Antibiotics that target bacterial molecules not previously exploited are desperately needed. One such target is the protein FtsZ. The small molecule 3-methoxybenzamide (3-MBA) is known to inhibit FtsZ in Bacillus subtilis but is not bacteriocidal. Nonetheless, researchers reasoned that 3-MBA offered a good starting point for the synthesis of a molecule that might be a potential drug candidate. Over 500 3-MBA analogues were synthesized and screened; one called PA190723 was extremely potent in its capacity to bind FtsZ and inhibit bacterial growth. In fact, when used in a mouse model, PA190723 was bacteriocidal against methicillinand multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. What makes FtsZ a good drug target? What preliminary information about 3-MBA would be helpful if you were designing the 3-MBA analogues? As these researchers move forward with clinical (human) testing, what other parameters and outcomes must be assessed besides the bacteriocidal activity of PA190723?
Gene Interactions
When the expression of a single trait is influenced by two or more different non-allelic genes, it is termed as genetic interaction. According to Mendel's law of inheritance, each gene functions in its own way and does not depend on the function of another gene, i.e., a single gene controls each of seven characteristics considered, but the complex contribution of many different genes determine many traits of an organism.
Gene Expression
Gene expression is a process by which the instructions present in deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) are converted into useful molecules such as proteins, and functional messenger ribonucleic (mRNA) molecules in the case of non-protein-coding genes.
Antibiotics that target bacterial molecules not previously exploited are desperately needed. One such target is the protein FtsZ. The small molecule 3-methoxybenzamide (3-MBA) is known to inhibit FtsZ in Bacillus subtilis but is not bacteriocidal. Nonetheless, researchers reasoned that 3-MBA offered a good starting point for the synthesis of a molecule that might be a potential drug candidate. Over 500 3-MBA analogues were synthesized and screened; one called PA190723 was extremely potent in its capacity to bind FtsZ and inhibit bacterial growth. In fact, when used in a mouse model, PA190723 was bacteriocidal against methicillinand multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.
- What makes FtsZ a good drug target?
- What preliminary information about 3-MBA would be helpful if you were designing the 3-MBA analogues?
- As these researchers move forward with clinical (human) testing, what other parameters and outcomes must be assessed besides the bacteriocidal activity of PA190723?
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