Cornell researchers have identified a key protein mechanism that helps bacteria expel antibiotics, making them more resistant to treatment. The MacAB-TolC complex, a tripartite protein system in gram-negative bacteria, acts as a pump, removing antibiotics and harmful substances from the cell.
Using single-molecule imaging, scientists found an imbalance in the proteins involved, with excess MacB proteins facilitating antibiotic resistance. By applying mechanical stress to bacteria, researchers successfully disrupted the protein complex, preventing it from pumping out antibiotics.
This discovery opens the door for new strategies to combat antibiotic resistance. Understanding how protein imbalances influence bacterial defenses could lead to innovative treatments that block these pumps and restore antibiotic effectiveness.
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