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Laborda P, Gil‐Gil T, Martínez JL, Hernando‐Amado S. Preserving the efficacy of antibiotics to tackle antibiotic resistance. Microb Biotechnol 2024; 17:e14528. [PMID: 39016996 PMCID: PMC11253305 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.14528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2024] [Accepted: 07/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Different international agencies recognize that antibiotic resistance is one of the most severe human health problems that humankind is facing. Traditionally, the introduction of new antibiotics solved this problem but various scientific and economic reasons have led to a shortage of novel antibiotics at the pipeline. This situation makes mandatory the implementation of approaches to preserve the efficacy of current antibiotics. The concept is not novel, but the only action taken for such preservation had been the 'prudent' use of antibiotics, trying to reduce the selection pressure by reducing the amount of antibiotics. However, even if antibiotics are used only when needed, this will be insufficient because resistance is the inescapable outcome of antibiotics' use. A deeper understanding of the alterations in the bacterial physiology upon acquisition of resistance and during infection will help to design improved strategies to treat bacterial infections. In this article, we discuss the interconnection between antibiotic resistance (and antibiotic activity) and bacterial metabolism, particularly in vivo, when bacteria are causing infection. We discuss as well how understanding evolutionary trade-offs, as collateral sensitivity, associated with the acquisition of resistance may help to define evolution-based therapeutic strategies to fight antibiotic resistance and to preserve currently used antibiotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Laborda
- Department of Clinical MicrobiologyRigshospitaletCopenhagenDenmark
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Enright AL, Heelan WJ, Ward RD, Peters JM. CRISPRi functional genomics in bacteria and its application to medical and industrial research. Microbiol Mol Biol Rev 2024; 88:e0017022. [PMID: 38809084 PMCID: PMC11332340 DOI: 10.1128/mmbr.00170-22] [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] [Indexed: 05/30/2024] Open
Abstract
SUMMARYFunctional genomics is the use of systematic gene perturbation approaches to determine the contributions of genes under conditions of interest. Although functional genomic strategies have been used in bacteria for decades, recent studies have taken advantage of CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats) technologies, such as CRISPRi (CRISPR interference), that are capable of precisely modulating expression of all genes in the genome. Here, we discuss and review the use of CRISPRi and related technologies for bacterial functional genomics. We discuss the strengths and weaknesses of CRISPRi as well as design considerations for CRISPRi genetic screens. We also review examples of how CRISPRi screens have defined relevant genetic targets for medical and industrial applications. Finally, we outline a few of the many possible directions that could be pursued using CRISPR-based functional genomics in bacteria. Our view is that the most exciting screens and discoveries are yet to come.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy L. Enright
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Division, School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Microbiology Doctoral Training Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- DOE Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - William J. Heelan
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Division, School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Ryan D. Ward
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Division, School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- DOE Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Laboratory of Genetics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Jason M. Peters
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Division, School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- DOE Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Center for Genomic Science Innovation, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
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Wang H, Yang Y, Wang S, Badawy S, Ares I, Martínez M, Lopez-Torres B, Martínez-Larrañaga MR, Wang X, Anadón A, Martínez MA. Antimicrobial sensitisers: Gatekeepers to avoid the development of multidrug-resistant bacteria. J Control Release 2024; 369:25-38. [PMID: 38508527 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2024.03.031] [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: 10/24/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 03/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
The resistance of multidrug-resistant bacteria to existing antibiotics forces the continued development of new antibiotics and antibacterial agents, but the high costs and long timeframe involved in the development of new agents renders the hope that existing antibiotics may again play a part. The "antibiotic adjuvant" is an indirect antibacterial strategy, but its vague concept has, in the past, limited the development speed of related drugs. In this review article, we put forward an accurate concept of a "non-self-antimicrobial sensitisers (NSAS)", to distinguish it from an "antibiotic adjuvant", and then discuss several scientific methods to restore bacterial sensitivity to antibiotics, and the sources and action mechanism of existing NSAS, in order to guide the development and further research of NSAS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanfei Wang
- National Reference Laboratory of Veterinary Drug Residues (HZAU) and MAO Key Laboratory for Detection of Veterinary Drug Residues, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, China
| | - Yingying Yang
- National Reference Laboratory of Veterinary Drug Residues (HZAU) and MAO Key Laboratory for Detection of Veterinary Drug Residues, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, China
| | - Simeng Wang
- National Reference Laboratory of Veterinary Drug Residues (HZAU) and MAO Key Laboratory for Detection of Veterinary Drug Residues, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, China
| | - Sara Badawy
- MAO Laboratory for Risk Assessment of Quality and Safety of Livestock and Poultry Products, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, China; Pathology Department of Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Benha University, Egypt
| | - Irma Ares
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), and Research Institute Hospital, 12 de Octubre (i+12), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Marta Martínez
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), and Research Institute Hospital, 12 de Octubre (i+12), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Bernardo Lopez-Torres
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), and Research Institute Hospital, 12 de Octubre (i+12), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - María-Rosa Martínez-Larrañaga
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), and Research Institute Hospital, 12 de Octubre (i+12), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Xu Wang
- National Reference Laboratory of Veterinary Drug Residues (HZAU) and MAO Key Laboratory for Detection of Veterinary Drug Residues, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, China; MAO Laboratory for Risk Assessment of Quality and Safety of Livestock and Poultry Products, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, China.
| | - Arturo Anadón
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), and Research Institute Hospital, 12 de Octubre (i+12), 28040 Madrid, Spain.
| | - María-Aránzazu Martínez
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), and Research Institute Hospital, 12 de Octubre (i+12), 28040 Madrid, Spain
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Hogan AM, Motnenko A, Rahman ASMZ, Cardona ST. Cell envelope structural and functional contributions to antibiotic resistance in Burkholderia cenocepacia. J Bacteriol 2024; 206:e0044123. [PMID: 38501654 PMCID: PMC11025338 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00441-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Antibiotic activity is limited by the physical construction of the Gram-negative cell envelope. Species of the Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc) are known as intrinsically multidrug-resistant opportunistic pathogens with low permeability cell envelopes. Here, we re-examined a previously performed chemical-genetic screen of barcoded transposon mutants in B. cenocepacia K56-2, focusing on cell envelope structural and functional processes. We identified structures mechanistically important for resistance to singular and multiple antibiotic classes. For example, susceptibility to novobiocin, avibactam, and the LpxC inhibitor, PF-04753299, was linked to the BpeAB-OprB efflux pump, suggesting these drugs are substrates for this pump in B. cenocepacia. Defects in peptidoglycan precursor synthesis specifically increased susceptibility to cycloserine and revealed a new putative amino acid racemase, while defects in divisome accessory proteins increased susceptibility to multiple β-lactams. Additionally, disruption of the periplasmic disulfide bond formation system caused pleiotropic defects on outer membrane integrity and β-lactamase activity. Our findings highlight the layering of resistance mechanisms in the structure and function of the cell envelope. Consequently, we point out processes that can be targeted for developing antibiotic potentiators.IMPORTANCEThe Gram-negative cell envelope is a double-layered physical barrier that protects cells from extracellular stressors, such as antibiotics. The Burkholderia cell envelope is known to contain additional modifications that reduce permeability. We investigated Burkholderia cell envelope factors contributing to antibiotic resistance from a genome-wide view by re-examining data from a transposon mutant library exposed to an antibiotic panel. We identified susceptible phenotypes for defects in structures and functions in the outer membrane, periplasm, and cytoplasm. Overall, we show that resistance linked to the cell envelope is multifaceted and provides new targets for the development of antibiotic potentiators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew M. Hogan
- Department of Microbiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Anna Motnenko
- Department of Microbiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | | | - Silvia T. Cardona
- Department of Microbiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
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Li J, Han N, Li Y, Zhao F, Xiong W, Zeng Z. The synergistic antibacterial activity and mechanism of colistin-oxethazaine combination against gram-negative pathogens. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1363441. [PMID: 38576480 PMCID: PMC10991713 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1363441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The rapid spread of bacteria with plasmid-mediated resistance to antibiotics poses a serious threat to public health. The search for potential compounds that can increase the antibacterial activity of existing antibiotics is a promising strategy for addressing this issue. Methods Synergistic activity of the FDA-approved agent oxethazine combined with colistin was investigated in vitro using checkerboard assays and time-kill curves. The synergistic mechanisms of their combination of oxethazine and colistin was explored by fluorescent dye, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and LC-MS/MS. The synergistic efficacy was evaluated in vivo by the Galleria mellonella and mouse sepsis models. Results In this study, we found that oxethazine could effectively enhance the antibacterial activity of colistin against both mcr-positive and -negative pathogens, and mechanistic assays revealed that oxethazine could improve the ability of colistin to destruct bacterial outer membrane and cytoplasmic membrane permeability. In addition, their combination triggered the accumulation of reactive oxygen species causing additional damage to the membrane structure resulting in cell death. Furthermore, oxethazine significantly enhanced the therapeutic efficacy of colistin in two animal models. Conclusion These results suggested that oxethazine, as a promising antibiotic adjuvant, can effectively enhance colistin activity, providing a potential strategy for treating multidrug-resistant bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmaceutics Development and Safety Evaluation, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- National Laboratory of Safety Evaluation (Environmental Assessment) of Veterinary Drugs, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- National Risk Assessment Laboratory for Antimicrobial Resistance of Animal Original Bacteria, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ning Han
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmaceutics Development and Safety Evaluation, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- National Laboratory of Safety Evaluation (Environmental Assessment) of Veterinary Drugs, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- National Risk Assessment Laboratory for Antimicrobial Resistance of Animal Original Bacteria, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yangyang Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmaceutics Development and Safety Evaluation, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- National Laboratory of Safety Evaluation (Environmental Assessment) of Veterinary Drugs, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- National Risk Assessment Laboratory for Antimicrobial Resistance of Animal Original Bacteria, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Feifei Zhao
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmaceutics Development and Safety Evaluation, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- National Laboratory of Safety Evaluation (Environmental Assessment) of Veterinary Drugs, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- National Risk Assessment Laboratory for Antimicrobial Resistance of Animal Original Bacteria, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wenguang Xiong
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmaceutics Development and Safety Evaluation, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- National Laboratory of Safety Evaluation (Environmental Assessment) of Veterinary Drugs, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- National Risk Assessment Laboratory for Antimicrobial Resistance of Animal Original Bacteria, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhenling Zeng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmaceutics Development and Safety Evaluation, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- National Laboratory of Safety Evaluation (Environmental Assessment) of Veterinary Drugs, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- National Risk Assessment Laboratory for Antimicrobial Resistance of Animal Original Bacteria, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
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Bailey J, Gallagher L, Manoil C. Genome-scale analysis of essential gene knockout mutants to identify an antibiotic target process. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2023; 67:e0110223. [PMID: 37966228 PMCID: PMC10720506 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01102-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Abstract
We describe a genome-scale approach to identify the essential biological process targeted by a new antibiotic. The procedure is based on the identification of essential genes whose inactivation sensitizes a Gram-negative bacterium (Acinetobacter baylyi) to a drug and employs recently developed transposon mutant screening and single-mutant validation procedures. The approach, based on measuring the rates of loss of newly generated knockout mutants in the presence of antibiotic, provides an alternative to traditional procedures for studying essential functions using conditional expression or activity alleles. As a proof of principle study, we evaluated whether mutations enhancing sensitivity to the β-lactam antibiotic meropenem corresponded to the known essential target process of the antibiotic (septal peptidoglycan synthesis). We found that indeed mutations inactivating most genes needed for peptidoglycan synthesis and cell division strongly sensitized cells to meropenem. Additional classes of sensitizing mutations in essential genes were also identified, including those that inactivated capsule synthesis, DNA replication, or envelope stress response regulation. The essential capsule synthesis mutants appeared to enhance meropenem sensitivity by depleting a precursor needed for both capsule and peptidoglycan synthesis. The replication mutants may sensitize cells by impairing division. Nonessential gene mutations sensitizing cells to meropenem were also identified in the screen and largely corresponded to functions subordinately associated with the essential target process, such as in peptidoglycan recycling. Overall, these results help validate a new approach to identify the essential process targeted by an antibiotic and define the larger functional network determining sensitivity to it.
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Affiliation(s)
- J. Bailey
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - L. Gallagher
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - C. Manoil
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
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Martínez JL, Baquero F. What are the missing pieces needed to stop antibiotic resistance? Microb Biotechnol 2023; 16:1900-1923. [PMID: 37417823 PMCID: PMC10527211 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.14310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Revised: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023] Open
Abstract
As recognized by several international agencies, antibiotic resistance is nowadays one of the most relevant problems for human health. While this problem was alleviated with the introduction of new antibiotics into the market in the golden age of antimicrobial discovery, nowadays few antibiotics are in the pipeline. Under these circumstances, a deep understanding on the mechanisms of emergence, evolution and transmission of antibiotic resistance, as well as on the consequences for the bacterial physiology of acquiring resistance is needed to implement novel strategies, beyond the development of new antibiotics or the restriction in the use of current ones, to more efficiently treat infections. There are still several aspects in the field of antibiotic resistance that are not fully understood. In the current article, we make a non-exhaustive critical review of some of them that we consider of special relevance, in the aim of presenting a snapshot of the studies that still need to be done to tackle antibiotic resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Fernando Baquero
- Ramón y Cajal Institute for Health Research (IRYCIS), Department of MicrobiologyRamón y Cajal University Hospital, CIBER en Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP)MadridSpain
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Hogan AM, Rahman ASMZ, Motnenko A, Natarajan A, Maydaniuk DT, León B, Batun Z, Palacios A, Bosch A, Cardona ST. Profiling cell envelope-antibiotic interactions reveals vulnerabilities to β-lactams in a multidrug-resistant bacterium. Nat Commun 2023; 14:4815. [PMID: 37558695 PMCID: PMC10412643 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-40494-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The cell envelope of Gram-negative bacteria belonging to the Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc) presents unique restrictions to antibiotic penetration. As a consequence, Bcc species are notorious for causing recalcitrant multidrug-resistant infections in immunocompromised individuals. Here, we present the results of a genome-wide screen for cell envelope-associated resistance and susceptibility determinants in a Burkholderia cenocepacia clinical isolate. For this purpose, we construct a high-density, randomly-barcoded transposon mutant library and expose it to 19 cell envelope-targeting antibiotics. By quantifying relative mutant fitness with BarSeq, followed by validation with CRISPR-interference, we profile over a hundred functional associations and identify mediators of antibiotic susceptibility in the Bcc cell envelope. We reveal connections between β-lactam susceptibility, peptidoglycan synthesis, and blockages in undecaprenyl phosphate metabolism. The synergy of the β-lactam/β-lactamase inhibitor combination ceftazidime/avibactam is primarily mediated by inhibition of the PenB carbapenemase. In comparison with ceftazidime, avibactam more strongly potentiates the activity of aztreonam and meropenem in a panel of Bcc clinical isolates. Finally, we characterize in Bcc the iron and receptor-dependent activity of the siderophore-cephalosporin antibiotic, cefiderocol. Our work has implications for antibiotic target prioritization, and for using additional combinations of β-lactam/β-lactamase inhibitors that can extend the utility of current antibacterial therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew M Hogan
- Department of Microbiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | | | - Anna Motnenko
- Department of Microbiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Aakash Natarajan
- Department of Microbiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Dustin T Maydaniuk
- Department of Microbiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Beltina León
- CINDEFI, CONICET-CCT La Plata, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Zayra Batun
- Department of Microbiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Armando Palacios
- Department of Microbiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Alejandra Bosch
- CINDEFI, CONICET-CCT La Plata, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Silvia T Cardona
- Department of Microbiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
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Sperandeo P, Martorana AM, Zaccaria M, Polissi A. Targeting the LPS export pathway for the development of novel therapeutics. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2023; 1870:119406. [PMID: 36473551 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2022.119406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Revised: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The rapid rise of multi-resistant bacteria is a global health threat. This is especially serious for Gram-negative bacteria in which the impermeable outer membrane (OM) acts as a shield against antibiotics. The development of new drugs with novel modes of actions to combat multi-drug resistant pathogens requires the selection of suitable processes to be targeted. The LPS export pathway is an excellent under exploited target for drug development. Indeed, LPS is the major determinant of the OM permeability barrier, and its biogenetic pathway is conserved in most Gram-negatives. Here we describe efforts to identify inhibitors of the multiprotein Lpt system that transports LPS to the cell surface. Despite none of these molecules has been approved for clinical use, they may represent valuable compounds for optimization. Finally, the recent discovery of a link between inhibition of LPS biogenesis and changes in peptidoglycan structure uncovers additional targets to develop novel therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Sperandeo
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Via Balzaretti 9, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Alessandra M Martorana
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Via Balzaretti 9, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Marta Zaccaria
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Via Balzaretti 9, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Alessandra Polissi
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Via Balzaretti 9, 20133 Milano, Italy.
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