Potentiating antibiotic efficacy via perturbation of non-essential gene expression
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ABSTRACT: Proliferation of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria poses a threat to human health, requiring new strategies. Here we propose using fitness neutral gene expression perturbations to potentiate antibiotics. We systematically explored 270 gene knockout-antibiotic combinations in Escherichia coli, identifying 90 synergistic interactions. Identified gene targets were subsequently tested for antibiotic synergy on the transcriptomic level via multiplexed CRISPR-dCas9 and showed successful sensitization of E. coli without a separate fitness cost. These fitness neutral gene perturbations worked as co-therapies in reducing a Salmonella enterica intracellular infection in HeLa. Finally, these results informed the design of four antisense peptide nucleic acid (PNA) co-therapies, csgD, fnr, recA and acrA, against four MDR, clinically isolated bacteria. PNA combined with sub-minimal inhibitory concentrations of trimethoprim against two isolates of Klebsiella pneumoniae and E. coli showed three cases of re-sensitization with minimal fitness impacts. Our results highlight a promising approach for extending the utility of current antibiotics. Otoupal et al. use a systematic approach to investigate the effects of fitness neutral gene perturbations and antibiotic synergy in Escherichia coli. These neutral fitness interactions worked as co-therapies in a Salmonella enterica infection and informed the design of re-sensitization therapies in multi-drug resistant E. coli and Klebisiella pneumoniae clinical isolates.
SUBMITTER: Otoupal P
PROVIDER: S-EPMC8571399 | biostudies-literature |
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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