Researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, have discovered how microbes build a powerful antibiotic called pederin, which is used to ward off predators and competitors in the soil. The discovery, published in the journal Nature Chemical Biology, could lead to the development of new antibiotics to combat drug-resistant bacteria.

Pederin is a natural product that is produced by several species of bacteria and fungi. It is a potent toxin that can cause skin irritation, blistering, and even death if ingested. However, in small doses, pederin has been shown to have antibiotic properties.

The Berkeley researchers used X-ray crystallography and other techniques to determine the structure of the enzyme complex that builds pederin. The complex is made up of 12 proteins that work together to assemble the antibiotic molecule from its individual components.

The discovery of the pederin biosynthetic pathway could pave the way for the development of new antibiotics that target drug-resistant bacteria. By understanding how microbes build pederin, researchers may be able to design new antibiotics that are more effective and have fewer side effects.

"Pederin is a fascinating molecule with a wide range of biological activities," said study leader Jay Keasling, a professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering at Berkeley. "We hope that our discovery of the pederin biosynthetic pathway will lead to the development of new antibiotics that will save lives."

Pederin is just one of many natural products that microbes produce to ward off predators and competitors. These natural products have the potential to be a valuable source of new medicines. However, many natural products are difficult to produce in the laboratory, which makes it difficult to study their properties and develop them into drugs.

The discovery of the pederin biosynthetic pathway is a major breakthrough that could overcome this challenge. By understanding how microbes build natural products, researchers may be able to produce these compounds in the laboratory and develop them into new drugs.

The development of new antibiotics is urgently needed to combat the growing threat of drug-resistant bacteria. The World Health Organization has declared antimicrobial resistance to be one of the most pressing health challenges of our time. Drug-resistant bacteria cause an estimated 700,000 deaths each year, and that number is expected to rise to 10 million by 2050.

The discovery of the pederin biosynthetic pathway is a promising step forward in the fight against drug-resistant bacteria. This discovery could lead to the development of new antibiotics that are more effective and have fewer side effects, saving lives and improving public health.