1
|
Diaz AP, Canal CAM, Valdés AJ, Delgado JEG, Varela-M RE. GSK-3 kinase a putative therapeutic target in trypanosomatid parasites. Braz J Infect Dis 2024; 28:103736. [PMID: 38467387 PMCID: PMC10955101 DOI: 10.1016/j.bjid.2024.103736] [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: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 02/11/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Trypanosomatids are an important group of parasites that predominate in tropical and subtropical areas of the planet, which cause diseases that are classified as forgotten and neglected by the world health organization. In this group of parasites, we find Trypanosoma cruzi, Trypanosoma brucei, Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense and Leishmania spp, for which there is no vaccine available, and its control has focused mainly on pharmacological treatment. Due to the poverty situation where these diseases are found and the biological complexity of these parasites, there are multiple variables to control, including the diversity of species, the complexity of their life cycles, drug resistance, cytotoxicity, the limited use in pregnant women, the high costs of treatment and the little-known pharmacological mechanisms of action, among others. It is therefore necessary to find new strategies and approaches for the treatment of these parasitic diseases. Among these new approaches is the rational search for new targets based on the allosteric inhibition of protein kinases, which have been little studied in trypanosomatids. Among these kinases, we find Glycogen Synthase Kinase-3 (GSK-3), a kinase of great pharmacological interest, which is under intense basic and clinical research by pharmaceutical companies for the treatment of cancer. This kinase, highly studied in the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway signaling in humans, has an orthologous gene in these parasites (GSK-3 s), which has proven to be essential for them in response to different challenges; Therefore, it is notable to increase research in this kinase in order to achieve a broad structural and functional characterization in the different species of trypanosomatids.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - R E Varela-M
- Laboratory of Parasitology and Tropical Diseases, Faculty of Basic Sciences, Universidad Santiago de Cali, Cali, Colombia.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Hassan AHE, Alam MM, Phan TN, Baek KH, Lee H, Cho SB, Lee CH, Kim YJ, No JH, Lee YS. Repurposing of conformationally-restricted cyclopentane-based AKT-inhibitors leads to discovery of potential and more selective antileishmanial agents than miltefosine. Bioorg Chem 2023; 141:106890. [PMID: 37783099 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2023.106890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
Conformational restriction was addressed towards the development of more selective and effective antileishmanial agents than currently used drugs for treatment of Leishmania donovani; the causative parasite of the fatal visceral leishmaniasis. Five types of cyclopentane-based conformationally restricted miltefosine analogs that were previously explored in literature as anticancer AKT-inhibitors were reprepared and repurposed as antileishmanial agents. Amongst, positions-1 and 2 cis-conformationally-restricted compound 1a and positions-2 and 3 trans-conformationally-restricted compound 3b were highly potent eliciting sub-micromolar IC50 values for inhibition of infection and inhibition of parasite number compared with the currently used miltefosine drug that showed low micromolar IC50 values for inhibition of infection and inhibition of parasite number. Compounds 1a and 3b eradicated the parasite without triggering host cells cytotoxicity over more than one log concentration interval which is a superior performance compared to miltefosine. In silico studies suggested that conformational restriction conserved the conformer capable of binding LdAKT-like kinase while it might be possible that it excludes other conformers mediating undesirable effects and/or toxicity of miltefosine. Together, this study presents compounds 1a and 3b as antileishmanial agents with superior performance over the currently used miltefosine drug.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed H E Hassan
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt; Medicinal Chemistry Laboratory, College of Pharmacy, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea.
| | - Mohammad Maqusood Alam
- Medicinal Chemistry Laboratory, College of Pharmacy, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea
| | - Trong-Nhat Phan
- Host-Parasite Research Laboratory, Institut Pasteur Korea, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do 13488, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyung-Hwa Baek
- Host-Parasite Research Laboratory, Institut Pasteur Korea, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do 13488, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyeryon Lee
- Host-Parasite Research Laboratory, Institut Pasteur Korea, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do 13488, Republic of Korea
| | - Soo Bin Cho
- Department of Fundamental Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyung Hee University, 26 Kyungheedae-ro, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea
| | - Chae Hyeon Lee
- Department of Fundamental Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyung Hee University, 26 Kyungheedae-ro, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea
| | - Yeon Ju Kim
- Department of Fundamental Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyung Hee University, 26 Kyungheedae-ro, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea
| | - Joo Hwan No
- Host-Parasite Research Laboratory, Institut Pasteur Korea, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do 13488, Republic of Korea
| | - Yong Sup Lee
- Medicinal Chemistry Laboratory, College of Pharmacy, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea; Department of Fundamental Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyung Hee University, 26 Kyungheedae-ro, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Jacques Dit Lapierre TJW, Cruz MGFDML, Brito NPF, Resende DDM, Souza FDO, Pilau EJ, da Silva MFB, Neves BJ, Murta SMF, Rezende Júnior CDO. Hit-to-lead optimization of a pyrazinylpiperazine series against Leishmania infantum and Leishmania braziliensis. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 256:115445. [PMID: 37156183 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
An early hit-to-lead optimization of a novel pyrazinylpiperazine series against L. infantum and L. braziliensis has been performed after an extensive SAR focusing on the benzoyl fragment of hit (4). Deletion of the meta-Cl of (4) led to the obtention of the para-hydroxyl derivative (12), on which the design of most monosubstituted derivatives of the SAR was based. Further optimization of the series, involving disubstituted benzoyl fragments and the hydroxyl substituent of (12), allowed the obtention of a total of 15 compounds with increased antileishmanial potency (IC50 < 10 μM), nine of which displayed activity in the low micromolar range (IC50 < 5 μM). This optimization ultimately identified the ortho, meta-dihydroxyl derivative (46) as an early lead for this series (IC50 (L. infantum) = 2.8 μM, IC50 (L. braziliensis) = 0.2 μM). Additional assessment of some selected compounds against other trypanosomatid parasites revealed that this series is selective towards Leishmania parasites, and in silico ADMET predictions revealed satisfactory profiles for these compounds, allowing further lead optimization of the pyrazinylpiperazine class against Leishmania.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Nícolas Peterson Ferreira Brito
- Laboratório de Síntese de Candidatos a Fármacos, Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia (UFU), Uberlândia, MG, 38400-902, Brazil
| | - Daniela de Melo Resende
- Grupo de Genômica Funcional de Parasitos, Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ Minas), Belo Horizonte, MG, 30190-002, Brazil
| | - Felipe de Oliveira Souza
- Laboratório de Biomoléculas e Espectrometria de Massas (LaBioMass), Universidade Estadual de Maringá (UEM), Maringá, PR, 807020-900, Brazil
| | - Eduardo Jorge Pilau
- Laboratório de Biomoléculas e Espectrometria de Massas (LaBioMass), Universidade Estadual de Maringá (UEM), Maringá, PR, 807020-900, Brazil
| | - Meryck Felipe Brito da Silva
- Laboratory of Cheminformatics (LabChem), Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO, 74605-170, Brazil
| | - Bruno Junior Neves
- Laboratory of Cheminformatics (LabChem), Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO, 74605-170, Brazil
| | - Silvane Maria Fonseca Murta
- Grupo de Genômica Funcional de Parasitos, Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ Minas), Belo Horizonte, MG, 30190-002, Brazil
| | - Celso de Oliveira Rezende Júnior
- Laboratório de Síntese de Candidatos a Fármacos, Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia (UFU), Uberlândia, MG, 38400-902, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Rai P, Arya H, Saha S, Kumar D, Bhatt TK. Drug repurposing based novel anti-leishmanial drug screening using in-silico and in-vitro approaches. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2022; 40:10812-10820. [PMID: 36529188 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2021.1950574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Visceral leishmaniasis is a neglected tropical disease and is mainly caused by L. donovani in the Indian subcontinent. The mitochondria genome replication in Leishmania spp. is having a very specific mechanism, and it is initiated by a key enzyme called mitochondrial primase. This enzyme is essential for the onset of the replication process and growth of the parasite. Therefore, we focused on the primase protein as a potential therapeutic target for combating leishmaniasis diseases. We started our studies molecular modeling and followed by docking of the FDA-approved drug library into the binding site of the primase protein. The top 30 selected compounds were subjected for molecular dynamics studies. Also, the target protein was cloned, purified, and tested experimentally (primase activity assays and inhibition assays). Some compounds were very effective against the Leishmania cell culture. All these approaches helped us to identify few possible novel anti-leishmanial drugs such as Pioglitazone and Mupirocin. These drugs are effectively involved in inhibiting the promastigote of L. donovani, and it can be utilized in the next level of clinical trials. Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Praveen Rai
- Department of Biotechnology, Central University of Rajasthan, Ajmer, India
| | - Hemant Arya
- Department of Biotechnology, Central University of Rajasthan, Ajmer, India
| | - Satabdi Saha
- Department of Microbiology, Assam University, Silchar, India
| | - Diwakar Kumar
- Department of Microbiology, Assam University, Silchar, India
| | - Tarun Kumar Bhatt
- Department of Biotechnology, Central University of Rajasthan, Ajmer, India
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Rocha YM, Magalhães EP, de Medeiros Chaves M, Machado Marinho M, Nascimento E Melo de Oliveira V, Nascimento de Oliveira R, Lima Sampaio T, de Menezes RRPPB, Martins AMC, Nicolete R. Antiparasitary and antiproliferative activities in vitro of a 1,2,4-oxadiazole derivative on Trypanosoma cruzi. Parasitol Res 2022; 121:2141-2156. [PMID: 35610523 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-022-07554-z] [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: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Chagas disease (CD) is a neglected disease, prevalent and endemic in Latin America, but also present in Europe and North America. The main treatment used for this disease is benznidazole, but its efficacy is variable in the chronic phase and presents high toxicity. So, there is a need for the development of new therapeutic agents. The five-membered heterocyclic 1,2,4-oxadiazole ring has received attention for its unique properties and a broad spectrum of biological activities and is therefore a potential candidate for the development of new drugs. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the activity of the N-cyclohexyl-3-(3-methylphenyl)-1,2,4-oxadiazol-5-amine (2) on the evolutionary forms of Trypanosoma cruzi strain Y, as well as its mechanisms of action and in silico theoretical approach. The results by computational method showed an interaction of the 1,2,4-oxadiazole (2) with TcGAPDH, cruzain, and trypanothione reductase, showing good charge distribution and affinity in those three targets. Furthermore, cytotoxicity in LLC-MK2 cells was performed by the MTT method. In the assays with different parasite forms, the tested compound showed similar time-dependent concentration effect. The evaluation of the antiamastigote effect between the two concentrations tested showed a reduction in the number of infected cells and also in the number of amastigotes per infected cell. By flow cytometry, the compound (2) displayed alterations suggestive of necrotic events. Finally, in scanning electron microscopy structural alterations were present, characteristic of necrosisin the epimastigote forms. Overall, the 1,2,4-oxadiazole derivative (2) here evaluated opens perspectives to the development of new antichagasic agents.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yasmim Mendes Rocha
- Post-Graduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences - Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz Ceará), Rua São José, S/N, Eusébio, 61760-000, Brazil
| | - Emanuel Paula Magalhães
- Post-Graduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences - Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | | | - Márcia Machado Marinho
- Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analysis, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
| | - Valentina Nascimento E Melo de Oliveira
- Department of Chemistry, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil
- Instituto Federal de Educação Ciência E Tecnologia de Pernambuco, Campus Ipojuca, Ipojuca, 55590-000, Brazil
| | | | - Tiago Lima Sampaio
- Post-Graduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences - Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
- Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analysis, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
| | - Ramon R P P B de Menezes
- Post-Graduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences - Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
- Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analysis, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
| | - Alice M C Martins
- Post-Graduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences - Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
- Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analysis, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
| | - Roberto Nicolete
- Post-Graduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences - Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil.
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz Ceará), Rua São José, S/N, Eusébio, 61760-000, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Sebastián-Pérez V, Martínez de Iturrate P, Nácher-Vázquez M, Nóvoa L, Pérez C, Campillo NE, Gil C, Rivas L. Naphthoquinone as a New Chemical Scaffold for Leishmanicidal Inhibitors of Leishmania GSK-3. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10051136. [PMID: 35625873 PMCID: PMC9139002 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10051136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Revised: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
More than 1 billion people live in areas endemic for leishmaniasis, which is a relevant threat for public health worldwide. Due to the inadequate treatments, there is an urgent need to develop novel alternative drugs and to validate new targets to fight this disease. One appealing approach is the selective inhibition of protein kinases (PKs), enzymes involved in a wide range of processes along the life cycle of Leishmania. Several PKs, including glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK-3), have been validated as essential for this parasite by genetic or pharmacological methods. Recently, novel chemical scaffolds have been uncovered as Leishmania GSK-3 inhibitors with antiparasitic activity. In order to find new inhibitors of this enzyme, a virtual screening of our in-house chemical library was carried out on the structure of the Leishmania GSK-3. The virtual hits identified were experimentally assayed both for leishmanicidal activity and for in vitro inhibition of the enzyme. The best hits have a quinone scaffold. Their optimization through a medicinal chemistry approach led to a set of new compounds, provided a frame to establish biochemical and antiparasitic structure–activity relationships, and delivered molecules with an improved selectivity index. Altogether, this study paves the way for a systemic search of this class of inhibitors for further development as potential leishmanicidal drugs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Victor Sebastián-Pérez
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas (CIB-CSIC), 28040 Madrid, Spain; (V.S.-P.); (P.M.d.I.); (M.N.-V.); (L.N.); (N.E.C.)
| | - Paula Martínez de Iturrate
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas (CIB-CSIC), 28040 Madrid, Spain; (V.S.-P.); (P.M.d.I.); (M.N.-V.); (L.N.); (N.E.C.)
| | - Montserrat Nácher-Vázquez
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas (CIB-CSIC), 28040 Madrid, Spain; (V.S.-P.); (P.M.d.I.); (M.N.-V.); (L.N.); (N.E.C.)
| | - Luis Nóvoa
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas (CIB-CSIC), 28040 Madrid, Spain; (V.S.-P.); (P.M.d.I.); (M.N.-V.); (L.N.); (N.E.C.)
| | | | - Nuria E. Campillo
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas (CIB-CSIC), 28040 Madrid, Spain; (V.S.-P.); (P.M.d.I.); (M.N.-V.); (L.N.); (N.E.C.)
| | - Carmen Gil
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas (CIB-CSIC), 28040 Madrid, Spain; (V.S.-P.); (P.M.d.I.); (M.N.-V.); (L.N.); (N.E.C.)
- Correspondence: (C.G.); (L.R.)
| | - Luis Rivas
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas (CIB-CSIC), 28040 Madrid, Spain; (V.S.-P.); (P.M.d.I.); (M.N.-V.); (L.N.); (N.E.C.)
- Correspondence: (C.G.); (L.R.)
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Santucci M, Luciani R, Gianquinto E, Pozzi C, Pisa FD, dello Iacono L, Landi G, Tagliazucchi L, Mangani S, Spyrakis F, Costi MP. Repurposing the Trypanosomatidic GSK Kinetobox for the Inhibition of Parasitic Pteridine and Dihydrofolate Reductases. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14121246. [PMID: 34959646 PMCID: PMC8704748 DOI: 10.3390/ph14121246] [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: 10/31/2021] [Revised: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Three open-source anti-kinetoplastid chemical boxes derived from a whole-cell phenotypic screening by GlaxoSmithKline (Tres Cantos Anti-Kinetoplastid Screening, TCAKS) were exploited for the discovery of a novel core structure inspiring new treatments of parasitic diseases targeting the trypansosmatidic pteridine reductase 1 (PTR1) and dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) enzymes. In total, 592 compounds were tested through medium-throughput screening assays. A subset of 14 compounds successfully inhibited the enzyme activity in the low micromolar range of at least one of the enzymes from both Trypanosoma brucei and Lesihmania major parasites (pan-inhibitors), or from both PTR1 and DHFR-TS of the same parasite (dual inhibitors). Molecular docking studies of the protein–ligand interaction focused on new scaffolds not reproducing the well-known antifolate core clearly explaining the experimental data. TCMDC-143249, classified as a benzenesulfonamide derivative by the QikProp descriptor tool, showed selective inhibition of PTR1 and growth inhibition of the kinetoplastid parasites in the 5 μM range. In our work, we enlarged the biological profile of the GSK Kinetobox and identified new core structures inhibiting selectively PTR1, effective against the kinetoplastid infectious protozoans. In perspective, we foresee the development of selective PTR1 and DHFR inhibitors for studies of drug combinations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Santucci
- Department of Life Science, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 103, 41125 Modena, Italy; (M.S.); (R.L.); (L.T.)
| | - Rosaria Luciani
- Department of Life Science, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 103, 41125 Modena, Italy; (M.S.); (R.L.); (L.T.)
| | - Eleonora Gianquinto
- Department of Drug Science and Technology, University of Turin, Via Giuria 9, 10125 Turin, Italy; (E.G.); (F.S.)
| | - Cecilia Pozzi
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy—Department of Excellence 2018–2020, University of Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy; (C.P.); (F.d.P.); (L.d.I.); (G.L.); (S.M.)
| | - Flavio di Pisa
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy—Department of Excellence 2018–2020, University of Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy; (C.P.); (F.d.P.); (L.d.I.); (G.L.); (S.M.)
| | - Lucia dello Iacono
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy—Department of Excellence 2018–2020, University of Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy; (C.P.); (F.d.P.); (L.d.I.); (G.L.); (S.M.)
| | - Giacomo Landi
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy—Department of Excellence 2018–2020, University of Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy; (C.P.); (F.d.P.); (L.d.I.); (G.L.); (S.M.)
| | - Lorenzo Tagliazucchi
- Department of Life Science, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 103, 41125 Modena, Italy; (M.S.); (R.L.); (L.T.)
| | - Stefano Mangani
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy—Department of Excellence 2018–2020, University of Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy; (C.P.); (F.d.P.); (L.d.I.); (G.L.); (S.M.)
| | - Francesca Spyrakis
- Department of Drug Science and Technology, University of Turin, Via Giuria 9, 10125 Turin, Italy; (E.G.); (F.S.)
| | - Maria Paola Costi
- Department of Life Science, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 103, 41125 Modena, Italy; (M.S.); (R.L.); (L.T.)
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Efstathiou A, Smirlis D. Leishmania Protein Kinases: Important Regulators of the Parasite Life Cycle and Molecular Targets for Treating Leishmaniasis. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9040691. [PMID: 33801655 PMCID: PMC8066228 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9040691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Revised: 03/21/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Leishmania is a protozoan parasite of the trypanosomatid family, causing a wide range of diseases with different clinical manifestations including cutaneous, mucocutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis. According to WHO, one billion people are at risk of Leishmania infection as they live in endemic areas while there are 12 million infected people worldwide. Annually, 0.9-1.6 million new infections are reported and 20-50 thousand deaths occur due to Leishmania infection. As current chemotherapy for treating leishmaniasis exhibits numerous drawbacks and due to the lack of effective human vaccine, there is an urgent need to develop new antileishmanial therapy treatment. To this end, eukaryotic protein kinases can be ideal target candidates for rational drug design against leishmaniasis. Eukaryotic protein kinases mediate signal transduction through protein phosphorylation and their inhibition is anticipated to be disease modifying as they regulate all essential processes for Leishmania viability and completion of the parasitic life cycle including cell-cycle progression, differentiation and virulence. This review highlights existing knowledge concerning the exploitation of Leishmania protein kinases as molecular targets to treat leishmaniasis and the current knowledge of their role in the biology of Leishmania spp. and in the regulation of signalling events that promote parasite survival in the insect vector or the mammalian host.
Collapse
|
9
|
Baker N, Catta-Preta CMC, Neish R, Sadlova J, Powell B, Alves-Ferreira EVC, Geoghegan V, Carnielli JBT, Newling K, Hughes C, Vojtkova B, Anand J, Mihut A, Walrad PB, Wilson LG, Pitchford JW, Volf P, Mottram JC. Systematic functional analysis of Leishmania protein kinases identifies regulators of differentiation or survival. Nat Commun 2021; 12:1244. [PMID: 33623024 PMCID: PMC7902614 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-21360-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Differentiation between distinct stages is fundamental for the life cycle of intracellular protozoan parasites and for transmission between hosts, requiring stringent spatial and temporal regulation. Here, we apply kinome-wide gene deletion and gene tagging in Leishmania mexicana promastigotes to define protein kinases with life cycle transition roles. Whilst 162 are dispensable, 44 protein kinase genes are refractory to deletion in promastigotes and are likely core genes required for parasite replication. Phenotyping of pooled gene deletion mutants using bar-seq and projection pursuit clustering reveal functional phenotypic groups of protein kinases involved in differentiation from metacyclic promastigote to amastigote, growth and survival in macrophages and mice, colonisation of the sand fly and motility. This unbiased interrogation of protein kinase function in Leishmania allows targeted investigation of organelle-associated signalling pathways required for successful intracellular parasitism.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- N Baker
- York Biomedical Research Institute, University of York, York, UK
- Department of Biology, University of York, York, UK
| | - C M C Catta-Preta
- York Biomedical Research Institute, University of York, York, UK
- Department of Biology, University of York, York, UK
| | - R Neish
- York Biomedical Research Institute, University of York, York, UK
- Department of Biology, University of York, York, UK
| | - J Sadlova
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - B Powell
- Department of Mathematics, University of York, York, UK
| | - E V C Alves-Ferreira
- York Biomedical Research Institute, University of York, York, UK
- Department of Biology, University of York, York, UK
| | - V Geoghegan
- York Biomedical Research Institute, University of York, York, UK
- Department of Biology, University of York, York, UK
| | - J B T Carnielli
- York Biomedical Research Institute, University of York, York, UK
- Department of Biology, University of York, York, UK
| | - K Newling
- Department of Biology, University of York, York, UK
| | - C Hughes
- York Biomedical Research Institute, University of York, York, UK
- Department of Biology, University of York, York, UK
| | - B Vojtkova
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - J Anand
- York Biomedical Research Institute, University of York, York, UK
- Department of Biology, University of York, York, UK
| | - A Mihut
- Department of Biology, University of York, York, UK
| | - P B Walrad
- York Biomedical Research Institute, University of York, York, UK
- Department of Biology, University of York, York, UK
| | - L G Wilson
- York Biomedical Research Institute, University of York, York, UK
- Department of Physics, University of York, York, UK
| | - J W Pitchford
- Department of Biology, University of York, York, UK
- Department of Mathematics, University of York, York, UK
| | - P Volf
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - J C Mottram
- York Biomedical Research Institute, University of York, York, UK.
- Department of Biology, University of York, York, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
The ultimate fate determinants of drug induced cell-death mechanisms in Trypanosomatids. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-DRUGS AND DRUG RESISTANCE 2021; 15:81-91. [PMID: 33601284 PMCID: PMC7900639 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2021.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2020] [Revised: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Chemotherapy constitutes a major part of modern-day therapy for infectious and chronic diseases. A drug is said to be effective if it can inhibit its target, induce stress, and thereby trigger an array of cell death pathways in the form of programmed cell death, autophagy, necrosis, etc. Chemotherapy is the only treatment choice against trypanosomatid diseases like Leishmaniasis, Chagas disease, and sleeping sickness. Anti-trypanosomatid drugs can induce various cell death phenotypes depending upon the drug dose and growth stage of the parasites. The mechanisms and pathways triggering cell death in Trypanosomatids serve to help identify potential targets for the development of effective anti-trypanosomatids. Studies show that the key proteins involved in cell death of trypanosomatids are metacaspases, Endonuclease G, Apoptosis-Inducing Factor, cysteine proteases, serine proteases, antioxidant systems, etc. Unlike higher eukaryotes, these organisms either lack the complete set of effectors involved in cell death pathways, or are yet to be deciphered. A detailed summary of the existing knowledge of different drug-induced cell death pathways would help identify the lacuna in each of these pathways and therefore open new avenues for research and thereby new therapeutic targets to explore. The cell death pathway associated complexities in metazoans are absent in trypanosomatids; hence this summary can also help understand the trigger points as well as cross-talk between these pathways. Here we provide an in-depth overview of the existing knowledge of these drug-induced trypanosomatid cell death pathways, describe their associated physiological changes, and suggest potential interconnections amongst them.
Collapse
|
11
|
Lopes SP, Yepes LM, Pérez-Castillo Y, Robledo SM, de Sousa DP. Alkyl and Aryl Derivatives Based on p-Coumaric Acid Modification and Inhibitory Action against Leishmania braziliensis and Plasmodium falciparum. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25143178. [PMID: 32664596 PMCID: PMC7397144 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25143178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2020] [Revised: 06/12/2020] [Accepted: 06/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
In low-income populations, neglected diseases are the principal cause of mortality. Of these, leishmaniasis and malaria, being parasitic, protozoan infections, affect millions of people worldwide and are creating a public health problem. The present work evaluates the leishmanicidal and antiplasmodial action of a series of twelve p-coumaric acid derivatives. Of the tested derivatives, eight presented antiparasitic activities 1–3, 8–12. The hexyl p-coumarate derivative (9) (4.14 ± 0.55 μg/mL; selectivity index (SI) = 2.72) showed the highest leishmanicidal potency against the Leishmania braziliensis amastigote form. The results of the molecular docking study suggest that this compound inhibits aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), mitogen-activated kinase protein (MPK4), and DNA topoisomerase 2 (TOP2), all of which are key enzymes in the development of Leishmania braziliensis. The data indicate that these enzymes interact via Van der Waals bonds, hydrophobic interactions, and hydrogen bonds with phenolic and aliphatic parts of this same compound. Of the other compounds analyzed, methyl p-coumarate (64.59 ± 2.89 μg/mL; IS = 0.1) demonstrated bioactivity against Plasmodium falciparum. The study reveals that esters presenting a p-coumarate substructure are promising for use in synthesis of derivatives with good antiparasitic profiles.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Susiany P. Lopes
- PostGraduation Program in Technological Development and Innovation in Medicines, Federal University of Paraíba, João Pessoa CEP 58051-970, Brazil;
| | - Lina M. Yepes
- PECET-Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín Calle 70 # 52-21, Colombia; (L.M.Y.); (S.M.R.)
| | | | - Sara M. Robledo
- PECET-Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín Calle 70 # 52-21, Colombia; (L.M.Y.); (S.M.R.)
| | - Damião P. de Sousa
- PostGraduation Program in Technological Development and Innovation in Medicines, Federal University of Paraíba, João Pessoa CEP 58051-970, Brazil;
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Paraíba, João Pessoa CEP 58051-970, Brazil
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|