Chemical proteomics reveal human off-targets of fluoroquinolone induced mitochondrial toxicity

ABSTRACT: Fluoroquinolones (FQs) are an important class of potent broad-spectrum antibiotics. However, their general use is more and more limited by adverse side effects. While general mechanisms for the Fluoroquinolone-associated disability (FQAD) have been identified, the underlying molecular origins of toxicity remain elusive. In this study, focusing on the most commonly prescribed FQs Ciprofloxacin and Levofloxacin, whole proteome analyses revealed prominent mitochondrial dysfunction in human cells, specifically of the complexes I and IV of the electron transport chain. Furthermore, global untargeted chemo-proteomic methodologies such as photo-affinity profiling with FQ-derived probes, as well as derivatization-free thermal proteome profiling, were applied to elucidate human protein off-targets of FQs in living cells. Accordingly, the interactions of FQs with mitochondrial AIFM1 and IDH2 have been identified and biochemically validated for their contribution to mitochondrial dysfunction and adverse downstream effects, including impaired redox-homeostasis, elevated matrix metalloprotease activity and epigenetic modifications. This off-target discovery study provides unique insights into FQ toxicity enabling to utilize the identified molecular principles for the design of a safer FQ generation.

INSTRUMENT(S): timsTOF Pro

ORGANISM(S): Homo Sapiens (human)

SUBMITTER: Till Reinhardt  

LAB HEAD: Stephan Axel Sieber

PROVIDER: PXD056813 | Pride | 2025-05-07

REPOSITORIES: Pride