Development of anthelmintics with a novel mode of action

May 8, 2024

Compounds targeting a parasitic respiratory pathway discovered

An international joint research group of RIKEN CSRS, the University of Toronto, and the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute discovered new compounds for potential anthelmintics with a novel mode of action.

In this study, the international research group identified new compounds that inhibit anaerobic metabolism in helminths by searching the RIKEN Natural Product Depository (RIKEN NPDepo) library using a high-throughput movement assay for helminths under anaerobic conditions developed at the University of Toronto. The researchers also elucidated the mode of action of the compounds. These newly identified compounds were shown to have a killing effect on adult parasites. Further research is underway to turn these agents into practical use as anthelmintics.

The findings of this study hold promise for contributing to the development of new classes of anthelmintics against soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) that infect more than one billion people worldwide.

Original article

Nature communications doi: 10.1038/s41467-024-47331-3

T. Davie, X. Serrat, L. Imhof, J. Snider, I. Štagljar, J. Keiser, H. Hirano, N. Watanabe, H. Osada, A. G Fraser,

"Identification of a family of species-selective complex I inhibitors as potential anthelmintics".

Contact

Hiroyuki Osada; Unit Leader
Nobumoto Watanabe; Temporary Employee
Chemical Resource Development Research Unit

Hiroyuki Hirano; Research Part-time Worker
Drug Discovery Chemical Bank Unit