Publication Date

2017

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

First Advisor

Hagen, Timothy J.

Degree Name

M.S. (Master of Science)

Legacy Department

Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

LCSH

Organic chemistry

Abstract

Burkholderia pseudomallei is a Gram-negative bacterium that can cause a severe and potentially deadly infection called melioidosis. Typically found in tropical and subtropical regions of the world, this bacterium is considered a Tier 1 Select Agent by the CDC. A Tier 1 Select Agent can pose a severe threat to plants, animals, and humans. This bacterium utilizes the isoprenoid biosynthetic route called the 2-C-methyl-D-erythritol 4-phosphate, or MEP, pathway. This pathway is used by most bacteria, plants, and apicomplexan protozoa to produce two isoprenoid precursors, isopentyl pyrophosphate (IPP) and dimethylallyl pyrophosphate (DMAPP), which are used by the bacterium to synthesize molecules that aid in cell membrane maintenance and aerobic and anaerobic respiration. The MEP pathway is an ideal pathway to inhibit since it is not found in humans and selective inhibition of an enzyme in this pathway could lead to new antibiotics with potentially fewer side effects in humans. This thesis focuses on the design, synthesis, and assay of small molecules to inhibit the fifth enzyme in the MEP pathway of Burkholderia pseudomallei , BpIspF.

Comments

Advisors: Timothy Hagen.||Committee members: Narayan Hosmane; Douglas Klumpp.||Includes bibliographical references.||Includes illustrations.

Extent

ix, 104 pages

Language

eng

Publisher

Northern Illinois University

Rights Statement

In Copyright

Rights Statement 2

NIU theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from Huskie Commons for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without the written permission of the authors.

Media Type

Text

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