Question

Rifampin

A) inhibition of protein synthesis
B) inhibition of nucleic acid synthesis
C) inhibition of cell wall synthesis

Answer 1

Rifampin inhibits nucleic acid synthesis by binding to the beta-subunit of RNA polymerase in bacteria, halting RNA transcription.

Step-by-step explanation:

The antibiotic rifampin is a semisynthetic member of the rifamycin family. Its mechanism of action is the inhibition of nucleic acid synthesis. Rifampin achieves this by binding to the beta-subunit of RNA polymerase in bacteria, which prevents the initiation of RNA transcription, thereby impeding the synthesis of RNA. This selective action is particularly effective for treating infections caused by mycobacteria such as tuberculosis.