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Mosquillo F, Scalese G, Moreira R, Denis PA, Machado I, Paulino M, Gambino D, Pérez-Díaz L. Platinum and Palladium Organometallic Compounds: Disrupting the Ergosterol Pathway in Trypanosoma cruzi. Chembiochem 2023; 24:e202300406. [PMID: 37382991 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202300406] [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: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023]
Abstract
Current treatment for Chagas' disease is based on two drugs, Nifurtimox and Benznidazol, which have limitations that reduce the effectiveness and continuity of treatment. Thus, there is an urgent need to develop new, safe and effective drugs. In previous work, two new metal-based compounds with trypanocidal activity, Pd-dppf-mpo and Pt-dppf-mpo, were fully characterized. To unravel the mechanism of action of these two analogous metal-based drugs, high-throughput omics studies were performed. A multimodal mechanism of action was postulated with several candidates as molecular targets. In this work, we validated the ergosterol biosynthesis pathway as a target for these compounds through the determination of sterol levels by HPLC in treated parasites. To understand the molecular level at which these compounds participate, two enzymes that met eligibility criteria at different levels were selected for further studies: phosphomevalonate kinase (PMK) and lanosterol 14-α demethylase (CYP51). Molecular docking processes were carried out to search for potential sites of interaction for both enzymes. To validate these candidates, a gain-of-function strategy was used through the generation of overexpressing PMK and CYP51 parasites. Results here presented confirm that the mechanism of action of Pd-dppf-mpo and Pt-dppf-mpo compounds involves the inhibition of both enzymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florencia Mosquillo
- Sección Genómica Funcional, Instituto de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, 4225 Iguá St., Montevideo, 11400, Uruguay
| | - Gonzalo Scalese
- Sección Genómica Funcional, Instituto de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, 4225 Iguá St., Montevideo, 11400, Uruguay
- Área Química Inorgánica, Facultad de Química, Universidad de la República, 2124 Gral. Flores Av., Montevideo, 11800, Uruguay
| | - Rodrigo Moreira
- Área Química Inorgánica, Facultad de Química, Universidad de la República, 2124 Gral. Flores Av., Montevideo, 11800, Uruguay
| | - Pablo A Denis
- Nanotecnología Computacional, DETEMA, Facultad de Química, Universidad de la República, 2124 Gral. Flores Av., Montevideo, 11800, Uruguay
| | - Ignacio Machado
- Área Química Analítica, Facultad de Química, Universidad de la República, 2124 Gral. Flores Av., Montevideo, 11800, Uruguay
| | - Margot Paulino
- Centro de Bioinformática, Facultad de Química, Universidad de la República, 2124 Gral. Flores Av., Montevideo, 11800, Uruguay
| | - Dinorah Gambino
- Área Química Inorgánica, Facultad de Química, Universidad de la República, 2124 Gral. Flores Av., Montevideo, 11800, Uruguay
| | - Leticia Pérez-Díaz
- Sección Genómica Funcional, Instituto de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, 4225 Iguá St., Montevideo, 11400, Uruguay
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Laureano de Souza M, Lapierre TJWJD, Vitor de Lima Marques G, Ferraz WR, Penteado AB, Henrique Goulart Trossini G, Murta SMF, de Oliveira RB, de Oliveira Rezende C, Ferreira RS. Molecular targets for Chagas disease: validation, challenges and lead compounds for widely exploited targets. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2023; 27:911-925. [PMID: 37772733 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2023.2264512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/30/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Chagas disease (CD) imposes social and economic burdens, yet the available treatments have limited efficacy in the disease's chronic phase and cause serious adverse effects. To address this challenge, target-based approaches are a possible strategy to develop new, safe, and active treatments for both phases of the disease. AREAS COVERED This review delves into target-based approaches applied to CD drug discovery, emphasizing the studies from the last five years. We highlight the proteins cruzain (CZ), trypanothione reductase (TR), sterol 14 α-demethylase (CPY51), iron superoxide dismutase (Fe-SOD), proteasome, cytochrome b (Cytb), and cleavage and polyadenylation specificity factor 3 (CPSF3), chosen based on their biological and chemical validation as drug targets. For each, we discuss its biological relevance and validation as a target, currently related challenges, and the status of the most promising inhibitors. EXPERT OPINION Target-based approaches toward developing potential CD therapeutics have yielded promising leads in recent years. We expect a significant advance in this field in the next decade, fueled by the new options for Trypanosoma cruzi genetic manipulation that arose in the past decade, combined with recent advances in computational chemistry and chemical biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Laureano de Souza
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | | | - Gabriel Vitor de Lima Marques
- Departamento de Produtos Farmacêuticos, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Witor Ribeiro Ferraz
- Departamento de Farmacia, Faculdade de Ciencias Farmacêuticas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - André Berndt Penteado
- Departamento de Farmacia, Faculdade de Ciencias Farmacêuticas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | - Renata Barbosa de Oliveira
- Departamento de Produtos Farmacêuticos, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | | | - Rafaela Salgado Ferreira
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Brazil
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Gabaldón-Figueira JC, Martinez-Peinado N, Escabia E, Ros-Lucas A, Chatelain E, Scandale I, Gascon J, Pinazo MJ, Alonso-Padilla J. State-of-the-Art in the Drug Discovery Pathway for Chagas Disease: A Framework for Drug Development and Target Validation. Res Rep Trop Med 2023; 14:1-19. [PMID: 37337597 PMCID: PMC10277022 DOI: 10.2147/rrtm.s415273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease is the most important protozoan infection in the Americas, and constitutes a significant public health concern throughout the world. Development of new medications against its etiologic agent, Trypanosoma cruzi, has been traditionally slow and difficult, lagging in comparison with diseases caused by other kinetoplastid parasites. Among the factors that explain this are the incompletely understood mechanisms of pathogenesis of T. cruzi infection and its complex set of interactions with the host in the chronic stage of the disease. These demand the performance of a variety of in vitro and in vivo assays as part of any drug development effort. In this review, we discuss recent breakthroughs in the understanding of the parasite's life cycle and their implications in the search for new chemotherapeutics. For this, we present a framework to guide drug discovery efforts against Chagas disease, considering state-of-the-art preclinical models and recently developed tools for the identification and validation of molecular targets.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nieves Martinez-Peinado
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic—University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Elisa Escabia
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic—University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Albert Ros-Lucas
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic—University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (CIBERINFEC, ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
| | - Eric Chatelain
- Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative (DNDi), Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Ivan Scandale
- Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative (DNDi), Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Joaquim Gascon
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic—University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (CIBERINFEC, ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
| | - María-Jesús Pinazo
- CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (CIBERINFEC, ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
- Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative (DNDi), Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Julio Alonso-Padilla
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic—University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (CIBERINFEC, ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
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Porta EOJ, Ballari MS, Carlucci R, Wilkinson S, Ma G, Tekwani BL, Labadie GR. Systematic study of 1,2,3-triazolyl sterols for the development of new drugs against parasitic Neglected Tropical Diseases. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 254:115378. [PMID: 37084599 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2022] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 04/23/2023]
Abstract
A series of thirty 1,2,3-triazolylsterols, inspired by azasterols with proven antiparasitic activity, were prepared by a stereocontrolled synthesis. Ten of these compounds constitute chimeras/hybrids of 22,26-azasterol (AZA) and 1,2,3-triazolyl azasterols. The entire library was assayed against the kinetoplastid parasites Leishmania donovani, Trypanosoma cruzi, and Trypanosoma brucei, the causatives agents for visceral leishmaniasis, Chagas disease, and sleeping sickness, respectively. Most of the compounds were active at submicromolar/nanomolar concentrations with high selectivity index, when compared to their cytotoxicity against mammalian cells. Analysis of in silico physicochemical properties were conducted to rationalize the activities against the neglected tropical disease pathogens. The analogs with selective activity against L. donovani (E4, IC50 0.78 μM), T brucei (E1, IC50 0.12 μM) and T. cruzi (B1- IC50 0.33 μM), and the analogs with broad-spectrum antiparasitic activities against the three kinetoplastid parasites (B1 and B3), may be promising leads for further development as selective or broad-spectrum antiparasitic drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Exequiel O J Porta
- Instituto de Química Rosario (IQUIR-CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Suipacha 531, S2002LRK, Rosario, Argentina
| | - María Sol Ballari
- Instituto de Química Rosario (IQUIR-CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Suipacha 531, S2002LRK, Rosario, Argentina
| | - Renzo Carlucci
- Instituto de Química Rosario (IQUIR-CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Suipacha 531, S2002LRK, Rosario, Argentina
| | - Shane Wilkinson
- Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London, E1 4NS, UK
| | - Guoyi Ma
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Division of Scientific Platforms, Southern Research, Birmingham, AL, 35205, USA
| | - Babu L Tekwani
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Division of Scientific Platforms, Southern Research, Birmingham, AL, 35205, USA
| | - Guillermo R Labadie
- Instituto de Química Rosario (IQUIR-CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Suipacha 531, S2002LRK, Rosario, Argentina; Departamento de Química Orgánica, Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Suipacha 531, S2002LRK, Rosario, Argentina.
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Shanmugasundram A, Starns D, Böhme U, Amos B, Wilkinson PA, Harb OS, Warrenfeltz S, Kissinger JC, McDowell MA, Roos DS, Crouch K, Jones AR. TriTrypDB: An integrated functional genomics resource for kinetoplastida. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2023; 17:e0011058. [PMID: 36656904 PMCID: PMC9888696 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Parasitic diseases caused by kinetoplastid parasites are a burden to public health throughout tropical and subtropical regions of the world. TriTrypDB (https://tritrypdb.org) is a free online resource for data mining of genomic and functional data from these kinetoplastid parasites and is part of the VEuPathDB Bioinformatics Resource Center (https://veupathdb.org). As of release 59, TriTrypDB hosts 83 kinetoplastid genomes, nine of which, including Trypanosoma brucei brucei TREU927, Trypanosoma cruzi CL Brener and Leishmania major Friedlin, undergo manual curation by integrating information from scientific publications, high-throughput assays and user submitted comments. TriTrypDB also integrates transcriptomic, proteomic, epigenomic, population-level and isolate data, functional information from genome-wide RNAi knock-down and fluorescent tagging, and results from automated bioinformatics analysis pipelines. TriTrypDB offers a user-friendly web interface embedded with a genome browser, search strategy system and bioinformatics tools to support custom in silico experiments that leverage integrated data. A Galaxy workspace enables users to analyze their private data (e.g., RNA-sequencing, variant calling, etc.) and explore their results privately in the context of publicly available information in the database. The recent addition of an annotation platform based on Apollo enables users to provide both functional and structural changes that will appear as 'community annotations' immediately and, pending curatorial review, will be integrated into the official genome annotation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Achchuthan Shanmugasundram
- Department of Biochemistry and Systems Biology, Institute of Integrative, Systems and Molecular Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - David Starns
- Department of Biochemistry and Systems Biology, Institute of Integrative, Systems and Molecular Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Ulrike Böhme
- Department of Biochemistry and Systems Biology, Institute of Integrative, Systems and Molecular Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Beatrice Amos
- Department of Biochemistry and Systems Biology, Institute of Integrative, Systems and Molecular Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Paul A. Wilkinson
- Department of Biochemistry and Systems Biology, Institute of Integrative, Systems and Molecular Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Omar S. Harb
- Department of Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Susanne Warrenfeltz
- Center for Tropical & Emerging Global Diseases, Department of Genetics, Institute of Bioinformatics, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Jessica C. Kissinger
- Center for Tropical & Emerging Global Diseases, Department of Genetics, Institute of Bioinformatics, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Mary Ann McDowell
- Department of Biological Sciences, Eck Institute for Global Health, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, United States of America
| | - David S. Roos
- Department of Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Kathryn Crouch
- School of Infection and Immunity, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew R. Jones
- Department of Biochemistry and Systems Biology, Institute of Integrative, Systems and Molecular Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
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Kushwaha V, Capalash N. Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase (AARS) as an attractive drug target in neglected tropical trypanosomatid diseases-Leishmaniasis, Human African Trypanosomiasis and Chagas disease. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2022; 251:111510. [PMID: 35988745 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2022.111510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Revised: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
Abstract
TriTryp diseases (Leishmaniasis, Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT), and Chagas disease) are devastating parasitic neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) that affect billions of people in developing countries, cause high mortality in humans, and impose a large socio-economic burden. The current treatment options against tritryp diseases are suboptimal and challenging due to the emergence of resistance against available tritryp drugs. Hence, designing and developing effective anti-tritryp drugs with novel targets are required. Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (AARSs) involved in specific aminoacylation of transfer RNAs (tRNAs), interrupt protein synthesis through inhibitors, and retard the parasite growth. AaRSs have long been studied as therapeutic targets in bacteria, and three aaRS inhibitors, mupirocin (against IleRS), tavaborole AN2690 (against LeuRS), and halofuginone (against ProRS), are already in clinical practice. The structural differences between tritryp and human aaRSs and the presence of unique sequences (N-terminal domain/C-terminal domain/catalytic domain) make them potential target for developing selective inhibitors. Drugs based on a single aaRS target developed by high-throughput screening (HTS) are less effective due to the emergence of resistance. However, designing multi-targeted drugs may be a better strategy for resistance development. In this perspective, we discuss the characteristics of tritryp aaRSs, sequence conservation in their orthologs and their peculiarities, recent advancements towards the single-target and multi-target aaRS inhibitors developed through rational design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vikas Kushwaha
- Department of Biotechnology, Panjab University, Sector-25, South Campus, Chandigarh 160025, India.
| | - Neena Capalash
- Department of Biotechnology, Panjab University, Sector-25, South Campus, Chandigarh 160025, India.
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Dumoulin PC, Vollrath J, Won MM, Wang JX, Burleigh BA. Endogenous Sterol Synthesis Is Dispensable for Trypanosoma cruzi Epimastigote Growth but Not Stress Tolerance. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:937910. [PMID: 35783434 PMCID: PMC9248972 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.937910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
In addition to scavenging exogenous cholesterol, the parasitic kinetoplastid Trypanosoma cruzi can endogenously synthesize sterols. Similar to fungal species, T. cruzi synthesizes ergostane type sterols and is sensitive to a class of azole inhibitors of ergosterol biosynthesis that target the enzyme lanosterol 14α-demethylase (CYP51). In the related kinetoplastid parasite Leishmania donovani, CYP51 is essential, yet in Leishmania major, the cognate enzyme is dispensable for growth; but not heat resistance. The essentiality of CYP51 and the specific role of ergostane-type sterol products in T. cruzi has not been established. To better understand the importance of this pathway, we have disrupted the CYP51 gene in T. cruzi epimastigotes (ΔCYP51). Disruption of CYP51 leads to accumulation of 14-methylated sterols and a concurrent absence of the final sterol product ergosterol. While ΔCYP51 epimastigotes have slowed proliferation compared to wild type parasites, the enzyme is not required for growth; however, ΔCYP51 epimastigotes exhibit sensitivity to elevated temperature, an elevated mitochondrial membrane potential and fail to establish growth as intracellular amastigotes in vitro. Further genetic disruption of squalene epoxidase (ΔSQLE) results in the absence of all endogenous sterols and sterol auxotrophy, yet failed to rescue tolerance to stress in ΔCYP51 parasites, suggesting the loss of ergosterol and not accumulation of 14-methylated sterols modulates stress tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter C. Dumoulin
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States
- *Correspondence: Peter C. Dumoulin, ;
| | - Joshua Vollrath
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States
- Institute for Pharmacy and Molecular Biotechnology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Madalyn M. Won
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Jennifer X. Wang
- Harvard Center for Mass Spectrometry, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Barbara A. Burleigh
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States
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Martín‐Montes Á, Kolodová K, Marín C, Rosales‐Lombardo MJ, Sánchez‐Moreno M, de Andrés‐Gordo L, Cano C, Campayo L, Gómez‐Muñoz A, Sanz AM, Yunta MJR. In vitro Leishmanicidal and Trypanosomicidal Properties of Imidazole-Containing Azine and Benzoazine Derivatives. ChemMedChem 2021; 16:3600-3614. [PMID: 34665510 PMCID: PMC9298202 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202100413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Revised: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Leishmaniasis and Chagas diseases are two of the most important parasitic diseases in the world. Both belong to the category of Neglected Tropical Diseases, and they cannot be prevented by vaccination. Their treatments are founded in outdated drugs that possess many pernicious side-effects and they're not easy to administer. With the aim of discovering new compounds that could serve as anti-trypanosomal drugs, an antiparasitic study of a synthetic compound family has been conducted. A series of new 1,4-bis(alkylamino)- and 1-alkylamino-4-chloroazine and benzoazine derivatives 1-4 containing imidazole rings have been synthesized and identified. Their structures showed a possible interest based on previous work. Their in vitro anti-Leishmania infantum, anti-L. braziliensis, anti-L. donovani and anti-T. cruzi activity were tested, as well as the inhibition of Fe-SOD enzymes. It was found that some of them exhibited quite relevant values indicative of being worthy of future more detailed studies, as most of them showed activity to more than only one parasite species, especially compound 3 c was active for the three studied Leishmania species and also for T. cruzi, which is a very interesting trait as it covers a wide spectrum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Álvaro Martín‐Montes
- Departamento de ParasitologíaFacultad de CienciasUniversidad de Granada18071GranadaSpain
| | - Kristina Kolodová
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Innere Medizin IIIUniversitätsklinikum RegensburgFranz-Josef-Strauss-Allee 1193053RegensburgGermany
| | - Clotilde Marín
- Departamento de ParasitologíaFacultad de CienciasUniversidad de Granada18071GranadaSpain
| | | | - Manuel Sánchez‐Moreno
- Departamento de ParasitologíaFacultad de CienciasUniversidad de Granada18071GranadaSpain
| | | | - Carmen Cano
- Departamento de Química OrgánicaFacultad de QuímicaUniversidad Complutense28040MadridSpain
| | - Lucrecia Campayo
- Departamento de Química OrgánicaFacultad de QuímicaUniversidad Complutense28040MadridSpain
| | | | - Ana M. Sanz
- Departamento de Química OrgánicaFacultad de QuímicaUniversidad Complutense28040MadridSpain
| | - María J. R. Yunta
- Departamento de Química OrgánicaFacultad de QuímicaUniversidad Complutense28040MadridSpain
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Escrivani DO, Charlton RL, Caruso MB, Burle-Caldas GA, Borsodi MPG, Zingali RB, Arruda-Costa N, Palmeira-Mello MV, de Jesus JB, Souza AMT, Abrahim-Vieira B, Freitag-Pohl S, Pohl E, Denny PW, Rossi-Bergmann B, Steel PG. Chalcones identify cTXNPx as a potential antileishmanial drug target. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009951. [PMID: 34780470 PMCID: PMC8664226 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Revised: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
With current drug treatments failing due to toxicity, low efficacy and resistance; leishmaniasis is a major global health challenge that desperately needs new validated drug targets. Inspired by activity of the natural chalcone 2’,6’-dihydroxy-4’-methoxychalcone (DMC), the nitro-analogue, 3-nitro-2’,4’,6’- trimethoxychalcone (NAT22, 1c) was identified as potent broad spectrum antileishmanial drug lead. Structural modification provided an alkyne containing chemical probe that labelled a protein within the parasite that was confirmed as cytosolic tryparedoxin peroxidase (cTXNPx). Crucially, labelling is observed in both promastigote and intramacrophage amastigote life forms, with no evidence of host macrophage toxicity. Incubation of the chalcone in the parasite leads to ROS accumulation and parasite death. Deletion of cTXNPx, by CRISPR-Cas9, dramatically impacts upon the parasite phenotype and reduces the antileishmanial activity of the chalcone analogue. Molecular docking studies with a homology model of in-silico cTXNPx suggest that the chalcone is able to bind in the putative active site hindering access to the crucial cysteine residue. Collectively, this work identifies cTXNPx as an important target for antileishmanial chalcones. Leishmaniasis is an insect vector-borne parasitic disease. With >350 million people world wide considered at risk, 12 million people currently infected and an economic cost that can be estimated in terms of >3.3 million working life years lost, leishmaniasis is a major global health challenge. The disease is of particular importance in Brazil. Current treatment of leishmaniasis is difficult requiring a long, costly course of drug treatment using old drugs with poor safety indications requiring close medical supervision. Moreover, resistance to current antileishmanials is growing, emphasising a major need for new drug targets. In earlier work we had identified a naturally inspired chalcone which had promising antileishmanial activity but with no known mode of action. In this work we use an analogue of this molecule as an activity based probe to identify a protein target of the chalcone. This protein, cTXNPx, has a major role in protecting the parasite against attack by reactive oxygen species in the host cell. By inhibiting this protein the parasite can no longer survive in the host. Collectively this work validates cTXNPx as a drug target with the chalcone as a lead structure for future drug discovery programmes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Douglas O. Escrivani
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Department of Chemistry, Durham University, Science Laboratories, South Road, Durham, United Kingdom
| | - Rebecca L. Charlton
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Department of Chemistry, Durham University, Science Laboratories, South Road, Durham, United Kingdom
| | - Marjolly B. Caruso
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis (IBqM), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Gabriela A. Burle-Caldas
- Department of Biosciences, Durham University, Science Laboratories, South Road, Durham, United Kingdom
| | - Maria Paula G. Borsodi
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Russolina B. Zingali
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis (IBqM), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Natalia Arruda-Costa
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Jéssica B. de Jesus
- Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | | | - Stefanie Freitag-Pohl
- Department of Chemistry, Durham University, Science Laboratories, South Road, Durham, United Kingdom
| | - Ehmke Pohl
- Department of Chemistry, Durham University, Science Laboratories, South Road, Durham, United Kingdom
- Department of Biosciences, Durham University, Science Laboratories, South Road, Durham, United Kingdom
| | - Paul W. Denny
- Department of Biosciences, Durham University, Science Laboratories, South Road, Durham, United Kingdom
| | - Bartira Rossi-Bergmann
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- * E-mail: (BR-B); (PGS)
| | - Patrick G. Steel
- Department of Chemistry, Durham University, Science Laboratories, South Road, Durham, United Kingdom
- * E-mail: (BR-B); (PGS)
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10
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de Oliveira RG, Cruz LR, Mollo MC, Dias LC, Kratz JM. Chagas Disease Drug Discovery in Latin America-A Mini Review of Antiparasitic Agents Explored Between 2010 and 2021. Front Chem 2021; 9:771143. [PMID: 34778217 PMCID: PMC8581468 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2021.771143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease is a neglected tropical disease caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi that endangers almost 70 million people worldwide. The only two drugs that are currently approved for its treatment, benznidazole and nifurtimox, have controversial efficacy in adults and restricting safety issues, leaving thousands of patients without a suitable treatment. The neglect of Chagas disease is further illustrated by the lack of a robust and diverse drug discovery and development portfolio of new chemical entities, and it is of paramount importance to build a strong research and development network for antichagasic drugs. Focusing on drug discovery programs led by scientists based in Latin America, the main endemic region for this disease, we discuss herein what has been published in the last decade in terms of identification of new antiparasitic drugs to treat Chagas disease, shining a spotlight on the origin, chemical diversity, level of characterization of hits, and strategies used for optimization of lead compounds. Finally, we identify strengths and weaknesses in these drug discovery campaigns and highlight the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration and knowledge sharing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramon G. de Oliveira
- Laboratory of Synthetic Organic Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil
| | - Luiza R. Cruz
- Laboratory of Synthetic Organic Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil
| | - María C. Mollo
- Laboratory of Synthetic Organic Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil
| | - Luiz C. Dias
- Laboratory of Synthetic Organic Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil
| | - Jadel M. Kratz
- Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative (DNDi) Latin America, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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11
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García-Huertas P, Cardona-Castro N. Advances in the treatment of Chagas disease: Promising new drugs, plants and targets. Biomed Pharmacother 2021; 142:112020. [PMID: 34392087 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.112020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Revised: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 08/07/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease, caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, is treated with only two drugs; benznidazole and nifurtimox. These drugs have some disadvantages, including their efficacy only in the acute or early infection phases, adverse effects during their use, and the resistance that the parasite has developed to their activity. Therefore, it is necessary to identify new, safe and effective therapeutic alternatives to treat Chagas disease, though governments and the pharmaceutical industry have shown a lack of interest in contributing to this solution. Institutions and research groups on the other hand have worked on some strategies that can help to address the problem. Some of these include the modification of conventional drug dosages, drug repurposing, and combined therapy. Plants and derived compounds with antiparasitic effects have also been studied, taking advantage of traditional medicinal knowledge. Others have studied the parasite to identify essential genes that can be used as therapeutic targets to design new, targeted drugs. Some of these studies have generated promising results, but few reach clinical phase studies. Institutions and research groups should be encouraged to unify efforts and cover all aspects of drug development according to resources and knowledge availability. In the end, this exchange of knowledge would lead to the development of new therapeutic alternatives to treat Chagas disease and benefit the populations it affects.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nora Cardona-Castro
- Instituto Colombiano de Medicina Tropical, Universidad CES, Sabaneta, Colombia.
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12
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Londero VS, Costa-Silva TA, Antar GM, Baitello JB, de Oliveira LVF, Camilo FF, Batista ANL, Batista JM, Tempone AG, Lago JHG. Antitrypanosomal Lactones from Nectandra barbellata. JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS 2021; 84:1489-1497. [PMID: 33857368 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.0c01303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Twigs of Nectandra barbellata were extracted using a solution of the ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide (BMImBr) in H2O, assisted by microwave (MAE). After successive chromatographic steps, one sesquiterpene, costic acid, and three new related lactones, (R)-3(7)-Z-3-hexadec-21-enylidene-5-(hydroxymethyl)tetrahydrofuran-2-one (1), (R)-3(7)-Z-3-hexadecylidene-5-(hydroxymethyl)tetrahydrofuran-2-one (2), and (R)-3(7)-Z-3-docosylidene-5-(hydroxymethyl)tetrahydrofuran-2-one (3), were isolated. After structural elucidation using IR, UV, HRESIMS, NMR, ECD, and VCD, compounds 1-3 were tested against trypomastigote forms of Trypanosoma cruzi. The mechanism of action of bioactive isolated compounds was studied using different fluorescent-based approaches to investigate alterations of the plasma membrane, permeability/electric potential (ΔΨp), reactive oxygen species levels, mitochondria (electric membrane potential, ΔΨm/ATP levels), Ca2+ levels, and pH of the acidocalcisomes. In addition, in silico studies predicted no resemblance to pan assay interference compounds (PAINS).
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Affiliation(s)
- Vinicius S Londero
- Institute of Environmental, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Thais A Costa-Silva
- Center for Natural and Human Sciences, Federal University of ABC, São Paulo 09210-170, Brazil
| | - Guilherme M Antar
- Department of Botany, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-090, Brazil
| | - João B Baitello
- Dasonomy Division, Instituto Florestal, São Paulo 02377-000, Brazil
| | - Larissa V F de Oliveira
- Institute of Environmental, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Fernanda F Camilo
- Institute of Environmental, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Andrea N L Batista
- Institute of Chemistry, Fluminense Federal University, Rio de Janeiro 24220-900, Brazil
| | - Joao M Batista
- Institute of Science and Technology, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo 12231-280, Brazil
| | - Andre G Tempone
- Centre for Parasitology and Mycology, Instituto Adolfo Lutz, São Paulo 01246-902, Brazil
| | - Joao Henrique G Lago
- Center for Natural and Human Sciences, Federal University of ABC, São Paulo 09210-170, Brazil
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13
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Piñeyro MD, Arias D, Parodi-Talice A, Guerrero S, Robello C. Trypanothione Metabolism as Drug Target for Trypanosomatids. Curr Pharm Des 2021; 27:1834-1846. [PMID: 33308115 DOI: 10.2174/1381612826666201211115329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2020] [Revised: 10/01/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Chagas Disease, African sleeping sickness, and leishmaniasis are neglected diseases caused by pathogenic trypanosomatid parasites, which have a considerable impact on morbidity and mortality in poor countries. The available drugs used as treatment have high toxicity, limited access, and can cause parasite drug resistance. Long-term treatments, added to their high toxicity, result in patients that give up therapy. Trypanosomatids presents a unique trypanothione based redox system, which is responsible for maintaining the redox balance. Therefore, inhibition of these essential and exclusive parasite's metabolic pathways, absent from the mammalian host, could lead to the development of more efficient and safe drugs. The system contains different redox cascades, where trypanothione and tryparedoxins play together a central role in transferring reduced power to different enzymes, such as 2-Cys peroxiredoxins, non-selenium glutathione peroxidases, ascorbate peroxidases, glutaredoxins and methionine sulfoxide reductases, through NADPH as a source of electrons. There is sufficient evidence that this complex system is essential for parasite survival and infection. In this review, we explore what is known in terms of essentiality, kinetic and structural data, and the development of inhibitors of enzymes from this trypanothione-based redox system. The recent advances and limitations in the development of lead inhibitory compounds targeting these enzymes have been discussed. The combination of molecular biology, bioinformatics, genomics, and structural biology is fundamental since the knowledge of unique features of the trypanothione-dependent system will provide tools for rational drug design in order to develop better treatments for these diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Diego Arias
- Instituto de Agrobiotecnologia del Litoral y Facultad de Bioquimica y Ciencias Biologicas, CONICET-UNL, Santa F, Argentina
| | | | - Sergio Guerrero
- Instituto de Agrobiotecnologia del Litoral y Facultad de Bioquimica y Ciencias Biologicas, CONICET-UNL, Santa F, Argentina
| | - Carlos Robello
- Unidad de Biologia Molecular, Instituto Pasteur Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
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14
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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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15
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Pammolli F, Righetto L, Abrignani S, Pani L, Pelicci PG, Rabosio E. The endless frontier? The recent increase of R&D productivity in pharmaceuticals. J Transl Med 2020; 18:162. [PMID: 32272953 PMCID: PMC7147016 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-020-02313-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2019] [Accepted: 03/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Studies on the early 2000s documented increasing attrition rates and duration of clinical trials, leading to a representation of a "productivity crisis" in pharmaceutical research and development (R&D). In this paper, we produce a new set of analyses for the last decade and report a recent increase of R&D productivity within the industry. METHODS We use an extensive data set on the development history of more than 50,000 projects between 1990 and 2017, which we integrate with data on sales, patents, and anagraphical information on each institution involved. We devise an indicator to quantify the novelty of each project, based on its set of mechanisms of action. RESULTS First, we investigate how R&D projects are allocated across therapeutic areas and find a polarization towards high uncertainty/high potential reward indications, with a strong focus on oncology. Second, we find that attrition rates have been decreasing at all stages of clinical research in recent years. In parallel, for each phase, we observe a significant reduction of time required to identify projects to be discontinued. Moreover, our analysis shows that more recent successful R&D projects are increasingly based on novel mechanisms of action and target novel indications, which are characterized by relatively small patient populations. Third, we find that the number of R&D projects on advanced therapies is also growing. Finally, we investigate the relative contribution to productivity variations of different types of institutions along the drug development process, with a specific focus on the distinction between the roles of Originators and Developers of R&D projects. We document that in the last decade Originator-Developer collaborations in which biotech companies act as Developers have been growing in importance. Moreover, we show that biotechnology companies have reached levels of productivity in project development that are equivalent to those of large pharmaceutical companies. CONCLUSIONS Our study reports on the state of R&D productivity in the bio-pharmaceutical industry, finding several signals of an improving performance, with R&D projects becoming more targeted and novel in terms of indications and mechanisms of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Pammolli
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria Gestionale, Politecnico di Milano, Via R. Lambruschini, 20156, Milano, Italy. .,Center for Analysis, Decisions and Society, Human Technopole, Via C. Belgioioso, 20157, Milano, Italy.
| | - Lorenzo Righetto
- Center for Analysis, Decisions and Society, Human Technopole, Via C. Belgioioso, 20157, Milano, Italy
| | - Sergio Abrignani
- INGM, Istituto Nazionale di Genetica Molecolare "Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi", Via F. Sforza, 20122, Milano, Italy.,Dipartimento di Scienze Cliniche e di Comunità, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Festa del Perdono, 20122, Milano, Italy
| | - Luca Pani
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami, 1120 NW 14th St, 33136, Miami, USA.,Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche, Metaboliche e Neuroscienze, Università degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia, Via G. Campi, 41125, Modena, Italy.,VeraSci, Shannon Rd., Durham, NC, 27707, USA
| | - Pier Giuseppe Pelicci
- IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Via G. Ripamonti, 20141, Milano, Italy.,Dipartimento di Oncologia ed Emato-Oncologia, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Festa del Perdono, 20122, Milano, Italy
| | - Emanuele Rabosio
- Center for Analysis, Decisions and Society, Human Technopole, Via C. Belgioioso, 20157, Milano, Italy
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16
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Abstract
AbstractDuring three decades, only about 20 new drugs have been developed for malaria, tuberculosis and all neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). This critical situation was reached because NTDs represent only 10% of health research investments; however, they comprise about 90% of the global disease burden. Computational simulations applied in virtual screening (VS) strategies are very efficient tools to identify pharmacologically active compounds or new indications for drugs already administered for other diseases. One of the advantages of this approach is the low time-consuming and low-budget first stage, which filters for testing experimentally a group of candidate compounds with high chances of binding to the target and present trypanocidal activity. In this work, we review the most common VS strategies that have been used for the identification of new drugs with special emphasis on those applied to trypanosomiasis and leishmaniasis. Computational simulations based on the selected protein targets or their ligands are explained, including the method selection criteria, examples of successful VS campaigns applied to NTDs, a list of validated molecular targets for drug development and repositioned drugs for trypanosomatid-caused diseases. Thereby, here we present the state-of-the-art of VS and drug repurposing to conclude pointing out the future perspectives in the field.
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17
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Mosquillo MF, Smircich P, Ciganda M, Lima A, Gambino D, Garat B, Pérez-Díaz L. Comparative high-throughput analysis of the Trypanosoma cruzi response to organometallic compounds. Metallomics 2020; 12:813-828. [DOI: 10.1039/d0mt00030b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
An in-depth, comparative look at the effects of two structurally related organometallic Pd and Pt compounds on the global gene expression pattern of T. cruzi epimastigotes. This parasite is the causative agent of Chagas disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Florencia Mosquillo
- Laboratorio de Interacciones Moleculares
- Facultad de Ciencias
- Universidad de la República
- Montevideo
- Uruguay
| | - Pablo Smircich
- Laboratorio de Interacciones Moleculares
- Facultad de Ciencias
- Universidad de la República
- Montevideo
- Uruguay
| | | | - Analía Lima
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable
- Montevideo
- Uruguay
- Unidad de Bioquímica y Proteómica Analíticas
- Institut Pasteur de Montevideo
| | - Dinorah Gambino
- Área Química Inorgánica
- Facultad de Química
- Universidad de la República
- Montevideo
- Uruguay
| | - Beatriz Garat
- Laboratorio de Interacciones Moleculares
- Facultad de Ciencias
- Universidad de la República
- Montevideo
- Uruguay
| | - Leticia Pérez-Díaz
- Laboratorio de Interacciones Moleculares
- Facultad de Ciencias
- Universidad de la República
- Montevideo
- Uruguay
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18
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Villalta F, Rachakonda G. Advances in preclinical approaches to Chagas disease drug discovery. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2019; 14:1161-1174. [PMID: 31411084 PMCID: PMC6779130 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2019.1652593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2019] [Accepted: 08/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: Chagas disease affects 8-10 million people worldwide, mainly in Latin America. The current therapy for Chagas disease is limited to nifurtimox and benznidazole, which are effective in treating only the acute phase of the disease but with severe side effects. Therefore, there is an unmet need for new drugs and for the exploration of innovative approaches which may lead to the discovery of new effective and safe drugs for its treatment. Areas covered: The authors report and discuss recent approaches including structure-based design that have led to the discovery of new promising small molecule candidates for Chagas disease which affect prime targets that intervene in the sterol pathway of T. cruzi. Other trypanosome targets, phenotypic screening, the use of artificial intelligence and the challenges with Chagas disease drug discovery are also discussed. Expert opinion: The application of recent scientific innovations to the field of Chagas disease have led to the discovery of new promising drug candidates for Chagas disease. Phenotypic screening brought new hits and opportunities for drug discovery. Artificial intelligence also has the potential to accelerate drug discovery in Chagas disease and further research into this is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando Villalta
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Physiology, School of Medicine, Meharry Medical College , Nashville , TN , USA
| | - Girish Rachakonda
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Physiology, School of Medicine, Meharry Medical College , Nashville , TN , USA
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