Teixobactin

Teixobactin is a recently discovered antibiotic which is derived from a Gram-negative bacterium known as Eleftheria terrae. It was discovered in 2015 by a team of researchers from Northeastern University, Boston, USA. Teixobactin has been found to be effective against many Gram-positive bacterial strains, including those that are resistant to other antibiotics.

Discovery

Teixobactin was discovered using a novel method known as iChip (isolation chip), which allows for the cultivation of previously uncultivable soil bacteria. The iChip method was developed by Slava Epstein and Kim Lewis at Northeastern University. The discovery of teixobactin marked the first time a new antibiotic had been discovered in nearly 30 years.

Mechanism of Action

Teixobactin works by binding to lipid II and lipid III, precursors to bacterial cell wall synthesis. This binding inhibits the formation of the bacterial cell wall, leading to cell death. Importantly, teixobactin does not target proteins, which is the common mechanism of action for many antibiotics and the main route by which bacteria develop resistance.

Potential Uses

Teixobactin has been found to be effective against a number of Gram-positive bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and Clostridium difficile. It has also shown promise in treating antibiotic-resistant strains of these bacteria. However, teixobactin is not effective against Gram-negative bacteria.

Development and Future Research

As of 2021, teixobactin is still in the preclinical stage of development. Further research is needed to determine its safety and efficacy in humans. The discovery of teixobactin has also spurred interest in the development of other antibiotics using the iChip method.

See Also

• Antibiotic resistance
• Drug discovery
• Medicinal chemistry

Teixobactin Resources
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