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Costa NS, dos Anjos LR, de Souza JV, Brasil MCDA, Moreira VP, Graminha MAS, Lubec G, Gonzalez ERP, Cilli EM. Development of New Leishmanicidal Compounds via Bioconjugation of Antimicrobial Peptides and Antileishmanial Guanidines. ACS OMEGA 2023; 8:34008-34016. [PMID: 37744786 PMCID: PMC10515597 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c04878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
Leishmaniasis refers to a collection of diseases caused by protozoa from the Leishmania genus. These diseases, along with other parasitic afflictions, pose a significant public health issue, particularly given the escalating number of at-risk patients. This group includes immunocompromised individuals and those residing in impoverished conditions. The treatment of leishmaniasis is crucial, particularly in light of the mortality rate associated with nontreatment, which stands at 20-30,000 deaths per year globally. However, the therapeutic options currently available are limited, often ineffective, and potentially toxic. Consequently, the pursuit of new therapeutic alternatives is warranted. This study aims to design, synthesize, and evaluate the leishmanicidal activity of antimicrobial peptides functionalized with guanidine compounds and identify those with enhanced potency and selectivity against the parasite. Accordingly, three bioconjugates were obtained by using the solid-phase peptide synthesis protocol. Each proved to be more potent against intracellular amastigotes than their respective peptide or guanidine compounds alone and demonstrated higher selectivity to the parasites than to the host cells. Thus, the conjugation strategy employed with these compounds effectively contributes to the development of new molecules with leishmanicidal activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia
C. S. Costa
- Department
of Biochemistry and Organic Chemistry, Institute
of Chemistry, São Paulo State University (UNESP), 14800-060 Araraquara, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Luana Ribeiro dos Anjos
- Fine
Organic Chemistry Lab, School of Sciences and Technology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), 19060-080 Presidente
Prudente, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - João Victor
Marcelino de Souza
- Department
of Biochemistry and Organic Chemistry, Institute
of Chemistry, São Paulo State University (UNESP), 14800-060 Araraquara, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Vitor Partite Moreira
- Fine
Organic Chemistry Lab, School of Sciences and Technology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), 19060-080 Presidente
Prudente, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marcia A. S. Graminha
- School
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo
State University (UNESP), 14800-903 Araraquara, São
Paulo, Brazil
| | - Gert Lubec
- Department
of Neuroproteomics, Paracelsus Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Eduardo Rene P. Gonzalez
- Fine
Organic Chemistry Lab, School of Sciences and Technology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), 19060-080 Presidente
Prudente, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Eduardo Maffud Cilli
- Department
of Biochemistry and Organic Chemistry, Institute
of Chemistry, São Paulo State University (UNESP), 14800-060 Araraquara, São Paulo, Brazil
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2
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Arafet K, Royo S, Schirmeister T, Barthels F, González FV, Moliner V. Impact of the Recognition Part of Dipeptidyl Nitroalkene Compounds on the Inhibition Mechanism of Cysteine Proteases Cruzain and Cathepsin L. ACS Catal 2023; 13:6289-6300. [PMID: 37180968 PMCID: PMC10167892 DOI: 10.1021/acscatal.3c01035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Cysteine proteases (CPs) are an important class of enzymes, many of which are responsible for several human diseases. For instance, cruzain of protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi is responsible for the Chagas disease, while the role of human cathepsin L is associated with some cancers or is a potential target for the treatment of COVID-19. However, despite paramount work carried out during the past years, the compounds that have been proposed so far show limited inhibitory action against these enzymes. We present a study of proposed covalent inhibitors of these two CPs, cruzain and cathepsin L, based on the design, synthesis, kinetic measurements, and QM/MM computational simulations on dipeptidyl nitroalkene compounds. The experimentally determined inhibition data, together with the analysis and the predicted inhibition constants derived from the free energy landscape of the full inhibition process, allowed describing the impact of the recognition part of these compounds and, in particular, the modifications on the P2 site. The designed compounds and, in particular, the one with a bulky group (Trp) at the P2 site show promising in vitro inhibition activities against cruzain and cathepsin L for use as a starting lead compound in the development of drugs with medical applications for the treatment of human diseases and future designs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kemel Arafet
- Dipartimento
di Scienze degli Alimenti e del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Parma, 43124 Parma, Italy
- BioComp
Group, Institute of Advanced Materials (INAM),
Universitat Jaume I, 12071 Castelló, Spain
| | - Santiago Royo
- Departament
de Química Inorgànica i Orgànica, Universitat Jaume I, 12071 Castelló, Spain
| | - Tanja Schirmeister
- Institute
of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Fabian Barthels
- Institute
of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Florenci V. González
- Departament
de Química Inorgànica i Orgànica, Universitat Jaume I, 12071 Castelló, Spain
| | - Vicent Moliner
- BioComp
Group, Institute of Advanced Materials (INAM),
Universitat Jaume I, 12071 Castelló, Spain
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3
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Melfi F, Carradori S, Campestre C, Haloci E, Ammazzalorso A, Grande R, D'Agostino I. Emerging compounds and therapeutic strategies to treat infections from Trypanosoma brucei: an overhaul of the last 5-years patents. Expert Opin Ther Pat 2023; 33:247-263. [PMID: 36933190 DOI: 10.1080/13543776.2023.2193328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/19/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Human African Trypanosomiasis is a neglected disease caused by infection from parasites belonging to the Trypanosoma brucei species. Only six drugs are currently available and employed depending on the stage of the infection: pentamidine, suramin, melarsoprol, eflornithine, nifurtimox, and fexinidazole. Joint research projects were launched in an attempt to find new therapeutic options for this severe and often lethal disease. AREAS COVERED After a brief description of the recent literature on the parasite and the disease, we searched for patents dealing with the proposal of new anti-trypanosomiasis agents and, following the PRISMA guidelines, we filtered the results to those published from 2018onwards returning suitable entries, which represent the contemporary landscape of compounds/strategies against Trypanosoma brucei. In addition, some relevant publications from the overall scientific literature were also discussed. EXPERT OPINION This review comprehensively covers and analyzes the most recent advances not only in the discovery of new inhibitors and their structure-activity relationships but also in the assessment of innovative biological targets opening new scenarios in the MedChem field. Lastly, also new vaccines and formulations recently patented were described. However, natural and synthetic compounds were analyzed in terms of inhibitory activity and selective toxicity against human cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Melfi
- Department of Pharmacy, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Simone Carradori
- Department of Pharmacy, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Cristina Campestre
- Department of Pharmacy, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Entela Haloci
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Medicine, Tirana, Albania
| | | | - Rossella Grande
- Department of Pharmacy, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Ilaria D'Agostino
- Department of Pharmacy, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
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4
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Lameiro RF, Montanari CA. Investigating the Lack of Translation from Cruzain Inhibition to Trypanosoma cruzi Activity with Machine Learning and Chemical Space Analyses. ChemMedChem 2023; 18:e202200434. [PMID: 36692246 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202200434] [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: 10/06/2022] [Revised: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Chagas disease is a neglected tropical disease caused by the protozoa Trypanosoma cruzi. Cruzain, its main cysteine protease, is commonly targeted in drug discovery efforts to find new treatments for this disease. Even though the essentiality of this enzyme for the parasite has been established, many cruzain inhibitors fail as trypanocidal agents. This lack of translation from biochemical to biological assays can involve several factors, including suboptimal physicochemical properties. In this work, we aim to rationalize this phenomenon through chemical space analyses of calculated molecular descriptors. These include statistical tests, visualization of projections, scaffold analysis, and creation of machine learning models coupled with interpretability methods. Our results demonstrate a significant difference between the chemical spaces of cruzain and T. cruzi inhibitors, with compounds with more hydrogen bond donors and rotatable bonds being more likely to be good cruzain inhibitors, but less likely to be active on T. cruzi. In addition, cruzain inhibitors seem to occupy specific regions of the chemical space that cannot be easily correlated with T. cruzi activity, which means that using predictive modeling to determine whether cruzain inhibitors will be trypanocidal is not a straightforward task. We believe that the conclusions from this work might be of interest for future projects that aim to develop novel trypanocidal compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael F Lameiro
- Medicinal and Biological Chemistry Group, São Carlos Institute of Chemistry, University of São Paulo, Trabalhador São-Carlense Avenue 400, São Carlos, Brazil
| | - Carlos A Montanari
- Medicinal and Biological Chemistry Group, São Carlos Institute of Chemistry, University of São Paulo, Trabalhador São-Carlense Avenue 400, São Carlos, Brazil
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5
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Ashhurst A, Tang AH, Fajtová P, Yoon MC, Aggarwal A, Bedding MJ, Stoye A, Beretta L, Pwee D, Drelich A, Skinner D, Li L, Meek TD, McKerrow JH, Hook V, Tseng CT, Larance M, Turville S, Gerwick WH, O’Donoghue AJ, Payne RJ. Potent Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Activity by the Natural Product Gallinamide A and Analogues via Inhibition of Cathepsin L. J Med Chem 2022; 65:2956-2970. [PMID: 34730959 PMCID: PMC8577376 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c01494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Cathepsin L is a key host cysteine protease utilized by coronaviruses for cell entry and is a promising drug target for novel antivirals against SARS-CoV-2. The marine natural product gallinamide A and several synthetic analogues were identified as potent inhibitors of cathepsin L with IC50 values in the picomolar range. Lead molecules possessed selectivity over other cathepsins and alternative host proteases involved in viral entry. Gallinamide A directly interacted with cathepsin L in cells and, together with two lead analogues, potently inhibited SARS-CoV-2 infection in vitro, with EC50 values in the nanomolar range. Reduced antiviral activity was observed in cells overexpressing transmembrane protease, serine 2 (TMPRSS2); however, a synergistic improvement in antiviral activity was achieved when combined with a TMPRSS2 inhibitor. These data highlight the potential of cathepsin L as a COVID-19 drug target as well as the likely need to inhibit multiple routes of viral entry to achieve efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anneliese
S. Ashhurst
- School
of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW2006, Australia
- School
of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW2006, Australia
| | - Arthur H. Tang
- School
of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW2006, Australia
| | - Pavla Fajtová
- Skaggs
School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California92093, United States
- Institute
of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy
of Sciences of the Czech Republic, 16610Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Michael C. Yoon
- Skaggs
School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California92093, United States
| | - Anupriya Aggarwal
- Kirby
Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW2052, Australia
| | - Max J. Bedding
- School
of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW2006, Australia
| | - Alexander Stoye
- School
of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW2006, Australia
| | - Laura Beretta
- Skaggs
School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California92093, United States
| | - Dustin Pwee
- Skaggs
School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California92093, United States
| | - Aleksandra Drelich
- Department
of Microbiology and Immunology, University
of Texas, Medical Branch, 3000 University Boulevard, Galveston, Texas77755-1001, United States
| | - Danielle Skinner
- Skaggs
School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California92093, United States
| | - Linfeng Li
- Department
of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M
University, 301 Old Main
Drive, College Station, Texas77843, United States
| | - Thomas D. Meek
- Department
of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M
University, 301 Old Main
Drive, College Station, Texas77843, United States
| | - James H. McKerrow
- Skaggs
School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California92093, United States
| | - Vivian Hook
- Skaggs
School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California92093, United States
| | - Chien-Te Tseng
- Department
of Microbiology and Immunology, University
of Texas, Medical Branch, 3000 University Boulevard, Galveston, Texas77755-1001, United States
| | - Mark Larance
- Charles
Perkins Centre and School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW2006, Australia
| | - Stuart Turville
- Kirby
Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW2052, Australia
| | - William H. Gerwick
- Skaggs
School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California92093, United States
- Center
for Marine Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California92093, United States
| | - Anthony J. O’Donoghue
- Skaggs
School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California92093, United States
| | - Richard J. Payne
- School
of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW2006, Australia
- Australian
Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and
Protein Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW2006, Australia
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6
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Santos VC, Campos ACB, Waldner BJ, Liedl KR, Ferreira RS. Impact of different protonation states on virtual screening performance against cruzain. Chem Biol Drug Des 2021; 99:703-716. [PMID: 34923756 DOI: 10.1111/cbdd.14008] [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: 06/16/2021] [Revised: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The cysteine protease cruzain is a Chagas disease target, exploited in computational studies. However, there is no consensus on the protonation states of the active site residues Cys25, His162, and Glu208 at the enzyme's active pH range. We evaluated the impact of different protonation states of these residues on docking calculations. Through a retrospective study with cruzain inhibitors and decoys, we compared the performance of virtual screening using four grids, varying protonation states of Cys25, His162, and Glu208. Based on enrichment factors and ROC plots, docking with the four grids affected compound ranking and the overall charge of top-ranking compounds. Different grids can be complementary and synergistic, increasing the odds of finding different ligands with diverse chemical properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viviane Corrêa Santos
- Laboratório de Modelagem Molecular e Planejamento de Fármacos, Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Antônio Carlos 6627, Belo Horizonte, MG, 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Augusto César Broilo Campos
- Laboratório de Modelagem Molecular e Planejamento de Fármacos, Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Antônio Carlos 6627, Belo Horizonte, MG, 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Birgit J Waldner
- Institute of General, Inorganic and Theoretical Chemistry, and Centre for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Innrain 82, Innsbruck, Tyrol, 6020, Austria
| | - Klaus R Liedl
- Institute of General, Inorganic and Theoretical Chemistry, and Centre for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Innrain 82, Innsbruck, Tyrol, 6020, Austria
| | - Rafaela Salgado Ferreira
- Laboratório de Modelagem Molecular e Planejamento de Fármacos, Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Antônio Carlos 6627, Belo Horizonte, MG, 31270-901, Brazil
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7
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Structural Optimization and Biological Activity of Pyrazole Derivatives: Virtual Computational Analysis, Recovery Assay and 3D Culture Model as Potential Predictive Tools of Effectiveness against Trypanosoma cruzi. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26216742. [PMID: 34771151 PMCID: PMC8587750 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26216742] [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: 09/23/2021] [Revised: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease, a chronic and silent disease caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, is currently a global public health problem. The treatment of this neglected disease relies on benznidazole and nifurtimox, two nitroheterocyclic drugs that show limited efficacy and severe side effects. The failure of potential drug candidates in Chagas disease clinical trials highlighted the urgent need to identify new effective chemical entities and more predictive tools to improve translational success in the drug development pipeline. In this study, we designed a small library of pyrazole derivatives (44 analogs) based on a hit compound, previously identified as a T. cruzi cysteine protease inhibitor. The in vitro phenotypic screening revealed compounds 3g, 3j, and 3m as promising candidates, with IC50 values of 6.09 ± 0.52, 2.75 ± 0.62, and 3.58 ± 0.25 µM, respectively, against intracellular amastigotes. All pyrazole derivatives have good oral bioavailability prediction. The structure–activity relationship (SAR) analysis revealed increased potency of 1-aryl-1H-pyrazole-imidazoline derivatives with the Br, Cl, and methyl substituents in the para-position. The 3m compound stands out for its trypanocidal efficacy in 3D microtissue, which mimics tissue microarchitecture and physiology, and abolishment of parasite recrudescence in vitro. Our findings encourage the progression of the promising candidate for preclinical in vivo studies.
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8
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Clementino LDC, Fernandes GFS, Prokopczyk IM, Laurindo WC, Toyama D, Motta BP, Baviera AM, Henrique-Silva F, dos Santos JL, Graminha MAS. Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of N-oxide derivatives with potent in vivo antileishmanial activity. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0259008. [PMID: 34723989 PMCID: PMC8559926 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0259008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a neglected disease that affects 12 million people living mainly in developing countries. Herein, 24 new N-oxide-containing compounds were synthesized followed by in vitro and in vivo evaluation of their antileishmanial activity. Compound 4f, a furoxan derivative, was particularly remarkable in this regard, with EC50 value of 3.6 μM against L. infantum amastigote forms and CC50 value superior to 500 μM against murine peritoneal macrophages. In vitro studies suggested that 4f may act by a dual effect, by releasing nitric oxide after biotransformation and by inhibiting cysteine protease CPB (IC50: 4.5 μM). In vivo studies using an acute model of infection showed that compound 4f at 7.7 mg/Kg reduced ~90% of parasite burden in the liver and spleen of L. infantum-infected BALB/c mice. Altogether, these outcomes highlight furoxan 4f as a promising compound for further evaluation as an antileishmanial agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leandro da Costa Clementino
- São Paulo State University (UNESP), Institute of Chemistry, Araraquara, Brazil
- São Paulo State University (UNESP), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Araraquara, Brazil
| | - Guilherme Felipe Santos Fernandes
- São Paulo State University (UNESP), Institute of Chemistry, Araraquara, Brazil
- São Paulo State University (UNESP), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Araraquara, Brazil
| | | | - Wilquer Castro Laurindo
- São Paulo State University (UNESP), Institute of Chemistry, Araraquara, Brazil
- São Paulo State University (UNESP), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Araraquara, Brazil
| | - Danyelle Toyama
- Department of Genetics and Evolution, Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos, Brazil
| | - Bruno Pereira Motta
- São Paulo State University (UNESP), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Araraquara, Brazil
| | - Amanda Martins Baviera
- São Paulo State University (UNESP), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Araraquara, Brazil
| | - Flávio Henrique-Silva
- Department of Genetics and Evolution, Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos, Brazil
| | - Jean Leandro dos Santos
- São Paulo State University (UNESP), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Araraquara, Brazil
- * E-mail: (JLS); (MASG)
| | - Marcia A. S. Graminha
- São Paulo State University (UNESP), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Araraquara, Brazil
- * E-mail: (JLS); (MASG)
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9
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Cheuka PM. Drug Discovery and Target Identification against Schistosomiasis: a Reality Check on Progress and Future Prospects. Curr Top Med Chem 2021; 22:1595-1610. [PMID: 34565320 DOI: 10.2174/1568026621666210924101805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Revised: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Schistosomiasis ranks among the most important infectious diseases, with over 200 million people currently being infected and > 280,000 deaths reported annually. Chemotherapeutic treatment has relied on one drug, praziquantel, for four decades, while other drugs, such as oxamniquine and metrifonate, are no longer preferred for clinical use due to their narrow spectrum of activity - these are only active against S. mansoni and S. haematobium, respectively. Despite being cheap, safe, and effective against all schistosome species, praziquantel is ineffective against immature worms, which may lead to reinfections and treatment failure in endemic areas; a situation that necessitates repeated administration besides other limitations. Therefore, novel drugs are urgently needed to overcome this situation. In this paper, an up to date review of drug targets identified and validated against schistosomiasis while also encompassing promising clinical and preclinical candidate drugs is presented. While there are considerable efforts aimed at identifying and validating drug targets, the pipeline for new antischistosomals is dry. Moreover, the majority of compounds evaluated preclinically are not really advanced because most of them were evaluated in very small preclinical species such as mice alone. Overall, it appears that although a lot of research is going on at discovery phases, unfortunately, it does not translate to advanced preclinical and clinical evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Mubanga Cheuka
- Department of Chemistry, School of Natural Sciences, University of Zambia, Lusaka. Zambia
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10
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Santos VC, Oliveira AER, Campos ACB, Reis-Cunha JL, Bartholomeu DC, Teixeira SMR, Lima APCA, Ferreira RS. The gene repertoire of the main cysteine protease of Trypanosoma cruzi, cruzipain, reveals four sub-types with distinct active sites. Sci Rep 2021; 11:18231. [PMID: 34521898 PMCID: PMC8440672 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-97490-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Cruzipains are the main papain-like cysteine proteases of Trypanosoma cruzi, the protozoan parasite that causes Chagas disease. Encoded by a multigenic family, previous studies have estimated the presence of dozens of copies spread over multiple chromosomes in different parasite strains. Here, we describe the complete gene repertoire of cruzipain in three parasite strains, their genomic organization, and expression pattern throughout the parasite life cycle. Furthermore, we have analyzed primary sequence variations among distinct family members as well as structural differences between the main groups of cruzipains. Based on phylogenetic inferences and residue positions crucial for enzyme function and specificity, we propose the classification of cruzipains into two families (I and II), whose genes are distributed in two or three separate clusters in the parasite genome, according with the strain. Family I comprises nearly identical copies to the previously characterized cruzipain 1/cruzain, whereas Family II encompasses three structurally distinct sub-types, named cruzipain 2, cruzipain 3, and cruzipain 4. RNA-seq data derived from the CL Brener strain indicates that Family I genes are mainly expressed by epimastigotes, whereas trypomastigotes mainly express Family II genes. Significant differences in the active sites among the enzyme sub-types were also identified, which may play a role in their substrate selectivity and impact their inhibition by small molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viviane Corrêa Santos
- grid.8430.f0000 0001 2181 4888Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG Brazil
| | - Antonio Edson Rocha Oliveira
- grid.8430.f0000 0001 2181 4888Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG Brazil ,grid.11899.380000 0004 1937 0722Departamento de Análises Clínicas e Toxicológicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Augusto César Broilo Campos
- grid.8430.f0000 0001 2181 4888Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG Brazil
| | - João Luís Reis-Cunha
- grid.8430.f0000 0001 2181 4888Departamento de Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG Brazil ,grid.8430.f0000 0001 2181 4888Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Escola de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG Brazil
| | | | - Santuza Maria Ribeiro Teixeira
- grid.8430.f0000 0001 2181 4888Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG Brazil
| | - Ana Paula C. A. Lima
- grid.8536.80000 0001 2294 473XInstituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ Brazil
| | - Rafaela Salgado Ferreira
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
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11
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Rivero CV, Martínez SJ, Novick P, Cueto JA, Salassa BN, Vanrell MC, Li X, Labriola CA, Polo LM, Engman DM, Clos J, Romano PS. Repurposing Carvedilol as a Novel Inhibitor of the Trypanosoma cruzi Autophagy Flux That Affects Parasite Replication and Survival. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:657257. [PMID: 34476220 PMCID: PMC8406938 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.657257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
T. cruzi, the causal agent of Chagas disease, is a parasite able to infect different types of host cells and to persist chronically in the tissues of human and animal hosts. These qualities and the lack of an effective treatment for the chronic stage of the disease have contributed to the durability and the spread of the disease around the world. There is an urgent necessity to find new therapies for Chagas disease. Drug repurposing is a promising and cost-saving strategy for finding new drugs for different illnesses. In this work we describe the effect of carvedilol on T. cruzi. This compound, selected by virtual screening, increased the accumulation of immature autophagosomes characterized by lower acidity and hydrolytic properties. As a consequence of this action, the survival of trypomastigotes and the replication of epimastigotes and amastigotes were impaired, resulting in a significant reduction of infection and parasite load. Furthermore, carvedilol reduced the whole-body parasite burden peak in infected mice. In summary, in this work we present a repurposed drug with a significant in vitro and in vivo activity against T. cruzi. These data in addition to other pharmacological properties make carvedilol an attractive lead for Chagas disease treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cynthia Vanesa Rivero
- Laboratorio de Biología de Trypanosoma cruzi y la célula hospedadora - Instituto de Histología y Embriología "Dr. Mario H. Burgos", IHEM-CONICET- Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina.,Leishmaniasis Group, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Santiago José Martínez
- Laboratorio de Biología de Trypanosoma cruzi y la célula hospedadora - Instituto de Histología y Embriología "Dr. Mario H. Burgos", IHEM-CONICET- Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina.,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Cedars Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Paul Novick
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Juan Agustín Cueto
- Laboratorio de Biología de Trypanosoma cruzi y la célula hospedadora - Instituto de Histología y Embriología "Dr. Mario H. Burgos", IHEM-CONICET- Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina
| | - Betiana Nebaí Salassa
- Laboratorio de Biología de Trypanosoma cruzi y la célula hospedadora - Instituto de Histología y Embriología "Dr. Mario H. Burgos", IHEM-CONICET- Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina
| | - María Cristina Vanrell
- Laboratorio de Biología de Trypanosoma cruzi y la célula hospedadora - Instituto de Histología y Embriología "Dr. Mario H. Burgos", IHEM-CONICET- Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina
| | - Xiaomo Li
- Leishmaniasis Group, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Carlos Alberto Labriola
- Laboratorio de Biología estructural y celular, Fundación Instituto Leloir (FIL-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Luis Mariano Polo
- Instituto de Histología y Embriología "Dr. Mario H. Burgos", IHEM-CONICET- Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina
| | - David M Engman
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Cedars Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Joachim Clos
- Leishmaniasis Group, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Patricia Silvia Romano
- Laboratorio de Biología de Trypanosoma cruzi y la célula hospedadora - Instituto de Histología y Embriología "Dr. Mario H. Burgos", IHEM-CONICET- Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina
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12
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Sojka D, Šnebergerová P, Robbertse L. Protease Inhibition-An Established Strategy to Combat Infectious Diseases. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:5762. [PMID: 34071206 PMCID: PMC8197795 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22115762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Revised: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Therapeutic agents with novel mechanisms of action are urgently needed to counter the emergence of drug-resistant infections. Several decades of research into proteases of disease agents have revealed enzymes well suited for target-based drug development. Among them are the three recently validated proteolytic targets: proteasomes of the malarial parasite Plasmodium falciparum, aspartyl proteases of P. falciparum (plasmepsins) and the Sars-CoV-2 viral proteases. Despite some unfulfilled expectations over previous decades, the three reviewed targets clearly demonstrate that selective protease inhibitors provide effective therapeutic solutions for the two most impacting infectious diseases nowadays-malaria and COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Sojka
- Biology Centre, Institute of Parasitology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Branišovská 1160/31, CZ-37005 České Budějovice, Czech Republic; (P.Š.); (L.R.)
| | - Pavla Šnebergerová
- Biology Centre, Institute of Parasitology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Branišovská 1160/31, CZ-37005 České Budějovice, Czech Republic; (P.Š.); (L.R.)
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Branišovská 1760c, CZ-37005 České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Luïse Robbertse
- Biology Centre, Institute of Parasitology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Branišovská 1160/31, CZ-37005 České Budějovice, Czech Republic; (P.Š.); (L.R.)
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13
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Jílková A, Rubešová P, Fanfrlík J, Fajtová P, Řezáčová P, Brynda J, Lepšík M, Mertlíková-Kaiserová H, Emal CD, Renslo AR, Roush WR, Horn M, Caffrey CR, Mareš M. Druggable Hot Spots in the Schistosomiasis Cathepsin B1 Target Identified by Functional and Binding Mode Analysis of Potent Vinyl Sulfone Inhibitors. ACS Infect Dis 2021; 7:1077-1088. [PMID: 33175511 PMCID: PMC8154419 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.0c00501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
![]()
Schistosomiasis, a parasitic disease
caused by blood flukes of
the genus Schistosoma, is a global health problem
with over 200 million people infected. Treatment relies on just one
drug, and new chemotherapies are needed. Schistosoma mansoni cathepsin B1 (SmCB1) is a critical peptidase for the digestion of
host blood proteins and a validated drug target. We screened a library
of peptidomimetic vinyl sulfones against SmCB1 and identified the
most potent SmCB1 inhibitors reported to date that are active in the
subnanomolar range with second order rate constants (k2nd) of ∼2 × 105 M–1 s–1. High resolution crystal structures of the
two best inhibitors in complex with SmCB1 were determined. Quantum
chemical calculations of their respective binding modes identified
critical hot spot interactions in the S1′ and S2 subsites.
The most potent inhibitor targets the S1′ subsite with an N-hydroxysulfonic amide moiety and displays favorable functional
properties, including bioactivity against the pathogen, selectivity
for SmCB1 over human cathepsin B, and reasonable metabolic stability.
Our results provide structural insights for the rational design of
next-generation SmCB1 inhibitors as potential drugs to treat schistosomiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adéla Jílková
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo n. 2, 16610 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Petra Rubešová
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo n. 2, 16610 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jindřich Fanfrlík
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo n. 2, 16610 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Pavla Fajtová
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo n. 2, 16610 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Pavlína Řezáčová
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo n. 2, 16610 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jiří Brynda
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo n. 2, 16610 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Lepšík
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo n. 2, 16610 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Helena Mertlíková-Kaiserová
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo n. 2, 16610 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Cory D. Emal
- Eastern Michigan University, 541 Mark Jefferson, Ypsilanti, Michigan 48197, United States
| | - Adam R. Renslo
- University of California San Francisco, 600 16th Street, San Francisco, California 94143, United States
| | - William R. Roush
- The Scripps Research Institute, 130 Scripps Way, Jupiter, Florida 33458, United States
| | - Martin Horn
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo n. 2, 16610 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Conor R. Caffrey
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Michael Mareš
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo n. 2, 16610 Prague, Czech Republic
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14
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Mellott DM, Tseng CT, Drelich A, Fajtová P, Chenna BC, Kostomiris DH, Hsu J, Zhu J, Taylor ZW, Kocurek KI, Tat V, Katzfuss A, Li L, Giardini MA, Skinner D, Hirata K, Yoon MC, Beck S, Carlin AF, Clark AE, Beretta L, Maneval D, Hook V, Frueh F, Hurst BL, Wang H, Raushel FM, O’Donoghue AJ, de Siqueira-Neto JL, Meek TD, McKerrow JH. A Clinical-Stage Cysteine Protease Inhibitor blocks SARS-CoV-2 Infection of Human and Monkey Cells. ACS Chem Biol 2021; 16:642-650. [PMID: 33787221 PMCID: PMC8029441 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.0c00875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Host-cell cysteine proteases play an essential role in the processing of the viral spike protein of SARS coronaviruses. K777, an irreversible, covalent inactivator of cysteine proteases that has recently completed phase 1 clinical trials, reduced SARS-CoV-2 viral infectivity in several host cells: Vero E6 (EC50< 74 nM), HeLa/ACE2 (4 nM), Caco-2 (EC90 = 4.3 μM), and A549/ACE2 (<80 nM). Infectivity of Calu-3 cells depended on the cell line assayed. If Calu-3/2B4 was used, EC50 was 7 nM, but in the ATCC Calu-3 cell line without ACE2 enrichment, EC50 was >10 μM. There was no toxicity to any of the host cell lines at 10-100 μM K777 concentration. Kinetic analysis confirmed that K777 was a potent inhibitor of human cathepsin L, whereas no inhibition of the SARS-CoV-2 cysteine proteases (papain-like and 3CL-like protease) was observed. Treatment of Vero E6 cells with a propargyl derivative of K777 as an activity-based probe identified human cathepsin B and cathepsin L as the intracellular targets of this molecule in both infected and uninfected Vero E6 cells. However, cleavage of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein was only carried out by cathepsin L. This cleavage was blocked by K777 and occurred in the S1 domain of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, a different site from that previously observed for the SARS-CoV-1 spike protein. These data support the hypothesis that the antiviral activity of K777 is mediated through inhibition of the activity of host cathepsin L and subsequent loss of cathepsin L-mediated viral spike protein processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Drake M. Mellott
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics and
Department of Chemistry, Texas A&M
University, 301 Old Main Drive, College Station, Texas 77843,
United States
| | - Chien-Te Tseng
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology,
University of Texas, Medical Branch, 3000 University
Boulevard, Galveston, Texas 77755-1001, United States
| | - Aleksandra Drelich
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology,
University of Texas, Medical Branch, 3000 University
Boulevard, Galveston, Texas 77755-1001, United States
| | - Pavla Fajtová
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences,
University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
92093, United States
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry,
Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, 16610 Prague,
Czech Republic
| | - Bala C. Chenna
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics and
Department of Chemistry, Texas A&M
University, 301 Old Main Drive, College Station, Texas 77843,
United States
| | - Demetrios H. Kostomiris
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics and
Department of Chemistry, Texas A&M
University, 301 Old Main Drive, College Station, Texas 77843,
United States
| | - Jason Hsu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology,
University of Texas, Medical Branch, 3000 University
Boulevard, Galveston, Texas 77755-1001, United States
| | - Jiyun Zhu
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics and
Department of Chemistry, Texas A&M
University, 301 Old Main Drive, College Station, Texas 77843,
United States
| | - Zane W. Taylor
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics and
Department of Chemistry, Texas A&M
University, 301 Old Main Drive, College Station, Texas 77843,
United States
| | - Klaudia I. Kocurek
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics and
Department of Chemistry, Texas A&M
University, 301 Old Main Drive, College Station, Texas 77843,
United States
| | - Vivian Tat
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology,
University of Texas, Medical Branch, 3000 University
Boulevard, Galveston, Texas 77755-1001, United States
| | - Ardala Katzfuss
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics and
Department of Chemistry, Texas A&M
University, 301 Old Main Drive, College Station, Texas 77843,
United States
| | - Linfeng Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics and
Department of Chemistry, Texas A&M
University, 301 Old Main Drive, College Station, Texas 77843,
United States
| | - Miriam A. Giardini
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences,
University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
92093, United States
| | - Danielle Skinner
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences,
University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
92093, United States
| | - Ken Hirata
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences,
University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
92093, United States
| | - Michael C. Yoon
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences,
University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
92093, United States
| | - Sungjun Beck
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences,
University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
92093, United States
| | - Aaron F. Carlin
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious
Diseases and Global Public Health, University of California San
Diego, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Alex E. Clark
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences,
University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
92093, United States
| | - Laura Beretta
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences,
University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
92093, United States
| | - Daniel Maneval
- Selva Therapeutics and Institute for Antiviral
Research, Department of Animal, Dairy, and Veterinary Sciences, Utah State
University, 5600 Old Main Hill, Logan, Utah 84322, United
States
| | - Vivian Hook
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences,
University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
92093, United States
| | - Felix Frueh
- Selva Therapeutics and Institute for Antiviral
Research, Department of Animal, Dairy, and Veterinary Sciences, Utah State
University, 5600 Old Main Hill, Logan, Utah 84322, United
States
| | - Brett L. Hurst
- Selva Therapeutics and Institute for Antiviral
Research, Department of Animal, Dairy, and Veterinary Sciences, Utah State
University, 5600 Old Main Hill, Logan, Utah 84322, United
States
| | - Hong Wang
- Selva Therapeutics and Institute for Antiviral
Research, Department of Animal, Dairy, and Veterinary Sciences, Utah State
University, 5600 Old Main Hill, Logan, Utah 84322, United
States
| | - Frank M. Raushel
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics and
Department of Chemistry, Texas A&M
University, 301 Old Main Drive, College Station, Texas 77843,
United States
| | - Anthony J. O’Donoghue
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences,
University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
92093, United States
| | - Jair Lage de Siqueira-Neto
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences,
University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
92093, United States
| | - Thomas D. Meek
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics and
Department of Chemistry, Texas A&M
University, 301 Old Main Drive, College Station, Texas 77843,
United States
| | - James H. McKerrow
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences,
University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
92093, United States
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15
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Johé P, Jaenicke E, Neuweiler H, Schirmeister T, Kersten C, Hellmich UA. Structure, interdomain dynamics, and pH-dependent autoactivation of pro-rhodesain, the main lysosomal cysteine protease from African trypanosomes. J Biol Chem 2021; 296:100565. [PMID: 33745969 PMCID: PMC8080524 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2021.100565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2020] [Revised: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Rhodesain is the lysosomal cathepsin L-like cysteine protease of Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense, the causative agent of Human African Trypanosomiasis. The enzyme is essential for the proliferation and pathogenicity of the parasite as well as its ability to overcome the blood-brain barrier of the host. Lysosomal cathepsins are expressed as zymogens with an inactivating prodomain that is cleaved under acidic conditions. A structure of the uncleaved maturation intermediate from a trypanosomal cathepsin L-like protease is currently not available. We thus established the heterologous expression of T. brucei rhodesiense pro-rhodesain in Escherichia coli and determined its crystal structure. The trypanosomal prodomain differs from nonparasitic pro-cathepsins by a unique, extended α-helix that blocks the active site and whose side-chain interactions resemble those of the antiprotozoal inhibitor K11777. Interdomain dynamics between pro- and core protease domain as observed by photoinduced electron transfer fluorescence correlation spectroscopy increase at low pH, where pro-rhodesain also undergoes autocleavage. Using the crystal structure, molecular dynamics simulations, and mutagenesis, we identify a conserved interdomain salt bridge that prevents premature intramolecular cleavage at higher pH values and may thus present a control switch for the observed pH sensitivity of proenzyme cleavage in (trypanosomal) CathL-like proteases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Johé
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Elmar Jaenicke
- Institute for Molecular Physiology, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Hannes Neuweiler
- Department for Biotechnology and Biophysics, Julius-Maximilians-University, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Tanja Schirmeister
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Christian Kersten
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany.
| | - Ute A Hellmich
- Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry Division, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany; Centre for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance (BMRZ), Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany.
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16
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Ashhurst AS, Tang AH, Fajtová P, Yoon M, Aggarwal A, Stoye A, Larance M, Beretta L, Drelich A, Skinner D, Li L, Meek TD, McKerrow JH, Hook V, Tseng CTK, Turville S, Gerwick WH, O'Donoghue AJ, Payne RJ. Potent in vitro anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity by gallinamide A and analogues via inhibition of cathepsin L. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2020. [PMID: 33398273 DOI: 10.1101/2020.12.23.424111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 in late 2019, and the subsequent COVID-19 pandemic, has led to substantial mortality, together with mass global disruption. There is an urgent need for novel antiviral drugs for therapeutic or prophylactic application. Cathepsin L is a key host cysteine protease utilized by coronaviruses for cell entry and is recognized as a promising drug target. The marine natural product, gallinamide A and several synthetic analogues, were identified as potent inhibitors of cathepsin L activity with IC 50 values in the picomolar range. Lead molecules possessed selectivity over cathepsin B and other related human cathepsin proteases and did not exhibit inhibitory activity against viral proteases Mpro and PLpro. We demonstrate that gallinamide A and two lead analogues potently inhibit SARS-CoV-2 infection in vitro , with EC 50 values in the nanomolar range, thus further highlighting the potential of cathepsin L as a COVID-19 antiviral drug target.
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17
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Halakos EG, Connell AJ, Glazewski L, Wei S, Mason RW. Bottom up proteomics identifies neuronal differentiation pathway networks activated by cathepsin inhibition treatment in neuroblastoma cells that are enhanced by concurrent 13-cis retinoic acid treatment. J Proteomics 2020; 232:104068. [PMID: 33278663 DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2020.104068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Revised: 10/16/2020] [Accepted: 11/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is the second most common pediatric cancer involving the peripheral nervous system in which stage IVS metastatic tumors regress due to spontaneous differentiation. 13-cis retinoic acid (13-cis RA) is currently used in the clinic for its differentiation effects and although it improves outcomes, relapse is seen in half of high-risk patients. Combinatorial therapies have been shown to be more effective in oncotherapy and since cathepsin inhibition reduces tumor growth, we explored the potential of coupling 13-cis RA with a cathepsin inhibitor (K777) to enhance therapeutic efficacy against neuroblastoma. Shotgun proteomics was used to identify proteins affected by K777 and dual (13-cis RA/K777) treatment in neuroblastoma SK-N-SH cells. Cathepsin inhibition was more effective in increasing proteins involved in neuronal differentiation and neurite outgrowth than 13-cis RA alone, but the combination of both treatments enhanced the neuronal differentiation effect. SIGNIFICANCE: As neuroblastoma can spontaneously differentiate, determining which proteins are involved in differentiation can guide development of more accurate diagnostic markers and more effective treatments. In this study, we established a differentiation proteomic map of SK-N-SH cells treated with a cathepsin inhibitor (K777) and K777/13-cis RA (dual). Bioinformatic analysis revealed these treatments enhanced neuronal differentiation and axonogenesis pathways. The most affected proteins in these pathways may become valuable biomarkers of efficacy of drugs designed to enhance differentiation of neuroblastoma [1].
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Affiliation(s)
- Effie G Halakos
- Nemours Biomedical Research, Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children, Wilmington, DE 19803, USA; Department of Biological Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA
| | - Andrew J Connell
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA
| | - Lisa Glazewski
- Nemours Biomedical Research, Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children, Wilmington, DE 19803, USA
| | - Shuo Wei
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA
| | - Robert W Mason
- Nemours Biomedical Research, Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children, Wilmington, DE 19803, USA; Department of Biological Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA.
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18
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Mellott DM, Tseng CT, Drelich A, Fajtová P, Chenna BC, Kostomiris DH, Hsu J, Zhu J, Taylor ZW, Tat V, Katzfuss A, Li L, Giardini MA, Skinner D, Hirata K, Beck S, Carlin AF, Clark AE, Beretta L, Maneval D, Frueh F, Hurst BL, Wang H, Kocurek KI, Raushel FM, O’Donoghue AJ, de Siqueira-Neto JL, Meek TD, McKerrow JH. A cysteine protease inhibitor blocks SARS-CoV-2 infection of human and monkey cells. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2020:2020.10.23.347534. [PMID: 33140046 PMCID: PMC7605553 DOI: 10.1101/2020.10.23.347534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
K777 is a di-peptide analog that contains an electrophilic vinyl-sulfone moiety and is a potent, covalent inactivator of cathepsins. Vero E6, HeLa/ACE2, Caco-2, A549/ACE2, and Calu-3, cells were exposed to SARS-CoV-2, and then treated with K777. K777 reduced viral infectivity with EC50 values of inhibition of viral infection of: 74 nM for Vero E6, <80 nM for A549/ACE2, and 4 nM for HeLa/ACE2 cells. In contrast, Calu-3 and Caco-2 cells had EC50 values in the low micromolar range. No toxicity of K777 was observed for any of the host cells at 10-100 μM inhibitor. K777 did not inhibit activity of the papain-like cysteine protease and 3CL cysteine protease, encoded by SARS-CoV-2 at concentrations of ≤ 100 μM. These results suggested that K777 exerts its potent anti-viral activity by inactivation of mammalian cysteine proteases which are essential to viral infectivity. Using a propargyl derivative of K777 as an activity-based probe, K777 selectively targeted cathepsin B and cathepsin L in Vero E6 cells. However only cathepsin L cleaved the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and K777 blocked this proteolysis. The site of spike protein cleavage by cathepsin L was in the S1 domain of SARS-CoV-2 , differing from the cleavage site observed in the SARS CoV-1 spike protein. These data support the hypothesis that the antiviral activity of K777 is mediated through inhibition of the activity of host cathepsin L and subsequent loss of viral spike protein processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Drake M. Mellott
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M University, 301 Old Main Drive, College Station, Texas 77843
| | - Chien-Te Tseng
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas, Medical Branch, 3000 University Boulevard, Galveston, Texas, 77755-1001
| | - Aleksandra Drelich
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas, Medical Branch, 3000 University Boulevard, Galveston, Texas, 77755-1001
| | - Pavla Fajtová
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, 16610 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Bala C. Chenna
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M University, 301 Old Main Drive, College Station, Texas 77843
| | - Demetrios H. Kostomiris
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M University, 301 Old Main Drive, College Station, Texas 77843
| | - Jason Hsu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas, Medical Branch, 3000 University Boulevard, Galveston, Texas, 77755-1001
| | - Jiyun Zhu
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M University, 301 Old Main Drive, College Station, Texas 77843
| | - Zane W. Taylor
- Department of Chemistry, Texas A&M University, 301 Old Main Drive, College Station, Texas 77843
- Current address: Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, 902 Battelle Blvd, Richland, WA 99353
| | - Vivian Tat
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas, Medical Branch, 3000 University Boulevard, Galveston, Texas, 77755-1001
| | - Ardala Katzfuss
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M University, 301 Old Main Drive, College Station, Texas 77843
| | - Linfeng Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M University, 301 Old Main Drive, College Station, Texas 77843
| | - Miriam A. Giardini
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA
| | - Danielle Skinner
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA
| | - Ken Hirata
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA
| | - Sungjun Beck
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA
| | - Aaron F. Carlin
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Alex E. Clark
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA
| | - Laura Beretta
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA
| | - Daniel Maneval
- Selva Therapeutics, Department of Animal, Dairy, and Veterinary Sciences, 5600 Old Main Hill, Utah State University, Logan, Utah, 84322
| | - Felix Frueh
- Selva Therapeutics, Department of Animal, Dairy, and Veterinary Sciences, 5600 Old Main Hill, Utah State University, Logan, Utah, 84322
| | - Brett L. Hurst
- Institute for Antiviral Research, Department of Animal, Dairy, and Veterinary Sciences, 5600 Old Main Hill, Utah State University, Logan, Utah, 84322
| | - Hong Wang
- Institute for Antiviral Research, Department of Animal, Dairy, and Veterinary Sciences, 5600 Old Main Hill, Utah State University, Logan, Utah, 84322
| | - Klaudia I. Kocurek
- Department of Chemistry, Texas A&M University, 301 Old Main Drive, College Station, Texas 77843
| | - Frank M. Raushel
- Department of Chemistry, Texas A&M University, 301 Old Main Drive, College Station, Texas 77843
| | - Anthony J. O’Donoghue
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA
| | | | - Thomas D. Meek
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M University, 301 Old Main Drive, College Station, Texas 77843
| | - James H. McKerrow
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA
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19
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Mena-Rejón G, Pérez-Navarro Y, Torres-Romero JC, Vázquez-Carrillo L, Carballo RM, Arreola R, Herrera-España Á, Arana-Argáez V, Quijano-Quiñones R, Fernández-Sánchez JM, Alvarez-Sánchez ME. Antitrichomonal activity and docking analysis of thiazole derivatives as TvMP50 protease inhibitors. Parasitol Res 2020; 120:233-241. [PMID: 33073325 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-020-06931-w] [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: 06/22/2020] [Accepted: 10/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Trichomoniasis, caused by the protozoan Trichomonas vaginalis, is the most prevalent non-viral sexually transmitted infection that affects over 170 million people worldwide. The only type of drug recommended for the therapeutic control of trichomoniasis is the 5-nitroimidazoles, although there have been reports of some undesirable side effects and clinical resistance. Hence, the need for the search for new tricomonicidal agents is necessary. In a previous work, we demonstrated that two 2-amino-4-aryl thiazole derivatives (ATZ-1 and ATZ-2) possess a portent antigiardial effect. In the current paper, we investigated the in vitro antitrichomonal activity of these thiazole compounds. Both ATZ-1 and ATZ-2 reduced the viability and growth of parasites in a dose-dependent manner, with an IC50 value of 0.15 μg/mL and 0.18 μg/mL, respectively. Furthermore, both thiazole compounds were able to decrease the proteolytic activity in T. vaginalis trophozoites compared with untreated parasites. Interestingly, a full proteolytic inhibition profile was observed in the 50-kDa region which was associated with the decreased expression of the gene that codes for the trichomonad protease TvMP50. The docking simulations predicted strong interactions of the thiazole compounds in the TvMP50 protease's active site, suggesting a possible role as protease inhibitors. Our results demonstrate the potential of 2-amino-4-aryl thiazole derivatives as trichomonicidal compounds and could be, mechanistically, involved in the inhibition of key trichomonad proteases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gonzalo Mena-Rejón
- Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán (UADY), Calle 43 S/N entre calle 96 y calle 40, Colonia Inalámbrica, C.P. 97069, Mérida, Yucatán, México
| | - Yussel Pérez-Navarro
- Posgrado en Ciencias Genómicas, Universidad Autónoma de la Ciudad de México (UACM), San Lorenzo # 290, Col. Del Valle, CP 03100, México City, México
| | - Julio César Torres-Romero
- Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán (UADY), Calle 43 S/N entre calle 96 y calle 40, Colonia Inalámbrica, C.P. 97069, Mérida, Yucatán, México
| | - Laura Vázquez-Carrillo
- Posgrado en Ciencias Genómicas, Universidad Autónoma de la Ciudad de México (UACM), San Lorenzo # 290, Col. Del Valle, CP 03100, México City, México
| | - Rubén M Carballo
- Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán (UADY), Calle 43 S/N entre calle 96 y calle 40, Colonia Inalámbrica, C.P. 97069, Mérida, Yucatán, México
| | - Rodrigo Arreola
- Psychiatric Genetics Department, Clinical Research Branch, National Institute of Psychiatry, Ramón de la Fuente, Calzada México-Xochimilco 101, Colonia San Lorenzo Huipulco, Tlalpan, 14370, México City, DF, México
| | - Ángel Herrera-España
- Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán (UADY), Calle 43 S/N entre calle 96 y calle 40, Colonia Inalámbrica, C.P. 97069, Mérida, Yucatán, México
| | - Victor Arana-Argáez
- Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán (UADY), Calle 43 S/N entre calle 96 y calle 40, Colonia Inalámbrica, C.P. 97069, Mérida, Yucatán, México
| | - Ramiro Quijano-Quiñones
- Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán (UADY), Calle 43 S/N entre calle 96 y calle 40, Colonia Inalámbrica, C.P. 97069, Mérida, Yucatán, México
| | - Jose Manuel Fernández-Sánchez
- División de Ingeniería en Gestión Empresarial, Tecnológico de Estudios Superiores de Ecatepec, Avenida Tecnológico S/N, Colonia Valle de Anahuac, Ecatepec de Morelos, Estado de México, Mexico
| | - María Elizbeth Alvarez-Sánchez
- Posgrado en Ciencias Genómicas, Universidad Autónoma de la Ciudad de México (UACM), San Lorenzo # 290, Col. Del Valle, CP 03100, México City, México.
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Isolation and Molecular Characterization of Rummelii Bacillus Stabekisii: An Efficient Protease Producing Bacterial Strain Identified from Environmental Waste Samples of Warangal District in Telangana. JOURNAL OF PURE AND APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY 2020. [DOI: 10.22207/jpam.14.1.48] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
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21
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Chenna BC, Li L, Mellott DM, Zhai X, Siqueira-Neto JL, Calvet Alvarez C, Bernatchez JA, Desormeaux E, Alvarez Hernandez E, Gomez J, McKerrow JH, Cruz-Reyes J, Meek TD. Peptidomimetic Vinyl Heterocyclic Inhibitors of Cruzain Effect Antitrypanosomal Activity. J Med Chem 2020; 63:3298-3316. [PMID: 32125159 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.9b02078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Cruzain, an essential cysteine protease of the parasitic protozoan, Trypanosoma cruzi, is an important drug target for Chagas disease. We describe here a new series of reversible but time-dependent inhibitors of cruzain, composed of a dipeptide scaffold appended to vinyl heterocycles meant to provide replacements for the irreversible reactive "warheads" of vinyl sulfone inactivators of cruzain. Peptidomimetic vinyl heterocyclic inhibitors (PVHIs) containing Cbz-Phe-Phe/homoPhe scaffolds with vinyl-2-pyrimidine, vinyl-2-pyridine, and vinyl-2-(N-methyl)-pyridine groups conferred reversible, time-dependent inhibition of cruzain (Ki* = 0.1-0.4 μM). These cruzain inhibitors exhibited moderate to excellent selectivity versus human cathepsins B, L, and S and showed no apparent toxicity to human cells but were effective in cell cultures of Trypanosoma brucei brucei (EC50 = 1-15 μM) and eliminated T. cruzi in infected murine cardiomyoblasts (EC50 = 5-8 μM). PVHIs represent a new class of cruzain inhibitors that could progress to viable candidate compounds to treat Chagas disease and human sleeping sickness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bala C Chenna
- Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, Texas A&M University, 301 Old Main Drive, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
| | - Linfeng Li
- Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, Texas A&M University, 301 Old Main Drive, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
| | - Drake M Mellott
- Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, Texas A&M University, 301 Old Main Drive, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
| | - Xiang Zhai
- Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, Texas A&M University, 301 Old Main Drive, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
| | - Jair L Siqueira-Neto
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California-San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Claudia Calvet Alvarez
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California-San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Jean A Bernatchez
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California-San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Emily Desormeaux
- Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, Texas A&M University, 301 Old Main Drive, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
| | - Elizabeth Alvarez Hernandez
- Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, Texas A&M University, 301 Old Main Drive, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
| | - Jana Gomez
- Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, Texas A&M University, 301 Old Main Drive, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
| | - James H McKerrow
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California-San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Jorge Cruz-Reyes
- Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, Texas A&M University, 301 Old Main Drive, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
| | - Thomas D Meek
- Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, Texas A&M University, 301 Old Main Drive, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
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22
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Abstract
Aim: Cysteine proteases are important molecular targets involved in the replication, virulence and survival of parasitic organisms, including Trypanosoma and Leishmania species. Methodology & results: Analogs of the 7-chloro-N-[3-(morpholin-4-yl)propyl]quinolin-4-amine were synthesized and their inhibitory activity against the enzymes cruzain and rhodesain as well as against promastigotes forms of Leishmania species and epimastigotes forms of Trypanosoma cruzi were evaluated. Five compounds showed activity against both enzymes with half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values ranging from 23 to 123 μM. Among these, compounds 3 and 4 displayed leishmanicidal activity; compound 4 was the most promising with IC50 values <10 μM and no cytotoxicity for uninfected cells. Conclusion: The results obtained indicate that cysteine proteases are likely to be the molecular target of compounds 3 and 4.
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23
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Toxoplasma Cathepsin Protease B and Aspartyl Protease 1 Are Dispensable for Endolysosomal Protein Digestion. mSphere 2020; 5:5/1/e00869-19. [PMID: 32051238 PMCID: PMC7021471 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00869-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Roughly one-third of the human population is chronically infected with the intracellular single-celled parasite Toxoplasma gondii, but little is known about how this organism persists inside people. Previous research suggested that a parasite proteolytic enzyme, termed cathepsin protease L, is important for Toxoplasma persistence; however, it remained possible that other associated proteolytic enzymes could also be involved in the long-term survival of the parasite during infection. Here, we show that two proteolytic enzymes associated with cathepsin protease L play dispensable roles and are dependent on cathepsin L to reach maturity, which differs from the corresponding enzymes in humans. These findings establish a divergent hierarchy of proteases and help focus attention principally on cathepsin protease L as a potential target for interrupting Toxoplasma chronic infection. The lysosome-like vacuolar compartment (VAC) is a major site of proteolysis in the intracellular parasite Toxoplasma gondii. Previous studies have shown that genetic ablation of a VAC-residing cysteine protease, cathepsin protease L (CPL), resulted in the accumulation of undigested protein in the VAC and loss of parasite viability during the chronic stage of infection. However, since the maturation of another VAC localizing protease, cathepsin protease B (CPB), is dependent on CPL, it remained unknown whether these defects result directly from ablation of CPL or indirectly from a lack of CPB maturation. Likewise, although a previously described cathepsin D-like aspartyl protease 1 (ASP1) could also play a role in proteolysis, its definitive residence and function in the Toxoplasma endolysosomal system were not well defined. Here, we demonstrate that CPB is not necessary for protein turnover in the VAC and that CPB-deficient parasites have normal growth and viability in both the acute and chronic stages of infection. We also show that ASP1 depends on CPL for correct maturation, and it resides in the T. gondii VAC, where, similar to CPB, it plays a dispensable role in protein digestion. Taken together with previous work, our findings suggest that CPL is the dominant protease in a hierarchy of proteolytic enzymes within the VAC. This unusual lack of redundancy for CPL in T. gondii makes it a single exploitable target for disrupting chronic toxoplasmosis. IMPORTANCE Roughly one-third of the human population is chronically infected with the intracellular single-celled parasite Toxoplasma gondii, but little is known about how this organism persists inside people. Previous research suggested that a parasite proteolytic enzyme, termed cathepsin protease L, is important for Toxoplasma persistence; however, it remained possible that other associated proteolytic enzymes could also be involved in the long-term survival of the parasite during infection. Here, we show that two proteolytic enzymes associated with cathepsin protease L play dispensable roles and are dependent on cathepsin L to reach maturity, which differs from the corresponding enzymes in humans. These findings establish a divergent hierarchy of proteases and help focus attention principally on cathepsin protease L as a potential target for interrupting Toxoplasma chronic infection.
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Vermelho AB, Rodrigues GC, Supuran CT. Why hasn't there been more progress in new Chagas disease drug discovery? Expert Opin Drug Discov 2019; 15:145-158. [PMID: 31670987 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2020.1681394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: Chagas disease (CD) is a neglected disease caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. In terms of novel drug discovery, there has been no progress since the 1960s with the same two drugs, benznidazole and nifurtimox, still in use. The complex life cycle, genetic diversity of T. cruzi strains, different sensitivities to the available drugs, as well as little interest from pharmaceutical companies and inadequate methodologies for translating in vitro and in vivo findings to the discovery of new drugs have all contributed to the lack of progress.Areas covered: In this perspective, the authors give discussion to the relevant points connected to the lack of developments in CD drug discovery and provide their expert perspectives.Expert opinion: There are few drugs currently in the preclinical pipeline for the treatment of CD. Only three classes of compounds have been shown to achieve high cure rates in mouse models of infection: nitroimidazoles (fexinidazole), oxaborole DNDi-6148 and proteasome inhibitors (GNF6702). New biomarkers for Chagas' disease are urgently needed for the diagnosis and detection of cure/treatment efficacy. Efforts from academia and pharmaceutical companies are in progress and more intense interaction to accelerate the process of new drugs development is necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alane Beatriz Vermelho
- BIOINOVAR - Biotechnology Laboratories: Biocatalysis, Bioproducts and Bioenergy, Institute of Microbiology Paulo de Góes,Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Giseli Capaci Rodrigues
- Postgraduate Program in Teaching of Sciences, University of Grande Rio, Duque de Caxias, Brazil
| | - Claudiu T Supuran
- Department of NEUROFARBA, Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Section, University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino (Firenze), Italy
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25
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Cianni L, Feldmann CW, Gilberg E, Gütschow M, Juliano L, Leitão A, Bajorath J, Montanari CA. Can Cysteine Protease Cross-Class Inhibitors Achieve Selectivity? J Med Chem 2019; 62:10497-10525. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.9b00683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Cianni
- Medicinal Chemistry Group, Institute of Chemistry of São Carlos, University of São Paulo, Avenue Trabalhador Sancarlense, 400, 23566-590 São Carlos, SP, Brazil
- Pharmaceutical Institute, Pharmaceutical Chemistry I, University of Bonn, An der Immenburg 4, D-53121 Bonn, Germany
- Department of Life Science Informatics, B-IT, LIMES Program Unit Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität, Endenicher Allee 19c, D-53115 Bonn, Germany
| | - Christian Wolfgang Feldmann
- Department of Life Science Informatics, B-IT, LIMES Program Unit Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität, Endenicher Allee 19c, D-53115 Bonn, Germany
| | - Erik Gilberg
- Pharmaceutical Institute, Pharmaceutical Chemistry I, University of Bonn, An der Immenburg 4, D-53121 Bonn, Germany
- Department of Life Science Informatics, B-IT, LIMES Program Unit Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität, Endenicher Allee 19c, D-53115 Bonn, Germany
| | - Michael Gütschow
- Pharmaceutical Institute, Pharmaceutical Chemistry I, University of Bonn, An der Immenburg 4, D-53121 Bonn, Germany
| | - Luiz Juliano
- A. C. Camargo Cancer Center and São Paulo Medical School of Federal University of São Paulo, Rua Professor Antônio Prudente, 211, 01509-010 São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Andrei Leitão
- Medicinal Chemistry Group, Institute of Chemistry of São Carlos, University of São Paulo, Avenue Trabalhador Sancarlense, 400, 23566-590 São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - Jürgen Bajorath
- Department of Life Science Informatics, B-IT, LIMES Program Unit Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität, Endenicher Allee 19c, D-53115 Bonn, Germany
| | - Carlos A. Montanari
- Medicinal Chemistry Group, Institute of Chemistry of São Carlos, University of São Paulo, Avenue Trabalhador Sancarlense, 400, 23566-590 São Carlos, SP, Brazil
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Biguanide is a modifiable pharmacophore for recruitment of endogenous Zn 2+ to inhibit cysteinyl cathepsins: review and implications. Biometals 2019; 32:575-593. [PMID: 31044334 PMCID: PMC6647370 DOI: 10.1007/s10534-019-00197-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2018] [Accepted: 04/13/2019] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Excessive activities of cysteinyl cathepsins (CysCts) contribute to the progress of many diseases; however, therapeutic inhibition has been problematic. Zn2+ is a natural inhibitor of proteases with CysHis dyads or CysHis(Xaa) triads. Biguanide forms bidentate metal complexes through the two imino nitrogens. Here, it is discussed that phenformin (phenylethyl biguanide) is a model for recruitment of endogenous Zn2+ to inhibit CysHis/CysHis(X) peptidolysis. Phenformin is a Zn2+-interactive, anti-proteolytic agent in bioassay of living tissue. Benzoyl-L-arginine amide (BAA) is a classical substrate of papain-like proteases; the amide bond is scissile. In this review, the structures of BAA and the phenformin-Zn2+ complex were compared in silico. Their chemistry and dimensions are discussed in light of the active sites of papain-like proteases. The phenyl moieties of both structures bind to the "S2" substrate-binding site that is typical of many proteases. When the phenyl moiety of BAA binds to S2, then the scissile amide bond is directed to the position of the thiolate-imidazolium ion pair, and is then hydrolyzed. However, when the phenyl moiety of phenformin binds to S2, then the coordinated Zn2+ is directed to the identical position; and catalysis is inhibited. Phenformin stabilizes a "Zn2+ sandwich" between the drug and protease active site. Hundreds of biguanide derivatives have been synthesized at the 1 and 5 nitrogen positions; many more are conceivable. Various substituent moieties can register with various arrays of substrate-binding sites so as to align coordinated Zn2+ with catalytic partners of diverse proteases. Biguanide is identified here as a modifiable pharmacophore for synthesis of therapeutic CysCt inhibitors with a wide range of potencies and specificities. Phenformin-Zn2+ Complex.
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