title: Biochemical characterization of MurF from Streptococcus pneumoniae and the identification of a new MurF inhibitor through ligand-based virtual screening.
abstract: MurF is an essential bacterial enzyme that is involved in the last intracellular stage of peptidoglycan biosynthesis, and therefore it has the potential to be exploited as a target for the development of new antibacterials. Here, we report on the expression, purification and biochemical characterization of MurF from an important pathogen, Streptococcus pneumoniae. Additionally, ligand-based virtual screening was successfully used and a new hit compound with micromolar inhibitory activities against MurF enzymes from S. pneumoniae and Escherichia coli was identified.
authors.affiliation: University of Ljubljana, Askerceva 7, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
authors.forename: Samo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Turk
authors.forename: Martina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hrast
authors.forename: Izidor
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Sosic
authors.forename: Hélène
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Barreteau
authors.forename: Dominique
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mengin-Lecreulx
authors.forename: Didier
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Blanot
authors.forename: Stanislav
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gobec
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism*; D008024:Ligands; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D013296:Streptococcus pneumoniae / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D008024:Ligands