1. Novel Antibacterial Targets in Protein Biogenesis Pathways
Upasana S Potteth, Tulsi Upadhyay, Snehlata Saini, Ishu Saraogi Chembiochem. 2022 Feb 16;23(4):e202100459. doi: 10.1002/cbic.202100459. Epub 2021 Oct 26.
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.
2. The effects of hypoalbuminaemia on optimizing antibacterial dosing in critically ill patients
Marta Ulldemolins, Jason A Roberts, Jordi Rello, David L Paterson, Jeffrey Lipman Clin Pharmacokinet. 2011 Feb;50(2):99-110. doi: 10.2165/11539220-000000000-00000.
Low serum albumin levels are very common in critically ill patients, with reported incidences as high as 40-50%. This condition appears to be associated with alterations in the degree of protein binding of many highly protein-bound antibacterials, which lead to altered pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, although this topic is infrequently considered in daily clinical practice. The effects of hypoalbuminaemia on pharmacokinetics are driven by the decrease in the extent of antibacterial bound to albumin, which increases the unbound fraction of the drug. Unlike the fraction bound to plasma proteins, the unbound fraction is the only fraction available for distribution and clearance from the plasma (central compartment). Hence, hypoalbuminaemia is likely to increase the apparent total volume of distribution (V(d)) and clearance (CL) of a drug, which would translate to lower antibacterial exposures that might compromise the attainment of pharmacodynamic targets, especially for time-dependent antibacterials. The effect of hypoalbuminaemia on unbound concentrations is also likely to have an important impact on pharmacodynamics, but there is very little information available on this area.
3. Antibacterial Soy Protein Isolate Prepared by Quaternization
Qi Dong, Jingwen Lei, Hanjian Wang, Meifang Ke, Xiao Liang, Xindi Yang, Hui Liang, Céline Huselstein, Zan Tong, Yun Chen Int J Mol Sci. 2022 Aug 14;23(16):9110. doi: 10.3390/ijms23169110.
Soy protein isolate (SPI) is green, high-yield natural plant protein, which is widely applied in industry (packing material and adhesives) and tissue engineering. It is meaningful to improve the antibacterial property of soy protein isolate to fabricate versatile safe products to meet people's requirements. In this study, quaternized soy protein isolate (QSPI) was synthesized by the reaction between 2,3-epoxypropyltrimethylammonium chloride (EPTMAC) and SPI. The positive charged (17.8 ± 0.23 mV) quaternary ammonium groups endow the QSPI with superior antibacterial properties against multiple bacteria in vitro and in vivo. Notably, QSPI maintains its good biocompatibility and promotes bacterial-infected wound healing in rat models. Furthermore, QSPI possesses superior water solubility in a broad pH range than raw SPI. Altogether, this soy protein isolate derivative with antibacterial property and superior water solubility may extend the application of SPI in industry and tissue engineering.
