1
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Bachert BA, Bozue JA. Peptidoglycan enzymes of Francisella: Roles in cell morphology and pathogenesis, and potential as therapeutic targets. Front Microbiol 2023; 13:1099312. [PMID: 36713212 PMCID: PMC9877522 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.1099312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Peptidoglycan, found within the cell wall of bacteria, is a structure critical for maintaining cell morphology and providing a protective barrier in diverse environments. Peptidoglycan is a remarkably dynamic structure that is constantly remodeled during cell growth and division by various peptidoglycan enzymes. Numerous peptidoglycan enzymes have been characterized from diverse bacteria and are highly sought after as targets for therapeutics. However, very little is known about these enzymes within the biothreat agent Francisella tularensis. As the causative agent of tularemia, F. tularensis is classified as a category A biothreat pathogen, in part due to its low infectious dose and lack of FDA-approved vaccine. Many bacterial species encode multiple peptidoglycan enzymes with redundant functions that allow for compensation if one of the enzymes are inactivated. In contrast, F. tularensis appears to lack this redundancy, indicating peptidoglycan enzymes may be completely essential for growth and could be exploited as targets for medical countermeasures. Indeed, several peptidoglycan enzymes in F. tularensis have been shown to play important roles in cell division, cell morphology, virulence, and modulation of host response. The aim of this review is to summarize findings from the current literature on peptidoglycan enzymes present in Francisella and discuss areas where future research efforts might be directed. We conclude that Francisella harbors a distinct set of peptidoglycan enzymes important for cell growth and virulence and represent potentially valuable targets for the development of novel therapeutics.
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2
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Martinez-Bond EA, Soriano BM, Williams AH. The mechanistic landscape of Lytic transglycosylase as targets for antibacterial therapy. Curr Opin Struct Biol 2022; 77:102480. [PMID: 36323133 DOI: 10.1016/j.sbi.2022.102480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Revised: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Lytic transglycosylases (Ltgs) are glycan strand cleaving enzymes whose role is poorly understood in the genesis of the bacterial envelope. They play multiple roles in all stages of a bacterial life cycle, by creating holes in the peptidoglycan that is necessary for cell division and separation. Here, we review recent advances in understanding the suitability of Ltgs as antibacterial drug targets. We specifically highlight a known inhibitor bulgecin A that is able to inhibit the function of structurally diverse Ltgs, as well as synergize with beta-lactams to improve its efficacy in antibiotic insensitive strains. Discovery of new antibiotics or new targets has been challenging. These studies could provide a viable path toward designing broad-spectrum inhibitors that targets Ltgs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth A Martinez-Bond
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA. https://twitter.com/bondlizbond
| | - Berliza M Soriano
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA. https://twitter.com/AWilliamslab
| | - Allison H Williams
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA; Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, CA, USA.
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3
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The Lysozyme Inhibitor Thionine Acetate Is Also an Inhibitor of the Soluble Lytic Transglycosylase Slt35 from Escherichia coli. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26144189. [PMID: 34299465 PMCID: PMC8307938 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26144189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Revised: 07/03/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Lytic transglycosylases such as Slt35 from E. coli are enzymes involved in bacterial cell wall remodelling and recycling, which represent potential targets for novel antibacterial agents. Here, we investigated a series of known glycosidase inhibitors for their ability to inhibit Slt35. While glycosidase inhibitors such as 1-deoxynojirimycin, castanospermine, thiamet G and miglitol had no effect, the phenothiazinium dye thionine acetate was found to be a weak inhibitor. IC50 values and binding constants for thionine acetate were similar for Slt35 and the hen egg white lysozyme. Molecular docking simulations suggest that thionine binds to the active site of both Slt35 and lysozyme, although it does not make direct interactions with the side-chain of the catalytic Asp and Glu residues as might be expected based on other inhibitors. Thionine acetate also increased the potency of the beta-lactam antibiotic ampicillin against a laboratory strain of E. coli.
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4
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Lim KYL, Mullally CA, Haese EC, Kibble EA, McCluskey NR, Mikucki EC, Thai VC, Stubbs KA, Sarkar-Tyson M, Kahler CM. Anti-Virulence Therapeutic Approaches for Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Antibiotics (Basel) 2021; 10:antibiotics10020103. [PMID: 33494538 PMCID: PMC7911339 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics10020103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Revised: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
While antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is seen in both Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Neisseria meningitidis, the former has become resistant to commonly available over-the-counter antibiotic treatments. It is imperative then to develop new therapies that combat current AMR isolates whilst also circumventing the pathways leading to the development of AMR. This review highlights the growing research interest in developing anti-virulence therapies (AVTs) which are directed towards inhibiting virulence factors to prevent infection. By targeting virulence factors that are not essential for gonococcal survival, it is hypothesized that this will impart a smaller selective pressure for the emergence of resistance in the pathogen and in the microbiome, thus avoiding AMR development to the anti-infective. This review summates the current basis of numerous anti-virulence strategies being explored for N. gonorrhoeae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine Y. L. Lim
- Marshall Centre for Infectious Disease Research and Training, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia; (K.Y.L.L.); (C.A.M.); (E.C.H.); (E.A.K.); (N.R.M.); (E.C.M.); (V.C.T.); (M.S.-T.)
| | - Christopher A. Mullally
- Marshall Centre for Infectious Disease Research and Training, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia; (K.Y.L.L.); (C.A.M.); (E.C.H.); (E.A.K.); (N.R.M.); (E.C.M.); (V.C.T.); (M.S.-T.)
| | - Ethan C. Haese
- Marshall Centre for Infectious Disease Research and Training, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia; (K.Y.L.L.); (C.A.M.); (E.C.H.); (E.A.K.); (N.R.M.); (E.C.M.); (V.C.T.); (M.S.-T.)
| | - Emily A. Kibble
- Marshall Centre for Infectious Disease Research and Training, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia; (K.Y.L.L.); (C.A.M.); (E.C.H.); (E.A.K.); (N.R.M.); (E.C.M.); (V.C.T.); (M.S.-T.)
- School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia
| | - Nicolie R. McCluskey
- Marshall Centre for Infectious Disease Research and Training, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia; (K.Y.L.L.); (C.A.M.); (E.C.H.); (E.A.K.); (N.R.M.); (E.C.M.); (V.C.T.); (M.S.-T.)
- School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia
| | - Edward C. Mikucki
- Marshall Centre for Infectious Disease Research and Training, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia; (K.Y.L.L.); (C.A.M.); (E.C.H.); (E.A.K.); (N.R.M.); (E.C.M.); (V.C.T.); (M.S.-T.)
| | - Van C. Thai
- Marshall Centre for Infectious Disease Research and Training, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia; (K.Y.L.L.); (C.A.M.); (E.C.H.); (E.A.K.); (N.R.M.); (E.C.M.); (V.C.T.); (M.S.-T.)
| | - Keith A. Stubbs
- School of Molecular Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia;
| | - Mitali Sarkar-Tyson
- Marshall Centre for Infectious Disease Research and Training, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia; (K.Y.L.L.); (C.A.M.); (E.C.H.); (E.A.K.); (N.R.M.); (E.C.M.); (V.C.T.); (M.S.-T.)
| | - Charlene M. Kahler
- Marshall Centre for Infectious Disease Research and Training, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia; (K.Y.L.L.); (C.A.M.); (E.C.H.); (E.A.K.); (N.R.M.); (E.C.M.); (V.C.T.); (M.S.-T.)
- Correspondence:
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5
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Grishin AV, Karyagina AS, Vasina DV, Vasina IV, Gushchin VA, Lunin VG. Resistance to peptidoglycan-degrading enzymes. Crit Rev Microbiol 2020; 46:703-726. [PMID: 32985279 DOI: 10.1080/1040841x.2020.1825333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
The spread of bacterial strains resistant to commonly used antibiotics urges the development of novel antibacterial compounds. Ideally, these novel antimicrobials should be less prone to the development of resistance. Peptidoglycan-degrading enzymes are a promising class of compounds with a fundamentally different mode of action compared to traditionally used antibiotics. The difference in the mechanism of action implies differences both in the mechanisms of resistance and the chances of its emergence. To critically assess the potential of resistance development to peptidoglycan-degrading enzymes, we review the available evidence for the development of resistance to these enzymes in vitro, along with the known mechanisms of resistance to lysozyme, bacteriocins, autolysins, and phage endolysins. We conclude that genetic determinants of resistance to peptidoglycan-degrading enzymes are unlikely to readily emerge de novo. However, resistance to these enzymes would probably spread by the horizontal transfer between intrinsically resistant and susceptible species. Finally, we speculate that the higher cost of the therapeutics based on peptidoglycan degrading enzymes compared to classical antibiotics might result in less misuse, which in turn would lead to lower selective pressure, making these antibacterials less prone to resistance development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander V Grishin
- N.F. Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia.,All-Russia Research Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Anna S Karyagina
- N.F. Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia.,All-Russia Research Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia.,A.N. Belozersky Institute of Physical and Chemical Biology, M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Daria V Vasina
- N.F. Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia.,A.N. Bach Institute of Biochemistry, Research Center of Biotechnology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Irina V Vasina
- N.F. Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
| | - Vladimir A Gushchin
- N.F. Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia.,Faculty of Biology, M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Vladimir G Lunin
- N.F. Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia.,All-Russia Research Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
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6
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Williams AH, Wheeler R, Deghmane AE, Santecchia I, Schaub RE, Hicham S, Moya Nilges M, Malosse C, Chamot-Rooke J, Haouz A, Dillard JP, Robins WP, Taha MK, Gomperts Boneca I. Defective lytic transglycosylase disrupts cell morphogenesis by hindering cell wall de- O-acetylation in Neisseria meningitidis. eLife 2020; 9:51247. [PMID: 32022687 PMCID: PMC7083599 DOI: 10.7554/elife.51247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2019] [Accepted: 02/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Lytic transglycosylases (LT) are enzymes involved in peptidoglycan (PG) remodeling. However, their contribution to cell-wall-modifying complexes and their potential as antimicrobial drug targets remains unclear. Here, we determined a high-resolution structure of the LT, an outer membrane lipoprotein from Neisseria species with a disordered active site helix (alpha helix 30). We show that deletion of the conserved alpha-helix 30 interferes with the integrity of the cell wall, disrupts cell division, cell separation, and impairs the fitness of the human pathogen Neisseria meningitidis during infection. Additionally, deletion of alpha-helix 30 results in hyperacetylated PG, suggesting this LtgA variant affects the function of the PG de-O-acetylase (Ape 1). Our study revealed that Ape 1 requires LtgA for optimal function, demonstrating that LTs can modulate the activity of their protein-binding partner. We show that targeting specific domains in LTs can be lethal, which opens the possibility that LTs are useful drug-targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison Hillary Williams
- Unité Biologie et Génétique de la Paroi Bactérienne, Institut Pasteur; Groupe Avenir, INSERM 75015, Paris, France
| | - Richard Wheeler
- Unité Biologie et Génétique de la Paroi Bactérienne, Institut Pasteur; Groupe Avenir, INSERM 75015, Paris, France.,Tumour Immunology and Immunotherapy, Institut Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
| | | | - Ignacio Santecchia
- Unité Biologie et Génétique de la Paroi Bactérienne, Institut Pasteur; Groupe Avenir, INSERM 75015, Paris, France.,Universté Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Ryan E Schaub
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, United States
| | - Samia Hicham
- Unité Biologie et Génétique de la Paroi Bactérienne, Institut Pasteur; Groupe Avenir, INSERM 75015, Paris, France
| | - Maryse Moya Nilges
- Unité Technologie et Service BioImagerie Ultrastructural, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Christian Malosse
- Unité Technologie et Service Spectrométrie de Masse pour la Biologie, Institut Pasteur; UMR 3528, CNRS 75015, Paris, France
| | - Julia Chamot-Rooke
- Unité Technologie et Service Spectrométrie de Masse pour la Biologie, Institut Pasteur; UMR 3528, CNRS 75015, Paris, France
| | - Ahmed Haouz
- Plate-forme de Cristallographie-C2RT, Institut Pasteur; UMR3528, CNRS 75015, Paris, France
| | - Joseph P Dillard
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, United States
| | - William P Robins
- Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, United States
| | - Muhamed-Kheir Taha
- Unité des Infection Bactériennes Invasives, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Ivo Gomperts Boneca
- Unité Biologie et Génétique de la Paroi Bactérienne, Institut Pasteur; Groupe Avenir, INSERM 75015, Paris, France
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7
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Jenkins CH, Wallis R, Allcock N, Barnes KB, Richards MI, Auty JM, Galyov EE, Harding SV, Mukamolova GV. The lytic transglycosylase, LtgG, controls cell morphology and virulence in Burkholderia pseudomallei. Sci Rep 2019; 9:11060. [PMID: 31363151 PMCID: PMC6667503 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-47483-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2019] [Accepted: 07/15/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Burkholderia pseudomallei is the causative agent of the tropical disease melioidosis. Its genome encodes an arsenal of virulence factors that allow it, when required, to switch from a soil dwelling bacterium to a deadly intracellular pathogen. With a high intrinsic resistance to antibiotics and the ability to overcome challenges from the host immune system, there is an increasing requirement for new antibiotics and a greater understanding into the molecular mechanisms of B. pseudomallei virulence and dormancy. The peptidoglycan remodeling enzymes, lytic transglycosylases (Ltgs) are potential targets for such new antibiotics. Ltgs cleave the glycosidic bonds within bacterial peptidoglycan allowing for the insertion of peptidoglycan precursors during cell growth and division, and cell membrane spanning structures such as flagella and secretion systems. Using bioinformatic analysis we have identified 8 putative Ltgs in B. pseudomallei K96243. We aimed to investigate one of these Ltgs, LtgG (BPSL3046) through the generation of deletion mutants and biochemical analysis. We have shown that LtgG is a key contributor to cellular morphology, division, motility and virulence in BALB/c mice. We have determined the crystal structure of LtgG and have identified various amino acids likely to be important in peptidoglycan binding and catalytic activity. Recombinant protein assays and complementation studies using LtgG containing a site directed mutation in aspartate 343, confirmed the essentiality of this amino acid in the function of LtgG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher H Jenkins
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK. .,Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, Chemical, Biological and Radiological Division, Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire, UK.
| | - Russell Wallis
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK.,The Leicester Institute of Structural and Chemical Biology, Henry Wellcome Building, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | - Natalie Allcock
- Electron Microscopy Facility, Core Biotechnology Services, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | - Kay B Barnes
- Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, Chemical, Biological and Radiological Division, Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire, UK
| | - Mark I Richards
- Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, Chemical, Biological and Radiological Division, Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire, UK
| | - Joss M Auty
- Department of Respiratory Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | - Edouard E Galyov
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK.,Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | - Sarah V Harding
- Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, Chemical, Biological and Radiological Division, Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire, UK.,Department of Respiratory Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | - Galina V Mukamolova
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK. .,Department of Respiratory Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK.
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8
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Antibiotic Targets in Gonococcal Cell Wall Metabolism. Antibiotics (Basel) 2018; 7:antibiotics7030064. [PMID: 30037076 PMCID: PMC6164560 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics7030064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2018] [Revised: 07/19/2018] [Accepted: 07/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The peptidoglycan cell wall that encloses the bacterial cell and provides structural support and protection is remodeled by multiple enzymes that synthesize and cleave the polymer during growth. This essential and dynamic structure has been targeted by multiple antibiotics to treat gonococcal infections. Up until now, antibiotics have been used against the biosynthetic machinery and the therapeutic potential of inhibiting enzymatic activities involved in peptidoglycan breakdown has not been explored. Given the major antibiotic resistance problems we currently face, it is crucial to identify other possible targets that are key to maintaining cell integrity and contribute to disease development. This article reviews peptidoglycan as an antibiotic target, how N. gonorrhoeae has developed resistance to currently available antibiotics, and the potential of continuing to target this essential structure to combat gonococcal infections by attacking alternative enzymatic activities involved in cell wall modification and metabolism.
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9
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Vijayaraghavan J, Kumar V, Krishnan NP, Kaufhold RT, Zeng X, Lin J, van den Akker F. Structural studies and molecular dynamics simulations suggest a processive mechanism of exolytic lytic transglycosylase from Campylobacter jejuni. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0197136. [PMID: 29758058 PMCID: PMC5951611 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0197136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2018] [Accepted: 04/26/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The bacterial soluble lytic transglycosylase (LT) breaks down the peptidoglycan (PG) layer during processes such as cell division. We present here crystal structures of the soluble LT Cj0843 from Campylobacter jejuni with and without bulgecin A inhibitor in the active site. Cj0843 has a doughnut shape similar but not identical to that of E. coli SLT70. The C-terminal catalytic domain is preceded by an L-domain, a large helical U-domain, a flexible linker, and a small N-terminal NU-domain. The flexible linker allows the NU-domain to reach over and complete the circular shape, using residues conserved in the Epsilonproteobacteria LT family. The inner surface of the Cj0843 doughnut is mostly positively charged including a pocket that has 8 Arg/Lys residues. Molecular dynamics simulations with PG strands revealed a potential functional role for this pocket in anchoring the negatively charged terminal tetrapeptide of the PG during several steps in the reaction including homing and aligning the PG strand for exolytic cleavage, and subsequent ratcheting of the PG strand to enhance processivity in degrading PG strands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jagamya Vijayaraghavan
- Department of Biochemistry, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, United States of America
| | - Vijay Kumar
- Department of Biochemistry, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, United States of America
| | - Nikhil P. Krishnan
- Department of Biochemistry, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, United States of America
| | - Ross T. Kaufhold
- Department of Biochemistry, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, United States of America
| | - Ximin Zeng
- Institute of agriculture, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, United States of America
| | - Jun Lin
- Institute of agriculture, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, United States of America
| | - Focco van den Akker
- Department of Biochemistry, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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10
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Williams AH, Wheeler R, Rateau L, Malosse C, Chamot-Rooke J, Haouz A, Taha MK, Boneca IG. A step-by-step in crystallo guide to bond cleavage and 1,6-anhydro-sugar product synthesis by a peptidoglycan-degrading lytic transglycosylase. J Biol Chem 2018; 293:6000-6010. [PMID: 29483188 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra117.001095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2017] [Revised: 02/12/2018] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Lytic transglycosylases (LTs) are a class of enzymes important for the recycling and metabolism of peptidoglycan (PG). LTs cleave the β-1,4-glycosidic bond between N-acetylmuramic acid (MurNAc) and GlcNAc in the PG glycan strand, resulting in the concomitant formation of 1,6-anhydro-N-acetylmuramic acid and GlcNAc. No LTs reported to date have utilized chitins as substrates, despite the fact that chitins are GlcNAc polymers linked via β-1,4-glycosidic bonds, which are the known site of chemical activity for LTs. Here, we demonstrate enzymatically that LtgA, a non-canonical, substrate-permissive LT from Neisseria meningitidis utilizes chitopentaose ((GlcNAc)5) as a substrate to produce three newly identified sugars: 1,6-anhydro-chitobiose, 1,6-anhydro-chitotriose, and 1,6-anhydro-chitotetraose. Although LTs have been widely studied, their complex reactions have not previously been visualized in the crystalline state because macromolecular PG is insoluble. Here, we visualized the cleavage of the glycosidic bond and the liberation of GlcNAc-derived residues by LtgA, followed by the synthesis of atypical 1,6-anhydro-GlcNAc derivatives. In addition to the newly identified anhydro-chitin products, we identified trapped intermediates, unpredicted substrate rearrangements, sugar distortions, and a conserved crystallographic water molecule bound to the catalytic glutamate of a high-resolution native LT. This study enabled us to propose a revised alternative mechanism for LtgA that could also be applicable to other LTs. Our work contributes to the understanding of the mechanisms of LTs in bacterial cell wall biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison H Williams
- From the Institut Pasteur, Département de Microbiologie, Unité Biologie et Génétique de la Paroi Bactérienne, 75015 Paris, France, .,INSERM, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Richard Wheeler
- From the Institut Pasteur, Département de Microbiologie, Unité Biologie et Génétique de la Paroi Bactérienne, 75015 Paris, France.,INSERM, 75015 Paris, France.,the Gustave Roussy Comprehensive Cancer Center, Tumour Immunology and Immunotherapy, F-94805 Villejuif, France
| | - Lesly Rateau
- From the Institut Pasteur, Département de Microbiologie, Unité Biologie et Génétique de la Paroi Bactérienne, 75015 Paris, France.,INSERM, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Christian Malosse
- the Institut Pasteur, CNRS USR 2000, Unité des Spectrométrie de Masse Structurale et Proteomique, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Julia Chamot-Rooke
- the Institut Pasteur, CNRS USR 2000, Unité des Spectrométrie de Masse Structurale et Proteomique, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Ahmed Haouz
- the Institut Pasteur, Plate-forme de Cristallographie, CNRS-UMR3528, 75724 Paris, France, and
| | - Muhamed-Kheir Taha
- the Institut Pasteur, Département d'Infection et Epidémiologie, Unité des Infection Bactériennes Invasives, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Ivo Gomperts Boneca
- From the Institut Pasteur, Département de Microbiologie, Unité Biologie et Génétique de la Paroi Bactérienne, 75015 Paris, France, .,INSERM, 75015 Paris, France
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11
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Dik DA, Marous DR, Fisher JF, Mobashery S. Lytic transglycosylases: concinnity in concision of the bacterial cell wall. Crit Rev Biochem Mol Biol 2017. [PMID: 28644060 DOI: 10.1080/10409238.2017.1337705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The lytic transglycosylases (LTs) are bacterial enzymes that catalyze the non-hydrolytic cleavage of the peptidoglycan structures of the bacterial cell wall. They are not catalysts of glycan synthesis as might be surmised from their name. Notwithstanding the seemingly mundane reaction catalyzed by the LTs, their lytic reactions serve bacteria for a series of astonishingly diverse purposes. These purposes include cell-wall synthesis, remodeling, and degradation; for the detection of cell-wall-acting antibiotics; for the expression of the mechanism of cell-wall-acting antibiotics; for the insertion of secretion systems and flagellar assemblies into the cell wall; as a virulence mechanism during infection by certain Gram-negative bacteria; and in the sporulation and germination of Gram-positive spores. Significant advances in the mechanistic understanding of each of these processes have coincided with the successive discovery of new LTs structures. In this review, we provide a systematic perspective on what is known on the structure-function correlations for the LTs, while simultaneously identifying numerous opportunities for the future study of these enigmatic enzymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- David A Dik
- a Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry , University of Notre Dame , Notre Dame , IN , USA
| | - Daniel R Marous
- a Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry , University of Notre Dame , Notre Dame , IN , USA
| | - Jed F Fisher
- a Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry , University of Notre Dame , Notre Dame , IN , USA
| | - Shahriar Mobashery
- a Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry , University of Notre Dame , Notre Dame , IN , USA
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12
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Bulgecin A: The Key to a Broad-Spectrum Inhibitor That Targets Lytic Transglycosylases. Antibiotics (Basel) 2017; 6:antibiotics6010008. [PMID: 28241458 PMCID: PMC5372988 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics6010008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2016] [Accepted: 02/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Lytic transglycosylases (Lts) are involved in recycling, cell division, and metabolism of the peptidoglycan. They have been understudied for their usefulness as potential antibacterial targets due to their high redundancy in Gram-negative bacteria. Bulgecin A is an O-sulphonated glycopeptide that targets primarily soluble lytic tranglycosylases (Slt). It has been shown that bulgecin A increases the efficacy of β-lactams that target penicillin bindings proteins (PBPs). Here, we present the high-resolution crystal structure of LtgA from Neisseria meningitidis strain MC58, a membrane bound homolog of Escherichia coli Slt, in complex with bulgecin A. The LtgA-bulgecin A complex reveals the mechanism of inhibition by bulgecin A at near atomic resolution. We further demonstrate that bulgecin A is not only a potent inhibitor of LtgA, but most importantly, it restores the efficacy of β-lactam antibiotics in strains of N. meningitidis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae that have reduced susceptibility to β-lactams. This is particularly relevant for N. gonorrhoeae where no vaccines are available. This work illustrates how best to target dangerous pathogens using a multiple drug target approach, a new and alternative approach to fighting antibiotic resistance.
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13
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Skalweit MJ, Li M. Bulgecin A as a β-lactam enhancer for carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa and carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii clinical isolates containing various resistance mechanisms. DRUG DESIGN DEVELOPMENT AND THERAPY 2016; 10:3013-3020. [PMID: 27703329 PMCID: PMC5036594 DOI: 10.2147/dddt.s110193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Genetic screening of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PSDA) and Acinetobacter baumannii (ACB) reveals genes that confer increased susceptibility to β-lactams when disrupted, suggesting novel drug targets. One such target is lytic transglycosylase. Bulgecin A (BlgA) is a natural product of Pseudomonas mesoacidophila and a lytic transglycosolase inhibitor that works synergistically with β-lactams targeting PBP3 for Enterobacteriaceae. BlgA also weakly inhibits di-Zn2+ metallo-β-lactamases like L1 of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia. We hypothesized that because of its unique mechanism of action, BlgA could restore susceptibility to carbapenems in carbapenem-resistant PSDA (CR-PSDA) and carbapenem-resistant ACB, as well as ACB resistant to sulbactam. A BlgA-containing extract was prepared using a previously published protocol. CR-PSDA clinical isolates demonstrating a variety of carbapenem resistance mechanisms (VIM-2 carbapenemases, efflux mechanisms, and AmpC producer expression) were characterized with agar dilution minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) testing and polymerase chain reaction. Growth curves using these strains were prepared using meropenem, BlgA extract, and meropenem plus BlgA extract. A concentrated Blg A extract combined with low concentrations of meropenem, was able to inhibit the growth of clinical strains of CR-PSDA for strains that had meropenem MICs ≥8 mg/L by agar dilution, and a clinical strain of an OXA-24 producing ACB that had a meropenem MIC >32 mg/L and intermediate ampicillin/sulbactam susceptibility. Similar experiments were conducted on a TEM-1 producing ACB strain resistant to sulbactam. BlgA with ampicillin/sulbactam inhibited the growth of this organism. As in Enterobacteriaceae, BlgA appears to restore the efficacy of meropenem in suppressing the growth of CR-PSDA and carbapenem-resistant ACB strains with a variety of common carbapenem resistance mechanisms. BlgA extract also inhibits VIM-2 β-lactamase in vitro. BlgA may prove to be an exciting adjunctive compound to extend the life of carbapenems against these vexing pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marion J Skalweit
- Department of Medicine; Research Section; Infectious Diseases Section, Louis Stokes Cleveland Department of Veterans; Department of Medicine; Department of Biochemistry, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA
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14
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Zeng X, Gillespie B, Lin J. Important Role of a Putative Lytic Transglycosylase Cj0843c in β-Lactam Resistance in Campylobacter jejuni. Front Microbiol 2015; 6:1292. [PMID: 26635760 PMCID: PMC4647113 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2015.01292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2015] [Accepted: 11/04/2015] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Beta-lactam antibiotics are an important class of antibiotics for treating bacterial infections. Despite prevalent β-lactam resistance in Campylobacter jejuni, the leading bacterial cause of human diarrhea in developed countries, molecular mechanism of β-lactam resistance in C. jejuni is still largely unknown. In this study, C. jejuni 81–176 was used for random transposon mutagenesis. Screening of a 2,800-mutant library identified 22 mutants with increased susceptibility to ampicillin. Of these mutants, two mutants contains mutations in Cj0843c (a putative lytic transglycosylase gene) and in its upstream gene Cj0844c, respectively. Complementation experiment demonstrated that the Cj0843 contributes to β-lactam resistance. The Cj0843c insertional mutation was subsequently introduced to diverse C. jejuni clinical strains for MIC test, showing that Cj0843c contributes to both intrinsic and acquired β-lactam resistance of C. jejuni. Consistent with this finding, inactivation of Cj0843c also dramatically reduced β-lactamase activity. Genomic examination and PCR analysis showed Cj0843c is widely distributed in C. jejuni. High purity recombinant Cj0843c was produced for generation of specific antiserum. The Cj0843 was localized in the periplasm, as demonstrated by immunoblotting using specific antibodies. Turbidimetric assay further demonstrated the capability of the purified Cj0843c to hydrolyze cell walls. Inactivation of Cj0843c also significantly reduced C. jejuni colonization in the intestine. Together, this study identifies a mechanism of β-lactam resistance in C. jejuni and provides insights into the role of cell wall metabolism in regulating β-lactamase activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ximin Zeng
- Department of Animal Science, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville TN, USA
| | - Barbara Gillespie
- Department of Animal Science, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville TN, USA
| | - Jun Lin
- Department of Animal Science, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville TN, USA
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15
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Dörr T, Davis BM, Waldor MK. Endopeptidase-mediated beta lactam tolerance. PLoS Pathog 2015; 11:e1004850. [PMID: 25884840 PMCID: PMC4401780 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1004850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2014] [Accepted: 04/02/2015] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
In many bacteria, inhibition of cell wall synthesis leads to cell death and lysis. The pathways and enzymes that mediate cell lysis after exposure to cell wall-acting antibiotics (e.g. beta lactams) are incompletely understood, but the activities of enzymes that degrade the cell wall ('autolysins') are thought to be critical. Here, we report that Vibrio cholerae, the cholera pathogen, is tolerant to antibiotics targeting cell wall synthesis. In response to a wide variety of cell wall--acting antibiotics, this pathogen loses its rod shape, indicative of cell wall degradation, and becomes spherical. Genetic analyses revealed that paradoxically, V. cholerae survival via sphere formation required the activity of D,D endopeptidases, enzymes that cleave the cell wall. Other autolysins proved dispensable for this process. Our findings suggest the enzymes that mediate cell wall degradation are critical for determining bacterial cell fate--sphere formation vs. lysis--after treatment with antibiotics that target cell wall synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Dörr
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Microbiology and Immunobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Brigid M. Davis
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Microbiology and Immunobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Matthew K. Waldor
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Microbiology and Immunobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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16
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Tai WC, Lee CH, Chiou SS, Kuo CM, Kuo CH, Liang CM, Lu LS, Chiu CH, Wu KL, Chiu YC, Hu TH, Chuah SK. The clinical and bacteriological factors for optimal levofloxacin-containing triple therapy in second-line Helicobacter pylori eradication. PLoS One 2014; 9:e105822. [PMID: 25141137 PMCID: PMC4139398 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0105822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2014] [Accepted: 07/24/2014] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Quinolone has the disadvantage of easily acquired drug resistance. It is important to prescribe it wisely for a high eradication rate. The current study aimed to determine the clinical and bacteriological factors for optimal levofloxacin-containing triple therapies in second-line H. pylori eradication. We enrolled a total of 158 H. pylori-infected patients who failed H. pylori eradication using the 7-day standard triple therapy (proton-pump inhibitor [PPI] twice daily, 500 mg clarithromycin twice daily, and 1 g amoxicillin twice daily). They were prescribed with either a 10-day (group A) or 14-day (group B) levofloxacin-containing triple therapy group (levofloxacin 500 mg once daily, amoxicillin 1 g twice daily, and esomeprazole 40 mg twice daily for 10 days) by their clinicians. Follow-up studies to assess treatment responses were carried out 8 weeks later. The eradication rates attained by groups A and B were 73.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 63.9–85.3%) and 90.5% (95% CI = 84.5–98.1%), respectively in the per protocol analysis (P = 0.008 in the per protocol analysis) and 67.1% (95% CI = 56.6–78.5%) and 84.8% (95% CI = 76.8–93.4%), respectively, in the intention-to-treat analysis (P = 0.009). The subgroup analysis revealed that H. pylori eradication rates for group A patients with levofloxacin-susceptible strains were 92.9% (13/14) but it dropped to 12.5% (1/8) when levofloxacin-resistant strains existed. H. pylori was eradicated among all the group B patients with levofloxacin-susceptible strains, but only half of patients with levofloxacin-resistant strains were successfully eradicated. In conclusion, this study confirms the effectiveness of 14-day treatment. Importantly, the results imply that 10-day treatment duration should be optimal if a culture can be performed to confirm the existence of susceptible strains. The duration of H. pylori eradication and levofloxacin resistance were the influencing factors for successful treatment. This study suggests that tailored levofloxacin-containing therapy should be administered only for patients with susceptible strains because it can achieve >90% success rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Chen Tai
- Division of Hepatogastroenterology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Chen-Hsiang Lee
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Shue-Shian Chiou
- Division of Hepatogastroenterology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Chung-Mou Kuo
- Division of Hepatogastroenterology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Chung-Huang Kuo
- Division of Hepatogastroenterology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Ming Liang
- Division of Hepatogastroenterology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Lung-Sheng Lu
- Division of Hepatogastroenterology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Hua Chiu
- Division of General Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Keng-Liang Wu
- Division of Hepatogastroenterology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Chun Chiu
- Division of Hepatogastroenterology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Tsung-Hui Hu
- Division of Hepatogastroenterology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Seng-Kee Chuah
- Division of Hepatogastroenterology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- * E-mail:
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Kuhn H, Gutelius D, Black E, Nadolny C, Basu A, Reid C. Anti-bacterial glycosyl triazoles - Identification of an N-acetylglucosamine derivative with bacteriostatic activity against Bacillus. MEDCHEMCOMM 2014; 5:1213-1217. [PMID: 25431647 PMCID: PMC4241850 DOI: 10.1039/c4md00127c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
N-acetylglucosaminidases (GlcNAcases) play an important role in the remodeling and recycling of bacterial peptidoglycan. Inhibitors of bacterial GlcNAcases can serve as antibacterial agents and provide an opportunity for the development of new antibiotics. We report the synthesis of triazole derivatives of N-acetylglucosamine using a copper promoted azide-alkyne coupling reaction between 1-azido-N-acetylglucosamine and a small library of terminal alkynes prepared via the Ugi reaction. These compounds were evaluated for their ability to inhibit the growth of bacteria. Two compounds that show bacteriostatic activity against Bacillus were identified, with MIC values of approximately 60 μM in both cases. Bacillus subtilis cultured in the presence of sub-MIC amounts of the glycosyl triazole inhibitors exhibit an elongated phenotype characteristic of impaired cell division. This represents the first report of inhibitors of bacterial cell wall GlcNAcases that demonstrate inhibition of cell growth in whole cell assays.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Eimear Black
- Department of Chemistry, Brown University, Providence RI 02912; Department of Science and Technology, Bryant University, Providence RI 02917
| | - Christina Nadolny
- Department of Chemistry, Brown University, Providence RI 02912; Department of Science and Technology, Bryant University, Providence RI 02917
| | - Amit Basu
- Department of Chemistry, Brown University, Providence RI 02912; Department of Science and Technology, Bryant University, Providence RI 02917
| | - Christopher Reid
- Department of Chemistry, Brown University, Providence RI 02912; Department of Science and Technology, Bryant University, Providence RI 02917
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18
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Zeng X, Lin J. Beta-lactamase induction and cell wall metabolism in Gram-negative bacteria. Front Microbiol 2013; 4:128. [PMID: 23734147 PMCID: PMC3660660 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2013.00128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2013] [Accepted: 05/04/2013] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Production of beta-lactamases, the enzymes that degrade beta-lactam antibiotics, is the most widespread and threatening mechanism of antibiotic resistance. In the past, extensive research has focused on the structure, function, and ecology of beta-lactamases while limited efforts were placed on the regulatory mechanisms of beta-lactamases. Recently, increasing evidence demonstrate a direct link between beta-lactamase induction and cell wall metabolism in Gram-negative bacteria. Specifically, expression of beta-lactamase could be induced by the liberated murein fragments, such as muropeptides. This article summarizes current knowledge on cell wall metabolism, beta-lactam antibiotics, and beta-lactamases. In particular, we comprehensively reviewed recent studies on the beta-lactamase induction by muropeptides via two major molecular mechanisms (the AmpG-AmpR-AmpC pathway and BlrAB-like two-component regulatory system) in Gram-negative bacteria. The signaling pathways for beta-lactamase induction offer a broad array of promising targets for the discovery of new antibacterial drugs used for combination therapies. Therefore, to develop effective mitigation strategies against the widespread beta-lactam resistance, examination of the molecular basis of beta-lactamase induction by cell wall fragment is highly warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jun Lin
- Department of Animal Science, The University of TennesseeKnoxville, TN, USA
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19
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Abstract
Many Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria recycle a significant proportion of the peptidoglycan components of their cell walls during their growth and septation. In many--and quite possibly all--bacteria, the peptidoglycan fragments are recovered and recycled. Although cell-wall recycling is beneficial for the recovery of resources, it also serves as a mechanism to detect cell-wall-targeting antibiotics and to regulate resistance mechanisms. In several Gram-negative pathogens, anhydro-MurNAc-peptide cell-wall fragments regulate AmpC β-lactamase induction. In some Gram-positive organisms, short peptides derived from the cell wall regulate the induction of both β-lactamase and β-lactam-resistant penicillin-binding proteins. The involvement of peptidoglycan recycling with resistance regulation suggests that inhibitors of the enzymes involved in the recycling might synergize with cell-wall-targeted antibiotics. Indeed, such inhibitors improve the potency of β-lactams in vitro against inducible AmpC β-lactamase-producing bacteria. We describe the key steps of cell-wall remodeling and recycling, the regulation of resistance mechanisms by cell-wall recycling, and recent advances toward the discovery of cell-wall-recycling inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jarrod W Johnson
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, USA
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