Scientists at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee have identified a crucial regulatory mechanism in Acinetobacter baumannii, a highly drug-resistant superbug responsible for life-threatening infections. Their study, published in the journal mBio, reveals how the pathogen regulates its virulence and antibiotic resistance, paving the way for new treatment strategies.
About Acinetobacter baumannii
- A multidrug-resistant bacterium that poses a serious threat in healthcare settings.
- Causes severe hospital-acquired infections, including:
- Pneumonia
- Bloodstream infections
- Urinary tract infections
- Uses the Type 6 Secretion System (T6SS) to attack competing microbes, functioning like a molecular weapon.
Key Discovery: The Role of AbsR28 and Manganese Levels
- A. baumannii can switch T6SS on or off based on environmental conditions.
- The team identified a small RNA molecule, AbsR28, as a key regulator of this mechanism.
- Manganese-dependent regulation:
- High manganese levels → AbsR28 binds to tssM, an essential gene for T6SS function.
- This leads to gene degradation, preventing the activation of T6SS.
Implications for Treatment
- Targeting AbsR28 could disrupt the superbug’s regulatory system, making it more susceptible to antibiotics without directly targeting resistance genes.
- The discovery opens new avenues for:
- Precision medicine
- Novel drug development against multidrug-resistant infections.
(Source: DD News)
