Auranofin and related heterometallic gold(I)-thiolates as potent inhibitors of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacterial strains

J Inorg Biochem. 2014 Sep:138:81-88. doi: 10.1016/j.jinorgbio.2014.05.008. Epub 2014 May 28.

Abstract

A series of new heterometallic gold(I) thiolates containing ferrocenyl-phoshines were synthesized. Their antimicrobial properties were studied and compared to that of FDA-approved drug, auranofin (Ridaura), prescribed for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. MIC in the order of one digit micromolar were found for most of the compounds against Gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and CA MRSA strains US300 and US400. Remarkably, auranofin inhibited S. aureus, US300 and US400 in the order of 150-300 nM. This is the first time that the potent inhibitory effect of auranofin on MRSA strains has been described. The effects of a selected heterometallic compound and auranofin were also studied in a non-tumorigenic human embryonic kidney cell line (HEK-293).

Keywords: Antimicrobial; Auranofin; Heterometallic gold–thiolates; MRSA.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology*
  • Auranofin / pharmacology*
  • Crystallography, X-Ray
  • HEK293 Cells / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / drug effects*
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Organogold Compounds / chemical synthesis
  • Organogold Compounds / pharmacology*
  • Staphylococcus aureus / drug effects

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Organogold Compounds
  • Auranofin