RRC ID 89072
Author Isozaki Y, Makikawa T, Kimura K, Nishihara D, Fujino M, Tanaka Y, Hayashi C, Ishizaki Y, Igarashi M, Yokoyama T, Toshima K, Takahashi D.
Title Creation of a macrolide antibiotic against non-tuberculous Mycobacterium using late-stage boron-mediated aglycon delivery.
Journal Sci Adv
Abstract Non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) is gaining clinical recognition as a recently emerging pulmonary pathogen. Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC), the most common NTM, is the cause of pulmonary MAC disease. Currently, the macrolide azithromycin (AZM) is the standard first-line antibiotic for treatment of the disease. However, the rise of drug-resistant MAC necessitates the development of alternative therapeutics. Here, we present a late-stage boron-mediated aglycon delivery strategy for selective modification of AZM, generating a library of potential anti-MAC drugs designated KU01 to KU13. Screening of KU01 to KU13 revealed that KU13 exhibited enhanced antimicrobial activity against wild-type and macrolide-resistant MAC compared to AZM. Cryo-electron microscopy analysis indicated that the inserted tercyclic moiety of KU13 formed a robust anchor on the bacterial ribosome, creating a binding pocket with base flipping of U2847, potentially bypassing the standard mechanism of macrolide resistance. These results position KU13 as a promising lead for therapeutics against macrolide-resistant MAC.
Volume 11(10)
Pages eadt2352
Published 2025-3-7
DOI 10.1126/sciadv.adt2352
PMID 40043128
PMC PMC11881915
MeSH Anti-Bacterial Agents* / chemistry Anti-Bacterial Agents* / pharmacology Azithromycin / chemistry Azithromycin / pharmacology Boron* / chemistry Cryoelectron Microscopy Drug Resistance, Bacterial / drug effects Humans Macrolides* / chemistry Macrolides* / pharmacology Microbial Sensitivity Tests Mycobacterium avium Complex* / drug effects Nontuberculous Mycobacteria* / drug effects
Resource
General Microbes JCM6384