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Huang Z, Gou X, Hang X, Shi T, Yang J, Liu Y, He X, Li J, Quan K, Bi H, Luo Y. Design, Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of 5-(5-Iodo-2-isopropyl-4-methoxyphenoxy)pyrimidine-2,4-diamine (AF-353) Derivatives as Novel DHFR Inhibitors against Staphylococcus aureus. J Med Chem 2024. [PMID: 38466654 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c02355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
The high lethality of Staphylococcus aureus infections and the emergence of antibiotic resistance make the development of new antibiotics urgent. Our previous work identified a hit compound h1 (AF-353) as a novel Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) inhibitor. Herein, we analyzed the antimicrobial profile of h1 and performed a comprehensive structure-activity relationship (SAR) assay based on h1. The representative compound j9 exhibited potent antibacterial activity against S. aureus without cross-resistance to other antimicrobial classes. Multiple genetic and biochemical approaches showed that j9 directly binds to SaDHFR, resulting in strong inhibition of its enzymatic activity (IC50 = 0.97 nM). Additionally, j9 had an acceptable in vivo safety profile and oral bioavailability (F = 40.7%) and also showed favorable efficacy in a mouse model of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) skin infection. Collectively, these findings identified j9 as a novel SaDHFR inhibitor with the potential to combat drug-resistant S. aureus infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zongkai Huang
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Xupeng Gou
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Xudong Hang
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Pathogen Biology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Ting Shi
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Pathogen Biology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Jiaxing Yang
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Yan Liu
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Xinlian He
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Jin Li
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Keao Quan
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Pathogen Biology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Hongkai Bi
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Pathogen Biology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Youfu Luo
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
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2
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Possart K, Herrmann FC, Jose J, Schmidt TJ. In Silico and In Vitro Search for Dual Inhibitors of the Trypanosoma brucei and Leishmania major Pteridine Reductase 1 and Dihydrofolate Reductase. Molecules 2023; 28:7526. [PMID: 38005256 PMCID: PMC10673058 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28227526] [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: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The parasites Trypanosoma brucei (Tb) and Leishmania major (Lm) cause the tropical diseases sleeping sickness, nagana, and cutaneous leishmaniasis. Every year, millions of humans, as well as animals, living in tropical to subtropical climates fall victim to these illnesses' health threats. The parasites' frequent drug resistance and widely spread natural reservoirs heavily impede disease prevention and treatment. Due to pteridine auxotrophy, trypanosomatid parasites have developed a peculiar enzyme system consisting of dihydrofolate reductase-thymidylate synthase (DHFR-TS) and pteridine reductase 1 (PTR1) to support cell survival. Extending our previous studies, we conducted a comparative study of the T. brucei (TbDHFR, TbPTR1) and L. major (LmDHFR, LmPTR1) enzymes to identify lead structures with a dual inhibitory effect. A pharmacophore-based in silico screening of three natural product databases (approximately 4880 compounds) was performed to preselect possible inhibitors. Building on the in silico results, the inhibitory potential of promising compounds was verified in vitro against the recombinant DHFR and PTR1 of both parasites using spectrophotometric enzyme assays. Twelve compounds were identified as dual inhibitors against the Tb enzymes (0.2 μM < IC50 < 85.1 μM) and ten against the respective Lm enzymes (0.6 μM < IC50 < 84.5 μM). These highly promising results may represent the starting point for the future development of new leads and drugs utilizing the trypanosomatid pteridine metabolism as a target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Possart
- University of Muenster, Institute for Pharmaceutical Biology and Phytochemistry (IPBP), PharmaCampus, Corrensstrasse 48, D-48149 Muenster, Germany; (K.P.); (F.C.H.)
| | - Fabian C. Herrmann
- University of Muenster, Institute for Pharmaceutical Biology and Phytochemistry (IPBP), PharmaCampus, Corrensstrasse 48, D-48149 Muenster, Germany; (K.P.); (F.C.H.)
| | - Joachim Jose
- University of Muenster, Institute of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, PharmaCampus, Corrensstrasse 48, D-48149 Muenster, Germany;
| | - Thomas J. Schmidt
- University of Muenster, Institute for Pharmaceutical Biology and Phytochemistry (IPBP), PharmaCampus, Corrensstrasse 48, D-48149 Muenster, Germany; (K.P.); (F.C.H.)
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3
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The Broad-Spectrum Antitrypanosomal Inhibitory Efficiency of the Antimetabolite/Anticancer Drug Raltitrexed. Processes (Basel) 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/pr10112158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Raltitrexed is a classical antifolate drug with antimetabolite and anticancer properties. In this research, we provide its detailed antitrypanosomal inhibition against six Trypanosoma species and investigate its potential mode of action. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and in silico analyses were used to track the binding strength and stability. Raltitrexed showed broad-spectrum trypanocidal actions against Trypanosoma brucei brucei GUTat3.1, T. b. rhodesiense IL1501, T. b. gambiense IL1922, T. evansi Tansui, T. equiperdum IVM-t1 and T. congolense IL3000. The estimated IC50 was found to be in the range of 5.18–24.13 µg/mL, indicating inhibition of Trypanosoma in the low micromolar range. Although the co-crystallized ligand had robust hydrogen bonding and lipophilic characteristics, its docking score was only −4.6 compared to raltitrexed’s −7.78, indicating strong binding with T. brucei dihydrofolate reductase-thymidylate synthase (TbDHFR-TS). MD simulations support the strong binding of raltitrexed with TbDHFR-TS evidenced by low root mean square deviation (RMSD), low residues fluctuations, a tight radius of gyration (ROG) and an average of 3.38 ± 1.3 hydrogen bonds during 50 ns MD simulation. The prospective extended spectrum of raltitrexed against Trypanosoma species grants further research for the synthesis of raltitrexed derivatives and repurposing against other protozoa.
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Preliminary Structure-Activity Relationship Study of the MMV Pathogen Box Compound MMV675968 (2,4-Diaminoquinazoline) Unveils Novel Inhibitors of Trypanosoma brucei brucei. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 27:molecules27196574. [PMID: 36235118 PMCID: PMC9571290 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27196574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Revised: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
New drugs are urgently needed for the treatment of human African trypanosomiasis (HAT). In line with our quest for novel inhibitors of trypanosomes, a small library of analogs of the antitrypanosomal hit (MMV675968) available at MMV as solid materials was screened for antitrypanosomal activity. In silico exploration of two potent antitrypanosomal structural analogs (7-MMV1578647 and 10-MMV1578445) as inhibitors of dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) was achieved, together with elucidation of other antitrypanosomal modes of action. In addition, they were assessed in vitro for tentative inhibition of DHFR in a crude trypanosome extract. Their ADMET properties were also predicted using dedicated software. Overall, the two diaminoquinazoline analogs displayed approximately 40-fold and 60-fold more potency and selectivity in vitro than the parent hit, respectively (MMV1578445 (10): IC50 = 0.045 µM, SI = 1737; MMV1578467 (7): IC50 = 0.06 µM; SI = 412). Analogs 7 and 10 were also strong binders of the DHFR enzyme in silico, in all their accessible protonation states, and interacted with key DHFR ligand recognition residues Val32, Asp54, and Ile160. They also exhibited significant activity against trypanosome protein isolate. MMV1578445 (10) portrayed fast and irreversible trypanosome growth arrest between 4–72 h at IC99. Analogs 7 and 10 induced in vitro ferric iron reduction and DNA fragmentation or apoptosis induction, respectively. The two potent analogs endowed with predicted suitable physicochemical and ADMET properties are good candidates for further deciphering their potential as starting points for new drug development for HAT.
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5
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Shamshad H, Bakri R, Mirza AZ. Dihydrofolate reductase, thymidylate synthase, and serine hydroxy methyltransferase: successful targets against some infectious diseases. Mol Biol Rep 2022; 49:6659-6691. [PMID: 35253073 PMCID: PMC8898753 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-022-07266-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Parasitic diseases have a serious impact on the world in terms of health and economics and are responsible for worldwide mortality and morbidity. The present review features the hybrid targeting involving three main enzymes for the treatment of different parasitic diseases. The enzymes Dihydrofolate reductase, thymidylate synthase, and Serine hydroxy methyltransferase play an essential role in the folate pathway. The present review focuses on these enzymes, which can be targeted against several diseases. It shed light on the past, present, and future of these targets, and it can be assessed that these targets can play a significant role against several infectious diseases. For combating viral and protozoal infectious diseases, these targets in combination should be addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hina Shamshad
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Jinnah University for Women, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Rowaida Bakri
- College of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
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6
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Pöhner I, Quotadamo A, Panecka-Hofman J, Luciani R, Santucci M, Linciano P, Landi G, Di Pisa F, Dello Iacono L, Pozzi C, Mangani S, Gul S, Witt G, Ellinger B, Kuzikov M, Santarem N, Cordeiro-da-Silva A, Costi MP, Venturelli A, Wade RC. Multitarget, Selective Compound Design Yields Potent Inhibitors of a Kinetoplastid Pteridine Reductase 1. J Med Chem 2022; 65:9011-9033. [PMID: 35675511 PMCID: PMC9289884 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c00232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
![]()
The optimization
of compounds with multiple targets is a difficult
multidimensional problem in the drug discovery cycle. Here, we present
a systematic, multidisciplinary approach to the development of selective
antiparasitic compounds. Computational fragment-based design of novel
pteridine derivatives along with iterations of crystallographic structure
determination allowed for the derivation of a structure–activity
relationship for multitarget inhibition. The approach yielded compounds
showing apparent picomolar inhibition of T. brucei pteridine reductase 1 (PTR1), nanomolar inhibition of L.
major PTR1, and selective submicromolar inhibition of parasite
dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) versus human DHFR. Moreover, by combining
design for polypharmacology with a property-based on-parasite optimization,
we found three compounds that exhibited micromolar EC50 values against T. brucei brucei while retaining
their target inhibition. Our results provide a basis for the further
development of pteridine-based compounds, and we expect our multitarget
approach to be generally applicable to the design and optimization
of anti-infective agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ina Pöhner
- Molecular and Cellular Modeling Group, Heidelberg Institute for Theoretical Studies (HITS), D-69118 Heidelberg, Germany.,Faculty of Biosciences, Heidelberg University, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Antonio Quotadamo
- Tydock Pharma srl, Strada Gherbella 294/B, 41126 Modena, Italy.,Clinical and Experimental Medicine PhD Program, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41121 Modena, Italy
| | - Joanna Panecka-Hofman
- Molecular and Cellular Modeling Group, Heidelberg Institute for Theoretical Studies (HITS), D-69118 Heidelberg, Germany.,Faculty of Physics, University of Warsaw, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Rosaria Luciani
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 103, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Matteo Santucci
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 103, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Pasquale Linciano
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 103, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Giacomo Landi
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Flavio Di Pisa
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Lucia Dello Iacono
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Cecilia Pozzi
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Stefano Mangani
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Sheraz Gul
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, Discovery Research ScreeningPort, Schnackenburgallee 114, D-22525 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Gesa Witt
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, Discovery Research ScreeningPort, Schnackenburgallee 114, D-22525 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Bernhard Ellinger
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, Discovery Research ScreeningPort, Schnackenburgallee 114, D-22525 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Maria Kuzikov
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, Discovery Research ScreeningPort, Schnackenburgallee 114, D-22525 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Nuno Santarem
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Anabela Cordeiro-da-Silva
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal.,Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - Maria P Costi
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 103, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Alberto Venturelli
- Tydock Pharma srl, Strada Gherbella 294/B, 41126 Modena, Italy.,Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 103, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Rebecca C Wade
- Molecular and Cellular Modeling Group, Heidelberg Institute for Theoretical Studies (HITS), D-69118 Heidelberg, Germany.,Faculty of Biosciences, Heidelberg University, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany.,Center for Molecular Biology (ZMBH), DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, Heidelberg University, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany.,Interdisciplinary Center for Scientific Computing (IWR), Heidelberg University, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
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7
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Possart K, Herrmann FC, Jose J, Costi MP, Schmidt TJ. Sesquiterpene Lactones with Dual Inhibitory Activity against the Trypanosoma brucei Pteridine Reductase 1 and Dihydrofolate Reductase. Molecules 2021; 27:149. [PMID: 35011381 PMCID: PMC8747069 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27010149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Revised: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The parasite Trypanosoma brucei (T. brucei) is responsible for human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) and the cattle disease "Nagana" which to this day cause severe medical and socio-economic issues for the affected areas in Africa. So far, most of the available treatment options are accompanied by harmful side effects and are constantly challenged by newly emerging drug resistances. Since trypanosomatids are auxotrophic for folate, their pteridine metabolism provides a promising target for an innovative chemotherapeutic treatment. They are equipped with a unique corresponding enzyme system consisting of the bifunctional dihydrofolate reductase-thymidylate synthase (TbDHFR-TS) and the pteridine reductase 1 (TbPTR1). Previously, gene knockout experiments with PTR1 null mutants have underlined the importance of these enzymes for parasite survival. In a search for new chemical entities with a dual inhibitory activity against the TbPTR1 and TbDHFR, a multi-step in silico procedure was employed to pre-select promising candidates against the targeted enzymes from a natural product database. Among others, the sesquiterpene lactones (STLs) cynaropicrin and cnicin were identified as in silico hits. Consequently, an in-house database of 118 STLs was submitted to an in silico screening yielding 29 further virtual hits. Ten STLs were subsequently tested against the target enzymes in vitro in a spectrophotometric inhibition assay. Five compounds displayed an inhibition over 50% against TbPTR1 as well as three compounds against TbDHFR. Cynaropicrin turned out to be the most interesting hit since it inhibited both TbPTR1 and TbDHFR, reaching IC50 values of 12.4 µM and 7.1 µM, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Possart
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Biology and Phytochemistry (IPBP), University of Muenster, PharmaCampus, Corrensstrasse 48, D-48149 Muenster, Germany; (K.P.); (F.C.H.)
| | - Fabian C. Herrmann
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Biology and Phytochemistry (IPBP), University of Muenster, PharmaCampus, Corrensstrasse 48, D-48149 Muenster, Germany; (K.P.); (F.C.H.)
| | - Joachim Jose
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, University of Muenster, PharmaCampus, Corrensstrasse 48, D-48149 Muenster, Germany;
| | - Maria P. Costi
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via G. Campi 103, 41125 Modena, Italy;
| | - Thomas J. Schmidt
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Biology and Phytochemistry (IPBP), University of Muenster, PharmaCampus, Corrensstrasse 48, D-48149 Muenster, Germany; (K.P.); (F.C.H.)
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8
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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.
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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:
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9
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Teixeira BVF, Teles ALB, da Silva SG, Brito CCB, de Freitas HF, Pires ABL, Froes TQ, Castilho MS. Dual and selective inhibitors of pteridine reductase 1 (PTR1) and dihydrofolate reductase-thymidylate synthase (DHFR-TS) from Leishmania chagasi. J Enzyme Inhib Med Chem 2019; 34:1439-1450. [PMID: 31409157 PMCID: PMC6713189 DOI: 10.1080/14756366.2019.1651311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2019] [Revised: 07/27/2019] [Accepted: 07/29/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a tropical disease found in more than 90 countries. The drugs available to treat this disease have nonspecific action and high toxicity. In order to develop novel therapeutic alternatives to fight this ailment, pteridine reductase 1 (PTR1) and dihydrofolate reductase-thymidylate synthase (DHF-TS) have been targeted, once Leishmania is auxotrophic for folates. Although PTR1 and DHFR-TS from other protozoan parasites have been studied, their homologs in Leishmania chagasi have been poorly characterized. Hence, this work describes the optimal conditions to express the recombinant LcPTR1 and LcDHFR-TS enzymes, as well as balanced assay conditions for screening. Last but not the least, we show that 2,4 diaminopyrimidine derivatives are low-micromolar competitive inhibitors of both enzymes (LcPTR1 Ki = 1.50-2.30 µM and LcDHFR Ki = 0.28-3.00 µM) with poor selectivity index. On the other hand, compound 5 (2,4-diaminoquinazoline derivative) is a selective LcPTR1 inhibitor (Ki = 0.47 µM, selectivity index = 20).
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Affiliation(s)
| | - André Lacerda Braga Teles
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual de Feira de Santana, Feira de Santana, BA, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Estadual da Bahia, Salvador, BA, Brazil
- Departamento de Ciências da Vida, Universidade do Estado da Bahia, Salvador, BA, Brazil
| | | | | | - Humberto Fonseca de Freitas
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Farmácia, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, BA, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual de Feira de Santana, Feira de Santana, BA, Brazil
| | | | - Thamires Quadros Froes
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual de Feira de Santana, Feira de Santana, BA, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Santos Castilho
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Farmácia, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, BA, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual de Feira de Santana, Feira de Santana, BA, Brazil
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10
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Abstract
Parasites elicit several physiological changes in their host to enhance transmission. Little is known about the functional association between parasitism and microbiota-provisioned resources typically dedicated to animal hosts and how these goods may be rerouted to optimize parasite development. This study is the first to identify a specific symbiont-generated metabolite that impacts insect vector competence by facilitating parasite establishment and, thus, eventual transmission. Specifically, we demonstrate that the tsetse fly obligate mutualist Wigglesworthia provisions folate (vitamin B9) that pathogenic African trypanosomes exploit in an effort to successfully establish an infection in the vector’s MG. This process is essential for the parasite to complete its life cycle and be transmitted to a new vertebrate host. Disrupting metabolic contributions provided by the microbiota of arthropod disease vectors may fuel future innovative control strategies while also offering minimal nontarget effects. Many symbionts supplement their host’s diet with essential nutrients. However, whether these nutrients also enhance parasitism is unknown. In this study, we investigated whether folate (vitamin B9) production by the tsetse fly (Glossina spp.) essential mutualist, Wigglesworthia, aids auxotrophic African trypanosomes in completing their life cycle within this obligate vector. We show that the expression of Wigglesworthia folate biosynthesis genes changes with the progression of trypanosome infection within tsetse. The disruption of Wigglesworthia folate production caused a reduction in the percentage of flies that housed midgut (MG) trypanosome infections. However, decreased folate did not prevent MG trypanosomes from migrating to and establishing an infection in the fly’s salivary glands, thus suggesting that nutrient requirements vary throughout the trypanosome life cycle. We further substantiated that trypanosomes rely on symbiont-generated folate by feeding this vitamin to Glossina brevipalpis, which exhibits low trypanosome vector competency and houses Wigglesworthia incapable of producing folate. Folate-supplemented G. brevipalpis flies were significantly more susceptible to trypanosome infection, further demonstrating that this vitamin facilitates parasite infection establishment. Our cumulative results provide evidence that Wigglesworthia provides a key metabolite (folate) that is “hijacked” by trypanosomes to enhance their infectivity, thus indirectly impacting tsetse species vector competency. Parasite dependence on symbiont-derived micronutrients, which likely also occurs in other arthropod vectors, represents a relationship that may be exploited to reduce disease transmission.
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11
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Webster LA, Thomas M, Urbaniak M, Wyllie S, Ong H, Tinti M, Fairlamb AH, Boesche M, Ghidelli-Disse S, Drewes G, Gilbert IH. Development of Chemical Proteomics for the Folateome and Analysis of the Kinetoplastid Folateome. ACS Infect Dis 2018; 4:1475-1486. [PMID: 30264983 PMCID: PMC6199744 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.8b00097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
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The folate pathway has been extensively
studied in a number of organisms, with its essentiality exploited
by a number of drugs. However, there has been little success in developing
drugs that target folate metabolism in the kinetoplastids. Despite
compounds being identified which show significant inhibition of the
parasite enzymes, this activity does not translate well into cellular
and animal models of disease. Understanding to which enzymes antifolates
bind under physiological conditions and how this corresponds to the
phenotypic response could provide insight on how to target the folate
pathway in these organisms. To facilitate this, we have adopted a
chemical proteomics approach to study binding of compounds to enzymes
of folate metabolism. Clinical and literature antifolate compounds
were immobilized onto resins to allow for “pull down”
of the proteins in the “folateome”. Using competition
studies, proteins, which bind the beads specifically and nonspecifically,
were identified in parasite lysate (Trypanosoma brucei and Leishmania major) for each antifolate compound.
Proteins were identified through tryptic digest, tandem mass tag (TMT)
labeling of peptides followed by LC-MS/MS. This approach was further
exploited by creating a combined folate resin (folate beads). The
resin could pull down up to 9 proteins from the folateome. This information
could be exploited in gaining a better understanding of folate metabolism
in kinetoplastids and other organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren A. Webster
- Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, College of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, DD1 5EH, United Kingdom
| | - Michael Thomas
- Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, College of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, DD1 5EH, United Kingdom
| | - Michael Urbaniak
- Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, College of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, DD1 5EH, United Kingdom
| | - Susan Wyllie
- Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, College of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, DD1 5EH, United Kingdom
| | - Han Ong
- Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, College of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, DD1 5EH, United Kingdom
| | - Michele Tinti
- Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, College of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, DD1 5EH, United Kingdom
| | - Alan H. Fairlamb
- Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, College of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, DD1 5EH, United Kingdom
| | - Markus Boesche
- Cellzome - a GSK company, Meyerhofstrasse 1, Heidelberg, 69117, Germany
| | | | - Gerard Drewes
- Cellzome - a GSK company, Meyerhofstrasse 1, Heidelberg, 69117, Germany
| | - Ian H. Gilbert
- Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, College of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, DD1 5EH, United Kingdom
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12
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Corral MG, Haywood J, Stehl LH, Stubbs KA, Murcha MW, Mylne JS. Targeting plant DIHYDROFOLATE REDUCTASE with antifolates and mechanisms for genetic resistance. THE PLANT JOURNAL : FOR CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2018; 95:727-742. [PMID: 29876984 DOI: 10.1111/tpj.13983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2018] [Revised: 05/16/2018] [Accepted: 05/21/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The folate biosynthetic pathway and its key enzyme dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) is a popular target for drug development due to its essential role in the synthesis of DNA precursors and some amino acids. Despite its importance, little is known about plant DHFRs, which, like the enzymes from the malarial parasite Plasmodium, are bifunctional, possessing DHFR and thymidylate synthase (TS) domains. Here using genetic knockout lines we confirmed that either DHFR-TS1 or DHFR-TS2 (but not DHFR-TS3) was essential for seed development. Screening mutated Arabidopsis thaliana seeds for resistance to antimalarial DHFR-inhibitor drugs pyrimethamine and cycloguanil identified causal lesions in DHFR-TS1 and DHFR-TS2, respectively, near the predicted substrate-binding site. The different drug resistance profiles for the plants, enabled by the G137D mutation in DHFR-TS1 and the A71V mutation in DHFR-TS2, were consistent with biochemical studies using recombinant proteins and could be explained by structural models. These findings provide a great improvement in our understanding of plant DHFR-TS and suggest how plant-specific inhibitors might be developed, as DHFR is not currently targeted by commercial herbicides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maxime G Corral
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, Perth, 6009, Australia
- The ARC Centre of Excellence in Plant Energy Biology, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, Perth, 6009, Australia
| | - Joel Haywood
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, Perth, 6009, Australia
- The ARC Centre of Excellence in Plant Energy Biology, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, Perth, 6009, Australia
| | - Luca H Stehl
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, Perth, 6009, Australia
- Faculty of Biology, The University of Freiburg, Schaenzlestrasse 1, Freiburg, 79104, Germany
| | - Keith A Stubbs
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, Perth, 6009, Australia
| | - Monika W Murcha
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, Perth, 6009, Australia
- The ARC Centre of Excellence in Plant Energy Biology, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, Perth, 6009, Australia
| | - Joshua S Mylne
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, Perth, 6009, Australia
- The ARC Centre of Excellence in Plant Energy Biology, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, Perth, 6009, Australia
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13
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Panecka-Hofman J, Pöhner I, Spyrakis F, Zeppelin T, Di Pisa F, Dello Iacono L, Bonucci A, Quotadamo A, Venturelli A, Mangani S, Costi M, Wade RC. Comparative mapping of on-targets and off-targets for the discovery of anti-trypanosomatid folate pathway inhibitors. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2017; 1861:3215-3230. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2017.09.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2017] [Revised: 09/11/2017] [Accepted: 09/13/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
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14
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Linciano P, Dawson A, Pöhner I, Costa DM, Sá MS, Cordeiro-da-Silva A, Luciani R, Gul S, Witt G, Ellinger B, Kuzikov M, Gribbon P, Reinshagen J, Wolf M, Behrens B, Hannaert V, Michels PAM, Nerini E, Pozzi C, di Pisa F, Landi G, Santarem N, Ferrari S, Saxena P, Lazzari S, Cannazza G, Freitas-Junior LH, Moraes CB, Pascoalino BS, Alcântara LM, Bertolacini CP, Fontana V, Wittig U, Müller W, Wade RC, Hunter WN, Mangani S, Costantino L, Costi MP. Exploiting the 2-Amino-1,3,4-thiadiazole Scaffold To Inhibit Trypanosoma brucei Pteridine Reductase in Support of Early-Stage Drug Discovery. ACS OMEGA 2017; 2:5666-5683. [PMID: 28983525 PMCID: PMC5623949 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.7b00473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2017] [Accepted: 08/11/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Pteridine reductase-1 (PTR1) is a promising drug target for the treatment of trypanosomiasis. We investigated the potential of a previously identified class of thiadiazole inhibitors of Leishmania major PTR1 for activity against Trypanosoma brucei (Tb). We solved crystal structures of several TbPTR1-inhibitor complexes to guide the structure-based design of new thiadiazole derivatives. Subsequent synthesis and enzyme- and cell-based assays confirm new, mid-micromolar inhibitors of TbPTR1 with low toxicity. In particular, compound 4m, a biphenyl-thiadiazole-2,5-diamine with IC50 = 16 μM, was able to potentiate the antitrypanosomal activity of the dihydrofolate reductase inhibitor methotrexate (MTX) with a 4.1-fold decrease of the EC50 value. In addition, the antiparasitic activity of the combination of 4m and MTX was reversed by addition of folic acid. By adopting an efficient hit discovery platform, we demonstrate, using the 2-amino-1,3,4-thiadiazole scaffold, how a promising tool for the development of anti-T. brucei agents can be obtained.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pasquale Linciano
- Dipartimento di
Scienze della Vita, Università degli
Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 103, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Alice Dawson
- Biological Chemistry &
Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, The Wellcome Trust Building, University of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee DD1
5EH, U.K.
| | - Ina Pöhner
- Molecular
and Cellular Modeling Group and Scientific Databases and Visualization
(SDBV) Group, Heidelberg Institute for Theoretical
Studies, Schloss-Wolfsbrunnenweg
35, D-69118 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - David M. Costa
- Instituto de Investigação
e Inovação em Saúde, Instituto de Biologia Molecular
e Celular, and Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Monica S. Sá
- Instituto de Investigação
e Inovação em Saúde, Instituto de Biologia Molecular
e Celular, and Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Anabela Cordeiro-da-Silva
- Instituto de Investigação
e Inovação em Saúde, Instituto de Biologia Molecular
e Celular, and Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Rosaria Luciani
- Dipartimento di
Scienze della Vita, Università degli
Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 103, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Sheraz Gul
- Fraunhofer-IME SP, Schnackenburgallee 114, D-22525 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Gesa Witt
- Fraunhofer-IME SP, Schnackenburgallee 114, D-22525 Hamburg, Germany
| | | | - Maria Kuzikov
- Fraunhofer-IME SP, Schnackenburgallee 114, D-22525 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Philip Gribbon
- Fraunhofer-IME SP, Schnackenburgallee 114, D-22525 Hamburg, Germany
| | | | - Markus Wolf
- Fraunhofer-IME SP, Schnackenburgallee 114, D-22525 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Birte Behrens
- Fraunhofer-IME SP, Schnackenburgallee 114, D-22525 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Véronique Hannaert
- Research Unit for Tropical
Diseases, de Duve Institute and Laboratory of Biochemistry, Université catholique de Louvain, Avenue Hippocrate 74, B-1200 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Paul A. M. Michels
- Research Unit for Tropical
Diseases, de Duve Institute and Laboratory of Biochemistry, Université catholique de Louvain, Avenue Hippocrate 74, B-1200 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Erika Nerini
- Dipartimento di
Scienze della Vita, Università degli
Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 103, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Cecilia Pozzi
- University of Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Flavio di Pisa
- University of Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Giacomo Landi
- University of Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Nuno Santarem
- Instituto de Investigação
e Inovação em Saúde, Instituto de Biologia Molecular
e Celular, and Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Stefania Ferrari
- Dipartimento di
Scienze della Vita, Università degli
Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 103, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Puneet Saxena
- Dipartimento di
Scienze della Vita, Università degli
Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 103, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Sandra Lazzari
- Dipartimento di
Scienze della Vita, Università degli
Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 103, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Cannazza
- Dipartimento di
Scienze della Vita, Università degli
Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 103, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Lucio H. Freitas-Junior
- Laboratório Nacional de Biociências CNPEM,
Centro Nacional de Pesquisa em Energia e Materials, Rua Giuseppe Máximo Scolfaro, 10.000, CEP 13083-970 Campinas/SP, Brasil
| | - Carolina B. Moraes
- Laboratório Nacional de Biociências CNPEM,
Centro Nacional de Pesquisa em Energia e Materials, Rua Giuseppe Máximo Scolfaro, 10.000, CEP 13083-970 Campinas/SP, Brasil
| | - Bruno S. Pascoalino
- Laboratório Nacional de Biociências CNPEM,
Centro Nacional de Pesquisa em Energia e Materials, Rua Giuseppe Máximo Scolfaro, 10.000, CEP 13083-970 Campinas/SP, Brasil
| | - Laura M. Alcântara
- Laboratório Nacional de Biociências CNPEM,
Centro Nacional de Pesquisa em Energia e Materials, Rua Giuseppe Máximo Scolfaro, 10.000, CEP 13083-970 Campinas/SP, Brasil
| | - Claudia P. Bertolacini
- Laboratório Nacional de Biociências CNPEM,
Centro Nacional de Pesquisa em Energia e Materials, Rua Giuseppe Máximo Scolfaro, 10.000, CEP 13083-970 Campinas/SP, Brasil
| | - Vanessa Fontana
- Laboratório Nacional de Biociências CNPEM,
Centro Nacional de Pesquisa em Energia e Materials, Rua Giuseppe Máximo Scolfaro, 10.000, CEP 13083-970 Campinas/SP, Brasil
| | - Ulrike Wittig
- Molecular
and Cellular Modeling Group and Scientific Databases and Visualization
(SDBV) Group, Heidelberg Institute for Theoretical
Studies, Schloss-Wolfsbrunnenweg
35, D-69118 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Müller
- Molecular
and Cellular Modeling Group and Scientific Databases and Visualization
(SDBV) Group, Heidelberg Institute for Theoretical
Studies, Schloss-Wolfsbrunnenweg
35, D-69118 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Rebecca C. Wade
- Molecular
and Cellular Modeling Group and Scientific Databases and Visualization
(SDBV) Group, Heidelberg Institute for Theoretical
Studies, Schloss-Wolfsbrunnenweg
35, D-69118 Heidelberg, Germany
- Center for Molecular Biology (ZMBH), DKFZ−ZMBH Alliance, Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 282, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Interdisciplinary Center for Scientific Computing (IWR), Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 205, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - William N. Hunter
- Biological Chemistry &
Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, The Wellcome Trust Building, University of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee DD1
5EH, U.K.
| | | | - Luca Costantino
- Dipartimento di
Scienze della Vita, Università degli
Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 103, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Maria P. Costi
- Dipartimento di
Scienze della Vita, Università degli
Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 103, 41125 Modena, Italy
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15
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Field MC, Horn D, Fairlamb AH, Ferguson MAJ, Gray DW, Read KD, De Rycker M, Torrie LS, Wyatt PG, Wyllie S, Gilbert IH. Anti-trypanosomatid drug discovery: an ongoing challenge and a continuing need. Nat Rev Microbiol 2017; 15:217-231. [PMID: 28239154 PMCID: PMC5582623 DOI: 10.1038/nrmicro.2016.193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 263] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The WHO recognizes human African trypanosomiasis, Chagas disease and the leishmaniases as neglected tropical diseases. These diseases are caused by parasitic trypanosomatids and range in severity from mild and self-curing to near invariably fatal. Public health advances have substantially decreased the effect of these diseases in recent decades but alone will not eliminate them. In this Review, we discuss why new drugs against trypanosomatids are required, approaches that are under investigation to develop new drugs and why the drug discovery pipeline remains essentially unfilled. In addition, we consider the important challenges to drug discovery strategies and the new technologies that can address them. The combination of new drugs, new technologies and public health initiatives is essential for the management, and hopefully eventual elimination, of trypanosomatid diseases from the human population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark C Field
- Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
| | - David Horn
- Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Alan H Fairlamb
- Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Michael A J Ferguson
- Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
| | - David W Gray
- Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Kevin D Read
- Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Manu De Rycker
- Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Leah S Torrie
- Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Paul G Wyatt
- Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Susan Wyllie
- Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Ian H Gilbert
- Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
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16
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Lausannevirus Encodes a Functional Dihydrofolate Reductase Susceptible to Proguanil. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2017; 61:AAC.02573-16. [PMID: 28137801 PMCID: PMC5365716 DOI: 10.1128/aac.02573-16] [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: 12/05/2016] [Accepted: 01/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Lausannevirus belongs to the family Marseilleviridae within the group of nucleocytoplasmic large DNA viruses (NCLDVs). These giant viruses exhibit unique features, including a large genome, ranging from 100 kb to 2.5 Mb and including from 150 to more than 2,500 genes, as well as the presence of genes coding for proteins involved in transcription and translation. The large majority of Lausannevirus open reading frames have unknown functions. Interestingly, a bifunctional dihydrofolate reductase-thymidylate synthase (DHFR-TS) is encoded in the Lausannevirus genome. The enzyme plays central roles in DNA precursor biosynthesis. DHFR is the pharmacological target of antifolates, such as trimethoprim, pyrimethamine, and proguanil. First, the functionality of Lausannevirus DHFR-TS was demonstrated by the successful complementation of a DHFR-deficient Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain with a plasmid expressing the heterologous gene. Additionally, using this heterologous expression system, we demonstrated the in vitro susceptibility of Lausannevirus DHFR-TS to proguanil and its resistance to pyrimethamine and trimethoprim. Proguanil may provide a unique and useful treatment if Lausannevirus proves to be a human pathogen. To our knowledge, this is the first time that a DHFR-TS has been described and characterized in an NCLDV.
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17
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Dewar S, Sienkiewicz N, Ong HB, Wall RJ, Horn D, Fairlamb AH. The Role of Folate Transport in Antifolate Drug Action in Trypanosoma brucei. J Biol Chem 2016; 291:24768-24778. [PMID: 27703008 PMCID: PMC5114424 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m116.750422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2016] [Revised: 09/14/2016] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to identify and characterize mechanisms of resistance to antifolate drugs in African trypanosomes. Genome-wide RNAi library screens were undertaken in bloodstream form Trypanosoma brucei exposed to the antifolates methotrexate and raltitrexed. In conjunction with drug susceptibility and folate transport studies, RNAi knockdown was used to validate the functions of the putative folate transporters. The transport kinetics of folate and methotrexate were further characterized in whole cells. RNA interference target sequencing experiments identified a tandem array of genes encoding a folate transporter family, TbFT1-3, as major contributors to antifolate drug uptake. RNAi knockdown of TbFT1-3 substantially reduced folate transport into trypanosomes and reduced the parasite's susceptibly to the classical antifolates methotrexate and raltitrexed. In contrast, knockdown of TbFT1-3 increased susceptibly to the non-classical antifolates pyrimethamine and nolatrexed. Both folate and methotrexate transport were inhibited by classical antifolates but not by non-classical antifolates or biopterin. Thus, TbFT1-3 mediates the uptake of folate and classical antifolates in trypanosomes, and TbFT1-3 loss-of-function is a mechanism of antifolate drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Dewar
- From the Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, Wellcome Trust Building, College of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Natasha Sienkiewicz
- From the Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, Wellcome Trust Building, College of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Han B Ong
- From the Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, Wellcome Trust Building, College of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Richard J Wall
- From the Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, Wellcome Trust Building, College of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - David Horn
- From the Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, Wellcome Trust Building, College of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Alan H Fairlamb
- From the Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, Wellcome Trust Building, College of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, Scotland, United Kingdom.
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18
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Nyíri K, Vértessy BG. Perturbation of genome integrity to fight pathogenic microorganisms. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2016; 1861:3593-3612. [PMID: 27217086 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2016.05.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2016] [Revised: 05/05/2016] [Accepted: 05/18/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Resistance against antibiotics is unfortunately still a major biomedical challenge for a wide range of pathogens responsible for potentially fatal diseases. SCOPE OF REVIEW In this study, we aim at providing a critical assessment of the recent advances in design and use of drugs targeting genome integrity by perturbation of thymidylate biosynthesis. MAJOR CONCLUSION We find that research efforts from several independent laboratories resulted in chemically highly distinct classes of inhibitors of key enzymes within the routes of thymidylate biosynthesis. The present article covers numerous studies describing perturbation of this metabolic pathway in some of the most challenging pathogens like Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Plasmodium falciparum, and Staphylococcus aureus. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE Our comparative analysis allows a thorough summary of the current approaches to target thymidylate biosynthesis enzymes and also include an outlook suggesting novel ways of inhibitory strategies. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled "Science for Life" Guest Editor: Dr. Austen Angell, Dr. Salvatore Magazù and Dr. Federica Migliardo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kinga Nyíri
- Dept. Biotechnology, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, 4 Szent Gellért tér, Budapest HU 1111, Hungary; Institute of Enzymology, RCNS, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, 2 Magyar tudósok körútja, Budapest HU 1117, Hungary.
| | - Beáta G Vértessy
- Dept. Biotechnology, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, 4 Szent Gellért tér, Budapest HU 1111, Hungary; Institute of Enzymology, RCNS, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, 2 Magyar tudósok körútja, Budapest HU 1117, Hungary.
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