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Antibiotics that Kill
Author(s) -
Reguieg Zahia,
Jones Tynier,
De la Cruz Alba,
Frink Monique,
Carpenter Aaron,
Fisher Thomas,
Lynch Alexis,
Hope Kelly,
Stevens Danielle,
Bommakanti Ananth,
Zengel Janice M
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.23.1_supplement.lb315
Subject(s) - ribosome , ribosomal rna , ribosomal protein , eukaryotic ribosome , peptidyl transferase , antibiotics , 50s , eukaryotic large ribosomal subunit , peptide bond , protein biosynthesis , protein subunit , bacteria , biology , rna , microbiology and biotechnology , chemistry , computational biology , biochemistry , genetics , peptide , gene
Ribosomes, organelles that carry out protein synthesis, are composed of ribosomal RNA and proteins and are divided into two subunits. The small subunit decodes genetic information while the large subunit helps form the peptide bonds of the newly created proteins. Ribosomes are the target for some antibiotics; if the ribosome cannot function, the bacteria cannot make proteins. Ribosomal mutations can cause antibiotic resistance that decreases the drug's activity. Antibiotics have been overused, and bacteria are becoming resistant to them. Two antibiotics, chloramphemicol and erythromycin, inhibit protein synthesis. Chloramphemicol inhibits peptide bond formation while erythromycin can block the tunnel of the large ribosomal subunit preventing the new proteins from exiting the ribosome. Mutations in ribosomal proteins can cause cells to be resistant to the effects of these drugs. The Patterson SMART (Students Modeling a Research Topic) Team, in collaboration with UMBC and MSOE, designed and built a 3‐D physical model of the ribosome using 3D printing technology to show how the ribosome interacts with antibiotics. Supported by a HHMI Precollege Science Education grant.