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Wang C, Ji Y, Huo X, Li X, Lu W, Zhang Z, Dong W, Wang X, Chen H, Tan C. Discovery of Salifungin as a Repurposed Antibiotic against Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus with Limited Resistance Development. ACS Infect Dis 2024; 10:1576-1589. [PMID: 38581387 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.3c00611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/08/2024]
Abstract
Exploring novel antimicrobial drugs and strategies has become essential to the fight MRSA-associated infections. Herein, we found that membrane-disrupted repurposed antibiotic salifungin had excellent bactericidal activity against MRSA, with limited development of drug resistance. Furthermore, adding salifungin effectively decreased the minimum inhibitory concentrations of clinical antibiotics against Staphylococcus aureus. Evaluations of the mechanism demonstrated that salifungin disrupted the level of H+ and K+ ions using hydrophilic and lipophilic groups to interact with bacterial membranes, causing the disruption of bacterial proton motive force followed by impacting on bacterial the function of the respiratory chain and adenosine 5'-triphosphate, thereby inhibiting phosphatidic acid biosynthesis. Moreover, salifungin also significantly inhibited the formation of bacterial biofilms and eliminated established bacterial biofilms by interfering with bacterial membrane potential and inhibiting biofilm-associated gene expression, which was even better than clinical antibiotics. Finally, salifungin exhibited efficacy comparable to or even better than that of vancomycin in the MRSA-infected animal models. In conclusion, these results indicate that salifungin can be a potential drug for treating MRSA-associated infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenchen Wang
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430000, Hubei, China
- Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Wuhan 430000, Hubei, China
| | - Yueyue Ji
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430000, Hubei, China
- Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Wuhan 430000, Hubei, China
| | - Xingyu Huo
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430000, Hubei, China
- Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Wuhan 430000, Hubei, China
| | - Xiaodan Li
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430000, Hubei, China
- Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Wuhan 430000, Hubei, China
| | - Wenjia Lu
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430000, Hubei, China
- Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Wuhan 430000, Hubei, China
| | - Zhaoran Zhang
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430000, Hubei, China
- Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Wuhan 430000, Hubei, China
| | - Wenqi Dong
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430000, Hubei, China
- Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Wuhan 430000, Hubei, China
| | - Xiangru Wang
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430000, Hubei, China
- Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Wuhan 430000, Hubei, China
- Frontiers Science Center for Animal Breeding and Sustainable Production, Wuhan 430000, Hubei, China
- Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine in Hubei Province, Wuhan 430000, Hubei, China
- The Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Wuhan 430000, Hubei, China
| | - Huanchun Chen
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430000, Hubei, China
- Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Wuhan 430000, Hubei, China
- Frontiers Science Center for Animal Breeding and Sustainable Production, Wuhan 430000, Hubei, China
- Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine in Hubei Province, Wuhan 430000, Hubei, China
- The Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Wuhan 430000, Hubei, China
| | - Chen Tan
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430000, Hubei, China
- Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Wuhan 430000, Hubei, China
- Frontiers Science Center for Animal Breeding and Sustainable Production, Wuhan 430000, Hubei, China
- Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine in Hubei Province, Wuhan 430000, Hubei, China
- The Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Wuhan 430000, Hubei, China
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2
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Ganesan N, Mishra B, Felix L, Mylonakis E. Antimicrobial Peptides and Small Molecules Targeting the Cell Membrane of Staphylococcus aureus. Microbiol Mol Biol Rev 2023; 87:e0003722. [PMID: 37129495 PMCID: PMC10304793 DOI: 10.1128/mmbr.00037-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Clinical management of Staphylococcus aureus infections presents a challenge due to the high incidence, considerable virulence, and emergence of drug resistance mechanisms. The treatment of drug-resistant strains, such as methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), is further complicated by the development of tolerance and persistence to antimicrobial agents in clinical use. To address these challenges, membrane disruptors, that are not generally considered during drug discovery for agents against S. aureus, should be explored. The cell membrane protects S. aureus from external stresses and antimicrobial agents, but membrane-targeting antimicrobial agents are probably less likely to promote bacterial resistance. Nontypical linear cationic antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), highly modified AMPs such as daptomycin (lipopeptide), bacitracin (cyclic peptide), and gramicidin S (cyclic peptide), are currently in clinical use. Recent studies have demonstrated that AMPs and small molecules can penetrate the cell membrane of S. aureus, inhibit phospholipid biosynthesis, or block the passage of solutes between the periplasm and the exterior of the cell. In addition to their primary mechanism of action (MOA) that targets the bacterial membrane, AMPs and small molecules may also impact bacteria through secondary mechanisms such as targeting the biofilm, and downregulating virulence genes of S. aureus. In this review, we discuss the current state of research into cell membrane-targeting AMPs and small molecules and their potential mechanisms of action against drug-resistant physiological forms of S. aureus, including persister cells and biofilms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Narchonai Ganesan
- Infectious Diseases Division, Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Biswajit Mishra
- Infectious Diseases Division, Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
- Department of Medicine, The Miriam Hospital, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - LewisOscar Felix
- Infectious Diseases Division, Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Eleftherios Mylonakis
- Infectious Diseases Division, Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
- Department of Medicine, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA
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3
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Boeck L. Antibiotic tolerance: targeting bacterial survival. Curr Opin Microbiol 2023; 74:102328. [PMID: 37245488 DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2023.102328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Revised: 04/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Antimicrobial susceptibility testing is the cornerstone of antibiotic treatments. Yet, active drugs are frequently unsuccessful in vivo and most clinical trials investigating antibiotics fail. So far, bacterial survival strategies, other than drug resistance, have been largely ignored. As such, drug tolerance and persisters, allowing bacterial populations to survive during antibiotic treatments, could fill a gap in antibiotic susceptibility testing. Therefore, it remains critical to establish robust and scalable bacterial viability measures and to define the clinical relevance of bacterial survivors across various bacterial infections. If successful, these tools could improve drug design and development to prevent tolerance formation or target bacterial survivors, to ultimately reduce treatment failures and curb resistance evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas Boeck
- Department of Biomedicine, University Basel, Basel, Switzerland; Clinic of Pulmonary Medicine, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
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4
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Zhang B, Deng W, Xu ZY. Palladium-Catalyzed Carbonylation of Amines with Mo(CO) 6 as the Carbonyl Source. Organometallics 2023. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.organomet.3c00007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
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5
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Luo C, Chen M, Luo K, Yin X, Onchari MM, Wang X, Zhang J, Zhong H, Tian B. Genome Sequencing and Genetic Engineering Reveal the Contribution of Bacitracin Produced by Bacillus paralicheniformis CPL618 to Anti-Staphylococcus aureus Activity. Curr Microbiol 2023; 80:135. [PMID: 36913050 DOI: 10.1007/s00284-023-03196-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023]
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus is one of the important pathogens causing human diseases, especially its treatment has great challenges due to its resistance to methicillin and vancomycin. The Bacillus strains are known to be major sources of second metabolites that can function as drugs. Therefore, it is of great value to excavate metabolites with good inhibitory activity against S. aureus from Bacillus strains. In this study, a strain Bacillus paralicheniformis CPL618 with good antagonistic activity against S. aureus was isolated and genome analysis showed that the size was 4,447,938 bp and contained four gene clusters fen, bac, dhb, and lch which are potentially responsible for four cyclic peptides fengycin, bacitracin, bacillibactin, and lichenysin biosynthesis, respectively. These gene clusters were knockout by homologous recombination. The bacteriostatic experiment results showed that the antibacterial activity of ∆bac decreased 72.3% while Δfen, Δdhb, and ΔlchA did not significantly changed as that of wild type. Interestingly, the maximum bacitracin yield was up to 92 U/mL in the LB medium, which was extremely unusual in wild type strains. To further improve the production of bacitracin, transcription regulators abrB and lrp were knocked out, the bacitracin produced by ΔabrB, Δlrp, and ΔabrB + lrp was 124 U/mL, 112 U/mL, and 160 U/ml, respectively. Although no new anti-S. aureus compounds was found by using genome mining in this study, the molecular mechanisms of high yield of bacitracin and anti-S. aureus in B. paralicheniformis CPL618 were clarified. Moreover, B. paralicheniformis CPL618 was further genetically engineered for industrial production of bacitracin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuping Luo
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Construction Laboratory of Probiotics Preparation, Huaiyin, Institute of Technology, Huaian, 223003, China.
| | - Meilin Chen
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Construction Laboratory of Probiotics Preparation, Huaiyin, Institute of Technology, Huaian, 223003, China
| | - Kecheng Luo
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Construction Laboratory of Probiotics Preparation, Huaiyin, Institute of Technology, Huaian, 223003, China
| | - Xiulian Yin
- Key Laboratory for Palygorskite Science and Applied Technology of Jiangsu Province, Huaiyin Institute of Technology, Huaian, 223003, China
| | - Mary M Onchari
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Construction Laboratory of Probiotics Preparation, Huaiyin, Institute of Technology, Huaian, 223003, China
| | - Xiaohua Wang
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Construction Laboratory of Probiotics Preparation, Huaiyin, Institute of Technology, Huaian, 223003, China
| | - Jinfeng Zhang
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Construction Laboratory of Probiotics Preparation, Huaiyin, Institute of Technology, Huaian, 223003, China
| | - Haijing Zhong
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Construction Laboratory of Probiotics Preparation, Huaiyin, Institute of Technology, Huaian, 223003, China
| | - Baoxia Tian
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Construction Laboratory of Probiotics Preparation, Huaiyin, Institute of Technology, Huaian, 223003, China.
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Mao C, Wang Y, Yang Y, Li L, Yuan K, Cao H, Qiu Z, Guo G, Wu J, Peng J. Cec4-Derived Peptide Inhibits Planktonic and Biofilm-Associated Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0240922. [PMID: 36453944 PMCID: PMC9769716 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02409-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Staphylococcus epidermidis is part of the normal microbiota that colonizes the skin and mucosal surfaces of human beings. Previous studies suggested that S. epidermidis possessed low virulence, but recent studies confirmed that it can acquire high virulence from Staphylococcus aureus and with the increasing detection of methicillin-resistant S. epidermidis. It has become a major pathogen of graft-associated and hospital-acquired infections. In previous studies, we modified the antimicrobial peptide Cec4 (41 amino acids) and obtained the derived peptide C9 (16 amino acids) showing better antimicrobial activity against S. epidermidis with an MIC value of 8 μg/mL. The peptide has rapid bactericidal activity without detectable high-level resistance, showing certain inhibition and eradication ability on S. epidermidis biofilms. The damage of cell membrane structures by C9 was observed by scanning emission microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). In addition, C9 altered the S. epidermidis cell membrane permeability, depolarization levels, fluidity, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and possessed the ability to bind genomic DNA. Analysis of the transcriptional profiles of C9-treated cells revealed changes in genes involved in cell wall and ribosome biosynthesis, membrane protein transport, oxidative stress, and DNA transcription regulation. At the same time, the median lethal dose of C9 in mice was more than 128 mg/kg, and the intraperitoneal administration of 64 mg/kg was less toxic to the liver and kidneys of mice. Furthermore, C9 also showed a certain therapeutic effect on the mouse bacteremia model. In conclusion, C9 may be a candidate drug against S. epidermidis, which has the potential to be further developed as an antibacterial therapeutic agent. IMPORTANCE S. epidermidis is one of the most important pathogens of graft-related infection and hospital-acquired infection. The growing problem of antibiotic resistance, as well as the emergence of bacterial pathogenicity, highlights the need for antimicrobials with new modes of action. Antimicrobial peptides have been extensively studied over the past 30 years as ideal alternatives to antibiotics, and we report here that the derived peptide C9 is characterized by rapid bactericidal and antibiofilm activity, avoiding the development of resistance by acting on multiple nonspecific targets of the cell membrane or cell components. In addition, it has therapeutic potential against S. epidermidis infection in vivo. This study provides a rationale for the further development and application of C9 as an effective candidate antibiotic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengju Mao
- Key Laboratory of Infectious Immune and Antibody Engineering of Guizhou Province, Cellular Immunotherapy Engineering Research Center of Guizhou Province, School of Biology and Engineering/School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
- The Key and Characteristic Laboratory of Modern Pathogen Biology, Basic Medical College, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Yue Wang
- Key Laboratory of Infectious Immune and Antibody Engineering of Guizhou Province, Cellular Immunotherapy Engineering Research Center of Guizhou Province, School of Biology and Engineering/School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
- The Key and Characteristic Laboratory of Modern Pathogen Biology, Basic Medical College, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Yifan Yang
- Key Laboratory of Infectious Immune and Antibody Engineering of Guizhou Province, Cellular Immunotherapy Engineering Research Center of Guizhou Province, School of Biology and Engineering/School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
- The Key and Characteristic Laboratory of Modern Pathogen Biology, Basic Medical College, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Lu Li
- Key Laboratory of Infectious Immune and Antibody Engineering of Guizhou Province, Cellular Immunotherapy Engineering Research Center of Guizhou Province, School of Biology and Engineering/School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
- Center for Clinical Laboratories, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Kexin Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Infectious Immune and Antibody Engineering of Guizhou Province, Cellular Immunotherapy Engineering Research Center of Guizhou Province, School of Biology and Engineering/School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
- Center for Clinical Laboratories, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Huijun Cao
- Center for Clinical Laboratories, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Zhilang Qiu
- Key Laboratory of Infectious Immune and Antibody Engineering of Guizhou Province, Cellular Immunotherapy Engineering Research Center of Guizhou Province, School of Biology and Engineering/School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Monitoring and Disease Control, Ministry of Education, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
- The Key and Characteristic Laboratory of Modern Pathogen Biology, Basic Medical College, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Guo Guo
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Monitoring and Disease Control, Ministry of Education, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
- The Key and Characteristic Laboratory of Modern Pathogen Biology, Basic Medical College, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Jianwei Wu
- The Key and Characteristic Laboratory of Modern Pathogen Biology, Basic Medical College, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Jian Peng
- Key Laboratory of Infectious Immune and Antibody Engineering of Guizhou Province, Cellular Immunotherapy Engineering Research Center of Guizhou Province, School of Biology and Engineering/School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Monitoring and Disease Control, Ministry of Education, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
- The Key and Characteristic Laboratory of Modern Pathogen Biology, Basic Medical College, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
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7
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Chen X, Wu X, Wang S. An optimized antimicrobial peptide analog acts as an antibiotic adjuvant to reverse methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. NPJ Sci Food 2022; 6:57. [PMID: 36509755 PMCID: PMC9744894 DOI: 10.1038/s41538-022-00171-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The misuse of antibiotics in animal protein production has driven the emergence of a range of drug-resistant pathogens, which threaten existing public health security. Consequently, there is an urgent need to develop novel antimicrobials and new infection treatment options to address the challenges posed by the dramatic spread of antibiotic resistance. Piscidins, a class of fish-specific antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), are regarded as promising therapies for biomedical applications. Progress towards potential analogs from the piscidin family has been hampered by unenforceable structural optimization strategies. Here, we leverage a strategy of bioinformatics analysis combined with molecular dynamics (MD) simulation to identify specific functional hotspots in piscidins and rationally design related analogues. As expected, this approach yields a potent and non-toxic PIS-A-1 that can be used as an antibiotic adjuvant to reverse methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) pathogens. Remarkably, the structural optimization scheme and application strategy proposed here will contribute richer therapeutic options for the safe production of animal protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Chen
- grid.411604.60000 0001 0130 6528College of Chemical Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350108 China ,grid.411604.60000 0001 0130 6528College of Biological Science and Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350108 China
| | - Xiaoping Wu
- grid.411604.60000 0001 0130 6528College of Chemical Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350108 China ,grid.411604.60000 0001 0130 6528College of Biological Science and Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350108 China
| | - Shaoyun Wang
- grid.411604.60000 0001 0130 6528College of Biological Science and Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350108 China
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8
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L007-0069 kills Staphylococcus aureus in high resistant phenotypes. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:552. [DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04588-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2022] [Revised: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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9
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Zhang S, Qu X, Jiao J, Tang H, Wang M, Wang Y, Yang H, Yuan W, Yue B. Felodipine enhances aminoglycosides efficacy against implant infections caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, persisters and biofilms. Bioact Mater 2022; 14:272-289. [PMID: 35310349 PMCID: PMC8897655 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2021.11.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2021] [Revised: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), biofilms, and persisters are three major factors leading to recurrent and recalcitrant implant infections. Although antibiotics are still the primary treatment for chronic implant infections in clinical, only few drugs are effective in clearing persisters and formed biofilms. Here, felodipine, a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker, was reported for the first time to have antibacterial effects against MRSA, biofilm, and persisters. Even after continuous exposure to sub-lethal concentrations of felodipine, bacteria are less likely to develop resistance. Besides, low doses of felodipine enhances the antibacterial activity of gentamicin by inhibiting the expression of protein associated with aminoglycoside resistance (aacA-aphD). Next, biofilm eradication test and persisters killing assay suggested felodipine has an excellent bactericidal effect against formed biofilms and persisters. Furthermore, the result of protein profiling, and quantitative metabonomics analysis indicated felodipine reduce MRSA virulence (agrABC), biofilm formation and TCA cycle. Then, molecular docking showed felodipine inhibit the growth of persisters by binding to the H pocket of ClpP protease, which could lead to substantial protein degradation. Furthermore, murine infection models suggested felodipine in combination with gentamicin alleviate bacterial burden and inflammatory response. In conclusion, low dose of felodipine might be a promising agent for biomaterial delivery to enhance aminoglycosides efficacy against implant infections caused by MRSA, biofilm, and persisters. Felodipine inhibits MRSA gene expression associated with aminoglycoside resistance and biofilm formation. Felodipine eradicates formed biofilm and persisters on the surface of implants. Felodipine induces proteolysis of MRSA and decreases energy metabolism. Felodipine in combination with gentamicin alleviates murine periprosthetic joint infection.
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10
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Felix L, Mishra B, Khader R, Ganesan N, Mylonakis E. In Vitro and In Vivo Bactericidal and Antibiofilm Efficacy of Alpha Mangostin Against Staphylococcus aureus Persister Cells. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:898794. [PMID: 35937701 PMCID: PMC9353584 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.898794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The formation of persister cells is associated with recalcitrance and infections. In this study, we examined the antimicrobial property of alpha mangostin, a natural xanthone molecule, against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) persisters and biofilm. The MIC of alpha mangostin against MRSA persisters was 2 µg/ml, and activity was mediated by causing membrane permeabilization within 30 min of exposure. The membrane activity of alpha mangostin was further studied by fast-killing kinetics of MRSA persiste r cells and found that the compound exhibited 99.99% bactericidal activity within 30 min. Furthermore, alpha mangostin disrupted established MRSA biofilms and inhibited bacterial attachment as biofilm formation. Alpha mangostin down-regulated genes associated with the formation of persister cells and biofilms, such as norA, norB, dnaK, groE, and mepR, ranging from 2 to 4-folds. Alpha mangostin at 16 μg/ml was non-toxic (> 95% cell survival) to liver-derived HepG2 and lung-derived A549 cells, similarly. Still, alpha mangostin exhibited 50% cell lysis of human RBC at 16 μg/ml. Interestingly, alpha mangostin was effective in vivo at increasing the survival up to 75% (p<0.0001) of Galleria mellonella larvae infected with MRSA persister for 120 h. In conclusion, we report that alpha mangostin is active against MRSA persisters and biofilms, and these data further our understanding of the antistaphylococcal activity and toxicity of this natural compound.
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11
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Kim SM, Zou G, Kim H, Kang M, Ahn S, Heo HY, Kim JS, Lim KM, Ausubel FM, Mylonakis E, Gao H, Kim W. Antimicrobial activity of the membrane-active compound nTZDpa is enhanced at low pH. Biomed Pharmacother 2022; 150:112977. [PMID: 35447554 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.112977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Revised: 04/03/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The opportunistic human pathogen Staphylococcus aureus can evade antibiotics by acquiring antibiotic resistance genes or by entering into a non-growing dormant state. Moreover, the particular circumstances of a specific infection site, such as acidity or anaerobicity, often weaken antibiotic potency. Decreased bacterial susceptibility combined with diminished antibiotic potency is responsible for high failure rates when treating S. aureus infections. Here, we report that the membrane-active antimicrobial agent nTZDpa does not only exhibit enhanced antibiotic activity against multidrug-resistant Gram-positive pathogens in acidic pH, but also retains antimicrobial potency under anaerobic conditions. This agent completely eradicated highly antibiotic-tolerant cells and biofilms formed by methicillin-resistant S. aureus at pH 5.5 at concentrations at which it was not potent at pH 7.4. Furthermore, nTZDpa was more potent at synergistically potentiating gentamicin killing against antibiotic-tolerant MRSA cells at low pH than at high pH. All-atom molecular dynamics simulations combined with membrane-permeabilization assays revealed that the neutral form of nTZDpa, which contains carboxylic acid, is more effective than the deprotonated form at penetrating the bacterial membrane and plays an essential role in membrane activity. An acidic pH increases the proportion of the neutrally charged nTZDpa, which results in antimicrobial enhancement. Our results provide key insights into rational design of pH-sensitive membrane-active antimicrobials and antibiotic adjuvants that are effective in an infection environment. These findings demonstrate that nTZDpa is a promising lead compound for developing new therapeutics against hard-to-cure infections caused by drug-resistant and -tolerant S. aureus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soo Min Kim
- College of Pharmacy, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 03760, Republic of Korea
| | - Guijin Zou
- Institute of High Performance Computing, A⁎STAR, Singapore 138632, Singapore
| | - Hyerim Kim
- College of Pharmacy, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 03760, Republic of Korea
| | - Minjeong Kang
- College of Pharmacy, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 03760, Republic of Korea
| | - Soyeon Ahn
- College of Pharmacy, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 03760, Republic of Korea
| | - Hee Young Heo
- College of Pharmacy, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 03760, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae-Seok Kim
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Kangdong Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University College of Medicine, Seoul 05355, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyung-Min Lim
- College of Pharmacy, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 03760, Republic of Korea
| | - Frederick M Ausubel
- Department of Molecular Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA; Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Eleftherios Mylonakis
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Rhode Island Hospital, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI 02903, USA
| | - Huajian Gao
- Institute of High Performance Computing, A⁎STAR, Singapore 138632, Singapore; School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, College of Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639789, Singapore
| | - Wooseong Kim
- College of Pharmacy, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 03760, Republic of Korea.
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12
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Zha L, Xie Y, Wu C, Lei M, Lu X, Tang W, Zhang J. Novel benzothiazole‒urea hybrids: Design, synthesis and biological activity as potent anti-bacterial agents against MRSA. Eur J Med Chem 2022; 236:114333. [PMID: 35397402 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.114333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Revised: 03/19/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Novel benzothiazole‒urea hybrids were designed, synthesized and evaluated their anti-bacterial activity. They only exhibited anti-bacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria, including clinical methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), compounds 5f, 5i, 8e, 8k and 8l exhibited potent activity (MIC = 0.39 and 0.39/0.78 μM against SA and MRSA, respectively). Crystal violet assay showed that compounds 5f, 8e and 8l not only inhibited the formation of biofilms but also eradicated preformed biofilms. Compound 8l had membrane disruption, little propensity to induce resistance, benign safety and in vivo anti-MRSA efficacy in a mouse model of abdominal infection. Therefore, our data demonstrated the potential to advance benzothiazole‒urea hybrids as a new class of antibiotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Zha
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Yunfeng Xie
- School of Medicine, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan, 232001, China
| | - Chengyao Wu
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Ming Lei
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Xueer Lu
- School of Medicine, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan, 232001, China
| | - Wenjian Tang
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China.
| | - Jing Zhang
- Anhui Prevention and Treatment Center for Occupational Disease, Anhui No. 2 Provincial People's Hospital, Hefei, 230022, China.
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13
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Xu L, She P, Chen L, Li S, Zhou L, Hussain Z, Liu Y, Wu Y. Repurposing Candesartan Cilexetil as Antibacterial Agent for MRSA Infection. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:688772. [PMID: 34589063 PMCID: PMC8473943 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.688772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus is an important pathogen causing hospital-acquired infections. Methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), biofilms, and persisters are highly tolerant to traditional antibiotics and make it difficult to treat. Therefore, new antimicrobial agents are urgently needed to treat hard-to-eradicate diseases caused by this bacterium. In this study, candesartan cilexetil (CC), an angiotensin hypertension drug, had strong antimicrobial activity against S. aureus with minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and minimal bactericidal concentrations (MBCs) of 8-16 μg/ml and 16-32 μg/ml. CC exhibited limited cytotoxicity and low potential to induce drug resistance. In addition, it showed a synergistic antibacterial effect when combined with gentamicin and tobramycin. The effective concentrations to inhibit MRSA biofilm formation were 16-64 μg/ml, and intractable persisters were killed at 4-8 × MIC. Through the analysis of its mechanism of action, it was evident that the membrane permeability was disrupted as well as the cell structure was damaged. Furthermore, we demonstrated that CC had antibacterial effects in vivo in MRSA-infected murine skin abscess models. In conclusion, these results imply that CC might be a potential antibacterial agent for the treatment of S. aureus-associated infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lanlan Xu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Pengfei She
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Lihua Chen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Shijia Li
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Linying Zhou
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Zubair Hussain
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yaqian Liu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yong Wu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
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14
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Truskewycz A, Truong VK, Ball AS, Houshyar S, Nassar N, Yin H, Murdoch BJ, Cole I. Fluorescent Magnesium Hydroxide Nanosheet Bandages with Tailored Properties for Biocompatible Antimicrobial Wound Dressings and pH Monitoring. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2021; 13:27904-27919. [PMID: 34105937 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.1c05908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Magnesium hydroxide (Mg(OH)2) is hailed as a cheap and biocompatible material with antimicrobial potential; however, research aimed at instilling additional properties and functionality to this material is scarce. In this work, we synthesized novel, fluorescent magnesium hydroxide nanosheets (Mg(OH)2-NS) with a morphology that closely resembles that of graphene oxide. These multifunctional nanosheets were employed as a potent antimicrobial agent against several medically relevant bacterial and fungal species, particularly on solid surfaces. Their strong fluorescence signature correlates to their hydroxide makeup and can therefore be used to assess their degradation and functional antimicrobial capacity. Furthermore, their pH-responsive change in fluorescence can potentially act as a pH probe for wound acidification, which is characteristic of healthy wound healing. These fluorescent antimicrobial nanosheets were stably integrated into biocompatible electrospun fibers and agarose gels to add functionality to the material. This reinforces the suitability of the material to be used as antimicrobial bandages and gels. The biocompatibility of the Mg(OH)2-NS for topical medical applications was supported by its noncytotoxic action on human keratinocyte (HaCaT) cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Truskewycz
- Advanced Manufacturing and Fabrication, School of Engineering, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
| | - Vi Khanh Truong
- School of Science, STEM College, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
| | - Andrew S Ball
- ARC Training Centre for the Transformation of Australia Biosolids Resource, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
| | - Shadi Houshyar
- Advanced Manufacturing and Fabrication, School of Engineering, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
- School of Engineering, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
| | - Nazim Nassar
- Biosciences & Food Technology, STEM College, RMIT University, Bundoora West Campus, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
| | - Hong Yin
- Advanced Manufacturing and Fabrication, School of Engineering, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
| | - Billy J Murdoch
- RMIT Microscopy and Microanalysis Facility, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
| | - Ivan Cole
- Advanced Manufacturing and Fabrication, School of Engineering, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
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15
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Escobar IE, Possamai Rossatto FC, Kim SM, Kang MH, Kim W, Mylonakis E. Repurposing Kinase Inhibitor Bay 11-7085 to Combat Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans Biofilms. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:675300. [PMID: 34025434 PMCID: PMC8133364 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.675300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus and Candida spp. are commonly linked with topical biofilm-associated infections such as those found on chronic wounds. These biofilms are notoriously difficult to treat, highlighting the grave need to discover and study new broad-spectrum agents to combat associated infections. Here we report that the kinase inhibitor Bay 11-7085 exhibited bactericidal activity against multidrug-resistant S. aureus with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 4 μg/ml. In addition, S. aureus strain MW2 did not acquire resistance to antibiotic pressure. Furthermore, Bay 11-7085 exhibited potency against Candida albicans and the emerging pathogen Candida auris with a MIC of 0.5–1 μg/ml. Bay 11-7085 partially inhibited and eradicated biofilm formation of various pathogens, such as VRSA (vancomycin-resistant S. aureus), as well as antifungal-resistant Candida spp. isolates. Notably, Bay 11-7085 partially inhibited initial cell attachment and formation of a VRSA-C. albicans polymicrobial biofilm in vitro. In contrast to C. albicans, inhibition of VRSA biofilm was linked to initial cell attachment independent of its bactericidal activity. Finally, Bay 11-7085 was effective in vivo at increasing the lifespan of C. elegans during an S. aureus and a C. albicans infection. Our work proposes kinase inhibitor Bay 11-7085 as a potential compound capable of combating biofilms associated with primary multidrug-resistant bacteria and yeast pathogens associated with wound infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iliana E Escobar
- Infectious Diseases Division, Department of Medicine, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI, United States
| | - Fernanda Cristina Possamai Rossatto
- Infectious Diseases Division, Department of Medicine, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI, United States.,Laboratory of Biofilms and Alternative Models, Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Soo Min Kim
- College of Pharmacy, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Min Hee Kang
- College of Pharmacy, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Wooseong Kim
- College of Pharmacy, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Eleftherios Mylonakis
- Infectious Diseases Division, Department of Medicine, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI, United States
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16
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Fisher JF, Mobashery S. β-Lactams against the Fortress of the Gram-Positive Staphylococcus aureus Bacterium. Chem Rev 2021; 121:3412-3463. [PMID: 33373523 PMCID: PMC8653850 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.0c01010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The biological diversity of the unicellular bacteria-whether assessed by shape, food, metabolism, or ecological niche-surely rivals (if not exceeds) that of the multicellular eukaryotes. The relationship between bacteria whose ecological niche is the eukaryote, and the eukaryote, is often symbiosis or stasis. Some bacteria, however, seek advantage in this relationship. One of the most successful-to the disadvantage of the eukaryote-is the small (less than 1 μm diameter) and nearly spherical Staphylococcus aureus bacterium. For decades, successful clinical control of its infection has been accomplished using β-lactam antibiotics such as the penicillins and the cephalosporins. Over these same decades S. aureus has perfected resistance mechanisms against these antibiotics, which are then countered by new generations of β-lactam structure. This review addresses the current breadth of biochemical and microbiological efforts to preserve the future of the β-lactam antibiotics through a better understanding of how S. aureus protects the enzyme targets of the β-lactams, the penicillin-binding proteins. The penicillin-binding proteins are essential enzyme catalysts for the biosynthesis of the cell wall, and understanding how this cell wall is integrated into the protective cell envelope of the bacterium may identify new antibacterials and new adjuvants that preserve the efficacy of the β-lactams.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jed F Fisher
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, McCourtney Hall, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame Indiana 46556, United States
| | - Shahriar Mobashery
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, McCourtney Hall, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame Indiana 46556, United States
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17
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Diarylureas: Repositioning from Antitumor to Antimicrobials or Multi-Target Agents against New Pandemics. Antibiotics (Basel) 2021; 10:antibiotics10010092. [PMID: 33477901 PMCID: PMC7833385 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics10010092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Revised: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobials have allowed medical advancements over several decades. However, the continuous emergence of antimicrobial resistance restricts efficacy in treating infectious diseases. In this context, the drug repositioning of already known biological active compounds to antimicrobials could represent a useful strategy. In 2002 and 2003, the SARS-CoV pandemic immobilized the Far East regions. However, the drug discovery attempts to study the virus have stopped after the crisis declined. Today’s COVID-19 pandemic could probably have been avoided if those efforts against SARS-CoV had continued. Recently, a new coronavirus variant was identified in the UK. Because of this, the search for safe and potent antimicrobials and antivirals is urgent. Apart from antiviral treatment for severe cases of COVID-19, many patients with mild disease without pneumonia or moderate disease with pneumonia have received different classes of antibiotics. Diarylureas are tyrosine kinase inhibitors well known in the art as anticancer agents, which might be useful tools for a reposition as antimicrobials. The first to come onto the market as anticancer was sorafenib, followed by some other active molecules. For this interesting class of organic compounds antimicrobial, antiviral, antithrombotic, antimalarial, and anti-inflammatory properties have been reported in the literature. These numerous properties make these compounds interesting for a new possible pandemic considering that, as well as for other viral infections also for CoVID-19, a multitarget therapeutic strategy could be favorable. This review is meant to be an overview on diarylureas, focusing on their biological activities, not dwelling on the already known antitumor activity. Quite a lot of papers present in the literature underline and highlight the importance of these molecules as versatile scaffolds for the development of new and promising antimicrobials and multitarget agents against new pandemic events.
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18
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Zhong C, Zhang F, Zhu N, Zhu Y, Yao J, Gou S, Xie J, Ni J. Ultra-short lipopeptides against gram-positive bacteria while alleviating antimicrobial resistance. Eur J Med Chem 2020; 212:113138. [PMID: 33422980 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2020.113138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2020] [Revised: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Facing the continuously urgent demands for novel antimicrobial agents since the growing emergence of bacterial resistance, a series of new ultra-short lipopeptides, composed of tryptophan and arginine and fatty acids, were de novo designed and synthesized in this study. Most of the new lipopeptides exhibited preferable antimicrobial potential against gram-positive bacteria, including MRSA clinical isolates. Among them, the new lipopeptides C14-R1 (C14-RWW-NH2) and C12-R2 (C12-RRW-NH2) presented higher selectivity to bacterial membranes over mammalian membranes and low cytotoxicity, which also maintained better antimicrobial activity in the presence of physiological salts or serum. Most importantly, C14-R1 and C12-R2 not only expressed low tendency of bacterial resistance, but also displayed synergistic antimicrobial activity against antibiotics-resistant bacteria when be used in combination with antibiotics. Especially, they could alleviate or reverse the ciprofloxacin resistance, implying an ideal anti-resistance function. Moreover, the new lipopeptides showed rapid killing kinetics, obvious effectiveness for persistent cells that escaped from antibiotics, and strong anti-biofilm ability, which further indicated a preferable anti-resistance ability. The typical non-receptor-mediated membrane mechanisms were characterized by LPS/LTA competitive inhibition, cytoplasmic membrane depolarization, PI uptake assay and scanning electron microscopy analyses systematically. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation assays supplemented their intracellular targets in the meanwhile. In addition to the remarkable antimicrobial activity in vivo, the new lipopeptides also displayed significant anti-inflammatory effect in vivo. To sum up, the new lipopeptides C14-R1 and C12-R2 viewed as novel antimicrobial alternatives for tackling the impending crisis of antimicrobial resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Zhong
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China; School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Fangyan Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Ningyi Zhu
- School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Yuewen Zhu
- School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Jia Yao
- The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Sanhu Gou
- School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Junqiu Xie
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Jingman Ni
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China; School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China; State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Avenida Wai Long, Taipa, Macao 999078, China.
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19
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Zhong L, Liu J, Teng S, Xie Z. Identification of a Novel Cathelicidin from the Deinagkistrodon acutus Genome with Antibacterial Activity by Multiple Mechanisms. Toxins (Basel) 2020; 12:toxins12120771. [PMID: 33291852 PMCID: PMC7762006 DOI: 10.3390/toxins12120771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2020] [Revised: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The abuse of antibiotics and the consequent increase of drug-resistant bacteria constitute a serious threat to human health, and new antibiotics are urgently needed. Research shows that antimicrobial peptides produced by natural organisms are potential substitutes for antibiotics. Based on Deinagkistrodonacutus (known as five-pacer viper) genome bioinformatics analysis, we discovered a new cathelicidin antibacterial peptide which was called FP-CATH. Circular dichromatic analysis showed a typical helical structure. FP-CATH showed broad-spectrum antibacterial activity. It has antibacterial activity to Gram-negative bacteria and Gram-positive bacteria including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The results of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that FP-CATH could cause the change of bacterial cell integrity, having a destructive effect on Gram-negative bacteria and inducing Gram-positive bacterial surface formation of vesicular structure. FP-CATH could bind to LPS and showed strong binding ability to bacterial DNA. In vivo, FP-CATH can improve the survival rate of nematodes in bacterial invasion experiments, and has a certain protective effect on nematodes. To sum up, FP-CATH is likely to play a role in multiple mechanisms of antibacterial action by impacting bacterial cell integrity and binding to bacterial biomolecules. It is hoped that the study of FP-CATH antibacterial mechanisms will prove useful for development of novel antibiotics.
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20
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New Antimicrobial Bioactivity against Multidrug-Resistant Gram-Positive Bacteria of Kinase Inhibitor IMD0354. Antibiotics (Basel) 2020; 9:antibiotics9100665. [PMID: 33019726 PMCID: PMC7601562 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics9100665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Revised: 09/25/2020] [Accepted: 09/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Multidrug-resistant pathogens pose a serious threat to human health. For decades, the antibiotic vancomycin has been a potent option when treating Gram-positive multidrug-resistant infections. Nonetheless, in recent decades, we have begun to see an increase in vancomycin-resistant bacteria. Here, we show that the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) inhibitor N-[3,5-Bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-5-chloro-2-hydroxybenzamide (IMD0354) was identified as a positive hit through a Caenorhabditis elegans–methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection screen. IMD0354 was a potent bacteriostatic drug capable of working at a minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) as low as 0.06 µg/mL against various vancomycin-resistant strains. Interestingly, IMD0354 showed no hemolytic activity at concentrations as high as 16 µg/mL and is minimally toxic to C. elegans in vivo with 90% survival up to 64 µg/mL. In addition, we demonstrated that IMD0354′s mechanism of action at high concentrations is membrane permeabilization. Lastly, we found that IMD0354 is able to inhibit vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (VRSA) initial cell attachment and biofilm formation at sub-MIC levels and above. Our work highlights that the NF-κB inhibitor IMD0354 has promising potential as a lead compound and an antimicrobial therapeutic candidate capable of combating multidrug-resistant bacteria.
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21
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Zou G, Liu Y, Gao H. EML webinar overview: Simulation-assisted discovery of membrane targeting nanomedicine. EXTREME MECHANICS LETTERS 2020; 39:100817. [PMID: 32537481 PMCID: PMC7278653 DOI: 10.1016/j.eml.2020.100817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2020] [Accepted: 06/05/2020] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought infectious diseases again to the forefront of global public health concerns. In this EML webinar (Gao, 2020), we discuss some recent work on simulation-assisted discovery of membrane targeting nanomedicine to counter increasing antimicrobial resistance and potential application of similar ideas to the current pandemic. A recent report led by the world health organization (WHO) warned that 10 million people worldwide could die of bacterial infections each year by 2050. To avert the crisis, membrane targeting antibiotics are drawing increasing attention due to their intrinsic advantage of low resistance development. In collaboration with a number of experimental groups, we show examples of simulation-assisted discovery of molecular agents capable of selectively penetrating and aggregating in bacterial lipid membranes, causing membrane permeability/rupture. Through systematic all-atom molecular dynamics simulations and free energy analysis, we demonstrate that the membrane activity of the molecular agents correlates with their ability to enter, perturb and permeabilize the lipid bilayers. Further study on different cell membranes demonstrates that the selectivity results from the presence of cholesterol in mammalian but not in bacterial membranes, as the cholesterol can condense the hydrophobic region of membrane, preventing the penetration of the molecular agents. Following the molecular penetration, we establish a continuum theory and derive the energetic driving force for the domain aggregation and pore growth on lipid membrane. We show that the energy barrier to membrane pore formation can be significantly lowered through molecular aggregation on a large domain with intrinsic curvature and a sharp interface. The theory is consistent with experimental observations and validated with coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations of molecular domain aggregation leading to pore formation in a lipid membrane. The mechanistic modelling and simulation provide some fundamental principles on how molecular antimicrobials interact with bacterial membranes and damage them through domain aggregation and pore formation. For treating viral infections and cancer therapy, we discuss potential size- and lipid-type-based selectivity principles for developing membrane active nanomedicine. These studies suggest a general simulation-assisted platform to accelerate discovery and innovation in nanomedicine against infectious diseases. EML Webinar speakers are updated at https://imechanica.org/node/24132.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guijin Zou
- Institute of High Performance Computing, A*STAR, Singapore 138632, Singapore
| | - Yue Liu
- School of Engineering, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA
| | - Huajian Gao
- Institute of High Performance Computing, A*STAR, Singapore 138632, Singapore
- School of Engineering, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA
- School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, College of Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 70 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 639798, Singapore
- Corresponding author.
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