DIFFERENTIAL TARGETING OF TRIACYLGLYCEROL SYNTHASE AND WAX SYNTHASE ACTIVITY OF THE TRIACYLGLYCEROL SYNTHASE GENE FOR TUBERCULOSIS TREATMENT

摘要

The application reports the discovery that mycobacterial triacylglycerol synthase (MTTGS) enzymes also have a wax synthase function. This bifunctional enzymatic activity, or ‘dual function,’ implies that the enzymes contain separate binding sites for diacylglycerol and acyl alcohol and a common binding site for acyl-coenzyme A. Embodiments of the invention relate to methods of selection and/or design of therapeutic compounds that will reduce any potentially toxic side effects of candidate drugs designed to inhibit the mycobacterial enzyme.