Antibiotic with a switch
A light-controlled antibiotic has been created
Dutch chemists have created an antibiotic that is activated by ultraviolet radiation, and then returns to an inactive state within a few hours. The description of the new substance is published in the journal Nature Chemistry (Velema et al., Optical control of antibacterial activity), the website of the University of Groningen (Nature Chemistry: Groningen chemists develop switchable antibiotic) writes briefly about the work.
The photoactivated molecule was created on the basis of synthetic antibiotics quinolones known since the 60s of the last century. To control the antibiotic with the help of light, the scientists added several substituents to it, which can undergo isomerization – change their shape due to the rupture and subsequent restoration of the double bond.
In the normal state, the photosensitive substituent is in an inactive trans position, and after irradiation it acquires an active cis configuration.
The gradual reverse transition, which takes about 2-4 hours, occurs spontaneously due to the fact that the trans configuration is more energetically advantageous for the connection.
Switchable antibiotics have at least two important advantages over conventional ones. Firstly, the use of such substances in the agro-industry can dramatically reduce the emissions of antibiotics into the environment and thereby slow down the emergence of resistance. Secondly, light-activated substances can be applied locally without fear of damaging the healthy microflora of the intestine and other healthy organs.
Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru17.09.2013