NAD+ Metabolism as a Novel Target Against Infection
Bacterial resistance to antibiotics could be the leading cause of death world-wide in the future. Therefore, it is of paramount importance to identify novel antimicrobial therapeutic tools. In this context the use of unconventional approaches to dissect NAD+ metabolism and its impact on different defense mechanisms could reveal new therapeutic targets. Modulation of host NAD+ metabolism by the activation or inhibition of key enzymes could influence NAD+ signaling pathways in pathogens and their ability to colonize host cells. The increasingly rapid spread of drug-resistant bacterial strains has encouraged scientists to intensify studies to identify new enzymes taking part in NAD+ metabolism. Unravelling the role, in pathogens and host cells, of newly discovered enzymes involved in NAD+ turnover during infection could increase our knowledge of the of bacterial pathogenesis and may be relevant for the development of targeted drug therapies against super bugs and reduce antibiotic resistance.
Keywords - ENGLISH
Antibiotic resistance, NAD metabolism, Bacteria, Immune response
Active participants in the research line (PI last author or *)
Enrico Balducci
Pillar
Human Health
Macroareas in Human Health
Healthy and pathogenic microorganisms
Email Address
enrico.balducci@unicam.it
Link to Relevant Publications