Virulent secondary metabolites of entomopathogenic bacteria genera, Xenorhabdus and Photorhabdus, inhibit phospholipase A2 to suppress host insect immunity.

BACKGROUND: Xenorhabdus and Photorhabdus are entomopathogenic bacteria that cause septicemia and toxemia in insects. They produce secondary metabolites to induce host immunosuppression. Their metabolite compositions vary among bacterial species. Little is known about the relationship between metabolite compositions and the bacterial pathogenicity. The objective of this study was to compare pathogenicity and production of secondary metabolites of 14 bacterial isolates (species or strains) of Xenorhabdus and Photorhabdus. RESULTS: All bacterial isolates exhibited insecticidal activities after hemocoelic injection to Spodoptera exigua (a lepidopteran insect) larvae, with median lethal doses ranging from 168.8 to 641.3 CFU per larva. Bacterial infection also led to immunosuppression by inhibiting eicosanoid biosynthesis. Bacterial culture broth was fractionated into four different organic extracts. All four organic extracts of each bacterial species exhibited insecticidal activities and resulted in immunosuppression. These organic extracts were subjected to GC-MS analysis which predicted 182 compounds, showing differential compositions for 14 bacteria isolates. There were positive correlations between total number of secondary metabolites produced by each bacterial culture broth and its bacterial pathogenicity based on immunosuppression and insecticidal activity. From these correlation results, 70 virulent compounds were selected from secondary metabolites of high virulent bacterial isolates by deducting those of low virulent bacterial isolates. These selected virulent compounds exhibited significant immunosuppressive activities by inhibiting eicosanoid biosynthesis. They also exhibited relatively high insecticidal activities. CONCLUSION: Virulence variation between Xenorhabdus and Photorhabdus is determined by their different compositions of secondary metabolites, of which PLA2 inhibitors play a crucial role.

In silico and in vitro neutralization of PLA2 activity of Daboxin P by butein, mimosine and bakuchiol.

Medicinal plants have always been used for snakebite treatment by traditional healers but they lack scientific evidence of action. However secondary metabolites of such plants have been explored and found to inhibit the toxic effect of venom proteins. Literature survey from 2003 to 2019 resulted in identification of 251 secondary metabolites with such properties. In silico docking studies of these metabolites with modelled structure of Daboxin P, a PLA2 from Indian Daboia russelii revealed that butein, mimosine and bakuchiol bind to Daboxin P with high affinity. Butein interacted with the catalytic triad but mimosine and bakuchiol interacted with the Ca2+ binding residues of Daboxin P. In vitro validation showed that the molecules inhibited the sPLA2 activity of Daboxin P. Interestingly, mimosine and bakuchiol could also neutralize the anti-coagulatory activity of Daboxin P. Further, it was observed that butein and mimosine could neutralize the PLA2 activity of Indian big four venoms dose dependently. On the other hand, mimosine and bakuchiol could also neutralize the pro/anti-coagulatory effect of big four crude venom. Thus, in this study, three molecules have been identified which can neutralize the PLA2 activity and pro/anti-coagulatory effect of Daboxin P as well as crude venom of big four.

Biochemical and functional characterization of a new recombinant phospholipase A2 inhibitor from Crotalus durissus collilineatus snake serum.

Phospholipase A2 plays an important role in many diseases. Thus, the production of bioactive molecules, which can modulate PLA2 activity, became an important target for the pharmaceutical industry. Previously, we demonstrated the inhibitory and anti-angiogenic effect of γCdcPLI, the natural PLA2inhibitor from Crotalus durissus collilineatus. The aim of the present study was to recombinantly express the γCdcPLI inhibitor and analyze its biochemical and functional characteristics. Based on the amino acid sequence from the natural protein, we designed a synthetic gene for production of a non-tagged recombinant recγCdcPLI using the pHis-Parallel2 vector. To enable disulfide bond formation, protein expression was performed using E. coli Rosetta-gamiB. The protein was purified by anion and affinity chromatography with a yield of 5 mg/L. RecγCdcPLI showed similar secondary structure in CD and FTIR, revealing predominately ß-strands. Analogous to the natural protein, recγCdcPLI was able to form oligomers of ~5.5 nm. The inhibitor was efficiently binding to PLA2 from honeybee (Kd = 1.48 µM) and was able to inhibit the PLA2 activity. Furthermore, it decreased the vessel formation in HUVEC cells, suggesting an anti-angiogenic potential. Heterologous production of recγCdcPLI is highly efficient and thus enables enhanced drug design for treatment of diseases triggered by PLA2 activity.

ß-Lactones: A Novel Class of Ca2+-Independent Phospholipase A2 (Group VIA iPLA2) Inhibitors with the Ability To Inhibit ß-Cell Apoptosis.

Ca2+-independent phospholipase A2 (GVIA iPLA2) has gained increasing interest recently as it has been recognized as a participant in biological processes underlying diabetes development and autoimmune-based neurological disorders. The development of potent GVIA iPLA2 inhibitors is of great importance because only a few have been reported so far. We present a novel class of GVIA iPLA2 inhibitors based on the ß-lactone ring. This functionality in combination with a four-carbon chain carrying a phenyl group at position-3 and a linear propyl group at position-4 of the lactone ring confers excellent potency. trans-3-(4-Phenylbutyl)-4-propyloxetan-2-one (GK563) was identified as being the most potent GVIA iPLA2 inhibitor ever reported ( XI(50) 0.0000021, IC50 1 nM) and also one that is 22 000 times more active against GVIA iPLA2 than GIVA cPLA2. It was found to reduce ß-cell apoptosis induced by proinflammatory cytokines, raising the possibility that it can be beneficial in countering autoimmune diseases, such as type 1 diabetes.

Genetic inactivation of the phospholipase A2 activity of peroxiredoxin 6 in mice protects against LPS-induced acute lung injury.

Peroxiredoxin 6 (Prdx6) is a multifunctional enzyme that serves important antioxidant roles by scavenging hydroperoxides and reducing peroxidized cell membranes. Prdx6 also plays a key role in cell signaling by activating the NADPH oxidase, type 2 (Nox2) through its acidic Ca2+-independent phospholipase A2 (aiPLA2) activity. Nox2 generation of O2·-, in addition to signaling, can contribute to oxidative stress and inflammation such as during sepsis-induced acute lung injury (ALI). To evaluate a possible role of Prdx6-aiPLA2 activity in the pathophysiology of ALI associated with a systemic insult, wild-type (WT) and Prdx6-D140A mice, which lack aiPLA2 but retain peroxidase activity were administered intraperitoneal LPS. LPS-treated mutant mice had increased survival compared with WT mice while cytokines in lung lavage fluid and lung VCAM-1 expression, nitrotyrosine levels, PMN infiltration, and permeability increased in WT but not in mutant mice. Exposure of mouse pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells in primary culture to LPS promoted phosphorylation of Prdx6 and its translocation to the plasma membrane and increased aiPLA2 activity as well as increased H2O2 generation, nitrotyrosine levels, lipid peroxidation, NF-κB nuclear localization, and nucleotide-binding domain, leucine-rich-containing family, pyrin domain-containing-3 (NLRP3) inflammasome assembly; these effects were not seen in Nox2 null cells, Prdx6-D140A cells, or WT cells pretreated with MJ33, an inhibitor of aiPLA2 activity. Thus aiPLA2 activity is needed for Nox2-derived oxidant stress associated with LPS exposure. Since inactivation of aiPLA2 reduced mortality and prevented lung inflammation and oxidative stress in this animal model, the aiPLA2 activity of Prdx6 could be a novel target for prevention or treatment of sepsis-induced ALI.

Substrate-Specific Inhibition Constants for Phospholipase A2 Acting on Unique Phospholipid Substrates in Mixed Micelles and Membranes Using Lipidomics.

Assaying lipolytic enzymes is extremely challenging because they act on water-insoluble lipid substrates, which are normally components of micelles, vesicles, and cellular membranes. We extended a new lipidomics-based liquid chromatographic-mass spectrometric assay for phospholipases A2 to perform inhibition analysis using a variety of commercially available synthetic and natural phospholipids as substrates. Potent and selective inhibitors of three recombinant human enzymes, including cytosolic, calcium-independent, and secreted phospholipases A2 were used to establish and validate this assay. This is a novel use of dose-response curves with a mixture of phospholipid substrates, not previously feasible using traditional radioactive assays. The new application of lipidomics to developing assays for lipolytic enzymes revolutionizes in vitro testing for the discovery of potent and selective inhibitors using mixtures of membranelike substrates.

Bothrops jararaca accessory venom gland is an ancillary source of toxins to the snake.

In Viperidae snakes, it has been attributed to the main venom gland, a component of the venom gland apparatus, the function of synthesizing all venom toxins and storing them inside a basal-central lumen. However, the role of the accessory gland is still unknown. Here, we analyzed the proteome and the transcriptome of the accessory gland during venom production and secretion cycle. We showed that the accessory gland expresses and synthesizes toxins that are similar to those produced by the main venom gland such as C-type lectin/C-type lectin-like proteins, metalloproteinase, phospholipase A2, cysteine rich secretory protein, nerve growth factor, vascular endothelial growth factor, serine proteinase, and l-amino acid oxidase. Our data have shown that toxin synthesis in the accessory gland is asynchronous when compared to the same process in the venom gland. Moreover, this gland also expresses inhibitors of venom phospholipases A2 and metalloproteinases. Transcriptome analysis showed that the transcripts that correspond to toxins in the accessory gland have a good correlation to the main venom gland transcripts. Therefore, it is proposed that the accessory gland is an ancillary source of toxins to the snake, and provides inhibitors that could control venom toxicity (and integrity) during storage. SIGNIFICANCE: In this study, we propose that the accessory venom gland acts as an important ancillary source of toxins to the snake, in lieu of a depleted main venom gland, and provides inhibiting agents that control venom toxicity (and integrity) during its storage.

Computational and in vitro insights on snake venom phospholipase A2 inhibitor of phytocompound ikshusterol3-O-glucoside of Clematis gouriana Roxb. ex DC.

Ikshusterol3-O-glucoside was isolated from Clematis gouriana Roxb. ex DC. root. A structure of the isolated compound was determined on the basis of various spectroscopic interpretations (UV, NMR, FTIR, and GC-MS-EI). This structure was submitted in the PubChem compound database (SID 249494133). SID 249494133 was carried out by density functional theory calculation to observe the chemical stability and electrostatic potential of this compound. The absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion property of this compound was predicted to evaluate the drug likeness and toxicity. In addition, molecular docking, quantum polarized ligand docking, prime MMGBSA calculation, and induced fit docking were performed to predict the binding status of SID 249494133 with the active site of phospholipase A2 (PLA2) (PDB ID: 1A3D). The stability of the compound in the active site of PLA2 was carried out using molecular dynamics simulation. Further, the anti-venom activity of the compound was assessed using the PLA2 assay against Naja naja (Indian cobra) crude venom. The results strongly show that Ikshusterol3-O-glucoside has a potent snake-venom neutralizing capacity and it might be a potential molecule for the therapeutic treatment for snakebites.

Structure-activity relationship studies on 1-(2-oxopropyl)indole-5-carboxylic acids acting as inhibitors of cytosolic phospholipase A2α: Effect of substituents at the indole 3-position on activity, solubility, and metabolic stability.

Cytosolic phospholipase A2α (cPLA2α) is a key enzyme in the biosynthesis of pro-inflammatory lipid mediators and therefore represents an attractive target for the development of new anti-inflammatory drugs. Recently, we have found that 1-[3-(4-octylphenoxy)-2-oxopropyl]indole-5-carboxylic acid (4) is a potent inhibitor of the enzyme. In this work, we evaluate the effect of butanoyl- and hexanoyl-substituents in position 3 of the indole scaffold of this compound bearing terminal groups of varying polarity. As a result, inhibitory potency was not affected considerably in most cases, while metabolic phase I and phase II in vitro stability and aqueous solubility could be influenced and modulated by the structural modifications performed.

Isolation and biochemical characterization of a gamma-type phospholipase A2 inhibitor from Macropisthodon rudis snake serum.

A novel phospholipaseA2 (PLA2) inhibitory protein (PLI) was purified from the serum of Macropisthodon rudis, a non-venomous snake mainly found in southern China. The molecular mass of the purified PLI was 160 kDa as determined by Superdex 200HR; however, the PLI protein had only one subunit of 25.4 kDa as determined by 12% SDS-PAGE, indicating an oligomeric protein. PLI cDNA obtained by PCR from the liver of Macropisthodon rudis, revealed 549 bps coding for a mature protein of 183 amino acid residues. Based on an amino acid sequence alignment with venomous and non-venomous snakes, this inhibitor was determined to be in the γ type family of PLI. In vitro experiments showed that PLIγ inhibited enzymatic, inflammatory, and antibacterial activities of snake venom PLA2 isolated from Agkistrodon acutus.

Structural and evolutionary insights into endogenous alpha-phospholipase A2 inhibitors of Latin American pit vipers.

Phospholipases A2 are major components of snake venoms (svPLA2s) and are able to induce multiple local and systemic deleterious effects upon envenomation. Several snake species are provided with svPLA2 inhibitors (sbPLIs) in their circulating blood, which confer a natural resistance against the toxic components of homologous and heterologous venoms. The sbPLIs belong to any of three structural classes named α, ß and γ. In the present study, we identified, characterized and performed structural and evolutionary analyses of sbαPLIs transcripts and the encoded proteins, in the most common Latin American pit vipers belonging to Crotalus, Bothrops and Lachesis genera. Mutation data indicated that sbαPLIs from Latin American snakes might have evolved in an accelerated manner, similarly to that reported for sbαPLIs from Asian snakes, and possibly co-evoluted with svPLA2s in response to the diversity of target enzymes. The importance of sbαPLI trimerization for the effective binding and inhibition of acidic svPLA2s is discussed and conserved cationic residues located at the central pore of the inhibitor trimer are suggested to be a significant part of the binding site of sbαPLIs to acidic svPLA2s. Our data contribute to the current body of knowledge on the structural and evolutionary characteristics of sbPLIs, in general, and may assist in the future development of selective inhibitors for secretory PLA2 from several sources.

Structures and binding studies of the complexes of phospholipase A2 with five inhibitors.

Phospholipase A2 (PLA2) catalyzes the hydrolysis of phospholipids into arachidonic acid and lysophospholipids. Arachidonic acid is used as a substrate in the next step of the multistep pathway leading to the production of eicosanoids. The eicosanoids, in extremely low concentrations, are required in a number of physiological processes. However, the increase in their concentrations above the essential physiological requirements leads to various inflammatory conditions. In order to prevent the unwanted rise in the concentrations of eicosanoids, the actions of PLA2 and other enzymes of the pathway need to be blocked. We report here the structures of five complexes of group IIA PLA2 from Daboia russelli pulchella with tightly binding inhibitors, (i) p-coumaric acid, (ii) resveratrol, (iii) spermidine, (iv) corticosterone and (v) gramine derivative. The binding studies using fluorescence spectroscopy and surface plasmon resonance techniques for the interactions of PLA2 with the above five compounds showed high binding affinities with values of dissociation constants (KD) ranging from 3.7×10(-8) M to 2.1×10(-9) M. The structure determinations of the complexes of PLA2 with the above five compounds showed that all the compounds bound to PLA2 in the substrate binding cleft. The protein residues that contributed to the interactions with these compounds included Leu2, Leu3, Phe5, Gly6, Ile9, Ala18, Ile19, Trp22, Ser23, Cys29, Gly30, Cys45, His48, Asp49 and Phe106. The positions of side chains of several residues including Leu2, Leu3, Ile19, Trp31, Lys69, Ser70 and Arg72 got significantly shifted while the positions of active site residues, His48, Asp49, Tyr52 and Asp99 were unperturbed.

Discovery of a novel pyrazole series of group X secreted phospholipase A2 inhibitor (sPLA2X) via fragment based virtual screening.

The discovery of potent novel pyrazole containing group X secreted phospholipase A2 inhibitors via structure based virtual screening is reported. Docking was applied on a large set of in-house fragment collection and pharmacophore feature matching was used to filter docking poses. The selected virtual screening hits was run in NMR screening, a potent pyrazole containing fragment hit was identified and confirmed by its complex X-ray structure and the following biochemical assay result. Expansion on the fragment hit has led to further improvement of potency while maintaining high ligand efficiency, thus supporting the further development of this chemical series.

Identification of novel inhibitors of Daboia russelli phospholipase A2 using the combined pharmacophore modeling approach.

Crystal structures available for Daboia russelli venom PLA(2) confirm that it undergoes dimerization with asymmetry and hence difference in the conformation of active site of the two subunits. The active site of subunit A is open and that of subunit B is closed. Pharmacophore models were generated based on the interaction of different types of inhibitors with their preferred subsites in the active site of subunit A. Particularly, the features responsible for recognizing subsites 1-3 and those of subsites 4-6 were combined as these two are involving in inflammation and anticoagulation processes, respectively. Pharmacophore model was edited to make the geometry suitable for the active site of both the subunits A and B. Final model is validated and subjected for screening a library of druglike compounds. Eight compounds were shortlisted and subjected for molecular docking and dynamics simulation to assess their binding mode with both the subunits. Based on the hydrophobic interactions and binding free energy, four compounds were selected for further biochemical assay. The overall results suggest that two compounds can bind both the subunits of PLA(2) of Daboia russelli venom in spite of its aggregated form and other two inhibit structurally very similar Naja naja PLA(2).

Disposition and metabolism of darapladib, a lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 inhibitor, in humans.

The absorption, metabolism, and excretion of darapladib, a novel inhibitor of lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2, was investigated in healthy male subjects using [(14)C]-radiolabeled material in a bespoke study design. Disposition of darapladib was compared following single i.v. and both single and repeated oral administrations. The anticipated presence of low circulating concentrations of drug-related material required the use of accelerator mass spectrometry as a sensitive radiodetector. Blood, urine, and feces were collected up to 21 days post radioactive dose, and analyzed for drug-related material. The principal circulating drug-related component was unchanged darapladib. No notable metabolites were observed in plasma post-i.v. dosing; however, metabolites resulting from hydroxylation (M3) and N-deethylation (M4) were observed (at 4%-6% of plasma radioactivity) following oral dosing, indicative of some first-pass metabolism. In addition, an acid-catalyzed degradant (M10) resulting from presystemic hydrolysis was also detected in plasma at similar levels of ∼5% of radioactivity post oral dosing. Systemic exposure to radioactive material was reduced within the repeat dose regimen, consistent with the notion of time-dependent pharmacokinetics resulting from enhanced clearance or reduced absorption. Elimination of drug-related material occurred predominantly via the feces, with unchanged darapladib representing 43%-53% of the radioactive dose, and metabolites M3 and M4 also notably accounting for ∼9% and 19% of the dose, respectively. The enhanced study design has provided an increased understanding of the absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion (ADME) properties of darapladib in humans, and substantially influenced future work on the compound.

Platelet aggregation unchanged by lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 inhibition: results from an in vitro study and two randomized phase I trials.

BACKGROUND: We explored the theorized upregulation of platelet-activating factor (PAF)- mediated biologic responses following lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) inhibition using human platelet aggregation studies in an in vitro experiment and in 2 clinical trials. METHODS AND RESULTS: Full platelet aggregation concentration response curves were generated in vitro to several platelet agonists in human plasma samples pretreated with rilapladib (selective Lp-PLA2 inhibitor) or vehicle. This was followed by a randomized, double-blind crossover study in healthy adult men (n = 26) employing a single-agonist dose assay of platelet aggregation, after treatment of subjects with 250 mg oral rilapladib or placebo once daily for 14 days. This study was followed by a second randomized, double-blind parallel-group trial in healthy adult men (n = 58) also treated with 250 mg oral rilapladib or placebo once daily for 14 days using a full range of 10 collagen concentrations (0-10 µg/ml) for characterizing EC50 values for platelet aggregation for each subject. Both clinical studies were conducted at the GlaxoSmithKline Medicines Research Unit in the Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney, Australia. EC50 values derived from multiple agonist concentrations were compared and no pro-aggregant signals were observed during exposure to rilapladib in any of these platelet studies, despite Lp-PLA2 inhibition exceeding 90%. An increase in collagen-mediated aggregation was observed 3 weeks post drug termination in the crossover study (15.4% vs baseline; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.9-27.0), which was not observed during the treatment phase and was not observed in the parallel-group study employing a more robust EC50 examination. CONCLUSIONS: Lp-PLA2 inhibition does not enhance platelet aggregation. TRIAL REGISTRATION: 1) Study 1: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01745458 2) Study 2: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00387257.

New potent and selective polyfluoroalkyl ketone inhibitors of GVIA calcium-independent phospholipase A2.

Group VIA calcium-independent phospholipase A2 (GVIA iPLA2) has recently emerged as an important pharmaceutical target. Selective and potent GVIA iPLA2 inhibitors can be used to study its role in various neurological disorders. In the current work, we explore the significance of the introduction of a substituent in previously reported potent GVIA iPLA2 inhibitors. 1,1,1,2,2-Pentafluoro-7-(4-methoxyphenyl)heptan-3-one (GK187) is the most potent and selective GVIA iPLA2 inhibitor ever reported with a XI(50) value of 0.0001, and with no significant inhibition against GIVA cPLA2 or GV sPLA2. We also compare the inhibition of two difluoromethyl ketones on GVIA iPLA2, GIVA cPLA2, and GV sPLA2.