Antibacterial activities of new synthetic divalent cation chelators

Microbiol Immunol. 1999;43(4):311-6. doi: 10.1111/j.1348-0421.1999.tb02410.x.

Abstract

A series of new synthetic ligand compounds which chelate divalent cations was examined for the antibacterial activities of the compounds. Only 2 of 14 synthetic chelators, 9-trans-anthryl-1, 4, 8, 11-tetraaza-tetradecane (No. 6) and bis(2-pyridyl)methylamine (No. 13) showed antibacterial activities, whereas none of the diamines, hydrophilic triamines nor tetramines showed antibacterial activities. Chelators No. 6 and No. 13 inhibited the growth of both Gram-negative and -positive bacteria at doses of 25-200 microg/ml, comparable to those of common antibiotics such as polymixin B, fosfomycin and macrolides. Ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA) potentiated these antibacterial activities, whereas an inhibitory effect of Mg2+ on the MICs of these chelators was observed. Moreover, these chelators enhanced the leakage of periplasmic beta-lactamase. It is therefore suggested that chelators No. 6 and No. 13 disrupt both the membranes and cytoplasmic functions of bacteria, resulting in cell death.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anthracenes / chemical synthesis
  • Anthracenes / pharmacology*
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / chemical synthesis
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology*
  • Aza Compounds / chemical synthesis
  • Aza Compounds / pharmacology*
  • Cations, Divalent
  • Chelating Agents / pharmacology*
  • Escherichia coli / drug effects*
  • Escherichia coli / growth & development
  • Ligands
  • Methylamines / chemical synthesis
  • Methylamines / pharmacology*
  • Molecular Structure
  • Pyridines / chemical synthesis
  • Pyridines / pharmacology*
  • Salmonella / drug effects*
  • Salmonella / growth & development
  • Staphylococcus aureus / drug effects*
  • Staphylococcus aureus / growth & development

Substances

  • 9-anthryl-1,4,8,11-tetraazatetradecane
  • Anthracenes
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Aza Compounds
  • Cations, Divalent
  • Chelating Agents
  • Ligands
  • Methylamines
  • Pyridines
  • bis(2-pyridyl)methylamine