Amid growth in antimicrobial-resistant bacteria, new class of antibiotics discovered
Researchers at McMaster University in Ontario, Canada, and the University of Illinois, Chicago, have made a groundbreaking discovery by identifying a new class of antibiotics for the first time in three decades. Led by researcher Gerry Wright, the teams collaborated in the discovery of lariocidin, a lasso peptide that has shown effectiveness against drug-resistant bacteria. The results of their study were published in the journal Nature this week.
Lariocidin is a unique molecule that attacks bacteria by inhibiting their growth and survival. It is produced by a type of bacteria called Paenibacillus, which was isolated from a backyard soil sample and cultivated in a lab for one year. The researchers found that lariocidin is not susceptible to many of the mechanisms that make disease-causing bacteria resistant to existing antibiotics.
The structure of lariocidin is described as a “knotted lasso or a pretzel,” and it binds to the ribosome, a molecular machine that is essential for protein synthesis in cells. This binding prevents the ribosome from making proteins, ultimately stopping the bacteria from functioning. Importantly, lariocidin does not exhibit toxicity to human cells.
The discovery of lariocidin is significant in the face of increasing antimicrobial resistance, which poses a global public health threat and results in millions of deaths annually. Dr. Marc Siegel, clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Health and Fox News senior medical analyst, commended the discovery, highlighting the urgent need for new antibiotics to combat the antibiotic resistance crisis.
Dr. Stephen Vogel, a family medicine physician with PlushCare, also emphasized the potential of lariocidin to address infections caused by drug-resistant bacteria. He noted that the unique mechanism of action of lariocidin could make it a durable and effective treatment option for a wide range of deadly bacterial infections.
Looking ahead, the McMaster researchers plan to explore ways to modify and produce lariocidin for clinical use. While the road to developing this new antibiotic into a viable drug will require time and resources, the researchers are optimistic about its potential impact on reducing deaths from bacterial infections.
In conclusion, the discovery of lariocidin highlights the importance of exploring diverse sources, such as garden soil, for innovative solutions to combat antibiotic resistance. This serendipitous finding underscores the value of continued research and funding in the pursuit of new antibiotics to address the growing public health threat posed by antimicrobial resistance.
