# | Rank | Similarity | Title + Abs. | Year | PMID |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| 504 | 0 | 0.9765 | Activation of Dithiolopyrrolone Antibiotics by Cellular Reductants. Dithiolopyrrolone (DTP) natural products are broad-spectrum antimicrobial and anticancer prodrugs. The DTP structure contains a unique bicyclic ene-disulfide that once reduced in the cell, chelates metal ions and disrupts metal homeostasis. In this work we investigate the intracellular activation of the DTPs and their resistance mechanisms in bacteria. We show that the prototypical DTP holomycin is reduced by several bacterial reductases and small-molecule thiols in vitro. To understand how bacteria develop resistance to the DTPs, we generate Staphylococcus aureus mutants that exhibit increased resistance to the hybrid DTP antibiotic thiomarinol. From these mutants we identify loss-of-function mutations in redox genes that are involved in DTP activation. This work advances the understanding of how DTPs are activated and informs development of bioreductive disulfide prodrugs. | 2025 | 39665630 |
| 558 | 1 | 0.9710 | Thiamine pyrophosphate riboswitches are targets for the antimicrobial compound pyrithiamine. Thiamine metabolism genes are regulated in numerous bacteria by a riboswitch class that binds the coenzyme thiamine pyrophosphate (TPP). We demonstrate that the antimicrobial action of the thiamine analog pyrithiamine (PT) is mediated by interaction with TPP riboswitches in bacteria and fungi. For example, pyrithiamine pyrophosphate (PTPP) binds the TPP riboswitch controlling the tenA operon in Bacillus subtilis. Expression of a TPP riboswitch-regulated reporter gene is reduced in transgenic B. subtilis or Escherichia coli when grown in the presence of thiamine or PT, while mutant riboswitches in these organisms are unresponsive to these ligands. Bacteria selected for PT resistance bear specific mutations that disrupt ligand binding to TPP riboswitches and derepress certain TPP metabolic genes. Our findings demonstrate that riboswitches can serve as antimicrobial drug targets and expand our understanding of thiamine metabolism in bacteria. | 2005 | 16356850 |
| 8435 | 2 | 0.9706 | Antimicrobial Zeolitic Imidazolate Frameworks with Dual Mechanisms of Action. The horizontal transfer of drug-resistant genes and the formation of biofilm barriers have threatened the therapeutic efficacy of conventional antibiotic drugs. Development of non-antibiotic agents with high delivery efficiency through bacterial biofilms is urgently required. A pyrithione (PT)-loading zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF-8@PT) is synthesized to destroy biofilms and improve the sensitivity of bacteria to PT. ZIF-8@PT can target and destroy the biofilm as well as the cell membrane, promoting the intracellular delivery of PT and possibly its interaction with SmpB, a protein that could regulate the drug resistance of bacteria. ZIF-8@PT effectively suppresses abdominal infections induced by multiresistant Aeromonas veronii C4 in rodent models without systemic toxicity. ZIF-8@PT promises wide applications in treating infections caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria through a dual mechanism of action. | 2023 | 36815744 |
| 9085 | 3 | 0.9705 | Mode of action and resistance studies unveil new roles for tropodithietic acid as an anticancer agent and the γ-glutamyl cycle as a proton sink. While we have come to appreciate the architectural complexity of microbially synthesized secondary metabolites, far less attention has been paid to linking their structural features with possible modes of action. This is certainly the case with tropodithietic acid (TDA), a broad-spectrum antibiotic generated by marine bacteria that engage in dynamic symbioses with microscopic algae. TDA promotes algal health by killing unwanted marine pathogens; however, its mode of action (MoA) and significance for the survival of an algal-bacterial miniecosystem remains unknown. Using cytological profiling, we herein determine the MoA of TDA and surprisingly find that it acts by a mechanism similar to polyether antibiotics, which are structurally highly divergent. We show that like polyether drugs, TDA collapses the proton motive force by a proton antiport mechanism, in which extracellular protons are exchanged for cytoplasmic cations. The α-carboxy-tropone substructure is ideal for this purpose as the proton can be carried on the carboxyl group, whereas the basicity of the tropylium ion facilitates cation export. Based on similarities to polyether anticancer agents we have further examined TDA's cytotoxicity and find it to exhibit potent, broad-spectrum anticancer activities. These results highlight the power of MoA-profiling technologies in repurposing old drugs for new targets. In addition, we identify an operon that confers TDA resistance to the producing marine bacteria. Bioinformatic and biochemical analyses of these genes lead to a previously unknown metabolic link between TDA/acid resistance and the γ-glutamyl cycle. The implications of this resistance mechanism in the context of the algal-bacterial symbiosis are discussed. | 2016 | 26802120 |
| 9155 | 4 | 0.9696 | Polyphenols and their nanoformulations as potential antibiofilm agents against multidrug-resistant pathogens. The emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens is a major problem in the therapeutic management of infectious diseases. Among the bacterial resistance mechanisms is the development of an enveloped protein and polysaccharide-hydrated matrix called a biofilm. Polyphenolics have demonstrated beneficial antibacterial effects. Phenolic compounds mediate their antibiofilm effects via disruption of the bacterial membrane, deprivation of substrate, protein binding, binding to adhesion complex, viral fusion blockage and interactions with eukaryotic DNA. However, these compounds have limitations of chemical instability, low bioavailability, poor water solubility and short half-lives. Nanoformulations offer a promising solution to overcome these challenges by enhancing their antibacterial potential. This review summarizes the antibiofilm role of polyphenolics, their underlying mechanisms and their potential role as resistance-modifying agents. | 2024 | 38305223 |
| 8159 | 5 | 0.9695 | Quaternary Ammonium Salts: Insights into Synthesis and New Directions in Antibacterial Applications. The overuse of antibiotics has led to the emergence of a large number of antibiotic-resistant genes in bacteria, and increasing evidence indicates that a fungicide with an antibacterial mechanism different from that of antibiotics is needed. Quaternary ammonium salts (QASs) are a biparental substance with good antibacterial properties that kills bacteria through simple electrostatic adsorption and insertion into cell membranes/altering of cell membrane permeability. Therefore, the probability of bacteria developing drug resistance is greatly reduced. In this review, we focus on the synthesis and application of single-chain QASs, double-chain QASs, heterocyclic QASs, and gemini QASs (GQASs). Some possible structure-function relationships of QASs are also summarized. As such, we hope this review will provide insight for researchers to explore more applications of QASs in the field of antimicrobials with the aim of developing systems for clinical applications. | 2023 | 36748912 |
| 9222 | 6 | 0.9695 | Bacterial proton motive force as an unprecedented target to control antimicrobial resistance. Novel antibacterial therapies are urgently required to tackle the increasing number of multidrug-resistant pathogens. Identification of new antimicrobial targets is critical to avoid possible cross-resistance issues. Bacterial proton motive force (PMF), an energetic pathway located on the bacterial membrane, crucially regulates various biological possesses such as adenosine triphosphate synthesis, active transport of molecules, and rotation of bacterial flagella. Nevertheless, the potential of bacterial PMF as an antibacterial target remains largely unexplored. The PMF generally comprises electric potential (ΔΨ) and transmembrane proton gradient (ΔpH). In this review, we present an overview of bacterial PMF, including its functions and characterizations, highlighting the representative antimicrobial agents that specifically target either ΔΨ or ΔpH. At the same time, we also discuss the adjuvant potential of bacterial PMF-targeting compounds. Lastly, we highlight the value of PMF disruptors in preventing the transmission of antibiotic resistance genes. These findings suggest that bacterial PMF represents an unprecedented target, providing a comprehensive approach to controlling antimicrobial resistance. | 2023 | 36896761 |
| 8158 | 7 | 0.9695 | Nanobioconjugates: Weapons against Antibacterial Resistance. The increase in drug resistance in pathogenic bacteria is emerging as a global threat as we swiftly edge toward the postantibiotic era. Nanobioconjugates have gained tremendous attention to treat multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria and biofilms due to their tunable physicochemical properties, drug targeting ability, enhanced uptake, and alternate mechanisms of drug action. In this review, we highlight the recent advances made in the use of nanobioconjugates to combat antibacterial resistance and provide crucial insights for designing nanomaterials that can serve as antibacterial agents for nanotherapeutics, nanocargos for targeted antibiotic delivery, or both. Also discussed are different strategies for treating robust biofilms formed by bacteria. | 2020 | 35019602 |
| 9050 | 8 | 0.9688 | Cationic Polysaccharide Conjugates as Antibiotic Adjuvants Resensitize Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria and Prevent Resistance. In recent years, traditional antibiotic efficacy has rapidly diminished due to the advent of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria, which poses severe threat to human life and globalized healthcare. Currently, the development cycle of new antibiotics cannot match the ongoing MDR infection crisis. Therefore, novel strategies are required to resensitize MDR bacteria to existing antibiotics. In this study, novel cationic polysaccharide conjugates Dextran-graft-poly(5-(1,2-dithiolan-3-yl)-N-(2-guanidinoethyl)pentanamide) (Dex-g-PSS(n) ) is synthesized using disulfide exchange polymerization. Critically, bacterial membranes and efflux pumps are disrupted by a sub-inhibitory concentration of Dex-g-PSS(30) , which enhances rifampicin (RIF) accumulation inside bacteria and restores its efficacy. Combined Dex-g-PSS(30) and RIF prevents bacterial resistance in bacteria cultured over 30 generations. Furthermore, Dex-g-PSS(30) restores RIF effectiveness, reduces inflammatory reactions in a pneumonia-induced mouse model, and exhibits excellent in vivo biological absorption and degradation capabilities. As an antibiotic adjuvant, Dex-g-PSS(30) provides a novel resensitizing strategy for RIF against MDR bacteria and bacterial resistance. This Dex-g-PSS(30) research provides a solid platform for future MDR applications. | 2022 | 35962720 |
| 8436 | 9 | 0.9688 | NIR-Activated Hydrogel with Dual-Enhanced Antibiotic Effectiveness for Thorough Elimination of Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria. Antibiotic resistance has become a critical health crisis globally. Traditional strategies using antibiotics can lead to drug-resistance, while inorganic antimicrobial agents can cause severe systemic toxicity. Here, we have developed a dual-antibiotic hydrogel delivery system (PDA-Ag@Levo/CMCS), which can achieve controlled release of clinical antibiotics levofloxacin (Levo) and classic nanoscale antibiotic silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), effectively eliminating drug-resistant P. aeruginosa. Benefiting from the photothermal (PTT) effect of polydopamine (PDA), the local high temperature generated by PDA-Ag@Levo/CMCS can quickly kill bacteria through continuous and responsive release of dual-antibiotics to restore sensitivity to ineffective antibiotics. Moreover, AgNPs could significantly improve the efficiency of traditional antibiotics by disrupting bacterial membranes and reducing their toxicity to healthy tissues. A clever combination of PTT and drug-combination therapy can effectively eliminate biofilms and drug-resistant bacteria. Mechanism studies have shown that PDA-Ag@Levo might eliminate drug-resistant P. aeruginosa by disrupting biofilm formation and protein synthesis, and inhibit the resistance mutation of P. aeruginosa by promoting the expression of related genes, such as rpoS, dinB, and mutS. Collectively, the synergistic effect of this dual-antibiotic hydrogel combined with PTT provides a creative strategy for eliminating drug-resistant bacteria in chronic infection wounds. | 2025 | 39760335 |
| 746 | 10 | 0.9688 | Novel antimicrobial 3-phenyl-4-phenoxypyrazole derivatives target cell wall lipid intermediates with low mammalian cytotoxicity. The growing crisis of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) underscores the critical need for innovative antimicrobial discoveries. Novel antibiotics targeting the bacterial cell wall remain an attractive area of research, due to their conservation and essentiality in bacteria and their absence in eukaryotic cells. Antibiotics targeting lipid II are of special interest due to the reduced potential for target modification of lipid components and their surface accessibility to inhibitors. In this study, we identified 3-phenyl-4-phenoxypyrazole analogues named PYO12 and PYO12a with bactericidal activity against gram-positive bacteria and low cytotoxicity for different types of mammalian cells. Gram-negative bacteria were resistant to PYO12 activity through extrusion of this compound via efflux pumps. Exposure to PYO12 induces expression of genes involved in resistance to antimicrobials targeting the cell wall, suggesting that PYO12 acts via binding to lipid II or other lipid intermediates involved in peptidoglycan or teichoic acid biosynthesis. Antagonism of PYO12 antibacterial activity by undecaprenyl-pyrophosphate supports the idea that PYO12 may bind to the lipid moiety of lipid II blocking the shuttling of peptidoglycan precursors across the cytoplasmic membrane. These findings open opportunities to further develop these compounds as antibiotics targeting bacterial cell wall synthesis. | 2025 | 41083642 |
| 8207 | 11 | 0.9687 | Functional amyloid proteins confer defence against predatory bacteria. Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus is a predatory bacterium that non-selectively preys on Gram-negative bacteria by invading the prey-cell periplasm, leaching host nutrients and ultimately lysing the infected cell to exit and find a new host(1,2). The predatory life cycle of B. bacteriovorus is, in many ways, comparable to a bacteriophage. However, unlike phage defence, defence against B. bacteriovorus has not been widely investigated. Here we screened a collection of diverse Escherichia coli strains for resistance to B. bacteriovorus and identified that roughly one-third of strains robustly defended against predation by producing curli fibres. Curli fibres are oligomers of the functional amyloid protein CsgA, which is exceptionally durable(3). Using genetics and microscopy, we demonstrate that curli fibres provide a barrier that protects susceptible cells independent of genes required for biofilm formation. This barrier further protected E. coli against attack by the predatory bacterium Myxococcus xanthus and select phages. Bioinformatic analysis of bacterial amyloids showed these systems are diverse and widespread in diderm bacteria (those with both inner and outer membranes). One of these, an evolutionarily distinct amyloid encoded by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, also protected against B. bacteriovorus. This work establishes that functional amyloids defend bacteria against a wide range of threats. | 2025 | 40604283 |
| 331 | 12 | 0.9687 | MmpS4 promotes glycopeptidolipids biosynthesis and export in Mycobacterium smegmatis. The MmpS family (mycobacterial membrane protein small) includes over 100 small membrane proteins specific to the genus Mycobacterium that have not yet been studied experimentally. The genes encoding MmpS proteins are often associated with mmpL genes, which are homologous to the RND (resistance nodulation cell division) genes of Gram-negative bacteria that encode proteins functioning as multidrug efflux system. We showed by molecular genetics and biochemical analysis that MmpS4 in Mycobacterium smegmatis is required for the production and export of large amounts of cell surface glycolipids, but is dispensable for biosynthesis per se. A new specific and sensitive method utilizing single-chain antibodies against the surface-exposed glycolipids was developed to confirm that MmpS4 was dispensable for transport to the surface. Orthologous complementation demonstrated that the MmpS4 proteins are exchangeable, thus not specific to a defined lipid species. MmpS4 function requires the formation of a protein complex at the pole of the bacillus, which requires the extracytosolic C-terminal domain of MmpS4. We suggest that MmpS proteins facilitate lipid biosynthesis by acting as a scaffold for coupled biosynthesis and transport machinery. | 2010 | 21062372 |
| 9059 | 13 | 0.9686 | Validation of Suitable Carrier Molecules and Target Genes for Antisense Therapy Using Peptide-Coupled Peptide Nucleic Acids (PNAs) in Streptococci. Antisense peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) targeting genes involved in metabolism or virulence are a possible means to treat infections or to investigate pathogenic bacteria. Potential targets include essential genes, virulence factor genes, or antibiotic resistance genes. For efficient cellular uptake, PNAs can be coupled to cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs). CPPs are peptides that serve as molecular transporters and are characterized by a comparably low cytotoxicity. So far, there is only limited information about CPPs that mediate PNA uptake by Gram-positive bacteria. Here, we describe two methods to identify suitable CPP-antisense PNA conjugates, novel carrier molecules, and efficient target genes for streptococcal species and to evaluate their antimicrobial efficiency. | 2020 | 32430835 |
| 622 | 14 | 0.9684 | Small-Molecule Antibiotics Inhibiting tRNA-Regulated Gene Expression Is a Viable Strategy for Targeting Gram-Positive Bacteria. Bacterial infections and the rise of antibiotic resistance, especially multidrug resistance, have generated a clear need for discovery of novel therapeutics. We demonstrated that a small-molecule drug, PKZ18, targets the T-box mechanism and inhibits bacterial growth. The T-box is a structurally conserved riboswitch-like gene regulator in the 5' untranslated region (UTR) of numerous essential genes of Gram-positive bacteria. T-boxes are stabilized by cognate, unacylated tRNA ligands, allowing the formation of an antiterminator hairpin in the mRNA that enables transcription of the gene. In the absence of an unacylated cognate tRNA, transcription is halted due to the formation of a thermodynamically more stable terminator hairpin. PKZ18 targets the site of the codon-anticodon interaction of the conserved stem I and reduces T-box-controlled gene expression. Here, we show that novel analogs of PKZ18 have improved MICs, bactericidal effects against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and increased efficacy in nutrient-limiting conditions. The analogs have reduced cytotoxicity against eukaryotic cells compared to PKZ18. The PKZ18 analogs acted synergistically with aminoglycosides to significantly enhance the efficacy of the analogs and aminoglycosides, further increasing their therapeutic windows. RNA sequencing showed that the analog PKZ18-22 affects expression of 8 of 12 T-box controlled genes in a statistically significant manner, but not other 5'-UTR regulated genes in MRSA. Very low levels of resistance further support the existence of multiple T-box targets for PKZ18 analogs in the cell. Together, the multiple targets, low resistance, and synergy make PKZ18 analogs promising drugs for development and future clinical applications. | 2020 | 33077662 |
| 8434 | 15 | 0.9684 | A potent and selective antimicrobial poly(amidoamine) dendrimer conjugate with LED209 targeting QseC receptor to inhibit the virulence genes of gram negative bacteria. The pandemic of multidrug-resistant Gram negative bacteria (GNB) is a worldwide healthcare concern, and very few antibiotics are being explored to match the clinical challenge. Recently, amino-terminated poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimers have shown potential to function as broad antimicrobial agents. However, PAMAM displays a generation dependent cytotoxicity to mammalian cells and low selectivity on bacterial cells, which limits PAMAM to be developed as an antibacterial agent for systemic administration. We conjugated G3 PAMAM with LED209, a specific inhibitor of quorum sensor QseC of GNB, to generate a multifunctional agent PAMAM-LED209. Intriguingly, PAMAM-LED209 showed higher selectivity on GNB and lower cytotoxicity to mammalian cells, yet remained strong antibacterial activity. PAMAM-LED209 also inhibited virulence gene expression of GNB, and did not induce antibiotic-resistance. The present work firstly demonstrated that PAMAM-LED209 conjugate had a highly selective anti-GNB activity and low cytotoxicity, which offered a feasible strategy for combating multidrug-resistant GNB infections. FROM THE CLINICAL EDITOR: This research team demonstrated that a novel PAMAM-LED209 conjugate had highly selective activity against Gram-negative bacteria, coupled with low cytotoxicity, offering a potential strategy for combating multidrug-resistant infections. | 2015 | 25461286 |
| 9025 | 16 | 0.9683 | BING, a novel antimicrobial peptide isolated from Japanese medaka plasma, targets bacterial envelope stress response by suppressing cpxR expression. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have emerged as a promising alternative to small molecule antibiotics. Although AMPs have previously been isolated in many organisms, efforts on the systematic identification of AMPs in fish have been lagging. Here, we collected peptides from the plasma of medaka (Oryzias latipes) fish. By using mass spectrometry, 6399 unique sequences were identified from the isolated peptides, among which 430 peptides were bioinformatically predicted to be potential AMPs. One of them, a thermostable 13-residue peptide named BING, shows a broad-spectrum toxicity against pathogenic bacteria including drug-resistant strains, at concentrations that presented relatively low toxicity to mammalian cell lines and medaka. Proteomic analysis indicated that BING treatment induced a deregulation of periplasmic peptidyl-prolyl isomerases in gram-negative bacteria. We observed that BING reduced the RNA level of cpxR, an upstream regulator of envelope stress responses. cpxR is known to play a crucial role in the development of antimicrobial resistance, including the regulation of genes involved in drug efflux. BING downregulated the expression of efflux pump components mexB, mexY and oprM in P. aeruginosa and significantly synergised the toxicity of antibiotics towards these bacteria. In addition, exposure to sublethal doses of BING delayed the development of antibiotic resistance. To our knowledge, BING is the first AMP shown to suppress cpxR expression in Gram-negative bacteria. This discovery highlights the cpxR pathway as a potential antimicrobial target. | 2021 | 34108601 |
| 515 | 17 | 0.9683 | The Streptomyces peucetius dpsY and dnrX genes govern early and late steps of daunorubicin and doxorubicin biosynthesis. The Streptomyces peucetius dpsY and dnrX genes govern early and late steps in the biosynthesis of the clinically valuable antitumor drugs daunorubicin (DNR) and doxorubicin (DXR). Although their deduced products resemble those of genes thought to be involved in antibiotic production in several other bacteria, this information could not be used to identify the functions of dpsY and dnrX. Replacement of dpsY with a mutant form disrupted by insertion of the aphII neomycin-kanamycin resistance gene resulted in the accumulation of UWM5, the C-19 ethyl homolog of SEK43, a known shunt product of iterative polyketide synthases involved in the biosynthesis of aromatic polyketides. Hence, DpsY must act along with the other components of the DNR-DXR polyketide synthase to form 12-deoxyaklanonic acid, the earliest known intermediate of the DXR pathway. Mutation of dnrX in the same way resulted in a threefold increase in DXR production and the disappearance of two acid-sensitive, unknown compounds from culture extracts. These results suggest that dnrX, analogous to the role of the S. peucetius dnrH gene (C. Scotti and C. R. Hutchinson, J. Bacteriol. 178:73167321, 1996), may be involved in the metabolism of DNR and/or DXR to acid-sensitive compounds, possibly related to the baumycins found in many DNR-producing bacteria. | 1998 | 9573189 |
| 801 | 18 | 0.9682 | Redox-sensitive transcriptional regulator SoxR directly controls antibiotic production, development and thiol-oxidative stress response in Streptomyces avermitilis. The redox-sensitive transcriptional regulator SoxR is conserved in bacteria. Its role in mediating protective response to various oxidative stresses in Escherichia coli and related enteric bacteria has been well established. However, functions and regulatory mechanisms of SoxR in filamentous Streptomyces, which produce half of known antibiotics, are unclear. We report here that SoxR pleiotropically regulates antibiotic production, morphological development, primary metabolism and thiol-oxidative stress response in industrially important species Streptomyces avermitilis. SoxR stimulated avermectin production by directly activating ave structural genes. Four genes (sav_3956, sav_4018, sav_5665 and sav_7218) that are homologous to targets of S. coelicolor SoxR are targeted by S. avermitilis SoxR. A consensus 18-nt SoxR-binding site, 5'-VSYCNVVMHNKVKDGMGB-3', was identified in promoter regions of sav_3956, sav_4018, sav_5665, sav_7218 and target ave genes, leading to prediction of the SoxR regulon and confirmation of 11 new targets involved in development (ftsH), oligomycin A biosynthesis (olmRI), primary metabolism (metB, sav_1623, plcA, nirB, thiG, ndh2), transport (smoE) and regulatory function (sig57, sav_7278). SoxR also directly activated three key developmental genes (amfC, whiB and ftsZ) and promoted resistance of S. avermitilis to thiol-oxidative stress through activation of target trx and msh genes. Overexpression of soxR notably enhanced antibiotic production in S. avermitilis and S. coelicolor. Our findings expand our limited knowledge of SoxR and will facilitate improvement of methods for antibiotic overproduction in Streptomyces species. | 2022 | 33951287 |
| 8273 | 19 | 0.9682 | Targeting quorum sensing and competence stimulation for antimicrobial chemotherapy. Bacterial resistance to antibiotics is now a serious problem, with traditional classes of antibiotics having gradually become ineffective. New drugs are therefore needed to target and inhibit novel pathways that affect the growth of bacteria. An important feature in the survival of bacteria is that they coordinate their efforts together as a colony via secreted auto-inducing molecules. Competence stimulating peptides (CSPs) are among the quorum sensing pheromones involved in this coordination. These peptides activate a two-component system in gram-negative bacteria, binding to and activating a histidine kinase receptor called ComD, which phosphorylates a response regulator called ComE, leading to gene expression and induction of competence. Competent bacteria are able to take up exogenous DNA and incorporate it into their own genome. By this mechanism bacteria are able to acquire and share genes encoding antibiotic resistance. Despite having been studied for over 30 years, this pathway has only recently begun to be explored as a novel approach to modulating bacterial growth. Antagonists of ComD might block the signaling cascade that leads to competence, while overstimulation of ComD might also reduce bacterial growth. One possible approach to inhibiting ComD is to examine peptide sequences of CSPs that activate ComD and attempt to constrain them to bioactive conformations, likely to have higher affinity due to pre-organization for recognition by the receptor. Thus, small molecules that mimic an alpha helical epitope of CSPs, the putative ComD binding domain, have been shown here to inhibit growth of bacteria such as S. pneumoniae. Such alpha helix mimetics may be valuable clues to antibacterial chemotherapeutic agents that utilize a new mechanism to control bacterial growth. | 2012 | 22664089 |