RNase P is a metal-dependent riboendonuclease responsible for the processing of the 5' end of precursor transfer RNA to form mature tRNA. We are identifying potent inhibitors of bacterial RNase P since this enzyme is essential for bacterial cell survival and there are no potent inhibitors to date. This inhibitor will also be used to probe RNase P substrate recognition and RNA processing in vivo. We are using a fluorescence polarization (FP) assay that detects the conversion of precursor tRNA to products, 5' leader and mature tRNA, in real-time to screen libraries of compounds for RNase P inhibitors. We have identified compounds from extracts of the Sherman natural product library that inhibit bacterial RNase P activity. Future studies include the isolation of inhibitory compounds and evaluation of the effect of these compounds on both RNase P kinetics and bacterial cell growth.

Identifying inhibitors of bacterial RNase P from natural product extracts

248th National Meeting (2014)

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