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Ence CC, Uddin T, Borrel J, Mittal P, Xie H, Zoller J, Sharma A, Comer E, Schreiber SL, Melillo B, Sibley LD, Chatterjee AK. Bicyclic Pyrrolidine Inhibitors of Toxoplasma gondii Phenylalanine t-RNA Synthetase with Antiparasitic Potency In Vitro and Brain Exposure. ACS Infect Dis 2024; 10:2212-2221. [PMID: 38743643 PMCID: PMC11299587 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.4c00170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Previous studies have shown that bicyclic azetidines are potent and selective inhibitors of apicomplexan phenylalanine tRNA synthetase (PheRS), leading to parasite growth inhibition in vitro and in vivo, including in models of Toxoplasma infection. Despite these useful properties, additional optimization is required for the development of efficacious treatments of toxoplasmosis from this inhibitor series, in particular, to achieve optimal exposure in the brain. Here, we describe a series of PheRS inhibitors built on a new bicyclic pyrrolidine core scaffold designed to retain the exit-vector geometry of the isomeric bicyclic azetidine core scaffold while offering avenues to sample diverse chemical space. Relative to the parent series, bicyclic pyrrolidines retain reasonable potency and target selectivity for parasite PheRS vs host. Further structure-activity relationship studies revealed that the introduction of aliphatic groups improved potency and ADME and PK properties, including brain exposure. The identification of this new scaffold provides potential opportunities to extend the analogue series to further improve selectivity and potency and ultimately deliver a novel, efficacious treatment of toxoplasmosis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Taher Uddin
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
| | - Julien Borrel
- Chemical Biology and Therapeutics Science Program, Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Payal Mittal
- Molecular Medicine-Structural Parasitology Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi 110067, India
- ICMR-NIMR, Sector-8, Dwarka, New Delhi-110077, India, Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad-201002, India
| | - Han Xie
- Calibr at Scripps Research, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Jochen Zoller
- Chemical Biology and Therapeutics Science Program, Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Amit Sharma
- Molecular Medicine-Structural Parasitology Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi 110067, India
| | - Eamon Comer
- Chemical Biology and Therapeutics Science Program, Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Stuart L. Schreiber
- Chemical Biology and Therapeutics Science Program, Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Bruno Melillo
- Chemical Biology and Therapeutics Science Program, Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - L. David Sibley
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
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Mohammad Rahimi H, Hesari Z, Mirsamadi ES, Nemati S, Mirjalali H. Anti- Toxoplasma gondii activity of rose hip oil-solid lipid nanoparticles. Food Sci Nutr 2024; 12:3725-3734. [PMID: 38726453 PMCID: PMC11077205 DOI: 10.1002/fsn3.4043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 02/04/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a highly prevalent pathogen, reported from almost all geographical regions of the world. Current anti-T. gondii drugs are not effective enough in immunocompromised patients, encephalitis, chorioretinitis, and congenital toxoplasmosis. Therefore, the prescription of these drugs has been limited. Rose hip oil (RhO) is a natural plant compound, which shows antibacterial, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory activities. In the current study, the anti-T. gondii and cell toxicity effects of solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) loaded by RhO (RhO-SLNs) were evaluated. Emulsification sonicated-homogenization method was used to prepare SLNs. RhO-SLNs were characterized, and their anti-T. gondii and cell toxicity effects were evaluated using in vitro analyses. The particle size and the zeta potential of the nanoparticles were 152.09 nm and -15.3 mV nm, respectively. The entrapment efficiency percentage was 79.1%. In the present study, the inhibitory concentration (IC)50 against T. gondii was >1 μg/mL (p-value <.0001). The cell toxicity assay showed cytotoxicity concentration (CC)50 >10 mg/mL (p-value = .017). In addition, at least 75% of T. gondii-infected Vero cells remained alive at concentrations >10 mg/mL. The concentration of 1 mg/mL showed highest anti-Toxoplasma activity and lowest cell toxicity against the Vero cell. Our findings suggest that carrying natural plant compounds with SLNs could be considered an effective option for treatment strategies against T. gondii infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanieh Mohammad Rahimi
- Foodborne and Waterborne Diseases Research CenterResearch Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
| | - Zahra Hesari
- Department of PharmaceuticsSchool of Pharmacy, Guilan University of Medical SciencesRashtIran
| | - Elnaz Sadat Mirsamadi
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of MedicineTehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad UniversityTehranIran
| | - Sara Nemati
- Foodborne and Waterborne Diseases Research CenterResearch Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
| | - Hamed Mirjalali
- Foodborne and Waterborne Diseases Research CenterResearch Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
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Ence CC, Uddin T, Borrel J, Mittal P, Xie H, Zoller J, Sharma A, Comer E, Schreiber SL, Melillo B, Sibley LD, Chatterjee AK. Bicyclic pyrrolidine inhibitors of Toxoplasma gondii phenylalanine t-RNA synthetase with antiparasitic potency in vitro and brain exposure. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.02.28.582607. [PMID: 38464220 PMCID: PMC10925249 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.28.582607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
Previous studies have shown that bicyclic azetidines are potent and selective inhibitors of apicomplexan phenylalanine tRNA synthetase (PheRS), leading to parasite growth inhibition in vitro and in vivo, including in models of Toxoplasma infection. Despite these useful properties, additional optimization is required for the development of efficacious treatments of toxoplasmosis from this inhibitor series, in particular to achieve sufficient exposure in the brain. Here, we describe a series of PheRS inhibitors built on a new bicyclic pyrrolidine core scaffold designed to retain the exit-vector geometry of the isomeric bicyclic azetidine core scaffold while offering avenues to sample diverse chemical space. Relative to the parent series, bicyclic pyrrolidines retain reasonable potency and target selectivity for parasite PheRS vs. host. Further structure-activity relationship studies revealed that the introduction of aliphatic groups improved potency, ADME and PK properties, including brain exposure. The identification of this new scaffold provides potential opportunities to extend the analog series to further improve selectivity and potency and ultimately deliver a novel, efficacious treatment of toxoplasmosis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Taher Uddin
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
| | - Julien Borrel
- Chemical Biology and Therapeutics Science Program, Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Payal Mittal
- Molecular Medicine-Structural Parasitology Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi 110067, India
- ICMR-NIMR, Sector-8, Dwarka, New Delhi-110077, India, Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad-201002, India
| | - Han Xie
- Calibr at Scripps Research, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Jochen Zoller
- Chemical Biology and Therapeutics Science Program, Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Amit Sharma
- Molecular Medicine-Structural Parasitology Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi 110067, India
| | - Eamon Comer
- Chemical Biology and Therapeutics Science Program, Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Stuart L. Schreiber
- Chemical Biology and Therapeutics Science Program, Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Bruno Melillo
- Chemical Biology and Therapeutics Science Program, Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - L. David Sibley
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
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Ahmed SA, Eltamany EE, Nafie MS, Elhady SS, Karanis P, Mokhtar AB. Anti- Cryptosporidium parvum activity of Artemisia judaica L. and its fractions: in vitro and in vivo assays. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1193810. [PMID: 37476671 PMCID: PMC10354666 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1193810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Background This study investigates the toxic activity of Artemisia judaica ethanolic extract (ArEx) as well as its phenolic fraction (ArPh), and terpenoid fraction (ArT) against Cryptosporidium parvum (C. parvum) oocysts. Methods Over a 4 months period, estimation of the total phenolic (TPC), total flavonoids (TFC), and total terpenoids contents (TTC) in ArEx; investigation of the in vitro antioxidant activity of ArEx, ArPh, and ArT; evaluation of ArEx, ArPh, and ArT toxic activity against C. parvum oocysts using MTT assay; parasitological analysis on ArPh-treated C. parvum oocysts and comet assay were performed both in vitro and in vivo (infectivity). Results The ArEx TPC, TFC, and TTC was 52.6 ± 3.1 mgGAE/g, 64.5 ± 3.1 mg QE/g, and 9.5 ± 1.1 mg Linol/g, respectively. Regarding the phytochemical in vitro antioxidant activity, the ArPh exhibited the highest antioxidant activity compared to the ArEx and ArT. The ArPh showed promising free radical scavenging activity of DPPH and ABTS•+ with IC50 values of 47.27 ± 1.86 μg/mL and 66.89 ± 1.94 μg/mL, respectively. Moreover, the FRAP of ArPh was 2.97 ± 0.65 mMol Fe+2/g while its TAC was 46.23 ± 3.15 mg GAE/g. The ArPh demonstrated toxic activity against C. parvum oocysts with a potent IC50 value of 31.6 μg/mL compared to ArT (promising) and ArEx (non-effective). ArPh parasitological analysis demonstrated MIC90 at 1000 μg/ml and effective oocysts destruction on count and morphology. ArPh fragmented oocysts nuclear DNA in comet assay. Beginning at 200 μg/mL, ArPh-treated oocysts did not infect mice. Conclusion To combat C. parvum infection, the phenolic fraction of A. judaica L. shows promise as an adjuvant therapy or as a source of potentially useful lead structures for drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shahira A. Ahmed
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt
| | - Enas E. Eltamany
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt
| | - Mohamed S. Nafie
- Department of Chemistry (Biochemistry Program), Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt
| | - Sameh S. Elhady
- Department of Natural Products, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- Center for Artificial Intelligence in Precision Medicines, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Panagiotis Karanis
- University of Cologne, Medical Faculty and University Hospital, Cologne, Germany
- Department of Basic and Clinical SciencesUniversity of Nicosia Medical School, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Amira B. Mokhtar
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt
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Zhang H, Zhang L, Ren G, Si H, Song X, Liu X, Suo X, Hu D. Forward genetic analysis of monensin and diclazuril resistance in Eimeria tenella. Int J Parasitol Drugs Drug Resist 2023; 22:44-51. [PMID: 37247559 PMCID: PMC10238932 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2023.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Revised: 05/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Worldwide distributed coccidiosis is caused by infection of both Eimeria species and Cystoisospora in the host intestine and causes huge economic losses to the livestock industry, especially the poultry industry. The control of such diseases relies mainly on chemoprophylaxis with anticoccidials, which has led to a very common drug resistance in this field. However, the genetic mechanisms underlying resistance to many anticoccidial drugs remain unknown. In this study, strains of E. tenella resistant to 250 mg/kg monensin were generated and characterized. Forward genetic approaches based on pooled genome sequencing, including experimental evolution and linkage group selection, were used to locate candidate targets responsible for resistance to monensin and diclazuril in E. tenella. A total of 16 nonsynonymous mutants in protein-coding genes were identified in monensin-resistant strains, and two genomic regions with strong selection signals were also detected in diclazuril-resistant strains. Our study reveals the genetic characterization of the experimental evolution and linkage group selection in Eimeria species, and also provides important information that contributes to the understanding of the molecular mechanism of drug resistance in coccidia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongtao Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, China
| | - Lei Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, China
| | - Ganglin Ren
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, China
| | - Hongbin Si
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, China; Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Engineering Research Center of Veterinary Biologics, China; Guangxi Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding, Disease Control and Prevention, Nanning, 530004, China
| | - Xingju Song
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, China; Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Engineering Research Center of Veterinary Biologics, China; Guangxi Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding, Disease Control and Prevention, Nanning, 530004, China
| | - Xianyong Liu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Epidemiology and Zoonosis of Ministry of Agriculture, National Animal Protozoa Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Xun Suo
- Key Laboratory of Animal Epidemiology and Zoonosis of Ministry of Agriculture, National Animal Protozoa Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Dandan Hu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, China; Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Engineering Research Center of Veterinary Biologics, China; Guangxi Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding, Disease Control and Prevention, Nanning, 530004, China.
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6
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Sun P, Wang C, Zhang Y, Tang X, Hu D, Xie F, Hao Z, Suo J, Yu Y, Suo X, Liu X. Transcriptome profile of halofuginone resistant and sensitive strains of Eimeria tenella. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1141952. [PMID: 37065111 PMCID: PMC10098198 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1141952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The antiparasitic drug halofuginone is important for controlling apicomplexan parasites. However, the occurrence of halofuginone resistance is a major obstacle for it to the treatment of apicomplexan parasites. Current studies have identified the molecular marker and drug resistance mechanisms of halofuginone in Plasmodium falciparum. In this study, we tried to use transcriptomic data to explore resistance mechanisms of halofuginone in apicomplexan parasites of the genus Eimeria (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae). After halofuginone treatment of E. tenella parasites, transcriptome analysis was performed using samples derived from both resistant and sensitive strains. In the sensitive group, DEGs associated with enzymes were significantly downregulated, whereas the DNA damaging process was upregulated after halofuginone treatment, revealing the mechanism of halofuginone-induced parasite death. In addition, 1,325 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were detected between halofuginone resistant and sensitive strains, and the DEGs related to translation were significantly downregulated after halofuginone induction. Overall, our results provide a gene expression profile for further studies on the mechanism of halofuginone resistance in E. tenella.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei Sun
- National Key Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health Security, Key Laboratory of Animal Epidemiology and Zoonosis of Ministry of Agriculture, National Animal Protozoa Laboratory and College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Chaoyue Wang
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yuanyuan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of the Ministry of Agriculture and Beijing Key Laboratory of Animal Genetic Improvement, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Xinming Tang
- Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Dandan Hu
- School of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Fujie Xie
- National Key Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health Security, Key Laboratory of Animal Epidemiology and Zoonosis of Ministry of Agriculture, National Animal Protozoa Laboratory and College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhenkai Hao
- National Key Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health Security, Key Laboratory of Animal Epidemiology and Zoonosis of Ministry of Agriculture, National Animal Protozoa Laboratory and College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Jingxia Suo
- National Key Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health Security, Key Laboratory of Animal Epidemiology and Zoonosis of Ministry of Agriculture, National Animal Protozoa Laboratory and College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Yonglan Yu
- Department of Clinic Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Xun Suo
- National Key Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health Security, Key Laboratory of Animal Epidemiology and Zoonosis of Ministry of Agriculture, National Animal Protozoa Laboratory and College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Xun Suo,
| | - Xianyong Liu
- National Key Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health Security, Key Laboratory of Animal Epidemiology and Zoonosis of Ministry of Agriculture, National Animal Protozoa Laboratory and College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
- Xianyong Liu,
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7
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Wan W, Dong H, Lai DH, Yang J, He K, Tang X, Liu Q, Hide G, Zhu XQ, Sibley LD, Lun ZR, Long S. The Toxoplasma micropore mediates endocytosis for selective nutrient salvage from host cell compartments. Nat Commun 2023; 14:977. [PMID: 36813769 PMCID: PMC9947163 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-36571-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Apicomplexan parasite growth and replication relies on nutrient acquisition from host cells, in which intracellular multiplication occurs, yet the mechanisms that underlie the nutrient salvage remain elusive. Numerous ultrastructural studies have documented a plasma membrane invagination with a dense neck, termed the micropore, on the surface of intracellular parasites. However, the function of this structure remains unknown. Here we validate the micropore as an essential organelle for endocytosis of nutrients from the host cell cytosol and Golgi in the model apicomplexan Toxoplasma gondii. Detailed analyses demonstrated that Kelch13 is localized at the dense neck of the organelle and functions as a protein hub at the micropore for endocytic uptake. Intriguingly, maximal activity of the micropore requires the ceramide de novo synthesis pathway in the parasite. Thus, this study provides insights into the machinery underlying acquisition of host cell-derived nutrients by apicomplexan parasites that are otherwise sequestered from host cell compartments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenyan Wan
- National Key Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health Security and School of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, 100193, Beijing, China
| | - Hui Dong
- National Key Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health Security and School of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, 100193, Beijing, China
| | - De-Hua Lai
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China
| | - Jiong Yang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China
| | - Kai He
- National Key Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health Security and School of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, 100193, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoyan Tang
- National Key Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health Security and School of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, 100193, Beijing, China
| | - Qun Liu
- National Key Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health Security and School of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, 100193, Beijing, China
| | - Geoff Hide
- Biomedical Research and Innovation Centre and Environmental Research and Innovation Centre, School of Science, Engineering and Environment, University of Salford, Salford, M5 4WT, UK
| | - Xing-Quan Zhu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, 030801, Shanxi, China
| | - L David Sibley
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine in Saint Louis, Saint Louis, MO, 63110-1093, USA
| | - Zhao-Rong Lun
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China
| | - Shaojun Long
- National Key Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health Security and School of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, 100193, Beijing, China.
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High-throughput small molecule screen identifies inhibitors of microsporidia invasion and proliferation in C. elegans. Nat Commun 2022; 13:5653. [PMID: 36163337 PMCID: PMC9513054 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-33400-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Microsporidia are a diverse group of fungal-related obligate intracellular parasites that infect most animal phyla. Despite the emerging threat that microsporidia represent to humans and agricultural animals, few reliable treatment options exist. Here, we develop a high-throughput screening method for the identification of chemical inhibitors of microsporidia infection, using liquid cultures of Caenorhabditis elegans infected with the microsporidia species Nematocida parisii. We screen a collection of 2560 FDA-approved compounds and natural products, and identify 11 candidate microsporidia inhibitors. Five compounds prevent microsporidia infection by inhibiting spore firing, whereas one compound, dexrazoxane, slows infection progression. The compounds have in vitro activity against several other microsporidia species, including those known to infect humans. Together, our results highlight the effectiveness of C. elegans as a model host for drug discovery against intracellular pathogens, and provide a scalable high-throughput system for the identification and characterization of microsporidia inhibitors.
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9
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Jiang Y, Shi Y, Hu D, Song X. The anti-Toxoplasma activity of the plant natural phenolic compound piceatannol. Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:972500. [PMID: 35982927 PMCID: PMC9379089 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.972500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular protozoan that infects the nucleated cells of warm-blooded animals and causes life-threatening disease in immunocompromised patients. Due to the limited effectiveness and prominent side effects of existing drugs, there is an urgent need to develop new therapeutic options against T. gondii. Piceatannol is a natural plant compound with multiple functions such as antibacterial, antileukemic and antiparasitic activities. In the present study, the anti-T. gondii activity of piceatannol was evaluated. Piceatannol potently inhibited Toxoplasma with a half-maximal effective concentration (EC50) of 28.10 μM. Piceatannol showed a significant inhibitory effect on intracellular proliferation, inhibiting intracellular parasites at a rate of 98.9% when treatment with 100 μM piceatannol. However, the invasion ability of tachyzoites was not affected by piceatannol. By immunofluorescence assay, we noted that the parasite showed abnormalities in cell division after exposure to piceatannol. To determine the in vivo effect of piceatannol on acute infection, a model was established by infecting BALB/c mice with the virulent RH strain of T. gondii. Mice infected with 500 tachyzoites showed a significant therapeutic effect when treated with 15 mg/kg of piceatannol. These results suggest that piceatannol is a promising drug for the treatment of T. gondii.
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10
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Screening the Toxoplasma kinome with high-throughput tagging identifies a regulator of invasion and egress. Nat Microbiol 2022; 7:868-881. [PMID: 35484233 PMCID: PMC9167752 DOI: 10.1038/s41564-022-01104-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Protein kinases regulate fundamental aspects of eukaryotic cell biology, making them attractive chemotherapeutic targets in parasites like Plasmodium spp. and Toxoplasma gondii. To systematically examine the parasite kinome, we developed a high-throughput tagging (HiT) strategy to endogenously label protein kinases with an auxin-inducible degron and fluorophore. Hundreds of tagging vectors were assembled from synthetic sequences in a single reaction and used to generate pools of mutants to determine localization and function. Examining 1,160 arrayed clones, we assigned 40 protein localizations and associated 15 kinases with distinct defects. The fitness of tagged alleles was also measured by pooled screening, distinguishing delayed from acute phenotypes. A previously unstudied kinase, associated with delayed loss, was shown to be a regulator of invasion and egress. We named the kinase Store Potentiating/Activating Regulatory Kinase (SPARK), based on its impact on intracellular Ca2+ stores. Despite homology to mammalian PDK1, SPARK lacks a lipid-binding domain, suggesting a rewiring of the pathway in parasites. HiT screening extends genome-wide approaches into complex cellular phenotypes, providing a scalable and versatile platform to dissect parasite biology.
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11
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Tan S, Tong WH, Vyas A. Impact of Plant-Based Foods and Nutraceuticals on Toxoplasma gondii Cysts: Nutritional Therapy as a Viable Approach for Managing Chronic Brain Toxoplasmosis. Front Nutr 2022; 9:827286. [PMID: 35284438 PMCID: PMC8914227 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2022.827286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular parasite that mainly infects warm-blooded animals including humans. T. gondii can encyst and persist chronically in the brain, leading to a broad spectrum of neurological sequelae. Despite the associated health threats, no clinical drug is currently available to eliminate T. gondii cysts. In a continuous effort to uncover novel therapeutic agents for these cysts, the potential of nutritional products has been explored. Herein, we describe findings from in vitro and in vivo studies that support the efficacy of plant-based foods and nutraceuticals against brain cyst burden and cerebral pathologies associated with chronic toxoplasmosis. Finally, we discuss strategies to increase the translatability of preclinical studies and nutritional products to address whether nutritional therapy can be beneficial for coping with chronic T. gondii infections in humans.
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12
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Bicyclic azetidines target acute and chronic stages of Toxoplasma gondii by inhibiting parasite phenylalanyl t-RNA synthetase. Nat Commun 2022; 13:459. [PMID: 35075105 PMCID: PMC8786932 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-28108-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii commonly infects humans and while most infections are controlled by the immune response, currently approved drugs are not capable of clearing chronic infection in humans. Hence, approximately one third of the world’s human population is at risk of reactivation, potentially leading to severe sequelae. To identify new candidates for treating chronic infection, we investigated a series of compounds derived from diversity-oriented synthesis. Bicyclic azetidines are potent low nanomolar inhibitors of phenylalanine tRNA synthetase (PheRS) in T. gondii, with excellent selectivity. Biochemical and genetic studies validate PheRS as the primary target of bicyclic azetidines in T. gondii, providing a structural basis for rational design of improved analogs. Favorable pharmacokinetic properties of a lead compound provide excellent protection from acute infection and partial protection from chronic infection in an immunocompromised mouse model of toxoplasmosis. Collectively, PheRS inhibitors of the bicyclic azetidine series offer promise for treatment of chronic toxoplasmosis. Current treatments for toxoplasmosis are limited by adverse reactions and inability to cure chronic infections dominated by semi-dormant cyst forms. Here the authors demonstrate the potential of small molecule inhibitors of PheRS for controlling acute and chronic toxoplasmosis.
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The Extracellular Milieu of Toxoplasma's Lytic Cycle Drives Lab Adaptation, Primarily by Transcriptional Reprogramming. mSystems 2021; 6:e0119621. [PMID: 34874774 PMCID: PMC8651083 DOI: 10.1128/msystems.01196-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Evolve and resequencing (E&R) was applied to lab adaptation of Toxoplasma gondii for over 1,500 generations with the goal of mapping host-independent in vitro virulence traits. Phenotypic assessments of steps across the lytic cycle revealed that only traits needed in the extracellular milieu evolved. Nonsynonymous single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in only one gene, a P4 flippase, fixated across two different evolving populations, whereas dramatic changes in the transcriptional signature of extracellular parasites were identified. Newly developed computational tools correlated phenotypes evolving at different rates with specific transcriptomic changes. A set of 300 phenotype-associated genes was mapped, of which nearly 50% is annotated as hypothetical. Validation of a select number of genes by knockouts confirmed their role in lab adaptation and highlights novel mechanisms underlying in vitro virulence traits. Further analyses of differentially expressed genes revealed the development of a “pro-tachyzoite” profile as well as the upregulation of the fatty acid biosynthesis (FASII) pathway. The latter aligned with the P4 flippase SNP and aligned with a low abundance of medium-chain fatty acids at low passage, indicating this is a limiting factor in extracellular parasites. In addition, partial overlap with the bradyzoite differentiation transcriptome in extracellular parasites indicated that stress pathways are involved in both situations. This was reflected in the partial overlap between the assembled ApiAP2 and Myb transcription factor network underlying the adapting extracellular state with the bradyzoite differentiation program. Overall, E&R is a new genomic tool successfully applied to map the development of polygenic traits underlying in vitro virulence of T. gondii. IMPORTANCE It has been well established that prolonged in vitro cultivation of Toxoplasma gondii augments progression of the lytic cycle. This lab adaptation results in increased capacities to divide, migrate, and survive outside a host cell, all of which are considered host-independent virulence factors. However, the mechanistic basis underlying these enhanced virulence features is unknown. Here, E&R was utilized to empirically characterize the phenotypic, genomic, and transcriptomic changes in the non-lab-adapted strain, GT1, during 2.5 years of lab adaptation. This identified the shutdown of stage differentiation and upregulation of lipid biosynthetic pathways as the key processes being modulated. Furthermore, lab adaptation was primarily driven by transcriptional reprogramming, which rejected the starting hypothesis that genetic mutations would drive lab adaptation. Overall, the work empirically shows that lab adaptation augments T. gondii’s in vitro virulence by transcriptional reprogramming and that E&R is a powerful new tool to map multigenic traits.
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Herneisen AL, Lourido S. Thermal Proteome Profiling to Identify Protein-ligand Interactions in the Apicomplexan Parasite Toxoplasma gondii. Bio Protoc 2021; 11:e4207. [PMID: 34859122 DOI: 10.21769/bioprotoc.4207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2021] [Revised: 07/08/2021] [Accepted: 08/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a single-celled eukaryotic parasite that chronically infects a quarter of the global population. In recent years, phenotypic screens have identified compounds that block parasite replication. Unraveling the pathways and molecular mechanisms perturbed by such compounds requires target deconvolution. In parasites, such deconvolution has been achieved via chemogenomic approaches-for example, directed evolution followed by whole-genome sequencing or genome-wide knockout screens. As a proteomic alternative that directly probes the physical interaction between compound and protein, thermal proteome profiling (TPP), also known as the cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA), recently emerged as a method to identify small molecule-target interactions in living cells and cell extracts in a variety of organisms, including unicellular eukaryotic pathogens. Ligand binding induces a thermal stability shift-stabilizing or destabilizing proteins that change conformationally in response to the ligand-that can be measured by mass spectrometry (MS). Cells are incubated with different concentrations of ligand and heated, causing thermal denaturation of proteins. The soluble protein is extracted and quantified with multiplexed, quantitative MS, resulting in thousands of thermal denaturation profiles. Proteins engaging the ligand can be identified by their compound-dependent thermal shift. The protocol provided here can be used to identify ligand-target interactions and assess the impact of environmental or genetic perturbations on the thermal stability of the proteome in T. gondii and other eukaryotic pathogens. Graphic abstract: Thermal proteome profiling for target identification in the apicomplexan parasite T. gondii.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice L Herneisen
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA, United States.,Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Sebastian Lourido
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA, United States.,Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
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15
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Nishi L, Sanfelice RADS, da Silva Bortoleti BT, Tomiotto-Pellissier F, Silva TF, Evangelista FF, Lazarin-Bidóia D, Costa IN, Pavanelli WR, Conchon Costa I, Baptista ATA, Bergamasco R, Falavigna-Guilherme AL. Moringa oleifera extract promotes apoptosis-like death in Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoites in vitro. Parasitology 2021; 148:1447-1457. [PMID: 34187608 PMCID: PMC11010153 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182021001086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Revised: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is the causative agent of toxoplasmosis, and an important problem of public health. The current treatment for toxoplasmosis is the combination of pyrimethamine and sulphadiazine, which do not act in the chronic phase of toxoplasmosis and have several side-effects. This study evaluated the anti-T. gondii activity and potential mechanism of Moringa oleifera seeds’ aqueous extract in vitro. The concentration of M. oleifera extract in HeLa cells was determined by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide cell viability assays. The presence of T. gondii was assessed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction and toluidine blue staining. Pyrimethamine and sulphadiazine were used as drug controls. Modifications in T. gondii morphology and ultrastructure were observed by electron microscopy. In vitro, the M. oleifera extract had no toxic effect on HeLa cells at concentrations below 50 μg mL−1. Moringa oleifera extract inhibits T. gondii invasion and intracellular proliferation with similar results for sulphadiazine + pyrimethamine, and also shows cellular nitric oxide production at a concentration of 30 μg mL−1. Electron microscopy analyses indicated structural and ultrastructural modifications in tachyzoites after treatment. We also observed an increase in reactive oxygen species production and a loss of mitochondrial membrane integrity. Nile Red staining assays demonstrated a lipid accumulation. Annexin V–fluorescein isothiocyanate and propidium iodide staining demonstrated that the main action of M. oleifera extract in T. gondii tachyzoites was compatible with late apoptosis. In conclusion, M. oleifera extract has anti-T. gondii activity in vitro and might be a promising substance for the development of a new anti-T. gondii drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- Letícia Nishi
- Graduate Program in Health Science, State University of Maringá, Colombo Avenue, 5790, Zip Code 87020-900, Maringá, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Raquel Arruda da Silva Sanfelice
- Department of Pathological Sciences, Laboratory of Immunoparasitology of Neglected Diseases and Cancer – LIDNC, Center of Biological Sciences, State University of Londrina, Rodovia Celso Garcia Cid Campus, Zip Code 86057-970, Postal box 10.011, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Bruna Taciane da Silva Bortoleti
- Department of Pathological Sciences, Laboratory of Immunoparasitology of Neglected Diseases and Cancer – LIDNC, Center of Biological Sciences, State University of Londrina, Rodovia Celso Garcia Cid Campus, Zip Code 86057-970, Postal box 10.011, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
- Biosciences and Biotechnology Postgraduate Program, Carlos Chagas Institute (ICC/Fiocruz-PR), Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Tomiotto-Pellissier
- Department of Pathological Sciences, Laboratory of Immunoparasitology of Neglected Diseases and Cancer – LIDNC, Center of Biological Sciences, State University of Londrina, Rodovia Celso Garcia Cid Campus, Zip Code 86057-970, Postal box 10.011, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
- Biosciences and Biotechnology Postgraduate Program, Carlos Chagas Institute (ICC/Fiocruz-PR), Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Taylon Felipe Silva
- Department of Pathological Sciences, Laboratory of Immunoparasitology of Neglected Diseases and Cancer – LIDNC, Center of Biological Sciences, State University of Londrina, Rodovia Celso Garcia Cid Campus, Zip Code 86057-970, Postal box 10.011, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Ferreira Evangelista
- Graduate Program in Health Science, State University of Maringá, Colombo Avenue, 5790, Zip Code 87020-900, Maringá, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Danielle Lazarin-Bidóia
- Department of Pathological Sciences, Laboratory of Immunoparasitology of Neglected Diseases and Cancer – LIDNC, Center of Biological Sciences, State University of Londrina, Rodovia Celso Garcia Cid Campus, Zip Code 86057-970, Postal box 10.011, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Idessania Nazareth Costa
- Department of Pathological Sciences, Laboratory of Immunoparasitology of Neglected Diseases and Cancer – LIDNC, Center of Biological Sciences, State University of Londrina, Rodovia Celso Garcia Cid Campus, Zip Code 86057-970, Postal box 10.011, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Wander Rogério Pavanelli
- Department of Pathological Sciences, Laboratory of Immunoparasitology of Neglected Diseases and Cancer – LIDNC, Center of Biological Sciences, State University of Londrina, Rodovia Celso Garcia Cid Campus, Zip Code 86057-970, Postal box 10.011, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Ivete Conchon Costa
- Department of Pathological Sciences, Laboratory of Immunoparasitology of Neglected Diseases and Cancer – LIDNC, Center of Biological Sciences, State University of Londrina, Rodovia Celso Garcia Cid Campus, Zip Code 86057-970, Postal box 10.011, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Aline Takaoka Alves Baptista
- Departament of Food and Chemical Engineering, Federal University of Technology – Paraná – UTFPR, Câmpus Campo Mourão, Via Rosalina Maria Dos Santos, 1233, Zip Code 87301-899, Campo Mourão, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Rosângela Bergamasco
- Department of Chemical Engineering, State University of Maringa, Colombo Avenue, 5790, Zip Code 87020-900, Maringá, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Ana Lúcia Falavigna-Guilherme
- Graduate Program in Health Science, State University of Maringá, Colombo Avenue, 5790, Zip Code 87020-900, Maringá, Paraná, Brazil
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Siddiqui FA, Liang X, Cui L. Plasmodium falciparum resistance to ACTs: Emergence, mechanisms, and outlook. Int J Parasitol Drugs Drug Resist 2021; 16:102-118. [PMID: 34090067 PMCID: PMC8188179 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2021.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2021] [Revised: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Emergence and spread of resistance in Plasmodium falciparum to the frontline treatment artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) in the epicenter of multidrug resistance of Southeast Asia threaten global malaria control and elimination. Artemisinin (ART) resistance (or tolerance) is defined clinically as delayed parasite clearance after treatment with an ART drug. The resistance phenotype is restricted to the early ring stage and can be measured in vitro using a ring-stage survival assay. ART resistance is associated with mutations in the propeller domain of the Kelch family protein K13. As a pro-drug, ART is activated primarily by heme, which is mainly derived from hemoglobin digestion in the food vacuole. Activated ARTs can react promiscuously with a wide range of cellular targets, disrupting cellular protein homeostasis. Consistent with this mode of action for ARTs, the molecular mechanisms of K13-mediated ART resistance involve reduced hemoglobin uptake/digestion and increased cellular stress response. Mutations in other genes such as AP-2μ (adaptor protein-2 μ subunit), UBP-1 (ubiquitin-binding protein-1), and Falcipain 2a that interfere with hemoglobin uptake and digestion also increase resistance to ARTs. ART resistance has facilitated the development of resistance to the partner drugs, resulting in rapidly declining ACT efficacies. The molecular markers for resistance to the partner drugs are mostly associated with point mutations in the two food vacuole membrane transporters PfCRT and PfMDR1, and amplification of pfmdr1 and the two aspartic protease genes plasmepsin 2 and 3. It has been observed that mutations in these genes can have opposing effects on sensitivities to different partner drugs, which serve as the principle for designing triple ACTs and drug rotation. Although clinical ACT resistance is restricted to Southeast Asia, surveillance for drug resistance using in vivo clinical efficacy, in vitro assays, and molecular approaches is required to prevent or slow down the spread of resistant parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faiza Amber Siddiqui
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | - Xiaoying Liang
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | - Liwang Cui
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA.
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17
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Okombo J, Kanai M, Deni I, Fidock DA. Genomic and Genetic Approaches to Studying Antimalarial Drug Resistance and Plasmodium Biology. Trends Parasitol 2021; 37:476-492. [PMID: 33715941 PMCID: PMC8162148 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2021.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Revised: 02/11/2021] [Accepted: 02/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Recent progress in genomics and molecular genetics has empowered novel approaches to study gene functions in disease-causing pathogens. In the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum, the application of genome-based analyses, site-directed genome editing, and genetic systems that allow for temporal and quantitative regulation of gene and protein expression have been invaluable in defining the genetic basis of antimalarial resistance and elucidating candidate targets to accelerate drug discovery efforts. Using examples from recent studies, we review applications of some of these approaches in advancing our understanding of Plasmodium biology and illustrate their contributions and limitations in characterizing parasite genomic loci associated with antimalarial drug responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Okombo
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Mariko Kanai
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ioanna Deni
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - David A Fidock
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA; Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.
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18
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Restructured Mitochondrial-Nuclear Interaction in Plasmodium falciparum Dormancy and Persister Survival after Artemisinin Exposure. mBio 2021; 12:e0075321. [PMID: 34044591 PMCID: PMC8262848 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00753-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Artemisinin and its semisynthetic derivatives (ART) are fast acting, potent antimalarials; however, their use in malaria treatment is frequently confounded by recrudescences from bloodstream Plasmodium parasites that enter into and later reactivate from a dormant persister state. Here, we provide evidence that the mitochondria of dihydroartemisinin (DHA)-exposed persisters are dramatically altered and enlarged relative to the mitochondria of young, actively replicating ring forms. Restructured mitochondrial-nuclear associations and an altered metabolic state are consistent with stress from reactive oxygen species. New contacts between the mitochondria and nuclei may support communication pathways of mitochondrial retrograde signaling, resulting in transcriptional changes in the nucleus as a survival response. Further characterization of the organelle communication and metabolic dependencies of persisters may suggest strategies to combat recrudescences of malaria after treatment.
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19
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Harding CR, Sidik SM, Petrova B, Gnädig NF, Okombo J, Herneisen AL, Ward KE, Markus BM, Boydston EA, Fidock DA, Lourido S. Genetic screens reveal a central role for heme metabolism in artemisinin susceptibility. Nat Commun 2020; 11:4813. [PMID: 32968076 PMCID: PMC7511413 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-18624-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2019] [Accepted: 09/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Artemisinins have revolutionized the treatment of Plasmodium falciparum malaria; however, resistance threatens to undermine global control efforts. To broadly explore artemisinin susceptibility in apicomplexan parasites, we employ genome-scale CRISPR screens recently developed for Toxoplasma gondii to discover sensitizing and desensitizing mutations. Using a sublethal concentration of dihydroartemisinin (DHA), we uncover the putative transporter Tmem14c whose disruption increases DHA susceptibility. Screens performed under high doses of DHA provide evidence that mitochondrial metabolism can modulate resistance. We show that disrupting a top candidate from the screens, the mitochondrial protease DegP2, lowers porphyrin levels and decreases DHA susceptibility, without significantly altering parasite fitness in culture. Deleting the homologous gene in P. falciparum, PfDegP, similarly lowers heme levels and DHA susceptibility. These results expose the vulnerability of heme metabolism to genetic perturbations that can lead to increased survival in the presence of DHA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clare R Harding
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Wellcome Centre for Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity & Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Saima M Sidik
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Boryana Petrova
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Nina F Gnädig
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - John Okombo
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Kurt E Ward
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Benedikt M Markus
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | | | - David A Fidock
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sebastian Lourido
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Biology Department, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.
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20
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Carolino K, Winzeler EA. The antimalarial resistome - finding new drug targets and their modes of action. Curr Opin Microbiol 2020; 57:49-55. [PMID: 32682267 PMCID: PMC7763834 DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2020.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2020] [Revised: 06/02/2020] [Accepted: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
To this day, malaria remains a global burden, affecting millions of people, especially those in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. The rise of drug resistance to current antimalarial treatments, including artemisinin-based combination therapies, has made discovering new small molecule compounds with novel modes of action an urgent matter. The concerted effort to construct enormous compound libraries and develop high-throughput phenotypic screening assays to find compounds effective at specifically clearing malaria-causing Plasmodium parasites at any stage of the life cycle has provided many antimalarial prospects, but does not indicate their target or mode of action. Here, we review recent advances in antimalarial drug discovery efforts, focusing on the following 'omics' approaches in mode of action studies: IVIEWGA, CETSA, metabolomic profiling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krypton Carolino
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, United States
| | - Elizabeth A Winzeler
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA 92093, United States.
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21
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Angel SO, Vanagas L, Ruiz DM, Cristaldi C, Saldarriaga Cartagena AM, Sullivan WJ. Emerging Therapeutic Targets Against Toxoplasma gondii: Update on DNA Repair Response Inhibitors and Genotoxic Drugs. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2020; 10:289. [PMID: 32656097 PMCID: PMC7325978 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.00289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2020] [Accepted: 05/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is the causative agent of toxoplasmosis in animals and humans. This infection is transmitted to humans through oocysts released in the feces of the felines into the environment or by ingestion of undercooked meat. This implies that toxoplasmosis is a zoonotic disease and T. gondii is a foodborne pathogen. In addition, chronic toxoplasmosis in goats and sheep is the cause of recurrent abortions with economic losses in the sector. It is also a health problem in pets such as cats and dogs. Although there are therapies against this infection in its acute stage, they are not able to permanently eliminate the parasite and sometimes they are not well tolerated. To develop better, safer drugs, we need to elucidate key aspects of the biology of T. gondii. In this review, we will discuss the importance of the homologous recombination repair (HRR) pathway in the parasite's lytic cycle and how components of these processes can be potential molecular targets for new drug development programs. In that sense, the effect of different DNA damage agents or HHR inhibitors on the growth and replication of T. gondii will be described. Multitarget drugs that were either associated with other targets or were part of general screenings are included in the list, providing a thorough revision of the drugs that can be tested in other scenarios.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio O Angel
- Laboratorio de Parasitología Molecular, Instituto Tecnológico Chascomús (INTECH), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas (CONICET)-Universidad Nacional General San Martin (UNSAM), Chascomús, Argentina
| | - Laura Vanagas
- Laboratorio de Parasitología Molecular, Instituto Tecnológico Chascomús (INTECH), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas (CONICET)-Universidad Nacional General San Martin (UNSAM), Chascomús, Argentina
| | - Diego M Ruiz
- Laboratorio de Parasitología Molecular, Instituto Tecnológico Chascomús (INTECH), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas (CONICET)-Universidad Nacional General San Martin (UNSAM), Chascomús, Argentina
| | - Constanza Cristaldi
- Laboratorio de Parasitología Molecular, Instituto Tecnológico Chascomús (INTECH), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas (CONICET)-Universidad Nacional General San Martin (UNSAM), Chascomús, Argentina
| | - Ana M Saldarriaga Cartagena
- Laboratorio de Parasitología Molecular, Instituto Tecnológico Chascomús (INTECH), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas (CONICET)-Universidad Nacional General San Martin (UNSAM), Chascomús, Argentina
| | - William J Sullivan
- Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States.,Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
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22
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Kloehn J, Harding CR, Soldati-Favre D. Supply and demand-heme synthesis, salvage and utilization by Apicomplexa. FEBS J 2020; 288:382-404. [PMID: 32530125 DOI: 10.1111/febs.15445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2020] [Revised: 05/23/2020] [Accepted: 06/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
The Apicomplexa phylum groups important human and animal pathogens that cause severe diseases, encompassing malaria, toxoplasmosis, and cryptosporidiosis. In common with most organisms, apicomplexans rely on heme as cofactor for several enzymes, including cytochromes of the electron transport chain. This heme derives from de novo synthesis and/or the development of uptake mechanisms to scavenge heme from their host. Recent studies have revealed that heme synthesis is essential for Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoites, as well as for the mosquito and liver stages of Plasmodium spp. In contrast, the erythrocytic stages of the malaria parasites rely on scavenging heme from the host red blood cell. The unusual heme synthesis pathway in Apicomplexa spans three cellular compartments and comprises enzymes of distinct ancestral origin, providing promising drug targets. Remarkably given the requirement for heme, T. gondii can tolerate the loss of several heme synthesis enzymes at a high fitness cost, while the ferrochelatase is essential for survival. These findings indicate that T. gondii is capable of salvaging heme precursors from its host. Furthermore, heme is implicated in the activation of the key antimalarial drug artemisinin. Recent findings established that a reduction in heme availability corresponds to decreased sensitivity to artemisinin in T. gondii and Plasmodium falciparum, providing insights into the possible development of combination therapies to tackle apicomplexan parasites. This review describes the microeconomics of heme in Apicomplexa, from supply, either from de novo synthesis or scavenging, to demand by metabolic pathways, including the electron transport chain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joachim Kloehn
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, CMU, University of Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Clare R Harding
- Wellcome Centre for Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity & Inflammation, University of Glasgow, UK
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Abraham M, Gagaring K, Martino ML, Vanaerschot M, Plouffe DM, Calla J, Godinez-Macias KP, Du AY, Wree M, Antonova-Koch Y, Eribez K, Luth MR, Ottilie S, Fidock DA, McNamara CW, Winzeler EA. Probing the Open Global Health Chemical Diversity Library for Multistage-Active Starting Points for Next-Generation Antimalarials. ACS Infect Dis 2020; 6:613-628. [PMID: 32078764 PMCID: PMC7155171 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.9b00482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Most phenotypic screens aiming to discover new antimalarial chemotypes begin with low cost, high-throughput tests against the asexual blood stage (ABS) of the malaria parasite life cycle. Compounds active against the ABS are then sequentially tested in more difficult assays that predict whether a compound has other beneficial attributes. Although applying this strategy to new chemical libraries may yield new leads, repeated iterations may lead to diminishing returns and the rediscovery of chemotypes hitting well-known targets. Here, we adopted a different strategy to find starting points, testing ∼70,000 open source small molecules from the Global Health Chemical Diversity Library for activity against the liver stage, mature sexual stage, and asexual blood stage malaria parasites in parallel. In addition, instead of using an asexual assay that measures accumulated parasite DNA in the presence of compound (SYBR green), a real time luciferase-dependent parasite viability assay was used that distinguishes slow-acting (delayed death) from fast-acting compounds. Among 382 scaffolds with the activity confirmed by dose response (<10 μM), we discovered 68 novel delayed-death, 84 liver stage, and 68 stage V gametocyte inhibitors as well. Although 89% of the evaluated compounds had activity in only a single life cycle stage, we discovered six potent (half-maximal inhibitory concentration of <1 μM) multistage scaffolds, including a novel cytochrome bc1 chemotype. Our data further show the luciferase-based assays have higher sensitivity. Chemoinformatic analysis of positive and negative compounds identified scaffold families with a strong enrichment for activity against specific or multiple stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Abraham
- School
of Medicine, University of California San
Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Kerstin Gagaring
- Calibr, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Marisa L. Martino
- School
of Medicine, University of California San
Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Manu Vanaerschot
- Department
of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia
University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, United States
| | - David M. Plouffe
- Genomics
Institute of the Novartis Research Foundation, 10675 John Jay Hopkins Drive, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Jaeson Calla
- School
of Medicine, University of California San
Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Karla P. Godinez-Macias
- School
of Medicine, University of California San
Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Alan Y. Du
- School
of Medicine, University of California San
Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Melanie Wree
- School
of Medicine, University of California San
Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Yevgeniya Antonova-Koch
- School
of Medicine, University of California San
Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Korina Eribez
- School
of Medicine, University of California San
Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Madeline R. Luth
- School
of Medicine, University of California San
Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Sabine Ottilie
- School
of Medicine, University of California San
Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - David A. Fidock
- Department
of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia
University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, United States
- Division
of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, United States
| | - Case W. McNamara
- Calibr, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Elizabeth A. Winzeler
- School
of Medicine, University of California San
Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
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24
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Gnädig NF, Stokes BH, Edwards RL, Kalantarov GF, Heimsch KC, Kuderjavy M, Crane A, Lee MCS, Straimer J, Becker K, Trakht IN, Odom John AR, Mok S, Fidock DA. Insights into the intracellular localization, protein associations and artemisinin resistance properties of Plasmodium falciparum K13. PLoS Pathog 2020; 16:e1008482. [PMID: 32310999 PMCID: PMC7192513 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1008482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2019] [Revised: 04/30/2020] [Accepted: 03/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The emergence of artemisinin (ART) resistance in Plasmodium falciparum intra-erythrocytic parasites has led to increasing treatment failure rates with first-line ART-based combination therapies in Southeast Asia. Decreased parasite susceptibility is caused by K13 mutations, which are associated clinically with delayed parasite clearance in patients and in vitro with an enhanced ability of ring-stage parasites to survive brief exposure to the active ART metabolite dihydroartemisinin. Herein, we describe a panel of K13-specific monoclonal antibodies and gene-edited parasite lines co-expressing epitope-tagged versions of K13 in trans. By applying an analytical quantitative imaging pipeline, we localize K13 to the parasite endoplasmic reticulum, Rab-positive vesicles, and sites adjacent to cytostomes. These latter structures form at the parasite plasma membrane and traffic hemoglobin to the digestive vacuole wherein artemisinin-activating heme moieties are released. We also provide evidence of K13 partially localizing near the parasite mitochondria upon treatment with dihydroartemisinin. Immunoprecipitation data generated with K13-specific monoclonal antibodies identify multiple putative K13-associated proteins, including endoplasmic reticulum-resident molecules, mitochondrial proteins, and Rab GTPases, in both K13 mutant and wild-type isogenic lines. We also find that mutant K13-mediated resistance is reversed upon co-expression of wild-type or mutant K13. These data help define the biological properties of K13 and its role in mediating P. falciparum resistance to ART treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina F. Gnädig
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Barbara H. Stokes
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Rachel L. Edwards
- Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States of America
| | - Gavreel F. Kalantarov
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Kim C. Heimsch
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Interdisciplinary Research Center, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | | | - Audrey Crane
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Marcus C. S. Lee
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, United Kingdom
| | - Judith Straimer
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Katja Becker
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Interdisciplinary Research Center, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Ilya N. Trakht
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Audrey R. Odom John
- Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States of America
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States of America
- Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States of America
| | - Sachel Mok
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - David A. Fidock
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, United States of America
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, United States of America
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