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Emami S, Sadeghi M, Shahdin S, Daryani A, Khalilian A, Pirestani M, Hosseini SA, Montazeri M, Nejad ZH, Sarvi S. In Vitro Evaluation of Anti-Parasitic Activities of Quinolone-Coumarin Hybrids Derived from Fluoroquinolones and Novobiocin Against Toxoplasma gondii. Acta Parasitol 2024; 69:1275-1283. [PMID: 38753101 DOI: 10.1007/s11686-024-00852-9] [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: 11/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Toxoplasmosis is caused by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii). In immunocompetent individuals, the infection is often asymptomatic; however, in expectant mothers and those with immune system deficiencies, complications may arise. Consequently, there is a need for new drugs that cause minimal damage to host cells. The purpose of this study was to investigate the in vitro antiparasitic efficacy of quinolone-coumarin hybrids QC1-QC12, derived from quinolone antibacterials and novobiocin, against T. gondii. METHODS The derivatives were compared with novobiocin and ciprofloxacin during testing, with pyrimethamine used as a positive control. We conducted the MTT assay to examine the anti-toxoplasmic effects of the test compounds and novobiocin. Evaluation included the infection and proliferation indices, as well as the size and number of plaques, based on the viability of both healthy and infected cells. RESULTS The in vitro assays revealed that QC1, QC3, QC6, and novobiocin, with selectivity indices (SIs) of 7.27, 13.43, and 8.23, respectively, had the least toxic effect on healthy cells and the highest effect on infected cells compared to pyrimethamine (SI = 3.05). Compared to pyrimethamine, QC1, QC3, QC6, and novobiocin Without having a significant effect on cell viability, demonstrated a significant effect on reducing in both infection index and proliferation index, in addition to reducing the quantity and dimensions of plaques ( P < 0.05). CONCLUSION Based on our results, QC1, QC3, QC6, and novobiocin due to their significant therapeutic effects could be considered as potential new leads in the development of novel anti-Toxoplasma agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saeed Emami
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Mitra Sadeghi
- Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Communicable Disease Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
- Student Research Committee, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Shayesteh Shahdin
- Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Communicable Disease Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Ahmad Daryani
- Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Communicable Disease Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Science, Sari, Iran
| | - Alireza Khalilian
- Biostatistics Department, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Majid Pirestani
- Department of Parasitology, Tarbiat Modares University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyed Abdollah Hosseini
- Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Communicable Disease Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Science, Sari, Iran
| | - Mahboobeh Montazeri
- Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Communicable Disease Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Zahra Hosseini Nejad
- Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Communicable Disease Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Shahabeddin Sarvi
- Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Communicable Disease Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Science, Sari, Iran.
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Eid RK, Arafa MF, Ashour DS, Essa EA, El-Wakil ES, Younis SS, El Maghraby GM. Surfactant vesicles for enhanced antitoxoplasmic effect of norfloxacin: in vitro and in vivo evaluations. Int J Pharm 2023; 638:122912. [PMID: 37015296 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2023.122912] [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] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 04/06/2023]
Abstract
The goal was to scrutinize niosomes as potential carriers for enhanced efficacy of norfloxacin against Toxoplasma gondii RH strain. This was assessed in vitro and in vivo. Standard niosomes of Span 60 and cholesterol were prepared. Gelucire 48/16 or Tween 80 was incorporated as hydrophilic fluidizer. The prepared vesicles were characterized for shape, size, viscosity and norfloxacin release. The in vitro anti-Toxoplasma was assessed by monitoring tachyzoites viability after incubation with niosomes. In vivo efficacy of niosomes encapsulated norfloxacin was evaluated on infected mice. Transmission electron micrographs showed nano-sized spherical vesicles. Norfloxacin release varied with niosomal composition to show faster liberation in presence of fluidizing agent. The half maximum effective concentration of norfloxacin against tachyzoites (EC50) was significantly reduced after niosomal encapsulation compared with simple drug solution with no significant difference between vesicular formulations. Tachyzoite count in the peritoneal fluid of infected mice was reduced by 45.2, 90.8, 88.3 and 84% after treatment with simple drug dispersion, standard niosomes, Gelucire containing and Tween containing vesicles, respectively compared to infected untreated mice. These results correlate with the in vitro data and reflects the efficacy of niosomes. The study introduced surfactant vesicles as a tool for enhanced efficacy of norfloxacin against toxoplasma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rania K Eid
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt.
| | - Mona F Arafa
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt.
| | - Dalia S Ashour
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt.
| | - Ebtessam A Essa
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt.
| | - Eman S El-Wakil
- Department of Parasitology, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Kornaish El-Nile, Warrak El-Hadar, Imbaba (P.O. 30), Giza, 12411, Egypt.
| | - Salwa S Younis
- Medical Parasitology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Egypt.
| | - Gamal M El Maghraby
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt.
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Hajj RE, Tawk L, Itani S, Hamie M, Ezzeddine J, El Sabban M, El Hajj H. Toxoplasmosis: Current and Emerging Parasite Druggable Targets. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9122531. [PMID: 34946133 PMCID: PMC8707595 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9122531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Revised: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is a prevalent disease affecting a wide range of hosts including approximately one-third of the human population. It is caused by the sporozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii), which instigates a range of symptoms, manifesting as acute and chronic forms and varying from ocular to deleterious congenital or neuro-toxoplasmosis. Toxoplasmosis may cause serious health problems in fetuses, newborns, and immunocompromised patients. Recently, associations between toxoplasmosis and various neuropathies and different types of cancer were documented. In the veterinary sector, toxoplasmosis results in recurring abortions, leading to significant economic losses. Treatment of toxoplasmosis remains intricate and encompasses general antiparasitic and antibacterial drugs. The efficacy of these drugs is hindered by intolerance, side effects, and emergence of parasite resistance. Furthermore, all currently used drugs in the clinic target acute toxoplasmosis, with no or little effect on the chronic form. In this review, we will provide a comprehensive overview on the currently used and emergent drugs and their respective parasitic targets to combat toxoplasmosis. We will also abridge the repurposing of certain drugs, their targets, and highlight future druggable targets to enhance the therapeutic efficacy against toxoplasmosis, hence lessening its burden and potentially alleviating the complications of its associated diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rana El Hajj
- Department of Biological Sciences, Beirut Arab University, P.O. Box 11-5020, Riad El Solh, Beirut 1107 2809, Lebanon;
| | - Lina Tawk
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Balamand, Beirut 1100 2807, Lebanon; (L.T.); (J.E.)
| | - Shaymaa Itani
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, P.O. Box 11-0236, Riad El-Solh, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon; (S.I.); (M.H.)
| | - Maguy Hamie
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, P.O. Box 11-0236, Riad El-Solh, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon; (S.I.); (M.H.)
| | - Jana Ezzeddine
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Balamand, Beirut 1100 2807, Lebanon; (L.T.); (J.E.)
| | - Marwan El Sabban
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, P.O. Box 11-0236, Riad El-Solh, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon;
| | - Hiba El Hajj
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, P.O. Box 11-0236, Riad El-Solh, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon; (S.I.); (M.H.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +961–1-350000 (ext. 4897)
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de la Mata Navazo S, Slöcker Barrio M, García-Morín M, Beléndez C, Escobar Fernández L, Rincón-López EM, Aguilera Alonso D, Guinea J, Marín M, Butragueño-Laiseca L, López-Herce Cid J. Case Report: Severe ARDS in a Pediatric Hematopoietic Stem-Cell Transplantation Recipient Caused by Disseminated Toxoplasmosis. Front Pediatr 2021; 9:810718. [PMID: 35155320 PMCID: PMC8826680 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2021.810718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii infection is a severe complication of hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT) recipients that can remain unnoticed without a high clinical suspicion. We present the case of a 6-year-old patient with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and HSCT recipient who was admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) on post-transplantation day +39 with fever, hypotension, severe respiratory distress and appearance of a lumbar subcutaneous node. She developed severe Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) and underwent endotracheal intubation and early mechanical ventilation. Subsequently, she required prone ventilation, inhaled nitric oxide therapy and high-frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV). An etiologic study was performed, being blood, urine, bronchoalveolar lavage and biopsy of the subcutaneous node positive for Toxoplasma gondii by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Diagnosis of disseminated toxoplasmosis was established and treatment with pyrimethamine, sulfadiazine and folinic acid started. The patient showed clinical improvement, allowing weaning of mechanical ventilation and transfer to the hospitalization ward after 40 days in the PICU. It is important to consider toxoplasmosis infection in immunocompromised patients with sepsis and, in cases of severe respiratory distress, early mechanical ventilation should be started using the open lung approach. In Toxoplasma IgG positive patients, close monitoring and appropriate anti-infectious prophylaxis is needed after HSCT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara de la Mata Navazo
- Pediatric Intensive Care Department, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain.,Research Network on Maternal and Child Health and Development (RedSAMID), Hospital Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain.,Department of Maternal and Child Public Health, School of Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - María Slöcker Barrio
- Pediatric Intensive Care Department, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain.,Research Network on Maternal and Child Health and Development (RedSAMID), Hospital Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain.,Department of Maternal and Child Public Health, School of Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Marina García-Morín
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain.,Department of Maternal and Child Public Health, School of Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain.,Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
| | - Cristina Beléndez
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain.,Department of Maternal and Child Public Health, School of Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain.,Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
| | - Laura Escobar Fernández
- Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
| | - Elena María Rincón-López
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain.,Department of Maternal and Child Public Health, School of Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain.,Pediatric Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
| | - David Aguilera Alonso
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain.,Department of Maternal and Child Public Health, School of Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain.,Pediatric Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jesús Guinea
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain.,Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases Department, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
| | - Mercedes Marín
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain.,Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases Department, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
| | - Laura Butragueño-Laiseca
- Pediatric Intensive Care Department, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain.,Research Network on Maternal and Child Health and Development (RedSAMID), Hospital Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain.,Department of Maternal and Child Public Health, School of Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jesús López-Herce Cid
- Pediatric Intensive Care Department, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain.,Research Network on Maternal and Child Health and Development (RedSAMID), Hospital Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain.,Department of Maternal and Child Public Health, School of Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
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5
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Leesombun A, Iijima M, Umeda K, Kondoh D, Pagmadulam B, Abdou AM, Suzuki Y, Ohba SI, Isshiki K, Kimura T, Kubota Y, Sawa R, Nihei CI, Nishikawa Y. Metacytofilin Is a Potent Therapeutic Drug Candidate for Toxoplasmosis. J Infect Dis 2020; 221:766-774. [PMID: 31573038 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiz501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2019] [Accepted: 09/28/2019] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Toxoplasmosis, a parasitic disease caused by Toxoplasma gondii, is an important cause of miscarriage or adverse fetal effects, including neurological and ocular manifestations in humans. Current anti-Toxoplasma drugs have limited efficacy against toxoplasmosis and also have severe side effects. Therefore, novel efficacious drugs are urgently needed. Here, we identified metacytofilin (MCF) from a fungal Metarhizium species as a potential anti-Toxoplasma compound. METHODS Anti-Toxoplasma activities of MCF and its derivatives were evaluated in vitro and in vivo using nonpregnant and pregnant mice. To understand the mode of action of MCF, the RNA expression of host and parasite genes was investigated by RNAseq. RESULTS In vitro, MCF inhibited the viability of intracellular and extracellular T. gondii. Administering MCF intraperitoneally or orally to mice after infection with T. gondii tachyzoites increased mouse survival compared with the untreated animals. Remarkably, oral administration of MCF to pregnant mice prevented vertical transmission of the parasite. Interestingly, RNA sequencing of T. gondii-infected cells treated with MCF showed that MCF inhibited DNA replication and enhanced RNA degradation in the parasites. CONCLUSIONS With its potent anti-T. gondii activity, MCF is a strong candidate for future drug development against toxoplasmosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arpron Leesombun
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido, Japan.,Department of Pre-clinic and Applied Animal Science, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Mahidol University, Salaya, Phutthamonthon Nakhonpathom, Thailand
| | | | - Kousuke Umeda
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Daisuke Kondoh
- Department of Basic Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Baldorj Pagmadulam
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Ahmed M Abdou
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido, Japan.,Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, South Valley University, Qena City, Egypt
| | - Yutaka Suzuki
- Graduate School of Frontier Science, University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Chiba, Japan
| | | | - Kunio Isshiki
- Institute of Microbial Chemistry, Shinagawa, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | - Yumiko Kubota
- Institute of Microbial Chemistry, Shinagawa, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ryuichi Sawa
- Institute of Microbial Chemistry, Shinagawa, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Coh-Ichi Nihei
- Institute of Microbial Chemistry, Shinagawa, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoshifumi Nishikawa
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido, Japan
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6
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Secrieru A, Costa ICC, O’Neill PM, Cristiano MLS. Antimalarial Agents as Therapeutic Tools Against Toxoplasmosis-A Short Bridge between Two Distant Illnesses. Molecules 2020; 25:E1574. [PMID: 32235463 PMCID: PMC7181032 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25071574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2020] [Revised: 03/26/2020] [Accepted: 03/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is an infectious disease with paramount impact worldwide, affecting many vulnerable populations and representing a significant matter of concern. Current therapies used against toxoplasmosis are based essentially on old chemotypes, which fail in providing a definitive cure for the disease, placing the most sensitive populations at risk for irreversible damage in vital organs, culminating in death in the most serious cases. Antimalarial drugs have been shown to possess key features for drug repurposing, finding application in the treatment of other parasite-borne illnesses, including toxoplasmosis. Antimalarials provide the most effective therapeutic solutions against toxoplasmosis and make up for the majority of currently available antitoxoplasmic drugs. Additionally, other antiplasmodial drugs have been scrutinized and many promising candidates have emanated in recent developments. Available data demonstrate that it is worthwhile to explore the activity of classical and most recent antimalarial chemotypes, such as quinolines, endoperoxides, pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines, and nature-derived peptide-based parasiticidal agents, in the context of toxoplasmosis chemotherapy, in the quest for encountering more effective and safer tools for toxoplasmosis control or eradication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alina Secrieru
- Center of Marine Sciences, CCMAR, Gambelas Campus, University of Algarve, UAlg, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal; (A.S.); (I.C.C.C.)
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, FCT, Gambelas Campus, University of Algarve, UAlg, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
- Department of Chemistry, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7ZD, UK;
| | - Inês C. C. Costa
- Center of Marine Sciences, CCMAR, Gambelas Campus, University of Algarve, UAlg, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal; (A.S.); (I.C.C.C.)
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, FCT, Gambelas Campus, University of Algarve, UAlg, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
| | - Paul M. O’Neill
- Department of Chemistry, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7ZD, UK;
| | - Maria L. S. Cristiano
- Center of Marine Sciences, CCMAR, Gambelas Campus, University of Algarve, UAlg, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal; (A.S.); (I.C.C.C.)
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, FCT, Gambelas Campus, University of Algarve, UAlg, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
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Chakraborty A. Understanding the biology of the Plasmodium falciparum apicoplast; an excellent target for antimalarial drug development. Life Sci 2016; 158:104-10. [DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2016.06.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2016] [Revised: 06/28/2016] [Accepted: 06/30/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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8
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Lin TY, Nagano S, Gardiner Heddle J. Functional Analyses of the Toxoplasma gondii DNA Gyrase Holoenzyme: A Janus Topoisomerase with Supercoiling and Decatenation Abilities. Sci Rep 2015; 5:14491. [PMID: 26412236 PMCID: PMC4585971 DOI: 10.1038/srep14491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2015] [Accepted: 08/19/2015] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
A number of important protozoan parasites including those responsible for toxoplasmosis and malaria belong to the phylum Apicomplexa and are characterised by their possession of a relict plastid, the apicoplast. Being required for survival, apicoplasts are potentially useful drug targets and their attractiveness is increased by the fact that they contain “bacterial” gyrase, a well-established antibacterial drug target. We have cloned and purified the gyrase proteins from the apicoplast of Toxoplasma gondii (the cause of toxoplasmosis), reconstituted the functional enzyme and succeeded in characterising it. We discovered that the enzyme is inhibited by known gyrase inhibitors and that, as well as the expected supercoiling activity, it is also able to decatenate DNA with high efficiency. This unusual dual functionality may be related to the apparent lack of topoisomerase IV in the apicoplast.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting-Yu Lin
- Heddle Initiative Research Unit, RIKEN, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan
| | - Soshichiro Nagano
- Heddle Initiative Research Unit, RIKEN, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan
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9
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Dalhoff A. Antiviral, antifungal, and antiparasitic activities of fluoroquinolones optimized for treatment of bacterial infections: a puzzling paradox or a logical consequence of their mode of action? Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 2015; 34:661-8. [PMID: 25515946 PMCID: PMC7087824 DOI: 10.1007/s10096-014-2296-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2014] [Accepted: 12/02/2014] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
This review summarizes evidence that commercially available fluoroquinolones used for the treatment of bacterial infections are active against other non-bacterial infectious agents as well. Any of these fluoroquinolones exerts, in parallel to its antibacterial action, antiviral, antifungal, and antiparasitic actions at clinically achievable concentrations. This broad range of anti-infective activities is due to one common mode of action, i.e., the inhibition of type II topoisomerases or inhibition of viral helicases, thus maintaining the selective toxicity of fluoroquinolones inhibiting microbial topoisomerases at low concentrations but mammalian topoisomerases at much higher concentrations. Evidence suggests that standard doses of the fluoroquinolones studied are clinically effective against viral and parasitic infections, whereas higher doses administered topically were active against Candida spp. causing ophthalmological infections. Well-designed clinical studies should be performed to substantiate these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Dalhoff
- Institute for Infection Medicine, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein, Brunswiker Str. 4, 24105, Kiel, Germany,
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10
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Nagano S, Lin TY, Edula JR, Heddle JG. Unique features of apicoplast DNA gyrases from Toxoplasma gondii and Plasmodium falciparum. BMC Bioinformatics 2014; 15:416. [PMID: 25523502 PMCID: PMC4297366 DOI: 10.1186/s12859-014-0416-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2014] [Accepted: 12/10/2014] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND DNA gyrase, an enzyme once thought to be unique to bacteria, is also found in some eukaryotic plastids including the apicoplast of Apicomplexa such as Plasmodium falciparum and Toxoplasma gondii which are important disease-causing organisms. DNA gyrase is an excellent target for antibacterial drugs, yet such antibacterials seem ineffective against Apicomplexa. Characterisation of the apicoplast gyrases would be a useful step towards understanding why this should be so. While purification of active apicoplast gyrase has proved impossible to date, in silico analyses have allowed us to discover differences in the apicoplast proteins. The resulting predicted structural and functional differences will be a first step towards development of apicoplast-gyrase specific inhibitors. RESULTS We have carried out sequence analysis and structural predictions of the enzymes from the two species and find that P. falciparum gyrase lacks a GyrA box, but T. gondii may retain one. All proteins contained signal/transport peptides for localization to the apicoplast but T. gondii Gyrase B protein lacks the expected hydrophobic region. The most significant difference is in the GyrA C-terminal domain: While the cores of the proteins, including DNA binding and cleavage regions are essentially unchanged, both apicoplast gyrase A proteins have C-terminal domains that are significantly larger than bacterial counterparts and are predicted to have different structures. CONCLUSION The apicoplast gyrases differ significantly from bacterial gyrases while retaining similar core domains. T. gondii Gyrase B may have an unusual or inefficient mechanism of localisation to the apicoplast. P.falciparum gyrase, lacks a GyrA box and is therefore likely to be inefficient in DNA supercoiling. The C-terminal domains of both apicoplast Gyrase A proteins diverge significantly from the bacterial proteins. We predict that an additional structural element is present in the C-terminal domain of both apicoplast Gyrase A proteins, including the possibility of a β-pinwheel with a non-canonical number of blades. These differences undoubtedly will affect the DNA supercoiling mechanism and have perhaps evolved to compensate for the lack of Topoisomerase IV in the apicoplast. These data will be useful first step towards further characterisation and development of inhibitors for apicoplast gyrases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soshichiro Nagano
- Heddle Initiative Research Unit, RIKEN, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan.
| | - Ting-Yu Lin
- Heddle Initiative Research Unit, RIKEN, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan.
| | - Jyotheeswara Reddy Edula
- Heddle Initiative Research Unit, RIKEN, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan. .,Current address: Department of Molecular Protozoology, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases (RIMD), Osaka University, 3-1 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan.
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Caboni L, Gálvez-Llompart M, Gálvez J, Blanco F, Rubio-Martinez J, Fayne D, Lloyd DG. Molecular topology applied to the discovery of 1-benzyl-2-(3-fluorophenyl)-4-hydroxy-3-(3-phenylpropanoyl)-2H-pyrrole-5-one as a non-ligand-binding-pocket antiandrogen. J Chem Inf Model 2014; 54:2953-66. [PMID: 25233256 DOI: 10.1021/ci500324f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
We report the discovery of 1-benzyl-2-(3-fluorophenyl)-4-hydroxy-3-(3-phenylpropanoyl)-2H-pyrrole-5-one as a novel non-ligand binding pocket (non-LBP) antagonist of the androgen receptor (AR) through the application of molecular topology techniques. This compound, validated through time-resolved fluorescence resonance energy transfer and fluorescence polarization biological assays, provides the basis for lead optimization and structure-activity relationship analysis of a new series of non-LBP AR antagonists. Induced-fit docking and molecular dynamics studies have been performed to establish a consistent hypothesis for the interaction of the new active molecule on the AR surface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Caboni
- Molecular Design Group, School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin , Dublin 2, Ireland
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Abstract
The present paper depicts the role of molecular topology in the study of similarity-dissimilarity between molecular structures. It proves that molecular topology represents a very useful tool for getting common patterns of pharmacological activity and hence an efficient approach for the search of novel lead drugs.
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Martins DA, Gouvea LR, da Gama Jean Batista D, da Silva PB, Louro SRW, de Nazaré C. Soeiro M, Teixeira LR. Copper(II)–fluoroquinolone complexes with anti-Trypanosoma cruzi activity and DNA binding ability. Biometals 2012; 25:951-60. [DOI: 10.1007/s10534-012-9565-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2012] [Accepted: 05/20/2012] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
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Apicoplast-targeting antibacterials inhibit the growth of Babesia parasites. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2012; 56:3196-206. [PMID: 22391527 DOI: 10.1128/aac.05488-11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The apicoplast housekeeping machinery, specifically apicoplast DNA replication, transcription, and translation, was targeted by ciprofloxacin, thiostrepton, and rifampin, respectively, in the in vitro cultures of four Babesia species. Furthermore, the in vivo effect of thiostrepton on the growth cycle of Babesia microti in BALB/c mice was evaluated. The drugs caused significant inhibition of growth from an initial parasitemia of 1% for Babesia bovis, with 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC(50)s) of 8.3, 11.5, 12, and 126.6 μM for ciprofloxacin, thiostrepton, rifampin, and clindamycin, respectively. The IC(50)s for the inhibition of Babesia bigemina growth were 15.8 μM for ciprofloxacin, 8.2 μM for thiostrepton, 8.3 μM for rifampin, and 206 μM for clindamycin. The IC(50)s for Babesia caballi were 2.7 μM for ciprofloxacin, 2.7 μM for thiostrepton, 4.7 μM for rifampin, and 4.7 μM for clindamycin. The IC(50)s for the inhibition of Babesia equi growth were 2.5 μM for ciprofloxacin, 6.4 μM for thiostrepton, 4.1 μM for rifampin, and 27.2 μM for clindamycin. Furthermore, an inhibitory effect was revealed for cultures with an initial parasitemia of either 10 or 7% for Babesia bovis or Babesia bigemina, respectively. The three inhibitors caused immediate death of Babesia bovis and Babesia equi. The inhibitory effects of ciprofloxacin, thiostrepton, and rifampin were confirmed by reverse transcription-PCR. Thiostrepton at a dose of 500 mg/kg of body weight resulted in 77.5% inhibition of Babesia microti growth in BALB/c mice. These results implicate the apicoplast as a potential chemotherapeutic target for babesiosis.
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Gálvez J, Gálvez-Llompart M, García-Domenech R. Molecular topology as a novel approach for drug discovery. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2012; 7:133-53. [PMID: 22468915 DOI: 10.1517/17460441.2012.652083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Molecular topology (MT) has emerged in recent years as a powerful approach for the in silico generation of new drugs. One key part of MT is that, in the process of drug design/discovery, there is no need for an explicit knowledge of a drug's mechanism of action unlike other drug discovery methods. AREAS COVERED In this review, the authors introduce the topic by explaining briefly the most common methodology used today in drug design/discovery and address the most important concepts of MT and the methodology followed (QSAR equations, LDA, etc.). Furthermore, the significant results achieved, from this approach, are outlined and discussed. EXPERT OPINION The results outlined herein can be explained by considering that MT represents a new paradigm in the field of drug design. This means that it is not only an alternative method to the conventional methods, but it is also independent, that is, it represents a pathway to connect directly molecular structure with the experimental properties of the compounds (particularly drugs). Moreover, the process can be realized also in the reverse pathway, that is, designing new molecules from their topological pattern, what opens almost limitless expectations in new drugs development, given that the virtual universe of molecules is much greater than that of the existing ones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Gálvez
- University of Valencia Avd, Department of Physical Chemistry, Molecular Connectivity and Drug Design Research Unit, Valencia, Spain.
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Grygorenko OO, Radchenko DS, Volochnyuk DM, Tolmachev AA, Komarov IV. Bicyclic Conformationally Restricted Diamines. Chem Rev 2011; 111:5506-68. [DOI: 10.1021/cr100352k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Oleksandr O. Grygorenko
- Kyiv National Taras Shevchenko University, Volodymyrska Street, 64, Kyiv 01601, Ukraine
- Enamine Ltd., Alexandra Matrosova Street, 23, Kyiv 01103, Ukraine
| | - Dmytro S. Radchenko
- Kyiv National Taras Shevchenko University, Volodymyrska Street, 64, Kyiv 01601, Ukraine
- Enamine Ltd., Alexandra Matrosova Street, 23, Kyiv 01103, Ukraine
| | | | - Andrey A. Tolmachev
- Kyiv National Taras Shevchenko University, Volodymyrska Street, 64, Kyiv 01601, Ukraine
- Enamine Ltd., Alexandra Matrosova Street, 23, Kyiv 01103, Ukraine
| | - Igor V. Komarov
- Kyiv National Taras Shevchenko University, Volodymyrska Street, 64, Kyiv 01601, Ukraine
- Enamine Ltd., Alexandra Matrosova Street, 23, Kyiv 01103, Ukraine
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Batista DDG, da Silva PB, Stivanin L, Lachter DR, Silva RS, Felcman J, Louro SR, Teixeira LR, Soeiro MDNC. Co(II), Mn(II) and Cu(II) complexes of fluoroquinolones: Synthesis, spectroscopical studies and biological evaluation against Trypanosoma cruzi. Polyhedron 2011. [DOI: 10.1016/j.poly.2011.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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González-Díaz H, Muíño L, Anadón AM, Romaris F, Prado-Prado FJ, Munteanu CR, Dorado J, Sierra AP, Mezo M, González-Warleta M, Gárate T, Ubeira FM. MISS-Prot: web server for self/non-self discrimination of protein residue networks in parasites; theory and experiments in Fasciola peptides and Anisakis allergens. MOLECULAR BIOSYSTEMS 2011; 7:1938-55. [PMID: 21468430 DOI: 10.1039/c1mb05069a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Infections caused by human parasites (HPs) affect the poorest 500 million people worldwide but chemotherapy has become expensive, toxic, and/or less effective due to drug resistance. On the other hand, many 3D structures in Protein Data Bank (PDB) remain without function annotation. We need theoretical models to quickly predict biologically relevant Parasite Self Proteins (PSP), which are expressed differentially in a given parasite and are dissimilar to proteins expressed in other parasites and have a high probability to become new vaccines (unique sequence) or drug targets (unique 3D structure). We present herein a model for PSPs in eight different HPs (Ascaris, Entamoeba, Fasciola, Giardia, Leishmania, Plasmodium, Trypanosoma, and Toxoplasma) with 90% accuracy for 15 341 training and validation cases. The model combines protein residue networks, Markov Chain Models (MCM) and Artificial Neural Networks (ANN). The input parameters are the spectral moments of the Markov transition matrix for electrostatic interactions associated with the protein residue complex network calculated with the MARCH-INSIDE software. We implemented this model in a new web-server called MISS-Prot (MARCH-INSIDE Scores for Self-Proteins). MISS-Prot was programmed using PHP/HTML/Python and MARCH-INSIDE routines and is freely available at: . This server is easy to use by non-experts in Bioinformatics who can carry out automatic online upload and prediction with 3D structures deposited at PDB (mode 1). We can also study outcomes of Peptide Mass Fingerprinting (PMFs) and MS/MS for query proteins with unknown 3D structures (mode 2). We illustrated the use of MISS-Prot in experimental and/or theoretical studies of peptides from Fasciola hepatica cathepsin proteases or present on 10 Anisakis simplex allergens (Ani s 1 to Ani s 10). In doing so, we combined electrophoresis (1DE), MALDI-TOF Mass Spectroscopy, and MASCOT to seek sequences, Molecular Mechanics + Molecular Dynamics (MM/MD) to generate 3D structures and MISS-Prot to predict PSP scores. MISS-Prot also allows the prediction of PSP proteins in 16 additional species including parasite hosts, fungi pathogens, disease transmission vectors, and biotechnologically relevant organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Humberto González-Díaz
- Department of Microbiology & Parasitology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
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Cha MY, Lee HY, Ko Y, Shim H, Park SB. Pharmacophore-based strategy for the development of general and specific scFv biosensors for abused antibiotics. Bioconjug Chem 2010; 22:88-94. [PMID: 21142055 DOI: 10.1021/bc1004153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
We developed fluorescent biosensor systems that are either general or selective to fluoroquinolone antibiotics by using a single-chain variable-fragment (scFv) as a recognition element. The selectivity of these biosensors to fluoroquinolone antibiotics was rationally tuned through the structural modification on the pharmacophore of fluoroquinolone antibiotics and the subsequent selection of scFv receptor modules against these antibiotics-based antigens using phage display. The resulting A2 and F9 scFv's bound to their representative antigen with a moderate affinity (K(D) in micromolar range as determined by surface plasmon resonance). A2 is a specific binder for enrofloxacin and did not cross-react with other fluoroquinolone antibiotics including structurally similar ciprofloxacin, while F9 is a general fluoroquinolone binder that likely bound to the antigen at the common pyridone-carboxylic acid pharmacophore. These scFv-based receptors were successfully applied to the development of one-step fluorescent biosensor which can detect fluoroquinolone antibiotics at concentrations below the level suggested in animal drug application guidelines. The strategy described in this report can be applied to developing convenient field biosensors that can qualitatively detect overused/misused antibiotics in the livestock drinking water.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mi Young Cha
- Department of Chemistry, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-747, Korea
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Rodriguez-Soca Y, Munteanu CR, Dorado J, Rabuñal J, Pazos A, González-Díaz H. Plasmod-PPI: A web-server predicting complex biopolymer targets in plasmodium with entropy measures of protein–protein interactions. POLYMER 2010. [DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2009.11.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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Concu R, Dea-Ayuela MA, Perez-Montoto LG, Bolas-Fernández F, Prado-Prado FJ, Podda G, Uriarte E, Ubeira FM, González-Díaz H. Prediction of enzyme classes from 3D structure: a general model and examples of experimental-theoretic scoring of peptide mass fingerprints of Leishmania proteins. J Proteome Res 2009; 8:4372-82. [PMID: 19603824 DOI: 10.1021/pr9003163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The number of protein and peptide structures included in Protein Data Bank (PDB) and Gen Bank without functional annotation has increased. Consequently, there is a high demand for theoretical models to predict these functions. Here, we trained and validated, with an external set, a Markov Chain Model (MCM) that classifies proteins by their possible mechanism of action according to Enzyme Classification (EC) number. The methodology proposed is essentially new, and enables prediction of all EC classes with a single equation without the need for an equation for each class or nonlinear models with multiple outputs. In addition, the model may be used to predict whether one peptide presents a positive or negative contribution of the activity of the same EC class. The model predicts the first EC number for 106 out of 151 (70.2%) oxidoreductases, 178/178 (100%) transferases, 223/223 (100%) hydrolases, 64/85 (75.3%) lyases, 74/74 (100%) isomerases, and 100/100 (100%) ligases, as well as 745/811 (91.9%) nonenzymes. It is important to underline that this method may help us predict new enzyme proteins or select peptide candidates that improve enzyme activity, which may be of interest for the prediction of new drugs or drug targets. To illustrate the model's application, we report the 2D-Electrophoresis (2DE) isolation from Leishmania infantum as well as MADLI TOF Mass Spectra characterization and theoretical study of the Peptide Mass Fingerprints (PMFs) of a new protein sequence. The theoretical study focused on MASCOT, BLAST alignment, and alignment-free QSAR prediction of the contribution of 29 peptides found in the PMF of the new protein to specific enzyme action. This combined strategy may be used to identify and predict peptides of prokaryote and eukaryote parasites and their hosts as well as other superior organisms, which may be of interest in drug development or target identification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riccardo Concu
- Department of Microbiology & Parasitology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
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3D entropy and moments prediction of enzyme classes and experimental-theoretic study of peptide fingerprints in Leishmania parasites. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-PROTEINS AND PROTEOMICS 2009; 1794:1784-94. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2009.08.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2009] [Revised: 08/07/2009] [Accepted: 08/17/2009] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Pérez-Montoto LG, Dea-Ayuela MA, Prado-Prado FJ, Bolas-Fernández F, Ubeira FM, González-Díaz H. Study of peptide fingerprints of parasite proteins and drug-DNA interactions with Markov-Mean-Energy invariants of biopolymer molecular-dynamic lattice networks. POLYMER 2009; 50:3857-3870. [PMID: 32287404 PMCID: PMC7111648 DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2009.05.055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2009] [Revised: 05/06/2009] [Accepted: 05/14/2009] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Since the advent of Molecular Dynamics (MD) in biopolymers science with the study by Karplus et al. on protein dynamics, MD has become the by foremost well established, computational technique to investigate structure and function of biomolecules and their respective complexes and interactions. The analysis of the MD trajectories (MDTs) remains, however, the greatest challenge and requires a great deal of insight, experience, and effort. Here, we introduce a new class of invariants for MDTs based on the spatial distribution of Mean-Energy values ξk (L) on a 2D Euclidean space representation of the MDTs. The procedure forces one MD trajectory to fold into a 2D Cartesian coordinates system using a step-by-step procedure driven by simple rules. The ξk (L) values are invariants of a Markov matrix (1 Π), which describes the probabilities of transition between two states in the new 2D space; which is associated to a graph representation of MDTs similar to the lattice networks (LNs) of DNA and protein sequences. We also introduce a new algorithm to perform phylogenetic analysis of peptides based on MDTs instead of the sequence of the polypeptide. In a first experiment, we illustrate this algorithm for 35 peptides present on the Peptide Mass Fingerprint (PMF) of a new protein of Leishmania infantum studied in this work. We report, by the first time, 2D Electrophoresis isolation, MALDI TOF Mass Spectroscopy characterization, and MASCOT search results for this PMF. In a second experiment, we construct the LNs for 422 MDTs obtained in DNA-Drug Docking simulations of the interaction of 57 anticancer furocoumarins with a DNA oligonucleotide. We calculated the respective ξk (L) values for all these LNs and used them as inputs to train a new classifier with Accuracy = 85.44% and 84.91% in training and validation respectively. The new model can be used as scoring function to guide DNA-Drug Docking studies in drug design of new coumarins for PUVA therapy. The new phylogenetics analysis algorithms encode information different from sequence similarity and may be used to analyze MDTs obtained in Docking or modeling experiments for any classes of biopolymers. The work opens new perspective on the analysis and applications of MD in polymer sciences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lázaro Guillermo Pérez-Montoto
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - María Auxiliadora Dea-Ayuela
- Departamento de Atención Sanitaria, Salud Pública y Sanidad Animal, Facultad CC Experimentales y de La Salud, Universidad CEU Cardenal Herrera, 46113 Moncada (Valencia), Spain
| | - Francisco J Prado-Prado
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | | | - Florencio M Ubeira
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Humberto González-Díaz
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
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Dea-Ayuela MA, Pérez-Castillo Y, Meneses-Marcel A, Ubeira FM, Bolas-Fernández F, Chou KC, González-Díaz H. HP-Lattice QSAR for dynein proteins: experimental proteomics (2D-electrophoresis, mass spectrometry) and theoretic study of a Leishmania infantum sequence. Bioorg Med Chem 2008; 16:7770-6. [PMID: 18662882 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2008.07.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2008] [Revised: 06/23/2008] [Accepted: 07/02/2008] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
The toxicity and inefficacy of actual organic drugs against Leishmaniosis justify research projects to find new molecular targets in Leishmania species including Leishmania infantum (L. infantum) and Leishmaniamajor (L. major), both important pathogens. In this sense, quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) methods, which are very useful in Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry to discover small-sized drugs, may help to identify not only new drugs but also new drug targets, if we apply them to proteins. Dyneins are important proteins of these parasites governing fundamental processes such as cilia and flagella motion, nuclear migration, organization of the mitotic splinde, and chromosome separation during mitosis. However, despite the interest for them as potential drug targets, so far there has been no report whatsoever on dyneins with QSAR techniques. To the best of our knowledge, we report here the first QSAR for dynein proteins. We used as input the Spectral Moments of a Markov matrix associated to the HP-Lattice Network of the protein sequence. The data contain 411 protein sequences of different species selected by ClustalX to develop a QSAR that correctly discriminates on average between 92.75% and 92.51% of dyneins and other proteins in four different train and cross-validation datasets. We also report a combined experimental and theoretic study of a new dynein sequence in order to illustrate the utility of the model to search for potential drug targets with a practical example. First, we carried out a 2D-electrophoresis analysis of L. infantum biological samples. Next, we excised from 2D-E gels one spot of interest belonging to an unknown protein or protein fragment in the region M<20,200 and pI<4. We used MASCOT search engine to find proteins in the L. major data base with the highest similarity score to the MS of the protein isolated from L. infantum. We used the QSAR model to predict the new sequence as dynein with probability of 99.99% without relying upon alignment. In order to confirm the previous function annotation we predicted the sequences as dynein with BLAST and the omniBLAST tools (96% alignment similarity to dyneins of other species). Using this combined strategy, we have successfully identified L. infantum protein containing dynein heavy chain, and illustrated the potential use of the QSAR model as a complement to alignment tools.
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Mahmoudi N, Garcia-Domenech R, Galvez J, Farhati K, Franetich JF, Sauerwein R, Hannoun L, Derouin F, Danis M, Mazier D. New active drugs against liver stages of Plasmodium predicted by molecular topology. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2008; 52:1215-20. [PMID: 18212104 PMCID: PMC2292524 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01043-07] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2007] [Revised: 10/31/2007] [Accepted: 01/13/2008] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
We conducted a quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) study based on a database of 127 compounds previously tested against the liver stage of Plasmodium yoelii in order to develop a model capable of predicting the in vitro antimalarial activities of new compounds. Topological indices were used as structural descriptors, and their relation to antimalarial activity was determined by using linear discriminant analysis. A topological model consisting of two discriminant functions was created. The first function discriminated between active and inactive compounds, and the second identified the most active among the active compounds. The model was then applied sequentially to a large database of compounds with unknown activity against liver stages of Plasmodium. Seventeen drugs that were predicted to be active or inactive were selected for testing against the hepatic stage of P. yoelii in vitro. Antiretroviral, antifungal, and cardiotonic drugs were found to be highly active (nanomolar 50% inhibitory concentration values), and two ionophores completely inhibited parasite development. The 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was performed on hepatocyte cultures for all compounds, and none of these compounds were toxic in vitro. For both ionophores, the same in vitro assay as those for P. yoelii has confirmed their in vitro activities on Plasmodium falciparum. A similar topological model was used to estimate the octanol/water partition of each compound. These results demonstrate the utility of the QSAR and molecular topology approaches for identifying new drugs that are active against the hepatic stage of malaria parasites. We also show the remarkable efficacy of some drugs that were not previously reported to have antiparasitic activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nassira Mahmoudi
- Université Pierre et Marie Curie-Paris 6, UMR S511, Paris F-75013, France.
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García-Domenech R, Galvez J, de Julian-Ortiz JV, Pogliani L. Some new trends in chemical graph theory. Chem Rev 2008; 108:1127-69. [PMID: 18302420 DOI: 10.1021/cr0780006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ramón García-Domenech
- Unidad de Investigación de Diseño de Farmacos y Conectividad Molecular, Departamento de Química Fisica, Facultad de Farmacía, Universitat de València, 46100 Burjassot, València, Spain
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González-Díaz H, Vilar S, Santana L, Podda G, Uriarte E. On the applicability of QSAR for recognition of miRNA bioorganic structures at early stages of organism and cell development: Embryo and stem cells. Bioorg Med Chem 2007; 15:2544-50. [PMID: 17300944 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2007.01.050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2006] [Revised: 01/24/2007] [Accepted: 01/31/2007] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Quantitative structure-activity-relationship (QSAR) models have application in bioorganic chemistry mainly to the study of small sized molecules while applications to biopolymers remain not very developed. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), which are non-coding small RNAs, regulate a variety of biological processes and constitute good candidates to scale up the application of QSAR to biopolymers. The propensity of a small RNA sequence to act as miRNA depends on its secondary structure, which one can explain in terms of folding thermodynamic parameters. Then, thermodynamic QSAR can be used, for instance, for fast identification of miRNAs at early stages of development such as embryos and stem cells (called here esmiRNAs), and gain clarity inside cellular differentiation processes and diseases such as cancer. First, we calculated folding free energies (DeltaG), enthalpies (DeltaH), and entropies (DeltaS) as well as melting temperatures (T(m)) for 2623 small RNA sequences (including 623 esmiRNAs and 2000 negative control sequences). Next, we seek a QSAR classification model: esmiRNA=0.035 x T(m)-0.078 x DeltaS-8.748. The model correctly recognized 543 (87.2%) of esmiRNAs and 935 (93.5%) of non-esmiRNAs divided into both training and validation series. The model also recognized 908 out of 1000 additional negative control sequences. ROC curve analysis (area=0.93) demonstrated that the present model significantly differentiates from a random classifier. In addition, we map the influence of thermodynamic parameters over esmiRNA activity. Last, a double ordinate Cartesian plot of cross-validated residuals (first ordinate), standard residuals (second ordinate), and leverages (abscissa) defined the domain of applicability of the model as a squared area within +/-2 band for residuals and a leverage threshold of h=0.0074. The present is the first QSAR model for quickly accurate selection of new esmiRNAs with potential use in bioorganic and medicinal chemistry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Humberto González-Díaz
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela 15782, Spain.
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González-Díaz H, Olazábal E, Santana L, Uriarte E, González-Díaz Y, Castañedo N. QSAR study of anticoccidial activity for diverse chemical compounds: Prediction and experimental assay of trans-2-(2-nitrovinyl)furan. Bioorg Med Chem 2007; 15:962-8. [PMID: 17081758 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2006.10.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2006] [Revised: 10/03/2006] [Accepted: 10/17/2006] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
In this work we report a QSAR model that discriminates between chemically heterogeneous classes of anticoccidial and non-anticoccidial compounds. For this purpose we used the Markovian Chemicals in silico Design (MARCH-INSIDE) approach J. Mol. Mod.2002, 8, 237-245; J. Mol. Mod.2003, 9, 395-407]. Linear discriminant analysis allowed us to fit the discriminant function. This function correctly classifies 86.67% of anticoccidial compounds and 96.23% of inactive compounds in the training series. Overall classification is 94.12%. We validated the model by means of an external predicting series, with 86.96% of global predictability. Remarkably, the present model is based on topological as well as configuration-dependent molecular descriptors. Therefore, the model performs timely calculations and allows discrimination between Z/E and chiral isomers. Finally, to exemplify the use of the model in practice we report the prediction and experimental assay of trans-2-(2-nitrovinyl)furan. It is notable that lesion control was 72.86% at mg/kg of body weight with respect to 60% at 125 mg/kg for amprolium (control drug). The back-projection map for this compound predicts a high level of importance for the double bond and for the nitro group in the trans position. We conclude that the MARCH-INSIDE approach enables the accurate fast track identification of anticoccidial hits. Moreover, trans-2-(2-nitrovinyl)furan seems to be a promising drug for the treatment of coccidiosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Humberto González-Díaz
- Department of Organic Chemistry & Institute of Industrial Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago 15782, Spain.
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Anquetin G, Greiner J, Mahmoudi N, Santillana-Hayat M, Gozalbes R, Farhati K, Derouin F, Aubry A, Cambau E, Vierling P. Design, synthesis and activity against Toxoplasma gondii, Plasmodium spp., and Mycobacterium tuberculosis of new 6-fluoroquinolones. Eur J Med Chem 2006; 41:1478-93. [PMID: 17000032 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2006.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2006] [Revised: 06/28/2006] [Accepted: 07/03/2006] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
This paper reports on the rational design of a series of new 6-fluoroquinolones by QSAR analysis against Toxoplasma (T.) gondii, their synthesis, their biological evaluation against T. gondii and Plasmodium (P.) spp., and their effect on Mycobacterium (M.) tuberculosis DNA gyrase and growth inhibition. Of the 12 computer-designed 8-ethyl(or methoxy)- and 5-ethyl-8-methoxy-6-fluoroquinolones predicted to be active against T. gondii, we succeeded in the synthesis of four 6-fluoro-8-methoxy-quinolones. The four 6-fluoro-8-methoxy-quinolones are active on T. gondii but only one is as active as predicted. One of these four compounds appears to be an antiparasitical drug of great potential with inhibitory activities comparable to or higher than that of trovafloxacin, gatifloxacin, and moxifloxacin. They also inhibit DNA supercoiling by M. tuberculosis gyrase with an efficiency comparable to that of the most active quinolones but are poor inhibitors of M. tuberculosis growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillaume Anquetin
- Laboratoire de Chimie Bioorganique UMR-CNRS 6001, Université de Nice-Sophia Antipolis, Parc Valrose, 06108 Nice Cedex 2, France
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Mahmoudi N, de Julián-Ortiz JV, Ciceron L, Gálvez J, Mazier D, Danis M, Derouin F, García-Domenech R. Identification of new antimalarial drugs by linear discriminant analysis and topological virtual screening. J Antimicrob Chemother 2006; 57:489-97. [PMID: 16415127 DOI: 10.1093/jac/dki470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES A quantitative structure-activity relationship study using a database of 395 compounds previously tested against chloroquine-susceptible strains of the blood stages of Plasmodium falciparum to predict new in vitro antimalarial drugs has been developed. METHODS Topological indices were used as structural descriptors and were related to antimalarial activity by using linear discriminant analysis (LDA) and multilinear regression (MLR). Two discriminant equations were obtained (FD1 and FD2), which allowed us to carry out successful classification of 90% and 80% of compounds, respectively. The IC50 values of the compounds were introduced to get an MLR equation model suitable to predict their in vitro activities. RESULTS Using this model, a set of 27 drugs against a chloroquine-susceptible clone (3D7) of P. falciparum have been selected and evaluated in vitro. Among these drugs are monensin, nigericin, vincristine, vindesine, ethylhydrocupreine and salinomycin with in vitro IC50s at nanomolar concentrations (0.3, 0.4, 2, 6, 26 and 188 nM, respectively). Other compounds such as hycanthone, amsacrine, aphidicolin, bepridil, amiodarone, ranolazine and triclocarban showed in vitro IC50 values below 5 microM in the mathematical model. CONCLUSIONS These results demonstrate the usefulness of the approach for the selection and design of new lead drugs active against P. falciparum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nassira Mahmoudi
- INSERM U511, Immuno-biologie Cellulaire et Moléculaire des Infections Parasitaires, CHU Pitié-Salpêtrière, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Université Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris, France
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Didier ES, Bowers L, Stovall ME, Kuebler D, Mittleider D, Brindley PJ, Didier PJ. Antimicrosporidial activity of (fluoro)quinolones in vitro and in vivo. Folia Parasitol (Praha) 2005; 52:173-81. [PMID: 16004377 DOI: 10.14411/fp.2005.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Microsporidia are a cause of emerging and opportunistic infections in humans and animals. Although two drugs are currently being used to treat microsporidiosis, concerns exist that albendazole is only selective for inhibiting some species of microsporidia that infect mammals, and fumagillin appears to have been found to be toxic. During a limited sequence survey of the Vittaforma corneae genome, a partial gene encoding for the ParC topoisomerase IV subunit was identified. The purpose of this set of studies was to determine if fluoroquinolones, which target topoisomerase IV, exert activity against Encephalitozoon intestinalis and V. corneae in vitro, and whether these compounds could prolong survival of V. corneae-infected athymic mice. Fifteen fluoroquinolones were tested. Of these, norfloxacin and ofloxacin inhibited E. intestinalis replication by more than 70% compared with non-treated control cultures, while gatifloxacin, lomefloxacin, moxifloxacin, and nalidixic acid (sodium salt) inhibited both E. intestinalis and V. corneae by at least 60% at concentrations not toxic to the host cells. These drugs were tested in vivo also, where gatifloxacin, lomefloxacin, norfloxacin, and ofloxacin prolonged survival of V. corneae-infected athymic mice (P < 0.05), whereas moxifloxacin and nalidixic acid failed to prolong survival. Therefore, these results support continued studies for evaluating the efficacy of the fluoroquinolones for treating microsporidiosis and for characterizing the target(s) of these fluoroquinolones in the microsporidia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth S Didier
- Division of Microbiology and Immunology, Tulane National Primate Research Center, Covington, Louisiana 70433, USA.
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Anquetin G, Greiner J, Vierling P. Synthesis of mono- and di-substituted 2,4,5-trifluorobenzoic acid synthons, key precursors for biologically active 6-fluoroquinolones. Tetrahedron 2005. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tet.2005.06.078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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González-Díaz H, Cruz-Monteagudo M, Viña D, Santana L, Uriarte E, De Clercq E. QSAR for anti-RNA-virus activity, synthesis, and assay of anti-RSV carbonucleosides given a unified representation of spectral moments, quadratic, and topologic indices. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2005; 15:1651-7. [PMID: 15745816 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2005.01.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2004] [Revised: 01/18/2005] [Accepted: 01/20/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
The unified representation of spectral moments, classic topologic indices, quadratic indices, and stochastic molecular descriptors show that all these molecular descriptors lie within the same family. Consequently, the same prior probability for a successful quantitative-structure-activity-relationship (QSAR) may be expected irrespective of which indices are selected. Herein, we used stochastic spectral moments as molecular descriptors to seek a QSAR using a database of 221 bioactive compounds previously tested against diverse RNA-viruses and 402 nonactive ones. The QSAR model thus obtained correctly classifies 90.9% of compounds in training. The model also correctly classifies a total of 87.9% of 207 compounds on additional external predicting series, 73 of them having anti-RNA-virus activity and 134 nonactive ones. In addition, all compounds were regrouped into five different subsets for leave-group-out studies: (1) anti-influenza, (2) anti-picornavirus, (3) anti-paramyxovirus, (4) anti-RSV/anti-influenza, and (5) broad range anti-RNA-virus activity. The model has retained overall accuracies of about 90% on these studies validating model robustness. Finally, we exemplify the practical use of the model with the discovery of compounds 124 and 128. These compounds presented MIC50 values=3.2 and 8 microg/mL against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) respectively. Both compounds also have low cytotoxicity expressed by their Minimal Cytotoxic Concentrations >400 microg/mL for HeLa cells. The present approach represents an effort toward a formalization and application of molecular indices in bioorganic and medicinal chemistry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Humberto González-Díaz
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782, Spain
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Anquetin G, Rouquayrol M, Mahmoudi N, Santillana-Hayat M, Gozalbes R, Greiner J, Farhati K, Derouin F, Guedj R, Vierling P. Synthesis of new fluoroquinolones and evaluation of their in vitro activity on Toxoplasma gondii and Plasmodium spp. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2004; 14:2773-6. [PMID: 15125930 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2004.03.070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2004] [Revised: 03/19/2004] [Accepted: 03/24/2004] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The synthesis of four new computer-designed fluoroquinolones which have been predicted by QSAR analysis to be active against the protozoa Toxoplasma gondii is described. These compounds are inhibitory in vitro for T. gondii. One of these compounds has a remarkably high activity comparable to that of trovafloxacin. It combines the basic cyclopropyl-quinoline structure of gatifloxacin or moxifloxacin with the C-7 6-amino-3-azabicyclo[3.1.0]hexyl side chain of trovafloxacin. The four compounds are also inhibitory for blood stages of Plasmodium falciparum though at high concentration. These results confirm the potential of quinolones as anti-T. gondii and antimalarial drugs but also show that the QSAR models for T. gondii cannot be reliably extended for screening antimalarial activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Anquetin
- Laboratoire de Chimie Bioorganique UMR-CNRS 6001, Université de Nice-Sophia Antipolis, Parc Valrose, 06108 Nice 2, France
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Foth BJ, McFadden GI. The apicoplast: a plastid in Plasmodium falciparum and other Apicomplexan parasites. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CYTOLOGY 2003; 224:57-110. [PMID: 12722949 DOI: 10.1016/s0074-7696(05)24003-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 138] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Apicomplexan parasites cause severe diseases such as malaria, toxoplasmosis, and coccidiosis (caused by Plasmodium spp., Toxoplasma, and Eimeria, respectively). These parasites contain a relict plastid-termed "apicoplast"--that originated from the engulfment of an organism of the red algal lineage. The apicoplast is indispensable but its exact role in parasites is unknown. The apicoplast has its own genome and expresses a small number of genes, but the vast majority of the apicoplast proteome is encoded in the nuclear genome. The products of these nuclear genes are posttranslationally targeted to the organelle via the secretory pathway courtesy of a bipartite N-terminal leader sequence. Apicoplasts are nonphotosynthetic but retain other typical plastid functions such as fatty acid, isoprenoid and heme synthesis, and products of these pathways might be exported from the apicoplast for use by the parasite. Apicoplast pathways are essentially prokaryotic and therefore excellent drug targets. Some antibiotics inhibiting these molecular processes are already in chemotherapeutic use, whereas many new drugs will hopefully spring from our growing understanding of this intriguing organelle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernardo J Foth
- Plant Cell Biology Research Centre, School of Botany, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
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Mahmoudi N, Ciceron L, Franetich JF, Farhati K, Silvie O, Eling W, Sauerwein R, Danis M, Mazier D, Derouin F. In vitro activities of 25 quinolones and fluoroquinolones against liver and blood stage Plasmodium spp. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2003; 47:2636-9. [PMID: 12878530 PMCID: PMC166102 DOI: 10.1128/aac.47.8.2636-2639.2003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The in vitro activities of 25 quinolones and fluoroquinolones against erythrocytic stages of Plasmodium falciparum and against liver stages of Plasmodium yoelii yoelii and P. falciparum were studied. All compounds were inhibitory for chloroquine-sensitive and chloroquine-resistant P. falciparum grown in red blood cells. This inhibitory effect increased with prolonged incubation and according to the logarithm of the drug concentration. Grepafloxacin, trovafloxacin, and ciprofloxacin were the most effective drugs, with 50% inhibitory concentrations of <10 micro g/ml against both strains. Only grepafloxacin, piromidic acid, and trovafloxacin had an inhibitory effect against hepatic stages of P. falciparum and P. yoelii yoelii; this effect combined reductions of the numbers and the sizes of schizonts in treated cultures. Thus, quinolones have a potential for treatment or prevention of malaria through their unique antiparasitic effect against erythrocytic and hepatic stages of Plasmodium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nassira Mahmoudi
- INSERM U511, Immuno-biologie Cellulaire et Moléculaire des Infections Parasitaires, CHU Pitié-Salpêtrière, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Université Pierre et Marie Curie-Paris, 75013 Paris, France.
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Application of molecular topology to the prediction of antifungal activity for a set of dication-substituted carbazoles, furans and benzimidazoles. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2003. [DOI: 10.1016/s0166-1280(02)00740-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Selassie CD, Garg R, Kapur S, Kurup A, Verma RP, Mekapati SB, Hansch C. Comparative QSAR and the radical toxicity of various functional groups. Chem Rev 2002; 102:2585-605. [PMID: 12105936 DOI: 10.1021/cr940024m] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Cynthia D Selassie
- Chemistry Department, Pomona College, 645 North College Avenue, Claremont, California 91711, USA
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Abstract
Resistance to commonly used malaria drugs is spreading and new drugs are required urgently. The recent identification of a relict chloroplast (apicoplast) in malaria and related parasites offers numerous new targets for drug therapy using well-characterized compounds. The apicoplast contains a range of metabolic pathways and housekeeping processes that differ radically to those of the host thereby presenting ideal strategies for drug therapy. Indeed, many compounds targeting these plastid pathways are antimalarial and have favourable profiles based on extensive knowledge from their use as antibacterials.
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Affiliation(s)
- S A Ralph
- Plant Cell Biology Research Centre, School of Botany, University of Melbourne, Australia
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