Molecular 'wedge' disrupts bacteria's defense against antibiotics
Scientists have identified a new class of molecules that prevent bacteria from turning on their defense mechanism.Employees of the University of Oklahoma have identified a new class of molecules that turn off the defense mechanism of superbacteria. The discovery could make existing antibiotics effective again.
Some species of bacteria have developed efflux pumps. These are proteins on the bacterial membrane. They wash away antibiotic molecules that try to enter the cell. Now researchers have identified molecules that effectively inhibit these efflux pumps.
In the study, the scientists found that these inhibitors work like a "molecular wedge." They wedge between the inner and outer cell membranes of the bacteria. As a result, the protein parts of the pump stop sending signals to each other in response to the presence of the antibiotic. In this way, the drug still penetrates the cell.
The scientists said that these molecules can be administered together with existing antibiotics to make the drugs effective again.
The authors of the study are confident that if antibiotic resistance is not addressed, the most common infections will soon become deadly for mankind.
The study was published in the journal Nature Communications.