Disulfiram inhibits bacterial growth by inducing zinc-dependent reactive oxygen species.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

The discovery of novel antimicrobial mechanisms among existing clinical drugs is urgently needed. Disulfiram, an FDA-approved treatment for alcohol dependence, exhibits broad-spectrum antibacterial effects. However, its mechanism of action remains incompletely understood.

Methods

The antimicrobial activity of disulfiram was assessed using bacterial growth curves and colony-forming unit assays. Cytotoxicity was evaluated via propidium iodide staining and flow cytometry. Synergy with polymyxins or kanamycin was examined using checkerboard assays. RNA-seq was performed on disulfiram-treated E. coli, and differentially expressed genes were analyzed using the R package limma. Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were measured with fluorescent probes and

SUBMITTER: Luo Q 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12310742 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature