A Molecular Target for Suppression of the Evolution of Antibiotic Resistance: Inhibition of the Escherichia coli RecA Protein by N6-(1-Naphthyl)-ADP

Abstract
We report that N6-(1-naphthyl)-ADP (1) inhibits the Escherichia coli RecA protein in vitro. A novel rapid screen identified 1 as a potent inhibitor of RecA nucleoprotein filament formation, and further characterization established 1 as an ATP-competitive inhibitor of RecA-catalyzed ATP hydrolysis. 1 and other inhibitors of RecA activities represent a new approach for understanding the molecular targets and pathways involved in the evolution of antibiotic resistance in bacteria.