Targeting RNA Polymerase Primary σ70 as a Therapeutic Strategy against Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus by Antisense Peptide Nucleic Acid

Abstract

Background: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) causes threatening infection-related mortality worldwide. Currently, spread of multi-drug resistance (MDR) MRSA limits therapeutic options and requires new approaches to ''druggable'' target discovery, as well as development of novel MRSA-active antibiotics. RNA polymerase primary s 70 (encoded by gene rpoD) is a highly conserved prokaryotic factor essential for transcription initiation in exponentially growing cells of diverse S. aureus, implying potential for antisense inhibition.