Falcipain-2 (FP-2) is a key cysteine protease from the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. Many previous studies have identified FP-2 inhibitors; however, none has yet met the criteria for an antimalarial drug candidate. In this work, we assayed an in-house library of non-peptidic organic compounds, including (E)-chalcones, (E)-N'-benzylidene-benzohydrazides and alkylesters of gallic acid, and assessed the activity toward FP-2 and their mechanisms of inhibition. The (E)-chalcones 48, 54 and 66 showed the lowest IC 50 values (8.5 ± 0.8 mM, 9.5 ± 0.2 mM and 4.9 ± 1.3 mM, respectively). The best inhibitor (compound 66) demonstrated non-competitive inhibition, and using mass spectrometry and fluorescence spectroscopy assays, we suggest a potential allosteric site for the interaction of this compound, located between the catalytic site and the hemoglobin binding arm in FP-2. We combined structural biology tools and mass spectrometry to characterize the inhibition mechanisms of novel compounds targeting FP-2.

Protein tyrosine phosphatase B (PtpB) is one of the virulence factors secreted into the host cell by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. PtpB attenuates host immune defenses by interfering with signal transduction pathways in macrophages and, therefore, it is considered a promising target for the development of novel anti-tuberculosis drugs. Here we report the discovery of natural compound inhibitors of PtpB among an in house library of more than 800 natural substances by means of a multidisciplinary approach, mixing in silico screening with enzymatic and kinetics studies and MS assays. Six natural compounds proved to inhibit PtpB at low micromolar concentrations (< 30 µM) with Kuwanol E being the most potent with K i = 1.6 ± 0.1 µM. To the best of our knowledge, Kuwanol E is the most potent natural compound PtpB inhibitor reported so far, as well as it is the first non-peptidic PtpB inhibitor discovered from natural sources. Compounds herein identified may inspire the design of novel specific PtpB inhibitors.

The prion protein (PrP) is implicated in the Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (TSEs), which comprise a group of fatal neurodegenerative diseases affecting humans and other mammals. Conversion of cellular PrP (PrPC) into the scrapie form (PrPSc) is the hallmark of TSEs. Once formed, PrPSc aggregates and catalyzes PrPC misfolding into new PrPSc molecules. Although many compounds have been shown to inhibit the conversion process, so far there is no effective therapy for TSEs. Besides, most of the previously evaluated compounds failed in vivo due to poor pharmacokinetic profiles. In this work we propose a combined in vitro/in silico approach to screen for active anti-prion compounds presenting acceptable drugability and pharmacokinetic parameters. A diverse panel of aromatic compounds was screened in neuroblastoma cells persistently infected with PrPSc (ScN2a) for their ability to inhibit PK-resistant PrP (PrPRes) accumulation. From ∼200 compounds, 47 were effective in decreasing the accumulation of PrPRes in ScN2a cells. Pharmacokinetic and physicochemical properties were predicted in silico, allowing us to obtain estimates of relative blood brain barrier permeation and mutagenicity. MTT reduction assays showed that most of the active compounds were non cytotoxic. Compounds that cleared PrPRes from ScN2a cells, were non-toxic in the MTT assay, and presented a good pharmacokinetic profile were investigated for their ability to inhibit aggregation of an amyloidogenic PrP peptide fragment (PrP109–149). Molecular docking results provided structural models and binding affinities for the interaction between PrP and the most promising compounds. In summary, using this combined in vitro/in silico approach we have identified new small organic anti-scrapie compounds that decrease the accumulation of PrPRes in ScN2a cells, inhibit the aggregation of a PrP peptide, and possess pharmacokinetic characteristics that support their drugability. These compounds are attractive candidates for prion disease therapy.

New unconventional approaches to the development of antimicrobial drugs must target inhibition of infection stages leading to host colonisation or virulence itself, rather than bacterial viability. Amongst the most promising unconventional targets for the development of new antimicrobial drugs is bacterial adherence and biofilm formation as well as their control system, the quorum-sensing (QS) system, a mechanism of communication used to co-ordinate bacterial activities. Here we describe the evaluation of synthetic organic compounds as bacterial biofilm inhibitors against a panel of clinically relevant Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains. This approach has successfully allowed the identification of five compounds (GEt, GHex, GOctad, G19 and C33) active not only against bacterial biofilms but also displaying potential to be used as antagonists and/or inhibitors of bacterial QS.

Potent ABCG2 inhibitors were recently identified as asymmetric chromones with different types of substituents. We here synthesized symmetric bis-chalcones that were differently substituted and screened for their ability to inhibit mitoxantrone efflux from ABCG2-transfected HEK293 cells. Potent bis-chalcone inhibitors were identified, the efficiency depending on both position of the central ketone groups and the number and positions of lateral methoxy substituents. The best derivative, namely, 1p, was selective for ABCG2 over P-glycoprotein and MRP1, appeared not to be transported by ABCG2, and was at least as active on various drug-selected cancer cells overexpressing ABCG2. Compound 1p stimulated the ABCG2 basal ATPase activity by contrast to a chromone lead that inhibited it, suggesting different mechanisms of interaction. Combination of both types of inhibitors produced synergistic effects, leading to complete inhibition at very low concentrations.

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Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), which primarily affects the respiratory tract. Combinations of drugs are used for therapeutic synergism and to prevent the emergence of drug resistant strains, but even first- or secondchoice drugs present some disadvantages, such as significant side effects and the need for long duration of treatments. Thus, new strategies for TB control and treatment are highly demanded. In this context, protein tyrosine phosphatases (PtpA and PtpB) are secreted by Mtb within the host macrophage and they have been shown to contribute to Mtb pathogenicity. The understanding of the role of these PTPs has led to interesting anti-TB drugs discovery. Here, we review the current knowledge on these two proteins as targets for novel anti-TB therapies, with particular emphasis on their mechanism of action and current advancements in developing small molecule inhibitors from natural sources.