Innovative Antibiotic Discovery: Marine Bacteria Show Promise Through Heavy Metal Triggering
In a groundbreaking study published in Front. Chem., researchers from Shanghai Jiao Tong University and Northwest A&F University in China have discovered a potent antibiotic through the elicitation of marine bacteria using abiotic stress, specifically nickel chloride. This novel technique for drug discovery has the potential to revolutionize the field of medicinal chemistry.
The research team successfully isolated a compound, CDPDP, from the marine bacteria triggered by nickel chloride. This compound exhibited potent antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Riemerella anatipestifer, with a bactericidal effect on a 300 µm scale. Additionally, the compound showed promising bioactivity score prediction and drug-likeness, making it a promising candidate for further development.
To investigate the anti-bacterial mechanism of CDPDP, the researchers performed molecular docking studies with various proteins, including PBP2a, bacterial DNA gyrase, tRNA N6-adenosine threonylcarbamoyltransferase, and RMFP. The highest docking score was achieved against RMFP, indicating a strong interaction between the compound and the protein.
Furthermore, protein-protein docking studies were conducted with TLR-4 protein for vaccine construction prediction, with the most favorable interaction observed between PBP2a and RMFP. In-silico cloning was also carried out to ensure the stable expression of the proteins generated.
Overall, this study marks a significant step forward in anti-bacterial drug discovery from marine bacteria through heavy metal triggering. The findings provide valuable insights into the mechanism of action of CDPDP and lay the foundation for further research in this exciting field.
