Team at University of Tokyo solves structure of multidrug exporter of Pyrococcus furiosus, relevant for fighting antibiotic resistance

The team of Professor Osamu NUREKI at the University of Tokyo crystallized a “multidrug and toxic compound extrusion exporter” protein (MATE) within a lipid and solved its x-ray structure. The membrane protein is v-shaped and in the presence of a drug changes conformation to a bent shape, thus pushing a drug out of the cell. They also found a peptide inhibitor which acts at the outside of the protein thus inhibiting MATE function and providing a scheme for overcoming antibiotic resistance

Y Tanaka et al., Nature, March 27, 2013