We have identified the bacterial signal recognition particle (SRP) as a novel antibacterial target. As a proof of principle, we used an antisense peptide nucleic acid to target a key SRP RNA. The PNA molecules showed efficient inhibition of SRP function and bacterial cell growth, thereby validating our hypothesis.
Antibiotic resistance has emerged as a global threat due to the ability of bacteria to quickly evolve in response to the selection pressure induced by anti‐infective drugs. Thus, there is an urgent need to develop new antibiotics against resistant bacteria. In this review, we discuss pathways involving bacterial protein biogenesis as attractive antibacterial targets since many of them are essential for bacterial survival and virulence. We discuss the structural understanding of various components associated with bacterial protein biogenesis, which in turn can be utilized for rational antibiotic design. We highlight efforts made towards developing inhibitors of these pathways with insights into future possibilities and challenges. We also briefly discuss other potential targets related to protein biogenesis.
The rapid rise of antibiotic resistance among infectious pathogens is a matter of grave concern. This development of resistance is an evolutionary process, which is intensified due to prolonged and excessive exposure to antibiotics, which will ultimately force us to a situation where well-established lines of treatment will cease to be effective against routine infections. Thus, it is imperative to develop novel strategies to tackle this silent pandemic of antibiotic resistance. Here we briefly summarize the far-reaching implications of antibiotic resistance globally and highlight some key mechanisms by which resistance arises. We also discuss possible approaches to address this problem, including the identification and validation of novel antibacterial pathways that can circumvent existing resistance mechanisms to effectively curb this global threat.
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