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Assis LHC, Andrade-Silva D, Shiburah ME, de Oliveira BCD, Paiva SC, Abuchery BE, Ferri YG, Fontes VS, de Oliveira LS, da Silva MS, Cano MIN. Cell Cycle, Telomeres, and Telomerase in Leishmania spp.: What Do We Know So Far? Cells 2021; 10:cells10113195. [PMID: 34831418 PMCID: PMC8621916 DOI: 10.3390/cells10113195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2021] [Revised: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 11/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniases belong to the inglorious group of neglected tropical diseases, presenting different degrees of manifestations severity. It is caused by the transmission of more than 20 species of parasites of the Leishmania genus. Nevertheless, the disease remains on the priority list for developing new treatments, since it affects millions in a vast geographical area, especially low-income people. Molecular biology studies are pioneers in parasitic research with the aim of discovering potential targets for drug development. Among them are the telomeres, DNA–protein structures that play an important role in the long term in cell cycle/survival. Telomeres are the physical ends of eukaryotic chromosomes. Due to their multiple interactions with different proteins that confer a likewise complex dynamic, they have emerged as objects of interest in many medical studies, including studies on leishmaniases. This review aims to gather information and elucidate what we know about the phenomena behind Leishmania spp. telomere maintenance and how it impacts the parasite’s cell cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luiz H. C. Assis
- Telomeres Laboratory, Department of Chemical and Biological Sciences, Biosciences Institute, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18618-689, Brazil; (L.H.C.A.); (D.A.-S.); (M.E.S.); (B.C.D.d.O.); (S.C.P.); (V.S.F.); (L.S.d.O.)
| | - Débora Andrade-Silva
- Telomeres Laboratory, Department of Chemical and Biological Sciences, Biosciences Institute, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18618-689, Brazil; (L.H.C.A.); (D.A.-S.); (M.E.S.); (B.C.D.d.O.); (S.C.P.); (V.S.F.); (L.S.d.O.)
| | - Mark E. Shiburah
- Telomeres Laboratory, Department of Chemical and Biological Sciences, Biosciences Institute, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18618-689, Brazil; (L.H.C.A.); (D.A.-S.); (M.E.S.); (B.C.D.d.O.); (S.C.P.); (V.S.F.); (L.S.d.O.)
| | - Beatriz C. D. de Oliveira
- Telomeres Laboratory, Department of Chemical and Biological Sciences, Biosciences Institute, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18618-689, Brazil; (L.H.C.A.); (D.A.-S.); (M.E.S.); (B.C.D.d.O.); (S.C.P.); (V.S.F.); (L.S.d.O.)
| | - Stephany C. Paiva
- Telomeres Laboratory, Department of Chemical and Biological Sciences, Biosciences Institute, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18618-689, Brazil; (L.H.C.A.); (D.A.-S.); (M.E.S.); (B.C.D.d.O.); (S.C.P.); (V.S.F.); (L.S.d.O.)
| | - Bryan E. Abuchery
- DNA Replication and Repair Laboratory (DRRL), Department of Chemical and Biological Sciences, Biosciences Institute, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18618-689, Brazil; (B.E.A.); (Y.G.F.)
| | - Yete G. Ferri
- DNA Replication and Repair Laboratory (DRRL), Department of Chemical and Biological Sciences, Biosciences Institute, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18618-689, Brazil; (B.E.A.); (Y.G.F.)
| | - Veronica S. Fontes
- Telomeres Laboratory, Department of Chemical and Biological Sciences, Biosciences Institute, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18618-689, Brazil; (L.H.C.A.); (D.A.-S.); (M.E.S.); (B.C.D.d.O.); (S.C.P.); (V.S.F.); (L.S.d.O.)
| | - Leilane S. de Oliveira
- Telomeres Laboratory, Department of Chemical and Biological Sciences, Biosciences Institute, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18618-689, Brazil; (L.H.C.A.); (D.A.-S.); (M.E.S.); (B.C.D.d.O.); (S.C.P.); (V.S.F.); (L.S.d.O.)
| | - Marcelo S. da Silva
- DNA Replication and Repair Laboratory (DRRL), Department of Chemical and Biological Sciences, Biosciences Institute, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18618-689, Brazil; (B.E.A.); (Y.G.F.)
- Correspondence: (M.S.d.S.); (M.I.N.C.)
| | - Maria Isabel N. Cano
- Telomeres Laboratory, Department of Chemical and Biological Sciences, Biosciences Institute, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18618-689, Brazil; (L.H.C.A.); (D.A.-S.); (M.E.S.); (B.C.D.d.O.); (S.C.P.); (V.S.F.); (L.S.d.O.)
- Correspondence: (M.S.d.S.); (M.I.N.C.)
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Gahura O, Hierro-Yap C, Zíková A. Redesigned and reversed: architectural and functional oddities of the trypanosomal ATP synthase. Parasitology 2021; 148:1151-1160. [PMID: 33551002 PMCID: PMC8311965 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182021000202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2020] [Revised: 01/23/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Mitochondrial F-type adenosine triphosphate (ATP) synthases are commonly introduced as highly conserved membrane-embedded rotary machines generating the majority of cellular ATP. This simplified view neglects recently revealed striking compositional diversity of the enzyme and the fact that in specific life stages of some parasites, the physiological role of the enzyme is to maintain the mitochondrial membrane potential at the expense of ATP rather than to produce ATP. In addition, mitochondrial ATP synthases contribute indirectly to the organelle's other functions because they belong to major determinants of submitochondrial morphology. Here, we review current knowledge about the trypanosomal ATP synthase composition and architecture in the context of recent advances in the structural characterization of counterpart enzymes from several eukaryotic supergroups. We also discuss the physiological function of mitochondrial ATP synthases in three trypanosomatid parasites, Trypanosoma cruzi, Trypanosoma brucei and Leishmania, with a focus on their disease-causing life cycle stages. We highlight the reversed proton-pumping role of the ATP synthase in the T. brucei bloodstream form, the enzyme's potential link to the regulation of parasite's glycolysis and its role in generating mitochondrial membrane potential in the absence of mitochondrial DNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ondřej Gahura
- Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, Branišovská 31, České Budějovice, 37005, Czech Republic
| | - Carolina Hierro-Yap
- Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, Branišovská 31, České Budějovice, 37005, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branišovská 31, České Budějovice, 37005, Czech Republic
| | - Alena Zíková
- Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, Branišovská 31, České Budějovice, 37005, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branišovská 31, České Budějovice, 37005, Czech Republic
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Bel Hadj Ali I, Chouaieb H, Saadi Ben Aoun Y, Harigua-Souiai E, Souguir H, Yaacoub A, El Dbouni O, Harrat Z, Mukhtar MM, Ben Said M, Haddad N, Fathallah-Mili A, Guizani I. Dipeptidyl peptidase III as a DNA marker to investigate epidemiology and taxonomy of Old World Leishmania species. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009530. [PMID: 34310607 PMCID: PMC8341715 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2020] [Revised: 08/05/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dipeptidyl peptidase III (DPPIII) member of M49 peptidase family is a zinc-dependent metallopeptidase that cleaves dipeptides sequentially from the N-terminus of its substrates. In Leishmania, DPPIII, was reported with other peptidases to play a significant role in parasites' growth and survival. In a previous study, we used a coding sequence annotated as DPPIII to develop and evaluate a PCR assay that is specific to dermotropic Old World (OW) Leishmania species. Thus, our objective was to further assess use of this gene for Leishmania species identification and for phylogeny, and thus for diagnostic and molecular epidemiology studies of Old World Leishmania species. METHODOLOGY Orthologous DDPIII genes were searched in all Leishmania genomes and aligned to design PCR primers and identify relevant restriction enzymes. A PCR assays was developed and seventy-two Leishmania fragment sequences were analyzed using MEGA X genetics software to infer evolution and phylogenetic relationships of studied species and strains. A PCR-RFLP scheme was also designed and tested on 58 OW Leishmania strains belonging to 8 Leishmania species and evaluated on 75 human clinical skin samples. FINDINGS Sequence analysis showed 478 variable sites (302 being parsimony informative). Test of natural selection (dN-dS) (-0.164, SE = 0.013) inferred a negative selection, characteristic of essential genes, corroborating the DPPIII importance for parasite survival. Inter- and intra-specific genetic diversity was used to develop universal amplification of a 662bp fragment. Sequence analyses and phylogenies confirmed occurrence of 6 clusters congruent to L. major, L. tropica, L. aethiopica, L. arabica, L. turanica, L. tarentolae species, and one to the L. infantum and L. donovani species complex. A PCR-RFLP algorithm for Leishmania species identification was designed using double digestions with HaeIII and KpnI and with SacI and PvuII endonucleases. Overall, this PCR-RFLP yielded distinct profiles for each of the species L. major, L. tropica, L. aethiopica, L. arabica and L. turanica and the L. (Sauroleishmania) L. tarentolae. The species L. donovani, and L. infantum shared the same profile except for strains of Indian origin. When tested on clinical samples, the DPPIII PCR showed sensitivities of 82.22% when compared to direct examination and was able to identify 84.78% of the positive samples. CONCLUSION The study demonstrates that DPPIII gene is suitable to detect and identify Leishmania species and to complement other molecular methods for leishmaniases diagnosis and epidemiology. Thus, it can contribute to evidence-based disease control and surveillance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Insaf Bel Hadj Ali
- Laboratory of Molecular Epidemiology and Experimental Pathology, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université de Tunis El Manar, Tunisia
| | - Hamed Chouaieb
- Laboratory of Molecular Epidemiology and Experimental Pathology, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université de Tunis El Manar, Tunisia
- Service de parasitologie, EPS Farhat Hached, Faculté de Médecine de Sousse, Université de Sousse, Sousse, Tunisia
| | - Yusr Saadi Ben Aoun
- Laboratory of Molecular Epidemiology and Experimental Pathology, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université de Tunis El Manar, Tunisia
| | - Emna Harigua-Souiai
- Laboratory of Molecular Epidemiology and Experimental Pathology, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université de Tunis El Manar, Tunisia
| | - Hejer Souguir
- Laboratory of Molecular Epidemiology and Experimental Pathology, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université de Tunis El Manar, Tunisia
| | - Alia Yaacoub
- Laboratory of Molecular Epidemiology and Experimental Pathology, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université de Tunis El Manar, Tunisia
- Service de parasitologie, EPS Farhat Hached, Faculté de Médecine de Sousse, Université de Sousse, Sousse, Tunisia
| | - Oussaïma El Dbouni
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Rafik Hariri Hospital, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Zoubir Harrat
- Laboratoire d’Eco-épidémiologie Parasitaire et Génétique des Populations, Institut Pasteur d’Algérie, Algiers, Algeria
| | | | - Moncef Ben Said
- Service de parasitologie, EPS Farhat Hached, Faculté de Médecine de Sousse, Université de Sousse, Sousse, Tunisia
| | - Nabil Haddad
- Laboratory of Immunology and Vector-Borne Diseases, Faculty of Public Health Lebanese University, Hadath, Lebanon
| | - Akila Fathallah-Mili
- Laboratory of Molecular Epidemiology and Experimental Pathology, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université de Tunis El Manar, Tunisia
- Service de parasitologie, EPS Farhat Hached, Faculté de Médecine de Sousse, Université de Sousse, Sousse, Tunisia
| | - Ikram Guizani
- Laboratory of Molecular Epidemiology and Experimental Pathology, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université de Tunis El Manar, Tunisia
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Herrera-Acevedo C, Flores-Gaspar A, Scotti L, Mendonça-Junior FJB, Scotti MT, Coy-Barrera E. Identification of Kaurane-Type Diterpenes as Inhibitors of Leishmania Pteridine Reductase I. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26113076. [PMID: 34063939 PMCID: PMC8196580 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26113076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Revised: 05/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The current treatments against Leishmania parasites present high toxicity and multiple side effects, which makes the control and elimination of leishmaniasis challenging. Natural products constitute an interesting and diverse chemical space for the identification of new antileishmanial drugs. To identify new drug options, an in-house database of 360 kauranes (tetracyclic diterpenes) was generated, and a combined ligand- and structure-based virtual screening (VS) approach was performed to select potential inhibitors of Leishmania major (Lm) pteridine reductase I (PTR1). The best-ranked kauranes were employed to verify the validity of the VS approach through LmPTR1 enzyme inhibition assay. The half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of selected bioactive compounds were examined using the random forest (RF) model (i.e., 2β-hydroxy-menth-6-en-5β-yl ent-kaurenoate (135) and 3α-cinnamoyloxy-ent-kaur-16-en-19-oic acid (302)) were below 10 μM. A compound similar to 302, 3α-p-coumaroyloxy-ent-kaur-16-en-19-oic acid (302a), was also synthesized and showed the highest activity against LmPTR1. Finally, molecular docking calculations and molecular dynamics simulations were performed for the VS-selected, most-active kauranes within the active sites of PTR1 hybrid models, generated from three Leishmania species that are known to cause cutaneous leishmaniasis in the new world (i.e., L. braziliensis, L. panamensis, and L. amazonensis) to explore the targeting potential of these kauranes to other species-dependent variants of this enzyme.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chonny Herrera-Acevedo
- Post-Graduate Program in Natural and Synthetic Bioactive Products, Federal University of Paraíba, João Pessoa 58051-900, PB, Brazil; (C.H.-A.); (L.S.)
- Bioorganic Chemistry Laboratory, Facultad de Ciencias Básicas y Aplicadas, Universidad Militar Nueva Granada, Cajicá 250247, Colombia;
| | - Areli Flores-Gaspar
- Departamento de Química, Facultad de Ciencias Básicas y Aplicadas, Universidad Militar Nueva Granada, Cajicá 250247, Colombia
- Correspondence: (A.F.-G.); (M.T.S.); Tel.: +57-1-650-00-00 (ext. 1526) (A.F.-G.); +55-83-99869-0415 (M.T.S.)
| | - Luciana Scotti
- Post-Graduate Program in Natural and Synthetic Bioactive Products, Federal University of Paraíba, João Pessoa 58051-900, PB, Brazil; (C.H.-A.); (L.S.)
| | | | - Marcus Tullius Scotti
- Post-Graduate Program in Natural and Synthetic Bioactive Products, Federal University of Paraíba, João Pessoa 58051-900, PB, Brazil; (C.H.-A.); (L.S.)
- Correspondence: (A.F.-G.); (M.T.S.); Tel.: +57-1-650-00-00 (ext. 1526) (A.F.-G.); +55-83-99869-0415 (M.T.S.)
| | - Ericsson Coy-Barrera
- Bioorganic Chemistry Laboratory, Facultad de Ciencias Básicas y Aplicadas, Universidad Militar Nueva Granada, Cajicá 250247, Colombia;
- Departamento de Química, Facultad de Ciencias Básicas y Aplicadas, Universidad Militar Nueva Granada, Cajicá 250247, Colombia
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da Silva ER, Come JAADSS, Brogi S, Calderone V, Chemi G, Campiani G, Oliveira TMFDS, Pham TN, Pudlo M, Girard C, Maquiaveli CDC. Cinnamides Target Leishmania amazonensis Arginase Selectively. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25225271. [PMID: 33198198 PMCID: PMC7696938 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25225271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Revised: 11/02/2020] [Accepted: 11/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Caffeic acid and related natural compounds were previously described as Leishmania amazonensis arginase (L-ARG) inhibitors, and against the whole parasite in vitro. In this study, we tested cinnamides that were previously synthesized to target human arginase. The compound caffeic acid phenethyl amide (CAPA), a weak inhibitor of human arginase (IC50 = 60.3 ± 7.8 μM) was found to have 9-fold more potency against L-ARG (IC50 = 6.9 ± 0.7 μM). The other compounds that did not inhibit human arginase were characterized as L-ARG, showing an IC50 between 1.3–17.8 μM, and where the most active was compound 15 (IC50 = 1.3 ± 0.1 μM). All compounds were also tested against L. amazonensis promastigotes, and only the compound CAPA showed an inhibitory activity (IC50 = 80 μM). In addition, in an attempt to gain an insight into the mechanism of competitive L-ARG inhibitors, and their selectivity over mammalian enzymes, we performed an extensive computational investigation, to provide the basis for the selective inhibition of L-ARG for this series of compounds. In conclusion, our results indicated that the compounds based on cinnamoyl or 3,4-hydroxy cinnamoyl moiety could be a promising starting point for the design of potential antileishmanial drugs based on selective L-ARG inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edson Roberto da Silva
- Laboratório de Farmacologia e Bioquímica (LFBq), Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de São Paulo Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos, Pirassununga, SP 13635-900, Brazil; (J.A.A.d.S.S.C.); (T.M.F.d.S.O.)
- Correspondence: (E.R.d.S.); (S.B.); (C.G.); (C.d.C.M.)
| | - Júlio Abel Alfredo dos Santos Simone Come
- Laboratório de Farmacologia e Bioquímica (LFBq), Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de São Paulo Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos, Pirassununga, SP 13635-900, Brazil; (J.A.A.d.S.S.C.); (T.M.F.d.S.O.)
- Departamento de Pré-Clínicas, Universidade Eduardo Mondlane, Faculdade de Veterinária, Av. de Moçambique, Km 1.5, Maputo CP 257, Mozambique
| | - Simone Brogi
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, via Bonanno 6, 56126 Pisa, Italy;
- Correspondence: (E.R.d.S.); (S.B.); (C.G.); (C.d.C.M.)
| | - Vincenzo Calderone
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, via Bonanno 6, 56126 Pisa, Italy;
| | - Giulia Chemi
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry, and Pharmacy, DoE Department of Excellence 2018–2022 Università degli Studi di Siena via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy; (G.C.); (G.C.)
| | - Giuseppe Campiani
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry, and Pharmacy, DoE Department of Excellence 2018–2022 Università degli Studi di Siena via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy; (G.C.); (G.C.)
| | - Trícia Maria Ferrreira de Sousa Oliveira
- Laboratório de Farmacologia e Bioquímica (LFBq), Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de São Paulo Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos, Pirassununga, SP 13635-900, Brazil; (J.A.A.d.S.S.C.); (T.M.F.d.S.O.)
| | - Thanh-Nhat Pham
- PEPITE EA4267, University Bourgogne Franche-Comté, F-25000 Besançon, France; (T.-N.P.); (M.P.)
| | - Marc Pudlo
- PEPITE EA4267, University Bourgogne Franche-Comté, F-25000 Besançon, France; (T.-N.P.); (M.P.)
| | - Corine Girard
- PEPITE EA4267, University Bourgogne Franche-Comté, F-25000 Besançon, France; (T.-N.P.); (M.P.)
- Correspondence: (E.R.d.S.); (S.B.); (C.G.); (C.d.C.M.)
| | - Claudia do Carmo Maquiaveli
- Laboratório de Farmacologia e Bioquímica (LFBq), Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de São Paulo Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos, Pirassununga, SP 13635-900, Brazil; (J.A.A.d.S.S.C.); (T.M.F.d.S.O.)
- Correspondence: (E.R.d.S.); (S.B.); (C.G.); (C.d.C.M.)
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Bibi M, Qureshi NA, Sadiq A, Farooq U, Hassan A, Shaheen N, Asghar I, Umer D, Ullah A, Khan FA, Salman M, Bibi A, Rashid U. Exploring the ability of dihydropyrimidine-5-carboxamide and 5-benzyl-2,4-diaminopyrimidine-based analogues for the selective inhibition of L. major dihydrofolate reductase. Eur J Med Chem 2020; 210:112986. [PMID: 33187806 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2020.112986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2020] [Revised: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
To tackle leishmaniasis, search for efficient therapeutic drug targets should be pursued. Dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) is considered as a key target for the treatment of leishmaniasis. In current study, we are interested in the design and synthesis of selective antifolates targeting DHFR from L. major. We focused on the development of new antifolates based on 3,4-dihydropyrimidine-2-one and 5-(3,5-dimethoxybenzyl)pyrimidine-2,4-diamine motif. Structure activity relationship (SAR) studies were performed on 4-phenyl ring of dihydropyrimidine (26-30) template. While for 5-(3,5-dimethoxybenzyl)pyrimidine-2,4-diamine, the impact of different amino acids (valine, tryptophan, phenylalanine, and glutamic acid) and two carbon linkers were explored (52-59). The synthesized compounds were assayed against LmDHFR. Compound 59 with the IC50 value of 0.10 μM appeared as potent inhibitors of L. major. Selectivity for parasite DHFR over human DHFR was also determined. Derivatives 55-59 demonstrated excellent selectivity for LmDHFR. Highest selectivity for LmDHFR was shown by compounds 56 (SI = 84.5) and 58 (SI = 87.5). Compounds Antileishmanial activity against L. major and L. donovani promastigotes was also performed. To explore the interaction pattern of the synthesized compounds with biological macromolecules, the docking studies were carried out against homology modelled LmDHFR and hDHFR targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Bibi
- Department of Chemistry, COMSATS University Islamabad, Abbottabad Campus, 22060, Pakistan
| | | | - Abdul Sadiq
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Malakand, Chakdara, 18000, Dir (L), KP, Pakistan
| | - Umar Farooq
- Department of Chemistry, COMSATS University Islamabad, Abbottabad Campus, 22060, Pakistan
| | - Abbas Hassan
- Department of Chemistry, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, 45320, Pakistan
| | - Nargis Shaheen
- Department of Animal Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, 45320, Pakistan
| | - Irfa Asghar
- Department of Biotechnology, COMSATS University Islamabad, Abbottabad Campus, 22060, Pakistan
| | - Duaa Umer
- Department of Biotechnology, COMSATS University Islamabad, Abbottabad Campus, 22060, Pakistan
| | - Azmat Ullah
- Department of Chemistry, COMSATS University Islamabad, Abbottabad Campus, 22060, Pakistan
| | - Farhan A Khan
- Department of Chemistry, COMSATS University Islamabad, Abbottabad Campus, 22060, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Salman
- Department of Microbiology, National Institute of Health (NIH), Islamabad, 45320, Pakistan
| | - Ahtaram Bibi
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Physical Sciences, Kohat University of Science and Technology, 26000, Kohat, KP, Pakistan
| | - Umer Rashid
- Department of Chemistry, COMSATS University Islamabad, Abbottabad Campus, 22060, Pakistan.
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Kelly P, Hadi-Nezhad F, Liu DY, Lawrence TJ, Linington RG, Ibba M, Ardell DH. Targeting tRNA-synthetase interactions towards novel therapeutic discovery against eukaryotic pathogens. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020; 14:e0007983. [PMID: 32106219 PMCID: PMC7046186 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2019] [Accepted: 12/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of chemotherapies against eukaryotic pathogens is especially challenging because of both the evolutionary conservation of drug targets between host and parasite, and the evolution of strain-dependent drug resistance. There is a strong need for new nontoxic drugs with broad-spectrum activity against trypanosome parasites such as Leishmania and Trypanosoma. A relatively untested approach is to target macromolecular interactions in parasites rather than small molecular interactions, under the hypothesis that the features specifying macromolecular interactions diverge more rapidly through coevolution. We computed tRNA Class-Informative Features in humans and independently in eight distinct clades of trypanosomes, identifying parasite-specific informative features, including base pairs and base mis-pairs, that are broadly conserved over approximately 250 million years of trypanosome evolution. Validating these observations, we demonstrated biochemically that tRNA:aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase (aaRS) interactions are a promising target for anti-trypanosomal drug discovery. From a marine natural products extract library, we identified several fractions with inhibitory activity toward Leishmania major alanyl-tRNA synthetase (AlaRS) but no activity against the human homolog. These marine natural products extracts showed cross-reactivity towards Trypanosoma cruzi AlaRS indicating the broad-spectrum potential of our network predictions. We also identified Leishmania major threonyl-tRNA synthetase (ThrRS) inhibitors from the same library. We discuss why chemotherapies targeting multiple aaRSs should be less prone to the evolution of resistance than monotherapeutic or synergistic combination chemotherapies targeting only one aaRS. Trypanosome parasites pose a significant health risk worldwide. Conventional drug development strategies have proven challenging given the high conservation between humans and pathogens, with off-target toxicity being a common problem. Protein synthesis inhibitors have historically been an attractive target for antimicrobial discovery against bacteria, and more recently for eukaryotic pathogens. Here we propose that exploiting pathogen-specific tRNA-synthetase interactions offers the potential for highly targeted drug discovery. To this end, we improved tRNA gene annotations in trypanosome genomes, identified functionally informative trypanosome-specific tRNA features, and showed that these features are highly conserved over approximately 250 million years of trypanosome evolution. Highlighting the species-specific and broad-spectrum potential of our approach, we identified natural product inhibitors against the parasite translational machinery that have no effect on the homologous human enzyme.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Kelly
- The Ohio State University Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
- Center for RNA Biology, The Ohio State University, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Fatemeh Hadi-Nezhad
- Quantitative and Systems Biology Program, University of California, Merced, California, United States of America
| | - Dennis Y. Liu
- Department of Chemistry, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Travis J. Lawrence
- Quantitative and Systems Biology Program, University of California, Merced, California, United States of America
- Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Lab, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Roger G. Linington
- Department of Chemistry, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Michael Ibba
- The Ohio State University Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
- Center for RNA Biology, The Ohio State University, Ohio, United States of America
- Department of Microbiology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
- * E-mail: (MI); (DHA)
| | - David H. Ardell
- Quantitative and Systems Biology Program, University of California, Merced, California, United States of America
- Department of Molecular & Cell Biology, University of California, Merced, California, United States of America
- * E-mail: (MI); (DHA)
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8
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Rocco-Machado N, Cosentino-Gomes D, Nascimento MT, Paes-Vieira L, Khan YA, Mittra B, Andrews NW, Meyer-Fernandes JR. Leishmania amazonensis ferric iron reductase (LFR1) is a bifunctional enzyme: Unveiling a NADPH oxidase activity. Free Radic Biol Med 2019; 143:341-353. [PMID: 31446054 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2019.08.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2019] [Accepted: 08/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Leishmania amazonensis is one of leishmaniasis' causative agents, a disease that has no cure and leads to the appearance of cutaneous lesions. Recently, our group showed that heme activates a Na+/K+ ATPase in these parasites through a signaling cascade involving hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) generation. Heme has a pro-oxidant activity and signaling capacity, but the mechanism by which this molecule increases H2O2 levels in L. amazonensis has not been elucidated. Here we investigated the source of H2O2 stimulated by heme, ruling out the participation of mitochondria and raising the possibility of a role for a NADPH oxidase (Nox) activity. Despite the absence of a classical Nox sequence in trypanosomatid genomes, L. amazonensis expresses a surface ferric iron reductase (LFR1). Interestingly, Nox enzymes are thought to have evolved from ferric iron reductases because they share same core domain and are very similar in structure. The main difference is that Nox catalyses electron flow from NADPH to oxygen, generating reactive oxygen species (ROS), while ferric iron reductase promotes electron flow to ferric iron, generating ferrous iron. Using L. amazonensis overexpressing or knockout for LFR1 and heterologous expression of LFR1 in mammalian embryonic kidney (HEK 293) cells, we show that this enzyme is bifunctional, being able to generate both ferrous iron and H2O2. It was previously described that protozoans knockout for LFR1 have their differentiation to virulent forms (amastigote and metacyclic promastigote) impaired. In this work, we observed that LFR1 overexpression stimulates protozoan differentiation to amastigote forms, reinforcing the importance of this enzyme in L. amazonensis life cycle regulation. Thus, we not only identified a new source of ROS production in Leishmania, but also described, for the first time, an enzyme with both ferric iron reductase and Nox activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Rocco-Machado
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry Leopoldo de Meis, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), CCS, Cidade Universitária, Ilha do Fundão, 21941-590, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; Institute of National Science and Technology of Structural Biology and Bioimage (INCTBEB), CCS, Cidade Universitária, Ilha do Fundão, 21941-590, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - D Cosentino-Gomes
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry Leopoldo de Meis, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), CCS, Cidade Universitária, Ilha do Fundão, 21941-590, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; Institute of National Science and Technology of Structural Biology and Bioimage (INCTBEB), CCS, Cidade Universitária, Ilha do Fundão, 21941-590, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; Institute of Chemistry, Department of Biochemistry, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, RJ, Brazil
| | - M T Nascimento
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry Leopoldo de Meis, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), CCS, Cidade Universitária, Ilha do Fundão, 21941-590, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; Institute of National Science and Technology of Structural Biology and Bioimage (INCTBEB), CCS, Cidade Universitária, Ilha do Fundão, 21941-590, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - L Paes-Vieira
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry Leopoldo de Meis, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), CCS, Cidade Universitária, Ilha do Fundão, 21941-590, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; Institute of National Science and Technology of Structural Biology and Bioimage (INCTBEB), CCS, Cidade Universitária, Ilha do Fundão, 21941-590, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Y A Khan
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, 20742, College Park, MD, United States
| | - B Mittra
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, 20742, College Park, MD, United States
| | - N W Andrews
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, 20742, College Park, MD, United States
| | - J R Meyer-Fernandes
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry Leopoldo de Meis, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), CCS, Cidade Universitária, Ilha do Fundão, 21941-590, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; Institute of National Science and Technology of Structural Biology and Bioimage (INCTBEB), CCS, Cidade Universitária, Ilha do Fundão, 21941-590, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
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Crizanto de Lima E, Castelo-Branco FS, Maquiaveli CC, Farias AB, Rennó MN, Boechat N, Silva ER. Phenylhydrazides as inhibitors of Leishmania amazonensis arginase and antileishmanial activity. Bioorg Med Chem 2019; 27:3853-3859. [PMID: 31311700 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2019.07.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2019] [Revised: 07/03/2019] [Accepted: 07/10/2019] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Searching for new substances with antileishmanial activity, we synthesized and evaluated a series of α,α-difluorohydrazide and α,α-difluoramides against Leishmania amazonensis arginase (LaArg). Four α,α-difluorohydrazide derivatives showed activity against LaArg with Ki in the range of 1.3-26 μM. The study of the kinetics of LaArg inhibition showed that these substances might act via different inhibitory mechanisms or even by a combination of these. The compounds were tested against L. amazonensis promastigotes and the best result was obtained to the compound 4 (EC50 of 12.7 ± 0.3 μM). In addition, in order to obtain further insight into the binding mode of such compounds, molecular docking studies were performed to obtain additional validation of experimental results. Considering these results, it is possible to conclude that α,α-difluorohydrazide derivatives are a promising scaffold in the development of new substances against the etiological agent of leishmaniasis by targeting LaArg.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evanoel Crizanto de Lima
- Laboratório de Catálise e Síntese de Substâncias Bioativas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro Campus Macaé Professor Aloísio Teixeira, Estrada do Imburo s/n - Ajuda de Baixo, Macaé, RJ CEP 27979-000, Brazil
| | - Frederico S Castelo-Branco
- Departamento de Sintese de Fármacos, Instituto de Tecnologia em Fármacos, Farmanguinhos - FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21041-250, Brazil
| | - Claudia C Maquiaveli
- Universidade de São Paulo Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Laboratório de Farmacologia e Bioquímica (LFBq), Av. Duque de Caxias Norte, 225, Pirassununga, SP 13635-900, Brazil
| | - André B Farias
- Instituto de Biodiversidade e Sustentabilidade NUPEM/UFRJ, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Campus Macaé Professor Aloísio Teixeira, Av. São José do Barreto, 764, Macaé, RJ 27965-045, Brazil
| | - Magdalena N Rennó
- Instituto de Biodiversidade e Sustentabilidade NUPEM/UFRJ, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Campus Macaé Professor Aloísio Teixeira, Av. São José do Barreto, 764, Macaé, RJ 27965-045, Brazil
| | - Nubia Boechat
- Departamento de Sintese de Fármacos, Instituto de Tecnologia em Fármacos, Farmanguinhos - FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21041-250, Brazil.
| | - Edson R Silva
- Universidade de São Paulo Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Laboratório de Farmacologia e Bioquímica (LFBq), Av. Duque de Caxias Norte, 225, Pirassununga, SP 13635-900, Brazil.
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10
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Palatnik-de-Sousa CB. Nucleoside Hydrolase NH 36: A Vital Enzyme for the Leishmania Genus in the Development of T-Cell Epitope Cross-Protective Vaccines. Front Immunol 2019; 10:813. [PMID: 31040850 PMCID: PMC6477039 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.00813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2018] [Accepted: 03/27/2019] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
NH36 is a vital enzyme of the DNA metabolism and a specific target for anti-Leishmania chemotherapy. We developed second-generation vaccines composed of the FML complex or its main native antigen, the NH36 nucleoside hydrolase of Leishmania (L.) donovani and saponin, and a DNA vaccine containing the NH36 gene. All these vaccines were effective in prophylaxis and treatment of mice and dog visceral leishmaniasis (VL). The FML-saponin vaccine became the first licensed veterinary vaccine against leishmaniasis (Leishmune®) which reduced the incidence of human and canine VL in endemic areas. The NH36, DNA or recombinant protein vaccines induced a Th1 CD4+IFN-γ+ mediated protection in mice. Efficacy against VL was mediated by a CD4+TNF-α T lymphocyte response against the NH36-F3 domain, while against tegumentary leishmaniasis (TL) a CD8+ T lymphocyte response to F1 was also required. These domains were 36-41 % more protective than NH36, and a recombinant F1F3 chimera was 21% stronger than the domains, promoting a 99.8% reduction of the parasite load. We also identified the most immunogenic NH36 domains and epitopes for PBMC of active human VL, cured or asymptomatic and DTH+ patients. Currently, the NH36 subunit recombinant vaccine is turning into a multi-epitope T cell synthetic vaccine against VL and TL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clarisa Beatriz Palatnik-de-Sousa
- Institute of Microbiology Paulo de Góes, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute for Research in Immunology, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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Urbanová K, Ramírez-Macías I, Martín-Escolano R, Rosales MJ, Cussó O, Serrano J, Company A, Sánchez-Moreno M, Costas M, Ribas X, Marín C. Effective Tetradentate Compound Complexes against Leishmania spp. that Act on Critical Enzymatic Pathways of These Parasites. Molecules 2018; 24:molecules24010134. [PMID: 30602705 PMCID: PMC6337631 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24010134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2018] [Revised: 12/18/2018] [Accepted: 12/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
The spectrum and efficacy of available antileishmanial drugs is limited. In the present work we evaluated in vitro the antiproliferative activity of 11 compounds based on tetradentate polyamines compounds against three Leishmania species (L. braziliensis, L. donovani and L. infantum) and the possible mechanism of action. We identified six compounds (3, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 10) effective against all three Leishmania spp both on extracellular and intracellular forms. These six most active leishmanicidal compounds also prevent the infection of host cells. Nevertheless, only compound 7 is targeted against the Leishmania SOD. Meanwhile, on the glucose metabolism the tested compounds have a species-specific effect on Leishmania spp.: L. braziliensis was affected mainly by 10 and 8, L. donovani by 7, and L. infantum by 5 and 3. Finally, the cellular ultrastructure was mainly damaged by 11 in the three Leishmania spp. studied. These identified antileishmania candidates constitute a good alternative treatment and will be further studied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristína Urbanová
- Department of Parasitology, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs. Granada), Hospitales Universitarios de Granada/University of Granada, Severo Ochoa s/n, E-18071 Granada, Spain.
| | - Inmaculada Ramírez-Macías
- Department of Parasitology, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs. Granada), Hospitales Universitarios de Granada/University of Granada, Severo Ochoa s/n, E-18071 Granada, Spain.
| | - Rubén Martín-Escolano
- Department of Parasitology, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs. Granada), Hospitales Universitarios de Granada/University of Granada, Severo Ochoa s/n, E-18071 Granada, Spain.
| | - María José Rosales
- Department of Parasitology, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs. Granada), Hospitales Universitarios de Granada/University of Granada, Severo Ochoa s/n, E-18071 Granada, Spain.
| | - Olaf Cussó
- QBIS-CAT Research Group, Institut de Química Computacional i Catàlisi (IQCC), and Departament de Química, Universitat de Girona. Campus de Montilivi, E-17071 Girona, Spain.
| | - Joan Serrano
- QBIS-CAT Research Group, Institut de Química Computacional i Catàlisi (IQCC), and Departament de Química, Universitat de Girona. Campus de Montilivi, E-17071 Girona, Spain.
| | - Anna Company
- QBIS-CAT Research Group, Institut de Química Computacional i Catàlisi (IQCC), and Departament de Química, Universitat de Girona. Campus de Montilivi, E-17071 Girona, Spain.
| | - Manuel Sánchez-Moreno
- Department of Parasitology, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs. Granada), Hospitales Universitarios de Granada/University of Granada, Severo Ochoa s/n, E-18071 Granada, Spain.
| | - Miquel Costas
- QBIS-CAT Research Group, Institut de Química Computacional i Catàlisi (IQCC), and Departament de Química, Universitat de Girona. Campus de Montilivi, E-17071 Girona, Spain.
| | - Xavi Ribas
- QBIS-CAT Research Group, Institut de Química Computacional i Catàlisi (IQCC), and Departament de Química, Universitat de Girona. Campus de Montilivi, E-17071 Girona, Spain.
| | - Clotilde Marín
- Department of Parasitology, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs. Granada), Hospitales Universitarios de Granada/University of Granada, Severo Ochoa s/n, E-18071 Granada, Spain.
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da Silva Cardoso V, Vermelho AB, Ricci Junior E, Almeida Rodrigues I, Mazotto AM, Supuran CT. Antileishmanial activity of sulphonamide nanoemulsions targeting the β-carbonic anhydrase from Leishmania species. J Enzyme Inhib Med Chem 2018; 33:850-857. [PMID: 29708476 PMCID: PMC6010131 DOI: 10.1080/14756366.2018.1463221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2018] [Revised: 04/06/2018] [Accepted: 04/06/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The β-carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1) from Leishmania spp. (LdcCA) is effectively inhibited by aromatic/heterocyclic sulphonamides, in the low nanomolar range, but no in vitro antileishmanial activity was detected for such compounds. We formulated some of these sulphonamides as nanoemulsions (NEs) in clove oil, and tested them in vitro against Leishmania infantum MHOM/BR/1974/PP75 and Leishmania amazonensis IFLA/BR/1967/PH8 strains. Interesting inhibitory concentrations IC50 were observed for some of the sulphonamides NEs, with IC50 as low as 3.90 µM (NE-3F) and 2.24 µM (NE-5B) for L. amazonensis and 3.47 µM (NE-5B) for L. infantum. Some of the investigated NEs displayed toxicity for macrophages beyond the parasites. For the same nonoemulsions, a selective index (SI) greater than for Amphotericin B. Haemolytic assay using human red blood cells indicate that the NEs were less cytotoxic than amphotericin B, a widely used antifungal agent. NEs demonstrated to be an excellent strategy for increasing the penetration of these hydrophilic drugs through membranes, with a huge increase of efficacy over the sulphonamide CA inhibitor (CAI) alone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Verônica da Silva Cardoso
- Bioinovar-Biotecnologia: Unidade de Biocatálise, Bioprodutos e Bioenergia (BIOINOVAR), Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Alane Beatriz Vermelho
- Bioinovar-Biotecnologia: Unidade de Biocatálise, Bioprodutos e Bioenergia (BIOINOVAR), Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Eduardo Ricci Junior
- Departamento de Medicamentos, Laboratório de Desenvolvimento Galênico (LADEG), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Igor Almeida Rodrigues
- Departamento de Produtos Naturais e Alimentos, Faculdade de Farmácia, Laboratório de Bioprospecção de Antimicrobianos Naturais (LABAN), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Ana Maria Mazotto
- Bioinovar-Biotecnologia: Unidade de Biocatálise, Bioprodutos e Bioenergia (BIOINOVAR), Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Claudiu T. Supuran
- NEUROFARBA Department, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Sezione di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Florence, Italy
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13
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Norris-Mullins B, Krivda JS, Smith KL, Ferrell MJ, Morales MA. Leishmania phosphatase PP5 is a regulator of HSP83 phosphorylation and essential for parasite pathogenicity. Parasitol Res 2018; 117:2971-2985. [PMID: 29982859 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-018-5994-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2018] [Accepted: 06/28/2018] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Leishmania parasites are responsible for important neglected diseases in humans and animals, ranging from self-healing cutaneous lesions to fatal visceral manifestations. During the infectious cycle, Leishmania differentiates from the extracellular flagellated promastigote to the intracellular pathogenic amastigote. Parasite differentiation is triggered by changes in environmental cues, mainly pH and temperature. In general, extracellular signals are translated into stage-specific gene expression by a cascade of reversible protein phosphorylation regulated by protein kinases and phosphatases. Though protein kinases have been actively studied as potential anti-parasitic drug targets, our understanding of the biology of protein phosphatases in Leishmania is poor. We have previously reported the principal analysis of a novel protein phosphatase 5 (PP5) in Leishmania species. Here, we assessed the role of PP5 in parasite pathogenicity, where we uncovered, using transgenic PP5 over-expressing and PP5 null-mutant parasites, its importance in metacyclogeneisis, maintaining HSP83 phosphorylation homeostasis and virulence. All together, our results indicate the importance of PP5 in regulating parasite stress and adaptation during differentiation, making this protein an attractive potential target for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brianna Norris-Mullins
- Eck Institute for Global Health, Department of Biological Sciences, 278 Galvin Life Science, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, 46556, USA
| | - Joseph S Krivda
- Eck Institute for Global Health, Department of Biological Sciences, 278 Galvin Life Science, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, 46556, USA
| | - Kathryn L Smith
- Eck Institute for Global Health, Department of Biological Sciences, 278 Galvin Life Science, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, 46556, USA
| | - Micah J Ferrell
- Eck Institute for Global Health, Department of Biological Sciences, 278 Galvin Life Science, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, 46556, USA
| | - Miguel A Morales
- Eck Institute for Global Health, Department of Biological Sciences, 278 Galvin Life Science, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, 46556, USA.
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Santos ALS, Matteoli FP, Sangenito LS, Branquinha MH, Cotrim BA, Resende GO. Asymmetric peptidomimetics containing L-tartaric acid core inhibit the aspartyl peptidase activity and growth of Leishmania amazonensis promastigotes. Acta Parasitol 2018; 63:114-124. [PMID: 29351078 DOI: 10.1515/ap-2018-0013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2017] [Accepted: 11/10/2017] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Aspartyl-type peptidases are promising chemotherapeutic targets in protozoan parasites. In the present work, we identified an aspartyl peptidase activity from the soluble extract of Leishmania amazonensis promastigotes, which cleaved the fluorogenic peptide 7-methoxycoumarin-4-acetyl-Gly-Lys-Pro-Ile-Leu-Phe-Phe-Arg-Leu-Lys(DNP)-D-Arg-amide (cathepsin D substrate) under acidic pH conditions at 37°C, showing a KM of 0.58 μM and Vmax of 129.87 fluorescence arbitrary units/s mg protein. The leishmanial aspartyl peptidase activity was blocked by pepstatin A (IC50 = 6.8 μM) and diazo-acetyl-norleucinemetilester (IC50 = 10.2 μM), two classical aspartyl peptidase inhibitors. Subsequently, the effects of 6 asymmetric peptidomimetics, containing L-tartaric acid core, were tested on both aspartyl peptidase and growth of L. amazonensis promastigotes. The peptidomimetics named 88, 154 and 158 promoted a reduction of 50% on the leishmanial aspartyl peptidase activity at concentrations ranging from 40 to 85 μM, whereas the peptidomimetic 157 was by far the most effective, presenting IC50 of 0.04 μM. Furthermore, the peptidomimetics 157 and 154 reduced the parasite proliferation in a dose-dependent manner, displaying IC50 values of 33.7 and 44.5 μM, respectively. Collectively, the peptidomimetic 157 was the most efficient compound able to arrest both aspartyl peptidase activity and leishmanial proliferation, which raises excellent perspectives regarding its use against this human pathogenic protozoan.
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Affiliation(s)
- André L S Santos
- Laboratório de Investigação de Peptidases, Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Filipe P Matteoli
- Laboratório de Investigação de Peptidases, Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Leandro S Sangenito
- Laboratório de Investigação de Peptidases, Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Marta H Branquinha
- Laboratório de Investigação de Peptidases, Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Bruno A Cotrim
- Instituto Federal de Educação Ciência e Tecnologia do Rio de Janeiro, Campus Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Gabriel O Resende
- Instituto Federal de Educação Ciência e Tecnologia do Rio de Janeiro, Campus Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Acuña SM, Aoki JI, Laranjeira-Silva MF, Zampieri RA, Fernandes JCR, Muxel SM, Floeter-Winter LM. Arginase expression modulates nitric oxide production in Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0187186. [PMID: 29135983 PMCID: PMC5685479 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0187186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2017] [Accepted: 10/16/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Arginase is an enzyme that converts L-arginine to urea and L-ornithine, an essential substrate for the polyamine pathway supporting Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis replication and its survival in the mammalian host. L-arginine is also the substrate of macrophage nitric oxide synthase 2 (NOS2) to produce nitric oxide (NO) that kills the parasite. This competition can define the fate of Leishmania infection. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS The transcriptomic profiling identified a family of oxidoreductases in L. (L.) amazonensis wild-type (La-WT) and L. (L.) amazonensis arginase knockout (La-arg-) promastigotes and axenic amastigotes. We highlighted the identification of an oxidoreductase that could act as nitric oxide synthase-like (NOS-like), due to the following evidences: conserved domain composition, the participation of NO production during the time course of promastigotes growth and during the axenic amastigotes differentiation, regulation dependence on arginase activity, as well as reduction of NO amount through the NOS activity inhibition. NO quantification was measured by DAF-FM labeling analysis in a flow cytometry. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE We described an arginase-dependent NOS-like activity in L. (L.) amazonensis and its role in the parasite growth. The increased detection of NO production in the mid-stationary and late-stationary growth phases of La-WT promastigotes could suggest that this production is an important factor to metacyclogenesis triggering. On the other hand, La-arg- showed an earlier increase in NO production compared to La-WT, suggesting that NO production can be arginase-dependent. Interestingly, La-WT and La-arg- axenic amastigotes produced higher levels of NO than those observed in promastigotes. As a conclusion, our work suggested that NOS-like is expressed in Leishmania in the stationary growth phase promastigotes and amastigotes, and could be correlated to metacyclogenesis and amastigotes growth in a dependent way to the internal pool of L-arginine and arginase activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Maia Acuña
- Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Juliana Ide Aoki
- Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Ricardo Andrade Zampieri
- Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Sandra Marcia Muxel
- Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- * E-mail: (LMFW); (SMM)
| | - Lucile Maria Floeter-Winter
- Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- * E-mail: (LMFW); (SMM)
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Aoki JI, Muxel SM, Zampieri RA, Acuña SM, Fernandes JCR, Vanderlinde RH, Sales MCODP, Floeter-Winter LM. L-arginine availability and arginase activity: Characterization of amino acid permease 3 in Leishmania amazonensis. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2017; 11:e0006025. [PMID: 29073150 PMCID: PMC5693463 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0006025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2017] [Revised: 11/17/2017] [Accepted: 10/09/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Leishmania uses the amino acid L-arginine as a substrate for arginase, enzyme that produces urea and ornithine, last precursor of polyamine pathway. This pathway is used by the parasite to replicate and it is essential to establish the infection in the mammalian host. L-arginine is not synthesized by the parasite, so its uptake occurs through the amino acid permease 3 (AAP3). AAP3 is codified by two copies genes (5.1 and 4.7 copies), organized in tandem in the parasite genome. One copy presents the expression regulated by L-arginine availability. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS RNA-seq data revealed 14 amino acid transporters differentially expressed in the comparison of La-WT vs. La-arg- promastigotes and axenic amastigotes. The 5.1 and 4.7 aap3 transcripts were down-regulated in La-WT promastigotes vs. axenic amastigotes, and in La-WT vs. La-arg- promastigotes. In contrast, transcripts of other transporters were up-regulated in the same comparisons. The amount of 5.1 and 4.7 aap3 mRNA of intracellular amastigotes was also determined in sample preparations from macrophages, obtained from BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice and the human THP-1 lineage infected with La-WT or La-arg-, revealing that the genetic host background is also important. We also determined the aap3 mRNA and AAP3 protein amounts of promastigotes and axenic amastigotes in different environmental growth conditions, varying pH, temperature and L-arginine availability. Interestingly, the increase of temperature increased the AAP3 level in plasma membrane and consequently the L-arginine uptake, independently of pH and L-arginine availability. In addition, we demonstrated that besides the plasma membrane localization, AAP3 was also localized in the glycosome of L. amazonensis promastigotes and axenic amastigotes. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE In this report, we described the differential transcriptional profiling of amino acids transporters from La-WT and La-arg- promastigotes and axenic amastigotes. We also showed the increased AAP3 levels under amino acid starvation or its decrease in L-arginine supplementation. The differential AAP3 expression was determined in the differentiation of promastigotes to amastigotes conditions, as well as the detection of AAP3 in the plasma membrane reflecting in the L-arginine uptake. Our data suggest that depending on the amino acid pool and arginase activity, Leishmania senses and could use an alternative route for the amino acid transport in response to stress signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliana Ide Aoki
- Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- * E-mail: (JIA); (LMFW)
| | - Sandra Marcia Muxel
- Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ricardo Andrade Zampieri
- Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Stephanie Maia Acuña
- Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Lucile Maria Floeter-Winter
- Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- * E-mail: (JIA); (LMFW)
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Badirzadeh A, Taheri T, Taslimi Y, Abdossamadi Z, Heidari-Kharaji M, Gholami E, Sedaghat B, Niyyati M, Rafati S. Arginase activity in pathogenic and non-pathogenic species of Leishmania parasites. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2017; 11:e0005774. [PMID: 28708893 PMCID: PMC5529023 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0005774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2017] [Revised: 07/26/2017] [Accepted: 07/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Proliferation of Leishmania (L.) parasites depends on polyamine availability, which can be generated by the L-arginine catabolism and the enzymatic activity of arginase (ARG) of the parasites and of the mammalian hosts. In the present study, we characterized and compared the arginase (arg) genes from pathogenic L. major and L. tropica and from non-pathogenic L. tarentolae. We quantified the level of the ARG activity in promastigotes and macrophages infected with pathogenic L. major and L. tropica and non-pathogenic L. tarentolae amastigotes. The ARG's amino acid sequences of the pathogenic and non-pathogenic Leishmania demonstrated virtually 98.6% and 88% identities with the reference L. major Friedlin ARG. Higher ARG activity was observed in all pathogenic promastigotes as compared to non-pathogenic L. tarentolae. In vitro infection of human macrophage cell line (THP1) with pathogenic and non-pathogenic Leishmania spp. resulted in increased ARG activities in the infected macrophages. The ARG activities present in vivo were assessed in susceptible BALB/c and resistant C57BL/6 mice infected with L. major, L. tropica and L. tarentolae. We demonstrated that during the development of the infection, ARG is induced in both strains of mice infected with pathogenic Leishmania. However, in L. major infected BALB/c mice, the induction of ARG and parasite load increased simultaneously according to the time course of infection, whereas in C57BL/6 mice, the enzyme is upregulated solely during the period of footpad swelling. In L. tropica infected mice, the footpads' swellings were slow to develop and demonstrated minimal cutaneous pathology and ARG activity. In contrast, ARG activity was undetectable in mice inoculated with the non-pathogenic L. tarentolae. Our data suggest that infection by Leishmania parasites can increase ARG activity of the host and provides essential polyamines for parasite salvage and its replication. Moreover, the ARG of Leishmania is vital for parasite proliferation and required for infection in mice. ARG activity can be used as one of the main marker of the disease severity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alireza Badirzadeh
- Department of Immunotherapy and Leishmania Vaccine Research, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Tahereh Taheri
- Department of Immunotherapy and Leishmania Vaccine Research, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Yasaman Taslimi
- Department of Immunotherapy and Leishmania Vaccine Research, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zahra Abdossamadi
- Department of Immunotherapy and Leishmania Vaccine Research, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maryam Heidari-Kharaji
- Department of Immunotherapy and Leishmania Vaccine Research, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Elham Gholami
- Department of Immunotherapy and Leishmania Vaccine Research, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Baharehsadat Sedaghat
- Department of Immunotherapy and Leishmania Vaccine Research, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maryam Niyyati
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sima Rafati
- Department of Immunotherapy and Leishmania Vaccine Research, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
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Wachsmuth LM, Johnson MG, Gavenonis J. Essential multimeric enzymes in kinetoplastid parasites: A host of potentially druggable protein-protein interactions. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2017; 11:e0005720. [PMID: 28662026 PMCID: PMC5507555 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0005720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2017] [Revised: 07/12/2017] [Accepted: 06/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Parasitic diseases caused by kinetoplastid parasites of the genera Trypanosoma and Leishmania are an urgent public health crisis in the developing world. These closely related species possess a number of multimeric enzymes in highly conserved pathways involved in vital functions, such as redox homeostasis and nucleotide synthesis. Computational alanine scanning of these protein-protein interfaces has revealed a host of potentially ligandable sites on several established and emerging anti-parasitic drug targets. Analysis of interfaces with multiple clustered hotspots has suggested several potentially inhibitable protein-protein interactions that may have been overlooked by previous large-scale analyses focusing solely on secondary structure. These protein-protein interactions provide a promising lead for the development of new peptide and macrocycle inhibitors of these enzymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leah M. Wachsmuth
- Department of Chemistry, Dickinson College, Carlisle, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Meredith G. Johnson
- Department of Chemistry, Dickinson College, Carlisle, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Jason Gavenonis
- Department of Chemistry, Dickinson College, Carlisle, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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de Souza AAA, da Rocha Barata I, das Graças Soares Silva M, Lima JAN, Jennings YLL, Ishikawa EAY, Prévot G, Ginouves M, Silveira FT, Shaw J, dos Santos TV. Natural Leishmania (Viannia) infections of phlebotomines (Diptera: Psychodidae) indicate classical and alternative transmission cycles of American cutaneous leishmaniasis in the Guiana Shield, Brazil. Parasite 2017; 24:13. [PMID: 28508745 PMCID: PMC5432964 DOI: 10.1051/parasite/2017016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2017] [Accepted: 04/17/2017] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
From 1996 to 1999 multi-trapping methods (Center of Diseases Control, CDC) light traps, light-baited Shannon traps, and aspiration on tree bases) were used to study the phlebotomine fauna of the "Serra do Navio" region of the Brazilian State of Amapá, which is part of the Guiana Shield. Fifty-three species were identified among 8,685 captured individuals. The following species, associated with the transmission of American cutaneous leishmaniasis in Amazonian Brazil, were captured: Nyssomyia umbratilis (3,388), Psychodopygus squamiventris maripaensis (995), Ny. anduzei (550), Trichophoromyia ubiquitalis (400), Ny. whitmani (291), Ps. paraensis (116), and Bichromomyia flaviscutellata (50). Flagellate infections were detected in 45 flies. Of the 19 parasites isolated in vitro, 15 were Leishmania (Viannia) guyanensis (13 in Ny. umbratilis, 1 in Ny. whitmani, 1 in Ny. anduzei) and three were L. (V.) naiffi (2 in Ps. s. maripaensis, 1 in Ny. anduzei). The results indicate the participation of three phlebotomine species in the transmission of L. (V.) guyanensis and two species in that of L. (V.) naiffi, and show that the same phlebotomine species is involved in the transmission of different Leishmania (Viannia) species in the Guianan/Amazon region. A review of the literature together with the results of the present study, and other published and unpublished results, indicate that eight phlebotomine species potentially participate in the transmission of Leishmania (Viannia) naiffi in Amazonia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adelson Alcimar Almeida de Souza
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Seção de Parasitologia, Instituto Evandro Chagas (Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde, Ministério da Saúde) Ananindeua zip code 67.030-000
Pará State Brazil
| | - Iorlando da Rocha Barata
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Seção de Parasitologia, Instituto Evandro Chagas (Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde, Ministério da Saúde) Ananindeua zip code 67.030-000
Pará State Brazil
| | - Maria das Graças Soares Silva
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Seção de Parasitologia, Instituto Evandro Chagas (Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde, Ministério da Saúde) Ananindeua zip code 67.030-000
Pará State Brazil
| | - José Aprígio Nunes Lima
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Seção de Parasitologia, Instituto Evandro Chagas (Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde, Ministério da Saúde) Ananindeua zip code 67.030-000
Pará State Brazil
| | - Yara Lúcia Lins Jennings
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Seção de Parasitologia, Instituto Evandro Chagas (Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde, Ministério da Saúde) Ananindeua zip code 67.030-000
Pará State Brazil
| | - Edna Aoba Yassui Ishikawa
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Núcleo de Medicina Tropical, Universidade Federal do Pará Belém zip code 66055-240
Pará State Brazil
| | - Ghislaine Prévot
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Département de Médecine, Ecosystèmes Amazoniens et Pathologie Tropicale, EA 3593, Labex CEBA, Université de Guyane zip code 97300
Cayenne French Guiana
| | - Marine Ginouves
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Département de Médecine, Ecosystèmes Amazoniens et Pathologie Tropicale, EA 3593, Labex CEBA, Université de Guyane zip code 97300
Cayenne French Guiana
| | - Fernando Tobias Silveira
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Seção de Parasitologia, Instituto Evandro Chagas (Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde, Ministério da Saúde) Ananindeua zip code 67.030-000
Pará State Brazil
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Núcleo de Medicina Tropical, Universidade Federal do Pará Belém zip code 66055-240
Pará State Brazil
| | - Jeffrey Shaw
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Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo zip code 05508-000
São Paulo Brazil
| | - Thiago Vasconcelos dos Santos
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Seção de Parasitologia, Instituto Evandro Chagas (Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde, Ministério da Saúde) Ananindeua zip code 67.030-000
Pará State Brazil
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Abstract
Zymography assay is a semiquantitative technique, very sensitive, and commonly used to determine metalloproteinase levels in different types of biological samples, including tissues, cells, and extracts of protein. Samples containing metalloproteinases are loaded onto a polyacrylamide gel containing sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) and a specific substrate (gelatin, casein, collagen, etc.). Then proteins are allowed to migrate under an electric current and the distance of migration is inversely correlated with the molecular weight. After migration, the gel is placed in a renaturing buffer to allow proteins to regain their tertiary structure, necessary for enzymatic activity (metalloproteinase activity). In the context of infections caused by trypanosomatids (Leishmania spp., Trypanosoma cruzi, and Trypanosoma brucei), the characterization of metalloproteinase by zymography can contribute to the comprehension of the pathogenesis mechanisms and host-parasite interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Aline Rimoldi Ribeiro
- Departmento de Parasitologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, 13083-862, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Sousa Silva
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Bioquímica, Centro de Biociências, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil.
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal.
- Departamento de Análises Clínicas e Toxicológicas, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil.
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21
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Maquiaveli CDC, Oliveira E Sá AM, Vieira PC, da Silva ER. Stachytarpheta cayennensis extract inhibits promastigote and amastigote growth in Leishmania amazonensis via parasite arginase inhibition. J Ethnopharmacol 2016; 192:108-113. [PMID: 27432217 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2016.07.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2016] [Revised: 07/14/2016] [Accepted: 07/15/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY RELEVANCE Stachytarpheta cayennensis is a plant that is traditionally used to treat tegumentary leishmaniasis and as an anti-inflammatory agent. AIM OF THE STUDY This study aimed to evaluate the action of S. cayennensis extracts on the Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis arginase enzyme. MATERIALS AND METHODS S. cayennensis was collected from the Brazilian Amazon region. Aqueous extracts were fractionated with n-butanol. The leishmanicidal effects of the n-butanolic fraction (BUF) were evaluated in L. (L.) amazonensis promastigotes and amastigotes. BUF was tested against recombinant arginase from both L. (L.) amazonensis and macrophage arginase. Promastigote cultures and infected macrophage cultures were supplemented with L-ornithine to verify arginase inhibition. NMR analysis was used to identify the major components of BUF. RESULTS BUF showed an EC50 of 51 and 32µg/mL against promastigotes and amastigotes of L. (L.) amazonensis, respectively. BUF contains a mixture of verbascoside and isoverbascoside (7:3 ratio) and is a potent L. (L.) amazonensis arginase inhibitor (IC50=1.2µg/mL), while macrophage arginase was weakly inhibited (IC50>1000µg/mL). The inhibition of arginase by BUF in promastigotes and amastigotes could be demonstrated by culture media supplementation with L-ornithine, a product of the hydrolysis of L-arginine by arginase. CONCLUSIONS Leishmanicidal effects of the S. cayennensis BUF fraction on L. (L.) amazonensis are associated with selective parasite arginase inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia do Carmo Maquiaveli
- Departamento de Química, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, Rod. Washington Luís, Km 235, 13565-905 São Carlos, SP, Brazil.
| | - Amanda Maria Oliveira E Sá
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Duque de Caxias Norte, 225, 13635-900 Pirassununga, SP, Brazil
| | - Paulo Cezar Vieira
- Departamento de Química, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, Rod. Washington Luís, Km 235, 13565-905 São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - Edson Roberto da Silva
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Duque de Caxias Norte, 225, 13635-900 Pirassununga, SP, Brazil.
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Maquiaveli CC, Lucon-Júnior JF, Brogi S, Campiani G, Gemma S, Vieira PC, Silva ER. Verbascoside Inhibits Promastigote Growth and Arginase Activity of Leishmania amazonensis. J Nat Prod 2016; 79:1459-1463. [PMID: 27096224 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.5b00875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Verbascoside (1) is a phenylethanoid glycoside that has antileishmanial activity against Leishmania infantum and Leishmania donovani. In this study, we verified the activity of 1 on Leishmania amazonensis and arginase inhibition. Compound 1 showed an EC50 of 19 μM against L. amazonensis promastigotes and is a competitive arginase inhibitor (Ki = 0.7 μM). Docking studies were performed to assess the interaction of 1 with arginase at the molecular level. Arginase is an enzyme of the polyamine biosynthesis pathway that is important to parasite infectivity, and the results of our study suggest that 1 could be useful to develop new approaches for treating leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia C Maquiaveli
- Department of Chemistry, Universidade Federal de São Carlos , Rod. Washington Luís, Km 235, 13565-905 São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - João F Lucon-Júnior
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Universidade de São Paulo , Avenida Duque de Caxias Norte, 225, 13635-900 Pirassununga, SP, Brazil
| | - Simone Brogi
- European Research Centre for Drug Discovery and Development (NatSynDrugs) and Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry, and Pharmacy, Università degli Studi di Siena , Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Campiani
- European Research Centre for Drug Discovery and Development (NatSynDrugs) and Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry, and Pharmacy, Università degli Studi di Siena , Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Sandra Gemma
- European Research Centre for Drug Discovery and Development (NatSynDrugs) and Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry, and Pharmacy, Università degli Studi di Siena , Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Paulo C Vieira
- Department of Chemistry, Universidade Federal de São Carlos , Rod. Washington Luís, Km 235, 13565-905 São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - Edson R Silva
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Universidade de São Paulo , Avenida Duque de Caxias Norte, 225, 13635-900 Pirassununga, SP, Brazil
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Glisic S, Sencanski M, Perovic V, Stevanovic S, García-Sosa AT. Arginase Flavonoid Anti-Leishmanial in Silico Inhibitors Flagged against Anti-Targets. Molecules 2016; 21:molecules21050589. [PMID: 27164067 PMCID: PMC6274217 DOI: 10.3390/molecules21050589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2016] [Revised: 04/26/2016] [Accepted: 04/27/2016] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Arginase, a drug target for the treatment of leishmaniasis, is involved in the biosynthesis of polyamines. Flavonoids are interesting natural compounds found in many foods and some of them may inhibit this enzyme. The MetIDB database containing 5667 compounds was screened using an EIIP/AQVN filter and 3D QSAR to find the most promising candidate compounds. In addition, these top hits were screened in silico versus human arginase and an anti-target battery consisting of cytochromes P450 2a6, 2c9, 3a4, sulfotransferase, and the pregnane-X-receptor in order to flag their possible interactions with these proteins involved in the metabolism of substances. The resulting compounds may have promise to be further developed for the treatment of leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanja Glisic
- Center for Multidisciplinary Research, Institute of Nuclear Sciences VINCA, University of Belgrade, P.O. Box 522, 11001 Belgrade, Serbia.
| | - Milan Sencanski
- Center for Multidisciplinary Research, Institute of Nuclear Sciences VINCA, University of Belgrade, P.O. Box 522, 11001 Belgrade, Serbia.
| | - Vladimir Perovic
- Center for Multidisciplinary Research, Institute of Nuclear Sciences VINCA, University of Belgrade, P.O. Box 522, 11001 Belgrade, Serbia.
| | - Strahinja Stevanovic
- Center for Multidisciplinary Research, Institute of Nuclear Sciences VINCA, University of Belgrade, P.O. Box 522, 11001 Belgrade, Serbia.
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Abstract
Phosphatidylethanolamine methyltransferases are biosynthetic enzymes that catalyze the transfer of one or more methyl group(s) from S-adenosyl-L-methionine onto phosphatidylethanolamine, monomethyl-phosphatidylethanolamine, or dimethyl-phosphatidylethanolamine to give either monomethyl-phosphatidylethanolamine, dimethyl-phosphatidylethanolamine or phosphatidylcholine. These enzymes are ubiquitous in animal cells, fungi, and are also found in approximately 10% of bacteria. They fulfill various important functions in cell physiology beyond their direct role in lipid metabolism such as in insulin resistance, diabetes, atherosclerosis, cell growth, or virulence. The present manuscript reports on a simple cell-free enzymatic assay that measures the transfer of tritiated methyl group(s) from S-[Methyl-(3)H]adenosyl-L-methionine onto phosphatidylethanolamine using whole cell extracts as an enzyme source. The resulting methylated forms of phosphatidylethanolamine are hydrophobic and thus, can be separated from water soluble S-[Methyl-(3)H]adenosyl-L-methionine by organic extraction. This assay can potentially be applied to any other cell types and used to test inhibitors/drugs specific to a phosphatidylethanolamine methyltransferase of interest without the need to purify the enzyme.
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de Souza Moreira D, Ferreira RF, Murta SMF. Molecular characterization and functional analysis of pteridine reductase in wild-type and antimony-resistant Leishmania lines. Exp Parasitol 2015; 160:60-6. [PMID: 26689884 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2015.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2015] [Revised: 09/21/2015] [Accepted: 12/09/2015] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Pteridine reductase (PTR1) is an NADPH-dependent reductase that participates in the salvage of pteridines, which are essential to maintain growth of Leishmania. In this study, we performed the molecular characterization of ptr1 gene in wild-type (WTS) and SbIII-resistant (SbR) lines from Leishmania guyanensis (Lg), Leishmania amazonensis (La), Leishmania braziliensis (Lb) and Leishmania infantum (Li), evaluating the chromosomal location, mRNA levels of the ptr1 gene and PTR1 protein expression. PFGE results showed that the ptr1 gene is located in a 797 kb chromosomal band in all Leishmania lines analyzed. Interestingly, an additional chromosomal band of 1070 kb was observed only in LbSbR line. Northern blot results showed that the levels of ptr1 mRNA are increased in the LgSbR, LaSbR and LbSbR lines. Western blot assays using the polyclonal anti-LmPTR1 antibody demonstrated that PTR1 protein is more expressed in the LgSbR, LaSbR and LbSbR lines compared to their respective WTS counterparts. Nevertheless, no difference in the level of mRNA and protein was observed between the LiWTS and LiSbR lines. Functional analysis of PTR1 enzyme was performed to determine whether the overexpression of ptr1 gene in the WTS L. braziliensis and L. infantum lines would change the SbIII-resistance phenotype of transfected parasites. Western blot results showed that the expression level of PTR1 protein was increased in the transfected parasites compared to the non-transfected ones. IC50 analysis revealed that the overexpression of ptr1 gene in the WTS L. braziliensis line increased 2-fold the SbIII-resistance phenotype compared to the non-transfected counterpart. Furthermore, the overexpression of ptr1 gene in the WTS L. infantum line did not change the SbIII-resistance phenotype. These results suggest that the PTR1 enzyme may be implicated in the SbIII-resistance phenotype in L. braziliensis line.
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Affiliation(s)
- Douglas de Souza Moreira
- Laboratório de Parasitologia Celular e Molecular, Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou CPqRR/Fiocruz, Av. Augusto de Lima 1715, CEP 30190-002, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Rafael Fernandes Ferreira
- Laboratório de Parasitologia Celular e Molecular, Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou CPqRR/Fiocruz, Av. Augusto de Lima 1715, CEP 30190-002, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Silvane M F Murta
- Laboratório de Parasitologia Celular e Molecular, Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou CPqRR/Fiocruz, Av. Augusto de Lima 1715, CEP 30190-002, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
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Panicker CY, Varghese HT, Narayana B, Divya K, Sarojini BK, War JA, Van Alsenoy C, Fun HK. FT-IR, NBO, HOMO-LUMO, MEP analysis and molecular docking study of Methyl N-({[2-(2-methoxyacetamido)-4-(phenylsulfanyl)phenyl]amino}[(methoxycarbonyl) imino]methyl)carbamate. Spectrochim Acta A Mol Biomol Spectrosc 2015; 148:29-42. [PMID: 25863457 DOI: 10.1016/j.saa.2015.03.064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2014] [Revised: 01/25/2015] [Accepted: 03/05/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
The optimized molecular structure, vibrational frequencies, corresponding vibrational assignments of Methyl N-({[2-(2-methoxyacetamido)-4-(phenylsulfanyl) phenyl]amino} [(methoxycarbonyl)imino]methyl)carbamate have been investigated using HF and DFT levels of calculations. The geometrical parameters are in agreement with XRD data. The stability of the molecule arising from hyper-conjugative interaction and charge delocalization has been analyzed using NBO analysis. The HOMO and LUMO analysis is used to determine the charge transfer within the molecule. Molecular electrostatic potential study was also performed. The first and second hyperpolarizability was calculated in order to find its role in nonlinear optics. Molecular docking studies are also reported. Prediction of Activity Spectra analysis of the title compound predicts anthelmintic and antiparasitic activity as the most probable activity with Pa (probability to be active) value of 0.808 and 0.797, respectively. Molecular docking studies show that both the phenyl groups and the carbonyl oxygens of the molecule are crucial for bonding and these results draw us to the conclusion that the compound might exhibit pteridine reductase inhibitory activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Yohannan Panicker
- Department of Physics, TKM College of Arts and Science, Kollam, Kerala, India.
| | | | - B Narayana
- Department of Studies in Chemistry, Mangalore University, Mangalagangotri, Karnataka, India
| | - K Divya
- Department of Studies in Chemistry, Mangalore University, Mangalagangotri, Karnataka, India
| | - B K Sarojini
- Industrial Chemistry Division, Department of Studies in Chemistry, Mangalore University, Manglagangotri, Karnataka, India
| | - Javeed Ahmad War
- Department of Chemistry, Dr.H.S.Gour Central University, Sagar, M.P., India
| | - C Van Alsenoy
- University of Antwerp, Chemistry Department, Universiteitsplein 1, B2610 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - H K Fun
- X-ray Crystallography Unit, School of Physics, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang 11800, Malaysia; Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, PO Box 2457, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
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27
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Shahbazi M, Zahedifard F, Taheri T, Taslimi Y, Jamshidi S, Shirian S, Mahdavi N, Hassankhani M, Daneshbod Y, Zarkesh-Esfahani SH, Papadopoulou B, Rafati S. Evaluation of Live Recombinant Nonpathogenic Leishmania tarentolae Expressing Cysteine Proteinase and A2 Genes as a Candidate Vaccine against Experimental Canine Visceral Leishmaniasis. PLoS One 2015. [PMID: 26197085 PMCID: PMC4509652 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0132794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Canine Visceral Leishmaniasis (CVL) is a major veterinary and public health problem caused by Leishmania infantum (L. infantum) in many endemic countries. It is a severe chronic disease with generalized parasite spread to the reticuloendothelial system, such as spleen, liver and bone marrow and is often fatal when left untreated. Control of VL in dogs would dramatically decrease infection pressure of L. infantum for humans, since dogs are the main domestic reservoir. In the past decade, various subunits and DNA antigens have been identified as potential vaccine candidates in experimental animal models, but none has been approved for human use so far. In this study, we vaccinated outbreed dogs with a prime-boost regimen based on recombinant L. tarentolae expressing the L. donovani A2 antigen along with cysteine proteinase genes (CPA and CPB without its unusual C-terminal extension (CPB-CTE) and evaluated its immunogenicity and protective immunity against L. infantum infectious challenge. We showed that vaccinated animals produced significantly higher levels of IgG2, but not IgG1, and also IFN-γ and TNF-α, but low IL-10 levels, before and after challenge as compared to control animals. Protection in dogs was also correlated with a strong DTH response and low parasite burden in the vaccinated group. Altogether, immunization with recombinant L. tarentolae A2-CPA-CPB-CTE was proven to be immunogenic and induced partial protection in dogs, hence representing a promising live vaccine candidate against CVL.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antigens, Protozoan/genetics
- Antigens, Protozoan/immunology
- Cells, Cultured
- Cysteine Proteases/genetics
- Cysteine Proteases/immunology
- Dog Diseases/immunology
- Dog Diseases/parasitology
- Dog Diseases/prevention & control
- Dogs
- Female
- Gene Expression
- Immunity, Humoral
- Leishmania/enzymology
- Leishmania/genetics
- Leishmania/immunology
- Leishmaniasis Vaccines/immunology
- Leishmaniasis Vaccines/isolation & purification
- Leishmaniasis Vaccines/therapeutic use
- Leishmaniasis, Visceral/immunology
- Leishmaniasis, Visceral/prevention & control
- Leishmaniasis, Visceral/veterinary
- Male
- Vaccination/methods
- Vaccination/veterinary
- Vaccines, Attenuated/immunology
- Vaccines, Attenuated/isolation & purification
- Vaccines, Attenuated/therapeutic use
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehdi Shahbazi
- Department of Immunotherapy and Leishmania Vaccine Research, Pasteur Institute of Iran, 69 Pasteur Ave., Tehran, 13164, Iran
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Farnaz Zahedifard
- Department of Immunotherapy and Leishmania Vaccine Research, Pasteur Institute of Iran, 69 Pasteur Ave., Tehran, 13164, Iran
| | - Tahereh Taheri
- Department of Immunotherapy and Leishmania Vaccine Research, Pasteur Institute of Iran, 69 Pasteur Ave., Tehran, 13164, Iran
| | - Yasaman Taslimi
- Department of Immunotherapy and Leishmania Vaccine Research, Pasteur Institute of Iran, 69 Pasteur Ave., Tehran, 13164, Iran
| | - Shahram Jamshidi
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sadegh Shirian
- Department of Molecular and Cytopathology, Daneshbod Pathology Laboratory, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Niousha Mahdavi
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehdi Hassankhani
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Yahya Daneshbod
- Department of Molecular and Cytopathology, Daneshbod Pathology Laboratory, Shiraz, Iran
| | | | - Barbara Papadopoulou
- Research Center in Infectious Diseases, CHU de Québec Research Center and Department of Microbiology, Infectious Disease and Immunology, Laval University, Quebec, QC, Canada
| | - Sima Rafati
- Department of Immunotherapy and Leishmania Vaccine Research, Pasteur Institute of Iran, 69 Pasteur Ave., Tehran, 13164, Iran
- * E-mail:
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Shio MT, Christian JG, Jung JY, Chang KP, Olivier M. PKC/ROS-Mediated NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation Is Attenuated by Leishmania Zinc-Metalloprotease during Infection. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2015; 9:e0003868. [PMID: 26114647 PMCID: PMC4482689 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0003868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2015] [Accepted: 06/01/2015] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Parasites of the Leishmania genus infect and survive within macrophages by inhibiting several microbicidal molecules, such as nitric oxide and pro-inflammatory cytokines. In this context, various species of Leishmania have been reported to inhibit or reduce the production of IL-1β both in vitro and in vivo. However, the mechanism whereby Leishmania parasites are able to affect IL-1β production and secretion by macrophages is still not fully understood. Dependent on the stimulus at hand, the maturation of IL-1β is facilitated by different inflammasome complexes. The NLRP3 inflammasome has been shown to be of pivotal importance in the detection of danger molecules such as inorganic crystals like asbestos, silica and malarial hemozoin, (HZ) as well as infectious agents. In the present work, we investigated whether Leishmania parasites modulate NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Using PMA-differentiated THP-1 cells, we demonstrate that Leishmania infection effectively inhibits macrophage IL-1β production upon stimulation. In this context, the expression and activity of the metalloprotease GP63 - a critical virulence factor expressed by all infectious Leishmania species - is a prerequisite for a Leishmania-mediated reduction of IL-1β secretion. Accordingly, L. mexicana, purified GP63 and GP63-containing exosomes, caused the inhibition of macrophage IL-1β production. Leishmania-dependent suppression of IL-1β secretion is accompanied by an inhibition of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production that has previously been shown to be associated with NLRP3 inflammasome activation. The observed loss of ROS production was due to an impaired PKC-mediated protein phosphorylation. Furthermore, ROS-independent inflammasome activation was inhibited, possibly due to an observed GP63-dependent cleavage of inflammasome and inflammasome-related proteins. Collectively for the first time, we herein provide evidence that the protozoan parasite Leishmania, through its surface metalloprotease GP63, can significantly inhibit NLRP3 inflammasome function and IL-1β production. Leishmania parasites are the causative agent of leishmaniasis, a wide spread disease in tropical and subtropical areas. The microorganisms have been shown to be well-adapted to their hosts and are able to enter their target cells where they replicate themselves. To ensure these processes, Leishmania disrupts a multitude of cellular signals and protective mechanisms, which overall attenuates immune responses against the parasites. A key factor for inflammatory processes, also during infections, is IL-1β. As previous studies suggested a dysregulation of IL-1β levels after infection with Leishmania parasites, we herein investigated the underlying mechanisms. Our work reveals that Leishmania suppressing IL-1β production through its virulence factor GP63. Furthermore, our data suggests that the parasites can dampen the maturation of IL-1β after different stimuli. In this regard we established a role for the suppression of the kinase PKC and the generation of reactive oxygen species, as well as the cleavage of cellular proteins that are important for IL-1β-generation. Thus, we here present a novel aspect for how Leishmania parasites can counteract host protective mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Tiemi Shio
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Jan Gregor Christian
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- McGill International Tuberculosis (TB) Centre and the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Jee Yong Jung
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Kwang-Poo Chang
- Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Martin Olivier
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- McGill International Tuberculosis (TB) Centre and the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- * E-mail:
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29
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Henard CA, Carlsen ED, Hay C, Kima PE, Soong L. Leishmania amazonensis amastigotes highly express a tryparedoxin peroxidase isoform that increases parasite resistance to macrophage antimicrobial defenses and fosters parasite virulence. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2014; 8:e3000. [PMID: 25033301 PMCID: PMC4102420 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0003000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2013] [Accepted: 05/31/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Professional phagocytes generate a myriad of antimicrobial molecules to kill invading microorganisms, of which nitrogen oxides are integral in controlling the obligate intracellular pathogen Leishmania. Although reactive nitrogen species produced by the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) can promote the clearance of intracellular parasites, some Leishmania species/stages are relatively resistant to iNOS-mediated antimicrobial activity. The underlying mechanism for this resistance remains largely uncharacterized. Here, we show that the amastigote form of L. amazonensis is hyper-resistant to the antimicrobial actions of cytokine-activated murine and human macrophages as compared to its promastigote counterpart. Amastigotes exhibit a marked ability to directly counter the cytotoxicity of peroxynitrite (ONOO−), a leishmanicidal oxidant that is generated during infection through the combined enzymatic activities of NADPH oxidase and iNOS. The enhanced antinitrosative defense of amastigotes correlates with the increased expression of a tryparedoxin peroxidase (TXNPx) isoform that is also upregulated in response to iNOS enzymatic activity within infected macrophages. Accordingly, ectopic over-expression of the TXNPx isoform by L. amazonensis promastigotes significantly enhances parasite resistance against ONOO− cytotoxicity. Moreover, TXNPx-overexpressing parasites exhibit greater intra-macrophage survival, and increased parasite growth and lesion development in a murine model of leishmaniasis. Our investigations indicate that TXNPx isoforms contribute to Leishmania's ability to adapt to and antagonize the hostile microenvironment of cytokine-activated macrophages, and provide a mechanistic explanation for persistent infection in experimental and human leishmaniasis. Pathogens of the genus Leishmania are the causative agents of leishmaniasis, a neglected tropical disease responsible for significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. Although it is well accepted that host-derived leishmanicidal molecules mediate resolution of Leishmania infection, some Leishmania species/stages are relatively resistant to host cell antimicrobial activity. These intracellular pathogens have developed evasive strategies to subvert host antimicrobials, and promote pathogen survival within the harsh intracellular environment. However, the underlying mechanisms remain largely uncharacterized. Here, we show that L. amazonensis, an agent of persistent infection in humans and non-healing skin lesions in mice, antagonize macrophage antimicrobial activity. The superb ability of the amastigote form to survive within host cells is related to its increased expression of a tryparedoxin peroxidase isoform that confers resistance to the cytotoxicity of host-derived antimicrobial molecules. Parasites induce higher expression of the TXNPx in response to iNOS activity during infection of macrophages, indicating that parasites can “sense” the microenvironment of host cells and regulate the expression of relevant virulence factors accordingly. Our investigations are consistent with a model by which Leishmania amastigotes utilize TXNPx to defend against host-derived molecules thereby promoting their intracellular survival and persistent infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Calvin A. Henard
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
- Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Eric D. Carlsen
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
- Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
- M.D.-Ph.D. Combined Degree Program, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Christie Hay
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
- Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Peter E. Kima
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
| | - Lynn Soong
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
- Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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30
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Bernal FA, Coy-Barrera E. In-silico analyses of sesquiterpene-related compounds on selected Leishmania enzyme-based targets. Molecules 2014; 19:5550-69. [PMID: 24786692 PMCID: PMC6271876 DOI: 10.3390/molecules19055550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2014] [Revised: 04/14/2014] [Accepted: 04/22/2014] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
A great number of sesquiterpenes are reported in the available literature as good antileishmanial leads. However, their mode of action at the molecular level has not been elucidated. The lack of molecular studies could be considered an impediment for studies seeking to improve sesquiterpene-based drug design. The present in silico study allows us to make important observations about the molecular details of the binding modes of a set of antileishmanial sesquiterpenes against four drug-enzyme targets [pteridine reductase-1 (PTR1), N-myristoyl transferase (NMT), cysteine synthase (CS), trypanothione synthetase (TryS)]. Through molecular docking it was found that two sesquiterpene coumarins are promising leads for the PTR1 and TryS inhibition purposes, and some xanthanolides also exhibited better affinity towards PTR1 and CS binding. In addition, the affinity values were clustered by Principal Component Analysis and drug-like properties were analyzed for the strongest-docking sesquiterpenes. The results are an excellent starting point for future studies of structural optimization of this kind of compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Freddy A Bernal
- Laboratorio de Química Bioorgánica, Departamento de Química, Facultad de Ciencias Básicas y Aplicadas, Universidad Militar Nueva Granada, Cundinamarca 250240, AA 49300, Colombia.
| | - Ericsson Coy-Barrera
- Laboratorio de Química Bioorgánica, Departamento de Química, Facultad de Ciencias Básicas y Aplicadas, Universidad Militar Nueva Granada, Cundinamarca 250240, AA 49300, Colombia.
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31
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Longoni SS, Marín C, Sánchez-Moreno M. Excreted Leishmania peruviana and Leishmania amazonensis iron-superoxide dismutase purification: specific antibody detection in Colombian patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis. Free Radic Biol Med 2014; 69:26-34. [PMID: 24440468 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2014.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2013] [Revised: 01/06/2014] [Accepted: 01/07/2014] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Leishmania sp. survival in the vertebrate host depends on the host macrophage immune response as well as on the parasite's defense against free radicals. Iron-superoxide dismutase (Fe-SOD) is a key antioxidant enzyme that contributes to radical superoxide dismutation, preventing the disease from surging and propagating itself. Leishmania sp. has various Fe-SOD isoforms, one of which (Fe-SODe) is excreted into the medium and, being highly immunogenic, can be considered a very good molecular marker. In this work, we purified the Fe-SOD enzymes excreted by L. peruviana and L. amazonensis and studied them as antigens in serodiagnosis. We used ELISA and Western blot techniques to test 51 human cutaneous leishmaniasis sera from Colombia. All 51 patients presented with dermal injuries caused by unknown Leishmania species. The results observed with the purified proteins were compared with those obtained when total soluble lysate and unpurified Fe-SODe were used as the antigen fraction. Thus, we conclude that the purified enzymes are more sensitive and specific than their unpurified counterparts and that there is no cross-reactivity between them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Stefania Longoni
- Departamento de Parasitología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain.
| | - Clotilde Marín
- Departamento de Parasitología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Manuel Sánchez-Moreno
- Departamento de Parasitología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
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32
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Chaara D, Haouas N, Dedet JP, Babba H, Pratlong F. Leishmaniases in Maghreb: an endemic neglected disease. Acta Trop 2014; 132:80-93. [PMID: 24412727 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2013.12.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2013] [Revised: 12/03/2013] [Accepted: 12/21/2013] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Maghreb is known to be one of the most endemic areas of leishmaniases where both visceral and cutaneous forms are reported. Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is older and has a higher prevalence than visceral one (VL). It is caused by four taxa (Leishmania (L.) major, L. infantum, L. tropica and L. killicki) which are responsible for a large clinical spectrum of lesions. Most transmission cycles of these taxa are known and many phlebotomine sandflies vectors and reservoir hosts are identified. The zoonotic transmission is well established for L. major. However, for L. infantum and L. killicki it needs more investigations to be proven. Regarding L. tropica, studies suggest it to be of both zoonotic and anthroponotic types. The isoenzymatic characterization of these four taxa showed a large enzymatic polymorphism varying from two zymodemes for L. major to 10 zymodemes for L. tropica. Cutaneous leishmaniasis is widely distributed and covers all bioclimatic stages with the coexistence of more than one taxon in the same foci. Visceral leishmaniasis is the second form of leishmaniases in Maghreb. Only L. infantum is known to cause this disease. The transmission cycle of this parasite is zoonotic but still not well known. The isoenzymatic identification of L. infantum causing VL showed the presence of six zymodemes. Geographically, VL is distributed in all bioclimatic stages of Maghreb countries. Despite all the previous studies realized on leishmaniases in Maghreb, they are still considered as neglected diseases because of the rarity or the absence of efficient control strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dhekra Chaara
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie Médicale et Moléculaire (code LR12ES08), Département de Biologie Clinique B, Faculté de Pharmacie, Université de Monastir, Tunisia; Centre National de Référence des Leishmania, UMR MIVEGEC (CNRS 5290-IRD 224-UM1 et UM2), Département de Parasitologie-Mycologie, CHRU de Montpellier, Université Montpellier 1, 39 avenue Charles FLAHAULT, 34295 Montpellier Cedex 5, France.
| | - Najoua Haouas
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie Médicale et Moléculaire (code LR12ES08), Département de Biologie Clinique B, Faculté de Pharmacie, Université de Monastir, Tunisia
| | - Jean Pierre Dedet
- Centre National de Référence des Leishmania, UMR MIVEGEC (CNRS 5290-IRD 224-UM1 et UM2), Département de Parasitologie-Mycologie, CHRU de Montpellier, Université Montpellier 1, 39 avenue Charles FLAHAULT, 34295 Montpellier Cedex 5, France
| | - Hamouda Babba
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie Médicale et Moléculaire (code LR12ES08), Département de Biologie Clinique B, Faculté de Pharmacie, Université de Monastir, Tunisia
| | - Francine Pratlong
- Centre National de Référence des Leishmania, UMR MIVEGEC (CNRS 5290-IRD 224-UM1 et UM2), Département de Parasitologie-Mycologie, CHRU de Montpellier, Université Montpellier 1, 39 avenue Charles FLAHAULT, 34295 Montpellier Cedex 5, France
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Matheoud D, Moradin N, Bellemare-Pelletier A, Shio MT, Hong WJ, Olivier M, Gagnon E, Desjardins M, Descoteaux A. Leishmania evades host immunity by inhibiting antigen cross-presentation through direct cleavage of the SNARE VAMP8. Cell Host Microbe 2014; 14:15-25. [PMID: 23870310 DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2013.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2012] [Revised: 04/08/2013] [Accepted: 05/17/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
During phagocytosis, microorganisms are taken up by immune cells into phagosomes. Through membrane-trafficking events mediated by SNARE proteins, phagosomes fuse with lysosomes, generating degradative phagolysosomes. Phagolysosomes contribute to host immunity by linking microbial killing within these organelles with antigen processing for presentation on MHC class I or II molecules to T cells. We show that the intracellular parasite Leishmania evades immune recognition by inhibiting phagolysosome biogenesis. The Leishmania cell surface metalloprotease GP63 cleaves a subset of SNAREs, including VAMP8. GP63-mediated VAMP8 inactivation or Vamp8 disruption prevents the NADPH oxidase complex from assembling on phagosomes, thus altering their pH and degradative properties. Consequently, the presentation of exogenous Leishmania antigens on MHC class I molecules, also known as cross-presentation, is inhibited, resulting in reduced T cell activation. These findings indicate that Leishmania subverts immune recognition by altering phagosome function and highlight the importance of VAMP8 in phagosome biogenesis and antigen cross-presentation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Matheoud
- Département de Pathologie et Biologie Cellulaire, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H3C 3J7, Canada
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Abstract
Ecto-enzymes can be defined as membrane-bound proteins that have their active site facing the extracellular millieu. In trypanosomatids, the physiological roles of these enzymes remain to be completed elucidated; however, many important events have already been related to them, such as the survival of parasites during their complex life cycle and the successful establishment of host infection. This chapter focuses on two remarkable classes of ecto-enzymes: ecto-nucleotidases and ecto-phosphatases, summarizing their occurrence and possible physiological roles in Leishmania and Trypanosoma genera. Ecto-nucleotidases are characterized by their ability to hydrolyze extracellular nucleotides, playing an important role in purinergic signaling. By the action of these ecto-enzymes, parasites are capable of modulating the host immune system, which leads to a successful parasite infection. Furthermore, ecto-nucleotidases are also involved in the purine salvage pathway, acting in the generation of nucleosides that are able to cross plasma membrane via specialized transporters. Another important ecto-enzyme present in a vast number of pathogenic organisms is the ecto-phosphatase. These enzymes are able to hydrolyze extracellular phosphorylated substrates, releasing free inorganic phosphate that can be internalized by the cell, crossing the plasma membrane through a Pi-transporter. Ecto-phosphatases are also involved in the invasion and survival of parasite in the host cells. Several alternative functions have been suggested for these enzymes in parasites, such as participation in their proliferation, differentiation, nutrition and protection. In this context, the present chapter provides an overview of recent discoveries related to the occurrence of ecto-nucleotidase and ecto-phosphatase activities in Leishmania and Trypanosoma parasites.
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dos Reis MBG, Manjolin LC, Maquiaveli CDC, Santos-Filho OA, da Silva ER. Inhibition of Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis and rat arginases by green tea EGCG, (+)-catechin and (-)-epicatechin: a comparative structural analysis of enzyme-inhibitor interactions. PLoS One 2013; 8:e78387. [PMID: 24260115 PMCID: PMC3832641 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0078387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2013] [Accepted: 09/17/2013] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a dietary polyphenol (flavanol) from green tea, possesses leishmanicidal and antitrypanosomal activity. Mitochondrial damage was observed in Leishmania treated with EGCG, and it contributed to the lethal effect. However, the molecular target has not been defined. In this study, EGCG, (+)-catechin and (−)-epicatechin were tested against recombinant arginase from Leishmania amazonensis (ARG-L) and rat liver arginase (ARG-1). The compounds inhibit ARG-L and ARG-1 but are more active against the parasite enzyme. Enzyme kinetics reveal that EGCG is a mixed inhibitor of the ARG-L while (+)-catechin and (−)-epicatechin are competitive inhibitors. The most potent arginase inhibitor is (+)-catechin (IC50 = 0.8 µM) followed by (−)-epicatechin (IC50 = 1.8 µM), gallic acid (IC50 = 2.2 µM) and EGCG (IC50 = 3.8 µM). Docking analyses showed different modes of interaction of the compounds with the active sites of ARG-L and ARG-1. Due to the low IC50 values obtained for ARG-L, flavanols can be used as a supplement for leishmaniasis treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matheus Balduíno Goncalves dos Reis
- Programa de Iniciação Científica da Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos, Universidade de São Paulo, Pirassununga, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Letícia Correa Manjolin
- Programa de Iniciação Científica da Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos, Universidade de São Paulo, Pirassununga, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Claudia do Carmo Maquiaveli
- Programa de pós-graduação em Fisiologia, Departamento de Fisiologia, Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Osvaldo Andrade Santos-Filho
- Laboratório de Modelagem Molecular, Departamento de Síntese Orgânica, Farmanguinhos/Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Edson Roberto da Silva
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos, Universidade de São Paulo, Pirassununga, São Paulo, Brazil
- * E-mail:
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Kallel K, Pratlong F, Belhadj S, Cherif F, Hammami M, Dedet JP, Chaker E. Cutaneous leishmaniasis in Tunisia: results of the iso-enzymatic characterization of 71 strains. Annals of Tropical Medicine & Parasitology 2013; 99:11-9. [PMID: 15701250 DOI: 10.1179/136485905x19874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
Three clinico-epidemiological forms of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) exist in Tunisia: zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL; epidemic in the centre and the south-west); sporadic cutaneous leishmaniasis (SCL; found in the north); and chronic cutaneous leishmaniasis (CCL; originally described from Tataouine, in the south-east). As few isolates of Leishmania from Tunisian cases of CL have been typed, isolates were collected, using NNN medium, from 71 such cases. Most (59) of the cases investigated came from the north of the country, including 16 from Sidi Bourouis, where there was an epidemic outbreak of SCL in early 2001; the other 12 cases were natives of the centre or south of the country. The 71 strains were then characterized, at the Centre National de Référence des Leishmania, in Montpellier, France, by iso-enzyme analysis. This revealed four zymodemes: two of L. infantum and one each of L. major and L. killicki. The MON-1 zymodeme of L. infantum, which is more usually associated with visceral leishmaniasis, was recovered from seven of the cases, including six natives of Sidi Bourouis. The MON-24 zymodeme of this species, which appears to be responsible for the SCL, was isolated from 48 cases, all of whom lived in the north of the country. Another 15 cases (nine from the centre, four from the north, and two from the south-east of the country) were found to be harbouring L. major MON-25, the zymodeme usually causing ZCL. Only a single isolate of L. killicki was made; this was of the MON-8 zymodeme responsible for the CCL, and came from a native of Gafsa, in the south-west. Six of the cases investigated (five infected with L. infantum MON-24 and one with L. major MON-25) showed involvement of their nasal and labial mucosae. These results increase the number of strains typed from Tunisian cases of CL more than four-fold, and should help to elucidate the geographical distribution and epidemiology of the various forms of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Kallel
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Hôpital La Rabta, 1007 Tunis, Tunisia.
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37
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Al-Mulla Hummadi YM, Al-Bashir NM, Najim RA. The mechanism behind the antileishmanial effect of zinc sulphate. II. Effects on the enzymes of the parasites. Annals of Tropical Medicine & Parasitology 2013; 99:131-9. [PMID: 15814032 DOI: 10.1179/136485905x19937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
When used in vitro, zinc sulphate has a direct antileishmanial effect. To see if this effect involved the inhibition of the parasites' enzymes, extracts of the promastigotes and axenic amastigotes of Leishmania major (MHOM/IQ/93/MRC6) and L. tropica (MHOM/IQ/93/MRC2) were prepared. Zinc sulphate, at various concentrations, was then added to samples of these extracts before the activities, in the samples, of certain key enzymes of the Embden-Meyerhof pathway, hexose-monophosphate shunt and citric-acid cycle, and of two enzymes associated with virulence (protease and acid phosphatase), were determined. The zinc was found to inhibit every enzyme investigated, usually in a dose-dependent manner. Thus the direct antileishmanial effect of zinc may result, partially or entirely, from the inhibition of enzymes that are necessary for the parasites' carbohydrate metabolism and virulence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y M Al-Mulla Hummadi
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Baghdad, P.O. Box 61208, Baghdad 12114, Iraq
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38
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Cruz EDM, da Silva ER, Maquiaveli CDC, Alves ESS, Lucon JF, dos Reis MBG, de Toledo CEM, Cruz FG, Vannier-Santos MA. Leishmanicidal activity of Cecropia pachystachya flavonoids: arginase inhibition and altered mitochondrial DNA arrangement. Phytochemistry 2013; 89:71-77. [PMID: 23453911 DOI: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2013.01.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2012] [Revised: 01/12/2013] [Accepted: 01/29/2013] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
The plant Cecropia pachystachya Trécul is widely used in Brazilian ethnomedicine to treat hypertension, asthma, and diabetes. Arginase is an enzyme with levels that are elevated in these disorders, and it is central to Leishmania polyamine biosynthesis. The aims of this study were to evaluate antileishmanial activity and inhibition of the arginase enzyme by C. pachystachya extracts, and to study changes in cellular organization using electron microscopy. The ethanol extract of C. pachystachya was tested on Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis promastigote survival/proliferation and arginase activity in vitro. Qualitative ultrastructural analysis was also used to observe changes in cell organization. The major bioactive molecules of the ethanol extract were characterized using liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS). The ethyl acetate fraction of the ethanol extract diminished promastigote axenic growth/survival, inhibited arginase activity, and altered a mitochondrial kinetoplast DNA (K-DNA) array. The bioactive compounds of C. pachystachya were characterized as glucoside flavonoids. Orientin (9) (luteolin-8-C-glucoside) was the main component of the methanol-soluble ethyl acetate fraction obtained from the ethanol extract and is an arginase inhibitor (IC50 15.9 μM). The ethyl acetate fraction was not cytotoxic to splenocytes at a concentration of 200 μg/mL. In conclusion, C. pachystachya contains bioactive compounds that reduce the growth of L. (L.) amazonensis promastigotes, altering mitochondrial K-DNA arrangement and inhibiting arginase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ebenézer de Mello Cruz
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Centro de Pesquisa Gonçalo Moniz, CPqGM-FIOCRUZ, Laboratório de Biologia Parasitária, Rua Waldemar Falcão 121, Candeal, CEP 40296-710 Salvador, BA, Brazil
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Oyola SO, Evans KJ, Smith TK, Smith BA, Hilley JD, Mottram JC, Kaye PM, Smith DF. Functional analysis of Leishmania cyclopropane fatty acid synthetase. PLoS One 2012; 7:e51300. [PMID: 23251490 PMCID: PMC3519623 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0051300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2012] [Accepted: 10/31/2012] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The single gene encoding cyclopropane fatty acid synthetase (CFAS) is present in Leishmania infantum, L. mexicana and L. braziliensis but absent from L. major, a causative agent of cutaneous leishmaniasis. In L. infantum, usually causative agent of visceral leishmaniasis, the CFAS gene is transcribed in both insect (extracellular) and host (intracellular) stages of the parasite life cycle. Tagged CFAS protein is stably detected in intracellular L. infantum but only during the early log phase of extracellular growth, when it shows partial localisation to the endoplasmic reticulum. Lipid analyses of L. infantum wild type, CFAS null and complemented parasites detect a low abundance CFAS-dependent C19Δ fatty acid, characteristic of a cyclopropanated species, in wild type and add-back cells. Sub-cellular fractionation studies locate the C19Δ fatty acid to both ER and plasma membrane-enriched fractions. This fatty acid is not detectable in wild type L. major, although expression of the L. infantum CFAS gene in L. major generates cyclopropanated fatty acids, indicating that the substrate for this modification is present in L. major, despite the absence of the modifying enzyme. Loss of the L. infantum CFAS gene does not affect extracellular parasite growth, phagocytosis or early survival in macrophages. However, while endocytosis is also unaffected in the extracellular CFAS nulls, membrane transporter activity is defective and the null parasites are more resistant to oxidative stress. Following infection in vivo, L. infantum CFAS nulls exhibit lower parasite burdens in both the liver and spleen of susceptible hosts but it has not been possible to complement this phenotype, suggesting that loss of C19Δ fatty acid may lead to irreversible changes in cell physiology that cannot be rescued by re-expression. Aberrant cyclopropanation in L. major decreases parasite virulence but does not influence parasite tissue tropism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel O Oyola
- Centre for Immunology and Infection, Department of Biology/Hull York Medical School, University of York, York, United Kingdom
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Boité MC, Mauricio IL, Miles MA, Cupolillo E. New insights on taxonomy, phylogeny and population genetics of Leishmania (Viannia) parasites based on multilocus sequence analysis. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2012; 6:e1888. [PMID: 23133690 PMCID: PMC3486886 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0001888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2012] [Accepted: 09/17/2012] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The Leishmania genus comprises up to 35 species, some with status still under discussion. The multilocus sequence typing (MLST)--extensively used for bacteria--has been proposed for pathogenic trypanosomatids. For Leishmania, however, a detailed analysis and revision on the taxonomy is still required. We have partially sequenced four housekeeping genes--glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6PGD), mannose phosphate isomerase (MPI) and isocitrate dehydrogenase (ICD)--from 96 Leishmania (Viannia) strains and assessed their discriminatory typing capacity. The fragments had different degrees of diversity, and are thus suitable to be used in combination for intra- and inter-specific inferences. Species-specific single nucleotide polymorphisms were detected, but not for all species; ambiguous sites indicating heterozygosis were observed, as well as the putative homozygous donor. A large number of haplotypes were detected for each marker; for 6PGD a possible ancestral allele for L. (Viannia) was found. Maximum parsimony-based haplotype networks were built. Strains of different species, as identified by multilocus enzyme electrophoresis (MLEE), formed separated clusters in each network, with exceptions. NeighborNet of concatenated sequences confirmed species-specific clusters, suggesting recombination occurring in L. braziliensis and L. guyanensis. Phylogenetic analysis indicates L. lainsoni and L. naiffi as the most divergent species and does not support L. shawi as a distinct species, placing it in the L. guyanensis cluster. BURST analysis resulted in six clonal complexes (CC), corresponding to distinct species. The L. braziliensis strains evaluated correspond to one widely geographically distributed CC and another restricted to one endemic area. This study demonstrates the value of systematic multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA) for determining intra- and inter-species relationships and presents an approach to validate the species status of some entities. Furthermore, it contributes to the phylogeny of L. (Viannia) and might be helpful for epidemiological and population genetics analysis based on haplotype/diplotype determinations and inferences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana C. Boité
- Laboratório de Pesquisa em Leishmaniose, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Isabel L. Mauricio
- Department of Pathogen Molecular Biology, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical/Unidade de Parasitologia e Microbiologia Médicas, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Michael A. Miles
- Department of Pathogen Molecular Biology, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Elisa Cupolillo
- Laboratório de Pesquisa em Leishmaniose, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- * E-mail:
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Pal S, Yadav RK, Adak S. Role of K(+) binding residues in stabilization of heme spin state of Leishmania major peroxidase. Biochim Biophys Acta 2012; 1824:1002-1007. [PMID: 22617686 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2012.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2012] [Revised: 05/10/2012] [Accepted: 05/11/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
The endogenous cation in peroxidases may contribute to the type of heme coordination. Here a series of ferric and ferrous derivatives of wild-type Leishmania major peroxidase (LmP) and of engineered K(+) site mutants of LmP, lacking potassium cation binding site, has been examined by electronic absorption spectroscopy at 25°C. Using UV-visible spectrophotometry, we show that the removal of K(+) binding site causes substantial changes in spin states of both the ferric and ferrous forms. The spectral changes are interpreted to be, most likely, due to the formation of a bis-histidine coordination structure in both the ferric and ferrous oxidation states at neutral pH 7.0. Stopped flow spectrophotometric techniques revealed that characteristics of Compound I were not observed in the K(+) site double mutants in the presence of H(2)O(2). Similarly electron donor oxidation rate was two orders less for the K(+) site double mutants compared to the wild type. These data show that K(+) functions in preserving the protein structure in the heme surroundings as well as the spin state of the heme iron, in favor of the enzymatically active form of LmP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swati Pal
- CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Kolkata, India
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van der Peet P, Ralton JE, McConville MJ, Williams SJ. Discovery of inhibitors of Leishmania β-1,2-mannosyltransferases using a click-chemistry-derived guanosine monophosphate library. PLoS One 2012; 7:e32642. [PMID: 22393429 PMCID: PMC3290622 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0032642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2011] [Accepted: 01/28/2012] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmania spp. are a medically important group of protozoan parasites that synthesize a novel intracellular carbohydrate reserve polymer termed mannogen. Mannogen is a soluble homopolymer of β-1,2-linked mannose residues that accumulates in the major pathogenic stages in the sandfly vector and mammalian host. While several steps in mannogen biosynthesis have been defined, none of the enzymes have been isolated or characterized. We report the development of a simple assay for the GDP-mannose–dependent β-1,2-mannosyltransferases involved in mannogen synthesis. This assay utilizes octyl α-d-mannopyranoside to prime the formation of short mannogen oligomers up to 5 mannose residues. This assay was used to screen a focussed library of 44 GMP-triazole adducts for inhibitors. Several compounds provided effective inhibition of mannogen β-1,2-mannosyltransferases in a cell-free membrane preparation. This assay and inhibitor compounds will be useful for dissecting the role of different mannosyltransferases in regulating de novo biosynthesis and elongation reactions in mannogen metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phillip van der Peet
- School of Chemistry, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Julie E. Ralton
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Malcolm J. McConville
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- * E-mail: (MJM); (SJW)
| | - Spencer J. Williams
- School of Chemistry, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- * E-mail: (MJM); (SJW)
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Castro H, Teixeira F, Romao S, Santos M, Cruz T, Flórido M, Appelberg R, Oliveira P, Ferreira-da-Silva F, Tomás AM. Leishmania mitochondrial peroxiredoxin plays a crucial peroxidase-unrelated role during infection: insight into its novel chaperone activity. PLoS Pathog 2011; 7:e1002325. [PMID: 22046130 PMCID: PMC3203189 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1002325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2011] [Accepted: 09/02/2011] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Two-cysteine peroxiredoxins are ubiquitous peroxidases that play various functions in cells. In Leishmania and related trypanosomatids, which lack catalase and selenium-glutathione peroxidases, the discovery of this family of enzymes provided the molecular basis for peroxide removal in these organisms. In this report the functional relevance of one of such enzymes, the mitochondrial 2-Cys peroxiredoxin (mTXNPx), was investigated along the Leishmania infantum life cycle. mTXNPx null mutants (mtxnpx(-)) produced by a gene replacement strategy, while indistinguishable from wild type promastigotes, were found unable to thrive in a murine model of infection. Unexpectedly, however, the avirulent phenotype of mtxnpx(-) was not due to lack of the peroxidase activity of mTXNPx as these behaved like controls when exposed to oxidants added exogenously or generated by macrophages during phagocytosis ex vivo. In line with this, mtxnpx(-) were also avirulent when inoculated into murine hosts unable to mount an effective oxidative phagocyte response (B6.p47(phox-/-) and B6.RAG2(-/-) IFN-γ(-/-) mice). Definitive conclusion that the peroxidase activity of mTXNPx is not required for parasite survival in mice was obtained by showing that a peroxidase-inactive version of this protein was competent in rescuing the non-infective phenotype of mtxnpx(-). A novel function is thus proposed for mTXNPx, that of a molecular chaperone, which may explain the impaired infectivity of the null mutants. This premise is based on the observation that the enzyme is able to suppress the thermal aggregation of citrate synthase in vitro. Also, mtxnpx(-) were more sensitive than controls to a temperature shift from 25°C to 37°C, a phenotype reminiscent of organisms lacking specific chaperone genes. Collectively, the findings reported here change the paradigm which regards all trypanosomatid 2-Cys peroxiredoxins as peroxide-eliminating devices. Moreover, they demonstrate, for the first time, that these 2-Cys peroxiredoxins can be determinant for pathogenicity independently of their peroxidase activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena Castro
- IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Filipa Teixeira
- IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Susana Romao
- IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Mariana Santos
- IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Tânia Cruz
- IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Manuela Flórido
- IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Rui Appelberg
- IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- ICBAS - Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Pedro Oliveira
- ICBAS - Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | | | - Ana M. Tomás
- IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- ICBAS - Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
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Abstract
We review Clan CA Family C1 peptidases of kinetoplastid parasites (Trypanosoma and Leishmania) with respect to biochemical and genetic diversity, genomic organization and stage-specificity and control of expression. We discuss their contributions to parasite metabolism, virulence and pathogenesis and modulation of the host's immune response. Their applications as vaccine candidates and diagnostic markers as well as their chemical and genetic validation as drug targets are also summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Conor R Caffrey
- Sandler Center for Drug Discovery, California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, Byers Hall, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, USA.
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Kazemi B, Tohidi F, Bandehpour M, Yarian F. Molecular cloning, expression and enzymatic assay of pteridine reductase 1 from Iranian lizard Leishmania. Iran Biomed J 2010; 14:97-102. [PMID: 21079660 PMCID: PMC3904060] [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] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2010] [Revised: 07/17/2010] [Accepted: 07/24/2010] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Currently, there are no effective vaccines against leishmaniasis, and treatment using pentavalent antimonial drugs is occasionally effective and often toxic for patients. The PTR1 enzyme, which causes antifolate drug resistance in Leishmania parasites encoded by gene pteridine reductase 1 (ptr1). Since Leishmania lacks pteridine and folate metabolism, it cannot synthesize the pteridine moiety from guanine triphosphate. Therefore, it must produce pteridine using PTR1, an essential part of the salvage pathway that reduces oxidized pteridines. Thus, PTR1 is a good drug-target candidate for anti-Leishmania chemotherapy. The aim of this study was the cloning, expression, and enzymatic assay of the ptr1 gene from Iranian lizard Leishmania as a model for further studies on Leishmania. METHODS Promastigote DNA was extracted from the Iranian lizard Leishmania, and the ptr1 gene was amplified using specific primers. The PCR product was cloned, transformed into Escherichia coli strain JM109, and expressed. The recombinant protein (PTR1 enzyme) was then purified and assayed. RESULTS ptr1 gene was successfully amplified and cloned into expression vector. Recombinant protein (PTR1 enzyme) was purified using affinity chromatography and confirmed by Western-blot and dot blot using anti-Leishmania major PTR1 antibody and anti-T7 tag monoclonal antibody, respectively. The enzymatic assay was confirmed as PTR1 witch performed using 6-biopterin as a substrate and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate as a coenzyme. CONCLUSION Iranian lizard Leishmania ptr1 was expressed and enzymatic assay was performed successfully.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bahram Kazemi
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center
- Dept. of Parasitology and Mycology, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran;
| | - Farideh Tohidi
- Dept. of Parasitology and Mycology, Gorgan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan;
- Bu-Ali Research Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
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Zufferey R, Al-Ani GK, Dunlap K. Leishmania dihydroxyacetonephosphate acyltransferase LmDAT is important for ether lipid biosynthesis but not for the integrity of detergent resistant membranes. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2009; 168:177-85. [PMID: 19720088 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2009.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2009] [Revised: 08/11/2009] [Accepted: 08/21/2009] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Glycerolipid biosynthesis in Leishmania initiates with the acylation of glycerol-3-phosphate by a single glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase, LmGAT, or of dihydroxyacetonephosphate by a dihydroxyacetonephosphate acyltransferase, LmDAT. We previously reported that acylation of the precursor dihydroxyacetonephosphate rather than glycerol-3-phosphate is the physiologically relevant pathway for Leishmania parasites. We demonstrated that LmDAT is important for normal growth, survival during the stationary phase, and for virulence. Here, we assessed the role of LmDAT in glycerolipid metabolism and metacyclogenesis. LmDAT was found to be implicated in the biosynthesis of ether glycerolipids, including the ether lipid derived virulence factor lipophosphoglycan and glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored proteins. The null mutant produced longer lipophosphoglycan molecules that were not released in the medium, and augmented levels of glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored proteins. In addition, the integrity of detergent resistant membranes was not affected by the absence of the LmDAT gene. Further, our genetic analyses strongly suggest that LmDAT was synthetic lethal with the glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase encoding gene LmGAT, implying that Leishmania expresses only two acyltransferases that initiate the biosynthesis of its cellular glycerolipids. Last, despite the fact that LmDAT is important for virulence the null mutant still exhibited the typical characteristics of metacyclics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Zufferey
- Department of Biological Sciences, St John's University, 8000 Utopia Parkway, Jamaica, NY 11439, USA.
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47
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Pratlong F, Dereure J, Ravel C, Lami P, Balard Y, Serres G, Lanotte G, Rioux JA, Dedet JP. Geographical distribution and epidemiological features of Old World cutaneous leishmaniasis foci, based on the isoenzyme analysis of 1048 strains. Trop Med Int Health 2009; 14:1071-85. [PMID: 19624480 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-3156.2009.02336.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Francine Pratlong
- Université Montpellier 1, Centre National de Référence des Leishmania, Génétique et Evolution des Maladies Infectieuses, Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie, CHU de Montpellier, France
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48
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Abstract
Metalloproteases cleave proteins and peptides, and deregulation of their function leads to pathology. An understanding of their structure and mechanisms of action is necessary to the development of strategies for their regulation. Among metallopeptidases are the metzincins, which are mostly multidomain proteins with approximately 130-260-residue globular catalytic domains showing a common core architecture characterized by a long zinc-binding consensus motif, HEXXHXXGXX(H/D), and a methionine-containing Met-turn. Metzincins participate in unspecific protein degradation such as digestion of intake proteins and tissue development, maintenance, and remodeling, but they are also involved in highly specific cleavage events to activate or inactivate themselves or other (pro)enzymes and bioactive peptides. Metzincins are subdivided into families, and seven such families have been analyzed at the structural level: the astacins, ADAMs/adamalysins/reprolysins, serralysins, matrix metalloproteinases, snapalysins, leishmanolysins, and pappalysins. These families are reviewed from a structural point of view.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Xavier Gomis-Rüth
- Proteolysis Lab, Molecular Biology Institute of Barcelona, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Barcelona Science Park, Helix Building, c/Baldiri Reixac, 15-21, E-08028 Barcelona, Spain.
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Moreira W, Leblanc E, Ouellette M. The role of reduced pterins in resistance to reactive oxygen and nitrogen intermediates in the protozoan parasite Leishmania. Free Radic Biol Med 2009; 46:367-75. [PMID: 19022374 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2008.10.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2008] [Revised: 10/06/2008] [Accepted: 10/07/2008] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
During its life cycle, the protozoan parasite Leishmania experiences oxidative stress when interacting with macrophages. Reduced pterins are known scavengers of reactive oxygen and nitrogen intermediates. Leishmania has a pteridine reductase, PTR1, whose main function is to provide reduced pterins. We investigated the role of PTR1 in resistance to oxidative and nitrosative stress in Leishmania tarentolae, Leishmania infantum, and Leishmania major PTR1(-/-) mutants. The PTR1(-/-) cells of the three species were more sensitive to H2O2- and NO-induced stress. Using a fluorescent probe allowing ROI quantification, we demonstrated an increase in intracellular oxidant molecules in the PTR1(-/-) mutants. The disruption of PTR1 increased metacyclogenesis in L. infantum and L. major. We purified metacyclic parasites from PTR1(-/-) mutants and control cells and tested their intracellular survival in the J774 mouse cell line and in human monocyte-derived macrophages. Our results showed that PTR1(-/-) null mutants survived less in both macrophage models compared to control cells and this decrease was more pronounced in macrophages activated for oxidant production. This study demonstrates that one physiological role of reduced pterins in Leishmania is to deal with oxidative and nitrosative species, and a decreased ability to provide reduced pterins leads to decreased intracellular survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wilfried Moreira
- Centre de Recherche en Infectiologie du CHUL, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 4G2, Canada
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50
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Castro-Pinto DB, Lima ELS, Cunha AS, Genestra M, De Léo RM, Monteiro F, Leon LL. Leishmania amazonensis trypanothione reductase: Evaluation of the effect of glutathione analogs on parasite growth, infectivity and enzyme activity. J Enzyme Inhib Med Chem 2008; 22:71-5. [PMID: 17373550 DOI: 10.1080/14756360600920180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Trypanothione reductase (TR) is a major enzyme in trypanosomatids. Its substrate, trypanothione is a molecule containing a tripeptide (L-glutamic acid-cysteine-glycine) coupled to a polyamine, spermidine. This redox system (TR/Trypanothione) is vital for parasite survival within the host cell and has been described as a good target for chemotherapy anti-Leishmania. The use of tripeptides analogs of glutathione would result in a decrease in trypanothione synthesis and as a consequence in TR activity. In this work, besides the enzyme potential inhibition, it also evaluated the influence of those analogs on parasite growth and on its infective capacity. The results showed a significant effect on parasite growth and infectivity and in addition TR activity was highly inhibited. These results are very promising, suggesting a potential use of those analogs as therapeutic drugs against experimental diseases caused by trypanosomatids.
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