Design, synthesis and evaluation of second generation MurF inhibitors based on a cyanothiophene scaffold

MurF ligase is a crucial enzyme that catalyses the ultimate intracellular step of bacterial peptidoglycan biosynthesis, and thus represents an attractive target for antibacterial drug discovery. We designed, synthesized and evaluated a new series of cyanothiophene-based inhibitors of MurF enzymes from Streptococcus pneumoniae and Escherichia coli. The target compounds had increased polarity compared to the first generation of inhibitors, with demonstrated enzyme inhibitory potencies in the low micromolar range. Furthermore, the best inhibitors displayed promising antibacterial activities against selected Gram-positive and Gram-negative strains. These results represent an important step towards the development of new antibacterial agents targeting peptidoglycan biosynthesis.