Researchers at Yale University have unveiled a mechanism by which the antibiotic sarecycline targets acne-causing bacteria and helps prevent their resistance from taking hold. The findings appear in Nucleic Acids Research.
Biologists are examining sarecycline, a narrow-spectrum antibiotic that focuses on the bacterium Cutibacterium acnes. This microbe is widely associated with acne and skin inflammation, though the precise way sarecycline acts to kill C. acnes has not been fully explained yet.
Working with C. acnes presents a unique challenge because the bacteria reside deep within hair follicles in an environment with very low oxygen. To study them effectively, researchers created an anaerobic chamber that supports the growth of C. acnes without oxygen, enabling closer observation of the bacterium in conditions that mimic its natural habitat.
Inside this controlled setting, scientists were able to observe the ribosome, the cellular machine responsible for making proteins, in C. acnes for the first time. Most antibiotics disrupt ribosomes, but sarecycline behaves differently. It binds to two distinct sites on the bacterial ribosome, not just one. This dual binding makes it harder for bacteria to develop resistance, because a single genetic change cannot easily alter both sites simultaneously. As a result, sarecycline is less prone to triggering resistance than many other antibiotics.
The ability to target two ribosomal sites could guide the development of future antibiotics that are more precise and safer, with a reduced risk of fostering resistant strains. This line of research holds promise for expanding the toolbox of anti-acne therapies while maintaining a gentler impact on beneficial bacteria.
Acne affects more than 85 percent of teenagers and young adults. Dermatologists frequently prescribe antibiotics to treat it, making prudent use essential to avoid promoting drug resistance. Overuse can disrupt the skin and gut microbiomes, potentially contributing to longer-term health issues. Evidence indicates that recovering the gut microbiome after a short course of broad-spectrum antibiotics may take up to two years, underscoring the importance of targeted therapies that minimize collateral effects on microbial communities. (Citation: Nucleic Acids Research)