Question

Mutations in bacterial porins can lead to antibiotic resistance typically by?

1) Closing the a-helix of the porin
2) Limiting the passage of nonpolar substances
3) Blocking entry of the antibiotic
4) Disrupting the voltage of the gated channel
5) All of the above

Answer 1

Mutations in bacterial porins lead to antibiotic resistance by changing the porin structure and blocking antibiotic entry.

Step-by-step explanation:

Mutations in bacterial porins can lead to antibiotic resistance typically by blocking the entry of the antibiotic. Porins are channels in the bacterial cell membrane through which molecules, like antibiotics, can pass. When mutations occur in the genes encoding these porins, the structure of the porin can change, preventing antibiotics from entering the bacteria. This form of resistance is especially common in gram-negative bacteria. For example, Pseudomonas aeruginosa can decrease the amount of OprD porins to prevent carbapenems from entering the bacterial cell, leading to carbapenem resistance.