Problem Statement:

Revealed: Dual Functional Characteristics of Escherichia Coli Outer Membrane Protein Wzi And Its Implications In The Design Of Novel Antibiotics

---

Detail:

the focus is on multidrug-resistant Gram-negative Escherichia coli (E. coli), which is a common cause for urinary tract infections (including infections in the kidney), bloodstream infection, intra-abdominal infections such as peritonitis, skin and soft tissue infections, neonatal meningitis, diarrhea and food borne infections. An E.coli outer membrane protein Wzi that acts as an anchor for CPS onto the bacterial surface (viz., a lectin) also exhibits a bidirectional passive water conduction property (viz., a porin). Such a dual functional role of Wzi was not realized earlier due to the occluded pore, a property that can be used to treat E. coli infections. It is observed that three water-specific entry points across the extracellular face regulate the water diffusion involving different mechanisms and a luminal hydrophobic plug governs water permeation across the channel. Thus, a drug molecule that can either interfere with the water conduction by Wzi or the attachment of CPS to Wzi may aid in reducing the bacterial virulence and make them susceptible to antibiotics or host immune response

Knowledge Provider / Innovator: Shivangi Sachdeva, Narendar Kolimi
Address: ITH Main Road, Near NH-65, Sangareddy
City: Kandi
State: Telangana
PIN Code 502285

Problem Scale: Around the world
Blog Link 5:

• Key diffusion mechanisms involved in regulating bidirectional water permeation across E. coli outer membrane lectin
  https://www.nature.com/articles/srep28157
• Key diffusion mechanisms involved in regulating bidirectional water permeation across E. coli outer membrane lectin
  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27320406/