N-Hydroxybenzimidazole Inhibitors of the Transcription Factor LcrF in Yersinia: Novel Antivirulence Agents

LcrF, a multiple adaptational response (MAR) transcription factor, regulates virulence in Yersinia pestis and Yersinia pseudotuberculosis. In a search for small molecule inhibitors of LcrF, an acrylic amide series of N-hydroxybenzimidazoles was synthesized and the SAR (structure-activity relationship) was examined, Selected test compounds demonstrated inhibitory activity in a primary cell-free LcrF-DNA binding assay as well as in a secondary whole cell assay (type III secretion system dependent Y. pseudotuberculosis cytotoxicity assay). The inhibitors exhibited no measurable antibacterial activity in vitro, confirming that they do not target bacterial growth. These results demonstrate that N-hydroxy-benzimidazole inhibitors, exemplified by 14, 22, and 36, are effective antivirulence agents and have the potential to prevent infections caused by Yersinia spp.