Identification of a potent indigoid persister antimicrobial by screening dormant cells

Sooyeon Song, Ting Gong, Ryota Yamasaki, Jun Seob Kim, Thomas K. Wood

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

22 Scopus citations

Abstract

The subpopulation of bacterial cells that survive myriad stress conditions (e.g., nutrient deprivation and antimicrobials) by ceasing metabolism, revive by activating ribosomes. These resuscitated cells can reconstitute infections; hence, it is imperative to discover compounds which eradicate persister cells. By screening 10,000 compounds directly for persister cell killing, we identified 5-nitro-3-phenyl-1H-indol-2-yl-methylamine hydrochloride (NPIMA) kills Escherichia coli persister cells more effectively than the best indigoid found to date, 5-iodoindole, and better than the DNA-crosslinker cisplatin. In addition, NPIMA eradicated Pseudomonas aeruginosa persister cells in a manner comparable to cisplatin. NPIMA also eradicated Staphylococcus aureus persister cells but was less effective than cisplatin. Critically, NPIMA kills Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria by damaging membranes and causing lysis as demonstrated by microscopy and release of extracellular DNA and protein. Furthermore, NPIMA was effective in reducing P. aeruginosa and S. aureus cell numbers in a wound model, and no resistance was found after 1 week. Hence, we identified a potent indigoid that kills persister cells by damaging their membranes.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)2263-2274
Number of pages12
JournalBiotechnology and bioengineering
Volume116
Issue number9
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 2019

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Biotechnology
  • Bioengineering
  • Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology

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