What Antibiotics Target Folic Acid Synthesis?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

, , , ,


Sulfonamides and trimethoprim

target the folic acid biochemical pathway of bacteria. These antibacterial compounds are termed folic acid pathway inhibitors. Sulfonamides interfere with the formation of folic acid, an essential precursor for nucleic acid synthesis.

Which drug group inhibits folic acid synthesis?


Sulfonamides

, a class of antimicrobials that work by inhibiting folate biosynthesis.

Which antibiotics function as folate antagonist?

Chemical structures of tetrahydrofolic acid and two antifolates: methotrexate (classical antifolate) and

sulfacetamide

(non-classical antifolate), commonly used as folic acid antagonists.

Which pair of antimicrobial agents inhibit folic acid synthesis?

Antimicrobial Resistance


Sulfa drugs and trimethoprim

, both of which are inexpensive and broad-spectrum antimicrobial agents, are often used in combination because they act synergistically. Both drugs inhibit folic acid synthesis in bacteria, which is necessary for DNA synthesis.

Do sulfa drugs target folic acid synthesis in humans?

Sulfa drugs are bacteriostatic; i.e., they inhibit the growth and multiplication of bacteria but do not kill them. They act by

interfering with the synthesis of folic acid

(folate), a member of the vitamin B complex present in all living cells.

Which drug is a folate antagonist?

A number of drugs such as

aminopterin, methotrexate (amethopterin)

, pyrimethamine, trimethoprim and triamterene act as folate antagonists and produce folate deficiency by inhibiting this enzyme.

Which antibiotic inhibits protein synthesis?


Erythromycin

, a macrolide, binds to the 23S rRNA component of the 50S ribosome and interferes with the assembly of 50S subunits. Erythromycin, roxithromycin, and clarithromycin all prevent elongation at the transpeptidation step of synthesis by blocking the 50S polypeptide export tunnel.

Which of the following is a folic acid antagonist?


Methotrexate

.

Methotrexate

, a folic acid antagonist, is used in the treatment of several disorders. Its major action is inhibition of dihydrofolate reductase, a critical enzyme in intracellular folate metabolism.

What is empiric broad spectrum antibiotics?

Empiric antibiotic therapy refers to

the use of antibiotics to treat a suspected bacterial infection despite lack of a specific bacterial diagnosis

. Definitive diagnosis of the species of bacteria often occurs through culture of blood, sputum, or urine, and can be delayed by 24 to 72 hours.

How much folic acid should you take daily?

The recommended daily amount of folate for adults is

400 micrograms (mcg)

. Adult women who are planning pregnancy or could become pregnant should be advised to get 400 to 1,000 mcg of folic acid a day.

What antibiotics disrupt cytoplasmic membrane?

Disruption of the cytoplasmic membrane by the faulty proteins kills the bacterial cells. The aminoglycosides, which include drugs such as

streptomycin, gentamicin, neomycin, and kanamycin

, are potent broad-spectrum antibacterials.

What interferes with peptidoglycan synthesis?


β-Lactam antibiotics

are bacteriocidal and act by inhibiting the synthesis of the peptidoglycan layer of bacterial cell walls. Glycopeptide antibiotics include vancomycin, teicoplanin, telavancin, bleomycin, ramoplanin, and decaplanin.

Why do bacteria need folic acid?

Folic acid is an essential nutrient necessary for protein and nucleic acid synthesis (DNA and RNA). Folic acid is synthesized by bacteria from the substrate, para-amino-benzoic acid (PABA), and all cells require folic acid for

growth

.

Why do antibiotics target bacteria but not human cells?

by Drugs.com

Antibiotics

work by interfering with the bacterial cell wall to prevent growth and replication of the bacteria

. Human cells do not have cell walls, but many types of bacteria do, and so antibiotics can target bacteria without harming human cells.

Is amoxicillin a reversible or irreversible inhibitor?

For diphenolase activity, amoxicillin was found to be

a reversible inhibitor

, with an IC50 value of 9.0 ± 1.8 mM. Kinetics analysis showed that amoxicillin was a mixed type inhibitor of the enzyme with KI and KIS values of 8.30 mM and 44.79 mM, respectively.

Which class of drugs interferes with the synthesis of folate or folic acid?


Sulfonamides and trimethoprim

inhibit synthesis of folate at two different sites. The sulfonamides are structurally similar to PABA and block the incorporation of PABA into dihydropteroic acid.

Sophia Kim
Author
Sophia Kim
Sophia Kim is a food writer with a passion for cooking and entertaining. She has worked in various restaurants and catering companies, and has written for several food publications. Sophia's expertise in cooking and entertaining will help you create memorable meals and events.