Synthesis and Penicillin-binding Protein Inhibitory Assessment of Dipeptidic 4-Phenyl-ß-lactams from α-Amino Acid-derived Imines.

Monocyclic ß-lactams revive the research field on antibiotics, which are threatened by the emergence of resistant bacteria. A six-step synthetic route was developed, providing easy access to new 3-amino-1-carboxymethyl-4-phenyl-ß-lactams, of which the penicillin-binding protein (PBP) inhibitory potency was demonstrated biochemically.

α-Unsaturated 3-Amino-1-carboxymethyl-ß-lactams as Bacterial PBP Inhibitors: Synthesis and Biochemical Assessment.

Innovative monocyclic ß-lactam entities create opportunities in the battle against resistant bacteria because of their PBP acylation potential, intrinsically high ß-lactamase stability and compact scaffold. α-Benzylidene-substituted 3-amino-1-carboxymethyl-ß-lactams were recently shown to be potent PBP inhibitors and constitute eligible anchor points for synthetic elaboration of the chemical space around the central ß-lactam ring. The present study discloses a 12-step synthesis of ten α-arylmethylidenecarboxylates using a microwave-assisted Wittig olefination as the crucial reaction step. The library was designed aiming at enhanced ß-lactam electrophilicity and extended electron flow after enzymatic attack. Additionally, increased ß-lactamase stability and intermolecular target interaction were envisioned by tackling both the substitution pattern of the aromatic ring and the ß-lactam C4-position. The significance of α-unsaturation was validated and the R39/PBP3 inhibitory potency shown to be augmented the most through decoration of the aromatic ring with electron-withdrawing groups. Furthermore, ring cleavage by representative ß-lactamases was ruled out, providing new insights in the SAR landscape of monocyclic ß-lactams as eligible PBP or ß-lactamase inhibitors.

In Silico Design and Enantioselective Synthesis of Functionalized Monocyclic 3-Amino-1-carboxymethyl-ß-lactams as Inhibitors of Penicillin-Binding Proteins of Resistant Bacteria.

As a complement to the renowned bicyclic ß-lactam antibiotics, monocyclic analogues provide a breath of fresh air in the battle against resistant bacteria. In that framework, the present study discloses the in silico design and unprecedented ten-step synthesis of eleven nocardicin-like enantiomerically pure 2-{3-[2-(2-aminothiazol-4-yl)-2-(methoxyimino)acetamido]-2-oxoazetidin-1-yl}acetic acids starting from serine as a readily accessible precursor. The capability of this novel class of monocyclic 3-amino-ß-lactams to inhibit penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) of various (resistant) bacteria was assessed, revealing the potential of α-benzylidenecarboxylates as interesting leads in the pursuit of novel PBP inhibitors. No deactivation by representative enzymes belonging to the four ß-lactamase classes was observed, while weak inhibition of class C ß-lactamase P99 was demonstrated.