title: Cationic chalcone antibiotics. Design, synthesis, and mechanism of action.
abstract: This paper describes how the introduction of "cationic" aliphatic amino groups in the chalcone scaffold results in potent antibacterial compounds. It is shown that the most favorable position for the aliphatic amino group is the 2-position of the B-ring, in particular in combination with a lipophilic substituent in the 5-position of the B-ring. We demonstrate that the compounds act by unselective disruption of cell membranes. Introduction of an additional aliphatic amino group in the A-ring results in compounds that are selective for bacterial membranes combined with a high antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive and -negative pathogens. The most potent compound in this study (78) has an MIC value of 2 muM against methicillin resistant Staphylococus aureus.
authors.affiliation: Lica Pharmaceuticals A/S, Symbion Science Park, Fruebjergvej 3, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: Simon F
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Nielsen
authors.forename: Mogens
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Larsen
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Boesen
authors.forename: Kristian
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Schønning
authors.forename: Hasse
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kromann
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D002412:Cations; D047188:Chalcones / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D015195:Drug Design; D006461:Hemolysis / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007700:Kinetics; D016106:Methicillin Resistance; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D002412:Cations; D047188:Chalcones; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds