scholarly journals Discovery and Development of Inhibitors of the Plasmodial FNT-Type Lactate Transporter as Novel Antimalarials

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (11) ◽  
pp. 1191
Author(s):  
Cornelius Nerlich ◽  
Nathan H. Epalle ◽  
Philip Seick ◽  
Eric Beitz

Plasmodium spp. malaria parasites in the blood stage draw energy from anaerobic glycolysis when multiplying in erythrocytes. They tap the ample glucose supply of the infected host using the erythrocyte glucose transporter 1, GLUT1, and a hexose transporter, HT, of the parasite’s plasma membrane. Per glucose molecule, two lactate anions and two protons are generated as waste that need to be released rapidly from the parasite to prevent blockage of the energy metabolism and acidification of the cytoplasm. Recently, the missing Plasmodium lactate/H+ cotransporter was identified as a member of the exclusively microbial formate–nitrite transporter family, FNT. Screening of an antimalarial compound selection with unknown targets led to the discovery of specific and potent FNT-inhibitors, i.e., pentafluoro-3-hydroxy-pent-2-en-1-ones. Here, we summarize the discovery and further development of this novel class of antimalarials, their modes of binding and action, circumvention of a putative resistance mutation of the FNT target protein, and suitability for in vivo studies using animal malaria models.

2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 1934578X1701201 ◽  
Author(s):  
Denys Torres-Villarreal ◽  
Alberto Camacho ◽  
Fermín I. Milagro ◽  
Rocío Ortiz-Lopez ◽  
Ana Laura de la Garza

Flavonoid-rich foods intake has been associated with lower risk of non-communicable chronic diseases. Quercetin is the most abundant flavonoid in nature (fruits, vegetables, leaves and grains) as well as the most consumed flavonol. This study aims to investigate the potential effects of its conjugated form quercetin-3- O-glucoside (or isoquercetin) on glucose metabolism in rats and Caco-2 cells. To analyse the effect of quercetin-3- O-glucoside on postprandial hyperglycemia, an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was conducted in Wistar rats. Additionally, Caco-2 cells were used to determine the effect of quercetin-3- O-glucoside (30 to 60 μM) on mRNA expression of genes involved in glucose uptake by RT-PCR. Thereby, in vivo studies demonstrated that quercetin-3- O-glucoside decreased blood glucose levels evaluated by OGTT in rats. Furthermore, in the presence of Na+, quercetin-3- O-glucoside inhibited methylglucoside (MG) uptake in enterocytes and both sodium dependent glucose transporter-1 (SGLT1)- and glucose transporter-2 (GLUT2)-mediated glucose uptake were downregulated in Caco-2 cells incubated with quercetin-3- O-glucoside. In summary, our results show that quercetin-3- O-glucoside improves postprandial glycemic control in rats and reduces sugar uptake in Caco-2 cells, possible by decreasing the expression of glucose transporters (SGLT1 and GLUT2) according to the results obtained through RT-PCR.


Endocrinology ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 153 (4) ◽  
pp. 1783-1794 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sybille D. Reichardt ◽  
Michael Föller ◽  
Rexhep Rexhepaj ◽  
Ganesh Pathare ◽  
Kerstin Minnich ◽  
...  

Glucocorticoid (GC) treatment of inflammatory disorders, such as inflammatory bowel disease, causes deranged metabolism, in part by enhanced intestinal resorption of glucose. However, the underlying molecular mechanism is poorly understood. Hence, we investigated transcriptional control of genes reported to be involved in glucose uptake in the small intestine after GC treatment and determined effects of GC on electrogenic glucose transport from transepithelial currents. GRvillinCre mice lacking the GC receptor (GR) in enterocytes served to identify the target cell of GC treatment and the requirement of the GR itself; GRdim mice impaired in dimerization and DNA binding of the GR were used to determine the underlying molecular mechanism. Our findings revealed that oral administration of dexamethasone to wild-type mice for 3 d increased mRNA expression of serum- and GC-inducible kinase 1, sodium-coupled glucose transporter 1, and Na+/H+ exchanger 3, as well as electrogenic glucose transport in the small intestine. In contrast, GRvillinCre mice did not respond to GC treatment, neither with regard to gene activation nor to glucose transport. GRdim mice were also refractory to GC, because dexamethasone treatment failed to increase both, gene expression and electrogenic glucose transport. In addition, the rise in blood glucose levels normally observed after GC administration was attenuated in both mutant mouse strains. We conclude that enhanced glucose transport in vivo primarily depends on gene regulation by the dimerized GR in enterocytes, and that this mechanism contributes to GC-induced hyperglycemia.


Endocrinology ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 152 (10) ◽  
pp. 3648-3660 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olga Dubuisson ◽  
Emily J. Dhurandhar ◽  
Rashmi Krishnapuram ◽  
Heather Kirk-Ballard ◽  
Alok K. Gupta ◽  
...  

Although thiazolidinediones (TZD) effectively improve hyperglycemia and increase adiponectin, a proinsulin-sensitizing adipokine, they also increase adipogenesis via peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)γ induction, which may be undesirable. Recent safety concerns about some TZD have prompted the search for next generation agents that can enhance glycemic control and adiponectin independent of PPARγ or adipogenesis. Reminiscent of TZD action, a human adenovirus, adenovirus 36 (Ad36), up-regulates PPARγ, induces adipogenesis, and improves systemic glycemic control in vivo. We determined whether this effect of Ad36 requires PPARγ and/or adipogenesis. Glucose uptake and relevant cell signaling were determined in mock-infected or human adenoviruses Ad36 or Ad2-infected cell types under the following conditions: 1) undifferentiated human-adipose-tissue-derived stem cells (hASC), 2) hASC differentiated as adipocytes, 3) hASC in presence or absence of a PPARγ inhibitor, 4) NIH/3T3 that have impaired PPARγ expression, and 5) PPARγ-knockout mouse embryonic fibroblasts. Mouse embryonic fibroblasts with intact PPARγ served as a positive control. Additionally, to determine natural Ad36 infection, human sera were screened for Ad36 antibodies. In undifferentiated or differentiated hASC, or despite the inhibition, down-regulation, or the absence of PPARγ, Ad36 significantly enhanced glucose uptake and PPARγ, adiponectin, glucose transporter 4, and glucose transporter 1 protein abundance, compared with mock or Ad2-infected cells. This indicated that Ad36 up-regulates glucose uptake and adiponectin secretion independent of adipogenesis or without recruiting PPARγ. In humans, natural Ad36 infection predicted greater adiponectin levels, suggesting a human relevance of these effects. In conclusion, Ad36 provides a novel template to metabolically remodel human adipose tissue to enhance glycemic control without the concomitant increase in adiposity or PPARγ induction associated with TZD actions.


2005 ◽  
Vol 289 (1) ◽  
pp. F186-F193 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mario Schiffer ◽  
Katalin Susztak ◽  
Mollie Ranalletta ◽  
Amanda C. Raff ◽  
Erwin P. Böttinger ◽  
...  

Kidney disease is a major complication of diabetes, and poor glycemic control is associated with the development of diabetic nephropathy. The precise mechanisms that lead to diabetic kidney disease still remain largely unknown and are under current investigation. Because glucose transporters in the kidney play an important role in the local maintenance of intracellular glucose and plasma glucose homeostasis, the tissue distribution and regulation of glucose transporter GLUT8, a new member of the glucose transporter family with important functions in cellular survival, were examined. To understand the normal regulation of GLUT8 expression in response to metabolic signals, fasting and feeding conditions were studied. Additionally, GLUT8 expression was studied using two different models of insulin resistance, GLUT4−/− and db/db mice. GLUT8 was localized to glomerular podocytes and tubular epithelial cells in the distal portion of the nephron. Expression of GLUT8 in the kidney was influenced by plasma glucose levels in vivo. Podocytes in kidneys of diabetic db/db mice express higher levels of GLUT8 compared with nondiabetic db/m mice. Because podocytes play an important role in glomerulosclerosis development and high levels of glucose have been shown to induce apoptotic cell death in various kidney cells, these data may provide further insight into the pathogenesis of glomerulosclerosis and diabetic nephropathy.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric Chang-Yi Lin ◽  
Shuoh-Wen Chen ◽  
Luen-Kui Chen ◽  
Ting-An Lin ◽  
Yu-Xuan Wu ◽  
...  

Glucosamine (GlcN) is the most widely consumed dietary supplement and exhibits anti-inflammatory effects. However, the influence of GlcN on immune cell generation and function is largely unclear. In this study, GlcN was delivered into mice to examine its biological function in hematopoiesis. We found that GlcN promoted the production of immature myeloid cells, known as myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), both in vivo and in vitro. Additionally, GlcN upregulated the expression of glucose transporter 1 in hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs), influenced HSPC functions, and downregulated key genes involved in myelopoiesis. Furthermore, GlcN increased the expression of arginase 1 and inducible nitric oxide synthase to produce high levels of reactive oxygen species, which was regulated by the STAT3 and ERK1/2 pathways, to increase the immunosuppressive ability of MDSCs. We revealed a novel role for GlcN in myelopoiesis and MDSC activity involving a potential link between GlcN and immune system, as well as the new therapeutic benefit.


2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steinunn Sara Helgudóttir ◽  
Kasper Bendix Johnsen ◽  
Lisa Juul Routhe ◽  
Charlotte L.M. Rasmussen ◽  
Azra Karamehmedovic ◽  
...  

Abstract BackgroundThe objectives of the present study were to investigate whether the expression of transferrin receptor 1 (TfR1), glucose transporter 1 (Glut1), or Cluster of Differentiation 98 Heavy Chain (CD98hc) is epigenetically regulated in brain capillary endothelial cells (BCECs) denoting the blood-brain barrier (BBB).MethodsThe expression of these targets was investigated both in vitro and in vivo following treatment with the histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACi) valproic acid (VPA). Mice were injected intraperitoneally with VPA followed by analysis of isolated brain capillaries, and the capillary depleted brain samples. Brain tissue, isolated brain capillaries, and cultured primary endothelial cells were analyzed by RT-qPCR, immunolabeling and ELISA for expression of TfR1, Glut1 and CD98hc. We also studied the vascular targeting in VPA-treated mice injected with monoclonal anti-transferrin receptor (Ri7) conjugated with 1.4 nm gold nanoparticles. ResultsValidating the effects of VPA on gene transcription in BCECs, transcriptomic analysis identified 24,371 expressed genes, of which 305 were differentially expressed with 192 upregulated and 113 downregulated genes. In vitro using BCECs co-cultured with glial cells, the mRNA expression of Tfrc was significantly higher after VPA treatment for 6 h with its expression returning to baseline after 24 h. Conversely, the mRNA expression of Glut1 and Cd98hc was unaffected by VPA treatment. In vivo, the TfR1 protein expression in brain capillaries increased significantly after treatment with both 100 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg VPA. Conversely, VPA treatment did not increase GLUT1 or CD98hc. Using ICP-MS-based quantification, the brain uptake of nanogold conjugated anti-TfR1 antibodies was non-significant in spite of increased expression of TfR1. ConclusionsWe report that VPA treatment upregulates TfR1 at the BBB both in vivo and in vitro in isolated primary endothelial cells. In contrast, VPA treatment does not influence the expression of GLUT1 and CD98hc. The increase in the overall TfR1 protein expression however does not increase transport of TfR-targeted monoclonal antibody and indicates that targeted delivery using the transferrin receptor should aim for increased mobilization of already available transferrin receptor molecules to improve trafficking through the BBB.


1999 ◽  
Vol 160 (3) ◽  
pp. 443-452 ◽  
Author(s):  
K Ogura ◽  
M Sakata ◽  
M Yamaguchi ◽  
H Kurachi ◽  
Y Murata

Facilitative glucose transporter-1 (GLUT1) is expressed abundantly and has an important role in glucose transfer in placentas. However, little is known about the regulation of GLUT1 expression in placental cells. We studied the changes in placental GLUT1 levels in relation to changes in glucose concentration in vitro and in vivo. In in vitro experiments, dispersed mouse placental cells were incubated under control (5.5 mM) and moderately high (22 mM) glucose concentrations, and 2-deoxyglucose uptake into cells was studied on days 1-5 of culture. After 4 days of incubation under both conditions, GLUT1 mRNA and proten levels were examined by Northern and immunoblot analyses. Treatment of cells with 22 mM glucose resulted in a significant decrease in 2-deoxyglucose uptake compared with control, from day 2 to day 5 of culture. Moreover, GLUT1 mRNA and protein levels on day 4 of culture were significantly reduced in cells incubated with 22 mM glucose compared with control. Next, we rendered mice diabetic by administering 200 micrograms/g body weight streptozotocin (STZ) on day 8 of pregnancy. Animals were killed on day 12 of pregnancy and placental tissues were obtained. [3H]Cytochalasin B binding study was carried out to assess total GLUTs, and GLUT1 mRNA and protein were measured as above. [3H]Cytochalasin B binding sites in placentas from STZ-treated mice were significantly less than those in control mice. Northern and immunoblot analyses revealed a significant decrease in GLUT1 mRNA and protein levels in diabetic mice compared with the controls. These findings suggest that the glucose concentration may regulate the expression of placental GLUT1.


2019 ◽  
Vol 68 (06) ◽  
pp. 503-506
Author(s):  
Martin Andreas ◽  
Paul Werner ◽  
Guenther Laufer ◽  
Jude Sauer

AbstractSevere tricuspid regurgitation constitutes a growing disease burden. Conventional surgery for tricuspid valve disease has an increased risk while several interventional procedures are currently under clinical investigation, yet do not offer comprehensive solutions. We investigated a novel surgical approach for off-pump beating-heart tricuspid annuloplasty in circulating blood through a single port in the right atrium. Early feasibility results in preclinical porcine in vivo studies encourage further development of this approach, combining the proven concept of surgical annuloplasty with the benefits of minimally invasive off-pump procedures in a hybrid setting.


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