Gillian M. Fisher

Discovery of a new family of carbonic anhydrases in the malaria pathogen Plasmodium falciparum--the η-carbonic anhydrases.

The genome of the protozoan parasite Plasmodium falciparum, the causative agent of the most lethal type of human malaria, contains a single gene annotated as encoding a carbonic anhydrase (CAs, EC 4.2.1.1) thought to belong to the α-class, PfCA. Here we demonstrate the kinetic properties of PfCA for the CO2 hydration reaction, as well as an inhibition study of this enzyme with inorganic and complex anions and other molecules known to interact with zinc proteins, including sulfamide, sulfamic acid, and phenylboronic/arsonic acids, detecting several low micromolar inhibitors. A closer examination of the sequence of this and the CAs from other Plasmodium spp., as well as a phylogenetic analysis, revealed that these protozoa encode for a yet undisclosed, new genetic family of CAs termed the η-CA class. The main features of the η-CAs are described in this report.

Drug repurposing and human parasitic protozoan diseases

Graphical abstract

Sulfonamide inhibition studies of the η-class carbonic anhydrase from the malaria pathogen Plasmodium falciparum

The η-carbonic anhydrases (CAs, EC 4.2.1.1) were recently discovered as the sixth genetic class of this metalloenzyme superfamily, and are so far known only in protozoa, including various Plasmodium species, the causative agents of malaria. We report here an inhibition study of the η-CA from Plasmodium falciparum (PfCA) against a panel of sulfonamides and one sulfamate compound, some of which are clinically used. The strongest inhibitors identified were ethoxzolamide and sulthiame, with KIs of 131-132 nM, followed by acetazolamide, methazolamide and hydrochlorothiazide (KIs of 153-198 nM). Brinzolamide, topiramate, zonisamide, indisulam, valdecoxib and celecoxib also showed significant inhibitory action against PfCA, with KIs ranging from 217 to 308 nM. An interesting observation was that the more efficient PfCA inhibitors are representative of several scaffolds and chemical classes, including benzene sulfonamides, monocyclic/bicyclic heterocyclic sulfonamides and compounds with a more complex scaffold (i.e., the sugar sulfamate derivative, topiramate, and the coxibs, celecoxib and valdecoxib). A comprehensive inhibition study of small molecules for η-CAs is needed as a first step towards assessing PfCA as a druggable target. The present work identifies the first known η-CA inhibitors and provides a platform for the development of next generation novel PfCA inhibitors.

Lysine Acetylation in Sexual Stage Malaria Parasites Is a Target for Antimalarial Small Molecules

ABSTRACT Therapies to prevent transmission of malaria parasites to the mosquito vector are a vital part of the global malaria elimination agenda. Primaquine is currently the only drug with such activity; however, its use is limited by side effects. The development of transmission-blocking strategies requires an understanding of sexual stage malaria parasite (gametocyte) biology and the identification of new drug leads. Lysine acetylation is an important posttranslational modification involved in regulating eukaryotic gene expression and other essential processes. Interfering with this process with histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors is a validated strategy for cancer and other diseases, including asexual stage malaria parasites. Here we confirm the expression of at least one HDAC protein in Plasmodium falciparum gametocytes and show that histone and nonhistone protein acetylation occurs in this life cycle stage. The activity of the canonical HDAC inhibitors trichostatin A (TSA) and suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA; Vorinostat) and a panel of novel HDAC inhibitors on early/late-stage gametocytes and on gamete formation was examined. Several compounds displayed early/late-stage gametocytocidal activity, with TSA being the most potent (50% inhibitory concentration, 70 to 90 nM). In contrast, no inhibitory activity was observed in P. falciparum gametocyte exflagellation experiments. Gametocytocidal HDAC inhibitors caused hyperacetylation of gametocyte histones, consistent with a mode of action targeting HDAC activity. Our data identify HDAC inhibitors as being among a limited number of compounds that target both asexual and sexual stage malaria parasites, making them a potential new starting point for gametocytocidal drug leads and valuable tools for dissecting gametocyte biology.

Synthesis and antimalarial evaluation of novel benzopyrano[4,3-b]benzopyran derivatives.

7-Methoxyflavenes and 5,7,8-trimethoxyflavenes were found to undergo stereoselective acid-catalyzed rearrangement to generate the benzopyrano[4,3-b]benzopyran ring system present in the natural product, dependensin. Dependensin and its analogs were subjected to antimalarial growth inhibition assays against Plasmodium falciparum and found to have IC(50) values ranging between 1.9 and 3.9 μM.

Synthesis and Evaluation of Antimalarial Properties of Novel 4-Aminoquinoline Hybrid Compounds

Pharmacophore hybridization has recently been employed in the search for antimalarial lead compounds. This approach chemically links two pharmacophores, each with their own antimalarial activity and ideally with different modes of action, into a single hybrid molecule with the goal to improve therapeutic properties. In this paper, we report the synthesis of novel 7‐chloro‐4‐aminoquinoline/primary sulfonamide hybrid compounds. The chlorinated 4‐aminoquinoline scaffold is the core structure of chloroquine, an established antimalarial drug, while the primary sulfonamide functional group has a proven track record of efficacy and safety in many clinically used drugs and was recently shown to exhibit some antimalarial activity. The activity of the hybrid compounds was determined against chloroquine‐sensitive (3D7) and chloroquine‐resistant (Dd2) Plasmodium falciparum strains. While the hybrid compounds had lower antimalarial activity when compared to chloroquine, they demonstrated a number of interesting structure–activity relationship (SAR) trends including the potential to overcome the resistance profile of chloroquine.

Antimalarial activity of compounds comprising a primary benzene sulfonamide fragment

Despite the urgent need for effective antimalarial drugs with novel modes of action no new chemical class of antimalarial drug has been approved for use since 1996. To address this, we have used a rational approach to investigate compounds comprising the primary benzene sulfonamide fragment as a potential new antimalarial chemotype. We report the in vitro activity against Plasmodium falciparum drug sensitive (3D7) and resistant (Dd2) parasites for a panel of fourteen primary benzene sulfonamide compounds. Our findings provide a platform to support the further evaluation of primary benzene sulfonamides as a new antimalarial chemotype, including the identification of the target of these compounds in the parasite.

Defining the targets of antiparasitic compounds

The treatment of major human parasitic infections is dependent on drugs that are plagued by issues of drug resistance. New chemotherapeutics with novel mechanisms of action (MOA) are desperately needed to combat multi-drug-resistant parasites. Although widespread screening strategies are identifying potential new hits for development against most major human parasitic diseases, in many cases such efforts are hindered by limited MOA data. Although MOA data are not essential for drug development, they can facilitate compound triage and provide a mechanism to combat drug resistance. Here we describe and discuss methods currently used to identify the targets of antiparasitic compounds, which could circumvent this bottleneck and facilitate the development of new antiparasitic drugs.

Adaptation of the [3H]Hypoxanthine Uptake Assay for In Vitro-Cultured Plasmodium knowlesi Malaria Parasites

ABSTRACT The zoonotic malaria parasite Plasmodium knowlesi has recently been established in continuous in vitro culture. Here, the Plasmodium falciparum [3H]hypoxanthine uptake assay was adapted for P. knowlesi and used to determine the sensitivity of this parasite to chloroquine, cycloguanil, and clindamycin. The data demonstrate that P. knowlesi is sensitive to all drugs, with 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC50s) consistent with those obtained with P. falciparum. This assay provides a platform to use P. knowlesi in vitro for drug discovery.

Deguelin exerts potent nematocidal activity via the mitochondrial respiratory chain

As a result of limited classes of anthelmintics and an over‐reliance on chemical control, there is a great need to discover new compounds to combat drug resistance in parasitic nematodes. Here, we show that deguelin, a plant‐derived rotenoid, selectively and potently inhibits the motility and development of nematodes, which supports its potential as a lead candidate for drug development. Furthermore, we demonstrate that deguelin treatment significantly increases gene transcription that is associated with energy metabolism, particularly oxidative phosphorylation and mitoribosomal protein production before inhibiting motility. Mitochondrial tracking confirmed enhanced oxidative phosphorylation. In accordance, real‐time measurements of oxidative phosphorylation in response to deguelin treatment demonstrated an immediate decrease in oxygen consumption in both parasitic (Haemonchus contortus) and free‐living (Caenorhabditis elegans) nematodes. Consequently, we hypothesize that deguelin is exerting its toxic effect on nematodes as a modulator of oxidative phosphorylation. This study highlights the dynamic biologic response of multicellular organisms to deguelin perturbation.—Preston, S., Korhonen, P. K., Mouchiroud, L., Cornaglia, M., McGee, S. L., Young, N. D., Davis, R. A., Crawford, S., Nowell, C., Ansell, B. R. E., Fisher, G. M., Andrews, K. T., Chang, B.C.H., Gijs, M.A.M., Sternberg, P.W., Auwerx, J., Baell, J., Hofmann, A., Jabbar, A., Gasser, R.B. Deguelin exerts potent nematocidal activity via the mitochondrial respiratory chain. FASEB J. 31, 4515–4532 (2017). www.fasebj.org