Antibotics have been useful in determining whether cellular events depend on transcription or translation. For example, actinomy
cin D is used to block transcription, and cycloheximide (in eukaryotes) is used to block translation. In some cases, though, surprising results are obtained after antibiotics are administered. Adding actinomycin D, for example, may result in an increase, not a decrease, in the activity of a particular enzyme. Discuss how this result might come about
actinomycin D may also act to block transcription of inhibitors of the enzyme's activity
Explanation:
Enzyme inhibitors are molecules that are able to interact with enzymes and enzymatic complexes in order to reduce or block enzymatic activity. There are many genes that encode enzyme inhibitors. For example, in yeast (<em>Saccharomyces cerevisiae</em>), the PHO81 gene encodes a protein (Phosphate system positive regulatory protein) that inhibits the function of the cyclin/CDK complex, which is an enzymatic complex that acts to regulate progression through the cell cycle. In the example above described, actinomycin D could block transcription of an enzymatic inhibitor, which would lead to an increase of the enzymatic activity.
Gene therapy to correct defective genes that cause diseases.
<h3><u>Explanation</u>;</h3>
Gene therapy refers to the procedure that involves the introduction of nucleic acids (DNA or RNA) into the cells of an organism for the purpose of correcting abnormalities, such as a mutations or in other words to treat a genetic disease.
Gene therapy entails bringing a normal and functional gene known as a trans-gene into a cell with altered gene. Another method can bring RNA capable of partially regulating or blocking the expression of an altered gene.
The nucleic acids are introduced into the patient's cells by means of a viral vector or injected directly into the cells in the form of naked DNA.
