Inhibitory Effect of Salicin on Staphylococcus aureus Coagulase

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Pharmacology
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Antibiotic resistance in Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is a growing global health concern.
• Novel therapeutic strategies are urgently needed to combat resistant bacterial infections.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the inhibitory effect of salicin on S. aureus.
• To elucidate the mechanism by which salicin affects S. aureus virulence, specifically targeting coagulase (Coa).

Main Methods:

• In vitro coagulase (Coa) activity assays.
• Western blot, thermal shift assay (TSA), and fluorescence quenching experiments.
• Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations.
• In vivo mouse pneumonia model.

Main Results:

• Salicin directly inhibited Coa activity in vitro.
• Salicin binding to Coa affected its thermal stability without altering its expression.
• Molecular docking identified GLN-97 as a key binding site for salicin on Coa.
• In a mouse pneumonia model, salicin reduced S. aureus lung burden and prolonged survival.

Conclusions:

• Salicin is a novel anti-infective candidate that targets and inhibits S. aureus Coa activity.
• Salicin demonstrates potential in reducing S. aureus virulence and improving outcomes in vivo.
• This study provides a foundation for developing salicin-based therapeutics against S. aureus infections.