Bacterial DNA damaging agent
- Intracellular reduction generates reactive intermediates that damage bacterial DNA
- Also damages ribosomal proteins and respiratory enzymes
- Bacterial nitroreductase provides selectivity
Drugs with this mechanism (1)
- Nitrofurantoin — Bladder-concentrated antibiotic for uncomplicated cystitis; useless for pyelonephritis.
Self-check
- How are the bacterial DNA-damaging intermediates generated?
Intracellular reduction. - What supplies bacterial selectivity for this mechanism?
Bacterial nitroreductase.
All mechanisms · Open Bacterial DNA damaging agent in the interactive console ↗