How is proteomics involved in the fight against tuberculosis?

By elucidating the composition and organization of protein complexes that generate the wall of pathogenic and non-pathogenic mycobacteria. Mycobacteria have a singular wall consisting in particular of mycolic acids, the enzymes of the biosynthesis of which are not all known.

We are looking for new protagonists in this biosynthetic pathway to understand in depth the mechanisms involved. We study the stoichiometry of complexes or sub-complexes as well as the intrinsic organization of these sub-complexes. For that purpose, we carry out affinity purification coupled with mass spectrometry (AP-MS), in collaboration with teams from the Institute specializing in mycobacteria.
This knowledge will allow the development of innovative strategies for the search for new inhibitors of the growth of mycobacteria.

References

Lefebvre C, Boulon R, Ducoux M, Gavalda S, Laval F, Jamet S, Eynard N, Lemassu A, Cam K, Bousquet MP, Bardou F, Burlet-Schiltz O, Daffé M, Quémard A.
HadD, a novel fatty acid synthase type II protein, is essential for alpha- and epoxy-mycolic acid biosynthesis and mycobacterial fitness.
Sci Rep. 2018 Apr 16;8(1):6034. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-24380-5.

 

Manuelle Ducoux-Petit, Fabienne Bardou, Boulon Richard, Marie-Pierre Bousquet, Odile Burlet-Schiltz, Mamadou Daffé, Nathalie Eynard, Sabine Gavalda, Cyril Lefebvre, Annaik Quémard.
HadD, a novel protein of the mycobacterial fatty acid synthase type II
Brevet prioritaire n° EP17306041.9, Dépôt à l’Office Européen des Brevets, le 03/08/2017
Priority patent n° EP17306041.9, deposite at the European Patent Office, the 3rd of march 2017.