Difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) and AMXT 1501 inhibit capsule biosynthesis in pneumococci

Polyamines are small cationic molecules that have been linked to various cellular processes including replication, translation, stress response and recently, capsule regulation in Streptococcus pneumoniae (Spn, pneumococcus). Pneumococcal-associated diseases such as pneumonia, meningitis, and sepsis are some of the leading causes of death worldwide and capsule remains the principal virulence factor of this versatile pathogen. α-Difluoromethyl-ornithine (DFMO) is an irreversible inhibitor of the polyamine biosynthesis pathway catalyzed by ornithine decarboxylase and has a long history in modulating cell growth, polyamine levels, and disease outcomes in eukaryotic systems. Recent evidence shows that DFMO can also target arginine decarboxylation. Interestingly, DFMO-treated cells often escape polyamine depletion via increased polyamine uptake from extracellular sources. Here, we examined the potential capsule-crippling ability of DFMO and the possible synergistic effects of the polyamine transport inhibitor, AMXT 1501, on pneumococci. We characterized the changes in pneumococcal metabolites in response to DFMO and AMXT 1501, and also measured the impact of DFMO on amino acid decarboxylase activities. Our findings show that DFMO inhibited pneumococcal polyamine and capsule biosynthesis as well as decarboxylase activities, albeit, at a high concentration. AMXT 1501 at physiologically relevant concentration could inhibit both polyamine and capsule biosynthesis, however, in a serotype-dependent manner. In summary, this study demonstrates the utility of targeting polyamine biosynthesis and transport for pneumococcal capsule inhibition. Since targeting capsule biosynthesis is a promising way for the eradication of the diverse and pathogenic pneumococcal strains, future work will identify small molecules similar to DFMO/AMXT 1501, which act in a serotype-independent manner.