Title:Mycobacterial Targets for Thiourea Derivatives: Opportunities for
Virtual Screening in Tuberculosis Drug Discovery
Volume: 31
Issue: 29
Author(s): Vinicius de Melo Milani, Mariana Luiza Silva, Priscila Goes Camargo*Marcelle de Lima Ferreira Bispo*
Affiliation:
- Laboratório de Síntese de Moléculas Medicinais (LaSMMed), Departamento de Química, Centro de Ciências
Exatas, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Brazil
- Laboratório de Síntese de Moléculas Medicinais (LaSMMed), Departamento de Química, Centro de Ciências
Exatas, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Brazil
Keywords:
Molecular docking, isoxyl, cell wall synthesis, antimycobacterial activity, drug resistance, thiourea.
Abstract: Tuberculosis (TB) remains a primary global health concern, necessitating the discovery
and development of new anti-TB drugs, mainly to combat drug-resistant strains. In
this context, thiourea derivatives have emerged as promising candidates in TB drug discovery
due to their diverse chemical structures and pharmacological properties. This review
aimed to explore this potential, identifying and exploring molecular targets for thiourea derivatives
in Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) and the potential application of virtual
screening techniques in drug discovery. We have compiled a comprehensive list of possible
molecular targets of thiourea derivatives in Mtb. The enzymes are primarily involved in the
biosynthesis of various cell wall components, including mycolic acids, peptidoglycans, and
arabinans, or targets in the branched-chain amino acid biosynthesis (BCAA) pathway and
detoxification mechanisms. We discuss the potential of these targets as critical constituents
for the design of novel anti-TB drugs. Besides, we highlight the opportunities that virtual
screening methodologies present in identifying potential thiourea derivatives that can interact
with these molecular targets. The presented findings contribute to the ongoing efforts in
TB drug discovery and lay the foundation for further research in designing and developing
more effective treatments against this devastating disease.