Chemist solves riddle of killer diseases (Gram-positive bacteria)

University of Copenhagen ^ | June 24, 2011 | Unknown

[decimon]

Bacterial poison

Anthrax, septicemia and meningitis are some of the planet's most deadly infections. In part because doctors lack basic insights to prevent and cure diseases caused by so called Gram-positive bacteria. Now, a chemist from the University of Copenhagen has revealed the mechanism behind these deadly infections.

By creating a synthetic version of a Gram-bacterial endotoxin, Danish synthetic chemist Christian Marcus Pedersen has made a contribution that'll compel immune biologists to revise their textbooks. More importantly, he has paved the first steps of the way towards new and effective types of antibiotics.

Chemist in international collaboration with biologists and physicians

The research results were attained in collaboration with Prof. Richard R. Schmidt of the University of Konstanz and biologists at the Leibniz-Zentrum für Medizin und Biowissenschaften in Borstel, Germany. Ulrich Zähringer, leader of the Centre in Borstel, is thrilled with Pedersen's achievement.

"No one knew what substance Gram-positive bacteria released to make us sick. But because Pedersen can supply us with substances that are entirely pure, and have a known structure and composition, we are able to get a more precise answer as to why we show symptoms when these bacteria enter our body," explains Professor Zähringer.

Synthesis succeeds where biologists gave up

Lipoteichoic acid, is a substance created and present in the cell wall of Gram positive bacteria. It appears to be the culprit of stimulating immune response symptoms such as fever, inflammation and organ failure. Indeed, when exploring illness, it is critical to investigate the substances that bind themselves to healthy human cells and thus, the cell wall becomes an important place to look. But if the substance breaks down as soon as it comes under the microscope, the chances of studying its binding abilities are not very great. Therefore, it was a major breakthrough when Pedersen was able to fabricate the molecule from scratch.

"Biologists have been trying to isolate this poison from living organisms for years. But the substance has a number of active groups. That is to say, the spiked parts of the molecule which enable the entire molecule to bind to cells. This makes it extremely difficult to purify. And dirty molecules are not conducive to viable research. Therefore, it's a great advantage to fabricate the substance synthetically, because we can 'build' a molecule in which everything is included... Or where we ourselves decide which part of the structure to leave out," says Christian Marcus Pedersen.

Tiresome task but outstanding results

Lipoteichoic acid consists of 335 atoms combined in tangle, the complexity of which has made it difficult to collect. To create pure and intact molecules, Pedersen needed to complete 88 so-called synthesis steps. That is to say that 88 distinct "recipes", all of which needed to function, were required in order to reach the final result. These synthetic biomolecules are a fantastic tool for biologists in the investigation of Gram-positive bacteria's attack mechanisms.

"When it comes to these bacteria, there is still no one who knows precisely what on the bacteria activates the immune system. But we can build the precise parts of the structure that we want to. And biologists can examine how what we have built reacts with the immune system," says Pedersen.

The results, presented in a series of articles in the esteemed journal Organic & Biomolecular Chemistry, can be used in the development of antibiotics to kill some of the multi-resistant bacterial strains which cause headaches for hospitals worldwide. Christian Marcus Pedersen is currently seeking funding to broaden the scope of his work.

[decimon]

No outer membrane ping.

In the Wikipedia entry, gram-positive bacteria have no outer membrane, you see.

[diamond6]

When I read things like this I initally get excited and then I envision the FDA denying it and my hopes just drop.

[Lazamataz]

Sounds like some very interesting bioweapon stuff.

Imagine bonding this dangerous molecule to the common cold.

Captain Trips, baby.

[ArrogantBustard]

It could make a very interesting insecticide.

It wouldn’t be the first instance of bio/chem warfare agents being very similar to pesticides.

[StormEye]

"Christian Marcus Pedersen is currently seeking funding to broaden the scope of his work."

I'm sorry, all the funding has been taken up researching the wonders of homosexual sodomy.

[count-your-change]

And thus they can be stained vs. those taht do have a outer cell wall that will not take stain. As I recall Gram was the fellow that devised the staining method.

[count-your-change]

And thus they can be stained vs. those that do have a outer cell wall that will not take stain. As I recall Gram was the fellow that devised the staining method.

[aruanan]

In the Wikipedia entry, gram-positive bacteria have no outer membrane, you see.

You mean a second lipid bilayer as opposed to the outer later of a lipid bilayer known as a membrane?

[decimon]

You mean a second lipid bilayer as opposed to the outer later of a lipid bilayer known as a membrane?

"Your eyes are like lipid bilayers in the moonlight."

[decimon]

And thus they can be stained...

If you can get 'em to stay still.

[BipolarBob]

'"No one knew what substance Gram-positive bacteria released to make us sick. But because Pedersen can supply us with substances that are entirely pure"

We can make weapon grade diseases that will rival be the Biblical plagues in Revelation. Whoopee !!! What could go wrong?

[Sergio]

Medical Reference Bkmk.

[count-your-change]

It’s like oysters, squirt some juice in their eyes and they don’t see what’s coming.

[Billthedrill]

Fascinating stuff. What the Professor means by the phrase "can make us sick" is actually "can evoke an immune cascade," which makes this discovery highly useful in exploring the immune system's mechanisms. One doesn't actually get exposed to endotoxins until the cell wall of the organism is lysed, an action that happens at cell death, and in the case of the Gram+ organisms, that happens due to treatment with penicillin and other antibiotics whose action is against cell wall formation. That's one reason that antibiotic regimens can actually make us sicker for a time. One application of this discovery may be supportive therapy that enables antibiotic treatment with less risk of sudden anaphylactic shock.

I doubt seriously that this is a discovery that is likely to be weaponized any more than it already is; the stuff is already present in an enormous number of organisms. Knowing what is making us sick enables us to do something about it. It's a positive thing, IMHO.

[decimon]

I doubt seriously that this is a discovery that is likely to be weaponized any more than it already is...

The bacteria would do the trick without the bother of synthesizing the toxins. Sounds right.

[neverdem]

Immunology ping

The results, presented in a series of articles in the esteemed journal Organic & Biomolecular Chemistry, can be used in the development of antibiotics to kill some of the multi-resistant bacterial strains which cause headaches for hospitals worldwide.

I found one of them with a search for the authors.

Chemical synthesis of bacterial lipoteichoic acids: an insight on its biological significance.