1
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Tavernelli LE, Alonso VL, Peña I, Rodríguez Araya E, Manarin R, Cantizani J, Martin J, Salamanca J, Bamborough P, Calderón F, Gabarro R, Serra E. Identification of novel bromodomain inhibitors of Trypanosoma cruzi bromodomain factor 2 ( TcBDF2) using a fluorescence polarization-based high-throughput assay. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2024; 68:e0024324. [PMID: 39028190 PMCID: PMC11304739 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00243-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 06/30/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Bromodomains are structural folds present in all eukaryotic cells that bind to other proteins recognizing acetylated lysines. Most proteins with bromodomains are part of nuclear complexes that interact with acetylated histone residues and regulate DNA replication, transcription, and repair through chromatin structure remodeling. Bromodomain inhibitors are small molecules that bind to the hydrophobic pocket of bromodomains, interfering with the interaction with acetylated histones. Using a fluorescent probe, we have developed an assay to select inhibitors of the bromodomain factor 2 of Trypanosoma cruzi (TcBDF2) using fluorescence polarization. Initially, a library of 28,251 compounds was screened in an endpoint assay. The top 350-ranked compounds were further analyzed in a dose-response assay. From this analysis, seven compounds were obtained that had not been previously characterized as bromodomain inhibitors. Although these compounds did not exhibit significant trypanocidal activity, all showed bona fide interaction with TcBDF2 with dissociation constants between 1 and 3 µM validating these assays to search for bromodomain inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis E. Tavernelli
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario, CONICET, Rosario, Argentina
- GlaxoSmithKline Global Health, Madrid, Spain
| | - Victoria L. Alonso
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario, CONICET, Rosario, Argentina
- Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Rosario, Argentina
| | - Imanol Peña
- GlaxoSmithKline Global Health, Madrid, Spain
| | - Elvio Rodríguez Araya
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario, CONICET, Rosario, Argentina
- Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Rosario, Argentina
| | - Romina Manarin
- Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Rosario, Argentina
| | | | | | | | - Paul Bamborough
- Molecular Design, GlaxoSmithKline, Stevenage, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Esteban Serra
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario, CONICET, Rosario, Argentina
- Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Rosario, Argentina
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2
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Russell C, Carter JL, Borgia JM, Bush J, Calderón F, Gabarró R, Conway SJ, Mottram JC, Wilkinson AJ, Jones NG. Bromodomain Factor 5 as a Target for Antileishmanial Drug Discovery. ACS Infect Dis 2023; 9:2340-2357. [PMID: 37906637 PMCID: PMC10644352 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.3c00431] [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: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023]
Abstract
Leishmaniases are a collection of neglected tropical diseases caused by kinetoplastid parasites in the genus Leishmania. Current chemotherapies are severely limited, and the need for new antileishmanials is of pressing international importance. Bromodomains are epigenetic reader domains that have shown promising therapeutic potential for cancer therapy and may also present an attractive target to treat parasitic diseases. Here, we investigate Leishmania donovani bromodomain factor 5 (LdBDF5) as a target for antileishmanial drug discovery. LdBDF5 contains a pair of bromodomains (BD5.1 and BD5.2) in an N-terminal tandem repeat. We purified recombinant bromodomains of L. donovani BDF5 and determined the structure of BD5.2 by X-ray crystallography. Using a histone peptide microarray and fluorescence polarization assay, we identified binding interactions of LdBDF5 bromodomains with acetylated peptides derived from histones H2B and H4. In orthogonal biophysical assays including thermal shift assays, fluorescence polarization, and NMR, we showed that BDF5 bromodomains bind to human bromodomain inhibitors SGC-CBP30, bromosporine, and I-BRD9; moreover, SGC-CBP30 exhibited activity against Leishmania promastigotes in cell viability assays. These findings exemplify the potential BDF5 holds as a possible drug target in Leishmania and provide a foundation for the future development of optimized antileishmanial compounds targeting this epigenetic reader protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine
N. Russell
- York
Structural Biology Laboratory and York Biomedical Research Institute,
Department of Chemistry, University of York, York YO10 5DD, U.K.
| | - Jennifer L. Carter
- Department
of Chemistry, Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TA, U.K.
| | - Juliet M. Borgia
- York
Structural Biology Laboratory and York Biomedical Research Institute,
Department of Chemistry, University of York, York YO10 5DD, U.K.
| | - Jacob Bush
- GSK, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, Hertfordshire SG1 2NY, U.K.
| | | | | | - Stuart J. Conway
- Department
of Chemistry, Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TA, U.K.
| | - Jeremy C. Mottram
- York
Biomedical Research Institute, Department of Biology, University of York, York YO10 5NG, U.K.
| | - Anthony J. Wilkinson
- York
Structural Biology Laboratory and York Biomedical Research Institute,
Department of Chemistry, University of York, York YO10 5DD, U.K.
| | - Nathaniel G. Jones
- York
Biomedical Research Institute, Department of Biology, University of York, York YO10 5NG, U.K.
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3
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Wang ZQ, Zhang ZC, Wu YY, Pi YN, Lou SH, Liu TB, Lou G, Yang C. Bromodomain and extraterminal (BET) proteins: biological functions, diseases, and targeted therapy. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:420. [PMID: 37926722 PMCID: PMC10625992 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01647-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Revised: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BET proteins, which influence gene expression and contribute to the development of cancer, are epigenetic interpreters. Thus, BET inhibitors represent a novel form of epigenetic anticancer treatment. Although preliminary clinical trials have shown the anticancer potential of BET inhibitors, it appears that these drugs have limited effectiveness when used alone. Therefore, given the limited monotherapeutic activity of BET inhibitors, their use in combination with other drugs warrants attention, including the meaningful variations in pharmacodynamic activity among chosen drug combinations. In this paper, we review the function of BET proteins, the preclinical justification for BET protein targeting in cancer, recent advances in small-molecule BET inhibitors, and preliminary clinical trial findings. We elucidate BET inhibitor resistance mechanisms, shed light on the associated adverse events, investigate the potential of combining these inhibitors with diverse therapeutic agents, present a comprehensive compilation of synergistic treatments involving BET inhibitors, and provide an outlook on their future prospects as potent antitumor agents. We conclude by suggesting that combining BET inhibitors with other anticancer drugs and innovative next-generation agents holds great potential for advancing the effective targeting of BET proteins as a promising anticancer strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Qiang Wang
- Department of Gynecology Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, 150086, China
| | - Zhao-Cong Zhang
- Department of Gynecology Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, 150086, China
| | - Yu-Yang Wu
- School of Optometry and Ophthalmology and Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Ya-Nan Pi
- Department of Gynecology Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, 150086, China
| | - Sheng-Han Lou
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China
| | - Tian-Bo Liu
- Department of Gynecology Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, 150086, China
| | - Ge Lou
- Department of Gynecology Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, 150086, China.
| | - Chang Yang
- Department of Gynecology Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, 150086, China.
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4
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Fleck K, McNutt S, Chu F, Jeffers V. An apicomplexan bromodomain protein, TgBDP1, associates with diverse epigenetic factors to regulate essential transcriptional processes in Toxoplasma gondii. mBio 2023; 14:e0357322. [PMID: 37350586 PMCID: PMC10470533 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.03573-22] [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: 12/24/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The protozoan pathogen Toxoplasma gondii relies on tight regulation of gene expression to invade and establish infection in its host. The divergent gene regulatory mechanisms of Toxoplasma and related apicomplexan pathogens rely heavily on regulators of chromatin structure and histone modifications. The important contribution of histone acetylation for Toxoplasma in both acute and chronic infection has been demonstrated, where histone acetylation increases at active gene loci. However, the direct consequences of specific histone acetylation marks and the chromatin pathway that influences transcriptional regulation in response to the modification are unclear. As a reader of lysine acetylation, the bromodomain serves as a mediator between the acetylated histone and transcriptional regulators. Here we show that the bromodomain protein, TgBDP1, which is conserved among Apicomplexa and within the Alveolata superphylum, is essential for Toxoplasma asexual proliferation. Using cleavage under targets and tagmentation, we demonstrate that TgBDP1 is recruited to transcriptional start sites of a large proportion of parasite genes. Transcriptional profiling during TgBDP1 knockdown revealed that loss of TgBDP1 leads to major dysregulation of gene expression, implying multiple roles for TgBDP1 in both gene activation and repression. This is supported by interactome analysis of TgBDP1 demonstrating that TgBDP1 forms a core complex with two other bromodomain proteins and an ApiAP2 factor. This core complex appears to interact with other epigenetic factors such as nucleosome remodeling complexes. We conclude that TgBDP1 interacts with diverse epigenetic regulators to exert opposing influences on gene expression in the Toxoplasma tachyzoite. IMPORTANCE Histone acetylation is critical for proper regulation of gene expression in the single-celled eukaryotic pathogen Toxoplasma gondii. Bromodomain proteins are "readers" of histone acetylation and may link the modified chromatin to transcription factors. Here, we show that the bromodomain protein TgBDP1 is essential for parasite survival and that loss of TgBDP1 results in global dysregulation of gene expression. TgBDP1 is recruited to the promoter region of a large proportion of parasite genes, forms a core complex with two other bromodomain proteins, and interacts with different transcriptional regulatory complexes. We conclude that TgBDP1 is a key factor for sensing specific histone modifications to influence multiple facets of transcriptional regulation in Toxoplasma gondii.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krista Fleck
- Molecular, Cellular, and Biomedical Sciences, University of New Hampshire, Durham, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Seth McNutt
- Molecular, Cellular, and Biomedical Sciences, University of New Hampshire, Durham, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Feixia Chu
- Molecular, Cellular, and Biomedical Sciences, University of New Hampshire, Durham, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Victoria Jeffers
- Molecular, Cellular, and Biomedical Sciences, University of New Hampshire, Durham, New Hampshire, USA
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5
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Ashby EC, Havens JL, Rollosson LM, Hardin J, Schulz D. Chemical Inhibition of Bromodomain Proteins in Insect-Stage African Trypanosomes Perturbs Silencing of the Variant Surface Glycoprotein Repertoire and Results in Widespread Changes in the Transcriptome. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0014723. [PMID: 37097159 PMCID: PMC10269879 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00147-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 04/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The eukaryotic protozoan parasite Trypanosoma brucei is transmitted by the tsetse fly to both humans and animals, where it causes a fatal disease called African trypanosomiasis. While the parasite lacks canonical DNA sequence-specific transcription factors, it does possess histones, histone modifications, and proteins that write, erase, and read histone marks. Chemical inhibition of chromatin-interacting bromodomain proteins has previously been shown to perturb bloodstream specific trypanosome processes, including silencing of the variant surface glycoprotein (VSG) genes and immune evasion. Transcriptomic changes that occur in bromodomain-inhibited bloodstream parasites mirror many of the changes that occur as parasites developmentally progress from the bloodstream to the insect stage. We performed transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq) time courses to determine the effects of chemical bromodomain inhibition in insect-stage parasites using the compound I-BET151. We found that treatment with I-BET151 causes large changes in the transcriptome of insect-stage parasites and also perturbs silencing of VSG genes. The transcriptomes of bromodomain-inhibited parasites share some features with early metacyclic-stage parasites in the fly salivary gland, implicating bromodomain proteins as important for regulating transcript levels for developmentally relevant genes. However, the downregulation of surface procyclin protein that typically accompanies developmental progression is absent in bromodomain-inhibited insect-stage parasites. We conclude that chemical modulation of bromodomain proteins causes widespread transcriptomic changes in multiple trypanosome life cycle stages. Understanding the gene-regulatory processes that facilitate transcriptome remodeling in this highly diverged eukaryote may shed light on how these mechanisms evolved. IMPORTANCE The disease African trypanosomiasis imposes a severe human and economic burden for communities in sub-Saharan Africa. The parasite that causes the disease is transmitted to the bloodstream of a human or ungulate via the tsetse fly. Because the environments of the fly and the bloodstream differ, the parasite modulates the expression of its genes to accommodate two different lifestyles in these disparate niches. Perturbation of bromodomain proteins that interact with histone proteins around which DNA is wrapped (chromatin) causes profound changes in gene expression in bloodstream-stage parasites. This paper reports that gene expression is also affected by chemical bromodomain inhibition in insect-stage parasites but that the genes affected differ depending on life cycle stage. Because trypanosomes diverged early from model eukaryotes, an understanding of how trypanosomes regulate gene expression may lend insight into how gene-regulatory mechanisms evolved. This could also be leveraged to generate new therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ethan C. Ashby
- Department of Biology, Harvey Mudd College, Claremont, California, USA
| | | | | | - Johanna Hardin
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Pomona College, Claremont, California, USA
| | - Danae Schulz
- Department of Biology, Harvey Mudd College, Claremont, California, USA
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6
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Gaona-López C, Vazquez-Jimenez LK, Gonzalez-Gonzalez A, Delgado-Maldonado T, Ortiz-Pérez E, Nogueda-Torres B, Moreno-Rodríguez A, Vázquez K, Saavedra E, Rivera G. Advances in Protozoan Epigenetic Targets and Their Inhibitors for the Development of New Potential Drugs. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:ph16040543. [PMID: 37111300 PMCID: PMC10143871 DOI: 10.3390/ph16040543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Protozoan parasite diseases cause significant mortality and morbidity worldwide. Factors such as climate change, extreme poverty, migration, and a lack of life opportunities lead to the propagation of diseases classified as tropical or non-endemic. Although there are several drugs to combat parasitic diseases, strains resistant to routinely used drugs have been reported. In addition, many first-line drugs have adverse effects ranging from mild to severe, including potential carcinogenic effects. Therefore, new lead compounds are needed to combat these parasites. Although little has been studied regarding the epigenetic mechanisms in lower eukaryotes, it is believed that epigenetics plays an essential role in vital aspects of the organism, from controlling the life cycle to the expression of genes involved in pathogenicity. Therefore, using epigenetic targets to combat these parasites is foreseen as an area with great potential for development. This review summarizes the main known epigenetic mechanisms and their potential as therapeutics for a group of medically important protozoal parasites. Different epigenetic mechanisms are discussed, highlighting those that can be used for drug repositioning, such as histone post-translational modifications (HPTMs). Exclusive parasite targets are also emphasized, including the base J and DNA 6 mA. These two categories have the greatest potential for developing drugs to treat or eradicate these diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Gaona-López
- Laboratorio de Biotecnología Farmacéutica, Centro de Biotecnología Genómica, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Reynosa 88710, Mexico
| | - Lenci K Vazquez-Jimenez
- Laboratorio de Biotecnología Farmacéutica, Centro de Biotecnología Genómica, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Reynosa 88710, Mexico
| | - Alonzo Gonzalez-Gonzalez
- Laboratorio de Biotecnología Farmacéutica, Centro de Biotecnología Genómica, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Reynosa 88710, Mexico
| | - Timoteo Delgado-Maldonado
- Laboratorio de Biotecnología Farmacéutica, Centro de Biotecnología Genómica, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Reynosa 88710, Mexico
| | - Eyrá Ortiz-Pérez
- Laboratorio de Biotecnología Farmacéutica, Centro de Biotecnología Genómica, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Reynosa 88710, Mexico
| | - Benjamín Nogueda-Torres
- Departamento de Parasitología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City 11340, Mexico
| | - Adriana Moreno-Rodríguez
- Laboratorio de Estudios Epidemiológicos, Clínicos, Diseños Experimentales e Investigación, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma "Benito Juárez" de Oaxaca, Avenida Universidad S/N, Ex Hacienda Cinco Señores, Oaxaca 68120, Mexico
| | - Karina Vázquez
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Francisco Villa 20, General Escobedo 66054, Mexico
| | - Emma Saavedra
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto Nacional de Cardiología Ignacio Chávez, Mexico City 14080, Mexico
| | - Gildardo Rivera
- Laboratorio de Biotecnología Farmacéutica, Centro de Biotecnología Genómica, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Reynosa 88710, Mexico
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7
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Araujo SC, de Angelo RM, Barbosa H, Costa-Silva TA, Tempone AG, Lago JHG, Honorio KM. Identification of inhibitors as drug candidates against Chagas disease. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 248:115074. [PMID: 36623331 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.115074] [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: 10/27/2022] [Revised: 12/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Chagas disease, after more than a century after its discovery, is still a major public health problem. It is estimated that approximately 10 million people worldwide are infected with T. cruzi. However, the situation is more critical in Latin America and other regions where the disease is endemic. The largest number of cases occurs in Brazil, Argentina, and Mexico as more than 100 million people in these regions are located in areas with a high risk of contamination by the vector. The need for new therapeutic alternatives is urgent, as the available drugs have severe limitations such as low efficacy and high toxicity. From this scenario, in this work, we employed the virtual screening technique using cruzain and BDF2 as key biological targets for the survival of the parasite. Our objective was to identify potential inhibitors of T. cruzi trypomastigotes, which could be considered drug candidates against Chagas disease. For this, we employed different in silico methodologies and the obtained results were corroborated using in vitro biological assays. For the VS studies, a database containing synthetic compounds was simulated at the binding site of cruzain and BDF2. In addition, pharmacophoric models were constructed in the initial phases of VS, as well as other advanced analyses (molecular dynamics simulations, calculations of binding free energy, and ADME prediction) were carried out and the results allowed the selection of potential inhibitors of T. cruzi. Based on the obtained data, 32 different compounds commercially available were subjected to biological tests against the trypomastigote form of T. cruzi. As result, 11 of those compounds displayed significant activity against T. cruzi and can be considered potential candidates for the treatment of Chagas disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheila Cruz Araujo
- Center of Natural Sciences and Humanities, Federal University of ABC, São Paulo, 09210-180, Brazil
| | | | - Henrique Barbosa
- Center of Natural Sciences and Humanities, Federal University of ABC, São Paulo, 09210-180, Brazil
| | - Thais Alves Costa-Silva
- Center of Natural Sciences and Humanities, Federal University of ABC, São Paulo, 09210-180, Brazil
| | - André Gustavo Tempone
- Centre for Parasitology and Mycology, Instituto Adolfo Lutz, São Paulo, 01246-902, Brazil
| | | | - Kathia Maria Honorio
- Center of Natural Sciences and Humanities, Federal University of ABC, São Paulo, 09210-180, Brazil; School of Arts, Science, and Humanities, University of Sao Paulo, São Paulo, 03828-000, Brazil.
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8
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Singh AK, Phillips M, Alkrimi S, Tonelli M, Boyson SP, Malone KL, Nix JC, Glass KC. Structural insights into acetylated histone ligand recognition by the BDP1 bromodomain of Plasmodium falciparum. Int J Biol Macromol 2022; 223:316-326. [PMID: 36328269 PMCID: PMC10093686 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2022.10.247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Revised: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Plasmodium falciparum requires a two-host system, moving between Anopheles mosquito and humans, to complete its life cycle. To overcome such dynamic growth conditions its histones undergo various post-translational modifications to regulate gene expression. The P. falciparum Bromodomain Protein 1 (PfBDP1) has been shown to interact with acetylated lysine modifications on histone H3 to regulate the expression of invasion-related genes. Here, we investigated the ability of the PfBDP1 bromodomain to interact with acetyllsyine modifications on additional core and variant histones. A crystal structure of the PfBDP1 bromodomain (PfBDP1-BRD) reveals it contains the conserved bromodomain fold, but our comparative analysis between the PfBDP1-BRD and human bromodomain families indicates it has a unique binding mechanism. Solution NMR spectroscopy and ITC binding assays carried out with acetylated histone ligands demonstrate that it preferentially recognizes tetra-acetylated histone H4, and we detected weaker interactions with multi-acetylated H2A.Z in addition to the previously reported interactions with acetylated histone H3. Our findings indicate PfBDP1 may play additional roles in the P. falciparum life cycle, and the distinctive features of its bromodomain binding pocket could be leveraged for the development of new therapeutic agents to help overcome the continuously evolving resistance of P. falciparum against currently available drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ajit Kumar Singh
- Department of Pharmacology, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA
| | - Margaret Phillips
- Department of Pharmacology, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA
| | - Saleh Alkrimi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Colchester, VT 05446, USA
| | - Marco Tonelli
- NMRFAM and Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Samuel P Boyson
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Colchester, VT 05446, USA
| | - Kiera L Malone
- Department of Pharmacology, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA
| | - Jay C Nix
- Molecular Biology Consortium, Advanced Light Source, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Karen C Glass
- Department of Pharmacology, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Colchester, VT 05446, USA.
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9
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Zhang Y, Cheng L, Qiu H, Sun T, Deng R, Gong H, Mi R, Huang Y, Wang C, Chen Z. Hypothetical bromodomain-containing protein 5 is required for the growth of Toxoplasma gondii. Vet Parasitol 2022; 309:109767. [PMID: 35901606 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2022.109767] [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: 12/29/2021] [Revised: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Bromodomain (BRD) is a highly conserved structural module domain, found in various proteins, including chromatin-related proteins, nucleus acetyltransferases, and transcription-associated proteins. Toxoplasma gondii, a zoonotic protozoan, encodes at least 12 predicted BRD-containing proteins (BDPs). Here, we investigated the subcellular location and regulatory role of a hypothetical protein BDP that we named TgBDP5. The BRD of TgBDP5 did not contain the conserved Asn and Tyr residues required for acetyl-lysine recognition. TgBDP5 localized in the nucleus of the parasite and remained unchanged during parasite replication. Conditional ablation of TgBDP5 through an auxin-inducible degron-based knockdown strategy caused a growth defect in parasite replication. Depletion of TgBDP5 led to changes in the expression level of 179 genes, suggesting it as an important target for drugs acting against T. gondii.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Heilongjiang Bayi Agricultural University, Daqing 163319, Heilongjiang Province, China; Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology of Ministry of Agriculture, Laboratory of Quality and Safety Risk Assessment for Animal Products on Biohazards (Shanghai) of Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 200241, China; Branch of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary of Heilongjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Qiqihar 161000, Heilongjiang Province, China
| | - Long Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology of Ministry of Agriculture, Laboratory of Quality and Safety Risk Assessment for Animal Products on Biohazards (Shanghai) of Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Hongyu Qiu
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Heilongjiang Bayi Agricultural University, Daqing 163319, Heilongjiang Province, China
| | - Tiancong Sun
- Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology of Ministry of Agriculture, Laboratory of Quality and Safety Risk Assessment for Animal Products on Biohazards (Shanghai) of Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Ruipeng Deng
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Heilongjiang Bayi Agricultural University, Daqing 163319, Heilongjiang Province, China
| | - Haiyan Gong
- Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology of Ministry of Agriculture, Laboratory of Quality and Safety Risk Assessment for Animal Products on Biohazards (Shanghai) of Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Rongsheng Mi
- Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology of Ministry of Agriculture, Laboratory of Quality and Safety Risk Assessment for Animal Products on Biohazards (Shanghai) of Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Yan Huang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology of Ministry of Agriculture, Laboratory of Quality and Safety Risk Assessment for Animal Products on Biohazards (Shanghai) of Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Chunren Wang
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Heilongjiang Bayi Agricultural University, Daqing 163319, Heilongjiang Province, China.
| | - Zhaoguo Chen
- Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology of Ministry of Agriculture, Laboratory of Quality and Safety Risk Assessment for Animal Products on Biohazards (Shanghai) of Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 200241, China.
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10
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Ali HA, Li Y, Bilal AHM, Qin T, Yuan Z, Zhao W. A Comprehensive Review of BET Protein Biochemistry, Physiology, and Pathological Roles. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:818891. [PMID: 35401196 PMCID: PMC8990909 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.818891] [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: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic modifications, specifically acetylation of histone plays a decisive role in gene regulation and transcription of normal cellular mechanisms and pathological conditions. The bromodomain and extraterminal (BET) proteins (BRD2, BRD3, BRD4, and BRDT), being epigenetic readers, ligate to acetylated regions of histone and synchronize gene transcription. BET proteins are crucial for normal cellular processing as they control cell cycle progression, neurogenesis, differentiation, and maturation of erythroids and spermatogenesis, etc. Research-based evidence indicated that BET proteins (mainly BRD4) are associated with numeral pathological ailments, including cancer, inflammation, infections, renal diseases, and cardiac diseases. To counter the BET protein-related pathological conditions, there are some BET inhibitors developed and also under development. BET proteins are a topic of most research nowadays. This review, provides an ephemeral but comprehensive knowledge about BET proteins’ basic structure, biochemistry, physiological roles, and pathological conditions in which the role of BETs have been proven. This review also highlights the current and future approaches to pledge BET protein-related pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hafiz Akbar Ali
- Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yalan Li
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Akram Hafiz Muhammad Bilal
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Tingting Qin
- Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Ziqiao Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Wen Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.,State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention and Treatment, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
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11
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The Extracellular Milieu of Toxoplasma's Lytic Cycle Drives Lab Adaptation, Primarily by Transcriptional Reprogramming. mSystems 2021; 6:e0119621. [PMID: 34874774 PMCID: PMC8651083 DOI: 10.1128/msystems.01196-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Evolve and resequencing (E&R) was applied to lab adaptation of Toxoplasma gondii for over 1,500 generations with the goal of mapping host-independent in vitro virulence traits. Phenotypic assessments of steps across the lytic cycle revealed that only traits needed in the extracellular milieu evolved. Nonsynonymous single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in only one gene, a P4 flippase, fixated across two different evolving populations, whereas dramatic changes in the transcriptional signature of extracellular parasites were identified. Newly developed computational tools correlated phenotypes evolving at different rates with specific transcriptomic changes. A set of 300 phenotype-associated genes was mapped, of which nearly 50% is annotated as hypothetical. Validation of a select number of genes by knockouts confirmed their role in lab adaptation and highlights novel mechanisms underlying in vitro virulence traits. Further analyses of differentially expressed genes revealed the development of a “pro-tachyzoite” profile as well as the upregulation of the fatty acid biosynthesis (FASII) pathway. The latter aligned with the P4 flippase SNP and aligned with a low abundance of medium-chain fatty acids at low passage, indicating this is a limiting factor in extracellular parasites. In addition, partial overlap with the bradyzoite differentiation transcriptome in extracellular parasites indicated that stress pathways are involved in both situations. This was reflected in the partial overlap between the assembled ApiAP2 and Myb transcription factor network underlying the adapting extracellular state with the bradyzoite differentiation program. Overall, E&R is a new genomic tool successfully applied to map the development of polygenic traits underlying in vitro virulence of T. gondii. IMPORTANCE It has been well established that prolonged in vitro cultivation of Toxoplasma gondii augments progression of the lytic cycle. This lab adaptation results in increased capacities to divide, migrate, and survive outside a host cell, all of which are considered host-independent virulence factors. However, the mechanistic basis underlying these enhanced virulence features is unknown. Here, E&R was utilized to empirically characterize the phenotypic, genomic, and transcriptomic changes in the non-lab-adapted strain, GT1, during 2.5 years of lab adaptation. This identified the shutdown of stage differentiation and upregulation of lipid biosynthetic pathways as the key processes being modulated. Furthermore, lab adaptation was primarily driven by transcriptional reprogramming, which rejected the starting hypothesis that genetic mutations would drive lab adaptation. Overall, the work empirically shows that lab adaptation augments T. gondii’s in vitro virulence by transcriptional reprogramming and that E&R is a powerful new tool to map multigenic traits.
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12
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Abstract
Protozoan parasites continue to cause a significant health and economic burden worldwide. As infectious organisms, they pose unique and difficult challenges due to a level of conservation of critical eukaryotic cellular pathways with their hosts. Gene regulation has been pinpointed as an essential pathway with enough divergence to warrant investigation into therapeutically targeting. Examination of human parasites such as Plasmodium falciparum, Toxoplasma gondii, and kinetoplastids have revealed that epigenetic mechanisms play a key role in their gene regulation. The enzymes involved in adding and removing epigenetic posttranslational modifications (PTMs) have historically been the focus of study. However, the reader proteins that recognize and bind PTMs, initiating recruitment of chromatin-modifying and transcription complexes, are now being realized for their critical role in regulation and their potential as drug targets. In this review, we highlight the current knowledge on epigenetic reader proteins in model parasitic protozoa, focusing on the histone acyl- and methyl-reading domains. With this knowledge base, we compare differences between medically relevant parasites, discuss conceivable functions of these understudied proteins, indicate gaps in knowledge, and provide current progress in drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krista Fleck
- Molecular, Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of New Hampshire, Durham, New Hampshire, United States of America
| | - Malorie Nitz
- Molecular, Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of New Hampshire, Durham, New Hampshire, United States of America
| | - Victoria Jeffers
- Molecular, Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of New Hampshire, Durham, New Hampshire, United States of America
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13
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Tallant C, Bamborough P, Chung CW, Gamo FJ, Kirkpatrick R, Larminie C, Martín J, Prinjha R, Rioja I, Simola DF, Gabarró R, Calderón F. Expanding Bromodomain Targeting into Neglected Parasitic Diseases. ACS Infect Dis 2021; 7:2953-2958. [PMID: 34612618 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.1c00387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
This Perspective discusses the published data and recent developments in the research area of bromodomains in parasitic protozoa. Further work is needed to evaluate the tractability of this target class in the context of infectious diseases and launch drug discovery campaigns to identify and develop antiparasite drugs that can offer differentiated mechanisms of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cynthia Tallant
- Global Health R&D, GlaxoSmithKline, c/ Severo Ochoa 2, 28760 Tres Cantos, Spain
| | - Paul Bamborough
- Molecular Design, GlaxoSmithKline, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, Hertfordshire SG1 2NY, United Kingdom
| | - Chun-wa Chung
- Protein, Cellular and Structural Sciences, GlaxoSmithKline, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, Hertfordshire SG1 2NY, United Kingdom
| | | | - Robert Kirkpatrick
- GlaxoSmithKline R&D, 1250 S. Collegeville Rd., Collegeville, Pennsylvania 19426, United States
| | - Chris Larminie
- Human Genetics, GlaxoSmithKline, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, Hertfordshire SG1 2NY, United Kingdom
| | - Julio Martín
- Global Health R&D, GlaxoSmithKline, c/ Severo Ochoa 2, 28760 Tres Cantos, Spain
| | - Rab Prinjha
- Immunology Research Unit, Research, R&D GlaxoSmithKline, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, Hertfordshire SG1 2NY, United Kingdom
| | - Inmaculada Rioja
- Immunology Research Unit, Research, R&D GlaxoSmithKline, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, Hertfordshire SG1 2NY, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel F. Simola
- Human Genetics and Computational Biology, GlaxoSmithKline, 1250 S. Collegeville Rd., Collegeville, Pennsylvania 19426, United States
| | - Raquel Gabarró
- Global Health R&D, GlaxoSmithKline, c/ Severo Ochoa 2, 28760 Tres Cantos, Spain
| | - Félix Calderón
- Global Health R&D, GlaxoSmithKline, c/ Severo Ochoa 2, 28760 Tres Cantos, Spain
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14
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Maran SR, Fleck K, Monteiro-Teles NM, Isebe T, Walrad P, Jeffers V, Cestari I, Vasconcelos EJR, Moretti N. Protein acetylation in the critical biological processes in protozoan parasites. Trends Parasitol 2021; 37:815-830. [PMID: 33994102 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2021.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Revised: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 04/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Protein lysine acetylation has emerged as a major regulatory post-translational modification in different organisms, present not only on histone proteins affecting chromatin structure and gene expression but also on nonhistone proteins involved in several cellular processes. The same scenario was observed in protozoan parasites after the description of their acetylomes, indicating that acetylation might regulate crucial biological processes in these parasites. The demonstration that glycolytic enzymes are regulated by acetylation in protozoans shows that this modification might regulate several other processes implicated in parasite survival and adaptation during the life cycle, opening the chance to explore the regulatory acetylation machinery of these parasites as drug targets for new treatment development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suellen Rodrigues Maran
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Patógenos (LBMP) - Departamento Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia - Escola Paulista de Medicina - Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Krista Fleck
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Biomedical Sciences, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH, USA
| | | | - Tony Isebe
- Institute of Parasitology, McGill University, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec, Canada
| | - Pegine Walrad
- York Biomedical Research Institute, Department of Biology, University of York, York, UK
| | - Victoria Jeffers
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Biomedical Sciences, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH, USA
| | - Igor Cestari
- Institute of Parasitology, McGill University, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec, Canada; Division of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | | | - Nilmar Moretti
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Patógenos (LBMP) - Departamento Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia - Escola Paulista de Medicina - Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil.
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15
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Binding Free Energy (BFE) Calculations and Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship (QSAR) Analysis of Schistosoma mansoni Histone Deacetylase 8 ( smHDAC8) Inhibitors. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26092584. [PMID: 33925246 PMCID: PMC8125515 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26092584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 04/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Histone-modifying proteins have been identified as promising targets to treat several diseases including cancer and parasitic ailments. In silico methods have been incorporated within a variety of drug discovery programs to facilitate the identification and development of novel lead compounds. In this study, we explore the binding modes of a series of benzhydroxamates derivatives developed as histone deacetylase inhibitors of Schistosoma mansoni histone deacetylase (smHDAC) using molecular docking and binding free energy (BFE) calculations. The developed docking protocol was able to correctly reproduce the experimentally established binding modes of resolved smHDAC8–inhibitor complexes. However, as has been reported in former studies, the obtained docking scores weakly correlate with the experimentally determined activity of the studied inhibitors. Thus, the obtained docking poses were refined and rescored using the Amber software. From the computed protein–inhibitor BFE, different quantitative structure–activity relationship (QSAR) models could be developed and validated using several cross-validation techniques. Some of the generated QSAR models with good correlation could explain up to ~73% variance in activity within the studied training set molecules. The best performing models were subsequently tested on an external test set of newly designed and synthesized analogs. In vitro testing showed a good correlation between the predicted and experimentally observed IC50 values. Thus, the generated models can be considered as interesting tools for the identification of novel smHDAC8 inhibitors.
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16
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Das P, Badhe MR, Sahoo PK, Reddy RRK, Suryawanshi AR, Mohanty J. Immunoproteomic analysis of fish ectoparasite, Argulus siamensis antigens. Parasite Immunol 2021; 43:e12837. [PMID: 33811350 DOI: 10.1111/pim.12837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Revised: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
AIM An immunoproteomic approach was followed to identify immunoreactive antigens of fish ectoparasite, Argulus siamensis with rohu (Labeo rohita) immune sera for screening of potential vaccine candidates. MATERIALS AND RESULTS The whole adult Argulus antigen was run in 2D electrophoresis with IEF in 7 cm IPG strips of pH 4-7 and SDS-PAGE with 12% acrylamide concentration. Two parallel gels were run; one was stained with silver stain, and the other was Western blotted to nitrocellulose paper (NCP) and reacted with rohu anti-A siamensis sera. Fourteen protein spots corresponding to the spots developed in NCP were picked from the silver-stained gel and subjected to mass spectrometry in MALDI-TOF/TOF. The MS/MS spectra were analysed in MASCOT software with taxonomy 'other metazoa' and the proteins identified based on similarity with the proteins from heterologous species. The gene ontology analysis revealed a majority of proteins being involved in binding activity in 'molecular function' and belonging to metabolic processes in 'biologic process' categories. The possibility of these proteins as vaccine candidates against A siamensis is discussed in the paper. CONCLUSION Three of the identified proteins namely, bromodomain-containing protein, anaphase-promoting complex subunit 5 and elongation factor-2 could possibly serve as vaccine candidates against argulosis in carps.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priyanka Das
- ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture, Bhubaneswar, India
| | - Mohan R Badhe
- ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture, Bhubaneswar, India
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17
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Gubbels MJ, Coppens I, Zarringhalam K, Duraisingh MT, Engelberg K. The Modular Circuitry of Apicomplexan Cell Division Plasticity. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:670049. [PMID: 33912479 PMCID: PMC8072463 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.670049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The close-knit group of apicomplexan parasites displays a wide variety of cell division modes, which differ between parasites as well as between different life stages within a single parasite species. The beginning and endpoint of the asexual replication cycles is a 'zoite' harboring the defining apical organelles required for host cell invasion. However, the number of zoites produced per division round varies dramatically and can unfold in several different ways. This plasticity of the cell division cycle originates from a combination of hard-wired developmental programs modulated by environmental triggers. Although the environmental triggers and sensors differ between species and developmental stages, widely conserved secondary messengers mediate the signal transduction pathways. These environmental and genetic input integrate in division-mode specific chromosome organization and chromatin modifications that set the stage for each division mode. Cell cycle progression is conveyed by a smorgasbord of positively and negatively acting transcription factors, often acting in concert with epigenetic reader complexes, that can vary dramatically between species as well as division modes. A unique set of cell cycle regulators with spatially distinct localization patterns insert discrete check points which permit individual control and can uncouple general cell cycle progression from nuclear amplification. Clusters of expressed genes are grouped into four functional modules seen in all division modes: 1. mother cytoskeleton disassembly; 2. DNA replication and segregation (D&S); 3. karyokinesis; 4. zoite assembly. A plug-and-play strategy results in the variety of extant division modes. The timing of mother cytoskeleton disassembly is hard-wired at the species level for asexual division modes: it is either the first step, or it is the last step. In the former scenario zoite assembly occurs at the plasma membrane (external budding), and in the latter scenario zoites are assembled in the cytoplasm (internal budding). The number of times each other module is repeated can vary regardless of this first decision, and defines the modes of cell division: schizogony, binary fission, endodyogeny, endopolygeny.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc-Jan Gubbels
- Department of Biology, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, United States
| | - Isabelle Coppens
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Kourosh Zarringhalam
- Department of Mathematics, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Manoj T. Duraisingh
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Klemens Engelberg
- Department of Biology, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, United States
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18
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Santos Júnior ADCMD, Melo RM, Ferreira BVG, Pontes AH, Lima CMRD, Fontes W, Sousa MVD, Lima BDD, Ricart CAO. Quantitative proteomics and phosphoproteomics of Trypanosoma cruzi epimastigote cell cycle. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-PROTEINS AND PROTEOMICS 2021; 1869:140619. [PMID: 33561577 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2021.140619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2020] [Revised: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi is the causative agent of the neglected infectious illness Chagas disease. During its life cycle it differentiates into replicative and non-replicative life stages. So far, T. cruzi cell division has been investigated by transcriptomics but not by proteomics approaches. Here we show the first quantitative proteome analysis of T. cruzi cell division. T. cruzi epimastigote cultures were subject to synchronization with hydroxyurea and harvested at different time points. Analysis by flow cytometry, bright field and fluorescence microscopy indicated that samples collected at 0 h, 2 h, 6 h and 14 h overrepresented G1, G1-S, S and M cell cycle phases, respectively. After trypsin digestion of these samples, the resulting peptides were labelled with iTRAQ and subjected to LC-MS/MS. Also, iTRAQ-labelled phosphopeptides were enriched with TiO2 to access the phosphoproteome. Overall, 597 protein groups and 94 phosphopeptides presented regulation with the most remarkable variation in abundance at 6 h (S-phase). Comparison of our proteomic data to previous transcriptome-wise analysis of epimastigote cell cycle showed 16 sequence entries in common, with the highest mRNA/protein correlation observed in transcripts with peak abundance in G1-phase. Our data revealed regulated proteins and phosphopeptides which play important roles in the control of cell division in other organisms and some of them were previously detected in the nucleus or associated with T. cruzi chromatin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agenor de Castro Moreira Dos Santos Júnior
- Laboratory Protein Chemistry and Biochemistry, Department of Cell Biology, University of Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil; Laboratory of Gene Biology, Department of Cell Biology, University of Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Reynaldo Magalhães Melo
- Laboratory Protein Chemistry and Biochemistry, Department of Cell Biology, University of Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | | | - Arthur Henriques Pontes
- Laboratory Protein Chemistry and Biochemistry, Department of Cell Biology, University of Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | | | - Wagner Fontes
- Laboratory Protein Chemistry and Biochemistry, Department of Cell Biology, University of Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Valle de Sousa
- Laboratory Protein Chemistry and Biochemistry, Department of Cell Biology, University of Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Beatriz Dolabela de Lima
- Laboratory of Gene Biology, Department of Cell Biology, University of Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Carlos André Ornelas Ricart
- Laboratory Protein Chemistry and Biochemistry, Department of Cell Biology, University of Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil.
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Combined Protein- and Ligand-Observed NMR Workflow to Screen Fragment Cocktails against Multiple Proteins: A Case Study Using Bromodomains. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25173949. [PMID: 32872491 PMCID: PMC7504435 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25173949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Revised: 08/24/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
As fragment-based drug discovery has become mainstream, there has been an increase in various screening methodologies. Protein-observed 19F (PrOF) NMR and 1H CPMG NMR are two fragment screening assays that have complementary advantages. Here, we sought to combine these two NMR-based assays into a new screening workflow. This combination of protein- and ligand-observed experiments allows for a time- and resource-efficient multiplexed screen of mixtures of fragments and proteins. PrOF NMR is first used to screen mixtures against two proteins. Hit mixtures for each protein are identified then deconvoluted using 1H CPMG NMR. We demonstrate the benefit of this fragment screening method by conducting the first reported fragment screens against the bromodomains of BPTF and Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) GCN5 using 467 3D-enriched fragments. The hit rates were 6%, 5% and 4% for fragments binding BPTF, PfGCN5, and fragments binding both proteins, respectively. Select hits were characterized, revealing a broad range of affinities from low µM to mM dissociation constants. Follow-up experiments supported a low-affinity second binding site on PfGCN5. This approach can be used to bias fragment screens towards more selective hits at the onset of inhibitor development in a resource- and time-efficient manner.
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20
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Targeting histone acetylation/deacetylation in parasites: an update (2017–2020). Curr Opin Chem Biol 2020; 57:65-74. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2020.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2020] [Revised: 05/21/2020] [Accepted: 05/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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21
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Wahab S, Saettone A, Nabeel-Shah S, Dannah N, Fillingham J. Exploring the Histone Acetylation Cycle in the Protozoan Model Tetrahymena thermophila. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:509. [PMID: 32695779 PMCID: PMC7339932 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.00509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2020] [Accepted: 05/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The eukaryotic histone acetylation cycle is composed of three classes of proteins, histone acetyltransferases (HATs) that add acetyl groups to lysine amino acids, bromodomain (BRD) containing proteins that are one of the most characterized of several protein domains that recognize acetyl-lysine (Kac) and effect downstream function, and histone deacetylases (HDACs) that catalyze the reverse reaction. Dysfunction of selected proteins of these three classes is associated with human disease such as cancer. Additionally, the HATs, BRDs, and HDACs of fungi and parasitic protozoa present potential drug targets. Despite their importance, the function and mechanisms of HATs, BRDs, and HDACs and how they relate to chromatin remodeling (CR) remain incompletely understood. Tetrahymena thermophila (Tt) provides a highly tractable single-celled free-living protozoan model for studying histone acetylation, featuring a massively acetylated somatic genome, a property that was exploited in the identification of the first nuclear/type A HAT Gcn5 in the 1990s. Since then, Tetrahymena remains an under-explored model for the molecular analysis of HATs, BRDs, and HDACs. Studies of HATs, BRDs, and HDACs in Tetrahymena have the potential to reveal the function of HATs and BRDs relevant to both fundamental eukaryotic biology and to the study of disease mechanisms in parasitic protozoa.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Jeffrey Fillingham
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, Ryerson University, Toronto, ON, Canada
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22
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Hoeijmakers WAM, Miao J, Schmidt S, Toenhake CG, Shrestha S, Venhuizen J, Henderson R, Birnbaum J, Ghidelli-Disse S, Drewes G, Cui L, Stunnenberg HG, Spielmann T, Bártfai R. Epigenetic reader complexes of the human malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum. Nucleic Acids Res 2020; 47:11574-11588. [PMID: 31728527 PMCID: PMC7145593 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkz1044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2019] [Revised: 10/09/2019] [Accepted: 10/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic regulatory mechanisms are central to the development and survival of all eukaryotic organisms. These mechanisms critically depend on the marking of chromatin domains with distinctive histone tail modifications (PTMs) and their recognition by effector protein complexes. Here we used quantitative proteomic approaches to unveil interactions between PTMs and associated reader protein complexes of Plasmodium falciparum, a unicellular parasite causing malaria. Histone peptide pull-downs with the most prominent and/or parasite-specific PTMs revealed the binding preference for 14 putative and novel reader proteins. Amongst others, they highlighted the acetylation-level-dependent recruitment of the BDP1/BDP2 complex and identified an PhD-finger protein (PHD 1, PF3D7_1008100) that could mediate a cross-talk between H3K4me2/3 and H3K9ac marks. Tagging and interaction proteomics of 12 identified proteins unveiled the composition of 5 major epigenetic complexes, including the elusive TBP-associated-factor complex as well as two distinct GCN5/ADA2 complexes. Furthermore, it has highlighted a remarkable degree of interaction between these five (sub)complexes. Collectively, this study provides an extensive inventory of PTM-reader interactions and composition of epigenetic complexes. It will not only fuel further explorations of gene regulation amongst ancient eukaryotes, but also provides a stepping stone for exploration of PTM-reader interactions for antimalarial drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jun Miao
- Department of Internal Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA.,Department of Entomology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Sabine Schmidt
- Molecular Biology and Immunology Section, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg D-20359, Germany
| | | | - Sony Shrestha
- Department of Entomology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Jeron Venhuizen
- Department of Molecular Biology, Radboud University, Nijmegen 6525 GA, the Netherlands
| | - Rob Henderson
- Department of Molecular Biology, Radboud University, Nijmegen 6525 GA, the Netherlands.,TropIQ Health Sciences, Nijmegen 6534 AT, the Netherlands
| | - Jakob Birnbaum
- Molecular Biology and Immunology Section, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg D-20359, Germany
| | | | - Gerard Drewes
- Cellzome GmbH, a GlaxoSmithKline Company, Heidelberg 69117, Germany
| | - Liwang Cui
- Department of Internal Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA.,Department of Entomology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Hendrik Gerard Stunnenberg
- Department of Molecular Biology, Radboud University, Nijmegen 6525 GA, the Netherlands.,Princess Maxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht 3584CS, the Netherlands
| | - Tobias Spielmann
- Molecular Biology and Immunology Section, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg D-20359, Germany
| | - Richárd Bártfai
- Department of Molecular Biology, Radboud University, Nijmegen 6525 GA, the Netherlands
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Hanquier J, Gimeno T, Jeffers V, Sullivan WJ. Evaluating the GCN5b bromodomain as a novel therapeutic target against the parasite Toxoplasma gondii. Exp Parasitol 2020; 211:107868. [PMID: 32119930 PMCID: PMC7483680 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2020.107868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2019] [Revised: 02/10/2020] [Accepted: 02/25/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan parasite of great importance in human and veterinary health. The frontline treatment of antifolates suffers a variety of drawbacks, including toxicity and allergic reactions, underscoring the need to identify novel drug targets for new therapeutics to be developed. We previously showed that the Toxoplasma lysine acetyltransferase (KAT) GCN5b is an essential chromatin remodeling enzyme in the parasite linked to the regulation of gene expression. We have previously established that the KAT domain is a liability that can be targeted in the parasite by compounds like garcinol; here, we investigate the potential of the bromodomain as a targetable element of GCN5b. Bromodomains bind acetylated lysine residues on histones, which helps stabilize the KAT complex at gene promoters. Using an inducible dominant-negative strategy, we found that the GCN5b bromodomain is critical for Toxoplasma viability. We also found that the GCN5-family bromodomain inhibitor, L-Moses, interferes with the ability of the GCN5b bromodomain to associate with acetylated histone residues using an in vitro binding assay. Moreover, L-Moses displays potent activity against Toxoplasma tachyzoites in vitro, which can be overcome if parasites are engineered to over-express GCN5b. Collectively, our data support the GCN5b bromodomain as an attractive target for the development of new therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jocelyne Hanquier
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Thomas Gimeno
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Victoria Jeffers
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - William J Sullivan
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA; Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
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Nawaz M, Malik I, Hameed M, Hussain Kuthu Z, Zhou J. Modifications of histones in parasites as drug targets. Vet Parasitol 2020; 278:109029. [PMID: 31978703 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2020.109029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2019] [Revised: 01/13/2020] [Accepted: 01/14/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Post-translational modifications of histones and histone modifying enzymes play important roles in gene regulations and other physiological processes in parasites. Inhibitors of such modifying enzymes could be useful as novel therapeutics against parasitic diseases or as chemical probes for investigation of epigenetics. Development of parasitic histone modulators has got rapid expansion in the last few years. A number of highly potent and selective compounds have been reported, together with extensive preclinical studies of their biological activity. Some of these compounds have been widely used in humans targeting cancer and are found non-toxic. This review summarizes the antiparasitic activities of histone and histone modifying enzymes inhibitors evaluated in last few years. As the current chemotherapy against parasites is still not satisfactory, therefore, such compounds represents good starting points for the discovery of effective antiparasitic drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohsin Nawaz
- Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology of Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Irfan Malik
- Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology of Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Mudassar Hameed
- Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology of Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Zulfiqar Hussain Kuthu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology of Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Jinlin Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology of Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 200241, China.
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Veale CGL. Unpacking the Pathogen Box-An Open Source Tool for Fighting Neglected Tropical Disease. ChemMedChem 2019; 14:386-453. [PMID: 30614200 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.201800755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The Pathogen Box is a 400-strong collection of drug-like compounds, selected for their potential against several of the world's most important neglected tropical diseases, including trypanosomiasis, leishmaniasis, cryptosporidiosis, toxoplasmosis, filariasis, schistosomiasis, dengue virus and trichuriasis, in addition to malaria and tuberculosis. This library represents an ensemble of numerous successful drug discovery programmes from around the globe, aimed at providing a powerful resource to stimulate open source drug discovery for diseases threatening the most vulnerable communities in the world. This review seeks to provide an in-depth analysis of the literature pertaining to the compounds in the Pathogen Box, including structure-activity relationship highlights, mechanisms of action, related compounds with reported activity against different diseases, and, where appropriate, discussion on the known and putative targets of compounds, thereby providing context and increasing the accessibility of the Pathogen Box to the drug discovery community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clinton G L Veale
- School of Chemistry and Physics, Pietermaritzburg Campus, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X01, Scottsville, 3209, South Africa
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26
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Guidi A, Saccoccia F, Gennari N, Gimmelli R, Nizi E, Lalli C, Paonessa G, Papoff G, Bresciani A, Ruberti G. Identification of novel multi-stage histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors that impair Schistosoma mansoni viability and egg production. Parasit Vectors 2018; 11:668. [PMID: 30587243 PMCID: PMC6307185 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-3268-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2018] [Accepted: 12/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Novel anti-schistosomal multi-stage drugs are needed because only a single drug, praziquantel, is available for the treatment of schistosomiasis and is poorly effective on larval and juvenile stages of the parasite. Schistosomes have a complex life-cycle and multiple developmental stages in the intermediate and definitive hosts. Acetylation and deacetylation of histones play pivotal roles in chromatin structure and in the regulation of transcription in eukaryotic cells. Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors modulate acetylation of several other proteins localized both in the nucleus and in the cytoplasm and therefore impact on many signaling networks and biological processes. Histone post-translational modifications may provide parasites with the ability to readily adapt to changes in gene expression required for their development and adaptation to the host environment. The aim of the present study was to screen a HDAC class I inhibitor library in order to identify and characterize novel multi-stage hit compounds. Methods We used a high-throughput assay based on the quantitation of ATP in the Schistosoma mansoni larval stage (schistosomula) and screened a library of 1500 class I HDAC inhibitors. Subsequently, a few hits were selected and further characterized by viability assays and phenotypic analyses on adult parasites by carmine red and confocal microscopy. Results Three compounds (SmI-124, SmI-148 and SmI-558) that had an effect on the viability of both the schistosomula larval stage and the adult worm were identified. Treatment with sub-lethal doses of SmI-148 and SmI-558 also decreased egg production. Moreover, treatment of adult parasites with SmI-148, and to a lesser extent Sm-124, was associated with histone hyperacetylation. Finally, SmI-148 and SmI-558 treatments of worm pairs caused a phenotype characterized by defects in the parasite reproductive system, with peculiar features in the ovary. In addition, SmI-558 induced oocyte- and vitelline cell-engulfment and signs of degeneration in the uterus and/or oviduct. Conclusions We report the screening of a small HDAC inhibitor library and the identification of three novel compounds which impair viability of the S. mansoni larval stage and adult pairs. These compounds are useful tools for studying deacetylase activity during parasite development and for interfering with egg production. Characterization of their specificity for selected S. mansoni versus human HDAC could provide insights that can be used in optimization and compound design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Guidi
- National Research Council, Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology, Campus A. Buzzati-Traverso, Monterotondo (Roma), Italy
| | - Fulvio Saccoccia
- National Research Council, Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology, Campus A. Buzzati-Traverso, Monterotondo (Roma), Italy
| | - Nadia Gennari
- Biology Department, IRBM Science Park SpA, Pomezia, Italy
| | - Roberto Gimmelli
- National Research Council, Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology, Campus A. Buzzati-Traverso, Monterotondo (Roma), Italy
| | - Emanuela Nizi
- Chemistry Department, IRBM Science Park SpA, Pomezia, Italy
| | - Cristiana Lalli
- National Research Council, Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology, Campus A. Buzzati-Traverso, Monterotondo (Roma), Italy
| | | | - Giuliana Papoff
- National Research Council, Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology, Campus A. Buzzati-Traverso, Monterotondo (Roma), Italy
| | | | - Giovina Ruberti
- National Research Council, Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology, Campus A. Buzzati-Traverso, Monterotondo (Roma), Italy.
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Chellapandi P, Prathiviraj R, Prisilla A. Molecular evolution and functional divergence of IspD homologs in malarial parasites. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2018; 65:340-349. [DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2018.08.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2018] [Revised: 08/10/2018] [Accepted: 08/14/2018] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
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García P, Alonso VL, Serra E, Escalante AM, Furlan RLE. Discovery of a Biologically Active Bromodomain Inhibitor by Target-Directed Dynamic Combinatorial Chemistry. ACS Med Chem Lett 2018; 9:1002-1006. [PMID: 30344907 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.8b00247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2018] [Accepted: 09/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Target-directed dynamic combinatorial chemistry (DCC) has emerged as a strategy for the identification of inhibitors of relevant therapeutic targets. In this contribution, we use this strategy for the identification of a high-affinity binder of a parasite target, the Trypanosoma cruzi bromodomain-containing protein TcBDF3. This protein is essential for viability of T. cruzi, the protozoan parasite that causes Chagas disease. A small dynamic library of acylhydrazones was prepared from aldehydes and acylhydrazides at neutral pH in the presence of aniline. The most amplified library member shows (a) high affinity for the template, (b) interesting antiparasitic activity against different parasite forms, and (c) low toxicity against Vero cells. In addition, parasites are rescued from the compound toxicity by TcBDF3 overexpression, suggesting that the toxicity of this compound is due to the TcBDF3 inhibition, i.e., the binding event that initially drives the molecular amplification is reproduced in the parasite, leading to selective toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula García
- Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, CONICET, Suipacha 531, S2002LRK Rosario, Argentina
| | - Victoria L. Alonso
- Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, CONICET, Suipacha 531, S2002LRK Rosario, Argentina
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario (IBR), Universidad Nacional de Rosario, CONICET, Ocampo y Esmeralda, 2000 Rosario, Argentina
| | - Esteban Serra
- Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, CONICET, Suipacha 531, S2002LRK Rosario, Argentina
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario (IBR), Universidad Nacional de Rosario, CONICET, Ocampo y Esmeralda, 2000 Rosario, Argentina
| | - Andrea M. Escalante
- Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, CONICET, Suipacha 531, S2002LRK Rosario, Argentina
| | - Ricardo L. E. Furlan
- Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, CONICET, Suipacha 531, S2002LRK Rosario, Argentina
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29
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Pervaiz M, Mishra P, Günther S. Bromodomain Drug Discovery - the Past, the Present, and the Future. CHEM REC 2018; 18:1808-1817. [PMID: 30289209 DOI: 10.1002/tcr.201800074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2018] [Accepted: 09/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
With the bromodomain (BRD) inhibitor JQ1, a remarkable success story of BRD4 as a novel drug target has been set off that yielded many anti-cancer drugs that are now in clinical trials. But not all of the great prospects of BRDs as drug targets may become true. First evaluations of ongoing clinical trials revealed that treatment with BET-inhibitors can be accompanied with significant toxic side effects and the validation of the therapeutic benefit of BET-inhibitors compared to existing therapies is still pending. New strategies that may overcome possible obstacles in BRD drug discovery include combination therapies with other agents, dual target inhibitors, and proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs). Furthermore, non-BET proteins seem promising drug targets as well. Most recently, BRDs have been identified as putative targets to treat parasitic diseases such as malaria. Milestones in BRD drug discovery are reviewed and promising new developments are evaluated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehrosh Pervaiz
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Hermann-Herder-Str. 9, 79104, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Pankaj Mishra
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Hermann-Herder-Str. 9, 79104, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Stefan Günther
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Hermann-Herder-Str. 9, 79104, Freiburg, Germany
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30
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Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a common veterinary and human pathogen that persists as latent bradyzoite forms within infected hosts. The ability of the parasite to interconvert between tachyzoite and bradyzoite is key for pathogenesis of toxoplasmosis, particularly in immunocompromised individuals. The transition between tachyzoites and bradyzoites is epigenetically regulated and coupled to the cell cycle. Recent epigenomic studies have begun to elucidate the chromatin states associated with developmental switches in T. gondii. Evidence is also emerging that AP2 transcription factors both activate and repress the bradyzoite developmental program. Further studies are needed to understand the mechanisms by which T. gondii transduces environmental signals to coordinate the epigenetic and transcriptional machinery that are responsible for tachyzoite-bradyzoite interconversion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kami Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases and International Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida 33612, USA.,Department of Global Health, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida 33612, USA;
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31
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A Bioactive Trypanosoma cruzi Bromodomain Inhibitor from Chemically Engineered Extracts. ACS COMBINATORIAL SCIENCE 2018; 20:220-228. [PMID: 29481050 DOI: 10.1021/acscombsci.7b00172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
A set of chemically engineered extracts enriched in compounds including N-N and N-O fragments in their structures was prepared. Bromodomain binding screening and bioguided fractionation led to the identification of one oxime hit that interacts with TcBDF3 with affinity in the submicromolar range and that shows interesting antiparasitic properties against the different life cycle stages of T. cruzi.
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32
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Chua MJ, Robaa D, Skinner-Adams TS, Sippl W, Andrews KT. Activity of bromodomain protein inhibitors/binders against asexual-stage Plasmodium falciparum parasites. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-DRUGS AND DRUG RESISTANCE 2018; 8:189-193. [PMID: 29631126 PMCID: PMC6039313 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2018.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2018] [Revised: 03/06/2018] [Accepted: 03/08/2018] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Bromodomain-containing proteins (BDPs) are involved in the regulation of eukaryotic gene expression. Compounds that bind and/or inhibit BDPs are of interest as tools to better understand epigenetic regulation, and as possible drug leads for different diseases, including malaria. In this study, we assessed the activity of 42 compounds demonstrated or predicted (using virtual screening of a pharmacophore model) to bind/inhibit eukaryotic BDPs for activity against Plasmodium falciparum malaria parasites. In silico docking studies indicated that all compounds are predicted to participate in a typical hydrogen bond interaction with the conserved asparagine (Asn1436) of the P. falciparum histone acetyltransferase (PfGCN5) bromodomain and a conserved water molecule. Only one compound (the dimethylisoxazole SGC-CBP30; a selective inhibitor of CREBBP (CBP) and EP300 bromodomains) is also predicted to have a salt-bridge between the morpholine nitrogen and Glu1389. When tested for in vitro activity against asynchronous asexual stage P. falciparum Dd2 parasites, all compounds displayed 50% growth inhibitory concentrations (IC50) >10 μM. Further testing of the three most potent compounds using synchronous parasites for 72 h showed that SGC-CBP30 was the most active (IC50 3.2 μM). In vitro cytotoxicity assays showed that SGC-CBP30 has ∼7-fold better selectivity for the parasites versus a human cell line (HEK 293). Together these data provide a possible starting point for future investigation of these, or related compounds, as tools to understand epigenetic regulation or as potential new drug leads. 42 demonstrated or predicted BDP binders/inhibitors investigated. In silico docking predicts all have hydrogen bond interaction with conserved Asn1436 of PfGCN5 bromodomain. Pan-bromodomain inhibitor SGC-CBP30 also has predicted salt-bridge between morpholine nitrogen and Glu1389. SGC-CBP30 has most potent in vitro activity against asexual-stage P. falciparum (IC50 3.2 μM). SGC-CBP30 has ∼7-fold better selectivity for P. falciparum versus HEK 293 cell.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Jang Chua
- Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Queensland, Australia
| | - Dina Robaa
- Institute of Pharmacy, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Tina S Skinner-Adams
- Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Queensland, Australia
| | - Wolfgang Sippl
- Institute of Pharmacy, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Katherine T Andrews
- Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Queensland, Australia.
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Saettone A, Garg J, Lambert JP, Nabeel-Shah S, Ponce M, Burtch A, Thuppu Mudalige C, Gingras AC, Pearlman RE, Fillingham J. The bromodomain-containing protein Ibd1 links multiple chromatin-related protein complexes to highly expressed genes in Tetrahymena thermophila. Epigenetics Chromatin 2018. [PMID: 29523178 PMCID: PMC5844071 DOI: 10.1186/s13072-018-0180-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The chromatin remodelers of the SWI/SNF family are critical transcriptional regulators. Recognition of lysine acetylation through a bromodomain (BRD) component is key to SWI/SNF function; in most eukaryotes, this function is attributed to SNF2/Brg1. Results Using affinity purification coupled to mass spectrometry (AP–MS) we identified members of a SWI/SNF complex (SWI/SNFTt) in Tetrahymena thermophila. SWI/SNFTt is composed of 11 proteins, Snf5Tt, Swi1Tt, Swi3Tt, Snf12Tt, Brg1Tt, two proteins with potential chromatin-interacting domains and four proteins without orthologs to SWI/SNF proteins in yeast or mammals. SWI/SNFTt subunits localize exclusively to the transcriptionally active macronucleus during growth and development, consistent with a role in transcription. While Tetrahymena Brg1 does not contain a BRD, our AP–MS results identified a BRD-containing SWI/SNFTt component, Ibd1 that associates with SWI/SNFTt during growth but not development. AP–MS analysis of epitope-tagged Ibd1 revealed it to be a subunit of several additional protein complexes, including putative SWRTt, and SAGATt complexes as well as a putative H3K4-specific histone methyl transferase complex. Recombinant Ibd1 recognizes acetyl-lysine marks on histones correlated with active transcription. Consistent with our AP–MS and histone array data suggesting a role in regulation of gene expression, ChIP-Seq analysis of Ibd1 indicated that it primarily binds near promoters and within gene bodies of highly expressed genes during growth. Conclusions Our results suggest that through recognizing specific histones marks, Ibd1 targets active chromatin regions of highly expressed genes in Tetrahymena where it subsequently might coordinate the recruitment of several chromatin-remodeling complexes to regulate the transcriptional landscape of vegetatively growing Tetrahymena cells. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13072-018-0180-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Saettone
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, Ryerson University, 350 Victoria St., Toronto, M5B 2K3, Canada
| | - Jyoti Garg
- Department of Biology, York University, 4700 Keele St., Toronto, M3J 1P3, Canada
| | - Jean-Philippe Lambert
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute at Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, M5G 1X5, Canada.,Department of Molecular Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec, Canada.,Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec Research Center, CHUL, 2705 Boulevard Laurier, Quebec, G1V 4G2, Canada
| | - Syed Nabeel-Shah
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, Ryerson University, 350 Victoria St., Toronto, M5B 2K3, Canada.,Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Marcelo Ponce
- SciNet HPC Consortium, University of Toronto, 661 University Ave, Suite 1140, Toronto, M5G 1M1, Canada
| | - Alyson Burtch
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, Ryerson University, 350 Victoria St., Toronto, M5B 2K3, Canada
| | - Cristina Thuppu Mudalige
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, Ryerson University, 350 Victoria St., Toronto, M5B 2K3, Canada
| | - Anne-Claude Gingras
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute at Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, M5G 1X5, Canada.,Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Ronald E Pearlman
- Department of Biology, York University, 4700 Keele St., Toronto, M3J 1P3, Canada
| | - Jeffrey Fillingham
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, Ryerson University, 350 Victoria St., Toronto, M5B 2K3, Canada.
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A Novel Class of Schistosoma mansoni Histone Deacetylase 8 (HDAC8) Inhibitors Identified by Structure-Based Virtual Screening and In Vitro Testing. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2018; 23:molecules23030566. [PMID: 29498707 PMCID: PMC6017931 DOI: 10.3390/molecules23030566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2018] [Revised: 02/23/2018] [Accepted: 02/28/2018] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
A promising means in the search of new small molecules for the treatment of schistosomiasis (amongst other parasitic ailments) is by targeting the parasitic epigenome. In the present study, a docking based virtual screening procedure using the crystal structure of histone deacetylase 8 from Schistosoma mansoni (smHDAC8) was designed. From the developed screening protocol, we were able to identify eight novel N-(2,5-dioxopyrrolidin-3-yl)-n-alkylhydroxamate derivatives as smHDAC8 inhibitors with IC50 values ranging from 4.4-20.3 µM against smHDAC8. These newly identified inhibitors were further tested against human histone deacetylases (hsHDAC1, 6 and 8), and were found also to be exerting interesting activity against them. In silico prediction of the docking pose of the compounds was confirmed by the resolved crystal structure of one of the identified hits. This confirmed these compounds were able to chelate the catalytic zinc ion in a bidentate fashion, whilst showing an inverted binding mode of the hydroxamate group when compared to the reported smHDAC8/hydroxamates crystal structures. Therefore, they can be considered as new potential scaffold for the development of new smHDAC8 inhibitors by further investigation of their structure-activity relationship.
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Majeed M, Kumar G, Schlosser S, El-Matbouli M, Saleh M. In vitro investigations on extracellular proteins secreted by Aphanomyces invadans, the causative agent of epizootic ulcerative syndrome. Acta Vet Scand 2017; 59:78. [PMID: 29121973 PMCID: PMC5680770 DOI: 10.1186/s13028-017-0347-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2017] [Accepted: 11/03/2017] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Proteases produced by many microorganisms, including oomycetes, are crucial for their growth and development. They may also play a critical role in disease manifestation. Epizootic ulcerative syndrome is one of the most destructive fish diseases known. It is caused by the oomycete Aphanomyces invadans and leads to mass mortalities of cultured and wild fish in many countries. The areas of concern are Australia, China, Japan, South and Southeast Asian countries and the USA. Extracellular proteases produced by this oomycete are believed to trigger EUS pathogenesis in fish. To address this activity, we collected the extracellular products (ECP) of A. invadans and identified the secreted proteins using SDS-PAGE and mass spectrometery. A. invadans was cultivated in liquid Glucose-Peptone-Yeats media. The culture media was ultra-filtered through 10 kDa filters and analysed using SDS-PAGE. Three prominent protein bands from the SDS gel were excised and identified by mass spectrometery. Furthermore, we assessed their proteolytic effect on casein and immunoglobulin M (IgM) of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and giant gourami (Osphronemus goramy). Antiprotease activity of the fish serum was also investigated. RESULTS BLASTp analysis revealed that the prominent secreted proteins were proteases, mainly of the serine and cysteine types. Proteins containing fascin-like domain and bromodomain were also identified. We could demonstrate that the secreted proteases showed proteolytic activity against the casein and the IgM of both fish species. The anti-protease activity experiment showed that the percent inhibition of the common carp serum was 94.2% while that of rainbow trout and giant gourami serum was 7.7 and 12.9%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS The identified proteases, especially serine proteases, could be the potential virulence factors in A. invadans and, hence, are candidates for further functional and host-pathogen interaction studies. The role of identified structural proteins in A. invadans also needs to be investigated further.
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Zhang J, Huang J, Zhu F, Zhang J. Differential gene expression in Anopheles stephensi following infection with drug-resistant Plasmodium yoelii. Parasit Vectors 2017; 10:401. [PMID: 28851458 PMCID: PMC5576267 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-017-2326-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2017] [Accepted: 08/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The transmission of drug-resistant parasites by the mosquito may be influenced by the altered biological fitness of drug-resistant parasites and different immune reactions or metabolic change in the mosquito. At this point, little is known about the variations in mosquito immunity and metabolism when mosquitoes are infected with drug-resistant parasites. To understand the differential gene expression in Anopheles following infection with drug-resistant Plasmodium, we conducted a genome-wide transcriptomic profiling analysis of Anopheles stephensi following feeding on mice with drug-resistant or drug-sensitive P. yoelii, observed changes in gene expression profiles and identified transcripts affected by the drug-resistant parasite. RESULTS To study the impact of drug-resistant Plasmodium infections on An. stephensi gene transcription, we analyzed the three major transition stages of Plasmodium infections: at 24 h and 13 and 19 days after blood-feeding. Six cDNA libraries (R-As24h, R-As13d, R-As19d,S-As24h, S-As13dand S-As19d) were constructed, and RNA sequencing was subsequently performed. In total, approximately 50.1 million raw reads, 47.9 million clean reads and 7.18G clean bases were obtained. Following differentially expressed gene (DEG) analysis, GO enrichment analysis of DEGs, and functional classification by KEGG, we showed that the variations in gene expression in An. stephensi infected by the drug-resistant P. yoelii NSM occurred mainly at 13 days after blood meal during sporozoite migration through the hemolymph. The differentially expressed genes included those functioning in some important immune reaction and iron metabolism pathways, such as pattern recognition receptors, regulators of the JNK pathway, components of the phagosome pathway, regulators of the melanization response, activators of complement reactions, insulin signaling cascade members, oxidative stress and detoxification proteins. CONCLUSIONS Our study shows that drug-resistant P. yoelii NSM has an impact on the transcript abundance levels of An.stephensi mostly at 13 days after blood meal during sporozoite migration through the hemolymph and that most differentially expressed genes were downregulated. Our results highlight the need for a better understanding of selective pressures from these differentially expressed genes of the drug-resistant Plasmodium in the mosquito and the different transmission patterns of drug-resistant Plasmodium by Anopheles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingru Zhang
- Department of Pathobiology, the Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiacheng Huang
- Students brigade 5, The Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, People's Republic of China
| | - Feng Zhu
- Department of Pathobiology, the Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, People's Republic of China
| | - Jian Zhang
- Department of Pathobiology, the Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, People's Republic of China.
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