Crystal structure of Bacillus anthracis dihydrofolate reductase with the dihydrophthalazine-based trimethoprim derivative RAB1 provides a structural explanation of potency and selectivity.
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Bourne CR, Bunce RA, Bourne PC, Berlin KD, Barrow EW, Barrow WW
Crystal structure of Bacillus anthracis dihydrofolate reductase with the dihydrophthalazine-based trimethoprim derivative RAB1 provides a structural explanation of potency and selectivity.
Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2009 Jul;53(7):3065-73. doi: 10.1128/AAC.01666-08. Epub 2009 Apr 13.
- PubMed ID
- 19364848 [ View in PubMed]
- Abstract
Bacillus anthracis possesses an innate resistance to the antibiotic trimethoprim due to poor binding to dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR); currently, there are no commercial antibacterials that target this enzyme in B. anthracis. We have previously reported a series of dihydrophthalazine-based trimethoprim derivatives that are inhibitors for this target. In the present work, we have synthesized one compound (RAB1) displaying favorable 50% inhibitory concentration (54 nM) and MIC (< or =12.8 microg/ml) values. RAB1 was cocrystallized with the B. anthracis DHFR in the space group P2(1)2(1)2(1), and X-ray diffraction data were collected to a 2.3-A resolution. Binding of RAB1 causes a conformational change of the side chain of Arg58 and Met37 to accommodate the dihydrophthalazine moiety. Unlike the natural substrate or trimethoprim, the dihydrophthalazine group provides a large hydrophobic anchor that embeds within the DHFR active site and accounts for its selective inhibitory activity against B. anthracis.