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Vlad IM, Nuță DC, Căproiu MT, Dumitrașcu F, Kapronczai E, Mük GR, Avram S, Niculescu AG, Zarafu I, Ciorobescu VA, Brezeanu AM, Limban C. Synthesis and Characterization of New N-acyl Hydrazone Derivatives of Carprofen as Potential Tuberculostatic Agents. Antibiotics (Basel) 2024; 13:212. [PMID: 38534647 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics13030212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2024] [Revised: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
N-acyl hydrazone (NAH) is recognized as a promising framework in drug design due to its versatility, straightforward synthesis, and attractive range of biological activities, including antimicrobial, antitumoral, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory properties. In the global context of increasing resistance of pathogenic bacteria to antibiotics, NAHs represent potential solutions for developing improved treatment alternatives. Therefore, this research introduces six novel derivatives of (EZ)-N'-benzylidene-2-(6-chloro-9H-carbazol-2-yl)propanehydrazide, synthesized using a microwave-assisted method. In more detail, we joined two pharmacophore fragments in a single molecule, represented by an NSAID-type carprofen structure and a hydrazone-type structure, obtaining a new series of NSAID-N-acyl hydrazone derivatives that were further characterized spectrally using FT-IR, NMR, and HRMS investigations. Additionally, the substances were assessed for their tuberculostatic activity by examining their impact on four strains of M. tuberculosis, including two susceptible to rifampicin (RIF) and isoniazid (INH), one susceptible to RIF and resistant to INH, and one resistant to both RIF and INH. The results of our research highlight the potential of the prepared compounds in fighting against antibiotic-resistant M. tuberculosis strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilinca Margareta Vlad
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Traian Vuia no. 6, 020956 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Diana Camelia Nuță
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Traian Vuia no. 6, 020956 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Miron Theodor Căproiu
- "C. D. Nenitzescu" Institute of Organic and Supramolecular Chemistry, 202B Splaiul Independenței, 060023 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Florea Dumitrașcu
- "C. D. Nenitzescu" Institute of Organic and Supramolecular Chemistry, 202B Splaiul Independenței, 060023 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Eleonóra Kapronczai
- Department of Chemistry, Supramolecular Organic and Organometallic Chemistry Centre, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Babeş-Bolyai University, 11 Arany János, 400028 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Georgiana Ramona Mük
- Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, Splaiul Independenței 91-95, 050095 Bucharest, Romania
- "St. Stephen's" Pneumoftiziology Hospital, Șos. Ștefan cel Mare 11, 020122 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Speranta Avram
- Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, Splaiul Independenței 91-95, 050095 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Adelina Gabriela Niculescu
- Research Institute of the University of Bucharest, Sos. Panduri 90-92, 050095 Bucharest, Romania
- Department of Science and Engineering of Oxide Materials and Nanomaterials, National University of Science and Technology Politehnica Bucharest, 011061 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Irina Zarafu
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry and Catalysis, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Bucharest, 4-12 Regina Elisabeta, 030018 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Vanesa Alexandra Ciorobescu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Traian Vuia no. 6, 020956 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Ana Maria Brezeanu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Traian Vuia no. 6, 020956 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Carmen Limban
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Traian Vuia no. 6, 020956 Bucharest, Romania
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Bryan E, Ferrer-González E, Sagong HY, Fujita J, Mark L, Kaul M, LaVoie EJ, Matsumura H, Pilch DS. Structural and Antibacterial Characterization of a New Benzamide FtsZ Inhibitor with Superior Bactericidal Activity and In Vivo Efficacy Against Multidrug-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus. ACS Chem Biol 2023; 18:629-642. [PMID: 36854145 PMCID: PMC10274580 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.2c00934] [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: 03/02/2023]
Abstract
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial pathogen of acute clinical significance. Resistance to current standard-of-care antibiotics, such as vancomycin and linezolid, among nosocomial and community-acquired MRSA clinical isolates is on the rise. This threat to global public health highlights the need to develop new antibiotics for the treatment of MRSA infections. Here, we describe a new benzamide FtsZ inhibitor (TXH9179) with superior antistaphylococcal activity relative to earlier-generation benzamides like PC190723 and TXA707. TXH9179 was found to be 4-fold more potent than TXA707 against a library of 55 methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA) and MRSA clinical isolates, including MRSA isolates resistant to vancomycin and linezolid. TXH9179 was also associated with a lower frequency of resistance relative to TXA707 in all but one of the MSSA and MRSA isolates examined, with the observed resistance being due to mutations in the ftsZ gene. TXH9179 induced changes in MRSA cell morphology, cell division, and FtsZ localization are fully consistent with its actions as a FtsZ inhibitor. Crystallographic studies demonstrate the direct interaction of TXH9179 with S. aureus FtsZ (SaFtsZ), while delineating the key molecular contacts that drive complex formation. TXH9179 was not associated with any mammalian cytotoxicity, even at a concentration 10-fold greater than that producing antistaphylococcal activity. In serum, the carboxamide prodrug of TXH9179 (TXH1033) is rapidly hydrolyzed to TXH9179 by serum acetylcholinesterases. Significantly, both intravenously and orally administered TXH1033 exhibited enhanced in vivo efficacy relative to the carboxamide prodrug of TXA707 (TXA709) in treating a mouse model of systemic (peritonitis) MRSA infection. Viewed as a whole, our results highlight TXH9179 as a promising new benzamide FtsZ inhibitor worthy of further development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Bryan
- Department of Pharmacology, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, 675 Hoes Lane, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, United States
| | - Edgar Ferrer-González
- Department of Pharmacology, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, 675 Hoes Lane, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, United States
| | - Hye Yeon Sagong
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers University, 160 Frelinghuysen Road, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, United States
- TAXIS Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 9 Deer Park Drive, Suite J-15, Monmouth Junction, New Jersey 08852, United States
| | - Junso Fujita
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, 2-1 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Lilly Mark
- TAXIS Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 9 Deer Park Drive, Suite J-15, Monmouth Junction, New Jersey 08852, United States
| | - Malvika Kaul
- Department of Pharmacology, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, 675 Hoes Lane, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, United States
| | - Edmond J LaVoie
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers University, 160 Frelinghuysen Road, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, United States
| | - Hiroyoshi Matsumura
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Ritsumeikan University, 1-1-1 Noji-higashi, Shiga 525-8577, Japan
| | - Daniel S Pilch
- Department of Pharmacology, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, 675 Hoes Lane, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, United States
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3
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Lu B, Qiao Q, Park ER, Wang Y, Gilleran JA, Pan M, Pilch DS, Wu X, Roberge JY, Fan H. Acylpyrazoline-Based Third-Generation Selective Antichlamydial Compounds with Enhanced Potency. ACS OMEGA 2023; 8:6597-6607. [PMID: 36844602 PMCID: PMC9947980 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.2c06992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Chlamydiae are obligate intracellular Gram-negative bacteria and widespread pathogens in humans and animals. Broad-spectrum antibiotics are currently used to treat chlamydial infections. However, broad-spectrum drugs also kill beneficial bacteria. Recently, two generations of benzal acylhydrazones have been shown to selectively inhibit chlamydiae without toxicity to human cells and lactobacilli, which are dominating, beneficial bacteria in the vagina of reproductive-age women. Here, we report the identification of two acylpyrazoline-based third-generation selective antichlamydials (SACs). With minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and minimal bactericidal concentrations (MBC) of 10-25 μM against Chlamydia trachomatis and Chlamydia muridarum, these new antichlamydials are 2- to 5-fold more potent over the benzal acylhydrazone-based second-generation selective antichlamydial lead SF3. Both acylpyrazoline-based SACs are well tolerated by Lactobacillus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella, and Salmonella as well as host cells. These third-generation selective antichlamydials merit further evaluation for therapeutic application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Lu
- Department
of Parasitology, Central South University
Xiangya Medical School, Changsha, Hunan 410013, China
- Department
of Pharmacology, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, United States
| | - Qi Qiao
- Molecular
Design and Synthesis Core, RUBRIC, Office for Research, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, United States
| | - Elizabeth R. Park
- Molecular
Design and Synthesis Core, RUBRIC, Office for Research, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, United States
- Department
of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Rutgers,
The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, United States
| | - Yuxuan Wang
- Department
of Pharmacology, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, United States
| | - John A. Gilleran
- Molecular
Design and Synthesis Core, RUBRIC, Office for Research, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, United States
| | - Matthew Pan
- Department
of Pharmacology, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, United States
| | - Daniel S. Pilch
- Department
of Pharmacology, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, United States
| | - Xiang Wu
- Department
of Parasitology, Central South University
Xiangya Medical School, Changsha, Hunan 410013, China
| | - Jacques Y. Roberge
- Molecular
Design and Synthesis Core, RUBRIC, Office for Research, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, United States
| | - Huizhou Fan
- Department
of Pharmacology, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, United States
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4
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Han Y, Liu Z, Chen T. Role of Vaginal Microbiota Dysbiosis in Gynecological Diseases and the Potential Interventions. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:643422. [PMID: 34220737 PMCID: PMC8249587 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.643422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Vaginal microbiota dysbiosis, characterized by the loss of Lactobacillus dominance and increase of microbial diversity, is closely related to gynecological diseases; thus, intervention on microbiota composition is significant and promising in the treatment of gynecological diseases. Currently, antibiotics and/or probiotics are the mainstay of treatment, which show favorable therapeutic effects but also bring problems such as drug resistance and high recurrence. In this review, we discuss the role of vaginal microbiota dysbiosis in various gynecological infectious and non-infectious diseases, as well as the current and potential interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiwen Han
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China.,Queen Mary School, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Zhaoxia Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Tingtao Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China.,National Engineering Research Center for Bioengineering Drugs and the Technologies, Institute of Translational Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
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5
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Wurihan W, Weber AM, Gong Z, Lou Z, Sun S, Zhou J, Fan H. GrgA overexpression inhibits Chlamydia trachomatis growth through sigma 66- and sigma 28-dependent mechanisms. Microb Pathog 2021; 156:104917. [PMID: 33940135 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2021.104917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2021] [Revised: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 04/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
The obligate intracellular bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis is an important human pathogen with a biphasic developmental cycle comprised of an infectious elementary body (EB) and a replicative reticulate body (RB). Whereas σ66, the primary sigma factor, is necessary for transcription of most chlamydial genes throughout the developmental cycle, σ28 is required for expression of some late genes. We previously showed that the Chlamydia-specific transcription factor GrgA physically interacts with both of these sigma factors and activates transcription from σ66- and σ28-dependent promoters in vitro. Here, we investigated the organismal functions of GrgA. We show that overexpression of GrgA slows EB-to-RB conversion, decreases RB proliferation, and reduces progeny EB production. In contrast, overexpression of a GrgA variant without the σ28-binding domain shows significantly less severe inhibitory effects, while overexpression of a variant without the σ66-binding domain demonstrates no adverse effects. These findings indicate that GrgA plays important roles in the expression regulation of both σ66-dependent genes and σ28-dependent genes during the chlamydial developmental cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wurihan Wurihan
- Department of Pharmacology, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, 08854, USA
| | - Alec M Weber
- Department of Pharmacology, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, 08854, USA
| | - Zheng Gong
- Department of Pharmacology, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, 08854, USA
| | - Zhongzi Lou
- Department of Pharmacology, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, 08854, USA; Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, 730046, China
| | - Samantha Sun
- Department of Pharmacology, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, 08854, USA
| | - Jizhang Zhou
- Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, 730046, China
| | - Huizhou Fan
- Department of Pharmacology, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, 08854, USA.
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Alves MSD, das Neves RN, Sena-Lopes Â, Domingues M, Casaril AM, Segatto NV, Nogueira TCM, de Souza MVN, Savegnago L, Seixas FK, Collares T, Borsuk S. Antiparasitic activity of furanyl N-acylhydrazone derivatives against Trichomonas vaginalis: in vitro and in silico analyses. Parasit Vectors 2020; 13:59. [PMID: 32046788 PMCID: PMC7014680 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-3923-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2019] [Accepted: 02/01/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Trichomonas vaginalis is the causative agent of trichomoniasis, which is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases worldwide. Trichomoniasis has a high incidence and prevalence and is associated with serious complications such as HIV transmission and acquisition, pelvic inflammatory disease and preterm birth. Although trichomoniasis is treated with oral metronidazole (MTZ), the number of strains resistant to this drug is increasing (2.5–9.6%), leading to treatment failure. Therefore, there is an urgent need to find alternative drugs to combat this disease. Methods Herein, we report the in vitro and in silico analysis of 12 furanyl N-acylhydrazone derivatives (PFUR 4, a-k) against Trichomonas vaginalis. Trichomonas vaginalis ATCC 30236 isolate was treated with seven concentrations of these compounds to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50). In addition, compounds that displayed anti-T. vaginalis activity were analyzed using thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) assay and molecular docking. Cytotoxicity analysis was also performed in CHO-K1 cells. Results The compounds PFUR 4a and 4b, at 6.25 µM, induced complete parasite death after 24 h of exposure with IC50 of 1.69 µM and 1.98 µM, respectively. The results showed that lipid peroxidation is not involved in parasite death. Molecular docking studies predicted strong interactions of PFUR 4a and 4b with T. vaginalis enzymes, purine nucleoside phosphorylase, and lactate dehydrogenase, while only PFUR 4b interacted in silico with thioredoxin reductase and methionine gamma-lyase. PFUR 4a and 4b led to a growth inhibition (< 20%) in CHO-K1 cells that was comparable to the drug of choice, with a promising selectivity index (> 7.4). Conclusions Our results showed that PFUR 4a and 4b are promising molecules that can be used for the development of new trichomonacidal agents for T. vaginalis.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirna Samara Dié Alves
- Laboratório de Biotecnologia Infecto-parasitária, Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Biotecnologia, UFPel, Pelotas, RS, 96010-900, Brazil
| | - Raquel Nascimento das Neves
- Laboratório de Biotecnologia Infecto-parasitária, Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Biotecnologia, UFPel, Pelotas, RS, 96010-900, Brazil
| | - Ângela Sena-Lopes
- Laboratório de Biotecnologia Infecto-parasitária, Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Biotecnologia, UFPel, Pelotas, RS, 96010-900, Brazil
| | - Micaela Domingues
- Laboratório de Neurobiotecnologia, Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Biotecnologia, UFPel, Pelotas, RS, 96010-900, Brazil
| | - Angela Maria Casaril
- Laboratório de Neurobiotecnologia, Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Biotecnologia, UFPel, Pelotas, RS, 96010-900, Brazil
| | - Natália Vieira Segatto
- Laboratório de Biotecnologia do Câncer, Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Biotecnologia, UFPel, Pelotas, RS, 96010-900, Brazil
| | | | - Marcus Vinicius Nora de Souza
- Instituto de Tecnologia em Fármacos-Far-Manguinhos, Fiocruz-Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21041-250, Brazil.,Programa de Pós-Graduação em Química, Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Cidade Universitária, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21945-970, Brazil
| | - Lucielli Savegnago
- Laboratório de Neurobiotecnologia, Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Biotecnologia, UFPel, Pelotas, RS, 96010-900, Brazil
| | - Fabiana Kömmling Seixas
- Laboratório de Biotecnologia do Câncer, Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Biotecnologia, UFPel, Pelotas, RS, 96010-900, Brazil
| | - Tiago Collares
- Laboratório de Biotecnologia do Câncer, Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Biotecnologia, UFPel, Pelotas, RS, 96010-900, Brazil
| | - Sibele Borsuk
- Laboratório de Biotecnologia Infecto-parasitária, Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Biotecnologia, UFPel, Pelotas, RS, 96010-900, Brazil.
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7
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Desai M, Zhang H, Fan H. Optimal cultivation of Chlamydia requires testing of serum on individual species. BMC Res Notes 2020; 13:28. [PMID: 31931876 PMCID: PMC6958709 DOI: 10.1186/s13104-020-4893-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2019] [Accepted: 01/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This report is a side product of experiments aimed at identifying serum for culturing obligate intracellular bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis and C. muridarum in mouse fibroblast L929 cells. RESULTS Of five commercial serum samples tested, two showed optimal efficiencies at supporting growth of the human pathogen Chlamydia trachomatis as control fetal bovine serum, whereas two showed modest ~ 40% inhibitions in progeny production, and the remaining one showed a 20% inhibition. Three of the six sera poorly supported growth of the murine pathogen Chlamydia muridarum, resulting in 73-90% reduction in progeny formation. Most significantly, the one with the strongest (90%) C. muridarum inhibition activity showed optimal C. trachomatis-supporting efficiency. These findings indicate that in laboratories that study multiple Chlamydia species, serum samples should be prescreened on a species basis. Considering Chlamydial biology and epidemiology, it may even be necessary to perform serum tests on a serovar- or strain-basis for studying some animal chlamydiae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malhar Desai
- Department of Pharmacology, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ USA
- Graduate Program in Physiology and Integrative Biology, School of Graduate Studies, Piscataway, NJ USA
| | - Huirong Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ USA
| | - Huizhou Fan
- Department of Pharmacology, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ USA
- Graduate Program in Physiology and Integrative Biology, School of Graduate Studies, Piscataway, NJ USA
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8
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Wurihan W, Huang Y, Weber AM, Wu X, Fan H. Nonspecific toxicities of Streptococcus pyogenes and Staphylococcus aureus dCas9 in Chlamydia trachomatis. Pathog Dis 2019; 77:ftaa005. [PMID: 32011704 PMCID: PMC7040368 DOI: 10.1093/femspd/ftaa005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2019] [Accepted: 01/31/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Chlamydiae are common, important pathogens for humans and animals alike. Despite recent advancement in genetics, scientists are still searching for efficient tools to knock out or knock down the expression of chromosomal genes. We attempted to adopt a dCas9-based CRISPR interference (CRISPRi) technology to conditionally knock down gene expression in Chlamydia trachomatis using an anhydrotetracycline (ATC)-inducible expression system. Surprisingly, expression of the commonly used Streptococcus pyogenes dCas9 in C. trachomatis causes strong inhibition in the absence of any guide RNA (gRNA). Staphylococcus aureus dCas9 also shows strong toxicity in the presence of only an empty gRNA scaffold. Toxicity of the S. pyogenes dCas9 is readily observed with as little as 0.2 nM ATC. Growth inhibition by S. aureus dCas9 is evident starting at 1.0 nM ATC. In contrast, C. trachomatis growth was not affected by methionine-tRNA ligase overexpression induced with 10 nM ATC. We conclude that S. pyogenes and S. aureus dCas9 proteins in their current forms have limited utility for chlamydial research and suggest strategies to overcome this problem.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wurihan Wurihan
- Department of Pharmacology, Rutgers University Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, 675 Hoes Lane West, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, USA
| | - Yehong Huang
- Department of Pharmacology, Rutgers University Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, 675 Hoes Lane West, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, USA
- Department of Parasitology, Central South University Xiangya Medical School, 110 Xiangya Road, Changsha, Hunan 410013, China
| | - Alec M Weber
- Department of Pharmacology, Rutgers University Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, 675 Hoes Lane West, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, USA
| | - Xiang Wu
- Department of Parasitology, Central South University Xiangya Medical School, 110 Xiangya Road, Changsha, Hunan 410013, China
| | - Huizhou Fan
- Department of Pharmacology, Rutgers University Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, 675 Hoes Lane West, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, USA
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9
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Zhang H, Vellappan S, Tang MM, Bao X, Fan H. GrgA as a potential target of selective antichlamydials. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0212874. [PMID: 30822328 PMCID: PMC6396966 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0212874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2018] [Accepted: 02/11/2019] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia is a common pathogen that can causes serious complications in the reproductive system and eyes. Lack of vaccine and other effective prophylactic measures coupled with the largely asymptomatic nature and unrare clinical treatment failure calls for development of new antichlamydials, particularly selective antichlamydials without adverse effects on humans and the beneficial microbiota. We previously reported that benzal-N-acylhydrazones (BAH) can inhibit chlamydiae without detectable adverse effects on host cells and beneficial lactobacilli that dominate the human vaginal microbiota among reproductive-age women. However, the antichlamydial mechanism of BAH is not known. Whereas 4 single nucleotide polymorphisms (i.e., SNP1-4) were identified in a rare Chlamydia variant with a low level of BAH resistance, termed MCR, previous studies failed to establish a causal effect of any particular SNP(s). In the present work, we performed recombination to segregate the four SNPs. Susceptibility tests indicate that the R51G GrgA allele is both necessary and sufficient for the low level of BAH resistance. Thus, the Chlamydia-specific transcription factor GrgA either is a direct target of BAH or regulates BAH susceptibility. We further confirm an extremely low rate of BAH resistance in Chlamydia. Our findings warrant exploration of GrgA as a therapeutic and prophylactic target for chlamydial infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huirong Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey, United States of America
| | - Sangeevan Vellappan
- Department of Pharmacology, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey, United States of America
- The George H. Cook Undergraduate Honors Scholars Program, School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, United States of America
| | - M. Matt Tang
- Department of Pharmacology, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey, United States of America
- Graduate Program in Physiology and Integrative Biology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, United States of America
| | - Xiaofeng Bao
- Department of Pharmacology, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey, United States of America
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Huizhou Fan
- Department of Pharmacology, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey, United States of America
- Graduate Program in Physiology and Integrative Biology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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N-Acylhydrazones as drugs. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2018; 28:2797-2806. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2018.07.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2018] [Revised: 07/05/2018] [Accepted: 07/08/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
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Li JL, Yang N, Huang L, Chen D, Zhao Y, Tang MM, Fan H, Bao X. Pyocyanin Inhibits Chlamydia Infection by Disabling Infectivity of the Elementary Body and Disrupting Intracellular Growth. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2018; 62:e02260-17. [PMID: 29610203 PMCID: PMC5971585 DOI: 10.1128/aac.02260-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2017] [Accepted: 03/19/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The obligate intracellular bacterium Chlamydia is a widespread human pathogen that causes serious problems, including (but not limited to) infertility and blindness. Our search for novel antichlamydial metabolites from marine-derived microorganisms led to the isolation of pyocyanin, a small compound from Pseudomonas aeruginosa Pyocyanin is an effective antichlamydial for all three Chlamydia spp. tested. It has a 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 0.019 to 0.028 μM, which is comparable to the IC50 of tetracycline. At concentrations as low as 0.0039 μM, pyocyanin disables infectivity of the chlamydial elementary body (EB). At 0.5 μM or higher concentrations, the continuous presence of pyocyanin also inhibits chlamydial growth in the inclusion during later stages of the developmental cycle. Oxidative stress, a major known antimicrobial mechanism of pyocyanin, appears to be responsible only for the inhibition of bacterial growth and not for the disinfection of EBs. Pyocyanin is well-tolerated by probiotic vaginal Lactobacillus spp. Our findings suggest that pyocyanin is of therapeutic value for chlamydial infections and can serve as a valuable chemical probe for studying chlamydial biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Lin Li
- School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Ningjing Yang
- School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Lei Huang
- School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, Nantong, China
- Department of Pharmacy, The First People's Hospital of Yanchen, Yanchen, China
| | - Dandan Chen
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second People's Hospital of Nantong, Nantong, China
| | - Yu Zhao
- School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - M Matt Tang
- Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA
| | - Huizhou Fan
- Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA
| | - Xiaofeng Bao
- School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, Nantong, China
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