A team of scientists has identified an enzyme that could revolutionize Lyme disease treatment. By understanding the role of BbLDH in bacterial survival and infectivity, they’ve opened the door to highly targeted therapeutics. This breakthrough could also have implications for other tick-borne diseases.
Lyme disease is a common tick-borne infection in the US and Europe, caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi. The bacteria has unique metabolic pathways that make it an attractive target for drug development. Research has shown that BbLDH plays a crucial role in maintaining its NADH/NAD+ balance, allowing it to survive in its environment.
A new study explores the function of BbLDH and its potential as a therapeutic target. Using genetic, biochemical, and structural analysis, the researchers identified BbLDH’s essential role in bacterial growth and infectivity. The team also discovered promising LDH inhibitors that could serve as the basis for future treatments.
The findings, published in mBio, offer new hope for Lyme disease treatment. “BbLDH can serve as an ideal target for developing genus-specific inhibitors,” said study author Chunhao Li. This breakthrough has significant implications for public health and may also shed light on the role of LDH in other tick-borne pathogens.
Source: https://scitechdaily.com/scientists-uncover-lyme-diseases-hidden-achilles-heel-and-how-to-exploit-it