Peptide inhibitors of N-succinyl diaminopimelic acid aminotransferase (DAP-AT): a novel class of antimicrobial compounds.

Dipeptide substrates of N-Succinyl Diaminopimelic Acid Aminotransferase (DAP-AT) were converted to hydrazines by treatment with hydrazine and cyanoborohydride. These compounds were tested in vitro as inhibitors of DAP-AT from E. coli and in vivo as antibiotics. The hydrazino-dipeptides showed potent slow binding slow binding inhibition of DAP-AT as well as antimicrobial activity.