What type of study is this?

This is a Animal Study study (also classified as: In Vitro Study).

What question did this study set out to answer?

This research aims to evaluate the effects of novel bacterial topoisomerase inhibitors on Bacillus anthracis.

January 14, 2026Open Forum Infectious Diseases0 citationsOpen Access

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

CMChelsea A. MannVanderbilt University JWJason S. WestThe Ohio State University JMJ Matthew MeinigUnited States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases

Key Points

This research aims to evaluate the effects of novel bacterial topoisomerase inhibitors on Bacillus anthracis.
Analyzed antibacterial activity of OSUAB0284 and gepotidacin against Bacillus anthracis.
Conducted in vitro and in vivo experiments to assess effects on topoisomerases.
Evaluated minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of compounds against cultured Bacillus anthracis.
Ciprofloxacin, gepotidacin, and OSUAB0284 showed potent antibacterial activity (MIC90 values of 0.06 µg/mL, 0.5 µg/mL, and 0.25 µg/mL respectively).
OSUAB0284 and gepotidacin induced significant single-stranded DNA cleavage in B. anthracis topoisomerases.
Activity was maintained against FQ-resistant Gyrase and topoisomerase IV enzymes.

Abstract

Abstract Background 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) Methods 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. Results 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. Conclusion 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. Disclosures Mark Mitton-Fry, PhD, Pfizer: Stocks/Bonds (Public Company)|Viatris: Stocks/Bonds (Public Company)

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