Identification of compounds inhibiting the C-S lyase activity of a cell extract from a Staphylococcus sp. isolated from human skin

Abstract

Significance and Impact of the Study: Bacterial C-S lyase represents one of the key enzymes involved in human body odour formation. The aim of this study was to identify compounds inhibiting the C-S lyase activity of a Staphylococcus sp. isolate from the human skin. The compounds identified as the best inhibitors are characterized by the following features: two vicinal hydroxyl groups or one hydroxyl and one keto group bound to an aryl residue. They might be used to improve the performance of cosmetic products aiming to prevent the formation of microbially caused human body odour, for example, ethanolbased deodorants. AbstractThe C-S lyase activity of bacteria in the human armpit releases highly malodorous, volatile sulfur compounds from nonvolatile precursor molecules. Such compounds significantly contribute to human body odour. Hence, C-S lyase represents an attractive target for anti-body-odour cosmetic products. Here, aiming at a final use in an ethanol-based deodorant formulation, 267 compounds and compound mixtures were screened for their ability to inhibit the C-S lyase activity of a Stapyhlococcus sp. crude extract. Staphylococcus sp. Isolate 128, closely related to Staphylococcus hominis, was chosen as the test bacterium, as it showed a reproducibly high specific C-S lyase activity on three different culturing media. Using a photometric assay and benzylcysteine as substrate, six rather complex, plant-derived compound mixtures and five well defined chemical compounds or compound mixtures were identified as inhibitors, leading to an inhibition of ≥70% at concentrations of ≤0Á5% in the assay. The inhibition data have demonstrated that compounds with two vicinal hydroxyl groups or one hydroxyl and one keto group bound to an aryl residue are characteristic for the inhibition. The substances identified as C-S lyase inhibitors have the potential to improve the performance of anti-body-odour cosmetic products, for example, ethanol-based deodorants.

The Association of the Skin Microbiota With Health, Immunity, and Disease

“…Members of the resident microbiota metabolize odorless sweat to malodorous compounds using hydrolytic enzyme activities, such as aminoacylase and cystathionin‐β‐lyase . While it was long believed that mainly corynebacteria produce body odor, recent cultivation‐independent studies suggest that also other groups are involved, such as anaerococci and staphylococci …”

“…10 While it was long believed that mainly corynebacteria produce body odor, recent cultivation-independent studies 58 suggest that also other groups are involved, such as anaerococci 60 and staphylococci. 61,62…”

Microecological investigation and comparison of two clinical methods to evaluate axillary osmidrosis

“…It is well-known that the composition and activity of the microbial community of the human axilla has a key role in the formation of body odor ( 8 ). Microbiological studies based on traditional culture have revealed that the skin-resident microbiota primarily consists of Gram-positive bacteria, such as Staphylococcus and Corynebacterium ( 2 ).…”

Metabolism of Cysteine Conjugates and Production of Flavor Sulfur Compounds by a Carbon–Sulfur Lyase from the Oral Anaerobe Fusobacterium nucleatum

“…These molecules were thought to bind either to the substrate pocket or the PLP cofactor pocket, thus slowing down the catalytic activity of FnaPatB1. Sixteen potential inhibitors were selected among molecules known to bind to cystathionine β-lyases according to the literature and from an in-house library, including amino acids and plant polyphenols (Figure A). l -Cycloserine, which is a transaminase inhibitor and an antibiotic, was also included in the experiment, although it is not a food compound.…”