title: In vitro activity of a new antifungal azolyl-substituted indole against Aspergillus fumigatus.
abstract: A new 2-(alpha-azolylbenzyl)indole derivative exhibited high in vitro activity against 10 strains of Aspergillus fumigatus. This active compound, MT18n, had MIC of 2 microg/mL and is slightly less active than itraconazole and amphotericin B. The mechanism of action of this compound was evaluated through scanning electron microscopy, ergosterol biosynthesis inhibition and phospholipase A2-like activity inhibition studies. Scanning electron microscopy allowed observation of the membrane perturbations caused by MT18n and inference of a critical role of MT18n in membrane synthesis inhibition. Like other azole derivatives MT18n inhibits ergosterol biosynthesis, with a minimal inhibitory concentration of 6 microM. On the other hand, MT18n (10 microM) decreased the secreted phospholipase A2-like activity of Aspergillus fumigatus, an enzyme involved in the invasion process of the host. These results show the high in vitro activity of MT18n against Aspergillus fumigatus and suggest that this compound disturbs the membrane structure via ergosterol biosynthesis inhibition and exhibits phospholipase activity inhibition.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de Parasitologie et Mycologie Médicale, Faculté de Pharmacie, 1 rue Gaston Veil, 44035 Nantes Cedex, France.
authors.forename: Fabrice
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Pagniez
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Le Borgne
authors.forename: Pascal
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Marchand
authors.forename: Young Min
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Na
authors.forename: Guillaume
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Le Baut
authors.forename: Sylvie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Robert-Piessard
authors.forename: Patrice
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Le Pape
mesh_terms: D000666:Amphotericin B / Q000494:pharmacology; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001232:Aspergillus fumigatus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism; D004875:Ergosterol / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000096:biosynthesis; D025301:Hyphae / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D007211:Indoles / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017964:Itraconazole / Q000494:pharmacology; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D010741:Phospholipases A / Q000378:metabolism; D054467:Phospholipases A2
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents; D007211:Indoles; D017964:Itraconazole; D000666:Amphotericin B; D010741:Phospholipases A; D054467:Phospholipases A2; D004875:Ergosterol