The inhibition effect of Chlorpromazine against the β-lactam resistance of MRSA.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the gene related to β-lactam resistance and to confirm the mechanism about a synergy effect between CPZ and β-lactam antibiotics.


METHODS
To measure antibacterial activity, we performed a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and synergy test. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used in morphological analysis. To analyze gene expression, we conducted reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (PCR).


RESULTS
We confirmed a synergy effect between CPZ and β-lactam antibiotics. Furthermore, we observed that CPZ affect the cell envelope of MRSA by using TEM. At the gene level, CPZ reduced the expression of resistance genes.


CONCLUSIONS
Through this result, we hypothesize that a decrease of resistance factor expressions was caused by CPZ because it disrupts the activity of a sensor protein located in the cell membrane.
BK21 Plus Team, Professional Graduate School of Oriental Medicine, Wonkwang University, Iksan, Jeonbuk 570-749, South Korea.
Ryong
R
Kong
Department of Oriental Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Wonkwang Oriental Medicines Research Institute, Institute of Biotechnology, Wonkwang University, Iksan, Jeonbuk 570-749, South Korea.
Ok-Hwa
OH
Kang
Department of Oriental Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Wonkwang Oriental Medicines Research Institute, Institute of Biotechnology, Wonkwang University, Iksan, Jeonbuk 570-749, South Korea.
Yun-Soo
YS
Seo
BK21 Plus Team, Professional Graduate School of Oriental Medicine, Wonkwang University, Iksan, Jeonbuk 570-749, South Korea.
Su-Hyun
SH
Mun
Department of Oriental Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Wonkwang Oriental Medicines Research Institute, Institute of Biotechnology, Wonkwang University, Iksan, Jeonbuk 570-749, South Korea.
Tian
T
Zhou
Department of Oriental Medicine Resources, College of Bio Industry Science, Sunchon National University, Sunchon, Jeonnam 540-742, South Korea.
Dong-Won
DW
Shin
Department of Oriental Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Wonkwang Oriental Medicines Research Institute, Institute of Biotechnology, Wonkwang University, Iksan, Jeonbuk 570-749, South Korea. Electronic address: sssimi@wku.ac.kr.
Dong-Yeul
DY
Kwon
Chlorpromazine; MRSA; PBP2a; blaZ; mecA; β-Lactamase