Isoniazid inhibits the heme-based reactivity of Mycobacterium tuberculosis truncated hemoglobin N.
Isoniazid represents a first-line anti-tuberculosis medication in prevention and treatment. This prodrug is activated by a mycobacterial catalase-peroxidase enzyme called KatG in Mycobacterium tuberculosis), thereby inhibiting the synthesis of mycolic acid, required for the mycobacterial cell wall. Moreover, isoniazid activation by KatG produces some radical species (e.g., nitrogen monoxide), that display anti-mycobacterial activity. Remarkably, the ability of mycobacteria to persist in vivo in the presence of reactive nitrogen and oxygen species implies the presence in these bacteria of (pseudo-)enzymatic detoxification systems, including truncated hemoglobins (trHbs). Here, we report that isoniazid binds reversibly to ferric and ferrous M. tuberculosis trHb type N (or group I; Mt-trHbN(III) and Mt-trHbN(II), respectively) with a simple bimolecular process, which perturbs the heme-based spectroscopic properties. Values of thermodynamic and kinetic parameters for isoniazid binding to Mt-trHbN(III) and Mt-trHbN(II) are K= (1.1 ± 0.1)× 10(-4) M, k on= (5.3 ± 0.6)× 10(3) M(-1) s(-1) and k off= (4.6 ± 0.5)× 10(-1) s(-1); and D= (1.2 ± 0.2)× 10(-3) M, d on= (1.3 ± 0.4)× 10(3) M(-1) s(-1), and d off=1.5 ± 0.4 s(-1), respectively, at pH 7.0 and 20.0°C. Accordingly, isoniazid inhibits competitively azide binding to Mt-trHbN(III) and Mt-trHbN(III)-catalyzed peroxynitrite isomerization. Moreover, isoniazid inhibits Mt-trHbN(II) oxygenation and carbonylation. Although the structure of the Mt-trHbN-isoniazid complex is not available, here we show by docking simulation that isoniazid binding to the heme-Fe atom indeed may take place. These data suggest a direct role of isoniazid to impair fundamental functions of mycobacteria, e.g. scavenging of reactive nitrogen and oxygen species, and metabolism.
Interdepartmental Laboratory of Electron Microscopy, University Roma Tre, Roma, Italy. ascenzi@uniroma3.it
Paolo
P
Ascenzi
Andrea
A
Coletta
Yu
Y
Cao
Viviana
V
Trezza
Loris
L
Leboffe
Gabriella
G
Fanali
Mauro
M
Fasano
Alessandra
A
Pesce
Chiara
C
Ciaccio
Stefano
S
Marini
Massimo
M
Coletta
D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D001386:Azides / Q000378:metabolism; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism*; D055162:Biocatalysis; D002248:Carbon Monoxide / Q000378:metabolism; D006418:Heme / Q000378:metabolism*; D007536:Isomerism; D007538:Isoniazid / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D062105:Molecular Docking Simulation; D009169:Mycobacterium tuberculosis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D010100:Oxygen / Q000378:metabolism; D030421:Peroxynitrous Acid / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D011485:Protein Binding / Q000187:drug effects; D011487:Protein Conformation; D054793:Truncated Hemoglobins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism*
D000995:Antitubercular Agents; D001386:Azides; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D054793:Truncated Hemoglobins; D030421:Peroxynitrous Acid; D006418:Heme; D002248:Carbon Monoxide; D010100:Oxygen; D007538:Isoniazid