Inhibition of Eimeria tenella CDK-Related kinase 2: from target identification to lead compounds

Engels, K., Beyer, C., Suárez Fernández, M. L., Bender, F., Gaßel, M., Unden, G., Marhöfer, R. J., Mottram, J. C. and Selzer, P. M. (2010) Inhibition of Eimeria tenella CDK-Related kinase 2: from target identification to lead compounds. ChemMedChem, 5(8), pp. 1259-1271. (doi: 10.1002/cmdc.201000157)

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Publisher's URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/cmdc.201000157

Abstract

Apicomplexan parasites encompass several human- and animal-pathogenic protozoans such as Plasmodium falciparum, Toxoplasma gondii, and Eimeria tenella. E. tenella causes coccidiosis, a disease that afflicts chickens, leading to tremendous economic losses to the global poultry industry. The considerable increase in drug resistance makes it necessary to develop new therapeutic strategies against this parasite. Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) are key molecules in cell-cycle regulation and are therefore prominent target proteins in parasitic diseases. Bioinformatics analysis revealed four potential CDK-like proteins, of which one—E. tenella CDK-related kinase 2 (EtCRK2)—has already been characterized by gene cloning and expression.1 By using the CDK-specific inhibitor flavopiridol in EtCRK2 enzyme assays and schizont maturation assays (SMA), we could chemically validate CDK-like proteins as potential drug targets. An X-ray crystal structure of human CDK2 (HsCDK2) served as a template to build protein models of EtCRK2 by comparative homology modeling. Structural differences in the ATP binding site between EtCRK2 and HsCDK2, as well as chicken CDK3, were addressed for the optimization of selective ATP-competitive inhibitors. Virtual screening and “wet-bench” high-throughput screening campaigns on large compound libraries resulted in an initial set of hit compounds. These compounds were further analyzed and characterized, leading to a set of four promising lead compounds for development as EtCRK2 inhibitors.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Selzer, Dr Paul and Mottram, Professor Jeremy
Authors: Engels, K., Beyer, C., Suárez Fernández, M. L., Bender, F., Gaßel, M., Unden, G., Marhöfer, R. J., Mottram, J. C., and Selzer, P. M.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity
Journal Name:ChemMedChem
Publisher:Wiley-VCH Verlag
ISSN:1860-7179
ISSN (Online):1860-7187
Published Online:23 June 2010
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Project CodeAward NoProject NamePrincipal InvestigatorFunder's NameFunder RefLead Dept
454141Analysing the roles of petidases in Leishmania infectivity and pathogenicityJeremy MottramMedical Research Council (MRC)G0700127Infection Immunity and Inflammation Life Sciences
454141Analysing the roles of petidases in Leishmania infectivity and pathogenicityJeremy MottramMedical Research Council (MRC)G0700127Infection Immunity and Inflammation Life Sciences