Scientists map protein that creates antibiotic resistance

Japanese researchers have determined the detailed molecular structure of a protein that rids cells of toxins, but can also reduce the effectiveness of some antibiotics and cancer drugs by kicking them out of the cells they are targeting.

The scientists have also identified a molecule that can thwart the activity of the protein, one of a class known as multidrug and toxic compound extrusion transporters (MATEs) that are found in cell membranes. The discovery suggests new approaches to combat antibiotic resistance and boost the power of cancer therapies, the team reports today in Nature1.

Previous efforts to identify compounds that block MATE transporters have been unsuccessful, partly because researchers had a poor understanding of how these proteins work. But in the past three years scientists have made some progress mapping the transporters’ detailed architecture. Two different labs have already revealed the structures of two bacterial MATE proteins, suggesting a mechanism by which the proteins extrude toxins from cells2, 3.

Proton push The latest study maps a third MATE protein, from the archaeon Pyrococcus furiosus, at a higher resolution than previous efforts. A team led by biophysicist Osamu Nureki, of the University of Tokyo, reports that the membrane-bound protein is shaped like a 'V', with the open end facing towards the outside of the cell. Nureki and his team propose that when a proton binds to the MATE protein at a spot on its extracellular side, one of the protein's segments switches from a straight to a bent shape to push any nearby foreign molecule out of the cell1.

“I think this is a major step forward,” says Hendrik Van Veen, a pharmacologist at the University of Cambridge, UK. “They have a direct mechanism of how the protons change the...”...

There are very few real insights from this article. Most if the ideas have been brewing for years, if not decades. Some get a five star “DUH” rating.

Pretty much anything mobile will be usefully hot:

Mobile Payment Services are poised to bring thousands of businesses into the 21st century.
Support services and products for mobile workers
Big upside
Mobile Education is poised to transform the way we learn.
Duh. That was the point of leaving the Internet unregulated, and keeping the telecom fees for rural areas.
Near Field Communication promises frictionless information sharing.
Limited. Will take many years to iron out the rules.

Mobile technology in the health care industry is changing how patients are diagnosed.
I invented a market model back in ’99-2000 with palm devices, but the .COM bust and adoption challenges forced me to change direction. This is a huge and convoluted market - between the Dr’s, patient, employers, payers, etc.
This will eventually make a huge impact on HC quality over time (Rx, records, etc.) and give power to Dr’s and patients with access to history / results that will give ever greater insights to problems / treatments. But, this is an area for substantial abuse of power, control, and restrictions on liberty. Proceed with GREAT caution!

Artificial intelligence could end boring, service-job drudgery.
Been hearing this since the late ‘60’s. Slow progress in many areas, but if there was a breakthrough opportunity, we’d have seen it in the ‘80’s with the massive progress in CPU and volatile/ non-volatile memory density.

A new way to receive your online purchases
This is pretty exciting as individuals and families become more mobile. Why have a permanent address when you can operate virtually?

Mass automation in human resources.
Sheesh. This has been in place for many years.

Government information transparency could revolutionize democracy.
Yeah, we’re holding our breath on this concept. A new round of Federalist Papers are sure to come….

Social E-Commerce is changing the shopping landscape.
Duh. This has been in place for many years.

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