Peroxynitrite-induced nitration of tyrosine-34 does not inhibit Escherichia coli iron superoxide dismutase

The peroxynitrite anion is a potent oxidizing agent, formed by the diffusion-limited combination of nitric oxide and superoxide, and its production under physiological conditions is associated with the pathologies of a number of inflammatory and neurodegenerative diseases. Nitration of Escherichia coli iron superoxide dismutase (Fe-SOD) by peroxynitrite was investigated, and demonstrated by spectral changes and electrospray mass spectroscopic analysis. HPLC and mass studies of the tryptic digests of the mono-nitrated Fe-SOD indicated that tyrosine-34 was the residue most susceptible to nitration by peroxynitrite. Exclusive nitration of this residue occurred when Fe-SOD was exposed to a cumulative dose of 0.4 mM peroxynitrite. Unlike with human Mn-SOD, this single modification did not inactivate E. coli Fe-SOD at pH 7.4. When Fe-SOD was exposed to higher concentrations of peroxynitrite (7 mM), eight tyrosine residues per subunit of the protein, of the nine available, were nitrated without loss of catalytic activity of the enzyme. The pK(a) of nitrated tyrosine-34 was determined to be 7.95+/-0.15, indicating that the peroxynitrite-modified enzyme appreciably maintains its protonation state under physiological conditions.

Selective inhibition of Trypanosoma brucei GAPDH by 1,3-bisphospho-D-glyceric acid (1,3-diPG) analogues

Various phosphono-phosphates and diphosphonates were synthesized as 1,3-diphosphoglycerate (1,3-diPG) analogues by using a beta-ketophosphonate, an alpha-fluoro,beta-ketophosphonate or a beta-ketophosphoramidate to mimic the unstable carboxyphosphate part of the natural substrate. The inhibitory effect of these analogues on glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenases (GAPDH) from Trypanosoma brucei (Tb) and rabbit muscle were measured with respect to both substrates, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate (GAP) and 1,3-diPG. Interestingly, all 1,5-diphosphono,2-oxopentanes without substitution at the C-3 position selectively inhibit the Tb GAPDH with respect to 1,3-diPG and are without effect on Rm GAPDH. All 1-phospho,3-oxo,4-phosphonobutanes show themselves to be non-selective inhibitors either with regard to substrates or organisms, but they will be of a great interest as 1,3-diPG stable models for structural studies of co-crystals with GAPDHs.

Epidermal enzymes: their role in homeostasis and their relationships with dermatoses

This review underlines the importance of different enzymes (beta-glucocerebrosidase, phospholipase A2, proteases and cholesterol sulfatase) in the formation and maintenance of the epidermal barrier function. Certain diseases may be characterized by the lack or excess of one or more of these different enzyme activities, altering the homeostatic equilibrium of the epidermis. In addition to this, particular enzymes may show potential in the development of novel dermocosmetic strategies.

Synthesis and uptake of nitric oxide-releasing drugs by the P2 nucleoside transporter in Trypanosoma equiperdum

A series of S-nitrosothiols, structurally related to the NO*-donor S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine, and of organic nitrate esters that contain amidine groups which specify a recognition via the trypanosomal purine transporter P2, were synthesized and tested for their ability to inhibit the uptake of [2-(3)H]adenosine on Trypanosoma equiperdum.

Chemical and enzymatic synthesis of fructose analogues as probes for import studies by the hexose transporter in parasites

Various D-fructose analogues modified at C-1 or C-6 positions were synthesized from D-glucose by taking advantage of the Amadori rearrangement or using the aldol condensation between dihydroxyacetone phosphate and appropriate aldehyde catalyzed by fructose 1,6-diphosphate aldolase from rabbit muscle. The affinities of the analogues for the glucose transporter expressed in the mammalian form of Trypanosoma brucei were determined by inhibition of radiolabelled 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DOG) transport using zero-trans kinetic analysis. Interestingly, the analogues bearing an aromatic group (i.e. a fluorescence marker) at C-1 or C-6 positions present comparable apparent affinities to D-fructose for the transporter. This result could find applications for hexose transport studies and also provides criteria for the design of glucose import inhibitors.

Pharmacokinetics, metabolism and excretion of megazol in a Trypanosoma brucei gambiense primate model of human African trypanosomiasis. Preliminary study

The pharmacokinetics of megazol (2-amino-5-(1-methyl-5-nitro-2-imidazolyl)-1,3,4-thiadiazol, CAS 19622-55-0) was investigated after a 100 mg/kg oral administration to six primates infected with Trypanosoma brucei gambiense. The plasma levels of megazol were between 0.2 microgram/ml and 46 micrograms/ml 24 h after dosing in all animals. In animals with prolonged infection, megazol absorption was accelerated (Tmax was 4 h compared with 8 h, for day 53 and day 39 post inoculation) but the amount absorbed was not modified. The megazol concentrations in the cerebrospinal fluid represented between 5.5% and 10.6% of the plasma levels at the same times. Unchanged megazol was eliminated predominantly via the kidneys: 46-96% of the ingested dose was recovered in the urine, compared with 0-5% in the faeces. Furthermore, this urinary elimination of megazol was altered in animals with prolonged infections. In the urine, 4 unknown metabolites were observed, unchanged megazol was characterized by LC-MS/MS. This study indicates that megazol crosses the blood-brain barrier after oral administration. Prolonged infections affect the absorption of megazol and its urinary elimination.

Uptake of NO-releasing drugs by the P2 nucleoside transporter in trypanosomes

Nitric oxide (NO.) has been identified as a principal regulatory molecule of the immune system and the major cytotoxic mediator of activated immune cells. NO. can also react rapidly with a variety of biological species, particularly with the superoxide radical anion O2.- at almost diffusion-limited rates to form peroxynitrite anion (ONOO-). ONOO- and its proton-catalyzed decomposition products are capable of oxidizing a great diversity of biomolecules and can act as a source of toxic hydroxyl radicals. As a consequence, a strategy for the development of molecules with potential trypanocidal activities could be developed to increase the concentration of nitric oxide in the parasites through NO.-releasing compounds. In this way, the rate of formation of peroxynitrite from NO. and O2.- would be faster than the rate of dismutation of superoxide radicals by superoxide dismutases which constitute the primary antioxidant enzymatic defense system in trypanosomes. The adenosine transport systems of parasitic protozoa, which are also in certain cases implicated in the selective uptake of active drugs such as melarsoprol or pentamidine, could be exploited to specifically target these NO.-releasing compounds inside the parasites. In this work, we present the synthesis, characterization and biological evaluation of a series of molecules that contain both a group which would specifically target these drugs inside the parasites via the purine transporter, and an NO.-donor group that would exert a specific pharmacological effect by increasing NO level, and thus the peroxynitrite concentration inside the parasite.

Synthesis of phosphono analogues of dihydroxyacetone phosphate and glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate

The present paper describes the synthetic routes of six phosphono analogues of dihydroxyacetone phosphate and five phosphono analogues of glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate through alpha-, beta- and gamma-hydroxyphosphonate esters precursors containing a protected carbonyl group. In some situations, depending on the sequence used for the deprotection of the phosphonate and carbonyl groups, the aldol/ketol rearrangement allowed the synthesis of either dihydroxyacetone phosphate or glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate analogues from the same precursors. All these analogues are of interest both as active-site probes and as potential substrates for glycolytic enzymes such as fructose 1,6-diphosphate aldolases (EC 4.1.2.13).

Enzymatic reduction studies of nitroheterocycles

The nitroimidazole derivative Megazol is a highly active compound used against several strains of Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas' disease (American trypanomiasis). With the aim of gaining an insight into the probable mode of action, the interaction of Megazol with different redox enzymes was studied in comparison to that of Nifurtimox and Metronidazole. The three nitroaromatic compounds are reduced by L-lactate cytochrome c-reductase, adrenodoxin reductase, and NADPH:cytochrome P-450 reductase (EC 1.6.2.4), the efficiencies of the enzymatic reductions being roughly related to the reduction potentials of these pseudo-substrates. As the enzyme responsible for the reduction of Megazol within the parasite has not yet been identified, the nitroimidazole was assayed with T. cruzi lipoamide dehydrogenase and trypanothione reductase. Megazol did not inhibit the physiological reactions but proved to be a weak substrate of both flavoenzymes. The single electron reduction of the compound by NADPH:cytochrome P-450 reductase, by rat liver as well as by trypanosome microsomes was confirmed by ESR experiments. As shown here, Megazol interferes with the oxygen metabolism of the parasite, but its extra activity when compared to Nifurtimox may be related to other features not yet identified.

An easy stereospecific synthesis of 1-amino-2,5-anhydro-1-deoxy-D-mannitol and arylamino derivatives

1-Amino-2,5-anhydro-1-deoxy-D-mannitol and a series of arylamino derivatives were prepared by nitrous acid deamination of 2-amino-2-deoxy-D-glucose and subsequent reductive amination of the resulting 2,5-anhydro-D-mannose. Some of these compounds showed an enhanced affinity for the hexose transporter of Trypanosoma brucei as compared to D-fructose.

Interaction of phosphonomethyl analog of dihydroxyacetone phosphate with rabbit muscle aldolase

Aldolase presents the same binding affinity for dihydroxyacetone phosphate and its phosphonomethyl analog, but the partition coefficient between the intermediates from the Michaelis complex to the eneamine is different. The effects of the structural modification of the triose phosphate substrate on the interaction with rabbit muscle aldolase are discussed in connection with the mechanistic pathway and the three-dimensional structure of the enzyme.

Inhibition of rabbit muscle aldolase by phosphorylated aromatic compounds

The interactions of the phosphorylated derivatives of hydroquinone (HQN-P2), resorcinol (RSN-P2), 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde (HBA-P) and 2, 4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde (DHBA-P; phosphate group at position 4) with fructose bisphosphate aldolase were analysed by enzyme kinetics, UV/visible difference spectroscopy and site-directed mutagenesis. Enzyme activity was competitively inhibited in the presence of HQN-P2, RSN-P2 and HBA-P, whereas DHBA-P exhibited slow-binding inhibition. Inhibition by DHBA-P involved active-site Schiff-base formation and required a phenol group ortho to the aldehyde moiety. Rates of enzyme inactivation and of Schiff-base formation by DHBA-P were identical, and corresponded to 3.2-3.5 DHBA-P molecules covalently bound per aldolase tetramer at maximal inactivation. Site-directed mutagenesis of the active-site lysine residues at positions 107, 146 and 229 was found to be consistent with Schiff-base formation between DHBA-P and Lys-146, and this was promoted by Lys-229. Mutation of Glu-187, located vicinally between Lys-146 and Lys-229 in the active site, perturbed the rate of Schiff-base formation, suggesting a functional role for Glu-187 in Schiff-base formation and stabilization. The decreased cleavage activity of the active-site mutants towards fructose 1, 6-bisphosphate is consistent with a proton-transfer mechanism involving Lys-229, Glu-187 and Lys-146.

Slow reversible inhibitions of rabbit muscle aldolase with substrate analogues: synthesis, enzymatic kinetics and UV difference spectroscopy studies

Various dihydroxyacetone-phosphate (DHAP) analogues bearing an aromatic ring or beta-dicarbonyl structures were synthesized. Their capacity to form a stabilized iminium ion or conjugated enamine in the reaction catalyzed by rabbit muscle aldolase (EC 4.1.2.13) were investigated by enzymatic kinetics and UV difference spectroscopic techniques. Whereas the aromatic derivative led to competitive inhibition without detectable iminium ion formation, slow reversible inhibitions of aldolase by beta-dicarbonyl compounds was shown to have taken place. Conjugated enamine formation at the active site of the enzyme was detected by their specific absorbances close to 317 nm.

Effect of megazol on Trypanosoma brucei brucei acute and subacute infections in Swiss mice

Human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) or sleeping sickness is a major public health problem in 36 sub-Saharan African countries and is caused by Trypanosoma brucei gambiense and T. b. rhodesiense. About 25,000 new cases of the disease are reported annually, and around 50 million people are classed as at risk of contracting the disease. Until now; the only effective drug available for treatment of advanced HAT was the trypanocide melarsoprol. The mortality rate of melarsoprol treated patients is 1-5%. Megazol is a nitroimidazole derivative shown to be effective in vitro against T. b. brucei with an EC50 of 0.01 micrograms.ml-1. When this compound was tested for its in vivo activity in T. b. brucei infected Swiss mice, it was shown to cure the acute disease. However, megazol alone did not cause cure of mice carrying a subacute infection with involvement of the central nervous system (CNS). Combined suramin and megazol treatment did prove effective and the mice were shown to have remission without further relapse from the CNS. The study of three megazol derivatives is also described here. Substitution of a bromine, methyl or trifluoromethyl moiety at the 4 position of the imidazole ring abolished trypanocidal activity both in vivo and in vitro. Intermediates of megazol synthesis (imidazole sulfoxide and imidazole sulfone) were also tested, but were shown not to be active. It is thought that megazol trypanocidal effect may be due to the triggering of radical production by the compound, which have toxic effects on the trypanosomes metabolism. In depth study of megazol is needed to fully elucidate its pharmacokinetics and to precisely pin down its mode of action.

[Rational concepts and the study of active molecules against various trypanosomiases]

Several sets of compounds, active against different trypanosomes, Trypanosoma brucei and Trypanosoma cruzi are presented, the lethal doses for some of them being less than the micro-molar concentration. These compounds are designed by taking advantage of two metabolic features of these parasites, glucose metabolism and oxidative stress.

Interactions between trypanocidal drugs and membrane phospholipids. A surface pressure, surface potential and electrophoretic mobility study

Amphiphilic diphenyl methane derivatives exhibiting both antiproliferative and trypanocidal effects were studied with respect to their interactions with phospholipids, in monolayers and bilayers. These compounds, namely (4-benzyl)-phenoxy-2 trimethylammonium ethane iodide (D1), (4-tertiobutyl)-phenoxy-2 morpholinium ethane chloride (D2), and (4-benzyl)-phenoxy-2 morpholinium ethane chloride (D3), were shown to interact with phosphatidylcholine (PC) and phosphatidylserine (PS) in monolayers, as monitored by surface pressure and surface potential measurements. The film expansion of monolayers, on 10 mM NaCl subphase at pH 7.1, was more pronounced in the presence of D2 and D3 in the subphase before spreading of the lipids than with the injection of the drugs underneath a preformed film. Apparent binding constants of 10(4) M-1 were determined for both drugs from monolayer experiments. With D2 in the presence of PS, results of monolayer compressions and electrophoretic mobility measurements indicate binding of the drug to the lipid molecules only when the molecular area was large. D3 was shown to interact with PS, both in monolayers and bilayers, with a drug-to-lipid binding constant of about 2 x 10(4)M-1, as evaluated from electrophoretic mobility measurements on PS liposomes. These results, which indicate binding of these drugs to phospholipids in the order D2 less than D3, correlate with the biological activity of the drugs, and may account for the discrepancy observed between the drug concentrations required for biological and binding activities.