In a major development in antibiotic resistance research in India, scientists at the BRIC-Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (RGCB), Thiruvananthapuram, have discovered a promising strategy to combat bacterial resistance. The study highlights the significance of targeting porins, protein channels located in the outer membrane of pathogenic bacteria, as a way to enhance antibiotic efficacy.
The findings were published in Small, a peer-reviewed journal of nanoscience and nanotechnology based in Weinheim, Germany. The research is a joint effort involving Dr Mahendran’s lab at RGCB, Dr Arumugam Rajavelu’s lab at IIT Madras, and Dr Jagannath Mondal’s lab at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), Hyderabad. The project aims to address challenges unique to antibiotic resistance research in India, using a multidisciplinary approach that integrates advanced molecular and computational techniques.
Targeting Porins to Boost Drug Efficacy
According to RGCB Director Prof. Chandrabhas Narayana, bacterial resistance to antibiotics poses a major concern for pharmacologists. One key resistance mechanism involves changes in protein channels in the outer membrane of pathogenic bacteria, which prevent antibiotics from entering the bacterial cell. The study found that by targeting porins, this defensive adaptation can be disrupted, allowing improved drug penetration.
Focusing on CymAKp, a dynamic porin found in Klebsiella pneumoniae—a high-priority pathogen listed by the WHO—the team discovered that the porin is highly adapted to enable the uptake of cyclic sugars. Through a combination of biophysical techniques and computer simulations, the researchers observed how this specific porin could play a vital role in antibiotic resistance research in India.
The scientists noted that bacteria often evolve to reduce the number or alter the structure of protein channels in the outer membrane of pathogenic bacteria, effectively blocking antibiotic access. This finding reinforces the idea that targeting porins could be a highly effective method for overcoming drug resistance, especially in the context of rising resistance rates documented in antibiotic resistance research in India.
Collaborative Effort with National Support
The study is the result of an extensive collaboration between institutions and is supported by the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India; the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) under the Department of Science and Technology; and intramural funding from RGCB. By addressing the structural pathways that limit antibiotic entry, the researchers have made a significant contribution to antibiotic resistance research in India, with a strong emphasis on targeting porins and understanding protein channels in the outer membrane of pathogenic bacteria.
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