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Smiejkowska N, Oorts L, Van Calster K, De Vooght L, Geens R, Mattelaer HP, Augustyns K, Strelkov SV, Lamprecht D, Temmerman K, Sterckx YGJ, Cappoen D, Cos P. A high-throughput target-based screening approach for the identification and assessment of Mycobacterium tuberculosis mycothione reductase inhibitors. Microbiol Spectr 2024; 12:e0372323. [PMID: 38315026 PMCID: PMC10913476 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.03723-23] [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: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
The World Health Organization's goal to combat tuberculosis (TB) is hindered by the emergence of anti-microbial resistance, therefore necessitating the exploration of new drug targets. Multidrug regimens are indispensable in TB therapy as they provide synergetic bactericidal effects, shorten treatment duration, and reduce the risk of resistance development. The research within our European RespiriTB consortium explores Mycobacterium tuberculosis energy metabolism to identify new drug candidates that synergize with bedaquiline, with the aim of discovering more efficient combination drug regimens. In this study, we describe the development and validation of a luminescence-coupled, target-based assay for the identification of novel compounds inhibiting Mycobacterium tuberculosis mycothione reductase (MtrMtb), an enzyme with a role in the protection against oxidative stress. Recombinant MtrMtb was employed for the development of a highly sensitive, robust high-throughput screening (HTS) assay by coupling enzyme activity to a bioluminescent readout. Its application in a semi-automated setting resulted in the screening of a diverse library of ~130,000 compounds, from which 19 hits were retained after an assessment of their potency, selectivity, and specificity. The selected hits formed two clusters and four fragment molecules, which were further evaluated in whole-cell and intracellular infection assays. The established HTS discovery pipeline offers an opportunity to deliver novel MtrMtb inhibitors and lays the foundation for future efforts in developing robust biochemical assays for the identification and triaging of inhibitors from high-throughput library screens. IMPORTANCE The growing anti-microbial resistance poses a global public health threat, impeding progress toward eradicating tuberculosis. Despite decades of active research, there is still a dire need for the discovery of drugs with novel modes of action and exploration of combination drug regimens. Within the European RespiriTB consortium, we explore Mycobacterium tuberculosis energy metabolism to identify new drug candidates that synergize with bedaquiline, with the aim of discovering more efficient combination drug regimens. In this study, we present the development of a high-throughput screening pipeline that led to the identification of M. tuberculosis mycothione reductase inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Smiejkowska
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene, Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Antwerp, Belgium
- Laboratory of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Lauren Oorts
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene, Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Kevin Van Calster
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene, Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Linda De Vooght
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene, Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Rob Geens
- Laboratory of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Henri-Philippe Mattelaer
- Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Koen Augustyns
- Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Sergei V. Strelkov
- Biocrystallography, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | | | - Yann G.-J. Sterckx
- Laboratory of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Davie Cappoen
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene, Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Paul Cos
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene, Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Antwerp, Belgium
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Thakur S, Mehra R. Computational Insight into Substrate-Induced Conformational Changes in Methionyl-tRNA Synthetase of Mycobacterium Tuberculosis. Protein J 2023; 42:533-546. [PMID: 37402109 DOI: 10.1007/s10930-023-10135-3] [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] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/05/2023]
Abstract
Tuberculosis caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb) has killed millions worldwide. Antibiotic resistance leads to the ineffectiveness of the current therapies. Aminoacyl tRNA synthetase (aaRS) class of proteins involved in protein synthesis are promising bacterial targets for developing new therapies. Here, we carried out a systematic comparative study on the aaRS sequences from M.tb and human. We listed important M.tb aaRS that could be explored as potential M.tb targets alongside the detailed conformational space analysis of methionyl-tRNA synthetase (MetRS) in apo- and substrate-bound form, which is among the proposed targets. Understanding the conformational dynamics is central to the mechanistic understanding of MetRS, as the substrate binding leads to the conformational changes causing the reaction to proceed. We performed the most complete simulation study of M.tb MetRS for 6 microseconds (2 systems × 3 runs × 1 microsecond) in the apo and substrate-bound states. Interestingly, we observed differential features, showing comparatively large dynamics for the holo simulations, whereas the apo structures became slightly compact with reduced solvent exposed area. In contrast, the ligand size decreased significantly in holo structures possibly to relax ligand conformation. Our findings correlate with experimental studies, thus validating our protocol. Adenosine monophosphate moiety of the substrate exhibited quite higher fluctuations than the methionine. His21 and Lys54 were found to be the important residues forming prominent hydrogen bond and salt-bridge interactions with the ligand. The ligand-protein affinity decreased during simulations as computed by MMGBSA analysis over the last 500 ns trajectories, which indicates the conformational changes upon ligand binding. These differential features could be further explored for designing new M.tb inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shivani Thakur
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Bhilai, Sejbahar, Raipur, Chhattisgarh, 492015, India
| | - Rukmankesh Mehra
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Bhilai, Sejbahar, Raipur, Chhattisgarh, 492015, India.
- Department of Bioscience and Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bhilai, Sejbahar, Raipur, Chhattisgarh, 492015, India.
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Structural Basis of Cysteine Ligase MshC Inhibition by Cysteinyl-Sulfonamides. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232315095. [PMID: 36499418 PMCID: PMC9736012 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232315095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Revised: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Mycothiol (MSH), the major cellular thiol in Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), plays an essential role in the resistance of Mtb to various antibiotics and oxidative stresses. MshC catalyzes the ATP-dependent ligation of 1-O-(2-amino-2-deoxy-α-d-glucopyranosyl)-d-myo-inositol (GlcN-Ins) with l-cysteine (l-Cys) to form l-Cys-GlcN-Ins, the penultimate step in MSH biosynthesis. The inhibition of MshC is lethal to Mtb. In the present study, five new cysteinyl-sulfonamides were synthesized, and their binding affinity with MshC was evaluated using a thermal shift assay. Two of them bind the target with EC50 values of 219 and 231 µM. Crystal structures of full-length MshC in complex with these two compounds showed that they were bound in the catalytic site of MshC, inducing dramatic conformational changes of the catalytic site compared to the apo form. In particular, the observed closure of the KMSKS loop was not detected in the published cysteinyl-sulfamoyl adenosine-bound structure, the latter likely due to trypsin treatment. Despite the confirmed binding to MshC, the compounds did not suppress Mtb culture growth, which might be explained by the lack of adequate cellular uptake. Taken together, these novel cysteinyl-sulfonamide MshC inhibitors and newly reported full-length apo and ligand-bound MshC structures provide a promising starting point for the further development of novel anti-tubercular drugs targeting MshC.
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Deng C, Yan H, Wang J, Liu K, Liu BS, Shi YM. 1,2,3-Triazole-containing hybrids with potential antibacterial activity against ESKAPE pathogens. Eur J Med Chem 2022; 244:114888. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.114888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Revised: 10/15/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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Pang L, Zanki V, Strelkov SV, Van Aerschot A, Gruic-Sovulj I, Weeks SD. Partitioning of the initial catalytic steps of leucyl-tRNA synthetase is driven by an active site peptide-plane flip. Commun Biol 2022; 5:883. [PMID: 36038645 PMCID: PMC9424281 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-03825-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
To correctly aminoacylate tRNALeu, leucyl-tRNA synthetase (LeuRS) catalyzes three reactions: activation of leucine by ATP to form leucyl-adenylate (Leu-AMP), transfer of this amino acid to tRNALeu and post-transfer editing of any mischarged product. Although LeuRS has been well characterized biochemically, detailed structural information is currently only available for the latter two stages of catalysis. We have solved crystal structures for all enzymatic states of Neisseria gonorrhoeae LeuRS during Leu-AMP formation. These show a cycle of dramatic conformational changes, involving multiple domains, and correlate with an energetically unfavorable peptide-plane flip observed in the active site of the pre-transition state structure. Biochemical analyses, combined with mutant structural studies, reveal that this backbone distortion acts as a trigger, temporally compartmentalizing the first two catalytic steps. These results unveil the remarkable effect of this small structural alteration on the global dynamics and activity of the enzyme.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luping Pang
- grid.5596.f0000 0001 0668 7884Biocrystallography, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49 – Box 822, 3000 Leuven, Belgium ,grid.5596.f0000 0001 0668 7884Medicinal Chemistry, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49 – Box 1041, 3000 Leuven, Belgium ,grid.207374.50000 0001 2189 3846Research Center of Basic Medicine, Academy of Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450001 China
| | - Vladimir Zanki
- grid.4808.40000 0001 0657 4636Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Horvatovac 102a, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Sergei V. Strelkov
- grid.5596.f0000 0001 0668 7884Biocrystallography, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49 – Box 822, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Arthur Van Aerschot
- grid.5596.f0000 0001 0668 7884Medicinal Chemistry, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49 – Box 1041, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ita Gruic-Sovulj
- grid.4808.40000 0001 0657 4636Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Horvatovac 102a, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Stephen D. Weeks
- grid.5596.f0000 0001 0668 7884Biocrystallography, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49 – Box 822, 3000 Leuven, Belgium ,Pledge Therapeutics, Gaston Geenslaan 1, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
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Identification of dual-targeted Mycobacterium tuberculosis aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase inhibitors using machine learning. Future Med Chem 2022; 14:1223-1237. [PMID: 35876255 DOI: 10.4155/fmc-2022-0085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The most serious challenge in the treatment of tuberculosis is the multidrug resistance of Mycobacterium tuberculosis to existing antibiotics. As a strategy to overcome resistance we used a multitarget drug design approach. The purpose of the work was to discover dual-targeted inhibitors of mycobacterial LeuRS and MetRS with machine learning. Methods: The artificial neural networks were built using module nnet from R 3.6.1. The inhibitory activity of compounds toward LeuRS and MetRS was investigated in aminoacylation assays. Results: Using a machine-learning approach, we identified dual-targeted inhibitors of LeuRS and MetRS among 2-(quinolin-2-ylsulfanyl)-acetamide derivatives. The most active compound inhibits MetRS and LeuRS with IC50 values of 33 μm and 23.9 μm, respectively. Conclusion: 2-(Quinolin-2-ylsulfanyl)-acetamide scaffold can be useful for further research.
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Xu S, Yang F, Fan H, Zhao X, Xu Y, Wang S, Zhang X. 1,8-Diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene (DBU)-promoted reduction of azides to amines under metal-free conditions. NEW J CHEM 2022. [DOI: 10.1039/d2nj00341d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
A simple and novel metal-free reduction of azides to amines in the presence of DBU is reported. This DBU-promoted transformation features good functional group tolerance and high chemo-selectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shijie Xu
- Co-Innovation Center for Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest Products, College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
| | - Fan Yang
- Co-Innovation Center for Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest Products, College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
| | - Hui Fan
- Co-Innovation Center for Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest Products, College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
| | - Xuechun Zhao
- Co-Innovation Center for Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest Products, College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
| | - Yao Xu
- Co-Innovation Center for Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest Products, College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
| | - Shuo Wang
- Co-Innovation Center for Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest Products, College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
| | - Xiaoxiang Zhang
- Co-Innovation Center for Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest Products, College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
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Pingaew R, Choomuenwai V, Leechaisit R, Prachayasittikul V, Prachayasittikul S, Prachayasittikul V. 1,2,3-Triazole Scaffold in Recent Medicinal Applications: Synthesis and Anticancer Potentials. HETEROCYCLES 2022. [DOI: 10.3987/rev-22-sr(r)4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Pang L, Weeks SD, Van Aerschot A. Aminoacyl-tRNA Synthetases as Valuable Targets for Antimicrobial Drug Discovery. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:1750. [PMID: 33578647 PMCID: PMC7916415 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22041750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Revised: 02/04/2021] [Accepted: 02/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (aaRSs) catalyze the esterification of tRNA with a cognate amino acid and are essential enzymes in all three kingdoms of life. Due to their important role in the translation of the genetic code, aaRSs have been recognized as suitable targets for the development of small molecule anti-infectives. In this review, following a concise discussion of aaRS catalytic and proof-reading activities, the various inhibitory mechanisms of reported natural and synthetic aaRS inhibitors are discussed. Using the expanding repository of ligand-bound X-ray crystal structures, we classified these compounds based on their binding sites, focusing on their ability to compete with the association of one, or more of the canonical aaRS substrates. In parallel, we examined the determinants of species-selectivity and discuss potential resistance mechanisms of some of the inhibitor classes. Combined, this structural perspective highlights the opportunities for further exploration of the aaRS enzyme family as antimicrobial targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luping Pang
- KU Leuven, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Medicinal Chemistry, Herestraat 49–box 1041, 3000 Leuven, Belgium;
- KU Leuven, Biocrystallography, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, Herestraat 49–box 822, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - Arthur Van Aerschot
- KU Leuven, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Medicinal Chemistry, Herestraat 49–box 1041, 3000 Leuven, Belgium;
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