Human Protein Dissolves Bacterial Membranes

Very recommendable! Amazing stuff! Will this become the next generation of antibiotics?

"... Researchers have discovered that a molecule made throughout much of the body wipes out invading bacteria like a detergent attacking an oily stain.

This killer cleaner, a protein known as APOL3, thwarts infections by dissolving bacterial membranes ..."

"Most human cells, not just those belonging to the immune system, mount protective responses to infection when activated by the immune cytokine interferon-gamma (IFN-γ). How IFN-γ confers this function in nonimmune cells and tissues is poorly understood. Gaudet et al. used genome-scale CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing to identify apolipoprotein L-3 (APOL3) as an IFN-γ–induced bactericidal protein that protects human epithelium, endothelium, and fibroblasts against infection ...  APOL3 directly targets bacteria in the host cell cytosol and kills them by dissolving their anionic membranes into lipoprotein complexes. This work reveals a detergent-like mechanism enlisted during human cell-autonomous immunity to combat intracellular pathogens."

Human Protein Dissolves Bacterial Membranes | The Scientist Magazine® The protein, apolipoprotein L3, destroys invading microbes by acting as a detergent in the cytosol.

Human Cells Harness Power of Detergents to Wipe Out Bacteria Researchers have discovered that a molecule found within many of the body’s cells kills germs by dissolving their protective membranes.

A human apolipoprotein L with detergent-like activity kills intracellular pathogens (no public access)