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Lipid II as a target for antibiotics
Eefjan Breukink1, Ben de Kruijff
1Department of Biochemistry of Membranes, Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research, Utrecht University, The Netherlands. e.j.breukink@chem.uu.nl
Nature Reviews. Drug Discovery
|March 15, 2006
Summary
Targeting Lipid II, essential for bacterial cell-wall biosynthesis, offers a promising antibacterial strategy. Research explores alternative compounds like lantibiotics, mannopeptimycins, and ramoplanin to combat rising vancomycin resistance.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Drug Discovery
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Lipid II is a crucial precursor for bacterial cell-wall biosynthesis.
- It is a validated target for multiple antibiotic classes, including vancomycin.
- Increasing bacterial resistance to vancomycin necessitates exploring alternative Lipid II-targeting agents.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the antibacterial activities of compounds targeting Lipid II.
- To discuss the therapeutic potential of alternative Lipid II-targeting agents.
- To identify factors crucial for developing new treatments against bacterial infections.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of existing research on Lipid II-targeting compounds.
- Analysis of antibacterial mechanisms and effectiveness.
- Evaluation of factors influencing therapeutic development.
Main Results:
- Lipid II is a validated antibacterial target, with vancomycin as a key example.
- Alternative compound classes, including lantibiotics, mannopeptimycins, and ramoplanin, show therapeutic promise.
- Understanding resistance mechanisms is vital for developing new treatments.
Conclusions:
- Compounds targeting Lipid II represent a significant avenue for new antibacterial therapies.
- Further research into lantibiotics, mannopeptimycins, and ramoplanin is warranted.
- Addressing bacterial resistance is key to successful drug development.