We have developed an efficient method for medium and large ring lactone synthesis by a conceptually different ring-expansion strategy. The design of an unprecedented ring conjunction mode of oxetene, combined with the appropriate choice of a Lewis acid promoter and an additive, constitutes the key components of the new process. Enabled by this new approach, the reaction does not require high dilution or slow addition.

Increasing antibiotic resistance in human pathogens necessitates the development of new approaches against infections. Targeting virulence regulation at the transcriptional level represents a promising strategy yet to be explored. A global transcriptional regulator, MgrA in Staphylococcus aureus, was identified previously as a key virulence determinant. We have performed a fluorescence anisotropy (FA)–based high-throughput screen that identified 5, 5-methylenedisalicylic acid (MDSA), which blocks the DNA binding of MgrA. MDSA represses the expression of α-toxin that is up-regulated by MgrA and activates the transcription of protein A, a gene down-regulated by MgrA. MDSA alters bacterial antibiotic susceptibilities via an MgrA-dependent pathway. A mouse model of infection indicated that MDSA could attenuate S. aureus virulence. This work is a rare demonstration of utilizing small molecules to block protein-DNA interaction, thus tuning important biological regulation at the transcriptional level.Highlights► A high-throughput screen identified compounds targeting virulence regulation in S. aureus ► A small molecule MDSA efficiently disrupts the DNA binding of MgrA ► MDSA represses the transcriptional expression of virulence factors hla and spa ► MDSA attenuates the infectivity of S. aureus in the mouse model