Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) is a common bacterium that causes tuberculosis (TB), an infectious and deadly disease. The CDC reports that a third of the world’s population is infected with TB, causing nearly two million deaths annually, and many strains of Mtb are becoming multidrug resistant. Therefore, the search for new methods for treating Mtb is of critical global interest. Davis, Bertozzi, Swarts and several other groups have recently demonstrated the ability of Mtb to metabolically incorporate functionalized exogenous trehalose into the mycomembrane using the promiscuous enzyme Ag85. In the last year, we have been able to apply this knowledge to synthesize a series of novel trehalose-based macromolecules with potential therapeutic applications. Studies with these compounds using Mycobacterium smegmatis (Msmeg) as a model bacterium for Mtb have provided us with additional insights into Ag85 substrate tolerance and have provided us with a better understanding of the scope and limitations of using trehalose-based macromolecules for targeting Mtb.

Probing the mycomembrane with trehalose-based macromolecules

Macromolecular Chemistry: The Second Century

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ACS Spring 2020 National Meeting & Expo

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.