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Thawornkuno C, Srisuksai K, Simanon N, Adisakwattana P, Ampawong S, Boonyuen U, Limpanont Y, Chusongsang P, Chusongsang Y, Kiangkoo N, Reamtong O. A reanalysis and integration of transcriptomics and proteomics datasets unveil novel drug targets for Mekong schistosomiasis. Sci Rep 2024; 14:12969. [PMID: 38839835 PMCID: PMC11153569 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-63869-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Schistosomiasis, caused by Schistosoma trematodes, is a significant global health concern, particularly affecting millions in Africa and Southeast Asia. Despite efforts to combat it, the rise of praziquantel (PZQ) resistance underscores the need for new treatment options. Protein kinases (PKs) are vital in cellular signaling and offer potential as drug targets. This study focused on focal adhesion kinase (FAK) as a candidate for anti-schistosomal therapy. Transcriptomic and proteomic analyses of adult S. mekongi worms identified FAK as a promising target due to its upregulation and essential role in cellular processes. Molecular docking simulations assessed the binding energy of FAK inhibitors to Schistosoma FAK versus human FAK. FAK inhibitor 14 and PF-03814735 exhibited strong binding to Schistosoma FAK with minimal binding for human FAK. In vitro assays confirmed significant anti-parasitic activity against S. mekongi, S. mansoni, and S. japonicum, comparable to PZQ, with low toxicity in human cells, indicating potential safety. These findings highlight FAK as a promising target for novel anti-schistosomal therapies. However, further research, including in vivo studies, is necessary to validate efficacy and safety before clinical use. This study offers a hopeful strategy to combat schistosomiasis and reduce its global impact.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charin Thawornkuno
- Department of Molecular Tropical Medicine and Genetics, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Krittika Srisuksai
- Department of Molecular Tropical Medicine and Genetics, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Nattapon Simanon
- Department of Molecular Tropical Medicine and Genetics, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Poom Adisakwattana
- Department of Helminthology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Sumate Ampawong
- Department of Tropical Pathology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Usa Boonyuen
- Department of Molecular Tropical Medicine and Genetics, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Yanin Limpanont
- Department of Social and Environmental Medicine, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Phiraphol Chusongsang
- Department of Social and Environmental Medicine, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Yupa Chusongsang
- Department of Social and Environmental Medicine, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Nuttapohn Kiangkoo
- Department of Social and Environmental Medicine, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Onrapak Reamtong
- Department of Molecular Tropical Medicine and Genetics, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
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Batista ICA, Gava SG, Tavares NC, Calzavara-Silva CE, Mourão MM. Hypoxanthine guanine phosphoribosyl transferases SmHGPRTases functional roles in Schistosoma mansoni. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:1064218. [PMID: 36578572 PMCID: PMC9791060 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.1064218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Extracellular/environmental stimuli trigger cellular responses to allow Schistosoma sp. parasites adaptation and decide development and survival fate. In this context, signal transduction involving eukaryotic protein kinases (ePKs) has an essential role in regulatory mechanisms. Functional studies had shown the importance of MAPK pathway for Schistosoma mansoni development. In addition, early studies demonstrated that Smp38 MAPK regulates the expression of a large set of genes, among them the hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyl transferase 1 (SmHGPRTase 1, Smp_103560), a key enzyme in the purine salvage pathway that is part of a family comprising five different proteins. Methods First, the regulation of this gene family by the MAPKs pathways was experimentally verified using Smp38-predicted specific inhibitors. In silico analysis showed significant differences in the predicted structure and the domain sequence among the schistosomal HGPRTase family and their orthologs in humans. In order to interrogate the HGPRTases (Smp_103560, Smp_148820, Smp_168500, Smp_312580 and Smp_332640, henceforth SmHGPRTase -1, -2, -3, -4, -5) functional roles, schistosomula, sporocysts, and adult worms were knocked-down using specific dsRNAs. Results Our results suggest that SmHGPRTases activity has an essential role in sporocysts and schistosomula development since significant differences in viability, size, and/ or shape were observed after the in vitro knockdown. Also, the knockdown of SmHGPRTases in schistosomula influenced the ovary development and egg maturation in female adult worms during mammalian infection. We also observed alterations in the movement of female adult worms knocked-down in vitro. Most of these results were shown when all gene family members were knocked-down simultaneously, suggesting a redundant function among them. Discussion Thus, this study helps to elucidate the functional roles of the SmHGPRTase gene family in the S. mansoni life cycle and provides knowledge for future studies required for schistosomiasis treatment and control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Izabella Cristina Andrade Batista
- Grupo de Helmintologia e Malacologia Médica, Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte, Brazil,Grupo de Imunologia Celular e Molecular, Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Sandra Grossi Gava
- Grupo de Helmintologia e Malacologia Médica, Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Naiara Clemente Tavares
- Grupo de Helmintologia e Malacologia Médica, Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | | | - Marina Moraes Mourão
- Grupo de Helmintologia e Malacologia Médica, Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte, Brazil,*Correspondence: Marina Moraes Mourão,
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Moreira BP, Batista ICA, Tavares NC, Armstrong T, Gava SG, Torres GP, Mourão MM, Falcone FH. Docking-Based Virtual Screening Enables Prioritizing Protein Kinase Inhibitors With In Vitro Phenotypic Activity Against Schistosoma mansoni. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:913301. [PMID: 35865824 PMCID: PMC9294739 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.913301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 06/02/2022] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Schistosomiasis is a parasitic neglected disease with praziquantel (PZQ) utilized as the main drug for treatment, despite its low effectiveness against early stages of the worm. To aid in the search for new drugs to tackle schistosomiasis, computer-aided drug design has been proved a helpful tool to enhance the search and initial identification of schistosomicidal compounds, allowing fast and cost-efficient progress in drug discovery. The combination of high-throughput in silico data followed by in vitro phenotypic screening assays allows the assessment of a vast library of compounds with the potential to inhibit a single or even several biological targets in a more time- and cost-saving manner. Here, we describe the molecular docking for in silico screening of predicted homology models of five protein kinases (JNK, p38, ERK1, ERK2, and FES) of Schistosoma mansoni against approximately 85,000 molecules from the Managed Chemical Compounds Collection (MCCC) of the University of Nottingham (UK). We selected 169 molecules predicted to bind to SmERK1, SmERK2, SmFES, SmJNK, and/or Smp38 for in vitro screening assays using schistosomula and adult worms. In total, 89 (52.6%) molecules were considered active in at least one of the assays. This approach shows a much higher efficiency when compared to using only traditional high-throughput in vitro screening assays, where initial positive hits are retrieved from testing thousands of molecules. Additionally, when we focused on compound promiscuity over selectivity, we were able to efficiently detect active compounds that are predicted to target all kinases at the same time. This approach reinforces the concept of polypharmacology aiming for “one drug-multiple targets”. Moreover, at least 17 active compounds presented satisfactory drug-like properties score when compared to PZQ, which allows for optimization before further in vivo screening assays. In conclusion, our data support the use of computer-aided drug design methodologies in conjunction with high-throughput screening approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernardo Pereira Moreira
- Institut für Parasitologie, Biomedizinisches Forschungszentrum Seltersberg (BFS), Justus-Liebig-Universität Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | | | - Naiara Clemente Tavares
- Grupo de Helmintologia e Malacologia Médica, Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-FIOCRUZ, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Tom Armstrong
- School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Sandra Grossi Gava
- Grupo de Helmintologia e Malacologia Médica, Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-FIOCRUZ, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Gabriella Parreiras Torres
- Grupo de Helmintologia e Malacologia Médica, Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-FIOCRUZ, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Marina Moraes Mourão
- Grupo de Helmintologia e Malacologia Médica, Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-FIOCRUZ, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
- *Correspondence: Franco H. Falcone, ; Marina Moraes Mourão,
| | - Franco H. Falcone
- Institut für Parasitologie, Biomedizinisches Forschungszentrum Seltersberg (BFS), Justus-Liebig-Universität Giessen, Giessen, Germany
- *Correspondence: Franco H. Falcone, ; Marina Moraes Mourão,
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Wu K, Zhai X, Huang S, Jiang L, Yu Z, Huang J. Protein Kinases: Potential Drug Targets Against Schistosoma japonicum. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:691757. [PMID: 34277472 PMCID: PMC8282181 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.691757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Schistosoma japonicum (S. japonicum) infection can induce serious organ damage and cause schistosomiasis japonica which is mainly prevalent in Asia and currently one of the most seriously neglected tropical diseases. Treatment of schistosomiasis largely depends on the drug praziquantel (PZQ). However, PZQ exhibits low killing efficacy on juvenile worms and the potential emergence of its drug resistance is a continual concern. Protein kinases (PKs) are enzymes that catalyze the phosphorylation of proteins and can participate in many signaling pathways in vivo. Recent studies confirmed the essential roles of PKs in the growth and development of S. japonicum, as well as in schistosome-host interactions, and researches have screened drug targets about PKs from S. japonicum (SjPKs), which provide new opportunities of developing new treatments on schistosomiasis. The aim of this review is to present the current progress on SjPKs from classification, different functions and their potential to become drug targets compared with other schistosomes. The efficiency of related protein kinase inhibitors on schistosomes is highlighted. Finally, the current challenges and problems in the study of SjPKs are proposed, which can provide future guidance for developing anti-schistosomiasis drugs and vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaijuan Wu
- Department of Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China.,China-Africa Research Center of Infectious Diseases, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xingyu Zhai
- China-Africa Research Center of Infectious Diseases, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Department of Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Shuaiqin Huang
- Department of Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Liping Jiang
- Department of Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China.,China-Africa Research Center of Infectious Diseases, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Zheng Yu
- China-Africa Research Center of Infectious Diseases, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Department of Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Jing Huang
- Department of Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China.,China-Africa Research Center of Infectious Diseases, Central South University, Changsha, China
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Zou Y, Zheng WB, He JJ, Elsheikha HM, Zhu XQ, Lu YX. Toxocara canis Differentially Affects Hepatic MicroRNA Expression in Beagle Dogs at Different Stages of Infection. Front Vet Sci 2020; 7:587273. [PMID: 33282932 PMCID: PMC7689213 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2020.587273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2020] [Accepted: 10/01/2020] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxocara canis is a neglected zoonotic parasite, which threatens the health of dogs and humans worldwide. The molecular mechanisms that underlie the progression of T. canis infection remain mostly unknown. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that have been identified in T. canis; however, the regulation and role of miRNAs in the host during infection remain incompletely understood. In this study, we determined hepatic miRNA expression at different stages of T. canis infection in beagle dogs. Individual dogs were infected by 300 embryonated T. canis eggs, and their livers were collected at 12 hpi (hours post-infection), 24 hpi, and 36 dpi (days post-infection). The expression profiles of liver miRNAs were determined using RNA-sequencing. Compared to the control groups, 9, 16, and 34 differentially expressed miRNAs (DEmiRNAs) were detected in the livers of infected dogs at the three infection stages, respectively. Among those DEmiRNAs, the novel-294 and cfa-miR-885 were predicted to regulate inflammation-related genes at the initial stage of infection (12 hpi). The cfa-miR-1839 was predicted to regulate the target gene TRIM71, which may influence the development of T. canis larvae at 24 hpi. Moreover, cfa-miR-370 and cfa-miR-133c were associated with immune response at the final stage of infection (36 dpi). Some immunity-related Gene Ontology terms were enriched particularly at 24 hpi. Likewise, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis showed that many significantly enriched pathways were involved in inflammation and immune responses. The expression level of nine DEmiRNAs was validated using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). These results show that miRNAs play critical roles in the pathogenesis of T. canis during the hepatic phase of parasite development. Our data provide fundamental information for further investigation of the roles of miRNAs in the innate/adaptive immune response of dogs infected by T. canis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Zou
- Heilongjiang Key Laboratory for Zoonosis, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China
| | - Wen-Bin Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, China
| | - Jun-Jun He
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, China
| | - Hany M Elsheikha
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Loughborough, United Kingdom
| | - Xing-Quan Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, China.,College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, China
| | - Yi-Xin Lu
- Heilongjiang Key Laboratory for Zoonosis, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China
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Hao D, Wang X, Wang X, Thomsen B, Kadarmideen HN, Lan X, Huang Y, Chen H. Transcriptomic changes in bovine skeletal muscle cells after resveratrol treatment. Gene 2020; 754:144849. [PMID: 32512157 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2020.144849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2019] [Revised: 05/21/2020] [Accepted: 06/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Skeletal muscles constitute a high proportion of the cellular mass that is essential for the growth traits in cattle. Resveratrol (RSV) is a natural polyphenol compound involved in pleiotropic biological activities of muscle. Therefore, the aim of our study was to investigate the transcriptome-level effects of RSV on bovine primary myoblast to reveal differentially expressed genes (DEGs). We treated three replicates of primary myoblasts with 20 μM mother solution containing RSV, whereas three other replicates without RSV were used as control group. Then, we conducted genome-wide transcriptome analysis for the two groups. The results of expression analysis identified 3856 DEGs of which 1805 genes were up-regulated and 2051 genes were down-regulated (adjusted P < 0.05). In addition, qRT-PCR analysis of 19 selected DEGs were consistent with the expression levels observed in the transcriptome data. Gene Ontology (GO) and pathway enrichment analysis showed 72 and 66 significant GO terms and KEGG pathways, respectively (adjusted P < 0.05). The most significant GO term was actin cytoskeleton organization (GO:0030036). The top significant KEGG pathway was focal adhesion (bta04510). Predicted protein-protein interactions (PPIs) showed that CDKN1A encoding cyclindependent kinase inhibitor 1A connects several larger protein complexes. In conclusion, our results found a list of DEGs, significant GO terms and pathways, and provided an improved and expanded understanding of the impact of RSV on cattle muscle cells at the transcriptomic level. The study elucidates the potential of using the genes enriched in pathways mediating resveratrol effects as targets in genomic selection for muscle development and growth in beef cattle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Hao
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, 712100 Yangling, Shaanxi, China; Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Xiaogang Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, 712100 Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Xiao Wang
- Quantitative Genomics, Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Group, Department of Applied Mathematics and Computer Science, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Bo Thomsen
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Haja N Kadarmideen
- Quantitative Genomics, Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Group, Department of Applied Mathematics and Computer Science, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Xianyong Lan
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, 712100 Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yongzhen Huang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, 712100 Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Hong Chen
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, 712100 Yangling, Shaanxi, China.
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