A novel series of parenteral cephalosporins exhibiting potent activities against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and other Gram-negative pathogens: synthesis and structure-activity relationships

A series of 7beta-[2-(2-aminothiazol-4-yl)-2-(Z)-(carboxymethoxyimino)acetamido]cephalosporins bearing a 1-(substituted)-1H-pyrrolo[3,2-b]pyridinium group at C-3' position was synthesized and their in vitro antibacterial activities against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and other Gram-negative pathogens were evaluated. Among the cephalosporins prepared, 7beta-[2-(2-amino-5-chlorothiazol-4yl)-2(Z)-((S)-1-carboxyethoxyimino)acetamido]cephalosporins (42d) showed potent antibacterial activities against P. aeruginosa and other Gram-negative pathogens including the strains which produce class C beta-lactamase and extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL). These results imply that both the Cl atom on the C-7 aminothiazole moiety and the alpha-substituent at the iminoether moiety are essential for the stability against beta-lactamase and the potent activity against Gram-negative bacteria including P. aeruginosa.     

Functional characterization of a new holin-like antibacterial protein coding gene <Emphasis Type="Italic">tmp1</Emphasis> from goat skin surface metagenome

We have identified a holin-like gene from a goat skin surface metagenome. The ORF designated tmp1 coding for 34 amino acids shared sequence similarity with putative holin-like toxin genes. To analyze the antibacterial activity of tmp1 encoded protein, this ORF was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3). The expressed gene product Tmp1 exhibited antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria but not to Gram-negative bacteria. A single transmembrane domain (TMD) was identified within Tmp1 and deletion analysis of the N-terminal region and TMD indicated TMD to be responsible for antibacterial activity. The TMD-dependent antibacterial activity was validated using a synthetic peptide with the amino acid sequence of TMD. Besides antibacterial activity, Tmp1 also complemented the function of holin in a lysis-defective bacteriophage lambda. To broaden the spectrum of antibacterial activity, a mutant library of tmp1 was generated by random mutagenesis. Four mutants with amino acid substitutions at the N-terminus of Tmp1 exhibited increased antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and were not hemolytic. An improved activity of these mutant proteins is attributed to their increased hydrophobicity.     

Synthesis and antibacterial activities of novel oxazolidinones having cyclic sulfonamide moieties

The synthesis of a new series of oxazolidinones having cyclic sulfonamide moieties is described. Their in vitro antibacterial activities against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria were tested and the effect of substituents on the oxazolidinone ring was investigated. A particular compound 15g having [1,2,5]thiadiazolidin-1,1-dioxide moiety showed the most potent antibacterial activity.     

Synthesis and antibacterial activities of novel oxazolidinones having spiro[2,4]heptane moieties

The synthesis of a new series of oxazolidinones having spiro[2,4]heptane moieties is described. Their in vitro antibacterial activities against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria were tested and the effect of substituents on the oxazolidinone ring was investigated. A particular compound Ih having fluoro group showed the most potent antibacterial activity.     

Characterization and mechanism of action of cerein 7, a bacteriocin produced by Bacillus cereus Bc7

Cerein 7 is a peptidic antibiotic produced by Bacillus cereus Bc7 (CECT 5148) at the end of exponential growth but before sporulation onset. Cerein 7 has a broad spectrum of antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria, but it is inactive against Gram-negative bacteria. The sequence of its amino-terminal end and its characteristics of hydrophobicity and molecular mass make cerein 7 unique among the bacteriocins produced by the soil bacterium B. cereus. In this paper a further characterization of cerein 7 is presented, it is shown that it can be classified as a Klaenhammer's class II bacteriocin and that its mode of action corresponds to that of a membrane-active compound.     

Hydrazones of 2-aryl-quinoline-4-carboxylic acid hydrazides: synthesis and preliminary evaluation as antimicrobial agents

A new series of 2-arylquinoline-4-carboxylic acid hydrazide–hydrazones was synthesized using an appropriate synthetic route. All the target compounds were evaluated for their in vitro antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus as an example for Gram-positive bacteria, Escherichia coli as an example for Gram-negative bacteria, and Candida albicans as a representative of fungi. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined for test compounds as well as for reference standards. Among the compounds tested, compounds having nitro substituents at the arylidene moiety showed the most potent antifungal as well as antibacterial activities against E. coli. Compound 23 displayed an antifungal activity comparable to that of nystatin. However, none of the compounds demonstrated any antibacterial activity against S. aureus. Hydrophobicity of the target compounds correlated weakly with their antibacterial and antifungal activities. The most potent compounds namely, 7, 18, 19, 22, and 23 were assessed for hemolytic toxicity and found to be non-hemolytic up to a concentration of 100 μg/mL. In addition, the most potent compound (23) was evaluated for in vitro cytotoxic activity against various cancer cell lines. This compound was found to display no cytotoxic activity but rather it induces the proliferation rate of Hep-G2 cells.     

Synthesis and antimicrobial activity of 2,3-bis(bromomethyl)quinoxaline derivatives

We synthesized 12 derivatives of 2,3-bis(bromomethyl)quinoxaline with substituents at the 6- and/or 7-positions, and evaluated their activities against bacteria and fungi. Of the 12 compounds, nine (1a-h, 1j, and 1k) showed antibacterial activity. The derivative 1g, which bears a trifluoromethyl group at the 6-position, showed the highest activity against Gram-positive bacteria, while 1c, which has a fluoro-group at the 6-position, showed the widest antifungal activity spectrum. However, only the derivative with an ethyl ester substitution, 1k showed activity against Gram-negative bacteria.     

三种百合鳞茎提取物的抑菌作用

采用纸片琼脂扩散法测定了宜昌百合、岷江百合及兰州百合鳞茎甲醇提取物对革兰氏阳性细菌(金黄色葡萄球菌、枯草芽孢杆菌)和革兰氏阴性细菌(大肠杆菌、沙门氏菌)的抑制活性,并对3种百合鳞茎提取物的含量与抑菌活性进行了剂量-效应关系分析。结果表明:3种百合鳞茎提取物对4种细菌均具有抑制活性,对革兰氏阳性细菌的抑菌活性高于对革兰氏阴性细菌的抑菌活性,且宜昌百合和岷江百合两种野生百合鳞茎提取物的抑菌活性均高于普通食用的兰州百合;3种百合鳞茎提取物的含量与抑菌活性之间存在明显的剂量-效应关系,即随着提取物含量的升高,抑菌活性明显升高。     

Synthesis and antibacterial activity evaluation of metronidazole–triazole conjugates

Synthesis and antibacterial activity of metronidazole–triazole conjugates are reported. Total 21 hybrid compounds have been synthesized with different substitution pattern on the triazole ring in order to study their influence on the antibacterial activity. These compounds demonstrated potent to weak antibacterial activity against Gram-positive, and Gram-negative bacteria. Six compounds have shown equal or better antibacterial activity against Gram-negative strains than the reference compound.     

Dual mode of action of Bac7, a proline-rich antibacterial peptide

Proline-rich peptides are a unique group of antimicrobial peptides that exert their activity selectively against Gram-negative bacteria through an apparently non-membranolytic mode of action that is not yet well understood. We have investigated the mechanism underlying the antibacterial activity of the proline-rich cathelicidin Bac7 against Salmonella enterica and Escherichia coli. The killing and membrane permeabilization kinetics as well as the cellular localization were assessed for the fully active N-terminal fragment Bac7(1-35), its all-D enantiomer and for differentially active shortened fragments. At sub-micromolar concentrations, Bac7(1-35) rapidly killed bacteria by a non-lytic, energy-dependent mechanism, whereas its D-enantiomer was inactive. Furthermore, while the L-enantiomer was rapidly internalized into bacterial cells, the D-enantiomer was virtually excluded. At higher concentrations (>or=64 microM), both L- and D-Bac7(1-35) were instead able to kill bacteria also via a lytic mechanism. Overall, these results suggest that Bac7 may inactivate bacteria via two different modes of action depending on its concentration: (i) at near-MIC concentrations via a mechanism based on a stereospecificity-dependent uptake that is likely followed by its binding to an intracellular target, and (ii) at concentrations several times the MIC value, via a non-stereoselective, membranolytic mechanism.     

Resistoflavine, cytotoxic compound from a marine actinomycete, Streptomyces chibaensis AUBN1/7

In our systematic screening programme for marine actinomycetes, a bioactive Streptomycete was isolated from marine sediment samples of Bay of Bengal, India. The taxonomic studies indicated that the isolate belongs to Streptomyces chibaensis and it was designated as S. chibaensis AUBN₁/7. The isolate yielded a cytotoxic compound. It was obtained by solvent extraction followed by the chromatographic purification. Based on the spectral data of the pure compound, it was identified as quinone-related antibiotic, resistoflavine (1). It showed a potent cytotoxic activity against cell lines viz. HMO2 (Gastric adenocarcinoma) and HePG2 (Hepatic carcinoma) in vitro and also exhibited weak antibacterial activities against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.     

The isolation, purification and biological activity of a novel antibacterial compound produced by Pseudomonas stutzeri

A novel compound designated zafrin [4beta-methyl-5, 6, 7, 8 tetrahydro-1 (4beta-H)-phenanthrenone] was isolated from a crude extract of a marine bacterium identified as Pseudomonas stutzeri. Zafrin showed strong antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The compound was purified and its structure was elucidated by spectroscopic methods including 1H-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), 13C-NMR, 1D-NMR and 2D-NMR spectroscopy. It could be demonstrated that a purified solution of zafrin was active against several human pathogens, including Staphylococcus aureus, and Salmonella typhi. By contrast, zafrin did not inhibit the growth of eukaryotic organisms Candida albicans and Schizosaccharomyces pombe. The minimal inhibitory concentration for Gram-positive bacteria ranged from 50 to 75 microg mL(-1) and varied between 75 and 125 microg mL(-1) for Gram-negative bacteria. Zafrin lysed Bacillus subtilis cells grown in an osmotically protected medium, suggesting that it does not act upon the cell wall. Further investigation using B. subtilis indicated that the compound is bactericidal and is likely to target the cell membrane.     

Orally active cephalosporins. Part 4: synthesis, structure--activity relationships and oral absorption of novel 3-(4-pyrazolylmethylthio)cephalosporins with various C-7 side chains

A series of 3-(4-pyrazolylmethylthio)cephalosporins with various C-7 side chains was designed, synthesized and evaluated for antibacterial activity and oral absorption in rats. Antibacterial activity against Haemophilus influenzae was markedly increased by the C-7 oxime moiety. Deamination at the 2 position of, or introduction of a substituent such as halogen or methyl to, the 5 position of the (Z)-2-(2-aminothiazol-4-yl)-2-(hydroxyimino) moiety improved oral absorption. Among these compounds, FR192752 having a (Z)-2-(2-amino-5-chlorothiazol-4-yl)-2-hydroxyiminoacetamido moiety, showed potent antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria including H.influenzae and penicillin G-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae (PRSP). Further, it showed higher oral absorption than CFDN and FK041.     

Processing of an antibacterial peptide from hemocyanin of the freshwater crayfish Pacifastacus leniusculus

An antibacterial peptide with 16 amino acid residues was found in plasma of the freshwater crayfish, Pacifastacus leniusculus. This peptide, designated astacidin 1, was purified by cation-exchange column chromatography and reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography. Astacidin 1 has a broad range of antibacterial activity, and it inhibits growth of both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The primary sequence of astacidin 1 was FKVQNQHGQVVKIFHH-COOH. The molecular mass was 1945.2 Da, and no carbohydrate-linked amino acid residues could be found by mass spectrometry. A synthetic astacidin 1 resulted in similar activity as the authentic astacidin 1 against Gram-positive bacteria, whereas it had less or no activity against Gram-negative bacteria. Three amino-terminal-truncated synthetic peptides were made; they all showed low activity, suggesting that the amino-terminal part of astacidin 1 contributes to the antibacterial activity. The structure of astacidin 1 based on the CD results showed that it has a beta-sheet structure in citric acid buffer at pH 4, 6, and 8. Cloning of astacidin 1 shows that it is the carboxyl-terminal part of crayfish hemocyanin and that astacidin 1 is produced by a proteolytic cleavage from hemocyanin under acidic conditions. The processing and release of astacidin 1 from hemocyanin is enhanced when crayfish are injected with lipopolysaccharide or glucan.     

Version 2000: the new beta-lactamases of Gram-negative bacteria at the dawn of the new millennium

beta-lactamases of Gram-negative bacteria are evolving dynamically. New developments include the production of enzymes with novel substrate profiles, reduced susceptibility to beta-lactamase inhibitors, and the simultaneous production of multiple types of beta-lactamases. The changes represent evolutionary upgrades which provide modern pathogens with a greater potential to resist beta-lactam antibiotics and cause formidable therapeutic, infection control, and diagnostic challenges. This review is a clinically oriented outline of recent developments in the beta-lactamase production of Gram-negative bacteria.     

Synthesis and antibacterial activity of 7-(1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazin-7-yl) quinolones

A novel series of 7-(1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazin-7-yl) quinolones has been designed and synthesized in which the heterocyclic side chain is attached to the quinolone core through a carbon–carbon linkage. The antibacterial activity of the compounds was determined against a panel of Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens. Compounds 1b and 1e, bearing an 8-methoxy group as well as unsubstituted and (3S)-methyl substituted 1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazin-7-yl side chains, respectively, demonstrated notable activity against ciprofloxacin-resistant clinical isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae.     

Synthesis, characterization and antimicrobial activity of new aliphatic sulfonamide

A series of novel aliphatic sulfonamide derivatives (1-7) were synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, FT-IR, (1)H NMR, (13)C NMR and LC-MS techniques. All the synthesized compounds were evaluated in vitro as antimicrobial agents against representative strains of Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25953, Bacillus cereus ATCC 6633 and Listeria monocytogenes ATCC Li6 (isolate), Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli ATCC 11230) and antifungal agent against Candida albicans (clinical isolate) by both disc diffusion and minimal inhibition concentration (MIC) methods. All these bacteria and fungus studied were screened against some antibiotics to compare with our chemicals' zone diameters. Our aliphatic sulfonamides have highest powerful antibacterial activity for Gram-negative bacteria than Gram-positive bacteria and antibacterial activity decreases as the length of the carbon chain increases.     

Synthesis and biological properties of substituted 1,4-dihydro-5-methyl-4-oxo-3-quinolinecarboxylic acids

A series of substituted 1-cyclopropyl-6-fluoro-1,4-dihydro-5-methyl-4-oxo-3-quinoline carboxylic acids was synthesized and tested for their in vitro and in vivo antibacterial activity. The introduction of a methyl group at the 5-position of quinoline nucleus enhanced characteristically the antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria, including Streptococcus pneumonia, which is a major pathogen in the respiratory tract infection, while retaining Gram-negative activity. Among them, 1-cyclopropyl-6-fluoro-1,4-dihydro-5-methyl-7-(3-methyl-1-piperazinyl)-4-oxo-3-quinolinecarboxylic acid hydrochloride (grepafloxacin) exhibited potent in vitro antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria such as Streptococcus pneumoniae and high in vivo efficacy on the experimental systemic infections caused by the Gram-positive and -negative bacteria tested. It also showed a high distribution to the lung and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in comparison to reference drugs and is now undergoing clinical evaluation.     

Antibacterial activity of peptides derived from the C-terminal region of a hemolytic lectin, CEL-III, from the marine invertebrate Cucumaria echinata

Several synthetic peptides derived from the C-terminal domain sequence of a hemolytic lectin, CEL-III, were examined as to their action on bacteria and artificial lipid membranes. Peptide P332 (KGVIFAKASVSVKVTASLSK-NH(2)), corresponding to the sequence from residue 332, exhibited strong antibacterial activity toward Gram-positive bacteria. Replacement of each Lys in P332 by Ala markedly decreased the activity. However, when all Lys were replaced by Arg, the antibacterial activity increased, indicating the importance of positively charged residues at these positions. Replacement of Val by Leu also led to higher antibacterial activity, especially toward Gram-negative bacteria. The antibacterial activity of these peptides was correlated with their membrane-permeabilizing activity toward the bacterial inner membrane and artificial lipid vesicles, indicating that the antibacterial action is due to perturbation of bacterial cell membranes, leading to enhancement of their permeability. These results also suggest that the hydrophobic region of CEL-III, from which P332 and its analogs were derived, may play some role in the interaction with target cell membranes to trigger hemolysis.     

Characterization of a beta-lactamase produced by Pseudomonas paucimobilis.

A novel beta-lactamase enzyme produced by a strain of Pseudomonas paucimobilis is described. The enzyme differs from other recorded beta-lactamases from Gram-negative aerobic bacteria. It was constitutive, and had the characteristics of a penicillinase. One single band of beta-lactamase activity at pI 4.6 was seen on iso-electric focusing. The enzyme had a molecular mass of 30 kDa. The beta-lactamase was strongly inhibited by tazobactam, sulbactam and clavulanic acid but not by the thiol residue inhibitors p-chloromercuribenzoate and p-chloromercuriphenylsulphonic acid, or by metallo-enzyme inhibitors. Plasmid DNA was not demonstrable, suggesting that the enzyme was chromosomally encoded.