Cutibacterium acnes essential proteins and DNA (C. acnes targets)

Cutibacterium acnes (formerly Propionibacterium acnes) is a Gram-positive, anaerobic bacterium that is a key factor in the development of acne vulgaris (Scholz & Kilian, 2016). The essential proteins and DNA of this organism represent a broad set of therapeutic targets for antimicrobial agents. Most commonly, the bacterial ribosome is targeted; tetracyclines (like doxycycline and sarecycline) bind to the 30S subunit, while macrolides and clindamycin bind to the 50S subunit to inhibit protein synthesis (Dréno et al., 2018). DNA-related targets include DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV, which are essential for bacterial replication and are targeted by fluoroquinolones like nadifloxacin. Non-specific treatments such as benzoyl peroxide act by releasing reactive oxygen species that cause widespread oxidative damage to bacterial proteins and DNA (Leyden, 2003). The clinical utility of targeting these components is often limited by the development of bacterial resistance, frequently involving mutations in ribosomal RNA (Walsh et al., 2016). Effective targeting of C. acnes is essential for reducing the inflammatory response triggered by bacterial metabolites and cell wall components in the skin.

Other names

Propionibacterium acnes essential proteins and DNAC. acnes antimicrobial targetsC. acnes genome and proteomeCutibacterium acnes molecular targets

Inhibition of the 30S or 50S ribosomal subunits to prevent protein synthesis; inhibition of DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV to prevent DNA replication; and non-specific oxidative damage to proteins and nucleic acids.