title: From in vitro to in cellulo: structure-activity relationship of (2-nitrophenyl)methanol derivatives as inhibitors of PqsD in Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
abstract: Recent studies have shown that compounds based on a (2-nitrophenyl)methanol scaffold are promising inhibitors of PqsD, a key enzyme of signal molecule biosynthesis in the cell-to-cell communication of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The most promising molecule displayed anti-biofilm activity and a tight-binding mode of action. Herein, we report on the convenient synthesis and biochemical evaluation of a comprehensive series of (2-nitrophenyl)methanol derivatives. The in vitro potency of these inhibitors against recombinant PqsD as well as the effect of selected compounds on the production of the signal molecules HHQ and PQS in P. aeruginosa were examined. The gathered data allowed the establishment of a structure-activity relationship, which was used to design fluorescent inhibitors, and finally, led to the discovery of (2-nitrophenyl)methanol derivatives with improved in cellulo efficacy providing new perspectives towards the application of PqsD inhibitors as anti-infectives.
authors.affiliation: Helmholtz-Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS), Campus C23, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany. rolf.hartmann@helmholtz-hzi.de.
authors.forename: Michael P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Storz
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Allegretta
authors.forename: Benjamin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kirsch
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Empting
authors.forename: Rolf W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Hartmann
mesh_terms: D042462:4-Quinolones / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000378:metabolism; D000432:Methanol / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009154:Mutation; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D015363:Quinolones / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship
chemical_list: C407944:2-heptyl-3-hydroxy-4-quinolone; C528166:2-heptyl-4-quinolone; D042462:4-Quinolones; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D015363:Quinolones; D000432:Methanol