Antibiotic resistance enzyme caught in the act

NpmA is a mobile gene in bacteria that confers resistance to aminoglycoside antibiotics. Structural biologists analyze the threat NpmA poses and reveal targets for drug development. A mobile gene called NpmA was discovered in E. coli bacteria isolated from a Japanese patient several years ago. Global spread of NpmA and related antibiotic resistance enzymes could disable an entire class of tools doctors use to fight serious or life-threatening infections.