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Youse MS, Abutaleb NS, Nocentini A, S Abdelsattar A, Ali F, Supuran CT, Seleem MN, Flaherty DP. Optimization of Ethoxzolamide Analogs with Improved Pharmacokinetic Properties for In Vivo Efficacy against Neisseria gonorrhoeae. J Med Chem 2024. [PMID: 39141375 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.4c01187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/15/2024]
Abstract
Drug-resistant gonorrhea is caused by the bacterial pathogen Neisseria gonorrhoeae, for which there is no recommended oral treatment. We have demonstrated that the FDA-approved human carbonic anhydrase inhibitor ethoxzolamide potently inhibits N. gonorrhoeae; however, is not effective at reducing N. gonorrhoeae bioburden in a mouse model. Thus, we sought to optimize the pharmacokinetic properties of the ethoxzolamide scaffold. These efforts resulted in analogs with improved activity against N. gonorrhoeae, increased metabolic stability in mouse liver microsomes, and improved Caco-2 permeability compared to ethoxzolamide. Improvement in these properties resulted in increased plasma exposure in vivo after oral dosing. Top compounds were investigated for in vivo efficacy in a vaginal mouse model of gonococcal genital tract infection, and they significantly decreased the gonococcal burden compared to vehicle and ethoxzolamide controls. Altogether, results from this study provide evidence that ethoxzolamide-based compounds have the potential to be effective oral therapeutics against gonococcal infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Molly S Youse
- Borch Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | - Nader S Abutaleb
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
- Center for One Health Research, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
| | - Alessio Nocentini
- Department of NEUROFARBA, Section of Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Sciences, University of Florence, Polo Scientifico, Firenze 50122, Italy
| | - Abdallah S Abdelsattar
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
- Center for One Health Research, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
| | - Farman Ali
- Borch Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | - Claudiu T Supuran
- Department of NEUROFARBA, Section of Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Sciences, University of Florence, Polo Scientifico, Firenze 50122, Italy
| | - Mohamed N Seleem
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
- Center for One Health Research, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
| | - Daniel P Flaherty
- Borch Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
- Purdue Institute for Drug Discovery, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
- Purdue Institute of Inflammation, Immunology and Infectious Disease, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
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Bonardi A, Nocentini A, Giovannuzzi S, Paoletti N, Ammara A, Bua S, Abutaleb NS, Abdelsattar AS, Capasso C, Gratteri P, Flaherty DP, Seleem MN, Supuran CT. Development of Penicillin-Based Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors Targeting Multidrug-Resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae. J Med Chem 2024; 67:9613-9627. [PMID: 38776401 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.4c00740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
The development of antibacterial drugs with new mechanisms of action is crucial in combating the rise of antibiotic-resistant infections. Bacterial carbonic anhydrases (CAs, EC 4.2.1.1) have been validated as promising antibacterial targets against pathogens such as Helicobacter pylori, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and vancomycin-resistant enterococci. A multitarget strategy is proposed to design penicillin-based CA inhibitor hybrids for tackling resistance by targeting multiple bacterial pathways, thereby resensitizing drug-resistant strains to clinical antibiotics. The sulfonamide derivatives potently inhibited the CAs from N. gonorrhoeae and Escherichia coli with KI values in the range of 7.1-617.2 nM. Computational simulations with the main penicillin-binding protein (PBP) of N. gonorrhoeae indicated that these hybrid derivatives maintained the mechanism of action of the lead β-lactams. A subset of derivatives showed potent PBP-related antigonococcal effects against multidrug-resistant N. gonorrhoeae strains, with several compounds significantly outperforming both the lead β-lactam and CA inhibitor drugs (MIC values in the range 0.25 to 0.5 μg/mL).
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Bonardi
- NEUROFARBA Department, Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Section and Laboratory of Molecular Modeling Cheminformatics & QSAR, University of Florence, Via U. Schiff 6, Sesto Fiorentino, Florence 50019, Italy
| | - Alessio Nocentini
- NEUROFARBA Department, Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Section and Laboratory of Molecular Modeling Cheminformatics & QSAR, University of Florence, Via U. Schiff 6, Sesto Fiorentino, Florence 50019, Italy
| | - Simone Giovannuzzi
- NEUROFARBA Department, Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Section and Laboratory of Molecular Modeling Cheminformatics & QSAR, University of Florence, Via U. Schiff 6, Sesto Fiorentino, Florence 50019, Italy
| | - Niccolò Paoletti
- NEUROFARBA Department, Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Section and Laboratory of Molecular Modeling Cheminformatics & QSAR, University of Florence, Via U. Schiff 6, Sesto Fiorentino, Florence 50019, Italy
| | - Andrea Ammara
- NEUROFARBA Department, Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Section and Laboratory of Molecular Modeling Cheminformatics & QSAR, University of Florence, Via U. Schiff 6, Sesto Fiorentino, Florence 50019, Italy
| | - Silvia Bua
- Research Institute of the University of Bucharest (ICUB), Bucharest 050663, Romania
| | - Nader S Abutaleb
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
| | - Abdallah S Abdelsattar
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
| | | | - Paola Gratteri
- NEUROFARBA Department, Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Section and Laboratory of Molecular Modeling Cheminformatics & QSAR, University of Florence, Via U. Schiff 6, Sesto Fiorentino, Florence 50019, Italy
| | - Daniel P Flaherty
- Borch Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | - Mohamed N Seleem
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
- Center for One Health Research, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
| | - Claudiu T Supuran
- NEUROFARBA Department, Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Section and Laboratory of Molecular Modeling Cheminformatics & QSAR, University of Florence, Via U. Schiff 6, Sesto Fiorentino, Florence 50019, Italy
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Pisano L, Giovannuzzi S, Supuran CT. Management of Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection: from drug resistance to drug repurposing. Expert Opin Ther Pat 2024; 34:511-524. [PMID: 38856987 DOI: 10.1080/13543776.2024.2367005] [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: 02/04/2024] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Neisseria gonorrhoeae is a common sexually transmitted disease connected with extensive drug resistance to many antibiotics. Presently, only expanded spectrum cephalosporins (ceftriaxone and cefixime) and azithromycin remain useful for its management. AREAS COVERED New chemotypes for the classical antibiotic drug target gyrase/topoisomerase IV afforded inhibitors with potent binding to these enzymes, with an inhibition mechanism distinct from that of fluoroquinolones, and thus less prone to mutations. The α-carbonic anhydrase from the genome of this bacterium (NgCAα) was also validated as an antibacterial target. EXPERT OPINION By exploiting different subunits from the gyrase/topoisomerase IV as well as new chemotypes, two new antibiotics reached Phase II/III clinical trials, zoliflodacin and gepotidacin. They possess a novel inhibition mechanism, binding in distinct parts of the enzyme compared to the fluoroquinolones. Other chemotypes with inhibitory activity in these enzymes were also reported. NgCAα inhibitors belonging to a variety of classes were obtained, with several sulfonamides showing MIC values in the range of 0.25-4 µg/mL and significant activity in animal models of this infection. Acetazolamide and similar CA inhibitors might thus be repurposed as antiinfectives. The scientific/patent literature has been searched for on PubMed, ScienceDirect, Espacenet, and PatentGuru, from 2016 to 2024.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luigi Pisano
- Section of Dermatology, Health Sciences Department, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Simone Giovannuzzi
- Neurofarba Department, Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Section, University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Claudiu T Supuran
- Neurofarba Department, Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Section, University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
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Capasso C, Supuran CT. Carbonic anhydrase and bacterial metabolism: a chance for antibacterial drug discovery. Expert Opin Ther Pat 2024; 34:465-474. [PMID: 38506448 DOI: 10.1080/13543776.2024.2332663] [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: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Carbonic anhydrases (CAs, EC 4.2.1.1) play a pivotal role in the regulation of carbon dioxide , bicarbonate, and hydrogen ions within bacterial cells, ensuring pH homeostasis and facilitating energy production. We conducted a systematic literature search (PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar) to examine the intricate interplay between CAs and bacterial metabolism, revealing the potential of CA inhibitors (CAIs) as innovative therapeutic agents against pathogenic bacteria. AREA COVERED Inhibition of bacterial CAs was explored in various pathogens, emphasizing the CA roles in microbial virulence, survival, and adaptability. Escherichia coli, a valid and convenient model microorganism, was recently used to investigate the effects of acetazolamide (AAZ) on the bacterial life cycle. Furthermore, the effectiveness of CAIs against pathogenic bacteria has been further substantiated for Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci (VRE) and antibiotic-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae strains. EXPERT OPINION CAIs target bacterial metabolic pathways, offering alternatives to conventional therapies. They hold promise against drug-resistant microorganisms such as VRE and N. gonorrhoeae strains. CAIs offer promising avenues for addressing antibiotic resistance and underscore their potential as novel antibacterial agents. Recognizing the central role of CAs in bacterial growth and pathogenicity will pave the way for innovative infection control and treatment strategies possibly also for other antibiotic resistant species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clemente Capasso
- Department of Biology, Agriculture and Food Sciences, Institute of Biosciences and Bioresources, CNR, Napoli, Italy
| | - Claudiu T Supuran
- NEUROFARBA Department, Section of Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
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Supuran CT. Novel carbonic anhydrase inhibitors for the treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2024; 33:523-532. [PMID: 38517734 DOI: 10.1080/13543784.2024.2334714] [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: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/24/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Helicobacter pylori, the causative agent of peptic ulcer, gastritis, and gastric cancer encodes two carbonic anhydrases (CA, EC 4.2.1.1) belonging to the α- and β-class (HpCAα/β), which have been validated as antibacterial drug targets. Acetazolamide and ethoxzolamide were also clinically used for the management of peptic ulcer. AREAS COVERED Sulfonamides were the most investigated HpCAα/β compounds, with several low nanomolar inhibitors identified, some of which also crystallized as adducts with HpCAα, allowing for the rationalization of the structure-activity relationship. Few data are available for other classes of inhibitors, such as phenols, sulfamides, sulfamates, dithiocarbamates, arylboronic acids, some of which showed effective in vitro inhibition and for phenols, also inhibition of planktonic growth, biofilm formation, and outer membrane vesicles spawning. EXPERT OPINION Several recent drug design studies reported selenazoles incorporating seleno/telluro-ethers attached to benzenesulfonamides, hybrids incorporating the EGFR inhibitor erlotinib and benzenesulfonamides, showing KIs < 100 nM against HpCAα and MICs in the range of 8-16 µg/mL for the most active derivatives. Few drug design studies for non-sulfonamide inhibitors were performed to date, although inhibition of these enzymes may help the fight of multidrug resistance to classical antibiotics which emerged in the last decades also for this bacterium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudiu T Supuran
- Neurofarba Department, Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Section, University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
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Capasso C, Supuran CT. Biomedical applications of prokaryotic carbonic anhydrases: an update. Expert Opin Ther Pat 2024; 34:351-363. [PMID: 38840307 DOI: 10.1080/13543776.2024.2365407] [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: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION This review offers an updated perspective on the biomedical applications of prokaryotic carbonic anhydrases (CAs), emphasizing their potential as targets for drug development against antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections. A systematic review of literature from PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar has been conducted to provide a comprehensive analysis. AREA COVERED It delves into the pivotal roles of prokaryotic CAs in bacterial metabolism and their distinctions from mammalian CAs. The review explores the diversity of CA classes in bacteria, discusses selective inhibitors targeting bacterial CAs, and explores their potential applications in biomedical research. Furthermore, it analyzes clinical trials investigating the efficacy of carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (CAIs) and patented approaches for developing antibacterial CAIs, highlighting their translational potential in creating innovative antibacterial agents. EXPERT OPINION Recent years have witnessed increased recognition of CA inhibition as a promising strategy against bacterial infections. Challenges persist in achieving selectivity over human isoforms and optimizing therapeutic efficacy. Structural biology techniques provide insights into unique active site architectures, guiding selective inhibitor design. The review underscores the importance of interdisciplinary collaborations, innovative drug delivery systems, and advanced drug discovery approaches in unlocking the full therapeutic potential of prokaryotic CA inhibitors. It emphasizes the significance of these efforts in addressing antibiotic resistance and improving patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clemente Capasso
- Department of Biology, Agriculture and Food Sciences, Institute of Biosciences and Bioresources, CNR, Napoli, Italy
| | - Claudiu T Supuran
- NEUROFARBA Department, Section of Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
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Giovannuzzi S, De Luca V, Capasso C, Supuran CT. Inhibition studies with simple and complex (in)organic anions of the γ-carbonic anhydrase from Mammaliicoccus (Staphylococcus) sciuri, MscCAγ. J Enzyme Inhib Med Chem 2023; 38:2173748. [PMID: 36719031 PMCID: PMC9891171 DOI: 10.1080/14756366.2023.2173748] [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: 12/28/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The γ-carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1) from the pathogenic bacterium, Mammaliicoccus (Staphylococcus) sciuri (MscCAγ) was recently cloned and purified by our groups. Here we investigated inhibition of this enzyme with (in)organic simple and complex anions, in the search of inhibitors with potential applications. The most effective inhibitors (KIs in the micromolar range) were peroxydisulfate and trithiocarbonate, whereas submillimolar inhibition was observed with N,N-diethyldithiocarbamate and phenylboronic acid (KIs of 0.5-0.9 mM). Thiocyanate, hydrogensulfide, bisulphite, stannate, divanadate, tetraborate, perrhenate, perruthenate, hexafluorophosphate, triflate and iminodisulfonate showed KIs of 1.0-13.7 mM. Cyanate, cyanide, azide, carbonate, nitrate, tellurate, selenocyanide, tetrafluoroborate, sulfamide, sulphamic acid and phenylarsonic acid were weaker inhibitors, with KIs in the range of 25.2-95.5 mM, whereas halides, bicarbonate, nitrite, sulphate, perchlorate and fluorosulfonate did not show inhibitory action up until 100 mM concentrations in the assay system. Finding more effective MscCAγ inhibitors may be helpful to fight drug resistance to antibiotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Giovannuzzi
- Dipartimento Neurofarba, Sezione di Scienze Farmaceutiche e Nutraceutiche, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Sesto Fiorentino (Florence), Italy
| | - Viviana De Luca
- Department of Biology, Agriculture and Food Sciences, Institute of Biosciences and Bioresources, Napoli, Italy
| | - Clemente Capasso
- Department of Biology, Agriculture and Food Sciences, Institute of Biosciences and Bioresources, Napoli, Italy
| | - Claudiu T. Supuran
- Dipartimento Neurofarba, Sezione di Scienze Farmaceutiche e Nutraceutiche, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Sesto Fiorentino (Florence), Italy
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Giovannuzzi S, Marapaka AK, Abutaleb NS, Carta F, Liang HW, Nocentini A, Pisano L, Seleem MN, Flaherty DP, Supuran CT. Inhibition of pathogenic bacterial carbonic anhydrases by monothiocarbamates. J Enzyme Inhib Med Chem 2023; 38:2284119. [PMID: 37994421 PMCID: PMC11003479 DOI: 10.1080/14756366.2023.2284119] [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: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Carbonic anhydrases (CAs) from the pathogenic bacteria Nesseria gonorrhoeae and vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) have recently been validated as antibacterial drug targets. Here we explored the inhibition of the α-CA from N. gonorrhoeae (α-NgCA), of α- and γ-class enzymes from Enterococcus faecium (α-EfCA and γ-EfCA) with a panel of aliphatic, heterocyclic and aryl-alkyl primary/secondary monothiocarbamates (MTCs). α-NgCA was inhibited in vitro with KIs ranging from 0.367 to 0.919 µM. The compounds inhibited the α-EfCA and γ-EfCA with KI ranges of 0.195-0.959 µM and of 0.149-1.90 µM, respectively. Some MTCs were also investigated for their inhibitory effects on the growth of clinically-relevant N. gonorrhoeae and VRE strains. No inhibitory effects on the growth of VRE were noted for all MTCs, whereas one compound (13) inhibited the growth N. gonorrhoeae strains at concentrations ranging from 16 to 64 µg/mL. This suggests that compound 13 may be a potential antibacterial agent against N. gonorrhoeae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Giovannuzzi
- Neurofarba Department, Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Section, University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino (FI), Italy
| | - Anil Kumar Marapaka
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University, IN, USA
| | - Nader S. Abutaleb
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, USA
- Center for One Health Research, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Fabrizio Carta
- Neurofarba Department, Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Section, University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino (FI), Italy
| | - Hsin-Wen Liang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, USA
- Center for One Health Research, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Alessio Nocentini
- Neurofarba Department, Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Section, University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino (FI), Italy
| | - Luigi Pisano
- Section of Dermatology, Health Sciences Department, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Mohamed N. Seleem
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, USA
- Center for One Health Research, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Daniel P. Flaherty
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University, IN, USA
- Purdue Institute for Drug Discovery, West Lafayette, IN, USA
- Purdue Institute of Inflammation, Immunology and Infectious Disease, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Claudiu T. Supuran
- Neurofarba Department, Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Section, University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino (FI), Italy
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Almolhim H, Elhassanny AEM, Abutaleb NS, Abdelsattar AS, Seleem MN, Carlier PR. Substituted salicylic acid analogs offer improved potency against multidrug-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae and good selectivity against commensal vaginal bacteria. Sci Rep 2023; 13:14468. [PMID: 37660222 PMCID: PMC10475031 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-41442-5] [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: 04/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/26/2023] [Indexed: 09/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Drug-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae represents a major threat to public health; without new effective antibiotics, untreatable gonococcal infections loom as a real possibility. In a previous drug-repurposing study, we reported that salicylic acid had good potency against azithromycin-resistant N. gonorrhoeae. We now report that the anti-gonococcal activity in this scaffold is easily lost by inopportune substitution, but that select substituted naphthyl analogs (3b, 3o and 3p) have superior activity to salicylic acid itself. Furthermore, these compounds retained potency against multiple ceftriaxone- and azithromycin-resistant strains, exhibited rapid bactericidal activity against N. gonorrhoeae, and showed high tolerability to mammalian cells (CC50 > 128 µg/mL). Promisingly, these compounds also show very weak growth inhibition of commensal vaginal bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanan Almolhim
- Department of Chemistry and Virginia Tech Center for Drug Discovery, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA
| | - Ahmed E M Elhassanny
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA
- Center for One Health Research, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA
| | - Nader S Abutaleb
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA
- Center for One Health Research, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA
| | - Abdallah S Abdelsattar
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA
- Center for One Health Research, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA
| | - Mohamed N Seleem
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA
- Center for One Health Research, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA
| | - Paul R Carlier
- Department of Chemistry and Virginia Tech Center for Drug Discovery, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA.
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Illinois Chicago, 833 S Wood St, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA.
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Supuran CT. A simple yet multifaceted 90 years old, evergreen enzyme: Carbonic anhydrase, its inhibition and activation. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2023; 93:129411. [PMID: 37507055 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2023.129411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
Advances in the carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1) research over the last three decades are presented, with an emphasis on the deciphering of the activation mechanism, the development of isoform-selective inhibitors/ activators by the tail approach and their applications in the management of obesity, hypoxic tumors, neurological conditions, and as antiinfectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudiu T Supuran
- Neurofarba Department, University of Florence, Section of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Via Ugo Schiff 6, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Florence, Italy.
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Supuran CT. An overview of novel antimicrobial carbonic anhydrase inhibitors. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2023; 27:897-910. [PMID: 37747071 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2023.2263914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Four different genetic families of the enzyme carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1) are present in bacteria, α-, β-, γ- and ι-CAs. They play relevant functions related to CO2, HCO3-/H+ ions homeostasis, being involved in metabolic biosynthetic pathways, pH regulation, and represent virulence and survival factors for bacteria in various niches. Bacterial CAs started to be considered druggable targets in the last decade, as their inhibition impairs survival, growth, and virulence of these pathogens. AREAS COVERED Significant advances were registered in the last years for designing effective inhibitors of sulfonamide type for Helicobacter pylori α-CA, Neisseria gonorrhoeae α-CA, vacomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) α- and γ-CAs, for which the in vivo validation has also been achieved. MIC-s in the range of 0.25-4.0 µg/mL for wild type and drug resistant N. gonorrhoeae strains, and of 0.007-2.0 µg/mL for VRE were observed for some 1,3,4-thiadiazole-2-sulfonamides, and acetazolamide was effective in gut decolonization from VRE. EXPERT OPINION Targeting bacterial CAs from other pathogens, among which Vibrio cholerae, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Brucella suis, Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium, Legionella pneumophila, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Clostridium perfringens, Streptococcus mutans, Burkholderia pseudomallei, Francisella tularensis, Escherichia coli, Mammaliicoccus (Staphylococcus) sciuri, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, may lead to novel antibacterials devoid of drug resistance problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudiu T Supuran
- Department of NEUROFARBA, Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Section, University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino, Firenze, Italy
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Dokla EME, Abutaleb NS, Milik SN, Kandil EAEA, Qassem OM, Elgammal Y, Nasr M, McPhillie MJ, Abouzid KAM, Seleem MN, Imming P, Adel M. SAR investigation and optimization of benzimidazole-based derivatives as antimicrobial agents against Gram-negative bacteria. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 247:115040. [PMID: 36584632 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.115040] [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: 09/09/2022] [Revised: 12/03/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Antibiotic-resistant bacteria represent a serious threat to modern medicine and human life. Only a minority of antibacterial agents are active against Gram-negative bacteria. Hence, the development of novel antimicrobial agents will always be a vital need. In an effort to discover new therapeutics against Gram-negative bacteria, we previously reported a structure-activity-relationship (SAR) study on 1,2-disubstituted benzimidazole derivatives. Compound III showed a potent activity against tolC-mutant Escherichia coli with an MIC value of 2 μg/mL, representing a promising lead for further optimization. Building upon this study, herein, 49 novel benzimidazole compounds were synthesized to investigate their antibacterial activity against Gram-negative bacteria. Our design focused on three main goals, to address the low permeability of our compounds and improve their cellular accumulation, to expand the SAR study to the unexplored ring C, and to optimize the lead compound (III) by modification of the methanesulfonamide moiety. Compounds (25a-d, 25f-h, 25k, 25l, 25p, 25r, 25s, and 26b) exhibited potent activity against tolC-mutant E. coli with MIC values ranging from 0.125 to 4 μg/mL, with compound 25d displaying the highest potency among the tested compounds with an MIC value of 0.125 μg/mL. As its predecessor, III, compound 25d exhibited an excellent safety profile without any significant cytotoxicity to mammalian cells. Time-kill kinetics assay indicated that 25d exhibited a bacteriostatic activity and significantly reduced E. coli JW55031 burden as compared to DMSO. Additionally, combination of 25d with colistin partially restored its antibacterial activity against Gram-negative bacterial strains (MIC values ranging from 4 to 16 μg/mL against E. coli BW25113, K. pneumoniae, A. baumannii, and P. aeruginosa). Furthermore, formulation of III and 25d as lipidic nanoparticles (nanocapsules) resulted in moderate enhancement of their antibacterial activity against Gram-negative bacterial strains (A. Baumannii, N. gonorrhoeae) and compound 25d demonstrated superior activity to the lead compound III. These findings establish compound 25d as a promising candidate for treatment of Gram-negative bacterial infections and emphasize the potential of nano-formulations in overcoming poor cellular accumulation in Gram-negative bacteria where further optimization and investigation are warranted to improve the potency and broaden the spectrum of our compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eman M E Dokla
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Abbassia, Cairo, 11566, Egypt; Institute für Pharmazie, Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, Wolfgang-Langenbeck-Str. 4, Halle (Saale), 06120, Germany.
| | - Nader S Abutaleb
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Zagazig University, Zagazig, 44519, Egypt
| | - Sandra N Milik
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Abbassia, Cairo, 11566, Egypt; School of Chemistry, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, United Kingdom
| | - Ezzat A E A Kandil
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Abbassia, Cairo, 11566, Egypt
| | - Omar M Qassem
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Abbassia, Cairo, 11566, Egypt; Purdue University Institute of Drug Discovery, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
| | - Yehia Elgammal
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA
| | - Maha Nasr
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Abbassia, Cairo, 11566, Egypt
| | - Martin J McPhillie
- School of Chemistry, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, United Kingdom
| | - Khaled A M Abouzid
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Abbassia, Cairo, 11566, Egypt
| | - Mohamed N Seleem
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA; Center for Emerging, Zoonotic and Arthropod-borne Pathogens, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA
| | - Peter Imming
- Institute für Pharmazie, Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, Wolfgang-Langenbeck-Str. 4, Halle (Saale), 06120, Germany
| | - Mai Adel
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Abbassia, Cairo, 11566, Egypt.
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Kikiowo B, Bandara AB, Abutaleb NS, Seleem MN. Colonization efficiency of multidrug-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae in a female mouse model. Pathog Dis 2023; 81:ftad030. [PMID: 37852672 DOI: 10.1093/femspd/ftad030] [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: 05/09/2023] [Revised: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The rapid occurrence of gonococcal resistance to all classes of antibiotics could lead to untreatable gonorrhea. Thus, development of novel anti-Neisseria gonorrhoeae drugs is urgently needed. Neisseria gonorrhoeae FA1090 is the most used in gonococcal infection mouse models because of its natural resistance to streptomycin. Streptomycin inhibits the urogenital commensal flora that permits gonococcal colonization. However, this strain is drug-susceptible and cannot be used to investigate the efficacy of novel agents against multidrug-resistant N. gonorrhoeae. Hence, to test the in vivo efficacy of new therapeutics against N. gonorrhoeae resistant to the frontline antibiotics, azithromycin, or ceftriaxone, we constructed streptomycin-resistant mutants of N. gonorrhoeae CDC-181 (azithromycin-resistant) and WHO-X (ceftriaxone-resistant). We identified the inoculum size needed to successfully colonize mice. Both mutants, CDC-181-rpsLA128G and WHO-X-rpsLA128G, colonized the genital tract of mice for 14 days with 100% colonization observed for at least 7 days. CDC-181-rpsLA128G demonstrated better colonization of the murine genital tract compared to WHO-X-rpsLA128G. Lower inoculum of WHO-X-rpsLA128G (105 and 106 CFU) colonized mice better than higher inoculum. Overall, our results indicate that CDC-181-rpsLA128G and WHO-X-rpsLA128G can colonize the lower genital tract of mice and are suitable to be used in mouse models to investigate the efficacy of antigonococcal agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Babatomiwa Kikiowo
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 205 Duck Pond Drive, Blacksburg, VA 24061, United States
- Center for One Health Research, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1410 Prices Fork Rd, Blacksburg, VA 24060, United States
| | - Aloka B Bandara
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 205 Duck Pond Drive, Blacksburg, VA 24061, United States
- Center for One Health Research, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1410 Prices Fork Rd, Blacksburg, VA 24060, United States
| | - Nader S Abutaleb
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 205 Duck Pond Drive, Blacksburg, VA 24061, United States
- Center for One Health Research, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1410 Prices Fork Rd, Blacksburg, VA 24060, United States
| | - Mohamed N Seleem
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 205 Duck Pond Drive, Blacksburg, VA 24061, United States
- Center for One Health Research, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1410 Prices Fork Rd, Blacksburg, VA 24060, United States
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14
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Mancuso F, Angeli A, De Luca V, Bucolo F, De Luca L, Capasso C, Supuran CT, Gitto R. Synthesis and biological evaluation of sulfonamide-based compounds as inhibitors of carbonic anhydrase from Vibrio cholerae. Arch Pharm (Weinheim) 2022; 355:e2200070. [PMID: 35739618 DOI: 10.1002/ardp.202200070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Revised: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
This study reports our continued efforts to identify inhibitors capable of targeting carbonic anhydrases (CAs) expressed in bacteria. Based on previously identified chemotypes, we designed and synthesized new analogs that were screened toward the α, β, and γ classes encoded in Vibrio cholerae (Vch). The Ki values measured in the stopped-flow hydrase assay revealed that very simple structural modifications might induce a relevant impact on the inhibitory effects as well as the selectivity profile over ubiquitous human isozymes (hCA I/II). Unfortunately, the best active VchCA inhibitors demonstrated a dramatic loss of hCA II selectivity when compared to previously reported compounds. Among the new series of sulfonamides, several molecules proved to be about sevenfold more potent against VchCAγ than the reference compound acetazolamide, thus furnishing new insights for further development of inhibitors targeting CAs expressed in bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Andrea Angeli
- NEUROFARBA Department, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Viviana De Luca
- Institute of Biosciences and Bioresources, National Research Council (CNR), Naples, Italy
| | - Federica Bucolo
- CHIBIOFARAM Department, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Laura De Luca
- CHIBIOFARAM Department, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Clemente Capasso
- Institute of Biosciences and Bioresources, National Research Council (CNR), Naples, Italy
| | | | - Rosaria Gitto
- CHIBIOFARAM Department, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
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