Synthetic Biology Facilitates Semisynthetic Development of Type V Glycopeptide Antibiotics Targeting Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus

J Med Chem. 2023 Jul 13;66(13):9006-9022. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c00633. Epub 2023 Jun 14.

Abstract

The continued efficacy of glycopeptide antibiotics (GPAs) against Gram-positive bacteria is challenged by the emergence and spread of GPA-resistant pathogens, particularly vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE). The growing frequency of GPA resistance propels the need for innovative development of more effective antibiotics. Unlike canonical GPAs like vancomycin, Type V GPAs adopt a distinct mode of action by binding peptidoglycan and blocking the activity of autolysins essential for cell division, rendering them a promising class of antibiotics for further development. In this study, the Type V GPA, rimomycin A, was modified to generate 32 new analogues. Compound 17, derived from rimomycin A through N-terminal acylation and C-terminal amidation, exhibited improved anti-VRE activity and solubility. In a VRE-A neutropenic thigh infection mouse model, compound 17 significantly lowered the bacterial load by 3-4 orders of magnitude. This study sets the stage to develop next-generation GPAs in response to growing VRE infections.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / chemistry
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Glycopeptides / chemistry
  • Glycopeptides / pharmacology
  • Glycopeptides / therapeutic use
  • Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections* / drug therapy
  • Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections* / microbiology
  • Mice
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Synthetic Biology
  • Vancomycin / chemistry
  • Vancomycin / pharmacology
  • Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci*

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • compound 17
  • Glycopeptides
  • Vancomycin
  • rimomycin A