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Gao P, Wang J, Qiu C, Zhang H, Wang C, Zhang Y, Sun P, Chen H, Wong YK, Chen J, Zhang J, Tang H, Shi Q, Zhu Y, Shen S, Han G, Xu C, Dai L, Wang J. Photoaffinity probe-based antimalarial target identification of artemisinin in the intraerythrocytic developmental cycle of Plasmodium falciparum. IMETA 2024; 3:e176. [PMID: 38882489 PMCID: PMC11170969 DOI: 10.1002/imt2.176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
Malaria continues to pose a serious global health threat, and artemisinin remains the core drug for global malaria control. However, the situation of malaria resistance has become increasingly severe due to the emergence and spread of artemisinin resistance. In recent years, significant progress has been made in understanding the mechanism of action (MoA) of artemisinin. Prior research on the MoA of artemisinin mainly focused on covalently bound targets that are alkylated by artemisinin-free radicals. However, less attention has been given to the reversible noncovalent binding targets, and there is a paucity of information regarding artemisinin targets at different life cycle stages of the parasite. In this study, we identified the protein targets of artemisinin at different stages of the parasite's intraerythrocytic developmental cycle using a photoaffinity probe. Our findings demonstrate that artemisinin interacts with parasite proteins in vivo through both covalent and noncovalent modes. Extensive mechanistic studies were then conducted by integrating target validation, phenotypic studies, and untargeted metabolomics. The results suggest that protein synthesis, glycolysis, and oxidative homeostasis are critically involved in the antimalarial activities of artemisinin. In summary, this study provides fresh insights into the mechanisms underlying artemisinin's antimalarial effects and its protein targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Gao
- State Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, Artemisinin Research Center, Institute of Chinese Materia Medical China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences Beijing China
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Shenzhen Institute of Respiratory Diseases, and Shenzhen Clinical Research Centre for Geriatrics Shenzhen People's Hospital; First Affiliated Hospital of Southern University of Science and Technology Shenzhen China
| | - Jianyou Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Antiviral Drugs, School of Pharmacy Henan University Kaifeng China
| | - Chong Qiu
- State Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, Artemisinin Research Center, Institute of Chinese Materia Medical China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences Beijing China
| | - Huimin Zhang
- Shandong Academy of Chinese Medicine Jinan China
| | - Chen Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, Artemisinin Research Center, Institute of Chinese Materia Medical China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences Beijing China
| | - Ying Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, Artemisinin Research Center, Institute of Chinese Materia Medical China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences Beijing China
| | - Peng Sun
- State Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, Artemisinin Research Center, Institute of Chinese Materia Medical China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences Beijing China
| | - Honglin Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Antiviral Drugs, School of Pharmacy Henan University Kaifeng China
| | - Yin Kwan Wong
- State Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, Artemisinin Research Center, Institute of Chinese Materia Medical China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences Beijing China
| | - Jiayun Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, Artemisinin Research Center, Institute of Chinese Materia Medical China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences Beijing China
| | - Junzhe Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, Artemisinin Research Center, Institute of Chinese Materia Medical China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences Beijing China
| | - Huan Tang
- State Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, Artemisinin Research Center, Institute of Chinese Materia Medical China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences Beijing China
| | - Qiaoli Shi
- State Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, Artemisinin Research Center, Institute of Chinese Materia Medical China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences Beijing China
| | - Yongping Zhu
- State Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, Artemisinin Research Center, Institute of Chinese Materia Medical China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences Beijing China
| | - Shengnan Shen
- State Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, Artemisinin Research Center, Institute of Chinese Materia Medical China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences Beijing China
| | - Guang Han
- State Key Laboratory of Antiviral Drugs, School of Pharmacy Henan University Kaifeng China
| | - Chengchao Xu
- State Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, Artemisinin Research Center, Institute of Chinese Materia Medical China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences Beijing China
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Shenzhen Institute of Respiratory Diseases, and Shenzhen Clinical Research Centre for Geriatrics Shenzhen People's Hospital; First Affiliated Hospital of Southern University of Science and Technology Shenzhen China
| | - Lingyun Dai
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Shenzhen Institute of Respiratory Diseases, and Shenzhen Clinical Research Centre for Geriatrics Shenzhen People's Hospital; First Affiliated Hospital of Southern University of Science and Technology Shenzhen China
| | - Jigang Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, Artemisinin Research Center, Institute of Chinese Materia Medical China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences Beijing China
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Shenzhen Institute of Respiratory Diseases, and Shenzhen Clinical Research Centre for Geriatrics Shenzhen People's Hospital; First Affiliated Hospital of Southern University of Science and Technology Shenzhen China
- State Key Laboratory of Antiviral Drugs, School of Pharmacy Henan University Kaifeng China
- Shandong Academy of Chinese Medicine Jinan China
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2
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Gong Z, Qu Z, Yu Z, Li J, Liu B, Ma X, Cai J. Label-free quantitative detection and comparative analysis of lysine acetylation during the different life stages of Eimeria tenella. J Proteome Res 2023; 22:2785-2802. [PMID: 37562054 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.2c00726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/12/2023]
Abstract
Proteome-wide lysine acetylation has been documented in apicomplexan parasite Toxoplasma gondii and Plasmodium falciparum. Here, we conducted the first lysine acetylome in unsporulated oocysts (USO), sporulated 7 h oocysts (SO 7h), sporulated oocysts (SO), sporozoites (S), and the second generation merozoites (SMG) of Eimeria tenella through a 4D label-free quantitative technique. Altogether, 8532 lysine acetylation sites on 2325 proteins were identified in E. tenella, among which 5445 sites on 1493 proteins were quantified. In addition, 557, 339, 478, 248, 241, and 424 differentially expressed proteins were identified in the comparisons SO7h vs USO, SO vs SO7h, SO vs USO, S vs SO, SMG vs S, and USO vs SMG, respectively. The bioinformatics analysis of the acetylome showed that the lysine acetylation is widespread on proteins of diverse functions. Moreover, the dynamic changes of lysine acetylome among E. tenella different life stages revealed significant regulation during the whole process of E. tenella growth and stage conversion. This study provides a beginning for the investigation of the regulate role of lysine acetylation in E. tenella and may provide new strategies for anticoccidiosis drug and vaccine development. Raw data are publicly available at iProX with the data set identifier PXD040368.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Zigang Qu
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology; Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province; Innovation of Research Program of Gastrointestinal Infection and Mucosal Immunity of Poultry and Pig; Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province 730046, People's Republic of China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province 225009, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhengqing Yu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Ningxia University, Yinchuan, Ningxia Province 750021, People's Republic of China
| | - Jidong Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Ningxia University, Yinchuan, Ningxia Province 750021, People's Republic of China
| | - Baohong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology; Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province; Innovation of Research Program of Gastrointestinal Infection and Mucosal Immunity of Poultry and Pig; Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province 730046, People's Republic of China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province 225009, People's Republic of China
| | - Xueting Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology; Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province; Innovation of Research Program of Gastrointestinal Infection and Mucosal Immunity of Poultry and Pig; Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province 730046, People's Republic of China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province 225009, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianping Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology; Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province; Innovation of Research Program of Gastrointestinal Infection and Mucosal Immunity of Poultry and Pig; Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province 730046, People's Republic of China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province 225009, People's Republic of China
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3
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van Niekerk DD, du Toit F, Green K, Palm D, Snoep JL. A detailed kinetic model of glycolysis in Plasmodium falciparum-infected red blood cells for antimalarial drug target identification. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:105111. [PMID: 37517694 PMCID: PMC10474083 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.105111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/23/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Upon infection by the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum, the glycolytic rate of a red blood cell increases up to 100-fold, possibly contributing to lactic acidosis and hypoglycemia in patients with severe malaria. This dramatic increase in glucose uptake and metabolism was correctly predicted by a newly constructed detailed enzyme kinetic model of glucose metabolism in the trophozoite-infected red blood cell. Subsequently, we expanded the model to simulate an infected red blood cell culture, including the different asexual blood-stage forms of the malaria parasite. The model simulations were in good agreement with experimental data, for which the measured parasitic volume was an important parameter. Upon further analysis of the model, we identified glucose transport as a drug target that would specifically affect infected red blood cells, which was confirmed experimentally with inhibitor titrations. This model can be a first step in constructing a whole-body model for glucose metabolism in malaria patients to evaluate the contribution of the parasite's metabolism to the disease state.
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Affiliation(s)
- David D van Niekerk
- Department of Biochemistry, Stellenbosch University, Matieland, South Africa
| | - Francois du Toit
- Department of Biochemistry, Stellenbosch University, Matieland, South Africa
| | - Kathleen Green
- Department of Biochemistry, Stellenbosch University, Matieland, South Africa
| | - Danie Palm
- Department of Biochemistry, Stellenbosch University, Matieland, South Africa
| | - Jacky L Snoep
- Department of Biochemistry, Stellenbosch University, Matieland, South Africa; Molecular Cell Biology, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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4
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Maor-Landaw K, Avidor I, Rostowsky N, Salti B, Smirnov M, Ofek-Lalzar M, Levin L, Brekhman V, Lotan T. The Molecular Mechanisms Employed by the Parasite Myxobolus bejeranoi (Cnidaria: Myxozoa) from Invasion through Sporulation for Successful Proliferation in Its Fish Host. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12824. [PMID: 37629003 PMCID: PMC10454682 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241612824] [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: 07/22/2023] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Myxozoa is a unique group of obligate endoparasites in the phylum Cnidaria that can cause emerging diseases in wild and cultured fish populations. Recently, we identified a new myxozoan species, Myxobolus bejeranoi, which infects the gills of cultured tilapia while suppressing host immunity. To uncover the molecular mechanisms underlying this successful parasitic strategy, we conducted transcriptomics analysis of M. bejeranoi throughout the infection. Our results show that histones, which are essential for accelerated cell division, are highly expressed even one day after invasion. As the infection progressed, conserved parasitic genes that are known to modulate the host immune reaction in different parasitic taxa were upregulated. These genes included energy-related glycolytic enzymes, as well as calreticulin, proteases, and miRNA biogenesis proteins. Interestingly, myxozoan calreticulin formed a distinct phylogenetic clade apart from other cnidarians, suggesting a possible function in parasite pathogenesis. Sporogenesis was in its final stages 20 days post-exposure, as spore-specific markers were highly expressed. Lastly, we provide the first catalog of transcription factors in a Myxozoa species, which is minimized compared to free-living cnidarians and is dominated by homeodomain types. Overall, these molecular insights into myxozoan infection support the concept that parasitic strategies are a result of convergent evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keren Maor-Landaw
- Marine Biology Department, The Leon H. Charney School of Marine Sciences, University of Haifa, Mt. Carmel, Haifa 3103301, Israel; (K.M.-L.); (I.A.); (N.R.); (B.S.); (V.B.)
| | - Itamar Avidor
- Marine Biology Department, The Leon H. Charney School of Marine Sciences, University of Haifa, Mt. Carmel, Haifa 3103301, Israel; (K.M.-L.); (I.A.); (N.R.); (B.S.); (V.B.)
| | - Nadav Rostowsky
- Marine Biology Department, The Leon H. Charney School of Marine Sciences, University of Haifa, Mt. Carmel, Haifa 3103301, Israel; (K.M.-L.); (I.A.); (N.R.); (B.S.); (V.B.)
| | - Barbara Salti
- Marine Biology Department, The Leon H. Charney School of Marine Sciences, University of Haifa, Mt. Carmel, Haifa 3103301, Israel; (K.M.-L.); (I.A.); (N.R.); (B.S.); (V.B.)
| | - Margarita Smirnov
- Central Fish Health Laboratory, Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Nir David 1080300, Israel;
| | - Maya Ofek-Lalzar
- Bioinformatic Unit, University of Haifa, Mt. Carmel, Haifa 3498838, Israel;
| | - Liron Levin
- Bioinformatics Core Facility, llse Katz Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 8410501, Israel;
| | - Vera Brekhman
- Marine Biology Department, The Leon H. Charney School of Marine Sciences, University of Haifa, Mt. Carmel, Haifa 3103301, Israel; (K.M.-L.); (I.A.); (N.R.); (B.S.); (V.B.)
| | - Tamar Lotan
- Marine Biology Department, The Leon H. Charney School of Marine Sciences, University of Haifa, Mt. Carmel, Haifa 3103301, Israel; (K.M.-L.); (I.A.); (N.R.); (B.S.); (V.B.)
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5
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Heikal MF, Putra WE, Sustiprijatno, Rifa’i M, Hidayatullah A, Ningsih FN, Widiastuti D, Shuib AS, Zulfiani BF, Hanasepti AF. In Silico Screening and Molecular Dynamics Simulation of Potential Anti-Malarial Agents from Zingiberaceae as Potential Plasmodium falciparum Lactate Dehydrogenase (PfLDH) Enzyme Inhibitors. Trop Life Sci Res 2023; 34:1-20. [PMID: 38144376 PMCID: PMC10735256 DOI: 10.21315/tlsr2023.34.2.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Malaria continues to be a major public health issue in a number of countries, particularly in tropical regions-the emergence of drug-resistant Plasmodium falciparum encourages new drug discovery research. The key to Plasmodium falciparum survival is energy production up to 100 times greater than other parasites, primarily via the PfLDH. This study targets PfLDH with natural bioactive compounds from the Zingiberaceae family through molecular docking and molecular dynamic studies. Sulcanal, quercetin, shogosulfonic acid C, galanal A and naringenin are the Top 5 compounds with a lower binding energy value than chloroquine, which was used as a control in this study. By binding to NADH and substrate binding site residues, the majority of them are expected to inhibit pyruvate conversion to lactate and NAD+ regeneration. When compared to sulcanal and control drugs, the molecular dynamics (MD) simulation study indicated that quercetin may be the most stable molecule when interacting with PfLDH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Fikri Heikal
- Tropical Medicine International Program, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, 123, Mittraparp Highway, Muang District Khon Kaen 40002 Thailand
| | - Wira Eka Putra
- Biotechnology Study Program, Department of Applied Sciences, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Negeri Malang, Jl. Cakrawala No.5, Sumbersari, Kec. Lowokwaru, Kota Malang, 65145 East Java. Indonesia
| | - Sustiprijatno
- Research Center for Plant Conservation, Botanic Gardens and Forestry, National Research and Innovation Agency, Cibinong-Bogor, West Java, Indonesia
| | - Muhaimin Rifa’i
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Brawijaya University, Jl. Veteran, Ketawanggede, Kec. Lowokwaru, Kota Malang, 65145 East Java, Indonesia
| | - Arief Hidayatullah
- Health Governance Initiative, United Nations Development Programme Indonesia, Eijkman-RSCM Building, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Febby Nurdiya Ningsih
- Research Center for Vaccine and Drug, National Research and Innovation Agency, South Tangerang, Indonesia
| | - Diana Widiastuti
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Science, Universitas Pakuan, Jl. Pakuan, Tegallega. Kecamatan Bogor Tengah, Kota Bogor, 16143 West Java, Indonesia
| | - Adawiyah Suriza Shuib
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Universiti Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Baiq Feby Zulfiani
- Biotechnology Study Program, Department of Applied Sciences, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Negeri Malang, Jl. Cakrawala No.5, Sumbersari, Kec. Lowokwaru, Kota Malang, 65145 East Java. Indonesia
| | - Afrabias Firyal Hanasepti
- Biotechnology Study Program, Department of Applied Sciences, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Negeri Malang, Jl. Cakrawala No.5, Sumbersari, Kec. Lowokwaru, Kota Malang, 65145 East Java. Indonesia
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6
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Galbiati A, Zana A, Borsari C, Persico M, Bova S, Tkachuk O, Corfu AI, Tamborini L, Basilico N, Fattorusso C, Bruno S, Parapini S, Conti P. Role of Stereochemistry on the Biological Activity of Nature-Inspired 3-Br-Acivicin Isomers and Derivatives. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28073172. [PMID: 37049935 PMCID: PMC10095986 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28073172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Chiral natural compounds are often biosynthesized in an enantiomerically pure fashion, and stereochemistry plays a pivotal role in biological activity. Herein, we investigated the significance of chirality for nature-inspired 3-Br-acivicin (3-BA) and its derivatives. The three unnatural isomers of 3-BA and its ester and amide derivatives were prepared and characterized for their antimalarial activity. Only the (5S, αS) isomers displayed significant antiplasmodial activity, revealing that their uptake might be mediated by the L-amino acid transport system, which is known to mediate the acivicin membrane’s permeability. In addition, we investigated the inhibitory activity towards Plasmodium falciparum glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (PfGAPDH) since it is involved in the multitarget mechanism of action of 3-BA. Molecular modeling has shed light on the structural and stereochemical requirements for an efficient interaction with PfGAPDH, leading to covalent irreversible binding and enzyme inactivation. While stereochemistry affects the target binding only for two subclasses (1a–d and 4a–d), it leads to significant differences in the antimalarial activity for all subclasses, suggesting that a stereoselective uptake might be responsible for the enhanced biological activity of the (5S, αS) isomers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Galbiati
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Milan, Via Mangiagalli 25, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Aureliano Zana
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Milan, Via Mangiagalli 25, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Chiara Borsari
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Milan, Via Mangiagalli 25, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Marco Persico
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Stefania Bova
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43124 Parma, Italy
| | - Oleh Tkachuk
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Alexandra Ioana Corfu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Milan, Via Mangiagalli 25, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Lucia Tamborini
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Milan, Via Mangiagalli 25, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Nicoletta Basilico
- Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Milan, Via Pascal 36, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Caterina Fattorusso
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Stefano Bruno
- Food and Drug Department, University of Parma, 43124 Parma, Italy
| | - Silvia Parapini
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, Via Pascal 36, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Paola Conti
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Milan, Via Mangiagalli 25, 20133 Milan, Italy
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7
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Jiang X. An overview of the Plasmodium falciparum hexose transporter and its therapeutic interventions. Proteins 2022; 90:1766-1778. [PMID: 35445447 PMCID: PMC9790349 DOI: 10.1002/prot.26351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Revised: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Despite intense elimination efforts, human malaria, caused by the infection of five Plasmodium species, remains the deadliest parasitic disease in the world. Even worse, with the emergence and spreading of the first-line drug-resistant Plasmodium parasites, therapeutic interventions based on novel plasmodial drug targets are more necessary than ever. Given that the blood-stage parasites primarily rely on glycolysis for their energy supply, blocking glucose uptake, the rate-limiting step of ATP generation, was considered a promising approach to kill these parasites. To achieve this goal, characterization of the plasmodial hexose transporter and development of selective inhibitors have been pursued for decades. Here, we review the identification and characterization of the Plasmodium falciparum hexose transporter (PfHT1) and summarize current advances in its inhibitor development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Jiang
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciencesthe University of New South WalesSydneyNew South Wales
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8
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Naturally Occurring 8ß,13ß-kaur-15-en-17-al and Anti-Malarial Activity from Podocarpus polystachyus Leaves. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15070902. [PMID: 35890200 PMCID: PMC9318793 DOI: 10.3390/ph15070902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite much interest and studies toward the genus Podocarpus, the anti-malarial evaluation of Podocarpus polystachyus’s phytoconstituents remains lacking. Herein, the phytoconstituents of P. polystachyus leaves and their anti-malarial effect against Plasmodium falciparum were investigated for the first time. One new natural product, 8ß,13ß-kaur-15-en-17-al (1), along with three known compounds, 8ß,13ß-kaur-15-en-17-ol (2) and 13ß-kaur-16-ene (3), and α-tocopherol hydroquinone (4) were isolated via HR-ESI-MS and NMR analyses. Compounds 1 and 2 inhibited P. falciparum growth at 12 and 52 µM of IC50, respectively. Their anti-malarial activity was associated with the in silico P. falciparum lactate dehydrogenase (PfLDH) inhibition. Molecular docking of ligands 1 and 2 with the putative target PfLDH revealed ~−2 kcal/mol of binding energies more negative than the control. Molecular dynamic simulations (100 ns) showed equal or smaller deviation values (RMSD, RMSF, Rg) and stronger interactions of PfLDH-1 and PfLDH-2 complexes via at least one consistent H-bond than the control. Additionally, a slightly increased PfLDH H-bond profile in their interactions improved the PfLDH dynamic and structural stabilities. Overall, this study supports the relevance of 1 and 2 as plasmodial growth inhibitors with their putative anti-PfLDH activity, which could be a potential scaffold for developing anti-malarial drugs.
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9
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Monteiro Júnior JC, Krüger A, Palmisano G, Wrenger C. Transporter-Mediated Solutes Uptake as Drug Target in Plasmodium falciparum. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:845841. [PMID: 35370717 PMCID: PMC8965513 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.845841] [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: 12/30/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Malaria remains a public health problem with still more than half a million deaths annually. Despite ongoing efforts of many countries, malaria elimination has been difficult due to emerging resistances against most traditional drugs, including artemisinin compounds - the most potent antimalarials currently available. Therefore, the discovery and development of new drugs with novel mechanisms of action to circumvent resistances is urgently needed. In this sense, one of the most promising areas is the exploration of transport proteins. Transporters mediate solute uptake for intracellular parasite proliferation and survival. Targeting transporters can exploit these processes to eliminate the parasite. Here, we focus on transporters of the Plasmodium falciparum-infected red blood cell studied as potential biological targets and discuss published drugs directed at them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Júlio César Monteiro Júnior
- Unit for Drug Discovery, Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Arne Krüger
- Unit for Drug Discovery, Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Giuseppe Palmisano
- GlycoProteomics Laboratory, Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Carsten Wrenger
- Unit for Drug Discovery, Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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10
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Salim NO, Fuad FAA, Khairuddin F, Seman WMKW, Jonet MA. Purifying and Characterizing Bacterially Expressed Soluble Lactate Dehydrogenase from Plasmodium knowlesi for the Development of Anti-Malarial Drugs. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26216625. [PMID: 34771034 PMCID: PMC8588329 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26216625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Revised: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium lactate dehydrogenase (pLH) is one of the enzymes in glycolysis with potential target for chemotherapy. This study aimed to clone, overexpress and characterize soluble recombinant lactate dehydrogenase from Plasmodium knowlesi in a bacterial system. Synthetic P. knowlesi lactate dehydrogenase (Pk-LDH) gene was cloned into pET21a expression vector, transformed into Escherichia coli strain BL21 (DE3) expression system and then incubated for 18 h, 20 °C with the presence of 0.5 mM isopropyl β-d-thiogalactoside in Terrific broth supplemented with Magnesium sulfate, followed by protein purifications using Immobilized Metal Ion Affinity Chromatography and size exclusion chromatography (SEC). Enzymatic assay was conducted to determine the activity of the enzyme. SDS-PAGE analysis revealed that protein of 34 kDa size was present in the soluble fraction. In SEC, a single peak corresponding to the size of Pk-LDH protein was observed, indicating that the protein has been successfully purified. From MALDI-TOF analysis findings, a peptide score of 282 was established, which is significant for lactate dehydrogenase from P. knowlesi revealed via MASCOT analysis. Secondary structure analysis of CD spectra indicated 79.4% α helix and 1.37% β strand structure. Specific activity of recombinant Pk-LDH was found to be 475.6 U/mg, confirming the presence of active protein. Soluble Pk-LDH that is biologically active was produced, which can be used further in other malaria studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nurhainis Ogu Salim
- Department of Biotechnology Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, International Islamic University Malaysia, P.O. Box 10, Kuala Lumpur 50728, W.P. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia;
- Parasitology Unit, Institute for Medical Research, National Institutes of Health (NIH), Ministry of Health Malaysia NIH Complex, Bandar Setia Alam, Shah Alam 40170, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Fazia Adyani Ahmad Fuad
- Department of Biotechnology Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, International Islamic University Malaysia, P.O. Box 10, Kuala Lumpur 50728, W.P. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +603-6421-4577
| | - Farahayu Khairuddin
- Malaysia Genome Institute, National Institutes of Biotechnology Malaysia, Jalan Bangi, Kajang 43000, Selangor, Malaysia; (F.K.); (W.M.K.W.S.); (M.A.J.)
| | - Wan Mohd Khairulikhsan Wan Seman
- Malaysia Genome Institute, National Institutes of Biotechnology Malaysia, Jalan Bangi, Kajang 43000, Selangor, Malaysia; (F.K.); (W.M.K.W.S.); (M.A.J.)
| | - Mohd Anuar Jonet
- Malaysia Genome Institute, National Institutes of Biotechnology Malaysia, Jalan Bangi, Kajang 43000, Selangor, Malaysia; (F.K.); (W.M.K.W.S.); (M.A.J.)
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11
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Cui Y, Wang X, Xu J, Liu X, Wang X, Pang J, Song Y, Yu M, Song W, Luo X, Liu M, Sun S. PROTEOMIC ANALYSIS OF TAENIA SOLIUM CYST FLUID BY SHOTGUN LC-MS/MS. J Parasitol 2021; 107:799-809. [PMID: 34648630 DOI: 10.1645/20-65] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Taenia solium cysts were collected from pig skeletal muscle and analyzed via a shotgun proteomic approach to identify known proteins in the cyst fluid and to explore host-parasite interactions. Cyst fluid was aseptically collected and analyzed with shotgun liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Gene alignment and annotation were performed using Blast2GO software followed by gene ontology analysis of the annotated proteins. The pathways were further analyzed with the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), and a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network map was generated using STRING software. A total of 158 known proteins were identified, most of which were low-molecular-mass proteins. These proteins were mainly involved in cellular and metabolic processes, and their molecular functions were predominantly related to catalytic activity and binding functions. The pathway enrichment analysis revealed that the known proteins were mainly enriched in the PI3K-Akt and glycolysis/gluconeogenesis signaling pathways. The nodes in the PPI network mainly consisted of enzymes involved in sugar metabolism. The cyst fluid proteins screened in this study may play important roles in the interaction between the cysticerci and the host. The shotgun LC-MS/MS, gene ontology, KEGG, and PPI network map data will be used to identify and analyze the cyst fluid proteome of cysticerci, which will provide a basis for further exploration of the invasion and activities of T. solium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaxuan Cui
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Inner Mongolia University for Nationalities, Inner Mongolia Tongliao 028042, China
| | - Xinrui Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Inner Mongolia University for Nationalities, Inner Mongolia Tongliao 028042, China
| | - Jing Xu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Inner Mongolia University for Nationalities, Inner Mongolia Tongliao 028042, China
| | - Xiaolei Liu
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis/College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun 130000, China
| | - Xuelin Wang
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis/College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun 130000, China
| | - Jianda Pang
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis/College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun 130000, China
| | - Yining Song
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Inner Mongolia University for Nationalities, Inner Mongolia Tongliao 028042, China
| | - Mingchuan Yu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Inner Mongolia University for Nationalities, Inner Mongolia Tongliao 028042, China
| | - Weiyi Song
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Inner Mongolia University for Nationalities, Inner Mongolia Tongliao 028042, China
| | - Xuenong Luo
- Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Mingyuan Liu
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis/College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun 130000, China.,Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225000, China
| | - Shumin Sun
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Inner Mongolia University for Nationalities, Inner Mongolia Tongliao 028042, China.,College of Veterinary Medicine, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China
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12
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Goerdeler F, Seeberger PH, Moscovitz O. Unveiling the Sugary Secrets of Plasmodium Parasites. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:712538. [PMID: 34335547 PMCID: PMC8322443 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.712538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium parasites cause malaria disease, one of the leading global health burdens for humanity, infecting hundreds of millions of people each year. Different glycans on the parasite and the host cell surface play significant roles in both malaria pathogenesis and host defense mechanisms. So far, only small, truncated N- and O-glycans have been identified in Plasmodium species. In contrast, complex glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) glycolipids are highly abundant on the parasite’s cell membrane and are essential for its survival. Moreover, the parasites express lectins that bind and exploit the host cell surface glycans for different aspects of the parasite life cycle, such as adherence, invasion, and evasion of the host immune system. In parallel, the host cell glycocalyx and lectin expression serve as the first line of defense against Plasmodium parasites and directly dictate susceptibility to Plasmodium infection. This review provides an overview of the glycobiology involved in Plasmodium-host interactions and its contribution to malaria pathogenesis. Recent findings are presented and evaluated in the context of potential therapeutic exploitation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felix Goerdeler
- Department of Biomolecular Systems, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Potsdam, Germany.,Institute of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Peter H Seeberger
- Department of Biomolecular Systems, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Potsdam, Germany.,Institute of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Oren Moscovitz
- Department of Biomolecular Systems, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Potsdam, Germany
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13
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Silal SP. Operational research: A multidisciplinary approach for the management of infectious disease in a global context. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF OPERATIONAL RESEARCH 2021; 291:929-934. [PMID: 32836716 PMCID: PMC7377991 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejor.2020.07.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2020] [Revised: 06/04/2020] [Accepted: 07/19/2020] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Infectious diseases, both established and emerging, impose a significant burden globally. Successful management of infectious diseases requires considerable effort and a multidisciplinary approach to tackle the complex web of interconnected biological, public health and economic systems. Through a wide range of problem-solving techniques and computational methods, operational research can strengthen health systems and support decision-making at all levels of disease control. From improved understanding of disease biology, intervention planning and implementation, assessing economic feasibility of new strategies, identifying opportunities for cost reductions in routine processes, and informing health policy, this paper highlights areas of opportunity for operational research to contribute to effective and efficient infectious disease management and improved health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheetal Prakash Silal
- Modelling and Simulation Hub, Africa, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, Oxford University, Oxford, United Kingdom
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14
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Michels PAM, Villafraz O, Pineda E, Alencar MB, Cáceres AJ, Silber AM, Bringaud F. Carbohydrate metabolism in trypanosomatids: New insights revealing novel complexity, diversity and species-unique features. Exp Parasitol 2021; 224:108102. [PMID: 33775649 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2021.108102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Revised: 03/13/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The human pathogenic trypanosomatid species collectively called the "TriTryp parasites" - Trypanosoma brucei, Trypanosoma cruzi and Leishmania spp. - have complex life cycles, with each of these parasitic protists residing in a different niche during their successive developmental stages where they encounter diverse nutrients. Consequently, they adapt their metabolic network accordingly. Yet, throughout the life cycles, carbohydrate metabolism - involving the glycolytic, gluconeogenic and pentose-phosphate pathways - always plays a central role in the biology of these parasites, whether the available carbon and free energy sources are saccharides, amino acids or lipids. In this paper, we provide an updated review of the carbohydrate metabolism of the TriTryps, highlighting new data about this metabolic network, the interconnection of its pathways and the compartmentalisation of its enzymes within glycosomes, cytosol and mitochondrion. Differences in the expression of the branches of the metabolic network between the successive life-cycle stages of each of these parasitic trypanosomatids are discussed, as well as differences between them. Recent structural and kinetic studies have revealed unique regulatory mechanisms for some of the network's key enzymes with important species-specific variations. Furthermore, reports of multiple post-translational modifications of trypanosomal glycolytic enzymes suggest that additional mechanisms for stage- and/or environmental cues that regulate activity are operational in the parasites. The detailed comparison of the carbohydrate metabolism of the TriTryps has thus revealed multiple differences and a greater complexity, including for the reduced metabolic network in bloodstream-form T. brucei, than previously appreciated. Although these parasites are related, share many cytological and metabolic features and are grouped within a single taxonomic family, the differences highlighted in this review reflect their separate evolutionary tracks from a common ancestor to the extant organisms. These differences are indicative of their adaptation to the different insect vectors and niches occupied in their mammalian hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul A M Michels
- Centre for Immunity, Infection and Evolution and Centre for Translational and Chemical Biology, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.
| | - Oriana Villafraz
- Laboratoire de Microbiologie Fondamentale et Pathogénicité (MFP), Université de Bordeaux, CNRS UMR-5234, France
| | - Erika Pineda
- Laboratoire de Microbiologie Fondamentale et Pathogénicité (MFP), Université de Bordeaux, CNRS UMR-5234, France
| | - Mayke B Alencar
- Laboratory of Biochemistry of Tryps, Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Ana J Cáceres
- Laboratorio de Enzimología de Parásitos, Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Los Andes, Mérida, 5101, Venezuela.
| | - Ariel M Silber
- Laboratory of Biochemistry of Tryps, Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, 05508-000, Brazil.
| | - Frédéric Bringaud
- Laboratoire de Microbiologie Fondamentale et Pathogénicité (MFP), Université de Bordeaux, CNRS UMR-5234, France.
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15
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Schipper S, Wu H, Furdui CM, Poole LB, Delahunty CM, Park R, Yates JR, Becker K, Przyborski JM. Identification of sulfenylation patterns in trophozoite stage Plasmodium falciparum using a non-dimedone based probe. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2021; 242:111362. [PMID: 33513391 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2021.111362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2020] [Revised: 12/31/2020] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Plasmodium falciparum causes the deadliest form of malaria. Adequate redox control is crucial for this protozoan parasite to overcome oxidative and nitrosative challenges, thus enabling its survival. Sulfenylation is an oxidative post-translational modification, which acts as a molecular on/off switch, regulating protein activity. To obtain a better understanding of which proteins are redox regulated in malaria parasites, we established an optimized affinity capture protocol coupled with mass spectrometry analysis for identification of in vivo sulfenylated proteins. The non-dimedone based probe BCN-Bio1 shows reaction rates over 100-times that of commonly used dimedone-based probes, allowing for a rapid trapping of sulfenylated proteins. Mass spectrometry analysis of BCN-Bio1 labeled proteins revealed the first insight into the Plasmodium falciparum trophozoite sulfenylome, identifying 102 proteins containing 152 sulfenylation sites. Comparison with Plasmodium proteins modified by S-glutathionylation and S-nitrosation showed a high overlap, suggesting a common core of proteins undergoing redox regulation by multiple mechanisms. Furthermore, parasite proteins which were identified as targets for sulfenylation were also identified as being sulfenylated in other organisms, especially proteins of the glycolytic cycle. This study suggests that a number of Plasmodium proteins are subject to redox regulation and it provides a basis for further investigations into the exact structural and biochemical basis of regulation, and a deeper understanding of cross-talk between post-translational modifications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanne Schipper
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Interdisciplinary Research Center, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Hanzhi Wu
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section on Molecular Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, 27157, USA
| | - Cristina M Furdui
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section on Molecular Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, 27157, USA
| | - Leslie B Poole
- Department of Biochemistry, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, 27157, USA
| | - Claire M Delahunty
- Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Robin Park
- Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - John R Yates
- Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Katja Becker
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Interdisciplinary Research Center, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Jude M Przyborski
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Interdisciplinary Research Center, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany.
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16
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Erythrocyte sphingosine kinase regulates intraerythrocytic development of Plasmodium falciparum. Sci Rep 2021; 11:1257. [PMID: 33441957 PMCID: PMC7806667 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-80658-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The sphingolipid pool is key regulator of vital cellular functions in Plasmodium falciparum a causative agent for deadly malaria. Erythrocytes, the host for asexual stage of Plasmodium, are major reservoir for Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P). Erythrocyte possesses Sphingosine kinase (SphK) that catalyzed its biosynthesis from sphingosine (Sph). Since, Plasmodium lacks SphK homologous protein it can be envisaged that it co-opts sphingolipids from both intraerythrocytic as well as extracellular pools for its growth and development. Herein, by sphingosine-NBD probing, we report that infected erythrocytes imports Sph from extracellular pool, which is converted to S1P and thereby taken by P. falciparum. Next, by targeting of the SphK through specific inhibitor N,N-Dimethylsphingosine DMS, we show a reduction in erythrocyte endogenous S1P pool and SphK-phosphorylation that led to inhibition in growth and development of ring stage P. falciparum. Owing to the role of S1P in erythrocyte glycolysis we analyzed uptake of NBD-Glucose and production of lactate in DMS treated and untreated plasmodium. DMS treatment led to decreased glycolysis in Plasmodium. Interestingly the host free Plasmodium did not show any effect on glycolysis with DMS treatment indicating its host-mediated effect. Further to understand the in-vivo anti-plasmodial effects of exogenous and endogenous erythrocyte S1P level, Sphingosine-1-phosphate lyase (S1PL) inhibitor (THI), S1P and SphK-1 inhibitor (DMS), were used in Plasmodium berghei ANKA (PbA) mice model. DMS treatment led to reduction of endogenous S1P conferred significant decrease in parasite load, whereas the plasma level S1P modulated by (THI) and exogenous S1P have no effect on growth of Plasmodium. This suggested erythrocyte endogenous S1P pool is important for Plasmodium growth whereas the plasma level S1P has no effect. Altogether, this study provides insight on cellular processes regulated by S1P in P. falciparum and highlights the novel mechanistically distinct molecular target i.e. SphK-1.
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17
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Olanlokun JO, Babarinde CO, Olorunsogo OO. Antimalarial properties and preventive effects on mitochondrial dysfunction by extract and fractions of Phyllanthus amarus (Schum. and Thonn) in Plasmodium berghei-infected mice. J Basic Clin Physiol Pharmacol 2020; 32:255-266. [PMID: 33161386 DOI: 10.1515/jbcpp-2020-0046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2020] [Accepted: 07/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Broad spectrum antimalarial drugs without deleterious effects on mitochondria are scarce. It is in this regard that we investigated the potency of methanol extract and solvent fractions of Phyllanthus amarus on chloroquine-susceptible and resistant strains of Plasmodium berghei, toxicity and its consequential effects on mitochondrial permeability transition (mPT) pore opening. METHODS Malaria was induced in male Swiss mice with susceptible (NK 65) strain, divided into groups (n=5) and treated with 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg of methanol extract, n-hexane, dichloromethane, ethylacetate and methanol fractions daily for seven days. Percentage parasitemia and parasite clearance were determined microscopically. The two most potent fractions were tested on resistant (ANKA) strains. Heme and hemozoin contents were determined spectrophotometrically. The mPT, mitochondrial ATPase (mATPase) and lipid peroxidation (mLPO) were determined spectrophotometrically. Similar groups of animals were used for toxicity studies. RESULTS Dichloromethane fraction (400 mg/kg) had the highest antimalarial curative effect via least parasitemia (0.49) and high clearance (96.63) compared with the negative control (10.08, 0.00, respectively), had the highest heme and least hemozoin contents (16.23; 0.03) compared with the negative control (8.2, 0.126, respectively). Malaria infection opened the mPT, caused significant increase in mLPO and enhanced mATPase; while dichloromethane fraction reversed these conditions. Serum ALT, AST, ALP, GGT, urea and creatinine of dichloromethane fraction-treated mice decreased relative to control. No significant lesion was noticed in liver and kidney tissue sections. CONCLUSIONS Dichloromethane fraction of Phyllanthus amarus had the highest antimalarial activity with the highest mito-protective effect and it was well tolerated without toxic effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Oludele Olanlokun
- Laboratories for Biomembrane Research and Biotechnology, Department of Biochemistry, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - Cecilia Opeyemi Babarinde
- Laboratories for Biomembrane Research and Biotechnology, Department of Biochemistry, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - Olufunso Olabode Olorunsogo
- Laboratories for Biomembrane Research and Biotechnology, Department of Biochemistry, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
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18
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Medley JK, Teo J, Woo SS, Hellerstein J, Sarpeshkar R, Sauro HM. A compiler for biological networks on silicon chips. PLoS Comput Biol 2020; 16:e1008063. [PMID: 32966274 PMCID: PMC7535129 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1008063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2019] [Revised: 10/05/2020] [Accepted: 06/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The explosive growth in semiconductor integrated circuits was made possible in large part by design automation software. The design and/or analysis of synthetic and natural circuits in living cells could be made more scalable using the same approach. We present a compiler which converts standard representations of chemical reaction networks and circuits into hardware configurations that can be used to simulate the network on specialized cytomorphic hardware. The compiler also creates circuit–level models of the target configuration, which enhances the versatility of the compiler and enables the validation of its functionality without physical experimentation with the hardware. We show that this compiler can translate networks comprised of mass–action kinetics, classic enzyme kinetics (Michaelis–Menten, Briggs–Haldane, and Botts–Morales formalisms), and genetic repressor kinetics, thereby allowing a large class of models to be transformed into a hardware representation. Rule–based models are particularly well–suited to this approach, as we demonstrate by compiling a MAP kinase model. Development of specialized hardware and software for simulating biological networks has the potential to enable the simulation of larger kinetic models than are currently feasible or allow the parallel simulation of many smaller networks with better performance than current simulation software. We present a “silicon compiler” that is capable of translating biochemical models encoded in the SBML standard into specialized analog cytomorphic hardware and transfer function–level simulations of such hardware. We show how the compiler and hardware address challenges in analog computing: 1) We ensure that the integration of errors due to the mismatch between analog circuit parameters does not become infinite over time but always remains finite via the use of total variables (the solution of the “divergence problem”); 2) We describe the compilation process through a series of examples using building blocks of biological networks, and show the results of compiling two SBML models from the literature: the Elowitz repressilator model and a rule–based model of a MAP kinase cascade. Source code for the compiler is available at https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3948393.
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Affiliation(s)
- J. Kyle Medley
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Jonathan Teo
- Thayer School of Engineering, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire, United States of America
| | - Sung Sik Woo
- Thayer School of Engineering, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire, United States of America
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Joseph Hellerstein
- eScience Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Rahul Sarpeshkar
- Departments of Engineering, Microbiology & Immunology, Physics, and Molecular and Systems Biology, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire, United States of America
| | - Herbert M. Sauro
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
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19
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Gonadal transcriptomic analysis of the mud crab Scylla olivacea infected with rhizocephalan parasite Sacculina beauforti. Genomics 2020; 112:2959-2969. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ygeno.2020.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2020] [Revised: 05/03/2020] [Accepted: 05/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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20
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Saavedra E, González-Chávez Z, Moreno-Sánchez R, Michels PA. Drug Target Selection for Trypanosoma cruzi Metabolism by Metabolic Control Analysis and Kinetic Modeling. Curr Med Chem 2019; 26:6652-6671. [DOI: 10.2174/0929867325666180917104242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2018] [Revised: 08/17/2018] [Accepted: 08/17/2018] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
In the search for therapeutic targets in the intermediary metabolism of trypanosomatids
the gene essentiality criterion as determined by using knock-out and knock-down genetic
strategies is commonly applied. As most of the evaluated enzymes/transporters have
turned out to be essential for parasite survival, additional criteria and approaches are clearly
required for suitable drug target prioritization. The fundamentals of Metabolic Control
Analysis (MCA; an approach in the study of control and regulation of metabolism) and kinetic
modeling of metabolic pathways (a bottom-up systems biology approach) allow quantification
of the degree of control that each enzyme exerts on the pathway flux (flux control coefficient)
and metabolic intermediate concentrations (concentration control coefficient). MCA
studies have demonstrated that metabolic pathways usually have two or three enzymes with
the highest control of flux; their inhibition has more negative effects on the pathway function
than inhibition of enzymes exerting low flux control. Therefore, the enzymes with the highest
pathway control are the most convenient targets for therapeutic intervention. In this review,
the fundamentals of MCA as well as experimental strategies to determine the flux control coefficients
and metabolic modeling are analyzed. MCA and kinetic modeling have been applied
to trypanothione metabolism in Trypanosoma cruzi and the model predictions subsequently
validated in vivo. The results showed that three out of ten enzyme reactions analyzed
in the T. cruzi anti-oxidant metabolism were the most controlling enzymes. Hence, MCA and
metabolic modeling allow a further step in target prioritization for drug development against
trypanosomatids and other parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Saavedra
- Departamento de Bioquimica, Instituto Nacional de Cardiologia Ignacio Chavez. Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Zabdi González-Chávez
- Departamento de Bioquimica, Instituto Nacional de Cardiologia Ignacio Chavez. Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Rafael Moreno-Sánchez
- Departamento de Bioquimica, Instituto Nacional de Cardiologia Ignacio Chavez. Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Paul A.M. Michels
- Centre for Immunity, Infection and Evolution (CIIE) and Centre for Translational and Chemical Biology (CTCB), School of Biological Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland
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21
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Oyelade J, Isewon I, Aromolaran O, Uwoghiren E, Dokunmu T, Rotimi S, Aworunse O, Obembe O, Adebiyi E. Computational Identification of Metabolic Pathways of Plasmodium falciparum using the k-Shortest Path Algorithm. Int J Genomics 2019; 2019:1750291. [PMID: 31662957 PMCID: PMC6791207 DOI: 10.1155/2019/1750291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2018] [Revised: 11/28/2018] [Accepted: 07/29/2019] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium falciparum, a malaria pathogen, has shown substantial resistance to treatment coupled with poor response to some vaccines thereby requiring urgent, holistic, and broad approach to prevent this endemic disease. Understanding the biology of the malaria parasite has been identified as a vital approach to overcome the threat of malaria. This study is aimed at identifying essential proteins unique to malaria parasites using a reconstructed iPfa genome-scale metabolic model (GEM) of the 3D7 strain of Plasmodium falciparum by filling gaps in the model with nineteen (19) metabolites and twenty-three (23) reactions obtained from the MetaCyc database. Twenty (20) currency metabolites were removed from the network because they have been identified to produce shortcuts that are biologically infeasible. The resulting modified iPfa GEM was a model using the k-shortest path algorithm to identify possible alternative metabolic pathways in glycolysis and pentose phosphate pathways of Plasmodium falciparum. Heuristic function was introduced for the optimal performance of the algorithm. To validate the prediction, the essentiality of the reactions in the reconstructed network was evaluated using betweenness centrality measure, which was applied to every reaction within the pathways considered in this study. Thirty-two (32) essential reactions were predicted among which our method validated fourteen (14) enzymes already predicted in the literature. The enzymatic proteins that catalyze these essential reactions were checked for homology with the host genome, and two (2) showed insignificant similarity, making them possible drug targets. In conclusion, the application of the intelligent search technique to the metabolic network of P. falciparum predicts potential biologically relevant alternative pathways using graph theory-based approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jelili Oyelade
- Department of Computer & Information Sciences, Covenant University, Ota, Nigeria
- Covenant University Bioinformatics Research Cluster (CUBRe), Ota, Nigeria
| | - Itunuoluwa Isewon
- Department of Computer & Information Sciences, Covenant University, Ota, Nigeria
- Covenant University Bioinformatics Research Cluster (CUBRe), Ota, Nigeria
| | - Olufemi Aromolaran
- Department of Computer & Information Sciences, Covenant University, Ota, Nigeria
- Covenant University Bioinformatics Research Cluster (CUBRe), Ota, Nigeria
| | - Efosa Uwoghiren
- Department of Computer & Information Sciences, Covenant University, Ota, Nigeria
- Covenant University Bioinformatics Research Cluster (CUBRe), Ota, Nigeria
| | - Titilope Dokunmu
- Covenant University Bioinformatics Research Cluster (CUBRe), Ota, Nigeria
- Department of Biochemistry, Covenant University, Ota, Nigeria
| | - Solomon Rotimi
- Covenant University Bioinformatics Research Cluster (CUBRe), Ota, Nigeria
- Department of Biochemistry, Covenant University, Ota, Nigeria
| | | | - Olawole Obembe
- Department of Biological Sciences, Covenant University, Ota, Nigeria
| | - Ezekiel Adebiyi
- Department of Computer & Information Sciences, Covenant University, Ota, Nigeria
- Covenant University Bioinformatics Research Cluster (CUBRe), Ota, Nigeria
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Pisaneschi F, Lin YH, Leonard PG, Satani N, Yan VC, Hammoudi N, Raghavan S, Link TM, K Georgiou D, Czako B, Muller FL. The 3 S Enantiomer Drives Enolase Inhibitory Activity in SF2312 and Its Analogues. Molecules 2019; 24:molecules24132510. [PMID: 31324042 PMCID: PMC6651268 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24132510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2019] [Revised: 06/25/2019] [Accepted: 07/04/2019] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
We recently reported that SF2312 ((1,5-dihydroxy-2-oxopyrrolidin-3-yl)phosphonic acid), a phosphonate antibiotic with a previously unknown mode of action, is a potent inhibitor of the glycolytic enzyme, Enolase. SF2312 can only be synthesized as a racemic-diastereomeric mixture. However, co-crystal structures with Enolase 2 (ENO2) have consistently shown that only the (3S,5S)-enantiomer binds to the active site. The acidity of the alpha proton at C-3, which deprotonates under mildly alkaline conditions, results in racemization; thus while the separation of four enantiomeric intermediates was achieved via chiral High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) of the fully protected intermediate, deprotection inevitably nullified enantiopurity. To prevent epimerization of the C-3, we designed and synthesized MethylSF2312, ((1,5-dihydroxy-3-methyl-2-oxopyrrolidin-3-yl)phosphonic acid), which contains a fully-substituted C-3 alpha carbon. As a racemic-diastereomeric mixture, MethylSF2312 is equipotent to SF2312 in enzymatic and cellular systems against Enolase. Chiral HPLC separation of a protected MethylSF2312 precursor resulted in the efficient separation of the four enantiomers. After deprotection and inevitable re-equilibration of the anomeric C-5, (3S)-MethylSF2312 was up to 2000-fold more potent than (3R)-MethylSF2312 in an isolated enzymatic assay. This observation strongly correlates with biological activity in both human cancer cells and bacteria for the 3S enantiomer of SF2312. Novel X-ray structures of human ENO2 with chiral and racemic MethylSF2312 show that only (3S,5S)-enantiomer occupies the active site. Enolase inhibition is thus a direct result of binding by the (3S,5S)-enantiomer of MethylSF2312. Concurrent with these results for MethylSF2312, we contend that the (3S,5S)-SF2312 is the single active enantiomer of inhibitor SF2312.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Pisaneschi
- Department of Cancer Systems Imaging, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77054, USA.
| | - Yu-Hsi Lin
- Department of Cancer Systems Imaging, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77054, USA
| | - Paul G Leonard
- Institute of Applied Cancer Science, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77054, USA
- Core for Biomolecular Structure and Function, Department of Genomic Medicine, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77054, USA
| | - Nikunj Satani
- Department of Cancer Systems Imaging, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77054, USA
| | - Victoria C Yan
- Department of Cancer Systems Imaging, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77054, USA
| | - Naima Hammoudi
- Department of Cancer Systems Imaging, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77054, USA
| | - Sudhir Raghavan
- Department of Cancer Systems Imaging, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77054, USA
| | - Todd M Link
- Core for Biomolecular Structure and Function, Department of Genomic Medicine, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77054, USA
| | - Dimitra K Georgiou
- Department of Cancer Systems Imaging, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77054, USA
| | - Barbara Czako
- Institute of Applied Cancer Science, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77054, USA
| | - Florian L Muller
- Department of Cancer Systems Imaging, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77054, USA.
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23
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In Vitro and In Vivo Antimalarial Activity of LZ1, a Peptide Derived from Snake Cathelicidin. Toxins (Basel) 2019; 11:toxins11070379. [PMID: 31262018 PMCID: PMC6669622 DOI: 10.3390/toxins11070379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2019] [Revised: 06/27/2019] [Accepted: 06/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Antimalarial drug resistance is an enormous global threat. Recently, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are emerging as a new source of antimalarials. In this study, an AMP LZ1 derived from snake cathelicidin was identified with antimalarial activity. In the in vitro antiplasmodial assay, LZ1 showed strong suppression of blood stage Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum) with an IC50 value of 3.045 μM. In the in vivo antiplasmodial assay, LZ1 exerted a significant antimalarial activity against Plasmodium berghei (P. berghei) in a dose- and a time- dependent manner. In addition, LZ1 exhibited anti-inflammatory effects and attenuated liver-function impairment during P. berghei infection. Furthermore, by employing inhibitors against glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation in erythrocytes, LZ1 specifically inhibited adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production in parasite-infected erythrocyte by selectively inhibiting the pyruvate kinase activity. In conclusion, the present study demonstrates that LZ1 is a potential candidate for novel antimalarials development.
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Shivapurkar R, Hingamire T, Kulkarni AS, Rajamohanan PR, Reddy DS, Shanmugam D. Evaluating antimalarial efficacy by tracking glycolysis in Plasmodium falciparum using NMR spectroscopy. Sci Rep 2018; 8:18076. [PMID: 30584241 PMCID: PMC6305384 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-36197-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2018] [Accepted: 10/26/2018] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Glucose is an essential nutrient for Plasmodium falciparum and robust glycolytic activity is indicative of viable parasites. Using NMR spectroscopy, we show that P. falciparum infected erythrocytes consume ~20 times more glucose, and trophozoites metabolize ~6 times more glucose than ring stage parasites. The glycolytic activity, and hence parasite viability, can be measured within a period of 2 h to 5 h, using this method. This facilitates antimalarial bioactivity screening on ring and trophozoite stage parasites, exclusively. We demonstrate this using potent and mechanistically distinct antimalarial compounds such as chloroquine, atovaquone, cladosporin, DDD107498 and artemisinin. Our findings indicate that ring stage parasites are inherently more tolerant to antimalarial inhibitors, a feature which may facilitate emergence of drug resistance. Thus, there is a need to discover novel antimalarial compounds, which are potent and fast acting against ring stage parasites. The NMR method reported here can facilitate the identification of such molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rupali Shivapurkar
- Biochemical Sciences Division, CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory, Pune, India
| | - Tejashri Hingamire
- Biochemical Sciences Division, CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory, Pune, India.,Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), New Delhi, India
| | - Akshay S Kulkarni
- Organic Chemistry Division, CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory, Pune, India
| | - P R Rajamohanan
- Central NMR facility, CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory, Pune, India
| | - D Srinivasa Reddy
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), New Delhi, India.,Organic Chemistry Division, CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory, Pune, India
| | - Dhanasekaran Shanmugam
- Biochemical Sciences Division, CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory, Pune, India. .,Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), New Delhi, India.
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Guggisberg AM, Frasse PM, Jezewski AJ, Kafai NM, Gandhi AY, Erlinger SJ, Odom John AR. Suppression of Drug Resistance Reveals a Genetic Mechanism of Metabolic Plasticity in Malaria Parasites. mBio 2018; 9:e01193-18. [PMID: 30425143 PMCID: PMC6234871 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01193-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2018] [Accepted: 10/10/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
In the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum, synthesis of isoprenoids from glycolytic intermediates is essential for survival. The antimalarial fosmidomycin (FSM) inhibits isoprenoid synthesis. In P. falciparum, we identified a loss-of-function mutation in HAD2 (P. falciparum 3D7_1226300 [PF3D7_1226300]) as necessary for FSM resistance. Enzymatic characterization revealed that HAD2, a member of the haloacid dehalogenase-like hydrolase (HAD) superfamily, is a phosphatase. Harnessing a growth defect in resistant parasites, we selected for suppression of HAD2-mediated FSM resistance and uncovered hypomorphic suppressor mutations in the locus encoding the glycolytic enzyme phosphofructokinase 9 (PFK9). Metabolic profiling demonstrated that FSM resistance is achieved via increased steady-state levels of methylerythritol phosphate (MEP) pathway and glycolytic intermediates and confirmed reduced PFK9 function in the suppressed strains. We identified HAD2 as a novel regulator of malaria parasite metabolism and drug sensitivity and uncovered PFK9 as a novel site of genetic metabolic plasticity in the parasite. Our report informs the biological functions of an evolutionarily conserved family of metabolic regulators and reveals a previously undescribed strategy by which malaria parasites adapt to cellular metabolic dysregulation.IMPORTANCE Unique and essential aspects of parasite metabolism are excellent targets for development of new antimalarials. An improved understanding of parasite metabolism and drug resistance mechanisms is urgently needed. The antibiotic fosmidomycin targets the synthesis of essential isoprenoid compounds from glucose and is a candidate for antimalarial development. Our report identifies a novel mechanism of drug resistance and further describes a family of metabolic regulators in the parasite. Using a novel forward genetic approach, we also uncovered mutations that suppress drug resistance in the glycolytic enzyme PFK9. Thus, we identify an unexpected genetic mechanism of adaptation to metabolic insult that influences parasite fitness and tolerance of antimalarials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann M Guggisberg
- Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Philip M Frasse
- Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Andrew J Jezewski
- Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Natasha M Kafai
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Aakash Y Gandhi
- Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Samuel J Erlinger
- Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Audrey R Odom John
- Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
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26
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Wei M, Lu L, Sui W, Liu Y, Shi X, Lv L. Inhibition of GLUTs by WZB117 mediates apoptosis in blood-stage Plasmodium parasites by breaking redox balance. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2018; 503:1154-1159. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2018.06.134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2018] [Accepted: 06/24/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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Mogire RM, Akala HM, Macharia RW, Juma DW, Cheruiyot AC, Andagalu B, Brown ML, El-Shemy HA, Nyanjom SG. Target-similarity search using Plasmodium falciparum proteome identifies approved drugs with anti-malarial activity and their possible targets. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0186364. [PMID: 29088219 PMCID: PMC5663372 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0186364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2016] [Accepted: 10/01/2017] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria causes about half a million deaths annually, with Plasmodium falciparum being responsible for 90% of all the cases. Recent reports on artemisinin resistance in Southeast Asia warrant urgent discovery of novel drugs for the treatment of malaria. However, most bioactive compounds fail to progress to treatments due to safety concerns. Drug repositioning offers an alternative strategy where drugs that have already been approved as safe for other diseases could be used to treat malaria. This study screened approved drugs for antimalarial activity using an in silico chemogenomics approach prior to in vitro verification. All the P. falciparum proteins sequences available in NCBI RefSeq were mined and used to perform a similarity search against DrugBank, TTD and STITCH databases to identify similar putative drug targets. Druggability indices of the potential P. falciparum drug targets were obtained from TDR targets database. Functional amino acid residues of the drug targets were determined using ConSurf server which was used to fine tune the similarity search. This study predicted 133 approved drugs that could target 34 P. falciparum proteins. A literature search done at PubMed and Google Scholar showed 105 out of the 133 drugs to have been previously tested against malaria, with most showing activity. For further validation, drug susceptibility assays using SYBR Green I method were done on a representative group of 10 predicted drugs, eight of which did show activity against P. falciparum 3D7 clone. Seven had IC50 values ranging from 1 μM to 50 μM. This study also suggests drug-target association and hence possible mechanisms of action of drugs that did show antiplasmodial activity. The study results validate the use of proteome-wide target similarity approach in identifying approved drugs with activity against P. falciparum and could be adapted for other pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reagan M. Mogire
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Pan African University Institute of Science, Technology and Innovation, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Hoseah M. Akala
- Department of Emerging Infectious Diseases (DEID), United States Army Medical Research Directorate-Kenya (USAMRD-K), Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI)—Walter Reed Project, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Rosaline W. Macharia
- Centre for Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Dennis W. Juma
- Department of Emerging Infectious Diseases (DEID), United States Army Medical Research Directorate-Kenya (USAMRD-K), Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI)—Walter Reed Project, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Agnes C. Cheruiyot
- Department of Emerging Infectious Diseases (DEID), United States Army Medical Research Directorate-Kenya (USAMRD-K), Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI)—Walter Reed Project, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Ben Andagalu
- Department of Emerging Infectious Diseases (DEID), United States Army Medical Research Directorate-Kenya (USAMRD-K), Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI)—Walter Reed Project, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Mathew L. Brown
- Department of Emerging Infectious Diseases (DEID), United States Army Medical Research Directorate-Kenya (USAMRD-K), Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI)—Walter Reed Project, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Hany A. El-Shemy
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
| | - Steven G. Nyanjom
- Department of Biochemistry, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, Kenya
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28
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita Gemayel
- The FEBS Journal , Editorial Office; Cambridge UK
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29
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Targeting pathogen metabolism without collateral damage to the host. Sci Rep 2017; 7:40406. [PMID: 28084422 PMCID: PMC5234033 DOI: 10.1038/srep40406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2016] [Accepted: 12/06/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of drugs that can inactivate disease-causing cells (e.g. cancer cells or parasites) without causing collateral damage to healthy or to host cells is complicated by the fact that many proteins are very similar between organisms. Nevertheless, due to subtle, quantitative differences between the biochemical reaction networks of target cell and host, a drug can limit the flux of the same essential process in one organism more than in another. We identified precise criteria for this ‘network-based’ drug selectivity, which can serve as an alternative or additive to structural differences. We combined computational and experimental approaches to compare energy metabolism in the causative agent of sleeping sickness, Trypanosoma brucei, with that of human erythrocytes, and identified glucose transport and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase as the most selective antiparasitic targets. Computational predictions were validated experimentally in a novel parasite-erythrocytes co-culture system. Glucose-transport inhibitors killed trypanosomes without killing erythrocytes, neurons or liver cells.
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30
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Rapid Generation of Marker-Free P. falciparum Fluorescent Reporter Lines Using Modified CRISPR/Cas9 Constructs and Selection Protocol. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0168362. [PMID: 27997583 PMCID: PMC5172577 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0168362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2016] [Accepted: 11/30/2016] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The CRISPR/Cas9 system is a powerful genome editing technique employed in a wide variety of organisms including recently the human malaria parasite, P. falciparum. Here we report on further improvements to the CRISPR/Cas9 transfection constructs and selection protocol to more rapidly modify the P. falciparum genome and to introduce transgenes into the parasite genome without the inclusion of drug-selectable marker genes. This method was used to stably integrate the gene encoding GFP into the P. falciparum genome under the control of promoters of three different Plasmodium genes (calmodulin, gapdh and hsp70). These genes were selected as they are highly transcribed in blood stages. We show that the three reporter parasite lines generated in this study (GFP@cam, GFP@gapdh and GFP@hsp70) have in vitro blood stage growth kinetics and drug-sensitivity profiles comparable to the parental P. falciparum (NF54) wild-type line. Both asexual and sexual blood stages of the three reporter lines expressed GFP-fluorescence with GFP@hsp70 having the highest fluorescent intensity in schizont stages as shown by flow cytometry analysis of GFP-fluorescence intensity. The improved CRISPR/Cas9 constructs/protocol will aid in the rapid generation of transgenic and modified P. falciparum parasites, including those expressing different reporters proteins under different (stage specific) promoters.
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