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de Oliveira VVG, Aranda de Souza MA, Cavalcanti RRM, de Oliveira Cardoso MV, Leite ACL, da Silva Junior VA, de Figueiredo RCBQ. Study of in vitro biological activity of thiazoles on Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum. J Glob Antimicrob Resist 2020; 22:414-421. [PMID: 32165288 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgar.2020.02.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2019] [Revised: 12/18/2019] [Accepted: 02/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES In the prospection of possible agents against neglected diseases, thiazole compounds are presented as promising candidates and are known to have activity against trypanosomatid parasites. Thus, this work aimed to evaluate the effects of thiazole compounds on Leishmania infantum, the aetiological agent of visceral leishmaniasis. METHODS Thiazole compounds (five thiazoacetylpyridines [TAPs-01, -04, -05, -06, -09) and five thiazopyridines [TPs-01, -04, -05, -06, -09]) were tested regarding their leishmanicidal activity on both promastigote and amastigote forms of L. infantum. Cytotoxicity was tested using peritoneal macrophages of BALB/c mice. Ultrastructural analyses were performed to identify possible intracellular targets of the most effective compound on promastigote forms. To observe routes that can clarify the possible mechanism of action of the compounds on the intracellular amastigote forms, the nitrite dosage was performed. RESULTS All compounds inhibited the growth of promastigote and presented low cytotoxicity, being more selective to the parasite than to mammalian cells. All compounds tested were able to decrease macrophage infection. There was a significant decrease in the survival rate of the amastigote when compared with the untreated cells, with TAP-04 presenting the best index. TAP-04 induced ultrastructural changes that are related to cell death by apoptosis. None of the macrophage groups infected with L. infantum and subsequently treated showed increased nitrite release. CONCLUSIONS The low toxicity to mammalian cells and the leishmanicidal activity observed demonstrate that the synthesis of drugs based in thiosemicarbazone nucleus, thiazole and pyridine derivatives are promising for the treatment of visceral leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vinícius Vasconcelos Gomes de Oliveira
- Departamento de Morfologia e Fisiologia Animal, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco (UFRPE), Recife, Brazil; Centro Acadêmico de Vitória, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco (UFPE), Vitória de Santo Antão, Brazil.
| | - Mary Angela Aranda de Souza
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Centro de Pesquisas Aggeu Magalhães, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco (UFPE), Recife, Brazil
| | | | | | - Ana Cristina Lima Leite
- Departamento de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil
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Moreira RRD, Santos AGD, Carvalho FA, Perego CH, Crevelin EJ, Crotti AEM, Cogo J, Cardoso MLC, Nakamura CV. Antileishmanial activity of Melampodium divaricatum and Casearia sylvestris essential oils on Leishmania amazonensis. Rev Inst Med Trop Sao Paulo 2019; 61:e33. [PMID: 31269109 PMCID: PMC6609133 DOI: 10.1590/s1678-9946201961033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2018] [Accepted: 12/07/2018] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a disease that affects millions of people and it is an important public health problem. The drugs currently used for the treatment of leishmaniasis present undesirable side effects and low efficacy. In this study, we evaluated the in vitro activity of Melampodium divaricatum (MD-EO) and Casearia sylvestris (CS-EO) essential oils (EO) against promastigote and amastigote forms of Leishmania amazonensis. Sesquiterpenes E-caryophyllene (56.0%), germacrene D (12.7%) and bicyclogermacrene (9.2%) were identified as the main components of MD-EO, whereas E-caryophyllene (22.2%), germacrene D (19.6%) and bicyclogermacrene (12.2%) were the main constituents of CS-EO. CS-EO and E-caryophyllene were active against promastigote forms of L. amazonensis (IC50 24.2, 29.8 and 49.9 µg/mL, respectively). However, MD-EO, CS-EO and E-caryophyllene were more active against amastigote forms, with IC50 values of 10.7, 14.0, and 10.7 µg/mL, respectively. E-caryophyllene presented lower cytotoxicity against macrophages J774-A1 (CC50 of 62.1 µg/mL) than the EO. The EOs and E-caryophyllene should be further studied for the development of new antileishmanial drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - André Gonzaga Dos Santos
- Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp), Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Araraquara, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Flavio Alexandre Carvalho
- Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp), Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Araraquara, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Caio Humberto Perego
- Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp), Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Araraquara, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Eduardo José Crevelin
- Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Filosofia Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto, Departamento de Química, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Antônio Eduardo Miller Crotti
- Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Filosofia Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto, Departamento de Química, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Juliana Cogo
- Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Departamento de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Maringá, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Mara Lane Carvalho Cardoso
- Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Departamento de Farmácia e Farmacologia, Maringá, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Celso Vataru Nakamura
- Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Departamento de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Maringá, Paraná, Brazil
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Scariot DB, Britta EA, Moreira AL, Falzirolli H, Silva CC, Ueda-Nakamura T, Dias-Filho BP, Nakamura CV. Induction of Early Autophagic Process on Leishmania amazonensis by Synergistic Effect of Miltefosine and Innovative Semi-synthetic Thiosemicarbazone. Front Microbiol 2017; 8:255. [PMID: 28270805 PMCID: PMC5318461 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.00255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2016] [Accepted: 02/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Drug combination therapy is a current trend to treat complex diseases. Many benefits are expected from this strategy, such as cytotoxicity decrease, retardation of resistant strains development, and activity increment. This study evaluated in vitro combination between an innovative thiosemicarbazone molecule – BZTS with miltefosine, a drug already consolidated in the leishmaniasis treatment, against Leishmania amazonensis. Cytotoxicity effects were also evaluated on macrophages and erythrocytes. Synergistic antileishmania effect and antagonist cytotoxicity were revealed from this combination therapy. Mechanisms of action assays were performed in order to investigate the main cell pathways induced by this treatment. Mitochondrial dysfunction generated a significant increase of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species production, causing severe cell injuries and promoting intense autophagy process and consequent apoptosis cell death. However, this phenomenon was not strong enough to promote dead in mammalian cell, providing the potential selective effect of the tested combination for the protozoa. Thus, the results confirmed that drugs involved in distinct metabolic routes are promising agents for drug combination therapy, promoting a synergistic effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Débora B Scariot
- Laboratório de Inovação Tecnológica no Desenvolvimento de Fármacos e Cosméticos, Departamento de Farmácia, Universidade Estadual de Maringá Maringá, Brazil
| | - Elizandra A Britta
- Laboratório de Inovação Tecnológica no Desenvolvimento de Fármacos e Cosméticos, Departamento de Farmácia, Universidade Estadual de Maringá Maringá, Brazil
| | - Amanda L Moreira
- Laboratório de Inovação Tecnológica no Desenvolvimento de Fármacos e Cosméticos, Departamento de Farmácia, Universidade Estadual de Maringá Maringá, Brazil
| | - Hugo Falzirolli
- Departamento de Química, Universidade Estadual de Maringá Maringá, Brazil
| | - Cleuza C Silva
- Departamento de Química, Universidade Estadual de Maringá Maringá, Brazil
| | - Tânia Ueda-Nakamura
- Laboratório de Inovação Tecnológica no Desenvolvimento de Fármacos e Cosméticos, Departamento de Farmácia, Universidade Estadual de Maringá Maringá, Brazil
| | - Benedito P Dias-Filho
- Laboratório de Inovação Tecnológica no Desenvolvimento de Fármacos e Cosméticos, Departamento de Farmácia, Universidade Estadual de Maringá Maringá, Brazil
| | - Celso V Nakamura
- Laboratório de Inovação Tecnológica no Desenvolvimento de Fármacos e Cosméticos, Departamento de Farmácia, Universidade Estadual de Maringá Maringá, Brazil
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Cull B, Prado Godinho JL, Fernandes Rodrigues JC, Frank B, Schurigt U, Williams RA, Coombs GH, Mottram JC. Glycosome turnover in Leishmania major is mediated by autophagy. Autophagy 2015; 10:2143-57. [PMID: 25484087 PMCID: PMC4502677 DOI: 10.4161/auto.36438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Autophagy is a central process behind the cellular remodeling that occurs during differentiation of Leishmania, yet the cargo of the protozoan parasite's autophagosome is unknown. We have identified glycosomes, peroxisome-like organelles that uniquely compartmentalize glycolytic and other metabolic enzymes in Leishmania and other kinetoplastid parasitic protozoa, as autophagosome cargo. It has been proposed that the number of glycosomes and their content change during the Leishmania life cycle as a key adaptation to the different environments encountered. Quantification of RFP-SQL-labeled glycosomes showed that promastigotes of L. major possess ~20 glycosomes per cell, whereas amastigotes contain ~10. Glycosome numbers were significantly greater in promastigotes and amastigotes of autophagy-defective L. major Δatg5 mutants, implicating autophagy in glycosome homeostasis and providing a partial explanation for the previously observed growth and virulence defects of these mutants. Use of GFP-ATG8 to label autophagosomes showed glycosomes to be cargo in ~15% of them; glycosome-containing autophagosomes were trafficked to the lysosome for degradation. The number of autophagosomes increased 10-fold during differentiation, yet the percentage of glycosome-containing autophagosomes remained constant. This indicates that increased turnover of glycosomes was due to an overall increase in autophagy, rather than an upregulation of autophagosomes containing this cargo. Mitophagy of the single mitochondrion was not observed in L. major during normal growth or differentiation; however, mitochondrial remnants resulting from stress-induced fragmentation colocalized with autophagosomes and lysosomes, indicating that autophagy is used to recycle these damaged organelles. These data show that autophagy in Leishmania has a central role not only in maintaining cellular homeostasis and recycling damaged organelles but crucially in the adaptation to environmental change through the turnover of glycosomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Cull
- a Wellcome Trust Center for Molecular Parasitology; Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation; College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences ; University of Glasgow ; Glasgow , UK
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Stefanello TF, Panice MR, Ueda-Nakamura T, Sarragiotto MH, Auzély-Velty R, Nakamura CV. N-butyl-[1-(4-methoxy)phenyl-9H-β-carboline]-3-carboxamide prevents cytokinesis in Leishmania amazonensis. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2014; 58:7112-20. [PMID: 25224005 DOI: 10.1128/AAC.03340-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis, a complex of diseases caused by protozoa of the genus Leishmania, is endemic in 98 countries, affecting approximately 12 million people worldwide. Current treatments for leishmaniasis have many disadvantages, such as toxicity, high costs, and prolonged treatment, making the development of new treatment alternatives highly relevant. Several studies have verified the antileishmanial activity of β-carboline compounds. In the present study, we investigated the in vitro antileishmanial activity of N-butyl-[1-(4-methoxy)phenyl-9H-β-carboline]-3-carboxamide (β-CB) against Leishmania amazonensis. The compound was active against promastigote, axenic amastigote, and intracellular amastigote forms of L. amazonensis, exhibiting high selectivity for the parasite. Moreover, β-CB did not exhibit hemolytic or mutagenic potential. Promastigotes treated with the alkaloid presented rounding of the body cell, cell membrane projections, an increase in the number of promastigotes presenting two flagella, and parasites of abnormal phenotype, with three or more flagella and/or nuclei. Furthermore, we observed an increase in the subpopulation of cells in the G2/M stage of the cell cycle. Altogether, these results suggest that β-CB likely prevents cytokinesis, although it does not interfere with the duplication of cell structures. We also verified an increase in O2(·-) production and the accumulation of lipid storage bodies. Cell membrane integrity was maintained, in addition to the absence of phosphatidylserine externalization, DNA fragmentation, and autophagosomes. Although the possibility of an apoptotic process cannot be discarded, β-CB likely exerts its antileishmanial activity through a cytostatic effect, thus preventing cellular proliferation.
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Tiuman TS, Ueda-Nakamura T, Alonso A, Nakamura CV. Cell death in amastigote forms of Leishmania amazonensis induced by parthenolide. BMC Microbiol 2014; 14:152. [PMID: 24913205 PMCID: PMC4067685 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2180-14-152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2014] [Accepted: 05/21/2014] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Leishmania amazonensis infection results in diverse clinical manifestations: cutaneous, mucocutaneous or visceral leishmaniasis. The arsenal of drugs available for treating Leishmania infections is limited. Therefore, new, effective, and less toxic leishmaniasis treatments are still needed. We verified cell death in amastigote forms of Leishmania amazonensis induced by the sesquiterpene lactone parthenolide. Results The tested compound was able to concentration-dependently affect axenic and intracellular amastigotes, with IC50 values of 1.3 μM and 2.9 μM, respectively after 72 h incubation. No genotoxic effects were observed in a micronucleus test in mice. Parthenolide induced morphological and ultrastructural changes in axenic amastigotes, including a loss of membrane integrity, swelling of the mitochondrion, cytoplasmic vacuoles, and intense exocytic activity in the region of the flagellar pocket. These results led us to investigate the occurrence of autophagic vacuoles with monodansylcadaverine and the integrity of the plasma membrane and mitochondrial membrane potential using flow cytometry. In all of the tests, parthenolide had positive results. Conclusions Our results indicate that the antileishmanial action of parthenolide is associated with autophagic vacuole appearance, a reduction of fluidity, a loss of membrane integrity, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Considering the limited repertoire of existing antileishmanial compounds, the products derived from medicinal plants has been one the greatest advances to help develop new chemotherapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Celso Vataru Nakamura
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Av, Colombo 5790, 87020-900 Maringá, Paraná, Brazil.
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Santos AOD, Izumi E, Ueda-Nakamura T, Dias-Filho BP, Veiga-Júnior VFD, Nakamura CV. Antileishmanial activity of diterpene acids in copaiba oil. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2013; 108:59-64. [PMID: 23440116 PMCID: PMC3974318 DOI: 10.1590/s0074-02762013000100010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2012] [Accepted: 09/05/2012] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a neglected tropical disease. According to the World Health Organization, there are approximately 1.5-two million new cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis each year worldwide. Chemotherapy against leishmaniasis is based on pentavalent antimonials, which were developed more than a century ago. The goals of this study were to investigate the antileishmanial activity of diterpene acids in copaiba oil, as well as some possible targets of their action against Leishmania amazonensis. Methyl copalate and agathic, hydroxycopalic, kaurenoic, pinifolic and polyaltic acids isolated from Copaifera officinales oleoresins were utilised. Ultrastructural changes and the specific organelle targets of diterpenes were investigated with electron microscopy and flow cytometry, respectively. All compounds had some level of activity against L. amazonensis. Hydroxycopalic acid and methyl copalate demonstrated the most activity against promastigotes and had 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of 2.5 and 6.0 µg/mL, respectively. However, pinifolic and kaurenoic acid demonstrated the most activity against axenic amastigote and had IC50 values of 3.5 and 4.0 µg/mL, respectively. Agathic, kaurenoic and pinifolic acid caused significant increases in plasma membrane permeability and mitochondrial membrane depolarisation of the protozoan. In conclusion, copaiba oil and its diterpene acids should be explored for the development of new antileishmanial drugs.
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Gadelha APR, Cunha-e-Silva NL, de Souza W. Assembly of the Leishmania amazonensis flagellum during cell differentiation. J Struct Biol 2013; 184:280-92. [PMID: 24041804 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsb.2013.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2013] [Revised: 09/04/2013] [Accepted: 09/06/2013] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The flagellar cytoskeleton of Leishmania promastigotes contains the canonical 9+2 microtubular axoneme and a filamentous structure, the paraflagellar rod (PFR), which is present alongside the axoneme. In contrast to promastigotes, which contain a long and motile flagellum, the amastigote form of Leishmania displays a short flagellum without a PFR that is limited to the flagellar pocket domain. Here, we investigated the biogenesis of the Leishmania flagellum at 0, 4, 6 and 24h of differentiation. Light and electron microscopy observations of the early stages of L. amazonensis differentiation showed that the intermediate forms presented a short and wider flagellum that did not contain a PFR and presented reduced motion. 3D-reconstruction analysis of electron tomograms revealed the presence of vesicles and electron-dense aggregates at the tip of the short flagellum. In the course of differentiation, cells were able to adhere and proliferate with a doubling time of about 6h. The new flagellum emerged from the flagellar pocket around 4h after initiation of cell cycle. Close contact between the flagellar membrane and the flagellar pocket membrane was evident in the intermediate forms. At a later stage of differentiation, intermediate cells exhibited a longer flagellum (shorter than in promastigotes) that contained a PFR and electron dense aggregates in the flagellar matrix. In some cells, PFR profiles were observed inside the flagellar pocket. Taken together, these data contribute to the understanding of flagellum biogenesis and organisation during L. amazonensis differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Paula Rocha Gadelha
- Divisão de Biologia Estrutural, Diretoria de Metrologia Aplicada a Ciências da Vida, Instituto Nacional de Metrologia, Qualidade e Tecnologia, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
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Britta EA, Barbosa Silva AP, Ueda-Nakamura T, Dias-Filho BP, Silva CC, Sernaglia RL, Nakamura CV. Benzaldehyde thiosemicarbazone derived from limonene complexed with copper induced mitochondrial dysfunction in Leishmania amazonensis. PLoS One 2012; 7:e41440. [PMID: 22870222 PMCID: PMC3411600 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0041440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2012] [Accepted: 06/21/2012] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Leishmaniasis is a major health problem that affects more than 12 million people. Treatment presents several problems, including high toxicity and many adverse effects, leading to the discontinuation of treatment and emergence of resistant strains. Methodology/Principal Findings We evaluated the in vitro antileishmanial activity of benzaldehyde thiosemicarbazone derived from limonene complexed with copper, termed BenzCo, against Leishmania amazonensis. BenzCo inhibited the growth of the promastigote and axenic amastigote forms, with IC50 concentrations of 3.8 and 9.5 µM, respectively, with 72 h of incubation. Intracellular amastigotes were inhibited by the compound, with an IC50 of 10.7 µM. BenzCo altered the shape, size, and ultrastructure of the parasites. Mitochondrial membrane depolarization was observed in protozoa treated with BenzCo but caused no alterations in the plasma membrane. Additionally, BenzCo induced lipoperoxidation and the production of mitochondrial superoxide anion radicals in promastigotes and axenic amastigotes of Leishmania amazonensis. Conclusion/Significance Our studies indicated that the antileishmania activity of BenzCo might be associated with mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative damage, leading to parasite death.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Tânia Ueda-Nakamura
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Benedito Prado Dias-Filho
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Paraná, Brazil
| | | | | | - Celso Vataru Nakamura
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Paraná, Brazil
- * E-mail:
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Huynh C, Yuan X, Miguel DC, Renberg RL, Protchenko O, Philpott CC, Hamza I, Andrews NW. Heme uptake by Leishmania amazonensis is mediated by the transmembrane protein LHR1. PLoS Pathog 2012; 8:e1002795. [PMID: 22807677 PMCID: PMC3395602 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1002795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2011] [Accepted: 05/24/2012] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Trypanosomatid protozoan parasites lack a functional heme biosynthetic pathway, so must acquire heme from the environment to survive. However, the molecular pathway responsible for heme acquisition by these organisms is unknown. Here we show that L. amazonensis LHR1, a homolog of the C. elegans plasma membrane heme transporter HRG-4, functions in heme transport. Tagged LHR1 localized to the plasma membrane and to endocytic compartments, in both L. amazonensis and mammalian cells. Heme deprivation in L. amazonensis increased LHR1 transcript levels, promoted uptake of the fluorescent heme analog ZnMP, and increased the total intracellular heme content of promastigotes. Conversely, deletion of one LHR1 allele reduced ZnMP uptake and the intracellular heme pool by approximately 50%, indicating that LHR1 is a major heme importer in L. amazonensis. Viable parasites with correct replacement of both LHR1 alleles could not be obtained despite extensive attempts, suggesting that this gene is essential for the survival of promastigotes. Notably, LHR1 expression allowed Saccharomyces cerevisiae to import heme from the environment, and rescued growth of a strain deficient in heme biosynthesis. Syntenic genes with high sequence identity to LHR1 are present in the genomes of several species of Leishmania and also Trypanosoma cruzi and Trypanosoma brucei, indicating that therapeutic agents targeting this transporter could be effective against a broad group of trypanosomatid parasites that cause serious human disease. The biological activity of many proteins and enzymes requires heme, a large organic ring containing one iron atom at the center. It has been known for several decades that trypanosomatid protozoa lack several enzymes in the heme biosynthetic pathway. Therefore, unlike mammalian cells that can synthesize heme, these unicellular organisms must acquire heme from the environment. However, the mechanism by which this critical co-factor is transported into trypanosomatid parasites was unknown. In this study we identified LHR1, a trans-membrane protein from Leishmania amazonensis that mediates transport of extracellular heme into the parasites. Parasites partially deficient in LHR1 are impaired in heme import, and strains completely deficient do not survive. Genes highly similar to LHR1 are present in several species of trypanosomatid parasites that cause human disease, identifying this transporter as an important target for the development of anti-parasitic drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chau Huynh
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Xiaojing Yuan
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, United States of America
- Department of Animal and Avian Sciences, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Danilo C. Miguel
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Rebecca L. Renberg
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Olga Protchenko
- Genetics and Metabolism Section, Liver Diseases Branch, NIDDK, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Caroline C. Philpott
- Genetics and Metabolism Section, Liver Diseases Branch, NIDDK, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Iqbal Hamza
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, United States of America
- Department of Animal and Avian Sciences, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Norma W. Andrews
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Pedroso RB, Tonin LTD, Ueda-Nakamura T, Dias Filho BP, Sarragiotto MH, Nakamura CV. Beta-carboline-3-carboxamide derivatives as promising antileishmanial agents. Ann Trop Med Parasitol 2012; 105:549-57. [PMID: 22325814 DOI: 10.1179/2047773211y.0000000005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Leishmaniasis has an overwhelming impact on global public health especially in tropical and subtropical countries and the currently available antileishmanial drugs have serious side effects and low efficacy. Natural and synthetic compounds have been tested in the past few years against Leishmania and the beta-carboline class of compounds have shown great results in antiparasitic chemotherapy. In the present study, three 1-substituted beta-carboline-3-carboxamides (3-5) and 1-substituted beta-carboline-3-carboxylic acid (2) were synthesized and screened for in vitro activity against L. amazonensis. Compound 5 (N-benzyl 1-(4-methoxy)phenyl-9H-beta-carboline-3-carboxamide) had the best activity against promastigote and axenic amastigote forms with IC(50) of 2·6 and 1·0 μM, respectively. Its CC(50) on macrophages cell line was higher than 2457·0 μM with an SI ratio of 930·2. Against intracellular amastigote forms, it had a dose-dependent relationship with a 50% growth inhibitory concentration of 1·0 μM. Through morphological and ultrastructure analysis of promastigote forms treated with compound 5, alterations on cell shape and number of flagella and nuclear membrane damage were observed. For this, compound 5 supports the idea for more in vitro and in vivo studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- R B Pedroso
- Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Rodovia Celso Garcia Cid, Campus Universitário, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
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Brenzan MA, Santos AO, Nakamura CV, Filho BPD, Ueda-Nakamura T, Young MCM, Côrrea AG, Júnior JA, Morgado-Díaz JA, Cortez DAG. Effects of (-) mammea A/BB isolated from Calophyllum brasiliense leaves and derivatives on mitochondrial membrane of Leishmania amazonensis. Phytomedicine 2012; 19:223-230. [PMID: 22285848 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2011.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2011] [Revised: 08/30/2011] [Accepted: 10/14/2011] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
We have previously demonstrated antileishmanial activity on Leishmania amazonensis of the natural (1-2), synthetic (7) and derivatives of coumarin (-) mammea A/BB (3-6) isolated from the dichloromethane extract of Calophyllum brasiliense leaves. The aim of the present study was to evaluate morphological and ultrastructural alterations in Leishmania amazonensis induced by these compounds. In promastigote forms, all seven compounds produced significant morphological and ultrastructural alterations, as revealed by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The compound 5,7-dihydroxy-8-(2-methylbutanoyl)-6-(3-methylbutyl)-4-phenyl-chroman-2-one (3), the most active antileishmanial with LD₅₀ of 0.9 μM), induced cell shrinkage and a rounded appearance of the cells. Parasites incubated in the presence of compound (3) showed ultrastructural changes, such as the appearance of mitochondrial swelling with a reduction in the density of the mitochondrial matrix and the presence of vesicles inside the mitochondrion, indicating damage and significant change in this organelle; abnormal chromatin condensation, alterations in the nuclear envelope, intense atypical cytoplasmic vacuolization, and the appearance of autophagic vacuoles were also observed. In addition, the compound (3) may be acting to depolarize the mitochondrial membrane potential of the cells, leading to death of the parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- M A Brenzan
- Pós-doutoranda em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Departamento de Farmácia e Farmacologia, Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Av. Colombo 5790, 87020-900 Maringá, PR, Brazil
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dos Santos AO, Britta EA, Bianco EM, Ueda-Nakamura T, Filho BPD, Pereira RC, Nakamura CV. 4-Acetoxydolastane diterpene from the Brazilian brown alga Canistrocarpus cervicornis as antileishmanial agent. Mar Drugs 2011; 9:2369-2383. [PMID: 22163190 PMCID: PMC3229239 DOI: 10.3390/md9112369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2011] [Revised: 10/01/2011] [Accepted: 10/18/2011] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural marine products have shown an interesting array of diverse and novel chemical structures with potent biological activities. Our study reports the antiproliferative assays of crude extracts, fraction and pure compound (4R,9S,14S)-4α-acetoxy-9β,14α-dihydroxydolast-1(15),7-diene (1) obtained from brown alga Canistrocarpus cervicornis showing the antileishmanial activity. We showed that 1 had a dose-dependent activity during 72 h of treatment, exhibiting IC(50) of 2.0 μg/mL, 12.0 μg/mL, and 4.0 μg/mL for promastigote, axenic amastigote and intracellular amastigote forms of Leishmania amazonensis, respectively. A cytotoxicity assay showed that the action of the isolated compound 1 was 93.0 times less toxic to the macrophage than to the protozoan. Additionally, compound 1 induced ultrastructural changes, including extensive mitochondrial damage; decrease in Rh123 fluorescence, suggesting interference with the mitochondrial membrane potential; and lipid peroxidation in parasite cells. The use of 1 from C. cervicornis against L. amazonensis parasites might be of great interest as a future alternative to the development of new antileishmanial drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Oliveira dos Santos
- Postgraduate Program in Microbiology, State University of Londrina, Highway Celso Garcia Cid, PR 445, Km 380, CEP 86051-990, Londrina, Parana, Brazil; E-Mails: (A.O.d.S.); (B.P.D.F.)
| | - Elizandra Aparecida Britta
- Postgraduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Laboratory of Technological Innovation in the Development of Drugs and Cosmetics, State University of Maringa, Colombo Avenue 5790, CEP 87020-900, Maringa, Parana, Brazil; E-Mails: (E.A.B); (T.U.-N.)
| | - Everson Miguel Bianco
- Postgraduate Program in Chemistry, Department of Fundamental Chemistry, Federal University of Pernambuco, CEP 50670-901, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil; E-Mail:
| | - Tania Ueda-Nakamura
- Postgraduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Laboratory of Technological Innovation in the Development of Drugs and Cosmetics, State University of Maringa, Colombo Avenue 5790, CEP 87020-900, Maringa, Parana, Brazil; E-Mails: (E.A.B); (T.U.-N.)
| | - Benedito Prado Dias Filho
- Postgraduate Program in Microbiology, State University of Londrina, Highway Celso Garcia Cid, PR 445, Km 380, CEP 86051-990, Londrina, Parana, Brazil; E-Mails: (A.O.d.S.); (B.P.D.F.)
- Postgraduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Laboratory of Technological Innovation in the Development of Drugs and Cosmetics, State University of Maringa, Colombo Avenue 5790, CEP 87020-900, Maringa, Parana, Brazil; E-Mails: (E.A.B); (T.U.-N.)
| | - Renato Crespo Pereira
- Department of Marine Biology, Federal Fluminense University, PO Box 100644, CEP 24001-970, Niteroi, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; E-Mail:
| | - Celso Vataru Nakamura
- Postgraduate Program in Microbiology, State University of Londrina, Highway Celso Garcia Cid, PR 445, Km 380, CEP 86051-990, Londrina, Parana, Brazil; E-Mails: (A.O.d.S.); (B.P.D.F.)
- Postgraduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Laboratory of Technological Innovation in the Development of Drugs and Cosmetics, State University of Maringa, Colombo Avenue 5790, CEP 87020-900, Maringa, Parana, Brazil; E-Mails: (E.A.B); (T.U.-N.)
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dos Santos AO, Costa MA, Ueda-Nakamura T, Dias-Filho BP, da Veiga-Júnior VF, de Souza Lima MM, Nakamura CV. Leishmania amazonensis: effects of oral treatment with copaiba oil in mice. Exp Parasitol 2011; 129:145-51. [PMID: 21771592 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2011.06.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2011] [Revised: 06/20/2011] [Accepted: 06/28/2011] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a severe public-health problem, with high rates of morbidity and mortality. Efforts to find new, effective and safe oral agents for the treatment of leishmaniasis have been ongoing for several decades, in order to avoid the problems with the currently used antimonials. In the present study, we found that a copaiba oil oral treatment (Group IV) caused a significant reduction in the average lesion size (1.1±0.4mm) against Leishmania amazonensis lesions compared with untreated mice (Group I) (4.4±1.3mm). To prove the safety of the oil, the toxicity and genotoxicity were also determined. Histopathological evaluation did not reveal changes in the copaiba oil-treated animals compared to the control animals. In the mutagenicity evaluation, (micronucleus test) the dose tested (2000mg/kg) showed no genotoxic effects. Morphological and ultrastructural analyses demonstrated notable changes in parasite cells treated with this oleoresin. The main ultrastructural effect was mitochondrial swelling. We also demonstrated that in vitro copaiba oil treatment of L. amazonensis led to an increase in plasma membrane permeability, and depolarization in the mitochondrial membrane potential in parasite cells. Although the mechanism of action of the oleoresin is still unclear, these findings indicate that copaiba oil is a possible new drug, which would provide a safer, shorter, less-expensive, and more easily administered treatment for leishmaniasis.
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Dos Santos AO, Ueda-Nakamura T, Dias Filho BP, da Veiga Junior VF, Nakamura CV. Copaiba Oil: An Alternative to Development of New Drugs against Leishmaniasis. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 2012; 2012:898419. [PMID: 21716677 DOI: 10.1155/2012/898419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2011] [Revised: 03/25/2011] [Accepted: 04/13/2011] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a neglected disease that is increasing globally at an alarming rate. Glucantime has been the therapy of choice for more than 50 years. A recent study reported the antileishmanial activity of copaiba oil against Leishmania amazonensis. These results led us to investigate morphological and ultrastructural changes in L. amazonensis treated with copaiba oil, using electron microscopy and flow cytometry to assess specific organelles as targets for copaiba oil. In the promastigote and axenic amastigote forms, this copaiba oil caused notable morphological and ultrastructural changes, including extensive mitochondrial damage and denaturation of the plasma membrane. Copaiba oil treatment also induced a decrease in Rh123 fluorescence, suggesting interference with the mitochondrial membrane potential and loss of cell viability with an increase in plasma membrane permeability, as observed by flow cytometry after staining with propidium iodide. In conclusion, copaiba oil could be exploited for the development of new antileishmanial drugs.
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Araújo CA, Araújo AA, Batista CL, Oliveira MAP, Oliveira V, Lino Junior RS, Vinaud MC, Bezerra JCB. Morphological alterations and growth inhibition of Leishmania (L.)amazonensis promastigotes exposed to zidovudine (AZT). Parasitol Res 2010; 108:547-51. [PMID: 20922414 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-010-2096-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2010] [Accepted: 09/16/2010] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Leishmania parasites cause a worldwide public health disease and its treatment is still based on pentavalent antimonials which present financial and toxicologic limitations. Some nucleosidic derivatives have demonstrated anti-leishmanial properties and this study aims to evaluate the in vitro morphologic alterations and growth inhibition of Leishmania (L.) amazonensis promastigotes exposed to zidovudine at several concentrations. The citotoxicity of zidovudine (AZT) to macrophages was determined by an MTT assay. After which the promastigotes were exposed to concentrations of AZT, ranging from 1 to 50 μM. The evaluation of survival and morphometry alterations were performed in two distinct phases of in vitro growth, on the third and sixth days, representing the logarithmic and stationary phases, respectively. Slides with the promastigotes were photographed and analyzed using Image J. A significant reduction of parasite number in the logarithmic phase of in vitro growth was observed when the parasites were submitted to 20, 30, 40, and 50 μM of AZT. Morphometric alterations were observed such as an increase in width of the body, cytoplasmic granulations and vacuolizations. These data indicate the toxicity of AZT which prevents the parasite's multiplication, indicating a promising use of AZT as an anti-leishmania drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina A Araújo
- Instituto de Patologia Tropical e Saúde Pública, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Setor Universitário, Goiania, GO, Brazil
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Vendrametto MC, Santos AOD, Nakamura CV, Filho BPD, Cortez DAG, Ueda-Nakamura T. Evaluation of antileishmanial activity of eupomatenoid-5, a compound isolated from leaves of Piper regnellii var. pallescens. Parasitol Int 2010; 59:154-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2009.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2009] [Revised: 12/16/2009] [Accepted: 12/24/2009] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Santin MR, dos Santos AO, Nakamura CV, Dias Filho BP, Ferreira ICP, Ueda-Nakamura T. In vitro activity of the essential oil of Cymbopogon citratus and its major component (citral) on Leishmania amazonensis. Parasitol Res 2009; 105:1489-96. [DOI: 10.1007/s00436-009-1578-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2008] [Accepted: 07/20/2009] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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de Souza W, Sant'Anna C, Cunha-e-Silva NL. Electron microscopy and cytochemistry analysis of the endocytic pathway of pathogenic protozoa. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2009; 44:67-124. [PMID: 19410686 DOI: 10.1016/j.proghi.2009.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Endocytosis is essential for eukaryotic cell survival and has been well characterized in mammal and yeast cells. Among protozoa it is also important for evading from host immune defenses and to support intense proliferation characteristic of some life cycle stages. Here we focused on the contribution of morphological and cytochemical studies to the understanding of endocytosis in Trichomonas, Giardia, Entamoeba, Plasmodium, and trypanosomatids, mainly Trypanosoma cruzi, and also Trypanosoma brucei and Leishmania.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanderley de Souza
- Laboratório de Ultraestrutura Celular Hertha Meyer, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Cidade Universitária, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil.
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Santos AO, Ueda-Nakamura T, Dias Filho BP, Veiga Junior VF, Pinto AC, Nakamura CV. Effect of Brazilian copaiba oils on Leishmania amazonensis. J Ethnopharmacol 2008; 120:204-208. [PMID: 18775772 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2008.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2008] [Revised: 08/01/2008] [Accepted: 08/05/2008] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Copaiba oil has been used in folk medicine since the 19th century. The use of copaiba oils to treat leishmaniasis is cited in several ethnopharmacological studies. Nevertheless, the potential antileishmania of copaiba oils had not been studied. AIM OF THE STUDY Eight different kinds of Brazilian copaiba oils were screened for antileishmanial activity. MATERIALS AND METHODS The antiproliferative effect of copaiba oil on promastigote and amastigote axenic were determined. To determine the survival index peritoneal macrophage were infected with promastigotes of Leishmania amazonensis and treated with copaiba oil. The cytotoxic effect of copaiba oil was assessed on macrophage strain J774G8 by assay of sulforhodamine B. RESULTS Copaiba oils showed variable levels of activity against promastigote forms with IC(50) values in the range between 5 and 22microg/mL. The most active oil was that from Copaifera reticulata (collected in Pará State, Brazil) with IC(50) values of 5, 15, and 20microg/mL for promastigote, axenic amastigote and intracellular amastigote forms, respectively. Amphotericin B showed IC(50) of 0.058 and 0.231microg/mL against promastigote and amastigote forms, respectively. Cytotoxicity assay showed that this copaiba oil obtained from Copaifera reticulata showed low cytotoxicity against J774G8 macrophages. CONCLUSION Copaiba oils showed significant activity against the parasite Leishmania amazonensis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana O Santos
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Microbiologia, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Rodovia Celso Garcia Cid s/n, 86051-990 Londrina-PR, Brazil
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Paape D, Lippuner C, Schmid M, Ackermann R, Barrios-Llerena ME, Zimny-Arndt U, Brinkmann V, Arndt B, Pleissner KP, Jungblut PR, Aebischer T. Transgenic, fluorescent Leishmania mexicana allow direct analysis of the proteome of intracellular amastigotes. Mol Cell Proteomics 2008; 7:1688-701. [PMID: 18474515 DOI: 10.1074/mcp.m700343-mcp200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Investigating the proteome of intracellular pathogens is often hampered by inadequate methodologies to purify the pathogen free of host cell material. This has also precluded direct proteome analysis of the intracellular, amastigote form of Leishmania spp., protozoan parasites that cause a spectrum of diseases that affect some 12 million patients worldwide. Here a method is presented that combines classic, isopycnic density centrifugation with fluorescent particle sorting for purification by exploiting transgenic, fluorescent parasites to allow direct proteome analysis of the purified organisms. By this approach the proteome of intracellular Leishmania mexicana amastigotes was compared with that of extracellular promastigotes that are transmitted by insect vectors. In total, 509 different proteins were identified by mass spectrometry and database search. This number corresponds to approximately 6% of gene products predicted from the reference genome of Leishmania major. Intracellular amastigotes synthesized significantly more proteins with basic pI and showed a greater abundance of enzymes of fatty acid catabolism, which may reflect their living in acidic habitats and metabolic adaptation to nutrient availability, respectively. Bioinformatics analyses of the genes corresponding to the protein data sets produced clear evidence for skewed codon usage and translational bias in these organisms. Moreover analysis of the subset of genes whose products were more abundant in amastigotes revealed characteristic sequence motifs in 3'-untranslated regions that have been linked to translational control elements. This suggests that proteome data sets may be used to identify regulatory elements in mRNAs. Last but not least, at 6% coverage the proteome identified all vaccine antigens tested to date. Thus, the present data set provides a valuable resource for selection of candidate vaccine antigens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Paape
- Institute of Immunology and Infection Research, University of Edinburgh, West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JT, United Kingdom
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Rodrigues JCF, Bernardes CF, Visbal G, Urbina JA, Vercesi AE, de Souza W. Sterol methenyl transferase inhibitors alter the ultrastructure and function of the Leishmania amazonensis mitochondrion leading to potent growth inhibition. Protist 2007; 158:447-56. [PMID: 17719843 DOI: 10.1016/j.protis.2007.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2007] [Accepted: 05/07/2007] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
We describe here the effects of Delta(24(25)) sterol methenyl transferase inhibitors (SMTI) on promastigote and axenic amastigote forms of Leishmania amazonensis. When these cells were exposed to 20-piperidin-2-yl-5alpha-pregnan-3beta-20-diol (22,26-azasterol; AZA), hydrazone-imidazol-2-yl-5alpha-pregnan-3beta-ol (IMI), 20-hydrazone-pyridin-2-yl-5alpha-pregnan-3beta-ol (PYR) or 24(R,S),25-epiiminolanosterol (EIL), a concentration- and time-dependent inhibition of growth was observed, with IC(50) values in the sub-micromolar range. Ultrastructural alterations in treated cells were mainly observed in the mitochondrion, which displayed an intense swelling and a reduction of the electron density of the matrix with remarkable changes in the inner mitochondrial membranes. Mitochondrial transmembrane electric potential (DeltaPsi) was measured using spectrophotometric methods in control and treated promastigotes permeabilized with digitonin. After energization with the substrates for complexes I, II or IV of the respiratory chain, it was possible to detect marked changes of DeltaPsi in promastigotes treated with 1 microM of the SMTI for 48 or 72 h when compared with normal cells, indicating that these compounds led to the loss of the energy-transducing properties of the mitochondrial inner membrane, probably related to the alteration of its lipid composition. The present study confirms these findings, showing that in Leishmania amazonensis the mitochondrial complex appears to be the first organelle affected after treatment with different SMTI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliany C F Rodrigues
- Laboratório de Ultraestrutura Celular Hertha Meyer, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, CCS-Bloco G, Ilha do Fundão, 21949-900 Rio de Janeiro-RJ, Brazil
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Brenzan MA, Nakamura CV, Prado Dias Filho B, Ueda-Nakamura T, Young MCM, Aparício Garcia Cortez D. Antileishmanial activity of crude extract and coumarin from Calophyllum brasiliense leaves against Leishmania amazonensis. Parasitol Res 2007; 101:715-22. [PMID: 17483964 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-007-0542-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2007] [Accepted: 04/10/2007] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Infections by protozoans of the genus Leishmania are a major worldwide health problem, with high endemicity in developing countries. The drugs of choice for the treatment of leishmaniasis are the pentavalent antimonials, which show renal and cardiac toxicity. As part of a search for new drugs against leishmaniasis, we evaluated the in vitro leishmanicidal activity of the (-) mammea A/BB. The compound (-) mammea A/BB is a coumarin-type mammea purified from a dichloromethane crude extract of leaves of Calophyllum brasiliense Cambess (Clusiaceae). The isolated compound was characterized using spectral analyses by UV, infrared, nuclear magnetic resonance of (1)H, (13)C, distortionless enhancement by polarization transfer, correlation spectroscopy, heteronuclear multiple bond correlation, and heteronuclear multiple quantum coherence. The compound (-) mammea A/BB showed significant activity against promastigote and amastigote forms of L. amazonensis, with IC(50) (50% inhibition concentration of cell growth) at a concentration of 3.0 and 0.88 mug/ml and IC(90) (90% inhibition concentration of cell growth) of 5.0 and 2.3 microg/ml, respectively. The coumarin (-) mammea A/BB showed no cytotoxicity against J774G8 macrophages in culture, when it was tested at high concentrations that inhibited promastigote forms. Electron microscopy studies revealed considerable ultrastructural changes when promastigote forms of L. amazonensis were treated with 3.0 microg/ml of the coumarin (-) mammea A/BB for 72 h. We observed significant changes such as mitochondrial swelling with concentric membranes in the mitochondrial matrix and intense exocytic activity in the region of the flagellar pocket. Other alterations included the appearance of binucleate cells and multiple cytoplasmic vacuolization. These results showed that (-) mammea A/BB is a potent growth inhibitor of L. amazonensis and caused important changes in the parasite's ultrastructure. This study provided new perspectives on the development of novel drugs with leishmanicidal activity obtained from natural products.
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Ueda-Nakamura T, Attias M, de Souza W. Comparative analysis of megasomes in members of the Leishmania mexicana complex. Res Microbiol 2007; 158:456-62. [PMID: 17524623 DOI: 10.1016/j.resmic.2007.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2005] [Revised: 01/17/2007] [Accepted: 03/21/2007] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Megasomes are large lysosome-like structures, previously described in amastigote forms of Leishmania belonging to the mexicana complex, whose major constituents are the cysteine proteinases. Routine observation of thin sections of amastigotes obtained from species of the mexicana complex revealed variations in size and number of megasomes according to the species, and also between amastigotes obtained from axenic cultures and from infected animals. Three-dimensional reconstruction of amastigotes, stereology and immunocytochemical localization of cysteine proteinase revealed significant differences between the three Leishmania species examined, L. amazonensis, L. mexicana and L. pifanoi. The relative volume of megasomes in lesion-derived amastigotes was higher than in axenic amastigotes of L. amazonensis and L. mexicana. The relative volume of megasomes from lesion-derived amastigotes of L. mexicana was 2-3 times higher than in L. amazonensis. Axenic amastigotes of L. pifanoi showed a small relative volume of megasomes and low cysteine proteinase activity, and were not able to produce lesions in the animals, whereas axenic amastigotes of L. mexicana and L. amazonensis did. There were significant differences in the structural organization, distribution within the cell, size and number of megasomes, and in the characteristics of cysteine proteinases found in the amastigotes of the three Leishmania species. These results suggest that these organelles and their constituents may be involved in the infectivity and virulence of Leishmania species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tania Ueda-Nakamura
- Laboratório de Microbiologia, Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Av. Colombo, 5790, Bloco I90, 87020-900, Maringá, PR, Brazil.
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Abstract
Leishmania occurs in several developmental forms and thus undergoes complex cell differentiation events during its life-cycle. Those are required to allow the parasite to adapt to the different environmental conditions. The sequencing of the genome of L. major has facilitated the identification of the parasite’s vast arsenal of proteolytic enzymes, a few of which have already been carefully studied and found to be important for the development and virulence of the parasite. This review focuses on these peptidases and their role in the cellular differentiation of Leishmania through their key involvement in a variety of degradative pathways in the lysosomal and autophagy networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sébastien Besteiro
- Wellcome Centre for Molecular Parasitology and Division of Infection & Immunity, Institute of Biomedical and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, 120 University Place, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK
| | - Roderick A.M. Williams
- Wellcome Centre for Molecular Parasitology and Division of Infection & Immunity, Institute of Biomedical and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, 120 University Place, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK
| | - Graham H. Coombs
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0NR, UK
| | - Jeremy C. Mottram
- Wellcome Centre for Molecular Parasitology and Division of Infection & Immunity, Institute of Biomedical and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, 120 University Place, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK
- Corresponding author. Tel.: +44 141 330 3745; fax: +44 141 330 8269.
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Ueda-Nakamura T, Mendonça-Filho RR, Morgado-Díaz JA, Korehisa Maza P, Prado Dias Filho B, Aparício Garcia Cortez D, Alviano DS, Rosa MDSS, Lopes AHCS, Alviano CS, Nakamura CV. Antileishmanial activity of Eugenol-rich essential oil from Ocimum gratissimum. Parasitol Int 2006; 55:99-105. [PMID: 16343984 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2005.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 131] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2005] [Accepted: 10/28/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a group of diseases with a large spectrum of clinical manifestations caused by protozoans of the genus Leishmania. Here we demonstrate the leishmanicidal activity of the essential oil of Ocimum gratissimum as well as its main constituent, eugenol. The eugenol-rich essential oil of O. gratissimum progressively inhibited Leishmania amazonensis growth at concentrations ranging from 100 to 1000 microg/ml. The IC50 (sub-inhibitory concentration) of the essential oil for promastigotes and amastigotes were respectively 135 and 100 microg/ml and the IC50 of eugenol was 80 microg/ml for promastigote forms. L. amazonensis exposed to essential oil at concentrations corresponding to IC50 for promastigotes and for amastigotes underwent considerable ultrastructural alterations, as shown by transmission electron microscopy. Two or more nuclei or flagella were observed in 31% and 23.3% of treated amastigote and promastigote forms, respectively, suggesting interference in cell division. Considerable mitochondrial swelling was observed in essential oil-treated promastigotes and amastigotes, which had the inner mitochondrial membrane altered, with a significant increase in the number of cristae; in some amastigotes the mitochondrial matrix became less electron-dense. The minimum inhibitory concentration for both promastigotes and amastigotes was 150 microg/ml. Pretreatment of mouse peritoneal macrophages with 100 and 150 microg/ml essential oil reduced the indices of association between promastigotes and the macrophages, followed by increased in nitric oxide production by the infected macrophages. The essential oil showed no cytototoxic effects against mammalian cells. This set of results suggests that O. gratissimum essential oil and its compounds could be used as sources for new antileishmanial drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tânia Ueda-Nakamura
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Brazil
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Tiuman TS, Ueda-Nakamura T, Garcia Cortez DA, Dias Filho BP, Morgado-Díaz JA, de Souza W, Nakamura CV. Antileishmanial activity of parthenolide, a sesquiterpene lactone isolated from Tanacetum parthenium. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2005; 49:176-82. [PMID: 15616293 PMCID: PMC538891 DOI: 10.1128/aac.49.11.176-182.2005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 148] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The in vitro activity of parthenolide against Leishmania amazonensis was investigated. Parthenolide is a sesquiterpene lactone purified from the hydroalcoholic extract of aerial parts of Tanacetum parthenium. This isolated compound was identified through spectral analyses by UV, infrared, (1)H and (13)C nuclear magnetic resonance imaging, DEPT (distortionless enhancement by polarization transfer), COSY (correlated spectroscopy), HMQC (heteronuclear multiple-quantum coherence), and electron spray ionization-mass spectrometry. Parthenolide showed significant activity against the promastigote form of L. amazonensis, with 50% inhibition of cell growth at a concentration of 0.37 microg/ml. For the intracellular amastigote form, parthenolide reduced by 50% the survival index of parasites in macrophages when it was used at 0.81 microg/ml. The purified compound showed no cytotoxic effects against J774G8 macrophages in culture and did not cause lysis in sheep blood when it was used at higher concentrations that inhibited promastigote forms. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis with gelatin as the substrate showed that the enzymatic activity of the enzyme cysteine protease increased following treatment of the promastigotes with the isolated compound. This finding was correlated with marked morphological changes induced by parthenolide, such as the appearance of structures similar to large lysosomes and intense exocytic activity in the region of the flagellar pocket, as seen by electron microscopy. These results provide new perspectives on the development of novel drugs with leishmanicidal activities obtained from natural products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatiana Shioji Tiuman
- Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Bloco I-90 Sala 123 CCS, Av. Colombo 5790, BR-87020-900, Maringá, Paraná, Brazil
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Abstract
Reservosomes are endocytic compartments found in the posterior region of epimastigotes of Trypanosoma cruzi. In the differentiation from trypomastigotes to epimastigotes (reverse metacyclogenesis in vitro), one has the rare opportunity of following the biogenesis of an endocytic compartment. Metacyclic trypomastigotes incubated in LIT medium highly enriched with fetal calf serum differentiated directly to epimastigotes. In recently differentiated epimastigotes, acidic organelles were found in round compartments spread along the cell body, whereas in control epimastigotes they were found in reservosomes located in the posterior region. Ultrastructural analysis of intermediate forms showed that the cytostome and reservosomes appeared before differentiation to epimastigotes was completed. Many polymorphic reservosomes, with or without lipid inclusions, were observed from the anterior portion of the cell body, in close relationship with the Golgi complex, to the posterior region. Endocytic tracers were observed in the cytostome, flagellar pocket, vesicles, and newly formed reservosomes. Cruzipain, the main protease of T. cruzi, was localized in newly formed reservosomes and in vesicles budding from the trans-Golgi network that seem to fuse with reservosomes. Ingested gold-labeled albumin and cruzipain colocalized in recently formed reservosomes. Endocytosis and immunocytochemical analysis suggested that the endocytic and the secretory pathways may contribute to reservosome formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Celso Sant'Anna
- Laboratório de Ultraestrutura Celular Hertha Meyer, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janiero, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Abstract
The Trypanosomatidae comprise a large group of parasitic protozoa, some of which cause important diseases in humans. These include Trypanosoma brucei (the causative agent of African sleeping sickness and nagana in cattle), Trypanosoma cruzi (the causative agent of Chagas' disease in Central and South America), and Leishmania spp. (the causative agent of visceral and [muco]cutaneous leishmaniasis throughout the tropics and subtropics). The cell surfaces of these parasites are covered in complex protein- or carbohydrate-rich coats that are required for parasite survival and infectivity in their respective insect vectors and mammalian hosts. These molecules are assembled in the secretory pathway. Recent advances in the genetic manipulation of these parasites as well as progress with the parasite genome projects has greatly advanced our understanding of processes that underlie secretory transport in trypanosomatids. This article provides an overview of the organization of the trypanosomatid secretory pathway and connections that exist with endocytic organelles and multiple lytic and storage vacuoles. A number of the molecular components that are required for vesicular transport have been identified, as have some of the sorting signals that direct proteins to the cell surface or organelles in the endosome-vacuole system. Finally, the subcellular organization of the major glycosylation pathways in these parasites is reviewed. Studies on these highly divergent eukaryotes provide important insights into the molecular processes underlying secretory transport that arose very early in eukaryotic evolution. They also reveal unusual or novel aspects of secretory transport and protein glycosylation that may be exploited in developing new antiparasite drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malcolm J McConville
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia.
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