Drug resistance of the virus

According to Genes and Development , an international research group consisting of scientists from Edinburgh University (Scotland) has established a map of the complex molecular structure of an enzyme found in many micro-organisms. bacteria. These molecules, called restriction enzymes, function to control the rate at which bacteria can achieve resistance to the drug and eventually become the virus.

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The study focused on E. coli, but the results may apply to many other infectious bacteria. After prolonged treatment with antibiotics, bacteria can develop to become resistant to many drugs.

Super Staphylococcus aureus

Bacteria become resistant by absorbing DNA, usually from bacteria or other viruses, which contain genetic information that allows bacteria to block the action of the drug. Limited enzymes can slow or prevent absorption. Enzymes that act in this way are thought to have evolved to form a defense mechanism for bacteria.

To study this enzyme in action, experts give it a reaction with DNA from another organism. They modeled the mechanism that the enzyme uses to neutralize foreign DNA while protecting the bacteria's own genetic material.

The limited enzyme's ability to cut off genetic material has been widely applied by scientists to cut and paste DNA strands in genetic engineering. Dr. David Dryden, lead researcher, said: 'We have learned that these enzymes are very effective in protecting bacteria from being attacked by other species. We have now sketched a picture of how this happens, which will definitely bring valuable insight into addressing the spread of antimicrobial resistance '.

The study is a collaboration between the University of Edinburgh and University of Leeds and University of Portsmouth (UK) with partners in Poland and France.