Four core structures capable of providing sub-nanomolar inhibitors of anthrax lethal factor (LF) were evaluated by comparing the potential for toxicity, physicochemical properties, in vitro ADME profiles, and relative efficacy in a rat lethal toxin (LT) model of LF intoxication. Poor efficacy in the rat LT model exhibited by the phenoxyacetic acid series (3) correlated with low rat microsome and plasma stability. Specific molecular interactions contributing to the high affinity of inhibitors with a secondary amine in the C2-side chain were revealed by X-ray crystallography.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.bmcl.2012.01.095 | DOI Listing |
PNAS Nexus
December 2024
Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO 80401, USA.
Nanobody (Nb)-induced disassembly of surface array protein (Sap) S-layers, a two-dimensional paracrystalline protein lattice from , has been presented as a therapeutic intervention for lethal anthrax infections. However, only a subset of existing Nbs with affinity to Sap exhibit depolymerization activity, suggesting that affinity and epitope recognition are not enough to explain inhibitory activity. In this study, we performed all-atom molecular dynamics simulations of each Nb bound to the Sap binding site and trained a collection of machine learning classifiers to predict whether each Nb induces depolymerization.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPLoS Negl Trop Dis
November 2024
Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort, South Africa.
The diagnosis of anthrax, a zoonotic disease caused by Bacillus anthracis can be complicated by detection of closely related species. Conventional diagnosis of anthrax involves microscopy, culture identification of bacterial colonies and molecular detection. Genetic markers used are often virulence gene targets such as B.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFComput Biol Med
January 2025
ICAR-National Institute of Veterinary Epidemiology and Disease Informatics, Bengaluru, Karnataka, 560064, India. Electronic address:
Bacillus anthracis, a gram-positive bacillus capable of forming spores, causes anthrax in mammals, including humans, and is recognized as a potential biological weapon agent. The diagnosis of anthrax is challenging due to variable symptoms resulting from exposure and infection severity. Despite the availability of a licensed vaccines, their limited long-term efficacy underscores the inadequacy of current human anthrax vaccines, highlighting the urgent need for next-generation alternatives.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFcauses anthrax through a combination of bacterial infection and toxemia. As a major virulence factor of , anthrax lethal toxin (LT) is a zinc-dependent metalloproteinase, exerting its cytotoxicity through proteolytic cleavage of the mitogen-activated protein kinase kinases, thereby shutting down the MAPK pathways. Anthrax lethal toxin induces host lethality mostly by targeting the cardiovascular system.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFront Pharmacol
September 2024
Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmacology of Natural Products, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany.
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