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Bacterial FtsZ inhibition by benzo[d]imidazole-2-carboxamide derivative with anti-TB activity

    Tejas M Dhameliya

    Department of Medicinal Chemistry, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Sector 67, Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar, Punjab, 160 062, India

    Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Quality Assurance, L. M. College of Pharmacy, Navrangpura, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, 380 009, India

    ,
    Rishu Tiwari

    Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, Maharashtra, 400 076, India

    ,
    Kshitij I Patel

    Department of Medicinal Chemistry, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Sector 67, Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar, Punjab, 160 062, India

    ,
    Siva Krishna Vagolu

    Department of Pharmacy, Birla Institute of Technology and Science – Pilani, Hyderabad Campus, Jawahar Nagar, Hyderabad, 500 078, India

    ,
    Dulal Panda

    Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, Maharashtra, 400 076, India

    ,
    Dharmarajan Sriram

    Department of Pharmacy, Birla Institute of Technology and Science – Pilani, Hyderabad Campus, Jawahar Nagar, Hyderabad, 500 078, India

    &
    Asit K Chakraborti

    *Author for correspondence:

    E-mail Address: asitkumarchakraborti@gmail.com

    Department of Medicinal Chemistry, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Sector 67, Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar, Punjab, 160 062, India

    School of Chemical Sciences, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, Jadavpur, Kolkata, West Bengal, 700 032, India

    Published Online:https://doi.org/10.4155/fmc-2022-0120

    Aims: The present study aimed to assess the mode of action of previously reported anti-Mycobacterium tuberculosis benzo[d]imidazole-2-carboxamides against FtsZ along with their antibacterial potential. Materials & methods: The anti-mycobacterial action of benzo[d]imidazole-2-carboxamides against FtsZ was evaluated using inhibition of Bacillus subtilis 168, light scattering assay, circular dichroism spectroscopy, in silico molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations. Results & conclusion: Three compounds (1k, 1o and 1e) were active against isoniazid-resistant strains. Four compounds (1h, 1i, 1o and 4h) showed >70% inhibition against B. subtilis 168. Compound 1o was the most potent inhibitor (91 ± 5% inhibition) of B. subtilis 168 FtsZ and perturbed its secondary structure. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation of complexed 1o suggested M. tuberculosis FtsZ as a possible target for antitubercular activity.

    Graphical abstract

    Papers of special note have been highlighted as: • of interest; •• of considerable interest

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