Quercetin Inhibits Staphylococcus aureus Biofilm Formation by Interacting with Global Regulators and Suppressing MSCRAMMs-Mediated Adhesion
Staphylococcus aureus, particularly methicillin-resistant S.aureus (MRSA), remains a major causative agent of persistent and recalcitrant infections owing to its pronounced antibiotic resistance and robust biofilm-forming ability. This study evaluated the inhibitory effects of quercetin, a natural flavonoid, on S.aureus biofilms and elucidated its molecular mechanisms. Transcriptomic profiling (RNA-Seq) and RT-qPCR validation revealed that quercetin markedly downregulated key microbial surface components recognizing adhesive matrix molecules (MSCRAMMs), including clfA, clfB, and fnbA, as well as the major autolysin gene atl. Collectively, these findings suggest that quercetin disrupts early biofilm establishment by suppressing adhesin-mediated colonization, highlighting its potential as a promising anti-virulence agent against MRSA-associated infections.