In Gram-negative bacteria, bacteriocins can inhibit the activity of what three things?

• A. DNA replication, RNA polymerase (transcription) and tRNA synthases (translation)
• B. Cell wall synthesis only
• C. Protein folding and degradation
• D. Metabolic pathways unrelated to gene expression

Answer: (C)

Bacteriocins from Gram-negative bacteria tend to disrupt essential cellular processes that are required for gene expression and proliferation. They can damage DNA directly, interfere with transcription by targeting RNA polymerase-linked steps, or block translation by affecting the ribosome and related factors such as tRNA charging. Together, impacting DNA replication, transcription, and translation shuts down the cell’s ability to grow and survive. That makes the option describing inhibition of DNA replication, transcription, and translation the best match, because it covers the three core processes needed to express genes and propagate genetic information. Cell wall synthesis, protein folding and degradation, or metabolic pathways unrelated to gene expression aren’t the primary trio typically highlighted for these toxins in Gram-negative bacteria.