Rationally designed nucleoside antibiotics that inhibit siderophore biosynthesis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis

A rationally designed nucleoside inhibitor of Mycobacterium tuberculosis growth (MIC99 = 0.19 mu M) that disrupts siderophore biosynthesis was identified. The activity is due to inhibition of the adenylate-forming enzyme MbtA which is involved in biosynthesis of the mycobactins.