Some are calling NDM-1 a gene; others are calling it an enzyme. What is the correct way to describe this organism?
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M$6 Answers
Enzyme is a protein-based molecule that speeds up a chemical reaction in a living being. An enzyme can rapidly convert a specific set of reactants (called substrates) into specific products. Simply to identify a word, which is an enzyme, you will usually see “ase” at the end of the word, eg., Beta-lactamases, peicillinase, Metallo-beta-lactamase, cephalospoinase, etc these words end with “ase”, so, they are enzymes.
Image of an enzyme:
A gene is the basic unit of heredity. Gene holds the information to build and maintain an organism's cells and pass genetic traits to offspring. Gene is the basic biological unit of heredity. A segment of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) needed to contribute to a function All living things depend on genes.
Image of a gene:
As “Metallo-beta-lactamase” is an enzyme, reporters now said “New Delhi Metallo-beta-lactamase-1” as an enzyme (NDM -1 is an enzyme called “New Delhi Metallo-beta-lactamase-1”, or “NDM-1”. The enzyme NDM-1 is found inside bacteria (not virus), like Klebsiella pneumoniae, E. coli. These bacteria extremely virulent and become resistant to most antibiotics. Scientists have warned that a new enzyme called New Delhi-Metallo-1 could make all bacteria resistant to almost all antibiotic.
In one sentence, it may be said that “The bacteria make NDM-1 enzyme because the bacteria have the NDM-1 gene”. It is the NDM-1 enzyme (and not the gene) that deactivates the antibiotics.
-quote-
British scientists have discovered bacteria that are able to make an enzyme called NDM-1, or New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase 1. Genes enable the bacteria to make the enzyme so they can flourish even in the presence of nearly all known antibiotics.
http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2010/08/11/uk-lancet-new-superbug.html#ixzz0wUFxQpKU
The NDM-1 enzyme can inactivate certain groups of antibiotics. Scientists have warned that a new enzyme called the NDM-1 gene alters bacteria, making them resistant to nearly all known.
www.dailymail.co.uk/.../Unbeatable-NDM-1-enzyme-make-bacterial-diseases-superbugs.html
The bacteria make this NDM-1 enzyme because they have the gene for it - the gene (like most genes) is a bit like a knitting pattern.
www.dailymail.co.uk/.../NDM-1-Alert-unbeatable-superbug-spread-worldwide.html
NDM-1 is an enzyme, not a gene or bacterium as originally reported. Aug. 11, 2010 | 11:25 a.m. ET. With files from the CBC's James ...
www.cbc.ca/health/story/2010/08/11/uk-lancet-new-superbug.html
The gene NDM-1,carries an enzyme named New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase-1 (NDM-1 ) which makes a bacterium resistant to even the toughest of antibiotics. ...
bricat.com/euHoaIZnJ/
The NDM-1 gene works by producing an enzyme that safeguards bacteria against β-lactam antibiotics, which include penicillin. ...
www.newscientist.com/blogs/.../2010/.../does-ndm-1-herald-the-end-of-t.html
ND Metallo-beta-lactamase (NDM-1) is a gene that makes bacteria resistant to ... The geneproduces a metallo-beta-lactamase, an enzyme that hydrolyzes and ...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Delhi_metallo-beta-lactamase
-/quote-
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M$
"Beta-lactamases are enzymes (EC 3.5.2.6) produced by some bacteria and are responsible for their resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics like penicillins, cephalosporins (are relatively resistant to beta-lactamase), cephamycins, and carbapenems (ertapenem)."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beta-lactamase
And here's a part of the report by the WebMD:
"The bacteria produce an enzyme called New Delhi-Metallo-beta-lactamase 1, known as NDM-1, which makes them able to resist some of the strongest antibiotics. NDM-1-producing bacteria are now widespread in India and Pakistan."
http://www.webmd.boots.com/news/20100811/uk-fears-new-superbug
I hope Wikipedia would give clarification to what really is the definition of NDM1 because they say it’s an enzyme but they also say it's a gene and most people trust their published information. I'm more worried upon hearing it as a gene as gene could be passed from generation to generation and this NDM1is very deadly. Genes and enzymes are two different things based on what I have known and according to their definitions.
“ND Metallo-beta-lactamase (NDM-1)1 is a gene that makes bacteria resistant to antibiotics of the carbapenem family. It encodes a type of beta-lactamase enzyme called acarbapenemase.”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Delhi_metallo-beta-lactamase
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M$
So, NDM-1 is an enzyme.
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M$You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$
These bacteria that have the NDM-1 enzyme are becoming a threat because they take away the last resort weapon doctors have to fight bacterial infections.
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M$http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19770275
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M$
From your answer: “The bacteria make NDM-1 enzyme because the bacteria have the NDM-1 gene”. It is the NDM-1 enzyme.....
So I am understanding correctly that there is an NDM-1 enzyme AND an NDM-1 gene and also that the NDM-1 gene causes the release of the NDM-1 enzyme? Therefore NDM-1 is not a bacterium or a superbug itself, rather is allows bacteria to be converted into superbugs due to the presence of the NDM-1 enzyme which was caused by the NDM-1 gene. Wow no wonder everyone is confused!