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ID: ALA3396952

Journal: Bioorg Med Chem Lett

Title: Structural and biological evaluation of a novel series of benzimidazole inhibitors of Francisella tularensis enoyl-ACP reductase (FabI).

Authors: Mehboob S, Song J, Hevener KE, Su PC, Boci T, Brubaker L, Truong L, Mistry T, Deng J, Cook JL, Santarsiero BD, Ghosh AK, Johnson ME.

Abstract: Francisella tularensis, the causative agent of tularemia, presents a significant biological threat and is a Category A priority pathogen due to its potential for weaponization. The bacterial FASII pathway is a viable target for the development of novel antibacterial agents treating Gram-negative infections. Here we report the advancement of a promising series of benzimidazole FabI (enoyl-ACP reductase) inhibitors to a second-generation using a systematic, structure-guided lead optimization strategy, and the determination of several co-crystal structures that confirm the binding mode of designed inhibitors. These compounds display an improved low nanomolar enzymatic activity as well as promising low microgram/mL antibacterial activity against both F. tularensis and Staphylococcus aureus and its methicillin-resistant strain (MRSA). The improvements in activity accompanying structural modifications lead to a better understanding of the relationship between the chemical structure and biological activity that encompasses both enzymatic and whole-cell activity.

CiteXplore: 25677657

DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2015.01.048