title: From screen to target: insights and approaches for the development of anti-virulence compounds.
abstract: A detailed understanding of host-pathogen interactions provides exciting opportunities to interfere with the infection process. Anti-virulence compounds aim to modulate or pacify pathogenesis by reducing expression of critical virulence determinants. In particular, prevention of attachment by inhibiting adhesion mechanisms has been the subject of intense research. Whilst it has proven relatively straightforward to develop robust screens for potential anti-virulence compounds, understanding their precise mode of action has proven much more challenging. In this review we illustrate this challenge from our own experiences working with the salicylidene acylhydrazide group of compounds. We aim to provide a useful perspective to guide researchers interested in this field and to avoid some of the obvious pitfalls.
authors.affiliation: Glasgow Biomedical Research Centre, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow Glasgow, UK.
authors.forename: Katherine S H
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Beckham
authors.affiliation: Glasgow Biomedical Research Centre, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow Glasgow, UK.
authors.forename: Andrew J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Roe
mesh_terms: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology; D058947:Bacterial Secretion Systems / Q000187:drug effects; D055808:Drug Discovery; D054884:Host-Pathogen Interactions / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D007239:Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism; D014774:Virulence / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D058947:Bacterial Secretion Systems
keywords: Escherichia coli; anti-virulence; infection; inhibitor; secretion