Biology subjects

Ojo, K. K.

Publications and source records attributed to Ojo, K. K..

6 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2025

Bumped kinase inhibitor BKI-1708 interferes in cytokinesis and drives baryzoite stage conversion in the cyst-forming apicomplexan parasites Toxoplasma gondii, Neospora caninum and Besnoitia besnoiti

Bumped kinase inhibitors (BKIs) have demonstrated safety and promising efficacy against various apicomplexan pathogens both in vitro and in vivo. However, in the closely related cyst-forming coccidians T. gondii, Neospora caninum and Besnoitia besnoiti, in vitro treatments with a range of BKIs induced the conversion of intracellular tachyzoites into atypical multinucleated complexes (MNCs), also named "baryzoites". In this study, baryzoites of T. gondii, N. caninum and B. besnoiti generated through exposure of tachyzoites to 2.5 {micro}M BKI-1708 were comparatively assessed. TEM showed that baryzoites contained multiple nuclei, clustered together and separated from the cytoplasmic organelles of newly formed zoites. These zoites do not have outer tachyzoite plasma membrane, were unable to complete cytokinesis, remained intracellular, and were enclosed by a parasitophorous vacuole membrane. TEM demonstrated the presence of an electron-dense cyst wall-like components only in T. gondii baryzoites. Species-specific differences in antigen expression were observed by immunofluorescence using specific antibodies. Comparative proteomic analysis revealed consistent downregulation of ribosomal proteins, proteins associated with secretory organelles, as well as of transcription and translation factors in all baryzoites. Bradyzoite-specific markers were upregulated only in T. gondii baryzoites. In addition, common orthologues of two alveolin-domain filament proteins (IMC7 and IMC12) and a hypothetical protein (TGME49_236950, NCLIV_050850, BESB_060040) were detected at higher abundance in all treated parasites. Overall, baryzoites exhibit distinct phenotypic and proteomic profiles, with ambiguous expression of tachyzoite and bradyzoite antigens, and lacking complete cellular division under drug pressure, suggesting a reversible response to stress rather than progression into a fully differentiated form. SignificanceApicomplexan parasites cause serious diseases worldwide, yet treatment options remain limited. A promising group of drugs are BKIs. We investigated how BKI-1708 affects threclosely related T. gondii, N. caninum, and B. besnoiti. Instead of killing the parasites, the drug induced the formation of multinucleated structures termed "baryzoites". These baryzoites exhibited ambiguous characteristics during the actively growing and dormant stages of the parasite life cycle and were unable to complete normal cell division. Moreover, we observed other key similarities and differences among species including downregulation of ribosomal proteins and transcription/translation factors, while only T. gondii displayed cyst wall formation. Microscopy and proteomics demonstrated that baryzoites represent a distinct stage that is formed upon drug pressure and promotes parasite survival during prolonged drug exposure. These findings highlight the unexpected ways parasites adapt to drug treatment and provide new insights into how BKIs exert their activities.

systems biology↗

bioRxiv2025

Norditerpene natural products from subterranean fungi with anti-parasitic activity

Cryptosporidium is a common, waterborne gastrointestinal parasite that causes diarrheal disease worldwide. Currently there are no effective therapeutics to treat cryptosporidiosis in at-risk populations. Since natural products are a known source of anti-parasitic compounds, we screened a library of extracts and pure natural product compounds isolated from bacteria and fungi collected from subterranean environments for activity against Cryptosporidium parvum. Eight structurally related norditerpene lactones isolated from the fungus Oidiodendron truncatum collected from the Soudan Iron mine in Minnesota showed potent activity and were further tested to identify the most active compounds. The availability of a diverse suite of natural structural analogs with varying activities allowed us to determine some structure activity relationships for both anti-parasitic activity as well as cytotoxicity. The two most potent compounds, oidiolactones A and B, had EC50s against intracellular Cryptosporidium parvum of 530 and 240 nM respectively without cytotoxicity to confluent HCT-8 host cells. Both compounds also inhibited the related parasite Toxoplasma gondii. Oidiolactone A was active against asexual, but not sexual, stages of C. parvum, and killed 80% of the parasites within 8 hours of treatment. This compound reduced C. parvum infection by 70% in IFN{gamma}-/- mice, with no signs of toxicity. The high potency, low cytotoxicity, and in vivo activity combined with high production, easy isolation from fungi, and synthetic accessibility make oidiolactones A and B attractive scaffolds for the development of new anti-Cryptosporidium therapeutics.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2023

A Compound that Inhibits Glycolysis in Prostate Cancer Controls Growth of Advanced Prostate Cancer

PurposeMetastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer remains incurable regardless of recent therapeutic advances. Prostate cancer tumors display highly glycolytic phenotypes as the cancer progresses. Non-specific inhibitors of glycolysis have not been utilized successfully for chemotherapy, because of their penchant to cause systemic toxicity. This study reports the preclinical activity, safety, and pharmacokinetics of a novel small molecule preclinical candidate, BKIDC-1553, with antiglycolytic activity. Experimental designWe tested a large battery of prostate cancer cell lines for inhibition of cell proliferation, in vitro. Cell cycle, metabolic and enzymatic assays were used to demonstrate their mechanism of action. A human PDX model implanted in mice and a human organoid were studied for sensitivity to our BKIDC preclinical candidate. A battery of pharmacokinetic experiments, absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion experiments, and in vitro and in vivo toxicology experiments were carried out to assess readiness for clinical trials. ResultsWe demonstrate a new class of small molecule inhibitors where antiglycolytic activity in prostate cancer cell lines is mediated through inhibition of hexokinase 2. These compounds display selective growth inhibition across multiple prostate cancer models. We describe a lead BKIDC-1553 that demonstrates promising activity in a preclinical xenograft model of advanced prostate cancer, equivalent to that of enzalutamide. BKIDC-1553 demonstrates safety and pharmacologic properties consistent with a compound that can be taken into human studies with expectations of a good safety margin and predicted dosing for efficacy. ConclusionThis work supports testing BKIDC-1553 and its derivatives in clinical trials for patients with advanced prostate cancer.

cancer biology↗

bioRxiv2021

Plasmodium falciparum Calcium Dependent Protein Kinase 4 is critical for male gametogenesis and transmission to the mosquito vector

Gametocytes of the malaria parasite Plasmodium are taken up by the mosquito vector with an infectious blood meal, representing a critical stage for parasite transmission. Calcium dependent protein kinases (CDPKs) play key roles in calcium-mediated signaling across the complex life cycle of the parasite. We sought to understand their role in human parasite transmission from the host to the mosquito vector and thus investigated the role of the human-infective parasite Plasmodium falciparum CDPK4 in the parasite life cycle. P. falciparum cdpk4- parasites created by targeted gene deletion showed no effect in blood stage development or gametocyte development. However, cdpk4- parasites showed a severe defect in male gametogenesis and the emergence of flagellated male gametes. To understand the molecular underpinnings of this defect, we performed mass spectrometry-based phosphoproteomic analyses of wild type and Plasmodium falciparum cdpk4- late gametocyte stages, to identify key CDPK4-mediated phosphorylation events that may be important for the regulation of male gametogenesis. We further employed in vitro assays to identify these putative substrates of Plasmodium falciparum CDPK4. This indicated that CDPK4 regulates male gametogenesis by directly or indirectly controlling key essential events such as DNA replication, mRNA translation and cell motility. Taken together, our work demonstrates that PfCDPK4 is a central kinase that regulates exflagellation, and thereby is critical for parasite transmission to the mosquito vector. IMPORTANCETransmission of the malaria parasite to the mosquito vector is critical for the completion of the sexual stage of the parasite life cycle and is dependent on the release of male gametes from the gametocyte body inside the mosquito midgut. In the present study, we demonstrate that PfCDPK4 is critical for male gametogenesis and is involved in phosphorylation of proteins essential for male gamete emergence. Targeting PfCDPK4 and its substrates may provide insights into achieving effective malaria transmission-blocking strategies.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2020

Comparative assessment of the effects of bumped kinase inhibitors on early zebrafish embryo development and pregnancy in mice.

Bumped kinase inhibitors (BKIs) are effective against a variety of apicomplexan parasites. Fifteen BKIs with promising in vitro efficacy against Neospora caninum tachyzoites, low cytotoxicity in mammalian cells, and no toxic effects in non-pregnant BALB/c mice, were assessed in pregnant mice. Drugs were emulsified in corn oil and applied by gavage for 5 days. Five BKIs did not affect pregnancy, 5 BKIs exhibited 15-35% of neonatal mortality, and 5 compounds caused strong effects (infertility, abortion, stillbirth and pup mortality). Additionally, the impact of these compounds on zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryo development was assessed by exposing freshly fertilized eggs to 0.2-50M of BKIs and microscopical monitoring of embryo development in a blinded manner during 4 days. We propose an algorithm that includes quantification of malformations and embryo deaths, and established a scoring system that allows to calculate an impact score (Si) that indicates at which concentrations BKIs visibly affect zebrafish embryo development. Comparison of the two models showed that for 9 compounds no clear correlation between Si and pregnancy outcome was visible. However, those 3 BKIs affecting zebrafish embryos only at high concentrations (40M or higher) did not impair mouse pregnancy at all, and those 3 compounds that inhibited zebrafish embryo development already at 0.2M showed detrimental effects in the pregnancy model. Thus, the zebrafish embryo development test has a limited predictive value to foresee pregnancy outcome in BKI-treated mice. We conclude, that maternal health-related factors such as cardiovascular, pharmacokinetic and/or bioavailability properties also contribute to BKI-pregnancy effects.

pathology↗

bioRxiv2019

Methionyl-tRNA synthetase inhibitor has potent in vivo activity in a novel Giardia lamblia luciferase murine infection model

ObjectivesMethionyl-tRNA synthetase (MetRS) inhibitors are under investigation for the treatment of intestinal infections caused by Giardia lamblia. To properly analyze the therapeutic potential of the MetRS inhibitor 1717, experimental tools including a robust cell-based assay and a murine model of infection were developed based on novel strains of G. lamblia that employ luciferase reporter systems to quantify viable parasites.\n\nMethodsSystematic screening of Giardia-specific promoters and luciferase variants led to the development of a strain expressing the click beetle green luciferase. Further modifying this strain to express NanoLuc created a dual reporter strain capable of quantifying parasites in both the trophozoite and cyst stages. These strains were used to develop a high throughput cell assay and a mouse infection model. A library of MetRS inhibitors was screened in the cell assay and 1717 was tested for efficacy in the mouse infection model.\n\nResultsCell viability in in vitro compound screens was quantified via bioluminescence readouts while infection loads in mice were monitored with noninvasive whole-animal imaging and fecal analysis. Compound 1717 was effective in clearing mice of Giardia infection in 3 days at varying doses, which is supported by data from enzymatic and phenotypic cell assays.\n\nConclusionsThe new in vitro and in vivo assays based on luciferase expression by engineered G. lamblia strains are useful for the discovery and development of new therapeutics for giardiasis. MetRS inhibitors, as validated by 1717, have promising anti-giardiasis properties that merit further study as alternative therapeutics.

microbiology↗