Bacterial death by DNA gyrase poisoning.
DNA gyrase is an essential topoisomerase that is found in all bacteria and is the target of potent antibiotics, such as the quinolones. By creating DNA lesions and inducing the bacterial SOS response, these drugs are not only highly cytotoxic but also mutagenic. Discovery and analysis of natural molecules with anti-gyrase activities, such as the CcdB or microcin B17 proteins, hold promise for understanding further topoisomerase reactions and for the design of new antibiotics.
Couturier
M
M
Dépt de Biologie Moléculaire, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Rhode-Saint-Genèse, Belgium.
Bahassi el-M
Van Melderen
L
L
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects*; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001427:Bacterial Toxins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D059005:Topoisomerase II Inhibitors
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D001427:Bacterial Toxins; C068356:CcdB protein, Plasmid F; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D059005:Topoisomerase II Inhibitors