Structural basis for specific inhibition of salicylate synthase from Mycobacterium abscessus

• Published in: European journal of medicinal chemistry 2024-02, Vol.265, p.116073-116073, Article 116073
• Main Authors: Mori, Matteo, Cocorullo, Mario, Tresoldi, Andrea, Cazzaniga, Giulia, Gelain, Arianna, Stelitano, Giovanni, Chiarelli, Laurent R., Tomaiuolo, Martina, Delre, Pietro, Mangiatordi, Giuseppe F., Garofalo, Mariangela, Cassetta, Alberto, Covaceuszach, Sonia, Villa, Stefania, Meneghetti, Fiorella
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Chorismate; Crystal structure; Cystic fibrosis; Humans; Inhibition; Iron; Mycobacterium abscessus; Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous - microbiology; Non-tuberculous mycobacteria; Salicylate synthase; Salicylates - pharmacology; Siderophores; Siderophores - pharmacology
• ISSN: 0223-5234; 1768-3254
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.116073

Blocking iron uptake and metabolism has been emerging as a promising therapeutic strategy for the development of novel antimicrobial compounds. Like all mycobacteria, M. abscessus (Mab) has evolved several countermeasures to scavenge iron from host carrier proteins, including the production of siderophores, which play a crucial role in these processes. In this study, we solved, for the first time, the crystal structure of Mab-SaS, the first enzyme involved in the biosynthesis of siderophores. Moreover, we screened a small, focused library and identified a compound exhibiting a potent inhibitory effect against Mab-SaS (IC50 ≈ 2 μM). Its binding mode was investigated by means of Induced Fit Docking simulations, performed on the crystal structure presented herein. Furthermore, cytotoxicity data and pharmacokinetic predictions revealed the safety and drug-likeness of this class of compounds. Finally, the crystallographic data were used to optimize the model for future virtual screening campaigns. Taken together, the findings of our study pave the way for the identification of potent Mab-SaS inhibitors, based on both established and unexplored chemotypes. [Display omitted] •Mab-SaS is an attractive drug target for the treatment of mycobacterial diseases.•The new crystal structure of Mab-SaS allowed us to perform reliable structure-based studies.•A series of furan derivatives was tested, and potent Mab-SaS inhibitors, active in the low micromolar range, were identified.•The highly active compound displayed low human cell line toxicity and affirmed drug-like properties through pharmacokinetic forecasts.