Small-Molecule Inhibitors of the NusB-NusE Protein-Protein Interaction with Antibiotic Activity.

Journal: ACS omega
Published Date:

Abstract

The NusB-NusE protein-protein interaction (PPI) is critical to the formation of stable antitermination complexes required for stable RNA transcription in all bacteria. This PPI is an emerging antibacterial drug target. Pharmacophore-based screening of the mini-Maybridge compound library (56 000 molecules) identified ,'-[1,4-butanediylbis(oxy-4,1-phenylene)]bis(-ethyl)urea as a lead of interest. Competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay screening validated as a 20 μM potent inhibitor of NusB-NusE. Four focused compound libraries based on , comprising 34 compounds in total were designed, synthesized, and evaluated as NusB-NusE PPI inhibitors. Ten analogues displayed NusB-NusE PPI inhibition ≥50% at 25 μM concentration in vitro. In contrast to representative Gram-negative and Gram-positive species, these analogues showed up to 100% growth inhibition at 200 μM. 2-(()-4-((()-4-(4-(()-(Carbamimidoylimino)methyl)phenoxy)but-2-en-1-yl)oxy)benzylidene)hydrazine-1-carboximidamide showed excellent activity against important pathogens. With minimum inhibitory concentration values of ≤3 μg/mL for Gram-positive and methicillin-resistant and ≤51 μg/mL for Gram-negative and , is a potent lead for a novel antibacterial target. Epifluorescence studies in live bacteria were consistent with , inhibiting the NusB-NusE PPI as proposed.

Authors

  • Peter J Cossar
    Chemistry, School of Environmental & Life Sciences and Biology, Centre for Chemical Biology and Clinical Pharmacology, School of Environmental & Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia.
  • Mohammed K Abdel-Hamid
    Chemistry, School of Environmental & Life Sciences and Biology, Centre for Chemical Biology and Clinical Pharmacology, School of Environmental & Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia.
  • Cong Ma
    Chemistry, School of Environmental & Life Sciences and Biology, Centre for Chemical Biology and Clinical Pharmacology, School of Environmental & Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia.
  • Jennette A Sakoff
    Experimental Therapeutics Group, Department of Medical Oncology, Calvary Mater Newcastle Hospital, Edith Street, Waratah, NSW 2298, Australia.
  • Trieu N Trinh
    Chemistry, School of Environmental & Life Sciences and Biology, Centre for Chemical Biology and Clinical Pharmacology, School of Environmental & Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia.
  • Christopher P Gordon
    Nanoscale Organization and Dynamics Group, School of Science and Health, University of Western Sydney, Penrith South DC, NSW 2751, Australia.
  • Peter J Lewis
    Chemistry, School of Environmental & Life Sciences and Biology, Centre for Chemical Biology and Clinical Pharmacology, School of Environmental & Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia.
  • Adam McCluskey
    Chemistry, School of Environmental & Life Sciences and Biology, Centre for Chemical Biology and Clinical Pharmacology, School of Environmental & Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia.

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