Clostridium difficile is a major problem as an aetiological agent for antibiotic-associated diarrhea. The mechanism by which the bacterium colonizes the gut during infection is poorly understood, but undoubtedly involves a myriad of components present on the bacterial surface. This study provides some insights that may help in developing a new type of drug to treat the infection.
Researchers reported the first crystal
structure of the C. difficile surface
protein Cwp84. This cysteine protease enzyme is found on the surface of the
bacterium and assists with production of the microbe's surface-layer, which is
likely to play an essential step in the colonisation of the gut. The enzyme
cleaves a single polypeptide (surface-layer protein A; SlpA) into low- and
high-molecular-weight subunits.
Scientists have identified three critical
regions in a mutant of the enzyme that could represent novel targets for drugs
to attack C. difficile by blocking
maturation of its surface layer during colonisation.
For further details, see:
Posted by Tim Sandle
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