UTP--glucose-1-phosphate uridylyltransferase (GalU) (GalU)

UTP--glucose-1-phosphate uridylyltransferase (GalU) is a critical bacterial enzyme responsible for the synthesis of UDP-glucose, a vital precursor for the assembly of the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) core, capsular polysaccharides, and other essential cell wall components. In pathogens such as Shigella sonnei and Bacillus cereus, GalU is indispensable for maintaining structural integrity, facilitating biofilm development, and enabling immune evasion during infection. Recent studies have identified GalU as the primary bacterial target of Stattic, a small molecule originally developed as a human STAT3 inhibitor. By binding to GalU, Stattic inhibits its enzymatic function, leading to attenuated virulence and growth inhibition in both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. This discovery positions GalU as a promising therapeutic target for the development of novel anti-virulence and antibacterial agents, particularly for addressing multidrug-resistant infections.

Other names

Glucose-1-phosphate uridylyltransferaseUDP-glucose pyrophosphorylaseUGPaseUTP-glucose-1-phosphate uridylyltransferase

Inhibition of UTP--glucose-1-phosphate uridylyltransferase activity, leading to disruption of polysaccharide biosynthesis and bacterial cell membrane integrity.