Virulence mechanisms as targets for biodiscovery in combatting antimicrobial resistance: Identification and characterization of antibacterial and anti-virulence molecules from marine sponges and snake venom
Khan, Neyaz
Khan, Neyaz
Loading...
Publication Date
2022-06-14
Type
Thesis
Downloads
Citation
Abstract
Emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistanceposes a serious health concern.Using conventional antibiotics will speed upthis process because of the selective pressure it confers to the bacteria. Targeting the virulence factors of the bacteria could be a promising alternative due to its non-bactericidal property. Hence,findinganti-virulence molecule against resistant pathogen could lead to thenext-generation antibiotic. Marine sponges and snake venoms harbours diverse range of bioactive molecules and could be an ideal source for anti-virulence molecules. Here we demonstrate the potential of synanthropic spidersincluding the false widow spider Steatoda nobilisin carrying and transmitting multi-drug resistant bacteria. We displayed ability ofbis-indoles from marine sponge Spongosorites calcicolato kill clinically relevant Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteriaincluding MRSA and MSSA. Wealso report that thebis-indoleis killing MRSA cells by disrupting cell membrane. We further demonstrate anti-virulence ability offatty acidsfrom marine sponge Mycale contareniito inhibit biofilm formation of MRSA and MSSA without affecting their growth. We reveal that the mechanism of action of the fatty acids in inhibiting biofilm is bydown-regulating the adhesin genes which are indispensable for biofilm formation in the respective pathogens. Finally, we report anti-virulence ability of snake venomsof Naja samarensisand Bitis arietansin inhibiting biofilm formation of MRSA and MSSA without any growth effect. This study reveals thatmarine sponges and snake venoms are rich sources of anti-virulence moleculesand could be promising candidate in search for the next-generation antibiotics.
Funder
Publisher
NUI Galway