PYO12 is a 3-phenyl-4-phenoxypyrazole type antibacterial compound. PYO12 exhibits selective activity against Gram-positive bacteria with MIC for S. aureus, B. subtilis, S. pneumoniae, and MRSA of 1, 1, 1, and 4 μg/mL respectively. PYO12 has no activity against Gram-negative bacteria. PYO12 can significantly increase bacterial membrane permeability and significantly upregulate cell wall stress-related genes, possibly by binding to the C55-PP part of lipid II. PYO12 shows a concentration-dependent bactericidal effect, has low toxicity to mammalian cells, and does not cause hemolysis. PYO12 can be used to develop new antibiotics targeting bacterial cell wall synthesis.
