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Tripathi J, Stoklasa M, Nayak S, En Low K, Qian Hui Lee E, Duong Tien QH, Rénia L, Malleret B, Bozdech Z. The artemisinin-induced dormant stages of Plasmodium falciparum exhibit hallmarks of cellular quiescence/senescence and drug resilience. Nat Commun 2024; 15:7485. [PMID: 39209862 PMCID: PMC11362153 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-51846-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/20/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Recrudescent infections with the human malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, presented traditionally the major setback of artemisinin-based monotherapies. Although the introduction of artemisinin combination therapies (ACT) largely solved the problem, the ability of artemisinin to induce dormant parasites still poses an obstacle for current as well as future malaria chemotherapeutics. Here, we use a laboratory model for induction of dormant P. falciparum parasites and characterize their transcriptome, drug sensitivity profile, and cellular ultrastructure. We show that P. falciparum dormancy requires a ~ 5-day maturation process during which the genome-wide gene expression pattern gradually transitions from the ring-like state to a unique form. The transcriptome of the mature dormant stage carries hallmarks of both cellular quiescence and senescence, with downregulation of most cellular functions associated with growth and development and upregulation of selected metabolic functions and DNA repair. Moreover, the P. falciparum dormant stage is considerably more resistant to antimalaria drugs compared to the fast-growing asexual stages. Finally, the irregular cellular ultrastructure further suggests unique properties of this developmental stage of the P. falciparum life cycle that should be taken into consideration by malaria control strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaishree Tripathi
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore, 637551, Singapore.
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Immunology Translational Research Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore (NUS), Singapore, 117597, Singapore.
| | - Michal Stoklasa
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore, 637551, Singapore
| | - Sourav Nayak
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore, 637551, Singapore
| | - Kay En Low
- Electron Microscopy Unit, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore (NUS), Singapore, 117597, Singapore
| | - Erica Qian Hui Lee
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Immunology Translational Research Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore (NUS), Singapore, 117597, Singapore
| | - Quang Huy Duong Tien
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore, 637551, Singapore
| | - Laurent Rénia
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore, 637551, Singapore
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore, 636921, Singapore
- A*STAR Infectious Diseases Labs (A*STAR ID Labs), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, 138648, Singapore
| | - Benoit Malleret
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Immunology Translational Research Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore (NUS), Singapore, 117597, Singapore
- Electron Microscopy Unit, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore (NUS), Singapore, 117597, Singapore
| | - Zbynek Bozdech
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore, 637551, Singapore.
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2
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Godinez-Macias KP, Winzeler EA. CACTI: an in silico chemical analysis tool through the integration of chemogenomic data and clustering analysis. J Cheminform 2024; 16:84. [PMID: 39049122 PMCID: PMC11270953 DOI: 10.1186/s13321-024-00885-2] [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: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 07/14/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024] Open
Abstract
It is well-accepted that knowledge of a small molecule's target can accelerate optimization. Although chemogenomic databases are helpful resources for predicting or finding compound interaction partners, they tend to be limited and poorly annotated. Furthermore, unlike genes, compound identifiers are often not standardized, and many synonyms may exist, especially in the biological literature, making batch analysis of compounds difficult. Here, we constructed an open-source annotation and target hypothesis prediction tool that explores some of the largest chemical and biological databases, mining these for both common name, synonyms, and structurally similar molecules. We used this Chemical Analysis and Clustering for Target Identification (CACTI) tool to analyze the Pathogen Box collection, an open-source set of 400 drug-like compounds active against a variety of microbial pathogens. Our analysis resulted in 4,315 new synonyms, 35,963 pieces of new information and target prediction hints for 58 members.Scientific contributionsWith the employment of this tool, a comprehensive report with known evidence, close analogs and drug-target prediction can be obtained for large-scale chemical libraries that will facilitate their evaluation and future target validation and optimization efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karla P Godinez-Macias
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Elizabeth A Winzeler
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.
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3
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Lorca M, Muscia GC, Pérez-Benavente S, Bautista JM, Acosta A, González C, Sabadini G, Mella J, Asís SE, Mellado M. 2D/3D-QSAR Model Development Based on a Quinoline Pharmacophoric Core for the Inhibition of Plasmodium falciparum: An In Silico Approach with Experimental Validation. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2024; 17:889. [PMID: 39065740 PMCID: PMC11279914 DOI: 10.3390/ph17070889] [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: 05/19/2024] [Revised: 06/19/2024] [Accepted: 06/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Malaria is an infectious disease caused by Plasmodium spp. parasites, with widespread drug resistance to most antimalarial drugs. We report the development of two 3D-QSAR models based on comparative molecular field analysis (CoMFA), comparative molecular similarity index analysis (CoMSIA), and a 2D-QSAR model, using a database of 349 compounds with activity against the P. falciparum 3D7 strain. The models were validated internally and externally, complying with all metrics (q2 > 0.5, r2test > 0.6, r2m > 0.5, etc.). The final models have shown the following statistical values: r2test CoMFA = 0.878, r2test CoMSIA = 0.876, and r2test 2D-QSAR = 0.845. The models were experimentally tested through the synthesis and biological evaluation of ten quinoline derivatives against P. falciparum 3D7. The CoMSIA and 2D-QSAR models outperformed CoMFA in terms of better predictive capacity (MAE = 0.7006, 0.4849, and 1.2803, respectively). The physicochemical and pharmacokinetic properties of three selected quinoline derivatives were similar to chloroquine. Finally, the compounds showed low cytotoxicity (IC50 > 100 µM) on human HepG2 cells. These results suggest that the QSAR models accurately predict the toxicological profile, correlating well with experimental in vivo data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcos Lorca
- Instituto de Química y Bioquímica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Valparaíso, Av. Gran Bretaña 1111, Valparaíso 2360102, Chile; (M.L.); (G.S.)
| | - Gisela C. Muscia
- Departamento de Ciencias Químicas, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Junín 956, C1113AAB Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires 1113, Argentina;
| | - Susana Pérez-Benavente
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (S.P.-B.); (J.M.B.)
| | - José M. Bautista
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (S.P.-B.); (J.M.B.)
| | - Alison Acosta
- Universidad Andres Bello, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Departamento de Ciencias Químicas, Viña del Mar 2531015, Chile;
| | - Cesar González
- Departamento de Química, Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María, Av. España 1680, Valparaíso 2390123, Chile;
| | - Gianfranco Sabadini
- Instituto de Química y Bioquímica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Valparaíso, Av. Gran Bretaña 1111, Valparaíso 2360102, Chile; (M.L.); (G.S.)
| | - Jaime Mella
- Instituto de Química y Bioquímica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Valparaíso, Av. Gran Bretaña 1111, Valparaíso 2360102, Chile; (M.L.); (G.S.)
- Centro de Investigacion, Desarrollo e Innovacion de Productos Bioactivos (CInBIO), Universidad de Valparaiso, Av. Gran Bretaña 1111, Valparaíso 2360102, Chile
| | - Silvia E. Asís
- Departamento de Ciencias Químicas, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Junín 956, C1113AAB Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires 1113, Argentina;
| | - Marco Mellado
- Facultad de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Central de Chile, Santiago 8330507, Chile
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Anderson DC, Peterson MS, Lapp SA, Galinski MR. Proteomes of plasmodium knowlesi early and late ring-stage parasites and infected host erythrocytes. J Proteomics 2024; 302:105197. [PMID: 38759952 PMCID: PMC11357705 DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2024.105197] [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: 10/08/2022] [Revised: 05/05/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024]
Abstract
The emerging malaria parasite Plasmodium knowlesi threatens the goal of worldwide malaria elimination due to its zoonotic spread in Southeast Asia. After brief ex-vivo culture we used 2D LC/MS/MS to examine the early and late ring stages of infected Macaca mulatta red blood cells harboring P. knowlesi. The M. mulatta clathrin heavy chain and T-cell and macrophage inhibitor ERMAP were overexpressed in the early ring stage; glutaredoxin 3 was overexpressed in the late ring stage; GO term differential enrichments included response to oxidative stress and the cortical cytoskeleton in the early ring stage. P. knowlesi clathrin heavy chain and 60S acidic ribosomal protein P2 were overexpressed in the late ring stage; GO term differential enrichments included vacuoles in the early ring stage, ribosomes and translation in the late ring stage, and Golgi- and COPI-coated vesicles, proteasomes, nucleosomes, vacuoles, ion-, peptide-, protein-, nucleocytoplasmic- and RNA-transport, antioxidant activity and glycolysis in both stages. SIGNIFICANCE: Due to its zoonotic spread, cases of the emerging human pathogen Plasmodium knowlesi in southeast Asia, and particularly in Malaysia, threaten regional and worldwide goals for malaria elimination. Infection by this parasite can be fatal to humans, and can be associated with significant morbidity. Due to zoonotic transmission from large macaque reservoirs that are untreatable by drugs, and outdoor biting mosquito vectors that negate use of preventive measures such as bed nets, its containment remains a challenge. Its biology remains incompletely understood. Thus we examine the expressed proteome of the early and late ex-vivo cultured ring stages, the first intraerythrocyte developmental stages after infection of host rhesus macaque erythrocytes. We used GO term enrichment strategies and differential protein expression to compare early and late ring stages. The early ring stage is characterized by the enrichment of P. knowlesi vacuoles, and overexpression of the M. mulatta clathrin heavy chain, important for clathrin-coated pits and vesicles, and clathrin-mediated endocytosis. The M. mulatta protein ERMAP was also overexpressed in the early ring stage, suggesting a potential role in early ring stage inhibition of T-cells and macrophages responding to P. knowlesi infection of reticulocytes. This could allow expansion of the host P. knowlesi cellular niche, allowing parasite adaptation to invasion of a wider age range of RBCs than the preferred young RBCs or reticulocytes, resulting in proliferation and increased pathogenesis in infected humans. Other GO terms differentially enriched in the early ring stage include the M. mulatta cortical cytoskeleton and response to oxidative stress. The late ring stage is characterized by overexpression of the P. knowlesi clathrin heavy chain. Combined with late ring stage GO term enrichment of Golgi-associated and coated vesicles, and enrichment of COPI-coated vesicles in both stages, this suggests the importance to P. knowlesi biology of clathrin-mediated endocytosis. P. knowlesi ribosomes and translation were also differentially enriched in the late ring stage. With expression of a variety of heat shock proteins, these results suggest production of folded parasite proteins is increasing by the late ring stage. M. mulatta endocytosis was differentially enriched in the late ring stage, as were clathrin-coated vesicles and endocytic vesicles. This suggests that M. mulatta clathrin-based endocytosis, perhaps in infected reticulocytes rather than mature RBC, may be an important process in the late ring stage. Additional ring stage biology from enriched GO terms includes M. mulatta proteasomes, protein folding and the chaperonin-containing T complex, actin and cortical actin cytoskeletons. P knowlesi biology also includes proteasomes, as well as nucleosomes, antioxidant activity, a variety of transport processes, glycolysis, vacuoles and protein folding. Mature RBCs have lost internal organelles, suggesting infection here may involve immature reticulocytes still retaining organelles. P. knowlesi parasite proteasomes and translational machinery may be ring stage drug targets for known selective inhibitors of these processes in other Plasmodium species. To our knowledge this is the first examination of more than one timepoint within the ring stage. Our results expand knowledge of both host and parasite proteins, pathways and organelles underlying P. knowlesi ring stage biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- D C Anderson
- Biosciences Division, SRI International, Harrisonburg, VA 22802, USA.
| | - Mariko S Peterson
- Emory Vaccine Center and Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Stacey A Lapp
- Emory Vaccine Center and Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Mary R Galinski
- Emory Vaccine Center and Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
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5
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Ding X, Aureli S, Vaithia A, Lavriha P, Schuster D, Khanppnavar B, Li X, Blum TB, Picotti P, Gervasio FL, Korkhov VM. Structural basis of connexin-36 gap junction channel inhibition. Cell Discov 2024; 10:68. [PMID: 38890333 PMCID: PMC11189382 DOI: 10.1038/s41421-024-00691-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Xinyue Ding
- Laboratory of Biomolecular Research, Paul Scherrer Institute, Villigen, Switzerland
| | - Simone Aureli
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- ISPSO, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, University of Geneve, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Anand Vaithia
- Laboratory of Biomolecular Research, Paul Scherrer Institute, Villigen, Switzerland
| | - Pia Lavriha
- Laboratory of Biomolecular Research, Paul Scherrer Institute, Villigen, Switzerland
| | - Dina Schuster
- Laboratory of Biomolecular Research, Paul Scherrer Institute, Villigen, Switzerland
- Institute of Molecular Systems Biology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biophysics, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Basavraj Khanppnavar
- Laboratory of Biomolecular Research, Paul Scherrer Institute, Villigen, Switzerland
| | - Xiaodan Li
- Laboratory of Biomolecular Research, Paul Scherrer Institute, Villigen, Switzerland
| | - Thorsten B Blum
- Laboratory of Biomolecular Research, Paul Scherrer Institute, Villigen, Switzerland
| | - Paola Picotti
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biophysics, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Francesco L Gervasio
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.
- ISPSO, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.
- Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, University of Geneve, Geneva, Switzerland.
- Department of Chemistry, University College London, London, UK.
| | - Volodymyr M Korkhov
- Laboratory of Biomolecular Research, Paul Scherrer Institute, Villigen, Switzerland.
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biophysics, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
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6
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Dong J, Zhang J, Xiang G, Yang L. Combining Mefloquine with an Mcl-1 Inhibitor as a Novel Therapeutic Strategy for the Treatment of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma. Nutr Cancer 2024; 76:736-744. [PMID: 38795070 DOI: 10.1080/01635581.2024.2358561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2024] [Revised: 05/15/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/27/2024]
Abstract
Considering the established pharmacokinetics and toxicity profiles, drug repurposing has emerged as an alternative therapeutic approach for treating cancer. Mefloquine has previously demonstrated inhibitory effects on multiple cancer types. This study aims to explore the impact of mefloquine on nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). We found that mefloquine, at pharmacologically achievable concentrations, displayed anti-NPC activity while sparing normal counterparts. Mefloquine inhibits proliferation and induces death by reducing the levels of Cyclin A2, Bcl-2, and Bcl-xL. Intriguingly, we observed an increase in the levels of the anti-apoptotic protein Mcl-1. Mefloquine exerts its effects on NPC cells by inducing lysosomal-mediated ROS production, and the heightened expression of Mcl-1 is a consequence of ROS generation in mefloquine-treated NPC cells. The combination of an Mcl-1 inhibitor with mefloquine synergistically inhibits NPC growth in mice without causing substantial toxicity. These findings demonstrate the effectiveness and limited toxicity of mefloquine as a monotherapy and in combination with an Mcl-1 inhibitor. Our research underscores the promise of the mefloquine and Mcl-1 inhibitor combination as a potential treatment for NPC. Additionally, the elevation of Mcl-1 is a compensatory response in cells exposed to oxidative stress, offering a potential target to overcome resistance induced by pro-oxidant therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaqi Dong
- Department of Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery, Xiangyang Central Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Hubei University of Arts and Science, Xiangyang, Hubei, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianbin Zhang
- Department of Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery, Xiangyang Central Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Hubei University of Arts and Science, Xiangyang, Hubei, People's Republic of China
| | - Gaojin Xiang
- Department of Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery, Xiangyang Central Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Hubei University of Arts and Science, Xiangyang, Hubei, People's Republic of China
| | - Ling Yang
- Department of Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery, Xiangyang Central Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Hubei University of Arts and Science, Xiangyang, Hubei, People's Republic of China
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7
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Springer E, Heimsch KC, Rahlfs S, Becker K, Przyborski JM. Real-time measurements of ATP dynamics via ATeams in Plasmodium falciparum reveal drug-class-specific response patterns. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2024; 68:e0169023. [PMID: 38501806 PMCID: PMC11064498 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01690-23] [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: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Malaria tropica, caused by the parasite Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum), remains one of the greatest public health burdens for humankind. Due to its pivotal role in parasite survival, the energy metabolism of P. falciparum is an interesting target for drug design. To this end, analysis of the central metabolite adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is of great interest. So far, only cell-disruptive or intensiometric ATP assays have been available in this system, with various drawbacks for mechanistic interpretation and partly inconsistent results. To address this, we have established fluorescent probes, based on Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) and known as ATeam, for use in blood-stage parasites. ATeams are capable of measuring MgATP2- levels in a ratiometric manner, thereby facilitating in cellulo measurements of ATP dynamics in real-time using fluorescence microscopy and plate reader detection and overcoming many of the obstacles of established ATP analysis methods. Additionally, we established a superfolder variant of the ratiometric pH sensor pHluorin (sfpHluorin) in P. falciparum to monitor pH homeostasis and control for pH fluctuations, which may affect ATeam measurements. We characterized recombinant ATeam and sfpHluorin protein in vitro and stably integrated the sensors into the genome of the P. falciparum NF54attB cell line. Using these new tools, we found distinct sensor response patterns caused by several different drug classes. Arylamino alcohols increased and redox cyclers decreased ATP; doxycycline caused first-cycle cytosol alkalization; and 4-aminoquinolines caused aberrant proteolysis. Our results open up a completely new perspective on drugs' mode of action, with possible implications for target identification and drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Springer
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Interdisciplinary Research Center, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Kim C. Heimsch
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Interdisciplinary Research Center, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Stefan Rahlfs
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Interdisciplinary Research Center, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Katja Becker
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Interdisciplinary Research Center, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Jude M. Przyborski
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Interdisciplinary Research Center, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
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Olanlokun JO, Abiodun OW, Adegbuyi AT, Koorbanally NA, Olorunsogo OO. Mefloquine-curcumin combinations improve host mitochondrial respiration and decrease mitotoxic effects of mefloquine in Plasmodium berghei-infected mice. CURRENT RESEARCH IN PHARMACOLOGY AND DRUG DISCOVERY 2024; 6:100180. [PMID: 38725654 PMCID: PMC11081784 DOI: 10.1016/j.crphar.2024.100180] [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: 11/22/2023] [Revised: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium infection is a health challenge. Although, antiplasmodial drugs kill the parasites, information on the effects of infection and drugs on the expression of some genes is limited. Malaria was induced in two different studies using NK65 (chloroquine-susceptible, study 1), and ANKA (chloroquine-resistant, study 2) strains of Plasmodium berghei in 30 male Swiss mice (n = 5) in each study. Mice orally received 10 mL/kg distilled water, (infected control), Mefloquine (MF) (10 mg/kg), MF and Curcumin (CM) (25 mg/kg), MF and CM (50 mg/kg), CM (25 mg/kg) and CM (50 mg/kg). Five mice (un-infected) were used as the control. After treatment, total Ribonucleic acid (RNA) was isolated from liver and erythrocytes while Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)-free RNA were converted to cDNA. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) amplification was performed and relative expressions of FIKK12, AQP3, P38 MAPK, NADH oxidoreductase, and cytochrome oxidase expressions were determined. Markers of glycolysis, toxicity and antioxidants were determined using ELISA assays. While the expression of FIKK12 was blunted by MF in the susceptible study, co-treatment with curcumin (25 mg/kg) yielded the same results in the chloroquine-resistant study. Similar results were obtained on AQP3 in both studies. Curcumin decreased P38 MAPK in both studies. Plasmodium infection decreased NADH oxidoreductase and cytochrome oxidase but mefloquine-curcumin restored the expression of these genes. While glycolysis and toxicity were inhibited, antioxidant systems improved in the treated groups. Curcumin is needed for effective therapeutic efficacy and prevention of toxicity. Plasmodium infection and treatment modulate the expressions of some genes in the host. Curcumin combination with mefloquine modulates the expression of some genes in the host.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Oludele Olanlokun
- Laboratories for Biomemebrane Research and Biotechnology, Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - Oshireku Wisdom Abiodun
- Laboratories for Biomemebrane Research and Biotechnology, Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | | | - Neil Anthony Koorbanally
- School of Chemistry and Physics, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X54001, Durban, 4000, South Africa
| | - Olufunso Olabode Olorunsogo
- Laboratories for Biomemebrane Research and Biotechnology, Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
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9
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Vishy CE, Thomas C, Vincent T, Crawford DK, Goddeeris MM, Freedman BS. Genetics of cystogenesis in base-edited human organoids reveal therapeutic strategies for polycystic kidney disease. Cell Stem Cell 2024; 31:537-553.e5. [PMID: 38579684 PMCID: PMC11325856 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2024.03.005] [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: 02/21/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024]
Abstract
In polycystic kidney disease (PKD), microscopic tubules expand into macroscopic cysts. Among the world's most common genetic disorders, PKD is inherited via heterozygous loss-of-function mutations but is theorized to require additional loss of function. To test this, we establish human pluripotent stem cells in allelic series representing four common nonsense mutations, using CRISPR base editing. When differentiated into kidney organoids, homozygous mutants spontaneously form cysts, whereas heterozygous mutants (original or base corrected) express no phenotype. Using these, we identify eukaryotic ribosomal selective glycosides (ERSGs) as PKD therapeutics enabling ribosomal readthrough of these same nonsense mutations. Two different ERSGs not only prevent cyst initiation but also limit growth of pre-formed cysts by partially restoring polycystin expression. Furthermore, glycosides accumulate in cyst epithelia in organoids and mice. Our findings define the human polycystin threshold as a surmountable drug target for pharmacological or gene therapy interventions, with relevance for understanding disease mechanisms and future clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Courtney E Vishy
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, and Kidney Research Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Chardai Thomas
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, and Kidney Research Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Thomas Vincent
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, and Kidney Research Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Daniel K Crawford
- Eloxx Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 950 Winter Street, Waltham, MA 02451, USA
| | | | - Benjamin S Freedman
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, and Kidney Research Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Plurexa, 1209 6th Ave. N., Seattle, WA 98109, USA.
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10
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Tao Q, Liu N, Wu J, Chen J, Chen X, Peng C. Mefloquine enhances the efficacy of anti-PD-1 immunotherapy via IFN-γ-STAT1-IRF1-LPCAT3-induced ferroptosis in tumors. J Immunother Cancer 2024; 12:e008554. [PMID: 38471712 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2023-008554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ferroptosis plays an important role in enhancing the efficacy of anti-programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) immunotherapy; however, the molecular mechanisms by which tumor ferroptosis sensitizes melanoma and lung cancer to anti-PD-1 immunotherapy have not been elucidated. METHODS Cytotoxicity assays, colony formation assays, flow cytometry and animal experiments were used to evaluate the effects of mefloquine (Mef) on survival and ferroptosis in melanoma and lung cancer. RNA sequencing, Real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR), western blotting, chromatin immunoprecipitation-qPCR and flow cytometry were used to determine the molecular mechanisms by which Mef regulates lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase 3 (LPCAT3). The relationship between LPCAT3 and the efficacy of anti-PD-1 immunotherapy was verified via a clinical database and single-cell RNA sequencing (ScRNA-Seq). RESULTS In this study, we discovered that Mef induces ferroptosis. Furthermore, treatment with Mef in combination with T-cell-derived interferon-γ (IFN-γ) enhanced tumor ferroptosis and sensitized melanoma and lung cancer cells to anti-PD-1 immunotherapy. Mechanistically, Mef upregulated the expression of LPCAT3, a key gene involved in lipid peroxidation, by activating IFN-γ-induced STAT1-IRF1 signaling, and knocking down LPCAT3 impaired the induction of ferroptosis by Mef+IFN-γ. Clinically, analysis of the transcriptome and single-cell sequencing results in patients with melanoma showed that LPCAT3 expression was significantly lower in patients with melanoma than in control individuals, and LPCAT3 expression was positively correlated with the efficacy of anti-PD-1 immunotherapy. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, our study demonstrated a novel mechanism by which LPCAT3 is regulated, and demonstrated that Mef is a highly promising new target that can be utilized to enhance the efficacy of anti-PD-1 immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Tao
- Department of Dermatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- National Engineering Research Center of Personalized Diagnostic and Therapeutic Technology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Furong Laboratory, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Skin Cancer and Psoriasis, Human Engineering Research Center of Skin Health and Disease, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Nian Liu
- Department of Dermatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- National Engineering Research Center of Personalized Diagnostic and Therapeutic Technology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Furong Laboratory, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Skin Cancer and Psoriasis, Human Engineering Research Center of Skin Health and Disease, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Jie Wu
- Department of Dermatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- National Engineering Research Center of Personalized Diagnostic and Therapeutic Technology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Furong Laboratory, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Skin Cancer and Psoriasis, Human Engineering Research Center of Skin Health and Disease, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Jing Chen
- Department of Dermatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- National Engineering Research Center of Personalized Diagnostic and Therapeutic Technology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Furong Laboratory, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Skin Cancer and Psoriasis, Human Engineering Research Center of Skin Health and Disease, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Xiang Chen
- Department of Dermatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- National Engineering Research Center of Personalized Diagnostic and Therapeutic Technology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Furong Laboratory, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Skin Cancer and Psoriasis, Human Engineering Research Center of Skin Health and Disease, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Cong Peng
- Department of Dermatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- National Engineering Research Center of Personalized Diagnostic and Therapeutic Technology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Furong Laboratory, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Skin Cancer and Psoriasis, Human Engineering Research Center of Skin Health and Disease, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
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11
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Xu R, Lin L, Jiao Z, Liang R, Guo Y, Zhang Y, Shang X, Wang Y, Wang X, Yao L, Liu S, Deng X, Yuan J, Su XZ, Li J. Deaggregation of mutant Plasmodium yoelii de-ubiquitinase UBP1 alters MDR1 localization to confer multidrug resistance. Nat Commun 2024; 15:1774. [PMID: 38413566 PMCID: PMC10899652 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46006-3] [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: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Mutations in a Plasmodium de-ubiquitinase UBP1 have been linked to antimalarial drug resistance. However, the UBP1-mediated drug-resistant mechanism remains unknown. Through drug selection, genetic mapping, allelic exchange, and functional characterization, here we show that simultaneous mutations of two amino acids (I1560N and P2874T) in the Plasmodium yoelii UBP1 can mediate high-level resistance to mefloquine, lumefantrine, and piperaquine. Mechanistically, the double mutations are shown to impair UBP1 cytoplasmic aggregation and de-ubiquitinating activity, leading to increased ubiquitination levels and altered protein localization, from the parasite digestive vacuole to the plasma membrane, of the P. yoelii multidrug resistance transporter 1 (MDR1). The MDR1 on the plasma membrane enhances the efflux of substrates/drugs out of the parasite cytoplasm to confer multidrug resistance, which can be reversed by inhibition of MDR1 transport. This study reveals a previously unknown drug-resistant mechanism mediated by UBP1 through altered MDR1 localization and substrate transport direction in a mouse model, providing a new malaria treatment strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruixue Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361102, China
| | - Lirong Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361102, China
| | - Zhiwei Jiao
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361102, China
| | - Rui Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361102, China
| | - Yazhen Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361102, China
| | - Yixin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361102, China
| | - Xiaoxu Shang
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361102, China
| | - Yuezhou Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361102, China
| | - Xu Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361102, China
| | - Luming Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361102, China
| | - Shengfa Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361102, China
| | - Xianming Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361102, China
| | - Jing Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361102, China.
| | - Xin-Zhuan Su
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, 20850, USA.
| | - Jian Li
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361102, China.
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12
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Platon L, Ménard D. Plasmodium falciparum ring-stage plasticity and drug resistance. Trends Parasitol 2024; 40:118-130. [PMID: 38104024 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2023.11.007] [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: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Malaria is a life-threatening tropical disease caused by parasites of the genus Plasmodium, of which Plasmodium falciparum is the most lethal. Malaria parasites have a complex life cycle, with stages occurring in both the Anopheles mosquito vector and human host. Ring stages are the youngest form of the parasite in the intraerythrocytic developmental cycle and are associated with evasion of spleen clearance, temporary growth arrest (TGA), and drug resistance. This formidable ability to survive and develop into mature, sexual, or growth-arrested forms demonstrates the inherent population heterogeneity. Here we highlight the role of the ring stage as a crossroads in parasite development and as a reservoir of surviving cells in the human host via TGA survival mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucien Platon
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Malaria Genetics and Resistance Unit, INSERM U1201, F-75015 Paris, France; Sorbonne Université, Collège Doctoral ED 515 Complexité du Vivant, F-75015 Paris, France; Université de Strasbourg, Institute of Parasitology and Tropical Diseases, UR7292 Dynamics of Host-Pathogen Interactions, F-67000 Strasbourg, France.
| | - Didier Ménard
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Malaria Genetics and Resistance Unit, INSERM U1201, F-75015 Paris, France; Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Malaria Parasite Biology and Vaccines Unit, F-75015 Paris, France; Université de Strasbourg, Institute of Parasitology and Tropical Diseases, UR7292 Dynamics of Host-Pathogen Interactions, F-67000 Strasbourg, France; CHU Strasbourg, Laboratory of Parasitology and Medical Mycology, F-67000 Strasbourg, France.
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13
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McLellan JL, Sausman W, Reers AB, Bunnik EM, Hanson KK. Single-cell quantitative bioimaging of P. berghei liver stage translation. mSphere 2023; 8:e0054423. [PMID: 37909773 PMCID: PMC10732057 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00544-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Plasmodium parasites cause malaria in humans. New multistage active antimalarial drugs are needed, and a promising class of drugs targets the core cellular process of translation, which has many potential molecular targets. During the obligate liver stage, Plasmodium parasites grow in metabolically active hepatocytes, making it challenging to study core cellular processes common to both host cells and parasites, as the signal from the host typically overwhelms that of the parasite. Here, we present and validate a flexible assay to quantify Plasmodium liver stage translation using a technique to fluorescently label the newly synthesized proteins of both host and parasite followed by computational separation of their respective nascent proteomes in confocal image sets. We use the assay to determine whether a test set of known compounds are direct or indirect liver stage translation inhibitors and show that the assay can also predict the mode of action for novel antimalarial compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- James L. McLellan
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology and South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - William Sausman
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology and South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Ashley B. Reers
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, Long School of Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Evelien M. Bunnik
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, Long School of Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Kirsten K. Hanson
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology and South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
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14
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Li R, Shen X, Li Z, Shen J, Tang H, Xu H, Shen J, Xu Y. Combination of AS101 and Mefloquine Inhibits Carbapenem-Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa in vitro and in vivo. Infect Drug Resist 2023; 16:7271-7288. [PMID: 38023412 PMCID: PMC10664714 DOI: 10.2147/idr.s427232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background In recent years, carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (CRPA) has spread around the world, leading to a high mortality and close attention of medical community. In this study, we aim to find a new strategy of treatment for CRPA infections. Methods Eight strains of CRPA were collected, and PCR detected the multi-locus sequence typing (MLST). The antimicrobial susceptibility test was conducted using the VITEK@2 compact system. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for AS101 and mefloquine was determined using the broth dilution method. Antibacterial activity was tested in vitro and in vivo through the chessboard assay, time killing assay, and a mouse model. The mechanism of AS101 combined with mefloquine against CRPA was assessed through the biofilm formation inhibition assay, electron microscopy, and detection of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Results The results demonstrated that all tested CRPA strains exhibited multidrug resistance. Moreover, our investigation revealed a substantial synergistic antibacterial effect of AS101-mefloquine in vitro. The assay for inhibiting biofilm formation indicated that AS101-mefloquine effectively suppressed the biofilm formation of CRPA-5 and CRPA-6. Furthermore, AS101-mefloquine were observed to disrupt the bacterial cell wall and enhance the permeability of the cell membrane. This effect was achieved by stimulating the production of ROS, which in turn hindered the growth of CRPA-3. To evaluate the therapeutic potential, a murine model of CRPA-3 peritoneal infection was established. Notably, AS101-mefloquine administration resulted in a significant reduction in bacterial load within the liver, kidney, and spleen of mice after 72 hours of treatment. Conclusion The present study showed that the combination of AS101 and mefloquine yielded a notable synergistic bacteriostatic effect both in vitro and in vivo, suggesting a potential clinical application of this combination in the treatment of CRPA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rongrong Li
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, People’s Republic of China
- Provincial Laboratories of Pathogen Biology and Zoonoses, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xuhang Shen
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhengyuan Li
- Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jilong Shen
- Provincial Laboratories of Pathogen Biology and Zoonoses, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, People’s Republic of China
| | - Hao Tang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, People’s Republic of China
| | - Huaming Xu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hefei, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jilu Shen
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, People’s Republic of China
- Anhui Public Health Clinical Center, Hefei, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yuanhong Xu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, People’s Republic of China
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15
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Bailey BL, Nguyen W, Cowman AF, Sleebs BE. Chemo-proteomics in antimalarial target identification and engagement. Med Res Rev 2023; 43:2303-2351. [PMID: 37232495 PMCID: PMC10947479 DOI: 10.1002/med.21975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Revised: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Humans have lived in tenuous battle with malaria over millennia. Today, while much of the world is free of the disease, areas of South America, Asia, and Africa still wage this war with substantial impacts on their social and economic development. The threat of widespread resistance to all currently available antimalarial therapies continues to raise concern. Therefore, it is imperative that novel antimalarial chemotypes be developed to populate the pipeline going forward. Phenotypic screening has been responsible for the majority of the new chemotypes emerging in the past few decades. However, this can result in limited information on the molecular target of these compounds which may serve as an unknown variable complicating their progression into clinical development. Target identification and validation is a process that incorporates techniques from a range of different disciplines. Chemical biology and more specifically chemo-proteomics have been heavily utilized for this purpose. This review provides an in-depth summary of the application of chemo-proteomics in antimalarial development. Here we focus particularly on the methodology, practicalities, merits, and limitations of designing these experiments. Together this provides learnings on the future use of chemo-proteomics in antimalarial development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brodie L. Bailey
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical ResearchMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
- Department of Medical BiologyThe University of MelbourneMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - William Nguyen
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical ResearchMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
- Department of Medical BiologyThe University of MelbourneMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - Alan F. Cowman
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical ResearchMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
- Department of Medical BiologyThe University of MelbourneMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - Brad E. Sleebs
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical ResearchMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
- Department of Medical BiologyThe University of MelbourneMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
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16
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Subramanian A, Wang L, Moss T, Voorhies M, Sangwan S, Stevenson E, Pulido EH, Kwok S, Chalkley RJ, Li KH, Krogan NJ, Swaney DL, Burlingame AL, Floor SN, Sil A, Walter P, Mukherjee S. A Legionella toxin exhibits tRNA mimicry and glycosyl transferase activity to target the translation machinery and trigger a ribotoxic stress response. Nat Cell Biol 2023; 25:1600-1615. [PMID: 37857833 PMCID: PMC11005034 DOI: 10.1038/s41556-023-01248-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
A widespread strategy employed by pathogens to establish infection is to inhibit host-cell protein synthesis. Legionella pneumophila, an intracellular bacterial pathogen and the causative organism of Legionnaires' disease, secretes a subset of protein effectors into host cells that inhibit translation elongation. Mechanistic insights into how the bacterium targets translation elongation remain poorly defined. We report here that the Legionella effector SidI functions in an unprecedented way as a transfer-RNA mimic that directly binds to and glycosylates the ribosome. The 3.1 Å cryo-electron microscopy structure of SidI reveals an N-terminal domain with an 'inverted L' shape and surface-charge distribution characteristic of tRNA mimicry, and a C-terminal domain that adopts a glycosyl transferase fold that licenses SidI to utilize GDP-mannose as a sugar precursor. This coupling of tRNA mimicry and enzymatic action endows SidI with the ability to block protein synthesis with a potency comparable to ricin, one of the most powerful toxins known. In Legionella-infected cells, the translational pausing activated by SidI elicits a stress response signature mimicking the ribotoxic stress response, which is activated by elongation inhibitors that induce ribosome collisions. SidI-mediated effects on the ribosome activate the stress kinases ZAKα and p38, which in turn drive an accumulation of the protein activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3). Intriguingly, ATF3 escapes the translation block imposed by SidI, translocates to the nucleus and orchestrates the transcription of stress-inducible genes that promote cell death, revealing a major role for ATF3 in the response to collided ribosome stress. Together, our findings elucidate a novel mechanism by which a pathogenic bacterium employs tRNA mimicry to hijack a ribosome-to-nuclear signalling pathway that regulates cell fate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Advait Subramanian
- G.W. Hooper Foundation, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Lan Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Tom Moss
- G.W. Hooper Foundation, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Mark Voorhies
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Smriti Sangwan
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Erica Stevenson
- Gladstone Institute of Data Science and Biotechnology, J. Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Quantitative Biosciences Institute, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Ernst H Pulido
- Gladstone Institute of Data Science and Biotechnology, J. Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Samentha Kwok
- Department of Cell and Tissue Biology, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Robert J Chalkley
- Mass Spectrometry Facility, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Kathy H Li
- Mass Spectrometry Facility, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Nevan J Krogan
- Gladstone Institute of Data Science and Biotechnology, J. Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Quantitative Biosciences Institute, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Danielle L Swaney
- Gladstone Institute of Data Science and Biotechnology, J. Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Quantitative Biosciences Institute, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Alma L Burlingame
- Mass Spectrometry Facility, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Stephen N Floor
- Department of Cell and Tissue Biology, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Anita Sil
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Peter Walter
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Bay Area Institute of Science, Altos Labs, Redwood City, CA, USA.
| | - Shaeri Mukherjee
- G.W. Hooper Foundation, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, CA, USA.
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17
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Mandal A, Kushwaha R, Mandal AA, Bajpai S, Yadav AK, Banerjee S. Transition Metal Complexes as Antimalarial Agents: A Review. ChemMedChem 2023; 18:e202300326. [PMID: 37436090 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202300326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023]
Abstract
In antimalarial drug development research, overcoming drug resistance has been a major challenge for researchers. Nowadays, several drugs like chloroquine, mefloquine, sulfadoxine, and artemisinin are used to treat malaria. But increment in drug resistance has pushed researchers to find novel drugs to tackle drug resistance problems. The idea of using transition metal complexes with pharmacophores as ligands/ligand pendants to show enhanced antimalarial activity with a novel mechanism of action has gained significant attention recently. The advantages of metal complexes include tunable chemical/physical properties, redox activity, avoiding resistance factors, etc. Several recent reports have successfully demonstrated that the metal complexation of known organic antimalarial drugs can overcome drug resistance by showing enhanced activities than the parent drugs. This review has discussed the fruitful research works done in the past few years falling into this criterion. Based on transition metal series (3d, 4d, or 5d), the antimalarial metal complexes have been divided into three broad categories (3d, 4d, or 5d metal-based), and their activities have been compared with the similar control complexes as well as the parent drugs. Furthermore, we have also commented on the potential issues and their possible solution for translating these metal-based antimalarial complexes into the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Apurba Mandal
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), 221005, Varanasi, India
| | - Rajesh Kushwaha
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), 221005, Varanasi, India
| | - Arif Ali Mandal
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), 221005, Varanasi, India
| | - Sumit Bajpai
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), 221005, Varanasi, India
| | - Ashish Kumar Yadav
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), 221005, Varanasi, India
| | - Samya Banerjee
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), 221005, Varanasi, India
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18
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Si K, He X, Chen L, Zhang A, Guo C, Li M. The structure of Plasmodium falciparum multidrug resistance protein 1 reveals an N-terminal regulatory domain. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2219905120. [PMID: 37527341 PMCID: PMC10410737 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2219905120] [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: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium falciparum multidrug resistance protein 1 (PfMDR1), an adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-binding cassette (ABC) transporter on the digestive vacuole (DV) membrane of the parasite, is associated with the resistance to antimalarial drugs. To understand the mechanisms of PfMDR1, we determined the cryo-electron microscopy structures of this transporter in different states. The transporter in the apo state shows an inward-facing conformation with a large cavity opening to the cytoplasm. Upon ATP binding and dimerization of the nucleotide-binding domains (NBDs), PfMDR1 displays an outward-facing conformation with a cavity toward the DV lumen. Drug resistance-associated mutations were investigated in both structures for their effects, and Y184F was identified as an allosteric activity-enhancing mutation. The amphiphilic substrate-binding site of PfMDR1 was revealed by the complex structure with the antimalarial drug mefloquine and confirmed by mutagenesis studies. Remarkably, a helical structure was found to hinder NBD dimerization and inhibit PfMDR1 activity. The location of this regulatory domain in the N terminus is different from the well-studied R domain in the internal linker region of other ABC transporter family members. The lack of the phosphorylation site of this domain also suggests a different regulation mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaixue Si
- Harbin Institute of Technology Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin150080, China
| | - Xishuo He
- Harbin Institute of Technology Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin150080, China
| | - Liping Chen
- Harbin Institute of Technology Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin150080, China
| | - Anqi Zhang
- Harbin Institute of Technology Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin150080, China
| | - Changyou Guo
- Harbin Institute of Technology Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin150080, China
| | - Minghui Li
- Harbin Institute of Technology Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin150080, China
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19
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Ma W, Balta VA, Pan W, Rimer JD, Sullivan DJ, Vekilov PG. Nonclassical mechanisms to irreversibly suppress β-hematin crystal growth. Commun Biol 2023; 6:783. [PMID: 37500754 PMCID: PMC10374632 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05046-z] [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: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Hematin crystallization is an essential element of heme detoxification of malaria parasites and its inhibition by antimalarial drugs is a common treatment avenue. We demonstrate at biomimetic conditions in vitro irreversible inhibition of hematin crystal growth due to distinct cooperative mechanisms that activate at high crystallization driving forces. The evolution of crystal shape after limited-time exposure to both artemisinin metabolites and quinoline-class antimalarials indicates that crystal growth remains suppressed after the artemisinin metabolites and the drugs are purged from the solution. Treating malaria parasites with the same agents reveals that three- and six-hour inhibitor pulses inhibit parasite growth with efficacy comparable to that of inhibitor exposure during the entire parasite lifetime. Time-resolved in situ atomic force microscopy (AFM), complemented by light scattering, reveals two molecular-level mechanisms of inhibitor action that prevent β-hematin growth recovery. Hematin adducts of artemisinins incite copious nucleation of nonextendable nanocrystals, which incorporate into larger growing crystals, whereas pyronaridine, a quinoline-class drug, promotes step bunches, which evolve to engender abundant dislocations. Both incorporated crystals and dislocations are known to induce lattice strain, which persists and permanently impedes crystal growth. Nucleation, step bunching, and other cooperative behaviors can be amplified or curtailed as means to control crystal sizes, size distributions, aspect ratios, and other properties essential for numerous fields that rely on crystalline materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenchuan Ma
- William A. Brookshire Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, TX, 77204, USA
| | - Victoria A Balta
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Malaria Research Institute, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Weichun Pan
- William A. Brookshire Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, TX, 77204, USA
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Zhejiang Gongshang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 314423, China
| | - Jeffrey D Rimer
- William A. Brookshire Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, TX, 77204, USA.
- Department of Chemistry, University of Houston, Houston, TX, 77204, USA.
| | - David J Sullivan
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Malaria Research Institute, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
| | - Peter G Vekilov
- William A. Brookshire Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, TX, 77204, USA.
- Department of Chemistry, University of Houston, Houston, TX, 77204, USA.
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20
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McLellan JL, Sausman W, Reers AB, Bunnik EM, Hanson KK. Single-cell quantitative bioimaging of P. berghei liver stage translation. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.07.05.547872. [PMID: 37461595 PMCID: PMC10350035 DOI: 10.1101/2023.07.05.547872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/24/2023]
Abstract
Plasmodium parasite resistance to existing antimalarial drugs poses a devastating threat to the lives of many who depend on their efficacy. New antimalarial drugs and novel drug targets are in critical need, along with novel assays to accelerate their identification. Given the essentiality of protein synthesis throughout the complex parasite lifecycle, translation inhibitors are a promising drug class, capable of targeting the disease-causing blood stage of infection, as well as the asymptomatic liver stage, a crucial target for prophylaxis. To identify compounds capable of inhibiting liver stage parasite translation, we developed an assay to visualize and quantify translation in the P. berghei-HepG2 infection model. After labeling infected monolayers with o-propargyl puromycin (OPP), a functionalized analog of puromycin permitting subsequent bioorthogonal addition of a fluorophore to each OPP-terminated nascent polypetide, we use automated confocal feedback microscopy followed by batch image segmentation and feature extraction to visualize and quantify the nascent proteome in individual P. berghei liver stage parasites and host cells simultaneously. After validation, we demonstrate specific, concentration-dependent liver stage translation inhibition by both parasite-selective and pan-eukaryotic active compounds, and further show that acute pre-treatment and competition modes of the OPP assay can distinguish between direct and indirect translation inhibitors. We identify a Malaria Box compound, MMV019266, as a direct translation inhibitor in P. berghei liver stages and confirm this potential mode of action in P. falciparum asexual blood stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- James L McLellan
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology and South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - William Sausman
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology and South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Ashley B Reers
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, Long School of Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Evelien M Bunnik
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, Long School of Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Kirsten K Hanson
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology and South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
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21
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Majumdar S, Emmerich A, Krakovka S, Mandava CS, Svärd SG, Sanyal S. Insights into translocation mechanism and ribosome evolution from cryo-EM structures of translocation intermediates of Giardia intestinalis. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:3436-3451. [PMID: 36912103 PMCID: PMC10123126 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Revised: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Giardia intestinalis is a protozoan parasite that causes diarrhea in humans. Using single-particle cryo-electron microscopy, we have determined high-resolution structures of six naturally populated translocation intermediates, from ribosomes isolated directly from actively growing Giardia cells. The highly compact and uniquely GC-rich Giardia ribosomes possess eukaryotic rRNAs and ribosomal proteins, but retain some bacterial features. The translocation intermediates, with naturally bound tRNAs and eukaryotic elongation factor 2 (eEF2), display characteristic ribosomal intersubunit rotation and small subunit's head swiveling-universal for translocation. In addition, we observe the eukaryote-specific 'subunit rolling' dynamics, albeit with limited features. Finally, the eEF2·GDP state features a uniquely positioned 'leaving phosphate (Pi)' that proposes hitherto unknown molecular events of Pi and eEF2 release from the ribosome at the final stage of translocation. In summary, our study elucidates the mechanism of translocation in the protists and illustrates evolution of the translation machinery from bacteria to eukaryotes from both the structural and mechanistic perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soneya Majumdar
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Uppsala University, Box 596, 75124 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Andrew Emmerich
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Uppsala University, Box 596, 75124 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Sascha Krakovka
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Uppsala University, Box 596, 75124 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Chandra Sekhar Mandava
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Uppsala University, Box 596, 75124 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Staffan G Svärd
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Uppsala University, Box 596, 75124 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Suparna Sanyal
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Uppsala University, Box 596, 75124 Uppsala, Sweden
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22
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Tripathi H, Bhalerao P, Singh S, Arya H, Alotaibi BS, Rashid S, Hasan MR, Bhatt TK. Malaria therapeutics: are we close enough? Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:130. [PMID: 37060004 PMCID: PMC10103679 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05755-8] [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: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 04/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Malaria is a vector-borne parasitic disease caused by the apicomplexan protozoan parasite Plasmodium. Malaria is a significant health problem and the leading cause of socioeconomic losses in developing countries. WHO approved several antimalarials in the last 2 decades, but the growing resistance against the available drugs has worsened the scenario. Drug resistance and diversity among Plasmodium strains hinder the path of eradicating malaria leading to the use of new technologies and strategies to develop effective vaccines and drugs. A timely and accurate diagnosis is crucial for any disease, including malaria. The available diagnostic methods for malaria include microscopy, RDT, PCR, and non-invasive diagnosis. Recently, there have been several developments in detecting malaria, with improvements leading to achieving an accurate, quick, cost-effective, and non-invasive diagnostic tool for malaria. Several vaccine candidates with new methods and antigens are under investigation and moving forward to be considered for clinical trials. This article concisely reviews basic malaria biology, the parasite's life cycle, approved drugs, vaccine candidates, and available diagnostic approaches. It emphasizes new avenues of therapeutics for malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Himani Tripathi
- Department of Biotechnology, Central University of Rajasthan, NH-8, Bandarsindri, 305817, Rajasthan, India
| | - Preshita Bhalerao
- Department of Biotechnology, Central University of Rajasthan, NH-8, Bandarsindri, 305817, Rajasthan, India
| | - Sujeet Singh
- Department of Biotechnology, Central University of Rajasthan, NH-8, Bandarsindri, 305817, Rajasthan, India
| | - Hemant Arya
- Department of Biotechnology, Central University of Rajasthan, NH-8, Bandarsindri, 305817, Rajasthan, India.
| | - Bader Saud Alotaibi
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Science, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Alquwayiyah, Shaqra University, Riyadh, 11971, Saudi Arabia
| | - Summya Rashid
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 173, Al-Kharj, 11942, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammad Raghibul Hasan
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Science, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Alquwayiyah, Shaqra University, Riyadh, 11971, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Tarun Kumar Bhatt
- Department of Biotechnology, Central University of Rajasthan, NH-8, Bandarsindri, 305817, Rajasthan, India.
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23
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McGee JP, Armache JP, Lindner SE. Ribosome heterogeneity and specialization of Plasmodium parasites. PLoS Pathog 2023; 19:e1011267. [PMID: 37053161 PMCID: PMC10101515 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/14/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- James P McGee
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Huck Center for Malaria Research, Pennsylvania State University, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Jean-Paul Armache
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Center for Eukaryotic Gene Regulation, Pennsylvania State University, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Scott E Lindner
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Huck Center for Malaria Research, Pennsylvania State University, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Center for Eukaryotic Gene Regulation, Pennsylvania State University, Pennsylvania, United States of America
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24
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Aly NSM, Matsumori H, Dinh TQ, Sato A, Miyoshi SI, Chang KS, Yu HS, Cao DT, Kim HS. Pioneer Use of Antimalarial Transdermal Combination Therapy in Rodent Malaria Model. Pathogens 2023; 12:pathogens12030398. [PMID: 36986320 PMCID: PMC10056811 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12030398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2022] [Revised: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
We have previously reported 1,2,6,7-tetraoxaspiro [7.11]nonadecane (N-89) as a promising antimalarial compound. In this study, we evaluated the effect of transdermal therapy (tdt) of N-89 in combination (tdct) with other antimalarials as an application for children. We prepared ointment formulas containing N-89 plus another antimalarial drug, specifically, mefloquine, pyrimethamine, or chloroquine. In a 4-day suppressive test, the ED50 values for N-89 alone or combined with either mefloquine, pyrimethamine, or chloroquine were 18, 3, 0.1, and 3 mg/kg, respectively. Interaction assays revealed that N-89 combination therapy showed a synergistic effect with mefloquine and pyrimethamine, but chloroquine provoked an antagonistic effect. Antimalarial activity and cure effect were compared for single-drug application and combination therapy. Low doses of tdct N-89 (35 mg/kg) combined with mefloquine (4 mg/kg) or pyrimethamine (1 mg/kg) gave an antimalarial effect but not a cure effect. In contrast, with high doses of N-89 (60 mg/kg) combined with mefloquine (8 mg/kg) or pyrimethamine (1 mg/kg), parasites disappeared on day 4 of treatment, and mice were completely cured without any parasite recurrence. Our results indicated that transdermal N-89 with mefloquine and pyrimethamine provides a promising antimalarial form for application to children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nagwa S. M. Aly
- Division of International Infectious Disease Control, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University, Okayama City 700-8530, Okayama, Japan
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Benha University, Benha 13511, Egypt
| | - Hiroaki Matsumori
- Division of International Infectious Disease Control, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University, Okayama City 700-8530, Okayama, Japan
| | - Thi Quyen Dinh
- Division of International Infectious Disease Control, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University, Okayama City 700-8530, Okayama, Japan
| | - Akira Sato
- Division of International Infectious Disease Control, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University, Okayama City 700-8530, Okayama, Japan
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, Noda 278-8530, Chiba, Japan
| | - Shin-Ichi Miyoshi
- Department of Sanitary Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University, Tsushima-Naka, Kita-Ku, Okayama City 700-8530, Okayama, Japan
| | - Kyung-Soo Chang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Science, College of Health Sciences, Catholic University of Pusan, Busan 46252, Republic of Korea
| | - Hak Sun Yu
- Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan-si 626-870, Republic of Korea
| | - Duc Tuan Cao
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Quality Control, Faculty of Pharmacy, Hai Phong University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hai phong, Vietnam
| | - Hye-Sook Kim
- Division of International Infectious Disease Control, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University, Okayama City 700-8530, Okayama, Japan
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +81-86-251-7975
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25
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Nardella F, Dobrescu I, Hassan H, Rodrigues F, Thiberge S, Mancio-Silva L, Tafit A, Jallet C, Cadet-Daniel V, Goussin S, Lorthiois A, Menon Y, Molinier N, Pechalrieu D, Long C, Sautel F, Matondo M, Duchateau M, Médard G, Witkowski B, Scherf A, Halby L, Arimondo PB. Hemisynthetic alkaloids derived from trilobine are antimalarials with sustained activity in multidrug-resistant Plasmodium falciparum. iScience 2023; 26:105940. [PMID: 36718363 PMCID: PMC9883252 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.105940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Revised: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Malaria eradication requires the development of new drugs to combat drug-resistant parasites. We identified bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids isolated from Cocculus hirsutus that are active against Plasmodium falciparum blood stages. Synthesis of a library of 94 hemi-synthetic derivatives allowed to identify compound 84 that kills multi-drug resistant clinical isolates in the nanomolar range (median IC50 ranging from 35 to 88 nM). Chemical optimization led to compound 125 with significantly improved preclinical properties. 125 delays the onset of parasitemia in Plasmodium berghei infected mice and inhibits P. falciparum transmission stages in vitro (culture assays), and in vivo using membrane feeding assay in the Anopheles stephensi vector. Compound 125 also impairs P. falciparum development in sporozoite-infected hepatocytes, in the low micromolar range. Finally, by chemical pull-down strategy, we characterized the parasite interactome with trilobine derivatives, identifying protein partners belonging to metabolic pathways that are not targeted by the actual antimalarial drugs or implicated in drug-resistance mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flore Nardella
- Biology of Host-Parasite Interaction, Department of Parasites and Insect Vectors, Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris-Cité, CNRS EMR 9195, INSERM Unit U1201, 25-28 Rue du Dr Roux, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Irina Dobrescu
- Biology of Host-Parasite Interaction, Department of Parasites and Insect Vectors, Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris-Cité, CNRS EMR 9195, INSERM Unit U1201, 25-28 Rue du Dr Roux, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Haitham Hassan
- Epigenetic Chemical Biology, Department of Structural Biology and Chemistry, Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris-Cité, UMR n°3523, CNRS, 28 Rue du Dr Roux, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Fabien Rodrigues
- Epigenetic Chemical Biology, Department of Structural Biology and Chemistry, Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris-Cité, UMR n°3523, CNRS, 28 Rue du Dr Roux, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Sabine Thiberge
- Biology of Host-Parasite Interaction, Department of Parasites and Insect Vectors, Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris-Cité, CNRS EMR 9195, INSERM Unit U1201, 25-28 Rue du Dr Roux, 75015 Paris, France,Center for Production and Infection of Anopheles (CEPIA), Center for Animal Resources and Research, Institut Pasteur, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Liliana Mancio-Silva
- Biology of Host-Parasite Interaction, Department of Parasites and Insect Vectors, Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris-Cité, CNRS EMR 9195, INSERM Unit U1201, 25-28 Rue du Dr Roux, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Ambre Tafit
- Epigenetic Chemical Biology, Department of Structural Biology and Chemistry, Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris-Cité, UMR n°3523, CNRS, 28 Rue du Dr Roux, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Corinne Jallet
- Epigenetic Chemical Biology, Department of Structural Biology and Chemistry, Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris-Cité, UMR n°3523, CNRS, 28 Rue du Dr Roux, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Véronique Cadet-Daniel
- Epigenetic Chemical Biology, Department of Structural Biology and Chemistry, Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris-Cité, UMR n°3523, CNRS, 28 Rue du Dr Roux, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Stéphane Goussin
- Center for Production and Infection of Anopheles (CEPIA), Center for Animal Resources and Research, Institut Pasteur, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Audrey Lorthiois
- Center for Production and Infection of Anopheles (CEPIA), Center for Animal Resources and Research, Institut Pasteur, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Yoann Menon
- USR CNRS-Pierre Fabre No. 3388 ETaC, Centre de Recherche et Développement Pierre Fabre, 3 Avenue Hubert Curien, 31035 Toulouse Cedex 01, France
| | - Nicolas Molinier
- USR CNRS-Pierre Fabre No. 3388 ETaC, Centre de Recherche et Développement Pierre Fabre, 3 Avenue Hubert Curien, 31035 Toulouse Cedex 01, France
| | - Dany Pechalrieu
- USR CNRS-Pierre Fabre No. 3388 ETaC, Centre de Recherche et Développement Pierre Fabre, 3 Avenue Hubert Curien, 31035 Toulouse Cedex 01, France
| | - Christophe Long
- USR CNRS-Pierre Fabre No. 3388 ETaC, Centre de Recherche et Développement Pierre Fabre, 3 Avenue Hubert Curien, 31035 Toulouse Cedex 01, France
| | - François Sautel
- USR CNRS-Pierre Fabre No. 3388 ETaC, Centre de Recherche et Développement Pierre Fabre, 3 Avenue Hubert Curien, 31035 Toulouse Cedex 01, France
| | - Mariette Matondo
- Proteomics Platform, Mass Spectrometry for Biology Unit, Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris-Cité, CNRS USR 2000, 28 rue du Dr Roux, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Magalie Duchateau
- Proteomics Platform, Mass Spectrometry for Biology Unit, Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris-Cité, CNRS USR 2000, 28 rue du Dr Roux, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Guillaume Médard
- Chair of Proteomics and Bioanalytics, TUM School of Life Sciences, 85354 Freising, Germany
| | - Benoit Witkowski
- Malaria Molecular Epidemiology Unit, Pasteur Institute in Cambodia, Phnom Penh 12201, Cambodia
| | - Artur Scherf
- Biology of Host-Parasite Interaction, Department of Parasites and Insect Vectors, Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris-Cité, CNRS EMR 9195, INSERM Unit U1201, 25-28 Rue du Dr Roux, 75015 Paris, France,Corresponding author
| | - Ludovic Halby
- Epigenetic Chemical Biology, Department of Structural Biology and Chemistry, Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris-Cité, UMR n°3523, CNRS, 28 Rue du Dr Roux, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Paola B. Arimondo
- Epigenetic Chemical Biology, Department of Structural Biology and Chemistry, Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris-Cité, UMR n°3523, CNRS, 28 Rue du Dr Roux, 75015 Paris, France,USR CNRS-Pierre Fabre No. 3388 ETaC, Centre de Recherche et Développement Pierre Fabre, 3 Avenue Hubert Curien, 31035 Toulouse Cedex 01, France,Corresponding author
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26
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DiIorio MC, Kulczyk AW. Exploring the Structural Variability of Dynamic Biological Complexes by Single-Particle Cryo-Electron Microscopy. MICROMACHINES 2022; 14:118. [PMID: 36677177 PMCID: PMC9866264 DOI: 10.3390/mi14010118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Revised: 12/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/30/2022] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Biological macromolecules and assemblies precisely rearrange their atomic 3D structures to execute cellular functions. Understanding the mechanisms by which these molecular machines operate requires insight into the ensemble of structural states they occupy during the functional cycle. Single-particle cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) has become the preferred method to provide near-atomic resolution, structural information about dynamic biological macromolecules elusive to other structure determination methods. Recent advances in cryo-EM methodology have allowed structural biologists not only to probe the structural intermediates of biochemical reactions, but also to resolve different compositional and conformational states present within the same dataset. This article reviews newly developed sample preparation and single-particle analysis (SPA) techniques for high-resolution structure determination of intrinsically dynamic and heterogeneous samples, shedding light upon the intricate mechanisms employed by molecular machines and helping to guide drug discovery efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan C. DiIorio
- Institute for Quantitative Biomedicine, Rutgers University, 174 Frelinghuysen Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Arkadiusz W. Kulczyk
- Institute for Quantitative Biomedicine, Rutgers University, 174 Frelinghuysen Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Rutgers University, 75 Lipman Drive, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
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27
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Recent metabolomic developments for antimalarial drug discovery. Parasitol Res 2022; 121:3351-3380. [PMID: 36194273 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-022-07673-7] [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] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 10/10/2022]
Abstract
Malaria is a parasitic disease that remains a global health issue, responsible for a significant death and morbidity toll. Various factors have impacted the use and delayed the development of antimalarial therapies, such as the associated financial cost and parasitic resistance. In order to discover new drugs and validate parasitic targets, a powerful omics tool, metabolomics, emerged as a reliable approach. However, as a fairly recent method in malaria, new findings are timely and original practices emerge frequently. This review aims to discuss recent research towards the development of new metabolomic methods in the context of uncovering antiplasmodial mechanisms of action in vitro and to point out innovative metabolic pathways that can revitalize the antimalarial pipeline.
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Ward KE, Fidock DA, Bridgford JL. Plasmodium falciparum resistance to artemisinin-based combination therapies. Curr Opin Microbiol 2022; 69:102193. [PMID: 36007459 PMCID: PMC9847095 DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2022.102193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Revised: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Multidrug-resistant Plasmodium falciparum parasites are a major threat to public health in intertropical regions. Understanding the mechanistic basis, origins, and spread of resistance can inform strategies to mitigate its impact and reduce the global burden of malaria. The recent emergence in Africa of partial resistance to artemisinins, the core component of first-line combination therapies, is particularly concerning. Here, we review recent advances in elucidating the mechanistic basis of artemisinin resistance, driven primarily by point mutations in P. falciparum Kelch13, a key regulator of hemoglobin endocytosis and parasite response to artemisinin-induced stress. We also review resistance to partner drugs, including piperaquine and mefloquine, highlighting a key role for plasmepsins 2/3 and the drug and solute transporters P. falciparum chloroquine-resistance transporter and P. falciparum multidrug-resistance protein-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kurt E Ward
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - David A Fidock
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA; Center for Malaria Therapeutics and Antimicrobial Resistance, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA.
| | - Jessica L Bridgford
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
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Oken AC, Krishnamurthy I, Savage JC, Lisi NE, Godsey MH, Mansoor SE. Molecular Pharmacology of P2X Receptors: Exploring Druggable Domains Revealed by Structural Biology. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:925880. [PMID: 35784697 PMCID: PMC9248971 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.925880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Extracellular ATP is a critical signaling molecule that is found in a wide range of concentrations across cellular environments. The family of nonselective cation channels that sense extracellular ATP, termed P2X receptors (P2XRs), is composed of seven subtypes (P2X1-P2X7) that assemble as functional homotrimeric and heterotrimeric ion channels. Each P2XR is activated by a distinct concentration of extracellular ATP, spanning from high nanomolar to low millimolar. P2XRs are implicated in a variety of physiological and pathophysiological processes in the cardiovascular, immune, and central nervous systems, corresponding to the spatiotemporal expression, regulation, and activation of each subtype. The therapeutic potential of P2XRs is an emerging area of research in which structural biology has seemingly exceeded medicinal chemistry, as there are several published P2XR structures but currently no FDA-approved drugs targeting these ion channels. Cryogenic electron microscopy is ideally suited to facilitate structure-based drug design for P2XRs by revealing and characterizing novel ligand-binding sites. This review covers structural elements in P2XRs including the extracellular orthosteric ATP-binding site, extracellular allosteric modulator sites, channel pore, and cytoplasmic substructures, with an emphasis on potential therapeutic ligand development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam C. Oken
- Department of Chemical Physiology and Biochemistry, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Ipsita Krishnamurthy
- Department of Chemical Physiology and Biochemistry, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Jonathan C. Savage
- Department of Chemical Physiology and Biochemistry, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Nicolas E. Lisi
- Department of Chemical Physiology and Biochemistry, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Michael H. Godsey
- Department of Chemical Physiology and Biochemistry, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Steven E. Mansoor
- Department of Chemical Physiology and Biochemistry, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, United States
- Knight Cardiovascular Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, United States
- *Correspondence: Steven E. Mansoor,
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Mechanistic basis for multidrug resistance and collateral drug sensitivity conferred to the malaria parasite by polymorphisms in PfMDR1 and PfCRT. PLoS Biol 2022; 20:e3001616. [PMID: 35507548 PMCID: PMC9067703 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3001616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Polymorphisms in the Plasmodium falciparum multidrug resistance protein 1 (pfmdr1) gene and the Plasmodium falciparum chloroquine resistance transporter (pfcrt) gene alter the malaria parasite’s susceptibility to most of the current antimalarial drugs. However, the precise mechanisms by which PfMDR1 contributes to multidrug resistance have not yet been fully elucidated, nor is it understood why polymorphisms in pfmdr1 and pfcrt that cause chloroquine resistance simultaneously increase the parasite’s susceptibility to lumefantrine and mefloquine—a phenomenon known as collateral drug sensitivity. Here, we present a robust expression system for PfMDR1 in Xenopus oocytes that enables direct and high-resolution biochemical characterizations of the protein. We show that wild-type PfMDR1 transports diverse pharmacons, including lumefantrine, mefloquine, dihydroartemisinin, piperaquine, amodiaquine, methylene blue, and chloroquine (but not the antiviral drug amantadine). Field-derived mutant isoforms of PfMDR1 differ from the wild-type protein, and each other, in their capacities to transport these drugs, indicating that PfMDR1-induced changes in the distribution of drugs between the parasite’s digestive vacuole (DV) and the cytosol are a key driver of both antimalarial resistance and the variability between multidrug resistance phenotypes. Of note, the PfMDR1 isoforms prevalent in chloroquine-resistant isolates exhibit reduced capacities for chloroquine, lumefantrine, and mefloquine transport. We observe the opposite relationship between chloroquine resistance-conferring mutations in PfCRT and drug transport activity. Using our established assays for characterizing PfCRT in the Xenopus oocyte system and in live parasite assays, we demonstrate that these PfCRT isoforms transport all 3 drugs, whereas wild-type PfCRT does not. We present a mechanistic model for collateral drug sensitivity in which mutant isoforms of PfMDR1 and PfCRT cause chloroquine, lumefantrine, and mefloquine to remain in the cytosol instead of sequestering within the DV. This change in drug distribution increases the access of lumefantrine and mefloquine to their primary targets (thought to be located outside of the DV), while simultaneously decreasing chloroquine’s access to its target within the DV. The mechanistic insights presented here provide a basis for developing approaches that extend the useful life span of antimalarials by exploiting the opposing selection forces they exert upon PfCRT and PfMDR1.
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Simwela NV, Waters AP. Current status of experimental models for the study of malaria. Parasitology 2022; 149:1-22. [PMID: 35357277 PMCID: PMC9378029 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182021002134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Revised: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Infection by malaria parasites (Plasmodium spp.) remains one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality, especially in tropical regions of the world. Despite the availability of malaria control tools such as integrated vector management and effective therapeutics, these measures have been continuously undermined by the emergence of vector resistance to insecticides or parasite resistance to frontline antimalarial drugs. Whilst the recent pilot implementation of the RTS,S malaria vaccine is indeed a remarkable feat, highly effective vaccines against malaria remain elusive. The barriers to effective vaccines result from the complexity of both the malaria parasite lifecycle and the parasite as an organism itself with consequent major gaps in our understanding of their biology. Historically and due to the practical and ethical difficulties of working with human malaria infections, research into malaria parasite biology has been extensively facilitated by animal models. Animals have been used to study disease pathogenesis, host immune responses and their (dys)regulation and further disease processes such as transmission. Moreover, animal models remain at the forefront of pre-clinical evaluations of antimalarial drugs (drug efficacy, mode of action, mode of resistance) and vaccines. In this review, we discuss commonly used animal models of malaria, the parasite species used and their advantages and limitations which hinder their extrapolation to actual human disease. We also place into this context the most recent developments such as organoid technologies and humanized mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nelson V. Simwela
- Institute of Infection, Immunity & Inflammation, Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Andrew P. Waters
- Institute of Infection, Immunity & Inflammation, Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
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Thommen BT, Passecker A, Buser T, Hitz E, Voss TS, Brancucci NMB. Revisiting the Effect of Pharmaceuticals on Transmission Stage Formation in the Malaria Parasite Plasmodium falciparum. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:802341. [PMID: 35223540 PMCID: PMC8873190 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.802341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria parasites rely on specialized stages, called gametocytes, to ensure human-to-human transmission. The formation of these sexual precursor cells is initiated by commitment of blood stage parasites to the sexual differentiation pathway. Plasmodium falciparum, the most virulent of six parasite species infecting humans, employs nutrient sensing to control the rate at which sexual commitment is initiated, and the presence of stress-inducing factors, including antimalarial drugs, has been linked to increased gametocyte production in vitro and in vivo. These observations suggest that therapeutic interventions may promote gametocytogenesis and malaria transmission. Here, we engineered a P. falciparum reporter line to quantify sexual commitment rates after exposure to antimalarials and other pharmaceuticals commonly prescribed in malaria-endemic regions. Our data reveal that some of the tested drugs indeed have the capacity to elevate sexual commitment rates in vitro. Importantly, however, these effects are only observed at drug concentrations that inhibit parasite survival and only rarely result in a net increase of gametocyte production. Using a drug-resistant parasite reporter line, we further show that the gametocytogenesis-promoting effect of drugs is linked to general stress responses rather than to compound-specific activities. Altogether, we did not observe evidence for mechanistic links between the regulation of sexual commitment and the activity of commonly used pharmaceuticals in vitro. Our data hence does not support scenarios in which currently applied therapeutic interventions would promote the spread of drug-resistant parasites or malaria transmission in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- Basil T. Thommen
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Armin Passecker
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Tamara Buser
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Eva Hitz
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Till S. Voss
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- *Correspondence: Till S. Voss, ; Nicolas M. B. Brancucci,
| | - Nicolas M. B. Brancucci
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- *Correspondence: Till S. Voss, ; Nicolas M. B. Brancucci,
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Kucharski DJ, Jaszczak MK, Boratyński PJ. A Review of Modifications of Quinoline Antimalarials: Mefloquine and (hydroxy)Chloroquine. Molecules 2022; 27:1003. [PMID: 35164267 PMCID: PMC8838516 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27031003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Late-stage modification of drug molecules is a fast method to introduce diversity into the already biologically active scaffold. A notable number of analogs of mefloquine, chloroquine, and hydroxychloroquine have been synthesized, starting from the readily available active pharmaceutical ingredient (API). In the current review, all the modifications sites and reactivity types are summarized and provide insight into the chemistry of these molecules. The approaches include the introduction of simple groups and functionalities. Coupling to other drugs, polymers, or carriers afforded hybrid compounds or conjugates with either easily hydrolyzable or more chemically inert bonds. The utility of some of the compounds was tested in antiprotozoal, antibacterial, and antiproliferative assays, as well as in enantiodifferentiation experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Przemysław J. Boratyński
- Department of Organic and Medicinal Chemistry, Wrocław University of Technology, Wyspiańskiego 27, 50-370 Wrocław, Poland; (D.J.K.); (M.K.J.)
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Siciliano G, Di Paolo V, Rotili D, Migale R, Pedini F, Casella M, Camerini S, Dalzoppo D, Henderson R, Huijs T, Dechering KJ, Mai A, Caccuri AM, Lalle M, Quintieri L, Alano P. The Nitrobenzoxadiazole Derivative NBDHEX Behaves as Plasmodium falciparum Gametocyte Selective Inhibitor with Malaria Parasite Transmission Blocking Activity. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15020168. [PMID: 35215282 PMCID: PMC8875241 DOI: 10.3390/ph15020168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Revised: 01/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
This work describes the activity of 6-((7-nitrobenzo[c][1,2,5]oxadiazol-4-yl)thio)hexan-1-ol (NBDHEX) and of its newly identified carboxylic acid metabolite on the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. NBDHEX has been previously identified as a potent cytotoxic agent against murine and human cancer cells as well as towards the protozoan parasite Giardia duodenalis. We show here that NBDHEX is active in vitro against all blood stages of P. falciparum, with the rare feature of killing the parasite stages transmissible to mosquitoes, the gametocytes, with a 4-fold higher potency than that on the pathogenic asexual stages. This activity importantly translates into blocking parasite transmission through the Anopheles vector in mosquito experimental infections. A mass spectrometry analysis identified covalent NBDHEX modifications in specific cysteine residues of five gametocyte proteins, possibly associated with its antiparasitic effect. The carboxylic acid metabolite of NBDHEX retains the gametocyte preferential inhibitory activity of the parent compound, making this novel P. falciparum transmission-blocking chemotype at least as a new tool to uncover biological processes targetable by gametocyte selective drugs. Both NBDHEX and its carboxylic acid metabolite show very limited in vitro cytotoxicity on VERO cells. This result and previous evidence that NBDHEX shows an excellent in vivo safety profile in mice and is orally active against human cancer xenografts make these molecules potential starting points to develop new P. falciparum transmission-blocking agents, enriching the repertoire of drugs needed to eliminate malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Siciliano
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (G.S.); (R.M.)
| | - Veronica Di Paolo
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padua, 35131 Padua, Italy; (V.D.P.); (D.D.)
| | - Dante Rotili
- Department of Chemistry and Technology of Drugs, “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (D.R.); (A.M.)
| | - Rossella Migale
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (G.S.); (R.M.)
| | - Francesca Pedini
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy;
| | - Marialuisa Casella
- Core Facilities, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (M.C.); (S.C.)
| | - Serena Camerini
- Core Facilities, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (M.C.); (S.C.)
| | - Daniele Dalzoppo
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padua, 35131 Padua, Italy; (V.D.P.); (D.D.)
| | - Rob Henderson
- TropIQ Health Sciences, 6534 AT Nijmegen, The Netherlands; (R.H.); (T.H.); (K.J.D.)
| | - Tonnie Huijs
- TropIQ Health Sciences, 6534 AT Nijmegen, The Netherlands; (R.H.); (T.H.); (K.J.D.)
| | - Koen J. Dechering
- TropIQ Health Sciences, 6534 AT Nijmegen, The Netherlands; (R.H.); (T.H.); (K.J.D.)
| | - Antonello Mai
- Department of Chemistry and Technology of Drugs, “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (D.R.); (A.M.)
| | - Anna Maria Caccuri
- Department of Chemical Sciences and Technologies, University of Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy;
| | - Marco Lalle
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (G.S.); (R.M.)
- Correspondence: (M.L.); (L.Q.); (P.A.)
| | - Luigi Quintieri
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padua, 35131 Padua, Italy; (V.D.P.); (D.D.)
- Correspondence: (M.L.); (L.Q.); (P.A.)
| | - Pietro Alano
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (G.S.); (R.M.)
- Correspondence: (M.L.); (L.Q.); (P.A.)
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El Chamy Maluf S, Hayashi MAF, Campeiro JD, Oliveira EB, Gazarini ML, Carmona AK. South American rattlesnake cationic polypeptide crotamine trafficking dynamic in Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes: Pharmacological inhibitors, parasite cycle and incubation time influences in uptake. Toxicon 2022; 208:47-52. [PMID: 35074306 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2022.01.006] [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: 06/10/2021] [Revised: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Malaria is a parasitic infectious disease caused by Plasmodium sp, which was responsible for about 409 thousand deaths only in 2019. The clinical manifestations in patients with malaria, which may include fever and anemia and that can occasionally lead to the death of the host, are mainly associated to the asexual blood stage of parasite. The discovery of novel compounds active against stages of the intraerythrocytic cell cycle has been the focus of many researches seeking for alternatives to the control of malaria. The antimalarial effect of a native cationic polypeptide from the venom of a South American rattlesnake named crotamine, with ability of targeting and disrupting the acidic compartments of Plasmodium falciparum parasite, was previously described by us. Herein, we extended our previous studies by investigating the internalization and trafficking of crotamine in P. falciparum-infected erythrocytes at different blood-stages of parasites and periods of incubation. In addition, the effects of several pharmacological inhibitors in the uptake of this snake polypeptide with cell-penetrating properties were also assessed, showing that crotamine internalization was dependent on ATP generated via glycolytic pathway. We show here that crotamine uptake is blocked by the glycolysis inhibitor 2- deoxy-D-glucose, and the most efficient internalization is observed at trophozoite stage of parasite after at least 30 min of incubation. The present data provide important insights into biochemical pathway and cellular features determined by the parasite cycle, which may be underlying the internalization and effects of cationic antimalarials as crotamine.
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Affiliation(s)
- S El Chamy Maluf
- Departamento de Biofísica, Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM), Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - M A F Hayashi
- Departamento de Farmacologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM), Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - J D Campeiro
- Departamento de Farmacologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM), Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - E B Oliveira
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Universidade de São Paulo (USP-RP), Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - M L Gazarini
- Departamento de Biociências, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), Santos, SP, Brazil
| | - A K Carmona
- Departamento de Biofísica, Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM), Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil.
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First In Silico Screening of Insect Molecules for Identification of Novel Anti-Parasitic Compounds. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15020119. [PMID: 35215232 PMCID: PMC8877563 DOI: 10.3390/ph15020119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2021] [Revised: 01/16/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease caused by blood flukes of the genus Schistosoma. In silico screenings of compounds for the identification of novel anti-parasitic drug candidates have received considerable attention in recent years, including the screening of natural compounds. For the first time, we investigated molecules from insects, a rather neglected source in drug discovery, in an in silico screening approach to find novel antischistosomal compounds. Based on the Dictionary of Natural Products (DNP), we created a library of 1327 insect compounds suitable for molecular docking. A structure-based virtual screening against the crystal structure of a known druggable target in Schistosoma mansoni, the thioredoxin glutathione reductase (SmTGR), was performed. The top ten compounds predominantly originated from beetles and were predicted to interact particularly with amino acids in the doorstop pocket of SmTGR. For one compound from a jewel beetle, buprestin H, we tested and confirmed antischistosomal activity against adult and juvenile parasites in vitro. At concentrations with anti-parasitic activity, we could also exclude any unspecific cytotoxic activity against human HepG2 cells. This study highlights the potential of insect molecules for the identification of novel antischistosomal compounds. Our library of insect-derived molecules could serve not only as basis for future in silico screenings against additional target proteins of schistosomes, but also of other parasites.
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Antidepressant Sertraline Is a Broad-Spectrum Inhibitor of Enteroviruses Targeting Viral Entry through Neutralization of Endolysosomal Acidification. Viruses 2022; 14:v14010109. [PMID: 35062313 PMCID: PMC8780434 DOI: 10.3390/v14010109] [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: 12/02/2021] [Revised: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Enterovirus 71 (EV71) is an etiological agent of hand foot and mouth disease and can also cause neurological complications in young children. However, there are no approved drugs as of yet to treat EV71 infections. In this study, we conducted antiviral drug screening by using a Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drug library. We identified five drugs that showed dose-dependent inhibition of viral replication. Sertraline was further characterized because it exhibited the most potent antiviral activity with the highest selectivity index among the five hits. The antiviral activity of sertraline was noted for other EV serotypes. The drug’s antiviral effect is not likely associated with its approved indications as an antidepressant and its mode-of-action as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor. The time-of-addition assay revealed that sertraline inhibited an EV71 infection at the entry stage. We also showed that sertraline partitioned into acidic compartments, such as endolysosomes, to neutralize the low pH levels. In agreement with the findings, the antiviral effect of sertraline could be greatly relieved by exposing virus-infected cells to extracellular low-pH culture media. Ultimately, we have identified a use for an FDA-approved antidepressant in broad-spectrum EV inhibition by blocking viral entry through the alkalization of the endolysosomal route.
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Asrani P, Tiwari K, Eapen MS, McAlinden KD, Haug G, Johansen MD, Hansbro PM, Flanagan KL, Hassan MI, Sohal SS. Clinical features and mechanistic insights into drug repurposing for combating COVID-19. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2022; 142:106114. [PMID: 34748991 PMCID: PMC8570392 DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2021.106114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Revised: 10/24/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) emerged from Wuhan in China before it spread to the entire globe. It causes coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) where mostly individuals present mild symptoms, some remain asymptomatic and some show severe lung inflammation and pneumonia in the host through the induction of a marked inflammatory 'cytokine storm'. New and efficacious vaccines have been developed and put into clinical practice in record time, however, there is a still a need for effective treatments for those who are not vaccinated or remain susceptible to emerging SARS-CoV-2 variant strains. Despite this, effective therapeutic interventions against COVID-19 remain elusive. Here, we have reviewed potential drugs for COVID-19 classified on the basis of their mode of action. The mechanisms of action of each are discussed in detail to highlight the therapeutic targets that may help in reducing the global pandemic. The review was done up to July 2021 and the data was assessed through the official websites of WHO and CDC for collecting the information on the clinical trials. Moreover, the recent research papers were also assessed for the relevant data. The search was mainly based on keywords like Coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, drugs (specific name of the drugs), COVID-19, clinical efficiency, safety profile, side-effects etc.This review outlines potential areas for future research into COVID-19 treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Purva Asrani
- Department of Microbiology, University of Delhi, South Campus, New Delhi, India
| | - Keshav Tiwari
- ICAR - National Institute for Plant Biotechnology, New Delhi, India
| | - Mathew Suji Eapen
- Respiratory Translational Research Group, Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Health Sciences, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Launceston, Australia
| | - Kielan Darcy McAlinden
- Respiratory Translational Research Group, Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Health Sciences, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Launceston, Australia
| | - Greg Haug
- Respiratory Translational Research Group, Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Health Sciences, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Launceston, Australia; Department of Respiratory Medicine, Launceston General Hospital, Launceston 7250, Australia
| | - Matt D Johansen
- Centre for Inflammation, Centenary Institute, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia; University of Technology Sydney, Faculty of Science, School of Life Sciences, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Philip M Hansbro
- Centre for Inflammation, Centenary Institute, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia; University of Technology Sydney, Faculty of Science, School of Life Sciences, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Katie L Flanagan
- Clinical School, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Launceston, Tasmania 7250, Australia; School of Health and Biomedical Science, RMIT University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Department of Immunology and Pathology, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Tasmania Vaccine Trial Centre, Clifford Craig Foundation, Launceston General Hospital, Launceston, Tasmania 7250, Australia
| | - Md Imtaiyaz Hassan
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Basic Sciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, India
| | - Sukhwinder Singh Sohal
- Respiratory Translational Research Group, Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Health Sciences, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Launceston, Australia.
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Zhang X, Zhao Y, Feng L, Xu M, Ge Y, Wang L, Zhang Y, Cao J, Sun Y, Wu Q, Zhou T. Combined With Mefloquine, Resurrect Colistin Active in Colistin-Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa in vitro and in vivo. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:790220. [PMID: 34899672 PMCID: PMC8662342 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.790220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Colistin is a polymyxin antibiotic that is widely used for the treatment of multidrug resistant (MDR) Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections, as the last resort. Over the past few years, unreasonable use of antibiotics has resulted in an increase in MDR strains, including colistin-resistant P. aeruginosa. The present study aimed to explore the synergistic effects of mefloquine in combination with colistin for the treatment of colistin-resistant P. aeruginosa in vivo and in vitro. The synergistic effect of the combination of mefloquine and colistin was investigated in vitro using checkerboard method, time-killing assay, biofilm formation inhibition test, and biofilm eradication test. The study also explored the synergistic effects of this combination of drugs in vivo, using a Galleria mellonella infection model. The results for checkerboard method and time killing curve indicated that mefloquine in combination with colistin showed a good antibacterial activity. Furthermore, the combination of these two drugs inhibited biofilm formation and eradicated pre-formed mature biofilms. This synergistic effect was visualized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), wherein the results showed that the combination of mefloquine and colistin reduced biofilm formation significantly. Further, the application of this combination of drugs to in vivo infection model significantly increased the survival rate of G. mellonella larvae. Altogether, the combination of mefloquine and colistin showed a good synergistic effect in vitro and in vivo, and highlighted its potential to be used as an alternative therapy for the treatment of colistin-resistant P. aeruginosa infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaodong Zhang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Yining Zhao
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Luozhu Feng
- Department of Medical Lab Science, School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Science, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Mengxin Xu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Yiru Ge
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Lingbo Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Ying Zhang
- Department of Medical Lab Science, School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Science, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Jianming Cao
- Department of Medical Lab Science, School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Science, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Yao Sun
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Qing Wu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Tieli Zhou
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
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Mesén-Ramírez P, Bergmann B, Elhabiri M, Zhu L, von Thien H, Castro-Peña C, Gilberger TW, Davioud-Charvet E, Bozdech Z, Bachmann A, Spielmann T. The parasitophorous vacuole nutrient channel is critical for drug access in malaria parasites and modulates the artemisinin resistance fitness cost. Cell Host Microbe 2021; 29:1774-1787.e9. [PMID: 34863371 DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2021.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2021] [Revised: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Intraerythrocytic malaria parasites proliferate bounded by a parasitophorous vacuolar membrane (PVM). The PVM contains nutrient permeable channels (NPCs) conductive to small molecules, but their relevance for parasite growth for individual metabolites is largely untested. Here we show that growth-relevant levels of major carbon and energy sources pass through the NPCs. Moreover, we find that NPCs are a gate for several antimalarial drugs, highlighting their permeability properties as a critical factor for drug design. Looking into NPC-dependent amino acid transport, we find that amino acid shortage is a reason for the fitness cost in artemisinin-resistant (ARTR) parasites and provide evidence that NPC upregulation to increase amino acids acquisition is a mechanism of ARTR parasites in vitro and in human infections to compensate this fitness cost. Hence, the NPCs are important for nutrient and drug access and reveal amino acid deprivation as a critical constraint in ARTR parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Mesén-Ramírez
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Bernhard Nocht Str. 74, 20359 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Bärbel Bergmann
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Bernhard Nocht Str. 74, 20359 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Mourad Elhabiri
- UMR7042 Université de Strasbourg‒CNRS‒UHA, Laboratoire d'Innovation Moléculaire et Applications (LIMA), Team Bio(IN)organic and Medicinal Chemistry, European School of Chemistry, Polymers and Materials (ECPM), 25 Rue Becquerel, F-67087 Strasbourg, France
| | - Lei Zhu
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 60 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 637551, Singapore
| | - Heidrun von Thien
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Bernhard Nocht Str. 74, 20359 Hamburg, Germany; Centre for Structural Systems Biology, Notkestraße 85, Building 15, 22607, University of Hamburg, 20146 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Carolina Castro-Peña
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Bernhard Nocht Str. 74, 20359 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Tim-Wolf Gilberger
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Bernhard Nocht Str. 74, 20359 Hamburg, Germany; Centre for Structural Systems Biology, Notkestraße 85, Building 15, 22607, University of Hamburg, 20146 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Davioud-Charvet
- UMR7042 Université de Strasbourg‒CNRS‒UHA, Laboratoire d'Innovation Moléculaire et Applications (LIMA), Team Bio(IN)organic and Medicinal Chemistry, European School of Chemistry, Polymers and Materials (ECPM), 25 Rue Becquerel, F-67087 Strasbourg, France
| | - Zbynek Bozdech
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 60 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 637551, Singapore; Honorary Visiting Research Fellow, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, UK
| | - Anna Bachmann
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Bernhard Nocht Str. 74, 20359 Hamburg, Germany; Centre for Structural Systems Biology, Notkestraße 85, Building 15, 22607, University of Hamburg, 20146 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Tobias Spielmann
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Bernhard Nocht Str. 74, 20359 Hamburg, Germany.
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Wan B, Wu Z, Zhang X, Huang B. Mefloquine as a dual inhibitor of glioblastoma angiogenesis and glioblastoma via disrupting lysosomal function. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2021; 580:7-13. [PMID: 34607260 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2021.09.069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels from the pre-existing ones, is a hallmark characteristic of glioblastoma, making it an appealing target for treatment development. Given potent anti-cancer efficacy of mefloquine, FDA-approved anti-malarial drug, there is increasing interest in repurposing mefloquine for treatment of cancers, including glioblastoma. In line with these efforts, our work is the first to demonstrate that mefloquine is also an inhibitor of glioblastoma angiogenesis. Using glioblastoma microvascular endothelial cell (GMEC) isolated from glioblastoma patients, we show that mefloquine at clinically achievable concentration inhibits GMEC differentiation, capillary network formation, adhesion to Matrix, growth and survival. Mefloquine also inhibits growth and induces apoptosis in glioblastoma cells regardless of cellular origin and genetic background. We further show that mefloquine significantly inhibits glioblastoma growth but not formation, and this is associated with decreased glioblastoma angiogenesis in mice. Mechanistically, mefloquine disrupted lysosomal integrity and function in GMECs, leading to oxidative stress and lysosomal lipid damage. Rescue studies confirm that mefloquine acts on GMECs in a lysosomal disruption-dependent manner. Our findings demonstrate the anti-angiogenic activity of mefloquine via disrupting lysosomal function. The dual inhibitory role of mefloquine in glioblastoma angiogenesis and glioblastoma displays its advantage over other anti-cancer drugs for glioblastoma treatment. Our work also highlights the essential role of lysosome in both glioblastoma and its angiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bing Wan
- Department of Radiology, China Three Gorges University, Affiliated Renhe Hospital, Yichang, Hubei, China
| | - Zhenghong Wu
- Department of Radiology, Jingzhou Central Hospital, Jingzhou Hospital, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, Hubei, China
| | - Xiulan Zhang
- Department of Radiology, The First People's Hospital of Jingzhou, The First Affiliated Hospital of Yangtze University, Jingzhou, Hubei, China.
| | - Birun Huang
- Department of Vascular Surgery, The First People's Hospital of Jingzhou, The First Affiliated Hospital of Yangtze University, Jingzhou, Hubei, China.
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42
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Overcoming the Prokaryote/Eukaryote Barrier in Tuberculosis Treatment: A Prospect for the Repurposing and Use of Antiparasitic Drugs. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9112335. [PMID: 34835459 PMCID: PMC8622410 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9112335] [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: 10/18/2021] [Revised: 11/07/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance, the so-called silent pandemic, is pushing industry and academia to find novel antimicrobial agents with new mechanisms of action in order to be active against susceptible and drug-resistant microorganisms. In the case of tuberculosis, the need of novel anti-tuberculosis drugs is specially challenging because of the intricate biology of its causative agent, Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The repurposing of medicines has arisen in recent years as a fast, low-cost, and efficient strategy to identify novel biomedical applications for already approved drugs. This review is focused on anti-parasitic drugs that have additionally demonstrated certain levels of anti-tuberculosis activity; along with this, natural products with a dual activity against parasites and against M. tuberculosis are discussed. A few clinical trials have tested antiparasitic drugs in tuberculosis patients, and have revealed effective dose and toxicity issues, which is consistent with the natural differences between tuberculosis and parasitic infections. However, through medicinal chemistry approaches, derivatives of drugs with anti-parasitic activity have become successful drugs for use in tuberculosis therapy. In summary, even when the repurposing of anti-parasitic drugs for tuberculosis treatment does not seem to be an easy job, it deserves attention as a potential contributor to fuel the anti-tuberculosis drug pipeline.
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Dassonville-Klimpt A, Schneider J, Damiani C, Tisnerat C, Cohen A, Azas N, Marchivie M, Guillon J, Mullié C, Agnamey P, Totet A, Dormoi J, Taudon N, Pradines B, Sonnet P. Design, synthesis, and characterization of novel aminoalcohol quinolines with strong in vitro antimalarial activity. Eur J Med Chem 2021; 228:113981. [PMID: 34782182 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2021.113981] [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: 10/12/2021] [Revised: 11/04/2021] [Accepted: 11/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Malaria is the fifth most lethal parasitic infections in the world. Herein, five new series of aminoalcohol quinolines including fifty-two compounds were designed, synthesized and evaluated in vitro against Pf3D7 and PfW2 strains. Among them, fourteen displayed IC50 values below or near of 50.0 nM whatever the strain with selectivity index often superior to 100.17b was found as a promising antimalarial candidate with IC50 values of 14.9 nM and 11.0 nM against respectively Pf3D7 and PfW2 and a selectivity index higher than 770 whatever the cell line is. Further experiments were achieved to confirm the safety and to establish the preliminary ADMET profile of compound 17b before the in vivo study performed on a mouse model of P. berghei ANKA infection. The overall data of this study allowed to establish new structure-activity relationships and the development of novel agents with improved pharmacokinetic properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Dassonville-Klimpt
- Université de Picardie Jules Verne, AGIR, UFR de Pharmacie, Amiens, UR, 4294, France.
| | - J Schneider
- Université de Picardie Jules Verne, AGIR, UFR de Pharmacie, Amiens, UR, 4294, France
| | - C Damiani
- Université de Picardie Jules Verne, AGIR, UFR de Pharmacie, Amiens, UR, 4294, France
| | - C Tisnerat
- Université de Picardie Jules Verne, AGIR, UFR de Pharmacie, Amiens, UR, 4294, France
| | - A Cohen
- Université Aix-Marseille, IRD, AP-HM, SSA, VITROME, IHU Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - N Azas
- Université Aix-Marseille, IRD, AP-HM, SSA, VITROME, IHU Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - M Marchivie
- CNRS, Univ. Bordeaux, Bordeaux INP, ICMCB, UMR 5026, F- 33600 Pessac, France
| | - J Guillon
- Université de Bordeaux, Laboratoire ARNA, UFR des Sciences Pharmaceutiques, Bordeaux, France; INSERM U1212, UMR CNRS 5320, Laboratoire ARNA, Bordeaux, France
| | - C Mullié
- Université de Picardie Jules Verne, AGIR, UFR de Pharmacie, Amiens, UR, 4294, France
| | - P Agnamey
- Université de Picardie Jules Verne, AGIR, UFR de Pharmacie, Amiens, UR, 4294, France
| | - Anne Totet
- Université de Picardie Jules Verne, AGIR, UFR de Pharmacie, Amiens, UR, 4294, France
| | - J Dormoi
- Unité parasitologie et entomologie, Département de microbiologie et de maladies infectieuses, Institut de recherche biomédicale des armées, Marseille, France; Aix-Marseille Univ, IRD, SSA, AP-HM, VITROME, Marseille, France; IHU Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - N Taudon
- Unité de Développements Analytiques et Bioanalyse, IRBA, Brétigny-sur-Orge, France
| | - B Pradines
- Unité parasitologie et entomologie, Département de microbiologie et de maladies infectieuses, Institut de recherche biomédicale des armées, Marseille, France; Aix-Marseille Univ, IRD, SSA, AP-HM, VITROME, Marseille, France; IHU Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France; Centre national de référence du paludisme, Marseille, France
| | - P Sonnet
- Université de Picardie Jules Verne, AGIR, UFR de Pharmacie, Amiens, UR, 4294, France.
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44
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Cellular targets of mefloquine. Toxicology 2021; 464:152995. [PMID: 34678321 DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2021.152995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Revised: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Mefloquine is a quinoline-based compound widely used as an antimalarial drug, particularly in chemoprophylaxis. Although decades of research have identified various aspects of mefloquine's anti-Plasmodium properties, toxic effects offset its robust use in humans. Mefloquine exerts harmful effects in several types of human cells by targeting many of the cellular lipids, proteins, and complexes, thereby blocking a number of downstream signaling cascades. In general, mefloquine modulates several cellular phenomena, such as alteration of membrane potential, induction of oxidative stress, imbalance of ion homeostasis, disruption of metabolism, failure of organelle function, etc., leading to cell cycle arrest and programmed cell death. This review aims to summarize the information on functional and mechanistic findings related to the cytotoxic effects of mefloquine.
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45
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Erhunse N, Sahal D. Protecting future antimalarials from the trap of resistance: Lessons from artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) failures. J Pharm Anal 2021; 11:541-554. [PMID: 34765267 PMCID: PMC8572664 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpha.2020.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2020] [Revised: 07/19/2020] [Accepted: 07/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Having faced increased clinical treatment failures with dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine (DHA-PPQ), Cambodia swapped the first line artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) from DHA-PPQ to artesunate-mefloquine given that parasites resistant to piperaquine are susceptible to mefloquine. However, triple mutants have now emerged, suggesting that drug rotations may not be adequate to keep resistance at bay. There is, therefore, an urgent need for alternative treatment strategies to tackle resistance and prevent its spread. A proper understanding of all contributors to artemisinin resistance may help us identify novel strategies to keep artemisinins effective until new drugs become available for their replacement. This review highlights the role of the key players in artemisinin resistance, the current strategies to deal with it and suggests ways of protecting future antimalarial drugs from bowing to resistance as their predecessors did.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nekpen Erhunse
- Malaria Drug Discovery Research Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi, 110067, India
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Benin, Benin City, Edo-State, Nigeria
| | - Dinkar Sahal
- Malaria Drug Discovery Research Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi, 110067, India
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46
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Kim HU, Jung HS. Cryo-EM as a powerful tool for drug discovery: recent structural based studies of SARS-CoV-2. Appl Microsc 2021; 51:13. [PMID: 34562174 PMCID: PMC8464538 DOI: 10.1186/s42649-021-00062-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The novel coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has arisen as a global pandemic affecting the respiratory system showing acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). However, there is no targeted therapeutic agent yet and due to the growing cases of infections and the rising death tolls, discovery of the possible drug is the need of the hour. In general, the study for discovering therapeutic agent for SARS-CoV-2 is largely focused on large-scale screening with fragment-based drug discovery (FBDD). With the recent advancement in cryo-electron microscopy (Cryo-EM), it has become one of the widely used tools in structural biology. It is effective in investigating the structure of numerous proteins in high-resolution and also had an intense influence on drug discovery, determining the binding reaction and regulation of known drugs as well as leading the design and development of new drug candidates. Here, we review the application of cryo-EM in a structure-based drug design (SBDD) and in silico screening of the recently acquired FBDD in SARS-CoV-2. Such insights will help deliver better understanding in the procurement of the effective remedial solution for this pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han-Ul Kim
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Natural Sciences, Kangwon National University, 1, Kangwondaehak-gil, Chuncheon-si, 24341, Gangwon-do, Korea
| | - Hyun Suk Jung
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Natural Sciences, Kangwon National University, 1, Kangwondaehak-gil, Chuncheon-si, 24341, Gangwon-do, Korea.
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47
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Evolution of multidrug resistance in Plasmodium falciparum: a longitudinal study of genetic resistance markers in the Greater Mekong Subregion. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2021; 65:e0112121. [PMID: 34516247 PMCID: PMC8597770 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01121-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Increasing resistance in Plasmodium falciparum to artemisinins and their artemisinin combination therapy (ACT) partner drugs jeopardizes effective antimalarial treatment. Resistance is worst in the Greater Mekong subregion. Monitoring genetic markers of resistance can help to guide antimalarial therapy. Markers of resistance to artemisinins (PfKelch mutations), mefloquine (amplification of P. falciparum multidrug resistance-1 [PfMDR1]), and piperaquine (PfPlasmepsin2/3 amplification and specific P. falciparum chloroquine resistance transporter [PfCRT] mutations) were assessed in 6,722 P. falciparum samples from Vietnam, Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR), Cambodia, Thailand, and Myanmar between 2007 and 2019. Against a high background prevalence of PfKelch mutations, PfMDR1 and PfPlasmepsin2/3 amplification closely followed regional drug pressures over time. PfPlasmepsin2/3 amplification preceded piperaquine resistance-associated PfCRT mutations in Cambodia and reached a peak prevalence of 23/28 (82%) in 2015. This declined to 57/156 (38%) after first-line treatment was changed from dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine to artesunate-mefloquine (ASMQ) between 2014 and 2017. The frequency of PfMDR1 amplification increased from 0/293 (0%) between 2012 and 2017 to 12/156 (8%) in 2019. Amplification of PfMDR1 and PfPlasmepsin2/3 in the same parasites was extremely rare (4/6,722 [0.06%]) and was dispersed over time. The mechanisms conferring mefloquine and piperaquine resistance may be counterbalancing. This supports the development of ASMQ plus piperaquine as a triple artemisinin combination therapy.
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48
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Agudelo Higuita NI, White BP, Franco-Paredes C, McGhee MA. An update on prevention of malaria in travelers. Ther Adv Infect Dis 2021; 8:20499361211040690. [PMID: 34484736 PMCID: PMC8408895 DOI: 10.1177/20499361211040690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria, a parasitic disease caused by protozoa belonging to the genus Plasmodium, continues to represent a formidable public health challenge. Despite being a preventable disease, cases reported among travelers have continued to increase in recent decades. Protection of travelers against malaria, a potentially life-threatening disease, is of paramount importance, and it is therefore necessary for healthcare professionals to be up to date with the most recent recommendations. The present review provides an update of the existent measures for malaria prevention among travelers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Bryan Pinckney White
- Infectious Diseases Clinical Pharmacist, Oklahoma University Medical Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Carlos Franco-Paredes
- Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Miranda Ann McGhee
- Department of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, University of Oklahoma Health Science Center, 800 Stanton L. Young Blvd., Suite 7300, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
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49
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Tisnerat C, Dassonville-Klimpt A, Gosselet F, Sonnet P. Antimalarial drug discovery: from quinine to the most recent promising clinical drug candidates. Curr Med Chem 2021; 29:3326-3365. [PMID: 34344287 DOI: 10.2174/0929867328666210803152419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Revised: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 06/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Malaria is a tropical threatening disease caused by Plasmodium parasites, resulting in 409,000 deaths in 2019. The delay of mortality and morbidity has been compounded by the widespread of drug resistant parasites from Southeast Asia since two decades. The emergence of artemisinin-resistant Plasmodium in Africa, where most cases are accounted, highlights the urgent need for new medicines. In this effort, the World Health Organization and Medicines for Malaria Venture joined to define clear goals for novel therapies and characterized the target candidate profile. This ongoing search for new treatments is based on imperative labor in medicinal chemistry which is summarized here with particular attention to hit-to-lead optimizations, key properties, and modes of action of these novel antimalarial drugs. This review, after presenting the current antimalarial chemotherapy, from quinine to the latest marketed drugs, focuses in particular on recent advances of the most promising antimalarial candidates in clinical and preclinical phases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camille Tisnerat
- AGIR UR4294, UFR de Pharmacie, Université de Picardie Jules Verne, Amiens. France
| | | | | | - Pascal Sonnet
- AGIR UR4294, UFR de Pharmacie, Université de Picardie Jules Verne, Amiens. France
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50
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Siddiqui FA, Liang X, Cui L. Plasmodium falciparum resistance to ACTs: Emergence, mechanisms, and outlook. Int J Parasitol Drugs Drug Resist 2021; 16:102-118. [PMID: 34090067 PMCID: PMC8188179 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2021.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2021] [Revised: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Emergence and spread of resistance in Plasmodium falciparum to the frontline treatment artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) in the epicenter of multidrug resistance of Southeast Asia threaten global malaria control and elimination. Artemisinin (ART) resistance (or tolerance) is defined clinically as delayed parasite clearance after treatment with an ART drug. The resistance phenotype is restricted to the early ring stage and can be measured in vitro using a ring-stage survival assay. ART resistance is associated with mutations in the propeller domain of the Kelch family protein K13. As a pro-drug, ART is activated primarily by heme, which is mainly derived from hemoglobin digestion in the food vacuole. Activated ARTs can react promiscuously with a wide range of cellular targets, disrupting cellular protein homeostasis. Consistent with this mode of action for ARTs, the molecular mechanisms of K13-mediated ART resistance involve reduced hemoglobin uptake/digestion and increased cellular stress response. Mutations in other genes such as AP-2μ (adaptor protein-2 μ subunit), UBP-1 (ubiquitin-binding protein-1), and Falcipain 2a that interfere with hemoglobin uptake and digestion also increase resistance to ARTs. ART resistance has facilitated the development of resistance to the partner drugs, resulting in rapidly declining ACT efficacies. The molecular markers for resistance to the partner drugs are mostly associated with point mutations in the two food vacuole membrane transporters PfCRT and PfMDR1, and amplification of pfmdr1 and the two aspartic protease genes plasmepsin 2 and 3. It has been observed that mutations in these genes can have opposing effects on sensitivities to different partner drugs, which serve as the principle for designing triple ACTs and drug rotation. Although clinical ACT resistance is restricted to Southeast Asia, surveillance for drug resistance using in vivo clinical efficacy, in vitro assays, and molecular approaches is required to prevent or slow down the spread of resistant parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faiza Amber Siddiqui
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | - Xiaoying Liang
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | - Liwang Cui
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA.
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