Suppression of Staphylococcus aureus biofilm formation and virulence by a benzimidazole derivative, UM-C162

Sci Rep. 2018 Feb 9;8(1):2758. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-21141-2.

Abstract

Staphylococcus aureus is a major cause of nosocomial infections and secretes a diverse spectrum of virulence determinants as well as forms biofilm. The emergence of antibiotic-resistant S. aureus highlights the need for alternative forms of therapeutics other than conventional antibiotics. One route to meet this need is screening small molecule derivatives for potential anti-infective activity. Using a previously optimized C. elegans - S. aureus small molecule screen, we identified a benzimidazole derivative, UM-C162, which rescued nematodes from a S. aureus infection. UM-C162 prevented the formation of biofilm in a dose-dependent manner without interfering with bacterial viability. To examine the effect of UM-C162 on the expression of S. aureus virulence genes, a genome-wide transcriptome analysis was performed on UM-C162-treated pathogen. Our data indicated that the genes associated with biofilm formation, particularly those involved in bacterial attachment, were suppressed in UM-C162-treated bacteria. Additionally, a set of genes encoding vital S. aureus virulence factors were also down-regulated in the presence of UM-C162. Further biochemical analysis validated that UM-C162-mediated disruption of S. aureus hemolysins, proteases and clumping factors production. Collectively, our findings propose that UM-C162 is a promising compound that can be further developed as an anti-virulence agent to control S. aureus infections.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology*
  • Benzimidazoles / pharmacology*
  • Biofilms / drug effects*
  • Caenorhabditis elegans / microbiology
  • Cross Infection* / drug therapy
  • Cross Infection* / microbiology
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Staphylococcal Infections* / drug therapy
  • Staphylococcal Infections* / microbiology
  • Staphylococcus aureus* / drug effects
  • Staphylococcus aureus* / genetics
  • Staphylococcus aureus* / pathogenicity
  • Virulence / drug effects
  • Virulence / genetics
  • Virulence Factors / genetics

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Benzimidazoles
  • Virulence Factors