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das Neves MA, do Nascimento JR, Maciel-Silva VL, Dos Santos AM, Junior JDJGV, Coelho AJS, Lima MIS, Pereira SRF, da Rocha CQ. Anti-Leishmania activity and molecular docking of unusual flavonoids-rich fraction from Arrabidaea brachypoda (Bignoniaceae). Mol Biochem Parasitol 2024; 259:111629. [PMID: 38750697 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2024.111629] [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: 06/09/2023] [Revised: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/20/2024]
Abstract
Leishmaniases comprise a group of infectious parasitic diseases caused by various species of Leishmania and are considered a significant public health problem worldwide. Only a few medications, including miltefosine, amphotericin B, and meglumine antimonate, are used in current therapy. These medications are associated with severe side effects, low efficacy, high cost, and the need for hospital support. Additionally, there have been occurrences of drug resistance. Additionally, only a limited number of drugs, such as meglumine antimonate, amphotericin B, and miltefosine, are available, all of which are associated with severe side effects. In this context, the need for new effective drugs with fewer adverse effects is evident. Therefore, this study investigated the anti-Leishmania activity of a dichloromethane fraction (DCMF) extracted from Arrabidaea brachypoda roots. This fraction inhibited the viability of L. infantum, L. braziliensis, and L. Mexicana promastigotes, with IC50 values of 10.13, 11.44, and 11.16 µg/mL, respectively, and against L. infantum amastigotes (IC50 = 4.81 µg/mL). Moreover, the DCMF exhibited moderate cytotoxicity (CC50 = 25.15) towards RAW264.7 macrophages, with a selectivity index (SI) of 5.2. Notably, the DCMF caused damage to the macrophage genome only at 40 µg/mL, which is greater than the IC50 found for all Leishmania species. The results suggest that DCMF demonstrates similar antileishmanial effectiveness to isolated brachydin B, without causing genotoxic effects on mammalian cells. This finding is crucial because the isolation of the compounds relies on several steps and is very costly while obtaining the DCMF fraction is a simple and cost-effective process. Furthermore, In addition, the potential mechanisms of action of brachydins were also investigated. The computational analysis indicates that brachydin compounds bind to the Triosephosphate isomerase (TIM) enzyme via two main mechanisms: destabilizing the interface between the homodimers and interacting with catalytic residues situated at the site of binding. Based on all the results, DCMF exhibits promise as a therapeutic agent for leishmaniasis due to its significantly reduced toxicity in comparison to the adverse effects associated with current reference treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica A das Neves
- UFMA-Federal University of Maranhão, Center for Exact Sciences and Technology (CCET), Post Graduate Program in Chemistry, São Luís CEP 65080-805, Brazil
| | - Jessyane R do Nascimento
- UNESP, São Paulo State University Júlio de Mesquita Filho, Institute of Chemistry, Post Graduate Program in Chemistry, Araraquara CEP 14800-060, Brazil
| | - Vera Lucia Maciel-Silva
- UEMA, Maranhão State University, Center for Education, Exact and Natural Sciences (CECEN), Department of Biology, CEP: 65055-310, São Luís, Brazil
| | - Alberto M Dos Santos
- UNICAMP - University of Campinas, Institute of Chemistry and Center for Computer in Engineering and Sciences, Campinas CEP 13084-862, Brazil
| | | | - Ana Jessica S Coelho
- UFMA-Federal University of Maranhão, Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Department of Biology, São Luís CEP 65080-805, Brazil
| | - Mayara Ingrid S Lima
- UFMA-Federal University of Maranhão, Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Department of Biology, São Luís CEP 65080-805, Brazil
| | - Silma Regina F Pereira
- UFMA-Federal University of Maranhão, Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Department of Biology, São Luís CEP 65080-805, Brazil
| | - Cláudia Q da Rocha
- UFMA-Federal University of Maranhão, Center for Exact Sciences and Technology (CCET), Post Graduate Program in Chemistry, São Luís CEP 65080-805, Brazil.
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Resende LF, Pliego JR. Modeling the alkylation of amines with alkyl bromides: explaining the low selectivity due to multiple alkylation. J Mol Model 2024; 30:107. [PMID: 38492112 DOI: 10.1007/s00894-024-05902-7] [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: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024]
Abstract
CONTEXT Nucleophilic substitution reactions of aliphatic amines with alkyl halides represent a simple and direct mechanism for obtaining higher-order aliphatic amines. However, it is well known that these reactions suffer from low selectivity due to multiple alkylations, which is attributed to the higher reactivity of the newly formed amine. In order to provide a detailed explanation for this kind of system, we have investigated the reactivity of primary and secondary amines with 1-bromopropane and 2-bromopropane. The free energy profile in acetonitrile solution was obtained and a detailed microkinetic analysis was needed to analyze this complex reaction system. We have found that the product of the first alkylation is an ion pair corresponding to the protonated secondary amine and the bromide ion, which can transfer the proton to the reactant primary amine. Then, the newly formed secondary amine can also react, leading to a second alkylation to produce a tertiary protonated amine. Our modeling points out that both the proton transfer equilibria and the similar reactivity of the primary and secondary amines produce reduced selectivity. The proton transfer equilibria also contribute to slowing down the kinetics of the first alkylation. METHODS The exploration of the mechanism was done by geometry optimization using the CPCM/X3LYP/ma-def2-SVP method, followed by harmonic frequency calculation at this same level of theory. A composite approach was used to obtain the free energy profile, using the more accurate ωB97X-D3/ma-def2-TZVPP level of theory for electronic energy and the SMD model for the solvation free energy. These calculations were performed with the ORCA 4 program. The detailed microkinetic analysis was done using the Kintecus program.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis F Resende
- Departamento de Ciências Naturais, Universidade Federal de São João del Rei, São João del Rei, MG, 36301-160, Brazil
| | - Josefredo R Pliego
- Departamento de Ciências Naturais, Universidade Federal de São João del Rei, São João del Rei, MG, 36301-160, Brazil.
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Waldman J, Klafke GM, Tirloni L, Logullo C, da Silva Vaz I. Putative target sites in synganglion for novel ixodid tick control strategies. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2023; 14:102123. [PMID: 36716581 PMCID: PMC10033424 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2023.102123] [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: 07/28/2022] [Revised: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Acaricide resistance is a global problem that has impacts worldwide. Tick populations with broad resistance to all commercially available acaricides have been reported. Since resistance selection in ticks and their role in pathogen transmission to animals and humans result in important economic and public health burden, it is essential to develop new strategies for their control (i.e., novel chemical compounds, vaccines, biological control). The synganglion is the tick central nervous system and it is responsible for synthesizing and releasing signaling molecules with different physiological functions. Synganglion proteins are the targets of the majority of available acaricides. In this review we provide an overview of the mode-of-action and resistance mechanisms against neurotoxic acaricides in ticks, as well as putative target sites in synganglion, as a supporting tool to identify new target proteins and to develop new strategies for tick control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jéssica Waldman
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Guilherme Marcondes Klafke
- Instituto de Pesquisas Veterinárias Desidério Finamor - Centro de Pesquisa em Saúde Animal, Secretaria da Agricultura, Pecuária e Desenvolvimento Rural, Eldorado do Sul, RS, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia - Entomologia Molecular, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Lucas Tirloni
- Laboratory of Bacteriology, Tick-Pathogen Transmission Unit, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Hamilton, MT, USA
| | - Carlos Logullo
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia - Entomologia Molecular, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; Laboratório de Bioquímica de Artrópodes Hematófagos, IBqM, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Itabajara da Silva Vaz
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia - Entomologia Molecular, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
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Virtual Screening of Benzimidazole Derivatives as Potential Triose Phosphate Isomerase Inhibitors with Biological Activity against Leishmania mexicana. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:ph16030390. [PMID: 36986489 PMCID: PMC10058926 DOI: 10.3390/ph16030390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2023] [Revised: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Leishmania mexicana (L. mexicana) is a causal agent of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), a “Neglected disease”, for which the search for new drugs is a priority. Benzimidazole is a scaffold used to develop antiparasitic drugs; therefore, it is interesting molecule against L. mexicana. In this work, a ligand-based virtual screening (LBVS) of the ZINC15 database was performed. Subsequently, molecular docking was used to predict the compounds with potential binding at the dimer interface of triosephosphate isomerase (TIM) of L. mexicana (LmTIM). Compounds were selected on binding patterns, cost, and commercial availability for in vitro assays against L. mexicana blood promastigotes. The compounds were analyzed by molecular dynamics simulation on LmTIM and its homologous human TIM. Finally, the physicochemical and pharmacokinetic properties were determined in silico. A total of 175 molecules with docking scores between −10.8 and −9.0 Kcal/mol were obtained. Compound E2 showed the best leishmanicidal activity (IC50 = 4.04 µM) with a value similar to the reference drug pentamidine (IC50 = 2.23 µM). Molecular dynamics analysis predicted low affinity for human TIM. Furthermore, the pharmacokinetic and toxicological properties of the compounds were suitable for developing new leishmanicidal agents.
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Aguilera E, Sánchez C, Cruces ME, Dávila B, Minini L, Mosquillo F, Pérez-Díaz L, Serna E, Torres S, Schini A, Sanabria L, Vera de Bilbao NI, Yaluff G, Zolessi FR, Ceilas LF, Cerecetto H, Alvarez G. Preclinical Studies and Drug Combination of Low-Cost Molecules for Chagas Disease. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 16:ph16010020. [PMID: 36678516 PMCID: PMC9863266 DOI: 10.3390/ph16010020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2022] [Revised: 12/18/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease is caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi). It remains the major parasitic disease in Latin America and is spreading worldwide, affecting over 10 million people. Hundreds of new compounds with trypanosomicidal action have been identified from different sources such as synthetic or natural molecules, but they have been deficient in several stages of drug development (toxicology, scaling-up, and pharmacokinetics). Previously, we described a series of compounds with simple structures, low cost, and environmentally friendly production with potent trypanosomicidal activity in vitro and in vivo. These molecules are from three different families: thiazolidenehydrazines, diarylideneketones, and steroids. From this collection, we explored their capacity to inhibit the triosephosphate isomerase and cruzipain of T. cruzi. Then, the mechanism of action was explored using NMR metabolomics and computational molecular dynamics. Moreover, the mechanism of death was studied by flow cytometry. Consequently, five compounds, 314, 793, 1018, 1019, and 1260, were pre-clinically studied and their pharmacologic profiles indicated low unspecific toxicity. Interestingly, synergetic effects of diarylideneketones 793 plus 1018 and 793 plus 1019 were evidenced in vitro and in vivo. In vivo, the combination of compounds 793 plus 1018 induced a reduction of more than 90% of the peak of parasitemia in the acute murine model of Chagas disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Aguilera
- Grupo de Química Orgánica Medicinal, Instituto de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo 11400, Uruguay
| | - Carina Sánchez
- Grupo de Química Orgánica Medicinal, Instituto de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo 11400, Uruguay
| | - María Eugenia Cruces
- Grupo de Química Orgánica Medicinal, Instituto de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo 11400, Uruguay
| | - Belén Dávila
- Grupo de Química Orgánica Medicinal, Instituto de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo 11400, Uruguay
| | - Lucía Minini
- Laboratorio de Química Teórica y Computacional, Instituto de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo 11400, Uruguay
| | - Florencia Mosquillo
- Laboratorio de Interacciones Moleculares, Instituto de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo 11400, Uruguay
| | - Leticia Pérez-Díaz
- Laboratorio de Interacciones Moleculares, Instituto de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo 11400, Uruguay
| | - Elva Serna
- Departamento de Medicina Tropical, Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Nacional de Asunción, San Lorenzo 2169, Paraguay
| | - Susana Torres
- Departamento de Medicina Tropical, Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Nacional de Asunción, San Lorenzo 2169, Paraguay
| | - Alicia Schini
- Departamento de Medicina Tropical, Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Nacional de Asunción, San Lorenzo 2169, Paraguay
| | - Luis Sanabria
- Departamento de Medicina Tropical, Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Nacional de Asunción, San Lorenzo 2169, Paraguay
| | - Ninfa I. Vera de Bilbao
- Departamento de Medicina Tropical, Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Nacional de Asunción, San Lorenzo 2169, Paraguay
| | - Gloria Yaluff
- Departamento de Medicina Tropical, Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Nacional de Asunción, San Lorenzo 2169, Paraguay
| | - Flavio R. Zolessi
- Sección Biología Celular, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República and Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo 11400, Uruguay
| | | | - Hugo Cerecetto
- Grupo de Química Orgánica Medicinal, Instituto de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo 11400, Uruguay
- Correspondence: (H.C.); (G.A.)
| | - Guzmán Alvarez
- Laboratorio de Moléculas Bioactivas, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, CENUR Litoral Norte, Universidad de la República, Rute 3 km 363, Paysandú 60000, Uruguay
- Correspondence: (H.C.); (G.A.)
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Saporiti T, Cabrera M, Bentancur J, Ferrari ME, Cabrera N, Pérez-Montfort R, Aguirre-Crespo FJ, Gil J, Cuore U, Matiadis D, Sagnou M, Alvarez G. Phenotypic and Target-Directed Screening Yields New Acaricidal Alternatives for the Control of Ticks. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 27:molecules27248863. [PMID: 36557996 PMCID: PMC9781803 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27248863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Revised: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Rhipicephalus microplus, the "common cattle tick", is the most important ectoparasite in livestock worldwide due to the economic and health losses it produces. This tick is a vector for pathogens of several tick-borne diseases. In Latin American countries, damages reach approximately USD 500 million annually due to tick infections, as well as tick-borne diseases. Currently, resistant populations for every chemical group of acaricides have been reported, posing a serious problem for tick control. This study aims to find new alternatives for controlling resistant ticks with compounds derived from small synthetic organic molecules and natural origins. Using BME26 embryonic cells, we performed phenotypic screening of 44 natural extracts from 10 Mexican plants used in traditional medicine, and 33 compounds selected from our chemical collection. We found 10 extracts and 13 compounds that inhibited cell growth by 50% at 50 µg/mL and 100 µM, respectively; the dose-response profile of two of them was characterized, and these compounds were assayed in vitro against different life stages of Rhipicephalus microplus. We also performed a target-directed screening of the activity of triosephosphate isomerase, using 86 compounds selected from our chemical collection. In this collection, we found the most potent and selective inhibitor of tick triosephosphate isomerase reported until now. Two other compounds had a potent acaricidal effect in vitro using adults and larvae when compared with other acaricides such as ivermectin and Amitraz. Those compounds were also selective to the ticks compared with the cytotoxicity in mammalian cells like macrophages or bovine spermatozoids. They also had a good toxicological profile, resulting in promising acaricidal compounds for tick control in cattle raising.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatiana Saporiti
- Laboratorio de Moléculas Bioactivas, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, CENUR Litoral Norte, Universidad de la República, Paysandú 60000, Uruguay
| | - Mauricio Cabrera
- Laboratorio de Moléculas Bioactivas, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, CENUR Litoral Norte, Universidad de la República, Paysandú 60000, Uruguay
- Correspondence: (M.C.); (G.A.)
| | - Josefina Bentancur
- Laboratorio de Moléculas Bioactivas, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, CENUR Litoral Norte, Universidad de la República, Paysandú 60000, Uruguay
| | - María Elisa Ferrari
- Laboratorio de Moléculas Bioactivas, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, CENUR Litoral Norte, Universidad de la República, Paysandú 60000, Uruguay
| | - Nallely Cabrera
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Estructural, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de Mexico 04510, Mexico
| | - Ruy Pérez-Montfort
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Estructural, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de Mexico 04510, Mexico
| | | | - Jorge Gil
- Laboratorio de Reproducción Animal, Producción y Reproducción de Rumiantes, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, CENUR Litoral Norte, Universidad de la República, Paysandú 60000, Uruguay
| | - Ulises Cuore
- División de Laboratorios Veterinarios “Miguel C. Rubino”, Ministerio de Ganadería, Agricultura y Pesca, Montevideo 91600, Uruguay
| | - Dimitris Matiadis
- National Center for Scientific Research ‘Demokritos’, Institute of Biosciences & Applications, 15310 Athens, Greece
| | - Marina Sagnou
- National Center for Scientific Research ‘Demokritos’, Institute of Biosciences & Applications, 15310 Athens, Greece
| | - Guzmán Alvarez
- Laboratorio de Moléculas Bioactivas, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, CENUR Litoral Norte, Universidad de la República, Paysandú 60000, Uruguay
- Correspondence: (M.C.); (G.A.)
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Characterization and evaluation of a new triosephosphate isomerase homologue from Haemaphysalis longicornis as a candidate vaccine against tick infection. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2022; 13:101968. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2022.101968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2021] [Revised: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Waldman J, Xavier MA, Vieira LR, Logullo R, Braz GRC, Tirloni L, Ribeiro JMC, Veenstra JA, Silva Vaz ID. Neuropeptides in Rhipicephalus microplus and other hard ticks. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2022; 13:101910. [PMID: 35121230 PMCID: PMC9477089 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2022.101910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Revised: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The synganglion is the central nervous system of ticks and, as such, controls tick physiology. It does so through the production and release of signaling molecules, many of which are neuropeptides. These peptides can function as neurotransmitters, neuromodulators and/or neurohormones, although in most cases their functions remain to be established. We identified and performed in silico characterization of neuropeptides present in different life stages and organs of Rhipicephalus microplus, generating transcriptomes from ovary, salivary glands, fat body, midgut and embryo. Annotation of synganglion transcripts led to the identification of 32 functional categories of proteins, of which the most abundant were: secreted, energetic metabolism and oxidant metabolism/detoxification. Neuropeptide precursors are among the sequences over-represented in R. microplus synganglion, with at least 5-fold higher transcription compared with other stages/organs. A total of 52 neuropeptide precursors were identified: ACP, achatin, allatostatins A, CC and CCC, allatotropin, bursicon A/B, calcitonin A and B, CCAP, CCHamide, CCRFamide, CCH/ITP, corazonin, DH31, DH44, eclosion hormone, EFLamide, EFLGGPamide, elevenin, ETH, FMRFamide myosuppressin-like, glycoprotein A2/B5, gonadulin, IGF, inotocin, insulin-like peptides, iPTH, leucokinin, myoinhibitory peptide, NPF 1 and 2, orcokinin, proctolin, pyrokinin/periviscerokinin, relaxin, RYamide, SIFamide, sNPF, sulfakinin, tachykinin and trissin. Several of these neuropeptides have not been previously reported in ticks, as the presence of ETH that was first clearly identified in Parasitiformes, which include ticks and mites. Prediction of the mature neuropeptides from precursor sequences was performed using available information about these peptides from other species, conserved domains and motifs. Almost all neuropeptides identified are also present in other tick species. Characterizing the role of neuropeptides and their respective receptors in tick physiology can aid the evaluation of their potential as drug targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jéssica Waldman
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Marina Amaral Xavier
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Larissa Rezende Vieira
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Raquel Logullo
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Gloria Regina Cardoso Braz
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia - Entomologia Molecular, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Lucas Tirloni
- Tick-Pathogen Transmission Unit, Laboratory of Bacteriology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Hamilton, MT, USA
| | - José Marcos C Ribeiro
- Vector Biology Section, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Jan A Veenstra
- Institut de Neurosciences Cognitives et Intégratives d'Aquitaine, UMR 5287 CNRS, Université de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - Itabajara da Silva Vaz
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia - Entomologia Molecular, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
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Preclinical Studies in Anti- Trypanosomatidae Drug Development. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14070644. [PMID: 34358070 PMCID: PMC8308625 DOI: 10.3390/ph14070644] [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: 06/02/2021] [Revised: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The trypanosomatid parasites Trypanosoma brucei, Trypanosoma cruzi and Leishmania are the causative agents of human African trypanosomiasis, Chagas Disease and Leishmaniasis, respectively. These infections primarily affect poor, rural communities in the developing world, and are responsible for trapping sufferers and their families in a disease/poverty cycle. The development of new chemotherapies is a priority given that existing drug treatments are problematic. In our search for novel anti-trypanosomatid agents, we assess the growth-inhibitory properties of >450 compounds from in-house and/or "Pathogen Box" (PBox) libraries against L. infantum, L. amazonensis, L.braziliensis, T. cruzi and T. brucei and evaluate the toxicities of the most promising agents towards murine macrophages. Screens using the in-house series identified 17 structures with activity against and selective toward Leishmania: Compounds displayed 50% inhibitory concentrations between 0.09 and 25 μM and had selectivity index values >10. For the PBox library, ~20% of chemicals exhibited anti-parasitic properties including five structures whose activity against L. infantum had not been reported before. These five compounds displayed no toxicity towards murine macrophages over the range tested with three being active in an in vivo murine model of the cutaneous disease, with 100% survival of infected animals. Additionally, the oral combination of three of them in the in vivo Chagas disease murine model demonstrated full control of the parasitemia. Interestingly, phenotyping revealed that the reference strain responds differently to the five PBox-derived chemicals relative to parasites isolated from a dog. Together, our data identified one drug candidate that displays activity against Leishmania and other Trypanosomatidae in vitro and in vivo, while exhibiting low toxicity to cultured mammalian cells and low in vivo acute toxicity.
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Vique-Sánchez JL, Jiménez-Pineda A, Benítez-Cardoza CG. Amoebicidal effect of 5,5'-[(4-nitrophenyl)methylene]bis-6-hydroxy-2-mercapto-3-methyl-4(3H)-pyrimidinone), a new drug against Entamoeba histolytica. Arch Pharm (Weinheim) 2020; 354:e2000263. [PMID: 33017058 DOI: 10.1002/ardp.202000263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2020] [Revised: 09/10/2020] [Accepted: 09/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Entamoeba histolytica is a cosmopolitan protozoan parasite that can produce infections in the intestine and some organs (liver, lungs, and brain), with worldwide prevalence. There are treatments against E. histolytica (antiparasitics), but as the drugs used in these treatments have presented some type of resistance and/or side effects, there are cases with complications of this disease. Therefore, it is necessary to develop new drugs aimed at a specific therapeutic target against this parasite. Here, we used the compound 5,5'-[(4-nitrophenyl)methylene]bis(6-hydroxy-2-mercapto-3-methyl-4(3H)-pyrimidinone) in the patenting process (called D4). D4 has a reported specific use against a glycolytic enzyme, the triosephosphate isomerase of Trichomonas vaginalis (TvTIM). We determined that D4 has an amoebicidal effect in in vitro cultures, with an IC50 value of 18.5 µM, and we proposed a specific site of interaction (Lys77, His110, Gln115, and Glu118) in the triosephosphate isomerase of E. histolytica (EhTIM). Furthermore, compound D4 has favorable experimental and theoretical toxicity results. Therefore, D4 should be further investigated as a potential drug against E. histolytica.
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Affiliation(s)
- José L Vique-Sánchez
- Facultad de Medicina Mexicali, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Mexicali, Baja California, México
| | - Albertana Jiménez-Pineda
- Laboratorio de Investigación Bioquímica, ENMyH-Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Claudia G Benítez-Cardoza
- Laboratorio de Investigación Bioquímica, ENMyH-Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México, México
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Sorvillo TE, Rodriguez SE, Hudson P, Carey M, Rodriguez LL, Spiropoulou CF, Bird BH, Spengler JR, Bente DA. Towards a Sustainable One Health Approach to Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Prevention: Focus Areas and Gaps in Knowledge. Trop Med Infect Dis 2020; 5:tropicalmed5030113. [PMID: 32645889 PMCID: PMC7558268 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed5030113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2020] [Revised: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 07/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Crimean–Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) infection is identified in the 2018 World Health Organization Research and Development Blueprint and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIH/NIAID) priority A list due to its high risk to public health and national security. Tick-borne CCHFV is widespread, found in Europe, Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and the Indian subcontinent. It circulates between ticks and several vertebrate hosts without causing overt disease, and thus can be present in areas without being noticed by the public. As a result, the potential for zoonotic spillover from ticks and animals to humans is high. In contrast to other emerging viruses, human-to-human transmission of CCHFV is typically limited; therefore, prevention of spillover events should be prioritized when considering countermeasures. Several factors in the transmission dynamics of CCHFV, including a complex transmission cycle that involves both ticks and vertebrate hosts, lend themselves to a One Health approach for the prevention and control of the disease that are often overlooked by current strategies. Here, we examine critical focus areas to help mitigate CCHFV spillover, including surveillance, risk assessment, and risk reduction strategies concentrated on humans, animals, and ticks; highlight gaps in knowledge; and discuss considerations for a more sustainable One Health approach to disease control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa E. Sorvillo
- One Health Institute, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California Davis, 1089 Veterinary Medicine Drive, Davis, CA 95616, USA;
- Viral Special Pathogens Branch, Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA; (S.E.R.); (C.F.S.); (J.R.S.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-530-752-7526
| | - Sergio E. Rodriguez
- Viral Special Pathogens Branch, Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA; (S.E.R.); (C.F.S.); (J.R.S.)
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA; (M.C.); (D.A.B.)
- Galveston National Laboratory, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Peter Hudson
- Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA;
| | - Megan Carey
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA; (M.C.); (D.A.B.)
- Galveston National Laboratory, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Luis L. Rodriguez
- Foreign Animal Disease Research Unit, Plum Island Animal Disease Center, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Orient Point, NY 11957, USA;
| | - Christina F. Spiropoulou
- Viral Special Pathogens Branch, Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA; (S.E.R.); (C.F.S.); (J.R.S.)
| | - Brian H. Bird
- One Health Institute, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California Davis, 1089 Veterinary Medicine Drive, Davis, CA 95616, USA;
- Viral Special Pathogens Branch, Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA; (S.E.R.); (C.F.S.); (J.R.S.)
| | - Jessica R. Spengler
- Viral Special Pathogens Branch, Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA; (S.E.R.); (C.F.S.); (J.R.S.)
| | - Dennis A. Bente
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA; (M.C.); (D.A.B.)
- Galveston National Laboratory, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
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Benítez‐Cardoza CG, Jiménez‐Pineda A, Angles‐Falconi SI, Fernández‐Velasco DA, Vique‐Sánchez JL. Potential Site to Direct Selective Compounds in the Triosephosphate Isomerase for the Development of New Drugs. ChemistrySelect 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/slct.202000820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Albertana Jiménez‐Pineda
- Laboratorio de Investigación BioquímicaENMyH-Instituto Politécnico Nacional Ciudad de México México
| | - Sergio I. Angles‐Falconi
- División Académica Multidisciplinaria de Jalpa de MéndezUniversidad Juárez Autónoma de Tabasco Jalpa de Méndez Tabasco, México
| | - Daniel A. Fernández‐Velasco
- Laboratorio de Fisicoquímica e Ingeniería de ProteínasDepartamento de BioquímicaFacultad de MedicinaUniversidad Nacional Autónoma de México México
| | - José L. Vique‐Sánchez
- Laboratorio de Investigación BioquímicaENMyH-Instituto Politécnico Nacional Ciudad de México México
- Facultad de MedicinaUniversidad Autónoma de Baja California Mexicali, BC, México
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Novel and selective inactivators of Triosephosphate isomerase with anti-trematode activity. Sci Rep 2020; 10:2587. [PMID: 32054976 PMCID: PMC7018972 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-59460-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2019] [Accepted: 01/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Trematode infections such as schistosomiasis and fascioliasis cause significant morbidity in an estimated 250 million people worldwide and the associated agricultural losses are estimated at more than US$ 6 billion per year. Current chemotherapy is limited. Triosephosphate isomerase (TIM), an enzyme of the glycolytic pathway, has emerged as a useful drug target in many parasites, including Fasciola hepatica TIM (FhTIM). We identified 21 novel compounds that selectively inhibit this enzyme. Using microscale thermophoresis we explored the interaction between target and compounds and identified a potent interaction between the sulfonyl-1,2,4-thiadiazole (compound 187) and FhTIM, which showed an IC50 of 5 µM and a Kd of 66 nM. In only 4 hours, this compound killed the juvenile form of F. hepatica with an IC50 of 3 µM, better than the reference drug triclabendazole (TCZ). Interestingly, we discovered in vitro inhibition of FhTIM by TCZ, with an IC50 of 7 µM suggesting a previously uncharacterized role of FhTIM in the mechanism of action of this drug. Compound 187 was also active against various developmental stages of Schistosoma mansoni. The low toxicity in vitro in different cell types and lack of acute toxicity in mice was demonstrated for this compound, as was demonstrated the efficacy of 187in vivo in F. hepatica infected mice. Finally, we obtained the first crystal structure of FhTIM at 1.9 Å resolution which allows us using docking to suggest a mechanism of interaction between compound 187 and TIM. In conclusion, we describe a promising drug candidate to control neglected trematode infections in human and animal health.
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