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A challenge for the development of host-targeted anti-infectives against a large spectrum of AB-like toxin-producing bacteria encompasses the identification of chemical compounds corrupting toxin transport through both endolysosomal and retrograde pathways. Here, we performed a high-throughput screening of small chemical compounds blocking active Rac1 proteasomal degradation triggered by the Cytotoxic Necrotizing Factor-1 (CNF1) toxin, followed by orthogonal screens against two AB toxins hijacking defined endolysosomal (Diphtheria toxin) or retrograde (Shiga-like toxin 1) pathways to intoxicate cells. This led to the identification of the molecule N-(3,3-diphenylpropyl)-1-propyl-4-piperidinamine, referred to as C910. This compound induces the swelling of EEA1-positive early endosomes, in absence of PIKfyve kinase inhibition, and disturbs the trafficking of CNF1 and the B-subunit of Shiga toxin along the endolysosomal or retrograde pathways, respectively. Together, we show that C910 protects cells against 8 bacterial AB toxins including large clostridial glucosylating toxins from Clostridium difficile. Of interest, C910 also reduced viral infection in vitro including influenza A virus subtype H1N1 and SARS-CoV-2. Moreover, parenteral administration of C910 to the mice resulted in its accumulation in lung tissues and reduced lethal influenza infection.

International audience; High-throughput screening has shown that Retro-1 inhibits ricin and Shiga toxins by diminishing their intracellular trafficking via the retrograde route, from early endosomes to the Golgi apparatus. To improve the activity of Retro-1, a structure-activity relationship (SAR) study was undertaken and yielded an analogue with a roughly 70-fold better half-maximal effective concentration (EC50) against Shiga toxin cytotoxicity measured in a cell protein synthesis assay.

The Retro-1 molecule was identified in a high-throughput screening as an inhibitor of ricin and Shiga toxins by diminishing their intracellular trafficking via the retrograde route, from early endosomes to the Golgi apparatus. In order to improve the activity of Retro-1, a SAR study was undertaken yielding an analog that possesses roughly 70-fold better EC50 against Shiga toxin cytotoxicity measured in a cell protein synthesis assay.