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Góralska K, Szybka M, Karuga FF, Pastuszak-Lewandoska D, Brzeziańska-Lasota E. Acquired resistance or tolerance? - in search of mechanisms underlying changes in the resistance profile of Candida albicans and Candida parapsilosis as a result of exposure to methotrexate. J Mycol Med 2024; 34:101476. [PMID: 38507825 DOI: 10.1016/j.mycmed.2024.101476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2024] [Revised: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
The increasing prevalence of fungal strains showing acquired resistance and multidrug resistance is an increasing therapeutic problem, especially in patients with a severely weakened immune system and undergoing chemotherapy. What is also extremely disturbing is the similarity of the resistance mechanisms of fungal cells and other eukaryotic cells, including human cells, which may contribute to the development of cross-resistance in fungi in response to substances used in e.g. anticancer treatment. An example of such a drug is methotrexate, which is pumped out of eukaryotic cells by ABC transmembrane transporters - in fungi, used to remove azoles from fungal cells. For this reason, the aim of the study was to analyze the expression levels of genes: ERG11, MDR1 and CDR1, potentially responsible for the occurrence of cross-resistance in Candida albicans and Candida parapsilosis as a result of fungal exposure to methotrexate (MTX). In vitro exposure of C. albicans and C. parapsilosis strains to methotrexate showed a high increase in resistance to fluconazole and a partial increase in resistance to voriconazole. Analysis of the expression of resistance genes showed varied responses of the tested strains depending on the species. In the case of C. albicans, an increase in the expression of the MDR1 gene was observed, and a decrease in ERG11 and CDR1. However, for C. parapsilosis there was an increase in the expression of the CDR1 gene and a decrease in ERG11 and MDR1. We noted the relationship between the level of resistance to voriconazole and the level of ERG11 gene expression in C. albicans. This indicates that this type of relationship is different for each species. Our research confirms that the mechanisms by which fungi acquire resistance and develop cross-resistance are highly complex and most likely involve several pathways simultaneously. The emergence of multidrug resistance may be related to the possibility of developing tolerance to antimycotics by fungi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Góralska
- Department of Biology and Parasitology, Chair of Biology and Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Lodz. Żeligowskiego Street 7/9 90-752 Lodz, Poland.
| | - Małgorzata Szybka
- Department of Microbiology and Medical Laboratory Immunology, Chair of Biology and Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Lodz. Pomorska Street 251 (Building C5) 92-213 Lodz, Poland
| | - Filip Franciszek Karuga
- Department of Biology and Parasitology, Chair of Biology and Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Lodz. Żeligowskiego Street 7/9 90-752 Lodz, Poland; Department of Sleep Medicine and Metabolic Disorders, Medical University of Lodz, 90-419 Lodz, Poland
| | - Dorota Pastuszak-Lewandoska
- Department of Microbiology and Medical Laboratory Immunology, Chair of Biology and Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Lodz. Pomorska Street 251 (Building C5) 92-213 Lodz, Poland
| | - Ewa Brzeziańska-Lasota
- Department of Biomedicine and Genetics, Chair of Biology and Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Lodz. Mazowiecka Street 5 (Building A6) 92-215 Lodz, Poland
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Rouleau FD, Dubé AK, Gagnon-Arsenault I, Dibyachintan S, Pageau A, Després PC, Lagüe P, Landry CR. Deep mutational scanning of Pneumocystis jirovecii dihydrofolate reductase reveals allosteric mechanism of resistance to an antifolate. PLoS Genet 2024; 20:e1011252. [PMID: 38683847 PMCID: PMC11125491 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1011252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Revised: 05/24/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Pneumocystis jirovecii is a fungal pathogen that causes pneumocystis pneumonia, a disease that mainly affects immunocompromised individuals. This fungus has historically been hard to study because of our inability to grow it in vitro. One of the main drug targets in P. jirovecii is its dihydrofolate reductase (PjDHFR). Here, by using functional complementation of the baker's yeast ortholog, we show that PjDHFR can be inhibited by the antifolate methotrexate in a dose-dependent manner. Using deep mutational scanning of PjDHFR, we identify mutations conferring resistance to methotrexate. Thirty-one sites spanning the protein have at least one mutation that leads to resistance, for a total of 355 high-confidence resistance mutations. Most resistance-inducing mutations are found inside the active site, and many are structurally equivalent to mutations known to lead to resistance to different antifolates in other organisms. Some sites show specific resistance mutations, where only a single substitution confers resistance, whereas others are more permissive, as several substitutions at these sites confer resistance. Surprisingly, one of the permissive sites (F199) is without direct contact to either ligand or cofactor, suggesting that it acts through an allosteric mechanism. Modeling changes in binding energy between F199 mutants and drug shows that most mutations destabilize interactions between the protein and the drug. This evidence points towards a more important role of this position in resistance than previously estimated and highlights potential unknown allosteric mechanisms of resistance to antifolate in DHFRs. Our results offer unprecedented resources for the interpretation of mutation effects in the main drug target of an uncultivable fungal pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francois D. Rouleau
- Institut de Biologie Intégrative et des Systèmes (IBIS), Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada
- Département de Biochimie, de Microbiologie et de Bio-Informatique, Faculté des Sciences et de Génie, Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada
- Regroupement Québécois de recherche sur la fonction, la structure et l’ingénierie des protéines (PROTEO), Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Centre de recherche en données massives de l’Université Laval (CRDM_UL), Québec, Québec, Canada
| | - Alexandre K. Dubé
- Institut de Biologie Intégrative et des Systèmes (IBIS), Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada
- Département de Biochimie, de Microbiologie et de Bio-Informatique, Faculté des Sciences et de Génie, Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada
- Regroupement Québécois de recherche sur la fonction, la structure et l’ingénierie des protéines (PROTEO), Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Département de Biologie, Faculté des Sciences et de Génie, Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada
| | - Isabelle Gagnon-Arsenault
- Institut de Biologie Intégrative et des Systèmes (IBIS), Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada
- Département de Biochimie, de Microbiologie et de Bio-Informatique, Faculté des Sciences et de Génie, Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada
- Regroupement Québécois de recherche sur la fonction, la structure et l’ingénierie des protéines (PROTEO), Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Département de Biologie, Faculté des Sciences et de Génie, Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada
| | - Soham Dibyachintan
- Institut de Biologie Intégrative et des Systèmes (IBIS), Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada
- Département de Biochimie, de Microbiologie et de Bio-Informatique, Faculté des Sciences et de Génie, Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada
- Regroupement Québécois de recherche sur la fonction, la structure et l’ingénierie des protéines (PROTEO), Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Centre de recherche en données massives de l’Université Laval (CRDM_UL), Québec, Québec, Canada
| | - Alicia Pageau
- Institut de Biologie Intégrative et des Systèmes (IBIS), Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada
- Département de Biochimie, de Microbiologie et de Bio-Informatique, Faculté des Sciences et de Génie, Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada
- Regroupement Québécois de recherche sur la fonction, la structure et l’ingénierie des protéines (PROTEO), Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Centre de recherche en données massives de l’Université Laval (CRDM_UL), Québec, Québec, Canada
| | - Philippe C. Després
- Institut de Biologie Intégrative et des Systèmes (IBIS), Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada
- Département de Biochimie, de Microbiologie et de Bio-Informatique, Faculté des Sciences et de Génie, Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada
- Regroupement Québécois de recherche sur la fonction, la structure et l’ingénierie des protéines (PROTEO), Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Centre de recherche en données massives de l’Université Laval (CRDM_UL), Québec, Québec, Canada
| | - Patrick Lagüe
- Institut de Biologie Intégrative et des Systèmes (IBIS), Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada
- Département de Biochimie, de Microbiologie et de Bio-Informatique, Faculté des Sciences et de Génie, Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada
- Regroupement Québécois de recherche sur la fonction, la structure et l’ingénierie des protéines (PROTEO), Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Centre de recherche en données massives de l’Université Laval (CRDM_UL), Québec, Québec, Canada
| | - Christian R. Landry
- Institut de Biologie Intégrative et des Systèmes (IBIS), Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada
- Département de Biochimie, de Microbiologie et de Bio-Informatique, Faculté des Sciences et de Génie, Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada
- Regroupement Québécois de recherche sur la fonction, la structure et l’ingénierie des protéines (PROTEO), Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Centre de recherche en données massives de l’Université Laval (CRDM_UL), Québec, Québec, Canada
- Département de Biologie, Faculté des Sciences et de Génie, Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada
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Zhu Z, Chen C, Zhang J, Lai F, Feng J, Wu G, Xia J, Zhang W, Han Z, Zhang C, Yang Q, Wang Y, Liu B, Li T, Wu S. Exploration and Biological Evaluation of 1,3-Diamino-7 H-pyrrol[3,2- f]quinazoline Derivatives as Dihydrofolate Reductase Inhibitors. J Med Chem 2023; 66:13946-13967. [PMID: 37698518 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c00891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/13/2023]
Abstract
Dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR), a core enzyme of folate metabolism, plays a crucial role in the biosynthesis of purines and thymidylate for cell proliferation and growth in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. However, the development of new DHFR inhibitors is challenging due to the limited number of scaffolds available for drug development. Hence, we designed and synthesized a new class of DHFR inhibitors with a 1,3-diamino-7H-pyrrol[3,2-f]quinazoline derivative (PQD) structure bearing condensed rings. Compound 6r exhibited therapeutic effects on mouse models of systemic infection and thigh infection caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) ATCC 43300. Moreover, methyl-modified PQD compound 8a showed a strong efficacy in a murine model of breast cancer, which was better than the effects of taxol. The findings showcased in this study highlight the promising capabilities of novel DHFR inhibitors in addressing bacterial infections as well as breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zihao Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Department of New Drug Research and Development, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Cantong Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Department of New Drug Research and Development, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Jie Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Department of New Drug Research and Development, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Fangfang Lai
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Department of New Drug Research and Development, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Jing Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Department of New Drug Research and Development, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Guangxu Wu
- Department of Pharmacy, The People Hospital of Liupanshui City, Guizhou, Liupanshui 553000, China
| | - Jie Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Department of New Drug Research and Development, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Wenxuan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Department of New Drug Research and Development, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Zunsheng Han
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Department of New Drug Research and Development, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Chi Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Department of New Drug Research and Development, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Qingyun Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Department of New Drug Research and Development, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Yuchen Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Department of New Drug Research and Development, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Bo Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Department of New Drug Research and Development, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Tianlei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Department of New Drug Research and Development, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Song Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Department of New Drug Research and Development, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
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4
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David H, Solomon AP. Molecular association of Candida albicans and vulvovaginal candidiasis: focusing on a solution. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1245808. [PMID: 37900321 PMCID: PMC10611527 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1245808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Candida albicans-mediated vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is a significant challenge in clinical settings, owing to the inefficacy of current antifungals in modulating virulence, development of resistance, and poor penetration into the biofilm matrix. Various predisposition factors are molecular drivers that lead to the dysbiosis of normal microflora of the vagina, upregulation of central metabolic pathways, morphogenesis, hyphal extension, adhesion, invasion, and biofilm formation leading to chronic infection and recurrence. Hence, it is crucial to understand the molecular mechanism behind the virulence pathways driven by those drivers to decode the drug targets. Finding innovative solutions targeting fungal virulence/biofilm may potentiate the antifungals at low concentrations without affecting the recurrence of resistance. With this background, the present review details the critical molecular drivers and associated network of virulence pathways, possible drug targets, target-specific inhibitors, and probable mode of drug delivery to cross the preclinical phase by appropriate in vivo models.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Adline Princy Solomon
- Quorum Sensing Laboratory, Centre for Research in Infectious Diseases (CRID), School of Chemical and Biotechnology, SASTRA Deemed to be University, Thanjavur, India
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5
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Scott J, Amich J. The role of methionine synthases in fungal metabolism and virulence. Essays Biochem 2023; 67:853-863. [PMID: 37449444 DOI: 10.1042/ebc20230007] [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: 05/25/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Methionine synthases (MetH) catalyse the methylation of homocysteine (Hcy) with 5-methyl-tetrahydrofolate (5, methyl-THF) acting as methyl donor, to form methionine (Met) and tetrahydrofolate (THF). This function is performed by two unrelated classes of enzymes that differ significantly in both their structures and mechanisms of action. The genomes of plants and many fungi exclusively encode cobalamin-independent enzymes (EC.2.1.1.14), while some fungi also possess proteins from the cobalamin-dependent (EC.2.1.1.13) family utilised by humans. Methionine synthase's function connects the methionine and folate cycles, making it a crucial node in primary metabolism, with impacts on important cellular processes such as anabolism, growth and synthesis of proteins, polyamines, nucleotides and lipids. As a result, MetHs are vital for the viability or virulence of numerous prominent human and plant pathogenic fungi and have been proposed as promising broad-spectrum antifungal drug targets. This review provides a summary of the relevance of methionine synthases to fungal metabolism, their potential as antifungal drug targets and insights into the structures of both classes of MetH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Scott
- Manchester Fungal Infection Group, Division of Evolution, Infection, and Genomics, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Jorge Amich
- Manchester Fungal Infection Group, Division of Evolution, Infection, and Genomics, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
- Mycology Reference Laboratory (Laboratorio de Referencia e Investigación en Micología [LRIM]), National Centre for Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
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Cetin E, Guclu TF, Kantarcioglu I, Gaszek IK, Toprak E, Atilgan AR, Dedeoglu B, Atilgan C. Kinetic Barrier to Enzyme Inhibition Is Manipulated by Dynamical Local Interactions in E. coli DHFR. J Chem Inf Model 2023; 63:4839-4849. [PMID: 37491825 PMCID: PMC10428214 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.3c00818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/27/2023]
Abstract
Dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) is an important drug target and a highly studied model protein for understanding enzyme dynamics. DHFR's crucial role in folate synthesis renders it an ideal candidate to understand protein function and protein evolution mechanisms. In this study, to understand how a newly proposed DHFR inhibitor, 4'-deoxy methyl trimethoprim (4'-DTMP), alters evolutionary trajectories, we studied interactions that lead to its superior performance over that of trimethoprim (TMP). To elucidate the inhibition mechanism of 4'-DTMP, we first confirmed, both computationally and experimentally, that the relative binding free energy cost for the mutation of TMP and 4'-DTMP is the same, pointing the origin of the characteristic differences to be kinetic rather than thermodynamic. We then employed an interaction-based analysis by focusing first on the active site and then on the whole enzyme. We confirmed that the polar modification in 4'-DTMP induces additional local interactions with the enzyme, particularly, the M20 loop. These changes are propagated to the whole enzyme as shifts in the hydrogen bond networks. To shed light on the allosteric interactions, we support our analysis with network-based community analysis and show that segmentation of the loop domain of inhibitor-bound DHFR must be avoided by a successful inhibitor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ebru Cetin
- Faculty
of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Sabanci
University, Tuzla 34956, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Tandac F. Guclu
- Faculty
of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Sabanci
University, Tuzla 34956, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Isik Kantarcioglu
- Faculty
of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Sabanci
University, Tuzla 34956, Istanbul, Turkey
- Department
of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern
Medical Center, Dallas 75390, Texas, United States
| | - Ilona K. Gaszek
- Department
of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern
Medical Center, Dallas 75390, Texas, United States
| | - Erdal Toprak
- Department
of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern
Medical Center, Dallas 75390, Texas, United States
| | - Ali Rana Atilgan
- Faculty
of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Sabanci
University, Tuzla 34956, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Burcu Dedeoglu
- Department
of Chemistry, Gebze Technical University, Gebze 41400, Kocaeli, Turkey
| | - Canan Atilgan
- Faculty
of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Sabanci
University, Tuzla 34956, Istanbul, Turkey
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Rua M, Simón JA, Collantes M, Ecay M, Leiva J, Carmona-Torre F, Ramos R, Pareja F, Pulagam KR, Llop J, Del Pozo JL, Peñuelas I. Infection-specific PET imaging with 18F-fluorodeoxysorbitol and 2-[ 18F]F-ρ-aminobenzoic acid: An extended diagnostic tool for bacterial and fungal diseases. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1094929. [PMID: 36760503 PMCID: PMC9905739 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1094929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Suspected infectious diseases located in difficult-to-access sites can be challenging due to the need for invasive procedures to isolate the etiological agent. Positron emission tomography (PET) is a non-invasive imaging technology that can help locate the infection site. The most widely used radiotracer for PET imaging (2-deoxy-2[18F] fluoro-D-glucose: [18F]FDG) shows uptake in both infected and sterile inflammation. Therefore, there is a need to develop new radiotracers able to specifically detect microorganisms. Methods We tested two specific radiotracers: 2-deoxy-2-[18F]-fluoro-D-sorbitol ([18F]FDS) and 2-[18F]F-ρ-aminobenzoic acid ([18F]FPABA), and also developed a simplified alternative of the latter for automated synthesis. Clinical and reference isolates of bacterial and yeast species (19 different strains in all) were tested in vitro and in an experimental mouse model of myositis infection. Results and discussion Non-lactose fermenters (Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia) were unable to take up [18F]FDG in vitro. [18F]FDS PET was able to visualize Enterobacterales myositis infection (i.e., Escherichia coli) and to differentiate between yeasts with differential assimilation of sorbitol (i.e., Candida albicans vs. Candida glabrata). All bacteria and yeasts tested were detected in vitro by [18F]FPABA. Furthermore, [18F]FPABA was able to distinguish between inflammation and infection in the myositis mouse model (E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus) and could be used as a probe for a wide variety of bacterial and fungal species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Rua
- Clinical Microbiology Laboratory, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain,Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Jon Ander Simón
- Radiopharmacy Unit, Department of Nuclear Medicine, Clinica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - María Collantes
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Spain,Translational Molecular Imaging Unit, Department of Nuclear Medicine, Clinica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain,*Correspondence: María Collantes, ✉
| | - Margarita Ecay
- Translational Molecular Imaging Unit, Department of Nuclear Medicine, Clinica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - José Leiva
- Clinical Microbiology Laboratory, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain,Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Francisco Carmona-Torre
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Spain,Infectious Diseases Division, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Rocío Ramos
- Radiopharmacy Unit, Department of Nuclear Medicine, Clinica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Félix Pareja
- Radiopharmacy Unit, Department of Nuclear Medicine, Clinica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Krishna R. Pulagam
- Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), CIC BiomaGUNE, San Sebastián, Spain
| | - Jordi Llop
- Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), CIC BiomaGUNE, San Sebastián, Spain
| | - José Luis Del Pozo
- Clinical Microbiology Laboratory, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain,Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Spain,Infectious Diseases Division, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Iván Peñuelas
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Spain,Radiopharmacy Unit, Department of Nuclear Medicine, Clinica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain,Translational Molecular Imaging Unit, Department of Nuclear Medicine, Clinica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
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8
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In Vivo Antifungal Activity and Computational Studies of Some Azole Derivatives against Candida Albicans. J CHEM-NY 2023. [DOI: 10.1155/2023/7834474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Resistance of Candida species is a major problem in the management of Candida infection. This study investigated in vivo antifungal activities of several new imidazole and triazole derivatives in a C. albicans systemic infection. The efficacy of derivatives was determined against systemic infection by C. albicans in mice with cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression, and the antifungal activities of the synthesized compounds were evaluated in comparison with fluconazole. Compounds 3 and 8 had the highest efficacy with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of 0.5–1 μM against the C. albicans pathogen. In vivo activities in immunosuppressed mice were also greater than fluconazole. Furthermore, docking analysis was carried out to know the binding mode of imidazole and triazole derivatives to the CYP51 active site of C. albicans and dihydrofolate reductase as a valid antifungal target. The docking study found that the antifungal results are well correlated with docking results. ADMET and in silico physicochemical parameters were also performed. This study demonstrates that compounds 3 and 8 are potential antifungal candidates against the C. albicans pathogen.
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9
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Mujwar S, Tripathi A. Repurposing benzbromarone as antifolate to develop novel antifungal therapy for Candida albicans. J Mol Model 2022; 28:193. [PMID: 35716240 PMCID: PMC9206073 DOI: 10.1007/s00894-022-05185-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Fungal infections in humans are responsible for mild to severe infections resulting in systemic effects that cause a large amount of mortality. Invasive fungal infections are having similar symptomatic effects to those of COVID-19. The COVID-19 patients are immunocompromised in nature and have a high probability of developing severe fungal infections, resulting in the development of further complications. The existing antifungal therapy has associated problems related to the development of drug resistance, being sub-potent in nature, and the presence of undesirable toxic effects. The fungal dihydrofolate reductase is an essential enzyme involved in the absorption of dietary folic acid and its conversion into tetrahydrofolate, which is a coenzyme required for the biosynthesis of the fungal nucleotides. Thus, in the current study, an attempt has been made to identify potential folate inhibitors of Candida albicans by a computational drug repurposing approach. Based upon the molecular docking simulation-based virtual screening followed by the molecular dynamic simulation of the macromolecular complex, benzbromarone has been identified as a potential anti-folate agent for the development of a novel therapy for the treatment of candidiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Somdutt Mujwar
- M.M. College of Pharmacy, Maharishi Markandeshwar University, Mullana-133207 Haryana, India.
| | - Avanish Tripathi
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Research, GLA University, Mathura, 281406, Uttar Pradesh, India
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Lim W, Verbon A, van de Sande W. Identifying novel drugs with new modes of action for neglected tropical fungal skin diseases (fungal skinNTDs) using an Open Source Drug discovery approach. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2022; 17:641-659. [PMID: 35612364 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2022.2080195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The three fungal skin neglected tropical diseases (NTD) mycetoma, chromoblastomycosis and sporotrichosis currently lack prioritization and support to establish drug discovery programs in search for novel treatment options. This has made the efforts to identify novel drugs for these skinNTDs fragmented. AREAS COVERED To help escalate the discovery of novel drugs to treat these fungal skinNTDs, the authors have prepared an overview of the compounds with activity against fungal skinNTDs by analyzing data from individual drug discovery studies including those performed on the Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV) open access boxes. EXPERT OPINION The authors were unable to identify studies in which causative agents of all three skinNTDs were included, indicating that an integrated approach is currently lacking. From the currently available data, the azoles and iodoquinol were the only compounds with activity against causative agents from the three different fungal skinNTDs. Fungal melanin inhibition enhanced the activity of antifungal agents. For mycetoma, the fenarimols, aminothiazoles and benzimidazole carbamates are currently being investigated in the MycetOS initiative. To come to a more integrated approach to identify drugs active against all three fungal skinNTDs, compounds made in the MycetOS initiative could also be explored for chromoblastomycosis and sporotrichosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wilson Lim
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Annelies Verbon
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Wendy van de Sande
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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Sureshan M, Rajamanikandan S, Srimari S, Prabhu D, Jeyakanthan J, Saraboji K. Designing specific inhibitors against dihydrofolate reductase of W. bancrofti towards drug discovery for lymphatic filariasis. Struct Chem 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s11224-022-01896-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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12
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Yang XQ, Bai LW, Chen Y, Lin YX, Xiang H, Xiang TT, Zhu SX, Zhou L, Li K, Lei X. Peptide probes with high affinity to target protein selection by phage display and characterization using biophysical approaches. NEW J CHEM 2022. [DOI: 10.1039/d2nj00621a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Herein, phage display was utilized to screen the affinity of peptides against dihydrofolate reductase and a positive peptide was obtained, and the verification of the affinity was tested by multiple in vitro biophysical methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Qin Yang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, South-Central Minzu University, Wuhan, 430074, P. R. China
| | - Li-Wen Bai
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, South-Central Minzu University, Wuhan, 430074, P. R. China
| | - Yu Chen
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, South-Central Minzu University, Wuhan, 430074, P. R. China
| | - Yue-Xiao Lin
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, South-Central Minzu University, Wuhan, 430074, P. R. China
| | - Hua Xiang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, South-Central Minzu University, Wuhan, 430074, P. R. China
| | - Ting-Ting Xiang
- College of Life Sciences, South-Central Minzu University, Wuhan, 430074, P. R. China
| | - Shuang-Xing Zhu
- College of Life Sciences, South-Central Minzu University, Wuhan, 430074, P. R. China
| | - Li Zhou
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, South-Central Minzu University, Wuhan, 430074, P. R. China
| | - Kai Li
- College of Life Sciences, South-Central Minzu University, Wuhan, 430074, P. R. China
| | - Xinxiang Lei
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, South-Central Minzu University, Wuhan, 430074, P. R. China
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Antibacterial, Antifungal, and Antioxidant Activities of Silver Nanoparticles Biosynthesized from Bauhinia tomentosa Linn. Antioxidants (Basel) 2021; 10:antiox10121959. [PMID: 34943062 PMCID: PMC8749995 DOI: 10.3390/antiox10121959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2021] [Revised: 12/04/2021] [Accepted: 12/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The biogenic synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) has a wide range of applications in the pharmaceutical industry. Here, we synthesized AgNPs using the aqueous flower extract of Bauhinia tomentosa Linn. Formation of AgNPs was observed using ultraviolet-visible light spectrophotometry at different time intervals. Maximum absorption was observed after 4 h at 420 nm due to the reduction of Ag+ to Ag0. The stabilizing activity of functional groups was identified by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. Size and surface morphology were also analyzed using scanning electron microscopy. The present study revealed the AgNPs were spherical in form with a diameter of 32 nm. The face-centered cubic structure of AgNPs was indexed using X-ray powder diffraction with peaks at 2θ = 37°, 49°, 63°, and 76° (corresponding to the planes of silver 111, 200, 220, 311), respectively. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy revealed that pure reduced silver (Ag0) was the major constituent (59.08%). Antimicrobial analyses showed that the biosynthesized AgNPs possess increased antibacterial activity (against Staphylococcus aureus (Gram-positive) and Escherichia coli (Gram-negative), with larger zone formation against S. aureus (9.25 mm) compared with that of E. coli (6.75 mm)) and antifungal activity (against Aspergillus flavus and Candida albican (with superior inhibition against A. flavus (zone of inhibition: 7 mm) compared with C. albicans (zone of inhibition: 5.75 mm)). Inhibition of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity was found to be dose-dependent with half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of 56.77 μg/mL and 43.03 μg/mL for AgNPs and ascorbic acid (control), respectively, thus confirming that silver nanoparticles have greater antioxidant activity than ascorbic acid. Molecular docking was used to determine the mode of antimicrobial interaction of our biosynthesized B. tomentosa Linn flower-powder extract-derived AgNPs. The biogenic AgNPs preferred hydrophobic contacts to inhibit bacterial and fungal sustainability with reducing antioxidant properties, suggesting that biogenic AgNPs can serve as effective medicinal agents.
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El-Shershaby MH, El-Gamal KM, Bayoumi AH, El-Adl K, Alswah M, Ahmed HEA, Al-Karmalamy AA, Abulkhair HS. The antimicrobial potential and pharmacokinetic profiles of novel quinoline-based scaffolds: synthesis and in silico mechanistic studies as dual DNA gyrase and DHFR inhibitors. NEW J CHEM 2021. [DOI: 10.1039/d1nj02838c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The resistance of pathogenic microbes to currently available antimicrobial agents has been considered a global alarming concern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed H. El-Shershaby
- Pharmaceutical Organic Chemistry Department
- Faculty of Pharmacy
- Al-Azhar University
- Nasr City 11884
- Egypt
| | - Kamal M. El-Gamal
- Pharmaceutical Organic Chemistry Department
- Faculty of Pharmacy
- Al-Azhar University
- Nasr City 11884
- Egypt
| | - Ashraf H. Bayoumi
- Pharmaceutical Organic Chemistry Department
- Faculty of Pharmacy
- Al-Azhar University
- Nasr City 11884
- Egypt
| | - Khaled El-Adl
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design
- Faculty of Pharmacy
- Al-Azhar University
- Cairo
- Egypt
| | - Mohamed Alswah
- Pharmaceutical Organic Chemistry Department
- Faculty of Pharmacy
- Al-Azhar University
- Nasr City 11884
- Egypt
| | - Hany E. A. Ahmed
- Pharmaceutical Organic Chemistry Department
- Faculty of Pharmacy
- Al-Azhar University
- Nasr City 11884
- Egypt
| | - Ahmed A. Al-Karmalamy
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry Department
- Faculty of Pharmacy
- Horus University - Egypt
- New Damietta
- Egypt
| | - Hamada S. Abulkhair
- Pharmaceutical Organic Chemistry Department
- Faculty of Pharmacy
- Al-Azhar University
- Nasr City 11884
- Egypt
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