Characterization of a novel pyranopyridine inhibitor of the AcrAB efflux pump of Escherichia coli

Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2014;58(2):722-33. doi: 10.1128/AAC.01866-13. Epub 2013 Nov 18.

Abstract

Members of the resistance-nodulation-division (RND) family of efflux pumps, such as AcrAB-TolC of Escherichia coli, play major roles in multidrug resistance (MDR) in Gram-negative bacteria. A strategy for combating MDR is to develop efflux pump inhibitors (EPIs) for use in combination with an antibacterial agent. Here, we describe MBX2319, a novel pyranopyridine EPI with potent activity against RND efflux pumps of the Enterobacteriaceae. MBX2319 decreased the MICs of ciprofloxacin (CIP), levofloxacin, and piperacillin versus E. coli AB1157 by 2-, 4-, and 8-fold, respectively, but did not exhibit antibacterial activity alone and was not active against AcrAB-TolC-deficient strains. MBX2319 (3.13 μM) in combination with 0.016 μg/ml CIP (minimally bactericidal) decreased the viability (CFU/ml) of E. coli AB1157 by 10,000-fold after 4 h of exposure, in comparison with 0.016 μg/ml CIP alone. In contrast, phenyl-arginine-β-naphthylamide (PAβN), a known EPI, did not increase the bactericidal activity of 0.016 μg/ml CIP at concentrations as high as 100 μM. MBX2319 increased intracellular accumulation of the fluorescent dye Hoechst 33342 in wild-type but not AcrAB-TolC-deficient strains and did not perturb the transmembrane proton gradient. MBX2319 was broadly active against Enterobacteriaceae species and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. MBX2319 is a potent EPI with possible utility as an adjunctive therapeutic agent for the treatment of infections caused by Gram-negative pathogens.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology*
  • Bacterial Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Bacterial Proteins / metabolism
  • Carrier Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Carrier Proteins / metabolism
  • Ciprofloxacin / pharmacology
  • Dipeptides / pharmacology
  • Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial / drug effects*
  • Drug Synergism
  • Enterobacteriaceae / drug effects
  • Enterobacteriaceae / growth & development
  • Escherichia coli / drug effects
  • Escherichia coli / growth & development
  • Escherichia coli Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Escherichia coli Proteins / metabolism
  • Levofloxacin / pharmacology
  • Membrane Transport Modulators / pharmacology*
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Piperacillin / pharmacology
  • Pyrans / pharmacology*
  • Pyridines / pharmacology*

Substances

  • AcrAB-TolC protein, Enterobacter cloacae
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Carrier Proteins
  • Dipeptides
  • Escherichia coli Proteins
  • MBX2319
  • Membrane Transport Modulators
  • Pyrans
  • Pyridines
  • phenylalanine arginine beta-naphthylamide
  • Ciprofloxacin
  • Levofloxacin
  • Piperacillin