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Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of antiparasitic dinitroaniline-ether phospholipid hybrids

Abstract (Expand)

A series of nine novel ether phospholipid-dinitroaniline hybrids were synthesized in an effort to deliver more potent antiparasitic agents with improved safety profile compared to miltefosine. The … compounds were evaluated for their in vitro antiparasitic activity against L. infantum, L.donovani, L. amazonensis, L. major and L. tropica promastigotes, L. infantum and L. donovani intracellular amastigotes, Trypanosoma brucei brucei and against different developmental stages of Trypanosoma cruzi. The nature of the oligomethylene spacer between the dinitroaniline moiety and the phosphate group, the length of the side chain substituent on the dinitroaniline and the choline or homocholine head group were found to affect both the activity and toxicity of the hybrids. The early ADMET profile of the derivatives did not reveal major liabilities. Hybrid 3, bearing an 11-carbon oligomethylene spacer, a butyl side chain and a choline head group, was the most potent analogue of the series. It exhibited a broad spectrum antiparasitic profile against the promastigotes of New and Old World Leishmania spp., against intracellular amastigotes of two L. infantum strains and L. donovani, against T. brucei and against T. cruzi Y strain epimastigotes, intracellular amastigotes and trypomastigotes. The early toxicity studies revealed that hybrid 3 showed a safe toxicological profile while its cytotoxicity concentration (CC50) against THP-1 macrophages being >100 μM. Computational analysis of binding sites and docking indicated that the interaction of hybrid 3 with trypanosomatid α-tubulin may contribute to its mechanism of action. Furthermore, compound 3 was found to interfere with the cell cycle in T. cruzi epimastigotes, while ultrastructural studies using SEM and TEM in T. cruzi showed that compound 3 affects cellular processes that result in changes in the Golgi complex, the mitochondria and the parasite’s plasma membrane. The snapshot pharmacokinetic studies showed low levels of 3 after 24 h following oral administration of 100 mg/Kg, while, its homocholine congener compound 9 presented a better pharmacokinetic profile.

Authors: Marina Roussaki, George E. Magoulas, Theano Fotopoulou, Nuno Santarem, Emile Barrias, Ina Pöhner, Sara Luelmo, Pantelis Afroudakis, Kalliopi Georgikopoulou, Paloma Tejera Nevado, Julia Eick, Eugenia Bifeld, María J. Corral, María Dolores Jiménez-Antón, Bernhard Ellinger, Maria Kuzikov, Irini Fragiadaki, Effie Scoulica, Sheraz Gul, Joachim Clos, Kyriakos C. Prousis, Juan J. Torrado, José María Alunda, Rebecca C. Wade, Wanderley de Souza, Anabela Cordeiro da Silva, Theodora Calogeropoulou

Date Published: 1st Sep 2023

Publication Type: Journal

Identification of a 2,4-diaminopyrimidine scaffold targeting Trypanosoma brucei pteridine reductase 1 from the LIBRA compound library screening campaign.

Abstract (Expand)

The LIBRA compound library is a collection of 522 non-commercial molecules contributed by various Italian academic laboratories. These compounds have been designed and synthesized during different … medicinal chemistry programs and are hosted by the Italian Institute of Technology. We report the screening of the LIBRA compound library against Trypanosoma brucei and Leishmania major pteridine reductase 1, TbPTR1 and LmPTR1. Nine compounds were active against parasitic PTR1 and were selected for cell-based parasite screening, as single agents and in combination with methotrexate (MTX). The most interesting TbPTR1 inhibitor identified was 4-(benzyloxy)pyrimidine-2,6-diamine (LIB_66). Subsequently, six new LIB_66 derivatives were synthesized to explore its Structure-Activity-Relationship (SAR) and absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion and toxicity (ADMET) properties. The results indicate that PTR1 has a preference to bind inhibitors, which resemble its biopterin/folic acid substrates, such as the 2,4-diaminopyrimidine derivatives.

Authors: P. Linciano, G. Cullia, C. Borsari, M. Santucci, S. Ferrari, G. Witt, S. Gul, M. Kuzikov, B. Ellinger, N. Santarem, A. Cordeiro da Silva, P. Conti, M. L. Bolognesi, M. Roberti, F. Prati, F. Bartoccini, M. Retini, G. Piersanti, A. Cavalli, L. Goldoni, S. M. Bertozzi, F. Bertozzi, E. Brambilla, V. Rizzo, D. Piomelli, A. Pinto, T. Bandiera, M. P. Costi

Date Published: 1st Mar 2020

Publication Type: Journal

Excited-state intramolecular proton transfer in a bioactive flavonoid provides fluorescence observables for recognizing its engagement with target proteins.

Abstract (Expand)

A benzothiophene-substituted chromenone with promising activity against Leishmania and Trypanosoma species exhibits peculiar fluorescence properties useful for identifying its complexes with target … proteins in the microorganism proteomes. The emission spectra, anisotropy and time profiles of this flavonoid strongly change when moving from the free to the protein-bound forms. The same two types of emission are observed in organic solvents and their mixtures with water, with the relative band intensities depending on the solvent ability to establish hydrogen bonds with the solute. The regular emission prevails in protic solvents, while in aprotic solvents the anomalously red-shifted emission occurs from a zwitterionic tautomeric form, produced in the excited state by proton transfer within the intramolecularly H-bonded form. This interpretation finds support from an experimental and theoretical investigation of the conformational preferences of this compound in the ground and lowest excited state, with a focus on the relative twisting about the chromenone-benzothiophene interconnecting bond. An analysis of the absorption and emission spectra and of the photophysical properties of the two emitting tautomers highlights the relevance of the local microenvironment, particularly of the intra- and intermolecular hydrogen bonds in which this bioactive compound is involved, in determining both its steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence behaviour.

Authors: D. Vanossi, M. Caselli, G. Pavesi, C. Borsari, P. Linciano, M. P. Costi, G. Ponterini

Date Published: 1st Sep 2019

Publication Type: Journal

Medicinal Chemistry of Neglected and Tropical Diseases

Abstract

Not specified

Authors: Venkatesan Jayaprakash, Daniele Castagnolo, Yusuf Özkay

Date Published: 15th Aug 2019

Publication Type: Book

Structural Insights into the Development of Cycloguanil Derivatives as Trypanosoma brucei Pteridine-Reductase-1 Inhibitors.

Abstract (Expand)

Cycloguanil is a known dihydrofolate-reductase (DHFR) inhibitor, but there is no evidence of its activity on pteridine reductase (PTR), the main metabolic bypass to DHFR inhibition in trypanosomatid … parasites. Here, we provide experimental evidence of cycloguanil as an inhibitor of Trypanosoma brucei PTR1 (TbPTR1). A small library of cycloguanil derivatives was developed, resulting in 1 and 2a having IC50 values of 692 and 186 nM, respectively, toward TbPTR1. Structural analysis revealed that the increased potency of 1 and 2a is due to the combined contributions of hydrophobic interactions, H-bonds, and halogen bonds. Moreover, in vitro cell-growth-inhibition tests indicated that 2a is also effective on T. brucei. The simultaneous inhibition of DHFR and PTR1 activity in T. brucei is a promising new strategy for the treatment of human African trypanosomiasis. For this purpose, 1,6-dihydrotriazines represent new molecular tools to develop potent dual PTR and DHFR inhibitors.

Authors: G. Landi, P. Linciano, C. Borsari, C. P. Bertolacini, C. B. Moraes, A. Cordeiro-da-Silva, S. Gul, G. Witt, M. Kuzikov, M. P. Costi, C. Pozzi, S. Mangani

Date Published: 12th Jul 2019

Publication Type: Journal

Enhancement of Benzothiazoles as Pteridine Reductase-1 Inhibitors for the Treatment of Trypanosomatidic Infections.

Abstract (Expand)

2-Amino-benzo[ d]thiazole was identified as a new scaffold for the development of improved pteridine reductase-1 (PTR1) inhibitors and anti-trypanosomatidic agents. Molecular docking and crystallography … guided the design and synthesis of 42 new benzothiazoles. The compounds were assessed for Trypanosoma brucei and Leishmania major PTR1 inhibition and in vitro activity against T. brucei and amastigote Leishmania infantum. We identified several 2-amino-benzo[ d]thiazoles with improved enzymatic activity ( TbPTR1 IC50 = 0.35 muM; LmPTR1 IC50 = 1.9 muM) and low muM antiparasitic activity against T. brucei. The ten most active compounds against TbPTR1 were able to potentiate the antiparasitic activity of methotrexate when evaluated in combination against T. brucei, with a potentiating index between 1.2 and 2.7. The compound library was profiled for early ADME toxicity, and 2-amino- N-benzylbenzo[ d]thiazole-6-carboxamide (4c) was finally identified as a novel potent, safe, and selective anti-trypanocydal agent (EC50 = 7.0 muM). Formulation of 4c with hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin yielded good oral bioavailability, encouraging progression to in vivo studies.

Authors: P. Linciano, C. Pozzi, L. D. Iacono, F. di Pisa, G. Landi, A. Bonucci, S. Gul, M. Kuzikov, B. Ellinger, G. Witt, N. Santarem, C. Baptista, C. Franco, C. B. Moraes, W. Muller, U. Wittig, R. Luciani, A. Sesenna, A. Quotadamo, S. Ferrari, I. Pohner, A. Cordeiro-da-Silva, S. Mangani, L. Costantino, M. P. Costi

Date Published: 25th Apr 2019

Publication Type: Journal

SAR Studies and Biological Characterization of a Chromen-4-one Derivative as an Anti-Trypanosoma brucei Agent.

Abstract (Expand)

Chemical modulation of the flavonol 2-(benzo[d][1,3]dioxol-5-yl)-chromen-4-one (1), a promising anti-Trypanosomatid agent previously identified, was evaluated through a phenotypic screening approach. … Herein, we have performed structure-activity relationship studies around hit compound 1. The pivaloyl derivative (13) showed significant anti-T. brucei activity (EC50 = 1.1 muM) together with a selectivity index higher than 92. The early in vitro ADME-tox properties (cytotoxicity, mitochondrial toxicity, cytochrome P450 and hERG inhibition) were determined for compound 1 and its derivatives, and these led to the identification of some liabilities. The 1,3-benzodioxole moiety in the presented compounds confers better in vivo pharmacokinetic properties than those of classical flavonols. Further studies using different delivery systems could lead to an increase of compound blood levels.

Authors: C. Borsari, N. Santarem, S. Macedo, M. D. Jimenez-Anton, J. J. Torrado, A. I. Olias-Molero, M. J. Corral, A. Tait, S. Ferrari, L. Costantino, R. Luciani, G. Ponterini, S. Gul, M. Kuzikov, B. Ellinger, B. Behrens, J. Reinshagen, J. M. Alunda, A. Cordeiro-da-Silva, M. P. Costi

Date Published: 11th Apr 2019

Publication Type: Journal

Accelerating Drug Discovery Efforts for Trypanosomatidic Infections Using an Integrated Transnational Academic Drug Discovery Platform.

Abstract (Expand)

According to the World Health Organization, more than 1 billion people are at risk of or are affected by neglected tropical diseases. Examples of such diseases include trypanosomiasis, which causes … sleeping sickness; leishmaniasis; and Chagas disease, all of which are prevalent in Africa, South America, and India. Our aim within the New Medicines for Trypanosomatidic Infections project was to use (1) synthetic and natural product libraries, (2) screening, and (3) a preclinical absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion-toxicity (ADME-Tox) profiling platform to identify compounds that can enter the trypanosomatidic drug discovery value chain. The synthetic compound libraries originated from multiple scaffolds with known antiparasitic activity and natural products from the Hypha Discovery MycoDiverse natural products library. Our focus was first to employ target-based screening to identify inhibitors of the protozoan Trypanosoma brucei pteridine reductase 1 ( TbPTR1) and second to use a Trypanosoma brucei phenotypic assay that made use of the T. brucei brucei parasite to identify compounds that inhibited cell growth and caused death. Some of the compounds underwent structure-activity relationship expansion and, when appropriate, were evaluated in a preclinical ADME-Tox assay panel. This preclinical platform has led to the identification of lead-like compounds as well as validated hits in the trypanosomatidic drug discovery value chain.

Authors: C. B. Moraes, G. Witt, M. Kuzikov, B. Ellinger, T. Calogeropoulou, K. C. Prousis, S. Mangani, F. Di Pisa, G. Landi, L. D. Iacono, C. Pozzi, L. H. Freitas-Junior, B. Dos Santos Pascoalino, C. P. Bertolacini, B. Behrens, O. Keminer, J. Leu, M. Wolf, J. Reinshagen, A. Cordeiro-da-Silva, N. Santarem, A. Venturelli, S. Wrigley, D. Karunakaran, B. Kebede, I. Pohner, W. Muller, J. Panecka-Hofman, R. C. Wade, M. Fenske, J. Clos, J. M. Alunda, M. J. Corral, E. Uliassi, M. L. Bolognesi, P. Linciano, A. Quotadamo, S. Ferrari, M. Santucci, C. Borsari, M. P. Costi, S. Gul

Date Published: 21st Feb 2019

Publication Type: Journal

Pharmacokinetics and disposition of miltefosine in healthy mice and hamsters experimentally infected with Leishmania infantum.

Abstract (Expand)

Miltefosine is the only currently available oral drug for treatment of leishmaniasis. However, information on the pharmacokinetics (PK) of miltefosine is relatively scarce in animals. PK parameters and … disposition of the molecule was determined in healthy NMRI mice and Syrian hamsters infected and treated with different miltefosine doses and regimens. Long half-life of the molecule was confirmed and differential pattern of accumulation of the drug was observed in analyzed organs in mice and hamster. Long treatment schedules produced miltefosine levels over IC50 value against L. infantum intracellular amastigotes for at least 24days in spleen and liver of infected hamsters. The observed differential pattern of organ accumulation of the drug in mice and hamster supports the relevance of both species for translational research on chemotherapy of leishmaniasis.

Authors: M. D. Jimenez-Anton, E. Garcia-Calvo, C. Gutierrez, M. D. Escribano, N. Kayali, J. L. Luque-Garcia, A. I. Olias-Molero, M. J. Corral, M. P. Costi, J. J. Torrado, J. M. Alunda

Date Published: 30th Aug 2018

Publication Type: Journal

Development of a Focused Library of Triazole-Linked Privileged-Structure-Based Conjugates Leading to the Discovery of Novel Phenotypic Hits against Protozoan Parasitic Infections.

Abstract (Expand)

Protozoan infections caused by Plasmodium, Leishmania, and Trypanosoma spp. contribute significantly to the burden of infectious diseases worldwide, causing severe morbidity and mortality. The inadequacy … of available treatments calls for cost- and time-effective drug discovery endeavors. To this end, we envisaged the triazole linkage of privileged structures as an effective drug design strategy to generate a focused library of high-quality compounds. The versatility of this approach was combined with the feasibility of a phenotypic assay, integrated with early ADME-tox profiling. Thus, an 18-membered library was efficiently assembled via Huisgen cycloaddition of phenothiazine, biphenyl, and phenylpiperazine scaffolds. The resulting 18 compounds were then tested against seven parasite strains, and counter-screened for selectivity against two mammalian cell lines. In parallel, hERG and cytochrome P450 (CYP) inhibition, and mitochondrial toxicity were assessed. Remarkably, 10-((1-(3-([1,1'-biphenyl]-3-yloxy)propyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-5-yl)methyl)-10H-phen othiazine (7) and 10-(3-(1-(3-([1,1'-biphenyl]-3-yloxy)propyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)propyl)-10H-ph enothiazine (12) showed respective IC50 values of 1.8 and 1.9 mug mL(-1) against T. cruzi, together with optimal selectivity. In particular, compound 7 showed a promising ADME-tox profile. Thus, hit 7 might be progressed as an antichagasic lead.

Authors: E. Uliassi, L. Piazzi, F. Belluti, A. Mazzanti, M. Kaiser, R. Brun, C. B. Moraes, L. H. Freitas-Junior, S. Gul, M. Kuzikov, B. Ellinger, C. Borsari, M. P. Costi, M. L. Bolognesi

Date Published: 6th Apr 2018

Publication Type: Journal

Aryl thiosemicarbazones for the treatment of trypanosomatidic infections.

Abstract (Expand)

Basing on a library of thiadiazole derivatives showing anti-trypanosomatidic activity, we have considered the thiadiazoles opened forms and reaction intermediates, thiosemicarbazones, as compounds of … interest for phenotypic screening against Trypanosoma brucei (Tb), intracellular amastigote form of Leishmania infantum (Li) and Trypanosoma cruzi (Tc). Similar compounds have already shown interesting activity against the same organisms. The compounds were particularly effective against T. brucei and T. cruzi. Among the 28 synthesized compounds, the best one was (E)-2-(4-((3.4-dichlorobenzyl)oxy)benzylidene) hydrazinecarbothioamide (A14) yielding a comparable anti-parasitic activity against the three parasitic species (TbEC50=2.31muM, LiEC50=6.14muM, TcEC50=1.31muM) and a Selectivity Index higher than 10 with respect to human macrophages, therefore showing a pan-anti-trypanosomatidic activity. (E)-2-((3'.4'-dimethoxy-[1.1'-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyle ne) hydrazinecarbothioamide (A12) and (E)-2-(4-((3.4-dichlorobenzyl)oxy)benzylidene)hydrazine carbothioamide (A14) were able to potentiate the anti-parasitic activity of methotrexate (MTX) when evaluated in combination against T. brucei, yielding a 6-fold and 4-fold respectively Dose Reduction Index for MTX. The toxicity profile against four human cell lines and a panel of in vitro early-toxicity assays (comprising hERG, Aurora B, five cytochrome P450 isoforms and mitochondrial toxicity) demonstrated the low toxicity for the thosemicarbazones class in comparison with known drugs. The results confirmed thiosemicarbazones as a suitable chemical scaffold with potential for the development of properly decorated new anti-parasitic drugs.

Authors: P. Linciano, C. B. Moraes, L. M. Alcantara, C. H. Franco, B. Pascoalino, L. H. Freitas-Junior, S. Macedo, N. Santarem, A. Cordeiro-da-Silva, S. Gul, G. Witt, M. Kuzikov, B. Ellinger, S. Ferrari, R. Luciani, A. Quotadamo, L. Costantino, M. P. Costi

Date Published: 25th Feb 2018

Publication Type: Journal

Scaffolds and Biological Targets Avenue to Fight Against Drug Resistance in Leishmaniasis

Abstract

Not specified

Authors: Chiara Borsari, Antonio Quotadamo, Stefania Ferrari, Alberto Venturelli, Anabela Cordeiro-da-Silva, Nuno Santarem, Maria Paola Costi

Date Published: 2018

Publication Type: InBook

In Silico Identification and In Vitro Evaluation of Natural Inhibitors of Leishmania major Pteridine Reductase I.

Abstract (Expand)

In a continuation of our computational efforts to find new natural inhibitors of a variety of target enzymes from parasites causing neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), we now report on 15 natural … products (NPs) that we have identified as inhibitors of Leishmania major pteridine reductase I (LmPTR1) through a combination of in silico and in vitro investigations. Pteridine reductase (PTR1) is an enzyme of the trypanosomatid parasites' peculiar folate metabolism, and has previously been validated as a drug target. Initially, pharmacophore queries were created based on four 3D structures of LmPTR1 using co-crystallized known inhibitors as templates. Each of the pharmacophore queries was used to virtually screen a database of 1100 commercially available natural products. The resulting hits were submitted to molecular docking analyses in the substrate binding site of the respective protein structures used for the pharmacophore design. This approach led to the in silico identification of a total of 18 NPs with predicted binding affinity to LmPTR1. These compounds were subsequently tested in vitro for inhibitory activity towards recombinant LmPTR1 in a spectrophotometric inhibition assay. Fifteen out of the 18 tested compounds (hit rate = 83%) showed significant inhibitory activity against LmPTR1 when tested at a concentration of 50 microM. The IC50 values were determined for the six NPs that inhibited the target enzyme by more than 50% at 50 microM, with sophoraflavanone G being the most active compound tested (IC50 = 19.2 microM). The NPs identified and evaluated in the present study may represent promising lead structures for the further rational drug design of more potent inhibitors against LmPTR1.

Authors: F. C. Herrmann, N. Sivakumar, J. Jose, M. P. Costi, C. Pozzi, T. J. Schmidt

Date Published: 6th Dec 2017

Publication Type: Journal

Crassiflorone derivatives that inhibit Trypanosoma brucei glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (TbGAPDH) and Trypanosoma cruzi trypanothione reductase (TcTR) and display trypanocidal activity.

Abstract (Expand)

Crassiflorone is a natural product with anti-mycobacterial and anti-gonorrhoeal properties, isolated from the stem bark of the African ebony tree Diospyros crassiflora. We noticed that its pentacyclic … core possesses structural resemblance to the quinone-coumarin hybrid 3, which we reported to exhibit a dual-targeted inhibitory profile towards Trypanosoma brucei glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (TbGAPDH) and Trypanosoma cruzi trypanothione reductase (TcTR). Following this basic idea, we synthesized a small library of crassiflorone derivatives 15-23 and investigated their potential as anti-trypanosomatid agents. 19 is the only compound of the series showing a balanced dual profile at 10 muM (% inhibitionTbGAPDH = 64% and % inhibitionTcTR = 65%). In phenotypic assay, the most active compounds were 18 and 21, which at 5 muM inhibited Tb bloodstream-form growth by 29% and 38%, respectively. Notably, all the newly synthesized compounds at 10 muM did not affect viability and the status of mitochondria in human A549 and 786-O cell lines, respectively. However, further optimization that addresses metabolic liabilities including solubility, as well as cytochromes P450 (CYP1A2, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, and CYP2D6) inhibition, is required before this class of natural product-derived compounds can be further progressed.

Authors: E. Uliassi, G. Fiorani, R. L. Krauth-Siegel, C. Bergamini, R. Fato, G. Bianchini, J. Carlos Menendez, M. T. Molina, E. Lopez-Montero, F. Falchi, A. Cavalli, S. Gul, M. Kuzikov, B. Ellinger, G. Witt, C. B. Moraes, L. H. Freitas-Junior, C. Borsari, M. P. Costi, M. L. Bolognesi

Date Published: 1st Dec 2017

Publication Type: Journal

Exploiting the 2-Amino-1,3,4-thiadiazole Scaffold To Inhibit Trypanosoma brucei Pteridine Reductase in Support of Early-Stage Drug Discovery.

Abstract (Expand)

Pteridine reductase-1 (PTR1) is a promising drug target for the treatment of trypanosomiasis. We investigated the potential of a previously identified class of thiadiazole inhibitors of Leishmania major … PTR1 for activity against Trypanosoma brucei (Tb). We solved crystal structures of several TbPTR1-inhibitor complexes to guide the structure-based design of new thiadiazole derivatives. Subsequent synthesis and enzyme- and cell-based assays confirm new, mid-micromolar inhibitors of TbPTR1 with low toxicity. In particular, compound 4m, a biphenyl-thiadiazole-2,5-diamine with IC50 = 16 muM, was able to potentiate the antitrypanosomal activity of the dihydrofolate reductase inhibitor methotrexate (MTX) with a 4.1-fold decrease of the EC50 value. In addition, the antiparasitic activity of the combination of 4m and MTX was reversed by addition of folic acid. By adopting an efficient hit discovery platform, we demonstrate, using the 2-amino-1,3,4-thiadiazole scaffold, how a promising tool for the development of anti-T. brucei agents can be obtained.

Authors: P. Linciano, A. Dawson, I. Pohner, D. M. Costa, M. S. Sa, A. Cordeiro-da-Silva, R. Luciani, S. Gul, G. Witt, B. Ellinger, M. Kuzikov, P. Gribbon, J. Reinshagen, M. Wolf, B. Behrens, V. Hannaert, P. A. M. Michels, E. Nerini, C. Pozzi, F. di Pisa, G. Landi, N. Santarem, S. Ferrari, P. Saxena, S. Lazzari, G. Cannazza, L. H. Freitas-Junior, C. B. Moraes, B. S. Pascoalino, L. M. Alcantara, C. P. Bertolacini, V. Fontana, U. Wittig, W. Muller, R. C. Wade, W. N. Hunter, S. Mangani, L. Costantino, M. P. Costi

Date Published: 30th Sep 2017

Publication Type: Journal

Comparative mapping of on-targets and off-targets for the discovery of anti-trypanosomatid folate pathway inhibitors.

Abstract (Expand)

BACKGROUND: Multi-target approaches are necessary to properly analyze or modify the function of a biochemical pathway or a protein family. An example of such a problem is the repurposing of the known … human anti-cancer drugs, antifolates, as selective anti-parasitic agents. This requires considering a set of experimentally validated protein targets in the folate pathway of major pathogenic trypanosomatid parasites and humans: (i) the primary parasite on-targets: pteridine reductase 1 (PTR1) (absent in humans) and bifunctional dihydrofolate reductase-thymidylate synthase (DHFR-TS), (ii) the primary off-targets: human DHFR and TS, and (iii) the secondary on-target: human folate receptor beta, a folate/antifolate transporter. METHODS: We computationally compared the structural, dynamic and physico-chemical properties of the targets. We based our analysis on available inhibitory activity and crystallographic data, including a crystal structure of the bifunctional T. cruzi DHFR-TS with tetrahydrofolate bound determined in this work. Due to the low sequence and structural similarity of the targets analyzed, we employed a mapping of binding pockets based on the known common ligands, folate and methotrexate. RESULTS: Our analysis provides a set of practical strategies for the design of selective trypanosomatid folate pathway inhibitors, which are supported by enzyme inhibition measurements and crystallographic structures. CONCLUSIONS: The ligand-based comparative computational mapping of protein binding pockets provides a basis for repurposing of anti-folates and the design of new anti-trypanosmatid agents. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE: Apart from the target-based discovery of selective compounds, our approach may be also applied for protein engineering or analyzing evolutionary relationships in protein families.

Authors: J. Panecka-Hofman, I. Pohner, F. Spyrakis, T. Zeppelin, F. Di Pisa, L. Dello Iacono, A. Bonucci, A. Quotadamo, A. Venturelli, S. Mangani, M. P. Costi, R. C. Wade

Date Published: 25th Sep 2017

Publication Type: Journal

Application of a simple quantum chemical approach to ligand fragment scoring for Trypanosoma brucei pteridine reductase 1 inhibition.

Abstract (Expand)

There is a need for improved and generally applicable scoring functions for fragment-based approaches to ligand design. Here, we evaluate the performance of a computationally efficient model for … inhibitory activity estimation, which is composed only of multipole electrostatic energy and dispersion energy terms that approximate long-range ab initio quantum mechanical interaction energies. We find that computed energies correlate well with inhibitory activity for a compound series with varying substituents targeting two subpockets of the binding site of Trypanosoma brucei pteridine reductase 1. For one subpocket, we find that the model is more predictive for inhibitory activity than the ab initio interaction energy calculated at the MP2 level. Furthermore, the model is found to outperform a commonly used empirical scoring method. Finally, we show that the results for the two subpockets can be combined, which suggests that this simple nonempirical scoring function could be applied in fragment-based drug design.

Authors: W. Jedwabny, J. Panecka-Hofman, E. Dyguda-Kazimierowicz, R. C. Wade, W. A. Sokalski

Date Published: 9th Jul 2017

Publication Type: Journal

TRAPP webserver: predicting protein binding site flexibility and detecting transient binding pockets.

Abstract (Expand)

The TRAnsient Pockets in Proteins (TRAPP) webserver provides an automated workflow that allows users to explore the dynamics of a protein binding site and to detect pockets or sub-pockets that may … transiently open due to protein internal motion. These transient or cryptic sub-pockets may be of interest in the design and optimization of small molecular inhibitors for a protein target of interest. The TRAPP workflow consists of the following three modules: (i) TRAPP structure- generation of an ensemble of structures using one or more of four possible molecular simulation methods; (ii) TRAPP analysis-superposition and clustering of the binding site conformations either in an ensemble of structures generated in step (i) or in PDB structures or trajectories uploaded by the user; and (iii) TRAPP pocket-detection, analysis, and visualization of the binding pocket dynamics and characteristics, such as volume, solvent-exposed area or properties of surrounding residues. A standard sequence conservation score per residue or a differential score per residue, for comparing on- and off-targets, can be calculated and displayed on the binding pocket for an uploaded multiple sequence alignment file, and known protein sequence annotations can be displayed simultaneously. The TRAPP webserver is freely available at http://trapp.h-its.org.

Authors: A. Stank, D. B. Kokh, M. Horn, E. Sizikova, R. Neil, J. Panecka, S. Richter, R. C. Wade

Date Published: 3rd Jul 2017

Publication Type: Journal

The Future of Drug Development for Neglected Tropical Diseases: How the European Commission Can Continue to Make a Difference.

Abstract (Expand)

In this article, the four coordinators of neglected tropical disease (NTD) drug development projects funded under the European Commission (EC) Framework Programme 7 argue that the EC should reassess … their funding strategy to cover the steps necessary to translate a lead compound into a drug candidate for testing in clinical trials, and suggest ways in which this might be achieved.

Authors: R. J. Pierce, J. MacDougall, R. Leurs, M. P. Costi

Date Published: 23rd May 2017

Publication Type: Journal

Chroman-4-One Derivatives Targeting Pteridine Reductase 1 and Showing Anti-Parasitic Activity.

Abstract (Expand)

Flavonoids have previously been identified as antiparasitic agents and pteridine reductase 1 (PTR1) inhibitors. Herein, we focus our attention on the chroman-4-one scaffold. Three chroman-4-one analogues … (1-3) of previously published chromen-4-one derivatives were synthesized and biologically evaluated against parasitic enzymes (Trypanosoma brucei PTR1-TbPTR1 and Leishmania major-LmPTR1) and parasites (Trypanosoma brucei and Leishmania infantum). A crystal structure of TbPTR1 in complex with compound 1 and the first crystal structures of LmPTR1-flavanone complexes (compounds 1 and 3) were solved. The inhibitory activity of the chroman-4-one and chromen-4-one derivatives was explained by comparison of observed and predicted binding modes of the compounds. Compound 1 showed activity both against the targeted enzymes and the parasites with a selectivity index greater than 7 and a low toxicity. Our results provide a basis for further scaffold optimization and structure-based drug design aimed at the identification of potent anti-trypanosomatidic compounds targeting multiple PTR1 variants.

Authors: F. Di Pisa, G. Landi, L. Dello Iacono, C. Pozzi, C. Borsari, S. Ferrari, M. Santucci, N. Santarem, A. Cordeiro-da-Silva, C. B. Moraes, L. M. Alcantara, V. Fontana, L. H. Freitas-Junior, S. Gul, M. Kuzikov, B. Behrens, I. Pohner, R. C. Wade, M. P. Costi, S. Mangani

Date Published: 8th Mar 2017

Publication Type: Journal

Methoxylated 2'-hydroxychalcones as antiparasitic hit compounds.

Abstract (Expand)

Chalcones display a broad spectrum of pharmacological activities. Herein, a series of 2'-hydroxy methoxylated chalcones was synthesized and evaluated towards Trypanosoma brucei, Trypanosoma cruzi … and Leishmania infantum. Among the synthesized library, compounds 1, 3, 4, 7 and 8 were the most potent and selective anti-T. brucei compounds (EC50 = 1.3-4.2 muM, selectivity index >10-fold). Compound 4 showed the best early-tox and antiparasitic profile. The pharmacokinetic studies of compound 4 in BALB/c mice using hydroxypropil-beta-cyclodextrins formulation showed a 7.5 times increase in oral bioavailability.

Authors: C. Borsari, N. Santarem, J. Torrado, A. I. Olias, M. J. Corral, C. Baptista, S. Gul, M. Wolf, M. Kuzikov, B. Ellinger, G. Witt, P. Gribbon, J. Reinshagen, P. Linciano, A. Tait, L. Costantino, L. H. Freitas-Junior, C. B. Moraes, P. Bruno Dos Santos, L. M. Alcantara, C. H. Franco, C. D. Bertolacini, V. Fontana, P. Tejera Nevado, J. Clos, J. M. Alunda, A. Cordeiro-da-Silva, S. Ferrari, M. P. Costi

Date Published: 27th Jan 2017

Publication Type: Journal

Molecular basis for covalent inhibition of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase by a 2-phenoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone small molecule.

Abstract (Expand)

Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) has recently gained attention as an antiprotozoan and anticancer drug target. We have previously identified 2-phenoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone as an inhibitor … of both Trypanosoma brucei and human GAPDH. Herein, through multiple chemical, biochemical, and biological studies, and through the design of analogs, we confirmed the formation of a covalent adduct, we clarified the inhibition mechanism, and we demonstrated antitrypanosomal, antiplasmodial, and cytotoxic activities in cell cultures. The overall results lent support to the hypothesis that 2-phenoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone binds the GAPDH catalytic cysteine covalently through a phenolate displacement mechanism. By investigating the reactivity of 2-phenoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone and its analogs with four GAPDH homologs, we showed that the covalent inhibition is not preceded by the formation of a strong non-covalent complex. However, an up to fivefold difference in inactivation rates among homologs hinted at structural or electrostatic differences of their active sites that could be exploited to further design kinetically selective inhibitors. Moreover, we preliminarily showed that 2-phenoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone displays selectivity for GAPDHs over two other cysteine-dependent enzymes, supporting its suitability as a warhead starting fragment for the design of novel inhibitors.

Authors: S. Bruno, E. Uliassi, M. Zaffagnini, F. Prati, C. Bergamini, R. Amorati, G. Paredi, M. Margiotta, P. Conti, M. P. Costi, M. Kaiser, A. Cavalli, R. Fato, M. L. Bolognesi

Date Published: 13th Jan 2017

Publication Type: Journal

Profiling of Flavonol Derivatives for the Development of Antitrypanosomatidic Drugs.

Abstract (Expand)

Flavonoids represent a potential source of new antitrypanosomatidic leads. Starting from a library of natural products, we combined target-based screening on pteridine reductase 1 with phenotypic … screening on Trypanosoma brucei for hit identification. Flavonols were identified as hits, and a library of 16 derivatives was synthesized. Twelve compounds showed EC50 values against T. brucei below 10 muM. Four X-ray crystal structures and docking studies explained the observed structure-activity relationships. Compound 2 (3,6-dihydroxy-2-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-4H-chromen-4-one) was selected for pharmacokinetic studies. Encapsulation of compound 2 in PLGA nanoparticles or cyclodextrins resulted in lower in vitro toxicity when compared to the free compound. Combination studies with methotrexate revealed that compound 13 (3-hydroxy-6-methoxy-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-4H-chromen-4-one) has the highest synergistic effect at concentration of 1.3 muM, 11.7-fold dose reduction index and no toxicity toward host cells. Our results provide the basis for further chemical modifications aimed at identifying novel antitrypanosomatidic agents showing higher potency toward PTR1 and increased metabolic stability.

Authors: C. Borsari, R. Luciani, C. Pozzi, I. Poehner, S. Henrich, M. Trande, A. Cordeiro-da-Silva, N. Santarem, C. Baptista, A. Tait, F. Di Pisa, L. Dello Iacono, G. Landi, S. Gul, M. Wolf, M. Kuzikov, B. Ellinger, J. Reinshagen, G. Witt, P. Gribbon, M. Kohler, O. Keminer, B. Behrens, L. Costantino, P. Tejera Nevado, E. Bifeld, J. Eick, J. Clos, J. Torrado, M. D. Jimenez-Anton, M. J. Corral, J. M. Alunda, F. Pellati, R. C. Wade, S. Ferrari, S. Mangani, M. P. Costi

Date Published: 25th Aug 2016

Publication Type: Journal

Current and Future Chemotherapy for Chagas Disease.

Abstract (Expand)

Human American trypanosomiasis, commonly called Chagas disease, is one of the most neglected illnesses in the world and remains one of the most prevalent chronic infectious diseases of Latin America … with thousands of new cases every year. The only treatments available have been introduced five decades ago. They have serious, undesirable side effects and disputed benefits in the chronic stage of the disease - a characteristic and debilitating cardiomyopathy and/or megavisceras. Several laboratories have therefore focused their efforts in finding better drugs. Although recent years have brought new clinical trials, these are few and lack diversity in terms of drug mechanism of action, thus resulting in a weak drug discovery pipeline. This fragility has been recently exposed by the failure of two candidates; posaconazole and E1224, to sterilely cure patients in phase 2 clinical trials. Such setbacks highlight the need for continuous, novel and high quality drug discovery and development efforts to discover better and safer treatments. In this article we will review past and current findings on drug discovery for Trypanosoma cruzi made by academic research groups, industry and other research organizations over the last half century. We also analyze the current research landscape that is now better placed than ever to deliver alternative treatments for Chagas disease in the near future.

Authors: L. Gaspar, C. B. Moraes, L. H. Freitas-Junior, S. Ferrari, L. Costantino, M. P. Costi, R. P. Coron, T. K. Smith, J. L. Siqueira-Neto, J. H. McKerrow, A. Cordeiro-da-Silva

Date Published: 20th Oct 2015

Publication Type: Journal

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