Copper-Based Antibiotic Strategies: Exploring Applications in the Hospital Setting and the Targeting of Cu Regulatory Pathways and Current Drug Design Trends
Aixa M. Orta-Rivera,
Yazmary Meléndez-Contés,
Nataniel Medina-Berríos,
Adriana M. Gómez-Cardona,
Andrés Ramos-Rodríguez,
Claudia Cruz-Santiago,
Christian González-Dumeng,
Janangelis López,
Jansteven Escribano,
Jared J. Rivera-Otero,
Josean Díaz-Rivera,
Sebastián C. Díaz-Vélez,
Zulemaría Feliciano-Delgado,
Arthur D. Tinoco
Affiliations
Aixa M. Orta-Rivera
Department of Chemistry, University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus, Río Piedras, PR 00931, USA
Yazmary Meléndez-Contés
Department of Chemistry, University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus, Río Piedras, PR 00931, USA
Nataniel Medina-Berríos
Department of Chemistry, University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus, Río Piedras, PR 00931, USA
Adriana M. Gómez-Cardona
Department of Chemistry, University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus, Río Piedras, PR 00931, USA
Andrés Ramos-Rodríguez
Department of Chemistry, University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus, Río Piedras, PR 00931, USA
Claudia Cruz-Santiago
Department of Chemistry, University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus, Río Piedras, PR 00931, USA
Christian González-Dumeng
Department of Chemistry, University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus, Río Piedras, PR 00931, USA
Janangelis López
Department of Chemistry, University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus, Río Piedras, PR 00931, USA
Jansteven Escribano
Department of Chemistry, University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus, Río Piedras, PR 00931, USA
Jared J. Rivera-Otero
Department of Chemistry, University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus, Río Piedras, PR 00931, USA
Josean Díaz-Rivera
Department of Chemistry, University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus, Río Piedras, PR 00931, USA
Sebastián C. Díaz-Vélez
Department of Chemistry, University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus, Río Piedras, PR 00931, USA
Zulemaría Feliciano-Delgado
Department of Chemistry, University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus, Río Piedras, PR 00931, USA
Arthur D. Tinoco
Department of Chemistry, University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus, Río Piedras, PR 00931, USA
Classical antibacterial drugs were designed to target specific bacterial properties distinct from host human cells to maximize potency and selectivity. These designs were quite effective as they could be easily derivatized to bear next-generation drugs. However, the rapid mutation of bacteria and their associated acquired drug resistance have led to the rise of highly pathogenic superbug bacterial strains for which treatment with first line drugs is no match. More than ever, there is a dire need for antibacterial drug design that goes beyond conventional standards. Taking inspiration by the body’s innate immune response to employ its own supply of labile copper ions in a toxic attack against pathogenic bacteria, which have a very low Cu tolerance, this review article examines the feasibility of Cu-centric strategies for antibacterial preventative and therapeutic applications. Promising results are shown for the use of Cu-containing materials in the hospital setting to minimize patient bacterial infections. Studies directed at disrupting bacterial Cu regulatory pathways elucidate new drug targets that can enable toxic increase of Cu levels and perturb bacterial dependence on iron. Likewise, Cu intracellular chelation/prochelation strategies effectively induce bacterial Cu toxicity. Cu-based small molecules and nanoparticles demonstrate the importance of the Cu ions in their mechanism and display potential synergism with classical drugs.
