Comparison of inhibition of Escherichia coli topoisomerase IV by quinolones with DNA gyrase inhibition

Theoretical, in Vitro Antiproliferative, and in Silico Molecular Docking and Pharmacokinetics Studies of Heteroleptic Nickel(II) and Copper(II) Complexes of Thiosemicarbazone-Based Ligands and Pefloxacin

Twelve new heteroleptic nickel(II) and copper(II) complexes of the type [M(L1-6 )(Pfx)2 ] (1-12), where L1-6 =2-benzylidenehydrazinecarbothioamide (L1 ), 2-benzylidene-N-methylhydrazinecarbothioamide (L2 ), 2-benzylidene-N-phenylhydrazinecarbothioamide (L3 ), 2-(4-methylbenzylidene)hydrazinecarbothioamide (L4 ), 2-(4-methylbenzylidene)-N-methylhydrazinecarbothioamide (L5 ) and 2-(4-methylbenzylidene)-N-phenylhydrazinecarbothioamide (L6 ), Pfx=pefloxacin and M=Ni(II) or Cu(II) have been synthesised, and their structures were confirmed by different spectral techniques. The spectral data and density functional theory (DFT) calculations supported the bonding of pefloxacin drug molecule via one of the carboxylate oxygen atoms and the pyridone oxygen atom, and the thiosemicarbazone ligand via the imine nitrogen and the thione sulfur atoms with the metal(II) ion, forming distorted octahedral geometry. In vitro antiproliferative activity of the synthesized complexes was evaluated against three human breast cancer (T47D, estrogen negative (MDA-MB-231) and estrogen positive (MCF-7)) as well as non-tumorigenic human breast epithelial (MCF-10a) cell lines, which showed the higher activity for the copper(II) complexes. The interaction of the synthesized complexes with an oncogenic protein H-ras (121 p) was explored by in silico molecular docking studies. Further, in silico pharmacokinetics and ADMET parameters were also analysed to predict the drug-likeness as well as non-toxic and non-carcinogenic behavior, and safe oral administration of the complexes.

Control strategies for the vertical gene transfer of quinolone ARGs in Escherichia coli through molecular modification and molecular dynamics

This study investigates the regulation of the vertical gene transfer of quinolones' antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) through a combination of source modification and process control. In source prevention, 29 Escherichia coli (E. coli) DNA gyrase subunit A mutant proteins were constructed, the B-G mutant protein displayed the greatest reduction in binding effect (-25.98%). Based on this, a 3D-QSAR model was constructed, and LEV-2 and LEV-9 QNs derivatives were designed based on Levofloxacin (LEV), and their binding effect with B-G mutant protein was found be increased by 13.24% and 19.40%. The drug resistance mechanism of E. coli was explored based on molecular docking technology and protein hydrophobic interaction theory. Most of the amino acid resistance mutations changed from hydrophilic to lipophilic, which inhibited the binding of QNs to mutant protein A subunit, and further reduced the bactericidal effect of QNs. In process control, Huoxiang-Zhengqi, stroke-physiological saline solution (SPSS), and Lycium barbarum (L. barbarum) was found to be 164.82% higher than that of the blank control group. The purpose of this study is to provide a theoretical support for the joint regulation of QNs' ARGs in organisms and the research and development on green alternatives to QNs compounds.

A Roadblock-and-Kill Mechanism of Action Model for the DNA-Targeting Antibiotic Ciprofloxacin

Fluoroquinolones, antibiotics that cause DNA damage by inhibiting DNA topoisomerases, are clinically important, but their mechanism of action is not yet fully understood. In particular, the dynamical response of bacterial cells to fluoroquinolone exposure has hardly been investigated, although the SOS response, triggered by DNA damage, is often thought to play a key role. Here, we investigated the growth inhibition of the bacterium Escherichia coli by the fluoroquinolone ciprofloxacin at low concentrations. We measured the long-term and short-term dynamical response of the growth rate and DNA production rate to ciprofloxacin at both the population and single-cell levels. We show that, despite the molecular complexity of DNA metabolism, a simple roadblock-and-kill model focusing on replication fork blockage and DNA damage by ciprofloxacin-poisoned DNA topoisomerase II (gyrase) quantitatively reproduces long-term growth rates in the presence of ciprofloxacin. The model also predicts dynamical changes in the DNA production rate in wild-type E. coli and in a recombination-deficient mutant following a step-up of ciprofloxacin. Our work highlights that bacterial cells show a delayed growth rate response following fluoroquinolone exposure. Most importantly, our model explains why the response is delayed: it takes many doubling times to fragment the DNA sufficiently to inhibit gene expression. We also show that the dynamical response is controlled by the timescale of DNA replication and gyrase binding/unbinding to the DNA rather than by the SOS response, challenging the accepted view. Our work highlights the importance of including detailed biophysical processes in biochemical-systems models to quantitatively predict the bacterial response to antibiotics.

Organometallic ciprofloxacin conjugates with dual action: synthesis, characterization, and antimicrobial and cytotoxicity studies

Organometallic ciprofloxacin conjugates were synthesized and two mechanisms of antimicrobial activity were demonstrated. The first mechanism involves the inhibition of type IIA topoisomerases and the second involves ROS generation in bacterial cells.

Pharmacophore modeling, atom based 3D-QSAR, molecular docking and molecular dynamics studies on Escherichia coli ParE inhibitors

ATP dependent ParE enzyme is as an attractive target for the development of antibacterial agents. Atom based 3D-QSAR model AADHR.187 was developed based on the thirty eight Escherichia coli ParE inhibitors. The generated model showed statistically significant coefficient of determinations for the training (R² = 0.985) and test (R² = 0.86) sets. The cross-validated correlation coefficient (q2) was 0.976. The utility of the generated model was validated by the enrichment study. The model was also validated with structurally diverse external test set of ten compounds. Contour plot analysis of the generated model unveiled the chemical features necessary for the E. coli ParE enzyme inhibition. Extra-precision docking result revealed that hydrogen bonding and ionic interactions play a major role in ParE protein-ligand binding. Binding free energy was computed for the data set inhibitors to validate the binding affinity. A 30-ns molecular dynamics simulation showed high stability and effective binding of inhibitor 34 within the active site of ParE enzyme. Using the best fitted model AADHR.187, pharmacophore-based high-throughput virtual screening was performed to identify virtual hits. Based on the above studies three new molecules are proposed as E. coli ParE inhibitors with high binding affinity and favourable ADME properties.

Phenotypic screening for quinolone resistance in Escherichia coli

Recent studies show that rectal colonization with low-level ciprofloxacin-resistant Escherichia coli (ciprofloxacin minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) above the epidemiological cutoff point, but below the clinical breakpoint for resistance), i.e., in the range > 0.06-0.5 mg/L is an independent risk factor for febrile urinary tract infection after transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsy (TRUS-B) of the prostate, adding to the other risk posed by established ciprofloxacin resistance in E. coli (MIC > 0.5 mg/L) as currently defined. We aimed to identify the quinolone that by disk diffusion best discriminates phenotypic wild-type isolates (ciprofloxacin MIC ≤ 0.06 mg/L) of E. coli from isolates with acquired resistance, and to determine the resistance genotype of each isolate. The susceptibility of 108 E. coli isolates was evaluated by ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, nalidixic acid, and pefloxacin disk diffusion and correlated to ciprofloxacin MIC (broth microdilution) using EUCAST methodology. Genotypic resistance was identified by PCR and DNA sequencing. The specificity was 100% for all quinolone disks. Sensitivity varied substantially, as follows: ciprofloxacin 59%, levofloxacin 46%, moxifloxacin 59%, nalidixic acid 97%, and pefloxacin 97%. We suggest that in situations where low-level quinolone resistance might be of importance, such as when screening for quinolone resistance in fecal samples pre-TRUS-B, a pefloxacin (S ≥ 24 mm) or nalidixic acid (S ≥ 19 mm) disk, or a combination of the two, should be used. In a setting where plasmid-mediated resistance is prevalent, pefloxacin might perform better than nalidixic acid.

Piperazine-azole-fluoroquinolone hybrids: Conventional and microwave irradiated synthesis, biological activity screening and molecular docking studies

A series of new 1,2,4-triazole and 1,3,4-oxadiazole derivatives was obtained via several steps sequential reactions of phenyl piperazine. Then, these compounds were converted to the corresponding fluoroquinolone hybrids via one pot three component Mannich reaction. All the reactions were examined under conventional and microwave mediated conditions, and optimum conditions were determined. The effect of different solvents and microwave power on microwave prompted reactions was investigated as well. All the newly synthesized compounds were characterized by FTIR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and EI MS spectral techniques. The antimicrobial activity, DNA gyrase and Topoisomerase IV inhibition potentials were performed. The results obtained showed that fluoroquinolone hybrids possess good antimicrobial activity. Moreover, Fluoroquinolone-azole-piperazine hybrids synthesized in the present study displayed excellent DNA gyrase inhibition. To unveil the interaction mode of compounds to receptor, a molecular docking study was performed. With an average least binding energy of -9.5 kcal/mol, all compounds were found to have remarkable inhibitory potentials against DNA gyrase (E. coli).

Design and examination of potent pseudosubstrate-based oligonucleotide inhibitors against bacterial topoisomerase IV

Topoisomerase IV is an enzyme that is mainly responsible for unwinding interlocked DNA strands at the final stage of prokaryotic DNA replication. Due to its exclusivity in prokaryotes, topoisomerase IV has been identified as a validated target for quinolone-based antibiotics in the past years for treating bacterial infection. In consideration that bacterial resistance to such antibiotics has occurred constantly, several newly designed pseudosubstrate oligonucleotides as DNA topoisomerase IV inhibitors have been examined during our recent investigations. Among them, the nick-, gap- and mismatched base pair-containing oligonucleotides displayed significantly high inhibitory effects toward topoisomerase IV. It is our anticipation that the outcomes of our current studies could be beneficial for the future development of pseudosubstrate-based enzyme inhibitors as well as new types of antibiotics.

Treatment outcomes of oral sitafloxacin in acute complicated urinary tract infection and pyelonephritis

Background

Data on the success rate of sitafloxacin treatment in acute complicated urinary tract infection and pyelonephritis are limited.

Objectives

To determine the success rate of a new oral fluoroquinolone, sitafloxacin, in acute complicated urinary tract infection and pyelonephritis.

Methods

A prospective study of 30 patients who were diagnosed with acute complicated urinary tract infection and pyelonephritis was conducted. Oral sitafloxacin 50 mg twice a day was given for 7 days. All patients were followed up at baseline, day 7, and day 14.

Results

The patient sample included 67 % females; the mean ± SD age was 49 ± 13 years. Twenty-one (70 %) patients had acute pyelonephritis and 9 (30 %) had complicated urinary tract infections. Twenty-two patients were positive for uropathogens. The most frequently isolated pathogen was E. coli 11 non-extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing and 5 ESBL-producing strains. Of the 22 isolated uropathogens, 19 (86 %) isolates were sensitive to sitafloxacin. At day 14, 29 of 30 (97 %) were clinically cured and 21 of 22 (95 %) were microbiologically cured. No patients discontinued sitafloxacin due to adverse events.

Conclusions

These results support the use of oral sitafloxacin in complicated urinary tract infections and acute pyelonephritis. However, further larger studies are required to confirm these results.

Synthesis of novel ethyl 1-ethyl-6-fluoro-7-(fatty amido)-1,4-dihydro-4-oxoquinoline-3-carboxylate derivatives and their biological evaluation

A series of novel ethyl 1-ethyl-6-fluoro-7-(fatty amido)-1,4-dihydro-4-oxoquinoline-3-carboxylate derivatives were prepared through multistep synthesis. The key step in the synthesis was to obtain the C-7 fatty amide derivative. The azide was selectively formed at C-7 position using sodium azide at 60°C. Subsequently, the azide was reduced under mild conditions using zinc and ammonium chloride to form the corresponding amine. The synthesized derivatives were further subjected to biological evaluation studies like cytotoxicity against a panel of cancer cell lines such as DU145, A549, SKOV3, MCF7 and normal lung cells, IMR-90 as well as with antimicrobial and antioxidant activities. It was observed that the carboxylated quinolone derivatives with hexanoic (8a), octanoic (8b), lauric (8d) and myristic (8e) moieties exhibited promising cytotoxicity against all the tested cancer cell lines. The results also suggested that hexanoic acid-based fatty amide carboxylated quinolone derivative (8a) exhibited promising activity against both bacterial and fungal strains and significant antibacterial activity was observed against Staphylococcus aureus MTCC 96 (MIC value of 3.9μg/mL). The compound 8a also showed excellent anti-biofilm activity against Staphylococcus aureus MTCC 96 and Bacillus subtilis MTCC 121 with MIC values of 2.1 and 4.6μg/mL, respectively.

Functional Analyses of the Toxoplasma gondii DNA Gyrase Holoenzyme: A Janus Topoisomerase with Supercoiling and Decatenation Abilities

A number of important protozoan parasites including those responsible for toxoplasmosis and malaria belong to the phylum Apicomplexa and are characterised by their possession of a relict plastid, the apicoplast. Being required for survival, apicoplasts are potentially useful drug targets and their attractiveness is increased by the fact that they contain “bacterial” gyrase, a well-established antibacterial drug target. We have cloned and purified the gyrase proteins from the apicoplast of Toxoplasma gondii (the cause of toxoplasmosis), reconstituted the functional enzyme and succeeded in characterising it. We discovered that the enzyme is inhibited by known gyrase inhibitors and that, as well as the expected supercoiling activity, it is also able to decatenate DNA with high efficiency. This unusual dual functionality may be related to the apparent lack of topoisomerase IV in the apicoplast.

Determination of the primary molecular target of 1,2,4-triazole-ciprofloxacin hybrids

We have synthesized and examined the antibacterial activity, toxicity and affinity towards bacterial type II topoisomerases of a series of 1,2,4-triazole-ciprofloxacin hybrids. A number of these compounds displayed enhanced activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria when compared to ciprofloxacin. The toxic concentrations of the obtained derivatives, evaluated on HEK-293 cells using MTT assay, were much higher than concentrations required to produce antibacterial effect. Finally, the results of enzymatic studies showed that the analyzed compounds demonstrated other preferences as regards primary and secondary molecular targets than ciprofloxacin.

DNA binding, photo-induced DNA cleavage and cytotoxicity studies of lomefloxacin and its transition metal complexes

This work was focused on a study of the DNA binding and cleavage properties of lomefloxacin (LMF) and its ternary transition metal complexes with glycine. The nature of the binding interactions between compounds and calf thymus DNA (CT-DNA) was studied by electronic absorption spectra, fluorescence spectra and thermal denaturation experiments. The obtained results revealed that LMF and its complexes could interact with CT-DNA via partial/moderate intercalative mode. Furthermore, the DNA cleavage activities of the compounds were investigated by gel electrophoresis. Mechanistic studies of DNA cleavage suggest that singlet oxygen ((1)O2) is likely to be the cleaving agent via an oxidative pathway, except for Cu(II) complex which proceeds via both oxidative and hydrolytic pathways. Antimicrobial and antitumor activities of the compounds were also studied against some kinds of bacteria, fungi and human cell lines.

Synthesis, structure-activity relationship studies, and antibacterial evaluation of 4-chromanones and chalcones, as well as olympicin A and derivatives

On the basis of recently reported abyssinone II and olympicin A, a series of chemically modified flavonoid phytochemicals were synthesized and evaluated against Mycobacterium tuberculosis and a panel of Gram-positive and -negative bacterial pathogens. Some of the synthesized compounds exhibited good antibacterial activities against Gram-positive pathogens including methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus with minimum inhibitory concentration as low as 0.39 μg/mL. SAR analysis revealed that the 2-hydrophobic substituent and the 4-hydrogen bond donor/acceptor of the 4-chromanone scaffold together with the hydroxy groups at 5- and 7-positions enhanced antibacterial activities; the 2′,4′-dihydroxylated A ring and the lipophilic substituted B ring of chalcone derivatives were pharmacophoric elements for antibacterial activities. Mode of action studies performed on selected compounds revealed that they dissipated the bacterial membrane potential, resulting in the inhibition of macromolecular biosynthesis; further studies showed that selected compounds inhibited DNA topoisomerase IV, suggesting complex mechanisms of actions for compounds in this series.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis DNA gyrase possesses two functional GyrA-boxes

In contrast with most bacteria which possess two type II topoisomerases (topoisomerase IV and DNA gyrase), Mycobacterium tuberculosis possesses only one, DNA gyrase, which is functionally a hybrid enzyme. Functional differences between the two type IIA topoisomerases are thought to be specified by a CTD (C-terminal DNA-binding domain), which controls DNA recognition. To explore the molecular mechanism responsible for the hybrid functions of the M. tuberculosis DNA gyrase, we conducted a series of sequence analyses and structural and biochemical experiments with the isolated GyrA CTD and the holoenzyme. Although the CTD displayed a global structure similar to that of bona fide GyrA and ParC paralogues, it harbours a second key motif similar in all respects to that of the conserved GyrA-box sequence motif. Biochemical assays showed that the GyrA-box is responsible for DNA supercoiling, whereas the second GyrA-box-l (GyrA-box-like motif) is responsible for the enhanced decatenation activity, suggesting that the mechanistic originality of M. tuberculosis DNA gyrase depends largely on the particular DNA path around the CTD allowed for by the presence of GyrA-box-l. The results of the present study also provide, through phylogenetic exploration of the entire Corynebacterineae suborder, a new and broader insight into the functional diversity of bacterial type IIA topoisomerases.

Antimicrobial properties of 8-hydroxyserrulat-14-en-19-oic acid for treatment of implant-associated infections

Treatment options are limited for implant-associated infections (IAI) that are mainly caused by biofilm-forming staphylococci. We report here on the activity of the serrulatane compound 8-hydroxyserrulat-14-en-19-oic acid (EN4), a diterpene isolated from the Australian plant Eremophila neglecta. EN4 elicited antimicrobial activity toward various Gram-positive bacteria but not to Gram-negative bacteria. It showed a similar bactericidal effect against logarithmic-phase, stationary-phase, and adherent Staphylococcus epidermidis, as well as against methicillin-susceptible and methicillin-resistant S. aureus with MICs of 25 to 50 μg/ml and MBCs of 50 to 100 μg/ml. The bactericidal activity of EN4 was similar against S. epidermidis and its Δica mutant, which is unable to produce polysaccharide intercellular adhesin-mediated biofilm. In time-kill studies, EN4 exhibited a rapid and concentration-dependent killing of staphylococci, reducing bacterial counts by >3 log(10) CFU/ml within 5 min at concentrations of >50 μg/ml. Investigation of the mode of action of EN4 revealed membranolytic properties and a general inhibition of macromolecular biosynthesis, suggesting a multitarget activity. In vitro-tested cytotoxicity on eukaryotic cells was time and concentration dependent in the range of the MBCs. EN4 was then tested in a mouse tissue cage model, where it showed neither bactericidal nor cytotoxic effects, indicating an inhibition of its activity. Inhibition assays revealed that this was caused by interactions with albumin. Overall, these findings suggest that, upon structural changes, EN4 might be a promising pharmacophore for the development of new antimicrobials to treat IAI.

Bacterial Infections in the Elderly Patient: Focus on Sitafloxacin

Sitafloxacin (DU-6859a) is a new-generation oral fluoroquinolone with in vitro activity against a broad range of Gram-positive and -negative bacteria, including anaerobic bacteria, as well as against atypical bacterial pathogens. Particularly in Japan this antibiotic was approved in 2008 for treatment of a number of bacterial infections caused by Gram-positive cocci and Gram-negative cocci and rods, including anaerobia atypical bacterial pathogens. As compared to oral levofloxacin sitafloxacin was non-inferior in the treatment of community-acquired pneumonia and non-inferior in the treatment of complicated urinary tract infections, according to the results of randomized, double-blind, multicentre, non-inferiority trials. Non-comparative studies demonstrated the efficacy of oral sitafloxacin in otorhinolaryngological infections, urethritis in men, cervicitis in women and odontogenic infections. Most common adverse reactions were gastrointestinal disorders and laboratory abnormalities in patients receiving oral sitafloxacin; diarrhea and liver enzyme elevations were among the common. In the Japanese population sitafloxacin covers broad spectrum of bacteria as compared to carbapenems, whereas in the Caucasians its use is currently limited due to the potential for ultraviolet A phototoxicity. Sitafloxacin is a promising therapeutic agent which merits further investigation in randomized clinical trials of elderly patients.

Studies on the antimicrobial properties of N-acylated ciprofloxacins

Fluoroquinolone antibiotics have been a mainstay in the treatment of bacterial diseases. The most notable representative, ciprofloxacin, possesses potent antimicrobial activity; however, a rise in resistance to this agent necessitates development of novel derivatives to prolong the clinical lifespan of these antibiotics. Herein we have synthesized and analyzed the antimicrobial properties of a library of N-acylated ciprofloxacin analogues. We find that these compounds are broadly effective against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, with many proving more effective than the parental drug, and several possessing MICs ≤1.0 μg/ml against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Bartonella species. An analysis of spontaneous mutation frequencies reveals very low potential for resistance in MRSA compared to existing fluoroquinolones. Mode of action profiling reveals that modification of the piperazinyl nitrogen by acylation does not alter the effect of these molecules towards their bacterial target. We also present evidence that these N-acylated compounds are highly effective at killing intracellular bacteria, suggesting the suitability of these antibiotics for therapeutic treatment.

Preparation and Thermal Decomposition of the Polyoxometalate Complexes of Ciprofloxacin with HnXW12O40 (X=B, Si, P)

The polyoxometalate complexes of ciprofloxacin with HnXW12O40(X=B, Si, P) were prepared from ciprofloxacin hydrochloride and HnXW12O40·nH2O (X=B, Si, P) in aqueous solution, and characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectra and TG-DTA. The IR spectrum confirmed the presence of Keggin-type anion of heteropoly acids and the characteristic functional group of ciprofloxacin after the polyoxometalate complexes are formed. The TG/DTA curves showed that their thermal decomposition was a more-steps process consisting of simultaneous processes involving also Keggin anion. The residue of decomposition is a mixture of WO3and B2O3, SiO2or P2O5, confirmed by X-ray diffraction and IR spectroscopy. And the possible thermal decomposition mechanisms of the complexes are proposed.

Quinolones: from antibiotics to autoinducers

Since quinine was first isolated, animals, plants and microorganisms producing a wide variety of quinolone compounds have been discovered, several of which possess medicinally interesting properties ranging from antiallergenic and anticancer to antimicrobial activities. Over the years, these have served in the development of many synthetic drugs, including the successful fluoroquinolone antibiotics. Pseudomonas aeruginosa and related bacteria produce a number of 2-alkyl-4(1H)-quinolones, some of which exhibit antimicrobial activity. However, quinolones such as the Pseudomonas quinolone signal and 2-heptyl-4-hydroxyquinoline act as quorum-sensing signal molecules, controlling the expression of many virulence genes as a function of cell population density. Here, we review selectively this extensive family of bicyclic compounds, from natural and synthetic antimicrobials to signalling molecules, with a special emphasis on the biology of P. aeruginosa. In particular, we review their nomenclature and biochemistry, their multiple properties as membrane-interacting compounds, inhibitors of the cytochrome bc₁ complex and iron chelators, as well as the regulation of their biosynthesis and their integration into the intricate quorum-sensing regulatory networks governing virulence and secondary metabolite gene expression.

Antimicrobial resistance and genetic characterization of fluoroquinolone-resistant Mannheimia haemolytica isolates from cattle with bovine pneumonia

Antimicrobial susceptibility and molecular characterization of quinolone-resistant Mannheimia haemolytica was conducted. The antimicrobial susceptibility of 229 M. haemolytica isolates which were obtained from cattle with bovine respiratory disease during the period 1984-2006, was determined using 14 antimicrobial agents. Of the 229 isolates, 114 (49.8%) were resistant to at least one agent and resistance rates ranged from 4.8% to 31.4%. Resistance rates for dihydrostreptomycin, oxytetracycline, doxycycline, ampicillin, amoxicillin, thiamphenicol, kanamycin chloramphenicol, nalidixic acid, enrofloxacin, and danofloxacin were 31.4%, 20.5%, 18.3%, 19.2%, 16.6%, 10.9%, 11.4%, 10.5%, 17.0%, 4.8% and 4.8%, respectively. The nucleotide sequences of the quinolone resistance-determining regions of the gyrA and parC genes of nalidixic acid-resistant M. haemolytica were determined. All nalidixic acid-resistant strains possessed at least one amino acid substitution in each of the GyrA and ParC fragments investigated. These results suggest that M. haemolytica require at least one amino acid substitution in both GyrA and ParC in order to attain significant levels of resistance to quinolones. All fluoroquinolone-resistant isolates belonged to serotype 6, and their genotype by PFGE analysis was identical. This result indicates that fluoroquinolone-resistant M. haemolytica strains have clonally expanded.

Photoactivated ethidium monoazide directly cleaves bacterial DNA and is applied to PCR for discrimination of live and dead bacteria

Ethidium monoazide (EMA) is a DNA intercalating agent and a eukaryotic topoisomerase II poison. We found that EMA treatment and subsequent visible light irradiation (photoactivation or photolysis) shows a bactericidal effect, hence the mechanism was analyzed. When bacterial cells were treated with more than 10 microg/ml of EMA for 1 hr plus photoactivation for 20 min, cleavage of bacterial DNA was confirmed by agarose gel electrophoresis and electron microscopic studies. The cleavage of chromosomal DNA was seen when it was treated in vitro with EMA and photolysis, which showed that the cleavage directly took place without the assistance of DNA gyrase/topoisomerase IV and the DNA repair enzymes of bacteria. It was also verified, by using negatively supercoiled pBR322 DNA, that medium/high concentrations of EMA (1 to 100 microg/ml) led to breaks of double-stranded DNA and that low concentrations of EMA (10 to 100 ng/ml) generated a single-stranded break. EMA is known to easily penetrate dead but not live bacteria. After treatment of 10 microg/ml of EMA for 30 min and photoactivation for 5 min, EMA cleaved the DNA of dead but not live Klebsiella oxytoca. When the cleaved DNA was used for templates in PCR targeting 16S rDNA, PCR product from the dead bacteria was completely suppressed. We demonstrated that EMA and photolysis directly cleaved bacterial DNA and are effective tools for discriminating live from dead bacteria by PCR.

Synthesis and antibacterial activity of novel fluoroquinolones containing substituted piperidines

The design and synthesis of new fluoroquinolone antibacterial agents having substituted piperidine rings at the C-7 position are described. Most of the new compounds demonstrated high in vitro antibacterial activity. Several of them exhibited significant activities against gram-positive organisms, which were more potent than those of gemifloxacin, Linezolid, and vancomycin.

First functional characterization of a singly expressed bacterial type II topoisomerase: the enzyme from Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Genome deciphering revealed that Mycobacterium tuberculosis encodes a single type II topoisomerase contrary to common bacteria harboring two type II topoisomerases (DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV). Functions of the M. tuberculosis type II topoisomerase were explored after cloning and expressing the subunits encoding genes in Escherichia coli. M. tuberculosis type II topoisomerase supercoiled relaxed pBR322 with a specific activity close to that of DNA gyrases of common bacteria whereas it exhibited DNA relaxation and formation of cleavable complexes with activities significantly higher than other DNA gyrases. Intermolecular passage activity evaluated by the decatenation of kinetoplast DNA was 25-fold lower than that of the topoisomerase IV from Streptococcus pneumoniae, but was markedly higher than that of the E. coli gyrase. Overall, the type II topoisomerase of M. tuberculosis exhibits classical polyvalent activities of DNA gyrase for supercoiling but enhanced relaxation, cleavage, and decatenation activities.

Evaluation of antimycobacterial and DNA gyrase inhibition of fluoroquinolone derivatives

The antimycobacterial activity (both in vitro and in vivo) and DNA gyrase inhibition of newly synthesized fluoroquinolone derivatives were tested against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H(37)Rv and Mycobacterium smegmatis, respectively. Among the synthesized compounds, compound F11 was found to exhibit the most potent in vitro antimycobacterial activity with a MIC value of 0.78 microg/ml, and a selectivity index of more than 80 while not being cytotoxic to the Vero cell line up to 62.5 microg/ml. When evaluated for in vivo antimycobacterial activity, compound F11 demonstrated a paramount decrease of bacterial load in lung and spleen tissues compared to the control and better than the standard drug ciprofloxacin.

Mechanisms of quinolone resistance in Escherichia coli and Salmonella: Recent developments

Fluoroquinolones are broad-spectrum antimicrobials highly effective for treatment of a variety of clinical and veterinary infections. Their antibacterial activity is due to inhibition of DNA replication. Usually resistance arises spontaneously due to point mutations that result in amino acid substitutions within the topoisomerase subunits GyrA, GyrB, ParC or ParE, decreased expression of outer membrane porins, or overexpression of multidrug efflux pumps. In addition, the recent discovery of plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance could result in horizontal transfer of fluoroquinolone resistance between strains. Acquisition of high-level resistance appears to be a multifactorial process. Care needs to taken to avoid overuse of this important class of antimicrobial in both human and veterinary medicine to prevent an increase in the occurrence of resistant zoonotic and non-zoonotic bacterial pathogens that could subsequently cause human or animal infections.

Gyrase inhibitors and thymine starvation disrupt the normal pattern of plasmid RK2 localization in Escherichia coli

Multicopy plasmids in Escherichia coli are not randomly distributed throughout the cell but exist as defined clusters that are localized at the mid-cell, or at the 1/4 and 3/4 cell length positions. To explore the factors that contribute to plasmid clustering and localization, E. coli cells carrying a plasmid RK2 derivative that can be tagged with a green fluorescent protein-LacI fusion protein were subjected to various conditions that interfere with plasmid superhelicity and/or DNA replication. The various treatments included thymine starvation and the addition of the gyrase inhibitors nalidixic acid and novobiocin. In each case, localization of plasmid clusters at the preferred positions was disrupted but the plasmids remained in clusters, suggesting that normal plasmid superhelicity and DNA synthesis in elongating cells are not required for the clustering of individual plasmid molecules. It was also observed that the inhibition of DNA replication by these treatments produced filaments in which the plasmid clusters were confined to one or two nucleoid bodies, which were located near the midline of the filament and were not evenly spaced throughout the filament, as is found in cells treated with cephalexin. Finally, the enhanced yellow fluorescent protein-RarA fusion protein was used to localize the replication complex in individual E. coli cells. Novobiocin and nalidixic acid treatment both resulted in rapid loss of RarA foci. Under these conditions the RK2 plasmid clusters were not disassembled, suggesting that a completely intact replication complex is not required for plasmid clustering.

Contribution of the ATP binding site of ParE to susceptibility to novobiocin and quinolones in Streptococcus pneumoniae

In Streptococcus pneumoniae, an H103Y substitution in the ATP binding site of the ParE subunit of topoisomerase IV was shown to confer quinolone resistance and hypersensitivity to novobiocin when associated with an S84F change in the A subunit of DNA gyrase. We reconstituted in vitro the wild-type topoisomerase IV and its ParE mutant. The ParE mutant enzyme showed a decreased activity for decatenation at subsaturating ATP levels and was more sensitive to inhibition by novobiocin but was as sensitive to quinolones. These results show that the ParE alteration H103Y alone is not responsible for quinolone resistance and agree with the assumption that it facilitates the open conformation of the ATP binding site that would lead to novobiocin hypersensitivity and to a higher requirement of ATP.

Synthesis and structural–activity relationships of 3-hydroxyquinazoline-2,4-dione antibacterial agents

A series of 3-hydroxyquinazoline-2,4-diones was synthesized and evaluated for antibacterial activity. This series represents a novel addition to the DNA gyrase inhibitor class of antibacterials. Appropriate substitutions onto the core template yielded compounds with excellent potency against E. coli gyrase and significant in vitro Gram-negative and Gram-positive antibacterial activity.