An intracellular nanobody targeting T4SS effector inhibits Ehrlichia infection.

Infection with obligatory intracellular bacteria is difficult to treat, as intracellular targets and delivery methods of therapeutics are not well known. Ehrlichia translocated factor-1 (Etf-1), a type IV secretion system (T4SS) effector, is a primary virulence factor for an obligatory intracellular bacterium, Ehrlichia chaffeensis In this study, we developed Etf-1-specific nanobodies (Nbs) by immunizing a llama to determine if intracellular Nbs block Etf-1 functions and Ehrlichia infection. Of 24 distinct anti-Etf-1 Nbs, NbD7 blocked mitochondrial localization of Etf-1-GFP in cotransfected cells. NbD7 and control Nb (NbD3) bound to different regions of Etf-1. Size-exclusion chromatography showed that the NbD7 and Etf-1 complex was more stable than the NbD3 and Etf-1 complex. Intracellular expression of NbD7 inhibited three activities of Etf-1 and E. chaffeensis: up-regulation of mitochondrial manganese superoxide dismutase, reduction of intracellular reactive oxygen species, and inhibition of cellular apoptosis. Consequently, intracellular NbD7 inhibited Ehrlichia infection, whereas NbD3 did not. To safely and effectively deliver Nbs into the host cell cytoplasm, NbD7 was conjugated to cyclized cell-permeable peptide 12 (CPP12-NbD7). CPP12-NbD7 effectively entered mammalian cells and abrogated the blockade of cellular apoptosis caused by E. chaffeensis and inhibited infection by E. chaffeensis in cell culture and in a severe combined-immunodeficiency mouse model. Our results demonstrate the development of an Nb that interferes with T4SS effector functions and intracellular pathogen infection, along with an intracellular delivery method for this Nb. This strategy should overcome current barriers to advance mechanistic research and develop therapies complementary or alternative to the current broad-spectrum antibiotic.

Macrocyclic inhibitors for peptide deformylase: a structure-activity relationship study of the ring size.

Peptide deformylase (PDF) catalyzes the removal of the N-terminal formyl group from newly synthesized polypeptides in eubacteria. Its essential role in bacterial cells but not in mammalian cells makes it an attractive target for antibacterial drug design. We have previously reported an N-formylhydroxylamine-based, metal-chelating macrocyclic PDF inhibitor, in which the P(1)' and P(3)' side chains are covalently joined. In this work, we have carried out a structure-activity relationship study on the size of the macrocycle and found that 15-17-membered macrocycles are optimal for binding to the PDF active site. Unlike the acyclic compounds, which are simple competitive inhibitors, the cyclic compounds all act as slow-binding inhibitors. As compared to their acyclic counterparts, the cyclic inhibitors displayed 20-50-fold higher potency against the PDF active site (K(I) as low as 70 pM), improved selectivity toward PDF, and improved the metabolic stability in rat plasma. Some of the macrocyclic inhibitors had potent, broad spectrum antibacterial activity against clinically significant Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens. These results suggest that the macrocyclic scaffold provides an excellent lead for the development of a new class of antibiotics.