Novel and selective inactivators of Triosephosphate isomerase with anti-trematode activity

Sci Rep. 2020 Feb 13;10(1):2587. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-59460-y.

Abstract

Trematode infections such as schistosomiasis and fascioliasis cause significant morbidity in an estimated 250 million people worldwide and the associated agricultural losses are estimated at more than US$ 6 billion per year. Current chemotherapy is limited. Triosephosphate isomerase (TIM), an enzyme of the glycolytic pathway, has emerged as a useful drug target in many parasites, including Fasciola hepatica TIM (FhTIM). We identified 21 novel compounds that selectively inhibit this enzyme. Using microscale thermophoresis we explored the interaction between target and compounds and identified a potent interaction between the sulfonyl-1,2,4-thiadiazole (compound 187) and FhTIM, which showed an IC50 of 5 µM and a Kd of 66 nM. In only 4 hours, this compound killed the juvenile form of F. hepatica with an IC50 of 3 µM, better than the reference drug triclabendazole (TCZ). Interestingly, we discovered in vitro inhibition of FhTIM by TCZ, with an IC50 of 7 µM suggesting a previously uncharacterized role of FhTIM in the mechanism of action of this drug. Compound 187 was also active against various developmental stages of Schistosoma mansoni. The low toxicity in vitro in different cell types and lack of acute toxicity in mice was demonstrated for this compound, as was demonstrated the efficacy of 187 in vivo in F. hepatica infected mice. Finally, we obtained the first crystal structure of FhTIM at 1.9 Å resolution which allows us using docking to suggest a mechanism of interaction between compound 187 and TIM. In conclusion, we describe a promising drug candidate to control neglected trematode infections in human and animal health.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anthelmintics / chemistry*
  • Anthelmintics / pharmacology*
  • Anthelmintics / therapeutic use
  • Crystallography, X-Ray
  • Drug Discovery
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / chemistry
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Fasciola hepatica / drug effects
  • Fasciola hepatica / enzymology
  • Fascioliasis / drug therapy
  • Fascioliasis / parasitology
  • Female
  • Male
  • Mesocricetus
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Models, Molecular
  • Schistosoma mansoni / drug effects
  • Schistosoma mansoni / enzymology
  • Schistosomiasis mansoni / drug therapy
  • Schistosomiasis mansoni / parasitology
  • Trematoda / drug effects*
  • Trematoda / enzymology*
  • Trematode Infections / drug therapy*
  • Trematode Infections / parasitology
  • Triose-Phosphate Isomerase / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Triose-Phosphate Isomerase / metabolism

Substances

  • Anthelmintics
  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Triose-Phosphate Isomerase