scholarly journals AQPX-cluster aquaporins and aquaglyceroporins are asymmetrically distributed in trypanosomes

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fiorella Carla Tesan ◽  
Ramiro Lorenzo ◽  
Karina Alleva ◽  
Ana Romina Fox
Keyword(s):  
Drug Targets ◽  
Common Ancestor ◽  
Sequence Similarity ◽  
Phylogenetic Analyses ◽  
Synteny Analysis ◽  
African Trypanosomes ◽  
Asymmetrically Distributed ◽  
Physiological Research ◽  
Potential Drug Targets ◽  
Trypanocidal Drugs

AbstractMajor Intrinsic Proteins (MIPs) are membrane channels that permeate water and other small solutes. Some trypanosomatid MIPs mediate the uptake of antiparasitic compounds, placing them as potential drug targets. However, a thorough study of the diversity of these channels is still missing. Here we place trypanosomatid channels in the sequence-function space of the large MIP superfamily through a sequence similarity network. This analysis exposes that trypanosomatid aquaporins integrate a distant cluster from the currently defined MIP families, here named aquaporin X (AQPX). Our phylogenetic analyses reveal that trypanosomatid MIPs distribute exclusively between aquaglyceroporin (GLP) and AQPX, being the AQPX family expanded in the Metakinetoplastina common ancestor before the origin of the parasitic order Trypanosomatida. Synteny analysis shows how African trypanosomes specifically lost AQPXs, whereas American trypanosomes specifically lost GLPs. AQPXs diverge from already described MIPs on crucial residues. Together, our results expose the diversity of trypanosomatid MIPs and will aid further functional, structural, and physiological research needed to face the potentiality of the AQPXs as gateways for trypanocidal drugs.

scholarly journals The crystal structure of mycobacterial epoxide hydrolase A

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Eike C. Schulz ◽  
Sara R. Henderson ◽  
Boris Illarionov ◽  
Thomas Crosskey ◽  
Stacey M. Southall ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Crystal Structure ◽  
Substrate Specificity ◽  
Drug Targets ◽  
Epoxide Hydrolase ◽  
Sequence Similarity ◽  
Structural Similarity ◽  
High Sequence Similarity ◽  
High Structural Similarity ◽  
Potential Drug Targets ◽  
Insight Into

Abstract The human pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis is the causative agent of tuberculosis resulting in over 1 million fatalities every year, despite decades of research into the development of new anti-TB compounds. Unlike most other organisms M. tuberculosis has six putative genes for epoxide hydrolases (EH) of the α/β-hydrolase family with little known about their individual substrates, suggesting functional significance for these genes to the organism. Due to their role in detoxification, M. tuberculosis EH’s have been identified as potential drug targets. Here, we demonstrate epoxide hydrolase activity of M. thermoresistibile epoxide hydrolase A (Mth-EphA) and report its crystal structure in complex with the inhibitor 1,3-diphenylurea at 2.0 Å resolution. Mth-EphA displays high sequence similarity to its orthologue from M. tuberculosis and generally high structural similarity to α/β-hydrolase EHs. The structure of the inhibitor bound complex reveals the geometry of the catalytic residues and the conformation of the inhibitor. Comparison to other EHs from mycobacteria allows insight into the active site plasticity with respect to substrate specificity. We speculate that mycobacterial EHs may have a narrow substrate specificity providing a potential explanation for the genetic repertoire of epoxide hydrolase genes in M. tuberculosis.

Identification of functional candidates amongst hypothetical proteins of Mycobacterium leprae Br4923, a causative agent of leprosy

Genome ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 58 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmad Abu Turab Naqvi ◽  
Faizan Ahmad ◽  
Md. Imtaiyaz Hassan
Keyword(s):  
Drug Targets ◽  
Sequence Similarity ◽  
Mycobacterium Leprae ◽  
Therapeutic Interventions ◽  
Hypothetical Proteins ◽  
Cellular Processes ◽  
Novel Proteins ◽  
Skin Deformation ◽  
Effective Drugs ◽  
Potential Drug Targets

Mycobacterium leprae is an intracellular obligate parasite that causes leprosy in humans, and it leads to the destruction of peripheral nerves and skin deformation. Here, we report an extensive analysis of the hypothetical proteins (HPs) from M. leprae strain Br4923, assigning their functions to better understand the mechanism of pathogenesis and to search for potential therapeutic interventions. The genome of M. leprae encodes 1604 proteins, of which the functions of 632 are not known (HPs). In this paper, we predicted the probable functions of 312 HPs. First, we classified all HPs into families and subfamilies on the basis of sequence similarity, followed by domain assignment, which provides many clues for their possible function. However, the functions of 320 proteins were not predicted because of low sequence similarity with proteins of known function. Annotated HPs were categorized into enzymes, binding proteins, transporters, and proteins involved in cellular processes. We found several novel proteins whose functions were unknown for M. leprae. These proteins have a requisite association with bacterial virulence and pathogenicity. Finally, our sequence-based analysis will be helpful for further validation and the search for potential drug targets while developing effective drugs to cure leprosy.

Proteomic and Bioinformatic Analysis of Trypanosoma cruzi Chemotherapy and Potential Drug Targets: New Pieces for an Old Puzzle

2014 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 255-271 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rubem Sadok Menna-Barreto ◽  
Kele Belloze ◽  
Jonas Perales ◽  
Floriano Silva-Jr
Keyword(s):  
Trypanosoma Cruzi ◽  
Drug Targets ◽  
Bioinformatic Analysis ◽  
Potential Drug ◽  
Potential Drug Targets

Structure, Function and Interactions of Tau: Particular Focus on Potential Drug Targets for the Treatment of Tauopathies

2018 ◽  
Vol 17 (5) ◽  
pp. 325-337 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hojjat Borna ◽  
Kasim Assadoulahei ◽  
Gholamhossein Riazi ◽  
Asghar Beigi Harchegani ◽  
Alireza Shahriary
Keyword(s):  
Tau Protein ◽  
Drug Targets ◽  
Brain Injuries ◽  
Potential Drug ◽  
Microtubule Network ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Potential Risk Factors ◽  
Range Of Functions ◽  
Potential Drug Targets

Background & Objective: Neurodegenrative diseases are among the most widespread lifethreatening disorders around the world in elderly ages. The common feature of a group of neurodegenerative disorders, called tauopathies, is an accumulation of microtubule associated protein tau inside the neurons. The exact mechanism underlying tauopathies is not well-understood but several factors such as traumatic brain injuries and genetics are considered as potential risk factors. Although tau protein is well-known for its key role in stabilizing and organization of axonal microtubule network, it bears a broad range of functions including DNA protection and participation in signaling pathways. Moreover, the flexible unfolded structure of tau facilitates modification of tau by a wide range of intracellular enzymes which in turn broadens tau function and interaction spectrum. The distinctive properties of tau protein concomitant with the crucial role of tau interaction partners in the progression of neurodegeneration suggest tau and its binding partners as potential drug targets for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Conclusion: This review aims to give a detailed description of structure, functions and interactions of tau protein in order to provide insight into potential therapeutic targets for treatment of tauopathies.

scholarly journals Plasmodium Kinases as Potential Drug Targets for Malaria: Challenges and Opportunities

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 518-534
Author(s):  
Lauren B. Arendse ◽  
Susan Wyllie ◽  
Kelly Chibale ◽  
Ian H. Gilbert
Keyword(s):  
Drug Targets ◽  
Potential Drug ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
Potential Drug Targets
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