Bacterial metalo-aminopeptidases: new targets for infectious diseases.
Due to increased resistance of microorganisms to conventional antibiotics, bacterial infectious diseases are increasingly advancing as a global health problem. The identification of new targets in the bacterial organism and the discovery of new antibacterial compounds are therefore among the pressing problems of our time. Scientists from the University of Havana, in association with IPB, have published a review article on bacterial metalo-aminopeptidases and discussed their suitability as new targets for bactericidal drugs. Metalo-aminopeptidases are involved in crucial processes of bacterial growth and infection. They play roles in protein and peptide degradation, host tissue access, cysteine supply for redox control, transcriptional regulation, site-specific DNA recombination, and hydrogen sulfide production in the microorganisms. Some of the metalo-aminopeptidases are physiologically non-essential, but significantly influence bacterial virulence and fitness under harsh conditions such as nutrient starvation and high temperatures. In the review, the authors describe the structural and kinetic properties of these bacterial enzymes and present some suitable inhibitors. They conclude that a thorough analysis of all factors involved is necessary to reliably determine specific peptidases as drug targets and the therapeutic benefit of the corresponding inhibitors.
Original Publication:
Jorge González-Bacerio, Ana C Varela, Mirtha E Aguado, Maikel Izquierdo, Yanira Méndez, Maday A Del Rivero & Daniel G Rivera. Bacterial Metalo-Aminopeptidases as Targets in Human Infectious Diseases. Curr Drug Targets 2022;23(12):1155-1190. doi: 10.2174/1389450123666220316085859
