Discoveries in the Arctic: two new molecules that could redefine our fight against bacteria. An unexpected lead that could revolutionize antibiotic research in the face of increasing bacterial resistance.
Researchers have been exploring the icy depths to find a solution to this global crisis. They have discovered potential new treatments in Arctic microbes.
Pixabay illustration image
Actinobacteria, found in soils and oceans, are the source of many antibiotics. These bacteria have the power to produce complex molecules that can fight pathogens. But while soils have been widely studied, there are still unexplored habitats, particularly in polar seas. The University of Helsinki team, led by Dr. Päivi Tammela, recently identified two new molecules from actinobacteria found in the Arctic Ocean. These compounds showed a strong activity against the virulence of E. coli, a bacterium responsible for serious childhood diarrhea.
These molecules, identified under the codes T091-5 and T160-2, prevent the E. coli bacteria from attaching to human intestinal cells, thus blocking its infectious process. In particular, T091-5 inhibits the formation of cellular structures essential for the adhesion of E. coli, without slowing its growth, which reduces the risk of resistance developing.
Chemical analysis of T091-5 reveals that it is likely a phospholipid, a class of molecules important for cellular metabolism. This discovery could represent a major advance in the development of safer and more effective antibiotics.
However, to confirm the potential of these molecules, further research is needed. This includes optimizing culture conditions and analyzing their structure and bioactivity in depth. The road is still long, but the first discoveries are promising.
The Arctic Ocean may not have revealed all its secrets. What if its icy depths hold the keys to the next generation of antibiotics?
What is bacterial virulence and why reduce it?
Virulence refers to the ability of a bacterium to cause a disease. It relies on mechanisms that allow it to attach to host cells, invade them, or produce toxins. Reducing this virulence, rather than directly killing the bacteria, can limit the gravity infections All avoiding the development of resistance.
Unlike conventional antibiotics that target bacterial growth, antivirulence compounds disable key processes that bacteria use to cause disease. These compounds leave bacteria alive but harmless, reducing evolutionary pressure and limiting the emergence of resistant strains.
