Non-nucleoside inhibitors of BasE, an adenylating enzyme in the siderophore biosynthetic pathway of the opportunistic pathogen Acinetobacter baumannii

J Med Chem. 2013 Mar 28;56(6):2385-405. doi: 10.1021/jm301709s. Epub 2013 Mar 13.

Abstract

Siderophores are small-molecule iron chelators produced by bacteria and other microorganisms for survival under iron limiting conditions such as found in a mammalian host. Siderophore biosynthesis is essential for the virulence of many important Gram-negative pathogens including Acinetobacter baumannii, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli. We performed high-throughput screening against BasE, which is involved in siderophore biosynthesis in A. baumannii, and identified 6-phenyl-1-(pyridin-4-ylmethyl)-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridine-4-carboxylic acid 15. Herein we report the synthesis, biochemical, and microbiological evaluation of a systematic series of analogues of the HTS hit 15. Analogue 67 is the most potent analogue with a KD of 2 nM against BasE. Structural characterization of the inhibitors with BasE reveals that they bind in a unique orientation in the active site, occupying all three substrate binding sites, and thus can be considered as multisubstrate inhibitors. These results provide a foundation for future studies aimed at increasing both enzyme potency and antibacterial activity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural

MeSH terms

  • Acinetobacter baumannii / drug effects
  • Acinetobacter baumannii / enzymology*
  • Acinetobacter baumannii / metabolism
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / chemistry*
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology*
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / chemistry*
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Models, Molecular
  • Protein Conformation
  • Siderophores / biosynthesis*
  • Structure-Activity Relationship

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Siderophores