Microorganisms and assays for the identification of antibiotics

Abstract

The present invention features methods for the identification of compounds and compositions useful as antibiotics and antibacterial agents. In particular, the invention features methods for the identification of modulators of a previously unidentified target protein, termed CoaX. High-throughput assay systems are featured as well as assay kits for the identification of CoaX modulators. Also featured are coaX nucleic acid molecules and purified CoaX proteins, as well as recombinant vectors and microorganisms including the gene, coaX.

1 . An isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising a coaX gene.  
     
     
         2 . A recombinant vector comprising an isolated coaX gene.  
     
     
         3 . A recombinant microorganism comprising the vector of  claim 2 .  
     
     
         4 . A recombinant microorganism selected from the group consisting of PA861, PA876, YH1 comprising pOTP71, YH1 comprising pOTP72, YH1 comprising pOTP73, and YH1 comprising pAN341.