Discovery of BRD4-HDAC Dual Inhibitors with Improved Fungal Selectivity and Potent Synergistic Antifungal Activity against Fluconazole-Resistant Candida albicans

Zhuang Li, Yahui Huang, Jie Tu, Wanzhen Yang, Na Liu, Wei Wang, Chunquan Sheng

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

14 Scopus citations

Abstract

Over the past several decades, invasive fungal infections, especially candidiasis, have caused dramatic morbidity and mortality due to ineffective antifungal drugs and severe drug resistance. Herein, new BRD4-histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors were designed to restore the susceptibility of Candida albicans (C. albicans) to fluconazole (FLC). Interestingly, several compounds showed excellent selectivity against fungal HDACs. In particular, compound B2 showed excellent synergistic effect with FLC against resistant C. albicans (FICI = 0.063) with high selectivity against fungal HDACs (SI = 1653) and low cytotoxicity. Compound B2 effectively synergized with FLC and prevented biofilm formation and morphological transition in resistant C. albicans, potentiating the antifungal activity of FLC in vivo and significantly reducing kidney fungal loads. Thus, this drug combination is promising in the treatment of resistant C. albicans infections.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)5950-5964
Number of pages15
JournalJournal of Medicinal Chemistry
Volume66
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 27 2023

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Molecular Medicine
  • Drug Discovery

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