New Antibiotic Discovered to Combat Drug-Resistant Infections

Scientists have discovered a novel antibiotic compound showing effectiveness against drug-resistant infections, particularly methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecium. This antibiotic, named pre-methylenomycin C lactone, is part of a new class of antibiotics and was reported in the Journal of the American Chemical Society on October 27.

Surprisingly, the researchers led by Lona Alkhalaf and Greg Challis were not initially searching for new drugs. Their primary focus was on understanding the production of methylenomycin A by the bacterium Streptomyces coelicolor.

The team utilized a technique of deleting specific genes from biosynthetic gene clusters, allowing them to identify previously unobserved intermediate compounds. This method led to the isolation of the new antibiotic.

Pre-methylenomycin C lactone exhibited remarkable activity, proving to be one hundred times more effective at killing drug-resistant bacteria than its predecessor. Importantly, during a 28-day experiment with Enterococcus faecium, the compound did not induce any antibiotic resistance, maintaining its efficacy throughout the testing period.

This finding is significant as it addresses a major concern in antibiotic treatment; repeated exposure often leads to the development of resistance in bacteria. Experts emphasize the need for further research to explore the antibiotic's effects on a broader range of bacterial strains and over extended durations.

Stephen Cochrane, a medicinal chemist from Queen's University Belfast, highlighted the difference between antibacterial activity and the practical application of a drug in treating diseases. Alkhalaf and Challis are now collaborating with synthetic chemist David Lupton at Monash University to create a chemical synthesis route for the antibiotic.

This advancement would allow for larger quantities of pre-methylenomycin C lactone to be produced, facilitating deeper studies into its mechanisms and effects on human cells. Identifying the biological targets of this compound will also be crucial for understanding how it interacts with susceptible bacteria, potentially informing the design of even more potent antibiotics.

The discovery of this new antibiotic is seen as a significant breakthrough in the ongoing battle against drug-resistant infections, a growing public health crisis.