DNA-crosslinker cisplatin eradicates bacterial persister cells

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Drug Discovery
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Bacterial persister cells survive antibiotic treatment by entering a dormant, non-metabolizing state.
• This antibiotic tolerance contributes to chronic infections and high mortality rates globally.
• Current antimicrobials are ineffective against these persister cells.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the efficacy of the anti-cancer drug cisplatin against bacterial persister cells.
• To determine the mechanism of action of cisplatin on persister cells.
• To evaluate the broad-spectrum activity of cisplatin against various pathogenic bacteria.

Main Methods:

• Treatment of Escherichia coli K-12 persister cells with cisplatin.
• Comparison of cisplatin's efficacy with mitomycin C against Pseudomonas aeruginosa persister cells.
• Testing cisplatin against persister cells of clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus and P. aeruginosa.

Main Results:

• Cisplatin eradicated Escherichia coli K-12 persister cells via a growth-independent mechanism.
• Cisplatin was more effective than mitomycin C in killing Pseudomonas aeruginosa persister cells.
• Cisplatin demonstrated high efficacy against persister cells of multiple pathogens, including clinical isolates.

Conclusions:

• Cisplatin exhibits broad-spectrum activity against bacterial persister cells.
• Cisplatin represents a potential therapeutic agent for combating persistent bacterial infections.
• The anti-cancer drug cisplatin offers a novel strategy against antibiotic-tolerant bacteria.