Selective protein unfolding: a universal mechanism of action for the development of irreversible inhibitors

Chem Commun (Camb). 2018 Feb 13;54(14):1738-1741. doi: 10.1039/c8cc00090e.

Abstract

High-throughput differential scanning fluorimetry of GFP-tagged proteins (HT-DSF-GTP) was applied for the identification of novel enzyme inhibitors acting by a mechanism termed: selective protein unfolding (SPU). Four different protein targets were interrogated with the same library to identify target-selective hits. Several hits selectively destabilized bacterial biotin protein ligase. Structure-activity relationship data confirmed a structure-dependent mechanism of protein unfolding. Simvastatin and altenusin were confirmed to irreversibly inactivate biotin protein ligase. The principle of SPU combined with HT-DSF-GTP affords an invaluable and innovative workflow for the identification of new inhibitors with potential applications as antimicrobials and other biocides.

MeSH terms

  • Bacteria / enzymology
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / chemistry
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Fluorometry
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / chemistry*
  • High-Throughput Screening Assays
  • Ligases / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Ligases / metabolism
  • Molecular Conformation
  • Protein Unfolding* / drug effects
  • Structure-Activity Relationship

Substances

  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins
  • Ligases