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Zheng Y, van den Kerkhof M, Ibrahim M, De Esch IJP, Maes L, Sterk GJ, Caljon G, Leurs R. Lead Optimization of the 5-Phenylpyrazolopyrimidinone NPD-2975 toward Compounds with Improved Antitrypanosomal Efficacy. J Med Chem 2024; 67:2849-2863. [PMID: 38330051 PMCID: PMC10895668 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c01976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
Human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) still faces few therapeutic options and emerging drug resistance, stressing an urgency for novel antitrypanosomal drug discovery. Here, we describe lead optimization efforts aiming at improving antitrypanosomal efficacy and better physicochemical properties based on our previously reported optimized hit NPD-2975 (pIC50 7.2). Systematic modification of the 5-phenylpyrazolopyrimidinone NPD-2975 led to the discovery of a R4-substituted analogue 31c (NPD-3519), showing higher in vitro potency (pIC50 7.8) against Trypanosoma brucei and significantly better metabolic stability. Further, in vivo pharmacokinetic evaluation of 31c and experiments in an acute T. brucei mouse model confirmed improved oral bioavailability and antitrypanosomal efficacy at 50 mg/kg with no apparent toxicity. With good physicochemical properties, low toxicity, improved pharmacokinetic features, and in vivo efficacy, 31c may serve as a promising candidate for future drug development for HAT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Zheng
- Amsterdam
Institute of Molecular and Life Sciences, Division of Medicinal Chemistry,
Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1108, Amsterdam 1081 HZ, The Netherlands
| | - Magali van den Kerkhof
- Laboratory
of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH), University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, Wilrijk 2610, Belgium
| | - Mohamed Ibrahim
- Amsterdam
Institute of Molecular and Life Sciences, Division of Medicinal Chemistry,
Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1108, Amsterdam 1081 HZ, The Netherlands
| | - Iwan J. P. De Esch
- Amsterdam
Institute of Molecular and Life Sciences, Division of Medicinal Chemistry,
Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1108, Amsterdam 1081 HZ, The Netherlands
| | - Louis Maes
- Laboratory
of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH), University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, Wilrijk 2610, Belgium
| | - Geert Jan Sterk
- Amsterdam
Institute of Molecular and Life Sciences, Division of Medicinal Chemistry,
Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1108, Amsterdam 1081 HZ, The Netherlands
| | - Guy Caljon
- Laboratory
of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH), University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, Wilrijk 2610, Belgium
| | - Rob Leurs
- Amsterdam
Institute of Molecular and Life Sciences, Division of Medicinal Chemistry,
Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1108, Amsterdam 1081 HZ, The Netherlands
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2
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Oluwafemi KA, Oyeneyin OE, Babatunde DD, Agbaffa EB, Aigbogun JA, Odeja OO, Emmanuel AV. Parasitic Protozoans: Exploring the Potential of N,N'-Bis[2-(5-bromo-7-azabenzimidazol-1-yl)-2-oxoethyl]ethylene-1,3-Diamine and Its Cyclohexyl-1,2-diamine Analogue as TryR and Pf-DHODH Inhibitors. Acta Parasitol 2023; 68:807-819. [PMID: 37821729 DOI: 10.1007/s11686-023-00719-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Major human parasitic protozoans, such as Plasmodium falciparum and Trypanosoma brucei, cause malaria and trypanosomiasis also known as sleeping sickness. In anti-parasitic drug discovery research, trypanothione reductase (TryR) and P. falciparum dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (Pf-DHODH) enzymes are key drug targets in T. brucei and P. falciparum, respectively. The possibility of co-infection of single host by T. brucei and P. falciparum is because both parasites exist in sub-Saharan Africa and the problem of parasite drug resistance necessitates the discovery of new scaffolds, which are strange to the organisms causing these infectious diseases-new scaffolds may help overcome established resistance mechanisms of the organisms. METHOD In this study, N,N'-bis[2-(5-bromo-7-azabenzimidazol-1-yl)-2-oxoethyl]ethylene-1,3-diamine and its cyclohexyl-1,2-diamine analogue were explored for their inhibitory potential against TryR and Pf-DHODH by engaging density functional study, molecular dynamic simulations, drug-likeness, in silico and in vitro studies RESULTS/CONCLUSION: Results obtained indicated excellent binding potential of the ligands to the receptors and good ADMET (adsorption, desorption, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity) properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kola A Oluwafemi
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Nigeria.
| | - Oluwatoba E Oyeneyin
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Nigeria.
- Theoretical and Computational Chemistry Unit, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Nigeria.
| | | | - Eric B Agbaffa
- Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria
- Department of Physical Sciences, Wesley University, Ondo, Nigeria
| | - Jane A Aigbogun
- Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria
| | - Oluwakayode O Odeja
- Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Petroleum Recourses, Effurun, Nigeria
| | - Abiodun V Emmanuel
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Nigeria
- Theoretical and Computational Chemistry Unit, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Nigeria
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3
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Nué-Martinez JJ, Cisneros D, Moreno-Blázquez MD, Fonseca-Berzal C, Manzano JI, Kraeutler D, Ungogo MA, Aloraini MA, Elati HAA, Ibáñez-Escribano A, Lagartera L, Herraiz T, Gamarro F, de Koning HP, Gómez-Barrio A, Dardonville C. Synthesis and Biophysical and Biological Studies of N-Phenylbenzamide Derivatives Targeting Kinetoplastid Parasites. J Med Chem 2023; 66:13452-13480. [PMID: 37729094 PMCID: PMC10578353 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c00697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023]
Abstract
The AT-rich mitochondrial DNA (kDNA) of trypanosomatid parasites is a target of DNA minor groove binders. We report the synthesis, antiprotozoal screening, and SAR studies of three series of analogues of the known antiprotozoal kDNA binder 2-((4-(4-((4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-3-ium-2-yl)amino)benzamido)phenyl)amino)-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-3-ium (1a). Bis(2-aminoimidazolines) (1) and bis(2-aminobenzimidazoles) (2) showed micromolar range activity against Trypanosoma brucei, whereas bisarylimidamides (3) were submicromolar inhibitors of T. brucei, Trypanosoma cruzi, and Leishmania donovani. None of the compounds showed relevant activity against the urogenital, nonkinetoplastid parasite Trichomonas vaginalis. We show that series 1 and 3 bind strongly and selectively to the minor groove of AT DNA, whereas series 2 also binds by intercalation. The measured pKa indicated different ionization states at pH 7.4, which correlated with the DNA binding affinities (ΔTm) for series 2 and 3. Compound 3a, which was active and selective against the three parasites and displayed adequate metabolic stability, is a fine candidate for in vivo studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- J. Jonathan Nué-Martinez
- Instituto
de Química Médica, IQM−CSIC, Juan de la Cierva 3, E-28006 Madrid, Spain
- PhD
Programme in Medicinal Chemistry, Doctoral School, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - David Cisneros
- Instituto
de Química Médica, IQM−CSIC, Juan de la Cierva 3, E-28006 Madrid, Spain
- PhD
Programme in Medicinal Chemistry, Doctoral School, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Cristina Fonseca-Berzal
- Departamento
de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), Plaza de Ramón y Cajal s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - José Ignacio Manzano
- Instituto
de Parasitología y Biomedicina “Löpez Neyra”,
IPBLN-CSIC, Parque Tecnolögico
de Ciencias de la Salud, 18016 Granada, Spain
| | - Damien Kraeutler
- Instituto
de Química Médica, IQM−CSIC, Juan de la Cierva 3, E-28006 Madrid, Spain
| | - Marzuq A. Ungogo
- Institute
of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary
and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, G12 8TA Glasgow, U.K.
| | - Maha A. Aloraini
- Institute
of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary
and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, G12 8TA Glasgow, U.K.
| | - Hamza A. A. Elati
- Institute
of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary
and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, G12 8TA Glasgow, U.K.
| | - Alexandra Ibáñez-Escribano
- Departamento
de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), Plaza de Ramón y Cajal s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Laura Lagartera
- Instituto
de Química Médica, IQM−CSIC, Juan de la Cierva 3, E-28006 Madrid, Spain
| | - Tomás Herraiz
- Instituto
de Ciencia y Tecnología de Alimentos y Nutrición, ICTAN−CSIC, José Antonio Novais 10, Ciudad
Universitaria, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Francisco Gamarro
- Instituto
de Parasitología y Biomedicina “Löpez Neyra”,
IPBLN-CSIC, Parque Tecnolögico
de Ciencias de la Salud, 18016 Granada, Spain
| | - Harry P. de Koning
- Institute
of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary
and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, G12 8TA Glasgow, U.K.
| | - Alicia Gómez-Barrio
- Departamento
de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), Plaza de Ramón y Cajal s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
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4
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Zheng Y, van den Kerkhof M, van der Meer T, Gul S, Kuzikov M, Ellinger B, de Esch IJP, Siderius M, Matheeussen A, Maes L, Sterk GJ, Caljon G, Leurs R. Discovery of 5-Phenylpyrazolopyrimidinone Analogs as Potent Antitrypanosomal Agents with In Vivo Efficacy. J Med Chem 2023; 66:10252-10264. [PMID: 37471520 PMCID: PMC10424178 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c00161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT), caused by Trypanosoma brucei, is one of the neglected tropical diseases with a continuing need for new medication. We here describe the discovery of 5-phenylpyrazolopyrimidinone analogs as a novel series of phenotypic antitrypanosomal agents. The most potent compound, 30 (NPD-2975), has an in vitro IC50 of 70 nM against T. b. brucei with no apparent toxicity against human MRC-5 lung fibroblasts. Showing good physicochemical properties, low toxicity potential, acceptable metabolic stability, and other pharmacokinetic features, 30 was further evaluated in an acute mouse model of T. b. brucei infection. After oral dosing at 50 mg/kg twice per day for five consecutive days, all infected mice were cured. Given its good drug-like properties and high in vivo antitrypanosomal potential, the 5-phenylpyrazolopyrimidinone analog 30 represents a promising lead for future drug development to treat HAT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Zheng
- Amsterdam
Institute for Molecules, Medicines and Systems, Division of Medicinal
Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit
Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1108, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Magali van den Kerkhof
- Laboratory
of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH), University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Tiffany van der Meer
- Amsterdam
Institute for Molecules, Medicines and Systems, Division of Medicinal
Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit
Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1108, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Sheraz Gul
- Fraunhofer
Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, 22525 Hamburg, Germany
- Fraunhofer
Cluster of Excellence for Immune-Mediated Diseases CIMD, 22525 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Maria Kuzikov
- Fraunhofer
Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, 22525 Hamburg, Germany
- Fraunhofer
Cluster of Excellence for Immune-Mediated Diseases CIMD, 22525 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Bernhard Ellinger
- Fraunhofer
Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, 22525 Hamburg, Germany
- Fraunhofer
Cluster of Excellence for Immune-Mediated Diseases CIMD, 22525 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Iwan J. P. de Esch
- Amsterdam
Institute for Molecules, Medicines and Systems, Division of Medicinal
Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit
Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1108, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Marco Siderius
- Amsterdam
Institute for Molecules, Medicines and Systems, Division of Medicinal
Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit
Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1108, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - An Matheeussen
- Laboratory
of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH), University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Louis Maes
- Laboratory
of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH), University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Geert Jan Sterk
- Amsterdam
Institute for Molecules, Medicines and Systems, Division of Medicinal
Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit
Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1108, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Guy Caljon
- Laboratory
of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH), University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Rob Leurs
- Amsterdam
Institute for Molecules, Medicines and Systems, Division of Medicinal
Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit
Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1108, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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5
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Jamabo M, Mahlalela M, Edkins AL, Boshoff A. Tackling Sleeping Sickness: Current and Promising Therapeutics and Treatment Strategies. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12529. [PMID: 37569903 PMCID: PMC10420020 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241512529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Revised: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Human African trypanosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease caused by the extracellular protozoan parasite Trypanosoma brucei, and targeted for eradication by 2030. The COVID-19 pandemic contributed to the lengthening of the proposed time frame for eliminating human African trypanosomiasis as control programs were interrupted. Armed with extensive antigenic variation and the depletion of the B cell population during an infectious cycle, attempts to develop a vaccine have remained unachievable. With the absence of a vaccine, control of the disease has relied heavily on intensive screening measures and the use of drugs. The chemotherapeutics previously available for disease management were plagued by issues such as toxicity, resistance, and difficulty in administration. The approval of the latest and first oral drug, fexinidazole, is a major chemotherapeutic achievement for the treatment of human African trypanosomiasis in the past few decades. Timely and accurate diagnosis is essential for effective treatment, while poor compliance and resistance remain outstanding challenges. Drug discovery is on-going, and herein we review the recent advances in anti-trypanosomal drug discovery, including novel potential drug targets. The numerous challenges associated with disease eradication will also be addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miebaka Jamabo
- Biotechnology Innovation Centre, Rhodes University, Makhanda 6139, South Africa; (M.J.); (M.M.)
| | - Maduma Mahlalela
- Biotechnology Innovation Centre, Rhodes University, Makhanda 6139, South Africa; (M.J.); (M.M.)
| | - Adrienne L. Edkins
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Biomedical Biotechnology Research Centre (BioBRU), Rhodes University, Makhanda 6139, South Africa;
| | - Aileen Boshoff
- Biotechnology Innovation Centre, Rhodes University, Makhanda 6139, South Africa; (M.J.); (M.M.)
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Watson CP, Sekhar GN, Thomas SA. Identification of transport systems involved in eflornithine delivery across the blood-brain barrier. FRONTIERS IN DRUG DELIVERY 2023; 3:1113493. [PMID: 38482132 PMCID: PMC7615738 DOI: 10.3389/fddev.2023.1113493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/17/2024]
Abstract
Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT) is a neglected parasitic disease that continues to persist in sub-Saharan Africa. It is fatal if untreated. The first stage of the disease is associated with the presence of the parasite in the periphery and the second stage with the presence of the parasites in the CNS. The treatment of CNS stage HAT requires the drugs to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Eflornithine is an amino acid analogue that is used to treat second stage HAT gambiense both alone and in combination with nifurtimox. Recent studies have identified that accumulation of eflornithine into the parasites (trypanosomes) involves the amino acid transporter (Trypanosoma brucei AAT6). In this study we tested the hypothesis that eflornithine uses a cationic amino acid transport system to cross the BBB. We particularly focused on system-y+ and system-B0,+. To do this we utilized specialist databases to compare the physicochemical characteristics of relevant molecules and an in vitro model of the BBB to explore the mechanisms of eflornithine delivery into the CNS. Our results confirmed that eflornithine is related to the endogenous amino acid, ornithine. At pH 7.4, eflornithine is predominately (92.39%) a zwitterionic (dipolar) amino acid and ornithine is predominately (99.08%) a cationic (tripolar) amino acid. In addition, the gross charge distribution at pH 7.4 of eflornithine is much smaller (+0.073) than that of ornithine (+0.99). Further results indicated that eflornithine utilized a saturable transport mechanism(s) to cross the hCMEC/D3 cell membranes and that transport was inhibited by the presence of other amino acids including ornithine. Eflornithine transport was also sodium-independent and sensitive to a y+-system inhibitor, but not a B0,+-system inhibitor. Eflornithine transport was also inhibited by pentamidine, suggestive of transport by organic cation transporters (OCT) which are expressed in this cell line. We confirmed expression of the y+-system protein, CAT1, and the B0,+-system protein, ATB0,+, in the hCMEC/D3 cells. We conclude that eflornithine uses the cationic amino acid transporter, system y+, and OCT to cross the BBB. This research highlights the potential of system-y+ to deliver drugs, including eflornithine, across the BBB to treat brain diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher P. Watson
- King’s College London, Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, Franklin-Wilkins Building, Stamford Street, London, UK
| | - Gayathri Nair Sekhar
- King’s College London, Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, Franklin-Wilkins Building, Stamford Street, London, UK
| | - Sarah A Thomas
- King’s College London, Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, Franklin-Wilkins Building, Stamford Street, London, UK
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Melfi F, Carradori S, Campestre C, Haloci E, Ammazzalorso A, Grande R, D'Agostino I. Emerging compounds and therapeutic strategies to treat infections from Trypanosoma brucei: an overhaul of the last 5-years patents. Expert Opin Ther Pat 2023; 33:247-263. [PMID: 36933190 DOI: 10.1080/13543776.2023.2193328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/19/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Human African Trypanosomiasis is a neglected disease caused by infection from parasites belonging to the Trypanosoma brucei species. Only six drugs are currently available and employed depending on the stage of the infection: pentamidine, suramin, melarsoprol, eflornithine, nifurtimox, and fexinidazole. Joint research projects were launched in an attempt to find new therapeutic options for this severe and often lethal disease. AREAS COVERED After a brief description of the recent literature on the parasite and the disease, we searched for patents dealing with the proposal of new anti-trypanosomiasis agents and, following the PRISMA guidelines, we filtered the results to those published from 2018onwards returning suitable entries, which represent the contemporary landscape of compounds/strategies against Trypanosoma brucei. In addition, some relevant publications from the overall scientific literature were also discussed. EXPERT OPINION This review comprehensively covers and analyzes the most recent advances not only in the discovery of new inhibitors and their structure-activity relationships but also in the assessment of innovative biological targets opening new scenarios in the MedChem field. Lastly, also new vaccines and formulations recently patented were described. However, natural and synthetic compounds were analyzed in terms of inhibitory activity and selective toxicity against human cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Melfi
- Department of Pharmacy, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Simone Carradori
- Department of Pharmacy, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Cristina Campestre
- Department of Pharmacy, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Entela Haloci
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Medicine, Tirana, Albania
| | | | - Rossella Grande
- Department of Pharmacy, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Ilaria D'Agostino
- Department of Pharmacy, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
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Ungogo MA, Aldfer MM, Natto MJ, Zhuang H, Chisholm R, Walsh K, McGee M, Ilbeigi K, Asseri JI, Burchmore RJS, Caljon G, Van Calenbergh S, De Koning HP. Cloning and Characterization of Trypanosoma congolense and T. vivax Nucleoside Transporters Reveal the Potential of P1-Type Carriers for the Discovery of Broad-Spectrum Nucleoside-Based Therapeutics against Animal African Trypanosomiasis. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043144. [PMID: 36834557 PMCID: PMC9960827 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
African Animal Trypanosomiasis (AAT), caused predominantly by Trypanosoma brucei brucei, T. vivax and T. congolense, is a fatal livestock disease throughout Sub-Saharan Africa. Treatment options are very limited and threatened by resistance. Tubercidin (7-deazaadenosine) analogs have shown activity against individual parasites but viable chemotherapy must be active against all three species. Divergence in sensitivity to nucleoside antimetabolites could be caused by differences in nucleoside transporters. Having previously characterized the T. brucei nucleoside carriers, we here report the functional expression and characterization of the main adenosine transporters of T. vivax (TvxNT3) and T. congolense (TcoAT1/NT10), in a Leishmania mexicana cell line ('SUPKO') lacking adenosine uptake. Both carriers were similar to the T. brucei P1-type transporters and bind adenosine mostly through interactions with N3, N7 and 3'-OH. Expression of TvxNT3 and TcoAT1 sensitized SUPKO cells to various 7-substituted tubercidins and other nucleoside analogs although tubercidin itself is a poor substrate for P1-type transporters. Individual nucleoside EC50s were similar for T. b. brucei, T. congolense, T. evansi and T. equiperdum but correlated less well with T. vivax. However, multiple nucleosides including 7-halogentubercidines displayed pEC50>7 for all species and, based on transporter and anti-parasite SAR analyses, we conclude that nucleoside chemotherapy for AAT is viable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marzuq A. Ungogo
- School of Infection and Immunity, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK
- Department of Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria 810107, Kaduna State, Nigeria
- Roslin Institute, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Midlothian EH25 9RG, UK
| | - Mustafa M. Aldfer
- School of Infection and Immunity, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK
| | - Manal J. Natto
- School of Infection and Immunity, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK
| | - Hainan Zhuang
- School of Infection and Immunity, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK
| | - Robyn Chisholm
- School of Infection and Immunity, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK
| | - Katy Walsh
- School of Infection and Immunity, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK
| | - MarieClaire McGee
- School of Infection and Immunity, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK
| | - Kayhan Ilbeigi
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH), University of Antwerp, B-2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Jamal Ibrahim Asseri
- School of Infection and Immunity, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK
| | - Richard J. S. Burchmore
- School of Infection and Immunity, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK
| | - Guy Caljon
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH), University of Antwerp, B-2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Serge Van Calenbergh
- Laboratory for Medicinal Chemistry (Campus Heymans), Ghent University, B-9000 Gent, Belgium
| | - Harry P. De Koning
- School of Infection and Immunity, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK
- Correspondence:
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9
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Francisco KR, Monti L, Yang W, Park H, Liu LJ, Watkins K, Amarasinghe DK, Nalli M, Roberto Polaquini C, Regasini LO, Eduardo Miller Crotti A, Silvestri R, Guidi Magalhães L, Caffrey CR. Structure-activity relationship of dibenzylideneacetone analogs against the neglected disease pathogen, Trypanosoma brucei. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2023; 81:129123. [PMID: 36608774 PMCID: PMC10072319 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2023.129123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Trypanosoma brucei is a protozoan parasite that causes Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT), a neglected tropical disease (NTD) that is endemic in 36 countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Only a handful drugs are available for treatment, and these have limitations, including toxicity and drug resistance. Using the natural product, curcumin, as a starting point, several curcuminoids and related analogs were evaluated against bloodstream forms of T. b. brucei. A particular subset of dibenzylideneacetone (DBA) compounds exhibited potent in vitro antitrypanosomal activity with sub-micromolar EC50 values. A structure-activity relationship study including 26 DBA analogs was initiated, and several compounds exhibited EC50 values as low as 200 nM. Cytotoxicity counter screens in HEK293 cells identified several compounds having selectivity indices above 10. These data suggest that DBAs offer starting points for a new small molecule therapy of HAT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karol R Francisco
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.
| | - Ludovica Monti
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Wenqian Yang
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Hayoung Park
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Lawrence J Liu
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Kaitlyn Watkins
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Dilini K Amarasinghe
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Marianna Nalli
- Laboratory Affiliated with the Institute Pasteur Italy - Cenci Bolognetti Foundation, Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Carlos Roberto Polaquini
- Institute of Biosciences, Humanities and Exact Sciences, São Paulo State University, São José do Rio Preto, SP 15054-000, Brazil
| | - Luis O Regasini
- Institute of Biosciences, Humanities and Exact Sciences, São Paulo State University, São José do Rio Preto, SP 15054-000, Brazil
| | - Antônio Eduardo Miller Crotti
- Faculty of Philosophy, Sciences, and Letters of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP 14040-900, Brazil
| | - Romano Silvestri
- Laboratory Affiliated with the Institute Pasteur Italy - Cenci Bolognetti Foundation, Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Lizandra Guidi Magalhães
- Research Group on Natural Products, Center for Research in Sciences and Technology, University of Franca, Franca, SP 14404-600, Brazil
| | - Conor R Caffrey
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
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10
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Kasozi KI, MacLeod ET, Welburn SC. Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis on Human African Trypanocide Resistance. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11101100. [PMID: 36297157 PMCID: PMC9612373 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11101100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2022] [Revised: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Human African trypanocide resistance (HATr) is a challenge for the eradication of Human African Trypansomiaisis (HAT) following the widespread emergence of increased monotherapy drug treatment failures against Trypanosoma brucei gambiense and T. b. rhodesiense that are associated with changes in pathogen receptors. Methods: Electronic searches of 12 databases and 3 Google search websites for human African trypanocide resistance were performed using a keyword search criterion applied to both laboratory and clinical studies. Fifty-one publications were identified and included in this study using the PRISMA checklist. Data were analyzed using RevMan and random effect sizes were computed for the statistics at the 95% confidence interval. Results: Pentamidine/melarsoprol/nifurtimox cross-resistance is associated with loss of the T. brucei adenosine transporter 1/purine 2 gene (TbAT1/P2), aquaglyceroporins (TbAQP) 2 and 3, followed by the high affinity pentamidine melarsoprol transporter (HAPT) 1. In addition, the loss of the amino acid transporter (AAT) 6 is associated with eflornithine resistance. Nifurtimox/eflornithine combination therapy resistance is associated with AAT6 and nitroreductase loss, and high resistance and parasite regrowth is responsible for treatment relapse. In clinical studies, the TbAT1 proportion of total random effects was 68% (95% CI: 38.0−91.6); I2 = 96.99% (95% CI: 94.6−98.3). Treatment failure rates were highest with melarsoprol followed by eflornithine at 41.49% (95% CI: 24.94−59.09) and 6.56% (3.06−11.25) respectively. HATr-resistant phenotypes used in most laboratory experiments demonstrated significantly higher pentamidine resistance than other trypanocides. Conclusion: The emergence of drug resistance across the spectrum of trypanocidal agents that are used to treat HAT is a major threat to the global WHO target to eliminate HAT by 2030. T. brucei strains were largely resistant to diamidines and the use of high trypanocide concentrations in clinical studies have proved fatal in humans. Studies to develop novel chemotherapeutical agents and identify alternative protein targets could help to reduce the emergence and spread of HATr.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keneth Iceland Kasozi
- Infection Medicine, Deanery of Biomedical Sciences, Edinburgh Medical School, College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK
- School of Medicine, Kabale University, Kabale P.O. Box 317, Uganda
- Correspondence: (K.I.K.); (S.C.W.)
| | - Ewan Thomas MacLeod
- Infection Medicine, Deanery of Biomedical Sciences, Edinburgh Medical School, College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK
| | - Susan Christina Welburn
- Infection Medicine, Deanery of Biomedical Sciences, Edinburgh Medical School, College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK
- Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh Joint Institute, Zhejiang University, International Campus, 718 East Haizhou Road, Haining 314400, China
- Correspondence: (K.I.K.); (S.C.W.)
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11
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Wincott CJ, Sritharan G, Benns HJ, May D, Gilabert-Carbajo C, Bunyan M, Fairweather AR, Alves E, Andrew I, Game L, Frickel EM, Tiengwe C, Ewald SE, Child MA. Cellular barcoding of protozoan pathogens reveals the within-host population dynamics of Toxoplasma gondii host colonization. CELL REPORTS METHODS 2022; 2:100274. [PMID: 36046624 PMCID: PMC9421581 DOI: 10.1016/j.crmeth.2022.100274] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Revised: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
Cellular barcoding techniques are powerful tools to understand microbial pathogenesis. However, barcoding strategies have not been broadly applied to protozoan parasites, which have unique genomic structures and virulence strategies compared with viral and bacterial pathogens. Here, we present a CRISPR-based method to barcode protozoa, which we successfully apply to Toxoplasma gondii and Trypanosoma brucei. Using libraries of barcoded T. gondii, we evaluate shifts in the population structure from acute to chronic infection of mice. Contrary to expectation, most barcodes were present in the brain one month post-intraperitoneal infection in both inbred CBA/J and outbred Swiss mice. Although parasite cyst number and barcode diversity declined over time, barcodes representing a minor fraction of the inoculum could become a dominant population in the brain by three months post-infection. These data establish a cellular barcoding approach for protozoa and evidence that the blood-brain barrier is not a major bottleneck to colonization by T. gondii.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ceire J. Wincott
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Gayathri Sritharan
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London SW7 2AZ, UK
- Department of Biological Sciences, Birkbeck, University of London, Mallet Street, Bloomsbury, London WC1E 7HX, UK
| | - Henry J. Benns
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London SW7 2AZ, UK
- Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, White City Campus, London W12 0BZ, UK
| | - Dana May
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cancer Biology at the Carter Immunology Center, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Carla Gilabert-Carbajo
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Monique Bunyan
- Host-Toxoplasma Interaction Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1BF, UK
| | - Aisling R. Fairweather
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Eduardo Alves
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Ivan Andrew
- UKRI London Institute of Medical Sciences Genomics Laboratory, Shepherd’s Bush, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Laurence Game
- UKRI London Institute of Medical Sciences Genomics Laboratory, Shepherd’s Bush, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Eva-Maria Frickel
- Host-Toxoplasma Interaction Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1BF, UK
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston B15 2TT, UK
| | - Calvin Tiengwe
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Sarah E. Ewald
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cancer Biology at the Carter Immunology Center, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Matthew A. Child
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London SW7 2AZ, UK
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12
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Venturelli A, Tagliazucchi L, Lima C, Venuti F, Malpezzi G, Magoulas GE, Santarem N, Calogeropoulou T, Cordeiro-da-Silva A, Costi MP. Current Treatments to Control African Trypanosomiasis and One Health Perspective. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10071298. [PMID: 35889018 PMCID: PMC9321528 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10071298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT, sleeping sickness) and Animal African Trypanosomiasis (AAT) are neglected tropical diseases generally caused by the same etiological agent, Trypanosoma brucei. Despite important advances in the reduction or disappearance of HAT cases, AAT represents a risky reservoir of the infections. There is a strong need to control AAT, as is claimed by the European Commission in a recent document on the reservation of antimicrobials for human use. Control of AAT is considered part of the One Health approach established by the FAO program against African Trypanosomiasis. Under the umbrella of the One Health concepts, in this work, by analyzing the pharmacological properties of the therapeutic options against Trypanosoma brucei spp., we underline the need for clearer and more defined guidelines in the employment of drugs designed for HAT and AAT. Essential requirements are addressed to meet the challenge of drug use and drug resistance development. This approach shall avoid inter-species cross-resistance phenomena and retain drugs therapeutic activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Venturelli
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy; (A.V.); (L.T.); (F.V.); (G.M.)
| | - Lorenzo Tagliazucchi
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy; (A.V.); (L.T.); (F.V.); (G.M.)
- Doctorate School in Clinical and Experimental Medicine (CEM), University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Clara Lima
- Host-Parasite Interactions Group, Institute of Research and Innovation in Health, University of Porto, 4099-002 Porto, Portugal; (C.L.); (N.S.); (A.C.-d.-S.)
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, 4099-002 Porto, Portugal
| | - Federica Venuti
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy; (A.V.); (L.T.); (F.V.); (G.M.)
| | - Giulia Malpezzi
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy; (A.V.); (L.T.); (F.V.); (G.M.)
| | - George E. Magoulas
- Institute of Chemical Biology, National Hellenic Research Foundation, 11635 Athens, Greece; (G.E.M.); (T.C.)
| | - Nuno Santarem
- Host-Parasite Interactions Group, Institute of Research and Innovation in Health, University of Porto, 4099-002 Porto, Portugal; (C.L.); (N.S.); (A.C.-d.-S.)
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, 4099-002 Porto, Portugal
| | - Theodora Calogeropoulou
- Institute of Chemical Biology, National Hellenic Research Foundation, 11635 Athens, Greece; (G.E.M.); (T.C.)
| | - Anabela Cordeiro-da-Silva
- Host-Parasite Interactions Group, Institute of Research and Innovation in Health, University of Porto, 4099-002 Porto, Portugal; (C.L.); (N.S.); (A.C.-d.-S.)
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, 4099-002 Porto, Portugal
| | - Maria Paola Costi
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy; (A.V.); (L.T.); (F.V.); (G.M.)
- Correspondence:
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13
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Carter NS, Kawasaki Y, Nahata SS, Elikaee S, Rajab S, Salam L, Alabdulal MY, Broessel KK, Foroghi F, Abbas A, Poormohamadian R, Roberts SC. Polyamine Metabolism in Leishmania Parasites: A Promising Therapeutic Target. Med Sci (Basel) 2022; 10:24. [PMID: 35645240 PMCID: PMC9149861 DOI: 10.3390/medsci10020024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Revised: 04/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Parasites of the genus Leishmania cause a variety of devastating and often fatal diseases in humans and domestic animals worldwide. The need for new therapeutic strategies is urgent because no vaccine is available, and treatment options are limited due to a lack of specificity and the emergence of drug resistance. Polyamines are metabolites that play a central role in rapidly proliferating cells, and recent studies have highlighted their critical nature in Leishmania. Numerous studies using a variety of inhibitors as well as gene deletion mutants have elucidated the pathway and routes of transport, revealing unique aspects of polyamine metabolism in Leishmania parasites. These studies have also shed light on the significance of polyamines for parasite proliferation, infectivity, and host-parasite interactions. This comprehensive review article focuses on the main polyamine biosynthetic enzymes: ornithine decarboxylase, S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase, and spermidine synthase, and it emphasizes recent discoveries that advance these enzymes as potential therapeutic targets against Leishmania parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Sigrid C. Roberts
- School of Pharmacy, Pacific University Oregon, Hillsboro, OR 97123, USA; (N.S.C.); (Y.K.); (S.S.N.); (S.E.); (S.R.); (L.S.); (M.Y.A.); (K.K.B.); (F.F.); (A.A.); (R.P.)
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14
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Fall F, Mamede L, Schioppa L, Ledoux A, De Tullio P, Michels P, Frédérich M, Quetin-Leclercq J. Trypanosoma brucei: Metabolomics for analysis of cellular metabolism and drug discovery. Metabolomics 2022; 18:20. [PMID: 35305174 DOI: 10.1007/s11306-022-01880-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Trypanosoma brucei is the causative agent of Human African Trypanosomiasis (also known as sleeping sickness), a disease causing serious neurological disorders and fatal if left untreated. Due to its lethal pathogenicity, a variety of treatments have been developed over the years, but which have some important limitations such as acute toxicity and parasite resistance. Metabolomics is an innovative tool used to better understand the parasite's cellular metabolism, and identify new potential targets, modes of action and resistance mechanisms. The metabolomic approach is mainly associated with robust analytical techniques, such as NMR and Mass Spectrometry. Applying these tools to the trypanosome parasite is, thus, useful for providing new insights into the sleeping sickness pathology and guidance towards innovative treatments. AIM OF REVIEW The present review aims to comprehensively describe the T. brucei biology and identify targets for new or commercialized antitrypanosomal drugs. Recent metabolomic applications to provide a deeper knowledge about the mechanisms of action of drugs or potential drugs against T. brucei are highlighted. Additionally, the advantages of metabolomics, alone or combined with other methods, are discussed. KEY SCIENTIFIC CONCEPTS OF REVIEW Compared to other parasites, only few studies employing metabolomics have to date been reported on Trypanosoma brucei. Published metabolic studies, treatments and modes of action are discussed. The main interest is to evaluate the metabolomics contribution to the understanding of T. brucei's metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fanta Fall
- Pharmacognosy Research Group, Louvain Drug Research Institute (LDRI), UCLouvain, Avenue E. Mounier B1 72.03, B-1200, Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Lucia Mamede
- Laboratory of Pharmacognosy, Center of Interdisciplinary Research On Medicines (CIRM), University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Laura Schioppa
- Pharmacognosy Research Group, Louvain Drug Research Institute (LDRI), UCLouvain, Avenue E. Mounier B1 72.03, B-1200, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Allison Ledoux
- Laboratory of Pharmacognosy, Center of Interdisciplinary Research On Medicines (CIRM), University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Pascal De Tullio
- Metabolomics Group, Center of Interdisciplinary Research On Medicines (CIRM), University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Paul Michels
- Centre for Immunity, Infection and Evolution (CIIE) and Centre for Translational and Chemical Biology (CTCB), School of Biological Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland
| | - Michel Frédérich
- Laboratory of Pharmacognosy, Center of Interdisciplinary Research On Medicines (CIRM), University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Joëlle Quetin-Leclercq
- Pharmacognosy Research Group, Louvain Drug Research Institute (LDRI), UCLouvain, Avenue E. Mounier B1 72.03, B-1200, Brussels, Belgium
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15
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Kasozi KI, MacLeod ET, Ntulume I, Welburn SC. An Update on African Trypanocide Pharmaceutics and Resistance. Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:828111. [PMID: 35356785 PMCID: PMC8959112 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.828111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
African trypanosomiasis is associated with Trypanosoma evansi, T. vivax, T. congolense, and T. brucei pathogens in African animal trypanosomiasis (AAT) while T. b gambiense and T. b rhodesiense are responsible for chronic and acute human African trypanosomiasis (HAT), respectively. Suramin sodium suppresses ATP generation during the glycolytic pathway and is ineffective against T. vivax and T. congolense infections. Resistance to suramin is associated with pathogen altered transport proteins. Melarsoprol binds irreversibly with pyruvate kinase protein sulfhydryl groups and neutralizes enzymes which interrupts the trypanosome ATP generation. Melarsoprol resistance is associated with the adenine-adenosine transporter, P2, due to point mutations within this transporter. Eflornithine is used in combination with nifurtimox. Resistance to eflornithine is caused by the deletion or mutation of TbAAT6 gene which encodes the transmembrane amino acid transporter that delivers eflornithine into the cell, thus loss of transporter protein results in eflornithine resistance. Nifurtimox alone is regarded as a poor trypanocide, however, it is effective in melarsoprol-resistant gHAT patients. Resistance is associated with loss of a single copy of the genes encoding for nitroreductase enzymes. Fexinidazole is recommended for first-stage and non-severe second-stage illnesses in gHAT and resistance is associated with trypanosome bacterial nitroreductases which reduce fexinidazole. In AAT, quinapyramine sulfate interferes with DNA synthesis and suppression of cytoplasmic ribosomal activity in the mitochondria. Quinapyramine sulfate resistance is due to variations in the potential of the parasite's mitochondrial membrane. Pentamidines create cross-links between two adenines at 4–5 pairs apart in adenine-thymine-rich portions of Trypanosoma DNA. It also suppresses type II topoisomerase in the mitochondria of Trypanosoma parasites. Pentamidine resistance is due to loss of mitochondria transport proteins P2 and HAPT1. Diamidines are most effective against Trypanosome brucei group and act via the P2/TbAT1 transporters. Diminazene aceturate resistance is due to mutations that alter the activity of P2, TeDR40 (T. b. evansi). Isometamidium chloride is primarily employed in the early stages of trypanosomiasis and resistance is associated with diminazene resistance. Phenanthridine (homidium bromide, also known as ethidium bromide) acts by a breakdown of the kinetoplast network and homidium resistance is comparable to isometamidium. In humans, the development of resistance and adverse side effects against monotherapies has led to the adoption of nifurtimox-eflornithine combination therapy. Current efforts to develop new prodrug combinations of nifurtimox and eflornithine and nitroimidazole fexinidazole as well as benzoxaborole SCYX-7158 (AN5568) for HAT are in progress while little comparable progress has been done for the development of novel therapies to address trypanocide resistance in AAT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keneth Iceland Kasozi
- Infection Medicine, Deanery of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- School of Medicine, Kabale University, Kabale, Uganda
- *Correspondence: Keneth Iceland Kasozi ;
| | - Ewan Thomas MacLeod
- Infection Medicine, Deanery of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Ibrahim Ntulume
- School of Biosecurity Biotechnical and Laboratory Sciences, College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Susan Christina Welburn
- Infection Medicine, Deanery of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh Joint Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Susan Christina Welburn
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16
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Differences in Transporters Rather than Drug Targets Are the Principal Determinants of the Different Innate Sensitivities of Trypanosoma congolense and Trypanozoon Subgenus Trypanosomes to Diamidines and Melaminophenyl Arsenicals. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23052844. [PMID: 35269985 PMCID: PMC8911344 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23052844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Revised: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The animal trypanosomiases are infections in a wide range of (domesticated) animals with any species of African trypanosome, such as Trypanosoma brucei, T. evansi, T. congolense, T. equiperdum and T. vivax. Symptoms differ between host and infective species and stage of infection and are treated with a small set of decades-old trypanocides. A complication is that not all trypanosome species are equally sensitive to all drugs and the reasons are at best partially understood. Here, we investigate whether drug transporters, mostly identified in T. b. brucei, determine the different drug sensitivities. We report that homologues of the aminopurine transporter TbAT1 and the aquaporin TbAQP2 are absent in T. congolense, while their introduction greatly sensitises this species to diamidine (pentamidine, diminazene) and melaminophenyl (melarsomine) drugs. Accumulation of these drugs in the transgenic lines was much more rapid. T. congolense is also inherently less sensitive to suramin than T. brucei, despite accumulating it faster. Expression of a proposed suramin transporter, located in T. brucei lysosomes, in T. congolense, did not alter its suramin sensitivity. We conclude that for several of the most important classes of trypanocides the presence of specific transporters, rather than drug targets, is the determining factor of drug efficacy.
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17
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Beilstein S, El Phil R, Sahraoui SS, Scapozza L, Kaiser M, Mäser P. Laboratory Selection of Trypanosomatid Pathogens for Drug Resistance. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15020135. [PMID: 35215248 PMCID: PMC8879015 DOI: 10.3390/ph15020135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Revised: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The selection of parasites for drug resistance in the laboratory is an approach frequently used to investigate the mode of drug action, estimate the risk of emergence of drug resistance, or develop molecular markers for drug resistance. Here, we focused on the How rather than the Why of laboratory selection, discussing different experimental set-ups based on research examples with Trypanosoma brucei, Trypanosoma cruzi, and Leishmania spp. The trypanosomatids are particularly well-suited to illustrate different strategies of selecting for drug resistance, since it was with African trypanosomes that Paul Ehrlich performed such an experiment for the first time, more than a century ago. While breakthroughs in reverse genetics and genome editing have greatly facilitated the identification and validation of candidate resistance mutations in the trypanosomatids, the forward selection of drug-resistant mutants still relies on standard in vivo models and in vitro culture systems. Critical questions are: is selection for drug resistance performed in vivo or in vitro? With the mammalian or with the insect stages of the parasites? Under steady pressure or by sudden shock? Is a mutagen used? While there is no bona fide best approach, we think that a methodical consideration of these questions provides a helpful framework for selection of parasites for drug resistance in the laboratory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabina Beilstein
- Department Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, 4051 Basel, Switzerland; (S.B.); (M.K.)
- Swiss TPH, University of Basel, Petersplatz 1, 4002 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Radhia El Phil
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Geneva, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland; (R.E.P.); (S.S.S.); (L.S.)
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Western Switzerland, University of Geneva, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Suzanne Sherihan Sahraoui
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Geneva, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland; (R.E.P.); (S.S.S.); (L.S.)
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Western Switzerland, University of Geneva, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Leonardo Scapozza
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Geneva, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland; (R.E.P.); (S.S.S.); (L.S.)
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Western Switzerland, University of Geneva, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Marcel Kaiser
- Department Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, 4051 Basel, Switzerland; (S.B.); (M.K.)
- Swiss TPH, University of Basel, Petersplatz 1, 4002 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Pascal Mäser
- Department Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, 4051 Basel, Switzerland; (S.B.); (M.K.)
- Swiss TPH, University of Basel, Petersplatz 1, 4002 Basel, Switzerland
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +41-61-284-8338
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18
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Svistounov D, Solbu MD, Jenssen TG, Mathisen UD, Hansen T, Elgstøen KBP, Zykova SN. Development of quantitative assay for simultaneous measurement of purine metabolites and creatinine in biobanked urine by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Scandinavian Journal of Clinical and Laboratory Investigation 2022; 82:37-49. [PMID: 35048747 DOI: 10.1080/00365513.2021.2015799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Purine metabolism is essential for all known living creatures, including humans in whom elevated serum concentration of purine break-down product uric acid (UA) is probably an independent risk factor for mortality, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular events. An automated multiplex assay that measures several purine metabolites could therefore prove useful in many areas of medical, veterinary and biological research. The aim of the present work was to develop a sensitive LC-MS/MS method for simultaneous quantitation of xanthine, hypoxanthine, UA, allantoin, and creatinine in biobanked urine samples. This article describes details and performance of the new method studied in 55 samples of human urine. Archival sample preparation and effect of storage conditions on stability of the analytes are addressed. The intra-day and inter-day coefficients of variation were small for all the analytes, not exceeding 1% and 10%, respectively. Measurements of UA and creatinine in biobanked urine showed good agreement with values obtained using routine enzymatic assays on fresh urine. Spearman's correlation coefficients were 0.869 (p < .001) for creatinine and 0.964 (p < .001) for UA. Conclusion: the newly developed LC-MS/MS method allows reliable quantitative assessment of xanthine, hypoxanthine, allantoin, UA and creatinine. The proposed pre-analytical processing makes the method suitable for both fresh and biobanked urine stored frozen at -80 °C for at least 5.5 years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dmitri Svistounov
- Metabolic and Renal Research Group, UiT - The Arctic University of Norway, Tromso, Norway.,Section of Nephrology, University Hospital of North Norway, Tromso, Norway.,Center for Quality Assurance and Development, University Hospital of North Norway, Tromso, Norway
| | - Marit D Solbu
- Metabolic and Renal Research Group, UiT - The Arctic University of Norway, Tromso, Norway.,Section of Nephrology, University Hospital of North Norway, Tromso, Norway
| | - Trond G Jenssen
- Metabolic and Renal Research Group, UiT - The Arctic University of Norway, Tromso, Norway.,Department of Transplantation Medicine, Oslo University Hospital and University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ulla Dorte Mathisen
- Metabolic and Renal Research Group, UiT - The Arctic University of Norway, Tromso, Norway.,Section of Nephrology, University Hospital of North Norway, Tromso, Norway
| | - Terkel Hansen
- Department of Pharmacy, UiT - The Arctic University of Norway, Tromso, Norway.,Research Group in Mass Spectrometry, Department of Biotechnology and Nanomedicine, SINTEF A/S, Tromsø, Norway
| | | | - Svetlana N Zykova
- Center for Quality Assurance and Development, University Hospital of North Norway, Tromso, Norway.,Department of Blood Bank and Biochemistry, Innlandet Hospital Trust, Lillehammer, Norway.,Hormone Laboratory, Department of Medical Biochemistry, Biochemical Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Group, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
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19
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Nowak MG, Skwarecki AS, Milewska MJ. Amino Acid Based Antimicrobial Agents - Synthesis and Properties. ChemMedChem 2021; 16:3513-3544. [PMID: 34596961 PMCID: PMC9293202 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202100503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Revised: 09/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Structures of several dozen of known antibacterial, antifungal or antiprotozoal agents are based on the amino acid scaffold. In most of them, the amino acid skeleton is of a crucial importance for their antimicrobial activity, since very often they are structural analogs of amino acid intermediates of different microbial biosynthetic pathways. Particularly, some aminophosphonate or aminoboronate analogs of protein amino acids are effective enzyme inhibitors, as structural mimics of tetrahedral transition state intermediates. Synthesis of amino acid antimicrobials is a particular challenge, especially in terms of the need for enantioselective methods, including the asymmetric synthesis. All these issues are addressed in this review, summing up the current state‐of‐the‐art and presenting perspectives fur further progress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michał G Nowak
- Department of Organic Chemistry and BioTechMed Center, Gdańsk University of Technology, 11/12 Gabriela Narutowicza Street, 80-233, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Andrzej S Skwarecki
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biochemistry and BioTechMed Center, Gdańsk University of Technology, 11/12 Gabriela Narutowicza Street, 80-233, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Maria J Milewska
- Department of Organic Chemistry and BioTechMed Center, Gdańsk University of Technology, 11/12 Gabriela Narutowicza Street, 80-233, Gdańsk, Poland
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20
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Steketee PC, Giordani F, Vincent IM, Crouch K, Achcar F, Dickens NJ, Morrison LJ, MacLeod A, Barrett MP. Transcriptional differentiation of Trypanosoma brucei during in vitro acquisition of resistance to acoziborole. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009939. [PMID: 34752454 PMCID: PMC8648117 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Revised: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Subspecies of the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma brucei are the causative agents of Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT), a debilitating neglected tropical disease prevalent across sub-Saharan Africa. HAT case numbers have steadily decreased since the start of the century, and sustainable elimination of one form of the disease is in sight. However, key to this is the development of novel drugs to combat the disease. Acoziborole is a recently developed benzoxaborole, currently in advanced clinical trials, for treatment of stage 1 and stage 2 HAT. Importantly, acoziborole is orally bioavailable, and curative with one dose. Recent studies have made significant progress in determining the molecular mode of action of acoziborole. However, less is known about the potential mechanisms leading to acoziborole resistance in trypanosomes. In this study, an in vitro-derived acoziborole-resistant cell line was generated and characterised. The AcoR line exhibited significant cross-resistance with the methyltransferase inhibitor sinefungin as well as hypersensitisation to known trypanocides. Interestingly, transcriptomics analysis of AcoR cells indicated the parasites had obtained a procyclic- or stumpy-like transcriptome profile, with upregulation of procyclin surface proteins as well as differential regulation of key metabolic genes known to be expressed in a life cycle-specific manner, even in the absence of major morphological changes. However, no changes were observed in transcripts encoding CPSF3, the recently identified protein target of acoziborole. The results suggest that generation of resistance to this novel compound in vitro can be accompanied by transcriptomic switches resembling a procyclic- or stumpy-type phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pieter C. Steketee
- The Roslin Institute, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian, United Kingdom
| | - Federica Giordani
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Isabel M. Vincent
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Kathryn Crouch
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Fiona Achcar
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Nicholas J. Dickens
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Liam J. Morrison
- The Roslin Institute, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian, United Kingdom
| | - Annette MacLeod
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Michael P. Barrett
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, United Kingdom
- Glasgow Polyomics, University of Glasgow, United Kingdom
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21
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Horn D. Genome-scale RNAi screens in African trypanosomes. Trends Parasitol 2021; 38:160-173. [PMID: 34580035 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2021.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2021] [Revised: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Genome-scale genetic screens allow researchers to rapidly identify the genes and proteins that impact a particular phenotype of interest. In African trypanosomes, RNA interference (RNAi) knockdown screens have revealed mechanisms underpinning drug resistance, drug transport, prodrug metabolism, quorum sensing, genome replication, and gene expression control. RNAi screening has also been remarkably effective at highlighting promising potential antitrypanosomal drug targets. The first ever RNAi library screen was implemented in African trypanosomes, and genome-scale RNAi screens and other related approaches continue to have a major impact on trypanosomatid research. Here, I review those impacts in terms of both discovery and translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Horn
- The Wellcome Trust Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK.
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22
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Boberg M, Cal M, Kaiser M, Jansson-Löfmark R, Mäser P, Ashton M. Enantiospecific antitrypanosomal in vitro activity of eflornithine. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009583. [PMID: 34252098 PMCID: PMC8297939 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The polyamine synthesis inhibitor eflornithine is a recommended treatment for the neglected tropical disease Gambian human African trypanosomiasis in late stage. This parasitic disease, transmitted by the tsetse fly, is lethal unless treated. Eflornithine is administered by repeated intravenous infusions as a racemic mixture of L-eflornithine and D-eflornithine. The study compared the in vitro antitrypanosomal activity of the two enantiomers with the racemic mixture against three Trypanosoma brucei gambiense strains. Antitrypanosomal in vitro activity at varying drug concentrations was analysed by non-linear mixed effects modelling. For all three strains, L-eflornithine was more potent than D-eflornithine. Estimated 50% inhibitory concentrations of the three strains combined were 9.1 μM (95% confidence interval [8.1; 10]), 5.5 μM [4.5; 6.6], and 50 μM [42; 57] for racemic eflornithine, L-eflornithine and D-eflornithine, respectively. The higher in vitro potency of L-eflornithine warrants further studies to assess its potential for improving the treatment of late-stage Gambian human African trypanosomiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mikael Boberg
- Unit for Pharmacokinetics and Drug Metabolism, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Monica Cal
- Parasite Chemotherapy Unit, Department of Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Marcel Kaiser
- Parasite Chemotherapy Unit, Department of Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Rasmus Jansson-Löfmark
- Unit for Pharmacokinetics and Drug Metabolism, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- DMPK, Research and Early Development Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Pascal Mäser
- Parasite Chemotherapy Unit, Department of Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Michael Ashton
- Unit for Pharmacokinetics and Drug Metabolism, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- * E-mail:
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23
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Alotaibi A, Ebiloma GU, Williams R, Alfayez IA, Natto MJ, Alenezi S, Siheri W, AlQarni M, Igoli JO, Fearnley J, De Koning HP, Watson DG. Activity of Compounds from Temperate Propolis against Trypanosoma brucei and Leishmania mexicana. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26133912. [PMID: 34206940 PMCID: PMC8272135 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26133912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Revised: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Ethanolic extracts of samples of temperate zone propolis, four from the UK and one from Poland, were tested against three Trypanosoma brucei strains and displayed EC50 values < 20 µg/mL. The extracts were fractionated, from which 12 compounds and one two-component mixture were isolated, and characterized by NMR and high-resolution mass spectrometry, as 3-acetoxypinobanksin, tectochrysin, kaempferol, pinocembrin, 4′-methoxykaempferol, galangin, chrysin, apigenin, pinostrobin, cinnamic acid, coumaric acid, cinnamyl ester/coumaric acid benzyl ester (mixture), 4′,7-dimethoxykaempferol, and naringenin 4′,7-dimethyl ether. The isolated compounds were tested against drug-sensitive and drug-resistant strains of T. brucei and Leishmania mexicana, with the highest activities ≤ 15 µM. The most active compounds against T. brucei were naringenin 4′,7 dimethyl ether and 4′methoxy kaempferol with activity of 15–20 µM against the three T. brucei strains. The most active compounds against L. mexicana were 4′,7-dimethoxykaempferol and the coumaric acid ester mixture, with EC50 values of 12.9 ± 3.7 µM and 13.1 ± 1.0 µM. No loss of activity was found with the diamidine- and arsenical-resistant or phenanthridine-resistant T. brucei strains, or the miltefosine-resistant L. mexicana strain; no clear structure activity relationship was observed for the isolated compounds. Temperate propolis yields multiple compounds with anti-kinetoplastid activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adullah Alotaibi
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Science, University of Strathclyde, 161 Cathedral Street, Glasgow G4 0RE, UK; (A.A.); (S.A.); (J.O.I.)
| | - Godwin U. Ebiloma
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK; (G.U.E.); (I.A.A.); (M.J.N.)
- School of Health and Life Sciences, Teesside University, Middlesbrough TS1 3BX, UK
| | - Roderick Williams
- IBEHR, School of Health and Life Science, University of the West of Scotland, High Street, Paisley PA1 2BE, UK;
| | - Ibrahim A. Alfayez
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK; (G.U.E.); (I.A.A.); (M.J.N.)
- Qassim Health Cluster, Ministry of Health, Buraydah 52367, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Clinical Pharmacy, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam 31441, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Manal J. Natto
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK; (G.U.E.); (I.A.A.); (M.J.N.)
| | - Sameah Alenezi
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Science, University of Strathclyde, 161 Cathedral Street, Glasgow G4 0RE, UK; (A.A.); (S.A.); (J.O.I.)
| | - Weam Siheri
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Natural Products, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Tripoli, Tripoli 50676, Libya;
| | - Malik AlQarni
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Clinical Pharmacy, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam 31441, Saudi Arabia;
| | - John O. Igoli
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Science, University of Strathclyde, 161 Cathedral Street, Glasgow G4 0RE, UK; (A.A.); (S.A.); (J.O.I.)
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK; (G.U.E.); (I.A.A.); (M.J.N.)
- Department of Chemistry, University of Agriculture, Makurdi PMB 2373, Nigeria
| | | | - Harry P. De Koning
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK; (G.U.E.); (I.A.A.); (M.J.N.)
- Correspondence: (H.P.D.K.); (D.G.W.)
| | - David G. Watson
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Science, University of Strathclyde, 161 Cathedral Street, Glasgow G4 0RE, UK; (A.A.); (S.A.); (J.O.I.)
- Correspondence: (H.P.D.K.); (D.G.W.)
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24
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Aye SM, Galani I, Han ML, Karaiskos I, Creek DJ, Zhu Y, Lin YW, Velkov T, Giamarellou H, Li J. Lipid A profiling and metabolomics analysis of paired polymyxin-susceptible and -resistant MDR Klebsiella pneumoniae clinical isolates from the same patients before and after colistin treatment. J Antimicrob Chemother 2021; 75:2852-2863. [PMID: 32696049 DOI: 10.1093/jac/dkaa245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2020] [Revised: 05/04/2020] [Accepted: 05/05/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The increased incidence of polymyxin-resistant MDR Klebsiella pneumoniae has become a major global health concern. OBJECTIVES To characterize the lipid A profiles and metabolome differences between paired polymyxin-susceptible and -resistant MDR K. pneumoniae clinical isolates. METHODS Three pairs of K. pneumoniae clinical isolates from the same patients were examined [ATH 7 (polymyxin B MIC 0.25 mg/L) versus ATH 8 (64 mg/L); ATH 15 (0.5 mg/L) versus ATH 16 (32 mg/L); and ATH 17 (0.5 mg/L) versus ATH 18 (64 mg/L)]. Lipid A and metabolomes were analysed using LC-MS and bioinformatic analysis was conducted. RESULTS The predominant species of lipid A in all three paired isolates were hexa-acylated and 4-amino-4-deoxy-l-arabinose-modified lipid A species were detected in the three polymyxin-resistant isolates. Significant metabolic differences were evident between the paired isolates. Compared with their corresponding polymyxin-susceptible isolates, the levels of metabolites in amino sugar metabolism (UDP-N-acetyl-α-d-glucosamine and UDP-N-α-acetyl-d-mannosaminuronate) and central carbon metabolism (e.g. pentose phosphate pathway and tricarboxylic acid cycle) were significantly reduced in all polymyxin-resistant isolates [fold change (FC) > 1.5, P < 0.05]. Similarly, nucleotides, amino acids and key metabolites in glycerophospholipid metabolism, namely sn-glycerol-3-phosphate and sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine, were significantly reduced across all polymyxin-resistant isolates (FC > 1.5, P < 0.05) compared with polymyxin-susceptible isolates. However, higher glycerophospholipid levels were evident in polymyxin-resistant ATH 8 and ATH 16 (FC > 1.5, P < 0.05) compared with their corresponding susceptible isolates. CONCLUSIONS To our knowledge, this study is the first to reveal significant metabolic perturbations associated with polymyxin resistance in K. pneumoniae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Su Mon Aye
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Infection and Immunity Program and Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Irene Galani
- Fourth Department of Internal Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Mei-Ling Han
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Infection and Immunity Program and Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Ilias Karaiskos
- First Department of Internal Medicine-Infectious Diseases, Hygeia General Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Darren J Creek
- Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, 3052 Victoria, Australia
| | - Yan Zhu
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Infection and Immunity Program and Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Yu-Wei Lin
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Infection and Immunity Program and Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Tony Velkov
- Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Helen Giamarellou
- First Department of Internal Medicine-Infectious Diseases, Hygeia General Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Jian Li
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Infection and Immunity Program and Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
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25
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Carruthers LV, Munday JC, Ebiloma GU, Steketee P, Jayaraman S, Campagnaro GD, Ungogo MA, Lemgruber L, Donachie AM, Rowan TG, Peter R, Morrison LJ, Barrett MP, De Koning HP. Diminazene resistance in Trypanosoma congolense is not caused by reduced transport capacity but associated with reduced mitochondrial membrane potential. Mol Microbiol 2021; 116:564-588. [PMID: 33932053 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.14733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2020] [Revised: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Trypanosoma congolense is a principal agent causing livestock trypanosomiasis in Africa, costing developing economies billions of dollars and undermining food security. Only the diamidine diminazene and the phenanthridine isometamidium are regularly used, and resistance is widespread but poorly understood. We induced stable diminazene resistance in T. congolense strain IL3000 in vitro. There was no cross-resistance with the phenanthridine drugs, melaminophenyl arsenicals, oxaborole trypanocides, or with diamidine trypanocides, except the close analogs DB829 and DB75. Fluorescence microscopy showed that accumulation of DB75 was inhibited by folate. Uptake of [3 H]-diminazene was slow with low affinity and partly but reciprocally inhibited by folate and by competing diamidines. Expression of T. congolense folate transporters in diminazene-resistant Trypanosoma brucei brucei significantly sensitized the cells to diminazene and DB829, but not to oxaborole AN7973. However, [3 H]-diminazene transport studies, whole-genome sequencing, and RNA-seq found no major changes in diminazene uptake, folate transporter sequence, or expression. Instead, all resistant clones displayed a moderate reduction in the mitochondrial membrane potential Ψm. We conclude that diminazene uptake in T. congolense proceed via multiple low affinity mechanisms including folate transporters; while resistance is associated with a reduction in Ψm it is unclear whether this is the primary cause of the resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren V Carruthers
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Jane C Munday
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Godwin U Ebiloma
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.,School of Health and Life Sciences, Teesside University, Middlesbrough, UK
| | - Pieter Steketee
- Roslin Institute, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Siddharth Jayaraman
- Roslin Institute, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Gustavo D Campagnaro
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Marzuq A Ungogo
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Leandro Lemgruber
- Glasgow Imaging Facility, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Anne-Marie Donachie
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Tim G Rowan
- Global Alliance for Livestock Veterinary Medicine, Pentlands Science Park, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Rose Peter
- Global Alliance for Livestock Veterinary Medicine, Pentlands Science Park, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Liam J Morrison
- Roslin Institute, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Michael P Barrett
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.,Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Harry P De Koning
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
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26
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Ranking Metabolite Sets by Their Activity Levels. Metabolites 2021; 11:metabo11020103. [PMID: 33670102 PMCID: PMC7916825 DOI: 10.3390/metabo11020103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2021] [Revised: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 02/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Related metabolites can be grouped into sets in many ways, e.g., by their participation in series of chemical reactions (forming metabolic pathways), or based on fragmentation spectral similarities or shared chemical substructures. Understanding how such metabolite sets change in relation to experimental factors can be incredibly useful in the interpretation and understanding of complex metabolomics data sets. However, many of the available tools that are used to perform this analysis are not entirely suitable for the analysis of untargeted metabolomics measurements. Here, we present PALS (Pathway Activity Level Scoring), a Python library, command line tool, and Web application that performs the ranking of significantly changing metabolite sets over different experimental conditions. The main algorithm in PALS is based on the pathway level analysis of gene expression (PLAGE) factorisation method and is denoted as mPLAGE (PLAGE for metabolomics). As an example of an application, PALS is used to analyse metabolites grouped as metabolic pathways and by shared tandem mass spectrometry fragmentation patterns. A comparison of mPLAGE with two other commonly used methods (overrepresentation analysis (ORA) and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA)) is also given and reveals that mPLAGE is more robust to missing features and noisy data than the alternatives. As further examples, PALS is also applied to human African trypanosomiasis, Rhamnaceae, and American Gut Project data. In addition, normalisation can have a significant impact on pathway analysis results, and PALS offers a framework to further investigate this. PALS is freely available from our project Web site.
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Haindrich AC, Ernst V, Naguleswaran A, Oliveres QF, Roditi I, Rentsch D. Nutrient availability regulates proline/alanine transporters in Trypanosoma brucei. J Biol Chem 2021; 296:100566. [PMID: 33745971 PMCID: PMC8094907 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2021.100566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2020] [Revised: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma brucei is a species of unicellular parasite that can cause severe diseases in livestock and humans, including African trypanosomiasis and Chagas disease. Adaptation to diverse environments and changes in nutritional conditions is essential for T. brucei to establish an infection when changing hosts or during invasion of different host tissues. One such adaptation is the ability of T. brucei to rapidly switch its energy metabolism from glucose metabolism in the mammalian blood to proline catabolism in the insect stages and vice versa. However, the mechanisms that support the parasite's response to nutrient availability remain unclear. Using RNAseq and qRT-PCR, we investigated the response of T. brucei to amino acid or glucose starvation and found increased mRNA levels of several amino acid transporters, including all genes of the amino acid transporter AAT7-B subgroup. Functional characterization revealed that AAT7-B members are plasma membrane-localized in T. brucei and when expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae supported the uptake of proline, alanine, and cysteine, while other amino acids were poorly recognized. All AAT7-B members showed a preference for proline, which is transported with high or low affinity. RNAi-mediated AAT7-B downregulation resulted in a reduction of intracellular proline concentrations and growth arrest under low proline availability in cultured procyclic form parasites. Taken together, these results suggest a role of AAT7-B transporters in the response of T. brucei to proline starvation and proline catabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Viona Ernst
- Institute of Plant Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Isabel Roditi
- Institute of Cell Biology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Doris Rentsch
- Institute of Plant Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
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Galocha M, Costa IV, Teixeira MC. Carrier-Mediated Drug Uptake in Fungal Pathogens. Genes (Basel) 2020; 11:genes11111324. [PMID: 33182427 PMCID: PMC7697741 DOI: 10.3390/genes11111324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Revised: 11/03/2020] [Accepted: 11/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Candida, Aspergillus, and Cryptococcus species are the most frequent cause of severe human fungal infections. Clinically relevant antifungal drugs are scarce, and their effectiveness are hampered by the ability of fungal cells to develop drug resistance mechanisms. Drug effectiveness and drug resistance in human pathogens is very often affected by their “transportome”. Many studies have covered a panoply of drug resistance mechanisms that depend on drug efflux pumps belonging to the ATP-Binding Cassette and Major Facilitator Superfamily. However, the study of drug uptake mechanisms has been, to some extent, overlooked in pathogenic fungi. This review focuses on discussing current knowledge on drug uptake systems in fungal pathogens, highlighting the need for further studies on this topic of great importance. The following subjects are covered: (i) drugs imported by known transporter(s) in pathogenic fungi; and (ii) drugs imported by known transporter(s) in the model yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae or in human parasites, aimed at the identification of their homologs in pathogenic fungi. Besides its contribution to increase the understanding of drug-pathogen interactions, the practical implications of identifying drug importers in human pathogens are discussed, particularly focusing on drug development strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mónica Galocha
- Department of Bioengineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal; (M.G.); (I.V.C.)
- Biological Sciences Research Group, iBB-Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Inês Vieira Costa
- Department of Bioengineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal; (M.G.); (I.V.C.)
- Biological Sciences Research Group, iBB-Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Miguel Cacho Teixeira
- Department of Bioengineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal; (M.G.); (I.V.C.)
- Biological Sciences Research Group, iBB-Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +351-21-841-7772; Fax: +351-21-841-9199
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Meyer KJ, Meyers DJ, Shapiro TA. Optimal kinetic exposures for classic and candidate antitrypanosomals. J Antimicrob Chemother 2020; 74:2303-2310. [PMID: 31093674 DOI: 10.1093/jac/dkz160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2018] [Revised: 02/18/2019] [Accepted: 03/20/2019] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Efficacy is determined not only by size, but also by shape, of drug exposure. Here the critical importance of the temporal pattern of drug concentrations (pharmacokinetic profile) is examined for antitrypanosomals in vitro. METHODS An in vitro hollow-fibre cartridge system was used to study contrasting drug profiles with four clinically used agents and two experimental candidates against the deadly parasite Trypanosoma brucei. Artificial kinetics were employed intentionally to favour either high peak concentration or sustained duration of drug. RESULTS Changing the shape of drug exposure significantly impacted drug efficacy. Suramin, melarsoprol and pentamidine were concentration-driven and therefore more efficacious when applied as short-lived high peaks. In contrast, difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) was time-driven, and therefore maximally effective as a constant infusion. Kinetic preference was robust over a wide range of drug exposures. Promising clinical candidates SCYX-7158 (acoziborole) and fexinidazole (parent and sulfone) were concentration-driven, suggesting optimal clinical regimens would involve relatively high but intermittent dosing. CONCLUSIONS Antitrypanosomals have an intrinsic pharmacokinetic driver for optimal efficacy, with important implications for clinical management and future candidate development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirsten J Meyer
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - David J Meyers
- Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Theresa A Shapiro
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Alghamdi AH, Munday JC, Campagnaro GD, Gurvic D, Svensson F, Okpara CE, Kumar A, Quintana J, Martin Abril ME, Milić P, Watson L, Paape D, Settimo L, Dimitriou A, Wielinska J, Smart G, Anderson LF, Woodley CM, Kelly SPY, Ibrahim HM, Hulpia F, Al-Salabi MI, Eze AA, Sprenger T, Teka IA, Gudin S, Weyand S, Field M, Dardonville C, Tidwell RR, Carrington M, O'Neill P, Boykin DW, Zachariae U, De Koning HP. Positively selected modifications in the pore of TbAQP2 allow pentamidine to enter Trypanosoma brucei. eLife 2020; 9:56416. [PMID: 32762841 PMCID: PMC7473772 DOI: 10.7554/elife.56416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2020] [Accepted: 08/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the Trypanosoma brucei aquaporin AQP2 are associated with resistance to pentamidine and melarsoprol. We show that TbAQP2 but not TbAQP3 was positively selected for increased pore size from a common ancestor aquaporin. We demonstrate that TbAQP2’s unique architecture permits pentamidine permeation through its central pore and show how specific mutations in highly conserved motifs affect drug permeation. Introduction of key TbAQP2 amino acids into TbAQP3 renders the latter permeable to pentamidine. Molecular dynamics demonstrates that permeation by dicationic pentamidine is energetically favourable in TbAQP2, driven by the membrane potential, although aquaporins are normally strictly impermeable for ionic species. We also identify the structural determinants that make pentamidine a permeant although most other diamidine drugs are excluded. Our results have wide-ranging implications for optimising antitrypanosomal drugs and averting cross-resistance. Moreover, these new insights in aquaporin permeation may allow the pharmacological exploitation of other members of this ubiquitous gene family. African sleeping sickness is a potentially deadly illness caused by the parasite Trypanosoma brucei. The disease is treatable, but many of the current treatments are old and are becoming increasingly ineffective. For instance, resistance is growing against pentamidine, a drug used in the early stages in the disease, as well as against melarsoprol, which is deployed when the infection has progressed to the brain. Usually, cases resistant to pentamidine are also resistant to melarsoprol, but it is still unclear why, as the drugs are chemically unrelated. Studies have shown that changes in a water channel called aquaglyceroporin 2 (TbAQP2) contribute to drug resistance in African sleeping sickness; this suggests that it plays a role in allowing drugs to kill the parasite. This molecular ‘drain pipe’ extends through the surface of T. brucei, and should allow only water and a molecule called glycerol in and out of the cell. In particular, the channel should be too narrow to allow pentamidine or melarsoprol to pass through. One possibility is that, in T. brucei, the TbAQP2 channel is abnormally wide compared to other members of its family. Alternatively, pentamidine and melarsoprol may only bind to TbAQP2, and then ‘hitch a ride’ when the protein is taken into the parasite as part of the natural cycle of surface protein replacement. Alghamdi et al. aimed to tease out these hypotheses. Computer models of the structure of the protein were paired with engineered changes in the key areas of the channel to show that, in T. brucei, TbAQP2 provides a much broader gateway into the cell than observed for similar proteins. In addition, genetic analysis showed that this version of TbAQP2 has been actively selected for during the evolution process of T. brucei. This suggests that the parasite somehow benefits from this wider aquaglyceroporin variant. This is a new resistance mechanism, and it is possible that aquaglyceroporins are also larger than expected in other infectious microbes. The work by Alghamdi et al. therefore provides insight into how other germs may become resistant to drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali H Alghamdi
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Jane C Munday
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | | | - Dominik Gurvic
- Computational Biology Centre for Translational and Interdisciplinary Research, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Fredrik Svensson
- IOTA Pharmaceuticals Ltd, St Johns Innovation Centre, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Chinyere E Okpara
- Department of Chemistry, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Arvind Kumar
- Chemistry Department, Georgia State University, Atlanta, United States
| | - Juan Quintana
- School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | | | - Patrik Milić
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Laura Watson
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel Paape
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Luca Settimo
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Anna Dimitriou
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Joanna Wielinska
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Graeme Smart
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Laura F Anderson
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | | | - Siu Pui Ying Kelly
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Hasan Ms Ibrahim
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Fabian Hulpia
- Laboratory for Medicinal Chemistry, University of Ghent, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Mohammed I Al-Salabi
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Anthonius A Eze
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Teresa Sprenger
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Ibrahim A Teka
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Simon Gudin
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Simone Weyand
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Mark Field
- School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom.,Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | | | - Richard R Tidwell
- Department of Pathology and Lab Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, United States
| | - Mark Carrington
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Paul O'Neill
- Department of Chemistry, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - David W Boykin
- Chemistry Department, Georgia State University, Atlanta, United States
| | - Ulrich Zachariae
- Computational Biology Centre for Translational and Interdisciplinary Research, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Harry P De Koning
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
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Van den Kerkhof M, Sterckx YGJ, Leprohon P, Maes L, Caljon G. Experimental Strategies to Explore Drug Action and Resistance in Kinetoplastid Parasites. Microorganisms 2020; 8:E950. [PMID: 32599761 PMCID: PMC7356981 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8060950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Kinetoplastids are the causative agents of leishmaniasis, human African trypanosomiasis, and American trypanosomiasis. They are responsible for high mortality and morbidity in (sub)tropical regions. Adequate treatment options are limited and have several drawbacks, such as toxicity, need for parenteral administration, and occurrence of treatment failure and drug resistance. Therefore, there is an urgency for the development of new drugs. Phenotypic screening already allowed the identification of promising new chemical entities with anti-kinetoplastid activity potential, but knowledge on their mode-of-action (MoA) is lacking due to the generally applied whole-cell based approach. However, identification of the drug target is essential to steer further drug discovery and development. Multiple complementary techniques have indeed been used for MoA elucidation. In this review, the different 'omics' approaches employed to define the MoA or mode-of-resistance of current reference drugs and some new anti-kinetoplastid compounds are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magali Van den Kerkhof
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH), University of Antwerp, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium; (M.V.d.K.); (L.M.)
| | - Yann G.-J. Sterckx
- Laboratory of Medical Biochemistry (LMB), University of Antwerp, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium;
| | - Philippe Leprohon
- Centre de Recherche en Infectiologie du Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada;
| | - Louis Maes
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH), University of Antwerp, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium; (M.V.d.K.); (L.M.)
| | - Guy Caljon
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH), University of Antwerp, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium; (M.V.d.K.); (L.M.)
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Altamura F, Rajesh R, Catta-Preta CMC, Moretti NS, Cestari I. The current drug discovery landscape for trypanosomiasis and leishmaniasis: Challenges and strategies to identify drug targets. Drug Dev Res 2020; 83:225-252. [PMID: 32249457 DOI: 10.1002/ddr.21664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2019] [Revised: 02/05/2020] [Accepted: 03/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Human trypanosomiasis and leishmaniasis are vector-borne neglected tropical diseases caused by infection with the protozoan parasites Trypanosoma spp. and Leishmania spp., respectively. Once restricted to endemic areas, these diseases are now distributed worldwide due to human migration, climate change, and anthropogenic disturbance, causing significant health and economic burden globally. The current chemotherapy used to treat these diseases has limited efficacy, and drug resistance is spreading. Hence, new drugs are urgently needed. Phenotypic compound screenings have prevailed as the leading method to discover new drug candidates against these diseases. However, the publication of the complete genome sequences of multiple strains, advances in the application of CRISPR/Cas9 technology, and in vivo bioluminescence-based imaging have set the stage for advancing target-based drug discovery. This review analyses the limitations of the narrow pool of available drugs presently used for treating these diseases. It describes the current drug-based clinical trials highlighting the most promising leads. Furthermore, the review presents a focused discussion on the most important biological and pharmacological challenges that target-based drug discovery programs must overcome to advance drug candidates. Finally, it examines the advantages and limitations of modern research tools designed to identify and validate essential genes as drug targets, including genomic editing applications and in vivo imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando Altamura
- Institute of Parasitology, McGill University, Ste Anne de Bellevue, Quebec, Canada
| | - Rishi Rajesh
- Institute of Parasitology, McGill University, Ste Anne de Bellevue, Quebec, Canada
| | | | - Nilmar S Moretti
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Igor Cestari
- Institute of Parasitology, McGill University, Ste Anne de Bellevue, Quebec, Canada
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Dickie EA, Giordani F, Gould MK, Mäser P, Burri C, Mottram JC, Rao SPS, Barrett MP. New Drugs for Human African Trypanosomiasis: A Twenty First Century Success Story. Trop Med Infect Dis 2020; 5:tropicalmed5010029. [PMID: 32092897 PMCID: PMC7157223 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed5010029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2020] [Revised: 02/12/2020] [Accepted: 02/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The twentieth century ended with human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) epidemics raging across many parts of Africa. Resistance to existing drugs was emerging, and many programs aiming to contain the disease had ground to a halt, given previous success against HAT and the competing priorities associated with other medical crises ravaging the continent. A series of dedicated interventions and the introduction of innovative routes to develop drugs, involving Product Development Partnerships, has led to a dramatic turnaround in the fight against HAT caused by Trypanosoma brucei gambiense. The World Health Organization have been able to optimize the use of existing tools to monitor and intervene in the disease. A promising new oral medication for stage 1 HAT, pafuramidine maleate, ultimately failed due to unforeseen toxicity issues. However, the clinical trials for this compound demonstrated the possibility of conducting such trials in the resource-poor settings of rural Africa. The Drugs for Neglected Disease initiative (DNDi), founded in 2003, has developed the first all oral therapy for both stage 1 and stage 2 HAT in fexinidazole. DNDi has also brought forward another oral therapy, acoziborole, potentially capable of curing both stage 1 and stage 2 disease in a single dosing. In this review article, we describe the remarkable successes in combating HAT through the twenty first century, bringing the prospect of the elimination of this disease into sight.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily A. Dickie
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK; (E.A.D.); (F.G.); (M.K.G.)
| | - Federica Giordani
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK; (E.A.D.); (F.G.); (M.K.G.)
| | - Matthew K. Gould
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK; (E.A.D.); (F.G.); (M.K.G.)
| | - Pascal Mäser
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Socinstrasse 57, 4002 Basel, Switzerland; (P.M.); (C.B.)
| | - Christian Burri
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Socinstrasse 57, 4002 Basel, Switzerland; (P.M.); (C.B.)
- University of Basel, Petersplatz 1, 4000 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jeremy C. Mottram
- York Biomedical Research Institute, Department of Biology, University of York, Wentworth Way, Heslington, York YO10 5DD, UK;
| | - Srinivasa P. S. Rao
- Novartis Institute for Tropical Diseases, 5300 Chiron Way, Emeryville, CA 94608, USA;
| | - Michael P. Barrett
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK; (E.A.D.); (F.G.); (M.K.G.)
- Correspondence:
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New WHO guidelines for treatment of gambiense human African trypanosomiasis including fexinidazole: substantial changes for clinical practice. THE LANCET. INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2020; 20:e38-e46. [DOI: 10.1016/s1473-3099(19)30612-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2019] [Revised: 09/30/2019] [Accepted: 10/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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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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P De Koning H. The Drugs of Sleeping Sickness: Their Mechanisms of Action and Resistance, and a Brief History. Trop Med Infect Dis 2020; 5:E14. [PMID: 31963784 PMCID: PMC7157662 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed5010014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2019] [Revised: 01/15/2020] [Accepted: 01/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
With the incidence of sleeping sickness in decline and genuine progress being made towards the WHO goal of eliminating sleeping sickness as a major public health concern, this is a good moment to evaluate the drugs that 'got the job done': their development, their limitations and the resistance that the parasites developed against them. This retrospective looks back on the remarkable story of chemotherapy against trypanosomiasis, a story that goes back to the very origins and conception of chemotherapy in the first years of the 20 century and is still not finished today.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harry P De Koning
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK
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37
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Improving Eflornithine Oral Bioavailability and Brain Uptake by Modulating Intercellular Junctions With an E-cadherin Peptide. J Pharm Sci 2019; 108:3870-3878. [DOI: 10.1016/j.xphs.2019.09.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2019] [Revised: 08/29/2019] [Accepted: 09/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
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38
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Capela R, Moreira R, Lopes F. An Overview of Drug Resistance in Protozoal Diseases. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:E5748. [PMID: 31731801 PMCID: PMC6888673 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20225748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2019] [Revised: 11/11/2019] [Accepted: 11/13/2019] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Protozoan diseases continue to be a worldwide social and economic health problem. Increased drug resistance, emerging cross resistance, and lack of new drugs with novel mechanisms of action significantly reduce the effectiveness of current antiprotozoal therapies. While drug resistance associated to anti-infective agents is a reality, society seems to remain unaware of its proportions and consequences. Parasites usually develops ingenious and innovative mechanisms to achieve drug resistance, which requires more research and investment to fight it. In this review, drug resistance developed by protozoan parasites Plasmodium, Leishmania, and Trypanosoma will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita Capela
- Instituto de Investigação do Medicamento (iMed.ULisboa), Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal; (R.M.); (F.L.)
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39
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Zhang L, Jiang Y, Pang X, Hua P, Gao X, Li Q, Li Z. Simultaneous Optimization of Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction for Flavonoids and Antioxidant Activity of Angelica keiskei Using Response Surface Methodology (RSM). Molecules 2019; 24:E3461. [PMID: 31554203 PMCID: PMC6804174 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24193461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2019] [Revised: 09/06/2019] [Accepted: 09/18/2019] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Angelica keiskei Koidzumi (A. keiskei), as a Japanese edible herbal plant, enjoys a variety of biological activities due to the presence of numerous active compounds, especially flavonoids. This study aims for the optimization of ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) for flavonoids in A. keiskei and their antioxidant activity by using the response surface methodology (RSM). Single-factor experiments and a four-factor three-level Box-Behnken design (BBD) were performed to explore the effects of the following parameters on flavonoid extraction and antioxidant activity evaluation: ultrasonic temperature (X1), ultrasonic time (X2), ethanol concentration (X3) and liquid-solid ratio (X4). The optimum conditions of the combination of total flavonoid content (TFC), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging capacity (DPPH-RSC) and ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) were as follows: X1 = 80 °C, X2 = 4 min, X3 = 78%, X4 = 35 mL/g, respectively. The experimental results provide a theoretical basis for the extensive utilization of A. keiskei and flavonoids extraction from A. keiskei as a potential source of antioxidants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Zhang
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China.
- Institute of Angelica keiskei Health Industry Technology, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China.
| | - Yuhuan Jiang
- Institute of Angelica keiskei Health Industry Technology, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China.
- Institute of Advanced Cross-Field Science, College of Life Sciences, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China.
| | - Xuening Pang
- Institute of Angelica keiskei Health Industry Technology, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China.
- Institute of Advanced Cross-Field Science, College of Life Sciences, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China.
| | - Puyue Hua
- Institute of Angelica keiskei Health Industry Technology, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China.
- Institute of Advanced Cross-Field Science, College of Life Sciences, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China.
| | - Xiang Gao
- Institute of Angelica keiskei Health Industry Technology, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China.
- Institute of Advanced Cross-Field Science, College of Life Sciences, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China.
| | - Qun Li
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China.
- Institute of Angelica keiskei Health Industry Technology, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China.
| | - Zichao Li
- Institute of Angelica keiskei Health Industry Technology, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China.
- Institute of Advanced Cross-Field Science, College of Life Sciences, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China.
- Qingdao Balanson Biotech Co., Ltd., Qingdao 266071, China.
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40
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Khandazhinskaya AL, Matyugina ES, Solyev PN, Wilkinson M, Buckheit KW, Buckheit RW, Chernousova LN, Smirnova TG, Andreevskaya SN, Alzahrani KJ, Natto MJ, Kochetkov SN, de Koning HP, Seley-Radtke KL. Investigation of 5'-Norcarbocyclic Nucleoside Analogues as Antiprotozoal and Antibacterial Agents. Molecules 2019; 24:E3433. [PMID: 31546633 PMCID: PMC6804079 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24193433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2019] [Revised: 09/16/2019] [Accepted: 09/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Carbocyclic nucleosides have long played a role in antiviral, antiparasitic, and antibacterial therapies. Recent results from our laboratories from two structurally related scaffolds have shown promising activity against both Mycobacterium tuberculosis and several parasitic strains. As a result, a small structure activity relationship study was designed to further probe their activity and potential. Their synthesis and the results of the subsequent biological activity are reported herein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasia L. Khandazhinskaya
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 32 Vavilov St., Moscow 119991, Russia; (E.S.M.); (P.N.S.); (S.N.K.)
| | - Elena S. Matyugina
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 32 Vavilov St., Moscow 119991, Russia; (E.S.M.); (P.N.S.); (S.N.K.)
| | - Pavel N. Solyev
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 32 Vavilov St., Moscow 119991, Russia; (E.S.M.); (P.N.S.); (S.N.K.)
| | - Maggie Wilkinson
- ImQuest BioSciences, 7340 Executive Way Suite R, Frederick, MD 21704, USA; (M.W.); (K.W.B.)
| | - Karen W. Buckheit
- ImQuest BioSciences, 7340 Executive Way Suite R, Frederick, MD 21704, USA; (M.W.); (K.W.B.)
| | - Robert W. Buckheit
- ImQuest BioSciences, 7340 Executive Way Suite R, Frederick, MD 21704, USA; (M.W.); (K.W.B.)
| | - Larisa N. Chernousova
- Central Tuberculosis Research Institute, 2 Yauzskaya Alley, Moscow 107564, Russia; (L.N.C.); (T.G.S.); (S.N.A.)
| | - Tatiana G. Smirnova
- Central Tuberculosis Research Institute, 2 Yauzskaya Alley, Moscow 107564, Russia; (L.N.C.); (T.G.S.); (S.N.A.)
| | - Sofya N. Andreevskaya
- Central Tuberculosis Research Institute, 2 Yauzskaya Alley, Moscow 107564, Russia; (L.N.C.); (T.G.S.); (S.N.A.)
| | - Khalid J. Alzahrani
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Sir Graeme Davies Building, 120 University Place, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK; (K.J.A.); (M.J.N.); (H.P.d.K.)
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Taif University, Taif 21974, Saudi Arabia
| | - Manal J. Natto
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Sir Graeme Davies Building, 120 University Place, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK; (K.J.A.); (M.J.N.); (H.P.d.K.)
| | - Sergey N. Kochetkov
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 32 Vavilov St., Moscow 119991, Russia; (E.S.M.); (P.N.S.); (S.N.K.)
| | - Harry P. de Koning
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Sir Graeme Davies Building, 120 University Place, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK; (K.J.A.); (M.J.N.); (H.P.d.K.)
| | - Katherine L. Seley-Radtke
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, 1000 Hilltop Circle, Baltimore, MD 21250, USA
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41
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Akazue PI, Ebiloma GU, Ajibola O, Isaac C, Onyekwelu K, Ezeh CO, Eze AA. Sustainable Elimination (Zero Cases) of Sleeping Sickness: How Far Are We from Achieving This Goal? Pathogens 2019; 8:E135. [PMID: 31470522 PMCID: PMC6789789 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens8030135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2019] [Revised: 08/26/2019] [Accepted: 08/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The recent massive reduction in the numbers of fresh Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT) infection has presented an opportunity for the global elimination of this disease. To prevent a possible resurgence, as was the case after the reduced transmission of the 1960s, surveillance needs to be sustained and the necessary tools for detection and treatment of cases need to be made available at the points of care. In this review, we examine the available resources and make recommendations for improvement to ensure the sustenance of the already achieved gains to keep the trend moving towards elimination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pearl Ihuoma Akazue
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Benin, Benin City 300283, Nigeria
| | - Godwin U Ebiloma
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK
| | - Olumide Ajibola
- Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia at London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Banjul PO Box 273, The Gambia
| | - Clement Isaac
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma 310101, Nigeria
| | - Kenechukwu Onyekwelu
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Enugu 410001, Nigeria
| | - Charles O Ezeh
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Enugu 410001, Nigeria
| | - Anthonius Anayochukwu Eze
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Enugu 410001, Nigeria.
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42
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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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43
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Dattani A, Wilkinson SR. Deciphering the interstrand crosslink DNA repair network expressed by Trypanosoma brucei. DNA Repair (Amst) 2019; 78:154-166. [DOI: 10.1016/j.dnarep.2019.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2019] [Revised: 03/29/2019] [Accepted: 04/24/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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44
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Chatanga E, Mosssad E, Abdo Abubaker H, Amin Alnour S, Katakura K, Nakao R, Salim B. Evidence of multiple point mutations in Theileria annulata cytochrome b gene incriminated in buparvaquone treatment failure. Acta Trop 2019; 191:128-132. [PMID: 30599177 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2018.12.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2018] [Revised: 12/28/2018] [Accepted: 12/28/2018] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Drug resistance is one of the emerging and re-emerging epidemics affecting both veterinary and public health sectors. Buparvaquone provides the most satisfactory means in the treatment of bovine tropical theileriosis. However, recently there has been widespread reports of development of resistance of Theileria annulata to buparvaquone. To investigate the situation in Sudan where bovine tropical theileriosis is endemic, fifty blood samples from T. annulata-positive cattle. were used for DNA extraction, PCR and cytochrome b gene nucleotide sequencing. Analysis of the two buparvaquone binding site regions Q01 (130-148) and Q02 (244-266), revealed three non- synonymous mutations at codon 146; alanine (GCT) to threonine (ACT) within the Q01 region across all 50 isolates and the other mutation at codon 129; serine (AGC) to glycine (GGC) in 18 isolates which is very close to the Q01 binding site. However, we documented another mutation at position 227; valine (GTG) to methionine (ATG) close to the close to the Q02 binding site, in three isolates with mutation at codon 129. We concluded that this study has provided evidence of point mutations in the cytochrome b gene of T. annulata that might be associated with buparvaquone treatment failure in Sudan.
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45
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Landfear SM. Protean permeases: Diverse roles for membrane transport proteins in kinetoplastid protozoa. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2018; 227:39-46. [PMID: 30590069 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2018.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2018] [Revised: 12/13/2018] [Accepted: 12/19/2018] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Kinetoplastid parasites such as Trypanosoma brucei, Trypanosoma cruzi, and Leishmania species rely upon their insect and vertebrate hosts to provide a plethora of nutrients throughout their life cycles. Nutrients and ions critical for parasite survival are taken up across the parasite plasma membrane by transporters and channels, polytopic membrane proteins that provide substrate-specific pores across the hydrophobic barrier. However, transporters and channels serve a wide range of biological functions beyond uptake of nutrients. This article highlights the diversity of activities that these integral membrane proteins serve and underscores the emerging complexity of their functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott M Landfear
- Department of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA.
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46
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Thomas JA, Baker N, Hutchinson S, Dominicus C, Trenaman A, Glover L, Alsford S, Horn D. Insights into antitrypanosomal drug mode-of-action from cytology-based profiling. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2018; 12:e0006980. [PMID: 30475806 PMCID: PMC6283605 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0006980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2018] [Revised: 12/06/2018] [Accepted: 11/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Chemotherapy continues to have a major impact on reducing the burden of disease caused by trypanosomatids. Unfortunately though, the mode-of-action (MoA) of antitrypanosomal drugs typically remains unclear or only partially characterised. This is the case for four of five current drugs used to treat Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT); eflornithine is a specific inhibitor of ornithine decarboxylase. Here, we used a panel of T. brucei cellular assays to probe the MoA of the current HAT drugs. The assays included DNA-staining followed by microscopy and quantitative image analysis, or flow cytometry; terminal dUTP nick end labelling to monitor mitochondrial (kinetoplast) DNA replication; antibody-based detection of sites of nuclear DNA damage; and fluorescent dye-staining of mitochondria or lysosomes. We found that melarsoprol inhibited mitosis; nifurtimox reduced mitochondrial protein abundance; pentamidine triggered progressive loss of kinetoplast DNA and disruption of mitochondrial membrane potential; and suramin inhibited cytokinesis. Thus, current antitrypanosomal drugs perturb distinct and specific cellular compartments, structures or cell cycle phases. Further exploiting the findings, we show that putative mitogen-activated protein-kinases contribute to the melarsoprol-induced mitotic defect, reminiscent of the mitotic arrest associated signalling cascade triggered by arsenicals in mammalian cells, used to treat leukaemia. Thus, cytology-based profiling can rapidly yield novel insight into antitrypanosomal drug MoA.
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Affiliation(s)
- James A. Thomas
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, United Kingdom
| | - Nicola Baker
- The Centre for Immunology and Infection, University of York, Heslington, York, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Anna Trenaman
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | | | - Sam Alsford
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, United Kingdom
| | - David Horn
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
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47
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Köckinger M, Hone CA, Gutmann B, Hanselmann P, Bersier M, Torvisco A, Kappe CO. Scalable Continuous Flow Process for the Synthesis of Eflornithine Using Fluoroform as Difluoromethyl Source. Org Process Res Dev 2018. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.oprd.8b00318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Köckinger
- Center for Continuous Flow Synthesis and Processing (CC FLOW), Research Center Pharmaceutical Engineering GmbH (RCPE), Inffeldgasse 13, 8010 Graz, Austria
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Graz, NAWI Graz, Heinrichstrasse 28, A-8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Christopher A. Hone
- Center for Continuous Flow Synthesis and Processing (CC FLOW), Research Center Pharmaceutical Engineering GmbH (RCPE), Inffeldgasse 13, 8010 Graz, Austria
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Graz, NAWI Graz, Heinrichstrasse 28, A-8010 Graz, Austria
| | | | - Paul Hanselmann
- Microreactor Technology, Lonza AG, CH-3930 Visp, Switzerland
| | - Michael Bersier
- Microreactor Technology, Lonza AG, CH-3930 Visp, Switzerland
| | - Ana Torvisco
- Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, Graz University of Technology, Stremayrgasse 9, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - C. Oliver Kappe
- Center for Continuous Flow Synthesis and Processing (CC FLOW), Research Center Pharmaceutical Engineering GmbH (RCPE), Inffeldgasse 13, 8010 Graz, Austria
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Graz, NAWI Graz, Heinrichstrasse 28, A-8010 Graz, Austria
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48
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Abstract
Polyamines are polycationic organic amines that are required for all eukaryotic life, exemplified by the polyamine spermidine, which plays an essential role in translation. They also play more specialized roles that differ across species, and their chemical versatility has been fully exploited during the evolution of protozoan pathogens. These eukaryotic pathogens, which cause some of the most globally widespread infectious diseases, have acquired species-specific polyamine-derived metabolites with essential cellular functions and have evolved unique mechanisms that regulate their core polyamine biosynthetic pathways. Many of these parasitic species have lost enzymes and or transporters from the polyamine metabolic pathway that are found in the human host. These pathway differences have prompted drug discovery efforts to target the parasite polyamine pathways, and indeed, the only clinically approved drug targeting the polyamine biosynthetic pathway is used to manage human African trypanosomiasis. This Minireview will primarily focus on polyamine metabolism and function in Trypanosoma, Leishmania, and Plasmodium species, which are the causative agents of human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) and Chagas disease, Leishmaniasis, and malaria, respectively. Aspects of polyamine metabolism across a diverse group of protozoan pathogens will also be explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaret A Phillips
- From the Departments of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, Texas 75390-9038
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49
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Cullia G, Tamborini L, Conti P, De Micheli C, Pinto A. Folates in Trypanosoma brucei
: Achievements and Opportunities. ChemMedChem 2018; 13:2150-2158. [DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.201800500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Gregorio Cullia
- Institute of Biomolecules Max Mousseron (IBMM); UMR5247; CNRS; University of Montpellier; ENSCM; Place Eugène Battaillon 34095 Montpellier cedex 5 France
| | - Lucia Tamborini
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences (DISFARM); University of Milan; via Luigi Mangiagalli 25 20133 Milano Italy
| | - Paola Conti
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences (DISFARM); University of Milan; via Luigi Mangiagalli 25 20133 Milano Italy
| | - Carlo De Micheli
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences (DISFARM); University of Milan; via Luigi Mangiagalli 25 20133 Milano Italy
| | - Andrea Pinto
- Department of Food Environmental and Nutritional Sciences; University of Milan; via Giovanni Celoria 2 20133 Milano Italy
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50
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Current Screening Methodologies in Drug Discovery for Selected Human Diseases. Mar Drugs 2018; 16:md16080279. [PMID: 30110923 PMCID: PMC6117650 DOI: 10.3390/md16080279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2018] [Accepted: 08/11/2018] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
The increase of many deadly diseases like infections by multidrug-resistant bacteria implies re-inventing the wheel on drug discovery. A better comprehension of the metabolisms and regulation of diseases, the increase in knowledge based on the study of disease-born microorganisms’ genomes, the development of more representative disease models and improvement of techniques, technologies, and computation applied to biology are advances that will foster drug discovery in upcoming years. In this paper, several aspects of current methodologies for drug discovery of antibacterial and antifungals, anti-tropical diseases, antibiofilm and antiquorum sensing, anticancer and neuroprotectors are considered. For drug discovery, two different complementary approaches can be applied: classical pharmacology, also known as phenotypic drug discovery, which is the historical basis of drug discovery, and reverse pharmacology, also designated target-based drug discovery. Screening methods based on phenotypic drug discovery have been used to discover new natural products mainly from terrestrial origin. Examples of the discovery of marine natural products are provided. A section on future trends provides a comprehensive overview on recent advances that will foster the pharmaceutical industry.
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