bacterial DNA function inhibitors

Last reviewed 01/2018

Inhibition of bacterial DNA function can be effected broadly in two ways. Firstly, the DNA itself can be chemically bound with, removing the ability to read the sequence or actually altering the sequence. Secondly, the enzymes required for reading of the DNA can be interfered with.

An example of the first nitrofurantoin; the second is exemplified by nalidixic acid.

A more specialised example is metronidazole, which works after being metabolised in anaerobic bacteria.