Sponge-derived polybrominated diphenyl ethers and dibenzo-p-dioxins, irreversible inhibitors of the bacterial α-d-galactosidase

Abstract

An integrated in vitro and in silico approach was applied to evaluate the potency of hydroxylated polybrominated diphenyl ethers (OH-PBDEs) and spongiadioxins (OH-PBDDs) isolated from Dysidea sponges on the activity of the recombinant α-D-galactosidase of the GH36 family. It was revealed for the first time that all compounds rapidly and apparently irreversibly inhibited the bacterial α-D-galactosidase. The structure–activity relationship study in the series of OH-PBDEs showed that the presence of an additional hydroxyl group in 5 significantly enhanced the potency (IC₅₀ 4.26 μM); the increase of bromination in compounds from 1 to 3 increased their potency (IC₅₀ 41.8, 36.0, and 16.0 μM, respectively); the presence of a methoxy group decreased the potency (4, IC₅₀ 60.5 μM). Spongiadioxins 6, 7, and 8 (IC₅₀ 16.6, 33.1, and 28.6 μM, respectively) exhibited inhibitory action comparable to that of monohydroxylated diphenyl ethers 1–3. Docking analysis revealed that all compounds bind in a pocket close to the catalytic amino acid residues. Molecular docking detected significant compound–enzyme interactions in the binding sites of α-D-galactosidase. Superimposition of the enzyme–substrate and the enzyme–inhibitor complexes showed that their binding sites overlap.