Mechanosensitive Channels Mediate Hypoionic Shock-Induced Aminoglycoside Potentiation against Bacterial Persisters by Enhancing Antibiotic Uptake.

ABSTRACT: Improving the efficacy of existing antibiotics is a promising strategy for combating antibiotic-resistant/tolerant bacterial pathogens that have become a severe threat to human health. We previously reported that aminoglycoside antibiotics could be dramatically potentiated against stationary-phase Escherichia coli cells under hypoionic shock conditions (i.e., treatment with ion-free solutions), but the underlying molecular mechanism remains unknown. Here, we show that mechanosensitive (MS) channels, a ubiquitous protein family sensing mechanical forces of cell membrane, mediate such hypoionic shock-induced aminoglycoside potentiation. Two-minute treatment under conditions of hypoionic shock (e.g., in pure water) greatly enhances the bactericidal effects of aminoglycosides against both spon

SUBMITTER: Lv B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8846477 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature