Researcher Finds “Death Pathway” in Bacteria, to Target Infectious Diseases
A new study by researchers at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) (www.unmc.edu) has uncovered a “death pathway” among bacteria, a mechanism that authors suggest might be exploited as a therapeutic target against infectious diseases. Vinai Thomas, PhD, an associate professor in the UNMC Department of Pathology and Microbiology, is the senior author of the study, published in the journal PNAS (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences) in November.
“If such a pathway exists in bacteria, you could design compounds that activate it, that influence a pathogen to kill itself,” said Thomas. “There are compounds in nature, such as acyldepsipeptide, that could potentially activate this mechanism and cause bacteria to self-digest and die.”
He suggested that the death mechanism, sparked by a protease called ClpP, may be an attempt to ensure the survival of other sibling bacteria.
Bacteria, he noted, have traditionally been considered “immortal,” since they can continuously keep dividing if food is provided and toxic waste byproducts are removed. At least, that’s been the thought so far, but the PNAS study suggests this is not always the case. Dr. Thomas said that understanding what the ClpP protease targets may better enable clinicians to make therapeutic use of the “death pathway.” To learn more, visit www.unmc.edu.