Nitroimidazole action in Entamoeba histolytica: a central role for thioredoxin reductase.
(25/80)
Metronidazole, a 5-nitroimidazole drug, has been the gold standard for several decades in the treatment of infections with microaerophilic protist parasites, including Entamoeba histolytica. For activation, the drug must be chemically reduced, but little is known about the targets of the active metabolites. Applying two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry, we searched for protein targets in E. histolytica. Of all proteins visualized, only five were found to form adducts with metronidazole metabolites: thioredoxin, thioredoxin reductase, superoxide dismutase, purine nucleoside phosphorylase, and a previously unknown protein. Recombinant thioredoxin reductase carrying the modification displayed reduced enzymatic activity. In treated cells, essential non-protein thiols such as free cysteine were also affected by covalent adduct formation, their levels being drastically reduced. Accordingly, addition of cysteine allowed E. histolytica to survive in the presence of otherwise lethal metronidazole concentrations and reduced protein adduct formation. Finally, we discovered that thioredoxin reductase reduces metronidazole and other nitro compounds, suggesting a new model of metronidazole activation in E. histolytica with a central role for thioredoxin reductase. By reducing metronidazole, the enzyme renders itself and associated thiol-containing proteins vulnerable to adduct formation. Because thioredoxin reductase is a ubiquitous enzyme, similar processes could occur in other eukaryotic or prokaryotic organisms. (+info)
Effect of antimicrobial compounds on Balamuthia mandrillaris encystment and human brain microvascular endothelial cell cytopathogenicity.
(26/80)
Cycloheximide, ketoconazole, or preexposure of organisms to cytochalasin D prevented Balamuthia mandrillaris-associated cytopathogenicity in human brain microvascular endothelial cells, which constitute the blood-brain barrier. In an assay for inhibition of cyst production, these three agents prevented the production of cysts, suggesting that the biosynthesis of proteins and ergosterol and the polymerization of actin are important in cytopathogenicity and encystment. (+info)
A mouse model for nonsense mutation bypass therapy shows a dramatic multiday response to geneticin.
(27/80)
Aminoglycosides can bypass nonsense mutations and are the prototypic agents for translational bypass therapy (TBT). Initial results demonstrate the need for more potent drugs and an in vivo model system for quantitative assessment of TBT. Herein, we present an in vivo system for evaluating the efficacy of premature stop codon management therapies: in vivo quantitative stop codon management repli-sampling TBT efficacy assay (IQSCMaRTEA). Application of IQSCMaRTEA reveals that geneticin is much more efficacious in vivo than gentamicin. Treatment with geneticin elicits a multiday response, and residual F9 antigen can be detected after 3 weeks. These data demonstrate the utility of IQSCMaRTEA for evaluating drugs that bypass nonsense mutations. In addition, IQSCMaRTEA may be helpful for testing inhibitors of nonsense-mediated decay, as stop codon management therapy will sometimes require inhibition of nonsense-mediated decay and translational bypass of the nonsense mutation. Furthermore, geneticin, its metabolites, or better tolerated analogues should be evaluated as a general treatment with multiday response for severe genetic disease caused by nonsense mutation. (+info)
Programmed cell death in Entamoeba histolytica induced by the aminoglycoside G418.
(28/80)
This study presents morphological and biochemical evidence of programmed cell death (PCD) in Entamoeba histolytica induced by exposure of trophozoites to the aminoglycoside antibiotic G418. Morphological characteristics of PCD, including cell shrinkage, reduced cellular volume, nuclear condensation, DNA fragmentation and vacuolization were observed, with preservation of trophozoite membrane integrity. PCD is orchestrated biochemically by alterations in intracellular ion fluxes. In G418-treated trophozoites, overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS), decreased intracellular K+, increased cytosolic calcium, and decreased intracellular pH levels were observed. However, externalization of phosphatidylserine was not detected. These results suggest that amoebae can undergo PCD under stress conditions, and that this PCD shares several properties with PCD reported in mammals and in a variety of unicellular organisms. (+info)
Validated HPTLC method for simultaneous estimation of levofloxacin hemihydrate and ornidazole in pharmaceutical dosage form.
(29/80)
A simple, rapid, and accurate high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) method is described for the simultaneous determination of levofloxacin hemihydrate and ornidazole in tablet dosage form. The method is based on the HPTLC separation of the two drugs followed by densitometric measurements of their spots at 298 nm. The separation is carried out on Merck TLC aluminium sheets of silica gel 60 F254 using n-butanol-methanol-ammonia (5:1:1.5, v/v/v) as mobile phase. The linearity is found to be in the range of 50-250 and 100-500 ng/spot for levofloxacin hemihydrate and ornidazole, respectively. The method is successively applied to pharmaceutical formulation because no chromatographic interferences from the tablet excipients are found. The suitability of this HPTLC method for the quantitative determination of the compounds is proved by validation in accordance with the requirements laid down by International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) guidelines. (+info)
The central role of a SNRK2 kinase in sulfur deprivation responses.
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Chemotherapeutic compounds and Acanthamoebae from eye infections.
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The amoebicidal and amoebistatic action in vitro of 24 compounds was tested on two strains of Acanthamoeba, A. polyphaga and A. castellanii, isolated from eye infections in this country. For comparison, the Ryan strain of A. castellanii and Naegleria gruberi L-1 were also examined. Nine compounds showed sufficient activity to merit further consideration, ie, acriflavine, proflavine, hydroxystilbamidine isethionate, paromomycin, miconazole, amphoterin, neomycin, polymyxin, and the last two combined in Neosporin. (+info)
A middle-aged female with an atrial septal defect (secundum type) presented with a primary pulmonary amoebic abscess. She was successfully treated with antiamoebic therapy. One year later she presented with a similar lung abscess which again responded to antiamboebic treatment. Attention is drawn to the fact that a patient with a left to right shunt can present with a recurrent rare primary parasitic infection of the lung. (+info)