DIHYDROPTEROATE SYNTHASE Meaning and
Definition
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Dihydropteroate synthase (DHPS) is an enzyme that plays a crucial role in the biosynthesis of folate, which is essential for the synthesis of DNA and certain amino acids. It is a key enzyme within the folate pathway in many microorganisms including bacteria and parasites, making it an attractive target for antibacterial and antiparasitic drugs.
DHPS catalyzes the condensation of p-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) with dihydropteridine pyrophosphate, forming dihydropteroic acid. This reaction is the first committed step in the folate biosynthesis pathway, leading to the production of tetrahydrofolate (THF). THF is an essential cofactor involved in one-carbon transfer reactions required for the synthesis of nucleotides and certain amino acids.
Inhibition of DHPS activity can disrupt the folate pathway and lead to the depletion of THF in microorganisms that rely on de novo folate synthesis. This disruption severely compromises their ability to synthesize DNA and protein, making DHPS inhibitors effective antimicrobial agents.
DHPS inhibitors, such as sulfonamides, have been widely used as antibacterial drugs to treat a variety of bacterial infections. Due to the structural differences between bacterial and human DHPS, selective inhibition of the bacterial enzyme is possible, minimizing potential side effects in humans. Understanding the structure and function of DHPS has been essential in the development of effective drugs to combat bacterial and parasitic infections.
Common Misspellings for DIHYDROPTEROATE SYNTHASE
- sihydropteroate synthase
- xihydropteroate synthase
- cihydropteroate synthase
- fihydropteroate synthase
- rihydropteroate synthase
- eihydropteroate synthase
- duhydropteroate synthase
- djhydropteroate synthase
- dkhydropteroate synthase
- dohydropteroate synthase
- d9hydropteroate synthase
- d8hydropteroate synthase
- digydropteroate synthase
- dibydropteroate synthase
- dinydropteroate synthase
- dijydropteroate synthase
- diuydropteroate synthase
- diyydropteroate synthase
- dihtdropteroate synthase
- dihgdropteroate synthase
Etymology of DIHYDROPTEROATE SYNTHASE
The word "dihydropteroate synthase" is a compound term composed of several elements.
1. Dihydropteroate: The first part of the term, "dihydropteroate", is derived from "dihydro", meaning two hydrogens, and "pteroate", referring to the compound "pteroic acid". Pteroic acid is a precursor in the synthesis of folic acid, which is essential for the synthesis of nucleotides and amino acids in organisms.
2. Synthase: The second part of the term, "synthase", is derived from the suffix "-synth" or "synthesis", which refers to the process of combining or synthesizing molecules. "Synthase" specifically indicates an enzyme that catalyzes a synthetic chemical reaction.
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