DNA damage (nitroreduction)
DNA damage via nitroreduction
- Anaerobic nitroreduction generates DNA-damaging radicals inside the organism
- Selective for anaerobes and microaerophilic protozoa — aerobes cannot activate it
- The disulfiram-like alcohol reaction shares the same reactive chemistry
Drugs with this mechanism (1)
- Metronidazole — Antibiotic/antiprotozoal for anaerobes; disulfiram-like reaction with alcohol.
Self-check
- Why can’t aerobes activate these DNA-damaging nitro drugs?
Activation requires anaerobic nitroreduction. - Which protozoa are susceptible to this nitroreduction mechanism?
Microaerophilic protozoa.
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