In a significant breakthrough, researchers led by UC San Diego have identified a critical weakness in antibiotic-resistant bacteria, presenting new possibilities for combating drug resistance without harmful chemicals.
In a major scientific breakthrough, researchers at the University of California San Diego, along with colleagues from Arizona State University and Universitat Pompeu Fabra in Spain, have discovered a critical vulnerability in antibiotic-resistant bacteria. This finding offers a new pathway for tackling the global health crisis posed by drug-resistant infections without resorting to harmful chemicals or new antibiotics.
Estimates suggest that deadly antibiotic-resistant infections, which claimed over 1 million lives annually from 1990 to 2021, are projected to nearly double by 2050. In a bid to address this growing threat, Gürol Süel, a professor of molecular biology at UC San Diego, and his team delved deep into the mechanics of bacterial infection.
Their study, published in Science Advances, explored why antibiotic-resistant mutants of bacteria, like the common soil bacterium Bacillus subtilis, don’t dominate despite their survival edge. The research revealed that while antibiotic resistance offers survival benefits, it also places a significant physiological burden on bacteria, preventing them from becoming dominant.
“We discovered an Achilles heel of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. We can take advantage of this cost to suppress the establishment of antibiotic resistance without drugs or harmful chemicals,” Süel said in a news release.
At the core of their investigation were ribosomes, critical cellular structures responsible for protein synthesis and genetic code translation, and their dependence on magnesium ions. The researchers discovered that antibiotic-resistant ribosomal variants compete with ATP molecules for these ions, leading to a detrimental tug-of-war over limited magnesium resources within the cell.
This competition particularly hampers the growth of the antibiotic-resistant ribosome variant L22, unlike its non-resistant counterpart.
“While we often think of antibiotic resistance as a major benefit for bacteria to survive, we found that the ability to cope with magnesium limitation in their environment is more important for bacterial proliferation,” Süel added.
This pivotal finding opens the door to innovative tactics to combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria. By chelating magnesium ions, it might be possible to selectively inhibit these resistant strains without affecting beneficial bacteria.
“We show that through a better understanding of the molecular and physiological properties of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, we can find novel ways to control them without the use of drugs,” added Süel.
In a separate yet related advance, Süel and team members at the University of Chicago introduced a bioelectronic device that leverages the natural electrical activity of certain skin bacteria, offering another drug-free approach to managing infections. This device targets Staphylococcus epidermidis, commonly associated with hospital-acquired infections and antibiotic resistance.
“We are running out of effective antibiotics, and their rampant use over the decades has resulted in antibiotics being spread across the globe, from the Arctic to the oceans and our groundwater,” Süel added. “Drug-free alternatives to treating bacterial infections are needed, and our two most recent studies show how we can indeed achieve drug-free control over antibiotic-resistant bacteria.”
The potential impact of these findings is far-reaching, providing a glimmer of hope in the battle against antibiotic-resistant superbugs and highlighting the importance of innovative approaches in modern medicine.