Novel anti-infection agents: small-molecule inhibitors of bacterial transcription factors

Bioorg Med Chem Lett. 2007 Oct 15;17(20):5652-5. doi: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2007.07.072. Epub 2007 Aug 21.

Abstract

Structure-based drug design was utilized to identify potent small-molecule inhibitors of proteins within the AraC family of bacterial transcription factors, which control virulence in medically important microbes. These agents represent a novel approach to fight infectious disease and may be less likely to promote resistance development. These compounds lack intrinsic antibacterial activity in vitro and were able to limit a bacterial infection in a mouse model of urinary tract infection.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / chemical synthesis
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / chemistry*
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Bacterial Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Bacterial Proteins / metabolism*
  • DNA / genetics
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Enterobacteriaceae / drug effects
  • Inhibitory Concentration 50
  • Mice
  • Molecular Structure
  • Protein Binding
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa / drug effects
  • Staphylococcus aureus / drug effects
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Transcription Factors / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism*
  • Urinary Tract Infections / drug therapy
  • Urinary Tract Infections / microbiology

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Transcription Factors
  • DNA