Antimycobacterial pyridine carboxamides: From design to in vivo activity

Tuberculosis is the number one killer of infectious diseases caused by a single microbe, namely Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). The success rate of curing this infection is decreasing due to emerging antimicrobial resistance. Therefore, novel treatments are urgently needed. As an attempt to develop new antituberculars effective against both drugs-sensitive and drug-resistant Mtb, we report the synthesis of a novel series inspired by combining fragments from the first-line agents isoniazid and pyrazinamide (series I) and isoniazid with the second-line agent 4-aminosalicylic acid (series II). We identified compound 10c from series II with selective, potent in vitro antimycobacterial activity against both drug-sensitive and drug-resistant Mtb H37Rv strains with no in vitro or in vivo cytotoxicity. In the murine model of tuberculosis, compound 10c caused a statistically significant decrease in colony-forming units (CFU) in spleen. Despite having a 4-aminosalicylic acid fragment in its structure, biochemical studies showed that compound 10c does not directly affect the folate pathway but rather methionine metabolism. In silico simulations indicated the possibility of binding to mycobacterial methionine-tRNA synthetase. Metabolic study in human liver microsomes revealed that compound 10c does not have any known toxic metabolites and has a half-life of 630 min, overcoming the main drawbacks of isoniazid (toxic metabolites) and 4-aminosalicylic acid (short half-life).

Insight into the Antibacterial Action of Iodinated Imine, an Analogue of Rafoxanide: a Comprehensive Study of Its Antistaphylococcal Activity

In this study, we have focused on a multiparametric microbiological analysis of the antistaphylococcal action of the iodinated imine BH77, designed as an analogue of rafoxanide. Its antibacterial activity against five reference strains and eight clinical isolates of Gram-positive cocci of the genera Staphylococcus and Enterococcus was evaluated. The most clinically significant multidrug-resistant strains, such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), vancomycin-resistant S. aureus (VRSA), and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium, were also included. The bactericidal and bacteriostatic actions, the dynamics leading to a loss of bacterial viability, antibiofilm activity, BH77 activity in combination with selected conventional antibiotics, the mechanism of action, in vitro cytotoxicity, and in vivo toxicity in an alternative animal model, Galleria mellonella, were analyzed. The antistaphylococcal activity (MIC) ranged from 15.625 to 62.5 μM, and the antienterococcal activity ranged from 62.5 to 125 μM. Its bactericidal action; promising antibiofilm activity; interference with nucleic acid, protein, and peptidoglycan synthesis pathways; and nontoxicity/low toxicity in vitro and in vivo in the Galleria mellonella model were found to be activity attributes of this newly synthesized compound. In conclusion, BH77 could be rightfully minimally considered at least as the structural pattern for future adjuvants for selected antibiotic drugs. IMPORTANCE Antibiotic resistance is among the largest threats to global health, with a potentially serious socioeconomic impact. One of the strategies to deal with the predicted catastrophic future scenarios associated with the rapid emergence of resistant infectious agents lies in the discovery and research of new anti-infectives. In our study, we have introduced a rafoxanide analogue, a newly synthesized and described polyhalogenated 3,5-diiodosalicylaldehyde-based imine, that effectively acts against Gram-positive cocci of the genera Staphylococcus and Enterococcus. The inclusion of an extensive and comprehensive analysis for providing a detailed description of candidate compound-microbe interactions allows the valorization of the beneficial attributes linked to anti-infective action conclusively. In addition, this study can help with making rational decisions about the possible involvement of this molecule in advanced studies or may merit the support of studies focused on related or derived chemical structures to discover more effective new anti-infective drug candidates.

Correction: Juhás et al. Improving Antimicrobial Activity and Physico-Chemical Properties by Isosteric Replacement of 2-Aminothiazole with 2-Aminooxazole. Pharmaceuticals 2022, 15, 580

In the original publication [...]

Hybridization Approach Toward Novel Antituberculars: Design, Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of Compounds Combining Pyrazinamide and 4-Aminosalicylic Acid

Apart from the SARS-CoV-2 virus, tuberculosis remains the leading cause of death from a single infectious agent according to the World Health Organization. As part of our long-term research, we prepared a series of hybrid compounds combining pyrazinamide, a first-line antitubercular agent, and 4-aminosalicylic acid (PAS), a second-line agent. Compound 11 was found to be the most potent, with a broad spectrum of antimycobacterial activity and selectivity toward mycobacterial strains over other pathogens. It also retained its in vitro activity against multiple-drug-resistant mycobacterial strains. Several structural modifications were attempted to improve the in vitro antimycobacterial activity. The δ-lactone form of compound 11 (11') had more potent in vitro antimycobacterial activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv. Compound 11 was advanced for in vivo studies, where it was proved to be nontoxic in Galleria mellonella and zebrafish models, and it reduced the number of colony-forming units in spleens in the murine model of tuberculosis. Biochemical studies showed that compound 11 targets mycobacterial dihydrofolate reductases (DHFR). An in silico docking study combined with molecular dynamics identified a viable binding mode of compound 11 in mycobacterial DHFR. The lactone 11' opens in human plasma to its parent compound 11 (t_1/2 = 21.4 min). Compound 11 was metabolized by human liver fraction by slow hydrolysis of the amidic bond (t_1/2 = 187 min) to yield PAS and its starting 6-chloropyrazinoic acid. The long t_1/2 of compound 11 overcomes the main drawback of PAS (short t_1/2 necessitating frequent administration of high doses of PAS).

Comprehensive insight into anti-staphylococcal and anti-enterococcal action of brominated and chlorinated pyrazine-based chalcones

The greatest threat and medicinal impact within gram-positive pathogens are posed by two bacterial genera, Staphylococcus and Enterococcus. Chalcones have a wide range of biological activities and are recognized as effective templates in medicinal chemistry. This study provides comprehensive insight into the anti-staphylococcal and anti-enterococcal activities of two recently published brominated and chlorinated pyrazine-based chalcones, CH-0y and CH-0w. Their effects against 4 reference and 12 staphylococcal and enterococcal clinical isolates were evaluated. Bactericidal action, the activity in combination with selected conventional antibiotics, the study of post-antimicrobial effect (PAE, PAE/SME), and in vitro and in vivo toxicity, were included. In CH-0y, anti-staphylococcal activity ranging from MIC = 15.625 to 62.5 μM, and activity against E. faecium from 31.25 to 62.5 μM was determined. In CH-0w, anti-staphylococcal activity ranging from 31.25 to 125 μM, and activity against E. faecium and E. faecalis (62.5 μM) was revealed. Both CH-0y and CH-0w showed bactericidal action, beneficial impact on bacterial growth delay within PAE and PAE/SME studies, and non/low toxicity in vivo. Compared to CH-0w, CH-0y seems to have higher anti-staphylococcal and less toxic potential. In conclusion, chalcones CH-0y and CH-0w could be considered as structural pattern for future adjuvants to selected antibiotic drugs.

Alkaloids of Dicranostigma franchetianum (Papaveraceae) and Berberine Derivatives as a New Class of Antimycobacterial Agents

Tuberculosis (TB) is a widespread infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The increasing incidence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) strains has created a need for new antiTB agents with new chemical scaffolds to combat the disease. Thus, the key question is: how to search for new antiTB and where to look for them? One of the possibilities is to search among natural products (NPs). In order to search for new antiTB drugs, the detailed phytochemical study of the whole Dicranostigma franchetianum plant was performed isolating wide spectrum of isoquinoline alkaloids (IAs). The chemical structures of the isolated alkaloids were determined by a combination of MS, HRMS, 1D, and 2D NMR techniques, and by comparison with literature data. Alkaloids were screened against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Ra and four other mycobacterial strains (M. aurum, M. avium, M. kansasii, and M. smegmatis). Alkaloids 3 and 5 showed moderate antimycobacterial activity against all tested strains (MICs 15.625–31.25 µg/mL). Furthermore, ten semisynthetic berberine (16a–16k) derivatives were developed and tested for antimycobacterial activity. In general, the derivatization of berberine was connected with a significant increase in antimycobacterial activity against all tested strains (MICs 0.39–7.81 μg/mL). Two derivatives (16e, 16k) were identified as compounds with micromolar MICs against M. tuberculosis H37Ra (MIC 2.96 and 2.78 µM). All compounds were also evaluated for their in vitro hepatotoxicity on a hepatocellular carcinoma cell line (HepG2), exerting lower cytotoxicity profile than their MIC values, thereby potentially reaching an effective concentration without revealing toxic side effects.

Evaluation of Drug Activity Against Staphylococcal Biofilms – Settings of Conditions Leading to Reproducible and Robust Biofilm Formation in vitro

Staphylococcus aureus(SA)andepidermidis(SE) are the most common pathogens of the genus Staphylococcus, causing biofilm-associated infections. Bacteria in biofilms are difficult to eradicate due to their resistance and serve as a reservoir for recurring persistent infections. A variety of protocols for in vitro drug activity testing against biofilms has been introduced. However, there are often fundamental differences. In our pilot study, we developed optimal conditions for staphylococcal biofilm formation on plastic pegs in order to set a methodology for an evaluation of the antibiofilm activity of candidate molecules. The convenience of the plastic pegs lies in their removability from the lid for easy access to multiple equivalent biofilms, and in possibility of in situ detection and quantification by confocal laser microscopy. For the purpose of enhancement in staphylococcal biofilm formation, the impact of peg surface modification with 3 different coating materials was studied as well. An increase of biofilm biomass was evaluated by crystal violet staining method. The basic precondition for obtaining relevant and reproducible data regarding antibiofilm activity is the formation of robust biofilms with typical attributes such as the presence of a biofilm matrix. In our study, in vitro conditions revealed that we fully met the preconditions for the SA and methicillin-resistant SA strains. In conclusion, we demonstrated statistically significant enhancement of biofilm formation in all studied staphylococcal strains, including either strong biofilm producer phenotype (SA, methicillin-resistant SA) and weak biofilm producer phenotype (SE).

Supported by the SVV Project No. 260549 and by the Czech Science Foundation project No. 20-19638Y.

Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of substituted 3-amino-N-(thiazol-2-yl)pyrazine-2-carboxamides as inhibitors of mycobacterial methionine aminopeptidase 1

Tuberculosis (TB), caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) is the number one cause of deaths due to a single infectious agent worldwide. The treatment of TB is lengthy and often complicated by the increasing drug resistance. New compounds with new mechanisms of action are therefore needed. We present the design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of pyrazine-based inhibitors of a prominent antimycobacterial drug target - mycobacterial methionine aminopeptidase 1 (MtMetAP1). The inhibitory activities of the presented compounds were evaluated against the MtMetAP1a isoform, and all derivatives were tested against a broad spectrum of myco(bacteria) and fungi. The cytotoxicity of the compounds was also investigated using Hep G2 cell lines. Overall, high inhibition of the isolated enzyme was observed for 3-substituted N-(thiazol-2-yl)pyrazine-2-carboxamides, particularly when the substituent was represented by 2-substituted benzamide. The extent of inhibition was strongly dependent on the used metal cofactor. The highest inhibition was seen in the presence of Ni²⁺. Several compounds also showed mediocre in vitro potency against Mtb (both Mtb H37Ra and H37Rv). Despite the structural similarities of bacterial and fungal MetAP1 to mycobacterial MtMetAP1, title compounds did not exert antibacterial nor antifungal activity. The reasons behind the higher activity of 2-substituted benzamido derivatives, as well as the correlation of enzyme inhibition with the in vitro growth inhibition activity is discussed.

Semisynthetic Derivatives of Selected Amaryllidaceae Alkaloids as a New Class of Antimycobacterial Agents

The search for novel antimycobacterial drugs is a matter of urgency, since tuberculosis is still one of the top ten causes of death from a single infectious agent, killing more than 1.4 million people worldwide each year. Nine Amaryllidaceae alkaloids (AAs) of various structural types have been screened for their antimycobacterial activity. Unfortunately, all were considered inactive, and thus a pilot series of aromatic esters of galanthamine, 3-O-methylpancracine, vittatine and maritidine were synthesized to increase biological activity. The semisynthetic derivatives of AAs were screened for their in vitro antimycobacterial activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Ra and two other mycobacterial strains (M. aurum, M. smegmatis) using a modified Microplate Alamar Blue Assay. The most active compounds were also studied for their in vitro hepatotoxicity on the hepatocellular carcinoma cell line HepG2. In general, the derivatization of the original AAs was associated with a significant increase in antimycobacterial activity. Several pilot derivatives were identified as compounds with micromolar MICs against M. tuberculosis H37Ra. Two derivatives of galanthamine, 1i and 1r, were selected for further structure optimalization to increase the selectivity index.

Enantioselective Construction of Spirooxindole-Fused Cyclopentanes

The present study reports an asymmetric organocatalytic cascade reaction of oxindole derivates with α,β-unsaturated aldehydes efficiently catalyzed by simple chiral secondary amine. Spirooxindole-fused cyclopentanes were produced in excellent isolated yields (up to 98%) with excellent enantiopurities (up to 99% ee) and moderate to high diastereoselectivities. The synthetic utility of the protocol was exemplified on a set of additional transformations of the corresponding spiro compounds. In addition, a study showing the promising biological activity of selected enantioenriched products was accomplished.

Synthesis, Biological Evaluation, and In Silico Modeling of N-Substituted Quinoxaline-2-Carboxamides

Despite the established treatment regimens, tuberculosis remains an alarming threat to public health according to WHO. Novel agents are needed to overcome the increasing rate of resistance and perhaps achieve eradication. As part of our long-term research on pyrazine derived compounds, we prepared a series of their ortho fused derivatives, N-phenyl- and N-benzyl quinoxaline-2-carboxamides, and evaluated their in vitro antimycobacterial activity. In vitro activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Ra (represented by minimum inhibitory concentration, MIC) ranged between 3.91–500 µg/mL, with most compounds having moderate to good activities (MIC < 15.625 µg/mL). The majority of the active compounds belonged to the N-benzyl group. In addition to antimycobacterial activity assessment, final compounds were screened for their in vitro cytotoxicity. N-(naphthalen-1-ylmethyl)quinoxaline-2-carboxamide (compound 29) was identified as a potential antineoplastic agent with selective cytotoxicity against hepatic (HepG2), ovarian (SK-OV-3), and prostate (PC-3) cancer cells lines. Molecular docking showed that human DNA topoisomerase and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor could be potential targets for 29.

Study of the impact of cultivation conditions and peg surface modification on the in vitro biofilm formation of Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis in a system analogous to the Calgary biofilm device

Introduction. Staphylococcus aureus (SA) and Staphylococcus epidermidis (SE) are the most common pathogens from the genus Staphylococcus causing biofilm-associated infections. Generally, biofilm-associated infections represent a clinical challenge. Bacteria in biofilms are difficult to eradicate due to their resistance and serve as a reservoir for recurring persistent infections.Gap Statement. A variety of protocols for in vitro drug activity testing against staphylococcal biofilms have been introduced. However, there are often fundamental differences. All these differences in methodical approaches can then be reflected in the form of discrepancies between results.Aim. In this study, we aimed to develop optimal conditions for staphylococcal biofilm formation on pegs. The impact of peg surface modification was also studied.Methodology. The impact of tryptic soy broth alone or supplemented with foetal bovine serum (FBS) or human plasma (HP), together with the impact of the inoculum density of bacterial suspensions and the shaking versus the static mode of cultivation, on total biofilm biomass production in SA and SE reference strains was studied. The surface of pegs was modified with FBS, HP, or poly-l-lysine (PLL). The impact on total biofilm biomass was evaluated using the crystal violet staining method and statistical data analysis.Results. Tryptic soy broth supplemented with HP together with the shaking mode led to crucial potentiation of biofilm formation on pegs in SA strains. The SE strain did not produce biofilm biomass under the same conditions on pegs. Preconditioning of peg surfaces with FBS and HP led to a statistically significant increase in biofilm biomass formation in the SE strain.Conclusion. Optimal cultivation conditions for robust staphylococcal biofilm formation in vitro might differ among different bacterial strains and methodical approaches. The shaking mode and supplementation of cultivation medium with HP was beneficial for biofilm formation on pegs for SA (ATCC 29213) and methicillin-resistant SA (ATCC 43300). Peg conditioning with HP and PLL had no impact on biofilm formation in either of these strains. Peg coating with FBS showed an adverse effect on the biofilm formation of these strains. By contrast, there was a statistically significant increase in biofilm biomass production on pegs coated with FBS and HP for SE (ATCC 35983).

Iodinated 1,2-diacylhydrazines, benzohydrazide-hydrazones and their analogues as dual antimicrobial and cytotoxic agents

Hydrazide-hydrazones have been described as a scaffold with antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities as well as iodinated compounds. A resistance rate of bacterial and fungal pathogens has increased considerably. That is why we synthesized and screened twenty-two iodinated hydrazide-hydrazones 1 and 2, ten 1,2-diacylhydrazines 3 and their three reduced analogues 4 for their antibacterial, antifungal, and cytotoxic properties. Hydrazide-hydrazones were prepared by condensation of 4-substituted benzohydrazides with 2-/4-hydroxy-3,5-diiodobenzaldehydes, diacylhydrazines from identical benzohydrazides and 3,5-diiodosalicylic acid via its chloride. These compounds were investigated in vitro against eight bacterial and eight fungal strains. The derivatives were found potent antibacterial agents against Gram-positive cocci including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus with the lowest values of minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of 7.81 µM. Four compounds inhibited also human pathogenic fungi (MIC of ≥1.95 µM). The derivatives had different degrees of cytotoxicity for HepG2 and HK-2 cell lines (IC₅₀ values from 11.72 and 26.80 µM, respectively). Importantly, normal human cells exhibited lower sensitivity. The apoptotic effect was also investigated. In general, the presence of 3,5-diiodosalicylidene scaffold (compounds 1) is translated into enhanced both antimicrobial and cytotoxic properties whereas its 4-hydroxy isomers 2 share a low biological activity. N'-Benzoyl-2-hydroxy-3,5-diiodobenzohydrazides 3 have a non-homogeneous activity profile. Focusing on 4-substituted benzohydrazide part, the presence of an electron-withdrawing group (F, Cl, CF₃, NO₂) was found to be beneficial.

The Impact of Cultivation Media on the In Vitro Biofilm Biomass Production of Candida spp

The yeasts of the genus Candida are among the most clinically significant fungal pathogenic agents. One of the unique features of the Candida species' pathogenicity is their ability to form biofilms. Generally, infections caused by biofilm-forming microorganisms tend to have chronic course and are difficult to treat. This fact highlights the need to search for drugs with anti-biofilm activities. At present, there are variety of protocols for performing antifungal anti-biofilm activity testing in which fundamental differences, especially in the choice of cultivation media for biofilm formation, can be noted. In our study, we focused on the effect of four different culture media on biofilm biomass formation in ten Candida spp. strains. With emphasis placed on clinical significance, strains of the C. albicans species were predominantly included in this study. Based on our results, we can conclude that the availability of other components in the culture media, such as amino acids or proteins, and not just the commonly mentioned glucose availability, helps promote the transition of Candida yeasts into a sessile form and leads to in vitro robust biofilm formation. We revealed that biofilm formation in C. albicans strains was enhanced, especially in media supplemented with fetal bovine serum (FBS). The nutritionally balanced cultivation medium with 10 g/L glucose and 10% (v/v) FBS evidently showed the most significant benefit for in vitro biofilm production in C. albicans strains.

Optimizing the structure of (salicylideneamino)benzoic acids: Towards selective antifungal and anti-staphylococcal agents

An increasing resistance of human pathogenic bacteria and fungi has become a global health problem. Based on previous reports of 4-(salicylideneamino)benzoic acids, we designed, synthesised and evaluated their me-too analogues as potential antimicrobial agents. Forty imines derived from substituted salicylaldehydes and aminobenzoic acids, 4-aminobenzoic acid esters and 4-amino-N-phenylbenzamide were designed using molecular hybridization and prodrug strategies. The target compounds were synthesized with high yields and characterized by spectral methods. They were investigated against a panel of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, mycobacteria, yeasts and moulds. The most active imines were tested to determine their cytotoxicity and selectivity in HepG2 cells. Dihalogenosalicylaldehydes-based derivatives showed potent broad-spectrum antimicrobial properties, particularly against Gram-positive bacteria including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (minimum inhibitory concentrations, MIC, from 7.81 µM) and Enterococcus faecalis (MIC of ≥15.62 µM), yeasts (MIC from 7.81 µM) and Trichophyton interdigitale mould (MIC of ≥3.90 µM). Methyl 4-[(2-hydroxy-3,5-diiodobenzylidene)amino]benzoate 4h exhibited excellent in vitro activity along with low toxicity to mammalian cells. This compound is selective for staphylococci, Candida spp. and Trichophyton interdigitale. In addition, this imine was evaluated as a potential inhibitor of Gram-positive biofilms. The successful approach used provided some promising derivatives with more advantageous properties than the parent 4-(salicylideneamino)benzoic acids.

Distinct Responses of Arabidopsis Telomeres and Transposable Elements to Zebularine Exposure

Involvement of epigenetic mechanisms in the regulation of telomeres and transposable elements (TEs), genomic regions with the protective and potentially detrimental function, respectively, has been frequently studied. Here, we analyzed telomere lengths in Arabidopsis thaliana plants of Columbia, Landsberg erecta and Wassilevskija ecotypes exposed repeatedly to the hypomethylation drug zebularine during germination. Shorter telomeres were detected in plants growing from seedlings germinated in the presence of zebularine with a progression in telomeric phenotype across generations, relatively high inter-individual variability, and diverse responses among ecotypes. Interestingly, the extent of telomere shortening in zebularine Columbia and Wassilevskija plants corresponded to the transcriptional activation of TEs, suggesting a correlated response of these genomic elements to the zebularine treatment. Changes in lengths of telomeres and levels of TE transcripts in leaves were not always correlated with a hypomethylation of cytosines located in these regions, indicating a cytosine methylation-independent level of their regulation. These observations, including differences among ecotypes together with distinct dynamics of the reversal of the disruption of telomere homeostasis and TEs transcriptional activation, reflect a complex involvement of epigenetic processes in the regulation of crucial genomic regions. Our results further demonstrate the ability of plant cells to cope with these changes without a critical loss of the genome stability.

N-pyridinylbenzamides: an isosteric approach towards new antimycobacterial compounds

A series of N-pyridinylbenzamides was designed and prepared to investigate the influence of isosterism and positional isomerism on antimycobacterial activity. Comparison to previously published isosteric N-pyrazinylbenzamides was made as an attempt to draw structure-activity relationships in such type of compounds. In total, we prepared 44 different compounds, out of which fourteen had minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Ra below 31.25 µg/ml, most promising being N-(5-chloropyridin-2-yl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)benzamide (23) and N-(6-chloropyridin-2-yl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)benzamide (24) with MIC = 7.81 µg/ml (26 µm). Five compounds showed broad-spectrum antimycobacterial activity against M. tuberculosis H37Ra, M. smegmatis and M. aurum. N-(pyridin-2-yl)benzamides were generally more active than N-(pyridin-3-yl)benzamides, indicating that N-1 in the parental structure of N-pyrazinylbenzamides might be more important for antimycobacterial activity than N-4. Marginal antibacterial and antifungal activity was observed for title compounds. The hepatotoxicity of title compounds was assessed in vitro on hepatocellular carcinoma cell line HepG2, and they may be considered non-toxic (22 compounds with IC₅₀ over 200 µm).

N-Pyrazinoyl Substituted Amino Acids as Potential Antimycobacterial Agents-The Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Enantiomers

Tuberculosis is an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), each year causing millions of deaths. In this article, we present the synthesis and biological evaluations of new potential antimycobacterial compounds containing a fragment of the first-line antitubercular drug pyrazinamide (PZA), coupled with methyl or ethyl esters of selected amino acids. The antimicrobial activity was evaluated on a variety of (myco)bacterial strains, including Mtb H37Ra, M. smegmatis, M. aurum, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and fungal strains, including Candida albicans and Aspergillus flavus. Emphasis was placed on the comparison of enantiomer activities. None of the synthesized compounds showed any significant activity against fungal strains, and their antibacterial activities were also low, the best minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value was 31.25 µM. However, several compounds presented high activity against Mtb. Overall, higher activity was seen in derivatives containing ʟ-amino acids. Similarly, the activity seems tied to the more lipophilic compounds. The most active derivative contained phenylglycine moiety (PC-ᴅ/ʟ-Pgl-Me, MIC < 1.95 µg/mL). All active compounds possessed low cytotoxicity and good selectivity towards Mtb. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study comparing the activities of the ᴅ- and ʟ-amino acid derivatives of pyrazinamide as potential antimycobacterial compounds.

No Evidence of Persistence or Inheritance of Mitochondrial DNA Copy Number in Holocaust Survivors and Their Descendants

Mitochondrial DNA copy number has been previously shown to be elevated with severe and chronic stress, as well as stress-related pathology like Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). While experimental data point to likely recovery of mtDNA copy number changes after the stressful event, time needed for full recovery and whether it can be achieved are still unknown. Further, while it has been shown that stress-related mtDNA elevation affects multiple tissues, its specific consequences for oogenesis and maternal inheritance of mtDNA has never been explored. In this study, we used qPCR to quantify mtDNA copy number in 15 Holocaust survivors and 102 of their second- and third-generation descendants from the Czech Republic, many of whom suffer from PTSD, and compared them to controls in the respective generations. We found no significant difference in mtDNA copy number in the Holocaust survivors compared to controls, whether they have PTSD or not, and no significant elevation in descendants of female Holocaust survivors as compared to descendants of male survivors or controls. Our results showed no evidence of persistence or inheritance of mtDNA changes in Holocaust survivors, though that does not rule out effects in other tissues or mitigating mechanism for such changes.

Substituted N-(Pyrazin-2-yl)benzenesulfonamides; Synthesis, Anti-Infective Evaluation, Cytotoxicity, and In Silico Studies

We prepared a series of substituted N-(pyrazin-2-yl)benzenesulfonamides as an attempt to investigate the effect of different linkers connecting pyrazine to benzene cores on antimicrobial activity when compared to our previous compounds of amide or retro-amide linker type. Only two compounds, 4-amino-N-(pyrazin-2-yl)benzenesulfonamide (MIC = 6.25 μg/mL, 25 μM) and 4-amino-N-(6-chloropyrazin-2-yl)benzenesulfonamide (MIC = 6.25 μg/mL, 22 μM) exerted good antitubercular activity against M. tuberculosis H37Rv. However, they were excluded from the comparison as they-unlike the other compounds-possessed the pharmacophore for the inhibition of folate pathway, which was proven by docking studies. We performed target fishing, where we identified matrix metalloproteinase-8 as a promising target for our title compounds that is worth future exploration.

4-Aminobenzoic Acid Derivatives: Converting Folate Precursor to Antimicrobial and Cytotoxic Agents

4-aminobenzoic acid (PABA), an essential nutrient for many human pathogens, but dispensable for humans, and its derivatives have exhibited various biological activities. In this study, we combined two pharmacophores using a molecular hybridization approach: this vitamin-like molecule and various aromatic aldehydes, including salicylaldehydes and 5-nitrofurfural, via imine bond in one-step reaction. Resulting Schiff bases were screened as potential antimicrobial and cytotoxic agents. The simple chemical modification of non-toxic PABA resulted in constitution of antibacterial activity including inhibition of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (minimum inhibitory concentrations, MIC, from 15.62 µM), moderate antimycobacterial activity (MIC ≥ 62.5 µM) and potent broad-spectrum antifungal properties (MIC of ≥ 7.81 µM). Some of the Schiff bases also exhibited notable cytotoxicity for cancer HepG2 cell line (IC50 ≥ 15.0 µM). Regarding aldehyde used for the derivatization of PABA, it is possible to tune up the particular activities and obtain derivatives with promising bioactivities.

Holocaust history is not reflected in telomere homeostasis in survivors and their offspring

Telomeres, nucleoprotein structures at the ends of eukaryotic chromosomes, are crucial for the maintenance of genome integrity. While the lengths of telomeres at birth are determined genetically, many factors including environmental and living conditions affect the telomere lengths during a lifespan. In this context, extreme and long-term stress has been shown to negatively impact telomeres and their protective function, with even offspring being influenced by the stress experienced by parents. Using quantitative PCR, the relative lengths of telomeres of survivors of the Holocaust during World War II and two generations of their offspring were analyzed. These data were related to those of control groups, persons of comparable age without a strong life stress experience. In contrast to previous studies of other stress-exposed groups, the relative lengths of telomeres were comparable in groups of persons exposed to Holocaust-related stress and their progenies, and in control groups. Interestingly, shorter telomeres of Holocaust survivors of the age under 12 in the year 1945 compared to Holocaust survivors of the age above 12 were detected. Our results are discussed with respect to certain exceptionality of persons having been able to cope with an extreme stress more than 70 years ago and living to a very old age.

Development of 3,5-Dinitrophenyl-Containing 1,2,4-Triazoles and Their Trifluoromethyl Analogues as Highly Efficient Antitubercular Agents Inhibiting Decaprenylphosphoryl-β-d-ribofuranose 2'-Oxidase

We report herein the discovery of 3,5-dinitrophenyl 1,2,4-triazoles with excellent and selective antimycobacterial activities against Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains, including clinically isolated multidrug-resistant strains. Thorough structure-activity relationship studies of 3,5-dinitrophenyl-containing 1,2,4-triazoles and their trifluoromethyl analogues revealed the key role of the position of the 3,5-dinitrophenyl fragment in the antitubercular efficiency. Among the prepared compounds, the highest in vitro antimycobacterial activities against M. tuberculosis H₃₇Rv and against seven clinically isolated multidrug-resistant strains of M. tuberculosis were found with S-substituted 4-alkyl-5-(3,5-dinitrophenyl)-4H-1,2,4-triazole-3-thiols and their 3-nitro-5-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl analogues. The minimum inhibitory concentrations of these compounds reached 0.03 μM, which is superior to all the current first-line anti-tuberculosis drugs. Furthermore, almost all compounds with excellent antimycobacterial activities exhibited very low in vitro cytotoxicities against two proliferating mammalian cell lines. The docking study indicated that these compounds acted as the inhibitors of decaprenylphosphoryl-β-d-ribofuranose 2'-oxidase enzyme, which was experimentally confirmed by two independent radiolabeling experiments.

A comparative analysis of protein virulence factors released via extracellular vesicles in two Candida albicans strains cultivated in a nutrient-limited medium

One of the pathways for the delivery of virulence effector molecules into the extracellular environment of Candida albicans relies on the release of membrane-bound carriers which are called extracellular vesicles (EVs). Only a few studies aimed at investigating Candida albicans extracellular vesicles protein cargo and its potential contribution to the pathogenesis of C. albicans infections have been conducted to date. In this study, we mainly focused on a search for proteins with a demonstrated linkage to pathogenesis in EVs isolated from two C. albicans strains, the model strain ATCC 90028 and the clinical isolate from a woman suffering from vulvovaginal candidiasis. For the purpose of mimicking one of many hostile conditions during a host-pathogen interaction, C. albicans strains in a nutrient-limited medium were cultivated. We have hypothesized that this unfavourable, stressful condition could contribute to the induction of virulence effector molecules being released at a more extensive rate. In conclusion, 34 proteins with an undisputed linkage to C. albicans pathogenesis were detected in the extracellular vesicle cargoes of both strains. In case of the clinical isolate strain, no unique virulence-associated proteins were detected. In the C. albicans ATCC 90028 model strain, three unique proteins were detected, namely: agglutinin-like protein 3 (Als3), secreted aspartic protease 8 (Sap8) and cell surface superoxide dismutase [Cu-Zn] 6 (Sod6).

Derivatives of 3-Aminopyrazine-2-carboxamides: Synthesis, Antimicrobial Evaluation, and in Vitro Cytotoxicity

We report the design, synthesis, and in vitro antimicrobial activity of a series of N-substituted 3-aminopyrazine-2-carboxamides with free amino groups in position 3 on the pyrazine ring. Based on various substituents on the carboxamidic moiety, the series is subdivided into benzyl, alkyl, and phenyl derivatives. The three-dimensional structures of the title compounds were predicted using energy minimization and low mode molecular dynamics under AMBER10:EHT forcefield. Compounds were evaluated for antimycobacterial, antibacterial, and antifungal activities in vitro. The most active compound against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv (Mtb) was 3-amino-N-(2,4-dimethoxyphenyl)pyrazine-2-carboxamide (17, MIC = 12.5 µg/mL, 46 µM). Antimycobacterial activity against Mtb and M. kansasii along with antibacterial activity increased among the alkyl derivatives with increasing the length of carbon side chain. Antibacterial activity was observed for phenyl and alkyl derivatives, but not for benzyl derivatives. Antifungal activity was observed in all structural subtypes, mainly against Trichophyton interdigitale and Candida albicans. The four most active compounds (compounds 10, 16, 17, 20) were evaluated for their in vitro cytotoxicity in HepG2 cancer cell line; only compound 20 was found to exert some level of cytotoxicity. Compounds belonging to the current series were compared to previously published, structurally related compounds in terms of antimicrobial activity to draw structure activity relationships conclusions.

Design, Synthesis and Evaluation of N-pyrazinylbenzamides as Potential Antimycobacterial Agents

Three series of N-(pyrazin-2-yl)benzamides were designed as retro-amide analogues of previously published N-phenylpyrazine-2-carboxamides with in vitro antimycobacterial activity. The synthesized retro-amides were evaluated for in vitro growth inhibiting activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv (Mtb), three non-tuberculous mycobacterial strains (M. avium, M. kansasii, M. smegmatis) and selected bacterial and fungal strains of clinical importance. Regarding activity against Mtb, most N-pyrazinylbenzamides (retro-amides) possessed lower or no activity compared to the corresponding N-phenylpyrazine-2-carboxamides with the same substitution pattern. However, the active retro-amides tended to have lower HepG2 cytotoxicity and better selectivity. Derivatives with 5-chloro substitution on the pyrazine ring were generally more active compared to their 6-cloro positional isomers or non-chlorinated analogues. The best antimycobacterial activity against Mtb was found in N-(5-chloropyrazin-2-yl)benzamides with short alkyl (2h: R² = Me; 2i: R² = Et) in position 4 of the benzene ring (MIC = 6.25 and 3.13 µg/mL, respectively, with SI > 10). N-(5-Chloropyrazin-2-yl)benzamides with hydroxy substitution (2b: R² = 2-OH; 2d: R² = 4-OH) on the benzene ring or their acetylated synthetic precursors possessed the broadest spectrum of activity, being active in all three groups of mycobacterial, bacterial and fungal strains. The substantial differences in in silico calculated properties (hydrogen-bond pattern analysis, molecular electrostatic potential, HOMO and LUMO) can justify the differences in biological activities between N-pyrazinylbenzamides and N-phenylpyrazine-2-carboxamides.

Telomere elongation upon transfer to callus culture reflects the reprogramming of telomere stability control in Arabidopsis

KEY MESSAGE

Standard pathways involved in the regulation of telomere stability do not contribute to gradual telomere elongation observed in the course of A. thaliana calli propagation. Genetic and epigenetic changes accompanying the culturing of plant cells have frequently been reported. Here we aimed to characterize the telomere homeostasis during long term callus propagation. While in Arabidopsis thaliana calli gradual telomere elongation was observed, telomeres were stable in Nicotiana tabacum and N. sylvestris cultures. Telomere elongation during callus propagation is thus not a general feature of plant cells. The long telomere phenotype in Arabidopsis calli was correlated neither with changes in telomerase activity nor with activation of alternative mechanisms of telomere elongation. The dynamics of telomere length changes was maintained in mutant calli with loss of function of important epigenetic modifiers but compromised in the presence of epigenetically active drug zebularine. To examine whether the cell culture-induced disruption of telomere homeostasis is associated with the modulated structure of chromosome ends, epigenetic properties of telomere chromatin were analysed. Albeit distinct changes in epigenetic modifications of telomere histones were observed, these were broadly stochastic. Our results show that contrary to animal cells, the structure and function of plant telomeres is not determined significantly by the epigenetic character of telomere chromatin. Set of differentially transcribed genes was identified in calli, but considering the known telomere- or telomerase-related functions of respective proteins, none of these changes per se was apparently related to the elongated telomere phenotype. Based on our data, we propose that the disruption in telomere homeostasis in Arabidopsis calli arises from the interplay of multiple factors, as a part of reprogramming of plant cells to long-term culture conditions.

Nontoxic combretafuranone analogues with high in vitro antibacterial activity

A library of thirty two 3,4-diphenylfuranones related to both combretastatin A-4 and antifungal 5-(acyloxymethyl)-3-(halophenyl)-2,5-dihydrofuran-2-ones was prepared. Cytotoxic effects on a panel of cancer and normal cell lines and antiinfective activity were evaluated, and the data were complemented with tests for the activation of caspase 3 and 7. High cytotoxicity was observed in some of the halogenated analogues, eg. 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-4-(4-methylphenyl)-2,5-dihydrofuran-2-one with IC₅₀ 0.12-0.23 μM, but the compounds were also highly toxic against non-malignant control cells. More importantly, notable antibacterial activity indicating G⁺ selectivity has been found in the 3,4-diarylfuranone class of compounds for the first time. Hydroxymethylation of furanone C5 knocked out cytotoxic effects (up to 40 μM) while maintaining significant activity against Staphylococcus strains in some derivatives. MIC₉₅ of the most promising compound, 3-(4-bromophenyl)-5,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)-4-(4-methylphenyl)-2,5-dihydrofuran-2-one against S. aureus strain ATCC 6538 was 0.98 μM (0.38 μg/mL) and 3.9 μM (1.52 μg/mL) after 24 and 48 h, respectively.