New antibiotics could “out-resist” resistant bacteria

Researchers at Munich’s Technical University say they have discovered new insights into a metabolic step that appears in many aggressive micro-organisms like tuberculosis or malaria pathogens. The new insights may open the way for a new class of antibiotics.

As more and more bacterial stems develop multiple antibiotic resistances, thereby rendering previously lifesaving medications ineffective, researchers around the world are desperately searching for new ways to “out-resist” anti-resistant bacteria.

Dr Michael Groll, Dr Joerg Eppinger and Dr Tobias Graewert, biochemists at the Technical University of Munich, published their breakthrough findings in the journal Angewandte Chemie.

The Munich researchers say they have unravelled the structural basis of the terminal step in bacterial isoprene synthesis. The crucial enzyme has a most unusual structure, similar to a three-leaf clover, and may open a potent line of attack for custom-tailored antibiotics.

It took 12 years of tests, but the Munich scientists say they have gained insights into the isoprene synthesis (IspH) process.

“Now that the location, the chemical process and the involved helpers of the IspH reaction have been identified,” explains Groll, “we have a new angle of attack for developing substances that block the terminal step in the bacterial synthesis of isoprene building blocks, thereby killing pathogens in a very targeted way. Since the enzyme and the associated reaction do not appear in mammals these compounds should have few or no side effects in humans.”

The result could be a new generation of tailor-made antibiotics.