Inhibition of the Staphylococcus aureus sortase transpeptidase SrtA by phosphinic peptidomimetics

During pathogenesis, Gram-positive bacteria utilize surface protein virulence factors such as the MSCRAMMs (microbial surface components recognizing adhesive matrix molecules) to aid the initiation and propagation of infection through adherence to host endothelial tissue and immune system evasion. These virulence-associated proteins generally contain a C-terminal LPXTG motif that becomes covalently anchored to the peptidoglycan biosynthesis intermediate lipid II. In Staphylococcus aureus, deletion of the sortase isoform SrtA results in marked reduction in virulence and infection potential, making it an important antivirulence target. Here we describe the chemical synthesis and kinetic characterization of a nonhydrolyzable phosphinic peptidomimetic inhibitor of SrtA derived from the LPXTG substrate sequence.