Amino acid-derived 1,2-benzisothiazolinone derivatives as novel small-molecule antifungal inhibitors: identification of potential genetic targets

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Authors
Alex, Deepu
Gay-Andrieu, Francoise
May, Jared
Thampi, Linta
Dou, Dengfeng
Mooney, Aileen
Groutas, William C.
Calderone, Richard
Advisors
Issue Date
2012-09
Type
Article
Keywords
in-vitro activities , candida-albicans , fluconazole susceptibility , mitochondrial dysfunction , saccharomyces-cerevisiae , reduced susceptibility , resistance mechanisms , invasive candidiasis , infected patients , fungal pathogen
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Alex, Deepu; Gay-Andrieu, Francoise; May, Jared; Thampi, Linta; Dou, Dengfeng; Mooney, Aileen; Groutas, William C.; Calderone, Richard. 2012. Amino acid-derived 1,2-benzisothiazolinone derivatives as novel small-molecule antifungal inhibitors: identification of potential genetic targets. Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, v.56 no.9 pp.4630-4639
Abstract

We have identified four synthetic compounds (DFD-VI-15, BD-I-186, DFD-V-49, and DFD-V-66) from an amino acid-derived 1,2-benzisothiazolinone (BZT) scaffold that have reasonable MIC50 values against a panel of fungal pathogens. These compounds have no structural similarity to existing antifungal drugs. Three of the four compounds have fungicidal activity against Candida spp., Cryptococcus neoformans, and several dermatophytes, while one is fungicidal to Aspergillus fumigatus. The kill rates of our compounds are equal to those in clinical usage. The BZT compounds remain active against azole-, polyene-, and micafungin-resistant strains of Candida spp. A genetics-based approach, along with phenotype analysis, was used to begin mode of action (MOA) studies of one of these compounds, DFD-VI-15. The genetics-based screen utilized a homozygous deletion collection of approximately 4,700 Saccharomyces cerevisiae mutants. We identified mutants that are both hypersensitive and resistant. Using FunSpec, the hypersensitive mutants and a resistant ace2 mutant clustered within a category of genes related directly or indirectly to mitochondrial functions. In Candida albicans, the functions of the Ace2p transcription factor include the regulation of glycolysis. Our model is that DFD-VI-15 targets a respiratory pathway that limits energy production. Supporting this hypothesis are phenotypic data indicating that DFD-VI-15 causes increased cell-reactive oxidants (ROS) and a decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential. Also, the same compound has activity when cells are grown in a medium containing glycerol (mitochondrial substrate) but is much less active when cells are grown anaerobically.

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Publisher
American Society of Microbiology
Journal
Book Title
Series
Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy;v.56 no.9
PubMed ID
DOI
ISSN
0066-4804
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