Manikomycin: A New Antibiotic Discovery

Researchers at McMaster University have discovered a new antibiotic compound, manikomycin, which has demonstrated early effectiveness against drug-resistant bacteria.

The discovery was reported in the journal Nature on June 3.

Origin and Isolation

The compound was isolated from the soil bacterium Streptomyces rimosus, a microorganism already known for producing the antibiotic oxytetracycline.

The research team, led by Professor Gerry Wright, employed a technique called fractionation. This process filters out known compounds, allowing researchers to identify rarer molecules that are typically difficult to detect.

Mechanism of Action

Manikomycin targets the bacterial ribosome, the cellular structure responsible for protein production. Specifically, it blocks the ribosome's exit site, which prevents the bacteria from producing essential proteins and results in their death.

According to the researchers, this specific target site is not utilized by any currently prescribed clinical antibiotic.

Effectiveness and Development Status

In early laboratory tests, manikomycin was effective against drug-resistant strains of Salmonella, E. coli, and Klebsiella. The compound showed no toxicity to human cells in these initial tests and was effective in a controlled lab infection model.

The research team has produced 60 derivatives of manikomycin and is currently working to optimize the drug's residence time in the body. The research was supported by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.

Researcher Statements

Professor Gerry Wright stated that no current antibiotic in clinical use operates via this mechanism.

Postdoctoral fellow Manpreet Kaur, the first author of the study, noted that the fractionation method may lead to further discoveries from even well-studied bacteria.