Bacterial kinase in ESKAPE pathogen: regulators of virulence and novel therapeutic targets

Bacterial protein kinases regulate fundamental processes like cell division and transcription, hence controlling various metabolic pathways. They share a common evolutionary origin with eukarya and archaea. Kinases promote the virulence of pathogenic bacteria and are also involved in the host-pathogen interactions leading to the manipulation of host defence systems for the establishment of infections. Bacterial protein kinases regulate various metabolic processes, including pathogenesis, virulence, upregulation of efflux pumps to discard antibiotics, synthesis of capsular polysaccharides, and pathogenesis. Bacterial kinases offer a new aspect of monitoring and managing the infections caused by bacterial pathogens. As kinases are essential proteins of the bacterial system, there are lesser chances of mutation in them. Hence, therapeutics targeting the pathogenic bacterial kinases would have significant value. This review deals with the functions and structural aspects of bacterial protein kinases, and the different types of kinase inhibitors that have been experimentally validated to control infections. They represent promising therapeutic target, as they will minimize the risk of gaining new types of resistance and offer a high probability of success, given their role as master regulators of the fundamental processes of the bacterial system.