In Silico Design and Enantioselective Synthesis of Functionalized Monocyclic 3-Amino-1-carboxymethyl-β-lactams as Inhibitors of Penicillin-Binding Proteins of Resistant Bacteria

Abstract

As a complement to the renowned bicyclic β-lactam antibiotics, monocyclic analogues provide a breath of fresh air in the battle against resistant bacteria. In that framework, the present study discloses the in silico design and unprecedented ten-step synthesis of eleven nocardicin-like enantiomerically pure 2-{3-[2-(2-aminothiazol-4-yl)-2-(methoxyimino)acetamido]-2-oxoazetidin-1-yl}acetic acids starting from serine as a readily accessible precursor. The capability of this novel class of monocyclic 3-amino-β-lactams to inhibit penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) of various (resistant) bacteria was assessed, revealing the potential of α-benzylidenecarboxylates as interesting leads in the pursuit of novel PBP inhibitors. No deactivation by representative enzymes belonging to the four β-lactamase classes was observed, while weak inhibition of class C β-lactamase P99 was demonstrated.

Keywords: antibiotics; biological activity; chiral pool; drug design; lactams.