Antisense Agents against Antibiotic-resistant Bacteria

Abstract

The dramatically increasing levels of antibiotic resistance are being seen worldwide and are a significant threat to public health. Antibiotic and drug resistance is seen in various bacterial species. Antibiotic resistance is associated with increased morbidity and mortality and increased treatment costs. Antisense-related technologies include oligonucleotides that interfere with gene transcription and expression; these oligonucleotides can help treat antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The important oligonucleotides include Peptide Nucleic Acids (PNAs), Phosphorodiamidate Morpholino Oligomers (PPMOs), and Locked Nucleic Acids (LNAs). Typically, the size of these structures (oligonucleotides) is 10 to 20 bases. PNAs, PPMOs, and LNAs are highlighted in this review as targets for genes that cause the gene to be destroyed and impede bacterial growth. These results open a new perspective for therapeutic intervention. Future studies need to examine different aspects of antisense agents, such as the safety, toxicity, and pharmacokinetic properties of antisense agents in clinical treatment.

Keywords: Antibiotic resistance; LNAs; PNAs; PPMOs; bases; nucleic acids analogs.