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A unique approach to studying drug combinations has given GlycoNet researchers an exciting lead in the search for new drugs to treat Staphylococcus aureus<\/em>.<\/p>\n Using an approach based on antagonism \u2013 studying drug combinations that work against each other \u2013 the researchers were able to identify that clomiphene<\/strong>, a popular fertility drug, inhibits the growth of S. aureus<\/em> and improves the action of penicillin-like drugs against methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus<\/em> (MRSA)<\/strong>.<\/p>\n GlycoNet researchers Dr. Eric Brown (McMaster University) and Dr. Natalie Strynadka (University of British Columbia) were corresponding authors on a recent paper detailing the findings, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences<\/a>.<\/p>\n The researchers designed an innovative screen that sought compounds that suppressed the activity of targocil, an inhibitor targeting the pathways of cell wall biogenesis in S. aureus<\/em>. Their approach not only allowed for the discovery of clomiphene, but also shed light on the biology involved in S. aureus<\/em> cell wall synthesis.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a pretty unusual way to go about things,\u201d says Brown. \u201cThe reason that we did it though is we could just look for things that kill bacteria. But the next big question is, how exactly is the compound leading to growth inhibition?\u201d<\/p>\n S. aureus<\/em> is one of the leading causes of healthcare-associated infections worldwide, with the rise of antibiotic resistant infections, such as MRSA, posing a significant threat. Brown says it is possible clomiphene could eventually be used clinically to treat MRSA, but what\u2019s more exciting is the potential for new drugs.<\/p>\n \u201cWe just think this pathway is ripe for more discovery,\u201d he says. \u201cThere\u2019s a real crisis in terms of drug resistance that\u2019s really changing modern medicine. There\u2019s been no truly new drugs discovered for at least 30 years\u2026 If we take on truly new targets, we believe that will generate new chemical matter that will get around resistance mechanisms.\u201d<\/p>\n