Biofilms are linked to resistance development in the ESKAPE pathogens. This perspective summarizes several strategies for affecting iron homeostasis that have been implicated in biofilm inhibition.

The 1,2,3‐triazole has been successfully utilized as an amide bioisostere in multiple therapeutic contexts. Based on this precedent, triazole analogues derived from VX‐809 and VX‐770, prominent amide‐containing modulators of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), were synthesized and evaluated for CFTR modulation. Triazole 11, derived from VX‐809, displayed markedly reduced efficacy in F508del‐CFTR correction in cellular TECC assays in comparison to VX‐809. Surprisingly, triazole analogues derived from potentiator VX‐770 displayed no potentiation of F508del, G551D, or WT‐CFTR in cellular Ussing chamber assays. However, patch clamp analysis revealed that triazole 60 potentiates WT‐CFTR similarly to VX‐770. The efficacy of 60 in the cell‐free patch clamp experiment suggests that the loss of activity in the cellular assay could be due to the inability of VX‐770 triazole derivatives to reach the CFTR binding site. Moreover, in addition to the negative impact on biological activity, triazoles in both structural classes displayed decreased metabolic stability in human microsomes relative to the analogous amides. In contrast to the many studies that demonstrate the advantages of using the 1,2,3‐triazole, these findings highlight the negative impacts that can arise from replacement of the amide with the triazole and suggest that caution is warranted when considering use of the 1,2,3‐triazole as an amide bioisostere.

Acinetobacter baumannii is classified as a highest threat pathogen, urgently necessitating novel antimicrobials that evade resistance to combat its spread. Quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) have afforded a valuable first line of defense against antimicrobial resistant pathogens as broad-spectrum amphiphilic disinfectant molecules. However, a paucity of innovation in this space has driven the emergence of QAC resistance. Through this work, we sought to identify next-generation disinfectant molecules with efficacy against highly resistant A. baumannii clinical isolates. We selected 12 best-in-class molecules from our previous investigations of quaternary ammonium and quaternary phosphonium compounds (QPCs) to test against a panel of 35 resistant A. baumannii clinical isolates. The results highlighted the efficacy of our next-generation compounds over leading commercial QACs, with our best-in-class QAC (2Pyr-11,11) and QPC (P6P-10,10) displaying improved activities with a few exceptions. Furthermore, we elucidated a correlation between colistin resistance and QAC resistance, wherein the only pan-resistant isolate of the panel, also harboring colistin resistance, exhibited resistance to all tested QACs. Notably, P6P-10,10 maintained efficacy against this strain with an IC90 of 3 μM. In addition, P6P-10,10 displayed minimum biofilm eradication concentrations as low as 32 μM against extensively drug resistant clinical isolates. Lastly, examining the development of disinfectant resistance and cross-resistance, we generated QAC-resistant A. baumannii mutants and observed the development of QAC cross-resistance. In contrast, neither disinfectant resistance nor cross-resistance was observed in A. baumannii under P6P-10,10 treatment. Taken together, the results of this work illustrate the need for novel disinfectant compounds to treat resistant pathogens, such as A. baumannii, and underscore the promise of QPCs, such as P6P-10,10, as viable next-generation disinfectant molecules.

Inspired by the incorporation of metallocene functionalities into a variety of bioactive structures, particularly antimicrobial peptides, we endeavored to broaden the structural variety of quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) by the incorporation of the ferrocene moiety. Accordingly, 23 ferrocene‐containing mono‐ and bisQACs were prepared in high yields and tested for activity against a variety of bacteria, including Gram‐negative strains and a panel of clinically isolated MRSA strains. Ferrocene QACs were shown to be effective antiseptics with some displaying single‐digit micromolar activity against all bacteria tested, demonstrating yet another step in the expansion of structural variety of antiseptic QACs.

Promysalin is a small-molecule natural product that specifically inhibits growth of the Gram-negative pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA). This activity holds promise in the treatment of multidrug resistant infections found in immunocompromised patients with chronic illnesses, such as cystic fibrosis. In 2015, our lab completed the first total synthesis; subsequent analogue design and SAR investigation enabled identification of succinate dehydrogenase (Sdh) as the biological target in PA. Herein, we report the target-guided design of new promysalin analogues with varying alkyl chains, one of which is on par with our most potent analogue to date. Computational docking revealed that some analogues have a different orientation in the Sdh binding pocket, placing the terminal carbon proximal to a tryptophan residue. This inspired the design of an extended side chain analogue bearing a terminal phenyl moiety, providing a basis for the design of future analogues.

The stereoselective synthesis of terminal bromosubstituted propargylamines via in situ generation of lithium bromoacetylide from 1,2-dibromoethene and addition to Ellman chiral N-tert-butanesulfinyl aldimines is reported. Modest to good yields (43− 85%) and diastereoselectivity (dr = 3:1 to >20:1) were achieved for a range of aryl, heteroaryl, alkyl, and α,β-unsaturated substrates. Terminal bromo-substituted propargylamines prepared via this method can be directly used in the frequently employed Cadiot−Chodkiewicz coupling to produce functionalized diynes. The method reported here increases the structural diversity of chiral terminal bromo-substituted propargylamines that can be readily synthesized as previous methods for the stereoselective synthesis of these compounds rely on amino acid precursors from the chiral pool.

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In a 2016 screen of natural product extracts a new family of natural products, the cahuitamycins, was discovered and found to inhibit the formation of biofilms in the human pathogen <i>Acinetobacter baumannii</i>. The molecules contain an unusual piperazate residue that raises structure/function and biosynthesis questions and resemble iron-trafficking virulence factors from <i>A. baumannii</i>, suggesting a connection between metal homeostasis and biofilm-mediated pathogenicity. Here we disclose the first total synthesis of the reported structure of cahuitamycin A in a twelve-step longest linear sequence and 18% overall yield. Comparison of spectral data of the authentic natural product and synthetic target compound demonstrate that the reported structure is distinct from the isolated metabolite. Herein, we propose an alternative structure to reconcile our findings with the isolation report, setting the stage for future synthetic and biochemical investigations of an important class of natural products.