Inhibiting the growth of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in vitro with antisense peptide nucleic acid conjugates targeting the ftsZ gene.

•One effective antisense oligonucleotide was obtained by computer prediction and dot-blot hybridization throughout the full length ftsZ gene of MRSA.•Concentration- and time-dependent bacteriocidal antisense effects of anti-ftsZ PPNA against MRSA.•The potency of the PPNA on bacterial growth and cell vitality is mediated by the down regulation or even knock-out of ftsZ expression.•Specific inhibition of ftsZ gene transcript by PPNA.