1
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Pavone M, Raboni S, Marchetti M, Annunziato G, Bettati S, Papotti B, Marchi C, Carosati E, Pieroni M, Campanini B, Costantino G. Exploring the chemical space around N-(5-nitrothiazol-2-yl)-1,2,3-thiadiazole-4-carboxamide, a hit compound with serine acetyltransferase (SAT) inhibitory properties. RESULTS IN CHEMISTRY 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.rechem.2022.100443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
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2
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Abd El-Aleam RH, George RF, Georgey HH, Abdel-Rahman HM. Bacterial virulence factors: a target for heterocyclic compounds to combat bacterial resistance. RSC Adv 2021; 11:36459-36482. [PMID: 35494393 PMCID: PMC9043591 DOI: 10.1039/d1ra06238g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Antibiotic resistance is one of the most important challenges of the 21st century. However, the growing understanding of bacterial pathogenesis and cell-to-cell communication has revealed many potential strategies for the discovery of drugs that can be used for the treatment of bacterial infections. Interfering with bacterial virulence and/or quorum sensing could be a particularly interesting approach, because it is believed to exert less selective pressure on the bacterial resistance than with traditional strategies, geared toward killing bacteria or preventing their growth. Here, we discuss the mechanism of bacterial virulence, presenting promising strategies and recently synthesized heterocyclic compounds to combat future bacterial infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rehab H Abd El-Aleam
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Modern University for Technology and Information MTI Cairo 11571 Egypt
| | - Riham F George
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University Cairo 11562 Egypt
| | - Hanan H Georgey
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University Cairo 11562 Egypt
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy and Drug Technology, Egyptian Chinese University Cairo 11786 Egypt
| | - Hamdy M Abdel-Rahman
- Medicinal Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Assiut University Assiut 71526 Egypt
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Nahda University Beni Suef Egypt
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3
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A Competitive O-Acetylserine Sulfhydrylase Inhibitor Modulates the Formation of Cysteine Synthase Complex. Catalysts 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/catal11060700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Cysteine is the main precursor of sulfur-containing biological molecules in bacteria and contributes to the control of the cell redox state. Hence, this amino acid plays an essential role in microbial survival and pathogenicity and the reductive sulfate assimilation pathway is considered a promising target for the development of new antibacterials. Serine acetyltransferase (SAT) and O-acetylserine sulfhydrylase (OASS-A), the enzymes catalyzing the last two steps of cysteine biosynthesis, engage in the formation of the cysteine synthase (CS) complex. The interaction between SAT and OASS-A finely tunes cysteine homeostasis, and the development of inhibitors targeting either protein–protein interaction or the single enzymes represents an attractive strategy to undermine bacterial viability. Given the peculiar mode of interaction between SAT and OASS-A, which exploits the insertion of SAT C-terminal sequence into OASS-A active site, we tested whether a recently developed competitive inhibitor of OASS-A exhibited any effect on the CS stability. Through surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy, we (i) determined the equilibrium constant for the Salmonella Typhimurium CS complex formation and (ii) demonstrated that the inhibitor targeting OASS-A active site affects CS complex formation. For comparison, the Escherichia coli CS complex was also investigated, with the aim of testing the potential broad-spectrum activity of the candidate antimicrobial compound.
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4
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Magalhães J, Franko N, Raboni S, Annunziato G, Tammela P, Bruno A, Bettati S, Armao S, Spadini C, Cabassi CS, Mozzarelli A, Pieroni M, Campanini B, Costantino G. Discovery of Substituted (2-Aminooxazol-4-yl)Isoxazole-3-carboxylic Acids as Inhibitors of Bacterial Serine Acetyltransferase in the Quest for Novel Potential Antibacterial Adjuvants. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14020174. [PMID: 33672408 PMCID: PMC7931047 DOI: 10.3390/ph14020174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Revised: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Many bacteria and actinomycetales use L-cysteine biosynthesis to increase their tolerance to antibacterial treatment and establish a long-lasting infection. In turn, this might lead to the onset of antimicrobial resistance that currently represents one of the most menacing threats to public health worldwide. The biosynthetic machinery required to synthesise L-cysteine is absent in mammals; therefore, its exploitation as a drug target is particularly promising. In this article, we report a series of inhibitors of Salmonella thyphimurium serine acetyltransferase (SAT), the enzyme that catalyzes the rate-limiting step of L-cysteine biosynthesis. The development of such inhibitors started with the virtual screening of an in-house library of compounds that led to the selection of seven structurally unrelated hit derivatives. A set of molecules structurally related to hit compound 5, coming either from the original library or from medicinal chemistry efforts, were tested to determine a preliminary structure–activity relationship and, especially, to improve the inhibitory potency of the derivatives, that was indeed ameliorated by several folds compared to hit compound 5 Despite these progresses, at this stage, the most promising compound failed to interfere with bacterial growth when tested on a Gram-negative model organism, anticipating the need for further research efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana Magalhães
- P4T Group, Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, 43124 Parma, Italy; (J.M.); (G.A.); (A.B.); (G.C.)
| | - Nina Franko
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, 43124 Parma, Italy; (N.F.); (S.R.); (S.A.); (A.M.); (B.C.)
| | - Samanta Raboni
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, 43124 Parma, Italy; (N.F.); (S.R.); (S.A.); (A.M.); (B.C.)
- Institute of Biophysics, CNR, 56124 Pisa, Italy;
| | - Giannamaria Annunziato
- P4T Group, Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, 43124 Parma, Italy; (J.M.); (G.A.); (A.B.); (G.C.)
- Centro Interdipartimentale Misure (CIM) ‘G. Casnati’, University of Parma, 43124 Parma, Italy
| | - Päivi Tammela
- Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 56 (Viikinkaari 5 E), FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland;
| | - Agostino Bruno
- P4T Group, Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, 43124 Parma, Italy; (J.M.); (G.A.); (A.B.); (G.C.)
| | - Stefano Bettati
- Institute of Biophysics, CNR, 56124 Pisa, Italy;
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Via Volturno, 39, 43125 Parma, Italy
- National Institute of Biostructures and Biosystems, 00136 Rome, Italy
| | - Stefano Armao
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, 43124 Parma, Italy; (N.F.); (S.R.); (S.A.); (A.M.); (B.C.)
| | - Costanza Spadini
- Operative Unit of Animals Infectious Diseases, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Parma, Via del Taglio 10, 43126 Parma, Italy; (C.S.); (C.S.C.)
| | - Clotilde Silvia Cabassi
- Operative Unit of Animals Infectious Diseases, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Parma, Via del Taglio 10, 43126 Parma, Italy; (C.S.); (C.S.C.)
| | - Andrea Mozzarelli
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, 43124 Parma, Italy; (N.F.); (S.R.); (S.A.); (A.M.); (B.C.)
- Institute of Biophysics, CNR, 56124 Pisa, Italy;
- National Institute of Biostructures and Biosystems, 00136 Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Pieroni
- P4T Group, Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, 43124 Parma, Italy; (J.M.); (G.A.); (A.B.); (G.C.)
- Centro Interdipartimentale Misure (CIM) ‘G. Casnati’, University of Parma, 43124 Parma, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0521-905054
| | - Barbara Campanini
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, 43124 Parma, Italy; (N.F.); (S.R.); (S.A.); (A.M.); (B.C.)
| | - Gabriele Costantino
- P4T Group, Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, 43124 Parma, Italy; (J.M.); (G.A.); (A.B.); (G.C.)
- Centro Interdipartimentale Misure (CIM) ‘G. Casnati’, University of Parma, 43124 Parma, Italy
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5
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Annunziato G, Spadini C, Franko N, Storici P, Demitri N, Pieroni M, Flisi S, Rosati L, Iannarelli M, Marchetti M, Magalhaes J, Bettati S, Mozzarelli A, Cabassi CS, Campanini B, Costantino G. Investigational Studies on a Hit Compound Cyclopropane-Carboxylic Acid Derivative Targeting O-Acetylserine Sulfhydrylase as a Colistin Adjuvant. ACS Infect Dis 2021; 7:281-292. [PMID: 33513010 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.0c00378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Antibacterial adjuvants are of great significance, since they allow the therapeutic dose of conventional antibiotics to be lowered and reduce the insurgence of antibiotic resistance. Herein, we report that an O-acetylserine sulfhydrylase (OASS) inhibitor can be used as a colistin adjuvant to treat infections caused by Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens. A compound that binds OASS with a nM dissociation constant was tested as an adjuvant of colistin against six critical pathogens responsible for infections spreading worldwide, Escherichia coli, Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium, Klebisiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, and Staphylococcus pseudintermedius. The compound showed promising synergistic or additive activities against all of them. Knockout experiments confirmed the intracellular target engagement supporting the proposed mechanism of action. Moreover, compound toxicity was evaluated by means of its hemolytic activity against sheep defibrinated blood cells, showing a good safety profile. The 3D structure of the compound in complex with OASS was determined at 1.2 Å resolution by macromolecular crystallography, providing for the first time structural insights about the nature of the interaction between the enzyme and this class of competitive inhibitors. Our results provide a robust proof of principle supporting OASS as a potential nonessential antibacterial target to develop a new class of adjuvants and the structural basis for further structure-activity relationship studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giannamaria Annunziato
- P4T Group, Department of Food and Drugs, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 27/A, 43124 Parma, Italy
| | - Costanza Spadini
- Operative Unit of Animals Infectious Diseases, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Parma, via del Taglio, 8, 43126 Parma, Italy
| | - Nina Franko
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of Food and Drugs, University of Parma, via Parco Area delle Scienze 23/A, 43124 Parma, Italy
| | - Paola Storici
- Elettra - Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A., SS 14
- km 163,5 in AREA Science Park, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Nicola Demitri
- Elettra - Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A., SS 14
- km 163,5 in AREA Science Park, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Marco Pieroni
- P4T Group, Department of Food and Drugs, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 27/A, 43124 Parma, Italy
| | - Sara Flisi
- Operative Unit of Animals Infectious Diseases, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Parma, via del Taglio, 8, 43126 Parma, Italy
| | - Lucrezia Rosati
- Operative Unit of Animals Infectious Diseases, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Parma, via del Taglio, 8, 43126 Parma, Italy
| | - Mattia Iannarelli
- Operative Unit of Animals Infectious Diseases, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Parma, via del Taglio, 8, 43126 Parma, Italy
| | - Marialaura Marchetti
- Biopharmanet-TEC Interdepartmental Center, University of Parma, 43124 Parma, Italy
| | - Joana Magalhaes
- P4T Group, Department of Food and Drugs, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 27/A, 43124 Parma, Italy
| | - Stefano Bettati
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, via Volturno, 39, 43125 Parma, Italy
- Biopharmanet-TEC Interdepartmental Center, University of Parma, 43124 Parma, Italy
- Institute of Biophysics, CNR, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Andrea Mozzarelli
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of Food and Drugs, University of Parma, via Parco Area delle Scienze 23/A, 43124 Parma, Italy
- Biopharmanet-TEC Interdepartmental Center, University of Parma, 43124 Parma, Italy
- Institute of Biophysics, CNR, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Clotilde Silvia Cabassi
- Operative Unit of Animals Infectious Diseases, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Parma, via del Taglio, 8, 43126 Parma, Italy
| | - Barbara Campanini
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of Food and Drugs, University of Parma, via Parco Area delle Scienze 23/A, 43124 Parma, Italy
- Biopharmanet-TEC Interdepartmental Center, University of Parma, 43124 Parma, Italy
| | - Gabriele Costantino
- P4T Group, Department of Food and Drugs, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 27/A, 43124 Parma, Italy
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6
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Abstract
Introduction: Antimicrobial peptides are a large class of compounds that are part of innate immune response found among all classes of life and are considered promising compounds to deal with antimicrobial resistance. These AMPs have been demonstrated to have some advantages over the traditional antibiotics with a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activities and even overcome bacterial drug-resistance. Areas covered: The present review represents a comprehensive analysis of patents and patent applications available on Espacenet, from the year 2015 to 2020 referring to the therapeutic use of AMPs. Expert opinion: There are important examples about the use of antimicrobial peptides in clinical practice (e.g. polimixin b, colistin, etc.). AMPs are usually inspired by nature being produced by different living organisms as defensive and/or competition mechanisms. Despite limitations related to their development in classical drug discovery pipeline, they are endowed with relevant advantages, such as an unlimited reservoir of organisms able to produce new AMPs and they represent good starting point upon which to develop new antimicrobials.
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Magalhães J, Franko N, Raboni S, Annunziato G, Tammela P, Bruno A, Bettati S, Mozzarelli A, Pieroni M, Campanini B, Costantino G. Inhibition of Nonessential Bacterial Targets: Discovery of a Novel Serine O-Acetyltransferase Inhibitor. ACS Med Chem Lett 2020; 11:790-797. [PMID: 32435386 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.9b00627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2019] [Accepted: 02/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
In ϒ-proteobacteria and Actinomycetales, cysteine biosynthetic enzymes are indispensable during persistence and become dispensable during growth or acute infection. The biosynthetic machinery required to convert inorganic sulfur into cysteine is absent in mammals; therefore, it is a suitable drug target. We searched for inhibitors of Salmonella serine acetyltransferase (SAT), the enzyme that catalyzes the rate-limiting step of l-cysteine biosynthesis. The virtual screening of three ChemDiv focused libraries containing 91 243 compounds was performed to identify potential SAT inhibitors. Scaffold similarity and the analysis of the overall physicochemical properties allowed the selection of 73 compounds that were purchased and evaluated on the recombinant enzyme. Six compounds displaying an IC50 <100 μM were identified via an indirect assay using Ellman's reagent and then tested on a Gram-negative model organism, with one of them being able to interfere with bacterial growth via SAT inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Päivi Tammela
- Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 56 (Viikinkaari 5 E), Helsinki FI-00014, Finland
| | | | - Stefano Bettati
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43125 Parma, Italy
- National Institute of Biostructures and Biosystems, 00136 Rome, Italy
- Institute of Biophysics, CNR, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Andrea Mozzarelli
- National Institute of Biostructures and Biosystems, 00136 Rome, Italy
- Institute of Biophysics, CNR, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Marco Pieroni
- Centro Interdipartimentale “Biopharmanet-tec”, Università degli Studi di Parma, 43124 Parma, Italy
| | | | - Gabriele Costantino
- Centro Interdipartimentale “Biopharmanet-tec”, Università degli Studi di Parma, 43124 Parma, Italy
- Centro Interdipartimentale Misure (CIM) ‘G. Casnati’, University of Parma, 43124 Parma, Italy
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Annunziato G. Strategies to Overcome Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Making Use of Non-Essential Target Inhibitors: A Review. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:E5844. [PMID: 31766441 PMCID: PMC6928725 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20235844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2019] [Revised: 11/19/2019] [Accepted: 11/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Antibiotics have always been considered as one of the most relevant discoveries of the twentieth century. Unfortunately, the dawn of the antibiotic era has sadly corresponded to the rise of the phenomenon of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), which is a natural process whereby microbes evolve in such a way to withstand the action of drugs. In this context, the identification of new potential antimicrobial targets and/or the identification of new chemical entities as antimicrobial drugs are in great demand. To date, among the many possible approaches used to deal with antibiotic resistance is the use of antibiotic adjuvants that hit bacterial non-essential targets. In this review, the author focuses on the discovery of antibiotic adjuvants and on new tools to study and reduce the prevalence of resistant bacterial infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giannamaria Annunziato
- Probes for Targets Group (P4T group), Department of food and Drug, University of Parma, 43124 Parma, Italy
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9
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Combination of SAXS and Protein Painting Discloses the Three-Dimensional Organization of the Bacterial Cysteine Synthase Complex, a Potential Target for Enhancers of Antibiotic Action. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20205219. [PMID: 31640223 PMCID: PMC6829319 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20205219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2019] [Revised: 09/10/2019] [Accepted: 09/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The formation of multienzymatic complexes allows for the fine tuning of many aspects of enzymatic functions, such as efficiency, localization, stability, and moonlighting. Here, we investigated, in solution, the structure of bacterial cysteine synthase (CS) complex. CS is formed by serine acetyltransferase (CysE) and O-acetylserine sulfhydrylase isozyme A (CysK), the enzymes that catalyze the last two steps of cysteine biosynthesis in bacteria. CysK and CysE have been proposed as potential targets for antibiotics, since cysteine and related metabolites are intimately linked to protection of bacterial cells against redox damage and to antibiotic resistance. We applied a combined approach of small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) spectroscopy and protein painting to obtain a model for the solution structure of CS. Protein painting allowed the identification of protein–protein interaction hotspots that were then used as constrains to model the CS quaternary assembly inside the SAXS envelope. We demonstrate that the active site entrance of CysK is involved in complex formation, as suggested by site-directed mutagenesis and functional studies. Furthermore, complex formation involves a conformational change in one CysK subunit that is likely transmitted through the dimer interface to the other subunit, with a regulatory effect. Finally, SAXS data indicate that only one active site of CysK is involved in direct interaction with CysE and unambiguously unveil the quaternary arrangement of CS.
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10
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Insights into multifaceted activities of CysK for therapeutic interventions. 3 Biotech 2019; 9:44. [PMID: 30675454 DOI: 10.1007/s13205-019-1572-4] [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] [Received: 08/27/2018] [Accepted: 01/10/2019] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
CysK (O-acetylserine sulfhydrylase) is a pyridoxal-5' phosphate-dependent enzyme which catalyzes the second step of the de novo cysteine biosynthesis pathway by converting O-acetyl serine (OAS) into l-cysteine in the presence of sulfide. The first step of the cysteine biosynthesis involves formation of OAS from serine and acetyl CoA by CysE (serine acetyltransferase). Apart from role of CysK in cysteine biosynthesis, recent studies have revealed various additional roles of this enzyme in bacterial physiology. Other than the suggested regulatory role in cysteine production, other activities of CysK include involvement of CysK-in contact-dependent toxin activation in Gram-negative pathogens, as a transcriptional regulator of CymR by stabilizing the CymR-DNA interactions, in biofilm formation by providing cysteine and via another mechanism not yet understood, in ofloxacin and tellurite resistance as well as in cysteine desulfurization. Some of these activities involve binding of CysK to another cellular partner, where the complex is regulated by the availability of OAS and/or sulfide (H2S). The aim of this study is to present an overview of current knowledge of multiple functions performed by CysK and identifying structural features involved in alternate functions. Due to possible role in disease, promoting or inhibiting a "moonlighting" function of CysK could be a target for developing novel therapeutic interventions.
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11
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Magalhães J, Franko N, Annunziato G, Pieroni M, Benoni R, Nikitjuka A, Mozzarelli A, Bettati S, Karawajczyk A, Jirgensons A, Campanini B, Costantino G. Refining the structure-activity relationships of 2-phenylcyclopropane carboxylic acids as inhibitors of O-acetylserine sulfhydrylase isoforms. J Enzyme Inhib Med Chem 2018; 34:31-43. [PMID: 30362368 PMCID: PMC6217552 DOI: 10.1080/14756366.2018.1518959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The lack of efficacy of current antibacterials to treat multidrug resistant bacteria poses a life-threatening alarm. In order to develop enhancers of the antibacterial activity, we carried out a medicinal chemistry campaign aiming to develop inhibitors of enzymes that synthesise cysteine and belong to the reductive sulphur assimilation pathway, absent in mammals. Previous studies have provided a novel series of inhibitors for O-acetylsulfhydrylase – a key enzyme involved in cysteine biosynthesis. Despite displaying nanomolar affinity, the most active representative of the series was not able to interfere with bacterial growth, likely due to poor permeability. Therefore, we rationally modified the structure of the hit compound with the aim of promoting their passage through the outer cell membrane porins. The new series was evaluated on the recombinant enzyme from Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium, with several compounds able to keep nanomolar binding affinity despite the extent of chemical manipulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana Magalhães
- a P4T group, Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Nina Franko
- b Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of Food and Drug , University of Parma , Parma , Italy
| | | | - Marco Pieroni
- a P4T group, Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Roberto Benoni
- b Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of Food and Drug , University of Parma , Parma , Italy
| | - Anna Nikitjuka
- c Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis , Riga , Latvia
| | - Andrea Mozzarelli
- b Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of Food and Drug , University of Parma , Parma , Italy.,d National Institute of Biostructures and Biosystems , Rome , Italy.,e Institute of Biophysics , Pisa , Italy
| | - Stefano Bettati
- b Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of Food and Drug , University of Parma , Parma , Italy.,f Department of Neurosciences , University of Parma , Parma , Italy
| | | | | | - Barbara Campanini
- b Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of Food and Drug , University of Parma , Parma , Italy
| | - Gabriele Costantino
- a P4T group, Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, Parma, Italy.,h Centro Interdipartimentale Misure (CIM)'G. Casnati', University of Parma , Parma , Italy
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12
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Annunziato G, Giovati L, Angeli A, Pavone M, Del Prete S, Pieroni M, Capasso C, Bruno A, Conti S, Magliani W, Supuran CT, Costantino G. Discovering a new class of antifungal agents that selectively inhibits microbial carbonic anhydrases. J Enzyme Inhib Med Chem 2018; 33:1537-1544. [PMID: 30284487 PMCID: PMC6179086 DOI: 10.1080/14756366.2018.1516652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Infections caused by pathogens resistant to the available antimicrobial treatments represent nowadays a threat to global public health. Recently, it has been demonstrated that carbonic anhydrases (CAs) are essential for the growth of many pathogens and their inhibition leads to growth defects. Principal drawbacks in using CA inhibitors (CAIs) as antimicrobial agents are the side effects due to the lack of selectivity toward human CA isoforms. Herein we report a new class of CAIs, which preferentially interacts with microbial CA active sites over the human ones. The mechanism of action of these inhibitors was investigated against an important fungal pathogen, Cryptococcus neoformans, revealing that they are also able to inhibit CA in microbial cells growing in vitro. At our best knowledge, this is the first report on newly designed synthetic compounds selectively targeting β-CAs and provides a proof of concept of microbial CAs suitability as an antimicrobial drug target.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Laura Giovati
- b Department of Medicine and Surgery, Ospedale Maggiore di Parma , University of Parma , Parma , Italy
| | - Andrea Angeli
- c Department of NEUROFARBA, Section of Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Sciences , University of Florence , Firenze , Italy
| | - Marialaura Pavone
- a Department of Food and Drugs , University of Parma , Parma , Italy
| | - Sonia Del Prete
- c Department of NEUROFARBA, Section of Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Sciences , University of Florence , Firenze , Italy
| | - Marco Pieroni
- a Department of Food and Drugs , University of Parma , Parma , Italy
| | - Clemente Capasso
- d National Council of Research (CNR) , Istituto di Bioscenze e Biorisorse , Napoli , Italy
| | - Agostino Bruno
- a Department of Food and Drugs , University of Parma , Parma , Italy.,e Experimental Therapeutics Program , IFOM the FIRC Institute for Molecular Oncology Foundation , Milano , Italy
| | - Stefania Conti
- b Department of Medicine and Surgery, Ospedale Maggiore di Parma , University of Parma , Parma , Italy
| | - Walter Magliani
- b Department of Medicine and Surgery, Ospedale Maggiore di Parma , University of Parma , Parma , Italy
| | - Claudiu T Supuran
- c Department of NEUROFARBA, Section of Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Sciences , University of Florence , Firenze , Italy
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13
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Franko N, Grammatoglou K, Campanini B, Costantino G, Jirgensons A, Mozzarelli A. Inhibition of O-acetylserine sulfhydrylase by fluoroalanine derivatives. J Enzyme Inhib Med Chem 2018; 33:1343-1351. [PMID: 30251899 PMCID: PMC6161599 DOI: 10.1080/14756366.2018.1504040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
O-acetylserine sulfhydrylase (OASS) is the pyridoxal 5'-phosphate dependent enzyme that catalyses the formation of L-cysteine in bacteria and plants. Its inactivation is pursued as a strategy for the identification of novel antibiotics that, targeting dispensable proteins, holds a great promise for circumventing resistance development. In the present study, we have investigated the reactivity of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium OASS-A and OASS-B isozymes with fluoroalanine derivatives. Monofluoroalanine reacts with OASS-A and OASS-B forming either a stable or a metastable α-aminoacrylate Schiff's base, respectively, as proved by spectral changes. This finding indicates that monofluoroalanine is a substrate analogue, as previously found for other beta-halogenalanine derivatives. Trifluoroalanine caused different and time-dependent absorbance and fluorescence spectral changes for the two isozymes and is associated with irreversible inhibition. The time course of enzyme inactivation was found to be characterised by a biphasic behaviour. Partially distinct inactivation mechanisms for OASS-A and OASS-B are proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Franko
- a Food and Drug Department , University of Parma , Parma , Italy
| | | | | | | | | | - Andrea Mozzarelli
- a Food and Drug Department , University of Parma , Parma , Italy.,c National Research Council , Institute of Biophysics , Pisa , Italy
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14
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Magalhães J, Franko N, Annunziato G, Welch M, Dolan SK, Bruno A, Mozzarelli A, Armao S, Jirgensons A, Pieroni M, Costantino G, Campanini B. Discovery of novel fragments inhibiting O-acetylserine sulphhydrylase by combining scaffold hopping and ligand-based drug design. J Enzyme Inhib Med Chem 2018; 33:1444-1452. [PMID: 30221554 PMCID: PMC6147075 DOI: 10.1080/14756366.2018.1512596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Several bacteria rely on the reductive sulphur assimilation pathway, absent in mammals, to synthesise cysteine. Reduction of virulence and decrease in antibiotic resistance have already been associated with mutations on the genes that codify cysteine biosynthetic enzymes. Therefore, inhibition of cysteine biosynthesis has emerged as a promising strategy to find new potential agents for the treatment of bacterial infection. Following our previous efforts to explore OASS inhibition and to expand and diversify our library, a scaffold hopping approach was carried out, with the aim of identifying a novel fragment for further development. This novel chemical tool, endowed with favourable pharmacological characteristics, was successfully developed, and a preliminary Structure–Activity Relationship investigation was carried out.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana Magalhães
- a P4T group, Department of Food and Drug , University of Parma , Parma , Italy
| | - Nina Franko
- b Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of Food and Drug , University of Parma , Parma , Italy
| | | | - Martin Welch
- c Department of Biochemistry , Cambridge University , Cambridge , United Kingdom
| | - Stephen K Dolan
- c Department of Biochemistry , Cambridge University , Cambridge , United Kingdom
| | - Agostino Bruno
- d Experimental Therapeutics Program , IFOM - The FIRC Institute for Molecular Oncology Foundation , Milano , Italy
| | - Andrea Mozzarelli
- b Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of Food and Drug , University of Parma , Parma , Italy.,e National Institute of Biostructures and Biosystems , Rome , Italy.,f Institute of Biophysics, CNR , Pisa , Italy
| | - Stefano Armao
- g Centro Interdipartimentale "Biopharmanet-tec", Università degli Studi di Parma , Parma , Italy
| | | | - Marco Pieroni
- a P4T group, Department of Food and Drug , University of Parma , Parma , Italy
| | - Gabriele Costantino
- a P4T group, Department of Food and Drug , University of Parma , Parma , Italy.,i Centro Interdipartimentale Misure (CIM)'G. Casnati', University of Parma , Parma , Italy
| | - Barbara Campanini
- b Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of Food and Drug , University of Parma , Parma , Italy
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15
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Magalhães J, Annunziato G, Franko N, Pieroni M, Campanini B, Bruno A, Costantino G. Integration of Enhanced Sampling Methods with Saturation Transfer Difference Experiments to Identify Protein Druggable Pockets. J Chem Inf Model 2018; 58:710-723. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.7b00733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Joana Magalhães
- Food and Drug Department, P4T group, Parco Area Delle Scienze 27/A−43124, Parma, Italy
| | | | - Nina Franko
- Food and Drug Department, Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Parco Area Delle Scienze 23/A−43124, Parma, Italy
| | - Marco Pieroni
- Food and Drug Department, P4T group, Parco Area Delle Scienze 27/A−43124, Parma, Italy
| | - Barbara Campanini
- Food and Drug Department, Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Parco Area Delle Scienze 23/A−43124, Parma, Italy
| | - Agostino Bruno
- Food and Drug Department, P4T group, Parco Area Delle Scienze 27/A−43124, Parma, Italy
- Experimental Therapeutics Program, IFOM−The FIRC Institute for Molecular Oncology Foundation, Via Adamello 16−20139, Milano, Italy
| | - Gabriele Costantino
- Food and Drug Department, P4T group, Parco Area Delle Scienze 27/A−43124, Parma, Italy
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16
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Benoni R, Beck CM, Garza-Sánchez F, Bettati S, Mozzarelli A, Hayes CS, Campanini B. Activation of an anti-bacterial toxin by the biosynthetic enzyme CysK: mechanism of binding, interaction specificity and competition with cysteine synthase. Sci Rep 2017; 7:8817. [PMID: 28821763 PMCID: PMC5562914 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-09022-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2017] [Accepted: 07/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Contact-dependent growth inhibition (CDI) is a wide-spread mechanism of inter-bacterial competition. CDI+ bacteria deliver CdiA-CT toxins into neighboring bacteria and produce specific immunity proteins that protect against self-intoxication. The CdiA-CT toxin from uropathogenic Escherichia coli 536 is a latent tRNase that is only active when bound to the cysteine biosynthetic enzyme CysK. Remarkably, the CysK:CdiA-CT binding interaction mimics the ‘cysteine synthase’ complex of CysK:CysE. The C-terminal tails of CysE and CdiA-CT each insert into the CysK active-site cleft to anchor the respective complexes. The dissociation constant for CysK:CdiA-CT (Kd ~ 11 nM) is comparable to that of the E. coli cysteine synthase complex (Kd ~ 6 nM), and both complexes bind through a two-step mechanism with a slow isomerization phase after the initial encounter. However, the second-order rate constant for CysK:CdiA-CT binding is two orders of magnitude slower than that of the cysteine synthase complex, suggesting that CysE should outcompete the toxin for CysK occupancy. However, we find that CdiA-CT can effectively displace CysE from pre-formed cysteine synthase complexes, enabling toxin activation even in the presence of excess competing CysE. This adventitious binding, coupled with the very slow rate of CysK:CdiA-CT dissociation, ensures robust nuclease activity in target bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Benoni
- Dipartimento di Medicina e Chirurgia, Università di Parma, Parma, Italy.,Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Praha, Czech Republic
| | - Christina M Beck
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, USA.,Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Fernando Garza-Sánchez
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, USA
| | - Stefano Bettati
- Dipartimento di Medicina e Chirurgia, Università di Parma, Parma, Italy.,Istituto Nazionale Biostrutture e Biosistemi, Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Mozzarelli
- Istituto Nazionale Biostrutture e Biosistemi, Rome, Italy.,Dipartimento di Scienze degli Alimenti e del Farmaco, Università di Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Christopher S Hayes
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, USA. .,Biomolecular Science and Engineering Program, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, USA.
| | - Barbara Campanini
- Dipartimento di Scienze degli Alimenti e del Farmaco, Università di Parma, Parma, Italy.
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17
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Benoni R, De Bei O, Paredi G, Hayes CS, Franko N, Mozzarelli A, Bettati S, Campanini B. Modulation of Escherichia coli serine acetyltransferase catalytic activity in the cysteine synthase complex. FEBS Lett 2017; 591:1212-1224. [PMID: 28337759 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.12630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2017] [Revised: 02/20/2017] [Accepted: 03/16/2017] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
In bacteria and plants, serine acetyltransferase (CysE) and O-acetylserine sulfhydrylase-A sulfhydrylase (CysK) collaborate to synthesize l-Cys from l-Ser. CysE and CysK bind one another with high affinity to form the cysteine synthase complex (CSC). We demonstrate that bacterial CysE is activated when bound to CysK. CysE activation results from the release of substrate inhibition, with the Ki for l-Ser increasing from 4 mm for free CysE to 16 mm for the CSC. Feedback inhibition of CysE by l-Cys is also relieved in the bacterial CSC. These findings suggest that the CysE active site is allosterically altered by CysK to alleviate substrate and feedback inhibition in the context of the CSC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Benoni
- Dipartimento di Medicina e Chirurgia, Università di Parma, Italy
| | - Omar De Bei
- Dipartimento di Scienze degli Alimenti e del Farmaco, Università di Parma, Italy
| | - Gianluca Paredi
- Centro Interdipartimentale SITEIA.PARMA, Università di Parma, Italy
| | - Christopher S Hayes
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, USA.,Biomolecular Science and Engineering Program, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, USA
| | - Nina Franko
- Dipartimento di Scienze degli Alimenti e del Farmaco, Università di Parma, Italy
| | - Andrea Mozzarelli
- Dipartimento di Scienze degli Alimenti e del Farmaco, Università di Parma, Italy.,INBB (Istituto Nazionale Biostrutture e Biosistemi), Roma, Italy.,Istituto di Biofisica, CNR, Pisa, Italy
| | - Stefano Bettati
- Dipartimento di Medicina e Chirurgia, Università di Parma, Italy.,INBB (Istituto Nazionale Biostrutture e Biosistemi), Roma, Italy
| | - Barbara Campanini
- Dipartimento di Scienze degli Alimenti e del Farmaco, Università di Parma, Italy
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