BIOL 2003 Cell Structure/Function Analysis and its Applications

Cell Biology Cells Weekly Project sp26 Week 8

Methicillin Organelle/Structure/Protein Affected

Bacteria’s cell wall weakens → bacteria die

Methicillin Treatment Uses

Skin infections by Staphylococcus aureus

Methicillin Side Effects

Disruption of microbiome → cause additional infections

Methicillin Pathogen Resistance

Evolution of populations

Methicillin Safety of Human Cells

Targets cell wall only found in bacteria, only killing bacteria

Clotrimazole Organelle/Structure/Protein Affected

Cell wall of fungal cells weakens → cell dies

Clotrimazole Treatment Uses

Fungal infections

Clotrimazole Safety of Human Cells

Only targets fungal cells

Raltegravir Organelle/Structure/Protein Affected

HIV-1/HIV-2 integrase enzyme → inhibits the interaction of viral DNA and host cell DNA

Raltegravir Treatment Uses

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV-1)

Clotrimazole Safety of Human Cells

Human genome has no homology to the HIV-1 integrase

Azithromycin Organelle/Structure/Protein Affected

50S ribosomal subunit → inhibits protein synthesis

Azithromycin Treatment Uses

Bacterial infections

Azithromycin Safety of Human Cells

Only targets 23S rRNA since bacterial ribosome is structurally different from human cells

Exemestane Organelle/Structure/Protein Affected

Aromatase enzyme → blocking conversion of androgens into estrogen

Exemestane Treatment Uses

Breast Cancer

Exemestane Side Effects

Joint pain, stiffness, hot flashes, night sweats

Exemestane: why not used for pre-menopausal women?

Exemestane can not keep up with the high production of estrogen, decreasing brain estrogen, making the ovaries produce more, increasing cancer growth

Why might an actin-targeting drug be useful in limiting cancer?

Block cell division

Why are actin drugs found to have an unacceptable level of toxicity?

Drugs cannot differentiate between cancer cells and vital cells for proper functioning, leading to negative effects on the human body.