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Triclosan \((2,4,4\)-trichloro-2-hydroxydiphenyl ether) is an effective antimicrobial agent that is used in a wide range of consumer products including soaps, toothpaste, toys, and cutting boards. Triclosan is effective against a broad spectrum of bacteria and mycobacteria and is an inhibitor of type II FAS enoyl acyl carrier protein reductase. (a) What reaction is catalyzed by enoyl acyl carrier protein reductase? (b) Why is enoyl acyl carrier protein reductase an appropriate target for antimicrobials? (c) Suggest a reason why a compound may selectively inhibit fatty acid synthesis in bacteria and not in humans.

Short Answer

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a) Enoyl acyl carrier protein reductase catalyzes the reduction of a double-bond in enoyl-acyl carrier protein during fatty acid synthesis. b) It's an appropriate target for antimicrobials because inhibiting it disrupts the bacterial cell's ability to grow and maintain its structure. c) A compound might selectively inhibit bacterial fatty acid synthesis due to differences in the structures and mechanisms of the mammalian and bacterial versions of the enzyme.

Step by step solution

01

Identify the reaction catalyzed by enoyl acyl carrier protein reductase

Enoyl acyl carrier protein reductase is involved in the process of fatty acid synthesis. Specifically, it catalyzes the reduction of a double-bond in enoyl-acyl carrier protein to a single bond, producing acyl carrier protein. This is a crucial part of the elongation cycle in the syntheses of fatty acids.
02

Explain why enoyl acyl carrier protein reductase is an appropriate target for antimicrobials

The fatty acid synthesis pathway, in which enoyl acyl carrier protein reductase plays a key role, is essential for bacterial growth and survival because it produces important components of the cell membrane. Therefore, inhibiting this enzyme disrupts the bacterial cell's ability to maintain its structure and reproduce. Furthermore, the human equivalent of this enzyme in fatty acid synthesis is functionally different from the bacterial version in a way that the inhibitors (like Triclosan) don't affect it.
03

Suggest why a compound selectively inhibits fatty acid synthesis in bacteria and not humans

The selective inhibition of the bacterial fatty acid synthesis can be attributed to the differences in the mammalian and bacterial versions of the enzyme. While both versions perform the same basic function, they have different structures and mechanisms, which allows certain compounds to distinguish between the two. Since Triclosan can only inhibit the bacterial version of the enzyme, it doesn't affect human fatty acid synthesis.

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