In Texas, A&M researchers found a new protein called LoaP, or long operon associated protein, in bacteria that fights pathogens that attack plant roots, especially in aquaculture and hydroponic settings. They also learned that the protein is often right next to the gene clusters that produce antibiotics, an interesting location that may be able to help improve antibiotic production. Usually, bacteria cluster many genes together as a group when the cell needs the proteins, but the long chains of genes can cause some roadblocks. This LoaP protein, however, helps move through the roadblocks and serves as a genetic regulatory mechanism, which could be very useful when searching for new natural antibiotics produced by bacteria.
