Rational targeting of Wzb phosphatase and Wzc kinase interaction inhibits extracellular polysaccharides synthesis and biofilm formation in Acinetobacter baumannii.

In this study, we have modelled the Wzb, and Wzc proteins and further validated using PSVS, ProSA, RAMPAGE, and PDBsum. The modelled proteins were used for protein-protein docking. The docked protein-protein complex was minimized by Schrodinger software using OPLS_2005 force field. The binding site of the minimized Wzb-Wzc complex was identified by Sitemap. The high throughput virtual screening identified Labetalol hydrochloride and 4-{1-hydroxy-2-[(1-methyl-3-phenylpropyl) amino] propyl} phenol from FDA-approved drug library based on their interaction at the interface of Wzb-Wzc complex. The inhibitor-protein complex was further undergone molecular mechanics analysis using Generalized Born model and Solvent Accessibility (MMGBSA) to estimate the binding free energies. The lead was also used to generate the pharmacophore model and screening the molecule with antimicrobial scaffold. The identified lead was experimentally validated for its effect on EPS quantity and biofilm formation by A. baumannii. Wzb-Wzc interaction is essential for biofilm and EPS export; hence, the identified lead might be useful to regulate the biofilm formation by A. baumannii. PMID: 32402850 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: Carbohydrate Research - Category: Genetics & Stem Cells Authors: Tags: Carbohydr Res Source Type: research