Journal article

Inhibiting dihydrodipicolinate synthase across species: Towards specificity for pathogens?

V Mitsakos, RCJ Dobson, FG Pearce, SR Devenish, GL Evans, BR Burgess, MA Perugini, JA Gerrard, CA Hutton

Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry Letters | PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD | Published : 2008

Abstract

Dihydrodipicolinate synthase (DHDPS) is a key enzyme in lysine biosynthesis and an important antibiotic target. The specificity of a range of heterocyclic product analogues against DHDPS from three pathogenic species, Bacillus anthracis, Mycobacterium tuberculosis and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, and the evolutionarily related N-acetylneuraminate lyase, has been determined. The results suggest that the development of species-specific inhibitors of DHDPS as potential antibacterials is achievable. © 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

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