Ancient molecules offer new hope against superbugs
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Biologists at the University of Oregon reconstructed antimicrobial molecules from as far back as 160 million years ago, during the Jurassic Period, to study their effectiveness against modern, drug-resistant bacteria.
The researchers focused on lactoferrin, an immune protein found in many bodily fluids, and traced its evolution through placental mammals, the group including humans and most other mammals. They used a technique called ancestral sequence reconstruction to recreate the proteins that existed in ancient ancestors.
Laboratory tests revealed that some of these ancient peptides were more effective at killing bacteria, like Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus, than modern versions of the same proteins. The team discovered that a single mutation in the protein’s structure significantly increased its ability to damage bacterial membranes. While ancient bacteria could sometimes repair this damage, later versions of the peptide showed progressively stronger antimicrobial activity.
Matt Barber, an evolutionary biologist leading the research, believes this work shows how examining evolution can inspire new treatments. Although these ancient peptides break down quickly within the body and aren't ready for immediate drug development, understanding how antimicrobial activity evolved could help scientists design more effective and durable treatments to combat evolving pathogens and antibiotic resistance.
