COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR USING AND IDENTIFYING ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS

摘要

As disclosed herein methods are provided to identify compounds with antimicrobial activity, and methods for treating subjects by administering the compounds. In particular, the invention provides methods for treating and/or preventing microbial diseases and infections. One aspect of the present invention is directed to the identification of bactericidal compounds that function like chemokines. In one embodiment compounds are identified that bind to the extracellular domains of Bacillus anthracis FtsX. Compounds that bind to FtsX are then screened for bactericidal activity. In one embodiment compounds are screened to identify compounds that bind to the peptide.

主权项

1. A method for identifying antimicrobial agents, said method comprising
contacting a parent E. coli strain and a derivative strain with a candidate compound, wherein the derivative strain has been modified relative to said parent strain to be deficient in pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDHC) function; culturing the parent E. coli strain and said derivative strain under conditions suitable for growth; identifying those compounds that inhibit the growth of parent E. coli strain relative to the PDHC-deficient E. coli derivatives.