Parasite Metalo-aminopeptidases as Targets in Human Infectious Diseases.

BACKGROUND: Parasitic human infectious diseases are a worldwide health problem due to the increased resistance to conventional drugs. For this reason, the identification of novel molecular targets and the discovery of new chemotherapeutic agents are urgently required. Metalo- aminopeptidases are promising targets in parasitic infections. They participate in crucial processes for parasite growth and pathogenesis. OBJECTIVE: In this review, we describe the structural, functional and kinetic properties, and inhibitors, of several parasite metalo-aminopeptidases, for their use as targets in parasitic diseases. CONCLUSION: Plasmodium falciparum M1 and M17 aminopeptidases are essential enzymes for parasite development, and M18 aminopeptidase could be involved in hemoglobin digestion and erythrocyte invasion and egression. Trypanosoma cruzi, T. brucei and Leishmania major acidic M17 aminopeptidases can play a nutritional role. T. brucei basic M17 aminopeptidase down-regulation delays the cytokinesis. The inhibition of Leishmania basic M17 aminopeptidase could affect parasite viability. L. donovani methionyl aminopeptidase inhibition prevents apoptosis but not the parasite death. Decrease in Acanthamoeba castellanii M17 aminopeptidase activity produces cell wall structural modifications and encystation inhibition. Inhibition of Babesia bovis growth is probably related to the inhibition of the parasite M17 aminopeptidase, probably involved in host hemoglobin degradation. Schistosoma mansoni M17 aminopeptidases inhibition may affect parasite development, since they could participate in hemoglobin degradation, surface membrane remodeling and eggs hatching. Toxoplasma gondii M17 aminopeptidase inhibition could attenuate parasite virulence, since it is apparently involved in the hydrolysis of cathepsin Cs- or proteasome-produced dipeptides and/or cell attachment/invasion processes. These data are relevant to validate these enzymes as targets.

Proteomic analysis of digestive tract peptidases and lipases from the invasive gastropod Pomacea canaliculata.

BACKGROUND: The invasive gastropod Pomacea canaliculata has received great attention in the last decades as a result of its negative impact on crops agriculture, yet knowledge of their digestive physiology remains incomplete, particularly the enzymatic breakdown of macromolecules such as proteins and lipids. RESULTS: Discovery proteomics revealed aspartic peptidases, cysteine peptidases, serine peptidases, metallopeptidases and threonine peptidases, as well as acid and neutral lipases and phospholipases along the digestive tract of P. canaliculata. Peptides specific to peptidases (139) and lipases (14) were quantified by targeted mass spectrometry. Digestion begins in the mouth via diverse salivary peptidases (nine serine peptidases; seven cysteine peptidases, one aspartic peptidase and 22 metallopeptidases) and then continues in the oesophagus (crop) via three luminal metallopeptidases (Family M12) and six serine peptidases (Family S1). Downstream, the digestive gland provides a battery of enzymes composed of aspartic peptidase (one), cysteine peptidases (nine), serine peptidases (12) and metallopeptidases (24), including aminopeptidases, carboxypeptidases and dipeptidases). The coiled gut has M1 metallopeptidases that complete the digestion of small peptides. Lipid extracellular digestion is completed by triglyceride lipases. CONCLUSION: From an integrative physiological and anatomical perspective, P. canaliculata shows an unexpected abundance and diversity of peptidases, which participate mainly in extracellular digestion. Moreover, the previously unknown occurrence of luminal lipases from the digestive gland is reported for the first time. Salivary and digestive glands were the main tissues involved in the synthesis and secretion of these enzymes, but plausibly the few luminally exclusive peptidases are secreted by ventrolateral pouches or epithelial unicellular glands. © 2022 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Bacterial Metalo-Aminopeptidases as Targets in Human Infectious Diseases.

BACKGROUND: Human infectious diseases caused by bacteria are a worldwide health problem due to the increased resistance of these microorganisms to conventional antibiotics. For this reason, the identification of novel molecular targets and the discovery of new antibacterial compounds are urgently required. Metalo-aminopeptidases are promising targets in bacterial infections. They participate in crucial processes for bacterial growth and pathogenesis, such as protein and peptide degradation to supply amino acids, protein processing, access to host tissues, cysteine supply for redox control, transcriptional regulation, site-specific DNA recombination, and hydrogen sulfide production. Although several of these enzymes are not essential, they are required for virulence and maximal growth in conditions of nutrient limitation and high temperatures. OBJECTIVE: In this review, we describe the structural, functional, and kinetic properties of some examples of bacterial metalo-aminopeptidases, in the context of their use as antibacterial targets. In addition, we present some inhibitors reported for these enzymes. CONCLUSION: It is necessary to conduct a meticulous work to validate these peptidases as good/bad targets and to identify inhibitors with potential therapeutic use.

Using microbial metalo-aminopeptidases as targets in human infectious diseases.

Several microbial metalo-aminopeptidases are emerging as novel targets for the treatment of human infectious diseases. Some of them are well validated as targets and some are not; some are essential enzymes and others are important for virulence and pathogenesis. For another group, it is not clear if their enzymatic activity is involved in the critical functions that they mediate. But one aspect has been established: they display relevant roles in bacteria and protozoa that could be targeted for therapeutic purposes. This work aims to describe these biological functions for several microbial metalo-aminopeptidases.

High-Level Expression in Escherichia coli, Purification and Kinetic Characterization of LAPTc, a Trypanosoma cruzi M17-Aminopeptidase.

The M17 leucyl-aminopeptidase of Trypanosoma cruzi (LAPTc) is a novel drug target for Chagas disease. The objective of this work was to obtain recombinant LAPTc (rLAPTc) in Escherichia coli. A LAPTc gene was designed, optimized for its expression in E. coli, synthesized and cloned into the vector pET-19b. Production of rLAPTc in E. coli BL21(DE3)pLysS, induced for 20 h at 25 °C with 1 mM IPTG, yielded soluble rLAPTC that was catalytically active. The rLAPTc enzyme was purified in a single step by IMAC. The recombinant protein was obtained with a purity of 90% and a volumetric yield of 90 mg per liter of culture. The enzymatic activity has an optimal pH of 9.0, and preference for Leu-p-nitroanilide (appKM = 74 µM, appkcat = 4.4 s-1). The optimal temperature is 50 °C, and the cations Mg2+, Cd2+, Ba2+, Ca2+ and Zn2+ at 4 mM inhibited the activity by 60% or more, while Mn2+ inhibited by only 15% and addition of Co2+ activated by 40%. The recombinant enzyme is insensitive toward the protease inhibitors PMSF, TLCK, E-64 and pepstatin A, but is inhibited by EDTA and bestatin. Bestatin is a non-competitive inhibitor of the enzyme with a Ki value of 881 nM. The enzyme is a good target for inhibitor identification.

Trichomonas vaginalis metalloproteinase TvMP50 is a monomeric Aminopeptidase P-like enzyme.

Previously, metalloproteinase was isolated and identified from Trichomonas vaginalis, belonging to the aminopeptidase P-like metalloproteinase subfamily A/B, family M24 of clan MG, named TvMP50. The native and recombinant TvMP50 showed proteolytic activity, determined by gelatin zymogram, and a 50 kDa band, suggesting that TvMP50 is a monomeric active enzyme. This was an unexpected finding since other Xaa-Pro aminopeptidases/prolidases are active as a biological unit formed by dimers/tetramers. In this study, the evolutionary history of TvMP50 and the preliminary crystal structure of the recombinant enzyme determined at 3.4 Å resolution is reported. TvMP50 was shown to be a type of putative, eukaryotic, monomeric aminopeptidase P, and the crystallographic coordinates showed a monomer on a "pseudo-homodimer" array on the asymmetric unit that resembles the quaternary structure of the M24B dimeric family and suggests a homodimeric aminopeptidase P-like enzyme as a likely ancestor. Interestingly, TvMP50 had a modified N-terminal region compared with other Xaa-Pro aminopeptidases/prolidases with three-dimensional structures; however, the formation of the standard dimer is structurally unstable in aqueous solution, and a comparably reduced number of hydrogen bridges and lack of saline bridges were found between subunits A/B, which could explain why TvMP50 portrays monomeric functionality. Additionally, we found that the Parabasalia group contains two protein lineages with a "pita bread" fold; the ancestral monomeric group 1 was probably derived from an ancestral dimeric aminopeptidase P-type enzyme, and group 2 has a probable dimeric kind of ancestral eukaryotic prolidase lineage. The implications of such hypotheses are also presented.

Differential distribution and biochemical characteristics of hydrolases among developmental stages of Schistosoma mansoni may offer new anti-parasite targets.

Schistosoma mansoni enzymes play important roles in host-parasite interactions and are potential targets for immunological and/or pharmacological attack. The aim of this study was to comparatively assess the presence of hydrolytic activities (phosphatases, glycosidases, aminopeptidases) in soluble (SF) and membrane (MF) fractions from different S. mansoni developmental stages (schistosomula 0 and 3h, juveniles, and adult worms of 28 and 45days-old, respectively), by using simple enzyme-substrate microassays. Our results show and confirm the prominent presence of alkaline phosphatase (AlP) activity in the MF of all the above parasite stages, highlighting also the relevant presence of MF-associated α-mannosidase (α-MAN) activity in juveniles. A soluble AlP activity, together with ß-N-D-acetylglucosaminidase (ß-NAG), and α-MAN activities, was detected in SF of schistosomulum 0h. Soluble ß-NAG, α-MAN, acid phosphatase (AcP), leucin (LAP) and alanine (AAP) aminopeptidase activities were also seen in the SF of the other different developmental stages. This work shows different soluble and membrane-associated hydrolytic capacities in each S. mansoni developmental stage from schistosomula to adults that might be exploitable as potential new targets for immune and/or chemoprophylactic strategies.

Adipocyte aminopeptidases in obesity and fasting.

This study checked the existence of a diverse array of aminopeptidase (AP) enzymes in high (HDM) and low (LDM) density microsomal and plasma membrane (MF) fractions from adipocytes of control, monosodium glutamate obese and food deprived rats. Gene expression was detected for ArgAP, AspAP, MetAP, and two AlaAP (APM and PSA). APM and PSA had the highest catalytic efficiency, whereas AspAP the highest affinity. Subcellular distribution of AP activities depended on metabolic status. Comparing catalytic levels, AspAP in HDM, LDM and MF was absent in obese and control under food deprivation; PSA in LDM was 3.5-times higher in obese than in normally fed control and control and obese under food deprivation; MetAP in MF was 4.5-times higher in obese than in food deprived obese. Data show new AP enzymes genetically expressed in subcellular compartments of adipocytes, three of them with altered catalytic levels that respond to whole-body energetic demands.

Novedades en el sistema renina-angiotensina / News in the renin-angiotensin system / Novidades no sistema renina-angiotensina

La insuficiencia cardíaca (IC) se define como la incapacidad del corazón de satisfacer los requerimientos metabólicos de los tejidos en reposo o durante el ejercicio ligero. Esta incapacidad motiva una respuesta neurohormonal que se interrelaciona con las alteraciones hemodinámicas vinculadas a las cargas ventriculares, más los problemas funcionales y estructurales del miocardio que puedan existir. En la fisiopatología cardiovascular (de la IC, de la hipertensión arterial, de las valvulopatías, de la enfermedad coronaria, etc.), tiene participación clave el sistema renina angiotensina (SRA), cuyas acciones principales incluyen la regulación de la presión arterial, el tono vascular, la volemia y facilitar la transmisión simpática. El SRA participa en la remodelación ventricular del infartado y del hipertenso, así como en la remodelación vascular. Esta revisión sobre algunos nuevos aspectos del SRA, publicados recientemente en la literatura médica, se acompaña de un resumen de los conceptos clásicos, para ver cómo los nuevos se instalan en ellos, se abren nuevos caminos en la investigación fisiológica y farmacológica, al ampliarse significativamente el espectro de acción del SRA, eje de la fisiopatología de la hipertensión arterial, de la insuficiencia cardíaca y de otras patologías.

Heart failure (HF) is defined as the inability of the heart to satisfy the metabolic requirements of the tissues at rest or during light exercise. This failure motivates neurohormonal response that interrelates with the hemodynamic changes related to ventricular loads more functional and myocardial structural problems that may exist. In cardiovascular pathophysiology (HF, arterial hypertension, valvular heart disease, coronary disease, etc.) has key role the renin angiotensin system (RAS), whose main activities include to regulate blood pressure, vascular tone, volemia and to facilitate sympathetic transmission. The RAS participates in ventricular remodeling of the infarcted and of the hypertensive as well as vascular remodeling. This review of some new aspects of the RAS, recently published in the medical literature, is accompanied by a summary of the classical concepts, to see how new they are installed, opening new pathways in physiological and pharmacological research, to significantly expand the RAS spectrum of action, axis of the pathophysiology of hypertension, heart failure and other diseases.

A insuficiência cardíaca (IC) é definida como a incapacidade do coração para atender às necessidades metabólicas dos tecidos em repouso ou durante exercícios leves. Esta falha motiva resposta neuro-hormonal que interage com as alterações hemodinâmicas relacionadas às cargas ventriculares mais os problemas funcionais e estruturais do miocárdio que possam existir. Na fisiopatologia cardiovascular (IC, hipertensão arterial, doença cardíaca valvular, doença coronariana, etc.) tem papel fundamental no sistema renina angiotensina (SRA), cujas ações principais incluem a regulação da pressão arterial, do tônus vascular, da volemia e facilitar a transmissão simpática. O SRA participa de remodelação ventricular do infartado e do hipertenso assim como a remodelação vascular. Esta revisão de alguns novos aspectos da SRA, recentemente publicado na literatura médica, é acompanhada por um resumo dos conceitos clássicos, para ver como novo eles estão instalados, abrindo novos caminhos na pesquisa fisiológica e farmacológica, para expandir de forma significativa a espectro de ação da SRA, eixo da fisiopatologia da hipertensão, insuficiência cardíaca e outras doenças.

Novedades en el sistema renina-angiotensina / News in the renin-angiotensin system / Novidades no sistema renina-angiotensina

La insuficiencia cardíaca (IC) se define como la incapacidad del corazón de satisfacer los requerimientos metabólicos de los tejidos en reposo o durante el ejercicio ligero. Esta incapacidad motiva una respuesta neurohormonal que se interrelaciona con las alteraciones hemodinámicas vinculadas a las cargas ventriculares, más los problemas funcionales y estructurales del miocardio que puedan existir. En la fisiopatología cardiovascular (de la IC, de la hipertensión arterial, de las valvulopatías, de la enfermedad coronaria, etc.), tiene participación clave el sistema renina angiotensina (SRA), cuyas acciones principales incluyen la regulación de la presión arterial, el tono vascular, la volemia y facilitar la transmisión simpática. El SRA participa en la remodelación ventricular del infartado y del hipertenso, así como en la remodelación vascular. Esta revisión sobre algunos nuevos aspectos del SRA, publicados recientemente en la literatura médica, se acompaña de un resumen de los conceptos clásicos, para ver cómo los nuevos se instalan en ellos, se abren nuevos caminos en la investigación fisiológica y farmacológica, al ampliarse significativamente el espectro de acción del SRA, eje de la fisiopatología de la hipertensión arterial, de la insuficiencia cardíaca y de otras patologías.(AU)

Heart failure (HF) is defined as the inability of the heart to satisfy the metabolic requirements of the tissues at rest or during light exercise. This failure motivates neurohormonal response that interrelates with the hemodynamic changes related to ventricular loads more functional and myocardial structural problems that may exist. In cardiovascular pathophysiology (HF, arterial hypertension, valvular heart disease, coronary disease, etc.) has key role the renin angiotensin system (RAS), whose main activities include to regulate blood pressure, vascular tone, volemia and to facilitate sympathetic transmission. The RAS participates in ventricular remodeling of the infarcted and of the hypertensive as well as vascular remodeling. This review of some new aspects of the RAS, recently published in the medical literature, is accompanied by a summary of the classical concepts, to see how new they are installed, opening new pathways in physiological and pharmacological research, to significantly expand the RAS spectrum of action, axis of the pathophysiology of hypertension, heart failure and other diseases.(AU)

A insuficiÛncia cardíaca (IC) é definida como a incapacidade do coraþÒo para atender Os necessidades metabólicas dos tecidos em repouso ou durante exercícios leves. Esta falha motiva resposta neuro-hormonal que interage com as alteraþ§es hemodinÔmicas relacionadas Os cargas ventriculares mais os problemas funcionais e estruturais do miocárdio que possam existir. Na fisiopatologia cardiovascular (IC, hipertensÒo arterial, doenþa cardíaca valvular, doenþa coronariana, etc.) tem papel fundamental no sistema renina angiotensina (SRA), cujas aþ§es principais incluem a regulaþÒo da pressÒo arterial, do t¶nus vascular, da volemia e facilitar a transmissÒo simpática. O SRA participa de remodelaþÒo ventricular do infartado e do hipertenso assim como a remodelaþÒo vascular. Esta revisÒo de alguns novos aspectos da SRA, recentemente publicado na literatura médica, é acompanhada por um resumo dos conceitos clássicos, para ver como novo eles estÒo instalados, abrindo novos caminhos na pesquisa fisiológica e farmacológica, para expandir de forma significativa a espectro de aþÒo da SRA, eixo da fisiopatologia da hipertensÒo, insuficiÛncia cardíaca e outras doenþas.(AU)

Arginine specific aminopeptidase from Lactobacillus brevis

The proteolytic system of lactic acid bacteria contribute to the development of flavor during the ripening of cheese through the generation of short peptides and free amino acids, which directly or indirectly act as flavor precursors. Newly isolated lactic acid bacteria (LAB) as well as those procured from culture collection centers were screened for the production of various substrate specific aminopeptidases. Among all the strains screened, L. brevis (NRRL B-1836) was found to produce quantifiable amount of intracellular arginine specific aminopeptidase (EC 3.4.11.6). The productivity of arginine aminopeptidase in 5 L fermentor was 36 IU/L/h. The Luedeking and Piret model was tested for intracellular production of aminopeptidase and the data seemed to fit well, as the correlation coefficient was 0.9964 for MRS. The αAP and βAP was 0.4865 and 0.0046, respectively in MRS medium indicating that the yield was predominantly depended on growth. The culture produced lactic acid and also tolerated pH 2.0-3.0 and 0.3-0.5 percent bile salts, the most important probiotic features.

Arginine specific aminopeptidase from Lactobacillus brevis

The proteolytic system of lactic acid bacteria contribute to the development of flavor during the ripening of cheese through the generation of short peptides and free amino acids, which directly or indirectly act as flavor precursors. Newly isolated lactic acid bacteria (LAB) as well as those procured from culture collection centers were screened for the production of various substrate specific aminopeptidases. Among all the strains screened, L. brevis (NRRL B-1836) was found to produce quantifiable amount of intracellular arginine specific aminopeptidase (EC 3.4.11.6). The productivity of arginine aminopeptidase in 5 L fermentor was 36 IU/L/h. The Luedeking and Piret model was tested for intracellular production of aminopeptidase and the data seemed to fit well, as the correlation coefficient was 0.9964 for MRS. The αAP and βAP was 0.4865 and 0.0046, respectively in MRS medium indicating that the yield was predominantly depended on growth. The culture produced lactic acid and also tolerated pH 2.0-3.0 and 0.3-0.5 percent bile salts, the most important probiotic features.