Structure-based inhibitor discovery against adenylyl cyclase toxins from pathogenic bacteria that cause anthrax and whooping cough

Sandriyana Soelaiman, Binqing Q. Wei, Pamela Bergson, Young Sam Lee, Yuequan Shen, Milan Mrksich, Brian K. Shoichet, Wei Jen Tang

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

86 Scopus citations

Abstract

Edema factor (EF) and CyaA are adenylyl cyclase toxins secreted by pathogenic bacteria that cause anthrax and whooping cough, respectively. Using the structure of the catalytic site of EF, we screened a data base of commercially available, small molecular weight chemicals for those that could specifically inhibit adenylyl cyclase activity of EF. From 24 compounds tested, we have identified one quinazoline compound, ethyl 5-aminopyrazolo[1,5.a]quinazoline-3-carboxylate, that specifically inhibits adenylyl cyclase activity of EF and CyaA with ∼20/μM Ki. This compound neither affects the activity of host resident adenylyl cyclases type I, II, and V nor exhibits promiscuous inhibition. The compound is a competitive inhibitor, consistent with the prediction that it binds to the adenine portion of the ATP binding site on EF. EF is activated by the host calcium sensor, calmodulin. Surface plasmon resonance spectroscopic analysis shows that this compound does not affect the binding of calmodulin to EF. This compound is dissimilar from a previously described, non-nucleoside inhibitor of host adenylyl cyclase. It may serve as a lead to design antitoxins to address the role of adenylyl cyclase toxins in bacterial pathogenesis and to fight against anthrax and whooping cough.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)25990-25997
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry
Volume278
Issue number28
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 11 2003

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Structure-based inhibitor discovery against adenylyl cyclase toxins from pathogenic bacteria that cause anthrax and whooping cough'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this