Very rare protein has potential for developing new antibiotics
A research group at the University of Groningen (UG) has discovered a new protein that may be useful in developing new antibiotics. The findings were published in the journal Nature Communications on 2 August.
The protein, which the team named BtuM, is extremely rare because of its double function: it not only transports vitamin B12, but it also ensures the that vitamin is converted directly into a form that is suitable for use. Vitamin B12 is an essential nutrient for both humans and bacteria.
![Prof. Dirk Slotboom](/news/2018/nieuwsberichten/0802-slotboom.jpg)
New antibiotics
As the newly discovered protein is only present in bacteria, it may provide a basis for developing new antibiotics. In addition, it could play a role in stepping up the efficiency of the industrial-scale bio-production of vitamin B12. The research group that discovered the protein is headed by Professor of Biochemistry Dirk Slotboom.
More information
Reference: Dirk J. Slotboom, Stephan Rempel et al. ‘Cysteine-mediated decyanation of vitamin B12 by the predicted membrane transporter BtuM’, Nature Communications. 2 August 2018.
Last modified: | 12 March 2020 9.23 p.m. |
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