A bactericidal guanidinomethyl biaryl that alters the dynamics of bacterial FtsZ polymerization

J Med Chem. 2012 Nov 26;55(22):10160-76. doi: 10.1021/jm3012728. Epub 2012 Oct 26.

Abstract

The prevalence of multidrug resistance among clinically significant bacterial pathogens underscores a critical need for the development of new classes of antibiotics with novel mechanisms of action. Here we describe the synthesis and evaluation of a guanidinomethyl biaryl compound {1-((4'-(tert-butyl)-[1,1'-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl)guanidine} that targets the bacterial cell division protein FtsZ. In vitro studies with various bacterial FtsZ proteins reveal that the compound alters the dynamics of FtsZ self-polymerization via a stimulatory mechanism, while minimally impacting the polymerization of tubulin, the closest mammalian homologue of FtsZ. The FtsZ binding site of the compound is identified through a combination of computational and mutational approaches. The compound exhibits a broad spectrum of bactericidal activity, including activity against the multidrug-resistant pathogens methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE), while also exhibiting a minimal potential to induce resistance. Taken together, our results highlight the compound as a promising new FtsZ-targeting bactericidal agent.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / chemical synthesis
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology*
  • Bacterial Proteins / metabolism*
  • Biphenyl Compounds / chemical synthesis
  • Biphenyl Compounds / pharmacology*
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins / metabolism*
  • Drug Resistance, Multiple / drug effects
  • Enterococcus / drug effects*
  • Guanidines / chemical synthesis
  • Guanidines / pharmacology*
  • Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / drug effects*
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Models, Molecular
  • Molecular Structure
  • Polymerization / drug effects*
  • Staphylococcal Infections / drug therapy*
  • Staphylococcal Infections / metabolism
  • Staphylococcal Infections / microbiology
  • Staphylococcus aureus / drug effects*
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Vancomycin Resistance / drug effects*

Substances

  • 1-((4'-(tert-butyl)-(1,1'-biphenyl)-3-yl)methyl)guanidine
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Biphenyl Compounds
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins
  • FtsZ protein, Bacteria
  • Guanidines