NDM-1, the enzyme responsible for antibiotic-resistant "superbugs," has had its structure deciphered by British scientists. NDM-1 (New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase 1) emerged in India three years ago. It has the ability to break up, or hydrolyze, even carbapenems, the strongest class of antibiotics, making them ineffective, and has been found in a wide variety of pathogens. Antibiotic resistance is on the rise. More than 25,000 people in the European Union die every year from bacterial infections.
“NDM-1 is a serious threat to human health. The enzyme it carries is able to degrade many forms of antibiotic and render them useless,” said head researcher Simon Phillips of the Medical Research Council's (MRC) research complex in Harwell, England. “In addition, the gene for NDM-1 can be passed between different bacteria so can spread rapidly in the population and generate drug resistance in different diseases.” The enzyme has the ability to break up, or hydrolyse, an antibiotic and make it ineffective. It has been found in a wide variety of bugs, including familiar pathogens such as Escherichia coli, or E coli.
“Identifying the structure of NDM-1 is a crucial step toward ensuring drug development is based on a sound understanding of the mechanisms of bacterial resistance to antibiotics,” said Sharon Peacock, a member of MRC's infections and immunity board.
The study appeared Sept. 6 in the online journal Acta Crystallographica Section F: Structural Biology and Crystallization Communications.
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