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Al Khoury C, Tokajian S, Nemer N, Nemer G, Rahy K, Thoumi S, Al Samra L, Sinno A. Computational Applications: Beauvericin from a Mycotoxin into a Humanized Drug. Metabolites 2024; 14:232. [PMID: 38668360 PMCID: PMC11051850 DOI: 10.3390/metabo14040232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2024] [Revised: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Drug discovery was initially attributed to coincidence or experimental research. Historically, the traditional approaches were complex, lengthy, and expensive, entailing costly random screening of synthesized compounds or natural products coupled with in vivo validation largely depending on the availability of appropriate animal models. Currently, in silico modeling has become a vital tool for drug discovery and repurposing. Molecular docking and dynamic simulations are being used to find the best match between a ligand and a molecule, an approach that could help predict the biomolecular interactions between the drug and the target host. Beauvericin (BEA) is an emerging mycotoxin produced by the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana, being originally studied for its potential use as a pesticide. BEA is now considered a molecule of interest for its possible use in diverse biotechnological applications in the pharmaceutical industry and medicine. In this manuscript, we provide an overview of the repurposing of BEA as a potential therapeutic agent for multiple diseases. Furthermore, considerable emphasis is given to the fundamental role of in silico techniques to (i) further investigate the activity spectrum of BEA, a secondary metabolite, and (ii) elucidate its mode of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charbel Al Khoury
- Department of Natural Sciences, School of Arts and Sciences, Lebanese American University, Beirut Campus, P.O. Box 13-5053, Chouran, Beirut 1102 2801, Lebanon
| | - Sima Tokajian
- Department of Natural Sciences, School of Arts and Sciences, Lebanese American University, Byblos Campus, Byblos P.O. Box 36, Lebanon
| | - Nabil Nemer
- Department of Agriculture and Food Engineering, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, Jounieh P.O. Box 446, Lebanon
| | - Georges Nemer
- Division of Genomics and Translational Biomedicine, College of Health and Life Sciences, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha P.O. Box 34110, Qatar
| | - Kelven Rahy
- Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine, Lebanese American University, Byblos P.O. Box 36, Lebanon
| | - Sergio Thoumi
- Department of Computer Science and Mathematics, Lebanese American University, Beirut P.O. Box 13-5053, Lebanon
| | - Lynn Al Samra
- Department of Natural Sciences, School of Arts and Sciences, Lebanese American University, Beirut Campus, P.O. Box 13-5053, Chouran, Beirut 1102 2801, Lebanon
| | - Aia Sinno
- Department of Natural Sciences, School of Arts and Sciences, Lebanese American University, Beirut Campus, P.O. Box 13-5053, Chouran, Beirut 1102 2801, Lebanon
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Al Khoury C, Thoumi S, Tokajian S, Sinno A, Nemer G, El Beyrouthy M, Rahy K. ABC transporter inhibition by beauvericin partially overcomes drug resistance in Leishmania tropica. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2024:e0136823. [PMID: 38572959 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01368-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a neglected tropical disease infecting the world's poorest populations. Miltefosine (ML) remains the primary oral drug against the cutaneous form of leishmaniasis. The ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters are key players in the xenobiotic efflux, and their inhibition could enhance the therapeutic index. In this study, the ability of beauvericin (BEA) to overcome ABC transporter-mediated resistance of Leishmania tropica to ML was assessed. In addition, the transcription profile of genes involved in resistance acquisition to ML was inspected. Finally, we explored the efflux mechanism of the drug and inhibitor. The efficacy of ML against all developmental stages of L. tropica in the presence or absence of BEA was evaluated using an absolute quantification assay. The expression of resistance genes was evaluated, comparing susceptible and resistant strains. Finally, the mechanisms governing the interaction between the ABC transporter and its ligands were elucidated using molecular docking and dynamic simulation. Relative quantification showed that the expression of the ABCG sub-family is mostly modulated by ML. In this study, we used BEA to impede resistance of Leishmania tropica. The IC50 values, following BEA treatment, were significantly reduced from 30.83, 48.17, and 16.83 µM using ML to 8.14, 11.1, and 7.18 µM when using a combinatorial treatment (ML + BEA) against promastigotes, axenic amastigotes, and intracellular amastigotes, respectively. We also demonstrated a favorable BEA-binding enthalpy to L. tropica ABC transporter compared to ML. Our study revealed that BEA partially reverses the resistance development of L. tropica to ML by blocking the alternate ATP hydrolysis cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charbel Al Khoury
- Department of Natural Sciences, School of Arts and Sciences, Lebanese American University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Sergio Thoumi
- Department of Computer Science and Mathematics, Lebanese American University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Sima Tokajian
- Department of Natural Sciences, School of Arts and Sciences, Lebanese American University, Byblos, Lebanon
| | - Aia Sinno
- Department of Natural Sciences, School of Arts and Sciences, Lebanese American University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Georges Nemer
- Division of Genomics and Translational Biomedicine, College of Health and Life Sciences, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Mark El Beyrouthy
- Department of Agriculture and Food Engineering, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, Jounieh, Lebanon
| | - Kelven Rahy
- Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine, Lebanese American University, Byblos, Lebanon
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Mehta A, Xu T, Hutfless S, Makary M, Sinno A, Tanner E, Stone R, Wang K, Fader A. 2: Patient, surgeon, and hospital disparities associated with hysterectomy approach and perioperative complications. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2016.12.126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Ricci S, Angarita A, Scheib S, Zakaria M, Cholakian D, Ramos A, Sinno A, Nickles Fader A. Occult Uterine Malignancy Uncommon in Reproductive Age Women Undergoing Uterine Surgery and Morcellation. J Minim Invasive Gynecol 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jmig.2014.08.050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Sinno A, Ruaux P, Chassagne L, Topçu S, Alayli Y, Lerondel G, Blaize S, Bruyant A, Royer P. Enlarged atomic force microscopy scanning scope: novel sample-holder device with millimeter range. Rev Sci Instrum 2007; 78:095107. [PMID: 17902974 DOI: 10.1063/1.2773623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
We propose a homemade sample-holder unit used for nanopositionning in two dimensions with a millimeter traveling range. For each displacement axis, the system includes a long range traveling stage and a piezoelectric actuator for accurate positioning. Specific electronics is integrated according to metrological considerations, enhancing the repeatability performances. The aim of this work is to demonstrate that near-field microscopy at the scale of a chip is possible. For this we chose to characterize highly integrated optical structures. For this purpose, the sample holder was integrated into an atomic force microscope. A millimeter scale topographical image demonstrates the overall performances of the combined system.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Sinno
- LISV, University of Versailles, 45 Avenue des Etats Unis, 78035 Versailles, France
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