Virtual Screening Approach and Investigation of Structure-Activity Relationships To Discover Novel Bacterial Topoisomerase Inhibitors Targeting Gram-Positive and Gram-Negative Pathogens

J Med Chem. 2019 Aug 22;62(16):7445-7472. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.9b00394. Epub 2019 Jul 31.

Abstract

Bacterial resistance is increasing rapidly, requiring urgent identification of new antibacterial drugs that are effective against multidrug-resistant pathogens. Novel bacterial topoisomerase inhibitors (NBTIs) provide a new strategy for investigating the well-validated DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV targets while preventing cross-resistance issues. On this basis, starting from a virtual screening campaign and subsequent structure-based hit optimization guided by X-ray studies, a novel class of piperazine-like NBTIs with outstanding enzymatic activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV was identified. Notably, compounds (±)-33, (±)-35, and (±)-36 with potent and balanced multitarget enzymatic profiles exhibited excellent efficacy against selected Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens, as well as clinically relevant resistant strains. Overall, the new NBTI chemotype described herein, owing to the broad-spectrum antibacterial activity and favorable in vitro safety profile, might serve as a basis for the development of novel treatments against serious infections.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Bacterial Infections / microbiology
  • Bacterial Infections / prevention & control
  • DNA Gyrase / genetics
  • DNA Gyrase / metabolism
  • DNA Topoisomerase IV / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • DNA Topoisomerase IV / genetics
  • DNA Topoisomerase IV / metabolism
  • Escherichia coli / drug effects*
  • Escherichia coli / enzymology
  • Escherichia coli / genetics
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Models, Chemical
  • Molecular Structure
  • Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
  • Staphylococcus aureus / drug effects*
  • Staphylococcus aureus / enzymology
  • Staphylococcus aureus / genetics
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Topoisomerase Inhibitors / chemical synthesis
  • Topoisomerase Inhibitors / chemistry
  • Topoisomerase Inhibitors / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Topoisomerase Inhibitors
  • DNA Topoisomerase IV
  • DNA Gyrase