Targeting of the Virulence Factor Acetohydroxyacid Synthase by Sulfonylureas Results in Inhibition of Intramacrophagic Multiplication of <i>Brucella suis</i>

Abstract

The acetohydroxyacid synthase (AHAS) of Brucella suis can be effectively targeted by the sulfonylureas chlorimuron ethyl and metsulfuron methyl. Growth in minimal medium was inhibited, and multiplication in human macrophages was totally abolished with 100 microM of sulfonylureas. Metsulfuron methyl-resistant mutants showed reduced viability in macrophages and reduced AHAS activity.