Kayode K. Ojo, PhD | Allergy and Infectious Diseases

Research Associate Professor

Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

Faculty Information

Biography

Dr. Ojo's research focuses on studies to better understand the molecular biology of antimicrobial resistance and on the development of novel, robust, safe and affordable antimicrobial agents that can treat debilitating parasitic diseases.

Ongoing studies of calcium-dependent protein kinases of Toxoplasma gondii and Cryptosporidium parvum may facilitate the development of a very safe and effective drug therapy. We have identified a uniquely large pocket in the ATP-binding region of Toxoplasma gondii, Neospora caninum and Cryptosporidium parvum calcium-dependent protein kinase-1 (CDPK-1) that allows the development of inhibitors that have negligible to no effects on human kinases. Our work demonstrates that inhibition of some members of Phylum Apicomplexa's CDPKs prevents invasion of host cells and stops parasite replication.

We are further utilizing the experience and tools developed from our studies on Toxoplasma gondii, Neospora caninum and Cryptosporidium parvum to design a new class of malaria transmission-blocking compounds. These compound series act via inhibition of PfCDPK4 in efficiently blocking Plasmodium parasite infection of mosquitoes, preventing the transmission of malaria to humans. Our studies indicate that this strategy could lead to non-toxic, selective inhibitors that block malaria transmission to mosquitoes, have favorable oral pharmacokinetic properties, and are excellent leads for further drug development. Since CDPK4 genes of all Plasmodium species with database entries are highly conserved, an effective lead compound will likely be useful in blocking the transmission of all 5 spp. known to cause human malaria; a significant public health implication and benefit.

Education & Training:

PhD Pharmaceutical Microbiology

University of Ibadan

Nigeria

2002

Post-Doctoral Fellowship, Allergy and Infectious Diseases

University of Washington

Seattle, WA

2006-2009

Honors:

Research fellowship from the Gesellschaft der Freunde der Kleintierforschung (GdFuF) German Government

ICAAC/Wyeth ID Fellows Grant to the 48th Annual ICAAC/46th IDSA Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C.

2008

Contact

Email:

ojo67kk@u.washington.edu

Phone:

(206) 543-0821

Mailing Address:

750 Republican Street
Box 358061
Seattle, WA 98109

Publications

PubMed:

PubMed Bibliography

Publications:

Ojo K. K., Gillespie J. R., Riechers A. J., Napuli A. J.,Verlinde C.L.M.J., Buckner F. S., Gelb M.H., Domostoj M. M., Wells S.J., Scheer A., Wells T.N.C. and Van Voorhis W. C. (2008): Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 is a Potential Drug Target for African Trypanosomiasis Therapy. Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy 52(10):3710-17. PMCID:PMC2565902
PubMed Abstract

Ojo K.K., Larson E.T., Keyloun K.R., Castaneda L.J., DeRocher A.E., Inampudi K.K., Kim J.E., Arakaki T.L., Murphy R., Zhang L., Napuli A.J., Maly D.J., Verlinde C.L.M.J., Buckner F.S., Parsons M., Hol W.G.J., Merritt E.A. and Van Voorhis W.C. (2010): Toxoplasma gondii Calcium-Dependent Protein Kinase 1 is a target for selective kinase inhibitors. Nature structural and molecular biology 17: 602-607. PMCID:PMC2896873
BioMed

Murphy R.C., Ojo K.K., Larson E.T., Castellanos-Gonzalez A., Perera B.G.K., Keyloun K.R., Kim J.E., Bhandari J.G., Muller N.R., Verlinde C.L.M.J., White C.A., Merritt E.A., Van Voorhis W.C., and Maly D.J. (2010): Discovery of Potent and Selective Inhibitors of Calcium-Dependent Protein Kinase 1 (CDPK1) from C. parvum and T. gondii. ACS Medicinal Chemistry Letters. 1(7):331-335. DOI: 10.1021/ml100096t. PMCID:PMC2992447
PubMed Abstract

Ojo K.K., Arakaki T.L., Napuli A.J., Inampudi K.K., Keyloun K.R., Zhang L., Hol W.G.J., Verlinde C.L.M.J., Merritt E.A. and Van Voorhis W.C. (2011): Structure Determination of Glycogen Synthase Kinase-3 from Leishmania major and Comparative Inhibitor Structure-Activity Relationships with Trypanosoma brucei GSK-3.Â Molecular and Biochemical Parasitology 176(2):98-108. PMCID:PMC3045540

PubMed Abstract

Ojo K.K., Pfander C., Mueller N.R., Burstroem C., Larson E.T., Bryan C.M., Fox A.M.W., Reid M.C., Johnson S.M., Murphy R.C., Kennedy M., Mann H.,Â Leibly D.J., HewittÂ S.N., Verlinde C.L.M.J., Kappe S., Merritt E.A., Maly D.J., Billker O., and Van Voorhis W.C. (2012): Transmission of malaria to mosquitoes blocked by bumped kinase inhibitors. Journal of Clinical Investigation 122 (6):2301-2305. PMCID: PMC3366411

PubMed Abstract

Castellanos-Gonzalez A., White C.A., Jr, Ojo K.K.,Â Vidadala R., Zhang Z., Reid M.C., Fox A.M.W., Keyloun K.R., Rivas K., Irani A., Dann S.M., Fan E., Maly D.J.,Â and Van Voorhis W.C. (2013): A novel Calcium Dependent Protein Kinase Inhibitor as a lead compound for treating Cryptosporidiosis. Journal of Infectious Diseases 208(8):1342-1348. PMCCID: PMC3778970

PubMed Abstract

Ojo K.K., Eastman R.T., Vidadala R., Zhang Z., Rivas K.L., Choi R., Lutz J.D., Reid M.C., Fox A.M.W., Hulverson M.A., Kennedy M., Isoherranen N., Kim L.M., Comess K.M., Kempf D.J., Verlinde C.L.M.J., Su X-Z, Kappe S., Maly D.J., Fan E., and Van Voorhis W.C. (2014) Specific inhibitor of PfCDPK4 blocks malaria transmission: Chemical-genetic validation. Journal of Infectious Diseases 209(2):275-284. PMCCID:Â Â Â PMC3873787

PubMed Abstract

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