Biology subjects

Zuercher, B.

Publications and source records attributed to Zuercher, B..

2 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2019

Identification of drug modifiers for RYR1 related myopathy using a multi-species discovery pipeline

Ryanodine receptor type I-related myopathies (RYR1-RMs) represent the largest group of non-dystrophic myopathies. RYR1-RMs are associated with severe disabilities and early mortality; despite these facts, there are currently no available treatments. The goal of this study was to identify new therapeutic targets for RYR1-RMs. To accomplish this, we developed a novel discovery pipeline using nematode, zebrafish, and mammalian cell models of the disease. We first performed large-scale drug screens in C. elegans and zebrafish. 74 positive hits were identified in C. elegans, while none were uncovered in the zebrafish. Targeted testing of these hits in zebrafish yielded positive results for two compounds. We examined these compounds using newly created Ryr1 knockout C2C12 cells, and found that p38 inhibition impaired caffeine-induced Ca2+ release. Lastly, we tested one p38 inhibitor in myotubes from Ryr1Y524S/+ (YS) mice, and demonstrated that it blunts the aberrant temperature-dependent increase in resting Ca2+ in these cells. In all, we developed a unique platform for RYR1-RM therapy development that is potentially applicable to a broad range of neuromuscular disorders.

genetics↗

bioRxiv2017

Repurposed kinase inhibitors and β-lactams as a novel therapy for antibiotic resistant bacteria

Antibiotic resistant bacteria are an increasing global problem, and pathogenic actinomycetes and firmicutes are particularly challenging obstacles. These pathogens share several eukaryotic-like kinases that present antibiotic development opportunities. We used computational modelling to identify human kinase inhibitors that could be repurposed towards bacteria as part of a novel combination therapy. The computational model suggested a family of inhibitors, the imidazopyridine aminofurazans (IPAs), bind PknB with high affinity. We found that these inhibitors biochemically inhibit PknB, with potency roughly following the predicted models. A novel x-ray structure confirmed that the inhibitors bind as predicted and made favorable protein contacts with the target. These inhibitors also have antimicrobial activity towards Mycobacteria and Nocardia, and normally ineffective {beta}-lactams can potentiate IPAs to more efficiently inhibit growth of these pathogens. Collectively, our data show that in silico modeling can be used as a tool to discover promising drug leads, and the inhibitors we discovered can synergize with clinically relevant antibiotics to restore their efficacy against bacteria with limited treatment options.

microbiology↗