Searching for New Antimicrobial Targets: Na+ Cycle in Energetics of Bacterial Pathogens

摘要: Outbreaks of microbial infections (tuberculosis, cholera, etc.) endangering lives civilians and military personnel alike are inevitable consequences social crises. The situation is further exacerbated by the current global crisis antimicrobial therapy caused common misuse broad-range antibiotics resulting proliferation drug-resistant strains. Despite resurrected interest in alternative approaches, such as development adjunctive immunotherapy, search for new targets prospective antimicrobials apparently remains most viable option management infections. A consensus emerging that a generation remedies should include precisely targeted, ideally – pathogen-specific drugs. As it evident from cross-genome comparisons, Na+ pumping systems different types (comprising “sodium cycle” bacterial membrane energetics) “overrepresented” pathogens. This might be due to peculiar evolutionary relationship between “mainstream” type energetics based on transmembrane circulation proton (H+ cycle) more archaic cycle. Wide spreading elements cycle among pathogens makes these attractive novel, narrowly targeted antimicrobials. In this communication, “target potential” primary respiratory pump, NQR, secondary pumps, NhaA/B, discussed.