Small molecule can bypass tuberculosis drug resistance

A team led by researchers at the University of Lille identified a small molecule that can circumvent tuberculosis resistance to the prodrug ethionamide and reinstate sensitivity to the compound.

Ethionamide's activation is catalyzed by the bacterial enzyme EthA, which is regulated by the transcriptional regulatory repressor protein EthR. Via a mutation in the EthA gene preventing the prodrug's bioactivation, tuberculosis bacteria have developed resistance to the prodrug...