NPL-Led Studies Explore Bacteria-Destroying Proteins for More Efficient Antibiotics
A research team, led by the National Physical Laboratory (NPL), has done studies into how protein fragments found in our bodies destroy harmful bacteria — potentially moving us a step closer to a new generation of antibiotic treatment that is less prone to bacterial resistance.
The protein fragments, known as antimicrobial peptides, have fought bacteria in the human body for thousands of years by identifying and disrupting the structure of the bacterial membrane. But little is still known about the precise mechanisms they use to perofrm this process. The NPL-led team conducted two separate studies to better understand the process and help assess the feasibility of using human antimicrobial peptides as the basis of new treatments.
The first study used de novo protein design and nanoscale imaging techniques, atomic force microscopy and high resolution mass spectrometry, together with computer simulations. This combination, never used before for this application, allowed the scientists to study how the peptides destroy the bacteria on a molecular level.
The research, reported in PNAS, revealed that the peptides form nanoscale pores in the bacterial membranes, which subsequently expand until the membrane completely disintegrates. In targeting the membrane, a heterogeneous structure composed predominantly of proteins and lipids, it is thought that the peptides reduce the likelihood that bacteria will develop resistance. This is because many genes would need to mutate simultaneously to do so — a very unlikely scenario.
However, before they are considered for medical use, it is important that scientists understand the likelihood of bacteria becoming resistant to the peptides. A second NPL-led study looked to do just that, using a combination of measurements, imaging and molecular dynamics simulations. It explored whether and how bacteria could develop resistance to these antibiotic peptides as they have to conventional antibiotics like methicillin.
The findings, reported in the Journal of Biological Chemistry, suggest that antagonistic peptide chains secreted by bacterial cells or expressed on their surfaces may cause efficient anti-antimicrobial responses, meaning that bacteria could potentially thrive in the presence of the peptides. This discovery may give scientists a better understanding of bacterial resistance and help them choose the right approach when developing the peptides for medical use.
Dr Max Ryadnov, who leads NPL's scientific research in Biotechnology, said: “It is widely known that these antimicrobial peptides are very efficient at destroying bacteria, but previous measurement techniques only let us see to a detail of five nanometres. The unique combination of technologies used in this research allowed us to see the process at larger length scales and in finer detail. The implications of these research efforts could be considerable — potentially paving the way for an alternative to the current, increasingly inefficient, antibiotic treatments, but also helping us understand the potential vulnerabilities of therapeutics based on these peptides.”
The research was led by NPL and featured scientists from the London Centre for Nanotechnology, UCL, University of Edinburgh, University of Bristol, University of Oxford, Freie Universität Berlin and IBM.
Related News
-
News BioNTech to begin mRNA vaccine manufacturing in Rwanda by 2025
German biotechnology company BioNTech has stated their intentions to begin production at their mRNA vaccine factory in Rwanda by 2025, which will mark the first foreign mRNA vaccine manufacturing site on the continent of Africa. -
News Identifying Alzheimer’s Disease biomarker proteins with whole blood tests
A University of Manchester spin-out pharmaceutical company, PharmaKure, has reported successful study results for the quantification of Alzheimer’s Disease biomarker proteins with a whole blood test. -
News Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to boost mRNA vaccine initiatives in Africa with USD $40m
To address vaccine inequality and accessibility issues, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation aims to deliver USD $40m to various biotech companies and vaccine manufacturers in support of mRNA vaccine development. -
News CPHI Podcast Series: Exploring neurological frontiers in Alzheimer's and beyond
The next episode of the CPHI Podcast Series delves into the science and background behind some recent developments in the field of Alzheimer's disease and neurological disorders. -
News Is patient centricity the future of pharmaceutical manufacturing?
In this interview with Sandra Sánchez y Oldenhage, President of PharmAdvice, she speaks to the importance of considering patients in the manufacturing stages of the pharmaceutical supply chain, and how it can redefine healthcare. -
News CPHI Podcast Series: How to leverage AI for Drug Discovery
Artificial intelligence is the topic of debate in the latest episode from the CPHI Podcast Series, where Digital Editor Lucy Chard speaks with Bill Whitford of DPS Group about the integration of AI in healthcare. -
News Pfizer forges ahead with blood cancer therapy after approval from FDA
Pfizer gains accelerated approval from the US FDA for their new bispecific antibody therapy for multiple myeloma, set to address an unmet need for patients. -
News Alzheimer's drug donanemab deemed effective in landmark clinical trial
Results from the TRAILBLAZER-ALZ 2 Randomised Clinical Trial into the use of donanemab to treat early symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease have been analysed.
Position your company at the heart of the global Pharma industry with a CPHI Online membership
-
Your products and solutions visible to thousands of visitors within the largest Pharma marketplace
-
Generate high-quality, engaged leads for your business, all year round
-
Promote your business as the industry’s thought-leader by hosting your reports, brochures and videos within your profile
-
Your company’s profile boosted at all participating CPHI events
-
An easy-to-use platform with a detailed dashboard showing your leads and performance