Q44 - Comparing Two Active-Site Inhibitors for a Tuberculosis Target
The UK runs the biggest collaborations to screen for new antibiotics for tuberculosis. Molecules X and Y were found, which binds to the active site of a Mycobacterium tuberculosis enzyme. Dashed lines indicate hydrogen bonds. Molecule Z was also found to inhibit the enzyme, by binding a site other than the active site.
Using the information and data, determine which of the statements are true or which are false.
A. Molecule X binds to the enzyme’s active site reversibly.
B. Molecule Y could have been found in a screen for molecules which increase the temperature at which the enzyme denatures.
C. Molecule X binds to the active site more tightly than molecule Y.
D. Molecule Z is a better drug candidate if the substrate concentration is usually very high.
Question reproduced from IBO 2017, Theoretical Exam B, licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 - attributed to the International Biology Olympiad. Open the full exam PDF · Official answer key & worked solutions