Identification of levothyroxine antichagasic activity through computer-aided drug repurposing

ScientificWorldJournal. 2014 Jan 30:2014:279618. doi: 10.1155/2014/279618. eCollection 2014.

Abstract

Cruzipain (Cz) is the major cysteine protease of the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, etiological agent of Chagas disease. A conformation-independent classifier capable of identifying Cz inhibitors was derived from a 163-compound dataset and later applied in a virtual screening campaign on the DrugBank database, which compiles FDA-approved and investigational drugs. 54 approved drugs were selected as candidates, 3 of which were acquired and tested on Cz and T. cruzi epimastigotes proliferation. Among them, levothyroxine, traditionally used in hormone replacement therapy in patients with hypothyroidism, showed dose-dependent inhibition of Cz and antiproliferative activity on the parasite.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antiprotozoal Agents / chemistry*
  • Antiprotozoal Agents / pharmacology
  • Catalytic Domain
  • Cysteine Endopeptidases / chemistry*
  • Cysteine Endopeptidases / metabolism
  • Cysteine Proteinase Inhibitors / chemistry*
  • Cysteine Proteinase Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Drug Design
  • Protein Binding
  • Protozoan Proteins / chemistry*
  • Protozoan Proteins / metabolism
  • Thyroxine / chemistry*
  • Thyroxine / pharmacology
  • Trypanosoma cruzi / drug effects
  • Trypanosoma cruzi / enzymology

Substances

  • Antiprotozoal Agents
  • Cysteine Proteinase Inhibitors
  • Protozoan Proteins
  • Cysteine Endopeptidases
  • cruzipain
  • Thyroxine