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Siqueira-Neto JL, Lane TR, Bernatchez JA, Calvet Alvarez CM, Barbosa da Silva E, Giardini MA, Ekins S. Oral Pyronaridine Tetraphosphate Reduces Tissue Presence of Parasites in a Mouse Model of Chagas Disease. ACS OMEGA 2024; 9:37288-37298. [PMID: 39246496 PMCID: PMC11375811 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.4c05060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2024] [Revised: 07/24/2024] [Accepted: 08/09/2024] [Indexed: 09/10/2024]
Abstract
The eukaryotic parasite Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi) is responsible for Chagas disease, which results in heart failure in patients. The disease is more common in Latin America, and is an emerging infection with The Centers for Disease Control estimating that greater than 300,000 people are currently infected in the United States. This disease has also spread from South and Central America, where it is endemic to many other countries, including Australia, Japan, and Spain. Current therapy for Chagas disease is inadequate due to limited efficacy in the indeterminate and chronic phases of the disease, in addition to the adverse effects from nifurtimox and benznidazole, which are nitro-containing drugs used for therapy. There is a clear need for new therapies for the Chagas disease. Using a computational machine learning approach, we have previously shown that the antimalarial pyronaridine tetraphosphate is active against T. cruzi Brazil-luc in vitro against parasites infecting a myoblast cell line and is also active in vivo in an acute mouse model of Chagas disease when dosed i.p. We now further evaluated oral pyronaridine as a monotherapy to determine the minimum effective dose to treat acute and chronic models of Chagas disease. Our results for T. cruzi Brazil-luc demonstrated daily oral dosing with pyronaridine from 150 to 600 mg/kg resulted in statistically significant inhibition in the 7 day acute mouse model. Combination therapy with daily dosing of benznidazole and pyronaridine in the acute infection model demonstrated that 300 mg/kg pyronaridine could return statistically significant antiparasitic activity to a subtherapetic 10 mg/kg benznidazole. In contrast, pyronaridine as monotherapy or combined with benznidazole lacked efficacy in the chronic mouse model, whereas 100 mg/kg benznidazole alone demonstrated undetectable parasites in the heart of mice. Pyronaridine requires further assessment in other chronic models to identify if it can be used beyond the acute stage of T. cruzi infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jair Lage Siqueira-Neto
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Thomas R Lane
- Collaborations Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 840 Main Campus Drive, Lab 3510, Raleigh, North Carolina 27606, United States
| | - Jean A Bernatchez
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Claudia Magalhaes Calvet Alvarez
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
- Laboratório de Ultraestrutura Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21040-300, Brazil
| | - Elany Barbosa da Silva
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Miriam A Giardini
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Sean Ekins
- Collaborations Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 840 Main Campus Drive, Lab 3510, Raleigh, North Carolina 27606, United States
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Eurtivong C, Zimmer C, Schirmeister T, Butkinaree C, Saruengkhanphasit R, Niwetmarin W, Ruchirawat S, Bhambra AS. A structure-based virtual high-throughput screening, molecular docking, molecular dynamics and MM/PBSA study identified novel putative drug-like dual inhibitors of trypanosomal cruzain and rhodesain cysteine proteases. Mol Divers 2024; 28:531-551. [PMID: 36617352 DOI: 10.1007/s11030-023-10600-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Virtual screening a collection of ~ 25,000 ChemBridge molecule collection identified two nitrogenous heterocyclic molecules, 12 and 15, with potential dual inhibitory properties against trypanosomal cruzain and rhodesain cysteine proteases. Similarity search in DrugBank found the two virtual hits with novel chemical structures with unreported anti-trypanosomal activities. Investigations into the binding mechanism by molecular dynamics simulations for 100 ns revealed the molecules were able to occupy the binding sites and stabilise the protease complexes. Binding affinities calculated using the MM/PBSA method for the last 20 ns showed that the virtual hits have comparable binding affinities to other known inhibitors from literature suggesting both molecules as promising scaffolds with dual cruzain and rhodesain inhibition properties, i.e. 12 has predicted ΔGbind values of - 38.1 and - 38.2 kcal/mol to cruzain and rhodesain, respectively, and 15 has predicted ΔGbind values of - 34.4 and - 25.8 kcal/mol to rhodesain. Per residue binding free energy decomposition studies and visual inspection at 100 ns snapshots revealed hydrogen bonding and non-polar attractions with important amino acid residues that contributed to the ΔGbind values. The interactions are similar to those previously reported in the literature. The overall ADMET predictions for the two molecules were favourable for drug development with acceptable pharmacokinetic profiles and adequate oral bioavailability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chatchakorn Eurtivong
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mahidol Univeristy, 447 Sri-Ayutthaya Road, Ratchathewi, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand.
- Program in Chemical Sciences, Chulabhorn Graduate Institute, Chulabhorn Royal Academy, 906 Kamphaeng Phet 6, Talat Bang Khen, Lak Si, Bangkok, 10210, Thailand.
- Center of Excellence On Environmental Health and Toxicology (EHT), OPS, Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, Bangkok, Thailand.
| | - Collin Zimmer
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Tanja Schirmeister
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Chutikarn Butkinaree
- National Omics Center, National Science and Technology Development Agency, Khlong Luang, 12120, Pathum Thani, Thailand
| | - Rungroj Saruengkhanphasit
- Program in Chemical Sciences, Chulabhorn Graduate Institute, Chulabhorn Royal Academy, 906 Kamphaeng Phet 6, Talat Bang Khen, Lak Si, Bangkok, 10210, Thailand
- Center of Excellence On Environmental Health and Toxicology (EHT), OPS, Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Worawat Niwetmarin
- Program in Chemical Sciences, Chulabhorn Graduate Institute, Chulabhorn Royal Academy, 906 Kamphaeng Phet 6, Talat Bang Khen, Lak Si, Bangkok, 10210, Thailand
- Center of Excellence On Environmental Health and Toxicology (EHT), OPS, Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Somsak Ruchirawat
- Program in Chemical Sciences, Chulabhorn Graduate Institute, Chulabhorn Royal Academy, 906 Kamphaeng Phet 6, Talat Bang Khen, Lak Si, Bangkok, 10210, Thailand
- Center of Excellence On Environmental Health and Toxicology (EHT), OPS, Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, Bangkok, Thailand
- Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry, Chulabhorn Research Institute, Bangkok, 10210, Thailand
| | - Avninder S Bhambra
- Leicester School of Allied Health Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, de Montfort University, Leicester, UK
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Prates JLB, Lopes JR, Chin CM, Ferreira EI, Dos Santos JL, Scarim CB. Discovery of Novel Inhibitors of Cruzain Cysteine Protease of Trypanosoma cruzi. Curr Med Chem 2024; 31:2285-2308. [PMID: 37888814 DOI: 10.2174/0109298673254864230921090519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
Chagas disease (CD) is a parasitic disease endemic in several developing countries. According to the World Health Organization, approximately 6-8 million people worldwide are inflicted by CD. The scarcity of new drugs, mainly for the chronic phase, is the main reason for treatment limitation in CD. Therefore, there is an urgent need to discover new targets for which new therapeutical agents could be developed. Cruzain cysteine protease (CCP) is a promising alternative because this enzyme exhibits pleiotropic effects by acting as a virulence factor, modulating host immune cells, and interacting with host cells. This systematic review was conducted to discover new compounds that act as cruzain inhibitors, and their effects in vitro were studied through enzymatic assays and molecular docking. Additionally, the advances and perspectives of these inhibitors are discussed. These findings are expected to contribute to medicinal chemistry in view of the design of new, safe, and efficacious inhibitors against Trypanosoma cruzi CCP detected in the last decade (2013-2022) to provide scaffolds for further optimization, aiming toward the discovery of new drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- João Lucas Bruno Prates
- Department of Drugs and Medicine, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araraquara, SP, Brazil
- Chemistry Institute Araraquara, São Paulo State University (UNESP), SP, Brazil
| | - Juliana Romano Lopes
- Department of Drugs and Medicine, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araraquara, SP, Brazil
| | - Chung Man Chin
- Department of Drugs and Medicine, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araraquara, SP, Brazil
- Union of the Colleges of the Great Lakes (UNILAGO), School of Medicine, Advanced Research Center in Medicine, São José do Rio Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Elizabeth Igne Ferreira
- LAPEN-Laboratory of Design and Synthesis of Chemotherapeutic Agents Potentially Active on Neglected Diseases, Department of Pharmacy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Jean Leandro Dos Santos
- Department of Drugs and Medicine, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araraquara, SP, Brazil
- Chemistry Institute Araraquara, São Paulo State University (UNESP), SP, Brazil
| | - Cauê Benito Scarim
- Department of Drugs and Medicine, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araraquara, SP, Brazil
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Porta EOJ, Kalesh K, Steel PG. Navigating drug repurposing for Chagas disease: advances, challenges, and opportunities. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1233253. [PMID: 37576826 PMCID: PMC10416112 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1233253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease is a vector-borne illness caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi). It poses a significant public health burden, particularly in the poorest regions of Latin America. Currently, there is no available vaccine, and chemotherapy has been the traditional treatment for Chagas disease. However, the treatment options are limited to just two outdated medicines, nifurtimox and benznidazole, which have serious side effects and low efficacy, especially during the chronic phase of the disease. Collectively, this has led the World Health Organization to classify it as a neglected disease. To address this problem, new drug regimens are urgently needed. Drug repurposing, which involves the use of existing drugs already approved for the treatment of other diseases, represents an increasingly important option. This approach offers potential cost reduction in new drug discovery processes and can address pharmaceutical bottlenecks in the development of drugs for Chagas disease. In this review, we discuss the state-of-the-art of drug repurposing approaches, including combination therapy with existing drugs, to overcome the formidable challenges associated with treating Chagas disease. Organized by original therapeutic area, we describe significant recent advances, as well as the challenges in this field. In particular, we identify candidates that exhibit potential for heightened efficacy and reduced toxicity profiles with the ultimate objective of accelerating the development of new, safe, and effective treatments for Chagas disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Karunakaran Kalesh
- School of Health and Life Sciences, Teesside University, Middlesbrough, United Kingdom
- National Horizons Centre, Darlington, United Kingdom
| | - Patrick G. Steel
- Department of Chemistry, Durham University, Durham, United Kingdom
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Santos VC, Leite PG, Santos LH, Pascutti PG, Kolb P, Machado FS, Ferreira RS. Structure-based discovery of novel cruzain inhibitors with distinct trypanocidal activity profiles. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 257:115498. [PMID: 37290182 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Revised: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Over 110 years after the first formal description of Chagas disease, the trypanocidal drugs thus far available have limited efficacy and several side effects. This encourages the search for novel treatments that inhibit T. cruzi targets. One of the most studied anti-T. cruzi targets is the cysteine protease cruzain; it is associated with metacyclogenesis, replication, and invasion of the host cells. We used computational techniques to identify novel molecular scaffolds that act as cruzain inhibitors. First, with a docking-based virtual screening, we identified compound 8, a competitive cruzain inhibitor with a Ki of 4.6 μM. Then, aided by molecular dynamics simulations, cheminformatics, and docking, we identified the analog compound 22 with a Ki of 27 μM. Surprisingly, despite sharing the same isoquinoline scaffold, compound 8 presented higher trypanocidal activity against the epimastigote forms, while compound 22, against the trypomastigotes and amastigotes. Taken together, compounds 8 and 22 represent a promising scaffold for further development of trypanocidal compounds as drug candidates for treating Chagas disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viviane Corrêa Santos
- Laboratório de Modelagem Molecular e Planejamento de Fármacos, Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Antônio Carlos 6627, Belo Horizonte, MG, 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Paulo Gaio Leite
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Antonio Carlos 6627, Belo Horizonte, MG, 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Lucianna Helene Santos
- Laboratório de Modelagem Molecular e Planejamento de Fármacos, Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Antônio Carlos 6627, Belo Horizonte, MG, 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Pedro Geraldo Pascutti
- Laboratório de Modelagem e Dinâmica Molecular, Instituto de Biofísica, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Av. Carlos Chagas Filho, 373, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, CEP 21944-970, Brazil
| | - Peter Kolb
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps-University Marburg, Marbacher Weg 6, 35037, Marburg, Germany
| | - Fabiana Simão Machado
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Antonio Carlos 6627, Belo Horizonte, MG, 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Rafaela Salgado Ferreira
- Laboratório de Modelagem Molecular e Planejamento de Fármacos, Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Antônio Carlos 6627, Belo Horizonte, MG, 31270-901, Brazil.
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Lameiro RF, Montanari CA. Investigating the Lack of Translation from Cruzain Inhibition to Trypanosoma cruzi Activity with Machine Learning and Chemical Space Analyses. ChemMedChem 2023; 18:e202200434. [PMID: 36692246 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202200434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Revised: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Chagas disease is a neglected tropical disease caused by the protozoa Trypanosoma cruzi. Cruzain, its main cysteine protease, is commonly targeted in drug discovery efforts to find new treatments for this disease. Even though the essentiality of this enzyme for the parasite has been established, many cruzain inhibitors fail as trypanocidal agents. This lack of translation from biochemical to biological assays can involve several factors, including suboptimal physicochemical properties. In this work, we aim to rationalize this phenomenon through chemical space analyses of calculated molecular descriptors. These include statistical tests, visualization of projections, scaffold analysis, and creation of machine learning models coupled with interpretability methods. Our results demonstrate a significant difference between the chemical spaces of cruzain and T. cruzi inhibitors, with compounds with more hydrogen bond donors and rotatable bonds being more likely to be good cruzain inhibitors, but less likely to be active on T. cruzi. In addition, cruzain inhibitors seem to occupy specific regions of the chemical space that cannot be easily correlated with T. cruzi activity, which means that using predictive modeling to determine whether cruzain inhibitors will be trypanocidal is not a straightforward task. We believe that the conclusions from this work might be of interest for future projects that aim to develop novel trypanocidal compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael F Lameiro
- Medicinal and Biological Chemistry Group, São Carlos Institute of Chemistry, University of São Paulo, Trabalhador São-Carlense Avenue 400, São Carlos, Brazil
| | - Carlos A Montanari
- Medicinal and Biological Chemistry Group, São Carlos Institute of Chemistry, University of São Paulo, Trabalhador São-Carlense Avenue 400, São Carlos, Brazil
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Martins LC, de Oliveira RB, Lameira J, Ferreira RS. Experimental and Computational Study of Aryl-thiosemicarbazones Inhibiting Cruzain Reveals Reversible Inhibition and a Stepwise Mechanism. J Chem Inf Model 2023; 63:1506-1520. [PMID: 36802548 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.2c01566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/22/2023]
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi is a parasite that infects about 6-7 million people worldwide, mostly in Latin America, causing Chagas disease. Cruzain, the main cysteine protease of T. cruzi, is a validated target for developing drug candidates for Chagas disease. Thiosemicarbazones are one of the most relevant warheads used in covalent inhibitors targeting cruzain. Despite its relevance, the mechanism of inhibition of cruzain by thiosemicarbazones is unknown. Here, we combined experiments and simulations to unveil the covalent inhibition mechanism of cruzain by a thiosemicarbazone-based inhibitor (compound 1). Additionally, we studied a semicarbazone (compound 2), which is structurally similar to compound 1 but does not inhibit cruzain. Assays confirmed the reversibility of inhibition by compound 1 and suggested a two-step mechanism of inhibition. The Ki was estimated to be 36.3 μM and Ki* to be 11.5 μM, suggesting the pre-covalent complex to be relevant for inhibition. Molecular dynamics simulations of compounds 1 and 2 with cruzain were used to propose putative binding modes for the ligands. One-dimensional (1D) quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) potential of mean force (PMF) and gas-phase energies showed that the attack of Cys25-S- on the C═S or C═O bond yields a more stable intermediate than the attack on the C═N bond of the thiosemicarbazone/semicarbazone. Two-dimensional (2D) QM/MM PMF revealed a putative reaction mechanism for compound 1, involving the proton transfer to the ligand, followed by the Cys25-S- attack at C═S. The ΔG and energy barrier were estimated to be -1.4 and 11.7 kcal/mol, respectively. Overall, our results shed light on the inhibition mechanism of cruzain by thiosemicarbazones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luan Carvalho Martins
- Molecular Modeling and Drug Design Laboratory, Institute for Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, 6627, Antônio Carlos Avenue, 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Renata Barbosa de Oliveira
- Pharmaceutical Products Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Federal University of Minas Gerais, 6627, Antônio Carlos Avenue, 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Jerônimo Lameira
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, 66075-110 Belém, Pará, Brazil
| | - Rafaela Salgado Ferreira
- Molecular Modeling and Drug Design Laboratory, Institute for Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, 6627, Antônio Carlos Avenue, 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
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Araujo SC, de Angelo RM, Barbosa H, Costa-Silva TA, Tempone AG, Lago JHG, Honorio KM. Identification of inhibitors as drug candidates against Chagas disease. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 248:115074. [PMID: 36623331 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.115074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Revised: 12/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Chagas disease, after more than a century after its discovery, is still a major public health problem. It is estimated that approximately 10 million people worldwide are infected with T. cruzi. However, the situation is more critical in Latin America and other regions where the disease is endemic. The largest number of cases occurs in Brazil, Argentina, and Mexico as more than 100 million people in these regions are located in areas with a high risk of contamination by the vector. The need for new therapeutic alternatives is urgent, as the available drugs have severe limitations such as low efficacy and high toxicity. From this scenario, in this work, we employed the virtual screening technique using cruzain and BDF2 as key biological targets for the survival of the parasite. Our objective was to identify potential inhibitors of T. cruzi trypomastigotes, which could be considered drug candidates against Chagas disease. For this, we employed different in silico methodologies and the obtained results were corroborated using in vitro biological assays. For the VS studies, a database containing synthetic compounds was simulated at the binding site of cruzain and BDF2. In addition, pharmacophoric models were constructed in the initial phases of VS, as well as other advanced analyses (molecular dynamics simulations, calculations of binding free energy, and ADME prediction) were carried out and the results allowed the selection of potential inhibitors of T. cruzi. Based on the obtained data, 32 different compounds commercially available were subjected to biological tests against the trypomastigote form of T. cruzi. As result, 11 of those compounds displayed significant activity against T. cruzi and can be considered potential candidates for the treatment of Chagas disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheila Cruz Araujo
- Center of Natural Sciences and Humanities, Federal University of ABC, São Paulo, 09210-180, Brazil
| | | | - Henrique Barbosa
- Center of Natural Sciences and Humanities, Federal University of ABC, São Paulo, 09210-180, Brazil
| | - Thais Alves Costa-Silva
- Center of Natural Sciences and Humanities, Federal University of ABC, São Paulo, 09210-180, Brazil
| | - André Gustavo Tempone
- Centre for Parasitology and Mycology, Instituto Adolfo Lutz, São Paulo, 01246-902, Brazil
| | | | - Kathia Maria Honorio
- Center of Natural Sciences and Humanities, Federal University of ABC, São Paulo, 09210-180, Brazil; School of Arts, Science, and Humanities, University of Sao Paulo, São Paulo, 03828-000, Brazil.
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Dankwa B, Broni E, Enninful KS, Kwofie SK, Wilson MD. Consensus docking and MM-PBSA computations identify putative furin protease inhibitors for developing potential therapeutics against COVID-19. Struct Chem 2022; 33:2221-2241. [PMID: 36118173 PMCID: PMC9470509 DOI: 10.1007/s11224-022-02056-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a pandemic that has severely posed substantial health challenges and claimed millions of lives. Though vaccines have been produced to stem the spread of this disease, the death rate remains high since drugs used for treatment have therapeutic challenges. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus that causes the disease, has a slew of potential therapeutic targets. Among them is the furin protease, which has a cleavage site on the virus’s spike protein. The cleavage site facilitates the entry of the virus into human cells via cell–cell fusion. This critical involvement of furin in the disease pathogenicity has made it a viable therapeutic strategy against the virus. This study employs the consensus docking approach using HYBRID and AutoDock Vina to virtually screen a pre-filtered library of 3942 natural product compounds of African origin against the human furin protease (PDB: 4RYD). Twenty of these compounds were selected as hits after meeting molecular docking cut-off of − 7 kcal.mol−1, pose alignment inspection, and having favorable furin-ligand interactions. An area under the curve (AUC) value of 0.72 was computed from the receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve, and Boltzmann-enhanced discrimination of the ROC curve (BEDROC) value of 0.65 showed that AutoDock Vina was a reasonable tool for selecting actives for this target. Seven of these hits were proposed as potential leads having had bonding interactions with catalytic triad residues Ser368, His194, and Asp153, and other essential residues in the active site with plausible binding free energies between − 189 and − 95 kJ/mol from the Molecular Mechanics Poisson-Boltzmann Surface Area (MM-PBSA) calculations as well as favorable ADME/Tox properties. The molecules were also predicted as antiviral, anti-inflammatory, membrane permeability inhibitors, RNA synthesis inhibitors, cytoprotective, and hepatoprotective with probable activity (Pa) above 0.5 and probable inactivity values below 0.1. Some of them also have anti-influenza activity. Influenza virus has many similarities with SARS-CoV-2 in their mode of entry into human cells as both are facilitated by the furin protease. Pinobanksin 3-(E)-caffeate, one of the potential leads is a propolis compound. Propolis compounds have shown inhibitory effects against ACE2, TMPRSS2, and PAK1 signaling pathways of SARS-CoV-2 in previous studies. Likewise, quercitrin is structurally similar to isoquercetin, which is currently in clinical trials as possible medication for COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bismark Dankwa
- Department of Parasitology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR), College of Health Sciences (CHS), University of Ghana, Legon, Accra LG 581, Ghana
- Department of Computer Science, School of Physical & Mathematical Science, College of Basic & Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, LG 163 Legon, Accra Ghana
| | - Emmanuel Broni
- Department of Parasitology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR), College of Health Sciences (CHS), University of Ghana, Legon, Accra LG 581, Ghana
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering Sciences, College of Basic & Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra LG 77, Ghana
- Department of Medicine, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, IL 60153 USA
| | - Kweku S. Enninful
- Department of Parasitology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR), College of Health Sciences (CHS), University of Ghana, Legon, Accra LG 581, Ghana
| | - Samuel K. Kwofie
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering Sciences, College of Basic & Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra LG 77, Ghana
- Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra LG 54, Ghana
| | - Michael D. Wilson
- Department of Parasitology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR), College of Health Sciences (CHS), University of Ghana, Legon, Accra LG 581, Ghana
- Department of Medicine, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, IL 60153 USA
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Veríssimo GC, Serafim MSM, Kronenberger T, Ferreira RS, Honorio KM, Maltarollo VG. Designing drugs when there is low data availability: one-shot learning and other approaches to face the issues of a long-term concern. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2022; 17:929-947. [PMID: 35983695 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2022.2114451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Modern drug discovery generally is accessed by useful information from previous large databases or uncovering novel data. The lack of biological and/or chemical data tends to slow the development of scientific research and innovation. Here, approaches that may help provide solutions to generate or obtain enough relevant data or improve/accelerate existing methods within the last five years were reviewed. AREAS COVERED One-shot learning (OSL) approaches, structural modeling, molecular docking, scoring function space (SFS), molecular dynamics (MD), and quantum mechanics (QM) may be used to amplify the amount of available data to drug design and discovery campaigns, presenting methods, their perspectives, and discussions to be employed in the near future. EXPERT OPINION Recent works have successfully used these techniques to solve a range of issues in the face of data scarcity, including complex problems such as the challenging scenario of drug design aimed at intrinsically disordered proteins and the evaluation of potential adverse effects in a clinical scenario. These examples show that it is possible to improve and kickstart research from scarce available data to design and discover new potential drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel C Veríssimo
- Departamento de Produtos Farmacêuticos, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Mateus Sá M Serafim
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Thales Kronenberger
- Department of Medical Oncology and Pneumology, Internal Medicine VIII, University Hospital of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Rafaela S Ferreira
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Kathia M Honorio
- Escola de Artes, Ciências e Humanidades, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, Brazil.,Centro de Ciências Naturais e Humanas, Universidade Federal do ABC (UFABC), Santo André, Brazil
| | - Vinícius G Maltarollo
- Departamento de Produtos Farmacêuticos, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Brazil
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11
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Reis CRCD, Souza HVCMD, Leme RPP, Castelo-Branco FS, Fernandes TVA, Boechat N, Dias LRS, Hoelz LVB. Study of the dynamic behavior of the cruzain enzyme in free and complexed forms with competitive and noncovalent benzimidazole inhibitors. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2022:1-15. [PMID: 35475501 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2022.2067238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
There are only two drugs for the treatment of Chagas disease, namely, nifurtimox and benznidazole, that can cause several adverse effects. Despite the effectiveness of these drugs in the disease's acute phase, they are not recognized as curative in the chronic phase, establishing the need for more effective treatment in all stages of the disease. Cruzain is an enzyme that plays a vital role in the life cycle of the etiologic agent, the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, being relevant as a therapeutic target in the planning of new drugs. Using molecular docking and dynamics simulations, we have investigated the structural and dynamic factors that can be involved in the enzyme inhibition process at the atomic-molecular level by benzimidazole compounds that are potent cruzain inhibitors with in vitro trypanocidal activity. The study suggests that these inhibitors bind cruzain through steric and hydrogen bonding interactions without altering its secondary structure content and protein compaction. Besides, we observed that these inhibitors decrease the correlation of movements between Cα-atoms of cruzain, increasing the number of atomic communities, mainly in the α-helix that presents the catalytic Cys25 residue. As expected, we also observed a correlation between the inhibitory activity of each inhibitor and their respective binding-free energies, reinforcing that the affinity of the complexes seems to be a relevant factor for enzymatic inhibition. Hence, the results presented in this work contribute to a better understanding of the cruzain enzyme inhibition mechanism through competitive and non-covalent inhibitors.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Rodrigues Chaves Dos Reis
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Aplicadas a Produtos Para Saúde (PPG-CAPS), Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Rua Mário Viana, Niterói, RJ, Brazil.,Faculdade de Farmácia, Laboratório de Química Medicinal - LQMed, Universidade Federal Fluminense (UFF), Santa Rosa, Niterói, RJ, Brazil.,Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Instituto de Tecnologia em Fármacos, Farmanguinhos - Fiocruz, Laboratório de Síntese Fármacos - LASFAR, Manguinhos Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Hellen Valério Chaves Moura de Souza
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Instituto de Tecnologia em Fármacos, Farmanguinhos - Fiocruz, Laboratório de Síntese Fármacos - LASFAR, Manguinhos Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Rennan Papaleo Paes Leme
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Instituto de Tecnologia em Fármacos, Farmanguinhos - Fiocruz, Laboratório de Síntese Fármacos - LASFAR, Manguinhos Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.,Programa de Pós-Graduação em Farmacologia e Química Medicinal - Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, UFRJ, Centro de Ciências da Saúde (CCS), Bloco J - Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Frederico Silva Castelo-Branco
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Instituto de Tecnologia em Fármacos, Farmanguinhos - Fiocruz, Laboratório de Síntese Fármacos - LASFAR, Manguinhos Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Tácio Vinício Amorim Fernandes
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Instituto de Tecnologia em Fármacos, Farmanguinhos - Fiocruz, Laboratório de Síntese Fármacos - LASFAR, Manguinhos Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Núbia Boechat
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Instituto de Tecnologia em Fármacos, Farmanguinhos - Fiocruz, Laboratório de Síntese Fármacos - LASFAR, Manguinhos Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Luiza Rosaria Sousa Dias
- Faculdade de Farmácia, Laboratório de Química Medicinal - LQMed, Universidade Federal Fluminense (UFF), Santa Rosa, Niterói, RJ, Brazil
| | - Lucas Villas Bôas Hoelz
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Instituto de Tecnologia em Fármacos, Farmanguinhos - Fiocruz, Laboratório de Síntese Fármacos - LASFAR, Manguinhos Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
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12
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Santos VC, Campos ACB, Waldner BJ, Liedl KR, Ferreira RS. Impact of different protonation states on virtual screening performance against cruzain. Chem Biol Drug Des 2021; 99:703-716. [PMID: 34923756 DOI: 10.1111/cbdd.14008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Revised: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The cysteine protease cruzain is a Chagas disease target, exploited in computational studies. However, there is no consensus on the protonation states of the active site residues Cys25, His162, and Glu208 at the enzyme's active pH range. We evaluated the impact of different protonation states of these residues on docking calculations. Through a retrospective study with cruzain inhibitors and decoys, we compared the performance of virtual screening using four grids, varying protonation states of Cys25, His162, and Glu208. Based on enrichment factors and ROC plots, docking with the four grids affected compound ranking and the overall charge of top-ranking compounds. Different grids can be complementary and synergistic, increasing the odds of finding different ligands with diverse chemical properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viviane Corrêa Santos
- Laboratório de Modelagem Molecular e Planejamento de Fármacos, Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Antônio Carlos 6627, Belo Horizonte, MG, 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Augusto César Broilo Campos
- Laboratório de Modelagem Molecular e Planejamento de Fármacos, Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Antônio Carlos 6627, Belo Horizonte, MG, 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Birgit J Waldner
- Institute of General, Inorganic and Theoretical Chemistry, and Centre for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Innrain 82, Innsbruck, Tyrol, 6020, Austria
| | - Klaus R Liedl
- Institute of General, Inorganic and Theoretical Chemistry, and Centre for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Innrain 82, Innsbruck, Tyrol, 6020, Austria
| | - Rafaela Salgado Ferreira
- Laboratório de Modelagem Molecular e Planejamento de Fármacos, Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Antônio Carlos 6627, Belo Horizonte, MG, 31270-901, Brazil
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13
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Structural improvement of new thiazolyl-isatin derivatives produces potent and selective trypanocidal and leishmanicidal compounds. Chem Biol Interact 2021; 345:109561. [PMID: 34174251 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2021.109561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2020] [Revised: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Neglected diseases are a group of transmissible diseases that occur mostly in countries in tropical climates. Among this group, Chagas disease and leishmaniasis stand out, considered threats to global health. Treatment for these diseases is limited. Therefore, there is a need for new therapies against these diseases. In this sense, our proposal consisted of developing two series of compounds, using a molecular hybridization of the heterocyclic isatin and thiazole. The isatin and thiazole ring are important scaffold for several biological disorders, including antiparasitic ones. Herein, thiazolyl-isatin has been synthesized from respective thiosemicarbazone or phenyl-thiosemicarbazone, being some of these new thiazolyl-isatin toxic for trypomastigotes without affecting macrophages viability. From this series, compounds 2e (IC50 = 4.43 μM), 2j (IC50 = 2.05 μM), 2l (IC50 = 4.12 μM) and 2m (1.72 μM) showed the best anti-T. cruzi activity for trypomastigote form presenting a selectivity index higher than Benznidazole (BZN). Compounds 2j, 2l and 2m were able to induce a significantly labelling compatible with necrosis in trypomastigotes. Analysis by scanning electron microscopy showed that T. cruzi trypomastigote cells treated with the compound 2m from IC50 concentrations, promoted changes in the shape, flagella and surface of body causing of the parasite dead. Concerning leishmanicidal evaluation against L. amazonensis and L. infantum, compounds 2l (IC50 = 7.36 and 7.97 μM, respectively) and 2m (6.17 and 6.04 μM, respectively) showed the best activity for promastigote form, besides showed a higher selectivity than Miltefosine. Thus, compounds 2l and 2m showed dual in vitro trypanosomicidal and leishmanicidal activities. A structural activity relationship study showed that thiazolyl-isatin derivatives from phenyl-thiosemicarbazone (2a-m) were, in general, more active than thiazolyl-isatin derivatives from thiosemicarbazone (1a-g). Crystallography studies revealed a different configuration between series 1a-g and 2a-m. The configuration and spatial arrangement divergent between the two sub-series could explain the improved biological activity profile of 2a-m sub-series.
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14
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Synthesis, biochemical evaluation and molecular modeling studies of nonpeptidic nitrile-based fluorinated compounds. Future Med Chem 2020; 13:25-43. [PMID: 33289603 DOI: 10.4155/fmc-2020-0057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Aim: Compounds that block enzyme activity can kill pathogens and help develop effective and safe drugs for Chagas disease and leishmaniasis. Materials & methods: A library of nonpeptidic nitrile-based compounds was synthesized and had their inhibitory affinity tested against cruzain, Leishmania mexicana cysteine protease B and cathepsin L. Isothermal titration calorimetry experiments and molecular simulations were performed for selected compounds to obtain thermodynamic fingerprints and identify main interactions and putative modes of binding with cruzain. Results: The derivatives provided increased affinity against all enzymes compared with the lead, and thermodynamic and computational studies showed improved thermodynamic properties and a possible different mode of binding. Conclusion: Our studies culminated in 1b, a compound 60-fold more potent in cruzain than its lead that also showed entropic and enthalpic contributions favorable to Gibbs binding energy.
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15
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Pereira PML, Camargo PG, Fernandes BT, Flores-Junior LAP, Dias LRS, Lima CHS, Pinge-Filho P, Lioni LMY, Yamada-Ogatta SF, Bispo MLF, Macedo F. In vitro evaluation of antitrypanosomal activity and molecular docking of benzoylthioureas. Parasitol Int 2020; 80:102225. [PMID: 33160050 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2020.102225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
A series of sixteen benzoylthioureas derivatives were initially evaluated in vitro against the epimastigote form of Trypanosoma cruzi. All of the tested compounds inhibited the growth of this form of the parasite, and due to the promising anti-epimastigote activity from three of these compounds, they were also assayed against the trypomastigote and amastigote forms. ADMET-Tox in silico predictions and molecular docking studies with two main enzymatic targets (cruzain and CYP-51) were performed for the three compounds with the highest activity. The docking studies showed that these compounds can interact with the active site of cruzain by hydrogen bonds and can be coordinated with Fe-heme through the carbonyl oxygen atom of the CYP51. These findings can be considered an important starting point for the proposal of the benzoylthioureas as potent, selective, and multi-target antitrypanosomal agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia M L Pereira
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Microrganismos, Departamento de Microbiologia, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Priscila G Camargo
- Departamento de Química, Centro de Ciências Exatas, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Bruna T Fernandes
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Microrganismos, Departamento de Microbiologia, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Luiz A P Flores-Junior
- Laboratório de Química Medicinal, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Luiza R S Dias
- Laboratório de Química Medicinal, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Camilo H S Lima
- Laboratório de Química Medicinal, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Departamento de Química Orgânica, Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Phileno Pinge-Filho
- Laboratório de Imunopatologia Experimental, Departamento de Ciências Patológicas, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Brazil
| | - Lucy M Y Lioni
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Microrganismos, Departamento de Microbiologia, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Sueli F Yamada-Ogatta
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Microrganismos, Departamento de Microbiologia, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Marcelle L F Bispo
- Departamento de Química, Centro de Ciências Exatas, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil.
| | - Fernando Macedo
- Departamento de Química, Centro de Ciências Exatas, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
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16
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de Albuquerque S, Cianni L, de Vita D, Duque C, Gomes ASM, Gomes P, Laughton C, Leitão A, Montanari CA, Montanari R, Ribeiro JFR, da Silva JS, Teixeira C. Molecular design aided by random forests and synthesis of potent trypanocidal agents as cruzain inhibitors for Chagas disease treatment. Chem Biol Drug Des 2020; 96:948-960. [PMID: 33058457 DOI: 10.1111/cbdd.13663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2019] [Revised: 12/13/2019] [Accepted: 12/23/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Cruzain is an established target for the identification of novel trypanocidal agents, but how good are in vitro/in vivo correlations? This work describes the development of a random forests model for the prediction of the bioavailability of cruzain inhibitors that are Trypanosoma cruzi killers. Some common properties that characterize drug-likeness are poorly represented in many established cruzain inhibitors. This correlates with the evidence that many high-affinity cruzain inhibitors are not trypanocidal agents against T. cruzi. On the other hand, T. cruzi killers that present typical drug-like characteristics are likely to show better trypanocidal action than those without such features. The random forests model was not outperformed by other machine learning methods (such as artificial neural networks and support vector machines), and it was validated with the synthesis of two new trypanocidal agents. Specifically, we report a new lead compound, Neq0565, which was tested on T. cruzi Tulahuen (β-galactosidase) with a pEC50 of 4.9. It is inactive in the host cell line showing a selectivity index (SI = EC50 cyto /EC50 T. cruzi ) higher than 50.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sérgio de Albuquerque
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Lorenzo Cianni
- Grupo de Química Medicinal, Instituto de Química de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, São Carlos/SP, Brazil
| | - Daniela de Vita
- Grupo de Química Medicinal, Instituto de Química de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, São Carlos/SP, Brazil
| | - Carla Duque
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ana S M Gomes
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Paula Gomes
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Charles Laughton
- School of Pharmacy and Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Andrei Leitão
- Grupo de Química Medicinal, Instituto de Química de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, São Carlos/SP, Brazil
| | - Carlos A Montanari
- Grupo de Química Medicinal, Instituto de Química de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, São Carlos/SP, Brazil
| | - Raphael Montanari
- Centro de Robótica de São Carlos, EESC-ICMC, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Jean F R Ribeiro
- Grupo de Química Medicinal, Instituto de Química de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, São Carlos/SP, Brazil
| | - João Santana da Silva
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Cátia Teixeira
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
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17
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Benzimidazole inhibitors of the major cysteine protease of Trypanosoma brucei. Future Med Chem 2020; 11:1537-1551. [PMID: 31469332 DOI: 10.4155/fmc-2018-0523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim: Limitations in available therapies for trypanosomiases indicate the need for improved medicines. Cysteine proteases cruzain and rhodesain are validated targets for treatment of Chagas disease and human African trypanosomiasis. Previous studies reported a benzimidazole series as potent cruzain inhibitors. Results & methodology: Considering the high similarity between these proteases, we evaluated 40 benzimidazoles against rhodesain. We describe their structure-activity relationships (SAR), revealing trends similar to those observed for cruzain and features that lead to enzyme selectivity. This series comprises noncovalent competitive inhibitors (best Ki = 0.21 μM against rhodesain) and micromolar activity against Trypanosoma brucei brucei. A cheminformatics analysis confirms scaffold novelty, and the inhibitors described have favorable predicted physicochemical properties. Conclusion: Our results support this series as a starting point for new human African trypanosomiasis medicines.
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18
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Pereira CA, Sayé M, Reigada C, Silber AM, Labadie GR, Miranda MR, Valera-Vera E. Computational approaches for drug discovery against trypanosomatid-caused diseases. Parasitology 2020; 147:611-633. [PMID: 32046803 PMCID: PMC10317681 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182020000207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2019] [Revised: 02/03/2020] [Accepted: 02/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
During three decades, only about 20 new drugs have been developed for malaria, tuberculosis and all neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). This critical situation was reached because NTDs represent only 10% of health research investments; however, they comprise about 90% of the global disease burden. Computational simulations applied in virtual screening (VS) strategies are very efficient tools to identify pharmacologically active compounds or new indications for drugs already administered for other diseases. One of the advantages of this approach is the low time-consuming and low-budget first stage, which filters for testing experimentally a group of candidate compounds with high chances of binding to the target and present trypanocidal activity. In this work, we review the most common VS strategies that have been used for the identification of new drugs with special emphasis on those applied to trypanosomiasis and leishmaniasis. Computational simulations based on the selected protein targets or their ligands are explained, including the method selection criteria, examples of successful VS campaigns applied to NTDs, a list of validated molecular targets for drug development and repositioned drugs for trypanosomatid-caused diseases. Thereby, here we present the state-of-the-art of VS and drug repurposing to conclude pointing out the future perspectives in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudio A. Pereira
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Medicina, Instituto de Investigaciones Médicas A. Lanari, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Investigaciones Médicas, Laboratorio de Parasitología Molecular, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Melisa Sayé
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Medicina, Instituto de Investigaciones Médicas A. Lanari, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Investigaciones Médicas, Laboratorio de Parasitología Molecular, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Chantal Reigada
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Medicina, Instituto de Investigaciones Médicas A. Lanari, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Investigaciones Médicas, Laboratorio de Parasitología Molecular, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Ariel M. Silber
- Laboratory of Biochemistry of Tryps – LaBTryps, Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Guillermo R. Labadie
- Instituto de Química Rosario (IQUIR-CONICET), Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Rosario, Argentina
- Departamento de Química Orgánica, Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Rosario, Argentina
| | - Mariana R. Miranda
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Medicina, Instituto de Investigaciones Médicas A. Lanari, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Investigaciones Médicas, Laboratorio de Parasitología Molecular, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Edward Valera-Vera
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Medicina, Instituto de Investigaciones Médicas A. Lanari, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Investigaciones Médicas, Laboratorio de Parasitología Molecular, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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19
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da Silva Lima CH, de Araujo Vanelis Soares JC, de Sousa Ribeiro JL, Muri EMF, de Albuquerque S, Dias LRS. Anti-Trypanosoma cruzi Activity and Molecular Docking Studies of 1Hpyrazolo[ 3, 4-b]pyridine Derivatives. LETT DRUG DES DISCOV 2020. [DOI: 10.2174/1570180816666190305141733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Background:
Untargeted studies led to the development of some pyrazolopyridine
derivatives for the antiparasitic profile, particularly the derivatives containing the structural
carbohydrazide subunit. In this work, we proceeded in the biological screening of 27 N’- (substitutedphenylmethylene)-
4-carbohydrazide-3-methyl-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazolo[3, 4-b]pyridine derivatives against
T. cruzi as well as the cytotoxic evaluation. To obtain more information about the trypanocidal
activity of this class of compounds, we carried out molecular docking simulations to get an insight
into putative targets in T. cruzi.
Methods:
The assays were evaluated against both trypomastigote and amastigote forms of T. cruzi
and cytotoxicity assays on LLCMK2 cells. The predominant conformational compounds were
analyzed and molecular docking simulations performed.
Results:
The results from trypanocidal activity screening of this series showed that just the
compounds with phenyl group at C-6 position exhibited activity and the N’-4-hydroxyphenylmethylene
derivative presented the best profile against both trypomastigote and amastigote
forms of T. cruzi. Docking simulation results showed that this compound has a binding affinity with
both CYP51 and cruzain targets of T. cruzi.
Conclusion:
Our results indicate that the hydroxyl substituent at the N’-substituted-phenylmethylene
moiety and the phenyl ring at C-6 of 1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridine system are relevant for the
trypanocidal activity of this class of compounds. Also, docking simulations showed that activity
presented can be related to more than one target of the parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilo Henrique da Silva Lima
- Laboratório de Quimica Medicinal, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Faculdade de Farmacia, Niteroi, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Joana Lucius de Sousa Ribeiro
- Laboratório de Quimica Medicinal, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Faculdade de Farmacia, Niteroi, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Estela Maris Freitas Muri
- Laboratório de Quimica Medicinal, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Faculdade de Farmacia, Niteroi, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Sérgio de Albuquerque
- Universidade de Sao Paulo, Departamento de Analises Clinicas, Toxicologicas e Bromatologicas, Av. do Cafe s/n, Ribeirao Preto, SP, 14040-903, Brazil
| | - Luiza Rosaria Sousa Dias
- Laboratório de Quimica Medicinal, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Faculdade de Farmacia, Niteroi, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Arafet K, González FV, Moliner V. Quantum Mechanics/Molecular Mechanics Studies of the Mechanism of Cysteine Proteases Inhibition by Dipeptidyl Nitroalkenes. Chemistry 2020; 26:2002-2012. [PMID: 31692123 DOI: 10.1002/chem.201904513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2019] [Revised: 11/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
In this work a computational study of the mechanism of inhibition of cruzain, rhodesain, and cathepsin L cysteine proteases by the dipeptidyl nitroalkene Cbz-Phe-Ala-CH=CH-NO2 has been carried out by means of molecular dynamics simulations with hybrid QM/MM potentials. The free-energy surfaces confirmed that the inhibition takes place by the formation of a covalent bond between the protein and the β-carbon atom of the inhibitor. According to the results, the tested inhibitor should be a much more efficient inhibitor of cruzain than of rhodesain, and little activity would be expected against cathepsin L, in total correspondence with the available experimental data. The origin of these differences may lie in the different stabilizing electrostatic interactions established between the inhibitor and the residues of the active site and S2 pocket of these enzymes. These results may be useful for the rational design of new dipeptidyl nitroalkenes with higher and more selective inhibitory activity against cysteine proteases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kemel Arafet
- Departament de Química Física i Analítica, Universitat Jaume I, 12071, Castelló, Spain
| | - Florenci V González
- Departament de Química Inorgànica i Orgànica, Universitat Jaume I, 12071, Castelló, Spain
| | - Vicent Moliner
- Departament de Química Física i Analítica, Universitat Jaume I, 12071, Castelló, Spain
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21
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Luchi A, Villafañe RN, Gómez Chávez JL, Bogado ML, Angelina EL, Peruchena NM. Combining Charge Density Analysis with Machine Learning Tools To Investigate the Cruzain Inhibition Mechanism. ACS OMEGA 2019; 4:19582-19594. [PMID: 31788588 PMCID: PMC6881835 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.9b01934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2019] [Accepted: 10/18/2019] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi, a flagellate protozoan parasite, is responsible for Chagas disease. The parasite major cysteine protease, cruzain (Cz), plays a vital role at every stage of its life cycle and the active-site region of the enzyme, similar to those of other members of the papain superfamily, is well characterized. Taking advantage of structural information available in public databases about Cz bound to known covalent inhibitors, along with their corresponding activity annotations, in this work, we performed a deep analysis of the molecular interactions at the Cz binding cleft, in order to investigate the enzyme inhibition mechanism. Our toolbox for performing this study consisted of the charge density topological analysis of the complexes to extract the molecular interactions and machine learning classification models to relate the interactions with biological activity. More precisely, such a combination was useful for the classification of molecular interactions as "active-like" or "inactive-like" according to whether they are prevalent in the most active or less active complexes, respectively. Further analysis of interactions with the help of unsupervised learning tools also allowed the understanding of how these interactions come into play together to trigger the enzyme into a particular conformational state. Most active inhibitors induce some conformational changes within the enzyme that lead to an overall better fit of the inhibitor into the binding cleft. Curiously, some of these conformational changes can be considered as a hallmark of the substrate recognition event, which means that most active inhibitors are likely recognized by the enzyme as if they were its own substrate so that the catalytic machinery is arranged as if it is about to break the substrate scissile bond. Overall, these results contribute to a better understanding of the enzyme inhibition mechanism. Moreover, the information about main interactions extracted through this work is already being used in our lab to guide docking solutions in ongoing prospective virtual screening campaigns to search for novel noncovalent cruzain inhibitors.
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22
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Vieira RP, Santos VC, Ferreira RS. Structure-based Approaches Targeting Parasite Cysteine Proteases. Curr Med Chem 2019; 26:4435-4453. [PMID: 28799498 DOI: 10.2174/0929867324666170810165302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2017] [Revised: 07/18/2017] [Accepted: 07/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Cysteine proteases are essential hydrolytic enzymes present in the majority of organisms, including viruses and unicellular parasites. Despite the high sequence identity displayed among these proteins, specific structural features across different species grant distinct functions to these biomolecules, frequently related to pathological conditions. Consequently, their relevance as promising targets for potential specific inhibitors has been highlighted and occasionally validated in recent decades. In this review, we discuss the recent outcomes of structure-based campaigns aiming the discovery of new inhibitor prototypes against cruzain and falcipain, as alternative therapeutic tools for Chagas disease and malaria treatments, respectively. Computational and synthetic approaches have been combined on hit optimization strategies and are also discussed herein. These rationales are extended to additional tropical infectious and neglected pathologies, such as schistosomiasis, leishmaniasis and babesiosis, and also to Alzheimer's Disease, a widespread neurodegenerative disease poorly managed by currently available drugs and recently linked to particular physiopathological roles of human cysteine proteases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Pinto Vieira
- Departamento de Bioquimica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciencias Biologicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.,CAPES Foundation, Ministry of Education of Brazil, 70040-020 Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Viviane Corrêa Santos
- Departamento de Bioquimica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciencias Biologicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Rafaela Salgado Ferreira
- Departamento de Bioquimica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciencias Biologicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
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23
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Bhowmick S, Chorge RD, Jangam CS, Bharatrao LD, Patil PC, Chikhale RV, Islam MA. Identification of potential cruzain inhibitors using de novo design, molecular docking and dynamics simulations studies. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2019; 38:4005-4015. [PMID: 31516071 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2019.1664334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shovonlal Bhowmick
- Department of Chemical Technology, University of Calcutta, Kolkata, India
| | - Rekha Dhondiram Chorge
- Department of Bioinformatics, Rajiv Gandhi Institute of IT and Biotechnology, Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed University, Pune, India
| | - Chaitanya Sadashiv Jangam
- Department of Bioinformatics, Rajiv Gandhi Institute of IT and Biotechnology, Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed University, Pune, India
| | - Lomate Dhanraj Bharatrao
- Department of Bioinformatics, Rajiv Gandhi Institute of IT and Biotechnology, Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed University, Pune, India
| | - Pritee Chunarkar Patil
- Department of Bioinformatics, Rajiv Gandhi Institute of IT and Biotechnology, Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed University, Pune, India
| | | | - Md Ataul Islam
- Division of Pharmacy and Optometry, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.,School of Health Sciences, University of Kwazulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa.,Department of Chemical Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria and National Health Laboratory Service Tshwane Academic Division, Pretoria, South Africa
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24
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Pereira GAN, da Silva EB, Braga SFP, Leite PG, Martins LC, Vieira RP, Soh WT, Villela FS, Costa FMR, Ray D, de Andrade SF, Brandstetter H, Oliveira RB, Caffrey CR, Machado FS, Ferreira RS. Discovery and characterization of trypanocidal cysteine protease inhibitors from the 'malaria box'. Eur J Med Chem 2019; 179:765-778. [PMID: 31284086 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2019.06.062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2019] [Revised: 06/19/2019] [Accepted: 06/21/2019] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Chagas disease, Human African Trypanosomiasis, and schistosomiasis are neglected parasitic diseases for which new treatments are urgently needed. To identify new chemical leads, we screened the 400 compounds of the Open Access Malaria Box against the cysteine proteases, cruzain (Trypanosoma cruzi), rhodesain (Trypanosoma brucei) and SmCB1 (Schistosoma mansoni), which are therapeutic targets for these diseases. Whereas just three hits were observed for SmCB1, 70 compounds inhibited cruzain or rhodesain by at least 50% at 5 μM. Among those, 15 commercially available compounds were selected for confirmatory assays, given their potency, time-dependent inhibition profile and reported activity against parasites. Additional assays led to the confirmation of four novel classes of cruzain and rhodesain inhibitors, with potency in the low-to mid-micromolar range against enzymes and T. cruzi. Assays against mammalian cathepsins S and B revealed inhibitor selectivity for parasitic proteases. For the two competitive inhibitors identified (compounds 7 and 12), their binding mode was predicted by docking, providing a basis for structure-based optimization efforts. Compound 12 also acted directly against the trypomastigote and the intracellular amastigote forms of T. cruzi at 3 μM. Therefore, through a combination of experimental and computational approaches, we report promising hits for optimization in the development of new trypanocidal drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Glaécia A N Pereira
- Laboratório de Modelagem Molecular e Planejamento de Fármacos, Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Antonio Carlos 6627, Belo Horizonte, MG, 31270-901, Brazil; CAPES Foundation, Ministry of Education of Brazil, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Elany B da Silva
- Laboratório de Modelagem Molecular e Planejamento de Fármacos, Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Antonio Carlos 6627, Belo Horizonte, MG, 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Saulo F P Braga
- Laboratório de Modelagem Molecular e Planejamento de Fármacos, Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Antonio Carlos 6627, Belo Horizonte, MG, 31270-901, Brazil; CAPES Foundation, Ministry of Education of Brazil, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Paulo Gaio Leite
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Antonio Carlos 6627, Belo Horizonte, MG, 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Luan C Martins
- Laboratório de Modelagem Molecular e Planejamento de Fármacos, Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Antonio Carlos 6627, Belo Horizonte, MG, 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Rafael P Vieira
- Laboratório de Modelagem Molecular e Planejamento de Fármacos, Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Antonio Carlos 6627, Belo Horizonte, MG, 31270-901, Brazil; CAPES Foundation, Ministry of Education of Brazil, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Wai Tuck Soh
- Structural Biology Group By Department of Biosciences, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Filipe S Villela
- Laboratório de Modelagem Molecular e Planejamento de Fármacos, Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Antonio Carlos 6627, Belo Horizonte, MG, 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Francielly M R Costa
- Laboratório de Modelagem Molecular e Planejamento de Fármacos, Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Antonio Carlos 6627, Belo Horizonte, MG, 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Debalina Ray
- University of California San Francisco, 1700 4th Street, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA
| | - Saulo F de Andrade
- Pharmaceutical Synthesis Group (PHARSG), Universidade Federal Do Rio Grande Do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Hans Brandstetter
- Structural Biology Group By Department of Biosciences, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Renata B Oliveira
- Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Antonio Carlos 6627, Belo Horizonte, MG, 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Conor R Caffrey
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Fabiana S Machado
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Antonio Carlos 6627, Belo Horizonte, MG, 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Rafaela S Ferreira
- Laboratório de Modelagem Molecular e Planejamento de Fármacos, Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Antonio Carlos 6627, Belo Horizonte, MG, 31270-901, Brazil.
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25
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Silva BN, Sales Junior PA, Romanha AJ, Murta SM, Lima CH, Albuquerque MG, D'Elia E, Rodrigues JG, Ferreira VF, Silva FC, Pinto AC, Silva BV. Synthesis of New Thiosemicarbazones and Semicarbazones Containing the 1,2,3-1H-triazole-isatin Scaffold: Trypanocidal, Cytotoxicity, Electrochemical Assays, and Molecular Docking. Med Chem 2019; 15:240-256. [DOI: 10.2174/1573406414666180912120502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2017] [Revised: 07/09/2018] [Accepted: 08/22/2018] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Background:
Chagas disease, also known as American trypanosomiasis, is classified as
one of the 17 most important neglected diseases by the World Health Organization. The only drugs
with proven efficacy against Chagas disease are benznidazole and nifurtimox, however both show
adverse effects, poor clinical efficacy, and development of resistance. For these reasons, the search
for new effective chemical entities is a challenge to research groups and the pharmaceutical industry.
Objective:
Synthesis and evaluation of antitrypanosomal activities of a series of thiosemicarbazones
and semicarbazones containing 1,2,3-1H triazole isatin scaffold.
Method:
5&'-(4-alkyl/aryl)-1H-1,2,3-triazole-isatins were prepared by Huisgen 1,3-dipolar
cycloaddition and the thiosemicarbazones and semicarbazones were obtained by the 1:1 reactions
of the carbonylated derivatives with thiosemicarbazide and semicarbazide hydrochloride,
respectively, in methanol, using conventional reflux or microwave heating. The compounds were
assayed for in vitro trypanocidal activity against Trypanosoma cruzi, the aetiological agent of
Chagas disease. Beyond the thio/semicarbazone derivatives, isatin and triazole synthetic
intermediates were also evaluated for comparison.
Results:
A series of compounds were prepared in good yields. Among the 37 compounds evaluated,
18 were found to be active, in particular thiosemicarbazones containing a non-polar saturated
alkyl chain (IC50 = 24.1, 38.6, and 83.2 &µM; SI = 11.6, 11.8, and 14.0, respectively). To further
elucidate the mechanism of action of these new compounds, the redox behaviour of some active
and inactive derivatives was studied by cyclic voltammetry. Molecular docking studies were also
performed in two validated protein targets of Trypanosoma cruzi, i.e., cruzipain (CRZ) and phosphodiesterase
C (TcrPDEC).
Conclusion:
A class of thio/semicarbazones structurally simple and easily accessible was synthesized.
Compounds containing thiosemicarbazone moieties showed the best results in the series, being
more active than the corresponding semicarbazones. Our results indicated that the activity of
these compounds does not originate from an oxidation-reduction pathway but probably from the
interactions with trypanosomal enzymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bianca N.M. Silva
- Instituto de Quimica (IQ), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Av. Athos da Silveira Ramos, 149, Cidade Universitaria, Ilha do Fundao, 21949-900, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Policarpo A. Sales Junior
- Centro de Pesquisas Rene Rachou (CPqRR), Fundacao Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Av. Augusto de Lima, 1715, Barro Preto, 30190-002, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Alvaro J. Romanha
- Centro de Pesquisas Rene Rachou (CPqRR), Fundacao Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Av. Augusto de Lima, 1715, Barro Preto, 30190-002, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Silvane M.F. Murta
- Centro de Pesquisas Rene Rachou (CPqRR), Fundacao Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Av. Augusto de Lima, 1715, Barro Preto, 30190-002, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Camilo H.S. Lima
- Faculdade de Farmacia (FF), Universidade Federal Fluminense (UFF), R. Mario Viana, 523, Santa Rosa, 24241- 000, Niteroi, RJ, Brazil
| | - Magaly G. Albuquerque
- Instituto de Quimica (IQ), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Av. Athos da Silveira Ramos, 149, Cidade Universitaria, Ilha do Fundao, 21949-900, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Eliane D'Elia
- Instituto de Quimica (IQ), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Av. Athos da Silveira Ramos, 149, Cidade Universitaria, Ilha do Fundao, 21949-900, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - José G.A. Rodrigues
- Instituto de Quimica (IQ), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Av. Athos da Silveira Ramos, 149, Cidade Universitaria, Ilha do Fundao, 21949-900, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Vitor F. Ferreira
- Instituto de Quimica (IQ), Universidade Federal Fluminense (UFF), 24020-141 Niteroi, RJ, Brazil
| | - Fernando C. Silva
- Instituto de Quimica (IQ), Universidade Federal Fluminense (UFF), 24020-141 Niteroi, RJ, Brazil
| | - Angelo C. Pinto
- Instituto de Quimica (IQ), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Av. Athos da Silveira Ramos, 149, Cidade Universitaria, Ilha do Fundao, 21949-900, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Bárbara V. Silva
- Instituto de Quimica (IQ), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Av. Athos da Silveira Ramos, 149, Cidade Universitaria, Ilha do Fundao, 21949-900, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
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26
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Sartori GR, Leitão A, Montanari CA, Laughton CA. Ligand-induced conformational selection predicts the selectivity of cysteine protease inhibitors. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0222055. [PMID: 31856175 PMCID: PMC6922342 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0222055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2019] [Accepted: 11/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Cruzain, a cysteine protease of Trypanosoma cruzi, is a validated target for the treatment of Chagas disease. Due to its high similarity in three-dimensional structure with human cathepsins and their sequence identity above 70% in the active site regions, identifying potent but selective cruzain inhibitors with low side effects on the host organism represents a significant challenge. Here a panel of nitrile ligands with varying potencies against cathepsin K, cathepsin L and cruzain, are studied by molecular dynamics simulations as both non-covalent and covalent complexes. Principal component analysis (PCA), identifies and quantifies patterns of ligand-induced conformational selection that enable the construction of a decision tree which can predict with high confidence a low-nanomolar inhibitor of each of three proteins, and determine the selectivity for one against others.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geraldo Rodrigues Sartori
- Grupo de Química Medicinal do IQSC/USP, Instituto de Química de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Andrei Leitão
- Grupo de Química Medicinal do IQSC/USP, Instituto de Química de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Carlos A. Montanari
- Grupo de Química Medicinal do IQSC/USP, Instituto de Química de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Charles A. Laughton
- School of Pharmacy and Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, England, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
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27
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Costa RA, Cruz JN, Nascimento FCA, Silva SG, Silva SO, Martelli MC, Carvalho SML, Santos CBR, Neto AMJC, Brasil DSB. Studies of NMR, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics simulation of new promising inhibitors of cruzaine from the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. Med Chem Res 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s00044-018-2280-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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28
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Hernandez HW, Soeung M, Zorn KM, Ashoura N, Mottin M, Andrade CH, Caffrey CR, de Siqueira-Neto JL, Ekins S. High Throughput and Computational Repurposing for Neglected Diseases. Pharm Res 2018; 36:27. [PMID: 30560386 PMCID: PMC6792295 DOI: 10.1007/s11095-018-2558-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2018] [Accepted: 12/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Purpose Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) represent are a heterogeneous group of communicable diseases that are found within the poorest populations of the world. There are 23 NTDs that have been prioritized by the World Health Organization, which are endemic in 149 countries and affect more than 1.4 billion people, costing these developing economies billions of dollars annually. The NTDs result from four different causative pathogens: protozoa, bacteria, helminth and virus. The majority of the diseases lack effective treatments. Therefore, new therapeutics for NTDs are desperately needed. Methods We describe various high throughput screening and computational approaches that have been performed in recent years. We have collated the molecules identified in these studies and calculated molecular properties. Results Numerous global repurposing efforts have yielded some promising compounds for various neglected tropical diseases. These compounds when analyzed as one would expect appear drug-like. Several large datasets are also now in the public domain and this enables machine learning models to be constructed that then facilitate the discovery of new molecules for these pathogens. Conclusions In the space of a few years many groups have either performed experimental or computational repurposing high throughput screens against neglected diseases. These have identified compounds which in many cases are already approved drugs. Such approaches perhaps offer a more efficient way to develop treatments which are generally not a focus for global pharmaceutical companies because of the economics or the lack of a viable market. Other diseases could perhaps benefit from these repurposing approaches. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1007/s11095-018-2558-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Melinda Soeung
- MD Anderson Cancer Center, University of Texas, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Kimberley M Zorn
- Collaborations Pharmaceuticals Inc., 840 Main Campus Drive, Lab 3510, Raleigh, North Carolina, 27606, USA
| | | | - Melina Mottin
- LabMol - Laboratory for Molecular Modeling and Drug Design Faculdade de Farmacia, Universidade Federal de Goias - UFG, Goiânia, GO, 74605-170, Brazil
| | - Carolina Horta Andrade
- LabMol - Laboratory for Molecular Modeling and Drug Design Faculdade de Farmacia, Universidade Federal de Goias - UFG, Goiânia, GO, 74605-170, Brazil
| | - Conor R Caffrey
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California, 92093, USA
| | - Jair Lage de Siqueira-Neto
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California, 92093, USA
| | - Sean Ekins
- Collaborations Pharmaceuticals Inc., 840 Main Campus Drive, Lab 3510, Raleigh, North Carolina, 27606, USA.
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29
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Santos LH, Waldner BJ, Fuchs JE, Pereira GAN, Liedl KR, Caffarena ER, Ferreira RS. Understanding Structure–Activity Relationships for Trypanosomal Cysteine Protease Inhibitors by Simulations and Free Energy Calculations. J Chem Inf Model 2018; 59:137-148. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.8b00557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lucianna H. Santos
- Grupo de Biofísica Computacional e Modelagem Molecular, Programa de Computação Científica (PROCC), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Av. Brasil 4365, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21040-360, Brazil
- Laboratório de Modelagem Molecular e Planejamento de Fármacos, Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Antônio Carlos 6627, Belo Horizonte, MG 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Birgit J. Waldner
- Institute of General, Inorganic and Theoretical Chemistry, and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Innrain 82, Innsbruck, Tyrol 6020, Austria
| | - Julian E. Fuchs
- Institute of General, Inorganic and Theoretical Chemistry, and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Innrain 82, Innsbruck, Tyrol 6020, Austria
| | - Glaécia A. N. Pereira
- Laboratório de Modelagem Molecular e Planejamento de Fármacos, Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Antônio Carlos 6627, Belo Horizonte, MG 31270-901, Brazil
- CAPES Foundation, Ministry of Education of Brazil, Brasília, DF Brazil
| | - Klaus R. Liedl
- Institute of General, Inorganic and Theoretical Chemistry, and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Innrain 82, Innsbruck, Tyrol 6020, Austria
| | - Ernesto R. Caffarena
- Grupo de Biofísica Computacional e Modelagem Molecular, Programa de Computação Científica (PROCC), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Av. Brasil 4365, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21040-360, Brazil
| | - Rafaela S. Ferreira
- Laboratório de Modelagem Molecular e Planejamento de Fármacos, Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Antônio Carlos 6627, Belo Horizonte, MG 31270-901, Brazil
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Discovery of Non-Peptidic Compounds against Chagas Disease Applying Pharmacophore Guided Molecular Modelling Approaches. Molecules 2018; 23:molecules23123054. [PMID: 30469538 PMCID: PMC6321154 DOI: 10.3390/molecules23123054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2018] [Revised: 11/12/2018] [Accepted: 11/14/2018] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease is one of the primary causes of heart diseases accounting to 50,000 lives annually and is listed as the neglected tropical disease. Because the currently available therapies have greater toxic effects with higher resistance, there is a dire need to develop new drugs to combat the disease. In this pursuit, the 3D QSAR ligand-pharmacophore (pharm 1) and receptor-based pharmacophore (pharm 2) search was initiated to retrieve the candidate compounds from universal natural compounds database. The validated models were allowed to map the universal natural compounds database. The obtained lead candidates were subjected to molecular docking against cysteine protease (PDB code: 1ME3) employing -Cdocker available on the discovery studio. Subsequently, two Hits have satisfied the selection criteria and were escalated to molecular dynamics simulation and binding free energy calculations. These Hits have demonstrated higher dock scores, displayed interactions with the key residues portraying an ideal binding mode complemented by mapping to all the features of pharm 1 and pharm 2. Additionally, they have rendered stable root mean square deviation (RMSD) and potential energy profiles illuminating their potentiality as the prospective antichagastic agents. The study further demonstrates the mechanism of inhibition by tetrad residues compromising of Gly23 and Asn70 holding the ligand at each ends and the residues Gly65 and Gly160 clamping the Hits at the center. The notable feature is that the Hits lie in close proximity with the residues Glu66 and Leu67, accommodating within the S1, S2 and S3 subsites. Considering these findings, the study suggests that the Hits may be regarded as effective therapeutics against Chagas disease.
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Cathepsin B: Active site mapping with peptidic substrates and inhibitors. Bioorg Med Chem 2018; 27:1-15. [PMID: 30473362 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2018.10.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2018] [Revised: 10/16/2018] [Accepted: 10/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The potential of papain-like cysteine proteases, such as cathepsin B, as drug discovery targets for systemic human diseases has prevailed over the past years. The development of potent and selective low-molecular cathepsin B inhibitors relies on the detailed expertise on preferred amino acid and inhibitor residues interacting with the corresponding specificity pockets of cathepsin B. Such knowledge might be obtained by mapping the active site of the protease with combinatorial libraries of peptidic substrates and peptidomimetic inhibitors. This review, for the first time, summarizes a wide spectrum of active site mapping approaches. It considers relevant X-ray crystallographic data and discloses propensities towards favorable protein-ligand interactions in case of the therapeutically relevant protease cathepsin B.
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Leveraging the cruzain S3 subsite to increase affinity for reversible covalent inhibitors. Bioorg Chem 2018; 79:285-292. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2018.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2017] [Revised: 04/12/2018] [Accepted: 04/12/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
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Yépes AF, Bahsas A, Escobar P, Cobo J, Palma A, Garro Martinez JC, Enriz R. Synthesis, anti-parasitic activity and QSAR study of a new library of polysubstituted tetrahydronaphtho[1,2-b]azepines. Med Chem Res 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s00044-018-2232-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Kumar A, Zhang KYJ. Advances in the Development of Shape Similarity Methods and Their Application in Drug Discovery. Front Chem 2018; 6:315. [PMID: 30090808 PMCID: PMC6068280 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2018.00315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2018] [Accepted: 07/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Molecular similarity is a key concept in drug discovery. It is based on the assumption that structurally similar molecules frequently have similar properties. Assessment of similarity between small molecules has been highly effective in the discovery and development of various drugs. Especially, two-dimensional (2D) similarity approaches have been quite popular due to their simplicity, accuracy and efficiency. Recently, the focus has been shifted toward the development of methods involving the representation and comparison of three-dimensional (3D) conformation of small molecules. Among the 3D similarity methods, evaluation of shape similarity is now gaining attention for its application not only in virtual screening but also in molecular target prediction, drug repurposing and scaffold hopping. A wide range of methods have been developed to describe molecular shape and to determine the shape similarity between small molecules. The most widely used methods include atom distance-based methods, surface-based approaches such as spherical harmonics and 3D Zernike descriptors, atom-centered Gaussian overlay based representations. Several of these methods demonstrated excellent virtual screening performance not only retrospectively but also prospectively. In addition to methods assessing the similarity between small molecules, shape similarity approaches have been developed to compare shapes of protein structures and binding pockets. Additionally, shape comparisons between atomic models and 3D density maps allowed the fitting of atomic models into cryo-electron microscopy maps. This review aims to summarize the methodological advances in shape similarity assessment highlighting advantages, disadvantages and their application in drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kam Y. J. Zhang
- Laboratory for Structural Bioinformatics, Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, RIKEN, Yokohama, Japan
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Hiller NDJ, Silva NAAE, Faria RX, Souza ALA, Resende JALC, Borges Farias A, Correia Romeiro N, de Luna Martins D. Synthesis and Evaluation of the Anticancer and Trypanocidal Activities of Boronic Tyrphostins. ChemMedChem 2018; 13:1395-1404. [PMID: 29856519 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.201800206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2018] [Revised: 05/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Molecules containing an (cyanovinyl)arene moiety are known as tyrphostins because of their ability to inhibit proteins from the tyrosine kinase family, an interesting target for the development of anticancer and trypanocidal drugs. In the present work, (E)-(cyanovinyl)benzeneboronic acids were synthesized by Knoevenagel condensations without the use of any catalysts in water through a simple protocol that completely avoided the use of organic solvents in the synthesis and workup process. The in vitro anticancer and trypanocidal activities of the synthesized boronic acids were also evaluated, and it was discovered that the introduction of the boronic acid functionality improved the activity of the boronic tyrphostins. In silico target fishing with the use of a chemogenomic approach suggested that tyrosine-phosphorylation-regulated kinase 1a (DYRK1A) was a potential target for some of the designed compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noemi de J Hiller
- Research Group on Catalysis and Synthesis (CSI), Universidade Federal Fluminense, Laboratório 413, Instituto de Química, Campus do Valonguinho, Centro, Niterói, RJ, 24020-141, Brazil
| | - Nayane A A E Silva
- Research Group on Catalysis and Synthesis (CSI), Universidade Federal Fluminense, Laboratório 413, Instituto de Química, Campus do Valonguinho, Centro, Niterói, RJ, 24020-141, Brazil
| | - Robson X Faria
- Laboratory of Toxoplasmosis and other Protozoan Diseases, Oswaldo Cruz Institute (Fiocruz), Brasil
| | - André Luís A Souza
- Laboratory of Biochemistry of Peptides, Oswaldo Cruz Institute (Fiocruz), Brazil
| | - Jackson A L C Resende
- Laboratory of Solid-State Chemistry, Universidade Federal do Mato Grosso, Instituto de Ciências Exatas e da Terra, Campus Universitário do Araguaia, Barra do Garças, MT, 78600-000, Brazil
| | - André Borges Farias
- Núcleo de Pesquisas em Ecologia e Desenvolvimento Social (NUPEM), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Campus de Macaé, Av. Rotary Club s/n; São José do Barreto, Macaé, RJ, 27901-000, Brazil
| | - Nelilma Correia Romeiro
- Núcleo de Pesquisas em Ecologia e Desenvolvimento Social (NUPEM), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Campus de Macaé, Av. Rotary Club s/n; São José do Barreto, Macaé, RJ, 27901-000, Brazil
| | - Daniela de Luna Martins
- Research Group on Catalysis and Synthesis (CSI), Universidade Federal Fluminense, Laboratório 413, Instituto de Química, Campus do Valonguinho, Centro, Niterói, RJ, 24020-141, Brazil
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Breuer C, Lemke C, Schmitz J, Bartz U, Gütschow M. Synthesis and kinetic evaluation of ethyl acrylate and vinyl sulfone derived inhibitors for human cysteine cathepsins. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2018; 28:2008-2012. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2018.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2018] [Revised: 04/30/2018] [Accepted: 05/01/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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Cortés-Ruiz EM, Palomino-Hernández O, Rodríguez-Hernández KD, Espinoza B, Medina-Franco JL. Computational Methods to Discover Compounds for the Treatment of Chagas Disease. ADVANCES IN PROTEIN CHEMISTRY AND STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY 2018; 113:119-142. [PMID: 30149904 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apcsb.2018.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Infectious diseases continue to be a major public health. Among these diseases, American trypanosomiasis or Chagas disease (CD) is a major cause of morbidity and death for millions of people in Latin America. The two drugs currently available for the treatment of CD have poor efficacy and major side effects. Thus, there is a pressing need to develop safe and effective drugs against this disease. Herein we review the diversity and coverage of chemical space of compounds tested as inhibitors of Trypanosoma cruzi, a parasite causing CD. We also review major molecular targets currently pursued to kill the parasite and recent computational approaches to identify inhibitors for such targets.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Bertha Espinoza
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - José L Medina-Franco
- Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico.
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Acevedo CH, Scotti L, Scotti MT. In Silico Studies Designed to Select Sesquiterpene Lactones with Potential Antichagasic Activity from an In-House Asteraceae Database. ChemMedChem 2018; 13:634-645. [PMID: 29323468 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.201700743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2017] [Revised: 12/29/2017] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Chagas disease is an endemic disease caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, which affects more than eight million people, mostly in the Americas. A search for new treatments is necessary to control and eliminate this disease. Sesquiterpene lactones (SLs) are an interesting group of secondary metabolites characteristic of the Asteraceae family that have presented a wide range of biological activities. From the ChEMBL database, we selected a diverse set of 4452, 1635, and 1322 structures with tested activity against the three T. cruzi parasitic forms: amastigote, trypomastigote, and epimastigote, respectively, to create random forest (RF) models with an accuracy of greater than 74 % for cross-validation and test sets. Afterward, a ligand-based virtual screen of the entire SLs of the Asteraceae database stored in SistematX (1306 structures) was performed. In addition, a structure-based virtual screen was also performed for the same set of SLs using molecular docking. Finally, using an approach combining ligand-based and structure-based virtual screening along with the equations proposed in this study to normalize the probability scores, we verified potentially active compounds and established a possible mechanism of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chonny Herrera Acevedo
- Post-Graduate Program in Natural and Synthetic Bioactive Products, Federal University of Paraíba, Cidade Universitária - Castelo Branco III, João Pessoa, PB, Brazil
| | - Luciana Scotti
- Post-Graduate Program in Natural and Synthetic Bioactive Products, Federal University of Paraíba, Cidade Universitária - Castelo Branco III, João Pessoa, PB, Brazil
| | - Marcus Tullius Scotti
- Post-Graduate Program in Natural and Synthetic Bioactive Products, Federal University of Paraíba, Cidade Universitária - Castelo Branco III, João Pessoa, PB, Brazil
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de Oliveira Filho GB, Cardoso MVDO, Espíndola JWP, Oliveira E Silva DA, Ferreira RS, Coelho PL, Anjos PSD, Santos EDS, Meira CS, Moreira DRM, Soares MBP, Leite ACL. Structural design, synthesis and pharmacological evaluation of thiazoles against Trypanosoma cruzi. Eur J Med Chem 2017; 141:346-361. [PMID: 29031078 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2017.09.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2017] [Revised: 08/29/2017] [Accepted: 09/21/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Chagas disease is one of the most significant health problems in the American continent. benznidazole (BDZ) and nifurtimox (NFX) are the only drugs approved for treatment and exhibit strong side effects and ineffectiveness in the chronic stage, besides different susceptibility among T. cruzi DTUs (Discrete Typing Units). Therefore, new drugs to treat this disease are necessary. Thiazole compounds have been described as potent trypanocidal agents. Here we report the structural planning, synthesis and anti-T. cruzi evaluation of a new series of 1,3-thiazoles (7-28), which were designed by placing this heterocycle instead of thiazolidin-4-one ring. The synthesis was conducted in an ultrasonic bath with 2-propanol as solvent at room temperature. By varying substituents attached to the phenyl and thiazole rings, substituents were observed to retain, enhance or greatly increase their anti-T. cruzi activity. In some cases, methyl at position 5 of the thiazole (compounds 9, 12 and 23) increased trypanocidal property. The exchange of phenyl for pyridinyl heterocycle resulted in increased activity, giving rise to the most potent compound against the trypomasigote form (14, IC50trypo = 0.37 μM). Importantly, these new thiazoles were toxic for trypomastigotes without affecting macrophages and cardiomyoblast viability. The compounds were also evaluated against cruzain, and five of the most active compounds against trypomastigotes (7, 9, 12, 16 and 23) inhibited more than 70% of enzymatic activity at 10 μM, among which compound 7 had an IC50 in the submicromolar range, suggesting a possible mechanism of action. In addition, examination of T. cruzi cell death showed that compound 14 induces apoptosis. We also examined the activity against intracellular parasites, revealing that compound 14 inhibited T. cruzi infection with potency similar to benznidazole. The antiparasitic effect of 14 and benznidazole in combination was also investigated against trypomastigotes and revealed that they have synergistic effects, showing a promising profile for drug combination. Finally, in mice acutely-infected with T. cruzi,14 treatment significanty reduced the blood parasitaemia and had a protective effect on mortality. In conclusion, we report the identification of compounds (7), (12), (15), (23) and (26) with similar trypanocidal activity of benznidazole; compounds (9) and (21) as trypanocidal agents equipotent with BDZ, and compound 14 with potency 28 times better than the reference drug without affecting macrophages and cardiomyoblast viability. Mechanistically, the compounds inhibit cruzain, and 14 induces T. cruzi cell death by an apoptotic process, being considered a good starting point for the development of new anti-Chagas drug candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gevanio Bezerra de Oliveira Filho
- Laboratório de Planejamento em Química Medicinal - LpQM, Departamento de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco - UFPE, 50740-520, Recife, PE, Brazil; Faculdade de Integração do Sertão - FIS, Rua João Luiz de Melo, 2110, COHAB, Serra Talhada, PE, Brazil.
| | | | - José Wanderlan Pontes Espíndola
- Laboratório de Planejamento em Química Medicinal - LpQM, Departamento de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco - UFPE, 50740-520, Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - Dayane Albuquerque Oliveira E Silva
- Laboratório de Planejamento em Química Medicinal - LpQM, Departamento de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco - UFPE, 50740-520, Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - Rafaela Salgado Ferreira
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, CEP 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Pollyanne Lacerda Coelho
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, CEP 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | | | | | - Cássio Santana Meira
- Instituto Gonçalo Moniz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, CEP 40296-710, Salvador, BA, Brazil
| | | | - Milena Botelho Pereira Soares
- Instituto Gonçalo Moniz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, CEP 40296-710, Salvador, BA, Brazil; Centro de Biotecnologia e Terapia Celular, Hospital São Rafael, Salvador, BA, Brazil
| | - Ana Cristina Lima Leite
- Laboratório de Planejamento em Química Medicinal - LpQM, Departamento de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco - UFPE, 50740-520, Recife, PE, Brazil.
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de Souza AS, de Oliveira MT, Andricopulo AD. Development of a pharmacophore for cruzain using oxadiazoles as virtual molecular probes: quantitative structure–activity relationship studies. J Comput Aided Mol Des 2017; 31:801-816. [DOI: 10.1007/s10822-017-0039-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2017] [Accepted: 06/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Wachsmuth LM, Johnson MG, Gavenonis J. Essential multimeric enzymes in kinetoplastid parasites: A host of potentially druggable protein-protein interactions. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2017; 11:e0005720. [PMID: 28662026 PMCID: PMC5507555 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0005720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2017] [Revised: 07/12/2017] [Accepted: 06/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Parasitic diseases caused by kinetoplastid parasites of the genera Trypanosoma and Leishmania are an urgent public health crisis in the developing world. These closely related species possess a number of multimeric enzymes in highly conserved pathways involved in vital functions, such as redox homeostasis and nucleotide synthesis. Computational alanine scanning of these protein-protein interfaces has revealed a host of potentially ligandable sites on several established and emerging anti-parasitic drug targets. Analysis of interfaces with multiple clustered hotspots has suggested several potentially inhibitable protein-protein interactions that may have been overlooked by previous large-scale analyses focusing solely on secondary structure. These protein-protein interactions provide a promising lead for the development of new peptide and macrocycle inhibitors of these enzymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leah M. Wachsmuth
- Department of Chemistry, Dickinson College, Carlisle, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Meredith G. Johnson
- Department of Chemistry, Dickinson College, Carlisle, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Jason Gavenonis
- Department of Chemistry, Dickinson College, Carlisle, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Hernández González JE, Hernández Alvarez L, Pascutti PG, Valiente PA. Predicting binding modes of reversible peptide-based inhibitors of falcipain-2 consistent with structure-activity relationships. Proteins 2017; 85:1666-1683. [DOI: 10.1002/prot.25322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2017] [Revised: 05/05/2017] [Accepted: 05/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Enrique Hernández González
- Departamento de Física; Instituto de Biociências, Letras e Ciências Exatas, Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho; Rua Cristóvão Colombo, 2265, Jardim Nazareth, São José do Rio Preto São Paulo CEP 15054-000 Brazil
- Centro de Estudios de Proteínas, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de La Habana; Calle 25 No. 455, entre J e I, Vedado, Plaza de la Revolución La Habana CP 10400 Cuba
| | - Lilian Hernández Alvarez
- Departamento de Física; Instituto de Biociências, Letras e Ciências Exatas, Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho; Rua Cristóvão Colombo, 2265, Jardim Nazareth, São José do Rio Preto São Paulo CEP 15054-000 Brazil
| | - Pedro Geraldo Pascutti
- Laboratório de Dinâmica e Modelagem Molecular, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Ave. Carlos Chagas Filho, 373, CCS-Bloco D sala 30, Cidade Universitária Ilha de Fundão; Rio de Janeiro CEP 21941-902 Brazil
| | - Pedro A. Valiente
- Centro de Estudios de Proteínas, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de La Habana; Calle 25 No. 455, entre J e I, Vedado, Plaza de la Revolución La Habana CP 10400 Cuba
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Braga SFP, Martins LC, da Silva EB, Sales Júnior PA, Murta SMF, Romanha AJ, Soh WT, Brandstetter H, Ferreira RS, de Oliveira RB. Synthesis and biological evaluation of potential inhibitors of the cysteine proteases cruzain and rhodesain designed by molecular simplification. Bioorg Med Chem 2017; 25:1889-1900. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2017.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2017] [Revised: 01/31/2017] [Accepted: 02/06/2017] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Burtoloso ACB, de Albuquerque S, Furber M, Gomes JC, Gonçalez C, Kenny PW, Leitão A, Montanari CA, Quilles JC, Ribeiro JFR, Rocha JR. Anti-trypanosomal activity of non-peptidic nitrile-based cysteine protease inhibitors. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2017; 11:e0005343. [PMID: 28222138 PMCID: PMC5344518 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0005343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2016] [Revised: 03/09/2017] [Accepted: 01/21/2017] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The cysteine protease cruzipain is considered to be a validated target for therapeutic intervention in the treatment of Chagas disease. Anti-trypanosomal activity against the CL Brener strain of T. cruzi was observed in the 0.1 μM to 1 μM range for three nitrile-based cysteine protease inhibitors based on two scaffolds known to be associated with cathepsin K inhibition. The two compounds showing the greatest potency against the trypanosome were characterized by EC50 values (0.12 μM and 0.25 μM) that were an order of magnitude lower than the corresponding Ki values measured against cruzain, a recombinant form of cruzipain, in an enzyme inhibition assay. This implies that the anti-trypanosomal activity of these two compounds may not be explained only by the inhibition of the cruzain enzyme, thereby triggering a putative polypharmacological profile towards cysteine proteases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio C. B. Burtoloso
- Instituto de Química de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brasil
| | - Sérgio de Albuquerque
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Juliana C. Gomes
- Instituto de Química de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brasil
| | - Cristiana Gonçalez
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Peter W. Kenny
- Grupo de Estudos em Química Medicinal – NEQUIMED, Instituto de Química de São Carlos – Universidade de São Paulo, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Andrei Leitão
- Instituto de Química de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brasil
- Grupo de Estudos em Química Medicinal – NEQUIMED, Instituto de Química de São Carlos – Universidade de São Paulo, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Carlos A. Montanari
- Instituto de Química de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brasil
- Grupo de Estudos em Química Medicinal – NEQUIMED, Instituto de Química de São Carlos – Universidade de São Paulo, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - José Carlos Quilles
- Grupo de Estudos em Química Medicinal – NEQUIMED, Instituto de Química de São Carlos – Universidade de São Paulo, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Jean F. R. Ribeiro
- Grupo de Estudos em Química Medicinal – NEQUIMED, Instituto de Química de São Carlos – Universidade de São Paulo, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Josmar R. Rocha
- Grupo de Estudos em Química Medicinal – NEQUIMED, Instituto de Química de São Carlos – Universidade de São Paulo, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil
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Silva DG, Rocha JR, Sartori GR, Montanari CA. Highly predictive hologram QSAR models of nitrile-containing cruzain inhibitors. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2016; 35:3232-3249. [DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2016.1252282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Gedder Silva
- Grupo de Química Medicinal, Instituto de Química de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, São Carlos – SP 13566-590, Brazil
| | - Josmar Rodrigues Rocha
- Grupo de Química Medicinal, Instituto de Química de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, São Carlos – SP 13566-590, Brazil
| | - Geraldo Rodrigues Sartori
- Grupo de Química Medicinal, Instituto de Química de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, São Carlos – SP 13566-590, Brazil
| | - Carlos Alberto Montanari
- Grupo de Química Medicinal, Instituto de Química de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, São Carlos – SP 13566-590, Brazil
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Ogungbe IV, Setzer WN. The Potential of Secondary Metabolites from Plants as Drugs or Leads against Protozoan Neglected Diseases-Part III: In-Silico Molecular Docking Investigations. Molecules 2016; 21:E1389. [PMID: 27775577 PMCID: PMC6274513 DOI: 10.3390/molecules21101389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2016] [Revised: 10/06/2016] [Accepted: 10/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria, leishmaniasis, Chagas disease, and human African trypanosomiasis continue to cause considerable suffering and death in developing countries. Current treatment options for these parasitic protozoal diseases generally have severe side effects, may be ineffective or unavailable, and resistance is emerging. There is a constant need to discover new chemotherapeutic agents for these parasitic infections, and natural products continue to serve as a potential source. This review presents molecular docking studies of potential phytochemicals that target key protein targets in Leishmania spp., Trypanosoma spp., and Plasmodium spp.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ifedayo Victor Ogungbe
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Jackson State University, Jackson, MS 39217, USA.
| | - William N Setzer
- Department of Chemistry, University of Alabama in Huntsville, Huntsville, AL 35899, USA.
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Kumar A, Zhang KYJ. Prospective evaluation of shape similarity based pose prediction method in D3R Grand Challenge 2015. J Comput Aided Mol Des 2016; 30:685-693. [DOI: 10.1007/s10822-016-9931-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2016] [Accepted: 07/25/2016] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
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de Moraes Gomes PAT, de Oliveira Barbosa M, Farias Santiago E, de Oliveira Cardoso MV, Capistrano Costa NT, Hernandes MZ, Moreira DRM, da Silva AC, Dos Santos TAR, Pereira VRA, Brayner Dos Santosd FA, do Nascimento Pereira GA, Ferreira RS, Leite ACL. New 1,3-thiazole derivatives and their biological and ultrastructural effects on Trypanosoma cruzi. Eur J Med Chem 2016; 121:387-398. [PMID: 27295485 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2016.05.050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2016] [Revised: 05/05/2016] [Accepted: 05/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
In previous studies, the compound 3-(bromopropiophenone) thiosemicarbazone was described as a potent anti-Trypanosoma cruzi and cruzain inhibitor. In view to optimize this activity, 1,3-thiazole core was used as building-block strategy to access new lead generation of anti T. cruzi agents. In this way a series of thiazole derivatives were synthesized and most of these derivatives exhibited antiparasitic activity similar to benznidazole (Bzd). Among them, compounds (1c) and (1g) presented better selective index (SI) than Bzd. In addition, compounds showed inhibitory activity against the cruzain protease. As observed by electron microscopy, compound (1c) treatment caused irreversible and specific morphological changes on ultrastructure organization of T. cruzi, demonstrating that this class of compounds is killing parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Miria de Oliveira Barbosa
- Departamento de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, 50740-520, Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - Edna Farias Santiago
- Departamento de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, 50740-520, Recife, PE, Brazil
| | | | - Natáli Tereza Capistrano Costa
- Departamento de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, 50740-520, Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Zaldini Hernandes
- Departamento de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, 50740-520, Recife, PE, Brazil
| | | | - Aline Caroline da Silva
- Centro de Pesquisas Aggeu Magalhães, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, CEP 50670-420, Recife, PE, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Glaécia Aparecida do Nascimento Pereira
- CAPES Foundation, Ministry of Education of Brazil, Brasília, DF, Brazil; Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, CEP 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Rafaela Salgado Ferreira
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, CEP 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Ana Cristina Lima Leite
- Departamento de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, 50740-520, Recife, PE, Brazil.
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Costa LB, Cardoso MVDO, de Oliveira Filho GB, de Moraes Gomes PAT, Espíndola JWP, de Jesus Silva TG, Torres PHM, Silva FP, Martin J, de Figueiredo RCBQ, Leite ACL. Compound profiling and 3D-QSAR studies of hydrazone derivatives with activity against intracellular Trypanosoma cruzi. Bioorg Med Chem 2016; 24:1608-18. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2016.02.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2015] [Revised: 02/15/2016] [Accepted: 02/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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Abstract
It is now plausible to dock libraries of 10 million molecules against targets over several days or weeks. When the molecules screened are commercially available, they may be rapidly tested to find new leads. Although docking retains important liabilities (it cannot calculate affinities accurately nor even reliably rank order high-scoring molecules), it can often can distinguish likely from unlikely ligands, often with hit rates above 10%. Here we summarize the improvements in libraries, target quality, and methods that have supported these advances, and the open access resources that make docking accessible. Recent docking screens for new ligands are sketched, as are the binding, crystallographic, and in vivo assays that support them. Like any technique, controls are crucial, and key experimental ones are reviewed. With such controls, docking campaigns can find ligands with new chemotypes, often revealing the new biology that may be docking's greatest impact over the next few years.
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Affiliation(s)
- John J Irwin
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and QB3 Institute, University of California-San Francisco , San Francisco, California 94158, United States
| | - Brian K Shoichet
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and QB3 Institute, University of California-San Francisco , San Francisco, California 94158, United States
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