Revealing praziquantel molecular targets using mass spectrometry imaging: an expeditious approach applied to Schistosoma mansoni

Author(s)

Ferreira, Monica Siqueira ^[1] ; de Oliveira, Rosimeire Nunes ^[2] ; de Oliveira, Diogo Noin ^[1] ; Esteves, Cibele Zanardi ^[1] ; Allegretti, Silmara Marques ^[2] ; Catharino, Rodrigo Ramos ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Estadual Campinas, Innovare Biomarkers Lab, Med & Expt Surg Nucleus, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] Univ Estadual Campinas, Dept Anim Biol, Inst Biol, Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: International Journal for Parasitology; v. 45, n. 6, p. 385-391, MAY 2015.
• Web of Science Citations: 10

Abstract

Finding specific molecular targets and the mechanism of action of praziquantel in the treatment of schistosomiasis remains a challenging task. Our efforts were focused on obtaining further information on worm composition before and after exposure to praziquantel in the treatment of schistosomiasis to elucidate the potential sites of action of this drug. Evidence indicates that the lipid bilayer is changed by treatment with praziquantel. Following this rationale, we employed a mass spectrometry imaging-based approach that helped to characterise lipids in specific locations, which are directly involved in the biochemical pathways of the BH strain of Schistosoma mansoni, as well as differentiating the molecular response that each worm sex presents in vivo. Our findings demonstrated significant differences between the chemical markers found in adult worms before and after praziquantel exposure, especially in phospholipids, which were predominantly identified as chemical markers in all samples. Results also indicate that distinct molecular pathways in both male and female worms could be differentially affected by praziquantel treatment. These data shine new light on the mechanism of action of praziquantel, taking a further step towards its full understanding. (C) 2015 Australian Society for Parasitology Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 14/00302-0 - Lipidomics shotgun in giardiasis, meningitis and tuberculosis: the search of diagnostic markers, using revolutionary new techniques of mass spectrometry
• Grantee: Cibele Zanardi Esteves
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 11/50400-0 - Mitochondrial energy metabolism, redox state and functionality in cell death and cardiometabolic and neurodegenerative disorders
• Grantee: Aníbal Eugênio Vercesi
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants