Cyclic-di-GMP is a STING agonist and ubiquitous second messenger, which regulates the formation, motility and virulence of biofilms in various bacterial species.
Equisetin, an N-methylserine-derived acyl tetramic acid isolated from the terrestrial fungus Fusarium equiseti NRRL 5537, functions as a Quorum-sensing inhibitor (QSI) that specifically attenuates QS-regulated virulence phenotypes in P. aeruginosa, presenting a potent lead for treating P. aeruginosa infections without hindering bacterial growth. This tetramate-containing natural product possesses antibiotic and cytotoxic properties, effectively inhibiting the growth of Gram-positive bacteria and HIV-1 integrase activity, yet it does not impact Gram-negative bacteria.
PSMα3 is a peptide compound that can be utilized to induce tolerance in dendritic cells (DCs) for DC vaccination strategies. It effectively penetrates and modulates human monocyte-derived DCs by modifying the maturation process induced by TLR2 or TLR4. Additionally, PSMα3 inhibits the production of both pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and decreases antigen uptake. Notably, PSMα3 is a significant virulence factor released by the most pathogenic strains of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).