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Despite the deployment of combination tuberculosis (TB) chemotherapy, efforts to identify shorter, nonrelapsing treatments have resulted in limited success. Recent evidence indicates that GSK2556286 (GSK286), which acts via Rv1625c, a membrane-bound adenylyl cyclase in Mycobacterium tuberculosis , shortens treatment in rodents relative to standard of care drugs.

As a result of a high-throughput compound screening campaign using Mycobacterium tuberculosis -infected macrophages, a new drug candidate for the treatment of tuberculosis has been identified. GSK2556286 inhibits growth within human macrophages (50% inhibitory concentration [IC 50 ] = 0.07 μM), is active against extracellular bacteria in cholesterol-containing culture medium, and exhibits no cross-resistance with known antitubercular drugs.

The sensitivity of Mycobacterium tuberculosis , the pathogen that causes tuberculosis (TB), to antibiotic prodrugs is dependent on the efficacy of the activation process that transforms the prodrugs into their active antibacterial moieties. Various oxidases of M. tuberculosis have the potential to activate the prodrug ethionamide. Here, we used medicinal chemistry coupled with a phenotypic assay to select the N-acylated 4-phenylpiperidine compound series. The lead compound, SMARt751, interacted with the transcriptional regulator VirS of M. tuberculosis , which regulates the mymA operon encoding a monooxygenase that activates ethionamide. SMARt751 boosted the efficacy of ethionamide in vitro and in mouse models of acute and chronic TB. SMARt751 also restored full efficacy of ethionamide in mice infected with M. tuberculosis strains carrying mutations in the ethA gene, which cause ethionamide resistance in the clinic. SMARt751 was shown to be safe in tests conducted in vitro and in vivo. A model extrapolating animal pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic parameters to humans predicted that as little as 25 mg of SMARt751 daily would allow a fourfold reduction in the dose of ethionamide administered while retaining the same efficacy and reducing side effects.

MmpL3, an essential mycolate transporter in the inner membrane of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), has been identified as a target of multiple, chemically diverse antitubercular drugs. However, several of these molecules seem to have secondary targets and inhibit bacterial growth by more than one mechanism. Here, we describe a cell-based assay that utilizes two-way regulation of MmpL3 expression to readily identify MmpL3-specific inhibitors. We successfully used this assay to identify a novel guanidine-based MmpL3 inhibitor from a library of 220 compounds that inhibit growth of Mtb by largely unknown mechanisms. We furthermore identified inhibitors of cytochrome bc1-aa3 oxidase as one class of off-target hits in whole-cell screens for MmpL3 inhibitors and report a novel sulfanylacetamide as a potential QcrB inhibitor.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), the etiological agent of tuberculosis, is one of the most devastating infectious agents in the world. It causes chronic lung diseases to one third of the world’s population. Chemo-genetic characterization through in vitro evolution combined with whole genome sequencing analysis can identify novel drug targets and drug resistance genes in Mtb. We performed a genome analysis of 53 Mtb mutants resistant to 15 different hit compounds. We found nonsynonymous mutations/indels in 30 genes that may be associated with drug resistance acquisitions. Beyond confirming previously identified drug resistance mechanisms such as rpoB and lead targets reported in novel anti-tuberculosis drug screenings such as mmpL3, ethA, mbtA, we discovered several unrecognized candidate drug targets including prrB and TB18.5. The exploration of the M. tuberculosis chemical mutant genomes could help novel drug discovery and structural biology of compounds and asscoiated mechanisms of action relevant to tuberculosis treatment.

The concept of antimicrobial susceptibility testing is an essential part of clinical microbiology. Antimicrobial testing has played a central role in the identification of new antibiotics and defining their clinical uses. Here we describe different approaches to determine the activity of compounds in medium or high-throughput format.

The concept of antimicrobial susceptibility testing is an essential part of clinical microbiology. Antimicrobial testing has played a central role in the identification of new antibiotics and defining their clinical uses. Here we describe different approaches to determine the activity of compounds in medium or high-throughput format.

MmpL3, an essential mycolate transporter in the inner membrane of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), has been identified as a target of multiple, chemically diverse antitubercular drugs. However, several of these molecules seem to have secondary targets and inhibit bacterial growth by more than one mechanism. Here, we describe a cell-based assay that utilizes two-way regulation of MmpL3 expression to readily identify MmpL3-specific inhibitors. We successfully used this assay to identify a novel guanidine-based MmpL3 inhibitor from a library of 220 compounds that inhibit growth of Mtb by largely unknown mechanisms. We furthermore identified inhibitors of cytochrome bc1-aa3 oxidase as one class of off-target hits in whole-cell screens for MmpL3 inhibitors and report a novel sulfanylacetamide as a potential QcrB inhibitor.

In recent years, several small natural cyclopeptides and cyclodepsipeptides were reported to have antimycobacterial activity. Following this lead, a synthetic pathway was developed for a small series of 12-membered ring compounds with one amide and two ester bonds (cyclotridepsipeptides). Within the series, the ring system proved to be necessary for growth inhibition of Mycobacterium smegmatis and Mycobacterium tuberculosis in the low micromolar range. Open-chain precursors and analogues were inactive. The compounds modulated autophosphorylation of the mycobacterial protein kinase B (PknB). PknB inhibitors were active at µM concentration against mycobacteria while inducers were inactive. PknB regulates the activity of the mycobacterial reductase InhA, the target of isoniazid. The activity of the series against Mycobacterium bovis BCG InhA overexpressing strains was indistinguishable from that of the parental strain suggesting that they do not inhibit InhA. All substances were not cytotoxic (HeLa > 5 µg/ml) and did not show any significant antiproliferative effect (HUVEC > 5 µg/ml; K-562 > 5 µg/ml). Within the scope of this study, the molecular target of this new type of small cyclodepsipeptide was not identified, but the data suggest interaction with PknB or other kinases may partly cause the activity.

The stringent response enables Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) to shut down its replication and metabolism under various stresses. Here we show that Mtb lacking the stringent response enzyme RelMtb was unable to slow its replication rate during nutrient starvation. Metabolomics analysis revealed that the nutrient-starved relMtb-deficient strain had increased metabolism similar to that of exponentially growing wild-type bacteria in nutrient-rich broth, consistent with an inability to enter quiescence. Deficiency of relMtb increased the susceptibility of mutant bacteria to killing by isoniazid during nutrient starvation and in the lungs of chronically infected mice. We screened a pharmaceutical library of over 2 million compounds for inhibitors of RelMtb and showed that the lead compound X9 was able to directly kill nutrient-starved M. tuberculosis and enhanced the killing activity of isoniazid. Inhibition of RelMtb is a promising approach to target M. tuberculosis persisters, with the potential to shorten the duration of TB treatment.

The recent development and spread of extensively drug-resistant and totally drug-resistant resistant (TDR) strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis highlight the need for new antitubercular drugs. Protein synthesis inhibitors have played an important role in the treatment of tuberculosis (TB) starting with the inclusion of streptomycin in the first combination therapies. Although parenteral aminoglycosides are a key component of therapy for multidrug-resistant TB, the oxazolidinone linezolid is the only orally available protein synthesis inhibitor that is effective against TB. Here, we show that small-molecule inhibitors of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (AARSs), which are known to be excellent antibacterial protein synthesis targets, are orally bioavailable and effective against M. tuberculosis in TB mouse infection models. We applied the oxaborole tRNA-trapping (OBORT) mechanism, which was first developed to target fungal cytoplasmic leucyl-tRNA synthetase (LeuRS), to M. tuberculosis LeuRS. X-ray crystallography was used to guide the design of LeuRS inhibitors that have good biochemical potency and excellent whole-cell activity against M. tuberculosis . Importantly, their good oral bioavailability translates into in vivo efficacy in both the acute and chronic mouse models of TB with potency comparable to that of the frontline drug isoniazid.

Tetrahydropyran derivative 1 was discovered in a high-throughput screening campaign to find new inhibitors of mycobacterial InhA. Following initial in-vitro profiling, a structure-activity relationship study was initiated and a focused library of analogs was synthesized and evaluated. This yielded compound 42 with improved antimycobacterial activity and low cytotoxicity. Additionally, the crystal structure of InhA in complex with inhibitor 1 was resolved, to reveal the binding mode and provide hints for further optimization.

Isoniazid (INH) remains one of the cornerstones of antitubercular chemotherapy for drug-sensitive strains of M. tuberculosis bacteria. However, the increasing prevalence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) strains containing mutations in the KatG enzyme, which is responsible for the activation of INH into its antitubercular form, have rendered this drug of little or no use in many cases of drug-resistant tuberculosis. Presented herein is a novel family of antitubercular direct NADH-dependent 2-trans enoyl-acyl carrier protein reductase (InhA) inhibitors based on an N-benzyl-4-((heteroaryl)methyl)benzamide template; unlike INH, these do not require prior activation by KatG. Given their direct InhA target engagement, these compounds should be able to circumvent KatG-related resistance in the clinic. The lead molecules were shown to be potent inhibitors of InhA and showed activity against M. tuberculosis bacteria. This new family of inhibitors was found to be chemically tractable, as exemplified by the facile synthesis of analogues and the establishment of structure-activity relationships. Furthermore, a co-crystal structure of the initial hit with the enzyme is disclosed, providing valuable information toward the design of new InhA inhibitors for the treatment of MDR/XDR tuberculosis.

Society urgently needs new, effective medicines for the treatment of tuberculosis. To kick-start the required hit-to-lead campaigns, the libraries of pharmaceutical companies have recently been evaluated for starting points. The GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) library yielded many high-quality hits, and the associated data were placed in the public domain to stimulate engagement by the wider community. One such series, the spiro compounds, are described here. The compounds were explored by a combination of traditional in-house research and open source methods. The series benefits from a particularly simple structure and a short associated synthetic chemistry route. Many members of the series displayed striking potency and low toxicity, and highly promising in vivo activity in a mouse model was confirmed with one of the analogues. Ultimately the series was discontinued due to concerns over safety, but the associated data remain public domain, empowering others to resume the series if the perceived deficiencies can be overcome.

We have targeted the Mycobacterium tuberculosis decaprenylphosphoryl-β-d-ribose oxidase (Mt-DprE1) for potential chemotherapeutic intervention of tuberculosis. A multicopy suppression strategy that overexpressed Mt-DprE1 in M. bovis BCG was used to profile the publically available GlaxoSmithKline antimycobacterial compound set, and one compound (GSK710) was identified that showed an 8-fold higher minimum inhibitory concentration relative to the control strain. Analogues of GSK710 show a clear relationship between whole cell potency and in vitro activity using an enzymatic assay employing recombinant Mt-DprE1, with binding affinity measured by fluorescence quenching of the flavin cofactor of the enzyme. M. bovis BCG spontaneous resistant mutants to GSK710 and a closely related analogue were isolated and sequencing of ten such mutants revealed a single point mutation at two sites, E221Q or G248S within DprE1, providing further evidence that DprE1 is the main target of these compounds. Finally, time-lapse microscopy experiments showed that exposure of M. tuberculosis to a compound of this series arrests bacterial growth rapidly followed by a slower cytolysis phase.

One way to speed up the TB drug discovery process is to search for antitubercular activity among compound series that already possess some of the key properties needed in anti-infective drug discovery, such as whole-cell activity and oral absorption. Here, we present MGIs, a new series of Mycobacterium tuberculosis gyrase inhibitors, which stem from the long-term efforts GSK has dedicated to the discovery and development of novel bacterial topoisomerase inhibitors (NBTIs). The compounds identified were found to be devoid of fluoroquinolone (FQ) cross-resistance and seem to operate through a mechanism similar to that of the previously described NBTI GSK antibacterial drug candidate. The remarkable in vitro and in vivo antitubercular profiles showed by the hits has prompted us to further advance the MGI project to full lead optimization.

There is an urgent need to develop new and safer antitubercular agents that possess a novel mode of action. We synthesized and evaluated a novel series of 3-aminomethyl 4-halogen benzoxaboroles as Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) leucyl-tRNA synthetase (LeuRS) inhibitors. A number of Mtb LeuRS inhibitors were identified that demonstrated good antitubercular activity with high selectivity over human mitochondrial and cytoplasmic LeuRS. Further evaluation of these Mtb LeuRS inhibitors by in vivo pharmacokinetics (PK) and murine tuberculosis (TB) efficacy models led to the discovery of GSK3036656 (abbreviated as GSK656). This molecule shows potent inhibition of Mtb LeuRS (IC50 = 0.20 μM) and in vitro antitubercular activity (Mtb H37Rv MIC = 0.08 μM). Additionally, it is highly selective for the Mtb LeuRS enzyme with IC50 of >300 μM and 132 μM for human mitochondrial LeuRS and human cytoplasmic LeuRS, respectively. In addition, it exhibits remarkable PK profiles and efficacy against Mtb in mouse TB infection ...

In vitro transposition is a powerful genetic tool for identifying mycobacterial virulence genes and studying virulence factors in relation to the host. Transposon shuttle mutagenesis is a method for constructing stable insertions in the genome of different microorganisms including mycobacteria. Using an IS1096 derivative, we have constructed the Tngfp, a transposon containing a promoterless green fluorescent protein (gfp) gene. This transposon was able to transpose randomly in Mycobacterium bovis BCG. Bacteria with a single copy of the gfp gene per chromosome from an M. bovis BCG::Tngfp library were analyzed and cells exhibiting high levels of fluorescence were detected by flow cytometry. Application of this approach allowed for the selection of a mutant, BCG_2177c::Tngfp (BCG-Tn), on the basis of high level of long-standing fluorescence at stationary phase. This BCG-Tn mutant showed some particular phenotypic features compared to the wild type strain, mainly during stationary phase, when cholesterol was used as a sole carbon source, thus supporting the relationships of the targeted gene with the regulation of cholesterol metabolism in this bacteria. This approach showed that Tngfp is a potentially useful tool for studying the involvement of the targeted loci in metabolic pathways of mycobacteria.

Worldwide, the Mycobacterium bovis BCG vaccine is one of the most widely used vaccines. However, it appears to be ineffective in preventing pulmonary tuberculosis. Here, we show that pulmonary BCG vaccination of mice with a broad dose range provides superior protection against Mycobacterium tuberculosis challenge compared to that of subcutaneous vaccination.

Two new families of closely related selective, non-cytotoxic, and potent antitubercular agents were discovered: thioquinolines and thiazoloquinolines. The compounds were found to possess potent antitubercular properties in vitro, an activity that is dependent on experimental conditions of MIC determination (resazurin test and the presence or absence of Tween-80). To clarify the therapeutic potential of these compound families, a medicinal chemistry effort was undertaken to generate a lead-like structure that would enable murine efficacy studies and help elucidate the in vivo implications of the in vitro observations. Although the final compounds showed only limited levels of systemic exposure in mice, modest levels of efficacy in vivo at nontoxic doses were observed.

The concept of antimicrobial susceptibility testing is an essential part of clinical microbiology. Antimicrobial testing has played a central role in the identification of new antibiotics and defining their clinical uses. Here we describe different approaches to determine the activity of compounds in medium- or high-throughput format.

The concept of antimicrobial susceptibility testing is an essential part of clinical microbiology. Antimicrobial testing has played a central role in the identification of new antibiotics and defining their clinical uses. Here we describe different approaches to determine the activity of compounds in medium- or high-throughput format.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a major human pathogen and the causative agent for the pulmonary disease, tuberculosis (TB). Current treatment programs to combat TB are under threat due to the emergence of multi-drug and extensively-drug resistant TB. As part of our efforts towards the discovery of new anti-tubercular leads, a number of potent tetrahydropyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-ca​rboxamide(THPP) and N-benzyl-6′,7′-dihydrospiro[piperidine-4,​4′-thieno[3,2-c]pyran](Spiro) analogues were recently identified against Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium bovis BCG through a high-throughput whole-cell screening campaign. Herein, we describe the attractive in vitro and in vivo anti-tubercular profiles of both lead series. The generation of M. tuberculosis spontaneous mutants and subsequent whole genome sequencing of several resistant mutants identified single mutations in the essential mmpL3 gene. This ‘genetic phenotype’ was further confirmed by a ‘chemical phenotype’, whereby M. bovis BCG treated with both the THPP and Spiro series resulted in the accumulation of trehalose monomycolate. In vivo efficacy evaluation of two optimized THPP and Spiro leads showed how the compounds were able to reduce >2 logs bacterial cfu counts in the lungs of infected mice.