Novel functional insight in protein complex, possible new target for antibiotics

Novel functional insight in protein complex, possible new target for antibiotics
The protein complex (red) in the bacterial outer membrane. Credit: Utrecht University Faculty of Science

Researchers at Utrecht University have gained new insights into the structure and function of a protein complex that maintains the outer membrane of a bacteria. Shutting down this protein complex makes it impossible for the membrane to maintain itself, causing the bacteria to die. This protein could present a promising target for novel antibiotics. The researchers will publish their findings in Nature Communications on 8 October.

"Many of our current antibiotics kill by making a hole in the ," says Marc Baldus, professor of NMR Spectroscopy and lead author of the publication. "With this new knowledge, we now know that we can attack the membrane in another way: by preventing the bacteria from maintaining its membrane. It's as if we'd found another way to sabotage a car—not by destroying the engine, but by deactivating the oil pump, which causes the car to overheat and break down on its own."

Protein complex in action

Scientists have long known that this protein complex plays a role in the bacteria's outer membrane. "But we didn't know exactly what role that was," Baldus explains. The researchers studied the protein complex using NMR, in functional membranes. "It works a bit like an MRI scanner at a hospital, but then at the atomic level. For the first time, we've been able to watch the in action, which helps us to better understand how the protein machine works, and that it is essential in keeping the cell alive."

Novel functional insight in protein complex, possible new target for antibiotics
The NMR facility at Utrecht University. Credit: Utrecht University

These insights could lead to new types of antibiotics, Baldus says. "Bacteria that have developed a resistance to current antibiotics are still susceptible to this new area of attack." Antibiotics resistance is a growing problem, and an increasing number of bacteria are able to defend against the available medications. "We'll still need to do a lot more research to develop this new type of antibiotics, but this knowledge is a vital first step forward."

More information: Formation of the β-barrel assembly machinery complex in lipid bilayers as seen by solid-state NMR, Cecilia Pinto, Deni Mance, Tessa Sinnige, Mark Daniëls, Markus Weingarth and Marc Baldus, Nature Communications, 8 October 2018, DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-06466-w

Journal information: Nature Communications

Citation: Novel functional insight in protein complex, possible new target for antibiotics (2018, October 8) retrieved 28 March 2024 from https://phys.org/news/2018-10-functional-insight-protein-complex-antibiotics.html
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