Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Saumya Gupta, Adam J. Blake, Jeffrey A. Riffell
Summary: A new study reveals a distinct pattern of preference for human-associated olfactory cues that informs the selective behavior of malaria-transmitting mosquitoes.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Priscille Barreaux, Hilary Ranson, Geraldine M. M. Foster, Philip J. J. McCall
Summary: The blood feeding behavior of female mosquitoes, which affects their ability to transmit malaria, is not well understood in the presence of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs). This study examines how both insecticide resistant and susceptible mosquitoes interact with different types of nets while attempting to blood feed on a human arm. The results showed that ITNs did not effectively prevent host searching but significantly reduced blood feeding success and volume for all mosquitoes, although the resistant mosquitoes were able to compensate for the decrease by accelerating their rate of blood ingestion.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yaman Musdal, Aram Ismail, Birgitta Sjodin, Bengt Mannervik
Summary: Nobo is a crucial glutathione transferase (GST) in insects that contributes to their growth and the spread of diseases. It has been found to have efficient hydroxylase activity in insects containing the ketosteroid. Specific amino acid residues are essential for the catalytic activity of Nobo.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Lateef. O. Busari, Haleemah O. Raheem, Zarat O. Iwalewa, Kamilu A. Fasasi, Monsuru A. Adeleke
Summary: The study evaluates the resistance and susceptibility of adult female Anopheles gambiae s. l., Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes to four groups of insecticides and the distribution of their larval habitat within Osogbo metropolis. The results indicate that Anopheles gambiae s. l. shows the highest resistance to Permethrin, while Aedes aegypti exhibits highest resistance against OC-Control. The susceptibility of Anopheles gambiae s. l. and Culex quinquefasciatus to Pirimiphos-methyl and Aedes aegypti to Permethrin suggests the potential success of using these insecticides for vector control.
Article
Toxicology
Vendula Hepnarova, Martina Hrabinova, Lubica Muckova, Tomas Kucera, Monika Schmidt, Rafael Dolezal, Lukas Gorecki, Veronika Hrabcova, Jan Korabecny, Eva Mezeiova, Daniel Jun, Jaroslav Pejchal
Summary: In this study, a series of compounds were evaluated for their insecticidal effects, with K1328 and K1329 outperforming standard pesticides and showing potential as lead structures for novel anticholinesterase insecticides.
TOXICOLOGY IN VITRO
(2022)
Article
Parasitology
Rosine Z. Wolie, Alphonsine A. Koffi, Ludovic P. Ahoua Alou, Eleanore D. Sternberg, Oulo N'Nan-Alla, Amal Dahounto, Florent H. A. Yapo, Kpahe M. H. Kanh, Soromane Camara, Welbeck A. Oumbouke, Innocent Z. Tia, Simon-Pierre A. Nguetta, Matthew B. Thomas, Raphael NGuessan
Summary: The insecticide target site mutations of Kdr L1014F and Ace-1(R) G119S showed no significant association with Plasmodium infection in wild Anopheles gambiae and Anopheles coluzzii, indicating similar competence of these species in transmitting Plasmodium in Bouake. Other factors such as behavioral and environmental influences should be considered in understanding vector competence.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Joseph D. Challenger, Daniela Olivera Mesa, Dari F. Da, R. Serge Yerbanga, Thierry Lefevre, Anna Cohuet, Thomas S. Churcher
Summary: Transmission-blocking vaccines for malaria are being tested and their field efficacy is predicted to be higher than in laboratory conditions. Targeting school-aged children is recommended as it can have a significant impact in reducing malaria cases. Utilizing such vaccines alongside existing interventions could have substantial benefits in malaria control.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Hongying Zhang, Mingqiang Li, Ruixiang Tan, Changsheng Deng, Bo Huang, Zhibin Wu, Shaoqing Zheng, Wenfeng Guo, Fei Tuo, Yueming Yuan, Carlos Alberto Bandeira, D'almeida Herodes Rompao, Qin Xu, Jianping Song, Qi Wang
Summary: Malaria is a serious parasitic disease that kills thousands of people annually, particularly in Africa. Sao Tome and Principe have stable transmission of malaria, but local Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes show resistance to insecticides like DDT and fenitrothion. This resistance status, especially to cypermethrin, is concerning and requires serious consideration by the government for future malaria vector management.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Parasitology
Domonbabele F. D. S. Hien, Prisca S. L. Pare, Amanda Cooper, Benjamin K. Koama, Edwige Guissou, Koudraogo B. Yameogo, Rakiswende S. Yerbanga, Iain W. Farrell, Jean B. Ouedraogo, Olivier Gnankine, Rickard Ignell, Anna Cohuet, Roch K. Dabire, Philip C. Stevenson, Thierry Lefevre
Summary: The study shows that certain plant compounds in nectar can affect the lifespan of mosquitoes and the infection rate of parasites, but the effects of ricinine at different concentrations vary between the two species of mosquitoes.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Majo Carrasco-Tenezaca, Musa Jawara, Mahamed Y. Abdi, John Bradley, Otis Sloan Brittain, Sainey Ceesay, Umberto D'Alessandro, David Jeffries, Margaret Pinder, Hannah Wood, Jakob B. Knudsen, Steve W. Lindsay
Summary: The study found that raising buildings off the ground can effectively reduce malaria transmission in rural Gambia, as most malaria mosquitoes fly close to the ground and showed significantly reduced entry when buildings were elevated.
JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY INTERFACE
(2021)
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Gregory C. Lanzaro, Melina Campos, Marc Crepeau, Anthony Cornel, Abram Estrada, Hans Gripkey, Ziad Haddad, Ana Kormos, Steven Palomares
Summary: Novel malaria control strategies involving genetically engineered mosquitoes (GEMs) aim to modify mosquito populations to be refractory to the malaria parasite through gene engineering. The selection of trial sites should prioritize maximizing success chances, minimizing risks, and serving as valid and convincing test locations, based on geographic, geological, and biological criteria. Physical islands are proposed as ideal GEM field trial sites due to their geographic and genetic isolation, biological complexity, and other key factors.
EVOLUTIONARY APPLICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Parasitology
Lorenz M. Hofer, Prisca A. Kweyamba, Rajabu M. Sayi, Mohamed S. Chabo, Sonali L. Maitra, Sarah J. Moore, Mgeni M. Tambwe
Summary: This study evaluated the performance of malaria rapid diagnostic tests (mRDTs), light microscopy (LM) and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) in detecting asymptomatic malaria infections that can transmit to mosquitoes. The results showed that mRDT detected the highest infection rate, while subpatent mRDT infections contributed marginally to the pool of oocyts-infected mosquitoes.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2023)
Article
Entomology
Naminata Tondossama, Chiara Virgillito, Zanakoungo Ibrahima Coulibaly, Verena Pichler, Ibrahima Dia, Alessandra della Torre, Andre Offianan Toure, Akre Maurice Adja, Beniamino Caputo, Rui-De Xue
Summary: Despite high usage of insecticide-treated bed nets, malaria transmission rates remain high in two studied villages, possibly due to mosquito and human behaviors.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Trizah K. Milugo, David P. Tchouassi, Reginald A. Kavishe, Rhoel R. Dinglasan, Baldwyn Torto
Summary: Through experiments on Anopheles gambiae and Parthenium hysterophorus, it was found that root phytochemicals of the host plant can influence oviposition site selection by female mosquitoes, leading to a lower hatch rate and a potentially longer lifespan for larvae that hatch earlier.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Entomology
Naminata Tondossama, Zanakoungo Coulibaly, Issouf Traore, Berenger A. Ako, Danielle D. Zoh, Chiara Virgillito, Negnorogo Guindo-Coulibaly, Paola Serini, Fabrice K. Assouho, Ibrahima Dia, Andre O. Toure, Maurice A. Adja, Beniamino Caputo, Alessandra della Torre, Verena Pichler
Summary: Anopheles gambiae and An. coluzzii are two mosquito species with significant roles in transmitting malaria in Africa. This study discovered two mixed populations of these two species in Cote d'Ivoire and investigated their nature. The current genomic markers were not sufficient to explain the origin of these unusual populations, highlighting the need for further analysis to understand their impact on malaria transmission and control.
Article
Microbiology
Ruslan Tsivkovski, Maxim Totrov, Olga Lomovskaya
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2020)
Article
Microbiology
Olga Lomovskaya, Ruslan Tsivkovski, Kirk Nelson, Debora Rubio-Aparicio, Dongxu Sun, Maxim Totrov, Michael N. Dudley
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2020)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Scott J. Hecker, K. Raja Reddy, Olga Lomovskaya, David C. Griffith, Debora Rubio-Aparicio, Kirk Nelson, Ruslan Tsivkovski, Dongxu Sun, Mojgan Sabet, Ziad Tarazi, Jonathan Parkinson, Maxim Totrov, Serge H. Boyer, Tomasz W. Glinka, Orville A. Pemberton, Yu Chen, Michael N. Dudley
JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2020)
Article
Microbiology
Orville A. Pemberton, Ruslan Tsivkovski, Maxim Totrov, Olga Lomovskaya, Yu Chen
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2020)
Article
Virology
Francisco Javier Candel, Elisabet Viayna, Daniel Callejo, Raul Ramos, Jesus San-Roman-Montero, Pablo Barreiro, Maria del Mar Carretero, Adam Kolipinski, Jesus Canora, Antonio Zapatero, Michael Chris Runken
Summary: The study found that increased testing and strengthening measures can reduce COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths. However, policies based on increasing testing frequency are more associated with GDP declines, with differences of up to 4.4%, compared to measures that strengthen restrictions. Increased test sensitivity can help reduce cases, hospitalizations, and deaths, while potentially introducing pooling techniques to increase testing capacity.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ian Miller, Max Totrov, Lioubov Korotchkina, Denis N. Kazyulkin, Andrei Gudkov, Sergey Korolev
Summary: Research on L1-EN has revealed that its sequence specificity and catalytic activity are influenced by the conformational properties of the preferred sequence. Unlike other nucleases, L1-EN does not bend the DNA helix, but rather causes 'compression' near the cleavage site, providing multiple advantages for retrotransposition. This work could potentially lead to the development of L1-EN inhibitors as anti-cancer and anti-aging therapeutics.
NUCLEIC ACIDS RESEARCH
(2021)
Review
Microbiology
Olga Lomovskaya, Ruslan Tsivkovski, Dongxu Sun, Raja Reddy, Maxim Totrov, Scott Hecker, David Griffith, Jeffery Loutit, Michael Dudley
Summary: QPX7728 is an ultra-broad-spectrum beta-lactamase inhibitor with potent inhibition against a wide range of clinically important beta-lactamases. It is minimally affected by common resistance mechanisms and shows broad coverage when combined with various beta-lactam antibiotics. The oral delivery option of QPX7728 also provides potential for application in combination products.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Entomology
Morgan A. Roth, James M. Wilson, Aaron D. Gross
Summary: The study investigated Varroa destructor resistance in Virginia honey bee colonies and found that while mite infestation levels exceeded treatment thresholds, there was no resistance to amitraz, coumaphos, or tau-fluvalinate. These results have implications for future control strategies against this aggressive ectoparasite.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Hanan Almolhim, Sha Ding, Joshua H. Butler, Emily K. Bremers, Grant J. Butschek, Carla Slebodnick, Emilio F. Merino, Zaira Rizopoulos, Maxim Totrov, Maria B. Cassera, Paul R. Carlier
Summary: The tetrahydro-beta-carboline scaffold is a promising structure for the discovery of antimalarial agents. The molecule N2-acyl tetrahydro-beta-carboline GNFP-f-5009 ((+/-)-3b) was found through similarity searching and showed in vitro efficacy against P. falciparum. The enantiomer (R)-3b demonstrated superior pharmacological properties. However, oral efficacy was lacking in mouse testing, possibly due to unfavorable physicochemical properties.
ACS MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Jopaul Mathew, Sha Ding, Kevin A. Kunz, Emily E. Stacy, Joshua H. Butler, Reagan S. Haney, Emilio F. Merino, Grant J. Butschek, Zaira Rizopoulos, Maxim Totrov, Maria B. Cassera, Paul R. Carlier
Summary: Virtual ligand screening using a pharmacophore derived from antimalarial MMV008138 led to the identification of TCMDC-140230 as a compound worth exploring. However, none of the four stereoisomers synthesized showed potent inhibition of Plasmodium falciparum growth, while a minor byproduct 7e exhibited strong in vitro antimalarial activity and was orally efficacious in an in vivo mouse model of malaria.
ACS MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Na Xie, Aaron D. Gross
Summary: Investigation of target-site synergism using small molecule probes against the muscarinic system enhanced the toxicity of GABAergic insecticides in Drosophila melanogaster, suggesting potential for reducing active ingredient needed in a formulation with the development of muscarinic synergists.
PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE
(2022)
Review
Parasitology
Jackson M. Muema, Joel L. Bargul, Meshack A. Obonyo, Sospeter N. Njeru, Damaris Matoke-Muhia, James M. Mutunga
Summary: An integrated approach to combating arthropod-borne diseases involves using natural compounds to design interventions that can block pathogen transmission. This review explores the potential of natural compounds in inhibiting the transmission of human pathogens and proposes translational strategies for disease control interventions.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Eugene Raush, Ruben Abagyan, Maxim Totrov
Summary: This paper presents a GCNN-based method for learning and predicting statistical torsional profiles in small organic molecules. By training a specialized GCNN model, it accurately captures various torsional preferences and shows good agreement with quantum chemistry calculations. The application of this method in conformer generation further demonstrates its potential value.
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL INFORMATION AND MODELING
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kevin B. Temeyer, Kristie G. Schlechte, Aaron D. Gross, Kimberly H. Lohmeyer
Summary: A novel cholinesterase gene from the larvae of Amblyomma americanum was identified and confirmed to be expressed in both tick synganglion and saliva. The recombinant enzyme showed high sensitivity to eserine and BW284c51, and hydrolyzed BuTCh faster than ATCh. The presence of the antigenic protein in tick saliva suggests potential roles in hydrolyzing cholinergic substrates and modulating host immune responses to tick feeding and pathogens.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Entomology
Morgan A. Roth, James M. Wilson, Aaron D. Gross
Summary: Small hive beetle has become an increasingly important issue for North American beekeepers. It damages beehives and can lead to hive abandonment. Current pest management methods involve trapping and soil treatments. Understanding the biology and life cycle of this beetle is crucial for informed decision-making.
JOURNAL OF INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Shibin Zhao, Julian Maceren, Mia Chung, Samantha Stone, Raphael Geiben, Melissa L. Boby, Bradley S. Sherborne, Derek S. Tan
Summary: Antibiotic resistance is a major threat to public health, with Gram-negative bacteria presenting unique challenges due to their low permeability and efflux pumps. Limited understanding of the chemical rules for overcoming these barriers hinders antibacterial drug discovery. Efforts to address this issue, such as screening compound libraries and using cheminformatic analysis, have led to the design of sulfamidoadenosines with diverse substituents, showing potential utility in accumulation in Escherichia coli.
BIOORGANIC & MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS
(2024)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Jichun Li, Qing Li, Shuai Xia, Jiahuang Tu, Longbo Zheng, Qian Wang, Shibo Jiang, Chao Wang
Summary: This study successfully developed a short peptide mimetic as a MERS-CoV fusion inhibitor by reproducing the key recognition features of the HR2 helix. The resulting 23-mer lipopeptide showed comparable inhibitory effect to the 36-mer HR2 peptide HR2P-M2. This has important implications for developing short peptide-based antiviral agents to treat MERS-CoV infection.
BIOORGANIC & MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS
(2024)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Krista Jaunsleine, Linda Supe, Jana Spura, Sten van Beek, Anna Sandstrom, Jessica Olsen, Carina Halleskog, Tore Bengtsson, Ilga Mutule, Benjamin Pelcman
Summary: Beta(2)-adrenergic receptor agonists can stimulate glucose uptake by skeletal muscle cells and are therefore potential treatments for type 2 diabetes. The chirality of compounds has a significant impact on the activity of these agonists. This study found that certain synthesized compounds showed higher glucose uptake activity. These findings provide important information for the design of novel beta(2)AR agonists for T2D treatment.
BIOORGANIC & MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS
(2024)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Xin Xu, Jia Chen, Guan Wang, Xiaojuan Zhang, Qiang Li, Xiaobo Zhou, Fengying Guo, Min Li
Summary: The study focuses on EZH2, a promising therapeutic target for various types of cancers. Researchers designed and synthesized a series of novel derivatives aiming to enhance the EZH2 inhibition activity. Among them, compound 28 displayed potent EZH2 inhibition activity and showed high anti-proliferative effects in lymphoma cell lines and xenograft mouse models. The study suggests that compound 28 has potential as a therapeutic candidate for EZH2-associated cancers.
BIOORGANIC & MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS
(2024)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Wei Zhang, Wei Liu, Ya-Dong Zhao, Li-Zi Xing, Ji Xu, Rui-Jun Li, Yun-Xiao Zhang
Summary: This study developed a series of aromatic amide derivatives based on Rhein and investigated their inhibitory activity against alpha-Syn aggregation. Two of these compounds showed promising potential in treating Parkinson's disease by stabilizing alpha-Syn's conformation and disassembling alpha-Syn oligomers and fibrils.
BIOORGANIC & MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS
(2024)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Mani Sharma, S. S. S. S. Sudha Ambadipudi, Neeraj Kumar Chouhan, V. Lakshma Nayak, Srihari Pabbaraja, Sai Balaji Andugulapati, Ramakrishna Sistla
Summary: Therapeutically active lipids in drug delivery systems can enhance the safety and efficacy of treatment. The liposome formulation created using synthesized biologically active lipids showed additive anti-cancer effects and reduced tumorigenic potential.
BIOORGANIC & MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS
(2024)