Multi-target mode of action of silver against Staphylococcus aureus endows it with capability to combat antibiotic resistance

Haibo Wang, Minji Wang, Xiaohan Xu, Peng Gao, Zeling Xu, Qi Zhang, Hongyan Li, Aixin Yan, Richard Yi-Tsun Kao and Hongzhe Sun ()
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Haibo Wang: The University of Hong Kong
Minji Wang: The University of Hong Kong
Xiaohan Xu: The University of Hong Kong
Peng Gao: The University of Hong Kong
Zeling Xu: The University of Hong Kong
Qi Zhang: The University of Hong Kong
Hongyan Li: The University of Hong Kong
Aixin Yan: The University of Hong Kong
Richard Yi-Tsun Kao: The University of Hong Kong
Hongzhe Sun: The University of Hong Kong

Nature Communications, 2021, vol. 12, issue 1, 1-16

Abstract: Abstract The rapid emergence of drug resistant Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) poses a serious threat to public health globally. Silver (Ag)-based antimicrobials are promising to combat antibiotic resistant S. aureus, yet their molecular targets are largely elusive. Herein, we separate and identify 38 authentic Ag+-binding proteins in S. aureus at the whole-cell scale. We then capture the molecular snapshot on the dynamic action of Ag+ against S. aureus and further validate that Ag+ could inhibit a key target 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase through binding to catalytic His185 by X-ray crystallography. Significantly, the multi-target mode of action of Ag+ (and nanosilver) endows its sustainable antimicrobial efficacy, leading to enhanced efficacy of conventional antibiotics and resensitization of MRSA to antibiotics. Our study resolves the long-standing question of the molecular targets of silver in S. aureus and offers insights into the sustainable bacterial susceptibility of silver, providing a potential approach for combating antimicrobial resistance.

Date: 2021
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-23659-y

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