Francis Tien

Academic Writing
GCP 12
18 March 2015
Molecular interactions of the CcdB poison with its bacterial
target, the DNA gyrase
Background
The Ccd (control of cell death) toxin/antidote system generates
the CcdB, a toxin that targets the DNA gyrase, and the CcdA,
that can neutralize the CcdB toxin. CcdB causes the negative
supercoiling of the DNA. This system programs cell death for
defected organisms or for the control of the bacteria. CcdB
makes the whole population more flexible under different
situations. The mazEF system is activated under conditions of
starvation.
Method
This paper gathered information from multiple researches and
put together all the data and pathways of the Ccd system. The
author put together a chart on what systems are located in
where to produce what toxins to affect which parts of the cell
and are countered by what antidotes. Review and analyze
research data from other institutions.
Results
Different systems and pathways are responsible different types
of cell control. One interesting point is that a high level of CcdB
leads to cell death, but with a lower level it can prevent
replication or transcription of the cell.
Conclusion
The need for antibacterial drugs has increased throughout the
globe. But as more drugs are used, multi-drug resistance
bacteria are also emerging. The control and study of CcdB,
along with other multiple drugs can help to improve the
research and production of antibacterial agents.
References
Melderen, L. (2002). Molecular interactions of the CcdB poison
with its bacterial target, the DNA gyrase (Medicine). Institut de
Biologie et Mdecine Molculaires, Universit Libre de Bruxelles,
Gosselies, Belgium. Retrieved from
http://www.urbanfischer.de/journals/ijmm