A 2-Aminobenzimidazole That Inhibits and Disperses Gram-Positive Biofilms through a Zinc-Dependent Mechanism

A number of 2-aminobenzimidazole derivatives were synthesized and screened for their ability to inhibit and disperse bacterial biofilms. From these compounds, a lead 2-aminobenzimidazole was identified that both inhibited and dispersed MRSA, vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium, and Staphylococcus epidermidis biofilms. Mechanistic studies showed that the activity is Zn(II)-dependent, potentially via a direct zinc-chelating mechanism.