Menaquinone biosynthesis: a drug target in Gram-positive bacteria

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Project Summary: Potent inhibitors of menaquinone synthesis (specifically MenA) in M. tuberculosis have been identified, which are also effective inhibitors of mycobacterial growth. Since utilization of menaquinone is a characteristic of Gram-positive organisms, these compounds are also active against organisms such as methicillin resistant Stapylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis, and are expected to be effective against Bacillus anthracis and Listeria monocytogenes as well. The compounds identified as MenA inhibitors here, were first developed as cholesterol synthesis inhibitors and, as such, are known to be bioavailable in mammals and to have low intrinsic toxicity. These compounds will be "retro-designed" via cycle of synthetic medicinal chemistry followed by evaluation of compounds as menaquinone, and bacterial growth inhibitors. The compounds will also be counter-selected to reduce their effectiveness as cholesterol synthesis inhibitors. In addition, the mechanism of catalysis of MenA and alternative drug targets involved in menaquinone synthesis will be identified. The Specific Aims of this proposal are to: 1) Design, synthesize and test a new class of anti-tuberculosis agents derived from an oxidosqualene cyclase inhibitor. 2) test MenA, GrcC1, GrcC2, Rv0558 and Rv3853, genes hypothesized to participate in menaquinone synthesis in M. tuberculosis, for essentiality. 3) Define the mechanism of MenA catalysis, characterize the enzymatic properties of GrcC1, GrcC2, Rv0558 and Rv3853 and develop high-throughput screening compatible assays for those enzymes shown to be essential. Relevance: The results are expected to be of significance in terms of discovering new lead compounds that can be developed into new drugs to combat Gram-positive NIAID category A, B and C priority pathogens, as well as, emerging diseases caused by Gram-positive bacteria.