Hundreds of dual-stage antimalarial molecules discovered by a functional gametocyte screen

作者:Miguel Blanco Celia; Molina Irene; Bardera Ana I; Diaz Beatriz; de las Heras Laura; Lozano Sonia; Gonzalez Carolina; Rodrigues Janneth; Delves Michael J; Ruecker Andrea; Colmenarejo Gonzalo; Viera Sara; Martinez Martinez Maria S; Fernandez Esther; Baum Jake; Sinden Robert E; Herreros Esperanza
来源:Nature Communications, 2017, 8(1): 15160.
DOI:10.1038/ncomms15160

摘要

Plasmodium falciparum stage V gametocytes are responsible for parasite transmission, and drugs targeting this stage are needed to support malaria elimination. We here screen the Tres Cantos Antimalarial Set (TCAMS) using the previously developed P. falciparum female gametocyte activation assay (Pf FGAA), which assesses stage V female gametocyte viability and functionality using Pfs25 expression. We identify over 400 compounds with activities <2 mu M, chemically classified into 57 clusters and 33 singletons. Up to 68% of the hits are chemotypes described for the first time as late-stage gametocyte-targeting molecules. In addition, the biological profile of 90 compounds representing the chemical diversity is assessed. We confirm in vitro transmission-blocking activity of four of the six selected molecules belonging to three distinct scaffold clusters. Overall, this TCAMS gametocyte screen provides 276 promising antimalarial molecules with dual asexual/sexual activity, representing starting points for target identification and candidate selection.

  • 出版日期2017-5-17