{
  "abstract": "Background and Objectives:: The global rise of antimicrobial resistance threatens effective treatment of bacterial infections. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a major pathogen whose resistance to β-lactam antibiotics is primarily mediated by the mecA gene, encoding the low-affinity penicillin-binding protein PBP2a. This study aimed to investigate whether CRISPR-dCas9-mediated targeting of mecA could suppress resistance-associated gene expression and restore β-lactam susceptibility in MRSA.\n\nMaterials and Methods:: Seven target sites within mecA, comprising two non-coding and five coding regions, were selected for CRISPR-dCas9 targeting. The effects of gene interference were evaluated using antibiotic disk diffusion assays, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) testing with gradient E-strips, RT-PCR, and Sanger sequencing.\n\nResults:: Targeting non-coding regions suppressed mecA transcription and reduced PBP2a production, whereas targeting coding regions generated mutations associated with dysfunctional PBP2a. CRISPR-dCas9 treatment significantly reduced mecA expression and increased MRSA susceptibility to β-lactam antibiotics, particularly ampicillin and cefixime. MIC values decreased by up to 12-fold and 6-fold, respectively (p<0.05).\n\nConclusion:: CRISPR-dCas9-mediated targeting of mecA effectively reduced β-lactam resistance in MRSA. This approach demonstrates potential for precision-based antimicrobial resistance management and warrants further investigation as a strategy for combating drug-resistant bacterial infections.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan",
    "Institute-National Research Institute, Radzikow, Blonie, Poland",
    "Department of Pediatrics, Punjab Institute of Cardiology, Lahore, Pakistan",
    "Centre for Research in Molecular Medicine (CRiMM), University of Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan"
  ],
  "article_type": "research article",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 4,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Arooj Khan"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "Adnan Iqbal"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        2
      ],
      "name": "Husnain Athar"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0,
        3
      ],
      "name": "Ahsan Sattar Sheikh"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/c77jarzhg8vk0.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.18502/ijm.v18i5.22865",
  "fulltext_url": "https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC13738201/",
  "id": "c77jarzhg8vk0",
  "issns": [
    "2008-3289",
    "2008-4447"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://doi.org/10.18502/ijm.v18i5.22865",
  "language": "en",
  "licence": "CC-BY-NC-4.0",
  "licence_label": "CC BY-NC 4.0",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "heading",
      "Original Article"
    ],
    [
      "openalex",
      "2725|Antimicrobial Resistance in Staphylococcus"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7219674395",
  "pdf_url": null,
  "pmcid": "PMC13738201",
  "pmid": "42992156",
  "published": "2026-11-06",
  "publisher": "Tehran University of Medical Sciences",
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/c77jarzhg8vk0.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-11-09T12:23:13Z",
      "native_id": "PMC13738201",
      "source": "pmc",
      "url": "https://doi.org/10.18502/ijm.v18i5.22865"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "medicine",
      "origin": "openalex:2725|Antimicrobial Resistance in Staphylococcus",
      "subfield": "infectious-disease"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Mutation-induced penicillin binding protein 2A inactivation through CRISPR-dCas9 gene editing in methicillin-resistant S. aureus",
  "title_text": "Mutation-induced penicillin binding protein 2A inactivation through CRISPR-dCas9 gene editing in methicillin-resistant S. aureus",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-11-09T12:23:13Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/c77jarzhg8vk0",
  "venue": "Iranian Journal of Microbiology",
  "versions": []
}