Methods of screening for compounds active on staphylococcus aureus target genes

A method of screening for an antibacterial agent, comprising:

• a) contacting a cell expressing a polypeptide encoded by an essential gene selected from the group consisting of the essential genes corresponding to SEQ ID NO. 14, 16, 37, 38, 43, 59, 65, 66 and 67, 68, and 71 with a test compound;
• and
• b) determining whether the amount or level of activity of said polypeptide is altered;
• wherein an alteration in said amount or level of activity of said polypeptide is indicative of a useful antibacterial agent.

A method of screening for an antibacterial agent, comprising:

• a) contacting a polypeptide or a biologically active fragment thereof with a test compound, wherein said polypeptide is encoded by an essential gene selected from a group consisting of the essential genes corresponding to SEQ ID NO. 14, 16, 37, 38, 43, 59, 65, 66 and 67, 68, and 71;
• and
• b) determining whether said test compound binds to said polypeptide or said fragment;
• wherein said binding of said test compound to said polypeptide or said fragment is indicative of a useful antibacterial agent.

A method for making an antibacterial agent, comprising:

• a) screening for an agent active on one of the essential genes corresponding to SEQ ID NO. 14, 16, 37, 38, 43, 59, 65, 66 and 67, 68, and 71 by
• providing a bacterial strain having a mutant form of an essential gene selected from the essential genes corresponding to SEQ ID NO. 14, 16, 37, 38, 43, 59, 65, 66 and 67, 68, and 71, wherein said mutant form of the gene confers a growth conditional phenotype,
• providing comparison bacteria of a bacterial strain having a normal form of said gene,
• contacting bacteria of said bacterial strains with a test compound in semi-permissive growth conditions, and
• determining whether the growth of said bacteria having said mutant form of a gene is reduced in the presence of said text compound compared to the growth of said comparison bacteria;
• and
• b) synthesizing said agent in an amount sufficient to provide said agent in a therapeutically effective amount to a patient.