Isatin Bis-Imidathiazole Hybrids Identified as FtsZ Inhibitors with On-Target Activity Against <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i>

In the present study, a series of isatin bis-imidathiazole hybrids was designed and synthesized to develop a new class of heterocyclic compounds with improved antimicrobial activity against pathogens responsible for hospital- and community-acquired infections. A remarkable inhibitory activity agains...

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Main Authors: Rita Morigi, Daniele Esposito, Matteo Calvaresi, Tainah Dorina Marforio, Giovanna Angela Gentilomi, Francesca Bonvicini, Alessandra Locatelli
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-10-01
Series:Antibiotics
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6382/13/10/992
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author Rita Morigi
Daniele Esposito
Matteo Calvaresi
Tainah Dorina Marforio
Giovanna Angela Gentilomi
Francesca Bonvicini
Alessandra Locatelli
author_facet Rita Morigi
Daniele Esposito
Matteo Calvaresi
Tainah Dorina Marforio
Giovanna Angela Gentilomi
Francesca Bonvicini
Alessandra Locatelli
author_sort Rita Morigi
collection DOAJ
description In the present study, a series of isatin bis-imidathiazole hybrids was designed and synthesized to develop a new class of heterocyclic compounds with improved antimicrobial activity against pathogens responsible for hospital- and community-acquired infections. A remarkable inhibitory activity against <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> was demonstrated for a subset of compounds (range: 13.8–90.1 µM) in the absence of toxicity towards epithelial cells and human red blood cells. The best performing derivative was further investigated to measure its anti-biofilm potential and its effectiveness against methicillin-resistant <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> strains. A structure–activity relationship study of the synthesized molecules led to the recognition of some important structural requirements for the observed antibacterial activity. Molecular docking followed by molecular dynamics (MD) simulations identified the binding site of the active compound FtsZ, a key protein in bacterial cell division, and the mechanism of action, i.e., the inhibition of its polymerization. The overall results may pave the way for a further rational development of isatin hybrids as FtsZ inhibitors, with a broader spectrum of activity against human pathogens and higher potency.
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series Antibiotics
spelling doaj-art-24d750abde8f4e928dcd68fcee3c69372025-08-20T02:11:04ZengMDPI AGAntibiotics2079-63822024-10-01131099210.3390/antibiotics13100992Isatin Bis-Imidathiazole Hybrids Identified as FtsZ Inhibitors with On-Target Activity Against <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i>Rita Morigi0Daniele Esposito1Matteo Calvaresi2Tainah Dorina Marforio3Giovanna Angela Gentilomi4Francesca Bonvicini5Alessandra Locatelli6Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, 40126 Bologna, ItalyDepartment of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, 40126 Bologna, ItalyDepartment of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician”, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126 Bologna, ItalyDepartment of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician”, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126 Bologna, ItalyDepartment of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Massarenti 9, 40138 Bologna, ItalyDepartment of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Massarenti 9, 40138 Bologna, ItalyDepartment of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, 40126 Bologna, ItalyIn the present study, a series of isatin bis-imidathiazole hybrids was designed and synthesized to develop a new class of heterocyclic compounds with improved antimicrobial activity against pathogens responsible for hospital- and community-acquired infections. A remarkable inhibitory activity against <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> was demonstrated for a subset of compounds (range: 13.8–90.1 µM) in the absence of toxicity towards epithelial cells and human red blood cells. The best performing derivative was further investigated to measure its anti-biofilm potential and its effectiveness against methicillin-resistant <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> strains. A structure–activity relationship study of the synthesized molecules led to the recognition of some important structural requirements for the observed antibacterial activity. Molecular docking followed by molecular dynamics (MD) simulations identified the binding site of the active compound FtsZ, a key protein in bacterial cell division, and the mechanism of action, i.e., the inhibition of its polymerization. The overall results may pave the way for a further rational development of isatin hybrids as FtsZ inhibitors, with a broader spectrum of activity against human pathogens and higher potency.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6382/13/10/992isatin bis-imidathiazole hybridsantibacterial activityMRSAFtsZ inhibitorsmolecular dynamics simulations
spellingShingle Rita Morigi
Daniele Esposito
Matteo Calvaresi
Tainah Dorina Marforio
Giovanna Angela Gentilomi
Francesca Bonvicini
Alessandra Locatelli
Isatin Bis-Imidathiazole Hybrids Identified as FtsZ Inhibitors with On-Target Activity Against <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i>
Antibiotics
isatin bis-imidathiazole hybrids
antibacterial activity
MRSA
FtsZ inhibitors
molecular dynamics simulations
title Isatin Bis-Imidathiazole Hybrids Identified as FtsZ Inhibitors with On-Target Activity Against <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i>
title_full Isatin Bis-Imidathiazole Hybrids Identified as FtsZ Inhibitors with On-Target Activity Against <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i>
title_fullStr Isatin Bis-Imidathiazole Hybrids Identified as FtsZ Inhibitors with On-Target Activity Against <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i>
title_full_unstemmed Isatin Bis-Imidathiazole Hybrids Identified as FtsZ Inhibitors with On-Target Activity Against <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i>
title_short Isatin Bis-Imidathiazole Hybrids Identified as FtsZ Inhibitors with On-Target Activity Against <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i>
title_sort isatin bis imidathiazole hybrids identified as ftsz inhibitors with on target activity against i staphylococcus aureus i
topic isatin bis-imidathiazole hybrids
antibacterial activity
MRSA
FtsZ inhibitors
molecular dynamics simulations
url https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6382/13/10/992
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