Polyclonal antibodies were raised against a multiprotein 'holoenzyme' form of calf thymus DNA polymerase alpha-primase and used to probe a human cDNA-protein expression library constructed in the lambda gt11 vector. The probe identified a series of cDNA clones derived from a 3.2 kb mRNA which encodes a novel 105 kDa polypeptide, the P1 protein. In intact cells, the P1 protein was specifically associated with the nucleus, and in cell extracts, it was associated with complex forms of DNA polymerase alpha-primase. The synthesis of human P1-specific mRNA was stimulated upon addition of fresh serum to growth-arrested cells, and RNA blot analyses with the human P1-cDNA probe indicated that P1 is encoded by a strictly conserved mammalian gene. The amino acid sequence deduced from a 240-codon open reading frame resident in the largest human P1-cDNA (0.84 kb) displayed greater than 96% identity with that deduced from the equivalent segment of a 795-codon open reading frame of a larger mouse P1-cDNA (2.8 kb). Throughout its length, the primary structure of mammalian P1 displayed strong homology with that of Mcm3, a 125 kDa yeast protein thought to be involved in the initiation of DNA replication (Gibson et al. 1990. Mol. Cell. Biol. 10: 5707-5720). The P1-Mcm3 homology, the strong conservation of P1 among mammals, its nuclear localization, and its association with the replication-specific DNA polymerase alpha strongly suggest an important role of the P1 protein in the replication of mammalian DNA.

Certain substituted 6-anilinouracils are potent and selective inhibitors of Gram+ bacterial DNA polymerase IIIC (pol IIIC). In addition, analogues with 3-substituents in the uracil ring have potent antibacterial activity against Gram+ organisms in culture. In an attempt to find optimal anilino substituents for pol IIIC binding and optimal 3-substituents for antibacterial activity, we have prepared several series of 3-substituted-6-aminouracils and assayed their activity against pol IIIC from Bacillus subtilis and a panel of Gram+ and Gram- bacteria in culture. The 6-(3-ethyl-4-methylanilino) group and closely related substituent patterns maximized pol IIIC inhibition potency. Among a series of 3-(substituted-butyl)-6-(3-ethyl-4-methylanilino)uracils, basic amino substituents increased pol IIIC inhibition, but decreased antibacterial activity. The most potent antibacterials were simple hydroxybutyl and methoxybutyl derivatives, and hydrophobically substituted piperidinylbutyl derivatives.

Novel Gram-positive (Gram+) antibacterial compounds consisting of a DNA polymerase IIIC (pol IIIC) inhibitor covalently connected to a topoisomerase/gyrase inhibitor are described. Specifically, 3-substituted 6-(3-ethyl-4-methylanilino)uracils (EMAUs) in which the 3-substituent is a fluoroquinolone moiety (FQ) connected by various linkers were synthesized. The resulting "AU-FQ" hybrid compounds were significantly more potent than the parent EMAU compounds as inhibitors of pol IIIC and were up to 64-fold more potent as antibacterials in vitro against Gram+ bacteria. The hybrids inhibited the FQ targets, topoisomerase IV and gyrase, with potencies similar to norfloxacin but 10-fold lower than newer agents, for example, ciprofloxacin and sparfloxacin. Representative hybrids protected mice from lethal Staphylococcus aureus infection after intravenous dosing, and one compound showed protective effect against several antibiotic-sensitive and -resistant Gram+ infections in mice. The AU-FQ hybrids are a promising new family of antibacterials for treatment of antibiotic-resistant Gram+ infections.