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Stabbed while Sleeping: Synthetic Retinoid Antibiotics Kill Bacterial Persister Cells
Maarten Fauvart1, Bram Van den Bergh2, Jan Michiels3
1Centre of Microbial and Plant Genetics, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 20, Box 2460, 3001 Leuven, Belgium; Center for Microbiology, Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie, Leuven, Belgium; IMEC, Kapeldreef 75, 3001 Leuven, Belgium.
Molecular Cell
|June 9, 2018
Summary
New synthetic retinoid antibiotics effectively eliminate antibiotic-tolerant persister cells in Staphylococcus aureus. These novel compounds disrupt the bacterial cytoplasmic membrane, offering a promising strategy against persistent infections.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Drug Discovery
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Antibiotic-tolerant persister cells pose a significant challenge in treating bacterial infections.
- Conventional antibiotics are often ineffective against these dormant cells, leading to treatment failure and relapse.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify novel therapeutic agents capable of eradicating antibiotic-tolerant persister cells.
- To investigate the mechanism of action of a new class of synthetic retinoid antibiotics against Staphylococcus aureus persisters.
Main Methods:
- Screening of synthetic retinoid compounds for activity against Staphylococcus aureus persisters.
- Analysis of the effect of the identified compounds on bacterial cytoplasmic membrane integrity.
Main Results:
- A novel class of synthetic retinoid antibiotics was discovered.
- These retinoids demonstrated potent bactericidal activity against Staphylococcus aureus persisters.
- The mechanism involves the disruption of the bacterial cytoplasmic membrane.
Conclusions:
- Synthetic retinoid antibiotics represent a promising new therapeutic approach for eliminating persistent bacterial infections.
- Targeting the cytoplasmic membrane is a viable strategy for eradicating antibiotic-tolerant persister cells.
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