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Burge RJ, Jameson KH, Geoghegan V, Dowle AA, Mottram JC, Wilkinson AJ. Formation of functional E3 ligase complexes with UBC2 and UEV1 of Leishmania mexicana. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2024; 258:111619. [PMID: 38556171 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2024.111619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2024] [Revised: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
In eukaryotic cells, molecular fate and cellular responses are shaped by multicomponent enzyme systems which reversibly attach ubiquitin and ubiquitin-like modifiers to target proteins. The extent of the ubiquitin proteasome system in Leishmania mexicana and its importance for parasite survival has recently been established through deletion mutagenesis and life-cycle phenotyping studies. The ubiquitin conjugating E2 enzyme UBC2, and the E2 enzyme variant UEV1, with which it forms a stable complex in vitro, were shown to be essential for the differentiation of promastigote parasites to the infectious amastigote form. To investigate further, we used immunoprecipitation of Myc-UBC2 or Myc-UEV1 to identify interacting proteins in L. mexicana promastigotes. The interactome of UBC2 comprises multiple ubiquitin-proteasome components including UEV1 and four RING E3 ligases, as well as potential substrates predicted to have roles in carbohydrate metabolism and intracellular trafficking. The smaller UEV1 interactome comprises six proteins, including UBC2 and shared components of the UBC2 interactome consistent with the presence of intracellular UBC2-UEV1 complexes. Recombinant RING1, RING2 and RING4 E3 ligases were shown to support ubiquitin transfer reactions involving the E1, UBA1a, and UBC2 to available substrate proteins or to unanchored ubiquitin chains. These studies define additional components of a UBC2-dependent ubiquitination pathway shown previously to be essential for promastigote to amastigote differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca J Burge
- York Biomedical Research Institute, Department of Biology, University of York, York YO10 5DD, UK
| | - Katie H Jameson
- York Structural Biology Laboratory and York Biomedical Research Institute, Department of Chemistry, University of York, York YO10 5DD, UK
| | - Vincent Geoghegan
- York Biomedical Research Institute, Department of Biology, University of York, York YO10 5DD, UK
| | - Adam A Dowle
- Bioscience Technology Facility, Department of Biology, University of York, York YO10 5DD, UK
| | - Jeremy C Mottram
- York Biomedical Research Institute, Department of Biology, University of York, York YO10 5DD, UK.
| | - Anthony J Wilkinson
- York Structural Biology Laboratory and York Biomedical Research Institute, Department of Chemistry, University of York, York YO10 5DD, UK.
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2
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Marín M, López M, Gallego-Yerga L, Álvarez R, Peláez R. Experimental structure based drug design (SBDD) applications for anti-leishmanial drugs: A paradigm shift? Med Res Rev 2024; 44:1055-1120. [PMID: 38142308 DOI: 10.1002/med.22005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/25/2023]
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a group of neglected tropical diseases caused by at least 20 species of Leishmania protozoa, which are spread by the bite of infected sandflies. There are three main forms of the disease: cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL, the most common), visceral leishmaniasis (VL, also known as kala-azar, the most serious), and mucocutaneous leishmaniasis. One billion people live in areas endemic to leishmaniasis, with an annual estimation of 30,000 new cases of VL and more than 1 million of CL. New treatments for leishmaniasis are an urgent need, as the existing ones are inefficient, toxic, and/or expensive. We have revised the experimental structure-based drug design (SBDD) efforts applied to the discovery of new drugs against leishmaniasis. We have grouped the explored targets according to the metabolic pathways they belong to, and the key achieved advances are highlighted and evaluated. In most cases, SBDD studies follow high-throughput screening campaigns and are secondary to pharmacokinetic optimization, due to the majoritarian belief that there are few validated targets for SBDD in leishmaniasis. However, some SBDD strategies have significantly contributed to new drug candidates against leishmaniasis and a bigger number holds promise for future development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Marín
- Laboratorio de Química Orgánica y Farmacéutica, Departamento de Ciencias Farmacéuticas, Universidad de Salamanca, Campus Miguel de Unamuno, Salamanca, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
- Centro de Investigación de Enfermedades Tropicales de la Universidad de Salamanca (CIETUS), Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Salamanca, Campus Miguel de Unamuno, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Marta López
- Laboratorio de Química Orgánica y Farmacéutica, Departamento de Ciencias Farmacéuticas, Universidad de Salamanca, Campus Miguel de Unamuno, Salamanca, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
- Centro de Investigación de Enfermedades Tropicales de la Universidad de Salamanca (CIETUS), Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Salamanca, Campus Miguel de Unamuno, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Laura Gallego-Yerga
- Laboratorio de Química Orgánica y Farmacéutica, Departamento de Ciencias Farmacéuticas, Universidad de Salamanca, Campus Miguel de Unamuno, Salamanca, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
- Centro de Investigación de Enfermedades Tropicales de la Universidad de Salamanca (CIETUS), Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Salamanca, Campus Miguel de Unamuno, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Raquel Álvarez
- Laboratorio de Química Orgánica y Farmacéutica, Departamento de Ciencias Farmacéuticas, Universidad de Salamanca, Campus Miguel de Unamuno, Salamanca, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
- Centro de Investigación de Enfermedades Tropicales de la Universidad de Salamanca (CIETUS), Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Salamanca, Campus Miguel de Unamuno, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Rafael Peláez
- Laboratorio de Química Orgánica y Farmacéutica, Departamento de Ciencias Farmacéuticas, Universidad de Salamanca, Campus Miguel de Unamuno, Salamanca, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
- Centro de Investigación de Enfermedades Tropicales de la Universidad de Salamanca (CIETUS), Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Salamanca, Campus Miguel de Unamuno, Salamanca, Spain
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Jiang Z, Silva EB, Liu C, Fajtová P, Liu LJ, El-Sakkary N, Skinner DE, Syed A, Wang SC, Caffrey CR, O’Donoghue AJ. Development of subunit selective proteasome substrates for Schistosoma species. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.02.13.580161. [PMID: 38405969 PMCID: PMC10888821 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.13.580161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
Schistosomiasis, or bilharzia, is a neglected tropical disease caused by Schistosoma spp. blood flukes that infects over 200 million people worldwide. Just one partially effective drug is available, and new drugs and drug targets would be welcome. The 20S proteasome is a validated drug target for many parasitic infections, including those caused by Plasmodium and Leishmania. We previously showed that anticancer proteasome inhibitors that act through the Schistosoma mansoni 20S proteasome (Sm20S) kill the parasite in vitro. To advance these initial findings, we employed Multiplex Substrate Profiling by Mass Spectrometry (MSP-MS) to define the substrate cleavage specificities of the three catalytic β subunits of purified Sm20S. The profiles in turn were used to design and synthesize subunit-specific optimized substrates that performed two to eight fold better than the equivalent substrates used to measure the activity of the constitutive human proteasome (c20S). These specific substrates also eliminated the need to purify Sm20S from parasite extracts - a single step enrichment was sufficient to accurately measure substrate hydrolysis and its inhibition with proteasome inhibitors. Finally, we show that the substrate and inhibition profiles for the 20S proteasome from the three medically important schistosome species are similar, suggesting that data arising from an inhibitor development campaign that focuses on Sm20S can be extrapolated to the other two targets with consequent time and cost savings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenze Jiang
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Disease, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093
| | | | - Chenxi Liu
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Disease, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093
| | - Pavla Fajtová
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Disease, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093
| | - Lawrence J. Liu
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Disease, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093
| | - Nelly El-Sakkary
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Disease, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093
| | - Danielle E. Skinner
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Disease, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093
| | - Ali Syed
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Disease, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093
| | - Steven C Wang
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Disease, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093
| | - Conor R. Caffrey
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Disease, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093
| | - Anthony J. O’Donoghue
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Disease, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093
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4
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Shmueli M, Ben-Shimol S. Review of Leishmaniasis Treatment: Can We See the Forest through the Trees? PHARMACY 2024; 12:30. [PMID: 38392937 PMCID: PMC10892631 DOI: 10.3390/pharmacy12010030] [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: 01/11/2024] [Revised: 02/04/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
There are three known clinical syndromes of leishmaniasis: cutaneous (CL), mucocutaneous (MCL), and visceral disease (VL). In MCL and VL, treatment must be systemic (either oral or intravenous), while CL treatment options vary and include observation-only localized/topical treatment, oral medications, or parenteral drugs. Leishmaniasis treatment is difficult, with several factors to be considered. First, the efficacy of treatments varies among different species of parasites prevalent in different areas on the globe, with each species having a unique clinical presentation and resistance profile. Furthermore, leishmaniasis is a neglected tropical disease (NTD), resulting in a lack of evidence-based knowledge regarding treatment. Therefore, physicians often rely on case reports or case series studies, in the absence of randomized controlled trials (RCT), to assess treatment efficacy. Second, defining cure, especially in CL and MCL, may be difficult, as death of the parasite can be achieved in most cases, while the aesthetic result (e.g., scars) is hard to predict. This is a result of the biological nature of the disease, often diagnosed late in the course of disease (with possible keloid formation, etc.). Third, physicians must consider treatment ease of use and the safety profile of possible treatments. Thus, topical or oral treatments (for CL) are desirable and promote adherence. Fourth, the cost of the treatment is an important consideration. In this review, we aim to describe the diverse treatment options for different clinical manifestations of leishmaniasis. For each currently available treatment, we will discuss the various considerations mentioned above (efficacy, ease of use, safety, and cost).
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Affiliation(s)
- Moshe Shmueli
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva 8410501, Israel
| | - Shalom Ben-Shimol
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva 8410501, Israel
- Pediatric Infectious Disease Unit, Soroka University Medical Center, Beer Sheva 8410115, Israel
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5
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Pérez-Pertejo Y, García-Estrada C, Martínez-Valladares M, Murugesan S, Reguera RM, Balaña-Fouce R. Polyamine Metabolism for Drug Intervention in Trypanosomatids. Pathogens 2024; 13:79. [PMID: 38251386 PMCID: PMC10820115 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens13010079] [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: 12/12/2023] [Revised: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Neglected tropical diseases transmitted by trypanosomatids include three major human scourges that globally affect the world's poorest people: African trypanosomiasis or sleeping sickness, American trypanosomiasis or Chagas disease and different types of leishmaniasis. Different metabolic pathways have been targeted to find antitrypanosomatid drugs, including polyamine metabolism. Since their discovery, the naturally occurring polyamines, putrescine, spermidine and spermine, have been considered important metabolites involved in cell growth. With a complex metabolism involving biosynthesis, catabolism and interconversion, the synthesis of putrescine and spermidine was targeted by thousands of compounds in an effort to produce cell growth blockade in tumor and infectious processes with limited success. However, the discovery of eflornithine (DFMO) as a curative drug against sleeping sickness encouraged researchers to develop new molecules against these diseases. Polyamine synthesis inhibitors have also provided insight into the peculiarities of this pathway between the host and the parasite, and also among different trypanosomatid species, thus allowing the search for new specific chemical entities aimed to treat these diseases and leading to the investigation of target-based scaffolds. The main molecular targets include the enzymes involved in polyamine biosynthesis (ornithine decarboxylase, S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase and spermidine synthase), enzymes participating in their uptake from the environment, and the enzymes involved in the redox balance of the parasite. In this review, we summarize the research behind polyamine-based treatments, the current trends, and the main challenges in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yolanda Pérez-Pertejo
- Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas, Campus de Vegazana s/n, Universidad de León, 24071 León, Spain; (Y.P.-P.); (C.G.-E.); (R.M.R.)
- Instituto de Biomedicina (IBIOMED), Campus de Vegazana s/n, Universidad de León, 24071 León, Spain
| | - Carlos García-Estrada
- Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas, Campus de Vegazana s/n, Universidad de León, 24071 León, Spain; (Y.P.-P.); (C.G.-E.); (R.M.R.)
- Instituto de Biomedicina (IBIOMED), Campus de Vegazana s/n, Universidad de León, 24071 León, Spain
| | | | - Sankaranarayanan Murugesan
- Medicinal Chemistry Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, Birla Institute of Technology and Science-Pilani, Pilani 333031, India;
| | - Rosa M. Reguera
- Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas, Campus de Vegazana s/n, Universidad de León, 24071 León, Spain; (Y.P.-P.); (C.G.-E.); (R.M.R.)
- Instituto de Biomedicina (IBIOMED), Campus de Vegazana s/n, Universidad de León, 24071 León, Spain
| | - Rafael Balaña-Fouce
- Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas, Campus de Vegazana s/n, Universidad de León, 24071 León, Spain; (Y.P.-P.); (C.G.-E.); (R.M.R.)
- Instituto de Biomedicina (IBIOMED), Campus de Vegazana s/n, Universidad de León, 24071 León, Spain
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6
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Corman HN, McNamara CW, Bakowski MA. Drug Discovery for Cutaneous Leishmaniasis: A Review of Developments in the Past 15 Years. Microorganisms 2023; 11:2845. [PMID: 38137989 PMCID: PMC10745741 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11122845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a group of vector-borne, parasitic diseases caused by over 20 species of the protozoan Leishmania spp. The three major disease classifications, cutaneous, visceral, and mucocutaneous, have a range of clinical manifestations from self-healing skin lesions to hepatosplenomegaly and mucosal membrane damage to fatality. As a neglected tropical disease, leishmaniasis represents a major international health challenge, with nearly 350 million people living at risk of infection a year. The current chemotherapeutics used to treat leishmaniasis have harsh side effects, prolonged and costly treatment regimens, as well as emerging drug resistance, and are predominantly used for the treatment of visceral leishmaniasis. There is an undeniable need for the identification and development of novel chemotherapeutics targeting cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), largely ignored by concerted drug development efforts. CL is mostly non-lethal and the most common presentation of this disease, with nearly 1 million new cases reported annually. Recognizing this unaddressed need, substantial yet fragmented progress in early drug discovery efforts for CL has occurred in the past 15 years and was outlined in this review. However, further work needs to be carried out to advance early discovery candidates towards the clinic. Importantly, there is a paucity of investment in the translation and development of therapies for CL, limiting the emergence of viable solutions to deal with this serious and complex international health problem.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah N. Corman
- Calibr at Scripps Research, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA; (C.W.M.); (M.A.B.)
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7
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Tulloch LB, Carvalho S, Lima M, Wall RJ, Tinti M, Pinto EG, MacLean L, Wyllie S. RES-Seq-a barcoded library of drug-resistant Leishmania donovani allowing rapid assessment of cross-resistance and relative fitness. mBio 2023; 14:e0180323. [PMID: 37929970 PMCID: PMC10746238 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01803-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a parasitic disease endemic across multiple regions of the world and is fatal if untreated. New therapeutic options with diverse mechanisms of actions (MoAs) are required to consolidate progress toward control of this disease and combat drug resistance. Here, we describe the development of a scalable resistance library screen (RES-Seq) as a tool to facilitate the identification and prioritization of anti-leishmanial compounds acting via novel MoA. We have amassed a large collection of Leishmania donovani cell lines resistant to frontline drugs and compounds in the VL pipeline, with resistance-conferring mutations fully characterized. New phenotypic hits screened against this highly curated panel of resistant lines can determine cross-resistance and potentially shared MoA. The ability to efficiently identify compounds acting via previously established MoA is vital to maintain diversity within drug development portfolios. To expedite screening, short identifier DNA barcodes were introduced into resistant clones enabling pooling and simultaneous screening of multiple cell lines. Illumina sequencing of barcodes enables the growth kinetics and relative fitness of multiple cell lines under compound selection to be tracked. Optimal conditions allowing discrimination of resistant and sensitive clones were established (3× and 10× EC50 for 3 days) and applied to screening of a complex library with VL preclinical and clinical drug candidates. RES-Seq is set to play an important role in ensuring that anti-leishmanial compounds exploiting diverse mechanisms of action are developed, ultimately providing options for future drug combination strategies.IMPORTANCEVisceral leishmaniasis (VL) remains the third largest parasitic killer worldwide, responsible for 20,000-30,000 deaths each year. Control and ultimate elimination of VL will require a range of therapeutic options with diverse mechanisms of action to combat drug resistance. One approach to ensure that compounds in development exploit diverse mechanisms of action is to screen them against highly curated cell lines resistant to drugs already in the VL pipeline. The identification of cross-resistant cell lines indicates that test compounds are likely acting via previously established mechanisms. Current cross-resistance screens are limited by the requirement to profile individual resistant cell lines one at a time. Here, we introduce unique DNA barcodes into multiple resistant cell lines to facilitate parallel profiling. Utilizing the power of Illumina sequencing, growth kinetics and relative fitness under compound selection can be monitored revolutionizing our ability to identify and prioritize compounds acting via novel mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsay B. Tulloch
- Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Sandra Carvalho
- Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Marta Lima
- Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Richard J. Wall
- Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Michele Tinti
- Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Erika G. Pinto
- Drug Discovery Unit, Wellcome Centre for Anti-infectives Research, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Lorna MacLean
- Drug Discovery Unit, Wellcome Centre for Anti-infectives Research, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Susan Wyllie
- Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
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8
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Silhan J, Fajtova P, Bartosova J, Hurysz BM, Almaliti J, Miyamoto Y, Eckmann L, Gerwick WH, O’Donoghue AJ, Boura E. Structural elucidation of recombinant Trichomonas vaginalis 20S proteasome bound to covalent inhibitors. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.08.17.553660. [PMID: 37645851 PMCID: PMC10462138 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.17.553660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
Proteasomes are essential for protein homeostasis in mammalian cells1-4 and in protozoan parasites such as Trichomonas vaginalis (Tv).5 Tv and other protozoan 20S proteasomes have been validated as druggable targets.6-8 However, in the case of Tv 20S proteasome (Tv20S), biochemical and structural studies were impeded by low yields and purity of the native proteasome. We successfully made recombinant Tv20S by expressing all seven α and seven β subunits together with the Ump-1 chaperone in insect cells. We isolated recombinant proteasome and showed that it was biochemically indistinguishable from the native enzyme. We confirmed that the recombinant Tv20S is inhibited by the natural product marizomib (MZB)9 and the recently developed peptide inhibitor carmaphycin-17 (CP-17)8,10. Specifically, MZB binds to the β1, β2 and β5 subunits, while CP-17 binds the β2 and β5 subunits. Next, we obtained cryo-EM structures of Tv20S in complex with these covalent inhibitors at 2.8Å resolution. The structures revealed the overall fold of the Tv20S and the binding mode of MZB and CP-17. Our work explains the low specificity of MZB and higher specificity of CP-17 towards Tv20S as compared to human proteasome and provides the platform for the development of Tv20S inhibitors for treatment of trichomoniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Silhan
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry AS CR, v.v.i., Flemingovo nam. 2., 166 10 Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Pavla Fajtova
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry AS CR, v.v.i., Flemingovo nam. 2., 166 10 Prague 6, Czech Republic
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Jitka Bartosova
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry AS CR, v.v.i., Flemingovo nam. 2., 166 10 Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Brianna M. Hurysz
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Jehad Almaliti
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Yukiko Miyamoto
- Division of Gastroenterology, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Lars Eckmann
- Division of Gastroenterology, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - William H. Gerwick
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Anthony J. O’Donoghue
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr., La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Evzen Boura
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry AS CR, v.v.i., Flemingovo nam. 2., 166 10 Prague 6, Czech Republic
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9
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Thomas M, McGonagle K, Rowland P, Robinson DA, Dodd PG, Camino-Díaz I, Campbell L, Cantizani J, Castañeda P, Conn D, Craggs PD, Edwards D, Ferguson L, Fosberry A, Frame L, Goswami P, Hu X, Korczynska J, MacLean L, Martin J, Mutter N, Osuna-Cabello M, Paterson C, Peña I, Pinto EG, Pont C, Riley J, Shishikura Y, Simeons FRC, Stojanovski L, Thomas J, Wrobel K, Young RJ, Zmuda F, Zuccotto F, Read KD, Gilbert IH, Marco M, Miles TJ, Manzano P, De Rycker M. Structure-Guided Design and Synthesis of a Pyridazinone Series of Trypanosoma cruzi Proteasome Inhibitors. J Med Chem 2023; 66:10413-10431. [PMID: 37506194 PMCID: PMC10424187 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c00582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
There is an urgent need for new treatments for Chagas disease, a parasitic infection which mostly impacts South and Central America. We previously reported on the discovery of GSK3494245/DDD01305143, a preclinical candidate for visceral leishmaniasis which acted through inhibition of the Leishmania proteasome. A related analogue, active against Trypanosoma cruzi, showed suboptimal efficacy in an animal model of Chagas disease, so alternative proteasome inhibitors were investigated. Screening a library of phenotypically active analogues against the T. cruzi proteasome identified an active, selective pyridazinone, the development of which is described herein. We obtained a cryo-EM co-structure of proteasome and a key inhibitor and used this to drive optimization of the compounds. Alongside this, optimization of the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) properties afforded a suitable compound for mouse efficacy studies. The outcome of these studies is discussed, alongside future plans to further understand the series and its potential to deliver a new treatment for Chagas disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael
G. Thomas
- Drug
Discovery Unit, University of Dundee, School
of Life Sciences, Dow Street, Dundee, U.K., DD1 5EH
| | - Kate McGonagle
- Drug
Discovery Unit, University of Dundee, School
of Life Sciences, Dow Street, Dundee, U.K., DD1 5EH
| | - Paul Rowland
- GlaxoSmithKline,
Chemistry, Medicines Research Centre, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, U.K., SG1 2NY
| | - David A. Robinson
- Drug
Discovery Unit, University of Dundee, School
of Life Sciences, Dow Street, Dundee, U.K., DD1 5EH
| | - Peter G. Dodd
- Drug
Discovery Unit, University of Dundee, School
of Life Sciences, Dow Street, Dundee, U.K., DD1 5EH
| | - Isabel Camino-Díaz
- GlaxoSmithKline,
Discovery DMPK, IVIVT, Severo Ochoa 2, PTM, Tres Cantos, Madrid ES 28760, Spain
| | - Lorna Campbell
- Drug
Discovery Unit, University of Dundee, School
of Life Sciences, Dow Street, Dundee, U.K., DD1 5EH
| | - Juan Cantizani
- GlaxoSmithKline,
Global Health R&D, Severo Ochoa 2, PTM, Tres Cantos, Madrid ES 28760, Spain
| | - Pablo Castañeda
- GlaxoSmithKline,
Discovery DMPK, IVIVT, Severo Ochoa 2, PTM, Tres Cantos, Madrid ES 28760, Spain
| | - Daniel Conn
- GlaxoSmithKline,
Chemistry, Medicines Research Centre, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, U.K., SG1 2NY
| | - Peter D. Craggs
- GlaxoSmithKline,
Chemistry, Medicines Research Centre, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, U.K., SG1 2NY
| | - Darren Edwards
- Drug
Discovery Unit, University of Dundee, School
of Life Sciences, Dow Street, Dundee, U.K., DD1 5EH
| | - Liam Ferguson
- Drug
Discovery Unit, University of Dundee, School
of Life Sciences, Dow Street, Dundee, U.K., DD1 5EH
| | - Andrew Fosberry
- GlaxoSmithKline,
Chemistry, Medicines Research Centre, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, U.K., SG1 2NY
| | - Laura Frame
- Drug
Discovery Unit, University of Dundee, School
of Life Sciences, Dow Street, Dundee, U.K., DD1 5EH
| | - Panchali Goswami
- GlaxoSmithKline,
Chemistry, Medicines Research Centre, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, U.K., SG1 2NY
| | - Xiao Hu
- Drug
Discovery Unit, University of Dundee, School
of Life Sciences, Dow Street, Dundee, U.K., DD1 5EH
| | - Justyna Korczynska
- GlaxoSmithKline,
Chemistry, Medicines Research Centre, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, U.K., SG1 2NY
| | - Lorna MacLean
- Drug
Discovery Unit, University of Dundee, School
of Life Sciences, Dow Street, Dundee, U.K., DD1 5EH
| | - Julio Martin
- GlaxoSmithKline,
Global Health R&D, Severo Ochoa 2, PTM, Tres Cantos, Madrid ES 28760, Spain
| | - Nicole Mutter
- Drug
Discovery Unit, University of Dundee, School
of Life Sciences, Dow Street, Dundee, U.K., DD1 5EH
| | - Maria Osuna-Cabello
- Drug
Discovery Unit, University of Dundee, School
of Life Sciences, Dow Street, Dundee, U.K., DD1 5EH
| | - Christy Paterson
- Drug
Discovery Unit, University of Dundee, School
of Life Sciences, Dow Street, Dundee, U.K., DD1 5EH
| | - Imanol Peña
- GlaxoSmithKline,
Global Health R&D, Severo Ochoa 2, PTM, Tres Cantos, Madrid ES 28760, Spain
| | - Erika G. Pinto
- Drug
Discovery Unit, University of Dundee, School
of Life Sciences, Dow Street, Dundee, U.K., DD1 5EH
| | - Caterina Pont
- Drug
Discovery Unit, University of Dundee, School
of Life Sciences, Dow Street, Dundee, U.K., DD1 5EH
| | - Jennifer Riley
- Drug
Discovery Unit, University of Dundee, School
of Life Sciences, Dow Street, Dundee, U.K., DD1 5EH
| | - Yoko Shishikura
- Drug
Discovery Unit, University of Dundee, School
of Life Sciences, Dow Street, Dundee, U.K., DD1 5EH
| | - Frederick R. C. Simeons
- Drug
Discovery Unit, University of Dundee, School
of Life Sciences, Dow Street, Dundee, U.K., DD1 5EH
| | - Laste Stojanovski
- Drug
Discovery Unit, University of Dundee, School
of Life Sciences, Dow Street, Dundee, U.K., DD1 5EH
| | - John Thomas
- Drug
Discovery Unit, University of Dundee, School
of Life Sciences, Dow Street, Dundee, U.K., DD1 5EH
| | - Karolina Wrobel
- Drug
Discovery Unit, University of Dundee, School
of Life Sciences, Dow Street, Dundee, U.K., DD1 5EH
| | | | - Filip Zmuda
- Drug
Discovery Unit, University of Dundee, School
of Life Sciences, Dow Street, Dundee, U.K., DD1 5EH
| | - Fabio Zuccotto
- Drug
Discovery Unit, University of Dundee, School
of Life Sciences, Dow Street, Dundee, U.K., DD1 5EH
| | - Kevin D. Read
- Drug
Discovery Unit, University of Dundee, School
of Life Sciences, Dow Street, Dundee, U.K., DD1 5EH
| | - Ian H. Gilbert
- Drug
Discovery Unit, University of Dundee, School
of Life Sciences, Dow Street, Dundee, U.K., DD1 5EH
| | - Maria Marco
- GlaxoSmithKline,
Global Health R&D, Severo Ochoa 2, PTM, Tres Cantos, Madrid ES 28760, Spain
| | - Timothy J. Miles
- GlaxoSmithKline,
Global Health R&D, Severo Ochoa 2, PTM, Tres Cantos, Madrid ES 28760, Spain
| | - Pilar Manzano
- GlaxoSmithKline,
Global Health R&D, Severo Ochoa 2, PTM, Tres Cantos, Madrid ES 28760, Spain
| | - Manu De Rycker
- Drug
Discovery Unit, University of Dundee, School
of Life Sciences, Dow Street, Dundee, U.K., DD1 5EH
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10
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Jamabo M, Mahlalela M, Edkins AL, Boshoff A. Tackling Sleeping Sickness: Current and Promising Therapeutics and Treatment Strategies. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12529. [PMID: 37569903 PMCID: PMC10420020 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241512529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Revised: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Human African trypanosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease caused by the extracellular protozoan parasite Trypanosoma brucei, and targeted for eradication by 2030. The COVID-19 pandemic contributed to the lengthening of the proposed time frame for eliminating human African trypanosomiasis as control programs were interrupted. Armed with extensive antigenic variation and the depletion of the B cell population during an infectious cycle, attempts to develop a vaccine have remained unachievable. With the absence of a vaccine, control of the disease has relied heavily on intensive screening measures and the use of drugs. The chemotherapeutics previously available for disease management were plagued by issues such as toxicity, resistance, and difficulty in administration. The approval of the latest and first oral drug, fexinidazole, is a major chemotherapeutic achievement for the treatment of human African trypanosomiasis in the past few decades. Timely and accurate diagnosis is essential for effective treatment, while poor compliance and resistance remain outstanding challenges. Drug discovery is on-going, and herein we review the recent advances in anti-trypanosomal drug discovery, including novel potential drug targets. The numerous challenges associated with disease eradication will also be addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miebaka Jamabo
- Biotechnology Innovation Centre, Rhodes University, Makhanda 6139, South Africa; (M.J.); (M.M.)
| | - Maduma Mahlalela
- Biotechnology Innovation Centre, Rhodes University, Makhanda 6139, South Africa; (M.J.); (M.M.)
| | - Adrienne L. Edkins
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Biomedical Biotechnology Research Centre (BioBRU), Rhodes University, Makhanda 6139, South Africa;
| | - Aileen Boshoff
- Biotechnology Innovation Centre, Rhodes University, Makhanda 6139, South Africa; (M.J.); (M.M.)
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11
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Laureano de Souza M, Lapierre TJWJD, Vitor de Lima Marques G, Ferraz WR, Penteado AB, Henrique Goulart Trossini G, Murta SMF, de Oliveira RB, de Oliveira Rezende C, Ferreira RS. Molecular targets for Chagas disease: validation, challenges and lead compounds for widely exploited targets. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2023; 27:911-925. [PMID: 37772733 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2023.2264512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/30/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Chagas disease (CD) imposes social and economic burdens, yet the available treatments have limited efficacy in the disease's chronic phase and cause serious adverse effects. To address this challenge, target-based approaches are a possible strategy to develop new, safe, and active treatments for both phases of the disease. AREAS COVERED This review delves into target-based approaches applied to CD drug discovery, emphasizing the studies from the last five years. We highlight the proteins cruzain (CZ), trypanothione reductase (TR), sterol 14 α-demethylase (CPY51), iron superoxide dismutase (Fe-SOD), proteasome, cytochrome b (Cytb), and cleavage and polyadenylation specificity factor 3 (CPSF3), chosen based on their biological and chemical validation as drug targets. For each, we discuss its biological relevance and validation as a target, currently related challenges, and the status of the most promising inhibitors. EXPERT OPINION Target-based approaches toward developing potential CD therapeutics have yielded promising leads in recent years. We expect a significant advance in this field in the next decade, fueled by the new options for Trypanosoma cruzi genetic manipulation that arose in the past decade, combined with recent advances in computational chemistry and chemical biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Laureano de Souza
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | | | - Gabriel Vitor de Lima Marques
- Departamento de Produtos Farmacêuticos, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Witor Ribeiro Ferraz
- Departamento de Farmacia, Faculdade de Ciencias Farmacêuticas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - André Berndt Penteado
- Departamento de Farmacia, Faculdade de Ciencias Farmacêuticas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | - Renata Barbosa de Oliveira
- Departamento de Produtos Farmacêuticos, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | | | - Rafaela Salgado Ferreira
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Brazil
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12
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Rao SPS, Gould MK, Noeske J, Saldivia M, Jumani RS, Ng PS, René O, Chen YL, Kaiser M, Ritchie R, Francisco AF, Johnson N, Patra D, Cheung H, Deniston C, Schenk AD, Cortopassi WA, Schmidt RS, Wiedemar N, Thomas B, Palkar R, Ghafar NA, Manoharan V, Luu C, Gable JE, Wan KF, Myburgh E, Mottram JC, Barnes W, Walker J, Wartchow C, Aziz N, Osborne C, Wagner J, Sarko C, Kelly JM, Manjunatha UH, Mäser P, Jiricek J, Lakshminarayana SB, Barrett MP, Diagana TT. Cyanotriazoles are selective topoisomerase II poisons that rapidly cure trypanosome infections. Science 2023; 380:1349-1356. [PMID: 37384702 DOI: 10.1126/science.adh0614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023]
Abstract
Millions who live in Latin America and sub-Saharan Africa are at risk of trypanosomatid infections, which cause Chagas disease and human African trypanosomiasis (HAT). Improved HAT treatments are available, but Chagas disease therapies rely on two nitroheterocycles, which suffer from lengthy drug regimens and safety concerns that cause frequent treatment discontinuation. We performed phenotypic screening against trypanosomes and identified a class of cyanotriazoles (CTs) with potent trypanocidal activity both in vitro and in mouse models of Chagas disease and HAT. Cryo-electron microscopy approaches confirmed that CT compounds acted through selective, irreversible inhibition of trypanosomal topoisomerase II by stabilizing double-stranded DNA:enzyme cleavage complexes. These findings suggest a potential approach toward successful therapeutics for the treatment of Chagas disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Srinivasa P S Rao
- Novartis Institute for Tropical Diseases, Emeryville, CA, USA
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Emeryville, CA, USA
- Novartis Institute for Tropical Diseases, Singapore
| | - Matthew K Gould
- College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Jonas Noeske
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Emeryville, CA, USA
| | - Manuel Saldivia
- Novartis Institute for Tropical Diseases, Emeryville, CA, USA
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Emeryville, CA, USA
| | - Rajiv S Jumani
- Novartis Institute for Tropical Diseases, Emeryville, CA, USA
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Emeryville, CA, USA
| | - Pearly S Ng
- Novartis Institute for Tropical Diseases, Singapore
| | - Olivier René
- Novartis Institute for Tropical Diseases, Emeryville, CA, USA
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Emeryville, CA, USA
| | - Yen-Liang Chen
- Novartis Institute for Tropical Diseases, Emeryville, CA, USA
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Emeryville, CA, USA
- Novartis Institute for Tropical Diseases, Singapore
| | - Marcel Kaiser
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland
- Faculty of Science, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Ryan Ritchie
- College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | | | - Nila Johnson
- Novartis Institute for Tropical Diseases, Emeryville, CA, USA
| | - Debjani Patra
- Novartis Institute for Tropical Diseases, Emeryville, CA, USA
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Emeryville, CA, USA
| | - Harry Cheung
- Novartis Institute for Tropical Diseases, Emeryville, CA, USA
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Emeryville, CA, USA
| | - Colin Deniston
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, San Diego, CA, USA
| | | | | | - Remo S Schmidt
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland
- Faculty of Science, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Natalie Wiedemar
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland
- Faculty of Science, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Bryanna Thomas
- Novartis Institute for Tropical Diseases, Emeryville, CA, USA
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Emeryville, CA, USA
| | - Rima Palkar
- Novartis Institute for Tropical Diseases, Emeryville, CA, USA
| | | | | | - Catherine Luu
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Emeryville, CA, USA
| | - Jonathan E Gable
- Novartis Institute for Tropical Diseases, Emeryville, CA, USA
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Emeryville, CA, USA
| | - Kah Fei Wan
- Novartis Institute for Tropical Diseases, Singapore
| | - Elmarie Myburgh
- York Biomedical Research Institute, Hull York Medical School, University of York, York, UK
| | - Jeremy C Mottram
- York Biomedical Research Institute, Department of Biology, University of York, York, UK
| | - Whitney Barnes
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - John Walker
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Charles Wartchow
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Emeryville, CA, USA
| | - Natasha Aziz
- Novartis Institute for Tropical Diseases, Emeryville, CA, USA
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Emeryville, CA, USA
| | - Colin Osborne
- Novartis Institute for Tropical Diseases, Emeryville, CA, USA
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Emeryville, CA, USA
| | - Juergen Wagner
- Novartis Institute for Tropical Diseases, Singapore
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Christopher Sarko
- Novartis Institute for Tropical Diseases, Emeryville, CA, USA
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Emeryville, CA, USA
| | - John M Kelly
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Ujjini H Manjunatha
- Novartis Institute for Tropical Diseases, Emeryville, CA, USA
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Emeryville, CA, USA
- Novartis Institute for Tropical Diseases, Singapore
| | - Pascal Mäser
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland
- Faculty of Science, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jan Jiricek
- Novartis Institute for Tropical Diseases, Emeryville, CA, USA
- Novartis Institute for Tropical Diseases, Singapore
| | - Suresh B Lakshminarayana
- Novartis Institute for Tropical Diseases, Emeryville, CA, USA
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Emeryville, CA, USA
- Novartis Institute for Tropical Diseases, Singapore
| | - Michael P Barrett
- College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Thierry T Diagana
- Novartis Institute for Tropical Diseases, Emeryville, CA, USA
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Emeryville, CA, USA
- Novartis Institute for Tropical Diseases, Singapore
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13
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Gabaldón-Figueira JC, Martinez-Peinado N, Escabia E, Ros-Lucas A, Chatelain E, Scandale I, Gascon J, Pinazo MJ, Alonso-Padilla J. State-of-the-Art in the Drug Discovery Pathway for Chagas Disease: A Framework for Drug Development and Target Validation. Res Rep Trop Med 2023; 14:1-19. [PMID: 37337597 PMCID: PMC10277022 DOI: 10.2147/rrtm.s415273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease is the most important protozoan infection in the Americas, and constitutes a significant public health concern throughout the world. Development of new medications against its etiologic agent, Trypanosoma cruzi, has been traditionally slow and difficult, lagging in comparison with diseases caused by other kinetoplastid parasites. Among the factors that explain this are the incompletely understood mechanisms of pathogenesis of T. cruzi infection and its complex set of interactions with the host in the chronic stage of the disease. These demand the performance of a variety of in vitro and in vivo assays as part of any drug development effort. In this review, we discuss recent breakthroughs in the understanding of the parasite's life cycle and their implications in the search for new chemotherapeutics. For this, we present a framework to guide drug discovery efforts against Chagas disease, considering state-of-the-art preclinical models and recently developed tools for the identification and validation of molecular targets.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nieves Martinez-Peinado
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic—University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Elisa Escabia
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic—University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Albert Ros-Lucas
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic—University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (CIBERINFEC, ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
| | - Eric Chatelain
- Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative (DNDi), Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Ivan Scandale
- Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative (DNDi), Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Joaquim Gascon
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic—University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (CIBERINFEC, ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
| | - María-Jesús Pinazo
- CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (CIBERINFEC, ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
- Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative (DNDi), Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Julio Alonso-Padilla
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic—University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (CIBERINFEC, ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
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14
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Kim HS, Ortiz D, Kadayat TM, Fargo CM, Hammill JT, Chen Y, Rice AL, Begley KL, Shoeran G, Pistel W, Yates PA, Sanchez MA, Landfear SM, Guy RK. Optimization of Orally Bioavailable Antileishmanial 2,4,5-Trisubstituted Benzamides. J Med Chem 2023; 66:7374-7386. [PMID: 37216489 PMCID: PMC10259451 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c00056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Leishmaniasis, a neglected tropical disease caused by Leishmania species parasites, annually affects over 1 million individuals worldwide. Treatment options for leishmaniasis are limited due to high cost, severe adverse effects, poor efficacy, difficulty of use, and emerging drug resistance to all approved therapies. We discovered 2,4,5-trisubstituted benzamides (4) that possess potent antileishmanial activity but poor aqueous solubility. Herein, we disclose our optimization of the physicochemical and metabolic properties of 2,4,5-trisubstituted benzamide that retains potency. Extensive structure-activity and structure-property relationship studies allowed selection of early leads with suitable potency, microsomal stability, and improved solubility for progression. Early lead 79 exhibited an 80% oral bioavailability and potently blocked proliferation of Leishmania in murine models. These benzamide early leads are suitable for development as orally available antileishmanial drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ho Shin Kim
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536-0509 United States
| | - Diana Ortiz
- Department
of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon 97239 United States
| | - Tara Man Kadayat
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536-0509 United States
| | - Corinne M. Fargo
- Department
of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon 97239 United States
- Department
of Chemical Physiology & Biochemistry, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon 97239 United States
| | - Jared T. Hammill
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536-0509 United States
| | - Yizhe Chen
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536-0509 United States
| | - Amy L. Rice
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536-0509 United States
| | - Kristin L. Begley
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536-0509 United States
| | - Gaurav Shoeran
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536-0509 United States
| | - William Pistel
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536-0509 United States
| | - Phillip A. Yates
- Department
of Chemical Physiology & Biochemistry, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon 97239 United States
| | - Marco A. Sanchez
- Department
of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon 97239 United States
| | - Scott M. Landfear
- Department
of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon 97239 United States
- Department
of Chemical Physiology & Biochemistry, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon 97239 United States
| | - R. Kiplin Guy
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536-0509 United States
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15
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Abstract
An analysis of 156 published clinical candidates from the Journal of Medicinal Chemistry between 2018 and 2021 was conducted to identify lead generation strategies most frequently employed leading to drug candidates. As in a previous publication, the most frequent lead generation strategies resulting in clinical candidates were from known compounds (59%) followed by random screening approaches (21%). The remainder of the approaches included directed screening, fragment screening, DNA-encoded library screening (DEL), and virtual screening. An analysis of similarity was also conducted based on Tanimoto-MCS and revealed most clinical candidates were distant from their original hits; however, most shared a key pharmacophore that translated from hit-to-clinical candidate. An examination of frequency of oxygen, nitrogen, fluorine, chlorine, and sulfur incorporation in clinical candidates was also conducted. The three most similar and least similar hit-to-clinical pairs from random screening were examined to provide perspective on changes that occur that lead to successful clinical candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dean G Brown
- Jnana Therapeutics, One Design Center Pl Suite 19-400, Boston, Massachusetts 02210, United States
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16
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Deni I, Stokes BH, Ward KE, Fairhurst KJ, Pasaje CFA, Yeo T, Akbar S, Park H, Muir R, Bick DS, Zhan W, Zhang H, Liu YJ, Ng CL, Kirkman LA, Almaliti J, Gould AE, Duffey M, O'Donoghue AJ, Uhlemann AC, Niles JC, da Fonseca PCA, Gerwick WH, Lin G, Bogyo M, Fidock DA. Mitigating the risk of antimalarial resistance via covalent dual-subunit inhibition of the Plasmodium proteasome. Cell Chem Biol 2023; 30:470-485.e6. [PMID: 36963402 PMCID: PMC10198959 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2023.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/26/2023]
Abstract
The Plasmodium falciparum proteasome constitutes a promising antimalarial target, with multiple chemotypes potently and selectively inhibiting parasite proliferation and synergizing with the first-line artemisinin drugs, including against artemisinin-resistant parasites. We compared resistance profiles of vinyl sulfone, epoxyketone, macrocyclic peptide, and asparagine ethylenediamine inhibitors and report that the vinyl sulfones were potent even against mutant parasites resistant to other proteasome inhibitors and did not readily select for resistance, particularly WLL that displays covalent and irreversible binding to the catalytic β2 and β5 proteasome subunits. We also observed instances of collateral hypersensitivity, whereby resistance to one inhibitor could sensitize parasites to distinct chemotypes. Proteasome selectivity was confirmed using CRISPR/Cas9-edited mutant and conditional knockdown parasites. Molecular modeling of proteasome mutations suggested spatial contraction of the β5 P1 binding pocket, compromising compound binding. Dual targeting of P. falciparum proteasome subunits using covalent inhibitors provides a potential strategy for restoring artemisinin activity and combating the spread of drug-resistant malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioanna Deni
- Center for Malaria Therapeutics and Antimicrobial Resistance and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Barbara H Stokes
- Center for Malaria Therapeutics and Antimicrobial Resistance and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Kurt E Ward
- Center for Malaria Therapeutics and Antimicrobial Resistance and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Kate J Fairhurst
- Center for Malaria Therapeutics and Antimicrobial Resistance and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Tomas Yeo
- Center for Malaria Therapeutics and Antimicrobial Resistance and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Shirin Akbar
- School of Molecular Biosciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland, UK
| | - Heekuk Park
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ryan Muir
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Daniella S Bick
- Center for Malaria Therapeutics and Antimicrobial Resistance and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Wenhu Zhan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Hao Zhang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Yi Jing Liu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Caroline L Ng
- Global Center for Health Security, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA; Department of Biology, University of Nebraska Omaha, Omaha, NE, USA; Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Laura A Kirkman
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA; Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY
| | - Jehad Almaliti
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
| | | | | | - Anthony J O'Donoghue
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Anne-Catrin Uhlemann
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jacquin C Niles
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | - William H Gerwick
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Gang Lin
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Matthew Bogyo
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - David A Fidock
- Center for Malaria Therapeutics and Antimicrobial Resistance and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA; Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.
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17
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Fairlamb AH, Wyllie S. The critical role of mode of action studies in kinetoplastid drug discovery. FRONTIERS IN DRUG DISCOVERY 2023; 3:fddsv.2023.1185679. [PMID: 37600222 PMCID: PMC7614965 DOI: 10.3389/fddsv.2023.1185679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/22/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the target and mode of action of compounds identified by phenotypic screening can greatly facilitate the process of drug discovery and development. Here, we outline the tools currently available for target identification against the neglected tropical diseases, human African trypanosomiasis, visceral leishmaniasis and Chagas' disease. We provide examples how these tools can be used to identify and triage undesirable mechanisms, to identify potential toxic liabilities in patients and to manage a balanced portfolio of target-based campaigns. We review the primary targets of drugs that are currently in clinical development that were initially identified via phenotypic screening, and whose modes of action affect protein turnover, RNA trans-splicing or signalling in these protozoan parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan H. Fairlamb
- Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Susan Wyllie
- Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
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18
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Abirami M, Karan Kumar B, Dey S, Johri S, Reguera RM, Balaña-Fouce R, Gowri Chandra Sekhar KV, Sankaranarayanan M. Molecular-level strategic goals and repressors in Leishmaniasis - Integrated data to accelerate target-based heterocyclic scaffolds. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 257:115471. [PMID: 37257213 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a complex of neglected tropical diseases caused by various species of leishmanial parasites that primarily affect the world's poorest people. A limited number of standard medications are available for this disease that has been used for several decades, these drugs have many drawbacks such as resistance, higher cost, and patient compliance, making it difficult to reach the poor. The search for novel chemical entities to treat leishmaniasis has led to target-based scaffold research. Among several identified potential molecular targets, enzymes involved in the purine salvage pathway include polyamine biosynthetic process, such as arginase, ornithine decarboxylase, S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase, spermidine synthase, trypanothione reductase as well as enzymes in the DNA cell cycle, such as DNA topoisomerases I and II plays vital role in the life cycle survival of leishmanial parasite. This review mainly focuses on various heterocyclic scaffolds, and their specific inhibitory targets against leishmaniasis, particularly those from the polyamine biosynthesis pathway and DNA topoisomerases with estimated activity studies of various heterocyclic analogs in terms of their IC50 or EC50 value, reported molecular docking analysis from available published literatures.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Abirami
- Medicinal Chemistry Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, Birla Institute of Technology and Science Pilani, Pilani Campus, Pilani, 333031, India
| | - Banoth Karan Kumar
- Medicinal Chemistry Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, Birla Institute of Technology and Science Pilani, Pilani Campus, Pilani, 333031, India; Department of Pharmacy, Koneru Lakshmaiah Education Foundation, Vaddeswaram, AP, India
| | - Sanchita Dey
- Medicinal Chemistry Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, Birla Institute of Technology and Science Pilani, Pilani Campus, Pilani, 333031, India
| | - Samridhi Johri
- Medicinal Chemistry Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, Birla Institute of Technology and Science Pilani, Pilani Campus, Pilani, 333031, India
| | - Rosa M Reguera
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of León, 24071, León, Spain
| | | | - Kondapalli Venkata Gowri Chandra Sekhar
- Department of Chemistry, Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani, Hyderabad Campus, Jawahar Nagar, Kapra Mandal, Hyderabad, 500078, Telangana, India
| | - Murugesan Sankaranarayanan
- Medicinal Chemistry Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, Birla Institute of Technology and Science Pilani, Pilani Campus, Pilani, 333031, India.
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19
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Fajtova P, Hurysz BM, Miyamoto Y, Serafim M, Jiang Z, Trujillo DF, Liu L, Somani U, Almaliti J, Myers SA, Caffrey CR, Gerwick WH, Kirk CJ, Boura E, Eckmann L, O'Donoghue AJ. Development of subunit selective substrates for Trichomonas vaginalis proteasome. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.04.05.535794. [PMID: 37066163 PMCID: PMC10104049 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.05.535794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/18/2023]
Abstract
The protozoan parasite, Trichomonas vaginalis (Tv) causes trichomoniasis, the most common, non-viral, sexually transmitted infection in the world. Only two closely related drugs are approved for its treatment. The accelerating emergence of resistance to these drugs and lack of alternative treatment options poses an increasing threat to public health. There is an urgent need for novel effective anti-parasitic compounds. The proteasome is a critical enzyme for T. vaginalis survival and was validated as a drug target to treat trichomoniasis. However, to develop potent inhibitors of the T. vaginalis proteasome, it is essential that we understand which subunits should be targeted. Previously, we identified two fluorogenic substrates that were cleaved by T. vaginalis proteasome, however after isolating the enzyme complex and performing an in-depth substrate specificity study, we have now designed three fluorogenic reporter substrates that are each specific for one catalytic subunit. We screened a library of peptide epoxyketone inhibitors against the live parasite and evaluated which subunits are targeted by the top hits. Together we show that targeting of the β5 subunit of T. vaginalis is sufficient to kill the parasite, however, targeting of β5 plus either β1 or β2 results in improved potency.
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20
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García-Estrada C, Pérez-Pertejo Y, Domínguez-Asenjo B, Holanda VN, Murugesan S, Martínez-Valladares M, Balaña-Fouce R, Reguera RM. Further Investigations of Nitroheterocyclic Compounds as Potential Antikinetoplastid Drug Candidates. Biomolecules 2023; 13:biom13040637. [PMID: 37189384 DOI: 10.3390/biom13040637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Revised: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Due to the lack of specific vaccines, management of the trypanosomatid-caused neglected tropical diseases (sleeping sickness, Chagas disease and leishmaniasis) relies exclusively on pharmacological treatments. Current drugs against them are scarce, old and exhibit disadvantages, such as adverse effects, parenteral administration, chemical instability and high costs which are often unaffordable for endemic low-income countries. Discoveries of new pharmacological entities for the treatment of these diseases are scarce, since most of the big pharmaceutical companies find this market unattractive. In order to fill the pipeline of compounds and replace existing ones, highly translatable drug screening platforms have been developed in the last two decades. Thousands of molecules have been tested, including nitroheterocyclic compounds, such as benznidazole and nifurtimox, which had already provided potent and effective effects against Chagas disease. More recently, fexinidazole has been added as a new drug against African trypanosomiasis. Despite the success of nitroheterocycles, they had been discarded from drug discovery campaigns due to their mutagenic potential, but now they represent a promising source of inspiration for oral drugs that can replace those currently on the market. The examples provided by the trypanocidal activity of fexinidazole and the promising efficacy of the derivative DNDi-0690 against leishmaniasis seem to open a new window of opportunity for these compounds that were discovered in the 1960s. In this review, we show the current uses of nitroheterocycles and the novel derived molecules that are being synthesized against these neglected diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos García-Estrada
- Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, Campus de Vegazana s/n, 24071 León, Spain
| | - Yolanda Pérez-Pertejo
- Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, Campus de Vegazana s/n, 24071 León, Spain
| | - Bárbara Domínguez-Asenjo
- Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, Campus de Vegazana s/n, 24071 León, Spain
| | - Vanderlan Nogueira Holanda
- Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, Campus de Vegazana s/n, 24071 León, Spain
| | - Sankaranarayanan Murugesan
- Medicinal Chemistry Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, Birla Institute of Technology and Science Pilani, Pilani Campus, Pilani 333031, India
| | - María Martínez-Valladares
- Instituto de Ganadería de Montaña (IGM), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas-Universidad de León, Carretera León-Vega de Infanzones, Vega de Infanzones, 24346 León, Spain
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, Campus de Vegazana s/n, 24071 León, Spain
| | - Rafael Balaña-Fouce
- Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, Campus de Vegazana s/n, 24071 León, Spain
| | - Rosa M. Reguera
- Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, Campus de Vegazana s/n, 24071 León, Spain
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21
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Rao SPS, Manjunatha UH, Mikolajczak S, Ashigbie PG, Diagana TT. Drug discovery for parasitic diseases: powered by technology, enabled by pharmacology, informed by clinical science. Trends Parasitol 2023; 39:260-271. [PMID: 36803572 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2023.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023]
Abstract
While prevention is a bedrock of public health, innovative therapeutics are needed to complement the armamentarium of interventions required to achieve disease control and elimination targets for neglected diseases. Extraordinary advances in drug discovery technologies have occurred over the past decades, along with accumulation of scientific knowledge and experience in pharmacological and clinical sciences that are transforming many aspects of drug R&D across disciplines. We reflect on how these advances have propelled drug discovery for parasitic infections, focusing on malaria, kinetoplastid diseases, and cryptosporidiosis. We also discuss challenges and research priorities to accelerate discovery and development of urgently needed novel antiparasitic drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Paul G Ashigbie
- Novartis Institute for Tropical Diseases, Emeryville, CA, USA.
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22
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Zeng G, Yu Q, Zhuang R, Zhu H, Shao J, Xi J, Zhang J. Recent Advances and Future Perspectives of Noncompetitive Proteasome Inhibitors. Bioorg Chem 2023; 135:106507. [PMID: 37030106 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2023.106507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2023] [Revised: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023]
Abstract
The proteasome regulates intracellular processes, maintains biological homeostasis, and has shown great significance in the study of various diseases, such as neurodegenerative diseases, immune-related diseases, and cancer, especially in hematologic malignancies such as multiple myeloma (MM) and mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). All clinically used proteasome inhibitors bind to the active site of the proteasome and thus exhibit a competitive mechanism. The development of resistance and intolerance during treatment drives the search for inhibitors with different mechanisms of action. In this review, we provide an overview of noncompetitive proteasome inhibitors, including their mechanisms of action, function, possible applications, and their advantages and disadvantages compared with competitive inhibitors.
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23
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Pfarr KM, Krome AK, Al-Obaidi I, Batchelor H, Vaillant M, Hoerauf A, Opoku NO, Kuesel AC. The pipeline for drugs for control and elimination of neglected tropical diseases: 1. Anti-infective drugs for regulatory registration. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:82. [PMID: 36859332 PMCID: PMC9979492 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05581-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/05/2022] [Indexed: 03/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The World Health Organization 'Ending the neglect to attain the Sustainable Development Goals: A road map for neglected tropical diseases 2021-2030' outlines the targets for control and elimination of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). New drugs are needed to achieve some of them. We are providing an overview of the pipeline for new anti-infective drugs for regulatory registration and steps to effective use for NTD control and elimination. Considering drugs approved for an NTD by at least one stringent regulatory authority: fexinidazole, included in WHO guidelines for Trypanosoma brucei gambiense African trypanosomiasis, is in development for Chagas disease. Moxidectin, registered in 2018 for treatment of individuals ≥ 12 years old with onchocerciasis, is undergoing studies to extend the indication to 4-11-year-old children and obtain additional data to inform WHO and endemic countries' decisions on moxidectin inclusion in guidelines and policies. Moxidectin is also being evaluated for other NTDs. Considering drugs in at least Phase 2 clinical development, a submission is being prepared for registration of acoziborole as an oral treatment for first and second stage T.b. gambiense African trypanosomiasis. Bedaquiline, registered for tuberculosis, is being evaluated for multibacillary leprosy. Phase 2 studies of emodepside and flubentylosin in O. volvulus-infected individuals are ongoing; studies for Trichuris trichuria and hookworm are planned. A trial of fosravuconazole in Madurella mycetomatis-infected patients is ongoing. JNJ-64281802 is undergoing Phase 2 trials for reducing dengue viral load. Studies are ongoing or planned to evaluate oxantel pamoate for onchocerciasis and soil-transmitted helminths, including Trichuris, and oxfendazole for onchocerciasis, Fasciola hepatica, Taenia solium cysticercosis, Echinococcus granulosus and soil-transmitted helminths, including Trichuris. Additional steps from first registration to effective use for NTD control and elimination include country registrations, possibly additional studies to inform WHO guidelines and country policies, and implementation research to address barriers to effective use of new drugs. Relative to the number of people suffering from NTDs, the pipeline is small. Close collaboration and exchange of experience among all stakeholders developing drugs for NTDs may increase the probability that the current pipeline will translate into new drugs effectively implemented in affected countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth M. Pfarr
- grid.15090.3d0000 0000 8786 803XInstitute of Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany ,grid.452463.2German Center for Infection Research, Partner Site Bonn-Cologne, Bonn, Germany
| | - Anna K. Krome
- grid.10388.320000 0001 2240 3300Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Issraa Al-Obaidi
- grid.11984.350000000121138138Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
| | - Hannah Batchelor
- grid.11984.350000000121138138Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
| | - Michel Vaillant
- grid.451012.30000 0004 0621 531XCompetence Center for Methodology and Statistics, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Strassen, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg
| | - Achim Hoerauf
- grid.15090.3d0000 0000 8786 803XInstitute of Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany ,grid.452463.2German Center for Infection Research, Partner Site Bonn-Cologne, Bonn, Germany
| | - Nicholas O. Opoku
- grid.449729.50000 0004 7707 5975Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics School of Public Health, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Hohoe, Ghana
| | - Annette C. Kuesel
- UNICEF/UNDP/World Bank/WHO Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (WHO/TDR), World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
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24
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Gomes SQ, Federico LB, Silva GM, Lopes CD, de Albuquerque S, da Silva CHTDP. Ligand-based virtual screening, molecular dynamics, and biological evaluation of repurposed drugs as inhibitors of Trypanosoma cruzi proteasome. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2023; 41:13844-13856. [PMID: 36826433 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2023.2182129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 02/12/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023]
Abstract
Chagas disease is a well-known Neglected Tropical Disease, mostly endemic in continental Latin America, but that has spread to North America and Europe. Unfortunately, current treatments against such disease are ineffective and produce known and undesirable side effects. To find novel effective drug candidates to treat Chagas disease, we uniquely explore the Trypanosoma cruzi proteasome as a recent biological target and, also, apply drug repurposing through different computational methodologies. For this, we initially applied protein homology modeling to build a robust model of proteasome β4/β5 subunits, since there is no crystallographic structure of this target. Then, we used it on a drug repurposing via a virtual screening campaign starting with more than 8,000 drugs and including the methodologies: ligand-based similarity, toxicity predictions, and molecular docking. Three drugs were selected concerning their favorable interactions at the protein binding site and subsequently submitted to molecular dynamics simulations, which allowed us to elucidate their behavior and compare such theoretical results with experimental ones, obtained in biological assays also described in this paper.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzane Quintana Gomes
- Departamento de Química, Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brasil
| | - Leonardo Bruno Federico
- Computational Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Guilherme Martins Silva
- Departamento de Química, Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brasil
| | - Carla Duque Lopes
- Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Toxicológicas e Bromatológicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Sérgio de Albuquerque
- Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Toxicológicas e Bromatológicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Carlos Henrique Tomich de Paula da Silva
- Departamento de Química, Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brasil
- Computational Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
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25
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Istanbullu H, Bayraktar G, Karakaya G, Akbaba H, Perk NE, Cavus I, Podlipnik C, Yereli K, Ozbilgin A, Debelec Butuner B, Alptuzun V. Design, synthesis, in vitro - In vivo biological evaluation of novel thiazolopyrimidine compounds as antileishmanial agent with PTR1 inhibition. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 247:115049. [PMID: 36577215 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.115049] [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: 10/20/2022] [Revised: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The leishmaniasis are a group of vector-borne diseases caused by a protozoan parasite from the genus Leishmania. In this study, a series of thiazolopyrimidine derivatives were designed and synthesized as novel antileishmanial agents with LmPTR1 inhibitory activity. The final compounds were evaluated for their in vitro antipromastigote activity, LmPTR1 and hDHFR enzyme inhibitory activities, and cytotoxicity on RAW264.7 and L929 cell lines. Based on the bioactivity results, three compounds, namely L24f, L24h and L25c, were selected for evaluation of their in vivo efficacy on CL and VL models in BALB/c mice. Among them, two promising compounds, L24h and L25c, showed in vitro antipromastigote activity against L. tropica with the IC50 values of 0.04 μg/ml and 6.68 μg/ml; against L. infantum with the IC50 values of 0.042 μg/ml and 6.77 μg/ml, respectively. Moreover, the title compounds were found to have low in vitro cytotoxicity on L929 and RAW264.7 cell lines with the IC50 14.08 μg/ml and 21.03 μg/ml, and IC50 15.02 μg/ml and 8.75 μg/ml, respectively. LmPTR1 enzyme inhibitory activity of these compounds was determined as 257.40 μg/ml and 59.12 μg/ml and their selectivity index (SI) over hDHFR was reported as 42.62 and 7.02, respectively. In vivo studies presented that L24h and L25c have a significant antileishmanial activity against footpad lesion development of CL and at weight measurement of VL group in comparison to the reference compound, Glucantime®. Also, docking studies were carried out with selected compounds and other potential Leishmania targets to detect the putative targets of the title compounds. Taken together, all these findings provide an important novel lead structure for the antileishmanial drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huseyin Istanbullu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Izmir Katip Celebi University, Cigli, Izmir, Turkey.
| | - Gulsah Bayraktar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ege University, Bornova, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Gulsah Karakaya
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Izmir Katip Celebi University, Cigli, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Hasan Akbaba
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ege University, Bornova, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Nami Ege Perk
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Manisa Celal Bayar University, Manisa, Turkey
| | - Ibrahim Cavus
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Manisa Celal Bayar University, Manisa, Turkey
| | - Crtomir Podlipnik
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University of Ljubljana, SI-1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Kor Yereli
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Manisa Celal Bayar University, Manisa, Turkey
| | - Ahmet Ozbilgin
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Manisa Celal Bayar University, Manisa, Turkey
| | - Bilge Debelec Butuner
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ege University, Bornova, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Vildan Alptuzun
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ege University, Bornova, Izmir, Turkey
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26
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Abstract
Leishmaniasis (visceral and cutaneous), Chagas disease and human African trypanosomiasis cause substantial death and morbidity, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Although the situation has improved for human African trypanosomiasis, there remains an urgent need for new medicines to treat leishmaniasis and Chagas disease; the clinical development pipeline is particularly sparse for Chagas disease. In this Review, we describe recent advances in our understanding of the biology of the causative pathogens, particularly from the drug discovery perspective, and we explore the progress that has been made in the development of new drug candidates and the identification of promising molecular targets. We also explore the challenges in developing new clinical candidates and discuss potential solutions to overcome such hurdles.
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27
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Kumar P, Kumar P, Mandal D, Velayutham R. The emerging role of Deubiquitinases (DUBs) in parasites: A foresight review. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:985178. [PMID: 36237424 PMCID: PMC9552668 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.985178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Before the discovery of the proteasome complex, the lysosomes with acidic proteases and caspases in apoptotic pathways were thought to be the only pathways for the degradation of damaged, unfolded, and aged proteins. However, the discovery of 26S and 20S proteasome complexes in eukaryotes and microbes, respectively, established that the degradation of most proteins is a highly regulated ATP-dependent pathway that is significantly conserved across each domain of life. The proteasome is part of the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS), where the covalent tagging of a small molecule called ubiquitin (Ub) on the proteins marks its proteasomal degradation. The type and chain length of ubiquitination further determine whether a protein is designated for further roles in multi-cellular processes like DNA repair, trafficking, signal transduction, etc., or whether it will be degraded by the proteasome to recycle the peptides and amino acids. Deubiquitination, on the contrary, is the removal of ubiquitin from its substrate molecule or the conversion of polyubiquitin chains into monoubiquitin as a precursor to ubiquitin. Therefore, deubiquitylating enzymes (DUBs) can maintain the dynamic state of cellular ubiquitination by releasing conjugated ubiquitin from proteins and controlling many cellular pathways that are essential for their survival. Many DUBs are well characterized in the human system with potential drug targets in different cancers. Although, proteasome complex and UPS of parasites, like plasmodium and leishmania, were recently coined as multi-stage drug targets the role of DUBs is completely unexplored even though structural domains and functions of many of these parasite DUBs are conserved having high similarity even with its eukaryotic counterpart. This review summarizes the identification & characterization of different parasite DUBs based on in silico and a few functional studies among different phylogenetic classes of parasites including Metazoan (Schistosoma, Trichinella), Apicomplexan protozoans (Plasmodium, Toxoplasma, Eimeria, Cryptosporidium), Kinetoplastidie (Leishmania, Trypanosoma) and Microsporidia (Nosema). The identification of different homologs of parasite DUBs with structurally similar domains with eukaryotes, and the role of these DUBs alone or in combination with the 20S proteosome complex in regulating the parasite survival/death is further elaborated. We propose that small molecules/inhibitors of human DUBs can be potential antiparasitic agents due to their significant structural conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prakash Kumar
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Hajipur, India
| | - Pawan Kumar
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Hajipur, India
| | - Debabrata Mandal
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Hajipur, India
- *Correspondence: Ravichandiran Velayutham, ; Debabrata Mandal,
| | - Ravichandiran Velayutham
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Hajipur, India
- National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Kolkata, India
- *Correspondence: Ravichandiran Velayutham, ; Debabrata Mandal,
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28
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Pinheiro AC, de Souza MVN. Current leishmaniasis drug discovery. RSC Med Chem 2022; 13:1029-1043. [PMID: 36324493 PMCID: PMC9491386 DOI: 10.1039/d1md00362c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a complex protozoan infectious disease and, associated with malnutrition, poor health services and unavailability of prophylactic control measures, neglected populations are particularly affected. Current drug regimens are outdated and associated with some drawbacks, such as cytotoxicity and resistance, and the development of novel, efficacious and less toxic drug regimens is urgently required. In addition, leishmanial pathogenesis is not well established or understood, and a prophylactic vaccine is an unfulfilled goal. Human kinetoplastid protozoan infections, including leishmaniasis, have been neglected for many years, and in an attempt to overcome this situation, some new drug targets were recently identified, enabling the development of new drugs and vaccines. Compounds from new drug classes have also shown excellent antileishmanial activities, some of the most promising ones included in clinical trials, and could be a hope to control the disease burden of this endemic disease in the near future. In this review, we discuss the limitations of current control methods, explore the wide range of compounds that are being screened and identified as antileishmanial drug prototypes, summarize the advances in identifying new drug targets aiming at innovative treatments and explore the state-of-art vaccine development field, including immunomodulation strategies.
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29
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Koester DC, Marx VM, Williams S, Jiricek J, Dauphinais M, René O, Miller SL, Zhang L, Patra D, Chen YL, Cheung H, Gable J, Lakshminarayana SB, Osborne C, Galarneau JR, Kulkarni U, Richmond W, Bretz A, Xiao L, Supek F, Wiesmann C, Honnappa S, Be C, Mäser P, Kaiser M, Ritchie R, Barrett MP, Diagana TT, Sarko C, Rao SPS. Discovery of Novel Quinoline-Based Proteasome Inhibitors for Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT). J Med Chem 2022; 65:11776-11787. [PMID: 35993839 PMCID: PMC9469205 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c00791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT) is a vector-borne disease caused by kinetoplastid parasites of the Trypanosoma genus. The disease proceeds in two stages, with a hemolymphatic blood stage and a meningo-encephalic brain stage. In the latter stage, the parasite causes irreversible damage to the brain leading to sleep cycle disruption and is fatal if untreated. An orally bioavailable treatment is highly desirable. In this study, we present a brain-penetrant, parasite-selective 20S proteasome inhibitor that was rapidly optimized from an HTS singleton hit to drug candidate compound 7 that showed cure in a stage II mouse efficacy model. Here, we describe hit expansion and lead optimization campaign guided by cryo-electron microscopy and an in silico model to predict the brain-to-plasma partition coefficient Kp as an important parameter to prioritize compounds for synthesis. The model combined with in vitro and in vivo experiments allowed us to advance compounds with favorable unbound brain-to-plasma ratios (Kp,uu) to cure a CNS disease such as HAT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dennis C. Koester
- Global
Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Institutes
for Biomedical Research, Emeryville, California 94608, United States
| | - Vanessa M. Marx
- Global
Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Institutes
for Biomedical Research, Emeryville, California 94608, United States
| | - Sarah Williams
- Global
Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Institutes
for Biomedical Research, Emeryville, California 94608, United States
| | - Jan Jiricek
- Global
Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Institutes
for Biomedical Research, Emeryville, California 94608, United States
| | - Maxime Dauphinais
- Global
Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Institutes
for Biomedical Research, Emeryville, California 94608, United States
| | - Olivier René
- Global
Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Institutes
for Biomedical Research, Emeryville, California 94608, United States
| | - Sarah L. Miller
- Global
Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Institutes
for Biomedical Research, Emeryville, California 94608, United States
| | - Lei Zhang
- Global
Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Institutes
for Biomedical Research, Emeryville, California 94608, United States
| | - Debjani Patra
- Novartis
Institutes for Tropical Diseases, Emeryville, California 94608, United States
| | - Yen-Liang Chen
- Lead
Discovery, Novartis Institutes for Tropical
Diseases, Emeryville, California 94608, United States
| | - Harry Cheung
- Lead
Discovery, Novartis Institutes for Tropical
Diseases, Emeryville, California 94608, United States
| | - Jonathan Gable
- Lead
Discovery, Novartis Institutes for Tropical
Diseases, Emeryville, California 94608, United States
| | - Suresh B. Lakshminarayana
- Pharmacokinetic
Sciences, Novartis Institutes for Tropical
Diseases, Emeryville, California 94608, United States
| | - Colin Osborne
- Pharmacokinetic
Sciences, Pharmacology and Comparative Medicine, Novartis Institutes for Tropical Diseases, Emeryville, California 94608, United States
| | - Jean-Rene Galarneau
- Preclinical
Safety, Novartis Institutes for Biomedical
Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Upendra Kulkarni
- Chemical
and Pharmaceutical Profiling, Novartis Institutes
for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Wendy Richmond
- Global
Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Institutes
for Biomedical Research, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Angela Bretz
- Global
Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Institutes
for Biomedical Research, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Linda Xiao
- Pharmacology, Novartis Institutes for Tropical Diseases, Emeryville, California 94608, United States
| | - Frantisek Supek
- Novartis
Institutes for Biomedical Research, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | | | - Srinivas Honnappa
- Novartis
Institutes for Biomedical Research, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Celine Be
- Novartis
Institutes for Biomedical Research, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Pascal Mäser
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Kreuzstrasse 2, 4123 Allschwil, Switzerland
- University
of Basel, CH 4000 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Marcel Kaiser
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Kreuzstrasse 2, 4123 Allschwil, Switzerland
- University
of Basel, CH 4000 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Ryan Ritchie
- University of Glasgow, University Place, Glasgow G12 8TA, U.K
| | | | - Thierry T. Diagana
- Novartis
Institutes for Tropical Diseases, Emeryville, California 94608, United States
| | - Christopher Sarko
- Global
Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Institutes
for Biomedical Research, Emeryville, California 94608, United States
| | - Srinivasa P. S. Rao
- Novartis
Institutes for Tropical Diseases, Emeryville, California 94608, United States
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30
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Wijnant GJ, Dumetz F, Dirkx L, Bulté D, Cuypers B, Van Bocxlaer K, Hendrickx S. Tackling Drug Resistance and Other Causes of Treatment Failure in Leishmaniasis. FRONTIERS IN TROPICAL DISEASES 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fitd.2022.837460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a tropical infectious disease caused by the protozoan Leishmania parasite. The disease is transmitted by female sand flies and, depending on the infecting parasite species, causes either cutaneous (stigmatizing skin lesions), mucocutaneous (destruction of mucous membranes of nose, mouth and throat) or visceral disease (a potentially fatal infection of liver, spleen and bone marrow). Although more than 1 million new cases occur annually, chemotherapeutic options are limited and their efficacy is jeopardized by increasing treatment failure rates and growing drug resistance. To delay the emergence of resistance to existing and new drugs, elucidating the currently unknown causes of variable drug efficacy (related to parasite susceptibility, host immunity and drug pharmacokinetics) and improved use of genotypic and phenotypic tools to define, measure and monitor resistance in the field are critical. This review highlights recent progress in our understanding of drug action and resistance in Leishmania, ongoing challenges (including setbacks related to the COVID-19 pandemic) and provides an overview of possible strategies to tackle this public health challenge.
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31
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Santos CC, Zhang H, Batista MM, de Oliveira GM, Demarque KC, da Silva NL, Moreira OC, Ogungbe IV, Soeiro MDNC. Phenotypic investigation of 4-nitrophenylacetyl- and 4-nitro-1 H-imidazoyl-based compounds as antileishmanial agents. Parasitology 2022; 149:490-495. [PMID: 35109958 PMCID: PMC11010507 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182021002079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Revised: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a spectrum of clinical manifestations characterized by severe skin ulcerations that leads to social stigma. There are limited treatment options for CL, and the available drugs are becoming less efficacious due to drug resistance. More efficacious and safer antileishmanial drugs are needed. In this study, the biological effect of seven synthetically accessible nitroaromatic compounds was evaluated in vitro against amastigotes of Leishmania amazonensis, followed by in vivo evaluation using mouse models of CL. Two compounds (6 and 7) were active against amastigotes in vitro [half-maximal effective concentration (EC50): 4.57 ± 0.08 and 9.19 ± 0.68 μm, respectively], with selectivity indexes >50, and the other compounds were not selective. In vivo, compounds 6 and 7 (10 mg kg−1, twice a day for 14 days) failed to reduce skin lesion sizes and parasite loads determined by light microscopy of lesion imprints and quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Nevertheless, the in vitro leishmanicidal efficacy sustained their use as templates for nitroimidazole-based antileishmanial drug discovery programmes focusing on analogues with more suitable properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camila C. Santos
- Laboratory of Cellular Biology (LBC), Oswaldo Cruz Institute (IOC/FIOCRUZ), 21040-360Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Huaisheng Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, Jackson State University, Jackson, MS39217-0510, USA
| | - Marcos M. Batista
- Laboratory of Cellular Biology (LBC), Oswaldo Cruz Institute (IOC/FIOCRUZ), 21040-360Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Gabriel M. de Oliveira
- Laboratory of Cellular Biology (LBC), Oswaldo Cruz Institute (IOC/FIOCRUZ), 21040-360Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Kelly C. Demarque
- Laboratory of Cellular Biology (LBC), Oswaldo Cruz Institute (IOC/FIOCRUZ), 21040-360Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Natália L. da Silva
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Endemic Diseases, Oswaldo Cruz Institute (IOC/FIOCRUZ), 21040-360Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Otacílio C. Moreira
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Endemic Diseases, Oswaldo Cruz Institute (IOC/FIOCRUZ), 21040-360Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
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32
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Imran M, Khan SA, Abida, Alshrari AS, Eltahir Mudawi MM, Alshammari MK, Harshan AA, Alshammari NA. Small molecules as kinetoplastid specific proteasome inhibitors for Leishmaniasis: a patent review from 1998 to 2021. Expert Opin Ther Pat 2022; 32:591-604. [PMID: 35220857 DOI: 10.1080/13543776.2022.2045948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION : Leishmaniasis is a neglected tropical infectious disease. The available limited therapeutic options for leishmaniasis are inadequate due to their poor pharmacokinetic profile, resistance, toxicity, high cost, and compliance problems. This warrants identification of new targets for the development of safer and effective anti-Leishmania therapy. The kinetoplastid specific proteasome (KSP) is a novel validated target to develop drugs against leishmaniasis. AREA COVERED : This review focuses on all the published patent applications and granted patents related to the studied small molecules as KSP inhibitors (KSPIs) against Leishmania from 1998 to December 31, 2021. EXPERT OPINION : A little amount of work has been done on KSPIs, but the study results are quite encouraging. LXE408 and GSK3494245 are two KSPIs in different phases of clinical trials. Some other small molecules have also shown KSP inhibitory potential, but they are not in clinical trials. The KSPIs are promising next-generation orally active patient compliant drugs against kinetoplastid diseases, including leishmaniasis. However, the main challenge to discover the KSPIs will be the resistance development and their selectivity against the proteasome of eukaryotic cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohd Imran
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Northern Border University, Rafha 91911, Saudi Arabia
| | - Shah Alam Khan
- College of Pharmacy, National University of Science and Technology, Muscat 130, Oman
| | - Abida
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Northern Border University, Rafha 91911, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmed Subeh Alshrari
- Medical Laboratory Technology Department, Faculty of Applied Medical Science, Northern Border University, Arar 91431, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Mohammed Kanan Alshammari
- Department of Pharmaceutical Care, Rafha Central Hospital, North Zone, Rafha 91911, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Aishah Ali Harshan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Care, Northern Area Armed Forces Hospital, King Khalid Military City Hospital, Hafr Al-Batin, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Noufah Aqeel Alshammari
- Department of Pharmaceutical Care, Security Forces Hospital, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
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33
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Mazire P, Agarwal V, Roy A. Road-map of pre-clinical treatment for Visceral Leishmaniasis. Drug Dev Res 2021; 83:317-327. [PMID: 34962315 DOI: 10.1002/ddr.21907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Revised: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) or Kala-azar, is the most lethal form of leishmaniasis, is still prevalent in many countries where it is endemic. It is a threat to human life caused by protozoan parasite Leishmania donovani. The severity of the disease is further increased as the treated individuals might have a chance of developing Post Kala-azar Dermal Leishmaniasis (PKDL) in the long run. Moreover, several countries have reported high number of HIV-VL co-infected patients. Therefore, there is a dire need for the development of efficient diagnostic methods and drugs in order to combat the disease and to control the spread of disease. At present, the treatment for VL entirely relies on therapeutic drugs as no vaccine is available yet. Ever since 1900s a series of drugs have been invented and used for treatment of VL; but the need for one such cost-effective treatment that would completely cure the disease with minimal side-effects, low relapse rate with high efficacy and less toxicity remains yet to be fulfilled. Therefore, identifying novel compounds is very crucial to develop potent antileishmanial agents. Thus, this review enlists several instances of drug development, including the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of antileishmanial drugs, different experimental animal models used to investigate the disease progression and to analyze treatment dosage and pharmacological aspect of drugs. Furthermore, the existing gap in drug development and future measures to improve the process are also discussed in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priyanka Mazire
- Department of Biotechnology, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, India
| | - Vartika Agarwal
- Department of Biotechnology, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, India
| | - Amit Roy
- Department of Biotechnology, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, India
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34
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Wigge C, Stefanovic A, Radjainia M. The rapidly evolving role of cryo-EM in drug design. DRUG DISCOVERY TODAY. TECHNOLOGIES 2021; 38:91-102. [PMID: 34895645 DOI: 10.1016/j.ddtec.2020.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Revised: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Since the early 2010s, cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) has evolved to a mainstream structural biology method in what has been dubbed the "resolution revolution". Pharma companies also began to use cryo-EM in drug discovery, evidenced by a growing number of industry publications. Hitherto limited in resolution, throughput and attainable molecular weight, cryo-EM is rapidly overcoming its main limitations for more widespread use through a new wave of technological advances. This review discusses how cryo-EM has already impacted drug discovery, and how the state-of-the-art is poised to further revolutionize its application to previously intractable proteins as well as new use cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoph Wigge
- Thermo Fisher Scientific, Achtseweg Noord 5, 5651 GG Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | | | - Mazdak Radjainia
- Thermo Fisher Scientific, Achtseweg Noord 5, 5651 GG Eindhoven, The Netherlands.
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35
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Abstract
Proteasomes are compartmentalized, ATP-dependent, N-terminal nucleophile hydrolases that play essentials roles in intracellular protein turnover. They are present in all 3 kingdoms. Pharmacological inhibition of proteasomes is detrimental to cell viability. Proteasome inhibitor rugs revolutionize the treatment of multiple myeloma. Proteasomes in pathogenic microbes such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), Plasmodium falciparum (Pf), and other parasites and worms have been validated as therapeutic targets. Starting with Mtb proteasome, efforts in developing inhibitors selective for microbial proteasomes have made great progress lately. In this review, we describe the strategies and pharmacophores that have been used in developing proteasome inhibitors with potency and selectivity that spare human proteasomes and highlight the development of clinical proteasome inhibitor candidates for treatment of leishmaniasis and Chagas disease. Finally, we discuss the future challenges and therapeutical potentials of the microbial proteasome inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Zhang
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Gang Lin
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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36
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Olías-Molero AI, de la Fuente C, Cuquerella M, Torrado JJ, Alunda JM. Antileishmanial Drug Discovery and Development: Time to Reset the Model? Microorganisms 2021; 9:2500. [PMID: 34946102 PMCID: PMC8703564 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9122500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Revised: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a vector-borne parasitic disease caused by Leishmania species. The disease affects humans and animals, particularly dogs, provoking cutaneous, mucocutaneous, or visceral processes depending on the Leishmania sp. and the host immune response. No vaccine for humans is available, and the control relies mainly on chemotherapy. However, currently used drugs are old, some are toxic, and the safer presentations are largely unaffordable by the most severely affected human populations. Moreover, its efficacy has shortcomings, and it has been challenged by the growing reports of resistance and therapeutic failure. This manuscript presents an overview of the currently used drugs, the prevailing model to develop new antileishmanial drugs and its low efficiency, and the impact of deconstruction of the drug pipeline on the high failure rate of potential drugs. To improve the predictive value of preclinical research in the chemotherapy of leishmaniasis, several proposals are presented to circumvent critical hurdles-namely, lack of common goals of collaborative research, particularly in public-private partnership; fragmented efforts; use of inadequate surrogate models, especially for in vivo trials; shortcomings of target product profile (TPP) guides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Isabel Olías-Molero
- Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (A.I.O.-M.); (C.d.l.F.); (M.C.)
| | - Concepción de la Fuente
- Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (A.I.O.-M.); (C.d.l.F.); (M.C.)
| | - Montserrat Cuquerella
- Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (A.I.O.-M.); (C.d.l.F.); (M.C.)
| | - Juan J. Torrado
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Food Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain;
| | - José M. Alunda
- Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (A.I.O.-M.); (C.d.l.F.); (M.C.)
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37
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Mowbray CE, Braillard S, Glossop PA, Whitlock GA, Jacobs RT, Speake J, Pandi B, Nare B, Maes L, Yardley V, Freund Y, Wall RJ, Carvalho S, Bello D, Van den Kerkhof M, Caljon G, Gilbert IH, Corpas-Lopez V, Lukac I, Patterson S, Zuccotto F, Wyllie S. DNDI-6148: A Novel Benzoxaborole Preclinical Candidate for the Treatment of Visceral Leishmaniasis. J Med Chem 2021; 64:16159-16176. [PMID: 34711050 PMCID: PMC8591608 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c01437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a parasitic disease endemic across multiple regions of the world and is fatal if untreated. Current therapies are unsuitable, and there is an urgent need for safe, short-course, and low-cost oral treatments to combat this neglected disease. The benzoxaborole chemotype has previously delivered clinical candidates for the treatment of other parasitic diseases. Here, we describe the development and optimization of this series, leading to the identification of compounds with potent in vitro and in vivo antileishmanial activity. The lead compound (DNDI-6148) combines impressive in vivo efficacy (>98% reduction in parasite burden) with pharmaceutical properties suitable for onward development and an acceptable safety profile. Detailed mode of action studies confirm that DNDI-6148 acts principally through the inhibition of Leishmania cleavage and polyadenylation specificity factor (CPSF3) endonuclease. As a result of these studies and its promising profile, DNDI-6148 has been declared a preclinical candidate for the treatment of VL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles E. Mowbray
- Drugs
for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi), 15 Chemin Louis-Dunant, 1202 Geneva, Switzerland,
| | - Stéphanie Braillard
- Drugs
for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi), 15 Chemin Louis-Dunant, 1202 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Paul A. Glossop
- Sandexis
Medicinal Chemistry Ltd, Innovation House, Discovery Park, Ramsgate Road, Sandwich, Kent CT13 9ND, U.K.
| | - Gavin A. Whitlock
- Sandexis
Medicinal Chemistry Ltd, Innovation House, Discovery Park, Ramsgate Road, Sandwich, Kent CT13 9ND, U.K.
| | - Robert T. Jacobs
- Scynexis, 3501 C Tricenter Boulevard, Durham, North Carolina 27713, United States
| | - Jason Speake
- Scynexis, 3501 C Tricenter Boulevard, Durham, North Carolina 27713, United States
| | - Bharathi Pandi
- Scynexis, 3501 C Tricenter Boulevard, Durham, North Carolina 27713, United States
| | - Bakela Nare
- Scynexis, 3501 C Tricenter Boulevard, Durham, North Carolina 27713, United States
| | - Louis Maes
- Laboratory
for Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH), University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Vanessa Yardley
- Faculty
of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London
School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, U.K.
| | - Yvonne Freund
- Anacor Pharmaceuticals, 1020 East Meadow Circle, Palo Alto, California 94303, United States
| | - Richard J. Wall
- Division
of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, Wellcome Centre for Anti-infectives
Research, School of Life Sciences, University
of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee DD1
5EH, U.K.
| | - Sandra Carvalho
- Division
of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, Wellcome Centre for Anti-infectives
Research, School of Life Sciences, University
of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee DD1
5EH, U.K.
| | - Davide Bello
- Division
of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, Wellcome Centre for Anti-infectives
Research, School of Life Sciences, University
of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee DD1
5EH, U.K.
| | - Magali Van den Kerkhof
- Laboratory
for Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH), University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Guy Caljon
- Laboratory
for Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH), University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Ian H. Gilbert
- Division
of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, Wellcome Centre for Anti-infectives
Research, School of Life Sciences, University
of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee DD1
5EH, U.K.
| | - Victoriano Corpas-Lopez
- Division
of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, Wellcome Centre for Anti-infectives
Research, School of Life Sciences, University
of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee DD1
5EH, U.K.
| | - Iva Lukac
- Division
of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, Wellcome Centre for Anti-infectives
Research, School of Life Sciences, University
of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee DD1
5EH, U.K.
| | - Stephen Patterson
- Division
of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, Wellcome Centre for Anti-infectives
Research, School of Life Sciences, University
of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee DD1
5EH, U.K.
| | - Fabio Zuccotto
- Division
of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, Wellcome Centre for Anti-infectives
Research, School of Life Sciences, University
of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee DD1
5EH, U.K.
| | - Susan Wyllie
- Division
of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, Wellcome Centre for Anti-infectives
Research, School of Life Sciences, University
of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee DD1
5EH, U.K.,
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38
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Fernandes VDS, da Rosa R, Zimmermann LA, Rogério KR, Kümmerle AE, Bernardes LSC, Graebin CS. Antiprotozoal agents: How have they changed over a decade? Arch Pharm (Weinheim) 2021; 355:e2100338. [PMID: 34661935 DOI: 10.1002/ardp.202100338] [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] [Received: 09/06/2021] [Revised: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Neglected tropical diseases are a diverse group of communicable diseases that are endemic in low- or low-to-middle-income countries located in tropical and subtropical zones. The number and availability of drugs for treating these diseases are low, the administration route is inconvenient in some cases, and most of them have safety, efficacy, or adverse/toxic reaction issues. The need for developing new drugs to deal with these issues is clear, but one of the most drastic consequences of this negligence is the lack of interest in the research and development of new therapeutic options among major pharmaceutical companies. Positive changes have been achieved over the last few years, although the overall situation remains alarming. After more than one decade since the original work reviewing antiprotozoal agents came to light, now it is time to question ourselves: How has the scenario for the treatment of protozoal diseases such as malaria, leishmaniasis, human African trypanosomiasis, and American trypanosomiasis changed? This review covers the last decade in terms of the drugs currently available for the treatment of these diseases as well as the clinical candidates being currently investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vitória de Souza Fernandes
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry Laboratory, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Rafael da Rosa
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Diversity Laboratory, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Lara A Zimmermann
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Diversity Laboratory, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Kamilla R Rogério
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry Laboratory, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Arthur E Kümmerle
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry Laboratory, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Lilian S C Bernardes
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Diversity Laboratory, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Cedric S Graebin
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry Laboratory, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
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Identification of a proteasome-targeting arylsulfonamide with potential for the treatment of Chagas' disease. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2021; 66:e0153521. [PMID: 34606338 PMCID: PMC8765320 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01535-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Phenotypic screening identified an arylsulfonamide compound with activity against Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas’ disease. Comprehensive mode of action studies revealed that this compound primarily targets the T. cruzi proteasome, binding at the interface between β4 and β5 subunits that catalyze chymotrypsin-like activity. A mutation in the β5 subunit of the proteasome was associated with resistance to compound 1, while overexpression of this mutated subunit also reduced susceptibility to compound 1. Further genetically engineered and in vitro-selected clones resistant to proteasome inhibitors known to bind at the β4/β5 interface were cross-resistant to compound 1. Ubiquitinated proteins were additionally found to accumulate in compound 1-treated epimastigotes. Finally, thermal proteome profiling identified malic enzyme as a secondary target of compound 1, although malic enzyme inhibition was not found to drive potency. These studies identify a novel pharmacophore capable of inhibiting the T. cruzi proteasome that may be exploitable for anti-chagasic drug discovery.
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40
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Astakhov AV, Tarasova EV, Chernysheva AV, Rybakov VB, Starikova ZA, Chernyshev VM. Tautomerism and basicity of carboxylic acid guanyl hydrazides (acylaminoguanidines). Russ Chem Bull 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s11172-021-3246-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Santana W, de Oliveira SSC, Ramos MH, Santos ALS, Dolabella SS, Souto EB, Severino P, Jain S. Exploring Innovative Leishmaniasis Treatment: Drug Targets from Pre-Clinical to Clinical Findings. Chem Biodivers 2021; 18:e2100336. [PMID: 34369662 DOI: 10.1002/cbdv.202100336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a group of tropical diseases caused by parasitic protozoa belonging to the genus Leishmania. The disease is categorized in cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), mucocutaneous leishmaniasis (MCL), and visceral leishmaniasis (VL). The conventional treatment is complex and can present high toxicity and therapeutic failures. Thus, there is a continuing need to develop new treatments. In this review, we focus on the novel molecules described in the literature with potential leishmanicidal activity, categorizing them in pre-clinical (in vitro, in vivo), drug repurposing and clinical research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanessa Santana
- Post-Graduation Program in Industrial Biotechnology, University of Tiradentes, Aracaju, Sergipe, Brazil
| | - Simone S C de Oliveira
- Institute of Microbiology Paulo de Góes, Department of General Microbiology, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Mariana H Ramos
- Post-Graduation Program in Industrial Biotechnology, University of Tiradentes, Aracaju, Sergipe, Brazil
| | - André L S Santos
- Institute of Microbiology Paulo de Góes, Department of General Microbiology, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Silvio S Dolabella
- Laboratory of Entomology and Tropical Parasitology, Department of Morphology, Federal University of Sergipe, São Cristóvão, Sergipe, Brazil
| | - Eliana B Souto
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Pólo das Ciências da Saúde, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, Coimbra, Portugal.,CEB - Center of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal
| | - Patrícia Severino
- Post-Graduation Program in Industrial Biotechnology, University of Tiradentes, Aracaju, Sergipe, Brazil.,Institute of Technology and Research (ITP), University of Tiradentes, Aracaju, Sergipe, Brazil
| | - Sona Jain
- Post-Graduation Program in Industrial Biotechnology, University of Tiradentes, Aracaju, Sergipe, Brazil
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Pseudopeptides with aldehyde or vinylsulfone warheads: Synthesis and antiproteasomal activity. Bioorg Chem 2021; 115:105228. [PMID: 34371374 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2021.105228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Revised: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The comparative study of new proteasome inhibitors based on salicylic acid-modified pseudo-tripeptides terminated with aldehyde or vinylsulfone is presented. We described the synthesis of 11 pairs of pseudopeptides and their properties related to the proteasome inhibition were determined. The effects of integrated amino acids (combinations of leucine, phenylalanine, tryptophan, proline, cyclohexylalanine or norleucine residues) on the activity of the proteasome were investigated. Compounds preferentially inhibited the chymotrypsin β5-subunit of the proteasome in cell-based assays compared with the β1- and β2-subunits, with IC50 values in mid-nanomolar ranges being obtained for the most active members. Our comparative study demonstrated that aldehydes were able to inhibit the proteasome in cells more effectively than vinylsulfones. These results were corroborated by the accumulation of polyubiquitinated proteins in treated cells, GFP accumulation in a reporter cell line and the ability of new compounds to induce apoptotic cell death.
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Kourbeli V, Chontzopoulou E, Moschovou K, Pavlos D, Mavromoustakos T, Papanastasiou IP. An Overview on Target-Based Drug Design against Kinetoplastid Protozoan Infections: Human African Trypanosomiasis, Chagas Disease and Leishmaniases. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26154629. [PMID: 34361781 PMCID: PMC8348971 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26154629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Revised: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The protozoan diseases Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT), Chagas disease (CD), and leishmaniases span worldwide and therefore their impact is a universal concern. The present regimen against kinetoplastid protozoan infections is poor and insufficient. Target-based design expands the horizon of drug design and development and offers novel chemical entities and potential drug candidates to the therapeutic arsenal against the aforementioned neglected diseases. In this review, we report the most promising targets of the main kinetoplastid parasites, as well as their corresponding inhibitors. This overview is part of the Special Issue, entitled "Advances of Medicinal Chemistry against Kinetoplastid Protozoa (Trypanosoma brucei, Trypanosoma cruzi and Leishmania spp.) Infections: Drug Design, Synthesis and Pharmacology".
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Affiliation(s)
- Violeta Kourbeli
- Department of Pharmacy, Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Health Sciences, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimioupoli-Zografou, 157 84 Athens, Greece;
| | - Eleni Chontzopoulou
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimioupoli-Zografou, 157 71 Athens, Greece; (E.C.); (K.M.); (D.P.); (T.M.)
| | - Kalliopi Moschovou
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimioupoli-Zografou, 157 71 Athens, Greece; (E.C.); (K.M.); (D.P.); (T.M.)
| | - Dimitrios Pavlos
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimioupoli-Zografou, 157 71 Athens, Greece; (E.C.); (K.M.); (D.P.); (T.M.)
| | - Thomas Mavromoustakos
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimioupoli-Zografou, 157 71 Athens, Greece; (E.C.); (K.M.); (D.P.); (T.M.)
| | - Ioannis P. Papanastasiou
- Department of Pharmacy, Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Health Sciences, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimioupoli-Zografou, 157 84 Athens, Greece;
- Correspondence:
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Lee H, Baek KH, Phan TN, Park IS, Lee S, Kim J, No JH. Discovery of Leishmania donovani topoisomerase IB selective inhibitors by targeting protein-protein interactions between the large and small subunits. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2021; 569:193-198. [PMID: 34256188 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2021.07.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a fatal infectious disease caused by viscerotropic parasitic species of Leishmania. Current treatment options are often ineffective and toxic, and more importantly, there are no clinically validated drug targets available to develop next generation therapeutics against VL. Topoisomerase IB (TopIB) is an essential enzyme for Leishmania survival. The enzyme is organized as a bi-subunit that is distinct from the monomeric topoisomerase I of human. Based on this unique feature, we synthesized peptides composed of partial amino acid sequences of small subunit of Leishmania donovani (Ld) TopIB to confirm a decrease in catalytic activity by interfering the interaction between the two subunits. One of the synthetic peptides, covering essential amino acids for catalytic activity of LdTopIB, interrupted the enzymatic activity. Next, we examined 151 compounds selected from virtual screening in a functional assay and identified three LRL-TP compounds with a significant decrease in LdTopIB activity (IC50 of LRL-TP-85: 1.3 μM; LRL-TP-94: 2.9 μM; and LRL-TP-101: 35.3 μM) and no effects on Homo sapiens (Hs) TopIB activity. Based on molecular docking, the protonated tertiary amine of inhibitors formed key interactions with S415 of the large subunit. The EC50 values of LRL-TP-85, LRL-TP-94, and LRL-TP-101 were respectively 4.9, 1.4, and 27.8 μM in extracellular promastigote assay and 34.0, 53.7, and 11.4 μM in intracellular amastigote assay. Overall, we validated the protein-protein interaction site of LdTopIB as a potential drug target and identified small molecule inhibitors with anti-leishmanial activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyeryon Lee
- Host-Parasite Research Laboratory, Discovery Biology, Institut Pasteur Korea, 16, Daewangpangyo-ro, 712 beon-gil, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, 13488, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyung-Hwa Baek
- Host-Parasite Research Laboratory, Discovery Biology, Institut Pasteur Korea, 16, Daewangpangyo-ro, 712 beon-gil, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, 13488, Republic of Korea
| | - Trong-Nhat Phan
- Host-Parasite Research Laboratory, Discovery Biology, Institut Pasteur Korea, 16, Daewangpangyo-ro, 712 beon-gil, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, 13488, Republic of Korea
| | - I Seul Park
- Screening Discovery Platform, Institut Pasteur Korea, 16, Daewangpangyo-ro, 712 beon-gil, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, 13488, Republic of Korea
| | - Sangchul Lee
- Cheminformatics, Institut Pasteur Korea, 16, Daewangpangyo-ro, 712 beon-gil, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, 13488, Republic of Korea
| | - Jiho Kim
- Screening Discovery Platform, Institut Pasteur Korea, 16, Daewangpangyo-ro, 712 beon-gil, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, 13488, Republic of Korea
| | - Joo Hwan No
- Host-Parasite Research Laboratory, Discovery Biology, Institut Pasteur Korea, 16, Daewangpangyo-ro, 712 beon-gil, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, 13488, Republic of Korea.
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Influence of N-Methylation and Conformation on Almiramide Anti-Leishmanial Activity. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26123606. [PMID: 34204673 PMCID: PMC8231256 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26123606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2021] [Revised: 06/07/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The almiramide N-methylated lipopeptides exhibit promising activity against trypanosomatid parasites. A structure–activity relationship study has been performed to examine the influences of N-methylation and conformation on activity against various strains of leishmaniasis protozoan and on cytotoxicity. The synthesis and biological analysis of twenty-five analogs demonstrated that derivatives with a single methyl group on either the first or fifth residue amide nitrogen exhibited greater activity than the permethylated peptides and relatively high potency against resistant strains. Replacement of amino amide residues in the peptide, by turn inducing α amino γ lactam (Agl) and N-aminoimidazalone (Nai) counterparts, reduced typically anti-parasitic activity; however, peptide amides possessing Agl residues at the second residue retained significant potency in the unmethylated and permethylated series. Systematic study of the effects of methylation and turn geometry on anti-parasitic activity indicated the relevance of an extended conformer about the central residues, and conformational mobility by tertiary amide isomerization and turn geometry at the extremities of the active peptides.
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Thomas M, Brand S, De Rycker M, Zuccotto F, Lukac I, Dodd PG, Ko EJ, Manthri S, McGonagle K, Osuna-Cabello M, Riley J, Pont C, Simeons F, Stojanovski L, Thomas J, Thompson S, Viayna E, Fiandor JM, Martin J, Wyatt PG, Miles TJ, Read KD, Marco M, Gilbert IH. Scaffold-Hopping Strategy on a Series of Proteasome Inhibitors Led to a Preclinical Candidate for the Treatment of Visceral Leishmaniasis. J Med Chem 2021; 64:5905-5930. [PMID: 33904304 PMCID: PMC8154566 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c00047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
![]()
There
is an urgent need for new treatments for visceral leishmaniasis
(VL), a parasitic infection which impacts heavily large areas of East
Africa, Asia, and South America. We previously reported on the discovery
of GSK3494245/DDD01305143 (1) as a preclinical candidate
for VL and, herein, we report on the medicinal chemistry program that
led to its identification. A hit from a phenotypic screen was optimized
to give a compound with in vivo efficacy, which was
hampered by poor solubility and genotoxicity. The work on the original
scaffold failed to lead to developable compounds, so an extensive
scaffold-hopping exercise involving medicinal chemistry design, in silico profiling, and subsequent synthesis was utilized,
leading to the preclinical candidate. The compound was shown to act
via proteasome inhibition, and we report on the modeling of different
scaffolds into a cryo-EM structure and the impact this has on our
understanding of the series’ structure–activity relationships.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Thomas
- Drug Discovery Unit, Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, Division of Biological Chemistry, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, U.K
| | - Stephen Brand
- Drug Discovery Unit, Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, Division of Biological Chemistry, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, U.K
| | - Manu De Rycker
- Drug Discovery Unit, Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, Division of Biological Chemistry, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, U.K
| | - Fabio Zuccotto
- Drug Discovery Unit, Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, Division of Biological Chemistry, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, U.K
| | - Iva Lukac
- Drug Discovery Unit, Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, Division of Biological Chemistry, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, U.K
| | - Peter G Dodd
- Drug Discovery Unit, Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, Division of Biological Chemistry, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, U.K
| | - Eun-Jung Ko
- Drug Discovery Unit, Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, Division of Biological Chemistry, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, U.K
| | - Sujatha Manthri
- Drug Discovery Unit, Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, Division of Biological Chemistry, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, U.K
| | - Kate McGonagle
- Drug Discovery Unit, Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, Division of Biological Chemistry, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, U.K
| | - Maria Osuna-Cabello
- Drug Discovery Unit, Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, Division of Biological Chemistry, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, U.K
| | - Jennifer Riley
- Drug Discovery Unit, Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, Division of Biological Chemistry, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, U.K
| | - Caterina Pont
- Drug Discovery Unit, Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, Division of Biological Chemistry, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, U.K
| | - Frederick Simeons
- Drug Discovery Unit, Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, Division of Biological Chemistry, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, U.K
| | - Laste Stojanovski
- Drug Discovery Unit, Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, Division of Biological Chemistry, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, U.K
| | - John Thomas
- Drug Discovery Unit, Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, Division of Biological Chemistry, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, U.K
| | - Stephen Thompson
- Drug Discovery Unit, Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, Division of Biological Chemistry, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, U.K
| | - Elisabet Viayna
- Drug Discovery Unit, Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, Division of Biological Chemistry, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, U.K
| | - Jose M Fiandor
- Global Health R&D, GlaxoSmithKline, Tres Cantos 28760, Spain
| | - Julio Martin
- Global Health R&D, GlaxoSmithKline, Tres Cantos 28760, Spain
| | - Paul G Wyatt
- Drug Discovery Unit, Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, Division of Biological Chemistry, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, U.K
| | - Timothy J Miles
- Global Health R&D, GlaxoSmithKline, Tres Cantos 28760, Spain
| | - Kevin D Read
- Drug Discovery Unit, Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, Division of Biological Chemistry, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, U.K
| | - Maria Marco
- Global Health R&D, GlaxoSmithKline, Tres Cantos 28760, Spain
| | - Ian H Gilbert
- Drug Discovery Unit, Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, Division of Biological Chemistry, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, U.K
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Barbolla I, Hernández-Suárez L, Quevedo-Tumailli V, Nocedo-Mena D, Arrasate S, Dea-Ayuela MA, González-Díaz H, Sotomayor N, Lete E. Palladium-mediated synthesis and biological evaluation of C-10b substituted Dihydropyrrolo[1,2-b]isoquinolines as antileishmanial agents. Eur J Med Chem 2021; 220:113458. [PMID: 33901901 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2021.113458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Revised: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The development of new molecules for the treatment of leishmaniasis is, a neglected parasitic disease, is urgent as current anti-leishmanial therapeutics are hampered by drug toxicity and resistance. The pyrrolo[1,2-b]isoquinoline core was selected as starting point, and palladium-catalyzed Heck-initiated cascade reactions were developed for the synthesis of a series of C-10 substituted derivatives. Their in vitro leishmanicidal activity against visceral (L. donovani) and cutaneous (L. amazonensis) leishmaniasis was evaluated. The best activity was found, in general, for the 10-arylmethyl substituted pyrroloisoquinolines. In particular, 2ad (IC50 = 3.30 μM, SI > 77.01) and 2bb (IC50 = 3.93 μM, SI > 58.77) were approximately 10-fold more potent and selective than the drug of reference (miltefosine), against L. amazonensis on in vitro promastigote assays, while 2ae was the more active compound in the in vitro amastigote assays (IC50 = 33.59 μM, SI > 8.93). Notably, almost all compounds showed low cytotoxicity, CC50 > 100 μg/mL in J774 cells, highest tested dose. In addition, we have developed the first Perturbation Theory Machine Learning (PTML) algorithm able to predict simultaneously multiple biological activity parameters (IC50, Ki, etc.) vs. any Leishmania species and target protein, with high values of specificity (>98%) and sensitivity (>90%) in both training and validation series. Therefore, this model may be useful to reduce time and assay costs (material and human resources) in the drug discovery process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iratxe Barbolla
- Departamento de Química Orgánica e Inorgánica, Facultad de Ciencia y Tecnología, Universidad Del País Vasco / Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea UPV/EHU, Apdo. 644, 48080, Bilbao, Spain
| | - Leidi Hernández-Suárez
- Departamento de Química Orgánica e Inorgánica, Facultad de Ciencia y Tecnología, Universidad Del País Vasco / Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea UPV/EHU, Apdo. 644, 48080, Bilbao, Spain
| | - Viviana Quevedo-Tumailli
- Departamento de Química Orgánica e Inorgánica, Facultad de Ciencia y Tecnología, Universidad Del País Vasco / Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea UPV/EHU, Apdo. 644, 48080, Bilbao, Spain; RNASA-IMEDIR, Computer Science Faculty, University of A Coruña, 15071, A Coruña, Spain; Universidad Estatal Amazónica UEA, Puyo, 160150, Pastaza, Ecuador
| | - Deyani Nocedo-Mena
- Departamento de Química Orgánica e Inorgánica, Facultad de Ciencia y Tecnología, Universidad Del País Vasco / Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea UPV/EHU, Apdo. 644, 48080, Bilbao, Spain
| | - Sonia Arrasate
- Departamento de Química Orgánica e Inorgánica, Facultad de Ciencia y Tecnología, Universidad Del País Vasco / Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea UPV/EHU, Apdo. 644, 48080, Bilbao, Spain
| | - María Auxiliadora Dea-Ayuela
- Departamento de Farmacia, Facultad de Ciencias de La Salud, Universidad CEU Cardenal Herrera, Edificio Seminario S/n, 46113, Moncada, Valencia, Spain
| | - Humberto González-Díaz
- Departamento de Química Orgánica e Inorgánica, Facultad de Ciencia y Tecnología, Universidad Del País Vasco / Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea UPV/EHU, Apdo. 644, 48080, Bilbao, Spain; Basque Center for Biophysics CSIC-UPV/EHU, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, 48940, Bilbao, Spain; IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, 48011, Bilbao, Spain.
| | - Nuria Sotomayor
- Departamento de Química Orgánica e Inorgánica, Facultad de Ciencia y Tecnología, Universidad Del País Vasco / Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea UPV/EHU, Apdo. 644, 48080, Bilbao, Spain.
| | - Esther Lete
- Departamento de Química Orgánica e Inorgánica, Facultad de Ciencia y Tecnología, Universidad Del País Vasco / Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea UPV/EHU, Apdo. 644, 48080, Bilbao, Spain.
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Bouton J, Ferreira de Almeida Fiuza L, Cardoso Santos C, Mazzarella MA, Soeiro MDNC, Maes L, Karalic I, Caljon G, Van Calenbergh S. Revisiting Pyrazolo[3,4- d]pyrimidine Nucleosides as Anti- Trypanosoma cruzi and Antileishmanial Agents. J Med Chem 2021; 64:4206-4238. [PMID: 33784107 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c00135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Chagas disease and visceral leishmaniasis are two neglected tropical diseases responsible for numerous deaths around the world. For both, current treatments are largely inadequate, resulting in a continued need for new drug discovery. As both kinetoplastid parasites are incapable of de novo purine synthesis, they depend on purine salvage pathways that allow them to acquire and process purines from the host to meet their demands. Purine nucleoside analogues therefore constitute a logical source of potential antiparasitic agents. Earlier optimization efforts of the natural product tubercidin (7-deazaadenosine) involving modifications to the nucleobase 7-position and the ribofuranose 3'-position led to analogues with potent anti-Trypanosoma brucei and anti-Trypanosoma cruzi activities. In this work, we report the design and synthesis of pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine nucleosides with 3'- and 7-modifications and assess their potential as anti-Trypanosoma cruzi and antileishmanial agents. One compound was selected for in vivo evaluation in an acute Chagas disease mouse model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakob Bouton
- Laboratory for Medicinal Chemistry (Campus Heymans), Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, B-9000 Gent, Belgium
| | - Ludmila Ferreira de Almeida Fiuza
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Avenida Brasil 4365, Manguinhos, 21040-360 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Camila Cardoso Santos
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Avenida Brasil 4365, Manguinhos, 21040-360 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Maria Angela Mazzarella
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Perugia, Via del Liceo 1, Perugia 06100, Italy
| | - Maria de Nazaré Correia Soeiro
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Avenida Brasil 4365, Manguinhos, 21040-360 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Louis Maes
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH), University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Izet Karalic
- Laboratory for Medicinal Chemistry (Campus Heymans), Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, B-9000 Gent, Belgium
| | - Guy Caljon
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH), University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Serge Van Calenbergh
- Laboratory for Medicinal Chemistry (Campus Heymans), Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, B-9000 Gent, Belgium
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Bijlmakers MJ. Ubiquitination and the Proteasome as Drug Targets in Trypanosomatid Diseases. Front Chem 2021; 8:630888. [PMID: 33732684 PMCID: PMC7958763 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2020.630888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2020] [Accepted: 12/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The eukaryotic pathogens Trypanosoma brucei, Trypanosoma cruzi and Leishmania are responsible for debilitating diseases that affect millions of people worldwide. The numbers of drugs available to treat these diseases, Human African Trypanosomiasis, Chagas' disease and Leishmaniasis are very limited and existing treatments have substantial shortcomings in delivery method, efficacy and safety. The identification and validation of novel drug targets opens up new opportunities for the discovery of therapeutic drugs with better efficacy and safety profiles. Here, the potential of targeting the ubiquitin-proteasome system in these parasites is reviewed. Ubiquitination is the posttranslational attachment of one or more ubiquitin proteins to substrates, an essential eukaryotic mechanism that regulates a wide variety of cellular processes in many different ways. The best studied of these is the delivery of ubiquitinated substrates for degradation to the proteasome, the major cellular protease. However, ubiquitination can also regulate substrates in proteasome-independent ways, and proteasomes can degrade proteins to some extent in ubiquitin-independent ways. Because of these widespread roles, both ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation are essential for the viability of eukaryotes and the proteins that mediate these processes are therefore attractive drug targets in trypanosomatids. Here, the current understanding of these processes in trypanosomatids is reviewed. Furthermore, significant recent progress in the development of trypanosomatid-selective proteasome inhibitors that cure mouse models of trypanosomatid infections is presented. In addition, the targeting of the key enzyme in ubiquitination, the ubiquitin E1 UBA1, is discussed as an alternative strategy. Important differences between human and trypanosomatid UBA1s in susceptibility to inhibitors predicts that the selective targeting of these enzymes in trypanosomatids may also be feasible. Finally, it is proposed that activating enzymes of the ubiquitin-like proteins SUMO and NEDD8 may represent drug targets in these trypanosomatids as well.
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J B, M BM, Chanda K. An Overview on the Therapeutics of Neglected Infectious Diseases-Leishmaniasis and Chagas Diseases. Front Chem 2021; 9:622286. [PMID: 33777895 PMCID: PMC7994601 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2021.622286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) as termed by WHO include twenty different infectious diseases that are caused by bacteria, viruses, and parasites. Among these NTDs, Chagas disease and leishmaniasis are reported to cause high mortality in humans and are further associated with the limitations of existing drugs like severe toxicity and drug resistance. The above hitches have rendered researchers to focus on developing alternatives and novel therapeutics for the treatment of these diseases. In the past decade, several target-based drugs have emerged, which focus on specific biochemical pathways of the causative parasites. For leishmaniasis, the targets such as nucleoside analogs, inhibitors targeting nucleoside phosphate kinases of the parasite’s purine salvage pathway, 20S proteasome of Leishmania, mitochondria, and the associated proteins are reviewed along with the chemical structures of potential drug candidates. Similarly, in case of therapeutics for Chagas disease, several target-based drug candidates targeting sterol biosynthetic pathway (C14-ademethylase), L-cysteine protease, heme peroxidation, mitochondria, farnesyl pyrophosphate, etc., which are vital and unique to the causative parasite are discussed. Moreover, the use of nano-based formulations towards the therapeutics of the above diseases is also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brindha J
- Division of Chemistry, School of Advanced Sciences, Vellore Institute of Technology, Chennai, India
| | - Balamurali M M
- Division of Chemistry, School of Advanced Sciences, Vellore Institute of Technology, Chennai, India
| | - Kaushik Chanda
- Department of Chemistry, School of Advanced Sciences, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, India
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