Antisense RNA Enhanced Sensitivity of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus to Hydrogen Peroxide

Abstract

Background: Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is the leading cause of various infective diseases including topical soft tissue infections. Due to an increasing prevalence of the methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), S. aureus infection become more challenging to being treated over recent years. The goals of this study were to investigate the roles of antisense yycF/G RNAs in the regulation of the biofilm formation and pathogenicity. Methods: MRSA ASyycF/G overexpression mutants were constructed. The biofilm biomass was determined by crystal violet microtiter assay and scanning electron mi-ceroscopy (SEM). Quantitative RT-PCR and western blotting analysis were used to detect the transcripts and translations of biofilm-related genes. The effects of the antisense RNAs (ASyycF/G) strategy on the susceptibility of biofilm-producing S. aureus to hydrogen peroxide were also investigated. Result: The ASyycF/G transcript leaded to reduction in the biofilm formation. Overexpression of ASyycF/G inhibited the transcripts and translations of biofilm-related genes. The sensibility to vancomycin was improved in ASyycF/G overexpression MRSA. Conclusions: The biofilm biomass and the transcripts of the pathogenicity associated genes decreased in the ASyycF/G overexpression mutant. Thus, the current evidence may provide a supplementary strategy for managing MRSA infections.