Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 28, 2026

A Fluorescence-based Protocol for Preliminary Screening of Protein Synthesis Inhibitors from Natural Sources
Published on: January 27, 2026
Discovery of bicyclic inhibitors against menaquinone biosynthesis
Seoung-ryoung Choi1, Marilynn A Larson1, Steven H Hinrichs1
1Department of Pathology & Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-5900, USA.
Introduction:
Menaquinone is used for transporting electrons and is essential for the aerobic and anaerobic respiratory systems of all pathogens and prokaryotes. Many Gram-positive bacteria use only menaquinone in the electron transport system. Thus, menaquinone biosynthesis is a potential target for the development of inhibitors against bacteria including drug-resistant pathogens.
Results:
After modeling, synthesis and in vitro testing, we determined that 7-methoxy-2-naphthol-based inhibitors targeted the MenA enzyme of the menaquinone biosynthesis pathway. The developmental compounds 1 and 2 were active against Mycobacterium tuberculosis and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus with a minimal inhibitory concentration of 3-5 μg/ml.
Conclusion:
Nontraditional bicyclic inhibitors, compounds 1 and 2 could serve as lead compounds for the development of an antimicrobial agent, with activities against M. tuberculosis and methicillin-resistant S. aureus.
Related Concept Videos
The Electron Transport Chain
Inhibitors of the electron transport chain
Rotenone, a widely used pesticide, prevents electron transfer from Fe-S cluster to ubiquinone or Q...
Inhibitors of Bacterial DNA Synthesis
Inhibitors of Bacterial Protein Synthesis
Oxidation of Phenols to Quinones
o-hydroxy phenols are oxidized to o-quinones and p-hydroxy phenols to p-quinones. Such redox reactions involve the transfer of two electrons and two protons. The reversible redox...
Gene Regulation in Microbial Communities: Quorum Sensing
Enzyme Inhibition

