Poly(2-oxazoline)-Antibiotic Conjugates with Penicillins

Bioconjug Chem. 2017 Sep 20;28(9):2440-2451. doi: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.7b00424. Epub 2017 Sep 6.

Abstract

The conjugation of antibiotics with polymers is rarely done, but it might be a promising alternative to low-molecular-weight derivatization. The two penicillins penicillin G (PenG) and penicillin V (PenV) were attached to the end groups of different water-soluble poly(2-oxazoline)s (POx) via their carboxylic acid function. This ester group was shown to be more stable against hydrolysis than the β-lactam ring of the penicillins. The conjugates are still antimicrobially active and up to 20 times more stable against penicillinase catalyzed hydrolysis. The antibiotic activity of the conjugates against Staphylococcus aureus in the presence of penicillinase is up to 350 times higher compared with the free antibiotics. Conjugates with a second antimicrobial function, a dodecyltrimethylammonium group (DDA-X), at the starting end of the PenG and PenV POx conjugates are more antimicrobially active than the conjugates without DDA-X and show high activity in the presence of penicillinase. For example, the conjugates DDA-X-PEtOx-PenG and DDA-X-PEtOx-PenV are 200 to 350 times more active against S. aureus in the presence of penicillinase and almost as effective as the penicillinase stable cloxacollin (Clox) under these conditions. These conjugates show even greater activity compared to cloxacollin without this enzyme present. Further, both conjugates kill Escherichia coli more effectively than PenG and Clox.

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / chemical synthesis
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / chemistry*
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology*
  • Bacteria / drug effects*
  • Bacteria / enzymology
  • Bacterial Infections / drug therapy
  • Drug Stability
  • Escherichia coli / drug effects
  • Escherichia coli / enzymology
  • Escherichia coli Infections / drug therapy
  • Humans
  • Hydrolysis
  • Oxazoles / chemical synthesis
  • Oxazoles / chemistry*
  • Oxazoles / pharmacology*
  • Penicillinase / metabolism
  • Penicillins / chemical synthesis
  • Penicillins / chemistry*
  • Penicillins / pharmacology*
  • Staphylococcal Infections / drug therapy
  • Staphylococcus aureus / drug effects
  • Staphylococcus aureus / enzymology

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Oxazoles
  • Penicillins
  • poly(2-oxazoline)
  • Penicillinase