1
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Zhen B, Geng C, Yang Y, Liang H, Jiang Y, Li X, Ye G. Systematic alanine and stapling mutational analysis of antimicrobial peptide Chem-KVL. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2024; 107:129794. [PMID: 38735344 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2024.129794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2024] [Revised: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024]
Abstract
Chem-KVL is a tandem repeating peptide, with 14 amino acids that was modified based on a short peptide from a fragment of the human host defense protein chemerin. Chem-KVL increases cationicity and hydrophobicity and shows broad-spectrum antibacterial activity. To determine the molecular determinants of Chem-KVL and whether staple-modified Chem-KVL would improve antibacterial activity and protease stability or decrease cytotoxicity, we combined alanine and stapling scanning, and designed a series of alanine and staple-derived Chem-KVL peptides, termed Chem-A1 to Chem-A14 and SCL-1 to SCL-7. We next examined their antibacterial activity against several gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, their proteolytic stability, and their cytotoxicity. Ala scanning of Chem-KVL suggested that both the positively charged residues (Lys and Arg) and the hydrophobic residues (Lue and Val) were critical for the antibacterial activities of Chem-KVL peptide. Of note, Chem-A4 was able to remarkably inhibit the growth of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria when compared to the original peptide. And the antibacterial activities of stapled SCL-4 and SCL-7 were several times higher than those of the linear peptide against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Stapling modification of peptides resulted in increased helicity and protein stability when compared with the linear peptide. These stapled peptides, especially SCL-4 and SCL-7, may serve as the leading compounds for further optimization and antimicrobial therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Borui Zhen
- School of Pharmacy, Dali University, Dali 671000, China; School of Pharmacy, Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Chenchen Geng
- School of Pharmacy, Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Yi Yang
- School of Pharmacy, Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Haiyan Liang
- School of Pharmacy, Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | | | - Xiang Li
- School of Pharmacy, Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China.
| | - Guangming Ye
- Wuxi Branch of Ruijin Hospital Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Wuxi 214000, China.
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2
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Habjan E, Lepioshkin A, Charitou V, Egorova A, Kazakova E, Ho VQT, Bitter W, Makarov V, Speer A. Modulating mycobacterial envelope integrity for antibiotic synergy with benzothiazoles. Life Sci Alliance 2024; 7:e202302509. [PMID: 38744470 PMCID: PMC11094368 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202302509] [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: 12/04/2023] [Revised: 04/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Developing effective tuberculosis drugs is hindered by mycobacteria's intrinsic antibiotic resistance because of their impermeable cell envelope. Using benzothiazole compounds, we aimed to increase mycobacterial cell envelope permeability and weaken the defenses of Mycobacterium marinum, serving as a model for Mycobacterium tuberculosis Initial hit, BT-08, significantly boosted ethidium bromide uptake, indicating enhanced membrane permeability. It also demonstrated efficacy in the M. marinum-zebrafish embryo infection model and M. tuberculosis-infected macrophages. Notably, BT-08 synergized with established antibiotics, including vancomycin and rifampicin. Subsequent medicinal chemistry optimization led to BT-37, a non-toxic and more potent derivative, also enhancing ethidium bromide uptake and maintaining synergy with rifampicin in infected zebrafish embryos. Mutants of M. marinum resistant to BT-37 revealed that MMAR_0407 (Rv0164) is the molecular target and that this target plays a role in the observed synergy and permeability. This study introduces novel compounds targeting a new mycobacterial vulnerability and highlights their cooperative and synergistic interactions with existing antibiotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Habjan
- https://ror.org/00q6h8f30 Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, Amsterdam UMC, Location VU Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Alexander Lepioshkin
- Federal Research Centre "Fundamentals of Biotechnology" of the Russian Academy of Sciences (Research Centre of Biotechnology RAS), Moscow, Russia
| | - Vicky Charitou
- https://ror.org/00q6h8f30 Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, Amsterdam UMC, Location VU Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Anna Egorova
- Federal Research Centre "Fundamentals of Biotechnology" of the Russian Academy of Sciences (Research Centre of Biotechnology RAS), Moscow, Russia
| | - Elena Kazakova
- Federal Research Centre "Fundamentals of Biotechnology" of the Russian Academy of Sciences (Research Centre of Biotechnology RAS), Moscow, Russia
| | - Vien QT Ho
- https://ror.org/00q6h8f30 Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, Amsterdam UMC, Location VU Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Wilbert Bitter
- https://ror.org/00q6h8f30 Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, Amsterdam UMC, Location VU Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Vadim Makarov
- Federal Research Centre "Fundamentals of Biotechnology" of the Russian Academy of Sciences (Research Centre of Biotechnology RAS), Moscow, Russia
| | - Alexander Speer
- https://ror.org/00q6h8f30 Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, Amsterdam UMC, Location VU Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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3
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Habjan E, Schouten GK, Speer A, van Ulsen P, Bitter W. Diving into drug-screening: zebrafish embryos as an in vivo platform for antimicrobial drug discovery and assessment. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2024; 48:fuae011. [PMID: 38684467 PMCID: PMC11078164 DOI: 10.1093/femsre/fuae011] [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: 11/01/2023] [Revised: 02/24/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
The rise of multidrug-resistant bacteria underlines the need for innovative treatments, yet the introduction of new drugs has stagnated despite numerous antimicrobial discoveries. A major hurdle is a poor correlation between promising in vitro data and in vivo efficacy in animal models, which is essential for clinical development. Early in vivo testing is hindered by the expense and complexity of existing animal models. Therefore, there is a pressing need for cost-effective, rapid preclinical models with high translational value. To overcome these challenges, zebrafish embryos have emerged as an attractive model for infectious disease studies, offering advantages such as ethical alignment, rapid development, ease of maintenance, and genetic manipulability. The zebrafish embryo infection model, involving microinjection or immersion of pathogens and potential antibiotic hit compounds, provides a promising solution for early-stage drug screening. It offers a cost-effective and rapid means of assessing the efficacy, toxicity and mechanism of action of compounds in a whole-organism context. This review discusses the experimental design of this model, but also its benefits and challenges. Additionally, it highlights recently identified compounds in the zebrafish embryo infection model and discusses the relevance of the model in predicting the compound's clinical potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Habjan
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Control, Amsterdam UMC, Location VU Medical Center,De Boelelaan 1108, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Gina K Schouten
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Control, Amsterdam UMC, Location VU Medical Center,De Boelelaan 1108, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Alexander Speer
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Control, Amsterdam UMC, Location VU Medical Center,De Boelelaan 1108, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Peter van Ulsen
- Section Molecular Microbiology of A-LIFE, Vrije Universiteit, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Wilbert Bitter
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Control, Amsterdam UMC, Location VU Medical Center,De Boelelaan 1108, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Section Molecular Microbiology of A-LIFE, Vrije Universiteit, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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4
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Zhang Y, Zheng M, Wang Z, Liu Z, Chen S, Li X, Shi Y, Hu H. Discovery of novel antibacterial agent for the infected wound treatment: all-hydrocarbon stapling optimization of LL-37. Theranostics 2024; 14:1181-1194. [PMID: 38323312 PMCID: PMC10845205 DOI: 10.7150/thno.87916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Rationale: Antimicrobial peptide LL-37 has been recognized as a favorable alternative to antibiotics due to its broad antibacterial spectrum, low resistance development and diverse biological activities. However, its high manufactory cost, poor proteolytic stability, and unpredictable cytotoxicity seriously hindered its medical translation. Methods: To push the frontiers of its clinical application, all-hydrocarbon stapling strategy was exploited here for the structural modification of KR-12, the core and minimal fragment of LL-37. Results: Based on a library of KR-12 derivatives that designed and synthesized to be stapled at positions of either i, i+4 or i, i+7, structure to activity relationship was investigated. Among them, KR-12(Q5, D9) with the glutamine and aspartic acid residues stapled displayed increased helical content and positive charge. The reinforced α-helical conformation not only protected it from proteolytic hydrolysis but also improved its antibacterial efficacy via effective membrane perturbation and anti-inflammatory efficacy via compact LPS binding. Besides, the increased positive charge endowed it with an enhanced therapeutic index. On infected wound mouse model, it was demonstrated to eliminate bacteria and promote wound closure and regeneration effectively. Conclusion: Overall, the all-hydrocarbon stapling was proven to lay the foundation for the future development of antibacterial agents. KR-12(Q5, D9) could serve as a lead compound for the clinical treatment of bacterial infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanan Zhang
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
- School of Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Mengjun Zheng
- School of Pharmacy, Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Zhe Wang
- Institute of Bioengineering, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
| | - Zhinan Liu
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
- School of Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Sumeng Chen
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
- School of Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Xiang Li
- School of Pharmacy, Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Yejiao Shi
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Honggang Hu
- School of Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
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5
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Worm D, Grabe GJ, de Castro GV, Rabinovich S, Warm I, Isherwood K, Helaine S, Barnard A. Stapled Phd Peptides Inhibit Doc Toxin Induced Growth Arrest in Salmonella. ACS Chem Biol 2023; 18:2485-2494. [PMID: 38098459 PMCID: PMC10728895 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.3c00411] [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: 07/17/2023] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
Bacterial toxin inhibition is a promising approach to overcoming antibiotic failure. InSalmonella, knockout of the toxin Doc has been shown to significantly reduce the formation of antibiotic-tolerant persisters. Doc is a kinase that is inhibited in nontolerant cells by its cognate antitoxin, Phd. In this work, we have developed first-in-class stapled peptide antitoxin mimetics based on the Doc inhibitory sequence of Phd. After making a series of substitutions to improve bacterial uptake, we identified a lead stapled Phd peptide that is able to counteract Doc toxicity in Salmonella. This provides an exciting starting point for the further development of therapeutic peptides capable of reducing antibiotic persistence in pathogenic bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dennis
J. Worm
- Department
of Chemistry, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London, 82 Wood Lane, London W12
0BZ, U.K.
| | - Grzegorz J. Grabe
- Department
of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, 4 Blackfan Circle, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Guilherme V. de Castro
- Department
of Chemistry, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London, 82 Wood Lane, London W12
0BZ, U.K.
| | - Sofya Rabinovich
- Department
of Chemistry, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London, 82 Wood Lane, London W12
0BZ, U.K.
| | - Ian Warm
- Department
of Chemistry, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London, 82 Wood Lane, London W12
0BZ, U.K.
| | - Kira Isherwood
- Department
of Chemistry, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London, 82 Wood Lane, London W12
0BZ, U.K.
| | - Sophie Helaine
- Department
of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, 4 Blackfan Circle, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Anna Barnard
- Department
of Chemistry, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London, 82 Wood Lane, London W12
0BZ, U.K.
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6
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Bao X, Goeteyn E, Crabbé A, Coenye T. Effect of malate on the activity of ciprofloxacin against Pseudomonas aeruginosa in different in vivo and in vivo-like infection models. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2023; 67:e0068223. [PMID: 37819115 PMCID: PMC10649037 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00682-23] [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: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The clinical significance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections and the tolerance of this opportunistic pathogen to antibiotic therapy makes the development of novel antimicrobial strategies an urgent need. We previously found that D,L-malic acid potentiates the activity of ciprofloxacin against P. aeruginosa biofilms grown in a synthetic cystic fibrosis sputum medium by increasing metabolic activity and tricarboxylic acid cycle activity. This suggested a potential new strategy to improve antibiotic therapy in P. aeruginosa infections. Considering the importance of the microenvironment on microbial antibiotic susceptibility, the present study aims to further investigate the effect of D,L-malate on ciprofloxacin activity against P. aeruginosa in physiologically relevant infection models, aiming to mimic the infection environment more closely. We used Caenorhabditis elegans nematodes, Galleria mellonella larvae, and a 3-D lung epithelial cell model to assess the effect of D,L-malate on ciprofloxacin activity against P. aeruginosa. D,L-malate was able to significantly enhance ciprofloxacin activity against P. aeruginosa in both G. mellonella larvae and the 3-D lung epithelial cell model. In addition, ciprofloxacin combined with D,L-malate significantly improved the survival of infected 3-D cells compared to ciprofloxacin alone. No significant effect of D,L-malate on ciprofloxacin activity against P. aeruginosa in C. elegans nematodes was observed. Overall, these data indicate that the outcome of the experiment is influenced by the model system used which emphasizes the importance of using models that reflect the in vivo environment as closely as possible. Nevertheless, this study confirms the potential of D,L-malate to enhance ciprofloxacin activity against P. aeruginosa-associated infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuerui Bao
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Ellen Goeteyn
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Aurélie Crabbé
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Tom Coenye
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
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7
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Botelho Sampaio de Oliveira K, Lopes Leite M, Albuquerque Cunha V, Brito da Cunha N, Luiz Franco O. Challenges and advances in antimicrobial peptide development. Drug Discov Today 2023; 28:103629. [PMID: 37230283 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2023.103629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Revised: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Microbial resistance is a major concern for public health worldwide, mainly because of the inappropriate use of antimicrobials. In this scenario, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have emerged as a potential therapeutic alternative means by which to control infectious diseases, because of their broad spectrum of action. However, some challenges can make their clinical application problematic, including metabolic instability and toxicity. Here, we provide a clear description of AMPs as promising molecules for the development of unusual antimicrobial drugs. We also describe current strategies used to overcome the main difficulties related to AMP clinical application, including different peptide designs and nanoformulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamila Botelho Sampaio de Oliveira
- Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Pós-graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Michel Lopes Leite
- Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Pós-graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil; Departamento de Biologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade de Brasília, Campus Darcy Ribeiro, Bloco K, 70.790-900, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Victor Albuquerque Cunha
- Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Pós-graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Nicolau Brito da Cunha
- Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Pós-graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil; Universidade de Brasília, Faculdade de Agronomia e Medicina Veterinária, Campus Darcy Ribeiro, Brasilia, Brazil.
| | - Octávio Luiz Franco
- Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Pós-graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil; Pós-graduação em Patologia Molecular, Universidade de Brasília, Campus Darcy Ribeiro, Brasília, Brazil; S-Inova Biotech, Pós-graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil.
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8
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Stillger K, Neundorf I. Cell-permeable peptide-based delivery vehicles useful for subcellular targeting and beyond. Cell Signal 2023:110796. [PMID: 37423344 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2023.110796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2023] [Revised: 07/01/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
Personal medicine aims to provide tailor-made diagnostics and treatments and has been emerged as a promising but challenging strategy during the last years. This includes the active delivery and localization of a therapeutic compound to a targeted site of action within a cell. An example being targeting the interference of a distinct protein-protein interaction (PPI) within the cell nucleus, mitochondria or other subcellular location. Therefore, not only the cell membrane has to be overcome but also the final intracellular destination has to be reached. One approach which fulfills both requirements is to use short peptide sequences that are able to translocate into cells as targeting and delivery vehicles. In fact, recent progress in this field demonstrates how these tools can modulate the pharmacological parameters of a drug without compromising its biological activity. Beside classical targets that are addressed by various small molecule drugs such as receptors, enzymes, or ion channels, PPIs have received increasing attention as potential therapeutic targets. Within this review, we will provide a recent update on cell-permeable peptides targeting subcellular destinations. We include chimeric peptide probes that combine cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) and a targeting sequence, as well peptides having intrinsic cell-permeability and which are often used to target PPIs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Stillger
- Institute for Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Cologne, Zuelpicher Str. 47a, 50674 Cologne, Germany
| | - Ines Neundorf
- Institute for Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Cologne, Zuelpicher Str. 47a, 50674 Cologne, Germany.
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9
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Paulussen FM, Grossmann TN. Peptide-based covalent inhibitors of protein-protein interactions. J Pept Sci 2023; 29:e3457. [PMID: 36239115 PMCID: PMC10077911 DOI: 10.1002/psc.3457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2022] [Revised: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Protein-protein interactions (PPI) are involved in all cellular processes and many represent attractive therapeutic targets. However, the frequently rather flat and large interaction areas render the identification of small molecular PPI inhibitors very challenging. As an alternative, peptide interaction motifs derived from a PPI interface can serve as starting points for the development of inhibitors. However, certain proteins remain challenging targets when applying inhibitors with a competitive mode of action. For that reason, peptide-based ligands with an irreversible binding mode have gained attention in recent years. This review summarizes examples of covalent inhibitors that employ peptidic binders and have been tested in a biological context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felix M Paulussen
- Amsterdam Institute of Molecular and Life Sciences (AIMMS), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of Molecular Microbiology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Tom N Grossmann
- Amsterdam Institute of Molecular and Life Sciences (AIMMS), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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10
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Paulussen FM, Schouten GK, Moertl C, Verheul J, Hoekstra I, Koningstein GM, Hutchins GH, Alkir A, Luirink RA, Geerke DP, van Ulsen P, den Blaauwen T, Luirink J, Grossmann TN. Covalent Proteomimetic Inhibitor of the Bacterial FtsQB Divisome Complex. J Am Chem Soc 2022; 144:15303-15313. [PMID: 35945166 PMCID: PMC9413201 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c06304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
![]()
The use of antibiotics is threatened by the emergence
and spread
of multidrug-resistant strains of bacteria. Thus, there is a need
to develop antibiotics that address new targets. In this respect,
the bacterial divisome, a multi-protein complex central to cell division,
represents a potentially attractive target. Of particular interest
is the FtsQB subcomplex that plays a decisive role in divisome assembly
and peptidoglycan biogenesis in E. coli. Here, we report the structure-based design of
a macrocyclic covalent inhibitor derived from a periplasmic region
of FtsB that mediates its binding to FtsQ. The bioactive conformation
of this motif was stabilized by a customized cross-link resulting
in a tertiary structure mimetic with increased affinity for FtsQ.
To increase activity, a covalent handle was incorporated, providing
an inhibitor that impedes the interaction between FtsQ and FtsB irreversibly. The covalent inhibitor reduced the growth of an outer
membrane-permeable E. coli strain,
concurrent with the expected loss of FtsB localization, and also affected
the infection of zebrafish larvae by a clinical E.
coli strain. This first-in-class inhibitor of a divisome
protein–protein interaction highlights the potential of proteomimetic
molecules as inhibitors of challenging targets. In particular, the
covalent mode-of-action can serve as an inspiration for future antibiotics
that target protein–protein interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felix M Paulussen
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, Amsterdam 1081 HV, Netherlands.,Amsterdam Institute of Molecular and Life Sciences (AIMMS), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, Amsterdam 1081 HV, Netherlands.,Department of Molecular Microbiology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, Amsterdam 1081 HV, Netherlands
| | - Gina K Schouten
- Medical Microbiology and Infection Control (MMI), Amsterdam UMC Location VUmc, De Boelelaan 1108, Amsterdam 1081 HZ, Netherlands
| | - Carolin Moertl
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, Amsterdam 1081 HV, Netherlands.,Amsterdam Institute of Molecular and Life Sciences (AIMMS), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, Amsterdam 1081 HV, Netherlands
| | - Jolanda Verheul
- Department of Bacterial Cell Biology and Physiology, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Sciencepark 904, Amsterdam 1098 XH, Netherlands
| | - Irma Hoekstra
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, Amsterdam 1081 HV, Netherlands
| | - Gregory M Koningstein
- Amsterdam Institute of Molecular and Life Sciences (AIMMS), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, Amsterdam 1081 HV, Netherlands.,Department of Molecular Microbiology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, Amsterdam 1081 HV, Netherlands
| | - George H Hutchins
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, Amsterdam 1081 HV, Netherlands.,Amsterdam Institute of Molecular and Life Sciences (AIMMS), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, Amsterdam 1081 HV, Netherlands
| | - Aslihan Alkir
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, Amsterdam 1081 HV, Netherlands
| | - Rosa A Luirink
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, Amsterdam 1081 HV, Netherlands.,Amsterdam Institute of Molecular and Life Sciences (AIMMS), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, Amsterdam 1081 HV, Netherlands
| | - Daan P Geerke
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, Amsterdam 1081 HV, Netherlands.,Amsterdam Institute of Molecular and Life Sciences (AIMMS), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, Amsterdam 1081 HV, Netherlands
| | - Peter van Ulsen
- Amsterdam Institute of Molecular and Life Sciences (AIMMS), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, Amsterdam 1081 HV, Netherlands.,Department of Molecular Microbiology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, Amsterdam 1081 HV, Netherlands
| | - Tanneke den Blaauwen
- Department of Bacterial Cell Biology and Physiology, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Sciencepark 904, Amsterdam 1098 XH, Netherlands
| | - Joen Luirink
- Amsterdam Institute of Molecular and Life Sciences (AIMMS), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, Amsterdam 1081 HV, Netherlands.,Department of Molecular Microbiology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, Amsterdam 1081 HV, Netherlands
| | - Tom N Grossmann
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, Amsterdam 1081 HV, Netherlands.,Amsterdam Institute of Molecular and Life Sciences (AIMMS), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, Amsterdam 1081 HV, Netherlands
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