Protocols for screening antimicrobial peptides that influence virulence gene expression in Staphylococcus aureus

Martin Saxtorph Bojer, Mara Baldry, Hanne Ingmer*

*Corresponding author for this work
4 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Compounds that inhibit virulence gene expression in bacterial pathogens have received increasing interest as possible alternatives to the traditional antibiotic treatment of infections. For the human pathogen Staphylococcus aureus, we have developed two simple assays based on reporter gene fusions to central virulence genes that are easily applicable for screening various sources of natural and synthetic peptides for anti-virulence effects. The plate assay is qualitative but simultaneously assesses the effect of gradient concentrations of the investigated compound, whereas the liquid assay is quantitative and can be employed to address whether a compound is acting on the central quorum sensing regulatory system, agr, that controls a large number of virulence genes in S. aureus.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationAntimicrobial Peptides : Methods and Protocols
EditorsPaul R. Hansen
Number of pages8
Volume1548
PublisherHumana Press
Publication date2017
Pages387-394
Chapter28
ISBN (Print)978-1-4939-6735-3
ISBN (Electronic)978-1-4939-6737-7
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2017
SeriesMethods in Molecular Biology
Volume1548
ISSN1064-3745

Keywords

  • Agr quorum sensing
  • Anti-virulence
  • Compound screening
  • Hla
  • Peptides
  • RNAIII
  • S. aureus
  • Spa
  • β-Galactosidase/β-lactamase reporter genes

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