Search

Objectives To compare two prostaglandin analogs and two application intervals between mifepristone and the prostaglandin analog administration on the time to abortion in second trimester termination of pregnancy. Other endpoints were live birth rate and fetal lifetime after expulsion. Methods Retrospective data of 373 abortions performed were evaluated. Four medical induction subgroups and two feticide subgroups were considered. The definition criteria of the subgroups were the choice of administered prostaglandin analog (misoprostol vs. sulprostone) and the time interval between mifepristone and prostaglandin analog administration (48 vs. 24 h). The outcome parameters were the time to complete uterine evacuation (TCUE), the live birth rate and duration of fetal life. Results In the misoprostol subgroups, the median TCUE was 1.6 h longer in the 24-h group than in the 48-h group (p=0.950). In the sulprostone subgroups, the median TCUE was 1.9 h shorter in the 24-h group than in the 48-h group (p=0.950). The median TCUE was shorter for sulprostone than for misoprostol in all six subgroups (p Conclusions Both application intervals and prostaglandin analogs are similarly effective. The therapy regime should be adapted to the personal preferences of the woman, the situational and clinical conditions.

Nitrobenzothiazinone gehoren zu den potentesten Antituberkulose-Wirkstoffen. Hier beschreiben wir eine In-vivo-Reduktion der beiden klinischen Kandidaten BTZ043 und PBTZ169, die zur Bildung von Meisenheimer-Komplexen fuhrt. Diese Reduktion ist reversibel, tritt in allen untersuchten Saugetierspezies auf und hat einen erheblichen Einfluss auf In-vivo-ADME-Charakteristiken und signifikante Auswirkungen auf das Design und die Durchfuhrung von klinischen Studien. Die Reduktion wurde durch chemische Untersuchungen verifiziert, die eine vollstandige Charakterisierung des Meisenheimer-Komplexes und dessen Folgechemie ermoglichten. Die Kombination von In-vivo-Studien mit chemischen Arbeiten, wie der LC-MS-basierten Charakterisierung und der Assay-Entwicklung, bildet die Grundlage fur eine rationale Leitstrukturoptimierung dieser vielversprechenden Klasse von Antituberkulose-Wirkstoffen.

Development of resistance to antibiotics is a major medical problem. One approach to extending the utility of our limited antibiotic arsenal is to repurpose antibiotics by altering their bacterial selectivity. Many antibiotics that are used to treat infections caused by Gram-positive bacteria might be made effective against Gram-negative bacterial infections, if they could circumvent permeability barriers and antibiotic deactivation processes associated with Gram-negative bacteria. Herein, we report that covalent attachment of the normally Gram-positive-only antibiotic, daptomycin, with iron sequestering siderophore mimetics that are recognized by Gram-negative bacteria, provides conjugates that are active against virulent strains of Acinetobacter baumannii, including carbapenemase and cephalosporinase producers. The result is the generation of a new set of antibiotics designed to target bacterial infections that have been designated as being of dire concern.

In order to address the dire need for new antibiotics to treat specific strains of drug resistant Gram-negative bacterial infections, a mixed ligand analog of the natural Acinetobacter baumannii selective siderophore, fimsbactin, was coupled to daptomycin, a Gram-positive only antibiotic. The resulting conjugate 11 has potent activity against multidrug resistant strains of A. baumannii both in vitro and in vivo. The study also indicates that conjugation of siderophores to “drugs” that are much larger than the siderophore (iron transport agent) itself facilitates active uptake that circumvents the normal permeability problems in Gram-negative bacteria. The results demonstrate the ability to extend activity of a normally Gram-positive only antibiotic to create a potent and targeted Gram-negative antibiotic using a bacterial iron transport based sideromycin Trojan horse strategy.

Tuberculosis (TB), a disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), is a global public health concern because of the emergence of various resistant strains. Benzothiazin-4-ones (BTZs), represented by BTZ043, are a promising new class of agents for the treatment of tuberculosis and have been shown to kill Mtb in vitro, ex vivo, and in mouse models of TB. Herein we report the design and syntheses of nitroaromatic sulfonamide, reverse-amide, and ester classes of anti-TB agents using a scaffold simplification strategy based on BTZ043. The presented work explores the effect of functional groups such as sulfonamides, reverse-amides, and esters that are attached to the nitroaromatic rings on their anti-TB activity. The in vitro activity of the compounds evaluated against the H37Rv strain of Mtb show that nitroaromatic sulfonamides and nitrobenzoic acid esters with two nitro substituents were most active and highlights the importance of the electronic character (electron deficient aromatic ring) of the nitroaromatic ring as a central theme in these types of nitroaromatic anti-TB agents.

Siderophores are multidentate iron(III) chelators used by bacteria for iron assimilation. Sideromycins, also called siderophore-antibiotic conjugates, are a unique subset of siderophores that enter bacterial cells via siderophore uptake pathways and deliver the toxic antibiotic in a ‘Trojan Horse’ fashion. Sideromycins represent a novel antibiotic delivery technology with untapped potential for developing sophisticated microbe-selective antibacterial agents that limit the emergence of bacterial resistance. The chemical synthesis of a series of mono-, bis-, and trihydroxamate sideromycins are described here along with their biological evaluation in antibacterial susceptibility assays. The linear hydroxamate siderophores used for the sideromycins in this study were derived from the ferrioxamine family and inspired by the naturally occurring salmycin sideromycins. The antibacterial agents used were a β-lactam carbacepholosporin, Lorabid®, and a fluoroquinolone, ciprofloxacin, chosen for the different locations of their biological targets, the periplasm (extracellular) and the cytoplasm (intracellular). The linear hydroxamate-based sideromycins were selectively toxic towards Gram-positive bacteria, especially Staphylococcus aureus SG511 (MIC = 1.0 µM for the trihydroxamate-fluoroquinolone sideromycin). Siderophore-sideromycin competition assays demonstrated that only the fluoroquinolone sideromycins required membrane transport to reach their cytoplasmic biological target and that a trihydroxamate siderophore backbone was required for protein-mediated active transport of the sideromycins into S. aureus cells via siderophore uptake pathways. This work represents a comprehensive study of linear hydroxamate sideromycins and teaches how to build effective hydroxamate-based sideromycins as Gram-positive selective antibiotic agents.

Amphiphilic star-shaped poly(e-caprolactone)-block-poly(oligo(ethylene glycol)methacrylate) [PCLa-b-POEGMAb]4 block copolymers with four arms and varying degrees of polymerization for the core (PCL) and the shell (POEGMA) were used to investigate the solution behavior in dilute aqueous solution using a variety of techniques, including fluorescence and UV/Vis spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, analytical ultracentrifugation, and isothermal titration calorimetry. Particular emphasis has been applied to prove that the systems form unimolecular micelles for different hydrophilic/lipophilic balances of the employed materials. In vitro cytotoxicity and hemocompatibility have further been investigated to probe the suitability of these structures for in vivo applications. A novel fungicide was included into the hydrophobic core in aqueous media to test their potential as drug delivery systems. After loading, the materials have been shown to release the drug and to provoke therewith an inhibition of the growth of different fungal strains.

Nitrobenzothiazinones are among the most potent antituberculosis agents. Herein, we disclose an unprecedented in vivo reduction process that affords Meisenheimer complexes of the clinical candidates BTZ043 and PBTZ169. The reduction is reversible, occurs in all mammalian species investigated, has a profound influence on the in vivo ADME characteristics, and has considerable implications for the design and implementation of clinical studies. The reduction was confirmed by chemical studies that enabled the complete characterization of the Meisenheimer complex and its subsequent chemistry. Combination of the in vivo and chemical studies with LC-MS characterization and assay development also provides a basis for rational lead optimization of this very promising class of antituberculosis agents.

Madurahydroxylactone (MHL), a secondary metabolite with antibacterial activity was evaluated for its suitability to generate controlled drug release coatings on medical implant materials. A smooth and firmly attached layer could be produced from a precursor solution on various metallic implant materials. In physiological salt solutions these coatings dissolved within a time period up to one week. A combination of MHL with a broad spectrum fluoroquinolone antibiotic was used to create a coating that was active against all bacterial strains tested. The time period during which the coating remained active against Pseudomonas aeruginosa was investigated. The results indicated a delayed drug release from single layer coatings in the course of seven days. MHL was biocompatible in cell culture assays and could after a delay even serve as a cell adhesion substrate for human or murine cells. The findings indicate a potential for MHL for the generation of delayed release antimicrobial implant coatings.

New 3-benzyl-4-thioxo-2H-1,3-benzoxazine-2(3H)-ones and 3-benzyl-2H-1,3-benzoxazine-2,4(3H)-dithiones were synthesized. The compounds were tested for in vitro antimycobacterial activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Mycobacterium kansasii and Mycobacterium avium. The replacement of the carbonyl group by the thiocarbonyl group increased the antimycobacterial activity. The most active derivatives were more active than isonicotinhydrazide (INH). The cytotoxicity and the antiproliferative activity were studied as well.

The epiphyte Pantoea agglomerans 48b/90, which has been isolated from soybean leaves, belongs to the Enterobacteriaceae , as does the plant pathogen Erwinia amylovora , which causes fire blight on rosaceous plants such as apples and leads to severe economic losses. Since P. agglomerans efficiently antagonizes phytopathogenic bacteria, the P. agglomerans strain C9-1 is used as a biocontrol agent (BlightBan C9-1). Here we describe the bioassay-guided isolation of a peptide antibiotic that is highly active against the plant pathogen E. amylovora and pathovars of Pseudomonas syringae , and we elucidate its structure. Bioassay-guided fractionation using anion-exchange chromatography followed by hydrophobic interaction liquid chromatography yielded the bioactive, highly polar antibiotic. The compound was identified as 2-amino-3-(oxirane-2,3-dicarboxamido)-propanoyl-valine by using high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance techniques. This peptide was found to be produced by three of the nine P. agglomerans strains analyzed. Notably, the biocontrol strain P. agglomerans C9-1 also produces 2-amino-3-(oxirane-2,3-dicarboxamido)-propanoyl-valine. Previously, 2-amino-3-(oxirane-2,3-dicarboxamido)-propanoyl-valine has been characterized only from Serratia plymuthica . 2-Amino-3-(oxirane-2,3-dicarboxamido)-propanoyl-valine has been shown to inhibit the growth of the human pathogen Candida albicans efficiently, but its involvement in the defense of epiphytes against phytopathogenic bacteria has not been investigated so far.

A series of novel sterol analogs was prepared using nitroso Diels-Alder reactions with ergosterol. Most cycloaddition reactions proceeded in an excellent regio- and stereoselective fashion. Further N-O bond cleavage of cycloadducts generated compounds with biological activity in PC-3 and MCF-7 cancer cell lines.

A set of 2-benzylsulfanyl derivatives of benzoxazole was synthesized and evaluated for their in vitro antimycobacterial activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis, non-tuberculous mycobacteria and multidrug-resistant M. tuberculosis. The activities were expressed as the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) in mmol/L. The substances showed similar activity against all tested strains. The lead compounds in the set, dinitro derivatives exhibited significant activity against both sensitive and resistant strains of M. tuberculosis and also against non-tuberculous mycobacteria. To facilitate drug design of benzoxazole as potential antituberculosis agent, we have explored the quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR). We demonstrated that lower lipophilicity has significant contribution to activity. Dinitrobenzylsulfanyl derivative of benzoxazole represents the promising small-molecule synthetic antimycobacterials.

Tuberculosis is a chronic infectious disease caused by bacteria of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex. One of the major contributors to virulence and intercellular spread of M. tuberculosis is the ESAT-6 secretion system 1 (ESX-1) that has been lost by the live vaccines Mycobacterium bovis BCG (Bacille Calmette Guérin) and Mycobacterium microti as a result of independent deletions. ESX-1 consists of at least 10 genes (Rv3868-Rv3877) encoding the T-cell antigens ESAT-6 and CFP-10 as well as AAA-ATPases, chaperones, and membrane proteins which probably form a novel export system. To better understand the mode of action of the ESX-1 proteins, as a prelude to drug development, we examined systematically the interactions between the various proteins using the two-hybrid system in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Interestingly, ESAT-6 and CFP-10 formed both hetero- and homodimers. Moreover, Rv3866, Rv3868, and CFP-10 interacted with Rv3873 which also homodimerized. The data were summarized in a protein linkage map that is consistent with the model for the secretion apparatus and can be used as a basis to identify inhibitors of specific interactions.

Novel hybrid compounds combining the antifungal drug ketoconazole with a diazen-1-ium-1,2-diolate or an organic nitrate moiety and the corresponding NO-donors without ketoconazole were synthesized and their activities against a broad variety of fungal strains were tested. Hybridization modifies the spectrum of antimicrobial activities and generally, the ketoconazole-NO-donor hybrids are more potent than ketoconazole. The NO-donors alone show insufficient effectiveness.

Amamistatins A and B, natural products isolated from a strain of Nocardia, showed growth inhibition against three human tumor cell lines (IC(50) 0.24-0.56 microM). Structurally related mycobactins affect the growth of both mycobacterial and human cells through interference with iron chelation. To further probe the biological activity of this class of compounds, the total syntheses of amamistatin B and two analogs were completed, and the synthetic samples were screened for tumor cell growth inhibition, HDAC inhibition, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis growth inhibition. Amamistatin B (15) and diastereomer 18 were both active against MCF-7 cells (IC(50) 0.12-0.20 microM), and less so against PC-3 cells (IC(50) 8-13 microM). Amamistatin B only moderately inhibited the growth of M. tuberculosis (MIC 47 microM) but showed growth promotion of Mycobacterium smegmatis and other bacteria.

A remarkably efficient method for derivatization of complex diene-containing natural products by using stabilized iminonitroso Diels-Alder reactions is described. Turimycin H3, ergosterol, reductiomycin, isoforocidin, colchicine and thebaine were found to react with nitrosopyridines in a highly efficient regio- and stereoselective fashion. Preliminary bioactivity evaluations of turimycin cycloadducts are reported.

Siderophores based on sugar backbones substituted at the 2,3,4- or 2,3,6 positions with hydroxamic or retro-hydroxamic acid chelating units were synthesized and characterized. The alkyl terminus of the iron-coordinating side chain units facilitate lipophilic interactions. Iron coordination properties and complex stability were investigated by ESI-MS and the CAS-Test. The results were correlated to structure activity relationships determined by microbial growth promotion studies under iron limited conditions using wild type strains and iron transport mutants of Mycobacterium smegmatis.

The reaction of tris(2-bromoethyl)amine hydrobromide with sugar thiols or thioacetates leads to the formation of novel carbohydrate substituted tripodal NS3 ligands. Complexation with silver(I) ions gives stable complexes. NMR, X-ray, MS and EXAFS studies indicate their mononuclear C3-symmetric structure. The highly water soluble complexes formed from the unprotected ligands show a wide spectrum of effective antimicrobial activities and their use lowers the cytotoxic and antiproliferative activities compared to the free silver salts.

The syntheses and anti-tuberculosis activity of quinolone-cephalosporin conjugates (1 and 2) are described. Both showed broad-spectrum antibacterial activity and significant anti-TB activity. The carbamate-linked quinolone-cephem 2 showed better antimycobacterial activity, including anti-TB activity, than the direct amine-linked quinolone-cephem 1, while quinolone-cephem 1 was slightly more effective against some Gram-negative bacterial strains.

The cerebral deposition of Aβ-peptide as amyloid fibrils and plaques represents a hallmark characteristic of Alzheimer's disease (AD). AD plaques are defined by their green birefringence after Congo red staining, their spherulite-like superstructure and their association with specific secondary components. Here we show that primary human macrophages promote the formation of amyloid plaques that correspond in all aforementioned characteristics to typical amyloid plaques from diseased tissues: they consist of aggregated Aβ-peptide, they reveal the typical ‘‘Maltese cross” structure and they are associated with the secondary components glycosaminoglycanes, apolipoprotein E (apoE) and the raft lipids cholesterol and sphingomyelin. Plaque formation can be impaired in this cell system by addition of small molecules, such as Congo red, melantonine and lovastatin, suggesting potential applications for the study of cellular amyloid formation and for the identification or validation of drug candidates.

In order to study the function of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis protein ESAT-6 in the infection process, we searched for host proteins that interact with this secreted mycobacterial protein. Using a yeast two-hybrid system we identified the rat syntenin-1 protein as a candidate to interact with ESAT-6. This interaction was confirmed in vitro by protein overlay and by surface plasmon resonance using recombinant ESAT-6 and human syntenin-1, and by co-purification analysis of the mycobacterial expressed ESAT-6 and macrophage derived syntenin-1. The interaction domains were localized by two-hybrid studies using truncated derivatives of both proteins and by peptide spot analysis. Two domains of each protein mediate the ESAT-6/syntenin-1 interaction. The C-terminus of ESAT-6 binds to the PDZ-domains of syntenin-1 and the N-terminus of ESAT-6 binds to the N-terminus of syntenin-1. Thus, the host protein syntenin-1 represents a possible cellular receptor for the mycobacterial protein ESAT-6.

The antibiotic and fungicidal deuteromycete Mollisia caesia SACC. was cultivated on a large scale. Mollisin (1; = 8-(dichloroacetyl)-5-hydroxy-2,7-dimethylnaphthalene-1,4-dione) and two new tri- and tetrahalogenated metabolites, mollisin A (2) and mollisin B (3) were isolated from M. caesia. The formation of 2 and 3 indicates that the biosynthesis of these compounds starts from a C 1 6 polyketide (Scheme). Mollisin (1) shows strong fungicidal activities against Sclerophoma pityophila (CORDA) v. HOHN and Heterobasidion annosum (Fr.) BREF., which is one of the most-destructive basidiomycetes in coniferous forests. The metabolites 1-3 possess interesting pharmacological activities in assays in search of anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative drugs.

Novel omega-pyridiniumalkylethers of two steroidal phenols were synthesized as compounds with potential antimicrobial activity. 3-Hydroxy-estra-1,3,5(10)-triene-17-one and 1-hydroxy-4-methyl-estra-1,3,5(10)-triene-17-one were reacted with omega,omega'-dibromoalkanes to omega-bromoalkoxy-estra-1,3,5(10)-trienes followed by reaction with pyridine to obtain the desired steroidal omega-pyridiniumalkoxy compounds as bromides. Their antimicrobial activity against strains of multiresistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), a vancomycin resistant Enterococcus faecalis and fast growing mycobacteria depends clearly on the length of the alkyl chain. A strong broadband activity has been found for the compounds with eight or 10 C-atoms; in some cases better than ciprofloxacin or cetylpyridinium salts. In addition, the antiproliferative and cytotoxic activity depends on the chain length, too. The differentiation between antibacterial and cytotoxic activity is better for the steroid hybrid molecules than the cetylpyridinium salts. These new compounds can serve as lead compounds for further optimization.

Different mono-, bis- or triscatecholates and mixed mono- or biscatecholate hydroxamates were synthesized as potential siderophores for mycobacteria. Siderophore activity was tested by growth promotion assays using wild type strains and iron transport mutants of mycobacteria as well as Gram-negative bacteria. Some triscatecholates and biscatecholate hydroxamates were active in mutants of Mycobacterium smegmatis deficient in mycobactin and exochelin biosynthesis or exochelin permease, respectively, indicating an uptake route independent of the exochelin/mycobactin pathway. Structure activity relationships were studied. Ampicillin conjugates of some of these compounds were inactive against mycobacteria but active against Gram-negative bacteria.

New trishydroxamates and triscatecholates based on methyl alpha-D-glucopyranoside, methyl alpha-D-galactopyranoside, methyl alpha-D-ribopyranoside and methyl alpha-D-xylopyranoside as well as on 1,3,5-tri-O-benzyl-myo-inositol were synthesized. N-Methylsuccinohydroxamate, N-methylglutarohydroxamate and their O-benzoyl derivatives were used as hydroxamate moieties. 2,3-Dihydroxybenzoyl derivatives and acylated compounds as well as 2,3- and 3,4-dihydroxybenzylidenehydrazino derivatives, partly with spacer groups, were utilized as catecholate components. The siderophore activity of the prepared siderophore analogues was examined by a growth promotion assay with various Gram-negative bacteria and mycobacteria and by the CAS-assay. Some trishydroxamates and triscatecholates showed siderophore activity on Gram-negative bacteria and triscatecholates on mycobacteria. Iron complexes of the trishydroxamates act as siderophores for all types of iron transport mutants. The recognition and uptake specificity of these compounds was studied by E. coli siderophore receptor and iron transport mutants. Structure activity correlations are discussed.

Linking of siderophores to antibiotics improves the penetration and therefore increases the antibacterial activity of the antibiotics. We synthesized the acylated catecholates and hydroxamates as siderophore components for antibiotic conjugates to reduce side effects of unprotected catecholate and hydroxamate moieties. In this paper, we report on bis- and tris-catecholates and mixed catecholate hydroxamates based on diamino acids or dipeptides. These compounds were active as siderophores in a growth promotion assay under iron limitation. Most of the conjugates with beta-lactams showed high in vitro activity against Gram-negative bacteria especially Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Serratia marcescens and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia. The compounds with enhanced antibacterial activity use active iron uptake routes to penetrate the bacterial outer membrane barrier, demonstrated by assays with mutants deficient in components of the iron transport system. Correlation between chemical structure and biological activity was studied.

New analogues of triscatecholate siderophores based on linear or tripodal triamines with or without spacer groups or lipophilic and hydrophilic substituents were synthesized. The catecholate moieties were prepared in OH-forms, as acetylated compounds or masked as 8-methoxycarbonyloxy-2,4-dioxo-1,3-benzoxazine derivatives. Some of the new compounds were active as siderophores tested by growth promotion assays using various Gram-negative bacteria and mycobacteria under iron limitation and by CAS-assay. Structure-activity-correlations have been studied.

The synthesis of two saccharide-based enterobactin analogues, methyl 2,3,4-tris-O[-N[2,3-di(hydroxy)benzoyl-glycyl]-aminopropyl]-alpha-D-glucopyranoside (H(6)L(A)) and methyl 2,3,4-tris-O-[N-[2,3-di(hydroxy)benzoyl]-aminopropyl]-alpha-D-glucopyranoside (H(6)L(B)), are reported along with their pK(a) values, Fe(III) binding constants, and aqueous solution speciation as determined by spectrophotometric and potentiometric titration techniques. Use of a saccharide platform to synthesize a hexadentate triscatechol chelator provides some advantages over other approaches to enterobactin models, including significant water solubility, resistance to hydrolysis, and backbone chirality which may provide favorable recognition and availability to cells. The protonation constants for the catechol ligand hydroxyl moieties were determined for both ligands and found to be significantly different, which is attributed to the differences in the spacer chain of the two triscatechols. Proton dependent Fe(III)-ligand equilibrium constants were determined using a model involving the sequential protonation of the Fe(III)-ligand complex. These results were used to calculate the formation constants, log beta(110) = 41.38 for Fe(III)-H(6)L(A) and log beta(110) = 46.38 for Fe(III)-H(6)L(B). The calculated pM values of 28.6 for H(6)L(A) and 28.3 for H(6)L(B) indicate that these ligands possess Fe(III) affinities comparable to or greater than other enterobactin models and are thermodynamically capable of removing Fe(III) from transferrin.

New artificial catecholate siderophores with methyl α-d-glucopyranoside as scaffold were synthesized. The dihydroxy- or di(acetoxy)benzoyl moieties were attached either directly or via aminopropyl spacer groups, to the carbohydrate scaffold. The siderophore activity of the prepared siderophore analogs was examined by a growth promotion assay using various Gram-negative bacteria and mycobacteria and by the CAS-assay.

The ability of synthetic derivatives of the siderophore tripeptide of N5-hydroxy-N5-acetyl-l-ornithine to promote the growth of various strains of mycobacteria and Gram negative bacteria was found to depend significantly on the hydrophobic nature of the derivative. Although the tripeptide of N5-hydroxy-N5-acetyl-l-ornithine is not normally utilized by mycobacteria, an N-terminal palmitoyl derivative mimicked natural mycobactin J in all studies.

New analogs of bacterial siderophores with one, two or three catecholate moieties were synthesized using various mono- and diamino acid and dipetide scaffolds, respectively. In addition to 2,3-dihydroxybenzoyl siderophore analogs and their acylated derivatives, 3,4-dihydroxybenzoyl derivatives were prepared. Furthermore, the synthesis of a new triscatecholate serving as an intimate model for enterobactin is reported. Most of the new compounds gave a positive CAS-test and were active as siderophores tested by growth promotion assays with a set of siderophore indicator mutants under iron limitation. Structure-activity-correlations have also been studied.

Photodynamically active anthraquinone derivatives produced by the phytopathogenic fungus Ramularia collo-cygni are known to cause a barley leaf-spot disease, but data about light-dependent and independent bioactivity have been sparse to date. We therefore conducted for the first time a broad bioactivity profiling of rubellins B, C, D, and E and caeruleoramularin. Antibacterial but not antiviral activity is reported with light-dependent increase. Furthermore, when tested without illumination, compounds exerted antiproliferative and cytotoxic activity in a series of human tumor cell lines. Inhibition of tau protein assembly was observed as well.

Transport and metabolization of iron bound to the fungal siderophore rhizoferrin was analyzed by transport kinetics, Mossbauer and EPR spectroscopy. Saturation kinetics (vmax=24.4 pmol/(mg min), Km=64.4μM) and energy dependence excluded diffusion and provided evidence for a rhizoferrin transport system in M. smegmatis. Based on the spectroscopic techniques indications for intracellular presence of the ferric rhizoferrin complex were found. This feature could be of practical importance in the search of novel drugs for the treatment of mycobacterial infections. EPR and Mossbauer spectroscopy revealed different ferritin mineral cores depending on the siderophore iron source. This finding was interpreted in terms of different protein shells, i.e. two types of ferritins.

Conjugates of a carbacephalosporin with hydroxamate, spermexatol, N alpha,N epsilon-bis(2,3-dihydroxybenzoyl)-L-lysine, mixed catecholate/hydroxamate and cyanuric acid-based siderophores were investigated for their potential to promote growth of siderophore indicator strains of Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria under iron depleted conditions, for their antibacterial activity and for their ability to use iron transport pathways to penetrate the Gram-negative bacterial outer membrane. The selective growth promotion of enterobacterial and pseudomonas strains by hydroxamate, spermexatol and mixed catecholate-hydroxamate siderophore-based conjugates bearing a L- or D-amino acid spacer was correlated with TonB dependent uptake routes. The preferred outer membrane siderophore receptor used in Escherichia coli was found to be Fiu, followed by Cir. Antagonistic effects of siderophores administered with the conjugates to determine antibacterial activity confirmed the active transport of conjugates via siderophore receptors. All of the conjugates were still able to diffuse through the porin proteins OmpC and OmpF. Nevertheless, strong inhibition of E. coli and Pseudomones aeruginosa outer membrane mutants DC2 and K799/61 compared to the parent strains indicated inefficient penetrability of all types of conjugates tested. Mycobacterium smegmatis SG 987 was able to use all of the siderophore-cephalosporin conjugates as growth promotors. Consequently there was no growth inhibition of this strain.

Iron uptake of the 57Fe-siderophores ferricrocin, rhizoferrin and citrate in M. smegmatis was analyzed by in situ Mossbauer spectroscopy. Siderophore dependent uptake and metabolic utilization patterns of 57Fe were found. Rhizoferrin is accumulated in the organism and, therefore, represents a suitable candidate for the synthesis of novel siderophore-antibiotics conjugates.

Growth promotion was tested using M. smegmatis wild type strain, an exochelin-deficient mutant, and M. fortuitum employing a broad variety of xenosiderophores including hydroxamates, catecholates and a-hydroxy carboxylic acids. The experiments revealed that utilization of siderophore-bound iron is substrate specific suggesting high-affinity siderophore receptor and transport systems. Concentration-dependent uptake of a selected xenosiderophore (fericrocin) in M. smegmatis showed saturation kinetics and uptake was inhibited by respiratory poisons. In situ Mossbauer spectroscopy of ferricrocin uptake in M. smegmatis indicated rapid intracellular reductive removal of the metal excluding intracellular ferricrocin accumulation. The ultimate intracellular iron pool is represented by a compound (δ = 0.43 mm s, DE = 1.03 mm s) which has also been found in many other microorganisms and does not represent a bacterioferritin, cytochrome or iron-sulfur cluster. By contrast, iron uptake via citrate - a compound exhibiting a very low complex stability constant - involves ligand exchange with mycobactin. Mycobactin has merely a transient role. The ultimate storage compound is an E.coli-type bacterioferritin, in which over 90% of cellular iron is located.

1,3-Benzothiazin-4-ones (BTZs) are a novel class of TB drug candidates with potent activity against M. tuberculosis. An in silico ligand-based model based on structure–activity data from 170 BTZ compounds was used to design a new series. Compounds were tested against a panel of mycobacterial strains and were profiled for cytotoxicity, stability, and antiproliferative effects. Several of the compounds showed improved activity against MDR-TB while retaining low toxicity with higher microsomal, metabolic, and plasma stability.

Several novel oxazolidinone antibiotics with a spiropiperazinyl substituent at the 4′-position of the phenyl ring were synthesized through nitroso Diels–Alder chemistry and the in vitro antibacterial activities were evaluated against various Gram-positive bacteria ( Bacillus subtilis , Staphylococcus aureus , Enterococcus faecalis ), Gram-negative bacteria ( Escherichia coli , Pseudomonas aeruginosa ) and mycobacteria ( Mycobacterium vaccae , Mycobacterium tuberculosis ). Analogs ( 8a and 12 ) were active against selected drug resistant microbes, like methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) and had no mammalian toxicity in a Hep-2 cellular assay (CC 50 >100 μM).

2-N-hydroxy-3,4-dihydro-isoquinoline-1-one (C9H9NO2, 1) was isolated as a new naturally occurring iron chelator from cultures of Streptomyces spec. 2002-104 in the course of a screening for new iron chelating compounds. The structure was solved by high resolution MS and NMR investigations.

A series of 10,13-disubstituted 16-membered macrolides was synthesized using nitroso Diels–Alder reactions of leucomycin A7. Despite the extensive constituent functionalities in leucomycin, the hetero cycloaddition reactions proceeded in a highly regio- and stereoselective fashion. Subsequent chemical modifications of the nitroso cycloadducts, including N–O bond reduction, were also conducted. Most leucomycin derivatives retained antibiotic profiles similar to leucomycin A7, and, in contrast to leucomycin itself, several exhibited moderate antiproliferative and cytotoxic activity.

A series of novel oxazolidinone antibiotics having [2.2.1] and [2.2.2] bicyclic oxazine moieties at the C-5 side chain of the A ring was synthesized by nitroso Diels–Alder reactions, from three linezolid analogs containing morpholine, piperazine and thiomorpholine, respectively, as the C-ring components. Subsequent N–O bond cleavage generated oxazolidinones with 4-amino cyclo-2- en-1-ol substituents. The in vitro antibacterial activities of these oxazolidinone analogs were evaluated.

During the syntheses and studies of natural iron chelators (mycobactins), we serendipitously discovered that a simple, small molecule, oxazoline-containing intermediate 3 displayed surprising anti-tuberculosis activity (MIC of 7.7 μM, average). Herein we report elaboration of SAR around this hit as well as the syntheses and evaluation of a hundred oxazoline- and oxazole-containing compounds derived from an efficient three step process: 1) formation of β-hydroxy amides with serine or threonine; 2) cyclization to afford oxazolines; and 3) dehydration to give the corresponding oxazoles. A number of compounds prepared by this method were shown to possess impressive activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis, extremely low toxicity and therefore high therapeutic indexes, as well as activity against even the more recalcitrant non-replicating form of M. tuberculosis. The uniqueness of their structures and their simplicity should allow them to be further optimized to meet ADME (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion) requirements. The syntheses of eight of the most potent in vitro compounds were scaled up and the compounds were tested in an in vivo mouse infection model to evaluate their efficacy before engaging upon more elaborate compound design and optimization.

A set of 4-benzylsulfanylpyridine-2-carbohydrazides was synthesized and evaluated for in vitro antimycobacterial activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis, non-tuberculous mycobacteria, and multidrug-resistant M. tuberculosis. The activities expressed as the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) fall into a range of 2 to 125 micromol/L, most often 4 to 32 micromol/L. The results revealed that the substituents on the benzyl moiety do not influence the antimycobacterial efficacy. The substances exhibited similar activities against sensitive and resistant strains of M. tuberculosis. Furthermore, compounds show low antiproliferative effect and cytotoxicity.

Ammunition for the TB Wars Tuberculosis is a major human disease of global importance resulting from infection with the air-borne pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis , which is becoming increasingly resistant to all available drugs. An antituberculosis benzothiazinone compound kills mycobacterium in infected cells and in mice. Makarov et al. (p. 801 ) have identified a sulfur atom and nitro residues important for benzothiazinone's activity and used genetic methods and biochemical analysis to identify its target in blocking arabinogalactan biosynthesis during cell-wall synthesis. The compound affects the same pathway as ethambutol, and thus a benzothiazinone drug has the potential to become an important part of treatment of drug-resistant disease and, possibly, replace the less effective ethambutol in the primary treatment of tuberculosis.

The recent rise in drug resistance found amongst community acquired infections has sparked renewed interest in developing antimicrobial agents that target resistant organisms and limit the natural selection of immune variants. Recent discoveries have shown that iron uptake systems in bacteria and fungi are suitable targets for developing such therapeutic agents. The use of siderophore-drug conjugates as “Trojan Horse” drug delivery agents has attracted particular interest in this area. This review will discuss efforts in our research group to study the salmycin class of “Trojan Horse” antibiotics. Inspired by the natural design of the salmycins, a series of desferridanoxamine-antibiotic conjugates were synthesized and tested in microbial growth inhibition assays. The results of these studies will be related to understanding the role of drug release in siderophore-mediated drug delivery with implications for future siderophore-drug conjugate design.