title: Mode of action investigation for the antibacterial cationic anthraquinone analogs.
abstract: Reported previously by our group, we have developed a novel class of antibacterial cationic anthraquinone analogs with superb potency (MIC <1μg/mL) against Gram positive (G+) pathogens including Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). However, most of these compounds only manifest modest antibacterial activity against Gram negative (G-) bacteria. Further investigation on the antibacterial mode of action using fluorogenic dyes reveals that these compounds exert two different modes of action that account for the difference in their antibacterial profile. It was found that most of the compounds exert their antibacterial activity by disrupting the redox processes of bacteria. At high concentration, these compounds can also act as membrane disrupting agents. This information can help to design new therapeutics against various bacteria.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Utah State University, 0300 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322 0300, USA.
authors.forename: Ka Yee
authors.initials: KY
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Jianjun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Cheng-Wei Tom
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Chang
mesh_terms: D000880:Anthraquinones / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002412:Cations; D006094:Gram-Positive Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests
chemical_list: D000880:Anthraquinones; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D002412:Cations