scholarly journals Fluorometric Liposome Screen for Inhibitors of a Physiologically Important Bacterial Ion Channel

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andreia S. Fernandes ◽  
António Pombinho ◽  
Celso M. Teixeira-Duarte ◽  
João H. Morais-Cabral ◽  
Carol A. Harley
Keyword(s):  
Ion Channel ◽  
Inhibitory Action ◽  
Bacterial Species ◽  
Proof Of Concept ◽  
Membrane Component ◽  
Urea Derivative ◽  
Chemical Libraries ◽  
Potential Adaptation ◽  
Chemical Groups

The bacterial K+ homeostasis machinery is widely conserved across bacterial species, and different from that in animals. Dysfunction in components of the machinery has an impact on intracellular turgor, membrane potential, adaptation to changes in both extracellular pH and osmolarity, and in virulence. Using a fluorescence-based liposome flux assay, we have performed a high-throughput screen to identify novel inhibitors of the KtrAB ion channel complex from Bacillus subtilis, a component of the K+ homeostasis machinery that is also present in many bacterial pathogens. The screen identified 41 compounds that inhibited K+ flux and that clustered into eight chemical groups. Many of the identified inhibitors were found to target KtrAB with an in vitro potency in the low μM range. We investigated the mechanisms of inhibition and found that most molecules affected either the membrane component of the channel, KtrB alone or the full KtrAB complex without a preference for the functional conformation of the channel, thus broadening their inhibitory action. A urea derivative molecule that inhibited the membrane component of KtrAB affected cell viability in conditions in which KtrAB activity is essential. With this proof-of-concept study, we demonstrate that targeting components of the K+ homeostasis machinery has the potential as a new antibacterial strategy and that the fluorescence-based flux assay is a robust tool for screening chemical libraries.

scholarly journals Evaluation of Antibacterial Activity of Some Traditionally Used Medicinal Plants against Human Pathogenic Bacteria

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bishnu P. Marasini ◽  
Pankaj Baral ◽  
Pratibha Aryal ◽  
Kashi R. Ghimire ◽  
Sanjiv Neupane ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antibacterial Activity ◽  
Medicinal Plants ◽  
Inhibitory Action ◽  
Pathogenic Bacteria ◽  
Cynodon Dactylon ◽  
Bacterial Species ◽  
Dilution Method ◽  
Chloroform Fraction ◽  
Ethanolic Extracts

The worldwide increase of multidrug resistance in both community- and health-care associated bacterial infections has impaired the current antimicrobial therapy, warranting the search for other alternatives. We aimed to find thein vitroantibacterial activity of ethanolic extracts of 16 different traditionally used medicinal plants of Nepal against 13 clinical and 2 reference bacterial species using microbroth dilution method. The evaluated plants species were found to exert a range ofin vitrogrowth inhibitory action against the tested bacterial species, andCynodon dactylonwas found to exhibit moderate inhibitory action against 13 bacterial species including methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus, imipenem-resistantPseudomonas aeruginosa, multidrug-resistantSalmonella typhi, andS. typhimurium. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of tested ethanolic extracts were found from 31 to >25,000 μg/mL. Notably, ethanolic extracts ofCinnamomum camphora, Curculigo orchioides, andCurcuma longaexhibited the highest antibacterial activity againstS. pyogeneswith a MIC of 49, 49, and 195 μg/mL, respectively; whereas chloroform fraction ofCynodon dactylonexhibited best antibacterial activity againstS. aureuswith a MIC of 31 μg/mL. Among all,C. dactylon, C. camphora, C. orchioides, andC. longaplant extracts displayed a potential antibacterial activity of MIC < 100 μg/mL.

Reaction of Acetaldehyde with Human Platelets

1992 ◽  
Vol 67 (01) ◽  
pp. 126-130 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olivier Spertini ◽  
Jacques Hauert ◽  
Fedor Bachmann
Keyword(s):  
Platelet Aggregation ◽  
Inhibitory Action ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Platelet Rich Plasma ◽  
Shape Change ◽  
Reaction Medium ◽  
Human Platelets ◽  
Membrane Glycoproteins ◽  
Neutral Ph

SummaryPlatelet function defects observed in chronic alcoholics are not wholly explained by the inhibitory action of ethanol on platelet aggregation; they are not completely reproduced either in vivo by short-term ethanol perfusion into volunteers or in vitro by the addition of ethanol to platelet-rich plasma. As acetaldehyde (AcH) binds to many proteins and impairs cellular activities, we investigated the effect of this early degradation product of ethanol on platelets. AcH formed adducts with human platelets at neutral pH at 37° C which were stable to extensive washing, trichloracetic acid hydrolysis and heating at 100° C, and were not reduced by sodium borohydride. The amount of platelet adducts formed was a function of the incubation time and of the concentration of AcH in the reaction medium. At low AcH concentrations (<0.2 mM), platelet bound AcH was directly proportional to the concentration of AcH in the reaction medium. At higher concentrations (≥0.2 mM), AcH uptake by platelets tended to reach a plateau. The amount of adducts was also proportional to the number of exposures of platelets to pulses of 20 pM AcH.AcH adducts formation severely impaired platelet aggregation and shape change induced by ADP, collagen and thrombin. A positive correlation was established between platelet-bound AcH and inhibition of aggregation.SDS-PAGE analysis of AcH adducts at neutral pH demonstrated the binding of [14C]acetaldehyde to many platelet proteins. AcH adduct formation with membrane glycoproteins, cytoskeleton and enzymes might interfere with several steps of platelet activation and impair platelet aggregation.This in vitro study shows that AcH has a major inhibitory action on platelet aggregation and may account for the prolonged ex vivo inhibition of aggregation observed in chronic alcoholics even in the absence of alcoholemia.

Mechanism of the Antiplatelet Action of Dipyridamole in Whole Blood: Modulation of Adenosine Concentration and Activity

1986 ◽  
Vol 55 (01) ◽  
pp. 012-018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paolo Gresele ◽  
Jef Arnout ◽  
Hans Deckmyn ◽  
Jos Vermylen
Keyword(s):  
Platelet Aggregation ◽  
Adenosine Receptor ◽  
Whole Blood ◽  
Blood Cells ◽  
Inhibitory Action ◽  
Phosphodiesterase Inhibitor ◽  
Inhibitory Effect ◽  
Adenosine Concentration ◽  
Pharmacological Studies

SummaryDipyridamole inhibits platelet aggregation in whole blood at lower concentrations than in plasma. The blood cells responsible for increased effectiveness in blood are the erythrocytes. Using the impedance aggregometer we have carried out a series of pharmacological studies in vitro to elucidate the mechanism of action of dipyridamole in whole blood. Adenosine deaminase, an enzyme breaking down adenosine, reverses the inhibitory action of dipyridamole. Two different adenosine receptor antagonists, 5’-deoxy-5’-methylthioadenosine and theophylline, also partially neutralize the activity of dipyridamole in blood. Enprofylline, a phosphodiesterase inhibitor with almost no adenosine receptor antagonistic properties, potentiates the inhibition of platelet aggregation by dipyridamole. An inhibitory effect similar to that of dipyridamole can be obtained combining a pure adenosine uptake inhibitor (RE 102 BS) with a pure phosphodiesterase inhibitor (MX-MB 82 or enprofylline). Mixing the blood during preincubation with dipyridamole increases the degree of inhibition. Lowering the haematocrit slightly reduces the effectiveness.Although we did not carry out direct measurements of adenosine levels, the results of our pharmacological studies clearly show that dipyridamole inhibits platelet aggregation in whole blood by blocking the reuptake of adenosine formed from precursors released by red blood cells following microtrauma. Its slight phosphodiesterase inhibitory action potentiates the effects of adenosine on platelets.

INHIBITION OF THYROGLOBULIN BIOSYNTHESIS AND DEGRADATION BY EXCESS IODIDE. SYNERGISM WITH LITHIUM

1976 ◽  
Vol 81 (2) ◽  
pp. 495-506 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Radvila ◽  
R. Roost ◽  
H. Bürgi ◽  
H. Kohler ◽  
H. Studer
Keyword(s):  
Protein Synthesis ◽  
Thyroid Gland ◽  
Inhibitory Action ◽  
Inhibit Protein Synthesis ◽  
Thyrotrophic Hormone ◽  
Thyroid Glands ◽  
Pre Treatment ◽  
Excess Iodide ◽  
Kidney Liver

ABSTRACT Lithium and excess iodide inhibit the release of thyroid hormone from preformed stores. We thus tested the hypothesis that this was due to an inhibition of thyroglobulin breakdown. Rats were pre-treated with propylthiouracil (PTU) for 3 weeks in order to deplete their thyroids of thyroglobulin. While the PTU was continued, lithium chloride (0.25 mEq./100 g weight) or potassium iodide (3 mg per rat) were injected every 12 h for 3 days. Thereafter the thyroglobulin content in thyroid gland homogenates was measured. PTU pre-treatment lowered the thyroglobulin content from 4.21 to 0.22 mg/100 mg gland. Lithium caused a marked re-accumulation of thyroglobulin to 0.60 mg/100 mg within 3 days. While iodide alone had only a borderline effect, it markedly potentiated the action of lithium and a combination of the two drugs increased the thyroglobulin content to 1.04 mg/100 mg. Thyroxine was injected into similarly pre-treated animals to suppress secretion of thyrotrophic hormone. This markedly inhibited the proteolysis of thyroglobulin and 1.3 mg/100 mg gland accumulated after 3 days. Excess iodide, given in addition to thyroxine, decreased the amount of thyroglobulin accumulated to 0.75 mg/100 mg gland. To study whether this could be explained by an inhibitory action of iodide on thyroglobulin biosynthesis, thyroid glands from animals treated with excess iodide were incubated in vitro in the presence of 0.2 mm iodide for 3 h. Iodide decreased the incorporation of radioactive leucine into total thyroidal protein and into thyroglobulin by 25 and 35 % respectively. Iodide did not inhibit protein synthesis in the kidney, liver or muscle tissue. Thus, large doses of iodide selectively inhibit thyroglobulin biosynthesis.

Production of Novel Bioactive Compounds by the Bacteria Associated with Some Marine Sponges of Gulf of Mannar and Palk Bay, Southeast Coast of India

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (8) ◽  
pp. 183
Author(s):  
V. Ramadas ◽  
G. Chandralega
Keyword(s):  
Bioactive Compounds ◽  
Bacterial Species ◽  
Marine Sponges ◽  
Marine Organisms ◽  
Gulf Of Mannar ◽  
Bacterial Symbionts ◽  
Palk Bay ◽  
Excellent Source

Sponges, exclusively are aquatic and mostly marine, are found from the deepest oceans to the edge of the sea. There are approximately 15,000 species of sponges in the world, of which, 150 occur in freshwater, but only about 17 are of commercial value. A total of 486 species of sponges have been identified in India. In the Gulf of Mannar and Palk Bay a maximum of 319 species of sponges have been recorded. It has been proved that marine organisms are excellent source of bioactive secondary metabolites and number of compounds of originated from marine organisms had been reported to possess in-vitro and in-vivo immuno stimulatory activity. Extracts from 20 sponge species were tested for bacterial symbionts and bioactive compounds were isolated from such associated bacterial species in the present study.

The Role of nitro (NO2-), chloro (Cl), and fluoro (F) Substitution in the Design of Antileishmanial and Antichagasic Compounds

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Boniface Pone ◽  
Ferreira Igne Elizabeth
Keyword(s):  
Chagas Disease ◽  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Neglected Tropical Diseases ◽  
New Drugs ◽  
Pharmacokinetic Studies ◽  
Scientific Publications ◽  
Antitrypanosomal Activity ◽  
Chemical Groups

: Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are responsible for over 500,000 deaths annually and are characterized by multiple disabilities. Leishmaniasis and Chagas disease are among the most severe NTDs, and are caused by the Leishmania sp, and Trypanosoma cruzi, respectively. Glucantime, pentamidine and miltefosine are commonly used to treat leishmaniasis, whereas nifurtimox, benznidazole are current treatments for Chagas disease. However, these treatments are associated with drug resistance, and severe side effects. Hence, the development of synthetic products, especially those containing N02, F, or Cl, which chemical groups are known to improve the biological activity. The present work summarizes the information on the antileishmanial and antitrypanosomal activity of nitro-, chloro-, and fluoro-synthetic derivatives. Scientific publications referring to halogenated derivatives in relation to antileishmanial and antitrypanosomal activities were hand searched in databases such as SciFinder, Wiley, Science Direct, PubMed, ACS, Springer, Scielo, and so on. According to the literature information, more than 90 compounds were predicted as lead molecules with reference to their IC50/EC50 values in in vitro studies. It is worth to mention that only active compounds with known cytotoxic effects against mammalian cells were considered in the present study. The observed activity was attributed to the presence of nitro-, fluoro- and chloro-groups in the compound backbone. All in all, nitro and h0alogenated derivatives are active antileishmanial and antitrypanosomal compounds and can serve as baseline for the development of new drugs against leishmaniasis and Chagas disease. However, efforts on in vitro and in vivo toxicity studies of the active synthetic compounds is still needed. Pharmacokinetic studies, and the mechanism of action of the promising compounds need to be explored. The use of new catalysts and chemical transformation can afford unexplored halogenated compounds with improved antileishmanial and antitrypanosomal activity.

Molecular Detection of Bacterial Pathogens Directly from the Nasal Swabs and Lung Tissue of Sheep and Goats

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (02) ◽  
pp. 22-25
Author(s):  
Sunaina Thakur ◽  
Subhash Verma ◽  
Prasenjit Dhar ◽  
Mandeep Sharma
Keyword(s):  
Pasteurella Multocida ◽  
Direct Detection ◽  
Bacterial Species ◽  
Economic Losses ◽  
Isolation And Identification ◽  
Sheep And Goats ◽  
Histophilus Somni ◽  
Nasal Swabs ◽  
Mycoplasma Spp

Respiratory infections of sheep and goats cause heavy morbidity and mortality, leading to huge economic losses. Conventional methods of diagnosis that include isolation and identification of incriminating microbes are time-consuming and fraught with logistic challenges. Direct detection of incriminating microbes using molecular tools is gaining popularity in clinical, microbiological settings. In this study, a total of 50 samples (44 nasal swabs and 6 lung tissues) from sheep and goats were screened for the detection of different bacterial species by in vitro amplification of genus or species-specific genes. Histophilus somni was detected in 2% goat samples, Trueperella pyogenes in 20% goat nasal swabs, whereas 22% goat nasal swab samples were found positive for Mycoplasma spp. None of the samples from sheep was detected positive for H. somni, T. pyogenes, Mycoplasma spp. Similarly, all samples, irrespective, whether from sheep or goats, showed negative results for Pasteurella multocida, Mannheimia haemolytica, and Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document