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Guida M, Tammaro C, Quaranta M, Salvucci B, Biava M, Poce G, Consalvi S. Amino Acid Biosynthesis Inhibitors in Tuberculosis Drug Discovery. Pharmaceutics 2024; 16:725. [PMID: 38931847 PMCID: PMC11206623 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics16060725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2024] [Revised: 05/15/2024] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
According to the latest World Health Organization (WHO) report, an estimated 10.6 million people were diagnosed with tuberculosis (TB) in 2022, and 1.30 million died. A major concern is the emergence of multi-drug-resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) strains, fueled by the length of anti-TB treatment and HIV comorbidity. Innovative anti-TB agents acting with new modes of action are the only solution to counteract the spread of resistant infections. To escape starvation and survive inside macrophages, Mtb has evolved to become independent of the host by synthesizing its own amino acids. Therefore, targeting amino acid biosynthesis could subvert the ability of the mycobacterium to evade the host immune system, providing innovative avenues for drug discovery. The aim of this review is to give an overview of the most recent progress in the discovery of amino acid biosynthesis inhibitors. Among the hits discovered over the past five years, tryptophan (Trp) inhibitors stand out as the most advanced and have significantly contributed to demonstrating the feasibility of this approach for future TB drug discovery. Future efforts should be directed at prioritizing the chemical optimization of these hits to enrich the TB drug pipeline with high-quality leads.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Giovanna Poce
- Department of Chemistry and Technologies of Drug, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale A. Moro, 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.G.); (C.T.); (M.Q.); (B.S.); (M.B.)
| | - Sara Consalvi
- Department of Chemistry and Technologies of Drug, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale A. Moro, 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.G.); (C.T.); (M.Q.); (B.S.); (M.B.)
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Canales CSC, Pavan AR, Dos Santos JL, Pavan FR. In silico drug design strategies for discovering novel tuberculosis therapeutics. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2024; 19:471-491. [PMID: 38374606 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2024.2319042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Tuberculosis remains a significant concern in global public health due to its intricate biology and propensity for developing antibiotic resistance. Discovering new drugs is a protracted and expensive endeavor, often spanning over a decade and incurring costs in the billions. However, computer-aided drug design (CADD) has surfaced as a nimbler and more cost-effective alternative. CADD tools enable us to decipher the interactions between therapeutic targets and novel drugs, making them invaluable in the quest for new tuberculosis treatments. AREAS COVERED In this review, the authors explore recent advancements in tuberculosis drug discovery enabled by in silico tools. The main objectives of this review article are to highlight emerging drug candidates identified through in silico methods and to provide an update on the therapeutic targets associated with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. EXPERT OPINION These in silico methods have not only streamlined the drug discovery process but also opened up new horizons for finding novel drug candidates and repositioning existing ones. The continued advancements in these fields hold great promise for more efficient, ethical, and successful drug development in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian S Carnero Canales
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araraquara, Brazil
- School of Pharmacy, biochemistry and biotechnology, Santa Maria Catholic University, Arequipa, Perú
| | - Aline Renata Pavan
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araraquara, Brazil
| | | | - Fernando Rogério Pavan
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araraquara, Brazil
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El-Sayed SM, Ahmed SA, Gulia K, Lenhard JR, Hassan AHE, Farahat AA. Small Molecules Incorporating Privileged Amidine Moiety as Potential Hits Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:1040. [PMID: 37513951 PMCID: PMC10384254 DOI: 10.3390/ph16071040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Revised: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The continuing need for the discovery of potent antibacterial agents against antibiotic-resistant pathogens is the driving force for many researchers to design and develop such agents. Herein, we report the design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of amidine derivatives as new antibacterial agents. Compound 13d was the most active in this study against a wide range of antibiotic-resistant, and susceptible, Gram-positive, and Gram-negative bacterial strains. Time-kill assay experiments indicated that compound 13d was an effective bactericidal compound against the tested organisms at the log-phase of bacterial growth. Docking simulations were performed to assess in silico its mode of action regarding UPPS, KARI, and DNA as potential bacterial targets. Results unveiled the importance of structural features of compound 13d in its biological activity including central thiophene ring equipped with left and right pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine and phenyl moieties and two terminal amidines cyclized into 4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-2-yl functionalities. Collectively, compound 13d represents a possible hit for future development of potent antibacterial agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Selwan M El-Sayed
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Delta University for Science and Technology, Gamasa 35712, Egypt
| | - Samar A Ahmed
- Department of Clinical and Administrative Sciences, College of Pharmacy, California Northstate University, Elk Grove, CA 95757, USA
| | - Kanika Gulia
- Master of Pharmaceutical Sciences Program, California Northstate University, 9700 W Taron Dr., Elk Grove, CA 95757, USA
| | - Justin R Lenhard
- Department of Clinical and Administrative Sciences, College of Pharmacy, California Northstate University, Elk Grove, CA 95757, USA
| | - Ahmed H E Hassan
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt
- Medicinal Chemistry Laboratory, College of Pharmacy, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea
| | - Abdelbasset A Farahat
- Master of Pharmaceutical Sciences Program, California Northstate University, 9700 W Taron Dr., Elk Grove, CA 95757, USA
- Department of Pharmaceutical Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt
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Gulia K, Hassan AHE, Lenhard JR, Farahat AA. Escaping ESKAPE resistance: in vitro and in silico studies of multifunctional carbamimidoyl-tethered indoles against antibiotic-resistant bacteria. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2023; 10:230020. [PMID: 37090961 PMCID: PMC10113819 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.230020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Combining the hybridization and repurposing strategies, six compounds from our in-house library and having a designed hybrid structure of MBX-1162, pentamidine and MMV688271 were repurposed as potential antibacterial agents. Among, compounds 1a and 1d elicited potential sub-µg ml-1 activity against the high-priority antibiotic-resistant Gram-positive members of ESKAPE bacteria as well as antibiotic-susceptible Gram-positive bacteria. Furthermore, they showed potential low µg ml-1 activity against the explored critical-priority antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative members of ESKAPE bacteria. In time-kill assay, compound 1a has effective 0.5 and 0.25 µg ml-1 antibacterial lethal concentrations against MRSA in exponential growth phase. In silico investigations predicted compounds 1a and 1d as inhibitors of the open conformation of undecaprenyl diphosphate synthase involved in bacterial isoprenoid synthesis. In addition, compounds 1a and 1d were predicted as inhibitors of NADPH-free but not NADPH-bound form of ketol-acid reductoisomerase and may also serve as potential B-DNA minor groove binders with possible differences in the molecular sequence recognition. Overall, compounds 1a and 1d are presented as multifunctional potential antibacterial agents for further development against high- and critical-priority Gram-positive and Gram-negative antibiotic-resistant ESKAPE bacterial pathogens as well as antibiotic-susceptible Gram-positive bacterial pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kanika Gulia
- Master of Pharmaceutical Sciences Program, California Northstate University, 9700 W Taron Dr., Elk Grove, CA 95757, USA
- College of Medicine, California Northstate University, 9700 W Taron Dr., Elk Grove, CA 95757, USA
| | - Ahmed H. E. Hassan
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt
| | - Justin R. Lenhard
- Department of Clinical and Administrative Sciences, College of Pharmacy, California Northstate University, Elk Grove, CA 95757, USA
| | - Abdelbasset A. Farahat
- Master of Pharmaceutical Sciences Program, California Northstate University, 9700 W Taron Dr., Elk Grove, CA 95757, USA
- Department of Pharmaceutical Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt
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Mycobacterium tuberculosis ketol-acid reductoisomerase down-regulation affects its ability to persist, and its survival in macrophages and in mice. Microbes Infect 2022; 24:105000. [DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2022.105000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Revised: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Bayaraa T, Gaete J, Sutiono S, Kurz J, Lonhienne T, Harmer JR, Bernhardt PV, Sieber V, Guddat L, Schenk G. Dihydroxy‐Acid Dehydratases From Pathogenic Bacteria: Emerging Drug Targets to Combat Antibiotic Resistance. Chemistry 2022; 28:e202200927. [PMID: 35535733 PMCID: PMC9543379 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202200927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
There is an urgent global need for the development of novel therapeutics to combat the rise of various antibiotic‐resistant superbugs. Enzymes of the branched‐chain amino acid (BCAA) biosynthesis pathway are an attractive target for novel anti‐microbial drug development. Dihydroxy‐acid dehydratase (DHAD) is the third enzyme in the BCAA biosynthesis pathway. It relies on an Fe−S cluster for catalytic activity and has recently also gained attention as a catalyst in cell‐free enzyme cascades. Two types of Fe−S clusters have been identified in DHADs, i.e. [2Fe−2S] and [4Fe−4S], with the latter being more prone to degradation in the presence of oxygen. Here, we characterise two DHADs from bacterial human pathogens, Staphylococcus aureus and Campylobacter jejuni (SaDHAD and CjDHAD). Purified SaDHAD and CjDHAD are virtually inactive, but activity could be reversibly reconstituted in vitro (up to ∼19,000‐fold increase with kcat as high as ∼6.7 s−1). Inductively‐coupled plasma‐optical emission spectroscopy (ICP‐OES) measurements are consistent with the presence of [4Fe−4S] clusters in both enzymes. N‐isopropyloxalyl hydroxamate (IpOHA) and aspterric acid are both potent inhibitors for both SaDHAD (Ki=7.8 and 51.6 μM, respectively) and CjDHAD (Ki=32.9 and 35.1 μM, respectively). These compounds thus present suitable starting points for the development of novel anti‐microbial chemotherapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tenuun Bayaraa
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences The University of Queensland Brisbane 4072 Australia
| | - Jose Gaete
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences The University of Queensland Brisbane 4072 Australia
| | - Samuel Sutiono
- Chair of Chemistry of Biogenic resources Campus Straubing for Biotechnology and Sustainability Technical University of Munich Schulgasse 16 94315 Straubing Germany
| | - Julia Kurz
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences The University of Queensland Brisbane 4072 Australia
| | - Thierry Lonhienne
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences The University of Queensland Brisbane 4072 Australia
| | - Jeffrey R. Harmer
- Centre for Advanced Imaging The University of Queensland Brisbane 4072 Australia
| | - Paul V. Bernhardt
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences The University of Queensland Brisbane 4072 Australia
| | - Volker Sieber
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences The University of Queensland Brisbane 4072 Australia
- Chair of Chemistry of Biogenic resources Campus Straubing for Biotechnology and Sustainability Technical University of Munich Schulgasse 16 94315 Straubing Germany
| | - Luke Guddat
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences The University of Queensland Brisbane 4072 Australia
| | - Gerhard Schenk
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences The University of Queensland Brisbane 4072 Australia
- Sustainable Minerals Institute The University of Queensland Brisbane 4072 Australia
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology The University of Queensland Brisbane 4072 Australia
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Valera A, Wang S, Carr R, Trembleau L, Deng H. Characterization of a class II ketol-acid reductoisomerase from Mycobacterium tuberculosis. RSC Adv 2022; 12:10540-10544. [PMID: 35425013 PMCID: PMC8985424 DOI: 10.1039/d1ra08876a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Mycobacterium tuberculosis ketol-acid reductoisomerases have been widely studied due to their metabolic importance towards development of drug-resistant bacteria treatment. We here report the biochemical characterization of a new KARI (MtKARI-II) from a Mycobacterium tuberculosis variant with a similar kinetic profile to class I KARIs. Phylogenetic analysis suggested that MtKARI-II is clustered into a class II KARI superfamily. Biochemical characterization of an unusual class II KARI (MtKARI-II) from a Mycobacterium tuberculosis variant.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Ane Valera
- Department of Chemistry, University of Aberdeen Aberdeen AB24 3UE Scotland UK
| | - Shan Wang
- Department of Chemistry, University of Aberdeen Aberdeen AB24 3UE Scotland UK
| | | | - Laurent Trembleau
- Department of Chemistry, University of Aberdeen Aberdeen AB24 3UE Scotland UK
| | - Hai Deng
- Department of Chemistry, University of Aberdeen Aberdeen AB24 3UE Scotland UK
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Ebenezer O, Damoyi N, Jordaan MA, Shapi M. Unveiling of Pyrimidindinones as Potential Anti-Norovirus Agents-A Pharmacoinformatic-Based Approach. Molecules 2022; 27:380. [PMID: 35056692 PMCID: PMC8777711 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27020380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Revised: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) receptor is an attractive target for treating human norovirus (HNV). A computer-aided approach like e-pharmacophore, molecular docking, and single point energy calculations were performed on the compounds retrieved from the Development Therapeutics Program (DTP) AIDS Antiviral Screen Database to identify the antiviral agent that could target the HNV RdRp receptor. Induced-fit docking (IFD) results showed that compounds ZINC1617939, ZINC1642549, ZINC6425208, ZINC5887658 and ZINC32068149 bind with the residues in the active site-B of HNV RdRp receptor via hydrogen bonds, salt bridge, and electrostatic interactions. During the molecular dynamic simulations, compounds ZINC6425208, ZINC5887658 and ZINC32068149 displayed an unbalanced backbone conformation with HNV RdRp protein, while ZINC1617939 and ZINC1642549 maintained stability with the protein backbone when interacting with the residues. Hence, the two new concluding compounds discovered by the computational approach can be used as a chemotype to design promising antiviral agents aimed at HNV RdRp.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oluwakemi Ebenezer
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Natural Science, Mangosuthu University of Technology, 511 Mangosuthu Highway, Durban 4000, South Africa; (N.D.); (M.A.J.); (M.S.)
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Yang J, Firdaus F, Azuar A, Khalil ZG, Marasini N, Capon RJ, Hussein WM, Toth I, Skwarczynski M. Cell-Penetrating Peptides-Based Liposomal Delivery System Enhanced Immunogenicity of Peptide-Based Vaccine against Group A Streptococcus. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:499. [PMID: 34066099 PMCID: PMC8151947 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9050499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2021] [Revised: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Peptide-based vaccine development represents a highly promising strategy for preventing Group A Streptococcus (GAS) infection. However, these vaccines need to be administered with the help of a delivery system and/or immune adjuvant. Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) have been used as a powerful tool for delivering various therapeutic agents, including peptides, as they can overcome the permeability barrier of cell membranes. Here, we used CPPs to deliver our lead lipopeptide-based vaccine (LCP-1). CPPs were anchored through a spacer to LCP-1-bearing multilamellar and unilamellar liposomes and administered to Swiss outbred mice. Tat47-57 conjugated to two palmitic acids via a (Gly)6 spacer (to form a liposome-anchoring moiety) was the most efficient system for triggering immune responses when combined with multilamellar liposomes bearing LCP-1. The immunostimulatory potential of a variety of other CPPs was examined following intranasal administration in mice. Among them, LCP-1/liposomes/Tat47-57 and LCP-1/liposomes/KALA induced the highest antibody titers. The antibodies produced showed high opsonic activity against clinically isolated GAS strains D3840 and GC2 203. The use of the CPP-liposome delivery system is a promising strategy for liposome-based GAS vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jieru Yang
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia; (J.Y.); (F.F.); (A.A.); (W.M.H.); (I.T.)
| | - Farrhana Firdaus
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia; (J.Y.); (F.F.); (A.A.); (W.M.H.); (I.T.)
| | - Armira Azuar
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia; (J.Y.); (F.F.); (A.A.); (W.M.H.); (I.T.)
| | - Zeinab G. Khalil
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia; (Z.G.K.); (R.J.C.)
| | - Nirmal Marasini
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia;
| | - Robert J. Capon
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia; (Z.G.K.); (R.J.C.)
| | - Waleed M. Hussein
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia; (J.Y.); (F.F.); (A.A.); (W.M.H.); (I.T.)
| | - Istvan Toth
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia; (J.Y.); (F.F.); (A.A.); (W.M.H.); (I.T.)
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia; (Z.G.K.); (R.J.C.)
- School of Pharmacy, The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Mariusz Skwarczynski
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia; (J.Y.); (F.F.); (A.A.); (W.M.H.); (I.T.)
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