Small-molecule AgrA inhibitors F12 and F19 act as antivirulence agents against Gram-positive pathogens

Sci Rep. 2018 Oct 1;8(1):14578. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-32829-w.

Abstract

Small-molecule antivirulence agents represent a promising alternative or adjuvant to antibiotics. These compounds disarm pathogens of disease-causing toxins without killing them, thereby diminishing survival pressure to develop resistance. Here we show that the small-molecule antivirulence agents F12 and F19 block staphylococcal transcription factor AgrA from binding to its promoter. Consequently, toxin expression is inhibited, thus preventing host cell damage by Gram-positive pathogens. Broad spectrum efficacy against Gram-positive pathogens is due to the existence of AgrA homologs in many Gram-positive bacteria. F12 is more efficacious in vitro and F19 works better in vivo. In a murine MRSA bacteremia/sepsis model, F19 treatment alone resulted in 100% survival while untreated animals had 70% mortality. Furthermore, F19 enhances antibiotic efficacy in vivo. Notably, in a murine MRSA wound infection model, combination of F19 with antibiotics resulted in bacterial load reduction. Thus, F19 could be used alone or in combination with antibiotics to prevent and treat infections of Gram-positive pathogens.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / administration & dosage
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology*
  • Bacterial Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Drug Synergism
  • Gram-Positive Bacteria / drug effects*
  • Mice
  • Sepsis / drug therapy
  • Staphylococcal Infections / drug therapy*
  • Survival Analysis
  • Trans-Activators / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Virulence / drug effects
  • Virulence Factors / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Wound Infection / drug therapy

Substances

  • Agr protein, Staphylococcus aureus
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Trans-Activators
  • Virulence Factors