Peptide deformylase--a promising therapeutic target for tuberculosis and antibacterial drug discovery.

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) remains the most important infectious disease causing morbidity and death, due to the human pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The emergence of multi-drug-resistant and extensively-drug-resistant forms of TB have resulted in an increase in the number of TB cases. Thus, there is an urgent need to identify new drugs with novel targets to ensure future therapeutic success. Studies have indicated that peptide deformylase is an interesting potential candidate for discovering antimicrobial agents.

Objective: To explore the role of peptide deformylase, a highly conserved metalloprotease and an essential enzyme in bacterial life cycle, as a target for antibacterial as well as antimycobacterial drug development.

Methods: This review is based on recent published literature and online resources related to peptide deformylase inhibitors and their antibacterial potential.

Results/conclusion: Peptide deformylase is an emerging therapeutic target for the treatment of tuberculosis and peptide deformylase inhibitors can act as potential future antibacterial agents.