title: FtsZ: a novel target for tuberculosis drug discovery.
abstract: The emergence of multi-drug resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) strains has made many of the currently available anti-TB drugs ineffective. Accordingly there is a pressing need to identify new drug targets. FtsZ, a bacterial tubulin homologue, is an essential cell division protein that polymerizes in a GTP-dependent manner, forming a highly dynamic cytokinetic ring, designated as the Z ring, at the septum site. Following recruitment of other cell division proteins, the Z ring contracts, resulting in closure of the septum and then formation of two daughter cells. Since inactivation of FtsZ or alteration of FtsZ assembly results in the inhibition of Z ring and septum formation, FtsZ is a very promising target for new antimicrobial drug development. This review describes the function and dynamic behaviors of FtsZ, its homology to tubulin, and recent development of FtsZ inhibitors as potential anti-TB agents.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, State University of New York at Stony Brook, Stony Brook, New York, 11794-3400, USA.
authors.forename: Qing
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Peter J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Tonge
authors.forename: Richard A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Slayden
authors.forename: Teruo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kirikae
authors.forename: Iwao
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ojima
mesh_terms: D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000187:drug effects*; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000187:drug effects*; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D014404:Tubulin
chemical_list: D000995:Antitubercular Agents; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins; C071525:FtsZ protein, Bacteria; D014404:Tubulin