Selecting soluble/foldable protein domains through single-gene or genomic ORF filtering: structure of the head domain of Burkholderia pseudomallei antigen BPSL2063

The 1.8\u2005\uc5 resolution crystal structure of a conserved domain of the potential Burkholderia pseudomallei antigen and trimeric autotransporter BPSL2063 is presented as a structural vaccinology target for melioidosis vaccine development. Since BPSL2063 (1090 amino acids) hosts only one conserved domain, and the expression/purification of the full-length protein proved to be problematic, a domain-filtering library was generated using \u3b2-lactamase as a reporter gene to select further BPSL2063 domains. As a result, two domains (D1 and D2) were identified and produced in soluble form in Escherichia coli. Furthermore, as a general tool, a genomic open reading frame-filtering library from the B. pseudomallei genome was also constructed to facilitate the selection of domain boundaries from the entire ORFeome. Such an approach allowed the selection of three potential protein antigens that were also produced in soluble form. The results imply the further development of ORF-filtering methods as a tool in protein-based research to improve the selection and production of soluble proteins or domains for downstream applications such as X-ray crystallography

Caractérisation biochimique et structurale de la métallo-β-lactamase VIM-4. Sélection de nouveaux inhibiteurs de métallo-β-lactamase.

The Pseudomonas aeruginosa VIM-4 metallo-β-lactamase is a member of the subclass B1. It belongs to the VIM-type β-lactamases encoded by genetic mobile element such as class 1 integrons. This particularity enhances the relevance of VIM type enzymes since these enzymes are now disseminated among important nosocomial strains such as Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In consequence, the study of VIM-4 was performed to determine its kinetic parameters, its 3D structure and the dependence of its activity on Zn2+ concentration. VIM-4 has been described as an efficient enzyme able to hydrolyze all the β-lactam compounds. We observed that VIM-4 activity is dependent on the Zn2+ concentration in the buffer, with a maximal activity obtained at 50 µM. Two different forms of VIM-4 were observed by X-ray crystallography in the presence or absence of Zn2+ in the crystallogenesis buffer. The first form contains two Zn2+ and the second possesses only one Zn2+ in the histidine site. The apoenzyme form was obtained. Its study revealed that this form was poorly stable with a less structured shape. The active form is not restored even in presence of a large Zn2+ excess. In order to determine the Zn2+ stoechiometry in VIM-4, ICPMS (Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry) experiments were performed. The results of this study indicated that the mono-zinc form of VIM-4 is favored in absence of Zn2+ ions in the buffer and the di-zinc form appears in the presence of added Zn2+ ions. The dissociation constants of the Zn2+ ions with VIM-4 enzyme were determined using benzylpenicillin. The dissociation constants of the first, the second and the third Zn2+ are respectively KD1 which is clearly below 1 µM, KD2 equal to 8.5 µM and KD3 within a range of 200 to 500 µM. A complementary titration of the free Zn2+ ions from denatured VIM-4 with a chromophore chelating agent seems to confirm this feature as only one Zn2+ could be titrated. Then with no added Zn2+, VIM-4 would be in a mono-zinc form and with a Zn2+ concentration higher than 10 µM, the di-zinc form of VIM-4 would be present. In the last decade, numerous studies have reported an increasing mortality among patients in intensive care due to multiresistant pathogens. These strains are producing at least two different classes of β-lactamases. In the eighties, a strategy of combination of β-lactamase inactivator and β-lactam antibiotics was developed against serine β-lactamases. Some of the members of this family have already developed variants resistant to these inhibitors; however this combination remains efficient. In the case of the MBLs, extensive studies have been performed to find a generic inhibitor. Unfortunately, due to the heterogeneity of this enzyme group, no solution has been found. The development of a metallo-β-lactamase inhibitor, particularly active against acquired MBLs, which are the most relevant enzymes, is thus needed. Our second purpose was the identification of new molecules that could be developed as broad spectrum MBLs inhibitors. We found a new class of compounds, mercaptophosphonates derivatives, which can be used as leads for finding generic MBL inhibitors

Current challenges in antimicrobial chemotherapy: focus on beta-lactamase inhibition.

The use of the three classical beta-lactamase inhibitors (clavulanic acid, tazobactam, sulbactam) in combination with beta-lactam antibiotics is currently the most successful strategy to combat the beta-lactamase mediated resistance. However, these inhibitors are efficient in inactivating class A beta-lactamases only and the efficiency of the inhibitor/antibiotic combination can be compromised by several mechanisms among which the production of naturally resistant class B or class D enzymes, the hyperproduction of AmpC or even the production of evolved inhibitor-resistant class A enzymes. There is thus an urgent need in the development of novel inhibitors. For serine active enzymes (classes A, C and D), derivatives of the beta-lactam ring such as 6-beta-halogenopenicillanates, beta-lactam sulfones, penems and oxapenems, monobactams or trinems seem to be potential starting points to design efficient molecules (among which AM-112 and LK-157). Moreover, a promising non-beta-lactam molecule, NXL-104 is now under clinical trial. In contrast, an ideal inhibitor of metallo-beta-lactamases (class B) remains to be found, despite the huge number of potential molecules already described (biphenyl tetrazoles, cysteinyl peptides, mercaptocarboxylates, succinic acid derivatives, etc). The search for such an inhibitor is complicated by the absence of a covalent intermediate in their catalytic mechanisms and the fact that beta-lactam derivatives often behave as substrates rather than as inhibitors. Currently, the most promising broad spectrum inhibitors of class B enzymes are molecules presenting chelating groups (thiols, carboxylates, etc) combined with an aromatic group. This review describes all the types of molecules already tested as potential beta-lactamase inhibitors and thus constitutes an update of the current status in beta-lactamase inhibitor discovery

Discovery of novel lipophilic inhibitors of OXA-10 enzyme (class D beta-lactamase) by screening amino analogs and homologs of citrate and isocitrate.

Aminocitrate (and homolog) derivatives have been prepared by bis-alkylation of glycinate Schiff bases with bromoacetates (and ethyl acrylate), followed by N-acylation and esters (partial or complete) deprotection. Aminoisocitrate was similarly obtained by mono-alkylation with diethyl fumarate. Evaluation against representative beta-lactamases revealed that the free acid derivatives are modest inhibitors of class A enzymes, whilst their benzyl esters showed a good inhibition of OXA-10 (class D enzyme). A docking experiment featured hydrophobic interactions in the active site

Interactions mediating the positioning of mercapto-phosphonate inhibitors in the active site of metallo-beta-lactamases

peer reviewedMetallo-b-lactamases (MBL) represent an emerging problem due to their capacity to hydrolyze almost all b-lactam antibiotics, including last generation cephalosporins and carbapenems. Due to the presence of two chelating functions (sulfanyl and phosphonato), the mercaptophosphonic acids (phosphorous analogues of mercaptocarboxylic acids) are potential candidates for MBL inhibitors. Methods: The inhibitory effect of 14 mercapto-phosphonate derivatives against representatives of the three subclasses of MBLs (VIM-4 (B1), CphA (B2) and L1 (B3)) was previously reported [1]. Here, in order to determine the interactions mediating the positioning of the inhibitors in the active site of each enzyme, crystallographic and docking studies were performed with 10a and 18, both inhibitors being active against the three subclasses. Results: The crystallographic structure of the CphA-10a and CphA-18 indicated that the sulphur atom of 10a and the phosphonato group of 18 interact with the zinc ion respectively. Molecular modelling on the VIM-4 (B1) and FEZ-1 (B3) enzymes with 10a and 18 also brought to light different binding modes depending on the enzyme and the inhibitor, consistent with the crystallographic structures. Conclusions: The investigation of mercapto-phosphonate derivatives as MBL inhibitor has allowed us to find potent inhibitors active on representative members of all the three MBL subclasses. Moreover, on the basis of structural and modelling data, the inhibitory strength of these compounds will be improved further. Reference(s) [1] Lassaux P., Hamel M., Gulea M., Mercuri P., Horsfall L., Bebrone C., Gaumont A-C., Frère J., Galleni M. Mercaptophosphonate compounds as broad-spectrum inhibitors of the metallob- lactamases, Abstract number: 1732_295, ECSMID 2007