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Exertier C, Salerno A, Antonelli L, Fiorillo A, Ocello R, Seghetti F, Caciolla J, Uliassi E, Masetti M, Fiorentino E, Orsini S, Di Muccio T, Ilari A, Bolognesi ML. Fragment Merging, Growing, and Linking Identify New Trypanothione Reductase Inhibitors for Leishmaniasis. J Med Chem 2024; 67:402-419. [PMID: 38164929 PMCID: PMC10788915 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c01439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Trypanothione reductase (TR) is a suitable target for drug discovery approaches against leishmaniasis, although the identification of potent inhibitors is still challenging. Herein, we harnessed a fragment-based drug discovery (FBDD) strategy to develop new TR inhibitors. Previous crystallographic screening identified fragments 1-3, which provided ideal starting points for a medicinal chemistry campaign. In silico investigations revealed critical hotspots in the TR binding site, guiding our structure- and ligand-based structure-actvity relationship (SAR) exploration that yielded fragment-derived compounds 4-14. A trend of improvement in Leishmania infantum TR inhibition was detected along the optimization and confirmed by the crystal structures of 9, 10, and 14 in complex with Trypanosoma brucei TR. Compound 10 showed the best TR inhibitory profile (Ki = 0.2 μM), whereas 9 was the best one in terms of in vitro and ex vivo activity. Although further fine-tuning is needed to improve selectivity, we demonstrated the potentiality of FBDD on a classic but difficult target for leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cécile Exertier
- Institute
of Molecular Biology and Pathology (IBPM) of the National Research
Council of Italy (CNR), c/o Department of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale A. Moro 5, Roma 00185, Italy
| | - Alessandra Salerno
- Department
of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater
Studiorum—University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, Bologna 40126, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Antonelli
- Department
of Biochemical Sciences “A. Rossi Fanelli”, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale A. Moro 5, Roma 00185, Italy
| | - Annarita Fiorillo
- Department
of Biochemical Sciences “A. Rossi Fanelli”, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale A. Moro 5, Roma 00185, Italy
| | - Riccardo Ocello
- Department
of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater
Studiorum—University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, Bologna 40126, Italy
- Computational
and Chemical Biology, Istituto Italiano
di Tecnologia, via Morego
30, Genova 16163, Italy
| | - Francesca Seghetti
- Department
of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater
Studiorum—University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, Bologna 40126, Italy
| | - Jessica Caciolla
- Department
of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater
Studiorum—University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, Bologna 40126, Italy
| | - Elisa Uliassi
- Department
of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater
Studiorum—University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, Bologna 40126, Italy
| | - Matteo Masetti
- Department
of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater
Studiorum—University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, Bologna 40126, Italy
| | - Eleonora Fiorentino
- Department
of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore
di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, Roma 00161, Italy
| | - Stefania Orsini
- Department
of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore
di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, Roma 00161, Italy
| | - Trentina Di Muccio
- Department
of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore
di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, Roma 00161, Italy
| | - Andrea Ilari
- Institute
of Molecular Biology and Pathology (IBPM) of the National Research
Council of Italy (CNR), c/o Department of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale A. Moro 5, Roma 00185, Italy
| | - Maria Laura Bolognesi
- Department
of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater
Studiorum—University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, Bologna 40126, Italy
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2
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Docampo R, Vercesi AE. Mitochondrial Ca 2+ and Reactive Oxygen Species in Trypanosomatids. Antioxid Redox Signal 2022; 36:969-983. [PMID: 34218689 PMCID: PMC9125514 DOI: 10.1089/ars.2021.0058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Revised: 05/31/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Significance: Millions of people are infected with trypanosomatids and new therapeutic approaches are needed. Trypanosomatids possess one mitochondrion per cell and its study has led to discoveries of general biological interest. These mitochondria, as in their animal counterparts, generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) and have evolved enzymatic and nonenzymatic defenses against them. Mitochondrial calcium ion (Ca2+) overload leads to generation of ROS and its study could lead to relevant information on the biology of trypanosomatids and to novel drug targets. Recent Advances: Mitochondrial Ca2+ is normally involved in maintaining the bioenergetics of trypanosomes, but when Ca2+ overload occurs, it is associated with cell death. Trypanosomes lack key players in the mechanism of cell death described in mammalian cells, although mitochondrial Ca2+ overload results in collapse of their membrane potential, production of ROS, and cytochrome c release. They are also very resistant to mitochondrial permeability transition, and cell death after mitochondrial Ca2+ overload depends on generation of ROS. Critical Issues: In this review, we consider the mechanisms of mitochondrial oxidant generation and removal and the involvement of Ca2+ in trypanosome cell death. Future Directions: More studies are required to determine the reactions involved in generation of ROS by the mitochondria of trypanosomatids, their enzymatic and nonenzymatic defenses against ROS, and the occurrence and composition of a mitochondrial permeability transition pore. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 36, 969-983.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Docampo
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
- Department of Cellular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
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3
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Talevi A, Carrillo C, Comini M. The Thiol-polyamine Metabolism of Trypanosoma cruzi: Molecular Targets and Drug Repurposing Strategies. Curr Med Chem 2019; 26:6614-6635. [PMID: 30259812 DOI: 10.2174/0929867325666180926151059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2018] [Revised: 07/23/2018] [Accepted: 09/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Chagas´ disease continues to be a challenging and neglected public health problem in many American countries. The etiologic agent, Trypanosoma cruzi, develops intracellularly in the mammalian host, which hinders treatment efficacy. Progress in the knowledge of parasite biology and host-pathogen interaction has not been paralleled by the development of novel, safe and effective therapeutic options. It is then urgent to seek for novel therapeutic candidates and to implement drug discovery strategies that may accelerate the discovery process. The most appealing targets for pharmacological intervention are those essential for the pathogen and, whenever possible, absent or significantly different from the host homolog. The thiol-polyamine metabolism of T. cruzi offers interesting candidates for a rational design of selective drugs. In this respect, here we critically review the state of the art of the thiolpolyamine metabolism of T. cruzi and the pharmacological potential of its components. On the other hand, drug repurposing emerged as a valid strategy to identify new biological activities for drugs in clinical use, while significantly shortening the long time and high cost associated with de novo drug discovery approaches. Thus, we also discuss the different drug repurposing strategies available with a special emphasis in their applications to the identification of drug candidates targeting essential components of the thiol-polyamine metabolism of T. cruzi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan Talevi
- Medicinal Chemistry, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Exact Sciences, University of La Plata, La Plata, Argentina
| | - Carolina Carrillo
- Instituto de Ciencias y Tecnología Dr. César Milstein (ICT Milstein) - CONICET. Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Marcelo Comini
- Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Mataojo 2020, Montevideo 11400, Uruguay
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Villalta F, Rachakonda G. Advances in preclinical approaches to Chagas disease drug discovery. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2019; 14:1161-1174. [PMID: 31411084 PMCID: PMC6779130 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2019.1652593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2019] [Accepted: 08/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: Chagas disease affects 8-10 million people worldwide, mainly in Latin America. The current therapy for Chagas disease is limited to nifurtimox and benznidazole, which are effective in treating only the acute phase of the disease but with severe side effects. Therefore, there is an unmet need for new drugs and for the exploration of innovative approaches which may lead to the discovery of new effective and safe drugs for its treatment. Areas covered: The authors report and discuss recent approaches including structure-based design that have led to the discovery of new promising small molecule candidates for Chagas disease which affect prime targets that intervene in the sterol pathway of T. cruzi. Other trypanosome targets, phenotypic screening, the use of artificial intelligence and the challenges with Chagas disease drug discovery are also discussed. Expert opinion: The application of recent scientific innovations to the field of Chagas disease have led to the discovery of new promising drug candidates for Chagas disease. Phenotypic screening brought new hits and opportunities for drug discovery. Artificial intelligence also has the potential to accelerate drug discovery in Chagas disease and further research into this is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando Villalta
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Physiology, School of Medicine, Meharry Medical College , Nashville , TN , USA
| | - Girish Rachakonda
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Physiology, School of Medicine, Meharry Medical College , Nashville , TN , USA
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Matadamas-Martínez F, Hernández-Campos A, Téllez-Valencia A, Vázquez-Raygoza A, Comparán-Alarcón S, Yépez-Mulia L, Castillo R. Leishmania mexicana Trypanothione Reductase Inhibitors: Computational and Biological Studies. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2019; 24:molecules24183216. [PMID: 31487860 PMCID: PMC6767256 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24183216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2019] [Revised: 08/24/2019] [Accepted: 08/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Leishmanicidal drugs have many side effects, and drug resistance to all of them has been documented. Therefore, the development of new drugs and the identification of novel therapeutic targets are urgently needed. Leishmania mexicana trypanothione reductase (LmTR), a NADPH-dependent flavoprotein oxidoreductase important to thiol metabolism, is essential for parasite viability. Its absence in the mammalian host makes this enzyme an attractive target for the development of new anti-Leishmania drugs. Herein, a tridimensional model of LmTR was constructed and the molecular docking of 20 molecules from a ZINC database was performed. Five compounds (ZINC04684558, ZINC09642432, ZINC12151998, ZINC14970552, and ZINC11841871) were selected (docking scores -10.27 kcal/mol to -5.29 kcal/mol and structurally different) and evaluated against recombinant LmTR (rLmTR) and L. mexicana promastigote. Additionally, molecular dynamics simulation of LmTR-selected compound complexes was achieved. The five selected compounds inhibited rLmTR activity in the range of 32.9% to 40.1%. The binding of selected compounds to LmTR involving different hydrogen bonds with distinct residues of the molecule monomers A and B is described. Compound ZINC12151998 (docking score -10.27 kcal/mol) inhibited 32.9% the enzyme activity (100 µM) and showed the highest leishmanicidal activity (IC50 = 58 µM) of all the selected compounds. It was more active than glucantime, and although its half-maximal cytotoxicity concentration (CC50 = 53 µM) was higher than that of the other four compounds, it was less cytotoxic than amphotericin B. Therefore, compound ZINC12151998 provides a promising starting point for a hit-to-lead process in our search for new anti-Leishmania drugs that are more potent and less cytotoxic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Félix Matadamas-Martínez
- Departamento de Farmacia, Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
- Unidad de Investigación Médica en Enfermedades Infecciosas y Parasitarias, Unidad Médica de Alta Especialidad-Hospital de Pediatría, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Mexico City 06720, Mexico
| | - Alicia Hernández-Campos
- Departamento de Farmacia, Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
| | - Alfredo Téllez-Valencia
- Facultad de Medicina y Nutrición, Universidad Juárez del Estado de Durango Av. Universidad y Fanny Anitúa S/N, Durango 34000, Mexico
| | - Alejandra Vázquez-Raygoza
- Facultad de Medicina y Nutrición, Universidad Juárez del Estado de Durango Av. Universidad y Fanny Anitúa S/N, Durango 34000, Mexico
| | - Sandra Comparán-Alarcón
- Unidad de Investigación Médica en Enfermedades Infecciosas y Parasitarias, Unidad Médica de Alta Especialidad-Hospital de Pediatría, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Mexico City 06720, Mexico
| | - Lilián Yépez-Mulia
- Unidad de Investigación Médica en Enfermedades Infecciosas y Parasitarias, Unidad Médica de Alta Especialidad-Hospital de Pediatría, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Mexico City 06720, Mexico.
| | - Rafael Castillo
- Departamento de Farmacia, Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 04510, Mexico.
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Khan MOF. Trypanothione Reductase: A Viable Chemotherapeutic Target for Antitrypanosomal and Antileishmanial Drug Design. Drug Target Insights 2017. [DOI: 10.1177/117739280700200007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- M. Omar F. Khan
- College of Pharmacy, Southwestern Oklahoma State University, 100 Campus Drive, Weatherford, OK 73096, U.S.A
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7
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Pandey RK, Verma P, Sharma D, Bhatt TK, Sundar S, Prajapati VK. High-throughput virtual screening and quantum mechanics approach to develop imipramine analogues as leads against trypanothione reductase of leishmania. Biomed Pharmacother 2016; 83:141-152. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2016.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2016] [Revised: 06/03/2016] [Accepted: 06/06/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
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O’Sullivan MC, Durham TB, Valdes HE, Dauer KL, Karney NJ, Forrestel AC, Bacchi CJ, Baker JF. Dibenzosuberyl substituted polyamines and analogs of clomipramine as effective inhibitors of trypanothione reductase; molecular docking, and assessment of trypanocidal activities. Bioorg Med Chem 2015; 23:996-1010. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2015.01.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2014] [Revised: 01/04/2015] [Accepted: 01/09/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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9
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Planer JD, Hulverson MA, Arif JA, Ranade RM, Don R, Buckner FS. Synergy testing of FDA-approved drugs identifies potent drug combinations against Trypanosoma cruzi. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2014; 8:e2977. [PMID: 25033456 PMCID: PMC4102417 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0002977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2013] [Accepted: 05/12/2014] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
An estimated 8 million persons, mainly in Latin America, are infected with Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiologic agent of Chagas disease. Existing antiparasitic drugs for Chagas disease have significant toxicities and suboptimal effectiveness, hence new therapeutic strategies need to be devised to address this neglected tropical disease. Due to the high research and development costs of bringing new chemical entities to the clinic, we and others have investigated the strategy of repurposing existing drugs for Chagas disease. Screens of FDA-approved drugs (described in this paper) have revealed a variety of chemical classes that have growth inhibitory activity against mammalian stage Trypanosoma cruzi parasites. Aside from azole antifungal drugs that have low or sub-nanomolar activity, most of the active compounds revealed in these screens have effective concentrations causing 50% inhibition (EC50's) in the low micromolar or high nanomolar range. For example, we have identified an antihistamine (clemastine, EC50 of 0.4 µM), a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (fluoxetine, EC50 of 4.4 µM), and an antifolate drug (pyrimethamine, EC50 of 3.8 µM) and others. When tested alone in the murine model of Trypanosoma cruzi infection, most compounds had insufficient efficacy to lower parasitemia thus we investigated using combinations of compounds for additive or synergistic activity. Twenty-four active compounds were screened in vitro in all possible combinations. Follow up isobologram studies showed at least 8 drug pairs to have synergistic activity on T. cruzi growth. The combination of the calcium channel blocker, amlodipine, plus the antifungal drug, posaconazole, was found to be more effective at lowering parasitemia in mice than either drug alone, as was the combination of clemastine and posaconazole. Using combinations of FDA-approved drugs is a promising strategy for developing new treatments for Chagas disease. Chronic infection with Trypanosoma cruzi causes progressive damage to the heart and other organs that is fatal in about 30% of cases. Known as Chagas disease, this is a major public health problem in Latin America. The existing medicines were developed over forty years ago and are not widely used because of toxicity and unreliable effectiveness. To discover better treatments, we screened a collection of existing drugs for growth inhibitory activity on Trypanosoma cruzi. Several dozen orally administered drugs were discovered, but when used by themselves they were not strong enough to cure the infection in an animal model. We tested a set of 24 of these drugs in every two-way combination and identified eight synergistic partners. At least two of these combinations were able to substantially lower parasite levels in the mouse model of Trypanosoma cruzi infection. Thus, finding pairs of FDA-approved drugs that can be used in combination may be a pragmatic and effective strategy for designing new therapies for Chagas disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph D. Planer
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Matthew A. Hulverson
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Jennifer A. Arif
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Ranae M. Ranade
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Robert Don
- Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Frederick S. Buckner
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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10
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Structural insights into the enzymes of the trypanothione pathway: targets for antileishmaniasis drugs. Future Med Chem 2014; 5:1861-75. [PMID: 24144416 DOI: 10.4155/fmc.13.146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a neglected disease that kills 60,000 people worldwide, and which is caused by the protozoa Leishmania. The enzymes of the trypanothione pathway: trypanothione synthetase-amidase, trypanothione reductase (TR) and tryparedoxin-dependent peroxidase are absent in human hosts, and are essential for parasite survival and druggable. The most promising target is trypanothione synthetase-amidase, which has been also chemically validated. However, the structural data presented in this review show that TR also should be considered as a good target. Indeed, it is strongly inhibited by silver- and gold-containing compounds, which are active against Leishmania parasites and can be used for the development of novel antileishmanial agents. Moreover, TR trypanothione-binding site is not featureless but contains a sub-pocket where inhibitors bind, potentially useful for the design of new lead compounds.
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Simple colorimetric trypanothione reductase-based assay for high-throughput screening of drugs against Leishmania intracellular amastigotes. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2013; 58:527-35. [PMID: 24189262 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00751-13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Critical to the search for new anti-leishmanial drugs is the availability of high-throughput screening (HTS) methods to test chemical compounds against the relevant stage for pathogenesis, the intracellular amastigotes. Recent progress in automated microscopy and genetic recombination has produced powerful tools for drug discovery. Nevertheless, a simple and efficient test for measuring drug activity against Leishmania clinical isolates is lacking. Here we describe a quantitative colorimetric assay in which the activity of a Leishmania native enzyme is used to assess parasite viability. Enzymatic reduction of disulfide trypanothione, monitored by a microtiter plate reader, was used to quantify the growth of Leishmania parasites. An excellent correlation was found between the optical density at 412 nm and the number of parasites inoculated. Pharmacological validation of the assay was performed against the conventional alamarBlue method for promastigotes and standard microscopy for intracellular amastigotes. The activity of a selected-compound panel, including several anti-leishmanial reference drugs, demonstrated high consistency between the newly developed assay and the reference method and corroborated previously published data. Quality assessment with standard measures confirmed the robustness and reproducibility of the assay, which performed in compliance with HTS requirements. This simple and rapid assay provides a reliable, accurate method for screening anti-leishmanial agents, with high throughput. The basic equipment and manipulation required to perform the assay make it easy to implement, simplifying the method for scoring inhibitor assays.
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da Rocha Pita SS, Albuquerque MG, Rodrigues CR, Castro HC, Hopfinger AJ. Receptor-dependent 4D-QSAR analysis of peptidemimetic inhibitors of Trypanosoma cruzi trypanothione reductase with receptor-based alignment. Chem Biol Drug Des 2012; 79:740-8. [PMID: 22269140 DOI: 10.1111/j.1747-0285.2012.01338.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Receptor-dependent four-dimensional quantitative structure-activity relationship (RD-4D-QSAR) studies were applied on a series of 21 peptides reversible inhibitors of Trypanosoma cruzi trypanothione reductase (TR) (Amino Acids, 20, 2001, 145). The RD-4D-QSAR (J Chem Inform Comp Sci, 43, 2003, 1591) approach can evaluate multiple conformations from molecular dynamics simulation and several superposition structure alignments inside a box composed by unitary cubic cells. The descriptors are the occupancy frequency of the atoms types inside the grid cells. We could develop 3D-QSAR models that were highly predictive (q(2) above 0.71). The 3D-QSAR models can be visualized as a spatial map of atom types that are important on the comprehension of the ligand-enzyme interaction mechanism, pointing main pharmacophoric groups and TR subsites described in the literature. We were able also to identify some TR subsites for further development in the drug discovery process against tropical diseases not yet studied.
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Patterson S, Alphey MS, Jones DC, Shanks EJ, Street IP, Frearson JA, Wyatt PG, Gilbert IH, Fairlamb AH. Dihydroquinazolines as a novel class of Trypanosoma brucei trypanothione reductase inhibitors: discovery, synthesis, and characterization of their binding mode by protein crystallography. J Med Chem 2011; 54:6514-30. [PMID: 21851087 PMCID: PMC3188286 DOI: 10.1021/jm200312v] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Trypanothione reductase (TryR) is a genetically validated drug target in the parasite Trypanosoma brucei , the causative agent of human African trypanosomiasis. Here we report the discovery, synthesis, and development of a novel series of TryR inhibitors based on a 3,4-dihydroquinazoline scaffold. In addition, a high resolution crystal structure of TryR, alone and in complex with substrates and inhibitors from this series, is presented. This represents the first report of a high resolution complex between a noncovalent ligand and this enzyme. Structural studies revealed that upon ligand binding the enzyme undergoes a conformational change to create a new subpocket which is occupied by an aryl group on the ligand. Therefore, the inhibitor, in effect, creates its own small binding pocket within the otherwise large, solvent exposed active site. The TryR-ligand structure was subsequently used to guide the synthesis of inhibitors, including analogues that challenged the induced subpocket. This resulted in the development of inhibitors with improved potency against both TryR and T. brucei parasites in a whole cell assay.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen Patterson
- Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, College of Life Sciences, University of Dundee , Dow Street, Dundee DD1 5EH, U.K
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14
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Perez-Pineiro R, Burgos A, Jones DC, Andrew LC, Rodriguez H, Suarez M, Fairlamb AH, Wishart DS. Development of a novel virtual screening cascade protocol to identify potential trypanothione reductase inhibitors. J Med Chem 2009; 52:1670-80. [PMID: 19296695 PMCID: PMC2659691 DOI: 10.1021/jm801306g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
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The implementation of a novel sequential computational approach that can be used effectively for virtual screening and identification of prospective ligands that bind to trypanothione reductase (TryR) is reported. The multistep strategy combines a ligand-based virtual screening for building an enriched library of small molecules with a docking protocol (AutoDock, X-Score) for screening against the TryR target. Compounds were ranked by an exhaustive conformational consensus scoring approach that employs a rank-by-rank strategy by combining both scoring functions. Analysis of the predicted ligand−protein interactions highlights the role of bulky quaternary amine moieties for binding affinity. The scaffold hopping (SHOP) process derived from this computational approach allowed the identification of several chemotypes, not previously reported as antiprotozoal agents, which includes dibenzothiepine, dibenzooxathiepine, dibenzodithiepine, and polycyclic cationic structures like thiaazatetracyclo-nonadeca-hexaen-3-ium. Assays measuring the inhibiting effect of these compounds on T. cruzi and T. brucei TryR confirm their potential for further rational optimization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rolando Perez-Pineiro
- Department of Biological Sciences and Computing Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
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Trypanothione reductase high-throughput screening campaign identifies novel classes of inhibitors with antiparasitic activity. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2009; 53:2824-33. [PMID: 19364854 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01568-08] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
High-throughput screening of 100,000 lead-like compounds led to the identification of nine novel chemical classes of trypanothione reductase (TR) inhibitors worthy of further investigation. Hits from five of these chemical classes have been developed further through different combinations of preliminary structure-activity relationship rate probing and assessment of antiparasitic activity, cytotoxicity, and chemical and in vitro metabolic properties. This has led to the identification of novel TR inhibitor chemotypes that are drug-like and display antiparasitic activity. For one class, a series of analogues have displayed a correlation between TR inhibition and antiparasitic activity. This paper explores the process of identifying, investigating, and evaluating a series of hits from a high-throughput screening campaign.
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16
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Stump B, Eberle C, Kaiser M, Brun R, Krauth-Siegel RL, Diederich F. Diaryl sulfide-based inhibitors of trypanothione reductase: inhibition potency, revised binding mode and antiprotozoal activities. Org Biomol Chem 2008; 6:3935-47. [DOI: 10.1039/b806371k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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17
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Czechowicz JA, Wilhelm AK, Spalding MD, Larson AM, Engel LK, Alberg DG. The synthesis and inhibitory activity of dethiotrypanothione and analogues against trypanothione reductase. J Org Chem 2007; 72:3689-93. [PMID: 17439174 PMCID: PMC2528058 DOI: 10.1021/jo062597s] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Trypanothione reductase (TR) catalyzes the NADPH-dependent reduction of trypanothione disulfide (1). TR plays a central role in the trypanosomatid parasite's defense against oxidative stress and has emerged as a promising target for antitrypanosomal drugs. We describe the synthesis and activity of dethiotrypanothione and analogues (2-4) as inhibitors of Trypanosoma cruzi TR. The syntheses of these macrocycles feature ring-closing olefin metathesis (RCM) reactions catalyzed by ruthenium catalyst 17. Derivative 4 is our most potent inhibitor with a Ki=16 microM.
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18
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Holloway GA, Baell JB, Fairlamb AH, Novello PM, Parisot JP, Richardson J, Watson KG, Street IP. Discovery of 2-iminobenzimidazoles as a new class of trypanothione reductase inhibitor by high-throughput screening. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2007; 17:1422-7. [PMID: 17194585 PMCID: PMC3428904 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2006.11.090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2006] [Revised: 11/21/2006] [Accepted: 11/30/2006] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
A high-throughput screening campaign of a library of 100,000 lead-like compounds identified 2-iminobenzimidazoles as a novel class of trypanothione reductase inhibitors. These 2-iminobenzimidazoles display potent trypanocidal activity against Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense, do not inhibit closely related human glutathione reductase and have low cytotoxicity against mammalian cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgina A. Holloway
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Biotechnology Centre, 4 Research Avenue, La Trobe Research and Development Park, Bundoora, Vic. 3086, Australia
| | - Jonathan B. Baell
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Biotechnology Centre, 4 Research Avenue, La Trobe Research and Development Park, Bundoora, Vic. 3086, Australia
| | - Alan H. Fairlamb
- Division of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, Wellcome Trust Biocentre, University of Dundee, Dundee, Scotland, UK
| | - Patrizia M. Novello
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Biotechnology Centre, 4 Research Avenue, La Trobe Research and Development Park, Bundoora, Vic. 3086, Australia
| | - John P. Parisot
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Biotechnology Centre, 4 Research Avenue, La Trobe Research and Development Park, Bundoora, Vic. 3086, Australia
| | - John Richardson
- Division of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, Wellcome Trust Biocentre, University of Dundee, Dundee, Scotland, UK
| | - Keith G. Watson
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Biotechnology Centre, 4 Research Avenue, La Trobe Research and Development Park, Bundoora, Vic. 3086, Australia
| | - Ian P. Street
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Biotechnology Centre, 4 Research Avenue, La Trobe Research and Development Park, Bundoora, Vic. 3086, Australia
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19
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Dixon MJ, Maurer RI, Biggi C, Oyarzabal J, Essex JW, Bradley M. Mechanism and structure-activity relationships of norspermidine-based peptidic inhibitors of trypanothione reductase. Bioorg Med Chem 2005; 13:4513-26. [PMID: 15922604 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2005.04.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2004] [Revised: 04/11/2005] [Accepted: 04/15/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
A library of polyamine-peptide conjugates based around some previously identified inhibitors of trypanothione reductase was synthesised by parallel solid-phase chemistry and screened. Kinetic analysis of library members established that subtle structural changes altered their mechanism of action, switching between competitive and non-competitive inhibition. The mode of action of the non-competitive inhibitors was investigated in detail by a variety of techniques including enzyme kinetic analysis (looking at both NADPH and trypanothione disulfide substrates), gel filtration chromatography and analytical ultracentrifugation, leading to the identification of an allosteric mode of inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark J Dixon
- School of Chemistry, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK
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20
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Tavares J, Ouaissi A, Lin PKT, Tomás A, Cordeiro-da-Silva A. Differential effects of polyamine derivative compounds against Leishmania infantum promastigotes and axenic amastigotes. Int J Parasitol 2005; 35:637-46. [PMID: 15862577 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2005.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2004] [Revised: 01/21/2005] [Accepted: 01/21/2005] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The natural polyamines are ubiquitous polycationic compounds that play important biological functions in cell growth and differentiation. In the case of protozoan species that are causative agents of important human diseases such as Leishmaniasis, an exogenous supply of polyamines supports parasite proliferation. In the present study, we have investigated the effect of three polyamine derivatives, (namely bis-naphthalimidopropyl putrescine (BNIPPut), spermidine (BNIPSpd) and spermine (BNIPSpm)), on the proliferative stages of Leishmania infantum, the causative agent of visceral leishmaniasis in the Mediterranean basin. A significant reduction of promastigotes and axenic amastigotes growth was observed in the presence of increasing concentrations of the drugs, although the mechanisms leading to the parasite growth arrest seems to be different. Indeed, by using a number of biochemical approaches to analyse the alterations that occurred during early stages of parasite-drug interaction (i.e. membrane phosphatidylserine exposure measured by annexin V binding, DNA fragmentation, deoxynucleotidyltranferase-mediated dUTP end labelin (TUNEL), mitochondrial transmembrane potential loss), we showed that the drugs had the capacity to induce the death of promastigotes by a mechanism that shares many features with metazoan apoptosis. Surprisingly, the amastigotes did not behave in a similar way to promastigotes. The drug inhibitory effect on amastigotes growth and the absence of propidium iodide labelling may suggest that the compounds are acting as cytostatic substances. Although, the mechanisms of action of these compounds have yet to be elucidated, the above data show for the first time that polyamine derivatives may act differentially on the Leishmania parasite stages. Further chemical modifications are needed to make the polyamine derivatives as well as other analogues able to target the amastigote stage of the parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Tavares
- Laboratório de Bioquímica, Faculdade de Farmácia da Universidade do Porto, Portugal
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21
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Saravanamuthu A, Vickers TJ, Bond CS, Peterson MR, Hunter WN, Fairlamb AH. Two interacting binding sites for quinacrine derivatives in the active site of trypanothione reductase: a template for drug design. J Biol Chem 2004; 279:29493-500. [PMID: 15102853 PMCID: PMC3491871 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m403187200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Trypanothione reductase is a key enzyme in the trypanothione-based redox metabolism of pathogenic trypanosomes. Because this system is absent in humans, being replaced with glutathione and glutathione reductase, it offers a target for selective inhibition. The rational design of potent inhibitors requires accurate structures of enzyme-inhibitor complexes, but this is lacking for trypanothione reductase. We therefore used quinacrine mustard, an alkylating derivative of the competitive inhibitor quinacrine, to probe the active site of this dimeric flavoprotein. Quinacrine mustard irreversibly inactivates Trypanosoma cruzi trypanothione reductase, but not human glutathione reductase, in a time-dependent manner with a stoichiometry of two inhibitors bound per monomer. The rate of inactivation is dependent upon the oxidation state of trypanothione reductase, with the NADPH-reduced form being inactivated significantly faster than the oxidized form. Inactivation is slowed by clomipramine and a melarsen oxide-trypanothione adduct (both are competitive inhibitors) but accelerated by quinacrine. The structure of the trypanothione reductase-quinacrine mustard adduct was determined to 2.7 A, revealing two molecules of inhibitor bound in the trypanothione-binding site. The acridine moieties interact with each other through pi-stacking effects, and one acridine interacts in a similar fashion with a tryptophan residue. These interactions provide a molecular explanation for the differing effects of clomipramine and quinacrine on inactivation by quinacrine mustard. Synergism with quinacrine occurs as a result of these planar acridines being able to stack together in the active site cleft, thereby gaining an increased number of binding interactions, whereas antagonism occurs with nonplanar molecules, such as clomipramine, where stacking is not possible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahilan Saravanamuthu
- Division of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Microbiology, The Wellcome Trust Biocentre, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, DD1 5EH, U.K
| | - Tim J. Vickers
- Division of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Microbiology, The Wellcome Trust Biocentre, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, DD1 5EH, U.K
| | - Charles S. Bond
- Division of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Microbiology, The Wellcome Trust Biocentre, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, DD1 5EH, U.K
| | - Mark R. Peterson
- Division of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Microbiology, The Wellcome Trust Biocentre, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, DD1 5EH, U.K
| | - William N. Hunter
- Division of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Microbiology, The Wellcome Trust Biocentre, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, DD1 5EH, U.K
| | - Alan H. Fairlamb
- Division of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Microbiology, The Wellcome Trust Biocentre, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, DD1 5EH, U.K
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22
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Chibale K, Visser M, van Schalkwyk D, Smith PJ, Saravanamuthu A, Fairlamb AH. Exploring the potential of xanthene derivatives as trypanothione reductase inhibitors and chloroquine potentiating agents. Tetrahedron 2003. [DOI: 10.1016/s0040-4020(03)00240-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 138] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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23
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Hillisch A, Hilgenfeld R. The role of protein 3D-structures in the drug discovery process. EXS 2003:157-81. [PMID: 12613176 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-0348-7997-2_8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/20/2023]
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24
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Li Z, Fennie MW, Ganem B, Hancock MT, Kobaslija M, Rattendi D, Bacchi CJ, O'Sullivan MC. Polyamines with N-(3-phenylpropyl) substituents are effective competitive inhibitors of trypanothione reductase and trypanocidal agents. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2001; 11:251-4. [PMID: 11206471 DOI: 10.1016/s0960-894x(00)00643-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Several N-(3-phenylpropyl)-substituted spermidine and spermine derivatives were prepared and found to be potent competitive inhibitors of Trypanosoma cruzi trypanothione reductase (seven compounds with Ki values < 5 microM are described). The most effective inhibitor studied was compound 12 with a Ki value of 0.151 microM. Six of the compounds described are also effective trypanocides with IC50 values < 1 microM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Z Li
- Department of Chemistry, Indiana State University, Terre Haute 47809, USA
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25
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Tovar J, Wilkinson S, Mottram JC, Fairlamb AH. Evidence that trypanothione reductase is an essential enzyme in Leishmania by targeted replacement of the tryA gene locus. Mol Microbiol 1998; 29:653-60. [PMID: 9720880 DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2958.1998.00968.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 116] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Trypanothione reductase (TR), a flavoprotein oxidoreductase central to the unique thiol-redox system that operates in trypanosomatid protozoa, has been proposed as a potential target for the chemotherapy of trypanosomatid infections. In this study, targeted gene replacement was used to obtain evidence that TR is an essential cellular component and that its physiological function is crucial for parasite survival. Precise replacement of the Leishmania donovani tryA gene encoding TR was only possible upon simultaneous expression of the tryA coding region from an episome; in its absence, attempted removal of the last tryA allele invariably led to the generation of an extra copy of tryA, seemingly as a result of selective chromosomal polysomy. Partial replacement mutants were drastically affected in their ability to survive inside cytokine-activated macrophages in a murine model of Leishmania infection. As no compensatory mechanism for the partial loss of TR activity was observed in these mutants and as it was not possible to obtain viable Leishmania devoid of TR catalytic activity, specific inhibitors of this enzyme are likely to be useful anti-leishmanial agents for chemotherapeutic use.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Tovar
- Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, UK.
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