Alarmone
Alarmone
Alarmone (/əˈlɑːrmoʊn/) is a type of chemical signal that is produced within bacterial cells in response to environmental stressors. The term is derived from the Latin word 'alarma', meaning 'to arms', and the Greek suffix '-one', often used in chemistry to denote a class of substances.
Function
Alarmones function as part of the bacterial stress response, a complex adaptive system that allows bacteria to survive in hostile environments. When a bacterial cell encounters a stressor, such as nutrient deprivation or exposure to a toxic substance, it produces alarmones. These molecules then bind to specific receptor proteins within the cell, triggering a range of physiological changes designed to protect the cell and ensure its survival.
Types of Alarmones
There are several types of alarmones, each associated with a different type of stress response. These include:
- Guanosine tetraphosphate (ppGpp): This alarmone is produced in response to nutrient deprivation. It inhibits the synthesis of ribosomal RNA, slowing down protein production and allowing the cell to conserve resources.
- Polyphosphate (polyP): This alarmone is produced in response to physical stressors, such as changes in temperature or pH. It acts as a chaperone, helping to stabilize proteins and prevent them from denaturing.
Clinical Significance
Understanding the role of alarmones in the bacterial stress response could have important implications for the development of new antibacterial drugs. By targeting the production or action of these molecules, it may be possible to make bacteria more susceptible to existing antibiotics, or to develop new treatments that are effective against drug-resistant strains.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Alarmone
- Wikipedia's article - Alarmone
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