Q.37 Determine the correctness or otherwise of the following Assertion (a) and the Reason (r).
Assertion: The elucidation of ribosome structure helps in the development of new generation drugs.
Reason: The high resolution of macromolecular structure has enabled structure-based drug design.
Correct Answer: (A) Both (a) and (r) are true and (r) is the correct reason for (a)
Elucidation of ribosome structure through high-resolution techniques like cryo-EM and X-ray crystallography has directly enabled structure-based drug design for new antibiotics and cancer therapies targeting translation. The reason explains how atomic-level insights into ribosomal binding sites facilitate precise inhibitor development.
Option Analysis
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(A): Correct. Ribosome structures guide drugs like linezolid and ketolides by revealing peptidyl transferase center (PTC) interactions; high-resolution data (2-3 Å) supports rational design.
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(B): Incorrect. Reason (r) directly causes (a), as structural data is foundational for ribosome-targeted drugs.
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(C): Incorrect. Assertion (a) is true—ribosome elucidation drives new antimicrobials exploiting bacterial-human differences.
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(D): Incorrect. Assertion (a) holds; over 50% of antibiotics target ribosomes due to structural knowledge.
Ribosome structure elucidation has revolutionized structure-based drug design, enabling new generation drugs that target protein synthesis with precision. This Q.37 assertion-reason question tests understanding of how high-resolution macromolecular structures drive therapeutic innovation in biochemical engineering and microbiology.
Ribosome in Drug Discovery
Cryo-EM structures at 2.5-3 Å resolution reveal antibiotic binding pockets, facilitating drugs that modulate translation without blocking it entirely. Bacterial 70S ribosomes differ from human 80S, allowing selective inhibitors like pleuromutilins. Oncologic agents exploit cancer cell ribosome hyperactivity for targeted apoptosis.
Structure-Based Design Mechanism
High-resolution data visualizes water-mediated interactions and RNA-ligand contacts, essential for next-generation antimicrobials against resistant pathogens. This directly links ribosome elucidation (assertion) to drug development via structural insights (reason).
Biotechnology Exam Context
Questions emphasize cryo-EM’s role in bioprocess engineering, aligning with molecular biology expertise in enzyme kinetics and genetic techniques. Practice reinforces translation regulation and therapeutic targeting.
