How a pneumococcus enzyme helps the bacteria's protein-making machine
Role of Prp protease in the S. pneumoniae ribosome
This lab project looks at whether a bacterial enzyme called Prp helps Streptococcus pneumoniae activate its ribosome, aiming to point to new ways to treat pneumococcal infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Alabama at Birmingham NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Birmingham, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11229637 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research studies the pneumococcus bacterium in the laboratory to see how a protein called L27 is cut by an enzyme named Prp and how that cutting affects the ribosome's function. Scientists use bacterial genetics, biochemistry, and molecular assays to observe ribosome activation and bacterial survival when Prp or L27 processing is altered. They compare findings with related bacteria to understand whether this cleavage step is widely important for growth. Results will help determine if Prp or L27 processing could be a viable target for new antibiotics.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This is laboratory research that does not enroll patients and focuses on bacterial proteins rather than clinical participation.
Not a fit: People without pneumococcal infections or those with infections caused by unrelated organisms are unlikely to gain direct benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could identify a new antibiotic target to help treat drug-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae infections.
How similar studies have performed: Previous laboratory studies showed Prp-mediated L27 cleavage is essential in Staphylococcus aureus and support the idea that this mechanism is a promising but still experimental antibiotic target.
Where this research is happening
Birmingham, United States
- University of Alabama at Birmingham — Birmingham, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dokland, Terje — University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Study coordinator: Dokland, Terje
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.