Recent advances in studies on FtsZ inhibitors

With the abuse of antibiotics, multidrug resistant strains continue to emerge and spread rapidly. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop new antimicrobial drugs. As a highly conserved cell division protein in bacteria, filamenting temperature-sensitive mutant Z (FtsZ) has been identified as a potential antimicrobial target. This paper reviews the structure, function, and action mechanism of FtsZ and a variety of natural and synthetic compounds targeting FtsZ, including 3-MBA derivatives, taxane derivatives, cinnamaldehyde, curcumin, quinoline and quinazoline derivatives, aromatic compounds, purpurin, and totarol. From these studies, FtsZ has a clear supporting role in the field of antimicrobial drug discovery. The urgent need and interest of antibacterial drugs will contribute to the discovery of new clinical drugs targeting FtsZ.