Researchers at the Laboratory of Applied Structural Biology at the University of São Paulo (ICB-USP) are making strides toward developing safer and less toxic antibiotics. Their work focuses on gentamicin, a widely used antibiotic for treating skin infections, meningitis, and pneumonia.
The research team, part of the Center for Research in the Biology of Bacteria and Bacteriophages, has identified gentamicin as a potential key to creating safer antibacterial treatments.
“Gentamicin is an antibiotic produced by the bacterium Micromonospora purpurea. It consists of five distinct molecules, each with unique activities and toxicity levels. Understanding and isolating these molecules is crucial to improving the medication,” explained Ana Bonasa, a lead researcher on the project.
The study, published in ACS Chemical Biology, zeroes in on two of these molecules, C2 and C2a, which share similar structures. The enzyme GenB2 plays a pivotal role in converting C2 into C2a, a process that significantly impacts the drug’s efficacy and toxicity.
“The breakthrough here lies in GenB2. Without this enzyme, C2a would not exist, and gentamicin would only have four molecules. By tweaking this process to produce more C2a, we can enhance the antibiotic’s effectiveness while reducing its harmful side effects,”
– Ana Bonasa.
Gentamicin’s clinical use is currently restricted due to its potential to damage vital organs, such as the kidneys and ears, when used excessively.
By focusing on the enzyme GenB2, the team aims to refine gentamicin into a safer drug with fewer adverse effects for patients.
“This research underscores the importance of revisiting existing antibiotics to develop safer, more effective drugs. It also addresses the growing threat of bacterial resistance by enabling precise treatments for infections that no longer respond to traditional antibiotics,” Bonasa emphasized.
The findings open the door to innovative approaches in antibiotic development, potentially revolutionizing the treatment of resistant bacterial infections.
Source: UOL
