In continuation of my update on vancomycin....
Vancomycin normally works by grabbing hold of and sequestering the
bacterial cell-wall making machinery, a peptidoglycan (carbohydrate and
peptide containing molecule). Only Gram-positive bacteria have a cell
wall, which is a membrane on the cell's outer surface. Unfortunately, bacteria have found a way to alter the peptidoglycan in such a way that the antibiotic can no longer grab hold. Researchers claim that, the new vancomycin analogue can grab hold of the mutant peptidoglycan,
and again prevent the bacteria from making the cell wall and killing the
resistant bacteria. But what is so remarkable about the design is that
the redesigned antibiotic maintains its ability to bind the wild type
peptidoglycan as well.
New compound has an amidine (an iminium, RC=NH+ linked to a nitrogen,
N) instead of an amide at a key position buried in the interior of the
natural product. I appreciate the idea and the simplicity in achieving the target functional group.
Researchers add that, although it is still at its early stages and there is much work ahead.In my opinion it is a good beginning...
