An antisense oligomer conjugate with unpredicted bactericidal activity against <i>Fusobacterium nucleatum</i>.

ABSTRACT: Fusobacteria are commensal members of the oral microbiome that can spread from their primary niche and colonize distal sites in the human body. Their enrichment in colorectal and breast cancer tissue has been associated with tumor growth, metastasis, and chemotherapeutic resistance. The use of non-selective antibiotics to remove fusobacteria impairs tumor progression, but prolonged application causes side effects, such as gastrointestinal problems and dysbiosis. Species-specific antisense antibiotics based on peptide nucleic acid (PNA) have shown efficacy in many gram-negative species, suggesting that antisense PNAs may also enable a tailored depletion of fusobacteria. Here, we have investigated the antibacterial potential of cell-penetrating peptide (CPP)-PNA conjugates targeting the mRNA

SUBMITTER: Cosi V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12153356 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature