Abstract 1610 Screening for serine hydrolase activity in B. subtilis for prodrug applications

Antibiotic resistant bacteria are constantly evolving and pose a threat to public health. One method to combat antibiotic resistance is to repurpose or redirect nonspecific drugs through their modification and targeting as prodrugs. Prodrug development requires an understanding of the activity and substrate specificity of a target's entire enzyme repertoire. One class of enzymes used extensively in human drug targeting but with limited current antibiotic applications are serine hydrolases, a broad enzyme superfamily central to catalyzing essential biochemical reactions.