Inhibition of Escherichia coli viability by external guide sequences complementary to two essential genes

Narrow spectrum antimicrobial activity has been designed to reduce the expr ession of two essential genes, one coding for the protein subunit of RNase P (C5 protein) and one for gyrase (gyrase A). In both cases, external guide sequences (ECS) have been designed to complex with either mRNA, Using the EGS technology. the level of microbial viability is reduced to less than 10 % of the wild-type strain. The EGSs are additive when used together and dep end on the number of nucleotides paired when attacking gyrase A mRNA, In th e case of gyrase A, three nucleotides unpaired out of a 15-mer EGS still fa vor complete inhibition by the EGS but five unpaired nucleotides do not.