7,8-diaminopelargonic acid synthase (BioA) of Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a recently validated target for therapeutic intervention in the treatment of tuberculosis (TB). Using biophysical fragment screening and structural characterization of compounds, we have identified a potent aryl hydrazine inhibitor of BioA that reversibly modifies the pyridoxal-5’-phosphate (PLP) cofactor, forming a stable quinonoid. Analogous hydrazides also form covalent adducts that can be observed crystallographically but are incapable of inactivating the enzyme. In the X-ray crystal structures, small molecules induce unexpected conformational remodeling in the substrate binding site. We compare these conformational changes to those induced upon binding of the substrate (7-keto-8-aminopelargonic acid), and characterize the inhibition kinetics and the X-ray crystal structures of BioA with the hydrazine compound and analogs to unveil the mechanism of this reversible covalent modification.
SUMMARY Biotin biosynthesis is essential for survival and persistence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) in vivo. The aminotransferase BioA, which catalyzes the antepenultimate step in the biotin pathway, has been established as a promising target due to its vulnerability to chemical inhibition. We performed high-throughput screening (HTS) employing a fluorescence displacement assay and identified a diverse set of potent inhibitors including many diversity-oriented synthesis (DOS) scaffolds. To efficiently select only hits targeting biotin biosynthesis, we then deployed a whole-cell counter-screen in either biotin-free and biotin-containing medium against wild-type Mtb and in parallel with isogenic bioA Mtb strains that possess differential levels of BioA expression. This counter-screen proved crucial to filter out compounds whose whole-cell activity was off-target as well as identify hits with weak, but measurable whole-cell activity in BioA-depleted strains. Several of the most promising hits were co-crystallized with BioA to provide a framework for future structure-based drug design efforts.
The PLP-dependent transaminase (BioA) of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and other pathogens that catalyzes the second step of biotin biosynthesis is a now well-validated target for antibacterial development. Fragment screening by differential scanning fluorimetry has been performed to discover new chemical scaffolds and promote optimization of existing inhibitors. Calorimetry confirms binding of six molecules with high ligand efficiency. Thermodynamic data identifies which molecules bind with the enthalpy driven stabilization preferred in compounds that represent attractive starting points for future optimization. Crystallographic characterization of complexes with these molecules reveals the dynamic nature of the BioA active site. Different side chain conformational states are stabilized in response to binding by different molecules. A detailed analysis of conformational diversity in available BioA structures is presented, resulting in the identification of two states that might be targeted with molecular scaffolds incorporating well-defined conformational attributes. This new structural data can be used as part of a scaffold hopping strategy to further optimize existing inhibitors or create new small molecules with improved therapeutic potential.
The probiotic Enterococcus faecium HDRsEf1 (Ef1) has been shown to have positive effects on piglet diarrhoea, but the mechanism has not yet been elucidated. In this study, using the IPEC-J2 cell line to mimic intestinal epithelial cells and enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) K88ac as a representative intestinal pathogen, the mechanism underlying Ef1 protection against an enteropathogen was investigated. The results demonstrated that Ef1 was effective in displacing K88ac from the IPEC-J2 cell layer. Moreover, Ef1 and its cell-free supernatant (S-Ef1) modulate IL-8 released by IPEC-J2 cells. Ef1 and its cell-free supernatant showed the potential to protect enterocytes from an acute inflammatory response. In addition, Ef1 and its cell-free supernatant increased the transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) of the enterocyte monolayer, thus strengthening the intestinal barrier against ETEC. These results may contribute to the development of therapeutic interventions using Ef1 in intestinal disorders of piglets.
The pyridoxal 5′-phosphate (PLP)-dependent transaminase BioA catalyzes the second step in the biosynthesis of biotin in Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) and is an essential enzyme for bacterial survival and persistence in vivo. A promising BioA inhibitor 6 containing an N-aryl, N′-benzoylpiperazine scaffold was previously identified by target-based whole-cell screening. Here, we explore the structure–activity relationships (SAR) through the design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of a systematic series of analogues of the original hit using a structure-based drug design strategy, which was enabled by cocrystallization of several analogues with BioA. To confirm target engagement and discern analogues with off-target activity, each compound was evaluated against wild-type (WT) Mtb in biotin-free and -containing medium as well as BioA under- and overexpressing Mtb strains. Conformationally constrained derivative 36 emerged as the most potent analogue with a KD of 76 nM against BioA and a minimum inhibitory concentration of 1.7 μM (0.6 μg/mL) against Mtb in biotin-free medium.
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