Phosphatase Inhibitors Function as Novel, Broad Spectrum Botulinum Neurotoxin Antagonists in Mouse and Human Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Motor Neuron-Based Assays

PLoS One. 2015 Jun 10;10(6):e0129264. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0129264. eCollection 2015.

Abstract

There is an urgent need to develop novel treatments to counter Botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) poisoning. Currently, the majority of BoNT drug development efforts focus on directly inhibiting the proteolytic components of BoNT, i.e. light chains (LC). Although this is a rational approach, previous research has shown that LCs are extremely difficult drug targets and that inhibiting multi-serotype BoNTs with a single LC inhibitor may not be feasible. An alternative approach would target neuronal pathways involved in intoxication/recovery, rather than the LC itself. Phosphorylation-related mechanisms have been implicated in the intoxication pathway(s) of BoNTs. However, the effects of phosphatase inhibitors upon BoNT activity in the physiological target of BoNTs, i.e. motor neurons, have not been investigated. In this study, a small library of phosphatase inhibitors was screened for BoNT antagonism in the context of mouse embryonic stem cell-derived motor neurons (ES-MNs). Four inhibitors were found to function as BoNT/A antagonists. Subsequently, we confirmed that these inhibitors protect against BoNT/A in a dose-dependent manner in human ES-MNs. Additionally, these compounds provide protection when administered in post-intoxication scenario. Importantly, the inhibitors were also effective against BoNT serotypes B and E. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study showing phosphatase inhibitors as broad-spectrum BoNT antagonists.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Botulinum Toxins / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Botulinum Toxins / toxicity*
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Drug Evaluation, Preclinical
  • Embryonic Stem Cells / drug effects*
  • Embryonic Stem Cells / metabolism
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Motor Neurons / drug effects*
  • Motor Neurons / metabolism
  • Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases / antagonists & inhibitors
  • SNARE Proteins / metabolism
  • Small Molecule Libraries / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • SNARE Proteins
  • Small Molecule Libraries
  • Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases
  • Botulinum Toxins