Benefit from harmful bacteria

The bacterium that threatens people with cystic fibrosis could help fight other antibiotic-resistant microorganisms, reports Chemistry over Biology.

The extensive use of antibiotics makes it easier for bacteria to build up protective mechanisms. Therefore, more and more new types of antibiotics are needed, but bacteria also become resistant to them. Help can come from a completely unexpected side.

Common soil bacteria of the genus Burkholderia cause severe pneumonia in people with cystic fibrosis, a genetic disease in which sticky mucus builds up in the lungs. Burkholderia is difficult to combat with the available antibiotics, but scientists at Cardiff and Warwick have shown that it produces antibiotics that are effective against other drug-resistant microorganisms.

Dr. Eshwar Mahenthiralingam’s team from Cardiff has been studying Burkholderia for the past ten years. The analysis of the genome of individual strains occurring in the world was to facilitate their control. Research has revealed that the Burkholderia ambifaria strain produces two very potent antibiotics effective against bacteria such as methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Acinetobacter baumanii.

The chemical structure of antibiotics, called enacyloxins, was determined by Prof. Gregory Challis and Dr. Lijiang Song of the University of Warwick. It turned out to be polyketides – just like the well-known erythromycin or doxorubin used in the treatment of cancer. Research into the enzymes Burkholderia uses to make these antibiotics could help improve methods of drug synthesis (PAP).

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