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Multidrug efflux systems of the resistance‐nodulation‐cell division family play a crucial role in resistance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to a large variety of antibiotics. Here, we investigated the role of clinically relevant efflux pumps MexAB−OprM, MexCD−OprJ, and MexXY−OprM in resistance against different cationic antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). Our results indicate that a knock‐out in efflux pump MexXY‐OprM increased susceptibility to some AMPs by two‐ to eightfold. Our data suggest a contribution of MexXY‐OprM in resistance to certain AMPs in P. aeruginosa, which should be considered in the future development of new and highly active antimicrobial peptides to fight multidrug resistant infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zika virus (ZIKV) infections are associated with severe neurological complications and are a global public health concern. There are no approved vaccines or antiviral drugs to inhibit ZIKV replication. NS2B‐NS3 protease (NS2B‐NS3 pro), which is essential for viral replication, is a promising molecular target for anti‐ZIKV drugs. We conducted a systematic review to identify compounds with promising effects against ZIKV; we discussed their pharmacodynamic and pharmacophoric characteristics. The online search, performed using the PubMed/MEDLINE and SCOPUS databases, yielded 56 articles; seven relevant studies that reported nine promising compounds with inhibitory activity against ZIKV NS2B‐NS3 pro were selected. Of these, five (niclosamide, nitazoxanide, bromocriptine, temoporfin, and novobiocin) are currently available on the market and have been tested for off‐label use against ZIKV. The 50% inhibitory concentration values of these compounds for the inhibition of NS2B‐NS3 pro ranged at 0.38–21.6 µM; most compounds exhibited noncompetitive inhibition (66%). All compounds that could inhibit the NS2B‐NS3 pro complex showed potent in vitro anti‐ZIKV activity with a 50% effective concentration ranging 0.024–50 µM. The 50% cytotoxic concentration of the compounds assayed using A549, Vero, and WRL‐69 cell lines ranged at 0.6–1388.02 µM and the selectivity index was 3.07–1698. This review summarizes the most promising antiviral agents against ZIKV that have inhibitory activity against viral proteases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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