Biomol Ther.  2015 Nov;23(6):510-516. 10.4062/biomolther.2015.117.

Lipid A as a Drug Target and Therapeutic Molecule

• Joo SH

• KMID: 2380301
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4062/biomolther.2015.117

Abstract

In this review, lipid A, from its discovery to recent findings, is presented as a drug target and therapeutic molecule. First, the biosynthetic pathway for lipid A, the Raetz pathway, serves as a good drug target for antibiotic development. Several assay methods used to screen for inhibitors of lipid A synthesis will be presented, and some of the promising lead compounds will be described. Second, utilization of lipid A biosynthetic pathways by various bacterial species can generate modified lipid A molecules with therapeutic value.

Keyword

Lipid A; Endotoxin; Drug target; Antibacterial; Adjuvant

MeSH Terms

Biosynthetic Pathways
Lipid A*
Lipid A