Question

While many commonly used antibiotics interfere with protein synthesis or cell wall formation, clorobiocin, one of several antibiotics in the aminocoumarin class, inhibits the activity of bacterial DNA gyrase. Similar drugs have been tested as treatments for human cancer. How might such drugs be effective against bacteria as well as cancer?

Short answer

Question: Explain how drugs targeting DNA gyrase can potentially be effective against both bacterial infections and cancer. Answer: Drugs targeting DNA gyrase can potentially be effective against both bacterial infections and cancer because inhibiting the activity of DNA gyrase disrupts the process of DNA replication and transcription in both bacteria and cancer cells. Since both bacterial and cancer cell growth relies on rapid division and efficient DNA replication and transcription, inhibiting DNA gyrase can slow down or stop the growth of both types of cells, making these drugs a promising treatment option for both bacterial infections and cancer.

Step-by-step solution

DNA gyrase is an enzyme that is involved in the replication and maintenance of bacterial DNA. It helps to relax supercoiled DNA, allowing for efficient replication and transcription. Since bacteria need to divide and grow rapidly, DNA gyrase plays a crucial role in their growth. #Step 2: Understanding the effect of inhibiting DNA gyrase#

By inhibiting the activity of DNA gyrase, the antibiotics block the replication and transcription of bacterial DNA, leading to the cessation of bacterial growth and eventually causing the death of bacteria. #Step 3: Understanding the connection between bacterial growth and cancer cell growth#

Cancer cells, like bacteria, divide rapidly and require efficient DNA replication and transcription for their growth. Cancer cells can grow uncontrollably, leading to the formation of tumors and potential metastasis. #Step 4: Explaining how drugs targeting DNA gyrase might be effective against bacteria and cancer#

Inhibiting the activity of DNA gyrase can disrupt the process of DNA replication and transcription in both bacteria and cancer cells. By inhibiting DNA gyrase, these drugs can potentially slow down or stop the growth of both types of cells. This would make drugs that target DNA gyrase effective against both bacterial infections and cancer.