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Syngkli S, Das B. Purification and characterization of human glycerol 3-phosphate dehydrogenases (mitochondrial and cytosolic) by NAD +/NADH redox method. Biochimie 2023; 214:199-215. [PMID: 37481063 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2023.07.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/24/2023]
Abstract
Glycerol 3-phosphate (G3P) shuttle is composed of mGPDH and cGPDH and serves as the interface between carbohydrate- and lipid-metabolism. Recently, these metabolic enzymes have been implicated in type II diabetes mellitus but the detailed kinetic parameters and crystal structure of human mGPDH is unknown, though fewer studies on cGPDH are available. To characterize these enzymes, the human mGPDH and cGPDH genes were optimized and cloned into the pET-SUMO vector and pET-24a(+) vector, respectively, and over-expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3). However, SUMO-mGPDH was expressed as inclusion bodies. Hence, various culture parameters, solubilizing agents and expression vectors were used to solubilize the protein but they did not produce functional SUMO-mGPDH. Over-expression of SUMO-mGPDH along with molecular chaperone (pG-KJE8) produced a functional SUMO-mGPDH. The functional SUMO-mGPDH was purified and characterized using NAD+/NADH redox method. cGPDH was also over-expressed and purified for its characterization. DLS analysis and CD spectra of the purified proteins were performed. The mGPDH was a monomeric enzyme with MW of ∼74 kDa and displayed optimal activity in the Tris-HCl buffer (pH 7.4); while, cGPDH was a homodimer with a monomeric MW of ∼37 kDa and showed optimal activity in imidazole buffer (pH 8.0). The Kmapp was 0.475 mM for G3P, and 0.734 mM for DHAP. These methods may be used to characterize these enzymes to understand their role in metabolic disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Superior Syngkli
- Biological Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Zoology, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong, 793022, India
| | - Bidyadhar Das
- Biological Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Zoology, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong, 793022, India.
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2
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Jeelani G, Balogun EO, Husain A, Nozaki T. Glycerol biosynthetic pathway plays an essential role in proliferation and antioxidative defense in the human enteric protozoan parasite Entamoeba histolytica. Sci Rep 2023; 13:14596. [PMID: 37669981 PMCID: PMC10480196 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-40670-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Amebiasis is caused by the protozoan parasite Entamoeba histolytica. Treatment options other than metronidazole and its derivatives are few, and their low efficacy against asymptomatic cyst carriers, and experimental evidence of resistance in vitro justify the discovery/repurposing campaign for new drugs against amebiasis. Global metabolic responses to oxidative stress and cysteine deprivation by E. histolytica revealed glycerol metabolism may represent a rational target for drug development. In this study using 14C-labelled glucose, only 11% of the total glucose taken up by E. histolytica trophozoites is incorporated to lipids. To better understand the role of glycerol metabolism in this parasite, we focused on characterizing two important enzymes, glycerol kinase (GK) and glycerol 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (G3PDH). Recombinant GK was biochemically characterized in detail, while G3PDH was not due to failure of protein expression and purification. GK revealed novel characteristics and unprecedented kinetic properties in reverse reaction. Gene silencing revealed that GK is essential for optimum growth, whereas G3PDH is not. Gene silencing of G3PDH caused upregulated GK expression, while that of GK resulted in upregulation of antioxidant enzymes as shown by RNA-seq analysis. Although the precise molecular link between GK and the upregulation of antioxidant enzymes was not demonstrated, the observed increase in antioxidant enzyme expression upon GK gene silencing suggests a potential connection between GK and the cellular response to oxidative stress. Together, these results provide the first direct evidence of the biological importance and coordinated regulation of the glycerol metabolic pathways for proliferation and antioxidative defense in E. histolytica, justifying the exploitation of these enzymes as future drug targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ghulam Jeelani
- Department of Biomedical Chemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
| | - Emmanuel Oluwadare Balogun
- Department of Biomedical Chemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
- Department of Biochemistry, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria
| | - Afzal Husain
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India
| | - Tomoyoshi Nozaki
- Department of Biomedical Chemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan.
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Liao CC, Chen CH, Shin JW, Lin WC, Chen CC, Chu CT. Lipid Accumulation in Blastocystis Increases Cell Damage in Co-Cultured Cells. Microorganisms 2023; 11:1582. [PMID: 37375084 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11061582] [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: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 05/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Blastocystis hominis is an intestinal protozoan that is often neglected, despite causing abdominal pain and diarrhea. Previous research has demonstrated that lipids can be synthesized by B. hominis or can accumulate in growth medium, but their function and mechanisms in the pathogenesis of Blastocystis remain unclear. Our study found that lipid-rich Blastocystis ST7-B can increase inflammation and disrupt Caco-2 cells more than the same parasite without the lipovenoes supplement. Additionally, the cysteine protease of Blastocystis, a virulence factor, is upregulated and has higher activity in lipid-rich Blastocystis. In order to better understand the effects of lipids on Blastocystis pathogenesis, we treated lipid-lowering pravastatin during Blastocystis ST7-B culturing with a lipovenoes supplement, which decreased the lipid levels of the Blastocystis and reduced the Blastocystis-induced inflammation and cell disruption of Caco-2 cells. We also analyzed the fatty acid composition and possible synthesis pathway in Blastocystis ST7-B, finding significantly higher ratios of arachidonic acid, oleic acid, and palmitic acid than in the other lipid components in lipid-rich Blastocystis ST7-B. These results suggest that lipids play a significant role in the pathogenesis of Blastocystis and provide important information on the molecular mechanisms of and potential treatments for Blastocystis infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen-Chieh Liao
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Hsien Chen
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan
| | - Jyh-Wei Shin
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Chen Lin
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Chin Chen
- Department of Pathology, Ditmanson Medical Foundation Chia-Yi Christian Hospital, Chiayi 600, Taiwan
- Department of Cosmetic Science, Chia Nan University of Pharmacy and Science, Tainan 717, Taiwan
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioindustry Sciences, College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan
- Rong Hsing Research Center for Translational Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Ting Chu
- Division of ColoRectal Surgery, Department of Surgery, Ditmanson Medical Foundation Chia-Yi Christian Hospital, Chiayi 600, Taiwan
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Application of Proteomics to the Study of the Therapeutics and Pathogenicity of Giardia duodenalis. Diagnostics (Basel) 2022; 12:diagnostics12112744. [DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics12112744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Revised: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Giardia duodenalis remains a neglected tropical disease. A key feature of the sustained transmission of Giardia is the ability to form environmentally resistant cysts. For the last 38 years, proteomics has been utilised to study various aspects of the parasite across different life cycle stages. Thirty-one articles have been published in PubMed from 2012 to 2022 related to the proteomics of G. duodenalis. Currently, mass spectrometry with LC-MS/MS and MALDI-TOF/TOF has been commonly utilised in proteomic analyses of Giardia, which enables researchers to determine potential candidates for diagnostic biomarkers as well as vaccine and drug targets, in addition to allowing them to investigate the virulence of giardiasis, the pathogenicity mechanisms of G. duodenalis, and the post-translational modifications of Giardia proteins throughout encystation. Over the last decade, valuable information from proteomics analyses of G. duodenalis has been discovered in terms of the pathogenesis and virulence of Giardia, which may provide guidance for the development of better means with which to prevent and reduce the impacts of giardiasis. Nonetheless, there is room for improving proteomics analyses of G. duodenalis, since genomic sequences for additional assemblages of Giardia have uncovered previously unknown proteins associated with the Giardia proteome. Therefore, this paper aims to review the applications of proteomics for the characterisation of G. duodenalis pathogenicity and the discovery of novel vaccine as well as drug targets, in addition to proposing some general directions for future Giardia proteomic research.
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Stevens AJ, Abraham R, Young KA, Russell CC, McCluskey SN, Baker JR, Rusdi B, Page SW, O'Handley R, O'Dea M, Abraham S, McCluskey A. Antigiardial Activity of Novel Guanidine Compounds. ChemMedChem 2022; 17:e202200341. [PMID: 36085254 PMCID: PMC9828538 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202200341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2022] [Revised: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
From four focused compound libraries based on the known anticoccidial agent robenidine, 44 compounds total were synthesised and screened for antigiardial activity. All active compounds were counter-screened for antibiotic and cytotoxic action. Of the analogues examined, 21 displayed IC50 <5 μM, seven with IC50 <1.0 μM. Most active were 2,2'-bis{[4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl]methylene}carbonimidic dihydrazide hydrochloride (30), 2,2'-bis{[4-(trifluoromethylsulfanyl)phenyl]methylene}carbonimidic dihydrazide hydrochloride (32), and 2,2'-bis[(2-bromo-4,5-dimethoxyphenyl)methylene]carbonimidic dihydrazide hydrochloride (41) with IC50 =0.2 μM. The maximal observed activity was a 5 h IC50 value of 0.2 μM for 41. The clinically used metronidazole was inactive at this timepoint at a concentration of 25 μM. Robenidine off-target effects at bacteria and cell line toxicity were removed. Analogue 41 was well tolerated in mice treated orally (100 mg/kg). Following 5 h treatment with 41, no Giardia regrowth was noted after 48 h.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew J. Stevens
- School of Environmental & Life SciencesThe University of NewcastleUniversity DriveCallaghanNSW 2308Australia
| | - Rebecca Abraham
- Antimicrobial resistance and Infectious Diseases Laboratory, Harry butler InstituteMurdoch University90 South StreetMurdochWA 6150Australia,School of Animal and Veterinary SciencesUniversity of Adelaide, Roseworthy CampusMudla Wirra RoadRoseworthySA 5371Australia
| | - Kelly A. Young
- School of Environmental & Life SciencesThe University of NewcastleUniversity DriveCallaghanNSW 2308Australia
| | - Cecilia C. Russell
- School of Environmental & Life SciencesThe University of NewcastleUniversity DriveCallaghanNSW 2308Australia
| | - Siobhann N. McCluskey
- School of Environmental & Life SciencesThe University of NewcastleUniversity DriveCallaghanNSW 2308Australia
| | - Jennifer R. Baker
- School of Environmental & Life SciencesThe University of NewcastleUniversity DriveCallaghanNSW 2308Australia
| | - Bertha Rusdi
- Antimicrobial resistance and Infectious Diseases Laboratory, Harry butler InstituteMurdoch University90 South StreetMurdochWA 6150Australia
| | | | - Ryan O'Handley
- School of Animal and Veterinary SciencesUniversity of Adelaide, Roseworthy CampusMudla Wirra RoadRoseworthySA 5371Australia
| | - Mark O'Dea
- Antimicrobial resistance and Infectious Diseases Laboratory, Harry butler InstituteMurdoch University90 South StreetMurdochWA 6150Australia
| | - Sam Abraham
- Antimicrobial resistance and Infectious Diseases Laboratory, Harry butler InstituteMurdoch University90 South StreetMurdochWA 6150Australia
| | - Adam McCluskey
- School of Environmental & Life SciencesThe University of NewcastleUniversity DriveCallaghanNSW 2308Australia
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Benchimol M, Gadelha AP, de Souza W. Unusual Cell Structures and Organelles in Giardia intestinalis and Trichomonas vaginalis Are Potential Drug Targets. Microorganisms 2022; 10:2176. [PMID: 36363768 PMCID: PMC9698047 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10112176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2022] [Revised: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
This review presents the main cell organelles and structures of two important protist parasites, Giardia intestinalis, and Trichomonas vaginalis; many are unusual and are not found in other eukaryotic cells, thus could be good candidates for new drug targets aimed at improvement of the chemotherapy of diseases caused by these eukaryotic protists. For example, in Giardia, the ventral disc is a specific structure to this parasite and is fundamental for the adhesion and pathogenicity to the host. In Trichomonas, the hydrogenosome, a double membrane-bounded organelle that produces ATP, also can be a good target. Other structures include mitosomes, ribosomes, and proteasomes. Metronidazole is the most frequent compound used to kill many anaerobic organisms, including Giardia and Trichomonas. It enters the cell by passive diffusion and needs to find a highly reductive environment to be reduced to the nitro radicals to be active. However, it provokes several side effects, and some strains present metronidazole resistance. Therefore, to improve the quality of the chemotherapy against parasitic protozoa is important to invest in the development of highly specific compounds that interfere with key steps of essential metabolic pathways or in the functional macromolecular complexes which are most often associated with cell structures and organelles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marlene Benchimol
- Laboratorio de Ultraestrutura Celular Hertha Meyer, Centro de Ciêcias da Saúde, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Cidade Universitaria, Rio de Janeiro 96200-000, Brazil
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-901, Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagens e Centro Nacional de Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagens, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-901, Brazil
| | - Ana Paula Gadelha
- Diretoria de Metrologia Aplicada as Ciências da Vida, Instituto Nacional de Metrologia, Qualidade e Tecnologia (INMETRO), Rio de Janeiro 25250-020, Brazil
| | - Wanderley de Souza
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-901, Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagens e Centro Nacional de Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagens, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-901, Brazil
- CMABio, Escola Superior de Saúde, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas-UEA, Manaus 69850-000, Brazil
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7
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Dahal S, Gour P, Raghuvanshi S, Prasad YK, Saikia D, Ghatani S. Multi-stage transcriptome profiling of the neglected food-borne echinostome Artyfechinostomum sufrartyfex reveal potential diagnostic and drug targets. Acta Trop 2022; 233:106564. [PMID: 35716764 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2022.106564] [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: 02/01/2022] [Revised: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Lack of effective surveillance and control methods for neglected helminth diseases particularly in context of rural areas in India is a serious concern in terms of public health. With regard to the emerging food-borne echinostomid Artyfechinostomum sufrartyfex infection in the country, the current study is an in silico attempt to screen for plausible diagnostic and drug targets against the trematode. Transcriptome of adult, encysted and excysted metacercaria stages of the parasite was generated using Illumina sequencing platform. A de-novo assembly strategy utilizing transcriptome data generated from the three lifecycle stages was followed to generate the representative transcripts. Longest open reading frames identified for the transcripts were further conceptually translated into their respective protein sequences. Detailed analysis of this dataset through various bioinformatics pipelines and tools eventually identified 14 credible diagnostic and 10 drug targets along with their FDA-approved and ZINC molecules. Some of the important diagnostic candidates include thioredoxin peroxidase, haemoglobinase, cathepsin L, cathepsin L-like and B-like cysteine proteases. Among the drug targets, uncharacterized sodium dependent transporter and bifunctional protein Aas were identified as top targets exhibiting significant interaction with Rifamycin and ZINC02820058 molecule, respectively. Further, B-cell epitope analysis of the diagnostic targets revealed unique epitopes for 10 of them thus indicating their potential role in specific diagnosis of the parasite. The diagnostic candidates along with a number of lesser known drug targets and their ligand molecules identified in this study provides a reasonable basis for evaluation and development of future intervention strategies against A. sufrartyfex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suman Dahal
- Department of Zoology, School of Life sciences, Sikkim University, Gangtok, Sikkim, India
| | - Pratibha Gour
- Department of Plant Molecular Biology, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | - Saurabh Raghuvanshi
- Department of Plant Molecular Biology, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | | | - Dipshikha Saikia
- Department of Zoology, School of Life sciences, Sikkim University, Gangtok, Sikkim, India
| | - Sudeep Ghatani
- Department of Zoology, School of Life sciences, Sikkim University, Gangtok, Sikkim, India.
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8
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Islam J, Tanimizu M, Shimizu Y, Goto Y, Ohtani N, Sugiyama K, Tatezaki E, Sato M, Makino E, Shimada T, Ueda C, Matsuo A, Suyama Y, Sakai Y, Furukawa M, Usami K, Yoneyama H, Aso H, Tanaka H, Nochi T. Development of a rational framework for the therapeutic efficacy of fecal microbiota transplantation for calf diarrhea treatment. MICROBIOME 2022; 10:31. [PMID: 35184756 PMCID: PMC8858662 DOI: 10.1186/s40168-021-01217-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Establishing fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) to prevent multifactorial diarrhea in calves is challenging because of the differences in farm management practices, the lack of optimal donors, and recipient selection. In this study, the underlying factors of successful and unsuccessful FMT treatment cases are elucidated, and the potential markers for predicting successful FMT are identified using fecal metagenomics via 16S rRNA gene sequencing, fecal metabolomics via capillary electrophoresis time-of-flight mass spectrometry, and machine learning approaches. RESULTS Specifically, 20 FMT treatment cases, in which feces from healthy donors were intrarectally transferred into recipient diarrheal calves, were conducted with a success rate of 70%. Selenomonas was identified as a microorganism genus that showed significant donor-recipient compatibility in successful FMT treatments. A strong positive correlation between the microbiome and metabolome data, which is a prerequisite factor for FMT success, was confirmed by Procrustes analysis in successful FMT (r = 0.7439, P = 0.0001). Additionally, weighted gene correlation network analysis confirmed the positively or negatively correlated pairs of bacterial taxa (family Veillonellaceae) and metabolomic features (i.e., amino acids and short-chain fatty acids) responsible for FMT success. Further analysis aimed at establishing criteria for donor selection identified the genus Sporobacter as a potential biomarker in successful donor selection. Low levels of metabolites, such as glycerol 3-phosphate, dihydroxyacetone phosphate, and isoamylamine, in the donor or recipients prior to FMT, are predicted to facilitate FMT. CONCLUSIONS Overall, we provide the first substantial evidence of the factors related to FMT success or failure; these findings could improve the design of future microbial therapeutics for treating diarrhea in calves. Video abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jahidul Islam
- International Education and Research Center for Food and Agricultural Immunology, Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tohoku University, 468-1 Aoba, Aramaki, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi, 980-8572, Japan
| | - Masae Tanimizu
- East Veterinary Clinical Center, Chiba Prefectural Federation of Agricultural Mutual Aid Association, 1533 Naruto, Sanmu, Chiba, 289-1326, Japan
| | - Yu Shimizu
- East Veterinary Clinical Center, Chiba Prefectural Federation of Agricultural Mutual Aid Association, 1533 Naruto, Sanmu, Chiba, 289-1326, Japan
| | - Yoshiaki Goto
- North Veterinary Clinical Center, Chiba Prefectural Federation of Agricultural Mutual Aid Association, 99-1 Nira, Katori, Chiba, 289-0407, Japan
| | - Natsuki Ohtani
- North Veterinary Clinical Center, Chiba Prefectural Federation of Agricultural Mutual Aid Association, 99-1 Nira, Katori, Chiba, 289-0407, Japan
| | - Kentaro Sugiyama
- North Veterinary Clinical Center, Chiba Prefectural Federation of Agricultural Mutual Aid Association, 99-1 Nira, Katori, Chiba, 289-0407, Japan
| | - Eriko Tatezaki
- North Veterinary Clinical Center, Chiba Prefectural Federation of Agricultural Mutual Aid Association, 99-1 Nira, Katori, Chiba, 289-0407, Japan
| | - Masumi Sato
- West Veterinary Clinical Center, Chiba Prefectural Federation of Agricultural Mutual Aid Association, 154-11, Shisui-machi, Imba-gun, Chiba, 285-0902, Japan
| | - Eiji Makino
- West Veterinary Clinical Center, Chiba Prefectural Federation of Agricultural Mutual Aid Association, 154-11, Shisui-machi, Imba-gun, Chiba, 285-0902, Japan
| | - Toru Shimada
- Central Veterinary Clinical Center, Chiba Prefectural Federation of Agricultural Mutual Aid Association, 736 Amoda, Ichihara, Chiba, 299-0126, Japan
| | - Chise Ueda
- Central Veterinary Clinical Center, Chiba Prefectural Federation of Agricultural Mutual Aid Association, 736 Amoda, Ichihara, Chiba, 299-0126, Japan
| | - Ayumi Matsuo
- International Education and Research Center for Food and Agricultural Immunology, Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tohoku University, 468-1 Aoba, Aramaki, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi, 980-8572, Japan
| | - Yoshihisa Suyama
- International Education and Research Center for Food and Agricultural Immunology, Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tohoku University, 468-1 Aoba, Aramaki, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi, 980-8572, Japan
| | - Yoshifumi Sakai
- International Education and Research Center for Food and Agricultural Immunology, Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tohoku University, 468-1 Aoba, Aramaki, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi, 980-8572, Japan
| | - Mutsumi Furukawa
- International Education and Research Center for Food and Agricultural Immunology, Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tohoku University, 468-1 Aoba, Aramaki, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi, 980-8572, Japan
| | - Katsuki Usami
- International Education and Research Center for Food and Agricultural Immunology, Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tohoku University, 468-1 Aoba, Aramaki, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi, 980-8572, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Yoneyama
- International Education and Research Center for Food and Agricultural Immunology, Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tohoku University, 468-1 Aoba, Aramaki, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi, 980-8572, Japan
| | - Hisashi Aso
- International Education and Research Center for Food and Agricultural Immunology, Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tohoku University, 468-1 Aoba, Aramaki, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi, 980-8572, Japan
| | - Hidekazu Tanaka
- North Veterinary Clinical Center, Chiba Prefectural Federation of Agricultural Mutual Aid Association, 99-1 Nira, Katori, Chiba, 289-0407, Japan.
| | - Tomonori Nochi
- International Education and Research Center for Food and Agricultural Immunology, Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tohoku University, 468-1 Aoba, Aramaki, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi, 980-8572, Japan.
- Division of Mucosal Vaccines, International Research and Development Center for Mucosal Vaccines, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 108-8639, Japan.
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9
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Siciliano G, Di Paolo V, Rotili D, Migale R, Pedini F, Casella M, Camerini S, Dalzoppo D, Henderson R, Huijs T, Dechering KJ, Mai A, Caccuri AM, Lalle M, Quintieri L, Alano P. The Nitrobenzoxadiazole Derivative NBDHEX Behaves as Plasmodium falciparum Gametocyte Selective Inhibitor with Malaria Parasite Transmission Blocking Activity. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15020168. [PMID: 35215282 PMCID: PMC8875241 DOI: 10.3390/ph15020168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Revised: 01/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
This work describes the activity of 6-((7-nitrobenzo[c][1,2,5]oxadiazol-4-yl)thio)hexan-1-ol (NBDHEX) and of its newly identified carboxylic acid metabolite on the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. NBDHEX has been previously identified as a potent cytotoxic agent against murine and human cancer cells as well as towards the protozoan parasite Giardia duodenalis. We show here that NBDHEX is active in vitro against all blood stages of P. falciparum, with the rare feature of killing the parasite stages transmissible to mosquitoes, the gametocytes, with a 4-fold higher potency than that on the pathogenic asexual stages. This activity importantly translates into blocking parasite transmission through the Anopheles vector in mosquito experimental infections. A mass spectrometry analysis identified covalent NBDHEX modifications in specific cysteine residues of five gametocyte proteins, possibly associated with its antiparasitic effect. The carboxylic acid metabolite of NBDHEX retains the gametocyte preferential inhibitory activity of the parent compound, making this novel P. falciparum transmission-blocking chemotype at least as a new tool to uncover biological processes targetable by gametocyte selective drugs. Both NBDHEX and its carboxylic acid metabolite show very limited in vitro cytotoxicity on VERO cells. This result and previous evidence that NBDHEX shows an excellent in vivo safety profile in mice and is orally active against human cancer xenografts make these molecules potential starting points to develop new P. falciparum transmission-blocking agents, enriching the repertoire of drugs needed to eliminate malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Siciliano
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (G.S.); (R.M.)
| | - Veronica Di Paolo
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padua, 35131 Padua, Italy; (V.D.P.); (D.D.)
| | - Dante Rotili
- Department of Chemistry and Technology of Drugs, “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (D.R.); (A.M.)
| | - Rossella Migale
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (G.S.); (R.M.)
| | - Francesca Pedini
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy;
| | - Marialuisa Casella
- Core Facilities, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (M.C.); (S.C.)
| | - Serena Camerini
- Core Facilities, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (M.C.); (S.C.)
| | - Daniele Dalzoppo
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padua, 35131 Padua, Italy; (V.D.P.); (D.D.)
| | - Rob Henderson
- TropIQ Health Sciences, 6534 AT Nijmegen, The Netherlands; (R.H.); (T.H.); (K.J.D.)
| | - Tonnie Huijs
- TropIQ Health Sciences, 6534 AT Nijmegen, The Netherlands; (R.H.); (T.H.); (K.J.D.)
| | - Koen J. Dechering
- TropIQ Health Sciences, 6534 AT Nijmegen, The Netherlands; (R.H.); (T.H.); (K.J.D.)
| | - Antonello Mai
- Department of Chemistry and Technology of Drugs, “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (D.R.); (A.M.)
| | - Anna Maria Caccuri
- Department of Chemical Sciences and Technologies, University of Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy;
| | - Marco Lalle
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (G.S.); (R.M.)
- Correspondence: (M.L.); (L.Q.); (P.A.)
| | - Luigi Quintieri
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padua, 35131 Padua, Italy; (V.D.P.); (D.D.)
- Correspondence: (M.L.); (L.Q.); (P.A.)
| | - Pietro Alano
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (G.S.); (R.M.)
- Correspondence: (M.L.); (L.Q.); (P.A.)
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10
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Oxygen levels are key to understanding "Anaerobic" protozoan pathogens with micro-aerophilic lifestyles. Adv Microb Physiol 2021; 79:163-240. [PMID: 34836611 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ampbs.2021.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Publications abound on the physiology, biochemistry and molecular biology of "anaerobic" protozoal parasites as usually grown under "anaerobic" culture conditions. The media routinely used are poised at low redox potentials using techniques that remove O2 to "undetectable" levels in sealed containers. However there is growing understanding that these culture conditions do not faithfully resemble the O2 environments these organisms inhabit. Here we review for protists lacking oxidative energy metabolism, the oxygen cascade from atmospheric to intracellular concentrations and relevant methods of measurements of O2, some well-studied parasitic or symbiotic protozoan lifestyles, their homeodynamic metabolic and redox balances, organism-drug-oxygen interactions, and the present and future prospects for improved drugs and treatment regimes.
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11
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Chahed A, Lazazzara V, Moretto M, Nesler A, Corneo PE, Barka EA, Pertot I, Puopolo G, Perazzolli M. The Differential Growth Inhibition of Phytophthora spp. Caused by the Rare Sugar Tagatose Is Associated With Species-Specific Metabolic and Transcriptional Changes. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:711545. [PMID: 34305881 PMCID: PMC8292896 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.711545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Tagatose is a rare sugar with no negative impacts on human health and selective inhibitory effects on plant-associated microorganisms. Tagatose inhibited mycelial growth and negatively affected mitochondrial processes in Phytophthora infestans, but not in Phytophthora cinnamomi. The aim of this study was to elucidate metabolic changes and transcriptional reprogramming activated by P. infestans and P. cinnamomi in response to tagatose, in order to clarify the differential inhibitory mechanisms of tagatose and the species-specific reactions to this rare sugar. Phytophthora infestans and P. cinnamomi activated distinct metabolic and transcriptional changes in response to the rare sugar. Tagatose negatively affected mycelial growth, sugar content and amino acid content in P. infestans with a severe transcriptional reprogramming that included the downregulation of genes involved in transport, sugar metabolism, signal transduction, and growth-related process. Conversely, tagatose incubation upregulated genes related to transport, energy metabolism, sugar metabolism and oxidative stress in P. cinnamomi with no negative effects on mycelial growth, sugar content and amino acid content. Differential inhibitory effects of tagatose on Phytophthora spp. were associated with an attempted reaction of P. infestans, which was not sufficient to attenuate the negative impacts of the rare sugar and with an efficient response of P. cinnamomi with the reprogramming of multiple metabolic processes, such as genes related to glucose transport, pentose metabolism, tricarboxylic acid cycle, reactive oxygen species detoxification, mitochondrial and alternative respiration processes. Knowledge on the differential response of Phytophthora spp. to tagatose represent a step forward in the understanding functional roles of rare sugars.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdessalem Chahed
- Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, San Michele all'Adige, Italy.,Bi-PA nv, Londerzeel, Belgium.,Department of Induced Resistance and Plant Bioprotection, University of Reims, Reims, France
| | - Valentina Lazazzara
- Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, San Michele all'Adige, Italy
| | - Marco Moretto
- Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, San Michele all'Adige, Italy
| | - Andrea Nesler
- Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, San Michele all'Adige, Italy.,Bi-PA nv, Londerzeel, Belgium
| | - Paola Elisa Corneo
- Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, San Michele all'Adige, Italy.,Center Agriculture Food Environment (C3A), University of Trento, San Michele all'Adige, Italy
| | - Essaid Ait Barka
- Department of Induced Resistance and Plant Bioprotection, University of Reims, Reims, France
| | - Ilaria Pertot
- Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, San Michele all'Adige, Italy.,Center Agriculture Food Environment (C3A), University of Trento, San Michele all'Adige, Italy
| | - Gerardo Puopolo
- Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, San Michele all'Adige, Italy.,Center Agriculture Food Environment (C3A), University of Trento, San Michele all'Adige, Italy
| | - Michele Perazzolli
- Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, San Michele all'Adige, Italy.,Center Agriculture Food Environment (C3A), University of Trento, San Michele all'Adige, Italy
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12
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Marucci G, Zullino I, Bertuccini L, Camerini S, Cecchetti S, Pietrantoni A, Casella M, Vatta P, Greenwood AD, Fiorillo A, Lalle M. Re-Discovery of Giardiavirus: Genomic and Functional Analysis of Viruses from Giardia duodenalis Isolates. Biomedicines 2021; 9:654. [PMID: 34201207 PMCID: PMC8230311 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9060654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Revised: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Giardiasis, caused by the protozoan parasite Giardia duodenalis, is an intestinal diarrheal disease affecting almost one billion people worldwide. A small endosymbiotic dsRNA viruses, G. lamblia virus (GLV), genus Giardiavirus, family Totiviridae, might inhabit human and animal isolates of G. duodenalis. Three GLV genomes have been sequenced so far, and only one was intensively studied; moreover, a positive correlation between GLV and parasite virulence is yet to be proved. To understand the biological significance of GLV infection in Giardia, the characterization of several GLV strains from naturally infected G. duodenalis isolates is necessary. Here we report high-throughput sequencing of four GLVs strains, from Giardia isolates of human and animal origin. We also report on a new, unclassified viral sequence (designed GdRV-2), unrelated to Giardiavirus, encoding and expressing for a single large protein with an RdRp domain homologous to Totiviridae and Botybirnaviridae. The result of our sequencing and proteomic analyses challenge the current knowledge on GLV and strongly suggest that viral capsid protein translation unusually starts with a proline and that translation of the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) occurs via a +1/-2 ribosomal frameshift mechanism. Nucleotide polymorphism, confirmed by mass-spectrometry analysis, was also observed among and between GLV strains. Phylogenetic analysis indicated the occurrence of at least two GLV subtypes which display different phenotypes and transmissibility in experimental infections of a GLV naïve Giardia isolate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianluca Marucci
- Unit of Foodborne and Neglected Parasitic Disease, Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy; (G.M.); (I.Z.); (P.V.)
| | - Ilaria Zullino
- Unit of Foodborne and Neglected Parasitic Disease, Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy; (G.M.); (I.Z.); (P.V.)
| | - Lucia Bertuccini
- Core Facilities, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy; (L.B.); (S.C.); (S.C.); (A.P.); (M.C.)
| | - Serena Camerini
- Core Facilities, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy; (L.B.); (S.C.); (S.C.); (A.P.); (M.C.)
| | - Serena Cecchetti
- Core Facilities, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy; (L.B.); (S.C.); (S.C.); (A.P.); (M.C.)
| | - Agostina Pietrantoni
- Core Facilities, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy; (L.B.); (S.C.); (S.C.); (A.P.); (M.C.)
| | - Marialuisa Casella
- Core Facilities, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy; (L.B.); (S.C.); (S.C.); (A.P.); (M.C.)
| | - Paolo Vatta
- Unit of Foodborne and Neglected Parasitic Disease, Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy; (G.M.); (I.Z.); (P.V.)
| | - Alex D. Greenwood
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, 10315 Berlin, Germany;
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Annarita Fiorillo
- Department of Biochemical Science “A. Rossi-Fanelli”, Sapienza University, 00185 Rome, Italy;
| | - Marco Lalle
- Unit of Foodborne and Neglected Parasitic Disease, Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy; (G.M.); (I.Z.); (P.V.)
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13
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Nitroreductase Activites in Giardia lamblia: ORF 17150 Encodes a Quinone Reductase with Nitroreductase Activity. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10020129. [PMID: 33513906 PMCID: PMC7912051 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10020129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2020] [Revised: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The intestinal diplomonadid Giardia lamblia is a causative agent of persistent diarrhea. Current treatments are based on nitro drugs, especially metronidazole. Nitro compounds are activated by reduction, yielding toxic intermediates. The enzymatic systems responsible for this activation are not completely understood. By fractionating cell free crude extracts by size exclusion chromatography followed by mass spectrometry, enzymes with nitroreductase (NR) activities are identified. The protein encoded by ORF 17150 found in two pools with NR activities is overexpressed and characterized. In pools of fractions with main NR activities, previously-known NRs are identified, as well as a previously uncharacterized protein encoded by ORF 17150. Recombinant protein 17150 is a flavoprotein with NADPH-dependent quinone reductase and NR activities. Besides a set of previously identified NRs, we have identified a novel enzyme with NR activity.
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14
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Riches A, Hart CJS, Trenholme KR, Skinner-Adams TS. Anti- Giardia Drug Discovery: Current Status and Gut Feelings. J Med Chem 2020; 63:13330-13354. [PMID: 32869995 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c00910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Giardia parasites are ubiquitous protozoans of global importance that impact a wide range of animals including humans. They are the most common enteric pathogen of cats and dogs in developed countries and infect ∼1 billion people worldwide. While Giardia infections can be asymptomatic, they often result in severe and chronic diseases. There is also mounting evidence that they are linked to postinfection disorders. Despite growing evidence of the widespread morbidity associated with Giardia infections, current treatment options are limited to compound classes with broad antimicrobial activity. Frontline anti-Giardia drugs are also associated with increasing drug resistance and treatment failures. To improve the health and well-being of millions, new selective anti-Giardia drugs are needed alongside improved health education initiatives. Here we discuss current treatment options together with recent advances and gaps in drug discovery. We also propose criteria to guide the discovery of new anti-Giardia compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Riches
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, Biomedical Manufacturing, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia
| | - Christopher J S Hart
- Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland 4111, Australia
| | - Katharine R Trenholme
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, 300 Herston Road, Brisbane, Queensland 4029, Australia.,School of Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4029, Australia
| | - Tina S Skinner-Adams
- Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland 4111, Australia
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15
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Drug resistance in Giardia: Mechanisms and alternative treatments for Giardiasis. ADVANCES IN PARASITOLOGY 2020; 107:201-282. [PMID: 32122530 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apar.2019.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The use of chemotherapeutic drugs is the main resource against clinical giardiasis due to the lack of approved vaccines. Resistance of G. duodenalis to the most used drugs to treat giardiasis, metronidazole and albendazole, is a clinical issue of growing concern and yet unknown impact, respectively. In the search of new drugs, the completion of the Giardia genome project and the use of biochemical, molecular and bioinformatics tools allowed the identification of ligands/inhibitors for about one tenth of ≈150 potential drug targets in this parasite. Further, the synthesis of second generation nitroimidazoles and benzimidazoles along with high-throughput technologies have allowed not only to define overall mechanisms of resistance to metronidazole but to screen libraries of repurposed drugs and new pharmacophores, thereby increasing the known arsenal of anti-giardial compounds to some hundreds, with most demonstrating activity against metronidazole or albendazole-resistant Giardia. In particular, cysteine-modifying agents which include omeprazole, disulfiram, allicin and auranofin outstand due to their pleiotropic activity based on the extensive repertoire of thiol-containing proteins and the microaerophilic metabolism of this parasite. Other promising agents derived from higher organisms including phytochemicals, lactoferrin and propolis as well as probiotic bacteria/fungi have also demonstrated significant potential for therapeutic and prophylactic purposes in giardiasis. In this context the present chapter offers a comprehensive review of the current knowledge, including commonly prescribed drugs, causes of therapeutic failures, drug resistance mechanisms, strategies for the discovery of new agents and alternative drug therapies.
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16
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Lalle M, Fiorillo A. The protein 14-3-3: A functionally versatile molecule in Giardia duodenalis. ADVANCES IN PARASITOLOGY 2019; 106:51-103. [PMID: 31630760 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apar.2019.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Giardia duodenalis is a cosmopolitan zoonotic protozoan parasite causing giardiasis, one of the most common diarrhoeal diseases in human and animals. Beyond its public health relevance, Giardia represents a valuable and fascinating model microorganism. The deep-branching phylogenetic position of Giardia, its simple life cycle and its minimalistic genomic and cellular organization provide a unique opportunity to define basal and "ancestral" eukaryotic functions. The eukaryotic 14-3-3 protein family represents a distinct example of phosphoserine/phosphothreonine-binding proteins. The extended network of protein-protein interactions established by 14-3-3 proteins place them at the crossroad of multiple signalling pathways that regulate physiological and pathological cellular processes. Despite the remarkable insight on 14-3-3 protein in different organisms, from yeast to humans, so far little attention was given to the study of this protein in protozoan parasites. However, in the last years, research efforts have provided evidences on unique properties of the single 14-3-3 protein of Giardia and on its association in key aspects of Giardia life cycle. In the first part of this chapter, a general overview of the features commonly shared among 14-3-3 proteins in different organisms (i.e. structure, target recognition, mode of action and regulatory mechanisms) is included. The second part focus on the current knowledge on the biochemistry and biology of the Giardia 14-3-3 protein and on the possibility to use this protein as target to propose new strategies for developing innovative antigiardial therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Lalle
- Department of Infectious Diseases, European Union Reference Laboratory for Parasites, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy.
| | - Annarita Fiorillo
- Department of Biochemical Sciences "A. Rossi Fanelli", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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17
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Hua S, Wang X, Chen F, Gou S. Novel conjugates with dual suppression of glutathione S-transferases and tryptophan-2,3-dioxygenase activities for improving hepatocellular carcinoma therapy. Bioorg Chem 2019; 92:103191. [PMID: 31445192 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2019.103191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2019] [Revised: 07/01/2019] [Accepted: 08/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Tryptophan-2,3-dioxygenase (TDO) is an immune checkpoint enzyme expressed in human tumors and involved in immune evasion and tumor tolerance. While glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) are pharmacological targets for several cancer. Here we demonstrated the utility of NBDHEX (GSTs inhibitor) and TDO inhibitor by the combinatorial linker design. Two novel conjugates with different linkers were prepared to reverse tumor immune suppression. The conjugates displayed significant antitumor activity against TDO and GSTs expression of HepG2 cancer cells. Further study indicated that compound 4 could induce higher apoptotic effect than its mother compounds via a mitochondrial-dependent pathway, simultaneously more effective to inhibit TDO and GSTs protein expression. Further study indicated that 4 could decrease the production of kynurenine and deactivate aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR), leading to CD3+T-cell activation and proliferation to involve in antitumor immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shixian Hua
- Jiangsu Province Hi-Tech Key Laboratory for Biomedical Research, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China; Pharmaceutical Research Center and School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China
| | - Xinyi Wang
- Jiangsu Province Hi-Tech Key Laboratory for Biomedical Research, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China; Pharmaceutical Research Center and School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China
| | - Feihong Chen
- Jiangsu Province Hi-Tech Key Laboratory for Biomedical Research, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China; Pharmaceutical Research Center and School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China.
| | - Shaohua Gou
- Jiangsu Province Hi-Tech Key Laboratory for Biomedical Research, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China; Pharmaceutical Research Center and School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China.
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18
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Kim MY, Kim C, Ainala SK, Bae H, Jeon BH, Park S, Kim JR. Metabolic shift of Klebsiella pneumoniae L17 by electrode-based electron transfer using glycerol in a microbial fuel cell. Bioelectrochemistry 2019; 125:1-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2018.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2018] [Revised: 08/06/2018] [Accepted: 08/06/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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19
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Abstract
Giardia is the commonest parasitic diarrheal pathogen affecting humans and a frequent cause of waterborne/foodborne parasitic diseases worldwide. Prevalence of giardiasis is higher in children, living in poor, low hygiene settings in developing countries, and in travelers returning from highly endemic areas. The clinical picture of giardiasis is heterogeneous, with high variability in severity of clinical disease. It can become chronic or be followed by post-infectious sequelae. An alarming increase in cases refractory to the conventional treatment with nitroimidazoles (ie, metronidazole) has been reported in low prevalence settings, such as European Union countries, especially in patients returning from Asia. In view of its relevance, we aim in this review to recapitulate present clinical knowledge about Giardia, with a special focus on the challenge of treatment-refractory giardiasis. We propose a working definition of clinically drug-resistant giardiasis, summarize knowledge regarding resistance mechanisms, and discuss its clinical management according to research-based evidence and medical practice. Advances in development and identification of novel drugs and potential non-pharmacological alternatives are also reviewed with the overall aim to define knowledge gaps and suggest future directions for research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Lalle
- Department of Infectious Diseases, European Reference Laboratory for Parasites, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy,
| | - Kurt Hanevik
- Norwegian National Advisory Unit on Tropical Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.,Department of Clinical Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
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20
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Santos HJ, Makiuchi T, Nozaki T. Reinventing an Organelle: The Reduced Mitochondrion in Parasitic Protists. Trends Parasitol 2018; 34:1038-1055. [PMID: 30201278 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2018.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2018] [Revised: 08/10/2018] [Accepted: 08/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Mitochondria originated from the endosymbiotic event commencing from the engulfment of an ancestral α-proteobacterium by the first eukaryotic ancestor. Establishment of niches has led to various adaptations among eukaryotes. In anaerobic parasitic protists, the mitochondria have undergone modifications by combining features shared from the aerobic mitochondria with lineage-specific components and mechanisms; a diversified class of organelles emerged and are generally called mitochondrion-related organelles (MROs). In this review we summarize and discuss the recent advances in the knowledge of MROs from parasitic protists, particularly the themes such as metabolic functions, contribution to parasitism, dynamics, protein targeting, and novel lineage- specific proteins, with emphasis on the diversity among these organelles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Herbert J Santos
- Department of Biomedical Chemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Takashi Makiuchi
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Tokai University School of Medicine, 143 Shimokasuya, Isehara, Kanagawa 259-1193, Japan
| | - Tomoyoshi Nozaki
- Department of Biomedical Chemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan.
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21
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6-(7-nitro-2,1,3-benzoxadiazol-4-ylthio) hexanol: a promising new anticancer compound. Biosci Rep 2018; 38:BSR20171440. [PMID: 29358310 PMCID: PMC5809612 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20171440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2017] [Revised: 01/20/2018] [Accepted: 01/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The 7-nitro-2,1,3-nitrobenzoxadiazole (NBD) derivatives are a series of compounds containing the NBD scaffold that are not glutathione (GSH) peptidomimetics, and result in a strong inhibition of glutathione S-transferases (GSTs). Growing evidences highlight their pivotal roles and outstanding anticancer activity in different tumor models. In particular, 6-(7-nitro-2,1,3-benzoxadiazol-4-ylthio) hexanol (NBDHEX) is extensively studied, which is a very efficient inhibitor of GSTP1-1. It triggers apoptosis in several tumor cell lines and this cytotoxic activity is observed at micro and submicromolar concentrations. Importantly, studies have shown that NBDHEX acts as an anticancer drug by inhibiting GSTs catalytic activity, avoiding inconvenience of the inhibitor extrusion from the cell by specific pumps and disrupting the interaction between the GSTP1-1 and key signaling effectors. Additionally, some researchers also have discovered that NBDHEX can act as late-phase autophagy inhibitor, which opens new opportunities to fully exploit its therapeutic potential. In this review, we summarize the advantages, anticancer mechanisms, and analogs of this compound, which will establish the basis on the usage of NBDHEX in clinical applications in future.
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22
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Brogi S, Fiorillo A, Chemi G, Butini S, Lalle M, Ilari A, Gemma S, Campiani G. Structural characterization of Giardia duodenalis thioredoxin reductase (gTrxR) and computational analysis of its interaction with NBDHEX. Eur J Med Chem 2017; 135:479-490. [PMID: 28477573 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2017.04.057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2017] [Revised: 04/18/2017] [Accepted: 04/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Giardia duodenalis is a microaerophilic parasite that colonizes the upper portions of the small intestine of humans. Giardia infection is a major contributor to diarrheal disease worldwide. Nitroheterocycles (e.g. metronidazole) or benzimidazoles (e.g. albendazole) are the most commonly used therapeutic agents. Unfortunately, their efficacy is reduced by low compliance or resistance phenomena. We recently discovered that the antitumoral drug 6-(7-nitro-2,1,3-benzoxadiazol-4-ylthio)hexanol (NBDHEX) is active against G. duodenalis trophozoites and its mode of action is linked to inhibition of thioredoxin reductase (gTrxR), a key component of Giardia redox system: gTrxR provides efficient defenses against reactive oxygen species (ROS), it is a target of 5-nitroimidazoles antiparasitic drugs and also contributes to their metabolism. However, the exact mechanism responsible for the gTrxR inhibition mediated by this chemical class of antigiardial compounds is yet to be defined. The definition of the structural determinants of activity against gTrxR could be important for the identification of novel drugs endowed with an innovative mode of action. With this aim, we solved the crystal structure of gTrxR and we analyzed in silico the binding mode of NBDHEX. The data presented herein could guide the development of NBDHEX derivatives tailored for selective inhibition of gTrxR as antigiardial agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Brogi
- European Research Centre for Drug Discovery and Development (NatSynDrugs), Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry, and Pharmacy, Università di Siena via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Annarita Fiorillo
- CNR (Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche) - Istituto di Biologia e Patologia Molecolari (IBPM), c/o Dipartimento di Scienze Biochimiche P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185, Roma, Italy
| | - Giulia Chemi
- European Research Centre for Drug Discovery and Development (NatSynDrugs), Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry, and Pharmacy, Università di Siena via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Stefania Butini
- European Research Centre for Drug Discovery and Development (NatSynDrugs), Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry, and Pharmacy, Università di Siena via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Marco Lalle
- Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Department of Infectious Diseases, viale Regina Elena 299, Rome, Italy.
| | - Andrea Ilari
- CNR (Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche) - Istituto di Biologia e Patologia Molecolari (IBPM), c/o Dipartimento di Scienze Biochimiche P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185, Roma, Italy.
| | - Sandra Gemma
- European Research Centre for Drug Discovery and Development (NatSynDrugs), Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry, and Pharmacy, Università di Siena via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy.
| | - Giuseppe Campiani
- European Research Centre for Drug Discovery and Development (NatSynDrugs), Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry, and Pharmacy, Università di Siena via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
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Proteomic and functional analyses reveal pleiotropic action of the anti-tumoral compound NBDHEX in Giardia duodenalis. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-DRUGS AND DRUG RESISTANCE 2017; 7:147-158. [PMID: 28366863 PMCID: PMC5377010 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2017.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2017] [Revised: 03/25/2017] [Accepted: 03/27/2017] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Giardiasis, a parasitic diarrheal disease caused by Giardia duodenalis, affects one billion people worldwide. Treatment relies only on a restricted armamentarium of drugs. The disease burden and the increase in treatment failure highlight the need for novel, safe and well characterized drug options. The antitumoral compound NBDHEX is effective in vitro against Giardia trophozoites and inhibits glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase. Aim of this work was to search for additional NBDHEX protein targets. The intrinsic NBDHEX fluorescence was exploited in a proteomic analysis to select and detect modified proteins in drug treated Giardia. In silico structural analysis, intracellular localization and functional assays were further performed to evaluate drug effects on the identified targets. A small subset of Giardia proteins was covalently bound to the drug at specific cysteine residues. These proteins include metabolic enzymes, e.g. thioredoxin reductase (gTrxR), as well as elongation factor 1B-γ (gEF1Bγ), and structural proteins, e.g. α-tubulin. We showed that NBDHEX in vitro binds to recombinant gEF1Bγ and gTrxR, but only the last one could nitroreduce NBDHEX leading to drug modification of gTrxR catalytic cysteines, with concomitant disulphide reductase activity inhibition and NADPH oxidase activity upsurge. Our results indicate that NBDHEX reacts with multiple targets whose roles and/or functions are specifically hampered. In addition, NBDHEX is in turn converted to reactive intermediates extending its toxicity. The described NBDHEX pleiotropic action accounts for its antigiardial activity and encourages the use of this drug as a promising alternative for the future treatment of giardiasis.
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Marreiros BC, Calisto F, Castro PJ, Duarte AM, Sena FV, Silva AF, Sousa FM, Teixeira M, Refojo PN, Pereira MM. Exploring membrane respiratory chains. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOENERGETICS 2016; 1857:1039-1067. [PMID: 27044012 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbabio.2016.03.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2016] [Revised: 03/16/2016] [Accepted: 03/18/2016] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Acquisition of energy is central to life. In addition to the synthesis of ATP, organisms need energy for the establishment and maintenance of a transmembrane difference in electrochemical potential, in order to import and export metabolites or to their motility. The membrane potential is established by a variety of membrane bound respiratory complexes. In this work we explored the diversity of membrane respiratory chains and the presence of the different enzyme complexes in the several phyla of life. We performed taxonomic profiles of the several membrane bound respiratory proteins and complexes evaluating the presence of their respective coding genes in all species deposited in KEGG database. We evaluated 26 quinone reductases, 5 quinol:electron carriers oxidoreductases and 18 terminal electron acceptor reductases. We further included in the analyses enzymes performing redox or decarboxylation driven ion translocation, ATP synthase and transhydrogenase and we also investigated the electron carriers that perform functional connection between the membrane complexes, quinones or soluble proteins. Our results bring a novel, broad and integrated perspective of membrane bound respiratory complexes and thus of the several energetic metabolisms of living systems. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled 'EBEC 2016: 19th European Bioenergetics Conference, Riva del Garda, Italy, July 2-6, 2016', edited by Prof. Paolo Bernardi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno C Marreiros
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica-António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Av. da República EAN, 2780-157 Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Filipa Calisto
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica-António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Av. da República EAN, 2780-157 Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Paulo J Castro
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica-António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Av. da República EAN, 2780-157 Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Afonso M Duarte
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica-António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Av. da República EAN, 2780-157 Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Filipa V Sena
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica-António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Av. da República EAN, 2780-157 Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Andreia F Silva
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica-António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Av. da República EAN, 2780-157 Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Filipe M Sousa
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica-António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Av. da República EAN, 2780-157 Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Miguel Teixeira
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica-António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Av. da República EAN, 2780-157 Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Patrícia N Refojo
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica-António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Av. da República EAN, 2780-157 Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Manuela M Pereira
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica-António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Av. da República EAN, 2780-157 Oeiras, Portugal.
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