Neurotransmitter transporters in schistosomes: Structure, function and prospects for drug discovery

Receptors for growth and development of Schistosoma mansoni

The growth and development of schistosomes are tightly regulated by various receptors throughout their life cycle. Each stage of the parasite inhabits a distinct habitat and responds to different factors that drive its growth and development. With two hosts involved in its life cycle (mammalian and snail), the parasite must go through additional free-living stages to transition between them. Moreover, communication between male and female worms is essential for the maturation of females. The ability of adult schistosomes to survive in human hosts for up to thirty years demonstrates their capacity to efficiently utilize host nutrients for metabolic processes and growth. In Schistosoma mansoni, receptors mediate the utilization of growth factors derived from both the parasite itself and the host. Nuclear receptors, in particular, collaborate with other proteins to regulate the expression of genes essential for various developmental functions. Receptors also play a pivotal role in RNA export, which is crucial for the parasite development. Additionally, neurotransmitter receptors are essential for the growth and development of larval stages. This review aims to elucidate the mechanisms by which these receptors regulate cell proliferation, differentiation, and maturation throughout the parasite life cycle. Understanding these processes could provide insights into the role of receptors in Schistosoma mansoni development and potentially lead to innovative therapeutic strategies to combat human schistosomiasis.

Form and Function in the Digenea, with an Emphasis on Host-Parasite and Parasite-Bacteria Interactions

This review covers the general aspects of the anatomy and physiology of the major body systems in digenetic trematodes, with an emphasis on new knowledge of the area acquired since the publication of the second edition of this book in 2019. In addition to reporting on key recent advances in the morphology and physiology of tegumentary, sensory, neuromuscular, digestive, excretory, and reproductive systems, and their roles in host-parasite interactions, this edition includes a section discussing the known and putative roles of bacteria in digenean biology and physiology. Furthermore, a brief discussion of current trends in the development of novel treatment and control strategies based on a better understanding of the trematode body systems and associated bacteria is provided.

Schistosoma japonicum Tyrosine Hydroxylase is promising targets for immunodiagnosis and immunoprotection of Schistosomiasis japonica

Identification of promising schistosome antigen targets is crucial for the development of anti-schistosomal strategies. Schistosomes rely on their neuromuscular systems to coordinate important locomotory behaviors. Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) is critical in the initial rate-limiting step in biosynthesis of catecholamine, the important neuroactive agents, which promote the lengthening of the worm through muscular relaxation and are therefore of great importance to the movement of the organism both within and between its hosts. THs from both Schistosoma mansoni and Schistosoma japonicum and their enzyme activities have been discovered; however, the role of these proteins during infection have not been explored. Herein, a recombinant protein of the nonconserved fragment of S. japonicum TH (SjTH) was produced and the corresponding polyclonal antibody was generated. The expression and antigenicity of SjTH were detected by qRT-PCR, western blotting, immunofluorescence assays, and ELISA. Mice immunized with the recombinant SjTH were challenged with cercariae to evaluate the immunoprotective value of this protein. Our results showed SjTH not only distributed in the head associated with the central nervous system, but also expressed along the tegument and the intestinal intima, which are involved in the movement, coupling and digestion of the parasites and associated with the peripheral nervous system. This protein can effectively stimulate humoral immune responses in mammalian hosts and has high potential as a biomarker for schistosomiasis immunodiagnosis. Furthermore, immunization with recombinant SjTH showed to reduce the worm and egg burden of challenged mice, and to contribute to the systemic balance of the Th1/Th2 responses. Taken together, these results suggest that SjTH is an important pathogenic molecule in S. japonicum and may be a possible target for anti-schistosomal approaches.

An Insight into Animal Glutamate Receptors Homolog of Arabidopsis thaliana and Their Potential Applications-A Review

Most excitatory impulses received by neurons are mediated by ionotropic glutamate receptors (iGluRs). These receptors are located at the apex and play an important role in memory, neuronal development, and synaptic plasticity. These receptors are ligand-dependent ion channels that allow a wide range of cations to pass through. Glutamate, a neurotransmitter, activates three central ionotropic receptors: N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA), -amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionate (AMPA), and kainic acid (KA). According to the available research, excessive glutamate release causes neuronal cell death and promotes neurodegenerative disorders. Arabidopsis thaliana contains 20 glutamate receptor genes (AtGluR) comparable to the human ionotropic glutamate (iGluRs) receptor. Many studies have proved that AtGL-rec genes are involved in a number of plant growth and physiological activities, such as in the germination of seeds, roots, abiotic and biotic stress, and cell signaling, which clarify the place of these genes in plant biology. In spite of these, the iGluRs, Arabidopsis glutamate receptors (AtGluR), is associated with the ligand binding activity, which confirms the evolutionary relationship between animal and plant glutamate receptors. Along with the above activities, the impact of mammalian agonists and antagonists on Arabidopsis suggests a correlation between plant and animal glutamate receptors. In addition, these glutamate receptors (plant/animal) are being utilized for the early detection of neurogenerative diseases using the fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) approach. However, a number of scientific laboratories and institutes are consistently working on glutamate receptors with different aspects. Currently, we are also focusing on Arabidopsis glutamate receptors. The current review is focused on updating knowledge on AtGluR genes, their evolution, functions, and expression, and as well as in comparison with iGluRs. Furthermore, a high throughput approach based on FRET nanosensors developed for understanding neurotransmitter signaling in animals and plants via glutamate receptors has been discussed. The updated information will aid in the future comprehension of the complex molecular dynamics of glutamate receptors and the exploration of new facts in plant/animal biology.

Molecular characterization of the serotonergic transporter from the cestode Echinococcus granulosus: pharmacology and potential role in the nervous system

Echinococcus granulosus, the etiological agent of human cystic echinococcosis (formerly known as hydatid disease), represents a serious worldwide public health problem with limited treatment options. The essential role played by the neuromuscular system in parasite survival and the relevance of serotonin (5-HT) in parasite movement and development make the serotonergic system an attractive source of drug targets. In this study, we cloned and sequenced a cDNA coding for the serotonin transporter from E. granulosus (EgSERT). Bioinformatic analyses suggest that EgSERT has twelve transmembrane domains with highly conserved ligand and ionic binding sites but a less conserved allosteric site compared with the human orthologue (HsSERT). Modeling studies also suggest a good degree of conservation of the overall structure compared with HsSERT. Functional and pharmacological studies performed on the cloned EgSERT confirm that this protein is indeed a serotonin transporter. EgSERT is specific for 5-HT and does not transport other neurotransmitters. Typical monoamine transport inhibitors also displayed inhibitory activities towards EgSERT, but with lower affinity than for the human SERT (HsSERT), suggesting a high divergence of the cestode transporter compared with HsSERT. In situ hybridization studies performed in the larval protoscolex stage suggest that EgSERT is located in discrete regions that are compatible with the major ganglia of the serotonergic nervous system. The pharmacological properties, the amino acidic substitutions at important functional regions compared with the HsSERT, and the putative role of EgSERT in the nervous system suggest that it could be an important target for pharmacological intervention.

Current and Novel Therapies Against Helminthic Infections: The Potential of Antioxidants Combined with Drugs

Infections caused by Schistosoma haematobium and Opisthorchisviverrini are classified as Group 1 biological carcinogen and it has been postulated that parasites produce oxysterol and estrogen-like metabolites that might be considered as initiators of infection-associated carcinogenesis. Chemotherapy for these helminthic infections relies on a single drug, praziquantel, (PZQ) that mainly targets the parasite. Additionally, PZQ has some major drawbacks as inefficacy against juvenile form and alone it is not capable to counteract pathologies associated to infections or prevent carcinogenesis. There is an urgent need to develop novel therapeutic approaches that not only target the parasite but also improve the pathologies associated to infection, and ultimately, counteract or/and prevent the carcinogenesis processes. Repurposing the drug in combination of compounds with different modes of action is a promising strategy to find novel therapeutics approaches against these helminthic infections and its pathologies. Here, we emphasized that using antioxidants either alone or combined with anthelmintic drugs could ameliorate tissue damage, infection-associated complications, moreover, could prevent the development of cancer associated to infections. Hence, antioxidants represent a potential adjuvant approach during treatment to reduce morbidity and mortality. Despite the success of some strategies, there is a long way to go to implement novel therapies for schistosomiasis.

Linking murine resistance to secondary cystic echinococcosis with antibody responses targeting Echinococcus granulosus tegumental antigens

Successful establishment of a parasite infection depends partially on the host intrinsic susceptibility to the pathogen. In cystic echinococcosis (CE), a zoonotic disease caused by the cestode parasite Echinococcus granulosus, the infection outcome in the murine model of secondary CE varies according to the mouse strain used. In this regard, intrinsic differences in susceptibility to the infection were previously reported for Balb/c and C57Bl/6 mice, being C57Bl/6 animals less permissive to secondary CE. Induction of parasite-specific antibodies has been suggested to play relevant roles in such susceptibility/resistance phenomena. Here, we report an in deep comparison of antibody responses induced in both mouse strains. Firstly, only C57Bl/6 mice were shown to induce specific-antibodies with efficient anti-parasite activities during early secondary CE. Then, through ImmunoTEM and Serological Proteome Analysis (SERPA), an evaluation of specific antibody responses targeting parasite tegumental antigens was performed. Both strategies showed that infected C57Bl/6 mice -unlike Balb/c animals- narrowed their IgG recognition repertoire against tegumental antigens, targeting fewer but potentially more relevant parasite components. In this sense, tegumental antigens recognition between Balb/c and C57Bl/6 mice, either by natural and/or induced antibodies, was analyzed through SERPA and MALDI-TOF/TOF studies. A total of 13 differentially recognized proteins (DRPs) uniquely targeted by antibodies from C57Bl/6 mice were successfully identified, wherein a subset of 7 DRPs were only recognized by infection-induced antibodies, suggesting their potential as natural protective antigens. In this regard, immunoinformatic analyses showed that such DRPs exhibited higher numbers of possible T cell epitopes towards the H-2-IA^b haplotype, which is present in C57Bl/6 mice but absent in Balb/c animals. In summary, our results showed that the genetic predisposition to generate better T-dependent antibody responses against particular tegumental antigens might be a key factor influencing host susceptibility in the murine model of secondary CE.

Fluorescent Biosensors for Neurotransmission and Neuromodulation: Engineering and Applications

Understanding how neuronal activity patterns in the brain correlate with complex behavior is one of the primary goals of modern neuroscience. Chemical transmission is the major way of communication between neurons, however, traditional methods of detection of neurotransmitter and neuromodulator transients in mammalian brain lack spatiotemporal precision. Modern fluorescent biosensors for neurotransmitters and neuromodulators allow monitoring chemical transmission in vivo with millisecond precision and single cell resolution. Changes in the fluorescent biosensor brightness occur upon neurotransmitter binding and can be detected using fiber photometry, stationary microscopy and miniaturized head-mounted microscopes. Biosensors can be expressed in the animal brain using adeno-associated viral vectors, and their cell-specific expression can be achieved with Cre-recombinase expressing animals. Although initially fluorescent biosensors for chemical transmission were represented by glutamate biosensors, nowadays biosensors for GABA, acetylcholine, glycine, norepinephrine, and dopamine are available as well. In this review, we overview functioning principles of existing intensiometric and ratiometric biosensors and provide brief insight into the variety of neurotransmitter-binding proteins from bacteria, plants, and eukaryotes including G-protein coupled receptors, which may serve as neurotransmitter-binding scaffolds. We next describe a workflow for development of neurotransmitter and neuromodulator biosensors. We then discuss advanced setups for functional imaging of neurotransmitter transients in the brain of awake freely moving animals. We conclude by providing application examples of biosensors for the studies of complex behavior with the single-neuron precision.

Screening of a PDE-focused library identifies imidazoles with in vitro and in vivo antischistosomal activity

We report the evaluation of 265 compounds from a PDE-focused library for their antischistosomal activity, assessed in vitro using Schistosoma mansoni. Of the tested compounds, 171 (64%) displayed selective in vitro activity, with 16 causing worm hypermotility/spastic contractions and 41 inducing various degrees of worm killing at 100 μM, with the surviving worms displaying sluggish movement, worm unpairing and complete absence of eggs. The compounds that did not affect worm viability (n = 72) induced a complete cessation of ovipositing. 82% of the compounds had an impact on male worms whereas female worms were barely affected. In vivo evaluation in S. mansoni-infected mice with the in vitro 'hit' NPD-0274 at 20 mg/kg/day orally for 5 days resulted in worm burden reductions of 29% and intestinal tissue egg load reduction of 35% at 10 days post-treatment. Combination of praziquantel (PZQ) at 10 mg/kg/day for 5 days with NPD-0274 or NPD-0298 resulted in significantly higher worm killing than PZQ alone, as well as a reduction in intestinal tissue egg load, disappearance of immature eggs and an increase in the number of dead eggs.

Profiling G protein-coupled receptors of Fasciola hepatica identifies orphan rhodopsins unique to phylum Platyhelminthes

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are established drug targets. Despite their considerable appeal as targets for next-generation anthelmintics, poor understanding of their diversity and function in parasitic helminths has thwarted progress towards GPCR-targeted anti-parasite drugs. This study facilitates GPCR research in the liver fluke, Fasciola hepatica, by generating the first profile of GPCRs from the F. hepatica genome. Our dataset describes 147 high confidence GPCRs, representing the largest cohort of GPCRs, and the largest set of in silico ligand-receptor predictions, yet reported in any parasitic helminth. All GPCRs fall within the established GRAFS nomenclature; comprising three glutamate, 135 rhodopsin, two adhesion, five frizzled, one smoothened, and one secretin GPCR. Stringent annotation pipelines identified 18 highly diverged rhodopsins in F. hepatica that maintained core rhodopsin signatures, but lacked significant similarity with non-flatworm sequences, providing a new sub-group of potential flukicide targets. These facilitated identification of a larger cohort of 76 related sequences from available flatworm genomes, representing new members of existing groups (PROF1/Srfb, Rho-L, Rho-R, Srfa, Srfc) of flatworm-specific rhodopsins. These receptors imply flatworm specific GPCR functions, and/or co-evolution with unique flatworm ligands, and could facilitate the development of exquisitely selective anthelmintics. Ligand binding domain sequence conservation relative to deorphanised rhodopsins enabled high confidence ligand-receptor matching of seventeen receptors activated by acetylcholine, neuropeptide F/Y, octopamine or serotonin. RNA-Seq analyses showed expression of 101 GPCRs across various developmental stages, with the majority expressed most highly in the pathogenic intra-mammalian juvenile parasites. These data identify a broad complement of GPCRs in F. hepatica, including rhodopsins likely to have key functions in neuromuscular control and sensory perception, as well as frizzled and adhesion/secretin families implicated, in other species, in growth, development and reproduction. This catalogue of liver fluke GPCRs provides a platform for new avenues into our understanding of flatworm biology and anthelmintic discovery.

Drug Repurposing for Schistosomiasis: Combinations of Drugs or Biomolecules

Schistosomiasis is a major neglected tropical disease. Control of schistosomiasis currently relies on a single drug, praziquantel, and despite its efficacy against the all schistosome species that parasitize humans, it displays some problematic drawbacks and alone is ineffective in counteracting adverse pathologies associated with infection. Moreover, due to the development of the potential emergence of PZQ-resistant strains, the search for additional or alternative antischistosomal drugs have become a public health priority. The current drug discovery for schistosomiasis has been slow and uninspiring. By contrast, repurposing of existing approved drugs may offer a safe, rapid and cost-effective alternative. Combined treatment with PZQ and other drugs with different mode of action, i.e., antimalarials, shows promise results. In addition, a combination of anthelminthic drugs with antioxidant might be advantageous for modulating oxidative processes associated with schistosomiasis. Herein, we review studies dealing with combination therapies that involve PZQ and other anthelminthic drugs and/or antioxidant agents in treatment of schistosomiasis. Whereas PZQ combined with antioxidant agents might or might not interfere with anthelminthic efficacy, combinations may nonetheless ameliorate tissue damage and infection-associated complications. In fact, alone or combine with other drugs, antioxidants might be a valuable adjuvant to reduce morbidity and mortality of schistosomiasis. Therefore, attempting new combinations of anthelmintic drugs with other biomolecules such as antioxidants provides new avenues for discovery of alternatives to PZQ.

Identification and characterization of sodium and chloride-dependent gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) transporters from eukaryotic pathogens as a potential drug target

We explored 285 completed eukaryotic pathogen genomes for GABA transporter proteins as effective chemotherapy targets. We identified 8 GABA proteins that spread across 4 phyla with 5 different pathogen species; Eimeria mitis Houghton, Neospora caninum Liverpool, S. mansoni, S. haematobium and Trichinella spiralis. Sub-cellular localization prediction revealed that these proteins are integral membrane and are mostly insoluble. It is found that about 81% of these proteins are non-crystallizable and 15% are crystallizable. Transmembrane helices predictions show that the GABA transporters have 10, 11, 12 and 14 TMHs with 15, 23, 31 and 11%, respectively. It is further observed that most of these GABA transporters are from several parasites`genomes.

Signalling pathways in schistosomes: novel targets for control interventions against schistosomiasis

Over the last decade, there has been accumulating evidence showing that signalling pathways are involved in extensive biological and physiological processes in the human blood fluke schistosomes, playing essential roles in environmental sensing, host penetration, growth, development, maturation, embryogenesis, tissue self-renewal and survival. Owing to the likelihood of resistance developing against praziquantel, the only drug currently available that is effective against all the human schistosome species, there is an urgent requirement for an alternative treatment, arguing for continuing research into novel or repurposed anti-schistosomal drugs. An increasing number of anticancer drugs are being developed which block abnormal signalling pathways, a feature that has stimulated interest in developing novel interventions against human schistosomiasis by targeting key cell signalling components. In this review, we discuss the functional characterization of signal transduction pathways in schistosomes and consider current challenges and future perspectives in this important area of research.

Reasons to Be Nervous about Flukicide Discovery

The majority of anthelmintics dysregulate neuromuscular function, a fact most prominent for drugs against nematode parasites. In contrast to the strong knowledge base for nematode neurobiology, resource and tool deficits have prevented similar advances in flatworm parasites since those driven by bioimaging, immunocytochemistry, and neuropeptide biochemistry 20-30 years ago. However, recent developments are encouraging a renaissance in liver fluke neurobiology that can now support flukicide discovery. Emerging data promote neuromuscular signalling components, and especially G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), as next-generation targets. Here, we summarise these data and expose some of the new opportunities to accelerate progress towards GPCR-targeted flukicides for Fasciola hepatica.

GPCR and IR genes in Schistosoma mansoni miracidia

Background

Schistosoma species are responsible for the disease schistosomiasis, a highly prevalent helminthic disease that requires a freshwater snail as intermediate host. The S. mansoni free-living miracidium must utilize olfaction to find a suitable snail host, and certain types of rhodopsin G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and ionotropic receptors (IRs) have been identified as olfactory receptors in other animal phyla. The Schistosoma genome project, together with the recent availability of proteomic databases, allowed for studies to explore receptors within S. mansoni, some of which may contribute to host finding.

Results

We have identified 17 rhodopsin-type GPCR sequences in S. mansoni belonging to four subclasses, including ligand-specific GPCRs (i.e. neuropeptide and opsin). RT-PCR demonstrated the expression of nine out of the 17 GPCRs in the free-living miracidia, each of which have been characterized for homology to S. haematobium. Among the nine GPCRs, two are predicted as Gq-opsins. We also describe the characterization of a Schistosoma-encoded IR based on similarity with other species IR and conservation of IR-like domains. Schistosoma mansoni IR is expressed in miracidia at 3 and 6 h post-hatch.

Conclusions

The identification of receptors in S. mansoni miracidia, presented here, contributes not only to further understanding of Schistosoma biology and signal transduction but also provides a basis for approaches that may modify parasite behaviour.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13071-016-1837-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

The Tao survivorship of schistosomes: implications for schistosomiasis control

Schistosomiasis, caused by blood flukes of the genus Schistosoma, is a major public health problem which contributes substantially to the economic and financial burdens of many nations in the developing world. An array of survival strategies, such as the unique structure of the tegument which acts as a major host-parasite interface, immune modulation mechanisms, gene regulation, and apoptosis and self-renewal have been adopted by schistosome parasites over the course of long-term evolution with their mammalian definitive hosts. Recent generation of complete schistosome genomes together with numerous biological, immunological, high-throughput "-omics" and gene function studies have revealed the Tao or strategies that schistosomes employ not only to promote long-term survival, but also to ensure effective life cycle transmission. New scenarios for the future control of this important neglected tropical disease will present themselves as our understanding of these Tao increases.

Gene expression changes in diapause or quiescent potato cyst nematode, Globodera pallida, eggs after hydration or exposure to tomato root diffusate

Plant-parasitic nematodes (PPN) need to be adapted to survive in the absence of a suitable host or in hostile environmental conditions. Various forms of developmental arrest including hatching inhibition and dauer stages are used by PPN in order to survive these conditions and spread to other areas. Potato cyst nematodes (PCN) (Globodera pallida and G. rostochiensis) are frequently in an anhydrobiotic state, with unhatched nematode persisting for extended periods of time inside the cyst in the absence of the host. This paper shows fundamental changes in the response of quiescent and diapaused eggs of G. pallida to hydration and following exposure to tomato root diffusate (RD) using microarray gene expression analysis encompassing a broad set of genes. For the quiescent eggs, 547 genes showed differential expression following hydration vs. hydratation and RD (H-RD) treatment whereas 708 genes showed differential regulation for the diapaused eggs following these treatments. The comparison between hydrated quiescent and diapaused eggs showed marked differences, with 2,380 genes that were differentially regulated compared with 987 genes following H-RD. Hydrated quiescent and diapaused eggs were markedly different indicating differences in adaptation for long-term survival. Transport activity is highly up-regulated following H-RD and few genes were coincident between both kinds of eggs. With the quiescent eggs, the majority of genes were related to ion transport (mainly sodium), while the diapaused eggs showed a major diversity of transporters (amino acid transport, ion transport, acetylcholine or other molecules).

Protein kinase A signalling in Schistosoma mansoni cercariae and schistosomules

Cyclic AMP (cAMP)-dependent protein kinase/protein kinase A regulates multiple processes in eukaryotes by phosphorylating diverse cellular substrates, including metabolic and signalling enzymes, ion channels and transcription factors. Here we provide insight into protein kinase A signalling in cercariae and 24h in vitro cultured somules of the blood parasite, Schistosoma mansoni, which causes human intestinal schistosomiasis. Functional mapping of activated protein kinase A using anti-phospho protein kinase A antibodies and confocal laser scanning microscopy revealed activated protein kinase A in the central and peripheral nervous system, oral-tip sensory papillae, oesophagus and excretory system of intact cercariae. Cultured 24h somules, which biologically represent the skin-resident stage of the parasite, exhibited similar activation patterns in oesophageal and nerve tissues but also displayed striking activation at the tegument and activation in a region resembling the germinal 'stem' cell cluster. The adenylyl cyclase activator, forskolin, stimulated somule protein kinase A activation and produced a hyperkinesia phenotype. The biogenic amines, serotonin and dopamine known to be present in skin also induced protein kinase A activation in somules, whereas neuropeptide Y or [Leu(31),Pro(34)]-neuropeptide Y attenuated protein kinase A activation. However, neuropeptide Y did not block the forskolin-induced somule hyperkinesia. Bioinformatic investigation of potential protein associations revealed 193 medium confidence and 59 high confidence protein kinase A interacting partners in S. mansoni, many of which possess putative protein kinase A phosphorylation sites. These data provide valuable insight into the intricacies of protein kinase A signalling in S. mansoni and a framework for further physiological investigations into the roles of protein kinase A in schistosomes, particularly in the context of interactions between the parasite and the host.

The antidepressant drug paroxetine as a new lead candidate in schistosome drug discovery

Paroxetine is a new anti-schistosomal lead with potent activity against schistosomula and adult life stages of S. mansoni.

Exploring the role of biogenic amines in schistosome host-parasite interactions

Biogenic amines (BAs) are important neurotransmitters of the schistosome nervous system, but their role in the host-parasite interaction is poorly understood. Recent findings suggest that BAs may play an important role in the interaction with the snail intermediate host. This new evidence adds an important piece of information to our understanding of this complex system.

Natural products as leads in schistosome drug discovery

Schistosomiasis is a neglected parasitic tropical disease that claims around 200,000 human lives every year. Praziquantel (PZQ), the only drug recommended by the World Health Organization for the treatment and control of human schistosomiasis, is now facing the threat of drug resistance, indicating the urgent need for new effective compounds to treat this disease. Therefore, globally, there is renewed interest in natural products (NPs) as a starting point for drug discovery and development for schistosomiasis. Recent advances in genomics, proteomics, bioinformatics, and cheminformatics have brought about unprecedented opportunities for the rapid and more cost-effective discovery of new bioactive compounds against neglected tropical diseases. This review highlights the main contributions that NP drug discovery and development have made in the treatment of schistosomiasis and it discusses how integration with virtual screening (VS) strategies may contribute to accelerating the development of new schistosomidal leads, especially through the identification of unexplored, biologically active chemical scaffolds and structural optimization of NPs with previously established activity.

In silico repositioning-chemogenomics strategy identifies new drugs with potential activity against multiple life stages of Schistosoma mansoni

Morbidity and mortality caused by schistosomiasis are serious public health problems in developing countries. Because praziquantel is the only drug in therapeutic use, the risk of drug resistance is a concern. In the search for new schistosomicidal drugs, we performed a target-based chemogenomics screen of a dataset of 2,114 proteins to identify drugs that are approved for clinical use in humans that may be active against multiple life stages of Schistosoma mansoni. Each of these proteins was treated as a potential drug target, and its amino acid sequence was used to interrogate three databases: Therapeutic Target Database (TTD), DrugBank and STITCH. Predicted drug-target interactions were refined using a combination of approaches, including pairwise alignment, conservation state of functional regions and chemical space analysis. To validate our strategy, several drugs previously shown to be active against Schistosoma species were correctly predicted, such as clonazepam, auranofin, nifedipine, and artesunate. We were also able to identify 115 drugs that have not yet been experimentally tested against schistosomes and that require further assessment. Some examples are aprindine, gentamicin, clotrimazole, tetrabenazine, griseofulvin, and cinnarizine. In conclusion, we have developed a systematic and focused computer-aided approach to propose approved drugs that may warrant testing and/or serve as lead compounds for the design of new drugs against schistosomes.

Schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease caused by schistosome parasites that affects millions of people worldwide. The current reliance on a single drug (Praziquantel) for treatment and control of the disease calls for the urgent discovery of novel schistosomicidal agents. One approach that can expedite drug discovery is to find new uses for existing approved drugs, a practice known as drug repositioning. Currently, modern drug repositioning strategies entail the search for compounds that act on a specific target, often a protein known or suspected to be required for survival of the parasite. Drug repositioning approaches for schistosomiasis are now greatly facilitated by the availability of comprehensive schistosome genome data in user-friendly databases. Here, we report a drug repositioning computational strategy that involves identification of novel schistosomicidal drug candidates using similarity between schistosome proteins and known drug targets. Researchers can now use the list of predicted drugs as a basis for deciding which potential schistosomicidal candidates can be tested experimentally.

Ion channels and drug transporters as targets for anthelmintics

Infections with parasitic helminths such as schistosomes and soil-transmitted nematodes are hugely prevalent and responsible for a major portion of the global health and economic burdens associated with neglected tropical diseases. In addition, many of these parasites infect livestock and plants used in agriculture, resulting in further impoverishment. Treatment and control of these pathogens rely on anthelmintic drugs, which are few in number, and against which drug resistance can develop rapidly. The neuromuscular system of the parasite, and in particular, the ion channels and associated receptors underlying excitation and signaling, have proven to be outstanding targets for anthelmintics. This review will survey the different ion channels found in helminths, focusing on their unique characteristics and pharmacological sensitivities. It will also briefly review the literature on helminth multidrug efflux that may modulate parasite susceptibility to anthelmintics and may prove useful targets for new or repurposed agents that can enhance parasite drug susceptibility and perhaps overcome drug resistance.

GLT-1 transporter: an effective pharmacological target for various neurological disorders

L-Glutamate is the predominant excitatory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system (CNS) and is directly and indirectly involved in a variety of brain functions. Glutamate is released in the synaptic cleft at a particular concentration that further activates the various glutaminergic receptors. This concentration of glutamate in the synapse is maintained by either glutamine synthetase or excitatory amino acid proteins which reuptake the excessive glutamate from the synapse and named as excitatory amino acid transporters (EAATs). Out of all the subtypes GLT-1 (glutamate transporter 1) is abundantly distributed in the CNS. Down-regulation of GLT-1 is reported in various neurological diseases such as, epilepsy, stroke, Alzheimer's disease and movement disorders. Therefore, positive modulators of GLT-1 which up-regulate the GLT-1 expression can serve as a potential target for the treatment of neurological disorders. GLT-1 translational activators such as ceftriaxone are found to have significant protective effects in ALS and epilepsy animal models, suggesting that this translational activation approach works well in rodents and that these compounds are worth further pursuit for various neurological disorders. This drug is currently in human clinical trials for ALS. In addition, a thorough understanding of the mechanisms underlying translational regulation of GLT-1, such as identifying the molecular targets of the compounds, signaling pathways involved in the regulation, and translational activation processes, is very important for this novel drug-development effort. This review mainly emphasizes the role of glutamate and its transporter, GLT-1 subtype in excitotoxicity. Further, recent reports on GLT-1 transporters for the treatment of various neurological diseases, including a summary of the presumed physiologic mechanisms behind the pharmacology of these disorders are also explained.