New Chemical

Research Project
By: Hope Bruns
Period 2
 Overview:
On March 17, 2016 researchers at Umeå
Centre University had discovered the
chemical process containing the
compound 2-pyridones and how it could
potentially reduce the harmfulness of
Listeria monocytogenes.
 What Exactly is Listeria?
Listeria or Listeriosis is food poisoning caused by food being contaminated
by Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes) bacterium. Keeping that
mind, Listeria is more common in pregnant women, newborns, elderly or
those who have a weaker immune system. This is exceptionally dangerous
for pregnant women for the fact that is could cause miscarriages,
premature births, serious and sometimes fatal infections for the newborn,
and even stillbirth. Some common food that could contain Listeria would
include vegetables in contaminated soil, meat, processed food such as
cheeses and unpasteurized (raw) milk. Common symptoms would include
headaches, fevers, muscle aches, nausea. If the infection spreads to the
immune system symptoms could include headaches, stiff neck, confusion,
loss of balance, and convulsions. Keeping that in mind, pregnant women
have the chance to only have a mild flu.

“Topic Overview.” WebMD, WebMD, www.webmd.com/food-recipes/food-poisoning/tc/listeriosis-topic-overview.

Who discovered this process?

✘ Researchers at Umeå Centre, which is a

microbial research center in Sweden. The
specific names of the researchers are Martina
Kulen, Marie Lindgren, Christin Grundstrom,
Michael Hall, Sabine Hansen, Uwe H Sauer,
Elisabeth Sauer-Eriksson, Jorgen Johansson
and Fredrik Almqvist.
“Ring Fused 2-Pyridones Inactivate the Virulence Regulator PrfA of Listeria Monocytogenes.” Omicsonline,
www.omicsonline.org/proceedings/ring-fused-2pyridones-inactivate-the-virulence-regulator-prfa-of-listeria-
monocytogenes-54421.html.
 What exactly is this process?
✘ C5H5NO
✘ The process includes a collection of ring-fused 2-pyridones
molecules with a collection of infected human cells. This
binding essentially prevents the activation of PrfA. PrfA is the
main virulence regulator in Listeria, which control the
pathogenic abilities of Listeria. That said, the researchers also
discovered the first crystal structure of PrfA together with an
inhibitor. This binding prevented its ability to actually interact
with DNA, which would then prevent its severity factors.
“Ring Fused 2-Pyridones Inactivate the Virulence Regulator PrfA of Listeria Monocytogenes.” Omicsonline,
www.omicsonline.org/proceedings/ring-fused-2pyridones-inactivate-the-virulence-regulator-prfa-of-listeria-monocytogenes-54421.ht
ml.
The right contains the ring-fused 2-pyridones, while the left does not. The orange
is the bacteria.
“New Compounds Discovered as Possible Candidates for New Antimicrobial Drugs against Listeria Infection - Umeå University, Sweden.” New Compounds
Discovered as Possible Candidates for New Antimicrobial Drugs against Listeria Infection - Faculty of Scence and Technology - Umeå University, Sweden, Umeå
University,
Attenuating Listeria Monocytogenes Virulence by Targeting the Regulatory Protein PrfA.
www.cell.com/cell-chemical-biology/abstract/S2451-9456(16)30049-6.
 How was this process discovered?
✘ The researchers tested a numerous amounts of
candidates that could possess Listeria virulence
factors. The researchers then screened the Listeria
infection with a collection of the ring-fused
2-pyridones. This alone, resulted in reducing the
effects and uptaking Listeria in the cell and the
activity of the virulence regulator PrfA.

“New Compounds Discovered as Possible Candidates for New Antimicrobial Drugs against Listeria Infection - Umeå University, Sweden.” New Compounds Discovered as
Possible Candidates for New Antimicrobial Drugs against Listeria Infection - Faculty of Scence and Technology - Umeå University, Sweden, Umeå University,
www.teknat.umu.se/english/about-the-faculty/news/newsdetailpage/new-compounds-discovered-as-possible-candidates-for-new-antimicrobial-drugs-against-liste
ria-infection.cid265384.
Benefits/Cons

✘ Pros
✗ Researcher, Jörgen Johansson, stated, “‘This study means a lot for
future development of ‘disarming compounds’, not only in Listeria. In
fact, our study is the first example on a structural level of an inhibition
of any virulence regulator in bacteria”’ (New compounds discovered as
possible candidates for new antimicrobial drugs against Listeria
infection, Umeå University).
✗ The compounds of 2-pyridones are an amazing platform for the
development of virulence blocking compounds. This process could be
directed to other pathogens.
✘ Cons
✗ There wasn’t any significant sources or evidence that shows much
drawbacks of this process.
“New Compounds Discovered as Possible Candidates for New Antimicrobial Drugs against Listeria Infection - Umeå University, Sweden.” New Compounds Discovered as Possible Candidates for New
Antimicrobial Drugs against Listeria Infection - Faculty of Scence and Technology - Umeå University, Sweden, Umeå University,
www.teknat.umu.se/english/about-the-faculty/news/newsdetailpage/new-compounds-discovered-as-possible-candidates-for-new-antimicrobial-drugs-against-listeria-infection.cid265384.
 Works Cited:

- Attenuating Listeria Monocytogenes Virulence by Targeting the Regulatory Protein

PrfA.” PMC, 17 Mar. 2017, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4802734/.
- “Ring Fused 2-Pyridones Inactivate the Virulence Regulator PrfA of Listeria
Monocytogenes.” Omicsonline,
www.omicsonline.org/proceedings/ring-fused-2pyridones-inactivate-the-virulence-re
gulator-prfa-of-listeria-monocytogenes-54421.html.
- “New Compounds Discovered as Possible Candidates for New Antimicrobial Drugs
against Listeria Infection - Umeå University, Sweden.” New Compounds Discovered as
Possible Candidates for New Antimicrobial Drugs against Listeria Infection - Faculty of
Scence and Technology - Umeå University, Sweden, Umeå University,
www.teknat.umu.se/english/about-the-faculty/news/newsdetailpage/new-compoun
ds-discovered-as-possible-candidates-for-new-antimicrobial-drugs-against-listeria-in
fection.cid265384.
- “Topic Overview.” WebMD, WebMD,
www.webmd.com/food-recipes/food-poisoning/tc/listeriosis-topic-overview.