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Zhou J, Xia M, Huang Z, Qiao H, Yang G, Qian Y, Li P, Zhang Z, Gao X, Jiang L, Wang J, Li W, Fang P. Structure-guided conversion from an anaplastic lymphoma kinase inhibitor into Plasmodium lysyl-tRNA synthetase selective inhibitors. Commun Biol 2024; 7:742. [PMID: 38890421 PMCID: PMC11189516 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-06455-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (aaRSs) play a central role in the translation of genetic code, serving as attractive drug targets. Within this family, the lysyl-tRNA synthetase (LysRS) constitutes a promising antimalarial target. ASP3026, an anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) inhibitor was recently identified as a novel Plasmodium falciparum LysRS (PfLysRS) inhibitor. Here, based on cocrystal structures and biochemical experiments, we developed a series of ASP3026 analogues to improve the selectivity and potency of LysRS inhibition. The leading compound 36 showed a dissociation constant of 15.9 nM with PfLysRS. The inhibitory efficacy on PfLysRS and parasites has been enhanced. Covalent attachment of L-lysine to compound 36 resulted in compound 36K3, which exhibited further increased inhibitory activity against PfLysRS but significantly decreased activity against ALK. However, its inhibitory activity against parasites did not improve, suggesting potential future optimization directions. This study presents a new example of derivatization of kinase inhibitors repurposed to inhibit aaRS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jintong Zhou
- School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1 Sub-lane Xiangshan, Hangzhou, 310024, China
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 345 Lingling Road, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Mingyu Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 345 Lingling Road, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Zhenghui Huang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Virology and Immunology, Shanghai Institute of Immunity and Infection, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yueyang Road, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Hang Qiao
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 345 Lingling Road, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Guang Yang
- School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1 Sub-lane Xiangshan, Hangzhou, 310024, China
| | - Yunan Qian
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Virology and Immunology, Shanghai Institute of Immunity and Infection, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yueyang Road, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Peifeng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 345 Lingling Road, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Zhaolun Zhang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211198, China
| | - Xinai Gao
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211198, China
| | - Lubin Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Virology and Immunology, Shanghai Institute of Immunity and Infection, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yueyang Road, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Jing Wang
- School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1 Sub-lane Xiangshan, Hangzhou, 310024, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 345 Lingling Road, Shanghai, 200032, China.
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211198, China.
| | - Pengfei Fang
- School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1 Sub-lane Xiangshan, Hangzhou, 310024, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 345 Lingling Road, Shanghai, 200032, China.
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Yang G, Liang Y, Li X, Li Z, Qin Y, Weng Q, Yan Y, Cheng Y, Qian Y, Sun L. Competitive Inhibition of Okanin against Plasmodium falciparum Tyrosyl-tRNA Synthetase. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4751. [PMID: 38731970 PMCID: PMC11084299 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25094751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2024] [Revised: 04/20/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Malaria is a severe disease that presents a significant threat to human health. As resistance to current drugs continues to increase, there is an urgent need for new antimalarial medications. Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (aaRSs) represent promising targets for drug development. In this study, we identified Plasmodium falciparum tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase (PfTyrRS) as a potential target for antimalarial drug development through a comparative analysis of the amino acid sequences and three-dimensional structures of human and plasmodium TyrRS, with particular emphasis on differences in key amino acids at the aminoacylation site. A total of 2141 bioactive compounds were screened using a high-throughput thermal shift assay (TSA). Okanin, known as an inhibitor of LPS-induced TLR4 expression, exhibited potent inhibitory activity against PfTyrRS, while showing limited inhibition of human TyrRS. Furthermore, bio-layer interferometry (BLI) confirmed the high affinity of okanin for PfTyrRS. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations highlighted the stable conformation of okanin within PfTyrRS and its sustained binding to the enzyme. A molecular docking analysis revealed that okanin binds to both the tyrosine and partial ATP binding sites of the enzyme, preventing substrate binding. In addition, the compound inhibited the production of Plasmodium falciparum in the blood stage and had little cytotoxicity. Thus, okanin is a promising lead compound for the treatment of malaria caused by P. falciparum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangpu Yang
- School of Public Health (Shenzhen), Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China; (G.Y.); (Y.L.); (X.L.); (Z.L.); (Y.Q.); (Q.W.); (Y.Y.); (Y.C.)
| | - Yali Liang
- School of Public Health (Shenzhen), Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China; (G.Y.); (Y.L.); (X.L.); (Z.L.); (Y.Q.); (Q.W.); (Y.Y.); (Y.C.)
| | - Xiang Li
- School of Public Health (Shenzhen), Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China; (G.Y.); (Y.L.); (X.L.); (Z.L.); (Y.Q.); (Q.W.); (Y.Y.); (Y.C.)
| | - Zan Li
- School of Public Health (Shenzhen), Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China; (G.Y.); (Y.L.); (X.L.); (Z.L.); (Y.Q.); (Q.W.); (Y.Y.); (Y.C.)
| | - Yinying Qin
- School of Public Health (Shenzhen), Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China; (G.Y.); (Y.L.); (X.L.); (Z.L.); (Y.Q.); (Q.W.); (Y.Y.); (Y.C.)
| | - Qilu Weng
- School of Public Health (Shenzhen), Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China; (G.Y.); (Y.L.); (X.L.); (Z.L.); (Y.Q.); (Q.W.); (Y.Y.); (Y.C.)
| | - Yujuan Yan
- School of Public Health (Shenzhen), Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China; (G.Y.); (Y.L.); (X.L.); (Z.L.); (Y.Q.); (Q.W.); (Y.Y.); (Y.C.)
| | - Yijun Cheng
- School of Public Health (Shenzhen), Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China; (G.Y.); (Y.L.); (X.L.); (Z.L.); (Y.Q.); (Q.W.); (Y.Y.); (Y.C.)
| | - Yunan Qian
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Virology and Immunology, Shanghai Institute of Immunity and Infection, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Litao Sun
- School of Public Health (Shenzhen), Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China; (G.Y.); (Y.L.); (X.L.); (Z.L.); (Y.Q.); (Q.W.); (Y.Y.); (Y.C.)
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbes and Biosafety, Shenzhen 518107, China
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Ion BF, Aboelnga MM, Gauld JW. QM/MM investigation of the discriminatory pre-transfer editing mechanism operated by Lysyl-tRNA synthetase. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2024:1-9. [PMID: 38197420 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2023.2301054] [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: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024]
Abstract
Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (aaRSs) are essential enzymes that remarkable facilitate the aminoacylation process during translation. With a high fidelity, the mischarged tRNA is prevented through implementing pre- and post-transfer proofreading mechanisms. For instance, Lysine-tRNA synthetase charges the native substrate, lysine, to its cognate tRNA. In spite of the great structural similarity between lysine to the noncognate and toxic ornithine, with the side chain of lysine being only one methylene group longer, LysRS is able to achieve this discrimination with a high efficiency. In this work, the hybrid quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) investigation was applied to probe the pre-transfer editing mechanism catalyzed by lysyl-tRNA synthetase to reject the noncognte aminoacyl, L-ornityl (Orn), compared to the cognate substrate, L-lysyl. Particularly, the self-cyclization pre-transfer editing mechanism was explored for the two substrates. The substrate-assisted self-cyclization editing of Orn-AMP, where its phosphate moiety acts as the catalytic base, is found to be the rate-determining step with an energy barrier of 101.2 kJ mol-1. Meanwhile, the corresponding rate-limiting pathway for the native Lys-AMP lies at 140.2 kJ mol-1. This observation clearly indicated the infeasibility of this catalytic scenario in the presence of the native substrate. Interestingly, a thermodynamically favorable cyclic product of -92.9 kJ mol-1 with respect to the aminoacyl reactant complex demonstrated evidence of a successful pre-transfer editing. This reaction resulted in the discharge of the on-cognate -ornithine derivative from LysU's active site. These valuable mechanistic insights are valuable to enrich our knowledge of this extremely efficient and specific catalytic machinery of LysRS.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bogdan F Ion
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Windsor, Windsor, ON, Canada
| | - Mohamed M Aboelnga
- Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Damietta University, Damietta, Egypt
| | - James W Gauld
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Windsor, Windsor, ON, Canada
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Xie SC, Griffin MDW, Winzeler EA, Ribas de Pouplana L, Tilley L. Targeting Aminoacyl tRNA Synthetases for Antimalarial Drug Development. Annu Rev Microbiol 2023; 77:111-129. [PMID: 37018842 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-micro-032421-121210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/07/2023]
Abstract
Infections caused by malaria parasites place an enormous burden on the world's poorest communities. Breakthrough drugs with novel mechanisms of action are urgently needed. As an organism that undergoes rapid growth and division, the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum is highly reliant on protein synthesis, which in turn requires aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (aaRSs) to charge tRNAs with their corresponding amino acid. Protein translation is required at all stages of the parasite life cycle; thus, aaRS inhibitors have the potential for whole-of-life-cycle antimalarial activity. This review focuses on efforts to identify potent plasmodium-specific aaRS inhibitors using phenotypic screening, target validation, and structure-guided drug design. Recent work reveals that aaRSs are susceptible targets for a class of AMP-mimicking nucleoside sulfamates that target the enzymes via a novel reaction hijacking mechanism. This finding opens up the possibility of generating bespoke inhibitors of different aaRSs, providing new drug leads.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stanley C Xie
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology and Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; , ,
| | - Michael D W Griffin
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology and Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; , ,
| | - Elizabeth A Winzeler
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA;
| | - Lluis Ribas de Pouplana
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine, The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain;
- Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Leann Tilley
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology and Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; , ,
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Bohmer MJ, Wang J, Istvan ES, Luth MR, Collins JE, Huttlin EL, Wang L, Mittal N, Hao M, Kwiatkowski NP, Gygi SP, Chakrabarti R, Deng X, Goldberg DE, Winzeler EA, Gray NS, Chakrabarti D. Human Polo-like Kinase Inhibitors as Antiplasmodials. ACS Infect Dis 2023; 9:1004-1021. [PMID: 36919909 PMCID: PMC10106425 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.3c00025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/16/2023]
Abstract
Protein kinases have proven to be a very productive class of therapeutic targets, and over 90 inhibitors are currently in clinical use primarily for the treatment of cancer. Repurposing these inhibitors as antimalarials could provide an accelerated path to drug development. In this study, we identified BI-2536, a known potent human polo-like kinase 1 inhibitor, with low nanomolar antiplasmodial activity. Screening of additional PLK1 inhibitors revealed further antiplasmodial candidates despite the lack of an obvious orthologue of PLKs in Plasmodium. A subset of these inhibitors was profiled for their in vitro killing profile, and commonalities between the killing rate and inhibition of nuclear replication were noted. A kinase panel screen identified PfNEK3 as a shared target of these PLK1 inhibitors; however, phosphoproteome analysis confirmed distinct signaling pathways were disrupted by two structurally distinct inhibitors, suggesting PfNEK3 may not be the sole target. Genomic analysis of BI-2536-resistant parasites revealed mutations in genes associated with the starvation-induced stress response, suggesting BI-2536 may also inhibit an aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica J Bohmer
- Division of Molecular Microbiology, Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida 32826, United States
| | - Jinhua Wang
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
- Department of Cancer Biolo gy, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
| | - Eva S Istvan
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine and Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, United States
| | - Madeline R Luth
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Jennifer E Collins
- Division of Molecular Microbiology, Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida 32826, United States
| | - Edward L Huttlin
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Lushun Wang
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, ChEM-H, Stanford Cancer Institute, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Nimisha Mittal
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Mingfeng Hao
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
- Department of Cancer Biolo gy, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
| | - Nicholas P Kwiatkowski
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
- Department of Cancer Biolo gy, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
| | - Steven P Gygi
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Ratna Chakrabarti
- Division of Cancer Research, Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida 32826, United States
| | - Xianming Deng
- School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Daniel E Goldberg
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine and Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, United States
| | - Elizabeth A Winzeler
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Nathanael S Gray
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, ChEM-H, Stanford Cancer Institute, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Debopam Chakrabarti
- Division of Molecular Microbiology, Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida 32826, United States
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Han L, Luo Z, Ju Y, Chen B, Zou T, Wang J, Xu J, Gu Q, Yang XL, Schimmel P, Zhou H. The binding mode of orphan glycyl-tRNA synthetase with tRNA supports the synthetase classification and reveals large domain movements. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadf1027. [PMID: 36753552 PMCID: PMC9908026 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adf1027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
As a class of essential enzymes in protein translation, aminoacyl-transfer RNA (tRNA) synthetases (aaRSs) are organized into two classes of 10 enzymes each, based on two conserved active site architectures. The (αβ)2 glycyl-tRNA synthetase (GlyRS) in many bacteria is an orphan aaRS whose sequence and unprecedented X-shaped structure are distinct from those of all other aaRSs, including many other bacterial and all eukaryotic GlyRSs. Here, we report a cocrystal structure to elucidate how the orphan GlyRS kingdom specifically recognizes its substrate tRNA. This structure is sharply different from those of other aaRS-tRNA complexes but conforms to the clash-free, cross-class aaRS-tRNA docking found with conventional structures and reinforces the class-reconstruction paradigm. In addition, noteworthy, the X shape of orphan GlyRS is condensed with the largest known spatial rearrangement needed by aaRSs to capture tRNAs, which suggests potential nonactive site targets for aaRS-directed antibiotics, instead of less differentiated hard-to-drug active site locations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Han
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chiral Molecule and Drug Discovery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
- Research Center for Drug Discovery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Zhiteng Luo
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chiral Molecule and Drug Discovery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
- Research Center for Drug Discovery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Yingchen Ju
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chiral Molecule and Drug Discovery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
- Research Center for Drug Discovery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Bingyi Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chiral Molecule and Drug Discovery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
- Research Center for Drug Discovery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Taotao Zou
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chiral Molecule and Drug Discovery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Junjian Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chiral Molecule and Drug Discovery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Jun Xu
- Research Center for Drug Discovery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Qiong Gu
- Research Center for Drug Discovery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Xiang-Lei Yang
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Paul Schimmel
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Huihao Zhou
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chiral Molecule and Drug Discovery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
- Research Center for Drug Discovery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
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Gill J, Sharma A. Exploration of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases from eukaryotic parasites for drug development. J Biol Chem 2022; 299:102860. [PMID: 36596362 PMCID: PMC9978631 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.102860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Revised: 12/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Parasitic diseases result in considerable human morbidity and mortality. The continuous emergence and spread of new drug-resistant parasite strains is an obstacle to controlling and eliminating many parasitic diseases. Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (aaRSs) are ubiquitous enzymes essential for protein synthesis. The design and development of diverse small molecule, drug-like inhibitors against parasite-encoded and expressed aaRSs have validated this enzyme family as druggable. In this work, we have compiled the progress to date towards establishing the druggability of aaRSs in terms of their biochemical characterization, validation as targets, inhibitor development, and structural interpretation from parasites responsible for malaria (Plasmodium), lymphatic filariasis (Brugia,Wuchereria bancrofti), giardiasis (Giardia), toxoplasmosis (Toxoplasma gondii), leishmaniasis (Leishmania), cryptosporidiosis (Cryptosporidium), and trypanosomiasis (Trypanosoma). This work thus provides a robust framework for the systematic dissection of aaRSs from these pathogens and will facilitate the cross-usage of potential inhibitors to jump-start anti-parasite drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasmita Gill
- ICMR-National Institute of Malaria Research, New Delhi, India
| | - Amit Sharma
- ICMR-National Institute of Malaria Research, New Delhi, India; Molecular Medicine Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, India.
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8
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Bi D, Lin J, Luo X, Lin L, Tang X, Luo X, Lu Y, Huang X. Biochemical characteristics of patients with imported malaria. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:1008430. [DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.1008430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
ObjectivesThis study aimed to investigate the clinical and biochemical profiles of patients with imported malaria infection between 1 January 2011 and 30 April 2022 and admitted to the Fourth People’s Hospital of Nanning.MethodsThis cohort study enrolled 170 patients with conformed imported malaria infection. The clinical and biochemical profiles of these participants were analyzed with malaria parasite clearance, and signs and symptoms related to malaria disappearance were defined as the primary outcome. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to evaluate the odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for cerebral malaria. The Cox model was used to estimate the hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% CIs for parasite clearance.ResultsAdenosine deaminase and parasitemia were found to be independent risk factors for severe malaria in patients with imported malaria (OR = 1.0088, 95% CI: 1.0010–1.0167, p = 0.0272 and OR = 2.0700, 95% CI: 1.2584–3.4050, p = 0.0042, respectively). A 0.5–standard deviation (SD) increase of variation for urea (HR = 0.6714, 95% CI: 0.4911–0.9180), a 0.5-SD increase of variation for creatinine (HR = 0.4566, 95% CI: 0.2762–0.7548), a 0.25-SD increase of variation for albumin (HR = 0.4947, 95% CI: 0.3197–0.7653), a 0.25-SD increase of variation for hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase (HR = 0.6129, 95% CI: 0.3995–0.9402), and a 1.0-SD increase of variation for ferritin (HR = 0.5887, 95% CI: 0.3799–0.9125) were associated with a higher risk for increased parasite clearance duration than a low-level change.ConclusionsAspartate aminotransferase, urea, creatinine, albumin, hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase, and ferritin are useful biochemical indicators in routine clinical practice to evaluate prognosis for imported malaria.
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Li G, Ling M, Yu K, Yang W, Liu Q, He L, Cai X, Zhong M, Mai Z, Sun R, Xiao Y, Yu Z, Wang X. Synergetic delivery of artesunate and isosorbide 5-mononitrate with reduction-sensitive polymer nanoparticles for ovarian cancer chemotherapy. J Nanobiotechnology 2022; 20:471. [PMID: 36335352 PMCID: PMC9636721 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-022-01676-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancer is a highly fatal gynecologic malignancy worldwide. Chemotherapy remains the primary modality both for primary and maintenance treatments of ovarian cancer. However, the progress in developing chemotherapeutic agents for ovarian cancer has been slow in the past 20 years. Thus, new and effective chemotherapeutic drugs are urgently needed for ovarian cancer treatment. A reduction-responsive synergetic delivery strategy (PSSP@ART-ISMN) with co-delivery of artesunate and isosorbide 5-mononitrate was investigated in this research study. PSSP@ART-ISMN had various effects on tumor cells, such as (i) inducing the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which contributes to mitochondrial damage; (ii) providing nitric oxide and ROS for the tumor cells, which further react to generate highly toxic reactive nitrogen species (RNS) and cause DNA damage; and (iii) arresting cell cycle at the G0/G1 phase and inducing apoptosis. PSSP@ART-ISMN also demonstrated excellent antitumor activity with good biocompatibility in vivo. Taken together, the results of this work provide a potential delivery strategy for chemotherapy in ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guang Li
- grid.413107.0Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510630 China
| | - Mingjian Ling
- Southern Medical University Shenzhen Stomatology Hospital (Pingshan), Shenzhen, 518000 China
| | - Kunyi Yu
- grid.513392.fShenzhen Longhua District Central Hospital, Shenzhen, 518110 China
| | - Wei Yang
- grid.417404.20000 0004 1771 3058Zhujiang Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510280 China
| | - Qiwen Liu
- grid.413107.0Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510630 China
| | - Lijuan He
- grid.413107.0Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510630 China
| | - Xuzi Cai
- grid.413107.0Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510630 China
| | - Min Zhong
- grid.413107.0Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510630 China
| | - Ziyi Mai
- grid.284723.80000 0000 8877 7471School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515 China
| | - Rui Sun
- grid.284723.80000 0000 8877 7471School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515 China
| | - Yuanling Xiao
- grid.417404.20000 0004 1771 3058Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Gynecology Center, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510280 China
| | - Zhiqiang Yu
- grid.284723.80000 0000 8877 7471Department of Laboratory Medicine, Dongguan Institute of Clinical Cancer Research, Affiliated Dongguan Hospital, Southern Medical University, Dongguan, 523018 China
| | - Xuefeng Wang
- grid.413107.0Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510630 China
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10
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Gill J, Sharma A. Genomic analysis of single nucleotide polymorphisms in malaria parasite drug targets. Parasit Vectors 2022; 15:309. [PMID: 36042490 PMCID: PMC9425944 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05422-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria is a life-threatening parasitic disease caused by members of the genus Plasmodium. The development and spread of drug-resistant strains of Plasmodium parasites represent a major challenge to malaria control and elimination programmes. Evaluating genetic polymorphism in a drug target improves our understanding of drug resistance and facilitates drug design. Approximately 450 and 19 whole-genome assemblies of Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax, respectively, are currently available, and numerous sequence variations have been found due to the presence of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP). In the study reported here, we analysed global SNPs in the malaria parasite aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (aaRSs). Our analysis revealed 3182 unique SNPs in the 20 cytoplasmic P. falciparum aaRSs. Structural mapping of SNPs onto the three-dimensional inhibitor-bound complexes of the three advanced drug targets within aaRSs revealed a remarkably low mutation frequency in the crucial aminoacylation domains, low overall occurrence of mutations across samples and high conservation in drug/substrate binding regions. In contrast to aaRSs, dihydropteroate synthase (DHPS), also a malaria drug target, showed high occurrences of drug resistance-causing mutations. Our results show that it is pivotal to screen potent malaria drug targets against global SNP profiles to assess genetic variances to ensure success in designing drugs against validated targets and tackle drug resistance early on.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasmita Gill
- ICMR-National Institute of Malaria Research, Sector 8, Dwarka, 110077, New Delhi, India
| | - Amit Sharma
- ICMR-National Institute of Malaria Research, Sector 8, Dwarka, 110077, New Delhi, India. .,International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi, 110067, India.
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11
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Al-Otaibi JS, Mary YS, Mary YS, Thirunavukkarasu M, Trivedi R, Chakraborty B. Conformational, Reactivity Analysis, Wavefunction-Based Properties, Molecular Docking and Simulations of a Benzamide Derivative with Potential Antitumor Activity-DFT and MD Simulations. Polycycl Aromat Compd 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/10406638.2022.2039229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jamelah S. Al-Otaibi
- Department of Chemistry, College of Science, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | | | | | - M. Thirunavukkarasu
- Department of Physics, Indo-American College, Cheyyar, Tamil Nadu, India
- Department of Physics, Thiru A. Govindasamy Govt. Arts College, Tindivanam, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Ravi Trivedi
- Department of Physics, Indian Institute of Technology, Mumbai, India
| | - Brahmananda Chakraborty
- High Pressure and Synchrotron Radiation Physics Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, India
- Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai, India
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12
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Al-Otaibi JS, Sheena Mary Y, Shyma Mary Y, Aayisha S. DFT Conformational, Wavefunction Based Reactivity Analysis, Docking and MD Simulations of a Carboxamide Derivative with Potential Anticancer Activity. Polycycl Aromat Compd 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/10406638.2022.2032765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jamelah S. Al-Otaibi
- Department of Chemistry, College of Science, Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | | | | | - S. Aayisha
- Department of Physics, Meenakshi College for Women, Chennai, India
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13
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Functional characterization of 5' UTR cis-acting sequence elements that modulate translational efficiency in Plasmodium falciparum and humans. Malar J 2022; 21:15. [PMID: 34991611 PMCID: PMC8739713 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-021-04024-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The eukaryotic parasite Plasmodium falciparum causes millions of malarial infections annually while drug resistance to common anti-malarials is further confounding eradication efforts. Translation is an attractive therapeutic target that will benefit from a deeper mechanistic understanding. As the rate limiting step of translation, initiation is a primary driver of translational efficiency. It is a complex process regulated by both cis and trans acting factors, providing numerous potential targets. Relative to model organisms and humans, P. falciparum mRNAs feature unusual 5′ untranslated regions suggesting cis-acting sequence complexity in this parasite may act to tune levels of protein synthesis through their effects on translational efficiency. Methods Here, in vitro translation is deployed to compare the role of cis-acting regulatory sequences in P. falciparum and humans. Using parasite mRNAs with high or low translational efficiency, the presence, position, and termination status of upstream “AUG”s, in addition to the base composition of the 5′ untranslated regions, were characterized. Results The density of upstream “AUG”s differed significantly among the most and least efficiently translated genes in P. falciparum, as did the average “GC” content of the 5′ untranslated regions. Using exemplars from highly translated and poorly translated mRNAs, multiple putative upstream elements were interrogated for impact on translational efficiency. Upstream “AUG”s were found to repress translation to varying degrees, depending on their position and context, while combinations of upstream “AUG”s had non-additive effects. The base composition of the 5′ untranslated regions also impacted translation, but to a lesser degree. Surprisingly, the effects of cis-acting sequences were remarkably conserved between P. falciparum and humans. Conclusions While translational regulation is inherently complex, this work contributes toward a more comprehensive understanding of parasite and human translational regulation by examining the impact of discrete cis-acting features, acting alone or in context. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12936-021-04024-2.
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14
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Pang L, Weeks SD, Van Aerschot A. Aminoacyl-tRNA Synthetases as Valuable Targets for Antimicrobial Drug Discovery. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:1750. [PMID: 33578647 PMCID: PMC7916415 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22041750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Revised: 02/04/2021] [Accepted: 02/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (aaRSs) catalyze the esterification of tRNA with a cognate amino acid and are essential enzymes in all three kingdoms of life. Due to their important role in the translation of the genetic code, aaRSs have been recognized as suitable targets for the development of small molecule anti-infectives. In this review, following a concise discussion of aaRS catalytic and proof-reading activities, the various inhibitory mechanisms of reported natural and synthetic aaRS inhibitors are discussed. Using the expanding repository of ligand-bound X-ray crystal structures, we classified these compounds based on their binding sites, focusing on their ability to compete with the association of one, or more of the canonical aaRS substrates. In parallel, we examined the determinants of species-selectivity and discuss potential resistance mechanisms of some of the inhibitor classes. Combined, this structural perspective highlights the opportunities for further exploration of the aaRS enzyme family as antimicrobial targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luping Pang
- KU Leuven, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Medicinal Chemistry, Herestraat 49–box 1041, 3000 Leuven, Belgium;
- KU Leuven, Biocrystallography, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, Herestraat 49–box 822, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - Arthur Van Aerschot
- KU Leuven, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Medicinal Chemistry, Herestraat 49–box 1041, 3000 Leuven, Belgium;
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