title: Yeast sensors for novel drugs: chloroquine and others revealed.
abstract: In this study the mitochondrion is regarded as a target to reveal compounds that may be used to combat various diseases. Consequently, the sexual structures of yeasts (with high mitochondrial activity) were identified as sensors to screen for various anti-mitochondrial drugs that may be toxic to humans and that are directed, amongst others, against fungal diseases and cancer. Strikingly, these sensors indicated that chloroquine is a potent pro-mitochondrial drug which stimulated yeast sexual reproduction. In addition, these sensors also showed that some Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), anti-malarial drugs, antifungal and anticancer drugs are anti-mitochondrial. These yeast sensor bio-assays may fast track studies aimed at discovering new drugs as well as their mechanisms and should now be further evaluated for selectivity towards anti-/ pro-mitochondrials, fertility drugs and contraceptives, using in vitro, in vivo, in silico and omics research.
authors.affiliation: UNESCO MIRCEN: Microbial, Biochemical and Food Biotechnology, University of the Free State, PO Box 339, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa. swartcw@ufs.ac.za
authors.forename: Chantel
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Swart
authors.forename: Andries
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Olivier
authors.forename: Khumisho
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Dithebe
authors.forename: Carolina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pohl
authors.forename: Pieter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: van Wyk
authors.forename: Hendrik
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Swart
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Coetsee
authors.forename: Lodewyk
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kock
mesh_terms: D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000302:isolation & purification; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000302:isolation & purification; D001681:Biological Assay / Q000379:methods*; D015374:Biosensing Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D002738:Chloroquine / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D055808:Drug Discovery / Q000379:methods*; D055169:Eremothecium / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D055160:Lipomyces / Q000502:physiology; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000187:drug effects; D015003:Yeasts / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D002738:Chloroquine