Novel Linear Lipopeptide Paenipeptins with Potential for Eradicating Biofilms and Sensitizing Gram-Negative Bacteria to Rifampicin and Clarithromycin

J Med Chem. 2017 Dec 14;60(23):9630-9640. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.7b01064. Epub 2017 Nov 22.

Abstract

We report the structure-activity relationship analyses of 17 linear lipopeptide paenipeptin analogues. Analogues 7, 12, and 17 were more potent than the lead compound. Analogue 17 was active against carbapenem-resistant and polymyxin-resistant pathogens. This compound at 40 μg/mL resulted in 3 log and 2.6 log reductions of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, respectively, in catheter-associated biofilms in vitro. Analogue 17 showed little hemolysis at 32 μg/mL and lysed 11% of red blood cells at 64 μg/mL. Analogues 9 and 16 were nonhemolytic and retained potent P. aeruginosa-specific antimicrobial activity. These two analogues when used alone lacked activity against Acinetobacter baumannii and Klebsiella pneumoniae; however, analogue 9 and 16 at 4 μg/mL decreased the MIC of rifampicin and clarithromycin against the same pathogens from 16 to 32 μg/mL to nanomolar levels (sensitization factor: 2048-8192). Therefore, paenipeptins, alone or in combination with rifampicin or clarithromycin, are promising candidates for treating bacterial infections.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / chemistry*
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology*
  • Biofilms / drug effects*
  • Clarithromycin / pharmacology*
  • Drug Synergism
  • Gram-Negative Bacteria / drug effects*
  • Gram-Negative Bacteria / physiology
  • Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections / drug therapy
  • Hemolysis / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Lipopeptides / chemistry*
  • Lipopeptides / pharmacology*
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Paenibacillus / chemistry
  • Rifampin / pharmacology*
  • Structure-Activity Relationship

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Lipopeptides
  • Clarithromycin
  • Rifampin