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Scientists Discover Proteasome’s Hidden Role in Fighting Bacterial Infections
Groundbreaking discovery! Researchers find that the proteasome, known for recycling proteins, also produces natural antibiotics that kill bacteria. Could this be the key to fighting antibiotic resistance?
ND
by News Desk
2025-03-06
Scientists Discover Proteasome’s Hidden Role in Fighting Bacterial Infections

A new study published in Nature reveals an unexpected function of the proteasome—a cellular structure previously known for recycling proteins. Researchers from the Weizmann Institute of Science have found that the proteasome also produces antimicrobial compounds that can kill bacteria, offering a potential new weapon against drug-resistant infections.

 

Professor Yifat Merbl, who led the research, described the discovery as "a novel immunity mechanism," highlighting its potential to revolutionize our approach to bacterial infections. The team observed that upon detecting bacterial threats, the proteasome alters its function, generating natural antibiotics capable of breaking through bacterial defenses.

 

With antibiotic resistance claiming over a million lives annually, this breakthrough could provide a crucial new strategy for developing treatments. Tests on laboratory-grown bacteria and infected animal models, including mice with pneumonia and sepsis, showed that these natural antibiotics were as effective as existing drugs.

 

Dr. Lindsey Edwards of King’s College London called the findings a "potential goldmine" for antibiotic development, emphasizing the uniqueness of discovering such properties within human cells rather than external sources like soil.

 

While further research is needed before clinical application, scientists are hopeful that this discovery could lead to a new class of antibiotics, potentially reshaping the fight against drug-resistant infections.
Tagged:

ScientificBreakthrough

AntibioticResistance

Microbiology
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