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Naik B, Gupta N, Godara P, Srivastava V, Kumar P, Giri R, Prajapati VK, Pandey KC, Prusty D. Structure-based virtual screening approach reveals natural multi-target compounds for the development of antimalarial drugs to combat drug resistance. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2024; 42:7384-7408. [PMID: 37528665 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2023.2240415] [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: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/03/2023]
Abstract
Compared to the previous year, there has been an increase of nearly 2 million malaria cases in 2021. The emergence of drug-resistant strains of Plasmodium falciparum, the most deadly malaria parasite, has led to a decline in the effectiveness of existing antimalarial drugs. To address this problem, the present study aimed to identify natural compounds with the potential to inhibit multiple validated antimalarial drug targets. The natural compounds from the Natural Product Activity and Species Source (NPASS) database were screened against ten validated drug targets of Plasmodium falciparum using a structure-based molecular docking method. Twenty compounds, with targets ranging from three to five, were determined as the top hits. The molecular dynamics simulations of the top six complexes (NPC246162 in complex with PfAdSS, PfGDH, and PfNMT; NPC271270 in complex with PfCK, PfGDH, and PfdUTPase) confirmed their stable binding affinity in the dynamic environment. The Tanimoto coefficient and distance matrix score analysis show the structural divergence of all the hit compounds from known antimalarials, indicating minimum chances of cross-resistance. Thus, we propose further investigating these compounds in biochemical and parasite inhibition studies to reveal the real therapeutic potential. If found successful, these compounds may be a new avenue for future drug discovery efforts to combat existing antimalarial drug resistance.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Biswajit Naik
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, Central University of Rajasthan, Ajmer, India
| | - Nidhi Gupta
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, Central University of Rajasthan, Ajmer, India
| | - Priya Godara
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, Central University of Rajasthan, Ajmer, India
| | - Varshita Srivastava
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, Central University of Rajasthan, Ajmer, India
| | - Prateek Kumar
- School of Basic Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Mandi, Kamand, India
| | - Rajanish Giri
- School of Basic Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Mandi, Kamand, India
| | - Vijay Kumar Prajapati
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, Central University of Rajasthan, Ajmer, India
| | - Kailash C Pandey
- Icmr-National Institute of Malaria Research, And Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR-ICMR), India
| | - Dhaneswar Prusty
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, Central University of Rajasthan, Ajmer, India
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2
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Appetecchia F, Fabbrizi E, Fiorentino F, Consalvi S, Biava M, Poce G, Rotili D. Transmission-Blocking Strategies for Malaria Eradication: Recent Advances in Small-Molecule Drug Development. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2024; 17:962. [PMID: 39065810 PMCID: PMC11279868 DOI: 10.3390/ph17070962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2024] [Revised: 07/11/2024] [Accepted: 07/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Malaria drug research and development efforts have resurged in the last decade following the decelerating rate of mortality and malaria cases in endemic regions. The inefficiency of malaria interventions is largely driven by the spreading resistance of the Plasmodium falciparum parasite to current drug regimens and that of the malaria vector, the Anopheles mosquito, to insecticides. In response to the new eradication agenda, drugs that act by breaking the malaria transmission cycle (transmission-blocking drugs), which has been recognized as an important and additional target for intervention, are being developed. These drugs take advantage of the susceptibility of Plasmodium during population bottlenecks before transmission (gametocytes) and in the mosquito vector (gametes, zygotes, ookinetes, oocysts, sporozoites). To date, compounds targeting stage V gametocytes predominate in the chemical library of transmission-blocking drugs, and some of them have entered clinical trials. The targeting of Plasmodium mosquito stages has recently renewed interest in the development of innovative malaria control tools, which hold promise for the application of compounds effective at these stages. In this review, we highlight the major achievements and provide an update on the research of transmission-blocking drugs, with a particular focus on their chemical scaffolds, antiplasmodial activity, and transmission-blocking potential.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Giovanna Poce
- Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (F.A.); (E.F.); (F.F.); (S.C.); (M.B.)
| | - Dante Rotili
- Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (F.A.); (E.F.); (F.F.); (S.C.); (M.B.)
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3
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Dziwornu GA, Seanego D, Fienberg S, Clements M, Ferreira J, Sypu VS, Samanta S, Bhana AD, Korkor CM, Garnie LF, Teixeira N, Wicht KJ, Taylor D, Olckers R, Njoroge M, Gibhard L, Salomane N, Wittlin S, Mahato R, Chakraborty A, Sevilleno N, Coyle R, Lee MCS, Godoy LC, Pasaje CF, Niles JC, Reader J, van der Watt M, Birkholtz LM, Bolscher JM, de Bruijni MHC, Coulson LB, Basarab GS, Ghorpade SR, Chibale K. 2,8-Disubstituted-1,5-naphthyridines as Dual Inhibitors of Plasmodium falciparum Phosphatidylinositol-4-kinase and Hemozoin Formation with In Vivo Efficacy. J Med Chem 2024; 67:11401-11420. [PMID: 38918002 PMCID: PMC11247499 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.4c01154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/27/2024]
Abstract
Structure-activity relationship studies of 2,8-disubstituted-1,5-naphthyridines, previously reported as potent inhibitors of Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) phosphatidylinositol-4-kinase β (PI4K), identified 1,5-naphthyridines with basic groups at 8-position, which retained Plasmodium PI4K inhibitory activity but switched primary mode of action to the host hemoglobin degradation pathway through inhibition of hemozoin formation. These compounds showed minimal off-target inhibitory activity against the human phosphoinositide kinases and MINK1 and MAP4K kinases, which were associated with the teratogenicity and testicular toxicity observed in rats for the PfPI4K inhibitor clinical candidate MMV390048. A representative compound from the series retained activity against field isolates and lab-raised drug-resistant strains of Pf. It was efficacious in the humanized NSG mouse malaria infection model at a single oral dose of 32 mg/kg. This compound was nonteratogenic in the zebrafish embryo model of teratogenicity and has a low predicted human dose, indicating that this series has the potential to deliver a preclinical candidate for malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Godwin Akpeko Dziwornu
- Drug Discovery and Development Centre (H3D), Department of Chemistry, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa
| | - Donald Seanego
- Drug Discovery and Development Centre (H3D), Department of Chemistry, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa
| | - Stephen Fienberg
- Drug Discovery and Development Centre (H3D), Department of Chemistry, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa
| | - Monica Clements
- Drug Discovery and Development Centre (H3D), Department of Chemistry, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa
| | - Jasmin Ferreira
- Drug Discovery and Development Centre (H3D), Department of Chemistry, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa
| | - Venkata S Sypu
- Drug Discovery and Development Centre (H3D), Department of Chemistry, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa
| | - Sauvik Samanta
- Drug Discovery and Development Centre (H3D), Department of Chemistry, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa
| | - Ashlyn D Bhana
- Drug Discovery and Development Centre (H3D), Department of Chemistry, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa
| | - Constance M Korkor
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa
| | - Larnelle F Garnie
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa
| | - Nicole Teixeira
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa
| | - Kathryn J Wicht
- Drug Discovery and Development Centre (H3D), Department of Chemistry and Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa
| | - Dale Taylor
- Drug Discovery and Development Centre (H3D), Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Observatory 7925, South Africa
| | - Ronald Olckers
- Drug Discovery and Development Centre (H3D), Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Observatory 7925, South Africa
| | - Mathew Njoroge
- Drug Discovery and Development Centre (H3D), Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Observatory 7925, South Africa
| | - Liezl Gibhard
- Drug Discovery and Development Centre (H3D), Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Observatory 7925, South Africa
| | - Nicolaas Salomane
- Drug Discovery and Development Centre (H3D), Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Observatory, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
| | - Sergio Wittlin
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Kreuzstrasse 2, 4123 Allschwil, Switzerland
- University of Basel, 4001 Basel, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Nicole Sevilleno
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton CB10 1SA, U.K
| | - Rachael Coyle
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton CB10 1SA, U.K
| | - Marcus C S Lee
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton CB10 1SA, U.K
| | - Luiz C Godoy
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Charisse Flerida Pasaje
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Jacquin C Niles
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Janette Reader
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, Institute for Sustainable Malaria Control, University of Pretoria, Hatfield, Pretoria 0028, South Africa
| | - Mariette van der Watt
- Institute for Sustainable Malaria Control, University of Pretoria, Hatfield, Pretoria 0028, South Africa
| | - Lyn-Marié Birkholtz
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, Institute for Sustainable Malaria Control, University of Pretoria, Hatfield, Pretoria 0028, South Africa
| | - Judith M Bolscher
- TropIQ Health Sciences, Transistorweg 5, 6534 AT Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | | | - Lauren B Coulson
- Drug Discovery and Development Centre (H3D), Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Observatory, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
| | - Gregory S Basarab
- Drug Discovery and Development Centre (H3D), Department of Chemistry, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa
- Drug Discovery and Development Centre (H3D), Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Observatory 7925, South Africa
| | - Sandeep R Ghorpade
- Drug Discovery and Development Centre (H3D), Department of Chemistry, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa
| | - Kelly Chibale
- Drug Discovery and Development Centre (H3D), Department of Chemistry, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa
- South African Medical Research Council Drug Discovery and Development Research Unit, Department of Chemistry and Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa
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4
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Edgar RCS, Malcolm TR, Siddiqui G, Giannangelo C, Counihan NA, Challis M, Duffy S, Chowdhury M, Marfurt J, Dans M, Wirjanata G, Noviyanti R, Daware K, Suraweera CD, Price RN, Wittlin S, Avery VM, Drinkwater N, Charman SA, Creek DJ, de Koning-Ward TF, Scammells PJ, McGowan S. On-target, dual aminopeptidase inhibition provides cross-species antimalarial activity. mBio 2024; 15:e0096624. [PMID: 38717141 PMCID: PMC11237774 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00966-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024] Open
Abstract
To combat the global burden of malaria, development of new drugs to replace or complement current therapies is urgently required. Here, we show that the compound MMV1557817 is a selective, nanomolar inhibitor of both Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax aminopeptidases M1 and M17, leading to inhibition of end-stage hemoglobin digestion in asexual parasites. MMV1557817 can kill sexual-stage P. falciparum, is active against murine malaria, and does not show any shift in activity against a panel of parasites resistant to other antimalarials. MMV1557817-resistant P. falciparum exhibited a slow growth rate that was quickly outcompeted by wild-type parasites and were sensitized to the current clinical drug, artemisinin. Overall, these results confirm MMV1557817 as a lead compound for further drug development and highlights the potential of dual inhibition of M1 and M17 as an effective multi-species drug-targeting strategy.IMPORTANCEEach year, malaria infects approximately 240 million people and causes over 600,000 deaths, mostly in children under 5 years of age. For the past decade, artemisinin-based combination therapies have been recommended by the World Health Organization as the standard malaria treatment worldwide. Their widespread use has led to the development of artemisinin resistance in the form of delayed parasite clearance, alongside the rise of partner drug resistance. There is an urgent need to develop and deploy new antimalarial agents with novel targets and mechanisms of action. Here, we report a new and potent antimalarial compound, known as MMV1557817, and show that it targets multiple stages of the malaria parasite lifecycle, is active in a preliminary mouse malaria model, and has a novel mechanism of action. Excitingly, resistance to MMV15578117 appears to be self-limiting, suggesting that development of the compound may provide a new class of antimalarial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca C S Edgar
- School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
- The Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
| | - Tess R Malcolm
- Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Ghizal Siddiqui
- Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Australia
| | - Carlo Giannangelo
- Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Australia
| | - Natalie A Counihan
- School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
- The Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
| | - Matthew Challis
- Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Australia
| | - Sandra Duffy
- Discovery Biology, Centre for Cellular Phenomics, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland, Australia
| | - Mrittika Chowdhury
- School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
- The Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
| | - Jutta Marfurt
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine Division, Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
| | - Madeline Dans
- School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
- The Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
| | - Grennady Wirjanata
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine Division, Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
| | | | - Kajal Daware
- Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Chathura D Suraweera
- Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Ric N Price
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine Division, Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Sergio Wittlin
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Vicky M Avery
- School of Environment and Science, Griffith Sciences, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland, Australia
| | - Nyssa Drinkwater
- Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Susan A Charman
- Centre for Drug Candidate Optimisation, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Australia
| | - Darren J Creek
- Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Australia
| | - Tania F de Koning-Ward
- School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
- The Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
| | - Peter J Scammells
- Medicinal Chemistry, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Australia
| | - Sheena McGowan
- Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
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5
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Mogire RM, Miruka SA, Juma DW, McNamara CW, Andagalu B, Burrows JN, Chenu E, Duffy J, Ogutu BR, Akala HM. Protein target similarity is positive predictor of in vitro antipathogenic activity: a drug repurposing strategy for Plasmodium falciparum. J Cheminform 2024; 16:63. [PMID: 38831351 PMCID: PMC11145868 DOI: 10.1186/s13321-024-00856-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Drug discovery is an intricate and costly process. Repurposing existing drugs and active compounds offers a viable pathway to develop new therapies for various diseases. By leveraging publicly available biomedical information, it is possible to predict compounds' activity and identify their potential targets across diverse organisms. In this study, we aimed to assess the antiplasmodial activity of compounds from the Repurposing, Focused Rescue, and Accelerated Medchem (ReFRAME) library using in vitro and bioinformatics approaches. We assessed the in vitro antiplasmodial activity of the compounds using blood-stage and liver-stage drug susceptibility assays. We used protein sequences of known targets of the ReFRAME compounds with high antiplasmodial activity (EC50 < 10 uM) to conduct a protein-pairwise search to identify similar Plasmodium falciparum 3D7 proteins (from PlasmoDB) using NCBI protein BLAST. We further assessed the association between the compounds' in vitro antiplasmodial activity and level of similarity between their known and predicted P. falciparum target proteins using simple linear regression analyses. BLAST analyses revealed 735 P. falciparum proteins that were similar to the 226 known protein targets associated with the ReFRAME compounds. Antiplasmodial activity of the compounds was positively associated with the degree of similarity between the compounds' known targets and predicted P. falciparum protein targets (percentage identity, E value, and bit score), the number of the predicted P. falciparum targets, and their respective mutagenesis index and fitness scores (R2 between 0.066 and 0.92, P < 0.05). Compounds predicted to target essential P. falciparum proteins or those with a druggability index of 1 showed the highest antiplasmodial activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reagan M Mogire
- Center for Research On Genomics and Global Health, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
- Center for Clinical Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), P. O. Box 54, Kisumu, 40100, Kenya.
- Center for Research in Therapeutic Sciences, Strathmore University, P.O. Box 59857-00200, Nairobi, Kenya.
| | - Silviane A Miruka
- Center for Clinical Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), P. O. Box 54, Kisumu, 40100, Kenya
- Center for Research in Therapeutic Sciences, Strathmore University, P.O. Box 59857-00200, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Dennis W Juma
- Center for Clinical Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), P. O. Box 54, Kisumu, 40100, Kenya
- Department of Emerging Infections Diseases (DEID), Walter Reed Army Institute of Research - Africa, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Case W McNamara
- Calibr-Skaggs Institute for Innovative Medicine, a division of The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Ben Andagalu
- Center for Clinical Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), P. O. Box 54, Kisumu, 40100, Kenya
| | | | - Elodie Chenu
- Medicines for Malaria Venture, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - James Duffy
- Medicines for Malaria Venture, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Bernhards R Ogutu
- Center for Clinical Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), P. O. Box 54, Kisumu, 40100, Kenya
- Center for Research in Therapeutic Sciences, Strathmore University, P.O. Box 59857-00200, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Hoseah M Akala
- Center for Clinical Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), P. O. Box 54, Kisumu, 40100, Kenya.
- Center for Research in Therapeutic Sciences, Strathmore University, P.O. Box 59857-00200, Nairobi, Kenya.
- Department of Emerging Infections Diseases (DEID), Walter Reed Army Institute of Research - Africa, Kisumu, Kenya.
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6
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Wirjanata G, Lin J, Dziekan JM, El Sahili A, Chung Z, Tjia S, Binte Zulkifli NE, Boentoro J, Tham R, Jia LS, Go KD, Yu H, Partridge A, Olsen D, Prabhu N, Sobota RM, Nordlund P, Lescar J, Bozdech Z. Identification of an inhibitory pocket in falcilysin provides a new avenue for malaria drug development. Cell Chem Biol 2024; 31:743-759.e8. [PMID: 38593807 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2024.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 09/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Identification of new druggable protein targets remains the key challenge in the current antimalarial development efforts. Here we used mass-spectrometry-based cellular thermal shift assay (MS-CETSA) to identify potential targets of several antimalarials and drug candidates. We found that falcilysin (FLN) is a common binding partner for several drug candidates such as MK-4815, MMV000848, and MMV665806 but also interacts with quinoline drugs such as chloroquine and mefloquine. Enzymatic assays showed that these compounds can inhibit FLN proteolytic activity. Their interaction with FLN was explored systematically by isothermal titration calorimetry and X-ray crystallography, revealing a shared hydrophobic pocket in the catalytic chamber of the enzyme. Characterization of transgenic cell lines with lowered FLN expression demonstrated statistically significant increases in susceptibility toward MK-4815, MMV000848, and several quinolines. Importantly, the hydrophobic pocket of FLN appears amenable to inhibition and the structures reported here can guide the development of novel drugs against malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grennady Wirjanata
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technology University, Singapore 637551, Singapore
| | - Jianqing Lin
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technology University, Singapore 637551, Singapore; NTU Institute of Structural Biology, Nanyang Technology University, Singapore 637551, Singapore; Infectious Diseases Labs & Singapore Immunology Network, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, 138648 Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jerzy Michal Dziekan
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technology University, Singapore 637551, Singapore
| | - Abbas El Sahili
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technology University, Singapore 637551, Singapore; NTU Institute of Structural Biology, Nanyang Technology University, Singapore 637551, Singapore
| | - Zara Chung
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technology University, Singapore 637551, Singapore
| | - Seth Tjia
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technology University, Singapore 637551, Singapore
| | | | - Josephine Boentoro
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technology University, Singapore 637551, Singapore
| | - Roy Tham
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technology University, Singapore 637551, Singapore
| | - Lai Si Jia
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technology University, Singapore 637551, Singapore
| | - Ka Diam Go
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technology University, Singapore 637551, Singapore
| | - Han Yu
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technology University, Singapore 637551, Singapore
| | | | - David Olsen
- Merck & Co., Inc., West Point, PA 19486, USA
| | - Nayana Prabhu
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technology University, Singapore 637551, Singapore
| | - Radoslaw M Sobota
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology, and Research (A∗STAR), Singapore 138673, Singapore; Functional Proteomics Laboratory, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A∗STAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Pär Nordlund
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technology University, Singapore 637551, Singapore; Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology, and Research (A∗STAR), Singapore 138673, Singapore; Department of Oncology and Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Julien Lescar
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technology University, Singapore 637551, Singapore; NTU Institute of Structural Biology, Nanyang Technology University, Singapore 637551, Singapore; Antimicrobial Resistance Interdisciplinary Research Group, Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology, Singapore 637551, Singapore.
| | - Zbynek Bozdech
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technology University, Singapore 637551, Singapore.
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7
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Greyling N, van der Watt M, Gwarinda H, van Heerden A, Greenhouse B, Leroy D, Niemand J, Birkholtz LM. Genetic complexity alters drug susceptibility of asexual and gametocyte stages of Plasmodium falciparum to antimalarial candidates. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2024; 68:e0129123. [PMID: 38259087 PMCID: PMC10916389 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01291-23] [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: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Malaria elimination requires interventions able to target both the asexual blood stage (ABS) parasites and transmissible gametocyte stages of Plasmodium falciparum. Lead antimalarial candidates are evaluated against clinical isolates to address key concerns regarding efficacy and to confirm that the current, circulating parasites from endemic regions lack resistance against these candidates. While this has largely been performed on ABS parasites, limited data are available on the transmission-blocking efficacy of compounds with multistage activity. Here, we evaluated the efficacy of lead antimalarial candidates against both ABS parasites and late-stage gametocytes side-by-side, against clinical P. falciparum isolates from southern Africa. We additionally correlated drug efficacy to the genetic diversity of the clinical isolates as determined with a panel of well-characterized, genome-spanning microsatellite markers. Our data indicate varying sensitivities of the isolates to key antimalarial candidates, both for ABS parasites and gametocyte stages. While ABS parasites were efficiently killed, irrespective of genetic complexity, antimalarial candidates lost some gametocytocidal efficacy when the gametocytes originated from genetically complex, multiple-clone infections. This suggests a fitness benefit to multiclone isolates to sustain transmission and reduce drug susceptibility. In conclusion, this is the first study to investigate the efficacy of antimalarial candidates on both ABS parasites and gametocytes from P. falciparum clinical isolates where the influence of parasite genetic complexity is highlighted, ultimately aiding the malaria elimination agenda.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Greyling
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
- Institute for Sustainable Malaria Control, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Mariëtte van der Watt
- Institute for Sustainable Malaria Control, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Hazel Gwarinda
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
- Institute for Sustainable Malaria Control, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Ashleigh van Heerden
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
- Institute for Sustainable Malaria Control, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Bryan Greenhouse
- Department of Medicine, University of California-San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Didier Leroy
- Medicines for Malaria Venture, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Jandeli Niemand
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
- Institute for Sustainable Malaria Control, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Lyn-Marié Birkholtz
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
- Institute for Sustainable Malaria Control, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
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8
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Zhang J, Shahbaz M, Ijaz M, Zhang H. Bibliometric analysis of antimalarial drug resistance. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2024; 14:1270060. [PMID: 38410722 PMCID: PMC10895045 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2024.1270060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Malaria has always been a serious infectious disease prevalent in the world. Antimalarial drugs such as chloroquine and artemisinin have been the main compounds used to treat malaria. However, the massive use of this type of drugs accelerates the evolution and spread of malaria parasites, leading to the development of resistance. A large number of related data have been published by researchers in recent years. CiteSpace software has gained popularity among us researchers in recent years, because of its ability to help us obtain the core information we want in a mass of articles. In order to analyze the hotspots and develop trends in this field through visual analysis, this study used CiteSpace software to summarize the available data in the literature to provide insights. Method Relevant literature was collected from the Web of Science Core Collection (WOSCC) from 1 January 2015 to 29 March 2023. CiteSpace software and Microsoft Excel were used to analyze and present the data, respectively. Results A total of 2,561 literatures were retrieved and 2,559 literatures were included in the analysis after the removal of duplicates. An irrefutable witness of the ever-growing interest in the topic of antimalarial drug resistance could be expressed by the exponentially increased number of publications and related citations from 2015 to 2022, and its sustained growth trend by 2023. During the past 7 years, USA, Oxford University, and David A Fidock are the country, institution, and author with the most publications in this field of research, respectively. We focused on the references and keywords from literature and found that the research and development of new drugs is the newest hotspot in this field. A growing number of scientists are devoted to finding new antimalarial drugs. Conclusion This study is the first visual metrological analysis of antimalarial drug resistance, using bibliometric methods. As a baseline information, it is important to analyze research output published globally on antimalarial drug resistance. In order to better understand the current research situation and future research plan agenda, such baseline data are needed accordingly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jialu Zhang
- Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, College of Pharmacy, Jinan, China
- Shandong Academy of Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese medicine analysis, Jinan, China
| | - Muhammad Shahbaz
- Shandong Academy of Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese medicine analysis, Jinan, China
- Department of Radiology, Qilu Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Research Center for Sectional and Imaging Anatomy, Digital Human Institute, School of Basic Medical Science, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Muhammad Ijaz
- The Faculty of Medicine, Qilu Institute of Technology, Jinan, China
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Huimin Zhang
- Shandong Academy of Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese medicine analysis, Jinan, China
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9
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Li G, Wu Y, Zhang Y, Wang H, Li M, He D, Guan W, Yao H. Research progress on phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase inhibitors. Biochem Pharmacol 2024; 220:115993. [PMID: 38151075 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2023.115993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
Phosphatidylinositol 4-kinases (PI4Ks) could phosphorylate phosphatidylinositol (PI) to produce phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate (PI4P) and maintain its metabolic balance and location. PI4P, the most abundant monophosphate inositol in eukaryotic cells, is a precursor of higher phosphoinositols and an essential substrate for the PLC/PKC and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways. PI4Ks regulate vesicle transport, signal transduction, cytokinesis, and cell unity, and are involved in various physiological and pathological processes, including infection and growth of parasites such as Plasmodium and Cryptosporidium, replication and survival of RNA viruses, and the development of tumors and nervous system diseases. The development of novel drugs targeting PI4Ks and PI4P has been the focus of the research and clinical application of drugs, especially in recent years. In particular, PI4K inhibitors have made great progress in the treatment of malaria and cryptosporidiosis. We describe the biological characteristics of PI4Ks; summarize the physiological functions and effector proteins of PI4P; and analyze the structural basis of selective PI4K inhibitors for the treatment of human diseases in this review. Herein, this review mainly summarizes the developments in the structure and enzyme activity of PI4K inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gang Li
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource Utilization, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and Utilization, Institute of Zoology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510260, China
| | - Yanting Wu
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource Utilization, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and Utilization, Institute of Zoology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510260, China; Department of Chemistry, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clearwater Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Yali Zhang
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource Utilization, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and Utilization, Institute of Zoology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510260, China
| | - Huamin Wang
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource Utilization, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and Utilization, Institute of Zoology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510260, China
| | - Mengjie Li
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource Utilization, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and Utilization, Institute of Zoology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510260, China
| | - Dengqin He
- School of Biotechnology and Health Science, Wuyi University, 22 Dongchengcun, Jiangmen, Guangdong, 529020, China
| | - Wen Guan
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource Utilization, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and Utilization, Institute of Zoology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510260, China
| | - Hongliang Yao
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource Utilization, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and Utilization, Institute of Zoology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510260, China.
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10
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Godara P, Reddy KS, Sahu W, Naik B, Srivastava V, Das R, Mahor A, Kumar P, Giri R, Anirudh J, Tak H, Banavath HN, Bhatt TK, Goyal AK, Prusty D. Structure-based virtual screening against multiple Plasmodium falciparum kinases reveals antimalarial compounds. Mol Divers 2023:10.1007/s11030-023-10770-z. [PMID: 38127294 DOI: 10.1007/s11030-023-10770-z] [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: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
The continuous emergence of resistance against most frontline antimalarial drugs has led to countless deaths in malaria-endemic countries, counting 619,000 deaths in 2021, with mutation in drug targets being the sole cause. As mutation is correlated frequently with fitness cost, the likelihood of mutation emergence in multiple targets at a time is extremely low. Hence, multitargeting compounds may seem promising to address drug resistance issues with additional benefits like increased efficacy, improved safety profile, and the requirement of fewer pills compared to traditional single and combinational drugs. In this study, we attempted to use the High Throughput Virtual Screening approach to predict multitarget inhibitors against six chemically validated Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) kinases (PfPKG, PfMAP2, PfCDPK4, PfTMK, PfPK5, PfPI4K), resulting in 21 multitargeting hits. The molecular dynamic simulation of the top six complexes (Myricetin-MAP2, Quercetin-CDPK4, Myricetin-TMK, Quercetin-PKG, Salidroside-PK5, and Salidroside-PI4K) showed stable interactions. Moreover, hierarchical clustering reveals the structural divergence of the compounds from the existing antimalarials, indicating less chance of cross-resistance. Additionally, the top three hits were validated through parasite growth inhibition assays, with quercetin and myricetin exhibiting an IC50 value of 1.84 and 3.93 µM, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priya Godara
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, Central University of Rajasthan, NH-8, Bandarsindri, Kishangarh, Ajmer, Rajasthan, 305817, India
| | - K Sony Reddy
- School of Biotechnology, Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (Deemed University), Bhubaneswar, 751024, India
| | - Welka Sahu
- School of Biotechnology, Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (Deemed University), Bhubaneswar, 751024, India
| | - Biswajit Naik
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, Central University of Rajasthan, NH-8, Bandarsindri, Kishangarh, Ajmer, Rajasthan, 305817, India
| | - Varshita Srivastava
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, Central University of Rajasthan, NH-8, Bandarsindri, Kishangarh, Ajmer, Rajasthan, 305817, India
| | - Rusham Das
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Chemical Sciences and Pharmacy, Central University of Rajasthan, NH-8, Bandarsindri, Kishangarh, Ajmer, Rajasthan, 305817, India
| | - Ajay Mahor
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Chemical Sciences and Pharmacy, Central University of Rajasthan, NH-8, Bandarsindri, Kishangarh, Ajmer, Rajasthan, 305817, India
| | - Prateek Kumar
- School of Basic Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Mandi, Kamand, India
| | - Rajanish Giri
- School of Basic Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Mandi, Kamand, India
| | - Jivanage Anirudh
- Department of Sports Biosciences, School of Sport Sciences, Central University of Rajasthan, Ajmer, India
| | - Harshita Tak
- Department of Sports Biosciences, School of Sport Sciences, Central University of Rajasthan, Ajmer, India
| | - Hemanth Naick Banavath
- Department of Sports Biosciences, School of Sport Sciences, Central University of Rajasthan, Ajmer, India
| | - Tarun Kumar Bhatt
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Central University of Rajasthan, NH-8, Bandarsindri, Kishangarh, Ajmer, Rajasthan, 305817, India
| | - Amit Kumar Goyal
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Chemical Sciences and Pharmacy, Central University of Rajasthan, NH-8, Bandarsindri, Kishangarh, Ajmer, Rajasthan, 305817, India
| | - Dhaneswar Prusty
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, Central University of Rajasthan, NH-8, Bandarsindri, Kishangarh, Ajmer, Rajasthan, 305817, India.
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11
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McLellan JL, Sausman W, Reers AB, Bunnik EM, Hanson KK. Single-cell quantitative bioimaging of P. berghei liver stage translation. mSphere 2023; 8:e0054423. [PMID: 37909773 PMCID: PMC10732057 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00544-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Plasmodium parasites cause malaria in humans. New multistage active antimalarial drugs are needed, and a promising class of drugs targets the core cellular process of translation, which has many potential molecular targets. During the obligate liver stage, Plasmodium parasites grow in metabolically active hepatocytes, making it challenging to study core cellular processes common to both host cells and parasites, as the signal from the host typically overwhelms that of the parasite. Here, we present and validate a flexible assay to quantify Plasmodium liver stage translation using a technique to fluorescently label the newly synthesized proteins of both host and parasite followed by computational separation of their respective nascent proteomes in confocal image sets. We use the assay to determine whether a test set of known compounds are direct or indirect liver stage translation inhibitors and show that the assay can also predict the mode of action for novel antimalarial compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- James L. McLellan
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology and South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - William Sausman
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology and South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Ashley B. Reers
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, Long School of Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Evelien M. Bunnik
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, Long School of Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Kirsten K. Hanson
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology and South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
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12
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Abdul Rahman SM, Bhatti JS, Thareja S, Monga V. Current development of 1,2,3-triazole derived potential antimalarial scaffolds: Structure- activity relationship (SAR) and bioactive compounds. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 259:115699. [PMID: 37542987 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/07/2023]
Abstract
Malaria is among one of the most devastating and deadliest parasitic disease in the world claiming millions of lives every year around the globe. It is a mosquito-borne infectious disease caused by various species of the parasitic protozoan of the genus Plasmodium. The indiscriminate exploitation of the clinically used antimalarial drugs led to the development of various drug-resistant and multidrug-resistant strains of plasmodium which severely reduces the therapeutic effectiveness of most frontline medicines. Therefore, there is urgent need to develop novel structural classes of antimalarial agents acting with unique mechanism of action(s). In this context, design and development of hybrid molecules containing pharmacophoric features of different lead molecules in a single entity represents a unique strategy for the development of next-generation antimalarial drugs. Research efforts by the scientific community over the past few years has led to the identification and development of several heterocyclic small molecules as antimalarial agents with high potency, less toxicity and desired efficacy. Triazole derivatives have become indispensable units in the medicinal chemistry due to their diverse spectrum of biological profiles and many triazole based hybrids and conjugates have demonstrated potential in vitro and in vivo antimalarial activities. The manuscript compiled recent developments in the medicinal chemistry of triazole based small heterocyclic molecules as antimalarial agents and discusses various reported biologically active compounds to lay the groundwork for the rationale design and discovery of triazole based antimalarial compounds. The article emphasised on biological activities, structure activity relationships, and molecular docking studies of various triazole based hybrids with heterocycles such as quinoline, artemisinins, naphthyl, naphthoquinone, etc. as potential antimalarial agents which could act on the dual stage and multi stage of the parasitic life cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Maheen Abdul Rahman
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Natural Products, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, 151401, Punjab, India
| | - Jasvinder Singh Bhatti
- Department of Human Genetics and Molecular Medicine, School of Health Sciences, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, 151401, Punjab, India
| | - Suresh Thareja
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Natural Products, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, 151401, Punjab, India
| | - Vikramdeep Monga
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Natural Products, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, 151401, Punjab, India.
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13
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Bailey BL, Nguyen W, Cowman AF, Sleebs BE. Chemo-proteomics in antimalarial target identification and engagement. Med Res Rev 2023; 43:2303-2351. [PMID: 37232495 PMCID: PMC10947479 DOI: 10.1002/med.21975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Revised: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Humans have lived in tenuous battle with malaria over millennia. Today, while much of the world is free of the disease, areas of South America, Asia, and Africa still wage this war with substantial impacts on their social and economic development. The threat of widespread resistance to all currently available antimalarial therapies continues to raise concern. Therefore, it is imperative that novel antimalarial chemotypes be developed to populate the pipeline going forward. Phenotypic screening has been responsible for the majority of the new chemotypes emerging in the past few decades. However, this can result in limited information on the molecular target of these compounds which may serve as an unknown variable complicating their progression into clinical development. Target identification and validation is a process that incorporates techniques from a range of different disciplines. Chemical biology and more specifically chemo-proteomics have been heavily utilized for this purpose. This review provides an in-depth summary of the application of chemo-proteomics in antimalarial development. Here we focus particularly on the methodology, practicalities, merits, and limitations of designing these experiments. Together this provides learnings on the future use of chemo-proteomics in antimalarial development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brodie L. Bailey
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical ResearchMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
- Department of Medical BiologyThe University of MelbourneMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - William Nguyen
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical ResearchMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
- Department of Medical BiologyThe University of MelbourneMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - Alan F. Cowman
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical ResearchMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
- Department of Medical BiologyThe University of MelbourneMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - Brad E. Sleebs
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical ResearchMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
- Department of Medical BiologyThe University of MelbourneMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
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14
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Hikaambo CN, Shakela N, Woodland JG, Wicht KJ, Chibale K. Drug discovery in Africa tackles zoonotic and related infections. Sci Transl Med 2023; 15:eadj0035. [PMID: 37851825 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.adj0035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2023]
Abstract
Zoonotic and related infections pose an enormous health threat to the world's second-most populous continent. Despite the challenges faced by drug discovery scientists in Africa, recent progress toward identifying potential medicines across diverse disease areas is a cause for optimism and an indicator of progress in African-led scientific initiatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christabel N Hikaambo
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Natalia Shakela
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - John G Woodland
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, Cape Town, South Africa
- Holistic Drug Discovery and Development (H3D) Centre, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, Cape Town, South Africa
- South African Medical Research Council Drug Discovery and Development Research Unit, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, Cape Town 7701, South Africa
| | - Kathryn J Wicht
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, Cape Town, South Africa
- Holistic Drug Discovery and Development (H3D) Centre, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, Cape Town, South Africa
- South African Medical Research Council Drug Discovery and Development Research Unit, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, Cape Town 7701, South Africa
| | - Kelly Chibale
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, Cape Town, South Africa
- Holistic Drug Discovery and Development (H3D) Centre, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, Cape Town, South Africa
- South African Medical Research Council Drug Discovery and Development Research Unit, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, Cape Town 7701, South Africa
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15
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Gudla CS, Selvam V, Selvaraj SS, Tripathi R, Joshi P, Shaham SH, Singh M, Shandil RK, Habib S, Narayanan S. Novel Baicalein-Derived Inhibitors of Plasmodium falciparum. Pathogens 2023; 12:1242. [PMID: 37887758 PMCID: PMC10610289 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12101242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Malaria, a life-threatening mosquito-borne disease caused by Plasmodium parasites, continues to pose a significant global health burden. Despite notable progress in combating the disease in recent years, malaria remains prevalent in many regions, particularly in Southeast Asia and most of sub-Saharan Africa, where it claims hundreds of thousands of lives annually. Flavonoids, such as the baicalein class of compounds, are known to have antimalarial properties. In this study, we rationally designed and synthesized a series of baicalein derivatives and identified a lead compound, FNDR-10132, that displayed potent in vitro antimalarial activity against Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum), both chloroquine-sensitive (60 nM) and chloroquine-resistant (177 nM) parasites. FNDR-10132 was evaluated for its antimalarial activity in vivo against the chloroquine-resistant strain Plasmodium yoelii N67 in Swiss mice. The oral administration of 100 mg/kg of FNDR-10132 showed 44% parasite suppression on day 4, with a mean survival time of 13.5 ± 2.3 days vs. 8.4 ± 2.3 days of control. Also, FNDR-10132 displayed equivalent activity against the resistant strains of P. falciparum in the 200-300 nM range. This study offers a novel series of antimalarial compounds that could be developed into potent drugs against chloroquine-resistant malarial parasites through further chemistry and DMPK optimization.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Vignesh Selvam
- Foundation for Neglected Disease Research, Bangalore 561203, Karnataka, India
| | | | - Renu Tripathi
- Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, CSIR—Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow 226301, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Prince Joshi
- Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, CSIR—Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow 226301, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Salique Hassan Shaham
- Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, CSIR—Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow 226301, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Mayas Singh
- Foundation for Neglected Disease Research, Bangalore 561203, Karnataka, India
| | | | - Saman Habib
- Biochemistry and Structural Biology, CSIR—Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow 226301, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Shridhar Narayanan
- Foundation for Neglected Disease Research, Bangalore 561203, Karnataka, India
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16
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Siqueira-Neto JL, Wicht KJ, Chibale K, Burrows JN, Fidock DA, Winzeler EA. Antimalarial drug discovery: progress and approaches. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2023; 22:807-826. [PMID: 37652975 PMCID: PMC10543600 DOI: 10.1038/s41573-023-00772-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
Recent antimalarial drug discovery has been a race to produce new medicines that overcome emerging drug resistance, whilst considering safety and improving dosing convenience. Discovery efforts have yielded a variety of new molecules, many with novel modes of action, and the most advanced are in late-stage clinical development. These discoveries have led to a deeper understanding of how antimalarial drugs act, the identification of a new generation of drug targets, and multiple structure-based chemistry initiatives. The limited pool of funding means it is vital to prioritize new drug candidates. They should exhibit high potency, a low propensity for resistance, a pharmacokinetic profile that favours infrequent dosing, low cost, preclinical results that demonstrate safety and tolerability in women and infants, and preferably the ability to block Plasmodium transmission to Anopheles mosquito vectors. In this Review, we describe the approaches that have been successful, progress in preclinical and clinical development, and existing challenges. We illustrate how antimalarial drug discovery can serve as a model for drug discovery in diseases of poverty.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kathryn J Wicht
- Holistic Drug Discovery and Development (H3D) Centre, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, South Africa
- South African Medical Research Council Drug Discovery and Development Research Unit, Department of Chemistry and Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, South Africa
| | - Kelly Chibale
- Holistic Drug Discovery and Development (H3D) Centre, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, South Africa
- South African Medical Research Council Drug Discovery and Development Research Unit, Department of Chemistry and Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, South Africa
| | | | - David A Fidock
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology and Center for Malaria Therapeutics and Antimicrobial Resistance, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
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17
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Ling DB, Nguyen W, Looker O, Razook Z, McCann K, Barry AE, Scheurer C, Wittlin S, Famodimu MT, Delves MJ, Bullen HE, Crabb BS, Sleebs BE, Gilson PR. A Pyridyl-Furan Series Developed from the Open Global Health Library Block Red Blood Cell Invasion and Protein Trafficking in Plasmodium falciparum through Potential Inhibition of the Parasite's PI4KIIIB Enzyme. ACS Infect Dis 2023; 9:1695-1710. [PMID: 37639221 PMCID: PMC10496428 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.3c00138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023]
Abstract
With the resistance increasing to current antimalarial medicines, there is an urgent need to discover new drug targets and to develop new medicines against these targets. We therefore screened the Open Global Health Library of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, of 250 compounds against the asexual blood stage of the deadliest malarial parasite Plasmodium falciparum, from which eight inhibitors with low micromolar potency were found. Due to its combined potencies against parasite growth and inhibition of red blood cell invasion, the pyridyl-furan compound OGHL250 was prioritized for further optimization. The potency of the series lead compound (WEHI-518) was improved 250-fold to low nanomolar levels against parasite blood-stage growth. Parasites selected for resistance to a related compound, MMV396797, were also resistant to WEHI-518 as well as KDU731, an inhibitor of the phosphatidylinositol kinase PfPI4KIIIB, suggesting that this kinase is the target of the pyridyl-furan series. Inhibition of PfPI4KIIIB blocks multiple stages of the parasite's life cycle and other potent inhibitors are currently under preclinical development. MMV396797-resistant parasites possess an E1316D mutation in PfPKI4IIIB that clusters with known resistance mutations of other inhibitors of the kinase. Building upon earlier studies that showed that PfPI4KIIIB inhibitors block the development of the invasive merozoite parasite stage, we show that members of the pyridyl-furan series also block invasion and/or the conversion of merozoites into ring-stage intracellular parasites through inhibition of protein secretion and export into red blood cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dawson B. Ling
- Burnet Institute,
Melbourne, Victoria3004, Australia
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology,
University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria3010,
Australia
| | - William Nguyen
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of
Medical Research, Melbourne, Victoria3052,
Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The
University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria3010,
Australia
| | - Oliver Looker
- Burnet Institute,
Melbourne, Victoria3004, Australia
| | - Zahra Razook
- Burnet Institute,
Melbourne, Victoria3004, Australia
- School of Medicine and Institute for Mental and
Physical Health and Clinical Translation, Deakin University,
Waurn Ponds, Victoria3216, Australia
| | - Kirsty McCann
- Burnet Institute,
Melbourne, Victoria3004, Australia
- School of Medicine and Institute for Mental and
Physical Health and Clinical Translation, Deakin University,
Waurn Ponds, Victoria3216, Australia
| | - Alyssa E. Barry
- Burnet Institute,
Melbourne, Victoria3004, Australia
- School of Medicine and Institute for Mental and
Physical Health and Clinical Translation, Deakin University,
Waurn Ponds, Victoria3216, Australia
| | - Christian Scheurer
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health
Institute, Allschwil, 4123Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel,
4001Switzerland
| | - Sergio Wittlin
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health
Institute, Allschwil, 4123Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel,
4001Switzerland
| | - Mufuliat Toyin Famodimu
- Department of Infection Biology, Faculty of Infectious
Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Kepel
Street, London, WC1E 7HT, U.K.
| | - Michael J Delves
- Department of Infection Biology, Faculty of Infectious
Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Kepel
Street, London, WC1E 7HT, U.K.
| | - Hayley E. Bullen
- Burnet Institute,
Melbourne, Victoria3004, Australia
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology,
University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria3010,
Australia
| | - Brendan S. Crabb
- Burnet Institute,
Melbourne, Victoria3004, Australia
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology,
University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria3010,
Australia
- Department of Immunology and Pathology,
Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria3800,
Australia
| | - Brad E. Sleebs
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of
Medical Research, Melbourne, Victoria3052,
Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The
University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria3010,
Australia
| | - Paul R. Gilson
- Burnet Institute,
Melbourne, Victoria3004, Australia
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology,
University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria3010,
Australia
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18
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Mogwera KSP, Chibale K, Arendse LB. Developing kinase inhibitors for malaria: an opportunity or liability? Trends Parasitol 2023; 39:720-731. [PMID: 37385921 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2023.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023]
Abstract
Highly druggable and essential to almost all aspects of cellular life, the protein and phosphoinositide kinase gene families offer a wealth of potential targets for pharmacological modulation for both noncommunicable and infectious diseases. Despite the success of kinase inhibitors in oncology and other disease indications, targeting kinases comes with significant challenges. Key hurdles for kinase drug discovery include selectivity and acquired resistance. The phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase beta inhibitor MMV390048 showed good efficacy in Phase 2a clinical trials, demonstrating the potential of kinase inhibitors for malaria treatment. Here we argue that the potential benefits of Plasmodium kinase inhibitors outweigh the risks, and we highlight the opportunity for designed polypharmacology to reduce the risk of resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koketso S P Mogwera
- Drug Discovery and Development Centre (H3D), South African Medical Research Council Drug Discovery and Development Research Unit, Department of Chemistry and Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa
| | - Kelly Chibale
- Drug Discovery and Development Centre (H3D), South African Medical Research Council Drug Discovery and Development Research Unit, Department of Chemistry and Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa
| | - Lauren B Arendse
- Drug Discovery and Development Centre (H3D), South African Medical Research Council Drug Discovery and Development Research Unit, Department of Chemistry and Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa.
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19
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B Henry N, Soulama I, S Sermé S, Bolscher JM, T G Huijs T, S Coulibaly A, Sombié S, Ouédraogo N, Diarra A, Zongo S, Guelbéogo WM, Nébié I, Sirima SB, Tiono AB, Pietro A, Collins KA, Dechering KJ, Bousema T. Assessment of the transmission blocking activity of antimalarial compounds by membrane feeding assays using natural Plasmodium falciparum gametocyte isolates from West-Africa. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0284751. [PMID: 37494413 PMCID: PMC10370769 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0284751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Antimalarial drugs that can block the transmission of Plasmodium gametocytes to mosquito vectors would be highly beneficial for malaria elimination efforts. Identifying transmission-blocking drugs currently relies on evaluation of their activity against gametocyte-producing laboratory parasite strains and would benefit from a testing pipeline with genetically diverse field isolates. The aims of this study were to develop a pipeline to test drugs against P. falciparum gametocyte field isolates and to evaluate the transmission-blocking activity of a set of novel compounds. Two assays were designed so they could identify both the overall transmission-blocking activity of a number of marketed and experimental drugs by direct membrane feeding assays (DMFA), and then also discriminate between those that are active against the gametocytes (gametocyte killing or sterilizing) or those that block development in the mosquito (sporontocidal). These DMFA assays used venous blood samples from naturally infected Plasmodium falciparum gametocyte carriers and locally reared Anopheles gambiae s.s. mosquitoes. Overall transmission-blocking activity was assessed following a 24 hour incubation of compound with gametocyte infected blood (TB-DMFA). Sporontocidal activity was evaluated following addition of compound directly prior to feeding, without incubation (SPORO-DMFA); Gametocyte viability was retained during 24-hour incubation at 37°C when gametocyte infected red blood cells were reconstituted in RPMI/serum. Methylene-blue, MMV693183, DDD107498, atovaquone and P218 showed potent transmission-blocking activity in the TB-DMFA, and both atovaquone and the novel antifolate P218 were potent inhibitors of sporogonic development in the SPORO-DMA. This work establishes a pipeline for the integral use of field isolates to assess the transmission-blocking capacity of antimalarial drugs to block transmission that should be validated in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noëlie B Henry
- Groupe de Recherche Action en Santé, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
- Centre National de Recherche et de Formation sur le Paludisme, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | - Issiaka Soulama
- Centre National de Recherche et de Formation sur le Paludisme, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
- Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé (IRSS)/CNRST, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | - Samuel S Sermé
- Groupe de Recherche Action en Santé, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
- Centre National de Recherche et de Formation sur le Paludisme, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | | | | | - Aboubacar S Coulibaly
- Centre National de Recherche et de Formation sur le Paludisme, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | - Salif Sombié
- Centre National de Recherche et de Formation sur le Paludisme, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | - Nicolas Ouédraogo
- Centre National de Recherche et de Formation sur le Paludisme, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | - Amidou Diarra
- Groupe de Recherche Action en Santé, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
- Centre National de Recherche et de Formation sur le Paludisme, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | - Soumanaba Zongo
- Centre National de Recherche et de Formation sur le Paludisme, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | - Wamdaogo M Guelbéogo
- Centre National de Recherche et de Formation sur le Paludisme, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | - Issa Nébié
- Groupe de Recherche Action en Santé, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | | | - Alfred B Tiono
- Centre National de Recherche et de Formation sur le Paludisme, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | - Alano Pietro
- Dipartimento di Malattie Infettive, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Roma, Italy
| | - Katharine A Collins
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, Netherland
| | | | - Teun Bousema
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, Netherland
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20
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Miyazaki Y, Vos MW, Geurten FJA, Bigeard P, Kroeze H, Yoshioka S, Arisawa M, Inaoka DK, Soulard V, Dechering KJ, Franke-Fayard B, Miyazaki S. A versatile Plasmodium falciparum reporter line expressing NanoLuc enables highly sensitive multi-stage drug assays. Commun Biol 2023; 6:713. [PMID: 37438491 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05078-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Transgenic luciferase-expressing Plasmodium falciparum parasites have been widely used for the evaluation of anti-malarial compounds. Here, to screen for anti-malarial drugs effective against multiple stages of the parasite, we generate a P. falciparum reporter parasite that constitutively expresses NanoLuciferase (NanoLuc) throughout its whole life cycle. The NanoLuc-expressing P. falciparum reporter parasite shows a quantitative NanoLuc signal in the asexual blood, gametocyte, mosquito, and liver stages. We also establish assay systems to evaluate the anti-malarial activity of compounds at the asexual blood, gametocyte, and liver stages, and then determine the 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) value of several anti-malarial compounds. Through the development of this robust high-throughput screening system, we identify an anti-malarial compound that kills the asexual blood stage parasites. Our study highlights the utility of the NanoLuc reporter line, which may advance anti-malarial drug development through the improved screening of compounds targeting the human malarial parasite at multiple stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yukiko Miyazaki
- Department of Molecular Infection Dynamics, Institute of Tropical Medicine (NEKKEN), Nagasaki University, 852-8523, Nagasaki, Japan.
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA, Leiden, The Netherlands.
- Department of Protozoology, Institute of Tropical Medicine (NEKKEN), Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan.
| | - Martijn W Vos
- TropIQ Health Sciences, Transistorweg 5, 6534 AT, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Fiona J A Geurten
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Pierre Bigeard
- Sorbonne Université, Inserm, CNRS, Centre d'Immunologie et des Maladies Infectieuses, CIMI-Paris, F-75013, Paris, France
| | - Hans Kroeze
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Shohei Yoshioka
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, 565-0871, Osaka, Japan
| | - Mitsuhiro Arisawa
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, 565-0871, Osaka, Japan
| | - Daniel Ken Inaoka
- Department of Molecular Infection Dynamics, Institute of Tropical Medicine (NEKKEN), Nagasaki University, 852-8523, Nagasaki, Japan
- School of Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, 852-8523, Japan
- Department of Biomedical Chemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
| | - Valerie Soulard
- Sorbonne Université, Inserm, CNRS, Centre d'Immunologie et des Maladies Infectieuses, CIMI-Paris, F-75013, Paris, France
| | - Koen J Dechering
- TropIQ Health Sciences, Transistorweg 5, 6534 AT, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Blandine Franke-Fayard
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Shinya Miyazaki
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA, Leiden, The Netherlands.
- Department of Cellular Architecture Studies, Institute of Tropical Medicine (NEKKEN), Nagasaki University, 852-8523, Nagasaki, Japan.
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21
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McLellan JL, Sausman W, Reers AB, Bunnik EM, Hanson KK. Single-cell quantitative bioimaging of P. berghei liver stage translation. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.07.05.547872. [PMID: 37461595 PMCID: PMC10350035 DOI: 10.1101/2023.07.05.547872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/24/2023]
Abstract
Plasmodium parasite resistance to existing antimalarial drugs poses a devastating threat to the lives of many who depend on their efficacy. New antimalarial drugs and novel drug targets are in critical need, along with novel assays to accelerate their identification. Given the essentiality of protein synthesis throughout the complex parasite lifecycle, translation inhibitors are a promising drug class, capable of targeting the disease-causing blood stage of infection, as well as the asymptomatic liver stage, a crucial target for prophylaxis. To identify compounds capable of inhibiting liver stage parasite translation, we developed an assay to visualize and quantify translation in the P. berghei-HepG2 infection model. After labeling infected monolayers with o-propargyl puromycin (OPP), a functionalized analog of puromycin permitting subsequent bioorthogonal addition of a fluorophore to each OPP-terminated nascent polypetide, we use automated confocal feedback microscopy followed by batch image segmentation and feature extraction to visualize and quantify the nascent proteome in individual P. berghei liver stage parasites and host cells simultaneously. After validation, we demonstrate specific, concentration-dependent liver stage translation inhibition by both parasite-selective and pan-eukaryotic active compounds, and further show that acute pre-treatment and competition modes of the OPP assay can distinguish between direct and indirect translation inhibitors. We identify a Malaria Box compound, MMV019266, as a direct translation inhibitor in P. berghei liver stages and confirm this potential mode of action in P. falciparum asexual blood stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- James L McLellan
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology and South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - William Sausman
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology and South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Ashley B Reers
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, Long School of Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Evelien M Bunnik
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, Long School of Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Kirsten K Hanson
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology and South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
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22
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Demarta-Gatsi C, Andenmatten N, Jiménez-Díaz MB, Gobeau N, Cherkaoui-Rabti MH, Fuchs A, Díaz P, Berja S, Sánchez R, Gómez H, Ruiz E, Sainz P, Salazar E, Gil-Merino R, Mendoza LM, Eguizabal C, Leroy D, Moehrle JJ, Tornesi B, Angulo-Barturen I. Predicting Optimal Antimalarial Drug Combinations from a Standardized Plasmodium falciparum Humanized Mouse Model. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2023; 67:e0157422. [PMID: 37133382 PMCID: PMC10269072 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01574-22] [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: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 05/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The development of new combinations of antimalarial drugs is urgently needed to prevent the spread of parasites resistant to drugs in clinical use and contribute to the control and eradication of malaria. In this work, we evaluated a standardized humanized mouse model of erythrocyte asexual stages of Plasmodium falciparum (PfalcHuMouse) for the selection of optimal drug combinations. First, we showed that the replication of P. falciparum was robust and highly reproducible in the PfalcHuMouse model by retrospective analysis of historical data. Second, we compared the relative value of parasite clearance from blood, parasite regrowth after suboptimal treatment (recrudescence), and cure as variables of therapeutic response to measure the contributions of partner drugs to combinations in vivo. To address the comparison, we first formalized and validated the day of recrudescence (DoR) as a new variable and found that there was a log-linear relationship with the number of viable parasites per mouse. Then, using historical data on monotherapy and two small cohorts of PfalcHuMice evaluated with ferroquine plus artefenomel or piperaquine plus artefenomel, we found that only measurements of parasite killing (i.e., cure of mice) as a function of drug exposure in blood allowed direct estimation of the individual drug contribution to efficacy by using multivariate statistical modeling and intuitive graphic displays. Overall, the analysis of parasite killing in the PfalcHuMouse model is a unique and robust experimental in vivo tool to inform the selection of optimal combinations by pharmacometric pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) modeling.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Aline Fuchs
- Medicines for Malaria Venture, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Pablo Díaz
- The Art of Discovery, Derio, Basque Country, Spain
| | - Sandra Berja
- The Art of Discovery, Derio, Basque Country, Spain
| | | | - Hazel Gómez
- The Art of Discovery, Derio, Basque Country, Spain
| | | | - Paula Sainz
- The Art of Discovery, Derio, Basque Country, Spain
| | | | | | | | - Cristina Eguizabal
- Cell Therapy, Stem Cells and Tissues Group, Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Bizkaia, Spain
- Basque Centre for Blood Transfusion and Human Tissues, Galdakao, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Didier Leroy
- Medicines for Malaria Venture, Geneva, Switzerland
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23
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Mbye H, Bojang F, Jaiteh FK, Jawara A, Njie B, Correa S, D'Alessandro U, Amambua-Ngwa A. Stepwise in vitro screening of MMV pathogen box compounds against Plasmodium falciparum to identify potent antimalarial candidates. Int J Parasitol Drugs Drug Resist 2023; 22:81-87. [PMID: 37329848 PMCID: PMC10394470 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2023.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2022] [Revised: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Development of resistance to deployed antimalarial drugs is inevitable and needs prompt and continuous discovery of novel candidate drugs. Therefore, the antimalarial activity of 125 compounds from the Medicine for Malaria Ventures (MMV) pathogen box was determined. Combining standard IC50 and normalised growth rate inhibition (GR50) analyses, we found 16 and 22 compounds had higher potencies than CQ respectively. Seven compounds with relatively high potencies (low GR50 and IC50) against P. falciparum 3D7 were further analysed. Three of these were tested on 10 natural P. falciparum isolates from The Gambia using our newly developed parasite survival rate assay (PSRA). According to the IC50, GR50 and PSRA analyses, compound MMV667494 was most potent and highly cytotoxic to parasites. MMV010576 was slow acting but more potent than dihydroartemisinin (DHA) 72 h after exposure. MMV634140 was potent against the laboratory-adapted 3D7 isolate, but 4 out of 10 natural Gambian isolates survived and replicated slowly despite 72 h of exposure to the compound, suggesting potential drug tolerance and risk of resistance development. These results emphasise the usefulness of in vitro testing as a starting point for drug discovery. Improved approaches to data analyses and the use of natural isolates will facilitate the prioritisation of compounds for further clinical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haddijatou Mbye
- Medical Research Council at London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Fajara, P. O. Box 273, Banjul, the Republic of the Gambia; West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, University of Ghana, Legon, P. O Box LG 54, Accra, Ghana
| | - Fatoumata Bojang
- Medical Research Council at London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Fajara, P. O. Box 273, Banjul, the Republic of the Gambia
| | - Fatou Kene Jaiteh
- Medical Research Council at London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Fajara, P. O. Box 273, Banjul, the Republic of the Gambia
| | - Aminata Jawara
- Medical Research Council at London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Fajara, P. O. Box 273, Banjul, the Republic of the Gambia
| | - Bekai Njie
- Medical Research Council at London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Fajara, P. O. Box 273, Banjul, the Republic of the Gambia
| | - Simon Correa
- Medical Research Council at London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Fajara, P. O. Box 273, Banjul, the Republic of the Gambia
| | - Umberto D'Alessandro
- Medical Research Council at London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Fajara, P. O. Box 273, Banjul, the Republic of the Gambia
| | - Alfred Amambua-Ngwa
- Medical Research Council at London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Fajara, P. O. Box 273, Banjul, the Republic of the Gambia.
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24
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Umumararungu T, Nkuranga JB, Habarurema G, Nyandwi JB, Mukazayire MJ, Mukiza J, Muganga R, Hahirwa I, Mpenda M, Katembezi AN, Olawode EO, Kayitare E, Kayumba PC. Recent developments in antimalarial drug discovery. Bioorg Med Chem 2023; 88-89:117339. [PMID: 37236020 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2023.117339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Although malaria remains a big burden to many countries that it threatens their socio-economic stability, particularly in the countries where malaria is endemic, there have been great efforts to eradicate this disease with both successes and failures. For example, there has been a great improvement in malaria prevention and treatment methods with a net reduction in infection and mortality rates. However, the disease remains a global threat in terms of the number of people affected because it is one of the infectious diseases that has the highest prevalence rate, especially in Africa where the deadly Plasmodium falciparum is still widely spread. Methods to fight malaria are being diversified, including the use of mosquito nets, the target candidate profiles (TCPs) and target product profiles (TPPs) of medicine for malarial venture (MMV) strategy, the search for newer and potent drugs that could reverse chloroquine resistance, and the use of adjuvants such as rosiglitazone and sevuparin. Although these adjuvants have no antiplasmodial activity, they can help to alleviate the effects which result from plasmodium invasion such as cytoadherence. The list of new antimalarial drugs under development is long, including the out of ordinary new drugs MMV048, CDRI-97/78 and INE963 from South Africa, India and Novartis, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Théoneste Umumararungu
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, Rwanda.
| | - Jean Bosco Nkuranga
- Department of Chemistry, School of Science, College of Science and Technology, University of Rwanda, Rwanda
| | - Gratien Habarurema
- Department of Chemistry, School of Science, College of Science and Technology, University of Rwanda, Rwanda
| | - Jean Baptiste Nyandwi
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, Rwanda
| | - Marie Jeanne Mukazayire
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, Rwanda
| | - Janvier Mukiza
- Department of Mathematical Science and Physical Education, School of Education, College of Education, University of Rwanda, Rwanda; Rwanda Food and Drugs Authority, Nyarutarama Plaza, KG 9 Avenue, Kigali, Rwanda
| | - Raymond Muganga
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, Rwanda; Rwanda Food and Drugs Authority, Nyarutarama Plaza, KG 9 Avenue, Kigali, Rwanda
| | - Innocent Hahirwa
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, Rwanda
| | - Matabishi Mpenda
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, Rwanda
| | - Alain Nyirimigabo Katembezi
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, Rwanda; Rwanda Food and Drugs Authority, Nyarutarama Plaza, KG 9 Avenue, Kigali, Rwanda
| | - Emmanuel Oladayo Olawode
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Larkin University, 18301 N Miami Ave #1, Miami, FL 33169, USA
| | - Egide Kayitare
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, Rwanda
| | - Pierre Claver Kayumba
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, Rwanda
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25
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Muema JM, Mutunga JM, Obonyo MA, Getahun MN, Mwakubambanya RS, Akala HM, Cheruiyot AC, Yeda RA, Juma DW, Andagalu B, Johnson JL, Roth AL, Bargul JL. Isoliensinine from Cissampelos pariera rhizomes exhibits potential gametocytocidal and anti-malarial activities against Plasmodium falciparum clinical isolates. Malar J 2023; 22:161. [PMID: 37208735 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-023-04590-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The unmet demand for effective malaria transmission-blocking agents targeting the transmissible stages of Plasmodium necessitates intensive discovery efforts. In this study, a bioactive bisbenzylisoquinoline (BBIQ), isoliensinine, from Cissampelos pariera (Menispermaceae) rhizomes was identified and characterized for its anti-malarial activity. METHODS Malaria SYBR Green I fluorescence assay was performed to evaluate the in vitro antimalarial activity against D6, Dd2, and F32-ART5 clones, and immediate ex vivo (IEV) susceptibility for 10 freshly collected P. falciparum isolates. To determine the speed- and stage-of-action of isoliensinine, an IC50 speed assay and morphological analyses were performed using synchronized Dd2 asexuals. Gametocytocidal activity against two culture-adapted gametocyte-producing clinical isolates was determined using microscopy readouts, with possible molecular targets and their binding affinities deduced in silico. RESULTS Isoliensinine displayed a potent in vitro gametocytocidal activity at mean IC50gam values ranging between 0.41 and 0.69 µM for Plasmodium falciparum clinical isolates. The BBIQ compound also inhibited asexual replication at mean IC50Asexual of 2.17 µM, 2.22 µM, and 2.39 µM for D6, Dd2 and F32-ART5 respectively, targeting the late-trophozoite to schizont transition. Further characterization demonstrated a considerable immediate ex vivo potency against human clinical isolates at a geometric mean IC50IEV = 1.433 µM (95% CI 0.917-2.242). In silico analyses postulated a probable anti-malarial mechanism of action by high binding affinities for four mitotic division protein kinases; Pfnek1, Pfmap2, Pfclk1, and Pfclk4. Additionally, isoliensinine was predicted to possess an optimal pharmacokinetics profile and drug-likeness properties. CONCLUSION These findings highlight considerable grounds for further exploration of isoliensinine as an amenable scaffold for malaria transmission-blocking chemistry and target validation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jackson M Muema
- Department of Biochemistry, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), Nairobi, Kenya.
- U.S. Army Medical Research Directorate-Africa (USAMRD-A), Centre for Global Health Research (CGHR), Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Kisumu, Kenya.
| | - James M Mutunga
- U.S. Army Medical Research Directorate-Africa (USAMRD-A), Centre for Global Health Research (CGHR), Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Kisumu, Kenya
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Pure and Applied Sciences, Mount Kenya University, Thika, Kenya
- School of Engineering Design, Technology and Professional Programs, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
| | - Meshack A Obonyo
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Egerton University, Egerton, Kenya
| | - Merid N Getahun
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (Icipe), Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | - Hoseah M Akala
- U.S. Army Medical Research Directorate-Africa (USAMRD-A), Centre for Global Health Research (CGHR), Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Agnes C Cheruiyot
- U.S. Army Medical Research Directorate-Africa (USAMRD-A), Centre for Global Health Research (CGHR), Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Redemptah A Yeda
- U.S. Army Medical Research Directorate-Africa (USAMRD-A), Centre for Global Health Research (CGHR), Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Dennis W Juma
- U.S. Army Medical Research Directorate-Africa (USAMRD-A), Centre for Global Health Research (CGHR), Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Ben Andagalu
- U.S. Army Medical Research Directorate-Africa (USAMRD-A), Centre for Global Health Research (CGHR), Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Jaree L Johnson
- U.S. Army Medical Research Directorate-Africa (USAMRD-A), Centre for Global Health Research (CGHR), Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Amanda L Roth
- U.S. Army Medical Research Directorate-Africa (USAMRD-A), Centre for Global Health Research (CGHR), Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Joel L Bargul
- Department of Biochemistry, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), Nairobi, Kenya.
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (Icipe), Nairobi, Kenya.
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26
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Bura A, Čabrijan S, Đurić I, Bruketa T, Jurak Begonja A. A Plethora of Functions Condensed into Tiny Phospholipids: The Story of PI4P and PI(4,5)P 2. Cells 2023; 12:1411. [PMID: 37408244 DOI: 10.3390/cells12101411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2023] [Revised: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Phosphoinositides (PIs) are small, phosphorylated lipids that serve many functions in the cell. They regulate endo- and exocytosis, vesicular trafficking, actin reorganization, and cell mobility, and they act as signaling molecules. The most abundant PIs in the cell are phosphatidylinositol-4-monophosphate (PI4P) and phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate [PI(4,5)P2]. PI4P is mostly localized at the Golgi apparatus where it regulates the anterograde trafficking from the Golgi apparatus to the plasma membrane (PM), but it also localizes at the PM. On the other hand, the main localization site of PI(4,5)P2 is the PM where it regulates the formation of endocytic vesicles. The levels of PIs are regulated by many kinases and phosphatases. Four main kinases phosphorylate the precursor molecule phosphatidylinositol into PI4P, divided into two classes (PI4KIIα, PI4KIIβ, PI4KIIIα, and PI4KIIIβ), and three main kinases phosphorylate PI4P to form PI(4,5)P2 (PI4P5KIα, PI4P5KIβ, and PI4P5KIγ). In this review, we discuss the localization and function of the kinases that produce PI4P and PI(4,5)P2, as well as the localization and function of their product molecules with an overview of tools for the detection of these PIs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Bura
- Laboratory of Hematopoiesis, Department of Biotechnology, University of Rijeka, R. Matejcic 2, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Sara Čabrijan
- Laboratory of Hematopoiesis, Department of Biotechnology, University of Rijeka, R. Matejcic 2, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Iris Đurić
- Laboratory of Hematopoiesis, Department of Biotechnology, University of Rijeka, R. Matejcic 2, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Tea Bruketa
- Laboratory of Hematopoiesis, Department of Biotechnology, University of Rijeka, R. Matejcic 2, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Antonija Jurak Begonja
- Laboratory of Hematopoiesis, Department of Biotechnology, University of Rijeka, R. Matejcic 2, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia
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Ong HW, Adderley J, Tobin AB, Drewry DH, Doerig C. Parasite and host kinases as targets for antimalarials. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2023; 27:151-169. [PMID: 36942408 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2023.2185511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/23/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The deployment of Artemisinin-based combination therapies and transmission control measures led to a decrease in the global malaria burden over the recent decades. Unfortunately, this trend is now reversing, in part due to resistance against available treatments, calling for the development of new drugs against untapped targets to prevent cross-resistance. AREAS COVERED In view of their demonstrated druggability in noninfectious diseases, protein kinases represent attractive targets. Kinase-focussed antimalarial drug discovery is facilitated by the availability of kinase-targeting scaffolds and large libraries of inhibitors, as well as high-throughput phenotypic and biochemical assays. We present an overview of validated Plasmodium kinase targets and their inhibitors, and briefly discuss the potential of host cell kinases as targets for host-directed therapy. EXPERT OPINION We propose priority research areas, including (i) diversification of Plasmodium kinase targets (at present most efforts focus on a very small number of targets); (ii) polypharmacology as an avenue to limit resistance (kinase inhibitors are highly suitable in this respect); and (iii) preemptive limitation of resistance through host-directed therapy (targeting host cell kinases that are required for parasite survival) and transmission-blocking through targeting sexual stage-specific kinases as a strategy to protect curative drugs from the spread of resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Wee Ong
- Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC USA
| | - Jack Adderley
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, Rmit University, Bundoora VIC Australia
| | - Andrew B Tobin
- Advanced Research Centre, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - David H Drewry
- Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC USA
| | - Christian Doerig
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, Rmit University, Bundoora VIC Australia
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28
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Imlay LS, Lawong AK, Gahalawat S, Kumar A, Xing C, Mittal N, Wittlin S, Churchyard A, Niederstrasser H, Crespo-Fernandez B, Posner BA, Gamo FJ, Baum J, Winzeler EA, LALEU B, Ready JM, Phillips MA. Fast-Killing Tyrosine Amide (( S)-SW228703) with Blood- and Liver-Stage Antimalarial Activity Associated with the Cyclic Amine Resistance Locus ( PfCARL). ACS Infect Dis 2023; 9:527-539. [PMID: 36763526 PMCID: PMC10053980 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.2c00527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
Current malaria treatments are threatened by drug resistance, and new drugs are urgently needed. In a phenotypic screen for new antimalarials, we identified (S)-SW228703 ((S)-SW703), a tyrosine amide with asexual blood and liver stage activity and a fast-killing profile. Resistance to (S)-SW703 is associated with mutations in the Plasmodium falciparum cyclic amine resistance locus (PfCARL) and P. falciparum acetyl CoA transporter (PfACT), similarly to several other compounds that share features such as fast activity and liver-stage activity. Compounds with these resistance mechanisms are thought to act in the ER, though their targets are unknown. The tyramine of (S)-SW703 is shared with some reported PfCARL-associated compounds; however, we observed that strict S-stereochemistry was required for the activity of (S)-SW703, suggesting differences in the mechanism of action or binding mode. (S)-SW703 provides a new chemical series with broad activity for multiple life-cycle stages and a fast-killing mechanism of action, available for lead optimization to generate new treatments for malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leah S. Imlay
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Aloysus K. Lawong
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Suraksha Gahalawat
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Ashwani Kumar
- Eugene McDermott Center for Human Growth and Development, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Chao Xing
- Eugene McDermott Center for Human Growth and Development, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
- Department of Bioinformatics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Nimisha Mittal
- Division of Host-Microbe Systems and Therapeutics, Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Sergio Wittlin
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, 4002, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, 4002, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Alisje Churchyard
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Hanspeter Niederstrasser
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | | | - Bruce A. Posner
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | | | - Jake Baum
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW, Australia
| | - Elizabeth A. Winzeler
- Division of Host-Microbe Systems and Therapeutics, Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Benoît LALEU
- Medicines for Malaria Venture, 1215 Geneva 15, Switzerland
| | - Joseph M. Ready
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Margaret A. Phillips
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
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29
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Ong HW, Truong A, Kwarcinski F, de Silva C, Avalani K, Havener TM, Chirgwin M, Galal KA, Willis C, Krämer A, Liu S, Knapp S, Derbyshire ER, Zutshi R, Drewry DH. Discovery of potent Plasmodium falciparum protein kinase 6 (PfPK6) inhibitors with a type II inhibitor pharmacophore. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 249:115043. [PMID: 36736152 PMCID: PMC10052868 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.115043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Malaria is a devastating disease that causes significant global morbidity and mortality. The rise of drug resistance against artemisinin-based combination therapy demonstrates the necessity to develop alternative antimalarials with novel mechanisms of action. We report the discovery of Ki8751 as an inhibitor of essential kinase PfPK6. 79 derivatives were designed, synthesized and evaluated for PfPK6 inhibition and antiplasmodial activity. Using group efficiency analyses, we established the importance of key groups on the scaffold consistent with a type II inhibitor pharmacophore. We highlight modifications on the tail group that contribute to antiplasmodial activity, cumulating in the discovery of compound 67, a PfPK6 inhibitor (IC50 = 13 nM) active against the P. falciparum blood stage (EC50 = 160 nM), and compound 79, a PfPK6 inhibitor (IC50 < 5 nM) with dual-stage antiplasmodial activity against P. falciparum blood stage (EC50 = 39 nM) and against P. berghei liver stage (EC50 = 220 nM).
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Wee Ong
- Structural Genomics Consortium and Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Anna Truong
- Department of Chemistry, Duke University, 124 Science Drive, Durham, NC, 27708, USA
| | - Frank Kwarcinski
- Luceome Biotechnologies, L.L.C, 1665 E. 18th Street, Suite 106, Tucson, AZ, 85719, USA
| | - Chandi de Silva
- Luceome Biotechnologies, L.L.C, 1665 E. 18th Street, Suite 106, Tucson, AZ, 85719, USA
| | - Krisha Avalani
- Luceome Biotechnologies, L.L.C, 1665 E. 18th Street, Suite 106, Tucson, AZ, 85719, USA
| | - Tammy M Havener
- Structural Genomics Consortium and Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Michael Chirgwin
- Department of Chemistry, Duke University, 124 Science Drive, Durham, NC, 27708, USA
| | - Kareem A Galal
- Structural Genomics Consortium and Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Caleb Willis
- Luceome Biotechnologies, L.L.C, 1665 E. 18th Street, Suite 106, Tucson, AZ, 85719, USA
| | - Andreas Krämer
- Structural Genomics Consortium, Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, 60438, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Shubin Liu
- Research Computing Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-3420, USA; Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-3420, USA
| | - Stefan Knapp
- Structural Genomics Consortium, Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, 60438, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Emily R Derbyshire
- Department of Chemistry, Duke University, 124 Science Drive, Durham, NC, 27708, USA; Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, 213 Research Drive, Durham, NC, 27710, USA.
| | - Reena Zutshi
- Luceome Biotechnologies, L.L.C, 1665 E. 18th Street, Suite 106, Tucson, AZ, 85719, USA.
| | - David H Drewry
- Structural Genomics Consortium and Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA; Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.
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30
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McPhail JA, Burke JE. Molecular mechanisms of PI4K regulation and their involvement in viral replication. Traffic 2023; 24:131-145. [PMID: 35579216 DOI: 10.1111/tra.12841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2022] [Revised: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Lipid phosphoinositides are master signaling molecules in eukaryotic cells and key markers of organelle identity. Because of these important roles, the kinases and phosphatases that generate phosphoinositides must be tightly regulated. Viruses can manipulate this regulation, with the Type III phosphatidylinositol 4-kinases (PI4KA and PI4KB) being hijacked by many RNA viruses to mediate their intracellular replication through the formation of phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate (PI4P)-enriched replication organelles (ROs). Different viruses have evolved unique approaches toward activating PI4K enzymes to form ROs, through both direct binding of PI4Ks and modulation of PI4K accessory proteins. This review will focus on PI4KA and PI4KB and discuss their roles in signaling, functions in membrane trafficking and manipulation by viruses. Our focus will be the molecular basis for how PI4KA and PI4KB are activated by both protein-binding partners and post-translational modifications, with an emphasis on understanding the different molecular mechanisms viruses have evolved to usurp PI4Ks. We will also discuss the chemical tools available to study the role of PI4Ks in viral infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob A McPhail
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
| | - John E Burke
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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31
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Recent approaches in the drug research and development of novel antimalarial drugs with new targets. ACTA PHARMACEUTICA (ZAGREB, CROATIA) 2023; 73:1-27. [PMID: 36692468 DOI: 10.2478/acph-2023-0001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Malaria is a serious worldwide medical issue that results in substantial annual death and morbidity. The availability of treatment alternatives is limited, and the rise of resistant parasite types has posed a significant challenge to malaria treatment. To prevent a public health disaster, novel antimalarial agents with single-dosage therapies, extensive curative capability, and new mechanisms are urgently needed. There are several approaches to developing antimalarial drugs, ranging from alterations of current drugs to the creation of new compounds with specific targeting abilities. The availability of multiple genomic techniques, as well as recent advancements in parasite biology, provides a varied collection of possible targets for the development of novel treatments. A number of promising pharmacological interference targets have been uncovered in modern times. As a result, our review concentrates on the most current scientific and technical progress in the innovation of new antimalarial medications. The protein kinases, choline transport inhibitors, dihydroorotate dehydrogenase inhibitors, isoprenoid biosynthesis inhibitors, and enzymes involved in the metabolism of lipids and replication of deoxyribonucleic acid, are among the most fascinating antimalarial target proteins presently being investigated. The new cellular targets and drugs which can inhibit malaria and their development techniques are summarised in this study.
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32
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Kundu M, Dutta A, Roy KK, Mal SK, Karmakar S, Mandal A, Mondal SK, Kumar S, Saha S, Pradhan S, Sarkar R, Chakrabarti M, Malik PK, Banerjee M. Identification of 5-(3-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl)-3-(4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl)-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine as novel orally bioavailable and metabolically stable antimalarial compound for further exploration. Chem Biol Drug Des 2023; 101:690-695. [PMID: 36322010 DOI: 10.1111/cbdd.14170] [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: 04/30/2022] [Revised: 10/09/2022] [Accepted: 10/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Malaria continues to be a significant public health problem threatened by the emergence and spread of resistance to artemisinin-based combination therapies and marked half a million deaths in 2016. A new imidazopyridine chemotype has been envisaged through scaffold-hopping approach combined with docking studies for putative-binding interactions with Plasmodium falciparum phosphatidylinositol-4-kinase (PfPI4K) target. The docking results steered to the synthesis of compound 1 [5-(3-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl)-3-(4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl)-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine] followed by the in vitro screening for antiplasmodial activity and ADME-PK studies. Combined with potent antimalarial activity of compound 1 (Pf3D7 IC50 = 29 nM) with meager in vitro intrinsic clearance, moderate plasma-protein binding, and acceptable permeability, compound 1 displayed sustained exposure and high oral bioavailability in mice and can thus have the potential as next generation PI4K inhibitor for in vivo studies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Aditi Dutta
- TCG Lifesciences Pvt. Ltd., Salt Lake, Kolkata, India
| | - Kuldeep K Roy
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Health Sciences and Technology, UPES University, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Sajal K Mal
- TCG Lifesciences Pvt. Ltd., Salt Lake, Kolkata, India
| | | | - Aritra Mandal
- TCG Lifesciences Pvt. Ltd., Salt Lake, Kolkata, India
| | | | - Sanjay Kumar
- TCG Lifesciences Pvt. Ltd., Salt Lake, Kolkata, India
| | - Soumya Saha
- TCG Lifesciences Pvt. Ltd., Salt Lake, Kolkata, India
| | | | - Ratul Sarkar
- TCG Lifesciences Pvt. Ltd., Salt Lake, Kolkata, India
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33
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Kalita E, Panda M, Rao A, Prajapati VK. Exploring the role of secretory proteins in the human infectious diseases diagnosis and therapeutics. ADVANCES IN PROTEIN CHEMISTRY AND STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY 2023; 133:231-269. [PMID: 36707203 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apcsb.2022.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Secretory proteins are playing important role during the host-pathogen interaction to develop the infection or protection into the cell. Pathogens developing infectious disease to human being are taken up by host macrophages or number of immune cells, play an important role in physiological, developmental and immunological function. At the same time, infectious agents are also secreting various proteins to neutralize the resistance caused by host cells and also helping the pathogens to develop the infection. Secretory proteins (secretome) are only developed at the time of host-pathogen interaction, therefore they become very important to develop the targeted and potential therapeutic strategies. Pathogen specific secretory proteins released during interaction with host cell provide opportunity to develop point of care and rapid diagnostic kits. Proteins secreted by pathogens at the time of interaction with host cell have also been found as immunogenic in nature and numbers of vaccines have been developed to control the spread of human infectious diseases. This chapter highlights the importance of secretory proteins in the development of diagnostic and therapeutic strategies to fight against human infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elora Kalita
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, Central University of Rajasthan, Ajmer, Rajasthan, India
| | - Mamta Panda
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, Central University of Rajasthan, Ajmer, Rajasthan, India
| | - Abhishek Rao
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, Central University of Rajasthan, Ajmer, Rajasthan, India
| | - Vijay Kumar Prajapati
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, Central University of Rajasthan, Ajmer, Rajasthan, India.
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34
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Mohammed R, Asres MS, Gudina EK, Adissu W, Johnstone H, Marrast AC, Donini C, Duparc S, Yilma D. Efficacy, Safety, Tolerability, and Pharmacokinetics of MMV390048 in Acute Uncomplicated Malaria. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2023; 108:81-84. [PMID: 36509063 PMCID: PMC9833083 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.22-0567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
An open label, phase IIa study conducted in Ethiopia evaluated the efficacy, safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of a single 120-mg dose of the phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase inhibitor MMV390048 in Plasmodium vivax malaria. The study was not completed for operational reasons and emerging teratotoxicity data. For the eight adult male patients enrolled, adequate clinical and parasitological response at day 14 (primary endpoint) was 100% (8/8). Asexual parasites and gametocytes were cleared in all patients by 66 and 78 hours postdose, respectively. There were two recurrent P. vivax infections (days 20 and 28) and a new Plasmodium falciparum infection (day 22). MMV390048 exposure in P. vivax patients was lower than previously observed for healthy volunteers. Mild adverse events, mainly headache and gastrointestinal symptoms, were reported by eight patients. Single-dose MMV390048 (120 mg) rapidly cleared asexual parasites and gametocytes in patients with P. vivax malaria and was well tolerated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rezika Mohammed
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Gondar Hospital, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | | | - Esayas Kebede Gudina
- Jimma University Clinical Trial Unit, Jimma University Institute of Health, Jimma, Ethiopia;,Department of Internal Medicine, Jimma University Institute of Health, Jimma, Ethiopia
| | - Wondimagegn Adissu
- Jimma University Clinical Trial Unit, Jimma University Institute of Health, Jimma, Ethiopia;,School of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Jimma University Institute of Health, Jimma, Ethiopia
| | | | | | | | - Stephan Duparc
- Medicines for Malaria Venture, Geneva, Switzerland,Address correspondence to Stephan Duparc, Medicines for Malaria Venture, 20 Route de Pré-Bois, 1215 Geneva 15, Switzerland. E-mail:
| | - Daniel Yilma
- Jimma University Clinical Trial Unit, Jimma University Institute of Health, Jimma, Ethiopia;,Department of Internal Medicine, Jimma University Institute of Health, Jimma, Ethiopia
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35
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Guerra F, Winzeler EA. New targets for antimalarial drug discovery. Curr Opin Microbiol 2022; 70:102220. [PMID: 36228458 PMCID: PMC9934905 DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2022.102220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Revised: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Phenotypic screening methods have placed numerous preclinical candidates into the antimalarial drug-discovery pipeline. As more chemically validated targets become available, efforts are shifting to target-based drug discovery. Here, we briefly review some of the most attractive targets that have been identified in recent years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Guerra
- Department of Pediatrics MC 0760, School of Medicine, University of California, La Jolla, San Diego, CA 92093, USA
| | - Elizabeth A Winzeler
- Department of Pediatrics MC 0760, School of Medicine, University of California, La Jolla, San Diego, CA 92093, USA.
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36
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Laleu B, Rubiano K, Yeo T, Hallyburton I, Anderson M, Crespo‐Fernandez B, Gamo F, Antonova‐Koch Y, Orjuela‐Sanchez P, Wittlin S, Jana GP, Maity BC, Chenu E, Duffy J, Sjö P, Waterson D, Winzeler E, Guantai E, Fidock DA, Hansson TG. Exploring a Tetrahydroquinoline Antimalarial Hit from the Medicines for Malaria Pathogen Box and Identification of its Mode of Resistance as PfeEF2. ChemMedChem 2022; 17:e202200393. [PMID: 36129427 PMCID: PMC9827907 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202200393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Revised: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
New antimalarial treatments with novel mechanism of action are needed to tackle Plasmodium falciparum infections that are resistant to first-line therapeutics. Here we report the exploration of MMV692140 (2) from the Pathogen Box, a collection of 400 compounds that was made available by Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV) in 2015. Compound 2 was profiled in in vitro models of malaria and was found to be active against multiple life-cycle stages of Plasmodium parasites. The mode of resistance, and putatively its mode of action, was identified as Plasmodium falciparum translation elongation factor 2 (PfeEF2), which is responsible for the GTP-dependent translocation of the ribosome along mRNA. The compound maintains activity against a series of drug-resistant parasite strains. The structural motif of the tetrahydroquinoline (2) was explored in a chemistry program with its structure-activity relationships examined, resulting in the identification of an analog with 30-fold improvement of antimalarial asexual blood stage potency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benoît Laleu
- Medicines for Malaria VentureInternational Centre CointrinRoute de Pré-Bois 20, P.O. Box 18261215Geneva 15Switzerland
| | - Kelly Rubiano
- Department of Microbiology & ImmunologyColumbia University Irving Medical CenterNew York, NY10032USA,Current addressDepartment of Molecular MicrobiologyWashington University School of MedicineSaint LouisMO63110USA
| | - Tomas Yeo
- Department of Microbiology & ImmunologyColumbia University Irving Medical CenterNew York, NY10032USA
| | - Irene Hallyburton
- Drug Discovery UnitWellcome Centre for Anti-infective ResearchUniversity of DundeeDow StreetDundeeDD1 5EHUK
| | - Mark Anderson
- Drug Discovery UnitWellcome Centre for Anti-infective ResearchUniversity of DundeeDow StreetDundeeDD1 5EHUK
| | | | | | - Yevgeniya Antonova‐Koch
- Department of PediatricsSchool of MedicineUniversity of California San DiegoLa JollaCA92093USA,Current addressCalibrA Division of Scripps Research11119 North Torrey Pines RoadLa JolaCA92037USA
| | - Pamela Orjuela‐Sanchez
- Department of PediatricsSchool of MedicineUniversity of California San DiegoLa JollaCA92093USA,Current addressNovartis Institute for Tropical Diseases5959 Horton Street, 8th floorEmeryvilleCS94608USA
| | - Sergio Wittlin
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health InstituteSocinstrasse 574002BaselSwitzerland,University of Basel4002BaselSwitzerland
| | - Gouranga P. Jana
- TCG Lifesciences Private LimitedBlock BN, Plot 7 Salt-lake Electronics Complex, Sector VKolkata700091West BengalIndia
| | - Bikash C. Maity
- TCG Lifesciences Private LimitedBlock BN, Plot 7 Salt-lake Electronics Complex, Sector VKolkata700091West BengalIndia
| | - Elodie Chenu
- Medicines for Malaria VentureInternational Centre CointrinRoute de Pré-Bois 20, P.O. Box 18261215Geneva 15Switzerland
| | - James Duffy
- Medicines for Malaria VentureInternational Centre CointrinRoute de Pré-Bois 20, P.O. Box 18261215Geneva 15Switzerland
| | - Peter Sjö
- Medicines for Malaria VentureInternational Centre CointrinRoute de Pré-Bois 20, P.O. Box 18261215Geneva 15Switzerland
| | - David Waterson
- Medicines for Malaria VentureInternational Centre CointrinRoute de Pré-Bois 20, P.O. Box 18261215Geneva 15Switzerland
| | - Elizabeth Winzeler
- Department of PediatricsSchool of MedicineUniversity of California San DiegoLa JollaCA92093USA
| | - Eric Guantai
- Department of PharmacyFaculty of Health SciencesUniversity of Nairobi00202-NairobiKenya
| | - David A. Fidock
- Department of Microbiology & ImmunologyColumbia University Irving Medical CenterNew York, NY10032USA,Division of Infectious DiseasesDepartment of MedicineColumbia University Irving Medical CenterNew York, NY10032USA
| | - Thomas G. Hansson
- Medicines for Malaria VentureInternational Centre CointrinRoute de Pré-Bois 20, P.O. Box 18261215Geneva 15Switzerland
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37
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Ji S, Galon EM, Amer MM, Zafar I, Yanagawa M, Asada M, Zhou J, Liu M, Xuan X. Phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase is a viable target for the radical cure of Babesia microti infection in immunocompromised hosts. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:1048962. [DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.1048962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Human babesiosis is a global emerging tick-borne disease caused by infection with intra-erythrocytic parasites of the genus Babesia. With the rise in human babesiosis cases, the discovery and development of new anti-Babesia drugs are essential. Phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase (PI4K) is a widely present eukaryotic enzyme that phosphorylates lipids to regulate intracellular signaling and trafficking. Previously, we have shown that MMV390048, an inhibitor of PI4K, showed potent inhibition against Babesia species, revealing PI4K as a druggable target for babesiosis. However, twice-administered, 7-day regimens failed to clear Babesia microti parasites from the immunocompromised host. Hence, in this study, we wanted to clarify whether targeting PI4K has the potential for the radical cure of babesiosis. In a B. microti-infected SCID mouse model, a 64-day-consecutive treatment with MMV390048 resulted in the clearance of parasites. Meanwhile, an atovaquone (ATO) resistant parasite line was isolated from the group treated with ATO plus azithromycin. A nonsynonymous variant in the Y272C of the cytochrome b gene was confirmed by sequencing. Likewise, MMV390048 showed potent inhibition against ATO-resistant parasites. These results provide evidence of PI4K as a viable drug target for the radical cure of babesiosis, which will contribute to designing new compounds that can eradicate parasites.
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38
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Burke JE, Triscott J, Emerling BM, Hammond GRV. Beyond PI3Ks: targeting phosphoinositide kinases in disease. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2022; 22:357-386. [PMID: 36376561 PMCID: PMC9663198 DOI: 10.1038/s41573-022-00582-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Lipid phosphoinositides are master regulators of almost all aspects of a cell's life and death and are generated by the tightly regulated activity of phosphoinositide kinases. Although extensive efforts have focused on drugging class I phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3Ks), recent years have revealed opportunities for targeting almost all phosphoinositide kinases in human diseases, including cancer, immunodeficiencies, viral infection and neurodegenerative disease. This has led to widespread efforts in the clinical development of potent and selective inhibitors of phosphoinositide kinases. This Review summarizes our current understanding of the molecular basis for the involvement of phosphoinositide kinases in disease and assesses the preclinical and clinical development of phosphoinositide kinase inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- John E. Burke
- grid.143640.40000 0004 1936 9465Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia Canada ,grid.17091.3e0000 0001 2288 9830Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia Canada
| | - Joanna Triscott
- grid.5734.50000 0001 0726 5157Department of BioMedical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Brooke M. Emerling
- grid.479509.60000 0001 0163 8573Sanford Burnham Prebys, La Jolla, CA USA
| | - Gerald R. V. Hammond
- grid.21925.3d0000 0004 1936 9000Department of Cell Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA USA
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39
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Challis MP, Devine SM, Creek DJ. Current and emerging target identification methods for novel antimalarials. Int J Parasitol Drugs Drug Resist 2022; 20:135-144. [PMID: 36410177 PMCID: PMC9771836 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2022.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
New antimalarial compounds with novel mechanisms of action are urgently needed to combat the recent rise in antimalarial drug resistance. Phenotypic high-throughput screens have proven to be a successful method for identifying new compounds, however, do not provide mechanistic information about the molecular target(s) responsible for antimalarial action. Current and emerging target identification methods such as in vitro resistance generation, metabolomics screening, chemoproteomic approaches and biophysical assays measuring protein stability across the whole proteome have successfully identified novel drug targets. This review provides an overview of these techniques, comparing their strengths and weaknesses and how they can be utilised for antimalarial target identification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew P. Challis
- Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia
| | - Shane M. Devine
- Medicinal Chemistry, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia
| | - Darren J. Creek
- Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia,Corresponding author. Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia.
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40
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Dephospho-Coenzyme A Kinase Is an Exploitable Drug Target against Plasmodium falciparum: Identification of Selective Inhibitors by High-Throughput Screening of a Large Chemical Compound Library. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2022; 66:e0042022. [DOI: 10.1128/aac.00420-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria is a mosquito-borne fatal infectious disease that affects humans and is caused by
Plasmodium
parasites, primarily
Plasmodium falciparum
. Widespread drug resistance compels us to discover novel compounds and alternative drug discovery targets.
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41
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Arendse LB, Murithi JM, Qahash T, Pasaje CFA, Godoy LC, Dey S, Gibhard L, Ghidelli-Disse S, Drewes G, Bantscheff M, Lafuente-Monasterio MJ, Fienberg S, Wambua L, Gachuhi S, Coertzen D, van der Watt M, Reader J, Aswat AS, Erlank E, Venter N, Mittal N, Luth MR, Ottilie S, Winzeler EA, Koekemoer LL, Birkholtz LM, Niles JC, Llinás M, Fidock DA, Chibale K. The anticancer human mTOR inhibitor sapanisertib potently inhibits multiple Plasmodium kinases and life cycle stages. Sci Transl Med 2022; 14:eabo7219. [PMID: 36260689 PMCID: PMC9951552 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.abo7219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Compounds acting on multiple targets are critical to combating antimalarial drug resistance. Here, we report that the human "mammalian target of rapamycin" (mTOR) inhibitor sapanisertib has potent prophylactic liver stage activity, in vitro and in vivo asexual blood stage (ABS) activity, and transmission-blocking activity against the protozoan parasite Plasmodium spp. Chemoproteomics studies revealed multiple potential Plasmodium kinase targets, and potent inhibition of Plasmodium phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase type III beta (PI4Kβ) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate-dependent protein kinase (PKG) was confirmed in vitro. Conditional knockdown of PI4Kβ in ABS cultures modulated parasite sensitivity to sapanisertib, and laboratory-generated P. falciparum sapanisertib resistance was mediated by mutations in PI4Kβ. Parasite metabolomic perturbation profiles associated with sapanisertib and other known PI4Kβ and/or PKG inhibitors revealed similarities and differences between chemotypes, potentially caused by sapanisertib targeting multiple parasite kinases. The multistage activity of sapanisertib and its in vivo antimalarial efficacy, coupled with potent inhibition of at least two promising drug targets, provides an opportunity to reposition this pyrazolopyrimidine for malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren B. Arendse
- Drug Discovery and Development Centre (H3D), University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, Cape Town 7701, South Africa
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Observatory, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
- South African Medical Research Council Drug Discovery and Development Research Unit, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, Cape Town 7701, South Africa
| | - James M. Murithi
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Tarrick Qahash
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
- Huck Center for Malaria Research, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | | | - Luiz C. Godoy
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Sumanta Dey
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Liezl Gibhard
- Drug Discovery and Development Centre (H3D), University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, Cape Town 7701, South Africa
| | | | - Gerard Drewes
- Cellzome GmbH, a GSK Company, Heidelberg 69117, Germany
| | | | - Maria J. Lafuente-Monasterio
- Tres Cantos Medicines Development Campus-Diseases of the Developing World, GlaxoSmithKline, Tres Cantos, Madrid 28760, Spain
| | - Stephen Fienberg
- Drug Discovery and Development Centre (H3D), University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, Cape Town 7701, South Africa
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, Cape Town 7701, South Africa
| | - Lynn Wambua
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Observatory, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, Cape Town 7701, South Africa
| | - Samuel Gachuhi
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, Cape Town 7701, South Africa
| | - Dina Coertzen
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, Institute for Sustainable Malaria Control, University of Pretoria, Hatfield 0028, South Africa
| | - Mariëtte van der Watt
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, Institute for Sustainable Malaria Control, University of Pretoria, Hatfield 0028, South Africa
| | - Janette Reader
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, Institute for Sustainable Malaria Control, University of Pretoria, Hatfield 0028, South Africa
| | - Ayesha S. Aswat
- Wits Research Institute for Malaria, School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2193, South Africa
- Centre for Emerging Zoonotic and Parasitic Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Diseases of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg 2193, South Africa
| | - Erica Erlank
- Wits Research Institute for Malaria, School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2193, South Africa
- Centre for Emerging Zoonotic and Parasitic Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Diseases of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg 2193, South Africa
| | - Nelius Venter
- Wits Research Institute for Malaria, School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2193, South Africa
- Centre for Emerging Zoonotic and Parasitic Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Diseases of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg 2193, South Africa
| | - Nimisha Mittal
- School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Madeline R. Luth
- School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Sabine Ottilie
- School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | | | - Lizette L. Koekemoer
- Wits Research Institute for Malaria, School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2193, South Africa
- Centre for Emerging Zoonotic and Parasitic Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Diseases of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg 2193, South Africa
| | - Lyn-Marie Birkholtz
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, Institute for Sustainable Malaria Control, University of Pretoria, Hatfield 0028, South Africa
| | - Jacquin C. Niles
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Manuel Llinás
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
- Huck Center for Malaria Research, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
- Department of Chemistry, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - David A. Fidock
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
- Center for Malaria Therapeutics and Antimicrobial Resistance, Division of Infectious Diseases, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Kelly Chibale
- Drug Discovery and Development Centre (H3D), University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, Cape Town 7701, South Africa
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Observatory, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
- South African Medical Research Council Drug Discovery and Development Research Unit, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, Cape Town 7701, South Africa
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, Cape Town 7701, South Africa
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42
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Lowe MA, Cardenas A, Valentin JP, Zhu Z, Abendroth J, Castro JL, Class R, Delaunois A, Fleurance R, Gerets H, Gryshkova V, King L, Lorimer DD, MacCoss M, Rowley JH, Rosseels ML, Royer L, Taylor RD, Wong M, Zaccheo O, Chavan VP, Ghule GA, Tapkir BK, Burrows JN, Duffey M, Rottmann M, Wittlin S, Angulo-Barturen I, Jiménez-Díaz MB, Striepen J, Fairhurst KJ, Yeo T, Fidock DA, Cowman AF, Favuzza P, Crespo-Fernandez B, Gamo FJ, Goldberg DE, Soldati-Favre D, Laleu B, de Haro T. Discovery and Characterization of Potent, Efficacious, Orally Available Antimalarial Plasmepsin X Inhibitors and Preclinical Safety Assessment of UCB7362. J Med Chem 2022; 65:14121-14143. [PMID: 36216349 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c01336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Plasmepsin X (PMX) is an essential aspartyl protease controlling malaria parasite egress and invasion of erythrocytes, development of functional liver merozoites (prophylactic activity), and blocking transmission to mosquitoes, making it a potential multistage drug target. We report the optimization of an aspartyl protease binding scaffold and the discovery of potent, orally active PMX inhibitors with in vivo antimalarial efficacy. Incorporation of safety evaluation early in the characterization of PMX inhibitors precluded compounds with a long human half-life (t1/2) to be developed. Optimization focused on improving the off-target safety profile led to the identification of UCB7362 that had an improved in vitro and in vivo safety profile but a shorter predicted human t1/2. UCB7362 is estimated to achieve 9 log 10 unit reduction in asexual blood-stage parasites with once-daily dosing of 50 mg for 7 days. This work demonstrates the potential to deliver PMX inhibitors with in vivo efficacy to treat malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Zhaoning Zhu
- UCB, 216 Bath Road, Slough SL1 3WE, United Kingdom
| | - Jan Abendroth
- UCB, 7869 NE Day Road West, Bainbridge Island, Washington 98110, United States
| | | | - Reiner Class
- UCB, Chem. du Foriest 1, 1420 Braine-l'Alleud, Belgium
| | | | | | - Helga Gerets
- UCB, Chem. du Foriest 1, 1420 Braine-l'Alleud, Belgium
| | | | - Lloyd King
- UCB, 216 Bath Road, Slough SL1 3WE, United Kingdom
| | - Donald D Lorimer
- UCB, 7869 NE Day Road West, Bainbridge Island, Washington 98110, United States
| | - Malcolm MacCoss
- Bohicket Pharma Consulting LLC, 2556 Seabrook Island Road, Seabrook Island, South Carolina 29455, United States
| | | | | | - Leandro Royer
- UCB, Chem. du Foriest 1, 1420 Braine-l'Alleud, Belgium
| | | | - Melanie Wong
- UCB, 216 Bath Road, Slough SL1 3WE, United Kingdom
| | | | - Vishal P Chavan
- Sai Life Sciences Limited, Plot DS-7, IKP Knowledge Park, Genome Valley, Turkapally, Hyderabad 500078, Telangana, India
| | - Gokul A Ghule
- Sai Life Sciences Limited, Plot DS-7, IKP Knowledge Park, Genome Valley, Turkapally, Hyderabad 500078, Telangana, India
| | - Bapusaheb K Tapkir
- Sai Life Sciences Limited, Plot DS-7, IKP Knowledge Park, Genome Valley, Turkapally, Hyderabad 500078, Telangana, India
| | - Jeremy N Burrows
- Medicines for Malaria Venture, ICC, Route de Pré-Bois 20, 1215 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Maëlle Duffey
- Medicines for Malaria Venture, ICC, Route de Pré-Bois 20, 1215 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Matthias Rottmann
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Kreuzstrasse 2, CH-4123 Allschwil, Switzerland.,University of Basel, 4002 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Sergio Wittlin
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Kreuzstrasse 2, CH-4123 Allschwil, Switzerland.,University of Basel, 4002 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Iñigo Angulo-Barturen
- The Art of Discovery, SL Biscay Science and Technology Park, Astondo Bidea, BIC Bizkaia Building, no. 612, Derio 48160, Bizkaia, Basque Country, Spain
| | - María Belén Jiménez-Díaz
- The Art of Discovery, SL Biscay Science and Technology Park, Astondo Bidea, BIC Bizkaia Building, no. 612, Derio 48160, Bizkaia, Basque Country, Spain
| | - Josefine Striepen
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, United States
| | - Kate J Fairhurst
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, United States
| | - Tomas Yeo
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, United States
| | - David A Fidock
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, United States.,Center for Malaria Therapeutics and Antimicrobial Resistance, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, United States
| | - Alan F Cowman
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Paola Favuzza
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | | | | | - Daniel E Goldberg
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, Campus Box 8051, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, United States
| | - Dominique Soldati-Favre
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, CMU, 1 rue Michel-Servet, CH-1211 Genève 4, Switzerland
| | - Benoît Laleu
- Medicines for Malaria Venture, ICC, Route de Pré-Bois 20, 1215 Geneva, Switzerland
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43
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Galal KA, Truong A, Kwarcinski F, de Silva C, Avalani K, Havener TM, Chirgwin ME, Merten E, Ong HW, Willis C, Abdelwaly A, Helal MA, Derbyshire ER, Zutshi R, Drewry DH. Identification of Novel 2,4,5-Trisubstituted Pyrimidines as Potent Dual Inhibitors of Plasmodial PfGSK3/ PfPK6 with Activity against Blood Stage Parasites In Vitro. J Med Chem 2022; 65:13172-13197. [PMID: 36166733 PMCID: PMC9574854 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c00996] [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] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
![]()
Essential plasmodial kinases PfGSK3
and PfPK6 are considered novel drug targets to combat
rising
resistance to traditional antimalarial therapy. Herein, we report
the discovery of IKK16 as a dual PfGSK3/PfPK6 inhibitor active against blood stage Pf3D7 parasites. To establish structure–activity relationships
for PfPK6 and PfGSK3, 52 analogues
were synthesized and assessed for the inhibition of PfGSK3 and PfPK6, with potent inhibitors further assessed
for activity against blood and liver stage parasites. This culminated
in the discovery of dual PfGSK3/PfPK6 inhibitors 23d (PfGSK3/PfPK6 IC50 = 172/11 nM) and 23e (PfGSK3/PfPK6 IC50 = 97/8 nM)
with antiplasmodial activity (23dPf3D7 EC50 = 552 ± 37 nM and 23ePf3D7 EC50 = 1400 ± 13 nM). However, both
compounds exhibited significant promiscuity when tested in a panel
of human kinase targets. Our results demonstrate that dual PfPK6/PfGSK3 inhibitors with antiplasmodial
activity can be identified and can set the stage for further optimization
efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kareem A Galal
- Structural Genomics Consortium and Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Anna Truong
- Department of Chemistry, Duke University, 124 Science Drive, Durham, North Carolina 27708, United States
| | - Frank Kwarcinski
- Luceome Biotechnologies, L.L.C, 1665 E. 18th Street, Suite 106, Tucson, Arizona 85719, United States
| | - Chandi de Silva
- Luceome Biotechnologies, L.L.C, 1665 E. 18th Street, Suite 106, Tucson, Arizona 85719, United States
| | - Krisha Avalani
- Luceome Biotechnologies, L.L.C, 1665 E. 18th Street, Suite 106, Tucson, Arizona 85719, United States
| | - Tammy M Havener
- Structural Genomics Consortium and Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Michael E Chirgwin
- Department of Chemistry, Duke University, 124 Science Drive, Durham, North Carolina 27708, United States
| | - Eric Merten
- Structural Genomics Consortium and Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Han Wee Ong
- Structural Genomics Consortium and Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Caleb Willis
- Luceome Biotechnologies, L.L.C, 1665 E. 18th Street, Suite 106, Tucson, Arizona 85719, United States
| | - Ahmad Abdelwaly
- Biomedical Sciences Program, University of Science and Technology, Zewail City of Science and Technology, Giza 12587, Egypt
| | - Mohamed A Helal
- Biomedical Sciences Program, University of Science and Technology, Zewail City of Science and Technology, Giza 12587, Egypt.,Medicinal Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Suez Canal University, Ismailia 41522, Egypt
| | - Emily R Derbyshire
- Department of Chemistry, Duke University, 124 Science Drive, Durham, North Carolina 27708, United States.,Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, 213 Research Drive, Durham, North Carolina 27710, United States
| | - Reena Zutshi
- Luceome Biotechnologies, L.L.C, 1665 E. 18th Street, Suite 106, Tucson, Arizona 85719, United States
| | - David H Drewry
- Structural Genomics Consortium and Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States.,Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
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44
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Efficacy of the Antimalarial MMV390048 against Babesia Infection Reveals Phosphatidylinositol 4-Kinase as a Druggable Target for Babesiosis. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2022; 66:e0057422. [PMID: 35924942 PMCID: PMC9487540 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00574-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The present study aimed to evaluate the anti-Babesia effect of MMV390048, a drug that inhibits Plasmodium by targeting the phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase (PI4K). The half inhibitory concentration (IC50) of MMV390048 against the in vitro growth of Babesia gibsoni was 6.9 ± 0.9 μM. In immunocompetent mice, oral treatment with MMV390048 at a concentration of 20 mg/kg effectively inhibited the growth of B. microti (Peabody mjr strain). The peak parasitemia in the control group was 30.5%, whereas the peak parasitemia in the MMV390048-treated group was 3.4%. Meanwhile, MMV390048 also showed inhibition on the growth of B. rodhaini (Australia strain), a highly pathogenic rodent Babesia species. All MMV390048-treated mice survived, whereas the mice in control group died within 10 days postinfection (DPI). The first 7-day administration of MMV390048 in B. microti-infected, severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) mice delayed the rise of parasitemia by 26 days. Subsequently, a second 7-day administration was given upon recurrence. At 52 DPI, a parasite relapse (in 1 out of 5 mice) and a mutation in the B. microti PI4K L746S, a MMV390048 resistance-related gene, were detected. Although the radical cure of B. microti infection in immunocompromised host SCID mice was not achieved, results from this study showed that MMV390048 has excellent inhibitory effects on Babesia parasites, revealing a new treatment strategy for babesiosis: targeting the B. microti PI4K.
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45
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Ruberto AA, Maher SP, Vantaux A, Joyner CJ, Bourke C, Balan B, Jex A, Mueller I, Witkowski B, Kyle DE. Single-cell RNA profiling of Plasmodium vivax-infected hepatocytes reveals parasite- and host- specific transcriptomic signatures and therapeutic targets. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:986314. [PMID: 36093191 PMCID: PMC9453201 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.986314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The resilience of Plasmodium vivax, the most widely-distributed malaria-causing parasite in humans, is attributed to its ability to produce dormant liver forms known as hypnozoites, which can activate weeks, months, or even years after an initial mosquito bite. The factors underlying hypnozoite formation and activation are poorly understood, as is the parasite's influence on the host hepatocyte. Here, we shed light on transcriptome-wide signatures of both the parasite and the infected host cell by sequencing over 1,000 P. vivax-infected hepatocytes at single-cell resolution. We distinguish between replicating schizonts and hypnozoites at the transcriptional level, identifying key differences in transcripts encoding for RNA-binding proteins associated with cell fate. In infected hepatocytes, we show that genes associated with energy metabolism and antioxidant stress response are upregulated, and those involved in the host immune response downregulated, suggesting both schizonts and hypnozoites alter the host intracellular environment. The transcriptional markers in schizonts, hypnozoites, and infected hepatocytes revealed here pinpoint potential factors underlying dormancy and can inform therapeutic targets against P. vivax liver-stage infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony A. Ruberto
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Steven P. Maher
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Amélie Vantaux
- Malaria Molecular Epidemiology Unit, Institut Pasteur du Cambodge, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
| | - Chester J. Joyner
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Caitlin Bourke
- Population Health & Immunity Division, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Balu Balan
- Population Health & Immunity Division, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Aaron Jex
- Population Health & Immunity Division, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Ivo Mueller
- Population Health & Immunity Division, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Benoit Witkowski
- Malaria Molecular Epidemiology Unit, Institut Pasteur du Cambodge, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
| | - Dennis E. Kyle
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
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46
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Gualdrón-López M, Díaz-Varela M, Zanghi G, Aparici-Herraiz I, Steel RW, Schäfer C, Cuscó P, Chuenchob V, Kangwangransan N, Billman ZP, Olsen TM, González JR, Roobsoong W, Sattabongkot J, Murphy SC, Mikolajczak SA, Borràs E, Sabidó E, Fernandez-Becerra C, Flannery EL, Kappe SH, del Portillo HA. Mass Spectrometry Identification of Biomarkers in Extracellular Vesicles From Plasmodium vivax Liver Hypnozoite Infections. Mol Cell Proteomics 2022; 21:100406. [PMID: 36030044 PMCID: PMC9520272 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcpro.2022.100406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2021] [Revised: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Latent liver stages termed hypnozoites cause relapsing Plasmodium vivax malaria infection and represent a major obstacle in the goal of malaria elimination. Hypnozoites are clinically undetectable, and presently, there are no biomarkers of this persistent parasite reservoir in the human liver. Here, we have identified parasite and human proteins associated with extracellular vesicles (EVs) secreted from in vivo infections exclusively containing hypnozoites. We used P. vivax-infected human liver-chimeric (huHEP) FRG KO mice treated with the schizonticidal experimental drug MMV048 as hypnozoite infection model. Immunofluorescence-based quantification of P. vivax liver forms showed that MMV048 removed schizonts from chimeric mice livers. Proteomic analysis of EVs derived from FRG huHEP mice showed that human EV cargo from infected FRG huHEP mice contain inflammation markers associated with active schizont replication and identified 66 P. vivax proteins. To identify hypnozoite-specific proteins associated with EVs, we mined the proteome data from MMV048-treated mice and performed an analysis involving intragroup and intergroup comparisons across all experimental conditions followed by a peptide compatibility analysis with predicted spectra to warrant robust identification. Only one protein fulfilled this stringent top-down selection, a putative filamin domain-containing protein. This study sets the stage to unveil biological features of human liver infections and identify biomarkers of hypnozoite infection associated with EVs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melisa Gualdrón-López
- ISGlobal, Barcelona Institute for Global Health, Barcelona, Spain,IGTP, Institute for Health Sciences Trias I Pujol, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Miriam Díaz-Varela
- ISGlobal, Barcelona Institute for Global Health, Barcelona, Spain,IGTP, Institute for Health Sciences Trias I Pujol, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Gigliola Zanghi
- Center for Global Infectious Disease Research, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Iris Aparici-Herraiz
- ISGlobal, Barcelona Institute for Global Health, Barcelona, Spain,IGTP, Institute for Health Sciences Trias I Pujol, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ryan W.J. Steel
- Center for Global Infectious Disease Research, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Carola Schäfer
- Center for Global Infectious Disease Research, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Pol Cuscó
- ISGlobal, Barcelona Institute for Global Health, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Vorada Chuenchob
- Center for Global Infectious Disease Research, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Niwat Kangwangransan
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Zachary P. Billman
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, and Department of Microbiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Tayla M. Olsen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, and Department of Microbiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Juan R. González
- ISGlobal, Barcelona Institute for Global Health, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Wanlapa Roobsoong
- MVRU, Mahidol Vivax Research Unit, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | | | - Sean C. Murphy
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, and Department of Microbiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Sebastian A. Mikolajczak
- Center for Global Infectious Disease Research, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Eva Borràs
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain,Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Eduard Sabidó
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain,Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carmen Fernandez-Becerra
- ISGlobal, Barcelona Institute for Global Health, Barcelona, Spain,IGTP, Institute for Health Sciences Trias I Pujol, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Erika L. Flannery
- Center for Global Infectious Disease Research, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Stefan H.I. Kappe
- Center for Global Infectious Disease Research, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, USA,Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Hernando A. del Portillo
- ISGlobal, Barcelona Institute for Global Health, Barcelona, Spain,IGTP, Institute for Health Sciences Trias I Pujol, Barcelona, Spain,ICREA, Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies, Barcelona, Spain,For correspondence: Hernando A. del Portillo
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47
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Flannery EL, Kangwanrangsan N, Chuenchob V, Roobsoong W, Fishbaugher M, Zhou K, Billman ZP, Martinson T, Olsen TM, Schäfer C, Campo B, Murphy SC, Mikolajczak SA, Kappe SH, Sattabongkot J. Plasmodium vivax latent liver infection is characterized by persistent hypnozoites, hypnozoite-derived schizonts, and time-dependent efficacy of primaquine. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2022; 26:427-440. [PMID: 36092359 PMCID: PMC9418049 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2022.07.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 07/31/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Plasmodium vivax is a malaria-causing pathogen that establishes a dormant form in the liver (the hypnozoite), which can activate weeks, months, or years after the primary infection to cause a relapse, characterized by secondary blood-stage infection. These asymptomatic and undetectable latent liver infections present a significant obstacle to the goal of global malaria eradication. We use a human liver-chimeric mouse model (FRG huHep) to study P. vivax hypnozoite latency and activation in an in vivo model system. Functional activation of hypnozoites and formation of secondary schizonts is demonstrated by first eliminating primary liver schizonts using a schizont-specific antimalarial tool compound, and then measuring recurrence of secondary liver schizonts in the tissue and an increase in parasite RNA within the liver. We also reveal that, while primaquine does not immediately eliminate hypnozoites from the liver, it arrests developing schizonts and prevents activation of hypnozoites, consistent with its clinical activity in humans. Our findings demonstrate that the FRG huHep model can be used to study the biology of P. vivax infection and latency and assess the activity of anti-relapse drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erika L. Flannery
- Center for Global Infectious Disease Research, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
- Corresponding author Erika L. Flannery, Center for Global Infectious Disease Research, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA 98109, USA.
| | - Niwat Kangwanrangsan
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Vorada Chuenchob
- Center for Global Infectious Disease Research, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Wanlapa Roobsoong
- Mahidol Vivax Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Matthew Fishbaugher
- Center for Global Infectious Disease Research, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Kevin Zhou
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, and Department of Microbiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98115, USA
| | - Zachary P. Billman
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, and Department of Microbiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98115, USA
| | - Thomas Martinson
- Center for Global Infectious Disease Research, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Tayla M. Olsen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, and Department of Microbiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98115, USA
| | - Carola Schäfer
- Center for Global Infectious Disease Research, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Brice Campo
- Medicines for Malaria Venture, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Sean C. Murphy
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, and Department of Microbiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98115, USA
| | - Sebastian A. Mikolajczak
- Center for Global Infectious Disease Research, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Stefan H.I. Kappe
- Center for Global Infectious Disease Research, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98105, USA
- Corresponding author Stefan H.I. Kappe, Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98105, USA.
| | - Jetsumon Sattabongkot
- Mahidol Vivax Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Corresponding author Jetsumon Sattabongkot, Mahidol Vivax Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
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48
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Looker O, Dans MG, Bullen HE, Sleebs BE, Crabb BS, Gilson PR. The Medicines for Malaria Venture Malaria Box contains inhibitors of protein secretion in
Plasmodium falciparum
blood stage parasites. Traffic 2022; 23:442-461. [PMID: 36040075 PMCID: PMC9543830 DOI: 10.1111/tra.12862] [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: 05/04/2022] [Revised: 07/17/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Plasmodium falciparum parasites which cause malaria, traffic hundreds of proteins into the red blood cells (RBCs) they infect. These exported proteins remodel their RBCs enabling host immune evasion through processes such as cytoadherence that greatly assist parasite survival. As resistance to all current antimalarial compounds is rising new compounds need to be identified and those that could inhibit parasite protein secretion and export would both rapidly reduce parasite virulence and ultimately lead to parasite death. To identify compounds that inhibit protein export we used transgenic parasites expressing an exported nanoluciferase reporter to screen the Medicines for Malaria Venture Malaria Box of 400 antimalarial compounds with mostly unknown targets. The most potent inhibitor identified in this screen was MMV396797 whose application led to export inhibition of both the reporter and endogenous exported proteins. MMV396797 mediated blockage of protein export and slowed the rigidification and cytoadherence of infected RBCs—modifications which are both mediated by parasite‐derived exported proteins. Overall, we have identified a new protein export inhibitor in P. falciparum whose target though unknown, could be developed into a future antimalarial that rapidly inhibits parasite virulence before eliminating parasites from the host.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Madeline G. Dans
- Burnet Institute Melbourne Australia
- School of Medicine Deakin University Geelong Australia
| | - Hayley E. Bullen
- Burnet Institute Melbourne Australia
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology University of Melbourne Melbourne Australia
| | - Brad E. Sleebs
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research Parkville Victoria Australia
- Department of Medical Biology The University of Melbourne Parkville Victoria Australia
| | - Brendan S. Crabb
- Burnet Institute Melbourne Australia
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology University of Melbourne Melbourne Australia
- Department of Immunology and Pathology Monash University Melbourne Australia
| | - Paul R. Gilson
- Burnet Institute Melbourne Australia
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology University of Melbourne Melbourne Australia
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49
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Borba JVVB, Silva ADCE, do Nascimento MN, Ferreira LT, Rimoldi A, Starling L, Ramos PIP, Costa FTM, Andrade CH. Update and elucidation of Plasmodium kinomes: Prioritization of kinases as potential drug targets for malaria. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2022; 20:3708-3717. [PMID: 35891792 PMCID: PMC9293725 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2022.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2022] [Revised: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria is a tropical disease caused by Plasmodium spp. and transmitted by the bite of infected Anopheles mosquitoes. Protein kinases (PKs) play key roles in the life cycle of the etiological agent of malaria, turning these proteins attractive targets for antimalarial drug discovery campaigns. As part of an effort to understand parasite signaling functions, we report the results of a bioinformatics pipeline analysis of PKs of eight Plasmodium species. To date, no P. malariae and P. ovale kinome assemble has been conducted. We classified, curated and annotated predicted kinases to update P. falciparum, P. vivax, P. yoelii, P. berghei, P. chabaudi, and P. knowlesi kinomes published to date, as well as report for the first time the kinomes of P. malariae and P. ovale. Overall, from 76 to 97 PKs were identified among all Plasmodium spp. kinomes. Most of the kinases were assigned to seven of nine major kinase groups: AGC, CAMK, CMGC, CK1, STE, TKL, OTHER; and the Plasmodium-specific group FIKK. About 30% of kinases have been deeply classified into group, family and subfamily levels and only about 10% remained unclassified. Furthermore, updating and comparing the kinomes of P. vivax and P. falciparum allowed for the prioritization and selection of kinases as potential drug targets that could be explored for discovering new drugs against malaria. This integrated approach resulted in the selection of 37 protein kinases as potential targets and the identification of investigational compounds with moderate in vitro activity against asexual P. falciparum (3D7 and Dd2 strains) stages that could serve as starting points for the search of potent antimalarial leads in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joyce Villa Verde Bastos Borba
- LabMol - Laboratory for Molecular Modeling and Drug Design, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Goiás (UFG), Goiânia, Brazil.,Laboratory of Tropical Diseases - Prof. Dr. Luiz Jacintho da Silva, Department of Genetics Evolution, Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Arthur de Carvalho E Silva
- LabMol - Laboratory for Molecular Modeling and Drug Design, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Goiás (UFG), Goiânia, Brazil
| | - Marília Nunes do Nascimento
- LabMol - Laboratory for Molecular Modeling and Drug Design, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Goiás (UFG), Goiânia, Brazil
| | - Letícia Tiburcio Ferreira
- Laboratory of Tropical Diseases - Prof. Dr. Luiz Jacintho da Silva, Department of Genetics Evolution, Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Aline Rimoldi
- Laboratory of Tropical Diseases - Prof. Dr. Luiz Jacintho da Silva, Department of Genetics Evolution, Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Luísa Starling
- LabMol - Laboratory for Molecular Modeling and Drug Design, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Goiás (UFG), Goiânia, Brazil
| | | | - Fabio Trindade Maranhão Costa
- Laboratory of Tropical Diseases - Prof. Dr. Luiz Jacintho da Silva, Department of Genetics Evolution, Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Carolina Horta Andrade
- LabMol - Laboratory for Molecular Modeling and Drug Design, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Goiás (UFG), Goiânia, Brazil.,Laboratory of Tropical Diseases - Prof. Dr. Luiz Jacintho da Silva, Department of Genetics Evolution, Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP, Brazil
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50
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Komatsuya K, Sakura T, Shiomi K, Ōmura S, Hikosaka K, Nozaki T, Kita K, Inaoka DK. Siccanin Is a Dual-Target Inhibitor of Plasmodium falciparum Mitochondrial Complex II and Complex III. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15070903. [PMID: 35890202 PMCID: PMC9319939 DOI: 10.3390/ph15070903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Revised: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium falciparum contains several mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC) dehydrogenases shuttling electrons from the respective substrates to the ubiquinone pool, from which electrons are consecutively transferred to complex III, complex IV, and finally to the molecular oxygen. The antimalarial drug atovaquone inhibits complex III and validates this parasite’s ETC as an attractive target for chemotherapy. Among the ETC dehydrogenases from P. falciparum, dihydroorotate dehydrogenase, an essential enzyme used in de novo pyrimidine biosynthesis, and complex III are the two enzymes that have been characterized and validated as drug targets in the blood-stage parasite, while complex II has been shown to be essential for parasite survival in the mosquito stage; therefore, these enzymes and complex II are considered candidate drug targets for blocking parasite transmission. In this study, we identified siccanin as the first (to our knowledge) nanomolar inhibitor of the P. falciparum complex II. Moreover, we demonstrated that siccanin also inhibits complex III in the low-micromolar range. Siccanin did not inhibit the corresponding complexes from mammalian mitochondria even at high concentrations. Siccanin inhibited the growth of P. falciparum with IC50 of 8.4 μM. However, the growth inhibition of the P. falciparum blood stage did not correlate with ETC inhibition, as demonstrated by lack of resistance to siccanin in the yDHODH-3D7 (EC50 = 10.26 μM) and Dd2-ELQ300 strains (EC50 = 18.70 μM), suggesting a third mechanism of action that is unrelated to mitochondrial ETC inhibition. Hence, siccanin has at least a dual mechanism of action, being the first potent and selective inhibitor of P. falciparum complexes II and III over mammalian enzymes and so is a potential candidate for the development of a new class of antimalarial drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keisuke Komatsuya
- Department of Biomedical Chemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan; (K.K.); (T.N.)
- Laboratory of Biomembrane, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Tokyo 156-8506, Japan
| | - Takaya Sakura
- Department of Molecular Infection Dynamics, Institute of Tropical Medicine (NEKKEN), Nagasaki University, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan;
- School of Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nagasaki University, Sakamoto, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan
| | - Kazuro Shiomi
- Graduate School of Infection Control Sciences, Kitasato University, Tokyo 108-8641, Japan;
| | - Satoshi Ōmura
- Ōmura Satoshi Memorial Institute, Kitasato University, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8641, Japan;
| | - Kenji Hikosaka
- Department of Infection and Host Defense, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba 260-8670, Japan;
| | - Tomoyoshi Nozaki
- Department of Biomedical Chemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan; (K.K.); (T.N.)
| | - Kiyoshi Kita
- Department of Biomedical Chemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan; (K.K.); (T.N.)
- School of Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nagasaki University, Sakamoto, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan
- Department of Host-Defense Biochemistry, Institute of Tropical Medicine (NEKKEN), Nagasaki University, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan
- Correspondence: (K.K.); (D.K.I.); Tel.: +81-95-819-7575 (K.K.); +81-95-819-7230 (D.K.I.)
| | - Daniel Ken Inaoka
- Department of Biomedical Chemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan; (K.K.); (T.N.)
- Department of Molecular Infection Dynamics, Institute of Tropical Medicine (NEKKEN), Nagasaki University, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan;
- School of Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nagasaki University, Sakamoto, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan
- Correspondence: (K.K.); (D.K.I.); Tel.: +81-95-819-7575 (K.K.); +81-95-819-7230 (D.K.I.)
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