Chemical matter is needed to target the divergent biology associated with the different life cycle stages of Plasmodium. Here, we report the parallel de novo screening of the Medicines for Malaria ...Venture (MMV) Pandemic Response Box against Plasmodium asexual and liver stage parasites, stage IV/V gametocytes, gametes, oocysts and as endectocides. Unique chemotypes were identified with both multistage activity or stage-specific activity, including structurally diverse gametocyte-targeted compounds with potent transmission-blocking activity, such as the JmjC inhibitor ML324 and the antitubercular clinical candidate SQ109. Mechanistic investigations prove that ML324 prevents histone demethylation, resulting in aberrant gene expression and death in gametocytes. Moreover, the selection of parasites resistant to SQ109 implicates the druggable V-type H
-ATPase for the reduced sensitivity. Our data therefore provides an expansive dataset of compounds that could be redirected for antimalarial development and also point towards proteins that can be targeted in multiple parasite life cycle stages.
The discovery of malaria transmission-blocking compounds is seen as key to malaria elimination strategies and gametocyte-screening platforms are critical filters to identify active molecules. ...However, unlike asexual parasite assays measuring parasite proliferation, greater variability in end-point readout exists between different gametocytocidal assays. This is compounded by difficulties in routinely producing viable, functional and stage-specific gametocyte populations. Here, a parallel evaluation of four assay platforms on the same gametocyte populations was performed for the first time. This allowed the direct comparison of the ability of different assay platforms to detect compounds with gametocytocidal activity and revealed caveats in some assay readouts that interrogate different parasite biological functions.
Gametocytogenesis from Plasmodium falciparum (NF54) was optimized with a robust and standardized protocol. ATP, pLDH, luciferase reporter and PrestoBlue® assays were compared in context of a set of 10 reference compounds. The assays were performed in parallel on the same gametocyte preparation (except for luciferase reporter lines) using the same drug preparations (48 h). The remaining parameters for each assay were all comparable.
A highly robust method for generating viable and functional gametocytes was developed and comprehensively validated resulting in an average gametocytaemia of 4%. Subsequent parallel assays for gametocytocidal activity indicated that different assay platforms were not able to screen compounds with variant chemical scaffolds similarly. Luciferase reporter assays revealed that synchronized stage-specific gametocyte production is essential for drug discovery, as differential susceptibility in various gametocyte developmental populations is evident.
With this study, the key parameters for assays aiming at testing the gametocytocidal activity of potential transmission blocking molecules against Plasmodium gametocytes were accurately dissected. This first and uniquely comparative study emphasizes differential effects seen with the use of different assay platforms interrogating variant biological systems. Whilst this data is informative from a biological perspective and may provide indications of the drug mode of action, it does highlight the care that must be taken when screening broad-diversity chemotypes with a single assay platform against gametocytes for which the biology is not clearly understood.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Discovery of novel gametocytocidal molecules is a major pharmacological strategy in the elimination and eradication of malaria. The high patronage of the aqueous root extract of the popular West ...African anti-malarial plant Cryptolepis sanguinolenta (Periplocaceae) in traditional and hospital settings in Ghana has directed this study investigating the gametocytocidal activity of the plant and its major alkaloid, cryptolepine. This study also investigates the anti-malarial interaction of cryptolepine with standard anti-malarials, as the search for new anti-malarial combinations continues.
The resazurin-based assay was employed in evaluating the gametocytocidal properties of C. sanguinolenta and cryptolepine against the late stage (IV/V) gametocytes of Plasmodium falciparum (NF54). A fixed ratio method based on the SYBR Green I fluorescence-based assay was used to build isobolograms from a combination of cryptolepine with four standard anti-malarial drugs in vitro using the chloroquine sensitive strain 3D7.
Cryptolepis sanguinolenta (IC
= 49.65 nM) and its major alkaloid, cryptolepine (IC
= 1965 nM), showed high inhibitory activity against the late stage gametocytes of P. falciparum (NF54). In the interaction assays in asexual stage, cryptolepine showed an additive effect with both lumefantrine and chloroquine with mean ΣFIC
s of 1.017 ± 0.06 and 1.465 ± 0.17, respectively. Cryptolepine combination with amodiaquine at therapeutically relevant concentration ratios showed a synergistic effect (mean ΣFIC
= 0.287 ± 0.10) whereas an antagonistic activity (mean ΣFIC
= 4.182 ± 0.99) was seen with mefloquine.
The findings of this study shed light on the high gametocytocidal properties of C. sanguinolenta and cryptolepine attributing their potent anti-malarial activity mainly to their effect on both the sexual and asexual stages of the parasite. Amodiaquine is a potential drug partner for cryptolepine in the development of novel fixed dose combinations.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
A novel diazaspiro3.4octane series was identified from a Plasmodium falciparum whole-cell high-throughput screening campaign. Hits displayed activity against multiple stages of the parasite ...lifecycle, which together with a novel sp3-rich scaffold provided an attractive starting point for a hit-to-lead medicinal chemistry optimization and biological profiling program. Structure–activity-relationship studies led to the identification of compounds that showed low nanomolar asexual blood-stage activity (<50 nM) together with strong gametocyte sterilizing properties that translated to transmission-blocking activity in the standard membrane feeding assay. Mechanistic studies through resistance selection with one of the analogues followed by whole-genome sequencing implicated the P. falciparum cyclic amine resistance locus in the mode of resistance.
Malaria elimination requires multipronged approaches, including the application of antimalarial drugs able to block human‐to‐mosquito transmission of malaria parasites. The transmissible gametocytes ...of Plasmodium falciparum seem to be highly sensitive towards epidrugs, particularly those targeting demethylation of histone post‐translational marks. Here, we report exploration of compounds from a chemical library generated during hit‐to‐lead optimization of inhibitors of the human histone lysine demethylase, KDM4B. Derivatives of 2‐(1,1′‐biphenyl‐4‐carboxamido) benzoic acid, around either the amide or a sulfonamide linker backbone (2‐(arylcarboxamido)benzoic acid, 2‐carboxamide (arylsulfonamido)benzoic acid and N‐(2‐(1H‐tetrazol‐5‐yl)phenyl)‐arylcarboxamide), showed potent activity towards late‐stage gametocytes (stage IV/V) of P. falciparum, with the most potent compound reaching single digit nanomolar activity. Structure‐activity relationship trends were evident and frontrunner compounds also displayed microsomal stability and favourable solubility profiles. Simplified synthetic routes support further derivatization of these compounds for further development of these series as malaria transmission‐blocking agents.
Novel derivatives of 2‐(arylcarboxamido)benzoic acid, 2‐(arylsulfonamido)benzoic acid and N‐(2‐(1H‐tetrazol‐5‐yl)phenyl)‐arylcarboxamide, synthesised with the intent to inhibit mammalian KDM4B, were tested against different life cycle stages of the human malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum. The most potent of these compounds, a 2‐(arylcarboxamido)benzoic acid derivative, showed potent transmission‐blocking activity possibly through epigenetic mechanisms.
Novel chemical tools to eliminate malaria should ideally target both the asexual parasites and transmissible gametocytes. Several imidazopyridazines (IMPs) and 2-aminopyridines (2-APs) have been ...described as potent antimalarial candidates targeting lipid kinases. However, these have not been extensively explored for stage-specific inhibition of gametocytes in Plasmodium falciparum parasites. Here we provide an in-depth evaluation of the gametocytocidal activity of compounds from these chemotypes and identify novel starting points for dual-acting antimalarials.
We evaluated compounds against P. falciparum gametocytes using several assay platforms for cross-validation and stringently identified hits that were further profiled for stage specificity, speed of action and ex vivo efficacy. Physicochemical feature extraction and chemogenomic fingerprinting were applied to explore the kinase inhibition susceptibility profile.
We identified 34 compounds with submicromolar activity against late stage gametocytes, validated across several assay platforms. Of these, 12 were potent at <100 nM (8 were IMPs and 4 were 2-APs) and were also active against early stage gametocytes and asexual parasites, with >1000-fold selectivity towards the parasite over mammalian cells. Front-runner compounds targeted mature gametocytes within 48 h and blocked transmission to mosquitoes. The resultant chemogenomic fingerprint of parasites treated with the lead compounds revealed the importance of targeting kinases in asexual parasites and gametocytes.
This study encompasses an in-depth evaluation of the kinase inhibitor space for gametocytocidal activity. Potent lead compounds have enticing dual activities and highlight the importance of targeting the kinase superfamily in malaria elimination strategies.
Met die toenemende voorkoms van weerstandige Plasmodium stamme het die beheer van malaria-voorkoms en -mortaliteit weer op die voorgrond getree. Nuwe teikens en antimalariamiddels wat effektief is ...teen weerstandige malaria-parasiete word dus dringend benodig. Kalsium-afhanklike proteïenkinases (calcium dependent protein kinases – CDPKs) is betrokke by die beheer van ’n aantal biologiese prosesse in die malaria-parasiet, Plasmodium falciparum, met CDPK4 die belangrikste ensiem in hierdie klas. In hierdie studie is die struktuur van PfCDPK4 gebruik as templaat vir die soeke na nuwe malariamiddels. Die PfCDPK4 modelstruktuur is deur middel van homologiemodellering gegenereer en die stereochemiese kwaliteit gevalideer. Die molekulêre modelleringbenadering deur middel van in silico sifting teen die teiken-molekuul PfCDPK4 het ’n beskeie biblioteek van 20 000 chemiese verbindings ingesluit, asook ’n aantal aktiewe natuurprodukte en kliniesgoedgekeurde kinase-inhibeerders. In silico sifting van die Biofocus biblioteek teen PfCDPK4 het 26 verbindings opgelewer; in vitro sifting het bevestig dat drie van hierdie verbindings matig aktief is teen Plasmodium falciparum NF54, met persentasie inhibisie tussen 42% en 47%.
Toward repositioning the antitubercular clinical candidate SQ109 as an antimalarial, analogs were investigated for structure-activity relationships for activity against asexual blood stages of the ...human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum pathogenic forms, as well as transmissible, sexual stage gametocytes. We show that equipotent activity (IC50) in the 100-300 nM range could be attained for both asexual and sexual stages, with the activity of most compounds retained against a multidrug-resistant strain. The multistage activity profile relies on high lipophilicity ascribed to the adamantane headgroup, and antiplasmodial activity is critically dependent on the diamine linker. Frontrunner compounds showed conserved activity against genetically diverse southern African clinical isolates. We additionally validated that this series could block transmission to mosquitoes, marking these compounds as novel chemotypes with multistage antiplasmodial activity.Toward repositioning the antitubercular clinical candidate SQ109 as an antimalarial, analogs were investigated for structure-activity relationships for activity against asexual blood stages of the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum pathogenic forms, as well as transmissible, sexual stage gametocytes. We show that equipotent activity (IC50) in the 100-300 nM range could be attained for both asexual and sexual stages, with the activity of most compounds retained against a multidrug-resistant strain. The multistage activity profile relies on high lipophilicity ascribed to the adamantane headgroup, and antiplasmodial activity is critically dependent on the diamine linker. Frontrunner compounds showed conserved activity against genetically diverse southern African clinical isolates. We additionally validated that this series could block transmission to mosquitoes, marking these compounds as novel chemotypes with multistage antiplasmodial activity.
Met die toenemende voorkoms van weerstandige Plasmodium stamme het die beheer van malaria-voorkoms en -mortaliteit weer op die voorgrond getree. Nuwe teikens en antimalariamiddels wat effektief is ...teen weerstandige malaria-parasiete word dus dringend benodig. Kalsium-afhanklike proteïenkinases (calcium dependent protein kinases – CDPKs) is betrokke by die beheer van ’n aantal biologiese prosesse in die malaria-parasiet, Plasmodium falciparum, met CDPK4 die belangrikste ensiem in hierdie klas. In hierdie studie is die struktuur van PfCDPK4 gebruik as templaat vir die soeke na nuwe malariamiddels. Die PfCDPK4 modelstruktuur is deur middel van homologiemodellering gegenereer en die stereochemiese kwaliteit gevalideer. Die molekulêre modelleringbenadering deur middel van in silico sifting teen die teiken-molekuul PfCDPK4 het ’n beskeie biblioteek van 20 000 chemiese verbindings ingesluit, asook ’n aantal aktiewe natuurprodukte en kliniesgoedgekeurde kinase-inhibeerders. In silico sifting van die Biofocus biblioteek teen PfCDPK4 het 26 verbindings opgelewer; in vitro sifting het bevestig dat drie van hierdie verbindings matig aktief is teen Plasmodium falciparum NF54, met persentasie inhibisie tussen 42% en 47%.Characterization, modelling and docking studies of Plasmodium falciparum kinase PfCDPK4: The increasing incidence of Plasmodium strains that are resistant to current frontline antimalarial drugs has become one of the greatest challenges of controlling malaria incidence and mortality. There is, therefore, an urgent need to develop novel targets and antimalarial drugs that are effective against drug-resistant malarial parasites. At the same time the need to develop antimalarial drugs that furthermore prevent disease transmission, has become an increasingly important consideration. Calcium dependent protein kinases (CDPKs) regulate a variety of biological processes in the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum, CDPK4 being of prime importance in Plasmodium biology. In this study the structure of PfCDPK4 was used as a template in the discovery of malaria drug leads. The model structure of PfCDPK4 was generated by homology modelling, and model validation confirmed that the model of PfCDPK4 is of stereochemical quality. The molecular modelling approach of in silico screening against the target molecule PfCDPK4 utilized a large library of chemical compounds, some natural chemical compounds, and clinically approved kinase inhibitors. In silico screening of the Biofocus library against PfCDPK4 resulted in twenty-six compounds being identified; in vitro screening confirmed that three of these compounds exhibit moderate antimalarial activity against the NF54 strain of Plasmodium falciparum, with the percentage inhibition ranging between 42% and 47%.
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