Natalia V. Ortiz Zacarías

Dr. Natalia V. Ortiz Zacarías

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Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

10Years (2017-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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31 October 2017 in Antibiotics
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
ADAnneke Dijkmans
Anneke Dijkmans
NZNatalia V. Ortiz Zacarías
Natalia V. Ortiz Zacarías
JBJacobus (Koos) Burggraaf
Jacobus (Koos) Burggraaf
JSJasper Stevens
Jasper Stevens
EWErik Bert Wilms
Erik Bert Wilms
IKIngrid Maria Catharina Kamerling
Ingrid Maria Catharina Kamerling
Fosfomycin is a bactericidal, low-molecular weight, broad-spectrum antibiotic, with putative activity against several bacteria, including multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria, by irreversibly inhibiting an early stage in cell wall synthesis. Evidence suggests that fosfomycin has a synergistic effect when used in combination with other antimicrobial agents that act via a different mechanism of action, thereby allowing for reduced dosages and lower toxicity. Fosfomycin does not bind to plasma proteins and is cleared via the kidneys. Due to its extensive tissue penetration, fosfomycin may be indicated for infections of the CNS, soft tissues, bone, lungs, and abscesses. The oral bioavailability of fosfomycin tromethamine is <50%; therefore, oral administration of fosfomycin tromethamine is approved only as a 3-gram one-time dose for treating urinary tract infections. However, based on published PK parameters, PK/PD simulations have been performed for several multiple-dose regimens, which might lead to the future use of fosfomycin for treating complicated infections with multidrug-resistant bacteria. Because essential pharmacological information and knowledge regarding mechanisms of resistance are currently limited and/or controversial, further studies are urgently needed, and fosfomycin monotherapy should be avoided.

1 December 2021 in European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
MPMarius Patberg
Marius Patberg
AIAndreas Isaak
Andreas Isaak
FFFriederike Füsser
Friederike Füsser
NZNatalia V. Ortiz Zacarías
Natalia V. Ortiz Zacarías
LVLaura Vinnenberg
Laura Vinnenberg
Anna JunkerAnna Junker
Anna Junker

Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
NZNatalia V. Ortiz Zacarías
Natalia V. Ortiz Zacarías
SRSascha Röth
Sascha Röth
JBJeremy D. Broekhuis
Jeremy D. Broekhuis
DEDaan van der Es
Daan van der Es
KMKevin Moreau
Kevin Moreau
LHLaura Heitman
Laura Heitman
CC chemokine receptor 2 (CCR2) has been linked to many inflammatory and immune diseases, making it a relevant drug target. Yet, all CCR2 antagonists developed so far have failed in clinical trials; thus, novel strategies are needed to target this receptor. Targeted protein degradation represents a novel approach to inhibit protein function by hijacking the cellular degradation machinery, such as the proteasome, to degrade the protein of interest. Here, we aimed to determine the amenability of CCR2 to chemically induced degradation by using a CCR2 fusion protein containing a HaloTag7 and HiBiT tag (CCR2-HaloTag-HiBiT). After characterization of the CCR2 construct, we used luminescence-based assays and immunofluorescence to quantify CCR2 levels, as well as a label-free, phenotypic assay to investigate the functional effect of CCR2 degradation. Treatment with HaloPROTAC3, which selectively degrades HaloTag fusion proteins, led to concentration- and time-dependent degradation of CCR2-HaloTag-HiBiT. HaloPROTAC3 induced degradation via the proteasome, as degradation was fully blocked with proteasomal inhibitors. Finally, functional assays showed that degradation of CCR2-HaloTag-HiBiT leads to a reduced functional response after agonist stimulation. Overall, our results indicate that CCR2 is amenable to targeted degradation, paving the way for the future development of CCR2 chemical degraders.