BENGALURU: Scientists on the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) have uncovered a novel strategy to deal with the rising menace of drug-resistant Salmonella, the bacterium liable for typhoid and different food-borne sicknesses.
Their analysis, printed within the journal Redox Biology, reveals how Salmonella exploits a key molecule referred to as spermidine to defend itself towards the physique’s immune defences, IISc mentioned Tuesday.
When Salmonella infects a bunch, it’s engulfed by macrophages – immune cells that attempt to kill the micro organism by producing reactive oxygen and nitrogen species. Nonetheless, the research discovered that Salmonella makes use of spermidine to guard its proteins from this oxidative stress. Crucially, the bacterium hijacks the host’s equipment to ramp up spermidine manufacturing.
Spermidine from each micro organism and the host acts like a strong weapon for Salmonella to safeguard towards reactive oxygen species, Dipshikha Chakravortty, Professor, IISc Division of Microbiology and Cell Biology (MCB), says.
“Salmonella’s methods to outlive are par excellence. With a rise in antimicrobial resistance in Salmonella, it’s simply unattainable to eradicate,” Chakravortty added.
Researchers found that an current FDA-approved drug referred to as D,L-alpha-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) can deplete spermidine ranges within the host by blocking key enzymes concerned in its synthesis pathway. Checks in mice confirmed that DFMO made the mice extra resilient to Salmonella infections.
“Since we’re concentrating on the host equipment, and never the micro organism straight, it is not going to evolve genetically to develop resistance,” mentioned Abhilash Vijay Nair, the research’s first creator.
The researchers plan additional research to determine further targets for disrupting spermidine manufacturing.
Their analysis, printed within the journal Redox Biology, reveals how Salmonella exploits a key molecule referred to as spermidine to defend itself towards the physique’s immune defences, IISc mentioned Tuesday.
When Salmonella infects a bunch, it’s engulfed by macrophages – immune cells that attempt to kill the micro organism by producing reactive oxygen and nitrogen species. Nonetheless, the research discovered that Salmonella makes use of spermidine to guard its proteins from this oxidative stress. Crucially, the bacterium hijacks the host’s equipment to ramp up spermidine manufacturing.
Spermidine from each micro organism and the host acts like a strong weapon for Salmonella to safeguard towards reactive oxygen species, Dipshikha Chakravortty, Professor, IISc Division of Microbiology and Cell Biology (MCB), says.
“Salmonella’s methods to outlive are par excellence. With a rise in antimicrobial resistance in Salmonella, it’s simply unattainable to eradicate,” Chakravortty added.
Researchers found that an current FDA-approved drug referred to as D,L-alpha-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) can deplete spermidine ranges within the host by blocking key enzymes concerned in its synthesis pathway. Checks in mice confirmed that DFMO made the mice extra resilient to Salmonella infections.
“Since we’re concentrating on the host equipment, and never the micro organism straight, it is not going to evolve genetically to develop resistance,” mentioned Abhilash Vijay Nair, the research’s first creator.
The researchers plan additional research to determine further targets for disrupting spermidine manufacturing.
 have uncovered a novel approach to tackle the growing threat of drug-resistant Salmone.){kind=link}