Screening for small molecule inhibitors of B. burgdorferi HtrA

National Center For Advancing Translational Sciences

Investigators

Abstract

During the reporting period, the collaborative team began initial assay development during recombinant BbHtrA protein, and enzyme characterization is being completed with a casein derivative labeled with a red-shifted fluorophore. Validation screens with BbHtrA and the casein substrate have demonstrated assay robustness to enable larger-scale screening. Further characterization of enzyme specificity is being conducted using a FRET peptide screening approach in order to move towards a characterized FRET substrate necessary for screening for inhibitors.