Antifungal activity of Ag(I) and Zn(II) complexes of aminobenzolamide (5-sulfanilylamido-1,3,4-thiadiazole-2-sulfonamide) derivatives

Recent advances in antifungal drug development targeting lanosterol 14α-demethylase (CYP51): A comprehensive review with structural and molecular insights

Fungal infections are posing serious threat to healthcare system due to emerging resistance among available antifungal agents. Among available antifungal agents in clinical practice, azoles (diazole, 1,2,4-triazole and tetrazole) remained most effective and widely prescribed antifungal agents. Now their associated side effects and emerging resistance pattern raised a need of new and potent antifungal agents. Lanosterol 14α-demethylase (CYP51) is responsible for the oxidative removal of 14α-methyl group of sterol precursors lanosterol and 24(28)-methylene-24,25-dihydrolanosterol in ergosterol biosynthesis hence an essential component of fungal life cycle and prominent target for antifungal drug development. This review will shed light on various azole- as well as non-azoles-based derivatives as potential antifungal agents that target fungal CYP51. Review will provide deep insight about structure activity relationship, pharmacological outcomes, and interactions of derivatives with CYP51 at molecular level. It will help medicinal chemists working on antifungal development in designing more rational, potent, and safer antifungal agents by targeting fungal CYP51 for tackling emerging antifungal drug resistance.

A series of trinuclear zinc(ii) complexes with reduced Schiff base ligands: turn-off fluorescent chemosensors with high selectivity for nitroaromatics

A series of trinuclear zinc(ii) complexes have been synthesized and characterized by X-ray crystallography. The ability of the complexes to act as sensors for the detection of nitroaromatics in DMF has been assessed.

Silver nanoparticles: a microbial perspective

Silver nanoparticles (NPs) are used for a wide range of commercial reasons to restrict microbial growth. The increasing use of silver NPs in modern materials ensures they will find their way into environmental systems. The mode of action which makes them desirable as an antimicrobial tool could also pose a severe threat to the natural microbial balance existing in these systems. Research into the potential environmental threats of silver NPs has mainly focused on particular areas, such as their influence in rivers and estuaries or their effect on organisms such as earthworms and plants. There is a need to focus studies on all aspects of the microbial world and to highlight potential risks and methods of overcoming problems before significant damage is done. This review focuses on the antimicrobial uses, mechanisms of toxicity, and effects on the environment (mainly soil) of silver NPs, illustrating gaps in current knowledge.

Sol-gel encapsulation of binary Zn(II) compounds in silica nanoparticles. Structure-activity correlations in hybrid materials targeting Zn(II) antibacterial use

In the emerging issue of enhanced multi-resistant properties in infectious pathogens, new nanomaterials with optimally efficient antibacterial activity and lower toxicity than other species attract considerable research interest. In an effort to develop such efficient antibacterials, we a) synthesized acid-catalyzed silica-gel matrices, b) evaluated the suitability of these matrices as potential carrier materials for controlled release of ZnSO4 and a new Zn(II) binary complex with a suitably designed well-defined Schiff base, and c) investigated structural and textural properties of the nanomaterials. Physicochemical characterization of the (empty-loaded) silica-nanoparticles led to an optimized material configuration linked to the delivery of the encapsulated antibacterial zinc load. Entrapment and drug release studies showed the competence of hybrid nanoparticles with respect to the a) zinc loading capacity, b) congruence with zinc physicochemical attributes, and c) release profile of their zinc load. The material antimicrobial properties were demonstrated against Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus cereus) and negative (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Xanthomonas campestris) bacteria using modified agar diffusion methods. ZnSO4 showed less extensive antimicrobial behavior compared to Zn(II)-Schiff, implying that the Zn(II)-bound ligand enhances zinc antimicrobial properties. All zinc-loaded nanoparticles were less antimicrobially active than zinc compounds alone, as encapsulation controls their release, thereby attenuating their antimicrobial activity. To this end, as the amount of loaded zinc increases, the antimicrobial behavior of the nano-agent improves. Collectively, for the first time, sol-gel zinc-loaded silica-nanoparticles were shown to exhibit well-defined antimicrobial activity, justifying due attention to further development of antibacterial nanotechnology.

In silico prediction of antimalarial drug target candidates

The need for new antimalarials is persistent due to the emergence of drug resistant parasites. Here we aim to identify new drug targets in Plasmodium falciparum by phylogenomics among the Plasmodium spp. and comparative genomics to Homo sapiens. The proposed target discovery pipeline is largely independent of experimental data and based on the assumption that P. falciparum proteins are likely to be essential if (i) there are no similar proteins in the same proteome and (ii) they are highly conserved across the malaria parasites of mammals. This hypothesis was tested using sequenced Saccharomycetaceae species as a touchstone. Consecutive filters narrowed down the potential target space of P. falciparum to proteins that are likely to be essential, matchless in the human proteome, expressed in the blood stages of the parasite, and amenable to small molecule inhibition. The final set of 40 candidate drug targets was significantly enriched in essential proteins and comprised proven targets (e.g. dihydropteroate synthetase or enzymes of the non-mevalonate pathway), targets currently under investigation (e.g. calcium-dependent protein kinases), and new candidates of potential interest such as phosphomannose isomerase, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase, signaling components, and transporters. The targets were prioritized based on druggability indices and on the availability of in vitro assays. Potential inhibitors were inferred from similarity to known targets of other disease systems. The identified candidates from P. falciparum provide insight into biochemical peculiarities and vulnerable points of the malaria parasite and might serve as starting points for rational drug discovery.

Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors: Schiff's Bases of Aromatic and Heterocyclic Sulfonamides and their Metal Complexes

Schiff's bases were obtained from aromatic/heterocyclic sulfonamides and amino-sulfonamide derivatives, such as sulfanilamide, homosulfanilamide, 4-aminoethyl-benzenesulfonamide and 5-amino-1,3,4-thiadiazole-2-sulfonamide. Metal complexes of some of these Schiff's bases, incorporating Zn(II), Co(lI), Ni(II) and Cu(II) ions, were also prepared and tested as inhibitors of the zinc enzyme carbonic anhydrase (CA), and more specifically the red blood cell isozymes I and II. The Schiff's bases behaved as medium potency CA I and CA II inhibitors, whereas their metal complexes showed a highly enhanced potency, with several low nanomolar CA II inhibitors detected.

[2-(2,4-Dihydroxyphenyl)-1,3,4-thiadiazole analogues: antifungal activity in vitro against Candida species]

The antifungal activity in vitro of the newly synthesized and previously reported compounds of 5-substituted 2-(2,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-1,3,4-thiadiazole series was evaluated. Their structures were confirmed by elemental analyses and IR, 1H and 13C NMR and mass spectra. The azole-resistant clinical isolates of C. albicans and nonalbicans Candida spp. were used in the antifungal tests. Some compounds exhibit higher activities than the comparatively studied antifungal drugs. 2-Amino-1,3,4-thiadiazole derivatives exhibited higher (than other analogues) antifungal effects against Candida nonalbicans spp. than against C. alhicans. Derivatives with strong antifungal activity have a narrow range of lipophilicity values determined by the Villar approach.

Carbonic anhydrases: current state of the art, therapeutic applications and future prospects

Carbonic anhydrases (CAs, EC 4.2.1.1) are wide-spread enzymes, present in mammals in at least 14 different isoforms. Some of these isozymes are cytosolic (CA I, CA II, CA III, CA VII, CA XIII), others are membrane-bound (CA IV, CA IX, CA XII and CA XIV), CA V is mitochondrial and CA VI is secreted in the saliva and milk. Three cytosolic acatalytic forms are also known (CARP VIII, CARP X and CARP XI). The catalytically active isoforms, which play important physiological and patho-physiological functions, are strongly inhibited by aromatic and heterocyclic sulfonamides. The catalytic and inhibition mechanisms of these enzymes are understood in great detail, and this greatly helped the design of potent inhibitors, some of which possess important clinical applications. The use of such CA inhibitors (CAIs) as antiglaucoma drugs are discussed in detail, together with the recent developments that led to isozyme-specific and organ-selective inhibitors. A recent discovery is connected with the involvement of CAs and their sulfonamide inhibitors in cancer: many potent CAIs were shown to inhibit the growth of several tumor cell lines in vitro and in vivo, thus constituting interesting leads for developing novel antitumor therapies. Future prospects for drug design of inhibitors of these ubiquitous enzymes are dealt with. Although activation of CAs has been a controversial issue for some time, recent kinetic, spectroscopic and X-ray crystallographic experiments offered an explanation of this phenomenon, based on the catalytic mechanism. It has been demonstrated recently, that molecules that act as carbonic anhydrase activators (CAAs) bind at the entrance of the enzyme active site participating in facilitated proton transfer processes between the active site and the reaction medium. In addition to CA II-activator adducts, X-ray crystallographic studies have been also reported for ternary complexes of this isozyme with activators and anion (azide) inhibitors. Structure-activity correlations for diverse classes of activators is discussed for the isozymes for which the phenomenon has been studied, i.e., CA I, II, III and IV. The possible physiological relevance of CA activation/inhibition is also addressed, together with recent pharmacological/ biomedical applications of such compounds in different fields of life sciences.

Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors

At least 14 different carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1) isoforms were isolated in higher vertebrates, where these zinc enzymes play crucial physiological roles. Some of these isozymes are cytosolic (CA I, CA II, CA III, CA VII), others are membrane-bound (CA IV, CA IX, CA XII, and CA XIV), CA V is mitochondrial and CA VI is secreted in saliva. Three acatalytic forms are also known, which are denominated CA related proteins (CARP), CARP VIII, CARP X, and CARP XI. Several important physiological and physio-pathological functions are played by many CA isozymes, which are strongly inhibited by aromatic and heterocyclic sulfonamides as well as inorganic, metal complexing anions. The catalytic and inhibition mechanisms of these enzymes are understood in detail, and this helped the design of potent inhibitors, some of which possess important clinical applications. The use of such enzyme inhibitors as antiglaucoma drugs will be discussed in detail, together with the recent developments that led to isozyme-specific and organ-selective inhibitors. A recent discovery is connected with the involvement of CAs and their sulfonamide inhibitors in cancer: several potent sulfonamide inhibitors inhibited the growth of a multitude of tumor cells in vitro and in vivo, thus constituting interesting leads for developing novel antitumor therapies. Furthermore, some other classes of compounds that interact with CAs have recently been discovered, some of which possess modified sulfonamide or hydroxamate moieties. Some sulfonamides have also applications as diagnostic tools, in PET and MRI or as antiepileptics or for the treatment of other neurological disorders. Future prospects for drug design applications for inhibitors of these ubiquitous enzymes are also discussed.

Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors. Preparation of potent sulfonamides inhibitors incorporating bile acid tails

Reaction of TBDMS-protected bile acids (cholic, chenodeoxycholic, deoxycholic, lithocholic, ursodeoxycholic acids) or dehydrocholic acid with aromatic/heterocyclic sulfonamides possessing free amino/hydroxy moieties, in the presence of carbodiimides, afforded after deprotection of the OTBDMS ethers, a series of sulfonamides incorporating bile acid moieties in their molecules. Many such derivatives showed strong inhibitory properties against three isozymes of carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1), that is CA I, II and IV, zinc enzymes playing critical roles in many pathologies, and which represent interesting targets for developing diverse pharmacological agents. Some of the most active derivatives, incorporating 1,3,4-thiadiazole-2-sulfonamide or benzothiazole-2-sulfonamide functionalities in their molecules, showed low nanomolar affinity for CA II and CAIV. Furthermore, the bioavailability of these derivatives in rabbits is comparable to that of acetazolamide, being in the range of 85-90%, showing them as promising candidates for systemically acting CA inhibitors.

Evolution of functional diversity in the cupin superfamily

The cupin superfamily of proteins is among the most functionally diverse of any described to date. It was named on the basis of the conserved beta-barrel fold ('cupa' is the Latin term for a small barrel), and comprises both enzymatic and non-enzymatic members, which have either one or two cupin domains. Within the conserved tertiary structure, the variety of biochemical function is provided by minor variation of the residues in the active site and the identity of the bound metal ion. This review discusses the advantages of this particular scaffold and provides an evolutionary analysis of 18 different subclasses within the cupin superfamily.

Antimycobacterial activity of 3,4-dichlorophenyl-ureas, N,N-diphenyl-ureas and related derivatives

Substituted urea derivatives were prepared by reacting 3,4-dichlorophenyl isocyanate with amino acids, dipeptides, histamine or dicyandiamide among others, or from N,N-diphenyl-carbamoyl chloride and amino acids, dipeptides, or histamine. Other derivatives were obtained by reaction of PABA or PAS with arylsulfonyl halides. Some of the new compounds showed appreciable activity as antimycobacterial agents against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv, producing an inhibition of growth in the range of 80-89%, at a concentration of 6.25 microM. Some derivatives of this series might constitute interesting lead molecules for designing novel types of drugs effective against M. tuberculosis, a re-emerging pathogen both in the developed and under-developed countries.