# Exploiting new drug targets in extremely resistant M.abscessus by using small molecule Lipid II binders

> **NIH NIH R21** · UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND BALTIMORE · 2021 · $209,105

## Abstract

Abstract
The public is increasingly at risk to emerging infectious diseases. The prevalence of resistant bacterial
pathogens is rendering current antibiotics ineffective, and making it essential that new drugs be
developed to fight infections caused by these agents. Lipid II is an essential precursor in bacterial
membrane biogenesis and an established, yet underutilized target for antibiotics currently in clinical
use. We have for the first time identified small molecule Lipid II binders, based on the interaction
between defensins, a family of natural antimicrobial peptides and Lipid II. Characterization of
promising Lipid II binders reveals that it uniquely binds to Lipid II and has potent activty against
Mycobacteria. This proposal aims to validate and optimize synthetic Lipid II binders as a novel class
of antibiotic compounds to combat pathogenic infections caused by these hard-to-treat bacteria.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10183396
- **Project number:** 1R21AI158856-01
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND BALTIMORE
- **Principal Investigator:** Yutaka Tagaya
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $209,105
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2021-04-01 → 2023-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10183396

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10183396, Exploiting new drug targets in extremely resistant M.abscessus by using small molecule Lipid II binders (1R21AI158856-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10183396. Licensed CC0.

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