Proton Motive Force Inhibitors Are Detrimental to Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Strains
Sayed Golam Mohiuddin, Sreyashi Ghosh, Pouria Kavousi, Mehmet A. Orman
Abstract
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) emerged as a major hypervirulent pathogen that causes severe health care-acquired infections. These pathogens can be multidrug-tolerant cells, which can facilitate the recurrence of chronic infections and the emergence of diverse antibiotic-resistant mutants. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether proton motive force (PMF) inhibitors can launch a new treatment strategy to eliminate MRSA cells. Our in-depth analysis showed that PMF inhibitors that strongly dissipate either the transmembrane electric potential or the proton gradient can robustly permeabilize cell membranes and reduce MRSA cell levels below the limit of detection.