What is it about?

Our research looks at how certain proteins in bacteria help them get rid of toxic substances, including drugs. These proteins are called small multidrug resistance exporters. We found that specific spots on these proteins decide which substances they can transport. Understanding this helps us learn how bacteria resist drugs, which is a big problem when treating infections. By knowing which parts of the protein are important, we can work on making better antibiotics and treatments to fight drug-resistant bacteria. Our goal is to help in the fight against these tough infections.

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Why is it important?

Our research is unique because it uncovers how specific spots on bacterial proteins, called small multidrug resistance exporters, determine which drugs these bacteria can expel. This discovery is timely and crucial as it sheds light on the mechanisms behind bacterial drug resistance, a major global health issue. Drug resistance is a common behavior in bacteria, but we have yet to find effective ways to circumvent, fix, or even slow it down. By identifying these key protein spots, our work can guide the development of new antibiotics and treatments that effectively target and overcome drug-resistant bacteria. This could make a significant difference in the fight against infections that no longer respond to current drugs, ultimately improving patient outcomes and public health.

Perspectives

This paper has been rewarding for several reasons. First, the multidisciplinary approaches to investigating what makes a transporter "tick" have provided me with multiple opportunities to learn new techniques and various ways to visualize the science behind how these proteins work. This broad approach has enriched my understanding and has been incredibly fulfilling. Second, the involvement of undergraduate students in shaping this work has been particularly gratifying. Mentoring and guiding the next generation of scientists has not only enhanced the quality of our research but also allowed me to contribute to their development and enthusiasm for science. Seeing their growth and curiosity has been one of the most rewarding aspects of this journey. Overall, this publication represents a significant step in my scientific career, blending cutting-edge research with educational mentorship. By uncovering key mechanisms of bacterial drug resistance, we inch closer to solving this global challenge. I am excited to see the impact it will have on the field and the future scientists who will contribute to it.

Olive Burata
University of California San Francisco

Read the Original

This page is a summary of: Peripheral positions encode transport specificity in the small multidrug resistance exporters, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, June 2024, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences,
DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2403273121.
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