Structure-based discovery of first inhibitors targeting the helicase activity of human PIF1.

PIF1 is a conserved helicase and G4 DNA binding and unwinding enzyme, with roles in genome stability. Human PIF1 (hPIF1) is poorly understood, but its functions can become critical for tumour cell survival during oncogene-driven replication stress. Here we report the discovery, via an X-ray crystallographic fragment screen (XChem), of hPIF1 DNA binding and unwinding inhibitors.

A 2.8 Å Structure of Zoliflodacin in a DNA Cleavage Complex with DNA Gyrase.

Since 2000, some thirteen quinolones and fluoroquinolones have been developed and have come to market. The quinolones, one of the most successful classes of antibacterial drugs, stabilize DNA cleavage complexes with DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV (topo IV), the two bacterial type IIA topoisomerases. The dual targeting of gyrase and topo IV helps decrease the likelihood of resistance developing.

Oligonucleotide-Recognizing Topoisomerase Inhibitors (OTIs): Precision Gene Editors for Neurodegenerative Diseases?

Topoisomerases are essential enzymes that recognize and modify the topology of DNA to allow DNA replication and transcription to take place. Topoisomerases are divided into type I topoisomerases, that cleave one DNA strand to modify DNA topology, and type II, that cleave both DNA strands. Topoisomerases normally rapidly religate cleaved-DNA once the topology has been modified.

Mechanistic and Structural Basis for the Actions of the Antibacterial Gepotidacin against Staphylococcus aureus Gyrase.

Gepotidacin is a first-in-class triazaacenaphthylene novel bacterial topoisomerase inhibitor (NBTI). The compound has successfully completed phase II trials for the treatment of acute bacterial skin/skin structure infections and for the treatment of uncomplicated urogenital gonorrhea. It also displays robust in vitro activity against a range of wild-type and fluoroquinolone-resistant bacteria.

Structural and functional analysis of the nucleotide and DNA binding activities of the human PIF1 helicase.

Pif1 is a multifunctional helicase and DNA processing enzyme that has roles in genome stability. The enzyme is conserved in eukaryotes and also found in some prokaryotes. The functions of human PIF1 (hPIF1) are also critical for survival of certain tumour cell lines during replication stress, making it an important target for cancer therapy.

Mechanism of Action of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Gyrase Inhibitors: A Novel Class of Gyrase Poisons.

Tuberculosis is one of the leading causes of morbidity worldwide, and the incidences of drug resistance and intolerance are prevalent. Thus, there is a desperate need for the development of new antitubercular drugs. Mycobacterium tuberculosis gyrase inhibitors (MGIs) are napthyridone/aminopiperidine-based drugs that display activity against M.

Coupling the core of the anticancer drug etoposide to an oligonucleotide induces topoisomerase II-mediated cleavage at specific DNA sequences.

Etoposide and other topoisomerase II-targeted drugs are important anticancer therapeutics. Unfortunately, the safe usage of these agents is limited by their indiscriminate induction of topoisomerase II-mediated DNA cleavage throughout the genome and by a lack of specificity toward cancer cells. Therefore, as a first step toward constraining the distribution of etoposide-induced DNA cleavage sites and developing sequence-specific topoisomerase II-targeted anticancer agents, we covalently coupled the core of etoposide to oligonucleotides centered on a topoisomerase II cleavage site in the PML gene.

Getting the chemistry right: protonation, tautomers and the importance of H atoms in biological chemistry.

There are more H atoms than any other type of atom in an X-ray crystal structure of a protein-ligand complex, but as H atoms only have one electron they diffract X-rays weakly and are `hard to see'. The positions of many H atoms can be inferred by our chemical knowledge, and such H atoms can be added with confidence in `riding positions'. For some chemical groups, however, there is more ambiguity over the possible hydrogen placements, for example hydroxyls and groups that can exist in multiple protonation states or tautomeric forms.

Novel tricyclics (e.g., GSK945237) as potent inhibitors of bacterial type IIA topoisomerases.

During the course of our research on the lead optimisation of the NBTI (Novel Bacterial Type II Topoisomerase Inhibitors) class of antibacterials, we discovered a series of tricyclic compounds that showed good Gram-positive and Gram-negative potency. Herein we will discuss the various subunits that were investigated in this series and report advanced studies on compound 1 (GSK945237) which demonstrates good PK and in vivo efficacy properties.

Novel hydroxyl tricyclics (e.g., GSK966587) as potent inhibitors of bacterial type IIA topoisomerases.

During the course of our research to find novel mode of action antibacterials, we discovered a series of hydroxyl tricyclic compounds that showed good potency against Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens. These compounds inhibit bacterial type IIA topoisomerases. Herein we will discuss structure-activity relationships in this series and report advanced studies on compound 1 (GSK966587) which demonstrates good PK and in vivo efficacy properties.