If you were working for a pharmaceutical company as part of a drug discovery team, which of these enzyme inhibitors would you suggest as a productive avenue for drug development?
A) a drug to treat high blood pressure that reversibly inhibits an enzyme catalyzing production of a chemical that causes blood vessels to contract
B) a drug to treat diabetes that irreversibly inhibits an enzyme in the metabolic pathway to synthesize glucose
C) a compound that acts as a competitive inhibitor for a digestive enzyme produced only in the presence of certain foods
D) a compound that inhibits enzymes by significantly changing the pH throughout the body

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Option A suggests a drug that can treat high blood pressure by inhibiting an enzyme that causes blood vessels to contract. This approach has a clear therapeutic target, and reversible inhibition allows for the possibility of fine-tuning the dosage of the inhibitor. In contrast, option B's irreversible inhibition of an enzyme involved in glucose synthesis could have significant side effects, and the other options lack clear therapeutic benefits. Additionally, option D's approach of changing pH throughout the body could lead to serious complications. Therefore, A is the best choice for drug development.

If You Were Working for a Pharmaceutical Company as Part