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Getting the latest healthcare news for you
Getting the latest healthcare news for you
Researchers at the University of Osaka have uncovered a brand-new way bacteria resist antibiotics. They identified a previously unknown protein complex, FoeAB, in Streptococcus pneumoniae that actively pumps the antibiotic fosfomycin out of bacterial cells. The discovery sheds light on a previously unrecognized resistance mechanism and could pave the way for new strategies to fight drug-resistant infections.
Researchers at the University of Osaka have identified a previously unknown molecular pump in Streptococcus pneumoniae — a leading cause of pneumonia and meningitis — that allows the bacterium to expel the antibiotic fosfomycin before it can do its job. The newly named protein complex, FoeAB, represents a novel drug efflux mechanism that had never before been linked to fosfomycin resistance.
To confirm FoeAB's role, the team isolated the protein from the related bacterium Streptococcus thermophilus, placed it in artificial membranes, and directly demonstrated its ability to transport fosfomycin. Using cryogenic electron microscopy, they captured FoeAB in two distinct conformations — one open toward the inside of the cell, another toward the outside — revealing exactly how the pump grabs the antibiotic and ejects it.
Key Takeaways:
Why it matters: Antibiotic resistance is one of the most pressing global health threats. Uncovering new resistance mechanisms — especially in pathogens like S. pneumoniae — is critical for developing next-generation treatments and keeping existing antibiotics effective.
