# P-1180. Effects of a Novel Bacterial Topoisomerase Inhibitor on Type II Topoisomerases in Bacillus anthracis

## TL;DR

This study explores new bacterial drugs that could treat anthrax by targeting enzymes in the bacteria, even when the bacteria are resistant to other drugs.

## Contribution

The study introduces OSUAB0284, a novel NBTI, and compares its efficacy against anthrax bacteria to existing drugs.

## Key findings

- OSUAB0284 and gepotidacin showed potent antibacterial activity against Bacillus anthracis with low MIC90 values.
- Both OSUAB0284 and gepotidacin induced DNA cleavage in anthrax enzymes, even in drug-resistant strains.
- NBTIs like OSUAB0284 and gepotidacin inhibited anthrax enzymes' catalytic functions and maintained activity against resistant forms.

## Abstract

The tier 1 agent, Bacillus anthracis (etiological cause of anthrax) is a highly transmissible pathogen that causes morbidity and mortality. The intentional release of anthrax spores from either wild-type or drug-resistant strains would constitute a severe threat to public and military health. Novel Bacterial Topoisomerase Inhibitors (NBTIs) are emerging antibacterials that target the type II topoisomerases, gyrase and topoisomerase IV. The NBTI pharmacophore promotes a binding mode that allows for the evasion of target-mediated fluoroquinolone (FQ) resistance. OSUAB0284 is a pre-clinical NBTI candidate that shows potent anti-staphylococcal activity in cultured cells and a neutropenic mouse model.1,2 Gepotidacin is an advanced NBTI-type first-in-class triazaacenapthylene. It has completed phase III clinical trials for the treatment of uncomplicated urogenital gonorrhea with positive outcomes and was approved by the FDA for the treatment of uncomplicated urinary tract infections.3-5Antimicrobial AgentsThe compounds analyzed in this work: ciprofloxacin (FQ), gepotidacin (triazaacenaphthylene), OSUAB0284 (NBTI)

Antimicrobial Agents

The compounds analyzed in this work: ciprofloxacin (FQ), gepotidacin (triazaacenaphthylene), OSUAB0284 (NBTI)

Beyond its clinical success, gepotidacin displayed potent activity against wild-type and FQ-resistant strains of B. anthracis in vitro and in vivo.6 Consequently, we analyzed the effects of OSUAB0284 in parallel to ciprofloxacin (an FQ) and gepotidacin in cell- and enzyme-based B. anthracis experiments.

Ciprofloxacin, gepotidacin, and OSUAB0284 displayed potent antibacterial activity against cultured B. anthracis (MIC90 = 0.06 µg/mL, 0.5 µg/mL, and 0.25 µg/mL, respectively). OSUAB0284 and gepotidacin induced high levels of single-stranded DNA cleavage mediated by purified wild-type B. anthracis gyrase and topoisomerase IV, a mechanism distinct from FQs. DNA cleavage activity was maintained against FQ-resistant gyrase enzymes (GyrAS85L and GyrAE89K). OSUAB0284 and gepotidacin induced even higher levels of DNA cleavage with FQ-resistant topoisomerase IV enzymes (ParCS81Y and ParCE85K) compared to wild-type. OSUAB0284 and gepotidacin inhibited the catalytic function of wild-type B. anthracis gyrase and topoisomerase IV and maintained activity with the FQ-resistant enzymes.

An inhalation anthrax model in mice treated with OSUAB0284 is ongoing. Our results suggest that NBTIs are potential therapeutic candidates for use against B. anthracis.

Mark Mitton-Fry, PhD, Pfizer: Stocks/Bonds (Public Company)|Viatris: Stocks/Bonds (Public Company)