Enterobactin and Salmochelin S4 inhibit the growth ofStaphylococcus aureus

Abstract

There is increasing demand for novel antimicrobial agents to tackle the antimicrobial resistance crisis. Here we report that twoEnterobacteriaceae-produced siderophores, enterobactin and salmochelin S4, inhibit the growth ofStaphylococcus aureusisolates, including methicillin-resistanceS. aureus(MRSA) clinical isolates. The MIC50for differentS. aureusisolates were 2-5 μM for salmochelin S4 and 5-10 μM for enterobactin. This inhibitory activity was partially repressed by adding Fe+3. These siderophores also inhibited the growth ofEnterococcusstrains, including vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) clinical isolates, though less effectively than forS. aureus. The growth of various Gram-negative bacteria was barely affected by these siderophores. These results shed new light on the role of enterobactin and salmochelin in bacterial physiology and ecology and have potential for the development of novel strategies to combat the rapid rise of multidrug-resistant bacteria.