New Antibiotic Molecule Shows Promise in Halting Bacterial Growth Without Harming Human Cells
Antimicrobial-resistant infections have become a significant public health concern, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The increased use of antibiotics and fewer prevention measures have worsened the situation. To combat this crisis, scientists have recently discovered a molecule called KKL-55, which has the potential to treat drug-resistant infections without harming human cells.
A report shared by Phys.org details the groundbreaking research conducted by experts from Emory University and Pennsylvania State University. This research sheds light on a new approach to tackle antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The molecule KKL-55 has shown promise in disabling a vital bacterial growth process, effectively targeting antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
The global antibiotic resistance challenge is a pressing issue. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 2.8 million antimicrobial-resistant infections occur in the United States each year, resulting in over 35,000 deaths. The World Health Organization (WHO) predicts that without the development of new antibiotics, these infections could cause up to 10 million deaths annually worldwide by 2050. The overuse of antibiotics has contributed to the emergence of antibiotic resistance as bacteria continuously evolve defense mechanisms against these drugs.
One major challenge in developing effective antibiotics is the issue of cross-toxicity, where antibiotics can harm human cells while targeting bacteria. To address this challenge, scientists such as Christine Dunham and Kenneth Keiler have focused their efforts on inhibiting a unique bacterial mechanism called trans-translation. This mechanism is essential for bacterial ribosome function but does not have an equivalent in human cells. By targeting trans-translation, scientists aim to disrupt bacterial growth selectively.
In their latest study, the researchers identified a range of molecules, including KKL-55, that inhibit trans-translation in bacteria. Using X-ray crystallography, they observed KKL-55 interacting with a key protein called elongation factor thermo-unstable (EF-Tu). This interaction effectively blocks trans-translation by preventing EF-Tu from binding to transfer-messenger RNA (tmRNA), halting the bacterial growth process.
The discovery of KKL-55 and its impact on bacterial growth opens up new possibilities for the development of antibiotics. Scientists are continuing to explore other trans-translation inhibitors, each representing a potential weapon against antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The next step in the research process is to test the efficacy of KKL-55 in treating bacterial infections in mouse models, paving the way for clinical trials and the potential development of a new generation of antibiotics.
This groundbreaking research offers hope in the fight against antimicrobial-resistant infections. Stay tuned for further updates on this exciting development in the field of antibiotic development.
Sources:
Phys.org – https://phys.org/news/2023-11-antimicrobial-molecule-bacterial-growth-human.html
ASM Journals – https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/mbio.01461-23
Note: This article is an original piece by Pierre Herubel and is not to be reproduced without permission.
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