Antiadhesive glycoconjugate metal complexes targeting pathogens Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans

Authors

• Karolina Wojtczak, University of Galway
• Emilie Gillon, Université Grenoble Alpes
• Diana Bura, The Provost, Fellows, Foundation Scholars & The Other Members Of Board, Of The College Of The Holy & Undivided Trinity Of Queen Elizabeth Near Dublin
• Karen Richmond, Dublin Institute of Technology
• Megan Joyce, Dublin Institute of Technology
• Emma Caraher, Technological University Dublin
• Keela Kessie, National University Of Ireland Maynooth
• Trinidad Velasco-Torrijos, National University Of Ireland Maynooth
• Cristina Trujillo, The Provost, Fellows, Foundation Scholars & The Other Members Of Board, Of The College Of The Holy & Undivided Trinity Of Queen Elizabeth Near Dublin
• Anne Imberty, Université Grenoble Alpes
• Kevin Kavanagh, National University Of Ireland Maynooth
• Gordon Cooke, Technological University Dublin
• Joseph P. Byrne, University of Galway

ORCID

• Gordon Cooke: 0000-0003-0366-3603

Abstract

Glycoconjugates are known to interact with carbohydrate-binding proteins involved in adhesion by pathogens, and offer opportunities to design antimicrobial agents. Metal complexes with Eu(iii), Ni(ii) and Zn(ii) were prepared from glycoconjugate ligand 1Gal, which binds to P. aeruginosa's lectin LecA (K_d 9.6 ± 0.7 μM). In vitro anti-adhesive activity of these compounds was evaluated for both P. aeruginosa and C. albicans. Choice of metal ion played a crucial role in modulating anti-adhesive activity, with Eu(iii) complexes most effective: [Eu·(1Gal)(H₂O)₆](CF₃SO₃)₃ inhibits 60% biofilm formation by P. aeruginosa and [Eu·(1Gal)₃](CF₃SO₃)₃ inhibits 62% of C. albicans adhesion to buccal epithelial cells (both at 0.1 mM). The results presented demonstrate the potential for metal coordination to significantly enhance biological activity of glycoconjugates, surpassing the effect of the ligand's modest lectin-binding affinity alone.

DOI Link

10.1039/d5ob00970g

Publication Date

2025-11-21

Publication Title

Organic and Biomolecular Chemistry

Volume

23

Issue

43

ISSN

1477-0520

First Page

9950

Last Page

9964

Deposit Date

2025-09-22

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Additional Links

https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105009590294

Recommended Citation

Wojtczak, K., Gillon, E., Bura, D., Richmond, K., Joyce, M., Caraher, E., Kessie, K., Velasco-Torrijos, T., Trujillo, C., Imberty, A., Kavanagh, K., Cooke, G., & Byrne, J. (2025) 'Antiadhesive glycoconjugate metal complexes targeting pathogens Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans', Organic and Biomolecular Chemistry, 23(43), pp. 9950-9964. Available at: 10.1039/d5ob00970g