Enantioselective synthesis of thioesters as substrates for high-through put screening assays of Penicillin Binding Proteins

Excessive utilization of beta-lactam antibiotics like penicillin has created drug-resistant strains in bacteria. One of the main mechanisms of resistance is the production of drug resistant Penicillin Binding Proteins (PBPs) and the over expression of these proteins. The transglycosidase and transpeptidase activities of PBPs catalyze the last two steps of peptidoglycan biosynthesis, which is unique to bacteria, and lies outside the cytoplasmic membrane. PBPs are interesting targets and efforts are still done to find new inhibitors.
<br />A thioesterase activity has been described for various PBPs. For example, the thioester S2d is a substrate of PBP R39 of Actinomadura and of PBP2x of Streptococcus pneumoniae. The utilization of thioesters allows a rapid screening of active compounds in high-through put screening assays. Furthermore detailed kinetic studies using thioesters as reporter substrates are also possible.
<br />Here we will present the enantioselective synthesis of the thioesters and their application as substrates in high through put screening assays.