抗生素是其中一種應付細菌或微生物的手段,以Virginiamycin M2(VM2)這抗生素為例,它能夠與細菌的核糖體(Ribosome)結合,從而抑制細菌的生長及繁殖。477Please respect copyright.PENANAqV37yYxHar
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為應對抗生素的襲擊,細菌亦會發展出不同的機制作出制衡。同樣以VM2作為例子,細菌會生產一隻名為VatA酵素,能夠有效對VM2進行改造。477Please respect copyright.PENANAQtEMhDh8WK
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被改造的VM2再也無法合併及阻礙Ribosome功能,細菌亦得以繼續無阻繁殖,展示出抗藥性。477Please respect copyright.PENANA8sZfcorPrI
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(圖2)最近,有科學家應用名為Modular Synthesis的技術進行應對(Ref1)。477Please respect copyright.PENANAwCSYKvzSt9
簡單來說,Modular Synthesis就把化學物當作是砌LEGO一樣,能夠任意在短時間內改組化學物的各個部位。477Please respect copyright.PENANALRaatZmTyx
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如圖中所示,化學物各顏色部位均能轉變成其相應顏色的組件。477Please respect copyright.PENANAPYoQ8azBMQ
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(圖3)經過一輪的驗證後,科學家發現細菌VatA酵素會在VM2某部位(C14)進行改造,但箇中過程將會與VM2另一個位置(C4)進行觸碰。477Please respect copyright.PENANAUvcPvqnVHI
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基於這點,科學家特意在C4部位裝上一大串臃腫的化學結構,促使細菌VatA酵素無法與VM2進行互動的同時,亦能確保人為改造的VM2能夠使細菌的Ribosome功能受阻。477Please respect copyright.PENANALSSxNJmBOt
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當然,並不難想像細菌會隨著時間的增長發展出另一種新穎的應對方法,到時候科學家會否重用Modular Synthesis技倆應對,或者發展出一道一勞永逸的方法,就有待我們細心等候了。477Please respect copyright.PENANAFQChHF0OEC
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暫時來說,這場道高一尺、魔高一丈的遊戲,應該還要持續好一段的時間。477Please respect copyright.PENANAW1Pzsivynl
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Link: https://www.penana.com/story/66244/%E7%A7%91%E6%99%AE%E5%B0%88%E6%AC%84-%E8%96%AF%E4%B8%8D%E6%8F%80%E5%96%AE/toc477Please respect copyright.PENANACMQwwA14cn
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Ref1:https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-020-2761-3477Please respect copyright.PENANAUSG51c1VKv