Antibiotic resistance is a growing global problem, with very few new compounds in development. Bacterial transcription is an underutilized target for antibiotics, which has been attributed to the similarity of the active site of RNA polymerases (RNAPs) across all domains of life and the ease with which resistance can arise through point mutation at multiple sites within this conserved region. In this study we have taken a rational approach to design a novel set of compounds that specifically target the formation of transcription initiation complexes by preventing the unique bacterial σ initiation factor from binding to RNAP. We have identified the region of RNAP to which these compounds bind and demonstrate that one compound, GKL003, has an inhibition constant in the low nanomolar range. This compound has activity against both Gram-positive and -negative organisms, including a community acquired methicillin-resistant strain of the major pathogen Staphylococcus aureus.

The increasing resistance of bacteria against clinically approved antibiotics is resulting in an alarming decrease in therapeutic options for today's clinicians. We have targeted the essential interaction between bacterial RNA polymerase and σ(70)/σ(A) for the development of lead molecules exhibiting a novel mechanism of antibacterial activity. Several classes of structurally related bis-indole inhibitors of bacterial transcription initiation complex formation were synthesized and their antimicrobial activities were evaluated. Condensation of indole-7- and indole-2-carbohydrazides with 7- and 2-trichloroacetylindoles or indole-7- and indole-2-glyoxyloyl chlorides resulted in the successful synthesis of 7,7'-, 2,2'-, 2,7'- and 3,2'-linked bis-indole derivatives with -CO-NH-NH-CO- and -CO-CO-NH-NH-CO- linkers. Indole-7-glyoxyloyl chlorides were reacted with hydrazine hydrate in different ratios to afford respective -CO-CO-NH-NH-CO-CO- bis-indole or hydrazide derivatives. The resulting compounds were found to be active against the β'-CH-σ(70)/σ interaction in ELISA assays and inhibited the growth of both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies were performed in order to identify the structural features of the synthesized inhibitors required for biological activity.

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