Phenylimidazole derivatives as specific inhibitors of bacterial enoyl-acyl carrier protein reductase FabK Original Research Article

Bacterial enoyl-acyl carrier protein (ACP) reductases (FabI and FabK) catalyze the final step in each cycle of bacterial fatty acid biosynthesis and are attractive targets for the development of new antibacterial agents. Here, we report the development of novel FabK inhibitors with antibacterial activity against Streptococcus pneumoniae. Based on structure–activity relationship (SAR) studies of our screening hits, we have developed novel phenylimidazole derivatives as potent FabK inhibitors.