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Pérez-Pertejo Y, García-Estrada C, Martínez-Valladares M, Murugesan S, Reguera RM, Balaña-Fouce R. Polyamine Metabolism for Drug Intervention in Trypanosomatids. Pathogens 2024; 13:79. [PMID: 38251386 PMCID: PMC10820115 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens13010079] [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: 12/12/2023] [Revised: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Neglected tropical diseases transmitted by trypanosomatids include three major human scourges that globally affect the world's poorest people: African trypanosomiasis or sleeping sickness, American trypanosomiasis or Chagas disease and different types of leishmaniasis. Different metabolic pathways have been targeted to find antitrypanosomatid drugs, including polyamine metabolism. Since their discovery, the naturally occurring polyamines, putrescine, spermidine and spermine, have been considered important metabolites involved in cell growth. With a complex metabolism involving biosynthesis, catabolism and interconversion, the synthesis of putrescine and spermidine was targeted by thousands of compounds in an effort to produce cell growth blockade in tumor and infectious processes with limited success. However, the discovery of eflornithine (DFMO) as a curative drug against sleeping sickness encouraged researchers to develop new molecules against these diseases. Polyamine synthesis inhibitors have also provided insight into the peculiarities of this pathway between the host and the parasite, and also among different trypanosomatid species, thus allowing the search for new specific chemical entities aimed to treat these diseases and leading to the investigation of target-based scaffolds. The main molecular targets include the enzymes involved in polyamine biosynthesis (ornithine decarboxylase, S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase and spermidine synthase), enzymes participating in their uptake from the environment, and the enzymes involved in the redox balance of the parasite. In this review, we summarize the research behind polyamine-based treatments, the current trends, and the main challenges in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yolanda Pérez-Pertejo
- Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas, Campus de Vegazana s/n, Universidad de León, 24071 León, Spain; (Y.P.-P.); (C.G.-E.); (R.M.R.)
- Instituto de Biomedicina (IBIOMED), Campus de Vegazana s/n, Universidad de León, 24071 León, Spain
| | - Carlos García-Estrada
- Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas, Campus de Vegazana s/n, Universidad de León, 24071 León, Spain; (Y.P.-P.); (C.G.-E.); (R.M.R.)
- Instituto de Biomedicina (IBIOMED), Campus de Vegazana s/n, Universidad de León, 24071 León, Spain
| | | | - Sankaranarayanan Murugesan
- Medicinal Chemistry Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, Birla Institute of Technology and Science-Pilani, Pilani 333031, India;
| | - Rosa M. Reguera
- Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas, Campus de Vegazana s/n, Universidad de León, 24071 León, Spain; (Y.P.-P.); (C.G.-E.); (R.M.R.)
- Instituto de Biomedicina (IBIOMED), Campus de Vegazana s/n, Universidad de León, 24071 León, Spain
| | - Rafael Balaña-Fouce
- Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas, Campus de Vegazana s/n, Universidad de León, 24071 León, Spain; (Y.P.-P.); (C.G.-E.); (R.M.R.)
- Instituto de Biomedicina (IBIOMED), Campus de Vegazana s/n, Universidad de León, 24071 León, Spain
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Galceran F, Digirolamo FA, Rengifo M, Reigada C, Saye M, Maciel BJ, Estecho IG, Errasti AE, Pereira CA, Miranda MR. Identifying inhibitors of Trypanosoma cruzi nucleoside diphosphate kinase 1 as potential repurposed drugs for Chagas' disease. Biochem Pharmacol 2023; 216:115766. [PMID: 37634596 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2023.115766] [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: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023]
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi is the causative agent of Chagas' disease, an endemic and neglected disease. The treatment is limited to only two drugs, benznidazole (BZL) and nifurtimox (NFX), introduced more than fifty years ago and no new advances have been made since then. Nucleoside diphosphate kinases (NDPK) are key metabolic enzymes which have gained interest as drug targets of pathogen organisms. Taking advantage of the computer-assisted drug repurposing approaches, in the present work we initiate a search of potential T. cruzi nucleoside diphosphate kinase 1 (TcNDPK1) inhibitors over an ∼ 12,000 compound structures database to find drugs targeted to this enzyme with trypanocidal activity. Four medicines were selected and evaluated in vitro, ketorolac (KET, an anti-inflamatory), dutasteride (DUT, used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia), nebivolol and telmisartan (NEB and TEL, used to treat high blood pressure). The four compounds were weak inhibitors and presented different trypanocidal effect on epimastigotes, trypomastigotes and intracellular stages. NEB and TEL were the most active drugs with increased effect on intracellular stages, (IC50 = 2.25 µM and 13.21 µM respectively), and selectivity indexes of 13.01 and 8.59 respectively, showing comparable effect to BZL, the first line drug for Chagas' disease treatment. In addition, both presented positive interactions when combined with BZL. Finally, transgenic epimastigotes with increased expression of TcNDPK1 were more resistant to TEL and NEB, suggesting that TcNDPK1 is at least one of the molecular targets. In view of the results, NEB and TEL could be repurposed medicines for Chagas' disease therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Facundo Galceran
- 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 (IDIM), Laboratorio de Parasitología Molecular, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Fabio A Digirolamo
- 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 (IDIM), Laboratorio de Parasitología Molecular, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Marcos Rengifo
- 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 (IDIM), 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 (IDIM), Laboratorio de Parasitología Molecular, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Melisa Saye
- 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 (IDIM), Laboratorio de Parasitología Molecular, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Belen J Maciel
- 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 (IDIM), Laboratorio de Parasitología Molecular, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Ivana G Estecho
- Instituto de Farmacología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Andrea E Errasti
- Instituto de Farmacología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - 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 (IDIM), Laboratorio de Parasitología Molecular, Buenos Aires, 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 (IDIM), Laboratorio de Parasitología Molecular, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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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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Rial MS, Reigada C, Prado N, Bua J, Esteva M, Pereira CA, Fichera LE. Effectiveness of the repurposed drug isotretinoin in an experimental murine model of Chagas disease. Acta Trop 2023; 242:106920. [PMID: 37028584 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2023.106920] [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: 01/19/2023] [Revised: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 04/09/2023]
Abstract
Benznidazole and nifurtimox are the drugs currently used for the treatment of Chagas disease, however its side effects may affect patient adherence. In the search for new alternative therapies, we previously identified isotretinoin (ISO), an FDA-approved drug widely used for the treatment of severe acne through a drug repurposing strategy. ISO shows a strong activity against Trypanosoma cruzi parasites in the nanomolar range, and its mechanism of action is through the inhibition of T. cruzi polyamine and amino acid transporters from the Amino Acid/Auxin Permeases (AAAP) family. In this work, a murine model of chronic Chagas disease (C57BL/6 J mice), intraperitoneally infected with T. cruzi Nicaragua isolate (DTU TcI), were treated with different oral administrations of ISO: daily doses of 5 mg/kg/day for 30 days and weekly doses of 10 mg/kg during 13 weeks. The efficacy of the treatments was evaluated by monitoring blood parasitemia by qPCR, anti-T. cruzi antibodies by ELISA, and cardiac abnormalities by electrocardiography. No parasites were detected in blood after any of the ISO treatments. The electrocardiographic study of the untreated chronic mice showed a significant decrease in heart rate, while in the treated mice this negative chronotropic effect was not observed. Atrioventricular nodal conduction time in untreated mice was significantly longer than in treated animals. Mice treated even with ISO 10 mg/kg dose every 7 days, showed a significant reduction in anti-T. cruzi IgG levels. In conclusion, the intermittent administration of ISO 10 mg/kg would improve myocardial compromise during the chronic stage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcela S Rial
- Instituto Nacional de Parasitología Dr. M Fatala Chaben/ANLIS-Malbrán, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Chantal Reigada
- Facultad de Medicina, Instituto de Investigaciones Médicas A. Lanari, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Instituto de Investigaciones Médicas (IDIM), Laboratorio de Parasitología Molecular, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Nilda Prado
- Instituto Nacional de Parasitología Dr. M Fatala Chaben/ANLIS-Malbrán, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Jacqueline Bua
- Instituto Nacional de Parasitología Dr. M Fatala Chaben/ANLIS-Malbrán, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Mónica Esteva
- Instituto Nacional de Parasitología Dr. M Fatala Chaben/ANLIS-Malbrán, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Claudio A Pereira
- Facultad de Medicina, Instituto de Investigaciones Médicas A. Lanari, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Instituto de Investigaciones Médicas (IDIM), Laboratorio de Parasitología Molecular, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Laura E Fichera
- Instituto Nacional de Parasitología Dr. M Fatala Chaben/ANLIS-Malbrán, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Llanos MA, Alberca LN, Ruiz MD, Sbaraglini ML, Miranda C, Pino-Martinez A, Fraccaroli L, Carrillo C, Alba Soto CD, Gavernet L, Talevi A. A combined ligand and target-based virtual screening strategy to repurpose drugs as putrescine uptake inhibitors with trypanocidal activity. J Comput Aided Mol Des 2023; 37:75-90. [PMID: 36494599 DOI: 10.1007/s10822-022-00491-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Chagas disease, also known as American trypanosomiasis, is a neglected tropical disease caused by the protozoa Trypanosoma cruzi, affecting nearly 7 million people only in the Americas. Polyamines are essential compounds for parasite growth, survival, and differentiation. However, because trypanosomatids are auxotrophic for polyamines, they must be obtained from the host by specific transporters. In this investigation, an ensemble of QSAR classifiers able to identify polyamine analogs with trypanocidal activity was developed. Then, a multi-template homology model of the dimeric polyamine transporter of T. cruzi, TcPAT12, was created with Rosetta, and then refined by enhanced sampling molecular dynamics simulations. Using representative snapshots extracted from the trajectory, a docking model able to discriminate between active and inactive compounds was developed and validated. Both models were applied in a parallel virtual screening campaign to repurpose known drugs as anti-trypanosomal compounds inhibiting polyamine transport in T. cruzi. Montelukast, Quinestrol, Danazol, and Dutasteride were selected for in vitro testing, and all of them inhibited putrescine uptake in biochemical assays, confirming the predictive ability of the computational models. Furthermore, all the confirmed hits proved to inhibit epimastigote proliferation, and Quinestrol and Danazol were able to inhibit, in the low micromolar range, the viability of trypomastigotes and the intracellular growth of amastigotes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel A Llanos
- Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas and Laboratorio de Investigación y Desarrollo de Bioactivos (LIDeB), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata. La Plata (B1900ADU), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Lucas N Alberca
- Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas and Laboratorio de Investigación y Desarrollo de Bioactivos (LIDeB), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata. La Plata (B1900ADU), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María D Ruiz
- Laboratorio de Biología Molecular y Bioquímica en Trypanosoma cruzi y otros agentes infecciosos, Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología (ICT) Milstein - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María L Sbaraglini
- Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas and Laboratorio de Investigación y Desarrollo de Bioactivos (LIDeB), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata. La Plata (B1900ADU), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Cristian Miranda
- Departamento de Microbiología, Parasitología e Inmunología, Facultad de Medicina, Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica (IMPaM, UBA-CONICET), Universidad de Buenos Aires., Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Agustina Pino-Martinez
- Departamento de Microbiología, Parasitología e Inmunología, Facultad de Medicina, Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica (IMPaM, UBA-CONICET), Universidad de Buenos Aires., Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Laura Fraccaroli
- Laboratorio de Biología Molecular y Bioquímica en Trypanosoma cruzi y otros agentes infecciosos, Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología (ICT) Milstein - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Carolina Carrillo
- Laboratorio de Biología Molecular y Bioquímica en Trypanosoma cruzi y otros agentes infecciosos, Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología (ICT) Milstein - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Catalina D Alba Soto
- Departamento de Microbiología, Parasitología e Inmunología, Facultad de Medicina, Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica (IMPaM, UBA-CONICET), Universidad de Buenos Aires., Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Luciana Gavernet
- Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas and Laboratorio de Investigación y Desarrollo de Bioactivos (LIDeB), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata. La Plata (B1900ADU), Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Alan Talevi
- Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas and Laboratorio de Investigación y Desarrollo de Bioactivos (LIDeB), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata. La Plata (B1900ADU), Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Miranda MR, Sayé M, Reigada C, Galceran F, Rengifo M, Maciel BJ, Digirolamo FA, Pereira CA. Revisiting trypanosomatid nucleoside diphosphate kinases. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2022; 116:e210339. [PMID: 35170678 PMCID: PMC8833001 DOI: 10.1590/0074-02760210339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND An increasing amount of research has led to the positioning of nucleoside diphosphate kinases (NDPK/NDK) as key metabolic enzymes among all organisms. They contribute to the maintenance the intracellular di- and tri- phosphate nucleoside homeostasis, but they also are involved in widely diverse processes such as gene regulation, apoptosis, signal transduction and many other regulatory roles. OBJETIVE Examine in depth the NDPKs of trypanosomatid parasites responsible for devastating human diseases (e.g., Trypanosoma cruzi, Trypanosoma brucei and Leishmania spp.) which deserve special attention. METHODS The earliest and latest advances in the topic were explored, focusing on trypanosomatid NDPK features, multifunctionality and suitability as molecular drug targets. FINDINGS Trypanosomatid NDPKs appear to play functions different from their host counterparts. Evidences indicate that they would perform key roles in the parasite metabolism such as nucleotide homeostasis, drug resistance, DNA damage responses and gene regulation, as well as host-parasite interactions, infection, virulence and immune evasion, placing them as attractive pharmacological targets. MAIN CONCLUSIONS NDPKs are very interesting multifunctional enzymes. In the present review, the potential of trypanosomatid NDPKs was highlighted, raising awareness of their value not only with respect to parasite biology but also as molecular targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- 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,+ Corresponding author: /
| | - 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
| | - Facundo Galceran
- 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
| | - Marcos Rengifo
- 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
| | - Belen J Maciel
- 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
| | - Fabio A Digirolamo
- 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
| | - 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
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Isotretinoin and Thalidomide Down-Regulate c-MYC Gene Expression and Modify Proteins Associated with Cancer in Hepatic Cells. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26195742. [PMID: 34641286 PMCID: PMC8510077 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26195742] [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: 08/26/2021] [Revised: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common form of liver cancer. The number of cases is increasing and the trend for the next few years is not encouraging. HCC is usually detected in the advanced stages of the disease, and pharmacological therapies are not entirely effective. For this reason, it is necessary to search for new therapeutic options. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of the drugs isotretinoin and thalidomide on c-MYC expression and cancer-related proteins in an HCC cellular model. The expression of c-MYC was measured using RT-qPCR and western blot assays. In addition, luciferase activity assays were performed for the c-MYC promoters P1 and P2 using recombinant plasmids. Dose-response-time analyses were performed for isotretinoin or thalidomide in cells transfected with the c-MYC promoters. Finally, a proteome profile analysis of cells exposed to these two drugs was performed and the results were validated by western blot. We demonstrated that in HepG2 cells, isotretinoin and thalidomide reduced c-MYC mRNA expression levels, but this decrease in expression was linked to the regulation of P1 and P1-P2 c-MYC promoter activity in isotretinoin only. Thalidomide did not exert any effect on c-MYC promoters. Also, isotretinoin and thalidomide were capable of inducing and repressing proteins associated with cancer. In conclusion, isotretinoin and thalidomide down-regulate c-MYC mRNA expression and this is partially due to P1 or P2 promoter activity, suggesting that these drugs could be promising options for modulating the expression of oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes in HCC.
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Dobrovolskaite A, Madan M, Pandey V, Altomare DA, Phanstiel O. The discovery of indolone GW5074 during a comprehensive search for non-polyamine-based polyamine transport inhibitors. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2021; 138:106038. [PMID: 34252566 DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2021.106038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Revised: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
The native polyamines putrescine, spermidine, and spermine are essential for cell development and proliferation. Polyamine levels are often increased in cancer tissues and polyamine depletion is a validated anticancer strategy. Cancer cell growth can be inhibited by the polyamine biosynthesis inhibitor difluoromethylornithine (DFMO), which inhibits ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), the rate-limiting enzyme in the polyamine biosynthesis pathway. Unfortunately, cells treated with DFMO often replenish their polyamine pools by importing polyamines from their environment. Several polyamine-based molecules have been developed to work as polyamine transport inhibitors (PTIs) and have been successfully used in combination with DFMO in several cancer models. Here, we present the first comprehensive search for potential non-polyamine based PTIs that work in human pancreatic cancer cells in vitro. After identifying and testing five different categories of compounds, we have identified the c-RAF inhibitor, GW5074, as a novel non-polyamine based PTI. GW5074 inhibited the uptake of all three native polyamines and a fluorescent-polyamine probe into human pancreatic cancer cells. GW5074 significantly reduced pancreatic cancer cell growth in vitro when treated in combination with DFMO and a rescuing dose of spermidine. Moreover, GW5074 alone reduced tumor growth when tested in a murine pancreatic cancer mouse model in vivo. In summary, GW5074 is a novel non-polyamine-based PTI that potentiates the anticancer activity of DFMO in pancreatic cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aiste Dobrovolskaite
- Department of Medical Education, College of Medicine, University of Central Florida, Orlando, 32827, United States
| | - Meenu Madan
- Department of Medical Education, College of Medicine, University of Central Florida, Orlando, 32827, United States
| | - Veethika Pandey
- Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Central Florida, Orlando, 32827, United States
| | - Deborah A Altomare
- Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Central Florida, Orlando, 32827, United States
| | - Otto Phanstiel
- Department of Medical Education, College of Medicine, University of Central Florida, Orlando, 32827, United States.
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Repositioned Drugs for Chagas Disease Unveiled via Structure-Based Drug Repositioning. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21228809. [PMID: 33233837 PMCID: PMC7699892 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21228809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Revised: 11/08/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease, caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, affects millions of people in South America. The current treatments are limited, have severe side effects, and are only partially effective. Drug repositioning, defined as finding new indications for already approved drugs, has the potential to provide new therapeutic options for Chagas. In this work, we conducted a structure-based drug repositioning approach with over 130,000 3D protein structures to identify drugs that bind therapeutic Chagas targets and thus represent potential new Chagas treatments. The screening yielded over 500 molecules as hits, out of which 38 drugs were prioritized following a rigorous filtering process. About half of the latter were already known to have trypanocidal activity, while the others are novel to Chagas disease. Three of the new drug candidates—ciprofloxacin, naproxen, and folic acid—showed a growth inhibitory activity in the micromolar range when tested ex vivo on T. cruzi trypomastigotes, validating the prediction. We show that our drug repositioning approach is able to pinpoint relevant drug candidates at a fraction of the time and cost of a conventional screening. Furthermore, our results demonstrate the power and potential of structure-based drug repositioning in the context of neglected tropical diseases where the pharmaceutical industry has little financial interest in the development of new drugs.
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10
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Juárez-Saldivar A, Schroeder M, Salentin S, Haupt VJ, Saavedra E, Vázquez C, Reyes-Espinosa F, Herrera-Mayorga V, Villalobos-Rocha JC, García-Pérez CA, Campillo NE, Rivera G. Computational Drug Repositioning for Chagas Disease Using Protein-Ligand Interaction Profiling. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21124270. [PMID: 32560043 PMCID: PMC7348847 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21124270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2020] [Revised: 06/11/2020] [Accepted: 06/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease, caused by Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi), affects nearly eight million people worldwide. There are currently only limited treatment options, which cause several side effects and have drug resistance. Thus, there is a great need for a novel, improved Chagas treatment. Bifunctional enzyme dihydrofolate reductase-thymidylate synthase (DHFR-TS) has emerged as a promising pharmacological target. Moreover, some human dihydrofolate reductase (HsDHFR) inhibitors such as trimetrexate also inhibit T. cruzi DHFR-TS (TcDHFR-TS). These compounds serve as a starting point and a reference in a screening campaign to search for new TcDHFR-TS inhibitors. In this paper, a novel virtual screening approach was developed that combines classical docking with protein-ligand interaction profiling to identify drug repositioning opportunities against T. cruzi infection. In this approach, some food and drug administration (FDA)-approved drugs that were predicted to bind with high affinity to TcDHFR-TS and whose predicted molecular interactions are conserved among known inhibitors were selected. Overall, ten putative TcDHFR-TS inhibitors were identified. These exhibited a similar interaction profile and a higher computed binding affinity, compared to trimetrexate. Nilotinib, glipizide, glyburide and gliquidone were tested on T. cruzi epimastigotes and showed growth inhibitory activity in the micromolar range. Therefore, these compounds could lead to the development of new treatment options for Chagas disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alfredo Juárez-Saldivar
- Laboratorio de Biotecnología Farmacéutica, Centro de Biotecnología Genómica, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Reynosa 88710, Mexico; (A.J.-S.); (F.R.-E.); (V.H.-M.); (J.C.V.-R.)
| | - Michael Schroeder
- Biotechnology Center (BIOTEC), Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany; (M.S.); (S.S.); (V.J.H.)
| | - Sebastian Salentin
- Biotechnology Center (BIOTEC), Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany; (M.S.); (S.S.); (V.J.H.)
| | - V. Joachim Haupt
- Biotechnology Center (BIOTEC), Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany; (M.S.); (S.S.); (V.J.H.)
| | - Emma Saavedra
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto Nacional de Cardiología Ignacio Chávez, Ciudad de Mexico 14080, Mexico; (E.S.); (C.V.)
| | - Citlali Vázquez
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto Nacional de Cardiología Ignacio Chávez, Ciudad de Mexico 14080, Mexico; (E.S.); (C.V.)
| | - Francisco Reyes-Espinosa
- Laboratorio de Biotecnología Farmacéutica, Centro de Biotecnología Genómica, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Reynosa 88710, Mexico; (A.J.-S.); (F.R.-E.); (V.H.-M.); (J.C.V.-R.)
| | - Verónica Herrera-Mayorga
- Laboratorio de Biotecnología Farmacéutica, Centro de Biotecnología Genómica, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Reynosa 88710, Mexico; (A.J.-S.); (F.R.-E.); (V.H.-M.); (J.C.V.-R.)
- Departamento de Ingeniería Bioquímica, Unidad Académica Multidisciplinaria Mante, Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas, Mante 89840, Mexico
| | - Juan Carlos Villalobos-Rocha
- Laboratorio de Biotecnología Farmacéutica, Centro de Biotecnología Genómica, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Reynosa 88710, Mexico; (A.J.-S.); (F.R.-E.); (V.H.-M.); (J.C.V.-R.)
| | - Carlos A. García-Pérez
- Scientific Computing Research Unit, Helmholtz Zentrum München, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany;
| | - Nuria E. Campillo
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas (CIB-CSIC), Ramiro de Maeztu 9, 28040 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Gildardo Rivera
- Laboratorio de Biotecnología Farmacéutica, Centro de Biotecnología Genómica, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Reynosa 88710, Mexico; (A.J.-S.); (F.R.-E.); (V.H.-M.); (J.C.V.-R.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +52-1-8991-601-356
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11
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Wozniak JM, Silva TA, Thomas D, Siqueira-Neto JL, McKerrow JH, Gonzalez DJ, Calvet CM. Molecular dissection of Chagas induced cardiomyopathy reveals central disease associated and druggable signaling pathways. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020; 14:e0007980. [PMID: 32433643 PMCID: PMC7279607 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2019] [Revised: 06/08/2020] [Accepted: 03/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease, the clinical presentation of T. cruzi infection, is a major human health concern. While the acute phase of Chagas disease is typically asymptomatic and self-resolving, chronically infected individuals suffer numerous sequelae later in life. Cardiomyopathies in particular are the most severe consequence of chronic Chagas disease and cannot be reversed solely by parasite load reduction. To prioritize new therapeutic targets, we unbiasedly interrogated the host signaling events in heart tissues isolated from a Chagas disease mouse model using quantitative, multiplexed proteomics. We defined the host response to infection at both the proteome and phospho-proteome levels. The proteome showed an increase in the immune response and a strong repression of several mitochondrial proteins. Complementing the proteome studies, the phospho-proteomic survey found an abundance of phospho-site alterations in plasma membrane and cytoskeletal proteins. Bioinformatic analysis of kinase activity provided substantial evidence for the activation of NDRG2 and JNK/p38 kinases during Chagas disease. A significant activation of DYRK2 and AMPKA2 and the inhibition of casein family kinases were also predicted. We concluded our analyses by linking the diseased heart proteome profile to known therapeutic interventions, uncovering a potential to target mitochondrial proteins, secreted immune effectors and core kinases for the treatment of chronic Chagas disease. Together, this study provides molecular insight into host proteome and phospho-proteome responses to T. cruzi infection in the heart for the first time, highlighting pathways that can be further validated for functional contributions to disease and suitability as drug targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob M. Wozniak
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences; University of California San Diego; La Jolla, CA, United States of America
- Department of Pharmacology; University of California San Diego; La Jolla, CA, United States of America
| | - Tatiana Araújo Silva
- Cellular Ultrastructure Laboratory; Oswaldo Cruz Institute, FIOCRUZ; Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Diane Thomas
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences; University of California San Diego; La Jolla, CA, United States of America
| | - Jair L. Siqueira-Neto
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences; University of California San Diego; La Jolla, CA, United States of America
| | - James H. McKerrow
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences; University of California San Diego; La Jolla, CA, United States of America
| | - David J. Gonzalez
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences; University of California San Diego; La Jolla, CA, United States of America
- Department of Pharmacology; University of California San Diego; La Jolla, CA, United States of America
- * E-mail: (DJG); (CMC)
| | - Claudia M. Calvet
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences; University of California San Diego; La Jolla, CA, United States of America
- Cellular Ultrastructure Laboratory; Oswaldo Cruz Institute, FIOCRUZ; Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
- * E-mail: (DJG); (CMC)
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12
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Bellera CL, Alberca LN, Sbaraglini ML, Talevi A. In Silico Drug Repositioning for Chagas Disease. Curr Med Chem 2020; 27:662-675. [PMID: 31622200 DOI: 10.2174/0929867326666191016114839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2017] [Revised: 09/12/2019] [Accepted: 09/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Chagas disease is an infectious tropical disease included within the group of neglected tropical diseases. Though historically endemic to Latin America, it has lately spread to high-income countries due to human migration. At present, there are only two available drugs, nifurtimox and benznidazole, approved for this treatment, both with considerable side-effects (which often result in treatment interruption) and limited efficacy in the chronic stage of the disease in adults. Drug repositioning involves finding novel therapeutic indications for known drugs, including approved, withdrawn, abandoned and investigational drugs. It is today a broadly applied approach to develop innovative medications, since indication shifts are built on existing safety, ADME and manufacturing information, thus greatly shortening development timeframes. Drug repositioning has been signaled as a particularly interesting strategy to search for new therapeutic solutions for neglected and rare conditions, which traditionally present limited commercial interest and are mostly covered by the public sector and not-for-profit initiatives and organizations. Here, we review the applications of computer-aided technologies as systematic approaches to drug repositioning in the field of Chagas disease. In silico screening represents the most explored approach, whereas other rational methods such as network-based and signature-based approximations have still not been applied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina L Bellera
- Laboratory of Bioactive Research and Development (LIDeB), Faculty of Exact Sciences, University of La Plata (UNLP), La Plata, Argentina
| | - Lucas N Alberca
- Laboratory of Bioactive Research and Development (LIDeB), Faculty of Exact Sciences, University of La Plata (UNLP), La Plata, Argentina
| | - María L Sbaraglini
- Laboratory of Bioactive Research and Development (LIDeB), Faculty of Exact Sciences, University of La Plata (UNLP), La Plata, Argentina
| | - Alan Talevi
- Laboratory of Bioactive Research and Development (LIDeB), Faculty of Exact Sciences, University of La Plata (UNLP), La Plata, Argentina
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13
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Abstract
AbstractDuring 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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14
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Moriyama Y, Hatano R, Moriyama S, Uehara S. Vesicular polyamine transporter as a novel player in amine-mediated chemical transmission. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2020; 1862:183208. [PMID: 32004521 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2020.183208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2019] [Revised: 01/23/2020] [Accepted: 01/26/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The solute carrier 18B1 (SLC18B1) is the most recently identified gene of the vesicular amine transporter family and is conserved in the animal kingdom from insects to humans. Proteoliposomes containing the purified human SLC18B1 protein transport not only monoamines, but also polyamines, such as spermidine (Spd) and spermine (Spm), using an electrochemical gradient of H+ established by vacuolar H+-ATPase (V-ATPase) as the driving force. SLC18B1 gene knockdown abolished the exocytosis of polyamines from mast cells, which affected the secretion of histamine. SLC18B1 gene knockout decreased polyamine levels by ~20% in the brain, and impaired short- and long-term memory. Thus, the SLC18B1 protein is responsible for the vesicular storage and release of polyamines, and functions as a vesicular polyamine transporter (VPAT). VPAT may define when, where, and how polyamine-mediated chemical transmission occurs, providing insights into the more versatile and complex features of amine-mediated chemical transmission than currently considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshinori Moriyama
- Department of Biochemistry, Matsumoto Dental University, Shiojiri 399-0781, Japan; Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume 830-0011, Japan; CYRIC Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8578, Japan.
| | - Ryo Hatano
- Department of Medicinal Physiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba 260-8670, Japan
| | - Satomi Moriyama
- Laboratory of Bio-Molecular Dynamics, Department of Collaborative Research, Nara Medical University, Kashihara 634-8521, Japan
| | - Shunsuke Uehara
- Department of Biochemistry, Matsumoto Dental University, Shiojiri 399-0781, Japan
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15
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Sayé M, Gauna L, Valera-Vera E, Reigada C, Miranda MR, Pereira CA. Crystal violet structural analogues identified by in silico drug repositioning present anti-Trypanosoma cruzi activity through inhibition of proline transporter TcAAAP069. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020; 14:e0007481. [PMID: 31961864 PMCID: PMC6994103 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2019] [Revised: 01/31/2020] [Accepted: 12/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Crystal violet (CV) was used for several years in blood banks to eliminate the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi in endemic areas in order to prevent transfusion-transmitted Chagas disease. One mechanism of action described for CV involves inhibition of proline uptake. In T. cruzi, proline is essential for host cell infection and intracellular differentiation among other processes, and can be obtained through the proline permease TcAAAP069. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS CV inhibited proline transporter TcAAAP069 and parasites overexpressing this permease were 47-fold more sensitive to this compound than control parasites. Using CV as reference molecule, loratadine, cyproheptadine, olanzapine and clofazimine were identified as structurally related compounds to CV (structural analogues) by in silico drug repurposing through a similarity-based virtual screening protocol. All these already-approved drugs for clinical use inhibited TcAAAP069 activity with different efficacies and also presented trypanocidal action in epimastigotes, trypomastigotes and amastigotes of the Y, CL Brener and Dm28c T. cruzi strains. Finally, a synergistic effect between benznidazole and the CV chemical analogues was evidenced by combination and dose-reduction indexes values in epimastigotes and trypomastigotes of the Y strain. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE Loratadine, cyproheptadine and clofazimine inhibit TcAAAP069 proline transporter and also present trypanocidal effect against all T. cruzi life stages in strains from three different DTUs. These CV structural analogues could be a starting point to design therapeutic alternatives to treat Chagas disease by finding new indications for old drugs. This approach, called drug repurposing is a recommended strategy by the World Health Organization to treat neglected diseases, like Chagas disease, and combination therapy may improve the possibility of success of repositioned drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- 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 (IDIM), Laboratorio de Parasitología Molecular, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Lucrecia Gauna
- 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 (IDIM), 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 (IDIM), 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 (IDIM), Laboratorio de Parasitología Molecular, Buenos Aires, 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 (IDIM), Laboratorio de Parasitología Molecular, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - 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 (IDIM), Laboratorio de Parasitología Molecular, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- * E-mail:
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16
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Talevi A, Carrillo C, Comini M. The Thiol-polyamine Metabolism of Trypanosoma cruzi: Molecular Targets and Drug Repurposing Strategies. Curr Med Chem 2019; 26:6614-6635. [PMID: 30259812 DOI: 10.2174/0929867325666180926151059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2018] [Revised: 07/23/2018] [Accepted: 09/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Chagas´ disease continues to be a challenging and neglected public health problem in many American countries. The etiologic agent, Trypanosoma cruzi, develops intracellularly in the mammalian host, which hinders treatment efficacy. Progress in the knowledge of parasite biology and host-pathogen interaction has not been paralleled by the development of novel, safe and effective therapeutic options. It is then urgent to seek for novel therapeutic candidates and to implement drug discovery strategies that may accelerate the discovery process. The most appealing targets for pharmacological intervention are those essential for the pathogen and, whenever possible, absent or significantly different from the host homolog. The thiol-polyamine metabolism of T. cruzi offers interesting candidates for a rational design of selective drugs. In this respect, here we critically review the state of the art of the thiolpolyamine metabolism of T. cruzi and the pharmacological potential of its components. On the other hand, drug repurposing emerged as a valid strategy to identify new biological activities for drugs in clinical use, while significantly shortening the long time and high cost associated with de novo drug discovery approaches. Thus, we also discuss the different drug repurposing strategies available with a special emphasis in their applications to the identification of drug candidates targeting essential components of the thiol-polyamine metabolism of T. cruzi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan Talevi
- Medicinal Chemistry, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Exact Sciences, University of La Plata, La Plata, Argentina
| | - Carolina Carrillo
- Instituto de Ciencias y Tecnología Dr. César Milstein (ICT Milstein) - CONICET. Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Marcelo Comini
- Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Mataojo 2020, Montevideo 11400, Uruguay
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17
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In Silico Laboratory: Tools for Similarity-Based Drug Discovery. Methods Mol Biol 2019. [PMID: 31773644 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-0163-1_1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register]
Abstract
Computational methods that predict and evaluate binding of ligands to receptors implicated in different pathologies have become crucial in modern drug design and discovery. Here, we describe protocols for using the recently developed package of computational tools for similarity-based drug discovery. The ProBiS stand-alone program and web server allow superimposition of protein structures against large protein databases and predict ligands based on detected binding site similarities. GenProBiS allows mapping of human somatic missense mutations related to cancer and non-synonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms and subsequent visual exploration of specific interactions in connection to these mutations. We describe protocols for using LiSiCA, a fast ligand-based virtual screening software that enables easy screening of large databases containing billions of small molecules. Finally, we show the use of BoBER, a web interface that enables user-friendly access to a large database of bioisosteric and scaffold hopping replacements.
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18
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Reigada C, Sayé M, Phanstiel O, Valera-Vera E, Miranda MR, Pereira CA. Identification of Trypanosoma cruzi Polyamine Transport Inhibitors by Computational Drug Repurposing. Front Med (Lausanne) 2019; 6:256. [PMID: 31781568 PMCID: PMC6857147 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2019.00256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2019] [Accepted: 10/24/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi is the causative agent of Chagas disease, a parasitic infection endemic in Latin America. In T. cruzi the transport of polyamines is essential because this organism is unable to synthesize these compounds de novo. Therefore, the uptake of polyamines from the extracellular medium is critical for survival of the parasite. The anthracene-putrescine conjugate Ant4 was first designed as a polyamine transport probe in cancer cells. Ant4 was also found to inhibit the polyamine transport system and produced a strong trypanocidal effect in T. cruzi. Considering that Ant4 is not currently approved by the FDA, in this work we performed computer simulations to find trypanocidal drugs approved for use in humans that have structures and activities similar to Ant4. Through a similarity ligand-based virtual screening using Ant4 as reference molecule, four possible inhibitors of polyamine transport were found. Three of them, promazine, chlorpromazine, and clomipramine, showed to be effective inhibitors of putrescine uptake, and also revealed a high trypanocidal activity against T. cruzi amastigotes (IC50 values of 3.8, 1.9, and 2.9 μM, respectively) and trypomastigotes (IC50 values of 3.4, 2.7, and 1.3 μM, respectively) while in epimastigotes the IC50 were significantly higher (34.7, 41.4, and 39.7 μM, respectively). Finally, molecular docking simulations suggest that the interactions between the T. cruzi polyamine transporter TcPAT12 and all the identified inhibitors occur in the same region of the protein. However, this location is different from the site occupied by the natural substrates. The value of this effort is that repurposing known drugs in the treatment of other pathologies, especially neglected diseases such as Chagas disease, significantly decreases the time and economic cost of implementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- 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, Laboratorio de Parasitología Molecular, Instituto de Investigaciones Médicas (IDIM), Universidad de Buenos Aires, 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, Laboratorio de Parasitología Molecular, Instituto de Investigaciones Médicas (IDIM), Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Otto Phanstiel
- Department of Medical Education, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, United States
| | - 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, Laboratorio de Parasitología Molecular, Instituto de Investigaciones Médicas (IDIM), Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, 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, Laboratorio de Parasitología Molecular, Instituto de Investigaciones Médicas (IDIM), Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - 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, Laboratorio de Parasitología Molecular, Instituto de Investigaciones Médicas (IDIM), Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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19
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Salas-Sarduy E, Niemirowicz GT, José Cazzulo J, Alvarez VE. Target-based Screening of the Chagas Box: Setting Up Enzymatic Assays to Discover Specific Inhibitors Across Bioactive Compounds. Curr Med Chem 2019; 26:6672-6686. [PMID: 31284853 DOI: 10.2174/0929867326666190705160637] [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: 06/01/2018] [Revised: 09/10/2018] [Accepted: 11/07/2018] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Chagas disease is a neglected tropical illness caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. The disease is endemic in Latin America with about 6 million people infected and many more being at risk. Only two drugs are available for treatment, Nifurtimox and Benznidazole, but they have a number of side effects and are not effective in all cases. This makes urgently necessary the development of new drugs, more efficient, less toxic and affordable to the poor people, who are most of the infected population. In this review we will summarize the current strategies used for drug discovery considering drug repositioning, phenotyping screenings and target-based approaches. In addition, we will describe in detail the considerations for setting up robust enzymatic assays aimed at identifying and validating small molecule inhibitors in high throughput screenings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emir Salas-Sarduy
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnologicas Dr. Rodolfo A. Ugalde - Instituto Tecnologico de Chascomus (IIB-INTECH), Universidad Nacional de San Martin (UNSAM) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Técnicas (CONICET), Campus Miguelete, Av. 25 de Mayo y Francia, 1650 San Martin, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Gabriela T Niemirowicz
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnologicas Dr. Rodolfo A. Ugalde - Instituto Tecnologico de Chascomus (IIB-INTECH), Universidad Nacional de San Martin (UNSAM) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Técnicas (CONICET), Campus Miguelete, Av. 25 de Mayo y Francia, 1650 San Martin, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Juan José Cazzulo
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnologicas Dr. Rodolfo A. Ugalde - Instituto Tecnologico de Chascomus (IIB-INTECH), Universidad Nacional de San Martin (UNSAM) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Técnicas (CONICET), Campus Miguelete, Av. 25 de Mayo y Francia, 1650 San Martin, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Vanina E Alvarez
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnologicas Dr. Rodolfo A. Ugalde - Instituto Tecnologico de Chascomus (IIB-INTECH), Universidad Nacional de San Martin (UNSAM) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Técnicas (CONICET), Campus Miguelete, Av. 25 de Mayo y Francia, 1650 San Martin, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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20
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Sayé M, Reigada C, Gauna L, Valera-Vera EA, Pereira CA, Miranda MR. Amino Acid and Polyamine Membrane Transporters in Trypanosoma cruzi: Biological Function and Evaluation as Drug Targets. Curr Med Chem 2019; 26:6636-6651. [PMID: 31218951 DOI: 10.2174/0929867326666190620094710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2018] [Revised: 12/12/2018] [Accepted: 02/04/2019] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Amino acids and polyamines are involved in relevant processes for the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, like protein synthesis, stress resistance, life cycle progression, infection establishment and redox balance, among others. In addition to the biosynthetic routes of amino acids, T. cruzi possesses transport systems that allow the active uptake from the extracellular medium; and in the case of polyamines, the uptake is the unique way to obtain these compounds. The TcAAAP protein family is absent in mammals and its members are responsible for amino acid and derivative uptake, thus the TcAAAP permeases are not only interesting and promising therapeutic targets but could also be used to direct the entry of toxic compounds into the parasite. Although there is a treatment available for Chagas disease, its limited efficacy in the chronic stage of the disease, as well as the side effects reported, highlight the urgent need to develop new therapies. Discovery of new drugs is a slow and cost-consuming process, and even during clinical trials the drugs can fail. In this context, drug repositioning is an interesting and recommended strategy by the World Health Organization since costs and time are significantly reduced. In this article, amino acids and polyamines transport and their potential as therapeutic targets will be revised, including examples of synthetic drugs and drug repurposing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melisa Sayé
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Medicina, Instituto de Investigaciones Medicas A. Lanari, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Investigaciones Médicas (IDIM), Laboratorio de Parasitología Molecular, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Chantal Reigada
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Medicina, Instituto de Investigaciones Medicas A. Lanari, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Investigaciones Médicas (IDIM), Laboratorio de Parasitología Molecular, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Lucrecia Gauna
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Medicina, Instituto de Investigaciones Medicas A. Lanari, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Investigaciones Médicas (IDIM), Laboratorio de Parasitología Molecular, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Edward A Valera-Vera
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Medicina, Instituto de Investigaciones Medicas A. Lanari, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Investigaciones Médicas (IDIM), Laboratorio de Parasitología Molecular, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Claudio A Pereira
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Medicina, Instituto de Investigaciones Medicas A. Lanari, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Investigaciones Médicas (IDIM), Laboratorio de Parasitología Molecular, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Mariana R Miranda
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Medicina, Instituto de Investigaciones Medicas A. Lanari, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Investigaciones Médicas (IDIM), Laboratorio de Parasitología Molecular, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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21
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Reigada C, Sayé M, Valera-Vera E, Miranda MR, Pereira CA. Repurposing of terconazole as an anti Trypanosoma cruzi agent. Heliyon 2019; 5:e01947. [PMID: 31211266 PMCID: PMC6562323 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2019.e01947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2019] [Revised: 05/16/2019] [Accepted: 06/07/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi is the causative agent of Chagas disease, a parasitic infection endemic in Latin America. Currently there are no effective treatments for the chronic phase of the disease, when most patients are diagnosed, therefore the development of new drugs is a priority area. Several triazoles, used as fungicides, exhibit trypanocidal activity both in vitro and in vivo. The mechanism of action of such drugs, both in fungi and in T. cruzi, relies in the inhibition of ergosterol biosynthesis affecting the cell viability and growth. Among them, terconazole was the first triazole antifungal drug for human use. In this work, the trypanocidal activity of terconazole was evaluated using in vitro assays. In epimastigotes of two parasites strains from different discrete typing units (Y and Dm28c) the calculated IC50 were 25.7 μM and 21.9 μM, respectively. In trypomastigotes and amastigotes (the clinically relevant life-stages of T. cruzi) a higher drug susceptibility was observed with IC50 values of 4.6 μM and 5.9 μM, respectively. Finally, the molecular docking simulations suggest that terconazole inhibits the T. cruzi cytochrome P450 14-α-demethylase, interacting in a similar way that other triazole drugs. Drug repurposing to Chagas disease treatment is one of the recommended approach according to the criterion of international health organizations for their application in neglected diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- 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 (IDIM), 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 (IDIM), 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 (IDIM), Laboratorio de Parasitología Molecular, Buenos Aires, 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 (IDIM), Laboratorio de Parasitología Molecular, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - 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 (IDIM), Laboratorio de Parasitología Molecular, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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22
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Alberca LN, Sbaraglini ML, Morales JF, Dietrich R, Ruiz MD, Pino Martínez AM, Miranda CG, Fraccaroli L, Alba Soto CD, Carrillo C, Palestro PH, Talevi A. Cascade Ligand- and Structure-Based Virtual Screening to Identify New Trypanocidal Compounds Inhibiting Putrescine Uptake. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2018; 8:173. [PMID: 29888213 PMCID: PMC5981162 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2018.00173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2017] [Accepted: 05/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease is a neglected tropical disease endemic to Latin America, though migratory movements have recently spread it to other regions. Here, we have applied a cascade virtual screening campaign combining ligand- and structure-based methods. In order to find novel inhibitors of putrescine uptake in Trypanosoma cruzi, an ensemble of linear ligand-based classifiers obtained by has been applied as initial screening filter, followed by docking into a homology model of the putrescine permease TcPAT12. 1,000 individual linear classifiers were inferred from a balanced dataset. Subsequently, different schemes were tested to combine the individual classifiers: MIN operator, average ranking, average score, average voting, with MIN operator leading to the best performance. The homology model was based on the arginine/agmatine antiporter (AdiC) from Escherichia coli as template. It showed 64% coverage of the entire query sequence and it was selected based on the normalized Discrete Optimized Protein Energy parameter and the GA341 score. The modeled structure had 96% in the allowed area of Ramachandran's plot, and none of the residues located in non-allowed regions were involved in the active site of the transporter. Positivity Predictive Value surfaces were applied to optimize the score thresholds to be used in the ligand-based virtual screening step: for that purpose Positivity Predictive Value was charted as a function of putative yields of active in the range 0.001-0.010 and the Se/Sp ratio. With a focus on drug repositioning opportunities, DrugBank and Sweetlead databases were subjected to screening. Among 8 hits, cinnarizine, a drug frequently prescribed for motion sickness and balance disorder, was tested against T. cruzi epimastigotes and amastigotes, confirming its trypanocidal effects and its inhibitory effects on putrescine uptake. Furthermore, clofazimine, an antibiotic with already proven trypanocidal effects, also displayed inhibitory effects on putrescine uptake. Two other hits, meclizine and butoconazole, also displayed trypanocidal effects (in the case of meclizine, against both epimastigotes and amastigotes), without inhibiting putrescine uptake.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas N. Alberca
- Laboratory of Bioactive Compounds Research and Development (LIDeB), Medicinal Chemistry, Department of Biological Science, Exact Sciences College, National University of La PlataBuenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María L. Sbaraglini
- Laboratory of Bioactive Compounds Research and Development (LIDeB), Medicinal Chemistry, Department of Biological Science, Exact Sciences College, National University of La PlataBuenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Juan F. Morales
- Laboratory of Bioactive Compounds Research and Development (LIDeB), Medicinal Chemistry, Department of Biological Science, Exact Sciences College, National University of La PlataBuenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Roque Dietrich
- Laboratory of Bioactive Compounds Research and Development (LIDeB), Medicinal Chemistry, Department of Biological Science, Exact Sciences College, National University of La PlataBuenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María D. Ruiz
- Institute of Sciences and Technology Dr César Milstein (ICT Milstein), Argentinean National Council of Scientific and Technical Research (CONICET)Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Agustina M. Pino Martínez
- Department of Microbiology, Parasitology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Institute of Microbiology and Medical Parasitology (CONICET), University of Buenos AiresBuenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Cristian G. Miranda
- Department of Microbiology, Parasitology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Institute of Microbiology and Medical Parasitology (CONICET), University of Buenos AiresBuenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Laura Fraccaroli
- Institute of Sciences and Technology Dr César Milstein (ICT Milstein), Argentinean National Council of Scientific and Technical Research (CONICET)Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Catalina D. Alba Soto
- Department of Microbiology, Parasitology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Institute of Microbiology and Medical Parasitology (CONICET), University of Buenos AiresBuenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Carolina Carrillo
- Institute of Sciences and Technology Dr César Milstein (ICT Milstein), Argentinean National Council of Scientific and Technical Research (CONICET)Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Pablo H. Palestro
- Laboratory of Bioactive Compounds Research and Development (LIDeB), Medicinal Chemistry, Department of Biological Science, Exact Sciences College, National University of La PlataBuenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Alan Talevi
- Laboratory of Bioactive Compounds Research and Development (LIDeB), Medicinal Chemistry, Department of Biological Science, Exact Sciences College, National University of La PlataBuenos Aires, Argentina
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23
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Dietrich R, Alberca L, Ruiz M, Palestro P, Carrillo C, Talevi A, Gavernet L. Identification of cisapride as new inhibitor of putrescine uptake in Trypanosoma cruzi by combined ligand- and structure-based virtual screening. Eur J Med Chem 2018; 149:22-29. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2018.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2017] [Revised: 01/30/2018] [Accepted: 02/03/2018] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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24
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Meier A, Erler H, Beitz E. Targeting Channels and Transporters in Protozoan Parasite Infections. Front Chem 2018; 6:88. [PMID: 29637069 PMCID: PMC5881087 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2018.00088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2018] [Accepted: 03/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Infectious diseases caused by pathogenic protozoa are among the most significant causes of death in humans. Therapeutic options are scarce and massively challenged by the emergence of resistant parasite strains. Many of the current anti-parasite drugs target soluble enzymes, generate unspecific oxidative stress, or act by an unresolved mechanism within the parasite. In recent years, collections of drug-like compounds derived from large-scale phenotypic screenings, such as the malaria or pathogen box, have been made available to researchers free of charge boosting the identification of novel promising targets. Remarkably, several of the compound hits have been found to inhibit membrane proteins at the periphery of the parasites, i.e., channels and transporters for ions and metabolites. In this review, we will focus on the progress made on targeting channels and transporters at different levels and the potential for use against infections with apicomplexan parasites mainly Plasmodium spp. (malaria) and Toxoplasma gondii (toxoplasmosis), with kinetoplastids Trypanosoma brucei (sleeping sickness), Trypanosoma cruzi (Chagas disease), and Leishmania ssp. (leishmaniasis), and the amoeba Entamoeba histolytica (amoebiasis).
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Meier
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Holger Erler
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Eric Beitz
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany
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25
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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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26
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Reigada C, Phanstiel O, Miranda MR, Pereira CA. Targeting polyamine transport in Trypanosoma cruzi. Eur J Med Chem 2018; 147:1-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2018.01.083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2017] [Revised: 01/09/2018] [Accepted: 01/26/2018] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
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27
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Gevrekci AÖ. The roles of polyamines in microorganisms. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 2017; 33:204. [PMID: 29080149 DOI: 10.1007/s11274-017-2370-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2017] [Accepted: 10/15/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Polyamines are small polycations that are well conserved in all the living organisms except Archae, Methanobacteriales and Halobacteriales. The most common polyamines are putrescine, spermidine and spermine, which exist in varying concentrations in different organisms. They are involved in a variety of cellular processes such as gene expression, cell growth, survival, stress response and proliferation. Therefore, diverse regulatory pathways are evolved to ensure strict regulation of polyamine concentration in the cells. Polyamine levels are kept under strict control by biosynthetic pathways as well as cellular uptake driven by specific transporters. Reverse genetic studies in microorganisms showed that deletion of the genes in polyamine metabolic pathways or depletion of polyamines have negative effects on cell survival and proliferation. The protein products of these genes are also used as drug targets against pathogenic protozoa. These altogether confirm the significant roles of polyamines in the cells. This mini-review focuses on the differential concentrations of polyamines and their cellular functions in different microorganisms. This will provide an insight about the diverse evolution of polyamine metabolism and function based on the physiology and the ecological context of the microorganisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aslıhan Örs Gevrekci
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Science and Letters, Başkent University, Ankara, Turkey.
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