Cornell University researchers discovered a new method for fighting against antibiotic resistant bacteria.
There is an urgent need for searching antibiotic strategies as there is an increase in antibiotic resistance. The protein ribonucleotide reductase (RNR)'s activation and inactivation has a mechanism that was discovered by the researchers through the Cornell High Energy Synchrotron Source (CHESS). Their results were published in the journal Nature Communications.
The reproduction of harmful bacteria can be shut down through the mechanism of turning off the RNR.
Ribonucleotides are converted into deoxyribonucleotides by these RNRs. Complex mechanisms are involved in RNR regulation. The absence of these mechanisms can result in erroneous DNA replication and dangerous mutations.
"Without the RNR enzyme, DNA-based life as we know it could not exist," said first author William Thomas, a graduate student in chemistry and chemical biology. "If we understand the RNR 'off switch' well enough, we can take advantage of it by developing our own ways to toggle it with new antibiotic drug molecules."
Nozomi Ando, lead author and assistant professor in chemistry, revealed that this research shows evolution in action. There are benefits when it comes to the bacteria in terms of the absence of the normal regulatory switch mechanism.
"Usually the increased chance of mutations is a problem for bacteria, but maybe under certain circumstances, it's actually advantageous for an organism to mutate and possibly become resistant to an antibiotic or another stressful situation," she said.
The researchers admit that characterizing RNRs are challenging when done in a traditional manner.
"The combination of small-angle X-ray scattering using CHESS, crystallography, and cryo-electron microscopy is what made this study possible," Ando said.
