List 3 DIFFERENT "mechanisms of action" of antimicrobial drugs AND how they work.
1) Inhibition of cell wall synthesis: Some antimicrobial drugs, such as penicillins and cephalosporins, work by inhibiting the synthesis of bacterial cell walls. These drugs target a specific enzyme called transpeptidase, also known as penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs), which is essential for the cross-linking of peptidoglycan strands in the cell wall. By inhibiting PBPs, these drugs prevent the formation of a functional cell wall, leading to bacterial cell lysis and death.
2) Inhibition of protein synthesis: Another mechanism of action used by antimicrobial drugs is the inhibition of bacterial protein synthesis. Drugs like macrolides, tetracyclines, and aminoglycosides target different components of the bacterial ribosome, which is responsible for translating genetic information into proteins. By binding to specific sites on the ribosome, these drugs interfere with protein synthesis, leading to the inhibition of bacterial growth and proliferation.
3) Disruption of nucleic acids: Some antimicrobial drugs, such as fluoroquinolones and rifampin, work by disrupting the synthesis or function of bacterial nucleic acids. Fluoroquinolones inhibit DNA replication by targeting bacterial topoisomerases, which are necessary for the correct coiling and uncoiling of DNA strands during replication. Rifampin, on the other hand, inhibits bacterial RNA synthesis by binding to the bacterial RNA polymerase enzyme, preventing the initiation of transcription. By disrupting nucleic acid synthesis, these drugs hinder bacterial replication and gene expression, ultimately leading to bacterial death.