An ultra-effective antibiotic for tuberculosis

Scientists from the Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics (IMBG) of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine are developing optimal antibiotics for the treatment of resistant forms of tuberculosis. The development of resistance is manifested in the form of mutations of amino acid residues in the active site of the target protein. Due to this fact, the antibiotic loses its ability to bind to the target; as a result it loses the effectiveness.

Scientists from the Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics have developed a new strategy wherein the antibiotic can bind to two targets. This will reduce the likelihood of microbial resistance. As targets, they used two enzymes responsible for the synthesis of mycobacterial proteins - leucyl-tRNA and methionyl-tRNA synthetase. The new drug candidates are active against three strains of tuberculosis pathogen: isoniazid-resistant (katGdel), rifampicin-resistant (rpoBS450L) and moxifloxacin-resistant (gyrAD94K).

Source: National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine