Abstract: Proteins and fusion proteins for forming merbraneless droplets in cells are provided. Described herein, is the development of a protein, named PopTag, that drives phase separation when it is part of a chimeric fusion protein. PopTag is engineered from the PopZ protein, found in a-proteobacteria (including Caulobacter crescentus). Despite PopZ being exclusively found in this clade of bacteria, the PopTag can drive protein phase separation in other prokaryotes (e.g., E. coli) and eukaryotes (e.g., human cells).

Abstract: The identification of MreB as essential for bacterial chromosome segregation provides a new target for antibiotic action. The MreB function is useful in the development of screening assays for new antibiotics, which may use, for example, genetic mutants in MreB, tests of MreB mediated chromosome segregation, and the like. In one embodiment of the invention, the antibiotic is an isothiourea compound, which may comprise a polyhalogenated benzyl group, e.g. at the 4 position, the 2,4 position, etc. A pharmaceutical composition comprising an MreB targeted antibiotic as an active agent is administered to a patient suffering from a microbial infection, particularly bacterial infections.

Abstract: The identification of MreB as essential for bacterial chromosome segregation provides a new target for antibiotic action. The MreB function is useful in the development of screening assays for new antibiotics, which may use, for example, genetic mutants in MreB, tests of MreB mediated chromosome segregation, and the like. In one embodiment of the invention, the antibiotic is an isothiourea compound, which may comprise a polyhalogenated benzyl group, e.g. at the 4 position, the 2,4 position, etc. A pharmaceutical composition comprising an MreB targeted antibiotic as an active agent is administered to a patient suffering from a microbial infection, particularly bacterial infections.

Abstract: Methods for treating and/or preventing disease conditions caused or induced or aggravated by microbes, especially bacteria, by inhibiting DNA methyltransferase activity, such as by administering to an animal a DNA methyltransferase inhibitor, are disclosed, along with methods of reducing or ablating virulence in bacteria by inhibiting DNA methyltransferase activity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the isolation and sequencing of a novel class of methyltransferase genes, including the methyltransferase gene from Rhizobium meliloti, Agrobacterium tumefaciens, Brucella abortus, and Helicobacter pylori. The invention further comprises efficient methods of assaying methyltransferase activity.