biología de Sistemas, Universidad
de Alcalá, E-28805 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Pedro A. Sánchez-Murcia
- Área
de Farmacología, Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas,
Unidad Asociada al IQM-CSIC, Universidad
de Alcalá, E-28805 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain
| | - Federico Gago
- Área
de Farmacología, Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas,
Unidad Asociada al IQM-CSIC, Universidad
de Alcalá, E-28805 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain
| | - Antonio Jiménez-Ruiz
- Departamento
de Biología de Sistemas, Universidad
de Alcalá, E-28805 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain
| | - María-José Camarasa
- Instituto
de Química Médica (IQM-CSIC), c/ Juan de la Cierva 3, E-28006 Madrid, Spain
| | - Sonsoles Velázquez
- Instituto
de Química Médica (IQM-CSIC), c/ Juan de la Cierva 3, E-28006 Madrid, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Rosa LB, Aires RL, Oliveira LS, Fontes JV, Miguel DC, Abbehausen C. A "Golden Age" for the discovery of new antileishmanial agents: Current status of leishmanicidal gold complexes and prospective targets beyond the trypanothione system. ChemMedChem 2021; 16:1681-1695. [PMID: 33615725 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202100022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is one of the most neglected diseases worldwide and is considered a serious public health issue. The current therapeutic options have several disadvantages that make the search for new therapeutics urgent. Gold compounds are emerging as promising candidates based on encouraging in vitro and limited in vivo results for several AuI and AuIII complexes. The antiparasitic mechanisms of these molecules remain only partially understood. However, a few studies have proposed the trypanothione redox system as a target, similar to the mammalian thioredoxin system, pointed out as the main target for several gold compounds with significant antitumor activity. In this review, we present the current status of the investigation and design of gold compounds directed at treating leishmaniasis. In addition, we explore potential targets in Leishmania parasites beyond the trypanothione system, taking into account previous studies and structure modulation performed for gold-based compounds.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Leticia B Rosa
- Institute of Biology, University of Campinas UNICAMP, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Rochanna L Aires
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Campinas, PO Box 6154, 13083-970, Campinas, SP, Brazil)
| | - Laiane S Oliveira
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Campinas, PO Box 6154, 13083-970, Campinas, SP, Brazil)
| | - Josielle V Fontes
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Campinas, PO Box 6154, 13083-970, Campinas, SP, Brazil)
| | - Danilo C Miguel
- Institute of Biology, University of Campinas UNICAMP, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Camilla Abbehausen
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Campinas, PO Box 6154, 13083-970, Campinas, SP, Brazil)
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
J B, M BM, Chanda K. An Overview on the Therapeutics of Neglected Infectious Diseases-Leishmaniasis and Chagas Diseases. Front Chem 2021; 9:622286. [PMID: 33777895 PMCID: PMC7994601 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2021.622286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) as termed by WHO include twenty different infectious diseases that are caused by bacteria, viruses, and parasites. Among these NTDs, Chagas disease and leishmaniasis are reported to cause high mortality in humans and are further associated with the limitations of existing drugs like severe toxicity and drug resistance. The above hitches have rendered researchers to focus on developing alternatives and novel therapeutics for the treatment of these diseases. In the past decade, several target-based drugs have emerged, which focus on specific biochemical pathways of the causative parasites. For leishmaniasis, the targets such as nucleoside analogs, inhibitors targeting nucleoside phosphate kinases of the parasite’s purine salvage pathway, 20S proteasome of Leishmania, mitochondria, and the associated proteins are reviewed along with the chemical structures of potential drug candidates. Similarly, in case of therapeutics for Chagas disease, several target-based drug candidates targeting sterol biosynthetic pathway (C14-ademethylase), L-cysteine protease, heme peroxidation, mitochondria, farnesyl pyrophosphate, etc., which are vital and unique to the causative parasite are discussed. Moreover, the use of nano-based formulations towards the therapeutics of the above diseases is also discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Brindha J
- Division of Chemistry, School of Advanced Sciences, Vellore Institute of Technology, Chennai, India
| | - Balamurali M M
- Division of Chemistry, School of Advanced Sciences, Vellore Institute of Technology, Chennai, India
| | - Kaushik Chanda
- Department of Chemistry, School of Advanced Sciences, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, India
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Abstract
Trypanothione is the primary thiol redox carrier in Trypanosomatids whose biosynthesis and utilization pathways contain unique enzymes that include suitable drug targets against the human parasites in this family. Overexpression of the rate-limiting enzyme, γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase (GSH1), can increase the intracellular concentration of trypanothione. Melarsoprol directly inhibits trypanothione and has predicted the effects on downstream redox biology, including ROS management and dNTP synthesis that require further investigation. Thus, we hypothesized that melarsoprol treatment would inhibit DNA synthesis, which was tested using BrdU incorporation assays and cell cycle analyses. In addition, we analysed the effects of eflornithine, which interfaces with the trypanothione pathway, fexinidazole, because of the predicted effects on DNA synthesis, and pentamidine as an experimental control. We found that melarsoprol treatment resulted in a cell cycle stall and a complete inhibition of DNA synthesis within 24 h, which were alleviated by GSH1 overexpression. In contrast, the other drugs analysed had more subtle effects on DNA synthesis that were not significantly altered by GSH1 expression. Together these findings implicate DNA synthesis as a therapeutic target that warrants further investigation in the development of antitrypanosomal drugs.
Collapse
|
28
|
Ortíz C, Moraca F, Laverriere M, Jordan A, Hamilton N, Comini MA. Glucose 6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase from Trypanosomes: Selectivity for Steroids and Chemical Validation in Bloodstream Trypanosoma brucei. Molecules 2021; 26:E358. [PMID: 33445584 PMCID: PMC7826790 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26020358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2020] [Revised: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) fulfills an essential role in cell physiology by catalyzing the production of NADPH+ and of a precursor for the de novo synthesis of ribose 5-phosphate. In trypanosomatids, G6PDH is essential for in vitro proliferation, antioxidant defense and, thereby, drug resistance mechanisms. So far, 16α-brominated epiandrosterone represents the most potent hit targeting trypanosomal G6PDH. Here, we extended the investigations on this important drug target and its inhibition by using a small subset of androstane derivatives. In Trypanosoma cruzi, immunofluorescence revealed a cytoplasmic distribution of G6PDH and the absence of signal in major organelles. Cytochemical assays confirmed parasitic G6PDH as the molecular target of epiandrosterone. Structure-activity analysis for a set of new (dehydro)epiandrosterone derivatives revealed that bromination at position 16α of the cyclopentane moiety yielded more potent T. cruzi G6PDH inhibitors than the corresponding β-substituted analogues. For the 16α brominated compounds, the inclusion of an acetoxy group at position 3 either proved detrimental or enhanced the activity of the epiandrosterone or the dehydroepiandrosterone derivatives, respectively. Most derivatives presented single digit μM EC50 against infective T. brucei and the killing mechanism involved an early thiol-redox unbalance. This data suggests that infective African trypanosomes lack efficient NADPH+-synthesizing pathways, beyond the Pentose Phosphate, to maintain thiol-redox homeostasis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia Ortíz
- Redox Biology of Trypanosomes, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Mataojo 2020, Montevideo 11400, Uruguay;
| | - Francesca Moraca
- Dipartimento di Biotecnologie, Chimica e Farmacia, Università degli Studi di Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy;
| | - Marc Laverriere
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas, Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomus (IIB-INTECH, UNSAM-CONICET), Av. General Paz 5445, INTI, San Martín 1650, Pcia de Buenos Aires, Argentina;
| | - Allan Jordan
- Drug Discovery Unit, Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, University of Manchester, Alderley Park, Macclesfield SK10 4TG, UK; (A.J.); (N.H.)
| | - Niall Hamilton
- Drug Discovery Unit, Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, University of Manchester, Alderley Park, Macclesfield SK10 4TG, UK; (A.J.); (N.H.)
| | - Marcelo A. Comini
- Redox Biology of Trypanosomes, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Mataojo 2020, Montevideo 11400, Uruguay;
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Piñeyro MD, Arias D, Parodi-Talice A, Guerrero S, Robello C. Trypanothione Metabolism as Drug Target for Trypanosomatids. Curr Pharm Des 2021; 27:1834-1846. [PMID: 33308115 DOI: 10.2174/1381612826666201211115329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2020] [Revised: 10/01/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Chagas Disease, African sleeping sickness, and leishmaniasis are neglected diseases caused by pathogenic trypanosomatid parasites, which have a considerable impact on morbidity and mortality in poor countries. The available drugs used as treatment have high toxicity, limited access, and can cause parasite drug resistance. Long-term treatments, added to their high toxicity, result in patients that give up therapy. Trypanosomatids presents a unique trypanothione based redox system, which is responsible for maintaining the redox balance. Therefore, inhibition of these essential and exclusive parasite's metabolic pathways, absent from the mammalian host, could lead to the development of more efficient and safe drugs. The system contains different redox cascades, where trypanothione and tryparedoxins play together a central role in transferring reduced power to different enzymes, such as 2-Cys peroxiredoxins, non-selenium glutathione peroxidases, ascorbate peroxidases, glutaredoxins and methionine sulfoxide reductases, through NADPH as a source of electrons. There is sufficient evidence that this complex system is essential for parasite survival and infection. In this review, we explore what is known in terms of essentiality, kinetic and structural data, and the development of inhibitors of enzymes from this trypanothione-based redox system. The recent advances and limitations in the development of lead inhibitory compounds targeting these enzymes have been discussed. The combination of molecular biology, bioinformatics, genomics, and structural biology is fundamental since the knowledge of unique features of the trypanothione-dependent system will provide tools for rational drug design in order to develop better treatments for these diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Diego Arias
- Instituto de Agrobiotecnologia del Litoral y Facultad de Bioquimica y Ciencias Biologicas, CONICET-UNL, Santa F, Argentina
| | | | - Sergio Guerrero
- Instituto de Agrobiotecnologia del Litoral y Facultad de Bioquimica y Ciencias Biologicas, CONICET-UNL, Santa F, Argentina
| | - Carlos Robello
- Unidad de Biologia Molecular, Instituto Pasteur Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
New Amides Containing Selenium as Potent Leishmanicidal Agents Targeting Trypanothione Reductase. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2020; 65:AAC.00524-20. [PMID: 33046492 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00524-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2020] [Accepted: 10/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Two new series of 28 selenocyanate and diselenide derivatives containing amide moieties were designed, synthesized, and evaluated for their leishmanicidal activity against Leishmania infantum axenic amastigotes, and selectivity was assessed in human THP-1 cells. Eleven compounds exhibited excellent leishmanicidal activity with EC50 values lower than the reference drug miltefosine (EC50 = 2.84 μM). In addition, for six of them the selectivity index ranged from 9 to >1,442, greater than both references used. The most potent and selective compounds were compounds 2h, 2k, and 2m that displayed EC50 values of 0.52, 1.19, and 0.50 μM, respectively, and a high selectivity index (SI) when tested against THP-1 monocytic cells (SI = >1,442, >672, and >1,100, respectively). These derivatives showed an efficacy similar to that of the reference drugs but much better SI values. They also showed interesting activity values against infected macrophages. Trypanothione reductase (TryR) activity and intracellular thiol level measurement assays were performed for the three best compounds in an attempt to elucidate their mechanism of action. Despite that the new analogs exhibited comparable or better inhibitory activities than the reference TryR inhibitors, more studies are necessary to confirm this result. In summary, our findings suggest that the three compounds described here could constitute leading leishmanicidal drug candidates.
Collapse
|
31
|
Rodríguez-Vega A, Losada-Barragán M, Berbert LR, Mesquita-Rodrigues C, Bombaça ACS, Menna-Barreto R, Aquino P, Carvalho PC, Padrón G, de Jesus JB, Cuervo P. Quantitative analysis of proteins secreted by Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis strains associated to distinct clinical manifestations of American Tegumentary Leishmaniasis. J Proteomics 2020; 232:104077. [PMID: 33309930 DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2020.104077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Revised: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 12/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The role of Leishmania braziliensis in the development of different clinical forms of American Tegumentary Leishmaniasis (ATL) is unclear, but it has been suggested that molecules secreted/released by parasites could modulate the clinical outcome. Here, we analyzed the infection rate and cytokine profile of macrophages pretreated with the secretome of two L. braziliensis strains associated with polar clinical forms of ATL: one associated with localized self-healing cutaneous leishmaniasis (LCL) and other associated with the disseminated form (DL). Besides, we use an iTRAQ-based quantitative proteomics approach to compare the abundance of proteins secreted by those strains. In vitro infection demonstrated that pretreatment with secretome resulted in higher number of infected macrophages, as well as higher number of amastigotes per cell. Additionally, macrophages pretreated with LCL secretome exhibited a proinflammatory profile, whereas those pretreated with the DL one did not. These findings suggest that secretomes made macrophages more susceptible to infection and that molecules secreted by each strain modulate, differentially, the macrophages' cytokine profile. Indeed, proteomics analysis showed that the DL secretome is rich in molecules involved in macrophage deactivation, while is poor in proteins that activate proinflammatory pathways. Together, our results reveal new molecules that may contribute to the infection, persistence and dissemination of the parasite. SIGNIFICANCE: Leishmania braziliensis is associated to localized self-healing cutaneous lesions (LCL), disseminated leishmaniasis (DL), and mucocutaneous lesions (MCL). To understand the role of the parasite in those distinct clinical manifestations we evaluated infection rates and cytokine profiles of macrophages pre-treated with secretomes of two L. braziliensis strains associated with DL and LCL, and quantitatively compared these secretomes. The infection index of macrophages pretreated with the DL secretome was significantly higher than that exhibited by non-treated cells. Interestingly, whereas the LCL secretome stimulated a proinflammatory setting, favoring an effector cell response that would explain the proper resolution of the disease caused by this strain, the DL strain was not able to elicit such response or has mechanisms to prevent this activation. Indeed, DL secretome is rich in peptidases that may deactivate cell pathways crucial for parasite elimination, while is poor in proteins that could activate proinflammatory pathways, favoring parasite infection and persistence.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrés Rodríguez-Vega
- Laboratório de Pesquisa em Leishmanioses, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Monica Losada-Barragán
- Grupo de Investigación en Biología Celular y Funcional e Ingeniería de Biomoléculas, Universidad Antonio Nariño, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Luiz Ricardo Berbert
- Laboratório de Pesquisas sobre o Timo, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Camila Mesquita-Rodrigues
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular e Doenças Endêmicas, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | | | - Rubem Menna-Barreto
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Priscila Aquino
- Instituto Leônidas e Maria Deane, Fiocruz, Manaus, AM, Brazil
| | - Paulo C Carvalho
- Laboratory for Structural and Computational Proteomics, Fiocruz-Paraná, PR, Brazil
| | - Gabriel Padrón
- Laboratório de Pesquisa em Leishmanioses, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Jose Batista de Jesus
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular e Doenças Endêmicas, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; Universidade Federal de São João Del Rei, São João del Rei, MG, Brazil
| | - Patricia Cuervo
- Laboratório de Pesquisa em Leishmanioses, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Trypanosoma cruzi synthesizes proline via a Δ1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate reductase whose activity is fine-tuned by NADPH cytosolic pools. Biochem J 2020; 477:1827-1845. [PMID: 32315030 DOI: 10.1042/bcj20200232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2020] [Revised: 04/19/2020] [Accepted: 04/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
In Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiological agent of Chagas disease, the amino acid proline participates in processes related to T. cruzi survival and infection, such as ATP production, cell differentiation, host-cell invasion, and in protection against osmotic, nutritional, and thermal stresses and oxidative imbalance. However, little is known about proline biosynthesis in this parasite. Δ1-Pyrroline-5-carboxylate reductase (P5CR, EC 1.5.1.2) catalyzes the biosynthesis of proline from Δ1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate (P5C) with concomitant NADPH oxidation. Herein, we show that unlike other eukaryotes, T. cruzi biosynthesizes proline from P5C, which is produced exclusively from glutamate. We found that TcP5CR is an NADPH-dependent cytosolic enzyme with a Kmapp for P5C of 27.7 μM and with a higher expression in the insect-resident form of the parasite. High concentrations of the co-substrate NADPH partially inhibited TcP5CR activity, prompting us to analyze multiple kinetic inhibition models. The model that best explained the obtained data included a non-competitive substrate inhibition mechanism (Kiapp=45±0.7μM). Therefore, TcP5CR is a candidate as a regulatory factor of this pathway. Finally, we show that P5C can exit trypanosomatid mitochondria in conditions that do not compromise organelle integrity. These observations, together with previously reported results, lead us to propose that in T. cruzi TcP5CR participates in a redox shuttle between the mitochondria and the cytoplasm. In this model, cytoplasmic redox equivalents from NADPH pools are transferred to the mitochondria using proline as a reduced metabolite, and shuttling to fuel electrons to the respiratory chain through proline oxidation by its cognate dehydrogenase.
Collapse
|
33
|
Joardar N, Guevara-Flores A, Martínez-González JDJ, Sinha Babu SP. Thiol antioxidant thioredoxin reductase: A prospective biochemical crossroads between anticancer and antiparasitic treatments of the modern era. Int J Biol Macromol 2020; 165:249-267. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2020.09.096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2020] [Revised: 09/10/2020] [Accepted: 09/14/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
|
34
|
de Lucio H, Toro MA, Camarasa M, Velázquez S, Gago F, Jiménez‐Ruiz A. Pseudoirreversible slow-binding inhibition of trypanothione reductase by a protein-protein interaction disruptor. Br J Pharmacol 2020; 177:5163-5176. [PMID: 32888319 PMCID: PMC7588817 DOI: 10.1111/bph.15250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2020] [Revised: 08/02/2020] [Accepted: 08/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Peptide P4 was described as a dimerization disruptor of trypanothione reductase (TryR), a homodimeric enzyme essential for survival of trypanosomatids. Determination of the true inhibitory constant (Ki ) for P4 was not achieved because reaction rates continuously decreased with time, even when substrate concentration was kept constant. The aim of this study was to find a suitable kinetic model that could allow characterization of the complex pattern of TryR inhibition caused by P4. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH After showing the slow-binding and pseudoirreversible activity of P4 against Leishmania infantum trypanothione reductase (Li-TryR), analysis of the curvatures of the reaction progress curves at different inhibitor concentrations allowed us to define the apparent inhibitory constants (Kiapp ) at five different substrate concentrations. Analysis of the changes in Kiapp values allowed precise definition of the type of inhibition. KEY RESULTS Li-TryR inhibition by P4 requires two sequential steps that involve rapid generation of a reversible enzyme-inhibitor complex followed by a pseudoirreversible slow inactivation of the enzyme. Recovery of enzyme activity after inhibitor dissociation is barely detectable. P4 is a non-competitive pseudoirreversible inhibitor of Li- TryR that displays an overall inhibition constant (Ki* ) smaller than 0.02 μM. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS Li-TryRdimer disruption by peptide P4 is a pseudoirreversible time-dependent process which is non-competitive with respect to the oxidized trypanothione (TS2 ) substrate. Therefore, unlike reversible Li-TryR competitive inhibitors, enzyme inhibition by P4 is not affected by the TS2 accumulation observed during oxidant processes such as the oxidative burst in host macrophages.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Héctor de Lucio
- Área de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Departamento de Biología de SistemasUniversidad de AlcaláAlcalá de Henares, MadridSpain
| | - Miguel A. Toro
- Centro Nacional de Secuenciación Genómica—CNSGUniversidad de AntioquiaMedellinAntioquiaColombia
| | - María‐José Camarasa
- Departamento de Biomiméticos para el descubrimiento de FármacosInstituto de Química Médica (IQM‐CSIC)MadridSpain
| | - Sonsoles Velázquez
- Departamento de Biomiméticos para el descubrimiento de FármacosInstituto de Química Médica (IQM‐CSIC)MadridSpain
| | - Federico Gago
- Área de Farmacología, Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas, Unidad Asociada Al IQM‐CSICUniversidad de AlcaláAlcalá de Henares, MadridSpain
| | - Antonio Jiménez‐Ruiz
- Área de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Departamento de Biología de SistemasUniversidad de AlcaláAlcalá de Henares, MadridSpain
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Feng L, Pomel S, Latre de Late P, Taravaud A, Loiseau PM, Maes L, Cho-Ngwa F, Bulman CA, Fischer C, Sakanari JA, Ziniel PD, Williams DL, Davioud-Charvet E. Repurposing Auranofin and Evaluation of a New Gold(I) Compound for the Search of Treatment of Human and Cattle Parasitic Diseases: From Protozoa to Helminth Infections. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25215075. [PMID: 33139647 PMCID: PMC7663263 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25215075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2020] [Revised: 10/25/2020] [Accepted: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Neglected parasitic diseases remain a major public health issue worldwide, especially in tropical and subtropical areas. Human parasite diversity is very large, ranging from protozoa to worms. In most cases, more effective and new drugs are urgently needed. Previous studies indicated that the gold(I) drug auranofin (Ridaura®) is effective against several parasites. Among new gold(I) complexes, the phosphole-containing gold(I) complex {1-phenyl-2,5-di(2-pyridyl)phosphole}AuCl (abbreviated as GoPI) is an irreversible inhibitor of both purified human glutathione and thioredoxin reductases. GoPI-sugar is a novel 1-thio-β-d-glucopyranose 2,3,4,6-tetraacetato-S-derivative that is a chimera of the structures of GoPI and auranofin, designed to improve stability and bioavailability of GoPI. These metal-ligand complexes are of particular interest because of their combined abilities to irreversibly target the essential dithiol/selenol catalytic pair of selenium-dependent thioredoxin reductase activity, and to kill cells from breast and brain tumors. In this work, screening of various parasites—protozoans, trematodes, and nematodes—was undertaken to determine the in vitro killing activity of GoPI-sugar compared to auranofin. GoPI-sugar was found to efficiently kill intramacrophagic Leishmania donovani amastigotes and adult filarial and trematode worms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Liwen Feng
- UMR 7042 CNRS-Université de Strasbourg-Université Haute-Alsace, Laboratoire d’Innovation Moléculaire et Applications (LIMA), Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry Team, European School of Chemistry, Polymers and Materials (ECPM), 25, rue Becquerel, F-67087 Strasbourg, France;
| | - Sébastien Pomel
- BioCIS, Faculty of Pharmacy, Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, 92290 Châtenay-Malabry, France; (S.P.); (A.T.); (P.M.L.)
| | - Perle Latre de Late
- INSERM U1016, CNRS UMR 8104, Laboratoire de Biologie Cellulaire Comparative des Apicomplexes, Cochin Institute, Faculté de Medecine, Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, 75014 Paris, France;
| | - Alexandre Taravaud
- BioCIS, Faculty of Pharmacy, Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, 92290 Châtenay-Malabry, France; (S.P.); (A.T.); (P.M.L.)
| | - Philippe M. Loiseau
- BioCIS, Faculty of Pharmacy, Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, 92290 Châtenay-Malabry, France; (S.P.); (A.T.); (P.M.L.)
| | - Louis Maes
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH), Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610 Antwerp, Belgium;
| | - Fidelis Cho-Ngwa
- Biotechnology Unit, Faculty of Science, University of Buea, Buea P.O. Box 63, Cameroon;
| | - Christina A. Bulman
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; (C.A.B.); (C.F.); (J.A.S.)
| | - Chelsea Fischer
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; (C.A.B.); (C.F.); (J.A.S.)
| | - Judy A. Sakanari
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; (C.A.B.); (C.F.); (J.A.S.)
| | - Peter D. Ziniel
- Department of Microbial Pathogens and Immunity, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA;
| | - David L. Williams
- Department of Microbial Pathogens and Immunity, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA;
- Correspondence: (D.L.W.); (E.D.-C.)
| | - Elisabeth Davioud-Charvet
- UMR 7042 CNRS-Université de Strasbourg-Université Haute-Alsace, Laboratoire d’Innovation Moléculaire et Applications (LIMA), Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry Team, European School of Chemistry, Polymers and Materials (ECPM), 25, rue Becquerel, F-67087 Strasbourg, France;
- Correspondence: (D.L.W.); (E.D.-C.)
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Saccoliti F, Di Santo R, Costi R. Recent Advancement in the Search of Innovative Antiprotozoal Agents Targeting Trypanothione Metabolism. ChemMedChem 2020; 15:2420-2435. [PMID: 32805075 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202000325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2020] [Revised: 08/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Leishmania and Trypanosoma parasites are responsible for the challenging neglected tropical diseases leishmaniases, Chagas disease, and human African trypanosomiasis, which account for up to 40,000 deaths annually mainly in developing countries. Current chemotherapy relies on drugs with significant limitations in efficacy and safety, prompting the urgent need to explore innovative approaches to improve the drug discovery pipeline. The unique trypanothione-based redox pathway, which is absent in human hosts, is vital for all trypanosomatids and offers valuable opportunities to guide the rational development of specific, broad-spectrum and innovative anti-trypanosomatid agents. Major efforts focused on the key metabolic enzymes trypanothione synthetase-amidase and trypanothione reductase, whose inhibition should affect the entire pathway and, finally, parasite survival. Herein, we will report and comment on the most recent studies in the search for enzyme inhibitors, underlining the promising opportunities that have emerged so far to drive the exploration of future successful therapeutic approaches.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Saccoliti
- D3 PharmaChemistry, Italian Institute of Technology, Via Morego 30, 16163, Genova, Italy
| | - Roberto Di Santo
- Dipartimento di Chimica e Tecnologie del Farmaco, Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, "Sapienza" Università di Roma, P. le Aldo Moro 5, 00185, Roma, Italy
| | - Roberta Costi
- Dipartimento di Chimica e Tecnologie del Farmaco, Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, "Sapienza" Università di Roma, P. le Aldo Moro 5, 00185, Roma, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Turcano L, Battista T, De Haro ET, Missineo A, Alli C, Paonessa G, Colotti G, Harper S, Fiorillo A, Ilari A, Bresciani A. Spiro-containing derivatives show antiparasitic activity against Trypanosoma brucei through inhibition of the trypanothione reductase enzyme. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020; 14:e0008339. [PMID: 32437349 PMCID: PMC7269337 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2019] [Revised: 06/03/2020] [Accepted: 04/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Trypanothione reductase (TR) is a key enzyme that catalyzes the reduction of trypanothione, an antioxidant dithiol that protects Trypanosomatid parasites from oxidative stress induced by mammalian host defense systems. TR is considered an attractive target for the development of novel anti-parasitic agents as it is essential for parasite survival but has no close homologue in humans. We report here the identification of spiro-containing derivatives as inhibitors of TR from Trypanosoma brucei (TbTR), the parasite responsible for Human African Trypanosomiasis. The hit series, identified by high throughput screening, was shown to bind TbTR reversibly and to compete with the trypanothione (TS2) substrate. The prototype compound 1 from this series was also found to impede the growth of Trypanosoma brucei parasites in vitro. The X-ray crystal structure of TbTR in complex with compound 1 solved at 1.98 Å allowed the identification of the hydrophobic pocket where the inhibitor binds, placed close to the catalytic histidine (His 461’) and lined by Trp21, Val53, Ile106, Tyr110 and Met113. This new inhibitor is specific for TbTR and no activity was detected against the structurally similar human glutathione reductase (hGR). The central spiro scaffold is known to be suitable for brain active compounds in humans thus representing an attractive starting point for the future treatment of the central nervous system stage of T. brucei infections. Trypanosoma brucei is a parasite responsible for neglected pathologies such as human African trypanosomiasis, also known as sleeping sickness. This disease is endemic in sub-Saharan Africa, with 70 million people at risk of infection. Current treatments for this type of disease are limited by their toxicity, administration in endemic countries and treatment resistance. Therapies against infectious diseases typically rely on targeting one or more components of the parasite that are not present in humans to ensure the best possible therapeutic window. In this case we aimed at targeting the Trypanosoma brucei trypanothione reductase (TR), one enzyme that synthesize the reduced trypanothione a key molecule for preserving the parasite redox balance. This enzyme does not exist in humans that have glutathione instead of trypanothione. Past attempts to identify novel inhibitors of this target has failed to generate drug-like molecules. To overcome this limitation we employed a recent, higher quality, TR activity assay to test a collection of compounds previously reported to be active against these parasites. This approach led to the identification and validation of a new chemotype with a unique mode of inhibition of TR. This chemical series is a drug-like starting point, in fact its core (spiro) is present in drugs approved for human use.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Turcano
- Department of Translational and Discovery Research, Pomezia (Roma) Italy
| | - Theo Battista
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biochimiche, Sapienza Università di Roma, Roma, Italy
| | | | - Antonino Missineo
- Department of Translational and Discovery Research, Pomezia (Roma) Italy
| | - Cristina Alli
- Department of Translational and Discovery Research, Pomezia (Roma) Italy
| | - Giacomo Paonessa
- Department of Translational and Discovery Research, Pomezia (Roma) Italy
| | - Gianni Colotti
- Istituto di Biologia e Patologia Molecolari del CNR c/o Dipartimento di Scienze Biochimiche, Sapienza Università di Roma, Roma, Italy
| | | | - Annarita Fiorillo
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biochimiche, Sapienza Università di Roma, Roma, Italy
| | - Andrea Ilari
- Istituto di Biologia e Patologia Molecolari del CNR c/o Dipartimento di Scienze Biochimiche, Sapienza Università di Roma, Roma, Italy
- * E-mail: (AI); (AB)
| | - Alberto Bresciani
- Department of Translational and Discovery Research, Pomezia (Roma) Italy
- * E-mail: (AI); (AB)
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Tunes LG, Morato RE, Garcia A, Schmitz V, Steindel M, Corrêa-Junior JD, Dos Santos HF, Frézard F, de Almeida MV, Silva H, Moretti NS, de Barros ALB, do Monte-Neto RL. Preclinical Gold Complexes as Oral Drug Candidates to Treat Leishmaniasis Are Potent Trypanothione Reductase Inhibitors. ACS Infect Dis 2020; 6:1121-1139. [PMID: 32283915 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.9b00505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The drugs currently used to treat leishmaniases have limitations concerning cost, efficacy, and safety, making the search for new therapeutic approaches urgent. We found that the gold(I)-derived complexes were active against L. infantum and L. braziliensis intracellular amastigotes with IC50 values ranging from 0.5 to 5.5 μM. All gold(I) complexes were potent inhibitors of trypanothione reductase (TR), with enzyme IC50 values ranging from 1 to 7.8 μM. Triethylphosphine-derived complexes enhanced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and decreased mitochondrial respiration after 2 h of exposure, indicating that gold(I) complexes cause oxidative stress by direct ROS production, by causing mitochondrial damage or by impairing TR activity and thus accumulating ROS. There was no cross-resistance to antimony; in fact, SbR (antimony-resistant mutants) strains were hypersensitive to some of the complexes. BALB/c mice infected with luciferase-expressing L. braziliensis or L. amazonensis and treated orally with 12.5 mg/kg/day of AdT Et (3) or AdO Et (4) presented reduced lesion size and parasite burden, as revealed by bioimaging. The combination of (3) and miltefosine allowed for a 50% reduction in miltefosine treatment time. Complexes 3 and 4 presented favorable pharmacokinetic and toxicity profiles that encourage further drug development studies. Gold(I) complexes are promising antileishmanial agents, with a potential for therapeutic use, including in leishmaniasis caused by antimony-resistant parasites.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luiza G. Tunes
- Instituto René Rachou/Fiocruz Minas−Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte 30190-009, Brasil
| | - Roberta E. Morato
- Instituto René Rachou/Fiocruz Minas−Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte 30190-009, Brasil
| | - Adriana Garcia
- Departamento de Química, Instituto de Ciências Exatas, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora 36036-900, Brasil
| | - Vinicius Schmitz
- Departamento de Química, Instituto de Ciências Exatas, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora 36036-900, Brasil
| | - Mario Steindel
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis 88040-900, Brasil
| | - José D. Corrêa-Junior
- Departamento de Morfologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Brasil
| | - Hélio F. Dos Santos
- Departamento de Química, Instituto de Ciências Exatas, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora 36036-900, Brasil
| | - Frédéric Frézard
- Departamento de Fisiologia e Biofísica, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Brasil
| | - Mauro V. de Almeida
- Departamento de Química, Instituto de Ciências Exatas, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora 36036-900, Brasil
| | - Heveline Silva
- Departamento de Química, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Brasil
| | - Nilmar S. Moretti
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo 04023-062, Brasil
| | - André L. B. de Barros
- Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Brasil
| | | |
Collapse
|
39
|
Gao F, Voncken F, Colasante C. The mitochondrial phosphate carrier TbMCP11 is essential for mitochondrial function in the procyclic form of Trypanosoma brucei. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2020; 237:111275. [PMID: 32353560 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2020.111275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2019] [Revised: 03/02/2020] [Accepted: 03/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Conserved amongst all eukaryotes is a family of mitochondrial carrier proteins (SLC25A) responsible for the import of various solutes across the inner mitochondrial membrane. We previously reported that the human parasite Trypanosoma brucei possesses 26 SLC25A proteins (TbMCPs) amongst which two, TbMCP11 and TbMCP8, were predicted to function as phosphate importers. The transport of inorganic phosphate into the mitochondrion is a prerequisite to drive ATP synthesis by substrate level and oxidative phosphorylation and thus crucial for cell viability. In this paper we describe the functional characterization of TbMCP11. In procyclic form T. brucei, the RNAi of TbMCP11 blocked ATP synthesis on mitochondrial substrates, caused a drop of the mitochondrial oxygen consumption and drastically reduced cell viability. The functional complementation in yeast and mitochondrial swelling experiments suggested a role for TbMCP11 as inorganic phosphate carrier. Interestingly, procyclic form T. brucei cells in which TbMCP11 was depleted displayed an inability to either replicate or divide the kinetoplast DNA, which resulted in a severe cytokinesis defect.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fei Gao
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 0AH, United Kingdom
| | - Frank Voncken
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Life Sciences, University of Hull, Cottingham Road, Hull, HU6 7RX, United Kingdom
| | - Claudia Colasante
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Division of Medical Cell Biology, Aulweg 123, University of Giessen, 35392, Giessen, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Battista T, Colotti G, Ilari A, Fiorillo A. Targeting Trypanothione Reductase, a Key Enzyme in the Redox Trypanosomatid Metabolism, to Develop New Drugs against Leishmaniasis and Trypanosomiases. Molecules 2020; 25:E1924. [PMID: 32326257 PMCID: PMC7221613 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25081924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2020] [Revised: 04/16/2020] [Accepted: 04/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The protozoans Leishmania and Trypanosoma, belonging to the same Trypanosomatidae family, are the causative agents of Leishmaniasis, Chagas disease, and human African trypanosomiasis. Overall, these infections affect millions of people worldwide, posing a serious health issue as well as socio-economical concern. Current treatments are inadequate, mainly due to poor efficacy, toxicity, and emerging resistance; therefore, there is an urgent need for new drugs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Theo Battista
- Department of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University, P.le A.Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy;
| | - Gianni Colotti
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology, Italian National Research Council, IBPM-CNR, c/o Department of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University, P.le A.Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (G.C.); (A.I.)
| | - Andrea Ilari
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology, Italian National Research Council, IBPM-CNR, c/o Department of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University, P.le A.Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (G.C.); (A.I.)
| | - Annarita Fiorillo
- Department of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University, P.le A.Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy;
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Ribeiro V, Dias N, Paiva T, Hagström-Bex L, Nitz N, Pratesi R, Hecht M. Current trends in the pharmacological management of Chagas disease. Int J Parasitol Drugs Drug Resist 2020; 12:7-17. [PMID: 31862616 PMCID: PMC6928327 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2019.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2019] [Revised: 11/06/2019] [Accepted: 11/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Chagas disease (CD) is a tropical neglected illness, affecting mainly populations of low socioeconomic status in Latin America. An estimated 6 to 8 million people worldwide are infected with Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiological agent of CD. Despite being one of the main global health problems, this disease continues without effective treatment during the chronic phase of the infection. The limitation of therapeutic strategies has been one of the biggest challenges on the fight against CD. Nifurtimox and benznidazole, developed in the 1970s, are still the only commercial options with established efficacy on CD. However, the efficacy of these drugs have a proven efficacy only during early infection and the benefits in the chronic phase are questionable. Consequently, there is a growing need for new pharmacological alternatives, either by optimization of existing drugs or by the formulation of new compounds. In the present study, a literature review of the currently adopted therapy, its concomitant combination with other drugs, and potential future treatments for CD was performed, considering articles published from 2012. The revised articles were selected according to the protocol of treatment: evaluation of drug association, drug repositioning and research of new drugs. As a result of the present revision, it was possible to conclude that the use of benznidazole in combination with other compounds showed better results when compared with its use as a single therapy. The search of new drugs has been the strategy most used in pursuing more effective forms of treatment for CD. However, studies have still focused on basic research, that is, they are still in a pre-clinical stage, using methodologies based on in vitro or in animal studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Ribeiro
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Biosciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Federal District, Brazil.
| | - Nayra Dias
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Biosciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Federal District, Brazil.
| | - Taís Paiva
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Biosciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Federal District, Brazil.
| | - Luciana Hagström-Bex
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Biosciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Federal District, Brazil.
| | - Nadjar Nitz
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Biosciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Federal District, Brazil.
| | - Riccardo Pratesi
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Biosciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Federal District, Brazil.
| | - Mariana Hecht
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Biosciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Federal District, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Reamtong O, Simanon N, Thiangtrongjit T, Limpanont Y, Chusongsang P, Chusongsang Y, Anuntakarun S, Payungporn S, Phuphisut O, Adisakwattana P. Proteomic analysis of adult Schistosoma mekongi somatic and excretory-secretory proteins. Acta Trop 2020; 202:105247. [PMID: 31672487 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2019.105247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2019] [Revised: 07/30/2019] [Accepted: 10/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Schistosoma mekongi is a causative agent of human schistosomiasis. There is limited knowledge of the molecular biology of S. mekongi and very few studies have examined drug targets, vaccine candidates and diagnostic biomarkers for S. mekongi. To explore the biology of S. mekongi, computational as well as experimental approaches were performed on S. mekongi males and females to identify excretory-secretory (ES) proteins and proteins that are differentially expressed between genders. According to bioinformatic prediction, the S. mekongi ES product was approximately 4.7% of total annotated transcriptome sequences. The classical secretory pathway was the main process to secrete proteins. Mass spectrometry-based quantification of male and female adult S. mekongi proteins was performed. We identified 174 and 156 differential expression of proteins in male and female worms, respectively. The dominant male-biased proteins were involved in actin filament-based processes, microtubule-based processes, biosynthetic processes and homeostatic processes. The major female-biased proteins were related to biosynthetic processes, organelle organization and signal transduction. An experimental approach identified 88 proteins in the S. mekongi secretome. The S. mekongi ES proteins mainly contributed to nutrient uptake, essential substance supply and host immune evasion. This research identifies proteins in the S. mekongi secretome and provides information on ES proteins that are differentially expressed between S. mekongi genders. These findings will contribute to S. mekongi drug and vaccine development. In addition, the study enhances our understanding of basic S. mekongi biology.
Collapse
|
43
|
Santos SS, de Araújo RV, Giarolla J, Seoud OE, Ferreira EI. Searching for drugs for Chagas disease, leishmaniasis and schistosomiasis: a review. Int J Antimicrob Agents 2020; 55:105906. [PMID: 31987883 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2020.105906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2019] [Revised: 01/14/2020] [Accepted: 01/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Chagas disease, leishmaniasis and schistosomiasis are neglected diseases (NDs) and are a considerable global challenge. Despite the huge number of people infected, NDs do not create interest from pharmaceutical companies because the associated revenue is generally low. Most of the research on these diseases has been conducted in academic institutions. The chemotherapeutic armamentarium for NDs is scarce and inefficient and better drugs are needed. Researchers have found some promising potential drug candidates using medicinal chemistry and computational approaches. Most of these compounds are synthetic but some are from natural sources or are semi-synthetic. Drug repurposing or repositioning has also been greatly stimulated for NDs. This review considers some potential drug candidates and provides details of their design, discovery and activity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Soraya Silva Santos
- Laboratory of Design and Synthesis of Chemotherapeutics Potentially Active in Neglected Diseases (LAPEN), Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo-USP, Avenue Professor Lineu Prestes, 580-Building 13, São Paulo SP, 05508-900, Brazil
| | - Renan Vinicius de Araújo
- Laboratory of Design and Synthesis of Chemotherapeutics Potentially Active in Neglected Diseases (LAPEN), Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo-USP, Avenue Professor Lineu Prestes, 580-Building 13, São Paulo SP, 05508-900, Brazil
| | - Jeanine Giarolla
- Laboratory of Design and Synthesis of Chemotherapeutics Potentially Active in Neglected Diseases (LAPEN), Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo-USP, Avenue Professor Lineu Prestes, 580-Building 13, São Paulo SP, 05508-900, Brazil
| | - Omar El Seoud
- Laboratory of Design and Synthesis of Chemotherapeutics Potentially Active in Neglected Diseases (LAPEN), Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo-USP, Avenue Professor Lineu Prestes, 580-Building 13, São Paulo SP, 05508-900, Brazil
| | - Elizabeth Igne Ferreira
- Laboratory of Design and Synthesis of Chemotherapeutics Potentially Active in Neglected Diseases (LAPEN), Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo-USP, Avenue Professor Lineu Prestes, 580-Building 13, São Paulo SP, 05508-900, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Single-cell RNA sequencing of Trypanosoma brucei from tsetse salivary glands unveils metacyclogenesis and identifies potential transmission blocking antigens. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:2613-2621. [PMID: 31964820 PMCID: PMC7007551 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1914423117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Tsetse-transmitted African trypanosomes must develop into mammalian-infectious metacyclic cells in the fly's salivary glands (SGs) before transmission to a new host. The molecular mechanisms that underlie this developmental process, known as metacyclogenesis, are poorly understood. Blocking the few metacyclic parasites deposited in saliva from further development in the mammal could prevent disease. To obtain an in-depth perspective of metacyclogenesis, we performed single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) from a pool of 2,045 parasites collected from infected tsetse SGs. Our data revealed three major cell clusters that represent the epimastigote, and pre- and mature metacyclic trypanosome developmental stages. Individual cell level data also confirm that the metacyclic pool is diverse, and that each parasite expresses only one of the unique metacyclic variant surface glycoprotein (mVSG) coat protein transcripts identified. Further clustering of cells revealed a dynamic transcriptomic and metabolic landscape reflective of a developmental program leading to infectious metacyclic forms preadapted to survive in the mammalian host environment. We describe the expression profile of proteins that regulate gene expression and that potentially play a role in metacyclogenesis. We also report on a family of nonvariant surface proteins (Fam10) and demonstrate surface localization of one member (named SGM1.7) on mature metacyclic parasites. Vaccination of mice with recombinant SGM1.7 reduced parasitemia early in the infection. Future studies are warranted to investigate Fam10 family proteins as potential trypanosome transmission blocking vaccine antigens. Our experimental approach is translationally relevant for developing strategies to prevent other insect saliva-transmitted parasites from infecting and causing disease in mammalian hosts.
Collapse
|
45
|
Talevi A, Carrillo C, Comini M. The Thiol-polyamine Metabolism of Trypanosoma cruzi: Molecular Targets and Drug Repurposing Strategies. Curr Med Chem 2019; 26:6614-6635. [PMID: 30259812 DOI: 10.2174/0929867325666180926151059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2018] [Revised: 07/23/2018] [Accepted: 09/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Chagas´ disease continues to be a challenging and neglected public health problem in many American countries. The etiologic agent, Trypanosoma cruzi, develops intracellularly in the mammalian host, which hinders treatment efficacy. Progress in the knowledge of parasite biology and host-pathogen interaction has not been paralleled by the development of novel, safe and effective therapeutic options. It is then urgent to seek for novel therapeutic candidates and to implement drug discovery strategies that may accelerate the discovery process. The most appealing targets for pharmacological intervention are those essential for the pathogen and, whenever possible, absent or significantly different from the host homolog. The thiol-polyamine metabolism of T. cruzi offers interesting candidates for a rational design of selective drugs. In this respect, here we critically review the state of the art of the thiolpolyamine metabolism of T. cruzi and the pharmacological potential of its components. On the other hand, drug repurposing emerged as a valid strategy to identify new biological activities for drugs in clinical use, while significantly shortening the long time and high cost associated with de novo drug discovery approaches. Thus, we also discuss the different drug repurposing strategies available with a special emphasis in their applications to the identification of drug candidates targeting essential components of the thiol-polyamine metabolism of T. cruzi.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alan Talevi
- Medicinal Chemistry, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Exact Sciences, University of La Plata, La Plata, Argentina
| | - Carolina Carrillo
- Instituto de Ciencias y Tecnología Dr. César Milstein (ICT Milstein) - CONICET. Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Marcelo Comini
- Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Mataojo 2020, Montevideo 11400, Uruguay
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Zheng F, Colasante C, Voncken F. Characterisation of a mitochondrial iron transporter of the pathogen Trypanosoma brucei. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2019; 233:111221. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2019.111221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2019] [Revised: 09/10/2019] [Accepted: 09/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
|
47
|
Ulrich K, Jakob U. The role of thiols in antioxidant systems. Free Radic Biol Med 2019; 140:14-27. [PMID: 31201851 PMCID: PMC7041647 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2019.05.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 234] [Impact Index Per Article: 46.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2018] [Revised: 04/04/2019] [Accepted: 05/31/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The sulfur biochemistry of the thiol group endows cysteines with a number of highly specialized and unique features that enable them to serve a variety of different functions in the cell. Typically highly conserved in proteins, cysteines are predominantly found in functionally or structurally crucial regions, where they act as stabilizing, catalytic, metal-binding and/or redox-regulatory entities. As highly abundant low molecular weight thiols, cysteine thiols and their oxidized disulfide counterparts are carefully balanced to maintain redox homeostasis in various cellular compartments, protect organisms from oxidative and xenobiotic stressors and partake actively in redox-regulatory and signaling processes. In this review, we will discuss the role of protein thiols as scavengers of hydrogen peroxide in antioxidant enzymes, use thiol peroxidases to exemplify how protein thiols contribute to redox signaling, provide an overview over the diverse set of low molecular weight thiol-based redox systems found in biology, and illustrate how thiol-based redox systems have evolved not only to protect against but to take full advantage of a world full of molecular oxygen.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kathrin Ulrich
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of Michgan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Ursula Jakob
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of Michgan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA; Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
De Gasparo R, Halgas O, Harangozo D, Kaiser M, Pai EF, Krauth‐Siegel RL, Diederich F. Targeting a Large Active Site: Structure‐Based Design of Nanomolar Inhibitors of
Trypanosoma brucei
Trypanothione Reductase. Chemistry 2019; 25:11416-11421. [DOI: 10.1002/chem.201901664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2019] [Revised: 07/03/2019] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Raoul De Gasparo
- Laboratorium für Organische ChemieETH Zurich Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 3 8093 Zurich Switzerland
| | - Ondrej Halgas
- Departments of Biochemistry and Medical BiophysicsUniversity of Toronto Medical Sciences Building, 5318, 1 King's College Circle Toronto ON M5S 1A8 Canada
- The Campbell Family Institute for Cancer ResearchUniversity Health Network 101 College Street Toronto ON M5G 1L7 Canada
| | - Dora Harangozo
- Laboratorium für Organische ChemieETH Zurich Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 3 8093 Zurich Switzerland
| | - Marcel Kaiser
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute Socinstrasse 57 4002 Basel Switzerland
- University of Basel Petersplatz 1 4003 Basel Switzerland
| | - Emil F. Pai
- Departments of Biochemistry and Medical BiophysicsUniversity of Toronto Medical Sciences Building, 5318, 1 King's College Circle Toronto ON M5S 1A8 Canada
- The Campbell Family Institute for Cancer ResearchUniversity Health Network 101 College Street Toronto ON M5G 1L7 Canada
| | - R. Luise Krauth‐Siegel
- Biochemie-Zentrum Heidelberg (BZH)Universität Heidelberg Im Neuenheimer Feld 328 69120 Heidelberg Germany
| | - François Diederich
- Laboratorium für Organische ChemieETH Zurich Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 3 8093 Zurich Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
do Carmo Santos N, da Paixão VG, da Rocha Pita SS. New Trypanosoma cruzi Trypanothione Reductase Inhibitors Identification using the Virtual Screening in Database of Nucleus Bioassay, Biosynthesis and Ecophysiology (NuBBE). ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019. [DOI: 10.2174/2211352516666180928130031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Background:
American trypanosomiasis, also known as Chagas disease, is caused by
the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi) and affects approximately 10 to 12 million, primarily
in Latin America. Since its discovery in 1909, there is no effective treatment for its chronic phase,
with benzonidazole being the only anti-trypanosoma drug used in Brazil, despite the absence of
conclusive evidence to prove its efficacy and safety. Thus, it is necessary to develop new drugs that
are more effective and selective against Trypanosoma cruzi.
Methods:
The T. cruzi enzyme Trypanothione Reductase (TcTR) is a validated target for the discovery
of new antiprotozoal compounds and we employed the Virtual Screening technique on the
database of Nucleus of Bioassays, Biosynthesis and Ecophysiology (NuBBE), aiming to search for
new chemical moieties against T. cruzi. From these we selected the 10 best ligand energies interactions
and verified their interaction profile with the main TcTR sites through the AuPosSOM server
(https://www.biomedicale.univ-paris5.fr/aupossom).
Results and Conclusion:
Finally, we analyzed some pharmacokinetics and toxicological information
through the servers Aggregator Advisor (http://advisor.bkslab.org), Pred-hERG 4.0
(http://labmol.com.br/predherg) and pkCSM (http://biosig.unimelb.edu.au/pkcsm/prediction) which
we expect will be useful in in vitro preclinical trials.</P>
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nelcí do Carmo Santos
- Bioinformatics and Molecular Modeling Laboratory (LaBiMM), Pharmacy College, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador-BA, Brazil
| | - Vinícius G. da Paixão
- Bioinformatics and Molecular Modeling Laboratory (LaBiMM), Pharmacy College, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador-BA, Brazil
| | - Samuel S. da Rocha Pita
- Bioinformatics and Molecular Modeling Laboratory (LaBiMM), Pharmacy College, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador-BA, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Peng H, Meyer RS, Yang T, Whitaker BD, Trouth F, Shangguan L, Huang J, Litt A, Little DP, Ke H, Jurick WM. A novel hydroxycinnamoyl transferase for synthesis of hydroxycinnamoyl spermine conjugates in plants. BMC PLANT BIOLOGY 2019; 19:261. [PMID: 31208339 PMCID: PMC6580504 DOI: 10.1186/s12870-019-1846-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2019] [Accepted: 05/22/2019] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hydroxycinnamoyl-spermine conjugates (HCSpm) are a class of hydroxycinnamic acid amides (HCAAs), which not only are instrumental in plant development and stress response, but also benefit human health. However, HCSpm are not commonly produced in plants, and the mechanism of their biosynthesis remains unclear. In previous investigations of phenolics in Solanum fruits related to eggplant (Solanum melongena L.), we discovered that Solanum richardii, an African wild relative of eggplant, was rich in HCSpms in fruits. RESULTS The putative spermine hydroxycinnamoyl transferase (HT) SpmHT was isolated from S. richardii and eggplant. SrSpmHT expression was high in flowers and fruit, and was associated with HCSpm accumulation in S. richardii; however, SpmHT was hardly detected in eggplant cultivars and other wild relatives. Recombinant SpmHT exclusively selected spermine as the acyl acceptor substrate, while showing donor substrate preference in the following order: caffeoyl-CoA, feruloyl-CoA, and p-coumaroyl-CoA. Molecular docking revealed that substrate binding pockets of SpmHT could properly accommodate spermine but not the shorter, more common spermidine. CONCLUSION SrSpmHT is a novel spermine hydroxycinnamoyl transferase that uses Spm exclusively as the acyl acceptor substrate to produce HCSpms. Our findings shed light on the HCSpm biosynthetic pathway that may allow an increase of health beneficial metabolites in Solanum crops via methods such as introgression or engineering HCAA metabolism.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hui Peng
- Food Quality Laboratory, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Agricultural Research Service of U.S. Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, MD 20705 USA
- The Genome Center and Department of Plant Sciences, University of California, Davis, CA 95616 USA
| | - Rachel S. Meyer
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095 USA
| | - Tianbao Yang
- Food Quality Laboratory, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Agricultural Research Service of U.S. Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, MD 20705 USA
| | - Bruce D. Whitaker
- Food Quality Laboratory, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Agricultural Research Service of U.S. Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, MD 20705 USA
| | - Frances Trouth
- Food Quality Laboratory, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Agricultural Research Service of U.S. Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, MD 20705 USA
| | - Lingfei Shangguan
- Food Quality Laboratory, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Agricultural Research Service of U.S. Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, MD 20705 USA
- College of Horticulture, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095 Jiangsu China
| | - Jingbing Huang
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070 Hubei China
| | - Amy Litt
- College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521 USA
| | - Damon P. Little
- Cullman Program for Molecular Systematics, New York Botanical Garden, 2900 Southern Boulevard, Bronx, New York, NY 10458 USA
| | - Hengming Ke
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599 USA
| | - Wayne M. Jurick
- Food Quality Laboratory, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Agricultural Research Service of U.S. Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, MD 20705 USA
| |
Collapse
|