scholarly journals Constraint-based modeling identifies new putative targets to fight colistin-resistant A. baumannii infections

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luana Presta ◽  
Emanuele Bosi ◽  
Leila Mansouri ◽  
Lenie Dijkshoorn ◽  
Renato Fani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Growth ◽  
Metabolic Model ◽  
Metabolic Reprogramming ◽  
New Drugs ◽  
Metabolic Reconstruction ◽  
Gram Negative Bacteria ◽  
Antibiotic Exposure ◽  
Expression Data ◽  
Resistant Strains ◽  
Constraint Based Modeling

AbstractAcinetobacter baumannii is a clinical threat to human health, causing major infection outbreaks worldwide. As new drugs against Gram-negative bacteria do not seem to be forthcoming, and due to the microbial capability of acquiring multi-resistance, there is an urgent need for novel therapeutic targets. Here we have derived a list of new potential targets by means of metabolic reconstruction and modelling of A. baumannii ATCC 19606. By integrating constraint-based modelling with gene expression data, we simulated microbial growth in normal and stressful conditions (i.e. following antibiotic exposure). This allowed us to describe the metabolic reprogramming that occurs in this bacterium when treated with colistin (the currently adopted last-line treatment) and identify a set of genes that are primary targets for developing new drugs against A. baumannii, including colistin-resistant strains. It can be anticipated that the metabolic model presented herein will represent a solid and reliable resource for the future treatment of A. baumannii infections.

scholarly journals Genome-scale metabolic reconstruction of the stress-tolerant hybrid yeast Zygosaccharomyces parabailii

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marzia Di Filippo ◽  
Raúl A. Ortiz-Merino ◽  
Chiara Damiani ◽  
Gianni Frascotti ◽  
Danilo Porro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Laboratory Data ◽  
Metabolic Model ◽  
Cellular Systems ◽  
Metabolic Reconstruction ◽  
Genome Sequences ◽  
Metabolic Potential ◽  
Cell Factories ◽  
Metabolic Models ◽  
Constraint Based Modeling ◽  
Genome Scale

Genome-scale metabolic models are powerful tools to understand and engineer cellular systems facilitating their use as cell factories. This is especially true for microorganisms with known genome sequences from which nearly complete sets of enzymes and metabolic pathways are determined, or can be inferred. Yeasts are highly diverse eukaryotes whose metabolic traits have long been exploited in industry, and although many of their genome sequences are available, few genome-scale metabolic models have so far been produced. For the first time, we reconstructed the genome-scale metabolic model of the hybrid yeast Zygosaccharomyces parabailii, which is a member of the Z. bailii sensu lato clade notorious for stress-tolerance and therefore relevant to industry. The model comprises 3096 reactions, 2091 metabolites, and 2413 genes. Our own laboratory data were then used to establish a biomass synthesis reaction, and constrain the extracellular environment. Through constraint-based modeling, our model reproduces the co-consumption and catabolism of acetate and glucose posing it as a promising platform for understanding and exploiting the metabolic potential of Z. parabailii.

scholarly journals Antimicrobial Peptide Novicidin Synergizes with Rifampin, Ceftriaxone, and Ceftazidime against Antibiotic-Resistant EnterobacteriaceaeIn Vitro

2015 ◽  
Vol 59 (10) ◽  
pp. 6233-6240 ◽  
Author(s):  
Odel Soren ◽  
Karoline Sidelmann Brinch ◽  
Dipesh Patel ◽  
Yingjun Liu ◽  
Alexander Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antimicrobial Peptide ◽  
Bacterial Infections ◽  
New Drugs ◽  
Gram Negative Bacteria ◽  
Cationic Antimicrobial Peptide ◽  
Antibiotic Resistant ◽  
Gram Negative ◽  
Resistant Strains ◽  
Multiple Strains

ABSTRACTThe spread of antibiotic resistance among Gram-negative bacteria is a serious clinical threat, and infections with these organisms are a leading cause of mortality worldwide. Traditional novel drug development inevitably leads to the emergence of new resistant strains, rendering the new drugs ineffective. Therefore, reviving the therapeutic potentials of existing antibiotics represents an attractive novel strategy. Novicidin, a novel cationic antimicrobial peptide, is effective against Gram-negative bacteria. Here, we investigated novicidin as a possible antibiotic enhancer. The actions of novicidin in combination with rifampin, ceftriaxone, or ceftazidime were investigated against 94 antibiotic-resistant clinical Gram-negative isolates and 7 strains expressing New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase-1. Using the checkerboard method, novicidin combined with rifampin showed synergy with >70% of the strains, reducing the MICs significantly. The combination of novicidin with ceftriaxone or ceftazidime was synergistic against 89.7% of the ceftriaxone-resistant strains and 94.1% of the ceftazidime-resistant strains. Synergistic interactions were confirmed using time-kill studies with multiple strains. Furthermore, novicidin increased the postantibiotic effect when combined with rifampin or ceftriaxone. Membrane depolarization assays revealed that novicidin alters the cytoplasmic membrane potential of Gram-negative bacteria.In vitrotoxicology tests showed novicidin to have low hemolytic activity and no detrimental effect on cell cultures. We demonstrated that novicidin strongly rejuvenates the therapeutic potencies of ceftriaxone or ceftazidime against resistant Gram-negative bacteriain vitro. In addition, novicidin boosted the activity of rifampin. This strategy can have major clinical implications in our fight against antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections.

scholarly journals Genome-Scale Metabolic Model of the Human Pathogen Candida albicans: A Promising Platform for Drug Target Prediction

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 171
Author(s):  
Romeu Viana ◽  
Oscar Dias ◽  
Davide Lagoa ◽  
Mónica Galocha ◽  
Isabel Rocha ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Candida Albicans ◽  
Drug Targets ◽  
Fungal Pathogens ◽  
Software Tool ◽  
Metabolic Model ◽  
New Drugs ◽  
Metabolic Reconstruction ◽  
Metabolic Potential ◽  
New Drug ◽  
Genome Scale

Candida albicans is one of the most impactful fungal pathogens and the most common cause of invasive candidiasis, which is associated with very high mortality rates. With the rise in the frequency of multidrug-resistant clinical isolates, the identification of new drug targets and new drugs is crucial in overcoming the increase in therapeutic failure. In this study, the first validated genome-scale metabolic model for Candida albicans, iRV781, is presented. The model consists of 1221 reactions, 926 metabolites, 781 genes, and four compartments. This model was reconstructed using the open-source software tool merlin 4.0.2. It is provided in the well-established systems biology markup language (SBML) format, thus, being usable in most metabolic engineering platforms, such as OptFlux or COBRA. The model was validated, proving accurate when predicting the capability of utilizing different carbon and nitrogen sources when compared to experimental data. Finally, this genome-scale metabolic reconstruction was tested as a platform for the identification of drug targets, through the comparison between known drug targets and the prediction of gene essentiality in conditions mimicking the human host. Altogether, this model provides a promising platform for global elucidation of the metabolic potential of C. albicans, possibly guiding the identification of new drug targets to tackle human candidiasis.

4H-1,3-Benzothiazin-4-one a Promising Class Against MDR/XDR-TB

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (8) ◽  
pp. 567-578 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcus Vinicius Nora de Souza ◽  
Thais Cristina Mendonça Nogueira
Keyword(s):  
Treatment Time ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
New Drugs ◽  
Global Public Health ◽  
Synthesis Mechanism ◽  
Highly Active ◽  
Latent Disease ◽  
Resistant Strains ◽  
Chemical Class ◽  
Global Public Health Problem

Nowadays, tuberculosis (TB) is an important global public health problem, being responsible for millions of TB-related deaths worldwide. Due to the increased number of cases and resistance of Mycobacterium tuberculosis to all drugs used for the treatment of this disease, we desperately need new drugs and strategies that could reduce treatment time with fewer side effects, reduced cost and highly active drugs against resistant strains and latent disease. Considering that, 4H-1,3-benzothiazin-4-one is a promising class of antimycobacterial agents in special against TB-resistant strains being the aim of this review the discussion of different aspects of this chemical class such as synthesis, mechanism of action, medicinal chemistry and combination with other drugs.

Antimicrobial Peptides and their Multiple Effects at Sub-Inhibitory Concentrations

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (14) ◽  
pp. 1264-1273 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruno Casciaro ◽  
Floriana Cappiello ◽  
Walter Verrusio ◽  
Mauro Cacciafesta ◽  
Maria Luisa Mangoni
Keyword(s):  
Antimicrobial Peptides ◽  
Inhibitory Concentration ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
Mechanisms Of Action ◽  
New Drugs ◽  
Lead Compounds ◽  
Bacterial Pathogenicity ◽  
Growth Inhibitory ◽  
Resistant Strains ◽  
Conventional Antibiotics

The frequent occurrence of multidrug-resistant strains to conventional antimicrobials has led to a clear decline in antibiotic therapies. Therefore, new molecules with different mechanisms of action are extremely necessary. Due to their unique properties, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) represent a valid alternative to conventional antibiotics and many of them have been characterized for their activity and cytotoxicity. However, the effects that these peptides cause at concentrations below the minimum growth inhibitory concentration (MIC) have yet to be fully analyzed along with the underlying molecular mechanism. In this mini-review, the ability of AMPs to synergize with different antibiotic classes or different natural compounds is examined. Furthermore, data on microbial resistance induction are reported to highlight the importance of antibiotic resistance in the fight against infections. Finally, the effects that sub-MIC levels of AMPs can have on the bacterial pathogenicity are summarized while showing how signaling pathways can be valid therapeutic targets for the treatment of infectious diseases. All these aspects support the high potential of AMPs as lead compounds for the development of new drugs with antibacterial and immunomodulatory activities.

scholarly journals Diversity-oriented synthesis derived indole based spiro and fused small molecules kills artemisinin-resistant Plasmodium falciparum

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Akshaykumar Nayak ◽  
Himani Saxena ◽  
Chandramohan Bathula ◽  
Tarkeshwar Kumar ◽  
Souvik Bhattacharjee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plasmodium Falciparum ◽  
Small Molecules ◽  
New Drugs ◽  
Developmental Cycle ◽  
Oxygen Species ◽  
Compound Library ◽  
Diversity Oriented Synthesis ◽  
Resistant Strains ◽  
Acid Catalyzed

Abstract Background Despite numerous efforts to eradicate the disease, malaria continues to remain one of the most dangerous infectious diseases plaguing the world. In the absence of any effective vaccines and with emerging drug resistance in the parasite against the majority of anti-malarial drugs, the search for new drugs is urgently needed for effective malaria treatment. Methods The goal of the present study was to examine the compound library, based on indoles generated through diversity-oriented synthesis belonging to four different architecture, i.e., 1-aryltetrahydro/dihydro-β-carbolines and piperidine/pyrrolidine-fused indole derivatives, for their in vitro anti-plasmodial activity. Trifluoroacetic acid catalyzed transformation involving tryptamine and various aldehydes/ketones provided the library. Results Among all the compounds screened, 1-aryltetrahydro-β-carbolines 2 and 3 displayed significant anti-plasmodial activity against both the artemisinin-sensitive and artemisinin-resistant strain of Plasmodium falciparum. It was observed that these compounds inhibited the overall parasite growth in intra-erythrocytic developmental cycle (IDC) via reactive oxygen species-mediated parasitic death and thus could be potential anti-malarial compounds. Conclusion Overall the compounds 2 and 3 identified in this study shows promising anti-plasmodial activity that can kill both artemisinin-sensitive and artemisinin-resistant strains of P. falciparum.

scholarly journals Antimicrobial Activities of Mefloquine and a Series of Related Compounds

2000 ◽  
Vol 44 (4) ◽  
pp. 848-852 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. M. Kunin ◽  
W. Y. Ellis
Keyword(s):  
Staphylococcus Epidermidis ◽  
Antimicrobial Activities ◽  
Walter Reed Army Institute ◽  
Gram Negative Bacteria ◽  
Antimicrobial Drugs ◽  
Gram Negative ◽  
Gram Positive Bacteria ◽  
Resistant Strains ◽  
Vancomycin Resistant ◽  
Related Compounds

ABSTRACT Mefloquine was found to have bactericidal activity against methicillin- and fluoroquinolone-susceptible and -resistant strains ofStaphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis and gentamicin- and vancomycin-resistant strains ofEnterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium. The MICs were 16 μg/ml, and the minimal bactericidal concentrations (MBCs) were 16 to 32 μg/ml. These concentrations cannot be achieved in serum. Mefloquine was active at a more achievable concentration against penicillin-susceptible and -resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae, with MICs of 0.2 to 1.5 μg/ml. Mefloquine was not active against gram-negative bacteria and yeasts. In an attempt to find more active derivatives, 400 mefloquine-related compounds were selected from the chemical inventory of The Walter Reed Army Institute of Research. We identified a series of compounds containing a piperidine methanol group attached to pyridine, quinoline, and benzylquinoline ring systems. These had activities similar to that of mefloquine against S. pneumoniae but were far more active against other gram-positive bacteria (MICs for staphylococci, 0.8 to 6.3 μg/ml). They had activities similar to that of amphotericin B againstCandida spp. and Cryptococcus neoformans. Combinations of the compounds with gentamicin and vancomycin were additive against staphylococci and pneumococci. The MIC and MBC of gentamicin were decreased by four- to eightfold when this drug was combined with limiting dilutions of the compounds. There was no antagonism with other antimicrobial drugs. The compounds were rapidly bactericidal. They appear to act by disrupting cell membranes. Combinations of the compounds with aminoglycoside antibiotics may have potential for therapeutic use.

scholarly journals TargeTALE: A Web Resource to Identify TALEs in Xanthomonas Genomes and Their Respective Targets

2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (12) ◽  
pp. 1577-1580
Author(s):  
Frederico Schmitt Kremer ◽  
Amanda Munari Guimarães ◽  
Christian Domingues Sanchez ◽  
Luciano da Silva Pinto
Keyword(s):  
Target Genes ◽  
Economic Value ◽  
Gram Negative Bacteria ◽  
Expression Data ◽  
Proof Of Concept ◽  
Host Gene Expression ◽  
Transcription Activator ◽  
Gram Negative ◽  
Web Resource ◽  
Concept Validation

The Xanthomonas genus, comprises more than 30 species of gram-negative bacteria, most of which are pathogens of plants with high economic value, such as rice, common bean, and maize. Transcription activator-like effectors (TALEs), which act by regulating the host gene expression, are some of the major virulence factors of these bacteria. We present a novel tool to identify TALE genes in the genome of Xanthomonas strains and their respective targets. The analysis of the results obtained by TargeTALE in a proof-of-concept validation demonstrate that, at optimum setting, approximately 93% of the predicted target genes with available expression data were confirmed as upregulated during the infection, indicating that the tool might be useful for researchers in the field.

scholarly journals Antibacterial activities of epiroprim, a new dihydrofolate reductase inhibitor, alone and in combination with dapsone.

1996 ◽  
Vol 40 (6) ◽  
pp. 1376-1381 ◽  
Author(s):  
H H Locher ◽  
H Schlunegger ◽  
P G Hartman ◽  
P Angehrn ◽  
R L Then
Keyword(s):  
Dihydrofolate Reductase ◽  
Biological Fluids ◽  
Pneumocystis Carinii ◽  
Antibacterial Activities ◽  
Gram Negative Bacteria ◽  
Highly Active ◽  
Excellent Activity ◽  
Resistant Strains ◽  
Better Than

Epiroprim (EPM; Ro 11-8958) is a new selective inhibitor of microbial dihydrofolate reductase. EPM displayed excellent activity against staphylococci, enterococci, pneumococci, and streptococci which was considerably better than that of trimethoprim (TMP). EPM was also active against TMP-resistant strains, although the MICs were still relatively high. Its combination with dapsone (DDS) was synergistic and showed as in vitro activity superior to that of the TMP combination with sulfamethoxazole (SMZ). The EPM-DDS (ratio, 1:19) combination inhibited more than 90% of all important gram-positive pathogens at a concentration of 2 + 38 micrograms/ml. Only a few highly TMP-resistant staphylococci and enterococci were not inhibited. EPM was also more active than TMP against Moraxella catarrhalis, Neisseria meningitidis, and Bacteroides spp., but it was less active than TMP against all other gram-negative bacteria tested. Atypical mycobacteria were poorly susceptible to EPM, but the combination with DDS was synergistic and active at concentrations most probably achievable in biological fluids (MICs from 0.25 +/- 4.75 to 4 + 76 micrograms/ml). EPM and the EPM-DDS combination were also highly active against experimental staphylococcal infections in a mouse septicemia model. The combination EPM-DDS has previously been shown to exhibit activity in Pneumocystis carinii and Toxoplasma models and, as shown in the present study, also shows good activity against a broad range of bacteria including many strains resistant to TMP and TMP-SMZ.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document