title: Development of antivirulence compounds: a biochemical review.
abstract: There is an urgent requirement for new anti-infective compounds that can be used to prevent or treat bacterial pathogens. In particular, Gram-negative pathogens, which are most commonly associated with hospital-acquired infections, are of major concern. In this review, we cover recent developments in the screening and testing of new anti-infective compounds that interfere with aspects of bacterial pathogenicity. This so-called antivirulence approach is very different to traditional antibiotic development and testing. Moreover, antivirulence compounds vary considerably in their chemical structures, ranging from small compounds to large natural products. The challenge of understanding the precise mechanism of action of any such compound is also highlighted.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Infection Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Sir Graeme Davies Building, 120 University Place, Glasgow, G12 8TA, UK; Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology and Chemistry, University of Glasgow, Joseph Black Building, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK.
authors.forename: Riccardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Zambelloni
authors.forename: Rudi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Marquez
authors.forename: Andrew J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Roe
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D015195:Drug Design; D055808:Drug Discovery / Q000639:trends*; D004351:Drug Resistance; D006801:Humans; D053038:Quorum Sensing
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents
keywords: biological screening; chemical biology; structure-based drug design; therapeutic target