IIT-R finds new drug target for highly resistant bacteria

NEW DELHI: VIRULENCE FACTOR IS WHAT ALLOWS BACTERIA TO EVADE THE HOST’S IMMUNE SYSTEM AND REPLICATE, DISSEMINATE TO CAUSE INFECTION

An unusual “tail” in one of the proteins of the structure of Acinetobacter baumannii, a highly deadly bacteria that causes most cases of drug-resistant hospital-acquired infections, can be targeted with new drugs for treatment, according to a new study by researchers from Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee.

“This glycine-rich tail is unique to this particular bacteria and till now, we did not know its functions. A study of the structure of the bacteria showed us that it is a virulence factor,” said co-study author Professor Ranjana Pathania from the department of biotechnology at Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee.

Virulence factor is what allows bacteria to evade the immune system of the host and replicate and disseminate to cause infection.

“This bacteria can survive for long periods in dry and desiccated environment. Coupled with its ability to develop resistance quickly, it is a threat for which we need to find new solutions,” said Prof Pathania.

Acinetobacter baumannii is notorious for prolonged persistence in intensive care units and is responsible for as much as 80% of reported infection outbreaks in hospitals.The absence of the particular Hfq protein, however, reduces the bacterium’s resilience and makes it susceptible to environmental stresses.

“The challenging thing about this bacterium is that it usually exists in hospital settings where it is exposed to multiple antibiotics, which makes it highly resistant. A new drug target offers a possibility of developing a drug that can treat this infection,” said Professor J Virdi, from the department of microbiology, Delhi University.

“The antibiotics currently available are either cell-wall inhibitors or target the metabolism of the bacteria. Drugs targeting a virulence factor such as the one we have identified in Acinetobacter baumannii is targeted will slow the development of antibiotic resistance and make cure possible,” Prof Pathania.

The Hfq protein or its glycinerich tail block several chemical pathways.“Instead of one, the bacteria would have to overcome multiple hurdles to cause infection, thus slowing down the process of resistance,” she said.

The finding are published in the peer-reviewed Journal of Biological Chemistry.

“Discovering a new drug target is an essential part of new antibiotics developement because using existing targets as previous medicine for new molecules will lead to the microbe developing resistance faster,” said Virdi. “Along with drug development, indiscriminate antibiotic in humans and animal feed must be stopped, newer vaccines developed to lower antibiotics use and precision point-ofcare diagnostics used to ensure correct antibiotics are prescribed in the right doses,” said Virdi.