A broad-spectrum antibiotic targets multiple-drug-resistant bacteria with dual binding targets and no detectable resistance
Abstract The rapid emergence of difficult-to-treat multidrug-resistant pathogens, combined with the scarcity of antibiotics possessing novel mechanisms, poses a significant threat to global public health. Here, we integrate the synthetic-bioinformatic natural product approach with peptide optimizati...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Nature Portfolio
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Nature Communications |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-62407-4 |
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| Summary: | Abstract The rapid emergence of difficult-to-treat multidrug-resistant pathogens, combined with the scarcity of antibiotics possessing novel mechanisms, poses a significant threat to global public health. Here, we integrate the synthetic-bioinformatic natural product approach with peptide optimization to unveil the antibiotic-producing potential of Paenibacillaceae bacteria. Our culture-independent approach led to the discovery of paenimicin, a novel 11-mer depsi-lipopeptide featuring an unprecedented dual-binding mechanism. By sequestering the phosphate and hydroxyl groups of lipid A in Gram-negative bacteria, as well as the phosphate groups of teichoic acids in Gram-positive bacteria, paenimicin exhibits potent and broad-spectrum efficacy against MDR pathogens in vitro and in vivo models. Paenimicin demonstrates no detectable resistance, favorable pharmacokinetics and low nephrotoxicity, positioning it as a promising candidate for treating severe and urgent MDR infections. |
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| ISSN: | 2041-1723 |