Unlocking translational machinery for antitubercular drug development

Abstract

Targeting translational factor proteins (TFPs) presents significant promise for the development of innovative antitubercular drugs. Previous insights from antibiotic binding mechanisms and recently solved 3D crystal structures of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) elongation factor thermo unstable-GDP (EF-Tu-GDP), elongation factor thermo stable-EF-Tu (EF-Ts-EF-Tu), and elongation factor G-GDP (EF-G-GDP) have opened up new avenues for the design and development of potent antituberculosis (anti-TB) therapies.

Keywords: Mycobacterium tuberculosis; elongation factor G (EF-G); elongation factor thermo stable (EF-Ts); elongation factor thermo unstable (EF-Tu); structure-based drug design (SBDD); translational factor proteins.