When it comes to antibiotics, bacteria show some NO-how.
Homologs to mammalian nitric oxide synthases are found in many mostly Gram-positive bacteria. In some genera such as bacilli, and staphylococci, these enzymes produce protects against oxidative damage, this effect has now been shown to provide an advantage against antibiotics that kill by increasing cellular levels of reactive oxygen species.
Patel
Bhumit A
BA
Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
Crane
Brian R
BR
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000378:metabolism*; D001419:Bacteria / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase