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Miljkovic M, Lozano S, Castellote I, de Cózar C, Villegas-Moreno AI, Gamallo P, Jimenez-Alfaro Martinez D, Fernández-Álvaro E, Ballell L, Garcia GA. Novel inhibitors that target bacterial virulence identified via HTS against intra-macrophage survival of Shigella flexneri. mSphere 2023; 8:e0015423. [PMID: 37565760 PMCID: PMC10597453 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00154-23] [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: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Shigella flexneri is a facultative intracellular pathogen that causes shigellosis, a human diarrheal disease characterized by the destruction of the colonic epithelium. Novel antimicrobial compounds to treat infections are urgently needed due to the proliferation of bacterial antibiotic resistance and lack of new effective antimicrobials in the market. Our approach to find compounds that block the Shigella virulence pathway has three potential advantages: (i) resistance development should be minimized due to the lack of growth selection pressure, (ii) no resistance due to environmental antibiotic exposure should be developed since the virulence pathways are not activated outside of host infection, and (iii) the normal intestinal microbiota, which do not have the targeted virulence pathways, should be unharmed. We chose to utilize two phenotypic assays, inhibition of Shigella survival in macrophages and Shigella growth inhibition (minimum inhibitory concentration), to interrogate the 1.7 M compound screening collection subset of the GlaxoSmithKline drug discovery chemical library. A number of secondary assays on the hit compounds resulting from the primary screens were conducted, which, in combination with chemical, structural, and physical property analyses, narrowed the final hit list to 44 promising compounds for further drug discovery efforts. The rapid development of antibiotic resistance is a critical problem that has the potential of returning the world to a "pre-antibiotic" type of environment, where millions of people will die from previously treatable infections. One relatively newer approach to minimize the selection pressures for the development of resistance is to target virulence pathways. This is anticipated to eliminate any resistance selection pressure in environmental exposure to virulence-targeted antibiotics and will have the added benefit of not affecting the non-virulent microbiome. This paper describes the development and application of a simple, reproducible, and sensitive assay to interrogate an extensive chemical library in high-throughput screening format for activity against the survival of Shigella flexneri 2457T-nl in THP-1 macrophages. The ability to screen very large numbers of compounds in a reasonable time frame (~1.7 M compounds in ~8 months) distinguishes this assay as a powerful tool in further exploring new compounds with intracellular effect on S. flexneri or other pathogens with similar pathways of pathogenesis. The assay utilizes a luciferase reporter which is extremely rapid, simple, relatively inexpensive, and sensitive and possesses a broad linear range. The assay also utilized THP-1 cells that resemble primary monocytes and macrophages in morphology and differentiation properties. THP-1 cells have advantages over human primary monocytes or macrophages because they are highly plastic and their homogeneous genetic background minimizes the degree of variability in the cell phenotype (1). The intracellular and virulence-targeted selectivity of our methodology, determined via secondary screening, is an enormous advantage. Our main interest focuses on hits that are targeting virulence, and the most promising compounds with adequate physicochemical and drug metabolism and pharmacokinetic (DMPK) properties will be progressed to a suitable in vivo shigellosis model to evaluate the therapeutic potential of this approach. Additionally, compounds that act via a host-directed mechanism could be a promising source for further research given that it would allow a whole new, specific, and controlled approach to the treatment of diseases caused by some pathogenic bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marija Miljkovic
- Department of Medical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- GSK Global Health Unit, Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - George A. Garcia
- Department of Medical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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2
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Trirocco R, Pasqua M, Tramonti A, Grossi M, Colonna B, Paiardini A, Prosseda G. Fatty Acids Abolish Shigella Virulence by Inhibiting Its Master Regulator, VirF. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0077823. [PMID: 37140433 PMCID: PMC10269687 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00778-23] [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: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The pathogenicity of Shigella, the intracellular pathogen responsible for human bacillary dysentery, depends on a coordinated and tightly regulated expression of its virulence determinants. This is the result of a cascade organization of its positive regulators, with VirF, a transcriptional activator belonging to the AraC-XylS family, in a pivotal position. VirF itself is submitted to several well-known regulations at the transcriptional level. In this work, we present evidence for a novel posttranslational regulatory mechanism of VirF mediated by the inhibitory interaction with specific fatty acids. By homology modeling and molecular docking analyses, we identify a jelly roll motif in the structure of ViF capable of interacting with medium-chain saturated and long-chain unsaturated fatty acids. In vitro and in vivo assays show that capric, lauric, myristoleic, palmitoleic, and sapienic acids interact effectively with the VirF protein, abolishing its transcription-promoting activity. This silences the virulence system of Shigella, leading to a drastic reduction in its ability to invade epithelial cells and proliferate in their cytoplasm. IMPORTANCE In the absence of a valid vaccine, the main therapeutic approach currently used to treat shigellosis is based on the use of antibiotics. The emergence of antibiotic resistance jeopardizes the future effectiveness of this approach. The importance of the present work resides both in the identification of a new level of posttranslational regulation of the Shigella virulence system and in the characterization of a mechanism offering new opportunities for the design of antivirulence compounds, which may change the treatment paradigm of Shigella infections by limiting the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita Trirocco
- Institute Pasteur Italia, Department of Biology and Biotechnologies “Charles Darwin”, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Martina Pasqua
- Institute Pasteur Italia, Department of Biology and Biotechnologies “Charles Darwin”, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Angela Tramonti
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology, National Research Council, Rome, Italy
| | - Milena Grossi
- Institute Pasteur Italia, Department of Biology and Biotechnologies “Charles Darwin”, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Bianca Colonna
- Institute Pasteur Italia, Department of Biology and Biotechnologies “Charles Darwin”, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Gianni Prosseda
- Institute Pasteur Italia, Department of Biology and Biotechnologies “Charles Darwin”, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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3
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Midgett CR, Kull FJ. Structural Insights into Regulation of Vibrio Virulence Gene Networks. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2023; 1404:269-294. [PMID: 36792881 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-22997-8_14] [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: 02/17/2023]
Abstract
One of the best studied aspects of pathogenic Vibrios are the virulence cascades that lead to the production of virulence factors and, ultimately, clinical outcomes. In this chapter, we will examine the regulation of Vibrio virulence gene networks from a structural and biochemical perspective. We will discuss the recent research into the numerous proteins that contribute to regulating virulence in Vibrio spp such as quorum sensing regulator HapR, the transcription factors AphA and AphB, or the virulence regulators ToxR and ToxT. We highlight how insights gained from these studies are already illuminating the basic molecular mechanisms by which the virulence cascade of pathogenic Vibrios unfold and contend that understanding how protein interactions contribute to the host-pathogen communications will enable the development of new antivirulence compounds that can effectively target these pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - F Jon Kull
- Chemistry Department, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, USA.
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4
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Mitchell MK, Ellermann M. Long Chain Fatty Acids and Virulence Repression in Intestinal Bacterial Pathogens. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:928503. [PMID: 35782143 PMCID: PMC9247172 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.928503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
When bacterial pathogens enter the gut, they encounter a complex milieu of signaling molecules and metabolites produced by host and microbial cells or derived from external sources such as the diet. This metabolomic landscape varies throughout the gut, thus establishing a biogeographical gradient of signals that may be sensed by pathogens and resident bacteria alike. Enteric bacterial pathogens have evolved elaborate mechanisms to appropriately regulate their virulence programs, which involves sensing and responding to many of these gut metabolites to facilitate successful gut colonization. Long chain fatty acids (LCFAs) represent major constituents of the gut metabolome that can impact bacterial functions. LCFAs serve as important nutrient sources for all cellular organisms and can function as signaling molecules that regulate bacterial metabolism, physiology, and behaviors. Moreover, in several enteric pathogens, including Salmonella enterica, Listeria monocytogenes, Vibrio cholerae, and enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli, LCFA sensing results in the transcriptional repression of virulence through two general mechanisms. First, some LCFAs function as allosteric inhibitors that decrease the DNA binding affinities of transcriptional activators of virulence genes. Second, some LCFAs also modulate the activation of histidine kinase receptors, which alters downstream intracellular signaling networks to repress virulence. This mini-review will summarize recent studies that have investigated the molecular mechanisms by which different LCFA derivatives modulate the virulence of enteric pathogens, while also highlighting important gaps in the field regarding the roles of LCFAs as determinants of infection and disease.
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5
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Markham L, Tolbert JD, Kull FJ, Midgett CR, Micalizio GC. An Enantiodefined Conformationally Constrained Fatty Acid Mimetic and Potent Inhibitor of ToxT. ACS Med Chem Lett 2021; 12:1493-1497. [PMID: 34531958 PMCID: PMC8436414 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.1c00378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The chiral conformation that palmitoleic acid takes when it is bound to ToxT, the master regulator of virulence genes in the bacterial pathogen Vibrio cholerae, was used as inspiration to design a novel class of fatty acid mimetics. The best mimetic, based on a chiral hydrindane, was found to be a potent inhibitor of this target. The synthetic chemistry that enabled these studies was based on the sequential use of a stereoselective annulative cross-coupling reaction and dissolving metal reduction to establish the C13 and C9 stereocenters, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren
E. Markham
- Department of Chemistry, Dartmouth College, Burke Laboratory, Hanover, New Hampshire 03755, United States
| | - Jessica D. Tolbert
- Department of Chemistry, Dartmouth College, Burke Laboratory, Hanover, New Hampshire 03755, United States
| | - F. Jon Kull
- Department of Chemistry, Dartmouth College, Burke Laboratory, Hanover, New Hampshire 03755, United States
| | - Charles R. Midgett
- Department of Chemistry, Dartmouth College, Burke Laboratory, Hanover, New Hampshire 03755, United States
| | - Glenn C. Micalizio
- Department of Chemistry, Dartmouth College, Burke Laboratory, Hanover, New Hampshire 03755, United States
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6
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Cruite JT, Kovacikova G, Clark KA, Woodbrey AK, Skorupski K, Kull FJ. Structural basis for virulence regulation in Vibrio cholerae by unsaturated fatty acid components of bile. Commun Biol 2019; 2:440. [PMID: 31815195 PMCID: PMC6882843 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-019-0686-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2019] [Accepted: 11/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The AraC/XylS-family transcriptional regulator ToxT is the master virulence activator of Vibrio cholerae, the gram-negative bacterial pathogen that causes the diarrheal disease cholera. Unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs) found in bile inhibit the activity of ToxT. Crystal structures of inhibited ToxT bound to UFA or synthetic inhibitors have been reported, but no structure of ToxT in an active conformation had been determined. Here we present the 2.5 Å structure of ToxT without an inhibitor. The structure suggests release of UFA or inhibitor leads to an increase in flexibility, allowing ToxT to adopt an active conformation that is able to dimerize and bind DNA. Small-angle X-ray scattering was used to validate a structural model of an open ToxT dimer bound to the cholera toxin promoter. The results presented here provide a detailed structural mechanism for virulence gene regulation in V. cholerae by the UFA components of bile and other synthetic ToxT inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin T. Cruite
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH USA
- Guarini School of Graduate and Advanced Studies, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH USA
| | - Gabriela Kovacikova
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH USA
| | - Kenzie A. Clark
- Department of Chemistry, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH USA
- Present Address: Department of Chemistry, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ USA
| | - Anne K. Woodbrey
- Guarini School of Graduate and Advanced Studies, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH USA
- Department of Chemistry, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH USA
| | - Karen Skorupski
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH USA
| | - F. Jon Kull
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH USA
- Guarini School of Graduate and Advanced Studies, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH USA
- Department of Chemistry, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH USA
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Zadeh Hosseingholi E, Zarrini G, Pashazadeh M, Gheibi Hayat SM, Molavi G. In Silico Identification of Probable Drug and Vaccine Candidates Against Antibiotic-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii. Microb Drug Resist 2019; 26:456-467. [PMID: 31742478 DOI: 10.1089/mdr.2019.0236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Acinetobacter baumannii is known as a Gram-negative bacterium that has become one of the most important health problems due to antibiotic resistance. Today, numerous efforts are being made to find new antibiotics against this nosocomial pathogen. As an alternative solution, finding bacterial target(s), necessary for survival and spread of most resistant strains, can be a benefit exploited in drug and vaccine design. In this study, a list of extensive drug-resistant and carbapenem-resistant (multidrug resistant) A. bumannii strains with complete sequencing of genome were prepared and common hypothetical proteins (HPs) composed of more than 200 amino acids were selected. Then, a number of bioinformatics tools were combined for functional assignments of HPs using their sequence. Overall, among 18 in silico investigated proteins, the results showed that 7 proteins implicated in transcriptional regulation, pilus assembly, protein catabolism, fatty acid biosynthesis, adhesion, urea catalysis, and hydrolysis of phosphate monoesters have theoretical potential of involvement in successful survival and pathogenesis of A. baumannii. In addition, immunological analyses with prediction softwares indicated 4 HPs to be probable vaccine candidates. The outcome of this work will be helpful to find novel vaccine design candidates and therapeutic targets for A. baumannii through experimental investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gholamreza Zarrini
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Marayam Pashazadeh
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Seyed Mohammad Gheibi Hayat
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Science, Yazd, Iran
| | - Ghader Molavi
- Drug Applied Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
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8
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Abstract
Cholera infections caused by the gamma-proteobacterium Vibrio cholerae have ravaged human populations for centuries, and cholera pandemics have afflicted every corner of the globe. Fortunately, interventions such as oral rehydration therapy, antibiotics/antimicrobials, and vaccines have saved countless people afflicted with cholera, and new interventions such as probiotics and phage therapy are being developed as promising approaches to treat even more cholera infections. Although current therapies are mostly effective and can reduce disease transmission, cholera outbreaks remain deadly, as was seen during recent outbreaks in Haiti, Ethiopia, and Yemen. This is due to significant underlying political and socioeconomic complications, including shortages of vaccines and clean food and water and a lack of health surveillance. In this review, we highlight the strengths and weaknesses of current cholera therapies, discuss emerging technologies, and argue that a multi-pronged, flexible approach is needed to continue to reduce the worldwide burden of cholera.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian Y Hsueh
- Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
| | - Christopher M Waters
- Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
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9
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Lakemeyer M, Zhao W, Mandl FA, Hammann P, Sieber SA. Thinking Outside the Box-Novel Antibacterials To Tackle the Resistance Crisis. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2018; 57:14440-14475. [PMID: 29939462 DOI: 10.1002/anie.201804971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The public view on antibiotics as reliable medicines changed when reports about "resistant superbugs" appeared in the news. While reasons for this resistance development are easily spotted, solutions for re-establishing effective antibiotics are still in their infancy. This Review encompasses several aspects of the antibiotic development pipeline from very early strategies to mature drugs. An interdisciplinary overview is given of methods suitable for mining novel antibiotics and strategies discussed to unravel their modes of action. Select examples of antibiotics recently identified by using these platforms not only illustrate the efficiency of these measures, but also highlight promising clinical candidates with therapeutic potential. Furthermore, the concept of molecules that disarm pathogens by addressing gatekeepers of virulence will be covered. The Review concludes with an evaluation of antibacterials currently in clinical development. Overall, this Review aims to connect select innovative antimicrobial approaches to stimulate interdisciplinary partnerships between chemists from academia and industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus Lakemeyer
- Department of Chemistry, Chair of Organic Chemistry II, Center for Integrated Protein Science (CIPSM), Technische Universität München, Lichtenbergstrasse 4, 85747, Garching, Germany
| | - Weining Zhao
- Department of Chemistry, Chair of Organic Chemistry II, Center for Integrated Protein Science (CIPSM), Technische Universität München, Lichtenbergstrasse 4, 85747, Garching, Germany
| | - Franziska A Mandl
- Department of Chemistry, Chair of Organic Chemistry II, Center for Integrated Protein Science (CIPSM), Technische Universität München, Lichtenbergstrasse 4, 85747, Garching, Germany
| | - Peter Hammann
- R&D Therapeutic Area Infectious Diseases, Sanofi-Aventis (Deutschland) GmbH, Industriepark Höchst, 65926, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Stephan A Sieber
- Department of Chemistry, Chair of Organic Chemistry II, Center for Integrated Protein Science (CIPSM), Technische Universität München, Lichtenbergstrasse 4, 85747, Garching, Germany
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10
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Lakemeyer M, Zhao W, Mandl FA, Hammann P, Sieber SA. Über bisherige Denkweisen hinaus - neue Wirkstoffe zur Überwindung der Antibiotika-Krise. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.201804971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Markus Lakemeyer
- Fakultät für Chemie; Lehrstuhl für Organische Chemie II, Center for Integrated Protein Science (CIPSM); Technische Universität München; Lichtenbergstraße 4 85747 Garching Deutschland
| | - Weining Zhao
- Fakultät für Chemie; Lehrstuhl für Organische Chemie II, Center for Integrated Protein Science (CIPSM); Technische Universität München; Lichtenbergstraße 4 85747 Garching Deutschland
| | - Franziska A. Mandl
- Fakultät für Chemie; Lehrstuhl für Organische Chemie II, Center for Integrated Protein Science (CIPSM); Technische Universität München; Lichtenbergstraße 4 85747 Garching Deutschland
| | - Peter Hammann
- R&D Therapeutic Area Infectious Diseases; Sanofi-Aventis (Deutschland) GmbH; Industriepark Höchst 65926 Frankfurt am Main Deutschland
| | - Stephan A. Sieber
- Fakultät für Chemie; Lehrstuhl für Organische Chemie II, Center for Integrated Protein Science (CIPSM); Technische Universität München; Lichtenbergstraße 4 85747 Garching Deutschland
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11
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Woodbrey AK, Onyango EO, Kovacikova G, Kull FJ, Gribble GW. A Modified ToxT Inhibitor Reduces Vibrio cholerae Virulence in Vivo. Biochemistry 2018; 57:5609-5615. [PMID: 30160100 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.8b00667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
We have previously designed and synthesized small-molecule inhibitors that reduce Vibrio cholerae virulence in vitro by targeting the transcription factor ToxT. Here we report the synthesis and biological activity of derivatives of our previous bicyclic, fatty acid-like inhibitors. All of the synthesized derivatives show antivirulence activity in vitro. For the most potent compounds, a concentration of 5 μM completely inhibited ToxT-mediated tcpA expression as measured in the β-galactosidase assay. One indole compound, 3-(1-butyl-1 H-indol-7-yl)propanoic acid (8), was also effective at inhibiting intestinal colonization in the infant mouse. These modified compounds may serve as good candidates for further anti-cholera drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne K Woodbrey
- Department of Chemistry , Dartmouth College , Hanover , New Hampshire 03755 , United States
| | - Evans O Onyango
- Department of Chemistry , Dartmouth College , Hanover , New Hampshire 03755 , United States
| | - Gabriela Kovacikova
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology , Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth , Hanover , New Hampshire 03755 , United States
| | - F Jon Kull
- Department of Chemistry , Dartmouth College , Hanover , New Hampshire 03755 , United States
| | - Gordon W Gribble
- Department of Chemistry , Dartmouth College , Hanover , New Hampshire 03755 , United States
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12
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Cholera: an overview with reference to the Yemen epidemic. Front Med 2018; 13:213-228. [DOI: 10.1007/s11684-018-0631-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2017] [Accepted: 12/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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13
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Abstract
Antibiotics have saved millions of lives over the past decades. However, the accumulation of so many antibiotic resistance genes by some clinically relevant pathogens has begun to lead to untreatable infections worldwide. The current antibiotic resistance crisis will require greater efforts by governments and the scientific community to increase the research and development of new antibacterial drugs with new mechanisms of action. A major challenge is the identification of novel microbial targets, essential for in vivo growth or pathogenicity, whose inhibitors can overcome the currently circulating resistome of human pathogens. In this article, we focus on the potential high value of bacterial transcriptional regulators as targets for the development of new antibiotics, discussing in depth the molecular role of these regulatory proteins in bacterial physiology and pathogenesis. Recent advances in the search for novel compounds that inhibit the biological activity of relevant transcriptional regulators in pathogenic bacteria are reviewed.
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14
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Kallipolitis BH. How can naturally occurring fatty acids neutralize Listeria? Future Microbiol 2017; 12:1239-1241. [PMID: 28975811 DOI: 10.2217/fmb-2017-0176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Birgitte H Kallipolitis
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, 5230 Odense M, Denmark
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