1
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Williams J, Burton N, Dhanoa G, Sagona AP. Host-phage interactions and modeling for therapy. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2023; 200:127-158. [PMID: 37739552 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2023.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/24/2023]
Abstract
Phage are drivers of numerous ecological processes on the planet and have the potential to be developed into a therapy alternative to antibiotics. Phage at all points of their life cycle, from initiation of infection to their release, interact with their host in some manner. More importantly, to harness their antimicrobial potential it is vital to understand how phage interact with the eukaryotic environment in the context of applying phage for therapy. In this chapter, the various mechanisms of phage interplay with their hosts as part of their natural life cycle are discussed in depth for Gram-positive and negative bacteria. Further, the literature surrounding the various models utilized to develop phage as a therapeutic are examined, and how these models may improve our understanding of phage-host interactions and current progress in utilizing phage for therapy in the clinical environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua Williams
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom
| | - Nathan Burton
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom
| | - Gurneet Dhanoa
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom
| | - Antonia P Sagona
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom.
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2
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Sharma AK, Poddar SM, Chakraborty J, Nayak BS, Kalathil S, Mitra N, Gayathri P, Srinivasan R. A mechanism of salt bridge-mediated resistance to FtsZ inhibitor PC190723 revealed by a cell-based screen. Mol Biol Cell 2023; 34:ar16. [PMID: 36652338 PMCID: PMC10011733 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e22-12-0538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacterial cell division proteins, especially the tubulin homologue FtsZ, have emerged as strong targets for developing new antibiotics. Here, we have utilized the fission yeast heterologous expression system to develop a cell-based assay to screen for small molecules that directly and specifically target the bacterial cell division protein FtsZ. The strategy also allows for simultaneous assessment of the toxicity of the drugs to eukaryotic yeast cells. As a proof-of-concept of the utility of this assay, we demonstrate the effect of the inhibitors sanguinarine, berberine, and PC190723 on FtsZ. Though sanguinarine and berberine affect FtsZ polymerization, they exert a toxic effect on the cells. Further, using this assay system, we show that PC190723 affects Helicobacter pylori FtsZ function and gain new insights into the molecular determinants of resistance to PC190723. On the basis of sequence and structural analysis and site-specific mutations, we demonstrate that the presence of salt bridge interactions between the central H7 helix and β-strands S9 and S10 mediates resistance to PC190723 in FtsZ. The single-step in vivo cell-based assay using fission yeast enabled us to dissect the contribution of sequence-specific features of FtsZ and cell permeability effects associated with bacterial cell envelopes. Thus, our assay serves as a potent tool to rapidly identify novel compounds targeting polymeric bacterial cytoskeletal proteins like FtsZ to understand how they alter polymerization dynamics and address resistance determinants in targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ajay Kumar Sharma
- School of Biological Sciences, National Institute of Science Education and Research, Bhubaneswar 752050, India.,Centre for Interdisciplinary Sciences, National Institute of Science Education and Research, Bhubaneswar 752050, India.,Homi Bhabha National Institutes, Anushakti Nagar, Mumbai 400094, India
| | - Sakshi Mahesh Poddar
- School of Biological Sciences, National Institute of Science Education and Research, Bhubaneswar 752050, India.,Centre for Interdisciplinary Sciences, National Institute of Science Education and Research, Bhubaneswar 752050, India.,Homi Bhabha National Institutes, Anushakti Nagar, Mumbai 400094, India
| | - Joyeeta Chakraborty
- Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune 411008, India
| | - Bhagyashri Soumya Nayak
- School of Biological Sciences, National Institute of Science Education and Research, Bhubaneswar 752050, India.,Centre for Interdisciplinary Sciences, National Institute of Science Education and Research, Bhubaneswar 752050, India.,Homi Bhabha National Institutes, Anushakti Nagar, Mumbai 400094, India
| | - Srilakshmi Kalathil
- School of Biological Sciences, National Institute of Science Education and Research, Bhubaneswar 752050, India.,Centre for Interdisciplinary Sciences, National Institute of Science Education and Research, Bhubaneswar 752050, India.,Homi Bhabha National Institutes, Anushakti Nagar, Mumbai 400094, India
| | - Nivedita Mitra
- School of Biological Sciences, National Institute of Science Education and Research, Bhubaneswar 752050, India.,Centre for Interdisciplinary Sciences, National Institute of Science Education and Research, Bhubaneswar 752050, India.,Homi Bhabha National Institutes, Anushakti Nagar, Mumbai 400094, India
| | - Pananghat Gayathri
- Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune 411008, India
| | - Ramanujam Srinivasan
- School of Biological Sciences, National Institute of Science Education and Research, Bhubaneswar 752050, India.,Centre for Interdisciplinary Sciences, National Institute of Science Education and Research, Bhubaneswar 752050, India.,Homi Bhabha National Institutes, Anushakti Nagar, Mumbai 400094, India
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3
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Convenient and green synthesis of novel 1,2,5-trisubstituted benzimidazole compounds and their antibacterial activity evaluation. JOURNAL OF THE IRANIAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY 2023. [DOI: 10.1007/s13738-022-02736-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
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4
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Structural Variations in the Central Heterocyclic Scaffold of Tripartite 2,6-Difluorobenzamides: Influence on Their Antibacterial Activity against MDR Staphylococcus aureus. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 27:molecules27196619. [PMID: 36235156 PMCID: PMC9573484 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27196619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Revised: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Five series of heterocyclic tripartite 2,6-difluorobenzamides, namely 1,2,3-triazoles, 1,2,4- and 1,3,4-oxadiazoles, analogs of reported model anti-staphylococcal compounds, were prepared. The purpose was to investigate the influence of the nature of the heterocyclic central scaffold on the biological activity against three strains of S. aureus, including two drug-resistant ones. Among the 15 compounds of the new collection, a 3-(4-tert-butylphenyl)-1,2,4-oxadiazole linked via a methylene group with a 2,6-difluorobenzamide moiety (II.c) exhibited a minimal inhibitory concentration between 0.5 and 1 µg/mL according to the strain. Subsequent studies on II.c demonstrated no human cytotoxicity, while targeting the bacterial divisome.
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5
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Novel MreB inhibitors with antibacterial activity against Gram (-) bacteria. Med Chem Res 2022; 31:1679-1704. [PMID: 37077288 PMCID: PMC10112653 DOI: 10.1007/s00044-022-02967-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
MreB is a cytoskeleton protein present in rod-shaped bacteria that is both essential for bacterial cell division and highly conserved. Because most Gram (-) bacteria require MreB for cell division, chromosome segregation, cell wall morphogenesis, and cell polarity, it is an attractive target for antibacterial drug discovery. As MreB modulation is not associated with the activity of antibiotics in clinical use, acquired resistance to MreB inhibitors is also unlikely. Compounds, such as A22 and CBR-4830, are known to disrupt MreB function by inhibition of ATPase activity. However, the toxicity of these compounds has hindered efforts to assess the in vivo efficacy of these MreB inhibitors. The present study further examines the structure-activity of analogs related to CBR-4830 as it relates to relative antibiotic activity and improved drug properties. These data reveal that certain analogs have enhanced antibiotic activity. In addition, we evaluated several representative analogs (9, 10, 14, 26, and 31) for their abilities to target purified E. coli MreB (EcMreB) and inhibit its ATPase activity. Except for 14, all these analogs were more potent than CBR-4830 as inhibitors of the ATPase activity of EcMreB with corresponding IC50 values ranging from 6 ± 2 to 29 ± 9 μM.
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6
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Paulussen FM, Schouten GK, Moertl C, Verheul J, Hoekstra I, Koningstein GM, Hutchins GH, Alkir A, Luirink RA, Geerke DP, van Ulsen P, den Blaauwen T, Luirink J, Grossmann TN. Covalent Proteomimetic Inhibitor of the Bacterial FtsQB Divisome Complex. J Am Chem Soc 2022; 144:15303-15313. [PMID: 35945166 PMCID: PMC9413201 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c06304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
![]()
The use of antibiotics is threatened by the emergence
and spread
of multidrug-resistant strains of bacteria. Thus, there is a need
to develop antibiotics that address new targets. In this respect,
the bacterial divisome, a multi-protein complex central to cell division,
represents a potentially attractive target. Of particular interest
is the FtsQB subcomplex that plays a decisive role in divisome assembly
and peptidoglycan biogenesis in E. coli. Here, we report the structure-based design of
a macrocyclic covalent inhibitor derived from a periplasmic region
of FtsB that mediates its binding to FtsQ. The bioactive conformation
of this motif was stabilized by a customized cross-link resulting
in a tertiary structure mimetic with increased affinity for FtsQ.
To increase activity, a covalent handle was incorporated, providing
an inhibitor that impedes the interaction between FtsQ and FtsB irreversibly. The covalent inhibitor reduced the growth of an outer
membrane-permeable E. coli strain,
concurrent with the expected loss of FtsB localization, and also affected
the infection of zebrafish larvae by a clinical E.
coli strain. This first-in-class inhibitor of a divisome
protein–protein interaction highlights the potential of proteomimetic
molecules as inhibitors of challenging targets. In particular, the
covalent mode-of-action can serve as an inspiration for future antibiotics
that target protein–protein interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felix M Paulussen
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, Amsterdam 1081 HV, Netherlands.,Amsterdam Institute of Molecular and Life Sciences (AIMMS), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, Amsterdam 1081 HV, Netherlands.,Department of Molecular Microbiology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, Amsterdam 1081 HV, Netherlands
| | - Gina K Schouten
- Medical Microbiology and Infection Control (MMI), Amsterdam UMC Location VUmc, De Boelelaan 1108, Amsterdam 1081 HZ, Netherlands
| | - Carolin Moertl
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, Amsterdam 1081 HV, Netherlands.,Amsterdam Institute of Molecular and Life Sciences (AIMMS), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, Amsterdam 1081 HV, Netherlands
| | - Jolanda Verheul
- Department of Bacterial Cell Biology and Physiology, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Sciencepark 904, Amsterdam 1098 XH, Netherlands
| | - Irma Hoekstra
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, Amsterdam 1081 HV, Netherlands
| | - Gregory M Koningstein
- Amsterdam Institute of Molecular and Life Sciences (AIMMS), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, Amsterdam 1081 HV, Netherlands.,Department of Molecular Microbiology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, Amsterdam 1081 HV, Netherlands
| | - George H Hutchins
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, Amsterdam 1081 HV, Netherlands.,Amsterdam Institute of Molecular and Life Sciences (AIMMS), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, Amsterdam 1081 HV, Netherlands
| | - Aslihan Alkir
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, Amsterdam 1081 HV, Netherlands
| | - Rosa A Luirink
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, Amsterdam 1081 HV, Netherlands.,Amsterdam Institute of Molecular and Life Sciences (AIMMS), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, Amsterdam 1081 HV, Netherlands
| | - Daan P Geerke
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, Amsterdam 1081 HV, Netherlands.,Amsterdam Institute of Molecular and Life Sciences (AIMMS), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, Amsterdam 1081 HV, Netherlands
| | - Peter van Ulsen
- Amsterdam Institute of Molecular and Life Sciences (AIMMS), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, Amsterdam 1081 HV, Netherlands.,Department of Molecular Microbiology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, Amsterdam 1081 HV, Netherlands
| | - Tanneke den Blaauwen
- Department of Bacterial Cell Biology and Physiology, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Sciencepark 904, Amsterdam 1098 XH, Netherlands
| | - Joen Luirink
- Amsterdam Institute of Molecular and Life Sciences (AIMMS), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, Amsterdam 1081 HV, Netherlands.,Department of Molecular Microbiology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, Amsterdam 1081 HV, Netherlands
| | - Tom N Grossmann
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, Amsterdam 1081 HV, Netherlands.,Amsterdam Institute of Molecular and Life Sciences (AIMMS), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, Amsterdam 1081 HV, Netherlands
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7
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Andreu JM, Huecas S, Araújo-Bazán L, Vázquez-Villa H, Martín-Fontecha M. The Search for Antibacterial Inhibitors Targeting Cell Division Protein FtsZ at Its Nucleotide and Allosteric Binding Sites. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10081825. [PMID: 36009372 PMCID: PMC9405007 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10081825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Revised: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The global spread of bacterial antimicrobial resistance is associated to millions of deaths from bacterial infections per year, many of which were previously treatable. This, combined with slow antibiotic deployment, has created an urgent need for developing new antibiotics. A still clinically unexploited mode of action consists in suppressing bacterial cell division. FtsZ, an assembling GTPase, is the key protein organizing division in most bacteria and an attractive target for antibiotic discovery. Nevertheless, developing effective antibacterial inhibitors targeting FtsZ has proven challenging. Here we review our decade-long multidisciplinary research on small molecule inhibitors of bacterial division, in the context of global efforts to discover FtsZ-targeting antibiotics. We focus on methods to characterize synthetic inhibitors that either replace bound GTP from the FtsZ nucleotide binding pocket conserved across diverse bacteria or selectively bind into the allosteric site at the interdomain cleft of FtsZ from Bacillus subtilis and the pathogen Staphylococcus aureus. These approaches include phenotype screening combined with fluorescence polarization screens for ligands binding into each site, followed by detailed cytological profiling, and biochemical and structural studies. The results are analyzed to design an optimized workflow to identify effective FtsZ inhibitors, and new approaches for the discovery of FtsZ-targeting antibiotics are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- José M. Andreu
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Ramiro de Maeztu 9, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (S.H.); (L.A.-B.)
- Correspondence: (J.M.A.); (M.M.-F.)
| | - Sonia Huecas
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Ramiro de Maeztu 9, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (S.H.); (L.A.-B.)
| | - Lidia Araújo-Bazán
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Ramiro de Maeztu 9, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (S.H.); (L.A.-B.)
| | - Henar Vázquez-Villa
- Departamento de Química Orgánica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Avda. Complutense s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Mar Martín-Fontecha
- Departamento de Química Orgánica, Facultad de Óptica y Optometría, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Avda. Complutense s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
- Correspondence: (J.M.A.); (M.M.-F.)
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8
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Awuni E. Modeling the MreB-CbtA Interaction to Facilitate the Prediction and Design of Candidate Antibacterial Peptides. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 8:814935. [PMID: 35155572 PMCID: PMC8828653 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2021.814935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein-protein interactions (PPIs) have emerged as promising targets for PPI modulators as alternative drugs because they are essential for most biochemical processes in living organisms. In recent years, a spotlight has been put on the development of peptide-based PPI inhibitors as the next-generation therapeutics to combat antimicrobial resistance taking cognizance of protein-based PPI-modulators that interact with target proteins to inhibit function. Although protein-based PPI inhibitors are not effective therapeutic agents because of their high molecular weights, they could serve as sources for peptide-based pharmaceutics if the target-inhibitor complex is accessible and well characterized. The Escherichia coli (E. coli) toxin protein, CbtA, has been identified as a protein-based PPI modulator that binds to the bacterial actin homolog MreB leading to the perturbation of its polymerization dynamics; and consequently has been suggested to have antibacterial properties. Unfortunately, however, the three-dimensional structures of CbtA and the MreB-CbtA complex are currently not available to facilitate the optimization process of the pharmacological properties of CbtA. In this study, computer modeling strategies were used to predict key MreB-CbtA interactions to facilitate the design of antiMreB peptide candidates. A model of the E. coli CbtA was built using the trRosetta software and its stability was assessed through molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The modeling and simulations data pointed to a model with reasonable quality and stability. Also, the HADDOCK software was used to predict a possible MreB-CbtA complex, which was characterized through MD simulations and compared with MreB-MreB dimmer. The results suggest that CbtA inhibits MreB through the competitive mechanism whereby CbtA competes with MreB monomers for the interprotofilament interface leading to interference with double protofilament formation. Additionally, by using the antiBP software to predict antibacterial peptides in CbtA, and the MreB-CbtA complex as the reference structure to determine important interactions and contacts, candidate antiMreB peptides were suggested. The peptide sequences could be useful in a rational antimicrobial peptide hybridization strategy to design novel antibiotics. All-inclusive, the data reveal the molecular basis of MreB inhibition by CbtA and can be incorporated in the design/development of the next-generation antibacterial peptides targeting MreB.
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9
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Synergistic Antibacterial and Antibiofilm Activity of the MreB Inhibitor A22 Hydrochloride in Combination with Conventional Antibiotics against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli Clinical Isolates. Int J Microbiol 2021; 2021:3057754. [PMID: 34484344 PMCID: PMC8413048 DOI: 10.1155/2021/3057754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Revised: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
In the era of antibiotic resistance, the bacterial cytoskeletal protein MreB is presented as a potential target for the development of novel antimicrobials. Combined treatments of clinical antibiotics with anti-MreB compounds may be promising candidates in combating the resistance crisis, but also in preserving the potency of many conventional drugs. This study aimed to evaluate the synergistic antibacterial and antibiofilm activities of the MreB inhibitor A22 hydrochloride in combination with various antibiotics. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of the individual compounds were determined by the broth microdilution method against 66 clinical isolates of Gram-negative bacteria. Synergy was assessed by the checkerboard assay. The fractional inhibitory concentration index was calculated for each of the A22-antibiotic combination. Bactericidal activity of the combinations was evaluated by time-kill curve assays. The antibiofilm activity of the most synergistic combinations was determined by crystal violet stain, methyl thiazol tetrazolium assay, and confocal laser scanning microscopy analysis. The combined cytotoxic and hemolytic activity was also evaluated toward human cells. According to our results, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli isolates were resistant to conventional antibiotics to varying degrees. A22 inhibited the bacterial growth in a dose-dependent manner with MIC values ranging between 2 and 64 μg/mL. In combination studies, synergism occurred most frequently with A22-ceftazidime and A22-meropemen against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and A22-cefoxitin and A22-azithromycin against Escherichia coli. No antagonism was observed. In time-kill studies, synergism was observed with all expected combinations. Synergistic combinations even at the lowest tested concentrations were able to inhibit biofilm formation and eradicate mature biofilms in both strains. Cytotoxic and hemolytic effects of the same combinations toward human cells were not observed. The findings of the present study support previous research regarding the use of MreB as a novel antibiotic target. The obtained data expand the existing knowledge about the antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity of the A22 inhibitor, and they indicate that A22 can serve as a leading compound for studying potential synergism between MreB inhibitors and antibiotics in the future.
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10
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Evolution of default genetic control mechanisms. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0251568. [PMID: 33984070 PMCID: PMC8118313 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0251568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
We present a model of the evolution of control systems in a genome under environmental constraints. The model conceptually follows the Jacob and Monod model of gene control. Genes contain control elements which respond to the internal state of the cell as well as the environment to control expression of a coding region. Control and coding regions evolve to maximize a fitness function between expressed coding sequences and the environment. The model was run 118 times to an average of 1.4∙106 ‘generations’ each with a range of starting parameters probed the conditions under which genomes evolved a ‘default style’ of control. Unexpectedly, the control logic that evolved was not significantly correlated to the complexity of the environment. Genetic logic was strongly correlated with genome complexity and with the fraction of genes active in the cell at any one time. More complex genomes correlated with the evolution of genetic controls in which genes were active (‘default on’), and a low fraction of genes being expressed correlated with a genetic logic in which genes were biased to being inactive unless positively activated (‘default off’ logic). We discuss how this might relate to the evolution of the complex eukaryotic genome, which operates in a ‘default off’ mode.
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11
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Kahan R, Worm DJ, de Castro GV, Ng S, Barnard A. Modulators of protein-protein interactions as antimicrobial agents. RSC Chem Biol 2021; 2:387-409. [PMID: 34458791 PMCID: PMC8341153 DOI: 10.1039/d0cb00205d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2020] [Accepted: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein-Protein interactions (PPIs) are involved in a myriad of cellular processes in all living organisms and the modulation of PPIs is already under investigation for the development of new drugs targeting cancers, autoimmune diseases and viruses. PPIs are also involved in the regulation of vital functions in bacteria and, therefore, targeting bacterial PPIs offers an attractive strategy for the development of antibiotics with novel modes of action. The latter are urgently needed to tackle multidrug-resistant and multidrug-tolerant bacteria. In this review, we describe recent developments in the modulation of PPIs in pathogenic bacteria for antibiotic development, including advanced small molecule and peptide inhibitors acting on bacterial PPIs involved in division, replication and transcription, outer membrane protein biogenesis, with an additional focus on toxin-antitoxin systems as upcoming drug targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rashi Kahan
- Department of Chemistry, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London 82 Wood Lane London W12 0BZ UK
| | - Dennis J Worm
- Department of Chemistry, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London 82 Wood Lane London W12 0BZ UK
| | - Guilherme V de Castro
- Department of Chemistry, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London 82 Wood Lane London W12 0BZ UK
| | - Simon Ng
- Department of Chemistry, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London 82 Wood Lane London W12 0BZ UK
| | - Anna Barnard
- Department of Chemistry, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London 82 Wood Lane London W12 0BZ UK
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12
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Zorrilla S, Monterroso B, Robles-Ramos MÁ, Margolin W, Rivas G. FtsZ Interactions and Biomolecular Condensates as Potential Targets for New Antibiotics. Antibiotics (Basel) 2021; 10:antibiotics10030254. [PMID: 33806332 PMCID: PMC7999717 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics10030254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Revised: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 02/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
FtsZ is an essential and central protein for cell division in most bacteria. Because of its ability to organize into dynamic polymers at the cell membrane and recruit other protein partners to form a “divisome”, FtsZ is a leading target in the quest for new antibacterial compounds. Strategies to potentially arrest the essential and tightly regulated cell division process include perturbing FtsZ’s ability to interact with itself and other divisome proteins. Here, we discuss the available methodologies to screen for and characterize those interactions. In addition to assays that measure protein-ligand interactions in solution, we also discuss the use of minimal membrane systems and cell-like compartments to better approximate the native bacterial cell environment and hence provide a more accurate assessment of a candidate compound’s potential in vivo effect. We particularly focus on ways to measure and inhibit under-explored interactions between FtsZ and partner proteins. Finally, we discuss recent evidence that FtsZ forms biomolecular condensates in vitro, and the potential implications of these assemblies in bacterial resistance to antibiotic treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Zorrilla
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), 28040 Madrid, Spain; (M.-Á.R.-R.); (G.R.)
- Correspondence: (S.Z.); (B.M.); Tel.: +34-91-837-3112 (S.Z. & B.M.)
| | - Begoña Monterroso
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), 28040 Madrid, Spain; (M.-Á.R.-R.); (G.R.)
- Correspondence: (S.Z.); (B.M.); Tel.: +34-91-837-3112 (S.Z. & B.M.)
| | - Miguel-Ángel Robles-Ramos
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), 28040 Madrid, Spain; (M.-Á.R.-R.); (G.R.)
| | - William Margolin
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas, Houston, TX 77030, USA;
| | - Germán Rivas
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), 28040 Madrid, Spain; (M.-Á.R.-R.); (G.R.)
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13
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Wang YH, Chen YH, Shen WH. Amikacin Suppresses Human Breast Cancer Cell MDA-MB-231 Migration and Invasion. TOXICS 2020; 8:toxics8040108. [PMID: 33233497 PMCID: PMC7712503 DOI: 10.3390/toxics8040108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Revised: 11/13/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
(1) Background: Amikacin is an aminoglycoside antibiotic used for treating gram-negative bacterial infections in cancer patients. In this study, our aims are to investigate the migratory inhibition effects of amikacin in human MDA-MB-231 cells. (2) Methods: We used a wound-healing assay, trans-well analysis, Western blotting, immunostaining and siRNA knockdown approaches to investigate how amikacin influenced MDA-MB-231 cell migration and invasion. (3) Results: Wound healing showed that the MDA-MB-231 cell migration rates decreased to 44.4% in the presence of amikacin. Trans-well analysis showed that amikacin treatment led to invasion inhibition. Western blotting demonstrated that amikacin induced thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP) up-regulation. TXNIP was knocked down using siRNA in MDA-MB-231 cell. Using immunostaining analysis, we found that inhibition of TXNIP expression led to MDA-MB-231 pseudopodia extension; however, amikacin treatment attenuated the cell extension formation. (4) Conclusions: We observed inhibition of migration and invasion in MDA-MB-231 cells treated with amikacin. This suggests inhibition might be mediated by up-regulation of TXNIP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun-Hsin Wang
- Division of Basic Research, Koo Foundation Sun Yat-Sen Cancer Center, Taipei 112, Taiwan;
- Department of Chemistry, Tamkang University, Tamsui, New Taipei City 251, Taiwan;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +886-2-28970011 (ext. 1468)
| | - Yau-Hung Chen
- Department of Chemistry, Tamkang University, Tamsui, New Taipei City 251, Taiwan;
| | - Wen-Hao Shen
- Division of Basic Research, Koo Foundation Sun Yat-Sen Cancer Center, Taipei 112, Taiwan;
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14
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Enhancing single-cell hyaluronic acid biosynthesis by microbial morphology engineering. Synth Syst Biotechnol 2020; 5:316-323. [PMID: 33024847 PMCID: PMC7530263 DOI: 10.1016/j.synbio.2020.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2020] [Revised: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Microbial morphology engineering is a novel approach for cell factory to improve the titer of target product in bio-manufacture. Hyaluronic acid (HA), a valuable glycosaminoglycan polymerized by HA synthase (HAS), a membrane protein, is particularly selected as the model product to improve its single-cell HA-producing capacity via morphology engineering. DivIVA and FtsZ, the cell-elongation and cell division related protein, respectively, were both down/up dual regulated in C. glutamicum via weak promoter substitution or plasmid overexpression. Different from the natural short-rod shape, varied morphologies of engineered cells, i.e. small-ellipsoid-like (DivIVA-reduced), bulb-like (DivIVA-enhanced), long-rod (FtsZ-reduced) and dumbbell-like (FtsZ-enhanced), were observed. Applying these morphology-changed cells as hosts for HA production, the reduced expression of both DivIVA and FtsZ seriously inhibited normal cell growth; meanwhile, overexpression of DivIVA didn't show morphology changes, but overexpression of FtsZ surprisingly change the cell-shape into long and thick rod with remarkably enlarged single-cell surface area (more than 5.2-fold-increase). And finally, the single-cell HA-producing capacity of the FtsZ-overexpressed C. glutamicum was immensely improved by 13.5-folds. Flow cytometry analyses verified that the single-cell HAS amount on membrane was enhanced by 2.1 folds. This work is pretty valuable for high titer synthesis of diverse metabolic products with microbial cell factory.
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15
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Photochemically-Generated Silver Chloride Nanoparticles Stabilized by a Peptide Inhibitor of Cell Division and Its Antimicrobial Properties. J Inorg Organomet Polym Mater 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s10904-019-01427-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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16
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Awuni E. Status of Targeting MreB for the Development of Antibiotics. Front Chem 2020; 7:884. [PMID: 31998684 PMCID: PMC6965359 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2019.00884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2019] [Accepted: 12/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Although many prospective antibiotic targets are known, bacterial infections and resistance to antibiotics remain a threat to public health partly because the druggable potentials of most of these targets have yet to be fully tapped for the development of a new generation of therapeutics. The prokaryotic actin homolog MreB is one of the important antibiotic targets that are yet to be significantly exploited. MreB is a bacterial cytoskeleton protein that has been widely studied and is associated with the determination of rod shape as well as important subcellular processes including cell division, chromosome segregation, cell wall morphogenesis, and cell polarity. Notwithstanding that MreB is vital and conserved in most rod-shaped bacteria, no approved antibiotics targeting it are presently available. Here, the status of targeting MreB for the development of antibiotics is concisely summarized. Expressly, the known therapeutic targets and inhibitors of MreB are presented, and the way forward in the search for a new generation of potent inhibitors of MreB briefly discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elvis Awuni
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Biological Sciences, CANS, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
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17
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Rivera-Chávez J, Caesar L, Garcia-Salazar JJ, Raja HA, Cech NB, Pearce CJ, Oberlies NH. Mycopyranone: a 8,8'-binaphthopyranone with potent anti-MRSA activity from the fungus Phialemoniopsis sp. Tetrahedron Lett 2019; 60:594-597. [PMID: 31598014 PMCID: PMC6785197 DOI: 10.1016/j.tetlet.2019.01.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
A new 8,8'-binaphthopyranone (mycopyranone, 1) was isolated from a solid fermentation of Phialemoniopsis sp. (fungal strain MSX61662), and the structure was elucidated via analysis of the NMR and HRESIMS data. The axial chirality of 1 was determined to be M by ECD. The central chirality at C-4/C-4' was assigned through a modified Mosher's method, while the absolute configuration at C-3/C-3' was deduced based on analysis of the 3 J H-3-H-4 values and NOESY correlations. Compound 1 was evaluated for its antimicrobial properties against Staphylococcus aureus SA1199 and a clinically relevant methicillin-resistant S. aureus strain (MRSA USA300 LAC strain AH1263). Compound 1 inhibited the growth of both strains in a concentration dependent manner with IC50 values in the low μM range. Molecular docking indicated that compound 1 binds to the FtsZ (tubulin-like) protein in the same pocket as viriditoxin (2), suggesting that 1 targets bacterial cell division.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Rivera-Chávez
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, North Carolina 27412, USA
| | - Lindsay Caesar
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, North Carolina 27412, USA
| | - Juan J Garcia-Salazar
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, North Carolina 27412, USA
| | - Huzefa A Raja
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, North Carolina 27412, USA
| | - Nadja B Cech
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, North Carolina 27412, USA
| | - Cedric J Pearce
- Mycosynthetix, Inc., Hillsborough, North Carolina, 27278, USA
| | - Nicholas H Oberlies
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, North Carolina 27412, USA
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18
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Veale CGL. Unpacking the Pathogen Box-An Open Source Tool for Fighting Neglected Tropical Disease. ChemMedChem 2019; 14:386-453. [PMID: 30614200 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.201800755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The Pathogen Box is a 400-strong collection of drug-like compounds, selected for their potential against several of the world's most important neglected tropical diseases, including trypanosomiasis, leishmaniasis, cryptosporidiosis, toxoplasmosis, filariasis, schistosomiasis, dengue virus and trichuriasis, in addition to malaria and tuberculosis. This library represents an ensemble of numerous successful drug discovery programmes from around the globe, aimed at providing a powerful resource to stimulate open source drug discovery for diseases threatening the most vulnerable communities in the world. This review seeks to provide an in-depth analysis of the literature pertaining to the compounds in the Pathogen Box, including structure-activity relationship highlights, mechanisms of action, related compounds with reported activity against different diseases, and, where appropriate, discussion on the known and putative targets of compounds, thereby providing context and increasing the accessibility of the Pathogen Box to the drug discovery community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clinton G L Veale
- School of Chemistry and Physics, Pietermaritzburg Campus, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X01, Scottsville, 3209, South Africa
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19
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Vasconcelos N, Croda J, Simionatto S. Antibacterial mechanisms of cinnamon and its constituents: A review. Microb Pathog 2018; 120:198-203. [DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2018.04.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 123] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2018] [Revised: 04/17/2018] [Accepted: 04/19/2018] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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20
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Targeting the Bacterial Cytoskeleton of the Burkholderia cepacia Complex for Antimicrobial Development: A Cautionary Tale. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19061604. [PMID: 29848957 PMCID: PMC6032157 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19061604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2018] [Revised: 05/04/2018] [Accepted: 05/17/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Burkholderia cepacia complex (BCC) bacteria are a group of opportunistic pathogens that cause severe lung infections in cystic fibrosis (CF). Treatment of BCC infections is difficult, due to the inherent and acquired multidrug resistance of BCC. There is a pressing need to find new bacterial targets for antimicrobials. Here, we demonstrate that the novel compound Q22, which is related to the bacterial cytoskeleton destabilising compound A22, can reduce the growth rate and inhibit growth of BCC bacteria. We further analysed the phenotypic effects of Q22 treatment on BCC virulence traits, to assess its feasibility as an antimicrobial. BCC bacteria were grown in the presence of Q22 with a broad phenotypic analysis, including resistance to H2O2-induced oxidative stress, changes in the inflammatory potential of cell surface components, and in-vivo drug toxicity studies. The influence of the Q22 treatment on inflammatory potential was measured by monitoring the cytokine responses of BCC whole cell lysates, purified lipopolysaccharide, and purified peptidoglycan extracted from bacterial cultures grown in the presence or absence of Q22 in differentiated THP-1 cells. BCC bacteria grown in the presence of Q22 displayed varying levels of resistance to H2O2-induced oxidative stress, with some strains showing increased resistance after treatment. There was strain-to-strain variation in the pro-inflammatory ability of bacterial lysates to elicit TNFα and IL-1β from human myeloid cells. Despite minimal toxicity previously shown in vitro with primary CF cell lines, in-vivo studies demonstrated Q22 toxicity in both zebrafish and mouse infection models. In summary, destabilisation of the bacterial cytoskeleton in BCC, using compounds such as Q22, led to increased virulence-related traits in vitro. These changes appear to vary depending on strain and BCC species. Future development of antimicrobials targeting the BCC bacterial cytoskeleton may be hampered if such effects translate into the in-vivo environment of the CF infection.
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21
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Lorenzoni ASG, Dantas GC, Bergsma T, Ferreira H, Scheffers DJ. Xanthomonas citri MinC Oscillates from Pole to Pole to Ensure Proper Cell Division and Shape. Front Microbiol 2017; 8:1352. [PMID: 28769912 PMCID: PMC5515816 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.01352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2017] [Accepted: 07/04/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Xanthomonas citri (Xac) is the causal agent of citrus canker, a disease that affects citrus crops and causes economic impact worldwide. To further characterize cell division in this plant pathogen, we investigated the role of the protein MinC in cell division, chromosome segregation, and peptidoglycan incorporation by deleting the gene minC using allele exchange. Xac with minC deleted exhibited the classic Δmin phenotype observed in other bacteria deleted for min components: minicells and short filamentation. In addition we noticed the formation of branches, which is similar to what was previously described for Escherichia coli deleted for either min or for several low molecular weight penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs). The branching phenotype was medium dependent and probably linked to gluconeogenic growth. We complemented the minC gene by integrating gfp-minC into the amy locus. Xac complemented strains displayed a wild-type phenotype. In addition, GFP-MinC oscillated from pole to pole, similar to MinCD oscillations observed in E. coli and more recently in Synechococcus elongatus. Further investigation of the branching phenotype revealed that in branching cells nucleoid organization, divisome formation and peptidoglycan incorporation were disrupted.
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Affiliation(s)
- André S G Lorenzoni
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, University of GroningenGroningen, Netherlands
| | - Giordanni C Dantas
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Microbiologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual PaulistaRio Claro, Brazil
| | - Tessa Bergsma
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, University of GroningenGroningen, Netherlands
| | - Henrique Ferreira
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Microbiologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual PaulistaRio Claro, Brazil
| | - Dirk-Jan Scheffers
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, University of GroningenGroningen, Netherlands
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22
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van Teeseling MCF, de Pedro MA, Cava F. Determinants of Bacterial Morphology: From Fundamentals to Possibilities for Antimicrobial Targeting. Front Microbiol 2017; 8:1264. [PMID: 28740487 PMCID: PMC5502672 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.01264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2017] [Accepted: 06/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacterial morphology is extremely diverse. Specific shapes are the consequence of adaptive pressures optimizing bacterial fitness. Shape affects critical biological functions, including nutrient acquisition, motility, dispersion, stress resistance and interactions with other organisms. Although the characteristic shape of a bacterial species remains unchanged for vast numbers of generations, periodical variations occur throughout the cell (division) and life cycles, and these variations can be influenced by environmental conditions. Bacterial morphology is ultimately dictated by the net-like peptidoglycan (PG) sacculus. The species-specific shape of the PG sacculus at any time in the cell cycle is the product of multiple determinants. Some morphological determinants act as a cytoskeleton to guide biosynthetic complexes spatiotemporally, whereas others modify the PG sacculus after biosynthesis. Accumulating evidence supports critical roles of morphogenetic processes in bacteria-host interactions, including pathogenesis. Here, we review the molecular determinants underlying morphology, discuss the evidence linking bacterial morphology to niche adaptation and pathogenesis, and examine the potential of morphological determinants as antimicrobial targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muriel C F van Teeseling
- Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden, Department of Molecular Biology, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research, Umeå UniversityUmeå, Sweden
| | - Miguel A de Pedro
- Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa" - Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Universidad Autónoma de MadridMadrid, Spain
| | - Felipe Cava
- Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden, Department of Molecular Biology, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research, Umeå UniversityUmeå, Sweden
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23
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Ojima I, Awasthi D, Wei L, Haranahalli K. Strategic incorporation of fluorine in the drug discovery of new-generation antitubercular agents targeting bacterial cell division protein FtsZ. J Fluor Chem 2017; 196:44-56. [PMID: 28555087 PMCID: PMC5445929 DOI: 10.1016/j.jfluchem.2016.07.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
This article presents an account of our research on the discovery and development of new-generation fluorine-containing antibacterial agents against drug-resistant tuberculosis, targeting FtsZ. FtsZ is an essential protein for bacterial cell division and a highly promising therapeutic target for antibacterial drug discovery. Through design, synthesis and semi-HTP screening of libraries of novel benzimidazoles, followed by SAR studies, we identified highly potent lead compounds. However, these lead compounds were found to lack sufficient metabolic and plasma stabilities. Accordingly, we have performed extensive study on the strategic incorporation of fluorine into lead compounds to improve pharmacological properties. This study has led to the development of highly efficacious fluorine-containing benzimidazoles as potential drug candidates. We have also performed computational docking analysis of these novel FtsZ inhibitors to identify their putative binding site. Based on the structural data and docking analysis, a plausible mode-of-action for this novel class of FtsZ inhibitors is proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iwao Ojima
- Department of Chemistry, Stony Brook University—State University of New York, Stony Brook, NY, 11794-3400, USA
- Institute of Chemical Biology & Drug Discovery, Stony Brook University—State University of New York, Stony Brook, NY, 11794-3400, USA
| | - Divya Awasthi
- Department of Chemistry, Stony Brook University—State University of New York, Stony Brook, NY, 11794-3400, USA
- Institute of Chemical Biology & Drug Discovery, Stony Brook University—State University of New York, Stony Brook, NY, 11794-3400, USA
| | - Longfei Wei
- Department of Chemistry, Stony Brook University—State University of New York, Stony Brook, NY, 11794-3400, USA
| | - Krupanandan Haranahalli
- Department of Chemistry, Stony Brook University—State University of New York, Stony Brook, NY, 11794-3400, USA
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24
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Design, synthesis and biological activity evaluation of novel 2,6-difluorobenzamide derivatives through FtsZ inhibition. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2017; 27:958-962. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2016.12.081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2016] [Revised: 12/19/2016] [Accepted: 12/29/2016] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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25
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Awuni Y, Jiang S, Robinson RC, Mu Y. Exploring the A22-Bacterial Actin MreB Interaction through Molecular Dynamics Simulations. J Phys Chem B 2016; 120:9867-74. [PMID: 27600765 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.6b05199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
MreB is an actin-like cytoskeleton protein that plays a vital role in the maintenance of the rod-shaped morphology of many bacteria. S-(3,4-Dichlorobenzyl) isothiourea (A22) is an antibiotic-like small molecule that perturbs the rod cell shape and has been suggested to inhibit MreB by targeting ATP hydrolysis. However, without the elucidation of the structure of the ATP-bound state of MreB in the presence of A22, the mechanism of A22 inhibition is still not clear. Here we apply conventional molecular dynamics simulations to explore the dynamics of the active site of MreB in complex with A22 and different nucleotides. We observe that hydrogen bonding between A22 and the catalytic Glu140 residue is not favored in the ATP-A22-bound state of MreB. Water dynamics analysis in the MreB active site reveals that in the presence of A22 water molecules are able to occupy positions suitable for ATP hydrolysis. Overall, our results are consistent with a mechanism in which A22 affects MreB polymerization/depolymerization dynamics in part through slowing phosphate release rather than by inhibiting ATP hydrolysis. These data can be incorporated in the design/development of the next generation of MreB inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaw Awuni
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University , 60 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 637551
| | - Shimin Jiang
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology , A*STAR, Biopolis, Singapore 138673
| | - Robert C Robinson
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University , 60 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 637551.,Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology , A*STAR, Biopolis, Singapore 138673.,Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore , Singapore 117597.,Institute of Structural Biology, Nanyang Technological University , 59 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 636921.,Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine , 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore 639798
| | - Yuguang Mu
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University , 60 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 637551
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26
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The Cosmic Zoo: The (Near) Inevitability of the Evolution of Complex, Macroscopic Life. Life (Basel) 2016; 6:life6030025. [PMID: 27376334 PMCID: PMC5041001 DOI: 10.3390/life6030025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2016] [Revised: 06/17/2016] [Accepted: 06/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Life on Earth provides a unique biological record from single-cell microbes to technologically intelligent life forms. Our evolution is marked by several major steps or innovations along a path of increasing complexity from microbes to space-faring humans. Here we identify various major key innovations, and use an analytical toolset consisting of a set of models to analyse how likely each key innovation is to occur. Our conclusion is that once the origin of life is accomplished, most of the key innovations can occur rather readily. The conclusion for other worlds is that if the origin of life can occur rather easily, we should live in a cosmic zoo, as the innovations necessary to lead to complex life will occur with high probability given sufficient time and habitat. On the other hand, if the origin of life is rare, then we might live in a rather empty universe.
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27
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Azarian T, Daum RS, Petty LA, Steinbeck JL, Yin Z, Nolan D, Boyle-Vavra S, Hanage WP, Salemi M, David MZ. Intrahost Evolution of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus USA300 Among Individuals With Reoccurring Skin and Soft-Tissue Infections. J Infect Dis 2016; 214:895-905. [PMID: 27288537 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiw242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2016] [Accepted: 05/31/2016] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) USA300 is the leading cause of MRSA infections in the United States and has caused an epidemic of skin and soft-tissue infections. Recurrent infections with USA300 MRSA are common, yet intrahost evolution during persistence on an individual has not been studied. This gap hinders the ability to clinically manage recurrent infections and reconstruct transmission networks. METHODS To characterize bacterial intrahost evolution, we examined the clinical courses of 4 subjects with 3-6 recurrent USA300 MRSA infections, using patient clinical data, including antibiotic exposure history, and whole-genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of all available MRSA isolates (n = 29). RESULTS Among sequential isolates, we found variability in diversity, accumulation of mutations, and mobile genetic elements. Selection for antimicrobial-resistant populations was observed through both an increase in the number of plasmids conferring multidrug resistance and strain replacement by a resistant population. Two of 4 subjects had strain replacement with a genetically distinct USA300 MRSA population. DISCUSSIONS During a 5-year period in 4 subjects, we identified development of antimicrobial resistance, intrahost evolution, and strain replacement among isolates from patients with recurrent MRSA infections. This calls into question the efficacy of decolonization to prevent recurrent infections and highlights the adaptive potential of USA300 and the need for effective sampling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taj Azarian
- Center for Communicable Disease Dynamics, Department of Epidemiology, T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts
| | | | | | | | | | - David Nolan
- Department of Pathology, Immunology, and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville
| | | | - W P Hanage
- Center for Communicable Disease Dynamics, Department of Epidemiology, T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Marco Salemi
- Department of Pathology, Immunology, and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville
| | - Michael Z David
- Department of Pediatrics Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Illinois
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28
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Hurley KA, Santos TMA, Nepomuceno GM, Huynh V, Shaw JT, Weibel DB. Targeting the Bacterial Division Protein FtsZ. J Med Chem 2016; 59:6975-98. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.5b01098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Katherine A. Hurley
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Wisconsin—Madison, 777 Highland Avenue, Madison, Wisconsin 53705, United States
| | - Thiago M. A. Santos
- Department
of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin—Madison, 440 Henry Mall, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
| | - Gabriella M. Nepomuceno
- Department of Chemistry, University of California—Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, California 95616, United States
| | - Valerie Huynh
- Department of Chemistry, University of California—Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, California 95616, United States
| | - Jared T. Shaw
- Department of Chemistry, University of California—Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, California 95616, United States
| | - Douglas B. Weibel
- Department
of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin—Madison, 440 Henry Mall, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin—Madison, 1101 University Avenue, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin—Madison, 1550 Engineering Drive, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
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29
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Ha NR, Lee SC, Hyun JW, Yoon MY. Development of inhibitory ssDNA aptamers for the FtsZ cell division protein from citrus canker phytopathogen. Process Biochem 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.procbio.2015.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
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30
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Juan PA, Attaiech L, Charpentier X. Natural transformation occurs independently of the essential actin-like MreB cytoskeleton in Legionella pneumophila. Sci Rep 2015; 5:16033. [PMID: 26526572 PMCID: PMC4630621 DOI: 10.1038/srep16033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2015] [Accepted: 10/08/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural transformation is the process by which bacteria can actively take up and integrate exogenous DNA thereby providing a source of genetic diversity. Under specific growth conditions the coordinated expression of several genes – a situation referred to as “competence” – allows bacteria to assemble a highly processive and dedicated system that can import high molecular weight DNA. Within the cell these large imported DNA molecules are protected from degradation and brought to the chromosome for recombination. Here, we report elevated expression of mreB during competence in the Gram-negative pathogen Legionella pneumophila. Interestingly a similar observation had previously been reported in the distantly-related Gram-positive organism Bacillus subtilis. MreB is often viewed as the bacterial actin homolog contributing to bacterial morphogenesis by coordinating peptidoglycan-synthesising complexes. In addition MreB is increasingly found to be involved in a growing number of processes including chromosome segregation and motor-driven motility. Using genetic and pharmacological approaches, we examined the possible role of MreB during natural transformation in L. pneumophila. Our data show that natural transformation does not require MreB dynamics and exclude a direct role of MreB filaments in the transport of foreign DNA and its recombination in the chromosome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre-Alexandre Juan
- CNRS UMR5240 MAP, Villeurbanne, France.,Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Laetitia Attaiech
- CNRS UMR5240 MAP, Villeurbanne, France.,Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Xavier Charpentier
- CNRS UMR5240 MAP, Villeurbanne, France.,Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Villeurbanne, France
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31
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Knudson SE, Awasthi D, Kumar K, Carreau A, Goullieux L, Lagrange S, Vermet H, Ojima I, Slayden RA. Cell division inhibitors with efficacy equivalent to isoniazid in the acute murine Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection model. J Antimicrob Chemother 2015; 70:3070-3. [PMID: 26245639 DOI: 10.1093/jac/dkv226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2015] [Accepted: 07/01/2015] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The increasing number of clinical strains resistant to one or more of the front-line TB drugs complicates the management of this disease. To develop next-generation benzimidazole-based FtsZ inhibitors with improved efficacy, we employed iterative optimization strategies based on whole bacteria potency, bactericidal activity, plasma and metabolic stability and in vivo efficacy studies. METHODS Candidate benzimidazoles were evaluated for potency against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv and select clinical strains, toxicity against Vero cells and compound stability in plasma and liver microsomes. The efficacy of lead compounds was assessed in the acute murine M. tuberculosis infection model via intraperitoneal and oral routes. RESULTS MICs of SB-P17G-A33, SB-P17G-A38 and SB-P17G-A42 for M. tuberculosis H37Rv and select clinical strains were 0.18-0.39 mg/L. SB-P17G-A38 and SB-P17G-A42 delivered at 50 mg/kg twice daily intraperitoneally or orally demonstrated efficacy in reducing the bacterial load by 5.7-6.3 log10 cfu in the lungs and 3.9-5.0 log10 cfu in the spleen. SB-P17G-A33 delivered at 50 mg/kg twice daily intraperitoneally or orally also reduced the bacterial load by 1.7-2.1 log10 cfu in the lungs and 2.5-3.4 log10 cfu in the spleen. CONCLUSIONS Next-generation benzimidazoles with excellent potency and efficacy against M. tuberculosis have been developed. This is the first report on benzimidazole-based FtsZ inhibitors showing an equivalent level of efficacy to isoniazid in an acute murine M. tuberculosis infection model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan E Knudson
- Mycobacteria Research Laboratories, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1682, USA
| | - Divya Awasthi
- Department of Chemistry, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794-3400, USA
| | - Kunal Kumar
- Institute of Chemical Biology & Drug Discovery, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794-3400, USA
| | | | | | - Sophie Lagrange
- Sanofi-Aventis R&D, Infectious Disease Unit, 31036 Toulouse, France
| | - Hélène Vermet
- Sanofi-Aventis R&D, Drug Disposition, 34184 Montpellier, France
| | - Iwao Ojima
- Department of Chemistry, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794-3400, USA Institute of Chemical Biology & Drug Discovery, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794-3400, USA
| | - Richard A Slayden
- Mycobacteria Research Laboratories, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1682, USA
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32
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TXA709, an FtsZ-Targeting Benzamide Prodrug with Improved Pharmacokinetics and Enhanced In Vivo Efficacy against Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2015; 59:4845-55. [PMID: 26033735 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00708-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2015] [Accepted: 05/27/2015] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The clinical development of FtsZ-targeting benzamide compounds like PC190723 has been limited by poor drug-like and pharmacokinetic properties. Development of prodrugs of PC190723 (e.g., TXY541) resulted in enhanced pharmaceutical properties, which, in turn, led to improved intravenous efficacy as well as the first demonstration of oral efficacy in vivo against both methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA). Despite being efficacious in vivo, TXY541 still suffered from suboptimal pharmacokinetics and the requirement of high efficacious doses. We describe here the design of a new prodrug (TXA709) in which the Cl group on the pyridyl ring has been replaced with a CF3 functionality that is resistant to metabolic attack. As a result of this enhanced metabolic stability, the product of the TXA709 prodrug (TXA707) is associated with improved pharmacokinetic properties (a 6.5-fold-longer half-life and a 3-fold-greater oral bioavailability) and superior in vivo antistaphylococcal efficacy relative to PC190723. We validate FtsZ as the antibacterial target of TXA707 and demonstrate that the compound retains potent bactericidal activity against S. aureus strains resistant to the current standard-of-care drugs vancomycin, daptomycin, and linezolid. These collective properties, coupled with minimal observed toxicity to mammalian cells, establish the prodrug TXA709 as an antistaphylococcal agent worthy of clinical development.
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33
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Artola M, Ruiz-Avila LB, Vergoñós A, Huecas S, Araujo-Bazán L, Martín-Fontecha M, Vázquez-Villa H, Turrado C, Ramírez-Aportela E, Hoegl A, Nodwell M, Barasoain I, Chacón P, Sieber SA, Andreu JM, López-Rodríguez ML. Effective GTP-replacing FtsZ inhibitors and antibacterial mechanism of action. ACS Chem Biol 2015; 10:834-43. [PMID: 25486266 DOI: 10.1021/cb500974d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Essential cell division protein FtsZ is considered an attractive target in the search for antibacterials with novel mechanisms of action to overcome the resistance problem. FtsZ undergoes GTP-dependent assembly at midcell to form the Z-ring, a dynamic structure that evolves until final constriction of the cell. Therefore, molecules able to inhibit its activity will eventually disrupt bacterial viability. In this work, we report a new series of small molecules able to replace GTP and to specifically inhibit FtsZ, blocking the bacterial division process. These new synthesized inhibitors interact with the GTP-binding site of FtsZ (Kd = 0.4-0.8 μM), display antibacterial activity against Gram-positive pathogenic bacteria, and show selectivity against tubulin. Biphenyl derivative 28 stands out as a potent FtsZ inhibitor (Kd = 0.5 μM) with high antibacterial activity [MIC (MRSA) = 7 μM]. In-depth analysis of the mechanism of action of compounds 22, 28, 33, and 36 has revealed that they act as effective inhibitors of correct FtsZ assembly, blocking bacterial division and thus leading to filamentous undivided cells. These findings provide a compelling rationale for the development of compounds targeting the GTP-binding site as antibacterial agents and open the door to antibiotics with novel mechanisms of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Artola
- Departamento de Química Orgánica
I, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, E-28040 Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Albert Vergoñós
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas, CSIC, E-28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Sonia Huecas
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas, CSIC, E-28040 Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Mar Martín-Fontecha
- Departamento de Química Orgánica
I, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, E-28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Henar Vázquez-Villa
- Departamento de Química Orgánica
I, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, E-28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Carlos Turrado
- Departamento de Química Orgánica
I, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, E-28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Erney Ramírez-Aportela
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas, CSIC, E-28040 Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Química-Física Rocasolano, CSIC, E-28006 Madrid, Spain
| | - Annabelle Hoegl
- Center for Integrated Protein Science Munich, Technische Universität München, Department of Chemistry, D-85747 Garching, Germany
| | - Matthew Nodwell
- Center for Integrated Protein Science Munich, Technische Universität München, Department of Chemistry, D-85747 Garching, Germany
| | - Isabel Barasoain
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas, CSIC, E-28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Pablo Chacón
- Instituto de Química-Física Rocasolano, CSIC, E-28006 Madrid, Spain
| | - Stephan A. Sieber
- Center for Integrated Protein Science Munich, Technische Universität München, Department of Chemistry, D-85747 Garching, Germany
| | - Jose M. Andreu
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas, CSIC, E-28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - María L. López-Rodríguez
- Departamento de Química Orgánica
I, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, E-28040 Madrid, Spain
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34
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Biological activity of Pinus nigra terpenes—Evaluation of FtsZ inhibition by selected compounds as contribution to their antimicrobial activity. Comput Biol Med 2014; 54:72-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2014.08.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2014] [Revised: 08/17/2014] [Accepted: 08/19/2014] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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35
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Pathria S, Rolando M, Lieman K, Hayes S, Hardies S, Serwer P. Islands of non-essential genes, including a DNA translocation operon, in the genome of bacteriophage 0305ϕ8-36. BACTERIOPHAGE 2014; 2:25-35. [PMID: 22666654 PMCID: PMC3357382 DOI: 10.4161/bact.19546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
We investigate genes of lytic, Bacillus thuringiensis bacteriophage 0305ϕ8-36 that are non-essential for laboratory propagation, but might have a function in the wild. We isolate deletion mutants to identify these genes. The non-permutation of the genome (218.948 Kb, with a 6.479 Kb terminal repeat and 247 identified orfs) simplifies isolation of deletion mutants. We find two islands of non-essential genes. The first island (3.01% of the genomic DNA) has an informatically identified DNA translocation operon. Deletion causes no detectable growth defect during propagation in a dilute agarose overlay. Identification of the DNA translocation operon begins with a DNA relaxase and continues with a translocase and membrane-binding anchor proteins. The relaxase is in a family, first identified here, with homologs in other bacteriophages. The second deleted island (3.71% of the genome) has genes for two metallo-protein chaperonins and two tRNAs. Deletion causes a significant growth defect. In addition, (1) we find by "in situ" (in-plaque) single-particle fluorescence microscopy that adsorption to the host occurs at the tip of the 486 nm long tail, (2) we develop a procedure of 0305ϕ8-36 purification that does not cause tail contraction, and (3) we then find by electron microscopy that 0305ϕ8-36 undergoes tail tip-tail tip dimerization that potentially blocks adsorption to host cells, presumably with effectiveness that increases as the bacteriophage particle concentration increases. These observations provide an explanation of the previous observation that 0305ϕ8-36 does not lyse liquid cultures, even though 0305ϕ8-36 is genomically lytic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saurav Pathria
- Department of Biochemistry; The University of Texas Health Science Center; San Antonio, TX USA
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36
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Chiodini G, Pallavicini M, Zanotto C, Bissa M, Radaelli A, Straniero V, Bolchi C, Fumagalli L, Ruggeri P, De Giuli Morghen C, Valoti E. Benzodioxane-benzamides as new bacterial cell division inhibitors. Eur J Med Chem 2014; 89:252-65. [PMID: 25462242 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2014.09.100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2014] [Revised: 09/09/2014] [Accepted: 09/15/2014] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
A SAR study was performed on 3-substituted 2,6-difluorobenzamides, known inhibitors of the essential bacterial cell division protein FtsZ, through a series of modifications first of 2,6-difluoro-3-nonyloxybenzamide and then of its 3-pyridothiazolylmethoxy analogue PC190723. The study led to the identification of chiral 2,6-difluorobenzamides bearing 1,4-benzodioxane-2-methyl residue at the 3-position as potent antistaphylococcal compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Chiodini
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Università di Milano, Via Mangiagalli 25, I-20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Marco Pallavicini
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Università di Milano, Via Mangiagalli 25, I-20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Carlo Zanotto
- Department of Medical Biothechnologies and Translational Medicine, Università di Milano, Via Vanvitelli 32, I-20129 Milano, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Bissa
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università di Milano, Via Balzaretti 9, I-2013 Milano, Italy
| | - Antonia Radaelli
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università di Milano, Via Balzaretti 9, I-2013 Milano, Italy; CNR Institute of Neurosciences, Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology Section, Università di Milano, Via Vanvitelli 32, I-20129 Milano, Italy
| | - Valentina Straniero
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Università di Milano, Via Mangiagalli 25, I-20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Cristiano Bolchi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Università di Milano, Via Mangiagalli 25, I-20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Laura Fumagalli
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Università di Milano, Via Mangiagalli 25, I-20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Paola Ruggeri
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Università di Milano, Via Mangiagalli 25, I-20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Carlo De Giuli Morghen
- Department of Medical Biothechnologies and Translational Medicine, Università di Milano, Via Vanvitelli 32, I-20129 Milano, Italy; CNR Institute of Neurosciences, Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology Section, Università di Milano, Via Vanvitelli 32, I-20129 Milano, Italy
| | - Ermanno Valoti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Università di Milano, Via Mangiagalli 25, I-20133 Milano, Italy.
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37
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Identification of anti-tuberculosis agents that target the cell-division protein FtsZ. J Antibiot (Tokyo) 2014; 67:671-6. [DOI: 10.1038/ja.2014.89] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2014] [Revised: 05/27/2014] [Accepted: 05/28/2014] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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38
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Bacterial cell division proteins as antibiotic targets. Bioorg Chem 2014; 55:27-38. [PMID: 24755375 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2014.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2014] [Revised: 03/20/2014] [Accepted: 03/24/2014] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Proteins involved in bacterial cell division often do not have a counterpart in eukaryotic cells and they are essential for the survival of the bacteria. The genetic accessibility of many bacterial species in combination with the Green Fluorescence Protein revolution to study localization of proteins and the availability of crystal structures has increased our knowledge on bacterial cell division considerably in this century. Consequently, bacterial cell division proteins are more and more recognized as potential new antibiotic targets. An international effort to find small molecules that inhibit the cell division initiating protein FtsZ has yielded many compounds of which some are promising as leads for preclinical use. The essential transglycosylase activity of peptidoglycan synthases has recently become accessible to inhibitor screening. Enzymatic assays for and structural information on essential integral membrane proteins such as MraY and FtsW involved in lipid II (the peptidoglycan building block precursor) biosynthesis have put these proteins on the list of potential new targets. This review summarises and discusses the results and approaches to the development of lead compounds that inhibit bacterial cell division.
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39
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Awasthi D, Kumar K, Knudson SE, Slayden RA, Ojima I. SAR studies on trisubstituted benzimidazoles as inhibitors of Mtb FtsZ for the development of novel antitubercular agents. J Med Chem 2013; 56:9756-70. [PMID: 24266862 DOI: 10.1021/jm401468w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
FtsZ, an essential protein for bacterial cell division, is a highly promising therapeutic target, especially for the discovery and development of new-generation anti-TB agents. Following up the identification of two lead 2,5,6-trisubstituted benzimidazoles, 1 and 2, targeting Mtb-FtsZ in our previous study, an extensive SAR study for optimization of these lead compounds was performed through systematic modification of the 5 and 6 positions. This study has successfully led to the discovery of a highly potent advanced lead 5f (MIC = 0.06 μg/mL) and several other compounds with comparable potencies. These advanced lead compounds possess a dimethylamino group at the 6 position. The functional groups at the 5 position exhibit substantial effects on the antibacterial activity as well. In vitro experiments such as the FtsZ polymerization inhibitory assay and TEM analysis of Mtb-FtsZ treated with 5f and others indicate that Mtb-FtsZ is the molecular target for their antibacterial activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Divya Awasthi
- Department of Chemistry and Institute of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Stony Brook University , Stony Brook, New York 11794-3400, United States
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40
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Stokes NR, Baker N, Bennett JM, Chauhan PK, Collins I, Davies DT, Gavade M, Kumar D, Lancett P, Macdonald R, Macleod L, Mahajan A, Mitchell JP, Nayal N, Nayal YN, Pitt GRW, Singh M, Yadav A, Srivastava A, Czaplewski LG, Haydon DJ. Design, synthesis and structure-activity relationships of substituted oxazole-benzamide antibacterial inhibitors of FtsZ. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2013; 24:353-9. [PMID: 24287381 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2013.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2013] [Revised: 11/01/2013] [Accepted: 11/04/2013] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The design, synthesis and structure-activity relationships of a series of oxazole-benzamide inhibitors of the essential bacterial cell division protein FtsZ are described. Compounds had potent anti-staphylococcal activity and inhibited the cytokinesis of the clinically-significant bacterial pathogen Staphylococcus aureus. Selected analogues possessing a 5-halo oxazole also inhibited a strain of S. aureus harbouring the glycine-to-alanine amino acid substitution at residue 196 of FtsZ which conferred resistance to previously reported inhibitors in the series. Substitutions to the pseudo-benzylic carbon of the scaffold improved the pharmacokinetic properties by increasing metabolic stability and provided a mechanism for creating pro-drugs. Combining multiple substitutions based on the findings reported in this study has provided small-molecule inhibitors of FtsZ with enhanced in vitro and in vivo antibacterial efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neil R Stokes
- Biota Europe Ltd, Begbroke Science Park, Oxfordshire OX5 1PF, United Kingdom
| | - Nicola Baker
- Biota Europe Ltd, Begbroke Science Park, Oxfordshire OX5 1PF, United Kingdom
| | - James M Bennett
- Biota Europe Ltd, Begbroke Science Park, Oxfordshire OX5 1PF, United Kingdom
| | | | - Ian Collins
- Biota Europe Ltd, Begbroke Science Park, Oxfordshire OX5 1PF, United Kingdom
| | - David T Davies
- Biota Europe Ltd, Begbroke Science Park, Oxfordshire OX5 1PF, United Kingdom
| | - Maruti Gavade
- Jubilant Chemsys Ltd, B-34, Sector-58, Noida 201301, India
| | - Dushyant Kumar
- Jubilant Chemsys Ltd, B-34, Sector-58, Noida 201301, India
| | - Paul Lancett
- Biota Europe Ltd, Begbroke Science Park, Oxfordshire OX5 1PF, United Kingdom
| | - Rebecca Macdonald
- Biota Europe Ltd, Begbroke Science Park, Oxfordshire OX5 1PF, United Kingdom
| | - Leanne Macleod
- Biota Europe Ltd, Begbroke Science Park, Oxfordshire OX5 1PF, United Kingdom
| | - Anu Mahajan
- Jubilant Chemsys Ltd, B-34, Sector-58, Noida 201301, India
| | - Jeffrey P Mitchell
- Biota Scientific Management Pty Ltd, 10/585 Blackburn Road, Notting Hill, VIC 3168, Australia
| | - Narendra Nayal
- Jubilant Chemsys Ltd, B-34, Sector-58, Noida 201301, India
| | | | - Gary R W Pitt
- Biota Scientific Management Pty Ltd, 10/585 Blackburn Road, Notting Hill, VIC 3168, Australia
| | - Mahipal Singh
- Jubilant Chemsys Ltd, B-34, Sector-58, Noida 201301, India
| | - Anju Yadav
- Jubilant Chemsys Ltd, B-34, Sector-58, Noida 201301, India
| | | | - Lloyd G Czaplewski
- Biota Europe Ltd, Begbroke Science Park, Oxfordshire OX5 1PF, United Kingdom
| | - David J Haydon
- Biota Europe Ltd, Begbroke Science Park, Oxfordshire OX5 1PF, United Kingdom.
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41
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Marcelo F, Huecas S, Ruiz-Ávila LB, Cañada FJ, Perona A, Poveda A, Martín-Santamaría S, Morreale A, Jiménez-Barbero J, Andreu JM. Interactions of bacterial cell division protein FtsZ with C8-substituted guanine nucleotide inhibitors. A combined NMR, biochemical and molecular modeling perspective. J Am Chem Soc 2013; 135:16418-28. [PMID: 24079270 DOI: 10.1021/ja405515r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
FtsZ is the key protein of bacterial cell-division and target for new antibiotics. Selective inhibition of FtsZ polymerization without impairing the assembly of the eukaryotic homologue tubulin was demonstrated with C8-substituted guanine nucleotides. By combining NMR techniques with biochemical and molecular modeling procedures, we have investigated the molecular recognition of C8-substituted-nucleotides by FtsZ from Methanococcus jannaschii (Mj-FtsZ) and Bacillus subtilis (Bs-FtsZ). STD epitope mapping and trNOESY bioactive conformation analysis of each nucleotide were employed to deduce differences in their recognition mode by each FtsZ species. GMP binds in the same anti conformation as GTP, whereas 8-pyrrolidino-GMP binds in the syn conformation. However, the anti conformation of 8-morpholino-GMP is selected by Bs-FtsZ, while Mj-FtsZ binds both anti- and syn-geometries. The inhibitory potencies of the C8-modified-nucleotides on the assembly of Bs-FtsZ, but not of Mj-FtsZ, correlate with their binding affinities. Thus, MorphGTP behaves as a nonhydrolyzable analog whose binding induces formation of Mj-FtsZ curved filaments, resembling polymers formed by the inactive forms of this protein. NMR data, combined with molecular modeling protocols, permit explanation of the mechanism of FtsZ assembly impairment by C8-substituted GTP analogs. The presence of the C8-substituent induces electrostatic remodeling and small structural displacements at the association interface between FtsZ monomers to form filaments, leading to complete assembly inhibition or to formation of abnormal FtsZ polymers. The inhibition of bacterial Bs-FtsZ assembly may be simply explained by steric clashes of the C8-GTP-analogs with the incoming FtsZ monomer. This information may facilitate the design of antibacterial FtsZ inhibitors replacing GTP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filipa Marcelo
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas, CIB-CSIC, Ramiro de Maeztu 9, 28040 Madrid, Spain
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42
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43
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Ruiz-Avila LB, Huecas S, Artola M, Vergoñós A, Ramírez-Aportela E, Cercenado E, Barasoain I, Vázquez-Villa H, Martín-Fontecha M, Chacón P, López-Rodrı́guez ML, Andreu JM. Synthetic inhibitors of bacterial cell division targeting the GTP-binding site of FtsZ. ACS Chem Biol 2013; 8:2072-83. [PMID: 23855511 DOI: 10.1021/cb400208z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Cell division protein FtsZ is the organizer of the cytokinetic Z-ring in most bacteria and a target for new antibiotics. FtsZ assembles with GTP into filaments that hydrolyze the nucleotide at the association interface between monomers and then disassemble. We have replaced FtsZ's GTP with non-nucleotide synthetic inhibitors of bacterial division. We searched for these small molecules among compounds from the literature, from virtual screening (VS), and from our in-house synthetic library (UCM), employing a fluorescence anisotropy primary assay. From these screens we have identified the polyhydroxy aromatic compound UCM05 and its simplified analogue UCM44 that specifically bind to Bacillus subtilis FtsZ monomers with micromolar affinities and perturb normal assembly, as examined with light scattering, polymer sedimentation, and negative stain electron microscopy. On the other hand, these ligands induce the cooperative assembly of nucleotide-devoid archaeal FtsZ into distinct well-ordered polymers, different from GTP-induced filaments. These FtsZ inhibitors impair localization of FtsZ into the Z-ring and inhibit bacterial cell division. The chlorinated analogue UCM53 inhibits the growth of clinical isolates of antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis. We suggest that these interfacial inhibitors recapitulate binding and some assembly-inducing effects of GTP but impair the correct structural dynamics of FtsZ filaments and thus inhibit bacterial division, possibly by binding to a small fraction of the FtsZ molecules in a bacterial cell, which opens a new approach to FtsZ-based antibacterial drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura B. Ruiz-Avila
- Centro
de Investigaciones Biológicas, CSIC, Madrid, ‡Dpto. Química Orgánica
I, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, UCM, Madrid, §Instituto de Química-Física
Rocasolano, CSIC, Madrid, and ∥Servicio de Microbiología, Hospital
General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
| | - Sonia Huecas
- Centro
de Investigaciones Biológicas, CSIC, Madrid, ‡Dpto. Química Orgánica
I, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, UCM, Madrid, §Instituto de Química-Física
Rocasolano, CSIC, Madrid, and ∥Servicio de Microbiología, Hospital
General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
| | - Marta Artola
- Centro
de Investigaciones Biológicas, CSIC, Madrid, ‡Dpto. Química Orgánica
I, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, UCM, Madrid, §Instituto de Química-Física
Rocasolano, CSIC, Madrid, and ∥Servicio de Microbiología, Hospital
General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
| | - Albert Vergoñós
- Centro
de Investigaciones Biológicas, CSIC, Madrid, ‡Dpto. Química Orgánica
I, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, UCM, Madrid, §Instituto de Química-Física
Rocasolano, CSIC, Madrid, and ∥Servicio de Microbiología, Hospital
General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
| | - Erney Ramírez-Aportela
- Centro
de Investigaciones Biológicas, CSIC, Madrid, ‡Dpto. Química Orgánica
I, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, UCM, Madrid, §Instituto de Química-Física
Rocasolano, CSIC, Madrid, and ∥Servicio de Microbiología, Hospital
General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
| | - Emilia Cercenado
- Centro
de Investigaciones Biológicas, CSIC, Madrid, ‡Dpto. Química Orgánica
I, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, UCM, Madrid, §Instituto de Química-Física
Rocasolano, CSIC, Madrid, and ∥Servicio de Microbiología, Hospital
General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
| | - Isabel Barasoain
- Centro
de Investigaciones Biológicas, CSIC, Madrid, ‡Dpto. Química Orgánica
I, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, UCM, Madrid, §Instituto de Química-Física
Rocasolano, CSIC, Madrid, and ∥Servicio de Microbiología, Hospital
General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
| | - Henar Vázquez-Villa
- Centro
de Investigaciones Biológicas, CSIC, Madrid, ‡Dpto. Química Orgánica
I, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, UCM, Madrid, §Instituto de Química-Física
Rocasolano, CSIC, Madrid, and ∥Servicio de Microbiología, Hospital
General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
| | - Mar Martín-Fontecha
- Centro
de Investigaciones Biológicas, CSIC, Madrid, ‡Dpto. Química Orgánica
I, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, UCM, Madrid, §Instituto de Química-Física
Rocasolano, CSIC, Madrid, and ∥Servicio de Microbiología, Hospital
General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
| | - Pablo Chacón
- Centro
de Investigaciones Biológicas, CSIC, Madrid, ‡Dpto. Química Orgánica
I, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, UCM, Madrid, §Instituto de Química-Física
Rocasolano, CSIC, Madrid, and ∥Servicio de Microbiología, Hospital
General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
| | - María L. López-Rodrı́guez
- Centro
de Investigaciones Biológicas, CSIC, Madrid, ‡Dpto. Química Orgánica
I, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, UCM, Madrid, §Instituto de Química-Física
Rocasolano, CSIC, Madrid, and ∥Servicio de Microbiología, Hospital
General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
| | - José M. Andreu
- Centro
de Investigaciones Biológicas, CSIC, Madrid, ‡Dpto. Química Orgánica
I, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, UCM, Madrid, §Instituto de Química-Física
Rocasolano, CSIC, Madrid, and ∥Servicio de Microbiología, Hospital
General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
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44
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Massidda O, Nováková L, Vollmer W. From models to pathogens: how much have we learned about Streptococcus pneumoniae cell division? Environ Microbiol 2013; 15:3133-57. [PMID: 23848140 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.12189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 114] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2013] [Revised: 06/08/2013] [Accepted: 06/09/2013] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Streptococcus pneumoniae is an oval-shaped Gram-positive coccus that lives in intimate association with its human host, both as a commensal and pathogen. The seriousness of pneumococcal infections and the spread of multi-drug resistant strains call for new lines of intervention. Bacterial cell division is an attractive target to develop antimicrobial drugs. This review discusses the recent advances in understanding S. pneumoniae growth and division, in comparison with the best studied rod-shaped models, Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis. To maintain their shape, these bacteria propagate by peripheral and septal peptidoglycan synthesis, involving proteins that assemble into distinct complexes called the elongasome and the divisome, respectively. Many of these proteins are conserved in S. pneumoniae, supporting the notion that the ovococcal shape is also achieved by rounds of elongation and division. Importantly, S. pneumoniae and close relatives with similar morphology differ in several aspects from the model rods. Overall, the data support a model in which a single large machinery, containing both the peripheral and septal peptidoglycan synthesis complexes, assembles at midcell and governs growth and division. The mechanisms generating the ovococcal or coccal shape in lactic-acid bacteria have likely evolved by gene reduction from a rod-shaped ancestor of the same group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Orietta Massidda
- Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Via Porcell, 4, 09100, Cagliari, Italy
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45
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Sharma R, Hoti SL, Vasuki V, Sankari T, Meena RL, Das PK. Filamentation temperature-sensitive protein Z (FtsZ) of Wolbachia, endosymbiont of Wuchereria bancrofti: a potential target for anti-filarial chemotherapy. Acta Trop 2013; 125:330-8. [PMID: 23262214 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2012.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2012] [Revised: 11/30/2012] [Accepted: 12/01/2012] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is a leading cause of morbidity in the tropical world. It is caused by the filarial parasites Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia malayi and Brugia timori and transmitted by vector mosquitoes. Currently a programme for the elimination of LF, Global programme for Elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis (GPELF), is underway with the strategy of mass administration of single dose of diethylcarbamazine or ivermectin, in combination with an anthelmintic drug, albendazole. However, antifilarial drugs used in the programme are only microfilaricidal but not or only partially macrofilaricidal. Hence, there is a need to identify new targets for developing antifilarial drugs. Filarial parasites harbor rickettsial endosymbionts, Wolbachia sp., which play an important role in their biology and hence are considered as potential targets for antifilarial chemotherapy development. In this study, one of the cell division proteins of Wolbachia of the major lymphatic filarial parasite, W. bancrofti, viz., filamentation temperature-sensitive protein Z (FtsZ), was explored as a drug target. The gene coding for FtsZ protein was amplified from the genomic DNA of W. bancrofti, cloned and sequenced. The derived amino acid sequence of the gene revealed that FtsZ protein is 396 amino acids long and contained the tubulin motif (GGGTGTG) involved in GTP binding and the GTP hydrolyzing motif (NLDFAD). The FtsZ gene of endosymbiont showed limited sequence homology, but exhibited functional homology with β-tubulin of its host, W. bancrofti, as it had both the functional motifs and conserved amino acids that are critical for enzymatic activity. β-tubulin is the target for the anti-helminthic activity of albendazole and since FtsZ shares functional homology with, β-tubulin it may also be sensitive to albendazole. Therefore, the effect of albendazole was tested against Wolbachia occurring in mosquitoes instead of filarial parasites as the drug has lethal effect on the latter. Third instar larvae of Culex quinquefasciatus were treated with 0.25mg/ml of albendazole (test) or tetracycline (positive control) in the rearing medium for different intervals and tested for the presence of Wolbachia by FtsZ PCR. All the treated larvae were negative for the presence of the FtsZ band, whereas all the control larvae were positive. The findings of the study, thus indicated that FtsZ is sensitive to albendazole. In view of this albendazole appears to have dual targets; FtsZ in Wolbachia and β-tubulin in W. bancrofti. Further, the functional domain of the gene was assessed for polymorphism among recombinant clones representing 120 W. bancrofti parasites, prevalent across wide geographic areas of India and found to be highly conserved among them. Since it is highly conserved and plays an important role in Wolbachia cell division it appears to be a potential target for anti-filarial chemotherapy development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rohit Sharma
- Vector Control Research Centre, Indira Nagar, Medical Complex, Puducherry, India
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46
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Abstract
Bacterial cell division is facilitated by the divisome, a dynamic multiprotein assembly localizing at mid-cell to synthesize the stress-bearing peptidoglycan and to constrict all cell envelope layers. Divisome assembly occurs in two steps and involves multiple interactions between more than 20 essential and accessory cell division proteins. Well before constriction and while the cell is still elongating, the tubulin-like FtsZ and early cell division proteins form a ring-like structure at mid-cell. Cell division starts once certain peptidoglycan enzymes and their activators have moved to the FtsZ-ring. Gram-negative bacteria like Escherichia coli simultaneously synthesize and cleave the septum peptidoglycan during division leading to a constriction. The outer membrane constricts together with the peptidoglycan layer with the help of the transenvelope spanning Tol-Pal system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander J F Egan
- Centre for Bacterial Cell Biology, Institute for Cell and Molecular Biosciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
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47
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An improved small-molecule inhibitor of FtsZ with superior in vitro potency, drug-like properties, and in vivo efficacy. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2012; 57:317-25. [PMID: 23114779 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01580-12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The bacterial cell division protein FtsZ is an attractive target for small-molecule antibacterial drug discovery. Derivatives of 3-methoxybenzamide, including compound PC190723, have been reported to be potent and selective antistaphylococcal agents which exert their effects through the disruption of intracellular FtsZ function. Here, we report the further optimization of 3-methoxybenzamide derivatives towards a drug candidate. The in vitro and in vivo characterization of a more advanced lead compound, designated compound 1, is described. Compound 1 was potently antibacterial, with an average MIC of 0.12 μg/ml against all staphylococcal species, including methicillin- and multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis. Compound 1 inhibited an S. aureus strain carrying the G196A mutation in FtsZ, which confers resistance to PC190723. Like PC190723, compound 1 acted on whole bacterial cells by blocking cytokinesis. No interactions between compound 1 and a diverse panel of antibiotics were measured in checkerboard experiments. Compound 1 displayed suitable in vitro pharmaceutical properties and a favorable in vivo pharmacokinetic profile following intravenous and oral administration, with a calculated bioavailability of 82.0% in mice. Compound 1 demonstrated efficacy in a murine model of systemic S. aureus infection and caused a significant decrease in the bacterial load in the thigh infection model. A greater reduction in the number of S. aureus cells recovered from infected thighs, equivalent to 3.68 log units, than in those recovered from controls was achieved using a succinate prodrug of compound 1, which was designated compound 2. In summary, optimized derivatives of 3-methoxybenzamide may yield a first-in-class FtsZ inhibitor for the treatment of antibiotic-resistant staphylococcal infections.
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48
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Singh P, Jindal B, Surolia A, Panda D. A rhodanine derivative CCR-11 inhibits bacterial proliferation by inhibiting the assembly and GTPase activity of FtsZ. Biochemistry 2012; 51:5434-42. [PMID: 22703373 DOI: 10.1021/bi201813u] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
A perturbation of FtsZ assembly dynamics has been shown to inhibit bacterial cytokinesis. In this study, the antibacterial activity of 151 rhodanine compounds was assayed using Bacillus subtilis cells. Of 151 compounds, eight strongly inhibited bacterial proliferation at 2 μM. Subsequently, we used the elongation of B. subtilis cells as a secondary screen to identify potential FtsZ-targeted antibacterial agents. We found that three compounds significantly increased bacterial cell length. One of the three compounds, namely, CCR-11 [(E)-2-thioxo-5-({[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]furan-2-yl}methylene)thiazolidin-4-one], inhibited the assembly and GTPase activity of FtsZ in vitro. CCR-11 bound to FtsZ with a dissociation constant of 1.5 ± 0.3 μM. A docking analysis indicated that CCR-11 may bind to FtsZ in a cavity adjacent to the T7 loop and that short halogen-oxygen, H-bonding, and hydrophobic interactions might be important for the binding of CCR-11 with FtsZ. CCR-11 inhibited the proliferation of B. subtilis cells with a half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC(50)) of 1.2 ± 0.2 μM and a minimal inhibitory concentration of 3 μM. It also potently inhibited proliferation of Mycobacterium smegmatis cells. Further, CCR-11 perturbed Z-ring formation in B. subtilis cells; however, it neither visibly affected nucleoid segregation nor altered the membrane integrity of the cells. CCR-11 inhibited HeLa cell proliferation with an IC(50) value of 18.1 ± 0.2 μM (∼15 × IC(50) of B. subtilis cell proliferation). The results suggested that CCR-11 inhibits bacterial cytokinesis by inhibiting FtsZ assembly, and it can be used as a lead molecule to develop FtsZ-targeted antibacterial agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parminder Singh
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, India
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49
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Ma S, Ma S. The Development of FtsZ Inhibitors as Potential Antibacterial Agents. ChemMedChem 2012; 7:1161-72. [DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.201200156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2012] [Revised: 05/05/2012] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
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50
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Plocinska R, Purushotham G, Sarva K, Vadrevu IS, Pandeeti EVP, Arora N, Plocinski P, Madiraju MV, Rajagopalan M. Septal localization of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis MtrB sensor kinase promotes MtrA regulon expression. J Biol Chem 2012; 287:23887-99. [PMID: 22610443 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m112.346544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The mechanisms responsible for activation of the MtrAB two-component regulatory signal transduction system, which includes sensor kinase MtrB and response regulator MtrA, are unknown. Here, we show that an MtrB-GFP fusion protein localized to the cell membrane, the septa, and the poles in Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium smegmatis. This localization was independent of MtrB phosphorylation status but dependent upon the assembly of FtsZ, the initiator of cell division. The M. smegmatis mtrB mutant was filamentous, defective for cell division, and contained lysozyme-sensitive cell walls. The mtrB phenotype was complemented by either production of MtrB protein competent for phosphorylation or overproduction of MtrA(Y102C) and MtrA(D13A) mutant proteins exhibiting altered phosphorylation potential, indicating that either MtrB phosphorylation or MtrB independent expression of MtrA regulon genes, including those involved in cell wall processing, are necessary for regulated cell division. In partial support of this observation, we found that the essential cell wall hydrolase ripA is an MtrA target and that the expression of bona fide MtrA targets ripA, fbpB, and dnaA were compromised in the mtrB mutant and partially rescued upon MtrA(Y102C) and MtrA(D13A) overproduction. MtrB septal assembly was compromised upon FtsZ depletion and exposure of cells to mitomycin C, a DNA damaging agent, which interferes with FtsZ ring assembly. Expression of MtrA targets was also compromised under the above conditions, indicating that MtrB septal localization and MtrA regulon expression are linked. We propose that MtrB septal association is a necessary feature of MtrB activation that promotes MtrA phosphorylation and MtrA regulon expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renata Plocinska
- Biomedical Research, The University of Texas Health Science Center, Tyler, Texas 75708-3154, USA
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