Herein, we describe the discovery
and optimization of a novel series
that inhibits bacterial DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV via binding to, and stabilization of, DNA cleavage complexes. Optimization
of this series led to the identification of compound 25, which has potent activity against Gram-positive bacteria, a favorable in vitro safety profile, and excellent in vivo pharmacokinetic properties. Compound 25 was found to
be efficacious against fluoroquinolone-sensitive Staphylococcus
aureus infection in a mouse thigh model at lower doses
than moxifloxacin. An X-ray crystal structure of the ternary complex
formed by topoisomerase IV from Klebsiella pneumoniae, compound 25, and cleaved DNA indicates that this compound
does not engage in a water–metal ion bridge interaction and
forms no direct contacts with residues in the quinolone resistance
determining region (QRDR). This suggests a structural basis for the
reduced impact of QRDR mutations on antibacterial activity of 25 compared to fluoroquinolones.