FFC#18/2015

Antimetabolite drugs as inhibitors of Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm growth and virulence: potential chemotherapics and tools in target identification for new antimicrobials

FFC#18/2015

Antimetabolite drugs as inhibitors of Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm growth and virulence: potential chemotherapics and tools in target identification for new antimicrobials

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Paolo Landini (Dipartimento di Bioscienze – Università degli Studi di Milano)

RESEARCHERS

2

CATEGORY

AREA 3 Bronchopulmonary infection

DURATION

1 year

GOAL

€ 13.000 €

RESULTS

Antimetabolite Flucytosine (FC) and its specific mode of action was deeply investigated. FC appeared to have an unique mechanism of action, that is not shared with other antimetabolites. Other antimetabolites failed to inhibit Pseudomonas virulence, despite showing some antibiofilm activity. Since RNase E, an essential protein involved in RNA turnover, was shown to be the target of FC, researchers hypothize that other inhibitors of RNase E can be identified. They might have antivirulence effect similar to FC, but higher efficacy in vivo and lower risk of long term toxicity.

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