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Functional network analysis identifies multiple virulence and antibiotic resistance targets in Stenotrophomonas

Larina Pinto1, Rajesh P Shastry2, Shivakiran Alva1

  • 1Center for Bioinformatics, NITTE Deemed to be University, Mangaluru, 575018, India.

Microbial Pathogenesis
|August 24, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, a multidrug-resistant bacterium, poses a threat to immunocompromised individuals. This study identified potential new antibiotic compounds, deoxytubulosine and corosolic acid, targeting key bacterial proteins.

Area of Science:

  • * Medical microbiology
  • * Computational biology
  • * Cheminformatics

Background:

  • * Stenotrophomonas maltophilia is an opportunistic pathogen causing severe infections like pneumonia and bloodstream infections, particularly in immunocompromised patients.
  • * This bacterium exhibits resistance to multiple antibiotics, including combination therapies, necessitating novel treatment strategies.
  • * High fatality rates, especially in cases of hemorrhagic fever, underscore the urgent need for effective interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • * To investigate the virulence and antibiotic resistance mechanisms of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia using in-silico functional network analysis.
  • * To identify potential therapeutic targets within the bacterium's protein-protein interaction (PPI) network.
  • * To screen phytochemicals for their inhibitory potential against identified key bacterial proteins.

Main Methods:

  • * Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis was performed on 150 genes associated with antibiotic resistance and virulence.
  • * Hub proteins within the PPI network were identified.
  • * Molecular docking studies were conducted to evaluate the binding affinity of 58 selected phytochemicals against the identified hub proteins.

Main Results:

  • * Eight hub proteins (PilL, FliA, Smlt2260, Smlt2267, CheW, Smlt2318, CheZ, and FliM) were identified as critical nodes in the S. maltophilia network.
  • * Deoxytubulosine and corosolic acid demonstrated potent inhibitory activity against these hub proteins through protein-ligand interactions.
  • * These phytochemicals show promise as potential inhibitors of pathogenic S. maltophilia.

Conclusions:

  • * In-silico functional network analysis successfully identified key proteins involved in S. maltophilia pathogenesis and resistance.
  • * Deoxytubulosine and corosolic acid are promising lead compounds for developing novel antibiotics against multidrug-resistant S. maltophilia.
  • * Further pharmacophore studies are recommended to advance these compounds into potential therapeutic agents.
Keywords:
Antimicrobial resistanceFunctional network analysisProtein-protein interactionVirulence

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