TB Research

Targeting the <i>Mycobacterium tuberculosis</i> transpeptidase Ldt<sub>Mt2</sub> with cysteine-reactive inhibitors including ebselen

Mariska de Munnik, Christopher T. Lohans, Pauline A. Lang, Gareth W. Langley, Tika R. Malla, Anthony Tumber, Christopher J. Schofield, Jürgen Brem

Chemical Communications · 2019-01

Abstract

The l,d-transpeptidases (Ldts) are promising antibiotic targets for treating tuberculosis. We report screening of cysteine-reactive inhibitors against LdtMt2 from Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Structural studies on LdtMt2 with potent inhibitor ebselen reveal opening of the benzisoselenazolone ring by a nucleophilic cysteine, forming a complex involving extensive hydrophobic interactions with a substrate-binding loop.

MeSH terms

  • Ebselen
  • Cysteine
  • Mycobacterium tuberculosis
  • Chemistry
  • Tuberculosis
  • Nucleophile
  • Microbiology
  • Biochemistry
  • Enzyme