Integrated subtractive genomics and structure-based approach to unravel the therapeutic drug target of Leishmania species

Leishmaniasis is a complex vector-borne disease caused by intracellular protozoan parasites of the Leishmania genus. It presents a significant public health challenge in tropical and subtropical regions globally. As resistance to treatment increases, managing and controlling Leishmaniasis becomes more challenging, necessitating innovative approaches. To address this challenge, our study utilized subtractive genomics and structure-based approaches to identify common drug targets and combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR) across five Leishmania species strains. The subtractive genomics approach unraveled Glutamate Dehydrogenase (GDH) as a promising drug target for treating Leishmania infections. The investigation considered established methodologies observed in analogous studies, orthologous group, and druggability tests. Multiple sequence alignment revealed conserved sequences in GDH, while phylogenetic tree analysis provided insights into the evolutionary origin and close relationships of GDH across Leishmania species. Conserved sequences in GDH along with its function in pathogenicity provided insights into the close relationships of GDH across Leishmania species. Using a structure-based approach, our study showed the molecular interactions between GDH and three ligands—Bithionol, GW5074, and Hexachlorophene—through molecular docking and 100 ns molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. GW5074 exhibited a significant affinity for GDH, as indicated by stable RMSD values, a more compact conformation, and a higher number of hydrogen bonds than Bithionol. MMPBSA analysis confirmed the superior binding energy of the GW5074-GDH complex, emphasizing its potential as a potent ligand for drug development. This comprehensive analysis identified GW5074 as a promising candidate for inhibiting GDH activities in Leishmania species, contributing to the development of effective therapeutics against Leishmania infections.