Structural Insights into the TLA-3 Extended-Spectrum ß-Lactamase and Its Inhibition by Avibactam and OP0595.

The development of effective inhibitors that block extended-spectrum ß-lactamases (ESBLs) and restore the action of ß-lactams represents an effective strategy against ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae We evaluated the inhibitory effects of the diazabicyclooctanes avibactam and OP0595 against TLA-3, an ESBL that we identified previously. Avibactam and OP0595 inhibited TLA-3 with apparent inhibitor constants (Kiapp) of 1.71 ± 0.10 and 1.49 ± 0.05 µM, respectively, and could restore susceptibility to cephalosporins in the TLA-3-producing Escherichia coli strain. The value of the second-order acylation rate constant (k2/K, where k2 is the acylation rate constant and K is the equilibrium constant) of avibactam [(3.25 ± 0.03) × 103 M-1 · s-1] was closer to that of class C and D ß-lactamases (k2/K, <104 M-1 · s-1) than that of class A ß-lactamases (k2/K, >104 M-1 · s-1). In addition, we determined the structure of TLA-3 and that of TLA-3 complexed with avibactam or OP0595 at resolutions of 1.6, 1.6, and 2.0 Å, respectively. TLA-3 contains an inverted Ω loop and an extended loop between the ß5 and ß6 strands (insertion after Ser237), which appear only in PER-type class A ß-lactamases. These structures might favor the accommodation of cephalosporins harboring bulky R1 side chains. TLA-3 presented a high catalytic efficiency (kcat/Km ) against cephalosporins, including cephalothin, cefuroxime, and cefotaxime. Avibactam and OP0595 bound covalently to TLA-3 via the Ser70 residue and made contacts with residues Ser130, Thr235, and Ser237, which are conserved in ESBLs. Additionally, the sulfate group of the inhibitors formed polar contacts with amino acid residues in a positively charged pocket of TLA-3. Our findings provide a structural template for designing improved diazabicyclooctane-based inhibitors that are effective against ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae.

In vitro and in vivo activities of the diazabicyclooctane OP0595 against AmpC-derepressed Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a common cause for healthcare-associated infections, which have been historically treated by antipseudomonal ß-lactam agents in the clinical setting. However, P. aeruginosa has evolved to overcome these ß-lactam agents via multiple endogenous resistance mechanisms, including derepression of the chromosomal cephalosporinase (AmpC). In this article, we investigated the effective concentration of OP0595 for combination with piperacillin, cefepime or meropenem in in vitro susceptibility tests, and the antibacterial activity of cefepime in combination with OP0595 in both in vitro time-kill studies and in vivo murine thigh infection model study with AmpC-derepressed P. aeruginosa. The sufficient combinational concentration of OP0595 was a 4 µg ml-1 with all these three ß-lactam agents. OP0595 increased the antibacterial activity of cefepime in both in vitro and in vivo studies against all strains tested. Taken together, OP0595 is the diazabicyclooctane serine ß-lactamase inhibitor with activity against AmpC-derepressed P. aeruginosa and its combinational use with a ß-lactam agent will provide a new approach for the treatment of P. aeruginosa infections.

In Vitro and In Vivo Activities of OP0595, a New Diazabicyclooctane, against CTX-M-15-Positive Escherichia coli and KPC-Positive Klebsiella pneumoniae.

Gram-negative bacteria are evolving to produce ß-lactamases of increasing diversity that challenge antimicrobial chemotherapy. OP0595 is a new diazabicyclooctane serine ß-lactamase inhibitor which acts also as an antibiotic and as a ß-lactamase-independent ß-lactam "enhancer" against Enterobacteriaceae Here we determined the optimal concentration of OP0595 in combination with piperacillin, cefepime, and meropenem, in addition to the antibacterial activity of OP0595 alone and in combination with cefepime, in in vitro time-kill studies and an in vivo infection model against five strains of CTX-M-15-positive Escherichia coli and five strains of KPC-positive Klebsiella pneumoniae An OP0595 concentration of 4 µg/ml was found to be sufficient for an effective combination with all three ß-lactam agents. In both in vitro time-kill studies and an in vivo model of infection, cefepime-OP0595 showed stronger efficacy than cefepime alone against all ß-lactamase-positive strains tested, whereas OP0595 alone showed weaker or no efficacy. Taken together, these data indicate that combinational use of OP0595 and a ß-lactam agent is important to exert the antimicrobial functions of OP0595.

OP0595, a new diazabicyclooctane: mode of action as a serine ß-lactamase inhibitor, antibiotic and ß-lactam 'enhancer'.

OBJECTIVES: The production of a growing diversity of ß-lactamases by Gram-negative bacteria challenges antimicrobial chemotherapy. OP0595, discovered separately by each of Meiji Seika Pharma and Fedora Pharmaceuticals, is a new diazabicyclooctane serine ß-lactamase inhibitor that also acts as an antibiotic and as a ß-lactamase-independent ß-lactam 'enhancer'. METHODS: Inhibitory activity against serine ß-lactamases and affinity for PBPs were determined using nitrocefin and Bocillin FL, respectively. MICs alone and in combination with ß-lactam agents were measured according to CLSI recommendations. Morphological changes in Escherichia coli were examined by phase-contrast microscopy. RESULTS: IC50s of OP0595 for class A and C ß-lactamases were <1000 nM, with covalent binding demonstrated to the active-site serine of CTX-M-44 and AmpC enzymes. OP0595 also had direct antibiotic activity against many Enterobacteriaceae, associated with inhibition of PBP2 and conversion of the bacteria into spherical forms. Synergy between OP0595 and ß-lactam agents was seen against strains producing class A and C ß-lactamases vulnerable to inhibition. Lastly, OP0595 lowered the MICs of PBP3-targeted partner ß-lactam agents for a non-ß-lactamase-producing E. coli mutant that was resistant to OP0595 itself, indicating ß-lactamase-independent 'enhancer'-based synergy. CONCLUSIONS: OP0595 acts in three ways: (i) as an inhibitor of class A and C ß-lactamases, covalently binding at their active sites; (ii) as an antibacterial, by inhibiting PBP2 of several Enterobacteriaceae; and (iii) as an 'enhancer' of ß-lactam agents that bind to other PBPs besides PBP2 for several Enterobacteriaceae. OP0595 has considerable potential to overcome resistance when it is combined with various ß-lactam agents.

Gametophyte contribution to sporophyte growth on the basis of carbon gain in the fern Thelypteris palustris: effect of gametophyte organic-matter production on sporophytes.

At an early stage of growth gametophytes support the sporophytes of ferns. Young sporophytes become independent of gametophytes when the first leaves develop. Although large fern gametophytes produce multiple archegonia simultaneously, only one sporophyte is typically established on one gametophyte. The number of sporophytes is believed to be controlled in two possible directions, from gametophyte to sporophyte or from preceding sporophyte to another sporophyte. To investigate the effects of gametophytes on their sporophytes, we studied the relationship between organic matter production by gametophytes and the growth of young sporophytes of Thelypteris palustris. We cut gametophytes in half (CGs) to reduce the gametophytes' production of matter. There was no significant difference between the growth of sporophytes on intact gametophytes (IGs) and that on CGs. According to our estimates, based on the rate of organic matter production, the large gametophyte was able to produce two or more sporophytes. The resources required for CGs to make similar-sized sporophytes was twice that for IGs. In polyembryony each of the multiple sporophytes was similar in size to the single sporophytes. Resource limitation does not seem to explain why fern gametophytes establish single sporophytes.

Tubers and rhizome fragments as propagules: competence for vegetative reproduction in Equisetum arvense.

Rhizome fragments (referred to as "fragments") and tubers of Equisetum arvense L. were cultured in order to investigate their competence with respect to vegetative reproduction. The starch concentration of the fragments was lower than that of the tubers, but the initial growth of new individuals from these fragments was superior to that from tubers obtained from the same dry mass. This superior growth was due to the large number of buds (grown from nodes) and aerial shoots on the fragments. The competence for vegetative reproduction depended on the relationship between the stored starch and the number of buds.

Response of non-structural carbohydrate content of belowground parts in Equisetum arvense according to the irradiance change during a growing season.

Effects of shading on the growth of Equisetum arvense during the growing season were studied in terms of the dynamics of non-structural carbohydrates (starch, sucrose, glucose). Tubers of 0.04 g dry mass were planted in pots. Plants were cultivated under different radiation conditions (100%, 3%, 100%-->3%, and 100%-->3%-->100%). The carbohydrate concentration in belowground parts responded sharply to the irradiance conditions. Under 3% relative photon flux density (PFD), they could not grow beyond the initial mass and decayed. Dry mass per length of rhizomes was highly correlated with the starch concentration, which was correlated with the mass of current tubers. The rhizomes of low starch concentration did not form current tubers. The carbohydrate concentration of rhizomes increased when the plants were transferred from 3% relative PFD to 100% irradiance conditions. After ca. 2 months of improved PFD, they had the same content of non-structural carbohydrates as the 100% PFD plants.

Two types of matter economy for the wintering of evergreen shrubs in regions of heavy snowfall.

Plant adaptation to an environment subject to heavy snowfalls was investigated in four species of evergreen shrubs growing in a Fagus crenata forest in an area of Honshu on the Sea of Japan. These shrubs stored carbohydrates in some organs before the snowy season and were covered with snow for 4-5 months. Aucuba japonica var. borealis, Camellia rusticana, and Ilex crenata var. paludosa maintained a reserve of carbohydrates during the snowy season. In Daphniphyllum macropodum var. humile, the reserve of carbohydrates decreased during winter. The respiration rates in the first three species decreased from autumn to winter, whereas the decrease in D. macropodum was slight. It was found that the first three species could use reserve carbohydrates for the growth of new shoots after the thaw, whereas in the last species the growth of new shoots depends on high photosynthetic activity in late spring. Our findings suggest some types of matter economy in evergreen shrubs for wintering in an environment of heavy snow.