1
|
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.
Collapse
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.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Kushwaha V, Capalash N. Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase (AARS) as an attractive drug target in neglected tropical trypanosomatid diseases-Leishmaniasis, Human African Trypanosomiasis and Chagas disease. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2022; 251:111510. [PMID: 35988745 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2022.111510] [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: 04/06/2022] [Revised: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
Abstract
TriTryp diseases (Leishmaniasis, Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT), and Chagas disease) are devastating parasitic neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) that affect billions of people in developing countries, cause high mortality in humans, and impose a large socio-economic burden. The current treatment options against tritryp diseases are suboptimal and challenging due to the emergence of resistance against available tritryp drugs. Hence, designing and developing effective anti-tritryp drugs with novel targets are required. Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (AARSs) involved in specific aminoacylation of transfer RNAs (tRNAs), interrupt protein synthesis through inhibitors, and retard the parasite growth. AaRSs have long been studied as therapeutic targets in bacteria, and three aaRS inhibitors, mupirocin (against IleRS), tavaborole AN2690 (against LeuRS), and halofuginone (against ProRS), are already in clinical practice. The structural differences between tritryp and human aaRSs and the presence of unique sequences (N-terminal domain/C-terminal domain/catalytic domain) make them potential target for developing selective inhibitors. Drugs based on a single aaRS target developed by high-throughput screening (HTS) are less effective due to the emergence of resistance. However, designing multi-targeted drugs may be a better strategy for resistance development. In this perspective, we discuss the characteristics of tritryp aaRSs, sequence conservation in their orthologs and their peculiarities, recent advancements towards the single-target and multi-target aaRS inhibitors developed through rational design.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vikas Kushwaha
- Department of Biotechnology, Panjab University, Sector-25, South Campus, Chandigarh 160025, India.
| | - Neena Capalash
- Department of Biotechnology, Panjab University, Sector-25, South Campus, Chandigarh 160025, India.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Unsal Tan O, Zengin M. Insights into the chemistry and therapeutic potential of acrylonitrile derivatives. Arch Pharm (Weinheim) 2021; 355:e2100383. [PMID: 34763365 DOI: 10.1002/ardp.202100383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Revised: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Acrylonitrile is a fascinating scaffold widely found in many natural products, drugs, and drug candidates with various biological activities. Several drug molecules such as entacapone, rilpivirine, teriflunomide, and so forth, bearing an acrylonitrile moiety have been marketed. In this review, diverse synthetic strategies for constructing desired acrylonitriles are discussed, and the different biological activities and medicinal significance of various acrylonitrile derivatives are critically evaluated. The information gathered is expected to provide rational guidance for the development of clinically useful agents from acrylonitriles.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Oya Unsal Tan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Merve Zengin
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Chhibber-Goel J, Yogavel M, Sharma A. Structural analyses of the malaria parasite aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases provide new avenues for antimalarial drug discovery. Protein Sci 2021; 30:1793-1803. [PMID: 34184352 DOI: 10.1002/pro.4148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2021] [Revised: 06/12/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Malaria is a parasitic illness caused by the genus Plasmodium from the apicomplexan phylum. Five plasmodial species of P. falciparum (Pf), P. knowlesi, P. malariae, P. ovale, and P. vivax (Pv) are responsible for causing malaria in humans. According to the World Malaria Report 2020, there were 229 million cases and ~ 0.04 million deaths of which 67% were in children below 5 years of age. While more than 3 billion people are at risk of malaria infection globally, antimalarial drugs are their only option for treatment. Antimalarial drug resistance keeps arising periodically and thus threatens the main line of malaria treatment, emphasizing the need to find new alternatives. The availability of whole genomes of P. falciparum and P. vivax has allowed targeting their unexplored plasmodial enzymes for inhibitor development with a focus on multistage targets that are crucial for parasite viability in both the blood and liver stages. Over the past decades, aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (aaRSs) have been explored as anti-bacterial and anti-fungal drug targets, and more recently (since 2009) aaRSs are also the focus of antimalarial drug targeting. Here, we dissect the structure-based knowledge of the most advanced three aaRSs-lysyl- (KRS), prolyl- (PRS), and phenylalanyl- (FRS) synthetases in terms of development of antimalarial drugs. These examples showcase the promising potential of this family of enzymes to provide druggable targets that stall protein synthesis upon inhibition and thereby kill malaria parasites selectively.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jyoti Chhibber-Goel
- Structural Parasitology Group, Molecular Medicine, International Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi, India
| | - Manickam Yogavel
- Structural Parasitology Group, Molecular Medicine, International Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi, India
| | - Amit Sharma
- Structural Parasitology Group, Molecular Medicine, International Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi, India.,ICMR-National Institute of Malaria Research, New Delhi, India
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Abstract
Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (AARSs) have been considered very attractive drug-targets for decades. This interest probably emerged with the identification of differences in AARSs between prokaryotic and eukaryotic species, which provided a rationale for the development of antimicrobials targeting bacterial AARSs with minimal effect on the homologous human AARSs. Today we know that AARSs are not only attractive, but also valid drug targets as they are housekeeping proteins that: (i) play a fundamental role in protein translation by charging the corresponding amino acid to its cognate tRNA and preventing mistranslation mistakes [1], a critical process during fast growing conditions of microbes; and (ii) present significant differences between microbes and humans that can be used for drug development [2]. Together with the vast amount of available data on both pathogenic and mammalian AARSs, it is expected that, in the future, the numerous reported inhibitors of AARSs will provide the basis to develop new therapeutics for the treatment of human diseases. In this chapter, a detailed summary on the state-of-the-art in drug discovery and drug development for each aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase will be presented.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Lukarska
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences (IAB), Structural Biology of Novel Drug Targets in Human Diseases, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, University Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | - Andrés Palencia
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences (IAB), Structural Biology of Novel Drug Targets in Human Diseases, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, University Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Abstract
The aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases are an essential and universally distributed family of enzymes that plays a critical role in protein synthesis, pairing tRNAs with their cognate amino acids for decoding mRNAs according to the genetic code. Synthetases help to ensure accurate translation of the genetic code by using both highly accurate cognate substrate recognition and stringent proofreading of noncognate products. While alterations in the quality control mechanisms of synthetases are generally detrimental to cellular viability, recent studies suggest that in some instances such changes facilitate adaption to stress conditions. Beyond their central role in translation, synthetases are also emerging as key players in an increasing number of other cellular processes, with far-reaching consequences in health and disease. The biochemical versatility of the synthetases has also proven pivotal in efforts to expand the genetic code, further emphasizing the wide-ranging roles of the aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase family in synthetic and natural biology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Angel Rubio Gomez
- Center for RNA Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA Department of Microbiology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
| | - Michael Ibba
- Center for RNA Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA Department of Microbiology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Zhou Z, Wu Q, Xie Q, Ling C, Zhang H, Sun C, Ju J. New Borrelidins from Onchidium sp. Associated Streptomyces olivaceus SCSIO LO13. Chem Biodivers 2019; 17:e1900560. [PMID: 31769919 DOI: 10.1002/cbdv.201900560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2019] [Accepted: 11/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Borrelidins M-O (1-3), along with four previously known family members (4-7), were isolated from marine pulmonated mollusks Onchidium sp. associated Streptomyces olivaceus SCSIO LO13. The structures of 1-3 were elucidated by extensive spectral analyses of HR-ESI-MS, 1D and 2D NMR data. In addition, the cytotoxic and antibacterial activities of 1-7 were evaluated enabling us to propose some tentative structure-activity relationships (SARs), especially those involving modifications at C(22) and the moieties at C(7) and C(8) of the borrelidin scaffold.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhenbin Zhou
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Marine Materia Medica, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 164 West Xingang Road, Guangzhou, 510301, P. R. China.,College of Oceanography, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P. R. China
| | - Qiaoling Wu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Marine Materia Medica, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 164 West Xingang Road, Guangzhou, 510301, P. R. China.,College of Oceanography, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P. R. China
| | - Qing Xie
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Diagnostics, Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Dongguan Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine, Guangdong Medical University, No. 1 Xincheng Road, Dongguan, 523808, P. R. China
| | - Chunyao Ling
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Marine Materia Medica, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 164 West Xingang Road, Guangzhou, 510301, P. R. China
| | - Hua Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Diagnostics, Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Dongguan Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine, Guangdong Medical University, No. 1 Xincheng Road, Dongguan, 523808, P. R. China
| | - Changli Sun
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Marine Materia Medica, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 164 West Xingang Road, Guangzhou, 510301, P. R. China
| | - Jianhua Ju
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Marine Materia Medica, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 164 West Xingang Road, Guangzhou, 510301, P. R. China.,College of Oceanography, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P. R. China
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Abd-Ellatif AES, Abdel-Razek AS, Hamed A, Soltan MM, Soliman HSM, Shaaban M. Bioactive compounds from marine Streptomyces
sp.: Structure identification and biological activities. VIETNAM JOURNAL OF CHEMISTRY 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/vjch.201900108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Aya E. S. Abd-Ellatif
- Pharmacognosy Department, Faculty of Pharmacy; Helwan University; Helwan 11795 Cairo Egypt
| | - Ahmed S. Abdel-Razek
- Microbial Chemistry Department Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Research Division; National Research Centre; El-Buhouth St. 33; Dokki-Cairo 12622 Egypt
| | - Abdelaaty Hamed
- Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science; Al-Azhar University; Nasr City-Cairo 11884 Egypt
| | - Maha M Soltan
- Biology Unit, Central Laboratory for Pharmaceutical and Drug Industries Research Division, Chemistry of Medicinal Plants Department; National Research Centre; El-Buhouth St. 33; Dokki-Cairo 12622 Egypt
| | - Hesham S. M. Soliman
- Pharmacognosy Department, Faculty of Pharmacy; Helwan University; Helwan 11795 Cairo Egypt
| | - Mohamed Shaaban
- Chemistry of Natural Compounds Department, Pharmaceutical and Drug Industries Research Division; National Research Centre; El-Buhouth St. 33; Dokki-Cairo 12622 Egypt
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Hamed A, Abdel-Razek AS, Frese M, Wibberg D, El-Haddad AF, Ibrahim TMA, Kalinowski J, Sewald N, Shaaban M. N-Acetylborrelidin B: a new bioactive metabolite from Streptomyces mutabilis sp. MII. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 73:49-57. [PMID: 29055178 DOI: 10.1515/znc-2017-0140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2017] [Accepted: 09/22/2017] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
In the course of our screening program for new bioactive compounds, a naturally new 18-membered macrolide antibiotic, N-acetylborrelidin B (1) along with borrelidin (2) were obtained from the marine Streptomyces mutabilis sp. MII. The strain was isolated from a sediment sample collected in the Red Sea at the Hurghada Coast and characterized taxonomically. Additional nine diverse bioactive compounds were reported: 6-prenyl-indole-3-acetonitrile (3), sitosteryl-3β-d-glucoside, campesterol, ferulic acid, linoleic acid methyl ester, linoleic acid, N-acetylanthranilic acid, indole 3-acetic acid methyl ester, indole 3-carboxylic acid, and adenosine. Structure 1 was confirmed by in-depth NMR studies and by mass spectra, and comparison with related literature data. The antimicrobial activity of the strain extract and compounds 1 and 2 were studied using a panel of pathogenic microorganisms. The in vitro cytotoxicity of compounds 1 and 2 as well as the crude extract were tested against the human cervix carcinoma cell line (KB-3-1).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Abdelaaty Hamed
- Organic and Bioorganic Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Bielefeld University, Universitätsstraße 25, D-33501 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Ahmed S Abdel-Razek
- Organic and Bioorganic Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Bielefeld University, Universitätsstraße 25, D-33501 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Marcel Frese
- Organic and Bioorganic Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Bielefeld University, Universitätsstraße 25, D-33501 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Daniel Wibberg
- Centrum für Biotechnologie (CeBiTec), Bielefeld University, Universitätsstraße 27, D-33615 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Atef F El-Haddad
- Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University, Nasr City, Cairo 11884, Egypt
| | - Tarek M A Ibrahim
- Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University, Nasr City, Cairo 11884, Egypt
| | - Jörn Kalinowski
- Centrum für Biotechnologie (CeBiTec), Bielefeld University, Universitätsstraße 27, D-33615 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Norbert Sewald
- Organic and Bioorganic Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Bielefeld University, Universitätsstraße 25, D-33501 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Mohamed Shaaban
- Organic and Bioorganic Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Bielefeld University, Universitätsstraße 25, D-33501 Bielefeld, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Chakravarty S, Mandal RK, Duff ML, Schmidt NW. Intestinal short-chain fatty acid composition does not explain gut microbiota-mediated effects on malaria severity. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0214449. [PMID: 30917184 PMCID: PMC6436795 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0214449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2018] [Accepted: 03/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria is a devastating disease resulting in significant morbidity and mortality, especially in the developing world. Previously, we showed that the gut microbiome modulates severity of malaria in mice, though the exact mechanism was unknown. One well-studied mechanism by which the intestinal microbiota exerts an effect on host health is by synthesis of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). SCFAs have pleiotropic effects on the host, including modulating the immune system and altering susceptibility to pathogens. The objective of the current work was to explore if gut microbiota-mediated resistance and susceptibility to malaria in mice is through differential production of SCFAs. Of the eight detected SCFAs, only propionic acid (C3) was different between two groups of resistant and two groups of susceptible mice, with higher levels in feces of susceptible mice compared to resistant mice. Nevertheless, subsequent analysis revealed no robust correlation between malaria severity and levels of fecal propionic acid. In spite of the broad effect of SCFAs on host physiology, including host immunity, this study shows that gut microbiota-mediated modulation of malaria severity in mice is independent of fecal SCFA levels. Additionally, our data indicates that intestinal SCFAs do not function as biomarkers for prediction of malaria disease severity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shubham Chakravarty
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, United States of America
| | - Rabindra K. Mandal
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, United States of America
| | - Morgan L. Duff
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, United States of America
| | - Nathan W. Schmidt
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Francklyn CS, Mullen P. Progress and challenges in aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase-based therapeutics. J Biol Chem 2019; 294:5365-5385. [PMID: 30670594 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.rev118.002956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (ARSs) are universal enzymes that catalyze the attachment of amino acids to the 3' ends of their cognate tRNAs. The resulting aminoacylated tRNAs are escorted to the ribosome where they enter protein synthesis. By specifically matching amino acids to defined anticodon sequences in tRNAs, ARSs are essential to the physical interpretation of the genetic code. In addition to their canonical role in protein synthesis, ARSs are also involved in RNA splicing, transcriptional regulation, translation, and other aspects of cellular homeostasis. Likewise, aminoacylated tRNAs serve as amino acid donors for biosynthetic processes distinct from protein synthesis, including lipid modification and antibiotic biosynthesis. Thanks to the wealth of details on ARS structures and functions and the growing appreciation of their additional roles regulating cellular homeostasis, opportunities for the development of clinically useful ARS inhibitors are emerging to manage microbial and parasite infections. Exploitation of these opportunities has been stimulated by the discovery of new inhibitor frameworks, the use of semi-synthetic approaches combining chemistry and genome engineering, and more powerful techniques for identifying leads from the screening of large chemical libraries. Here, we review the inhibition of ARSs by small molecules, including the various families of natural products, as well as inhibitors developed by either rational design or high-throughput screening as antibiotics and anti-parasitic therapeutics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christopher S Francklyn
- From the Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont 05405
| | - Patrick Mullen
- From the Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont 05405
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Controlled Infection Immunization Using Delayed Death Drug Treatment Elicits Protective Immune Responses to Blood-Stage Malaria Parasites. Infect Immun 2018; 87:IAI.00587-18. [PMID: 30323025 PMCID: PMC6300636 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00587-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2018] [Accepted: 09/23/2018] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Naturally acquired immunity to malaria is robust and protective against all strains of the same species of Plasmodium. This develops as a result of repeated natural infection, taking several years to develop. Naturally acquired immunity to malaria is robust and protective against all strains of the same species of Plasmodium. This develops as a result of repeated natural infection, taking several years to develop. Evidence suggests that apoptosis of immune lymphocytes due to uncontrolled parasite growth contributes to the slow acquisition of immunity. To hasten and augment the development of natural immunity, we studied controlled infection immunization (CII) using low-dose exposure to different parasite species (Plasmodium chabaudi, P. yoelii, or P. falciparum) in two rodent systems (BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice) and in human volunteers, with drug therapy commencing at the time of initiation of infection. CIIs with infected erythrocytes and in conjunction with doxycycline or azithromycin, which are delayed death drugs targeting the parasite’s apicoplast, allowed extended exposure to parasites at low levels. In turn, this induced strong protection against homologous challenge in all immunized mice. We show that P. chabaudi/P. yoelii infection initiated at the commencement of doxycycline therapy leads to cellular or antibody-mediated protective immune responses in mice, with a broad Th1 cytokine response providing the best correlate of protection against homologous and heterologous species of Plasmodium. P. falciparum CII with doxycycline was additionally tested in a pilot clinical study (n = 4) and was found to be well tolerated and immunogenic, with immunological studies primarily detecting increased cell-associated immune responses. Furthermore, we report that a single dose of the longer-acting drug, azithromycin, given to mice (n = 5) as a single subcutaneous treatment at the initiation of infection controlled P. yoelii infection and protected all mice against subsequent challenge.
Collapse
|
13
|
Jeong M, Kim H, Kim S, Park JH. Liposomal borrelidin for treatment of metastatic breast cancer. Drug Deliv Transl Res 2018; 8:1380-1388. [PMID: 30027371 DOI: 10.1007/s13346-018-0563-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Borrelidin is an inhibitor of threonyl-tRNA synthetase with both anticancer and antiangiogenic activities. Although borrelidin could be a potent drug that can treat metastatic cancer through synergistic therapeutic effects, its severe liver toxicity has limited the use for cancer therapeutics. In this study, we developed a liposomal formulation of borrelidin to treat metastatic breast cancer effectively through its combined anticancer and antiangiogenic effects while reducing the potential liver toxicity. The liposomal formulation was optimized to maximize loading stability and efficiency of lipophilic borrelidin in the liposomal membrane and its delivery efficiency to primary tumor in a mouse model of metastatic breast cancer. Liposomal borrelidin showed significant in vitro therapeutic effects on proliferation and migration of tumor cells and angiogenesis of endothelial cells. Furthermore, liposomal borrelidin exhibited superior inhibitory effects on primary tumor growth and lung metastasis in vivo compared to free borrelidin. More importantly, liposomal borrelidin did not induce any significant systemic toxicity in the mouse model after multiple injections.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Moonkyoung Jeong
- Department of Bio and Brain Engineering and KAIST Institute for Health Science and Technology, KAIST, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Heegon Kim
- Department of Bio and Brain Engineering and KAIST Institute for Health Science and Technology, KAIST, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Sunghoon Kim
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Biopharmaceutical Sciences and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Medicinal Bioconvergence Research Center, Seoul National University, Suwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji-Ho Park
- Department of Bio and Brain Engineering and KAIST Institute for Health Science and Technology, KAIST, Daejeon, Republic of Korea.
- Medicinal Bioconvergence Research Center, Seoul National University, Suwon, Republic of Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Li Y, Zhang F, Banakar S, Li Z. Comprehensive optimization of precursor-directed production of BC194 by Streptomyces rochei MB037 derived from the marine sponge Dysidea arenaria. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2018; 102:7865-7875. [PMID: 30039331 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-018-9237-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2018] [Revised: 06/29/2018] [Accepted: 07/10/2018] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
BC194, a derivative of borrelidin (BN) that features a lower cytotoxicity than that of BN due to an altered starter unit, trans-1,2-cyclobutanedicarboxylic acid (trans-1,2-CBDA), is a potent inhibitor of angiogenesis. However, BC194 production has only been reported to occur via mutasynthesis, which requires tedious, multistep genetic manipulation. In this study, we surveyed several factors contributing to the precursor-directed biosynthesis of BC194 and provided an alternative method for the production of BC194 that is directly applicable to other BN-producing strains. First, the precursor-directed biosynthesis of BC194 by a BN-producing strain, Streptomyces rochei MB037 derived from sponge Dysidea arenaria, was carried out in modified Radix astragali (RA) medium with 5 mM trans-1,2-CBDA. Next, possible inhibitors of BN starter unit trans-1,2-cyclopentanedicarboxylic acid (trans-1,2-CPDA) biosynthesis were investigated. It was found that potassium ferricyanide was a possible inhibitor of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetate 2,3-dioxygenase (DHPAO) and capable of suppressing the yield of BN and increasing the BC194 yield by 112.5% (from 5.2 ± 0.76 to 11.9 ± 0.59 mg/L). BC194 yield was further enhanced in the presence of 50 mM trans-1,2-CBDA, reaching 20.2 ± 0.62 mg/L. Furthermore, 3% macroporous adsorbent DA-201 resin was added to the fermentation broth, enabling a further 36.6% increase in BC194 production and reaching 27.59 ± 1.15 mg/L. Moreover, an efficient separation of BC194 with approximately 95% purity was developed by employing high-speed counter-current chromatography (HSCCC), achieving an improved recovery (approximately 93%).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yingxin Li
- Marine Biotechnology Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism and School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Fengli Zhang
- Marine Biotechnology Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism and School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shivakumar Banakar
- Marine Biotechnology Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism and School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhiyong Li
- Marine Biotechnology Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism and School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Sun J, Shao J, Sun C, Song Y, Li Q, Lu L, Hu Y, Gui C, Zhang H, Ju J. Borrelidins F–I, cytotoxic and cell migration inhibiting agents from mangrove-derived Streptomyces rochei SCSIO ZJ89. Bioorg Med Chem 2018; 26:1488-1494. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2018.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2017] [Revised: 01/07/2018] [Accepted: 01/13/2018] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
|
16
|
Manickam Y, Chaturvedi R, Babbar P, Malhotra N, Jain V, Sharma A. Drug targeting of one or more aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase in the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. Drug Discov Today 2018; 23:1233-1240. [PMID: 29408369 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2018.01.050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2017] [Revised: 01/02/2018] [Accepted: 01/29/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Malaria remains a major infectious disease and, despite incidence reduction, it threatens resurgence in drug-resistant forms. Antimalarial drugs remain the mainstay of therapeutic options and hence there is a constant need to identify and validate new druggable targets. Plasmodium falciparum aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (Pf-aaRSs) drive protein translation and are potent targets for development of next-generation antimalarials. Here, we detail advances made in structural-biology-based investigations in Pf-aaRSs and discuss their distribution of druggable pockets. This review establishes a platform for systematic experimental dissection of malarial parasite aaRSs as a new focus for sustained drug development efforts against malaria.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yogavel Manickam
- Molecular Medicine Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), New Delhi 110067, India
| | - Rini Chaturvedi
- Molecular Medicine Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), New Delhi 110067, India
| | - Palak Babbar
- Molecular Medicine Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), New Delhi 110067, India
| | - Nipun Malhotra
- Molecular Medicine Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), New Delhi 110067, India
| | - Vitul Jain
- Molecular Medicine Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), New Delhi 110067, India; Present address: Division of Structural Biology, Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, The Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7BN, UK
| | - Amit Sharma
- Molecular Medicine Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), New Delhi 110067, India.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Targeting Protein Translation in Organelles of the Apicomplexa. Trends Parasitol 2016; 32:953-965. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2016.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2016] [Revised: 09/21/2016] [Accepted: 09/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
|
18
|
Pasaje CFA, Cheung V, Kennedy K, Lim EE, Baell JB, Griffin MDW, Ralph SA. Selective inhibition of apicoplast tryptophanyl-tRNA synthetase causes delayed death in Plasmodium falciparum. Sci Rep 2016; 6:27531. [PMID: 27277538 PMCID: PMC4899734 DOI: 10.1038/srep27531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2016] [Accepted: 05/19/2016] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum relies on efficient protein translation. An essential component of translation is the tryptophanyl-tRNA synthetase (TrpRS) that charges tRNAtrp. Here we characterise two isoforms of TrpRS in Plasmodium; one eukaryotic type localises to the cytosol and a bacterial type localises to the remnant plastid (apicoplast). We show that the apicoplast TrpRS aminoacylates bacterial tRNAtrp while the cytosolic TrpRS charges eukaryotic tRNAtrp. An inhibitor of bacterial TrpRSs, indolmycin, specifically inhibits aminoacylation by the apicoplast TrpRS in vitro, and inhibits ex vivo Plasmodium parasite growth, killing parasites with a delayed death effect characteristic of apicoplast inhibitors. Indolmycin treatment ablates apicoplast inheritance and is rescuable by addition of the apicoplast metabolite isopentenyl pyrophosphate (IPP). These data establish that inhibition of an apicoplast housekeeping enzyme leads to loss of the apicoplast and this is sufficient for delayed death. Apicoplast TrpRS is essential for protein translation and is a promising, specific antimalarial target.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Charisse Flerida A Pasaje
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Vanessa Cheung
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Kit Kennedy
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Erin E Lim
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Jonathan B Baell
- Medicinal Chemistry, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 399 Royal Parade, Parkville, 3052 Victoria, Australia
| | - Michael D W Griffin
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Stuart A Ralph
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Khan S. Recent advances in the biology and drug targeting of malaria parasite aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases. Malar J 2016; 15:203. [PMID: 27068331 PMCID: PMC4828885 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-016-1247-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2015] [Accepted: 03/30/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Escalating drug resistance in malaria parasites and lack of vaccine entails the discovery of novel drug targets and inhibitor molecules. The multi-component protein translation machinery is a rich source of such drug targets. Malaria parasites contain three translational compartments: the cytoplasm, apicoplast and mitochondrion, of which the latter two are of the prokaryotic type. Recent explorations by many groups into the malaria parasite protein translation enzymes, aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (aaRSs), have yielded many promising inhibitors. The understanding of the biology of this unique set of 36 enzymes has become much clearer in recent times. Current review discusses the advances made in understanding of crucial aaRSs from Plasmodium and also the specific inhibitors found against malaria aaRSs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sameena Khan
- Drug Discovery Research Centre, Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI), NCR Biotech Science Cluster, 3rd Milestone, Faridabad-Gurgaon Expressway, PO box #04, Faridabad, 121001, India.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Saint-Léger A, Sinadinos C, Ribas de Pouplana L. The growing pipeline of natural aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase inhibitors for malaria treatment. Bioengineered 2016; 7:60-4. [PMID: 26963157 DOI: 10.1080/21655979.2016.1149270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria remains a major global health problem. Parasite resistance to existing drugs makes development of new antimalarials an urgency. The protein synthesis machinery is an excellent target for the development of new anti-infectives, and aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (aaRS) have been validated as antimalarial drug targets. However, avoiding the emergence of drug resistance and improving selectivity to target aaRS in apicomplexan parasites, such as Plasmodium falciparum, remain crucial challenges. Here we discuss such issues using examples of known inhibitors of P. falciparum aaRS, namely halofuginone, cladosporin and borrelidin (inhibitors of ProRS, LysRS and ThrRS, respectively). Encouraging recent results provide useful guidelines to facilitate the development of novel drug candidates which are more potent and selective against these essential enzymes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Lluís Ribas de Pouplana
- a Omnia Molecular S.L. , Barcelona , Spain.,b Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona) , Barcelona , Spain.,c Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies (ICREA) , Barcelona , Spain
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Cochrane RVK, Norquay AK, Vederas JC. Natural products and their derivatives as tRNA synthetase inhibitors and antimicrobial agents. MEDCHEMCOMM 2016. [DOI: 10.1039/c6md00274a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The tRNA synthetase enzymes are promising targets for development of therapeutic agents against infections by parasitic protozoans (e.g. malaria), fungi and yeast, as well as bacteria resistant to current antibiotics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - A. K. Norquay
- Department of Chemistry
- University of Alberta
- Edmonton
- T6G 2G2 Canada
| | - J. C. Vederas
- Department of Chemistry
- University of Alberta
- Edmonton
- T6G 2G2 Canada
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Sidhu A, Miller JR, Tripathi A, Garshott DM, Brownell AL, Chiego DJ, Arevang C, Zeng Q, Jackson LC, Bechler SA, Callaghan MU, Yoo GH, Sethi S, Lin HS, Callaghan JH, Tamayo-Castillo G, Sherman DH, Kaufman RJ, Fribley AM. Borrelidin Induces the Unfolded Protein Response in Oral Cancer Cells and Chop-Dependent Apoptosis. ACS Med Chem Lett 2015; 6:1122-7. [PMID: 26617965 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.5b00133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2015] [Accepted: 09/08/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most common cancer affecting the oral cavity, and US clinics will register about 30,000 new patients in 2015. Current treatment modalities include chemotherapy, surgery, and radiotherapy, which often result in astonishing disfigurement. Cancers of the head and neck display enhanced levels of glucose-regulated proteins and translation initiation factors associated with endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and the unfolded protein response (UPR). Previous work demonstrated that chemically enforced UPR could overwhelm these adaptive features and selectively kill malignant cells. The threonyl-tRNA synthetase (ThRS) inhibitor borrelidin and two congeners were discovered in a cell-based chemical genomic screen. Borrelidin increased XBP1 splicing and led to accumulation of phosphorylated eIF2α and UPR-associated genes, prior to death in panel of OSCC cells. Murine embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) null for GCN2 and PERK were less able to accumulate UPR markers and were resistant to borrelidin. This study demonstrates that UPR induction is a feature of ThRS inhibition and adds to a growing body of literature suggesting ThRS inhibitors might selectively target cancer cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alpa Sidhu
- Carmen
and Ann Adams Department of Pediatrics, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States
| | - Justin R. Miller
- Carmen
and Ann Adams Department of Pediatrics, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States
| | - Ashootosh Tripathi
- Life Sciences Institute and Departments of Medicinal Chemistry, Chemistry, Microbiology & Immunology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Danielle M. Garshott
- Carmen
and Ann Adams Department of Pediatrics, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States
| | - Amy L. Brownell
- Carmen
and Ann Adams Department of Pediatrics, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States
| | - Daniel J. Chiego
- Cariology,
Restorative Sciences and Endodontics, University of Michigan School of Dentistry, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Carl Arevang
- Life Sciences Institute and Departments of Medicinal Chemistry, Chemistry, Microbiology & Immunology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Qinghua Zeng
- Carmen
and Ann Adams Department of Pediatrics, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States
| | - Leah C. Jackson
- Carmen
and Ann Adams Department of Pediatrics, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States
| | - Shelby A. Bechler
- Carmen
and Ann Adams Department of Pediatrics, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States
| | - Michael U. Callaghan
- Carmen
and Ann Adams Department of Pediatrics, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States
| | - George H. Yoo
- Department
of Otolaryngology, Wayne State University and Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States
| | - Seema Sethi
- Department
of Pathology, Wayne State University and Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States
| | - Ho-Sheng Lin
- Department
of Otolaryngology, Wayne State University and Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States
| | - Joseph H. Callaghan
- School of
Business Administration, Oakland University, Rochester, Michigan 48309, United States
| | - Giselle Tamayo-Castillo
- Instituto
Nacional de Biodiversidad, CIPRONA-Escuela de Química, Universidad de Costa Rica, 3100 Heredia, Costa Rica
| | - David H. Sherman
- Life Sciences Institute and Departments of Medicinal Chemistry, Chemistry, Microbiology & Immunology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Randal J. Kaufman
- Degenerative Disease Research Program,
Center for Cancer Research, Sanford
- Burnham Medical Research Institute, La
Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Andrew M. Fribley
- Carmen
and Ann Adams Department of Pediatrics, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States
- Department
of Otolaryngology, Wayne State University and Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States
- Developmental Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Mirando AC, Fang P, Williams TF, Baldor LC, Howe AK, Ebert AM, Wilkinson B, Lounsbury KM, Guo M, Francklyn CS. Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase dependent angiogenesis revealed by a bioengineered macrolide inhibitor. Sci Rep 2015; 5:13160. [PMID: 26271225 PMCID: PMC4536658 DOI: 10.1038/srep13160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2015] [Accepted: 07/16/2015] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (AARSs) catalyze an early step in protein synthesis, but also regulate diverse physiological processes in animal cells. These include angiogenesis, and human threonyl-tRNA synthetase (TARS) represents a potent pro-angiogenic AARS. Angiogenesis stimulation can be blocked by the macrolide antibiotic borrelidin (BN), which exhibits a broad spectrum toxicity that has discouraged deeper investigation. Recently, a less toxic variant (BC194) was identified that potently inhibits angiogenesis. Employing biochemical, cell biological, and biophysical approaches, we demonstrate that the toxicity of BN and its derivatives is linked to its competition with the threonine substrate at the molecular level, which stimulates amino acid starvation and apoptosis. By separating toxicity from the inhibition of angiogenesis, a direct role for TARS in vascular development in the zebrafish could be demonstrated. Bioengineered natural products are thus useful tools in unmasking the cryptic functions of conventional enzymes in the regulation of complex processes in higher metazoans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Pengfei Fang
- Department of Cancer Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, Scripps Florida
| | | | | | - Alan K Howe
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Vermont
| | | | - Barrie Wilkinson
- Isomerase Therapeutics Ltd, Science Village, Chesterford Research Park, Cambridge CB10 1XL, UK
| | | | - Min Guo
- Department of Cancer Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, Scripps Florida
| | | |
Collapse
|
24
|
A continuous tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase assay that regenerates the tRNA substrate. Anal Biochem 2015; 486:86-95. [PMID: 25998103 DOI: 10.1016/j.ab.2015.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2014] [Revised: 04/23/2015] [Accepted: 05/11/2015] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase catalyzes the attachment of tyrosine to the 3' end of tRNA(Tyr), releasing AMP, pyrophosphate, and l-tyrosyl-tRNA as products. Because this enzyme plays a central role in protein synthesis, it has garnered attention as a potential target for the development of novel antimicrobial agents. Although high-throughput assays that monitor tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase activity have been described, these assays generally use stoichiometric amounts of tRNA, limiting their sensitivity and increasing their cost. Here, we describe an alternate approach in which the Tyr-tRNA product is cleaved, regenerating the free tRNA substrate. We show that cyclodityrosine synthase from Mycobacterium tuberculosis can be used to cleave the l-Tyr-tRNA product, regenerating the tRNA(Tyr) substrate. Because tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase can use both l- and d-tyrosine as substrates, we replaced the cyclodityrosine synthase in the assay with d-tyrosyl-tRNA deacylase, which cleaves d-Tyr-tRNA. This substitution allowed us to use the tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase assay to monitor the aminoacylation of tRNA(Tyr) by d-tyrosine. Furthermore, by making Tyr-tRNA cleavage the rate-limiting step, we are able to use the assay to monitor the activities of cyclodityrosine synthetase and d-tyrosyl-tRNA deacylase. Specific methods to extend the tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase assay to monitor both the aminoacylation and post-transfer editing activities in other aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases are discussed.
Collapse
|
25
|
Analogs of natural aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase inhibitors clear malaria in vivo. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2014; 111:E5508-17. [PMID: 25489076 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1405994111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Malaria remains a major global health problem. Emerging resistance to existing antimalarial drugs drives the search for new antimalarials, and protein translation is a promising pathway to target. Here we explore the potential of the aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase (ARS) family as a source of antimalarial drug targets. First, a battery of known and novel ARS inhibitors was tested against Plasmodium falciparum cultures, and their activities were compared. Borrelidin, a natural inhibitor of threonyl-tRNA synthetase (ThrRS), stands out for its potent antimalarial effect. However, it also inhibits human ThrRS and is highly toxic to human cells. To circumvent this problem, we tested a library of bioengineered and semisynthetic borrelidin analogs for their antimalarial activity and toxicity. We found that some analogs effectively lose their toxicity against human cells while retaining a potent antiparasitic activity both in vitro and in vivo and cleared malaria from Plasmodium yoelii-infected mice, resulting in 100% mice survival rates. Our work identifies borrelidin analogs as potent, selective, and unexplored scaffolds that efficiently clear malaria both in vitro and in vivo.
Collapse
|
26
|
Schulze CJ, Bray WM, Loganzo F, Lam MH, Szal T, Villalobos A, Koehn FE, Linington RG. Borrelidin B: isolation, biological activity, and implications for nitrile biosynthesis. JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS 2014; 77:2570-2574. [PMID: 25393949 DOI: 10.1021/np500727g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Borrelidin (1) is a nitrile-containing bacterially derived polyketide that is a potent inhibitor of bacterial and eukaryotic threonyl-tRNA synthetases. We now report the discovery of borrelidin B (2), a tetrahydro-borrelidin derivative containing an aminomethyl group in place of the nitrile functionality in borrelidin. The discovery of this new metabolite has implications for both the biosynthesis of the nitrile group and the bioactivity of the borrelidin compound class. Screening in the SToPS assay for tRNA synthetase inhibition revealed that the nitrile moiety is essential for activity, while profiling using our in-house image-based cytological profiling assay demonstrated that 2 retains biological activity by causing a mitotic stall, even in the absence of the nitrile motif.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J Schulze
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Santa Cruz , 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, California 95064, United States
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
27
|
Identification of borrelidin binding site on threonyl-tRNA synthetase. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2014; 451:485-90. [PMID: 25128830 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2014.07.100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2014] [Accepted: 07/22/2014] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Borrelidin exhibits a wide spectrum of biological activities and has been considered as a non-competitive inhibitor of threonyl-tRNA synthetase (ThrRS). However, the detailed mechanisms of borrelidin against ThrRS, especially borrelidin binding site on ThrRS, are still unclear, which limits the development of novel borrelidin derivatives and rational design of structure-based ThrRS inhibitors. In this study, the binding site of borrelidin on Escherichia coli ThrRS was predicted by molecular docking. To validate our speculations, the ThrRS mutants of E. coli (P424K, E458Δ, and G459Δ) were constructed and their sensitivity to borrelidin was compared to that of the wild-type ThrRS by enzyme kinetics and stopped-flow fluorescence analysis. The docking results showed that borrelidin binds the pocket outside but adjacent to the active site of ThrRS, consisting of residue Y313, R363, R375, P424, E458, G459, and K465. Site-directed mutagenesis results showed that sensitivities of P424K, E458Δ, and G459Δ ThrRSs to borrelidin were reduced markedly. All the results showed that residue Y313, P424, E458, and G459 play vital roles in the binding of borrelidin to ThrRS. It indicated that borrelidin may induce the cleft closure, which blocks the release of Thr-AMP and PPi, to inhibit activity of ThrRS rather than inhibit the binding of ATP and threonine. This study provides new insight into inhibitory mechanisms of borrelidin against ThrRS.
Collapse
|
28
|
Jain V, Kikuchi H, Oshima Y, Sharma A, Yogavel M. Structural and functional analysis of the anti-malarial drug target prolyl-tRNA synthetase. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014; 15:181-90. [PMID: 25047712 DOI: 10.1007/s10969-014-9186-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2014] [Accepted: 07/04/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (aaRSs) drive protein translation in cells and hence these are essential enzymes across life. Inhibition of these enzymes can halt growth of an organism by stalling protein translation. Therefore, small molecule targeting of aaRS active sites is an attractive avenue from the perspective of developing anti-infectives. Febrifugine and its derivatives like halofuginone (HF) are known to inhibit prolyl-tRNA synthetase of malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. Here, we present functional and crystallographic data on P. falciparum prolyl-tRNA synthetase (PfPRS). Using immunofluorescence data, we show that PfPRS is exclusively resident in the parasite cytoplasm within asexual blood stage parasites. The inhibitor HF interacts strongly with PfPRS in a non-competitive binding mode in presence or absence of ATP analog. Intriguingly, the two monomers that constitute dimeric PfPRS display significantly different conformations in their active site regions. The structural analyses presented here provide a framework for development of febrifugine derivatives that can seed development of new anti-malarials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vitul Jain
- Structural and Computational Biology Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), New Delhi, 110067, India
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
29
|
Structural basis of malaria parasite lysyl-tRNA synthetase inhibition by cladosporin. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014; 15:63-71. [PMID: 24935905 DOI: 10.1007/s10969-014-9182-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2014] [Accepted: 05/24/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Malaria parasites inevitably develop drug resistance to anti-malarials over time. Hence the immediacy for discovering new chemical scaffolds to include in combination malaria drug therapy. The desirable attributes of new chemotherapeutic agents currently include activity against both liver and blood stage malaria parasites. One such recently discovered compound called cladosporin abrogates parasite growth via inhibition of Plasmodium falciparum lysyl-tRNA synthetase (PfKRS), an enzyme central to protein translation. Here, we present crystal structure of ternary PfKRS-lysine-cladosporin (PfKRS-K-C) complex that reveals cladosporin's remarkable ability to mimic the natural substrate adenosine and thereby colonize PfKRS active site. The isocoumarin fragment of cladosporin sandwiches between critical adenine-recognizing residues while its pyran ring fits snugly in the ribose-recognizing cavity. PfKRS-K-C structure highlights ample space within PfKRS active site for further chemical derivatization of cladosporin. Such derivatives may be useful against additional human pathogens that retain high conservation in cladosporin chelating residues within their lysyl-tRNA synthetase.
Collapse
|
30
|
Pham JS, Dawson KL, Jackson KE, Lim EE, Pasaje CFA, Turner KEC, Ralph SA. Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases as drug targets in eukaryotic parasites. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-DRUGS AND DRUG RESISTANCE 2013; 4:1-13. [PMID: 24596663 PMCID: PMC3940080 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2013.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2013] [Revised: 10/24/2013] [Accepted: 10/25/2013] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases are essential and many aaRS inhibitors kill parasites. We examine compound inhibitors tested experimentally against parasite aaRSs. Successful inhibitors were discovered by both phenotype and target-based approaches. Selectivity and resistance are ongoing challenges for development of parasite drugs.
Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases are central enzymes in protein translation, providing the charged tRNAs needed for appropriate construction of peptide chains. These enzymes have long been pursued as drug targets in bacteria and fungi, but the past decade has seen considerable research on aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases in eukaryotic parasites. Existing inhibitors of bacterial tRNA synthetases have been adapted for parasite use, novel inhibitors have been developed against parasite enzymes, and tRNA synthetases have been identified as the targets for compounds in use or development as antiparasitic drugs. Crystal structures have now been solved for many parasite tRNA synthetases, and opportunities for selective inhibition are becoming apparent. For different biological reasons, tRNA synthetases appear to be promising drug targets against parasites as diverse as Plasmodium (causative agent of malaria), Brugia (causative agent of lymphatic filariasis), and Trypanosoma (causative agents of Chagas disease and human African trypanosomiasis). Here we review recent developments in drug discovery and target characterisation for parasite aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- James S Pham
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Karen L Dawson
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Katherine E Jackson
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Erin E Lim
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Charisse Flerida A Pasaje
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Kelsey E C Turner
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Stuart A Ralph
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Gafiuc D, Weiß M, Mylonas I, Brüning A. Borrelidin has limited anti-cancer effects in bcl-2 overexpressing breast cancer and leukemia cells and reveals toxicity in non-malignant breast epithelial cells. J Appl Toxicol 2013; 34:1109-13. [PMID: 24155182 DOI: 10.1002/jat.2946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2013] [Revised: 09/12/2013] [Accepted: 09/12/2013] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Clinically effective anti-cancer drugs have to tread a narrow line between selective cytotoxicity on tumor cells and tolerable adverse effects against healthy tissues. This causes the failure of many potential cancer drugs in advanced clinical trials, hence signifying the importance of a comprehensive initial estimate of the cytotoxicity of prospective anti-cancer drugs in preclinical studies. In this study, the cytotoxicity of borrelidin, a macrolide antibiotic with a high cytotoxic selectivity for proliferating endothelial cells and leukemia cells, was tested on malignant and non-malignant breast cells. Highly metastatic breast cancer cell lines (MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-435) showed promising results and exhibited good sensitivity to borrelidin at low nanomolar concentrations, but borrelidin was cytotoxic to a non-malignant breast epithelial cell line (MCF10A) as well. Furthermore, although a high sensitivity of endothelial cells (human umbilical vein endothelial cells; HUVEC) and individual leukemia cell lines (Jurkat and IM9) to borrelidin was confirmed in this study, another leukemia cell line (HL60) and an immortalized endothelial cell line (EA.hy926) displayed a significantly decreased sensitivity. Reduced sensitivity to borrelidin was associated with elevated bcl-2 expression in these cell lines. In conclusion, the results presented show that borrelidin displays high and selective cytotoxicity against subgroups of cancer cells and endothelial cells, but, owing to its non-specific toxicity to non-malignant cells, its clinical application might be restricted because of likely adverse effects and limited efficacy in bcl2-overexpressing cancer cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Diana Gafiuc
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Maistrasse 11, 80337, München, Germany
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|