Specific and potent inhibition of NAD+-dependent DNA ligase by pyridochromanones

Structure-guided design, synthesis and biological evaluation of novel DNA ligase inhibitors with in vitro and in vivo anti-staphylococcal activity

A series of 2-amino-[1,8]-naphthyridine-3-carboxamides (ANCs) with potent inhibition of bacterial NAD(+)-dependent DNA ligases (LigAs) evolved from a 2,4-diaminopteridine derivative discovered by HTS. The design was guided by several highly resolved X-ray structures of our inhibitors in complex with either Streptococcus pneumoniae or Escherichia coli LigA. The structure-activity-relationship based on the ANC scaffold is discussed. The in-depth characterization of 2-amino-6-bromo-7-(trifluoromethyl)-[1,8]-naphthyridine-3-carboxamide, which displayed promising in vitro (MIC Staphylococcus aureus 1 mg/L) and in vivo anti-staphylococcal activity, is presented.

Antimicrobial Activity of Adenine-Based Inhibitors of NAD(+)-Dependent DNA Ligase

The relationship between enzyme inhibition and antimicrobial potency of adenine-based NAD(+)-dependent DNA ligase (LigA) inhibitors was investigated using a strain of the Gram-negative pathogen Haemophilus influenzae lacking its major AcrAB-TolC efflux pump and the Gram-positive pathogen Streptococcus pneumoniae. To this end, biochemical inhibitors not mediating their antibacterial mode of action (MOA) via LigA were removed from the analysis. In doing so, a significant number of compounds were identified that acted via inhibition of LigA in S. pneumoniae but not in H. influenzae, despite being inhibitors of both isozymes. Deviations from the line correlating antimicrobial and biochemical potencies of LigA inhibitors with the correct MOA were observed for both species. These deviations, usually corresponding to higher MIC/IC50 ratios, were attributed to varying compound permeance into the cell.

Molecular characterization of NAD+-dependent DNA ligase from Wolbachia endosymbiont of lymphatic filarial parasite Brugia malayi

The lymphatic filarial parasite, Brugia malayi contains Wolbachia endobacteria that are essential for development, viability and fertility of the parasite. Therefore, wolbachial proteins have been currently seen as the potential antifilarial drug targets. NAD(+)-dependent DNA ligase is characterized as a promising drug target in several organisms due to its crucial, indispensable role in DNA replication, recombination and DNA repair. We report here the cloning, expression and purification of NAD(+)-dependent DNA ligase of Wolbachia endosymbiont of B. malayi (wBm-LigA) for its molecular characterization. wBm-LigA has all the domains that are present in nearly all the eubacterial NAD(+)-dependent DNA ligases such as N-terminal adenylation domain, OB fold, helix-hairpin-helix (HhH) and BRCT domain except zinc-binding tetracysteine domain. The purified recombinant protein (683-amino acid) was found to be biochemically active and was present in its native form as revealed by the circular dichroism and fluorescence spectra. The purified recombinant enzyme was able to catalyze intramolecular strand joining on a nicked DNA as well as intermolecular joining of the cohesive ends of BstEII restricted lamda DNA in an in vitro assay. The enzyme was localized in the various life-stages of B. malayi parasites by immunoblotting and high enzyme expression was observed in Wolbachia within B. malayi microfilariae and female adult parasites along the hypodermal chords and in the gravid portion as evident by the confocal microscopy. Ours is the first report on this enzyme of Wolbachia and these findings would assist in validating the antifilarial drug target potential of wBm-LigA in future studies.

The kinetic mechanism of S. pneumoniae DNA ligase and inhibition by adenosine-based antibacterial compounds

The NAD-dependent DNA ligase is an excellent target for the discovery of antibacterial agents with a novel mode of action. In this work the DNA ligase from Streptococcus pneumoniae was investigated for its steady-state kinetic parameters and inhibition by compounds with an adenosine substructure. Inhibition by substrate DNA that was observed in the enzyme turnover experiments was verified by direct binding measurements using isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC). The substrate-inhibited enzyme form was identified as deadenylated DNA ligase. The binding potencies of 2-(butylsulfanyl) adenosine and 2-(cyclopentyloxy) adenosine were not significantly affected by the presence of the enzyme-bound DNA substrate. Finally, a mutant protein was prepared that was known to confer resistance to the adenosine compounds' antibacterial activity. The mutant protein was shown to have little catalytic impairment yet it was less susceptible to adenosine compound inhibition.

Chromosome demise in the wake of ligase-deficient replication

Bacterial DNA ligases, NAD⁺-dependent enzymes, are distinct from eukaryotic ATP-dependent ligases, representing promising targets for broad-spectrum antimicrobials. Yet, the chromosomal consequences of ligase-deficient DNA replication, during which Okazaki fragments accumulate, are still unclear. Using ligA251(Ts), the strongest ligase mutant of Escherichia coli, we studied ligase-deficient DNA replication by genetic and physical approaches. Here we show that replication without ligase kills after a short resistance period. We found that double-strand break repair via RecA, RecBCD, RuvABC and RecG explains the transient resistance, whereas irreparable chromosomal fragmentation explains subsequent cell death. Remarkably, death is mostly prevented by elimination of linear DNA degradation activity of ExoV, suggesting that non-allelic double-strand breaks behind replication forks precipitate DNA degradation that enlarge them into allelic double-strand gaps. Marker frequency profiling of synchronized replication reveals stalling of ligase-deficient forks with subsequent degradation of the DNA synthesized without ligase. The mechanism that converts unsealed nicks behind replication forks first into repairable double-strand breaks and then into irreparable double-strand gaps may be behind lethality of any DNA damaging treatment.

Mechanistic assessment of DNA ligase as an antibacterial target in Staphylococcus aureus

We report the use of a known pyridochromanone inhibitor with antibacterial activity to assess the validity of NAD(+)-dependent DNA ligase (LigA) as an antibacterial target in Staphylococcus aureus. Potent inhibition of purified LigA was demonstrated in a DNA ligation assay (inhibition constant [K(i)] = 4.0 nM) and in a DNA-independent enzyme adenylation assay using full-length LigA (50% inhibitory concentration [IC(50)] = 28 nM) or its isolated adenylation domain (IC(50) = 36 nM). Antistaphylococcal activity was confirmed against methicillin-susceptible and -resistant S. aureus (MSSA and MRSA) strains (MIC = 1.0 μg/ml). Analysis of spontaneous resistance potential revealed a high frequency of emergence (4 × 10(-7)) of high-level resistant mutants (MIC > 64) with associated ligA lesions. There were no observable effects on growth rate in these mutants. Of 22 sequenced clones, 3 encoded point substitutions within the catalytic adenylation domain and 19 in the downstream oligonucleotide-binding (OB) fold and helix-hairpin-helix (HhH) domains. In vitro characterization of the enzymatic properties of four selected mutants revealed distinct signatures underlying their resistance to inhibition. The infrequent adenylation domain mutations altered the kinetics of adenylation and probably elicited resistance directly. In contrast, the highly represented OB fold domain mutations demonstrated a generalized resistance mechanism in which covalent LigA activation proceeds normally and yet the parameters of downstream ligation steps are altered. A resulting decrease in substrate K(m) and a consequent increase in substrate occupancy render LigA resistant to competitive inhibition. We conclude that the observed tolerance of staphylococcal cells to such hypomorphic mutations probably invalidates LigA as a viable target for antistaphylococcal chemotherapy.

Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of potent NAD+-dependent DNA ligase inhibitors as potential antibacterial agents. Part 2: 4-amino-pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidin-5(8H)-ones

A series of 4-amino-pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidin-5(8H)-ones were designed and synthesized as a novel class of inhibitors of NAD(+)-dependent DNA ligase that possess potency against Gram-positive bacteria.

Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of potent NAD+-dependent DNA ligase inhibitors as potential antibacterial agents. Part I: aminoalkoxypyrimidine carboxamides

A series of 2,6-disubstituted aminoalkoxypyrimidine carboxamides (AAPCs) with potent inhibition of bacterial NAD(+)-dependent DNA ligase was discovered through the use of structure-guided design. Two subsites in the NAD(+)-binding pocket were explored to modulate enzyme inhibitory potency: a hydrophobic selectivity region was explored through a series of 2-alkoxy substituents while the sugar (ribose) binding region of NAD(+) was explored via 6-alkoxy substituents.

Structure guided understanding of NAD+ recognition in bacterial DNA ligases

NAD(+)-dependent DNA ligases (LigA) are essential bacterial enzymes that catalyze phosphodiester bond formation during DNA replication and repair processes. Phosphodiester bond formation proceeds through a 3-step reaction mechanism. In the first step, the LigA adenylation domain interacts with NAD(+) to form a covalent enzyme-AMP complex. Although it is well established that the specificity for binding of NAD(+) resides within the adenylation domain, the precise recognition elements for the initial binding event remain unclear. We report here the structure of the adenylation domain from Haemophilus influenzae LigA. This structure is a first snapshot of a LigA-AMP intermediate with NAD(+) bound to domain 1a in its open conformation. The binding affinities of NAD(+) for adenylated and nonadenylated forms of the H. influenzae LigA adenylation domain were similar. The combined crystallographic and NAD(+)-binding data suggest that the initial recognition of NAD(+) is via the NMN binding region in domain 1a of LigA.

Bacterial DNA replication enzymes as targets for antibacterial drug discovery

INTRODUCTION

The bacterial replisome is composed of a large number of enzymes, which work in exquisite coordination to accomplish chromosomal replication. Effective inhibition inside the bacterial cell of any of the 'essential' enzymes of the DNA replication pathway should be detrimental to cell survival.

AREAS COVERED

This review covers DNA replication enzymes that have been shown to have a potential for delivering antibacterial compounds or drug candidates including: type II topoisomerases, a clinically validated target family, and DNA ligase, which has yielded inhibitors with in vivo efficacy. A few of the 'replisome' enzymes that are structurally and functionally well characterized and have been subjects of antibacterial discovery efforts are also discussed.

EXPERT OPINION

Identification of several essential genes in the bacterial replication pathway raised hopes that targeting these gene products would lead to novel antibacterials. However, none of these novel, single gene targets have delivered antibacterial drug candidates into clinical trials. This lack of productivity may be due to the target properties and inhibitor identification approaches employed. For DNA primase, DNA helicase and other replisome targets, with the exception of DNA ligase, the exploitation of structure for lead generation has not been tested to the same extent that it has for DNA gyrase. Utilization of structural information should be considered to augment HTS efforts and initiate fragment-based lead generation. The complex protein-protein interactions involved in regulation of replication may explain why biochemical approaches have been less productive for some replisome targets than more independently functioning targets such as DNA ligase or DNA gyrase.

Discovery of bacterial NAD⁺-dependent DNA ligase inhibitors: improvements in clearance of adenosine series

Optimization of clearance of adenosine inhibitors of bacterial NAD(+)-dependent DNA ligase is discussed. To reduce Cytochrome P-450-mediated metabolic clearance, many strategies were explored; however, most modifications resulted in compounds with reduced antibacterial activity and/or unchanged total clearance. The alkyl side chains of the 2-cycloalkoxyadenosines were fluorinated, and compounds with moderate antibacterial activity and favorable pharmacokinetic properties in rat and dog were identified.

Discovery of bacterial NAD+-dependent DNA ligase inhibitors: optimization of antibacterial activity

Optimization of adenosine analog inhibitors of bacterial NAD(+)-dependent DNA ligase is discussed. Antibacterial activity against Streptococcus pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus was improved by modification of the 2-position substituent on the adenine ring and 3'- and 5'-substituents on the ribose. Compounds with logD values 1.5-2.5 maximized potency and maintained drug-like physical properties.

A high-throughput fluorescence resonance energy transfer-based assay for DNA ligase

DNA ligase is the enzyme that catalyzes the formation of the backbone phosphodiester bond between the 5'-PO(4) and 3'-OH of adjacent DNA nucleotides at single-stranded nicks. These nicks occur between Okazaki fragments during replication of the lagging strand of the DNA as well as during DNA repair and recombination. As essential enzymes for DNA replication, the NAD(+)-dependent DNA ligases of pathogenic bacteria are potential targets for the development of antibacterial drugs. For the purposes of drug discovery, a high-throughput assay for DNA ligase activity is invaluable. This article describes a straightforward, fluorescence resonance energy transfer-based DNA ligase assay that is well suited for high-throughput screening for DNA ligase inhibitors as well as for use in enzyme kinetics studies. Its use is demonstrated for measurement of the steady-state kinetic constants of Haemophilus influenzae NAD(+)-dependent DNA ligase and for measurement of the potency of an inhibitor of this enzyme.

Novel bacterial NAD+-dependent DNA ligase inhibitors with broad-spectrum activity and antibacterial efficacy in vivo

DNA ligases are indispensable enzymes playing a critical role in DNA replication, recombination, and repair in all living organisms. Bacterial NAD+-dependent DNA ligase (LigA) was evaluated for its potential as a broad-spectrum antibacterial target. A novel class of substituted adenosine analogs was discovered by target-based high-throughput screening (HTS), and these compounds were optimized to render them more effective and selective inhibitors of LigA. The adenosine analogs inhibited the LigA activities of Escherichia coli, Haemophilus influenzae, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Staphylococcus aureus, with inhibitory activities in the nanomolar range. They were selective for bacterial NAD+-dependent DNA ligases, showing no inhibitory activity against ATP-dependent human DNA ligase 1 or bacteriophage T4 ligase. Enzyme kinetic measurements demonstrated that the compounds bind competitively with NAD+. X-ray crystallography demonstrated that the adenosine analogs bind in the AMP-binding pocket of the LigA adenylation domain. Antibacterial activity was observed against pathogenic Gram-positive and atypical bacteria, such as S. aureus, S. pneumoniae, Streptococcus pyogenes, and M. pneumoniae, as well as against Gram-negative pathogens, such as H. influenzae and Moraxella catarrhalis. The mode of action was verified using recombinant strains with altered LigA expression, an Okazaki fragment accumulation assay, and the isolation of resistant strains with ligA mutations. In vivo efficacy was demonstrated in a murine S. aureus thigh infection model and a murine S. pneumoniae lung infection model. Treatment with the adenosine analogs reduced the bacterial burden (expressed in CFU) in the corresponding infected organ tissue as much as 1,000-fold, thus validating LigA as a target for antibacterial therapy.

Virtual screening of specific chemical compounds by exploring E.coli NAD+-dependent DNA ligase as a target for antibacterial drug discovery

Unique substrate specificity compared with ATP-dependent human DNA ligases recommends E.coli NAD(+)-ligases as potential targets. A plausible strategy is to identify the structural components of bacterial DNA ligase that interact with NAD(+) and then to isolate small molecules that recognize these components and thereby block the binding of NAD(+) to the ligase. This work describes a molecular modeling approach to detect the 3D structure of NAD(+)-dependent DNA ligase in E. coli whose partial structure was determined by wet lab experiments and rest structure was left as such on the road for repairment. We applied protein-drug docking approach to detect the binding affinity of this enzyme with Quinacrine and some of its virtual derivatives. In silico docking results predict that the virtual derivative of Quinacrine (C21H26ClN3O2) has greater binding affinity than Quinacrine. Drug likeness value of 0.833 was observed for this derivative without showing any toxicity risk.

Structural and functional studies of Aspergillus clavatus N(5)-carboxyaminoimidazole ribonucleotide synthetase

N(5)-Carboxyaminoimidazole ribonucleotide synthetase (N(5)-CAIR synthetase), a key enzyme in microbial de novo purine biosynthesis, catalyzes the conversion of aminoimidazole ribonucleotide (AIR) to N(5)-CAIR. To date, this enzyme has been observed only in microorganisms, and thus, it represents an ideal target for antimicrobial drug development. Here we report the cloning, crystallization, and three-dimensional structural analysis of Aspergillus clavatus N(5)-CAIR synthetase solved in the presence of either Mg(2)ATP or MgADP and AIR. These structures, determined to 2.1 and 2.0 A, respectively, revealed that AIR binds in a pocket analogous to that observed for other ATP-grasp enzymes involved in purine metabolism. On the basis of these models, a site-directed mutagenesis study was subsequently conducted that focused on five amino acid residues located in the active site region of the enzyme. These investigations demonstrated that Asp 153 and Lys 353 play critical roles in catalysis without affecting substrate binding. All other mutations affected substrate binding and, in some instances, catalysis as well. Taken together, the structural and kinetic data presented here suggest a catalytic mechanism whereby Mg(2)ATP and bicarbonate first react to form the unstable intermediate carboxyphosphate. This intermediate subsequently decarboxylates to CO(2) and inorganic phosphate, and the amino group of AIR, through general base assistance by Asp 153, attacks CO(2) to form N(5)-CAIR.

Discovery and design of DNA and RNA ligase inhibitors in infectious microorganisms

BACKGROUND: Members of the nucleotidyltransferase superfamily known as DNA and RNA ligases carry out the enzymatic process of polynucleotide ligation. These guardians of genomic integrity share a three-step ligation mechanism, as well as common core structural elements. Both DNA and RNA ligases have experienced a surge of recent interest as chemotherapeutic targets for the treatment of a range of diseases, including bacterial infection, cancer, and the diseases caused by the protozoan parasites known as trypanosomes. OBJECTIVE: In this review, we will focus on efforts targeting pathogenic microorganisms; specifically, bacterial NAD(+)-dependent DNA ligases, which are promising broad-spectrum antibiotic targets, and ATP-dependent RNA editing ligases from Trypanosoma brucei, the species responsible for the devastating neurodegenerative disease, African sleeping sickness. CONCLUSION: High quality crystal structures of both NAD(+)-dependent DNA ligase and the Trypanosoma brucei RNA editing ligase have facilitated the development of a number of promising leads. For both targets, further progress will require surmounting permeability issues and improving selectivity and affinity.

Solution NMR studies of Chlorella virus DNA ligase-adenylate

DNA ligases are essential guardians of genome integrity by virtue of their ability to recognize and seal 3'-OH/5'-phosphate nicks in duplex DNA. The substrate binding and three chemical steps of the ligation pathway are coupled to global and local changes in ligase structure, involving both massive protein domain movements and subtle remodeling of atomic contacts in the active site. Here we applied solution NMR spectroscopy to study the conformational dynamics of the Chlorella virus DNA ligase (ChVLig), a minimized eukaryal ATP-dependent ligase consisting of nucleotidyltransferase, OB, and latch domains. Our analysis of backbone (15)N spin relaxation and (15)N,(1)H residual dipolar couplings of the covalent ChVLig-AMP intermediate revealed conformational sampling on fast (picosecond to nanosecond) and slow timescales (microsecond to millisecond), indicative of interdomain and intradomain flexibility. We identified local and global changes in ChVLig-AMP structure and dynamics induced by phosphate. In particular, the chemical shift perturbations elicited by phosphate were clustered in the peptide motifs that comprise the active site. We hypothesize that phosphate anion mimics some of the conformational transitions that occur when ligase-adenylate interacts with the nick 5'-phosphate.

Structure of the adenylation domain of NAD(+)-dependent DNA ligase from Staphylococcus aureus

DNA ligase catalyzes phosphodiester-bond formation between immediately adjacent 5'-phosphate and 3'-hydroxyl groups in double-stranded DNA and plays a central role in many cellular and biochemical processes, including DNA replication, repair and recombination. Bacterial NAD(+)-dependent DNA ligases have been extensively characterized as potential antibacterial targets because of their essentiality and their structural distinction from human ATP-dependent DNA ligases. The high-resolution structure of the adenylation domain of Staphylococcus aureus NAD(+)-dependent DNA ligase establishes the conserved domain architecture with other bacterial adenylation domains. Two apo crystal structures revealed that the active site possesses the preformed NAD(+)-binding pocket and the 'C2 tunnel' lined with hydrophobic residues: Leu80, Phe224, Leu287, Phe295 and Trp302. The C2 tunnel is unique to bacterial DNA ligases and the Leu80 side chain at the mouth of the tunnel points inside the tunnel and forms a narrow funnel in the S. aureus DNA ligase structure. Taken together with other DNA ligase structures, the S. aureus DNA ligase structure provides a basis for a more integrated understanding of substrate recognition and catalysis and will be also be of help in the development of small-molecule inhibitors.

DNA ligases: progress and prospects

DNA ligases seal 5'-PO4 and 3'-OH polynucleotide ends via three nucleotidyl transfer steps involving ligase-adenylate and DNA-adenylate intermediates. DNA ligases are essential guardians of genomic integrity, and ligase dysfunction underlies human genetic disease syndromes. Crystal structures of DNA ligases bound to nucleotide and nucleic acid substrates have illuminated how ligase reaction chemistry is catalyzed, how ligases recognize damaged DNA ends, and how protein domain movements and active-site remodeling are used to choreograph the end-joining pathway. Although a shared feature of DNA ligases is their envelopment of the nicked duplex as a C-shaped protein clamp, they accomplish this feat by using remarkably different accessory structural modules and domain topologies. As structural, biochemical, and phylogenetic insights coalesce, we can expect advances on several fronts, including (i) pharmacological targeting of ligases for antibacterial and anticancer therapies and (ii) the discovery and design of new strand-sealing enzymes with unique substrate specificities.

NAD(+)-dependent DNA ligase: a novel target waiting for the right inhibitor

DNA ligases (EC.6.5.1.1) are key enzymes that catalyze the formation of phosphodiester bonds at single stranded or double stranded breaks between adjacent 5' phosphoryl and 3' hydroxyl groups of DNA. These enzymes are important for survival because they are involved in major cellular processes like DNA replication/repair and recombination. DNA ligases can be classified into two groups on the basis of their cofactor specificities. NAD(+)-dependent DNA ligases are present in bacteria, some entomopox viruses and mimi virus while ATP-dependent DNA ligases are ubiquitous. The former have recently been drawing a lot of attention as novel targets for antibiotics to overcome current drug resistance issues. Currently a diverse range of inhibitors have been identified. There are several issues to be addressed in the quest for optimized inhibitors of the enzyme. In the first part of the review we summarize current structural work on these enzymes. Subsequently we describe the currently available classes of inhibitors. We also address modalities to improve the specificity and potencies of new inhibitors identified using protein structure based rational approaches. In conclusion, NAD(+)-dependent ligases show great promise and represent a novel drug target whose time has come.

Novel targets for antibiotics in Staphylococcus aureus

Multiple resistant staphylococci that cause significant morbidity and mortality are the leading cause of nosocomial infections. Meanwhile, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) also spreads in the community, where highly virulent strains infect children and young adults who have no predisposing risk factors. Although some treatment options remain, the search for new antibacterial targets and lead compounds is urgently required to ensure that staphylococcal infections can be effectively treated in the future. Promising targets for new antibacterials are gene products that are involved in essential cell functions. In addition to antibacterials, active and passive immunization strategies are being developed that target surface components of staphylococci such as cell wall-linked adhesins, teichoic acids and capsule or immunodominant antigens.

Novel whole-cell antibiotic biosensors for compound discovery

Cells containing reporters which are specifically induced via selected promoters are used in pharmaceutical drug discovery and in environmental biology. They are used in screening for novel drug candidates and in the detection of bioactive compounds in environmental samples. In this study, we generated and validated a set of five Bacillus subtilis promoters fused to the firefly luciferase reporter gene suitable for cell-based screening, enabling the as yet most-comprehensive high-throughput diagnosis of antibiotic interference in the major biosynthetic pathways of bacteria: the biosynthesis of DNA by the yorB promoter, of RNA by the yvgS promoter, of proteins by the yheI promoter, of the cell wall by the ypuA promoter, and of fatty acids by the fabHB promoter. The reporter cells mainly represent novel antibiotic biosensors compatible with high-throughput screening. We validated the strains by developing screens with a set of 14,000 pure natural products, representing a source of highly diverse chemical entities, many of them with antibiotic activity (6% with anti-Bacillus subtilis activity of </=25 mug/ml]). Our screening approach is exemplified by the discovery of classical and novel DNA synthesis and translation inhibitors. For instance, we show that the mechanistically underexplored antibiotic ferrimycin A1 selectively inhibits protein biosynthesis.

Last stop on the road to repair: structure of E. coli DNA ligase bound to nicked DNA-adenylate

NAD(+)-dependent DNA ligases (LigA) are ubiquitous in bacteria and essential for growth. Their distinctive substrate specificity and domain organization vis-a-vis human ATP-dependent ligases make them outstanding targets for anti-infective drug discovery. We report here the 2.3 A crystal structure of Escherichia coli LigA bound to an adenylylated nick, which captures LigA in a state poised for strand closure and reveals the basis for nick recognition. LigA envelopes the DNA within a protein clamp. Large protein domain movements and remodeling of the active site orchestrate progression through the three chemical steps of the ligation reaction. The structure inspires a strategy for inhibitor design.

NAD+-dependent DNA ligase (Rv3014c) from Mycobacterium tuberculosis: Novel structure-function relationship and identification of a specific inhibitor

Mycobacterium tuberculosis codes for an essential NAD+-dependent DNA ligase (MtuLigA) which is a novel, validated, and attractive drug target. We created mutants of the enzyme by systematically deleting domains from the C-terminal end of the enzyme to probe for their functional roles in the DNA nick joining reaction. Deletion of just the BRCT domain from MtuLigA resulted in total loss of activity in in vitro assays. However, the mutant could form an AMP-ligase intermediate that suggests that the defects caused by deletion of the BRCT domain occur primarily at steps after enzyme adenylation. Furthermore, genetic complementation experiments using a LigA deficient E. coli strain demonstrates that the BRCT domain of MtuLigA is necessary for bacterial survival in contrast to E. coli and T. filiformis LigA, respectively. We also report the identification, through virtual screening, of a novel N-substituted tetracyclic indole that competes with NAD+ and inhibits the enzyme with IC50 in the low muM range. It exhibits approximately 15-fold better affinity for MtuLigA compared to human DNA ligase I. In vivo assays using LigA deficient S. typhimurium and E. coli strains suggest that the observed antibacterial activity of the inhibitor arises from specific inhibition of LigA over ATP ligases in the bacteria. In silico ligand-docking studies suggest that the exquisite specificity of the inhibitor arises on account of its mimicking the interactions of NAD+ with MtuLigA. An analysis of conserved water in the binding site of the enzyme suggests strategies for synthesis of improved inhibitors with better specificity and potency.

Evaluation of NAD(+) -dependent DNA ligase of mycobacteria as a potential target for antibiotics

Mycobacteria contain genes for several DNA ligases, including ligA, which encodes a NAD(+)-dependent enzyme that has been postulated to be a target for novel antibacterial compounds. Using a homologous recombination system, direct evidence is presented that wild-type ligA cannot be deleted from the chromosome of Mycobacterium smegmatis. Deletions of native ligA in M. smegmatis could be obtained only after the integration of an extra copy of M. smegmatis or Mycobacterium tuberculosis ligA into the attB site of the chromosome, with expression controlled by chemically inducible promoters. The four ATP-dependent DNA ligases encoded by the M. smegmatis chromosome were unable to replace the function of LigA. Interestingly, the LigA protein from M. smegmatis could be substituted with the NAD(+)-dependent DNA ligase of Escherichia coli or the ATP-dependent ligase of bacteriophage T4. The conditional mutant strains allowed the analysis of the effect of LigA depletion on the growth of M. smegmatis. The protein level of the conditional mutants was estimated by Western blot analysis using antibodies raised against LigA of M. tuberculosis. This revealed that a strong overproduction or depletion of LigA did not affect the growth or survival of mycobacteria under standard laboratory conditions. In conclusion, although NAD(+)-dependent DNA ligase is essential for mycobacterial viability, only low levels of protein are required for growth. These findings suggest that very efficient inhibition of enzyme activity would be required if NAD(+)-dependent DNA ligase is to be useful as an antibiotic target in mycobacteria. The strains developed here will provide useful tools for the evaluation of the efficacy of any appropriate compounds in mycobacteria.

One-Step Synthesis of Heterocyclic Privileged Medicinal Scaffolds by a Multicomponent Reaction of Malononitrile with Aldehydes and Thiols

Heterocyclic privileged medicinal scaffolds involving pyridine, 1,4-dihydropyridine, chromeno[2,3-b]pyridine, and dihydro-1,4-dithiepine frameworks are prepared via a single-step multicomponent reaction of structurally diverse aldehydes with various thiols and malononitrile. Mechanistic studies of the synthetic pathway leading to pyridines reveal that 1,4-dihydropyridines undergo oxidation by the intermediate Knoevenagel adducts rather than by air oxygen. The use of o,o'-disubstituted aromatic aldehydes leads to the corresponding 1,4-dihydropyridines, whereas salicylic aldehydes result in chromeno[2,3-b]pyridines. Reactions of ethanedithiol as a thiol component produce dimeric pyridines with sterically unencumbered aldehydes, while o,o'-disubstituted aromatic aldehydes give dihydro-1,4-dithiepines. Thus, depending on the aldehyde and thiol types, diverse libraries of medicinally relevant compounds can be prepared by a simple one-step process involving no chromatography.

A high-throughput assay for the adenylation reaction of bacterial DNA ligase

DNA ligase catalyzes the closure of single-strand nicks in double-stranded DNA that arise during replication and recombination. Inhibition of bacterial ligase is expected to cause chromosome degradation and cell death, making it an attractive target for new antibacterials. The prototypical bacterial ligase couples the hydrolysis of NAD(+) to phosphodiester bond formation between an adjacent 3'OH and 5'-terminal phosphate of nicked duplex DNA. The first step is the reversible formation of a ligase-adenylate from the reaction between apoenzyme and NAD(+). Inhibitors that compete with NAD(+) are expected to be bacterial specific because eukaryotic DNA ligases use ATP and differ in the sequence composition of their adenylation domain. We report here a high-throughput assay that measures the adenylation reaction specifically by monitoring ligase-AMP formation via scintillation proximity technologies. Escherichia coli DNA ligase was biotinylated in vivo; after reaction with radiolabeled NAD(+), ligase-[(3)H]AMP could be captured onto the streptavidin-coated surface of the solid scintillant. The method was ideal for high-throughput screening because it required minimal manipulations and generated a robust signal with minimal scatter. Certain adenosine analogs were found to inhibit the adenylation assay and had similar potency of inhibition in a DNA ligation assay.

Convenient one-step synthesis of a medicinally relevant benzopyranopyridine system

Benzopyrano[2,3-b]pyridine is an important privileged medicinal scaffold. A three-component reaction of salicylaldehydes, thiols and 2 equiv of malononitrile that leads to the formation of a series of compounds incorporating 2,4-diamino-3-cyano-5-sulfanylbenzopyrano[2,3-b]pyridine framework is described. A proposed mechanism with the supporting experimental data is presented.

Inhibition of cancer cell growth by cyclin dependent kinase 4 inhibitors synthesized based on the structure of fascaplysin

Tryptamine derivatives, a new structural class of cyclin dependent kinase 4 inhibitors, have been identified during extensive biological screening of synthetic molecules. The molecules were synthesized based on the structure of fascaplysin, which is not only a specific inhibitor of the Cdk4-cyclin D1 enzyme but also a relatively toxic molecule, probably because it binds and intercalates DNA. Interestingly, the new structural analogues of fascaplysin do not interact or intercalate with double-stranded DNA, although they inhibit Cdk4-cyclin D1 specifically. We found that compound CA199 was the most potent molecule, showing at least 25-fold specificity towards Cdk4-cyclin D1 (IC50 for Cdk4-cyclin D1 = 20 microM, Cdk2 > 500 microM). CA199 inhibits the growth of different cancer cell lines at concentrations ranging from 10-40 microM. It blocks growth of asynchronous cells at G0/G1 in a retinoblastoma protein (pRb) dependent manner. Moreover, CA199 blocks growth only at early G1 in synchronised cells released from a mimosine-induced G1/S block. These observations are reminiscent of a true Cdk4 inhibitor.

Immobilized DNA hairpins for assay of sequential breaking and joining of DNA backbones

Immobilized DNA hairpins are exploited in a novel approach to assay DNA ligases and nucleases. A fundamental characteristic of the assay is that a fluorophore at the remote terminus of the hairpin reports on the integrity of the DNA backbone. The functionality of the protocol is confirmed using ATP- and NAD+-dependent DNA ligases and the nicking enzyme N.BbvCIA. The assay format is amenable to high-throughput analysis and quantitation of enzyme activity, and it is shown to be in excellent agreement with the more laborious electrophoretic approaches that are widely used for such analyses. Significantly, the assay is used to demonstrate sequential breaking and rejoining of a specific nucleic acid. Thus, a simple platform for biochemically innovative studies of pathways in cellular nucleic acid metabolism is demonstrated.

CA224, a non-planar analogue of fascaplysin, inhibits Cdk4 but not Cdk2 and arrests cells at G0/G1 inhibiting pRB phosphorylation

Tryptamine derivatives, non-planar and potentially less toxic analogues of the anti-cancer agent fascaplysin, have been synthesised. They specifically inhibit Cdk4-D1 vis a vis Cdk2-A but, unlike fascaplysin, do not bind or intercalate DNA. CA224 is the most potent compound identified (Cdk4-D1 IC(50) approximately 5.5 microM). As would be expected of a Cdk4 inhibitor that does not inhibit Cdk2, it maintains a G(0)/G(1) block in synchronised cancer cells and inhibits Cdk4-specific phosphorylation of the retinoblastoma protein.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis NAD+-dependent DNA ligase is selectively inhibited by glycosylamines compared with human DNA ligase I

DNA ligases are important enzymes which catalyze the joining of nicks between adjacent bases of double-stranded DNA. NAD+-dependent DNA ligases (LigA) are essential in bacteria and are absent in humans. They have therefore been identified as novel, validated and attractive drug targets. Using virtual screening against an in-house database of compounds and our recently determined crystal structure of the NAD+ binding domain of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis LigA, we have identified N1, N(n)-bis-(5-deoxy-alpha-D-xylofuranosylated) diamines as a novel class of inhibitors for this enzyme. Assays involving M.tuberculosis LigA, T4 ligase and human DNA ligase I show that these compounds specifically inhibit LigA from M.tuberculosis. In vitro kinetic and inhibition assays demonstrate that the compounds compete with NAD+ for binding and inhibit enzyme activity with IC50 values in the microM range. Docking studies rationalize the observed specificities and show that among several glycofuranosylated diamines, bis xylofuranosylated diamines with aminoalkyl and 1, 3-phenylene carbamoyl spacers mimic the binding modes of NAD+ with the enzyme. Assays involving LigA-deficient bacterial strains show that in vivo inhibition of ligase by the compounds causes the observed antibacterial activities. They also demonstrate that the compounds exhibit in vivo specificity for LigA over ATP-dependent ligase. This class of inhibitors holds out the promise of rational development of new anti-tubercular agents.

Analysis of ligation and DNA binding by Escherichia coli DNA ligase (LigA)

NAD(+)-dependent DNA ligases are essential enzymes in bacteria, with the most widely studied of this class of enzymes being LigA from Escherichia coli. NAD(+)-dependent DNA ligases comprise several discrete structural domains, including a BRCT domain at the C-terminus that is highly-conserved in this group of proteins. The over-expression and purification of various fragments of E. coli LigA allowed the investigation of the different domains in DNA-binding and ligation by this enzyme. Compared to the full-length protein, the deletion of the BRCT domain from LigA reduced in vitro ligation activity by 3-fold and also reduced DNA binding. Using an E. coli strain harbouring a temperature-sensitive mutation of ligA, the over-expression of protein with its BRCT domain deleted enabled growth at the non-permissive temperature. In gel-mobility shift experiments, the isolated BRCT domain bound DNA in a stable manner and to a wider range of DNA molecules compared to full LigA. Thus, the BRCT domain of E. coli LigA can bind DNA, but it is not essential for DNA nick-joining activity in vitro or in vivo.

NAD+-dependent DNA Ligase (Rv3014c) from Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Crystal structure of the adenylation domain and identification of novel inhibitors

DNA ligases utilize either ATP or NAD+ as cofactors to catalyze the formation of phosphodiester bonds in nicked DNA. Those utilizing NAD+ are attractive drug targets because of the unique cofactor requirement for ligase activity. We report here the crystal structure of the adenylation domain of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis NAD+-dependent ligase with bound AMP. The adenosine nucleoside moiety of AMP adopts a syn-conformation. The structure also captures a new spatial disposition between the two subdomains of the adenylation domain. Based on the crystal structure and an in-house compound library, we have identified a novel class of inhibitors for the enzyme using in silico docking calculations. The glycosyl ureide-based inhibitors were able to distinguish between NAD+- and ATP-dependent ligases as evidenced by in vitro assays using T4 ligase and human DNA ligase I. Moreover, assays involving an Escherichia coli strain harboring a temperature-sensitive ligase mutant and a ligase-deficient Salmonella typhimurium strain suggested that the bactericidal activity of the inhibitors is due to inhibition of the essential ligase enzyme. The results can be used as the basis for rational design of novel antibacterial agents.

Staphylococcus aureus DNA ligase: characterization of its kinetics of catalysis and development of a high-throughput screening compatible chemiluminescent hybridization protection assay

DNA ligases are key enzymes involved in the repair and replication of DNA. Prokaryotic DNA ligases uniquely use NAD+ as the adenylate donor during catalysis, whereas eukaryotic enzymes use ATP. This difference in substrate specificity makes the bacterial enzymes potential targets for therapeutic intervention. We have developed a homogeneous chemiluminescence-based hybridization protection assay for Staphylococcus aureus DNA ligase that uses novel acridinium ester technology and demonstrate that it is an alternative to the commonly used radiometric assays for ligases. The assay has been used to determine a number of kinetic constants for S. aureus DNA ligase catalysis. These included the K(m) values for NAD+ (2.75+/-0.1 microM) and the acridinium-ester-labelled DNA substrate (2.5+/-0.2 nM). A study of the pH-dependencies of kcat, K(m) and kcat/K(m) has revealed values of kinetically influential ionizations within the enzyme-substrate complexes (kcat) and free enzyme (kcat/K(m)). In each case, the curves were shown to be composed of one kinetically influential ionization, for k(cat), pK(a)=6.6+/-0.1 and kcat/K(m), pK(a)=7.1+/-0.1. Inhibition characteristics of the enzyme against two Escherichia coli DNA ligase inhibitors have also been determined with IC50 values for these being 3.30+/-0.86 microM for doxorubicin and 1.40+/-0.07 microM for chloroquine diphosphate. The assay has also been successfully miniaturized to a sufficiently low volume to allow it to be utilized in a high-throughput screen (384-well format; 20 microl reaction volume), enabling the assay to be used in screening campaigns against libraries of compounds to discover leads for further drug development.

New advances in antibiotic development and discovery

The development of new antibiotics is crucial to controlling current and future infectious diseases caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Increased development costs, the difficulty in identifying new drug classes, unanticipated drug toxicities, the ease by which bacteria develop resistance to new antibiotics and the failure of many agents to address antibiotic resistance specifically, however, have all led to an overall decline in the number of antibiotics that are being introduced into clinical practice. Although there are few, if any, advances likely in the immediate future, there are agents in both clinical and preclinical development that can address some of the concerns of the infectious disease community. Many of these antibiotics will be tailored to specific infections caused by a relatively modest number of susceptible and resistant organisms.

Structure-guided mutational analysis of the nucleotidyltransferase domain of Escherichia coli NAD+-dependent DNA ligase (LigA)

NAD+-dependent DNA ligase (LigA) is essential for bacterial growth and a potential target for antimicrobial drug discovery. Here we queried the role of 14 conserved amino acids of Escherichia coli LigA by alanine scanning and thereby identified five new residues within the nucleotidyltransferase domain as being essential for LigA function in vitro and in vivo. Structure activity relationships were determined by conservative mutagenesis for the Glu-173, Arg-200, Arg-208, and Arg-277 side chains, as well as four other essential side chains that had been identified previously (Lys-115, Asp-117, Asp-285, and Lys-314). In addition, we identified Lys-290 as important for LigA activity. Reference to the structure of Enterococcus faecalis LigA allowed us to discriminate three classes of essential/important side chains that: (i) contact NAD+ directly (Lys-115, Glu-173, Lys-290, and Lys-314); (ii) comprise the interface between the NMN-binding domain (domain Ia) and the nucleotidyltransferase domain or comprise part of a nick-binding site on the surface of the nucleotidyltransferase domain (Arg-200 and Arg-208); or (iii) stabilize the active site fold of the nucleotidyltransferase domain (Arg-277). Analysis of mutational effects on the isolated ligase adenylylation and phosphodiester formation reactions revealed different functions for essential side chains at different steps of the DNA ligase pathway, consistent with the proposal that the active site is serially remodeled as the reaction proceeds.

Structural rearrangement accompanying NAD+ synthesis within a bacterial DNA ligase crystal

DNA ligase is an enzyme important for DNA repair and replication. Eukaryotic genomes encode ligases requiring ATP as the cofactor; bacterial genomes encode NAD(+)-dependent ligase. This difference in substrate specificities and the essentiality of NAD(+)-dependent ligase for bacterial survival make NAD(+)-dependent ligase a good target for designing highly specific anti-infectives. Any such structure-guided effort would require the knowledge of the precise mechanism of NAD+ recognition by the enzyme. We report the principles of NAD+ recognition by presenting the synthesis of NAD+ from nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) and AMP, catalyzed by Enterococcus faecalis ligase within the crystal lattice. Unprecedented conformational change, required to reorient the two subdomains of the protein for the condensation to occur and to recognize NAD+, is captured in two structures obtained using the same protein crystal. Structural data and sequence analysis presented here confirms and extends prior functional studies of the ligase adenylation reaction.