Trypanocidal effect of α′,β′-epoxyketones indicates that trypanosomes are particularly sensitive to inhibitors of proteasome trypsin-like activity

Previous studies have shown that the proteasome of Trypanosoma brucei is a candidate for novel chemotherapy of African sleeping sickness. In this study, two potent and highly selective α′,β′-epoxyketones peptide proteasome inhibitors, epoxomicin and YU101, have been tested for their trypanocidal activities in vitro using culture-adapted bloodstream forms of T. brucei. Both inhibitors displayed promising anti-trypanosomal activities with ED 50 and ED 90 values in the low to mid nanomolar range. Based on MIC values, epoxomicin exhibited a selectivity index approaching those of commercially available drugs. Enzymatic analyses of proteasomal peptidase activities revealed that, compared with mammalian cells, trypanosomes are particular sensitive to inhibition of the trypsin-like activity of the proteasome. In conclusion, the data suggests that proteasome inhibitors targeting the trypsin-like activity are the rational choice for future anti-trypanosomal drug development.