Abstract
Infections caused by resistant microorganisms often fail to respond to conventional therapy, resulting in prolonged illness, increased treatment costs and greater risk of death. Consequently, the development of novel antimicrobial drugs is becoming more demanding every day since the existing drugs either have too many side-effects or they tend to lose effectiveness due to the selection of resistant strains. In view of these facts, a number of new strategies to obstruct vital biological processes of a microbial cell have emerged; one of these is focused on the use of metal-chelating agents, which are able to selectively disturb the essential metal metabolism of the microorganism by interfering with metal acquisition and bioavailability for crucial reactions. The chelation activity is able to inhibit the biological role of metal-dependent proteins (e.g., metalloproteases and transcription factors), disturbing the microbial cell homeostasis and culminating in the blockage of microbial nutrition, growth and development, cellular differentiation, adhesion to biotic (e.g., extracellular matrix components, cell and/or tissue) and abiotic (e.g., plastic, silicone and acrylic) structures as well as controlling the in vivo infection progression. Interestingly, chelating agents also potentiate the activity of classical antimicrobial compounds. The differences between the microorganism and host in terms of the behavior displayed in the presence of chelating agents could provide exploitable targets for the development of an effective chemotherapy for these diseases. Consequently, metal chelators represent a novel group of antimicrobial agents with potential therapeutic applications. This review will focus on the anti-fungal and anti-protozoan action of the most common chelating agents, deciphering and discussing their mode of action.
Keywords: Alternative chemotherapy, antimicrobial activity, chelating agents, growth, differentiation, fungi, interaction, opportunistic infections, pathogenesis, protozoa, virulence
Current Medicinal Chemistry
Title:Antimicrobial Action of Chelating Agents: Repercussions on the Microorganism Development, Virulence and Pathogenesis
Volume: 19 Issue: 17
Author(s): A. L.S. Santos, C. L. Sodre, R. S. Valle, B. A. Silva, E. A. Abi-chacra, L. V. Silva, A. L. Souza-Goncalves, L. S. Sangenito, D. S. Goncalves, L. O.P. Souza, V. F. Palmeira, C. M. d'Avila-Levy, L. F. Kneipp, A. Kellett, M. McCann and M. H. Branquinha
Affiliation:
Keywords: Alternative chemotherapy, antimicrobial activity, chelating agents, growth, differentiation, fungi, interaction, opportunistic infections, pathogenesis, protozoa, virulence
Abstract: Infections caused by resistant microorganisms often fail to respond to conventional therapy, resulting in prolonged illness, increased treatment costs and greater risk of death. Consequently, the development of novel antimicrobial drugs is becoming more demanding every day since the existing drugs either have too many side-effects or they tend to lose effectiveness due to the selection of resistant strains. In view of these facts, a number of new strategies to obstruct vital biological processes of a microbial cell have emerged; one of these is focused on the use of metal-chelating agents, which are able to selectively disturb the essential metal metabolism of the microorganism by interfering with metal acquisition and bioavailability for crucial reactions. The chelation activity is able to inhibit the biological role of metal-dependent proteins (e.g., metalloproteases and transcription factors), disturbing the microbial cell homeostasis and culminating in the blockage of microbial nutrition, growth and development, cellular differentiation, adhesion to biotic (e.g., extracellular matrix components, cell and/or tissue) and abiotic (e.g., plastic, silicone and acrylic) structures as well as controlling the in vivo infection progression. Interestingly, chelating agents also potentiate the activity of classical antimicrobial compounds. The differences between the microorganism and host in terms of the behavior displayed in the presence of chelating agents could provide exploitable targets for the development of an effective chemotherapy for these diseases. Consequently, metal chelators represent a novel group of antimicrobial agents with potential therapeutic applications. This review will focus on the anti-fungal and anti-protozoan action of the most common chelating agents, deciphering and discussing their mode of action.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
L.S. Santos A., L. Sodre C., S. Valle R., A. Silva B., A. Abi-chacra E., V. Silva L., L. Souza-Goncalves A., S. Sangenito L., S. Goncalves D., O.P. Souza L., F. Palmeira V., M. d'Avila-Levy C., F. Kneipp L., Kellett A., McCann M. and H. Branquinha M., Antimicrobial Action of Chelating Agents: Repercussions on the Microorganism Development, Virulence and Pathogenesis, Current Medicinal Chemistry 2012; 19 (17) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/092986712800609788
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/092986712800609788 |
Print ISSN 0929-8673 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-533X |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Advances in Medicinal Chemistry: From Cancer to Chronic Diseases.
The broad spectrum of the issue will provide a comprehensive overview of emerging trends, novel therapeutic interventions, and translational insights that impact modern medicine. The primary focus will be diseases of global concern, including cancer, chronic pain, metabolic disorders, and autoimmune conditions, providing a broad overview of the advancements in ...read more
Approaches to the treatment of chronic inflammation
Chronic inflammation is a hallmark of numerous diseases, significantly impacting global health. Although chronic inflammation is a hot topic, not much has been written about approaches to its treatment. This thematic issue aims to showcase the latest advancements in chronic inflammation treatment and foster discussion on future directions in this ...read more
Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Non-Infectious Inflammatory Diseases: Focus on Clinical Implications
The Special Issue covers the results of the studies on cellular and molecular mechanisms of non-infectious inflammatory diseases, in particular, autoimmune rheumatic diseases, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and other age-related disorders such as type II diabetes, cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, etc. Review and research articles as well as methodology papers that summarize ...read more
Chalcogen-modified nucleic acid analogues
Chalcogen-modified nucleosides, nucleotides and oligonucleotides have been of great interest to scientific research for many years. The replacement of oxygen in the nucleobase, sugar or phosphate backbone by chalcogen atoms (sulfur, selenium, tellurium) gives these biomolecules unique properties resulting from their altered physical and chemical properties. The continuing interest in ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
Skeletal Myoblasts for Heart Regeneration and Repair: State of the Art and Perspectives on the Mechanisms for Functional Cardiac Benefits
Current Pharmaceutical Design The Biological and Clinical Activity of Anti-Malarial Drugs In Autoimmune Disorders
Current Rheumatology Reviews Total Antioxidant Capacity, Reducing Power and Cyclic Voltammetry of Zilla Macroptera (Brassicaceae) Aqueous Extract
Current Bioactive Compounds Occupational Respiratory Pathology in Russia: Current Trends and Challenges
Current Respiratory Medicine Reviews Increased Risk of Dementia in Patients with Non-Apnea Sleep Disorder
Current Alzheimer Research Development of Inhibitors of the Aspartyl Protease Renin for the Treatment of Hypertension
Current Protein & Peptide Science Metabolic Effects of Bile Acids in the Gut in Health and Disease
Current Medicinal Chemistry Inflammation-Mediating Proteases: Structure, Function in (Patho) Physiology and Inhibition
Protein & Peptide Letters Monoclonal Antibodies as Cancer Therapeutics
Recent Patents on Biotechnology Antiepileptic Drugs During Pregnancy: Pharmacokinetics and Transplacental Transfer
Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Nucleic Acid Drugs for Preventing Restenosis after Coronary Revascularization
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Role of Adiponectin in Obesity, Hypertension, and Metabolic Syndrome
Current Hypertension Reviews A Focus on Pharmacological Management of Catecholaminergic Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry Synthesis and Bioactivities of 2-Azetidinone Derivatives as Cholesterol Absorption Inhibitors
Medicinal Chemistry Phenolics and Terpenoids; the Promising New Search for Anthelmintics: A Critical Review
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin (NGAL) as a New Biomarker for Non – Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) Diseases
Inflammation & Allergy - Drug Targets (Discontinued) The Control of Arterial Hypertension: Epidemiological and Economic Challenge
Current Hypertension Reviews Physical Function and Exercise in Older Patients with Cardiovascular and Respiratory Conditions
Current Pharmaceutical Design Fractalkine/CX3CR1 Signalling in Chronic Pain and Inflammation
Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Perioperative Management of Antiplatelet-Drugs in Cardiac Surgery
Current Cardiology Reviews