scholarly journals Antimicrobial Activity of a Library of Thioxanthones and Their Potential as Efflux Pump Inhibitors

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (6) ◽  
pp. 572
Author(s):  
Fernando Durães ◽  
Andreia Palmeira ◽  
Bárbara Cruz ◽  
Joana Freitas-Silva ◽  
Nikoletta Szemerédi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quorum Sensing ◽  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Efflux Pump ◽  
Efflux Pumps ◽  
Major Facilitator Superfamily ◽  
Design And Synthesis ◽  
Resistance Nodulation Division ◽  
Efflux Pump Inhibitors ◽  
Major Facilitator

The overexpression of efflux pumps is one of the causes of multidrug resistance, which leads to the inefficacy of drugs. This plays a pivotal role in antimicrobial resistance, and the most notable pumps are the AcrAB-TolC system (AcrB belongs to the resistance-nodulation-division family) and the NorA, from the major facilitator superfamily. In bacteria, these structures can also favor virulence and adaptation mechanisms, such as quorum-sensing and the formation of biofilm. In this study, the design and synthesis of a library of thioxanthones as potential efflux pump inhibitors are described. The thioxanthone derivatives were investigated for their antibacterial activity and inhibition of efflux pumps, biofilm formation, and quorum-sensing. The compounds were also studied for their potential to interact with P-glycoprotein (P-gp, ABCB1), an efflux pump present in mammalian cells, and for their cytotoxicity in both mouse fibroblasts and human Caco-2 cells. The results concerning the real-time ethidium bromide accumulation may suggest a potential bacterial efflux pump inhibition, which has not yet been reported for thioxanthones. Moreover, in vitro studies in human cells demonstrated a lack of cytotoxicity for concentrations up to 20 µM in Caco-2 cells, with some derivatives also showing potential for P-gp modulation.

scholarly journals Antifungal Azoles as Tetracycline Resistance-Modifiers in Staphylococcus aureus

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nisha Mahey ◽  
Rushikesh Tambat ◽  
Dipesh Kumar Verma ◽  
Nishtha Chandal ◽  
Krishan Gopal Thakur ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
In Silico ◽  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Efflux Pump ◽  
Efflux Pumps ◽  
Major Facilitator Superfamily ◽  
Efflux Pump Inhibitors ◽  
Approved Drugs ◽  
Major Facilitator

Staphylococcus aureus has developed resistance to antimicrobials since its first use. The S. aureus major facilitator superfamily (MFS) efflux pump Tet(K) contributes to resistance to tetracyclines. The efflux pump diminishes antibiotic accumulation, and biofilm hampers the diffusion of antibiotics. None of the currently known compounds have been approved as efflux pump inhibitors (EPIs) for clinical use. In the current study, we screened clinically approved drugs for possible Tet(K) efflux pump inhibition. In silico docking followed by in vitro checkerboard assays, we identified five azoles (the fungal ergosterol synthesis inhibitors) showing the putative EPI-like potential with a fractional inhibitory concentration index of ≤0.5, indicating synergism. The functionality of the azoles was confirmed using ethidium bromide (EtBr) accumulation and efflux inhibition assays. In time-kill kinetics, the combination treatment with butoconazole engendered a marked increase in the bactericidal capacity of tetracycline. When assessing the off-target effects of the azoles, we observed no disruption of bacterial membrane permeability and polarization. Finally, the combination of azoles with tetracycline led to a significant eradication of preformed mature biofilms. This study is the primary representation of azoles that can be repurposed as putative Tet(K) EPIs and to reduce biofilm formation at clinically relevant concentrations. IMPORTANCE Staphylococcus aureus use efflux pumps to transport antibiotics out of the cell and thus increase the dosage at which they endure antibiotics. Also, efflux pumps play a role in biofilm formation by the excretion of extracellular matrix molecules. One way to combat these pathogens may be to reduce the activity of efflux pumps and thereby increase pathogen sensitivity to existing antibiotics. We describe the in silico-based screen of clinically approved drugs that identified antifungal azoles inhibiting Tet(K); a pump belongs to the Major Facilitator Superfamily and shows that these compounds bind to and block the activity of the Tet(K) pump. Azoles enhanced the susceptibility of tetracycline against S. aureus and its methicillin-resistant strains. The combination of azoles with tetracycline led to a significant reduction in preformed biofilms. Repurposing of approved drugs may help solve the classical toxicity issues related to efflux pump inhibitors.

scholarly journals Roles of Efflux Pumps from Different Superfamilies in the Surface-Associated Motility and Virulence of Acinetobacter baumannii ATCC 17978

2019 ◽  
Vol 63 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
María Pérez-Varela ◽  
Jordi Corral ◽  
Jesús Aranda ◽  
Jordi Barbé
Keyword(s):  
Acinetobacter Baumannii ◽  
Efflux Pump ◽  
Efflux Pumps ◽  
Major Facilitator Superfamily ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Small Multidrug Resistance ◽  
Genes Encoding ◽  
Resistance Nodulation Division ◽  
Major Facilitator ◽  
Reported Data

ABSTRACT Although the relationship between Acinetobacter baumannii efflux pumps and antimicrobial resistance is well documented, less is known about the involvement of these proteins in the pathogenicity of this nosocomial pathogen. In previous work, we identified the AbaQ major facilitator superfamily (MFS) efflux pump and demonstrated its participation in the motility and virulence of A. baumannii. In the present study, we examined the role in these processes of A. baumannii transporters belonging to different superfamilies of efflux pumps. Genes encoding known or putative permeases belonging to efflux pump superfamilies other than the MFS were selected, and the corresponding knockouts were constructed. The antimicrobial susceptibilities of these mutants were consistent with previously reported data. In mutants of A. baumannii strain ATCC 17978 carrying inactivated genes encoding the efflux pumps A1S_2736 (resistance nodulation division [RND]), A1S_3371 (multidrug and toxic compound extrusion [MATE]), and A1S_0710 (small multidrug resistance [SMR]), as well as the newly described ATP-binding cassette (ABC) permeases A1S_1242 and A1S_2622, both surface-associated motility and virulence were reduced compared to the parental strain. However, inactivation of the genes encoding the known ABC permeases A1S_0536 and A1S_1535, the newly identified putative ABC permeases A1S_0027 and A1S_1057, or the proteobacterial antimicrobial compound efflux (PACE) transporters A1S_1503 and A1S_2063 had no effects on bacterial motility or virulence. Our results demonstrate the involvement of antimicrobial transporters belonging at least to five of the six known efflux pump superfamilies in both surface-associated motility and virulence in A. baumannii ATCC 17978.

scholarly journals Two Distinct Major Facilitator Superfamily Drug Efflux Pumps Mediate Chloramphenicol Resistance in Streptomyces coelicolor

2009 ◽  
Vol 53 (11) ◽  
pp. 4673-4677 ◽  
Author(s):  
James J. Vecchione ◽  
Blair Alexander ◽  
Jason K. Sello
Keyword(s):  
Efflux Pump ◽  
Streptomyces Coelicolor ◽  
Efflux Pumps ◽  
Major Facilitator Superfamily ◽  
Close Relative ◽  
Gram Positive ◽  
Antibacterial Drugs ◽  
Chloramphenicol Resistance ◽  
Drug Activity ◽  
Major Facilitator

ABSTRACT Chloramphenicol, florfenicol, and thiamphenicol are used as antibacterial drugs in clinical and veterinary medicine. Two efflux pumps of the major facilitator superfamily encoded by the cmlR1 and cmlR2 genes mediate resistance to these antibiotics in Streptomyces coelicolor, a close relative of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The transcription of both genes was observed by reverse transcription-PCR. Disruption of cmlR1 decreased the chloramphenicol MIC 1.6-fold, while disruption of cmlR2 lowered the MIC 16-fold. The chloramphenicol MIC of wild-type S. coelicolor decreased fourfold and eightfold in the presence of reserpine and Phe-Arg-β-naphthylamide, respectively. These compounds are known to potentiate the activity of some antibacterial drugs via efflux pump inhibition. While reserpine is known to potentiate drug activity against gram-positive bacteria, this is the first time that Phe-Arg-β-naphthylamide has been shown to potentiate drug activity against a gram-positive bacterium.

scholarly journals The Varied Role of Efflux Pumps of the MFS Family in the Interplay of Bacteria with Animal and Plant Cells

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (9) ◽  
pp. 285 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pasqua ◽  
Grossi ◽  
Zennaro ◽  
Fanelli ◽  
Micheli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Regulatory Networks ◽  
Efflux Pump ◽  
Efflux Pumps ◽  
Major Facilitator Superfamily ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Multidrug Efflux ◽  
Animal Cells ◽  
Multidrug Efflux Pumps ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Major Facilitator

Efflux pumps represent an important and large group of transporter proteins found in all organisms. The importance of efflux pumps resides in their ability to extrude a wide range of antibiotics, resulting in the emergence of multidrug resistance in many bacteria. Besides antibiotics, multidrug efflux pumps can also extrude a large variety of compounds: Bacterial metabolites, plant-produced compounds, quorum-sensing molecules, and virulence factors. This versatility makes efflux pumps relevant players in interactions not only with other bacteria, but also with plant or animal cells. The multidrug efflux pumps belonging to the major facilitator superfamily (MFS) are widely distributed in microbial genomes and exhibit a large spectrum of substrate specificities. Multidrug MFS efflux pumps are present either as single-component transporters or as tripartite complexes. In this review, we will summarize how the multidrug MFS efflux pumps contribute to the interplay between bacteria and targeted host cells, with emphasis on their role in bacterial virulence, in the colonization of plant and animal host cells and in biofilm formation. We will also address the complexity of these interactions in the light of the underlying regulatory networks required for the effective activation of efflux pump genes.

scholarly journals Inhibitors of Bacterial Multidrug Efflux Pumps Potentiate Antimicrobial Photoinactivation

2008 ◽  
Vol 52 (9) ◽  
pp. 3202-3209 ◽  
Author(s):  
George P. Tegos ◽  
Kayo Masago ◽  
Fatima Aziz ◽  
Andrew Higginbotham ◽  
Frank R. Stermitz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Efflux Pump ◽  
Red Light ◽  
Antimicrobial Effect ◽  
Efflux Pumps ◽  
Photodynamic Inactivation ◽  
Multidrug Efflux ◽  
Efflux Pump Inhibitor ◽  
Multidrug Efflux Pumps ◽  
Resistance Nodulation Division ◽  
Major Facilitator

ABSTRACT Antimicrobial photodynamic inactivation (APDI) combines a nontoxic photoactivatable dye or photosensitizer (PS) with harmless visible light to generate singlet oxygen and reactive oxygen species that kill microbial cells. Cationic phenothiazinium dyes, such as toluidine blue O (TBO), are the only PS used clinically for APDI, and we recently reported that this class of PS are substrates of multidrug efflux pumps in both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. We now report that APDI can be significantly potentiated by combining the PS with an efflux pump inhibitor (EPI). Killing of Staphylococcus aureus mediated by TBO and red light is greatly increased by coincubation with known inhibitors of the major facilitator pump (NorA): the diphenyl urea INF271, reserpine, 5′-methoxyhydnocarpin, and the polyacylated neohesperidoside, ADH7. The potentiation effect is greatest in the case of S. aureus mutants that overexpress NorA and least in NorA null cells. Addition of the EPI before TBO has a bigger effect than addition of the EPI after TBO. Cellular uptake of TBO is increased by EPI. EPI increased photodynamic inactivation killing mediated by other phenothiazinium dyes, such as methylene blue and dimethylmethylene blue, but not that mediated by nonphenothiazinium PS, such as Rose Bengal and benzoporphyrin derivative. Killing of Pseudomonas aeruginosa mediated by TBO and light was also potentiated by the resistance nodulation division pump (MexAB-OprM) inhibitor phenylalanine-arginine beta-naphthylamide but to a lesser extent than for S. aureus. These data suggest that EPI could be used in combination with phenothiazinium salts and light to enhance their antimicrobial effect against localized infections.

scholarly journals Farnesol abrogates biofilm- and efflux pump- associated genes in drug resistant Candida auris strains

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vartika Srivastava ◽  
Aijaz Ahmad
Keyword(s):  
Active Drug ◽  
Efflux Pump ◽  
Antifungal Susceptibility ◽  
Efflux Pumps ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
Major Facilitator Superfamily ◽  
Drug Efflux ◽  
Candida Auris ◽  
Efflux Mechanism ◽  
Major Facilitator

Background: Candida auris, a decade old Candida species, has been identified globally as a significant nosocomial multidrug resistant (MDR) pathogen responsible for causing invasive outbreaks. Biofilms and over expression of efflux pumps such as Major Facilitator Superfamily and ATP Binding Cassette are known to cause multidrug resistance in Candida species, including C. auris. Therefore, targeting these factors may prove an effective approach to combat MDR in C. auris. Methods: In this study, 25 clinical isolates of C. auris from different hospitals of South Africa were used. Antifungal susceptibility profile of all the isolates against commonly used drugs was determined following CLSI recommended guidelines. Rhodamine-6-G extracellular efflux and intracellular accumulation assays were used to study active drug efflux mechanism. We further studied the role of farnesol in modulating development of biofilms and drug efflux in C. auris. Down-regulation of biofilm- and efflux pump- associated genes by farnesol was also investigated. CLSM analysis for examining C. auris biofilm architecture among treated and untreated isolates. Results: Most of the isolates (twenty-two) were found resistant to FLZ whereas five were resistant to AmB. All the isolates were found capable of biofilm formation and ornamented with active drug efflux mechanism. The MIC for planktonic cells ranged from 62.5-125 mM and for sessile cells was 125 mM (0 h and 4 h biofilm) and 500 mM (12 h and 24 h biofilm), CLSM studies also confirmed these findings. Farnesol also blocked efflux pumps and down-regulated biofilm- and efflux pump- associated genes. Conclusion: Modulation of biofilm- and efflux pump- associated genes by farnesol represent a promising approach in combating C. auris infection.

scholarly journals Multidrug Resistance Efflux Pumps in Acinetobacter spp.: An Update

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vanessa Kornelsen ◽  
Ayush Kumar
Keyword(s):  
Multidrug Resistance ◽  
Antimicrobial Resistance ◽  
Bacterial Species ◽  
Clinical Importance ◽  
Efflux Pumps ◽  
Major Facilitator Superfamily ◽  
Small Multidrug Resistance ◽  
Resistance Nodulation Division ◽  
Rnd Efflux Pumps ◽  
Major Facilitator

Acinetobacter spp. have become of increased clinical importance as studies have shown the antimicrobial resistant potential of these species. Efflux pumps can lead to reduced susceptibility to a variety of antibiotics and are present in large number across Acinetobacter spp. There are six families of efflux pumps that have been shown to be of clinical relevance: the Major Facilitator Superfamily (MFS), Small Multidrug Resistance (SMR) family, ATP-binding cassette (ABC) family, Multidrug and Toxic Compound Extrusion (MATE) family, Proteobacterial Antimicrobial Compound Efflux (PACE) family and Resistance-Nodulation-Division (RND) family. A lot of work has been done on understanding and characterizing the roles that these efflux pumps play in relation to antimicrobial resistance and the physiology of these bacteria. RND efflux pumps, with their expansive substrate profiles, are a major component of Acinetobacter spp. antimicrobial resistance. New discoveries over the last decade have shed a lot of light on to the complex regulation of these efflux pumps leading to greater understanding and potential of slowing the reduced susceptibility seen by these bacterial species.

scholarly journals Growth-related changes in intracellular spermidine and its effect on efflux pump expression and quorum sensing in Burkholderia pseudomallei

Microbiology ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 156 (4) ◽  
pp. 1144-1154 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ying Ying Chan ◽  
Kim Lee Chua
Keyword(s):  
Quorum Sensing ◽  
Cell Density ◽  
Burkholderia Pseudomallei ◽  
Efflux Pump ◽  
Regulatory Region ◽  
Resistance Nodulation Division ◽  
Dose Dependent ◽  
Exogenous Spermidine

The Burkholderia pseudomallei BpeAB-OprB resistance-nodulation-division (RND) family pump effluxes aminoglycoside and macrolide antibiotics as well as acylhomoserine lactones (AHLs) involved in quorum sensing. Expression of bpeA–lacZ was cell density-dependent and was inducible in the presence of these compounds. Intracellular levels of spermidine and N-acetylspermidine increased with cell density in wild-type B. pseudomallei KHW, but were always lower in the bpeAB pump mutant at all growth phases. The significance of changes in intracellular spermidine on efflux pump expression was demonstrated by the disruption of the binding of the BpeR repressor protein to the bpeABoprB regulatory region in vitro in the presence of increasing spermidine concentrations. This was supported by dose-dependent activation of bpeA–lacZ transcription in vivo in the presence of exogenous spermidine and N-acetylspermidine, thus implicating the involvement of the BpeAB-OprB pump in spermidine homeostasis in B. pseudomallei. Consequently, inhibition of intracellular spermidine synthesis reduced the efflux of AHLs by BpeAB-OprB. Other potential therapeutic applications of spermidine synthase inhibitors include the reduction of swimming motility and biofilm formation by B. pseudomallei.

scholarly journals Berberine reverses multidrug resistance in Candida albicans by hijacking the drug efflux pump Mdr1p

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yaojun Tong ◽  
Nuo Sun ◽  
Xiangming Wang ◽  
Qi Wei ◽  
Yu Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Candida Albicans ◽  
Multidrug Resistance ◽  
Efflux Pump ◽  
Efflux Pumps ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
Major Facilitator Superfamily ◽  
Drug Efflux ◽  
Multidrug Efflux Pump ◽  
Drug Efflux Pumps ◽  
Major Facilitator

AbstractClinical use of antimicrobials faces great challenges from the emergence of multidrug resistant (MDR) pathogens. The overexpression of drug efflux pumps is one of the major contributors to MDR. It is considered as a promising approach to overcome MDR by reversing the function of drug efflux pumps. In the life-threatening fungal pathogen Candida albicans, the major facilitator superfamily (MFS) transporter Mdr1p can excrete many structurally unrelated antifungals, leading to multidrug resistance. Here we report a counterintuitive case of reversing multidrug resistance in C. albicans by using a natural product berberine to hijack the overexpressed Mdr1p for its own importation. Moreover, we illustrate that the imported berberine accumulates in mitochondria, and compromises the mitochondrial function by impairing mitochondrial membrane potential and mitochondrial Complex I. It results in the selective elimination of Mdr1p overexpressed C. albicans cells. Furthermore, we show that berberine treatment can prolong the mean survival time (MST) of mice with a blood-borne dissemination of Mdr1p overexpressed multidrug resistant candidiasis. This study provided a potential direction of novel anti-MDR drug discovery by screening for multidrug efflux pump converters.

scholarly journals Efflux Pumps of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Play a Significant Role in Antituberculosis Activity of Potential Drug Candidates

2012 ◽  
Vol 56 (5) ◽  
pp. 2643-2651 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meenakshi Balganesh ◽  
Neela Dinesh ◽  
Sreevalli Sharma ◽  
Sanjana Kuruppath ◽  
Anju V. Nair ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mycobacterium Tuberculosis ◽  
Efflux Pump ◽  
Efflux Pumps ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Major Facilitator Superfamily ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Active Efflux ◽  
Drug Candidates ◽  
Small Multidrug Resistance ◽  
Major Facilitator

ABSTRACTActive efflux of drugs mediated by efflux pumps that confer drug resistance is one of the mechanisms developed by bacteria to counter the adverse effects of antibiotics and chemicals. To understand these efflux mechanisms inMycobacterium tuberculosis, we generated knockout (KO) mutants of four efflux pumps of the pathogen belonging to different classes. We measured the MICs and kill values of two different compound classes on the wild type (WT) and the efflux pump (EP) KO mutants in the presence and absence of the efflux inhibitors verapamil andl-phenylalanyl-l-arginyl-β-naphthylamide (PAβN). Among the pumps studied, the efflux pumps belonging to the ABC (ATP-binding cassette) class, encoded byRv1218c, and the SMR (small multidrug resistance) class, encoded byRv3065, appear to play important roles in mediating the efflux of different chemical classes and antibiotics. Efflux pumps encoded byRv0849andRv1258calso mediate the efflux of these compounds, but to a lesser extent. Increased killing is observed in WTM. tuberculosiscells by these compounds in the presence of either verapamil or PAβN. The efflux pump KO mutants were more susceptible to these compounds in the presence of efflux inhibitors. We have shown that these four efflux pumps ofM. tuberculosisplay a vital role in mediating efflux of different chemical scaffolds. Inhibitors of one or several of these efflux pumps could have a significant impact in the treatment of tuberculosis. The identification and characterization ofRv0849, a new efflux pump belonging to the MFS (major facilitator superfamily) class, are reported.

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