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Chan AHY, Ho TCS, Fathoni I, Hamid R, Hirsch AKH, Saliba KJ, Leeper FJ. Evaluation of ketoclomazone and its analogues as inhibitors of 1-deoxy-d-xylulose 5-phosphate synthases and other thiamine diphosphate (ThDP)-dependent enzymes. RSC Med Chem 2024; 15:1773-1781. [PMID: 38784473 PMCID: PMC11110791 DOI: 10.1039/d4md00083h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Most pathogenic bacteria, apicomplexan parasites and plants rely on the methylerythritol phosphate (MEP) pathway to obtain precursors of isoprenoids. 1-Deoxy-d-xylulose 5-phosphate synthase (DXPS), a thiamine diphosphate (ThDP)-dependent enzyme, catalyses the first and rate-limiting step of the MEP pathway. Due to its absence in humans, DXPS is considered as an attractive target for the development of anti-infectious agents and herbicides. Ketoclomazone is one of the earliest reported inhibitors of DXPS and antibacterial and herbicidal activities have been documented. This study investigated the activity of ketoclomazone on DXPS from various species, as well as the broader ThDP-dependent enzyme family. To gain further insights into the inhibition, we have prepared analogues of ketoclomazone and evaluated their activity in biochemical and computational studies. Our findings support the potential of ketoclomazone as a selective antibacterial agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex H Y Chan
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge Lensfield Road Cambridge CB2 1EW UK
| | - Terence C S Ho
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge Lensfield Road Cambridge CB2 1EW UK
| | - Imam Fathoni
- Research School of Biology, The Australian National University Canberra ACT 2601 Australia
| | - Rawia Hamid
- Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS) - Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) Campus Building E8.1 66123 Saarbrücken Germany
- Department of Pharmacy, Saarland University Campus Building E8.1 66123 Saarbrücken Germany
| | - Anna K H Hirsch
- Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS) - Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) Campus Building E8.1 66123 Saarbrücken Germany
- Department of Pharmacy, Saarland University Campus Building E8.1 66123 Saarbrücken Germany
| | - Kevin J Saliba
- Research School of Biology, The Australian National University Canberra ACT 2601 Australia
| | - Finian J Leeper
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge Lensfield Road Cambridge CB2 1EW UK
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2
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Coco L, Toci EM, Chen PYT, Drennan CL, Freel Meyers CL. Potent Inhibition of E. coli DXP Synthase by a gem-Diaryl Bisubstrate Analog. ACS Infect Dis 2024; 10:1312-1326. [PMID: 38513073 PMCID: PMC11019550 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.3c00734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
New antimicrobial strategies are needed to address pathogen resistance to currently used antibiotics. Bacterial central metabolism is a promising target space for the development of agents that selectively target bacterial pathogens. 1-Deoxy-d-xylulose 5-phosphate synthase (DXPS) converts pyruvate and d-glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate (d-GAP) to DXP, which is required for synthesis of essential vitamins and isoprenoids in bacterial pathogens. Thus, DXPS is a promising antimicrobial target. Toward this goal, our lab has demonstrated selective inhibition of Escherichia coli DXPS by alkyl acetylphosphonate (alkylAP)-based bisubstrate analogs that exploit the requirement for ternary complex formation in the DXPS mechanism. Here, we present the first DXPS structure with a bisubstrate analog bound in the active site. Insights gained from this cocrystal structure guided structure-activity relationship studies of the bisubstrate scaffold. A low nanomolar inhibitor (compound 8) bearing a gem-dibenzyl glycine moiety conjugated to the acetylphosphonate pyruvate mimic via a triazole-based linker emerged from this study. Compound 8 was found to exhibit slow, tight-binding inhibition, with contacts to E. coli DXPS residues R99 and R478 demonstrated to be important for this behavior. This work has discovered the most potent DXPS inhibitor to date and highlights a new role of R99 that can be exploited in future inhibitor designs toward the development of a novel class of antimicrobial agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren
B. Coco
- Department
of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
| | - Eucolona M. Toci
- Department
of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
| | - Percival Yang-Ting Chen
- Department
of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of
Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Catherine L. Drennan
- Department
of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of
Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
- Howard
Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Caren L. Freel Meyers
- Department
of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
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3
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Toci EM, Austin SL, Majumdar A, Woodcock HL, Freel Meyers CL. Disruption of an Active Site Network Leads to Activation of C2α-Lactylthiamin Diphosphate on the Antibacterial Target 1-Deoxy-d-xylulose-5-phosphate Synthase. Biochemistry 2024; 63:671-687. [PMID: 38393327 PMCID: PMC11015862 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.3c00735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
The bacterial metabolic enzyme 1-deoxy-d-xylulose-5-phosphate synthase (DXPS) catalyzes the thiamin diphosphate (ThDP)-dependent formation of DXP from pyruvate and d-glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate (d-GAP). DXP is an essential bacteria-specific metabolite that feeds into the biosynthesis of isoprenoids, pyridoxal phosphate (PLP), and ThDP. DXPS catalyzes the activation of pyruvate to give the C2α-lactylThDP (LThDP) adduct that is long-lived on DXPS in a closed state in the absence of the cosubstrate. Binding of d-GAP shifts the DXPS-LThDP complex to an open state which coincides with LThDP decarboxylation. This gated mechanism distinguishes DXPS in ThDP enzymology. How LThDP persists on DXPS in the absence of cosubstrate, while other pyruvate decarboxylases readily activate LThDP for decarboxylation, is a long-standing question in the field. We propose that an active site network functions to prevent LThDP activation on DXPS until the cosubstrate binds. Binding of d-GAP coincides with a conformational shift and disrupts the network causing changes in the active site that promote LThDP activation. Here, we show that the substitution of putative network residues, as well as nearby residues believed to contribute to network charge distribution, predictably affects LThDP reactivity. Substitutions predicted to disrupt the network have the effect to activate LThDP for decarboxylation, resulting in CO2 and acetate production. In contrast, a substitution predicted to strengthen the network fails to activate LThDP and has the effect to shift DXPS toward the closed state. Network-disrupting substitutions near the carboxylate of LThDP also have a pronounced effect to shift DXPS to an open state. These results offer initial insights to explain the long-lived LThDP intermediate and its activation through disruption of an active site network, which is unique to DXPS. These findings have important implications for DXPS function in bacteria and its development as an antibacterial target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eucolona M Toci
- Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
| | - Steven L Austin
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida 33620, United States
| | - Ananya Majumdar
- Biomolecular NMR Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, United States
| | - H Lee Woodcock
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida 33620, United States
| | - Caren L Freel Meyers
- Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
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4
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Di X, Rodriguez-Concepcion M. Exploring the Deoxy-D-xylulose-5-phosphate Synthase Gene Family in Tomato ( Solanum lycopersicum). PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:3886. [PMID: 38005784 PMCID: PMC10675008 DOI: 10.3390/plants12223886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023]
Abstract
Isoprenoids are a wide family of metabolites including high-value chemicals, flavors, pigments, and drugs. Isoprenoids are particularly abundant and diverse in plants. The methyl-D-erythritol 4-phosphate (MEP) pathway produces the universal isoprenoid precursors isopentenyl diphosphate and dimethylallyl diphosphate in plant plastids for the downstream production of monoterpenes, diterpenes, and photosynthesis-related isoprenoids such as carotenoids, chlorophylls, tocopherols, phylloquinone, and plastoquinone. The enzyme deoxy-D-xylulose 5-phosphate synthase (DXS) is the first and main rate-determining enzyme of the MEP pathway. In tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), a plant with an active isoprenoid metabolism in several tissues, three genes encode DXS-like proteins (SlDXS1 to 3). Here, we show that the expression patterns of the three genes suggest distinct physiological roles without excluding that they might function together in some tissues. We also confirm that SlDXS1 and 2 are true DXS enzymes, whereas SlDXS3 lacks DXS activity. We further show that SlDXS1 and 2 co-localize in plastidial speckles and that they can be immunoprecipitated together, suggesting that they might form heterodimers in vivo in at least some tissues. These results provide novel insights for the biotechnological use of DXS isoforms in metabolic engineering strategies to up-regulate the MEP pathway flux.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueni Di
- Institute for Plant Molecular and Cell Biology (IBMCP), CSIC—Universitat Politècnica de València, 46022 Valencia, Spain
| | - Manuel Rodriguez-Concepcion
- Institute for Plant Molecular and Cell Biology (IBMCP), CSIC—Universitat Politècnica de València, 46022 Valencia, Spain
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5
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Hamid R, Adam S, Lacour A, Monjas L, Köhnke J, Hirsch AKH. 1-deoxy-D-xylulose-5-phosphate synthase from Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae reveals conformational changes upon cofactor binding. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:105152. [PMID: 37567475 PMCID: PMC10504544 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.105152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2023] [Revised: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The ESKAPE bacteria are the six highly virulent and antibiotic-resistant pathogens that require the most urgent attention for the development of novel antibiotics. Detailed knowledge of target proteins specific to bacteria is essential to develop novel treatment options. The methylerythritol-phosphate (MEP) pathway, which is absent in humans, represents a potentially valuable target for the development of novel antibiotics. Within the MEP pathway, the enzyme 1-deoxy-D-xylulose-5-phosphate synthase (DXPS) catalyzes a crucial, rate-limiting first step and a branch point in the biosynthesis of the vitamins B1 and B6. We report the high-resolution crystal structures of DXPS from the important ESKAPE pathogens Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae in both the co-factor-bound and the apo forms. We demonstrate that the absence of the cofactor thiamine diphosphate results in conformational changes that lead to disordered loops close to the active site that might be important for the design of potent DXPS inhibitors. Collectively, our results provide important structural details that aid in the assessment of DXPS as a potential target in the ongoing efforts to combat antibiotic resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rawia Hamid
- Department of Drug Design and Optimization, Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS) - Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Saarbrücken, Germany; Department of Pharmacy, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Sebastian Adam
- Department of Drug Design and Optimization, Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS) - Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Antoine Lacour
- Department of Drug Design and Optimization, Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS) - Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Leticia Monjas
- Stratingh Institute for Chemistry, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Jesko Köhnke
- Institute of Food Chemistry, Leibniz University Hannover, Hannover, Germany; School of Chemistry, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Anna K H Hirsch
- Department of Drug Design and Optimization, Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS) - Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Saarbrücken, Germany; Department of Pharmacy, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany.
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6
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Shams S, Ismaili A, Firouzabadi FN, Mumivand H, Sorkheh K. Comparative transcriptome analysis to identify putative genes involved in carvacrol biosynthesis pathway in two species of Satureja, endemic medicinal herbs of Iran. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0281351. [PMID: 37418504 PMCID: PMC10328369 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0281351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Satureja is rich in phenolic monoterpenoids, mainly carvacrol, that is of interest due to diverse biological activities including antifungal and antibacterial. However, limited information is available regarding the molecular mechanisms underlying carvacrol biosynthesis and its regulation for this wonderful medicinal herb. To identify the putative genes involved in carvacrol and other monoterpene biosynthesis pathway, we generated a reference transcriptome in two endemic Satureja species of Iran, containing different yields (Satureja khuzistanica and Satureja rechingeri). Cross-species differential expression analysis was conducted between two species of Satureja. 210 and 186 transcripts related to terpenoid backbone biosynthesis were identified for S. khuzistanica and S. rechingeri, respectively. 29 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) involved in terpenoid biosynthesis were identified, and these DEGs were significantly enriched in monoterpenoid biosynthesis, diterpenoid biosynthesis, sesquiterpenoid and triterpenoid biosynthesis, carotenoid biosynthesis and ubiquinone and other terpenoid-quinone biosynthesis pathways. Expression patterns of S. khuzistanica and S. rechingeri transcripts involved in the terpenoid biosynthetic pathway were evaluated. In addition, we identified 19 differentially expressed transcription factors (such as MYC4, bHLH, and ARF18) that may control terpenoid biosynthesis. We confirmed the altered expression levels of DEGs that encode carvacrol biosynthetic enzymes using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). This study is the first report on de novo assembly and transcriptome data analysis in Satureja which could be useful for an understanding of the main constituents of Satureja essential oil and future research in this genus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Somayeh Shams
- Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Plant Production and Genetic Engineering, Lorestan University, Khorramabad, Iran
| | - Ahmad Ismaili
- Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Plant Production and Genetic Engineering, Lorestan University, Khorramabad, Iran
| | - Farhad Nazarian Firouzabadi
- Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Plant Production and Genetic Engineering, Lorestan University, Khorramabad, Iran
| | - Hasan Mumivand
- Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Horticultural Science, Lorestan University, Khorramabad, Iran
| | - Karim Sorkheh
- Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Plant Production and Genetic Engineering, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran
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7
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Gierse RM, Oerlemans R, Reddem ER, Gawriljuk VO, Alhayek A, Baitinger D, Jakobi H, Laber B, Lange G, Hirsch AKH, Groves MR. First crystal structures of 1-deoxy-D-xylulose 5-phosphate synthase (DXPS) from Mycobacterium tuberculosis indicate a distinct mechanism of intermediate stabilization. Sci Rep 2022; 12:7221. [PMID: 35508530 PMCID: PMC9068908 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-11205-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 04/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of drug resistance by Mycobacterium tuberculosis and other pathogenic bacteria emphasizes the need for new antibiotics. Unlike animals, most bacteria synthesize isoprenoid precursors through the MEP pathway. 1-Deoxy-d-xylulose 5-phosphate synthase (DXPS) catalyzes the first reaction of the MEP pathway and is an attractive target for the development of new antibiotics. We report here the successful use of a loop truncation to crystallize and solve the first DXPS structures of a pathogen, namely M. tuberculosis (MtDXPS). The main difference found to other DXPS structures is in the active site where a highly coordinated water was found, showing a new mechanism for the enamine-intermediate stabilization. Unlike other DXPS structures, a “fork-like” motif could be identified in the enamine structure, using a different residue for the interaction with the cofactor, potentially leading to a decrease in the stability of the intermediate. In addition, electron density suggesting a phosphate group could be found close to the active site, provides new evidence for the D-GAP binding site. These results provide the opportunity to improve or develop new inhibitors specific for MtDXPS through structure-based drug design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin M Gierse
- Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS)-Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Campus Building E 8.1, 66123, Saarbrücken, Germany.,Department of Pharmacy, Saarland University, Campus Building E8.1, 66123, Saarbrücken, Germany.,Stratingh Institute for Chemistry, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 7, 9747 AG, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Rick Oerlemans
- Department of Drug Design, Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, 9700 AV, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Eswar R Reddem
- Stratingh Institute for Chemistry, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 7, 9747 AG, Groningen, The Netherlands.,Department of Drug Design, Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, 9700 AV, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Victor O Gawriljuk
- Department of Drug Design, Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, 9700 AV, Groningen, The Netherlands.,São Carlos Institute of Physics, University of São Paulo, Av. João Dagnone, 1100-Santa Angelina, São Carlos, SP, 13563-120, Brazil
| | - Alaa Alhayek
- Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS)-Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Campus Building E 8.1, 66123, Saarbrücken, Germany.,Department of Pharmacy, Saarland University, Campus Building E8.1, 66123, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Dominik Baitinger
- Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS)-Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Campus Building E 8.1, 66123, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Harald Jakobi
- Research & Development Crop Science, Bayer AG, Industriepark Höchst, 65926, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Bernd Laber
- Research & Development Crop Science, Bayer AG, Industriepark Höchst, 65926, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Gudrun Lange
- Research & Development Crop Science, Bayer AG, Industriepark Höchst, 65926, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Anna K H Hirsch
- Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS)-Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Campus Building E 8.1, 66123, Saarbrücken, Germany. .,Department of Pharmacy, Saarland University, Campus Building E8.1, 66123, Saarbrücken, Germany. .,Stratingh Institute for Chemistry, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 7, 9747 AG, Groningen, The Netherlands.
| | - Matthew R Groves
- Department of Drug Design, Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, 9700 AV, Groningen, The Netherlands.
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