scholarly journals Overexpression of Plasmodium falciparum M1 Aminopeptidase Promotes an Increase in Intracellular Proteolysis and Modifies the Asexual Erythrocytic Cycle Development

Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 1452
Author(s):  
Carolina C. Hoff ◽  
Mauro F. Azevedo ◽  
Adriana B. Thurler ◽  
Sarah El Chamy Maluf ◽  
Pollyana M. S. Melo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plasmodium Falciparum ◽  
Antimalarial Activity ◽  
Fold Increase ◽  
Cysteine Proteases ◽  
Aminopeptidase Activity ◽  
Lower Sensitivity ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Erythrocytic Cycle ◽  
Transgenic Parasite

Plasmodium falciparum, the most virulent of the human malaria parasite, is responsible for high mortality rates worldwide. We studied the M1 alanyl-aminopeptidase of this protozoan (PfA-M1), which is involved in the final stages of hemoglobin cleavage, an essential process for parasite survival. Aiming to help in the rational development of drugs against this target, we developed a new strain of P. falciparum overexpressing PfA-M1 without the signal peptide (overPfA-M1). The overPfA-M1 parasites showed a 2.5-fold increase in proteolytic activity toward the fluorogenic substrate alanyl-7-amido-4-methylcoumarin, in relation to the wild-type group. Inhibition studies showed that overPfA-M1 presented a lower sensitivity against the metalloaminopeptidase inhibitor bestatin and to other recombinant PfA-M1 inhibitors, in comparison with the wild-type strain, indicating that PfA-M1 is a target for the in vitro antimalarial activity of these compounds. Moreover, overPfA-M1 parasites present a decreased in vitro growth, showing a reduced number of merozoites per schizont, and also a decrease in the iRBC area occupied by the parasite in trophozoite and schizont forms when compared to the controls. Interestingly, the transgenic parasite displays an increase in the aminopeptidase activity toward Met-, Ala-, Leu- and Arg-7-amido-4-methylcoumarin. We also investigated the potential role of calmodulin and cysteine proteases in PfA-M1 activity. Taken together, our data show that the overexpression of PfA-M1 in the parasite cytosol can be a suitable tool for the screening of antimalarials in specific high-throughput assays and may be used for the identification of intracellular molecular partners that modulate their activity in P. falciparum.

scholarly journals In Vitro and In Vivo Properties of Ellagic Acid in Malaria Treatment

2008 ◽  
Vol 53 (3) ◽  
pp. 1100-1106 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrice Njomnang Soh ◽  
Benoît Witkowski ◽  
David Olagnier ◽  
Marie-Laure Nicolau ◽  
Maria-Concepcion Garcia-Alvarez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plasmodium Falciparum ◽  
Ellagic Acid ◽  
Antimalarial Activity ◽  
Inhibitory Effect ◽  
Oral Route ◽  
Mechanisms Of Action ◽  
The World ◽  
Erythrocytic Cycle

ABSTRACT Malaria is one of the most significant causes of infectious disease in the world. The search for new antimalarial chemotherapies has become increasingly urgent due to the parasites’ resistance to current drugs. Ellagic acid is a polyphenol found in various plant products. In this study, antimalarial properties of ellagic acid were explored. The results obtained have shown high activity in vitro against all Plasmodium falciparum strains whatever their levels of chloroquine and mefloquine resistance (50% inhibitory concentrations ranging from 105 to 330 nM). Ellagic acid was also active in vivo against Plamodium vinckei petteri in suppressive, curative, and prophylactic murine tests, without any toxicity (50% effective dose by the intraperitoneal route inferior to 1 mg/kg/day). The study of the point of action of its antimalarial activity in the erythrocytic cycle of Plasmodium falciparum demonstrated that it occurred at the mature trophozoite and young schizont stages. Moreover, ellagic acid has been shown to potentiate the activity of current antimalarial drugs such as chloroquine, mefloquine, artesunate, and atovaquone. This study also proved the antioxidant activity of ellagic acid and, in contrast, the inhibitory effect of the antioxidant compound N-acetyl-l-cysteine on its antimalarial efficacy. The possible mechanisms of action of ellagic acid on P. falciparum are discussed in light of the results. Ellagic acid has in vivo activity against plasmodia, but modification of the compound could lead to improved pharmacological properties, principally for the oral route.

scholarly journals Roles for Two Aminopeptidases in Vacuolar Hemoglobin Catabolism in Plasmodium falciparum

2007 ◽  
Vol 282 (49) ◽  
pp. 35978-35987 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seema Dalal ◽  
Michael Klemba
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Plasmodium Falciparum ◽  
Current Model ◽  
Food Vacuole ◽  
Peptide Transport ◽  
Parasite Development ◽  
Aminopeptidase Activity ◽  
Erythrocytic Cycle ◽  
The Impact

During the erythrocytic stage of its life cycle, the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum catabolizes large quantities of host-cell hemoglobin in an acidic organelle, the food vacuole. A current model for the catabolism of globin-derived oligopeptides invokes peptide transport out of the food vacuole followed by hydrolysis to amino acids by cytosolic aminopeptidases. To test this model, we have examined the roles of four parasite aminopeptidases during the erythrocytic cycle. Localization of tagged aminopeptidases, coupled with biochemical analysis of enriched food vacuoles, revealed the presence of amino acid-generating pathways in the food vacuole as well as the cytosol. Based on the localization data and in vitro assays, we propose a specific role for one of the plasmodial enzymes, aminopeptidase P, in the catabolism of proline-containing peptides in both the vacuole and the cytosol. We establish an apparent requirement for three of the four aminopeptidases (including the two food vacuole enzymes) for efficient parasite proliferation. To gain insight into the impact of aminopeptidase inhibition on parasite development, we examined the effect of the presence of amino acids in the culture medium of the parasite on the toxicity of the aminopeptidase inhibitor bestatin. The ability of bestatin to block parasite replication was only slightly affected when 19 of 20 amino acids were withdrawn from the medium, indicating that exogenous amino acids cannot compensate for the loss of aminopeptidase activity. Together, these results support the development of aminopeptidase inhibitors as novel chemotherapeutics directed against malaria.

scholarly journals Stage-dependent effect of deferoxamine on growth of Plasmodium falciparum in vitro

Blood ◽  
1990 ◽  
Vol 76 (6) ◽  
pp. 1250-1255 ◽  
Author(s):  
S Whitehead ◽  
TE Peto
Keyword(s):  
Plasmodium Falciparum ◽  
Growth Inhibition ◽  
Antimalarial Activity ◽  
Clinical Malaria ◽  
Inhibitory Effect ◽  
Parasite Development ◽  
And Control ◽  
Speed Of Onset

Abstract Deferoxamine (DF) has antimalarial activity that can be demonstrated in vitro and in vivo. This study is designed to examine the speed of onset and stage dependency of growth inhibition by DF and to determine whether its antimalarial activity is cytostatic or cytocidal. Growth inhibition was assessed by suppression of hypoxanthine incorporation and differences in morphologic appearance between treated and control parasites. Using synchronized in vitro cultures of Plasmodium falciparum, growth inhibition by DF was detected within a single parasite cycle. Ring and nonpigmented trophozoite stages were sensitive to the inhibitory effect of DF but cytostatic antimalarial activity was suggested by evidence of parasite recovery in later cycles. However, profound growth inhibition, with no evidence of subsequent recovery, occurred when pigmented trophozoites and early schizonts were exposed to DF. At this stage in parasite development, the activity of DF was cytocidal and furthermore, the critical period of exposure may be as short as 6 hours. These observations suggest that iron chelators may have a role in the treatment of clinical malaria.

scholarly journals In vitro activities of novel catecholate siderophores against Plasmodium falciparum.

1996 ◽  
Vol 40 (9) ◽  
pp. 2094-2098 ◽  
Author(s):  
B Pradines ◽  
F Ramiandrasoa ◽  
L K Basco ◽  
L Bricard ◽  
G Kunesch ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plasmodium Falciparum ◽  
Mechanism Of Action ◽  
Ribonucleotide Reductase ◽  
Antimalarial Activity ◽  
Iron Chelators ◽  
Resistant Clone ◽  
Iron Deprivation ◽  
Level Of Activity ◽  
Susceptible Clone

The activities of novel iron chelators, alone and in combination with chloroquine, quinine, or artemether, were evaluated in vitro against susceptible and resistant clones of Plasmodium falciparum with a semimicroassay system. N4-nonyl,N1,N8-bis(2,3-dihydroxybenzoyl) spermidine hydrobromide (compound 7) demonstrated the highest level of activity: 170 nM against a chloroquine-susceptible clone and 1 microM against a chloroquine-resistant clone (50% inhibitory concentrations). Compounds 6, 8, and 10 showed antimalarial activity with 50% inhibitory concentrations of about 1 microM. Compound 7 had no effect on the activities of chloroquine, quinine, and artemether against either clone, and compound 8 did not enhance the schizontocidal action of either chloroquine or quinine against the chloroquine-resistant clone. The incubation of compound 7 with FeCI3 suppressed or decreased the in vitro antimalarial activity of compound 7, while no effect was observed with incubation of compound 7 with CuSO4 and ZnSO4. These results suggest that iron deprivation may be the main mechanism of action of compound 7 against the malarial parasites. Chelator compounds 7 and 8 primarily affected trophozoite stages, probably by influencing the activity of ribonucleotide reductase, and thus inhibiting DNA synthesis.

scholarly journals Kenyan Plasmodium falciparum Field Isolates: Correlation between Pyrimethamine and Chlorcycloguanil Activity In Vitro and Point Mutations in the Dihydrofolate Reductase Domain

1998 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 164-169 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Nzila-Mounda ◽  
E. K. Mberu ◽  
C. H. Sibley ◽  
C. V. Plowe ◽  
P. A. Winstanley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plasmodium Falciparum ◽  
Dihydrofolate Reductase ◽  
Drug Response ◽  
Point Mutations ◽  
Distinct Group ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Field Isolates ◽  
Vitro Data ◽  
In Vitro Data

ABSTRACT Sixty-nine Kenyan Plasmodium falciparum field isolates were tested in vitro against pyrimethamine (PM), chlorcycloguanil (CCG), sulfadoxine (SD), and dapsone (DDS), and their dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) genotypes were determined. The in vitro data show that CCG is more potent than PM and that DDS is more potent than SD. DHFR genotype is correlated with PM and CCG drug response. Isolates can be classified into three distinct groups based on their 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC50s) for PM and CCG (P< 0.01) and their DHFR genotypes. The first group consists of wild-type isolates with mean PM and CCG IC50s of 3.71 ± 6.94 and 0.24 ± 0.21 nM, respectively. The second group includes parasites which all have mutations at codon 108 alone or also at codons 51 or 59 and represents one homogeneous group for which 25- and 6-fold increases in PM and CCG IC50s, respectively, are observed. Parasites with mutations at codons 108, 51, and 59 (triple mutants) form a third distinct group for which nine- and eightfold increases in IC50s, respectively, of PM and CCG compared to the second group are observed. Surprisingly, there is a significant decrease (P < 0.01) of SD and DDS susceptibility in these triple mutants. Our data show that more than 92% of Kenyan field isolates have undergone at least one point mutation associated with a decrease in PM activity. These findings are of great concern because they may indicate imminent PM-SD failure, and there is no affordable antimalarial drug to replace PM-SD (Fansidar).

scholarly journals Synthesis and in Vitro Antimalarial Activity of Alkyl Esters Gallate as a Growth Inhibitors of Plasmodium Falciparum

2018 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 655-662 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ade Arsianti ◽  
Hendry Astuti ◽  
Fadilah Fadilah ◽  
Daniel Martin Simadibrata ◽  
Zoya Marie Adyasa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plasmodium Falciparum ◽  
Antimalarial Activity ◽  
Growth Inhibitors ◽  
Alkyl Esters

scholarly journals Synthesis, antimalarial activity evaluation and molecular docking studies of some novel dispiro-1,2,4,5-tetraoxanes

2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 917 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mukesh Kumar Kumawat ◽  
Dipak Chetia
Keyword(s):  
Plasmodium Falciparum ◽  
Molecular Docking ◽  
Resistant Strain ◽  
Antimalarial Activity ◽  
Binding Pocket ◽  
Docking Studies ◽  
Spectroscopic Techniques ◽  
Molecular Docking Studies ◽  
Activity Screening

<p class="Abstract">Seven novel dispiro-1,2,4,5-tetraoxane derivatives were synthesized and characterized by a number of analytical and spectroscopic techniques. The molecules were subsequently screened for in vitro antimalarial activity against chloroquine resistant strain of <em>Plasmodium falciparum</em> (RKL-9). At antimalarial activity screening, two compounds, namely 5d (MIC = 15.6 µg/mL or 64.5 µM) and 5f (MIC = 15.6 µg/mL or 54.6 µM) were found to be about 1.5 times more potent against chloroquine resistant strain-RKL-9 compared to chloroquine (MIC = 25.0 µg/mL or 78.3 µM). Molecular docking studies of potent ligands were also performed in cysteine protease binding pocket residues of falcipain-2 as a target protein.</p><p> </p>

scholarly journals Antimalarial activity of betulinic acid and derivatives in vitro against Plasmodium falciparum and in vivo in P. berghei-infected mice

2009 ◽  
Vol 105 (1) ◽  
pp. 275-279 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matheus Santos de Sá ◽  
José Fernando Oliveira Costa ◽  
Antoniana Ursine Krettli ◽  
Mariano Gustavo Zalis ◽  
Gabriela Lemos de Azevedo Maia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plasmodium Falciparum ◽  
Betulinic Acid ◽  
Antimalarial Activity

scholarly journals Computational Chemogenomics Drug Repositioning Strategy Enables the Discovery of Epirubicin as a New Repurposed Hit for Plasmodium falciparum and P. vivax

2020 ◽  
Vol 64 (9) ◽  
Author(s):  
Letícia Tiburcio Ferreira ◽  
Juliana Rodrigues ◽  
Gustavo Capatti Cassiano ◽  
Tatyana Almeida Tavella ◽  
Kaira Cristina Peralis Tomaz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plasmodium Falciparum ◽  
In Silico ◽  
Antimalarial Activity ◽  
Drug Repositioning ◽  
Dna Gyrase ◽  
Plasmodium Yoelii ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Content Type

ABSTRACT Widespread resistance against antimalarial drugs thwarts current efforts for controlling the disease and urges the discovery of new effective treatments. Drug repositioning is increasingly becoming an attractive strategy since it can reduce costs, risks, and time-to-market. Herein, we have used this strategy to identify novel antimalarial hits. We used a comparative in silico chemogenomics approach to select Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax proteins as potential drug targets and analyzed them using a computer-assisted drug repositioning pipeline to identify approved drugs with potential antimalarial activity. Among the seven drugs identified as promising antimalarial candidates, the anthracycline epirubicin was selected for further experimental validation. Epirubicin was shown to be potent in vitro against sensitive and multidrug-resistant P. falciparum strains and P. vivax field isolates in the nanomolar range, as well as being effective against an in vivo murine model of Plasmodium yoelii. Transmission-blocking activity was observed for epirubicin in vitro and in vivo. Finally, using yeast-based haploinsufficiency chemical genomic profiling, we aimed to get insights into the mechanism of action of epirubicin. Beyond the target predicted in silico (a DNA gyrase in the apicoplast), functional assays suggested a GlcNac-1-P-transferase (GPT) enzyme as a potential target. Docking calculations predicted the binding mode of epirubicin with DNA gyrase and GPT proteins. Epirubicin is originally an antitumoral agent and presents associated toxicity. However, its antiplasmodial activity against not only P. falciparum but also P. vivax in different stages of the parasite life cycle supports the use of this drug as a scaffold for hit-to-lead optimization in malaria drug discovery.

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