F420-Reductases from Mycobacteria: New Opportunities for Health Care and Environmental Protection

Mycobacterial pathogens are a persistent threat to human health, partly due to a newly discovered family of F420H2-dependent reductases (FDRs) that increase their virulence. In addition to being fundamentally important, these proteins are verified drug targets for diseases such as tuberculosis and are a valuable biotechnology resource because they catalyze the breakdown of a range of food toxins and environmental pollutants. This project aims to solve the molecular structures of F420H2-dependent reductases from mycobacterial pathogens and to use these structures for drug design and protein engineering. This will lead to improved antibiotics and designer enzymes to protect the health and environment of Australians.