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。795Please respect copyright.PENANA9n1aixp7T3795Please respect copyright.PENANAZSTwO2qOFW
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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。795Please respect copyright.PENANAwEJrDqt8Xk
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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。795Please respect copyright.PENANAlyijmjXcfB
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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)。795Please respect copyright.PENANAQJMqiM6njJ
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。795Please respect copyright.PENANAguudG2KTzD795Please respect copyright.PENANAzoaJiVZ6ht
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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。795Please respect copyright.PENANAXFmWfBH71v
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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。795Please respect copyright.PENANAqrPjOVBs1q795Please respect copyright.PENANA7hUh4HkfJn
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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。795Please respect copyright.PENANA8RXaCcImC7
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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。795Please respect copyright.PENANAcGObSZ9EgL
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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。795Please respect copyright.PENANAeo0uXuBnhe
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https://www.penana.com/user/27349/%E8%96%AF%E4%BB%94%E8%81%9E%E8%8C%B1%E8%8E%89/portfolio795Please respect copyright.PENANApB5f5tQYq6
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有興趣接收科學資訊的話,歡迎follow IG: potatopigtongue。795Please respect copyright.PENANAybfHohHisk
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Ref1:https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-020-2761-3795Please respect copyright.PENANAHNZOMrgcXT