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Hemasa A, Spry C, Mack M, Saliba KJ. Mutation of the Plasmodium falciparum Flavokinase Confers Resistance to Roseoflavin and 8-Aminoriboflavin. ACS Infect Dis 2024. [PMID: 38920250 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.4c00289] [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: 06/27/2024]
Abstract
The riboflavin analogues, roseoflavin and 8-aminoriboflavin, inhibit malaria parasite proliferation by targeting riboflavin utilization. To determine their mechanism of action, we generated roseoflavin-resistant parasites by in vitro evolution. Relative to wild-type, these parasites were 4-fold resistant to roseoflavin and cross-resistant to 8-aminoriboflavin. Whole genome sequencing of the resistant parasites revealed a missense mutation leading to an amino acid change (L672H) in the gene coding for a putative flavokinase (PfFK), the enzyme responsible for converting riboflavin into the cofactor flavin mononucleotide (FMN). To confirm that the L672H mutation is responsible for the phenotype, we generated parasites with the missense mutation incorporated into the PfFK gene. The IC50 values for roseoflavin and 8-aminoriboflavin against the roseoflavin-resistant parasites created through in vitro evolution were indistinguishable from those against parasites in which the missense mutation was introduced into the native PfFK. We also generated two parasite lines episomally expressing GFP-tagged versions of either the wild-type or mutant forms of PfFK. We found that PfFK-GFP localizes to the parasite cytosol and that immunopurified PfFK-GFP phosphorylated riboflavin, roseoflavin, and 8-aminoriboflavin. The L672H mutation increased the KM for roseoflavin, explaining the resistance phenotype. Mutant PfFK is no longer capable of phosphorylating 8-aminoriboflavin, but its antiplasmodial activity against resistant parasites can still be antagonized by increasing the extracellular concentration of riboflavin, consistent with it also inhibiting parasite growth through competitive inhibition of PfFK. Our findings, therefore, are consistent with roseoflavin and 8-aminoriboflavin inhibiting parasite proliferation by inhibiting riboflavin phosphorylation and via the generation of toxic flavin cofactor analogues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayman Hemasa
- Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Christina Spry
- Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Matthias Mack
- Institute for Technical Microbiology, Department of Biotechnology, Mannheim University of Applied Sciences, Mannheim 68163, Germany
| | - Kevin J Saliba
- Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
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2
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Riske BF, Luckhart S, Riehle MA. Starving the Beast: Limiting Coenzyme A Biosynthesis to Prevent Disease and Transmission in Malaria. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:13915. [PMID: 37762222 PMCID: PMC10530615 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241813915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2023] [Revised: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Malaria parasites must acquire all necessary nutrients from the vertebrate and mosquito hosts to successfully complete their life cycle. Failure to acquire these nutrients can limit or even block parasite development and presents a novel target for malaria control. One such essential nutrient is pantothenate, also known as vitamin B5, which the parasite cannot synthesize de novo and is required for the synthesis of coenzyme A (CoA) in the parasite. This review examines pantothenate and the CoA biosynthesis pathway in the human-mosquito-malaria parasite triad and explores possible approaches to leverage the CoA biosynthesis pathway to limit malaria parasite development in both human and mosquito hosts. This includes a discussion of sources for pantothenate for the mosquito, human, and parasite, examining the diverse strategies used by the parasite to acquire substrates for CoA synthesis across life stages and host resource pools and a discussion of drugs and alternative approaches being studied to disrupt CoA biosynthesis in the parasite. The latter includes antimalarial pantothenate analogs, known as pantothenamides, that have been developed to target this pathway during the human erythrocytic stages. In addition to these parasite-targeted drugs, we review studies of mosquito-targeted allosteric enzymatic regulators known as pantazines as an approach to limit pantothenate availability in the mosquito and subsequently deprive the parasite of this essential nutrient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brendan F. Riske
- Department of Entomology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA;
| | - Shirley Luckhart
- Department of Entomology, Plant Pathology and Nematology, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID 83843, USA;
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID 83843, USA
| | - Michael A. Riehle
- Department of Entomology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA;
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3
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Chepngetich J, Muriithi B, Gachie B, Thiong'o K, Jepkorir M, Gathirwa J, Kimani F, Mwitari P, Kiboi D. Amodiaquine drug pressure selects nonsynonymous mutations in pantothenate kinase 1, diacylglycerol kinase, and phosphatidylinositol-4 kinase in Plasmodium berghei ANKA. OPEN RESEARCH AFRICA 2022; 5:28. [PMID: 38915420 PMCID: PMC11195610 DOI: 10.12688/openresafrica.13436.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/26/2024]
Abstract
Background: Lumefantrine (LM), piperaquine (PQ), and amodiaquine (AQ), the long-acting components of the artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs), are a cornerstone of malaria treatment in Africa. Studies have shown that PQ, AQ, and LM resistance may arise independently of predicted modes of action. Protein kinases have emerged as mediators of drug action and efficacy in malaria parasites; however, the link between top druggable Plasmodium kinases with LM, PQ, and AQ resistance remains unclear. Using LM, PQ, or AQ-resistant Plasmodium berghei parasites, we have evaluated the association of choline kinase (CK), pantothenate kinase 1 (PANK1), diacylglycerol kinase (DAGK), and phosphatidylinositol-4 kinase (PI4Kβ), and calcium-dependent protein kinase 1 (CDPK1) with LM, PQ, and AQ resistance in Plasmodium berghei ANKA. Methods: We used in silico bioinformatics tools to identify ligand-binding motifs, active sites, and sequence conservation across the different parasites. We then used PCR and sequencing analysis to probe for single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the predicted functional motifs in the CK, PANK1, DAGK, PI4Kβ, and CDPK1. Using qPCR analysis, we finally measured the mRNA amount of PANK1, DAGK, and PI4Kβ at trophozoites and schizonts stages. Results: We reveal sequence conservation and unique ligand-binding motifs in the CK, PANK1, DAGK, PI4Kβ, and CDPK1 across malaria species. DAGK, PANK1, and PI4Kβ possessed nonsynonymous mutations; surprisingly, the mutations only occurred in the AQr parasites. PANK1 acquired Asn394His while DAGK contained K270R and K292R mutations. PI4Kβ had Asp366Asn, Ser1367Arg, Tyr1394Asn and Asp1423Asn. We show downregulation of PANK1, DAGK, and PI4Kβ in the trophozoites but upregulation at the schizonts stages in the AQr parasites. Conclusions: The selective acquisition of the mutations and the differential gene expression in AQ-resistant parasites may signify proteins under AQ pressure. The role of the mutations in the resistant parasites and the impact on drug responses require further investigations in malaria parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean Chepngetich
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Pan African University Institute for Basic Sciences, Technology and Innovation, Nairobi, 62000, 00200, Kenya
- Centre for Traditional Medicine and Drug Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, 54840, 00200, Kenya
- Centre for Biotechnology Research and Development, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, 54840, 00200, Kenya
| | - Brenda Muriithi
- Centre for Traditional Medicine and Drug Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, 54840, 00200, Kenya
- Centre for Biotechnology Research and Development, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, 54840, 00200, Kenya
- Department of Biochemistry, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, 62000, 00200, Kenya
| | - Beatrice Gachie
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Pan African University Institute for Basic Sciences, Technology and Innovation, Nairobi, 62000, 00200, Kenya
- Centre for Traditional Medicine and Drug Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, 54840, 00200, Kenya
- Centre for Biotechnology Research and Development, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, 54840, 00200, Kenya
| | - Kevin Thiong'o
- Centre for Biotechnology Research and Development, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, 54840, 00200, Kenya
| | - Mercy Jepkorir
- Centre for Traditional Medicine and Drug Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, 54840, 00200, Kenya
| | - Jeremiah Gathirwa
- Centre for Traditional Medicine and Drug Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, 54840, 00200, Kenya
| | - Francis Kimani
- Centre for Biotechnology Research and Development, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, 54840, 00200, Kenya
| | - Peter Mwitari
- Centre for Traditional Medicine and Drug Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, 54840, 00200, Kenya
| | - Daniel Kiboi
- Department of Biochemistry, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, 62000, 00200, Kenya
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de Vries LE, Jansen PAM, Barcelo C, Munro J, Verhoef JMJ, Pasaje CFA, Rubiano K, Striepen J, Abla N, Berning L, Bolscher JM, Demarta-Gatsi C, Henderson RWM, Huijs T, Koolen KMJ, Tumwebaze PK, Yeo T, Aguiar ACC, Angulo-Barturen I, Churchyard A, Baum J, Fernández BC, Fuchs A, Gamo FJ, Guido RVC, Jiménez-Diaz MB, Pereira DB, Rochford R, Roesch C, Sanz LM, Trevitt G, Witkowski B, Wittlin S, Cooper RA, Rosenthal PJ, Sauerwein RW, Schalkwijk J, Hermkens PHH, Bonnert RV, Campo B, Fidock DA, Llinás M, Niles JC, Kooij TWA, Dechering KJ. Preclinical characterization and target validation of the antimalarial pantothenamide MMV693183. Nat Commun 2022; 13:2158. [PMID: 35444200 PMCID: PMC9021288 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-29688-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Drug resistance and a dire lack of transmission-blocking antimalarials hamper malaria elimination. Here, we present the pantothenamide MMV693183 as a first-in-class acetyl-CoA synthetase (AcAS) inhibitor to enter preclinical development. Our studies demonstrate attractive drug-like properties and in vivo efficacy in a humanized mouse model of Plasmodium falciparum infection. The compound shows single digit nanomolar in vitro activity against P. falciparum and P. vivax clinical isolates, and potently blocks P. falciparum transmission to Anopheles mosquitoes. Genetic and biochemical studies identify AcAS as the target of the MMV693183-derived antimetabolite, CoA-MMV693183. Pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic modelling predict that a single 30 mg oral dose is sufficient to cure a malaria infection in humans. Toxicology studies in rats indicate a > 30-fold safety margin in relation to the predicted human efficacious exposure. In conclusion, MMV693183 represents a promising candidate for further (pre)clinical development with a novel mode of action for treatment of malaria and blocking transmission. Here, de Vries et al. perform a pre-clinical characterization of the antimalarial compound MMV693183: the compound targets acetyl-CoA synthetase, has efficacy in humanized mice against Plasmodium falciparum infection, blocks transmission to mosquito vectors, is safe in rats, and pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic modeling informs about a potential oral human dosing regimen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura E de Vries
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboudumc Center for Infectious Diseases, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Patrick A M Jansen
- Department of Dermatology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | | | - Justin Munro
- Department of Chemistry and Huck Center for Malaria Research, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Julie M J Verhoef
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboudumc Center for Infectious Diseases, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | | | - Kelly Rubiano
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Josefine Striepen
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Nada Abla
- Medicines for Malaria Venture, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Luuk Berning
- TropIQ Health Sciences, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | | | | | | | - Tonnie Huijs
- TropIQ Health Sciences, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | | | | | - Tomas Yeo
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Anna C C Aguiar
- Sao Carlos Institute of Physics, University of São Paulo, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil, São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Alisje Churchyard
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jake Baum
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Aline Fuchs
- Medicines for Malaria Venture, Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | - Rafael V C Guido
- Sao Carlos Institute of Physics, University of São Paulo, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil, São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Dhelio B Pereira
- Research Center for Tropical Medicine of Rondonia, Porto Velho, Brazil
| | - Rosemary Rochford
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Camille Roesch
- Malaria Molecular Epidemiology Unit, Institut Pasteur du Cambodge, Phnom Penh, Cambodia.,Malaria Translational Research Unit, Institut Pasteur, Paris & Institut Pasteur du Cambodge, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
| | - Laura M Sanz
- Global Health, GlaxoSmithKline, Tres Cantos, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Benoit Witkowski
- Malaria Molecular Epidemiology Unit, Institut Pasteur du Cambodge, Phnom Penh, Cambodia.,Malaria Translational Research Unit, Institut Pasteur, Paris & Institut Pasteur du Cambodge, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
| | - Sergio Wittlin
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Roland A Cooper
- Department of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Dominican University of California, San Rafael, CA, USA
| | - Philip J Rosenthal
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Robert W Sauerwein
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboudumc Center for Infectious Diseases, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,TropIQ Health Sciences, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Joost Schalkwijk
- Department of Dermatology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | | | | | - Brice Campo
- Medicines for Malaria Venture, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - David A Fidock
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.,Center for Malaria Therapeutics and Antimicrobial Resistance, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Manuel Llinás
- Department of Chemistry and Huck Center for Malaria Research, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA.,Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Jacquin C Niles
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Taco W A Kooij
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboudumc Center for Infectious Diseases, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
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5
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Siddiqui G, De Paoli A, MacRaild CA, Sexton AE, Boulet C, Shah AD, Batty MB, Schittenhelm RB, Carvalho TG, Creek DJ. A new mass spectral library for high-coverage and reproducible analysis of the Plasmodium falciparum-infected red blood cell proteome. Gigascience 2022; 11:6543637. [PMID: 35254426 PMCID: PMC8900498 DOI: 10.1093/gigascience/giac008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Revised: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Plasmodium falciparum causes the majority of malaria mortality worldwide, and the disease occurs during the asexual red blood cell (RBC) stage of infection. In the absence of an effective and available vaccine, and with increasing drug resistance, asexual RBC stage parasites are an important research focus. In recent years, mass spectrometry–based proteomics using data-dependent acquisition has been extensively used to understand the biochemical processes within the parasite. However, data-dependent acquisition is problematic for the detection of low-abundance proteins and proteome coverage and has poor run-to-run reproducibility. Results Here, we present a comprehensive P. falciparum–infected RBC (iRBC) spectral library to measure the abundance of 44,449 peptides from 3,113 P. falciparum and 1,617 RBC proteins using a data-independent acquisition mass spectrometric approach. The spectral library includes proteins expressed in the 3 morphologically distinct RBC stages (ring, trophozoite, schizont), the RBC compartment of trophozoite-iRBCs, and the cytosolic fraction from uninfected RBCs. This spectral library contains 87% of all P. falciparum proteins that have previously been reported with protein-level evidence in blood stages, as well as 692 previously unidentified proteins. The P. falciparum spectral library was successfully applied to generate semi-quantitative proteomics datasets that characterize the 3 distinct asexual parasite stages in RBCs, and compared artemisinin-resistant (Cam3.IIR539T) and artemisinin-sensitive (Cam3.IIrev) parasites. Conclusion A reproducible, high-coverage proteomics spectral library and analysis method has been generated for investigating sets of proteins expressed in the iRBC stage of P. falciparum malaria. This will provide a foundation for an improved understanding of parasite biology, pathogenesis, drug mechanisms, and vaccine candidate discovery for malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ghizal Siddiqui
- Drug Delivery Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Amanda De Paoli
- Drug Delivery Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Christopher A MacRaild
- Drug Delivery Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Anna E Sexton
- Drug Delivery Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Coralie Boulet
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Microbiology, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3086, Australia
| | - Anup D Shah
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia.,Monash Bioinformatics Platform, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Mitchell B Batty
- Drug Delivery Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Ralf B Schittenhelm
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Teresa G Carvalho
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Microbiology, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3086, Australia
| | - Darren J Creek
- Drug Delivery Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
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6
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de Vries LE, Lunghi M, Krishnan A, Kooij TWA, Soldati-Favre D. Pantothenate and CoA biosynthesis in Apicomplexa and their promise as antiparasitic drug targets. PLoS Pathog 2021; 17:e1010124. [PMID: 34969059 PMCID: PMC8717973 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1010124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The Apicomplexa phylum comprises thousands of distinct intracellular parasite species, including coccidians, haemosporidians, piroplasms, and cryptosporidia. These parasites are characterized by complex and divergent life cycles occupying a variety of host niches. Consequently, they exhibit distinct adaptations to the differences in nutritional availabilities, either relying on biosynthetic pathways or by salvaging metabolites from their host. Pantothenate (Pan, vitamin B5) is the precursor for the synthesis of an essential cofactor, coenzyme A (CoA), but among the apicomplexans, only the coccidian subgroup has the ability to synthesize Pan. While the pathway to synthesize CoA from Pan is largely conserved across all branches of life, there are differences in the redundancy of enzymes and possible alternative pathways to generate CoA from Pan. Impeding the scavenge of Pan and synthesis of Pan and CoA have been long recognized as potential targets for antimicrobial drug development, but in order to fully exploit these critical pathways, it is important to understand such differences. Recently, a potent class of pantothenamides (PanAms), Pan analogs, which target CoA-utilizing enzymes, has entered antimalarial preclinical development. The potential of PanAms to target multiple downstream pathways make them a promising compound class as broad antiparasitic drugs against other apicomplexans. In this review, we summarize the recent advances in understanding the Pan and CoA biosynthesis pathways, and the suitability of these pathways as drug targets in Apicomplexa, with a particular focus on the cyst-forming coccidian, Toxoplasma gondii, and the haemosporidian, Plasmodium falciparum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura E. de Vries
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboudumc Center for Infectious Diseases, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Matteo Lunghi
- Department of Microbiology & Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Aarti Krishnan
- Department of Microbiology & Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Taco W. A. Kooij
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboudumc Center for Infectious Diseases, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Dominique Soldati-Favre
- Department of Microbiology & Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
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7
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Tjhin ET, Howieson VM, Spry C, van Dooren GG, Saliba KJ. A novel heteromeric pantothenate kinase complex in apicomplexan parasites. PLoS Pathog 2021; 17:e1009797. [PMID: 34324601 PMCID: PMC8366970 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1009797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2020] [Revised: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Coenzyme A is synthesised from pantothenate via five enzyme-mediated steps. The first step is catalysed by pantothenate kinase (PanK). All PanKs characterised to date form homodimers. Many organisms express multiple PanKs. In some cases, these PanKs are not functionally redundant, and some appear to be non-functional. Here, we investigate the PanKs in two pathogenic apicomplexan parasites, Plasmodium falciparum and Toxoplasma gondii. Each of these organisms express two PanK homologues (PanK1 and PanK2). We demonstrate that PfPanK1 and PfPanK2 associate, forming a single, functional PanK complex that includes the multi-functional protein, Pf14-3-3I. Similarly, we demonstrate that TgPanK1 and TgPanK2 form a single complex that possesses PanK activity. Both TgPanK1 and TgPanK2 are essential for T. gondii proliferation, specifically due to their PanK activity. Our study constitutes the first examples of heteromeric PanK complexes in nature and provides an explanation for the presence of multiple PanKs within certain organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erick T. Tjhin
- Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | - Vanessa M. Howieson
- Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | - Christina Spry
- Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | - Giel G. van Dooren
- Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | - Kevin J. Saliba
- Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
- Medical School, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
- * E-mail:
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8
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Simão-Gurge RM, Thakre N, Strickland J, Isoe J, Delacruz LR, Torrevillas BK, Rodriguez AM, Riehle MA, Luckhart S. Activation of Anopheles stephensi Pantothenate Kinase and Coenzyme A Biosynthesis Reduces Infection with Diverse Plasmodium Species in the Mosquito Host. Biomolecules 2021; 11:807. [PMID: 34072373 PMCID: PMC8228300 DOI: 10.3390/biom11060807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Revised: 05/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria parasites require pantothenate from both human and mosquito hosts to synthesize coenzyme A (CoA). Specifically, mosquito-stage parasites cannot synthesize pantothenate de novo or take up preformed CoA from the mosquito host, making it essential for the parasite to obtain pantothenate from mosquito stores. This makes pantothenate utilization an attractive target for controlling sexual stage malaria parasites in the mosquito. CoA is synthesized from pantothenate in a multi-step pathway initiated by the enzyme pantothenate kinase (PanK). In this work, we manipulated A. stephensi PanK activity and assessed the impact of mosquito PanK activity on the development of two malaria parasite species with distinct genetics and life cycles: the human parasite Plasmodium falciparum and the mouse parasite Plasmodium yoelii yoelii 17XNL. We identified two putative A. stephensi PanK isoforms encoded by a single gene and expressed in the mosquito midgut. Using both RNAi and small molecules with reported activity against human PanK, we confirmed that A. stephensi PanK manipulation was associated with corresponding changes in midgut CoA levels. Based on these findings, we used two small molecule modulators of human PanK activity (PZ-2891, compound 7) at reported and ten-fold EC50 doses to examine the effects of manipulating A. stephensi PanK on malaria parasite infection success. Our data showed that oral provisioning of 1.3 nM and 13 nM PZ-2891 increased midgut CoA levels and significantly decreased infection success for both Plasmodium species. In contrast, oral provisioning of 62 nM and 620 nM compound 7 decreased CoA levels and significantly increased infection success for both Plasmodium species. This work establishes the A. stephensi CoA biosynthesis pathway as a potential target for broadly blocking malaria parasite development in anopheline hosts. We envision this strategy, with small molecule PanK modulators delivered to mosquitoes via attractive bait stations, working in concert with deployment of parasite-directed novel pantothenamide drugs to block parasite infection in the human host. In mosquitoes, depletion of pantothenate through manipulation to increase CoA biosynthesis is expected to negatively impact Plasmodium survival by starving the parasite of this essential nutrient. This has the potential to kill both wild type parasites and pantothenamide-resistant parasites that could develop under pantothenamide drug pressure if these compounds are used as future therapeutics for human malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel M. Simão-Gurge
- Department of Entomology, Plant Pathology and Nematology, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID 83843, USA; (R.M.S.-G.); (J.S.); (B.K.T.); (A.M.R.)
| | - Neha Thakre
- Department of Entomology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA; (N.T.); (J.I.); (L.R.D.); (M.A.R.)
| | - Jessica Strickland
- Department of Entomology, Plant Pathology and Nematology, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID 83843, USA; (R.M.S.-G.); (J.S.); (B.K.T.); (A.M.R.)
| | - Jun Isoe
- Department of Entomology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA; (N.T.); (J.I.); (L.R.D.); (M.A.R.)
| | - Lillian R. Delacruz
- Department of Entomology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA; (N.T.); (J.I.); (L.R.D.); (M.A.R.)
| | - Brandi K. Torrevillas
- Department of Entomology, Plant Pathology and Nematology, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID 83843, USA; (R.M.S.-G.); (J.S.); (B.K.T.); (A.M.R.)
| | - Anna M. Rodriguez
- Department of Entomology, Plant Pathology and Nematology, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID 83843, USA; (R.M.S.-G.); (J.S.); (B.K.T.); (A.M.R.)
| | - Michael A. Riehle
- Department of Entomology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA; (N.T.); (J.I.); (L.R.D.); (M.A.R.)
| | - Shirley Luckhart
- Department of Entomology, Plant Pathology and Nematology, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID 83843, USA; (R.M.S.-G.); (J.S.); (B.K.T.); (A.M.R.)
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID 83843, USA
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9
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Swift RP, Rajaram K, Liu HB, Prigge ST. Dephospho-CoA kinase, a nuclear-encoded apicoplast protein, remains active and essential after Plasmodium falciparum apicoplast disruption. EMBO J 2021; 40:e107247. [PMID: 34031901 PMCID: PMC8365264 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2020107247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Revised: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria parasites contain an essential organelle called the apicoplast that houses metabolic pathways for fatty acid, heme, isoprenoid, and iron–sulfur cluster synthesis. Surprisingly, malaria parasites can survive without the apicoplast as long as the isoprenoid precursor isopentenyl pyrophosphate (IPP) is supplemented in the growth medium, making it appear that isoprenoid synthesis is the only essential function of the organelle in blood‐stage parasites. In the work described here, we localized an enzyme responsible for coenzyme A synthesis, DPCK, to the apicoplast, but we were unable to delete DPCK, even in the presence of IPP. However, once the endogenous DPCK was complemented with the E. coli DPCK (EcDPCK), we were successful in deleting it. We were then able to show that DPCK activity is required for parasite survival through knockdown of the complemented EcDPCK. Additionally, we showed that DPCK enzyme activity remains functional and essential within the vesicles present after apicoplast disruption. These results demonstrate that while the apicoplast of blood‐stage P. falciparum parasites can be disrupted, the resulting vesicles remain biochemically active and are capable of fulfilling essential functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Russell P Swift
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Krithika Rajaram
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Hans B Liu
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Sean T Prigge
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
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10
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Guan J, Spry C, Tjhin ET, Yang P, Kittikool T, Howieson VM, Ling H, Starrs L, Duncan D, Burgio G, Saliba KJ, Auclair K. Exploring Heteroaromatic Rings as a Replacement for the Labile Amide of Antiplasmodial Pantothenamides. J Med Chem 2021; 64:4478-4497. [PMID: 33792339 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c01755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Malaria-causing Plasmodium parasites are developing resistance to antimalarial drugs, providing the impetus for new antiplasmodials. Although pantothenamides show potent antiplasmodial activity, hydrolysis by pantetheinases/vanins present in blood rapidly inactivates them. We herein report the facile synthesis and biological activity of a small library of pantothenamide analogues in which the labile amide group is replaced with a heteroaromatic ring. Several of these analogues display nanomolar antiplasmodial activity against Plasmodium falciparum and/or Plasmodium knowlesi, and are stable in the presence of pantetheinase. Both a known triazole and a novel isoxazole derivative were further characterized and found to possess high selectivity indices, medium or high Caco-2 permeability, and medium or low microsomal clearance in vitro. Although they fail to suppress Plasmodium berghei proliferation in vivo, the pharmacokinetic and contact time data presented provide a benchmark for the compound profile likely required to achieve antiplasmodial activity in mice and should facilitate lead optimization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinming Guan
- Department of Chemistry, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 0B8, Canada
| | - Christina Spry
- Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Acton, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Erick T Tjhin
- Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Acton, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Penghui Yang
- Department of Chemistry, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 0B8, Canada.,College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xi'an Shiyou University, Xi'an 710065, China
| | - Tanakorn Kittikool
- Department of Chemistry, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 0B8, Canada
| | - Vanessa M Howieson
- Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Acton, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Harriet Ling
- Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Acton, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Lora Starrs
- John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Acton, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Dustin Duncan
- Department of Chemistry, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 0B8, Canada
| | - Gaetan Burgio
- John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Acton, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Kevin J Saliba
- Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Acton, ACT 2601, Australia.,Medical School, The Australian National University, Acton, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Karine Auclair
- Department of Chemistry, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 0B8, Canada
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11
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Nurkanto A, Jeelani G, Santos HJ, Rahmawati Y, Mori M, Nakamura Y, Goto K, Saikawa Y, Annoura T, Tozawa Y, Sakura T, Inaoka DK, Shiomi K, Nozaki T. Characterization of Plasmodium falciparum Pantothenate Kinase and Identification of Its Inhibitors From Natural Products. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:639065. [PMID: 33768012 PMCID: PMC7985445 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.639065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 01/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Coenzyme A (CoA) is a well-known cofactor that plays an essential role in many metabolic reactions in all organisms. In Plasmodium falciparum, the most deadly among Plasmodium species that cause malaria, CoA and its biosynthetic pathway have been proven to be indispensable. The first and rate-limiting reaction in the CoA biosynthetic pathway is catalyzed by two putative pantothenate kinases (PfPanK1 and 2) in this parasite. Here we produced, purified, and biochemically characterized recombinant PfPanK1 for the first time. PfPanK1 showed activity using pantetheine besides pantothenate, as the primary substrate, indicating that CoA biosynthesis in the blood stage of P. falciparum can bypass pantothenate. We further developed a robust and reliable screening system to identify inhibitors using recombinant PfPanK1 and identified four PfPanK inhibitors from natural compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arif Nurkanto
- Research Center for Biology, Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI), Cibinong, Indonesia.,Department of Biomedical Chemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ghulam Jeelani
- Department of Biomedical Chemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Herbert J Santos
- Department of Biomedical Chemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yulia Rahmawati
- Department of Biomedical Chemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mihoko Mori
- Kitasato Institute for Life Sciences, Kitasato University, Tokyo, Japan.,Biological Resource Center, National Institute of Technology and Evaluation (NITE), Chiba, Japan
| | - Yumi Nakamura
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, Keio University, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Kana Goto
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, Keio University, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Yoko Saikawa
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, Keio University, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Takeshi Annoura
- Department of Parasitology, National Institute of Infectious Diseases (NIID), Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuzuru Tozawa
- Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Saitama University, Saitama, Japan
| | - Takaya Sakura
- Department of Molecular Infection Dynamics, School of Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Institute of Tropical Medicine (NEKKEN), Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Daniel Ken Inaoka
- Department of Molecular Infection Dynamics, School of Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Institute of Tropical Medicine (NEKKEN), Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Kazuro Shiomi
- Kitasato Institute for Life Sciences, Kitasato University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tomoyoshi Nozaki
- Department of Biomedical Chemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
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12
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Czumaj A, Szrok-Jurga S, Hebanowska A, Turyn J, Swierczynski J, Sledzinski T, Stelmanska E. The Pathophysiological Role of CoA. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21239057. [PMID: 33260564 PMCID: PMC7731229 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21239057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Revised: 11/21/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The importance of coenzyme A (CoA) as a carrier of acyl residues in cell metabolism is well understood. Coenzyme A participates in more than 100 different catabolic and anabolic reactions, including those involved in the metabolism of lipids, carbohydrates, proteins, ethanol, bile acids, and xenobiotics. However, much less is known about the importance of the concentration of this cofactor in various cell compartments and the role of altered CoA concentration in various pathologies. Despite continuous research on these issues, the molecular mechanisms in the regulation of the intracellular level of CoA under pathological conditions are still not well understood. This review summarizes the current knowledge of (a) CoA subcellular concentrations; (b) the roles of CoA synthesis and degradation processes; and (c) protein modification by reversible CoA binding to proteins (CoAlation). Particular attention is paid to (a) the roles of changes in the level of CoA under pathological conditions, such as in neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, myopathies, and infectious diseases; and (b) the beneficial effect of CoA and pantethine (which like CoA is finally converted to Pan and cysteamine), used at pharmacological doses for the treatment of hyperlipidemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra Czumaj
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Gdansk, 80-211 Gdańsk, Poland;
| | - Sylwia Szrok-Jurga
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Gdansk, 80-211 Gdansk, Poland; (S.S.-J.); (A.H.); (J.T.)
| | - Areta Hebanowska
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Gdansk, 80-211 Gdansk, Poland; (S.S.-J.); (A.H.); (J.T.)
| | - Jacek Turyn
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Gdansk, 80-211 Gdansk, Poland; (S.S.-J.); (A.H.); (J.T.)
| | - Julian Swierczynski
- State School of Higher Vocational Education in Koszalin, 75-582 Koszalin, Poland;
| | - Tomasz Sledzinski
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Gdansk, 80-211 Gdańsk, Poland;
- Correspondence: (T.S.); (E.S.); Tel.: +48-(0)-583-491-479 (T.S.)
| | - Ewa Stelmanska
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Gdansk, 80-211 Gdansk, Poland; (S.S.-J.); (A.H.); (J.T.)
- Correspondence: (T.S.); (E.S.); Tel.: +48-(0)-583-491-479 (T.S.)
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13
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Schalkwijk J, Allman EL, Jansen PAM, de Vries LE, Verhoef JMJ, Jackowski S, Botman PNM, Beuckens-Schortinghuis CA, Koolen KMJ, Bolscher JM, Vos MW, Miller K, Reeves SA, Pett H, Trevitt G, Wittlin S, Scheurer C, Sax S, Fischli C, Angulo-Barturen I, Jiménez-Diaz MB, Josling G, Kooij TWA, Bonnert R, Campo B, Blaauw RH, Rutjes FPJT, Sauerwein RW, Llinás M, Hermkens PHH, Dechering KJ. Antimalarial pantothenamide metabolites target acetyl-coenzyme A biosynthesis in Plasmodium falciparum. Sci Transl Med 2020; 11:11/510/eaas9917. [PMID: 31534021 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aas9917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2018] [Revised: 09/07/2018] [Accepted: 03/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Malaria eradication is critically dependent on new therapeutics that target resistant Plasmodium parasites and block transmission of the disease. Here, we report that pantothenamide bioisosteres were active against blood-stage Plasmodium falciparum parasites and also blocked transmission of sexual stages to the mosquito vector. These compounds were resistant to degradation by serum pantetheinases, showed favorable pharmacokinetic properties, and cleared parasites in a humanized mouse model of P. falciparum infection. Metabolomics revealed that coenzyme A biosynthetic enzymes converted pantothenamides into coenzyme A analogs that interfered with parasite acetyl-coenzyme A anabolism. Resistant parasites generated in vitro showed mutations in acetyl-coenzyme A synthetase and acyl-coenzyme A synthetase 11. Introduction and reversion of these mutations in P. falciparum using CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing confirmed the roles of these enzymes in the sensitivity of the malaria parasites to pantothenamides. These pantothenamide compounds with a new mode of action may have potential as drugs against malaria parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joost Schalkwijk
- Department of Dermatology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands.
| | - Erik L Allman
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Huck Center for Malaria Research, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802 USA
| | - Patrick A M Jansen
- Department of Dermatology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Laura E de Vries
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Julie M J Verhoef
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Karen Miller
- St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Stacy A Reeves
- St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Helmi Pett
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | | | - Sergio Wittlin
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Christian Scheurer
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Sibylle Sax
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Christoph Fischli
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Gabrielle Josling
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Huck Center for Malaria Research, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802 USA
| | - Taco W A Kooij
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | | | - Brice Campo
- Medicines for Malaria Venture, Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Robert W Sauerwein
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands.,TropIQ Health Sciences, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Manuel Llinás
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Huck Center for Malaria Research, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802 USA.,Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802 USA
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14
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Spry C, Barnard L, Kok M, Powell AK, Mahesh D, Tjhin ET, Saliba KJ, Strauss E, de Villiers M. Toward a Stable and Potent Coenzyme A-Targeting Antiplasmodial Agent: Structure-Activity Relationship Studies of N-Phenethyl-α-methyl-pantothenamide. ACS Infect Dis 2020; 6:1844-1854. [PMID: 32375471 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.0c00075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Pantothenamides (PanAms) are potent antiplasmodials with low human toxicity currently being investigated as antimalarials with a novel mode of action. These structural analogues of pantothenate, the vitamin precursor of the essential cofactor coenzyme A, are susceptible to degradation by pantetheinase enzymes present in serum. We previously discovered that α-methylation of the β-alanine moiety of PanAms increases their stability in serum and identified N-phenethyl-α-methyl-pantothenamide as a pantetheinase-resistant PanAm with potent, on-target, and selective antiplasmodial activity. In this study, we performed structure-activity relationship investigations to establish whether stability and potency can be improved further through alternative modification of the scissile amide bond and through substitution/modification of the phenyl ring. Additionally, for the first time, the importance of the stereochemistry of the α-methyl group was evaluated in terms of stability versus potency. Our results demonstrate that α-methylation remains the superior choice for amide modification, and that while monofluoro-substitution of the phenyl ring (that often improves ADME properties) was tolerated, N-phenethyl-α-methyl-pantothenamide remains the most potent analogue. We show that the 2S,2'R-diastereomer is far more potent than the 2R,2'R-diastereomer and that this cannot be attributed to preferential metabolic activation by pantothenate kinase, the first enzyme of the coenzyme A biosynthesis pathway. Unexpectedly, the more potent 2S,2'R-diastereomer is also more prone to pantetheinase-mediated degradation. Finally, the results of in vitro studies to assess permeability and metabolic stability of the 2S,2'R-diastereomer suggested species-dependent degradation via amide hydrolysis. Our study provides important information for the continued development of PanAm-based antimalarials.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Leanne Barnard
- Department of Biochemistry, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch 7600, South Africa
| | - Michélle Kok
- Department of Biochemistry, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch 7600, South Africa
| | - Andrew K. Powell
- Centre for Drug Candidate Optimisation, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | | | | | | | - Erick Strauss
- Department of Biochemistry, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch 7600, South Africa
| | - Marianne de Villiers
- Department of Biochemistry, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch 7600, South Africa
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15
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Favuzza P, de Lera Ruiz M, Thompson JK, Triglia T, Ngo A, Steel RWJ, Vavrek M, Christensen J, Healer J, Boyce C, Guo Z, Hu M, Khan T, Murgolo N, Zhao L, Penington JS, Reaksudsan K, Jarman K, Dietrich MH, Richardson L, Guo KY, Lopaticki S, Tham WH, Rottmann M, Papenfuss T, Robbins JA, Boddey JA, Sleebs BE, Sabroux HJ, McCauley JA, Olsen DB, Cowman AF. Dual Plasmepsin-Targeting Antimalarial Agents Disrupt Multiple Stages of the Malaria Parasite Life Cycle. Cell Host Microbe 2020; 27:642-658.e12. [PMID: 32109369 PMCID: PMC7146544 DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2020.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2019] [Revised: 12/22/2019] [Accepted: 02/11/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Artemisin combination therapy (ACT) is the main treatment option for malaria, which is caused by the intracellular parasite Plasmodium. However, increased resistance to ACT highlights the importance of finding new drugs. Recently, the aspartic proteases Plasmepsin IX and X (PMIX and PMX) were identified as promising drug targets. In this study, we describe dual inhibitors of PMIX and PMX, including WM382, that block multiple stages of the Plasmodium life cycle. We demonstrate that PMX is a master modulator of merozoite invasion and direct maturation of proteins required for invasion, parasite development, and egress. Oral administration of WM382 cured mice of P. berghei and prevented blood infection from the liver. In addition, WM382 was efficacious against P. falciparum asexual infection in humanized mice and prevented transmission to mosquitoes. Selection of resistant P. falciparum in vitro was not achievable. Together, these show that dual PMIX and PMX inhibitors are promising candidates for malaria treatment and prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Favuzza
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | | | - Jennifer K Thompson
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Tony Triglia
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Anna Ngo
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Ryan W J Steel
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Marissa Vavrek
- Merck & Co., Inc., 770 Sumneytown Pike, West Point, PA 19486, USA
| | - Janni Christensen
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Julie Healer
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | | | - Zhuyan Guo
- Merck & Co., Inc., 770 Sumneytown Pike, West Point, PA 19486, USA
| | - Mengwei Hu
- Merck & Co., Inc., 770 Sumneytown Pike, West Point, PA 19486, USA
| | - Tanweer Khan
- Merck & Co., Inc., 770 Sumneytown Pike, West Point, PA 19486, USA
| | - Nicholas Murgolo
- Merck & Co., Inc., 770 Sumneytown Pike, West Point, PA 19486, USA
| | - Lianyun Zhao
- Merck & Co., Inc., 770 Sumneytown Pike, West Point, PA 19486, USA
| | | | - Kitsanapong Reaksudsan
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Kate Jarman
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Melanie H Dietrich
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Lachlan Richardson
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Kai-Yuan Guo
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Sash Lopaticki
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Wai-Hong Tham
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | | | - Tony Papenfuss
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | | | - Justin A Boddey
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Brad E Sleebs
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Hélène Jousset Sabroux
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - John A McCauley
- Merck & Co., Inc., 770 Sumneytown Pike, West Point, PA 19486, USA
| | - David B Olsen
- Merck & Co., Inc., 770 Sumneytown Pike, West Point, PA 19486, USA.
| | - Alan F Cowman
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia.
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16
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Birrell GW, Challis MP, De Paoli A, Anderson D, Devine SM, Heffernan GD, Jacobus DP, Edstein MD, Siddiqui G, Creek DJ. Multi-omic Characterization of the Mode of Action of a Potent New Antimalarial Compound, JPC-3210, Against Plasmodium falciparum. Mol Cell Proteomics 2020; 19:308-325. [PMID: 31836637 PMCID: PMC7000111 DOI: 10.1074/mcp.ra119.001797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2019] [Revised: 11/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The increasing incidence of antimalarial drug resistance to the first-line artemisinin combination therapies underpins an urgent need for new antimalarial drugs, ideally with a novel mode of action. The recently developed 2-aminomethylphenol, JPC-3210, (MMV 892646) is an erythrocytic schizonticide with potent in vitro antimalarial activity against multidrug-resistant Plasmodium falciparum lines, low cytotoxicity, potent in vivo efficacy against murine malaria, and favorable preclinical pharmacokinetics including a lengthy plasma elimination half-life. To investigate the impact of JPC-3210 on biochemical pathways within P. falciparum-infected red blood cells, we have applied a "multi-omics" workflow based on high resolution orbitrap mass spectrometry combined with biochemical approaches. Metabolomics, peptidomics and hemoglobin fractionation analyses revealed a perturbation in hemoglobin metabolism following JPC-3210 exposure. The metabolomics data demonstrated a specific depletion of short hemoglobin-derived peptides, peptidomics analysis revealed a depletion of longer hemoglobin-derived peptides, and the hemoglobin fractionation assay demonstrated decreases in hemoglobin, heme and hemozoin levels. To further elucidate the mechanism responsible for inhibition of hemoglobin metabolism, we used in vitro β-hematin polymerization assays and showed JPC-3210 to be an intermediate inhibitor of β-hematin polymerization, about 10-fold less potent then the quinoline antimalarials, such as chloroquine and mefloquine. Further, quantitative proteomics analysis showed that JPC-3210 treatment results in a distinct proteomic signature compared with other known antimalarials. While JPC-3210 clustered closely with mefloquine in the metabolomics and proteomics analyses, a key differentiating signature for JPC-3210 was the significant enrichment of parasite proteins involved in regulation of translation. These studies revealed that the mode of action for JPC-3210 involves inhibition of the hemoglobin digestion pathway and elevation of regulators of protein translation. Importantly, JPC-3210 demonstrated rapid parasite killing kinetics compared with other quinolones, suggesting that JPC-3210 warrants further investigation as a potentially long acting partner drug for malaria treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geoffrey W Birrell
- Australian Defense Force Malaria and Infectious Disease Institute, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Matthew P Challis
- Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Australia
| | - Amanda De Paoli
- Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Australia
| | - Dovile Anderson
- Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Australia
| | - Shane M Devine
- Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Australia
| | | | | | - Michael D Edstein
- Australian Defense Force Malaria and Infectious Disease Institute, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Ghizal Siddiqui
- Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Australia.
| | - Darren J Creek
- Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Australia
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17
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Krishnan A, Kloehn J, Lunghi M, Soldati-Favre D. Vitamin and cofactor acquisition in apicomplexans: Synthesis versus salvage. J Biol Chem 2020; 295:701-714. [PMID: 31767680 PMCID: PMC6970920 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.aw119.008150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The Apicomplexa phylum comprises diverse parasitic organisms that have evolved from a free-living ancestor. These obligate intracellular parasites exhibit versatile metabolic capabilities reflecting their capacity to survive and grow in different hosts and varying niches. Determined by nutrient availability, they either use their biosynthesis machineries or largely depend on their host for metabolite acquisition. Because vitamins cannot be synthesized by the mammalian host, the enzymes required for their synthesis in apicomplexan parasites represent a large repertoire of potential therapeutic targets. Here, we review recent advances in metabolic reconstruction and functional studies coupled to metabolomics that unravel the interplay between biosynthesis and salvage of vitamins and cofactors in apicomplexans. A particular emphasis is placed on Toxoplasma gondii, during both its acute and latent stages of infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aarti Krishnan
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva CMU, 1 Rue Michel-Servet, 1211 Geneva 4 Switzerland
| | - Joachim Kloehn
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva CMU, 1 Rue Michel-Servet, 1211 Geneva 4 Switzerland
| | - Matteo Lunghi
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva CMU, 1 Rue Michel-Servet, 1211 Geneva 4 Switzerland
| | - Dominique Soldati-Favre
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva CMU, 1 Rue Michel-Servet, 1211 Geneva 4 Switzerland
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18
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Krishnan A, Kloehn J, Lunghi M, Soldati-Favre D. Vitamin and cofactor acquisition in apicomplexans: Synthesis versus salvage. J Biol Chem 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/s0021-9258(17)49928-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022] Open
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19
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Domingo R, van der Westhuyzen R, Hamann AR, Mostert KJ, Barnard L, Paquet T, Tjhin ET, Saliba KJ, van Otterlo WAL, Strauss E. Overcoming synthetic challenges in targeting coenzyme A biosynthesis with the antimicrobial natural product CJ-15,801. MEDCHEMCOMM 2019; 10:2118-2125. [PMID: 32206243 DOI: 10.1039/c9md00312f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2019] [Accepted: 10/16/2019] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The biosynthesis of the essential metabolic cofactor coenzyme A (CoA) has been receiving increasing attention as a new target that shows potential to counter the rising resistance to established antimicrobials. In particular, phosphopantothenoylcysteine synthetase (PPCS)-the second CoA biosynthesis enzyme that is found as part of the bifunctional CoaBC protein in bacteria, but is monofunctional in eukaryotes-has been validated as a target through extensive genetic knockdown studies in Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Moreover, it has been identified as the molecular target of the fungal natural product CJ-15,801 that shows selective activity against Staphylococcus aureus and the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. As such, CJ-15,801 and 4'-phospho-CJ-15,801 (its metabolically active form) are excellent tool compounds for use in the development of new antimicrobial PPCS inhibitors. Unfortunately, further study and analysis of CJ-15,801 is currently being hampered by several unique challenges posed by its synthesis. In this study we describe how these challenges were overcome by using a robust palladium-catalyzed coupling to form the key N-acyl vinylogous carbamate moiety with retention of stereochemistry, and by extensive investigation of protecting groups suited to the labile functional group combinations contained in this molecule. We also demonstrate that using TBAF for deprotection causes undesired off-target effects related to the presence of residual tertiary ammonium salts. Finally, we provide a new method for the chemoenzymatic preparation of 4'-phospho-CJ-15,801 on multi-milligram scale, after showing that chemical synthesis of the molecule is not practical. Taken together, the results of this study advances our pursuit to discover new antimicrobials that specifically target CoA biosynthesis and/or utilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riyad Domingo
- Department of Biochemistry , Stellenbosch University , Private Bag X1 , Matieland 7602 , South Africa .
| | - Renier van der Westhuyzen
- Department of Biochemistry , Stellenbosch University , Private Bag X1 , Matieland 7602 , South Africa .
| | - Anton R Hamann
- Department of Biochemistry , Stellenbosch University , Private Bag X1 , Matieland 7602 , South Africa .
| | - Konrad J Mostert
- Department of Biochemistry , Stellenbosch University , Private Bag X1 , Matieland 7602 , South Africa .
| | - Leanne Barnard
- Department of Biochemistry , Stellenbosch University , Private Bag X1 , Matieland 7602 , South Africa .
| | - Tanya Paquet
- Department of Biochemistry , Stellenbosch University , Private Bag X1 , Matieland 7602 , South Africa .
| | - Erick T Tjhin
- Research School of Biology , The Australian National University , Canberra , ACT , Australia
| | - Kevin J Saliba
- Research School of Biology , The Australian National University , Canberra , ACT , Australia.,Medical School , The Australian National University , Canberra , ACT , Australia
| | - Willem A L van Otterlo
- Department of Chemistry and Polymer Science , Stellenbosch University , Private Bag X1 , Matieland 7602 , South Africa
| | - Erick Strauss
- Department of Biochemistry , Stellenbosch University , Private Bag X1 , Matieland 7602 , South Africa .
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20
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Duncan D, Auclair K. The coenzyme A biosynthetic pathway: A new tool for prodrug bioactivation. Arch Biochem Biophys 2019; 672:108069. [PMID: 31404525 DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2019.108069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2019] [Revised: 08/05/2019] [Accepted: 08/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Prodrugs account for more than 5% of pharmaceuticals approved worldwide. Over the past decades several prodrug design strategies have been firmly established; however, only a few functional groups remain amenable to this approach. The aim of this overview is to highlight the use of coenzyme A (CoA) biosynthetic enzymes as a recently explored bioactivation scheme and provide information about its scope of utility. This emerging tool is likely to have a strong impact on future medicinal and biological studies as it offers promiscuity, orthogonal selectivity, and the capability of assembling exceptionally large molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dustin Duncan
- Department of Chemistry, McGill University, Sherbrooke Street West, Montreal, Quebec, H3A 0B8, Canada
| | - Karine Auclair
- Department of Chemistry, McGill University, Sherbrooke Street West, Montreal, Quebec, H3A 0B8, Canada.
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21
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Guan J, Tjhin ET, Howieson VM, Kittikool T, Spry C, Saliba KJ, Auclair K. Structure-Activity Relationships of Antiplasmodial Pantothenamide Analogues Reveal a New Way by Which Triazoles Mimic Amide Bonds. ChemMedChem 2018; 13:2677-2683. [PMID: 30370998 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.201800327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2018] [Revised: 10/25/2018] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Pantothenamides are potent growth inhibitors of the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. Their clinical use is, however, hindered due to the ubiquitous presence of pantetheinases in human serum, which rapidly degrade pantothenamides into pantothenate and the corresponding amine. We previously reported that replacement of the labile amide bond with a triazole ring not only imparts stability toward pantetheinases, but also improves activity against P. falciparum. A small library of new triazole derivatives was synthesized, and their use in establishing structure-activity relationships relevant to antiplasmodial activity of this family of compounds is discussed herein. Overall it was observed that 1,4-substitution on the triazole ring and use of an unbranched, one-carbon linker between the pantoyl group and the triazole are optimal for inhibition of intraerythrocytic P. falciparum growth. Our results imply that the triazole ring may mimic the amide bond with an orientation different from what was previously suggested for this amide bioisostere.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinming Guan
- Department of Chemistry, McGill University, 801 Sherbrooke Street West, Montreal, QC, H3A 0B8, Canada
| | - Erick T Tjhin
- Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, 134 Linnaeus Way, Acton, ACT, 2601, Australia
| | - Vanessa M Howieson
- Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, 134 Linnaeus Way, Acton, ACT, 2601, Australia
| | - Tanakorn Kittikool
- Department of Chemistry, McGill University, 801 Sherbrooke Street West, Montreal, QC, H3A 0B8, Canada
| | - Christina Spry
- Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, 134 Linnaeus Way, Acton, ACT, 2601, Australia
| | - Kevin J Saliba
- Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, 134 Linnaeus Way, Acton, ACT, 2601, Australia.,Medical School, The Australian National University, 134 Linnaeus Way, Acton, ACT, 2601, Australia
| | - Karine Auclair
- Department of Chemistry, McGill University, 801 Sherbrooke Street West, Montreal, QC, H3A 0B8, Canada
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