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Updated: Jun 15, 2026

Methods to Inhibit Bacterial Pyomelanin Production and Determine the Corresponding Increase in Sensitivity to Oxidative Stress
Published on: August 31, 2015
From Bones to Bugs: Structure-Based Development of Raloxifene-Derived Pathoblockers That Inhibit Pyocyanin Production
Marie Thiemann1,2,3, Moritz Zimmermann1,2,3, Christina Diederich2
1Institute of Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Beethovenstraße 55, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany.
Abstract:
The human pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa is particularly notorious for its multiple resistance mechanisms. A new concept for anti-infectives is the "pathoblocker" approach, which targets virulence factors to disarm rather than kill pathogens and thus attenuates the development of resistance. Based on the estrogen receptor modulator raloxifene, which had previously been identified as a potential biosynthesis inhibitor of the virulence factor pyocyanin via in silico screening, analogues have been developed as pathoblockers against P. aeruginosa. These compounds reduce the production of pyocyanin by binding to the phenazine biosynthesis enzyme PhzB. Structure-activity relationships (SAR) were explored using nano differential scanning fluorimetry, isothermal titration calorimetry, and 12 X-ray cocrystal structures. Compared to raloxifene, congener 20c shows a 60-fold lower affinity for the human estrogen receptor with a 15-fold increase in pyocyanin inhibitory activity. The comprehensive structural information gathered in this study paves the way for the development of improved pathoblockers with increased potency and selectivity.
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