Investigating how modified malonyl-thioesters interact with enzymes involved in fatty acid and polyketide synthesis
Malonyl-thioester Isosteres to Determine Enzyme Structure-Function Relationships
This study is looking at how certain compounds can help scientists understand the enzymes involved in making fatty acids, which could lead to new medicines for fighting infections and cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Michigan State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (East Lansing, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10891838 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding the interactions between malonyl-thioesters and enzymes that play a crucial role in the biosynthesis of fatty acids and polyketides. By developing stable analogs of malonyl-thioesters, the researchers aim to study how these compounds bind to enzyme active sites, which is essential for creating new antimicrobial and anticancer agents. The methodology involves synthesizing these analogs and analyzing their binding properties to gain insights into enzyme function and catalysis. This could lead to advancements in drug development for various diseases.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for benefiting from this research include patients with infections or cancers that may be treated with novel antibiotics or anticancer agents derived from this work.
Not a fit: Patients who are not affected by infections or cancers, or those who do not respond to antibiotic or anticancer therapies, may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of new and more effective antimicrobial and anticancer drugs.
How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown success in developing enzyme inhibitors for similar pathways, indicating that this approach has potential for meaningful advancements.
Where this research is happening
East Lansing, United States
- Michigan State University — East Lansing, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lohman, Jeremy Ray — Michigan State University
- Study coordinator: Lohman, Jeremy Ray
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.