Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), which constitutes the lipid portion of the outer leaflet of Gram-negative bacteria, is essential for growth. It is also responsible for the variety of biological effects associated with Gram-negative sepsis. Recent advances have elucidated the exact chemical structure of this highly complex macromolecule and much of the enzymology involved in its biosynthesis. Enzymes involved in LPS biogenesis are optimal targets for the development of novel therapeutics since they are sufficiently conserved among diverse, clinically-relevant bacteria and no analogue counterpart is present in humans. During the last thirty years a number of inhibitors of LPS biosynthesis have been developed: some of these compounds have antibacterial properties, while others show excellent in vitro activity and are undergoing further investigation. The main focus of this review will be the biology of LPS in bacteria summarizing the knowledge about structure and enzymatic catalysis, as well as chemical efforts towards the synthesis of inhibitors of the key enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of Kdo, toward the minimal conserve structure Kdo2-LipA. In addition, very recent advances in deciphering the molecular mechanisms of LPS transport to the cell surface, as a new target to develop novel antibacterials, will be reported. Future directions and perspectives will also be outlined. © 2011 Bentham Science Publishers Ltd.

Cipolla, L., Polissi, A., Airoldi, C., Gabrielli, L., Merlo, S., Nicotra, F. (2011). New targets for antibacterial design: Kdo biosynthesis and LPS machinery transport to the cell surface. CURRENT MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY, 18(6), 830-852 [10.2174/092986711794927676].

New targets for antibacterial design: Kdo biosynthesis and LPS machinery transport to the cell surface

CIPOLLA, LAURA FRANCESCA;POLISSI, ALESSANDRA;AIROLDI, CRISTINA;GABRIELLI, LUCA;MERLO, SILVIA;NICOTRA, FRANCESCO
2011

Abstract

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), which constitutes the lipid portion of the outer leaflet of Gram-negative bacteria, is essential for growth. It is also responsible for the variety of biological effects associated with Gram-negative sepsis. Recent advances have elucidated the exact chemical structure of this highly complex macromolecule and much of the enzymology involved in its biosynthesis. Enzymes involved in LPS biogenesis are optimal targets for the development of novel therapeutics since they are sufficiently conserved among diverse, clinically-relevant bacteria and no analogue counterpart is present in humans. During the last thirty years a number of inhibitors of LPS biosynthesis have been developed: some of these compounds have antibacterial properties, while others show excellent in vitro activity and are undergoing further investigation. The main focus of this review will be the biology of LPS in bacteria summarizing the knowledge about structure and enzymatic catalysis, as well as chemical efforts towards the synthesis of inhibitors of the key enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of Kdo, toward the minimal conserve structure Kdo2-LipA. In addition, very recent advances in deciphering the molecular mechanisms of LPS transport to the cell surface, as a new target to develop novel antibacterials, will be reported. Future directions and perspectives will also be outlined. © 2011 Bentham Science Publishers Ltd.
Articolo in rivista - Articolo scientifico
LPS, OM biogenesis, enzyme inhibitors, Kdo, Lipid A, Gram-negative bacteria, antibiotics, enzyme structure, pathogenic microorganisms, Kdo2-LipA, antibacterials
English
2011
18
6
830
852
none
Cipolla, L., Polissi, A., Airoldi, C., Gabrielli, L., Merlo, S., Nicotra, F. (2011). New targets for antibacterial design: Kdo biosynthesis and LPS machinery transport to the cell surface. CURRENT MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY, 18(6), 830-852 [10.2174/092986711794927676].
File in questo prodotto:
Non ci sono file associati a questo prodotto.

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/10281/21136
Citazioni
  • Scopus 37
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 29
Social impact