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An activity-based probe targeting the streptococcal virulence factor C5a peptidase.
Sankarganesh Krishnamoorthy1, Andrea K Steiger1, William C Nelson1
1Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington, 99352, USA. Aaron.wright@pnnl.gov.
Chemical Communications (Cambridge, England)
|June 30, 2022
Summary
Researchers developed a novel activity-based probe (ABP) to detect and isolate pathogenic bacteria. This new tool targets C5a peptidase, an enzyme found in *Streptococci*, aiding in understanding bacterial infections and guiding new therapies.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Enzymology
- Chemical Biology
Background:
- Understanding bacterial enzyme mechanisms is crucial for developing new therapeutics against infections.
- Pathogenic *Streptococci* possess conserved surface enzymes like C5a peptidase, which are key targets for intervention.
- Current methods for pathogen detection and isolation can be improved for speed and specificity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a selective activity-based probe (ABP) for C5a peptidase.
- To establish a profiling strategy for high-resolution enzyme understanding in bacterial infections.
- To enable rapid detection and isolation of C5a peptidase-expressing pathogenic *Streptococci*.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis and application of a novel, selective activity-based probe (ABP).
- Enzyme inhibition assays to confirm probe efficacy against C5a peptidase.
- Application of the probe for phenotypic labeling and isolation of live bacteria from mixtures.
Main Results:
- The developed ABP selectively targets and inhibits C5a peptidase activity.
- The probe successfully detects C5a peptidase-expressing pathogens within microbial mixtures.
- The profiling strategy allows for the isolation of live, phenotypically labeled bacteria.
Conclusions:
- The novel ABP and profiling strategy provide a powerful tool for studying pathogenic *Streptococci*.
- This approach facilitates rapid detection, isolation, and characterization of bacterial pathogens.
- The study lays the groundwork for improved diagnostics and therapeutic development against *Streptococci* infections.
