Targeting quorum sensing in Pseudomonas aeruginosa with high-affinity inhibitors: A high-throughput screening and in-silico analysis

Abstract

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a major pathogen in clinical settings, notorious for its intrinsic resistance to multiple antibiotics and ability to form biofilms, therefore, complicating treatment. This study reporting the results of a high-throughput screen of an antibacterial library targeting LasR, a key QS regulator in P. aeruginosa MB638, isolated from an infected surgical implant. The species identity was confirmed as P. aeruginosa via 16S rDNA analysis (accession number MT643188). The strain demonstrated strong biofilm formation and multidrug resistance, along with significant production of the quorum sensing signalling molecule N-(3-oxododecanoyl)-L-homoserine lactone (OdDHL). We screened a ∼1400-compound library and identified inhibitors compounds that surpass the binding affinity of LasR’s native ligand. The ADMET analysis revealed that among these, compounds Inh-1, Inh-2 and Inh-3 demonstrated favourable absorption, permeability and broader bioactivity profiles. Inh-1 exhibited a suitable profile, being non-toxic, non-hepatotoxic, and non-mutagenic, with low carcinogenic and immunotoxin potential. Molecular docking studies using GLIDE identified key binding interactions and residues within the LasR ligand-binding domain (LBD), with Inh-1, Inh-2 and Inh-3 showing the highest binding affinities and favourable docking scores of −14.587, −13.645 and −12.967, respectively. Structural Interaction Molecular dynamics simulation at 100 ns showed Inh-1 maintained stable hydrophobic and hydrophilic contacts within the active site. RMSD analysis confirmed the stability of the Inh-1 complex, while RMSF indicated conformational adaptability. Inh-1 stands out as promising lead for LasR inhibition, warranting further experimental study. These inhibitors hold promise for disrupting quorum sensing in P. aeruginosa and may serve as potential therapeutic agent against resistant infections.