Dual-action antibiotic could make bacterial resistance nearly impossible
Researchers at UIC developed macrolones, a dual-action antibiotic that targets bacterial functions, making resistance 100 million times harder. This approach shows promise in combating antibiotic resistance effectively.
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Researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) have developed a new dual-action antibiotic, macrolones, which could significantly reduce the likelihood of bacterial resistance. This antibiotic targets two cellular functions simultaneously, making it 100 million times more difficult for bacteria to evolve resistance. The study, published in Nature Chemical Biology, highlights how macrolones disrupt bacterial cell function by interfering with protein production and corrupting DNA structure. According to Alexander Mankin, a distinguished professor at UIC, the dual-target approach prevents bacteria from developing defenses through random mutations.
Macrolones are synthetic antibiotics that combine features of two existing antibiotic classes: macrolides, which block ribosome function, and fluoroquinolones, which target DNA gyrase. UIC researchers, including Yury Polikanov and Nora Vázquez-Laslop, conducted experiments demonstrating that macrolones bind more effectively to ribosomes than traditional macrolides, even in macrolide-resistant strains, without triggering resistance genes.
The research emphasizes the importance of optimizing macrolones to target both bacterial functions effectively. The collaborative efforts at UIC's Molecular Biology Research Building showcase the interdisciplinary nature of the research, involving experts from medicine, pharmacy, and biological sciences. The findings suggest a promising direction for future antibiotic development, aiming to combat the growing issue of antibiotic resistance.
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Dual action antibiotic could make bacterial resistance nearly impossible
Researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago developed macrolones, a new antibiotic class that targets protein production and DNA structure, significantly reducing bacterial resistance and showing promise for further development.
3 commentsIs it that these are predicted mechanisms of action, but that a working structure with high efficacy hasn't been elucidated?
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A new class of antibiotics, macrolones, shows promise against antimicrobial resistance by using a dual-target approach. Developed by researchers, they effectively combat resistant bacteria, offering hope for future treatments.
Dual action antibiotic could make bacterial resistance nearly impossible
Researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago developed macrolones, a new antibiotic class that targets protein production and DNA structure, significantly reducing bacterial resistance and showing promise for further development.