Benzamide derivatives targeting the cell division protein FtsZ : modifications of the linker and the benzodioxane scaffold and their effects on antimicrobial activity

Straniero, Valentina (author), Suigo, Lorenzo (author), Casiraghi, Andrea (author), Sebastián-Pérez, Victor (author), Hrast, Martina (author), Zanotto, Carlo (author), Zdovc, Irena (author), De Giuli Morghen, Carlo (author), Radaelli, Antonia (author), Valoti, Ermanno (author)

Filamentous temperature-sensitive Z (FtsZ) is a prokaryotic protein with an essential role in the bacterial cell division process. It is widely conserved and expressed in both Gram-positive and Gram-negative strains. In the last decade, several research groups have pointed out molecules able to target FtsZ in Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis and other Gram-positive strains, with sub-micromolar Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (MICs). Conversely, no promising derivatives active on Gram-negatives have been found up to now. Here, we report our results on a class of benzamide compounds, which showed comparable inhibitory activities on both S. aureus and Escherichia coli FtsZ, even though they proved to be substrates of E. coli efflux pump AcrAB, thus affecting the antimicrobial activity. These surprising results confirmed how a single molecule can target both species while maintaining potent antimicrobial activity. A further computational study helped us decipher the structural features necessary for broad spectrum activity and assess the drug-like profile and the on-target activity of this family of compounds.

• Language: English
• Keywords: cell division protein FtsZ, benzamide, 1, 4-benzodioxane, 1, 4-benzoxathiane, multi-drug resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli N43, veterinary medicine
• Work type: Article
• Typology: 1.01 - Original Scientific Article
• Organization: FFA - Faculty of Pharmacy; VF - Veterinary Faculty
• Publication status: Published
• Publication version: Version of Record
• Year: 2020
• Number of pages: 22 str.
• Numbering: Vol. 9, iss. 4, art. 160
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-116752
• UDC: 636.09:579
• ISSN on article: 2079-6382
• DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics9040160
• COBISS.SI-ID: 5042298
• Publication date in RUL: 08.06.2020

Record is a part of a journal

• Title: Antibiotics
• Shortened title: Antibiotics
• Publisher: MDPI
• ISSN: 2079-6382
• COBISS.SI-ID: 522975769

Licences

• License: CC BY 4.0, Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Link: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
• Description: This is the standard Creative Commons license that gives others maximum freedom to do what they want with the work as long as they credit the author.
• Licensing start date: 04.04.2020

Secondary language

• Language: Slovenian
• Keywords: Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, veterinarska medicina