Search for inhibitors of the peroxirredoxin system from pathogens and humans

• Grant number: 17/19942-7
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: April 01, 2018
• End date: November 30, 2021
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Biochemistry - Metabolism and Bioenergetics
• Principal Investigator: Marcos Antonio de Oliveira
• Grantee: Marcos Antonio de Oliveira
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IB-CLP). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus Experimental do Litoral Paulista. São Vicente , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Henrique Ferreira ; João Henrique Ghilardi Lago ; Luis Eduardo Soares Netto ; Marcelo Brocchi ; Marcos Hikari Toyama ; Rodrigo Luiz Oliveira Rodrigues Cunha

Abstract

Typical 2-Cys peroxiredoxins (2-Cys Prx) represent a group of antioxidant proteins able to decompose several types of hydroperoxides at rates of 105-8M-1s-1. These enzymes utilize a cysteine residue (peroxidatic cysteine - CP) which, after the peroxide decomposition, oxidizes (CP-SOH) forming a disulfide bond with a second cysteine which is reduced by the enzymes thioredoxin (Trx) and thioredoxin reductase (TrxR). The high reactivity of CP is achieved by interactions with a Thr (or Ser) residue and an Arg, which are so called the catalytic triad. 2-Cys Prx are very abundant among the organisms and their expressions are enhanced in genetic diseases, as cancer, and infectious diseases caused by bacteria and fungi. Inhibition these enzymes significantly reduces the growth of tumor cells or the pathogens establishment. However, most of the studies did not verify for possible effects of these inhibitors on reducing system of the typical 2-Cys Prx. Additionally, it was not investigated if molecules initially used for the inhibition mammalian peroxidases can also inhibit enzymes from other organisms, such as pathogens. In fact the mammalian 2-Cys Prx reducing system is very distinct from other organisms like pathogenic bacteria and fungi. Our research group elucidated the first 2-Cys Prx structure of eukaryotes with the presence of a ligand in the active site pocket and recently we have demonstrated that the natural substitution of the catalytic triad Thr by Ser results in dramatic structural and functional changes of the typical 2-Cys Prx. Preliminary results from our research group are very promising since they demonstrate that Adenantin (Adn), a molecule identified as an inhibitor of human 2-Cys Prx, is more potent in the inhibition of the 2-Cys Prx containing a Ser in the active site. The sequence analysis of the 2-Cys Prx revealed that the Thr ’ Ser substitution is almost inexistent in multicellular organisms, but is often found in pathogenic bacteria. Cytotoxicity assays indicated that Adn has low toxicity to Escherichia coli, which contain a Thr in the catalytic triad, but is very toxic to bacteria that possess Ser in the catalytic triad, as the pathogens Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis. However, additional studies are needed to understand the mechanism of action and its potential for use as a bactericidal agent. Adn is a molecule belonging to the group of ent-cauranic diterpenoids, which are widely distributed in plants. In Brazil derived from ent-cauran skeleton were isolated from plants of different biomes, but their application in the inhibition of 2-Cys Prx has never been tested. In addition, it has also been demonstrated that organic compounds derived from selenium (Se) and tellurium (Te) are able to inhibit enzymes which activity is resident in thiols as cysteine proteases, protein tyrosine kinases and TrxR, however, studies aiming the evaluation of these kind of inhibitors over the 2-Cys Prx and their reducing systems from different organisms are inexistent in the literature. The goals of this project resides in the search of bioactive molecules able to inhibit differentially the typical 2-Cys Prx containing Thr or Ser as part of the catalytic triad and/or their reductant systems, in bacteria, fungi and human. The molecules that will be tested are ent-cauranic diterpenoids isolated from blats of the Brazilian biota (natural or chemically modified) as well synthetic molecules based on Se and Te. To reach the objectives this project counts with the collaboration of chemists specialized in isolation, modification and synthesis of molecules and microbiologists. Finally, for molecules available in adequate quantities we intend to perform co-crystallization assays (enzyme + inhibitor) in order to determine the crystallographic structure of the complexes. (AU)

Scientific publications

(16)

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

DE MOURA, WERNER ALFINITO FEIO; SCHULTZ, LEONARDO; BREYER, CARLOS ALEXANDRE; DE OLIVEIRA, ANA LAURA PIRES; TAIRUM, CARLOS ABRUNHOSA; FERNANDES, GABRIELLA COSTA; TOYAMA, MARCOS HIKARI; PESSOA-JR, ADALBERTO; MONTEIRO, GISELE; DE OLIVEIRA, MARCOS ANTONIO. Functional and structural evaluation of the antileukaemic enzymel-asparaginase II expressed at low temperature by differentEscherichia colistrains. Biotechnology Letters, JUL 2020. (13/08617-7, 17/19942-7, 17/25272-4, 19/04054-4, 14/22039-9, 16/19245-1, 17/20291-0, 11/13500-6)

DOS SANTOS JUNIOR, ADEILSO BISPO; TAMAYOSE, CINTHIA I.; FERREIRA, MARCELO J. P.; BELCHOR, MARIANA N.; COSTA, CAROLINE R. C.; DE OLIVEIRA, MARCOS ANTONIO; TOYAMA, MARCOS HIKARI. Bioaffinity Fishing Procedure Using Secretory Phospholipase A2 for Screening for Bioactive Components: Modulation of Pharmacological Effect Induced by sPLA2 from Crotalus durissus terrificus by Hispidulin from Moquiniastrum floribundum. Molecules, v. 25, n. 2, JAN 2 2020. (17/20291-0, 14/21593-2, 17/19942-7, 14/20932-8)

DE OLIVEIRA, MARCOS ANTONIO; TAIRUM, CARLOS A.; SOARES NETTO, LUIS EDUARDO; PIRES DE OLIVEIRA, ANA LAURA; ALEIXO-SILVA, ROGERIO LUIS; MONTANHERO CABRERA, VITORIA ISABELA; BREYER, CARLOS A.; DOS SANTOS, MELINA CARDOSO. Relevance of peroxiredoxins in pathogenic microorganisms. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, v. 105, n. 14-15, JUL 2021. (20/00845-4, 17/06263-4, 13/07937-8, 20/02868-1, 16/15849-0, 11/13500-6, 17/19942-7, 19/04054-4)

TOYAMA, MARCOS HIKARI; ROGERO, AIRAM; DE MORAES, LAILA LUCYANE FERREIRA; FERNANDES, GUSTAVO ANTONIO; DA CRUZ COSTA, CAROLINE RAMOS; BELCHOR, MARIANA NOVO; DE CARLI, AGATHA MANZI; DE OLIVEIRA, MARCOS ANTONIO. allic Acid as a Non-Selective Inhibitor of alpha/beta-Hydrolase Fold Enzymes Involved in the Inflammatory Process: The Two Sides of the Same Coi. HARMACEUTIC, v. 14, n. 2, FEB 2022. (20/03297-8, 17/19942-7, 17/20291-0)

DOS SANTOS, MELINA CARDOSO; TAIRUM, CARLOS ABRUNHOSA; MONTANHERO CABRERA, VITORIA ISABELA; GUIMARAES CAUZ, ANA CAROLINA; RIBEIRO, LUIZ FERNANDO; TOLEDO JUNIOR, JOSE CARLOS; TOYAMA, MARCOS HIKARI; GHILARDI LAGO, JOAO HENRIQUE; BROCCHI, MARCELO; SOARES NETTO, LUIS EDUARDO; et al. Adenanthin Is an Efficient Inhibitor of Peroxiredoxins from Pathogens, Inhibits Bacterial Growth, and Potentiates Antibiotic Activities. Chemical Research in Toxicology, v. N/A, p. 12-pg., 2022-05-10. (17/06263-4, 17/19942-7, 18/12628-8, 17/20291-0, 21/00209-3, 20/02868-1, 13/07937-8)

MONTANHERO, VITORIA ISABELA; RIBEIRO, LUIZ FERNANDO; DOS SANTOS, MELINA CARDOSO; SESSA, DEBORA; TOYAMA, MARCOS HIKARI; CUNHA, RODRIGO LUIZ; LAGO, JOAO HENRIQUE; NETTO, LUIS; OLIVEIRA, MARCOS. A Natural Compound as an Inhibitor of the Peroxidase Activity of Bacterial AhpCs. Free Radical Biology and Medicine, v. 159, p. 1-pg., 2020-11-01. (13/07937-8, 17/19942-7)

COSTA, CAROLINE R. C.; BELCHOR, MARIANA NOVO; RODRIGUES, CAROLINE F. B.; TOYAMA, DANIELA DE OLIVEIRA; DE OLIVEIRA, MARCOS A.; NOVAES, DANIELLE P.; TOYAMA, MARCOS HIKARI. Edema Induced by a Crotalus durissus terrificus Venom Serine Protease (Cdtsp 2) Involves the PAR Pathway and PKC and PLC Activation. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES, v. 19, n. 8, p. 17-pg., 2018-08-01. (17/19942-7, 17/20291-0)

COSTA, CAROLINE R. C.; BELCHOR, MARIANA NOVO; RODRIGUES, CAROLINE F. B.; TOYAMA, DANIELA DE OLIVEIRA; DE OLIVEIRA, MARCOS A.; NOVAES, DANIELLE P.; TOYAMA, MARCOS HIKARI. Edema Induced by a Crotalus durissus terrificus Venom Serine Protease (Cdtsp 2) Involves the PAR Pathway and PKC and PLC Activation. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES, v. 19, n. 8, AUG 2018. (17/20291-0, 17/19942-7)

DA SILVA, LEONARDO SCHULTZ; DOONAN, LIAM B.; PESSOA, JR., ADALBERTO; DE OLIVEIRA, MARCOS ANTONIO; LONG, PAUL F.. Structural and functional diversity of asparaginases: Overview and recommendations for a revised nomenclature. Biotechnology and Applied Biochemistry, MAR 2021. (18/04685-1, 13/08617-7, 14/22039-9, 17/19942-7)

TAIRUM, CARLOS A.; SANTOS, MELINA CARDOSO; BREYER, CARLOS ALEXANDRE; PIRES DE OLIVEIRA, ANA LAURA; MONTANHERO CABRERA, VITORIA ISABELA; TOLEDO-SILVA, GUILHERME; MORI, GUSTAVO MARUYAMA; TOYAMA, MARCOS HIKARI; SOARES NETTO, LUIS EDUARDO; DE OLIVEIRA, MARCOS ANTONIO. Effects of Serine or Threonine in the Active Site of Typical 2-Cys Prx on Hyperoxidation Susceptibility and on Chaperone Activity. ANTIOXIDANTS, v. 10, n. 7, JUL 2021. (20/02868-1, 19/04054-4, 17/20291-0, 17/19942-7, 18/12628-8, 11/13500-6, 17/06263-4, 13/07937-8)

DE PAULA, CARLA PERES; DOS SANTOS, MELINA CARDOSO; TAIRUM, CARLOS A.; BREYER, CARLOS ALEXANDRE; TOLEDO-SILVA, GUILHERME; TOYAMA, MARCOS HIKARI; MORI, GUSTAVO MARUYAMA; DE OLIVEIRA, MARCOS ANTONIO. Glutaredoxin-like protein (GLP)-a novel bacteria sulfurtransferase that protects cells against cyanide and oxidative stresses. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, v. 104, n. 12, APR 2020. (13/16192-6, 13/07937-8, 17/19942-7, 17/06263-4, 11/13500-6, 17/20291-0, 10/00172-8, 10/16827-3)

DA SILVA, LEONARDO SCHULTZ; DOONAN, LIAM B.; PESSOA, ADALBERTO, JR.; DE OLIVEIRA, MARCOS ANTONIO; LONG, PAUL F.. Structural and functional diversity of asparaginases: Overview and recommendations for a revised nomenclature. Biotechnology and Applied Biochemistry, v. 69, n. 2, p. 11-pg., 2021-03-19. (18/04685-1, 13/08617-7, 17/19942-7, 14/22039-9)

GUILHEN LONGO, LARISSA VALLE; BREYER, CARLOS ALEXANDRE; NOVAES, GABRIELA MACHADO; GEGEMBAUER, GREGORY; LEITAO JR, NATANAEL PINHEIRO; OCTAVIANO, CARLA ELIZABETE; TOYAMA, MARCOS HIKARI; DE OLIVEIRA, MARCOS ANTONIO; PUCCIA, ROSANA. The Human PathogenParacoccidioides brasiliensisHas a Unique 1-Cys Peroxiredoxin That Localizes Both Intracellularly and at the Cell Surface. FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY, v. 10, AUG 4 2020. (13/07937-8, 17/19942-7, 06/05095-6, 13/25950-1, 17/20291-0, 11/13500-6)

COSTA, CAROLINE R. C.; BELCHOR, MARIANA N.; ROGGERO, AIRAM; MORAES, LAILA L. L.; SAMELO, RICARDO; ANNUNCIATO, ISABELLY; BONTURI, CAMILA R. R.; OLIVA, MARIA L. V.; SOUSA, SERGIO F. F.; DE OLIVEIRA, MARCOS A. A.; et al. The First Anti-Snakebite and Hepatoprotective Characterization of a Trypsin Kunitz-like Inhibitor (EcTI) from the Plant Enterolobium contortisiliquum; A Case of Two Soul Mates Meeting. PHARMACEUTICALS, v. 16, n. 4, p. 17-pg., 2023-04-01. (03/10516-2, 17/19942-7, 17/20291-0)

CABRERA, VITORIA ISABELA MONTANHERO; SIVIDANES, GABRIELLE DO NASCIMENTO; QUINTILIANO, NATALIA FERNANDA; TOYAMA, MARCOS HIKARI; LAGO, JOAO HENRIQUE GHILARDI; DE OLIVEIRA, MARCOS ANTONIO. Exploring functional and structural features of chemically related natural prenylated hydroquinone and benzoic acid from Piper crassinervium (Piperaceae) on bacterial peroxiredoxin inhibition. PLoS One, v. 18, n. 2, p. 21-pg., 2023-02-24. (20/02868-1, 13/07937-8, 17/19942-7, 21/02789-7, 17/20291-0)

DE MOURA, WERNER ALFINITO FEIO; SCHULTZ, LEONARDO; BREYER, CARLOS ALEXANDRE; DE OLIVEIRA, ANA LAURA PIRES; TAIRUM, CARLOS ABRUNHOSA; FERNANDES, GABRIELLA COSTA; TOYAMA, MARCOS HIKARI; PESSOA-JR, ADALBERTO; MONTEIRO, GISELE; DE OLIVEIRA, MARCOS ANTONIO. Functional and structural evaluation of the antileukaemic enzymel-asparaginase II expressed at low temperature by differentEscherichia colistrains. Biotechnology Letters, v. 42, n. 11, p. 12-pg., 2020-07-07. (13/08617-7, 11/13500-6, 16/19245-1, 17/25272-4, 19/04054-4, 17/19942-7, 14/22039-9, 17/20291-0)