A naturally occurring brominated furanone covalently modifies and inactivates LuxS

Halogenated furanones, a group of natural products initially isolated from marine red algae, are known to inhibit bacterial biofilm formation, swarming, and quorum sensing. However, their molecular targets and the precise mode of action remain elusive. Herein, we show that a naturally occurring brominated furanone covalently modifies and inactivates LuxS (S-ribosylhomocysteine lyase, EC 4.4.1.21), the enzyme which produces autoinducer-2 (AI-2).     

5-Fluorouracil blocks quorum-sensing of biofilm-embedded methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in mice

Antibiotic-resistant pathogens often escape antimicrobial treatment by forming protective biofilms in response to quorum-sensing communication via diffusible autoinducers. Biofilm formation by the nosocomial pathogen methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is triggered by the quorum-sensor autoinducer-2 (AI-2), whose biosynthesis is mediated by methylthioadenosine/S-adenosylhomocysteine nucleosidase (MTAN) and S-ribosylhomocysteine lyase (LuxS). Here, we present a high-throughput screening platform for small-molecular inhibitors of either enzyme. This platform employs a cell-based assay to report non-toxic, bioavailable and cell-penetrating inhibitors of AI-2 production, utilizing engineered human cells programmed to constitutively secrete AI-2 by tapping into the endogenous methylation cycle via ectopic expression of codon-optimized MTAN and LuxS. Screening of a library of over 5000 commercial compounds yielded 66 hits, including the FDA-licensed cytostatic anti-cancer drug 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). Secondary screening and validation studies showed that 5-FU is a potent quorum-quencher, inhibiting AI-2 production and release by MRSA, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Escherichia coli and Vibrio harveyi. 5-FU efficiently reduced adherence and blocked biofilm formation of MRSA in vitro at an order-of-magnitude-lower concentration than that clinically relevant for anti-cancer therapy. Furthermore, 5-FU reestablished antibiotic susceptibility and enabled daptomycin-mediated prevention and clearance of MRSA infection in a mouse model of human implant-associated infection.     

Chemical synthesis of S-ribosyl-L-homocysteine and activity assay as a LuxS substrate

Bacterial quorum sensing is mediated by autoinducers, small signaling molecules generated by bacteria. It has been proposed that the LuxS enzyme converts S-ribosyl-L-homocysteine to 4,5-dihydroxy-2,3-pentanedione, the precursor of autoinducer 2 (AI-2). We report here a chemical synthesis of S-ribosyl-L-homocysteine and its analogue using Mitsunobu coupling. Chemically synthesized ribosylhomocysteine has been confirmed as a substrate for LuxS in both an enzyme assay and a whole cell quorum sensing assay. The chemical entities of products from the LuxS reaction were also established. Several ribosylhomocysteine analogues have been tested as LuxS inhibitors.     

Screening of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae LuxS Inhibitors

LuxS, a conserved bacterial enzyme involved in the activated methyl cycle, catalyzes S-ribosylhomocysteine (SRH) into homocysteine and AI-2 (the inter-species quorum-sensing signal molecule). This enzyme has been reported to be essential for the survival of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae in its natural host. Therefore, it is a potential drug target against A. pleuropneumoniae, an important swine respiratory pathogen causing great economic losses in the pig industry worldwide. In this study, the enzymatic activity determination method was established using the recombinant LuxS of A. pleuropneumoniae. Thirty-five compounds similar to the shape of SRH were screened from the Specs compound library by the software vROCS and were evaluated for LuxS inhibition. Three compounds could inhibit LuxS activity. Two of them were confirmed to be competitive inhibitors and the third one was uncompetitive. All the three compounds displayed inhibitory effects on the growth of A. pleuropneumoniae and two other important swine pathogens, Haemophilis parasuis and Streptococcus suis, with MIC₅₀ values ranging from 11 to 51 μg/ml. No significant cytotoxic effect of the compounds was detected on porcine PK-15 cells at the concentration which showed inhibitory effect on bacterial growth. These results suggest that LuxS is an ideal target to develop antimicrobials for porcine bacterial pathogens. The three LuxS inhibitors identified in this study can be used as lead compounds for drug design.     

Growth Deficiencies of Neisseria meningitidis pfs and luxS Mutants Are Not Due to Inactivation of Quorum Sensing

The activated methyl cycle (AMC) is a central metabolic pathway used to generate (and recycle) several important metabolites and enable methylation. Pfs and LuxS are considered integral components of this pathway because they convert S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH) to S-ribosylhomocysteine (SRH) and S-ribosylhomocysteine to homocysteine (HCY), respectively. The latter reaction has a second function since it also generates the precursor of the quorum-sensing molecule autoinducer 2 (AI-2). By demonstrating that there was a complete lack of AI-2 production in pfs mutants of the causative agent of meningitis and septicemia, Neisseria meningitidis, we showed that the Pfs reaction is the sole intracellular source of the AI-2 signal. Analysis of lacZ reporters and real-time PCR experiments indicated that pfs is expressed constitutively from a promoter immediately upstream, and careful study of the pfs mutants revealed a growth defect that could not be attributed to a lack of AI-2. Metabolite profiling of the wild type and of a pfs mutant under various growth conditions revealed changes in the concentrations of several AMC metabolites, particularly SRH and SAH and under some conditions also HCY. Similar studies established that an N. meningitidis luxS mutant also has metabolite pool changes and growth defects in line with the function of LuxS downstream of Pfs in the AMC. Thus, the observed growth defect of N. meningitidis pfs and luxS mutants is not due to quorum sensing but is probably due to metabolic imbalance and, in the case of pfs inactivation, is most likely due to toxic accumulation of SAH.     

Crystal Structure and Identification of Two Key Amino Acids Involved in AI-2 Production and Biofilm Formation in Streptococcus suis LuxS

Streptococcus suis has emerged as an important zoonotic pathogen that causes meningitis, arthritis, septicemia and even sudden death in pigs and humans. Quorum sensing is the signaling network for cell-to-cell communication that bacterial cells can use to monitor their own population density through production and exchange of signal molecules. S-Ribosylhomocysteinase (LuxS) is the key enzyme involved in the activated methyl cycle. Autoinducer 2 (AI-2) is the adduct of borate and a ribose derivative and is produced from S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH). AI-2 can mediate interspecies communication and in some species facilitate the bacterial behavior regulation such as biofilm formation and virulence in both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Here, we reported the overexpression, purification and crystallographic structure of LuxS from S. suis. Our results showed the catalytically active LuxS exists as a homodimer in solution. Inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) revealed the presence of Zn²⁺ in LuxS. Although the core structure shares the similar topology with LuxS proteins from other bacterial species, structural analyses and comparative amino acid sequence alignments identified two key amino acid differences in S. suis LuxS, Phe80 and His87, which are located near the substrate binding site. The results of site-directed mutagenesis and enzymology studies confirmed that these two residues affect the catalytic activity of the enzyme. These in vitro results were corroborated in vivo by expression of the LuxS variants in a S. suis ΔluxS strain. The single and two amino acid of LuxS variant decreased AI-2 production and biofilm formation significantly compared to that of the parent strain. Our findings highlight the importance of key LuxS residues that influence the AI-2 production and biofilm formation in S.suis.     

Side chain azasteroids and thiasteroids as sterol methyltransferase inhibitors in ergosterol biosynthesis

The synthesis of some novel azasteroids and thiasteroids based on a pregnan nucleus with a Δ7 double bond in two to five steps from the key aldehyde (3S,20S)-20-formylpregn-7-en-3-yl acetate has been disclosed herein. These compounds were evaluated as potential inhibitors of the enzyme Δ24-sterol methyltransferase (24-SMT), which is a key enzyme in the biosynthesis of ergosterol, and for their effects on the growth of the yeast Yarrowia lipolytica. Most of the side chain modified analogues were recognized as 24-SMT inhibitors, and in particular the 23-azasteroids 5f–5i and the 24-azasteroid 11 showed potent antifungal activity. The target enzyme could be identified unambiguously using an improved whole-cell assay combined with GC–MS analysis of the sterol pattern resulting upon incubation with the inhibitors.     

Synthesis of proline analogues as potent and selective cathepsin S inhibitors

Cathepsin S is a potential target of autoimmune disease. A series of proline derived compounds were synthesized and evaluated as cathepsin S inhibitors. We discovered potent cathepsin S inhibitors through structure–activity relationship studies of proline analogues. In particular, compound 19-(S) showed promising in vitro/vivo pharmacological activities and properties as a selective cathepsin S inhibitor.     

Biological activity and identification of a peptide inhibitor of LuxS from Streptococcus suis serotype 2

The virulence of bacterial communities may be regulated by mechanisms involving the synthesis of the quorum-sensing signal autoinducer 2 (AI-2), which allows both intra- and interspecies communication. AI-2 is produced in bacteria that express the gene luxS . In the present study, expressed and purified LuxS from Streptococcus suis serotype 2 (SS2) was used to catalyze the substrate S -ribosylhomocysteine in a reaction that leads to the production of AI-2. The biological activity of the in vitro synthesized AI-2 was demonstrated in a Vibrio harveyi strain BB170 bioassay; real-time PCR results showed that biosynthesis of AI-2 can increase the virulence of SS2. Phage-encoded peptides that specifically interact with the LuxS enzyme were selected following three rounds of phage display. One such peptide inhibitor (TNRHNPHHLHHV) of LuxS was shown to partially inhibit the activity of the enzyme. Furthermore, 14 peptides containing the consensus sequence HSIR showed high affinity with LuxS. The selected and characterized specific inhibitor as well as the high-affinity ligands may facilitate the identification of new vaccination targets, opening up new approaches to the development of therapeutic drugs.     

Bifunctional thiosialosides inhibit influenza virus

We have synthesized a panel of bivalent S-sialoside analogues, with modifications at the 4 position, as inhibitors of influenza virus. These first generation compounds show IC₅₀ values ranging from low micromolar to high nanomolar in enzyme inhibition and plaque reduction assays with two intact viruses, Influenza H1N1 (A/California/07/2009) and H3N2 (A/Hongkong/8/68).     

Potent dialkyl substrate-product analogue inhibitors and inactivators of α-methylacyl-coenzyme A racemase from Mycobacterium tuberculosis by rational design

Rational approaches for the design of enzyme inhibitors furnish powerful strategies for developing pharmaceutical agents and tools for probing biological mechanisms. A new strategy for the development of gem-disubstituted substrate-product analogues as inhibitors of racemases and epimerases is elaborated using α-methylacyl-coenzyme A racemase from Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MtMCR) as a model enzyme. MtMCR catalyzes the epimerization at C2 of acyl-CoA substrates, a key step in the metabolism of branched-chain fatty acids. Moreover, the human enzyme is a potential target for the development of therapeutic agents directed against prostate cancer. We show that rationally designed, N,N-dialkylcarbamoyl-CoA substrate-product analogues inactivate MtMCR. Binding greatly exceeds that of the substrate, (S)-ibuprofenoyl-CoA, up to ∼250-fold and is proportional to the alkyl chain length (4–12 carbons) with the N,N-didecyl and N,N-didodecyl species having competitive inhibition constants with values of 1.9 ± 0.2 μM and 0.42 ± 0.04 μM, respectively. The presence of two decyl chains enhanced binding over a single decyl chain by ∼204-fold. Overall, the results reveal that gem-disubstituted substrate-product analogues can yield extremely potent inhibitors of an epimerase with a capacious active site.     

Inhibitors of glucosamine-6-phosphate synthase as potential antimicrobials or antidiabetics – synthesis and properties

Glucosamine-6-phosphate synthase (GlcN-6-P synthase) is known as a promising target for antimicrobial agents and antidiabetics. Several compounds of natural or synthetic origin have been identified as inhibitors of this enzyme. This set comprises highly selective l-glutamine, amino sugar phosphate or transition state intermediate cis-enolamine analogues. Relatively low antimicrobial activity of these inhibitors, poorly penetrating microbial cell membranes, has been improved using the pro-drug approach. On the other hand, a number of heterocyclic and polycyclic compounds demonstrating antimicrobial activity have been presented as putative inhibitors of the enzyme, based on the results of molecular docking to GlcN-6-P synthase matrix. The most active compounds of this group could be considered promising leads for development of novel antimicrobial drugs or antidiabetics, provided their selective toxicity is confirmed.     

Design,synthesis, and biological evaluation of the analogues of glaziovianin A,a potent antitumor isoflavone

Various analogues of glaziovianin A, an antitumor isoflavone, were synthesized, and their biological activities were evaluated. O⁷-modified glaziovianin A showed strong cytotoxicity against HeLa S₃ cells. Compared to glaziovianin A, the O⁷-benzyl and O⁷-propargyl analogues were more cytotoxic against HeLa S₃ cells and more potent M-phase inhibitors. Furthermore, O⁷-modified molecular probes of glaziovianin A were synthesized for biological studies.     

Effect of adenosylhomocysteine and other analog thioethers on a prokaryotic tRNA (guanine-7)-methyltransferase

S-Adenosylhomocysteine (SAH), a potent inhibitor of methyltransferases, and several thioethers structurally related to SAH, have been tested as potential inhibitors of tRNA (guanine-7)-methyltransferase from Salmonella typhimurium. The tested compounds are l-, d-, dl-S-adenosylhomocysteine, S-adenosylcysteine, methylthioadenosine, butylthioadenosine, thioethanoladenosine, isobutylthioadenosine, S-inosylhomocysteine, and methylthioinosine. Among them the highest inhibitory activity has been shown by SAH (K_i = 8 μM), whereas butylthioadenosine, isobutylthioadenosine, and thioethanoladenosine are almost inactive as inhibitors. The other compounds inhibit the enzyme with K_i values ranging between 400 and 800 μm. From these data it is possible to evaluate the importance of the -NH₂ and -COOH groups of the substrate in the binding to the enzyme molecule, as well as other features such as the chirality at the α-carbon atom and the length of the hydrocarbon chain connecting the -NH₂ and -COOH groups to the aromatic ring of adenosine. The aminic group of the adenosine is also critical, because S-inosylhornocysteine and methylthioinosine are poorer inhibitors in comparison with SAH and methylthioadenosine.     

Studies on glutathione S-alkyltransferase of the rat

1. A rat-liver enzyme catalysing the S-alkylation of glutathione by iodomethane and various other alkyl compounds has been identified and partially purified; its stability, specificity and response to inhibitors and activators and to changes in reaction pH have been studied. 2. The enzyme is distinct from glutathione S-aryltransferase, but both enzymes respond similarly to various inhibitors. 3. A similar enzyme has been found in the kidney and adrenal of rat and in the liver and kidney of numerous species. 4. The identity and the physiological role of the enzyme are discussed.     

ω-Hydroxy isoprenoid bisphosphonates as linkable GGDPS inhibitors

The enzyme geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase (GGDPS) is a potential therapeutic target for multiple myeloma. Malignant plasma cells produce and secrete large amounts of monoclonal protein, and inhibition of GGDPS results in disruption of protein geranylgeranylation which in turn impairs intracellular protein trafficking. Our previous work has demonstrated that some isoprenoid triazole bisphosphonates are potent and selective inhibitors of GGDPS. To explore the possibility of selective delivery of such compounds to plasma cells, new analogues with an ω-hydroxy group have been synthesized and examined for their enzymatic and cellular activity. These studies demonstrate that incorporation of the ω-hydroxy group minimally impairs GGDPS inhibitory activity. Furthermore conjugation of one of the novel ω-hydroxy GGDPS inhibitors to hyaluronic acid resulted in enhanced cellular activity. These results will allow future studies to focus on the in vivo biodistribution of HA-conjugated GGDPS inhibitors.     

A sensitive mass spectrum assay to characterize engineered methionine adenosyltransferases with S-alkyl methionine analogues as substrates

Methionine adenosyltransferases (MATs) catalyze the formation of S-adenosyl-l-methionine (SAM) inside living cells. Recently, S-alkyl analogues of SAM have been documented as cofactor surrogates to label novel targets of methyltransferases. However, these chemically synthesized SAM analogues are not suitable for cell-based studies because of their poor membrane permeability. This issue was recently addressed under a cellular setting through a chemoenzymatic strategy to process membrane-permeable S-alkyl analogues of methionine (SAAMs) into the SAM analogues with engineered MATs. Here we describe a general sensitive activity assay for engineered MATs by converting the reaction products into S-alkylthioadenosines, followed by high-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC–MS/MS) quantification. With this assay, 40 human MAT mutants were evaluated against 7 SAAMs as potential substrates. The structure–activity relationship revealed that, besides better engaged SAAM binding by the MAT mutants (lower K_m value in contrast to native MATs), the gained activity toward the bulky SAAMs stems from their ability to maintain the desired linear S_N2 transition state (reflected by higher k_cat value). Here the I117A mutant of human MATI was identified as the most active variant for biochemical production of SAM analogues from diverse SAAMs.     

Inhibition of monoamine oxidase B by N-methyl-2-phenylmaleimides

Based on a recent report that 1-methyl-3-phenylpyrrolyl analogues are moderately potent reversible inhibitors of the enzyme monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B), a series of structurally related N-methyl-2-phenylmaleimidyl analogues has been prepared and evaluated as inhibitors of MAO-B. In general, the maleimides were more potent competitive inhibitors than the corresponding pyrrolyl analogues. N-Methyl-2-phenylmaleimide was found to be the most potent inhibitor with an enzyme–inhibitor dissociation constant (K_i value) of 3.49 μM, approximately 30-fold more potent than 1-methyl-3-phenylpyrrole (K_i = 118 μM). This difference in activities may be dependent upon the ability of the maleimidyl heterocyclic system to act as a hydrogen bond acceptor. This is in correspondence with literature reports which suggest that hydrogen bond formation is involved in stabilizing inhibitor–MAO-B complexes. Also reported here is a brief kinetic study of the hydrolysis of the N-methyl-2-phenylmaleimidyl analogues in aqueous solution. The findings of the inhibition studies are discussed with reference to the rate and extent of hydrolysis.