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Barazorda-Ccahuana HL, Cárcamo-Rodriguez EG, Centeno-Lopez AE, Galdino AS, Machado-de-Ávila RA, Giunchetti RC, Coelho EAF, Chávez-Fumagalli MA. Targeting with Structural Analogs of Natural Products the Purine Salvage Pathway in Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum by Computer-Aided Drug-Design Approaches. Trop Med Infect Dis 2024; 9:41. [PMID: 38393130 PMCID: PMC10891554 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed9020041] [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: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 01/27/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL) has a high death rate, with 500,000 new cases and 50,000 deaths occurring annually. Despite the development of novel strategies and technologies, there is no adequate treatment for the disease. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to find structural analogs of natural products as potential novel drugs to treat VL. We selected structural analogs from natural products that have shown antileishmanial activities, and that may impede the purine salvage pathway using computer-aided drug-design (CADD) approaches. For these, we started with the vastly studied target in the pathway, the adenine phosphoribosyl transferase (APRT) protein, which alone is non-essential for the survival of the parasite. Keeping this in mind, we search for a substance that can bind to multiple targets throughout the pathway. Computational techniques were used to study the purine salvage pathway from Leishmania infantum, and molecular dynamic simulations were used to gather information on the interactions between ligands and proteins. Because of its low homology to human proteins and its essential role in the purine salvage pathway proteins network interaction, the findings further highlight the significance of adenylosuccinate lyase protein (ADL) as a therapeutic target. An analog of the alkaloid Skimmianine, N,N-diethyl-4-methoxy-1-benzofuran-6-carboxamide, demonstrated a good binding affinity to APRT and ADL targets, no expected toxicity, and potential for oral route administration. This study indicates that the compound may have antileishmanial activity, which was granted in vitro and in vivo experiments to settle this finding in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haruna Luz Barazorda-Ccahuana
- Computational Biology and Chemistry Research Group, Vicerrectorado de Investigación, Universidad Católica de Santa María, Arequipa 04000, Peru
| | - Eymi Gladys Cárcamo-Rodriguez
- Computational Biology and Chemistry Research Group, Vicerrectorado de Investigación, Universidad Católica de Santa María, Arequipa 04000, Peru
- Facultad de Ciencias Farmacéuticas, Bioquímicas y Biotecnológicas, Universidad Católica de Santa María, Arequipa 04000, Peru
| | - Angela Emperatriz Centeno-Lopez
- Computational Biology and Chemistry Research Group, Vicerrectorado de Investigación, Universidad Católica de Santa María, Arequipa 04000, Peru
- Facultad de Ciencias Farmacéuticas, Bioquímicas y Biotecnológicas, Universidad Católica de Santa María, Arequipa 04000, Peru
| | - Alexsandro Sobreira Galdino
- Laboratório de Biotecnologia de Microrganismos, Universidade Federal São João Del-Rei, Divinópolis 35501-296, MG, Brazil
| | | | - Rodolfo Cordeiro Giunchetti
- Laboratório de Biologia das Interações Celulares, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, MG, Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Doenças Tropicais, INCT-DT, Salvador 40015-970, BA, Brazil
| | - Eduardo Antonio Ferraz Coelho
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, MG, Brazil
- Departamento de Patologia Clínica, COLTEC, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, MG, Brazil
| | - Miguel Angel Chávez-Fumagalli
- Computational Biology and Chemistry Research Group, Vicerrectorado de Investigación, Universidad Católica de Santa María, Arequipa 04000, Peru
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2
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Moreira POL, Nogueira PM, Monte-Neto RL. Next-Generation Leishmanization: Revisiting Molecular Targets for Selecting Genetically Engineered Live-Attenuated Leishmania. Microorganisms 2023; 11:microorganisms11041043. [PMID: 37110466 PMCID: PMC10145799 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11041043] [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: 03/18/2023] [Revised: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite decades of research devoted to finding a vaccine against leishmaniasis, we are still lacking a safe and effective vaccine for humans. Given this scenario, the search for a new prophylaxis alternative for controlling leishmaniasis should be a global priority. Inspired by leishmanization-a first generation vaccine strategy where live L. major parasites are inoculated in the skin to protect against reinfection-live-attenuated Leishmania vaccine candidates are promising alternatives due to their robust elicited protective immune response. In addition, they do not cause disease and could provide long-term protection upon challenge with a virulent strain. The discovery of a precise and easy way to perform CRISPR/Cas-based gene editing allowed the selection of safer null mutant live-attenuated Leishmania parasites obtained by gene disruption. Here, we revisited molecular targets associated with the selection of live-attenuated vaccinal strains, discussing their function, their limiting factors and the ideal candidate for the next generation of genetically engineered live-attenuated Leishmania vaccines to control leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulo O L Moreira
- Biotechnology Applied to Pathogens (BAP), Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz Minas, Belo Horizonte 30190-009, Brazil
| | - Paula M Nogueira
- Biotechnology Applied to Pathogens (BAP), Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz Minas, Belo Horizonte 30190-009, Brazil
| | - Rubens L Monte-Neto
- Biotechnology Applied to Pathogens (BAP), Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz Minas, Belo Horizonte 30190-009, Brazil
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3
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Pandey SC, Pande V, Samant M. DDX3 DEAD-box RNA helicase (Hel67) gene disruption impairs infectivity of Leishmania donovani and induces protective immunity against visceral leishmaniasis. Sci Rep 2020; 10:18218. [PMID: 33106577 PMCID: PMC7589518 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-75420-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2020] [Accepted: 09/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a vector-borne disease caused by the digenetic protozoan parasite Leishmania donovani complex. So far there is no effective vaccine available against VL. The DDX3 DEAD-box RNA Helicase (Hel67) is 67 kDa protein which is quite essential for RNA metabolism, amastigote differentiation, and infectivity in L. major and L. infantum. To investigate the role of Hel67 in the L. donovani, we created L. donovani deficient in the Hel67. Helicase67 null mutants (LdHel67-/-) were not able to differentiate as axenic amastigotes and were unable to infect the hamster. So, we have analyzed the prophylactic efficacy of the LdHel67-/- null mutant in hamsters. The LdHel67-/- null mutant based candidate vaccine exhibited immunogenic response and a higher degree of protection against L. donovani in comparison to the infected control group. Further, the candidate vaccine displayed antigen-specific delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) as well as strong antibody response and NO production which strongly correlates to long term protection of candidate vaccine against the infection. This study confirms the potential of LdHel67-/- null mutant as a safe and protective live attenuated vaccine candidate against visceral leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satish Chandra Pandey
- Cell and Molecular Biology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Kumaun University, SSJ Campus, Almora, Uttarakhand, India.,Department of Biotechnology, Kumaun University, Bhimtal Campus, Nainital, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Veena Pande
- Department of Biotechnology, Kumaun University, Bhimtal Campus, Nainital, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Mukesh Samant
- Cell and Molecular Biology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Kumaun University, SSJ Campus, Almora, Uttarakhand, India.
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4
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Pandey SC, Kumar A, Samant M. Genetically modified live attenuated vaccine: A potential strategy to combat visceral leishmaniasis. Parasite Immunol 2020; 42:e12732. [PMID: 32418227 DOI: 10.1111/pim.12732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2019] [Revised: 05/11/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is caused by a protozoan parasite Leishmania donovani mainly influencing the population of tropical and subtropical regions across the globe. The arsenal of drugs available is limited, and prolonged use of such drugs makes parasite to become resistant. Therefore, it is very imperative to develop a safe, cost-effective and inexpensive vaccine against VL. Although in recent years, many strategies have been pursued by researchers, so far only some of the vaccine candidates reached for clinical trial and more than half of them are still in pipeline. There is now a broad consent among Leishmania researchers that the perseverance of parasite is very essential for eliciting a protective immune response and may perhaps be attained by live attenuated parasite vaccination. For making a live attenuated parasite, it is very essential to ensure that the parasite is deficient of virulence and should further study genetically modified parasites to perceive the mechanism of pathogenesis. So it is believed that in the near future, a complete understanding of the Leishmania genome will explore clear strategies to discover a novel vaccine. This review describes the need for a genetically modified live attenuated vaccine against VL, and obstacles associated with its development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satish Chandra Pandey
- Cell and Molecular biology laboratory, Department of Zoology, Kumaun University, Almora, India.,Department of Biotechnology, Kumaun University, Nainital, India
| | - Awanish Kumar
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Technology, Raipur, India
| | - Mukesh Samant
- Cell and Molecular biology laboratory, Department of Zoology, Kumaun University, Almora, India
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5
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Campagnaro GD, de Koning HP. Purine and pyrimidine transporters of pathogenic protozoa - conduits for therapeutic agents. Med Res Rev 2020; 40:1679-1714. [PMID: 32144812 DOI: 10.1002/med.21667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2019] [Revised: 02/12/2020] [Accepted: 02/18/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Purines and pyrimidines are essential nutrients for any cell. Most organisms are able to synthesize their own purines and pyrimidines, but this ability was lost in protozoans that adapted to parasitism, leading to a great diversification in transporter activities in these organisms, especially for the acquisition of amino acids and nucleosides from their hosts throughout their life cycles. Many of these transporters have been shown to have sufficiently different substrate affinities from mammalian transporters, making them good carriers for therapeutic agents. In this review, we summarize the knowledge obtained on purine and pyrimidine activities identified in protozoan parasites to date and discuss their importance for the survival of these parasites and as drug carriers, as well as the perspectives of developments in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gustavo D Campagnaro
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, 120 University Place, Glasgow, UK
| | - Harry P de Koning
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, 120 University Place, Glasgow, UK
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6
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Garg G, Ali V, Singh K, Gupta P, Ganguly A, Sahasrabuddhe AA, Das P. Quantitative secretome analysis unravels new secreted proteins in Amphotericin B resistant Leishmania donovani. J Proteomics 2019; 207:103464. [PMID: 31357030 DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2019.103464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2019] [Revised: 07/15/2019] [Accepted: 07/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is second most neglected disease after malaria and seems to be a worldwide concern because of increased drug resistance and non-availability of approved vaccine. The underlying molecular mechanism of drug resistance (Amp B) in Leishmania parasites still remains elusive. Herein, the present study investigated differentially expressed secreted proteins of Amphotericin B sensitive (S) and resistant (R) isolate of Leishmania donovani by using label free quantitative LC-MS/MS approach. A total of 406 differentially expressed secreted proteins were found between sensitive (S) and resistant (R) isolate. Among 406 proteins, 32 were significantly up regulated (>2.0 fold) while 22 were down regulated (<0.5 fold) in resistant isolate of L. donovani. Further, differentially expressed proteins were classified into 11 various biological processes. Interestingly, identified up regulated proteins in resistant parasites were dominated in carbohydrate metabolism, stress response, transporters and proteolysis. Western blot and enzymatic activity of identified proteins validate our proteomic findings. Finally, our study demonstrated some new secreted proteins associated with Amp B resistance which provides a basis for further investigations to understand the role of proteins in L. donovani. BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Although great advances have been achieved in the diagnosis and treatment of leishmaniasis, still drug resistance is major hurdle in control of disease. Present study will enhance the deeper understanding of altered metabolic pathways involved in Amp B resistance mechanism and provide possible new proteins which can be potential candidate either for exploring as new drug target or vaccine. Protein-protein interactions highlighted the up-regulated metabolic pathways in resistant parasites which further unravel the adaptive mechanism of parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaurav Garg
- Laboratory of Molecular Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Department of Biochemistry, Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Agamkuan, Patna 800007, India; Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, EPIP Complex, Hajipur 844102, India
| | - Vahab Ali
- Laboratory of Molecular Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Department of Biochemistry, Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Agamkuan, Patna 800007, India; Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, EPIP Complex, Hajipur 844102, India.
| | - Kuljit Singh
- Laboratory of Molecular Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Department of Biochemistry, Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Agamkuan, Patna 800007, India; Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, EPIP Complex, Hajipur 844102, India
| | - Parool Gupta
- Laboratory of Molecular Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Department of Biochemistry, Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Agamkuan, Patna 800007, India
| | - Ashish Ganguly
- CSIR- Institute of Microbial Technology, Chandigarh, India
| | - Amogh A Sahasrabuddhe
- Molecular and Structural Biology, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, India
| | - Pradeep Das
- Division of Molecular Biology, Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Agamkuan, Patna 800007, India
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7
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Arora K, Rai AK. Dependence of Leishmania parasite on host derived ATP: an overview of extracellular nucleotide metabolism in parasite. J Parasit Dis 2019; 43:1-13. [PMID: 30956439 PMCID: PMC6423245 DOI: 10.1007/s12639-018-1061-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2018] [Accepted: 11/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Kashika Arora
- Department of Biotechnology, Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology (MNNIT) Allahabad, Allahabad, 211004 U.P. India
- Present Address: Biomedical Research Center, Ghent University Global Campus, Incheon, 21985 South Korea
| | - Ambak Kumar Rai
- Department of Biotechnology, Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology (MNNIT) Allahabad, Allahabad, 211004 U.P. India
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8
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Avishek K, Ahuja K, Pradhan D, Gannavaram S, Selvapandiyan A, Nakhasi HL, Salotra P. A Leishmania-specific gene upregulated at the amastigote stage is crucial for parasite survival. Parasitol Res 2018; 117:3215-3228. [DOI: 10.1007/s00436-018-6020-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2017] [Accepted: 07/17/2018] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
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9
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Jardim A, Hardie DB, Boitz J, Borchers CH. Proteomic Profiling of Leishmania donovani Promastigote Subcellular Organelles. J Proteome Res 2018; 17:1194-1215. [PMID: 29332401 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.7b00817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
To facilitate a greater understanding of the biological processes in the medically important Leishmania donovani parasite, a combination of differential and density-gradient ultracentrifugation techniques were used to achieve a comprehensive subcellular fractionation of the promastigote stage. An in-depth label-free proteomic LC-MS/MS analysis of the density gradients resulted in the identification of ∼50% of the Leishmania proteome (3883 proteins detected), which included ∼645 integral membrane proteins and 1737 uncharacterized proteins. Clustering and subcellular localization of proteins was based on a subset of training Leishmania proteins with known subcellular localizations that had been determined using biochemical, confocal microscopy, or immunoelectron microscopy approaches. This subcellular map will be a valuable resource that will help dissect the cell biology and metabolic processes associated with specific organelles of Leishmania and related kinetoplastids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Armando Jardim
- Institute of Parasitology, Macdonald Campus, McGill University , 21111 Lakeshore Road, Saine-Anne-de-Bellevue, Québec H9X 3V9, Canada
| | - Darryl B Hardie
- University of Victoria -Genome British Columbia Proteomics Centre , #3101-4464 Markham Street, Vancouver Island Technology Park, Victoria, British Columbia V8Z7X8, Canada
| | - Jan Boitz
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Oregon Health & Science University , Portland, Oregon 97239, United States
| | - Christoph H Borchers
- University of Victoria -Genome British Columbia Proteomics Centre , #3101-4464 Markham Street, Vancouver Island Technology Park, Victoria, British Columbia V8Z7X8, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina , 120 Mason Farm Road, Campus Box 7260 Third Floor, Genetic Medicine Building, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States.,Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria , Petch Building, Room 270d, 3800 Finnerty Road, Victoria, British Columbia V8P 5C2, Canada.,Gerald Bronfman Department of Oncology, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University , 3755 Côte Ste-Catherine Road, Montreal, Quebec H3T 1E2, Canada.,Proteomics Centre, Segal Cancer Centre, Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University , 3755 Côte Ste-Catherine Road, Montreal, Quebec H3T 1E2, Canada
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10
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Blundell RD, Williams SJ, Arras SDM, Chitty JL, Blake KL, Ericsson DJ, Tibrewal N, Rohr J, Koh YQAE, Kappler U, Robertson AAB, Butler MS, Cooper MA, Kobe B, Fraser JA. Disruption of de Novo Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) Biosynthesis Abolishes Virulence in Cryptococcus neoformans. ACS Infect Dis 2016; 2:651-663. [PMID: 27759389 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.6b00121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Opportunistic fungal pathogens such as Cryptococcus neoformans are a growing cause of morbidity and mortality among immunocompromised populations worldwide. To address the current paucity of antifungal therapeutic agents, further research into fungal-specific drug targets is required. Adenylosuccinate synthetase (AdSS) is a crucial enzyme in the adeosine triphosphate (ATP) biosynthetic pathway, catalyzing the formation of adenylosuccinate from inosine monophosphate and aspartate. We have investigated the potential of this enzyme as an antifungal drug target, finding that loss of function results in adenine auxotrophy in C. neoformans, as well as complete loss of virulence in a murine model. Cryptococcal AdSS was expressed and purified in Escherichia coli and the enzyme's crystal structure determined, the first example of a structure of this enzyme from fungi. Together with enzyme kinetic studies, this structural information enabled comparison of the fungal enzyme with the human orthologue and revealed species-specific differences potentially exploitable via rational drug design. These results validate AdSS as a promising antifungal drug target and lay a foundation for future in silico and in vitro screens for novel antifungal compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ross D. Blundell
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research
Centre, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Simon J. Williams
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research
Centre, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
- Institute for Molecular
Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Samantha D. M. Arras
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research
Centre, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Jessica L. Chitty
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research
Centre, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Kirsten L. Blake
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research
Centre, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Daniel J. Ericsson
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research
Centre, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
- Institute for Molecular
Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
- MX Beamlines, Australian Synchrotron, 800 Blackburn Road, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia
| | - Nidhi Tibrewal
- College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536-0596, United States
| | - Jurgen Rohr
- College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536-0596, United States
| | - Y. Q. Andre E. Koh
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research
Centre, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Ulrike Kappler
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research
Centre, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
- Centre for Metals in Biology, School of
Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Avril A. B. Robertson
- Institute for Molecular
Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Mark S. Butler
- Institute for Molecular
Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Matthew A. Cooper
- Institute for Molecular
Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Bostjan Kobe
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research
Centre, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
- Institute for Molecular
Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - James A. Fraser
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research
Centre, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
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11
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Boitz JM, Jardim A, Ullman B. GMP reductase and genetic uncoupling of adenylate and guanylate metabolism in Leishmania donovani parasites. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2016; 208:74-83. [PMID: 27343371 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2016.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2016] [Revised: 06/20/2016] [Accepted: 06/21/2016] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Purine acquisition is an essential nutritional process for Leishmania. Although purine salvage into adenylate nucleotides has been investigated in detail, little attention has been focused on the guanylate branch of the purine pathway. To characterize guanylate nucleotide metabolism in Leishmania and create a cell culture model in which the pathways for adenylate and guanylate nucleotide synthesis can be genetically uncoupled for functional studies in intact cells, we created and characterized null mutants of L. donovani that were deficient in either GMP reductase alone (Δgmpr) or in both GMP reductase and its paralog IMP dehydrogenase (Δgmpr/Δimpdh). Whereas wild type parasites were capable of utilizing virtually any purine nucleobase/nucleoside, the Δgmpr and Δgmpr/Δimpdh null lines exhibited highly restricted growth phenotypes. The Δgmpr single mutant could not grow in xanthine, guanine, or their corresponding nucleosides, while no purine on its own could support the growth of Δgmpr/Δimpdh cells. Permissive growth conditions for the Δgmpr/Δimpdh necessitated both xanthine, guanine, or the corresponding nucleosides, and additionally, a second purine that could serve as a source for adenylate nucleotide synthesis. Interestingly, GMPR, like its paralog IMPDH, is compartmentalized to the leishmanial glycosome, a process mediated by its COOH-terminal peroxisomal targeting signal. The restricted growth phenotypes displayed by the L. donovani Δgmpr and Δgmpr/Δimpdh null mutants confirms the importance of GMPR in the purine interconversion processes of this parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan M Boitz
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Oregon Health & Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd., Mail Code L224, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Armando Jardim
- Institute of Parasitology and Centre for Host-Parasite Interactions, Macdonald Campus of McGill University, 21 111 Lakeshore Road, Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec, H9X3V9, Canada
| | - Buddy Ullman
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Oregon Health & Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd., Mail Code L224, Portland, OR 97239, USA.
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12
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Martin JL, Yates PA, Boitz JM, Koop DR, Fulwiler AL, Cassera MB, Ullman B, Carter NS. A role for adenine nucleotides in the sensing mechanism to purine starvation in Leishmania donovani. Mol Microbiol 2016; 101:299-313. [PMID: 27062185 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.13390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/30/2016] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Purine salvage by Leishmania is an obligatory nutritional process that impacts both cell viability and growth. Previously, we have demonstrated that the removal of purines in culture provokes significant metabolic changes that enable Leishmania to survive prolonged periods of purine starvation. In order to understand how Leishmania sense and respond to changes in their purine environment, we have exploited several purine pathway mutants, some in which adenine and guanine nucleotide metabolism is uncoupled. While wild type parasites grow in any one of a variety of naturally occurring purines, the proliferation of these purine pathway mutants requires specific types or combinations of exogenous purines. By culturing purine pathway mutants in high levels of extracellular purines that are either permissive or non-permissive for growth and monitoring for previously defined markers of the adaptive response to purine starvation, we determined that adaptation arises from a surveillance of intracellular purine nucleotide pools rather than from a direct sensing of the extracellular purine content of the environment. Specifically, our data suggest that perturbation of intracellular adenine-containing nucleotide pools provides a crucial signal for inducing the metabolic changes necessary for the long-term survival of Leishmania in a purine-scarce environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica L Martin
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Oregon Health & Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR, 97239-3098, USA
| | - Phillip A Yates
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Oregon Health & Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR, 97239-3098, USA
| | - Jan M Boitz
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Oregon Health & Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR, 97239-3098, USA
| | - Dennis R Koop
- Physiology and Pharmacology, Oregon Health & Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR, 97239-3098, USA
| | - Audrey L Fulwiler
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Oregon Health & Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR, 97239-3098, USA
| | - Maria Belen Cassera
- Department of Biochemistry and Virginia Tech Center for Drug Discovery, M/C 0308, Virginia, Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA
| | - Buddy Ullman
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Oregon Health & Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR, 97239-3098, USA
| | - Nicola S Carter
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Oregon Health & Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR, 97239-3098, USA
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Mutational and Structural Analysis of Conserved Residues in Ribose-5-Phosphate Isomerase B from Leishmania donovani: Role in Substrate Recognition and Conformational Stability. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0150764. [PMID: 26953696 PMCID: PMC4783025 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0150764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2015] [Accepted: 02/18/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Ribose-5-phosphate isomerase B from Leishmania donovani (LdRpiB) is one of the potential drug targets against visceral leishmaniasis. In the present study, we have targeted several conserved amino acids for mutational analysis (i.e. Cys69, His11, His102, His138, Asp45, Tyr46, Pro47 and Glu149) to gain crucial insights into their role in substrate binding, catalysis and conformational stability of the enzyme. All the eight LdRpiB variants were cloned, sequenced, expressed and purified. C69S, H102N, D45N and E149A mutants exhibited complete loss of enzyme activity indicating that they are indispensable for the enzyme activity. Kinetic parameters were altered in case of H138N, H11N and P47A variants; however Y46F exhibited similar kinetic behaviour as wild type. All the mutants except H138N exhibited altered protein structure as determined by CD and fluorescence spectral analysis. This data was supported by the atomic level details of the conformational changes and substrate binding using molecular dynamic simulations. LdRpiB also exhibited activity with D-form of various aldose substrates in the order of D-ribose > D-talose > D-allose > D-arabinose. Our study provides insights for better understanding of substrate enzyme interactions which can rationalize the process of drug design against parasite RpiB.
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Waugh B, Ghosh A, Bhattacharyya D, Ghoshal N, Banerjee R. In silico work flow for scaffold hopping in Leishmania. BMC Res Notes 2014; 7:802. [PMID: 25399834 PMCID: PMC4247209 DOI: 10.1186/1756-0500-7-802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2014] [Accepted: 10/29/2014] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Leishmaniasis,a broad spectrum of diseases caused by several sister species of protozoa belonging to family trypanosomatidae and genus leishmania , generally affects poorer sections of the populace in third world countries. With the emergence of strains resistant to traditional therapies and the high cost of second line drugs which generally have severe side effects, it becomes imperative to continue the search for alternative drugs to combat the disease. In this work, the leishmanial genomes and the human genome have been compared to identify proteins unique to the parasite and whose structures (or those of close homologues) are available in the Protein Data Bank. Subsequent to the prioritization of these proteins (based on their essentiality, virulence factor etc.), inhibitors have been identified for a subset of these prospective drug targets by means of an exhaustive literature survey. A set of three dimensional protein-ligand complexes have been assembled from the list of leishmanial drug targets by culling structures from the Protein Data Bank or by means of template based homology modeling followed by ligand docking with the GOLD software. Based on these complexes several structure based pharmacophores have been designed and used to search for alternative inhibitors in the ZINC database. RESULT This process led to a list of prospective compounds which could serve as potential antileishmanials. These small molecules were also used to search the Drug Bank to identify prospective lead compounds already in use as approved drugs. Interestingly, paromomycin which is currently being used as an antileishmanial drug spontaneously appeared in the list, probably giving added confidence to the 'scaffold hopping' computational procedures adopted in this work. CONCLUSIONS The report thus provides the basis to experimentally verify several lead compounds for their predicted antileishmanial activity and includes several useful data bases of prospective drug targets in leishmania, their inhibitors and protein--inhibitor three dimensional complexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barnali Waugh
- />Crystallography and Molecular Biology Division, Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, Sector - 1, Block – AF, Bidhannagar, Kolkata, 700064 India
| | - Ambarnil Ghosh
- />Crystallography and Molecular Biology Division, Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, Sector - 1, Block – AF, Bidhannagar, Kolkata, 700064 India
| | - Dhananjay Bhattacharyya
- />Computer Science Division, Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, Sector-1, Block AF, Biddhannagar, Kolkata, 700064 India
| | - Nanda Ghoshal
- />Structural Biology and Bioinformatics Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, 4, Raja S.C. Mullick Road, Jadavpur, Kolkata, 700032 India
| | - Rahul Banerjee
- />Crystallography and Molecular Biology Division, Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, Sector - 1, Block – AF, Bidhannagar, Kolkata, 700064 India
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Selvapandiyan A, Dey R, Gannavaram S, Solanki S, Salotra P, Nakhasi HL. Generation of growth arrested Leishmania amastigotes: a tool to develop live attenuated vaccine candidates against visceral leishmaniasis. Vaccine 2014; 32:3895-901. [PMID: 24837513 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2014.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2014] [Revised: 04/19/2014] [Accepted: 05/01/2014] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is fatal if not treated and is prevalent widely in the tropical and sub-tropical regions of world. VL is caused by the protozoan parasite Leishmania donovani or Leishmania infantum. Although several second generation vaccines have been licensed to protect dogs against VL, there are no effective vaccines against human VL [1]. Since people cured of leishmaniasis develop lifelong protection, development of live attenuated Leishmania parasites as vaccines, which can have controlled infection, may be a close surrogate to leishmanization. This can be achieved by deletion of genes involved in the regulation of growth and/or virulence of the parasite. Such mutant parasites generally do not revert to virulence in animal models even under conditions of induced immune suppression due to complete deletion of the essential gene(s). In the Leishmania life cycle, the intracellular amastigote form is the virulent form and causes disease in the mammalian hosts. We developed centrin gene deleted L. donovani parasites that displayed attenuated growth only in the amastigote stage and were found safe and efficacious against virulent challenge in the experimental animal models. Thus, targeting genes differentially expressed in the amastigote stage would potentially attenuate only the amastigote stage and hence controlled infectivity may be effective in developing immunity. This review lays out the strategies for attenuation of the growth of the amastigote form of Leishmania for use as live vaccine against leishmaniasis, with a focus on visceral leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ranadhir Dey
- Division of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, CBER, FDA, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Sreenivas Gannavaram
- Division of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, CBER, FDA, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Sumit Solanki
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, New Delhi, India; C.G. Bhakta Institute of Biotechnology, Tarsadi, Gujarat, India
| | - Poonam Salotra
- National Institute of Pathology (ICMR), New Delhi, India
| | - Hira L Nakhasi
- Division of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, CBER, FDA, Bethesda, MD, USA
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16
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Chhajer R, Ali N. Genetically modified organisms and visceral leishmaniasis. Front Immunol 2014; 5:213. [PMID: 24860575 PMCID: PMC4030198 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2014.00213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2014] [Accepted: 04/28/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Vaccination is the most effective method of preventing infectious diseases. Since the eradication of small pox in 1976, many other potentially life compromising if not threatening diseases have been dealt with subsequently. This event was a major leap not only in the scientific world already burdened with many diseases but also in the mindset of the common man who became more receptive to novel treatment options. Among the many protozoan diseases, the leishmaniases have emerged as one of the largest parasite killers of the world, second only to malaria. There are three types of leishmaniasis namely cutaneous (CL), mucocutaneous (ML), and visceral (VL), caused by a group of more than 20 species of Leishmania parasites. Visceral leishmaniasis, also known as kala-azar is the most severe form and almost fatal if untreated. Since the first attempts at leishmanization, we have killed parasite vaccines, subunit protein, or DNA vaccines, and now we have live recombinant carrier vaccines and live attenuated parasite vaccines under various stages of development. Although some research has shown promising results, many more potential genes need to be evaluated as live attenuated vaccine candidates. This mini-review attempts to summarize the success and failures of genetically modified organisms used in vaccination against some of major parasitic diseases for their application in leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rudra Chhajer
- Infectious Diseases and Immunology Division, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology , Kolkata , India
| | - Nahid Ali
- Infectious Diseases and Immunology Division, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology , Kolkata , India
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Boitz JM, Ullman B. Adenine and adenosine salvage in Leishmania donovani. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2013; 190:51-5. [PMID: 23845934 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2013.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2013] [Revised: 06/18/2013] [Accepted: 06/24/2013] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
6-aminopurine metabolism in Leishmania is unique among trypanosomatid pathogens since this genus expresses two distinct routes for adenine salvage: adenine phosphoribosyltransferase (APRT) and adenine deaminase (AAH). To evaluate the relative contributions of APRT and AAH, adenine salvage was evaluated in Δaprt, Δaah, and Δaprt/Δaah null mutants of L. donovani. The data confirm that AAH plays the dominant role in adenine metabolism in L. donovani, although either enzyme alone is sufficient for salvage. Adenosine salvage was also evaluated in a cohort of null mutants. Adenosine is also primarily converted to hypoxanthine, either intracellularly or extracellularly, but can also be phosphorylated to the nucleotide level by adenosine kinase when the predominant pathways are genetically or pharmacologically blocked. These data provide genetic verification for the relative contributions of 6-aminopurine metabolizing pathways in L. donovani and demonstrate that all of the pathways can function under appropriate conditions of genetic or pharmacologic perturbation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan M Boitz
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239-3098, USA
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Boitz JM, Strasser R, Yates PA, Jardim A, Ullman B. Adenylosuccinate synthetase and adenylosuccinate lyase deficiencies trigger growth and infectivity deficits in Leishmania donovani. J Biol Chem 2013; 288:8977-90. [PMID: 23404497 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m112.431486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmania are auxotrophic for purines, and consequently purine acquisition from the host is a requisite nutritional function for the parasite. Both adenylosuccinate synthetase (ADSS) and adenylosuccinate lyase (ASL) have been identified as vital components of purine salvage in Leishmania donovani, and therefore Δadss and Δasl null mutants were constructed to test this hypothesis. Unlike wild type L. donovani, Δadss and Δasl parasites in culture exhibited a profoundly restricted growth phenotype in which the only permissive growth conditions were a 6-aminopurine source in the presence of 2'-deoxycoformycin, an inhibitor of adenine aminohydrolase activity. Although both knock-outs showed a diminished capacity to infect murine peritoneal macrophages, only the Δasl null mutant was profoundly incapacitated in its ability to infect mice. The enormous discrepancy in parasite loads observed in livers and spleens from mice infected with either Δadss or Δasl parasites can be explained by selective accumulation of adenylosuccinate in the Δasl knock-out and consequent starvation for guanylate nucleotides. Genetic complementation of a Δasl lesion in Escherichia coli implied that the L. donovani ASL could also recognize 5-aminoimidazole-(N-succinylocarboxamide) ribotide as a substrate, and purified recombinant ASL displayed an apparent Km of ∼24 μm for adenylosuccinate. Unlike many components of the purine salvage pathway of L. donovani, both ASL and ADSS are cytosolic enzymes. Overall, these data underscore the paramount importance of ASL to purine salvage by both life cycle stages of L. donovani and authenticate ASL as a potential drug target in Leishmania.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan M Boitz
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
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Boitz JM, Ullman B, Jardim A, Carter NS. Purine salvage in Leishmania: complex or simple by design? Trends Parasitol 2012; 28:345-52. [PMID: 22726696 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2012.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2012] [Revised: 05/22/2012] [Accepted: 05/23/2012] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Purine nucleotides function in a variety of vital cellular and metabolic processes including energy production, cell signaling, synthesis of vitamin-derived cofactors and nucleic acids, and as determinants of cell fate. Unlike their mammalian and insect hosts, Leishmania cannot synthesize the purine ring de novo and are absolutely dependent upon them to meet their purine requirements. The obligatory nature of purine salvage in these parasites, therefore, offers an attractive paradigm for drug targeting and, consequently, the delineation of the pathway has been under scientific investigation for over 30 years. Here, we review recent developments that reveal how purines flux in Leishmania and offer a potential 'Achilles' heel' for future validation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan M Boitz
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA.
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