New antibacterial agents targeting secretion systems

Project Leader (s):
Jeanette Bröms and Anders Sjöstedt

Affiliation:
Dept. of Clinical Microbiology, Umeå University

Status:
Active Incubator Project

Brief Description:
The importance of pathogenic secretion system was recently identified in a number of gram-negative pathogens, e.g., Vibrio cholerae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Yersinia pseudotuberculosis, enteroaggregative Escherichia coli and Burkholderia mallei. Many of these are important human pathogens that together cause very extensive morbidity globally. There is a direct link between protein secretion and virulence has been established in literature.

The project owners study the intracellular pathogen Francisella tularensis, which causes the disease tularaemia and a recognized potential biodefense threat. The project researchers have discovered a highly conserved secretion system among numerous pathogens. These homologue conservations have been found in silico. The researchers showed conservation of several homologues where point mutations in the target candidate resulted in loss of pathogenicity. In addition, they found homologues from other species can interact with the candidate using yeast two hybrid assays; thus suggestive of potential drug targets.
This proof-of-concept stage project could potentially produce a novel class of drug target with broader antimicrobial effects.

Intellectual Property Status:
Patent applications are being drafted and other potentials are being evaluated.

Possible Commercial Potential:
This could provide a new drug target and thus a new class of broad spectrum therapeutic agents targeting pathogens other than Francisella sp. Potential market niche include areas of biodefense, and clinical settings against drug resistant strains. Other areas of applications are in manufacturing and process plants.

Contact:
Prof. Anders Sjöstedt