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Sprague DJ, Park SK, Gramberg S, Bauer L, Rohr CM, Chulkov EG, Smith E, Scampavia L, Spicer TP, Haeberlein S, Marchant JS. Target-based discovery of a broad-spectrum flukicide. Nat Struct Mol Biol 2024:10.1038/s41594-024-01298-3. [PMID: 38714890 DOI: 10.1038/s41594-024-01298-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/21/2024]
Abstract
Diseases caused by parasitic flatworms impart a considerable healthcare burden worldwide. Many of these diseases-for example, the parasitic blood fluke infection schistosomiasis-are treated with the drug praziquantel (PZQ). However, PZQ is ineffective against disease caused by liver flukes from the genus Fasciola because of a single amino acid change within the target of PZQ, a transient receptor potential ion channel in the melastatin family (TRPMPZQ), in Fasciola species. Here, we identify benzamidoquinazolinone analogs that are active against Fasciola TRPMPZQ. Structure-activity studies define an optimized ligand (BZQ) that caused protracted paralysis and tegumental damage to these liver flukes. BZQ also retained activity against Schistosoma mansoni comparable to PZQ and was active against TRPMPZQ orthologs in all profiled species of parasitic fluke. This broad-spectrum activity manifests as BZQ adopts a pose within the binding pocket of TRPMPZQ that is dependent on a ubiquitously conserved residue. BZQ therefore acts as a universal activator of trematode TRPMPZQ and a first-in-class, broad-spectrum flukicide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J Sprague
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology, and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
- Program in Chemical Biology, Department of Biochemistry, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Sang-Kyu Park
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology, and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Svenja Gramberg
- BFS, Institute of Parasitology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Lisa Bauer
- BFS, Institute of Parasitology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Claudia M Rohr
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology, and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Evgeny G Chulkov
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology, and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Emery Smith
- The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute Molecular Screening Center, Department of Molecular Medicine, The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation and Technology, Jupiter, FL, USA
| | - Louis Scampavia
- The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute Molecular Screening Center, Department of Molecular Medicine, The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation and Technology, Jupiter, FL, USA
| | - Timothy P Spicer
- The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute Molecular Screening Center, Department of Molecular Medicine, The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation and Technology, Jupiter, FL, USA
| | - Simone Haeberlein
- BFS, Institute of Parasitology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Jonathan S Marchant
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology, and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA.
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Wu K, Huang S, Zhao Y, Umar A, Chen H, Yu Z, Huang J. Hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 located in different developmental stages in Schistosoma japonicum and involved in important metabolic pathways. Biomed J 2024:100726. [PMID: 38621646 DOI: 10.1016/j.bj.2024.100726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 04/01/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nuclear receptors (NRs) are vital for regulating gene expression un organisms. Hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 (HNF4), a class of NRs, participates in blood feeding and intestinal maintenance in schistosomes. However, there is limited research on the molecular and functional characterization of HNF4 in Schistosoma japonicum (S. japonicum). METHODS Highly specific polyclonal antibodies were generated to analyze the expression and tissue localization of S. japonicum HNF4 (SjHNF4). The potential biological functions of SjHNF4 were characterized by transcriptome and pull-down analysis. Subsequently, enrichment analysis was performed to identify the specific signaling pathways linked to SjHNF4. RESULTS The SjHNF4 protein was expressed heterologously and purified successfully. High purity and high potency polyclonal antibodies were further prepared. The expression of SjHNF4 was higher in female compared to male worms at both transcriptional and protein levels. Female worms expressed SjHNF4 in their perithecium, reproductive system, and certain parts of the intestinal tissues. SjHNF4 was also detected in the perithecium of male worms, as well as in the head, body of cercaria, and eggs. Furthermore, our findings highlighted the potential role of SjHNF4 in blood feeding and its interaction with crucial pathways such as glucose metabolism, lipid metabolism, and nucleotide metabolism. CONCLUSIONS This study shed light on the location of SjHNF4 in different life stages of S. japonicum, particularly associated with the female schistosomes. A strong correlation was observed between SjHNF4 and essential metabolic pathways. These findings laid a solid groundwork for the research on the relationship between NRs and schistosomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaijuan Wu
- Department of Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China. 410013; China-Africa Research Center of Infectious Diseases, Central South University, Changsha Hunan, China. 410013
| | - Shuaiqin Huang
- Department of Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China. 410013; China-Africa Research Center of Infectious Diseases, Central South University, Changsha Hunan, China. 410013
| | - Yiming Zhao
- Department of Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China. 410013; China-Africa Research Center of Infectious Diseases, Central South University, Changsha Hunan, China. 410013
| | - Abdulrahim Umar
- Department of Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China. 410013
| | - Hao Chen
- Department of Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China. 410013; China-Africa Research Center of Infectious Diseases, Central South University, Changsha Hunan, China. 410013
| | - Zheng Yu
- Department of Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China. 410013; China-Africa Research Center of Infectious Diseases, Central South University, Changsha Hunan, China. 410013
| | - Jing Huang
- Department of Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China. 410013; China-Africa Research Center of Infectious Diseases, Central South University, Changsha Hunan, China. 410013.
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Shinozaki K, Kirinoki M, Atcharaphan W, Watanabe KI, Ohari Y, Suguta S, Ona KAL, Ushio N, Macalanda AMC, Suganuma K, Inoue N, Kawazu SI. Expression profile analysis of the transient receptor potential (TRPM) channel, a possible target of praziquantel in Schistosoma japonicum. Parasitol Int 2024; 99:102833. [PMID: 38061487 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2023.102833] [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: 04/19/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/08/2024]
Abstract
The WHO considers schistosomiasis, which is controlled by the mass administration of the drug praziquantel (PZQ), to be a neglected tropical disease. Despite its clinical use for over four decades, PZQ remains the only choice of chemotherapy against this disease. Regarding the previous studies that demonstrated that PZQ activates the transient receptor potential (TRP) channel in Schistosoma mansoni (Sm.TRPMPZQ), the expression profile of the ortholog of this channel gene (Smp_246790.5) in S. japonicum (EWB00_008853) (Sj.TRPMPZQ) was analyzed. The relative expression of this gene in various stages of the parasite lifecycle was analyzed by quantitative real-time reverse transcription-PCR (qRT-PCR), and the expression of Sj.TRPMPZQ was observed by immunohistochemical staining using anti-serum against the recombinant Sj.TRPMPZQ protein. qRT-PCR revealed the significantly lower mRNA expression in the snail stage in comparison to other stages (p < 0.01). The relative quantity of the Sj.TRPMPZQ expression for paired females, unpaired males, and eggs was 60%, 56%, and 68%, respectively, in comparison to paired males that showed the highest expression (p < 0.05). Interestingly, immunostaining demonstrated that Sj.TRPMPZQ is expressed in the parenchyma which contains muscle cells, neuronal cells and tegument cells in adult worms. This may support the two major effects of PZQ-worm paralysis and tegument disruption-induced by channel activation. Moreover, the channel was expressed in both the eggshell and the miracidia inside, but could not be observed in sporocyst. These results suggest that the expression of Sj.TRPMPQZ corresponds to the known sensitivity of S. japonicum to PZQ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaho Shinozaki
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan
| | - Masashi Kirinoki
- Laboratory of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, Dokkyo Medical University, Tochigi 321-0293, Japan
| | - Wanlop Atcharaphan
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan
| | - Ken-Ichi Watanabe
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan
| | - Yuma Ohari
- Division of Risk Analysis and Management, International Institute for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University, Hokkaido 001-0020, Japan
| | - Saki Suguta
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan
| | - Kevin Austin L Ona
- College of Medicine, University of the Philippines Manila, 1000 Manila, Philippines
| | - Nanako Ushio
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan
| | - Adrian Miki C Macalanda
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan; College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Cavite State University, Indang 4122, Cavite, Philippines
| | - Keisuke Suganuma
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan
| | - Noboru Inoue
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan
| | - Shin-Ichiro Kawazu
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan.
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Marchant JS. Progress interrogating TRPMPZQ as the target of praziquantel. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2024; 18:e0011929. [PMID: 38358948 PMCID: PMC10868838 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011929] [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: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
The drug praziquantel (PZQ) has served as the long-standing drug therapy for treatment of infections caused by parasitic flatworms. These encompass diseases caused by parasitic blood, lung, and liver flukes, as well as various tapeworm infections. Despite a history of clinical usage spanning over 4 decades, the parasite target of PZQ has long resisted identification. However, a flatworm transient receptor potential ion channel from the melastatin subfamily (TRPMPZQ) was recently identified as a target for PZQ action. Here, recent experimental progress interrogating TRPMPZQ is evaluated, encompassing biochemical, pharmacological, genetic, and comparative phylogenetic data that highlight the properties of this ion channel. Various lines of evidence that support TRPMPZQ being the therapeutic target of PZQ are presented, together with additional priorities for further research into the mechanism of action of this important clinical drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan S. Marchant
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology & Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States of America
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Herz M, Zarowiecki M, Wessels L, Pätzel K, Herrmann R, Braun C, Holroyd N, Huckvale T, Bergmann M, Spiliotis M, Koziol U, Berriman M, Brehm K. Genome-wide transcriptome analysis of Echinococcus multilocularis larvae and germinative cell cultures reveals genes involved in parasite stem cell function. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2024; 14:1335946. [PMID: 38333034 PMCID: PMC10850878 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2024.1335946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
The lethal zoonosis alveolar echinococcosis is caused by tumour-like growth of the metacestode stage of the tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis within host organs. We previously demonstrated that metacestode proliferation is exclusively driven by somatic stem cells (germinative cells), which are the only mitotically active parasite cells that give rise to all differentiated cell types. The Echinococcus gene repertoire required for germinative cell maintenance and differentiation has not been characterised so far. We herein carried out Illumina sequencing on cDNA from Echinococcus metacestode vesicles, from metacestode tissue depleted of germinative cells, and from Echinococcus primary cell cultures. We identified a set of ~1,180 genes associated with germinative cells, which contained numerous known stem cell markers alongside genes involved in replication, cell cycle regulation, mitosis, meiosis, epigenetic modification, and nucleotide metabolism. Interestingly, we also identified 44 stem cell associated transcription factors that are likely involved in regulating germinative cell differentiation and/or pluripotency. By in situ hybridization and pulse-chase experiments, we also found a new general Echinococcus stem cell marker, EmCIP2Ah, and we provide evidence implying the presence of a slow cycling stem cell sub-population expressing the extracellular matrix factor Emkal1. RNA-Seq analyses on primary cell cultures revealed that metacestode-derived Echinococcus stem cells display an expanded differentiation capability and do not only form differentiated cell types of the metacestode, but also cells expressing genes specific for protoscoleces, adult worms, and oncospheres, including an ortholog of the schistosome praziquantel target, EmTRPMPZQ. Finally, we show that primary cell cultures contain a cell population expressing an ortholog of the tumour necrosis factor α receptor family and that mammalian TNFα accelerates the development of metacestode vesicles from germinative cells. Taken together, our analyses provide a robust and comprehensive characterization of the Echinococcus germinative cell transcriptome, demonstrate expanded differentiation capability of metacestode derived stem cells, and underscore the potential of primary germinative cell cultures to investigate developmental processes of the parasite. These data are relevant for studies into the role of Echinococcus stem cells in parasite development and will facilitate the design of anti-parasitic drugs that specifically act on the parasite germinative cell compartment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michaela Herz
- Consultant Laboratory for Echinococcosis, Institute of Hygiene and Microbiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | | | - Leonie Wessels
- Consultant Laboratory for Echinococcosis, Institute of Hygiene and Microbiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Katharina Pätzel
- Consultant Laboratory for Echinococcosis, Institute of Hygiene and Microbiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Ruth Herrmann
- Consultant Laboratory for Echinococcosis, Institute of Hygiene and Microbiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Christiane Braun
- Consultant Laboratory for Echinococcosis, Institute of Hygiene and Microbiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Nancy Holroyd
- Parasite Genomics, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Thomas Huckvale
- Parasite Genomics, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Monika Bergmann
- Consultant Laboratory for Echinococcosis, Institute of Hygiene and Microbiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Markus Spiliotis
- Consultant Laboratory for Echinococcosis, Institute of Hygiene and Microbiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Uriel Koziol
- Consultant Laboratory for Echinococcosis, Institute of Hygiene and Microbiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- Sección Biología Celular, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Matthew Berriman
- Parasite Genomics, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Klaus Brehm
- Consultant Laboratory for Echinococcosis, Institute of Hygiene and Microbiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
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Carabott MJ, Power C, Widdicombe M, Rough K, Nowak BF, Bott NJ. Dynamics of Cardicola spp. Infection in Ranched Southern Bluefin Tuna: First Observation of C. orientalis at Transfer. Pathogens 2023; 12:1443. [PMID: 38133326 PMCID: PMC10747332 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12121443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Aporocotylid blood flukes Cardicola forsteri and C. orientalis are an ongoing health concern for the Southern Bluefin Tuna (Thunnus maccoyii, SBT) industry, where infections can lead to morbidity and mortality in ranched SBT populations. This study compared blood fluke infection in SBT from two companies during the 2021 ranching season. Both companies administered the same dosage of praziquantel approximately 5 weeks after transfer, feeding with frozen baitfish daily; the only difference in the company's practices was that the pontoons were located 2.5 km apart. Infection severity was measured as prevalence and intensity by quantifying adult C. forsteri in SBT heart and copy numbers of C. forsteri and C. orientalis ITS-2 DNA in SBT heart and gills. Data from the 2018 and 2019 harvests of SBT were used to make comparisons with 2021 harvest data. Cardicola orientalis was detected at transfer and no longer detected after treatment with praziquantel. Cardicola spp. were present in 83% of sampled SBT in 2021. Both companies demonstrated similar patterns of infection, and Company A had higher prevalence and intensity of Cardicola spp. infection. Based on C. forsteri ITS-2 DNA, infection intensity at harvest was significantly greater for both companies in 2021 when compared to 2018 and 2019. Continued monitoring of Cardicola spp. in SBT and improvements in diagnostics contribute to our understanding of Cardicola spp. epizootiology and the detection of changes in treatment efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa J. Carabott
- School of Science, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3083, Australia; (M.J.C.); (C.P.); (M.W.); (B.F.N.)
| | - Cecilia Power
- School of Science, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3083, Australia; (M.J.C.); (C.P.); (M.W.); (B.F.N.)
| | - Maree Widdicombe
- School of Science, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3083, Australia; (M.J.C.); (C.P.); (M.W.); (B.F.N.)
| | - Kirsten Rough
- Australian Southern Bluefin Tuna Industry Association, South Quay Blvd, Port Lincoln, SA 5606, Australia;
| | - Barbara F. Nowak
- School of Science, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3083, Australia; (M.J.C.); (C.P.); (M.W.); (B.F.N.)
| | - Nathan J. Bott
- School of Science, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3083, Australia; (M.J.C.); (C.P.); (M.W.); (B.F.N.)
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Sprague DJ, Kaethner M, Park SK, Rohr CM, Harris JL, Maillard D, Spangenberg T, Lundström-Stadelmann B, Marchant JS. The Anthelmintic Activity of Praziquantel Analogs Correlates with Structure-Activity Relationships at TRPM PZQ Orthologs. ACS Med Chem Lett 2023; 14:1537-1543. [PMID: 37970586 PMCID: PMC10641913 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.3c00350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The anthelmintic drug praziquantel remains a key clinical therapy for treating various diseases caused by parasitic flatworms. The parasite target of praziquantel has remained undefined despite longstanding usage in the clinic, although a candidate ion channel target, named TRPMPZQ, has recently been identified. Intriguingly, certain praziquantel derivatives show different activities against different parasites: for example, some praziquantel analogs are considerably more active against cestodes than against schistosomes. Here we interrogate whether the different activities of praziquantel analogs against different parasites are also reflected by unique structure-activity relationships at the TRPMPZQ channels found in these different organisms. To do this, several praziquantel analogs were synthesized and functionally profiled against schistosome and cestode TRPMPZQ channels. Data demonstrate that structure-activity relationships are closely mirrored between parasites and their TRPMPZQ orthologs, providing further support for TRPMPZQ as the therapeutically relevant target of praziquantel.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J. Sprague
- Department
of Cell Biology, Neurobiology, and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53226, United States
- Program
in Chemical Biology, Department of Biochemistry, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53226, United States
| | - Marc Kaethner
- Institute
of Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology,
Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, 3012 Berne, Switzerland
- Graduate
School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Bern, 3012 Berne, Switzerland
| | - Sang-Kyu Park
- Department
of Cell Biology, Neurobiology, and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53226, United States
| | - Claudia M. Rohr
- Department
of Cell Biology, Neurobiology, and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53226, United States
| | - Jade L. Harris
- Department
of Cell Biology, Neurobiology, and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53226, United States
| | - David Maillard
- Central
Process Development - Downstream Processing Services, Merck Electronics KGaA, Frankfurter Strasse 250, 64293 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Thomas Spangenberg
- Global Health
Institute of Merck, Ares Trading S.A., a subsidiary of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, 1262 Eysins, Switzerland
| | - Britta Lundström-Stadelmann
- Institute
of Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology,
Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, 3012 Berne, Switzerland
- Multidisciplinary
Center for Infectious Diseases, University
of Bern, 3012 Berne, Switzerland
| | - Jonathan S. Marchant
- Department
of Cell Biology, Neurobiology, and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53226, United States
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Xie S, Lu Y, Wang J, Lin C, Ye P, Liu X, Xiong W, Zeng Z, Zeng D. Development and validation of an LC-MS/MS method for the simultaneous quantification of milbemycin oxime and praziquantel in plasma: application to a pharmacokinetic study in cats. Front Vet Sci 2023; 10:1285932. [PMID: 37964913 PMCID: PMC10642303 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1285932] [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: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Milbemycin oxime (MBO) and praziquantel (PZQ) have a broad spectrum of biological activity and are commonly used to treat the parasitic infection in the veterinary clinic. In this study, a fast and efficient LC-MS/MS method was established and validated for the simultaneous determination of MBO, PZQ, cis-4-hydroxylated-PZQ (C-4-OH-PZQ) and trans-4-hydroxylated-PZQ (T-4-OH-PZQ) and in cat plasma. Methods Extraction of analytes and internal standards from cat plasma by acetonitrile protein precipitation, allows rapid processing of large batches of samples. MBO, PZQ, C-4-OH-PZQ, T-4-OH-PZQ, and internal standard (IS) were eluted for 13.5 min on a C18 column with a 0.1% formic acid water/acetonitrile mixture as the mobile phase. Results Results showed that the method had good precision, accuracy, recovery, and linearity. The linearity range was 2.5-250 ng/mL for MBO, and 10-1000 ng/mL for PZQ, C-4-OH-PZQ, and T-4-OH-PZQ. The intra-day and inter-day precision CV values of the tested components were within 15%. The extraction recoveries of the four components ranged from 98.09% to 107.46%. The analytes in plasma remained stable for 6 h at room temperature, 26 h in the autosampler (4 °C), after freeze-thaw (-20°C) cycles, and 60 days in a -20°C freezer. Method sensitivity sufficed for assessing pharmacokinetic parameters of MBO, PZQ, C-4-OH-PZQ, and T-4-OH-PZQ in plasma samples with LLOQ of 2.5 ng/mL for MBO and 10 ng/mL for PZQ, C-4-OH-PZQ, and T-4-OH-PZQ. Conclusion In this study, a selective and sensitive LC-MS/MS method for the simultaneous quantification of MBO, PZQ, C-4-OH-PZQ, and T-4-OH-PZQ in cat plasma was developed and validated.This method had been successfully applied to evaluate the pharmacokinetics of MBO, PZQ, C-4-OH-PZQ, and T-4-OH-PZQ after a single oral administration of 8 mg MBO and 20 mg PZQ in cats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiting Xie
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmaceutics Development and Safety Evaluation, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- National Risk Assessment Laboratory for Antimicrobial Resistance of Animal Original Bacteria, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yixing Lu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmaceutics Development and Safety Evaluation, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- National Risk Assessment Laboratory for Antimicrobial Resistance of Animal Original Bacteria, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jun Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmaceutics Development and Safety Evaluation, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- National Risk Assessment Laboratory for Antimicrobial Resistance of Animal Original Bacteria, Guangzhou, China
| | - Changcheng Lin
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmaceutics Development and Safety Evaluation, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- National Risk Assessment Laboratory for Antimicrobial Resistance of Animal Original Bacteria, Guangzhou, China
| | - Peiyu Ye
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmaceutics Development and Safety Evaluation, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- National Risk Assessment Laboratory for Antimicrobial Resistance of Animal Original Bacteria, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaolin Liu
- Livcare (Guangdong) Animal Health Co., Ltd, Qingyuan, China
| | - Wenguang Xiong
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmaceutics Development and Safety Evaluation, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- National Risk Assessment Laboratory for Antimicrobial Resistance of Animal Original Bacteria, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhenling Zeng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmaceutics Development and Safety Evaluation, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- National Risk Assessment Laboratory for Antimicrobial Resistance of Animal Original Bacteria, Guangzhou, China
| | - Dongping Zeng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmaceutics Development and Safety Evaluation, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- National Risk Assessment Laboratory for Antimicrobial Resistance of Animal Original Bacteria, Guangzhou, China
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Sprague DJ, Park SK, Gramberg S, Bauer L, Rohr CM, Chulkov EG, Smith E, Scampavia L, Spicer TP, Haeberlein S, Marchant JS. Target-based discovery of a broad spectrum flukicide. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.09.22.559026. [PMID: 37790347 PMCID: PMC10542552 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.22.559026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/05/2023]
Abstract
Diseases caused by parasitic flatworms impart a considerable healthcare burden worldwide. Many of these diseases - for example, the parasitic blood fluke infection, schistosomiasis - are treated with the drug praziquantel (PZQ). However, PZQ is ineffective against disease caused by liver flukes from the genus Fasciola. This is due to a single amino acid change within the target of PZQ, a transient receptor potential ion channel (TRPMPZQ), in Fasciola species. Here we identify benzamidoquinazolinone analogs that are active against Fasciola TRPMPZQ. Structure-activity studies define an optimized ligand (BZQ) that caused protracted paralysis and damage to the protective tegument of these liver flukes. BZQ also retained activity against Schistosoma mansoni comparable to PZQ and was active against TRPMPZQ orthologs in all profiled species of parasitic fluke. This broad spectrum activity was manifest as BZQ adopts a pose within the binding pocket of TRPMPZQ dependent on a ubiquitously conserved residue. BZQ therefore acts as a universal activator of trematode TRPMPZQ and a first-in-class, broad spectrum flukicide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J. Sprague
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology, and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
- Program in Chemical Biology, Department of Biochemistry, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Sang-Kyu Park
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology, and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Svenja Gramberg
- BFS, Institute of Parasitology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Schubertstr. 81, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - Lisa Bauer
- BFS, Institute of Parasitology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Schubertstr. 81, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - Claudia M. Rohr
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology, and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Evgeny G. Chulkov
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology, and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Emery Smith
- UF Scripps Molecular Screening Center, Department of Molecular Medicine, UF Scripps Biomedical Research, Jupiter, FL, 33458, USA
| | - Louis Scampavia
- UF Scripps Molecular Screening Center, Department of Molecular Medicine, UF Scripps Biomedical Research, Jupiter, FL, 33458, USA
| | - Timothy P. Spicer
- UF Scripps Molecular Screening Center, Department of Molecular Medicine, UF Scripps Biomedical Research, Jupiter, FL, 33458, USA
| | - Simone Haeberlein
- BFS, Institute of Parasitology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Schubertstr. 81, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - Jonathan S. Marchant
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology, and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
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10
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Friedrich L, Park SK, Ballard P, Ho Baeurle TH, Maillard D, Bödding M, Keiser J, Marchant JS, Spangenberg T. Metabolism of (R)-Praziquantel versus the Activation of a Parasite Transient Receptor Potential Melastatin Ion Channel. ChemMedChem 2023; 18:e202300140. [PMID: 37272317 PMCID: PMC10530395 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202300140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Praziquantel (PZQ) is an essential anthelmintic drug recently established to be an activator of a Transient Receptor Potential Melastatin (TRPMPZQ ) ion channel in trematode worms. Bioinformatic, mutagenesis and drug metabolism work indicate that the cyclohexyl ring of PZQ is a key pharmacophore for activation of trematode TRPMPZQ , as well as serving as the primary site of oxidative metabolism which results in PZQ being a short-lived drug. Based on our recent findings, the hydrophobic cleft in schistosome TRPMPZQ defined by three hydrophobic residues surrounding the cyclohexyl ring has little tolerance for polarity. Here we evaluate the in vitro and in vivo activities of PZQ analogues with improved metabolic stability relative to the challenge of maintaining activity on the channel. Finally, an estimation of the respective contribution to the overall activity of both the parent and the main metabolite of PZQ in humans is reported.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lukas Friedrich
- Global Research & Development, Merck Healthcare KGaA, Frankfurter Str. 250, 64293, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Sang-Kyu Park
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee WI, 53226, USA
| | | | | | - David Maillard
- Central Process Development-Downstream Processing Services, Merck Electronics KGaA, Frankfurter Str. 250, 64293, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Matthias Bödding
- Merck Healthcare KGaA, Frankfurter Str. 250, 64293, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Jennifer Keiser
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Kreuzstr. 2, 4123, Allschwil, Switzerland
- Helminth Drug Development Unit, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jonathan S Marchant
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee WI, 53226, USA
| | - Thomas Spangenberg
- Global Health Institute of Merck, Ares Trading S.A., a subsidiary of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt Germany, 1262, Eysins, Switzerland
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11
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Chulkov EG, Isaeva E, Stucky CL, Marchant JS. Use the force, fluke: Ligand-independent gating of Schistosoma mansoni ion channel TRPM PZQ. Int J Parasitol 2023; 53:427-434. [PMID: 36610555 PMCID: PMC10258140 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2022.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Revised: 11/12/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
The parasitic flatworm ion channel, TRPMPZQ, is a non-selective cation channel that mediates Ca2+ entry and membrane depolarization when activated by the anthelmintic drug, praziquantel (PZQ). TRPMPZQ is conserved in all platyhelminth genomes scrutinized to date, with the sensitivity of TRPMPZQ in any particular flatworm correlating with the overall sensitivity of the worm to PZQ. Conservation of this channel suggests it plays a role in flatworm physiology, but the nature of the endogenous cues that activate this channel are currently unknown. Here, we demonstrate that TRPMPZQ is activated in a ligand-independent manner by membrane stretch, with the electrophysiological signature of channel opening events being identical whether evoked by negative pressure, or by PZQ. TRPMPZQ is therefore a multimodal ion channel gated by both physical and chemical cues. The mechanosensitivity of TRPMPZQ is one route for endogenous activation of this ion channel that holds relevance for schistosome physiology given the persistent pressures and mechanical cues experienced throughout the parasite life cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evgeny G Chulkov
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology & Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee WI 53226, USA
| | - Elena Isaeva
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology & Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee WI 53226, USA
| | - Cheryl L Stucky
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology & Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee WI 53226, USA
| | - Jonathan S Marchant
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology & Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee WI 53226, USA.
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12
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Chulkov EG, Palygin O, Yahya NA, Park SK, Marchant JS. Electrophysiological characterization of a schistosome transient receptor potential channel activated by praziquantel. Int J Parasitol 2023; 53:415-425. [PMID: 36610556 PMCID: PMC10258134 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2022.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Revised: 11/12/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Ion channels have proved to be productive targets for anthelmintic chemotherapy. One example is the recent discovery of a parasitic flatworm ion channel targeted by praziquantel (PZQ), the main clinical therapy used for treatment of schistosomiasis. The ion channel activated by PZQ - a transient receptor potential ion channel of the melastatin subfamily, named TRPMPZQ - is a Ca2+-permeable ion channel expressed in all parasitic flatworms that are PZQ-sensitive. However, little is currently known about the electrophysiological properties of this target that mediates the deleterious action of PZQ on many trematodes and cestodes. Here, we provide a detailed biophysical characterization of the properties of Schistosoma mansoni TRPMPZQ channel (Sm.TRPMPZQ) in response to PZQ. Single channel electrophysiological analysis demonstrated that Sm.TRPMPZQ when activated by PZQ is a non-selective, large conductance, voltage-insensitive cation channel that displays distinct properties from human TRPM paralogs. Sm.TRPMPZQ is Ca2+-permeable but does not require Ca2+ for channel gating in response to PZQ. TRPMPZQ from Schistosoma japonicum (Sj.TRPMPZQ) and Schistosoma haematobium (Sh.TRPMPZQ) displayed similar characteristics. Profiling Sm.TRPMPZQ responsiveness to PZQ has established a biophysical signature for this channel that will aid future investigation of endogenous TRPMPZQ activity, as well as analyses of endogenous and exogenous regulators of this novel, druggable antiparasitic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evgeny G Chulkov
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Oleg Palygin
- Division of Nephrology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Nawal A Yahya
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA; Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota Medical School, 312 Church St. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Sang-Kyu Park
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Jonathan S Marchant
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA.
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13
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Docampo R. Praziquantel target validation of a Ca 2+ permeable channel in schistosomes. Cell Calcium 2023; 110:102698. [PMID: 36682342 DOI: 10.1016/j.ceca.2023.102698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Docampo
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases and Department of Cellular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, United States of America.
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14
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Yahya NA, Lanham JK, Sprague DJ, Palygin O, McCorvy JD, Marchant JS. Molecular and cellular basis of praziquantel action in the cardiovascular system. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2023; 324:C573-C587. [PMID: 36622066 PMCID: PMC9942900 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00520.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Revised: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
The anthelmintic drug praziquantel (PZQ) causes contraction of parasitic schistosomes as well as constriction of blood vessels within the mesenteric vasculature of the host where the adult blood flukes reside. The contractile action of PZQ on the vasculature is mediated by the activation of host serotonergic 5-HT2B receptors (5-HT2BRs). However, the molecular basis for PZQ interaction with these targets and the location of these 5-HT2B receptors in the vessel wall have not been experimentally defined. Evaluation of a PZQ docking pose within the 5-HT2BR orthosteric site, using both Ca2+ reporter and bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET) assays, identified residues F3406.51 and F3416.52 (transmembrane helix 6, TM6) as well as L209EL2 (extracellular loop 2) as critical for PZQ-mediated agonist activity. A key determinant of PZQ selectivity for the 5-HT2B receptor over the 5-HT2A/2C receptors was determined by M2185.39 in transmembrane helix 5 (TM5) of the orthosteric site. Mutation of this residue to valine (M218V), as found in 5-HT2A and 5-HT2C, decreased PZQ agonist activity, whereas the reciprocal mutation (V215M) in 5-HT2C increased PZQ activity. Two-photon imaging in intact mesenteric arterial strips visualized PZQ-evoked Ca2+ transients within the smooth muscle cells of the vessel wall. PZQ also triggered cytoplasmic Ca2+ signals in arterial smooth muscle cells in primary culture that were isolated from mesenteric blood vessels. These data define the molecular basis for PZQ action on 5-HT2B receptors localized in vascular smooth muscle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nawal A Yahya
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Janelle K Lanham
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
| | - Daniel J Sprague
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
| | - Oleg Palygin
- Division of Nephrology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - John D McCorvy
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
| | - Jonathan S Marchant
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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