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Araújo IM, Pereira RLS, de Araújo ACJ, Gonçalves SA, Tintino SR, Oliveira-Tintino CDDM, de Menezes IRA, Salamoni R, Begnini IM, Rebelo RA, Silva LED, Gurgel APAD, Coutinho HDM. Meldrum's acid derivates are MepA efflux pump inhibitors: In vitro and in silico essays. J Basic Microbiol 2024; 64:e2300558. [PMID: 38110852 DOI: 10.1002/jobm.202300558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 12/03/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023]
Abstract
Efflux pumps are proteins capable of expelling antibiotics from bacterial cells, have emerged as a major mechanism of bacterial resistance. In the ongoing pursuit to overcome and reduce bacterial resistance, novel substances are being explored as potential efflux pump inhibitors. Meldrum's acid, a synthetic molecule widely studied for its role in synthesizing bioactive compounds, holds promise in this regard. Therefore, the objective of this study is to evaluate the antibacterial activity of three derivatives of Meldrum's acid and assess their ability to inhibit efflux mechanisms, employing both in silico and in vitro approaches. The antibacterial activity of the derivatives was assessed using a broth microdilution testing method. Surprisingly, the derivatives did not exhibit direct antibacterial activity on their own. However, they displayed a significant effect in enhancing the efficacy of antibiotics, suggesting a potential role in potentiating their effects. Furthermore, fluorescence emission assays using ethidium bromide indicated that the derivatives could potentially block efflux pumps, as they exhibited fluorescence levels comparable to the positive control. To further investigate their inhibitory capacity, molecular docking studies were conducted in silico, revealing binding interactions similar to ciprofloxacin and carbonyl cyanide 3-chlorophenylhydrazone, known efflux pump inhibitors. These findings highlight the potential of Meldrum's acid derivatives as effective inhibitors of efflux pumps. By targeting these mechanisms, the derivatives offer a promising avenue to enhance the effectiveness of antibiotics and combat bacterial resistance. This study underscores the importance of exploring novel strategies in the fight against bacterial resistance and provides valuable insights into the potential of Meldrum's acid derivatives as efflux pump inhibitors. Further research and exploration in this field are warranted to fully exploit their therapeutic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isaac Moura Araújo
- Department of Chemistry-Biology, Regional University of Cariri-URCA, Crato, Ceará, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Saulo Relison Tintino
- Department of Chemistry-Biology, Regional University of Cariri-URCA, Crato, Ceará, Brazil
| | | | | | - Renata Salamoni
- Department of Chemistry, Regional University of Blumenau (FURB), Itoupava Seca, Blumenau, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Iêda Maria Begnini
- Department of Chemistry, Regional University of Blumenau (FURB), Itoupava Seca, Blumenau, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Ricardo Andrade Rebelo
- Department of Chemistry, Regional University of Blumenau (FURB), Itoupava Seca, Blumenau, Santa Catarina, Brazil
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2
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Peng F, Zou Y, Liu X, Yang Y, Chen J, Nie J, Huang D, Bai Z. The murein endopeptidase MepA regulated by MtrAB and MprAB participate in cell wall homeostasis. Res Microbiol 2024:104188. [PMID: 38286394 DOI: 10.1016/j.resmic.2024.104188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 01/31/2024]
Abstract
The complete genome of Corynebacterium glutamicum contain a gene encoding murein endopeptidase MepA which maintain cell wall homeostasis by regulating peptidoglycan biosynthesis. In this study, we investigate the physiological function, localization and regulator of MepA. The result shows that mepA overexpression lead to peptidoglycan degradation and the defects in cell division. MepA-mCherry was shown to localizes exclusively at the cell cell septum. In addition, mepA overexpression increased cell permeability and reduced the resistance of cells to isoniazid, an antibiotic used to treat Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. Furthermore, transcription analysis showed that mepA affected cell division and membrane transport pathways, and was coordinately regulated by the two-component systems MtrAB and MprAB(CgtS/R2).
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Peng
- The Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry and Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; National Engineering Research Center for Cereal Fermentation and Food Biomanufacturing, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; The Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; Jiangsu Provincial Research Center for Bioactive Product Processing Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
| | - Yu Zou
- The Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry and Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; National Engineering Research Center for Cereal Fermentation and Food Biomanufacturing, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; The Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; Jiangsu Provincial Research Center for Bioactive Product Processing Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
| | - Xiuxia Liu
- The Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry and Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; National Engineering Research Center for Cereal Fermentation and Food Biomanufacturing, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; The Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; Jiangsu Provincial Research Center for Bioactive Product Processing Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China.
| | - Yankun Yang
- The Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry and Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; National Engineering Research Center for Cereal Fermentation and Food Biomanufacturing, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; The Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; Jiangsu Provincial Research Center for Bioactive Product Processing Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
| | - Jing Chen
- The Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry and Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; National Engineering Research Center for Cereal Fermentation and Food Biomanufacturing, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
| | - Jianqi Nie
- The Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry and Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; National Engineering Research Center for Cereal Fermentation and Food Biomanufacturing, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
| | - Danni Huang
- The Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry and Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; National Engineering Research Center for Cereal Fermentation and Food Biomanufacturing, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
| | - Zhonghu Bai
- The Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry and Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; National Engineering Research Center for Cereal Fermentation and Food Biomanufacturing, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; The Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; Jiangsu Provincial Research Center for Bioactive Product Processing Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
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3
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Martin ALAR, Pereira RLS, Rocha JE, Farias PAM, Freitas TS, de Lemos Caldas FR, Figueredo FG, Sampaio NFL, Ribeiro-Filho J, Menezes IRDA, Brancaglion GA, de Paulo DC, Carvalho DT, Lima MA, Coutinho HDM, Fonteles MMF. In vitro and in silico evidences about the inhibition of MepA efflux pump by coumarin derivatives. Microb Pathog 2023; 182:106246. [PMID: 37454945 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2023.106246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2023] [Revised: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
The discovery of antibiotics has significantly transformed the outcomes of bacterial infections in the last decades. However, the development of antibiotic resistance mechanisms has allowed an increasing number of bacterial strains to overcome the action of antibiotics, decreasing their effectiveness against infections they were developed to treat. This study aimed to evaluate the antibacterial activity of synthetic coumarins Staphylococcus aureus in vitro and analyze their interaction with the MepA efflux pump in silico. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) determination showed that none of the test compounds have antibacterial activity. However, all coumarin derivatives decreased the MIC of the standard efflux inhibitor ethidium bromide, indicating antibacterial synergism. On the other hand, the C14 derivative potentiated the antibacterial activity of ciprofloxacin against the resistant strain. In silico analysis showed that C9, C11, and C13 coumarins showed the most favorable interaction with the MepA efflux pump. Nevertheless, due to the present in silico and in vitro investigation limitations, further experimental research is required to confirm the therapeutic potential of these compounds in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Luíza A R Martin
- Federal University of Ceará - UFC, Brazil; Faculty of Medicine Estácio Juazeiro do Norte - Estácio Juazeiro do Norte, Brazil
| | | | | | - Pablo A M Farias
- Faculty of Medicine Estácio Juazeiro do Norte - Estácio Juazeiro do Norte, Brazil
| | | | | | - Fernando G Figueredo
- Regional University of Cariri - URCA, Brazil; Faculty of Medicine Estácio Juazeiro do Norte - Estácio Juazeiro do Norte, Brazil
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4
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Freitas TS, Xavier JC, Pereira RLS, Rocha JE, Campina FF, de Araújo Neto JB, Silva MMC, Barbosa CRS, Marinho ES, Nogueira CES, Dos Santos HS, Coutinho HDM, Teixeira AMR. In vitro and in silico studies of chalcones derived from natural acetophenone inhibitors of NorA and MepA multidrug efflux pumps in Staphylococcus aureus. Microb Pathog 2021; 161:105286. [PMID: 34793877 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2021.105286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Revised: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Bacterial resistance induced by efflux pumps is a frequent concern in clinical treatments involving multi-resistant bacteria. Staphylococcus aureus is a microorganism responsible for several types of infections and has several strains carrying efflux pumps, among them are the strain 1199B (NorA overexpresser), and the strain K2068 (MepA overexpresser). In this work, four chalcones derived from Croton anisodontus with modifications in the B ring in their structures were tested regarding their ability to inhibit NorA and MepA efflux pumps. The efflux pump inhibition mechanism was tested with the ethidium bromide substrate in the presence and absence of standard efflux pump inhibitors. The minimum inhibitory concentration values were also compared to those of strains that do not overexpress these efflux pumps. In order to gain some insights about the efflux pump mechanisms of these chalcones, two homology models were created (NorA and MepA) for a docking procedure. In addition, the ADME properties (absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion) were also evaluated. The tested chalcones promoted synergism of the norfloxacin antibiotic by inhibiting associated efflux pumps. All four tested chalcones appear to bind to the binding sites of the efflux pump models in the same fashion as other chalcones with efflux pump inhibition capabilities. It was also verified that the chalcones 1-4 are well absorbed in the intestine, but with a decrease in their bioavailability, resulting in a low volume of distribution in the blood plasma, in addition to having a mild CNS activity. However, the chalcone 3 and 4 were not toxic due to metabolic activation. Whereas the chalcones 1 and 2 present a mutagenic risk, depending on the oral dose administered. The tested chalcones have not antibacterial activity; however, they are capable of inhibiting efflux pumps for the 1199B and K2068 strains. They promoted synergism of the norfloxacin antibiotic by inhibiting associated efflux pumps, as well as other associated mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thiago S Freitas
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Regional University of Cariri, Crato, CE, Brazil
| | - Jayze C Xavier
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Regional University of Cariri, Crato, CE, Brazil
| | - Raimundo L S Pereira
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Regional University of Cariri, Crato, CE, Brazil
| | - Janaína E Rocha
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Regional University of Cariri, Crato, CE, Brazil
| | - Fábia F Campina
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Regional University of Cariri, Crato, CE, Brazil
| | - José B de Araújo Neto
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Regional University of Cariri, Crato, CE, Brazil
| | - Maria M C Silva
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Regional University of Cariri, Crato, CE, Brazil
| | - Cristina R S Barbosa
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Regional University of Cariri, Crato, CE, Brazil
| | - Emmanuel S Marinho
- Group of Theoretical Chemistry and Electrochemistry, State University of Ceará, Campus FAFIDAM, Limoeiro do Norte, CE, Brazil
| | - Carlos E S Nogueira
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Regional University of Cariri, Crato, CE, Brazil; Department of Physics, Regional University of Cariri, Juazeiro do Norte, CE, Brazil
| | - Hélcio S Dos Santos
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Regional University of Cariri, Crato, CE, Brazil; Center for Exact Sciences and Technology - Chemistry Course, Vale do Acaraú University, Sobral, CE, Brazil
| | - Henrique D M Coutinho
- Group of Theoretical Chemistry and Electrochemistry, State University of Ceará, Campus FAFIDAM, Limoeiro do Norte, CE, Brazil
| | - Alexandre M R Teixeira
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Regional University of Cariri, Crato, CE, Brazil; Department of Physics, Regional University of Cariri, Juazeiro do Norte, CE, Brazil.
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Fang R, Sun Y, Dai W, Zheng X, Tian X, Zhang X, Wang C, Cao J, Zhou T. Mutations in the MepRAB efflux system contribute to the in vitro development of tigecycline resistance in Staphylococcus aureus. J Glob Antimicrob Resist 2020; 22:631-636. [PMID: 32590185 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgar.2020.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2019] [Revised: 03/24/2020] [Accepted: 06/01/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To characterize the evolutionary pathways of tigecycline (TGC) resistance and alterations in the biological characteristics of hospital-derived Staphylococcus aureus isolates under selective pressure. METHODS Three clinical S. aureus strains and one standard S. aureus strain, ATCC 29213, were used for the in vitro selection of TGC-resistant S. aureus variants with gradient concentrations of TGC. Changes in drug resistance and genetic alterations in resistance-related genes (operon mepRAB and rpsJ) in mutant strains were determined. The efflux inhibitor assay for MepA and the fitness cost, determined by comparing the growth and virulence of parental and mutant strains, were also investigated. RESULTS Mutants induced in vitro showed a 64- to 128-fold increase in the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of TGC. Substitution mutations were detected in the transcriptional repressor mepR and the efflux pump gene mepA. A K57M amino acid substitution occurred in the ribosomal S10 protein-encoding gene rpsJ. The MICs of TGC in the final mutants were significantly decreased in the presence of efflux pump inhibitors. It was worth noting that growth was unaffected by TGC resistance selection in vitro, with the exception of one strain, and the MICs of other antibiotics and virulence were also unaffected. CONCLUSIONS The evolution of TGC resistance in S. aureus in vitro is associated with a loss-of-function mutation in the efflux pump transcriptional repressor mepR and a missense mutation in the efflux pump-encoding gene mepA. Our work further validated the resistance mechanisms of S. aureus to TGC and reported previously undiscovered mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renchi Fang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, China
| | - Yao Sun
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, China
| | - Weisi Dai
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, China
| | - Xiangkuo Zheng
- School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Xuebin Tian
- School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Xiucai Zhang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, China
| | - Chong Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, China
| | - Jianming Cao
- School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.
| | - Tieli Zhou
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, China.
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Argudín MA, Roisin S, Dodémont M, Nonhoff C, Deplano A, Denis O. Mutations at the Ribosomal S10 Gene in Clinical Strains of Staphylococcus aureus with Reduced Susceptibility to Tigecycline. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2018; 62:e01852-17. [PMID: 29084741 DOI: 10.1128/AAC.01852-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2017] [Accepted: 10/18/2017] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Mutations on the tip of the extended loop of the ribosomal S10 protein have been associated to tigecycline (TGC) resistance in passaged mutants of different bacteria species. This study described the first two clinical TGC-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolates with these mutations. One strain (TGC MIC = 2 mg/liter) had a 12-nucleotide deletion affecting residues 56 to 59 (HKYK) of the S10 protein. The second strain (TGC MIC = 1 mg/liter) had amino acid substitutions (K57M and Y58F) previously described in S. aureus passaged mutants.
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7
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Dabul ANG, Avaca-Crusca JS, Van Tyne D, Gilmore MS, Camargo ILBC. Resistance in In Vitro Selected Tigecycline-Resistant Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Sequence Type 5 Is Driven by Mutations in mepR and mepA Genes. Microb Drug Resist 2017; 24:519-526. [PMID: 29039719 DOI: 10.1089/mdr.2017.0279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
A tigecycline-susceptible (TGC-S) Sequence Type (ST) 5 clinical methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strain was cultured in escalating levels of tigecycline, yielding mutants eightfold more resistant. Their genomes were sequenced to identify genetic alterations, resulting in resistance. Alterations in rpsJ, commonly related to tigecycline resistance, were also investigated. Tigecycline resistance was mediated by loss-of-function mutations in the transcriptional repressor mepR, resulting in derepression of the efflux pump mepA. Increased levels of resistance were obtained by successive mutations in mepA itself. No alterations in RpsJ were observed in selected strains, but we observed a K57M substitution, previously correlated with resistance, among TGC-S clinical strains. Thus, the pathway to tigecycline resistance in CC5 MRSA in vitro appears to be derepression of mep operon as the result of mepR loss-of-function mutation, followed by alterations in MepA efflux pump. This shows that other evolutionary pathways, besides mutation of rpsJ, are available for evolving tigecycline resistance in CC5 MRSA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrei Nicoli Gebieluca Dabul
- 1 Department of Physics and Interdisciplinary Science, São Carlos Institute of Physics, University of São Paulo , São Carlos, Brazil
| | - Juliana Sposto Avaca-Crusca
- 1 Department of Physics and Interdisciplinary Science, São Carlos Institute of Physics, University of São Paulo , São Carlos, Brazil
| | - Daria Van Tyne
- 2 Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School , Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, Massachusetts.,3 Department of Microbiology and Immunobiology, Harvard Medical School , Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Michael S Gilmore
- 2 Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School , Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, Massachusetts.,3 Department of Microbiology and Immunobiology, Harvard Medical School , Boston, Massachusetts
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