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Milano M, Agapito G, Cannataro M. An Exploratory Application of Multilayer Networks and Pathway Analysis in Pharmacogenomics. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:1915. [PMID: 37895264 PMCID: PMC10606656 DOI: 10.3390/genes14101915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Over the years, network analysis has become a promising strategy for analysing complex system, i.e., systems composed of a large number of interacting elements. In particular, multilayer networks have emerged as a powerful framework for modelling and analysing complex systems with multiple types of interactions. Network analysis can be applied to pharmacogenomics to gain insights into the interactions between genes, drugs, and diseases. By integrating network analysis techniques with pharmacogenomic data, the goal consists of uncovering complex relationships and identifying key genes to use in pathway enrichment analysis to figure out biological pathways involved in drug response and adverse reactions. In this study, we modelled omics, disease, and drug data together through multilayer network representation. Then, we mined the multilayer network with a community detection algorithm to obtain the top communities. After that, we used the identified list of genes from the communities to perform pathway enrichment analysis (PEA) to figure out the biological function affected by the selected genes. The results show that the genes forming the top community have multiple roles through different pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianna Milano
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University Magna Græcia of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
- Data Analytics Research Center, University Magna Græcia of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (G.A.); (M.C.)
| | - Giuseppe Agapito
- Data Analytics Research Center, University Magna Græcia of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (G.A.); (M.C.)
- Department of Law, Economics and Social Sciences, University Magna Græcia of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Mario Cannataro
- Data Analytics Research Center, University Magna Græcia of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (G.A.); (M.C.)
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University Magna Græcia of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
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2
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Lima ML, Abengózar MA, Torres-Santos EC, Borborema SET, Godzien J, López-Gonzálvez Á, Barbas C, Rivas L, Tempone AG. Energy metabolism as a target for cyclobenzaprine: A drug candidate against Visceral Leishmaniasis. Bioorg Chem 2022; 127:106009. [PMID: 35841672 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2022.106009] [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: 02/07/2022] [Revised: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Leishmaniases have a broad spectrum of clinical manifestations, ranging from a cutaneous to a progressive and fatal visceral disease. Chemotherapy is nowadays the almost exclusive way to fight the disease but limited by its scarce therapeutic arsenal, on its own compromised by adverse side effects and clinical resistance. Cyclobenzaprine (CBP), an FDA-approved oral muscle relaxant drug has previously demonstrated in vitro and in vivo activity against Leishmania sp., but its targets were not fully unveiled. This study aimed to define the role of energy metabolism as a target for the leishmanicidal mechanisms of CBP. Methodology to assess CBP leishmanicidal mechanism variation of intracellular ATP levels using living Leishmania transfected with a cytoplasmic luciferase. Induction of plasma membrane permeability by assessing depolarization with DiSBAC(2)3 and entrance of the vital dye SYTOX® Green. Mitochondrial depolarization by rhodamine 123 accumulation. Mapping target site within the respiratory chain by oxygen consumption rate. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) production using MitoSOX. Morphological changes by transmission electron microscopy. CBP caused on L. infantum promastigotes a decrease of intracellular ATP levels, with irreversible depolarization of plasma membrane, the collapse of the mitochondrial electrochemical potential, mild uncoupling of the respiratory chain, and ROS production, with ensuing intracellular Ca2+ imbalance and DNA fragmentation. Electron microscopy supported autophagic features but not a massive plasma membrane disruption. The severe and irreversible mitochondrial damage induced by CBP endorsed the bioenergetics metabolism as a relevant target within the lethal programme induced by CBP in Leishmania. This, together with the mild-side effects of this oral drug, endorses CBP as an appealing novel candidate as a leishmanicidal drug under a drug repurposing strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Lopes Lima
- Centre for Parasitology and Mycology, Instituto Adolfo Lutz, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Maria A Abengózar
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas (CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | - Joanna Godzien
- Centre for Metabolomics and Bioanalysis (CEMBIO), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidad CEU San Pablo, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ángeles López-Gonzálvez
- Centre for Metabolomics and Bioanalysis (CEMBIO), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidad CEU San Pablo, Madrid, Spain
| | - Coral Barbas
- Centre for Metabolomics and Bioanalysis (CEMBIO), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidad CEU San Pablo, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Luis Rivas
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas (CSIC), Madrid, Spain.
| | - Andre Gustavo Tempone
- Centre for Parasitology and Mycology, Instituto Adolfo Lutz, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
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3
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Díaz E, Febres A, Giammarresi M, Silva A, Vanegas O, Gomes C, Ponte-Sucre A. G Protein-Coupled Receptors as Potential Intercellular Communication Mediators in Trypanosomatidae. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:812848. [PMID: 35651757 PMCID: PMC9149261 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.812848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Detection and transduction of environmental signals, constitute a prerequisite for successful parasite invasion; i.e., Leishmania transmission, survival, pathogenesis and disease manifestation and dissemination, with diverse molecules functioning as inter-cellular signaling ligands. Receptors [i.e., G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs)] and their associated transduction mechanisms, well conserved through evolution, specialize in this function. However, canonical GPCR-related signal transduction systems have not been described in Leishmania, although orthologs, with reduced domains and function, have been identified in Trypanosomatidae. These inter-cellular communication means seem to be essential for multicellular and unicellular organism’s survival. GPCRs are flexible in their molecular architecture and may interact with the so-called receptor activity-modifying proteins (RAMPs), which modulate their function, changing GPCRs pharmacology, acting as chaperones and regulating signaling and/or trafficking in a receptor-dependent manner. In the skin, vasoactive- and neuro- peptides released in response to the noxious stimuli represented by the insect bite may trigger parasite physiological responses, for example, chemotaxis. For instance, in Leishmania (V.) braziliensis, sensory [Substance P, SP, chemoattractant] and autonomic [Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide, VIP, and Neuropeptide Y, NPY, chemorepellent] neuropeptides at physiological levels stimulate in vitro effects on parasite taxis. VIP and NPY chemotactic effects are impaired by their corresponding receptor antagonists, suggesting that the stimulated responses might be mediated by putative GPCRs (with essential conserved receptor domains); the effect of SP is blocked by [(D-Pro 2, D-Trp7,9]-Substance P (10-6 M)] suggesting that it might be mediated by neurokinin-1 transmembrane receptors. Additionally, vasoactive molecules like Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide [CGRP] and Adrenomedullin [AM], exert a chemorepellent effect and increase the expression of a 24 kDa band recognized in western blot analysis by (human-)-RAMP-2 antibodies. In-silico search oriented towards GPCRs-like receptors and signaling cascades detected a RAMP-2-aligned sequence corresponding to Leishmania folylpolyglutamate synthase and a RAMP-3 aligned protein, a hypothetical Leishmania protein with yet unknown function, suggesting that in Leishmania, CGRP and AM activities may be modulated by RAMP- (-2) and (-3) homologs. The possible presence of proteins and molecules potentially involved in GPCRs cascades, i.e., RAMPs, signpost conservation of ancient signaling systems associated with responses, fundamental for cell survival, (i.e., taxis and migration) and may constitute an open field for description of pharmacophores against Leishmania parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilia Díaz
- Laboratory of Molecular Physiology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, School of Medicine Luis Razetti, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela
| | - Anthony Febres
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Baylor College of Medicine, TX, United States
| | - Michelle Giammarresi
- Laboratory of Molecular Physiology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, School of Medicine Luis Razetti, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela
| | - Adrian Silva
- Laboratory of Molecular Physiology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, School of Medicine Luis Razetti, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela
| | - Oriana Vanegas
- Pediatric Gastroenterology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States
| | - Carlos Gomes
- Royal Berkshire NHS, Foundation Trust, Light House Lab, Bracknell, United Kingdom
| | - Alicia Ponte-Sucre
- Laboratory of Molecular Physiology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, School of Medicine Luis Razetti, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela
- Medical Mission Institute, Würzburg, Germany
- *Correspondence: Alicia Ponte-Sucre,
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4
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Wang PP, Jiang X, Zhu L, Zhou D, Hong M, He L, Chen L, Yao S, Zhao Y, Chen G, Wang C, Cui L, Cao Y, Zhu X. A G-Protein-Coupled Receptor Modulates Gametogenesis via PKG-Mediated Signaling Cascade in Plasmodium berghei. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0015022. [PMID: 35404079 PMCID: PMC9045217 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00150-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Gametogenesis is essential for malaria parasite transmission, but the molecular mechanism of this process remains to be refined. Here, we identified a G-protein-coupled receptor 180 (GPR180) that plays a critical role in signal transduction during gametogenesis in Plasmodium. The P. berghei GPR180 was predominantly expressed in gametocytes and ookinetes and associated with the plasma membrane in female gametes and ookinetes. Knockout of pbgpr180 (Δpbgpr180) had no noticeable effect on blood-stage development but impaired gamete formation and reduced transmission of the parasites to mosquitoes. Transcriptome analysis revealed that a large proportion of the dysregulated genes in the Δpbgpr180 gametocytes had assigned functions in cyclic nucleotide signal transduction. In the Δpbgpr180 gametocytes, the intracellular cGMP level was significantly reduced, and the cytosolic Ca2+ mobilization showed a delay and a reduction in the magnitude during gametocyte activation. These results suggest that PbGPR180 functions upstream of the cGMP-protein kinase G-Ca2+ signaling pathway. In line with this functional prediction, the PbGPR180 protein was found to interact with several transmembrane transporter proteins and the small GTPase Rab6 in activated gametocytes. Allele replacement of pbgpr180 with the P. vivax ortholog pvgpr180 showed equal competence of the transgenic parasite in sexual development, suggesting functional conservation of this gene in Plasmodium spp. Furthermore, an anti-PbGPR180 monoclonal antibody and the anti-PvGPR180 serum possessed robust transmission-blocking activities. These results indicate that GPR180 is involved in signal transduction during gametogenesis in malaria parasites and is a promising target for blocking parasite transmission. IMPORTANCE Environmental changes from humans to mosquitoes activate gametogenesis of the malaria parasite, an obligative process for parasite transmission, but how the signals are relayed remains poorly understood. Here, we show the identification of a Plasmodium G-protein-coupled receptor, GPR180, and the characterization of its function in gametogenesis. In P. berghei, GPR180 is dispensable for asexual development and gametocytogenesis, but its deletion impairs gametogenesis and reduces transmission to mosquitoes. GPR180 appears to function upstream of the cGMP-protein kinase G-Ca2+ signaling pathway and is required for the maximum activity of this pathway. Genetic complementation shows that the GPR180 ortholog from the human malaria parasite P. vivax was fully functional in P. berghei, indicating functional conservation of GPR180 in Plasmodium spp. With predominant expression and membrane association of GPR180 in sexual stages, GPR180 is a promising target for blocking transmission, and antibodies against GPR180 possess robust transmission-blocking activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng-peng Wang
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Xuefeng Jiang
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Liying Zhu
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Dan Zhou
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Mingyang Hong
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Lu He
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Lumeng Chen
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Shijie Yao
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Yan Zhao
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Guang Chen
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Taizhou University Hospital, Taizhou University, Taizhou, China
| | - Chengqi Wang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Liwang Cui
- Department of Internal Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Yaming Cao
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Xiaotong Zhu
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
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5
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Schneider P, Reece SE. The private life of malaria parasites: Strategies for sexual reproduction. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2021; 244:111375. [PMID: 34023299 PMCID: PMC8346949 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2021.111375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2021] [Revised: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Malaria parasites exhibit a complex lifecycle, requiring extensive asexual replication in the liver and blood of the vertebrate host, and in the haemocoel of the insect vector. Yet, they must also undergo a single round of sexual reproduction, which occurs in the vector's midgut upon uptake of a blood meal. Sexual reproduction is obligate for infection of the vector and thus, is essential for onwards transmission to new hosts. Sex in malaria parasites involves several bottlenecks in parasite number, making the stages involved attractive targets for blocking disease transmission. Malaria parasites have evolved a suite of adaptations ("strategies") to maximise the success of sexual reproduction and transmission, which could undermine transmission-blocking interventions. Yet, understanding parasite strategies may also reveal novel opportunities for such interventions. Here, we outline how evolutionary and ecological theories, developed to explain reproductive strategies in multicellular taxa, can be applied to explain two reproductive strategies (conversion rate and sex ratio) expressed by malaria parasites within the vertebrate host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petra Schneider
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Immunology and Infection Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
| | - Sarah E Reece
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Immunology and Infection Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
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6
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Sharma VK, Singh TG, Singh S. Cyclic Nucleotides Signaling and Phosphodiesterase Inhibition: Defying Alzheimer's Disease. Curr Drug Targets 2020; 21:1371-1384. [PMID: 32718286 DOI: 10.2174/1389450121666200727104728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2020] [Revised: 06/12/2020] [Accepted: 06/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Defects in brain functions associated with aging and neurodegenerative diseases benefit insignificantly from existing options, suggesting that there is a lack of understanding of pathological mechanisms. Alzheimer's disease (AD) is such a nearly untreatable, allied to age neurological deterioration for which only the symptomatic cure is available and the agents able to mould progression of the disease, is still far away. The altered expression of phosphodiesterases (PDE) and deregulated cyclic nucleotide signaling in AD has provoked a new thought of targeting cyclic nucleotide signaling in AD. Targeting cyclic nucleotides as an intracellular messenger seems to be a viable approach for certain biological processes in the brain and controlling substantial. Whereas, the synthesis, execution, and/or degradation of cyclic nucleotides has been closely linked to cognitive deficits. In relation to cognition, the cyclic nucleotides (cAMP and cGMP) have an imperative execution in different phases of memory, including gene transcription, neurogenesis, neuronal circuitry, synaptic plasticity and neuronal survival, etc. AD is witnessed by impairments of these basic processes underlying cognition, suggesting a crucial role of cAMP/cGMP signaling in AD populations. Phosphodiesterase inhibitors are the exclusive set of enzymes to facilitate hydrolysis and degradation of cAMP and cGMP thereby, maintains their optimum levels initiating it as an interesting target to explore. The present work reviews a neuroprotective and substantial influence of PDE inhibition on physiological status, pathological progression and neurobiological markers of AD in consonance with the intensities of cAMP and cGMP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vivek K Sharma
- Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Punjab, India,Govt. College of Pharmacy, Rohru, District Shimla, Himachal Pradesh-171207, India
| | - Thakur G Singh
- Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Punjab, India
| | - Shareen Singh
- Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Punjab, India
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7
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Diverse Physiological Functions and Regulatory Mechanisms for Signal-Transducing Small GTPases. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21197291. [PMID: 33023216 PMCID: PMC7583808 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21197291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
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8
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Masoudzadeh N, Östensson M, Persson J, Mashayekhi Goyonlo V, Agbajogu C, Taslimi Y, Erfanian Salim R, Zahedifard F, Mizbani A, Malekafzali Ardekani H, Gunn BM, Rafati S, Harandi AM. Molecular signatures of anthroponotic cutaneous leishmaniasis in the lesions of patients infected with Leishmania tropica. Sci Rep 2020; 10:16198. [PMID: 33004861 PMCID: PMC7529897 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-72671-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Anthroponotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) caused by Leishmania tropica (L. tropica) represents a public health challenge in several resource poor settings. We herein employed a systems analysis approach to study molecular signatures of CL caused by L. tropica in the skin lesions of ulcerative CL (UCL) and non-ulcerative CL (NUCL) patients. Results from RNA-seq analysis determined shared and unique functional transcriptional pathways in the lesions of the UCL and NUCL patients. Several transcriptional pathways involved in inflammatory response were positively enriched in the CL lesions. A multiplexed inflammatory protein analysis showed differential profiles of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines in the UCL and NUCL lesions. Transcriptional pathways for Fcγ receptor dependent phagocytosis were among shared enriched pathways. Using L. tropica specific antibody (Ab)-mediated phagocytosis assays, we could substantiate Ab-dependent cellular phagocytosis (ADCP) and Ab-dependent neutrophil phagocytosis (ADNP) activities in the lesions of the UCL and NUCL patients, which correlated with L. tropica specific IgG Abs. Interestingly, a negative correlation was observed between parasite load and L. tropica specific IgG/ADCP/ADNP in the skin lesions of CL patients. These results enhance our understanding of human skin response to CL caused by L. tropica.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nasrin Masoudzadeh
- Department of Immunotherapy and Leishmania Vaccine Research, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Malin Östensson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Josefine Persson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | | | - Christopher Agbajogu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Yasaman Taslimi
- Department of Immunotherapy and Leishmania Vaccine Research, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Farnaz Zahedifard
- Department of Immunotherapy and Leishmania Vaccine Research, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | | | | | - Bronwyn M Gunn
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
- Paul G. Allen School of Global Animal Health, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164, USA
| | - Sima Rafati
- Department of Immunotherapy and Leishmania Vaccine Research, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Ali M Harandi
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
- Vaccine Evaluation Center, BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
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López-López E, Barrientos-Salcedo C, Prieto-Martínez FD, Medina-Franco JL. In silico tools to study molecular targets of neglected diseases: inhibition of TcSir2rp3, an epigenetic enzyme of Trypanosoma cruzi. ADVANCES IN PROTEIN CHEMISTRY AND STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY 2020; 122:203-229. [PMID: 32951812 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apcsb.2020.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
There is a growing interest to study and address neglected tropical diseases (NTD). To this end, in silico methods can serve as the bridge that connects academy and industry, encouraging the development of future treatments against these diseases. This chapter discusses current challenges in the development of new therapies, available computational methods and successful cases in computer-aided design with particular focus on human trypanosomiasis. Novel targets are also discussed. As a case study, we identify amentoflavone as a potential inhibitor of TcSir2rp3 (sirtuine) from Trypanosoma cruzi (20.03 μM) with a workflow that integrates chemoinformatic approaches, molecular modeling, and theoretical affinity calculations, as well as in vitro assays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edgar López-López
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Chemistry, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico; Department of Pharmacology, Center of Research and Advanced Studies of the National Polytechnic Institute (CINVESTAV), Mexico City, Mexico
| | | | - Fernando D Prieto-Martínez
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Chemistry, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - José L Medina-Franco
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Chemistry, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico
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10
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Adem GD, Chen G, Shabala L, Chen ZH, Shabala S. GORK Channel: A Master Switch of Plant Metabolism? TRENDS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2020; 25:434-445. [PMID: 31964604 DOI: 10.1016/j.tplants.2019.12.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2019] [Revised: 11/23/2019] [Accepted: 12/10/2019] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Potassium regulates a plethora of metabolic and developmental response in plants, and upon exposure to biotic and abiotic stresses a substantial K+ loss occurs from plant cells. The outward-rectifying potassium efflux GORK channels are central to this stress-induced K+ loss from the cytosol. In the mammalian systems, signaling molecules such as gamma-aminobutyric acid, G-proteins, ATP, inositol, and protein phosphatases were shown to operate as ligands controlling many K+ efflux channels. Here we present the evidence that the same molecules may also regulate GORK channels in plants. This mechanism enables operation of the GORK channels as a master switch of the cell metabolism, thus adjusting intracellular K+ homeostasis to altered environmental conditions, to maximize plant adaptive potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Getnet D Adem
- Tasmanian Institute for Agriculture, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7001, Australia
| | - Guang Chen
- Collaborative Innovation Centre for Grain Industry, College of Agriculture, Yangtze University, Jingzhou 434025, China; College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Lana Shabala
- Tasmanian Institute for Agriculture, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7001, Australia
| | - Zhong-Hua Chen
- School of Science and Health, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia; Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia.
| | - Sergey Shabala
- Tasmanian Institute for Agriculture, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7001, Australia; International Research Centre for Environmental Membrane Biology, Foshan University, Foshan 528000, China.
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