Bacterial glycosyltransferase inhibitors work as anti-virulence compounds

NleB1 is an important virulence factor expressed by multiple bacteria including enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC), enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC), and Salmonella enterica. These bacteria are of significance to human health as they all cause infectious diarrhea. EHEC causes hemorrhagic colitis and hemolytic uremic syndrome. Researchers at Kansas State University, in collaboration with researchers at University of Kansas, have characterized the NleB1 glycosyltransferase because of its proven importance to human E. coli infections. They have since shown that inhibiting NleB1 activity may be efficacious in preventing and treating bacterial infections. Two NleB1 inhibitors were identified using an optimized high-throughput screening (HTS) assay. These compounds do not inhibit the mammalian glycosyltransferase OGT. These NleB1 inhibitors may have utility as anti-virulence compounds.

Advantages

• Toxicity: Non-toxic to mammalian cells
• Inhibition: Do not inhibit the mammalian glycosyltransferase OGT
• Treatment: Have utility in preventing and treating E. coli and Salmonella infections

Applications

• Bacterial infections
• Hemorrhagic colitis
• Hemolytic uremic syndrome