Structure-Based Optimization of 1,2,4-Triazole-3-Thione Derivatives: Improving Inhibition of NDM-/VIM-Type Metallo-β-Lactamases and Synergistic Activity on Resistant Bacteria

• Main Authors: Matteo Bersani (Author), Mariacristina Failla (Author), Filippo Vascon (Author), Eleonora Gianquinto (Author), Laura Bertarini (Author), Massimo Baroni (Author), Gabriele Cruciani (Author), Federica Verdirosa (Author), Filomena Sannio (Author), Jean-Denis Docquier (Author), Laura Cendron (Author), Francesca Spyrakis (Author), Loretta Lazzarato (Author), Donatella Tondi (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: MDPI AG, 2023-12-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.

Summary

The worldwide emergence and dissemination of Gram-negative bacteria expressing metallo-β-lactamases (MBLs) menace the efficacy of all β-lactam antibiotics, including carbapenems, a last-line treatment usually restricted to severe pneumonia and urinary tract infections. Nonetheless, no MBL inhibitor is yet available in therapy. We previously identified a series of 1,2,4-triazole-3-thione derivatives acting as micromolar inhibitors of MBLs in vitro, but devoid of synergistic activity in microbiological assays. Here, via a multidisciplinary approach, including molecular modelling, synthesis, enzymology, microbiology, and X-ray crystallography, we optimized this series of compounds and identified low micromolar inhibitors active against clinically relevant MBLs (NDM-1- and VIM-type). The best inhibitors increased, to a certain extent, the susceptibility of NDM-1- and VIM-4-producing clinical isolates to meropenem. X-ray structures of three selected inhibitors in complex with NDM-1 elucidated molecular recognition at the base of potency improvement, confirmed in silico predicted orientation, and will guide further development steps.

Item Description

10.3390/ph16121682
1424-8247