April 2017
Antibiotic resistance within a microbial population can arise in a number of ways, typically by genetic mutation that is passed down to progeny and across species in the environment.
Understanding antibiotic resistance mechanisms on a molecular level is key to understanding the phenomenon.
The following mechanisms of antibiotic resistance are well studied:
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Reduction of antibiotic uptake – reduced permeability of the cell membrane inhibits the antibiotic from entering the cell.
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Active efflux – antibiotic compounds are physically removed from the cell by molecular pumps.
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Reduction of binding to the cell target – the antibiotic target within the cell is changed so that it is no longer recognized by the antibiotic.
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Enzymatic cleavage of the antibiotic – the cell produces compounds which render the antibiotic inactive after it has entered the cell.
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Metabolic bypass of inhibited reaction – the targeted enzyme in a metabolic pathway is mutated to bypass the primary antibiotic target.
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Overproduction of target – the antibiotic target is produced by the cell in higher quantities to compensate for deficiency caused by the antibiotic.
