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Jain A, Sharma R, Gautam L, Shrivastava P, Singh KK, Vyas SP. Biomolecular interactions between Plasmodium and human host: A basis of targeted antimalarial therapy. ANNALES PHARMACEUTIQUES FRANÇAISES 2024; 82:401-419. [PMID: 38519002 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharma.2024.03.005] [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: 12/17/2023] [Revised: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/24/2024]
Abstract
Malaria is one of the serious health concerns worldwide as it remains a clinical challenge due to the complex life cycle of the malaria parasite and the morphological changes it undergoes during infection. The malaria parasite multiplies rapidly and spreads in the population by changing its alternative hosts. These various morphological stages of the parasite in the human host cause clinical symptoms (anemia, fever, and coma). These symptoms arise due to the preprogrammed biology of the parasite in response to the human pathophysiological response. Thus, complete elimination becomes one of the major health challenges. Although malaria vaccine(s) are available in the market, they still contain to cause high morbidity and mortality. Therefore, an approach for eradication is needed through the exploration of novel molecular targets by tracking the epidemiological changes the parasite adopts. This review focuses on the various novel molecular targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anamika Jain
- Drug Delivery and Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Dr. Harisingh Gour University, Sagar, M.P., 470003, India
| | - Rajeev Sharma
- Amity Institute of Pharmacy, Amity University Madhya Pradesh, Gwalior, M.P., 474005, India.
| | - Laxmikant Gautam
- Babulal Tarabai Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, Sagar, M.P., 470228, India
| | - Priya Shrivastava
- Drug Delivery and Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Dr. Harisingh Gour University, Sagar, M.P., 470003, India
| | - Kamalinder K Singh
- School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Lancashire, Preston PR1 2HE, United Kingdom
| | - Suresh P Vyas
- Drug Delivery and Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Dr. Harisingh Gour University, Sagar, M.P., 470003, India.
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Pradhan D, Biswasroy P, Kulkarni S, Taliyan R, Pradhan DK, Bhola RK, Mahapatra S, Ghosh G, Rath G. Identification of starvation-mimetic bioactive phytocomponent from Withania somnifera using in-silico molecular modelling and flow cytometry-based analysis for the management of malaria. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2024; 42:528-549. [PMID: 37087726 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2023.2201855] [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: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 04/24/2023]
Abstract
Multidrug resistance episodes in malaria increased from 3.9% to 20% from 2015 to 2019. Synchronizing the clinical manifestation in chronological sequence led to a unique impression on glucose demand (increased up to 100-fold) by the parasite-infected RBCs. Hence, restriction in the glucose uptake to parasite-infected RBCs could be an alternative approach to conquer the global burden of malaria to a greater extent. A C28 steroidal lactone Withaferin A (WS-3) isolated from Withania somnifera leave extract shows better thermodynamically stable interactions with the glucose transporters (GLUT-1 and PfHT) to standard drugs metformin and lopinavir. MD simulations for a trajectory period of 100 ns reflect stable interactions with the interactive amino acid residues such as Pro141, Gln161, Gln282, Gln283, Trp388, Phe389, and Phe40, Asn48, Phe85, His168, Gln169, Asn311 which potentiating inhibitory activity of WS-3 against GLUT-1 and PfHT respectively. WS-3 was non-hemotoxic (%hemolysis <5%) for a high concentration of up to 1 mg/ml in the physiological milieu. However, the %hemolysis significantly increased up to 30.55 ± 0.929% in a parasitophorous simulated environment (pH 5.0). Increased hemolysis of WS-3 could be due to the production of ROS in an acidic environment. Further, the inhibitory activity of WS-3 against both glucose transporters was supported with flow cytometry-based analysis of parasite-infected RBCs. Results show that WS-3 has low mean fluorescence intensities for both target proteins compared to conventional drugs, suggesting a potential sugar transporter inhibitor against GLUT-1 and PfHT for managing malaria. Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deepak Pradhan
- Department of Herbal Nanotechnology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Siksha O Anusandhan (Deemed to be University), Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
- R and D Division, Ixoreal Biomed. Pvt. Ltd, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
| | - Prativa Biswasroy
- Department of Herbal Nanotechnology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Siksha O Anusandhan (Deemed to be University), Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
| | | | - Rajiv Taliyan
- Department of Pharmacy, BITS Pilani, Pilani, Rajasthan, India
| | - Dilip Kumar Pradhan
- Department of Medicine, Pandit Raghunath Murmu Medical College & Hospital, Baripada, Odisha, India
| | - Rajesh Kumar Bhola
- Department of Hematology, Institute of Medical Sciences and Sum Hospital, Siksha O Anusandhan (Deemed to be University), Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
| | - Sonali Mahapatra
- Department of Biological Systems Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Goutam Ghosh
- Department of Herbal Nanotechnology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Siksha O Anusandhan (Deemed to be University), Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
| | - Goutam Rath
- Department of Herbal Nanotechnology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Siksha O Anusandhan (Deemed to be University), Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
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Assawapanumat W, Roobsoong W, Chotivanich K, Sattabongkot J, Kampaengtip A, Sungkarat W, Sunintaboon P, Nasongkla N. In Vitro Tracking of Sporozoites via Fluorescence Imaging and MRI Using Multifunctional Micelles. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2023; 6:5324-5332. [PMID: 38039355 DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.3c00596] [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] [Indexed: 12/03/2023]
Abstract
Early detection could increase the treatment efficiency and prevent the recurrence of malaria disease. To track and detect malarial sporozoites, novel drug delivery systems have been explored for their ability to target these parasites specifically. This study investigates the potential of micelles to track Plasmodium vivax by targeting the Plasmodium vivax hexose transporter using glucose-based interactions. In vitro experiments were conducted using glucose/SPIO/Nile red (targeted) micelles and methoxy/SPIO/Nile red (nontargeted) micelles, revealing that the targeted micelles exhibited stronger fluorescence with the sporozoites and higher relative R2* values compared to the nontargeted micelles. These findings suggest that targeted micelles could be used for the specific detection of Plasmodium sporozoites using fluorescence imaging and MRI techniques, offering a promising approach for efficient malaria parasite detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wirat Assawapanumat
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom 73170, Thailand
| | - Wanlapa Roobsoong
- Mahidol Vivax Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Kesinee Chotivanich
- Department of Clinical Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Jetsumon Sattabongkot
- Mahidol Vivax Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Adun Kampaengtip
- Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Witaya Sungkarat
- Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
- Faculty of Health Science Technology, Chulabhorn Royal Academy, Bangkok 10210, Thailand
| | - Panya Sunintaboon
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom 73170, Thailand
| | - Norased Nasongkla
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom 73170, Thailand
- Department of Chemistry and Center of Excellence for Innovation in Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
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Bhide AR, Surve DH, Jindal AB. Nanocarrier based active targeting strategies against erythrocytic stage of malaria. J Control Release 2023; 362:297-308. [PMID: 37625598 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2023.08.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2023] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023]
Abstract
The Global Technical Strategy for Malaria 2016-2030 aims to achieve a 90% reduction in malaria cases, and strategic planning and execution are crucial for accomplishing this target. This review aims to understand the complex interaction between erythrocytic receptors and parasites and to use this knowledge to actively target the erythrocytic stage of malaria. The review provides insight into the malaria life cycle, which involves various receptors such as glycophorin A, B, C, and D (GPA/B/C/D), complement receptor 1, basigin, semaphorin 7a, Band 3/ GPA, Kx, and heparan sulfate proteoglycan for parasite cellular binding and ingress in the erythrocytic and exo-erythrocytic stages. Synthetic peptides mimicking P. falciparum receptor binding ligands, human serum albumin, chondroitin sulfate, synthetic polymers, and lipids have been utilized as ligands and decorated onto nanocarriers for specific targeting to parasite-infected erythrocytes. The need of the hour for treatment and prophylaxis against malaria is a broadened horizon that includes multiple targeting strategies against the entry, proliferation, and transmission stages of the parasite. Platform technologies with established pre-clinical safety and efficacy should be translated into clinical evaluation and formulation scale-up. Future development should be directed towards nanovaccines as proactive tools against malaria infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atharva R Bhide
- Department of Pharmacy, Birla Institute of Technology and Science Pilani, Pilani Campus, Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan 333031, India
| | - Dhanashree H Surve
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, United States
| | - Anil B Jindal
- Department of Pharmacy, Birla Institute of Technology and Science Pilani, Pilani Campus, Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan 333031, India.
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Singh K, Tripathi RP. Carbohydrate derivatives fight against malaria parasite as anti-plasmodial agents. Carbohydr Res 2023; 531:108887. [PMID: 37399772 DOI: 10.1016/j.carres.2023.108887] [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: 03/15/2023] [Revised: 06/04/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/05/2023]
Abstract
Malaria, a prevalent fatal disease around the world is caused by Plasmodium sp. and is transmitted by the bite of female Anopheles mosquito. It is leading cause of death in this century among most infectious diseases. Drug resistance was reported for almost every front-line drug against the deadliest species of the malarial parasite, i.e., Plasmodium falciparum. In the evolutionary arms race between parasite and existing arsenals of drugs new molecules having novel mechanism of action is urgently needed to overcome the drug resistance. In this review, we have discussed the importance of carbohydrate derivatives of different class of compounds as possible antimalarials with emphasis on mode of action, rational design, and SAR with improved efficacy. Carbohydrate-protein interactions are increasingly important for medicinal chemists and chemical biologists to understand the pathogenicity of the parasite. Less is known about the carbohydrate-protein interactions and pathogenicity in the Plasmodium parasite. With the increased knowledge on protein-sugar interaction and glycomics of Plasmodium parasites, carbohydrate derivatives can surpass the existing biochemical pathways responsible for drug resistance. The new candidates with novel mode of action will prove to be a potent antimalarial drug candidate without any parasitic resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kartikey Singh
- Department of Chemistry, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, 48202, United States.
| | - Rama Pati Tripathi
- CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Sector 10, Jankipuram Extension, Sitapur Road, Lucknow, 226031, Uttar Pradesh, India.
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Krombauer GC, Guedes KDS, Banfi FF, Nunes RR, Fonseca ALD, Siqueira EPD, Bellei JCB, Scopel KKG, Varotti FDP, Sanchez BAM. In vitro and in silico assessment of new beta amino ketones with antiplasmodial activity. Rev Soc Bras Med Trop 2022; 55:e0590. [PMID: 36169491 PMCID: PMC9549944 DOI: 10.1590/0037-8682-0590-2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Based on the current need for new drugs against malaria, our study evaluated eight beta amino ketones in silico and in vitro for potential antimalarial activity. METHODS Using the Brazilian Malaria Molecular Targets (BraMMT) and OCTOPUS® software programs, the pattern of interactions of beta-amino ketones was described against different proteins of P. falciparum and screened to evaluate their physicochemical properties. The in vitro antiplasmodial activities of the compounds were evaluated using a SYBR Green-based assay. In parallel, in vitro cytotoxic data were obtained using the MTT assay. RESULTS Among the eight compounds, compound 1 was the most active and selective against P. falciparum (IC50 = 0.98 µM; SI > 60). Six targets were identified in BraMMT that interact with compounds exhibiting a stronger binding energy than the crystallographic ligand: P. falciparum triophosphate phosphoglycolate complex (1LYX), P. falciparum reductase (2OK8), PfPK7 (2PML), P. falciparum glutaredoxin (4N0Z), PfATP6, and PfHT. CONCLUSIONS The physicochemical properties of compound 1 were compatible with the set of criteria established by the Lipinski rule and demonstrated its potential as a drug prototype for antiplasmodial activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Camila Krombauer
- Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, Núcleo de Pesquisa e Apoio Didático em Saúde, Laboratório de Imunopatologia e Doenças Tropicais, Sinop, MT, Brasil
| | - Karla de Sena Guedes
- Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, Núcleo de Pesquisa e Apoio Didático em Saúde, Laboratório de Imunopatologia e Doenças Tropicais, Sinop, MT, Brasil
| | - Felipe Fingir Banfi
- Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, Núcleo de Pesquisa e Apoio Didático em Saúde, Laboratório de Imunopatologia e Doenças Tropicais, Sinop, MT, Brasil
| | - Renata Rachide Nunes
- Universidade Federal de São João Del Rei, Campus Centro Oeste, Núcleo de Pesquisa em Química Biológica (NQBio), Divinópolis, MG, Brasil
| | - Amanda Luisa da Fonseca
- Universidade Federal de São João Del Rei, Campus Centro Oeste, Núcleo de Pesquisa em Química Biológica (NQBio), Divinópolis, MG, Brasil
| | | | - Jéssica Côrrea Bezerra Bellei
- Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Centro de Pesquisas em Parasitologia, Departamento de Parasitologia, Microbiologia e Imunologia, Juiz de Fora, MG, Brasil
| | - Kézia Katiani Gorza Scopel
- Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Centro de Pesquisas em Parasitologia, Departamento de Parasitologia, Microbiologia e Imunologia, Juiz de Fora, MG, Brasil
| | - Fernando de Pilla Varotti
- Universidade Federal de São João Del Rei, Campus Centro Oeste, Núcleo de Pesquisa em Química Biológica (NQBio), Divinópolis, MG, Brasil
| | - Bruno Antônio Marinho Sanchez
- Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, Núcleo de Pesquisa e Apoio Didático em Saúde, Laboratório de Imunopatologia e Doenças Tropicais, Sinop, MT, Brasil
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7
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Jiang X. An overview of the Plasmodium falciparum hexose transporter and its therapeutic interventions. Proteins 2022; 90:1766-1778. [PMID: 35445447 PMCID: PMC9790349 DOI: 10.1002/prot.26351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Revised: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Despite intense elimination efforts, human malaria, caused by the infection of five Plasmodium species, remains the deadliest parasitic disease in the world. Even worse, with the emergence and spreading of the first-line drug-resistant Plasmodium parasites, therapeutic interventions based on novel plasmodial drug targets are more necessary than ever. Given that the blood-stage parasites primarily rely on glycolysis for their energy supply, blocking glucose uptake, the rate-limiting step of ATP generation, was considered a promising approach to kill these parasites. To achieve this goal, characterization of the plasmodial hexose transporter and development of selective inhibitors have been pursued for decades. Here, we review the identification and characterization of the Plasmodium falciparum hexose transporter (PfHT1) and summarize current advances in its inhibitor development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Jiang
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciencesthe University of New South WalesSydneyNew South Wales
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Mosavati B, Oleinikov A, Du E. 3D microfluidics-assisted modeling of glucose transport in placental malaria. Sci Rep 2022; 12:15278. [PMID: 36088464 PMCID: PMC9464215 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-19422-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
The human placenta is a critical organ, mediating the exchange of nutrients, oxygen, and waste products between fetus and mother. Placental malaria (PM) resulted from Plasmodium falciparum infections causes up to 200 thousand newborn deaths annually, mainly due to low birth weight, as well as 10 thousand mother deaths. In this work, a placenta-on-a-chip model is developed to mimic the nutrient exchange between the fetus and mother under the influence of PM. In this model, trophoblasts cells (facing infected or uninfected blood simulating maternal blood and termed “trophoblast side”) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (facing uninfected blood simulating fetal blood and termed “endothelial” side) are cultured on the opposite sides of an extracellular matrix gel in a compartmental microfluidic system, forming a physiological barrier between the co-flow tubular structure to mimic a simplified maternal–fetal interface in placental villi. The influences of infected erythrocytes (IEs) sequestration through cytoadhesion to chondroitin sulfate A (CSA) expressed on the surface of trophoblast cells, a critical feature of PM, on glucose transfer efficiency across the placental barrier was studied. To create glucose gradients across the barrier, uninfected erythrocyte or IE suspension with a higher glucose concentration was introduced into the “trophoblast side” and a culture medium with lower glucose concentration was introduced into the “endothelial side”. The glucose levels in the endothelial channel in response to CSA-adherent erythrocytes infected with CS2 line of parasites in trophoblast channel under flow conditions was monitored. Uninfected erythrocytes served as a negative control. The results demonstrated that CSA-binding IEs added resistance to the simulated placental barrier for glucose perfusion and decreased the glucose transfer across this barrier. The results of this study can be used for better understanding of PM pathology and development of models useful in studying potential treatment of PM.
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Abugri J, Ayariga J, Sunwiale SS, Wezena CA, Gyamfi JA, Adu-Frimpong M, Agongo G, Dongdem JT, Abugri D, Dinko B. Targeting the Plasmodium falciparum proteome and organelles for potential antimalarial drug candidates. Heliyon 2022; 8:e10390. [PMID: 36033316 PMCID: PMC9398786 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e10390] [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: 09/12/2021] [Revised: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
There is an unmet need to unearth alternative treatment options for malaria, wherein this quest is more pressing in recent times due to high morbidity and mortality data arising mostly from the endemic countries coupled with partial diversion of attention from the disease in view of the SARS-Cov-2 pandemic. Available therapeutic options for malaria have been severely threatened with the emergence of resistance to almost all the antimalarial drugs by the Plasmodium falciparum parasite in humans, which is a worrying situation. Artemisinin combination therapies (ACT) that have so far been the mainstay of malaria have encountered resistance by malaria parasite in South East Asia, which is regarded as a notorious ground zero for the emergence of resistance to antimalarial drugs. This review analyzes a few key druggable targets for the parasite and the potential of specific inhibitors to mitigate the emerging antimalarial drug resistance problem by providing a concise assessment of the essential proteins of the malaria parasite that could serve as targets. Moreover, this work provides a summary of the advances made in malaria parasite biology and the potential to leverage these findings for antimalarial drug production.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Abugri
- Department of Biochemistry and Forensic Sciences, School of Chemical and Biochemical Sciences, C. K. Tedam University of Technology and Applied Sciences (CKT-UTAS), Navrongo, Ghana
| | - Joseph Ayariga
- The Biomedical Engineering Programme, Alabama State University, Montgomery, AL, 36104, USA
| | - Samuel Sunyazi Sunwiale
- Department of Biochemistry and Forensic Sciences, School of Chemical and Biochemical Sciences, C. K. Tedam University of Technology and Applied Sciences (CKT-UTAS), Navrongo, Ghana
| | - Cletus Adiyaga Wezena
- Department of Microbiology, School of Biosciences, University for Development Studies (UDS), Nyankpala Campus, Tamale, Ghana
| | - Julien Agyemang Gyamfi
- Department of Biochemistry and Forensic Sciences, School of Chemical and Biochemical Sciences, C. K. Tedam University of Technology and Applied Sciences (CKT-UTAS), Navrongo, Ghana
| | - Michael Adu-Frimpong
- Department of Biochemistry and Forensic Sciences, School of Chemical and Biochemical Sciences, C. K. Tedam University of Technology and Applied Sciences (CKT-UTAS), Navrongo, Ghana
| | - Godfred Agongo
- Department of Biochemistry and Forensic Sciences, School of Chemical and Biochemical Sciences, C. K. Tedam University of Technology and Applied Sciences (CKT-UTAS), Navrongo, Ghana
| | - Julius Tieroyaare Dongdem
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine. School of Medicine. University for Development Studies (UDS), Tamale-Campus, Ghana
| | - Daniel Abugri
- Department of Biological Sciences, Microbiology PhD Programme, Laboratory of Ethnomedicine, Parasitology, and Drug Discovery, College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, Alabama State University, Montgomery, USA
| | - Bismarck Dinko
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Basic and Biomedical Sciences, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho. Ghana
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Abstract
There is an urgent need for alternative antimalarials with the emergence of artemisinin-resistant malaria parasites. Blocking sugar uptake in Plasmodium falciparum by selectively inhibiting the hexose transporter P. falciparum hexose transporter 1 (PfHT1) kills the blood-stage parasites without affecting the host cells, making PfHT1 a promising therapeutic target. Here, we report the development of a series of small-molecule inhibitors that simultaneously target the orthosteric and the allosteric binding sites of PfHT1. These inhibitors all exhibit selective potency on the P. falciparum strains over human cell lines. Our findings establish the basis for the rational design of next-generation antimalarial drugs. Artemisinin-resistant malaria parasites have emerged and have been spreading, posing a significant public health challenge. Antimalarial drugs with novel mechanisms of action are therefore urgently needed. In this report, we exploit a “selective starvation” strategy by inhibiting Plasmodium falciparum hexose transporter 1 (PfHT1), the sole hexose transporter in P. falciparum, over human glucose transporter 1 (hGLUT1), providing an alternative approach to fight against multidrug-resistant malaria parasites. The crystal structure of hGLUT3, which shares 80% sequence similarity with hGLUT1, was resolved in complex with C3361, a moderate PfHT1-specific inhibitor, at 2.3-Å resolution. Structural comparison between the present hGLUT3-C3361 and our previously reported PfHT1-C3361 confirmed the unique inhibitor binding-induced pocket in PfHT1. We then designed small molecules to simultaneously block the orthosteric and allosteric pockets of PfHT1. Through extensive structure–activity relationship studies, the TH-PF series was identified to selectively inhibit PfHT1 over hGLUT1 and potent against multiple strains of the blood-stage P. falciparum. Our findings shed light on the next-generation chemotherapeutics with a paradigm-shifting structure-based design strategy to simultaneously target the orthosteric and allosteric sites of a transporter.
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Yadav DK, Kumar S, Teli MK, Yadav R, Chaudhary S. Molecular Targets for Malarial Chemotherapy: A Review. Curr Top Med Chem 2019; 19:861-873. [DOI: 10.2174/1568026619666190603080000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2019] [Revised: 02/08/2019] [Accepted: 02/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The malaria parasite resistance to the existing drugs is a serious problem to the currently used
antimalarials and, thus, highlights the urgent need to develop new and effective anti-malarial molecules.
This could be achieved either by the identification of the new drugs for the validated targets or by further
refining/improving the existing antimalarials; or by combining previously effective agents with
new/existing drugs to have a synergistic effect that counters parasite resistance; or by identifying novel
targets for the malarial chemotherapy. In this review article, a comprehensive collection of some of the
novel molecular targets has been enlisted for the antimalarial drugs. The targets which could be deliberated
for developing new anti-malarial drugs could be: membrane biosynthesis, mitochondrial system,
apicoplasts, parasite transporters, shikimate pathway, hematin crystals, parasite proteases, glycolysis,
isoprenoid synthesis, cell cycle control/cycline dependent kinase, redox system, nucleic acid metabolism,
methionine cycle and the polyamines, folate metabolism, the helicases, erythrocyte G-protein, and
farnesyl transferases. Modern genomic tools approaches such as structural biology and combinatorial
chemistry, novel targets could be identified followed by drug development for drug resistant strains providing
wide ranges of novel targets in the development of new therapy. The new approaches and targets
mentioned in the manuscript provide a basis for the development of new unique strategies for antimalarial
therapy with limited off-target effects in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dharmendra K. Yadav
- College of Pharmacy, Gachon University of Medicine and Science, Hambakmoeiro, 191, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon 406-799, South Korea
| | - Surendra Kumar
- College of Pharmacy, Gachon University of Medicine and Science, Hambakmoeiro, 191, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon 406-799, South Korea
| | - Mahesh K. Teli
- College of Pharmacy, Gachon University of Medicine and Science, Hambakmoeiro, 191, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon 406-799, South Korea
| | - Ravikant Yadav
- Laboratory of Organic and Medicinal Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Malaviya National Institute of Technology, Jawaharlal Nehru Marg, Jaipur-302017, India
| | - Sandeep Chaudhary
- Laboratory of Organic and Medicinal Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Malaviya National Institute of Technology, Jawaharlal Nehru Marg, Jaipur-302017, India
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Zeng H, Yuan L, Huang J. Negative effects of artemisinin on phosphorus solubilizing bacteria in vitro. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2018; 158:108-113. [PMID: 29665557 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2018.04.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2017] [Revised: 04/03/2018] [Accepted: 04/06/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The anti-malarial drug artemisinin is extracted from the leaves of Artemisia annua L. Due to toxicity to some microorganisms, the release of artemisinin from this medicinal plant in commercial cultivation might produce a potential risk for phosphorus (P) solubilizing bacteria (PSB). Therefore, the growth, P mobilization, and proton and organic acid efflux by two PSB isolates, Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas fluorescens, obtained from the soil without growing A. annua L. in history in the region for growing A. annua L., Chongqing, China, were studied through soil and solution incubations with different nominal concentrations of artemisinin (0, 2.5, 5.0, and 10.0 mg/kg or mg/L). Addition of artemisinin into soil and culture solutions decreased significantly the number of PSB except P. fluorescens at a low artemisinin concentration (2.5 mg/L) in culture solution which remained unchanged in comparison with the control (without artemisinin). This suggests high artemisinin inhibited the cell division or led to the death of PSB, and the different species responded differently to artemisinin. Compared with original soil, PSB inoculation significantly increased Olsen P, whilst the addition of artemisinin decreased this P form in soil. There was a positive correlation between the number of PSB and Olsen P content in soils (r2 = 0.824, n = 8), indicating the involvement of PSB in P mobilization of insoluble minerals. Oxalate and acetate were commonly found in the bacterial culture solutions, which accounted for 73.6-84.4% of all organic acids in the culture medium without artemisinin. Malate was detected in the culture solution of B. subtilis, and citrate and succinate in P. fluorescens. The percentage of tricalcium phosphate solubilization (PTPS) positively correlated to the concentrations of protons and all organic acids (r2proton=0.901, n=8, P<0.01; r2organic acids=0.923, n=8, P<0.01). The concentrations of protons, organic acids and soluble inorganic P in culture solutions, and PTPS were decreased simultaneously as nominal artemisinin concentrations increased. For these decreases it implies the metabolic inhibition and the death of PSB caused by artemisinin could be the main reasons for the less efflux of protons and organic acids, presumably resulting in the decreased ability of PSB to mobilize inorganic P. Therefore, artemisinin released from A. annua L. in commercial and continual cultivation could adversely affect the community structure and inorganic P mobilization of PSB in soils.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huiwen Zeng
- College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China
| | - Ling Yuan
- College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China
| | - Jianguo Huang
- College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China.
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13
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Voorberg-van der Wel A, Roma G, Gupta DK, Schuierer S, Nigsch F, Carbone W, Zeeman AM, Lee BH, Hofman SO, Faber BW, Knehr J, Pasini E, Kinzel B, Bifani P, Bonamy GMC, Bouwmeester T, Kocken CHM, Diagana TT. A comparative transcriptomic analysis of replicating and dormant liver stages of the relapsing malaria parasite Plasmodium cynomolgi. eLife 2017; 6:29605. [PMID: 29215331 PMCID: PMC5758109 DOI: 10.7554/elife.29605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2017] [Accepted: 12/05/2017] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium liver hypnozoites, which cause disease relapse, are widely considered to be the last barrier towards malaria eradication. The biology of this quiescent form of the parasite is poorly understood which hinders drug discovery. We report a comparative transcriptomic dataset of replicating liver schizonts and dormant hypnozoites of the relapsing parasite Plasmodium cynomolgi. Hypnozoites express only 34% of Plasmodium physiological pathways, while 91% are expressed in replicating schizonts. Few known malaria drug targets are expressed in quiescent parasites, but pathways involved in microbial dormancy, maintenance of genome integrity and ATP homeostasis were robustly expressed. Several transcripts encoding heavy metal transporters were expressed in hypnozoites and the copper chelator neocuproine was cidal to all liver stage parasites. This transcriptomic dataset is a valuable resource for the discovery of vaccines and effective treatments to combat vivax malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Guglielmo Roma
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Sven Schuierer
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Florian Nigsch
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Walter Carbone
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Anne-Marie Zeeman
- Department of Parasitology, Biomedical Primate Research Centre, Rijswijk, Netherlands
| | - Boon Heng Lee
- Novartis Institute for Tropical Diseases, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Sam O Hofman
- Department of Parasitology, Biomedical Primate Research Centre, Rijswijk, Netherlands
| | - Bart W Faber
- Department of Parasitology, Biomedical Primate Research Centre, Rijswijk, Netherlands
| | - Judith Knehr
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Erica Pasini
- Department of Parasitology, Biomedical Primate Research Centre, Rijswijk, Netherlands
| | - Bernd Kinzel
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Pablo Bifani
- Novartis Institute for Tropical Diseases, Singapore, Singapore
| | | | | | - Clemens H M Kocken
- Department of Parasitology, Biomedical Primate Research Centre, Rijswijk, Netherlands
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14
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Dehydroascorbate-derivatized chitosan particles for targeting antimalarial agents to infected erythrocytes. Int J Pharm 2017; 524:205-214. [PMID: 28377317 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2017.03.088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2017] [Accepted: 03/31/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The mammalian glucose transporter GLUT-1 and Plasmodium falciparum hexose transporter PfHT1 are overexpressed on human RBC infected with the parasite (iRBC), presumably for enhanced glucose uptake. Dehydroascorbic acid (DHA) competes out glucose in GLUT-1 binding. We prepared particles containing chloroquine phosphate using novel derivatives of chitosan (CSN). CSN was either pre-derivatized with DHA (PRE) or particles made of CSN were derivatized by surface-grafting DHA (POST). The optimized formulations were analyzed for size (170-200nm) drug content (about 40%) entrapment efficiency (50-57%), in vitro drug release (80% in 72h, Higuchi's model), hemolysis on exposure to whole blood or RBC at 5% hematocrit, cytotoxicity towards cultured HEK 293T (kidney) and HepG2 (hepatic) cells, targeting iRBC and in vitro efficacy against P. falciparum. PRE particles were superior to POST CSN particles in terms of uptake and extent of preferential targeting to iRBCs than RBCs. Unlike starch particles reported earlier, dextrose did not competitively inhibit uptake of DHA-derivatized CSN particles. Both formulations significantly induced parasite inhibition at 1nM while free drug showed comparable activity at 100nM. Both PRE and POST particles were superior to free drug in efficacy. Targeting with high efficiency promises dose reduction and possibility of overcoming efflux-based drug resistance.
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15
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Viereck M, Gaulton A, Digles D. Insights into Transporter Classifications: an Outline of Transporters as Drug Targets. METHODS AND PRINCIPLES IN MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY 2017. [DOI: 10.1002/9783527679430.ch1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Michael Viereck
- University of Vienna; Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry; Althanstrasse 14 1090 Vienna Austria
| | - Anna Gaulton
- EMBL - European Bioinformatics Institute; Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton Cambridge CB10 1SD UK
| | - Daniela Digles
- University of Vienna; Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry; Althanstrasse 14 1090 Vienna Austria
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16
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Antimalarials with Benzothiophene Moieties as Aminoquinoline Partners. Molecules 2017; 22:molecules22030343. [PMID: 28245583 PMCID: PMC6155332 DOI: 10.3390/molecules22030343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2017] [Revised: 02/06/2017] [Accepted: 02/16/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Malaria is a severe and life-threatening disease caused by Plasmodium parasites that are spread to humans through bites of infected Anopheles mosquitoes. Here, we report on the efficacy of aminoquinolines coupled to benzothiophene and thiophene rings in inhibiting Plasmodium falciparum parasite growth. Synthesized compounds were evaluated for their antimalarial activity and toxicity, in vitro and in mice. Benzothiophenes presented in this paper showed improved activities against a chloroquine susceptible (CQS) strain, with potencies of IC50 = 6 nM, and cured 5/5 Plasmodium berghei infected mice when dosed orally at 160 mg/kg/day × 3 days. In the benzothiophene series, the examined antiplasmodials were more active against the CQS strain D6, than against strains chloroquine resistant (CQR) W2 and multidrug-resistant (MDR) TM91C235. For the thiophene series, a very interesting feature was revealed: hypersensitivity to the CQR strains, resistance index (RI) of <1. This is in sharp contrast to chloroquine, indicating that further development of the series would provide us with more potent antimalarials against CQR strains.
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17
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Mishra M, Mishra VK, Kashaw V, Iyer AK, Kashaw SK. Comprehensive review on various strategies for antimalarial drug discovery. Eur J Med Chem 2016; 125:1300-1320. [PMID: 27886547 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2016.11.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2016] [Revised: 11/07/2016] [Accepted: 11/11/2016] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
The resistance of malaria parasites to existing drugs carries on growing and progressively limiting our ability to manage this severe disease and finally lead to a massive global health burden. Till now, malaria control has relied upon the traditional quinoline, antifolate and artemisinin compounds. Very few new antimalarials were developed in the past 50 years. Among recent approaches, identification of novel chemotherapeutic targets, exploration of natural products with medicinal significance, covalent bitherapy having a dual mode of action into a single hybrid molecule and malaria vaccine development are explored heavily. The proper execution of these approaches and proper investment from international agencies will accelerate the discovery of drugs that provide new hope for the control or eventual eradication of this global infectious disease. This review explores various strategies for assessment and development of new antimalarial drugs. Current status and scientific value of previous approaches are systematically reviewed and new approaches provide a pragmatic forecast for future developments are introduced as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mitali Mishra
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Dr. Harisingh Gour University (A Central University), Sagar, MP, India
| | - Vikash K Mishra
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Dr. Harisingh Gour University (A Central University), Sagar, MP, India
| | - Varsha Kashaw
- SVN Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, SVN University, Sagar, MP, India
| | - Arun K Iyer
- Use-inspired Biomaterials & Integrated Nano Delivery (U-BiND) Systems Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Sushil Kumar Kashaw
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Dr. Harisingh Gour University (A Central University), Sagar, MP, India; Use-inspired Biomaterials & Integrated Nano Delivery (U-BiND) Systems Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA.
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18
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Meireles P, Sales-Dias J, Andrade CM, Mello-Vieira J, Mancio-Silva L, Simas JP, Staines HM, Prudêncio M. GLUT1-mediated glucose uptake plays a crucial role during Plasmodium hepatic infection. Cell Microbiol 2016; 19. [PMID: 27404888 PMCID: PMC5297879 DOI: 10.1111/cmi.12646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2016] [Revised: 06/20/2016] [Accepted: 07/06/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Intracellular pathogens have evolved mechanisms to ensure their survival and development inside their host cells. Here, we show that glucose is a pivotal modulator of hepatic infection by the rodent malaria parasite Plasmodium berghei and that glucose uptake via the GLUT1 transporter is specifically enhanced in P. berghei‐infected cells. We further show that ATP levels of cells containing developing parasites are decreased, which is known to enhance membrane GLUT1 activity. In addition, GLUT1 molecules are translocated to the membrane of the hepatic cell, increasing glucose uptake at later stages of infection. Chemical inhibition of GLUT1 activity leads to a decrease in glucose uptake and the consequent impairment of hepatic infection, both in vitro and in vivo. Our results reveal that changes in GLUT1 conformation and cellular localization seem to be part of an adaptive host response to maintain adequate cellular nutrition and energy levels, ensuring host cell survival and supporting P. berghei hepatic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrícia Meireles
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Joana Sales-Dias
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Carolina M Andrade
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - João Mello-Vieira
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Liliana Mancio-Silva
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - J Pedro Simas
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Henry M Staines
- Institute for Infection & Immunity, St. George's, University of London, Cranmer Terrace, London, UK
| | - Miguel Prudêncio
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
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19
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Fonseca ALD, Nunes RR, Braga VML, Comar M, Alves RJ, Varotti FDP, Taranto AG. Docking, QM/MM, and molecular dynamics simulations of the hexose transporter from Plasmodium falciparum (PfHT). J Mol Graph Model 2016; 66:174-86. [PMID: 27131282 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmgm.2016.03.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2015] [Revised: 03/14/2016] [Accepted: 03/24/2016] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Malaria is the most prevalent parasitic disease in the world. Currently, an effective vaccine for malaria does not exist, and chemotherapy must be used to treat the disease. Because of increasing resistance to current antimalarial drugs, new treatments must be developed. Among the many potential molecular targets, the hexose transporter of Plasmodium falciparum (PfHT) is particularly promising because it plays a vital role in glucose transport for the parasite. Thus, this study aims to determine the three-dimensional structure of PfHT and to describe the intermolecular interactions between active glycoside derivatives and PfHT. Such information should aid in the development of new antimalarial drugs. The receptor PfHT was constructed from primary sequences deposited in the SWISS MODEL database. Next, molecular docking simulations between O-(undec-10-en)-l-D-glucose and the constructed active site models were performed using Autodock Vina. The glycoside derivative-PfHT complexes were then refined using the hybrid QM/MM (PM3/ff03) method within the AMBER package. The models were then evaluated using Ramachandran plots, which indicated that 93.2% of the residues in the refined PfHT models (P5) were present in favorable regions. Furthermore, graphical plots using ANOLEA showed that the potential energies of interaction for atoms unbonded to P5 were negative. Finally, the O-(undec-10-en)-l-D-glucose-PfHT complex was evaluated using 20-ns Molecular Dynamics simulations with an ff03 force field. Docking and QM/MM studies revealed the amino acids essential for molecular recognition of and activity on glycosides. Inhibition of glucose transporters may prevent the development and metabolism of P. falciparum, so a description of the receptor's structure is a critical step towards rational drug design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Luisa da Fonseca
- Núcleo de Pesquisa em Química Biológica, Universidade Federal de São João del-Rei, Divinópolis, MG, Brazil; Laboratório de Modelagem Molecular, Universidade Federal de São João del-Rei, Divinópolis, MG, Brazil; Laboratório de Química Medicinal Farmacêutica, Universidade Federal de São João del-Rei, Divinópolis, MG, Brazil
| | - Renata Rachide Nunes
- Laboratório de Química Medicinal Farmacêutica, Universidade Federal de São João del-Rei, Divinópolis, MG, Brazil
| | - Vanildo Martins Lima Braga
- Laboratório de Química Medicinal Farmacêutica, Universidade Federal de São João del-Rei, Divinópolis, MG, Brazil
| | - Moacyr Comar
- Laboratório de Modelagem Molecular, Universidade Federal de São João del-Rei, Divinópolis, MG, Brazil
| | - Ricardo José Alves
- Laboratório de Química, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Fernando de Pilla Varotti
- Núcleo de Pesquisa em Química Biológica, Universidade Federal de São João del-Rei, Divinópolis, MG, Brazil
| | - Alex Gutterres Taranto
- Laboratório de Química Medicinal Farmacêutica, Universidade Federal de São João del-Rei, Divinópolis, MG, Brazil.
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20
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The Glucose Transporter PfHT1 Is an Antimalarial Target of the HIV Protease Inhibitor Lopinavir. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2015; 59:6203-9. [PMID: 26248369 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00899-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2015] [Accepted: 07/17/2015] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Malaria and HIV infection are coendemic in a large portion of the world and remain a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Growing resistance of Plasmodium species to existing therapies has increased the need for new therapeutic approaches. The Plasmodium glucose transporter PfHT is known to be essential for parasite growth and survival. We have previously shown that HIV protease inhibitors (PIs) act as antagonists of mammalian glucose transporters. While the PI lopinavir is known to have antimalarial activity, the mechanism of action is unknown. We report here that lopinavir blocks glucose uptake into isolated malaria parasites at therapeutically relevant drug levels. Malaria parasites depend on a constant supply of glucose as their primary source of energy, and decreasing the available concentration of glucose leads to parasite death. We identified the malarial glucose transporter PfHT as a target for inhibition by lopinavir that leads to parasite death. This discovery provides a mechanistic basis for the antimalarial effect of lopinavir and provides a direct target for novel drug design with utility beyond the HIV-infected population.
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21
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Ortiz D, Guiguemde WA, Johnson A, Elya C, Anderson J, Clark J, Connelly M, Yang L, Min J, Sato Y, Guy RK, Landfear SM. Identification of Selective Inhibitors of the Plasmodium falciparum Hexose Transporter PfHT by Screening Focused Libraries of Anti-Malarial Compounds. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0123598. [PMID: 25894322 PMCID: PMC4404333 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0123598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2014] [Accepted: 02/20/2015] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Development of resistance against current antimalarial drugs necessitates the search for novel drugs that interact with different targets and have distinct mechanisms of action. Malaria parasites depend upon high levels of glucose uptake followed by inefficient metabolic utilization via the glycolytic pathway, and the Plasmodium falciparum hexose transporter PfHT, which mediates uptake of glucose, has thus been recognized as a promising drug target. This transporter is highly divergent from mammalian hexose transporters, and it appears to be a permease that is essential for parasite viability in intra-erythrocytic, mosquito, and liver stages of the parasite life cycle. An assay was developed that is appropriate for high throughput screening against PfHT based upon heterologous expression of PfHT in Leishmania mexicana parasites that are null mutants for their endogenous hexose transporters. Screening of two focused libraries of antimalarial compounds identified two such compounds that are high potency selective inhibitors of PfHT compared to human GLUT1. Additionally, 7 other compounds were identified that are lower potency and lower specificity PfHT inhibitors but might nonetheless serve as starting points for identification of analogs with more selective properties. These results further support the potential of PfHT as a novel drug target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Ortiz
- Department of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, United States of America
| | - W. Armand Guiguemde
- Department of Chemical Biology & Therapeutics, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, United States of America
| | - Alex Johnson
- Department of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, United States of America
| | - Carolyn Elya
- Department of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, United States of America
| | - Johanna Anderson
- Department of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, United States of America
| | - Julie Clark
- Department of Chemical Biology & Therapeutics, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, United States of America
| | - Michele Connelly
- Department of Chemical Biology & Therapeutics, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, United States of America
| | - Lei Yang
- Department of Chemical Biology & Therapeutics, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, United States of America
| | - Jaeki Min
- Department of Chemical Biology & Therapeutics, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, United States of America
| | - Yuko Sato
- Department of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, United States of America
| | - R. Kiplin Guy
- Department of Chemical Biology & Therapeutics, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, United States of America
| | - Scott M. Landfear
- Department of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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22
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Heikham KD, Gupta A, Kumar A, Singh C, Saxena J, Srivastava K, Puri SK, Dwivedi AK, Habib S, Misra A. Preferential targeting of human erythrocytes infected with the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparumvia hexose transporter surface proteins. Int J Pharm 2015; 483:57-62. [PMID: 25666024 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2015.02.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2014] [Revised: 02/04/2015] [Accepted: 02/05/2015] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Glucose uptake by Plasmodium-infected erythrocytes (RBC) is higher compared to uninfected RBC. Glucose is transported across the cell membrane by transporter proteins. Particles of median size 146.3±18.7 nm, containing anti-malarial agents in corn starch were prepared for investigating: (a) whether the glucose moiety in starch targets RBC via hexose transporter(s), (b) whether there are differences in the extent of targeting to uninfected RBC versus infected RBC (iRBC) in view of higher cell surface density of these proteins on iRBC and (c) whether targeting provides enhanced efficacy against P. falciparum in comparison to drugs in solution. Binding of these particles to RBC was target-specific, since it could be blocked by phloretin, an inhibitor of glucose transporters (GLUT), or competed out in a dose-dependent manner with d-glucose in a flow cytometry assay. Significant (P=0.048, t-test) differences in extent of targeting to iRBC versus RBC were observed in flow cytometry. CDRI 97/63 incorporated in particles was 63% more efficacious than its solution at 250 ng/ml, while quinine was 20% more efficacious at 6.25 ng/ml in a SYBR Green incorporation assay. Preferential targeting of iRBC using an inexpensive excipient promises advantages in terms of dose reduction and toxicity alleviation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ankit Gupta
- CSIR - Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow 226031, India
| | - Ambrish Kumar
- CSIR - Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow 226031, India
| | - Chandan Singh
- CSIR - Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow 226031, India
| | - Juhi Saxena
- CSIR - Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow 226031, India
| | | | - Sunil K Puri
- CSIR - Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow 226031, India
| | - Anil K Dwivedi
- CSIR - Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow 226031, India
| | - Saman Habib
- CSIR - Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow 226031, India
| | - Amit Misra
- CSIR - Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow 226031, India.
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23
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Vicentefranqueira R, Amich J, Laskaris P, Ibrahim-Granet O, Latgé JP, Toledo H, Leal F, Calera JA. Targeting zinc homeostasis to combat Aspergillus fumigatus infections. Front Microbiol 2015; 6:160. [PMID: 25774155 PMCID: PMC4343018 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2015.00160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2015] [Accepted: 02/11/2015] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Aspergillus fumigatus is able to invade and grow in the lungs of immunosuppressed individuals and causes invasive pulmonary aspergillosis. The concentration of free zinc in living tissues is much lower than that required for optimal fungal growth in vitro because most of it is tightly bound to proteins. To obtain efficiently zinc from a living host A. fumigatus uses the zinc transporters ZrfA, ZrfB, and ZrfC. The ZafA transcriptional regulator induces the expression of all these transporters and is essential for virulence. Thus, ZafA could be targeted therapeutically to inhibit fungal growth. The ZrfC transporter plays the major role in zinc acquisition from the host whereas ZrfA and ZrfB rather have a supplementary role to that of ZrfC. In addition, only ZrfC enables A. fumigatus to overcome the inhibitory effect of calprotectin, which is an antimicrobial Zn/Mn-chelating protein synthesized and released by neutrophils within the fungal abscesses of immunosuppressed non-leucopenic animals. Hence, fungal survival in these animals would be undermined upon blocking therapeutically the function of ZrfC. Therefore, both ZafA and ZrfC have emerged as promising targets for the discovery of new antifungals to treat Aspergillus infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rocío Vicentefranqueira
- Instituto de Biología Funcional y Genómica, Centro Mixto del Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas y Universidad de Salamanca , Salamanca, Spain ; Departamento de Microbiología y Genética, Universidad de Salamanca , Salamanca, Spain
| | - Jorge Amich
- Instituto de Biología Funcional y Genómica, Centro Mixto del Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas y Universidad de Salamanca , Salamanca, Spain ; Departamento de Microbiología y Genética, Universidad de Salamanca , Salamanca, Spain
| | - Paris Laskaris
- Unité de Recherche Cytokines and Inflammation, Institut Pasteur , Paris, France
| | | | - Jean P Latgé
- Unité des Aspergillus, Institut Pasteur , Paris, France
| | - Héctor Toledo
- Instituto de Biología Funcional y Genómica, Centro Mixto del Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas y Universidad de Salamanca , Salamanca, Spain ; Departamento de Microbiología y Genética, Universidad de Salamanca , Salamanca, Spain
| | - Fernando Leal
- Instituto de Biología Funcional y Genómica, Centro Mixto del Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas y Universidad de Salamanca , Salamanca, Spain ; Departamento de Microbiología y Genética, Universidad de Salamanca , Salamanca, Spain
| | - José A Calera
- Instituto de Biología Funcional y Genómica, Centro Mixto del Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas y Universidad de Salamanca , Salamanca, Spain ; Departamento de Microbiología y Genética, Universidad de Salamanca , Salamanca, Spain
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Prati F, Goldman-Pinkovich A, Lizzi F, Belluti F, Koren R, Zilberstein D, Bolognesi ML. Quinone-amino acid conjugates targeting Leishmania amino acid transporters. PLoS One 2014; 9:e107994. [PMID: 25254495 PMCID: PMC4177859 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0107994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2014] [Accepted: 08/22/2014] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to investigate the feasibility of targeting Leishmania transporters via appropriately designed chemical probes. Leishmania donovani, the parasite that causes visceral leishmaniasis, is auxotrophic for arginine and lysine and has specific transporters (LdAAP3 and LdAAP7) to import these nutrients. Probes 1–15 were originated by conjugating cytotoxic quinone fragments (II and III) with amino acids (i.e. arginine and lysine) by means of an amide linkage. The toxicity of the synthesized conjugates against Leishmania extracellular (promastigotes) and intracellular (amastigotes) forms was investigated, as well their inhibition of the relevant amino acid transporters. We observed that some conjugates indeed displayed toxicity against the parasites; in particular, 7 was identified as the most potent derivative (at concentrations of 1 µg/mL and 2.5 µg/mL residual cell viability was reduced to 15% and 48% in promastigotes and amastigotes, respectively). Notably, 6, while retaining the cytotoxic activity of quinone II, displayed no toxicity against mammalian THP1 cells. Transport assays indicated that the novel conjugates inhibited transport activity of lysine, arginine and proline transporters. Furthermore, our analyses suggested that the toxic conjugates might be translocated by the transporters into the cells. The non-toxic probes that inhibited transport competed with the natural substrates for binding to the transporters without being translocated. Thus, it is likely that 6, by exploiting amino acid transporters, can selectively deliver its toxic effects to Leishmania cells. This work provides the first evidence that amino acid transporters of the human pathogen Leishmania might be modulated by small molecules, and warrants their further investigation from drug discovery and chemical biology perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Prati
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | | | - Federica Lizzi
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Federica Belluti
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Roni Koren
- Faculty of Biology, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Dan Zilberstein
- Faculty of Biology, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Maria Laura Bolognesi
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- * E-mail:
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25
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Itani S, Torii M, Ishino T. D-Glucose concentration is the key factor facilitating liver stage maturation of Plasmodium. Parasitol Int 2014; 63:584-90. [PMID: 24691399 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2014.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2013] [Revised: 02/14/2014] [Accepted: 03/21/2014] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The course of malaria infection in mammals begins with transmission of Plasmodium sporozoites into the skin by Anopheles mosquitoes, followed by migration of the sporozoites to the liver. As no symptoms present until hepatic merozoites are released and until they infect erythrocytes in the blood vessels, sporozoites and liver-stage (LS) parasites are promising targets for anti-malaria drugs aiming to prevent mosquito-to-mammal transmission. In vitro LS parasite development system is useful in the screening of candidate drugs on LS parasite development and the elucidation of its underlying molecular mechanisms, which remain unclear. Using rodent malaria parasites (Plasmodium berghei) as a model, this study aimed to develop an optimal in vitro LS culture system for the full maturation of the LS parasite into the hepatic merozoite, the next infective stage in parasite development. As the development of this system required measurement of maturation, a novel quantitative index of LS parasite maturation based on the expression pattern of liver-specific protein 2 (LISP2) was first developed. The use of this index for comparing the effect of incubation in different culture media on LS maturation revealed that the d-glucose concentration of the culture medium is the key factor promoting parasite development in hepatocytes and that a d-glucose concentration of 2000mg/L/day is the threshold concentration at which the maturation of P. berghei into infective hepatic merozoites is achieved. These findings can be utilized to optimize a human malaria LS culture system for drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satoko Itani
- Department of Molecular Parasitology, Graduate School of Medicine, Ehime University, Shitsukawa, Toon, Ehime 791-0295, Japan
| | - Motomi Torii
- Department of Molecular Parasitology, Graduate School of Medicine, Ehime University, Shitsukawa, Toon, Ehime 791-0295, Japan; Division of Molecular Parasitology, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Shitsukawa, Toon, Ehime 791-0295, Japan
| | - Tomoko Ishino
- Department of Molecular Parasitology, Graduate School of Medicine, Ehime University, Shitsukawa, Toon, Ehime 791-0295, Japan; Division of Molecular Parasitology, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Shitsukawa, Toon, Ehime 791-0295, Japan.
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26
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Aboulwafa M, Saier MH. Lipid dependencies, biogenesis and cytoplasmic micellar forms of integral membrane sugar transport proteins of the bacterial phosphotransferase system. MICROBIOLOGY-SGM 2013; 159:2213-2224. [PMID: 23985145 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.070953-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Permeases of the prokaryotic phosphoenolpyruvate-sugar phosphotransferase system (PTS) catalyse sugar transport coupled to sugar phosphorylation. The lipid composition of a membrane determines the activities of these enzyme/transporters as well as the degree of coupling of phosphorylation to transport. We have investigated mechanisms of PTS permease biogenesis and identified cytoplasmic (soluble) forms of these integral membrane proteins. We found that the catalytic activities of the soluble forms differ from those of the membrane-embedded forms. Transport via the latter is much more sensitive to lipid composition than to phosphorylation, and some of these enzymes are much more sensitive to the lipid environment than others. While the membrane-embedded PTS permeases are always dimeric, the cytoplasmic forms are micellar, either monomeric or dimeric. Scattered published evidence suggests that other integral membrane proteins also exist in cytoplasmic micellar forms. The possible functions of cytoplasmic PTS permeases in biogenesis, intracellular sugar phosphorylation and permease storage are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Aboulwafa
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Abbasia, Cairo, Egypt.,Department of Molecular Biology, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093-0116, USA
| | - Milton H Saier
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093-0116, USA
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Müller J, Hemphill A. New approaches for the identification of drug targets in protozoan parasites. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2013; 301:359-401. [PMID: 23317822 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-407704-1.00007-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
Antiparasitic chemotherapy is an important issue for drug development. Traditionally, novel compounds with antiprotozoan activities have been identified by screening of compound libraries in high-throughput systems. More recently developed approaches employ target-based drug design supported by genomics and proteomics of protozoan parasites. In this chapter, the drug targets in protozoan parasites are reviewed. The gene-expression machinery has been among the first targets for antiparasitic drugs and is still under investigation as a target for novel compounds. Other targets include cytoskeletal proteins, proteins involved in intracellular signaling, membranes, and enzymes participating in intermediary metabolism. In apicomplexan parasites, the apicoplast is a suitable target for established and novel drugs. Some drugs act on multiple subcellular targets. Drugs with nitro groups generate free radicals under anaerobic growth conditions, and drugs with peroxide groups generate radicals under aerobic growth conditions, both affecting multiple cellular pathways. Mefloquine and thiazolides are presented as examples for antiprotozoan compounds with multiple (side) effects. The classic approach of drug discovery employing high-throughput physiological screenings followed by identification of drug targets has yielded the mainstream of current antiprotozoal drugs. Target-based drug design supported by genomics and proteomics of protozoan parasites has not produced any antiparasitic drug so far. The reason for this is discussed and a synthesis of both methods is proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joachim Müller
- Institute of Parasitology, University of Berne, Berne, Switzerland.
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Preuss J, Jortzik E, Becker K. Glucose-6-phosphate metabolism in Plasmodium falciparum. IUBMB Life 2012; 64:603-11. [PMID: 22639416 DOI: 10.1002/iub.1047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2012] [Accepted: 04/07/2012] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Malaria is still one of the most threatening diseases worldwide. The high drug resistance rates of malarial parasites make its eradication difficult and furthermore necessitate the development of new antimalarial drugs. Plasmodium falciparum is responsible for severe malaria and therefore of special interest with regard to drug development. Plasmodium parasites are highly dependent on glucose and very sensitive to oxidative stress; two observations that drew interest to the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) with its key enzyme glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD). A central position of the PPP for malaria parasites is supported by the fact that human G6PD deficiency protects to a certain degree from malaria infections. Plasmodium parasites and the human host possess a complete PPP, both of which seem to be important for the parasites. Interestingly, there are major differences between parasite and human G6PD, making the enzyme of Plasmodium a promising target for antimalarial drug design. This review gives an overview of the current state of research on glucose-6-phosphate metabolism in P. falciparum and its impact on malaria infections. Moreover, the unique characteristics of the enzyme G6PD in P. falciparum are discussed, upon which its current status as promising target for drug development is based.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janina Preuss
- Chair of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Interdisciplinary Research Center, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
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Shlykov MA, Zheng WH, Chen JS, Saier MH. Bioinformatic characterization of the 4-Toluene Sulfonate Uptake Permease (TSUP) family of transmembrane proteins. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2011; 1818:703-17. [PMID: 22192777 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2011.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2011] [Revised: 11/26/2011] [Accepted: 12/06/2011] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The ubiquitous sequence diverse 4-Toluene Sulfonate Uptake Permease (TSUP) family contains few characterized members and is believed to catalyze the transport of several sulfur-based compounds. Prokaryotic members of the TSUP family outnumber the eukaryotic members substantially, and in prokaryotes, but not eukaryotes, extensive lateral gene transfer occurred during family evolution. Despite unequal representation, homologues from the three taxonomic domains of life share well-conserved motifs. We show that the prototypical eight TMS topology arose from an intragenic duplication of a four transmembrane segment (TMS) unit. Possibly, a two TMS α-helical hairpin structure was the precursor of the 4 TMS repeat unit. Genome context analyses confirmed the proposal of a sulfur-based compound transport role for many TSUP homologues, but functional outliers appear to be prevalent as well. Preliminary results suggest that the TSUP family is a member of a large novel superfamily that includes rhodopsins, integral membrane chaperone proteins, transmembrane electron flow carriers and several transporter families. All of these proteins probably arose via the same pathway: 2→4→8 TMSs followed by loss of a TMS either at the N- or C-terminus, depending on the family, to give the more frequent 7 TMS topology.
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