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Sullivan MJ, Terán I, Goh KG, Ulett GC. Resisting death by metal: metabolism and Cu/Zn homeostasis in bacteria. Emerg Top Life Sci 2024; 8:45-56. [PMID: 38362914 PMCID: PMC10903455 DOI: 10.1042/etls20230115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 02/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
Metal ions such as zinc and copper play important roles in host-microbe interactions and their availability can drastically affect the survival of pathogenic bacteria in a host niche. Mechanisms of metal homeostasis protect bacteria from starvation, or intoxication, defined as when metals are limiting, or in excess, respectively. In this mini-review, we summarise current knowledge on the mechanisms of resistance to metal stress in bacteria, focussing specifically on the homeostasis of cellular copper and zinc. This includes a summary of the factors that subvert metal stress in bacteria, which are independent of metal efflux systems, and commentary on the role of small molecules and metabolic systems as important mediators of metal resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J. Sullivan
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7TJ, U.K
- School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, and Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, Gold Coast, QLD 4222, Australia
| | - Ignacio Terán
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7TJ, U.K
| | - Kelvin G.K. Goh
- School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, and Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, Gold Coast, QLD 4222, Australia
| | - Glen C. Ulett
- School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, and Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, Gold Coast, QLD 4222, Australia
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O'Brien H, Davoodian T, Johnson MDL. The promise of copper ionophores as antimicrobials. Curr Opin Microbiol 2023; 75:102355. [PMID: 37406562 PMCID: PMC10529258 DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2023.102355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023]
Abstract
Antibiotic-resistant microbe-mediated deaths are a major worldwide health issue. Unfortunately, due to microbial adaptation to develop resistance, some antibiotics are nullified early in their usage, and worse, resistance is detected before they can even be prescribed. Copper's toxicity since antiquity against microbes at the host-pathogen interface offers a fascinating weapon to fight antimicrobial resistance. Here, we briefly review why copper is so effective, how drugs that work with copper are effective antimicrobials, and how compounds such as these could reinvigorate investment in antimicrobial development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henrik O'Brien
- Department of Immunobiology, University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA
| | - Talish Davoodian
- Department of Immunobiology, University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA
| | - Michael D L Johnson
- Department of Immunobiology, University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA; Valley Fever Center for Excellence, University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA; BIO5 Institute, University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA; Asthma and Airway Disease Research Center, University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA.
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Menghani SV, Sanchez-Rosario Y, Pok C, Liu R, Gao F, O’Brien H, Neubert MJ, Ochoa K, Durckel M, Hellinger RD, Hackett N, Wang W, Johnson MDL. Novel dithiocarbamate derivatives are effective copper-dependent antimicrobials against Streptococcal species. Front Microbiol 2023; 13:1099330. [PMID: 36741900 PMCID: PMC9894897 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.1099330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite the availability of several vaccines against multiple disease-causing strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae, the rise of antimicrobial resistance and pneumococcal disease caused by strains not covered by the vaccine creates a need for developing novel antimicrobial strategies. N,N-dimethyldithiocarbamate (DMDC) was found to be a potent copper-dependent antimicrobial against several pathogens, including S. pneumoniae. Here, DMDCs efficacy against Streptococcal pathogens Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus agalactiae, and Streptococcus anginosus was tested using bactericidal and inductively coupled plasma - optical emission spectrometry. After confirming DMDC as broad-spectrum streptococcal antimicrobial, DMDC was derivatized into five compounds. The derivatives' effectiveness as copper chelators using DsRed2 and as copper-dependent antimicrobials against S. pneumoniae TIGR4 and tested in bactericidal and animal models. Two compounds, sodium N-benzyl-N-methyldithiocarbamate and sodium N-allyl-N-methyldithiocarbamate (herein "Compound 3" and "Compound 4"), were effective against TIGR4 and further, D39 and ATCC® 6303™ _(a type 3 capsular strain). Both Compound 3 and 4 increased the pneumococcal internal concentrations of copper to the same previously reported levels as with DMDC and copper treatment. However, in an in vivo murine pneumonia model, Compound 3, but not Compound 4, was effective in significantly decreasing the bacterial burden in the blood and lungs of S. pneumoniae-infected mice. These derivatives also had detrimental effects on the other streptococcal species. Collectively, derivatizing DMDC holds promise as potent bactericidal antibiotics against relevant streptococcal pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanjay V. Menghani
- Department of Immunobiology, University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson, Tucson, AZ, United States
- Medical Scientist Training MD-PhD Program (MSTP), University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Yamil Sanchez-Rosario
- Department of Immunobiology, University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Chansorena Pok
- Department of Immunobiology, University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson, Tucson, AZ, United States
- Department of Microbial Pathogens and Immunity, Rush University, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Renshuai Liu
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Feng Gao
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Henrik O’Brien
- Department of Immunobiology, University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Miranda J. Neubert
- Department of Immunobiology, University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Klariza Ochoa
- Department of Immunobiology, University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Meredythe Durckel
- Department of Immunobiology, University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Riley D. Hellinger
- Department of Immunobiology, University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson, Tucson, AZ, United States
- Medical Scientist Training MD-PhD Program (MSTP), University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Nadia Hackett
- Department of Immunobiology, University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Michael D. L. Johnson
- Department of Immunobiology, University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson, Tucson, AZ, United States
- Valley Fever Center for Excellence, University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson, Tucson, AZ, United States
- BIO5 Institute, University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson, Tucson, AZ, United States
- Asthma and Airway Disease Research Center, University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson, Tucson, AZ, United States
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