A small-molecule acts as a 'roadblock' on DNA, hampering its fundamental processes

Failure or dysregulation of housekeeping pathways (e.g. DNA replication, RNA and protein synthesis) are often deleterious to cell's growth, including pathogenic bacteria or cancer cells. A Zn2 + complex acted as roadblock of DNA under in vitro and in vivo conditions and showed growth inhibition of pathogenic bacteria.73