Rifampicin is a key antibiotic for treating tuberculosis, but resistance to it is rising. Researchers tested rifampicin together with a probe compound called AAP-SO2 to try a different approach. Lab work showed AAP-SO2 binds bacterial RNA polymerase at a different site and slows the elongation step of transcription.
Because the two drugs block different steps, the team calls the idea vertical inhibition. AAP-SO2 killed bacteria with the common βS450L resistance mutation in culture and made those bacteria vulnerable to rifampicin again. In liquid culture the drugs had additive effects, but in a rabbit model they worked together much more strongly. The researchers will develop a more stable drug from the probe and have filed a provisional patent on the dual-inhibition idea.
Difficult words
- rifampicin — antibiotic used to treat tuberculosis
- resistance — ability of bacteria to survive a drug
- probe — small test compound used in experiments
- transcription — process of making RNA from DNA
- elongation — step when new RNA strand grows
- inhibition — action of stopping or slowing a process
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Discussion questions
- Why is it important to find ways to treat bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics?
- What question would you ask the researchers about testing the drugs in rabbits?
- Do you think using two drugs that block different steps is a good idea? Why or why not?
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