Solonamide B inhibits quorum sensing and reduces Staphylococcus aureus mediated killing of human neutrophils

Anita Nielsen, Maria Månsson, Martin Saxtorph Bojer, Lone Gram, Thomas Ostenfeld Larsen, Richard P. Novick, Dorte Frees, Hanne Frøkiær, Hanne Ingmer

78 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) continues to be a serious human pathogen, and particularly the spread of community associated (CA)-MRSA strains such as USA300 is a concern, as these strains can cause severe infections in otherwise healthy adults. Recently, we reported that a cyclodepsipeptide termed Solonamide B isolated from the marine bacterium, Photobacterium halotolerans strongly reduces expression of RNAIII, the effector molecule of the agr quorum sensing system. Here we show that Solonamide B interferes with the binding of S. aureus autoinducing peptides (AIPs) to sensor histidine kinase, AgrC, of the agr two-component system. The hypervirulence of USA300 has been linked to increased expression of central virulence factors like α-hemolysin and the phenol soluble modulins (PSMs). Importantly, in strain USA300 Solonamide B dramatically reduced the activity of α-hemolysin and the transcription of psma encoding PSMs with an 80% reduction in toxicity of supernatants towards human neutrophils and rabbit erythrocytes. To our knowledge this is the first report of a compound produced naturally by a Gram-negative marine bacterium that interferes with agr and affects both RNAIII and AgrA controlled virulence gene expression in S. aureus.

Original languageEnglish
JournalP L o S One
Volume9
Issue number1
Pages (from-to)e84992
Number of pages10
ISSN1932-6203
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 8 Jan 2014

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