In search of new strategies against the life-threatening tuberculosis infection, scientists have discovered a substance that prevents the membrane formation of the bacterium.<\/p>\n
The substance is effective even in low concentrations and when combined with known antibiotics its effectiveness is improved by up to 100-fold, said researchers from the Technical University of Munich in Germany and Harvard University in the US.<\/p>\n
Among the greatest challenges when treating tuberculosis infections is the increasing resistance to antibiotics, the researchers said.<\/p>\n
However, the dense mycomembrane hampers the effect of many medications, according to the study published in the journal Angewandte Chemie.<\/p>\n
The team of scientists has discovered a substance that perturbs the formation of this membrane significantly.<\/p>\n
The mycomembrane of the tuberculosis pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis consists of a lipid double layer that encapsulates the cell wall, forming an exterior barrier.<\/p>\n
Structural hallmarks are mycolic acids, branched beta- hydroxy fatty acids with two long hydrocarbon chains.<\/p>\n
The team hypothesised that similarly structured beta lactones could “mask” themselves as mycolic acid to enter the mycolic acid metabolic pathways and then block the decisive enzymes.<\/p>\n
The interdisciplinary team of scientists found that the beta lactone EZ120 inhibits the biosynthesis of the mycomembrane and kills mycobacteria effectively.<\/p>\n
EZ120 is effective even in low doses, easily passes the mycomembrane and exhibits only low toxicity to human cells.<\/p>\n
The combined application of this substance with known antibiotics showed a synergistic effect leading to significantly increased effectiveness.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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