Many organisms in nature produce antimicrobial peptides to protect against infections. These peptides can be used to develop antibiotics, but only if researchers can understand how they work.
For the study, researchers analyzed the mechanisms of Api137 — a peptide produced by wasps, bees and hornets — in a laboratory setting. The research team found the peptide binds to the E. coli ribosome, which makes proteins for cells, and interrupts the production of proteins.
“We can now harness the knowledge of how Api137 works in order to make new drugs that would kill bad bacteria using a similar mechanism of action,” said Nora Vázquez-Laslop, PhD, a research associate professor with of the University of Illinois at Chicago’s Center for Biomolecular Sciences and one of the study’s authors.
More articles on infection control:
San Diego County’s Hepatitis A outbreak nears 400 cases
4 sepsis resources for providers in honor of Sepsis Awareness Month
CDC taps T2 Biosystems to track superbug C. auris in hospitals
