Luo, Zhou et al. show that Bedaquiline (BDQ, Sirturo), approved to treat multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis, inhibits the yeast and human mitochondrial ATP synthases in addition to its intended target, the Mycobacterium tuberculosis ATP synthase. The structure of the mitochondrial ATP synthase bound to BDQ suggests a means to modify this inhibitor to increase its specificity for the M. tuberculosis enzyme, thereby reducing its side effects for patients.
- Min Luo
- Wenchang Zhou
- David M. Mueller