Cyclic di-AMP (c-di-AMP) is a second messenger produced by bacteria but not by mammals. Generated by a family of diadenylate cyclases, c-di-AMP can impact bacterial cell growth, cell wall homeostasis, pathogenicity, and other cellular functions. Bacteria-derived cyclic dinucleotides, including c-di-AMP, trigger the expression of interferon genes in mammalian cells.
Cyclic di-IMP (sodium salt) (c-di-IMP) is a synthetic second messenger structurally related to the bacterial second messengers cyclic di-GMP and cyclic di-AMP . C-di-IMP has adjuvant properties when co-administered with antigens in vitro and by mucosal routes in vivo. C-di-IMP enriches the population of MHC class I and II, CD80, CD86, CD40, and CD54 positive dendritic cells derived from murine bone marrow. It also stimulates macrophages at 500 ng ml. Mice immunized with β-galactosidase (β-gal) plus c-di-IMP through the intranasal route show a humoral immune response, evidenced by an increase in IgG titers up to 2-fold compared to mice immunized with β-gal alone. Mice immunized with β-gal plus c-di-IMP also exhibit a Th1 Th2 response, indicating that the adjuvant activity of c-di-IMP leads to a cellular immune response as well.
C82 acts as an inhibitor of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) cyclic dinucleotide phosphodiesterase (CdnP), with an IC50 value of 17.5 µM. This particular enzyme is responsible for breaking down cyclic di-AMP (c-di-AMP) into adenosine 5'-monophosphate (AMP). Notably, C82 demonstrates selectivity for Mtb CdnP over other bacterial cyclic dinucleotide phosphodiesterases (CDN PDEs) such as Yybt, RocR, and Group B Streptococcus (GBS) CdnP, as well as the mammalian CDN PDE ENPP1, and the viral CDN PDE poxin, showing effectiveness at a concentration of 200 µM.