3-Bromopyruvate: A novel antifungal agent against the human pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans

Mariusz Dylag, Paweł Lis, Katarzyna Niedźwiecka, Young H. Ko, Peter L. Pedersen, Andre Goffeau, Stanisław Ułaszewski

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

21 Scopus citations

Abstract

We have investigated the antifungal activity of the pyruvic acid analogue: 3-bromopyruvate (3-BP). Growth inhibition by 3-BP of 110 strains of yeast-like and filamentous fungi was tested by standard spot tests or microdilution method. The human pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans exhibited a low Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of 0.12-0.15. mM 3-BP. The high toxicity of 3-BP toward C. neoformans correlated with high intracellular accumulation of 3-BP and also with low levels of intracellular ATP and glutathione. Weak cytotoxicity towards mammalian cells and lack of resistance conferred by the PDR (Pleiotropic Drug Resistance) network in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, are other properties of 3-BP that makes it a novel promising anticryptococcal drug.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)322-327
Number of pages6
JournalBiochemical and Biophysical Research Communications
Volume434
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - May 3 2013
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • 3-Bromopyruvate
  • Antifungal activity
  • Cryptococcus neoformans

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biophysics
  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology

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