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Yang WB, Luo F, Zhang W, Sun CS, Tan C, Zhou A, Hu W. Inhibition of signal peptidase complex expression affects the development and survival of Schistosoma japonicum. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1136056. [PMID: 36936776 PMCID: PMC10020623 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1136056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Schistosomiasis, the second most neglected tropical disease defined by the WHO, is a significant zoonotic parasitic disease infecting approximately 250 million people globally. This debilitating disease has seriously threatened public health, while only one drug, praziquantel, is used to control it. Because of this, it highlights the significance of identifying more satisfactory target genes for drug development. Protein translocation into the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is vital to the subsequent localization of secretory and transmembrane proteins. The signal peptidase complex (SPC) is an essential component of the translocation machinery and functions to cleave the signal peptide sequence (SP) of secretory and membrane proteins entering the ER. Inhibiting the expression of SPC can lead to the abolishment or weaker cleavage of the signal peptide, and the accumulation of uncleaved protein in the ER would affect the survival of organisms. Despite the evident importance of SPC, in vivo studies exploring its function have yet to be reported in S. japonicum. Methods The S. japonicum SPC consists of four proteins: SPC12, SPC18, SPC22 and SPC25. RNA interference was used to investigate the impact of SPC components on schistosome growth and development in vivo. qPCR and in situ hybridization were applied to localize the SPC25 expression. Mayer's carmalum and Fast Blue B staining were used to observe morphological changes in the reproductive organs of dsRNA-treated worms. The effect of inhibitor treatment on the worm's viability and pairing was also examined in vitro. Results Our results showed that RNAi-SPC delayed the worm's normal development and was even lethal for schistosomula in vivo. Among them, the expression of SPC25 was significantly higher in the developmental stages of the reproductive organs in schistosomes. Moreover, SPC25 possessed high expression in the worm tegument, testes of male worms and the ovaries and vitellarium of female worms. The SPC25 knockdown led to the degeneration of reproductive organs, such as the ovaries and vitellarium of female worms. The SPC25 exhaustion also reduced egg production while reducing the pathological damage of the eggs to the host. Additionally, the SPC-related inhibitor AEBSF or suppressing the expression of SPC25 also impacted cultured worms' pairing and viability in vitro. Conclusions These data demonstrate that SPC is necessary to maintain the development and reproduction of S. japonicum. This research provides a promising anti-schistosomiasis drug target and discovers a new perspective on preventing worm fecundity and maturation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Bin Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Contemporary Anthropology, Human Phenome Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, Department of Microbiology and Microbial Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- The State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock, College of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, China
| | - Fang Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Contemporary Anthropology, Human Phenome Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, Department of Microbiology and Microbial Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Contemporary Anthropology, Human Phenome Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, Department of Microbiology and Microbial Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Cheng-Song Sun
- Central Laboratory, Anhui Provincial Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Anhui, China
| | - Cong Tan
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Contemporary Anthropology, Human Phenome Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, Department of Microbiology and Microbial Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- The State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock, College of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, China
| | - An Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Contemporary Anthropology, Human Phenome Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, Department of Microbiology and Microbial Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Contemporary Anthropology, Human Phenome Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, Department of Microbiology and Microbial Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- The State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock, College of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, China
- *Correspondence: Wei Hu,
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Jedlickova L, Peterkova K, Boateng EM, Ulrychova L, Vacek V, Kutil Z, Jiang Z, Novakova Z, Snajdr I, Kim J, O’Donoghue AJ, Barinka C, Dvorak J. Characterization of glutamate carboxypeptidase 2 orthologs in trematodes. Parasit Vectors 2022; 15:480. [PMID: 36539882 PMCID: PMC9768917 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05556-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Glutamate carboxypeptidase 2 (GCP2) belongs to the M28B metalloprotease subfamily encompassing a variety of zinc-dependent exopeptidases that can be found in many eukaryotes, including unicellular organisms. Limited information exists on the physiological functions of GCP2 orthologs in mammalian tissues outside of the brain and intestine, and such data are completely absent for non-mammalian species. Here, we investigate GCP2 orthologs found in trematodes, not only as putative instrumental molecules for defining their basal function(s) but also as drug targets. METHODS Identified genes encoding M28B proteases Schistosoma mansoni and Fasciola hepatica genomes were analyzed and annotated. Homology modeling was used to create three-dimensional models of SmM28B and FhM28B proteins using published X-ray structures as the template. For S. mansoni, RT-qPCR was used to evaluate gene expression profiles, and, by RNAi, we exploited the possible impact of knockdown on the viability of worms. Enzymes from both parasite species were cloned for recombinant expression. Polyclonal antibodies raised against purified recombinant enzymes and RNA probes were used for localization studies in both parasite species. RESULTS Single genes encoding M28B metalloproteases were identified in the genomes of S. mansoni and F. hepatica. Homology models revealed the conserved three-dimensional fold as well as the organization of the di-zinc active site. Putative peptidase activities of purified recombinant proteins were assayed using peptidic libraries, yet no specific substrate was identified, pointing towards the likely stringent substrate specificity of the enzymes. The orthologs were found to be localized in reproductive, digestive, nervous, and sensory organs as well as parenchymal cells. Knockdown of gene expression by RNAi silencing revealed that the genes studied were non-essential for trematode survival under laboratory conditions, reflecting similar findings for GCP2 KO mice. CONCLUSIONS Our study offers the first insight to our knowledge into M28B protease orthologs found in trematodes. Conservation of their three-dimensional structure, as well as tissue expression pattern, suggests that trematode GCP2 orthologs may have functions similar to their mammalian counterparts and can thus serve as valuable models for future studies aimed at clarifying the physiological role(s) of GCP2 and related subfamily proteases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucie Jedlickova
- grid.15866.3c0000 0001 2238 631XDepartment of Zoology and Fisheries, Center of Infectious Animal Diseases, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food, and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences, Kamýcká 129, 16521 Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Kristyna Peterkova
- grid.15866.3c0000 0001 2238 631XDepartment of Zoology and Fisheries, Center of Infectious Animal Diseases, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food, and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences, Kamýcká 129, 16521 Prague 6, Czech Republic ,grid.4491.80000 0004 1937 116XDepartment of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, 12844 Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | - Enoch Mensah Boateng
- grid.15866.3c0000 0001 2238 631XDepartment of Zoology and Fisheries, Center of Infectious Animal Diseases, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food, and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences, Kamýcká 129, 16521 Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Lenka Ulrychova
- grid.4491.80000 0004 1937 116XDepartment of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, 12844 Prague 2, Czech Republic ,grid.418095.10000 0001 1015 3316Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo N. 2, 16610 Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Vojtech Vacek
- grid.15866.3c0000 0001 2238 631XDepartment of Zoology and Fisheries, Center of Infectious Animal Diseases, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food, and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences, Kamýcká 129, 16521 Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Zsofia Kutil
- grid.418095.10000 0001 1015 3316Laboratory of Structural Biology, Institute of Biotechnology, Czech Academy of Sciences, BIOCEV, Průmyslová 595, 252 42 Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Zhenze Jiang
- grid.266100.30000 0001 2107 4242Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr., La Jolla, CA 92093 USA
| | - Zora Novakova
- grid.418095.10000 0001 1015 3316Laboratory of Structural Biology, Institute of Biotechnology, Czech Academy of Sciences, BIOCEV, Průmyslová 595, 252 42 Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Ivan Snajdr
- grid.418095.10000 0001 1015 3316Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo N. 2, 16610 Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Juan Kim
- grid.15866.3c0000 0001 2238 631XDepartment of Zoology and Fisheries, Center of Infectious Animal Diseases, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food, and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences, Kamýcká 129, 16521 Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Anthony J. O’Donoghue
- grid.266100.30000 0001 2107 4242Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr., La Jolla, CA 92093 USA
| | - Cyril Barinka
- grid.418095.10000 0001 1015 3316Laboratory of Structural Biology, Institute of Biotechnology, Czech Academy of Sciences, BIOCEV, Průmyslová 595, 252 42 Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Dvorak
- grid.15866.3c0000 0001 2238 631XDepartment of Zoology and Fisheries, Center of Infectious Animal Diseases, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food, and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences, Kamýcká 129, 16521 Prague 6, Czech Republic ,grid.418095.10000 0001 1015 3316Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo N. 2, 16610 Prague 6, Czech Republic ,grid.15866.3c0000 0001 2238 631XFaculty of Environmental Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences, Kamýcká 129, 16521 Prague 6, Czech Republic
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Caña-Bozada V, Morales-Serna FN, Fajer-Ávila EJ, Llera-Herrera R. De novo transcriptome assembly and identification of G-Protein-Coupled-Receptors (GPCRs) in two species of monogenean parasites of fish. Parasite 2022; 29:51. [PMID: 36350193 PMCID: PMC9645230 DOI: 10.1051/parasite/2022052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Genomic resources for Platyhelminthes of the class Monogenea are scarce, despite the diversity of these parasites, some species of which are highly pathogenic to their fish hosts. This work aimed to generate de novo-assembled transcriptomes of two monogenean species, Scutogyrus longicornis (Dactylogyridae) and Rhabdosynochus viridisi (Diplectanidae), providing a protocol for cDNA library preparation with low input samples used in single cell transcriptomics. This allowed us to work with sub-microgram amounts of total RNA with success. These transcriptomes consist of 25,696 and 47,187 putative proteins, respectively, which were further annotated according to the Swiss-Prot, Pfam, GO, KEGG, and COG databases. The completeness values of these transcriptomes evaluated with BUSCO against Metazoa databases were 54.1% and 73%, respectively, which is in the range of other monogenean species. Among the annotations, a large number of terms related to G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) were found. We identified 109 GPCR-like sequences in R. viridisi, and 102 in S. longicornis, including family members specific for Platyhelminthes. Rhodopsin was the largest family according to GRAFS classification. Two putative melatonin receptors found in S. longicornis represent the first record of this group of proteins in parasitic Platyhelminthes. Forty GPCRs of R. viridisi and 32 of S. longicornis that were absent in Vertebrata might be potential drug targets. The present study provides the first publicly available transcriptomes for monogeneans of the subclass Monopisthocotylea, which can serve as useful genomic datasets for functional genomic research of this important group of parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Víctor Caña-Bozada
- Centro de Investigación en Alimentación y Desarrollo, A.C. Unidad Mazatlán en Acuicultura y Manejo Ambiental Mazatlán Sinaloa 82112 Mexico
| | - F. Neptalí Morales-Serna
- Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Unidad Académica Mazatlán, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México Mazatlán Sinaloa 82040 Mexico
| | - Emma J. Fajer-Ávila
- Centro de Investigación en Alimentación y Desarrollo, A.C. Unidad Mazatlán en Acuicultura y Manejo Ambiental Mazatlán Sinaloa 82112 Mexico
| | - Raúl Llera-Herrera
- Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Unidad Académica Mazatlán, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México Mazatlán Sinaloa 82040 Mexico
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Function of lipid binding proteins of parasitic helminths: still a long road. Parasitol Res 2022; 121:1117-1129. [PMID: 35169885 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-022-07463-1] [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] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Infections with parasitic helminths cause severe debilitating and sometimes lethal diseases in humans and domestic animals on a global scale. Unable to synthesize de novo their own fatty acids and sterols, helminth parasites (nematodes, trematodes, cestodes) rely on their hosts for their supply. These organisms produce and secrete a wide range of lipid binding proteins that are, in most cases, structurally different from the ones found in their hosts, placing them as possible novel therapeutic targets. In this sense, a lot of effort has been made towards the structure determination of these proteins, but their precise function is still unknown. In this review, we aim to present the current knowledge on the functions of LBPs present in parasitic helminths as well as novel members of this highly heterogeneous group of proteins.
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A global phosphoproteomics analysis of adult Fasciola gigantica by LC-MS/MS. Parasitol Res 2022; 121:623-631. [PMID: 34985596 PMCID: PMC8727970 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-021-07422-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
Protein phosphorylation plays key roles in a variety of essential cellular processes. Fasciola gigantica is a tropical liver fluke causing hepatobiliary disease fascioliasis, leading to human health threats and heavy economic losses. Although the genome and protein kinases of F. gigantica provided new insights to understand the molecular biology and etiology of this parasite, there is scant knowledge of protein phosphorylation events in F. gigantica. In this study, we characterized the global phosphoproteomics of adult F. gigantica by phosphopeptide enrichment-based LC–MS/MS, a high-throughput analysis to maximize the detection of a large repertoire of phosphoproteins and phosphosites. A total of 1030 phosphopeptides with 1244 phosphosites representing 635 F. gigantica phosphoproteins were identified. The phosphoproteins were involved in a wide variety of biological processes including cellular, metabolic, and single-organism processes. Meanwhile, these proteins were found predominantly in cellular components like membranes and organelles with molecular functions of binding (51.3%) and catalytic activity (40.6%). The KEGG annotation inferred that the most enriched pathways of the phosphoproteins included tight junction, spliceosome, and RNA transport (each one contains 15 identified proteins). Combining the reports in other protozoa and helminths, the phosphoproteins identified in this work play roles in metabolic regulation and signal transduction. To our knowledge, this work performed the first global phosphoproteomics analysis of adult F. gigantica, which provides valuable information for development of intervention strategies for fascioliasis.
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Hou S, Diez J, Wang C, Becker-Pauly C, Fields GB, Bannister T, Spicer TP, Scampavia LD, Minond D. Discovery and Optimization of Selective Inhibitors of Meprin α (Part I). Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14030203. [PMID: 33671080 PMCID: PMC8000592 DOI: 10.3390/ph14030203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Revised: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Meprin α and β are zinc-dependent proteinases implicated in multiple diseases including cancers, fibrosis, and Alzheimer’s. However, until recently, only a few inhibitors of either meprin were reported and no inhibitors are in preclinical development. Moreover, inhibitors of other metzincins developed in previous years are not effective in inhibiting meprins suggesting the need for de novo discovery effort. To address the paucity of tractable meprin inhibitors we developed ultrahigh-throughput assays and conducted parallel screening of >650,000 compounds against each meprin. As a result of this effort, we identified five selective meprin α hits belonging to three different chemotypes (triazole-hydroxyacetamides, sulfonamide-hydroxypropanamides, and phenoxy-hydroxyacetamides). These hits demonstrated a nanomolar to micromolar inhibitory activity against meprin α with low cytotoxicity and >30-fold selectivity against meprin β and other related metzincincs. These selective inhibitors of meprin α provide a good starting point for further optimization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shurong Hou
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Molecular Screening Center, Scripps Research, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA; (S.H.); (C.W.); (T.B.); (T.P.S.); (L.D.S.)
| | - Juan Diez
- Rumbaugh-Goodwin Institute for Cancer Research, Nova Southeastern University, 3321 College Avenue, CCR r.605, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33314, USA;
| | - Chao Wang
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Molecular Screening Center, Scripps Research, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA; (S.H.); (C.W.); (T.B.); (T.P.S.); (L.D.S.)
| | - Christoph Becker-Pauly
- Unit for Degradomics of the Protease Web, Institute of Biochemistry, University of Kiel, Rudolf-Höber-Str.1, 24118 Kiel, Germany;
| | - Gregg B. Fields
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry and I-HEALTH, Florida Atlantic University, 5353 Parkside Drive, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA;
| | - Thomas Bannister
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Molecular Screening Center, Scripps Research, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA; (S.H.); (C.W.); (T.B.); (T.P.S.); (L.D.S.)
| | - Timothy P. Spicer
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Molecular Screening Center, Scripps Research, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA; (S.H.); (C.W.); (T.B.); (T.P.S.); (L.D.S.)
| | - Louis D. Scampavia
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Molecular Screening Center, Scripps Research, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA; (S.H.); (C.W.); (T.B.); (T.P.S.); (L.D.S.)
| | - Dmitriy Minond
- Rumbaugh-Goodwin Institute for Cancer Research, Nova Southeastern University, 3321 College Avenue, CCR r.605, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33314, USA;
- Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Allopathic Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, 3301 College Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33314, USA
- Correspondence:
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Morawietz CM, Houhou H, Puckelwaldt O, Hehr L, Dreisbach D, Mokosch A, Roeb E, Roderfeld M, Spengler B, Haeberlein S. Targeting Kinases in Fasciola hepatica: Anthelminthic Effects and Tissue Distribution of Selected Kinase Inhibitors. Front Vet Sci 2020; 7:611270. [PMID: 33409299 PMCID: PMC7779637 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2020.611270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2020] [Accepted: 11/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein kinases have been discussed as promising druggable targets in various parasitic helminths. New drugs are also needed for control of fascioliasis, a food-borne trematode infection and worldwide spread zoonosis, caused by the liver fluke Fasciola hepatica and related species. In this study, we intended to move protein kinases more into the spotlight of Fasciola drug research and characterized the fasciolicidal activity of two small-molecule inhibitors from human cancer research: the Abelson tyrosine kinase (ABL-TK) inhibitor imatinib and the polo-like 1 (PLK1) inhibitor BI2536. BI2536 reduced viability of 4-week-old immature flukes in vitro, while adult worms showed a blockade of egg production. Together with a significantly higher transcriptional expression of PLK1 in adult compared to immature worms, this argues for a role of PLK1 in fluke reproduction. Both fluke stages expressed ABL1-TK transcripts at similar high levels and were affected by imatinib. To study the uptake kinetic and tissue distribution of imatinib in F. hepatica, we applied matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) for the first time in this parasite. Drug imaging revealed the accumulation of imatinib in different fluke tissues from 20 min to 12 h of exposure. Furthermore, we show that imatinib is metabolized to N-desmethyl imatinib by F. hepatica, a bioactive metabolite also found in humans. Besides the vitellarium, gastrodermal tissue showed strong signal intensities. In situ hybridization demonstrated the gastrodermal presence of abl1 transcripts. Finally, we assessed transcriptional changes of physiologically important genes in imatinib-treated flukes. Moderately increased transcript levels of a gene encoding a multidrug resistance protein were detected, which may reflect an attempt to defend against imatinib. Increased expression levels of the cell cycle dependently expressed histone h2b and of two genes encoding superoxide dismutases (SODs) were also observed. In summary, our pilot study demonstrated cross-stage activity of imatinib but not BI2536 against immature and adult F. hepatica in vitro; a fast incorporation of imatinib within minutes, probably via the oral route; and imatinib-induced expression changes of physiologically relevant genes. We conclude that kinases are worth analyzing in more detail to evaluate the potential as therapeutic targets in F. hepatica.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolin M Morawietz
- Institute of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Hicham Houhou
- Biomedical Research Center Seltersberg (BFS), Institute of Parasitology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Oliver Puckelwaldt
- Biomedical Research Center Seltersberg (BFS), Institute of Parasitology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Laura Hehr
- Department of Gastroenterology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Domenic Dreisbach
- Institute of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Annika Mokosch
- Institute of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Elke Roeb
- Department of Gastroenterology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Martin Roderfeld
- Department of Gastroenterology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Bernhard Spengler
- Institute of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Simone Haeberlein
- Biomedical Research Center Seltersberg (BFS), Institute of Parasitology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
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8
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Wang J, Paz C, Padalino G, Coghlan A, Lu Z, Gradinaru I, Collins JNR, Berriman M, Hoffmann KF, Collins JJ. Large-scale RNAi screening uncovers therapeutic targets in the parasite Schistosoma mansoni. Science 2020; 369:1649-1653. [PMID: 32973031 PMCID: PMC7877197 DOI: 10.1126/science.abb7699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2020] [Accepted: 07/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Schistosome parasites kill 250,000 people every year. Treatment of schistosomiasis relies on the drug praziquantel. Unfortunately, a scarcity of molecular tools has hindered the discovery of new drug targets. Here, we describe a large-scale RNA interference (RNAi) screen in adult Schistosoma mansoni that examined the function of 2216 genes. We identified 261 genes with phenotypes affecting neuromuscular function, tissue integrity, stem cell maintenance, and parasite survival. Leveraging these data, we prioritized compounds with activity against the parasites and uncovered a pair of protein kinases (TAO and STK25) that cooperate to maintain muscle-specific messenger RNA transcription. Loss of either of these kinases results in paralysis and worm death in a mammalian host. These studies may help expedite therapeutic development and invigorate studies of these neglected parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jipeng Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Carlos Paz
- Department of Pharmacology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Gilda Padalino
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS), Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, Wales, UK
| | - Avril Coghlan
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Zhigang Lu
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Irina Gradinaru
- Department of Pharmacology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Julie N R Collins
- Department of Pharmacology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Matthew Berriman
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Karl F Hoffmann
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS), Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, Wales, UK
| | - James J Collins
- Department of Pharmacology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA.
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Mousavi SM, Afgar A, Mohammadi MA, Mortezaei S, Faridi A, Sadeghi B, Fasihi Harandi M. Biological and morphological consequences of dsRNA-induced suppression of tetraspanin mRNA in developmental stages of Echinococcus granulosus. Parasit Vectors 2020; 13:190. [PMID: 32276648 PMCID: PMC7146954 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04052-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2020] [Accepted: 03/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cystic echinococcosis, caused by the cestode Echinococcus granulosus, is a neglected tropical disease with remarkable morbidity in humans and a problem of worldwide economic importance in livestock industry. Understanding the molecular basis of the parasite growth and development is essential for the disease diagnosis, management and control. The tetraspanin (TSP) family of proteins are transmembrane proteins with a role in many physiological processes of eukaryotic organisms. TSPs present in the tegumental surface of platyhelminths play pivotal roles in host-parasite interaction. However, little is known about the role of TSPs in growth and development in the Platyhelminthes. To understand the role of TSP1 in the growth and development of E. granulosus we investigated the effect of EgTSP1-specific long dsRNA in different in vitro stages of the parasite. METHODS Different stages of E. granulosus, protoscoleces and strobilated worms, were cultivated In vitro in di-phasic media. Using long dsRNA and two delivery methods, i.e. electroporation and electro-soaking, EgTSP1 silencing was performed with an EgTSP1-specific dsRNA. The TSP1 expression profile was assessed as well as the biological and ultrastructural properties of the parasites. RESULTS After three days of dsRNA treatment, EgTSP1 expression was significantly reduced in both stages of E. granulosus as compared to irrelevant/unrelated dsRNA and untreated controls. Silencing expression of EgTSP1 in different stages of E. granulosus resulted in reduced viability and body contractions, inhibition of protoscoleces evagination and distinctive tegumental changes. Ultrastructural morphology of the strobilated worms treated with EgTSP1-specific dsRNA was indicative of the microtriches impairments and vacuolated tegument compared to the control helminths. CONCLUSIONS Results of the present study suggest that EgTSP1 plays important structural roles in tegument configuration in E. granulosus. EgTSP1 is proved to be a potential target for the development of vaccines and RNAi-based drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seyed Mohammad Mousavi
- Research Center for Hydatid Disease in Iran, School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, 7616914115, Iran
| | - Ali Afgar
- Research Center for Hydatid Disease in Iran, School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, 7616914115, Iran.
| | - Mohammad Ali Mohammadi
- Research Center for Hydatid Disease in Iran, School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, 7616914115, Iran
| | - Seifollah Mortezaei
- Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran
| | - Ashkan Faridi
- Research Center for Hydatid Disease in Iran, School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, 7616914115, Iran
| | - Balal Sadeghi
- Department of Food Hygiene and Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran
| | - Majid Fasihi Harandi
- Research Center for Hydatid Disease in Iran, School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, 7616914115, Iran.
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Ifenprodil and Flavopiridol Identified by Genomewide RNA Interference Screening as Effective Drugs To Ameliorate Murine Acute Lung Injury after Influenza A H5N1 Virus Infection. mSystems 2019; 4:4/6/e00431-19. [PMID: 31822599 PMCID: PMC6906739 DOI: 10.1128/msystems.00431-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Drug repurposing is a quick and economical strategy for developing new therapies with approved drugs. H5N1 is a highly pathogenic avian influenza virus subtype that can cause severe acute lung injury (ALI) and a high mortality rate due to limited treatments. The use of RNA interference (RNAi) is a reliable approach to identify essential genes in diseases. In most genomewide RNAi screenings, virus replication is the readout of interference. Since H5N1 virus infection could induce significant cell death and the percentage of cell death is associated with virus lethality, we designed a genomewide RNAi screening method to identify repurposable drugs against H5N1 virus with cell death as the readout. We discovered that the neurological drug ifenprodil and the anticancer drug flavopiridol could effectively ameliorate murine ALI after influenza A H5N1 virus infection, suggesting that they might be novel remedies for H5N1 virus-induced ALI in addition to the traditional indications. Due to the limitations of effective treatments, avian influenza A H5N1 virus is the most lethal influenza virus strain that causes severe acute lung injury (ALI). To develop effective drugs ameliorating H5N1-induced ALI, we explore an RNA interference (RNAi) screening method to monitor changes in cell death induced by H5N1 infection. We performed RNAi screening on 19,424 genes in A549 lung epithelial cells and examined cell death induced by H5N1 infection. These screens identified 1,137 host genes for which knockdown altered cell viability by over 20%. DrugBank searches of these 1,137 host genes identified 146 validated druggable target genes with 372 drug candidates. We obtained 104 commercially available drugs with 65 validated target genes and examined their improvement of cell viability following H5N1 infection. We identified 28 drugs that could significantly recover cell viability following H5N1 infection and tested 10 in an H5N1-induced-ALI mouse model. The neurological drug ifenprodil and the anticancer drug flavopiridol markedly decreased leukocyte infiltration and lung injury scores in infected mouse lungs, significantly ameliorated edema in infected mouse lung tissues, and significantly improved the survival of H5N1-infected mice. Ifenprodil is an antagonist of the N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor, which is linked to inflammation and lung injury. Flavopiridol is an inhibitor of cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4), which is linked to leukocyte migration and lung injury. These results suggest that ifenprodil and flavopiridol represent novel remedies against potential H5N1 epidemics in addition to their proven indications. Furthermore, our strategy for identifying repurposable drugs could be a general approach for other diseases. IMPORTANCE Drug repurposing is a quick and economical strategy for developing new therapies with approved drugs. H5N1 is a highly pathogenic avian influenza virus subtype that can cause severe acute lung injury (ALI) and a high mortality rate due to limited treatments. The use of RNA interference (RNAi) is a reliable approach to identify essential genes in diseases. In most genomewide RNAi screenings, virus replication is the readout of interference. Since H5N1 virus infection could induce significant cell death and the percentage of cell death is associated with virus lethality, we designed a genomewide RNAi screening method to identify repurposable drugs against H5N1 virus with cell death as the readout. We discovered that the neurological drug ifenprodil and the anticancer drug flavopiridol could effectively ameliorate murine ALI after influenza A H5N1 virus infection, suggesting that they might be novel remedies for H5N1 virus-induced ALI in addition to the traditional indications.
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Reference gene analysis and its use for kinase expression profiling in Fasciola hepatica. Sci Rep 2019; 9:15867. [PMID: 31676853 PMCID: PMC6825121 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-52416-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2019] [Accepted: 10/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The liver fluke Fasciola hepatica causes fasciolosis, a foodborne zoonosis affecting humans and livestock worldwide. A reliable quantification of gene expression in all parasite life stages relevant for targeting by anthelmintics in the mammalian host is fundamental. The aim of this study was to define a set of stably expressed reference genes for qRT-PCR in Fasciola studies. We determined the expression stabilities of eight candidate reference genes by the algorithms NormFinder, geNorm, BestKeeper, and comparative ΔCT method. The most stably expressed reference genes for the comparison of intra-mammalian life stages were glutamyl-prolyl-tRNA synthetase (Fheprs) and tubulin-specific chaperone D (Fhtbcd). The two best reference genes for analysis of in vitro-cultured juveniles were Fhtbcd and proteasome subunit beta type-7 (Fhpsmb7). These genes should replace the housekeeping gene gapdh which is used in most Fasciola studies to date, but in fact was differentially expressed in our analysis. Based on the new reference genes, we quantified expression of five kinases (Abl1, Abl2, PKC, Akt1, Plk1) discussed as targets in other parasitic flatworms. Distinct expression patterns throughout development were revealed and point to interesting biological functions. We like to motivate using this set of validated reference genes for future F. hepatica research, such as studies on drug targets or parasite development.
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Mousavi SM, Afgar A, Mohammadi MA, Mortezaei S, Sadeghi B, Harandi MF. Calmodulin-specific small interfering RNA induces consistent expression suppression and morphological changes in Echinococcus granulosus. Sci Rep 2019; 9:3894. [PMID: 30846822 PMCID: PMC6406006 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-40656-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2018] [Accepted: 02/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Among parasitic helminths, biological features of Echinococcus granulosus have been a focus of particular interest in biology and medicine. The determinants and underlying molecular mechanisms of Echinococcus development in different host settings is largely unknown. The phenomenal bi-directional development of E. granulosus protoscoleces into multi-proglottid and/or microcysts, is a fascinating feature of the parasite cultivation. Calmodulin (CaM) is the major intracellular Ca2+ binding protein in plant and animal organisms. Many Ca2+-related processes in the physiology of eukaryotic organisms are CaM-dependent, however little is known on the role of CaM in platyhelminths growth and development. Small interfering (si) RNA-induced manipulations of the genes involving in the parasite development is an opportunity to explore novel approaches for cystic echinococcosis (CE) prevention and management. Regarding the fundamental role of CaM in cellular function of the parasites, in this study, we investigated the molecular and morphological changes induced by siRNA on CaM in different in vitro stages of E. granulosus. Three developmental stages of the tapeworm, protoscoleces, microcysts and strobilated worms, were cultivated in vitro in mono- and di-phasic media and three delivery methods, i.e. electroporation, soaking and electro-soaking, were used for RNA interference. The level of mRNA suppression as well as the phenotypic changes of the parasites were measured. Following RNA interference, EgCaM mRNA suppressions of 65-99% were recorded in different stages of the tapeworm as compared to untreated/unrelated siRNA controls. Lower viability, growth retardation, morphological abnormalities as well as EgCaM expression suppression were documented in the parasite implying potential of siRNA technology for the prevention and management of CE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seyed Mohammad Mousavi
- Research Center for Hydatid Disease in Iran, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, 7616914115, Iran
| | - Ali Afgar
- Research Center for Hydatid Disease in Iran, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, 7616914115, Iran
| | - Mohammad Ali Mohammadi
- Research Center for Hydatid Disease in Iran, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, 7616914115, Iran
| | - Seifollah Mortezaei
- Research Center for Hydatid Disease in Iran, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, 7616914115, Iran
| | - Balal Sadeghi
- Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Food Hygiene and Public Health, Kerman, Iran
| | - Majid Fasihi Harandi
- Research Center for Hydatid Disease in Iran, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, 7616914115, Iran.
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Frahm S, Anisuzzaman A, Prodjinotho UF, Vejzagić N, Verschoor A, Prazeres da Costa C. A novel cell-free method to culture Schistosoma mansoni from cercariae to juvenile worm stages for in vitro drug testing. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2019; 13:e0006590. [PMID: 30689639 PMCID: PMC6375649 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0006590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2018] [Revised: 02/14/2019] [Accepted: 11/16/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The arsenal in anthelminthic treatment against schistosomiasis is limited and relies almost exclusively on a single drug, praziquantel (PZQ). Thus, resistance to PZQ could constitute a major threat. Even though PZQ is potent in killing adult worms, its activity against earlier stages is limited. Current in vitro drug screening strategies depend on newly transformed schistosomula (NTS) for initial hit identification, thereby limiting sensitivity to new compounds predominantly active in later developmental stages. Therefore, the aim of this study was to establish a highly standardized, straightforward and reliable culture method to generate and maintain advanced larval stages in vitro. We present here how this method can be a valuable tool to test drug efficacy at each intermediate larval stage, reducing the reliance on animal use (3Rs). Methodology/Principal findings Cercariae were mechanically transformed into skin-stage (SkS) schistosomula and successfully cultured for up to four weeks with no loss in viability in a commercially available medium. Under these serum- and cell-free conditions, development halted at the lung-stage (LuS). However, the addition of human serum (HSe) propelled further development into liver stage (LiS) worms within eight weeks. Skin and lung stages, as well as LiS, were submitted to 96-well drug screening assays using known anti-schistosomal compounds such as PZQ, oxamniquine (OXM), mefloquine (MFQ) and artemether (ART). Our findings showed stage-dependent differences in larval susceptibility to these compounds. Conclusion With this robust and highly standardized in vitro assay, important developmental stages of S. mansoni up to LiS worms can be generated and maintained over prolonged periods of time. The phenotype of LiS worms, when exposed to reference drugs, was comparable to most previously published works for ex vivo harvested adult worms. Therefore, this in vitro assay can help reduce reliance on animal experiments in search for new anti-schistosomal drugs. Schistosomiasis remains a major health threat, predominantly in developing countries. Even though there has been some progress in search of new drugs, praziquantel remains the only available drug. Probably the most important advance in the search for new drugs was in vitro transformation of cercariae and their subsequent culture. However, hit identification in compound screenings is exclusively tested in skin stage parasites and is only confirmed for more mature worms in a subsequent step. This is in part due to the lack of an easy culture system for advance-stage parasites. We present here a reliable and highly standardized way to generate LiS worms in vitro in a cell-free culture system. The inclusion of in vitro drug tests on advanced-stage parasites in initial hit identification will help to identify compounds that might otherwise be overlooked. Furthermore, the ability to continuously observe the parasite’s development in vitro will provide an important platform for a better understanding of its maturation in the human host. Taken together, this opens up new avenues to investigate the influence of specific cell types or host proteins on the development of Schistosoma mansoni and provides an additional tool to reduce animal use in future drug discovery efforts (3Rs).
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Affiliation(s)
- Sören Frahm
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Anisuzzaman Anisuzzaman
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
- Department of Parasitology, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh
| | - Ulrich Fabien Prodjinotho
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Nermina Vejzagić
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Admar Verschoor
- Institute for Systemic Inflammation Research, Universität zu Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Clarissa Prazeres da Costa
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
- * E-mail:
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Stroehlein AJ, Gasser RB, Hall RS, Young ND. Interactive online application for the prediction, ranking and prioritisation of drug targets in Schistosoma haematobium. Parasit Vectors 2018; 11:605. [PMID: 30482220 PMCID: PMC6257948 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-3197-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2018] [Accepted: 11/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Human schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease caused by parasitic worms of the genus Schistosoma that still affects some 200 million people. The mainstay of schistosomiasis control is a single drug, praziquantel. The reliance on this drug carries a risk of resistance emerging to this anthelmintic, such that research towards alternative anti-schistosomal drugs is warranted. In this context, a number of studies have employed computational approaches to prioritise proteins for investigation as drug targets, based on extensive genomic, transcriptomic and small-molecule data now available. METHODS Here, we established a customisable, online application for the prioritisation of drug targets and applied it, for the first time, to the entire inferred proteome of S. haematobium. This application enables selection of weighted and ranked proteins representing potential drug targets, and integrates transcriptional data, orthology and gene essentiality information as well as drug-drug target associations and chemical properties of predicted ligands. RESULTS Using this application, we defined 25 potential drug targets in S. haematobium that associated with approved drugs, and 3402 targets that (although they could not be linked to any compounds) are conserved among a range of socioeconomically important flatworm species and might represent targets for new trematocides. CONCLUSIONS The online application developed here represents an interactive, customisable, expandable and reproducible drug target ranking and prioritisation approach that should be useful for the prediction of drug targets in schistosomes and other species of parasitic worms in the future. We have demonstrated the utility of this online application by predicting potential drug targets in S. haematobium that can now be evaluated using functional genomics tools and/or small molecules, to establish whether they are indeed essential for parasite survival, and to assist in the discovery of novel anti-schistosomal compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas J. Stroehlein
- Melbourne Veterinary School, Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010 Australia
| | - Robin B. Gasser
- Melbourne Veterinary School, Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010 Australia
| | - Ross S. Hall
- Melbourne Veterinary School, Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010 Australia
| | - Neil D. Young
- Melbourne Veterinary School, Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010 Australia
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Signalling pathways in schistosomes: novel targets for control interventions against schistosomiasis. Emerg Top Life Sci 2017; 1:633-639. [PMID: 33525854 DOI: 10.1042/etls20170093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2017] [Revised: 10/24/2017] [Accepted: 10/31/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Over the last decade, there has been accumulating evidence showing that signalling pathways are involved in extensive biological and physiological processes in the human blood fluke schistosomes, playing essential roles in environmental sensing, host penetration, growth, development, maturation, embryogenesis, tissue self-renewal and survival. Owing to the likelihood of resistance developing against praziquantel, the only drug currently available that is effective against all the human schistosome species, there is an urgent requirement for an alternative treatment, arguing for continuing research into novel or repurposed anti-schistosomal drugs. An increasing number of anticancer drugs are being developed which block abnormal signalling pathways, a feature that has stimulated interest in developing novel interventions against human schistosomiasis by targeting key cell signalling components. In this review, we discuss the functional characterization of signal transduction pathways in schistosomes and consider current challenges and future perspectives in this important area of research.
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16
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Kinases: Molecular Stage Directors for Schistosome Development and Differentiation. Trends Parasitol 2017; 34:246-260. [PMID: 29276074 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2017.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2017] [Revised: 12/01/2017] [Accepted: 12/01/2017] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Understanding schistosome biology is still a challenging mission. The reproductive biology of this parasitic trematode is closely associated with the pathologic consequences of schistosomiasis, the devastating infectious disease caused by members of the family Schistosomatidae worldwide. Recent studies of signaling mechanisms confirmed the prominent roles of protein kinases (PKs) in directing schistosome biology, and first evidence was obtained for an additional contribution of kinases with substrates different from proteins (non-PKs). This review provides an overview of the Schistosoma mansoni kinome in the context of male-female interaction and summarizes recent studies of kinases controlling development and differentiation. Due to their importance for schistosome biology, kinases represent Achilles' heels and are therefore of high value also for translational research.
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17
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Allan ERO, Gourbal B, Dores CB, Portet A, Bayne CJ, Blouin MS. Clearance of schistosome parasites by resistant genotypes at a single genomic region in Biomphalaria glabrata snails involves cellular components of the hemolymph. Int J Parasitol 2017; 48:387-393. [PMID: 29137971 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2017.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2017] [Revised: 08/23/2017] [Accepted: 08/31/2017] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Schistosomiasis is one of the most detrimental neglected tropical diseases. Controlling the spread of this parasitic illness requires effective sanitation, access to chemotherapeutic drugs, and control over populations of the freshwater snails, such as Biomphalaria glabrata, that are essential intermediate hosts for schistosomes. Effectively controlling this disease, while minimising ecological implications of such control, will require an extensive understanding of the immunological interactions between schistosomes and their molluscan intermediate hosts. Here we histologically characterise the clearance of schistosome larvae by snails that exhibit allelic variation at a single genomic region, the Guadeloupe resistance complex. We show that snails with a resistant Guadeloupe resistance complex genotype clear schistosomes within the first 24-48 h, and that this resistance can be transferred to susceptible snails via whole hemolymph but not cell-free plasma. These findings imply that Guadeloupe resistance complex-coded proteins help to coordinate hemocyte-mediated immune responses to schistosome infections in Guadeloupean snails.
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Affiliation(s)
- Euan R O Allan
- Department of Integrative Biology, College of Science, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA.
| | - Benjamin Gourbal
- Université Perpignan Via Domitia, Interactions Hôtes Pathogènes Environnements UMR 5244, CNRS, IFREMER, Univ. Montpellier, F-66860 Perpignan, France
| | - Camila B Dores
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - Anais Portet
- Université Perpignan Via Domitia, Interactions Hôtes Pathogènes Environnements UMR 5244, CNRS, IFREMER, Univ. Montpellier, F-66860 Perpignan, France
| | - Christopher J Bayne
- Department of Integrative Biology, College of Science, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - Michael S Blouin
- Department of Integrative Biology, College of Science, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA
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He S, Zhu L, Liu F, Liu Q, Shao Y, Hua M, Ding H, Shao W, Du Y, Hou X, Ren C, Liu M, Shen J. Functions of the Vasa gene in Schistosoma japonicum as assessed by RNA interference. Gene 2017; 638:13-19. [PMID: 28964895 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2017.09.054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2017] [Revised: 09/24/2017] [Accepted: 09/25/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Vasa, an enzyme belonging to the helicase family, contributes to the regulation of reproductive system development in many species. Thus, we hypothesized that the Vasa3 gene may function in the reproductive system of the parasite Schistosoma japonicum (S. japonicum), which is a major causative agent of schistosomiasis. It is a severe disease globally affecting humans and animals. To test this hypothesis, we firstly conducted whole mount in situ hybridization analyses and found that the S. japonicum Vasa3 (SjVasa3) gene was expressed mainly in the reproductive organs. We then explored the reproductive functions of Vasa3 in S. japonicum using RNA interference (RNAi) techniques. Coupled schistosomes collected from mice 28days post infection (dpi) were transfected three times with SjVasa3-specific small interfering RNA (siRNA) and cultured in vitro for up to 10days. As measured by quantitative PCR (qPCR) and Western blot analysis, levels of SjVasa3 mRNA and protein in Vasa siRNA treated worms were significantly reduced compared with untreated and scrambled siRNA treated worms. Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) images showed markedly siRNA induced changes in the morphology of the reproductive organs, especially in the female ovary, vitellarium and the male testes. SjVasa3 gene silencing also significantly reduced egg production. These data demonstrate that SjVasa3 is essential in reproductive organ development and egg production in S. japonicum, and could be a potential target for developing novel compounds to treat schistosomiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siyu He
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Key Laboratory of Zoonoses, Anhui Medical University, 81#Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui 230032, People's Republic of China
| | - Lulu Zhu
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Key Laboratory of Zoonoses, Anhui Medical University, 81#Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui 230032, People's Republic of China
| | - Fengchun Liu
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Key Laboratory of Zoonoses, Anhui Medical University, 81#Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui 230032, People's Republic of China
| | - Quan Liu
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Key Laboratory of Zoonoses, Anhui Medical University, 81#Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui 230032, People's Republic of China
| | - Yanjing Shao
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Key Laboratory of Zoonoses, Anhui Medical University, 81#Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui 230032, People's Republic of China
| | - Mengqing Hua
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Key Laboratory of Zoonoses, Anhui Medical University, 81#Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui 230032, People's Republic of China
| | - Han Ding
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Key Laboratory of Zoonoses, Anhui Medical University, 81#Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui 230032, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Shao
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Key Laboratory of Zoonoses, Anhui Medical University, 81#Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui 230032, People's Republic of China
| | - Yinan Du
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Key Laboratory of Zoonoses, Anhui Medical University, 81#Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui 230032, People's Republic of China
| | - Xin Hou
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Key Laboratory of Zoonoses, Anhui Medical University, 81#Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui 230032, People's Republic of China
| | - Cuiping Ren
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Key Laboratory of Zoonoses, Anhui Medical University, 81#Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui 230032, People's Republic of China
| | - Miao Liu
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Key Laboratory of Zoonoses, Anhui Medical University, 81#Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui 230032, People's Republic of China.
| | - Jijia Shen
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Key Laboratory of Zoonoses, Anhui Medical University, 81#Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui 230032, People's Republic of China.
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Pérez MG, Macchiaroli N, Lichtenstein G, Conti G, Asurmendi S, Milone DH, Stegmayer G, Kamenetzky L, Cucher M, Rosenzvit MC. microRNA analysis of Taenia crassiceps cysticerci under praziquantel treatment and genome-wide identification of Taenia solium miRNAs. Int J Parasitol 2017; 47:643-653. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2017.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2017] [Revised: 03/31/2017] [Accepted: 04/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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Allan ERO, Tennessen JA, Bollmann SR, Hanington PC, Bayne CJ, Blouin MS. Schistosome infectivity in the snail, Biomphalaria glabrata, is partially dependent on the expression of Grctm6, a Guadeloupe Resistance Complex protein. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2017; 11:e0005362. [PMID: 28158185 PMCID: PMC5310918 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0005362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2016] [Revised: 02/15/2017] [Accepted: 01/27/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Schistosomiasis is one of the most important neglected tropical diseases. Despite effective chemotherapeutic treatments, this disease continues to afflict hundreds of millions of people. Understanding the natural intermediate snail hosts of schistosome parasites is vital to the suppression of this disease. A recently identified genomic region in Caribbean Biomphalaria glabrata snails strongly influences their resistance to infection by Schistosoma mansoni. This region contains novel genes having structural similarity to known pathogen recognition proteins. Here we elaborate on the probable structure and role of one of these genes, grctm6. We characterised the expression of Grctm6 in a population of Caribbean snails, and performed a siRNA knockdown of Grctm6. We show that this protein is not only expressed in B. glabrata hemolymph, but that it also has a role in modulating the number of S. mansoni cercariae released by infected snails, making it a possible target for the biological control of schistosomiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Euan R O Allan
- Department of Integrative Biology, College of Science, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, United States of America
| | - Jacob A Tennessen
- Department of Integrative Biology, College of Science, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, United States of America
| | - Stephanie R Bollmann
- Department of Integrative Biology, College of Science, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, United States of America
| | | | - Christopher J Bayne
- Department of Integrative Biology, College of Science, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, United States of America
| | - Michael S Blouin
- Department of Integrative Biology, College of Science, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, United States of America
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21
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Ressurreição M, Elbeyioglu F, Kirk RS, Rollinson D, Emery AM, Page NM, Walker AJ. Molecular characterization of host-parasite cell signalling in Schistosoma mansoni during early development. Sci Rep 2016; 6:35614. [PMID: 27762399 PMCID: PMC5071895 DOI: 10.1038/srep35614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2016] [Accepted: 10/04/2016] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
During infection of their human definitive host, schistosomes transform rapidly from free-swimming infective cercariae in freshwater to endoparasitic schistosomules. The 'somules' next migrate within the skin to access the vasculature and are surrounded by host molecules that might activate intracellular pathways that influence somule survival, development and/or behaviour. However, such 'transactivation' by host factors in schistosomes is not well defined. In the present study, we have characterized and functionally localized the dynamics of protein kinase C (PKC) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activation during early somule development in vitro and demonstrate activation of these protein kinases by human epidermal growth factor, insulin, and insulin-like growth factor I, particularly at the parasite surface. Further, we provide evidence that support the existence of specialized signalling domains called lipid rafts in schistosomes and propose that correct signalling to ERK requires proper raft organization. Finally, we show that modulation of PKC and ERK activities in somules affects motility and reduces somule survival. Thus, PKC and ERK are important mediators of host-ligand regulated transactivation events in schistosomes, and represent potential targets for anti-schistosome therapy aimed at reducing parasite survival in the human host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margarida Ressurreição
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Pharmacy and Chemistry, Kingston University, KT1 2EE, United Kingdom
| | - Firat Elbeyioglu
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Pharmacy and Chemistry, Kingston University, KT1 2EE, United Kingdom
| | - Ruth S. Kirk
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Pharmacy and Chemistry, Kingston University, KT1 2EE, United Kingdom
| | - David Rollinson
- Department of Life Sciences, The Natural History Museum, London, SW7 5BD, United Kingdom
| | - Aidan M. Emery
- Department of Life Sciences, The Natural History Museum, London, SW7 5BD, United Kingdom
| | - Nigel M. Page
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Pharmacy and Chemistry, Kingston University, KT1 2EE, United Kingdom
| | - Anthony J. Walker
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Pharmacy and Chemistry, Kingston University, KT1 2EE, United Kingdom
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22
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Britton C, Roberts B, Marks ND. Functional Genomics Tools for Haemonchus contortus and Lessons From Other Helminths. ADVANCES IN PARASITOLOGY 2016; 93:599-623. [PMID: 27238014 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apar.2016.02.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The availability of genome and transcriptome data for parasitic nematodes, including Haemonchus contortus, has highlighted the need to develop functional genomics tools. Comparative genomic analysis, particularly using data from the free-living nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, can help predict gene function. Reliable approaches to study function directly in parasitic nematodes are currently lacking. However, gene knockdown by RNA interference (RNAi) is being successfully used in schistosome and planarian species to define gene functions. Lessons from these systems may be applied to improve RNAi in H. contortus. Previous studies in H. contortus and related nematodes demonstrated reliable RNAi-mediated silencing of some genes, but not others. Current data suggest that susceptibility to RNAi in these nematodes is limited to genes expressed in sites accessible to the environment, such as the gut, amphids and excretory cell. Therefore, RNAi is functional in H. contortus, but improvements are needed to develop this system as a functional genomics platform. Here, we summarize RNAi studies on H. contortus and discuss the optimization of RNA delivery and improvements to culture methods to enhance larval development, protein turnover and the induction of phenotypic effects in vitro. The transgenic delivery of RNA or dominant-negative gene constructs and the recently developed CRISPR/Cas genome-editing technique are considered as potential alternative approaches for gene knockout. This is a key time to devote greater effort in progressing from genome to function, to improve our understanding of the biology of Haemonchus and identify novel targets for parasite control.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Britton
- University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - B Roberts
- University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - N D Marks
- University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
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23
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McCammick EM, McVeigh P, McCusker P, Timson DJ, Morphew RM, Brophy PM, Marks NJ, Mousley A, Maule AG. Calmodulin disruption impacts growth and motility in juvenile liver fluke. Parasit Vectors 2016; 9:46. [PMID: 26817678 PMCID: PMC4730779 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-016-1324-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2015] [Accepted: 01/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Deficiencies in effective flukicide options and growing issues with drug resistance make current strategies for liver fluke control unsustainable, thereby promoting the need to identify and validate new control targets in Fasciola spp. parasites. Calmodulins (CaMs) are small calcium-sensing proteins with ubiquitous expression in all eukaryotic organisms and generally use fluctuations in intracellular calcium levels to modulate cell signalling events. CaMs are essential for fundamental processes including the phosphorylation of protein kinases, gene transcription, calcium transport and smooth muscle contraction. In the blood fluke Schistosoma mansoni, calmodulins have been implicated in egg hatching, miracidial transformation and larval development. Previously, CaMs have been identified amongst liver fluke excretory-secretory products and three CaM-like proteins have been characterised biochemically from adult Fasciola hepatica, although their functions remain unknown. Methods In this study, we set out to investigate the biological function and control target potential of F. hepatica CaMs (FhCaMs) using RNAi methodology alongside novel in vitro bioassays. Results Our results reveal that: (i) FhCaMs are widely expressed in parenchymal cells throughout the forebody region of juvenile fluke; (ii) significant transcriptional knockdown of FhCaM1-3 was inducible by exposure to either long (~200 nt) double stranded (ds) RNAs or 27 nt short interfering (si) RNAs, although siRNAs were less effective than long dsRNAs; (iii) transient long dsRNA exposure-induced RNA interference (RNAi) of FhCaMs triggered transcript knockdown that persisted for ≥ 21 days, and led to detectable suppression of FhCaM proteins; (iv) FhCaM RNAi significantly reduced the growth of juvenile flukes maintained in vitro; (v) FhCaM RNAi juveniles also displayed hyperactivity encompassing significantly increased migration; (vi) both the reduced growth and increased motility phenotypes were recapitulated in juvenile fluke using the CaM inhibitor trifluoperazine hydrochloride, supporting phenotype specificity. Conclusions These data indicate that the Ca2+-modulating functions of FhCaMs are important for juvenile fluke growth and movement and provide the first functional genomics-based example of a growth-defect resulting from gene silencing in liver fluke. Whilst the phenotypic impacts of FhCaM silencing on fluke behaviour do not strongly support their candidature as new flukicide targets, the growth impacts encourage further consideration, especially in light of the speed of juvenile fluke growth in vivo. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13071-016-1324-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin M McCammick
- Microbes & Pathogen Biology: Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen's, University Belfast, Medical Biology Centre, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast, BT9 7BL, UK.
| | - Paul McVeigh
- Microbes & Pathogen Biology: Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen's, University Belfast, Medical Biology Centre, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast, BT9 7BL, UK.
| | - Paul McCusker
- Microbes & Pathogen Biology: Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen's, University Belfast, Medical Biology Centre, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast, BT9 7BL, UK.
| | - David J Timson
- Microbes & Pathogen Biology: Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen's, University Belfast, Medical Biology Centre, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast, BT9 7BL, UK.
| | - Russell M Morphew
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences, Aberystwyth University, Penglais, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 3FL, UK.
| | - Peter M Brophy
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences, Aberystwyth University, Penglais, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 3FL, UK.
| | - Nikki J Marks
- Microbes & Pathogen Biology: Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen's, University Belfast, Medical Biology Centre, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast, BT9 7BL, UK.
| | - Angela Mousley
- Microbes & Pathogen Biology: Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen's, University Belfast, Medical Biology Centre, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast, BT9 7BL, UK.
| | - Aaron G Maule
- Microbes & Pathogen Biology: Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen's, University Belfast, Medical Biology Centre, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast, BT9 7BL, UK.
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24
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Long T, Neitz RJ, Beasley R, Kalyanaraman C, Suzuki BM, Jacobson MP, Dissous C, McKerrow JH, Drewry DH, Zuercher WJ, Singh R, Caffrey CR. Structure-Bioactivity Relationship for Benzimidazole Thiophene Inhibitors of Polo-Like Kinase 1 (PLK1), a Potential Drug Target in Schistosoma mansoni. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2016; 10:e0004356. [PMID: 26751972 PMCID: PMC4709140 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0004356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2015] [Accepted: 12/13/2015] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Schistosoma flatworm parasites cause schistosomiasis, a chronic and debilitating disease of poverty in developing countries. Praziquantel is employed for treatment and disease control. However, its efficacy spectrum is incomplete (less active or inactive against immature stages of the parasite) and there is a concern of drug resistance. Thus, there is a need to identify new drugs and drug targets. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS We show that RNA interference (RNAi) of the Schistosoma mansoni ortholog of human polo-like kinase (huPLK)1 elicits a deleterious phenotypic alteration in post-infective larvae (schistosomula or somules). Phenotypic screening and analysis of schistosomula and adult S. mansoni with small molecule inhibitors of huPLK1 identified a number of potent anti-schistosomals. Among these was a GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) benzimidazole thiophene inhibitor that has completed Phase I clinical trials for treatment of solid tumor malignancies. We then obtained GSKs Published Kinase Inhibitor Sets (PKIS) 1 and 2, and phenotypically screened an expanded series of 38 benzimidazole thiophene PLK1 inhibitors. Computational analysis of controls and PLK1 inhibitor-treated populations of somules demonstrated a distinctive phenotype distribution. Using principal component analysis (PCA), the phenotypes exhibited by these populations were mapped, visualized and analyzed through projection to a low-dimensional space. The phenotype distribution was found to have a distinct shape and topology, which could be elicited using cluster analysis. A structure-activity relationship (SAR) was identified for the benzimidazole thiophenes that held for both somules and adult parasites. The most potent inhibitors produced marked phenotypic alterations at 1-2 μM within 1 h. Among these were compounds previously characterized as potent inhibitors of huPLK1 in cell assays. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE The reverse genetic and chemical SAR data support a continued investigation of SmPLK1 as a possible drug target and/or the prosecution of the benzimidazole thiophene chemotype as a source of novel anti-schistosomals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thavy Long
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - R. Jeffrey Neitz
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Small Molecule Discovery Center, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Rachel Beasley
- Department of Computer Science, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Chakrapani Kalyanaraman
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Brian M. Suzuki
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Matthew P. Jacobson
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Colette Dissous
- Center of Infection and Immunity of Lille, Université Lille Nord de France, Inserm U1019, CNRS-UMR 8204, Institut Pasteur de Lille, Lille, France
| | - James H. McKerrow
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - David H. Drewry
- Department of Chemical Biology, GlaxoSmithKline, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - William J. Zuercher
- Department of Chemical Biology, GlaxoSmithKline, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Rahul Singh
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Department of Computer Science, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Conor R. Caffrey
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
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25
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Stroehlein AJ, Young ND, Jex AR, Sternberg PW, Tan P, Boag PR, Hofmann A, Gasser RB. Defining the Schistosoma haematobium kinome enables the prediction of essential kinases as anti-schistosome drug targets. Sci Rep 2015; 5:17759. [PMID: 26635209 PMCID: PMC4669435 DOI: 10.1038/srep17759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2015] [Accepted: 08/26/2015] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The blood fluke Schistosoma haematobium causes urogenital schistosomiasis, a neglected tropical disease (NTD) that affects more than 110 million people. Treating this disease by targeted or mass administration with a single chemical, praziquantel, carries the risk that drug resistance will develop in this pathogen. Therefore, there is an imperative to search for new drug targets in S. haematobium and other schistosomes. In this regard, protein kinases have potential, given their essential roles in biological processes and as targets for drugs already approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in humans. In this context, we defined here the kinome of S. haematobium using a refined bioinformatic pipeline. We classified, curated and annotated predicted kinases, and assessed the developmental transcription profiles of kinase genes. Then, we prioritised a panel of kinases as potential drug targets and inferred chemicals that bind to them using an integrated bioinformatic pipeline. Most kinases of S. haematobium are very similar to those of its congener, S. mansoni, offering the prospect of designing chemicals that kill both species. Overall, this study provides a global insight into the kinome of S. haematobium and should assist the repurposing or discovery of drugs against schistosomiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas J. Stroehlein
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Neil D. Young
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Aaron R. Jex
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Paul W. Sternberg
- HHMI, Division of Biology, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, USA
| | - Patrick Tan
- Genome Institute of Singapore, Republic of Singapore
- Cancer and Stem Cell Biology, Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School, Republic of Singapore
| | - Peter R. Boag
- Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Andreas Hofmann
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Structural Chemistry Program, Eskitis Institute, Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Robin B. Gasser
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
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Li T, Ziniel PD, He PQ, Kommer VP, Crowther GJ, He M, Liu Q, Van Voorhis WC, Williams DL, Wang MW. High-throughput screening against thioredoxin glutathione reductase identifies novel inhibitors with potential therapeutic value for schistosomiasis. Infect Dis Poverty 2015; 4:40. [PMID: 26341081 PMCID: PMC4560900 DOI: 10.1186/s40249-015-0071-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2015] [Accepted: 08/12/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Schistosomiasis, a parasitic disease also known as bilharzia and snail fever, is caused by different species of flatworms, such as Schistosoma mansoni (S. mansoni). Thioredoxin glutathione reductase (TGR) from S. mansoni (SmTGR) is a well-characterized drug target for schistosomiasis, yet no anti-SmTGR compounds have reached clinical trials, suggesting that therapeutic development against schistosomiasis might benefit from additional scaffolds targeting this enzyme. METHODS A high-throughput screening (HTS) assay in vitro against SmTGR was developed and applied to a diverse compound library. SmTGR activity was quantified with ThioGlo®, a reagent that fluoresces upon binding to the free sulfhydryl groups of the reaction product GSH (reduced glutathione). RESULTS We implemented an HTS effort against 59,360 synthetic compounds. In the primary screening, initial hits (928 or 1.56 %) showing greater than 90 % inhibition on SmTGR activity at a final concentration of 10 μM for each compound were identified. Further tests were carried out to confirm the effects of these hits and to explore the concentration-dependent response characteristics. As a result, 74 of them (0.12 %) representing 17 chemical scaffolds were confirmed and showed a great concentration-dependent inhibitory trend against SmTGR, including structures previously shown to be lethal to schistosomal growth. Of these, two scaffolds displayed a limited structure-activity relationship. When tested in cultured larvae, 39 compounds had cidal activity in 48 h, and five of them killed larvae completely at 3.125 μM. Of these, three compounds also killed adult worms ex vivo at concentrations between 5 μM and 10 μM. CONCLUSION These confirmed hits may serve as starting points for the development of novel therapeutics to combat schistosomiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Li
- The National Center for Drug Screening, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China.
| | - Peter D Ziniel
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA.
| | - Pan-Qing He
- Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA.
| | - Valerie P Kommer
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA.
| | - Gregory J Crowther
- Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA.
| | - Min He
- The National Center for Drug Screening, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China.
| | - Qing Liu
- The National Center for Drug Screening, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China.
| | - Wesley C Van Voorhis
- Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA.
| | - David L Williams
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA.
| | - Ming-Wei Wang
- The National Center for Drug Screening, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China.
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