1
|
Ariefta NR, Narita K, Murata T, Nishikawa Y. Evaluation of the antiplasmodial efficacy of synthetic 2,5-diphenyloxazole analogs of compounds naturally derived from Oxytropis lanata. Int J Parasitol Drugs Drug Resist 2024; 25:100540. [PMID: 38676995 PMCID: PMC11067372 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2024.100540] [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: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024]
Abstract
The persistent prevalence and dissemination of drug-resistant malaria parasites continue to challenge the progress of malaria eradication efforts. As a result, there is an urgent need to search for and develop innovative therapies. In this study, we screened synthetic 2,5-diphenyloxazole analogs from Oxytropis lanata. Among 48 compounds, 14 potently inhibited the proliferation of P. falciparum strains 3D7 (chloroquine-sensitive) and K1 (multidrug-resistant) in vitro, exhibited IC50 values from 3.38 to 12.65 μM and 1.27-6.19 μM, respectively, and were toxic to human foreskin fibroblasts at 39.53-336.35 μM. Notably, Compounds 31 (2-(2',3'-dimethoxyphenyl)-5-(2″-hydroxyphenyl)oxazole) and 32 (2-(2',3'-dimethoxyphenyl)-5-(2″-benzyloxyphenyl)oxazole) exhibited the highest selectivity indices (SIs) against both P. falciparum strains (3D7/K1), with values > 40.20/>126.58 and > 41.27/> 59.06, respectively. In the IC50 speed and stage-specific assays, Compounds 31 and 32 showed slow action, along with distinct effects on the ring and trophozoite stages. Microscopy observations further revealed that both compounds impact the development and delay the progression of the trophozoite and schizont stages in P. falciparum 3D7, especially at concentrations 100 times their IC50 values. In a 72-h in vitro exposure experiment at their respective IC80 in P. falciparum 3D7, significant alterations in parasitemia levels were observed compared to the untreated group. In Compound 31-treated cultures, parasites shrank and were unable to reinvade red blood cells (RBCs) during an extended 144-h incubation period, even after compound removal from the culture. In vivo assessments were conducted on P. yoelii 17XNL-infected mice treated with Compounds 31 and 32 at 20 mg/kg administered once daily for ten days. The treated groups showed statistically significant lower peaks of parasitemia (Compound 31-treated: trial 1 12.7%, trial 2 15.8%; Compound 32-treated: trial 1 12.7%, trial 2 14.0%) compared to the untreated group (trial 1 21.7%, trial 2 28.3%). These results emphasize the potential of further developing 2,5-diphenyloxazoles as promising antimalarial agents.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nanang R Ariefta
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-cho, Obihiro, 080-8555, Japan
| | - Koichi Narita
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku Medical and Pharmaceutical University, 4-4-1 Komatsushima, Aoba-ku, Sendai, 981-8558, Japan
| | - Toshihiro Murata
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku Medical and Pharmaceutical University, 4-4-1 Komatsushima, Aoba-ku, Sendai, 981-8558, Japan
| | - Yoshifumi Nishikawa
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-cho, Obihiro, 080-8555, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Giannangelo C, Challis MP, Siddiqui G, Edgar R, Malcolm TR, Webb CT, Drinkwater N, Vinh N, Macraild C, Counihan N, Duffy S, Wittlin S, Devine SM, Avery VM, De Koning-Ward T, Scammells P, McGowan S, Creek DJ. Chemoproteomics validates selective targeting of Plasmodium M1 alanyl aminopeptidase as an antimalarial strategy. eLife 2024; 13:RP92990. [PMID: 38976500 PMCID: PMC11230628 DOI: 10.7554/elife.92990] [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] [Indexed: 07/10/2024] Open
Abstract
New antimalarial drug candidates that act via novel mechanisms are urgently needed to combat malaria drug resistance. Here, we describe the multi-omic chemical validation of Plasmodium M1 alanyl metalloaminopeptidase as an attractive drug target using the selective inhibitor, MIPS2673. MIPS2673 demonstrated potent inhibition of recombinant Plasmodium falciparum (PfA-M1) and Plasmodium vivax (PvA-M1) M1 metalloaminopeptidases, with selectivity over other Plasmodium and human aminopeptidases, and displayed excellent in vitro antimalarial activity with no significant host cytotoxicity. Orthogonal label-free chemoproteomic methods based on thermal stability and limited proteolysis of whole parasite lysates revealed that MIPS2673 solely targets PfA-M1 in parasites, with limited proteolysis also enabling estimation of the binding site on PfA-M1 to within ~5 Å of that determined by X-ray crystallography. Finally, functional investigation by untargeted metabolomics demonstrated that MIPS2673 inhibits the key role of PfA-M1 in haemoglobin digestion. Combined, our unbiased multi-omic target deconvolution methods confirmed the on-target activity of MIPS2673, and validated selective inhibition of M1 alanyl metalloaminopeptidase as a promising antimalarial strategy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Giannangelo
- Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash UniversityParkvilleAustralia
| | - Matthew P Challis
- Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash UniversityParkvilleAustralia
| | - Ghizal Siddiqui
- Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash UniversityParkvilleAustralia
| | - Rebecca Edgar
- School of Medicine, Deakin UniversityGeelongAustralia
- The Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, Deakin UniversityGeelongAustralia
| | - Tess R Malcolm
- Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Microbiology, Monash UniversityClaytonAustralia
- Centre to Impact AMR, Monash UniversityClaytonAustralia
| | - Chaille T Webb
- Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Microbiology, Monash UniversityClaytonAustralia
- Centre to Impact AMR, Monash UniversityClaytonAustralia
| | - Nyssa Drinkwater
- Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Microbiology, Monash UniversityClaytonAustralia
- Centre to Impact AMR, Monash UniversityClaytonAustralia
| | - Natalie Vinh
- Medicinal Chemistry, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash UniversityParkvilleAustralia
| | - Christopher Macraild
- Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash UniversityParkvilleAustralia
| | - Natalie Counihan
- School of Medicine, Deakin UniversityGeelongAustralia
- The Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, Deakin UniversityGeelongAustralia
| | - Sandra Duffy
- Discovery Biology, Centre for Cellular Phenomics, Griffith UniversityNathanAustralia
| | - Sergio Wittlin
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health InstituteAllschwilSwitzerland
- University of BaselBaselSwitzerland
| | - Shane M Devine
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical ResearchParkvilleAustralia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of MelbourneParkvilleAustralia
| | - Vicky M Avery
- Discovery Biology, Centre for Cellular Phenomics, Griffith UniversityNathanAustralia
- School of Environment and Science, Griffith UniversityNathanAustralia
| | - Tania De Koning-Ward
- School of Medicine, Deakin UniversityGeelongAustralia
- The Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, Deakin UniversityGeelongAustralia
| | - Peter Scammells
- Medicinal Chemistry, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash UniversityParkvilleAustralia
| | - Sheena McGowan
- Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Microbiology, Monash UniversityClaytonAustralia
- Centre to Impact AMR, Monash UniversityClaytonAustralia
| | - Darren J Creek
- Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash UniversityParkvilleAustralia
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Creek D, Giannangelo C, Challis M, Siddiqui G, Edgar R, Malcolm T, Webb C, Drinkwater N, Vinh N, MacRaild C, Counihan N, Duffy S, Wittlin S, Devine S, Avery V, de Koning-Ward T, Scammells P, McGowan S. Chemoproteomics validates selective targeting of Plasmodium M1 alanyl aminopeptidase as an antimalarial strategy. RESEARCH SQUARE 2024:rs.3.rs-3251230. [PMID: 38746424 PMCID: PMC11092810 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3251230/v3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
New antimalarial drug candidates that act via novel mechanisms are urgently needed to combat malaria drug resistance. Here, we describe the multi-omic chemical validation of Plasmodium M1 alanyl metalloaminopeptidase as an attractive drug target using the selective inhibitor, MIPS2673. MIPS2673 demonstrated potent inhibition of recombinant Plasmodium falciparum ( Pf A-M1) and Plasmodium vivax ( Pv A-M1) M1 metalloaminopeptidases, with selectivity over other Plasmodium and human aminopeptidases, and displayed excellent in vitro antimalarial activity with no significant host cytotoxicity. Orthogonal label-free chemoproteomic methods based on thermal stability and limited proteolysis of whole parasite lysates revealed that MIPS2673 solely targets Pf A-M1 in parasites, with limited proteolysis also enabling estimation of the binding site on Pf A-M1 to within ~5 Å of that determined by X-ray crystallography. Finally, functional investigation by untargeted metabolomics demonstrated that MIPS2673 inhibits the key role of Pf A-M1 in haemoglobin digestion. Combined, our unbiased multi-omic target deconvolution methods confirmed the on-target activity of MIPS2673, and validated selective inhibition of M1 alanyl metalloaminopeptidase as a promising antimalarial strategy.
Collapse
|
4
|
Zhou Z, Huayu M, Mu Y, Tang F, Ge RL. Ubenimex combined with Albendazole for the treatment of Echinococcus multilocularis-induced alveolar echinococcosis in mice. Front Vet Sci 2024; 11:1320308. [PMID: 38585297 PMCID: PMC10995866 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1320308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Alveolar echinococcosis (AE) is a parasitic disease caused by E. multilocularis metacestodes and it is highly prevalent in the northern hemisphere. We have previously found that vaccination with E. multilocularis-Leucine aminopeptidase (EM-LAP) could inhibit the growth and invasion of E. multilocularis in host liver, and Ubenimex, a broad-spectrum inhibitor of LAP, could also inhibit E. multilocularis invasion but had a limited effect on the growth and development of E. multilocularis. Methods In this study, the therapeutic effect of Ubenimex combined with Albendazole on AE was evaluated. Mice were intraperitoneally injected with protoscoleces and imaging examination was performed at week 8 and week 16 to detect cyst change. During this period, mice were intraperitoneally injected with Ubenimex and intragastrically administered with Albendazole suspension. At last, the therapeutic effect was evaluated by morphological and pathological examination and liver function. Results The results revealed that the combined treatment could inhibit the growth and infiltration of cysts in BALB/c mice infected with E. multilocularis protoscoleces. The weight, number, invasion and fibrosis of cysts were reduced in mice treated with Ubenimex in combination with Albendazole. The same effect was achieved by the single Ubenimex treatment because of its inhibitory effect on LAP activity, but it was less effective in inhibiting the growth of cysts. The levels of ALT, AST, TBIL, DBIL, ALP, and γ-GT were reduced after the combined treatment, indicating that treatment with both Ubenimex and Albendazole could alleviate liver damage. Discussion This study suggests that the combined treatment with Ubenimex and Albendazole could be a potential therapeutic strategy for E. multilocularis infections.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Zhou
- Research Center for High Altitude Medicine of Qinghai University, Xining, Qinghai, China
- Key Laboratory of High Altitude Medicine in Qinghai Provincial, Qinghai University, Xining, Qinghai, China
| | - Meiduo Huayu
- Research Center for High Altitude Medicine of Qinghai University, Xining, Qinghai, China
- Key Laboratory of High Altitude Medicine in Qinghai Provincial, Qinghai University, Xining, Qinghai, China
| | - Yalin Mu
- Department of Medical Imaging Center, Qinghai University Affiliated Hospital, Xining, Qinghai, China
| | - Feng Tang
- Research Center for High Altitude Medicine of Qinghai University, Xining, Qinghai, China
- Key Laboratory of High Altitude Medicine in Qinghai Provincial, Qinghai University, Xining, Qinghai, China
| | - Ri-Li Ge
- Research Center for High Altitude Medicine of Qinghai University, Xining, Qinghai, China
- Key Laboratory of High Altitude Medicine in Qinghai Provincial, Qinghai University, Xining, Qinghai, China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Ariefta NR, Pagmadulam B, Hatano M, Ikeda N, Isshiki K, Matoba K, Igarashi M, Nihei CI, Nishikawa Y. Antiplasmodial Activity Evaluation of a Bestatin-Related Aminopeptidase Inhibitor, Phebestin. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2023; 67:e0160622. [PMID: 37314349 PMCID: PMC10353437 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01606-22] [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: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 05/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The increasing burden and spread of resistant malaria parasites remains an immense burden to public health. These factors have driven the demand to search for a new therapeutic agent. From our screening, phebestin stood out with nanomolar efficacy against Plasmodium falciparum 3D7. Phebestin was initially identified as an aminopeptidase N inhibitor. Phebestin inhibited the in vitro multiplication of the P. falciparum 3D7 (chloroquine-sensitive) and K1 (chloroquine-resistant) strains at IC50 values of 157.90 ± 6.26 nM and 268.17 ± 67.59 nM, respectively. Furthermore, phebestin exhibited no cytotoxic against human foreskin fibroblast cells at 2.5 mM. In the stage-specific assay, phebestin inhibited all parasite stages at 100 and 10-fold its IC50 concentration. Using 72-h in vitro exposure of phebestin at concentrations of 1 μM on P. falciparum 3D7 distorted the parasite morphology, showed dying signs, shrank, and prevented reinvasion of RBCs, even after the compound was washed from the culture. An in silico study found that phebestin binds to P. falciparum M1 alanyl aminopeptidase (PfM1AAP) and M17 leucyl aminopeptidase (PfM17LAP), as observed for bestatin. In vivo evaluation using P. yoelii 17XNL-infected mice with administrations of 20 mg/kg phebestin, once daily for 7 days, resulted in significantly lower parasitemia peaks in the phebestin-treated group (19.53%) than in the untreated group (29.55%). At the same dose and treatment, P. berghei ANKA-infected mice showed reduced parasitemia levels and improved survival compared to untreated mice. These results indicate that phebestin is a promising candidate for development as a potential therapeutic agent against malaria.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nanang R. Ariefta
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Japan
| | - Baldorj Pagmadulam
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Japan
- Laboratory of Microbial Synthesis, Institute of General and Experimental Biology, Mongolian Academy of Sciences, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
| | - Masaki Hatano
- Institute of Microbial Chemistry (BIKAKEN), Tokyo, Japan
| | - Noriko Ikeda
- Institute of Microbial Chemistry (BIKAKEN), Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kunio Isshiki
- Institute of Microbial Chemistry (BIKAKEN), Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazuaki Matoba
- Institute of Microbial Chemistry (BIKAKEN), Tokyo, Japan
| | | | - Coh-ichi Nihei
- Institute of Microbial Chemistry (BIKAKEN), Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoshifumi Nishikawa
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Structure-based development of potent Plasmodium falciparum M1 and M17 aminopeptidase selective and dual inhibitors via S1'-region optimisation. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 248:115051. [PMID: 36634455 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.115051] [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: 11/08/2022] [Revised: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Malaria remains a global health threat and growing resistance to artemisinin-based therapies calls for therapeutic agents with novel mechanisms of action. The Plasmodium spp M1 and M17 metalloaminopeptidases have been identified as attractive new antimalarial drug targets as inhibition of these enzymes results in antiplasmodial activity. Previously identified novel hydroxamic acid 2 as a moderate inhibitor of PfA-M1 and PfA-M17 and a potent inhibitor of P. falciparum. This study has sought to improve the enzymatic inhibitory properties in addition to increasing the drug-likeness of this scaffold by introducing polar moieties into the S1' region of the active site. Structural biology studies on the co-crystallised structures of potent dual-inhibitor 9aa bound to PfA-M1 and PfA-M17 have revealed that there are few direct interactions between the inhibitor and the S1' domain of these enzymes. Structure-based compound design led to the identification of a variety of novel hydroxamic acids that show improved inhibitory activity against PfA-M1 and PfA-M17, in addition to displaying antiplasmodial activity. Notably, compounds with substitutions on the aniline ring resulted in a loss of potency (Ki > 500 nM) toward PfA-M1 and PfA-M17. ioisosteric replacement of the S1-region biaryl ring system with a bromophenyl moiety resulted in increased potency compared to parent 9aa. Elaboration of 9aa to bioisosterically replace the S1 moiety with an aryl bromide, combined with substituted anilines has resulted in potent selective PfA-M1 inhibitors which show strong activity against Pf-3D7, with meta- and para-fluoroaniline groups of 15ag and 15ah forming hydrogen-bonds with residues within the active site. These findings establish the importance of the previously under-utilised S1' domain and will aid the design of future PfA-M1 and PfA-M17 inhibitors.
Collapse
|
7
|
Aguado ME, Izquierdo M, González-Matos M, Varela AC, Méndez Y, Del Rivero MA, Rivera DG, González-Bacerio J. Parasite Metalo-aminopeptidases as Targets in Human Infectious Diseases. Curr Drug Targets 2023; 24:416-461. [PMID: 36825701 DOI: 10.2174/1389450124666230224140724] [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: 08/25/2022] [Revised: 12/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Parasitic human infectious diseases are a worldwide health problem due to the increased resistance to conventional drugs. For this reason, the identification of novel molecular targets and the discovery of new chemotherapeutic agents are urgently required. Metalo- aminopeptidases are promising targets in parasitic infections. They participate in crucial processes for parasite growth and pathogenesis. OBJECTIVE In this review, we describe the structural, functional and kinetic properties, and inhibitors, of several parasite metalo-aminopeptidases, for their use as targets in parasitic diseases. CONCLUSION Plasmodium falciparum M1 and M17 aminopeptidases are essential enzymes for parasite development, and M18 aminopeptidase could be involved in hemoglobin digestion and erythrocyte invasion and egression. Trypanosoma cruzi, T. brucei and Leishmania major acidic M17 aminopeptidases can play a nutritional role. T. brucei basic M17 aminopeptidase down-regulation delays the cytokinesis. The inhibition of Leishmania basic M17 aminopeptidase could affect parasite viability. L. donovani methionyl aminopeptidase inhibition prevents apoptosis but not the parasite death. Decrease in Acanthamoeba castellanii M17 aminopeptidase activity produces cell wall structural modifications and encystation inhibition. Inhibition of Babesia bovis growth is probably related to the inhibition of the parasite M17 aminopeptidase, probably involved in host hemoglobin degradation. Schistosoma mansoni M17 aminopeptidases inhibition may affect parasite development, since they could participate in hemoglobin degradation, surface membrane remodeling and eggs hatching. Toxoplasma gondii M17 aminopeptidase inhibition could attenuate parasite virulence, since it is apparently involved in the hydrolysis of cathepsin Cs- or proteasome-produced dipeptides and/or cell attachment/invasion processes. These data are relevant to validate these enzymes as targets.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mirtha E Aguado
- Center for Protein Studies, Faculty of Biology, University of Havana, Calle 25 #455 Entre I y J, 10400, Vedado, La Habana, Cuba
| | - Maikel Izquierdo
- Center for Protein Studies, Faculty of Biology, University of Havana, Calle 25 #455 Entre I y J, 10400, Vedado, La Habana, Cuba
| | - Maikel González-Matos
- Center for Protein Studies, Faculty of Biology, University of Havana, Calle 25 #455 Entre I y J, 10400, Vedado, La Habana, Cuba
| | - Ana C Varela
- Center for Protein Studies, Faculty of Biology, University of Havana, Calle 25 #455 Entre I y J, 10400, Vedado, La Habana, Cuba
| | - Yanira Méndez
- Center for Natural Products Research, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Havana, Zapata y G, 10400, La Habana, Cuba
| | - Maday A Del Rivero
- Center for Protein Studies, Faculty of Biology, University of Havana, Calle 25 #455 Entre I y J, 10400, Vedado, La Habana, Cuba
| | - Daniel G Rivera
- Center for Natural Products Research, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Havana, Zapata y G, 10400, La Habana, Cuba
| | - Jorge González-Bacerio
- Center for Protein Studies, Faculty of Biology, University of Havana, Calle 25 #455 Entre I y J, 10400, Vedado, La Habana, Cuba
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biology, University of Havana, calle 25 #455 entre I y J, 10400, Vedado, La Habana, Cuba
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Edgar RCS, Siddiqui G, Hjerrild K, Malcolm TR, Vinh NB, Webb CT, Holmes C, MacRaild CA, Chernih HC, Suen WW, Counihan NA, Creek DJ, Scammells PJ, McGowan S, de Koning-Ward TF. Genetic and chemical validation of Plasmodium falciparum aminopeptidase PfA-M17 as a drug target in the hemoglobin digestion pathway. eLife 2022; 11:80813. [PMID: 36097817 PMCID: PMC9470162 DOI: 10.7554/elife.80813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium falciparum, the causative agent of malaria, remains a global health threat as parasites continue to develop resistance to antimalarial drugs used throughout the world. Accordingly, drugs with novel modes of action are desperately required to combat malaria. P. falciparum parasites infect human red blood cells where they digest the host’s main protein constituent, hemoglobin. Leucine aminopeptidase PfA-M17 is one of several aminopeptidases that have been implicated in the last step of this digestive pathway. Here, we use both reverse genetics and a compound specifically designed to inhibit the activity of PfA-M17 to show that PfA-M17 is essential for P. falciparum survival as it provides parasites with free amino acids for growth, many of which are highly likely to originate from hemoglobin. We further show that loss of PfA-M17 results in parasites exhibiting multiple digestive vacuoles at the trophozoite stage. In contrast to other hemoglobin-degrading proteases that have overlapping redundant functions, we validate PfA-M17 as a potential novel drug target. Malaria is a disease spread by mosquitoes. When infected insects bite the skin, they inject parasites called Plasmodium into the host. The symptoms of the disease then develop when Plasmodium infect host red blood cells. These parasites cannot make the raw materials to build their own proteins, so instead, they digest haemoglobin – the protein used by red blood cells to carry oxygen – and use its building blocks to produce proteins. Blocking the digestion of haemoglobin can stop malaria infections in their tracks, but it is unclear how exactly Plasmodium parasites break down the protein. Researchers think that a group of four enzymes called aminopeptidases are responsible for the final stage in this digestion, releasing the amino acids that make up haemoglobin. However, the individual roles of each of these aminopeptidases are not yet known. To start filling this gap, Edgar et al. set out to study one of these aminopeptidases, called PfA-M17. First, they genetically modified Plasmodium falciparum parasites so that the levels of this aminopeptidase were reduced during infection. Without the enzyme, the parasites were unable to grow. The next step was to confirm that this was because PfA-M17 breaks down haemoglobin, and not for another reason. To test this, Edgar et al. designed a new molecule that could stop PfA-M17 from releasing amino acids. This molecule, which they called ‘compound 3’, had the same effect as reducing the levels of PfA-M17. Further analysis showed that the amino acids that PfA- M17 releases match the amino acids found in haemoglobin. Malaria causes hundreds of thousands of deaths per year. Although there are treatments available, the Plasmodium parasites are starting to develop resistance. Confirming the role of PfA-M17 provides a starting point for new studies by parasitologists, biologists, and drug developers. This could lead to the development of chemicals that block this enzyme, forming the basis for new treatments.
Collapse
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
| | - Ghizal Siddiqui
- Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Australia
| | | | - Tess R Malcolm
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Clayton, Australia.,Centre to Impact AMR, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Natalie B Vinh
- Medicinal Chemistry, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Australia
| | - Chaille T Webb
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Clayton, Australia.,Centre to Impact AMR, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Clare Holmes
- CSIRO Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness, Geelong, Australia
| | - Christopher A MacRaild
- Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Australia
| | - Hope C Chernih
- School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia.,The Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
| | - Willy W Suen
- CSIRO Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness, Geelong, 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
| | - Darren J Creek
- Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Australia
| | - Peter J Scammells
- Medicinal Chemistry, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Australia
| | - Sheena McGowan
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Clayton, Australia.,Centre to Impact AMR, Monash University, Melbourne, 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
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Webb CT, Yang W, Riley BT, Hayes BK, Sivaraman KK, Malcolm TR, Harrop S, Atkinson SC, Kass I, Buckle AM, Drinkwater N, McGowan S. A metal ion-dependent conformational switch modulates activity of the Plasmodium M17 aminopeptidase. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:102119. [PMID: 35691342 PMCID: PMC9270245 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.102119] [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: 02/17/2022] [Revised: 06/04/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The metal-dependent M17 aminopeptidases are conserved throughout all kingdoms of life. This large enzyme family is characterized by a conserved binuclear metal center and a distinctive homohexameric arrangement. Recently, we showed that hexamer formation in Plasmodium M17 aminopeptidases was controlled by the metal ion environment, although the functional necessity for hexamer formation is still unclear. To further understand the mechanistic role of the hexameric assembly, here we undertook an investigation of the structure and dynamics of the M17 aminopeptidase from Plasmodium falciparum, PfA-M17. We describe a novel structure of PfA-M17, which shows that the active sites of each trimer are linked by a dynamic loop, and loop movement is coupled with a drastic rearrangement of the binuclear metal center and substrate-binding pocket, rendering the protein inactive. Molecular dynamics simulations and biochemical analyses of PfA-M17 variants demonstrated that this rearrangement is inherent to PfA-M17, and that the transition between the active and inactive states is metal dependent and part of a dynamic regulatory mechanism. Key to the mechanism is a remodeling of the binuclear metal center, which occurs in response to a signal from the neighboring active site and serves to moderate the rate of proteolysis under different environmental conditions. In conclusion, this work identifies a precise mechanism by which oligomerization contributes to PfA-M17 function. Furthermore, it describes a novel role for metal cofactors in the regulation of enzymes, with implications for the wide range of metalloenzymes that operate via a two-metal ion catalytic center, including DNA processing enzymes and metalloproteases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chaille T Webb
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Clayton Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Wei Yang
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Clayton Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia; Current address Warshel Institute for Computational Biology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, 518172, China
| | - Blake T Riley
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Brooke K Hayes
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Clayton Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Komagal Kannan Sivaraman
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Clayton Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Tess R Malcolm
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Clayton Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Stephen Harrop
- Australian Synchrotron. 800 Blackburn Road, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia
| | - Sarah C Atkinson
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Itamar Kass
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia; Victorian Life Sciences Computation Center, Monash University, Clayton 3800, Victoria, Australia; Current address InterX LTD, Ramat-Gan, Israel
| | - Ashley M Buckle
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Nyssa Drinkwater
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Clayton Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Sheena McGowan
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Clayton Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Marapaka AK, Sankoju P, Zhang G, Ding Y, Ma C, Pillalamarri V, Sudhakar R, Reddi B, Sijwali PS, Zhang Y, Addlagatta A. Development of peptidomimetic hydroxamates as PfA-M1 and PfA-M17 dual inhibitors: Biological evaluation and structural characterization by cocrystallization. CHINESE CHEM LETT 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cclet.2021.09.102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
|
11
|
Mills B, Isaac RE, Foster R. Metalloaminopeptidases of the Protozoan Parasite Plasmodium falciparum as Targets for the Discovery of Novel Antimalarial Drugs. J Med Chem 2021; 64:1763-1785. [PMID: 33534577 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c01721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Malaria poses a significant threat to approximately half of the world's population with an annual death toll close to half a million. The emergence of resistance to front-line antimalarials in the most lethal human parasite species, Plasmodium falciparum (Pf), threatens progress made in malaria control. The prospect of losing the efficacy of antimalarial drugs is driving the search for small molecules with new modes of action. Asexual reproduction of the parasite is critically dependent on the recycling of amino acids through catabolism of hemoglobin (Hb), which makes metalloaminopeptidases (MAPs) attractive targets for the development of new drugs. The Pf genome encodes eight MAPs, some of which have been found to be essential for parasite survival. In this article, we discuss the biological structure and function of each MAP within the Pf genome, along with the drug discovery efforts that have been undertaken to identify novel antimalarial candidates of therapeutic value.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Belinda Mills
- School of Chemistry, University of Leeds, Leeds, U.K., LS2 9JT
| | - R Elwyn Isaac
- School of Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds, U.K., LS2 9JT
| | - Richard Foster
- School of Chemistry, University of Leeds, Leeds, U.K., LS2 9JT
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Mathew R, Wunderlich J, Thivierge K, Cwiklinski K, Dumont C, Tilley L, Rohrbach P, Dalton JP. Biochemical and cellular characterisation of the Plasmodium falciparum M1 alanyl aminopeptidase (PfM1AAP) and M17 leucyl aminopeptidase (PfM17LAP). Sci Rep 2021; 11:2854. [PMID: 33536500 PMCID: PMC7858622 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-82499-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2020] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The Plasmodium falciparum M1 alanyl aminopeptidase and M17 leucyl aminopeptidase, PfM1AAP and PfM17LAP, are potential targets for novel anti-malarial drug development. Inhibitors of these aminopeptidases have been shown to kill malaria parasites in culture and reduce parasite growth in murine models. The two enzymes may function in the terminal stages of haemoglobin digestion, providing free amino acids for protein synthesis by the rapidly growing intra-erythrocytic parasites. Here we have performed a comparative cellular and biochemical characterisation of the two enzymes. Cell fractionation and immunolocalisation studies reveal that both enzymes are associated with the soluble cytosolic fraction of the parasite, with no evidence that they are present within other compartments, such as the digestive vacuole (DV). Enzyme kinetic studies show that the optimal pH of both enzymes is in the neutral range (pH 7.0-8.0), although PfM1AAP also possesses some activity (< 20%) at the lower pH range of 5.0-5.5. The data supports the proposal that PfM1AAP and PfM17LAP function in the cytoplasm of the parasite, likely in the degradation of haemoglobin-derived peptides generated in the DV and transported to the cytosol.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rency Mathew
- grid.14709.3b0000 0004 1936 8649Institute of Parasitology, McGill University, 21111 Lakeshore Road, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, Québec, H9X 3V9 Canada ,grid.4777.30000 0004 0374 7521School of Biological Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland UK
| | - Juliane Wunderlich
- grid.14709.3b0000 0004 1936 8649Institute of Parasitology, McGill University, 21111 Lakeshore Road, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, Québec, H9X 3V9 Canada ,grid.4709.a0000 0004 0495 846XEuropean Molecular Biology Laboratory, Notkestraße 85, 22607 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Karine Thivierge
- grid.14709.3b0000 0004 1936 8649Institute of Parasitology, McGill University, 21111 Lakeshore Road, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, Québec, H9X 3V9 Canada ,grid.434819.30000 0000 8929 2775Laboratoire de Santé Publique du Québec, Institut National de Santé Publique du Québec, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC Canada
| | - Krystyna Cwiklinski
- grid.4777.30000 0004 0374 7521School of Biological Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland UK ,grid.6142.10000 0004 0488 0789Centre for One Health & Ryan Institute, School of Natural Sciences, NUI Galway, Galway, Republic of Ireland
| | - Claire Dumont
- grid.1008.90000 0001 2179 088XDepartment of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bio21 Institute, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC Australia
| | - Leann Tilley
- grid.1008.90000 0001 2179 088XDepartment of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bio21 Institute, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC Australia
| | - Petra Rohrbach
- grid.14709.3b0000 0004 1936 8649Institute of Parasitology, McGill University, 21111 Lakeshore Road, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, Québec, H9X 3V9 Canada
| | - John P. Dalton
- grid.14709.3b0000 0004 1936 8649Institute of Parasitology, McGill University, 21111 Lakeshore Road, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, Québec, H9X 3V9 Canada ,grid.4777.30000 0004 0374 7521School of Biological Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland UK ,grid.6142.10000 0004 0488 0789Centre for One Health & Ryan Institute, School of Natural Sciences, NUI Galway, Galway, Republic of Ireland
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Driving antimalarial design through understanding of target mechanism. Biochem Soc Trans 2020; 48:2067-2078. [PMID: 32869828 PMCID: PMC7609028 DOI: 10.1042/bst20200224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2020] [Revised: 07/23/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Malaria continues to be a global health threat, affecting approximately 219 million people in 2018 alone. The recurrent development of resistance to existing antimalarials means that the design of new drug candidates must be carefully considered. Understanding of drug target mechanism can dramatically accelerate early-stage target-based development of novel antimalarials and allows for structural modifications even during late-stage preclinical development. Here, we have provided an overview of three promising antimalarial molecular targets, PfDHFR, PfDHODH and PfA-M1, and their associated inhibitors which demonstrate how mechanism can inform drug design and be effectively utilised to generate compounds with potent inhibitory activity.
Collapse
|
14
|
Aminobenzosuberone derivatives as PfA-M1 inhibitors: Molecular recognition and antiplasmodial evaluation. Bioorg Chem 2020; 98:103750. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2020.103750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2019] [Revised: 01/27/2020] [Accepted: 03/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
|
15
|
Rout S, Mahapatra RK. Plasmodium falciparum: Multidrug resistance. Chem Biol Drug Des 2019; 93:737-759. [DOI: 10.1111/cbdd.13484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2018] [Revised: 01/05/2019] [Accepted: 01/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Subhashree Rout
- School of BiotechnologyKIIT University Bhubaneswar Odisha India
| | | |
Collapse
|
16
|
Wang F, Hu X, Zhou B. Structural characterization of plasmodial aminopeptidase: a combined molecular docking and QSAR-based in silico approaches. Mol Divers 2019; 23:965-984. [DOI: 10.1007/s11030-019-09921-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2018] [Accepted: 01/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
|
17
|
Vinh NB, Drinkwater N, Malcolm TR, Kassiou M, Lucantoni L, Grin PM, Butler GS, Duffy S, Overall CM, Avery VM, Scammells PJ, McGowan S. Hydroxamic Acid Inhibitors Provide Cross-Species Inhibition of Plasmodium M1 and M17 Aminopeptidases. J Med Chem 2018; 62:622-640. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.8b01310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Natalie B. Vinh
- Medicinal Chemistry, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Nyssa Drinkwater
- Department of Microbiology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Tess R. Malcolm
- Department of Microbiology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Michael Kassiou
- School of Chemistry, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Leonardo Lucantoni
- Discovery Biology, Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD 4111, Australia
| | | | | | - Sandra Duffy
- Discovery Biology, Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD 4111, Australia
| | | | - Vicky M. Avery
- Discovery Biology, Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD 4111, Australia
| | - Peter J. Scammells
- Medicinal Chemistry, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Sheena McGowan
- Department of Microbiology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Bounaadja L, Schmitt M, Albrecht S, Mouray E, Tarnus C, Florent I. Selective inhibition of PfA-M1, over PfA-M17, by an amino-benzosuberone derivative blocks malaria parasites development in vitro and in vivo. Malar J 2017; 16:382. [PMID: 28934959 PMCID: PMC5609037 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-017-2032-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2017] [Accepted: 09/18/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Plasmodium falciparum M1 family aminopeptidase is currently considered as a promising target for anti-malarial chemotherapy. Several series of inhibitors developed by various research groups display IC50/Ki values down to nM range on native PfA-M1 or recombinant forms and block the parasite development in culture at µM to sub-µM concentrations. A handful of these inhibitors has been tested on murine models of malaria and has shown anti plasmodial in vivo activity. However, most of these inhibitors do also target the other neutral malarial aminopeptidase, PfA-M17, often with lower Ki values, which questions the relative involvement and importance of each enzyme in the parasite biology. Results An amino-benzosuberone derivative from a previously published collection of chemicals targeting specifically the M1-aminopeptidases has been identified; it is highly potent on PfA-M1 (Ki = 50 nM) and devoid of inhibitory activity on PfA-M17 (no inhibition up to 100 µM). This amino-benzosuberone derivative (T5) inhibits, in the µM range, the in vitro growth of two P. falciparum strains, 3D7 and FcB1, respectively chloroquino-sensitive and resistant. Evaluated in vivo, on the murine non-lethal model of malaria Plasmodium chabaudi chabaudi, this amino-benzosuberone derivative was able to reduce the parasite burden by 44 and 40% in a typical 4-day Peters assay at a daily dose of 12 and 24 mg/kg by intraperitoneal route of administration. Conclusions The evaluation of a highly selective inhibitor of PfA-M1, over PfA-M17, active on Plasmodium parasites in vitro and in vivo, highlights the relevance of PfA-M1 in the biological development of the parasite as well as in the list of promising anti-malarial targets to be considered in combination with current or future anti-malarial drugs. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12936-017-2032-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lotfi Bounaadja
- Molécules de Communication et Adaptation des Microorganismes, (MCAM, UMR7245), Muséum National Histoire Naturelle, Sorbonne Universités, CNRS, CP 52, 57 Rue Cuvier, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Marjorie Schmitt
- Laboratoire de Chimie Moléculaire, CNRS-UMR7509, Université de Strasbourg, 67037, Strasbourg Cedex 2, France
| | - Sébastien Albrecht
- Laboratoire de Chimie Organique et Bioorganique, EA4566, Université de Haute Alsace, 68093, Mulhouse Cedex, France
| | - Elisabeth Mouray
- Molécules de Communication et Adaptation des Microorganismes, (MCAM, UMR7245), Muséum National Histoire Naturelle, Sorbonne Universités, CNRS, CP 52, 57 Rue Cuvier, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Céline Tarnus
- Laboratoire de Chimie Organique et Bioorganique, EA4566, Université de Haute Alsace, 68093, Mulhouse Cedex, France
| | - Isabelle Florent
- Molécules de Communication et Adaptation des Microorganismes, (MCAM, UMR7245), Muséum National Histoire Naturelle, Sorbonne Universités, CNRS, CP 52, 57 Rue Cuvier, 75005, Paris, France.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Yang W, Riley BT, Lei X, Porebski BT, Kass I, Buckle AM, McGowan S. Generation of AMBER force field parameters for zinc centres of M1 and M17 family aminopeptidases. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2017; 36:2595-2604. [DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2017.1364669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Wei Yang
- Infection and Immunity Program, Department of Microbiology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Blake T. Riley
- Infection and Immunity Program, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Xiangyun Lei
- School of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 311 Ferst Drive N.W., Atlanta, GA, 30332-0100, USA
| | - Benjamin T. Porebski
- Infection and Immunity Program, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
- Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge, CB2 0QH, UK
| | - Itamar Kass
- Infection and Immunity Program, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
- Victorian Life Sciences Computation Centre, Monash University, Clayton 3800, Victoria, Australia
| | - Ashley M. Buckle
- Infection and Immunity Program, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Sheena McGowan
- Infection and Immunity Program, Department of Microbiology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
González-Bacerio J, Maluf SEC, Méndez Y, Pascual I, Florent I, Melo PMS, Budu A, Ferreira JC, Moreno E, Carmona AK, Rivera DG, Alonso Del Rivero M, Gazarini ML. KBE009: An antimalarial bestatin-like inhibitor of the Plasmodium falciparum M1 aminopeptidase discovered in an Ugi multicomponent reaction-derived peptidomimetic library. Bioorg Med Chem 2017; 25:4628-4636. [PMID: 28728898 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2017.06.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2017] [Revised: 06/23/2017] [Accepted: 06/27/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Malaria is a global human parasitic disease mainly caused by the protozoon Plasmodium falciparum. Increased parasite resistance to current drugs determines the relevance of finding new treatments against new targets. A novel target is the M1 alanyl-aminopeptidase from P. falciparum (PfA-M1), which is essential for parasite development in human erythrocytes and is inhibited by the pseudo-peptide bestatin. In this work, we used a combinatorial multicomponent approach to produce a library of peptidomimetics and screened it for the inhibition of recombinant PfA-M1 (rPfA-M1) and the in vitro growth of P. falciparum erythrocytic stages (3D7 and FcB1 strains). Dose-response studies with selected compounds allowed identifying the bestatin-based peptidomimetic KBE009 as a submicromolar rPfA-M1 inhibitor (Ki=0.4μM) and an in vitro antimalarial compound as potent as bestatin (IC50=18μM; without promoting erythrocyte lysis). At therapeutic-relevant concentrations, KBE009 is selective for rPfA-M1 over porcine APN (a model of these enzymes from mammals), and is not cytotoxic against HUVEC cells. Docking simulations indicate that this compound binds PfA-M1 without Zn2+ coordination, establishing mainly hydrophobic interactions and showing a remarkable shape complementarity with the active site of the enzyme. Moreover, KBE009 inhibits the M1-type aminopeptidase activity (Ala-7-amido-4-methylcoumarin substrate) in isolated live parasites with a potency similar to that of the antimalarial activity (IC50=82μM), strongly suggesting that the antimalarial effect is directly related to the inhibition of the endogenous PfA-M1. These results support the value of this multicomponent strategy to identify PfA-M1 inhibitors, and make KBE009 a promising hit for drug development against malaria.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jorge González-Bacerio
- Centro de Estudio de Proteínas, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de La Habana, Calle 25 #455 entre I y J, 10400, Vedado, La Habana, Cuba.
| | - Sarah El Chamy Maluf
- Departamento de Biofísica, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Rua Pedro de Toledo, 669, 7 andar, 04039-032, Vila Mariana, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Yanira Méndez
- Centro de Estudio de Productos Naturales, Facultad de Química, Universidad de La Habana, Zapata y G, 10400 La Habana, Cuba.
| | - Isel Pascual
- Centro de Estudio de Proteínas, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de La Habana, Calle 25 #455 entre I y J, 10400, Vedado, La Habana, Cuba.
| | - Isabelle Florent
- Unité Molécules de Communication et Adaptation des Microorganismes, (MCAM, UMR 7245), Sorbonne Universités, Muséum National Histoire Naturelle, CNRS, CP 52, 57 Rue Cuvier, 75005 Paris, France.
| | - Pollyana M S Melo
- Departamento de Biofísica, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Rua Pedro de Toledo, 669, 7 andar, 04039-032, Vila Mariana, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Alexandre Budu
- Departamento de Biofísica, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Rua Pedro de Toledo, 669, 7 andar, 04039-032, Vila Mariana, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Juliana C Ferreira
- Departamento de Biofísica, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Rua Pedro de Toledo, 669, 7 andar, 04039-032, Vila Mariana, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Ernesto Moreno
- Centro de Inmunología Molecular, Calle 15 esq. 216, Siboney, Playa, La Habana, Cuba; Universidad de Medellín, Carrera 87 #30-65, Medellín, Colombia.
| | - Adriana K Carmona
- Departamento de Biofísica, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Rua Pedro de Toledo, 669, 7 andar, 04039-032, Vila Mariana, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Daniel G Rivera
- Centro de Estudio de Productos Naturales, Facultad de Química, Universidad de La Habana, Zapata y G, 10400 La Habana, Cuba.
| | - Maday Alonso Del Rivero
- Centro de Estudio de Proteínas, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de La Habana, Calle 25 #455 entre I y J, 10400, Vedado, La Habana, Cuba.
| | - Marcos L Gazarini
- Departamento de Biociências, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, R. Silva Jardim, 136, 11015-020, Vila Mathias, Santos, São Paulo, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Drinkwater N, Lee J, Yang W, Malcolm TR, McGowan S. M1 aminopeptidases as drug targets: broad applications or therapeutic niche? FEBS J 2017; 284:1473-1488. [PMID: 28075056 PMCID: PMC7164018 DOI: 10.1111/febs.14009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2016] [Revised: 12/12/2016] [Accepted: 01/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
M1 aminopeptidase enzymes are a diverse family of metalloenzymes characterized by conserved structure and reaction specificity. Excluding viruses, M1 aminopeptidases are distributed throughout all phyla, and have been implicated in a wide range of functions including cell maintenance, growth and development, and defense. The structure and catalytic mechanism of M1 aminopeptidases are well understood, and make them ideal candidates for the design of small‐molecule inhibitors. As a result, many research groups have assessed their utility as therapeutic targets for both infectious and chronic diseases of humans, and many inhibitors with a range of target specificities and potential therapeutic applications have been developed. Herein, we have aimed to address these studies, to determine whether the family of M1 aminopeptidases does in fact present a universal target for the treatment of a diverse range of human diseases. Our analysis indicates that early validation of M1 aminopeptidases as therapeutic targets is often overlooked, which prevents the enzymes from being confirmed as drug targets. This validation cannot be neglected, and needs to include a thorough characterization of enzymes’ specific roles within complex physiological pathways. Furthermore, any chemical probes used in target validation must be carefully designed to ensure that specificity over the closely related enzymes has been achieved. While many drug discovery programs that target M1 aminopeptidases remain in their infancy, certain inhibitors have shown promise for the treatment of a range of conditions including malaria, hypertension, and cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nyssa Drinkwater
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
| | - Jisook Lee
- Medicinal Chemistry, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Vic., Australia
| | - Wei Yang
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
| | - Tess R Malcolm
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
| | - Sheena McGowan
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Verbrugge SE, Al M, Assaraf YG, Kammerer S, Chandrupatla DMSH, Honeywell R, Musters RPJ, Giovannetti E, O'Toole T, Scheffer GL, Krige D, de Gruijl TD, Niessen HWM, Lems WF, Kramer PA, Scheper RJ, Cloos J, Ossenkoppele GJ, Peters GJ, Jansen G. Multifactorial resistance to aminopeptidase inhibitor prodrug CHR2863 in myeloid leukemia cells: down-regulation of carboxylesterase 1, drug sequestration in lipid droplets and pro-survival activation ERK/Akt/mTOR. Oncotarget 2017; 7:5240-57. [PMID: 26496029 PMCID: PMC4868683 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.6169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2015] [Accepted: 10/04/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Aminopeptidase inhibitors are receiving attention as combination chemotherapeutic agents for the treatment of refractory acute myeloid leukemia. However, the factors determining therapeutic efficacy remain elusive. Here we identified the molecular basis of acquired resistance to CHR2863, an orally available hydrophobic aminopeptidase inhibitor prodrug with an esterase-sensitive motif, in myeloid leukemia cells. CHR2863 enters cells by diffusion and is retained therein upon esterase activity-mediated conversion to its hydrophilic active metabolite drug CHR6768, thereby exerting amino acid depletion. Carboxylesterases (CES) serve as candidate prodrug activating enzymes given CES1 expression in acute myeloid leukemia specimens. We established two novel myeloid leukemia sublines U937/CHR2863(200) and U937/CHR2863(5uM), with low (14-fold) and high level (270-fold) CHR2863 resistance. The latter drug resistant cells displayed: (i) complete loss of CES1-mediated drug activation associated with down-regulation of CES1 mRNA and protein, (ii) marked retention/sequestration of the prodrug, (iii) a substantial increase in intracellular lipid droplets, and (iv) a dominant activation of the pro-survival Akt/mTOR pathway. Remarkably, the latter feature coincided with a gain of sensitivity to the mTOR inhibitor rapamycin. These finding delineate the molecular basis of CHR2863 resistance and offer a novel modality to overcome this drug resistance in myeloid leukemia cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sue Ellen Verbrugge
- Department of Rheumatology, Amsterdam Rheumatology and Immunology Center, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Present address: Department of Clinical Chemistry, UMCU, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Marjon Al
- Department of Rheumatology, Amsterdam Rheumatology and Immunology Center, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Yehuda G Assaraf
- The Fred Wyszkowsky Cancer Research Laboratory, Faculty of Biology, The Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Sarah Kammerer
- Department of Rheumatology, Amsterdam Rheumatology and Immunology Center, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of Medical Oncology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Present address: Institute of Biophysics, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Durga M S H Chandrupatla
- Department of Rheumatology, Amsterdam Rheumatology and Immunology Center, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of Medical Oncology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Richard Honeywell
- Department of Medical Oncology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Rene P J Musters
- Department of Physiology, VU University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Elisa Giovannetti
- Department of Medical Oncology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Tom O'Toole
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, VU University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - George L Scheffer
- Departments of Pathology and Cardiac Surgery, ICaR-VU, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - David Krige
- Chroma Therapeutics Ltd, Abingdon, United Kingdom.,Present address: Immunocore Ltd, Oxford, UK
| | - Tanja D de Gruijl
- Department of Medical Oncology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Hans W M Niessen
- Departments of Pathology and Cardiac Surgery, ICaR-VU, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Willem F Lems
- Department of Rheumatology, Amsterdam Rheumatology and Immunology Center, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Rik J Scheper
- Departments of Pathology and Cardiac Surgery, ICaR-VU, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jacqueline Cloos
- Department of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Gert J Ossenkoppele
- Department of Hematology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Godefridus J Peters
- Department of Medical Oncology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Gerrit Jansen
- Department of Rheumatology, Amsterdam Rheumatology and Immunology Center, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
In silico screening of novel inhibitors of M17 Leucine Amino Peptidase (LAP) of Plasmodium vivax as therapeutic candidate. Biomed Pharmacother 2016; 82:192-201. [PMID: 27470355 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2016.04.057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2016] [Revised: 04/26/2016] [Accepted: 04/26/2016] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
M17 LAP (Leucine Amino Peptidase) plays an important role in the hydrolysis of amino acids essential for growth and development of Plasmodium vivax (Pv), the pathogen causing malaria. In this paper a homology model of PvLAP was generated using MODELLER v9.15. From different in-silico methods such as structure based, ligand based and de novo drug designing a total of 90 compounds were selected for docking studies. A final list of 10 compounds was prepared. The study reported the identification of 2-[(3-azaniumyl-2-hydroxy-4-phenylbutanoyl) amino]-4-methylpentanoate as the best inhibitor in terms of docking score and pharmacophoric features. The reliability of the binding mode of the inhibitor is confirmed by molecular dynamics (MD) simulation study with GROMACS software for a simulation time of 20ns in water environment. Finally, in silico ADMET analysis of the inhibitors using MedChem Designer v3 evaluated the drug likeness of the best hits to be considered for industrial pharmaceutical research.
Collapse
|
24
|
Drinkwater N, Vinh NB, Mistry SN, Bamert RS, Ruggeri C, Holleran JP, Loganathan S, Paiardini A, Charman SA, Powell AK, Avery VM, McGowan S, Scammells PJ. Potent dual inhibitors of Plasmodium falciparum M1 and M17 aminopeptidases through optimization of S1 pocket interactions. Eur J Med Chem 2016; 110:43-64. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2016.01.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2015] [Revised: 01/11/2016] [Accepted: 01/11/2016] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
|
25
|
Aneja B, Kumar B, Jairajpuri MA, Abid M. A structure guided drug-discovery approach towards identification of Plasmodium inhibitors. RSC Adv 2016. [DOI: 10.1039/c5ra19673f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
This article provides a comprehensive review of inhibitors from natural, semisynthetic or synthetic sources against key targets ofPlasmodium falciparum.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Babita Aneja
- Medicinal Chemistry Lab
- Department of Biosciences
- Jamia Millia Islamia (A Central University)
- New Delhi 110025
- India
| | - Bhumika Kumar
- Medicinal Chemistry Lab
- Department of Biosciences
- Jamia Millia Islamia (A Central University)
- New Delhi 110025
- India
| | - Mohamad Aman Jairajpuri
- Protein Conformation and Enzymology Lab
- Department of Biosciences
- Jamia Millia Islamia (A Central University)
- New Delhi 110025
- India
| | - Mohammad Abid
- Medicinal Chemistry Lab
- Department of Biosciences
- Jamia Millia Islamia (A Central University)
- New Delhi 110025
- India
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Drinkwater N, Bamert RS, Sivaraman KK, Paiardini A, McGowan S. X-ray crystal structures of an orally available aminopeptidase inhibitor, Tosedostat, bound to anti-malarial drug targets P
f
A-M1 and P
f
A-M17. Proteins 2015; 83:789-95. [DOI: 10.1002/prot.24771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2014] [Revised: 01/16/2015] [Accepted: 01/20/2015] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Nyssa Drinkwater
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; Monash University; Melbourne Victoria 3800 Australia
| | - Rebecca S. Bamert
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; Monash University; Melbourne Victoria 3800 Australia
| | - Komagal Kannan Sivaraman
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; Monash University; Melbourne Victoria 3800 Australia
| | - Alessandro Paiardini
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biochimiche “A. Rossi Fanelli”; Sapienza University of Rome; Rome Italy
| | - Sheena McGowan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; Monash University; Melbourne Victoria 3800 Australia
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Paiardini A, Bamert RS, Kannan-Sivaraman K, Drinkwater N, Mistry SN, Scammells PJ, McGowan S. Screening the Medicines for Malaria Venture "Malaria Box" against the Plasmodium falciparum aminopeptidases, M1, M17 and M18. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0115859. [PMID: 25700165 PMCID: PMC4336144 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0115859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2014] [Accepted: 12/02/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria is a parasitic disease that remains a global health burden. The ability of the parasite to rapidly develop resistance to therapeutics drives an urgent need for the delivery of new drugs. The Medicines for Malaria Venture have compounds known for their antimalarial activity, but not necessarily the molecular targets. In this study, we assess the ability of the “MMV 400” compounds to inhibit the activity of three metalloaminopeptidases from Plasmodium falciparum, PfA-M1, PfA-M17 and PfM18 AAP. We have developed a multiplex assay system to allow rapid primary screening of compounds against all three metalloaminopeptidases, followed by detailed analysis of promising compounds. Our results show that there were no PfM18AAP inhibitors, whereas two moderate inhibitors of the neutral aminopeptidases PfA-M1 and PfA-M17 were identified. Further investigation through structure-activity relationship studies and molecular docking suggest that these compounds are competitive inhibitors with novel binding mechanisms, acting through either non-classical zinc coordination or independently of zinc binding altogether. Although it is unlikely that inhibition of PfA-M1 and/or PfA-M17 is the primary mechanism responsible for the antiplasmodial activity reported for these compounds, their detailed characterization, as presented in this work, pave the way for their further optimization as a novel class of dual PfA-M1/PfA-M17 inhibitors utilising non-classical zinc binding groups.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Paiardini
- Dipartmento di Scienze biochimiche "A. Rossi Fanelli", Sapienza Università di Roma, Roma, Italy
| | - Rebecca S. Bamert
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton Campus, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Komagal Kannan-Sivaraman
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton Campus, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Nyssa Drinkwater
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton Campus, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Shailesh N. Mistry
- Medicinal Chemistry, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville Campus, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Peter J. Scammells
- Medicinal Chemistry, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville Campus, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Sheena McGowan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton Campus, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Knockout of leucine aminopeptidase in Toxoplasma gondii using CRISPR/Cas9. Int J Parasitol 2015; 45:141-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2014.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2014] [Revised: 09/19/2014] [Accepted: 09/22/2014] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
|
29
|
Abstract
Despite a century of control and eradication campaigns, malaria remains one of the world's most devastating diseases. Our once-powerful therapeutic weapons are losing the war against the Plasmodium parasite, whose ability to rapidly develop and spread drug resistance hamper past and present malaria-control efforts. Finding new and effective treatments for malaria is now a top global health priority, fuelling an increase in funding and promoting open-source collaborations between researchers and pharmaceutical consortia around the world. The result of this is rapid advances in drug discovery approaches and technologies, with three major methods for antimalarial drug development emerging: (i) chemistry-based, (ii) target-based, and (iii) cell-based. Common to all three of these approaches is the unique ability of structural biology to inform and accelerate drug development. Where possible, SBDD (structure-based drug discovery) is a foundation for antimalarial drug development programmes, and has been invaluable to the development of a number of current pre-clinical and clinical candidates. However, as we expand our understanding of the malarial life cycle and mechanisms of resistance development, SBDD as a field must continue to evolve in order to develop compounds that adhere to the ideal characteristics for novel antimalarial therapeutics and to avoid high attrition rates pre- and post-clinic. In the present review, we aim to examine the contribution that SBDD has made to current antimalarial drug development efforts, covering hit discovery to lead optimization and prevention of parasite resistance. Finally, the potential for structural biology, particularly high-throughput structural genomics programmes, to identify future targets for drug discovery are discussed.
Collapse
|
30
|
Recombinant expression and biochemical characterisation of two alanyl aminopeptidases of Trypanosoma congolense. Exp Parasitol 2013; 135:675-84. [PMID: 24177338 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2013.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2013] [Revised: 10/15/2013] [Accepted: 10/17/2013] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Trypanosoma congolense is a haemoprotozoan parasite that causes African animal trypanosomosis, a wasting disease of cattle and small ruminants. Current control methods are unsatisfactory and no conventional vaccine exists due to antigenic variation. An anti-disease vaccine approach to control T. congolense has been proposed requiring the identification of parasitic factors that cause disease. Immunoprecipitation of T. congolense antigens using sera from infected trypanotolerant cattle allowed the identification of several immunogenic antigens including two M1 type aminopeptidases (APs). The two APs were cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. As the APs were expressed as insoluble inclusion bodies it was necessary to develop a method for solubilisation and subsequent refolding to restore conformation and activity. The refolded APs both showed a distinct substrate preference for H-Ala-AMC, an optimum pH of 8.0, puromycin-sensitivity, inhibition by bestatin and amastatin, and cytoplasmic localisation. The two APs are expressed in procyclic metacyclic and bloodstream form parasites. Down-regulation of both APs by RNAi resulted in a slightly reduced growth rate in procyclic parasites in vitro.
Collapse
|
31
|
McGowan S. Working in concert: the metalloaminopeptidases from Plasmodium falciparum. Curr Opin Struct Biol 2013; 23:828-35. [PMID: 23948130 DOI: 10.1016/j.sbi.2013.07.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2013] [Revised: 07/24/2013] [Accepted: 07/24/2013] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Malaria remains the world's most prevalent human parasitic disease. Because of the rapid spread of drug resistance in parasites, there is an urgent need to identify diverse new drug targets. One group of proteases that are emerging as targets for novel antimalarials are the metalloaminopeptidases. These enzymes catalyze the removal of the N-terminal amino acids from proteins and peptides. Given the restricted specificities of each of these enzymes for different N-terminal amino acids, it is thought that they act in concert to facilitate protein turnover. Here we review recent structure and functional data relating to the development of the Plasmodium falciparum metalloaminopeptidases as drug targets.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sheena McGowan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton Campus, Melbourne, Victoria 3800, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
McGowan S. Sitagliptin does not inhibit the M1 alanyl aminopeptidase from Plasmodium falciparum. Bioinformation 2013; 9:661-2. [PMID: 23930016 PMCID: PMC3732437 DOI: 10.6026/97320630009661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2013] [Accepted: 06/01/2013] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Sheena McGowan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton Campus, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Kannan Sivaraman K, Paiardini A, Sieńczyk M, Ruggeri C, Oellig CA, Dalton JP, Scammells PJ, Drag M, McGowan S. Synthesis and structure-activity relationships of phosphonic arginine mimetics as inhibitors of the M1 and M17 aminopeptidases from Plasmodium falciparum. J Med Chem 2013; 56:5213-7. [PMID: 23713488 DOI: 10.1021/jm4005972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum employs two metallo-aminopeptidases, PfA-M1 and PfA-M17, which are essential for parasite survival. Compounds that inhibit the activity of either enzyme represent leads for the development of new antimalarial drugs. Here we report the synthesis and structure-activity relationships of a small library of phosphonic acid arginine mimetics that probe the S1 pocket of both enzymes and map the necessary interactions that would be important for a dual inhibitor.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Komagal Kannan Sivaraman
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton Campus, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|