Could lactate dehydrogenase be the key to treating Lyme disease? Learn how targeting this enzyme could inform future treatment strategies.
A recent study identified an enzyme in Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacteria that causes Lyme disease, as a potential weakness that could be targeted for treatment. This enzyme, called lactate dehydrogenase, plays a critical role in the bacteria’s ability to generate energy. Unlike many other bacteria that have multiple ways of making energy, Borrelia has very limited energy production capabilities, relying solely on lactate dehydrogenase as the final step in this process. This makes lactate dehydrogenase an attractive target, as disrupting it could prevent the bacteria from surviving and growing
This study offers early insights into the enzyme’s activity and identifies some promising inhibitors. However, these inhibitors have yet to be tested in animal models of infection, so it may be premature to call lactate dehydrogenase the Achilles’ heel of Lyme disease. Additionally, the similarities between the bacterial and human versions of lactate dehydrogenase highlight the need for careful toxicity assessment. Further research is essential to determine the safety, bioavailability, and effectiveness of these inhibitors in treating Lyme disease. The research team is aware of these challenges and plans to refine the specificity and potency of these compounds, potentially advancing new treatments for Lyme disease.
For further details and perspectives from the researchers, visit: Researchers Discover Achilles Heel of Lyme Disease Pathogen | ASM.org
Reference: “Lactate dehydrogenase is the Achilles’ heel of Lyme disease bacterium Borreliella burgdorferi” by Ching Wooen Sze, Michael J. Lynch, Kai Zhang, David B. Neau, Steven E. Ealick, Brian R. Crane and Chunhao Li, 20 March 2025, mBio. DOI: 10.1128/mbio.03728-24
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