Antibiotics work to kill bacteria or inhibit their growth through several distinct mechanisms. Here are the primary ways in which antibiotics achieve their effects:
Inhibition of Cell Wall Synthesis
Some antibiotics, such as penicillins and cephalosporins, target the bacterial cell wall. These antibiotics inhibit the synthesis of peptidoglycan, an essential component of the bacterial cell wall, leading to cell lysis and death. For example, penicillin inhibits the enzyme transpeptidase, which is crucial for cross-linking peptidoglycan strands, resulting in a weakened cell wall that cannot withstand osmotic pressure, causing the bacterial cell to burst[1][3].
Inhibition of Protein Synthesis
Antibiotics like tetracyclines, macrolides, and aminoglycosides interfere with bacterial protein synthesis. They bind to bacterial ribosomes, which are the machinery for protein production, and disrupt the translation process. For instance, tetracyclines bind to the 30S subunit of the ribosome, preventing the attachment of tRNA and thus halting protein synthesis[1][3].
Inhibition of Nucleic Acid Synthesis
Some antibiotics, such as fluoroquinolones and rifamycins, target bacterial DNA replication and transcription. Fluoroquinolones inhibit DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV, enzymes essential for DNA replication and transcription. This inhibition prevents the bacteria from replicating their DNA, leading to cell death[1][3].
Disruption of Cell Membrane Function
Antibiotics like polymyxins disrupt the bacterial cell membrane. These antibiotics interact with the phospholipids in the bacterial cell membrane, increasing its permeability and causing the contents of the cell to leak out, leading to cell death[1][3].
Inhibition of Metabolic Pathways
Some antibiotics, such as sulfonamides and trimethoprim, inhibit bacterial metabolic pathways. These antibiotics act as antimetabolites, interfering with the synthesis of folic acid, which is necessary for DNA and RNA synthesis. By blocking this pathway, these antibiotics prevent the bacteria from synthesizing essential nucleotides, leading to cell death[1][3].
Antibiotic Resistance
Despite their effectiveness, bacteria can develop resistance to antibiotics through various mechanisms, such as:
Limiting drug entry:
Reducing the permeability of the bacterial cell membrane to prevent antibiotic entry.
Efflux pumps:
Enzymatic degradation:
Producing enzymes that degrade or modify the antibiotic.
Target modification:
Altering the antibiotic's target site to reduce binding affinity[1][2].
Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for developing new antibiotics and strategies to combat antibiotic resistance.
References
- [1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10820715/
- [2] https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/10278
- [3] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7dTM7nLw1Q
Citations:
[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10820715/
[2] https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/10278
[3] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7dTM7nLw1Q
[4] https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/what-are-antibiotics
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