N-Deacetylase-N-sulfotransferase 1 (Ndst1) catalyzes the initial modification of heparan sulfate and heparin during their biosynthesis by removal of acetyl groups from subsets of N-acetylglucosamine units and subsequent sulfation of the resulting free amino groups. In this study, we used a phage display library to select peptides that interact with Ndst1, with the aim of finding inhibitors of the enzyme. The phage library consisted of cyclic random 10-mer peptides expressed in the phage capsid protein pIII. Selection was based on the ability of engineered phage to bind to recombinant murine Ndst1 (mNdst1) and displacement with heparin. Peptides that were enriched through multiple cycles of binding and disassociation displayed two specific sequences, CRGWRGEKIGNC and CNMQALSMPVTC. Both peptides inhibited mNdst1 activity in vitro, however, by distinct mechanisms. The peptide CRG-WRGEKIGNC presents a chemokine-like repeat motif (BXX, where B represents a basic amino acid and X is a noncharged amino acid) and binds to heparan sulfate, thus blocking the binding of substrate to the enzyme. The peptide NMQALSMPVT inhibits mNdst1 activity by direct interaction with the enzyme near the active site. The discovery of inhibitory peptides in this way suggests a method for developing peptide inhibitors of heparan sulfate biosynthesis.

An ATP diphosphohydrolase (EC 3.6.1.5) activity was identified in a Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis promastigotes preparation (Lb). Ultrastructural cytochemical microscopy showed this protein on the parasite surface and also stained a possible similar protein at the mitochondrial membrane. Isolation of an active ATP diphosphohydrolase isoform from Lb was obtained by cross-immunoreactivity with polyclonal anti-potato apyrase antibodies. These antibodies, immobilized on Protein A-Sepharose, immunoprecipitated a polypeptide of approximately 48 kDa and, in lower amount, a polypeptide of approximately 43 kDa, and depleted 83% ATPase and 87% of the ADPase activities from detergent-homogenized Lb. Potato apyrase was recognized in Western blots by IgG antibody from American cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL) patients, suggesting that the parasite and vegetable proteins share antigenic conserved epitopes. Significant IgG seropositivity in serum samples diluted 1:50 from ACL patients (n=20) for Lb (65%) and potato apyrase (90%) was observed by ELISA technique. Significant IgG antibody reactivity was also observed against synthetic peptides belonging to a conserved domain from L. braziliensis NDPase (80% seropositivity) and its potato apyrase counterpart (50% seropositivity), in accordance with the existence of shared antigenic epitopes and demonstrating that in leishmaniasis infection the domain r82-103 from L. braziliensis NDPase is a target for the human immune response.

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The alkylaminoalkanethiosulfuric acids (AAATs) are amphipathic compounds effective against experimental schistosomiasis, of low toxicity, elevated bioavailability after a single oral dose and prompt tissue absorption.Objectives To explore the in-vitro antileishmanial potential of AAATs using five compounds of this series against Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis. Methods Their effects on promastigotes and axenic amastigotes, and cytotoxicity to macrophages were tested by the MTT method, and on Leishmania-infected macrophages by Giemsa stain. Effects on the mitochondrial membrane potential of promastigotes and axenic amastigotes and DNA of intracellular amastigotes were tested using JC-1 and TUNEL assays, respectively. Key findings The 2-(isopropylamino)-1-octanethiosulfuric acid (I) and 2-(secbutylamino)-1-octanethiosulfuric acid (II) exhibit activity against both promastigotes and intracellular amastigotes (IC 50 25-35 µm), being more toxic to intracellular parasites than to the host cell. Compound I induced a loss of viability of axenic amastigotes, significantly reduced (30%) the mitochondrial membrane potential of both promastigotes and axenic amastigotes and promoted selective DNA fragmentation of the nucleus and kinetoplast of intracellular amastigotes.Conclusions In this previously unpublished study of trypanosomatids, it is shown that AAATs could also exhibit selective antileishmanial activity, a new possibility to be investigated in oral treatment of leishmaniasis.