#  Exploiting a weakness in antibiotic-resistant bacteria 

 





March 30, 2018

 

 

- [ News ](/news-categories/news)
 
 

 

###  The Kahne Lab targets MurJ, a crack in bacterial armor

 "Antibiotic-resistant infections caused by Gram-negative pathogens pose a major threat to human health." The Kahne Lab's [new paper](https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/jacs.8b00942) titled "Membrane Potential is Required for MurJ Function" opens with a warning.

 In recent years, [Daniel Kahne](https://chemistry.harvard.edu/people/dan-kahne) and his team have worked to illuminate the building blocks and mechanisms that make Gram-negative bacteria so defiant. Their discoveries have already provided critical insights into how the pathogens build their protective outer membrane, which often succeeds in repelling antibiotics.

 Now, in this latest paper published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society, the team reveals a new crack in the bacteria's defenses: MurJ.

Sort      ![Lipid II transport from the cytoplasm into the periplasm](/sites/g/files/omnuum7776/files/styles/hwp_1_1__720x720_scale/public/chemistry/files/kahne_murj_transport.png?itok=Lr65RPFi) 

 

 

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#####  Lipid II transport from the cytoplasm into the periplasm 

 

 



 MurJ's job is to transport Lipid II from the cell's inner cytoplasm to the outermost membrane. Since Lipid II is a core component of the bacteria's outer membrane, without this element, the bacteria's strongest defense weakens. Therefore, if MurJ fails, the outer membrane can fail, leaving the bacteria open to antibiotic attack.

 With this crucial discovery, the team can now search for ways to inhibit MurJ's activity. If successful, their work could lead to a vital solution to antibiotic-resistant infections.

 RELATED

 ["A Chink in Bacteria's Armor" - from Havard Medical School](https://hms.harvard.edu/news/chink-bacterias-armor)

 ["A New Approach to Kill Superbugs"](https://chemistry.harvard.edu/news/new-approach-kill-superbugs)



 

 

 



 

 See also:- [ Kahne ](/news-and-events-faculty/kahne)
- [ Faculty ](/news-event-type/faculty)
- [ Research ](/news-event-type/research)
 
 

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