Abstract
Elevated glutathione transferase (GST) E2 activity is associated with DDT resistance in the mosquito Anopheles gambiae. The search for chemomodulators that inhibit the function of AgGSTE2 would enhance the insecticidal activity of DDT. Therefore, we examined the interaction of novel natural plant products with heterologously expressed An. gambiae GSTE 2 in vitro. Five of the ten compounds, epiphyllocoumarin (Tral-1), knipholone anthrone, isofuranonaphthoquinones (Mr 13/2, Mr13/4) and the polyprenylated benzophenone (GG1) were shown to be potent inhibitors of AgGSTE2 with IC50 values of 1.5 μM, 3.5 μM, 4 μM, 4.3 μM and 4.8 μM respectively. Non-competitive inhibition was obtained for Tral 1 and GG1 with regards to GSH (Ki of 0.24 μM and 0.14 μM respectively). Competitive inhibition for Tral1 was obtained with CDNB (Ki = 0.4 μM) whilst GG1 produced mixed type of inhibition. The Ki and Ki' for GSH for Tral-1 and GG1 were 0.2 μM and 0.1 μM respectively. These results suggest that the novel natural plant products, particularly Tral-1, represent potent AgGSTE2 in vitro inhibitors.
Acknowledgements
This study was supported by ZIM01 project from the International Program in the Chemical Sciences (IPICS), Uppsala University, Sweden, and the International Foundation for Science (IFS), Stockholm, Sweden Grant Number F/3413-02.