Current biochemical understanding regarding the metabolism of acinetobactin, the major siderophore of the human pathogenAcinetobacter baumannii, and outlook for discovery of novel anti-infectious agents based thereon

Abstract

Covering: 1994 to 2019 Owing to the rapid increase in nosocomial infections by antibiotic-resistantAcinetobacter baumanniiand the paucity of effective treatment options for such infections, interest in the virulence factors involved in its successful dissemination and propagation in the human host have escalated in recent years. Acinetobacin, a siderophore ofA. baumannii, is responsible for iron acquisition under nutritional depravation and has been shown to be one of the key virulence factors for this bacterium. In this Highlight, recent findings regarding various chemical and biological aspects of acinetobactin metabolism closely related to the fitness ofA. baumanniiat the infection sites have been described. In addition, several notable efforts for identifying novel anti-infectious agents based thereon have been discussed.