What is the PrrAB system in tuberculosis?

PrrAB is a molecular system identified in tuberculosis bacteria that is essential for their respiration and energy production, making it a potential therapeutic target.

How did Shelley Haydel's team target tuberculosis?

Shelley Haydel's team used CRISPR interference to repress the essential PrrAB system in Mycobacterium tuberculosis, leading to the bacteria's death.

Can DAT-48 treat tuberculosis effectively?

DAT-48 is an experimental compound that inhibits the PrrAB pathway and has shown potential in combination with other treatments against tuberculosis bacteria.

Home / Health / Gene Shutoff Kills Deadly TB Bacteria

Gene Shutoff Kills Deadly TB Bacteria

4 Dec, 2025

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Summary

Scientists discovered a vital molecular system in TB bacteria.
CRISPR technology successfully shut down this essential system.
An experimental compound, DAT-48, also targets the system.

Tuberculosis, a respiratory infection with a long history, remains a global epidemic despite being treatable. Recent scientific advancements have uncovered a critical vulnerability in the Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacterium. Researchers, led by infectious disease microbiologist Shelley Haydel, identified a molecular system named PrrAB, essential for the bacteria's survival and respiration.

Utilizing CRISPR interference technology, Haydel's team demonstrated that deactivating the PrrAB system was lethal to the bacteria in laboratory settings. This targeted approach effectively shut down the bacteria's ability to produce energy, significantly reducing their numbers. This essential system's function has positioned it as a promising therapeutic target.

Further research revealed that an experimental compound, Diarylthiazole-48 (DAT-48), also inhibits the PrrAB pathway. Combining DAT-48 with existing TB drugs or CRISPR repression showed enhanced effectiveness. While human trials are pending, these findings represent a significant step towards potentially eradicating tuberculosis.