Recent research has unveiled a new antibiotic precursor, pre-methylenomycin C lactone, derived from the bacterium Streptomyces coelicolor, which demonstrates over 100 times the antimicrobial potency against Gram-positive pathogens compared to its predecessor, methylenomycin A. This finding emerges amid growing concerns over antimicrobial resistance (AMR), as the WHO highlights a critical shortage of effective antibacterials in development.
The study, published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society, reveals that the newly identified intermediates not only retain but enhance the antibiotic properties initially noted in methylenomycin A, which has been known for 50 years. Researchers, led by Greg Challis, PhD, discovered that these intermediates could offer a strategic advantage in combating resistant strains such as Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecium.
Notably, the absence of resistance emergence to pre-methylenomycin C lactone underlines its potential as a viable alternative to vancomycin, a last-resort treatment for resistant infections. As the pharmaceutical industry grapples with the challenges of AMR, this discovery signals a paradigm shift in antibiotic development, emphasizing the importance of exploring biosynthetic intermediates for novel therapeutic options.
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