Oxydifficidin, a potent <i>Neisseria gonorrhoeae</i> antibiotic due to DedA-assisted uptake and ribosomal protein RplL sensitivity.

Abstract

Gonorrhea, which is caused by <i>Neisseria gonorrhoeae</i>, is the second most reported sexually transmitted infection worldwide. The increasing appearance of isolates that are resistant to approved therapeutics raises the concern that gonorrhea may become untreatable. Here, we serendipitously identified oxydifficidin as a potent <i>N. gonorrhoeae</i> antibiotic through the observation of a <i>Bacillus amyloliquefaciens</i> contaminant in a lawn of <i>N. gonorrhoeae</i>. Oxydifficidin is active against both wild-type and multidrug-resistant <i>N. gonorrhoeae</i>. Its potent activity results from a combination of DedA-assisted uptake into the cytoplasm and the presence of an oxydifficidin-sensitive ribosomal protein L7/L12 (RplL). Our data indicate that oxydifficidin binds to the ribosome at a site that is distinct from other antibiotics and that L7/L12 is uniquely associated with its mode of action. This study opens a potential new avenue for addressing antibiotic resistant gonorrhea and underscores the possibility of identifying overlooked natural products from cultured bacteria, particularly those with activity against previously understudied pathogens.