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Kaweewan I, Mukai K, Rukthanapitak P, Nakagawa H, Hosaka T, Kodani S. Heterologous biosynthesis of myxobacterial lanthipeptides melittapeptins. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2024; 108:122. [PMID: 38229328 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-023-12834-4] [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: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
The myxobacteria are an attractive bioresource for bioactive compounds since the large size genome contains many biosynthetic gene clusters of secondary metabolites. The genome of the myxobacterium Melittangium boletus contains three biosynthetic gene clusters for lanthipeptide production. One of the gene clusters includes genes coding lanthipeptide precursor (melA), class II lanthipeptide synthetase (melM), and transporter (melT). The amino acid sequence of melA indicated similarity with that of known lanthipeptides mersacidin and lichenicidin A1 by the alignment. To perform heterologous production of new lanthipeptides, the expression vector containing the essential genes (melA and melM) was constructed by utilizing codon-optimized synthetic genes. The co-expression of two genes in the host bacterial cells of Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) afforded new lanthipeptides named melittapeptins A-C. The structures of melittapeptins A-C including lanthionine/methyllanthionine bridge pattern were proposed based on protease digestion and MS/MS experiments. The native strain of M. boletus did not produce melittapeptins A-C, so heterologous production using the biosynthetic gene cluster was effective in obtaining the lanthipeptides. Melittapeptins A-C showed specific and potent antibacterial activity to the Gram-positive bacterium Micrococcus luteus. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of antibacterial lanthipeptides derived from myxobacterial origin. KEY POINTS: • New lanthipeptides melittapeptins were heterologously produced in Escherichia coli. • Melittapeptins showed specific antibacterial activity against Micrococcus luteus. • Melittapeptins were the first antibacterial lanthipeptides of myxobacterial origin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Issara Kaweewan
- Faculty of Agriculture, Shizuoka University, Shizuoka, Japan
- Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Keiichiro Mukai
- Graduate School of Medicine, Science and Technology, Shinshu University, Nagano, Japan
- Department of Biomolecular Innovation, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Shinshu University, Nagano, Japan
| | | | - Hiroyuki Nakagawa
- Research Center for Advanced Analysis, Core Technology Research Headquarters, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO), Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Takeshi Hosaka
- Graduate School of Medicine, Science and Technology, Shinshu University, Nagano, Japan
- Department of Biomolecular Innovation, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Shinshu University, Nagano, Japan
| | - Shinya Kodani
- Faculty of Agriculture, Shizuoka University, Shizuoka, Japan.
- Graduate School of Integrated Science and Technology, Shizuoka University, Shizuoka, Japan.
- College of Agriculture, Academic Institute, Shizuoka University, 836 Ohya, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka, 422-8529, Japan.
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2
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Behrmann LV, Lämmer C, Schiefer A, Neufeld H, Grosse M, Stadler M, Bierbaum G, Hoerauf A, Pfarr K. No resistance development against corallopyronin A in Wolbachia in C6/36 cell culture. Int J Antimicrob Agents 2024:107344. [PMID: 39321893 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2024.107344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2024] [Revised: 09/10/2024] [Accepted: 09/16/2024] [Indexed: 09/27/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Lara Vanessa Behrmann
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Christine Lämmer
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Andrea Schiefer
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Bonn-Cologne, Bonn, Germany
| | - Helene Neufeld
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Miriam Grosse
- Department of Microbial Drugs, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Hannover-Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Marc Stadler
- Department of Microbial Drugs, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Hannover-Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Gabriele Bierbaum
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Bonn-Cologne, Bonn, Germany
| | - Achim Hoerauf
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Bonn-Cologne, Bonn, Germany
| | - Kenneth Pfarr
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Bonn-Cologne, Bonn, Germany.
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3
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Risch F, Kazakov A, Specht S, Pfarr K, Fischer PU, Hoerauf A, Hübner MP. The long and winding road towards new treatments against lymphatic filariasis and onchocerciasis. Trends Parasitol 2024; 40:829-845. [PMID: 39122645 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2024.07.005] [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: 05/30/2024] [Revised: 07/15/2024] [Accepted: 07/16/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024]
Abstract
Although lymphatic filariasis and onchocerciasis have been targeted for global elimination, these helminth infections are still a major public health problem across the tropics and subtropics. Despite decades of research, treatment options remain limited and drugs that completely clear the infections, and can be used on a large scale, are still unavailable. In the present review we discuss the strengths and weaknesses of currently available treatments and new ones in development. Novel candidates (corallopyronin A, DNDi-6166, emodepside, and oxfendazole) are currently moving through (pre)clinical development, while the development of two candidates (AWZ1066S and ABBV-4083/flubentylosin) was recently halted. The preclinical R&D pipeline for filarial infections continues to be limited, and recent setbacks highlight the importance of continuous drug discovery and testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frederic Risch
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Bonn-Cologne, Bonn, Germany
| | - Alexander Kazakov
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Bonn-Cologne, Bonn, Germany
| | - Sabine Specht
- Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Kenneth Pfarr
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Bonn-Cologne, Bonn, Germany
| | - Peter U Fischer
- Division of Infectious Diseases, John T. Milliken Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Achim Hoerauf
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Bonn-Cologne, Bonn, Germany
| | - Marc P Hübner
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Bonn-Cologne, Bonn, Germany.
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4
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Wang CY, Hu JQ, Wang DG, Li YZ, Wu C. Recent advances in discovery and biosynthesis of natural products from myxobacteria: an overview from 2017 to 2023. Nat Prod Rep 2024; 41:905-934. [PMID: 38390645 DOI: 10.1039/d3np00062a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
Covering: 2017.01 to 2023.11Natural products biosynthesized by myxobacteria are appealing due to their sophisticated chemical skeletons, remarkable biological activities, and intriguing biosynthetic enzymology. This review aims to systematically summarize the advances in the discovery methods, new structures, and bioactivities of myxobacterial NPs reported in the period of 2017-2023. In addition, the peculiar biosynthetic pathways of several structural families are also highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao-Yi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Institute of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, 266237 Qingdao, P.R. China.
| | - Jia-Qi Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Institute of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, 266237 Qingdao, P.R. China.
| | - De-Gao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Institute of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, 266237 Qingdao, P.R. China.
| | - Yue-Zhong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Institute of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, 266237 Qingdao, P.R. China.
| | - Changsheng Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Institute of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, 266237 Qingdao, P.R. China.
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5
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Arakal BS, Rowlands RS, McCarthy M, Whitworth DE, Maddocks SE, James PE, Livingstone PG. Corallococcus senghenyddensis sp. nov., a myxobacterium with potent antimicrobial activity. J Appl Microbiol 2024; 135:lxae102. [PMID: 38649930 DOI: 10.1093/jambio/lxae102] [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: 03/11/2024] [Revised: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
AIM Corallococcus species are diverse in the natural environment with 10 new Corallococcus species having been characterized in just the last 5 years. As well as being an abundant myxobacterial genus, they produce several secondary metabolites, including Corallopyronin, Corramycin, Coralmycin, and Corallorazine. We isolated a novel strain Corallococcus spp RDP092CA from soil in South Wales, UK, using Candida albicans as prey bait and characterized its predatory activities against pathogenic bacteria and yeast. METHODS AND RESULTS The size of the RDP092CA genome was 8.5 Mb with a G + C content of 71.4%. Phylogenetically, RDP092CA is closely related to Corallococcus interemptor, C. coralloides, and C. exiguus. However, genome average nucleotide identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridization values are lower than 95% and 70% when compared to those type strains, implying that it belongs to a novel species. The RDP092CA genome harbours seven types of biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) and 152 predicted antimicrobial peptides. In predation assays, RDP092CA showed good predatory activity against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Citrobacter freundii, and Staphylococcus aureus but not against Enterococcus faecalis. It also showed good antibiofilm activity against all five bacteria in biofilm assays. Antifungal activity against eight Candida spp. was variable, with particularly good activity against Meyerozyma guillermondii DSM 6381. Antimicrobial peptide RDP092CA_120 exhibited potent antibiofilm activity with >50% inhibition and >60% dispersion of biofilms at concentrations down to 1 μg/ml. CONCLUSIONS We propose that strain RDP092CA represents a novel species with promising antimicrobial activities, Corallococcus senghenyddensis sp. nov. (=NBRC 116490T =CCOS 2109T), based on morphological, biochemical, and genomic features.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benita S Arakal
- School of Sports and Health Sciences, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cardiff Metropolitan University, Llandaff Campus, Cardiff CF5 2YB, United Kingdom
| | - Richard S Rowlands
- School of Sports and Health Sciences, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cardiff Metropolitan University, Llandaff Campus, Cardiff CF5 2YB, United Kingdom
| | - Michael McCarthy
- School of Sports and Health Sciences, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cardiff Metropolitan University, Llandaff Campus, Cardiff CF5 2YB, United Kingdom
| | - David E Whitworth
- Department of Life Sciences, Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth SY23 3FL, United Kingdom
| | - Sarah E Maddocks
- School of Sports and Health Sciences, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cardiff Metropolitan University, Llandaff Campus, Cardiff CF5 2YB, United Kingdom
| | - Philip E James
- School of Sports and Health Sciences, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cardiff Metropolitan University, Llandaff Campus, Cardiff CF5 2YB, United Kingdom
| | - Paul G Livingstone
- School of Sports and Health Sciences, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cardiff Metropolitan University, Llandaff Campus, Cardiff CF5 2YB, United Kingdom
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6
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Seyfert C, Müller AV, Walsh DJ, Birkelbach J, Kany AM, Porten C, Yuan B, Krug D, Herrmann J, Marlovits TC, Hirsch AKH, Müller R. New Genetically Engineered Derivatives of Antibacterial Darobactins Underpin Their Potential for Antibiotic Development. J Med Chem 2023; 66:16330-16341. [PMID: 38093695 PMCID: PMC10726357 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c01660] [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] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Revised: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
Biosynthetic engineering of bicyclic darobactins, selectively sealing the lateral gate of the outer membrane protein BamA, leads to active analogues, which are up to 128-fold more potent against Gram-negative pathogens compared to native counterparts. Because of their excellent antibacterial activity, darobactins represent one of the most promising new antibiotic classes of the past decades. Here, we present a series of structure-driven biosynthetic modifications of our current frontrunner, darobactin 22 (D22), to investigate modifications at the understudied positions 2, 4, and 5 for their impact on bioactivity. Novel darobactins were found to be highly active against critical pathogens from the WHO priority list. Antibacterial activity data were corroborated by dissociation constants with BamA. The most active derivatives D22 and D69 were subjected to ADMET profiling, showing promising features. We further evaluated D22 and D69 for bioactivity against multidrug-resistant clinical isolates and found them to have strong activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carsten
E. Seyfert
- Helmholtz
Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS), Helmholtz Centre
for Infection Research (HZI) and Saarland University Department of
Pharmacy, Saarbrücken 66123, Germany
- German
Centre for Infection Research (DZIF),
partner site, Hannover, Braunschweig 38124, Germany
| | - Alison V. Müller
- Helmholtz
Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS), Helmholtz Centre
for Infection Research (HZI) and Saarland University Department of
Pharmacy, Saarbrücken 66123, Germany
- German
Centre for Infection Research (DZIF),
partner site, Hannover, Braunschweig 38124, Germany
| | - Danica J. Walsh
- Helmholtz
Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS), Helmholtz Centre
for Infection Research (HZI) and Saarland University Department of
Pharmacy, Saarbrücken 66123, Germany
- German
Centre for Infection Research (DZIF),
partner site, Hannover, Braunschweig 38124, Germany
| | - Joy Birkelbach
- Helmholtz
Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS), Helmholtz Centre
for Infection Research (HZI) and Saarland University Department of
Pharmacy, Saarbrücken 66123, Germany
- German
Centre for Infection Research (DZIF),
partner site, Hannover, Braunschweig 38124, Germany
| | - Andreas M. Kany
- Helmholtz
Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS), Helmholtz Centre
for Infection Research (HZI) and Saarland University Department of
Pharmacy, Saarbrücken 66123, Germany
- German
Centre for Infection Research (DZIF),
partner site, Hannover, Braunschweig 38124, Germany
| | - Christoph Porten
- Helmholtz
Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS), Helmholtz Centre
for Infection Research (HZI) and Saarland University Department of
Pharmacy, Saarbrücken 66123, Germany
- German
Centre for Infection Research (DZIF),
partner site, Hannover, Braunschweig 38124, Germany
| | - Biao Yuan
- Institute
of Structural and Systems Biology and Centre for Structural Systems
Biology (CSSB), University Medical Center
Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg 22607, Germany
- Deutsches
Elektronen-Synchrotron Zentrum (DESY), Hamburg 22607, Germany
- Centre for
Structural Systems Biology (CSSB), Hamburg 22607, Germany
| | - Daniel Krug
- Helmholtz
Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS), Helmholtz Centre
for Infection Research (HZI) and Saarland University Department of
Pharmacy, Saarbrücken 66123, Germany
- German
Centre for Infection Research (DZIF),
partner site, Hannover, Braunschweig 38124, Germany
| | - Jennifer Herrmann
- Helmholtz
Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS), Helmholtz Centre
for Infection Research (HZI) and Saarland University Department of
Pharmacy, Saarbrücken 66123, Germany
- German
Centre for Infection Research (DZIF),
partner site, Hannover, Braunschweig 38124, Germany
| | - Thomas C. Marlovits
- Institute
of Structural and Systems Biology and Centre for Structural Systems
Biology (CSSB), University Medical Center
Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg 22607, Germany
- Deutsches
Elektronen-Synchrotron Zentrum (DESY), Hamburg 22607, Germany
- Centre for
Structural Systems Biology (CSSB), Hamburg 22607, Germany
| | - Anna K. H. Hirsch
- Helmholtz
Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS), Helmholtz Centre
for Infection Research (HZI) and Saarland University Department of
Pharmacy, Saarbrücken 66123, Germany
- German
Centre for Infection Research (DZIF),
partner site, Hannover, Braunschweig 38124, Germany
- Helmholtz
International Lab for Anti-Infectives, Saarbrücken 66123, Germany
| | - Rolf Müller
- Helmholtz
Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS), Helmholtz Centre
for Infection Research (HZI) and Saarland University Department of
Pharmacy, Saarbrücken 66123, Germany
- German
Centre for Infection Research (DZIF),
partner site, Hannover, Braunschweig 38124, Germany
- Helmholtz
International Lab for Anti-Infectives, Saarbrücken 66123, Germany
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Peukert C, Vetter AC, Fuchs HLS, Harmrolfs K, Karge B, Stadler M, Brönstrup M. Siderophore conjugation with cleavable linkers boosts the potency of RNA polymerase inhibitors against multidrug-resistant E. coli. Chem Sci 2023; 14:5490-5502. [PMID: 37234900 PMCID: PMC10208051 DOI: 10.1039/d2sc06850h] [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: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The growing antibiotic resistance, foremost in Gram-negative bacteria, requires novel therapeutic approaches. We aimed to enhance the potency of well-established antibiotics targeting the RNA polymerase (RNAP) by utilizing the microbial iron transport machinery to improve drug translocation across their cell membrane. As covalent modifications resulted in moderate-low antibiotic activity, cleavable linkers were designed that permit a release of the antibiotic payload inside the bacteria and unperturbed target binding. A panel of ten cleavable siderophore-ciprofloxacin conjugates with systematic variation at the chelator and the linker moiety was used to identify the quinone trimethyl lock in conjugates 8 and 12 as the superior linker system, displaying minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of ≤1 μM. Then, rifamycins, sorangicin A and corallopyronin A, representatives of three structurally and mechanistically different natural product RNAP inhibitor classes, were conjugated via the quinone linker to hexadentate hydroxamate and catecholate siderophores in 15-19 synthetic steps. MIC assays revealed an up to 32-fold increase in antibiotic activity against multidrug-resistant E. coli for conjugates such as 24 or 29 compared to free rifamycin. Experiments with knockout mutants in the transport system showed that translocation and antibiotic effects were conferred by several outer membrane receptors, whose coupling to the TonB protein was essential for activity. A functional release mechanism was demonstrated analytically by enzyme assays in vitro, and a combination of subcellular fractionation and quantitative mass spectrometry proved cellular uptake of the conjugate, release of the antibiotic, and its increased accumulation in the cytosol of bacteria. The study demonstrates how the potency of existing antibiotics against resistant Gram-negative pathogens can be boosted by adding functions for active transport and intracellular release.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carsten Peukert
- Department of Chemical Biology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research Inhoffenstraße 7 38124 Braunschweig Germany
| | - Anna C Vetter
- Department of Chemical Biology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research Inhoffenstraße 7 38124 Braunschweig Germany
| | - Hazel L S Fuchs
- Department of Chemical Biology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research Inhoffenstraße 7 38124 Braunschweig Germany
| | - Kirsten Harmrolfs
- Department of Chemical Biology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research Inhoffenstraße 7 38124 Braunschweig Germany
| | - Bianka Karge
- Department of Chemical Biology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research Inhoffenstraße 7 38124 Braunschweig Germany
| | - Marc Stadler
- Department of Microbial Drugs, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research Inhoffenstraße 7 38124 Braunschweig Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF) Site Hannover-Braunschweig, Inhoffenstraße 7 38124 Braunschweig Germany
- Institute of Microbiology, Technische Universität Braunschweig Spielmannstraße 7 38106 Braunschweig Germany
| | - Mark Brönstrup
- Department of Chemical Biology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research Inhoffenstraße 7 38124 Braunschweig Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF) Site Hannover-Braunschweig, Inhoffenstraße 7 38124 Braunschweig Germany
- Institute for Organic Chemistry (IOC), Leibniz Universität Hannover Schneiderberg 1B 30167 Hannover Germany
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8
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Karunakaran I, Ritter M, Pfarr K, Klarmann-Schulz U, Debrah AY, Debrah LB, Katawa G, Wanji S, Specht S, Adjobimey T, Hübner MP, Hoerauf A. Filariasis research - from basic research to drug development and novel diagnostics, over a decade of research at the Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Bonn, Germany. FRONTIERS IN TROPICAL DISEASES 2023; 4:1126173. [PMID: 38655130 PMCID: PMC7615856 DOI: 10.3389/fitd.2023.1126173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Filariae are vector borne parasitic nematodes, endemic in tropical and subtropical regions causing avoidable infections ranging from asymptomatic to stigmatizing and disfiguring disease. The filarial species that are the major focus of our institution's research are Onchocerca volvulus causing onchocerciasis (river blindness), Wuchereria bancrofti and Brugia spp. causing lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis), Loa loa causing loiasis (African eye worm), and Mansonella spp causing mansonellosis. This paper aims to showcase the contribution of our institution and our collaborating partners to filarial research and covers decades of long research spanning basic research using the Litomosoides sigmodontis animal model to development of drugs and novel diagnostics. Research with the L. sigmodontis model has been extensively useful in elucidating protective immune responses against filariae as well as in identifying the mechanisms of filarial immunomodulation during metabolic, autoimmune and infectious diseases. The institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology (IMMIP), University Hospital Bonn (UKB), Bonn, Germany has also been actively involved in translational research in contributing to the identification of new drug targets and pre-clinical drug research with successful and ongoing partnership with sub-Saharan Africa, mainly Ghana (the Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research (KCCR)), Cameroon (University of Buea (UB)) and Togo (Laboratoire de Microbiologie et de Contrôle de Qualité des Denrées Alimentaires (LAMICODA)), Asia and industry partners. Further, in the direction of developing novel diagnostics that are sensitive, time, and labour saving, we have developed sensitive qPCRs as well as LAMP assays and are currently working on artificial intelligence based histology analysis for onchocerciasis. The article also highlights our ongoing research and the need for novel animal models and new drug targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Indulekha Karunakaran
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology (IMMIP), University Hospital Bonn (UKB), Bonn, Germany
| | - Manuel Ritter
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology (IMMIP), University Hospital Bonn (UKB), Bonn, Germany
| | - Kenneth Pfarr
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology (IMMIP), University Hospital Bonn (UKB), Bonn, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Bonn-Cologne, Bonn, Germany
| | - Ute Klarmann-Schulz
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology (IMMIP), University Hospital Bonn (UKB), Bonn, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Bonn-Cologne, Bonn, Germany
| | - Alexander Yaw Debrah
- Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
- Kumasi Center for Collaborative Research (KCCR), Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Linda Batsa Debrah
- Kumasi Center for Collaborative Research (KCCR), Kumasi, Ghana
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, School of Medicine and Dentistry, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Gnatoulma Katawa
- Unité de Recherche en Immunologie et Immunomodulation (UR2IM)/Laboratoire de Microbiologie et de Contrôle de Qualité des Denrées Alimentaires (LAMICODA), Ecole Supérieure des Techniques Biologiques et Alimentaires, Université de Lomé, Lomé, Togo
| | - Samuel Wanji
- Parasites and Vector Research Unit (PAVRU), Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
- Research Foundation in Tropical Diseases and Environment (REFOTDE), Buea, Cameroon
| | - Sabine Specht
- Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Tomabu Adjobimey
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology (IMMIP), University Hospital Bonn (UKB), Bonn, Germany
| | - Marc P Hübner
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology (IMMIP), University Hospital Bonn (UKB), Bonn, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Bonn-Cologne, Bonn, Germany
| | - Achim Hoerauf
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology (IMMIP), University Hospital Bonn (UKB), Bonn, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Bonn-Cologne, Bonn, Germany
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9
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Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics (PK/PD) of Corallopyronin A against Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Pharmaceutics 2022; 15:pharmaceutics15010131. [PMID: 36678760 PMCID: PMC9860980 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15010131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Revised: 12/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a World Health Organization’s high priority pathogen organism, with an estimated > 100,000 deaths worldwide in 2019. Thus, there is an unmet medical need for novel and resistance-breaking anti-infectives. The natural product Co-rallopyronin A (CorA), currently in preclinical development for filariasis, is efficacious against MRSA in vitro. In this study, we evaluated the pharmacokinetics of CorA after dosing in mice. Furthermore, we determined compound concentrations in target compartments, such as lung, kidney and thigh tissue, using LC-MS/MS. Based on the pharmacokinetic results, we evaluated the pharmacodynamic profile of CorA using the standard neutropenic thigh and lung infection models. We demonstrate that CorA is effective in both standard pharmacodynamic models. In addition to reaching effective levels in the lung and muscle, CorA was detected at high levels in the thigh bone. The data presented herein encourage the further exploration of the additional CorA indications treatment of MRSA- and methicillin-sensitive S. aureus- (MSSA) related infections.
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10
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Walesch S, Birkelbach J, Jézéquel G, Haeckl FPJ, Hegemann JD, Hesterkamp T, Hirsch AKH, Hammann P, Müller R. Fighting antibiotic resistance-strategies and (pre)clinical developments to find new antibacterials. EMBO Rep 2022; 24:e56033. [PMID: 36533629 PMCID: PMC9827564 DOI: 10.15252/embr.202256033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Revised: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Antibacterial resistance is one of the greatest threats to human health. The development of new therapeutics against bacterial pathogens has slowed drastically since the approvals of the first antibiotics in the early and mid-20th century. Most of the currently investigated drug leads are modifications of approved antibacterials, many of which are derived from natural products. In this review, we highlight the challenges, advancements and current standing of the clinical and preclinical antibacterial research pipeline. Additionally, we present novel strategies for rejuvenating the discovery process and advocate for renewed and enthusiastic investment in the antibacterial discovery pipeline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Walesch
- Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS)SaarbrückenGermany,Department of PharmacySaarland UniversitySaarbrückenGermany,Helmholtz Centre for Infection research (HZI)BraunschweigGermany,German Center for infection research (DZIF)BraunschweigGermany
| | - Joy Birkelbach
- Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS)SaarbrückenGermany,Department of PharmacySaarland UniversitySaarbrückenGermany,Helmholtz Centre for Infection research (HZI)BraunschweigGermany,German Center for infection research (DZIF)BraunschweigGermany
| | - Gwenaëlle Jézéquel
- Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS)SaarbrückenGermany,Helmholtz Centre for Infection research (HZI)BraunschweigGermany
| | - F P Jake Haeckl
- Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS)SaarbrückenGermany,Department of PharmacySaarland UniversitySaarbrückenGermany,Helmholtz Centre for Infection research (HZI)BraunschweigGermany,German Center for infection research (DZIF)BraunschweigGermany
| | - Julian D Hegemann
- Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS)SaarbrückenGermany,Department of PharmacySaarland UniversitySaarbrückenGermany,Helmholtz Centre for Infection research (HZI)BraunschweigGermany,German Center for infection research (DZIF)BraunschweigGermany
| | - Thomas Hesterkamp
- Helmholtz Centre for Infection research (HZI)BraunschweigGermany,German Center for infection research (DZIF)BraunschweigGermany
| | - Anna K H Hirsch
- Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS)SaarbrückenGermany,Department of PharmacySaarland UniversitySaarbrückenGermany,Helmholtz Centre for Infection research (HZI)BraunschweigGermany,German Center for infection research (DZIF)BraunschweigGermany,Helmholtz International Lab for Anti‐InfectivesSaarbrückenGermany
| | - Peter Hammann
- Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS)SaarbrückenGermany,Department of PharmacySaarland UniversitySaarbrückenGermany,Helmholtz Centre for Infection research (HZI)BraunschweigGermany,German Center for infection research (DZIF)BraunschweigGermany
| | - Rolf Müller
- Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS)SaarbrückenGermany,Department of PharmacySaarland UniversitySaarbrückenGermany,Helmholtz Centre for Infection research (HZI)BraunschweigGermany,German Center for infection research (DZIF)BraunschweigGermany,Helmholtz International Lab for Anti‐InfectivesSaarbrückenGermany
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11
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Abstract
Gonorrhea remains a major global public health problem because of the high incidence of infection (estimated 82 million cases in 2020) and the emergence and spread of Neisseria gonorrhoeae strains resistant to previous and current antibiotics used to treat infections. Given the dearth of new antibiotics that are likely to enter clinical practice in the near future, there is concern that cases of untreatable gonorrhea might emerge. In response to this crisis, the World Health Organization (WHO), in partnership with the Global Antibiotic Research and Development Partnership (GARDP), has made the search for and development of new antibiotics against N. gonorrhoeae a priority. Ideally, these antibiotics should also be active against other sexually transmitted organisms, such as Chlamydia trachomatis and/or Mycoplasma genitalium, which are often found with N. gonorrhoeae as co-infections. Corallopyronin A is a potent antimicrobial that exhibits activity against Chlamydia spp. and inhibits transcription by binding to the RpoB switch region. Accordingly, we tested the effectiveness of corallopyronin A against N. gonorrhoeae. We also examined the mutation frequency and modes of potential resistance against corallopyronin A. We report that corallopyronin A has potent antimicrobial action against antibiotic-susceptible and antibiotic-resistant N. gonorrhoeae strains and could eradicate gonococcal infection of cultured, primary human cervical epithelial cells. Critically, we found that spontaneous corallopyronin A-resistant mutants of N. gonorrhoeae are exceedingly rare (≤10-10) when selected at 4× the MIC. Our results support pre-clinical studies aimed at developing corallopyronin A for gonorrheal treatment regimens. IMPORTANCE The high global incidence of gonorrhea, the lack of a protective vaccine, and the emergence of N. gonorrhoeae strains expressing resistance to currently used antibiotics demand that new treatment options be developed. Accordingly, we investigated whether corallopyronin A, an antibiotic which is effective against other pathogens, including C. trachomatis, which together with gonococci frequently cause co-infections in humans, could exert anti-gonococcal action in vitro and ex vivo, and potential resistance emergence. We propose that corallopyronin A be considered a potential future treatment option for gonorrhea because of its potent activity, low resistance development, and recent advances in scalable production.
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Ehrens A, Schiefer A, Krome AK, Becker T, Rox K, Neufeld H, Aden T, Wagner KG, Müller R, Grosse M, Stadler M, König GM, Kehraus S, Alt S, Hesterkamp T, Hübner MP, Pfarr K, Hoerauf A. Pharmacology and early ADMET data of corallopyronin A, a natural product with macrofilaricidal anti-wolbachial activity in filarial nematodes. FRONTIERS IN TROPICAL DISEASES 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fitd.2022.983107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Corallopyronin A (CorA), a natural product antibiotic of Corallococcus coralloides, inhibits the bacterial DNA-dependent RNA polymerase. It is active against the essential Wolbachia endobacteria of filarial nematodes, preventing development, causing sterility and killing adult worms. CorA is being developed to treat the neglected tropical diseases onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis caused by Wolbachia-containing filariae. For this, we have completed standard Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Excretion and Toxicity (ADMET) studies. In Caco-2 assays, CorA had good adsorption values, predicting good transport from the intestines, but may be subject to active efflux. In fed-state simulated human intestinal fluid (pH 5.0), CorA half-life was >139 minutes, equivalent to the stability in buffer (pH 7.4). CorA plasma-stability was >240 minutes, with plasma protein binding >98% in human, mouse, rat, dog, mini-pig and monkey plasma. Clearance in human and dog liver microsomes was low (35.2 and 42 µl/min/mg, respectively). CorA was mainly metabolized via phase I reactions, i.e., oxidation, and to a minimal extent via phase II reactions. In contrast to rifampicin, CorA does not induce CYP3A4 resulting in a lower drug-drug-interaction potential. Apart from inhibition of CYP2C9, no impact of CorA on enzymes of the CYP450 system was detected. Off-target profiling resulted in three hits (inhibition/activation) for the A3 and PPARγ receptors and COX1 enzyme; thus, potential drug-drug interactions could occur with antidiabetic medications, COX2 inhibitors, angiotensin AT1 receptor antagonists, vitamin K-antagonists, and antidepressants. In vivo pharmacokinetic studies in Mongolian gerbils and rats demonstrated excellent intraperitoneal and oral bioavailability (100%) with fast absorption and high distribution in plasma. No significant hERG inhibition was detected and no phototoxicity was seen. CorA did not induce gene mutations in bacteria (Ames test) nor chromosomal damage in human lymphocytes (micronucleus test). Thus, CorA possesses an acceptable in vitro early ADMET profile; supported by previous in vivo experiments in mice, rats and Mongolian gerbils in which all animals tolerated CorA daily administration for 7-28 days. The non-GLP package will guide selection and planning of regulatory-conform GLP models prior to a first-into-human study.
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13
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Becker T, Krome AK, Vahdati S, Schiefer A, Pfarr K, Ehrens A, Aden T, Grosse M, Jansen R, Alt S, Hesterkamp T, Stadler M, Hübner MP, Kehraus S, König GM, Hoerauf A, Wagner KG. In Vitro-In Vivo Relationship in Mini-Scale-Enabling Formulations of Corallopyronin A. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:1657. [PMID: 36015283 PMCID: PMC9414514 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14081657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Revised: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In vivo studies in mice provide a valuable model to test novel active pharmaceutical ingredients due to their low material need and the fact that mice are frequently used as a species for early efficacy models. However, preclinical in vitro evaluations of formulation principles in mice are still lacking. The development of novel in vitro and in silico models supported the preclinical formulation evaluation for the anti-infective corallopyronin A (CorA). To this end, CorA and solubility-enhanced amorphous solid dispersion formulations, comprising povidone or copovidone, were evaluated regarding biorelevant solubilities and dissolution in mouse-specific media. As an acidic compound, CorA and CorA-ASD formulations showed decreased solubilities in mice when compared with human-specific media. In biorelevant biphasic dissolution experiments CorA-povidone showed a three-fold higher fraction partitioned into the organic phase of the biphasic dissolution, when compared with CorA-copovidone. Bioavailabilities determined by pharmacokinetic studies in BALB/c mice correlated with the biphasic dissolution prediction and resulted in a Level C in vitro-in vivo correlation. In vitro cell experiments excluded intestinal efflux by P-glycoprotein or breast cancer resistance protein. By incorporating in vitro results into a physiologically based pharmacokinetic model, the plasma concentrations of CorA-ASD formulations were predicted and identified dissolution as the limiting factor for bioavailability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tim Becker
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bonn, Gerhard-Domagk-Str. 3, 53121 Bonn, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Bonn-Cologne, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Anna K. Krome
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bonn, Gerhard-Domagk-Str. 3, 53121 Bonn, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Bonn-Cologne, 53127 Bonn, Germany
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, Venusberg–Campus 1, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Sahel Vahdati
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bonn, Gerhard-Domagk-Str. 3, 53121 Bonn, Germany
| | - Andrea Schiefer
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Bonn-Cologne, 53127 Bonn, Germany
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, Venusberg–Campus 1, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Kenneth Pfarr
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Bonn-Cologne, 53127 Bonn, Germany
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, Venusberg–Campus 1, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Alexandra Ehrens
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Bonn-Cologne, 53127 Bonn, Germany
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, Venusberg–Campus 1, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Tilman Aden
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, Venusberg–Campus 1, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Miriam Grosse
- Department of Microbial Drugs, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Inhoffenstr. 7, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hannover-Braunschweig, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Rolf Jansen
- Department of Microbial Drugs, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Inhoffenstr. 7, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hannover-Braunschweig, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Silke Alt
- Translational Project Management Office (TPMO), German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Inhoffenstr. 7, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Thomas Hesterkamp
- Translational Project Management Office (TPMO), German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Inhoffenstr. 7, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Marc Stadler
- Department of Microbial Drugs, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Inhoffenstr. 7, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hannover-Braunschweig, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Marc P. Hübner
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Bonn-Cologne, 53127 Bonn, Germany
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, Venusberg–Campus 1, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Stefan Kehraus
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Bonn-Cologne, 53127 Bonn, Germany
- Institute for Pharmaceutical Biology, University of Bonn, Nußallee 6, 53115 Bonn, Germany
| | - Gabriele M. König
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Bonn-Cologne, 53127 Bonn, Germany
- Institute for Pharmaceutical Biology, University of Bonn, Nußallee 6, 53115 Bonn, Germany
| | - Achim Hoerauf
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Bonn-Cologne, 53127 Bonn, Germany
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, Venusberg–Campus 1, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Karl G. Wagner
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bonn, Gerhard-Domagk-Str. 3, 53121 Bonn, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Bonn-Cologne, 53127 Bonn, Germany
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