1
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Xie J, Rybak JM, Martin-Vicente A, Guruceaga X, Thorn HI, Nywening AV, Ge W, Parker JE, Kelly SL, Rogers PD, Fortwendel JR. The sterol C-24 methyltransferase encoding gene, erg6, is essential for viability of Aspergillus species. Nat Commun 2024; 15:4261. [PMID: 38769341 PMCID: PMC11106247 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48767-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Triazoles, the most widely used class of antifungal drugs, inhibit the biosynthesis of ergosterol, a crucial component of the fungal plasma membrane. Inhibition of a separate ergosterol biosynthetic step, catalyzed by the sterol C-24 methyltransferase Erg6, reduces the virulence of pathogenic yeasts, but its effects on filamentous fungal pathogens like Aspergillus fumigatus remain unexplored. Here, we show that the lipid droplet-associated enzyme Erg6 is essential for the viability of A. fumigatus and other Aspergillus species, including A. lentulus, A. terreus, and A. nidulans. Downregulation of erg6 causes loss of sterol-rich membrane domains required for apical extension of hyphae, as well as altered sterol profiles consistent with the Erg6 enzyme functioning upstream of the triazole drug target, Cyp51A/Cyp51B. Unexpectedly, erg6-repressed strains display wild-type susceptibility against the ergosterol-active triazole and polyene antifungals. Finally, we show that erg6 repression results in significant reduction in mortality in a murine model of invasive aspergillosis. Taken together with recent studies, our work supports Erg6 as a potentially pan-fungal drug target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinhong Xie
- Graduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Graduate Health Sciences, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Translational Science, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Jeffrey M Rybak
- Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Adela Martin-Vicente
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Translational Science, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Xabier Guruceaga
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Translational Science, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Harrison I Thorn
- Graduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Graduate Health Sciences, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Translational Science, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Ashley V Nywening
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Translational Science, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
- Integrated Program in Biomedical Sciences, College of Graduate Health Sciences, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Biochemistry, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Wenbo Ge
- Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Josie E Parker
- Molecular Biosciences Division, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, UK
| | - Steven L Kelly
- Institute of Life Science, Swansea University Medical School, Swansea, Wales, UK
| | - P David Rogers
- Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Jarrod R Fortwendel
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Translational Science, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA.
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Biochemistry, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA.
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2
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Visbal G, Justo RMS, dos Santos da Silva e Miranda G, Teixeira de Macedo Silva S, de Souza W, Rodrigues JCF, Navarro M. Zinc(II)-Sterol Hydrazone Complex as a Potent Anti-Leishmania Agent: Synthesis, Characterization, and Insight into Its Mechanism of Antiparasitic Action. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15041113. [PMID: 37111599 PMCID: PMC10142724 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15041113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 03/26/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Searching for new alternatives for treating leishmaniasis, we present the synthesis, characterization, and biological evaluation against Leishmania amazonensis of the new ZnCl2(H3)2 complex. H3 is 22-hydrazone-imidazoline-2-yl-chol-5-ene-3β-ol, a well-known bioactive molecule functioning as a sterol Δ24-sterol methyl transferase (24-SMT) inhibitor. The ZnCl2(H3)2 complex was characterized by infrared, UV-vis, molar conductance measurements, elemental analysis, mass spectrometry, and NMR experiments. The biological results showed that the free ligand H3 and ZnCl2(H3)2 significantly inhibited the growth of promastigotes and intracellular amastigotes. The IC50 values found for H3 and ZnCl2(H3)2 were 5.2 µM and 2.5 µM for promastigotes, and 543 nM and 32 nM for intracellular amastigotes, respectively. Thus, the ZnCl2(H3)2 complex proved to be seventeen times more potent than the free ligand H3 against the intracellular amastigote, the clinically relevant stage. Furthermore, cytotoxicity assays and determination of selectivity index (SI) revealed that ZnCl2(H3)2 (CC50 = 5 μΜ, SI = 156) is more selective than H3 (CC50 = 10 μΜ, SI = 20). Furthermore, as H3 is a specific inhibitor of the 24-SMT, free sterol analysis was performed. The results showed that H3 was not only able to induce depletion of endogenous parasite sterols (episterol and 5-dehydroepisterol) and their replacement by 24-desalkyl sterols (cholesta-5,7,24-trien-3β-ol and cholesta-7,24-dien-3β-ol) but also its zinc derivative resulting in a loss of cell viability. Using electron microscopy, studies on the fine ultrastructure of the parasites showed significant differences between the control cells and parasites treated with H3 and ZnCl2(H3)2. The inhibitors induced membrane wrinkle, mitochondrial injury, and abnormal chromatin condensation changes that are more intense in the cells treated with ZnCl2(H3)2.
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3
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Steroidal Antimetabolites Protect Mice against Trypanosoma brucei. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27134088. [PMID: 35807334 PMCID: PMC9268410 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27134088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Revised: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma brucei, the causative agent for human African trypanosomiasis, is an emerging ergosterol-dependent parasite that produces chokepoint enzymes, sterol methyltransferases (SMT), not synthesized in their animal hosts that can regulate cell viability. Here, we report the lethal effects of two recently described natural product antimetabolites that disrupt Acanthamoeba sterol methylation and growth, cholesta-5,7,22,24-tetraenol (CHT) and ergosta-5,7,22,24(28)-tetraenol (ERGT) that can equally target T. brucei. We found that CHT/ERGT inhibited cell growth in vitro, yielding EC50 values in the low nanomolar range with washout experiments showing cidal activity against the bloodstream form, consistent with their predicted mode of suicide inhibition on SMT activity and ergosterol production. Antimetabolite treatment generated altered T. brucei cell morphology and death rapidly within hours. Notably, in vivo ERGT/CHT protected mice infected with T. brucei, doubling their survival time following daily treatment for 8-10 days at 50 mg/kg or 100 mg/kg. The current study demonstrates a new class of lead antibiotics, in the form of common fungal sterols, for antitrypanosomal drug development.
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4
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Dembitsky VM. In Silico Prediction of Steroids and Triterpenoids as Potential Regulators of Lipid Metabolism. Mar Drugs 2021; 19:650. [PMID: 34822521 PMCID: PMC8618826 DOI: 10.3390/md19110650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Revised: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 11/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
This review focuses on a rare group of steroids and triterpenoids that share common properties as regulators of lipid metabolism. This group of compounds is divided by the type of chemical structure, and they represent: aromatic steroids, steroid phosphate esters, highly oxygenated steroids such as steroid endoperoxides and hydroperoxides, α,β-epoxy steroids, and secosteroids. In addition, subgroups of carbon-bridged steroids, neo steroids, miscellaneous steroids, as well as synthetic steroids containing heteroatoms S (epithio steroids), Se (selena steroids), Te (tellura steroids), and At (astatosteroids) were presented. Natural steroids and triterpenoids have been found and identified from various sources such as marine sponges, soft corals, starfish, and other marine invertebrates. In addition, this group of rare lipids is found in fungi, fungal endophytes, and plants. The pharmacological profile of the presented steroids and triterpenoids was determined using the well-known computer program PASS, which is currently available online for all interested scientists and pharmacologists and is currently used by research teams from more than 130 countries of the world. Our attention has been focused on the biological activities of steroids and triterpenoids associated with the regulation of cholesterol metabolism and related processes such as anti-hyperlipoproteinemic activity, as well as the treatment of atherosclerosis, lipoprotein disorders, or inhibitors of cholesterol synthesis. In addition, individual steroids and triterpenoids were identified that demonstrated rare or unique biological activities such as treating neurodegenerative diseases, Alzheimer's, and Parkinson's diseases with a high degree of certainty over 95 percent. For individual steroids or triterpenoids or a group of compounds, 3D drawings of their predicted biological activities are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valery M Dembitsky
- Centre for Applied Research, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Lethbridge College, 3000 College Drive South, Lethbridge, AB T1K 1L6, Canada
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5
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S. Justo RM, Borba-Santos LP, Sade YB, Ferreira FHC, P. Rosa NM, Costa LAS, Visbal G, Rozental S, Navarro M. Synthesis, characterization and biological evaluation of zinc and copper azasterol complexes against Sporothrix brasiliensis. NEW J CHEM 2021. [DOI: 10.1039/d1nj03656d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Characterized zinc– and copper–azasterol complexes acting as promising antifungal agents against Sporothrix brasiliensis. Metal–drug synergism was effectively applied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo M. S. Justo
- LaQBIC – Laboratório de Química Bioinorgânica e Catálise, Departamento de Química, ICE, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora, MG, Brazil
| | - Luana Pereira Borba-Santos
- Laboratório de Biologica celular de Fungos, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Youssef Bacila Sade
- DIMAV – Diretoria de Metrologia Aplicada às Ciências da Vida, Instituto Nacional de Metrologia, Qualidade e Tecnologia (INMETRO), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Frederico Henrique C. Ferreira
- NEQC – Núcleo de Estudos em Química Computacional, Departamento de Química, ICE, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora, MG, Brazil
| | - Nathália M. P. Rosa
- NEQC – Núcleo de Estudos em Química Computacional, Departamento de Química, ICE, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora, MG, Brazil
| | - Luiz Antônio S. Costa
- NEQC – Núcleo de Estudos em Química Computacional, Departamento de Química, ICE, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora, MG, Brazil
| | - Gonzalo Visbal
- DIMAV – Diretoria de Metrologia Aplicada às Ciências da Vida, Instituto Nacional de Metrologia, Qualidade e Tecnologia (INMETRO), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Sonia Rozental
- Laboratório de Biologica celular de Fungos, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Maribel Navarro
- LaQBIC – Laboratório de Química Bioinorgânica e Catálise, Departamento de Química, ICE, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora, MG, Brazil
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6
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Dembitsky VM. Antitumor and hepatoprotective activity of natural and synthetic neo steroids. Prog Lipid Res 2020; 79:101048. [PMID: 32603672 DOI: 10.1016/j.plipres.2020.101048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2020] [Revised: 04/21/2020] [Accepted: 06/12/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
In this review, steroids with a tertiary butyl group, which are usually called neo steroids, are a small group of natural lipids isolated from higher plants, fungi, marine sponges, and yeast. In addition, steroids with a tertiary butyl group have been synthesized in some laboratories in Canada, USA, Europe, and Japan and their biological activity was studied. Some natural neo steroids demonstrate antitumor or hepatoprotective activities. In addition, synthetic neo steroids exhibit anticancer and neuroprotective properties. However, to confirm the above data, both practical and clinical experimental studies are necessary. Nevertheless, the results may be useful for pharmacologists, chemists, biochemists, and the pharmaceutical industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valery M Dembitsky
- Centre for Applied Research, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Lethbridge College, 3000 College Drive South, Lethbridge, AB T1K 1L6, Canada.
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7
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Jamzivar F, Shams-Ghahfarokhi M, Khoramizadeh M, Yousefi N, Gholami-Shabani M, Razzaghi-Abyaneh M. Unraveling the importance of molecules of natural origin in antifungal drug development through targeting ergosterol biosynthesis pathway. IRANIAN JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY 2019; 11:448-459. [PMID: 32148676 PMCID: PMC7048963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Over the past decades, the incidence of life-threatening fungal infections has increased dramatically in particular among patients with hampered immune function. Fungal infections cause around 1.5 million deaths annually, superior to malaria and tuberculosis. With respect to high toxicity, narrow spectrum of activity and drug resistance to current antifungals, there is an urgent need to discover novel leads from molecules of natural origin especially those derived from plants and microorganisms for antifungal drug discovery. Among antifungal drugs introduced into the clinic, those affecting ergosterol biosynthesis are still superior to other classes and the vital role of ergosterol in fungal growth and development. This review highlights current knowledge about available antifungal agents and further issues on antifungal drug discovery from compounds of natural origin which affect ergosterol biosynthesis. Special attention is made to the fungal sterol C24-methyltransferase (SMT), a crucial enzyme in ergosterol biosynthesis pathway as a novel target for rational drug design.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Mansoor Khoramizadeh
- School of Iranian Traditional Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | | | - Mehdi Razzaghi-Abyaneh
- Department of Mycology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran,Corresponding author: Mehdi Razzaghi-Abyaneh, PhD, Department of Mycology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran., Tel: +98 21 64112804, Fax: +98 21 64112804, &
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8
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Shimada TL, Shimada T, Okazaki Y, Higashi Y, Saito K, Kuwata K, Oyama K, Kato M, Ueda H, Nakano A, Ueda T, Takano Y, Hara-Nishimura I. HIGH STEROL ESTER 1 is a key factor in plant sterol homeostasis. NATURE PLANTS 2019; 5:1154-1166. [PMID: 31712757 DOI: 10.1038/s41477-019-0537-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2017] [Accepted: 09/18/2019] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Plants strictly regulate the levels of sterol in their cells, as high sterol levels are toxic. However, how plants achieve sterol homeostasis is not fully understood. We isolated an Arabidopsis thaliana mutant that abundantly accumulated sterol esters in structures of about 1 µm in diameter in leaf cells. We designated the mutant high sterol ester 1 (hise1) and called the structures sterol ester bodies. Here, we show that HISE1, the gene product that is altered in this mutant, functions as a key factor in plant sterol homeostasis on the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and participates in a fail-safe regulatory system comprising two processes. First, HISE1 downregulates the protein levels of the β-hydroxy β-methylglutaryl-CoA reductases HMGR1 and HMGR2, which are rate-limiting enzymes in the sterol synthesis pathway, resulting in suppression of sterol overproduction. Second, if the first process is not successful, excess sterols are converted to sterol esters by phospholipid sterol acyltransferase1 (PSAT1) on ER microdomains and then segregated in SE bodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takashi L Shimada
- Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
- Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
- Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Division of Cellular Dynamics, National Institute for Basic Biology, Okazaki, Japan
- Graduate School of Horticulture, Chiba University, Matsudo, Japan
| | - Tomoo Shimada
- Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yozo Okazaki
- RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Yokohama, Japan
- Graduate School of Bioresources, Mie University, Tsu, Japan
| | | | - Kazuki Saito
- RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Yokohama, Japan
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Keiko Kuwata
- Institute of Transformative Bio-Molecules, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Kaori Oyama
- Graduate School of Humanities and Sciences, Ochanomizu University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Misako Kato
- Graduate School of Humanities and Sciences, Ochanomizu University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Haruko Ueda
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, Konan University, Kobe, Japan
| | - Akihiko Nakano
- Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- RIKEN Center for Advanced Photonics, Wako, Japan
| | - Takashi Ueda
- Division of Cellular Dynamics, National Institute for Basic Biology, Okazaki, Japan
- JST, PRESTO, Kawaguchi, Japan
- SOKENDAI (Graduate University for Advanced Studies), Okazaki, Japan
| | | | - Ikuko Hara-Nishimura
- Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, Konan University, Kobe, Japan.
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9
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Trung HV, Kuo PC, Tuan NN, Ngan NT, Trung NQ, Thanh NT, Hai HV, Phuong DL, Giang BL, Li YC, Wu TS, Thang TD. Characterization of Cytochalasins and Steroids From the Ascomycete Daldinia concentrica and Their Cytotoxicity. Nat Prod Commun 2019. [DOI: 10.1177/1934578x19846320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
One new cytochalasin daldinin (1), 2 known cytochalasins 2 and 3, along with 2 steroids 4 and 5, were characterized from the methanol extracts of the fruiting bodies of Daldinia concentrica. The structure of new compound 1 was elucidated using a combination of 1- and 2-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic and high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometric analyses. In addition, the isolated compounds were examined for their cytotoxicity against several tumor cell lines and the tested compounds demonstrated moderate-to-weak cytotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hoang Van Trung
- School of Chemistry, Biology and Environment, Vinh University, Vietnam
| | - Ping-Chung Kuo
- School of Pharmacy, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan
| | - Nguyen Ngoc Tuan
- Institute of Biotechnology and Food Technology, Industrial University of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Nguyen Thi Ngan
- Institute of Biotechnology and Food Technology, Industrial University of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | | | - Nguyen Tan Thanh
- School of Chemistry, Biology and Environment, Vinh University, Vietnam
| | - Ha Viet Hai
- Institute of Natural Product Chemistry, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Doan Lan Phuong
- Institute of Natural Product Chemistry, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Bach Long Giang
- NTT Institute of High Technology, Nguyen Tat Thanh University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Yue-Chiun Li
- Graduate Institute of Biotechnology, National Chung-Hsing University, Taichung
| | - Tian-Shung Wu
- School of Pharmacy, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy and Health Care, Tajen University, Pingtung
| | - Tran Dinh Thang
- School of Chemistry, Biology and Environment, Vinh University, Vietnam
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10
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Haubrich BA. Microbial Sterolomics as a Chemical Biology Tool. Molecules 2018; 23:E2768. [PMID: 30366429 PMCID: PMC6278499 DOI: 10.3390/molecules23112768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2018] [Revised: 10/23/2018] [Accepted: 10/23/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Metabolomics has become a powerful tool in chemical biology. Profiling the human sterolome has resulted in the discovery of noncanonical sterols, including oxysterols and meiosis-activating sterols. They are important to immune responses and development, and have been reviewed extensively. The triterpenoid metabolite fusidic acid has developed clinical relevance, and many steroidal metabolites from microbial sources possess varying bioactivities. Beyond the prospect of pharmacognostical agents, the profiling of minor metabolites can provide insight into an organism's biosynthesis and phylogeny, as well as inform drug discovery about infectious diseases. This review aims to highlight recent discoveries from detailed sterolomic profiling in microorganisms and their phylogenic and pharmacological implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brad A Haubrich
- Department of Chemistry, University of Nevada, Reno, Reno, NV 89557, USA.
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11
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Synthesis and Biological Activity of Sterol 14α-Demethylase and Sterol C24-Methyltransferase Inhibitors. Molecules 2018; 23:molecules23071753. [PMID: 30018257 PMCID: PMC6099924 DOI: 10.3390/molecules23071753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2018] [Revised: 07/13/2018] [Accepted: 07/15/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Sterol 14α-demethylase (SDM) is essential for sterol biosynthesis and is the primary molecular target for clinical and agricultural antifungals. SDM has been demonstrated to be a valid drug target for antiprotozoal therapies, and much research has been focused on using SDM inhibitors to treat neglected tropical diseases such as human African trypanosomiasis (HAT), Chagas disease, and leishmaniasis. Sterol C24-methyltransferase (24-SMT) introduces the C24-methyl group of ergosterol and is an enzyme found in pathogenic fungi and protozoa but is absent from animals. This difference in sterol metabolism has the potential to be exploited in the development of selective drugs that specifically target 24-SMT of invasive fungi or protozoa without adversely affecting the human or animal host. The synthesis and biological activity of SDM and 24-SMT inhibitors are reviewed herein.
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12
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Jahanshiri Z, Shams-Ghahfarokhi M, Asghari-Paskiabi F, Saghiri R, Razzaghi-Abyaneh M. α-Bisabolol inhibits Aspergillus fumigatus Af239 growth via affecting microsomal ∆24-sterol methyltransferase as a crucial enzyme in ergosterol biosynthesis pathway. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 2017; 33:55. [DOI: 10.1007/s11274-017-2214-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2016] [Accepted: 01/18/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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13
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Valitova JN, Sulkarnayeva AG, Minibayeva FV. Plant Sterols: Diversity, Biosynthesis, and Physiological Functions. BIOCHEMISTRY (MOSCOW) 2017; 81:819-34. [PMID: 27677551 DOI: 10.1134/s0006297916080046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Sterols, which are isoprenoid derivatives, are structural components of biological membranes. Special attention is now being given not only to their structure and function, but also to their regulatory roles in plants. Plant sterols have diverse composition; they exist as free sterols, sterol esters with higher fatty acids, sterol glycosides, and acylsterol glycosides, which are absent in animal cells. This diversity of types of phytosterols determines a wide spectrum of functions they play in plant life. Sterols are precursors of a group of plant hormones, the brassinosteroids, which regulate plant growth and development. Furthermore, sterols participate in transmembrane signal transduction by forming lipid microdomains. The predominant sterols in plants are β-sitosterol, campesterol, and stigmasterol. These sterols differ in the presence of a methyl or an ethyl group in the side chain at the 24th carbon atom and are named methylsterols or ethylsterols, respectively. The balance between 24-methylsterols and 24-ethylsterols is specific for individual plant species. The present review focuses on the key stages of plant sterol biosynthesis that determine the ratios between the different types of sterols, and the crosstalk between the sterol and sphingolipid pathways. The main enzymes involved in plant sterol biosynthesis are 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase, C24-sterol methyltransferase, and C22-sterol desaturase. These enzymes are responsible for maintaining the optimal balance between sterols. Regulation of the ratios between the different types of sterols and sterols/sphingolipids can be of crucial importance in the responses of plants to stresses.
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Affiliation(s)
- J N Valitova
- Kazan Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Kazan, 420111, Russia
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14
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Leaver DJ, Patkar P, Singha UK, Miller MB, Haubrich BA, Chaudhuri M, Nes WD. Fluorinated Sterols Are Suicide Inhibitors of Ergosterol Biosynthesis and Growth in Trypanosoma brucei. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2016; 22:1374-83. [PMID: 26496686 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2015.08.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2015] [Revised: 08/20/2015] [Accepted: 08/28/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Trypanosoma brucei, the causal agent for sleeping sickness, depends on ergosterol for growth. Here, we describe the effects of a mechanism-based inhibitor, 26-fluorolanosterol (26FL), which converts in vivo to a fluorinated substrate of the sterol C24-methyltransferase essential for sterol methylation and function of ergosterol, and missing from the human host. 26FL showed potent inhibition of ergosterol biosynthesis and growth of procyclic and bloodstream forms while having no effect on cholesterol biosynthesis or growth of human epithelial kidney cells. During exposure of cloned TbSMT to 26-fluorocholesta-5,7,24-trienol, the enzyme is gradually killed as a consequence of the covalent binding of the intermediate C25 cation to the active site (kcat/kinact = 0.26 min(-1)/0.24 min(-1); partition ratio of 1.08), whereas 26FL is non-productively bound. These results demonstrate that poisoning of ergosterol biosynthesis by a 26-fluorinated Δ(24)-sterol is a promising strategy for developing a new treatment for trypanosomiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- David J Leaver
- Center for Chemical Biology and Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Texas Tech University, 2500 Broadway, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA; Institute of Chemistry and Biomedical Sciences, Nanjing University, 22 Hankou Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210093, P.R. China
| | - Presheet Patkar
- Center for Chemical Biology and Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Texas Tech University, 2500 Broadway, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
| | - Ujjal K Singha
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Meharry Medical College, 1005 Doctor D. B. Todd Jr. Boulevard, Nashville, TN 37208, USA
| | - Matthew B Miller
- Center for Chemical Biology and Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Texas Tech University, 2500 Broadway, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
| | - Brad A Haubrich
- Center for Chemical Biology and Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Texas Tech University, 2500 Broadway, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
| | - Minu Chaudhuri
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Meharry Medical College, 1005 Doctor D. B. Todd Jr. Boulevard, Nashville, TN 37208, USA
| | - W David Nes
- Center for Chemical Biology and Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Texas Tech University, 2500 Broadway, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA.
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15
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Gas-Pascual E, Simonovik B, Schaller H, Bach TJ. Inhibition of Cycloartenol Synthase (CAS) Function in Tobacco BY-2 Cells. Lipids 2015; 50:761-72. [PMID: 26033687 DOI: 10.1007/s11745-015-4036-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2014] [Accepted: 05/15/2015] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Tobacco BY-2 cell suspensions are our preferred model for studying isoprenoid biosynthesis pathways, due to their easy genetic transformation and the efficient absorption of metabolic precursors, intermediates, and/or inhibitors. Using this model system, we have analyzed the effects of chemical and genetic blockage of cycloartenol synthase (CAS, EC 5.4.99.8), an oxidosqualene cyclase that catalyzes the first committed step in the sterol pathway of plants. BY-2 cells were treated with RO 48-8071, a potent inhibitor of oxidosqualene cyclization. Short-term treatments (24 h) resulted in accumulation of oxidosqualene with no changes in the final sterol products. Interestingly, long-term treatments (6 days) induced down-regulation in gene expression not only of CAS but also of the SMT2 gene coding sterol methyltransferase 2 (EC 2.1.1.41). This explains some of the increase in 24-methyl sterols at the expense of the 24-ethyl sterols stigmasterol and sitosterol. In our alternative strategy, CAS gene expression was partially blocked by using an inducible artificial microRNA. The limited effectiveness of this approach might be explained by some dependence of the machinery for RNAi formation on an operating MVA/sterol pathway. For comparison we checked the effect of RO 48-8071 on a green cell suspension of Arabidopsis and on seedlings, containing a small spectrum of triterpenes besides phytosterols. Triterpenes remained essentially unaffected, but phytosterol accumulation was clearly diminished.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabet Gas-Pascual
- Department of Horticulture and Crop Science, The Ohio State University, Wooster, OH, 44691, USA
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16
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Klemptner RL, Sherwood JS, Tugizimana F, Dubery IA, Piater LA. Ergosterol, an orphan fungal microbe-associated molecular pattern (MAMP). MOLECULAR PLANT PATHOLOGY 2014; 15:747-61. [PMID: 24528492 PMCID: PMC6638689 DOI: 10.1111/mpp.12127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Fungal pathogens continue to pose a significant threat to crop production and food supply. The early stages of plant-fungus interactions are mostly mediated by microbe-associated molecular pattern (MAMP) molecules, perceived by plant pattern recognition receptors (PRRs). Currently, the identified fungal MAMP molecules include chitin, chitosan, β-glucans, elicitins and ergosterol. Although the molecular battles between host plants and infecting fungal phytopathogens have been studied extensively, many aspects still need to be investigated to obtain a holistic understanding of the intrinsic mechanisms, which is paramount in combating fungal plant diseases. Here, an overview is given of the most recent findings concerning an 'orphan' fungal MAMP molecule, ergosterol, and we present what is currently known from a synopsis of different genes, proteins and metabolites found to play key roles in induced immune responses in plant-fungus interactions. Clearly, integrative investigations are still needed to provide a comprehensive systems-based understanding of the dynamics associated with molecular mechanisms in plant-ergosterol interactions and associated host responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robyn L Klemptner
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, 2006, South Africa
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17
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Krojer M, Müller C, Bracher F. Steroidomimetic Aminomethyl Spiroacetals as Novel Inhibitors of the Enzyme Δ8,7-Sterol Isomerase in Cholesterol Biosynthesis. Arch Pharm (Weinheim) 2013; 347:108-22. [DOI: 10.1002/ardp.201300296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2013] [Revised: 09/16/2013] [Accepted: 09/17/2013] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Melanie Krojer
- Department of Pharmacy - Center for Drug Research; Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich; Munich Germany
| | - Christoph Müller
- Department of Pharmacy - Center for Drug Research; Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich; Munich Germany
| | - Franz Bracher
- Department of Pharmacy - Center for Drug Research; Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich; Munich Germany
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18
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Ačimovič J, Rozman D. Steroidal triterpenes of cholesterol synthesis. Molecules 2013; 18:4002-17. [PMID: 23558541 PMCID: PMC6269928 DOI: 10.3390/molecules18044002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2013] [Revised: 03/19/2013] [Accepted: 03/27/2013] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Cholesterol synthesis is a ubiquitous and housekeeping metabolic pathway that leads to cholesterol, an essential structural component of mammalian cell membranes, required for proper membrane permeability and fluidity. The last part of the pathway involves steroidal triterpenes with cholestane ring structures. It starts by conversion of acyclic squalene into lanosterol, the first sterol intermediate of the pathway, followed by production of 20 structurally very similar steroidal triterpene molecules in over 11 complex enzyme reactions. Due to the structural similarities of sterol intermediates and the broad substrate specificity of the enzymes involved (especially sterol-Δ24-reductase; DHCR24) the exact sequence of the reactions between lanosterol and cholesterol remains undefined. This article reviews all hitherto known structures of post-squalene steroidal triterpenes of cholesterol synthesis, their biological roles and the enzymes responsible for their synthesis. Furthermore, it summarises kinetic parameters of enzymes (Vmax and Km) and sterol intermediate concentrations from various tissues. Due to the complexity of the post-squalene cholesterol synthesis pathway, future studies will require a comprehensive meta-analysis of the pathway to elucidate the exact reaction sequence in different tissues, physiological or disease conditions. A major reason for the standstill of detailed late cholesterol synthesis research was the lack of several steroidal triterpene standards. We aid to this efforts by summarizing commercial and laboratory standards, referring also to chemical syntheses of meiosis-activating sterols.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jure Ačimovič
- Centre for Functional Genomics and Bio-Chips, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Biochemistry, University of Ljubljana, Zaloška 4, Ljubljana SI-1000, Slovenia.
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19
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Affiliation(s)
- W David Nes
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas 79409, USA.
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20
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Visbal G, San-Blas G, Maldonado A, Álvarez-Aular Á, Capparelli MV, Murgich J. Synthesis, in vitro antifungal activity and mechanism of action of four sterol hydrazone analogues against the dimorphic fungus Paracoccidioides brasiliensis. Steroids 2011; 76:1069-81. [PMID: 21605581 DOI: 10.1016/j.steroids.2011.04.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2010] [Revised: 04/18/2011] [Accepted: 04/21/2011] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The design and synthesis of novel sterol hydrazone analogues (9, 10, 11 and 12) are described, followed by their evaluation as inhibitors of fungal growth, using Paracoccidioides brasiliensis as the biological tester. Compounds 9, 10, 11 and 12 generated a dose-dependent effect in fungal growth, particularly 9, 11 and 12, which were active at nanomolar concentrations (100 nM). When P. brasiliensis in its pathogenic yeast-like phase was treated individually with each of the aforementioned compounds at concentrations that reduced growth rate around 50%, the analysis of sterol composition in the resulting surviving cells demonstrated a 50% reduction of the final sterols brasicasterol and ergosterol, and concomitant increase in the levels of lanosterol. These results indicate that these compounds inhibit the enzyme Δ(24)-sterol methyl transferase (SMT), in a manner dependent on the stereochemical location of the hydrazone group. Compound 12, instead, induced a good antiproliferative activity not associated with blockage of any step in the pathway to sterol biosynthesis, suggesting a different mode of action. The X-ray crystal structure of H1 was determined to obtain information regarding the rings and side chain conformation of the sterol hydrazones. Comparison of the inhibitory effects of sterol hydrazones (9-12) and azasterols (AZA1-AZA3) on SMT with the molecular electrostatic potential, negative isopotential energy surfaces (-10 kcal/mol) and local ionization potential calculated via DFT methods, showed that changes in the electronic moiety introduced by the N and O atoms were not as important as the additional flexibility of the side chain introduced by an extra methylene group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gonzalo Visbal
- Center of Chemistry, Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas, P.O. Box 20632, Caracas 1020A, Venezuela.
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21
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Ganapathy K, Kanagasabai R, Nguyen TTM, Nes WD. Purification, characterization and inhibition of sterol C24-methyltransferase from Candida albicans. Arch Biochem Biophys 2011; 505:194-201. [DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2010.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2010] [Revised: 10/05/2010] [Accepted: 10/07/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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