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Withers-Martinez C, George R, Maslen S, Jean L, Hackett F, Skehel M, Blackman MJ. The malaria parasite egress protease SUB1 is activated through precise, plasmepsin X-mediated cleavage of the SUB1 prodomain. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2024; 1868:130665. [PMID: 38969256 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2024.130665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2024] [Revised: 05/17/2024] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/07/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum replicates within red blood cells, then ruptures the cell in a process called egress in order to continue its life cycle. Egress is regulated by a proteolytic cascade involving an essential parasite subtilisin-like serine protease called SUB1. Maturation of SUB1 initiates in the parasite endoplasmic reticulum with autocatalytic cleavage of an N-terminal prodomain (p31), which initially remains non-covalently bound to the catalytic domain, p54. Further trafficking of the p31-p54 complex results in formation of a terminal p47 form of the SUB1 catalytic domain. Recent work has implicated a parasite aspartic protease, plasmepsin X (PMX), in maturation of the SUB1 p31-p54 complex through controlled cleavage of the prodomain p31. METHODS Here we use biochemical and enzymatic analysis to examine the activation of SUB1 by PMX. RESULTS We show that both p31 and p31-p54 are largely dimeric under the relatively acidic conditions to which they are likely exposed to PMX in the parasite. We confirm the sites within p31 that are cleaved by PMX and determine the order of cleavage. We find that cleavage by PMX results in rapid loss of the capacity of p31 to act as an inhibitor of SUB1 catalytic activity and we directly demonstrate that exposure to PMX of recombinant p31-p54 complex activates SUB1 activity. CONCLUSIONS Our results confirm that precise, PMX-mediated cleavage of the SUB1 prodomain activates SUB1 enzyme activity. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE Our findings elucidate the role of PMX in activation of SUB1, a key effector of malaria parasite egress.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Roger George
- Structural Biology Science Technology Platform, The Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Sarah Maslen
- Proteomics Science Technology Platform, The Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Létitia Jean
- Malaria Biochemistry Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Fiona Hackett
- Malaria Biochemistry Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Mark Skehel
- Proteomics Science Technology Platform, The Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Michael J Blackman
- Malaria Biochemistry Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, UK; Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK.
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2
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Koussis K, Haase S, Withers-Martinez C, Flynn HR, Kunzelmann S, Christodoulou E, Ibrahim F, Skehel M, Baker DA, Blackman MJ. Activation loop phosphorylation and cGMP saturation of PKG regulate egress of malaria parasites. PLoS Pathog 2024; 20:e1012360. [PMID: 38935780 PMCID: PMC11236177 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1012360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2024] [Revised: 07/10/2024] [Accepted: 06/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024] Open
Abstract
The cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG) is the sole cGMP sensor in malaria parasites, acting as an essential signalling hub to govern key developmental processes throughout the parasite life cycle. Despite the importance of PKG in the clinically relevant asexual blood stages, many aspects of malarial PKG regulation, including the importance of phosphorylation, remain poorly understood. Here we use genetic and biochemical approaches to show that reduced cGMP binding to cyclic nucleotide binding domain B does not affect in vitro kinase activity but prevents parasite egress. Similarly, we show that phosphorylation of a key threonine residue (T695) in the activation loop is dispensable for kinase activity in vitro but is essential for in vivo PKG function, with loss of T695 phosphorylation leading to aberrant phosphorylation events across the parasite proteome and changes to the substrate specificity of PKG. Our findings indicate that Plasmodium PKG is uniquely regulated to transduce signals crucial for malaria parasite development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konstantinos Koussis
- Malaria Biochemistry Laboratory, Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Silvia Haase
- Host-Pathogen Interactions in Cryptosporidiosis Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Helen R. Flynn
- Proteomics Science Technology Platform, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Simone Kunzelmann
- Structural Biology Science Technology Platform, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Evangelos Christodoulou
- Structural Biology Science Technology Platform, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Fairouz Ibrahim
- Proteomics Science Technology Platform, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Mark Skehel
- Proteomics Science Technology Platform, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - David A. Baker
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Michael J. Blackman
- Malaria Biochemistry Laboratory, Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
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3
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Herneisen AL, Peters ML, Smith TA, Shortt E, Lourido S. SPARK regulates AGC kinases central to the Toxoplasma gondii asexual cycle. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.10.30.564746. [PMID: 37961644 PMCID: PMC10634940 DOI: 10.1101/2023.10.30.564746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
Apicomplexan parasites balance proliferation, persistence, and spread in their metazoan hosts. AGC kinases, such as PKG, PKA, and the PDK1 ortholog SPARK, integrate environmental signals to toggle parasites between replicative and motile life stages. Recent studies have cataloged pathways downstream of apicomplexan PKG and PKA; however, less is known about the global integration of AGC kinase signaling cascades. Here, conditional genetics coupled to unbiased proteomics demonstrates that SPARK complexes with an elongin-like protein to regulate the stability of PKA and PKG in the model apicomplexan Toxoplasma gondii. Defects attributed to SPARK depletion develop after PKG and PKA are down-regulated. Parasites lacking SPARK differentiate into the chronic form of infection, which may arise from reduced activity of a coccidian-specific PKA ortholog. This work delineates the signaling topology of AGC kinases that together control transitions within the asexual cycle of this important family of parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice L. Herneisen
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research and Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
| | - Michelle L. Peters
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research and Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
| | - Tyler A. Smith
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research and Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
| | - Emily Shortt
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research and Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
| | - Sebastian Lourido
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research and Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
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4
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Gilleran JA, Ashraf K, Delvillar M, Eck T, Fondekar R, Miller EB, Hutchinson A, Dong A, Seitova A, De Souza ML, Augeri D, Halabelian L, Siekierka J, Rotella DP, Gordon J, Childers WE, Grier MC, Staker BL, Roberge JY, Bhanot P. Structure-Activity Relationship of a Pyrrole Based Series of PfPKG Inhibitors as Anti-Malarials. J Med Chem 2024; 67:3467-3503. [PMID: 38372781 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c01795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
Controlling malaria requires new drugs against Plasmodium falciparum. The P. falciparum cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PfPKG) is a validated target whose inhibitors could block multiple steps of the parasite's life cycle. We defined the structure-activity relationship (SAR) of a pyrrole series for PfPKG inhibition. Key pharmacophores were modified to enable full exploration of chemical diversity and to gain knowledge about an ideal core scaffold. In vitro potency against recombinant PfPKG and human PKG were used to determine compound selectivity for the parasite enzyme. P. berghei sporozoites and P. falciparum asexual blood stages were used to assay multistage antiparasitic activity. Cellular specificity of compounds was evaluated using transgenic parasites expressing PfPKG carrying a substituted "gatekeeper" residue. The structure of PfPKG bound to an inhibitor was solved, and modeling using this structure together with computational tools was utilized to understand SAR and establish a rational strategy for subsequent lead optimization.
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Affiliation(s)
- John A Gilleran
- Rutgers Molecular Design and Synthesis Core, Office for Research, Rutgers University, 610 Taylor Road, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, United States
| | - Kutub Ashraf
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, 225 Warren Street, Newark, New Jersey 07103, United States
| | - Melvin Delvillar
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, 225 Warren Street, Newark, New Jersey 07103, United States
| | - Tyler Eck
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and Sokol Institute of Pharmaceutical Life Sciences, Montclair State University, Montclair, New Jersey 07043, United States
| | - Raheel Fondekar
- Rutgers Molecular Design and Synthesis Core, Office for Research, Rutgers University, 610 Taylor Road, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, United States
- Rutgers School of Pharmacy, 160 Frelinghuysen Road, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, United States
| | - Edward B Miller
- Schrödinger, Inc., 1540 Broadway, 24th Floor, New York, New York 10036, United States
| | - Ashley Hutchinson
- Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - Aiping Dong
- Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - Alma Seitova
- Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - Mariana Laureano De Souza
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, 225 Warren Street, Newark, New Jersey 07103, United States
| | - David Augeri
- Rutgers Molecular Design and Synthesis Core, Office for Research, Rutgers University, 610 Taylor Road, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, United States
- Schrödinger, Inc., 1540 Broadway, 24th Floor, New York, New York 10036, United States
| | - Levon Halabelian
- Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1L7, Canada
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - John Siekierka
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and Sokol Institute of Pharmaceutical Life Sciences, Montclair State University, Montclair, New Jersey 07043, United States
| | - David P Rotella
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and Sokol Institute of Pharmaceutical Life Sciences, Montclair State University, Montclair, New Jersey 07043, United States
| | - John Gordon
- Moulder Center for Drug Discovery Research, Temple University School of Pharmacy, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19140, United States
| | - Wayne E Childers
- Moulder Center for Drug Discovery Research, Temple University School of Pharmacy, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19140, United States
| | - Mark C Grier
- Rutgers Molecular Design and Synthesis Core, Office for Research, Rutgers University, 610 Taylor Road, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, United States
| | - Bart L Staker
- Seattle Structural Genomics Center for Infectious Disease, Seattle, Washington 98109, United States
- Center for Global Infectious Disease Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, Washington 98109, United States
| | - Jacques Y Roberge
- Rutgers Molecular Design and Synthesis Core, Office for Research, Rutgers University, 610 Taylor Road, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, United States
| | - Purnima Bhanot
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, 225 Warren Street, Newark, New Jersey 07103, United States
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5
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Lykins J, Moschitto MJ, Zhou Y, Filippova EV, Le HV, Tomita T, Fox BA, Bzik DJ, Su C, Rajagopala SV, Flores K, Spano F, Woods S, Roberts CW, Hua C, El Bissati K, Wheeler KM, Dovgin S, Muench SP, McPhillie M, Fishwick CW, Anderson WF, Lee PJ, Hickman M, Weiss LM, Dubey JP, Lorenzi HA, Silverman RB, McLeod RL. From TgO/GABA-AT, GABA, and T-263 Mutant to Conception of Toxoplasma. iScience 2024; 27:108477. [PMID: 38205261 PMCID: PMC10776954 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.108477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2021] [Revised: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii causes morbidity, mortality, and disseminates widely via cat sexual stages. Here, we find T. gondii ornithine aminotransferase (OAT) is conserved across phyla. We solve TgO/GABA-AT structures with bound inactivators at 1.55 Å and identify an inactivator selective for TgO/GABA-AT over human OAT and GABA-AT. However, abrogating TgO/GABA-AT genetically does not diminish replication, virulence, cyst-formation, or eliminate cat's oocyst shedding. Increased sporozoite/merozoite TgO/GABA-AT expression led to our study of a mutagenized clone with oocyst formation blocked, arresting after forming male and female gametes, with "Rosetta stone"-like mutations in genes expressed in merozoites. Mutations are similar to those in organisms from plants to mammals, causing defects in conception and zygote formation, affecting merozoite capacitation, pH/ionicity/sodium-GABA concentrations, drawing attention to cyclic AMP/PKA, and genes enhancing energy or substrate formation in TgO/GABA-AT-related-pathways. These candidates potentially influence merozoite's capacity to make gametes that fuse to become zygotes, thereby contaminating environments and causing disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Lykins
- Pritzker School of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Matthew J. Moschitto
- Department of Chemistry, Department of Molecular Biosciences, Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Center for Molecular Innovation and Drug Discovery, and Center for Developmental Therapeutics, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208-3113, USA
| | - Ying Zhou
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Ekaterina V. Filippova
- Center for Structural Genomics of Infectious Diseases and the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Hoang V. Le
- Department of Chemistry, Department of Molecular Biosciences, Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Center for Molecular Innovation and Drug Discovery, and Center for Developmental Therapeutics, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208-3113, USA
| | - Tadakimi Tomita
- Division of Parasitology, Department of Pathology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Barbara A. Fox
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH 03756, USA
| | - David J. Bzik
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH 03756, USA
| | - Chunlei Su
- Department of Microbiology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA
| | - Seesandra V. Rajagopala
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The J. Craig Venter Institute, 9704 Medical Center Drive, Rockville, MD 20850, USA
| | - Kristin Flores
- Center for Structural Genomics of Infectious Diseases and the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Furio Spano
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Stuart Woods
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow Scotland, UK
| | - Craig W. Roberts
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow Scotland, UK
| | - Cong Hua
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Kamal El Bissati
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Kelsey M. Wheeler
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Sarah Dovgin
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Stephen P. Muench
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, The University of Leeds, Leeds, West York LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Martin McPhillie
- School of Chemistry and Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Colin W.G. Fishwick
- School of Chemistry and Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Wayne F. Anderson
- Center for Structural Genomics of Infectious Diseases and the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Patricia J. Lee
- Division of Experimental Therapeutics, Military Malaria Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, 503 Robert Grant Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20910, USA
| | - Mark Hickman
- Division of Experimental Therapeutics, Military Malaria Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, 503 Robert Grant Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20910, USA
| | - Louis M. Weiss
- Division of Parasitology, Department of Pathology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Jitender P. Dubey
- Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA
| | - Hernan A. Lorenzi
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The J. Craig Venter Institute, 9704 Medical Center Drive, Rockville, MD 20850, USA
| | - Richard B. Silverman
- Department of Chemistry, Department of Molecular Biosciences, Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Center for Molecular Innovation and Drug Discovery, and Center for Developmental Therapeutics, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208-3113, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Rima L. McLeod
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
- Department of Pediatrics (Infectious Diseases), Institute of Genomics, Genetics, and Systems Biology, Global Health Center, Toxoplasmosis Center, CHeSS, The College, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
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6
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Mogwera KSP, Chibale K, Arendse LB. Developing kinase inhibitors for malaria: an opportunity or liability? Trends Parasitol 2023; 39:720-731. [PMID: 37385921 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2023.06.001] [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: 04/18/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023]
Abstract
Highly druggable and essential to almost all aspects of cellular life, the protein and phosphoinositide kinase gene families offer a wealth of potential targets for pharmacological modulation for both noncommunicable and infectious diseases. Despite the success of kinase inhibitors in oncology and other disease indications, targeting kinases comes with significant challenges. Key hurdles for kinase drug discovery include selectivity and acquired resistance. The phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase beta inhibitor MMV390048 showed good efficacy in Phase 2a clinical trials, demonstrating the potential of kinase inhibitors for malaria treatment. Here we argue that the potential benefits of Plasmodium kinase inhibitors outweigh the risks, and we highlight the opportunity for designed polypharmacology to reduce the risk of resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koketso S P Mogwera
- Drug Discovery and Development Centre (H3D), South African Medical Research Council Drug Discovery and Development Research Unit, Department of Chemistry and Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa
| | - Kelly Chibale
- Drug Discovery and Development Centre (H3D), South African Medical Research Council Drug Discovery and Development Research Unit, Department of Chemistry and Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa
| | - Lauren B Arendse
- Drug Discovery and Development Centre (H3D), South African Medical Research Council Drug Discovery and Development Research Unit, Department of Chemistry and Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa.
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7
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Ong HW, Adderley J, Tobin AB, Drewry DH, Doerig C. Parasite and host kinases as targets for antimalarials. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2023; 27:151-169. [PMID: 36942408 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2023.2185511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/23/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The deployment of Artemisinin-based combination therapies and transmission control measures led to a decrease in the global malaria burden over the recent decades. Unfortunately, this trend is now reversing, in part due to resistance against available treatments, calling for the development of new drugs against untapped targets to prevent cross-resistance. AREAS COVERED In view of their demonstrated druggability in noninfectious diseases, protein kinases represent attractive targets. Kinase-focussed antimalarial drug discovery is facilitated by the availability of kinase-targeting scaffolds and large libraries of inhibitors, as well as high-throughput phenotypic and biochemical assays. We present an overview of validated Plasmodium kinase targets and their inhibitors, and briefly discuss the potential of host cell kinases as targets for host-directed therapy. EXPERT OPINION We propose priority research areas, including (i) diversification of Plasmodium kinase targets (at present most efforts focus on a very small number of targets); (ii) polypharmacology as an avenue to limit resistance (kinase inhibitors are highly suitable in this respect); and (iii) preemptive limitation of resistance through host-directed therapy (targeting host cell kinases that are required for parasite survival) and transmission-blocking through targeting sexual stage-specific kinases as a strategy to protect curative drugs from the spread of resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Wee Ong
- Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC USA
| | - Jack Adderley
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, Rmit University, Bundoora VIC Australia
| | - Andrew B Tobin
- Advanced Research Centre, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - David H Drewry
- Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC USA
| | - Christian Doerig
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, Rmit University, Bundoora VIC Australia
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8
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Bisbenzylisoquinolines from Cissampelos pareira L. as antimalarial agents: Molecular docking, pharmacokinetics analysis, and molecular dynamic simulation studies. Comput Biol Chem 2023; 104:107826. [PMID: 36848855 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiolchem.2023.107826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/14/2023]
Abstract
Malaria is a major global health issue due to the emergence of resistance to most of the available antimalarial drugs. There is an urgent need to discover new antimalarials to tackle the resistance issue. The present study aims to explore the antimalarial potential of chemical constituents reported from Cissampelos pareira L., a medicinal plant traditionally known for treating malaria. Phytochemically, benzylisoquinolines and bisbenzylisoquinolines are the major classes of alkaloids reported from this plant. In silico molecular docking revealed prominent interactions of bisbenzylisoquinolines such as hayatinine and curine with Pfdihydrofolate reductase (-6.983 Kcal/mol and -6.237 Kcal/mol), PfcGMP-dependent protein kinase (-6.652 Kcal/mol and -7.158 Kcal/mol), and Pfprolyl-tRNA synthetase (-7.569 Kcal/mol and -7.122 Kcal/mol). The binding affinity of hayatinine and curine with identified antimalarial targets was further evaluated using MD-simulation analysis. Among the identified antimalarial targets, the RMSD, RMSF, the radius of gyration, and PCA indicated the formation of stable complexes of hayatinine and curine with Pfprolyl-tRNA synthetase. The outcomes of in silico investigation putatively suggested that bisbenzylisoquinolines may act on the translation of the Plasmodium parasite to exhibit antimalarial potency.
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9
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Arendse LB, Murithi JM, Qahash T, Pasaje CFA, Godoy LC, Dey S, Gibhard L, Ghidelli-Disse S, Drewes G, Bantscheff M, Lafuente-Monasterio MJ, Fienberg S, Wambua L, Gachuhi S, Coertzen D, van der Watt M, Reader J, Aswat AS, Erlank E, Venter N, Mittal N, Luth MR, Ottilie S, Winzeler EA, Koekemoer LL, Birkholtz LM, Niles JC, Llinás M, Fidock DA, Chibale K. The anticancer human mTOR inhibitor sapanisertib potently inhibits multiple Plasmodium kinases and life cycle stages. Sci Transl Med 2022; 14:eabo7219. [PMID: 36260689 PMCID: PMC9951552 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.abo7219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Compounds acting on multiple targets are critical to combating antimalarial drug resistance. Here, we report that the human "mammalian target of rapamycin" (mTOR) inhibitor sapanisertib has potent prophylactic liver stage activity, in vitro and in vivo asexual blood stage (ABS) activity, and transmission-blocking activity against the protozoan parasite Plasmodium spp. Chemoproteomics studies revealed multiple potential Plasmodium kinase targets, and potent inhibition of Plasmodium phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase type III beta (PI4Kβ) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate-dependent protein kinase (PKG) was confirmed in vitro. Conditional knockdown of PI4Kβ in ABS cultures modulated parasite sensitivity to sapanisertib, and laboratory-generated P. falciparum sapanisertib resistance was mediated by mutations in PI4Kβ. Parasite metabolomic perturbation profiles associated with sapanisertib and other known PI4Kβ and/or PKG inhibitors revealed similarities and differences between chemotypes, potentially caused by sapanisertib targeting multiple parasite kinases. The multistage activity of sapanisertib and its in vivo antimalarial efficacy, coupled with potent inhibition of at least two promising drug targets, provides an opportunity to reposition this pyrazolopyrimidine for malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren B. Arendse
- Drug Discovery and Development Centre (H3D), University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, Cape Town 7701, South Africa
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Observatory, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
- South African Medical Research Council Drug Discovery and Development Research Unit, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, Cape Town 7701, South Africa
| | - James M. Murithi
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Tarrick Qahash
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
- Huck Center for Malaria Research, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | | | - Luiz C. Godoy
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Sumanta Dey
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Liezl Gibhard
- Drug Discovery and Development Centre (H3D), University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, Cape Town 7701, South Africa
| | | | - Gerard Drewes
- Cellzome GmbH, a GSK Company, Heidelberg 69117, Germany
| | | | - Maria J. Lafuente-Monasterio
- Tres Cantos Medicines Development Campus-Diseases of the Developing World, GlaxoSmithKline, Tres Cantos, Madrid 28760, Spain
| | - Stephen Fienberg
- Drug Discovery and Development Centre (H3D), University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, Cape Town 7701, South Africa
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, Cape Town 7701, South Africa
| | - Lynn Wambua
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Observatory, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, Cape Town 7701, South Africa
| | - Samuel Gachuhi
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, Cape Town 7701, South Africa
| | - Dina Coertzen
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, Institute for Sustainable Malaria Control, University of Pretoria, Hatfield 0028, South Africa
| | - Mariëtte van der Watt
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, Institute for Sustainable Malaria Control, University of Pretoria, Hatfield 0028, South Africa
| | - Janette Reader
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, Institute for Sustainable Malaria Control, University of Pretoria, Hatfield 0028, South Africa
| | - Ayesha S. Aswat
- Wits Research Institute for Malaria, School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2193, South Africa
- Centre for Emerging Zoonotic and Parasitic Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Diseases of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg 2193, South Africa
| | - Erica Erlank
- Wits Research Institute for Malaria, School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2193, South Africa
- Centre for Emerging Zoonotic and Parasitic Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Diseases of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg 2193, South Africa
| | - Nelius Venter
- Wits Research Institute for Malaria, School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2193, South Africa
- Centre for Emerging Zoonotic and Parasitic Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Diseases of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg 2193, South Africa
| | - Nimisha Mittal
- School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Madeline R. Luth
- School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Sabine Ottilie
- School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | | | - Lizette L. Koekemoer
- Wits Research Institute for Malaria, School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2193, South Africa
- Centre for Emerging Zoonotic and Parasitic Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Diseases of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg 2193, South Africa
| | - Lyn-Marie Birkholtz
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, Institute for Sustainable Malaria Control, University of Pretoria, Hatfield 0028, South Africa
| | - Jacquin C. Niles
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Manuel Llinás
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
- Huck Center for Malaria Research, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
- Department of Chemistry, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - David A. Fidock
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
- Center for Malaria Therapeutics and Antimicrobial Resistance, Division of Infectious Diseases, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Kelly Chibale
- Drug Discovery and Development Centre (H3D), University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, Cape Town 7701, South Africa
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Observatory, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
- South African Medical Research Council Drug Discovery and Development Research Unit, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, Cape Town 7701, South Africa
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, Cape Town 7701, South Africa
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10
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Sharma R, Kim JJ, Qin L, Henning P, Akimoto M, VanSchouwen B, Kaur G, Sankaran B, MacKenzie KR, Melacini G, Casteel DE, Herberg FW, Kim CW. An auto-inhibited state of protein kinase G and implications for selective activation. eLife 2022; 11:79530. [PMID: 35929723 PMCID: PMC9417419 DOI: 10.7554/elife.79530] [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: 04/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinases (PKGs) are key mediators of the nitric oxide/cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) signaling pathway that regulates biological functions as diverse as smooth muscle contraction, cardiac function, and axon guidance. Understanding how cGMP differentially triggers mammalian PKG isoforms could lead to new therapeutics that inhibit or activate PKGs, complementing drugs that target nitric oxide synthases and cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases in this signaling axis. Alternate splicing of PRKG1 transcripts confers distinct leucine zippers, linkers, and auto-inhibitory (AI) pseudo-substrate sequences to PKG Iα and Iβ that result in isoform-specific activation properties, but the mechanism of enzyme auto-inhibition and its alleviation by cGMP is not well understood. Here, we present a crystal structure of PKG Iβ in which the AI sequence and the cyclic nucleotide-binding (CNB) domains are bound to the catalytic domain, providing a snapshot of the auto-inhibited state. Specific contacts between the PKG Iβ AI sequence and the enzyme active site help explain isoform-specific activation constants and the effects of phosphorylation in the linker. We also present a crystal structure of a PKG I CNB domain with an activating mutation linked to Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms and Dissections. Similarity of this structure to wildtype cGMP-bound domains and differences with the auto-inhibited enzyme provide a mechanistic basis for constitutive activation. We show that PKG Iβ auto-inhibition is mediated by contacts within each monomer of the native full-length dimeric protein, and using the available structural and biochemical data we develop a model for the regulation and cooperative activation of PKGs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajesh Sharma
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States
| | - Jeong Joo Kim
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States
| | - Liying Qin
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States
| | - Philipp Henning
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Kassel, kassel, Germany
| | - Madoka Akimoto
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, McMaster University, Ontario, Canada
| | - Bryan VanSchouwen
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, McMaster University, Ontario, Canada
| | - Gundeep Kaur
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States
| | - Banumathi Sankaran
- Berkeley Center for Structural Biology, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, United States
| | - Kevin R MacKenzie
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States
| | - Giuseppe Melacini
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Darren E Casteel
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, United States
| | - Fritz W Herberg
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Kassel, kassel, Germany
| | - Choel W Kim
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States
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11
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Adderley J, Doerig C. Comparative analysis of the kinomes of Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium vivax and their host Homo sapiens. BMC Genomics 2022; 23:237. [PMID: 35346035 PMCID: PMC8960227 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-022-08457-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Novel antimalarials should be effective across all species of malaria parasites that infect humans, especially the two species that bear the most impact, Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax. Protein kinases encoded by pathogens, as well as host kinases required for survival of intracellular pathogens, carry considerable potential as targets for antimalarial intervention (Adderley et al. Trends Parasitol 37:508–524, 2021; Wei et al. Cell Rep Med 2:100423, 2021). To date, no comprehensive P. vivax kinome assembly has been conducted; and the P. falciparum kinome, first assembled in 2004, requires an update. The present study, aimed to fill these gaps, utilises a recently published structurally-validated multiple sequence alignment (MSA) of the human kinome (Modi et al. Sci Rep 9:19790, 2019). This MSA is used as a scaffold to assist the alignment of all protein kinase sequences from P. falciparum and P. vivax, and (where possible) their assignment to specific kinase groups/families. Results We were able to assign six P. falciparum previously classified as OPK or ‘orphans’ (i.e. with no clear phylogenetic relation to any of the established ePK groups) to one of the aforementioned ePK groups. Direct phylogenetic comparison established that despite an overall high level of similarity between the P. falciparum and P. vivax kinomes, which will help in selecting targets for intervention, there are differences that may underlie the biological specificities of these species. Furthermore, we highlight a number of Plasmodium kinases that have a surprisingly high level of similarity with their human counterparts and therefore not well suited as targets for drug discovery. Conclusions Direct comparison of the kinomes of Homo sapiens, P. falciparum and P. vivax sheds additional light on the previously documented divergence of many P. falciparum and P. vivax kinases from those of their human host. We provide the first direct kinome comparison between the phylogenetically distinct species of P. falciparum and P. vivax, illustrating the key similarities and differences which must be considered in the context of kinase-directed antimalarial drug discovery, and discuss the divergences and similarities between the human and Plasmodium kinomes to inform future searches for selective antimalarial intervention. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12864-022-08457-0.
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12
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Eck T, Laureano de Souza M, Delvillar M, Ashraf K, Yadav Bheemanaboina RR, Chakrasali R, Kreiss T, Siekierka JJ, Rotella DP, Bhanot P, Goodey NM. Characterization of competitive inhibitors of P. falciparum cGMP‐dependent protein kinase. Chembiochem 2022; 23:e202100704. [PMID: 35044710 PMCID: PMC9132199 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202100704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Plasmodium falciparum cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PfPKG) is an enticing antimalarial drug target. Novel chemotypes are needed because existing inhibitors have safety issues that may prevent further development. This work demonstrates isoxazole-based compounds are potent ATP competitive inhibitors of PfPKG and discloses a new analogue in this series. Isoxazoles 3 and 5 had Ki values that are comparable to a known standard, 4-[2-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-(1-methylpiperidine-4-yl)-1H pyrrol-3-yl] pyridine. They also exhibited excellent selectivity for PfPKG over the human orthologue and the gatekeeper mutant T618Q PfPKG, which mimics the less accessible binding site of the human orthologue. The human orthologue's larger binding site volume is predicted to explain the selectivity of the inhibitors for the P. falciparum enzyme.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tyler Eck
- Montclair State University Chemistry and Biochemistry UNITED STATES
| | - Mariana Laureano de Souza
- Rutgers New Jersey Medical School Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry, and Molecular Genetics UNITED STATES
| | - Melvin Delvillar
- Rutgers New Jersey Medical School Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics UNITED STATES
| | - Kutub Ashraf
- Rutgers New Jersey Medical School Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics UNITED STATES
| | | | | | - Tamara Kreiss
- Montclair State University Chemistry and Biochemistry UNITED STATES
| | - John J Siekierka
- Montclair State University Chemistry and Biochemistry UNITED STATES
| | - David P Rotella
- Montclair State University Chemistry and Biochemistry UNITED STATES
| | - Purnima Bhanot
- Rutgers New Jersey Medical School Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics UNITED STATES
| | - Nina M Goodey
- Montclair State University Chemistry and Biochemistry 1 Normal Avenue 07043 Montclair UNITED STATES
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13
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Hofmann F. The cGMP system: components and function. Biol Chem 2021; 401:447-469. [PMID: 31747372 DOI: 10.1515/hsz-2019-0386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2019] [Accepted: 10/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) signaling system is one of the most prominent regulators of a variety of physiological and pathophysiological processes in many mammalian and non-mammalian tissues. Targeting this pathway by increasing cGMP levels has been a very successful approach in pharmacology as shown for nitrates, phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors and stimulators of nitric oxide-guanylyl cyclase (NO-GC) and particulate GC (pGC). This is an introductory review to the cGMP signaling system intended to introduce those readers to this system, who do not work in this area. This article does not intend an in-depth review of this system. Signal transduction by cGMP is controlled by the generating enzymes GCs, the degrading enzymes PDEs and the cGMP-regulated enzymes cyclic nucleotide-gated ion channels, cGMP-dependent protein kinases and cGMP-regulated PDEs. Part A gives a very concise introduction to the components. Part B gives a very concise introduction to the functions modulated by cGMP. The article cites many recent reviews for those who want a deeper insight.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franz Hofmann
- Pharmakologisches Institut, Technische Universität München, Biedersteiner Str. 29, D-80802 München, Germany
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14
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Huang J, Byun JA, VanSchouwen B, Henning P, Herberg FW, Kim C, Melacini G. Dynamical Basis of Allosteric Activation for the Plasmodium falciparum Protein Kinase G. J Phys Chem B 2021; 125:6532-6542. [PMID: 34115498 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.1c03622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The Plasmodium falciparum cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PfPKG) is required for the progression of the Plasmodium's life cycle and is therefore a promising malaria drug target. PfPKG includes four cGMP-binding domains (CBD-A to CBD-D). CBD-D plays a crucial role in PfPKG regulation as it is the primary determinant for the inhibition and cGMP-dependent activation of the catalytic domain. Hence, it is critical to understand how CBD-D is allosterically regulated by cGMP. Although the apo versus holo conformational changes of CBD-D have been reported, information on the intermediates of the activation pathway is currently lacking. Here, we employed molecular dynamics simulations to model four key states along the thermodynamic cycle for the cGMP-dependent activation of the PfPKG CBD-D domain. The simulations were compared to NMR data, and they revealed that the PfPKG CBD-D activation pathway samples a compact intermediate in which the N- and C-terminal helices approach the central β-barrel. In addition, by comparing the cGMP-bound active and inactive states, the essential binding interactions that differentiate these states were identified. The identification of structural and dynamical features unique to the cGMP-bound inactive state provides a promising basis to design PfPKG-selective allosteric inhibitors as a viable treatment for malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinfeng Huang
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4M1, Canada
| | - Jung Ah Byun
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4M1, Canada
| | - Bryan VanSchouwen
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4M1, Canada
| | - Philipp Henning
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Kassel, Heinrich-Plett-Strasse 40, 34132 Kassel, Germany
| | - Friedrich W Herberg
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Kassel, Heinrich-Plett-Strasse 40, 34132 Kassel, Germany
| | - Choel Kim
- Verna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, United States.,Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, United States.,Center for Drug Discovery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
| | - Giuseppe Melacini
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4M1, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4M1, Canada
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15
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Arwansyah A, Arif AR, Syahputra G, Sukarti S, Kurniawan I. Theoretical studies of Thiazolyl-Pyrazoline derivatives as promising drugs against malaria by QSAR modelling combined with molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation. MOLECULAR SIMULATION 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/08927022.2021.1935926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Arwansyah Arwansyah
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Universitas Cokroaminoto Palopo, Palopo, Indonesia
| | - Abdur Rahman Arif
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Hasanuddin University, Makassar, Indonesia
| | - Gita Syahputra
- Research Center for Biotechnology, Indonesian Institute of Science, Bogor, Indonesia
| | - Sukarti Sukarti
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Universitas Cokroaminoto Palopo, Palopo, Indonesia
| | - Isman Kurniawan
- School of Computing, Telkom University, Bandung, Indonesia
- Research Center of Human Centric Engineering, Telkom University, Bandung, Indonesia
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16
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Arendse LB, Wyllie S, Chibale K, Gilbert IH. Plasmodium Kinases as Potential Drug Targets for Malaria: Challenges and Opportunities. ACS Infect Dis 2021; 7:518-534. [PMID: 33590753 PMCID: PMC7961706 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.0c00724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Protein and phosphoinositide kinases have been successfully exploited as drug targets in various disease areas, principally in oncology. In malaria, several protein kinases are under investigation as potential drug targets, and an inhibitor of Plasmodium phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase type III beta (PI4KIIIβ) is currently in phase 2 clinical studies. In this Perspective, we review the potential of kinases as drug targets for the treatment of malaria. Kinases are known to be readily druggable, and many are essential for parasite survival. A key challenge in the design of Plasmodium kinase inhibitors is obtaining selectivity over the corresponding human orthologue(s) and other human kinases due to the highly conserved nature of the shared ATP binding site. Notwithstanding this, there are some notable differences between the Plasmodium and human kinome that may be exploitable. There is also the potential for designed polypharmacology, where several Plasmodium kinases are inhibited by the same drug. Prior to starting the drug discovery process, it is important to carefully assess potential kinase targets to ensure that the inhibition of the desired kinase will kill the parasites in the required life-cycle stages with a sufficiently fast rate of kill. Here, we highlight key target attributes and experimental approaches to consider and summarize the progress that has been made targeting Plasmodium PI4KIIIβ, cGMP-dependent protein kinase, and cyclin-dependent-like kinase 3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren B. Arendse
- Drug
Discovery and Development Centre (H3D), South African Medical Research
Council Drug Discovery and Development Research Unit, Department of
Chemistry, and Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, Cape Town, Western Cape 7701, South Africa
| | - Susan Wyllie
- Wellcome
Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, Division of Biological Chemistry
and Drug Discovery, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, United Kingdom
| | - Kelly Chibale
- Drug
Discovery and Development Centre (H3D), South African Medical Research
Council Drug Discovery and Development Research Unit, Department of
Chemistry, and Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, Cape Town, Western Cape 7701, South Africa
| | - Ian H. Gilbert
- Wellcome
Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, Division of Biological Chemistry
and Drug Discovery, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, United Kingdom
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17
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Abstract
All intracellular pathogens must escape (egress) from the confines of their host cell to disseminate and proliferate. The malaria parasite only replicates in an intracellular vacuole or in a cyst, and must undergo egress at four distinct phases during its complex life cycle, each time disrupting, in a highly regulated manner, the membranes or cyst wall that entrap the parasites. This Cell Science at a Glance article and accompanying poster summarises our current knowledge of the morphological features of egress across the Plasmodium life cycle, the molecular mechanisms that govern the process, and how researchers are working to exploit this knowledge to develop much-needed new approaches to malaria control. ![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele S Y Tan
- Malaria Biochemistry Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Michael J Blackman
- Malaria Biochemistry Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, UK .,Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK
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18
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Rotella D, Siekierka J, Bhanot P. Plasmodium falciparum cGMP-Dependent Protein Kinase - A Novel Chemotherapeutic Target. Front Microbiol 2021; 11:610408. [PMID: 33613463 PMCID: PMC7886688 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.610408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The primary effector of cGMP signaling in Plasmodium is the cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG). Work in human-infective Plasmodium falciparum and rodent-infective Plasmodium berghei has provided biological validation of P. falciparum PKG (PfPKG) as a drug target for treating and/or protecting against malaria. PfPKG is essential in the asexual erythrocytic and sexual cycles as well as the pre-erythrocytic cycle. Medicinal chemistry efforts, both target-based and phenotype-based, have targeted PfPKG in the past few years. This review provides a brief overview of their results and challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Rotella
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Montclair State University, Montclair, NJ, United States
| | - John Siekierka
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Montclair State University, Montclair, NJ, United States
| | - Purnima Bhanot
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, United States
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19
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Cheuka PM, Centani L, Arendse LB, Fienberg S, Wambua L, Renga SS, Dziwornu GA, Kumar M, Lawrence N, Taylor D, Wittlin S, Coertzen D, Reader J, van der Watt M, Birkholtz LM, Chibale K. New Amidated 3,6-Diphenylated Imidazopyridazines with Potent Antiplasmodium Activity Are Dual Inhibitors of Plasmodium Phosphatidylinositol-4-kinase and cGMP-Dependent Protein Kinase. ACS Infect Dis 2021; 7:34-46. [PMID: 33319990 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.0c00481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Recent studies on 3,6-diphenylated imidazopyridazines have demonstrated impressive in vitro activity and in vivo efficacy in mouse models of malaria infection. Herein, we report the synthesis and antiplasmodium evaluation of a new series of amidated analogues and demonstrate that these compounds potently inhibit Plasmodium phosphatidylinositol-4-kinase (PI4K) type IIIβ while moderately inhibiting cyclic guanidine monophosphate (cGMP)-dependent protein kinase (PKG) activity in vitro. Using in silico docking, we predict key binding interactions for these analogues within the adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-binding site of PI4K and PKG, paving the way for structure-based optimization of imidazopyridazines targeting both Plasmodium PI4K and PKG. While several derivatives showed low nanomolar antiplasmodium activity (IC50 < 100 nM), some compounds, including piperazine analogue 28, resulted in strong dual PI4K and PKG inhibition. The compounds also demonstrated transmission-blocking potential, evident from their potent inhibition of early- and late-stage gametocytes. Finally, the current compounds generally showed improved aqueous solubility and reduced hERG (human ether-a-go-go-related gene) channel inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Mubanga Cheuka
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, Cape Town 7701, South Africa
- Department of Chemistry, University of Zambia, Great East Road Campus, P.O Box 32379, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Luyanda Centani
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, Cape Town 7701, South Africa
| | - Lauren B. Arendse
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, Cape Town 7701, South Africa
- Drug Discovery and Development Centre (H3D) and South African Medical Research Council Drug Discovery and Development Research Unit, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, Cape Town 7701, South Africa
| | - Stephen Fienberg
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, Cape Town 7701, South Africa
- Drug Discovery and Development Centre (H3D) and South African Medical Research Council Drug Discovery and Development Research Unit, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, Cape Town 7701, South Africa
| | - Lynn Wambua
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, Cape Town 7701, South Africa
| | - Shoneeze S. Renga
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, Cape Town 7701, South Africa
| | - Godwin Akpeko Dziwornu
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, Cape Town 7701, South Africa
| | - Malkeet Kumar
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, Cape Town 7701, South Africa
| | - Nina Lawrence
- Drug Discovery and Development Centre (H3D), Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Observatory, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
| | - Dale Taylor
- Drug Discovery and Development Centre (H3D), Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Observatory, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
| | - Sergio Wittlin
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Socinstrasse 57, 4002 Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, 4003 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Dina Coertzen
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, Institute for Sustainable Malaria Control, University of Pretoria, Hatfield, Pretoria 0028, South Africa
| | - Janette Reader
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, Institute for Sustainable Malaria Control, University of Pretoria, Hatfield, Pretoria 0028, South Africa
| | - Mariette van der Watt
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, Institute for Sustainable Malaria Control, University of Pretoria, Hatfield, Pretoria 0028, South Africa
| | - Lyn-Marie Birkholtz
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, Institute for Sustainable Malaria Control, University of Pretoria, Hatfield, Pretoria 0028, South Africa
| | - Kelly Chibale
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, Cape Town 7701, South Africa
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, Cape Town 7701, South Africa
- Drug Discovery and Development Centre (H3D) and South African Medical Research Council Drug Discovery and Development Research Unit, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, Cape Town 7701, South Africa
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20
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Baker DA, Matralis AN, Osborne SA, Large JM, Penzo M. Targeting the Malaria Parasite cGMP-Dependent Protein Kinase to Develop New Drugs. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:602803. [PMID: 33391223 PMCID: PMC7773720 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.602803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The single-celled apicomplexan parasite Plasmodium falciparum is responsible for the majority of deaths due to malaria each year. The selection of drug resistance has been a recurring theme over the decades with each new drug that is developed. It is therefore crucial that future generations of drugs are explored to tackle this major public health problem. Cyclic GMP (cGMP) signaling is one of the biochemical pathways that is being explored as a potential target for new antimalarial drugs. It has been shown that this pathway is essential for all of the key developmental stages of the complex malaria parasite life cycle. This gives hope that targeting cGMP signaling might give rise to drugs that treat disease, block its transmission and even prevent the establishment of infection. Here we review previous work that has been carried out to develop and optimize inhibitors of the cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG) which is a critical regulator of the malaria parasite life cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- David A Baker
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Simon A Osborne
- LifeArc, Accelerator Building, Open Innovation Campus, Stevenage, United Kingdom
| | - Jonathan M Large
- LifeArc, Accelerator Building, Open Innovation Campus, Stevenage, United Kingdom
| | - Maria Penzo
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
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21
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Kim C, Sharma R. Cyclic nucleotide selectivity of protein kinase G isozymes. Protein Sci 2020; 30:316-327. [PMID: 33271627 DOI: 10.1002/pro.4008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2020] [Revised: 11/25/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
The intrinsic activity of the C-terminal catalytic (C) domain of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)-dependent protein kinases (PKG) is inhibited by interactions with the N-terminal regulatory (R) domain. Selective binding of cGMP to cyclic nucleotide binding (CNB) domains within the R-domain disrupts the inhibitory R-C interaction, leading to the release and activation of the C-domain. Affinity measurements of mammalian and plasmodium PKG CNB domains reveal different degrees of cyclic nucleotide affinity and selectivity; the CNB domains adjacent to the C-domain are more cGMP selective and therefore critical for cGMP-dependent activation. Crystal structures of isolated CNB domains in the presence and absence of cyclic nucleotides reveal isozyme-specific contacts that explain cyclic nucleotide selectivity and conformational changes that accompany CNB. Crystal structures of tandem CNB domains identify two types of CNB-mediated dimeric contacts that indicate cGMP-driven reorganization of domain-domain interfaces that include large conformational changes. Here, we review the available structural and functional information of PKG CNB domains that further advance our understanding of cGMP mediated regulation and activation of PKG isozymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Choel Kim
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.,Verna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Rajesh Sharma
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
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22
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Moolman C, van der Sluis R, Beteck RM, Legoabe LJ. An Update on Development of Small-Molecule Plasmodial Kinase Inhibitors. Molecules 2020; 25:E5182. [PMID: 33171706 PMCID: PMC7664427 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25215182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Revised: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 10/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria control relies heavily on the small number of existing antimalarial drugs. However, recurring antimalarial drug resistance necessitates the continual generation of new antimalarial drugs with novel modes of action. In order to shift the focus from only controlling this disease towards elimination and eradication, next-generation antimalarial agents need to address the gaps in the malaria drug arsenal. This includes developing drugs for chemoprotection, treating severe malaria and blocking transmission. Plasmodial kinases are promising targets for next-generation antimalarial drug development as they mediate critical cellular processes and some are active across multiple stages of the parasite's life cycle. This review gives an update on the progress made thus far with regards to plasmodial kinase small-molecule inhibitor development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chantalle Moolman
- Centre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences, North-West University, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom 2520, South Africa; (C.M.); (R.M.B.)
| | - Rencia van der Sluis
- Focus Area for Human Metabolomics, Biochemistry, North-West University, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom 2520, South Africa;
| | - Richard M. Beteck
- Centre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences, North-West University, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom 2520, South Africa; (C.M.); (R.M.B.)
| | - Lesetja J. Legoabe
- Centre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences, North-West University, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom 2520, South Africa; (C.M.); (R.M.B.)
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23
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Ghose R. Keep a lid on it: A troika in kinase allostery. J Biol Chem 2020; 295:8492-8493. [PMID: 32561554 PMCID: PMC7307211 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.h120.014383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum encodes a cGMP-dependent protein kinase G (PfPKG) that is critical for its life cycle. Specific cGMP analogs are able to act as partial agonists of PfPKG. Using the exquisite diagnostic power of NMR chemical shifts, Byun et al. demonstrate that the extent of agonism by these cGMP derivatives relates to the degree of stabilization of a unique inactive conformation that shares structural features with both the ligand-free, inactive and the cGMP-bound, active states. The observation of this third state helps to generalize a novel paradigm for the allosteric activation of kinase function and may open opportunities for the development of novel therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ranajeet Ghose
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, City College of New York, New York, New York, USA
- Ph.D. Program in Biochemistry, Graduate Center of CUNY, New York, New York, USA
- Ph.D. Program in Chemistry, Graduate Center of CUNY, New York, New York, USA
- Ph.D. Program in Physics, Graduate Center of CUNY, New York, New York, USA
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24
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Maryam A, Khalid RR, Vedithi SC, ECE A, Çınaroğlu SS, Siddiqi AR, Blundell TL. Exploring the structural basis of conformational heterogeneity and autoinhibition of human cGMP-specific protein kinase Iα through computational modelling and molecular dynamics simulations. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2020; 18:1625-1638. [PMID: 32670503 PMCID: PMC7334484 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2020.06.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2020] [Revised: 06/05/2020] [Accepted: 06/06/2020] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Protein kinase Iα (PKGIα) is a pivotal cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) signalling protein. Major steps related to the structural plasticity of PKGIα have been inferred but the structural aspects of the auto-inhibition and multidomain tertiary organization of human PKGIα in active and inactive form are not clear. Here we combine computational comparative modelling, protein-protein docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to investigate structural details of the repressed state of the catalytic domain of PKGIα. Exploration of the potential inhibitory conformation of the auto-inhibitory domain (AI) within the catalytic cleft reveals that the pseudo-substrate motif binds with residues of the glycine rich loop and substrate-binding lobe. Dynamic changes as a result of coupling of the catalytic and AI domains are also investigated. The three-dimensional homodimeric models of PKGIα in the active and inactive state indicate that PKGIα in its inactive-state attains a compact globular structure where cyclic nucleotide binding (CNB-A/B) domains are buried, whereas the catalytic domains are inaccessible with their substrate-binding pockets facing the N-terminal of CNB-A. Contrary to this, the active-state model of PKGIα shows an extended conformation where CNB-A/B domains are slightly rearranged and the catalytic domains of homodimer flanking the C-terminal with their substrate binding lobes free to entrap downstream proteins. These findings are consistent with previously reported static images of the multidomain organization of PKGIα. Structural insights pertaining to the conformational heterogeneity and auto-inhibition of PKGIα provided in this study may help to understand the dynamics-driven effective regulation of PKGIα.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arooma Maryam
- Department of Biosciences, COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI), Park Road, Islamabad 4550, Pakistan
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, 80 Tennis Court Rd., Cambridge CB2 1GA, UK
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Biruni University, Istanbul 34010, Turkey
| | - Rana Rehan Khalid
- Department of Biosciences, COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI), Park Road, Islamabad 4550, Pakistan
| | | | - Abdulilah ECE
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Biruni University, Istanbul 34010, Turkey
| | | | - Abdul Rauf Siddiqi
- Department of Biosciences, COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI), Park Road, Islamabad 4550, Pakistan
| | - Tom L. Blundell
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, 80 Tennis Court Rd., Cambridge CB2 1GA, UK
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25
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Byun JA, Van K, Huang J, Henning P, Franz E, Akimoto M, Herberg FW, Kim C, Melacini G. Mechanism of allosteric inhibition in the Plasmodium falciparum cGMP-dependent protein kinase. J Biol Chem 2020; 295:8480-8491. [PMID: 32317283 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra120.013070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2020] [Revised: 04/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Most malaria deaths are caused by the protozoan parasite Plasmodium falciparum Its life cycle is regulated by a cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PfPKG), whose inhibition is a promising antimalaria strategy. Allosteric kinase inhibitors, such as cGMP analogs, offer enhanced selectivity relative to competitive kinase inhibitors. However, the mechanisms underlying allosteric PfPKG inhibition are incompletely understood. Here, we show that 8-NBD-cGMP is an effective PfPKG antagonist. Using comparative NMR analyses of a key regulatory domain, PfD, in its apo, cGMP-bound, and cGMP analog-bound states, we elucidated its inhibition mechanism of action. Using NMR chemical shift analyses, molecular dynamics simulations, and site-directed mutagenesis, we show that 8-NBD-cGMP inhibits PfPKG not simply by reverting a two-state active versus inactive equilibrium, but by sampling also a distinct inactive "mixed" intermediate. Surface plasmon resonance indicates that the ability to stabilize a mixed intermediate provides a means to effectively inhibit PfPKG, without losing affinity for the cGMP analog. Our proposed model may facilitate the rational design of PfPKG-selective inhibitors for improved management of malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jung Ah Byun
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4L8, Canada
| | - Katherine Van
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4L8, Canada
| | - Jinfeng Huang
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4L8, Canada
| | - Philipp Henning
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Kassel, Heinrich-Plett-Strasse 40, 34132 Kassel, Germany
| | - Eugen Franz
- Biaffin GmbH & Co. KG, Heinrich-Plett-Strasse 40, 34132 Kassel, Germany
| | - Madoka Akimoto
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4L8, Canada
| | - Friedrich W Herberg
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Kassel, Heinrich-Plett-Strasse 40, 34132 Kassel, Germany
| | - Choel Kim
- Verna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030.,Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030
| | - Giuseppe Melacini
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4L8, Canada .,Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4L8, Canada
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26
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Koussis K, Withers-Martinez C, Baker DA, Blackman MJ. Simultaneous multiple allelic replacement in the malaria parasite enables dissection of PKG function. Life Sci Alliance 2020; 3:e201900626. [PMID: 32179592 PMCID: PMC7081069 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.201900626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2019] [Revised: 03/06/2020] [Accepted: 03/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Over recent years, a plethora of new genetic tools has transformed conditional engineering of the malaria parasite genome, allowing functional dissection of essential genes in the asexual and sexual blood stages that cause pathology or are required for disease transmission, respectively. Important challenges remain, including the desirability to complement conditional mutants with a correctly regulated second gene copy to confirm that observed phenotypes are due solely to loss of gene function and to analyse structure-function relationships. To meet this challenge, here we combine the dimerisable Cre (DiCre) system with the use of multiple lox sites to simultaneously generate multiple recombination events of the same gene. We focused on the Plasmodium falciparum cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG), creating in parallel conditional disruption of the gene plus up to two allelic replacements. We use the approach to demonstrate that PKG has no scaffolding or adaptor role in intraerythrocytic development, acting solely at merozoite egress. We also show that a phosphorylation-deficient PKG is functionally incompetent. Our method provides valuable new tools for analysis of gene function in the malaria parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - David A Baker
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Michael J Blackman
- Malaria Biochemistry Laboratory, Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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27
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Günay-Esiyok Ö, Gupta N. Chimeras of P4-ATPase and Guanylate Cyclase in Pathogenic Protists. Trends Parasitol 2020; 36:382-392. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2020.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2019] [Revised: 01/29/2020] [Accepted: 01/29/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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28
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Friebe A, Sandner P, Schmidtko A. cGMP: a unique 2nd messenger molecule - recent developments in cGMP research and development. NAUNYN-SCHMIEDEBERG'S ARCHIVES OF PHARMACOLOGY 2020; 393:287-302. [PMID: 31853617 PMCID: PMC7260148 DOI: 10.1007/s00210-019-01779-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2019] [Accepted: 11/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) is a unique second messenger molecule formed in different cell types and tissues. cGMP targets a variety of downstream effector molecules and, thus, elicits a very broad variety of cellular effects. Its production is triggered by stimulation of either soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) or particulate guanylyl cyclase (pGC); both enzymes exist in different isoforms. cGMP-induced effects are regulated by endogenous receptor ligands such as nitric oxide (NO) and natriuretic peptides (NPs). Depending on the distribution of sGC and pGC and the formation of ligands, this pathway regulates not only the cardiovascular system but also the kidney, lung, liver, and brain function; in addition, the cGMP pathway is involved in the pathogenesis of fibrosis, inflammation, or neurodegeneration and may also play a role in infectious diseases such as malaria. Moreover, new pharmacological approaches are being developed which target sGC- and pGC-dependent pathways for the treatment of various diseases. Therefore, it is of key interest to understand this pathway from scratch, beginning with the molecular basis of cGMP generation, the structure and function of both guanylyl cyclases and cGMP downstream targets; research efforts also focus on the subsequent signaling cascades, their potential crosstalk, and also the translational and, ultimately, the clinical implications of cGMP modulation. This review tries to summarize the contributions to the "9th International cGMP Conference on cGMP Generators, Effectors and Therapeutic Implications" held in Mainz in 2019. Presented data will be discussed and extended also in light of recent landmark findings and ongoing activities in the field of preclinical and clinical cGMP research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Friebe
- Institute of Physiology, University of Würzburg, Röntgenring 9, D-97070 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Peter Sandner
- Drug Discovery, Bayer AG, Aprather Weg 18a, D-42096 Wuppertal, Germany and Institute of Pharmacology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, D-30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Achim Schmidtko
- Institute of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, Goethe University, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, D-60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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