L’usage excessif d’antibiotiques a provoqué l’émergence de résistance, constituant un problème sanitaire mondial. L’antibiotique triméthoprime (TMP) inhibe l’enzyme dihydrofolate réductase (FolA) des bactéries, interrompant la production d’un précurseur essentiel dans la synthèse des purines et empêchant ainsi la croissance bactérienne. Cependant, certaines bactéries produisent une seconde dihydrofolate réductase : une DfrB, appartenant à une famille d’enzymes hautement résistantes au TMP. Actuellement, dix membres de la famille DfrB ont été identifiés, qui partagent une identité de séquence élevée (74 – 98 %). Les enzymes DfrB sont constituées de domaines identiques de 78 acides aminés, de type ‘SH3-like’, qui s’homotétramérisent afin de former l’enzyme active. Les DfrB ne partagent aucune homologie de séquence ou de structure avec les FolA et aucun antibiotique n’a encore été développé pour contourner la résistance au TMP causée par les DfrB. Afin de mieux comprendre le domaine SH3-like, des homologues (DfrB-H) partageant 10 à 80 % d’identité avec la DfrB1 ont été identifiés et caractérisés. Ils possèdent une activité dihydrofolate réductase (Dfr) et confèrent de la résistance au TMP. De plus, afin de vérifier si les gènes dfrB se retrouvent dans divers environnements, une recherche dans une base de données métagénomiques a été entreprise, permettant de caractériser 10 nouvelles séquences homologues aux DfrB connues. En 2012, le groupe Pelletier a rapporté le premier inhibiteur spécifique d’une DfrB, et plusieurs autres depuis. Seule la DfrB1 a été caractérisée concernant son profil d’inhibition ainsi que sa thermostabilité inhabituelle. Ici, une méthode semi-automatisée sera développée pour caractériser les profils d’inhibition, de thermostabilité, de résistance au TMP et d’activité enzymatique de toutes les DfrB et des homologues identifiés, afin de les comparer à ceux de la DfrB1. Pour atteindre ces objectifs, des nouvelles méthodes à haut débit de détermination d’activité ainsi que des tests de concentration minimale inhibitrice (CMI) furent développés. Ces méthodes ont permis de déterminer que les profils de thermostabilité et d’inhibition de plusieurs DfrB et DfrB-H sont comparables aux profils de la DfrB1. De plus, le criblage de dizaines de composés potentiellement inhibiteurs a été effectué afin de poursuivre la recherche d’inhibiteurs spécifiques aux DfrB. En outre, nous signalons 10 nouvelles séquences homologues de DfrB qui confèrent une résistance élevée au TMP et possèdent une activité Dfr. La caractérisation de tous les membres DfrB et les homologues nous permettra d’acquérir une meilleure connaissance de leur mécanisme de résistance, de leur prévalence dans divers environnements et de soutenir notre développement de nouveaux inhibiteurs des DfrB. / The intensive usage of antibiotics has provoked the emergence of antibiotic resistance, causing a worldwide health issue. The antibiotic trimethoprim (TMP) targets the microbial dihydrofolate reductase enzyme (FolA), abrogating the production of an essential precursor in the synthesis of purines and thus preventing bacterial proliferation. However, some bacteria produce an additional dihydrofolate reductase: the highly TMP-resistant DfrB. Currently, ten DfrB family members have been identified, that share high sequence identity (74 – 98 %). DfrB enzymes consist of identical, 78 amino acid-long SH3-like domains, that homotetramerize to form the active enzyme. DfrB share no sequence or structural homology with FolA and no antibiotic has yet been developed to circumvent the TMP resistance caused by DfrB. In order to gain insight into the SH3-like domain of DfrB, homologues (DfrB-H) sharing 10 to 80 % identity with DfrB1 were identified and characterized, which displayed dihydrofolate reductase (Dfr) activity and conferred high TMP resistance. Also, to investigate if dfrB genes are identified in various environments, a metagenomic database search was undertaken to characterize ten new DfrB1 homologue sequences. In 2012, the Pelletier group reported the first specific inhibitor of a DfrB, and several others since. Only DfrB1 has been characterized regarding its inhibition profile as well as its unusual thermostability. Here, semi-automated methods will be developed to compare the inhibition, thermostability, TMP-resistance and enzymatic activity profiles of all DfrB and DfrB homologues to those of DfrB1. To address this objective, new high-throughput activity assays as well as Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) assays were developed. Using those methods, we determined that thermostability and inhibition profiles of several DfrB and DfrB-H were comparable to those of DfrB1. Also, a screen of several dozen potential inhibitory compounds was performed, to attempt to identify further specific DfrB inhibitors. In addition, we report 10 new DfrB homologues that confer high TMP resistance and possess Dfr activity. The characterization of all DfrB members and DfrB homologues will allow us to acquire greater knowledge on their antimicrobial resistance mechanism, their prevalence in different environments and support our development of new DfrB-specific inhibitors.

No description available.

Made available in DSpace on 2017-07-20T12:40:14Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Giselle Nathaly Calaca.pdf: 4129912 bytes, checksum: 17ad0dde0faa7762fe24c34e6ffcd471 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-03-23 / Fundação Araucária de Apoio ao Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico do Paraná / The development and validation of analytical methods for quantification of two associations, antibiotics: sulfamethoxazole (SMX) and trimethoprim (TMP); and depigmenting agents: kojic acid (AK) and hydroquinone (HQ), using unmodified glassy carbon electrode (ECV) and square wave voltammetry (SWV) are described. For the first association, two well defined irreversible oxidation peaks were obtained at 0.96V (SMX) and 1.12V (TMP) in Britton–Robinson buffer (pH 6.0), characterized by diffusion and adsorptive processes, respectively. SWV parameters were optimized by means of 23 Full Factorial Design, and the best analytical signal, in terms of sensitivity and selectivity is obtained at a=30 mV, f=100 s-1 and ΔES=5mV. Under optimized conditions, SWV measurements showed excellent linear response, from 5.5x10-5 to 3.95x10-4 mol L-1 (R=0.9971) and 1.05x10-5 to 1.04x10-4 mol L-1 (R=0.9974) for SMX and TMP, respectively. The detection and quantification limits were found to be 8.52x10-6 mol L-1 and 2.84x10-5 mol L-1 for SMX; and 9.31x10-7 mol L-1 and 3.10x10-6 mol L-1 for TMP, respectively. The proposed method was successfully applied to the simultaneous determination of these antibiotics in commercial pharmaceutical formulations (tablets, oral suspension and injection), without any sample pretreatment. The obtained results are in good agreement with that obtained by the standard HPLC method at a 95% confidence level. For the second association, the redox peak potentials were completely separated in Mcllvaine buffer solution (pH 8.0), KA exhibits a well-defined irreversible oxidation peak at 0.72V and HQ a quasi-reversible redox peak at 0.08 V and -0.02 V, characterized by adsorptive and diffusional processes, respectively. Under SWV parameters optimized (a= 40 mV, f=40 s-1 and ΔES=1mV) by 23 Full Factorial Design, the calibration curves were obtained in the concentration ranges of 3.5×10-5 to 2.5×10-4 mol L-1 (R= 0.9996) for kojic acid and 1.5×10-5 to 1.6×10-4 mol L-1 (R= 0.9994) for hydroquinone. The detection and quantification limits were found to be 7.84x10-6 mol L-1 and 2.61x10-5 mol L-1 for KA; and 3.71x10-6 mol L-1 and 1.24x10-5 mol L-1 for HQ, respectively. The novel electroanalytical method was validated in terms of specificity, linearity, range, accuracy and precision (repeatability and intermediate precision) and successfully applied to the direct simultaneous determination of these bleaching agents in real samples. / O trabalho descreve o desenvolvimento e a validação de métodos analíticos para quantificação de duas associações, os antibióticos: sulfametoxazol (SMX) e trimetoprima (TMP); e os agentes despigmentantes: ácido kójico (AK) e hidroquinona (HQ), empregando-se eletrodo de carbono vítreo (ECV) não modificado e voltametria de onda quadrada (VOQ). Para a primeira associação, dois picos de oxidação irreversíveis em 0,96V (SMX) e 1,12V (TMP) foram observados em tampão Britton–Robinson (pH 6,0), caracterizados por processos difusional e adsortivo, respectivamente. Os parâmetros instrumentais da VOQ foram otimizados por meio de um planejamento fatorial completo 23, sendo a melhor resposta em termos de sensibilidade e seletividade obtida em a=30 mV, f=100 s-1 e ΔES=5mV. Nas condições otimizadas, foram construídas curvas analíticas nos intervalos de concentração de 5,5x10-5 a 3,95x10-4 mol L-1 (R=0,9971) para SMX e 1,05x10-5 a 1,04x10-4 mol L-1 (R=0,9974) para TMP. Os valores de limites de detecção (LD) e de quantificação (LQ) calculados foram: 8,52x10-6 mol L-1 e 2,84x10-5 mol L-1 para SMX e 9,31x10-7 mol L-1 e 3,10x10-6 mol L-1 para TMP, respectivamente. O método proposto foi aplicado para determinação simultânea dos fármacos em diferentes amostras farmacêuticas (comprimidos, injeção e suspensão oral) sem a necessidade de nenhum tipo de pré-tratamento da amostra. Os resultados obtidos através do método voltamétrico foram comparados aos obtidos pelo método farmacopeico (HPLC) e comprovou-se que não há diferença significativa em um nível de confiança de 95%. Para a segunda associação, nos voltamogramas cíclicos em tampão Mcllvaine (pH=8,0) um pico de oxidação irreversível em +0,7V foi observado para o AK, enquanto que para HQ foi observado um processo quase-reversível, com picos de oxidação em 0,08V e redução em -0,02V, caracterizados por processos adsortivo e difusional, respectivamente. Utilizando-se os parâmetros da VOQ otimizados (a= 40 mV, f= 40 s-1 e ΔES= 1mV), através de um planejamento fatorial completo 23, as curvas de calibração foram obtidas nas faixas de concentração de 3,5×10-5 a 2,5×10-4 mol L-1 (R= 0,9996) para AK e 1,5×10-5 a 1,6×10-4 mol L-1 (R= 0,9994) para HQ. Os limites de detecção e quantificação foram: 7,84x10-6 mol L-1 e 2,61x10-5 mol L-1 para AK; e 3,71x10-6 mol L-1 e 1,24x10-5 mol L-1 para HQ, respectivamente. O método voltamétrico desenvolvido foi validado em termos de especificidade, linearidade, faixa de concentração, exatidão e precisão (repetibilidade e precisão intermediária) e aplicado na determinação simultânea dos agentes despigmentantes em amostras de clareadores.

Le triméthoprime (TMP) est un antibiotique communément utilisé depuis les années 60. Le TMP est un inhibiteur de la dihydrofolate réductase (DHFR) bactérienne chromosomale. Cette enzyme est responsable de la réduction du dihydrofolate (DHF) en tétrahydrofolate (THF) chez les bactéries, qui lui, est essentiel à la synthèse des purines et ainsi, à la prolifération cellulaire. La résistance bactérienne au TMP est documentée depuis plus de 30 ans. Une des causes de cette résistance provient du fait que certaines souches bactériennes expriment une DHFR plasmidique, la DHFR R67. La DHFR R67 n'est pas affectée par le TMP, et peut ainsi remplacer la DHFR chromosomale lorsque celle-ci est inhibée par le TMP. À ce jour, aucun inhibiteur spécifique de la DHFR R67 est connu. En découvrant des inhibiteurs contre la DHFR R67, il serait possible de lever la résistance au TMP que la DHFR R67 confère aux bactéries. Afin de découvrir des inhibiteurs de DHFR R67, les approches de design à base de fragments et de criblage virtuel ont été choisies. L'approche de design à base de fragments a permis d'identifier sept composés simples et de faible poids moléculaire (fragments) inhibant faiblement la DHFR R67. À partir de ces fragments, des composés plus complexes et symétriques, inhibant la DHFR R67 dans l'ordre du micromolaire, ont été élaborés. Des études cinétiques ont montré que ces inhibiteurs sont compétitifs et qu'au moins deux molécules se lient simultanément dans le site actif de la DHFR R67. L'étude d'analogues des inhibiteurs micromolaires de la DHFR R67 a permis de déterminer que la présence de groupements carboxylate, benzimidazole et que la longueur des molécules influencent la puissance des inhibiteurs. Une étude par arrimage moléculaire, appuyée par les résultats in vitro, a permis d'élaborer un modèle qui suggère que les résidus Lys32, Gln67 et Ile68 seraient impliqués dans la liaison avec les inhibiteurs. Le criblage virtuel de la librairie de 80 000 composés de Maybridge avec le logiciel Moldock, et les essais d'inhibition in vitro des meilleurs candidats, a permis d'identifier quatre inhibiteurs micromolaires appartenant à des familles distinctes des composés précédemment identifiés. Un second criblage virtuel, d'une banque de 6 millions de composés, a permis d'identifier trois inhibiteurs micromolaires toujours distincts. Ces résultats offrent la base à partir de laquelle il sera possible de développer iv des composés plus efficaces et possédant des propriétés phamacologiquement acceptables dans le but de développer un antibiotique pouvant lever la résistance au TMP conféré par la DHFR R67. / Trimethoprim (TMP) is a common antibiotic which is used since the 60's. TMP is an inhibitor of the bacterial chromosomal dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR). This enzyme catalyses the reduction of the dihydrofolate (DHF) to tetrahydrofolate (THF) which is essential to the biosynthesis of purines thus to cellular proliferation. Bacterial TMP resistance is documented since about 30 years. One of the cause of this resistance comes from the fact that certain bacteria express a plasmidic DHFR, the R67 DHFR, which confers TMP resistance. The R67 DHFR is not inhibited by TMP and can replace the chromosomal DHFR when the latter is inhibited by TMP. The discovery of R67 DHFR inhibitors would allow to break the trimethoprim resistance granted by R67 DHFR. In order to discover R67 DHFR inhibitors, fragment based design and virtual screening approaches were selected. By fragment based design, seven simple compounds with a low molecular mass which inhibited weakly R67 DHFR (fragments) were identified. From these fragments, more complex and symmetrical compounds inhibiting R67 DHFR in the micromolar range were identified. Kinetic studies showed these inhibitors were competitive and at least two molecules bind simultaneously to the active site of the R67 DHFR. Test of the micromolar inhibitors analog showed that the presence of carboxylate, benzimidazole and the length of the molecule all have an effect on the potency of the inhibitors. Molecular docking of the inhibitors, supported by in vitro data, were used to develop a model which suggest that residue like Lys32, Gln67 and Ile68 would be involved in the binding of the inhibitors to the R67 DHFR. Virtual screening of the 80 000 compound Maybridge library with Moldock software, followed by in vitro test of the best candidate, identified four micromolar inhibitors which are chemically distinct from the inhibitor beforehand identified. A second virtual screening of a 6 million compounds bank identified three micromolar inhibitors which are also distinct from the inhibitor beforehand identified. vi These results offer a basis which will allow further development of more potent inhibitors with more acceptable pharmacologic properties in order to develop an antibiotic which would break the TMP resistance granted by the R67 DHFR.

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / This work involved the preparation and characterization of an inclusion complex of Trimethoprim (TMP) a drug used in the treatment of infections and hydroxypropylgamma- cyclodextrin (HP-γ-CD). Owing to the low aqueous solubility of this drug, high dosages are required to provide a satisfactory therapeutic effect, although this also brings severe side effects to some patients. Thus here we aimed to increase the TMP aqueous solubility in order to potentially reduce the side effects by complexation in a CD derivative. Prior to the inclusion study, some relevant physiochemical parameters of the drug such as pKa, solubility in several pH values as well as absorption coefficient were determined. The inclusion complex has been prepared by the suspension method and collected by lyophilization. Primary evidence of the inclusion of TMP in HP-γ-CD was provided by the increase of the solubility in presence of HP -γ - CD, from the phase-solubility diagram obtained at different temperatures and pH values. The apparent stability constants K 1:1 for the complex formed at different temperatures and pH values were found strongly depend on the conditions, being higher at low pH. A 1:1 stoichiometry was suggested for the complex both from the phase-solubility diagram and from the continuous variation method Additional evidences of the inclusion were provided by thermal analysis (DSC), which suggested that TMP is not present in the sample as an isolated crystalline solid. The XRD analysis evidenced the loss of the TMP crystalline character in the complex, which is commonly observed for CD complexes but may be also a consequence of the lyophilization process. The presence of bands characteristic of both species was observed in the infrared spectrum of the complex. Although differences observed in the relative intensities cannot directly evidence complex formation, they don t exclude this possibility. Direct evidence of TMP inclusion in the CD cavities were given from 1H-1H bidimensional ROESY spectrum, which also showed that the inclusion mode involves penetration of the trimethoxyphenyl group in HP-γ-CD. / Este trabalho envolveu a preparação e caracterização de complexo de inclusão entre Trimetoprim (TMP), substância utilizada no tratamento de infecções, em hidroxipropil- γ-ciclodextrina (HP-γ-CD), objetivando o aumento da solubilidade aquosa do convidado. A baixa solubilidade do TMP torna necessário o uso de altas dosagens, causando diversos efeitos colaterais, que em testes futuros poderão ser reduzidos pelo aumento da solubilidade do mesmo. Determinaram-se, inicialmente, alguns parâmetros físico-químicos do fármaco e, posteriormente, preparou-se o complexo do mesmo em HP-γ-CD pelo método da suspensão. A ocorrência de inclusão foi evidenciada através do aumento da solubilidade do convidado em presença de HP-γ-CD, nos estudos do diagrama de solubilidade de fases em diferentes temperaturas e pH. Obteve-se, ainda a partir destes estudos, valores de 220,7 M-1 a 20oC e 144,7M-1 a 25oC e 55410 M-1 para pH 4,0; 2188 M-1 para pH 7,0 e 123 M-1 para pH 9,0 para a constante de associação do complexo, demonstrando interações relativamente fortes. A estequiometria 1:1 para o complexo foi sugerida tanto a partir do diagrama de solubilidades quanto pelo método das variações contínuas. Evidências adicionais da inclusão foram propiciadas por calorimetria diferencial de varredura (DSC), que sugeriu que o TMP não se encontra como um sólido isolado. As análises dos difratogramas obtidos mostraram perda do padrão de ordenamento cristalino do TMP quando comparado ao difratograma do complexo, o que pode também ter resultado do processo de liofilização. A partir da análise por espectroscopia infravermelho, observou-se a presença de bandas de ambas as espécies (hospedeiro e convidado) no espectro da amostra HP-γ-CD/TMP coletada por liofilização. Contudo, diferenças observadas quanto a intensidades relativas e mascaramento de bandas não evidenciam diretamente a formação do complexo, porém não excluem tal possibilidade. De acordo com os resultados de espectroscopia de RMN 1H-1H bidimensional (ROESY), ficou evidenciada a inclusão do TMP na cavidade da HP-γ-CD, mostrando adicionalmente que a entrada na cavidade se dá através do grupo trimetoxifenila.

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / This work involved the preparation and characterization of an inclusion complex of Trimethoprim (TMP) a drug used in the treatment of infections and hydroxypropylgamma- cyclodextrin (HP-γ-CD). Owing to the low aqueous solubility of this drug, high dosages are required to provide a satisfactory therapeutic effect, although this also brings severe side effects to some patients. Thus here we aimed to increase the TMP aqueous solubility in order to potentially reduce the side effects by complexation in a CD derivative. Prior to the inclusion study, some relevant physiochemical parameters of the drug such as pKa, solubility in several pH values as well as absorption coefficient were determined. The inclusion complex has been prepared by the suspension method and collected by lyophilization. Primary evidence of the inclusion of TMP in HP-γ-CD was provided by the increase of the solubility in presence of HP -γ - CD, from the phase-solubility diagram obtained at different temperatures and pH values. The apparent stability constants K 1:1 for the complex formed at different temperatures and pH values were found strongly depend on the conditions, being higher at low pH. A 1:1 stoichiometry was suggested for the complex both from the phase-solubility diagram and from the continuous variation method Additional evidences of the inclusion were provided by thermal analysis (DSC), which suggested that TMP is not present in the sample as an isolated crystalline solid. The XRD analysis evidenced the loss of the TMP crystalline character in the complex, which is commonly observed for CD complexes but may be also a consequence of the lyophilization process. The presence of bands characteristic of both species was observed in the infrared spectrum of the complex. Although differences observed in the relative intensities cannot directly evidence complex formation, they don t exclude this possibility. Direct evidence of TMP inclusion in the CD cavities were given from 1H-1H bidimensional ROESY spectrum, which also showed that the inclusion mode involves penetration of the trimethoxyphenyl group in HP-γ-CD. / Este trabalho envolveu a preparação e caracterização de complexo de inclusão entre Trimetoprim (TMP), substância utilizada no tratamento de infecções, em hidroxipropil- γ-ciclodextrina (HP-γ-CD), objetivando o aumento da solubilidade aquosa do convidado. A baixa solubilidade do TMP torna necessário o uso de altas dosagens, causando diversos efeitos colaterais, que em testes futuros poderão ser reduzidos pelo aumento da solubilidade do mesmo. Determinaram-se, inicialmente, alguns parâmetros físico-químicos do fármaco e, posteriormente, preparou-se o complexo do mesmo em HP-γ-CD pelo método da suspensão. A ocorrência de inclusão foi evidenciada através do aumento da solubilidade do convidado em presença de HP-γ-CD, nos estudos do diagrama de solubilidade de fases em diferentes temperaturas e pH. Obteve-se, ainda a partir destes estudos, valores de 220,7 M-1 a 20oC e 144,7M-1 a 25oC e 55410 M-1 para pH 4,0; 2188 M-1 para pH 7,0 e 123 M-1 para pH 9,0 para a constante de associação do complexo, demonstrando interações relativamente fortes. A estequiometria 1:1 para o complexo foi sugerida tanto a partir do diagrama de solubilidades quanto pelo método das variações contínuas. Evidências adicionais da inclusão foram propiciadas por calorimetria diferencial de varredura (DSC), que sugeriu que o TMP não se encontra como um sólido isolado. As análises dos difratogramas obtidos mostraram perda do padrão de ordenamento cristalino do TMP quando comparado ao difratograma do complexo, o que pode também ter resultado do processo de liofilização. A partir da análise por espectroscopia infravermelho, observou-se a presença de bandas de ambas as espécies (hospedeiro e convidado) no espectro da amostra HP-γ-CD/TMP coletada por liofilização. Contudo, diferenças observadas quanto a intensidades relativas e mascaramento de bandas não evidenciam diretamente a formação do complexo, porém não excluem tal possibilidade. De acordo com os resultados de espectroscopia de RMN 1H-1H bidimensional (ROESY), ficou evidenciada a inclusão do TMP na cavidade da HP-γ-CD, mostrando adicionalmente que a entrada na cavidade se dá através do grupo trimetoxifenila.

La dihyrofolate réductase de type II R67 (DHFR R67) est une enzyme bactérienne encodée par un plasmide donc aisément transmissible. Elle catalyse la réaction de réduction du dihydrofolate (DHF) en tétrahydrofolate (THFA) essentiel pour la prolifération cellulaire. La DHFR R67 est une enzyme qui dépend du cofacteur NADPH. La DHFR R67 est différente, structurellement et génétiquement, de l’enzyme DHFR chromosomale présente chez tous les organismes et elle est résistante au triméthoprime (TMP) qui est largement utilisé dans les traitements antibactériens chez l’Homme. Aucun inhibiteur sélectif contre la DHFR R67 n’est actuellement répertorié. Le but de cette étude a été d’identifier des molécules qui pourront inhiber la DHFR R67 sélectivement, sans affecter la DHFR humaine (DHFRh). La vérification de la qualité des essais enzymatiques en conditions déterminées pour le criblage d’inhibiteurs sur plusieurs lectrices à plaques a identifié des appareils appropriés pour l’analyse. L’étude de l’activité enzymatique de la DHFR R67 et de la DHFRh en présence des solvants organiques et liquides ioniques (LIs), comme des co-solvants pour le criblage rationnel d’inhibiteurs, a montré que certains LIs peuvent servir de milieu alternatif pour les essais enzymatiques. Le criblage rationnel basé sur l’approche du design d’un inhibiteur à partir de petites molécules, a révélé des molécules primaires qui inhibent la DHFR R67 de façon faible, mais sélective. Le test des composés biologiquement actifs qui comprennent des petits fragments, a montré l’augmentation de l’affinité entre la DHFR R67 et les composés testés. Trois composés ont été déterminés comme des inhibiteurs sélectifs prometteurs pour la DHFR R67. / Type II R-plasmid encoded dihyrofolate reductase (DHFR), R67 DHFR is a bacterial enzyme that catalyzes the reduction of dihydrofolate (DHF) to tetrahydrofolate (THFA) which is essential for cell proliferation. R67 DHFR is an enzyme that depends on the cofactor NADPH as the hydride donor. R67 DHFR is distinct, structurally and genetically, from E. coli chromosomal DHFR (DHFR Ec) and it provides drug resistance to the widely-administered antibiotic trimethoprim (TMP). No selective inhibitor against R67 DHFR exists currently. The goal of this study was to discover molecules that can selectively inhibit R67 DHFR, without affecting human DHFR (hDHFR). Verification of the quality of enzyme assays under defined conditions for inhibitor screening on plate readers found several appropriate instruments for analysis. The study of the enzymatic activity of R67 DHFR and hDHFR in the presence of organic solvents and ionic liquids (ILs), as co-solvents for rational screening of inhibitors, showed that ILs can provide alternative media for enzymatic assays. Rational screening based on the approach of fragment-based drug design, revealed primary molecules that inhibited DHFR R67 weakly, but selectively. The testing of more complex compounds with known biological activities gave ligands with increased affinity for R67 DHFR. Three compounds were identified as promising selective inhibitors for R67 DHFR.

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La dihyrofolate réductase de type II R67 (DHFR R67) est une enzyme bactérienne encodée par un plasmide donc aisément transmissible. Elle catalyse la réaction de réduction du dihydrofolate (DHF) en tétrahydrofolate (THFA) essentiel pour la prolifération cellulaire. La DHFR R67 est une enzyme qui dépend du cofacteur NADPH. La DHFR R67 est différente, structurellement et génétiquement, de l’enzyme DHFR chromosomale présente chez tous les organismes et elle est résistante au triméthoprime (TMP) qui est largement utilisé dans les traitements antibactériens chez l’Homme. Aucun inhibiteur sélectif contre la DHFR R67 n’est actuellement répertorié. Le but de cette étude a été d’identifier des molécules qui pourront inhiber la DHFR R67 sélectivement, sans affecter la DHFR humaine (DHFRh). La vérification de la qualité des essais enzymatiques en conditions déterminées pour le criblage d’inhibiteurs sur plusieurs lectrices à plaques a identifié des appareils appropriés pour l’analyse. L’étude de l’activité enzymatique de la DHFR R67 et de la DHFRh en présence des solvants organiques et liquides ioniques (LIs), comme des co-solvants pour le criblage rationnel d’inhibiteurs, a montré que certains LIs peuvent servir de milieu alternatif pour les essais enzymatiques. Le criblage rationnel basé sur l’approche du design d’un inhibiteur à partir de petites molécules, a révélé des molécules primaires qui inhibent la DHFR R67 de façon faible, mais sélective. Le test des composés biologiquement actifs qui comprennent des petits fragments, a montré l’augmentation de l’affinité entre la DHFR R67 et les composés testés. Trois composés ont été déterminés comme des inhibiteurs sélectifs prometteurs pour la DHFR R67. / Type II R-plasmid encoded dihyrofolate reductase (DHFR), R67 DHFR is a bacterial enzyme that catalyzes the reduction of dihydrofolate (DHF) to tetrahydrofolate (THFA) which is essential for cell proliferation. R67 DHFR is an enzyme that depends on the cofactor NADPH as the hydride donor. R67 DHFR is distinct, structurally and genetically, from E. coli chromosomal DHFR (DHFR Ec) and it provides drug resistance to the widely-administered antibiotic trimethoprim (TMP). No selective inhibitor against R67 DHFR exists currently. The goal of this study was to discover molecules that can selectively inhibit R67 DHFR, without affecting human DHFR (hDHFR). Verification of the quality of enzyme assays under defined conditions for inhibitor screening on plate readers found several appropriate instruments for analysis. The study of the enzymatic activity of R67 DHFR and hDHFR in the presence of organic solvents and ionic liquids (ILs), as co-solvents for rational screening of inhibitors, showed that ILs can provide alternative media for enzymatic assays. Rational screening based on the approach of fragment-based drug design, revealed primary molecules that inhibited DHFR R67 weakly, but selectively. The testing of more complex compounds with known biological activities gave ligands with increased affinity for R67 DHFR. Three compounds were identified as promising selective inhibitors for R67 DHFR.