Indian researchers find key mechanism that allows TB bacterium to hide in humans for decades

Health By Chetana Belagere 26/12/2023 Read the article

Scientists from the IISc, in collaboration with NCBS and InStem, have uncovered a critical mechanism that enables TB to remain dormant within the human body for lengthy periods.

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“In many cases of Mtb infection, the immune system can detect the bug and clear it out,” explains Mayashree Das, from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in a release.

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Das, explained that the TB bacterium manages to hide in oxygen-deprived areas of the lungs in some individuals.

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“The iron-sulphur cluster-containing proteins are essential for the bacterium’s survival in the harsh lung environment, enabling it to cause infection.”

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These clusters made up of iron and sulphur atoms arranged in various configurations, play a role in crucial cellular processes like respiration and energy production.

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The research revealed that these clusters are primarily produced by the “IscS” gene in Mtb under normal conditions.

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However, when they removed both the “IscS” gene and the “SUF operon” genes, the MTB bacteria became weak and couldn’t hide anymore.

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This intriguing discovery suggests that combining antibiotics with drugs targeting “IscS” and “SUF” may be a more effective strategy in treating TB.

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