Mode-of-action studies of the novel bisquaternary bisnaphthalimide MT02 against Staphylococcus aureus

Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2011 Jan;55(1):311-20. doi: 10.1128/AAC.00586-10. Epub 2010 Oct 11.

Abstract

Screening of various bisquaternary bisnaphthalimides against a variety of human pathogens revealed one compound, designated MT02, with strong inhibitory effects against Gram-positive bacteria. The MICs ranged from 0.31 μg/ml against community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) lineage USA300 to 20 μg/ml against Streptococcus pneumoniae. Radioactive whole-cell labeling experiments indicated a strong impact of MT02 on bacterial DNA replication. DNA microarray studies generated a transcriptional signature characterized by stronger expression of genes involved in DNA metabolism, DNA replication, SOS response, and transport of positively charged compounds. Furthermore, surface plasmon resonance and gel retardation experiments demonstrated direct binding of MT02 to DNA in a concentration-dependent, reversible, and non-sequence-specific manner. The data presented suggest that the bisquaternary bisnaphthalimide MT02 exerts anti-Gram-positive activity by binding to DNA and thereby preventing appropriate DNA replication.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / chemistry
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology*
  • Bacterial Proteins / drug effects*
  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Intercalating Agents / chemistry
  • Intercalating Agents / pharmacology*
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Molecular Structure
  • Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis
  • Staphylococcus aureus / genetics

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Intercalating Agents