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Li H, Liu H, Zhu D, Dou C, Gang B, Zhang M, Wan Z. Biological function molecular pathways and druggability of DNMT2/TRDMT1. Pharmacol Res 2024; 205:107222. [PMID: 38782147 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2024.107222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2024] [Revised: 05/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
5-methylcytosine (m5C) is among the most common epigenetic modification in DNA and RNA molecules, and plays an important role in the animal development and disease pathogenesis. Interestingly, unlike other m5C DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs), DNMT2/TRDMT1 has the double-substrate specificity and adopts a DNMT-similar catalytic mechanism to methylate RNA. Moreover, it is widely involved in a variety of physiological regulatory processes, such as the gene expression, precise protein synthesis, immune response, and disease occurrence. Thus, comprehending the epigenetic mechanism and function of DNMT2/TRDMT1 will probably provide new strategies to treat some refractory diseases. Here, we discuss recent studies on the spatiotemporal expression pattern and post-translational modifications of DNMT2/TRDMT1, and summarize the research advances in substrate characteristics, catalytic recognition mechanism, DNMT2/TRDMT1-related genes or proteins, pharmacological application, and inhibitor development. This review will shed light on the pharmacological design by targeting DNMT2/TRDMT1 to treat parasitic, viral and oncologic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huari Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Laboratory Medicine, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Cancer Translational Medicine, and The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical University, Bengbu Medical University, No.2600 Donghai Avenue, Bengbu, Anhui Province 233030, PR China; College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, No.1 Shizishan Street, Wuhan, Hubei Province 430070, PR China.
| | - Huiru Liu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Laboratory Medicine, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Cancer Translational Medicine, and The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical University, Bengbu Medical University, No.2600 Donghai Avenue, Bengbu, Anhui Province 233030, PR China
| | - Daiyun Zhu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, No.1 Shizishan Street, Wuhan, Hubei Province 430070, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing 100071, PR China
| | - Chengli Dou
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Laboratory Medicine, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Cancer Translational Medicine, and The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical University, Bengbu Medical University, No.2600 Donghai Avenue, Bengbu, Anhui Province 233030, PR China
| | - Baocai Gang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Laboratory Medicine, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Cancer Translational Medicine, and The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical University, Bengbu Medical University, No.2600 Donghai Avenue, Bengbu, Anhui Province 233030, PR China
| | - Mengjie Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Laboratory Medicine, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Cancer Translational Medicine, and The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical University, Bengbu Medical University, No.2600 Donghai Avenue, Bengbu, Anhui Province 233030, PR China
| | - Ziyu Wan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Laboratory Medicine, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Cancer Translational Medicine, and The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical University, Bengbu Medical University, No.2600 Donghai Avenue, Bengbu, Anhui Province 233030, PR China
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Kato K, Miura M, Tachibana H, Tsukamoto I. Effects of monosaccharides including rare sugars on proliferation of Entamoeba histolytica trophozoites in vitro. Front Mol Biosci 2023; 10:1288470. [PMID: 38143801 PMCID: PMC10739481 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2023.1288470] [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: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Entamoeba histolytica is a parasitic protozoan with roles in pathogenicity of intestinal amoebiasis. E. histolytica trophozoites lack functional mitochondria and their energy production depends mostly on glycolysis. D-Glucose has a pivotal role in this process and trophozoites store this sugar as glycogen in glycogen granules. Rare sugars, which are defined as sugars present in nature in limited amounts, are of interest as natural low-calorie sweeteners for improving physical conditions of humans. One such rare sugar, D-allose, can be absorbed by a sodium-dependent glucose cotransporter as a substitute for D-glucose, and some rare sugars are known to inhibit growth of cancer cells, Caenorhabditis elegans and Tritrichomonas foetus. Based on these observations, we examined the effects of rare sugars on growth of E. histolytica trophozoites, together with those of D-galactose and D-fructose. The results indicate that treatment with D-allose or D-psicose (D-allulose) alone inhibits proliferation of E. histolytica trophozoites, but that these sugars enhance proliferation of trophozoites in the presence of D-glucose or D-galactose. The trophozoites could take up D-glucose and D-galactose, but not D-fructose, D-allose or D-psicose. Cell sizes of the trophozoites also differed depending on the culture medium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kentaro Kato
- Department of Eco-epidemiology, Institute of Tropical Medicine (NEKKEN), Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
- School of Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Mitsumasa Miura
- Department of Eco-epidemiology, Institute of Tropical Medicine (NEKKEN), Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Tachibana
- Department of Parasitology, Tokai University School of Medicine, Isehara, Japan
| | - Ikuko Tsukamoto
- Department of Pharmaco-bio-informatics, Faculty of Medicine, Kagawa University, Kita-gun, Japan
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Singh A, Banerjee T, Shukla SK, Upadhyay S, Verma A. Creep in nitroimidazole inhibitory concentration among the Entamoeba histolytica isolates causing amoebic liver abscess and screening of andrographolide as a repurposing drug. Sci Rep 2023; 13:12192. [PMID: 37500681 PMCID: PMC10374660 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-39382-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Infections by Entamoeba histolytica (E. histolytica) lead to considerable morbidity and mortality worldwide and treatment is reliant on a single class of drugs, nitroimidazoles. Treatment failures and intermittent reports of relapse from different parts of world indicate towards development of clinical drug resistance. In the present study, susceptibility testing of clinical isolates of E. histolytica was carried against metronidazole and tinidazole. Additionally, anti-amoebic property of active compounds of Andrographis paniculata was also evaluated. Prevalence of metronidazole resistance gene (nim) in patients attending hospital was also done to get comprehensive insight of present situation of drug resistance in E. histolytica. Mean inhibitory concentration 50 (IC50) value of E. histolytica isolates against metronidazole and tinidazole was 20.01 and 16.1 µM respectively. Andrographolide showed minimum mean IC50 value (3.06 µM). Significant percentage inhibition of E. histolytica isolates by andrographolide was seen as compared to metronidazole (p = 0.0495). None of E. histolytica isolates showed presence of nim gene. However, in stool samples from hospital attending population, prevalence of nimE gene was found to be 76.6% (69/90) and 62.2% (56/90) in diarrheal and non-diarrheal samples respectively. Inhibitory concentration of commonly used nitroimidazoles against clinical isolates of E. histolytica are on rise. Percentage inhibition of E. histolytica isolates by andrographolide was significantly higher than control drug metronidazole.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aradhana Singh
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, 221005, India
| | - Tuhina Banerjee
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, 221005, India.
| | - Sunit Kumar Shukla
- Department of Gastroenterology, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, 221005, India
| | - Soumya Upadhyay
- Department of Life Sciences, Banasthali Vidyapeeth, Jaipur, 302001, India
| | - Ashish Verma
- Department of Radiodiagnosis and Imaging, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, 221005, India
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Morán P, Serrano-Vázquez A, Rojas-Velázquez L, González E, Pérez-Juárez H, Hernández EG, Padilla MDLA, Zaragoza ME, Portillo-Bobadilla T, Ramiro M, Ximénez C. Amoebiasis: Advances in Diagnosis, Treatment, Immunology Features and the Interaction with the Intestinal Ecosystem. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:11755. [PMID: 37511519 PMCID: PMC10380210 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241411755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2023] [Revised: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
This review of human amoebiasis is based on the most current knowledge of pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment, and Entamoeba/microbiota interactions. The most relevant findings during this last decade about the Entamoeba parasite and the disease are related to the possibility of culturing trophozoites of different isolates from infected individuals that allowed the characterization of the multiple pathogenic mechanisms of the parasite and the understanding of the host-parasite relationship in the human. Second, the considerable advances in molecular biology and genetics help us to analyze the genome of Entamoeba, their genetic diversity, and the association of specific genotypes with the different amoebic forms of human amoebiasis. Based on this knowledge, culture and/or molecular diagnostic strategies are now available to determine the Entamoeba species and genotype responsible for invasive intestinal or extraintestinal amoebiasis cases. Likewise, the extensive knowledge of the immune response in amoebiasis with the appearance of new technologies made it possible to design diagnostic tools now available worldwide. Finally, the understanding of the interaction between the Entamoeba species and the intestinal microbiota aids the understanding of the ecology of this parasite in the human environment. These relevant findings will be discussed in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Morán
- Laboratorio de Inmunología, Unidad de Investigación en Medicina Experimental, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Ciudad de México 06726, Mexico
| | - Angélica Serrano-Vázquez
- Laboratorio de Inmunología, Unidad de Investigación en Medicina Experimental, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Ciudad de México 06726, Mexico
| | - Liliana Rojas-Velázquez
- Laboratorio de Inmunología, Unidad de Investigación en Medicina Experimental, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Ciudad de México 06726, Mexico
| | - Enrique González
- Laboratorio de Inmunología, Unidad de Investigación en Medicina Experimental, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Ciudad de México 06726, Mexico
| | - Horacio Pérez-Juárez
- Laboratorio de Inmunología, Unidad de Investigación en Medicina Experimental, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Ciudad de México 06726, Mexico
| | - Eric G Hernández
- Laboratorio de Inmunología, Unidad de Investigación en Medicina Experimental, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Ciudad de México 06726, Mexico
| | - Maria de Los Angeles Padilla
- Laboratorio de Inmunología, Unidad de Investigación en Medicina Experimental, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Ciudad de México 06726, Mexico
| | - Martha E Zaragoza
- Laboratorio de Inmunología, Unidad de Investigación en Medicina Experimental, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Ciudad de México 06726, Mexico
| | - Tobías Portillo-Bobadilla
- Unidad de Bioinformática, Bioestadística y Biología Computacional, Red de Apoyo a la Investigación, Coordinación de la Investigación Científica, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM)-Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Ciudad de México 14080, Mexico
| | - Manuel Ramiro
- División de Estudios de Posgrado, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Ciudad de México 04510, Mexico
| | - Cecilia Ximénez
- Laboratorio de Inmunología, Unidad de Investigación en Medicina Experimental, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Ciudad de México 06726, Mexico
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Sarid L, Sun J, Chittrakanwong J, Trebicz-Geffen M, Ye J, Dedon PC, Ankri S. Queuine Salvaging in the Human Parasite Entamoeba histolytica. Cells 2022; 11:2509. [PMID: 36010587 PMCID: PMC9406330 DOI: 10.3390/cells11162509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Revised: 07/31/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Queuosine (Q) is a naturally occurring modified nucleoside that occurs in the first position of transfer RNA anticodons such as Asp, Asn, His, and Tyr. As eukaryotes lack pathways to synthesize queuine, the Q nucleobase, they must obtain it from their diet or gut microbiota. Previously, we described the effects of queuine on the physiology of the eukaryotic parasite Entamoeba histolytica and characterized the enzyme EhTGT responsible for queuine incorporation into tRNA. At present, it is unknown how E. histolytica salvages queuine from gut bacteria. We used liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and N-acryloyl-3-aminophenylboronic acid (APB) PAGE analysis to demonstrate that E. histolytica trophozoites can salvage queuine from Q or E. coli K12 but not from the modified E. coli QueC strain, which cannot produce queuine. We then examined the role of EhDUF2419, a protein with homology to DNA glycosylase, as a queuine salvage enzyme in E. histolytica. We found that glutathione S-transferase (GST)-EhDUF2419 catalyzed the conversion of Q into queuine. Trophozoites silenced for EhDUF2419 expression are impaired in their ability to form Q-tRNA from Q or from E. coli. We also observed that Q or E. coli K12 partially protects control trophozoites from oxidative stress (OS), but not siEhDUF2419 trophozoites. Overall, our data reveal that EhDUF2419 is central for the direct salvaging of queuine from bacteria and for the resistance of the parasite to OS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lotem Sarid
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion, Haifa 31096, Israel
| | - Jingjing Sun
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Jurairat Chittrakanwong
- Applied Biological Sciences Program, Chulabhorn Graduate Institute, Chulabhorn Royal Academy, Bangkok 10210, Thailand
| | - Meirav Trebicz-Geffen
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion, Haifa 31096, Israel
| | - Jun Ye
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion, Haifa 31096, Israel
| | - Peter C. Dedon
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Serge Ankri
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion, Haifa 31096, Israel
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González-Blanco G, García-Rivera G, Talmás-Rohana P, Orozco E, Galindo-Rosales JM, Vélez C, Salucedo-Cárdenas O, Azuara-Liceaga E, Rodríguez-Rodríguez MA, Nozaki T, Valdés J. An Unusual U2AF2 Inhibits Splicing and Attenuates the Virulence of the Human Protozoan Parasite Entamoeba histolytica. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:888428. [PMID: 35782149 PMCID: PMC9247205 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.888428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
E. histolytica is the etiological agent of intestinal amebiasis and liver abscesses, which still poses public health threat globally. Metronidazole is the drug of choice against amebiasis. However, metronidazole-resistant amoebic clinical isolates and strains have been reported recently, challenging the efforts for amebiasis eradication. In search of alternative treatments, E. histolytica transcriptomes have shown the association of genes involved in RNA metabolism with the virulence of the parasite. Among the upregulated genes in amoebic liver abscesses are the splicing factors EhU2AF2 and a paralog of EhSF3B1. For this reason and because EhU2AF2 contains unusual KH-QUA2 (84KQ) motifs in its lengthened C-terminus domain, here we investigated how the role of EhU2AF2 in pre-mRNA processing impacts the virulence of the parasite. We found that 84KQ is involved in splicing inhibition/intron retention of several virulence and non-virulence-related genes. The 84KQ domain interacts with the same domain of the constitutive splicing factor SF1 (SF1KQ), both in solution and when SF1KQ is bound to branchpoint signal RNA probes. The 84KQ–SF1KQ interaction prevents splicing complex E to A transition, thus inhibiting splicing. Surprisingly, the deletion of the 84KQ domain in EhU2AF2 amoeba transformants increased splicing and enhanced the in vitro and in vivo virulence phenotypes. We conclude that the interaction of the 84KQ and SF1KQ domains, probably involving additional factors, tunes down Entamoeba virulence by favoring intron retention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gretter González-Blanco
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (CINVESTAV), CDMX, Mexico
| | - Guillermina García-Rivera
- Departamento de Infectómica y Patogénesis Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (CINVESTAV), CDMX, Mexico
| | - Patricia Talmás-Rohana
- Departamento de Infectómica y Patogénesis Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (CINVESTAV), CDMX, Mexico
| | - Ester Orozco
- Departamento de Infectómica y Patogénesis Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (CINVESTAV), CDMX, Mexico
| | - José Manuel Galindo-Rosales
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (CINVESTAV), CDMX, Mexico
| | - Cristina Vélez
- Departamento de Biología Celular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (CINVESTAV), CDMX, Mexico
| | - Odila Salucedo-Cárdenas
- Departamento de Histología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Monterrey, Mexico
| | - Elisa Azuara-Liceaga
- Posgrado en Ciencias Genómicas, Universidad Autónoma de la Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
| | - Mario Alberto Rodríguez-Rodríguez
- Departamento de Biología Celular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (CINVESTAV), CDMX, Mexico
| | - Tomoyoshi Nozaki
- Laboratory of Biomedical Chemistry, Department of International Health, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Jesús Valdés
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (CINVESTAV), CDMX, Mexico
- *Correspondence: Jesús Valdés,
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Sarid L, Zanditenas E, Ye J, Trebicz-Geffen M, Ankri S. Insights into the Mechanisms of Lactobacillus acidophilus Activity against Entamoeba histolytica by Using Thiol Redox Proteomics. Antioxidants (Basel) 2022; 11:814. [PMID: 35624678 PMCID: PMC9137826 DOI: 10.3390/antiox11050814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Revised: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Amebiasis is an intestinal disease transmitted by the protist parasite, Entamoeba histolytica. Lactobacillus acidophilus is a common inhabitant of healthy human gut and a probiotic that has antimicrobial properties against a number of pathogenic bacteria, fungi, and parasites. The aim of this study was to investigate the amebicide activity of L. acidophilus and its mechanisms. For this purpose, E. histolytica and L. acidophilus were co-incubated and the parasite's viability was determined by eosin dye exclusion. The level of ozidized proteins (OXs) in the parasite was determined by resin-assisted capture RAC (OX-RAC). Incubation with L. acidophilus for two hours reduced the viability of E. histolytica trophozoites by 50%. As a result of the interaction with catalase, an enzyme that degrades hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) to water and oxygen, this amebicide activity is lost, indicating that it is mediated by H2O2 produced by L. acidophilus. Redox proteomics shows that L. acidophilus triggers the oxidation of many essential amebic enzymes such as pyruvate: ferredoxin oxidoreductase, the lectin Gal/GalNAc, and cysteine proteases (CPs). Further, trophozoites of E. histolytica incubated with L. acidophilus show reduced binding to mammalian cells. These results support L. acidophilus as a prophylactic candidate against amebiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Serge Ankri
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion, Haifa 31096, Israel; (L.S.); (E.Z.); (J.Y.); (M.T.-G.)
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Gangaram S, Naidoo Y, Dewir YH, El-Hendawy S. Phytochemicals and Biological Activities of Barleria (Acanthaceae). PLANTS 2021; 11:plants11010082. [PMID: 35009086 PMCID: PMC8747396 DOI: 10.3390/plants11010082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Revised: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Plant species belonging to the family Acanthaceae are globally known to possess various medicinal properties and have cultural and economic importance in both traditional medicine and horticulture. They are important to both animals and humans and are used as food or for ornamental purposes worldwide. Barleria is the third largest genus in the family Acanthaceae. A few of the highly important and reported species of Barleria include B. prionitis, B. cristata, B. grandiflora, and B. lupulina. The flowers, leaves, stems, roots, and seed extracts of plants belonging to this genus are rich in bioactive compounds and have exhibited significant medicinal potential for the treatment of various ailments and infections. Evidence derived from several studies has demonstrated the antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antidiabetic, antiulcer, hepatoprotective, analgesic, antiamoebic, antihelminthic, antiarthritic, antihypertensive, antiviral properties and toxicity of extracts, in addition inhibition of acetylcholinesterase activity and biosynthesis of nanoparticles, of the plant and seed extracts of species belonging to Barleria. Studies have reported that bioactive compounds such as flavonoids, quinones, iridoids, phenylethanoid glycosides, the immunostimulant protein “Sankaranin”, and antibiotics isolated from Barleria species are resposnsible for the above biological activities. Traditionally, the genus Barleria has significant medicinal potential; however, there is a scarcity of information on various species that are yet to be evaluated. This review provides a comprehensive report on existing literature, concerning the phytochemistry and biological activities of the genus Barleria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serisha Gangaram
- School of Life Sciences, Westville Campus, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X54001, Durban 4000, South Africa; (S.G.); (Y.N.)
| | - Yougasphree Naidoo
- School of Life Sciences, Westville Campus, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X54001, Durban 4000, South Africa; (S.G.); (Y.N.)
| | - Yaser Hassan Dewir
- Plant Production Department, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2460, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia;
- Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafr El-Sheikh 33516, Egypt
- Correspondence: author:
| | - Salah El-Hendawy
- Plant Production Department, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2460, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia;
- Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, Suez Canal University, Ismailia 41522, Egypt
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Devi S, Tomar P, Faisal Tarique K, Gourinath S. Inhibiting Pyridoxal Kinase of Entamoeba histolytica Is Lethal for This Pathogen. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:660466. [PMID: 33937101 PMCID: PMC8085340 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.660466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Pyridoxal 5’-phosphate (PLP) functions as a cofactor for hundreds of different enzymes that are crucial to the survival of microorganisms. PLP-dependent enzymes have been extensively characterized and proposed as drug targets in Entamoeba histolytica. This pathogen is unable to synthesize vitamin B6via de-novo pathway and relies on the uptake of vitamin B6 vitamers from the host which are then phosphorylated by the enzyme pyridoxal kinase to produce PLP, the active form of vitamin B6. Previous studies from our lab shows that EhPLK is essential for the survival and growth of this protozoan parasite and its active site differs significantly with respect to its human homologue making it a potential drug target. In-silico screening of EhPLK against small molecule libraries were performed and top five ranked molecules were shortlisted on the basis of docking scores. These compounds dock into the PLP binding site of the enzyme such that binding of these compounds hinders the binding of substrate. Of these five compounds, two compounds showed inhibitory activity with IC50 values between 100-250 μM when tested in-vitro. The effect of these compounds proved to be extremely lethal for Entamoeba trophozoites in cultured cells as the growth was hampered by 91.5% and 89.5% when grown in the presence of these compounds over the period of 72 hours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suneeta Devi
- Structural Biology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
| | - Priya Tomar
- Structural Biology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
| | - Khaja Faisal Tarique
- Structural Biology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India.,Department of Molecular Reproduction, Development and Genetics, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
| | - Samudrala Gourinath
- Structural Biology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
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Ankri S. Entamoeba histolytica-Gut Microbiota Interaction: More Than Meets the Eye. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9030581. [PMID: 33809056 PMCID: PMC7998739 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9030581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Revised: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Amebiasis is a disease caused by the unicellular parasite Entamoeba histolytica. In most cases, the infection is asymptomatic but when symptomatic, the infection can cause dysentery and invasive extraintestinal complications. In the gut, E. histolytica feeds on bacteria. Increasing evidences support the role of the gut microbiota in the development of the disease. In this review we will discuss the consequences of E. histolytica infection on the gut microbiota. We will also discuss new evidences about the role of gut microbiota in regulating the resistance of the parasite to oxidative stress and its virulence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serge Ankri
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Haifa 31096, Israel
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11
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Li J, Cui Z, Li X, Zhang L. Review of zoonotic amebiasis: Epidemiology, clinical signs, diagnosis, treatment, prevention and control. Res Vet Sci 2021; 136:174-181. [PMID: 33676155 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2021.02.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2020] [Revised: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 02/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Amebiasis is a disease caused by the protozoan parasite Entamoeba histolytica, which mainly shows symptoms of acute diarrhea, dysentery, amebic colitis, and amebic liver abscesses. As the fourth leading parasitic cause of human mortality, E. histolytica mainly infect children in developing countries, transmitted by food and water contamination. In the majority of infected individuals, Entamoeba sp. asymptomatically colonizes the large intestine and self-limiting, while in others, the parasite breaches the mucosal epithelial barrier to cause amebic colitis and can disseminate to soft organs to cause abscesses. Metronidazole (MTZ) is the recommended and most widely used drug for treating the invasive amebiasis. No amebiasis vaccine has been approved for human clinical trials to date, but many recent vaccine development studies hold promise. For the prevention and control of amebiasis, improvement of water purification systems and hygiene practices could decrease disease incidence. In this review, we focus on the epidemiology, transmission, clinical signs, pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment, prevention and control of the zoonotic amebiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junqiang Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China
| | - Zhaohui Cui
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China
| | - Xiaoying Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China
| | - Longxian Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China.
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12
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Singh A, Banerjee T, Shukla SK. Factors Associated with High Rates of Recurrence of Amebic Liver Abscess (ALA) in North India. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2021; 104:1383-1387. [PMID: 33432901 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.20-0074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Recurrence of amebic liver abscess (ALA), once considered unusual, is increasingly being reported, despite proper management. Realizing the endemicity of ALA in the study setup, this 2-year follow-up study was conducted to investigate the recurrent cases and study the associated factors. A total of 101 confirmed cases of ALA were followed up for a period of 2 years. Recurrent cases were studied for associated bacterial flora, presence of resistance genes (nim), level of matrix metalloproteinase 3 and MMP-9, and genotypes of Entamoeba histolytica and statistically compared with the nonrecurrent cases as controls. Recurrence rates of 8.9% (nine patients) were detected. The presence of Prevotella along with an increased level of MMP-9 in abscess fluid and large size of abscesses (11 × 10.8 cm) was found to be significantly associated with recurrence in ALA. Among the nine cases, the presence of nimE gene was detected in two (22.2%) patients. The genotyping of E. histolytica strains showed that in seven (77.7%) cases, the genotype of E. histolytica was the same in the primary and recurrent samples. This study reports a high rate of recurrence in the cases of ALA, hinting toward the gradual development of clinical resistance toward the commonly used drug. The presence of nim gene and Prevotella in abscess fluid along with increased MMP-9 levels and large abscess size could be important predictors of recurrent ALA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aradhana Singh
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India
| | - Tuhina Banerjee
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India
| | - Sunit Kumar Shukla
- Department of Gastroenterology, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India
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13
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Vique-Sánchez JL, Jiménez-Pineda A, Benítez-Cardoza CG. Amoebicidal effect of 5,5'-[(4-nitrophenyl)methylene]bis-6-hydroxy-2-mercapto-3-methyl-4(3H)-pyrimidinone), a new drug against Entamoeba histolytica. Arch Pharm (Weinheim) 2020; 354:e2000263. [PMID: 33017058 DOI: 10.1002/ardp.202000263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2020] [Revised: 09/10/2020] [Accepted: 09/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Entamoeba histolytica is a cosmopolitan protozoan parasite that can produce infections in the intestine and some organs (liver, lungs, and brain), with worldwide prevalence. There are treatments against E. histolytica (antiparasitics), but as the drugs used in these treatments have presented some type of resistance and/or side effects, there are cases with complications of this disease. Therefore, it is necessary to develop new drugs aimed at a specific therapeutic target against this parasite. Here, we used the compound 5,5'-[(4-nitrophenyl)methylene]bis(6-hydroxy-2-mercapto-3-methyl-4(3H)-pyrimidinone) in the patenting process (called D4). D4 has a reported specific use against a glycolytic enzyme, the triosephosphate isomerase of Trichomonas vaginalis (TvTIM). We determined that D4 has an amoebicidal effect in in vitro cultures, with an IC50 value of 18.5 µM, and we proposed a specific site of interaction (Lys77, His110, Gln115, and Glu118) in the triosephosphate isomerase of E. histolytica (EhTIM). Furthermore, compound D4 has favorable experimental and theoretical toxicity results. Therefore, D4 should be further investigated as a potential drug against E. histolytica.
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Affiliation(s)
- José L Vique-Sánchez
- Facultad de Medicina Mexicali, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Mexicali, Baja California, México
| | - Albertana Jiménez-Pineda
- Laboratorio de Investigación Bioquímica, ENMyH-Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Claudia G Benítez-Cardoza
- Laboratorio de Investigación Bioquímica, ENMyH-Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México, México
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Lead Optimization of Dehydroemetine for Repositioned Use in Malaria. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2020; 64:AAC.01444-19. [PMID: 31964796 PMCID: PMC7179302 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01444-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2019] [Accepted: 12/20/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Drug repositioning offers an effective alternative to de novo drug design to tackle the urgent need for novel antimalarial treatments. The antiamoebic compound emetine dihydrochloride has been identified as a potent in vitro inhibitor of the multidrug-resistant strain K1 of Plasmodium falciparum (50% inhibitory concentration [IC50], 47 nM ± 2.1 nM [mean ± standard deviation]). Dehydroemetine, a synthetic analogue of emetine dihydrochloride, has been reported to have less-cardiotoxic effects than emetine. Drug repositioning offers an effective alternative to de novo drug design to tackle the urgent need for novel antimalarial treatments. The antiamoebic compound emetine dihydrochloride has been identified as a potent in vitro inhibitor of the multidrug-resistant strain K1 of Plasmodium falciparum (50% inhibitory concentration [IC50], 47 nM ± 2.1 nM [mean ± standard deviation]). Dehydroemetine, a synthetic analogue of emetine dihydrochloride, has been reported to have less-cardiotoxic effects than emetine. The structures of two diastereomers of dehydroemetine were modeled on the published emetine binding site on the cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structure with PDB code 3J7A (P. falciparum 80S ribosome in complex with emetine), and it was found that (−)-R,S-dehydroemetine mimicked the bound pose of emetine more closely than did (−)-S,S-dehydroisoemetine. (−)-R,S-dehydroemetine (IC50 71.03 ± 6.1 nM) was also found to be highly potent against the multidrug-resistant K1 strain of P. falciparum compared with (−)-S,S-dehydroisoemetine (IC50, 2.07 ± 0.26 μM), which loses its potency due to the change of configuration at C-1′. In addition to its effect on the asexual erythrocytic stages of P. falciparum, the compound exhibited gametocidal properties with no cross-resistance against any of the multidrug-resistant strains tested. Drug interaction studies showed (−)-R,S-dehydroemetine to have synergistic antimalarial activity with atovaquone and proguanil. Emetine dihydrochloride and (−)-R,S-dehydroemetine failed to show any inhibition of the hERG potassium channel and displayed activity affecting the mitochondrial membrane potential, indicating a possible multimodal mechanism of action.
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Bleasel MD, Peterson GM. Emetine, Ipecac, Ipecac Alkaloids and Analogues as Potential Antiviral Agents for Coronaviruses. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2020; 13:E51. [PMID: 32245264 PMCID: PMC7151655 DOI: 10.3390/ph13030051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2020] [Revised: 03/19/2020] [Accepted: 03/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 coronavirus is currently spreading around the globe with limited treatment options available. This article presents the rationale for potentially using old drugs (emetine, other ipecac alkaloids or analogues) that have been used to treat amoebiasis in the treatment of COVID-19. Emetine had amongst the lowest reported half-maximal effective concentration (EC50) from over 290 agents screened for the Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) coronaviruses. While EC50 concentrations of emetine are achievable in the blood, studies show that concentrations of emetine can be almost 300 times higher in the lungs. Furthermore, based on the relative EC50s of emetine towards the coronaviruses compared with Entamoeba histolytica, emetine could be much more effective as an anti-coronavirus agent than it is against amoebiasis. This paper also discusses the known side effects of emetine and related compounds, how those side effects can be managed, and the optimal method of administration for the potential treatment of COVID-19. Given the serious and immediate threat that the COVID-19 coronavirus poses, our long history with emetine and the likely ability of emetine to reach therapeutic concentrations within the lungs, ipecac, emetine, and other analogues should be considered as potential treatment options, especially if in vitro studies confirm viral sensitivity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gregory M. Peterson
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University of Tasmania, Hobart Tasmania 7001, Australia;
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16
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Malik A, Dalal V, Ankri S, Tomar S. Structural insights into
Entamoeba histolytica
arginase and structure‐based identification of novel non‐amino acid based inhibitors as potential antiamoebic molecules. FEBS J 2019; 286:4135-4155. [DOI: 10.1111/febs.14960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2019] [Revised: 04/27/2019] [Accepted: 06/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Anjali Malik
- Department of Biotechnology Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee India
| | - Vikram Dalal
- Department of Biotechnology Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee India
| | - Serge Ankri
- Department of Molecular Microbiology Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine Technion‐Israel Institute of Technology Haifa Israel
| | - Shailly Tomar
- Department of Biotechnology Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee India
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17
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Debnath A, Rodriguez MA, Ankri S. Editorial: Recent Progresses in Amebiasis. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2019; 9:247. [PMID: 31338336 PMCID: PMC6629773 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2019.00247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2019] [Accepted: 06/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Anjan Debnath
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Mario Alberto Rodriguez
- Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (CINVESTAV-IPN), Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Serge Ankri
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion, Haifa, Israel
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18
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Nagaraja S, Ankri S. Target identification and intervention strategies against amebiasis. Drug Resist Updat 2019; 44:1-14. [PMID: 31112766 DOI: 10.1016/j.drup.2019.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2018] [Revised: 04/27/2019] [Accepted: 04/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Entamoeba histolytica is the etiological agent of amebiasis, which is an endemic parasitic disease in developing countries and is the cause of approximately 70,000 deaths annually. E. histolytica trophozoites usually reside in the colon as a non-pathogenic commensal in most infected individuals (90% of infected individuals are asymptomatic). For unknown reasons, these trophozoites can become virulent and invasive, cause amebic dysentery, and migrate to the liver where they cause hepatocellular damage. Amebiasis is usually treated either by amebicides which are classified as (a) luminal and are active against the luminal forms of the parasite, (b) tissue and are effective against those parasites that have invaded tissues, and (c) mixed and are effective against the luminal forms of the parasite and those forms which invaded the host's tissues. Of the amebicides, the luminal amebicide, metronidazole (MTZ), is the most widely used drug to treat amebiasis. Although well tolerated, concerns about its adverse effects and the possible emergence of MTZ-resistant strains of E. histolytica have led to the development of new therapeutic strategies against amebiasis. These strategies include improving the potency of existing amebicides, discovering new uses for approved drugs (repurposing of existing drugs), drug rediscovery, vaccination, drug targeting of essential E. histolytica components, and the use of probiotics and bioactive natural products. This review examines each of these strategies in the light of the current knowledge on the gut microbiota of patients with amebiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shruti Nagaraja
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Serge Ankri
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel.
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19
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Bonner M, Fresno M, Gironès N, Guillén N, Santi-Rocca J. Reassessing the Role of Entamoeba gingivalis in Periodontitis. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2018; 8:379. [PMID: 30420943 PMCID: PMC6215854 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2018.00379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2018] [Accepted: 10/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The protozoan Entamoeba gingivalis resides in the oral cavity and is frequently observed in the periodontal pockets of humans and pets. This species of Entamoeba is closely related to the human pathogen Entamoeba histolytica, the agent of amoebiasis. Although E. gingivalis is highly enriched in people with periodontitis (a disease in which inflammation and bone loss correlate with changes in the microbial flora), the potential role of this protozoan in oral infectious diseases is not known. Periodontitis affects half the adult population in the world, eventually leads to edentulism, and has been linked to other pathologies, like diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. As aging is a risk factor for the disorder, it is considered an inevitable physiological process, even though it can be prevented and cured. However, the impact of periodontitis on the patient's health and quality of life, as well as its economic burden, are underestimated. Commonly accepted models explain the progression from health to gingivitis and then periodontitis by a gradual change in the identity and proportion of bacterial microorganisms in the gingival crevices. Though not pathognomonic, inflammation is always present in periodontitis. The recruitment of leukocytes to inflamed gums and their passage to the periodontal pocket lumen are speculated to fuel both tissue destruction and the development of the flora. The individual contribution to the disease of each bacterial species is difficult to establish and the eventual role of protozoa in the fate of this disease has been ignored. Following recent scientific findings, we discuss the relevance of these data and propose that the status of E. gingivalis be reconsidered as a potential pathogen contributing to periodontitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Bonner
- International Institute of Periodontology Victoriaville, QC, Canada
| | - Manuel Fresno
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Universitario de La Princesa, Madrid, Spain
| | - Núria Gironès
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Universitario de La Princesa, Madrid, Spain
| | - Nancy Guillén
- Institut Pasteur, Paris, France.,Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, CNRS-ERL9195, Paris, France
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20
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Emetine inhibits Zika and Ebola virus infections through two molecular mechanisms: inhibiting viral replication and decreasing viral entry. Cell Discov 2018; 4:31. [PMID: 29872540 PMCID: PMC5986771 DOI: 10.1038/s41421-018-0034-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2018] [Revised: 04/13/2018] [Accepted: 04/23/2018] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The re-emergence of Zika virus (ZIKV) and Ebola virus (EBOV) poses serious and continued threats to the global public health. Effective therapeutics for these maladies is an unmet need. Here, we show that emetine, an anti-protozoal agent, potently inhibits ZIKV and EBOV infection with a low nanomolar half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) in vitro and potent activity in vivo. Two mechanisms of action for emetine are identified: the inhibition of ZIKV NS5 polymerase activity and disruption of lysosomal function. Emetine also inhibits EBOV entry. Cephaeline, a desmethyl analog of emetine, which may be better tolerated in patients than emetine, exhibits a similar efficacy against both ZIKV and EBOV infections. Hence, emetine and cephaeline offer pharmaceutical therapies against both ZIKV and EBOV infection.
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21
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Saidin S, Othman N, Noordin R. In Vitro Testing of Potential Entamoeba histolytica Pyruvate Phosphate Dikinase Inhibitors. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2017; 97:1204-1213. [PMID: 28820699 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.17-0132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Adverse effects and resistance to metronidazole have motivated the search for new antiamoebic agents against Entamoeba histolytica. Control of amoeba growth may be achieved by inhibiting the function of the glycolytic enzyme and pyruvate phosphate dikinase (PPDK). In this study, we screened 10 compounds using an in vitro PPDK enzyme assay. These compounds were selected from a virtual screening of compounds in the National Cancer Institute database. The antiamoebic activity of the selected compounds was also evaluated by determining minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and IC50 values using the nitro-blue tetrazolium reduction assay. Seven of the 10 compounds showed inhibitory activities against the adenosine triphosphate (ATP)/inorganic phosphate binding site of the ATP-grasp domain. Two compounds, NSC349156 (pancratistatin) and NSC228137 (7-ethoxy-4-[4-methylphenyl] sulfonyl-3-oxido-2, 1, 3-benzoxadiazol-3-ium), exhibited inhibitory effects on the growth of E. histolytica trophozoites with MIC values of 25 and 50 μM, and IC50 values of 14 and 20.7 μM, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Syazwan Saidin
- Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine, Universiti Sains Malaysia, USM, Penang, Malaysia
| | - Nurulhasanah Othman
- Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine, Universiti Sains Malaysia, USM, Penang, Malaysia
| | - Rahmah Noordin
- Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine, Universiti Sains Malaysia, USM, Penang, Malaysia
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22
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Ang CW, Jarrad AM, Cooper MA, Blaskovich MAT. Nitroimidazoles: Molecular Fireworks That Combat a Broad Spectrum of Infectious Diseases. J Med Chem 2017; 60:7636-7657. [PMID: 28463485 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.7b00143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Infectious diseases claim millions of lives every year, but with the advent of drug resistance, therapeutic options to treat infections are inadequate. There is now an urgent need to develop new and effective treatments. Nitroimidazoles are a class of antimicrobial drugs that have remarkable broad spectrum activity against parasites, mycobacteria, and anaerobic Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. While nitroimidazoles were discovered in the 1950s, there has been renewed interest in their therapeutic potential, particularly for the treatment of parasitic infections and tuberculosis. In this review, we summarize different classes of nitroimidazoles that have been described in the literature in the past five years, from approved drugs and clinical candidates to examples undergoing preclinical or early stage development. The relatively "nonspecific" mode of action and resistance mechanisms of nitromidazoles are discussed, and contemporary strategies to facilitate nitroimidazole drug development are highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chee Wei Ang
- The Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland , St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Angie M Jarrad
- The Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland , St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Matthew A Cooper
- The Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland , St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Mark A T Blaskovich
- The Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland , St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
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23
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Matthews H, Deakin J, Rajab M, Idris-Usman M, Nirmalan NJ. Investigating antimalarial drug interactions of emetine dihydrochloride hydrate using CalcuSyn-based interactivity calculations. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0173303. [PMID: 28257497 PMCID: PMC5336292 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0173303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2016] [Accepted: 02/17/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The widespread introduction of artemisinin-based combination therapy has contributed to recent reductions in malaria mortality. Combination therapies have a range of advantages, including synergism, toxicity reduction, and delaying the onset of resistance acquisition. Unfortunately, antimalarial combination therapy is limited by the depleting repertoire of effective drugs with distinct target pathways. To fast-track antimalarial drug discovery, we have previously employed drug-repositioning to identify the anti-amoebic drug, emetine dihydrochloride hydrate, as a potential candidate for repositioned use against malaria. Despite its 1000-fold increase in in vitro antimalarial potency (ED50 47 nM) compared with its anti-amoebic potency (ED50 26–32 uM), practical use of the compound has been limited by dose-dependent toxicity (emesis and cardiotoxicity). Identification of a synergistic partner drug would present an opportunity for dose-reduction, thus increasing the therapeutic window. The lack of reliable and standardised methodology to enable the in vitro definition of synergistic potential for antimalarials is a major drawback. Here we use isobologram and combination-index data generated by CalcuSyn software analyses (Biosoft v2.1) to define drug interactivity in an objective, automated manner. The method, based on the median effect principle proposed by Chou and Talalay, was initially validated for antimalarial application using the known synergistic combination (atovaquone-proguanil). The combination was used to further understand the relationship between SYBR Green viability and cytocidal versus cytostatic effects of drugs at higher levels of inhibition. We report here the use of the optimised Chou Talalay method to define synergistic antimalarial drug interactivity between emetine dihydrochloride hydrate and atovaquone. The novel findings present a potential route to harness the nanomolar antimalarial efficacy of this affordable natural product.
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Affiliation(s)
- Holly Matthews
- Environment and Life sciences, University of Salford, Greater Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Jon Deakin
- Environment and Life sciences, University of Salford, Greater Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - May Rajab
- Environment and Life sciences, University of Salford, Greater Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Maryam Idris-Usman
- Environment and Life sciences, University of Salford, Greater Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Niroshini J. Nirmalan
- Environment and Life sciences, University of Salford, Greater Manchester, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
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24
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Motazedian MH, Mikaeili F, Mohebali M, Miri R, Habibi P, Kamarloie S. The antileishmanial effects of Lowsonia inermis and Cedrus libani on Leishmania major promastigotes: an in vitro study. J Parasit Dis 2016; 41:375-379. [PMID: 28615844 DOI: 10.1007/s12639-016-0809-y] [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: 01/10/2015] [Accepted: 06/22/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a parasitic disease caused by different species of protozoan parasites belonging to the genus Leishmania. In this study, Leishmania major (MRHO/IR/75/ER) promastigotes were cultured at 23-25 °C in brain heart infusion (BHI) medium supplemented with 10 % heat-inactivated fetal bovine serum (FBS) and penicillin and streptomycin. Antileishmanial effects of Lowsonia inermis and Cedrus libani methanolic extracts (0.07, 0.15, 0.31, 0.62, 1.25, 2.5, 5, 10 mg/mL) on Leishmania major promastigotes were evaluated using the MTT (3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay. All experiments were repeated at least three times. Cedrus libani methanolic extract did not show any activity while Lowsonia inermis methanolic extract inhibited the growth of promastigote forms of L. major in vitro after 72 h of incubation and had a 50 % inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 1.25 mg/mL. The methanolic extract of Lawsonia inermis (henna) can be a promising antileishmanial agent in the future. Further experiments are needed for isolation of active fractions and identification of the active components of methanolic extract.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Fattaneh Mikaeili
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Mehdi Mohebali
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ramin Miri
- Medicinal and Natural Products Chemistry Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Parvaneh Habibi
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Sakineh Kamarloie
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
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Herrera-Martínez M, Hernández-Ramírez VI, Hernández-Carlos B, Chávez-Munguía B, Calderón-Oropeza MA, Talamás-Rohana P. Antiamoebic Activity of Adenophyllum aurantium (L.) Strother and Its Effect on the Actin Cytoskeleton of Entamoeba histolytica. Front Pharmacol 2016; 7:169. [PMID: 27445810 PMCID: PMC4922267 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2016.00169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2016] [Accepted: 06/03/2016] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In Mexico, the Adenophyllum aurantium (L.) Strother plant is consumed as an infusion to treat intestinal diseases such as amoebiasis, which is an endemic health problem in Mexico and other countries. However, the effect of A. aurantium on Entamoeba histolytica, the causative agent of amoebiasis, is unknown. An aerial part methanolic extract (AaMeA), a root methanolic extract (AaMeR) and a root ethyl acetate extract (AaEaR) were tested on E. histolytica trophozoites. AaMeA and AaMeR did not show antiproliferative activity; however, AaEaR exhibited an in vitro GI50 of 230 μg/ml, and it was able to inhibit the differentiation of Entamoeba invadens trophozoites into cysts. The intraperitoneal administration of AaEaR (2.5 or 5 mg) to hamsters that were infected with E. histolytica inhibited the development of amoebic liver abscesses in 48.5 or 89.0% of the animals, respectively. Adhesion to fibronectin and erythrophagocytosis were 28.7 and 37.5% inhibited by AaEaR, respectively. An ultrastructure analysis of AaEaR-treated trophozoites shows a decrease in the number of vacuoles but no apparent cell damage. Moreover, this extract affected the actin cytoskeleton structuration, and it prevented the formation of contractile rings by mechanism(s) that were independent of reactive oxygen species and RhoA activation pathways. (13)C NMR data showed that the major compounds in the AaEaR extract are thiophenes. Our results suggest that AaEaR may be effective in treatments against amoebiasis, nevertheless, detailed toxicity studies on thiophenes, contained in AaEaR, are required to avoid misuse of this vegetal species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mayra Herrera-Martínez
- Departamento de Infectómica y Patogénesis Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico NacionalCiudad de México, Mexico
| | - Verónica I. Hernández-Ramírez
- Departamento de Infectómica y Patogénesis Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico NacionalCiudad de México, Mexico
| | | | - Bibiana Chávez-Munguía
- Departamento de Infectómica y Patogénesis Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico NacionalCiudad de México, Mexico
| | | | - Patricia Talamás-Rohana
- Departamento de Infectómica y Patogénesis Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico NacionalCiudad de México, Mexico
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Nair G, Rebolledo M, White AC, Crannell Z, Richards-Kortum RR, Pinilla AE, Ramírez JD, López MC, Castellanos-Gonzalez A. Detection of Entamoeba histolytica by Recombinase Polymerase Amplification. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2015; 93:591-5. [PMID: 26123960 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.15-0276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2015] [Accepted: 05/12/2015] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Amebiasis is an important cause of diarrheal disease worldwide and has been associated with childhood malnutrition. Traditional microscopy approaches are neither sensitive nor specific for Entamoeba histolytica. Antigen assays are more specific, but many cases are missed unless tested by molecular methods. Although polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is effective, the need for sophisticated, expensive equipment, infrastructure, and trained personnel limits its usefulness, especially in the resource-limited, endemic areas. Here, we report development of a recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) method to detect E. histolytica specifically. Using visual detection by lateral flow (LF), the test was highly sensitive and specific and could be performed without additional equipment. The availability of this inexpensive, sensitive, and field-applicable diagnostic test could facilitate rapid diagnosis and treatment of amebiasis in endemic regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gayatri Nair
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas; Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, Texas; Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Matemáticas, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia; Departamento de Medicina Interna, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia; Departamento de Salud Pública, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Mauricio Rebolledo
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas; Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, Texas; Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Matemáticas, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia; Departamento de Medicina Interna, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia; Departamento de Salud Pública, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - A Clinton White
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas; Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, Texas; Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Matemáticas, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia; Departamento de Medicina Interna, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia; Departamento de Salud Pública, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Zachary Crannell
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas; Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, Texas; Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Matemáticas, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia; Departamento de Medicina Interna, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia; Departamento de Salud Pública, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - R Rebecca Richards-Kortum
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas; Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, Texas; Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Matemáticas, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia; Departamento de Medicina Interna, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia; Departamento de Salud Pública, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - A Elizabeth Pinilla
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas; Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, Texas; Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Matemáticas, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia; Departamento de Medicina Interna, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia; Departamento de Salud Pública, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Juan David Ramírez
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas; Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, Texas; Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Matemáticas, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia; Departamento de Medicina Interna, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia; Departamento de Salud Pública, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - M Consuelo López
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas; Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, Texas; Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Matemáticas, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia; Departamento de Medicina Interna, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia; Departamento de Salud Pública, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Alejandro Castellanos-Gonzalez
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas; Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, Texas; Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Matemáticas, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia; Departamento de Medicina Interna, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia; Departamento de Salud Pública, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia
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Naumov RN, Panda SS, Girgis AS, George RF, Farhat M, Katritzky AR. Synthesis and QSAR study of novel anti-inflammatory active mesalazine–metronidazole conjugates. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2015; 25:2314-20. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2015.04.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2015] [Revised: 04/01/2015] [Accepted: 04/08/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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El-Taweel HA. Understanding drug resistance in human intestinal protozoa. Parasitol Res 2015; 114:1647-59. [DOI: 10.1007/s00436-015-4423-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2014] [Accepted: 03/05/2015] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
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Chloroquine has a cytotoxic effect on Acanthamoeba encystation through modulation of autophagy. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2014; 58:6235-41. [PMID: 25114131 DOI: 10.1128/aac.03164-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Encystation of Acanthamoeba castellanii is associated with resistance to chemotherapeutic agents. Blocking the encystation process could potentiate the efficacy of chemotherapeutic agents and biocides. During encystation, autophagy is highly stimulated and required for proper encystation of Acanthamoeba. In this study, the cytotoxic effect of chloroquine, a well-known autophagy-inhibitory drug, was tested in A. castellanii. Chloroquine was able to selectively reduce cell survival during the encystation of A. castellanii. However, A. castellanii trophozoites and mature cysts were resistant to chloroquine. Chloroquine treatment led to an increase in the number and size of lysosomes in encysting cells. Moreover, chloroquine inhibited the degradation of long-lived proteins in the encysting cells. Decreased autophagic flux, indicated by an increased number of lysosomes and decreased degradation of long-lived proteins, may be the mechanism by which cell death is induced by chloroquine in encysting Acanthamoeba. These results suggest a potential novel therapeutic application of chloroquine as an anti-Acanthamoeba drug. Our findings also suggest that targeting autophagy could be a therapeutic strategy against Acanthamoeba infection.
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Talamás-Lara D, Chávez-Munguía B, González-Robles A, Talamás-Rohana P, Salazar-Villatoro L, Durán-Díaz Á, Martínez-Palomo A. Erythrophagocytosis in Entamoeba histolytica and Entamoeba dispar: a comparative study. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2014; 2014:626259. [PMID: 25003123 PMCID: PMC4066688 DOI: 10.1155/2014/626259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2014] [Revised: 05/09/2014] [Accepted: 05/09/2014] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Entamoeba histolytica is the causative agent of human intestinal and liver amebiasis. The extraordinary phagocytic activity of E. histolytica trophozoites has been accepted as one of the virulence mechanisms responsible for their invasive capacity. The recognition of the noninvasive Entamoeba dispar as a different species has raised the question as to whether the lack of pathogenic potential of this ameba correlates with a limited phagocytic capacity. We have therefore compared the process of erythrophagocytosis in both species by means of light and video microscopy, hemoglobin measurement, and the estimation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In the present study, we confirmed that E. dispar has lower erythrophagocytic capacity. We also observed by video microscopy a new event of erythrocyte opsonization-like in both species, being more characteristic in E. histolytica. Moreover, E. dispar showed a lower capacity to produce ROS compared with the invasive species and also showed a large population of amoebae that did not engulf any erythrocyte over time. Our results demonstrate that E. histolytica has a higher phagocytic capacity than E. dispar, including a higher rate of production of ROS in the course of ingesting red blood cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Talamás-Lara
- Department of Infectomics and Molecular Pathogenesis, Center for Research and Advanced Studies, IPN, Avenida Instituto Politécnico Nacional No. 2508, Colonia San Pedro Zacatenco, Delegación Gustavo A. Madero, 07360 Mexico City, DF, Mexico
| | - Bibiana Chávez-Munguía
- Department of Infectomics and Molecular Pathogenesis, Center for Research and Advanced Studies, IPN, Avenida Instituto Politécnico Nacional No. 2508, Colonia San Pedro Zacatenco, Delegación Gustavo A. Madero, 07360 Mexico City, DF, Mexico
| | - Arturo González-Robles
- Department of Infectomics and Molecular Pathogenesis, Center for Research and Advanced Studies, IPN, Avenida Instituto Politécnico Nacional No. 2508, Colonia San Pedro Zacatenco, Delegación Gustavo A. Madero, 07360 Mexico City, DF, Mexico
| | - Patricia Talamás-Rohana
- Department of Infectomics and Molecular Pathogenesis, Center for Research and Advanced Studies, IPN, Avenida Instituto Politécnico Nacional No. 2508, Colonia San Pedro Zacatenco, Delegación Gustavo A. Madero, 07360 Mexico City, DF, Mexico
| | - Lizbeth Salazar-Villatoro
- Department of Infectomics and Molecular Pathogenesis, Center for Research and Advanced Studies, IPN, Avenida Instituto Politécnico Nacional No. 2508, Colonia San Pedro Zacatenco, Delegación Gustavo A. Madero, 07360 Mexico City, DF, Mexico
| | - Ángel Durán-Díaz
- Faculty of Superior Studies Iztacala, Biology, UNAM, Los Reyes Iztacala, 54090 Tlalnepantla, MEX, Mexico
| | - Adolfo Martínez-Palomo
- Department of Infectomics and Molecular Pathogenesis, Center for Research and Advanced Studies, IPN, Avenida Instituto Politécnico Nacional No. 2508, Colonia San Pedro Zacatenco, Delegación Gustavo A. Madero, 07360 Mexico City, DF, Mexico
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Bolaños V, Díaz-Martínez A, Soto J, Rodríguez MA, López-Camarillo C, Marchat LA, Ramírez-Moreno E. The flavonoid (-)-epicatechin affects cytoskeleton proteins and functions in Entamoeba histolytica. J Proteomics 2014; 111:74-85. [PMID: 24887480 DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2014.05.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2014] [Revised: 05/01/2014] [Accepted: 05/22/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Human amoebiasis is an intestinal disease with a global distribution. Due to reports of parasite resistance or susceptibility reduction to metronidazole treatment, there is a renewed interest for the search of new molecules with antiamoebic activity. The flavonoid (-)-epicatechin that was isolated from the Mexican medicinal plant Geranium mexicanum HBK has an in vitro activity against E. histolytica trophozoites, however its molecular effects have been poorly documented. Using a proteomic approach based on two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry (ESI-MS/MS) analysis, we evidenced that E. histolytica cytoskeleton proteins exhibit differential abundance in response to (-)-epicatechin treatment. Moreover, functional assays revealed modification on pathogenic mechanisms associated with cytoskeleton functionality, namely, adhesion, migration, phagocytosis and cytolysis. Consequently, these data suggested that (-)-epicatechin could affect virulence properties of this human pathogen. BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE This work contributes with some advances in the action mechanisms involved in the antiamoebic effect of the flavonoid (-)-epicatechin. We found that this flavonoid has an unusual effect on trophozoites growth that is dependent of its concentration. Additionally, we reported that (-)-epicatechin affects mainly amebic cytoskeleton proteins, which results in alteration on important virulence mechanisms, like adhesion, migration, phagocytosis and cytolysis. This study provides new knowledge about a potential alternative therapy directed to the treatment of amoebiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Verónica Bolaños
- Posgrado en Biomedicina Molecular, ENMyH, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, México City 07320, México
| | - Alfredo Díaz-Martínez
- Posgrado en Biomedicina Molecular, ENMyH, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, México City 07320, México
| | - Jacqueline Soto
- Posgrado en Biomedicina Molecular, ENMyH, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, México City 07320, México
| | - Mario A Rodríguez
- Departamento de Infectómica y Patogénesis Molecular, CINVESTAV-IPN, México City A.P. 14740, México
| | - Cesar López-Camarillo
- Posgrado en Ciencias Genómicas, Universidad Autónoma de la Ciudad de México, México City 03100, México
| | - Laurence A Marchat
- Posgrado en Biomedicina Molecular, ENMyH, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, México City 07320, México; Doctorado en Biotecnología, ENMyH, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, México City 07320, México
| | - Esther Ramírez-Moreno
- Posgrado en Biomedicina Molecular, ENMyH, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, México City 07320, México; Doctorado en Biotecnología, ENMyH, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, México City 07320, México.
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Gomes TDS, Garcia MC, de Souza Cunha F, Werneck de Macedo H, Peralta JM, Peralta RHS. Differential diagnosis of Entamoeba spp. in clinical stool samples using SYBR green real-time polymerase chain reaction. ScientificWorldJournal 2014; 2014:645084. [PMID: 24693242 PMCID: PMC3944400 DOI: 10.1155/2014/645084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2013] [Accepted: 12/29/2013] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Amoebiasis, a disease caused by Entamoeba histolytica, is usually diagnosed by microscopic examination, which does not differentiate the morphologically identical species of the E. histolytica/E. dispar complex. Furthermore, morphologically similar species such as Entamoeba hartmanni contribute to misidentification. Therefore, there is a need for more sensitive and specific methods. This study standardized a multiplex real-time PCR system for E. histolytica and E. dispar and a single real-time PCR for E. hartmanni. The multiplex protocol detected up to 0.0143 pg of E. histolytica DNA and 0.5156 pg of E. dispar DNA, and the average melting temperature (T(m)) was 73 °C and 70 °C, respectively. For E. hartmanni, the T(m) was 73 °C and the amplification was successful down to 0.03 fg of plasmid DNA. Negative controls and other intestinal parasites presented no amplification. Among the 48 samples tested, E. dispar DNA was detected in 37; none exhibited E. histolytica DNA and 11 were negative in the multiplex protocol. In 4 of these 11 samples, however, E. hartmanni DNA was amplified. SYBR Green is demonstrated to be an interesting option and these combined PCR reactions can improve laboratory diagnosis of amoebiasis in developing countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thiago dos Santos Gomes
- Departamento de Doenças Infecciosas e Parasitárias, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, 21941-902 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Mariana Coimbra Garcia
- Instituto de Microbiologia Prof. Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, 21941-590 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Flavia de Souza Cunha
- Departamento de Doenças Infecciosas e Parasitárias, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, 21941-902 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | | | - José Mauro Peralta
- Instituto de Microbiologia Prof. Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, 21941-590 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Regina Helena Saramago Peralta
- Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal Fluminense, 24030-210 Niterói, RJ, Brazil
- Departamento de Patologia, Hospital Universitário Antônio Pedro, Rua Marquês do Paraná 303, Prédio Principal, 4° andar, Centro, 24030-210 Niterói, RJ, Brazil
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Cano PA, Islas-Jácome A, González-Marrero J, Yépez-Mulia L, Calzada F, Gámez-Montaño R. Synthesis of 3-tetrazolylmethyl-4H-chromen-4-ones via Ugi-azide and biological evaluation against Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia lamblia and Trichomona vaginalis. Bioorg Med Chem 2014; 22:1370-6. [PMID: 24468633 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2013.12.069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2013] [Revised: 12/19/2013] [Accepted: 12/29/2013] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
The synthesis of novel 3-tetrazolylmethyl-4H-chromen-4-ones via an Ugi-azide multicomponent reaction and their biological evaluation against Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia lamblia and Trichomona vaginalis are described. Reported yields are moderate to good and biological results show that these compounds could be considered as candidates to anti-parasitic drugs, especially against G. lamblia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro A Cano
- Departamento de Química, DCNE, Universidad de Guanajuato, Noria Alta S/N, Guanajuato C.P. 36050, Guanajuato, Mexico
| | - Alejandro Islas-Jácome
- Departamento de Química, DCNE, Universidad de Guanajuato, Noria Alta S/N, Guanajuato C.P. 36050, Guanajuato, Mexico
| | - Joaquín González-Marrero
- Unidad Profesional Interdisciplinaria de Ingeniería, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Av. Mineral de Valenciana 200, Col. Fracc. Industrial Puerto Interior, Silao de la Victoria C.P. 36275, Guanajuato, Mexico
| | - Lilian Yépez-Mulia
- Unidad de Investigación Médica en Enfermedades Infecciosas y Parasitarias, UMAE, Hospital de Pediatría, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, IMSS, Av. Cuauhtémoc No. 330, Col. Doctores, C.P. 06725 México DF, Mexico
| | - Fernando Calzada
- Unidad de Investigación Médica en Farmacología, UMAE, Hospital de Especialidades, 2do Piso, CORSE, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, IMSS, Av. Cuauhtémoc No. 330, Col. Doctores, C.P. 06725 México DF, Mexico
| | - Rocío Gámez-Montaño
- Departamento de Química, DCNE, Universidad de Guanajuato, Noria Alta S/N, Guanajuato C.P. 36050, Guanajuato, Mexico.
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Matthews H, Usman-Idris M, Khan F, Read M, Nirmalan N. Drug repositioning as a route to anti-malarial drug discovery: preliminary investigation of the in vitro anti-malarial efficacy of emetine dihydrochloride hydrate. Malar J 2013; 12:359. [PMID: 24107123 PMCID: PMC3852733 DOI: 10.1186/1475-2875-12-359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2013] [Accepted: 10/02/2013] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Drug repurposing or repositioning refers to the usage of existing drugs in diseases other than those it was originally used for. For diseases like malaria, where there is an urgent need for active drug candidates, the strategy offers a route to significantly shorten the traditional drug development pipelines. Preliminary high-throughput screens on patent expired drug libraries have recently been carried out for Plasmodium falciparum. This study reports the systematic and objective further interrogation of selected compounds reported in these studies, to enable their repositioning as novel stand-alone anti-malarials or as combinatorial partners. Methods SYBR Green flow cytometry and micro-titre plate assays optimized in the laboratory were used to monitor drug susceptibility of in vitro cultures of P. falciparum K1 parasite strains. Previously described fixed-ratio methods were adopted to investigate drug interactions. Results Emetine dihydrochloride hydrate, an anti-protozoal drug previously used for intestinal and tissue amoebiasis was shown to have potent inhibitory properties (IC50 doses of ~ 47nM) in the multidrug resistant K1 strain of P. falciparum. The sum 50% fractional inhibitory concentration (∑FIC50, 90) of the interaction of emetine dihydrochloride hydrate and dihydroartemisinin against the K1 strains of P. falciparum ranged from 0.88-1.48. Conclusion The results warrant further investigation of emetine dihydrochloride hydrate as a potential stand-alone anti-malarial option. The interaction between the drug and the current front line dihydroartemisinin ranged from additive to mildly antagonistic in the fixed drug ratios tested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Holly Matthews
- School of Environment and Life Sciences, University of Salford, M5 4WT, Salford, Manchester, UK.
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Reactivity of mercury(II) halides with the α-keto stabilized sulfonium ylides: Crystal structures of two new polymer and binuclear complexes and in vitro antibacterial study. Polyhedron 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/j.poly.2012.10.054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Structural insight into DFMO resistant ornithine decarboxylase from Entamoeba histolytica: an inkling to adaptive evolution. PLoS One 2013; 8:e53397. [PMID: 23326423 PMCID: PMC3543441 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0053397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2012] [Accepted: 11/28/2012] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Polyamine biosynthetic pathway is a validated therapeutic target for large number of infectious diseases including cancer, giardiasis and African sleeping sickness, etc. α-Difluoromethylornithine (DFMO), a potent drug used for the treatment of African sleeping sickness is an irreversible inhibitor of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), the first rate limiting enzyme of polyamine biosynthesis. The enzyme ODC of E. histolytica (EhODC) has been reported to exhibit resistance towards DFMO. Methodology/Principal Finding The basis for insensitivity towards DFMO was investigated by structural analysis of EhODC and conformational modifications at the active site. Here, we report cloning, purification and crystal structure determination of C-terminal truncated Entamoeba histolytica ornithine decarboxylase (EhODCΔ15). Structure was determined by molecular replacement method and refined to 2.8 Å resolution. The orthorhombic crystal exhibits P212121 symmetry with unit cell parameters a = 76.66, b = 119.28, c = 179.28 Å. Functional as well as evolutionary relations of EhODC with other ODC homologs were predicted on the basis of sequence analysis, phylogeny and structure. Conclusions/Significance We determined the tetrameric crystal structure of EhODCΔ15, which exists as a dimer in solution. Insensitivity towards DFMO is due to substitution of key substrate binding residues in active site pocket. Additionally, a few more substitutions similar to antizyme inhibitor (AZI), a non-functional homologue of ODCs, were identified in the active site. Here, we establish the fact that EhODC sequence has conserved PLP binding residues; in contrast few substrate binding residues are mutated similar to AZI. Further sequence analysis and structural studies revealed that EhODC may represent as an evolutionary bridge between active decarboxylase and inactive AZI.
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ElGamacy MA. 3D-QSAR studies of thiosemicarbazone and thiocarbamoylpyrazoline antiamebics. Med Chem Res 2013. [DOI: 10.1007/s00044-012-0042-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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Abstract
SIGNIFICANCE Parasitic diseases affect hundreds of millions of people worldwide and represent major health problems. Treatment is becoming extremely difficult due to the emergence of drug resistance, the absence of effective vaccines, and the spread of insecticide-resistant vectors. Thus, identification of affordable and readily available drugs against resistant parasites is of global demand. RECENT ADVANCES Susceptibility of many parasites to oxidative stress is a well-known phenomenon. Therefore, generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) or inhibition of endogenous antioxidant enzymes would be a novel therapeutic approach to develop antiparasitic drugs. This article highlights the unique metabolic pathways along with redox enzymes of unicellular (Plasmodium falciparum, Trypanosoma cruzi, Trypanosoma brucei, Leishmania donovani, Entamoeba histolytica, and Trichomonas vaginalis) and multicellular parasites (Schistosoma mansoni), which could be utilized to promote ROS-mediated toxicity. CRITICAL ISSUES Enzymes involved in various vital redox reactions could be potential targets for drug development. FUTURE DIRECTIONS The identification of redox-active antiparasitic drugs along with their mode of action will help researchers around the world in designing novel drugs in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chinmay Pal
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Kolkata, India
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Biochemical, mutational and in silico structural evidence for a functional dimeric form of the ornithine decarboxylase from Entamoeba histolytica. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2012; 6:e1559. [PMID: 22389745 PMCID: PMC3289617 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0001559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2011] [Accepted: 01/21/2012] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Entamoeba histolytica is responsible for causing amoebiasis. Polyamine biosynthesis pathway enzymes are potential drug targets in parasitic protozoan diseases. The first and rate-limiting step of this pathway is catalyzed by ornithine decarboxylase (ODC). ODC enzyme functions as an obligate dimer. However, partially purified ODC from E. histolytica (EhODC) is reported to exist in a pentameric state. METHODOLOGY AND RESULTS In present study, the oligomeric state of EhODC was re-investigated. The enzyme was over-expressed in Escherichia coli and purified. Pure protein was used for determination of secondary structure content using circular dichroism spectroscopy. The percentages of α-helix, β-sheets and random coils in EhODC were estimated to be 39%, 25% and 36% respectively. Size-exclusion chromatography and mass spectrophotometry analysis revealed that EhODC enzyme exists in dimeric form. Further, computational model of EhODC dimer was generated. The homodimer contains two separate active sites at the dimer interface with Lys57 and Cys334 residues of opposite monomers contributing to each active site. Molecular dynamic simulations were performed and the dimeric structure was found to be very stable with RMSD value ∼0.327 nm. To gain insight into the functional role, the interface residues critical for dimerization and active site formation were identified and mutated. Mutation of Lys57Ala or Cys334Ala completely abolished enzyme activity. Interestingly, partial restoration of the enzyme activity was observed when inactive Lys57Ala and Cys334Ala mutants were mixed confirming that the dimer is the active form. Furthermore, Gly361Tyr and Lys157Ala mutations at the dimer interface were found to abolish the enzyme activity and destabilize the dimer. CONCLUSION To our knowledge, this is the first report which demonstrates that EhODC is functional in the dimeric form. These findings and availability of 3D structure model of EhODC dimer opens up possibilities for alternate enzyme inhibition strategies by targeting the dimer disruption.
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Ramírez-Galicia G, Martínez-Pacheco H, Garduño-Juárez R, Deeb O. Exploring QSAR of antiamoebic agents of isolated natural products by MLR, ANN, and RTO. Med Chem Res 2011. [DOI: 10.1007/s00044-011-9767-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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Abstract
We have developed a semi-automatic methodology to reconstruct the phylogenetic species tree in Protozoa, integrating different phylogenetic algorithms and programs, and demonstrating the utility of a supermatrix approach to construct phylogenomics-based trees using 31 universal orthologs (UO). The species tree obtained was formed by three major clades that were related to three groups of data: i) Species containing at least 80% of UO (25/31) in the concatenated multiple alignment or supermatrix, this clade was called C1, ii) Species containing between 50%–79% (15–24/31) of UO called C2, and iii) Species containing less than 50% (1–14/31) of UO called C3. C1 was composed by only protozoan species, C2 was composed by species related to Protozoa, and C3 was composed by some species of C1 (Protozoa) and C2 (related to Protozoa). Our phylogenomics-based methodology using a supermatrix approach proved to be reliable with protozoan genome data and using at least 25 UO, suggesting that (a) the more UO used the better, (b) using the entire UO sequence or just a conserved block of it for the supermatrix produced similar phylogenomic trees.
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Abstract
Nitroimidazole antibiotics are the mainstay of treatment of invasive amebiasis; however, few comparative studies of applicable antibiotics are available. Evidence of sporadic clinical failure and rare reports of metronidazole resistance have led to the investigation of novel antiamebic therapeutics. The goal of this study was to examine drug efficacy in both in vitro and in vivo models of intestinal amebiasis. We studied six current and three novel drugs. Many drugs, including metronidazole, nitazoxanide, and nitazoxanide derivatives, were shown to be potently inhibitory in vitro. However, metronidazole remained the most effective in vivo, both in preventative and curative regimens, underscoring the value of animal models in evaluating future therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen Becker
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, Department of Medicine, University of Virginia, 345 Crispell Drive, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA.
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Parija SC, Garg A, Pushpa K, Khairnar K, Priya T. Polymerase chain reaction confirmation of diagnosis of intestinal amebiasis in Puducherry. Indian J Gastroenterol 2010; 29:140-2. [PMID: 20814775 DOI: 10.1007/s12664-010-0033-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2009] [Accepted: 01/07/2010] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Stool microscopy, the commonly used test for diagnosis of intestinal amebiasis, is unreliable as it does not differentiate Entamoeba histolytica, the causative agent for amebiasis, from non-pathogenic Entamoeba dispar and Entamoeba moshkovskii. METHODS Two hundred and forty-six stool samples collected between January to February 2009, were examined microscopically for E. histolytica/E. dispar/E. moshkovskii complex cysts and trophozoites. Nested multiplex PCR targeting a 16 S-like rRNA gene for differential detection of all the three morphologically similar forms of E. histolytica, E. moshkovskii and E. dispar simultaneously was done on all microscopy positive stool samples. RESULTS Forty-nine stool samples were positive for Entamoeba spp. by microscopy. Nested multiplex PCR for E. histolytica, E. moshkovskii and E. dispar was positive in only 19 of these samples, and only 6 of the 19 samples were positive for E. histolytica. CONCLUSION Stool microscopy grossly over-diagnosed intestinal amebiasis and is likely to result in unnecessary treatment with anti-protozoal drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Subhash Chandra Parija
- Department of Microbiology, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Puducherry 605006, India.
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Stearman CJ, Wilson M, Padwa A. Conjugate Addition−Dipolar Cycloaddition Cascade for the Synthesis of Benzo[a]quinolizine and Indolo[a]quinolizine Scaffolds: Application to the Total Synthesis of (±)-Yohimbenone. J Org Chem 2009; 74:3491-9. [DOI: 10.1021/jo9003579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Chad J. Stearman
- Department of Chemistry, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322
| | - Michael Wilson
- Department of Chemistry, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322
| | - Albert Padwa
- Department of Chemistry, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322
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Tuli L, Gulati AK, Sundar S, Mohapatra TM. Correlation between CD4 counts of HIV patients and enteric protozoan in different seasons - an experience of a tertiary care hospital in Varanasi (India). BMC Gastroenterol 2008; 8:36. [PMID: 18713475 PMCID: PMC2536662 DOI: 10.1186/1471-230x-8-36] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2008] [Accepted: 08/20/2008] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Protozoan infections are the most serious among all the superimposed infections in HIV patients and claim a number of lives every year. The line of treatment being different for diverse parasites necessitates a definitive diagnosis of the etiological agents to avoid empirical treatment. Thus, the present study has been aimed to elucidate the associations between diarrhoea and CD4 counts and to study the effect of HAART along with management of diarrhoea in HIV positive patients. This study is the first of its kind in this area where an attempt was made to correlate seasonal variation and intestinal protozoan infestations. METHODS The study period was from January 2006 to October 2007 wherein stool samples were collected from 366 HIV positive patients with diarrhea attending the ART centre, inpatient department and ICTC of S.S. hospital, I.M.S., B.H.U., Varanasi. Simultaneously, CD4 counts were recorded to assess the status of HIV infection vis-à-vis parasitic infection. The identification of pathogens was done on the basis of direct microscopy and different staining techniques. RESULTS Of the 366 patients, 112 had acute and 254 had chronic diarrhea. The percentages of intestinal protozoa detected were 78.5% in acute and 50.7% in chronic cases respectively. Immune restoration was observed in 36.6% patients after treatment on the basis of clinical observation and CD4 counts. In 39.8% of HIV positive cases Cryptosporidium spp. was detected followed by Microsporidia spp. (26.7%). The highest incidence of intestinal infection was in the rainy season. However, infection with Cyclospora spp. was at its peak in the summer. Patients with chronic diarrhea had lower CD4 cell counts. The maximum parasitic isolation was in the patients whose CD4 cell counts were below 200 cells/microl. CONCLUSION There was an inverse relation between the CD4 counts and duration of diarrhea. Cryptosporidium spp. was isolated maximum among all the parasites in the HIV patients. The highest incidence of infection was seen in the rainy season.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lekha Tuli
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi – 221005, India
| | - Anil K Gulati
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi – 221005, India
| | - Shyam Sundar
- Department of Medicine, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi – 221005, India
| | - Tribhuban M Mohapatra
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi – 221005, India
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Jhingran A, Padmanabhan PK, Singh S, Anamika K, Bakre AA, Bhattacharya S, Bhattacharya A, Srinivasan N, Madhubala R. Characterization of the Entamoeba histolytica ornithine decarboxylase-like enzyme. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2008; 2:e115. [PMID: 18235846 PMCID: PMC2217671 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0000115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2007] [Accepted: 10/04/2007] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The polyamines putrescine, spermidine, and spermine are organic cations that are required for cell growth and differentiation. Ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), the first and rate-limiting enzyme in the polyamine biosynthetic pathway, is a highly regulated enzyme. METHODOLOGY AND RESULTS To use this enzyme as a potential drug target, the gene encoding putative ornithine decarboxylase (ODC)-like sequence was cloned from Entamoeba histolytica, a protozoan parasite causing amoebiasis. DNA sequence analysis revealed an open reading frame (ORF) of approximately 1,242 bp encoding a putative protein of 413 amino acids with a calculated molecular mass of 46 kDa and a predicted isoelectric point of 5.61. The E. histolytica putative ODC-like sequence has 33% sequence identity with human ODC and 36% identity with the Datura stramonium ODC. The ORF is a single-copy gene located on a 1.9-Mb chromosome. The recombinant putative ODC protein (48 kDa) from E. histolytica was heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli. Antiserum against recombinant putative ODC protein detected a band of anticipated size approximately 46 kDa in E. histolytica whole-cell lysate. Difluoromethylornithine (DFMO), an enzyme-activated irreversible inhibitor of ODC, had no effect on the recombinant putative ODC from E. histolytica. Comparative modeling of the three-dimensional structure of E. histolytica putative ODC shows that the putative binding site for DFMO is disrupted by the substitution of three amino acids-aspartate-332, aspartate-361, and tyrosine-323-by histidine-296, phenylalanine-305, and asparagine-334, through which this inhibitor interacts with the protein. Amino acid changes in the pocket of the E. histolytica enzyme resulted in low substrate specificity for ornithine. It is possible that the enzyme has evolved a novel substrate specificity. CONCLUSION To our knowledge this is the first report on the molecular characterization of putative ODC-like sequence from E. histolytica. Computer modeling revealed that three of the critical residues required for binding of DFMO to the ODC enzyme are substituted in E. histolytica, resulting in the likely loss of interactions between the enzyme and DFMO.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anupam Jhingran
- School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
| | | | - Sushma Singh
- School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
| | - Krishanpal Anamika
- Molecular Biophysics Unit, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
| | - Abhijeet A. Bakre
- School of Environmental Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
| | - Sudha Bhattacharya
- School of Environmental Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
| | - Alok Bhattacharya
- School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
| | | | - Rentala Madhubala
- School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
- * E-mail:
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Fotedar R, Stark D, Beebe N, Marriott D, Ellis J, Harkness J. Laboratory diagnostic techniques for Entamoeba species. Clin Microbiol Rev 2007; 20:511-32, table of contents. [PMID: 17630338 PMCID: PMC1932757 DOI: 10.1128/cmr.00004-07] [Citation(s) in RCA: 251] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The genus Entamoeba contains many species, six of which (Entamoeba histolytica, Entamoeba dispar, Entamoeba moshkovskii, Entamoeba polecki, Entamoeba coli, and Entamoeba hartmanni) reside in the human intestinal lumen. Entamoeba histolytica is the causative agent of amebiasis and is considered a leading parasitic cause of death worldwide in humans. Although recent studies highlight the recovery of E. dispar and E. moshkovskii from patients with gastrointestinal symptoms, there is still no convincing evidence of a causal link between the presence of these two species and the symptoms of the host. New approaches to the identification of E. histolytica are based on detection of E. histolytica-specific antigen and DNA in stool and other clinical samples. Several molecular diagnostic tests, including conventional and real-time PCR, have been developed for the detection and differentiation of E. histolytica, E. dispar, and E. moshkovskii in clinical samples. The purpose of this review is to discuss different methods that exist for the identification of E. histolytica, E. dispar, and E. moshkovskii which are available to the clinical diagnostic laboratory. To address the need for a specific diagnostic test for amebiasis, a substantial amount of work has been carried out over the last decade in different parts of the world. The molecular diagnostic tests are increasingly being used for both clinical and research purposes. In order to minimize undue treatment of individuals infected with other species of Entamoeba such as E. dispar and E. moshkovskii, efforts have been made for specific diagnosis of E. histolytica infection and not to treat based simply on the microscopic examination of Entamoeba species in the stool. The incorporation of many new technologies into the diagnostic laboratory will lead to a better understanding of the public health problem and measures to control the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Fotedar
- St. Vincent's Hospital, Department of Microbiology, Sydney, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010, Australia
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García E, Lete E, Sotomayor N. Conjugate Additions of Sulfur-Stabilized Anions to Unsaturated Lactams. Synthesis of Polyfunctionalized Benzo[a]quinolizinone Systems. J Org Chem 2006; 71:6776-84. [PMID: 16930027 DOI: 10.1021/jo060903w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Conjugate addition reactions of sulfur-stabilized nucleophiles to the delta-lactam unit of tetrahydrobenzo[a]benzoquinolizines have been studied. The stereochemical outcome of the conjugate addition reaction depends on the nature of the substituent at the angular position, thus 2,11b-cis or 2,11b-trans diastereomers could be obtained selectively. The tandem conjugate addition-alkylation also takes place in good yields and with high diastereoselectivity. The polyfunctionalized hexahydrobenzo[a]quinolizinone systems obtained could be further elaborated toward emetine-like structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva García
- Departamento de Química Organica II, Facultad de Ciencia y Tecnología, Universidad del País Vasco/Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea, Apdo. 644, 48080 Bilbao, Spain
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