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Myrtenol Attenuates MRSA Biofilm and Virulence by Suppressing sarA Expression Dynamism

Anthonymuthu Selvaraj1, Thangaraj Jayasree1, Alaguvel Valliammai1

  • 1Department of Biotechnology, Alagappa University, Karaikudi, India.

Frontiers in Microbiology
|September 26, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Myrtenol effectively inhibits biofilm formation and virulence in Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) without harming cells. This natural compound offers a promising strategy against antibiotic-resistant infections.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Pharmacology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a major global health threat due to multidrug resistance (MDR).
  • Biofilm formation is a key mechanism conferring antibiotic resistance in MRSA, necessitating alternative therapeutic strategies.
  • Targeting biofilm and virulence factors presents a promising approach to combat persistent MRSA infections.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the antibiofilm and antivirulence potential of myrtenol against MRSA.
  • To evaluate the effect of myrtenol on MRSA cell viability and key virulence factors.
  • To explore the underlying molecular mechanisms of myrtenol's action, including gene regulation.

Main Methods:

  • MRSA isolates were treated with varying concentrations of myrtenol.
  • Biofilm inhibition, cell viability (trypan blue, Alamar blue assays), virulence factor synthesis, and biofilm disruption were assessed.
  • Transcriptional analysis of the global regulator `sarA` and its mediated genes was performed.

Main Results:

  • Myrtenol demonstrated concentration-dependent inhibition of MRSA biofilm formation without affecting cell viability.
  • Myrtenol suppressed key virulence factors (slime, lipase, α-hemolysin, staphyloxanthin, autolysin) and disrupted pre-formed biofilms.
  • Myrtenol treatment led to down-regulation of `sarA` and its associated virulence genes, correlating with phenotypic observations.

Conclusions:

  • Myrtenol exhibits significant antibiofilm and antivirulence properties against MRSA.
  • The compound's efficacy is linked to the down-regulation of the `sarA` regulatory pathway.
  • Myrtenol represents a potential non-cytotoxic therapeutic agent for combating MRSA infections.
Keywords:
Alamar blueMethicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureusPBMCbiofilmeDNAmyrtenolsarAtranscriptional analysis

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