Abstract
The project aims to develop the first chemical probes for the IgA1 protease (IgA1P) of Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumoniae), a key virulence factor in bacterial pathogenesis. This enzyme plays a crucial role in evading the host immune response by cleaving the IgA1 antibody. S. pneumoniae is a significant cause of bacterial pneumonia and meningitis, posing a global health challenge. The IgA1P of S. pneumoniae specifically targets the IgA1 antibody in the human immune system, cleaving it and thereby helping the bacteria evade immune detection and response. Specifically, the project will involve designing, synthesizing, and testing various probes to enable activity-based profiling of the S. pneumoniae Iga1P. Successful probes of the IgA1 protease could pave the way for new therapeutic strategies against Streptococcus pneumoniae infections. The project aims to contribute valuable insights into the enzyme's mechanism and potential for drug targeting. This research is critical in the context of increasing antibiotic resistance and the need for novel therapeutic strategies against bacterial pathogens. The development of specific inhibitors against bacterial virulence factors like IgA1 protease represents a promising approach in antimicrobial therapy.
Researcher(s)
Research team(s)
Project type(s)