DRUG TARGETS IN TUBERCULOSIS

Tuberculosis (TB) is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) and is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality among all infectious diseases. The emergence of resistant forms of tuberculosis, strong epidemiological coexistence of HIV, poor patient compliance due to extended chemotherapy and the associated side effects of the existing drugs highlight the fundamental need for new and more effective drugs to treat the disease. In this regard, the structural genomics of Mtb provides key information to identify potential targets for the design of newer antitubercular agents. In addition, the genome of Mtb encodes a series of targets that are unique in Mtb but are absent in mammalian cells. These targets can selectively inhibit the growth of Mtb, help to reduce side effects, prevent resistance development and eliminate latent disease. In this review, novel targets, particularly those widely cited in literature, with structures containing potential inhibitors or substrates for structure-based design of drugs, which can be explored in the development of antitubercular agents, are discussed.