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Alves FDM, Bellei JCB, Barbosa CDS, Duarte CL, da Fonseca AL, Pinto ACDS, Raimundo FO, Carpinter BA, Lemos ASDO, Coimbra ES, Taranto AG, Rocha VN, de Pilla Varotti F, Ribeiro Viana GH, Scopel KKG. Rational-Based Discovery of Novel β-Carboline Derivatives as Potential Antimalarials: From In Silico Identification of Novel Targets to Inhibition of Experimental Cerebral Malaria. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11121529. [PMID: 36558863 PMCID: PMC9781199 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11121529] [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: 11/22/2022] [Revised: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria is an infectious disease widespread in underdeveloped tropical regions. The most severe form of infection is caused by Plasmodium falciparum, which can lead to development of cerebral malaria (CM) and is responsible for deaths and significant neurocognitive sequelae throughout life. In this context and considering the emergence and spread of drug-resistant P. falciparum isolates, the search for new antimalarial candidates becomes urgent. β-carbolines alkaloids are good candidates since a wide range of biological activity for these compounds has been reported. Herein, we designed 20 chemical entities and performed an in silico virtual screening against a pool of P. falciparum molecular targets, the Brazilian Malaria Molecular Targets (BRAMMT). Seven structures showed potential to interact with PfFNR, PfPK7, PfGrx1, and PfATP6, being synthesized and evaluated for in vitro antiplasmodial activity. Among them, compounds 3−6 and 10 inhibited the growth of the W2 strain at µM concentrations, with low cytotoxicity against the human cell line. In silico physicochemical and pharmacokinetic properties were found to be favorable for oral administration. The compound 10 provided the best results against CM, with important values of parasite growth inhibition on the 5th day post-infection for both curative (67.9%) and suppressive (82%) assays. Furthermore, this compound was able to elongate mice survival and protect them against the development of the experimental model of CM (>65%). Compound 10 also induced reduction of the NO level, possibly by interaction with iNOS. Therefore, this alkaloid showed promising activity for the treatment of malaria and was able to prevent the development of experimental cerebral malaria (ECM), probably by reducing NO synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernanda de Moura Alves
- Research Center on Biological Chemistry (NQBio), Federal University of São João Del Rei, Divinópolis 35501-296, Brazil
| | - Jessica Correa Bezerra Bellei
- Research Center Parasitology, Departament of Parasitology, Microbiology and Immunology, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora 36036-900, Brazil
| | - Camila de Souza Barbosa
- Research Center on Biological Chemistry (NQBio), Federal University of São João Del Rei, Divinópolis 35501-296, Brazil
| | - Caíque Lopes Duarte
- Research Center on Biological Chemistry (NQBio), Federal University of São João Del Rei, Divinópolis 35501-296, Brazil
| | - Amanda Luisa da Fonseca
- Research Center on Biological Chemistry (NQBio), Federal University of São João Del Rei, Divinópolis 35501-296, Brazil
| | - Ana Claudia de Souza Pinto
- Research Center on Biological Chemistry (NQBio), Federal University of São João Del Rei, Divinópolis 35501-296, Brazil
| | - Felipe Oliveira Raimundo
- Research Center Parasitology, Departament of Parasitology, Microbiology and Immunology, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora 36036-900, Brazil
| | - Bárbara Albuquerque Carpinter
- Research Center Parasitology, Departament of Parasitology, Microbiology and Immunology, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora 36036-900, Brazil
| | - Ari Sérgio de Oliveira Lemos
- Research Center Parasitology, Departament of Parasitology, Microbiology and Immunology, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora 36036-900, Brazil
| | - Elaine Soares Coimbra
- Research Center Parasitology, Departament of Parasitology, Microbiology and Immunology, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora 36036-900, Brazil
| | - Alex Gutterres Taranto
- Research Center on Biological Chemistry (NQBio), Federal University of São João Del Rei, Divinópolis 35501-296, Brazil
| | - Vinícius Novaes Rocha
- Research Center of Pathology and Veterinary Histology, Departament of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora 36036-900, Brazil
| | - Fernando de Pilla Varotti
- Research Center on Biological Chemistry (NQBio), Federal University of São João Del Rei, Divinópolis 35501-296, Brazil
- Correspondence: (F.d.P.V.); (K.K.G.S.)
| | | | - Kézia K. G. Scopel
- Research Center Parasitology, Departament of Parasitology, Microbiology and Immunology, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora 36036-900, Brazil
- Correspondence: (F.d.P.V.); (K.K.G.S.)
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Acyloxymethyl and alkoxycarbonyloxymethyl prodrugs of a fosmidomycin surrogate as antimalarial and antibacterial agents. Eur J Med Chem 2022; 245:114924. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.114924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2022] [Revised: 11/06/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
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Mathew J, Ding S, Kunz KA, Stacy EE, Butler JH, Haney RS, Merino EF, Butschek GJ, Rizopoulos Z, Totrov M, Cassera MB, Carlier PR. Malaria Box-Inspired Discovery of N-Aminoalkyl-β-carboline-3-carboxamides, a Novel Orally Active Class of Antimalarials. ACS Med Chem Lett 2022; 13:365-370. [PMID: 35300096 PMCID: PMC8919280 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.1c00663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Virtual ligand screening of a publicly available database of antimalarial hits using a pharmacophore derived from antimalarial MMV008138 identified TCMDC-140230, a tetrahydro-β-carboline amide, as worthy of exploration. All four stereoisomers of this structure were synthesized, but none potently inhibited growth of the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. Interestingly, 7e, a minor byproduct of these syntheses, proved to be potent in vitro against P. falciparum and was orally efficacious (40 mg/kg) in an in vivo mouse model of malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jopaul Mathew
- Department of Chemistry and Virginia Tech Center for Drug Discovery, Virginia Tech, 1040 Drillfield Drive, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
| | - Sha Ding
- Department of Chemistry and Virginia Tech Center for Drug Discovery, Virginia Tech, 1040 Drillfield Drive, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
| | - Kevin A Kunz
- Department of Chemistry and Virginia Tech Center for Drug Discovery, Virginia Tech, 1040 Drillfield Drive, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
| | - Emily E Stacy
- Department of Chemistry and Virginia Tech Center for Drug Discovery, Virginia Tech, 1040 Drillfield Drive, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
| | - Joshua H Butler
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, 120 Green Street, Athens, Georgia 30602, United States
| | - Reagan S Haney
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, 120 Green Street, Athens, Georgia 30602, United States
| | - Emilio F Merino
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, 120 Green Street, Athens, Georgia 30602, United States
| | - Grant J Butschek
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, 120 Green Street, Athens, Georgia 30602, United States
| | | | - Maxim Totrov
- Molsoft LLC, 11999 Sorrento Valley Road, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Maria B Cassera
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, 120 Green Street, Athens, Georgia 30602, United States
| | - Paul R Carlier
- Department of Chemistry and Virginia Tech Center for Drug Discovery, Virginia Tech, 1040 Drillfield Drive, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
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Almolhim H, Ding S, Butler JH, Bremers EK, Butschek GJ, Slebodnick C, Merino EF, Rizopoulos Z, Totrov M, Cassera MB, Carlier PR. Enantiopure Benzofuran-2-carboxamides of 1-Aryltetrahydro-β-carbolines Are Potent Antimalarials In Vitro. ACS Med Chem Lett 2022; 13:371-376. [PMID: 35300082 PMCID: PMC8919387 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.1c00697] [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: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The tetrahydro-β-carboline scaffold has proven fertile ground for the discovery of antimalarial agents (e.g., MMV008138 (1) and cipargamin (2)). Similarity searching of a publicly disclosed collection of antimalarial hits for molecules resembling 1 drew our attention to N2-acyl tetrahydro-β-carboline GNF-Pf-5009 ((±)-3b). Compound purchase, "analog by catalog", and independent synthesis of hits indicated the benzofuran-2-yl amide portion was required for in vitro efficacy against P. falciparum. Preparation of pure enantiomers demonstrated the pharmacological superiority of (R)-3b. Synthesis and evaluation of D- and F-ring substitution variants and benzofuran isosteres indicated a clear structure-activity relationship. Ultimately (R)-3b was tested in Plasmodium berghei-infected mice; unfavorable physicochemical properties may be responsible for the lack of oral efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanan Almolhim
- Department of Chemistry and Virginia Tech Center for Drug Discovery, Virginia Tech, 1040 Drillfield Drive, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
| | - Sha Ding
- Department of Chemistry and Virginia Tech Center for Drug Discovery, Virginia Tech, 1040 Drillfield Drive, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
| | - Joshua H Butler
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, 120 Green Street, Athens, Georgia 30602, United States
| | - Emily K Bremers
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, 120 Green Street, Athens, Georgia 30602, United States
| | - Grant J Butschek
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, 120 Green Street, Athens, Georgia 30602, United States
| | - Carla Slebodnick
- Department of Chemistry and Virginia Tech Center for Drug Discovery, Virginia Tech, 1040 Drillfield Drive, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
| | - Emilio F Merino
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, 120 Green Street, Athens, Georgia 30602, United States
| | | | - Maxim Totrov
- Molsoft LLC, 11999 Sorrento Valley Road, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Maria B Cassera
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, 120 Green Street, Athens, Georgia 30602, United States
| | - Paul R Carlier
- Department of Chemistry and Virginia Tech Center for Drug Discovery, Virginia Tech, 1040 Drillfield Drive, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
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A review of synthetic bioactive tetrahydro-β-carbolines: A medicinal chemistry perspective. Eur J Med Chem 2021; 225:113815. [PMID: 34479038 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2021.113815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2021] [Revised: 08/22/2021] [Accepted: 08/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
1, 2, 3, 4-Tetrahydro-β-carboline (THβC) scaffold is widespread in many natural products (NPs) and synthetic compounds which show a variety of pharmacological activities. In this article, we reviewed the design, structures and biological characteristics of reported synthetic THβC compounds, and structure and activity relationship (SAR) of them were also discussed. This work might provide a reference for subsequent drug development based on THβC.
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Faheem, Kumar BK, Sekhar KVGC, Kunjiappan S, Jamalis J, Balaña-Fouce R, Sankaranarayanan M. Recent Update on the Anti-infective Potential of β-carboline Analogs. Mini Rev Med Chem 2021; 21:398-425. [PMID: 33001013 DOI: 10.2174/1389557520666201001130114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2020] [Revised: 08/10/2020] [Accepted: 08/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
β-Carboline, a naturally occurring indole alkaloid, holds a momentous spot in the field of medicinal chemistry due to its myriad of pharmacological actions like anticancer, antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, antileishmanial, antimalarial, neuropharmacological, anti-inflammatory and antithrombotic among others. β-Carbolines exhibit their pharmacological activity via diverse mechanisms. This review provides a recent update (2015-2020) on the anti-infective potential of natural and synthetic β-carboline analogs focusing on its antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, antimalarial, antileishmanial and antitrypanosomal properties. In cases where enough details are available, a note on its mechanism of action is also added.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faheem
- Medicinal Chemistry Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, Birla Institute of Technology and Science Pilani, Pilani Campus, Vidya Vihar, Pilani-333031, Rajasthan, India
| | - Banoth Karan Kumar
- Medicinal Chemistry Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, Birla Institute of Technology and Science Pilani, Pilani Campus, Vidya Vihar, Pilani-333031, Rajasthan, India
| | - Kondapalli Venkata Gowri Chandra Sekhar
- Department of Chemistry, Birla Institute of Technology and Science Pilani, Hyderabad Campus, Jawahar Nagar, Shameerpet Mandal, R.R. Dist. Hyderabad, 500078, Telangana, India
| | - Selvaraj Kunjiappan
- Department of Biotechnology, Kalasalingam Academy of Research and Education, Krishnankoil 626126, India
| | - Joazaizulfazli Jamalis
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Johor Bahru, Johor 81310, Malaysia
| | | | - Murugesan Sankaranarayanan
- Medicinal Chemistry Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, Birla Institute of Technology and Science Pilani, Pilani Campus, Vidya Vihar, Pilani-333031, Rajasthan, India
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Kamboj A, Sihag B, Brar DS, Kaur A, Salunke DB. Structure activity relationship in β-carboline derived anti-malarial agents. Eur J Med Chem 2021; 221:113536. [PMID: 34058709 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2021.113536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Revised: 04/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Malaria, even though an avoidable and treatable disease, can be fatal if ignored. Artemisinin Combination Therapy (ACT) and RTS, S/AS01 vaccine (Mosquirix™) are the only modest means available with humans to overcome malaria, a lethal affliction wreaking havoc across the globe. Employment of ACT is associated with problems such as 'Artemisinin Resistance' and the 'Hypnozoite conundrum' that hinder the complete eradication of malaria. In this view, the natural products specifically comprising β-carboline scaffold have shown good antiplasmodial responses against different strains of malaria. Taking these observations forward, researchers have performed structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies around three different β-carboline skeletons (tetrahydro β-carbolines, dihydro β-carbolines, β-carbolines) to design new β-carboline derived heterocyclic structures or modified naturally occurring derivatives. In addition, different approaches such as dimerization and linkage to other moieties have also been adopted to enhance the antimalarial activity. The present review describes a comprehensive SAR study encapsulating various natural and synthetic β-carbolines to elaborate upon the utility of these skeletons in designing drugs to subdue this deadly disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aarzoo Kamboj
- Department of Chemistry and Centre of Advanced Studies in Chemistry, Panjab University, Chandigarh 160014, India
| | - Binita Sihag
- Department of Chemistry and Centre of Advanced Studies in Chemistry, Panjab University, Chandigarh 160014, India
| | - Deshkanwar Singh Brar
- Department of Chemistry and Centre of Advanced Studies in Chemistry, Panjab University, Chandigarh 160014, India
| | - Arshpreet Kaur
- Department of Chemistry and Centre of Advanced Studies in Chemistry, Panjab University, Chandigarh 160014, India
| | - Deepak B Salunke
- Department of Chemistry and Centre of Advanced Studies in Chemistry, Panjab University, Chandigarh 160014, India; National Interdisciplinary Centre of Vaccine, Immunotherapeutics and Antimicrobials, Panjab University, Chandigarh 160014, India.
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Cruz JV, Giuliatti S, Alves LB, Silva RC, Ferreira EFB, Kimani NM, Silva CHTP, Souza JSND, Espejo-Román JM, Santos CBR. Identification of novel potential cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors using ligand- and structure-based virtual screening approaches. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2021; 40:5386-5408. [PMID: 33427075 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2020.1871413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) is a well-established target for the design of anti-inflammatory intermediates. Celecoxib was selected as a template molecule to perform ligand-based virtual screening, i.e. to search for structures with similarity in shape and electrostatic potential, with a gradual increase in accuracy through the combined fitting of several steps using eight commercial databases. The molecules ZINC408709 and ZINC2090319 reproduced values within the limits established in an initial study of absorption and distribution in the body. No alert was fired for possible toxic groups when these molecules were subjected to toxicity prediction. Molecular docking results with these compounds showed a higher binding affinity in comparison to rofecoxib for the COX-2 target. Additionally, ZINC408709 and ZINC2090319 were predicted to be potentially biologically active. In in silico prediction of endocrine disruption potential, it was established that the molecule ZINC2090319 binds strongly to the target related to cardiovascular risk in a desirable way as a non-steroidal antagonist and ZINC408709 binds strongly to the target that is associated with the treatment of inflammatory pathologies and similar to celecoxib. Metabolites generated from these compounds are less likely to have side effects. Simulations were used to evaluate the interaction of compounds with COX-1 and COX-2 during 200 ns. Despite the differences, ZINC408709 molecule showed better stability for COX-2 during molecular dynamics simulation. In the calculations of free energy MM/PBSA, the molecule ZINC408709 ΔGbind value has a higher affinity to celecoxib and rofecoxib COX-2. This demonstrates that the selected substances can be considered as promising COX-2 inhibitors. Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josiane V Cruz
- Graduate Program in Pharmaceutical Innovation, Department of Biological Sciences and Health, Federal University of Amapá, Macapá, Brazil.,Laboratory of Modeling and Computational Chemistry, Department of Biological Sciences and Health, Federal University of Amapá, Macapá, Brazil
| | - Silvana Giuliatti
- Bioinformatics Group, Department of Genetics, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Levy B Alves
- Bioinformatics Group, Department of Genetics, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Raí C Silva
- Departamento de Química, Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto-SP, Brazil
| | - Elenilze F B Ferreira
- Graduate Program in Pharmaceutical Innovation, Department of Biological Sciences and Health, Federal University of Amapá, Macapá, Brazil.,Laboratory of Modeling and Computational Chemistry, Department of Biological Sciences and Health, Federal University of Amapá, Macapá, Brazil.,Laboratory of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of the State of Amapá, Macapá, Brazil
| | - Njogu M Kimani
- Department of Physical Sciences, University of Embu, Embu, Kenya
| | - Carlos H T P Silva
- Departamento de Química, Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto-SP, Brazil.,Computational Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - João S N de Souza
- Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Piaui, Teresina, Brazil
| | - José M Espejo-Román
- Department of Pharmaceutical Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Biosanitary Institute of Granada (Ibs.GRANADA), University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Cleydson B R Santos
- Graduate Program in Pharmaceutical Innovation, Department of Biological Sciences and Health, Federal University of Amapá, Macapá, Brazil.,Laboratory of Modeling and Computational Chemistry, Department of Biological Sciences and Health, Federal University of Amapá, Macapá, Brazil
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Probing the B- & C-rings of the antimalarial tetrahydro-β-carboline MMV008138 for steric and conformational constraints. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2020; 30:127520. [PMID: 32898696 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2020.127520] [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: 06/01/2020] [Accepted: 08/22/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
The antimalarial candidate MMV008138 (1a) is of particular interest because its target enzyme (IspD) is absent in human. To achieve higher potency, and to probe for steric demand, a series of analogs of 1a were prepared that featured methyl-substitution of the B- and C-rings, as well as ring-chain transformations. X-ray crystallography, NMR spectroscopy and calculation were used to study the effects of these modifications on the conformation of the C-ring and orientation of the D-ring. Unfortunately, all the B- and C-ring analogs explored lost in vitro antimalarial activity. The possible role of steric effects and conformational changes on target engagement are discussed.
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Sharma B, Kaur S, Legac J, Rosenthal PJ, Kumar V. Synthesis, anti-plasmodial and cytotoxic evaluation of 1H-1,2,3-triazole/acyl hydrazide integrated tetrahydro-β-carboline-4-aminoquinoline conjugates. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2020; 30:126810. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2019.126810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2019] [Revised: 11/01/2019] [Accepted: 11/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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Targeting the apicoplast in malaria. Biochem Soc Trans 2019; 47:973-983. [PMID: 31383817 DOI: 10.1042/bst20170563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2018] [Revised: 05/22/2019] [Accepted: 06/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Malaria continues to be one of the leading causes of human mortality in the world, and the therapies available are insufficient for eradication. Severe malaria is caused by the apicomplexan parasite Plasmodium falciparum Apicomplexan parasites, including the Plasmodium spp., are descendants of photosynthetic algae, and therefore they possess an essential plastid organelle, named the apicoplast. Since humans and animals have no plastids, the apicoplast is an attractive target for drug development. Indeed, after its discovery, the apicoplast was found to host the target pathways of some known antimalarial drugs, which motivated efforts for further research into its biological functions and biogenesis. Initially, many apicoplast inhibitions were found to result in 'delayed death', whereby parasite killing is seen only at the end of one invasion-egress cycle. This slow action is not in line with the current standard for antimalarials, which seeded scepticism about the potential of compounds targeting apicoplast functions as good candidates for drug development. Intriguingly, recent evidence of apicoplast inhibitors causing rapid killing could put this organelle back in the spotlight. We provide an overview of drugs known to inhibit apicoplast pathways, alongside recent findings in apicoplast biology that may provide new avenues for drug development.
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Cagašová K, Ghavami M, Yao ZK, Carlier PR. Questioning the γ-gauche effect: stereoassignment of 1,3-disubstituted-tetrahydro-β-carbolines using 1H- 1H coupling constants. Org Biomol Chem 2019; 17:6687-6698. [PMID: 31232413 DOI: 10.1039/c9ob01139k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The Pictet-Spengler reaction of tryptophan esters and aldehydes has been widely applied in natural product synthesis and medicinal chemistry. To date, the trans- or cis-configuration of 1,3-disubstituted tetrahydro-β-carbolines (THβCs) formed in this reaction has most often been assigned based on the relative 13C chemical shifts of C1 and C3 in the diastereomers. Although the upfield shifts of C1 and C3 in trans-THβCs relative to cis-THβCs has been attributed to steric compression associated with the "γ-gauche" effect, we show that this effect is not borne out experimentally for other carbons that should suffer this same compression. Thus we developed a robust alternative method for stereochemical assignment based on 1H NMR coupling constants (31 examples) and supported by extensive DFT-based conformational analysis and calculation of 1H-1H coupling constants. DFT calculations of 13C NMR chemical shifts also cast doubt upon the role of the "γ-gauche" effect on C1 and C3 chemical shifts in trans-THβCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristýna Cagašová
- Department of Chemistry and Virginia Tech Center for Drug Discovery, Virginia Tech, Hahn Hall South, 800 West Campus Drive, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, USA.
| | - Maryam Ghavami
- Department of Chemistry and Virginia Tech Center for Drug Discovery, Virginia Tech, Hahn Hall South, 800 West Campus Drive, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, USA.
| | - Zhong-Ke Yao
- Department of Chemistry and Virginia Tech Center for Drug Discovery, Virginia Tech, Hahn Hall South, 800 West Campus Drive, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, USA.
| | - Paul R Carlier
- Department of Chemistry and Virginia Tech Center for Drug Discovery, Virginia Tech, Hahn Hall South, 800 West Campus Drive, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, USA.
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13
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Cabrera AC. Collaborative drug discovery and the Tres Cantos Antimalarial Set (TCAMS). Drug Discov Today 2019; 24:1304-1310. [PMID: 30980903 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2019.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2019] [Revised: 02/18/2019] [Accepted: 04/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Malaria affects a population of over 200 million people worldwide. New drugs are needed because of widespread resistance, and the hunt for such drugs involves a coordinated research effort from the scientific community. The release of the Tres Cantos Antimalarial Set (TCAMS) in 2010 represented a landmark in the field of collaborative drug discovery for malaria. This set of >13 000 molecules with confirmed activity against several strains of Plasmodium falciparum was publicly released with the goal of fostering additional research beyond the GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) network of collaborators. Here, we examine the outcomes realized from TCAMS over the past 8 years and whether the expectations surrounding this initiative have become a reality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alvaro Cortes Cabrera
- Department of Pharmacology, Universidad de Alcalá, Crta Madrid-Zaragoza Km 33.6, Alcalá de Henares, Spain.
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Gorki V, Singh R, Walter NS, Bagai U, Salunke DB. Synthesis and Evaluation of Antiplasmodial Efficacy of β-Carboline Derivatives against Murine Malaria. ACS OMEGA 2018; 3:13200-13210. [PMID: 30411030 PMCID: PMC6217594 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.8b01833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2018] [Accepted: 09/28/2018] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
The difficulty of developing an efficient malaria vaccine along with increasing spread of multidrug resistant strain of Plasmodium falciparum to the available antimalarial drugs poses the need to discover safe and efficacious antimalarial drugs to control malaria. An alternative strategy is to synthesize compounds possessing structures similar to the active natural products or marketed drugs. Several biologically active natural products and drugs contain β-carboline moiety. In the present study, few selected β-carboline derivatives have been synthesized and tested for their in vitro and in vivo antiplasmodial activity against the rodent malaria parasite Plasmodium berghei (NK-65). The designed analogs exhibited considerable in vitro antimalarial activity. Two compounds (1R,3S)-methyl 1-(benzo[d][1,3]dioxol-5-yl)-2,3,4,9-tetrahydro-1H-pyrido[3,4-b]indole-3-carboxylate (9a) and (1R,3S)-methyl 1-(pyridin-3-yl)-2,3,4,9-tetrahydro-1H-pyrido[3,4-b]indole-3-carboxylate (9b) were further selected for in vivo studies. Both the lead compounds (9a and 9b) were observed to be safe for oral administration. The therapeutic effective dose (ED50) for 9a and 9b were determined and in the animal model, 9a (at 50 mg/kg dose) exhibited better activity in terms of parasite clearance and enhancement of host survival. Biochemical investigations also point toward the safety of the compound to the hepatic and renal functions of the rodent host. Further studies are underway to explore its activity alone as well as in combination therapy with artesunate against the human malaria parasite P. falciparum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Varun Gorki
- Parasitology
Laboratory, Department of Zoology, and Department of Chemistry and Centre
of Advanced Studies in Chemistry, Panjab
University, Chandigarh 160014, India
| | - Rahul Singh
- Parasitology
Laboratory, Department of Zoology, and Department of Chemistry and Centre
of Advanced Studies in Chemistry, Panjab
University, Chandigarh 160014, India
| | - Neha Sylvia Walter
- Parasitology
Laboratory, Department of Zoology, and Department of Chemistry and Centre
of Advanced Studies in Chemistry, Panjab
University, Chandigarh 160014, India
| | - Upma Bagai
- Parasitology
Laboratory, Department of Zoology, and Department of Chemistry and Centre
of Advanced Studies in Chemistry, Panjab
University, Chandigarh 160014, India
| | - Deepak B. Salunke
- Parasitology
Laboratory, Department of Zoology, and Department of Chemistry and Centre
of Advanced Studies in Chemistry, Panjab
University, Chandigarh 160014, India
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16
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Ghavami M, Merino EF, Yao ZK, Elahi R, Simpson ME, Fernández-Murga ML, Butler JH, Casasanta MA, Krai PM, Totrov MM, Slade DJ, Carlier PR, Cassera MB. Biological Studies and Target Engagement of the 2- C-Methyl-d-Erythritol 4-Phosphate Cytidylyltransferase (IspD)-Targeting Antimalarial Agent (1 R,3 S)-MMV008138 and Analogs. ACS Infect Dis 2018; 4:549-559. [PMID: 29072835 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.7b00159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Malaria continues to be one of the deadliest diseases worldwide, and the emergence of drug resistance parasites is a constant threat. Plasmodium parasites utilize the methylerythritol phosphate (MEP) pathway to synthesize isopentenyl pyrophosphate (IPP) and dimethylallyl pyrophosphate (DMAPP), which are essential for parasite growth. Previously, we and others identified that the Malaria Box compound MMV008138 targets the apicoplast and that parasite growth inhibition by this compound can be reversed by supplementation of IPP. Further work has revealed that MMV008138 targets the enzyme 2- C-methyl-d-erythritol 4-phosphate cytidylyltransferase (IspD) in the MEP pathway, which converts MEP and cytidine triphosphate (CTP) to cytidinediphosphate methylerythritol (CDP-ME) and pyrophosphate. In this work, we sought to gain insight into the structure-activity relationships by probing the ability of MMV008138 analogs to inhibit PfIspD recombinant enzyme. Here, we report PfIspD inhibition data for fosmidomycin (FOS) and 19 previously disclosed analogs and report parasite growth and PfIspD inhibition data for 27 new analogs of MMV008138. In addition, we show that MMV008138 does not target the recently characterized human IspD, reinforcing MMV008138 as a prototype of a new class of species-selective IspD-targeting antimalarial agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Ghavami
- Department of Chemistry and Virginia Tech Center for Drug Discovery, Virginia Tech, Hahn Hall South, 800 West Campus Drive, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
| | - Emilio F. Merino
- Department of Biochemistry and Virginia Tech Center for Drug Discovery, Virginia Tech, Engel Hall, 340 West Campus Drive, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases (CTEGD), University of Georgia, 120 Green Street, Athens, Georgia 30602, United States
| | - Zhong-Ke Yao
- Department of Chemistry and Virginia Tech Center for Drug Discovery, Virginia Tech, Hahn Hall South, 800 West Campus Drive, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
| | - Rubayet Elahi
- Department of Biochemistry and Virginia Tech Center for Drug Discovery, Virginia Tech, Engel Hall, 340 West Campus Drive, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
| | - Morgan E. Simpson
- Department of Biochemistry and Virginia Tech Center for Drug Discovery, Virginia Tech, Engel Hall, 340 West Campus Drive, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
| | - Maria L. Fernández-Murga
- Department of Biochemistry and Virginia Tech Center for Drug Discovery, Virginia Tech, Engel Hall, 340 West Campus Drive, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
| | - Joshua H. Butler
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases (CTEGD), University of Georgia, 120 Green Street, Athens, Georgia 30602, United States
| | - Michael A. Casasanta
- Department of Biochemistry and Virginia Tech Center for Drug Discovery, Virginia Tech, Engel Hall, 340 West Campus Drive, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
| | - Priscilla M. Krai
- Department of Biochemistry and Virginia Tech Center for Drug Discovery, Virginia Tech, Engel Hall, 340 West Campus Drive, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
| | - Maxim M. Totrov
- Molsoft LLC, 11199 Sorrento Valley Road, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Daniel J. Slade
- Department of Biochemistry and Virginia Tech Center for Drug Discovery, Virginia Tech, Engel Hall, 340 West Campus Drive, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
| | - Paul R. Carlier
- Department of Chemistry and Virginia Tech Center for Drug Discovery, Virginia Tech, Hahn Hall South, 800 West Campus Drive, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
| | - Maria Belen Cassera
- Department of Biochemistry and Virginia Tech Center for Drug Discovery, Virginia Tech, Engel Hall, 340 West Campus Drive, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases (CTEGD), University of Georgia, 120 Green Street, Athens, Georgia 30602, United States
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17
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Validation of Putative Apicoplast-Targeting Drugs Using a Chemical Supplementation Assay in Cultured Human Malaria Parasites. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2017; 62:AAC.01161-17. [PMID: 29109165 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01161-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2017] [Accepted: 10/18/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria parasites contain a relict plastid, the apicoplast, which is considered an excellent drug target due to its bacterial-like ancestry. Numerous parasiticidals have been proposed to target the apicoplast, but few have had their actual targets substantiated. Isopentenyl pyrophosphate (IPP) production is the sole required function of the apicoplast in the blood stage of the parasite life cycle, and IPP supplementation rescues parasites from apicoplast-perturbing drugs. Hence, any drug that kills parasites when IPP is supplied in culture must have a nonapicoplast target. Here, we use IPP supplementation to discriminate whether 23 purported apicoplast-targeting drugs are on- or off-target. We demonstrate that a prokaryotic DNA replication inhibitor (ciprofloxacin), several prokaryotic translation inhibitors (chloramphenicol, doxycycline, tetracycline, clindamycin, azithromycin, erythromycin, and clarithromycin), a tRNA synthase inhibitor (mupirocin), and two IPP synthesis pathway inhibitors (fosmidomycin and FR900098) have apicoplast targets. Intriguingly, fosmidomycin and FR900098 leave the apicoplast intact, whereas the others eventually result in apicoplast loss. Actinonin, an inhibitor of bacterial posttranslational modification, does not produce a typical delayed-death response but is rescued with IPP, thereby confirming its apicoplast target. Parasites treated with putative apicoplast fatty acid pathway inhibitors could not be rescued, demonstrating that these drugs have their primary targets outside the apicoplast, which agrees with the dispensability of the apicoplast fatty acid synthesis pathways in the blood stage of malaria parasites. IPP supplementation provides a simple test of whether a compound has a target in the apicoplast and can be used to screen novel compounds for mode of action.
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18
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Price KE, Armstrong CM, Imlay LS, Hodge DM, Pidathala C, Roberts NJ, Park J, Mikati M, Sharma R, Lawrenson AS, Tolia NH, Berry NG, O'Neill PM, John ARO. Molecular Mechanism of Action of Antimalarial Benzoisothiazolones: Species-Selective Inhibitors of the Plasmodium spp. MEP Pathway enzyme, IspD. Sci Rep 2016; 6:36777. [PMID: 27857147 PMCID: PMC5114681 DOI: 10.1038/srep36777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2016] [Accepted: 10/20/2016] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The methylerythritol phosphate (MEP) pathway is an essential metabolic pathway found in malaria parasites, but absent in mammals, making it a highly attractive target for the discovery of novel and selective antimalarial therapies. Using high-throughput screening, we have identified 2-phenyl benzo[d]isothiazol-3(2H)-ones as species-selective inhibitors of Plasmodium spp. 2-C-methyl-D-erythritol-4-phosphate cytidyltransferase (IspD), the third catalytic enzyme of the MEP pathway. 2-Phenyl benzo[d]isothiazol-3(2H)-ones display nanomolar inhibitory activity against P. falciparum and P. vivax IspD and prevent the growth of P. falciparum in culture, with EC50 values below 400 nM. In silico modeling, along with enzymatic, genetic and crystallographic studies, have established a mechanism-of-action involving initial non-covalent recognition of inhibitors at the IspD binding site, followed by disulfide bond formation through attack of an active site cysteine residue on the benzo[d]isothiazol-3(2H)-one core. The species-selective inhibitory activity of these small molecules against Plasmodium spp. IspD and cultured parasites suggests they have potential as lead compounds in the pursuit of novel drugs to treat malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn E Price
- Department of Chemistry, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L69 7ZD, UK
| | - Christopher M Armstrong
- Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Leah S Imlay
- Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Dana M Hodge
- Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - C Pidathala
- Department of Chemistry, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L69 7ZD, UK
| | - Natalie J Roberts
- Department of Chemistry, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L69 7ZD, UK
| | - Jooyoung Park
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Marwa Mikati
- Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Raman Sharma
- Department of Chemistry, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L69 7ZD, UK
| | | | - Niraj H Tolia
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Neil G Berry
- Department of Chemistry, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L69 7ZD, UK
| | - Paul M O'Neill
- Department of Chemistry, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L69 7ZD, UK
| | - Audrey R Odom John
- Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA.,Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
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Metabolomic Profiling of the Malaria Box Reveals Antimalarial Target Pathways. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2016; 60:6635-6649. [PMID: 27572391 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01224-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2016] [Accepted: 08/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The threat of widespread drug resistance to frontline antimalarials has renewed the urgency for identifying inexpensive chemotherapeutic compounds that are effective against Plasmodium falciparum, the parasite species responsible for the greatest number of malaria-related deaths worldwide. To aid in the fight against malaria, a recent extensive screening campaign has generated thousands of lead compounds with low micromolar activity against blood stage parasites. A subset of these leads has been compiled by the Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV) into a collection of structurally diverse compounds known as the MMV Malaria Box. Currently, little is known regarding the activity of these Malaria Box compounds on parasite metabolism during intraerythrocytic development, and a majority of the targets for these drugs have yet to be defined. Here we interrogated the in vitro metabolic effects of 189 drugs (including 169 of the drug-like compounds from the Malaria Box) using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS). The resulting metabolic fingerprints provide information on the parasite biochemical pathways affected by pharmacologic intervention and offer a critical blueprint for selecting and advancing lead compounds as next-generation antimalarial drugs. Our results reveal several major classes of metabolic disruption, which allow us to predict the mode of action (MoA) for many of the Malaria Box compounds. We anticipate that future combination therapies will be greatly informed by these results, allowing for the selection of appropriate drug combinations that simultaneously target multiple metabolic pathways, with the aim of eliminating malaria and forestalling the expansion of drug-resistant parasites in the field.
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Saggu GS, Pala ZR, Garg S, Saxena V. New Insight into Isoprenoids Biosynthesis Process and Future Prospects for Drug Designing in Plasmodium. Front Microbiol 2016; 7:1421. [PMID: 27679614 PMCID: PMC5020098 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2016.01421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2016] [Accepted: 08/26/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The MEP (Methyl Erythritol Phosphate) isoprenoids biosynthesis pathway is an attractive drug target to combat malaria, due to its uniqueness and indispensability for the parasite. It is functional in the apicoplast of Plasmodium and its products get transported to the cytoplasm, where they participate in glycoprotein synthesis, electron transport chain, tRNA modification and several other biological processes. Several compounds have been tested against the enzymes involved in this pathway and amongst them Fosmidomycin, targeted against IspC (DXP reductoisomerase) enzyme and MMV008138 targeted against IspD enzyme have shown good anti-malarial activity in parasite cultures. Fosmidomycin is now-a-days prescribed clinically, however, less absorption, shorter half-life, and toxicity at higher doses, limits its use as an anti-malarial. The potential of other enzymes of the pathway as candidate drug targets has also been determined. This review details the various drug molecules tested against these targets with special emphasis to Plasmodium. We corroborate that MEP pathway functional within the apicoplast of Plasmodium is a major drug target, especially during erythrocytic stages. However, the major bottlenecks, bioavailability and toxicity of the new molecules needs to be addressed, before considering any new molecule as a potent antimalarial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gagandeep S Saggu
- Molecular Parasitology and Systems Biology Laboratory, Department of Biological Sciences, Birla Institute of Technology and Science Pilani, India
| | - Zarna R Pala
- Molecular Parasitology and Systems Biology Laboratory, Department of Biological Sciences, Birla Institute of Technology and Science Pilani, India
| | - Shilpi Garg
- Molecular Parasitology and Systems Biology Laboratory, Department of Biological Sciences, Birla Institute of Technology and Science Pilani, India
| | - Vishal Saxena
- Molecular Parasitology and Systems Biology Laboratory, Department of Biological Sciences, Birla Institute of Technology and Science Pilani, India
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21
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Open Source Drug Discovery with the Malaria Box Compound Collection for Neglected Diseases and Beyond. PLoS Pathog 2016; 12:e1005763. [PMID: 27467575 PMCID: PMC4965013 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1005763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 196] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2016] [Accepted: 06/21/2016] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
A major cause of the paucity of new starting points for drug discovery is the lack of interaction between academia and industry. Much of the global resource in biology is present in universities, whereas the focus of medicinal chemistry is still largely within industry. Open source drug discovery, with sharing of information, is clearly a first step towards overcoming this gap. But the interface could especially be bridged through a scale-up of open sharing of physical compounds, which would accelerate the finding of new starting points for drug discovery. The Medicines for Malaria Venture Malaria Box is a collection of over 400 compounds representing families of structures identified in phenotypic screens of pharmaceutical and academic libraries against the Plasmodium falciparum malaria parasite. The set has now been distributed to almost 200 research groups globally in the last two years, with the only stipulation that information from the screens is deposited in the public domain. This paper reports for the first time on 236 screens that have been carried out against the Malaria Box and compares these results with 55 assays that were previously published, in a format that allows a meta-analysis of the combined dataset. The combined biochemical and cellular assays presented here suggest mechanisms of action for 135 (34%) of the compounds active in killing multiple life-cycle stages of the malaria parasite, including asexual blood, liver, gametocyte, gametes and insect ookinete stages. In addition, many compounds demonstrated activity against other pathogens, showing hits in assays with 16 protozoa, 7 helminths, 9 bacterial and mycobacterial species, the dengue fever mosquito vector, and the NCI60 human cancer cell line panel of 60 human tumor cell lines. Toxicological, pharmacokinetic and metabolic properties were collected on all the compounds, assisting in the selection of the most promising candidates for murine proof-of-concept experiments and medicinal chemistry programs. The data for all of these assays are presented and analyzed to show how outstanding leads for many indications can be selected. These results reveal the immense potential for translating the dispersed expertise in biological assays involving human pathogens into drug discovery starting points, by providing open access to new families of molecules, and emphasize how a small additional investment made to help acquire and distribute compounds, and sharing the data, can catalyze drug discovery for dozens of different indications. Another lesson is that when multiple screens from different groups are run on the same library, results can be integrated quickly to select the most valuable starting points for subsequent medicinal chemistry efforts. Malaria leads to the loss of over 440,000 lives annually; accelerating research to discover new candidate drugs is a priority. Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV) has distilled over 25,000 compounds that kill malaria parasites in vitro into a group of 400 representative compounds, called the "Malaria Box". These Malaria Box sets were distributed free-of-charge to research laboratories in 30 different countries that work on a wide variety of pathogens. Fifty-five groups compiled >290 assay results for this paper describing the many activities of the Malaria Box compounds. The collective results suggest a potential mechanism of action for over 130 compounds against malaria and illuminate the most promising compounds for further malaria drug development research. Excitingly some of these compounds also showed outstanding activity against other disease agents including fungi, bacteria, other single-cellular parasites, worms, and even human cancer cells. The results have ignited over 30 drug development programs for a variety of diseases. This open access effort was so successful that MMV has begun to distribute another set of compounds with initial activity against a wider range of infectious agents that are of public health concern, called the Pathogen Box, available now to scientific labs all over the world (www.PathogenBox.org).
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