Issue 1, 2017

Chemical and functional properties of metal chelators that mobilize copper to elicit fungal killing of Cryptococcus neoformans

Abstract

A panel of iron (Fe) and copper (Cu) chelators was screened for growth inhibitory activity against the fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans. Select bidentate metal-binding ligands containing mixed O,S or O,N donor atoms were identified as agents that induce cell killing in a Cu-dependent manner. Conversely, structurally similar ligands with O,O donor atoms did not inhibit C. neoformans growth regardless of Cu status. Studies of Cu(II) and Cu(I) binding affinity, lipophilicity, and growth recovery assays of Cu-import deficient cells identified lipophilicity of thermodynamically stable CuIIL2 complexes as the best predictor of antifungal activity. These same complexes induce cellular hyperaccumulation of Zn and Fe in addition to Cu. The results described here present the utility of appropriate metal-binding ligands as potential antifungal agents that manipulate cellular metal balance as an antimicrobial strategy.

Graphical abstract: Chemical and functional properties of metal chelators that mobilize copper to elicit fungal killing of Cryptococcus neoformans

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
30 iyl 2016
Accepted
09 noy 2016
First published
17 noy 2016

Metallomics, 2017,9, 69-81

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